by John Carle, Aug 9 2010 // 12:00 PM
At Comic Con, we got to take a peek at the PlayStation Move in action. One of the showcase games we got to try was Sports Champions. Just the fact that they didn’t call it Move Sports right off the back gave us a little hope that the game wouldn’t just feel like Wii Sports 2.0. Going with the Wii started trend of having a sports game compilation paired with motion controls, Sports Champions is a collection of various non-traditional games such as Archery, Gladiator Duel, Table Tennis, Bocce, Beach Volleyball and others. Using only motion controls, players progress through challenges, unlocking harder play modes as they progress.
The first game we got to try out was Archery. Archery itself was a very cut and dry experience. Reach back with one hand, grab the arrow by pressing a button, line up the “arrow” hand with your bow hand, pull back, release button to shoot arrow. It is hard not to compare it to Wii Sports Resort as Archery is one of the games present in it as well. While we only had a short time to play with it, the aim and motion felt more precise than the WiiMotion Plus controls do. There is also something to be said for the tangible feedback that is missing from Microsoft’s Kinect. Actually holding a “bow” in your hand as opposed to dangling your hand in mid-air do feel like completely different experiences.
The Gladiator Duel was one of the shining spots of Sports Champions. Since seeing the stage demo of the Move on E3 2009′s Sony Press Conference, people have been yearning for a quality sword fighting experience on a motion control game. While Kinect looks to bring an on-rails lightsaber game and the sword fight in Wii Sports Resort has proven simple enough that my five year old cousin has mastered it by flailing his arms back and forth in a near seisure like motion, Sports Champions’ Gladiator Duel brings players an almost Soul Caliber-like fighting experience.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · Games · News · Playstation 3 · Sony · Video Games
Tagged: Hands On, Playstation 3, Playstation Move, San Diego Comic Con 2010, SDCC, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Sony, Sports Champions, Video Games
by John Carle, Aug 9 2010 // 10:00 AM
At Comic-Con, we got the chance to catch up with the Bella Twins, WWE’s first and only pair ever of twin Divas. We had the pleasure of talking to Brie back in April about her and Nikki’s experience with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and their first WrestleMania.
This time, we got not one but both of the lovely ladies to sit down and talk to us at the Con. Having lived in San Diego for some time, this was the twins’ first time attending Comic-Con so we made sure to get their thoughts on all the things they had seen. We also talked about what the twins see for themselves moving forward as the special celebrity guests have ceased on Monday Night Raw as they had been officially the assistants each week for these guests.
Brie (on the left) and Nikki (on the right) give us some insight on their dream matches moving forward as well as intentions on the Diva’s Championship. The girls discuss with us wrestling inspirations and even let us know where they’d like to see themselves at the upcoming WrestleMania.
Make sure to watch the full interview after the jump.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · Exclusive · Interviews · Networks · News · Sports · TV
Tagged: Bella Twins, Brie Bella, Interviews, Nikki Bella, San Diego Comic Con 2010, San Diego Comic-Con, SDCC, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, World Wrestling Entertainment, Wrestling, WWE
by John Carle, Aug 9 2010 // 7:00 AM
San Diego Comic Con was a huge show for Marvel vs. Capcom 3: The Fate of Two Worlds. At the start of the show, four new characters were added to the game’s roster with Doctor Doom, Super Skrull, Trish and Chun-Li. Then two days later, Thor, Marvel’s god of thunder and star of his upcoming self-titled feature film, and Amaterasu, the wolf god from Capcom’s Okami were added to the game as well. Make sure to check some killer new gameplay videos and screens below from Comic Con.
While on the show floor at the Con, I got the chance to get hands on with Marvel vs. Capcom 3. An old school fan of not just Marvel and the Capcom fighting properties, the Marvel vs. Capcom series has been one of my favorite’s since its debut in the arcade over ten years ago. There was some initial apprehension about actually playing the game. It had a lot to live up to. Even seeing video and screens, things could totally change if the gameplay didn’t live up to expectations.
Luckily, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 delivered. While it was still an early build of the game and more balancing will surely be taking place as more characters are added to the game, it felt like things never changed. Not only does the game look beautiful with some awesome visual effects but it plays great too. The feel of completely organized chaos of everything going on during a fight that a player can still know exactly what his or her team is doing at the time has been recaptured.
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Posted in: Capcom · Comic-Con · Comics · Games · Marvel · News · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Amaterasu, Capcom, Hands On, Marvel, Marvel vs. Capcom, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: The Fate of Two Worlds, Okami, Playstation 3, San Diego Comic-Con, Screen Shots, SDCC, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Thor, Trailers, Video Games, Xbox 360
by John Carle, Aug 6 2010 // 8:00 AM
One of the most exciting aspects of working in the industry is the chance to try out new games before the general public does. With those new games sometimes comes the new emerging technologies as well. This year at San Diego Comic Con, Kinect (formerly Project Natal) was available for the press to try out in Microsoft’s private press lounge. While there, I got the chance to try out two of the upcoming Kinect titles, Kinect Sports and Dance Central.
At first glance, many people would look at Kinect Sports and say it is a rip off of Wii Sports. To an extent, their claim is warranted. Kinect Sports is a collection of minigames using the Kinect motion controls centered around various sports. One can’t fault Microsoft for creating this title. It is no secret that Wii Sports helped drive sales of the Wii above the 25 million unit mark to non-traditional video game players. Sony is also producing Sports Champions for the PlayStation Move. It’d be leaving money on the table if Microsoft didn’t capitalize on this trend as well.
The first thing you notice about the Kinect is the lack of tangible feedback. During Kinect Sports, my first instinct was to grasp the bowling ball as my avatar’s hand went over it. The game responds by automatically grabbing the ball, regardless of whether you actually close your hand around it. For a moment, it catches you off guard that you aren’t really holding anything.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · Games · Microsoft · MTV · News · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Dance Central, Hands On, Harmonix, Kinect, Kinect Sports, Rare, SDCC, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Video Games, Xbox 360
by John Carle, Aug 5 2010 // 3:00 PM
At Comic Con, we got the chance to talk to DC Comics Editor-In-Chief and the Executive Creator Director of DC Universe Online, Jim Lee about the game that everyone around the offices has been clamoring to get a hold of. As you’ll see in the’s interview after the jump, Jim explains what it takes to create such an expansive MMO game. Jim also discusses the newly announced two vs. two simulator mode which allows players the chance to step out of the boots of their own created character and instead play as the iconic heroes of the DC Universe such as Batman or Martian Manhunter.
Lee also discusses the Geoff Johns announcement from the Con for a Suicide Squad video game. Lee describes it was a Dirty Dozen style grittier than your average super hero game. For those who aren’t aware, the Suicide Squad is a team of villains who were put together on a mission where they knew everyone wouldn’t be coming back. It is definitely a darker take on the super hero genre which, if Batman: Arkham Asylum has shown us anything, looks like it is coming out at the right time in this industry.
What you don’t get to see on camera was when Jim mentions to us just how the trailer for the game comes into play. For those who have seen it, the trailer sets up the back-story of why a Luthor from the future comes back and talks to DC’s Trinity pleading for their help. The shockwave he sends on the planet sets forth an explosion of new powers, explaining logically why all these new heroes and villains are created. This ties in directly with the upcoming comics miniseries which will show how these new found powers affect the lives of average citizens who have now been transformed into powered beings.
Check out our interview in its entirety after the jump and stick with us for all things DC Universe Online as the Beta kicks into gear this month.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · DC · DC Entertainment · Exclusive · Games · Interviews · News · PC Games · Playstation 3 · Video Games · Warner Bros
Tagged: Batman, DC, dc comics, DC Universe Online, Exclusive, Interview, Jim Lee, Lex Luthor, MMO, San Diego Comic Con 2010, SDCC, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, SOE, Suicide Squad, Super Man
by John Carle, Aug 5 2010 // 11:00 AM
At The Flickcast, we have a special appreciation for anyone who has been able to harness the power of the Internet and use it as a tool to make their way into the spotlight. One such example of this in the world of wrestling is John Morrison. After a stint on ECW, John Morrison was relegated to mid-card matches on SmackDown until he was paired up with the Miz and won the WWE Tag Team titles.
There, the two came up with the Dirt Sheet, a weekly internet short on WWE.com which quickly skyrocketed the pair’s popularity. After that, Morrison and Miz have both been on the top of the card for both TV and Pay-Per-View.
At Comic-Con, we got the chance to sit down with John Morrison who is currently preparing for his upcoming SummerSlam match against the Nexus. He won’t be alone though as he is joining John Cena, R-Truth, Chris Jericho, Edge, The Great Khali and the legendary Bret “The Hitman” Hart in the ring.
John talks about his Muscle and Fitness cover and his workout ethic. John also gives us an in-depth analysis of his mindset and that of the rest of “Team Morrison” for his upcoming SummerSlam match. He discusses his new action figure and we even ask John about the future of a possible Dirt Sheet reunion.
Check out the full interview below and check back often for more upcoming interviews with some fan favorites at WWE.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · Exclusive · Interviews · News · Sports · TV
Tagged: Interviews, John Morrison, San Diego Comic Con 2010, San Diego Comic-Con, SDCC, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, World Wrestling Entertainment, Wrestling, WWE
by John Carle, Aug 5 2010 // 7:00 AM
Think back to the mid-90s when fighting games were the dominant console gaming genre. Before Halo: Combat Evolved was handed down by the video game gods to convert the masses to the ways of the first person shooter, you couldn’t turn without bumping into a stack of newly released fighting games. But, out of all those games released, few stood the test of time. Street Fighter. Mortal Kombat. Tekken. Those were the ones that survived. Those are the ones we are still playing today. The question has always remained though, “What would happen if these fighting juggernauts ever collided?”
Well, back at San Diego Comic-Con, two thirds of our prayers have been answered as Capcom and Namco Bandai announced Street Fighter X Tekken. Coming to the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3, this game will feature competitors from both the Street Fighter and Tekken franchise battling it out using the same engine that powered both Street Fighter 4 and Super Street Fighter 4. The game will have Tag Team combat where players choose two characters to “deliver knockout assist attacks and special combos”.
So far, only four fighters have officially been placed in the game’s roster. Ryu and Chun-Li have both been featured representing the Street Fighter family while Tekken has shown Kazuya Mishima and Nina Williams. Undoubtedly, the Street Fighters already have a gripe as they don’t have last names like the Tekken ones do.
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Posted in: Announcements · Capcom · Comic-Con · Games · News · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Announcements, Capcom, Chun Li, Kazuya Mishima, Namco Bandai, Nina Williams, Playstation 3, Ryu, San Diego Comic Con 2010, SDCC, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Street Fighter, Street Fighter X Tekken, Tekken, Trailers, Video Games, Xbox 360
by John Carle, Aug 4 2010 // 8:00 AM
As you have noticed, Activision’s new Spider-Man game has caught the attention of the Flickcast. Make sure to keep checking back over the coming week for our hands on impressions and a developer interview as well where we got the chance in San Diego to play both as the Noir and Ultimate (Black suit) Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.
Activision has just released a new trailer for the game featuring none other than the game’s narrator, Stan “The Man” Lee. The ever humble Stan talks about how it feels being a part of the creation of Spider-Man, the concept of playing four different versions of Spider-Man and even mentions one of his favorite super villains that Spider-Man has encountered. In addition to some great gameplay footage, Stan gives the reason he feels Spider-Man is one of the most enduring heroes.
Check out the full trailer after the jump and make sure to stick to the Flickcast for all things Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.
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Posted in: Activision · Comics · Games · Marvel · News · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Marvel, Playstation 3, Preview, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Stan Lee, Ultimate Spider-Man, Video Games, Xbox 360
by John Carle, Aug 3 2010 // 8:00 AM
After what had been a long an exhausting weekend of Comic Con, we finally got the chance to speak with Sandeep Parikh, the creator of The Legend of Neil as well as Zaboo from The Guild. The previous night, Sandeep had shown a packed panel the first two episodes of the third season of the series. (The first can be found here).
In our interview, Sandeep reacts to how the premiere went. We also talk to him about The Legend of Neil being distributed through alternative media as opposed to broadcast television. Sandeep also gives his thoughts on the Legend of Neil always being viewed by him as a trilogy.
The Legend of Neil is in its final season on Atom.com. A new episode will be revealed every two weeks with some big cameos coming from members of the Guild, including Sandeep himself, and musical guest like Garfunkel and Oates.
Check out the interview after the jump. Be sure to check back right here often for more news on The Legend of Neil and other web series.
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Posted in: Action · Comedy · Comic-Con · Fantasy · Interviews · New Media · News · Video · Video Games · Web
Tagged: Atom Films, Felicia Day, Interview, Jeff Lewis, Legend of Neil, Mike Rose, New Media, San Diego Comic-Con, Sandeep Parkih, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Sean Becker, The Guild, Web Series
by John Carle, Jul 23 2010 // 4:15 PM
During preview night at San Diego Comic Con, the Flickcast got a few minutes to catch up with TNA wrestler Mr. Anderson. After being suddenly released from his WWE contract, the former Mr. Kennedy began a series of viral videos that would eventually lead to a contract with his new employers, Total Nonstop Action.
Anderson, an avid video game fan, was making his second trip down to SDCC to see all the new games being shown for the first time on the show floor before heading off this weekend for a house show tour with TNA.
Check out the video after the jump where Ken talks about the differences working in TNA compared to his time with WWE. Ken also talks about how his career has gone since joining TNA as well as having his first television program with former Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle.
You can follow Ken on his Twitter account to keep abreast of the rest of his adventures at Comic Con.
Stick to The Flickcast for all your San Diego Comic-Con coverage including how the world of professional wrestling crosses paths with comics and all things geek.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · Interviews · Sports
Tagged: Interviews, Ken Anderson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Kennedy, Professional Wrestling, San Diego Comic-Con, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, TNA
by John Carle, Jul 22 2010 // 12:00 PM
The night before Comic Con, Activision made the announcement that all Spider-Man fans have been waiting for. Joining the Amazing, Noir and 2099 dimensions will be Ultimate Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Not only would the Ultimate Spider-Man world be represented by Ultimate Carnage and Ultimate Deadpool, but the young Peter Parker would once again be donning his tendril whipping black suit.
In the game, a mystical artifact known as the Tablet of Order and Chaos is shattered into four pieces with each piece landing in a different dimension. A mystic within the Amazing universe will let Spider-Man know that he can traverse through the other three dimensions to help set things right through the help of the universe’s own Spider-Man.
So far, the game has revealed eight villains with the above mentioned Carnage and Deadpool in the Ultimate universe, Juggernaut and Kraven the Hunter in the Amazing universe, the Hobgoblin and Scorpion of the 2099 universe and the Goblin and Hammerhead in the Noir world.
It looks like Spider-Man will be getting some veteran voice acting behind it. Josh Keaton who voiced the Spectacular Spider-Man animated series in 2008 will be lending his voice to the Ultimate Spider-Man. Dan Gilvenez from the 1980s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends series will be taking on the role of Migeul O’Hara as Spider-Man 2099.
From the 1990’s Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Christopher Daniel will be Spider-Man Noir. Finally, the most impressive of the list comes from Neil Patrick Harris from the short-lived MTV CGI Spider-Man series who will take the helm of the Amazing version of Peter Parker.
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Posted in: Activision · Comic-Con · Games · Marvel · News · Playstation 3 · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Marvel, Neil Patrick Harris, Playstation 3, Preview, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Ultimate Spider-Man, Video Games, Xbox 360
by John Carle, Jul 22 2010 // 10:00 AM
The night before Comic-Con, Activision let the press see the upcoming third person action shooter James Bond 007: Blood Stone for the first time on the Xbox 360. Though it was not a hands on demo, the press was allowed to see a playthrough of the game’s first level.
In it, the Daniel Craig-inspired Bond makes his way through a pier-side estate using shooting and cover tactics similar to that of Alpha Protocol and Gears of War. The game incorporated a reward system to stealth take downs that would allow players to pull off instantaneous special kills. Bond then took part in an action packed speedboat pursuit before a high impact car chase.
During all of it, the game looked great. It looked as though gameplay ran smooth though its hard to really tell without actually getting a hands on play through. One thing emphasized during the demo was the variety in gameplay as the game had both fast paced sequences including shooting and driving contrasting the slower paced stealth sections.
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Posted in: Activision · Comic-Con · Games · News · Playstation 3 · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, First Impressions, James Bond, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, Playstation 3, San Diego Comic-Con, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Video Games, Xbox 360