If you haven’t been to Comic-Con for awhile, be prepared. Unlike years past, where the convention floor was filled with small dealers and independent operators, nowadays if you don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to throw at the convention, dealers are probably better off staying at home.

The reason is…with the uber popularity of the convention, many industries that wouldn’t have thought about attending the convention now pay for a lot of space on the floor. I noticed it a few years ago when I saw a lot of video game companies starting to set up shop…but now it’s gotten to another level.

While last year I got a few emails about video games being in San Diego…this year it seems like every company has a booth and is bringing stuff to premiere.

But while most companies will struggle to get interest from the fickle fans, Capcom is throwing down a big gun that's sure to cause lines and pandemonium on the convention floor….they’re bringing some Street Fighter 4 arcade machines from Japan! Yup, the folks at Comic-Con will be some of the first outside of Japan to play the new game in an arcade environment.

While I don’t know if you’ll have to stack your quarters like it’s the early 90’s to get in on a game…I do know the demand to play this will be huge. I’m already dreading the lines.

For more info on what Capcom is doing at Comic-Con, here’s the press release I was just sent. More info as I get it.

Leading video game publisher, Capcom, proudly presents one of the biggest booths at San Diego Comic Con this year with over 1800 sq. ft. of interactive displays, exclusive merchandise, gaming tournaments, celebrity appearances, and special events that are sure to thrill their diehard fans in the massive Comic Con crowds.

Foremost is the full-size, 20'x20' boxing ring that holds ten Street Fighter IV arcade units from Japan. Comic con fans will be among the first gamers outside of Japan to play this much anticipated sequel to the best-selling fighting game franchise of all time as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Meet Capcom's product managers, developers, and staff daily as they share with you all that Capcom has to offer!

The Games!

Be the first to play advance demos of the hottest new Capcom games coming out in the remainder of 2008 into 2009 including:

Bionic Commando

Bionic Commando: Rearmed

Dark Void

MotoGP 08

Mega Man 9

Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Neopets

Flock!

Plunder

Capcom Mobile games

Exclusive trailers:

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil: Degeneration CG movie

SF IV CG animated mini-movie trailers

- plus, some surprise game demo and trailers!

Celebrity Appearances:

- Yoshinoro Ono, David Crislip

- Ben Judd

- Andy Diggle

- Kristen Kreuk

- Justin Marks (SF movie, BC comic book)

- Top comic book artists that contributed pieces to Udon's Street Fighter Tribute Book including Adam Hughes, J. Scott Campbell, Mark Brooks, and more!

- Mega Man

- Bionic Commando or be a lucky fan to wear the BC arm yourself! 

 

Events:  

• SF IV Tournaments every morning at 11am, register early as soon as the show starts to get a berth to compete.  
• SFIV Tournaments at 3pm on FRI, SAT and SUN afternoons.
• Grand Tournament at 3pm on SUN  
• Prize: Exclusive limited edition SFIV Chun-Li action figure  
• Daily "Making of SFIV" presentation by Ono-san  
• Calling ALL SF cosplayers! SF Cosplay parade and contest on Friday at 2:30pm - winner personally chosen by Ono-san. Prize = Chun-Li statue

Panels:

THU 7/24, 3:15-4:15, Room 6 CDEF

The Making of Street Fighter IV featuring Ono-san, Crislip.

FRI 7/25, 2-3pm, Room 2

Capcom Presents: How to Get a Job in the Video Game Industry with Capcom insiders as well as industry vets.

SAT 7/26, 6-7pm, Room 2

The Making of Bionic Commando and Bionic Commando: Rearmed featuring Ben Judd, Andy Diggle, Justin Marks, and meet the BC himself!  

Capcom Store:

- Limited Edition SFIV Chun-Li statue by SOTA Toys, supervised by Ono-san himself, limited to just 700 units made > 400 for sale ($100) at CC, rest for promotional use.

** Also 3000 mini statuettes for sale ($10).

- Street Fighter Tribute Book: Featuring over 300 pages of original SF art celebrating the 20 year legend of the franchise featuring artwork by top names in the comic book industry including: Adam Hughes, J. Scott Campbell, Mark Brooks and more. Limited editions printed and only available at CC or Udon booth.

- Limited prints of Street Fighter Tribute Book artwork signed by artists for sale as Capcom booth

Sneak Peeks : at upcoming Capcom licensed products including:

Prototypes of BC and SFIV action figures by NECA

Cool Giveaways when you Demo Capcom Games:

Exclusive SFIV Ryu headband

SFIV poster

Bionic Commando poster

Dark Void frisbee flyer

Capcom lanyards

Capcom mints

Capcom character tattoos