Yesterday, Microsoft sent out invitations to its E3 press conference, at which the company confirmed it will show off its next-generation console. As has been the case for the past several years, the event will occur on the evening of the Monday before E3 officially begins on Wednesday.

　　This year, the Microsoft conference will happen at 6:45pm PDT on Monday, May 16. Nintendo's press conference, which will feature its next-gen "Revolution" console, is slated for 9am PDT on Tuesday, May 17, in keeping with tradition. Customarily, Sony would then get the last word in on Tuesday afternoon at its own event, at which it has said it will unveil the next PlayStation.

　　As it turns out, this year things are going to be a little different. Shortly after many members of the games press received their invites from Microsoft, Sony sent invitations to its conference--on Monday afternoon. The new time means Sony will now have the distinction of showing its console to the public before its two rivals.

　　However, it remains to be seen whether Sony's E3 event will mark the first exhibition of a next-generation console. Sony had planned to show off the next PlayStation at an event in Japan in March, an event that failed to materialize. Also, a Web site currently offering glimpses of what appears to be the next-gen Xbox is also displaying a countdown clock that ends on Thursday, May 12, causing some speculation that Microsoft will unveil its machine then.