Electronic Arts unveiled its latest multi-platform franchise at Comic-Con Thursday with the 14th century epic poem-turned video game/animated film/comic book, "Dante's Inferno." Breaking dramatically from the philosophical depths of Dante Alighieri's seminal work, the game reimagines the protagonist as a sword-wielding medieval knight who ventures violently through the nine circles of hell.

The Comic-Con panel featured executive producer Jonathan Knight, art director Ash Huang and writer Christos Gage, who showed slides depicting game play as well as the artistic process that went into the geographical development of hell's nine distinct circles. Knight emphasized EA's desire to build on the established narrative by creating a more thorough and engaging plot that would translate into a videogame format.

At the end of the discussion, a trailer for Universal Pictures'upcoming "Dante's Inferno" animated feature received its world premiere. Though screen time for the anticipated 2010 release was limited, the footage appeared to be highly stylized, bearing heavy influence from Japanese anime. -- Matt Kivel

A year after unveiling “DC Universe Online” to fans at Comic Con, Sony Online Entertainment is beginning to talk about the game’s early story lines. Speaking exclusively to The Cut Scene, the company has unveiled the heroes and villains you’ll meet as you start the game – and what your first mission will be.

A little refresher first, though, for those who aren’t up to speed on the game:

“DC Universe Online” is a massively multiplayer online game for both the PC and PlayStation 3 that will blend action and role-playing elements. Players can choose to be a hero or villain in one of several cities, including Metropolis or Gotham City.

You’ll create a custom character to fight alongside icons from the DC Universe – and you won’t have to worry about building up your powers slowly. From the minute you enter the game you’ll be a full-fledged super hero (though, obviously, you’ll enhance your skills as you progress).

While DC and SOE are keeping the game’s full story under wraps - and, make no mistake, there is an evolving plot to the game - DC writer Marv Wolfman (who will lead a panel on the game Wed. evening at Comic Con) says everything you do in “DCUO” will be centered around that storyline.

Once you’ve signed up, you will be able to choose one of three areas of specialty – Super powers, Tech powers or Magic powers.

Superheroes will find themselves involved in a Superman storyline the minute they begin playing. Tech heroes will work alongside Batman. And magic heroes will apprentice with Wonder Woman.

Conversely, super villains will work with Lex Luthor. Tech villains start off the game with the Joker. And magic villains will have Circe get them started.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume you have created a superhero.

Heading to Comic Con this year? You’re going to see a lot of gaming companies vying for your attention.

It’s hardly news that the annual gathering in San Diego has been evolving for the past several years. While comics are still the heart of the show, a sizable percentage of the attendees are there to get sneak peaks at upcoming films, television shows and, increasingly, video games.

Publishers have taken note of this and will be there in force this year.

Sony, Microsoft, Activision/Blizzard, Capcom, Electronic Arts, LucasArts and RockStar Games are among the more than 20 developers and publishers who will be on hand.

To help you with your schedule planning, here’s a sample of some of the demos and announcements you might want to make some time for at the show.

• Dragon Age: The latest RPG from Bioware will be on the show floor for attendees to play. The game is grisly, gory and beautiful. Bioware makes some of the best RPGs in the industry – and since there’s no word about a demo of the game, this could be your only chance to play it prior to its release in late October.  
• Left 4 Dead 2: EA and Valve Software will be unveiling new content for the upcoming zombie game at Comic Con. The “Swamp Fever” campaign will make its debut, marking the second of five campaigns in the game. Valve’s also promising to show off a few more of “L4D2’s” new items (which already include a cricket bat and a frying pan to pimpslap any nearby undead).The levels will be playable from 2 pm to 9 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and between 12 pm and 5 pm on Sunday, but you’re going to have to leave the show to do so. It will be set up at the EA Gaming Lounge in the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Hotel.

As I recently wrote, plenty of titles in development at Sierra are likely to never see the light of day now that the Activision Blizzard exec team (which is pretty much all Activision folks) is surveying the development slate and handpicking the projects they want to keep and turn into franchises.

But it's looking good for "Ghostbusters." Why? Apparently the game has a big presence at Comic-Con, complete with booth babes (thanks for the picture, Kotaku). Though Vivendi Games probably booked this booth before the merger, ActiBlizzard (I just can't call it Blactivision, for PC reasons) was apparently cool with spending the money and keeping the booth going. Not only would spending this money on a booth and game demos and cleavage a waste if it's not coming out, but it's really bad PR, to the point of cruelty to the fans, to show off a game at Comic-Con and then not release it in the fall as promised. So things look safe for this franchise.

Sierra's other big game for the fall, "Brutal Legend," apparently doesn't have a presence at Comic-Con (correct me if I'm wrong please, attendees), which is probably a sign that ActiBlizzard is at least questioning the game's future.

I have literally lost count of the number of people in the past few weeks who have told me "Have fun at Comic-Con!" or asked "What days will you be at Comic-Con?" If you're a young-ish guy, even vaguely geeky, and work in the entertainment industry, it's literally assumed that you will be at Comic-Con. Even my wife asked last week how long I will be there, which is maybe a comment on our communication skills, but anyway...

I'm not there. I don't even like Comic-Con that much. Of course growing up I always thought it would be a dream come true to get to go to the show. But I went twice and thoroughly didn't enjoy it. I don't really read comic books anymore, I don't love crowds, and I definitely don't love pointless panels full of stars answering idiotic questions or big publicity booths. So it's not for me. Please don't take away my geek ID card.

However, Variety does have a full contingent covering the show. Our reporter Marc Graser just filed a story about the extensive showing by videogame publishers at Comic-Con this year, much bigger than they have ever had before. Cut Scene readers who are avid gamers will probably find the piece a little too basic for their tastes, but those of you who don't know much about what the game companies do at Comic-Con, I recommend checking it out.