Los Angeles - Video game publishers Activision (NASD: ATVI) and Vivendi Games have discontinued their memberships in the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) industry trade group, and will also not be attending this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) trade show, GameDaily reports.

"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," the ESA's Rich Taylor told GameDaily.

Following a much-stripped-down version of the E3 event last year on the West side of Los Angeles, the trade show is returning to its former home downtown in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

In addition to Activision -- publisher of the hit "Guitar Hero" series -- and Vivendi Games, other publishers that will opt out of E3 this year include NCsoft and Atlus.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/279yt (GameDaily)

http://www.activision.com

http://www.theesa.com