I’ve been to my fair share of events. I’ve been to open bars, I’ve been to events with music and, of course, I’ve been to events with games.
However, I have never been to an event like the guys behind Champions Online, Cryptic Studios, are able to pull off. Sure, it wasn’t special because of the weak mojitos and cosmopolitans (renamed “Mindslayer” and other goofy superhero-themed drink names), and it sure wasn’t for the silly competition. (Journos could play the PvP of Champions Online in a competition for a Champions-branded snowboard.) It was for one amazing, awesome, and fantastic little band that played that night, Peelander-Z.
Part of the event entailed the absolutely batsh*t band from Japan (via New York) coming out on stage to play music that in no way is related to Champions Online, Cryptic, or the game’s publisher, Atari. (Okay, so they did chant “We love Atari,” but that was it). Anyway,with songs like “Mike,” “Ninja High Schoooool,” and “What the Health,” this band puts the stupid insanity in rocking out.
Did I forget to mention that a pink Power Ranger runs around, acting as merch girl and spotlighter extraordinaire, highlighting the junk of each band member? Or how the lead singer is missing numerous teeth and rocks out with a wilted Japanese accent, a full yellow outfit, and a shaved head, save for two neon-yellow pigtails? What about the dude dressed up as the squid monster? Or the Congo line? The human bowling? Or how about how local East-Bay psychobilly rock band, The Phenomenauts, showed up randomly to a press event to rock out?
Yeah, this was pretty much the best press event that I have ever been to. Sure, there was the actual game, Champions Online — we’ll write about that in a bit — with my full hands-on and Q&A with Chief Creative Officer, Jack Emmert. But let’s be real: That all pales in comparison this most effing insane of bands. Don’t believe it? Check out the pictures!
