The Entertainment Software Association spent a record $4.2 million on federal lobbying in 2008, Gamasutra reports this morning.
In the fourth quarter alone the industry trade group spent $1,1 million. The money was spent in lobbying efforts of both chambers of Congress on broadband development, online gaming and immigration issues.
While that's a 25.6 percent increase from 2007, there was also more than an 16.7 percent increase in the industry's sales in 2008, according to an ESA press release.
Overall computer and video game industry hardware, software and peripheral sales climbed from $18.85 billion in 2007 to $22 billion in 2008, with software sales making up $11.7 billion of the total.
"Even in difficult economic times, the video game industry continues to support our country’s local, state and national economies with record-breaking sales figures and rapid technological innovation,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, about the increase in 2008 sales. “Our industry’s exceptional creators, artists, and storytellers, coupled with a commitment to providing unparalleled entertainment, have fueled high-octane growth, turning video games into the most sought-after medium on the market today.”
In 2008, family-friendly video games dominated the market, with games that the Entertainment Software Rating Board rated “Everyone 10+” and lower accounting for over half of all sales. Games rated “T” for “Teen,” meanwhile, accounted for 26.7 percent of all sales, while “Mature (M)” games made up only 15.9 percent of the market.
ESA Spent Record $4.2 Million Lobbying In 2008 [Gamasutra]