Yesterday, we reported that publisher Crave Entertainment has left the ESA, bringing the number of departed companies up to five. We also speculated for possible reasons for the departure, ranging from the cost of membership to the diminished stature of E3.

Today, Crave president Michael Mass put the speculations to rest, stating that the company’s departure is not due to philosophical differences, but rather so the team can focus on the impending sale of Crave. Mass further notes that the company will re-evaluate its decision, "hopefully in the near future," and that the company "still supports the goals and aims of ESA."

For their part, ESA has chalked up the recent departures to the nature of trade organizations, noting that bodies like this see member turnover in all sectors, and that it’s nothing specific to the ESA.

So it would appear there are no sinister conspiracy theories here, just a company getting ready to be acquired cleaning house before the new ownership comes in. Too bad though, I was hoping for some elaborate scenario involving shadow governments, aliens, and the now-shunned E3 booth babes.