Next-Gen Consoles Seek World Domination

It's a showdown of intergalactic, pan-dimensional and fantastically epic proportions. If you believe the hype.

Of the 1,000-plus products debuting at the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) computer and videogame trade show, three aim to reinvent the industry as a whole: Microsoft's Xbox 360, Nintendo's Revolution and Sony's PlayStation 3.

With Xbox 360 due by Christmas and the Revolution and PS3 expected to launch in 2006, this year's conference--running through Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center--appears more war zone than wired wonderland.

"E3 is where everything comes to a head," says Adam Sessler, host of G4 television network's X-Play. "It's the opening shot in a battle that's going to decide the fate of the entire gaming universe."

And that's one mighty universe.

Market revenues already top a staggering $13 billion. This figure is expected to swell to nearly 14 billion by 2008. Microsoft further predicts more than 1 billion users will become acquainted with the pastime this generation.

Given numbers like that, manufacturers aren't just jostling for greater market share, they're fighting for your undying devotion. The ultimate prize: control of a device that will function as the entertainment hub in tomorrow's home.

Meet the contenders.

Previewed on an MTV special last week, Microsoft's Xbox 360 will be the first on the scene. It offers customization and dedicated broadband access. Strengths include: high-definition content; personalized user profiles complete with career histories and performance tracking; support for text/voice/video messaging; swappable faceplates and changeable wallpaper; a removable hard-disk drive; USB ports; and connectivity with consumer electronics devices, including HDTVs, computers, digital cameras and even rival products like Apple's iPods and Sony's recently released PlayStation Portable.

Backwards compatible with the original Xbox, the curvaceous, all-white next-generation unit uses wireless controllers, and allows gamers to instantly find and converse with competitors online. Users can also dynamically download albums, movies, video trailers, software samplers and game demos at no additional charge.

The Xbox 360 hopes its three-month head start will give it a market-share advantage over its biggest rival and the current videogame leader, Sony--especially since the latter's PlayStation 3, unveiled Monday and slated for a spring 2006 debut, trumps the Xbox 360 technologically. The PS3 owes its power to the "Cell" processor--billed as faster than most modern PCs--and a built-in Blu-ray drive, which plays discs capable of storing six-times as much as current DVDs.

Able to run software for the original PlayStation and PS2, the new system will also launch with the most powerful home graphics chip ever seen, capable of photo-realistic, cinema-quality games. It will have wireless support for seven controllers via Bluetooth, and its integrated 802.11b/g WiFi will be able to connect with home networks and the PlayStation Portable. The PS3's most original feature: Using an HD camera add-on and the PSP, anyone can stream live video broadcasts into the ether, accessible from around the world via WiFi hotspot. It will be available in white, silver and black.

By contrast, Nintendo's Revolution, arriving in the second half of 2006, advocates inventive new gaming concepts. Insiders further anticipate its controller will be unlike anything ever seen before.

A tiny, seductive-looking system, about the size of three stacked DVD cases, the device runs content stored on standard DVDs, plus GameCube software. For the first time in history, it'll allow fans of the Japanese giant to go online. As an added bonus, owners can even download titles dating back to the NES, Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64.

As with the other systems, it boasts WiFi networking capabilities, wireless controllers and USB ports for computer-quality add-ons. Nintendo, which unveiled the Revolution Tuesday, did not get into specifics about its processor speeds or graphics chips or whether it will support HDTV like its competitors. The company also introduced a revamped, slimmed-down Game Boy Advance called Micro that's smaller than a deck of cards. It will be available in December.

None of the manufacturers has announced pricing for the new systems. All are looking to expand the appeal of their wares beyond the hardcore demo of males 18-35.

"Whoever triumphs in the next generation," says Sessler, "gamers are the clear cut winners."