The annual Con of Con’s kicked off last night in San Diego with their Wednesday preview night. Over the next 4 days San Diego convention centre plays host to the hottest names in comic books, fantasy and sci-fi fiction authors, TV shows, movies, gaming and general geek/nerd culture. In 2014 San Diego Comic Con held over 700 separate events throughout the city including hotels, the Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park and of course it’s massive convention center of which the exhibition hall is over 460,000 square feet alone.
A regular exhibitor during the annual event is of course the Microsoft Xbox team and this year they’ve put together a superb line-up for those willing to venture across to the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel (a five minute walk from the convention).
And of course we’ve started to see announcements already reaching us here fresh from SDCC including a new Transformers Devastation SDCC trailer.
If you are in San Diego this weekend or simply interested to know what Xbox related fun you could have been having whilst mingling with A list celebrities, then keep on reading.
The Xbox Lounge has over 90 gaming stations for fans to get hands on with upcoming titles including Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, Forza Motorsport 6, Tom Clancy’s The Division, and Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. Everyday throughout the convention the team on hand will be running daily Xbox One tournaments, shoutcasting, celebrity appearances, signings, and more. The Halo 5: Guardians fans at the show should make sure to also check out a new Warzone map that will be revealed at the Xbox Lounge via a massive 6′ x 6′ map constructed by Mega Bloks.
The Xbox Lounge is located in the Manchester Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom and is open during the following times:
- Thursday, July 9: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 10: 11 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 11: 11 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 12: 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Highlights include: Halo 5: Guardians “Breakout” Comes to Life, Xbox Tournaments Powered by ESL, Halo 5: Guardians at the Xbox Booth (#100 in SDCC) and The Gathering of the Laras (cosplay event). For the full list of programming at the Xbox Lounge, check out the official Xbox events schedule.
Hands-on gaming, celeb events—this year’s #Xbox Lounge has it all. Visit us at #SDCC: http://t.co/I8suV5JQQS pic.twitter.com/AGE7bMZBWs
— Xbox (@Xbox) July 9, 2015
If can’t make it down to the Manchester Hyatt then make sure you at least drop by the Xbox Booth in the convention center for daily giveaways. 
Of course the biggest draw for many at San Diego Comic Com is the 1000’s of panels held across the four days located on and off site around the convention. Not wanting to miss out Microsoft and varios developers and publishers can be found holding talks in the following locations on the following days:
A Rare Chit Chat: Past and Future
(Room 24ABC: Thursday, July 9, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Join developers from legendary game studio Rare as they celebrate 30 years of creating hits like Battletoads, Banjo-Kazooie, and Perfect Dark. Explore the origins of classic titles, see how the Rare magic continues to shape future projects and meet the team behind some of gaming’s best-loved icons as they prepare for upcoming release of Rare Replay.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition: The Art of Improving on an Xbox Classic
(Room 6A: Thursday, July 9, 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.)
Reigniting the passion and fervor of Gears of War fans, Xbox and The Coalition take fans behind the scenes of the fan favorite franchise – re-imagined and reloaded for Xbox One. The panel will feature Rod Fergusson (Studio Head, The Coalition), Peder Skude (Sr. Game Designer), Kyle Gaulin (Cinematics Director), and Bonnie Jean Mah (Narrative Director).
https://youtu.be/Zn-h5D0_LhI
Hunt For the Truth: Following the Trail of the Halo 5: Guardians Story
(Room 6BCF: Friday, July 10, 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)
Join 343 Industries and special guests as they examine the compelling and prolific storytelling in and around Halo 5: Guardians. This panel will bring new insight into the mysteries surrounding the Master Chief, and sneak peeks of the stories we have yet to tell. Q&A session following.
The World of Albion – The History and Future of the Groundbreaking Fable Series
(Room 5AB: Friday, July 10, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Game Director David Eckelberry and Lead Designer Alex Skidmore talk through the evolution of the pioneering Fable series. Fable’s latest incarnation – Fable Legends – is no exception, bringing cross-platform play and 4v1 multiplayer, whilst maintaining the popular attributes of the franchise that players have come to love.
The Evolution of an Icon in Rise of the Tomb Raider
(Room 25ABC: Saturday, July 11, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Join key leads from the award-winning Crystal Dynamics development team – including Camilla Luddington (actress and voice of Lara Croft), Rhianna Pratchett (lead script writer), and other surprise guests – to discuss the journey of one of the most iconic characters in entertainment history.
Building the Halo Universe with the Collectible Mega Bloks Series
(Room 24ABC: Sunday, July 12, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
A worldwide fan-base of passionate players building an epic universe beyond gameplay. With over 65 million Halo game titles and over 35 million Mega Bloks Halo sets sold, some of the world’s most hyper-engaged fans are bringing the Halo universe to life through construction, helping to shape this legendary world in their own way. Fans can expect teasers of the new Mega Bloks Spring ’16 line and a look back at the history of Halo and Mega Bloks, info on how the games become builds with behind-the-scenes stories and making-of moments, why Halo chose Mega Bloks, and what’s next for both brands.
There are many other panels during the event with more big named developers and publishers offering up insights into newly released and upcoming games. For more information or to plan the rest of your Comic Con experience head to the official Comic-Con schedule builder.
And just when you thought things couldn’t get more exciting! Whether you’re at San Diego Comic-Con or following along at home, Xbox giving you a chance to win a collectible Xbox One.
At SDCC: Be sure to check out the custom consoles on display at the Xbox Lounge. You’ll need to tweet or post your favorite console on Instagram with #XboxSweepstakes and #SDCC for your chance to win.
RT for a chance to win a @GearsofWar #XboxOne. #XboxSweepstakes #SDCC Rules http://t.co/9upnBapmSI pic.twitter.com/YypJSfNxyF
— Xbox (@Xbox) July 9, 2015
At home:
Xbox owners who didn’t make it to San Diego also have a chance to enter from home. Keep your eyes peeled for the sweepstakes on your Xbox Live homepage over the weekend for details on how you can also enter.
Are you in San Diego this weekend for Comic Con? If so please let us know what you think of the convention and if you manage to get your hands on any of the games in the Xbox Lounge.
