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VR at comic cons isn't worth the hassle
There was plenty to see at this year's New York Comic Con, from the stars of the newest Netflix shows, to elaborate cosplay of superheroes and giant robots. However, it seemed like quite a few exhibitors would prefer that attendees spend their time in booths with virtual reality headsets strapped to their face. But instead of feeling like a pop-up arcade where fans could delve into the worlds of their favorite programs, many of the simulations felt like cheap marketing presentations. And, honestly, the technology and fans deserve so much better.
Amazon picks up 'Lore' TV series
Though comic conventions might traditionally be the domain of superheroes and space epics, Amazon Studios used its New York Comic Con panel today to announce that Amazon Prime will be the home of the upcoming Lore TV series, based on the popular nonfiction podcast of the same name. Producer Gale Anne Hurd and program creator Aaron Mahnke were on hand to talk about the show, set to debut on Amazon Prime in early 2017.
Relive your childhood Transformers obsession with these headphones
In the section of New York Comic Con's exhibit hall known as "The Block" you'll find goodies galore for collectors and hobbyists with money to burn, ranging from Gundam model kits to cutesy, big-headed figurines of Mario and Luigi. But, at the Good Smile booth, the company was showcasing a different kind of toy to play with: a pair of headphones that you don't just adjust to fit your head, but can actually transform like a robot into the right shape.
Conan O'Brien, Daffy Duck and more join LEGO Batman 3
Late night TV host Conan O'Brien will be a playable character in the upcoming LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, according to a New York Comic-Con panel for the game. Ironically, the man who calls himself a "clueless gamer" will also act as a sort of guide for players, showing them around a game he may not really know much about himself. Warner Bros. and Traveller's Tales also introduced several other characters and alternate costumes, including Solar Suit Superman, Darkest Knight, Man-Bat and, from Batman: The Animated Series, the Condiment King. But a guy shooting ketchup and mustard at people can't compare to playable character The Green Loontern, which is what happens when Duck Dodgers (played by Daffy Duck) puts on a Green Lantern outfit. And you thought it was kinda weird when Kevin Smith showed up to help save the world. [Image: WB Interactive]
Clementine action figure from McFarlane Toys coming soon
A new action figure from McFarlane Toys was announced today at New York Comic-Con, and it's one bound to make fans of Telltale's The Walking Dead happy: say hello to the miniature, plastic version of Clementine as she appears in The Walking Dead, Season 2. Developed as a partnership between McFarlane Toys, Telltale and The Walking Dead comics publisher Skybound, the figure will be available in "clean" and "bloody" versions. As for when we can expect our favorite, most adorable zombie-slayer to patrol our desks and bookshelves, the only word is "soon." [Image: McFarlane Toys/Skybound]
MegaBots wants to make your giant battle mech dreams come true
Walk around New York Comic Con and you'll see plenty of celebrities of the nerd world and more cosplay than is comfortable. You might not see too many robots, however. Thankfully MegaBots makes up for what previous years have lacked. Just outside the main exhibition hall on the third floor of the Jacob Javits Center looms the MegaBot Mark I -- a 15-foot, 15,000-pound beast that looks every bit ready for war. The president won't be airdropping the Mark I into Iraq anytime soon, but creators Andrew Stroup, Matt Oehrlein and Gui Cavalcanti intend to pit it against other over-sized mechanized creations in battle.
Sun Wukong returns to SMITE
Another god has stepped into the SMITE arena, and it's one who will be familiar to longtime players of the game. Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, is making his return to SMITE with a new look and new abilities. Wukong is a physical melee character who has special protections against critical attacks depending on his health and uses his massive cudgel to dish out damage to enemy gods. Sun Wukong also has the ability to transform into an eagle, ox, or tiger, with each form bringing a special combat effect. As an eagle, he moves quickly and passes through enemies. As an ox he injures and knocks back any enemy in his path. And as a tiger he pounces on and stuns the first enemy he encounters. Check out the full reveal video from Hi-Rez after the break. [Source: Hi-Rez press release]
Garriott talks 'selective multiplayer' at NYCC
If you missed this year's New York Comic Con, you also missed a meaty chat with veteran developer Richard Garriott. Lord British spent a bit of time looking back at his career which at this point has spanned nearly 40 years. He also looked forward to Shroud of the Avatar, and shared his thoughts on a concept called "selective multiplayer." He compared SotA's blueprint with traditional MMOs, which typically feature large numbers of players who either ignore each other or who are sharded away from one another on different servers. Garriott's aim is to make a single shard game that fills player instances first with preferred friends and then with strangers, while maintaining "ad hock private instances for storytelling." You can watch the full panel video after the break.
SMITE puts together an animated trailer
If you were at New York Comic Con this past weekend, you had the opportunity to see the new animated trailer for SMITE. If you weren't, however... well, maybe you still like animated trailers but don't like going to New York City. For that reason (along with presumably many others) the animated trailer is now available for everyone to view online, embedded just past the break. The trailer isn't going to offer you any great insights into the intricacies of SMITE's plot, since the whole thing more or less comes down to a bunch of gods beating the stuffing out of one another anyway. But it does certainly set the stage for the game's framing device, and if you like watching gods beating the stuffing out of one another, you don't need that much of an excuse in the first place.
Troy Baker kills it with Joker monologue from The Killing Joke
Troy Baker, amateur opera singer and voice of the Joker in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins, gave a live demonstration of his vocal talents to New York Comic-Con attendees, and the results are ... well, skip to 2:12 in the above video and see for yourself. The speech Baker reads in the video is from a one-shot Batman comic called "The Killing Joke," written by Alan Moore. In the comic, the monologue begins while Joker tortures Commissioner Gordon by chaining him to a carnival ride and forcing him to view pictures of his daughter Barbara Gordon (who at the time was also Batgirl), naked and paralyzed from a gunshot wound Joker inflicted on her. So yeah, it's kind of dark material. If you watch before Baker gives his performance, you'll also see him describe the audition process. Apparently, Baker didn't even know who he was auditioning for until part-way through. "I remember that, walking into an audition and I think that, actually, it wasn't even Joker, it was a character whose name was just 'Jack,'" Baker said. It wasn't too long before Baker realized what he was reading, as well as the pressure he was under. Baker also sings a little jingle at the end of the video, which we'll recite for you now: "Some say I am good. Some say I am evil, even more so than the Sith. But I suppose you'll all find out on October 25th."
Batman: Arkham Origins mobile game for iOS, Android revealed
Fisticuff enthusiast NetherRealm Studios is developing a free-to-play adaption of the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins for release on iOS during the "console game launch window," Warner Bros. announced in a press release yesterday. An Android version will surface later on "in the holiday timeframe." The mobile version will stage fights between Batman and "a number of DC Comics' most deadly assassins" within Gotham City. Besting bad guys will reward players with a "number of unique Batsuits" as well as "in-game currency and rewards." Those who register both the mobile and console versions with a Warner Bros. ID account will also gain access to exclusive content.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 video game set to sling webs in 2014
You won't need spider-sense to see this coming: Activision and Beenox are teaming up again to create an Amazing Spider-Man 2 game. The title is scheduled to swing onto PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, PC and 3DS systems alongside the film, which is currently slated for May 2014. Polygon reports the announcement was made by Marvel representatives during a panel at New York Comic-Con. The game will take place in an open world Manhattan, and like the previous Amazing Spider-Man game, will not be a straight movie-to-game translation in terms of plot. Players won't just be playing as the wisecracking superhero, as some portions of the game will also place control within the more mundane shoes of Peter Parker. The game will also feature a morality system dubbed "Hero or Menace," which will reward or punish players depending on how they respond to crises within the city. We doubt J. Jonah Jameson will be swayed regardless.
The Daily Roundup for 06.03.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
NYCC 2012: Transformers Universe trailer, screenshots unveiled
Jagex has been keeping details about the upcoming Transformers Universe MMO on the down low until today, when the Jagex team took advantage of NYCC to release the game's first official trailer. Transformers Universe will be free-to-play with microtransaction support. Jagex has announced plans to keep the game running for at least 10 years, allowing for exploration to take players to the stars -- even to Cybertron itself. Skip below the cut to feast your eyes upon the glory of Transformers Universe! [Thanks to groovy webizen Guy for the tip!]%Gallery-126338%
Cross-link, more alternate costumes announced for Street Fighter X Tekken
Capcom Producer Tomoaki Ayano recapped announcements from New York Comic Con, including "cross-link" features for Street Fighter X Tekken in a Capcom Unity blog. The feature allows players to use their PlayStation Vita consoles as controllers for the PS3 version of the game.Ayano also noted an October 30 release date for alternate costumes for Street Fighter X Tekken and a mid-December release window for the next "hefty" game update. The update will include character balance fixes, such as tweaked anti-air abilities for Tekken characters, in addition to several visual effects changes.
DmC demo incoming, Mundus returns as the Demon King
Capcom is planning an online demo of DmC: Devil May Cry prior to the game's launch, giving fans and on-the-fence aesthetic nuts a chance to try out Dante's new look for themselves. Capcom has no firm date for the demo yet, but it is coming to consoles at least, producer Alex Jones tells a panel at New York Comic Con. There is no word on a PC demo.Mundus, the main baddie from the first Devil May Cry, returns as ruler of the underworld in DmC. The Demon King joins another past character, Vergil: We previously asked if Vergil would be a playable character as he was in Devil May Cry 3, and got stonewalled. Jones provides a little more insight, saying Vergil as a playable character "will not be on the disc" and Capcom has no firm plans either way.Players will learn more about Dante's (and, by proxy, Vergil's) parents in DmC, Ninja Theory's Dominic Matthews tells the panel. DmC will have "a few novelty modes" made available after beating the game, Jones says. The PC version of DmC will run 60 FPS with enhancements, and Xbox 360 and PS3 is 30 FPS.
NYCC 2012: New Marvel Heroes characters and trailer debut
What better place to learn more about a game based on comic books than a comic book convention? Marvel Heroes had its own panel earlier today at the New York Comic Con, where devs not only shared a new trailer but announced three new playable heroes. And luckily for folks who missed the chance to see the panel live, Gazillion Entertainment has been sharing the announcements via Twitter! Along with such iconic heroes as The Hulk, Wolverine, and the Human Torch, players will also have the choice to play as Phoenix (Jean Grey), Luke Cage, and NOVA. Although fairly brief, the new features trailer shows off different abilities, a variety of costumes, a quick peek at some multiplayer zones, and a glimpse of a few iconic villains. Check it all out after the break.
NYCC 2012: Neverwinter panel, Helm's Hold video, Foundry screens
If you're anywhere near New York City this week and you're a fan of Neverwinter or pop culture conventions (or both), the New York City Comic Con is the place to be. Perfect World is hosting a panel called Neverwinter Adventure Zones: From Campaign to MMO World on Saturday, October 13th. It's all happening at 1:30 p.m. EDT in room 1A23 of the Javits Center. To mark the occasion, Perfect World has also released new screenshots, including a couple of images focused on the title's Foundry player content toolset, and a new video tour of Helm's Hold. Check out the gallery below and the Gamespot video after the cut! [Source: Perfect World press release. Thanks to Paul for the tip!] %Gallery-152607%
Blizzard headed to New York Comic Con
If you're headed to New York Comic Con this week, keep your eyes peeled for Blizzard. Blizzard Entertainment will have both panels and signings at NYCC this year, including a publishing panel with Blizzard Publishing Lead Micky Neilson, Lead Quest Designer Dave Kosak, and author Michael Stackpole. During the panel, they'll be revealing the next World of Warcraft novel, which should be the Vol'jin story mentioned during the AMA on Reddit last month. Judging from his presence at the panel, it's likely this is the story Stackpole will be writing. You can catch the panel Saturday, October 13 from 2:45-3:45pm in Room 1A14 at the Javits Center in New York. There will also be a panel from UDON on Friday, October 12 from 7:45-8:45pm in Room 1A06. The UDON panel will be giving a scoop on a future collaboration between Blizzard and UDON, a Blizzard-themed tribute art book and contest. And if you're looking to get your copy of Pearl of Pandaria signed by the author and artist, you can find Micky Neilson and Sean "Cheeks" Galloway at the IDC Booth, #1238, on Friday from 12-1pm. Blizzard will also have a presence at a ton of booths around the convention center, everything from Mega Bloks to comics and publishing. For the full list of scheduled events and booths, head the official website.
SWTOR community tour announced
Do you like free food, free drinks, Tauntauns, and a chance to talk with your favorite Star Wars: The Old Republic devs? Then the SWTOR team has fabulous news for you. A new string of community meet 'n' greet events has been announced! Starting with the New York Comic Con, the SWTOR Community Cantina Tour will be visiting different parts of the US to eat, drink, and be merry with fans. A blog post before each event will have all detailed information about then meetup, so be sure keep an eye peeled so as not to miss out! For a full list of the four planned tour cities and their estimated timeframe, hit up the official blog post. If you're more concerned about what's going on in-game than a chance to meet up with devs, you might be happy to know that community manager Joveth Gonzalez has made a post on the official forums responding to complaints about issues in update 1.4.
