Your questions for Nintendo of America's Reggie Fils-Aime are now on Reggie's desk, but today we are happy to present you with the completed interview from Entertainment Software Association CEO Mike Gallagher.

Gallagher fielded your questions about the impact of an Obama administration, fixing E3, curbing video game piracy, supporting education programs and more. As always, thanks to everyone for sending in questions. The full Q&A is below.

1. Now that Barack Obama has been elected, what do you think this means for the video game industry, both from a legislative standpoint and an industry growth standpoint?

First, the ESA looks forward to working with President-elect Obama and his new administration as well as the 61 new Members of Congress and the other new leaders in states across the nation. Many of these new officials are younger and likely grew up with computer and video games. Therefore, they are better positioned to understand our diverse industry and its many positive contributions. We realize there will always likely be controversies. However, many of our key issues enjoy broad bi-partisan support such as encouraging and protecting creativity and innovation while educating and empowering parents.

In terms of industry growth, the video game industry is a good news story for our nation and its economy. In a time of foreclosures, job losses and financial uncertainty, our industry is a much needed bright spot. In spite of the current economic woes, sales of our products our increasing; we are a growing source of employment in states across the nation; and we are making large contributions to state and federal tax bases.

2. With the new administration coming, what sort of plans do you have to support education related to computer science and other video game related fields? It seems as though we are falling behind in these areas of higher education and could use more programs like Alice from the late Randy Pausch that get kids more interested in technology related degrees.

The entire technology industry has identified the need for our educational institutions to produce the talent pool we will need to grow our industry. We look forward to adding our voice to theirs and supporting increased focus and discipline in math and science.
The ESA itself has been supporting education through the ESA Foundation scholarship program, which assists women and minority students who plan to continue their education in fields supporting video game development, graphic design, computer science, animation or programming, digital entertainment or software engineering.

In broader terms, we've come a long way with respect to video game related fields. More than 200 American colleges, universities and technical schools offer programs and courses in video game design and development. These opportunities for study in the video game industry are a key driver for increased math and science education at all stages of education. Don't just ask me. Ask the students.

3. It seems like video game awareness is at an all-time high. Do you feel that the mainstream media is finally treating games fairly? How much are you doing to spread the positive message with major news outlets?

In less than a generation, video games have transformed from a niche market into a mass medium. Today, there are more gamers than non-gamers in America and the definition of a computer and video game player has expanded to include a wide variety of demographics. At the same time, games are now being utilized for more than entertainment. Educators, doctors, corporate executives, issue advocates and now even politicians are harnessing the power of games to teach, heal, improve productivity and garner support.

ESA gathers, amplifies, and disseminates the cutting edge developments that tear down flawed stereotypes every day, across the country. I believe the growth and depth of the industry is moving the needle with media coverage of video games, but we have a ways to go to where we are treated with the respect we deserve.

4. As a PC gamer, I'm saddened to see some of my favorite developers abandoning PC in favor of consoles largely due to the major piracy problem. What will the ESA do to curb the rampant piracy and restore confidence in the PC gaming space?

The ESA's Anti-Piracy Program is geared towards attacking and reducing global entertainment software piracy, which costs the U.S. entertainment software industry billions of dollars every year. Our program primarily focuses on enforcement, training, and includes education and enforcement programs in the United States and abroad. We work with government to bring the power of the law to support and protect the creative energy and investment of our industry. And, we educate future gamers on their responsibilities if they want to keep playing great games.

That being said, naysayers have projected the death of the PC game industry for years and there are still many strong and enjoyable PC titles. What we have to look at is how to deliver an engaging experience, but do so in a way that inhibits piracy. I know that many are looking at this issue and are assessing potential new business models.

5. I was excited to hear that E3 is getting big again, but I'm just a consumer, not a member of the industry. Don't you think it would be a good idea to separate a couple days for consumers to attend E3 (similar to TGS)? Wouldn't the ESA welcome the extra revenue from this?

I completely understand your desire to attend. The E3 Expo is and will continue to be the pre-eminent computer and video game event in North America.

However, the E3 Expo has never been a consumer show, even in the past years when it was much larger. Our goal is to gather the industry in one place and show the world a dynamic and high-growth video game industry. Part of that world is our consumer base and there will be lots of ways for them to experience what's going on at the E3 Expo without being there.