MercuryNews.com published an interview today with new ESA President Mike Gallagher. Among the more interesting parts were questions about China’s game market.

Q: What’s up with the game market in China?

A: The Price Waterhouse Coopers report went market by market. It said the Chinese distribution market is so radically different. You can’t sell a PC game there because it is pirated by the review board authority before it hits the marketplace. (pounds hand on table). It’s already in the market for free. You have no hope of making a profit. And they ban consoles! It’s all played online through Internet cafes. They’re missing the boat on the consoles that gaming presents to the rest of the world. They’re probably assembling video game consoles for all the major producers. They’re missing out on the opportunity that they’re assembling for the rest of the world.

Q: I’ve heard that they’re working on getting the ban lifted?

A: Yes, they are working on it and they should do it quickly because the rest of the world is moving quickly, enjoying the richness of entertainment that these consoles offer. It should be to their own benefit that they re-look at that policy. I’m familiar with working with the Chinese through my time at the Department of Commerce. It takes great patience to work with them. We can connect with them. We have had great success in the past.

In another interview, GameDaily.biz chats with industry PR veteran Bill Linn about handling controversial games. He touches on some important issues including the media’s general opinion of games:

“I think the industry has learned quite a bit about the boundaries for games and the extent to which we can become the focus of the media,” ventured Linn. “But worse, I think we have realized that the mainstream media, particularly television reporters, are quick to compare things like porn and GTA. Or Columbine and GTA. Or whatever the comparison du jour is. And that alone, creates a bigger issue out of a smaller one. I have watched a lot of that kind of news coverage lately and I’m still amazed when reporters talk about Doom like it was released yesterday and then go on to compare that to ‘a button mashing Nintendo game for kids.’ It’s sad and very unfortunate for the industry.”

Linn raises a good point. It seems that the media often times has is out for video games even before scandals hit . In addition, many sources seem to examine violent games in light of whether they’re appropriate for children, regardless of the fact that nearly 70% of gamers are over 18. Hopefully under Gallagher’s direction the ESA will make some strides in putting the myth to rest that only children play video games.

Both interviews are worth a read.