Asante Bradford of Georgia Department of Economic Development Awarded Esports Game Changer Award

The Esports Trade Association (ESTA), the leading trade association for the esports industry, announced Asante Bradford of the Georgia Department of Economic Development as the honoree of its inaugural Esports Game Changer Award.

The award, selected by the ESTA Awards Committee, recognizes those organizations that foster the growth and development of the esports industry in a creative and game-changing way. 

“Georgia is doing a lot to enable the development of esports as a whole, and it is really inspiring,” said ESTA President, John Davidson. “From holding the first Esports Week to extending tax incentives to the industry at large, Georgia is forging the way forward for our industry and proving to be a true game-changer in how states and regions can attract this booming sector.”

Companies that design and market video games in Georgia have benefited for several years from a portion of the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, the law cited as key in attracting film and TV production crews to Georgia. A provision of that law gives certain companies an annual tax credit of up to $1.5 million, with an annual statewide cap of $12.5 million, for developing interactive entertainment projects, such as console or computer games or mobile apps.

Quickly becoming recognized as one of the nation’s top gaming destinations, Atlanta has attracted Overwatch League and Call of Duty League franchises and hosts numerous gaming and digital entertainment events throughout the year, including DreamHack – the world’s largest digital festival which hosts a series of events around the world and attracts over 300,000 gaming and esports enthusiasts annually. 

Georgia’s colleges and universities also train a robust pipeline of talent for careers in the digital entertainment and gaming industries. In 2019, the Technical College System of Georgia’s gaming-related programs received 87 awards and distinctions and, to date, has graduated more than 5,000 students in cyber or gaming degrees. Additionally, Georgia is one of the few states where esports is a sanctioned high school competition.

More than 160 companies are now developing games and employing programmers, designers, artists and musicians in the Peach State.

“Top gaming proprietors in Georgia are enthusiastic about the growth potential of the industry,” said Asante Bradford, Project Manager for Digital Entertainment and Media for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Receiving the inaugural Esports Game Changer Award recognizes those leaders who are sharing their time and talent to grow the esports industry while supporting emerging leaders in our field with innovative programming and policies to foster the growth of this growing sector.”