Expo-"Halo" sequel, new titles create buzz at game show (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - While much of the attention at thisyear's Electronic Entertainment Expo is focused on new hardwaresuch as Sony Corp (NYSE: - ).'s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Co. Ltd's Wii,the success of the next generation of video game consoles willlikely be determined by their game lineups.

E3, as the show is generally known, is the largest videogame showcase in the world, and there are several titles whosepresence, or lack thereof, could determine which console takesthe lead in the next generation war for an industry whoserevenue rivals Hollywood box office receipts.

The console war pits Microsoft Corp.'s 360 against theupcoming PlayStation 3 from Sony and Nintendo's Wii, which ispronounced "We." The Xbox 360 and PS3 offer high-definitiongraphics and new speed and power, but the software is oftenwhat makes gamers purchase a system. Nintendo focuses on morechild-friendly games whose characters are often more cartoonishthan photorealistic.

The most anticipated title of the entire show is a gamethat won't be playable -- the next installment in Microsoft'sblockbuster "Halo" franchise. It is widely expected thatMicrosoft will show a video of "Halo 3" at its press conferenceon Tuesday, but the sci-fi game in which players shoot alienswon't likely ship to consumers until at least 2007.

"Halo" and "Halo 2," both for the original Xbox, have solda combined 14.5 million units worldwide, according toMicrosoft. The games were considered "killer apps," which drovesales of the original Xbox and helped the Xbox Live onlineservice reach two million subscribers.

"Halo 2," which went on sale November 9, 2004, sold arecord $125 million during the first 24 hours of its release,outpacing Hollywood's top earner.

Regardless of whether "Halo 3" makes an appearance, thereare still many other games that could give software sales amuch needed boost.

U.S. video game sales had experienced a sales decline forseven straight months through March, according to marketresearch firm NPD Group. Several of the games on display thisweek could help turn the tide of game sales during theimportant holiday season.

"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" is the next ofNintendo's hugely popular game franchise for the GameCube.UbiSoft Entertainment SA's "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell DoubleAgent" is the next installment of the stealth action franchisefor the Xbox 360, , Xbox and GameCube.

At Sony's news conference on Monday, arguably the largestaudience reaction came from a video trailer for Konami Corp's"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots," a stealth actiontitle expected in 2007 for the PlayStation 3.

Microsoft also is making a huge push for "Gears of War," ahighly anticipated sci-fi, horror action game from Epic Gamesthat many think could fill the Halo gap in 2006.

"A lot of people are calling 'Gears of War' the 'Halo' for2006," said Sam Kennedy, editor in chief of video game reviewsite 1UP.com.

Kennedy says that while the big franchises like "Halo,""Metal Gear Solid" and "Zelda" are interesting, he is mostexcited by the largely unknown launch titles for Nintendo'sWii, which has generated buzz because of its motion sensitivecontroller.

"Nintendo has been saying they're going to change the waywe play games, and people are waiting to see if that's thecase," said Kennedy.

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