Activision and Vivendi have dropped their membership in the Entertainment Software Association, following news that Activision will not be participating in this year’s E3 Media and Business Summit.
Activision said yesterday it would not be attending the show, telling Gaming Nexus, “After careful consideration, for business reasons Activision has decided not to participate in any official E3 activities. We wish the ESA best of luck with the show.” Vivendi, Activision’s dance partner in the recent Activision Blizzard merger, will also not be attending.
Rich Taylor, the ESA’s senior vice president of communications and research, has now released a statement confirming rumors posted on Kotaku that the two companies would be dropping out of the Association entirely. “While the Entertainment Software Association remains the preeminent voice for U.S. computer and videogame publishers, we can confirm that Activision and Vivendi Games opted to discontinue their membership,” the statement said. “The ESA remains dedicated to advancing our industry’s 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.”
According to a GamePolitics report, neither Activision nor Vivendi Games are now listed as members on the ESA website, but neither company has yet issued a statement concerning their reasons for leaving. This year’s E3 Media and Business Summit is once again invitation-only, and is scheduled to take place July 15-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
