The Washington DC 100

Changing the Game: Video Game Industry Is Disrupting How We Educate, Advocate and Communicate

Gallagher is president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers.

What is the video game industry all about? For one, it’s about far more than entertainment that has leaped from Pong to XBOX and virtual reality (VR) headsets while rising to an economic engine in its relatively short, four-decade history. The fact is, video games are changing the ways we teach, the ways we learn, the ways we approach medical treatment and much more.

In this edition of The Washington DC 100, video game advocates and partners illustrate how our industry is anticipating demand and driving the trends and innovation that will define video games for the next generation.

– Michael D. Gallagher, President & CEO, Entertainment Software Association

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ESA

It All Starts at E3

“Interactive entertainment is the center of the tech universe, and E3 – the industry’s world-leading trade show – is the catalyst that sparks spectacular new worlds of innovation each year.” – Michael D. Gallagher

Held in June, E3 2017 welcomed 68,400 attendees and was watched by billions around the world, dominating global conversation for days. Scores of millions of E3-related posts were published across social media.

Thousands of new products were showcased by nearly 300 exhibitors, including 150 never-before-seen products and game titles. The show also featured a record 126 exhibitors with virtual, augmented and mixed-reality products.

– Rich Taylor, Senior Vice President of Communications &. Industry Affairs, ESA

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ESA

In Chicago Lawsuit, ESA Fights for Consumers

ESA is pushing back against Chicago's expansion of its Amusement Tax.

ESA recently filed a lawsuit challenging Chicago’s expansion of its Amusement Tax, which charges Chicago residents a 9% tax on online streaming and some video game experiences.

If you buy a game on disc in a Chicago store, no Amusement Tax applies. But streaming that same game title, as part of an online service, would be subject to the tax. This is a violation of the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which bars federal, state and local governments from discriminating against e-commerce.

ESA believes in the 21st century, consumers should not face barriers to enjoying the interactive content they want.

–Stanley Pierre-Louis, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ESA

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ESA

Free Online Coding Curriculum Gets Girls Programming

Boolean Girl is providing the tools girls need to program at home (photo courtesy: Bruce Guthrie).

Boolean Girl, a local startup, aims to close the gender gap in STEM by teaching girls to code, build, invent and animate.

We reach hundreds of girls annually through after-school classes, all-girl summer camps, workshops and events; and with our Kickstarter-backed Boolean Box, a build-it-yourself computer and electronics kit, we encourage girls to program at home.

We’re also a proud partner of the ESA Foundation and Smithsonian American Art Museum for SAAM Arcade next month, where we’ll offer our new “retro game” programming course that includes BooleanU, our free online coding curriculum,“Frogger” and “PacMan.”

– Ingrid Sanden, Co-Owner and Operations Manager, Boolean Girl

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ESA

Winning the Grassroots Game

For nearly 10 years, the Video Game Voters Network (VGVN) has been a place for American gamers to organize and defend against threats to video games.

If you work in Washington, you’ve probably been asked to build a grassroots coalition – usually by an industry identifying an issue, then engaging “champions” who will advocate for or against it.

VGVN did things differently. Rather than creating an issue and rallying people around it, we built a strong community, then engaged them on things they love and issues that matter. It worked.

Today, VGVN boasts an engaged, effective community of 1.7 million members. Finding balance between community-building and advocate-engagement helps establish trust, eliminate fatigue and ensure our champions have our back when we need them most.

–Reed S. Albers, Director, Video Game Voters Network

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ESA

E3 Welcomes Its Biggest Fans

This year's E3 introduced the E3 Coliseum, a spectacular main stage that brought video game fans closer to their favorite games and creators.

In June, E3 welcomed consumers to its show floor for the first time, giving fans access to the biggest event for video games on the planet. To mark the occasion, unprecedented access to leading figures in the video game and other entertainment industries was given to those fans through the new E3 Coliseum.

E3 Coliseum, a series of exciting and thought-provoking panels, featured such luminaries as Director of Kojima Productions Hideo Kojima, 343 Industries Executive Producer Kiki Wolfkill, founder of Double Fine Productions Tim Schafer, actor Jack Black, television writer and producer Gennifer Hutchison and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

-Dan Hewitt, Vice President of Media Relations and Event Management, ESA

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ESA

A Policy Agenda Built to Protect the Path Forward

The public policy side of the video game industry entails efforts ranging from protecting consumers to advocating for STEM education opportunities.

The video game industry is young – Pong was released in 1972. Yet in that short time, it has become a dynamic economic force that employs 220,000 people across all 50 states and adds over $30 billion to the U.S. economy.

As advocates for the industry, it is our job to fight for policies that will foster additional growth and innovation.

Whether protecting game companies (maintaining strong IP laws, breaking trade barriers), protecting consumers (cybersecurity and privacy regulations) or creating opportunities (STEM education), ESA does it all to protect this path to greater job creation, innovation and economic impact.

-Erik Huey, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, ESA

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ESA

A Smaller Stage, a Bigger Impact: the Importance of Advocacy at the State Level

Bringing new innovation to states requires educating, and working with, elected leaders on the essential role of the video game industry.

State elected leaders throughout the nation work conscientiously to address any perceived problems related to the technology industry. Unfortunately, it’s often necessary for state legislatures to use 18th-century property laws to address 21st-century technology, which could hinder innovation in our $30.4 billion industry.

As lawmakers nationwide discuss the implementation of laws and regulations for the technology economy, the video game industry works to educate elected officials and other leaders on the essential role this industry plays in bringing new innovations to their states. To see the impact of the industry in your state, view ESA’s interactive map.

–Tom Foulkes, Vice President, State Government Affairs, ESA

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ESA

Who Plays Video Games? You Might Be Surprised

ESA released “2017 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry” in April 2017. The report gathered data from more than 4,000 American households, making it the most in-depth and targeted survey of its kind.

ESA’s latest research tells an exciting story. In addition to its growing economic contributions ($30.4 billion in 2016), the video game industry is expanding its reach with Americans of all ages and genders:

• Nearly two-thirds of American households are home to someone who plays video games regularly.

• Gamers age 18 or older represent 72% of the video game-playing population, and the average gamer is 35 years old.

• Adult women represent a greater portion of the video game-playing population (31%) than boys under age 18 (18%).

For more information about who’s playing video games, read our report.

–Rich Taylor, Senior Vice President of Communications &. Industry Affairs, ESA

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ESA

You Can’t Chase a Dream You Don’t Know Exists

Ibarra won first place at ESA’s Hacking Generation Y hackathon in DATE and was awarded an ESA Foundation Scholarship in DATE. She is pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College and is interning at Stitch Fix.

When friends convinced me to enter a hackathon, I didn’t think I’d win, let alone have it reshape my future.

I assumed I’d be a nurse, like the other women in my family. But winning the hackathon and meeting women in the tech industry who look like me solidified my passion for video games and technology. I’ve since worked with Fortune 500 companies and founded two programs dedicated to empowering Filipinas to pursue tech and video game careers.

Creating new opportunities is important – making people aware of them even more so. You can’t chase a dream you don’t know exists.

–Teresa Ibarra, ESA Foundation Scholarship Recipient

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ESA

Video Game Development + Algebra I = a Formula for Success

Schanzer founded Bootstrap 10 years ago, following a career in teaching. Thanks to support from the ESA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ESA, Bootstrap has been able to make improvements in accessibility for disabled students.

As our education system devotes more focus to STEM, there’s one major hurdle – algebra. A keystone of any STEM curriculum – and among the biggest indicators of students’ future salaries – Algebra 1 is also the most failed class in America.

That’s where Bootstrap comes in. Students use a mathematical programming language that reinforces – rather than undermines – the math in their books in order to build something cool: a video game of their own creation.

Bootstrap now reaches 20,000 kids annually (with girls and minorities comprising about half), and, thanks to the support of the ESA Foundation, we’re continuing to grow.

–Emmanuel Schanzer, Co-Director, Bootstrap

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ESA

Studying Games Is Full of Opportunity and Success

HEVGA's mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders, which will underscore the cultural, scientific and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities.

Higher Education Video Game Alliance surveys of game design programs and alumni have set a precedent toward understanding the impact of video games in higher education.

On the market, 93% of graduates find employment after one year and the average salary for a full-time position is $76,200. Alumni report high job satisfaction, with 83% describing themselves as “thriving.” On campuses, programs boast average enrollment rates for women nearly double other computer and information sciences programs.

Game programs are generators of success at universities and on the market. Supporting new programs strengthens our communities and creates jobs that stick.

–Constance Steinkuehler, PhD; President, Higher Education Video Game Alliance

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ESA

The ESRB and Video Games: the Gold Standard in Self-Regulation

ESRB ratings were designed to provide concise and objective information about the content in video games and apps.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board is the self-regulatory, nonprofit body for the video game industry and has been assigning age and content ratings to games for 23 years.

In that time, ESRB has worked with industry professionals, video game publishers, developers, retailers and parents to develop innovative self-regulation solutions and enforce industry-adopted marketing guidelines.

Thanks to the hard work of all those involved, ESRB continues to provide consumers, especially parents, in North America with access to ESRB’s trusted and familiar ratings so they can make more informed decisions about the age-appropriateness of video games and apps.

–Patricia Vance, President, Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

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ESA

Not Just a Young Person’s Game

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families. (Photo courtesy of AARP)

When most people think of video games, they think of millennials and younger people; they don’t think of people 50 and older. Yet one in three Americans age 50-plus play video games regularly. Most of these gamers play for fun and the opportunity to stay connected with loved ones through online game communities.

Video games and apps are truly ageless, offering gamers of all ages — from grandfathers to granddaughters — the opportunity to share entertainment and social interactions with each other. At AARP, we’re looking at the role video game technology can play in helping us all to age better.

–Sami Hassanyeh, SVP Digital Strategy and Membership, AARP

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Food & Ag

Food & Ag Policy: Food Safety

Gloria Story Dittus is the chairman of Story Partners.

With more mouths to feed every day, there are increasingly complex policy questions about how to do so in a safe, healthy way – making food & ag policy more important than ever.

In March, we introduced Story Partners’ new Eat, Drink & Farm practice – led by Matt Herrick – with a Washington DC 100 edition that focused on key issues facing the upcoming Farm Bill.

Now we are turning our focus to another important topic, food safety – with a range of experts discussing how sound policies can help prevent food-borne illnesses, reduce medical costs, and create greater confidence in our food system.

– Gloria Dittus, Story Partners

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Food & Ag

Food Safety Modernization Act Reducing Illnesses

President Obama signed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act into law on January 4, 2011.

Through collaborative advocacy efforts, food companies and consumer and public health groups have secured major advances in food safety policy. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is a prime example, creating modern, prevention-based requirements that will reduce foodborne illnesses.

These alliances can produce even more food safety gains for Americans, and a diverse group of stakeholders, including Pew and Cargill, recently spent 18 months identifying ways to improve the nation’s outdated meat and poultry laws. Our recommendations provide a range of ideas to ensure that the federal safety system for these products is focused on today’s public health risks.

– Sandra Eskin, Director, Food Safety, Pew Charitable Trusts

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Food & Ag

Chicken – Safe, Delicious and 165 Degrees

The National Chicken Council is the trade association whose primary purpose is to serve as the advocate and voice for the U.S. broiler chicken industry in Washington, D.C.

Consumer preference for buying chicken has changed – fewer customers choose whole chickens, opting instead for parts like breasts, wings, and thighs. In return, chicken processors and the Food Safety and Inspection Service are focusing on keeping these products safe and wholesome.

In a collaborative manner, chicken processors have been working closely with FSIS, academic experts, equipment suppliers, antimicrobial suppliers and others to decrease common foodborne pathogens on all chicken. This has led to a 46% and 33% decrease in prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella on chicken parts, respectively.

Grilling season is here – let’s keep it safe, delicious and 165°F.

– Mike Brown, President, National Chicken Council

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Food & Ag

Rep. DeLauro: Congress Should Pass the Safe Food Act

DeLauro, a Democrat, has represented Connecticut’s third congressional district since 1991. She serves on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

More than 100 years after we enacted the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and more than six years after we enacted the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, Americans should not be sickened or dying from the food they eat.

Congress should pass the Safe Food Act, which I first introduced in 2015 with Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) — and plan to reintroduce in the coming months — in order to streamline inspections, enforcement and labeling into a single food safety agency. Through this legislation, we can provide consumers with a single agency dedicated to monitoring and preventing foodborne illnesses.

– Rep. Rosa DeLauro

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Food & Ag

An Industry Hungry for Regulatory Guidance Awaits

Erbentraut is a HuffPost senior reporter who covers promising innovations and challenges in the areas of food and water.

If any journalist tells you that tracking the Trump Administration’s actions on food safety has been easy, they would be lying. The recurring refrain from the folks I’ve been speaking with is “wait and see.”

But patience is wearing thin as we’ve heard few details. As I’ve reported, the industry is hungry for guidance on Food Safety Modernization Act implementation and more — particularly at a time when this administration’s anti-regulatory furor and cuts proposed at the USDA and FDA might impact food safety work.

I believe it’s fair to question what this might be signaling. For now, we wait.

– Joe Erbentraut, Reporter, HuffPost

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Food & Ag

Tech Playing Role in Farm-to-Fork Transparency

Since 2006, FoodLogiQ has been developing solutions that meet the increasingly complex global food chain issues and vast web of regulations that face all modern food companies. The company’s FoodLogiQ Connect software is shown above.

Technology is now a critical component of a company’s food safety plan to provide true farm-to-fork traceability and transparency. The food safety data that is generated allows them to make swift decisions for protecting the public health and meet regulations set by the Food Safety Modernization Act, as well as keep brand promises.

FoodLogiQ conducted a survey that revealed 50% of consumers expect a recall should be resolved within one to two days. When companies are able to address recalls quickly by leveraging the data and return to business as usual, the faster their customers will come back.

– Dean Wiltse, CEO, FoodLogiQ

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Food & Ag

Hacking Bacteria’s DNA

Dr. Raymond served as the USDA's Undersecretary for Food Safety from 2005-2008. He's now a food safety and public health consultant and edits two food safety blogs, Meatingplace.com and Feedstuffs Foodlink.

Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) came into our lives after the infamous Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak incident in 1993. Now all public health labs use PFGE in foodborne illnesses and submit positives to the Centers for Disease Control.

The result of testing the bacteria’s DNA looks like a bar code, and CDC computers can match specimens so that what were once isolated illnesses with no known cause are now bunched together and called an outbreak. Outbreaks lead to sources, sources lead to companies and naming companies lead to headlines.

We aren’t doing worse, just creating more headlines.

– Richard Raymond M.D., former Undersecretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Food & Ag

Fruits, Veggies and Science

Billions of servings of fresh produce are consumed worldwide every day.

Managing food safety when you can cook the heck out of something is easy. Managing mother nature is impossible, and the effort that goes into safely growing fresh fruits and vegetables is underrecognized by most Americans.

Yet, each day millions of people around the world work to provide billions of servings of fresh produce. The low incidence of foodborne illness, considering the scale of production, is remarkable. But we know more must be done. We are taking advantage of the latest in science and technology to improve our processes and practices, surpassing regulatory requirements. It’s our responsibility and our passion.

– Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D.,VP Food Safety & Technology, United Fresh Produce Association

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Food & Ag

Frozen Foods Industry Working on Safety, Advocacy, Education

The American Frozen Food Institute is a national trade association that promotes the interests of all segments of the frozen food industry.

Advancing food safety is the number one goal of the American Frozen Food Institute. This goal of ours includes doubling down on Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) prevention and control by assisting our members with enhancing their best food safety practices, advocating for reasonable government policies, and educating consumers on the importance of following cooking instructions.

Especially around developing and implementing best food safety practices, AFFI members are committed to a continuous process of sharing best practices and learning from each other. This collaborative approach to food safety continues to ensure millions of Americans have access to nutritious, safe and affordable food.

– Alison Bodor, President & CEO, American Frozen Food Institute

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Food & Ag

Food Safety in the Age of Trump

"It’s difficult to know if [the president] will put food safety where his mouth is until he signs a budget," says Marler, a leading food safety attorney.

President Trump is a self-described “germaphobe” who prefers eating KFC, McDonald’s and well-done steaks with catsup. His buildings’ restaurants have good safety records (except for one recent dust-up).

This suggests he might be good on food safety, his previous concerns about “FDA Food Police” notwithstanding. So far, his administration has proposed dramatic cuts to HHS and USDA, though these don’t appear to target a decline in food safety funding.

Ultimately, with a president who’s been “flexible” about policy positions, it’s difficult to know if he’ll put food safety where his mouth is until he signs a budget.

– William Marler, Managing Partner, Marler Clark – The Food Safety Law Firm

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Food & Ag

From the Fridge to Your Health

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research is a nonprofit organization established through bipartisan congressional support in the 2014 Farm Bill. Previously, Dr. Rockey led extramural research at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Agriculture.

The link between food and agriculture research and human health is increasingly a topic of discussion, but it should also be top of mind. Food safety advances are just one example of food and agriculture sciences’ impact on our daily lives.

New knowledge and technologies like refrigeration and pasteurization eliminate foodborne illnesses that caused widespread disease in our past. Control of foodborne pathogens has contributed to better health and longevity of people in the U.S., and continued support for science today will allow U.S. farmers to continue to produce safe, healthy food in the face of tomorrow’s challenges.

– Dr. Sally Rockey, Executive Director,Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

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Food & Ag

Egg Safety — Powered by the Incredible Edible Egg

For more safety tips from the American Egg Board, visit www.incredibleegg.org.

I’ve seen the attention to detail and safety America’s egg farmers invest daily. Given the average American eats 276 eggs annually and eggs are in 94% of all households, America’s egg farmers are vigilant in ensuring the safety of eggs and egg products traveling from farms to tables.

Although not commonly known, America’s egg farmers washed and refrigerated your eggs before they reached retail. And why do your eggs belong in your fridge’s main section? Egg safety; the temperature fluctuates too much in the fridge door, creating unnecessary risk.

For more egg safety tips, read these Safe Food Handling Tips.

– Anne L. Alonzo, President and CEO, American Egg Board

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Food

Cheese or Yogurt, It’s Delicious!

Skyr is high in calcium and vitamins commonly found in milk products.

You may have seen a new “yogurt” on the shelves at your local market. While new to America, skyr (pronounced SKEER) has been a part of Icelandic cuisine for more than a thousand years.

The process by which skyr is made is more like that of cheese, however, its consistency – and to some degree, its taste – is more like a yogurt. Which is it? It’s hard to say. We do know this cultured dairy product is a good source of protein without the sugar found in many popular yogurts. So next time, try skyr. You might find a new favorite!

– Sydney Ayers, The Colorado 100

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travel

Fingerprint, Facial Scanners at the Airport?

Passengers may soon be able to board flights using their fingerprints. (Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)

In 2004, the International Air Transport Association began pushing airlines to issue electronic tickets. Prior to that, most passengers received their tickets through the mail from a travel agent or from an airline ticket office.

Soon we may not even need electronic tickets or scans on our smartphones. Delta is testing a pilot program at Reagan National Airport for SkyMiles members to use their fingerprints to check bags and board their flight.

JetBlue is testing facial recognition technology that uses images verified through the US Customs and Border Protection database to allow passengers to board flights from Boston to Aruba.

– Jan Schroder, Girl on the Go

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Product Reviews

Come to Fruition

Strawberries, lime, blueberries - put any fruit you want into the Fruition water bottle for do-it-yourself flavored water.

I love to drink water flavored with mint, lemon and cucumber, but don’t enjoy the pulp and getting mint leaves stuck in my teeth.

The Fruition water bottle has a separate basket on the bottom where I can add my ingredients, close it up and pour water in the top part. Then I press the juicing mechanism on the bottom to squeeze more flavor out, and I’m good to go. It’s also perfect for people who don’t really enjoy drinking water.

Fruition is BPA-free, dishwasher safe and comes in three colors – kiwi-lime, blueberry and pink, for $25.99.

– Jan Schroder, The Atlanta 100

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Public Affairs

History

Events

Business

Changing the Game: Video Game Industry Is Disrupting How We Educate, Advocate and Communicate

It All Starts at E3

In Chicago Lawsuit, ESA Fights for Consumers

Free Online Coding Curriculum Gets Girls Programming

Winning the Grassroots Game

E3 Welcomes Its Biggest Fans

A Policy Agenda Built to Protect the Path Forward

A Smaller Stage, a Bigger Impact: the Importance of Advocacy at the State Level

Who Plays Video Games? You Might Be Surprised

You Can’t Chase a Dream You Don’t Know Exists

Video Game Development + Algebra I = a Formula for Success

Studying Games Is Full of Opportunity and Success

The ESRB and Video Games: the Gold Standard in Self-Regulation

Not Just a Young Person’s Game

Food & Ag Policy: Food Safety

Food Safety Modernization Act Reducing Illnesses

Chicken – Safe, Delicious and 165 Degrees

Rep. DeLauro: Congress Should Pass the Safe Food Act

An Industry Hungry for Regulatory Guidance Awaits

Tech Playing Role in Farm-to-Fork Transparency

Hacking Bacteria’s DNA

Fruits, Veggies and Science

Frozen Foods Industry Working on Safety, Advocacy, Education

Food Safety in the Age of Trump

From the Fridge to Your Health

Egg Safety — Powered by the Incredible Edible Egg

Cheese or Yogurt, It’s Delicious!

Fingerprint, Facial Scanners at the Airport?

Come to Fruition