ESA adds Activision Blizzard and Tencent as members

The Entertainment Software Association has announced that Activision Blizzard and Tencent have joined its trading body, bringing the total number of memberships to 37.

Members of the ESA get access to services which include legal and policy analysis, First Amendment advocacy, and access to both business and consumer research among other things.

Activision Blizzard's chief legal officer Chris Walther had this to say, "We are excited to join ESA, it has a long track record of supporting it's members and the video game industry, and we look forward to sharing our unique perspective and experience with them."

"ESA supports and cultivates collaboration among member companies," said the director of business development and industry relations of Tencent, Gordon Bellamy. "We are excited to join an association that promotes the development of the U.S game industry as we are exploring more opportunities in this market," he added.

Before the merger of Acti-Blizz back in 2008, Activision [at the time] decided to depart the ESA, and earlier this morning there was a rumour that Vivendi [Acti-Blizz owner] is considering a cash grab.

Thanks, Polygon.