There goes another one: NCsoft leaves ESA

Posted Dec 9, 2008 at 9:22AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: News Tags: ESA, NCsoft, Richard Garriott

NCsoft is officially the latest company to bow out of the ranks of the Entertainment Software Association, once again putting the future of E3 into question.

This marks the seventh publisher to leave the association. How many more have to leave before you make E3 public again, ESA? What about the children? Won't anyone think of the children!

Initial speculation pegged NCsoft's decision as a result of financial trouble, following their decision to shut down operations of Tabula Rasa, and their split with Richard Garriott. It was thought they just didn't have the cash to pay the association fees. Turns out they left because "the timing is just not right." Says NCsoft in a statement:

While we appreciate what the ESA does for our industry, we can confirm that NCsoft has elected not to keep membership with the ESA for 2009.

This decision was not financially motivated. [...] There have been many changes in the gaming industry over the past couple of years and, like other developers and publishers, we have decided to wait to see how related industry events and organizations further develop before rejoining.

In a phone interview, NCsoft's David Swofford clarified further:

We joined [ESA] for one year and then we decided we wouldn't [renew]. We think everything the ESA does is great. Right now the timing is just not right for us to be a member of the ESA.

He's being nice about it, but it's pretty clear what's troubling them. Swofford continued, saying that trade show issues are important to them, and that "everyone is looking to see how E3 plays out now."

Via Game Politics

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There goes another one: NCsoft leaves ESA

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