The document summarizes the benefits of membership in two organizations for game developers: the International Game Developers' Association (IGDA) and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The IGDA supports game developers through networking opportunities at events, mentorship for students, and advocacy for the industry. The ESA represents the broader tech industry, offering grants/scholarships and access to market data and policy advocacy. While both can benefit careers, the IGDA focuses specifically on game development careers, while the ESA supports the wider tech field.

1. IGDA & ESA:
Benefits for Their
Members
By Lamar Turner, Savannah Rios, and Thomas
Tolentino

2. International Game
Developers’ Association
(IGDA)

3. What Is It?
● over 90 branches all over the world
● has members who are engaged in making computer and console
games
● charity for game developers by game developers
● non-profit organization that is a network of people from all
game development fields

4. What Does IGDA Do?
● supports game developers in helping them achieve sustainable
careers
● mission is to enhance professional lives of members within IGDA
● helps connect to others who are interested or specialize in your
specific field

5. What Are the Benefits of Membership?
● grads and students benefit from getting guidance and
mentorism from professionals in the industry
● gain free access to industry events like GDC and other
conventions
● gives an opportunity for students to get a head start in the
competitive industry of game development

6. Testimony
"The main benefit of membership is knowing the you are developing
your career and personally contributing to the betterment of the
game development industry by supporting the IGDA's mission. We
bring together developers at key industry conferences in over 90
Chapters and in Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to improve their lives
and their craft. We advocate on behalf of our membership to ensure
quality of life, perpetuation of our craft and preparing the next
generation of developers."
- IGDA

7. Entertainment Software
Association (ESA)

8. What Is It?
● U.S. organization that serves the business and public affairs
needs of tech companies and the Internet
● foundation which supports students and next-generation
industry developers
● represents industry leaders across the States
● owns and operates E3, a large convention that presents video
games

9. What Does ESA Do?
● provides grants and scholarships to upcoming innovators and
developers
● supports other charitable organizations and schools centered on
entertainment software and technology
● have programs that help enhance math and science skills

10. What Are the Benefits of Membership?
● premiere access and discounts at E3
● access to market data such and overall consumer data on video
games, mobile games, eSports, Twitch Streaming, and more
● access to more than a dozen working groups which includes the
public relations working group, the legal working group, and etc.
● have influence on Capitol Hill and will work with ESA’s
government relations that covers a variety of concerns and
interests for the video game industry

11. Comparisons and Differences
Comparison
● IGDA and ESA both benefit
game developers and provide
job opportunities
● have charitable programs that
support developers financially
● free access to certain
conventions and discounts
Contrast
● IGDA is for game developers
only and of all ages
● ESA is for all members of the
larger tech industry
● ESA also offers scholarships
and grants in addition to other
benefits

13. Conclusion
● each are both beneficial, although in different ways
● IGDA is centered more on game developers and getting members
careers in the *game* industry
● ESA is for anyone involved with the larger whole of the tech industry
● being members of organizations can allow one to reap certain rewards
that can help them along in their career
● for more info on these two:
○ IGDA: http://www.igda.org/
○ ESA: http://www.theesa.com/

14. THANK YOU