The ESA Blues

The dustup over the ESA is something that confuses me a lot.  I can understand that Activision or LucasArts might not like the current direction of the organization, but it seems pretty clear to me that it’s the only organization positioned to effectively represent the video game industry’s political interests.  And those interests are important: the constant pressure retailers and publishers are under with respect to content or customers is something that is both recurrent and deeply problematic.  I don’t see politicians deciding to let Rockstar have a free pass any time soon.

And that’s why this is so troubling.  I can understand disliking the way the ESA or its new leader have pursued their agenda; but leaving the organization is much better used as leverage to effect some change, not something to actually do.  Really withdrawing eliminates your leverage and leaves you (and the rest of the industry) highly vulnerable.  What gives?