It's been widely reported since late last week, but now it's official -- longtime ESA president Doug Lowenstein will be stepping down early next year, as soon as a replacement can be found.In a press release, Lowenstein said he was "honored to represent the amazing companies of the ESA, to serve as their advocate and to be part of an industry which is having such a profound and positive effect on our culture and the world of entertainment."
Lowenstein's departure truly marks the end of an era. When Lowenstein joined the ESA back in 1994, the two-person organization was called the Interactive Digital Software Association and oversaw a $3 billion a year industry. Today, the ESA has 32 employees and helps support the $10 billion video game industry with a wide variety of educational and legal programs.
All of us here at Joystiq are sorry to see one of the game industry's longest-serving defenders move on, and we wish him great success in his future endeavors.
[Via Kotaku]
