Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: DS
The Smurfs smurf their way onto the Wii, DS this Summer
A film adaptation of The Smurfs will be released in theaters on August 3, and Ubisoft has announced that the blue creatures will smurf their way onto the Wii and DS around the same time as well.
Nothing else was announced about the game, but executives at Ubisoft are absolutely thrilled to be working on a Smurfs game (the game’s unnamed developers didn’t mention what they thought of the deal):
“We’re thrilled to be working with Lafig Belgium and Sony Pictures on the Smurfs license. Our ongoing partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products allows us to create fun and entertaining video games based on some of the most popular family films,” said Christian Salomon, vice president of worldwide licensing at Ubisoft. “Ubisoft’s creative team is working hard on crafting the perfect video game experience that will appeal to new and old fans of The Smurfs.”
Red Dead Redemption, Enslaved, God of War III lead 2011 AIAS nominees
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the nominees for the 14th annual Interactive Achievement Awards (IAAs). As expected, Red Dead Redemption lead the way with nine nominations including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design and Game of the Year.
God of War III and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (a title that is already being considered one of the best games you’ve never played) shared the second-most nominations with six apiece. Other games up for multiple awards include Call of Duty: Black Ops, Heavy Rain, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and Mass Effect 2 (five nominations apiece) along with Dance Central, Limbo and Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty (four apiece).
The awards will be handed out by Jay Mohr at the 2011 D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit on Thursday, February 10. The hour-long show will be broadcast on G4 two days later, February 12, at 4:00 PM (Eastern Time) with a webcast scheduled for 7:30 PM (Eastern Time) at G4tv.com/DICE.
A complete list of nominees can be on the AIAS website, but the “Game of the Year” will come from this list of five: Angry Birds HD, Call of Duty: Black Ops, God of War III, Mass Effect 2 and Red Dead Redemption.
Buy 2 games, Get 1 free at Best Buy this week
Do you still have a few gift cards burning a hole in your pocket after Christmas? Then I suggest you head down to your local Best Buy this week to stock up on games as the retailer is running a “Buy 2 Games, Get 1 Free” promotion this week (Sunday, January 16 – Saturday, January 22).
The sale applies to every DS, PSP, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 game priced $29.99 and up. And shoppers are encouraged to mix and match games among the five systems. The promotion also includes LittleBigPlanet 2, Mindjack, Mass Effect 2 on the PS3 and the rest of this week’s new releases.
So good luck and good (bargain) hunting.
New Releases: LittleBigPlanet 2, Mass Effect 2, Mindjack, More
What this week’s new releases lacks in quantity, it makes up for it in quality.
Sony’s second Sackboy adventure on the PS3, LitleBigPlanet 2, will be released this week. The sequel will add even more level creation options as well as include an expanded single-player campaign.
As PS3 owners get their second crack at Sackboy, they’ll get their first chance to experience BioWare’s Mass Effect series with a PS3 port of Mass Effect 2. Sticking with the science fiction theme, Square Enix will be bringing their body-hopping shooter Mindjack to the PS3 and Xbox 360.
Finally, PopCap Games has shrunk down Plants vs Zombies for a DS release.
The full list of the rest of this week’s new releases can be found below. (more…)
Posted in DS, News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Tagged LittleBigPlanet 2, Mass Effect 2, Mindjack
Activision taps Beenox to develop future Spider-Man games
As Spider-Man Uncle Ben always said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” So it seems rather fitting that Activision is about to bestow great power and great responsibility on Beenox, the developer of last Fall’s Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.
The megapublisher has announced that Beenox has been named the primary developer on upcoming games starring the superhero. While Activision didn’t go into specifics about the wallcrawler’s next video game adventure, an investor’s call in November revealed a new Spider-Man game is in the works for a 2011 release.
For their part, executives at Beenox and Activision seem excited about the arrangement.
“Beenox’s creative vision reinvigorated the Spider-Man gaming experience among critics and fans in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions,” said Patrick Kelly, Senior Vice President, Activision Studios. “We can’t wait to see where this talented studio will take this franchise in the future.”
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to continue our close, collaborative relationship with Activision, Marvel and everyone’s friendly, neighborhood hero, Spider-Man,” said Dee Brown, Studio Head, Beenox. “Being able to map out Spider-Man’s interactive future gives us the creative freedom to really craft the best gaming experience for the fans.”
Limbo, Red Dead Redemption lead 2011 Game Developers Choice nominees
The nominees for the 2011 Game Developers Choice Awards, which will be handed out on March 2 during the Game Developers Conference, have been announced.
The monochromatic XBLA puzzle-platformer Limbo took seven nominations, more than any other game. But Rockstar’s cowboy opus Red Dead Redeption was close behind with six while BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 received five.
Other big nominees include God of War III, Heavy Rain and Minecraft, all of which received three nominations. Minecraft’s inclusion among the nominees marks the first time a game has received a GDC Award nomination and was selected as a finalist in the Independent Games Festival.
Hit the jump for the full list of nominees. (more…)
Posted in DS, News, PC, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
Tagged God of War III, Heavy Rain, Limbo, Mass Effect 2, Minecraft, Red Dead Redemption
Pokémon Black and White U.S. mall tour urges players to ‘Catch a Mall’
Beginning on February 5th, 14 cities across America will be swarming with kids and college students alike. Why, you ask? Well, simply put: Pokémon is back.
For a full month, The Pokémon Company International will be hosting two-day events (on weekends) at various malls throughout the United States. At these events, players will be able to take part in mall-wide scavenger hunts, meet the three newest starter Pokémon from the Black and White games, and receive a special “event” Celebi through GameStop store distributions. Game demo areas will be available as well, where hands-on stations will allow players to explore the new world found in both Pokémon Black and White games. Every stop of the national tour will also be accompanied by a free screening of the newest movie in the franchise: Pokémon-Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
J.C. Smith, The Pokémon Company International’s director of marketing states: “We cannot wait to hit the road and give Pokémon fans an up-close and personal look at an all-new world of Pokémon in a fun, totally immersive environment.”
This year looks bright for the Pokémon franchise, promising a new step in the games’ series, a feature-length film, and new merchandise, including an expansion to the popular trading card game.
Hit the jump for the list of mall stops! (more…)
Posted in DS, News
Tagged Pokemon Black/White
LEGO Battles: Ninjago whirling to your DS in Spring 2011
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games announced today the newest project in their LEGO Battles series with LEGO Battles: Ninjago. The game will allow players to hone their skills in the hidden art of “Spinjitzu,” becoming tornadoes and vanquishing enemies. Keeping alive the recent karma trend in gaming, players will have a choice between good and evil single player modes. Add in Battle Mode challenges and multiplayer showdowns and you have a healthy heaping of family friendly content for your DS.
The game complements the new Ninjago lineup of products LEGO released today, which they will be adding to throughout the new year. No firm release date has been set for the game, but expect it to drop sometime this Spring.
Posted in DS, News
Tagged Lego Battles: Ninjago