What We Hope To See From Nintendo's E3 Livestream

It's E3 time! Tomorrow Nintendo is holding their live stream event starting at 9AM PST with information on games we've been waiting desperately for and the promise of the announcement of new games to come. The so far unseen Zelda for WiiU is going to be showcased, and a large focus is going to be on Smash Bros. for WiiU and 3DS. It's no secret that Nintendo has been having fiscal problems, part of which they plan to solve by creating a line of figurines that you can link to your games a la Skylander or Disney Infinity, but Nintendo's success has always been in its ability to delight its fans not with gimmicks but with games that are truly fun, epic in scope, and full of character. I may not work for Nintendo, but I am pretty sure we I what Nintendo needs to work on to get back on track:

A New Metroid Game: Whether first person or side-scrolling, Nintendo has been sorely lacking recently in titles starring everyone's famous bounty hunter Samus Aran. Set in the backdrop of space, hunting space pirates and solving the mystery of the jellyfish-like metroids, her adventures are truly worthy of a new installation. Retro Studios proved that Metroid could be pulled off well in first-person, but taking a cue from all the Metroidvania indie projects out there I'd even enjoy a retro side-scrolling Samus adventure. Like Zelda, Metroid is one of Nintendo's darker franchises, and it would be great to see Nintendo flex its creative muscles to bring this fantastic series into a new generation.

A New Starfox Game: If you believe this leaked Document listing Nintendo's titles being showcased at E3, this may soon be a reality! Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy have been languishing on Corneria, and it's about time for their return. An HD version of Star Fox on WiiU would probably be one of the most beautiful titles the system would produce, and the 3DS would loan itself well to Star Fox, giving players the option to use traditional or gyro controls and allowing for three-dimensional combat with friends over Wi-Fi. It's time to get mad at Slippy again!

A Brand New Franchise: Pikmin came out in 2004 to great acclaim, and while perhaps Nintendo would be reluctant to put their faith in a new product considering their financial straits, some new blood might just be what Nintendo needs to reinvigorate their image. Nintendo is nothing if not inventive, and probably has all kinds of ideas floating around just waiting to be developed. Be brave, Nintendo!

More Co-Op Games For 3DS: My poor 3DS is just dying for new games that I can play with my friends. Mario Kart 7 has been usurped by Mario Kart 8, and though Smash Bros. is coming out soon, there simply aren't enough co-op options for the delightful handheld. Streetpass and Pokemon are all well and fine, but the handheld has so much potential for real-time fierce multiplayer matches or engaging co-op with each player having their own screen. Consider perhaps a Mario game that has four player co-op like its WiiU's Super Mario 3D world over wi-fi, or (I say again) Star Fox space battles. Help me get my game face on, Nintendo!

A Console With Less Gimmicks: We're not likely to see it this E3, but how amazing would it be to have Nintendo go back to the basics with their consoles, pumping in a little more power and having standard controllers as default (I still think the N64 controller was the best). Perhaps then it would be easier for Nintendo to re-attract the third party games that they desperately need to provide a much-needed source of income. I admire Nintendo's inventiveness and do feel that it has a place, but this really ought to be secondary to creating great software. Also, playing Mario Kart 8 with a wii-mote and nunchuck just doesn't feel natural.

Localize Mother 3: This is reaching a bit. Fans of Earthbound have been dying for Nintendo and HAL Labroatory to release this Japanese-only cult-classic in the North American market. Written by Shigesato Itoi and directed by Nobuyuki Inoue, Mother 3 is the sequel to the wildly popular RPG Earthbound, a game with deceptively light themes that is also emotionally resonant and philosophical. Fans who have played the sequel's online fan translations say that it is even more profound than its predecessor, so shut up and take my money, Nintendo and HAL!

More Donkey Konga: Who doesn't love bongos? Louie Louie by the Kingsmen? I'm shocked that Nintendo hasn't released a bongo peripheral for WiiU yet considering how vastly popular this franchise was. Bang and bong along to you favourite B-list songs from the 90s and general obscurity with Donkey and Diddy Kong. Step 1: Bongos. Step 2: ???. Step 3: Profit!

Agree? Disagree? Anything else you think Nintendo needs to work on? Comment below!

The Frenetic and Spirited Animation of "Caveirão"

Well now I definitely want to visit Brazil. This short film by Guilherme Marcondes, also known in English as "The Master's Voice," combines live-action, 2D and 3D animation to create one of the most energetic and beautifully bizarre short films I've seen in ages. Chock-a-block with all sorts of fantastic creatures, this short took over two years to make and has its own dedicated website which describes the film as follows:


"Shot in São Paulo, 'Caveirão' imagines the secret night activities of that city's spirits. Inspired by the darker side of Brazilian pop culture, the film crosses over genres and techniques. Fantasy, horror and cartoon meet through live-action, 2D animation and 3D vfx."

The animation of the spirits is something to behold, so full of energy and life, you want to believe they're real. The way they dance, play dominoes and music, and haul around creepy giant carnival heads is simply uncanny. The live-action character of The Master, a sinister-looking police officer who comes out at night to banish the spirits, is well-acted and interacts convincingly with the animated characters on screen. I enjoyed the subtle narrative underpinning the action, the scene at the end raises questions that intrigued me, and though I have my own speculation as to his origin, I'll leave it up to you to play with on your own. An amazing short film with over-the-top visuals and memorable characters; I look forward to seeing what comes next from Guilherme and his team of magicians!

For a behind the scenes look at the production of this amazing short, check out its website. You can follow Guilherme on Facebook and Twitter.

Why You Should Love Bee & Puppycat

Released by Frederator Studios on their Youtube channel Cartoon Hangover in 2013, Bee & Puppycat, the brainchild of Natasha Allegri, hit us like an umbrella shot to the nuts: sudden, surprising, and sweet (don't judge me). The two episodes released had fans begging for more, and after a very successful Kickstarter campaign, the show is going to be released as a series in the Fall of 2014. I couldn't be more excited to have more zany and emotionally-resonant episodes of the show enter my face holes, and since the internet loves lists, I decided to list the reasons why you should be excited too.

If you live under a rock and have not seen the original webisodes, check them out on Youtube.

1. Bee: All heart but no Grace, Bee is a down-on-her-luck twenty-something year old who can't hold down a job but still has the kindness to take in the stray Puppycat. She is an unwilling hero who, nevertheless, demonstrates great bravery when thrust into dangerous situations. Also, she has cute dresses.

2. Puppycat: Is he a cat? Maybe a dog? Nobody really knows, but what we do know is that he does temp work in fishbowl space and tells a story about a space outlaw which might be less fictional than he cares to admit. Though he often seems grumpy, he too has a heart of gold, and perhaps comes to Bee because he recognizes the good nature of her heart - or that she's plum broke.

3. Temp Work Adventures: You can bet that in the new season Bee and Puppycat will be going on all sorts of adventures in fishbowl space and beyond to score some sweet ca-ash. Perhaps next instead of consoling a sad fish they'll groom a persnickety sea lion? What's great about the temp work formula is the unlimited scope of the possible adventures Bee and Puppycat can find themselves in when the show starts up again in the Fall, though I expect we'll find out more about Puppycat's mysterious past and see some crazy adventures relating to it.

4. Monster Battles: The second episode of Bee & Puppycat gave us a preview of the Sailor Moon-esque action we can look forward to in future episodes. The monster that comes out of Wallace is demented and terrifying, proving that this show isn't all candy and poop jokes! Plus, Puppycat can turn into a freaking laser. I personally hope Bee continues to use her sword not as a sword.

5. The Zany Humour Of Natasha Allegri: Natasha is a talented lady who before the glorious success of her Kickstarter previously worked as a character designer on Adventure Time, and was responsible for designing the wildly popular gender-swapped versions of Finn and Jake, Fionna and Cake. In many ways, Bee seems to be a mirror of Natasha, or at least the way Natasha portrays herself on her Tumblr. She is lightly self-disparaging, while also revelling in her own eccentricities. Also, she has a cat named Pancake, so there's that. This show is her baby, and like a cute kitten video on the internet is both adorable and menacing in its power to move you. Kudos, Natasha!

6. The Voice Of Allyn Rachel: Bee's voice is somehow friendly, sardonic, lively, and depressed all at once, and it's thanks to this wonderful actress that I now truly believe in the power of lasagna to cure a broken heart. She brings life to one of the more vibrant female characters in cartoons, managing to somehow be both down to Earth and larger than life, and for that she definitely deserves recognition. Also, she screams funny.

7. Things Bee Yells: "I GOT YOU SOME ICE FOR YOUR CROTCH! I'M SHOVING THE CROTCH-ICE UNDER THE DOOR!" and "AAAH HAD A BAD DREAM! AND YOU WERE THERE! AND THE LASAGNA'S GONE!" and "Noooo... no no no no no no NO... I don't LIKE THIS OUTFIT!" and "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DOOOOOO!"

and of course...

8. You took too long: now your candy's gone... that's what happened. WU-POW!

Bee & Puppycat's new season is well into production, and you can watch a production update introducing the entire creative team and new voice actors (including internet celebrities Ashly Burch and Hannah Hart) on Youtube. Keep an eye out for new Bee & Puppycat episodes this Fall!

Betrayal at House on the Hill Review

Today's blog post can be found on Mike Raven's The Blog of Thog. Mike's a tabletop enthusiast and humorist, and I leapt at the chance to write a piece for his blog while he's on vacation.

I picked up Betrayal at House on the Hill after seeing Wil Wheaton and company play it on an episode of Tabletop by Geek & Sundry. I've played it a few times now, and really enjoy it - though it's not without it's flaws. Check out my review:

Good Times at Haunted Hill High.

Watch Tabletop to see it in action:

The Banner Saga Giveaway!

The good folks at Stoic read our review of The Banner Saga and in their infinite wisdom offered us four Steam keys to give away!

The Banner Saga is a PC game based on Norse mythology. With a gorgeous animated art style, atmospheric music, and challenging tactics-based battles, The Banner Saga is the very definition of epic. Lead your caravan through the wilderness in uncertain times, but beware that the decisions you make could have long-lasting ramifications for your people. Forge new alliances and slay your enemies in this excellent new strategy game from Stoic.

To gain entries, all you have to do is "like" us on Facebook and / or follow us on Twitter, and you can earn one extra entry per day by tweeting about the raffle. The contest ends on June 18th at midnight. Just use the handy-dandy Rafflecopter widget below to enter - good luck!

You can follow Stoic on Facebook or Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Amazing Everything of Scott C.

Amazing Everything: The Art of Scott C is the name of a collected edition of Scott Campbell's work. It is also a proper descriptor of said work. The guy is just plain awesome, even Jack Black says so in the intro to the book:

"I loves me some Scott C. His paintings are like precious little gems. So cleverly and skillfully executed. Touching and hilarious."

Well put, Jack. Scott C's work is undeniably charming and more than a little whimsical - the happy-go-lucky attitude of his work is infectious. I mean, just look at these guys on the right, they're adorable, right? Wrong! They're killing machines, just look at those unicorns blobs rip into those rainbows with unbridled abandon! It's Scott C's kind eye which paints these terrifying creatures in such a pleasant light, it is his gift - to see nothing but the best in people. Or perhaps he has a magic pen that does that. Regardless, Scott C is a gift to the world with his pop-culture iconography and cheerful scenarios that we should all meditate upon to become happier people, a goal which Scott says in his book that he has always been conscious of:

"I was not a tormented soul that must paint to stay sane. I had a Leave it to Beaver upbringing with a pleasant family. I just liked to make jokes and be happy... I like making people laugh and point and nudge one another."

Ghostbusters print made for the 30th anniversary of the franchise. Click to enlarge.

It's refreshing to have an artist who is not only talented and untormented but also deeply rooted in the nerd zeitgeist. He worked for years in the video game industry, developing the world and characters for Double Fine's Psychonauts and Brütal Legend before branching out and becoming a juggernaut of charming art in his own right. He paints primarily in watercolours, a process, he explains in his book, is as relaxing as the art itself:

"Why do I use watercolor? Because it enables me to have a muted and noncommittal palette with an airiness that relaxes me. My colors start out quite faint, but as I gain more confidence, the colors become more vibrant and contrasting. I start out by doodling on sheets of scratch paper and scanning them into the computer to compose in Photoshop. I have grown accustomed to the Undo button. I print the compositions out and trace them onto my watercolor paper like magic."

Adventure Time, come on grab your friends!

The airiness he speaks of permeates his entire body of work. The lines he paints are defined yet wavy, and his use of watercolour adds levity in the way his colours bleed and waver in density through his backgrounds and characters. It's a very distinctive style that blends the nuances of high art with the wackiness of cartoons. The overall theme of his work is generally one of cheer and general childlike imagination. When he's not painting a smiling Ghostbusters' Stay Puft or any of his movie/tv-land brethren, he's creating worlds in which have comically overcomplicated umbrellas, baby carriage cannons, cross-sections of amusement park-like homes for mummies and soldiers, actual amusement parks for skeletons and zombies, a floating bar for sea monsters, and of course, lumberjacks. His work has all the feel of a child dreaming up the coolest thing he can think of with the artistic sensibilities of a slightly larger child (which of course I mean in the most complimentary way possible). As adults we so often lose our sense of childhood play, and it is precisely that feeling of nostalgia which Scott C is able to tap, allowing us to remember what it felt like to lie on our stomachs in the kitchen sketching dinosaurs battling tanks.

With three published comic collections, two children's books, and a slew of commercial clients including Criterion, Laika, Macmillan, New Line Cinema, Nickelodeon, and Vice Magazine under his belt, it's a wonder Scott gets any personal painting done! Yet amazingly he still has time for his own projects. One subject Scott C loves to work with are characters from movies and television portrayed in true Scott C happy-style. One of his larger ongoing endeavours, Great Showdowns, is a series of amazing pop-culture paintings on the topic of conflict in movies and television showcased online, that have since been published in two separate volumes and is still going strong. In an interview with comicbookmovie.com, Scott C explained where the idea came from:

"The Great Showdowns began at the very first annual Crazy4Cult group exhibition at Gallery 1988 in 2008 or so. All the the artists created work inspired by cult films. I just started drawing my favorite films... Usually just people standing there with each other from films that I dug. I liked how they looked just standing there enjoying each other and I liked the idea of all these little moments of tension being seen as a group like a party... I created 10 of these showdowns for that show and super enjoyed it, so I made 10 more for the show the following year.. And eventually, I started the website as a way to motivate myself to make them on a more regular basis and have them easily accessible to people. And that's how it all went! An epic tale." ¹

Epic indeed. Scott C is able to take what we all love about pop-culture and truly make it his own. It's inspiring to see enemies transformed into best buds, and seeing a new showdown pop up on my feed always brings a smile to my face. While deceptively simple in its scope, this series is great because it reminds us that there is always a chance for peace and reconciliation even in the most destructive of conflicts. Who knew you could learn something AND have fun?

I really love the work of Scott C because he's not afraid to show off his inner cute and create art that reflects a happier side of life. If we were more like the characters in his paintings, the world would be a much radder place. He is a cool dude that everybody should check out because he is amazing and he'll make your life exponentially better just because you know OF him.

You can follow Scott C on his primary website Pyramid Car, his separate site for Great Showdowns, or on Twitter.

^{1. [Comicbookmovie.com: EXCLUSIVE: Interview With THE GREAT SHOWDOWNS Creator And Artist Scott Campbell]↩}

Don't Feed The Penguin!

I certainly won't be feeding penguins anytime soon after watching this extraordinarily trippy short animation by the French animator Alenka Krizenecky. I knew I was in for a treat when a maki roll in the film had a mayonnaise poop and then flashed a maniacal grin. Krizenecky describes her wicked film thus:

"Jo is an employee at a 24/7 Asian food court. On this particular night, while business is slow, he kills time by eating. When a maki he is about to eat warns him about a penguin, he turns slightly paranoid."

That's an understatement. You can feel the florescent light in the food court burning into your retinas. I enjoyed the way Krizenecky plays with perspective and skewing the characters proportions, creating a surreal environment not unlike Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The sketchy quality of the animation is suggestive of an unfinished drawing which can be erased and recreated at a moment's notice, and this works well with the various hallucinations Jo experiences in his hyper exhausted sushi state. A psychotic masterpiece!

Nerd Speaker loves finding new short animation pieces to watch! Feel free to suggest your favourites in the comment section.