Tag Archives: e3 2011

E3 2011: Where’s the Supreme Court verdict?

Posted on by

Last November, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in a case that could have a massive effect on how the video game industry operates. But nearly seven months later, we’re still waiting for a ruling.

The Court once again did not issue a ruling on Brown v. EMA Monday morning, which mildly surprised some industry observers who had expected it to come down as the industry starts its annual trade show. The next opportunity for a ruling in the case will come Thursday, as E3 kicks off its last day.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

E3 confab hits next level

Posted on by

The videogame industry is at a crossroads of whether to reinvent itself or continue hyping what’s working.

While Nintendo and Sony are expected to unveil new hardware at this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, the videogame biz’s biggest tradeshow, which kicks off Monday from various venues around downtown Los Angeles, Microsoft is putting more promotional muscle behind its Xbox 360 console.

Read more at Daily Variety

EA takes on Steam with new ‘Origin’ service

Posted on by

EA is digging deeper into the digital distribution space.

The company has completely revamped its online store, expanding its focus and renaming it ‘Origin’ in the process. The move will put EA in direct competition with Valve Software’s dominant Steam service — and, in some ways, Apple’s GameCenter.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Gaming Companies Search for Next Big Thing

Posted on by

As the video game industry prepares for its annual trade show, known as E3, it’s carrying a lot of baggage.

Social networking and mobile games continue to eat away at the market share of traditional publishers. A crucial Supreme Court decision, which could fundamentally change the way the industry operates, looms over its head. And many companies find themselves at a critical juncture in their evolution.

Read more at CNBC.com

E3 2011: EA launches digital distribution service

Posted on by

Valve Software’s Steam has been the big dog in the PC digital distribution space for a while now, but one of the industry’s biggest publishers is ready to take it on.

Electronic Arts has announced Origin, an updated “direct-to-consumer gaming platform” that will let people buy titles directly from the company, rather than via retail or another service. Given how heavily EA is betting on PC games in the year to come, it’s not an altogether shocking move.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

Analysis: How Important Is This Year’s E3?

Posted on by

Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris considers how important E3 now is to the gaming industry, noting that “the industry has changed – and so have the marketing strategies of its players.”

As the circus comes to Los Angeles and the gaming industry prepares for the weeklong bacchanalia that is E3, there’s already plenty of hype about what to expect, what will be said and what will be the biggest thing at the show.

These are all fun questions – but as E3 enters its 17th year, it’s worth a look to see if the show is as important and as relevant to the industry as it was in years past. While E3 used to be a Mecca for game developers and publishers to show off their wares, the industry has changed – and so have the marketing strategies of its players.

Read more at Gamasutra

Expect Microsoft to focus on more than games at E3

Posted on by

Granted, E3 is a video game trade show, but in between all the talk about Kinect and “Gears of War 3” at its pre-show press conference this year, expect Microsoft to have plenty to say about the non-gaming world.

The Xbox 360 has been a leader in general entertainment among the major consoles – but other devices, particularly Sony’s PlayStation 3, have been playing a good game of catch up. A recent statement by the company’s VP of corporate communications, however, indicates the company is hoping to ready to jump back out in front.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

E3 through the years

Posted on by

Even if you’re just a casual fan of video games, the E3 video game extravaganza is a truly exciting time of the year. It’s Christmas in July! Or, more often, May! Or, recently, June! Ok, so the moving dates ruin the analogy, but it’s a festive time nonetheless that always brings a flood of gaming news. And every year, there’s one story that tops all the others.

Here’s a look back at the show stealing moments of the past 16 years.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Spike TV to air Microsoft’s E3 briefing

Posted on by

We’re about two-and-a-half weeks from the start of E3, but if you weren’t able to get a pass to the video game industry’s annual trade show, you’ll still be able to see some of the big moments.

Spike TV and Microsoft have struck a deal for the network to broadcast the Xbox 360 E3 media briefing on June 6.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog