At Comic-Con International 2009, Xbox 360 will unveil its lineup of exclusive entertainment programming, including season three of the hit Web series “The Guild” and the new show “Girls Go Geek,” as well as spotlight its growing universe of pop culture icons, from hilarious characters like Stan and Cartman of “South Park,” to the fearless troopers of the “Halo” universe and the gritty renegade spy Sam Fisher from “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction.”
“Comic-Con is the biggest pop culture event of the year. It’s the place where geeks can celebrate who they are and get sneak peeks at all the cool stuff coming out,” said Felicia Day, star and creator of “The Guild.” “I can’t wait to unveil season three of ‘The Guild’ and contribute to the excitement of what Xbox is bringing to the show. Xbox 360 is like the superhero of the living room, saving souls from mediocrity and boredom.”
A World of Instant Fun, Friends and Entertainment
Just as Comic-Con has grown from a comic book convention to the destination for all things pop culture, Xbox 360 has become the core of your living room entertainment experience. New content hitting Xbox LIVE next month includes exclusive shows you won’t want to miss:
“The Guild,” one of the most popular online shows with a huge cult following, is back for a third season on August 25. The show is sponsored by Sprint and is free to watch. “Girls Go Geek,” a new series exclusive to Xbox LIVE, where host and self-proclaimed geek, Amber MacArthur (aka Amber Mac), will sit down with other girl gamers and geeks to dish on games, gadgets and tech. In the first episode, Amber chats with Felicia Day to get the inside scoop on life as a Web star, TV actor and gamer. Amber will also dive into the new social networking features on Xbox LIVE. The show, which debuts this August, is presented by the U.S. Air Force and is free to watch.
Microsoft is also announcing that Aug. 11 ushers in an opportunity for Xbox LIVE members to experience a new wave of entertainment with the following updates and new features:
- Movie night goes nationwide with enhanced instant streaming from Netflix: With the new Netflix party experience on Xbox LIVE, you and your friends can watch movies and TV episodes together whether you’re sitting on the same couch or live on opposite coasts. It’s now easier than ever to add movies to your instant Queue, which can be done right from your sofa, as well as experience improved video quality for a picture perfect home theatre experience.
- The games you want, whenever you want them: Xbox LIVE Games on Demand provides convenient, 24x7 access to an online library of popular games. Games on Demand will launch with a library of more than 30 great games, with new titles added every week. From classic hits like “Mass Effect,” “BioShock” and “Assassin’s Creed,” to family favorites like “LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga” and “Sonic the Hedgehog,” there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
- Show your sense of style: With the new Xbox LIVE Avatar Marketplace you can deck out your Avatar with interactive props, like an RC Warthog from “Halo,” as well as purchase branded apparel from your favorite fashion labels and Xbox 360 games. Whether you are feeling funky or chic, playful or fierce, find the perfect outfit and accessories for your alter ego.
- With more updates coming later this fall like Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and instant on 1080p HD streaming video through Zune, Xbox LIVE is revolutionizing the face of entertainment by offering more ways to connect and play together.
101 Ways to Save the Universe, Only on Xbox 360
Superheroes in the Xbox universe don’t wear capes or tights, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t saving the world in their own unique way. Xbox 360 is the only console to let you play as your favorite characters, whether you’re hell dropping into an ocean of Covenant aliens, going rogue as renegade “Splinter Cell” spy Sam Fisher or jumping into a raucous snowball fight as Cartman or Kenny.
Fans will get the chance to try the never before seen “South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!” a fast-paced action/strategy game that combines these loveable characters with snowball battles and tower defense tactics. “South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!” will launch exclusively on Xbox LIVE on October 7, to coincide with the premiere of new episodes of “South Park” on Comedy Central that same day.
Comic-Con attendees will have the chance to experience some of this year’s hotly anticipated Xbox 360 exclusives, including “Halo 3: ODST” from Bungie, “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” from Epic Games, Valve’s “Left 4 Dead 2,” BioWare’s “Mass Effect 2,” and Ubisoft’s “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction,” which will debut an exclusive new trailer at the show.
The fun doesn’t stop there — show-goers will also get to sample a stellar lineup of Xbox LIVE Arcade titles in the sizzling hot “Summer of Arcade” series. When you’re looking to jump right into the action, these downloadable games provide the perfect summer fix and include “Shadow Complex,” “Marvel vs. Capcom 2,” “Splosion Man,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled” and “Trials HD.”
This year, Comic-Con attendees will also get the opportunity to meet and catch a glimpse of what’s in store for some of their favorite video game icons only on Xbox 360. Get an inside look at how the industry’s top developers make the magic happen on Xbox 360 from the likes of Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski (“Gears of War 2”) and “Halo 3: ODST” lead designer Paul Bertone of Bungie. Laugh it up with the South Park Digital Studios’ staff who developed the all-new game, “South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!” and meet famous faces like Felicia Day and other stars of “The Guild.” Feeling the itch to blast some Covenant? See if you have what it takes to join Bungie’s ODST squad and fight alongside them at the Xbox booth. Check out the full schedule of Xbox panel discussions, booth signings and Game with Fame sessions below, and follow all of the developments on Twitter at #XboxComicCon.
And for those unable to don a cape and cowl to attend the show in person, check out Xbox LIVE for exclusive celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and daily wrap-up reports as Major Nelson and Xbox LIVE deliver the full Comic-Con experience direct to your living room.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 23
Panel: The Halo Franchise: What’s Next
Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: SDCC: Room 6BCF
Frank O’Connor, Franchise Development Director for Halo, will be joined by a number of special guests to discuss how “Halo” is evolving into a robust entertainment franchise and what’s coming in the future.
Game with Bungie
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Hall G – Xbox booth: SDCC Booth #5225
Feeling the itch to blast some Covenant? See if you have what it takes to join Bungie’s ODST squad and fight alongside them at the Xbox booth. Paul Bertone and Brian Jarrard from Bungie will be randomly selecting Comic-Con attendees to join their squad in what promises to be some very memorable Firefight matches.
Friday, July 24
Booth Signing with the “Shadow Complex” Team
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Hall G – Xbox booth: SDCC Booth #5225
Description: Meet the creators of the upcoming side-scrolling action thriller game, “Shadow Complex,” including creative director Donald Mustard, renowned comic book author and “Shadow Complex” scriptwriter Peter David and Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski. Fans will get the opportunity to play the game and receive a “Shadow Complex” poster exclusively available at Comic-Con International 2009 (quantities are limited).
Panel: Meet the Guild
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: SDCC – Room 5AB
Come chat with the creators and actors from the hit online video series, “The Guild.” Join Felicia Day and other members of the cast as they talk about the series and answer questions from the audience. They’ll also give attendees a sneak peek at Season 3 coming to Xbox LIVE this fall, plus a bonus, Comic-Con exclusive video!
Booth Signing with The Guild
Time: Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Hall G – Xbox booth: SDCC Booth #5225
Get up close with the cast of “The Guild” after their panel discussion.
Game with Fame: The Guild
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Hall G – Xbox booth: SDCC Booth #5225
Test your gaming skills against the cast of “The Guild” on “Marvel vs. Capcom 2.” Leave your staffs at the door, warlocks!
Booth Signing with Epic Games
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hall G – SDCC: Booth #5225
Come meet the acclaimed talent behind the “Gears of War” franchise: Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski, senior producer Rod Fergusson, Microsoft Game Studios writer Joshua Ortega and “Gears of War” comic book artist Liam Sharp. Fans will receive a “Gears of War 2” poster exclusively available at Comic-Con International 2009 (quantities are limited).
Saturday, July 25
Panel: From Chainsaws to Renegade Spies: 101 Ways to Save the Universe Only on Xbox
Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Location: SDCC – Room 6DE
Xbox 360 has established itself as the home of the best action games in the industry, bar none. Join Ubisoft’s Alexandre Parizeau (“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction”), Valve’s Chet Faliszek (“Left 4 Dead 2”), BioWare’s Casey Hudson (“Mass Effect 2”), Bungie’s Paul Bertone (“Halo 3: ODST”), and Epic Games’ Cliff Bleszinski (“Gears of War 2”) as they discuss developing their blockbuster franchises exclusively on Xbox 360. Room 6DE
Panel: Save South Park One Snowball at a Time
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Location: SDCC – Room 6A
The first South Park video game in 10 years is coming this fall exclusively on Xbox LIVE. The game is the first for the newly created South Park Digital Studios and was jointly developed with Microsoft, that crazy little band of outlaws who brought you hilarious products like Microsoft SQL Server Management Express 2008 Service Pack 1. Is this a sign of the apocalypse? Come find out as South Park Digital Studios and Microsoft Game Studios world premiere the game and talk about the development and what it’s like to work at South Park Studios.
Panel:“Gears of War”: The Gearsiverse
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Hilton Bayfront Hotel – Indigo Ballroom
Epic Games’ design director Cliff Bleszinski, “Gears of War” movie scriptwriter Chris Morgan, “Gears of War” comic book author and “Gears of War 2” scriptwriter Joshua Ortega and “Gears of War” movie director Len Wiseman present a preview of what's next in the 11 million selling “Gears of War” franchise. Get in on all the action, including an exclusive sneak peek at the deleted scene from “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” as well as an insider's glimpse into the highly anticipated “Gears of War” motion picture. Whether you play the games, read the books, or have a Crimson Omen tattoo, this star-studded meeting of the minds is too exciting to miss!