Koei, Crave, Playlogic sign up with ESA
Publishers of Dynasty Warriors, Pinball Hall of Fame, and Obscure 2 join the ranks of US gaming industry trade group.
While the Entertainment Software Association may look at big fish like Activision Blizzard, NCsoft, and id Software as "the ones that got away," the industry trade group has been steadily reeling in smaller catches. Today the ESA announced three such additions to its membership.
On the first-timers front, Japanese publisher Koei and Netherlands-based Playlogic have joined the ESA as new members. Best known for its Dynasty Warriors franchise, Koei will bring with it recent acquisition Tecmo, developer of the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series of games. Fellow enlistee Playlogic keeps a lower profile, publishing titles like the Xbox racer Xyanide and the forthcoming Obscure 2 and developing titles for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe on the side.
Beyond these new recruits to the ESA, prodigal publisher Crave Entertainment has returned to the fold after parting ways with the trade group in June of 2008. At the time, Crave stressed that its departure was a necessary step in order for the struggling company to focus on its impending sale, which was eventually completed earlier this year. With a focus on casual and budget games, Crave releases titles like Brunswick Bowling and the Pinball Hall of Fame series.
With the inclusion of these three publishers, the ESA now boasts 28 members, eight of which have signed on since the beginning of the year.
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