May is a two-faced month for gaming news. On one hand, the most important week of the industry takes place during E3, with new announcements and information gushing onto the scene nonstop. On the other hand, the weeks after E3 are merely a chance to reflect on the tornado that just tore through Gamingtown and to catch one's breath.

　　The week started with a hush as the big story about E3 was what wasn't in the event's crowded aisles or back rooms. GameSpot News recapped the show's no-shows, with the most glaring omission being the disappearance of last year's buzz game, Killzone for the PlayStation 3. Other games that took vacations included Resident Evil 5 and the latest add-on to Half-Life 2.

　　With all the hoopla over the transition between current-gen and next-gen consoles, the sales numbers for April were certainly surprising. Numbers were up 16 percent over the same period last year; $699 million was tallied up, according to industry researchers NDP Funworld. The big winners were Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive, while Activision and THQ numbers were far down from last year's figures.

　　As the week wore on, more analysts threw their hats in the ring over E3 news, with DFC Intelligence saying that the pricing of the PlayStation 3 ($499 for the 20GB model, $599 for the 60GB) could spell doom for the industry. More PS3 opinions came by way of Bloomberg News, which said that early PS3 games could show only a fifth of the console's potential.

　　The week closed with bad news for kiddies in Minnesota who can't wait to grow up. The Minnesota House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would fine minors who rent or buy AO- or M-rated games. One of the bill's authors, Rep. Jeff Johnson, says the goal of the bill is to protect kids from these games, which he says are full of "absolutely disgusting stuff."

　　MONDAY

　　E3 06: MIA @ E3 06

　　TUESDAY

　　Wall Street lines gutter with game stocks

　　Ex-Infinium boss charged with stock scam

　　NPD: April's sweet 16 gives temporary reprieve

　　WEDNESDAY

　　Microsoft strikes back at Lucent

　　Fear Effect next-gen sequel revealed, film plans updated

　　Analyst: PS3 price bad news for publishers, industry

　　Bloomberg: PS3 launch won't show potential

　　THURSDAY

　　Microsoft unveils Vista requirements

　　Xbox Live downloads hit milestone

　　GameStop tallies billion-dollar quarter

　　Hitman: Blood Money goes gold, gets demo

　　FRIDAY

　　Prey demo date announced

　　Minnesota pol attacks "disgusting stuff" in games

　　Ex-Wolfpackers take on Stray Bullet

　　Report: PlayStation 3 to cost £425 in UK

　　RUMOR OF THE WEEK

　　Assassin's Creed PlayStation 3 exclusive?

　　RELEASES

　　Shippin' Out May 15-19: New Super Mario Bros., X-Men

　　CHARTS

　　UK Game Charts: May 7-13