GAMES Telltale GamesThe Wolf Among Us-Season 2 & The Walking Dead Final Season: Telltale does a lot. Batman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Game of Thrones, even original stories based in Minecraft, but their FABLES prequel and their Walking Dead sidestory are definitely the two that have truly made fans excited. Knowing there are new stories from both those universes coming in 2018 is fab.
Knights and Bikes: A Double Fine Presents publication. I wish I had gotten on the Kickstarter at the time but couldn’t. Hand painted, bikes, islands, action, adventure… what more could you want?
Ooblets: Pokemon, Animal Crossing, but in an all new bundle of cuteness and specialness. Glopters is making something that looks super cute.
TUNIC: Top down cartoony action that looks super fun and adorable.
Unavowed: The newest from Wadgeteye and Dave Gilbert. An RPG point & click with multiple characters, multiple endings and more.
A Way Out: 2 player only (Local and Online), but the team up concept of breaking out of prison looks really exciting. Hopefully I’ll find a steam gamer with a rig powerful enough whose up for playing this with me when time
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine:
Discover stories, talk to interesting characters. I love art games and this is super artistic and lovely.
VAMPYR: Third person action-adventure with vampire powers and it looks beautiful.
TRAVIS STRIKES AGAIN-No More Heroes 3: A Nintendo Switch exclusive but it’s still super exciting to have another Suda 51/Grasshopper Manufacture leap into the sword slashing, mini game, manical world of Touchdown.
The Gardens Between: This beautiful little game seems to be a simple puzzle games using a time travel mechanic to tell a sweet story, another art piece as interactive game. I love them when doing it right.
Lamplight City: The latest from Grundislav Games, an old school style point and click period piece detective tale with some supernatural elements.
The Adventure Pals: Co-Op Local platformer of insanity which seems you can also play single player. It looks absolutely bonkers.
Left Alive: Third person action survival shooter developed by folks behind Armored Core, MGS and Gundam. What little that has been shown looks wildly brilliant.
Psychonauts 2: Possibly/probably pushed back to 2019, there’s still the chance Double Fine can finish this epic sequel to action adventure platformer classic that put them on the map so long ago. No matter when it comes out I’ll care.
These last three are PS4 exclusives, but are definitely games I seriously want to one day play or just watch people play. DETROIT-Become Human: The newest David Cage/Quantric Dream masterpiece. The future of AI, androids, multple decisions, multiple characters, multiple replys and playthroughs and their most ambitious title to date. GOD of WAR: The latest incarnation of the long running PS tale of Kratos continues and this time has his son with him. My favorite genre too in third person action-adventure . Marvel’s Spider-Man: Insomniac‘s attempt at Spider-Man screams Arkham in it’s feel but with Spidey instead of Bats. Although I feel it’ll also be a lot like Beenox’s Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions which was excellent what despite game reviewers said and who I generally disagree with.
There’s plenty more games coming but those alone could keep someone properly busy I feel.
I was very excited to attend this year’s The Bit Awards. From the pre gaming, to the being there for the show live and the after party.
It did NOT disappoint. There was plenty Monster, donuts, pizza, drinks, etc. before and after. Tons of camaderie and I got to meet some excellent people, including a developer I’ve been a fan of for quite awhile. I really need to find time to get more involved in Playcrafting.
Before the show I got to check out a couple of tabletop games and video games, some of them nominees, a couple just showing off for fun and excitement. At table top I got to check out Someone Has Died, which looks and feels and sounds like my kind of game. I don’t do tabletop gaming, but it seems much like it’s more an improv prompt party game but with much more structure, balance and rules then the the traditional party game. The art is fantastic as well. On the “floor” was also Fabaraz’ tennis like awesomeness Spiritsphere DX. I only played it for a second in a Nintendo switch beta build but it was fun and kids loved it! In another room there were plenty of games from nominees for mobile, style, and best of game such as Mama Hawk, Perception, Battery Boy. There was also a display of independent fighter Punch Planet currently on early access of Steam.
After all the pre-show festivities it was time to sit down inside Tischman and just take in the show. There were some trailers (including one for Francisco Gonzalez’s Lamplight City which got me right in the I want this game feels) and news that got me excited. A few segments were just super fun. Some of the speeches really warmed my heart. It was just an amazing experience and while being there live is a totally different feel, you can watch and appreciate the show yourself in its totality.
The VIP after party took place at ESC Games and it was a thrill talking games, life and fun with a variety of developers. Playing some silly games and just remembering I love video games.
Also here’s some photos from the pre-show and during the show.
From the band who brought you The Stampede and Bad Mother Motherfucker and the lead singer/director of those music videos and the feature film Hardcore Henry comes thir latest. A wild little revenge dream thriller called LOVE SONG. Biting Elbows are back after a small hiatus. This isn’t a 1st person POV but still has the grit and intrigue of prior works plus the music is great.
I wait to do any kind of Best Ofs, Tributes, Memories till Jan when doing a year retrospective. Much of the media though does not. They start doing that before Thanksgiving even. They also start looking to the next year early as well though. I am more comfortable doing that. Since that is all HYPE, trailers, info… everything we are excited for could turn out to not be as good as expected or better or maybe in some cases so bad we can’t believe we were ever excited, but man, they shined up a bag of shit really well for the commercials. When doing a Best Of I just feel we should wait till everything from 2017 has come out and this being not even the last week of November, there’s still alot. So let us move on to 2018 in the meanwhile.
Now this is going to be stuff The Spectrum personally is excited by, so if something you’re super excited about isn’t here? It’s because we might not share the same interests. I’d be more shocked though if something your NOT interested in is listed here.
MOVIES Early Man: The latest from Aardman Studios and Nick Park! Claymation caveman!
Game Night: A “dead” script given birth from the guys behind the new Vacation… throw in some Jason Bateman. You have the possibility of a total sleeper comedy that could one of those “I don’t want to ever see this” and then you see it and go “Why did I wait?”
Black Panther: One of the most interesting characters in Marvel history, it looks like they truly did the king of T’Challa and his people proper justice adapting multiple tales to spin a brand new yarn to fit into the MCU. Especially for a character we’ve already been introduced to and seen a lot of.
12 Strong: The period after 9/11 has become as rich as WWI for war films. Especially when ripped from literary accounts. This one also stars Chris Hemsworth so it could be compelling no matter the narrative.
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies: The team behind the show expand to a full length feature. It’s the same crew, the main creators and writers, the same cast, but they added Kirsten Bell and Will Arnett to the mix. If you hate TTG then sure, but this site does not. This site LOVES TTG! and loves how it finds new ways to play with the narrative, genre and structure, a full length feature will be awesome.
Red Sparrow: Jennifer Lawrence as a kick ass killer spy in a thriller. From the director of the last three Hunger Games, based on the book series.
The New Mutants: The trailer seems to show that this film tries to capture being a faithful adaptation of the classic 80’s horror miniseries by Claremont, Simonson, McLeod and Siencwicz. Plus, Maisie Williams as a werewolf is enough to make most people care, even non Game of Thrones viewers. Maisie is the best.
Love, Simon: A strong adaptation of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” starring rising star Nick Robinson. Directed by Greg Berlanti, making his film directing return after years of TV. That Greg felt compelled to take the directing helm again after 7 years of producing sci-fiction, crime, unusual television especially for a very real true to life LGBT story says a lot to me of the quality of the script and story.
Isle of Dogs: Wes Anderson’s return to animation, especially with a completely original story might be the movie I am excited for more than any. Dogs in Japan, huge cast, I’m so in.
Deadpool 2: Even with only the Wet on Wet teaaser, there is no reason not to expect the second Deadpool to be just as good if not even better than the first.
There’s plenty more movies announced and even a few more trailers out there, but this list is a quick one of what has my attention. Coming soon a look at Video games, and a little more.
Powerbomb.TV presents their second ever special show TODAY (October 22, 2017) at 5 PM with a truly awesome line up. The show is titled FUTURES and is an event to crown the first ever PB.TV Independent Champion through a tournament. It takes place from the PB.TV/Grand Slam Wrestling Arena in Old Forge, PA.
The Quarter Finals took place throughout North America (Canada, USA and Mexico) at various companies in 2017 to determine who is the best to represent.
July 29th in Monterrey, Mexico at RIOT Lucha, Fly Warrior got a shocking win over Shane Strickland
August 10th in Canada at C*4, Desean Pratt defeated Buxx Belmar.
August 28 in Cornelia, GA at Anarchy Wrestling, Joey Lynch secured a win over John Silver
September 9th in Old Forge, PA at GSW, Jonathan Gresham submitted Fire Ant (replacing Jigsaw last minute)
You can see the Lynch and Gresham secured wins on Powerbomb.TV’s Youtube channel.
The semi finals have lined up as the following.
Fly Warrior vs. Jonathan Gresham with Stokely Hathaway in his corner
Desean Pratt vs. Joey Lynch
This has made the finals and the winner practically unpredictable. Fly Warrior is one of Mexico’s hottest prospects who has made a mark at RIOT, a PB.TV partner, has wrestled on PB.TV’s first show and even competed in Chikara’s Young Lion’s Cup this year. Jonathan Gresham is basically an independent living legend at this point, the Octopus is a former CZW champion and is currently is ROH’s second top stable Search and Destroy and with Stokely backing him he’s extra dangerous. Desean Pratt is still in rebuild mode since leaving behind his Amasis identity, but in short order he has won titles, defeated major opponents and become a true talent who should’ve always been unmasked with that super handsome face (I may be biased here). Joey Lynch is the most undiscovered gem here as he has not traveled the world as much as the others making his mark in Georgia as a king of the hill, but he did make it to the finals of Scenic City Invitational this year and is looking to break out after teaming with his brother Matt the last few years. All four of these men have the drive, the skill and the value to be crowned a champion.
The show will also feature a few matches of real excitement.
John Silver, the big dawg as he’s known, mighty mouse as some think of him, is out to prove himself to Mexico’s Puma King and everyone else that he should’ve won and been in the tournament. Puma King is out to make his legend bigger in his second only ever U.S. Appearance after thrilling CMLL crowds for the last nine years.
Ultramantis Black was thought to have retired earlier this year, but suddenly he’s back making special appearances. Before taking on Jeff Cannonball at a special charity event next week, the devious one, the man who loves Christmas is stepping foot in the squared circle at Powerbomb.TV’s FUTURES to face off the man who only wants to make people laugh, then take a nap, Orange Cassidy. This match has the ability to steal the show, as these two have a long history with each other, truly know each other, have trained together, drank together, traveled the world together but have never faced off one on one in ANY persona.
If that wasn’t enough for an amazing show, there’s at least three more.
“Hot Sauce” Tracey Williams, one of EVOLVE wrestling’s top people, someone WWE is always looking at closely will be facing Red Eagle of Portugal is his first stateside appearance. The seven yet vet is a true high flyer and against Williams technical prowess should be very interesting.
Two of the toughest, roughest, and wildest women in the industry period, Angelus Layne will take on Jordynne Grace. These two have faced earlier this year for NOVA Pro, a PW.TV partner and know how to put on a show. While I listed a show stealer earlier, these two ladies have the talent to prove me wrong and hard.
In three way action representing New South wrestling, Brute Van Slyke, a true beast of a man will be facing off a traditional wrestling purist in Dominic Garrini (who recenlty joined Catchpoint) and The Empbruh, Black Baron, a huge force himself.
On top of all that, former CHIKARA grand champion, one half of Notorious with Homicide, recently of TNA Impact, Eddie Kingston who just left that lucrative contract, and also did extremely well at a WWE tryout has asked for an open mic. The man is volatile, speaks truth and never holds anything back when given chance, so he might set the independent world on fire with whatever he decides to come out of his mouth.
This has been a weekend of shocks, surprises and wild moments in wrestling and I expect nothing less from this show.
Get yourself a PB.TV account now, search twitter for promo codes, choose one and watch!
Wrestlecircus is coming up on its one year anniversary and to celebrate they are presenting the first ever CIRCUSMANIA. While Wrestlecircus is not very story driven, the show is still a culmination of the last 12 months of matches, action, promos, tweets, and adventure.
It all takes place Saturday, October 21, 2017 and will be free for all on Twitch. It’ll be coming LIVE from Texas Power Athletics South Austin Gym (a last minute venue change needed because of the circumstance called other people) in Austin, Texas at 6 Central/7 Eastern.
Let’s take a look at the card more closely as it stands booked at this moment.
Triple Threat Jeff Cobb vs. Lance Hoyt vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman
After MJF’s shenanigans at his last Wrestlecircus appearance against now NXT star Lio Rush, not to mention MJF’s annoying and nefarious tactics around the the circuit especially in CZW you’d think the human tank that is Mr. Athletic and one half of the current IWGP Tag Champ The American Psycho will team up to deliver punishment before going head to head. Yet one must always remember, MJF is a dastardly and cunning and the big powerhouses best be ware of this and that MJF is a very technically trained wrestler as well.
World’s Sexiest Fiancees vs. World’s Cutest Tag Team John Morrison & Taya Valkyrie vs. Joey Ryan & Candice LeRae
All four of these folks are at the top of their game and in their prime. Will the love that John and Taya overpower the friendship and long established tag team knowledge of Joey and Candice? What is stronger? Love or Bonds? And will anyone touch Joey’s dick? (Someone will touch Joey’s dick).
The BEST vs The Best Ever Scorpio Sky /w Kevin Condron vs. Sammy Guevera
Both these men have skyrocketed through WrestleCircus this year while also making their names HUGE everywhere else. This really is a nitty gritty. Both men can claim to be the face of WC, both call themselves The Best. The x-factor of course then is the Vape Muta, Kevin Condron. Will he blow smoke up the panda? Can Sammy overcome unbeatable odds to secure his throne?
5 Man Ruckus Elimination Grudge Team Jervis vs. Team Austin
We all thought this was over when Jervis’ team defeated Austin’s team The Cody Rhodes Summer Special and then Austin was summarily dumped on his butt by the ref when he tried interferring in the main event. Unfortunately we were wrong because Austin and some students attacked Jervis at Texas Vs. The World and challenges him to 5 on 5 elimination. The members for either team have yet to be named, but supposition would suggest that Jervis would recruit his best friend Thunderfrog, as well as Space Monkey, and possibly Dick Justice who rescued Jervis from the attack, as well as his long time partner Hobo. Quite possibly Jervis will once again not be on the team as one would expect Austin won’t be on his and may recruit Brody King. On Austin’s side one can only assume “All Ego” Ethan Page will be called upon to help, but who else is friends with Austin other than AAPW students? I guess we’ll just have to see.
UPDATE: The teams for this match have been almost all been named at this time.
On Jervis’ team it is Jervis, and as predicted Dick Justice, and a returning Christi Jaymes (who has been a former tag partner of Jervis’ in WrestleCircus). While Former Ref Austin has signed up “Unholy” Gregory James (making his long awaited return to WC after a showing at SXSW), “Dirty” Andy Dalton and the debuting from jolly ol England, Rockstar Spud. Although will this be Spud who once fought Jervis in CHIKARA, violent Spud of recent years, or “Holy” Spud, a rookie of only a few months who has been tricked by Austin?
UPDATE 2 (after the event): The final members of the teams were Leva Bates & Super Thunderfrog for Jervis. Austin recruited JC Res to finalize his 4 partners.
Revenge For The Pipebomb of the Year Jordan Len-X vs. Sami Callihan
Back at Squared Ring Circus in July, Sami Callihan dropped a promo that attacked WrestleCircus as a whole, but most especially Jordan Len-X. Sami insinuated the only reason Jordan had ever won the PW Revovler Scrammble title was because he was owner Al Lenhart’s brother. On that night Strickland, the champ defended WC’s honor but neither Jordan or Leva Bates who was also victim to Sami’s callousness have got to respond. This will be Cruiser Kong’s chance to show Death Machine he earned that title, he’s earned everything through hardwork. No handouts. Jordan did this on his own and win or lose he’ll prove it to Sami.
Sideshow Championship Champion Tessa Blanchard v Dave Crist
Dave Crist was originally scheduled to team with brother Jake to challenge for the tag titles. Unfortunately Jake has suffered an injury that’ll put him out of action for awhile. Not wanting to punish Dave, he takes his stablemate Dezmond’s place in challenging Tessa Blanchard who is a true diamond proving she can go head to head and toe to toe with anyone in the business.
Big Top Tag Championship Ex-Tra Talented (Ricky Starks & Aaron Solow) vs. Scarlett & Graves (Dezmond Xaiver & Zacahry Wentz)
In their first ever defense since last month coming back in a surprise to become the new Big Toppers Ex-Tra Talented have to prepare for one of the best tag teams out there that are very similar to them as well. As stated previously originally the opponents were The Crists, but with Jake out of commission we get a reunion of their fellow stablenates. Dezmond over the last couple months has been making a name for himself as well as have Wentz in singles. Both have improved greatly, so circumstance of injury bringing them back together to challenge promises an amazing match against WrestleCircus’ best tag team.
Ringmaster Championship Brian Cage vs. Champion Shane Strickland
Former Wrestlecircus champion has not had his rematch since losing the title when Stickland cashed in the title shot at any time opportunity the same night he won it in the match between Sammy Guevera and Cage. Two of the toughest most athletic men in all of Wrestlecircus, who also can claim to reprsent the spirit that is Wrestlecircus go head to head over the title that signifies being the head of the circus itself. Who will leave Mania as The Master?
ALSO
Leva Bates will be in attendance. Doing some kind of wrestling cosplay one can assume. She always adds something to the circus and has been missed since her last appearance where she promised she would destroy Sami Callihan for his actions against her and the Circus.
This is a not to be missed show. Hope I’ll see you there be it in person or online (although I’ll be online).
Once again that’s Saturday, October 21, at 6 central/7 eastern… live and free on twitch.tv/wrestlecircus
On August 19-20, 2017 NYC game creation and education group Playcrafting hosts the first major video game convention in NYC combining PAX and GDC as best they can. While New York has hosted game conferences and major panel talks and New York Comic Con has hosted major publishers such as Square Enix and Ubisoft, there has yet to be something for the very powerful indie market that exists not only in NYC but nationwide and at a cost and set-up to be enjoyed by newcomer, experienced player, and developer. PLAY NYC gears to change all that.
Many websites like Polygon and others have reported or interviewed the organizers of this awesome show. They’ve focused more on the larger picture though, which is very important, but here at Pop-Culture Spectrum while we do enjoy all facets of entertainment there are still specific parts of the entertainments we enjoy. That also applies to video games. So upon that, we shall take a closer look at the talks being conducted on both days that are compelling to us. A few developers have also done pre-contact of their games being displayed so I shall be give a mini-preview via that of the diversity to expect at the show.
The main convention/exhibit hall shall be held at Terminal 5 on W 56th St. (b/w 11th and 12th Ave.) with hours on 10-6 PM on both days while the panels & talks will be just around the corner at John Jay College on W 59th St. (b/w 10th and 11th Ave.) with panels running from 11-5 on both days.
Day one has a lot of amazing panels on the state of the industry, working in the industry and being press in the industry… all truly compelling, but exceptionally exciting are that that Mark Roos, followed by Zac Zinger shall be discussing the importance of music in games. Both men have interesting pedigrees in the music industry as well as in the video game music industry so hearing from them shall be fascinating.
The Saturday evening panels will end with a performance from Greg Heffernan, who my research states is Cosmo D, developer of The Norwood Suite.
On Sunday the writer of point n click adventure, The Long Road, Leif Oleson-Cormack shall discuss working in game narrative. Leif is also a playwright and standup so this has the promise of being very entertaining.
Dreamsail Games, a VR developer will have a later after noon talk in which they might be announcing a new project.
On top of these awesome panels which this is just a sample though there’s that show floor. Here’s just a sample of some games featured on the floor that shows the diversity of the show and gaming itself.
Hero’s Crossingis a strategy board game about running an RPG town. This is an actual table top game but is based in Video game mechanics. It’s really different, check out the page link in the title.
Mama Hawk is a mobile game developed by Computer Lunch that is also being developed for PC/Mac in which you catch animals to feed your baby birds. I tried out their Android beta and it’s really cool and super cute.
and of course as the games writer shall have a speak, The Low Road will also be on the floor being presented by XGen Studios.
and there’s your “quick” look. There’s so much more though. 3 floors of games, and all kinds, VR, FPS, puzzle, tablettop, Alternate Reality, ones that use real humans and even other panels as well. A not miss show for anyone who loves games.
Rarely does this website just use a press release but this is such amazing news.
Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill present
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV:
THE TEMPEST Six-issue miniseries will serve as “swan song” not only to award-winning LEAGUE series but also to creators’ careers
San Diego, CA (July 20, 2017) – After an epic seventeen-year journey through the entirety of human culture – the biggest cross-continuity ‘universe’ that is conceivable – Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill will conclude both their legendary League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and their equally legendary comic-book careers with the series’ spectacular fourth and final volume, The Tempest.
Tying up the slenderest of plot threads and allusions from the three preceding volumes, The Black Dossier, and the Nemo trilogy into a dazzling and ingenious bow, the world’s most accomplished and bad-tempered artist-writer team will use their most stylistically adventurous outing yet to display the glories of the medium they are leaving; to demonstrate the excitement that attracted them to the field in the first place; and to analyse, critically and entertainingly, the reasons for their departure.
Opening simultaneously in the panic-stricken headquarters of British Military Intelligence, the fabled Ayesha’s lost African city of Kor and the domed citadel of ‘We’ on the devastated Earth of the year 2996, the dense and yet furiously-paced narrative hurtles like an express locomotive across the fictional globe from Lincoln Island to modern America to the Blazing World; from the Jacobean antiquity of Prospero’s Men to the superhero-inundated pastures of the present to the unimaginable reaches of a shimmering science-fiction future. With a cast-list that includes many of the most iconic figures from literature and pop culture, and a tempo that conveys the terrible momentum of inevitable events, this is literally and literarily the story to end all stories.
Commencing as a six-issue run of unfashionable, outmoded and flimsy children’s comics that will make you appear emotionally backward if you read them on the bus, this climactic magnum opus will also reprint classic English super-team publication The Seven Stars from the murky black-and-white reaches of 1964. A magnificent celebration of everything comics were, are and could be, any appreciator or student of the medium would be unwise to miss The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV: THE TEMPEST.
— a 6-issue mini-series, each issue 32 pages in (mostly) full color, saddle stitched, 6 5/8” x 10 1/8” (standard comic-book size), $4.99 (US). Issue #1 is scheduled for June 2018.
Co-Published by Top Shelf Productions (US) and Knockabout (UK).
Promoted on BestAds this week and winning advertising awards all over the place right now, from 2016, an amazing music video made by Wolf & Lamm featuring a killer cover of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” by MNEK for German clothing designer Strellson.
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Powerbomb.TV presents their second ever special show TODAY (October 22, 2017) at 5 PM with a truly awesome line up. The show is titled FUTURES and is an event to crown the first ever PB.TV Independent Champion through a tournament. It takes place from the PB.TV/Grand Slam Wrestling Arena in Old Forge, PA.
Wrestlecircus is coming up on its one year anniversary and to celebrate they are presenting the first ever CIRCUSMANIA. While Wrestlecircus is not very story driven, the show is still a culmination of the last 12 months of matches, action, promos, tweets, and adventure.
On August 19-20, 2017 NYC game creation and education group Playcrafting hosts the first major video game convention in NYC combining PAX and GDC as best they can. While New York has hosted game conferences and major panel talks and New York Comic Con has hosted major publishers such as Square Enix and Ubisoft, there has yet to be something for the very powerful indie market that exists not only in NYC but nationwide and at a cost and set-up to be enjoyed by newcomer, experienced player, and developer. PLAY NYC gears to change all that.
