Does Square Enix really have the time to be counting down to anything with about four Final Fantasy titles in the works as well as Dragon Quest IX? Well, it looks like no member of their numerous development teams will be getting a vacation this summer. Hey, overtime pay is always nice.

Kotaku has been following Squeenix’s countdown clock since Friday and has done the math (thank Jeebus) to know that it will end on July 6. While the clock has been ticking, the illustration has been gradually filled to reveal what you see now.

While there has been rampant speculation in Kotaku’s comments section as to what it is, Silicon Era is on to something. Also, that NES style 8-bit music accompanying it should be a huge hint. Let us know what you think (or hope) it could be in that little white box.

(Image Via Kotaku)

Just think, one of these could be yours!

Game over! Congrats to Missy! Expect your guitar in the mail by the end of the week!

As of this posting, the contest already has 32 entries. Awesome! I’ll be announcing the winner at noon tomorrow, so there’s still time! Head on over to the contest post, and enter! Missed the original post? Here’s the deal.

Pepsi and Harmonix sent me this ridiculously nice, limited edition XBox 360 Rock Band guitar, designed by Matt Moore. They were limited to a run of 30 and come complete with a signed seal on the back. And despite my love for all that is limited edition… I’m giving it away.

So head over to the original post and leave a comment, telling me your favorite experience playing Rock Band.

Good luck!

The following review is solely my opinion and not the opinion of the entire Geekadelphia crew.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was released last Wednesday and since then has made a ton of money. No matter what you, I, or anyone else may think, Michael Bay is richer than we’ll ever be. However, is the film any good? That’s what I plan to answer in this review and hopefully get some feedback from readers on what they thought as well. I should warn you that there are some slight spoilers of the film, but nothing that would ruin your experience if you haven’t seen it yet.

Hit the jump and let’s discuss. (more…)

I apologize, my fellow Geekadelphians, for the lack of “Coffee Talk” last week . Condensing a semester’s worthof material into a four week study abroad session combined with endless day trips and bus tours can be unforgiving (everything is under control… for now). On to the discussion!

We assume you know Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the sequel to 2007 theatrical debut of the robots in disguise,  released June 24th. It’s also safe to assume that you either A) have seen the movie already or B) have read or seen the reviews. Personally, I have yet to see it (currently across the pond in Ireland) and after reading Rotten Tomatoes’ verdict I am afraid to part with the $10.50 (€10.50, rather) to see it in theaters.

Knowing how the original film was  publicly and critically accepted, what gives? Maybe Michael Bay simply dropped the ball on this one (hold your fire) or maybe the script could have been passed over a few more times. Regardless of what caused this film to flop critically, the movie has clearly succeeded commercially with a draw of over $200 million in less than a week.

So, was it merely hype and expectations that carried this release or the Transformers franchise itself? Obviously, these films carry the clout of nostalgia about them, which can lead to their commercial success, but what do you think, Geekadelphians? Do you feel that these memories should be left untainted by modern technologies and interpretations or do you simply enjoy reliving the good ‘ol days? Also, let us know what you thought of the film or its reviews. Let your voices be heard, loyal readers, in the comment box below.

Google is once again proving that they are cooler than your average company. In celebration of Chrome expanding into other languages they released a Google Chrome Manga drawn by Yutanpo Shirane (Let’s English, hon-nin) on their blog. This 9 page manga commission by Google Advertising and Information services is an addition to the previous Chrome comic done by Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics).

From what I have read on The Anime News Network, “The manga explains the major issues that the Japanese developers on the Google Chrome team faced in ensuring that multilingual web pages are displayed quickly but accurately. For example, the web browsers tries to automatically and quickly determine which fonts to use in different Asian languages, without needing the user’s assistance. The manga also highlights the contribution of one Japanese team member, software engineer Masanori Harada. Harada and his team developed the Navigational Suggest feature which suggests which web sites to visit as the user types.” Wow, I just thought it was talking about some forbidden martial arts techniques involving web browsers. You can read the manga here free of charge.

Via Anime News Network

The final interview for my 5 quick questions at Wizard World series is none other than Admiral Adama Himself, Edward James Olmos. Olmos was already a legend in sci-fi due his role as Gaff in Blade Runner and because of this and his award winning performance on Miami Vice, he was offered the role of the captain in Star Trek the Next Generation during pre-production and turned down the role.

He then went on to act in the film Stand and Deliver for which he was nominated for an Oscar for best actor. After his nomination he tried his hand at directing with American Me which has come to be a classic in the gangster film genre. Olmos then returned to television first with a reoccurring role on The West Wing then to American Family: Journey of Dreams which he was on from 2002-2004. I also found it interesting that he was noted as making an appearance in in Snoop Dogg’s music video Vato, featuring B-Real from Cypress Hill.

I would have to say the experience of interviewing Edward James Olmos was surreal to say the least and I was a bit nervous as well. Upon sitting down to start the interview and looking across the table I suddenly forgot how to work my H2 recorder, and after a bit of fumbling with it and getting that same look I have seen given to Starbuck on numerous occasions on Battlestar Galactica I quickly regrouped and figured out “the red blinky thing, yeah that’s record”. After passing this obstacle he relaxed and I got to ask “Eddie” a few questions.
Check out the interview after the jump.

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Fact: Omoi is my favorite boutique in all of Philadelphia. End of story. This amazing little shop that sits nestled in Rittenhouse Square on 16th and Pine, seems to just pop out of nowhere amongst the gorgeous rowhomes and coffee shops in the area. But the shop is there, and you need to check it out.

And what better time to scope out this shop, then on this Friday, when they’ll be hosting their 2nd Annual Tent Party. Liz, the lovely owner of the shop, will be opening up the shop’s backyard for an evening of sales, music, and partying. Faux Slang, a post punk band hailing from Philadelphia, will be on the scene rocking out. Want a preview of what you’re gonna hear? Download their full length album, for free, right here on their website. Awesome.

$10 t-shirts, $5 goodie bags, a free concert, and tasty nibbles in the best boutique in the city? Yeah, we’ll be there. The sale runs from the 26th to the 3rd, but the party is only this Friday. Which is probably for the best. Cause Liz parties hard.

See you there, peoples.

Omoi’s Tent Party
Friday, June 26th @ 7PM

Omoi’s Epic Sale
Friday, June 26th – Friday, June 3rd!

Omoi
1608 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-0963
www.omoionline.com

If there was a person I interviewed this weekend that least embodied their Battlestar Galactica Counterpart that would have to be Michael Hogan, who played the drunken curmudgeon Saul Tigh on the show. A Canadian actor as well, Michael had done various television and movies prior to landing his role on Battlestar Galactica. A bit on the quiet side but super friendly in person the first thing you notice about the man is his voice. Full of energy and upbeat, this voice I couldn’t recall hearing on the show and I think that shows how hard he had to work to play the tortured second in command to Adama who eventually found out he was the thing he hated most.

I have to say Saul was one of my favorite characters on the show and one I rooted for even when I found out he was supposed to be the enemy. He brought a certain balance to Adama, because of their friendship it rounded the character of Adama out quite well, that and their fighting like an old married couple was one of my favorite parts of the show. I still long for the day when Michael Bay bored with giant robots, announces his next film will be a epic space buddy cop movie starring Michael Hogan and Edward James Olmos. Hey, it could happen.

Check out the interview after the jump.

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Chrono Trigger characters by Christina Winterburn

Ah, Faith. Not only do I heart you and your wonderful gaming blog, I happen to adore your Etsy shop, where you create some truly stunning Perler bead art. And because of this, I am going to write about it. Starting… now.

Behold, Pixelated Creations, the brainchild of Christina “Faith” Winterburn, who you might know from The Girl Gamer and Destructoid. Faith creates perler bead art inspired by original video game sprites from Nintendo and Sega, Probably the most impressive, however, are her creations inspired by LucasArts games.

Sam & Max, Ben from Full Throttle, Zombie Le Chuck and Guybrush Threepwood from the Monkey Island series, and the evil, mighty Purple Tentacle from Day of the Tentacle are just a handful. Check out her Flickr for more.

As of this posting, she’s got a sale going on, where Final Fantasy VI & VII pieces are 3 for $10, and keychains and bag tags are Buy 1, Get 1 Free. Awesome.

She even makes custom orders. Interested? Contact her through her Etsy shop. And be sure to visit her blog.

Pixelated Creations
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5213545

Today’s 5 quick questions will be from Nicki Clyne the Canadian born actress who played Cally Henderson on Battlestar Galactica, whom I was lucky enough to interview Sunday morning at the con. She was definitely in my opinion the surprise fan favorite of the con, stealing the show at the Battlestar Galactica panel with her articulate thoughts on femininity in the Battlestar Galactica universe, her character and the show in general.

The day before the interview Nicki had ran into our very own Bianca, and upon seeing my card when I introduced myself recognized the blog and asked about the girl she had met the day before, and told me to tell her she said “hi”. The fact that she remembered these kinds of details at a con of all places really struck me as thoughtful. Whereas I lost my car Friday night.

After the jump check out her great interview.

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Igor’s Egg @ Johnny Brenda’s! Tonight! More info here.

Philly Pecha Kucha 2 was packed with interesting presentations, but one in particular caught the attention of yours truly and fellow Geekadelphian, Far Mckon. Packed like sardines in the converted yoga studio/ stage, we found ourselves absorbed in a presentation given by two charmingly daper, suited men with blue hair. With their shadows casting over a large projection of a hand-drawn spaceship, the duo began explaining the fictional tales of “The Ultimate Tuh” and a fantasy jam-band that travels through space and time.

If you’re scratching your head but can’t seem to stop reading, you aren’t alone. I, too, felt like I was dropped into some weird Vonnegut-esque book-land, and decided to talk to these blue-haired band mates to get a better understanding of this self-proclaimed “sci-fi rock band”.

Click on the jump to read my interview with Igor’s Egg! (more…)

Sorry, you can only get one.

Game over! Congrats to Missy! Expect your guitar in the mail this week!

Currently, Pepsi and Harmonix have a summer promotion going on, entitled Drink Up, Rock Out. Gamers can submit their own Rock Band music videos for a chance to win an MTV Video Music Award. No, seriously. It’s for Best Performance in a Pepsi Rock Band Video, which is way better than those ‘lifetime achievement awards’ they dish out. Poor Clint Howard.

They’re giving away 5,000 Rock Band downloadable tracks every day until September 13th, as well as a wealth of other Rock Band goodies under the caps of Pepsi bottles.

As a means to promote this, Pepsi and Harmonix send me this ridiculously nice, limited edition XBox 360 Rock Band guitar, designed by Matt Moore. They were limited to a run of 30 and come complete with a signed seal on the back. And despite my love for all that is limited edition… I’m giving it away.

So, dear Geekadelphia readers, leave a comment below, telling us your favorite experience playing Rock Band. Have a story to tell? Well, dish! We’ll select one of you at random, and you’ll enjoy a nice, limited edition guitar. Remember, they only made 30 of these. You’ll have some serious bragging rights. We’ll announce the winner next Tuesday.

Let the games begin, and a big thank you to Ana from Pepsi and Harmonix for sending this our way.