LucasArts Drops ESA Membership

Publisher and developer LucasArts has opted not to renew its membership with the Entertainment Software Association, an ESA rep has told Gamasutra. An ESA representative confirmed to Gamasutra that the company was no longer with the organization, with communications senior VP Rich Taylor adding in a statement, "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." Taylor said, noted, however that "Since its creation in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has grown and evolved into the pre-eminent voice of the video and computer game industry. The organization has 25 members, including three companies that were welcomed last year." "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," he concluded. The news follows earlier reports that the soon-to-merge Activision and Vivendi Games would not be attending the E3 2008 Media & Business Summit in Los Angeles in July, and that the duo has left the ESA altogether.