Disney made a huge push for Tron Legacy at SDCC 2010, Disney Interactive included. From their iPhone app featuring trailers and a full fledged online multiplayer reimagining of the Tanks game from the original Tron arcade game to the upcoming console Tron Evolution games, Disney Interactive is really pushing the Tron Legacy experience. I was on hand to check out all of this at their replica of Flyyn’s Arcade from the original movie north of the Convention Center. Getting in entailed either waiting in line for a long time, or using the ComiTRON check-in feature to get a ‘golden ticket’ to get in.
First, I got to see the entry room they set up, which contained a bunch of 80s arcade games, including Centipede, Donkey Kong, and of course the original Tron game. Also set up were demos of the Tron Evolution games for for 360, PS3 and Wii, using new Tron designed controllers for the games.
The 360/PS3 version is an action/adventure game, blending 2 particular types of gameplay. There’s action/adventure type gameplay that itself blends Prince of Persia-esque platforming and God of War-esque hack and slash combat, using both your fists and your disc weapon in combat to attack enemies. The other gameplay consists of high-speed motorcycle chases, as you ride down the highway at high speeds, using your disk weapon to take out other riders and avoiding fire from enemy ships. The game looks stunning, and will also come with a 10 player multiplayer mode that wasn’t demoed on the show floor.
However, the Wii game may be the most promising one of all, as it is a fun update to the light cycles game, mixed with some elements of Mario Kart. You are in a light cycle in an arena, and you speed up by holding down 2, brake using 1, steer slightly by tilting left and right, turn 90 degrees by tapping left and right, can do a wheelie to speed up by holding up, can drift and use a temporary shield by holding down which accelerating, jump by tilting back, and enable/disable your light trail by tapping A. This brings a lot of depth to a classic game, while keeping the same core gameplay perfectly intact. This game could promise to be a big multiplayer sensation when it releases later this year.
Finally, I sat down with Jeff Nuzzi of Disney Interactive to talk about their iPhone app. The free app already features an update to the classic Tron tanks game with an online multiplayer mode, but the app will be getting more updates with not just more Tron: Legacy content, but with more games, including some light bike games.
Between the whole Flynn’s Arcade and prop setup, Disney put on a fun attraction for those lucky enough to get in, and Tron Evolution certainly shows a lot of faithfulness toward its license.
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