If there’s one factor I sit up for yearly, it’s attending San Diego Comedian-Con. Final 12 months’s occasion was a little bit of a drag as a result of results of the Author’s Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, however this 12 months, Comedian-Con was again in full pressure, and each Google and Samsung had separate experiences to indicate off new cellular video games and the newest smartphones.
I made a decision to take a break from wandering the exhibit ground and attending panels for content material like Alien: Rogue Incursion and “Hazbin Lodge” to take a look at what Google and Samsung needed to provide and to see if I might win any cool swag.
Google took me to new heights
Google’s expertise was all concerning the Play Retailer, which has been present process some fascinating modifications. There was a reasonably lengthy line and an enormous Ferris wheel exterior the conference middle. The expertise was to advertise the Marvel Contest of Champions recreation, which is on the market now on the Play Retailer. Whereas ready in line, attendees might play the sport at stations arrange with Android telephones, selecting a personality to battle and hopefully win in opposition to a number of characters on a quest map.
After that, you wait in line a bit longer to take images with cardboard cutouts of some Marvel characters earlier than hopping onto the Ferris wheel. With the recent San Diego solar beaming over me, I used to be, thankfully, capable of enter the a lot sooner VIP line with a Hero Cross, accessible to Play Factors customers with Silver standing or increased.
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I admit this was my first time on a Ferris wheel, so I used to be fairly nervous. Nonetheless, it wasn’t significantly large, and it nonetheless gave me some good views of the conference. It didn’t take me lengthy to get snug (though I’m certain I might nonetheless get nervous on a much bigger Ferris wheel). Whereas using the wheel, the emcee would name out the names of characters that matched the person gondolas, indicating which riders would win particular prizes after the trip was over.
Stepping off the Ferris wheel, I used to be handed a cool pin and directed to the exit on the best. To the left, nonetheless, was the world the place you may choose up prizes in case your gondola was chosen. Among the many prizes are sun shades, a water bottle, a bag, and a hat. I didn’t get a prize, however hey, perhaps subsequent time.
Galaxies and giveaways
Samsung’s Comedian-Con expertise wasn’t as thrilling, nevertheless it certain was flashy and likewise centered on a cellular recreation with the chance to win prizes. Sport of Thrones: Legends is a puzzle RPG that allows you to battle characters by matching jewels and utilizing particular character assaults. For those who’re into puzzle video games and like Sport of Thrones, this is likely to be for you.
The area was appropriately embellished like a scene out of “Sport of Thrones,” together with a chair the place you may sit and have your photograph taken. Samsung had tables the place you may sit and play the sport utilizing varied units, together with foldable telephones like what I assume was the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
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After taking part in the sport a bit and ready in line, I crammed out a type asking about Android telephones, Galaxy units, and the newest Galaxy AI options. Samsung gave the impression to be gauging curiosity in its new telephones and options, with one remaining query inquiring about worth (the brand new Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 had their costs elevated by $100).
After signing up on a Galaxy pill, I attempted my hand at a claw machine the place I might win Funko Pop collectible figurines. I additionally didn’t get a prize, however an emcee was additionally selecting folks in line to reply questions on Samsung units (“What are the newest Samsung units known as?”), providing extra probabilities to win prizes.
Google undoubtedly had the flashier setup, on condition that it had a complete Ferris wheel arrange in entrance of the San Diego Conference Heart that even lit up at night time. But, the expertise wasn’t too centered on selling Google merchandise like Pixel units or options—it was concerning the recreation and Play Factors.
This was an fascinating distinction to Samsung’s expertise, which was a bit out of the best way from the principle Comedian-Con space. And whereas Samsung’s expertise was technically about Sport of Thrones, the questionnaire and setup have been closely centered on boosting consciousness of Samsung’s units and options, which is smart given the corporate simply launched a slew of recent units.
Nonetheless, it was fascinating to see each firms with a presence at Comedian-Con, and I’m excited to see what they do at subsequent 12 months’s occasion.
