Gearing Up For E3, The Gaming Event Of 2017

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, the annual video game conference and show, is scheduled to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center between June 13 and 15. The show will showcase new technologies and products in the video game industry.

The show, dubbed E3, is organized by the Entertainment Software Association, which caters to the need of companies that publish computer and video games for video game consoles, personal computers and the internet. The industry, according to the analyst, continues to exhibit strong fundamental characteristics.

Stifel analysts Drew Crum and David Pang views the E3 as a potential catalyst for the industry, just as in the recent years. 

Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation MSFT is all set to divulge details on Xbox Scorpio, its 4K console. The company could also release details of games that could be played when the console launches, according to My Gaming. Microsoft's presentation is scheduled at 5 p.m. ET on June 11.

Electronic Arts

Instead of the E3 briefing, Electronic Arts Inc. EA will host an event at 3 p.m. ET on June 10 called Live @ EA Play. The company is expected to reveal details on the upcoming games such as "Star Wars: Battlefront 2," "Madden NFL 18," "FIFA 18" and "NBA Live 18."

Ubisoft Entertainment

Ubisoft Entertainment SA UBSFF, which revealed it would be launching a new "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry 5" and "The Crew 2," is expected to shed light on all these games at its presentation due at 4 p.m. ET on June 12.

Sony

Sony Corp (ADR) SNE's presentation scheduled to held at 8 p.m. ET on June 12 is expected to showcase games, as its PS4 Pro console is not due until the end of the year. Eurogamer reported that Sony could announce details of "Days Gone" and the "Last of Us Part 2," while some VR games could also be expected.

Nintendo

Surprisingly, a week ahead of the E3, Nintendo Co., Ltd (ADR) NTDOY announced a "Pokemon Direct" presentation at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday. Without divulging much details, the company merely directed to tune in for Pokemon news in a special 8-minute "Pokemon Direct" segment.

Forbes contributor Paul Tassi suggested that the company might be announcing "Pokemon Stars," joining its "Pokemon Sun" and "Pokemon Moon" games. Supporting the speculation is the fact that the company has been giving out stars-themed hints.

Nintendo rarely holds a press conference at the E3 and only releases pre-recorded video at the anti-social Treehouse Live. It is believed that the company might reveal plans for the Switch, 3DS and 2DS XL. The company is also expected to promote games such as "Arms," due to be released just after the E3, and "Splatoon 2," set for release on July 21.

It is also likely that Nintendo previews "Super Mario Odyssey," the first Mario title for the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo's event is scheduled at 12 p.m. ET on June 13.

Activision

Activision Blizzard, Inc. ATVI is expected to showcase "Destiny 2" and a return to the second World War for "Call of Duty: WW2." Additionally, the company could release details of the remastered "Crash Bandicoot N Sane" trilogy.

Overweight On Third-Party Publishers 

Stifel remains Overweight on the publicly traded third-party publishers, considering the historical trading patterns along with an even more compelling calendar year 2018 line-up for these companies. 

The firm has Buy ratings on Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts and Take Two Interactive Software Inc TTWO.

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Nintendo Switch Gives GameStop An Extra Life In Q1 ________ Image Credit: By Toglenn - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons