E3 2016 Gaming extravaganza boots up in LA

This year's E3 could prove to be a turning point - not just for gaming, but for the event itself.

Traditionally a place for studios to show off what they have been working on, this year the gaming industry extravaganza has shaped up a little differently, BBC News reports.

Publisher EA has decided to run a separate event aimed at gamers, while rival Activision is letting the console companies promote its games, rather than having its own showcase.

"Usually it has been a retail show connecting publishers with buyers, but that is less relevant now due to the digital opportunities in gaming," said Piers Harding-Rolls, director of games at consultancy IHS Technology.

"But E3 still has an important role to play. It's where people learn about new products coming to market."

And plenty of studios have capitalised on the excitement around E3 to tease their new releases, many squeezing out announcements before doors open on 14 June.

Of course, if previous years are anything to go by, there are likely to be a few surprises during the week.