AfterDawn: Glossary

Interactive Software Federation of Europe

The Interactive Software Federation of Europe, or ISFE, is a trade association that represents the interests of the video games industry in Europe.

It was originally established in 1998 to represent the growing sector in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France. In 2002, it expanded to cover every member state of the European Union, and also Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

ISFE membership comprises 11 major publishers of interactive software and 16 trade associations throughout Europe. Among its actions in Europe was the formation of the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system, which was backed by the European Commission and has been adopted in most countries in Europe.

ISFE represents the interests of its membership to the main stakeholders, be they EU institutions, international organisations, academics, or the general public. This objective is pursued through a variety of activities, personal meetings, conferences, sponsorships, etc.

In 2005, the gaming sector saw a turnover of of ?6.1 billion in 2005, compared to a global market of ?22.5 billion, matching the market for DVDs and dwarfing the box office take.

ISFE members include Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sega, Electronics Arts, Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, Konami, Take 2 Interactive and more.

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