Nice try again, but the TRUTH speaks volumes.
http://www.gametap.com/articles/gamenews/lucasarts_leaves_esa-05192008
It was Lucas Arts decision not SOE's. Since LEC controls all aspecs of the game and they will not be there, SWG can't be there.
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LucasArts Leaves ESA
A second high-profile game publisher has decided to forgo renewing its membership to the industry's largest trade group, the Electronic Software Association (ESA).
LucasArts, the game division of LucasFilm, the privately held entertainment powerhouse owned by film director and producer George Lucas, confirmed the news last week, with the ESA quickly issuing a statement hoping to neutralize the impact of the company's decision.
LucasArts joins soon-to-be-merged publishers Activision and Vivendi in the unexpected move. Those companies announced their decision earlier this month.
LucasArts will still participate in the ESA-sponsored E3 Expo trade show, however, slated for later this summer.
The departures of Activision, Vivendi, and LucasArts from the member rolls of the ESA compounds what is shaping up to be a challenging period for the ESA. Over the past few weeks a number of traditional E3 exhibitors announced they wouldn't participate in the upcoming 2008 E3 Expo.
Foundation 9 and NCsoft said they would pass on this year's event. Activision and Vivendi are also passing on the opportunity to demo upcoming games in what had for more than a decade been a must-attend event for game publishers.
Last week, the ESA did all it could to smooth over the news of LucasArt's departure, stating the publisher's move was an aberration, and that otherwise, all systems were go.
The statement read in part: "Since its creation in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has grown and evolved into the preeminent voice of the video and computer game industry. The organization has 25 members, including three companies that were welcomed last year. Today, we can confirm that one of our members, LucasArts, has decided not to renew its membership. We value each member of our association, but respect the unique factors that led to LucasArts' decision. Last year was a record year for an industry which is becoming an increasingly important part of the nation's social, cultural and economic landscape. We are confident the industry will continue to thrive and ESA will continue to create a beneficial environment for the entire entertainment software industry."
In related news, the trade group today announced a keynote speaker for this year's event, stating that Texas Governor Rick Perry would deliver and opening address at this year's show. E3 is scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 15 to 17.
The event's return to the LACC follows last year's experiment of holding the show in Santa Monica. The far-flung nature of the show, spread among many hotels and venues, caused a logistical nightmare for attendees. With the move back into its old stomping ground, the group hopes are that the show will be easier of attendees who move from booth to booth playing prerelease versions of games. However, attendees shouldn't expect E3 Expo to look anything like it has in years past. Exhibitors will be housed only in suites and mid-sized demo spaces. Kentia Hall will also be used as expo space, but the mammoth South and West Halls will be filled with a garden show, with no relation to the ESA or game industry.
