Warp Zoned Presents
Author: Melissa Niedringhaus
Nordic Games resurrects Painkiller franchise
Nordic Games is bringing back the Painkiller franchise with a new installment called Painkiller Hell & Damnation. The game is being developed by Polish studio The Farm 51, and will be developed with the Unreal Engine 3.
Expect lots of fast-paced gameplay and big boss fights with an “old school FPS ideology.”
Reinhard Pollice, who is responsible for Business and Product Development at Nordic Games, said player skill will be the most important part of the game, and that they will be putting “tremendous emphasis on the game’s multiplayer component.”
A first build is being shown at E3 2012, and Nordic Games promised that more information is forthcoming!
Posted in News, PC
Tagged E3 2012, Painkiller Hell & Damnation
Jet Set Radio skates to Vita and E3 2012
Sega confirmed today that an updated version of Jet Set Radio, the rollerblading Dreamcast classic, will be available on th Vita, as well as the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC this summer. Also, it will be playable at E3 2012.
This version of Jet Set Radio will feature upgraded HD visuals, but keep the original soundtrack, which will come as a relief to fans of the series. The Vita version promises enhanced interaction with the environments in the game, making use of the system’s touch functionality and camera for activities like spraying graffiti.
Ubisoft reveals E3 2012 lineup
Today, Ubisoft announced that it will start its E3 2012 festivities with an invitation-only press conference at 3 PM (Pacific Time) on June 4th, but you shouldn’t feel left out; those unable to attend E3 can watch the press conference live on YouTube, and get bonus backstage videos and free content on Uplay, Ubisoft’s online community site dedicated to enhancing player experience.
The press conference will feature Ubisoft’s upcoming lineup (including their Wii U plans), special guests and some surprise announcements. In a first, Ubisoft will be inviting gamers to ask questions of its development teams on Uplay, and will broadcast the best questions live during the conference.
Games available to be played at Ubisoft’s booth will include Assassin’s Creed III, Far Cry 3, Rayman Legends, and Rocksmith. The finale of a ShootMania: Storm marathon tournament will be broadcast from the booth at 11 AM (Pacific Time) on June 6.
For more information on Ubisoft’s lineup at E3, check out their Facebook page, or bookmark their YouTube site to watch the press conference on June 4th!
AirMech prepares to land on Steam
Carbon Games says that AirMech, an action strategy game that puts you in control of a transforming robot, will soon be available to download on Steam. The game is already available for test through Google Chrome, and can be downloaded from Carbon Games’ website if you’d like to check it out.
Additionally, if you’d like access to AirMech ahead of the public beta, you only need to follow AirMech on Facebook or Google+ for a Steam key.
For more information about the game, or about the developers, head on over to the Carbon Games dev blog.
Microsoft to give away an Xbox 360 to students who buy a Windows 7 PC
Just like last Summer, Microsoft has announced they’ll give a free Xbox 360 to any student that buys a Windows 7 PC.
To take advantage of the offer, students or their parents must provide valid student ID as defined by a participating retailer. Some of the retailers participating in the promotion include Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics, Dell.com, HPDirect.com, the Microsoft Store, and NewEgg.
Students who buy a qualifying Windows 7-based PC (last year, Microsoft required a minimum purchase price of $699), will receive a free 4GB Xbox 360 console. The promotion starts on May 20th, and is good for as long as supplies last.
Double dose of Serious Sam coming to Xbox Live Arcade this fall
Serious Sam will make the Xbox Live Arcade a very serious place this Fall with two new releases.
First up is Croteam’s Serious Sam 3: BFE, which will feature the fast-paced brutal action the first person shooter series is known for and take advantage of XBLA’s online capabilities.
A revamped Serious Sam Double D XXL, a 2D sidescroller starring Sam, is also on its way. It’ll feature new missions, weapons, enemies, and a campaign cooperative mode.
Nathan Fouts, founder and Lead Designer at Mommy’s Best Games, said that his team has taken all of criticism concerning the repetitive nature of the shooting and the lack of depth in the original Serious Sam Double D to heart, and have incorporated more gameplay variety in the XBLA version.
If you’re a Serious Sam fan, and you’d like to follow development updates and news for these games, you can check out the official Facebook page, or follow publisher Devolver Digital on Twitter.
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged Serious Sam 3: BFE, Serious Sam Double D XXL
Nintendo bringing two new Pokemon games to 3DS eShop this year
In an effort to help enhance people’s experience when playing Pokémon Black Version 2 or Pokémon White Version 2 on the 3DS, which was developed for the DS family of systems, and can only be played in 2D, Nintendo has announced two companion titles that can be downloaded from the 3DS eShop this Autumn.
Pokémon Dream Radar allows players to discover and catch hidden Pokémon using the Nintendo 3DS camera, motion control, and augmented reality technology. Pokémon caught in this way can be transferred into Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2. Pokémon Dream Radar includes some hard to get Pokémon, so downloading this title can help you build your roster.
Pokédex 3D Pro includes detailed information about all of the Pokémon featured in the history of the series, tools for sorting, comparison, and ranking, and details on what abilities each Pokémon can learn and how it evolves. All Pokémon are unlocked from the start, and you can take photos of Pokémon in the real world using the 3DS camera.
For more information about any of these games, visit the official Pokémon website.
Posted in 3DS, DS, News
Tagged Pokemon Black 2/White 2, Pokemon Dream Radar
Little Orbit announces E3 2012 lineup
Little Orbit today announced it’s product lineup for the 2012 E3 Expo.
First on the list is Young Justice: Legacy, which is a licensed action RPG based on the “Young Justice” television series on Cartoon Network. In the game, players control a squad composed of 12 possible characters from the series in locations all across the DC Comics world of Earth-16.
Next up is Mistborn: Birthright, an RPG based on the Mistborn series created by bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson. The game is set hundreds of years before the first book in the original series, and will put Allomancy in the hands of players as they take control of a young nobleman who must learn to use his newfound abilities to save his family. Mistborn: Birthright is due out in late 2013.
Posted in DS, News, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
Tagged E3 2012, Mistborn: Birthright, Young Justice: Legacy