STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL D. GALLAGHER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION, ON GOVERNON RICK PERRY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The following information was released by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA):

Statement from Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, on Governor Rick Perry's State of the State Address

February 8, 2011 - Washington, DC - Texas' Governor Rick Perry today stressed the importance of funding the state's emerging technology fund in his State of the State address. According to a recent study on the fund highlighted by Governor Perry, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs reported that Texas was one of the first states with an incentive fund for the computer and video game industry, which spent $234 million and employed 3,400 permanent workers in Texas in 2009 alone. In response to Governor Perry's call for a fully financed technology fund, Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, stated:

"Governor Perry has again demonstrated his understanding of 21st Century job creation and growth. We commend his leadership and commitment to providing Texans jobs by aggressively pursuing video game industry development for his state. Our industry's employees are highly educated professionals with an average annual salary of $88,000. These are exactly the types of creative and dynamic jobs for which other states are competing. We encourage the legislature to work with follow Governor Perry and strongly support this proposal for job creation and economic growth."

The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the E3 Media and Business Summit, business and consumer research, federal and state government relations, First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.