So what was GameStop Expo 2014 (i.e., that seven hour-long
experience which was held at the Anaheim Convention
Center back on September 10th) like?
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
I have to admit that I found the whole event to be pretty sweet. I mean, you
had over 80 companies like Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, EA, Activision and
Ubisoft all there under one roof. And if you want to play a game that wasn't
even on the market yet (EX: Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMIX) …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… all you had to do in walk on up. Seriously. The lines at the convention
center last week were really that short.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
Wandering around the hall was also a great way to gather intelligence about
upcoming game releases. Take — for example — Disney "Big Hero 6: Battle
in the Bay."
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
There had evidently been some concern on Walt Disney Animation Studios' part
about whether people would actually embrace the characters that this Don Hall
& Chris Williams film is built around. But based on the steady stream of
youngsters who were following in & out of the GameMill Entertainment booth,
eager to try their hand at the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS versions of this
game, the Mouse has nothing to worry about.
Indeed, the way people were oohing & aahing at the
Disney Infinity versions of Baymax …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… and Hiro Hamada …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… it seems a shame that this particular Disney Infinity play-set won't hit
store shelves 'til early 2015. But on the other hand, given that the first
three Marvel Super Heroes Disney Infinity Super Heroes sets …
Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
… — The Avengers play-set, the Spider-Man set and the Guardians of the
Galaxy play-set — all hit store shelves next Tuesday, September 23rd … Well,
hopefully that will be enough to hold all of you Baymax & Hiro fans 'til
then.
I mean, how can you not love the sculpt of this Groot
figure?
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
That's what I find especially interesting about Disney
Infinity 2.0. The Mouse has clearly recognized that there's this subset of
Disney Infinity fans who aren't really into game play but really love the
sculpts of these figures. Don't believe me? Then check out this Collectors
Edition of the Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes set …
Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
… which includes this terrific display stand for all your
Avengers figures …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… complete with a Jack Kirby-esque monster rising up in
the middle of this mayhem, ready to do battle with Iron-Man, the Hulk, Thor et
el.
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
I know, I know. There have to be Disney fans out who have to
be grumbling about these Marvel Super Heroes. Because these folks want Disney
Infinity to get back to churning out great sculpts of classic characters like
Donald Duck …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… Maleficent …
Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc.
All rights reserved
… and Tinker Bell.
Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Not to fret. Six new Disney Originals will go on sale on
November 4th. With Merida from
Pixar's "Brave" and Stitch being bundled together in the Toy Box
Starter Pack.
Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Me personally, I have to admit that I was fascinated with
the way the artists at Disney Infinity came to develop the distinctive look for
these Disney Original characters. Take — for example — this illustration of
how they arrived at the look at the soon-to-released Aladdin figure.
Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Don't get me wrong. There was more to Gamestop EXPO 2014
than just "Big Hero 6" and Disney Infinity stuff. There were the
usual over-sized props like this "Batman: Arkham Knight" vehicle …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… not to mention multiple retail opportunities …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… but for Disney enthusiasts like myself, the high point
of last week's event was that Disney Infinity booth …
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
… as well as that "Fantasia Music Evolved" booth
(which was located right next door to Disney Infinity).
Photo by Shelly Valladolid
Here's hoping that the Gamestop EXPO returns to the Anaheim
Convention Center in 2015. Because I
really enjoyed this E3-like event that was just as fun as that annual
video game conference & show only minus the crowds.