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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Gaming giants look to mainstream | Gaming giants look to mainstream |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The giants of the video games industry gather in Los Angeles this week for the E3 conference, and all sights are set on the mass market. | The giants of the video games industry gather in Los Angeles this week for the E3 conference, and all sights are set on the mass market. |
| Microsoft and Sony are both expected to follow the Nintendo Wii's lead and push into social gaming. | Microsoft and Sony are both expected to follow the Nintendo Wii's lead and push into social gaming. |
| Observers say the recent cut for the Xbox 360 is Microsoft's bid to make the console more appealing. | Observers say the recent cut for the Xbox 360 is Microsoft's bid to make the console more appealing. |
| "There is a strong move to pull in women, young girls and older people," said analyst Piers Harding-Rolls. | "There is a strong move to pull in women, young girls and older people," said analyst Piers Harding-Rolls. |
| "It's not just about the traditional gamer anymore. More casual, lifestyle and family-orientated products are going to appeal to a wider demographic," said the Screen Digest analyst. | "It's not just about the traditional gamer anymore. More casual, lifestyle and family-orientated products are going to appeal to a wider demographic," said the Screen Digest analyst. |
| Huge success | Huge success |
| Nintendo has had huge success with its Wii console, dominating rivals Sony and Microsoft by focusing on casual and lifestyle titles. | Nintendo has had huge success with its Wii console, dominating rivals Sony and Microsoft by focusing on casual and lifestyle titles. |
| "They have created a new category of gaming - lifestyle and training games and this social software genre is doing fantastically well," said Mr Harding-Rolls. | "They have created a new category of gaming - lifestyle and training games and this social software genre is doing fantastically well," said Mr Harding-Rolls. |
| FROM THE DOT.LIFE BLOG Microsoft want to be seen more like Disney and less like Tarantino Darren Waters, technology editor BBC News website class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/07/e3.html">Read Darren's thoughts in full | |
| "Nintendo is riding a wave and other platforms are seeking to try and get into those channels as well." | "Nintendo is riding a wave and other platforms are seeking to try and get into those channels as well." |
| He added: "There is definitely a demand for more of that product that Nintendo has championed." | He added: "There is definitely a demand for more of that product that Nintendo has championed." |
| Screen Digest predicts that the market for current generation consoles will hit 80 million by the end of the year. | Screen Digest predicts that the market for current generation consoles will hit 80 million by the end of the year. |
| Publishers and developers are beginning to exploit new forms of content, new types of gaming, as well as delivery through online sales, said Mr Harding-Rolls. | Publishers and developers are beginning to exploit new forms of content, new types of gaming, as well as delivery through online sales, said Mr Harding-Rolls. |
| Marketing campaign | Marketing campaign |
| Microsoft is expected to unveil a massive marketing campaign aimed at repositioning the Xbox 360. | Microsoft is expected to unveil a massive marketing campaign aimed at repositioning the Xbox 360. |
| One of the first elements of that is to cut the price of the 20GB Xbox 360 in North American to $299 (£150) - closer to the price of the Wii. | One of the first elements of that is to cut the price of the 20GB Xbox 360 in North American to $299 (£150) - closer to the price of the Wii. |
| Additionally, in August a 60GB Xbox will debut that will cost $349 (£175). | Additionally, in August a 60GB Xbox will debut that will cost $349 (£175). |
| The campaign is intended to show a stronger emphasis on social gaming though the console's traditional strength in action and adventure titles will also be well represented. | The campaign is intended to show a stronger emphasis on social gaming though the console's traditional strength in action and adventure titles will also be well represented. |
| The Wii has changed ideas about what games can be | The Wii has changed ideas about what games can be |
| Highly-anticipated sequel Gears of War 2 will be on show, as will role playing game Fable 2, from British developer Peter Molyneux's firm Lionhead. | Highly-anticipated sequel Gears of War 2 will be on show, as will role playing game Fable 2, from British developer Peter Molyneux's firm Lionhead. |
| In an E3 diary written for the BBC News website, he said: "It's the adrenaline rush of pushing your chest out and showing who you are and what you stand for. | In an E3 diary written for the BBC News website, he said: "It's the adrenaline rush of pushing your chest out and showing who you are and what you stand for. |
| "And this year Lionhead stands for Fable 2, which amazingly is finally done." | "And this year Lionhead stands for Fable 2, which amazingly is finally done." |
| Sony will be showing PlayStation 3 exclusive titles Resistance 2, Killzone 2 and LittleBigPlanet. | Sony will be showing PlayStation 3 exclusive titles Resistance 2, Killzone 2 and LittleBigPlanet. |
| The company is also expected to give more details of its online virtual world, called Home, and there are reports that a third God of War title might also be shown. | The company is also expected to give more details of its online virtual world, called Home, and there are reports that a third God of War title might also be shown. |
| Lifestyle peripherals | Lifestyle peripherals |
| "I think that you'll have some exciting lifestyle peripherals on the PlayStation Portable alongside the PlayStation 3," predicted games consultant Nick Parker. | "I think that you'll have some exciting lifestyle peripherals on the PlayStation Portable alongside the PlayStation 3," predicted games consultant Nick Parker. |
| LittleBigPlanet is one of Sony's big games | LittleBigPlanet is one of Sony's big games |
| Nintendo is expected to announce a number of deals with third-party developers, who are hoping to capitalise on the success of the Wii, as well as lift the lid of what its own internal studios are currently working on. | Nintendo is expected to announce a number of deals with third-party developers, who are hoping to capitalise on the success of the Wii, as well as lift the lid of what its own internal studios are currently working on. |
| "Wii is dominated by Nintendo's own software. Can third parties make substantial returns on the Wii?" asked Mr Harding-Rolls. | "Wii is dominated by Nintendo's own software. Can third parties make substantial returns on the Wii?" asked Mr Harding-Rolls. |
| He added: "Behind closed doors Nintendo will be looking to reassure publishers about the potential of the platform and its longevity." | He added: "Behind closed doors Nintendo will be looking to reassure publishers about the potential of the platform and its longevity." |
| One of the other key themes of E3 will be the continued growth in online content, he predicted. | One of the other key themes of E3 will be the continued growth in online content, he predicted. |
| He said: "We'll see more downloadable titles. It will be interesting to see if there any more premium titles delivered via digital distribution. | He said: "We'll see more downloadable titles. It will be interesting to see if there any more premium titles delivered via digital distribution. |
| "Online gaming is becoming increasingly popular across the whole of Europe. Europe is not a small online gaming market anymore." | "Online gaming is becoming increasingly popular across the whole of Europe. Europe is not a small online gaming market anymore." |
| The success of games based around peripherals, such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Singstar, is also likely to spur more developers to create add-on friendly titles, especially as their increased sales prices boost revenues. | The success of games based around peripherals, such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Singstar, is also likely to spur more developers to create add-on friendly titles, especially as their increased sales prices boost revenues. |