Speed Dating Event for Otakus in NYC (Otaku Speed Dating)

Have you ever been on a date and wished your date didn't have to ask, "what's manga?" After going on multiple dates, it became easy for me to tell if we had chemistry or not within the first few minutes. Good chemistry dates were great, but rare. I had to find excuses to leave many dates after multiple bouts of awkward silences or being mocked when I mentioned my favorite romantic anime fanfiction. Otaku Speed Dating organizes speed dating events specifically curated to otaku, gamers, and geeks looking for love in New York City. Here's a quick run-down of how it works: The event will take place July 8th. 

1.      Register online for one of our otaku speed dating events.

2.      Come to our venue and prepare to meet other otaku.

3.      We'll rotate you between your dates every 3 minutes.

4.      You'll write down which dates you want to match with.

5.      Mingle while enjoying snacks and refreshments until closing.

6.      If you matched with anyone, you'll be emailed their contact info.

Nintendo Preview Event: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

Nintendo is hosting an exclusive preview event for Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE and you’re invited! The upcoming Wii U game is a stylish new RPG from Nintendo and ATLUS inspired by the popular Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem series. Oozing with style, it’s filled with high-energy battles featuring an explosive color palette and over-the-top characters so fashion forward they might as well be from the future! You really have to experience it for yourself – and now you can. Attendees will be able to play the game before it launches and receive some fun Nintendo items, while supplies last.  Event will take place Nintendo NY - 10 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020 Register here at EventBrite

Playcrafting Spring Expo 2016

Over 100 game developers will be showing off their latest games one-on-one to a crowd of 700 people. For developers, this is a great opportunity to show off their games (finished or unfinished) and get direct feedback from players. For everyone else, it's a unique opportunity to try out the biggest collection of games made in and around NYC all in one place. Each game gets its own booth as players meet the developers and try out their games. Throw pizza into the mix and you get Playcrafting's biggest event!

May 4th Otakus and Geeks join a crowd of gamers to check out what playcrafting had in store. The atmosphere was great with good food, good people and some really great games. After I stuff my face with the pizza provided it was time to hit the showroom floor. The first game I visited was a beat em up game for mobile and tablet devices called "Justice Royale." This 2d beat em up with a very simple but effective art style was a lot of fun to play. It brought me back to my days when I use to play beat em ups religiously on my genesis. The controls were easy and effective with the use of the touch screen. Tap to attack and swipe in different directions to evade enemy attacks, block and more. The game is really fun to play and with its stick figure art style it's sure to please gamers in the 2d beat em up.

After that I went to another booth that had a cover art of a monkey in space. I was immediately drawn to it. The game is called Major Chimp. A 3D space game created in unreal engine. It features a fully animated astronaut chimpanzee, and players will play him as he goes on his missions to space. You can check my gameplay impressions below.

Next I journey to a booth with a bunch of Space Cats. Animals in space seems to be a recurring theme in gaming. Space Cats in Space is an arcade space shooter game that was cool to play. Using the XBOX controller was easy and effective.  This brings back the classic arcade flight shooters that I like so much. The sound had great production, the gameplay is old school. You can check out the official video from the developer below.

Next was Antipole which is coming for the Nintendo DS. Command gravity in Antipole DX! Antipole DX is a remake of Antipole featuring a variety of improvements including all new graphics and music, extra levels, online leaderboards, Miiverse stamps, and more. Look for Antiople DX in the Nintendo eShop later in 2015.

Hatsune Miku Expo at Wamu Theater

If there is one thing every otaku must experience at least once is a Hatsune Miku concert. The Vocaloids have been around for a while and once again they make their rounds to the United States. This time they stop at the Wamu Theater for once again a spectacular show. If you never experience this unique show let me fill you in a little bit about it. The Vocaloids are holographic images who perform with voice synthesizer. One of the most famous of all the Vocaloid is Hatsune Miku. The show kicked off with the introduction of each Vocaloid with surrounding applause. The atmosphere was electrifying fans of all ages were in attendance. Die hard Miku fans with cosplay, accessories and t-shirts. One thing that was amazing to see beyond the performances was the reaction of people who never seen the show. Otakus & Geeks reached out to those in attendance and you can read comments some below.

"This was my first time actually going to a Miku concert. I've follow her since I saw a cosplay of her at San Diego Comic Con a few years ago. I asked the cosplayer about who she was dressed  as and the rest was history. I started listening to every single album I can import or find and really got into the music. The concert is everything I thought it will be. What really struck me was the use of lighting, the sound quality and how well Miku moves. I'm definitely going to be seeing this again if they come back." - Debra Winston

"I must confess I don't follow the anime stuff or any of this so I didn't know what to expect. I know my girlfriend is really into this so I got her tickets for our 1 year anniversary. I have to admit that I was surprise oh how good it was. My girlfriend didn't pitch show very well to me when we arrive. The songs were catchy, the energy in the theater was positive and the movement of these holograms was life like. If you're  a fan I will strongly recommend it." - John Kessler  

Fans have spoken and our own friends have also enjoyed the show. Each Vocaloid gets there time to shine in the spotlight with a set piece of music for each one. If you love Vocaloid and are a big of Hatsune Miku this something you might want to check out. For more details on upcoming concerts visit here http://org.mikuexpo.com/na2016/

5 Supervillian Teams That Could Start The Next Phases Of The MCU

Hey O&G fans, Capt. America: Civil War will premiere in a couple weeks which means two years from now, we will be preparing for the Infinity Wars part 1. This will start the end of the first three phases of the MCU. That being said, what will be the next storyline? What will be the next big threat?

The Russo brothers have been quoited to have access to atleast sixty MCU characters, heroes and villains. With that many characters at their disposal, Marvel Studios could plan out some interesting stories after the Infinity Wars. Here are some suggestions of Super Villain teams that would make great stories for the next phases of the MCU.

5. Black Order

The Black Order (also known as the Cull Obsidian) are a group of alien villains that work for Thanos. They help Thanos conquer worlds where they demand tribute. Their first comic book appearance was in New Avengers Vol. 3. If Thonas is defeated at the end of the Infinity Wars, Marvel doesn't have to end his reign of terror there.  They could use this team of villains to exact a more sinister plot for revenge. The members of the Black Order are:  Black Dwarf, Corvus Glaive, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, and Supergiant.

4. Skrulls

Millions of years ago, the Celestials performed genetic experiments on the reptilian ancestors of the Skrulls, resulting in three branches of Skrulls that eventually warred with one another. The Deviant branch—possessing the innate ability to shapeshift. The Skrulls would be a great for the MCU........ if Marvel Studio owned the rights (Hint,Hint, make the deal Fox) Having the Skrulls in the MCU, we could see the Secret Invasion story come to the big screen. This could also give Marvel the ability to change the Avengers line-up and add new characters.

3. Masters of Evil

The original Masters of Evil (consisting of existing Marvel Comics supervillains Black Knight, Melter, and Radioactive Man) was gathered by former Nazi scientist Baron Heinrich Zemo. The team has had different members and leaders: Egghead's Masters of Evil, Doctor Octopus' Masters of Evil, and Pre-Thunderbolts Masters of Evil. This would give Marvel the ability to mix and match Villiains for the MCU. Let's consider that they start with (Characters that might be introduced in Capt. America civil War) Baron Zemo, Crossbones, and Klaw. Leading up to Infinity Wars, Marvel could plant the seeds of these guys being the next big threat.

2. Dark Avengers

In the aftermath of the Skrull Invasion, Norman Osborn became head of the Fifty-State Initiative, the Thunderbolts Initiative and S.H.I.E.L.D.. He disbanded all three with different results. S.H.I.E.L.D reformed into H.A.M.M.E.R. with Osborn as its Director, the Thunderbolts became a secret black-ops team for him and his Cabal and the Fifty State Initiative came under his control after its founder, Tony Stark,  was blamed for the Secret Invasion  and became a hunted fugitive. This would be one the best storylines and Super Villain team for the MCU because with Sony and Marvel working on Spiderman reboot and now that the characters can interact, it could open up a huge story. Since some of the actor like Robert Downey Jr might end their run, this would be a good way to have him still in the MCU, but only with cameo's and introduce new characters. This also leads into my Number 1 Super Villain Team. 

1. The Cabal

The Cabal (a.k.a. The Dark Illuminati) was formed by Norman Osborn, a covert group set against the aims of the scattered Illuminati, made up of Namor of Atlantis, Emma Frost of the X-Men, Doctor Victor Von Doom of Latveria, Loki of Asgard, and the criminal known as the Hood. With all the movies leading up to the Infinity Wars, the theme has been some shadowy figure with a sinister plot..... why not continue! After all is said and done, the storyline about the Dark Avengers and Norman Osborn would be perfect. Every Tv, Streaming, and Movie could be affected by the backlash and start a new Story with new characters.

What do you think of our List? Did we miss any groups that would fit better? Let us know in the comments.

by Sean Tucker

Tribeca Filim Festival 2016: Virtual Arcade

Written By Justin D Williams

Tribeca Film Festival 2016 had one very interesting showcase that caught my eye this year. This showcase was Tribeca Film Festival: Virtual Arcade. While the showcase did have one or two VR games to experience. The showcase main focus was to show what can possibly the future of movie interaction. The Virtual Arcade showcase 13 VR shorts/films and all. I must say that I was really immerse on how close to the action I was. I saw two films. One film focus on an actual carnival experience which had some horror elements. I was right in the middle as the performances were going on. This was something to see and for someone who isn't too fond of clowns, this was kind of a nerving experience when I turn around and saw a clown behind me. The way VR uses the cinematography to have to whole film play all around you is definitely going to be the future. I will go on record to say that the best thing that will happen to VR will be the horror genre. The way horror is going to be able to grab us by our emotions, the way we have to use our body to see what is behind us is going to be a huge hit. Other films were also great to see. Animation was also used very well in VR. I think kids are going to really gravitate to what will be happening in 2017. Overall I had a great time interacting with some new films and getting to see some cool stuff like the Shadow technology which operates on motions and touch. If this comes back in 2017 I'm surely going to go back and check more stuff out. 

30 for 30: This Magic Moment Red Carpet Pictures

Written By Justin D Williams

I attend the 30 for 30 Red Carpet premiere and the big man himself Shaq was in attendence. Check out the pictures below. 

Hardcore Henry Review (The Fathom fan Experience)

Hey O&G fans, Thursday April 7th we were invited to Fathom Hardcore Henry Fan experience to see a early showing of the movie. The Fan experience featured a Q&A with the writer/Director and star of the film. Fans were also given a prequel comicabout the main villain of the movie. As always here is a synopsis of the film:

Hardcore Henry is a first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.

REVIEW

First I want to say in my opinion this film, that is a little over an hour and thirty mins was pretty awesome. I'm a fan of FPS games so this was something I would enjoy. Hardcore Henry was shot almost entirely with Gopro camera's (Which the director explained during the Q&A that the camera's are mounted just under the nose and not the forehead for an accurate view). Anyone who saw director Ilya Naishuller youtube short Bad Mother F%$ker will recognize a few of the scenes and characters in the movie.

The Russian-made action flick, mimics the experience of watching someone else play afirst-person shooter with sub-Duke Nukem humor. The title character, played by a team of stuntmen, is an amnesiac super-soldier who wakes up in an airship above Moscow and plummets into the city below in an escape pod so he can rescue his scientist wife, Estelle (Haley Bennett), from the clutches of telekinetic albino Akan (Danila Kozlovsky).

The action was good and pretty brutal (especially the last fight scene). Henry dispatches with his enemies with a number of weapons from Knives, Guns, Bricks, Sticks, etc... so the killings get very creative. The story didn't lag (C.O.D Joke) and had a cute song/Dance number whileone of the characters explains his Avatars. One of my two problem with the movie is the shaky camera at times, which can make you a bit dizzy if you're not used to it. You also start to lose the point of the story a few times, but it will all make sense when you get to the end.

Overall Hardcore Henry is a good movie that might not be everyone. The action is great and will appeal to anyone into FPS. My final review of Hardcore Henry is 3 stars.

by Sean Tucker

Marvel reveals Dead No More

image credit: Marvel

Hey O&G fans, Marvel revealed a two part teaser for the Dead No More Spiderman Event this fall, which was revealed at a retailers only event during C2E2. Details are scarce as to exactly what "Dead No More" will be, though the preview art shows Spider-Man fending off some kind of tentacles - possibly those of Doc Ock? - while long dead figures from his past such as Jean DeWolff, George Stacy, and even Uncle Ben gather behind him.

Doc Ock's mind was recently revealed to be alive in the robotic body of the Living Brain, after being transferred there from Peter Parker's body, which he took over when his own aging body died. Ock operated for almost a year as the "Superior Spider-Man" before being switched back.

First Look: Uncanny X-men #6

Image Credit: Marvel

Press Release

This April, the secrets of Archangel will be revealed as Magneto and his team prepare for war. Today, Marvel is pleased to present your first look inside UNCANNY X-MEN #6 - the start of the Uncanny X-Men’s foray into Apocalypse Wars! Writer Cullen Bunn and artist Ken Lashley take you on a mission to save the life of one of the founding X-Men!

Years ago when Archangel first met Apocalypse, he was transformed into the homicidal Horseman of Death. Now, years later, it appears he may be again returning to that form. Psylocke has discovered a vacant, drone-like Archangel in the guise of Death once more. Fearing the worst, that her once lover is under the control of Apocalypse – she and the rest of the Uncanny X-Men embark on a mission to save Archangel’s life. But what they are about to uncover is far more horrifying than they could have imagined…

The quest for Archangel begins this April as Apocalypse Wars comes to UNCANNY X-MEN #6!