Warp Zoned Presents
Author: Mike Gutierrez
Killzone 3 single player and co-op demo coming February 8th (or 15th)
Okay, so you’ll be able to check out Killzone 3 multiplayer in a public beta starting February 2nd. Not a multiplayer fan? Good news, because a single player demo for the game will be released on the PlayStation Store on February 8th for PlayStation Plus subscribers in North America and a day later in Europe. Non-Plus members can download the demo a week later on February 15th in North America and, yep, a day later in Europe. The demo showcases the “Icy Incursion” mission about halfway through the campaign and will be available in 3D or 2D downloads, and the latter will allow for split-screen co-op.
With a good amount of the game releasing before its February 22, 2011 launch date, players will have plenty to experiment with in making their final decision on purchasing the game. It’s as good as got over here, but I’m just glad I’m getting a lot to satiate my hunger for the next Killzone.
Posted in News, PS3
Tagged Killzone 3
Knights Contract goes gold, coming 2/22/11
Announced back in May, Namco Bandai’s take on medieval Europe, Knights Contract, is finished and will be releasing on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on February 22nd. This action-adventure title takes place in an alternate 17th century, focusing on Heinrich, an immortal executioner, and Gretchen, a witch he killed who now has him under contract to defeat the maniacal Dr. Faust (awesome reference), the one who ordered her death. Players will need to utilize Heinrich’s scythe and Gretchen’s magic simultaneously to overcome their enemies and restore order to the land. I personally don’t know much about the game, but the art style looks fantastic and if the gameplay realizes its potential, it could be a nice little hit for Namco.
New Federal legislation on the horizon for violent video game warning label
Representative Joe Baca of California reintroduced his failed game warning label bill from 2009 into the House of Representatives yesterday. The bill, identical to its past incarnation, suggests mandating that all games rated T for Teen and higher to display a label stating “WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.” The original never resurfaced once it was sent to a sub-committee.
While the recent Supreme Court hearing on California’s violent video game law certainly stirred up many gamers, this particular legislation appears to have had little weight since its inception. Certainly the message that violent video games are correlated to aggressive behavior is horribly misleading, at least as a matter of academic consensus.
Posted in News
PlayStation Store Update for 1/25/11
If for some reason you’re a deranged rail shooter fanatic who has no interest at all in buying Dead Space 2, Dead Space: Extraction in High Def glory is now available for you on the PlayStation Store. Most of us will probably just stop by to check out the Bulletstorm demo.
MAG’s 256-player extravaganza turns 1
Zipper Interactive’s innovative First Person Shooter is reaching its first birthday and we’re all invited to the party. Starting tomorrow, January 26th, through January 30th, MAG will be hosting 256% in-game queue and “Happy Hour” bonuses, and both Domination and Acquisition game modes will have faction-neutral maps, meaning that the defenders on those maps will not necessarily be the local faction. Also in the community spirit, Zippers QA team will be online from 10am-5pm Pacific Time for a “Play Live with Zipper” event when it all kicks off tomorrow, January 26th.
MAG received positive reviews, boasting incredible map design, deep customization, and having achieved a 256-player game that actually works. The problem is mainstream shooter fans were turned away by the overall lack of visual polish in graphics and animation. The ones who stayed were never given instructions on how to utilize the command structure, and the game rarely played out how it was supposed to, as squad leaders who knew what they were doing were a rare commodity. The game is a mixed bag with only a small dedicated community left. You can expect our thoughts on MAG one year later in the coming days here at Warp Zoned.
Champions Online: Free For All launches today
Another MMO has been bit by the free to play bug today, as Atari. and Cryptic Studios release the Champions Online: Free For All update for their lauded MMO title. Essentially, the game itself is intact and free, but things like Adventure packs, items, powers, and costume pieces can be bought from the in-game or web-based C-Store. Existing players can continue, and new players can opt into, regular subscriptions as Gold Members for $14.99 a month with “most” of the game’s content as well as some extra features.
Lord of the Rings Online went free to play a few months ago and the team members have boasted extremely positive results with the new business model. With no credit card needed, and the entire game world open to you, there’s really no reason for any MMO enthusiast to shy away from this one.
Posted in News, PC
Tagged Champions Online
Disney Interactive cuts jobs
Disney Interactive is currently downsizing, apparently in a pretty substantial way, as nearly half of its 700 member staff may be getting the boot. Disney calls the layoffs a “restructuring process” in its statement. Variety reports that many were anticipating the layoffs as many key players left the division last year, including Graham Hopper, who spent the last eight years building the studio into a formidable entity in the gaming industry. New talent is coming in to upper management, including John Pleasants, CEO of Playdom, which Disney acquired last year. Disney’s current CEO Bob Iger said Pleasants would “focus on turning those businesses into profitability” and “diversifying our presence in the business, so we’re not reliant on one platform that’s obviously facing challenges.”
While terms can have multiple connotations in the business context, he may be referring to last year’s Epic Mickey, which released exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, a console that is notoriously difficult for third party developers to find success on. Epic Mickey was panned critically, but is apparently the fastest selling game in Disney Interactive’s history, pushing 1.3 million copies last December.
Nintendo Download for 1/24/2011
Whether you like roller skating, fishing, or getting your poker face on, with or without furries, hit the jump for details on all the titles in this week’s Nintendo Download. (more…)