The buzz is starting to mount towards that mother of all game events: the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or simply E3. With 3 weeks to go, you can actually feel it getting closer by the day, that is if you get even the least bit excited about announcements of new games and up coming releases. As for me, I get most excited from seeing new game concepts and ideas, though the obligatory and evolutionary franchise sequel is also something to look forward to from preferred game developers.

For example, earlier this week Valve Software made an announcement (of an impending announcement) about the sequel to Half-Life being shown at this year's E3. Research around the net has yielded further leaked information regarding some of the specifics such as:

• Half-Life 2 is scheduled for a September 30th release.
• You're still Gordon Freeman, as in the first installment.
• Half-Life 2 takes place in a European city called "City 17."
• Half-Life 3 is planned, so expect another cliffhanger ending.

Today, Nintendo finally released more information on Mario Kart and Pikmin 2, both for GameCube. Screenshots available over at GameSpy. And I highly believe that this is just the beginning of announcements to come from the Nintendo camp. They have a history of sweeping the event with products and announcements which garner the highest levels of excitement and hype.

There are also rumors of new titles that will be shown from Factor 5 (Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike), Silicon Knights (secret project), Konami (Metal Gear Solid:GameCube), Capcom, Sega (Vectorman), Zoonami (Game Zero), and the list goes on.

Admittedly, most of the projects I listed are sequels to existing franchises, since it is unlikely that a new original title would be announced or shown this far in advance of the event. But I'm willing to bet lunch there will be many surprises at this year's E3, if for no other reason than competition in the games industry has become fierce and there will be much vying for the attention and interest of the press to get the good word out about their games to the masses.

Something to look forward to always makes me happy.