Sony Holding E3 Press Conference On June 6

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced Tuesday that its E3 media event, where the company is expected to reveal more information about its PSP successor, will take place on June 6 at 5 p.m. PST in L.A. The platform holder will host the press conference at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on the eve of the annual trade show's opening -- a plan similar to Microsoft's memorable pre-E3 Project Natal/Kinect event last year at the University of Southern California's Galen Center/sports venue. SCEA hasn't shared what specific items it will discuss or unveil at E3, but it is expected to share more details on its upcoming successor to the PSP, codenamed Next Generation Portable (NGP), such as a release date, pricing, features, service partners and games in development. The company has previously said the NGP will release this calendar year in North America but not necessarily in other territories. Analysts predict the NGP's pricing will exceed the $250 MSRP of rival handheld Nintendo 3DS, considering the device's unique features (such as a rear touchpad) and high-end hardware. It's unlikely SCEA will reveal a new home console at E3 2011, with SCEA recently commenting that the console -- released in 2006 -- is just now just "hitting its stride." Presumably, the company will present new initiatives and many new titles for the PS3 at its press conference. This year's E3 Expo will run from June 7 to 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Nintendo, Microsoft, and major publishers will host their own press events at or around the conference.