The Interactive Software Federation of Europe has established ISFE Esports, a new subdivision that will coordinate esports within Europe in collaboration with streaming, publishing, and game development companies across the world (via The Esports Observer).
ESL, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Ubisoft, Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Supercell, Twitch, Bandai Namco, and Take-Two Interactive have all partnered with the ISFE to integrate collective esports initiatives into one venture. The U.S. Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), and the International Game & Entertainment Association (IGEA) of New Zealand and Australia are also operating to support the organisation.
Alberto Guerrero, head of esports for Europe at Riot Games, will co-chair ISFE Esports with ISFE chairman Olaf Coenen. ‘With the esports industry growing at such a fast rate, it is crucial that we publishers should bring to bear our many years of experience and, in particular, our rigorous standards for responsible gameplay for the overall good of the ecosystem and the protection of our players,’ Guerrero said in a press release.
Its aims are to communicate effectively and efficiently with European regulators and policy makers to raise regional awareness and promotion for esports. The stakeholders will work together to bolster equality, representation, and diversity within the competitive space, and coordinate strategies that secure future success for all esports initiatives.
Esports were included in the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration sport, while the Olympics will not recognise it because many esports titles feature violent content. Regulation is extremely important within esports, and just recently, six people were arrested for fixing CS:GO matches. It’s also heartening to see that ISFE Esports will focus on representation, as that has been the elephant in the room. The future looks bright, and it is hoped that its efforts are off to a flying start.
