E3 2011: Valve playing with NECA

LOS ANGELES--Although game giant Valve and merchandise maker National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA) are not among the E3 2011 exhibitors list, that isn't stopping the companies from making news during the annual gaming gala.

NECA has announced that it has entered into a new agreement with Washington state developer Valve that will bring a range of consumer products based on the studio's stable of IP to consumers.

According to NECA, this partnership will bring toys, action figures, board games, accessories, and apparel based on Valve properties to gamers, beginning at a to-be- determined date in the future.

NECA did not name any Valve franchises outright for getting the merchandise treatment, but some likely contenders are the studio's popular series Team Fortress, Counter-Strike, Portal, Half-Life, and Left 4 Dead.