The ESA's Rich Taylor, senior VP of communications and research (full quote after the break) says, "We can confirm that Activision and Vivendi Games opted to discontinue their membership. The ESA remains dedicated to advancing our industrys objectives such as protecting intellectual property, preserving First Amendment rights, and fostering a beneficial environment for the entire industry."
"While the Entertainment Software Association remains the preeminent voice for U.S. computer and video game publishers, we can confirm that Activision and Vivendi Games opted to discontinue their membership. The ESA remains dedicated to advancing our industrys objectives such as protecting intellectual property, preserving First Amendment rights, and fostering a beneficial environment for the entire industry. Our high level of service and value to members and the larger industry remains unchanged."
-- Rich Taylor, Senior Vice President of Communications and Research, Entertainment Software Association
(Page 1) Reader Comments
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NEW AND EXCITING.
The ASA will be kind of like the ESA, but a little crappier.
They have already announced plans to form ASA:2 and ASA:3 later this year.
In 2009, we will be seeing seven new organizations, including ASA: Project 8 and ASA: Aerosmith.
Odd number ASA organizations will be put together by Treyarch to save money.
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No, really, I don't care. Should I? They quit an industry trade organization - what's the big deal?
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Now we know why Activision Blizzrd won't be attending E3... Now we need to find out why.
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Are they unhappy about ESA's work? Or is it about the membership fees?
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Some more info on the ESA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Association
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I wonder though, the Wiki page says they support the ESRB but are they the same entity in the bigger picture?
If so, that means Activision would no longer have to support the ESRB's ratings system. But that would make it difficult to get their products into retail stores or advertise. Maybe they plan to sell direct or do digital distribution?
But most likely they think the ESA is incompetent and no longer wish to support them.
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2 Days closed for media, 2 days open to all. It would be a damn goldmine.
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The ESA does, however, get to set policy and stuff like that, so basically Activision and Vivendi are giving up their "vote" in those processes. Apparently they didn't feel like that privilege was worth the membership dues.
It'll be interesting to hear why, specifically, they decided to leave, but it won't really change anything.
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Moral of story, don't be a douche...
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No not talking about ESA. They're planning on making Call of Jack Thompson 4: World of GuitarShock
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Second - Might be due to your crappy education but, ESA != ESRB.
;) (All in good fun, go Bruins!)
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