First of all, let me say how excited I am that you guys are bringing Reboot back!  I'm totally stoked and you guys made my life.
Here are some notes that I took (the good, bad, and ugly.)  I'd really like to know if anyone read this, so please comment - especially those in direct involvement with ReBoot creation. -

-          Glitches design changed...again.  It already was changed in the Daemon saga

-          The ships look too much like spaceships in the first few scenes.  Plus, there are two characters who look a whole bunch like normal users.  (Little blonde girl)

-          I don't think the user would go missing either - have you noticed that we rely much more on computers since the beginning?

-          Giant worm things - less juicy because computers and liquid don't blend too well

-          Zombies Binomes? -  A little too literal and a little too user-like idea of what megabytes bionomes are doing

-          I like that they are bringing in Bob's viral crusade

-          Too big of a gap from 'the beginning' - when I clicked the beginning though, it started at book two so maybe there was something in between?

-          Too literal with the 'viruses' attaching themselves to sprites (I think that the little baby spiders that are biting sprites are strange and out of some horror book/science fiction book.) Nyxem virus looks too much like a Spiderman characters and shoot blasts like Dragonball characters, not ReBoot characters.  - Character design needs to stick with the original a little more.

-          More focus on Mainframe itself and how Megabyte took over system.  I kind of saw the hunt just like he said, 'revenge' -  he specifically said he wasn't trying to get to the super-computer or the net.  I think he was targeting just giving the Mainframers a lot of pain for what they did to him.  It takes out the personal feel of ReBoot.  Even in the Daemon series, the net was never the focus, it was shown just a little.  - I also feel like we've already covered most of the net options and that whole plot point with Daemon is getting a little boring since it was just focused on just the season before.

-          I also feel like the track of the series with the group being split up in the Principle Office was that a 'Hunt' was going to begin.  (Megabyte even said so.)  So what are they doing in the super computer?  How did they get there?  Like I said earlier, I think that the Principle Office scenario could be super interesting because it will get back to the old school ReBoot, focusing on Mainframe once again.  Then after that, it may be a good thing to go into this new Codemaster development.  The only change I would make to that development is that (like you haven't heard this enough from me already) that it applies only to Mainframe and they are trying to get rid of Megabyte before he becomes a bigger threat.

-          Glad Enzo is the star cadet.  Again, I think he should be talking about Mainframe and what is happening to his home - I REALLY like the 'mend and defend' scene with Bob and Enzo's speech, probably best part of the whole comic. - I love when he gets stopped right at the emotional climax - something that is truly ReBoot's traditional 'anti-climax'

-          I like the Facebook reference and when Bob says 'spam it' - it's the old ReBoot humor

-          I do like the costumes and how they change, but are still close to the original designs.

-          Bob looks like a transformer when he gets into his armor look at old battle armor designs, like when he was fighting Gigabyte, take front visor off helmet and work on feet shape (more square)

-          I like the idea of getting rid of all the viruses.  I like the Bob-Dot scene (like always)  I didn't like the speed wedding it's a little weird how it's speedy - might want to give an explanation why because Dot seemed to want the white wedding thing.

-          Lens leaks green - energy has been silver.  I think that element makes ReBoot unique.

-          Lens' butt being outright shown - ReBoot always used to allude to those aspects of humor stay consistent with past in that regard.

-          Matrix called Tracer ('Surfer') 'web-surfer' which he never does - its awkward, take the 'web' off.

-          I like that Lens is back!  He was so awesome in that one episode then disappeared!

-          Again, when Cadet Cookie moons them, it's so not classy like the old ReBoot ( I mean I know it wasn't crumpets and tea, but it never stooped to the level of outright showing it) - totally unnecessary (and overused anyway) - Plus, it was just random and didn't fit with the plot up to that point

-          How did the Principle Office get rebuilt so quickly?  Shouldn't it still be in shambles since no updates had been for awhile?

-          I don't like the fact that the thing that the codemasters made that Bob, Matrix, Mouse, Surfer, etc. were fighting against has a face.

-          Also I hope that deleting Turbo isn't real because c'mon-the guy has lived through the infection only to be deleted that easily? He's prime guardian he's stronger than that! -  Also, if he had the information like how to operate without keytools before, then why didn't he use it when he met Matrix in the bar that one time and explained that all the key tools had left the guardians?

-           I also don't really like the fact that that thing that destroys them is a face...WAY WAY WAY too science fiction in the design.

-          I don't know there is just something too science-fictiony about this whole things that seems to be steering away from the machine-driven ReBoot.  We aren't in outer space, we are in a computer.  I think that fact is starting to get blurred.  I feel that is part of the reason that the net is highlighted instead of just the system is to bring in the science-fictiony element.  Oh yeah the thing that Matrix received from Turbo is really science-fictiony as well.

-          Is MEGABYTE really gone THAT QUICKLY!?  He was the anchor for this huge cliffhanger, and he's written out!

Bottom Line:  Return to the cliff hanger.   First thing is first - what happened in the principle office?  What about that long speech that Megabyte gave about not wanting to take over the systems, but about 'revenge' and 'the hunt.'  I think a story along the lines of hunting the characters through the principle office would more fit the ReBoot story up to the ending point in season 4.  STEER AWAY FROM THE SCIENCE FICTION!   ReBoot is cool because it is in a way a whole new genre and idea.  It steered away from genre stereotypes, and I think that this new plot is making it a little more cliché, then masking it with computer words.  Also, return to the witty humor, not the base - not to mention overly cliché - butt humor. 

UPDATE - look at the comment section for more clarification on points.  :)  Thanks for reading a really appreciate it!

I hope that all made sense!  Remember to comment!!!!!!

With the understanding that the writer has been chosen for the new ReBoot movies, it continues to make me wonder what the result will be. I'd love to see the series have a new look but still have the essence of the original. Let's not let the movies and graphics follow a fad and have the ReBoot movies be forgotten years down the road.

Think of it this way, the new Batman movie, The Dark Night, has already been reviewed with great results. It has a full story that follows the Joker, Batman, and Harvey Dent, and has great cinematography and special effects to boot. It does things we've never seen in the Batman series. This is what ReBoot needs... a kick in the butt to get a fresh start while breaking boundaries and not relying on gimmicks.

I definitely think that they should at least let Gavin Blair have some sort of involvement. At least let him give some input and include some of his ideas to keep the old true fans (all of us involved in this whole revival process) happy.

I need as many of the original voice actors as possible too. They made the characters and are very iconic.

I guess the moral of the story is, and what I've been saying all along, is I don't want a COMPLETELY different ReBoot. Right now, all I care about is having the original characters with preferably the same voices and a good plot. Don't just rely on new technology in graphics and gimmicks to sell the movie. Give it substance. That's up to the writer and whole creative team. I don't need this to be like a Spy Kids movie that's childish, has a poor story, and relies on special effects (sorry to Spy Kids fans). I'd hate to see a complete boycott of the movies happen due to a mob of unhappy fans. Of course, it's up to the creative team to make a movie that won't let that happen. If people don't like the first movie then they definitely won't want to see another two.

Also, what's going to sell this movie is having it not only appeal to youth but also be interesting for parents. If parents like it, they'll support the kids interest. If the kids have support, they'll continue enjoying the rebooted ReBoot.

Rainmaker basically has to get it perfect for the first movie. Have all the new looks of the characters and special effects to catch a new crowd of people, but keep some of the essentials for the old fans, the people who brought ReBoot this far already. Let's face it, without us liking things about the original series, we would have never been lead to love the show the way we do and basically demand this revival. I want to see that awkward blooming relationship between Dot and Bob, the cunning and independent Mouse, the goofy happy-go-lucky Enzo with his buddy Frisket, the wise and yet sometimes senile Phong, not sure what they're doing for villains in the movie but at least have the crazy sexy seductive Hexadecimal even if she's just there as another sprite, just as long as her character is in their. This is just to name a few.

So:

1. Keep original cast of characters (of course can add more characters)

2. Keep original voice actors as much as possible

3. Strong plot!!!

4. Keep original characters' temperament and way of acting (change the odd subtle thing)

5. Go wild and have really nice appeasing graphics and updated looks

6. Be innovative

7. Keep it ReBoot!

Hey All,

ReBoot Site is up with the new comic. It crashed our site at Midnight PST, enough said.

Cheers,

So i've had a few mixed responses to my video game pitch SURVIVAL, about the exploitation of the gruesome, violent aspect of video game culture versus intuitive game play and design.

This, in part, i think was sparked by some of the images i posted of characters, in various torture contraptions or dire circumstances (see image below) to set the mood of the game.

If you haven't seen these yet, i urge you to check out my profile and give your own vote/comments on these supposed 'risque' images on my pitch, as i'm interested to hear the general consensus.

Go to: CREATIONS - PERUSE PERSONAL PITCHES ,

KEYWORD: INSANE RAVEN , PITCH: SURVIVAL

(a little shameless, self pitching never hurt anyone, right?)

I am a fan of the horror genre, not just for the guts and gore of it all, but because it is the perfect satirical forum for expressing the audacities and injustice of our time in a metaphorical way. Yes, the blood and gruesome 'gore-porn' of the SAW franchise have really sold us on how far we can push our human boundaries, but to the point where some just don't find these films entertaining anymore. Looking at George Romero's latest indie hit 'Diary of the Dead' you can see how the use of media becomes as much as infectuous carrier as the zombies in his film, spreading the message of dread and despair to those who watch.

Let's start a discussion on this: the growing use of 'ultra-violence' in our media, film, tv, gameplay.

Where do we as a community of media consumers draw the line?

What is the place of violence in our entertainment?

Well, there's been a lot of talk about ReBoot, lately, between the web-comic that is being made and the movies that are underway by Rainmaker. I just thought I would blog about this, as I'm not seeing any concern raised over what are hasty decisions on Rainmaker's part.

Don't get me wrong, I love ReBoot, and would love nothing more than for it's return in one animated form or another, but, from what I know of the situation, this is all wrong. I was so excited when I heard of the initiative to bring ReBoot back, first by letting a fan-picked team create a comic, perhaps to raise excitement about ReBoot and draw in new fans, and then by what is apparently a movie trilogy. Now here's where it all goes horribly, horribly awry...

There is no Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, or Phil Mitchell! (or John Grace, though I'm not sure if he was even involved in season 4) That’s right, as far as I know, there has been no contact between Rainmaker and the Creators of ReBoot, the writers, directors, and overall MAKERS of the whole series. Mind you, I'm not on the inside or anything, and am going on what I've heard, but if I'm wrong about this, then treat this all as hypothetically speaking.

Now I'm sure we all are aware that our own Jeff Campbell-Prof Whizzywig, the writer of Team Arrival's Reboot: Code of Honour,has even done a pitch for Rainmaker. With all due respect, this is not the man to continue the series. I'll get to more on that later, however. This would be all fine and dandy if everyone previously involved in ReBoot was no longer with us, and in that case Jeff is definitely a fine choice to evolve the series, but they're fine as far as I know, and I'm some of them, if not all would be interested in this opportunity.

The series is fine in their hands. ReBoot would be nothing without those four individuals. They always offered something new two the series. Whenever you thought it was maybe finished, after it going off the air for a year or so, BAM! They gave us a new season full of fresh new, Reboot. They've done perhaps unorthodox things, like sending Bob away, aging Enzo and AndrAIa and it seems, everything in season 4. These all turned out to become just exactly what the fans loved about the series. (I know season 4 would have too, if the rug had not been pulled out from under their feet...besides I loved every minute of it, including My Two Bobs. Trojan horse Megabyte was awesome.) ReBoot went from an episodic child-centric cartoon, to a dark and immensely intriguing epic, and kept on going from there. Don't you think we owe the people that did this just a little?

Now I know that since the "conclusion: of ReBoot these guys left Mainframe, and since THEN Rainmaker acquired Mainframe, but the fact that the first people they called when Rainmaker decided to resurrect the series, WASN'T Gavin or Ian, just tells me that there is no way this can go right. I think especially Gavin would be able two undertake this project. (Not sure if Ian is interested or not) At the FanExpo, Gavin talked about how he'd be willing to come back if he was wanted, (though this could be in reference to the Expo, itself, and not the ReBoot production) but regardless, he goes on to say that "we got the show back" and to go onto Zeros2Heroes and start bugging them. Now, would you be this excited if your wonderful work, that you've been working on for like 7 years, that has evolved into a massive phenomena, was being reopened, but you weren't allowed to work on it 'cause you didn't own the rights, and you just got to sit back and watch it all go to hell? This isn't fair to Mr. Blair

Now, some may argue that ReBoot failed because of Gavin and the others, they just ran out of steam and kind of crapped out. This is not the case. Season 4 was meant to be just as epic as the previous one, but a sad series of cut-backs, lack of interest by the networks, etc., led to the season falling from 16 episodes, to 12, to the 8-episode/2 movie, thing that we've seen. Believe me when I say that it was supposed to be better then it was. There was going to be a conclusion; elaboration on Megabyte's ominous "hunt", and now the great Tony Jay is no longer with us, and we'll have to settle for his cryptic speech, his last words as Megabyte for any sort of closure. But, voice or no voice for MB, Gavin and Ian have or at least HAD a plan for the conclusion to the biggest cliff hanger in the history of forever, and would really just be sick and twisted not to let THAT at the very least, see the light of day. Please, Rainmaker, reach out salutations to the writers of ReBoot that we know and trust. Let them, if interested, make a movie to end ReBoot as THEY envisioned. You even said that the trilogy could very well be made of a stand-alone movie and a two-parter. After that, I think a fresh, new story would be awesome, perhaps even with the cooperation of Gavin and Ian, overseeing it or something.

The point is, this is not the time to try and reinvent ReBoot or pass the future off on new writers, the old ones have just as much integrity as ever, and as they've proven before, they can add new twists to it, and I'm sure could make the series appeal to today's audience. It's only been 7 years. The biggest complaint I've heard from ReBoot fans is that it was never concluded. The Comic, Code of Honour cannot be treated as a quick answer to this much-needed conclusion, to be followed by completely new ReBoot stories in the movies. I'm sorry, Jeff, I've got nothing but respect for you, and I realize you have your career to think of, but although I will read the comic, I can't treat it as canon, as I'm sure many people agree on, and the same goes for any movie, whether it be written by you, or anyone else who has not brought the series up from it's humble beginnings. The comic, as I saw it, was just a process in the revival of ReBoot, to raise enthusiasm and new fans for the series. "Wow, a professionally-made ReBoot comic! That's cool-can't wait for them to make those movies, so I can see how they’re gonna end that big cliff-hanger!" The comic and any movie that does not have the cooperation of Gavin, Ian, Phil, or John, is nothing more then a well-done fanfic, that happens to be endorsed my the company that bought out the company that used to make ReBoot. I know a LOT of people thinks this as well.

Rainmaker, all I ask is that you contact these guys, and at least give them a chance. Let them pitch THEIR ideas. Who better then the guys who've been doing it all along. It's only fair, and I think it's the only way this venture will become successful. Come to think of it, Whizzy mentioned something about other pitches being made by "very established writers" I guess a guy can hope that those are Gavin and Ian, though I doubt it...

Anyways, if anyone actually read this, thanks a lot! Even if you just skimmed it!

Naruto

There is one word in here that makes this analysis at least PG 13; even though there is only one word I just don't want to take an chances. 

One relationship that would be  interesting to portray in future series of Reboot is how Matrix's relationship with his brother Enzo will progress when he becomes a young adult. And what would be interesting is if their relationship is portrayed like Sam and Dean Winchester from the WB's Supernatural series.

First off I don't think that showing Enzo asa young adult means that there will be a second Matrix. If anything it can show how different he is, no matter how similar he looks like Matrix. For one thing Enzo is a Guardian and Matrix is a Guardian Enforcer; both work to protect the net but in different ways.  The difference in his personality will also set him apart. With Matrix, there were signs of his infamous temper when he was little; though Enzo showed signs of the infamous Matrix temper it was only because he was confused. Once he realized he was his own person he calmed down some. He also seems to be a bit smarter since he was the only one who knew or cared that Glitch Bob was the real Bob.

To me that shows that Enzo will grow up to be more cool headed and more easy going. I also think it shows he has more maturity.

Enzo as a young adult will also add some more conflicts for him and Matrix . Matrix will have trouble seeing him as a young man annoying Enzo and yet at the same time they can grow closer. 

Matrix and Enzo's future relationship has the possibility to be portrayed similarly to Dean and Sam's relationship, which is one of the reasons why Supernatural is such a big hit.

For those of you who don't know what Supernatural is about here is what hopefully is a brief description from tv.com:  Supernatural stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as Dean and Sam Winchester, two brothers who travel the country looking for their missing father and battling evil spirits along the way.

It is funny to watch these two guys because even though I don't have any brothers, from others who do say that it the show is realistic. I can also see Matrix and Enzo having the same fights and friendship in the future.

Dean: Sam, this plane is going to crash, okay? So quit treating me like I'm freakin' four!
Sam: (very calmly) You need to calm down.
Dean: Well, I'm sorry I can't!
Sam: (still calm) Yes, you can.
Dean: Dude, stow the touchy-feely, self-help-yoga crap. It's not helping! (edit)

http://www.tv.com/supernatural/phantom-traveler/episode/465117/trivia.html

I doubt Matrix will sound just like Dean, but he probably would say something similar around those lines.

Another episode called "Faith" shows how Sam takes care of Dean and vice versa. What i funny about it is that it is more in argument than sentimental and something I can see Matrix and Enzo argue:

Dean: Man, you're a lying bastard. I thought you said we were going to see a doctor.
Sam: I believe I said a specialist.

Another episode called Route 66 shows how the Winchester brothers works:

Sam: Where are you going?
Dean: I'm going for a little ride.
Sam: What?
Dean: I'm gonna lead that thing away. (pointing to the truck) That rusted piece of crap, you've gotta burn it.
Sam: How the hell am I supposed to burn a truck, Dean?
Dean: I don't know. Figure something out.

If you  put in Enzo as Sam and Matrix as Dean and put some Reboot terms in it isn't that far fetched. Also add a Bob with his head in his hands and you get a very interesting episode.

For the sentimentality well is snippet from "The Benders" episode, where Dean has to rescue Sam from a backwoods family that hunt humans and for trophies collect human body part:

Dean: Don't ever do that again.
Sam: Do what?
Dean: Go missing like that.
Sam: You were worried about me!
Dean: I'm just saying, you vanish like that again and I'm not looking for you.
Sam: Sure you won't.
Dean: I'm not! (edit)

Relationships between these two brothers should be explored, especially with Enzo as an older teen. This will create tension between the two but could also pull them closer together. I am not saying this should in every episode but it would be nice to see it more than in season 4.

Ok, so  I haven't been active. At all. I grant you. However I was browsing my old entires and was inspired to do that examination of Reboot: ReGenerated that I said I would do so long ago. I'd like to do it (The old page where you could view all the pitches is still out there, if you know where to look, so it'd be good info), but I was wondering if you, the Z2H public, would beinterested.

 Of course, half of you wont even look at this blog, but I know that there are those of you who tend to browse the Latest Update list and such, and do click on random blogs, so here I am to ask. What do you think? Should I do an examination of Reboot: ReGenerated, and how with some tweaking, it could have been a very good pitch if ReBoot was looking to restart entirely?

I'll update regualrly. Honest. I swear.*

-Tolan 

*Not really, but I will try.

So, I found this site while re-living my childhood memories of the TV show ReBoot. God how I used to love that show, I'd watch it every thursday at 4:30 on CITV (I'm English, just to clear that up now) and I used to have the PlayStation game too. I loved it, I love the characters, the situations, the references to computers and so on and so forth.

When I realised that ReBoot was being remade, I was astonished - there were other people out there that also liked and remembered ReBoot!

But anyway - I'm not much good at drawing and all that arty stuff, bur I've always had a passion and a flair for writing, so I've decided to start giving this a serious go, to see what I can make of it. I've done little bits of writing before (mainly poems and song lyrics) but I've written some prose that I'm intending to share in bits and pieces.

In refferance to the reboot films, I'm a composer, and would be more than willing to add some music to the films. If you'd like a listen, I'm going to be adding some to my myspace soonish - I play acoustic stuff mainly, though I can composr more techno stuff, and metal too.

So yeah, thanks for reading through all this, it's appreciated, and I hope to get to know you all soon.

Matt

"Teeheemonkey" pointed out a press release announcing that Rainmaker has agreed to sell off its VFX properties. Some excerpts:

Deluxe has agreed to purchase the assets of Rainmaker's post production and visual effects operations in Vancouver, British Columbia and the shares of Rainmaker Animation and Visual Effects UK Limited, Rainmaker's visual effects operation in London, England (collectively the "Post and VFX Operations")

...

Warren Franklin, CEO of Rainmaker, commented, "The sale to Deluxe will allow Rainmaker Entertainment to fully focus on becoming a world leader in computer animated films and accelerate the development of our own film properties. Our goal is to build a world-class computer animation studio producing family oriented entertainment projects, which historically have been the strongest performing segment of the entertainment business. We have commenced production on our first animated theatrical feature film, Escape From Planet Earth, for The Weinstein Company and have begun developing a trilogy of 3D stereoscopic feature films based on ReBoot, Rainmaker's classic television series which was the first computer generated TV show in the world."

This is not money in the bank, but it looks like cause for cheer among ReBoot fans. If Rainmaker is truly this serious about becoming a CGI powerhouse, then how can they let ReBoot fail?

And now, for something completely different, a bit of ReBoot fan art drawn without reference material (obviously), just a goofy idea.

Recently I was asked to be a guest on a podcast called The Coffee and Tea Show.  So, heck yes, I went to the studio, put on the heavy headphones, and talked about ReBoot, the current revival, and the Zeros2Heroes site.  The show's page has links, of course.

Hopefully this will get the word out to a wider audience, both for ReBoot and Zeros 2 Heroes.

Warning: I also do bad impressions of Mouse and make weird noises into the microphone.

Edit: After a bloody half hour of trying I've given up on trying to convince the blog editor to take a simple link, and the HTML editor doesn't work at all on my poor old computer, so the URL for the podcast is:
http://www.coffeeandteashow.com/index.php?post_id=276919 .

hahaha!

 check me out, writing a blog on this site, I'm awesome like that. So yeah, I've been waiting for the continuation on ReBoot for such a long time! I know,  I know, just as long as everyone else. Seriously though, over 1/3 my life waiting for it, and almost 1/2 my life watching the series!

I was extremely happy with the two movies. By two movies I mean "Daemon Rising" and "My Two Bobs", I do not see them as 8 episodes. I was disgusted on leaving it on a cliffhanger, its a slap in the face for the fans, but I guess I can't really say anything since we are finally getting more!

My fav characters are Hexadecimal - for the fact that when I was right into this show I was in grade 5 and she scared the sh*t out of me! Dot 'cause she's just the best and Phong because, well honestly if you don't like Phong I'd have to question your judgement. My fav eps were within the time frame of Enzo defending the system. Great episodes, 'Firewall' & 'Game Over.'

 I'm probably not saying much people haven't already guessed or have read on someone else's blog. Or maybe no body will ever read this, honestly I don't care. I'm just writing 'cause I'm psyched about this movie and all my friends hated the series so I'm all alone in this. All the rants I could have had ...

Anyways, thats it. 'Daemon Rising' was the best of the series, as well as when Enzo was defending the system. Hope you enjoyed reading this, if anybody actually is.

'night!

It's bucketing down here outside Vancouver today and I have had a few thoughts so I figure I'll jot them down and let them be torn apart by the rampaging crowd at Z2H - because that's what we're here for :)

Reboot - what's not to love about the fist full length CG cartoon to grace our TV's and our imaginations? I remember watching it back when I was working in Australia and enjoying it immensely.

I picked up the playstation game when it came out so I could explore and play in Mainframe too. Not a bad game, would love to see a rebuild for the Ps2 or even Ps3 though.

My first windows 98 desktop theme was Reboot. I used one of those screenshot grabbers that attached to the parallel port and nabbed shots of 'Firewall' for the background, sound bytes for the windows events, and generally had a grand time being somewhat creative.

Experimenting with 3D animation brought me further into Reboot, when using 3D Max and Bryce 3D I created my own version of Mainframe and did some simple flyaround animations to explore the city.

Little did I know that this site would appear on the horizon one day and blindside me. Dragging me back into that which I had almost written off due to time constraints, work and family life.

And now it is back, new look, new team, new storyline, still the same feel. reboot hall rise again, and everything is good.

It's still raining here .... I may have to blog again, later.