Mega64 Explained

Mega64
Origin:San Diego, California, U.S.
Nationality:American
Occupation:Comedians
Channel Name:RoccoB64
Channel Display Name:Mega64
Years Active:2006–present
Subscribers:607,000 subscribers
Subscriber Date:May 2022
Views:208.6 million views
View Date:May 2022
Associated Acts:Rooster Teeth, Defunctland
Silver Button:yes
Silver Year:2014
Stats Update:May 13, 2022

Mega64 is an American satirical comedy troupe and independent production company created by Rocco Botte, Derrick Acosta, and Shawn Chatfield. Founded in San Diego in 2003, Mega64 is responsible for producing an eponymous web series, various sketches, and a podcast.[1] The core group consists of Rocco Botte, Derrick Acosta, and Shawn Chatfield with additional members Garrett Hunter, Meg Turner, Johnny Weiss, and Kevin Bushong. Rooster Teeth member Eric Baudour was also a member of the group. They organize an annual informal fan convention at Disneyland titled Gamedays.[2]

Variety magazine named Mega64 as one of its "10 Comics to Watch for 2015".[3]

Web series

Originally conceived to be a public-access television show, the original five episodes of the eponymous web series were later released on DVD in 2004 as Mega64: Version 1. Since then, three more seasons have been released.

Premise

In the not too distant future, a sinister scientist named Dr. Poque (Botte) creates the most powerful video game console ever assembled. Known as the 'Mega64', this device has the power to download classic and contemporary video games into the user's brain, causing them to take on a whole new reality.[4]

While and are hooked to the Mega64, the viewer sees them acting as characters in the corresponding game, interacting with ordinary people in San Diego. Another character, named Sean, is initially hired by Dr. Poque as Rocko and Derek's "e-mail delivery man" but also starts taking part in the Mega64 experiments.

Two additional characters are later introduced: a puppet named Marcus (voiced by Chatfield), who is presumably working for Poque; and Horatio (Acosta), Poque's eccentric Mexican roommate.

History

Mega64 was originally produced to air on public-access television as a weekly tv-show; however, the original five episodes were not deemed to be suitable for broadcast. Later, creator Rocco Botte pitched the show to G4 but was rejected. Through the suggestion of Tommy Tallarico, Botte decided to publish the material online.[5]

Eventually, the show was released on DVD, published through Awful Video, the publishing arm of Something Awful.[6]

The group received early exposure through video gaming magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly[7] and Nintendo Power.[8]

Image Upright:1.2
Image Alt:Logo with mega written in pixel-block capital letters above the number 64.
Opentheme:"Sequence Erase" (instrumental version) by The Aquabats featuring Parry Gripp
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:17
List Episodes:List of Mega64 episodes
Runtime:30 minutes
Company:TD Philostrate Productions
Network:Public Access, DVD, YouTube, Twitch
Last Aired:present

Mega64: Version 200, the show's second season, was released on DVD on July 20, 2006. Mega64: Version 3 was originally meant to be released in 2008, but at their PAX 2008 panel, the team stated Version 3 would most likely not be finished until early 2009. Mega64: Version 3 went on sale May 28, 2010.[9]

According to Mega64.com, British Sky Broadcasting was to air Mega64 Version 1 and Version 2 on one of their channels during their gaming block.[10] However, in Mega64's Podcast: Episode 77, it was revealed Sky would not be airing Mega64, due to a misunderstanding between the two companies. In said podcast it was explained that British Sky Broadcasting had come under new management, and that Mega64s episodes being aired had been "lost in the shuffle". After contacting the company for the reasoning behind this, Sky representatives replied to Mega64 saying they "had asked too much money", however the Mega64 crew claims they did not ask for any amount of money.[11]

The Mega64 cast and crew members are included in the game Super Scribblenauts as playable characters.[12] [13]

Rocco Botte was involved with the 2012 DVD release of the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers series. He was given a Special Thanks credit.[14]

Version 1 (first season)

  1. Life Inside a Console
  2. I Feel Asleep
  3. Poque
  4. The Gangs Returned to Class and Became Honor Students
  5. Eyes of Skull Has a Secret

Version 2 (second season)

  1. This Story is Happy End
  2. Ode to Sue
  3. And Suddenly, Ezra Didn't Feel So Alone Anymore
  4. What the Hell Happened to Mega64?
  5. Summer Semester
  6. Stranger

Version 3 (third season)

  1. Frankie
  2. Bigger Boat
  3. The Wizard 2
  4. Mega64! (Musical episode)
  5. Project Woosh
  6. Delaware

Promotional skits

Ubisoft

For Ubisoft, the Mega64 team has produced skits featuring , Cold Fear, 187 Ride or Die, , , Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, , and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, all of which have been available for download on their respective websites.[15] [16]

Skits featuring Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter are available for download not only on the game's official website, but also via Xbox Live to Microsoft's Xbox 360, in full high-definition and Dolby 5.1 Surround, both firsts for Mega64. Both videos are now available, listed as "GRAW: Cross-Com 1" and "GRAW: Cross-Com 2".[17] [18]

Game Developers Conference

The Mega64 group have created several promotional skits for the Game Developers Conference, including advertisements for the conference and its Independent Games Festival, as well as comedic skits played during the conference's Game Developers Choice Awards. In 2008, the team released a series of advertisements for IGF, entitled "Intro", "I am Independent", and "Independent Inspirations".[19] In 2010, they released another series of advertisements.[20]

For the conference's Game Developers Choice Awards, the group regularly create comedic skits focusing on award recipients, which are premiered during the award ceremony. These include satirical accounts of Lifetime Achievement Award winners' careers, such as those of Ken Kutaragi in "Kutaragi's Way" and Hironobu Sakaguchi in "Sakaguchi's Final Fantasy".[21] [22]

Konami

In 2011, the Mega64 crew supplied a skit to Konami's E3 show, debuting the "transfarring" system in their upcoming Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. The system, which enables saved game data transfer between the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita, was presented as a solution to the problem of continuing game progress 'on the go', with Botte shown traversing public areas with a large, moving television and home console setup. The skit also revealed that the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and the Zone of the Enders HD Collection would be released on the Xbox 360, in addition to the PlayStation 3.[23]

On May 31 of 2012, Mega64 supplied a skit to Konami's Pre-E3 show as promotional material for their upcoming title . The skit had the game's protagonist Raiden seeking jobs at an unemployment office after being fired due to an implied terrible economy, before eventually settling for Cybernetic Private Military Contractor, with Zone of the Enders Jehuty also trying to find a job in the last minutes of the skit.[24]

For Konami's Pre-E3 show in 2013, the group supplied a skit advertising the game . The skit featured Botte performing a satirical take on the game's protagonist, Dracula.[25]

Other promotional work

The group have also done promotional videos for the 2006 and 2007 Spike Video Game Awards that have aired on Spike TV.[26]

The Mega64 team produced the music video for the Freezepop song "Brainpower".[27]

In 2009, the group produced four commercials for GameTap, which aired on Adult Swim.[28]

In 2012, Mega64 also produced faux commercials that appeared in The Aquabats! Super Show! on The Hub.[29]

Nintendo enlisted Mega64 to produce promotional skits to reveal the company's E3 plans for 2014[30] [31] and 2015.[32]

In 2015, the Mega64 team created a promotional skit featuring Koji "IGA" Igarashi for his upcoming game and Kickstarter crowdfunding project, . The skit is entitled "WORLD'S GREATEST VAMPIRE HUNTER".[33]

In 2022, Botte and Chatfield reprised their Todd and Aaron characters for cameo appearances in the film Not Okay.[34]

Cast

Additional cast

Famous guest stars

Mega64: Metal Gear Solid 4 (HD)

HOW SHENMUE WAS MEANT TO END

SAVE GAMESTOP

Warren Spector Tribute

KUTARAGI'S WAY

SAKAGUCHI'S FINAL FANTASY

THE NEW UNREAL ENGINE

Mega64: MADDEN RAP 2012 (ft. Brandon DiCamillo)

Mega64: GDC 2008 IGF Awards Intro

IF YOU'RE NOT INDIE, F**K YOU

Mega64: Metal Gear Solid 4 (HD)

Sequence Erase

Mega64: Death Stranding Behind The Scenes

Mega64: New Super Mario Bros.

Mega64: The Beatles Rock Band

HOW SHENMUE WAS MEANT TO END

KUTARAGI'S WAY

MEGA64 INFILTRATES NINTENDO

REGGIE GOES FOR THE GOLD

SAKAGUCHI'S FINAL FANTASY

WORLD'S GREATEST VAMPIRE HUNTER

Fumito Ueda's MADDEN 2018

THE NEW UNREAL ENGINE

Judgment (OFFICIAL)

Mega64 Was BLOCKED By Hideki Kamiya

Crew

Podcast

Currently available through Twitch and YouTube, a podcast consisting of the Mega64 crew and various guests is released every Tuesday. The podcast premiered September 25, 2006.[38] At first, it was only available in audio format, but since December 24, 2007, it has also been in video format. Since its launch, the video podcast has been featured as Mega64's main podcast, while the audio podcasts are audio extractions of the video counterparts. This is often referred to in the video podcast, with hosts or guests sometimes describing things that are happening for those who are listening to the audio-only version. As of January 11, 2009, the video podcast has been live streamed, first on Ustream[39] and then on Twitch, every Sunday at 6pm PST.[40]

The podcast is usually recorded at the Mega64 studio, but the Mega64 crew has also been known to record podcasts in different locations. For example, the February 12, 2008 podcast was filmed at Disneyland, with much of the discussion taking place on Disneyland attractions.[41] Subsequent podcasts have been filmed in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Toronto, and the home of Tommy Tallarico.

On September 26, 2011, animator Hotdiggedydemon (Max Gilardi) and Mega64 teamed up to make animated cartoons of the podcast for 6 weeks called Mega64nimation.[42]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About - Mega64 . 2023-09-30 . mega64.com.
  2. Web site: GAMEDAYS IS LIKE A WEEK AWAY!! SCHEDULE AND MORE RELEASED!! - Blog - Mega64 . 2023-09-30 . mega64.com.
  3. Web site: Variety Staff . June 15, 2015 . Variety 10 Comics to Watch for 2015 . September 4, 2018 . Variety.
  4. Web site: Helewa . Nas . Mega64 is here. Be scared. . . September 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090221150013/http://www.sdcitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=2823&atype= . February 21, 2009 . en . February 2, 2005.
  5. Web site: Botte . Rocco . SO YEAH WE WERE JUST ON XPLAY . Mega64 . September 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090202135734/http://mega64.com/2009/01/27/so-yeah-we-were-just-on-xplay/ . February 2, 2009 . en . January 27, 2009 . live .
  6. Web site: Kyanka . Rich . Mega64: Version 1 Announced! . SomethingAwful . 17 April 2022.
  7. . Must See DVD's (Holiday Buying Guide) . Electronic Gaming Monthly . USA . EGM Media, LLC . 2004.
  8. . October 2005 . The Real World, Sort Of . Nintendo Power . Nintendo of America . USA.
  9. Web site: FINALLY. . Mega64 . September 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160315212903/http://mega64.com/blog/finally-2/ . March 15, 2016 . en . April 8, 2010.
  10. Web site: Botte. Rocco. 7/8/08: MEGA64 RETURNS FROM ANIME EXPO WITH "COSPLAYERZ" AND PODCAST 56! MEGA64 COMES TO UK TELEVISION! CON EXCLUSIVE DVD ANNOUNCED! AND AN E3 MYSTERY? MY HEAD IS GOING TO EXPLO-. July 8, 2008. Mega64.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090114035629/http://mega64.com/2008/07/08/7808-mega64-returns-from-anime-expo-with-cosplayerz-and-podcast-56-mega64-comes-to-uk-television-con-exclusive-dvd-announced-and-an-e3-mystery-my-head-is-going-to-explo/. dead. January 14, 2009. February 19, 2022.
  11. Mega64 Podcast Episode 77 . . Mega64 . September 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150804144810im_/http://j40.video2.blip.tv/5370000564429/Mega64-Mega64PodcastEpisode7612022008613.mp4?ir=239659&sr=2154 . August 4, 2015 . en . December 16, 2008 . 16.
  12. Web site: Botte . Rocco . NEW MEGA64 VIDEO ON PATV, SERVED UP WITH A SCRIBBLENAUTS ANNOUNCEMENT!! . Mega64 . September 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130731020753/http://mega64.com/2010/09/04/new-mega64-video-on-patv-served-up-with-a-scribblenauts-announcement/ . July 31, 2013 . en . September 4, 2010.
  13. September 4, 2010. MEGA64 IS IN SUPER SCRIBBLENAUTS!!!!!!!. Motion picture. en. September 5, 2018. Mega64. YouTube.
  14. Rocco Botte. August 14, 2012. POWER RANGERS BOX SET APOLOGY. Motion picture. en. September 13, 2018. Rocco Botte. YouTube.
  15. Web site: Bruce . Matthew . An Interview with Mega64 . youroldmemorycard.wordpress.com . September 6, 2018 . November 11, 2012.
  16. Web site: Aziz . Hamza . Mega64 wants to know where the terrorists at . Destructoid . September 6, 2018 . March 19, 2008.
  17. Web site: Carless . Simon . GameSetWatch Mega64 Goes GDC, GRAW, OMGWTF . . September 6, 2018 . March 26, 2006 . September 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032232/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/03/mega64_goes_gdc_graw_omgwtf.php . dead .
  18. Web site: GRAW: Mega 64 Cross-Com 2 Trailer (720p) . . September 6, 2018 . en . March 23, 2006.
  19. Web site: Burch . Anthony . GDC 08: Independent Games Festival . . September 6, 2018 . February 21, 2008.
  20. Web site: Tito . Greg . Mega 64 Ads for GDC Are Funny . . September 6, 2018 . March 4, 2010 . September 6, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180906153341/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98855-Mega-64-Ads-for-GDC-Are-Funny . dead .
  21. Web site: Corriea . Alexa Ray . Ken Kutaragi gets the Mega 64 treatment with 'Kutaragi's Way' . . September 6, 2018 . March 24, 2014.
  22. Web site: North . Dale . Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi sees mobile gaming akin to TV episodes — and a place for old-school charm, too . . September 6, 2018 . March 11, 2015.
  23. Web site: Crabtree . Dan . Kojima E3 Interview: Metal Gear Solid HD, Transfarring, and the Fox Engine GamerNode . gamernode.com . September 6, 2018 . June 3, 2011.
  24. May 31, 2012. Konami - Pre E3 Show 2012. 23:02. Motion picture. en. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/brqasHJCuoM . 2021-12-13 . live. September 5, 2018. GameTrailers. YouTube.
  25. Web site: Caulfield. Luke. Mega64 crashes Konami's pre-E3 stream with absurd Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 parody. Gamenguide. June 7, 2013. 15 August 2015.
  26. Web site: Aziz . Hamza . Mega64's third SpikeTV VGA ad: HALO 3 WINS GAME OF THE YEAR!! . Destructoid . September 6, 2018 . December 9, 2007 . September 20, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110920144134/http://www.destructoid.com/mega64-s-third-spiketv-vga-ad-halo-3-wins-game-of-the-year--58591.phtml . dead .
  27. Mega64: Freezepop "Brainpower" Music Video. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/uZRzGZL6d70 . 2021-12-13 . live. en. March 4, 2008. September 5, 2018. Mega64. YouTube.
  28. Web site: Mega64's New GameTap Ads, Now Airing On AdultSwim . . September 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090720093404/http://gametapblog.com/mega64s-new-gametap-ads-now-airing-on-adultswim/ . July 20, 2009 . en . July 15, 2009.
  29. Web site: Ponce . Tony . The Weekend Hotness: The Aquabats! Super Show! . Destructoid . September 6, 2018 . March 25, 2012.
  30. Play Nintendo - Announcing Nintendo @ E3 2014. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ghEhI4CJjAM . 2021-12-13 . live. en. April 29, 2014. September 5, 2018. Mega64. YouTube.
  31. Mega64 . 461156170799915008 . April 29, 2014 . Mega64.com Update: MEGA64 LEAKS NINTENDO E3 ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THEIR GIANT ROBOT!! THE RISE OF FILS... http://bit.ly/QV0ebs . en . September 5, 2018.
  32. Mega64 . 598541079676194816 . May 13, 2015 . Your observations are correct- Mega64 did help Nintendo make this year's Nintendo E3 2015 video! https://youtu.be/zbvzyY1FKr0 . en . no . September 5, 2018.
  33. Web site: Pereira . Chris . Watch Castlevania's Igarashi Hilariously Whip a Vampire to Promote Bloodstained . . September 6, 2018 . en . June 5, 2015.
  34. https://mega64.com/podcasts/mega64-podcast-652-not-okay-hulu-stray-disney-plus Mega64 Podcast 652 - Mega64 Is Now On Hulu & Disney+
  35. Web site: Rocco Botte. IMDb. September 5, 2018.
  36. Web site: Derrick Acosta. IMDb. September 5, 2018.
  37. Web site: Shawn Chatfield. IMDb. September 5, 2018.
  38. Web site: Botte . Rocco . MEGA64 PODCAST ON ITUNES, BLOGOSPHERE . Mega64 . September 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061021100036/http://www.mega64.com/news.htm . October 21, 2006 . en . September 27, 2006.
  39. Web site: LIVECAST 1-25-09 . Ustream . September 13, 2018 . en . January 25, 2009 . September 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223736/http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1094399 . dead .
  40. Web site: Dichoso . Melvin . XSplit User Showcase: Mega64 Interview with Eric Baudour & Garrett Hunter Part One . XSplit . September 13, 2018 . en . March 2, 2016.
  41. Web site: MEGA64 PODCAST 36: THE HAPPIEST PODCAST ON EARTH! . https://web.archive.org/web/20080215220204/http://mega64.com/ . dead . February 15, 2008 . Mega64 . September 13, 2018 . February 15, 2008.
  42. Web site: Botte . Rocco . "MEGA64NIMATION" BEGINS!! HAT SHIRTS TRIUMPHANTLY RETURN!! . Mega64 . September 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002022720/http://mega64.com/2011/09/26/mega64nimation-begins-hat-shirts-triumphantly-return/ . October 2, 2011 . en . September 26, 2011.

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