Entertainment Software Association

“Gaming is the most exciting medium to tell a story in, just because there’s more freedom to invent… With games, there’s room for exploration and innovation,” said Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Katsura Hashino in a recent interview with Forbes. From psychological thrillers like Alan Wake II to sprawling RPGs like Metaphor, today’s developers are drawing from literature, mythology, and real-life experiences to create stories players don’t just watch—they live. As technology advances and player expectations rise, video games are redefining what narrative art can be. Read more:

The Accessible Games Initiative is a crucial step toward making video games more inclusive for everyone. This initiative provides clear, easy-to-find information about the accessibility features in video games, helping consumers make informed choices about the games they play. Games should be a space where all players, regardless of ability, can thrive. By highlighting accessibility features, we ensure that more people can experience the joy of gameplay in a way that is comfortable for them. Hear from the accessibility gameplay community:

“A Minecraft Movie”—a video game adaptation from ESA member Microsoft’s Minecraft—smashed expectations with a record-breaking $163M opening weekend, marking the biggest domestic debut of the year and the best-ever opening for a video game adaptation. This isn’t just a win for the film—it’s further proof that video game adaptations are thriving. These stories transcend platforms, generations, and formats—showcasing the creative power of games and their lasting impact on global culture. More in Variety:

Video game adaptations are taking over Hollywood—and for good reason. These stories are rich, character-driven, and built on worlds that fans already love. These titles show how games and entertainment intersect to create something truly cinematic. This week, ESA partnered with the Motion Picture Association, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Discovery for a post-apocalyptic screening of the first episode of Season 2 of The Last of Us—a gripping video game adaptation from ESA member company Sony Interactive Entertainment. Thank you to our partners and everyone in attendance for joining us. Endure, survive, and be sure to watch the premiere of Season 2 of The Last of Us on Max on April 13. #TheLastOfUs #VideoGameAdaptations Photo credit: Shannon Finney

From astronauts heading to the International Space Station to elementary students learning in classrooms, video game technology is going beyond entertainment and being used as an immersive, hands-on education tool.“ [Video games are] a stepping stone to say, ‘Here’s an analogy as to how to understand the world through gaming,’” Michael Allen, a professor of political science at Boise State University said in an IdahoNews article. #iicon2026 will explore how interactive entertainment is reshaping education across subjects. Read the article below to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eqGcXmhF #VideoGamesInEducation #InteractiveEntertainment

ESA joined more than 100 organizations in urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass S.146, the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act. As a leader in online safety, our industry has been a trailblazer in creating tools to help create positive and safe online gameplay experiences. Legislation like the TAKE IT DOWN Act reinforces our industry’s ongoing efforts to provide safer online experiences for everyone. Read the full letter:

2017 was a groundbreaking year for video games! Epic Games launched Fortnite, captivating millions and becoming a global phenomenon with over 500 million registered accounts. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS took the world by storm, setting Guinness World Records, winning multiple awards, and peaking at 3.25M concurrent players on Steam. Nintendo introduced the innovative Nintendo Switch, blending handheld and home console gameplay. The Xbox One S debuted with 4K streaming, HDR, and a sleek design, while Xbox Game Pass redefined gameplay with a vast library, online multiplayer, and EA Play access. Learn more about these major milestones: https://lnkd.in/e9FVEjGj

Learn more about the Accessible Games Initiative, revealed at GDC 2025: https://lnkd.in/g9y8ZhcC

ESA submitted comments in response to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Privacy Working Group's RFI, encouraging a tailored federal privacy framework that will protect consumer data without impeding growth and innovation. Three key requests in our submission include:  1. 𝗔 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Preemption of state laws, federal enforcement provisions, and direct consumer data requests.  2. 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Protection against fraud and malicious conduct, flexibility in risk assessment and cybersecurity, and support for free-to-use models.  3. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀: Avoiding censorship or restricting speech and narrowing automated decision-making obligations. Americans deserve consistent privacy policy, rather than the current patchwork approach. Read our full response here:

Interactive entertainment is reshaping Hollywood. Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions (Sony Interactive Entertainment), sees a shift: “What people have seen in Hollywood is that video game adaptations, if done right, can actually be very popular—and they scale really well… Some of the best stories you are seeing are from video games.” With Minecraft hitting theaters, The Last of Us returning for Season 2 on HBO, and Amazon investing in Fallout, game-based storytelling is reaching broader audiences and proving its cultural and commercial power. Read more in this Variety piece: https://lnkd.in/eUhBxy7q