The ESA Harvests Natsume

The Entertainment Software Association continues to regrow after last year’s exodus, with Harvest Moon publisher Natsume casting their lot with the industry trade organisation.

Natsume is the second publisher to sign with the ESA this year, after SouthPeak signed up earlier this month. This follows a string of companies leaving the organisation last year, perhaps due to wildly increasing membership fees.

“It’s important to partner with an organisation which not only acts as the voice for the video game industry, but also reflects the mission and goals we have established for our company,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. “We are pleased to join the ESA and are excited to collaborate on upcoming programs and activities such as the 2009 E3 Expo.”

With the return of the E3 Expo this year, I expect to see more and more companies signing on with the ESA leading up to the the June event.