Photographs: Gus Ruelas/Reuters Malathi Nayak
About 45,000 reporters, industry players and analysts will converge on Los Angeles for the E3 conference, which sprawls across a space the size of eight US football fields.
This marquee event for the video game sector, running from June 11 to 13, comes as the industry tries to cope with the rapid growth of online and mobile gaming and prepares for the launch of next-generation consoles from Microsoft Corp and Sony Corp.
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: People play Battlefield 4 on the first day of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: David McNew/Reuters
Here is a look at the industry and its major players.
Size of global traditional video game market revenue, excluding mobile games on smart phones and tablets: $58 billion, up slightly from $57.2 billion in 2012.
Size of global video game market revenue, including mobile games on smart phones and tablets: $66 billion, up from $63 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow to $78 billion in 2017.
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: Convention goers pass the Xbox booth during E3 in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: Gus Ruelas/Reuters
Retail software revenue: $20 billion, down from $22.6 billion in 2012.
Online revenue, including digital delivery, subscriptions, Facebook games: $24 billion, up from $21 billion in 2012
Console makers
Microsoft Corp
i) Xbox 360 launched in the United States November 2005.
ii) Xbox One to be released later this year.
iii) Xbox 360 consoles sold 77.2 million.
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: A gamer meets Ever Quest 2 characters during E3 in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: Gus Ruelas/Reuters
Major initiative: Microsoft is expected to show off new game titles for its next-generation Xbox One console, which it unveiled in May.
Sony Corp
i) PlayStation 3 launched in the United States and Japan November 2006.
ii) PlayStation 4 to be launched this holiday season.
As of December 31, PlayStation3 units sold: More than 77 million units.
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: People pass exhibit artwork, including World of Warships, on the first day of E3 in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: David McNew/Reuters
Major initiative: Sony unveiled its next-generation PlayStation console in February. The company is expected to share more details on features and games for its PlayStation 4.
Nintendo launched Wii in the United States in November 2006. It launched Wii U in the United States in November 2012.
Wii units shipped: More than 99.8 million.
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: The audience watches Miami Heat star LeBron James in a game demonstration at the Sony news conference show on the eve of the opening of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: David McNew/Reuters
Wii U units shipped: More than 3.45 million as of March 31.
DS units shipped: More than 153.8 million.
3DS units: More than 31.09 million as of March 31.
Major initiative: Nintendo will unveil new games for the Wii U, including a new title from its "Super Smash Bros." franchise.
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: Attendees watch scenes from the game Forza Motorsport 5 during the Xbox E3 Media Briefing at USC's Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Software publishers
Activision Blizzard
Annual revenue: $4.99 billion.
Top franchises: "Call of Duty" and "World of Warcraft".
Electronic Arts Inc
Annual revenue: $3.79 billion.
Top franchises: "Battlefield" and "Madden NFL".
...
A look at the $66bn video-games industry
Image: Writers use computers during the Sony news conference show on the eve of the opening of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, in Los Angeles, California.Photographs: David McNew/Reuters
Take-Two Interactive Software
Annual revenue: $1.22 billion.
Top franchises: "Grand Theft Auto" and "Borderlands".
Ubisoft
Annual revenue: 1.26 billion euros.
Top franchises: "Assassin's Creed" and "Just Dance".
article