Comic-con 08

comic-con 08

Gears Author Ponders Lancer Cleaning

By John Gaudiosi

SAN DIEGO, CA—Cliff Bleszinski, design director at Epic Games, was the featured speaker on the Comic-Con International “Xbox 360 Gears of War Showcase” panel, over the weekend. Sitting alongside was comic book writer Josh Ortega, who worked with him on the Gears of War 2 story, and New York Times best-selling author Karen Traviss (Star Wars: Republic Commando), whose first of three planned Del Rey novels, Gears of War: The Battle of Aspho Fields, hits store shelves October 28.

Travis received an e-mail from her Del Rey Editor, Keith Clayton, asking if she could do a fast turnaround on a military game tie-in. After asking around and being told that Gears of War was “Traviss town” material, she acquiesced.

“If I don’t like something, but I’ve taken the money, I maintain a tactful British silence if asked for my opinion on it,” said Traviss. “I certainly won’t lie and gush over it, but I won’t talk it down either. So if I say I love something, I love it. And I bloody well love Gears.” More »

8:00 AM on Tue Jul 29 2008
13,672 views, 48 comments

comic-con 08

Mortal Kombat Team Didn't Think Reaction To DC Crossover Would Be That Bad

Sitting down with Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon at Comic-Con last week, we chatted about the developer's latest creation Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. This was after some extended play time with newly released characters Shang Tsung and Catwoman, both gobs of fun to play.

Having already discussed the previous take on Mortal Kombat 8 at length — with Boon telling me that it had been scrapped in favor of MK vs. DCU and that the ninth proper entry in the series may take it back to its ultra-violent roots — I wondered how much sleep Boon and crew had lost over the decision to junk that, instead adding a bunch of out of place superheroes.

Given that MK vs. DCU has no plans to introduce any new Mortal Kombat characters to the mythos — Boon called the MK side a "greatest hits" line up — how did the team feel fans would react to the inclusion of DC's finest? (The other "Vs." option Boon told us about chilled us to the bone, by the way.) More »

6:40 PM on Mon Jul 28 2008
By Michael McWhertor
23,933 views, 107 comments

Latest by Tropic ButtThunder: In Marvel Vs Capcom, no one should've been able to hurt the Hulk. Yet die he did repeatedly. So why's more »

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Spider Vs. Snake: Everyone Wins

It looks like THQ released a trailer during last week's Comic-Con showing off one of the boss fights I described in my write-up of Deadly Creatures.

3:00 PM on Mon Jul 28 2008
By Brian Crecente
4,094 views, 90 comments

comic-con 08

Ono: No Console Specific Fighters In Street Fighter IV

Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono fielded questions from the Street Fighter fanbase at Comic-Con this weekend at the inappropriately named "Making of Street Fighter IV" panel. While the majority of the questions and answers were gameplay focused or simply unanswerable, Ono did drop some good news — the console release of the fighter won't follow in the footsteps of Soulcaliburs II and IV.

That means it won't be coming home with console-exclusive fighters a la Yoda and Darth Vader (or Link, Spawn and Heihachi). Instead, each version is planned to include the same roster, the arcade line-up plus whatever new additions the SFIV team sees fit. We have a fairly good idea that Cammy is one of those new additions, but hope we'll get much more than just her.

Any requests?

2:40 PM on Mon Jul 28 2008
By Michael McWhertor
6,761 views, 84 comments

Latest by lajko100: All the Characters from Street Fighter EX3!!!! more »

comic-con 08

Halo Wars May Get Third Playable Race In The Flood

If you happened to miss our live coverage of the Halo universe panel at Comic-Con this weekend, we're not offended. It was pretty missable for the casual Halo fan. But if you're the least bit excited about the release of real-time strategy game Halo Wars, you'll be ecstatic to learn that maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to play as the Flood.

During the Q&A session, a good portion of the panel, a fan asked "Is there going to be a Flood appearance in the Halo Wars campaign?"

"That's a very good question," a panelist responded. "We haven't talked about any other races. All I can say is that it's a complete Halo game." It has already been announced that players will get their hands on a playable Covenant.

We're not going to assume that's code for "Yes, you'll be playing the Flood" — they may just make an appearance — but won't be surprised when their inclusion is announced.

1:40 PM on Mon Jul 28 2008
By Michael McWhertor
5,285 views, 78 comments

Latest by TidalSpiral: I just have to say, using gameplay mechanics from another series for your own isn't even close to using the more »

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Comic-Con: It's a Wrap

It's Monday and Comic-Con 08 officially ended over the weekend. Mike McWhertor braved the fest on the hunt for gaming news and he bagged himself quite a lot of big game. Here's the run-down of what we've run so far:

Gears Of War Movie To Be Pro Wrestler-Free
Gears Of War 2 Features "Backwards Compatible" Linked Achievements
Prince of Persia Creator Working On New Karateka Game
Resident Evil: Degeneration Comic-Con Trailer
EA Signs Up Talent Agency To Bring Franchises To Movies, TV
Xbox Live Makes Horror Funny This Fall
Peek At Comic-Con 08's Big Gaming Booths
Jim Lee Dishes On DC Universe Online
Want To See The Max Payne Movie Posters?
EA, DC Bring Mirror's Edge To Comic Books
Spore E-Card Creator Goes Live, Makes You An E-Card God
Liveblogging Will Wright Discussing His Inner Otaku At Comic-Con
Manga Coming to Japanese Wii
Liveblogging The Comic-Con Halo Universe Panel
The Making Of Street Fighter IV: The Liveblog
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Does Booth Babes Right
Street Fighter IV Panel Hints At Console Cammy Return
In Dead Space, No One Can Hear You Sweat Profusely
Midway Delaying Wheelman to Q1 2009
Mortal Kombat 9 Planned As A Mature Return To Form
Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows Impressions
NECA Pimps Gaming Toy Line Up At Comic-Con
Green Lantern, Joker Join MK Vs. DC Universe Line Up
Prince Of Persia Creator "Delighted" By Film Casting
Afro Samurai Hands-On Impressions
Comic-Con Cosplays Street Fighter, Final Fight... And Captain Commando?!

8:00 AM on Mon Jul 28 2008
By Brian Crecente
2,713 views, 5 comments

comic-con 08

Darkstalkers, Street Fighter Get Pop Culture (Sticker) Shock

Sideshow Toys always brings some serious sculpts to Comic-Con, catering to fans of horror, sci-fi and, of course, video games. The Pop Culture Shock label has a few Capcom licensed products for the second half of the year and beyond, including an excellent Morrigan and Cammy, each in two styles, plus a very sweet looking Vega.

Heads up, though. Unless you're willing to part with about $300 American for one of these mixed media ladies, you may not want to even look.

1:20 PM on Sun Jul 27 2008
By Michael McWhertor
15,546 views, 47 comments

Latest by freespeech1: @K_K: WOW, seriously???????? Anyhoo, it looks like it's cold in that cabinet cause Cammy.....Well let's just say she standing at more »

comic-con 08

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Hands-On

One of the most unfortunate cancellations of Comic-Con 08 was the Ghostbusters: The Video Game panel, planned to feature actors Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson as well as reps from Sierra. While we were disheartened to learn of the nixing of that particular panel, we took comfort in the limited, but very awesome, showfloor demo of Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Based on our limited playtime, we're more interested than ever to get our hands on the final version, and not just for the stellar performance from the Ghostbusters booth babes. More »

7:30 PM on Sat Jul 26 2008
By Michael McWhertor
21,073 views, 101 comments

Latest by Ashkihyena: @madrigal77: That stupid site. No, the game hasn't been canceled, but Activision did drop it, Terminal Reality will probably more »

comic-con 08

Gears Of War Movie To Be Pro Wrestler-Free

At today's Gears of War panel at Comic-Con, Cliff Bleszinski from Epic Games was asked about the Len Wiseman directed movie based on the IP. Bleszinski, the executive producer on the Hollywood adaptation, says he has high hopes for the film.

"Look, we know that video game movies have been pretty bad," Cliff admitted to the crowd, attempting to assuage their fears that the Gears flick will suck. "But just think how bad comic book movies were for such a long time. We hope [the Gears of War movie] will change that." More »

6:30 PM on Sat Jul 26 2008
By Michael McWhertor
19,164 views, 124 comments

Most discussed Jandlecack: You made a game about beasty T-Rex-armed spacemarines, now deal with it, Cliffy. Can't stand the hypocrisy. Buff guys fighting more »

comic-con 08

Gears Of War 2 Features "Backwards Compatible" Linked Achievements

Cliff Bleszinski presented Gears of War 2 to Comic-Con attendees today, walking fans through the Sinkhole level shown last week at E3. While that gameplay session may be old news to Gears fans, Dude Huge had two new announcements for the crowd.

The first was that Steve Jablonsky, composer on films like Transformers and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, was working on the score for Gears of War 2. Jablonsky was said to have been at Skywalker Studios working on the final mix of the soundtrack.

Even more interesting was the announcement that Gears of War 2 would feature "linked Achievements." In short, goals reached in the original Gears of War will carry over to the sequel, giving the player bonuses. Cliff listed three examples of how linked Achievements will work.

Keep in mind, some may be light spoilers. More »

5:00 PM on Sat Jul 26 2008
By Michael McWhertor
40,605 views, 148 comments

Latest by Maherr: Jablonsky is one of the best and the idea of having linked achievements is awesome. more »

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