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What to expect at E3 game expo

The biggest computer gaming show of the year, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, also known as E3, kicks off next Tuesday but it's already drawing keen interest from video game aficionados.

The big three video game console manufacturers love to use E3 as a forum to brag, tease, and whet consumer appetites around the globe with the latest in interactive games for computers, consoles, and handheld devices. But this year's show is generating even more interest online than it did last year, according to Nielsen. Much of the buzz surrounds Nintendo and what it will say next Tuesday when it announces a successor to its popular Wii console.

The other highly-watched events likely will include dueling press conferences held by Sony, and Microsoft before the show formally begins. Sony has already begun to selectively pre-announce its plans for its next-generation portable, which aptly goes by the acronym NGP. On Thursday, the company allowed members of the gaming press to test drive the upcoming unit, which includes a 5-inch touchscreen, dual joysticks, a rear multi-touch pad as well as front and rear-facing cameras. PR-savvy company officials told reporters there will be other details to follow - but they'll have to wait until next Tuesday's press conference.

But with so many tea leaves being dropped, we're getting a fairly good idea of what's likely to unfold. For a good cheat sheet, check out this predictions list, courtesy of long-time E3 show-goer CNET's Dan Ackerman.

  • Nintendo announces next-generation console hardware (doesn't even count as a prediction, really).
  • Cult hit Minecraft comes to Sony Xperia Play platform.
  • Sony profusely apologizes during press conference for PSN hacking debacle (perhaps via faux spokesman Kevin Butler).
  • Nintendo details the eShop addition to the 3DS including launch titles, etc.
  • Kinect functionality comes to some well-known game franchises.
  • Plastic discs continue to lose ground to downloadable content.
  • The Sony NGP is backwards-compatible with PSP titles.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a note in the talkback section below and let us know. Meanwhile, Dan and the rest of the crew from our sister site CNET will be on hand to report on all the action at E3 next week. You can follow their coverage here.

Gamespot coverage: E3 2011
Nintendo wish list
Sony previews NGP features
Onlive comes to Facebook, tablets
EA launches Origin
Photos: E3 retrospective: Where are they now?
Photos: 3DS games/features wish list for 2011<>

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