Entertainment Software Association & Electronic Arts Team For 'Madden NFL 15' Tailgate Party

CAPITOL HILL -- The arrival of cooler temperatures also heralds the return of fall football, in both the virtual and real worlds. And the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) wasted no time in celebrating the occasion, with a private tailgate party for the city's influencers.


Much as it was last year, Thursday's gathering was held at perennial Capitol Hill watering hole Hawk 'n' Dove.


Beyond the usual refreshments, the crowd (consisting of a healthy mix of Congressional staffers and D.C. media mavens) was treated to private demonstrations of the recently released hit video game Madden NFL 15.


Last week's party was much more than simply a good time, however. Published by EA Sports, the Madden series first debuted back in 1988 and has been unstoppable ever since.


As a longstanding member of the ESA, which advocates for the business and public affairs of computer and video game publishers, parent company Electronic Arts wisely used the return of the enormously popular title to help remind policymakers about the role government plays when it comes to industry issues, such as intellectual property, content protection, and consumer insight.

That's how the Washington game is played, after all.