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    June 14, 2011

Expo Showcases New Video Games, Consoles

   Mike O'Sullivan | Los Angeles

   Nearly 50,000 game developers, retailers and enthusiasts gathered
   recently in Los Angeles to try out the newest video games and consoles.
   There were new games and new versions of established games, with lots
   of animated action and some epic battles.
   Thousands came to the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, better
   known as E3, to try them out.
   FIFA 12, the latest version of a video soccer game, promises realistic
   action when it is released later this year.
   And there are games that make you want to dance.
   And games that make you want to hit a winner.
   But competition comes from online games, some offered for free, and
   game makers are increasingly moving to the Internet, says analyst Chris
   Antista.
   "What they're making exclusive are the downloadable games on their
   networks, the ones that they host, and so I think they're going to
   gravitate over towards that because that's where their expertise has to
   go," Antista said.
   Industry sales have sagged during the current economic downturn, and
   Microsoft, Nintendo and other console makers are coping with
   competition from independent developers that create games for
   computers, tablets and mobile phones. Some manufacturers have lowered
   their prices in response to the tough market.
   But online and offline games are coming together. Nintendo's Wii is one
   of the consoles that lets players connect with each other over the
   Internet, and the upcoming Wii U will do the same. It can be played on
   a handheld console, as well as a TV set, and will have access to new
   games, says Nintendo's Jeff Pawlik.
   "This is actually still in concept phase, so we haven't designed any
   games particularly for the Nintendo Wii U yet, but it will be able to
   be backwards-compatible with any Nintendo game for the Wii or
   GameCube," Pawlik said.
   The video game industry is facing a lot of challenges: demanding
   consumers, a glut of exciting new games and battling software pirates.
   It is a tough business climate, but for hard-core gamers, the action is
   better than ever.