The 2014 San Diego Comic-Con is history. Four days came and went, with thousands of people flooding the show floor and panels, while catching glimpses of their favorite stars.
In addition, gaming grabbed the spotlight, with dozens of companies showing off their latest efforts between showcases on the main floor and lounges.
That said, here is a recap of the 10 biggest gaming highlights from this year’s show.
Square Enix and Deep Silver Gaming Arcade
Wander outside of the Convention Center and you’d find the Whiskey Girl, a bar where Deep Silver and Square Enix hosted an arcade. Players could easily walk in and experience a number of upcoming releases, including Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Nosgoth, Sacred 3 and several others. For good measure, Razer was also there, hosting a variety of giveaways, including headsets and special headgear. This was simply the place to be when you weren’t on the show floor.
The Lego Batman 3 Comic-Con Panel
There were a number of hot panels this year, among them the voice actor and producer panel for Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. Along with usual mainstays like Scott Porter and Troy Baker, the panel also hosted the legendary Adam West after showcasing his 60s Batman likeness, which will appear in the game. West played a good part in the panel, and even signed a few Lego Batmobiles for some lucky attendees, all while ribbing the audience. Holy good times, Batman!
The Alien Isolation Egg
If one showcase stole the show when it came to presentation, it was Sega. The company only had one playable kiosk available for Alien Isolation (outside of Nerd HQ and its many units), but it was quite impressive, taking place inside an alien egg. Viewers outside also got an eyeful, as they could see the player’s reaction while they were going through the three-minute demo. Scary times.
Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Tournament
Nintendo continued to take center stage at the Marriott Marquis & Marina down the street from the convention hall, hosting a huge tournament for Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 3DS, along with playable kiosks featuring the Wii U version, as well as other games. The tournament was a huge draw to both attendees in person and those online, as Twitch broadcasted the entire thing for fans to see. It was a blast, especially when the top combatants earned prizes.
The Xbox Lounge
We couldn’t forget about the Xbox Lounge, located at the Manchester Hyatt in the Seaport Ballroom. This was a great place to not only get your game on with released and forthcoming hits, but also check out the main stage, where a number of events and tournaments kept people entertained. Oh, and the Halo photo booth was awesome.
The Console Wars Panel
The book Console Wars recaps the story of Sega and Nintendo’s historic battle for gaming supremacy. Blake J. Harris, surrounded by a number of former Sega and Nintendo staffers, hosted a special panel, sharing a number of stories from the book, as well as details and an audience Q&A that pleased the old-school crowd.
The Capcom Store
Even though it was often filled beyond capacity, the Capcom Store was once again a highlight on the show floor. The company didn’t disappoint when it came to offering exclusive goodies, including a Monster Hunter-inspired Meat Pillow, a Mega Man denim jacket (bought) and plenty of other Street Fighter goodies for gamers to pick up. If you spot this at PAX, come join the line and bring your Visa card.
Rooster Teeth Booth
Every year, Rooster Teeth makes the trip to San Diego Comic-Con, and every year, it makes the trip worth it. Featuring a number of exclusive goodies revolving around Red vs. Blue, RWBY and other hit series, the team also hosted a number of special signings and other events, assuring that fans were kept busy throughout. We’ll see you guys at PAX Prime, yes?
The Assassin’s Creed Experience
Last year, Ubisoft hosted a party on its own pirate ship to promote Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. This year wasn’t quite as elaborate, although the company hosted a killer obstacle course for gamers to try in order to win free t-shirts. Demos for Assassin’s Creed: Unity were also available, and players could try their luck with a “leap of faith” if they wanted. Good fun!
Borderlands the Pre-Sequel Laser Tag
On the rooftop of the nearby Petco Park, 2K Games teamed up with Nerdist Industries to host a fun little side event that both Comic-Con attendees and fans could attend. Along with live talent and free candy giveaways, the duo hosted an awesome laser tag get-up, where players could experience the combat from the forthcoming Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.
BONUS: Prima Games Booth
Well, duh. We had quite a space on the show floor and hosted a number of great giveaways, including t-shirts, Zelda bookmarks and other goodies. Plus, gamers could get a look at forthcoming guides for Assassin’s Creed: Unity and Dragon Age: Inquisition, among other products.
Published: Jul 28, 2014 05:43 pm