ESA Establishes Video Game Voters Network

Let your voice be heard! The ESA has started a new initiative to keep gamers informed of industry happenings and to encourage them to get involved by voting and contacting their federal, state and local officials about video games.

As the mainstream media continues to (largely) misunderstand video games and U.S. politicians reveal wave after wave of anti-game legislation that seeks to regulate the sale of video games, there's been much public outcry asking the Entertainment Software Association and the industry in general to step up.

Former Atari PR guy Jayson Hill wrote about grassroots efforts and helping the ESRB spread ratings awareness in a recent My Turn, ESRB president Patricia Vance said she's "extremely encouraged" that those in the industry could help pitch in and start a grassroots effort, former LucasArts marketing VP John Geoghegan recently talked about a 12-step program for the industry to revive itself and fight growing criticism, and GamePolitics editor Dennis McCauley has also called on the ESA to "get out and fight."

Today the ESA has taken a good first step by launching a new grassroots political network for gamers called the Video Game Voters Network. The ESA says that "the website was created as a means for American adults who play computer and video games to organize and take action on important policy issues affecting the computer and video game industry."