{"id":5053,"date":"2020-01-28T16:25:39","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T23:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbccviking.com\/?p=5053"},"modified":"2020-01-28T16:25:41","modified_gmt":"2020-01-28T23:25:41","slug":"consoles-cosplay-and-creatures-creep-into-long-beach-comic-expo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/?p=5053","title":{"rendered":"Consoles, cosplay, and creatures creep into Long Beach Comic Expo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A variety of panels, screenings, exhibits, gaming franchises, and demos were present at the semiannual Comic Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center on Jan. 11 and 12, with attendees ranging from first-timers and cosplayers who have been consistently attending for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event began with a panel during the \u2018Space Expo,\u2019 hosted by volunteers from Cosplay for Science, a nonprofit educational initiative that aims to communicate science through pop culture, cosplay, and outreach, with panels that consisted of paleontologists and anthropologists discussing the role that extinct animals have played in inspiring video game and movie monsters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were also franchises of multiple mediums present and the gaming franchises showcased their products, met with fans, and explained how video games can be used as learning tools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Actors Luis and Daniel Moncada pose with an attendee at their booth during Long Beach Comic Expo on Jan. 12, 2020. Luis and Daniel played the roles of cousins Leonel and Maro Salamanca from ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul.’ Photo by Jorge Hernandez.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The panel \u2018Pop Paleo: Dinosaurs,\u2019 discussed paleolithic creatures throughout pop culture, referencing movies like Spielburg\u2019s \u2018Jurassic Park\u2019 and praising it for his attention to detail on the dinosaurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spielburg worked with paleontologists on the physiology of the animals and a member of the panel explained, \u201cIt\u2019s one of the most accurate portrayals of the T-Rex in pop culture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel also discussed one of their favorite fictional creatures, a monster from Capcom\u2019s game franchise \u2018Monster Hunter,\u2019 called Anjanath, a character based on a T-rex and in the latest installment of the series, there are feathers added to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiersten K. Formoso, who holds a doctorate degree in Vertebrate Paleobiology, expressed what she enjoys about the animals depicted in recent Monster Hunter World and Red Dead Redemption 2 games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe animals usually don\u2019t attack the player just like they do in real life,\u201d Formoso said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cheech Marin from the comedy duo ‘Cheech and Chong’ cosplayed by Carlos Herrerias at Long Beach Comic Expo on Jan. 12, 2019. “I always love entertainment. I like to be one the funny guys, and Cheech Marin is one of the funniest guys in my life,” Carlos said. Photo by Jorge Hernandez.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the area of retro gaming, Patrick Ferre, the founder of SKG Retrogaming, displayed a console called the Retro Box- a small computer called a Cherry Pi with some modifications in the form of HD display ports, an outer shell, and USB ports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These consoles have emulation software and several hundred retro games and depending on the version of the console, some include games from Atari Genesis, Playstation 1, and Nintendo 64. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ferre shared some of his thoughts on the gaming industry\u2019s attitude towards single player games and new consoles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have been saying single player games are disappearing for 20 years,\u201d Ferre said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the place of retro games in the modern market, Ferre said, \u201cYoung people are increasingly interested. Many people who visit the booth tend to be college or high school students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ferre also shared his thoughts on the next generation of Playstation 5\u2019s logo reveal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a PS4 logo with a PS5 on it. It\u2019s a risky design. It\u2019s unique for a console, but most people might not have space in their entertainment setup,\u201d Ferre said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An attendee explores the works of artist Steven E. Gordon who is displaying character art during the Long Beach Comic Expo on Jan. 12, 2020. Gordon is a character designer for X-Men: Evolution, The Swan Princess, and The Ultimate Avengers. Photo by Jorge Hernandez.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Industry veteran and voice actor, Carlos Ferro, was present and he is recognized in the gaming community from high profile roles in games like \u2018Gears of Wars,\u2019 as Domininc Santiago, \u2018Assassin\u2019s Creed,\u2019 as Leonardo da Vinci, and all the Cuban soldiers in the first \u2018Call of Duty Black Ops\u2019 game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shared his initial reaction to the PS5 logo reveal, as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought they were going to reveal something big, like a partnership with Nintendo,\u201d Ferro said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scorpion from the video game Mortal Kombat cosplayed by Jessie Lulham at Long Beach Comic Expo on Jan. 12, 2020. “He’s one of my favorite character- The Spirit of Vengeance,” Lulham said. Photo by Jorge Hernandez.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the area of virtual reality, Quentin Zuber, of 2113 Labs V.R. and member of techno-electronica band, Spanking Machine, talked about a project called Permission V.R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was developed on Unity Engine, an engine popular with independent creators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demo involved players walking through an apocalyptic city and through a portal that opens to a peaceful meadow, all while Spanking Machine\u2019s music plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a music video you can experience. It\u2019s supposed to represent the transition from dark to light, the music changes over time to represent that,\u201d explained Zuber. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach Comic Con, sister event of Long Beach Comic Expo, is set to occur on Sept. 5 and 6, at the Long Beach Convention Center.
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