The rumor mill just burst into flames and exploded.

Gossip has it that long-time Electronic Software Association president Doug Lowenstein may, in fact, be stepping down for a new job.

While details are sparse, the word on the net is that Lowenstein could be leaving the industry altogether. Though, if I had to wager a guess I'd say the only place Lowenstein would leave for is a cushy retirement of perhaps a job at the recently formed Entertainment Consumers Association, created by former IEMA president Hal Halpin.

Word has it that official news of the step-down could come as early as tomorrow.

If true, the timing for this unprecedented change in the ESA comes at a particularly bad moment for the industry. Political pressure on the industry has never been more intense, states around the country seem to be taking turns trying to legislate parental control and video game sales and the association's annual gathering is on the precipice of either a rebirth or a grisly death.

The ESA was formed in April 1994 as the Interactive Digital Software Association. It was renamed the Entertainment Software Association on July 16, 2003. Most of the top publishers in the industry are members of the association, though recently some larger publishers have decided not to join and instead go it alone.

While Lowenstein has always seemingly shunned publicity he plays a very active role in the association that he both heads and helped found.

I'll make sure to update this story as soon as I can verify that it's true or my tipsters are spewing lies. Brian Crecente

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