About 45,000 reporters, industry types and analysts will converge on Los Angeles for the E3 conference, sprawled across a space the size of eight U.S. football fields.
This marquee event for the videogame sector, running June 7-9, comes as the industry tries to cope with the rapid growth of online and mobile gaming.
Here is a look at some facts about the industry and its major players.
REVENUE FORECASTS FOR 2011
Size of global game market revenue:
$65 billion, up from $62.7 billion in 2010
Retail software revenue:
$29.5 billion, down slightly from $29.8 billion in 2010
Online revenue, including digital delivery, subscriptions, Facebook games:
$18 billion, up from $15.6 billion in 2010
CONSOLE MAKERS
Microsoft Corp
* Xbox 360 launched in U.S. November 2005
* Xbox consoles sold: 55 million
* Kinect motion sensors sold: More than 10 million
Major initiative:
Microsoft expected to expand content and uses for Kinect console at E3
Sony Corp
* PlayStation3 launched in the U.S. and Japan November 2006
* PlayStation3 sold: 50 million units
* Sony Move motion sensors shipped: 8 million units
Major initiative:
Sony expected to unveil new details of its new handheld device NGP (Next
Generation Portable). Sony will likely release details about its price
and launch date, as well as games for it, at the show.
Nintendo Co Ltd
* Launched Wii in the U.S. November 2006
* Wii units shipped: 86 million
* DS units shipped: 146 million
* 3DS units: 3.6 million
Major initiative: Nintendo will launch the first home console in five years
at E3. Device is expected to feature HD graphics, a special controller,
motion sensors and technology that allows it to run old Nintendo games.
SOFTWARE PUBLISHERS
Activision Blizzard
Annual revenue: $4.8 billion
Top franchises: Call of Duty, World of Warcraft
Electronic Arts Inc
Annual revenue: $3.8 billion
Top franchises: The Sims, Madden NFL
Take-Two Interactive Software
Annual revenue: $1.13 billion
Top franchises: Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption
Ubisoft
Annual revenue: 1.03 billion euros
Top franchises: Assassin's Creed, Prince of Persia,
Tom Clancy titles such as Splinter Cell
(Compiled by Liana B. Baker)
