Get ready to dress yourself in Tron inspired everything later this year, when Disney’s sci-fi video game update hits theatres, bringing with it a massive influx of licensed goods. Like Tron: Legacy snowboarding boots, for example!
Adidas, after apparently losing its mind, decided to add a bit of augmented reality to a new line of their shoes.
DECA SPORTS, Hudson’s take on Wii Sports with added Adidas advertising, may not be a very good game, but since when does that matter.
2008 is looking to be replete with video game shoes, with Nike issuing Skate or Die and 720-inspired shoes under its Nike SB line and Adidas pumping out a Halo branded pair of kicks. The Adidas Gil II Zero Halo Sneaker is one of many Gilbert Arenas-approved designs—remember the NBA Live 08 shoe?—featuring all-over Halo 3 branding, Bungie logos and a recognisable weapon pattern.
Luke Plunkett totally called it. Konami has revealed the first two games coming to Europe as part of their publishing agreement with Hudson, and boy are you Euros in for a treat. The Adidas ad disguised as a sports title previously known as Deca Sports is heading to European Wiis under a new name – Sports Island. Ten endorsed sporting events are yours to play alone or with up to three friends, including beach volleyball, snowboarding, moto cross, archery, figure skating, football, badminton, basketball, kart race, and – joy of joys – curling. Once your up to three friends have left in disgust, you can settle down for a little fishing action with Fishing Master, the cutesy Wii fishing sim. I’d make a crude comment regarding ‘master’ and ‘baiting’, but I’m sure the thought popped into most of your heads before I even started this sentence – that’s how much I believe in you.
I normally think of three things when video game companies are hard pressed to flex their marketing muscles. First, we have breasts. They never fail to draw a crowd. Second, slapping some logos and character art on an automobile. Third, alternate reality game. When these three have been either vetoed as tasteless, stale or consuming of too much manpower, they default to their rare alt—shoes. Sneakerheads will cover the cost and at least one Kotaku editor will post about their existence, ensuring the program is a success.
To wit, the NBA Live 08 Gil II Zero, Gilbert Arenas’ signature shoe in an EA Sports-appropriate colorway. That the cover star of this years hoops effort already has his own shoe design is simply serendipity. Looks like only one retailer is offering them, for around $US 130, so unless you consider these “straight fire”, move along.