Videogame console giants jockey for throne

Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are waging battle at the Electronics Entertainment Expo, each claiming to be the true king of videogame consoles in a booming multi-billion dollar industry.

The crown of top videogame console is well worth fighting for, with spending on game software and hardware predicted to top 20 billion dollars this year in the United States and more than double that worldwide.

Annual spending on video gaming eclipses that spent buying music or going to films, according to industry statistics.

Microsoft seized momentum for its Xbox 360 videogame console in a press event as a premier gathering referred to as "E3" got under way this week.

Microsoft senior vice president of interactive business Don Mattick on Tuesday rattled off exclusive Xbox 360 titles such as "Bioshock" and "Halo" before promising to "kick off the next wave of blockbuster games."

Among anticipated new games is Fallout 3 in which players "kill people in ridiculously violent ways" in a wide-open virtual world, Bethesda studio director Todd Howard said while giving a glimpse of the game.

Capcom videogame "Resident Evil 5" will be available for Xbox 360 at launch in March of next year, marking a first for the popular action videogame franchise which previously stuck with Sony's PlayStation consoles.

"Xbox 360 will sell more consoles worldwide this generation than PS3 (PlayStation 3)," Mattick said.

Japanese electronics powerhouse Sony countered Tuesday at a press conference proclaiming 2008 as PS3's year.

"The PlayStation brand is really hitting its stride," said Jack Tretton, president of Sony Computer Entertainment of North America.

PS3 has stumbled since its launch in November of 2006 and ranks behind market-leading Nintendo Wii and second-place Xbox 360 in terms of sales.

Microsoft launched Xbox 360 a year earlier than PS3, which appears to be closing the sales gap.

Tretton said advanced computing power and Bluray high-definition DVD capacities of the consoles are just beginning to be tapped by game makers.

"Resistance 2: Fall of Man" and "Metal Gear Solid 4" were previewed as titles that start to capitalize on the technical prowess of PS3 consoles.

Nintendo weighed in on Tuesday with a press conference at the Kodak Theater, home to the Academy Awards and the place where the Japanese company introduced its Wii console to the world during E3 in 2006.

Wii consoles with motion-sensing controllers and communal game play are credited with winning legions of new fans to videogames and inspiring game makers to broaden their appeal beyond "hardcore gamers."

"Even new systems get old, especially when there are imitators," Nintendo global president Satoru Iwata said as he introduced what Nintendo has in store to keep its momentum.

"There is danger in standing still. We must find new ways for user to feel engaged."

Nintendo showed an "Animal Crossing" game that lets animated characters virtually socialize in online towns and enables players to converse online using headsets.

Legendary game maker Shigeru Miyamoto unveiled Wii Music software that lets people easily simulate playing tunes on any of 50 instruments.

And a Wii Sports Resort game was unveiled that takes advantage of a new "MotionPlus" accessory enabling Wii controllers to more finely sense player movements.

Nintendo also announced a version of hot selling videogame "Grand Theft Auto" customized for its DS handheld game devices that will be on the market by the end of the year.

"We will not be surprised if Wii become the best selling console in this generation in America," said Nintendo of America president Reginald Fils-Amie.

"From the moment DS and Wii went on sale we heard the word 'fad.' I'm here to tell you today that term is no longer operable."

© 2008 AFP

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