The Entertainment Software Association has confirmed that LucasArts has left the group. This was already previously rumored, but the ESA has provided confirmation in the form of comments from Rich Taylor, the Senior Vice President of Communications and Research at the ESA.
First, the bad news:
“Today, we can confirm that one of our members, LucasArts, has decided not to renew its membership. We value each member of our association, but respect the unique factors that led to LucasArts’ decision.
Then, some posturing and spin:
“Last year was a record year for an industry which is becoming an increasingly important part of the nation’s social, cultural and economic landscape. We are confident the industry will continue to thrive and ESA will continue to create a beneficial environment for the entire entertainment software industry.”
With so many companies leaving the ESA and jumping ship from E3, it calls into question the viability of the organization in the current market.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Has LucasArts indicated why it left the ESA? Activision held back on the details of its departure too, if memory serves.
Perhaps LucasArts and Activision were dissatisfied with the ESA’s actions when Take-Two and Rockstar came under fire for the impending release of GTA4?