Cubed3 Visits London MCM Expo Page 1

Cubed3 Visits London MCM Expo

24.06.2011

The MCM Expo is a weekend event that makes itself home in ExCeL London twice a year. There, gamers, comic book, manga/animé and science fiction fans, among others, gather to celebrate all things that could be considered nerdy. Many people dress up in cosplay, while others are just there for the fun of it. On 28th May, Cubed3’s Calum Peak, Shane Jury and Stuart Lawrence went along to join in the mayhem.

Shane Jury, General Writer

I had a good idea of what to expect when I saw a bloke in full-on Final Fantasy VIII antagonist Seifer garb - complete with wooden Gunblade in hand - on the train on the way, but that would prove to be just a small taste of things to come. After finally getting to the venue, the place was swarming with cosplayers, from practically any popular game or show you could imagine, as far as the eye could see. After meeting up with Calum, Stu and Glenn (Cubed3 member Ikana), we went around exploring the stands on show, trying out the games on offer (dang that Zelda queue!), and watching a presentation or two. I ended up with a monster load of 3DS StreetPass hits, a commemorative Bleach wall scroll and a desire to go to the next venue in October. Who knows, I bet I'd make a great Seto Kaiba...

Stuart Lawrence, General Writer

I entered the Expo not expecting too much, but I soon saw loads of people in the usual, and sometimes unusual, cosplay costumes. People were dressed up as many things, including the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, Metal Gear Solid’s Raiden, and the Creepers from Minecraft; I don’t know how they got their armbands on. I spent most of the day walking around with Calum, eventually joining Shane, meeting Cubed3 reader Glenn (Ikana) and gaining 61 StreetPass hits along the way. Overall it was a great day, with the people from GameSpot demonstrating Child of Eden on Xbox 360 Kinect, which works very well, and photographers at Nintendo’s booth took loads of random pictures of everybody playing the titles they had on display. This was also a great opportunity to see many Japanese items that you very rarely get over here. Next time I might dress up too, maybe as Roronoa Zoro from One Piece - it should be fun.

Calum Peak, General Writer

As a seasoned veteran of the MCM Expo, I knew what to expect as I arrived early to the venue; a quick moving queue (at least for ticket holders) and a ton of wacky cosplay outfits. What was slightly unexpected, however, was just how active my 3DS became, and I'm still wondering how it didn't implode from 70+ StreetPass hits; MeetMii, eat your heart out. Whilst the obligatory Nintendo booth settled within the nest of Tokyo toy and mangaka stalls, there where also offerings from Capcom (Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition), GameSpot, Microsoft (Gears of War 3) and a few others. Highlights, however, had to be the intense Street Fighter tournament, the trippy visions of Child of Eden and a taster of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Though, of course, meeting up with Cubed3 staffers Shane and Stu, as well as Cubed3 member Ikana, was by far the best part of MCM this year - it's really no fun by yourself!

All of the attending Cubed3 crew had a brilliant time at the London MCM Expo, no matter what their experience of the Expo’s past. Keep an eye on Cubed3 for further coverage from the Expo, including looks at Xenoblade Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D.

Calum has previously looked at DS RPG Solatorobo: Red The Hunter based on his London MCM play time. You can read his thoughts here.

Comment on this article

Comments

«s previous1next »

Ikana 25.06.2011#1

Was a great day, totally considering going to the October one if I can get the time off work! Smilie
Shame I didn't get to spend much time with you guys though, maybe next time, huh? ^__^