By Matthew Boyd PROFESSIONAL BODIES IN THE GAMES INDUSTRY

ELSPA European Leisure Software Publishers Association (Ltd) It was founded in 1989 What is does: “ As a gateway to Europe, ELSPA works to protect, promote and provide for the interests of all its members, as well as addressing issues that affect the industry as a whole.” Association-Ltd It also produced sale charts and rating for games sold in the EU “ The ratings given were originally 3–10, 11–14, 15–17 and 18+. This rating system was replace in 2004 by a European ratings system called the Pan-European Game Information system (PEGI).” iation It closed in 2010 and rebranded to UKIE

IGDA International Game Developers Association (IGDA) “Mission: To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. This mission is carried out in the following key areas: Advocacy: Make change in our industry by identifying and speaking out on key issues Networking and Community: Connecting members with their peers, both geographically and functionally Professional Development: Promoting constant improvement of our craft International Reach: Expanding the global community of game developers” IGDA is a global company and works to help game developers by getting them in contact with there peers and professionals.

WOMEN IN GAMING More and more women have been getting into gaming over the past 5 years. Most women have been in the casual market with games such as candy crush. Yet still a lot of woman have been getting into more mainstream games such as “Call of duty” and “League of legends”. This proves that women want to play these type of games even though there targeted towards a male market. If these games were actually target also for the female audience it would encourage them to play games a lot more. On top of this there is a push to encourage female game designers as it would help to create more diverse games which are better suited towards the female audience.

BAFTA British Academy Film Awards It was founded in 1947 and merged with the Academy merged with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors In 1958 and Television Arts in The BAFTA’s is an awards competition where content is recognise for there quality and achievements and are nominated for a BAFTA. This is not limited to film and TV, it also includes video games. In fact there are around 14 different categories to be entered Into. Some of these include Artistic, audio, persistent, sport, story, best game and action adventure.

MEF Mobile entertainment forum MEF monitors and reviews everything to do with mobile phones. The review and rate app which are published on Android and IOS devices. They also allow the public to give there own opinions on the devise with there online forum. The also have expanded to all things mobile such as tablets and even the PSP. In relating to the games industry the MEF monitor and review all portable gaming devices. Games apps for phones and tablets and even portable game devises such as the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, 2DS and 3DS. “The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) is the global trade association of the mobile media industry, working on behalf of its diverse membership to drive mobile entertainment adoption, shape regulation and deliver competitive advantage to its members.”