Tired of video games getting a bad rap? Stanley Pierre-Louis, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, unveils the playbook that turned the gaming industry from a political target into a respected art form. Learn how strategic advocacy and self-regulation built a fortress of trust with both policymakers and parents.
With new challenges like AI on the horizon, the lessons from gaming's legislative battles provide a crucial blueprint for any innovative industry trying to protect its creative freedom and foster growth in a world of constant scrutiny.
CHAPTERS:00:00 - How Stanley Pierre-Louis Became the Voice of the Gaming Industry
01:51 - Growing Up with Atari, Pac-Man, and Retro Gaming Culture
04:28 - Battling Piracy from Napster to Grokster in Music Law
10:10 - Transitioning from Music to Gaming Through IP and Tech
13:46 - How Creators Differ Across Film, Music, and Video Games
16:50 - The Birth of the ESA and ESRB as Gaming’s Advocacy Pillars
22:17 - Why Parents Trust Video Games More Than Social Media
24:33 - How COVID and Culture Shifted Gaming’s Perception in D.C.
27:01 - Key Policy Issues in Gaming: Online Safety, AI, and Regulation
33:00 - How ESA Translates Industry Innovation to Lawmakers
41:04 - Why E3 Ended and What iicon Means for Gaming’s Future
46:08 - Stanley’s Vision for the ESA as a Policy and Innovation Leader
🔗 CONNECT WITH STANLEY & THE ESA:
• Website: theesa.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanley-pierre-louis-761b1a83/
• ESA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entertainment-software-association/
#VideoGames #GamingIndustry #ESA