Games higher-profile at CES '08

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has made no secret of its desire to play a bigger role in the gaming industry. Last year the group, best known as the organizers of the annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, declared that it was looking into the possibility of a replacement show for the downsized Electronic Entertainment Expo. The CEA eventually balked at the notion, but did say it was still interested in the gaming market.

While the group still hasn't embraced the idea of a new gaming convention to replace E3, it did announce this week that gaming would play a larger role in the 2008 CES (taking place January 7-10) than in years past. The group is collecting game-related software and hardware into one location, with the total gaming exhibit space for the convention up more than 65 percent from that of CES 2007. There will also be game-related conference sessions at the show.

In addition to Microsoft and Sony, the game-related exhibitors will include names like Commodore Gaming, Entropia Universe, and InterAction Laboratories. As in years past, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates will deliver an opening keynote address for the show.