Following closely on the heels of the news that Activision would not be attending E3 this year comes an even more surprising developement.  Both Activision and Vivendi Games have announced that they are cutting ties with the Entertainment Software Association and will no longer be members of the organization. An official reason has not been given by either company.

Rich Taylor, Senior VP of Communications and Research, offered this statement:

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 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.

Curiouser and Curiouser.  The real question here is, what's caused this sudden upheaval?  Activision has been content to be a member of the ESA for quite a while now.  Why the sudden change of heart and the abandonment of E3?  And what does this mean for Vivendi and Blizzard titles?

Via Joystiq

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