Gamestart Asia 2019 - The Cool and Awesome Games (and Mead!) to Look Out For!

Gamestart Asia, the region's premiere gaming convention for both hardcore gamers, casual gamers and industry players kicks off tomorrow for the 6th and probably, final time.

Red Dot Diva attended the Media Preview and had a peek of the show hall, which had a look and feel in tune with this year's theme “Asian Mythology”. Of course, the e-sports competitions like the SEA Major, will be the major highlight of the weekend, as well as the games in all its varied forms for fans to try out and play - tabletop, mobile, console, arcade, VR. You name it, the show has it. 

Some of the show's highlights and guests have already been mentioned an earlier RDD article (click here to read it), but there are even more exciting and fun things to look out for in the exhibit hall.


DISNEY/ MARVEL BOOTH

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Disney/ Marvel's booth is the first thing you will see when one enters the hall, and it is brightly dressed with the trademark superhero colours of your favourite Marvel comic book characters.

This is the place to have a look at MARVEL Super War, the company's first MOBA game, where you can choose to be a superhero character, like Captain Marvel, the Hulk or Deadpool, and battle with your friends online.

At 2 PM on 12 October (Saturday), The Walt Disney Company will be making on the main stage with the Special Game Showcase. So, don't miss this segment if you love Disney/ Marvel characters!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - David Mack Returns, Lineup Includes Jim Mahfood, John Layman, Tik Ka and Koh Hong Teng

The guest list for Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 is getting better and better!

In the latest news on the pop-culture convention's guest lineup, there will be fan favourites returning to Red Dot Island, like David Mack, Mirka Andolfo, and James C. Mulligan, as well as first-timer guests Jim Mahfood, Alexander Iacarrino and John Layman together with Asian-based creators Koh Teng Hong, Peach MoMoKo, Tikka from the East and Michael Sng.

DAVID MACK
It is always a joyous time of year when David Mack decides to return to our local comic convention. He has built up a loyal fan base in this region, and his booth is always busy!

David Mack is well known as the creator of the KABUKI graphic novel series, and as the co-creator of Marvel character Echo from the Daredevil comics. His beautiful brush strokes can be seen in varied and high profile projects like JESSICA JONES, FIGHT CLUB 2 and FIGHT CLUB 3, AMERICAN GODS, and Dynamite's new series released this year, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS.

David was also involved with the exceptional, Emmy-nominated opening title sequence for Marvel TV Series “JESSICA JONES”, as well as the concept design, artwork and sequence for “CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER” together with with Sarofsky Designs. Fans of Showtime series “DEXTER” will be familiar with his art in the Early Cuts episodes, and noticed a his recognisable artwork featured in the series episodes.

Gamestart Asia 2019 Announces Guests including Takashi Tokita and Luna Lorrain

As announced earlier this year, 2019 will be the last iteration of homegrown gaming convention, Gamestart Asia. The show has been taken over by Germany company and event organiser Koelnmess.

From 2020 onwards, gamescom, the industry largest event measured by exhibition space and number of visitors, will hold its Asian version in Red Dot Island's Suntec Convention Centre. The festival will be a four-day event, with industry segments, e-sports, product showcases, and special guests as well as the usual cosplayers.

This year's Gamestart Asia's theme is “Asian Mythology”, and some guests have already been announced for the exciting event that will be taking place in about two weeks' time on 12 & 13 October 2019. Check out the guest list below:

TAKASHI TOKITA

Takashi Tokita is a game developer with Square Enix, the company that publishes very popular games titles like the Final Fantasy series and Kingdom Hearts.

He was graphic director and co-wrote sub-plots for the role-playing game Chrono Trigger. For the survival-horror game Parasite Eve, Takashi Tokita was both director and writer. He is also the creative director for Tokyo RPG Factory's latest game called Oninaki.

Takashi Tokita will be on the main stage on 12 October, where he will share more about his projects and experience in the gaming industry.

Watch the launch trailer for Oninaki:

Makoto Shinkai's Latest Movie "Weathering With You" Premieres in Singapore on 6 September 2019

After the astounding international success of the body-swapping, time travel love story “Your Name” in 2016, fans of Makoto Shinkai have been looking forward to enjoy more imaginative tales and dreamy landscapes in his signature style.

“Weathering With You” is Makoto Shinkai's latest animation masterpiece. In the long awaited movie, the city of near-future Tokyo is facing an unusual deluge of rainstorms. Hokada, an underaged runaway tries to look for a job and ends up as an intern in a publication that investigates strange phenomena, one of which is a story about "sunshine girls". He meets and befriends one of them, Hina, who is able bring on clear skies through prayer. Both of them decide to use and monetise her superpowers... but surely, there is a price to pay for that?

When the movie was released in Japan earlier this year, it raked in takings of over USD100 million (10.7 billion yen) at the domestic box office, officially making it the biggest Japanese film domestically since “Your Name”. It has also been chosen as Japan’s entry for the best international feature film category at the 2020 Oscars.

“Weathering With You” has since been released in Hong Kong and Indonesia, and has topped box offices in the opening week in both countries.

Singapore audiences need not wait too long to experience another of Makoto Shinkai's enigmatic tale of young love unfolding in stunning, photorealistic backdrops. The Singapore premiere of “Weathering With You” (organised by film distributor Encore Films), will be held at Capitol Theatre this Friday, 6 September.

Hardcore fans can be one of the first to watch “Weathering With You” at this special event on 6 September, before the official theatrical release on 12 September 2019. All they need to do is buy the tickets at this link. At the cost of SGD 55 per ticket, fans will also be able to redeem exclusive movie premiums, like the transparent umbrella and notebook as seen in movie, an A2 movie poster and invite card. Seats are filling up fast, so get your tickets pronto!

Here's the trailer for “Weathering With You”:

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019: More Guests Announced - Sarah Andersen, Fishball, Donny Cates and Yasmine Putri

The rebranded Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) that will be held Marina Bay Sands' Convention Centre on 7 & 8 December 2019, is ramping up the excitement with an interesting, varied guest list!

So far, the headlining guests include comic book artist fan favourites like Greg Capullo and Jock. The convention will also be welcoming Transformers artist Livio Ramondelli, upcoming artist Creees, illustrators Tara McPherson, Joey Spiotto and Prema-Ja, as well as cosplayers Jin (BehindInfinity) and Astarohime.

This week, SGCC announced a new initiative called "WORK IN PROGRESS (W.I.P.)" for South-East Asian creators. There will be more details on this at the end of this article.

The convention also welcomes even more wonderful guests to the local pop-culture event of the year. They are:


SARAH ANDERSEN

You would most probably have seen Sarah Andersen's quirky webcomic called SARAH'S SCRIBBLES, which features a googley-eyed, introverted girl and her struggles in daily in life. Sarah's observations on the minute details on every day moments like going to a bathroom, the weird things pet cats do, dealing with the summer heat and life's anxieties are spot on.

Sarah Andersen's work of art are also available in books, like HERDING CATS, BIG MUSHY HAPPY LUMP and ADULTHOOD IS A MYTH.

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Livio Ramondelli, Joey Spiotto, Creees, Prema-Ja and Cosplayer Jin Join the Guest List

More guests have been announced for major local pop-culture event Singapore Comic Con (SGCC), which is scheduled for 7 & 8 December at Marina Bay Sands' Convention Centre.

Adding to the list of well-known comic book guests announced in the first round, like artists Greg Capullo and Jock, a few more interesting personalities will be joining the convention for a whirlwind weekend of meet and greets, and panels held live on stage.

Here are the latest guest announcements:

LIVIO RAMONDELLI

Livio Ramondelli is best known for his work on IDW's Transformers comics series, where he has done both covers and interior artwork. He is also a long time fan of the Transformers, so will be able to talk shop with fellow fans about the popular Autobots and Decepticons.

His other comic book work include Dark Horse's Star Wars series and Dynamite's Battlestar Galactica comics, as well as Pacific Rim for Legendary comics.

Livio Ramondelli's art style is detailed as well as cinematic, especially in terms of the lighting. So, Red Dot Diva is not surprised to learn that he has also worked on concept art for Victory Hill Productions’ upcoming Transformers Experience in Shanghai, DC Universe Online for Sony/DC Comics.

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 Announces Greg Capullo, Jock and Tara McPherson as Guests, But No More VIP Tickets!

New name, new branding, new dates. ReedPOP Singapore has decided to shake things up in the local pop culture scene this year, having shifted the rebranded Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) to 7 & 8 December, instead of its usual spot in September. The pop-culture convention has also moved back up to the first level of Marina Bay Sands' Convention Centre.

Those are not the only things that ReedPop has decided to change for this year's show  - there will not be any VIP tickets available for sale for Singapore Comic Con. Fans who were looking forward to the VIP package, which included fast passes and exclusive loot, were rather disappointed. As in most of life's decisions, there are pros and cons to deciding on any option, and in Red Dot Diva's opinion, for most attendees, the VIP package has not offered a far better experience than a normal ticket anyway. However, there are early entry add-ons for those who want to head into the show hall 30 minutes earlier than the official opening time.

Here is SGCC's response regarding the VIP tickets:

Eager to ramp up excitement for the comic convention, the first batch of guests was announced a few days ago, and Wow!! -- they all meet the local geeks' stamp of approval! The list includes Greg Capullo, Mark Simpson aka Jock, and Tara McPherson.