LADYDRAGON.COM - Over 1,300 New Interactive Products to Launch at E3Expo 2003

Thursday April 24, 2003

Over 1,300 New Interactive Products to Launch at E3Expo 2003; New Exhibitor Survey Provides Preview of Computer and Video Games Being Shown

Leading interactive entertainment companies from around the globe will converge at the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo) next month to unveil more than 1,350 never-before-seen computer and video games and related products, according to data from the E3Expo 2003 Exhibitor Survey. Survey data, which was released today by the show's owner, the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), indicates that 83 percent of all products being shown at this year's E3Expo will be in stores in time for consumers to purchase during the 2003 holiday season.

"Interactive entertainment continues to flourish and captivate people of all ages and interests, and E3Expo provides an important preview of what they will be playing this holiday season and beyond," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the IDSA, the trade association representing U.S. entertainment software publishers. "The fact that E3Expo is the preferred product launch venue for the global computer and video game industry, with over 1,300 new products being introduced this year, demonstrates that industry professionals know that the show is not only `where business gets fun,' but also `where business gets done.'"

Ninety-three percent of all exhibitors responded to the survey, which asked participants to provide details on ten products they will be showing at E3Expo 2003. The survey found that the products to be showcased reflect the popularity of platforms such as video game consoles and computers, as well as interest in other platforms such as handheld game devices and cellular phones. Specifically, of the never-before-seen game titles surveyed:

-- 57.3 percent will be for video game consoles;

-- 26.7 percent will be for personal computers;

-- 8.6 percent will be for handheld game devices;

-- 4.7 percent will be for PDAs, wireless phones and other;

-- 2.6 percent will be online/Internet games.

Exhibitors also reported that they will be showing products that are targeted at avid game players, as well as offering a broad range of products that are aimed at a mass market audience. Continuing trends of the last several years, games on display will appeal to men and women and young and old alike. According to survey respondents, reported never-before-seen game titles shown at E3Expo will cover game categories such as:

-- Action games (20.3 percent);

-- Sports and Driving games (15.5 percent);

-- Role Playing games (11.7 percent);

-- Strategy games (8.3 percent);

-- Adventure games (8 percent);

-- Child and Family games (5.1 percent);

-- Educational/Edutainment games (4.8 percent);

-- Simulation games (2.9 percent).

Interactive products making their debut at E3Expo 2003, scheduled for May 14 - 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will be spotlighted in the "First Looks" program. Participating First Looks exhibitors will be designated in the E3Expo exhibit guide, the E3Expo Show Daily, www.e3expo.com and on the exhibit floor beginning May 14.

E3Expo, now in its ninth year, is owned by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. IDSA members collectively account for more than 90 percent of the $6.9 billion in entertainment software sales in the U.S. in 2002, and billions more in export sales of American-made entertainment software. The IDSA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show, business and consumer research, government relations and First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts.

E3Expo is a trade event, not open to the general public. Only working journalists with qualified media outlets will be eligible to register for media badges. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted, including infants. This policy is strictly enforced.