After the confirmation of the rumors of Sony skipping again E3, especially on the year of the new generation consoles being released, two things came to my mind: Either the company is high of themselves or... The issues at ESA are still a thing.
Now you might be asking, what issues? Well, there's is this article from last year regarding former ESA CEO Mike Gallagher who have resigned at that point. TL;DR: Overworked staff, political issues (Gallagher is a rep who with the association supported the republican tax reform), and lack of industry self regulation actions in cases like the loot boxes where the government wanted to meddle in.
Also an interesting information, about half of the ESA profits come from E3. Plus Phil Spencer and Robert A. Altman had once visited the association and spoke with employees, but no reply for months or none at all was given.
variety.com
And then, Jason Schreier confirmed that it was indeed due to conflicts with ESA, we yet have to know the details, but what if the Sony skip's last year wasn't because a suspicion of lack of new stuff after the poor E3 2018 conference reception, but rather a disagreement with ESA or even both things?
If ESA still struggling with tons of issues, what could be next problem for them? Developers leaving the show, thus lowering the visitors numbers and even making Microsoft to quit? Just a reminder that they don't use the E3 facility, in fact, their conferences are done in the Microsoft Theater.
Another thing to think about it, what could happen with ESRB in case ESA goes to shit? My guess is that it would become a newly independent body financed by its members (developers and console makers), as its too important for the industry to be left to die.
Now you might be asking, what issues? Well, there's is this article from last year regarding former ESA CEO Mike Gallagher who have resigned at that point. TL;DR: Overworked staff, political issues (Gallagher is a rep who with the association supported the republican tax reform), and lack of industry self regulation actions in cases like the loot boxes where the government wanted to meddle in.
Also an interesting information, about half of the ESA profits come from E3. Plus Phil Spencer and Robert A. Altman had once visited the association and spoke with employees, but no reply for months or none at all was given.
Inside the Disarray Facing the Video Game Organization Behind E3
Nearly a dozen current and former employees and industry professionals described an ESA struggling to find a path forward.
variety.com
And then, Jason Schreier confirmed that it was indeed due to conflicts with ESA, we yet have to know the details, but what if the Sony skip's last year wasn't because a suspicion of lack of new stuff after the poor E3 2018 conference reception, but rather a disagreement with ESA or even both things?
If ESA still struggling with tons of issues, what could be next problem for them? Developers leaving the show, thus lowering the visitors numbers and even making Microsoft to quit? Just a reminder that they don't use the E3 facility, in fact, their conferences are done in the Microsoft Theater.
Another thing to think about it, what could happen with ESRB in case ESA goes to shit? My guess is that it would become a newly independent body financed by its members (developers and console makers), as its too important for the industry to be left to die.
Last edited:
