Gamer’s guide to Comic-Con: Here’s what to watch next week

The Witcher (10:00am – 11:00am)

Meet the some of the developers behind the hotly-anticipated The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and see the first live consumer gameplay demonstration.

Shonen Jump: Naruto (10:00am – 11:30am)

Find out the latest news in the popular Naruto manga, anime, and video games, with representatives from Bandai Namco games taking part in the panel.

Halo: Nightfall: A First Look (11:45am – 12:45pm)

Meet the cast, crew, and producers of Halo: Nightfall, the upcoming live-action series from 343 Industries and Scott Free Productions set in the Halo universe, and be among the first to learn about the story and production.

Evolving the League of Legends Experience (1:00pm – 2:00pm)

Sit down with the team from Riot Games as they share insights and swap stories about working on their ever-changing mega-hit, League of Legends.

Beyond Clichés: Creating Awesome Female Characters for Film, TV, Comics, Video Games, and Novels (2:00pm – 3:00pm)

Industry insiders from various media discuss the past, present, and future of creating female characters, with a focus on the tropes and stereotypes that frequently trip creators up.

Blizzard Entertainment Showcase (2:15pm – 3:15pm)

Blizzard SVP of Story and Franchise Development Chris Metzen and others share some of the coming year in the company’s various blockbuster franchises.

The Inspiration that brought Far Cry 4’s Kyrat to Life and the Quest for Everest (3:15pm – 4:15pm)

The team at Ubisoft shares a behind-the-scenes look at the research that went into creating Far Cry 4’s Himalayan open world. Panelists will also share details about the Quest for Everest contest to send one lucky fan to Everest.

ASIFA-Hollywood: Animation in Video Games (4:00pm – 5:00pm)

The International Animated Film Society hosts this panel of artists to discuss the particular challenges and possibilities of animating for video games.

The World of Capcom (4:45pm-5:45pm)

A panel of Capcom staffers will share the latest updates on the company’s games, including Ultra Street Fighter IV, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Dead Rising 3, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and Monser Hunter Freedom Unite.

The Fusion of Art and Style in Sunset Overdrive (5:00pm – 6:00pm)

Xbox’s Major Nelson and the team from Insomniac Games share some of the creative process that went into their colorful new open-world action game, Sunset Overdrive.

Firefly Online: Bringing Back the ‘Verse (6:30pm – 7:30pm)

The creative team at Quantum Mechanix and Spark Plug Games will share the first public demonstration of Firefly Online, their upcoming MMO and the first officially-licensed game based on Joss Whedon’s beloved sci-fi western.

What Can Video Games Teach (6:30pm – 7:30pm)

Developers and educators discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of video games and how they relate to education.

Inside the Voice Actors Studio (7:00pm – 8:00pm)

A panel of industry-leading voice actors and directors, including Andrea Toyias, voice director for World of Warcraft, will lead a practical discussion and workshop about techniques, studio protocol, and audition advice.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection Panel (10:15am – 11:15am)

Join producers from 343 Industries along with Halo 2’s original multiplayer designer, Max Hoberman, to discuss the their upcoming compilation of the four numbered entries in the groundbreaking FPS series.

Deep Silver/Square Enix Arcade (11:00am – 2:00am)

Square Enix and Deep Silver are teaming up to share some of their upcoming games with the public in this all-day event at the Whiskey Girl restaurant. You’ll be among the first to get your hands on titles like Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call, Hitman: Sniper, Metro Redux and Sacred 3.

Bandai Namco Games Fighting Panel (12:00pm – 1:00pm)

Tekken series director Katsuhiro Harada and a special guest will discuss all things Tekken, with a focus on the upcoming Tekken 7. They will also show off the new Rise of the Incarnates.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (12:30pm – 1:30pm)

Noted Tolkien scholar Janet Croft will lead a panel of the game’s creative team, including lead voice actor Troy Baker, in discussing the gameplay, and innovative approach to player-driven narrative in Monolith’s upcoming RPG.

Heads Will Roll! Assassin’s Creed Unity Demo and Q&A (2:00pm – 3:00pm)

Learn about Arno, the mysterious protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Unity, and be the first to hear some new announcements for the franchise’s future. The session will also debut an animated short from Rob Zombie and The Walking Dead co-creator Tony Moore, inspired by Unity.

Battlefield Hardline: A Visceral World of Crime and Revenge (2:30pm – 3:30pm)

The executive producer and creative director from Visceral Games will be joined by some of the leading television writers they worked with to infuse their cops and robbers shooter with the spirit of TV crime dramas. They will share new footage focused on the single player campaign and the game’s gritty narrative.

Digging E.T.: Behind the Scenes of the Xbox Originals Documentary, Atari: Game Over (3:30pm – 4:30pm)

Xbox’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb will moderate this all-star panel including Atari’s founder, the game designer, producers Simon and Jonathan Chinn, and director Zak Penn as they share a first glimpse at the Microsoft-produced documentary that chronicles the mythical 1983 burial of Atari’s universally panned E.T. video game, and its recent unearthing.

The Art of Video Games (4:00pm – 5:00pm)

After the success of Mass Effect: Redemption in 2010, Dark Horse Comics has been growing their stable of licensed comics and deluxe art books based on popular video game franchises. This panel will share all of their upcoming work in the worlds of Zelda, The Witcher, Plants vs. Zombies, Dragon Age, Halo, Tomb Raider, Mass Effect, and more.

Wonder Women of the 21^st Century: Female Protagonists (4:00pm – 5:00pm)

Creators of various disciplines will discuss the challenges and obstacles to creating relevant female protagonists in male-dominated entertainment industries.

Street Fighter! (5:00pm – 6:00pm)

Capcom luminaries, including Street Fighter franchise producer Yoshinori Ono, will share the latest news of the storied franchise, including upcoming updates for Ultra Street Fighter IV, details about the Capcom Pro Tour and December Finals, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist web series.

Three Flavors of Zombie: Expanding the Universe of Dead Island (6:00pm – 7:00pm)

Producers and developers from the whole Dead Island series will share details about the two newly announced games, Dead Island 2 and Escape Dead Island, along with how all three games fit into a larger universe.

How to Get a Job in Video Games (6:45pm – 7:45pm)

Capcom’s Francis Mao will lead a panel discussion and Q&A with professionals from various areas of the video game industry, from art and design to business and production, with networking opportunities to follow.

Evolution of the Action RPG (7:00pm – 8:00pm)

Blizzard North co-founder and Diablo designer David Brevik headlines this panel discussion of the past, present, and future of the action-RPG genre of games, followed by a Q&A.

Nerdist Gaming (7:30pm – 8:30pm)

Nerdist Gaming editor Malik Forte and guests will discuss the anything and everything to do with the state of gaming culture and the industry, looking forward to everything coming in the next year.

Mega64: Episode Part Seven Panel-May the Fourth Be with You (8:00pm – 9:00pm)

The whole gang of Mega64 comedy video makers will be up to their usual shenanigans and discussing their comedic legacy.

Marvel Video Games (12:30pm – 1:30pm)

Marvel has games of nearly every genre for every platform. Meet the developers and learn the latest developments in games like Disney Infinity 2: Marvel Super Heroes, Marvel Avengers Alliance, Marvel Pinball, and X-Men: Battle of the Atom, along with some entirely new game announcements and a surprise special guest.

Defiance (1:00pm – 2:00pm)

Meet the cast and crew of Syfy’s multiplatform series/MMO and discuss the world-shaking changes transpiring in the second season.

Charting a Course: Developing the Next Mass Effect (2:00pm – 3:00pm)

Developers from the Edmonton and Montreal studios will discuss their experience so far in pushing the beloved franchise into exciting, new territory while remaining true to the spirit of the original trilogy.

Creative Careers in Entertainment (2:30pm – 3:30pm)

Professionals from film, television, games, visual effects, and web businesses (including Blizzard Entertainment’s Scott Campbell) will discuss the ins and outs of creative careers within their various fields.

Monster Hunter (3:30pm – 4:30pm)

Capcom staffers will share features and insights into Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, coming out early next year for Nintendo 3DS.

E-Sports: How to Become a Pro Gamer (4:30pm – 5:30pm)

With the explosive popularity of MOBAs, e-Sports have had a huge year in gaining international recognition, but the path to pro status is still less than obvious. Pro gamers and commentators will share their insights about how to make your way into the field and what the future might hold for it.

Sequential Visual Storytelling: The Art at the Heart of Comics (& Film, TV, Games, etc.) (6:00pm – 7:00pm)

With the mainstream ascendance of geek culture, comics have provided a common vocabulary for striking visual storytelling that has permeated all media, including games. Former Marvel Comics executive editor Carl Potts and artist Whilce Portacio will lead a seminar based on Potts’ new book about the techniques of visual storytelling that can be learned from comics.

Video Games and Our Future: We’re All Gamers (6:30pm – 7:30pm)

Coming out of their adolescence, games art poised to become the dominant medium of the 21^st century. This panel of developers and critics will discuss the past, present, and future of gaming, and how it is infiltrating every area of culture.

Gaia Online (7:00pm – 8:00pm)

Meet the staff (including Princess Angelishia) of Gaia Online, the anime and gaming social network, for fun and prizes.

StreetPass San Diego (10:00am – 11:00am)

Meet the gamers who run one of the largest Nintendo 3DS meet-up groups in the country and learn how you can get in on the fun.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (1:00pm – 2:00pm)

The next entry in the hit LEGO games series will take Batman and over 150 characters from the DC universe well beyond Gotham to various Landern worlds to battle Brainiac and more. Meet some of the designers and members of its stellar voice cast, including Troy Baker and special guest star Adam West.

Nerdist News Live (2:00pm – 3:00pm)

Mass Effect 3’s Jessica Chobot joins the Nerdist News team to fill you in on the latest breaking news in film, TV, comics, gaming, and tech.

Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and The Battle That Defined a Generation (2:30pm – 3:30pm)

Reminisce about the days of Sonic vs. Mario with Blake J. Harris, author of the book that shares this panels name, along with employees of both Sega and Nintendo and the producer of the upcoming Console Wars documentary.

Business of Cartoon Voices (3:00pm – 4:30pm)

Voice actors, directors, and agents will lead this seminar on how to break into the business of doing voices for animation and video games.

The Battle for Multicultural Heroes (4:00pm – 5:00pm)

A diverse panel of geek experts will discuss the opportunities and challenges for bringing greater cultural diversity into gaming, comics, film, and TV.

Nintendo Gaming Lounge

Stop by the first floor San Diego Ballroom of the Marriot Marquis & Marina Hotel for all things Nintendo. Try out newly-released and upcoming titles like Super Smash Bros. forWii Uand 3DS, Hyrule Warriors, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Kart 8, Yoshi’s Wooly World and Bayonetta 2. Nintendo will also have a booth on the Comic-Con show floor dedicated entirely to Super Smash Bros. for 3DS. There will also be a Super Smash Bros. 3DS tournament at noon on Friday in the Lounge.

Xbox Gaming Lounge

The nearby Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel will be host to the Xbox Gaming Lounge for the entire Con, where you can stop by to play upcoming games like Sunset Overdrive, Evolve, The Evil Within, Project Spark, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime and Forza Horizon 2. Microsoft will also be teaming up with Major League Gaming to host a series of walk-up-and-play tournaments at the Lounge, where anyone can take part in a professionally commentated tournament.

Thursday, July 24: 

Forza Motorsport 5 (11:00am – 1:30pm)

Titanfall (2:00pm – 6:00pm)

Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26

Forza Motorsport 5 (11:00am – 1:30pm)

Titanfall (2:00pm – 8:00pm)

Sunday, July 27:

Killer Instinct (11:00am – 5:00pm)

The Assassin’s Creed Experience

Across the street from the convention center at the Martin Luther King Jr Promenade you’ll be able to test your assassin agility with an obstacle course themed after the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Unity. Ubisoft’s new chief parkour officer Michael “Frosti” Zernow will be on hand to help you navigate challenges like roof-running and a 25-foot “Leap of Faith.”