Microsoft, makers of the Xbox gaming system and the super-popular Halo
franchise,
introduced a new strategy this week at the annual E3 convention aimed at broadening its appeal to mainstream consumers who don't think of themselves as gamers.
Rivals Sony and Nintendo
announced new games and services at the conference, but
failed to wow critics with their revised consumer strategies. Sony, however,
began offering a video-downloading service on July 15, and
announced that it will cut the price of the PlayStation 3 by $100. Activision, the maker of successful franchises such as Call of Duty 4 and Guitar Hero World Tour,
disclosed its upcoming game lineup despite not participating in the conference.
Also:
Does capitalism need a PR
makeover in the given economic climate? A
Los Angeles Times analysis looks at Americans' current perceptions of free markets.
New York's
Daily News and
Post tabloids
consider the unthinkable – working together.
A&E
tries to rebrand itself as a grittier network with the debut of
The Cleaner.
Rumors
fly that Michael Arrington is selling TechCrunch to News Corp.
CNN analyzes the effectiveness of the presidential contenders' overtures to the Hispanic community.