Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Activision Rocks E3

Activision's event to kickoff E3 had people talking everywhere. Open only to those invited, rumors were flying about what was to go down behind closed doors. This lucky girl got in thanks to this wonderful blog. I definitely lucked out. The Staples Center was definitely full of people waiting to see who was going to hit the stage. The event was supposed to start at 8:30pm but we didn't end up getting to grab a seat until closer to 10pm. Why? Sound check went long. Or so we were told. Rumors were that someone missed their rehearsal. Either way, I don't care because when the lights went down my excitement level hit the roof.
DJ Z-Trip was the first to hit the stage. He definitely got my attention when I heard the opening bars to a song that is a strong memory in my mind. Super Mario Brothers was a game I grew up with and I'll never forget that theme song. DJ Z-Trip definitely got the energy up a bit with his opening act.
There was a choreographed dance to Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" but Lady Gaga did not make an appearance despite the rumors circulating that she would be in attendance. Kind of a bummer because I think that would have been pretty cool but they did a great job without her. And who doesn't like watching scantily clad women dance on a stage?
Deadmau5 took the stage helping to promote DJ Hero 2, a game that I am sure will be a hit just like the first one. I've never actually had the opportunity to play DJ Hero but I've heard great things about it. Also helping to promote the game was David Guetta who rocked our worlds by playing "Sexy Bitch" as well as a couple other numbers.
Usher appeared on stage to perform next singing "Caught Up," "In This Club," and "Yeah." After that will.i.am joined him on stage to perform "OMG." Talk about amazing. At this point I know my eyes were the size of saucers in amazement at the performers Activision had brought in for us. They were going beyond anything I'd ever imagined I'd see that night.

Tony Hawk and some other pro skaters took the stage to promote Tony Hawk: Shred. Apparently they'd had a large ramp set up but there were some technical difficulties that made them take it down. They left the stage and up next on the screen was a Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The game characters began singing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle joined the stage singing the song for us. He was accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a gospel choir. The choir members' stoles said "Save Rock," and I thought that was a fantastic touch.

Jane's Addiction hit the stage to perform "Been Caught Stealin'" and "Mountain Song." After that Chris Cornell sang "Black Hole Sun" for us accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra. Soundgarden will have a new song on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. This will be their first single released in 13 years. The game will debut this fall.

A 3 story pole was lowered from the ceiling to the stage. A woman took the stage and stepped up to the pole. Apparently she was a world-famous pole-dancer. She truly takes pole-dancing to the extreme. She danced her way at least 3/4 of the way up that pole. It was something you really had to see to believe. She had no wires securing her as she danced, nor was there a mat below her. She knew her art and performed beautifully. I've never seen anything like it and probably never will again. I'm just glad I got to see that.
There was a preview of True Crime: Hong Kong which will be released this fall which was accompanied by Pharell Williams and N.E.R.D as well as up-and-coming new artist Rhea.

Next up was our opportunity to see the level Payback from Call of Duty: Black Ops. I was enthralled with this level. As you recall, during the First Look Preview Event we only got to see two levels so seeing something new was definitely a pleasant surprise. The level was accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as some pyrotechnics. I definitely jumped when the pyrotechnics first went off. Here are some images I managed to catch.

As amazing as that was the best part of the night for some was up next. A Black Ops back drop with a twist came up on the screen. Eminem took the stage to perform with Travis Barker of Blink-182 fame on drums. Eminem performed his part from "Airplanes Pt. II" as well as "Not Afraid" and then debuted a new song from his upcoming album Recovery called "Won't Back Down." He told us he brought someone to perform with him and Rihanna took the stage to sing "Love the Way You Lie." He said that was all for tonight and left the stage only to return to perform "Lose Yourself." All in all it was an amazing performance by everyone who hit the stage. I don't think anything could have topped that evening.


Activision, you truly rocked my world Monday evening. I never in a million years imagined an event like this. What a fantastic way to start E3 2010.

2 comments:

MaTtKs said...

Great recap. Looks like it was a blast. :)

MINUS Stl said...

This is me being jealous ----> >:(

Looks like it was a blast.

Post a Comment