E3 is confirming a lot of internet rumors this week, and the Rock Band 2 soundtrack has been one of them. Before I get to posting the sprawling list of nearly 100 songs, I want to say it has been announced that not only will the DLC Rock Band 1 tunes you bought separately be able to make the switch to RB2, but you’ll also be able to export most of the original on-disc songs from the first Rock Band for play in the sequel. Seriously, how dope is that? Good looking out, Harmonix. I still remember the pain in the ass of switching back and forth between Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero 2 discs on PS2 depending on what song me and my buddies wanted to play. I really like the job they’ve done with turning Rock Band into a full-on jukebox, almost like a collection of tunes you can be proud of when comparing them to your buddy’s own unique Rock Band song collection. I dig how over the year my own library of Rock Band songs has become tailored to my own personal tastes, evolving with new tracks and weekly downloadable content to keep things fresh, instead of just bi-annual releases of themed expansion packs or whatever.

One last note: All the Rock Band 2 on-disc tracks are taken from the original masters, so thank god for that. Guess it helps to have MTV working with you on a game like this. Nice to know they’re still good for something. Anyway, enough commentary, here’s the goods.

Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:
Artist Song Title Decade
1. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
2. AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
3. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
4. Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
5. Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
6. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
7. Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
8. Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
9. Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
12. Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
13. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
14. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
15. Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
17. Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
18. Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
19. Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
20. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
21. Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
22. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
23. Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
24. Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
25. Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
26. Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
31. Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
32. Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
33. L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
34. Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
35. Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
37. Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
38. Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
39. Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
40. Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
43. Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
44. Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
46. Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
47. Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
48. Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
49. Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
51. Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
54. Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
55. Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
56. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
58. Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
59. Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
60. Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
61. Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
62. Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
64. System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
66. Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
67. Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
68. The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
69. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
70. The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
73. The Offspring “Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)” 1990’s
74. The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
76. Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
77. Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
78. Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
79. Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
80. The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
81. The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
82. Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
83. The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
84. That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s

Yes, you read it right. Announced today at the Square-Enix conference, FFXIII will be released simultaneously on the PS3 and 360 in North America. I’m sure Howard Brown will be along with the official press release soon enough, but I had to jump on this news while it’s still fresh. Even when it means posting from my girlfriend’s laptop with a busted touchpad and wonky space bar that makes me type like the Sheep Man from Murakami’s Dance Dance Dance (”FinalFantasyXIIIgoesmultiplatformandtheworldrejoices,yeah??”), going back over every sentence adding spaces after the fact. Hey, this is big news, it’s worth a bit of frustration.

Anyway, little known fact about Dylan Garret — I used to write for a very large and important video game website back in the day before it turned into a crappy shill for the industry that started changing all their “I”s to “We”s in articles, and still mod over on their message boards. And let me tell you, those message boards are blowing up right now. Sony fanboys feel betrayed, 360 fanboys are rejoicing, and the rest of us folks with calm, cool heads are watching the riot with smirks on our faces, occasionally taking the time to post that GIF of Michael Jackson eating popcorn from the Thriller video.

Personally, I’m all for whatever gets a game into the most hands possible. I get why Sony fanboys might feel betrayed — a lot of big reasons to own a PS3 have jumped over to 360 already, and today, probably the biggest reason to shell out the big money for Sony’s box has also jumped ship. But hell, if you already own a PS3, nothing’s changed. If you don’t, now you too get to experience Final Fantasy XIII. It’s win-win, guys. Let’s not be spiteful here.

Truthfully, I haven’t been all that psyched about FFXIII — looks too much like a desperate return to the zippers-and-pleather era of Final Fantasy, still trying to ride the success of FFVII over a decade later. I actually thought FFXII was the best new Final Fantasy to come out in a long time. I dug that the main character wasn’t some moody bastard whining about how he has to save the world despite his own chronic depression, that it was just some kid who kind of had nothing to do with the epic events going on around him, almost like an objective, sort of naive outsider view on the whole twisted world of war and international politics. The combat and dungeons could have used a lot more love (breaking down why would be a whole ‘nother article altogether), but I really dug the direction they were going with it. Now it’s back to spiky hair, latex, and motorcycles named Shiva, and I’m just not feeling that as much anymore, personally. I want Final Fantasy, not The Matrix.

That said, of course I’m still gonna buy the thing the day it comes out. Hell yeah. It’s a good day to be a gamer.

UPDATE: Looks like Howard Brown totally did beat me to the punch on this bit of news, but without my colorful commentary, so I guess I’ll leave this up as well. After all, it’s news so big, it deserves two posts.

EA Montreal’s Intense Two-Man Military Gameplay Continues with New Mode and Maps Available for Download

Montréal, Canada, April 18, 2008 – Calling all private military contractors! Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that its 3rd person co-op shooter, ARMY OF TWO™, is expanding its two-man combat experience by releasing the new Security and Strategy Corporation (SSC) Challenge mode and maps. The unique SSC Challenge mode has two teams of two competing in an intense obstacle course for the chance to join the SSC, the Private Military Corporation in ARMY OF TWO. The new maps will be available on April 24 in North America and Europe on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace. The download pack will also come to the PLAYSTATION® Store on April 24 in North America and May 2008 in Europe.

“We want to support our fans with new content that delivers on the two-man gameplay but with a unique twist,” says Alain Tascan, VP and General Manager of EA Montreal and Executive Producer of Army of Two. “The SSC Challenge gives players a chance to test their skills in a different setting while retaining the action packed co-op intensity that gamers have come to expect in Army of Two.”

Intertwined with over-the-top combat, feverish action and challenging obstacle courses, players will work as a team to race to the finish in the four new co-op maps. The team that completes the course with the most cash will be crowned the ultimate two-man military outfit. The SSC Challenge mode and maps will be available for $7.50 in North America and €4.75 and £3.80 in Europe.

New York, NY – March 11, 2008 – 2K Play, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. today announced two new titles as a part of its brand extension strategy for its highly popular Carnival Games series. The new titles include Carnival Games for Nintendo DS, which is scheduled to ship this summer, and Carnival Games: Mini-Golf, an all-new game exclusive to the Wii home video game system, which will debut this fall. 2K Play is also announcing that its flagship Carnival Games title has reached a milestone of shipping more than one million units worldwide, while remaining a top-selling game with a number 5 ranking on the January 2008 NPD Wii chart.

“The success of Carnival Games is proof that the casual game market continues to grow,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We are actively working to expand the 2K Play label and are committed to producing fun, quality games for the mass market with the Carnival Games franchise paving the way.”

“The consumer response to Carnival Games has been extraordinary,” said Steve Lux, vice president of business development for 2K Play. “The game resonates with every demographic and the feedback we have received from moms, dads, kids and grandparents shows Carnival Games as one of the drivers of family game time. Our new games build on the strength of the first title and will promote this growing trend.”

Carnival Games for DS brings the fun of the original to the world’s best-selling portable system during the summer vacation and travel season. Each game is designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the DS control mechanism. A frenzied combination of tapping, blowing, speaking and stylus maneuvering brings the now famous midway to life. Favorites such as Alley Ball, Frog Leap and Dunk Tank are complemented with fresh games including RC Raceway and Clown Hammer.

This fall, the all-new Carnival Games: Mini-Golf comes exclusively to Wii. Featuring Carnival Bob™ and characters made popular in the original, Carnival Games: Mini-Golf is home to larger-than-life, theme park style miniature golf courses. Whether back in time to the land of dinosaurs, keeping order in the Wild West or searching for treasure on an island full of pirates, the game combines traditional miniature golf fare with action-oriented game play utilizing the unique capabilities of the Wii Remote™. It is designed for four players and can best be described as “a hole in fun.”

“We work hand-in-hand with Nintendo on the design of our Carnival Games titles to make sure they deliver the best-possible gaming experience for their consoles,” said Harley Howe and Patrick Wilkinson, studio heads of 2K Play’s Cat Daddy Games. “These new titles in our growing Carnival Games franchise are fun, have true-to-life physics and deliver on the promise of the original: you can almost smell the cotton candy.”

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - March 11, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced it has shipped Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 to retailers in North America for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™ and PC DVD-ROM.

The new edition marks the first time that the world’s best-selling soccer video game franchise has exclusively used the Pro Evolution moniker in North America. While the name may be new, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 combines the attention to detail that has always been the series’ hallmark and has made Pro Evolution the world’s definitive soccer title for any format. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 contains a host of new features that will make this the most comprehensive version to date, including AI system TEAMVISON™, cutting-edge graphics, and an extensive Edit mode.

“Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 marks a major step forward for the most popular soccer video game franchise in the world,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “We pushed the envelope to make a title that captures all the subtleties and nuances of an actual soccer match. Next-gen capabilities such as the TEAMVISION AI system and photo-realistic graphics, along with a ton of licensed teams and leagues, combine to make this the definitive soccer game for fans and newcomers alike.”

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 shoots and scores with the renowned controls which create one of the most authentic soccer experiences in video gaming history. The new game boasts the revolutionary TEAMVISION AI system, a proprietary element that actively monitors the player’s onscreen movements and adapts accordingly, forcing players to consider their own strategic play more carefully. Other new additions include amazing attention to detail as faces contort and shirts crease during a match, extensive Edit modes in all next generation versions, and closer control than ever before.

Featuring real players, a large variety of licensed teams and a huge variety of stadiums, gamers will be able to re-create the same excitement that surrounds the world’s most popular sport. As with previous releases, the ball is treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots completely controlled by the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Dribbling control has also been enhanced, and a number of subtle moves have been added to bypass defenders in order to move the ball into space.

Marking the series’ first appearance on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system along with its second Xbox 360™ outing, these and the PC-DVD ‘Next Generation’ versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 are further enhanced by stunning aesthetic elements. Player features have been taken to incredible levels with full facial animation and the high-definition detail afforded by the hardware shows full movement and subtle details on the various uniforms during the course of a match. All ‘Next Gen’ versions will also benefit from an extensive Edit mode, allowing players to customize their Pro Evolution experience.

Adding to the authenticity, Portuguese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo will be the face of the latest version of the multi-million selling Pro Evolution Soccer series. Regarded as one of the most exciting talents of the modern game, the 22-year-old is a permanent fixture on the Portuguese national squad. His incredible ball control and trademark skills have seen him receive countless awards, including both the PFA’s 2007 Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (PS3 and X360 versions), $29.99 (NDS and PSP versions), $29.99 (PS2 version).

Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced the launch of Ratchet & Clank®: Size Matters on PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. This hugely successful title, which originated on the PSP®, has been in high demand by PlayStation 2 owners looking for a Ratchet & Clank game to play on their systems. Featuring a remapped control scheme, re-worked lighting and textures, and the addition of 2-player split-screen gaming, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters has been remastered to take advantage of the PlayStation 2 hardware.

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters find the pair on a much needed vacation, Ratchet and Clank’s rest and relaxation time is suddenly cut short as they find themselves lured into a mysterious quest. Following the trail of a kidnapped girl, Ratchet and Clank rediscover a forgotten race of genius inventors known as the Technomites. They soon uncover a plot more dangerous than they could have imagined. With hallmark Ratchet & Clank gameplay, upgradable weapons and customizable armor; players will shrink and enlarge to explore the inside of Clanks head or fly through space as Giant Clank.

A new feature to the franchise is head-to-head split-screen multiplayer games. Two players battle on one of four different maps in Capture the Flag or the team based Iron Lombax game mode, which finds players competing to accomplish unique tasks such as collecting Martian cows to create meat crates and fill delivery trucks, the first to fill their truck wins.

The multi-million unit selling franchise originated on PlayStation 2 in 2002 and has produced five sequels spread over PlayStation 2, PSP, and PLAYSTATION®3. With more than 47 million PlayStation 2 owners in North America, PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling gaming system on the market and continues to provide new and original content seven years into its lifecycle. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is a shining example of SCEA’s continued support of the system and its loyal fans.

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 11 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the release of Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam, the latest installments in the Buzz! franchise, available exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. As the follow-up to this holiday’s party hits, Buzz! The Mega Quiz and Buzz! Junior Jungle Party, Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam provide accessible gameplay for people of all
ages by utilizing the easy to use pick-up and play Buzz! buzzer peripherals instead of DUALSHOCK2 analog controller.

For the celebrity-obsessed, movie buffs and trivia fans, Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz brings a sophisticated, red carpet event “live” in your living room as players are cast as contestants in the ultimate Hollywood trivia event. Featuring over 5,000 questions on a number of topics including
Hollywood’s biggest box office hits and the lifestyles of its most glamorous stars, Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz is the perfect party starter that lets eight of your family and friends relive moments of their favorite feature films. With a simple push of the Buzz! buzzer, gamers and non-gamers alike can test
their tinsel town knowledge on new and improved round types including Rollover, Fact or Fiction and Hollywood Stars, and also experience all the glitz and movie magic through hundreds of celebrity images, film clips and more.

Ideal for the younger gamer in the family, Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam will bring kids, parents and grandparents together with its infectious and entertaining interactive gameplay. Featuring 24 brand new mini-games, Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam places players in a futuristic world where mischievous robots are sent to Robot Boot camp. Up to four players can pick up the easy to use buzzers and
compete in hilarious far-out tasks to see who will become the top cadet. Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam both require buzzers to play and are available bundled with the buzzers or as a standalone version offered at a lower price.

“The Buzz! franchise brings players of all ages together to test their skills as the fastest buzzer in the house,” said Jeff Reese, director, software marketing, SCEA. “Setting the stage for seemingly endless rounds of competitive fun, kids will be jumping off the furniture to be the best robot
in Robo Jam, while the entertainment hounds get their trivia on with Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz.”

VANCOUVER, BC — For the first time, the Vancouver Art Gallery will bring the worlds of anime, comics, cartoons, video games, manga, graphic novels and contemporary art together in one exhibition. Offering an innovative and dynamic survey, KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art reveals the uniqueness of each medium, while uncovering their histories, interrelations and future trajectories. On view from May 17 to September 7, 2009, the exhibition is co-curated by some of the art forms’ most influential artists and cultural producers, including Maus author Art Spiegelman, The Sims creator Will Wright, comic artist Seth and animated feature film director Tim Johnson. Conceived and developed by Vancouver Art Gallery senior curator Bruce Grenville, the exhibition will travel to a New York City arts institution in March 2009.

“The Vancouver Art Gallery is committed to fostering new and dynamic understandings of visual culture. With the exhibition KRAZY!, we seized a tremendous opportunity to forward the study of some of the world’s fastest growing art forms,” said Kathleen Bartels, director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “Despite the pervasive presence of these media, little has been done to assess the ties that bind them. By offering an interdisciplinary account in a major survey exhibition for the first time, we will illuminate their importance as a sustained cultural force.”

One of the largest exhibitions ever organized by the Gallery, KRAZY! will occupy two entire floors of gallery space and is designed in collaboration with Tokyo-based architectural firm Atelier Bow-Wow—a design team renowned for their understanding of informal culture and ability to enhance communal visual experiences. Divided into seven sections defined by medium, the exhibition takes viewers through ever-changing gallery environments, which include a mini-theatre for viewing animated cartoons and anime, immersive video spaces and innovative reading environments for visitors to experience a deluge of manga, graphic novels and comics. Built to ensure visitors are exposed to the full breath of the media, the exhibition comprises more than 600 artworks, including original sketches, concept drawings, sketchbooks, storyboards, production drawings, films, video games, animation cels, three dimensional models, sculptures, books, manga and much more.

The artists and works in the exhibition were selected by a group of co-curators, including Bruce Grenville, the exhibition’s coordinating curator and curator of the visual arts section; Tim Johnson, curator of animated cartoons; Kiyoshi Kusumi, curator of manga and anime; Seth, curator of comics and graphic novels; Art Spiegelman, curator of comics and graphic novels; Toshiya Ueno, curator of manga and anime; and Will Wright, curator of video games. Each curator was invited on the strength of their unique knowledge of their particular field, favoring practitioners, artists and cultural producers who are highly regarded for their work. Using their strong historical knowledge, each curator was asked to select a small group of artists who had made a significant contribution through a particular work or body of work. To give the overall selection historical context, curators selected precursors in their respective fields, artists who had established their given genres and artists who are leading the way to the future.

“The co-curators, who are also co-authors in the publication that accompanies the exhibition, are among the most active and sought-after practitioners in their respective fields. Despite their own vigorous workloads they shared their extraordinary insight and experience of this art,” said curator Bruce Grenville. “No one person could have selected the work in this show, but collectively we have drawn a new map of the world of visual culture.”

KRAZY! is a rare opportunity to see artworks that have shaped the history of contemporary visual culture, including Art Spiegelman’s drawings for the first three-page version of his Pulitzer prize-winning Maus; George Herriman’s last three drawings for Krazy Kat; Lotte Reiniger’s 1927 The Adventures of Prince Achmed, the first feature-length animated cartoon; a sneak preview of Will Wright’s groundbreaking video game Spore; and an extraordinary selection of drawings from Yuichi Yokoyama’s latest manga, New Engineering. The exhibition also includes works by Moyoco Anno, Lynda Barry, Marcel Broodthaers, Chester Brown, Cao Fei, Milt Gross, Pierre Huyghe, Ichiro Itano, Tim Johnson, Yoko Kanno, Satoshi Kon, Harvey Kurtzman, John Lasseter, Roy Lichtenstein, Christian Marclay, Winsor McCay, Sid Meier, Shigeru Miyamoto, Junko Mizuno, Mamoru Nagano, Claes Oldenburg, Mamoru Oshii, Katsuhiro Otomo, Nick Park, Raymond Pettibon, Seth, Iwatani Toru, Chris Ware, Masaaki Yuasa and many more.

American Express, the presenting sponsor of the Gallery’s landmark 2004 exhibition Massive Change: The Future of Global Design, partners with the institution again, providing the largest corporate sponsorship ever secured by the Gallery.

“American Express is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s KRAZY! exhibit, and to play a role in bringing this unique survey of contemporary visual art to the public,” said Denise Pickett, President & CEO, American Express Canada Inc. “We want to help enrich our diverse culture by supporting and celebrating a broad range of arts and culture, and KRAZY! offers a perspective on contemporary visual culture that gives us an opportunity to do just that.”

The Gallery also greatly appreciates the significant contribution provided by the exhibition’s supporting sponsor Vancouver Foundation.

The Curatorial Team

Bruce Grenville (Coordinating Curator and Curator – Visual Arts)
Bruce Grenville is senior curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery. He has organized many innovative exhibitions, including Massive Change: The Future of Global Design an exhibition which described a new world of design in which the goals and means of production had radically changed for the better; The Uncanny: Experiments in Cyborg Culture, a thematic survey of the image of the human machine in art and popular culture from the early 19th century to the present; and The Post-Colonial Landscape Project, a six year series of exhibitions and a book which examined the land and its representation within the colonial and post-colonial state.

Tim Johnson (Curator – Animated Cartoons)
Tim Johnson is an animator and feature film director. He made his feature-length directorial debut in 1998 with DreamWorks first computer animated feature, Antz (1998), starring the voices of Woody Allen, Sharon Stone and Sylvester Stallone. His most recent film, Over the Hedge (2006), was both a critical and commercial success and further solidified Johnson’s reputation as one of the preeminent animation directors in Hollywood.

Kiyoshi Kusumi (Curator – Manga and Anime)
Kiyoshi Kusumi is a freelance writer and cultural critic. He was formerly the editor-in-chief of the Japanese art journal, BT Magazine. Kusumi is currently the editor of the Japanese manga magazine Comickers and is credited with identifying and naming the Nouvelle Manga movement. He is an established art critic and cultural theorist and is considered a global authority on manga.

Seth (Curator – Comics)
Seth is the pen name of Gregory Gallant, a Canadian comic book artist and writer. Considered one of the best cartoonists of the past decade, Seth’s distinctive style has been featured in The Washington Post, Details, The New York Times, Spin and The New Yorker. Drawn and Quarterly has published his work in both comic book and graphic novel format and he has contributed cover illustrations for a diverse range of publications, including Fantagraphics’ best selling Complete Peanuts series.

Art Spiegelman (Curator – Graphic Novels)
Art Spiegelman is an American comic artist, editor and critic, best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning comic memoir, Maus. Spiegelman has been instrumental in the development of the comic medium, both for his support of emerging comic artists and for his role in creating a broader acceptance of comics as an art form. Spiegelman is currently the editor of a children’s comic anthology, Little Lit, and has recently completed a compilation of his New Yorker submissions called Kisses from New York.

Toshiya Ueno (Curator – Manga and Anime)
Toshiya Ueno is a sociologist, media theorist and critic who lives and works in Japan and Amsterdam. He is currently an associate professor in the Expressive Cultures Department at Wako University, Tokyo. He has written numerous articles, essays and reviews on media, rock/pop music, film, contemporary art, architecture and urban design.

Will Wright (Curator – Video Games)
Will Wright is an American computer game designer and co-founder of the game development company, Maxis. He is best known for creating groundbreaking and genre defining computer games like SimCity and The Sims. His upcoming release, Spore, is the most highly anticipated computer game of the past decade and the game’s scope and level of player interactivity are expected to revolutionize the video game industry. He is considered an industry pioneer and one of the most influential and innovative designers of our time.

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 4 – Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the North American release of God of War(R): Chains of Olympus, exclusively for PSP. Collaboratively developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s Worldwide Studios, Santa Monica Studio and Ready at Dawn(R) Studios, the acclaimed development team that brought you the best-selling Daxter(TM) for PSP, the highly-anticipated God of War: Chains of Olympus combines stunning graphics, intense action and an intricate new storyline that delivers yet another tale
of epic proportions from the dark and brutal world of Greek Mythology.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, God of War: Chains of Olympus is set to deliver everything that fans have come to expect from the God of War franchise.

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a prequel to the first installment of the franchise, and begins with Kratos embarking on a journey across mysterious new environments that are engulfed in darkness and completely untouched by mortals. The Gods have been rendered powerless from the state of their world, leaving Kratos with only one choice — he must square off against the most vicious of demonic creatures from Greek Mythology and choose between saving his soul or the ancient world from imminent and total destruction. Armed with a set of brand new combat moves, magics and weapons that compliment existing favorites, players must lead the Spartan Warrior through foreboding environments, while unraveling story-driven puzzles and battling creatures from the dark underworld. Packed with intense action, epic backdrops and set pieces, and a new captivating storyline, God of War: Chains of Olympus delivers an engaging gameplay experience from start to finish, emblematic to that which fans have come to expect and love of the franchise.

2K Sports today announced that the highly anticipated baseball simulation title, Major League Baseball® 2K8, has gone gold and is now ready for production for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii™ home video game system. Available on March 4th in retail stores nationwide, Major League Baseball 2K8 offers dedicated fans the opportunity to enjoy exciting and expanded features to provide the most fun and realistic baseball simulation experience available.

Major League Baseball 2K8 will revolutionize player control this year with brand-new pitching, fielding and baserunning, as well as a completely overhauled batting interface. To bring fans closer to the action than ever before, Major League Baseball 2K8 features authentic Major League Baseball and Minor League™ stadiums that have been completely redesigned for accuracy, complete with the detail and specific architecture of each ballpark and city.

Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, the best announcing duo in baseball video games, are back in the booth to deliver the deepest commentary available, providing insightful analysis of each ball and strike. Other in-game features include a totally unique trading card system, robust Minor League system including 90 playable minor league teams, all-new Signature Style™ animations complete with home run celebrations, and much more.

Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, will be available in retail stores March 4, 2008, for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, PSP (PlayStation Portable), and Wii.