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diversions:
Video game console
visionaries look to the future
By Liz Keltz
Special to the On-line Forty-Niner
Known as the epicenter
of the interactive entertainment universe, The Electronic
Entertainment Expo, the world's premiere interactive entertainment
trade event is being held May 17-19, 2001 at the Los Angeles
Convention Center in Los Angeles.
More than 62,000
retailers, developers, investors, distributors and media representatives
from across the U.S. and over 100 other countries will come
together for a three-day interactive entertainment extravaganza.
"The hottest items
this year will be the official unveiling of Microsoft's console
entry, X-Box, as well as Nintendo's Gamecube and Gameboy Advance
systems," said Brian Wiklem, producer, EA.com (Electronic
Arts).
Wiklem, has attended
the expo for more than seven years, and is anticipating the
launch titles for Microsoft and Nintendo since launch titles
can make or break a new hardware platform.
"Other great areas
to see will be a further expanded Playstation 2 software line
up," Wiklem said. "Also, I can't wait to see long awaited
games such as Flight Simulator 2002, Madden Football 2002,
Beyond Castle Wolfenstein, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Donkey Kong
Gamecube."
A keynote panel
consisting of top executives from Microsoft Corporation, Nintendo
of America, and Sony Computer Entertainment will kick off
the show.
"Next generation
video game consoles are taking interactive entertainment to
new heights as an increasingly powerful, immersive, and popular
form of entertainment," Doug Lowenstein, president of the
Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the trade
association representing U.S. entertainment software publishers
and the owner of the Electronic Entertainment Expo said. "We
are honored to be able to bring together these three industry
leaders for an unprecedented in-depth discussion, allowing
those who want to know what's next for video games to hear
it directly from those who are making it happen."
Electronic Entertainment
Expo 2001 promises even more intensive business activity with
new console introductions. The market transition to new consoles
foretells an especially high number of new game launches.
Obviously, some
of the biggest brands in entertainment are set to make their
debut at this year's expo. Activision, Inc. will showcases
a compelling lineup of titles based on such popular franchises
as "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater," "Marvel's 'Spider-Man,'" "Marvel's
'X-Men,'" "Wolfenstein," "Star Trek," "Stuart Little," "World's
Scariest Police Chases" and "Bloody Roar 3."
The games, which
will be available beginning this spring, span the action,
action-sports, action-adventure, combat sim, strategy, fighting
and racing genres.
According to data
provided by NPD Group, the interactive industry has experienced
a 100 percent increase in sales from 1996 to 1999, with continued
strong growth projected.
The Electronic
Entertainment Expo attracts professionals working in every
part of the interactive entertainment industry but is not
open to the public. Though Electronic Entertainment Expo is
a trade event and only professionals from the industry will
be allowed to attend, the public can obtain more information
about the event by visiting www.e3expo.com.
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