For industry pros and gamers around the world, E3 is the most anticipated event of the year - a massive three-day gaming frenzy. The latest games, the strangest gimmicks (Lara Croft lookalikes, Planet of the Apes lookalikes, WCW lookalikes), and an incredible media invasion, all transform the LA Convention Center into a virtual pantomime. Almost 2,000 new video games were unleashed, and while games they may be, with a $6 billion turnover in the entertainment software in the US alone in 98, this is very, very serious business.The Games? Action, role-playing, shooters, sims, sequels, prequels, anniversary editions - each and every one promising a more exalted state of gaming ecstasy. Some of the contenders for this year’s throne were Starsiege: Tribes II, Deus Ex, Final Fantasy VIII, Anachronox, Oni, Shenmue, Quake III: Arena, and Mech Warrior. And just to illustrate that the gaming industry is around long enough to have developed a sense of it’s own history, there were even new versions of Space Invaders and PacMan. Which are sure to bring a nostalgic tear to the eye of those who spent schooldays in the smoke-filled arcades of the dark ages. From the industrial revolution to the 21st century in just about 25 years! Virtually, that is.These gaming goodies come c/o The Skinny.