Pop! Pow! Thwack! Xbox 360 Unleashes Entertainment Sensations for Superheroes of Every Stripe at Comic-Con 2009

July 21, 2009

Pop! Pow! Thwack! Xbox 360 Unleashes
Entertainment Sensations for Superheroes of Every Stripe at Comic-Con 2009


Pop culture fans get their entertainment fix with
Xbox 360 exclusive content like “The Guild,” adventures with renegade spy Sam
Fisher and side-splitting antics with the “South Park” crew

From the heart of
the pop culture universe, Xbox 360 is challenging you to choose your own
adventure, whether it’s saving planet Earth from the safety of your sofa
(costume optional), tweeting to your friends via Xbox LIVE or laughing at the
antics of Felicia Day and her online gaming cohorts in “The Guild.” At Comic-Con
International 2009, Xbox 360 will unveil its line-up 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 Entertainmen

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, 24×7 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 line-up 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.”

Xbox 360 at Comic-Con 2009

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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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

Description:
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!