OFFICIAL COMIC-CON TECH PLAYGROUND
FutureTechLive@ COMIC-CON
Expands with Immersive Tech from STAR WARS,
DEADPOOL 2, READY PLAYER ONE,
BLIZZARD’S OVERWATCH and more!
Expands with Immersive Tech from STAR WARS,
DEADPOOL 2, READY PLAYER ONE,
BLIZZARD’S OVERWATCH and more!
AI & Robotics Innovation Fair, Space Zone, and Coinfest/Blockchain Added
Debuting Comic-Con’s first-ever Hackathon!
Held at Omni San Diego Hotel - July 18-22
SAN DIEGO (July 14, 2018) – Augmented reality
lightsaber battles is now a thing. It is one of the many interactive
experiences those attending FUTURETECHLIVE! @ COMIC-CON will enjoy this
year at the legendary annual pop culture extravaganza in San Diego.
FutureTechLive! is the hub at Comic-Con for immersive experiences and
technology. This official event of Comic-Con International San Diego
has added more space dedicated to Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented
Reality (AR), Gaming, eSports, and other leading-edge attractions from
the likes of Warner Bros., Fox, Blizzard and Red Bull. The event also
includes: AI (Artificial Intelligence) Innovation Fair, celebrating
robotics and machine learning; Space Zone, showcasing the wonders of the
cosmos; and Coinfest, where Bitcoin meets Blockchain. Also debuting is
the first-ever Comic-Con hackathon, a one-day event for hackers and
storytellers. With room too for visual expression, an official artist
of Game of Thrones and Star Wars will be painting among the groundbreaking technologies.
The event takes place July 18-23 at the Omni San Diego Hotel in downtown San Diego, across from the Convention Center.
FUTURETECHLIVE! @ COMIC-CON was created in 2016 in conjunction with
Comic-Con International to celebrate the best and boldest in the
exploding areas of VR, AR, XR and more, and showcase the latest
innovations and inspirations from the worlds of Hollywood, gaming, and
tech. The event has since tripled in size (to over 18,000 square feet)
and expanded to include the A.I. Innovation Fair by Mentor InSight,
elements of the Fleet Science Center, Space, and other tech experiences
in robotics, wearable tech, and blockchain/cryptocurrency.
The event showcases the latest tech experiences from film studios,
television networks, gaming companies, scientists, publishers, brands,
designers, influencers, and innovators. Attendees will have hands-on
experience with the attractions and learn about new technologies. With
the Hackathon, they can even build some.
This year, there’s VR and AR experiences for Star Wars (from Lenovo), Ready Player One (Warner Bros.), Deadpool (Fox/7-Eleven), Overwatch (Blizzard), Hologate, and others. Gaming company Skydance Interactive is debuting its new Archangel: Hellfire game,
and Team Liquid, the powerhouse esports team, will be signing
autographs and explaining how to become a pro gamer. AI and Robotics
companies, such as Ozobot and Horizon Hover, show off how tech is
improving our lives. Blockchain/Crypto companies like Consensys and
BitcoinBTM enlighten attendees on what is happening in the realm of
cryptocurrency; you can even buy Bitcoin here from a Bitcoin ATM.
“We wanted to create the ultimate tech playground for people coming to
the granddaddy of consumer events,” said Scott Bobrow, FutureTechLive!
Co-Founder/Producer. “In one place, we spotlight the coolest immersive
experiences and earth-shattering technologies that will change the way
we live and interact with others.”
“We also wanted to create an event that is flexible – each year
introducing new tech leading the way, such as cryptocurrency, and
creating new experiences for people to partake in,” added Mark Murphy,
Co-Founder/Producer of the event. “We want to be tip of the spear so
that our attendees come away feeling like they had experienced something
new and also learned a lot. That’s why we are doing the first-ever
Comic-Con hackathon and bringing in Coinfest. This goes for our
Comic-Con panels too.”
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is another area that is capturing the
public imagination and bringing groundbreaking technologies to help
humankind. “A.I. is a red-hot sector and we are excited to unveil some
of the most epic examples of it at this event,” said Molly Lavik, who
curates the A.I. Innovation Fair at FutureTechLive! @ Comic-Con.
With the legendary Comic-Con as its backdrop, FutureTechLive! &
FanHacks League teamed up to debut this year the inaugural Comic-Con Fan
Engagement Hackathon. Where apps are built for fans by fans. “This is
an extraordinary hands-on way to foster innovation and creativity among
hackers and storytellers,” said FanHacks.xyz Founder Jaymes Hines. In
this Hackathon, there are two mobile device app build challenges: a
Gaming app challenge, presented by Ultra, and a Blockchain challenge,
presented by Consensys. For those interested in registering for the
Hackathon: https://www.
Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which produces the annual
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) gaming convention in Los Angeles each
year, is also participating in FutureTechLive! @ Comic-Con. Its ESA
Foundation is setting up a Diversity in Gaming and Tech Lounge, in
partnership with Red Bull Media House. “Video games have the power to
change communities and lives. The We Are experience we are
doing here has the potential to encourage and inspire not just future
video game makers, but also designers, coders and more,” said Anastasia
Staten, Executive Director of the ESA Foundation.
Art exhibits will also be featured, including the We Are photography exhibit, VR art, and even one artist painting live: Rob Prior, the official artist of Star Wars and Game of Thrones.
Attendees can also transport to Space, with experiences such Spheres,
the acclaimed VR film that sold for a record sum at the last Sundance
Film Festival.
On the educational front, Fleet Science Center will run it’s “Two
Scientists Walk into a Bar” promotion at FutureTechLive!, with various
scientists from across So. California answering questions from
attendees.
USCD will show off, in 3D and augmented reality, real-world archeological sites.
“At FutureTechLive!, people will be able to get an extraordinary glimpse
of what’s coming!” summed up Paramount Pictures’ Futurist Ted
Schilowitz, who will be speaking on one of the Comic-Con panels curated
by FutureTechLive!
Giveaways and Swag
This year will feature some terrific swag. Giveaways include:
- Deadpool 2 limited edition FUNCO Pops and Trolli Gummy Baby Hands, courtesy of 7-Eleven
- Overwatch limited edition pins from Blizzard
- Star Wars: Jedi Challenges swag from Lenovo
- eSports swag from champions Team Liquid
- Surprise giveaways throughout the event
Attractions & Activities include:
Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality / Mixed Reality
- STAR WARS: JEDI CHALLENGES – from Lenovo - smartphone powered augmented reality Star Wars experience, enabling lightsaber battles.
- READY PLAYER ONE – from Warner Bros. - 5,000 square feet of immersive experiences and pop culture iconography.
- DEADPOOL AR – from 7-Eleven – an AR activation based on the snarkiest Marvel Comics superhero and Fox movies rolled out by 7-Eleven Digital.
- GHOSTBUSTERS AR – from Sony / 433 Games – remember Pokemon Go? Soon people will be able to hunt virtual ghosts via their smartphone.
- OVERWATCH AR – from Blizzard – from the gaming giant behind this mega-game, now you can virtually jump into the game.
- APE-X – from Starbreeze and Luckyhammers - Fight for your freedom atop a towering building while battling bots high above city streets in this location-based VR experience.
- HOLOGATE – multi-player location-based VR experience providing exhilarating adventures in which multiple people fight robots, dragons and zombies, throw virtual snow balls or bond together and try to escape a sinking submarine.
- TAKE PAUSE – VR-based toolkit that helps teens improve focus and resilience by making mindfulness accessible and engaging using virtual reality.
- STIMULI VR - Stimuli glasses replace big, bulky VR headsets to make VR more accessible. Get ready to nab some being given away.
- WAREPLAI - uses AR to make clothing into an interactive gaming experience, with the goal to pioneer experiences to bring people together using our blended reality platform which successfully blends the virtual world, the real world, and physical items through any device.
- e360TV – making videos bleeding edge
Gaming / eSports
- ARCHANGEL: HELLFIRE – from Skydance Interactive - an action-packed multiplayer mech game, and a successor to the award-winning story-driven VR shooter Archangel. From a war torn cityscape to a snowy mountain terrain, mechs can battle it out in free-roaming warfare in open combat environments.
- WAX – from the founders of OPSkins, the world’s leading marketplace for online video games assets, WAX is a decentralized platform that enables anyone to operate a fully functioning marketplace among the 400+ million online players who already collect, buy and sell in-game items.
- ROBOT CACHE – the gaming industry’s first-ever decentralized video game distribution platform, dramatically reducing the fees publishers pay and for the first time, allowing gamers to resell their digital PC video games.
- ULTRA – a new game publishing platform, bringing the blockchain revolution to the gaming industry and creating a fair ecosystem for the future of games distribution.
- TEAM LIQUID – one of the most influential and dominant teams in eSports; it includes some of the winningest players ever. Their eSports wiki, Liquipedia, has grown to become one of the most useful, most detailed, and most up to date wikis in all of gaming. Team members will be on hand to interact and sign autographs.
A.I. Innovation / Robotics
- OZOBOT – makes award-winning coding robots for the next generators of creators… preparing kids for a future where they’ll collaborate with robots every day.
- HORIZON HOVER – founded by former NFL player Thomas (“TJ”) Wright, Horizon is developing autonomous hovercraft and heavy lift drones for businesses and consumers; TJ will be on hand for show-and-tell.
- #AISHOWBIZ ROUNDTABLE - thought leaders in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and entertainment from around the world are converging to share their ideas and interact.
Coinfest / Blockchain
- CONSENSYS - Ethereum founder Joseph Lubin launched ConsenSys as a software foundry to develop decentralized software services and applications that operate on the Ethereum blockchain.
- CELLARIUS - a collaborative transmedia universe integrated with blockchain technology that hopes to span every conceivable artistic medium — film, fiction, animation, music, games — with user-generated content that collectively tells the story of humanity’s ceaseless quest to push the limits of technology.
- BLOCKCHAINBTM – this company is rolling out Bitcoin ATM (i.e., “BTM”) machines across the country, with nearly a dozen already deployed in So. California.
- NEWAFRICARADIO.NET – a 24/7 internet radio channel that covers what is going on in cryptocurrency and blockchain across the continent of Africa.
Space Zone
- THE LIGHT IN THE VOID – From GRAMMY-nominated composer Austin Wintory (Journey, Abzu, Assasin’s Creed Syndicate) and 3-time EMMY-nominated writer-director Anthony Lund (Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, National Geographic’s Breakthrough) comes a compelling narrative-driven symphonic theater piece that combines real, modern science with the universal question of how we must confront the unknown. A Light in the Void tells a classic hero's journey. Along her path, she’ll tangle with an unforgettable cast of unique characters, all portrayed by legendary actor Troy Baker (The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Shadow of Mordor). Celebrated scientists Carolyn Porco (NASA, Cassini), Maria Spirapulu (Large Hadron Collider, Caltech) and Alice Roberts (Univ. Birmingham, BBC) will present the antidote. We also spotlight A Light in the Void in some our panels.
- SPHERES: SONGS OF SPACETIME – a three-part VR series that lets viewers explore the depths of Space in VR, which sold in a blockbuster deal at this past year’s Sundance Film Festival.
- SPACE ODYSSEY – a PC game, VR series, and on-location attraction in development which enables exploration and colonization in deep space.
Educational
- FLEET SCIENCE CENTER - The acclaimed San Diego institution is bringing fun its celebrated “Two Scientists Walk into a Bar” experience -- which means dozens of the best and brightest of the area scientists and innovators will be on hand to answers attendee’s questions!
- UCSD – THE CULTURAL HERITAGE ENGINEERING INITATIVE (CHAI) / CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS & SPACE SCIENCE (CASS) / ARTHUR C. CLARKE CENTER FOR HUMAN IMAGINATION – includes 3D video wall with augmented reality for experiencing archeological sites
- ROB PRIOR – the official artist of Star Wars & Game of Thrones will be painting live on-site.
- VR ART – digital art in an immersive setting.
Diversity
- ESA LOUNGE Presented by RED BULL – We Are exhibit - Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation and Red Bull Media House will showcase We Are, an educational photography exhibit, in the Diversity in Gaming and Tech Lounge. The exhibit shines a light on incredibly talented women contributing to the gaming community
HACKATHON
FutureTechLive! & FanHacks League is producing the first-ever Comic-Con Fan Engagement Hackathon. Participants will work on prototyping mobile device apps. This includes:
- Gaming Challenge - presented by Ultra
- Blockchain Challenge - presented by Consensys
- Red Bull
- Halo
- Team Liquid
- 7-Eleven / Deadpool 2
- The Void
- iFLY
- Omni Hotels
- Punch Bowl Social
PANELS
FutureTechLive! is also curating dynamic panels with industry leaders and pacesetters.
These are:
The Science of Cool
Thursday, 7/19/18, 5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. | Venue: 5AB in San Diego Convention Center
An all-star panel of scientists and creators discuss how the rise of immersive technologies, robotics, rocketry, AI and have made science cool again and continue to bring us closer to solving some of the greatest challenges and mysteries we face.
- Moderator: Dr. Erik Viirre, M.D., Ph.D – UCSD Departments of Neurosciences; Co-Director, Arthur C. Clark Center for Human Imagination at UCSD; Qualcomm XPrize.
- Dr. Brian Keating - USCD Astrophysics professor; Director, Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences; Co-Director, Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UCSD; author, “Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science's Highest Honor.”
- Xabi Uribe-Etxebarria - Founder & CEO, SHERPA
- Kim Salzer – CMO, OZOBOT
- Katie Kelly, Head of Engagement – AltSpaceVR, MICROSOFT
- Sinclair Fleming, Lead Engineer – STARBREEZE STUDIOS
- Thomas “TJ” Wright, CEO – HORIZON HOVER (and former NLF player)
Thursday, 7/19/18, 6:00p.m. - 7:00p.m. | Venue: 5AB in San Diego Convention Center
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Dash, LiteCoin… Crypto Currency or Digital Currency or Digital Coin or Blockchain or whatever you want to call it is arguably the most talked-about topic in the ether right now. Beyond the speculation of altcoins, tokens, and ICOs, at the heart of it all is an innovative tracking technology that is now also impacting gaming, entertainment, animation, video, and everyday life. Come find out what is coming down the pike in the world of crypto!
- Moderator: Anthony Appollo - CELLARIUS / CONSENSYS
- Jonny Peters – CEO, GAZE COIN / DREAM FRAMES (film tokenization)
- Mike Dunn – CTO, ULTRA (Blockchain based games publishing platform)
- Patrick Dees – President, FAN CONTROLLED FOOTBALL LEAGUE / FAN TOKEN
- Brian Mac Mahon – CEO, EXPERT DOJO (Crypto Advisor)
- Evo Heyning – Strategic Development, FLUID BLOCKCHAIN ACCELERATOR
- Timothy “TimTayshun” Curry – Co-Founder & Blockchain Educator, BLOCKCHAINBTM (Bitcoin ATMs) and NewAfricaRadio.net / Regional Organizer, Coinfest
Friday, 7/20/18 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. | Venue: 23ABC in San Diego Convention Center
For generations – from Copernicus to Jules Verne to Elon Musk -- visionaries have offered their dreams of the future, and in doing so inspired mind-blowing innovation. An all-star panel of creators and innovators discuss their greatest influences and what they envision for our future.
- Eliza McNitt – Director, Spheres VR Experience, Oculus/Intel
- Dr. Carolyn Porco – Imaging Lead, NASA, Cassini Project – Star Talk All-Star
- Kiki Wolfkill – Kiki Wolfkill - Studio Head, HALO Transmedia and Entertainment / 343 INDUSTRIES / MICROSOFT
- Cliff Plumer – CEO, The Void (Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire and other experiences)
- Austin Wintory & Tony Lund – Co-Creators, A Light in the Void
- Jordan Vogt-Roberts – Director, Kong: Skull Island and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid
Saturday, 7/21/18, 3:30p.m. - 4:30p.m. | Venue: 24ABC in San Diego Convention Center
A diverse panel explores where Hollywood and technology are headed in 2018 and beyond. Celebrates the intersection of entertainment and VR, AR, XR and other cool technologies making the world a more exciting place.
- Moderator: Anastasia Staten - Executive Director, ESA FOUNDATION
- Chris Young – SVP, Entertainment Lab, NICKELODEON
- Ted Schilowitz – Futurist, PARAMOUNT STUDIOS
- Arvel Chappel III – Manager Emerging Technology, WARNER BROS.
- Nick Eisele – Associate Producer, Games & Virtual Reality, NBC UNIVERSAL
- Joanna Popper – Global Head of Virtual Reality, HP
- Tareng Sethia – VP Product Management –Digital, 7-11 / DEADPOOL 2
- Mark Harwood – Senior Producer, STARBREEZE STUDIOS
Saturday, 7/21/18, 5:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. | Venue: Room 5AB in San Diego Convention Center
Blockchain is rapidly changing the way that both developers and players interact with video games and esports. Learn how gaming gurus are pioneering new types of games and business models with this disruptive technology. And how gamers are making out big time owning and trading digital assets from games. Hear from the vanguard.
- Moderator: David Bloom, Gaming Journalist
- William Quigley - CEO, WAX
- Lee Jacobson – CEO, ROBOT CACHE
- Tony Shen – Product Lead, DECENTRALAND
Sunday, 7/22/18, 11:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. | Venue: 29AB in San Diego Convention Center
Dynamic and immersive virtual reality arcades are springing up around the world, as are eSports stadiums and studios. Location-based entertainment is evolving, and these panelists are leading the way.
- Moderator: Mark Murphy – Co-Founder, Future Tech Live! & Space Media Ventures
- Gregg Katano – VP of U.S. Operations, HOLOGATE
- Sinclair Fleming – Lead Engineer, STARBREEZE STUDIOS
- Guy Constantine – VP, Global Interactive Marketing, SKYDANCE
- Team Liquid
- Blizzard
Sunday, 7/22/18, 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. | Venue: 24ABC in San Diego Convention Center
What does it take to become a Pro Gamer – traveling the world and winning big at gaming and eSports competitions? How about a game designer? A programmer? This panel will give you the insights and inspiration to make your mark and even your livelihood in the world of gaming and eSports.
- Moderator: Anastasia Staten - Executive Director, ESA FOUNDATION
- Trey Smith – TEAM LIQUID - League of Legends
- TEAM LIQUID competitors
- Winter – TEMPO STORM - Fortnite
- Sicairos – TEMPO STORM – Fortnite
- Overwatch League players (2)
Sunday, 7/22/18, 2:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. | Venue: 24ABC in San Diego Convention Center
Inclusion and equality is a hot topic everywhere, and that includes the Tech and Gaming worlds. These sectors are making major inroads, and these panelists are part of the vanguard leading the way.
- Moderator - Anastasia Staten – Executive Producer, ESA FOUNDATION
- Kiki Wolfkill - Studio Head, HALO Transmedia and Entertainment / 343 INDUSTRIES / MICROSOFT
- Joanna Popper - Global Head of Virtual Reality for Location-Based Entertainment, HP
- Katie Kelly - Head of Engagement, AltspaceVR, MICROSOFT
- Eliza McNitt – Filmmaker / Director of SPHERES
- Lori H. Schwartz - Governor Interactive Media, ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
- Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia – Founder, WHIZGIRLS ACADEMY / CEO, PLAYWERKS / Faculty, USC
- Dianna Cowern – “PHYSICS GIRL” internet sensation
The event is in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni San Diego Hotel at 675 L Street, which directly faces the city’s Convention Center, home of San Diego International Comic-Con International, and is next to Petco Park stadium.
For more information about FUTURETECHLIVE! @ COMIC-CON visit www.futuretechlive.com
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