The Electronic Entertainment Expo, which runs from June 7 to June 9, comes as the industry is trying to cope with the rapid growth of online and mobile gaming. Here?s 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
*Xbox 360 launched in US in 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
* PlayStation 3 launched in the US and Japan in 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
*Launched Wii in the US in 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 bn
Top franchises: Call of Duty, World of Warcraft
* Electronic Arts
Annual revenue: $3.8 bn
Top franchises: The Sims, Madden NFL
*Take-Two Interactive Software
Annual revenue: $1.13bn
Top franchises: Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption
* Ubisoft
Annual revenue: 1.03 billion euros
Top franchises: Assassin?s Creed, Prince of Persia and Tom Clancy titles such as Splinter Cell