Natsume Joins ESA

California-based Harvest Moon publisher Natsume has joined the Entertainment Software Association, the ESA announced today. "Natsume is a respected video game publisher and a welcome addition to the ESA," says CEO Michael Gallagher. "We are pleased to represent them and look forward to working with Natsume’s talented leadership and employees as they lead the way in developing creative new gaming experiences for families." The ESA recently announced it had restructured its membership dues structure to allow more smaller and mid-sized publishers to participate. Publisher SouthPeak became the first to announce it had joined under the new structure. "It’s important to partner with an organization 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," says Natsume president and CEO Hiro Maekawa. "We are pleased to join the ESA and are excited to collaborate on upcoming programs and activities such as the 2009 E3 Expo."