The ESA took in $30 million in the 2020-21 tax year, versus $40 million from the year before.But the lack of an E3 incurred a massive revenue hit, which may add a new perspective to how much the ESA and its membersThe last in-person iteration of the show, in 2019, generated $17 million for the ESA, compared to $12 million in full-year convention and meeting costs.The group’s positions serve the industry powerhouses who fund it, if not always positions that’d necessarily be popular with players.
For example, the ESA has issues with so-called Right to Repair legislation, which would allow people to legally fix their own consumer electronics, instead of relying on manufacturers or authorized repair services.such policies “present unique security and piracy risks to the video game ecosystem” and has sought exceptions for gaming hardware makers., exempts game consoles from its repair requirements. An ESA rep confirmed to Axios that the group had lobbied New York on this position.