Wii U, sequels take another swing at E3

FILE - In this June 8, 2011 photo, Nintendo's video game console:Wii U is demonstrated at the Nintendo booth at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo is expected to show off exactly what kinds of games will be available for its new touchpad-powered Wii U console, while other gamemakers will hype the latest installments in their "Call of Duty," "Halo" and "God of War" franchises. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)

FILE - In this June 8, 2011 photo, Nintendo's video game console:Wii U is demonstrated at the Nintendo booth at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo is expected to show off exactly what kinds of games will be available for its new touchpad-powered Wii U console, while other gamemakers will hype the latest installments in their "Call of Duty," "Halo" and "God of War" franchises. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)

In this video game image released by Microsoft/343 Industries, a scene if shown from "Halo 4." At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo is expected to show off exactly what kinds of games will be available for its new touchpad-powered Wii U console, while other gamemakers will hype the latest installments in their "Call of Duty," "Halo" and "God of War" franchises. (AP Photo/Microsoft/343 Industries)

This video game image released by Activision shows a scene from "Call of Duty: Black Ops II." At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo is expected to show off exactly what kinds of games will be available for its new touchpad-powered Wii U console, while other gamemakers will hype the latest installments in their "Call of Duty," "Halo" and "God of War" franchises. (AP Photo/Activision)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Is the Wii U right for you?

At last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Nintendo captured most of the spotlight by unveiling the Wii's successor, a high-definition console called the Wii U that utilizes a tablet-like touchscreen controller. Attention alone wasn't enough to declare a victory. Folks weren't, well, feeling it. Critical reaction was mixed, and the Japanese gaming giant's stock dropped.

"Nintendo has an uphill battle this year," said Morgan Webb, co-host of the G4 gaming show "X-Play." ''It's really a branding problem. I think a lot of people are still confused about the Wii U. They're going to have a hard time convincing people that this could be a better gaming experience than the iPad."

At this year's E3 convention in Los Angeles next week, Nintendo Co. will attempt to assuage such concerns by introducing gamers to titles that will be available for Wii U when it's expected to launch later this year. Previously, the "Mario Bros." creator only teased what was capable through a series of technology demonstrations.

E3 comes at a time when the gaming industry could use a few good parties and pep talks. The NPD Group, a research firm that tracks the U.S. sales of game software, hardware and accessories, said that while consumers spent more than $1 billion on games and accompanying gizmos in April, retail sales fell 32 percent from a year ago, the fifth month of decline.

The continued interest in cheaper-to-produce mobile, social and downloadable games is expected to be showcased more than ever before at E3, a flashy extravaganza typically focused on building buzz for the loudest and sexiest games. Zynga, the developer of social games like "FarmVille" and "Words With Friends," will have a presence at E3 for the first time.

"Every time I go to E3, I'm usually surprised," said Jay Wilson, lead designer of the role-playing game "Diablo III." ''I expect to be surprised again. What I hope is that no matter what platform people are working on, no matter what new area that they're exploring, the most important thing is gameplay. If a game provides great gameplay, the platform doesn't really matter."

Indeed, a strong line-up of games will be integral to the future success of the Wii U, a lesson Nintendo learned the hard way after last year's lackluster launch of the 3DS, its glasses-free 3-D handheld device. "X-Play's" Webb thinks Nintendo could win over the E3 crowd if it introduces innovative, unexpected, must-own games that appeal equally to both hardcore and casual gamers.

Unless Nintendo's fellow first-party publishers Sony Corp. or Microsoft Corp. unveil new hardware or radical updates to their respective PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, the E3 spotlight ? for better or worse ? will undoubtedly be shining back in Nintendo's direction. (Microsoft and Sony have previously shot down rumors they'd unleash new consoles at this year's E3.)

"The Wii U was announced last year, and that stimulates all kinds of thoughts about what's possible," said Mark Lamia, the studio head at "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" developer Treyarch. "It'll be interesting to see what happens with the first parties. It's always an exciting time when rumors are in the air, and we see if E3 is the time when they become more than rumors."

Most other game makers will use the expo to hype new entries in their seemingly never-ending franchises. There's Activision's "Call of Duty: Black Ops II," Microsoft's "Halo 4" and "Forza Horizon," Sony's "God of War: Ascension" and "LittleBigPlanet Karting," Ubisoft's "Far Cry 3" and "Assassin's Creed III," as well as the revealing of several other new chapters.

Some sequels at E3 are emerging from deep within the vault. Franchises once considered extinct, such as invasion simulator "X-COM," stealthy shooter "Hitman" and town builder "SimCity," will return to a vastly different landscape. Will these once beloved series be re-embraced? It's a strategy that's worked for some ("Twisted Metal") but failed others ("Syndicate").

Electronic Arts Inc. will show off such games as the real-world military simulator "Medal of Honor: Warfighter," a new iteration of its "Need for Speed" racing series and the sci-fi horror sequel "Dead Space 3." EA, like many publishers, will also be talking technology, focusing on advancements with its Frostbite graphics engine, digital distribution and cloud computing

"Cloud competing isn't rocket science," said Patrick Soderlund, executive vice president at the EA Games label. "It is a great feature that we're embracing as a game company. It's just a natural evolution that I think will be used in most of our products, to some extent."

___

AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson contributed to this report.

___

Online:

http://www.e3expo.com/

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.

Associated Press

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Internet Marketing Confusion | Online Business Article Directory

?

In some ways Internet marketing is easier today than it used to be, and in others it?s more difficult. The confusion starts in actually defining what Internet marketing is.

A simple definition of Internet marketing is the marketing of products or services over the Internet. Of course today this entails many more opportunities to promote than there used to be even 10 years ago.

I actually started a blog back in 2005. Prior to that I used discussion forums, article marketing, and email marketing as my primary forms of Internet marketing to make money.

When I blog I also bookmark my blog posts using OnlyWire. This creates a link in social directories that OnlyWire submits to.

Search engines spider social directories every day. When they find this link it brings them back to my blog.

Over time these backlinks help my blog rank higher for various keyword phrases on the search engines. This is a good form of Internet marketing for everyone to be doing as search engines love fresh blog content.

Today social media, including social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, are very popular. So is marketing via video on shared video sites such as You Tube.

If you set up a separate business page on your Facebook account. As you build up Facebook friends any post you make on your wall can be viewed by your friends.

The trick in doing this form of Internet marketing is to not spend all your time promoting products and services. You also want to interact with your friends on a personal level and build relationships with them.

Email marketing is also Internet marketing. Building a list and sending out email is one way that large Internet marketers make money online everyday.

Having a large responsive list is one of the best assets an Internet business can have. Being able to send out offers directly to it whenever you want to create some cash flow is a great thing to do.

You can also use your email list to drive traffic back to your blog. Whenever you make a blog update you can send out a short email with a link back to your blog and use your subscribers as a traffic generation tool.

There is no right or wrong way to promote online. Internet marketing can be whatever works for you.

The key is to master 1 or 2 Internet marketing strategies and really focus on them before taking on anything new. I certainly would suggest social media including social networking and blogging as much as possible.

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Why 'idiot' humans are the best cyber weapon

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In Italy, a Soccer Scandal Casts a Shadow Over Euro 2012

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RingCentral Didn't Ring My Chimes

I've been looking for an alternative to Google's Google Voice product that provides one number for all my phones -- mobiles and landline -- and includes online voicemail and discounted calling. Google Voice is a fine product, and I've had exemplary use out of it, but it has a couple of failings related to a lack of international functionality.

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Build Wealth With Gold IRA Investing ? Gold Bullion Gold IRAs Build ...

Investment Portfolio Diversification Builds Investment Security:

When managing a wise investment portfolio, the manager seeks to build up children of investments that compliment one another and generate the portfolio more vital. Gold has the ability to positively play a role in a wise investment portfolio by making an effort to build security through diversity. Turbulence in the financial and commodity markets can ruin a wise investment portfolio that highlights only a single sector. The valuable gold might be a great equalizer because of its shelter appeal, and they often inverse relationship with primary stock indices. Commonly, as stock indices fall lower, the shelter benefit of platinum gold increases. It can be a shelter asset that protects the portfolio about the trials and tribulations of inflation. Gold is usually a tangible asset and holds stand-alone value. On account of its prime quality to diversify, it remains commonplace in inclusion for just about any investment portfolio. Investment portfolio managers can opt to target mining stocks, ETFs, coins and in many cases mutual funds. Some desire to add precious metals with an IRA or 401K as part of their retirement portfolio. Many feel that gold may be the ultimate asset and can ultimately help build wealth through appreciation. Many investors are including and taking this lightly into gold IRA?s. I suggest you find a gold party prior to you making you buy.

Gold Investment Retirement Accounts and 401K Potential:

The American government allows Gold American Eagles and Gold proof American Eagles in gold IRA?s. Gold American Eagles are gold bullion coins and follow spot expense of gold. Gold coins are minted and supposed to be used in investments. The coins will be different weights and sizes and the valuation of the coin is dependent upon troy weight. The price of gold bullion changes day by day but may be determined by reviewing the gold spot price provided via national news sources. Gold coins are easy to exchange and this increases their appeal for investors and retirement planners. Also, gold is likely to do better when various global currencies are weaker. For instance, once the dollar?s strength dissipates, gold price normally rises. This inverse relationship between your dollar and gold price enhances its appeal for investment plan diversification. It really is interesting to remember that Gold American Eagles and Gold proof American Eagles for IRA accounts differ in this one coin might be confiscated because of the government, as you move the other is safe potential confiscation.

Gold Bullion included in a good investment Plan:

Right here is the point where attention peeks for some. Gold bullion coins are controlled by confiscation because of the American government in times of national crisis using the Executive Order of 1933 from FDR. Gold proof coins are safe this order and so is probably not confiscated. The bullion is backed because of the U.S. government and so it really is accepted in all major investment markets around the world. Gold is easy to liquidate. This characteristic also helps secure gold?s popularity in the investment planning sector. One should keep price at heart. Opting to select gold proof suggests that you?ll pay limited price. You are going to pay money for the gold itself, and pay an amount aside from close by price. Finally, as a way to arrange a gold IRA, you need to arrange a self directed IRA account.

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Valencia edges Dynamo 2-1 in friendly

Associated Press Sports

updated 10:57 p.m. ET May 31, 2012

HOUSTON (AP) - Aritz Aduriz scored twice and Spain's Valencia held on for a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Thursday night in an international friendly.

Aduriz gave Valencia a 2-1 lead in the 17th minute, taking a pass from Pablo Piatti at the penalty area and shooting inside the near post.

Aduriz put Valencia up just 71 seconds into the match, taking a cross in the left box from Pablo and shooting from 16 yards on the left. The shot bounced off goalkeeper Tyler Deric as he tried for a diving save, hit off the far post and bounced over the line.

Valencia coach Juan Carlos Carcedo said he was excited by the way his team played.

"I think we played a good game and gave a good spectacle," Carcedo said. "The goals and the way that everyone understood each other on the field, that was our goal. We were happy to achieve those goals."

Calen Carr evened the score in the 14th minute, dribbling from the right end line to the half circle and sending a shot inside the upper near post.

"It was a good goal," Carr said. "It wasn't one of my best goals or one of my most important goals. Overall, the match had some good moments."

Houston, currently sixth in MLS's Eastern Conference with a 4-3-4 record and 16 points, had a chance to tie in the 90th minute, but Macoumba Kandji's shot from the left was saved by Vicente Guaita.

Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said he was pleased with the way his team played.

"I thought it was a good match played against a great team," Kinnear said. "That was a great goal by Calen."

Valencia, which finished third in the 2011-2012 La Liga standings, defeated Portland 1-0 on May 23 in its only other game on its United States tour. Aduriz scored the lone goal in that game as well.

"I'm happy to score the three goals on the trip," Arduriz said. "I'm going to be the main goal scorer now, so this was good for me to prepare for next year."

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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