Well, the title says it all in this one...

I am going to E3!



And yes, I am serious!

This is the "big news" I have teased of for around a month now...

Here is a video kind of explaining things:



Here is an abridged, text version:

I started recording and uploading to YouTube for fun and because my Nephew and I enjoyed it...I have always gone for games we are interested in and things I think would be fun over what I figure would get views etc.

When Skylanders launched it was a launch day purchase...I had followed the trailers and was very interested in it...plus I thought my Nephew would really dig the "bring the toys to life" concept.

Picking it up kind of started the routine of Skylander Hunting, Unboxing Skylanders, and of course introducing them with great detail etc.

Well, fast forward two years and Giants is wrapping up while Swap Force is on its way out...I am still knee deep in the details of the Giants playthrough and I had an e-mail inquiring about Skylanders.

Just fyi, I get a ton of e-mails, PMs, DMs, comments, etc every day regarding Skylanders...I get several off-the-wall messages on YouTube and some legit things like proposed partnerships etc.

This PM seemed very odd...almost too good to be true.  It was someone who works with an affiliate company of Activision commenting on my Skylanders content and asking if I would be up for receiving insider news and review copies etc...

Naturally, I had to research things before responding...that whole "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" rhetoric...yeah, I believe in it.

Most of the time...

I checked up on the company etc. and the only thing alarming was that they wanted to send me insider info and review copies.  Naturally I took them up on this opportunity.



Well, a few weeks later I had an e-mail with that first "inside info."  It was regarding Skylanders Swap Force at E3...I was invited (insert shocked face).  Once more that whole, "This really isn't happening thing...something must be up" came over me...Then I came back to reality and remembered it all seemed legit.  I responded I would need some time to see if I could get off of work etc.

That all lined up and next thing I knew I was getting the VIP treatment and more details on the trip and presentation that was planned.

I held off mentioning this to anyone until NOW.  I wanted to get it on the BLOG FIRST.  Kind of a reward for those of you that check the site frequently.  The video is coming along, but this will remain the first point of the news break.

I have to say, several weeks later I am still kind of surprised by this...

I'm a big believe that when you do what you love, good things will come from it...I have to view this in that same light.

I don't want to go out and put this company on record as I know there will be a lot of people trying to line up the same deal, or get a trip to E3 etc.  I will just say this...I didn't seek this out...I never filled out any paperwork or entered a contest...never pushed my content to corporate or the likes.  I just stuck to my routine of hunting, finding, unboxing, and playing.  I am basically just having fun...While in that sequence someone from an affiliate company happened upon the content, checked it out, liked it, and thought enough of it to invite me to be a part of the "inside" if you will.

I am STOKED!!

Had I never have received that e-mail, I would have spent E3 anxiously scanning the net for any info on Swap Force to report back and blog...Now, I will do the same thing, but FIRST HAND.  IT is going to be awesome!

I suppose Activision's stance when tasking their affiliate with finding folks to bring along was to generate buzz for Swap Force etc.  I can definitely oblige in that regard!  Similarly, it gets me super excited and then in turn, I get to tell you first hand accounts and can seek out what you want to know, or would like me to try to unearth etc.

It is truly a Win-Win-Win in my book.  Good Public Relations AND by bringing in the core fan base to the event, you are getting the info and news out via those established mediums that other enthusiasts turn to, or rely on for information!  Needless to say, I will do my best to bring you ALL THE INFORMATION I can regarding Swap Force and Skylanders in general...

I can't think the folks behind this enough and I will do my best to get all the news out.  And feat not, I am not "bought" off.  If there is some ridiculous concept etc. I will still report back on it...I also hope to push for Single Player Battle Mode if I get the chance.

In my opinion being a hard core fan doesn't mean agreeing with everything, it means being passionate and caring enough about the franchise to present viewpoints regardless of how they gel with corporate etc.

The bottom line remains, however, this is a great opportunity, should be a ton of fun, and I can't wait to learn as much as I can regarding Swap Force and report back to you!

I can say that it looks like Activision will be making a big reveal Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 behind closed doors...Lucky for you, I will be there!  I will flim as much as they will allow, but I've already found that in a few instances that will not be allowed...so, I'm going to go old school and take notes!

I don't want to ramble on in this post as much as I did in the video, but I will close on this..

I'm still somewhat shocked, humbled, and perhaps most importantly very excited about this opportunity.  If there is any down time from Skylanders activity I may try to sneak some looks at Nintendo's software and a few other things...My main focus though will be Swap Force!

If you've got anything you want to know, want me to look for, want me to try and ask etc, post up!  Without those of you on YouTube, the blog, Twitter, Google +, and Facebook I probably wouldn't be setting sail for LA here in a few days...I'll do my best to bring back as much info as possible!

1ofWiisdom