Next-gen consoles battle for new gamers

Sony and Microsoft will be battling for the spotlight at the E3 videogame show with new consoles designed to put them at the heart of home entertainment.

Sony and Microsoft will be battling for the spotlight at the E3 videogame show with new consoles designed to put them at the heart of home entertainment.

Both companies are expected to showcase blockbuster titles for high-powered machines that go beyond rich, immersive game play to expanded capabilities for socializing online and accessing films, music, sports, or television shows.

'There is certainly going to be a massive spotlight on the two next-gen consoles,' Bethesda videogame studio marketing vice president Pete Hines said ahead of the E3 expo that gets its unofficial start on Monday in Los Angeles.

'Certainly, games are going to look better, but not so dramatic in terms of differences,' he continued. 'A lot of stuff is in the margins with changes you can't wrap your head around easily.'