Every year, video game companies go all out at one specific event – the Electronic Entertainment Expo, which takes place every year in Los Angeles around June.  Here, companies like to show off what lies ahead in the next twelve to fifteen months, big projects, small uprisings, little advancements to their hardware…that sort of thing.  We’ve been to a lot of shows now, and they’ve been impressive, but E3 2012 should be an even bigger year, thanks to what the companies are bringing.

God of War: Ascension was confirmed a few days ago by Sony after months of (badly) being kept secret by the company, and while many are interested in seeing the origins of the series’ violent hero, Kratos, there’s a new element that’s even more interesting.  Sony recently invited us down to an event in Los Angeles to get a first look at the game, but instead of seeing any aspect of single player, we were treated to a glimpse at the proposed multiplayer mode.

LOS ANGELES -- Two of the NFL’s best reconvened in Los Angeles for a Super Bowl rematch playing Call of Duty in an Epic Grudge Match. Super Bowl Champ Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants took on Pro Bowler Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots in Los Angeles. The two played new Collection 1 DLC for Modern Warfare 3. The new DLC is stockpiled with not only four Multiplayer/Survival Mode Maps, but two Special Ops Missions, giving players six pieces of content, a first for the franchise. Michael Condrey, COO and co-founder of Sledgehammer Games, talks about the Grudge Match and DLC in this exclusive video interview.

According to Forbes, pop singing sensation Justin Bieber spent a day performing motion-capture for NBA 2K13. 2K Sports worked with Bieber and his crew in Los Angeles on February 21st to capture their hoops moves, possibly for the game’s rumored celebrity street ball mode.

This is the first NBA All-Star Game in Orlando since 1992, marking the 20th Anniversary of Magic Johnson’s Historic All-Star MVP. This year also celebrates Kobe Bryant’s record tying 14th consecutive All-Star selection. Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin, who wowed the world at last year’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, is back for the festivities (but not the dunk contest). Griffin talks about his love of videogames and 3D in this exclusive video interview below.

LAS VEGAS – NCIS: Los Angeles star and rapper LL Cool J was at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2012) with Dolby to announce his new online community, Boomdizzle.com. The site was designed for all aspiring artists of all kinds to record, share, and remix original music and video content. The multiplatinum and Grammy Award winning artist was at the Dolby Booth Sky Deck to showcase Boomdizzle's Virtual Recording Studio. He demonstrates and then talks about tech and games in this exclusive video interview below.

LOS ANGELES – 20th Century Fox has enlisted first-time director Josh Trank with a brand new superhero franchise. And for good reason. He created it with screenwriter Max Landis (Frankenstein). Chronicle, which hits theaters February 3, 2012, follows the thrilling journey of a trio of teenage boys who uncover super powers in Seattle.  The thriller was filmed in the found footage sub-genre made popular by movies like Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity. Chronicle is shaping up to be one of the big movies of 2012, as the trailer below shows.

VIZIO isn't waiting until CES 2012 to showcase its new technology. As presenting sponsor of the 98th Rose Bowl, VIZIO will bring new technologies and innovative activations to fans, adding to the game day experience for college football fans. On-site, at the center of both the Oregon and Wisconsin tailgate zones, VIZIO will take over adjacent Brookside Golf Course clubhouse, to create a special VIZIO Theater 3D™ Lounge. Open to the public, the lounge will house many of VIZIO's award-winning Theater 3D™ technologies, showcase other college bowl games and treat fans to an interactive 3D video game area. VIZIO has also partnered with the world famous Los Angeles radio station KROQ, who will be broadcasting live from the lounge and bringing a special performance from popular local band, The Dirty Heads.

Magic Johnson is one of the cover athletes for 2K Sports NBA 2K12 game as well as a playable legend in both the game and the recent Legends Showcase DLC. Johnson is also taking a major role in ABC and ESPN pregame NBA shows this season, starting with the Christmas Day tip-off. Johnson took some time to talk about the new Clippers Lakers rivalry and what impact the big trades like Chris Paul and Lamar Odom will have on the two home teams that share the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Every year I set out to attend the Gamers United holiday event in Los Angeles, for two reasons.  One, I like helping out for a good cause, in this case providing games to sick kids to help them get through their tough times.  Second, it's a good opportunity to see friends and simply have fun, something I definitely could use during any given holiday season.  So, without further ado, here's the report from the event...

Amongst the highlights from last night's Spike Video Game Awards 2011 was Deadmau5.  The popular mouse-headed DJ had plenty to do on the stage, mixing up tunes during commercial breaks and making his presence felt.  But he made even bigger headlines after the show when he lost something quite vital in the backseat of a taxicab -- his PlayStation Vita.