The Entertainment Software Association Statement on Tennessee Law Designed to Attract More Interactive Entertainment Investment to the Volunteer State

The Entertainment Software Association Statement on Tennessee Law Designed to Attract More Interactive Entertainment Investment to the Volunteer State

WASHINGTON – March 30, 2021 – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which represents the U.S. video game industry, today issued the following statement on Tennessee’s expanded incentives program to attract more video game companies to the state.

“The ESA applauds everyone in Tennessee who supported the expanded program to attract creative industries—especially esports and video game production and development—that will help drive innovation and economic growth, while advancing Tennessee’s reputation as a vibrant and diverse entertainment competitor on the global stage.”

According to the ESA’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, Tennessee supports nearly 2,000 direct and indirect video game industry jobs and is home to eight developers, four higher education programs and three collegiate varsity esports programs.

The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2021 and will be managed and administered by the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of Revenue. In addition to Tennessee, 19 other states and Puerto Rico have enacted similar incentives for video game development and production.

Learn more about the economic impact of the U.S. video game industry in every state at theESA.com.

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About the ESA

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) serves as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on Twitter @theESA.