Global Video Game Coalition Hosts ‘Games for Good’ Event to Highlight the Positive Impact of Video Games
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tatjana Sachse
tsachse@thegvgc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GENEVA – Oct. 31, 2023 – Today, the Global Video Game Coalition (GVGC) hosted its first-ever ‘Games for Good’ event at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva with support from the following Permanent Missions to the WTO: France, the United Kingdom and the United States. The event featured a discussion on how innovation and digital trade in video games contribute to sustainability, science, education, inclusion and overall wellbeing. Additionally, the event included demonstrations and hands-on playtime with video games that create and foster positive social impact.
“The Global Video Game Coalition is delighted to showcase the positive impact of video games directly with the international community,” said Tatjana Sachse, Lead Spokesperson and Counsel, GVGC. “Beyond entertainment, video games have enormous potential to positively impact various aspects of the lives of the billions of players around the world, and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase just a few of these games. We sincerely thank our co-sponsors for providing us with the opportunity to host this event and we look forward to continuing to work together with the international community in Geneva.”
The event included remarks from 11 bit studios’ Pawel Miechowski, Electronic Arts’ James Salmon, Microsoft’s Jen Scully and Ubisoft’s Kelsey McLaren. Video games and devices featured at the event highlighted accessibility and inclusion, education, exercise and movement, scientific research, sustainability and wellbeing and social engagement. The games and products included:
- Electronic Arts: EA SPORTS FC FUTURES Training Practices
- Gearbox Entertainment: Borderlands Science
- Microsoft Xbox: Minecraft BBC “Frozen Planet II”
- Microsoft Xbox: Minecraft Rivercraft
- Microsoft Xbox: Adaptive Controllers
- Nintendo: Nintendo Switch Sports
- Nintendo: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Nintendo: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Ubisoft: Just Dance
- Ubisoft: Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
- Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation: Access controller for PS5
- Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation: Climate Station
- Stork Limited: Goodville
- 11 bit studios: This War of Mine
Video games are a source of entertainment for billions of people worldwide, of all ages and backgrounds. The video game industry recognizes and encourages responsible video game play and is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its players. For more information about the GVGC, visit www.theGVGC.org.
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About the Global Video Game Coalition
The Global Video Game Coalition (GVGC) serves as the voice and advocate for the global video game industry on video games and well-being. The GVGC is a coalition of national and regional trade associations representing innovative and creative video game publishers and developers from around the world. The GVGC seeks to cultivate a dialogue with public health policymakers about the mental, physical and social benefits of video game play and the industry’s long-standing commitment to responsible game play. Visit thegvgc.org for more information.
Power of Play Global Report 2023
On October 10, 2023, video game associations across the world released the first-ever Power of Play report. The report highlights the findings from peer-reviewed academic research about the positive effects of gameplay, which are confirmed by a survey of 12,847 active (weekly) players (ages 16 and older) in 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The survey revealed that in addition to entertainment, video games provide players with a number of social and emotional benefits that are shared on a global level. Download the full report here.
Video Game Industry Associations Collaborate to Launch the Global Video Game Coalition (GVGC)
The coalition will serve as the voice and advocate for the global video game industry on video games and well-being
GENEVA – NOV. 2, 2022 – The world’s leading video game associations today announced the formation of the Global Video Game Coalition (GVGC) to raise awareness of the positive impact of video game play on players of all ages and to demonstrate the industry’s long-standing commitment to enabling players, parents and guardians to engage in responsible game play.
Founding members of the GVGC include the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), the German Games Industry Association (game), Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), Korea Association of Game Industry (K-GAMES) and The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie).
Tatjana Sachse, counsel with Sidley Austin LLP, will serve as the coalition’s lead spokesperson and counsel. Sachse brings extensive experience counseling commercial clients and sovereign governments across a broad range of global regulatory and trade issues, particularly those affecting the entertainment, biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, medical technology, agriculture and food industries. She has represented and advocated on behalf of clients before governments, as well as numerous intergovernmental and United Nations (UN) organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
“I am thrilled to be appointed as the spokesperson and counsel for the GVGC, representing an industry that believes in the power of play. Playing video games enhances the well-being of players of all ages and can benefit society as a whole. I look forward to finding synergies for engagement and collaboration with the Geneva community,” said Sachse.
First and foremost, playing video games is a source of entertainment and fun. Enjoyed by billions worldwide according to the Newzoo 2021 Global Games Market Report, video games also provide numerous other benefits to players of all ages, including enhancing mental well-being, bringing people together and facilitating physical activity. For more than 25 years, the video game industry has provided tools and information to players, parents and caregivers, in order to encourage video game play as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
For more information, please visit thegvgc.org.
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About the Global Video Game Coalition
The Global Video Game Coalition (GVGC) serves as the voice and advocate for the global video game industry on video games and well-being. The GVGC is a coalition of national and regional trade associations representing innovative and creative video game publishers and developers from around the world. The GVGC seeks to cultivate a dialogue with public health policymakers about the mental, physical and social benefits of video game play and the industry’s long-standing commitment to responsible game play. Visit thegvgc.org for more information.
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