Comic-con is geek heaven, the place that everyone who owns a Transformer toy, Watchmen graphic novel or Starfleet uniform aches to be. A few years ago, Capcom decided that we needed to take part in these shenanigans and have been slowly but surely growing our presence at the show ever since. We’re back again this year, with tons of special events, limited edition goods and promotional items, producer-packed panels and games, games, games! Schedules, special guest appearances, booth design and more after the bounce...

Take a gander at the latest rev of our Comic-con booth layout. This is approximately version 957 of the booth, and we’ll prolly get to at least an even 1000 before July 22, but we feel good enough about the general design to share with you (just don’t show up and whine if things move around a smidge in actuality).

Central to all Capcom activities in the booth is the mighty Ring, our 20x20 boxing ring. There will be a number of things happening in the ring throughout the show, including hands-on demos of  Tatsunoko VS Capcom Ultimate All-Stars, Fate Unlimited Codes and Marvel VS Capcom 2. We’ll also be running mini-tournaments from Wednesday Preview Night all the way through close on Sunday. Show up early in the morning to sign up for the daily tourneys for TvC and MvC2 and you might just walk away with some great Capcom schwag! Above the ring are three hanging 50” monitors, which will allow the crowd to observe your every move and cheer/mock you during the tourney, based on your performance.

To the front right of the Ring is a signing table. We’ll be running autograph sessions with Capcom luminaries like Kawata-san (producer, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles and co-producer of Resident Evil 5), Eshiro-san (producer of Ace Attorney Investigations), Takeuchi-san (producer of Lost Planet 2 and co-producer of Resident Evil 5) and a few other of our Japanese luminaries. We’ll also be hosting artists from Udon’s various Capcom comics as well as a few other frakking awesome celebs that we’re not quite ready to announce yet.

Left of the Ring is the all-important Capcom store. I’m not going to ruin Darin’s surprises in advance, but we’re going to have a number of unique Comic-con exclusive items on sale at the store. Darin’s also going to be bringing over some neat stuff from Japan, as well as new goods from licensing partners like Udon, United Cutlery and SoTA. Don’t forget: the infamous Capcom Grab Bag (also affectionately known as the “Capom Big Bag o’ Crap”) will be available in limited numbers during the show. $20 will net you a mystery grab bag of… stuff. This bag will usually include some games, a t-shirt, comic books and other random Capcom promotional material that you literally would not be able to buy anywhere else. Every bag is different, every bag a winner! Darin will be posting a bit closer to the show with his full menu of store items that will be on sale. My advice: if you’re visiting San Diego and are a fan of Capcom, bring an extra suitcase. And a stack of $20s.

Within the confines of the booth proper, we’re going to have plenty of game stations. We’re working on a comfy area where you’ll be able to hook up with other avid hunters for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite multiplayer sessions (it’s much easier to take on the beasties with buddies, kids). We’re finally going to have playable code of Ace Attorney Investigations, which makes up for the distinct lack of Edgeworth at E3. Two groups of four players will be able to tackle the gigantic Salamander boss in co-op Lost Planet 2. Dark Void will be there in a big way, both in terms of the four game stations and the awesome jetpack display. We’ll probably have a dude in the Will costume walking around, too, so make sure to stop for a picture. If you’re over 17, you will be able to go hands-on with Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, and the new direction we’re taking lightgun zombie blasting arcade action. We’ll have our new Wii game, Spyborgs, on display, with tons of 2 player co-op smashing and bashing. Finally, Capcom Mobile will be in full effect to show off their new wares, complete with the return of the inexplicably sexy Where’s Waldo girls.

But wait, the Capcom fun doesn’t end on the show floor! This year, we’ll be running four – count ‘em! – panels during the show. These panels are pretty close to being 100% confirmed, but we reserve the right to cancel any of them for any crazy (Swine Flu) reasons we might dream up between now and then.

THURSDAY, JULY 23 - 3:15–4:15 CAPCOM 2009 Lineup – Join Capcom's premiere producers as they present sneak peeks at the most anticipated games of the year featuring Jun Takeuchi  (Lost Planet 2),  Morgan Gray (Dark Void),  Daryl Allison (Spyborgs), Motohide Eshiro (Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth), and  Masachika Kawata (Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles). Moderated by Capcom-Unity.com's Seth Killian. See exclusive gameplay footage and behind-the-scenes making-of features followed by a Q&A session!
 
FRIDAY, JULY 24 - 2:30–3:30 CAPCOM Fighting Games – Capcom fighting fans unite as our game producters present first looks at the hottest new fighting games for the year featuring Rey Jiminez  (Marvel vs. Capcom 2),   Kazuhiro Tsuchiya (Fate: Unlimited Codes), and  Ryota Niitsuma (Tatsunoko vs. Capcom). Moderated by Capcom-Unity.com's and SFII champion, Seth Killian. See exclusive gameplay footage and behind-the-scenes making-of features. Plus, we'll pull a couple fans onstage for an impromptu Marvel vs. Capcom 2 tournament to show off your mad skillz and earn big Capcom prizes! All followed by a Q&A session!

FRIDAY, JULY 24 - 5:00-6:00 LOST PLANET 2 – Capcom presents an indepth, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most anticipated games for the PS3 and Xbox 360 featuring premiere producer,  Jun Takeuchi direct from Capcom Japan, joined by Frank Filice and Shawn Baxter of Capcom.  Moderated by Francis Mao. See exclusive gameplay footage and making-of features. Plus, we'll pull a couple fans onstage for an impromptu Akrid hunting session to win some exclusive Capcom prizes! All followed by a Q&A session!

SATURDAY, JULY 25 - 10:00-11:00 How to Get a Job in the Video Game Industry – Capcom presents an insider's look at how a video game is made from concept through development and marketing featuring a panel of Capcom professionals that will explain what they do in the whole process, and most importantly–how they got their job in the video game industry so you can gain insight for your own possible entry into the business. Featuring Motohide Eshiro (Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth), Mona Hamilton, Mike Webster and other Capcom staff.  Moderated by Francis Mao. Includes an indepth Q&A session

Oh, if you’re a card-carrying member of Capcom Unity, flash your Unity Rewards Card and you’ll be able to jump the lines at the Ring and signings, have priority seating at our panels AND receive a 10% discount on every purchase from the store. W00t!

As we get closer to the show, we’ll be posting a full schedule for you to print out and carry around in your back pocket during your days in beautiful downtown San Diego. Seth, Shawn and I will all be there at various times, so make sure to stop by and say “Hi!” I don’t care how busy we seem, we’ll always have time to shake hands with any members of Team Unity. Hope to see you there!