Pixelated Geek » Special Events

San Diego Comic Con International 2010 already sold out… except Sunday.

Nelson — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:47:41 +0000

We are about 4 months away from the biggest comic and entertainment convention in the world and already it’s mostly sold out. If you haven’t yet bought your 4day or even single day passes, consider yourself S.O.L. until next year. That is unless you’re the type that just likes to walk around the exhibit hall and buy things that are still left on the tables. If so, then tickets for Sunday are still available.

If you’re not able to go because of tickets or not being able to fit it into your plans this year, no worries. We’ve got you and the convention covered. So stay tuned!

[via Comic Con]

GDC Highlight 3-12-10 – Sixense TrueMotion system

James — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:47:34 +0000

Second day at the GDC conference and I managed to hit one other interesting display for us gamers: the Sixense TrueMotion system. Available for demonstration using an in-house demo peripheral, Sixense hopes to ship this new motion-sensing technology for use in a new Razer product.

Where the Wii and the Sony Move rely on infrared detection, this new technology detects motion and position through magnetic fields. Each of the two remotes/paddles being used contains a magnet, and position and direction are defined by their relation to the surrounding magnetic field. Sixense hopes a planned product manufactured by Razor will be more precise than the Wiimote or the Sony Move. They plan to convert older titles for use with the Sixense.

The Sixense was originally planned to support casual games, but demonstrations with the new technology using a converted Left 4 Dead 2 demonstrated its promise. Sixense had a booth available with the demo for play; it not only supported specific arcs of thrown grenades or aiming guns with both remotes, but also supported free-flowing control of the game’s sword, allowing for a variety of strokes and twirls. Precision and control both seemed more fluid than some wii titles, allowing for sweeping movements.

At this time, both the final price of any completed product and its release date are unknown. Sixense hopes for a winter release. They also hope to see the technology utilized in future releases.

GDC Expo Floor Highlights Summation: 3-11-10

James — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:47:45 +0000

Here are some of my personal highlights from the GDC expo floor. Most of the booths this year were technical rather than games-oriented, but there were some interesting new gadgets and a few games on display.

Sony Move

Taking center stage for Sony at the GDC was the newly-announced Sony Move, being demonstrated through a title called Eyepet. This “augmented reality” title put the player in charge of caring for a furry little gremlin whose endearing mannerisms bordered on the creepy. Demonstrated functions included washing him, taking him on a ride upon a drawn plane, and soaping him down with your hands. Also on hand was a technical demo for the Move itself.

Inspired by the difficulties other developers had with the Wiimote, the Move nonetheless shares some of its difficulties with its competitor when it comes to precise motions and Z-axis detection. There’s promise, but it doesn’t seem groundbreaking; the same basic drawbacks to the Wiimote are still present in that the Move still has trouble with precision movements and movements in-game do not correspond intuitively to movements in the real world. Fortunately, Sony plans to market the Move as an optional accessory for many compatible games, rather than a core system requirement.

Dante’s Inferno and BlazBlue coming to PSP

Sony is beefing up the PSP’s growing library with conversions of two games, Dante’s Inferno and BlazBlue. The demo was small, but textures seemed solid for both, especially considering the platform.

Wacom Cintiq 210X

The Cintiq was on display in the Expo Hall. Combining a wide-screen 21” monitor with a top-of-the-line pen digitizier, it was definitely fun to watch in use. Vibrant colors and precise motion tracking were big plusses. My attendant artist claims it’s the new standard for graphical tablets.

The NeuroSky Brainwave Headset

This peculiar little gizmo measures brainwave activity, literally linking actions to how hard the wearer is thinking- or it’s supposed to. Unfortunately, the headset apparently was not intended for use by liberal arts majors. Though it’s supposed to interpret four different kinds of thought patterns, for some reason my own mental processes were too puny to register for this future spaceman technology. Control was anything but intuitive and seemed to have very little to do with what you were actually thinking.

Another interesting concept, but I wouldn’t expect to be killing your foes with mind bullets any time soon.

AR Drone

Now you too can control a menacing, quiet robotic drone from your own iPod! An interesting device, this drone has an onboard camera and apparently includes a built-in game where you evade a computer-generated rival drone. The model on display on the expo floor looks like a fun toy, if an extravagant one.

DSi XL

This new GameBoy DSi, slated for release this month, is the same DS- but bigger. Not much more to say; the screen is pretty and the model itself looks nice and robust. If you felt the DSi was too small, now’s your chance.

360 Ventures

This looked like nothing so much as a giant hamster ball. Just what I wanted for the living room! Seeming more a throwback to the early 90s, this virtual-reality control mechanism was on display with a fairly basic demo intended to show what it could do. Considering its size and expense, it’s clearly only intended for the arcade- which raises questions about how well it’ll do in this day and age when faced with Xbox Live, Playstation Network, and all our other options available in the comfort of our homes.

Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

An actual game! This on-rail shooter for the Wii was on display at the Nintendo booth. It promises dynamic levels and flashy, animesque firefights. All in all, it seems a good catch for those interested in retro-style shooters with snazzy new graphics. Slated for release in North America in June 2010.

Shatter

This fascinating independent release by Sidhe Interactive seems like an inspired combination of Breakout and an abstracted R-Type style flight shooter. On display at the Independent Games Booths, it boasted a catchy techno soundtrack with intuitive, open-ended additions like powerups, vacuum and shockwave abilities to further guide the flow of the bouncing projectiles and powerups, and boss encounters like fighting living modern art. It is available on the Playstation Network and Steam.

Tera

Among the more interesting sights on the expo floor, this Korean-developed MMO made its first appearance at the GDC. Instead of relying upon auto-attack mechanics and a gear-based difficulty curve, Tera aims to be an Action-MMO, with players actually aiming their shots, attacking on command, and evading attacks by movement. If it’s as fluid in the final product as it was in the demo, it might be among the few MMOs who break the ancient mold of Everquest. At present, no lore details are available, but the game plans to include six playable races and eight classes.

Other highlights included a soft, beautiful graphical palette and bold, vaguely Asian environmental designs. It’s scheduled for release this winter in the US, and is still in beta. Though Korean-developed, it plans to have full support and translation for North American and European audiences. Tera seems like something to watch for MMO gamers tired of the same old paradigm.

Starcraft 2

As expected, Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty was on display with a fully-playable demo. Terran and Protoss forces were in evidence, both seemingly in the final stages. Graphically, it’s a nice, immersive upgrade, with detailed environments and excellent lighting effects. The gameplay, of course, is classic Starcraft; new enhancements have mostly concentrated on combining classic unit functions and diversifying each individual unit type’s possible roles, but it’ll be familiar and welcome terrain to any veteran of Battle.net. The Terran roster, in particular, seems mostly composed of old units.

PAX East Panels: Bringing Live Gaming to you… well, Live: Part 2!

Robert — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:08:23 +0000

If you recall from last week, I’ve been writing two articles over two weeks that discuss the RPG and D&D panels at PAX East that yours truly will be attending. I am getting more and more stoked as the weeks flutter by; my gaming saliva is accumulating, preparing for maximum drool potential. Amidst some heavy Torchlight playing, I present to you the second half of the panels that I will be attending and a few thoughts on each. Next week, I’m back to the normal DM articles that hopefully will make you think a little differently about your gaming needs. But, for now, here are the panels:

The Dead Space Universe: Creating a World of Horror in Games and Beyond

Naga Theatre
Saturday, 1:00pm

In 2008, EA launched a new IP from Visceral Studios: Dead Space. The game delivered the ultimate in psychological thrills and gruesome action. A bold and bloody sci-fi survival horror game set 400 years in the future, Dead Space stunned and scared players, won critical acclaim, and spawned the 2009 prequel: Dead Space Extraction. The Dead Space universe runs deep, and as gamers find themselves clamoring for more, Dead Space comics, animated features and figures have been released. This talk will go behind the scenes on the making of Dead Space, bring players up to speed on the Dead Space universe, and prepare them for what’s to come in the recently announced Dead Space 2. Panelists Include: Rich Briggs [Producer, EA], Ian Milham [Art Director, EA], Steve Papoutsis [Executive Producer, EA].

Though this doesn’t necessarily have to do with RPGs, Dead Space is one of the most hauntingly terrifying games I’ve ever played. I MUST attend this panel. I jam over some survival horror, and until the Dead Space crew came along, the Res Evil and Silent Hill gangs were all I turned to for my nerve-twitching fixes (as a side note, it should be noted that “Silent Hill gang” sounds hilariously close to “Sugar Hill Gang”; I can just see some headless corpses or bloody nurses doing the Geronimo dance like Will Smith, screaming, “Jump on it!” — think about it: what’s more horrifying than that?!).

Also, since the new survival horror series came out for the 360 in September of ‘08, I’ve always thought about both creating and setting an engaging RPG in the universe. There is enough social and cultural background with the whole mining story, and the religious/zealous faith backstory provides some enriching framework in which characters can become ensnared. Gonna hit this one up like it’s my job… which, according to Nelson, kind of is.

Saturday Night Concert

Main Theatre
Saturday, 8:30pm

We offer not one, but TWO nerdcore-filled nights for your auditory pleasure. Rock out classically with the Video Game Orchestra, followed by Paul and Storm, and then Jonathan Coulton will close out our second night of geek concerts. The first 2,000 attendees at PAX on Saturday morning will receive a wristband for guaranteed entry, with the remaining seats being given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. And the opening act? The third round of the Omegathon, featuring four teams rocking out for your pleasure.

Yes, yes, a mole times yes. All you need to read is “Video Game Orchestra.” Having just downloaded some orchestrated versions of the Castlevania and Oblivion soundtracks, I hopefully will be sitting and enjoying some of this glorious music Saturday night. I predict that my article for next week, in fact, will concern playing epically great music while gaming.

But Thou Must: Choice in Games

Naga Theatre
Saturday, 8:30pm

Role-playing games need choice to propel the plot and motivate the player. The methods can vary from smoke and mirrors to extreme branching reactivity – what is the right balance to strike in a game? This panel dissects SEGA and Obsidian’s Alpha Protocol, the issues involved with introducing choice into a real-world spy genre, and presenting the consequence to the player – along with the consequences it had for the development team. Panelists Include: Joseph Bulock [Cinematics Designer, Obsidian Entertainment], Shon Stewart [Lead Cinematics Animator, Obsidian Entertainment], Matt MacLean [Lead Systems Designer, Obsidian Entertainment], Chris Avellone [Lead Designer, Obsidian Entertainment]

Again, this panel clearly discusses video games (and it conflicts with the Saturday night concert — choices!) and might have seemingly little to do with table-top RPGs. However, the element of choice in any type of RPG is important to discuss — that of free will over predestination from a story-heavy DM — and transcends all media and sub-genres of RPG gaming. I want to write an article on this concept as well: how much choice do you allow the players? Total freedom? Limited, story-scope choices? Also, if you allow total freedom, how much do you have to plan? This banks off to another desired article about the art of improvisation and how it co-mingles with RPG DM-hood.

“Of Dice and Men” – a play reading

Naga Theatre
Saturday, 10:00pm

Join us for the first public reading of the new play, “Of Dice and Men” by Cameron McNary. A blisteringly funny and deeply affecting play about a group of 30-something Dungeons & Dragons players, and what happens when one of them enlists to go to Iraq. Presented by: Critical Threat Theatre Company

Good god, I didn’t even know plays were WRITTEN about gaming. I will sit with open eyes and ears and will, I’m sure, revel in the glory that is RPG-themed legitimate drama. Boom.

D&D Seminar: Save My Game! Live

Naga Theatre
Sunday, 2:30pm

Have a rules question or a problem at your table? Keep the action flowing and get DM tips as we troubleshoot your game play and DMing questions. The Wizards staff takes on all questions and gives you answers! Panelists Include: Greg Bilsland [Wizards of the Coast], Chris Tulach [Wizards of the Coast]

HOPEFULLY, I’ll be able to attend this one; the only foreseeable problem is that we east coast boys all have a 14-hour drive back to North Carolina to make and ALL have school the next day. Again, though, hopefully it will work out. I would love to talk with the Wizards panelists, as it is kind of one of my dreams to work for them some day as a staff writer (see: dream constructed of pipes). But I already have a few questions to ask them about constructing a massive RPG world with several campaigns going on at once (see also: future articles here on pixelatedgeek). Arriving back in NC at 5 AM for work/school the next morning is totally responsible, right? Right?! RIGHT?! (This is where you all agree so I don’t feel too badly about decisions I am ultimately going to make.) Boom.

Shank – GDC Trailer

Nelson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:00:25 +0000

Back at PAX 2009, we were introduced to and played many independent games that we knew where going to make a big splash the the video game pool. Shank was one of these games. A 2D side scroller with great animation. Below is the newest trailer from GDC. Also, if you haven’t seen the first trailer, click here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

PAX East Table Top Panels: Bringing Live Gaming to you… well, Live.

Robert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:13:40 +0000

First things first: I hope you like the new banner. I figured some combination of how I’ve spent my life and how I spend my time works: all the money went into the “Dr.,” and all the time goes into the “DM.” Cue sad, droning music from Schindler’s List. Now, onto today’s topic.

In about twenty-four days, Rett, Justin, and I will be sojourning north to Bean Town to witness quite possibly the greatest thing that will ever happen to us: a large congregation of intelligent people proving they’re intelligent by talking about intelligent stuff… like, um, you know, uh, video games and stuff. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, though, PAX East is going to be a riot. As the resident table-top guy, I am excited to note the inclusion of many panels at the expo that concern live gaming and RPGs. I thought I’d give a little preview of the panels as well as my extremely valuable thoughts* on each. As the expo is pretty huge, I’ll split this post up over two weeks to give you the full flavor.

1) PAX East 2010 Keynote

Main Theatre

Friday, 3:00pm

Best known for his role as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek The Next Generation and Gordie in Stand by Me, Wil Wheaton has since become one of the most prominent and vocal bloggers of our culture with topics ranging from his personal growth as a geek, to Star Trek, to naturally gaming. We are super excited to have Wil present the very first PAX East keynote. It’s going to be awesome.

Okay so, this doesn’t necessarily have to do with gaming, but Wheaton games with the boys from Penny Arcade, and I have all relevant appendages crossed that he highlights some information about what an EPICALLY amazing experience this has to be. Subsequently, I hope Gabe and Tycho let us know what gaming with a straight pimp like Wesley Crusher is like.

2) Design an RPG in an Hour

Wyvern Theatre
Friday, 4:00pm

We’re making a pen and paper RPG, and you’re invited to the design meeting! During the panel, you’ll address the problem-solving and analytical questions required to design a successful game. During the discussion, we’ll cover the basics of game theory and how to outline, centered around an example you’re participating in.

Panelists Include: David Hill [Game Designer, Machine Age Productions], Filamena Young [Game Writer, Machine Age Productions]

So, game design is definitely something that intrigues me. I feel that once any DM or player goes “beyond the Matrix” he or she can truly understand why and how a game functions and why some nagging rules are the way they are. Gonna hit this one up like it’s mah job.

3) Storytelling in the World of Interactive Fiction

Wyvern Theatre
Friday, 5:30pm

Text adventures have been quietly experimenting with narrative gaming for thirty years. Five authors from the amateur interactive fiction community discuss the design ideas in their games — reordered storylines, unreliable narrators, deeply responsive NPCs — and how they apply to other kinds of games.

Panelists Include: J. Robinson Wheeler [JRW Digital Media], Robb Sherwin, Aaron Reed, Emily Short, Andrew Plotkin

As a DM who relies heavily on storytelling in his campaigns, I feel this panel will serve me well. It can become a chore to round out every damn NPC in the game, but as someone who thrives on rich storytelling, I simply have to have these types of characters. And the “unreliable narrator” facet is one that makes me salivate more than the rest: the amount of stock we place in a narrator is staggering and so completely counter-intuitive to human nature. “Oh hello person I’ve NEVER MET before; sure, I’ll listen to your tale and believe it one-hundred percent! Hey look a dagger! My arm is its sheath! STABBY!” Gah.

4) Beyond Dungeons & Dragons

Wyvern Theatre
Friday, 8:30pm

D&D is a great way to get into tabletop role playing games, and for most of us, it was our first foray into that world. As classic and dear to us as it is, however, it has certain limitations, some of which are surprisingly non-obvious. If D&D was your first step, then we’re here to give you your next. You’ve probably never heard of Dogs in the Vineyard, InSpectres, The Burning Wheel, or a whole host of other amazing games, but there is in fact an “indy” role playing game scene just as thriving and strange as with videogames. Broaden your gaming horizons, flex your role-playing muscles, and learn what comes after.

Panelists Include: Brandon “Rym” DeCoster [Producer, GeekNights], Scott Rubin [Host, GeekNights]

I am so very happy this panel exists at PAX East this year. While D&D is definitely my bread and butter, I must play other RPGs in order to satisfy my insatiable thirst for table top gaming. I can’t seem to ever get enough and would love it if every night was filled with RPG madness; other titles, especially the “indie” titles that this panel will expose, fascinate me with their complications and improvements on the paved road that Gygax started forty years ago (see: amazed that it’s forty years old). In fact, I’m playing a Paranoia one-shot in a week or two and am chomping at the bit to play… mainly because it’s like the card game Mao, in which you can’t know the rules going into it your first time.

5) Movie: The Dungeon Masters

Manticore Theatre
Friday, 11:00pm

An evil drow-elf is displaced by Hurricane Katrina. A sanitation worker lures friends into a Sphere of Annihilation. A failed supervillian starts a cable access show involving ninjas, puppets, and a cooking segment. These are the characters, real and imagined, of the new documentary film “The Dungeon Masters”: Against the backdrop of crumbling middle-class America, two men and one woman devote their lives to Dungeons and Dragons, the storied role-playing game, and its various descendants. As their baroque fantasies clash with real lives, the characters find it increasingly difficult to allay their fear, loneliness, and disappointment with the game’s imaginary triumphs. Soon the true heroic act of each character’s real life emerges, and the film follows each as he or she summons the courage to face it. Along the way, The Dungeon Masters reimagines the tropes of classic heroic cinema, creating an intimate portrait of minor struggles and triumphs writ large. The film was an official selection at the Toronto, South by Southwest, and AFI film festivals; it’s the second feature from director Keven McAlester(nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his first film, “You’re Gonna Miss Me”), features stunning cinematography by Lee Daniel (“Slacker,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Fast Food Nation”), and boasts a haunting score by the acclaimed New York band Blonde Redhead.

I honestly don’t know what to feel. The description simultaneously elates and horrifies me. More to come later.

*The thoughts of Dr. DM are equivalent to roughly one-one-millionth of a Turkish lire.

PAX East Schedule is Up!

Justin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:59:48 +0000

Friends, it should not come as a shock that we are going to PAX East, in fact we have been over this.

But now you can read up on all the fun/sexy/awesome events and panels that we will be attending HERE! Ahh yes, quiver with joy for us or tremble in sadness for the fact that you cannot attend. But here is my offer to you friends, You comment and tell us which panels you REALLY want us to go to and/or any brilliant sauce questions you have for panelists. In return Rett, Bob, and I will do our darnedest to see your hopes materialized.

Anime Expo: First Guest of Honor, Shinichi “Nabeshin” Watanabe

James — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:29:19 +0000

Anaheim, CA February 18, 2010 – Anime Expo® 2010 is honored to announce anime director
and seiyu Shinichi “Nabeshin” Watanabe as an official Guest of Honor for its July convention.
The United States’ largest anime and manga convention is scheduled for July 1 – 4, 2010 at the
Los Angeles Convention Center. The famed director will participate in guest panels, meet-and-
greets and autograph sessions at the 19th annual Anime Expo.

The charismatic director is among the most well-known anime directors in Japan. Mr. Watanabe
is a favorite among fans for his directorial work on Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemy, The
Wallflower, Tenchi Muyo! GXP and Nerima Daikon Brothers along with many other titles. His
off-beat comedic take on anime has earned him a huge fan following.

“Anime Expo is thrilled to have Mr. Watanabe join our line-up,” said Convention Chair Joyce
Lim. “We are looking forward the excitement that he will bring to our convention!”

In addition to his work as a director, Mr. Watanabe also appears as the voice of Nabeshin. This
caricature and his likeness have appeared in such titles as Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemy, Dotto
Koni-Chan, EyeShield, Hayate no Gotoku and Tayutama. Mr. Watanabe frequently appears in
public as Nabeshin, so keep a look out for his signature red blazer and afro at Anime Expo 2010!

Check out the promo video after the break…

About Anime Expo®
Anime Expo is located in Los Angeles and is the nation’s largest anime and manga convention.
The Expo serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation
industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest
and explore various aspects of both anime and manga, as well as for members of the industry to
conduct business. AX 2010 will be held July 1 – July 4, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention
Center in Southern California. More information can be found at www.anime-expo.org.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose
mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as
provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is
more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. More information can be
found at www.spja.org.

We’re going to GDC2010

Nelson — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:21:47 +0000

Jamie and James will be heading out to this years Game Developers Conference to learn, play and “shmooze” with the gaming industry. The conference will be from March 9th to the 13th and I assure you all that Jamie and James will do their best to cover what needs to be covered.

Man, March is going to be one busy month. GDC2010 in the west then PAX East in the, well, east. *phew*. But it’s all fun and all good.

Set your phasers to Crusher: Wheaton to deliver keynote at PAX East in March

Robert — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:40:31 +0000

This March, if you happen to be in the Boston area and are able to make it to PAX East, stop on by for the keynote address. Why, do you ask? Because Wil Wheaton will be giving it. The man is a legend amongst Trek fans, of course, but has also become an icon for all gamers in general. We hear of his regular table-top exploits and know the man can jam on consoles and PCs alike.

Gamers of the world unite.

Get your butts in the seats this March. Though, I don’t think that will be a problem. I’m fairly certain it’s already quite sold out. Reports and photos to follow in March. See you at PAX East!