NCsoft leaves ESA

By Patrick Garratt

Gamepolitics has confirmed that NCsoft is the latest publisher to leave ESA.

“We can confirm that NCsoft decided not to renew its ESA membership,” said ESA Senior VP Rich Taylor.

“We respect their decision and remain committed to serving the public affairs needs of the computer and video game industry.”

The departure means ESA’s membership’s dropped from 28 to 21 in 2008.

Activision, Vivendi, LucasArts, id, Crave and Codemasters all decided to jump ship this year.

There’s unlikely to be anything sinister about NCsoft’s move: the firm has struggled of late and so may well be looking to cut costs.