Videogame fans and players are flocking to Los Angeles this week for the world's biggest gaming trade fair. The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, is a chance for developers from around the world to introduce their upcoming games and products, and sometimes in grand fashion!
Let the games begin! The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016, or E3, is the mecca of the video gaming industry which means, if you love gaming, there is nowhere else you want to be.
"Game play is a global phenomenon, and it's just starting. I mean, it's really a young industry. This is only about the 21st edition of E3. Each one bigger, grander and getting more attention than the one before," said Rich Taylor, Entertainment Software Association.
And for good reason. E3 is where multimillion dollar releases are announced with a lot of fanfare, which doesn't come cheap. A stand on the expo floor can cost up to $20 million, but it's worthwhile given the captivated audience and potential revenue.
The crowds here at E3 are incredible. Tens of thousands of gamers come from around the world to play the newest games and try out the latest hardware. And judging from the enthusiasm here, it's no wonder that the global video gaming industry is valued at more than 93 billion dollars.
The buzz at this year's E3 is all about Virtual Reality gaming, or VR. At Sony's glitzy event in Los Angeles, it unveiled a VR headset to be used with Playstation consoles.
"I'm happy to announce here that on October 13th, playstation VR will make its debut here in the United States," said Shawn Layden, chairman of Somy Interactive Entertainment.
And another reveal the PS VR Aim controller device with built-in motion and navigation sensors.
Gamers will use the controller for several new games including Impulse Gear's, Farpoint space adventure set in a hostile alien world.
"We really focus on having specialized audio, and a lot of effect going on in 3D so you'll hear things above you, behind you and will encourage you to look around in the world that you wouldn't be able to experience in the regular world," said Randy Nolta, co-founder of Impluse Gear.
Another virtual reality heavyweight is Oculus, bought by Facebook for two billion dollars in 2014. It's debuting several new VR games for its Rift product.
First time users here say the world of virtual reality is stunningly real.
"You lift up your hand and you can see it as a robot hand. And it moves, when you click on this thing, it'll clench its fist. It was really cool."
"It was pretty awesome. I almost was thinking I was in it, and I almost fell over because I was trying to lean on the wall."
According to industry estimates, the global virtual reality gaming market will be worth 23 billion by the end of 2020 and that's just the start. Needless to say, VR is expected to be a real game changer pun intended.
