Esports devs, publishers and ‘sector leaders’ unite to form new esports stakeholder group, ISFE

ISFE – the organisation representing Europe’s video games industry – has partnered with European leaders of the global esports industry to launch ISFE Esports, a new group that plans to unite key esports stakeholders “to grow the potential of esports, to boost the flow of talent into the sector, and to promote a fair, inclusive and diverse esports culture”.

ISFE Esports initially brings together games publishers and national trade association members with tournament organiser, ESL, streaming platform, Twitch and leading non-ISFE member publishers, Epic Games and Riot Games to grow the sector “in a responsible way for the benefit of all related businesses, players and fans”. 

Detailing its mandate, ISFE Esports said it will: bring together esports stakeholders to discuss and find common ground on key issues affecting the sector; seek to strategically align esports policy across Europe; coordinate and articulate the voice of esports so that the sector can be represented before European policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders; raise awareness of esports and of the opportunities it offers amongst policymakers and politicians; encourage and facilitate the exchange of views and intelligence, and the development of best practices; agree policy positions when required or appropriate; identify threats and challenges to the growth and development of the esports sector; and aim to coordinate and liaise with like-minded groups and associations worldwide.

“With video games publishers, their games and their players at the very heart of esports, they are best placed to lead the growth and development of this new frontier for the video games industry, to meet its challenges, promote esports, and to provide an authoritative voice on the issues impacting their businesses,” said Olaf Coenen, chairperson of ISFE and co-chairperson of ISFE Esports.

“With the esports industry growing at such a fast rate, it is crucial that we publishers should bring to bear our many years of experience and, in particular, our rigorous standards for responsible gameplay for the overall good of the ecosystem and the protection of our players,” added Alberto Guerrero, head of esports Europe, Riot Games.

Twitch said it was “excited to participate in ISFE Esports which will ensure this important, exciting and growing industry and its massive audience are fully represented at the highest level”, whilst ESL CEO Ralf Reichert added: “ESL’s vision to create a world where everybody can be somebody and to connect people through esports is aligned with the goals of ISFE Esports: esports is a worldwide phenomenon and its ability to rapidly reach its full potential can be accelerated by bringing together the major game creators, content providers, publishers and members of the esports ecosystem and their industry body with a common aim and a shared vision.”