Ubisoft's "Michael Jackson: The Experience" Rocks the 2010 New York Comic Con

Michael Jackson and his signature dance moves brought down the house once again during the 2010 New York City Comic Con. Ubisoft, a leading game manufacturer, unveiled "Michael Jackson: The Experience" at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, attracting hundreds of dancing participants in the process.

Michael Beadle, associated director of public relations for Ubisoft, said the company's development team in France has been working on the game for a little over a year. "It's going to be really exciting stuff. The game has all of his greatest hits and you get to slip into the shoes of the King of Pop," Beadle said while standing on the convention floor.

Scheduled for a November 23 release, "Michael Jackson: The Experience" will be available for the Wii, Nintendo DS and Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP). A release for the X-Box Connect and the Sony PS3 is scheduled for early 2011.

"The team in Paris has been putting stuff together and working closely with the estate to make sure it meets with all the expectations the fans have. It would be something that Michael would be proud of," Beadle said.

Beadle said one of the great things about the game is culling from the moves of Michael Jackson. Ubisoft's Paris development team worked with Travis Payne, Michael Jackson's choreographer on "This Is It," and other dancers to uphold Jackson's iconic moves.

"There are some moves that are just 'Michael Jackson exclusive.' We weren't trying to make them impossible for people to play-it's a game as well. We wanted to people to see the moves from the live video and emulate them. It really is a chance for everyone of all ages to dance like Michael Jackson," Beadle said.

Even with three levels of booths, games and panel discussions, Ubisoft's "Michael Jackson: The Experience," attracted a constant crowd during the New York City Comic Con.

"People come here (to Comic Con) and hear the music-and that's great-so now what's next? Then, they see the moves that the development put in to make it look and feel like you're in a music video and dancing like Michael Jackson."

Saying it has kind of elevated the bar for dancing titles, Beadle pointed out that all you need is a controller to play "Michael Jackson: The Experience." "You don't have to push any buttons. You just have to hold it in your right hand and follow the moves," he said.

"Michael Jackson: The Experience" allows up to 4 players to become the King of Pop or one of his backup dancers, making it ideal for families. The game also has a "school mode," allowing players to practice the signature moves.

"It's great because maybe Dad has Michael down, or Mom, but maybe the kids aren't as familiar. So we'll warm them up with some of the backup moves," Beadle said.

Based on the capacity crowds at the Ubisoft booth, "Michael Jackson: The Experience" may be one of the sell-out games of the upcoming holiday shopping season. "He (Jackson) was able to sing and dance at such a high level with all those unbelievable moves. People come off the stage and say 'I don't know how he did it,' Beadle said.

"You see the faces of people that played the game this weekend. For them to have that kind of moment on stage was pretty special for them," he said.