Author: John Scalzo

John Scalzo is Warp Zoned's Editor-In-Chief and resident retro gaming expert. You can email him at john AT warpzoned DOT com.

Dark Souls Trilogy might be in development for Nintendo Switch

Posted on December 7, 2016 by John Scalzo

darksouls3-teaser-header

From Software was one of the most surprising names to be found on Nintendo’s partial list of publishers and developers that are currently working on games for the Switch. The prolific developer has supported Nintendo hardware in the past, but always to a much lower extant than PlayStation and Xbox platforms.

That might change in a big way in 2017.

According to a new rumor report on Let’s Play Video Games, From Software is currently developing a “Game of the Year” re-release for Dark Souls III, and the brutal action RPG might also make its way to the Switch. The site’s source claims that “development on a Switch port has been underway for several months via a small team” though “From Software [is] waiting to see initial sales data before committing to producing ports.”

Furthermore, Dark Souls III might be joined on the Switch by the first two games in the franchise, as the source also said, “discussions internally at the company have discussed the financial viability of re-releasing the main three Dark Souls titles on the Switch with their DLC bundled in.”

Let’s Play Video Games has reported on a number of Switch rumors that turned out to be true, so it seems very possible that Nintendo fans will get their first crack at the Dark Souls franchise beginning next year.

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The Last Guardian, Ark Survival Evolved, Red Faction, more added to PS Store

Posted on December 7, 2016 by John Scalzo

After more than seven years in development, Team Ico is finally ready to unleash The Last Guardian on the PS4. Now available to download through the PlayStation Store, players should prepare their hankies, as Fumito Ueda and his team are definitely going to tug on some heartstrings with their story of a scrappy young boy and the massive creature known as Trico.

Another game featuring an array of fantastic beasts will be available to download this week from Studio Wildcard as their dino survival game, Ark: Survival Evolved, has also launched for the PS4.

Finally this week, THQ Nordic is bringing back one of the earliest FPS hits for the PS2 with Red Faction, the latest addition to Sony’s growing stable of PS2-On-PS4 titles.

More information on all of these games can be found after the break. And a full look at this week’s new add-ons and discounts is available at the PlayStation Blog. (more…)

Posted in News, PS4, Vita | Tagged

First MLB The Show 17 gameplay trailer also introduces fans to Retro Mode

Posted on December 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

Sony hosted their annual PlayStation Experience event this past weekend, and we’re still sorting through all the trailer and announcements unveiled during the showcase. And for all you baseball fans out there, here’s a look at the first gameplay trailer for Sony’s MLB The Show 17.

The trailer also gave us a quick glimpse at Retro Mode, an SNES-styled mode that transforms MLB The Show 17 into something that more closely resembles 1994’s Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball. Here’s what Sony San Diego’s Ramone Russell had to say about MLB The Show 17’s Retro Mode on the PlayStation Blog:

Introducing “Retro Mode,” a retro gameplay experience that pays homage to the classic baseball games many of us grew up playing. Retro Mode allows you to move the pitcher across the pitcher’s rubber and move around the batter’s box with ease, classic on-screen displays, an old school soundtrack, unique sound effects, a throwback pause menu and more.

MLB The Show 17 will be released for the PS4 on March 28.

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CoD: Infinite Warfare Update: “Terminal” map free to all and new Quartermaster weapons now available

Posted on December 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

Activision has announced that new downloadable content for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is now available for all players.

First up, a short tweet has confirmed that the “Terminal” map (which was previously exclusive to players who purchased Infinite Warfare at launch) is now available as a free download for everyone. And second, a new collection of weapons can be obtained from the Quartermaster with Keys or Call of Duty Points. A trailer for the Quartermaster update has been embedded above, and players interested in the new weapons can learn more about them right here:

A brand new collection of craftable Prototype weapons, plus new camos, Epic Taunts, and personalization items have arrived at the Quartermaster in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, including the EBR-800 Bomber sniper/assault rifle hybrid, DCM-8 Epitaph shotgun, Type-2 Atomic assault rifle/dual-SMG combo, and much more.

Activision and Infinity Ward will also support Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare with four downloadable expansions throughout 2017. The first is expected to launch in January or February.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Hungarian company uses racing game on Xbox One to train their self-driving cars

Posted on December 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoThe self-driving cars are coming. Whether its Google or Lyft or BMW or Apple, someone will eventually crack the code and begin production on a car that will drive itself from Point A to Point B. Most companies are tackling the problem of how to “train” their self-driving cars with thousands of hours on the road. But one Hungarian company is using a different type of teacher… video games.

Laszlo Kishonti recently spoke to The Wall Street Journal, and he revealed that his company, Almotive, used an unnamed driving game on the Xbox One to help their self-driving cars learn the basics:

“One of the ways…to train AI [is] you just keep repeating training steps and eventually get a little further and further” in learning, said Niko Eiden, AImotive’s chief operating officer.

Mr. Eiden described using the videogame to training a car to steer, accelerate and brake. “Initially the car will always hit the wall, but after a couple of million tries—that take only a few minutes on a regular PC—it has learned by itself how to drive around a random track and even accelerates on straight sections—just like a child learns to walk!”

Mr. Kishonti said after using the videogame for a few weeks his system had experienced all the variations to be found in the game world.

Almotive is now creating their own simulations using “high-definition video of real-world driving” to further teach their self-driving cars. I’m sure this will in no way lead to the rise of Skynet.

Posted in News, Xbox One |

Housemarque teams up with Smash TV creator to announce Nex Machina

Posted on December 5, 2016 by John Scalzo

Twin-stick shooters are everywhere nowadays, but Housemarque is going back to the genre’s roots with Nex Machina, which was announced this weekend during the PlayStation Experience. Building on their previous games including Dead Nation and Resogun, the developer is also teaming up with Eugene Jarvis, the creator of Robotron and Smash TV, to create a game where robots have enslaved humanity:

In a world where humans have become more and more addicted to technology, machines have evolved from simple helpers to replacements for unwanted jobs — conscious entities with their own feelings. Robots surpassed mankind’s abilities, becoming the superior being, and started to refuse to serve us.

After the singularity, the rise of the machines was inevitable — and unstoppable. But nobody even noticed. Mankind’s best and brightest were too busy updating their status on social media. When all seems lost, out of the blue a mysterious hero appears: you. Who sent you? Will you save humanity from itself once again? And last but not least, are your skills sharp enough to confront an army of fiendish robots out for blood?

Writing on the PlayStation Blog, Housemarque’s Mikael Haveri said that Nex Machina (which means “Death Machine” in Latin) will be a “true arcade experience” that also serves as something of a spiritual followup to Robotron and Smash TV.

Nex Machina doesn’t currently have a release date.

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged ,

First Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite gameplay trailer introduces Captain America, Morrigan

Posted on December 5, 2016 by John Scalzo

One of the first announcements during this weekend’s PlayStation Experience was Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite, the (rather surprising) fourth entry in the crossover fighting franchise. Last night, Capcom unveiled the title’s first extended gameplay trailer, introducing fans to Ryu, Mega Man X, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Morrigan. The 90-second clip also gives us a glimpse at how the characters will use Marvel’s Infinity Stones in battle.

Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2017.

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Akuma kicks off Street Fighter V’s Season 2 DLC on December 20… don’t miss the trailer

Posted on December 5, 2016 by John Scalzo

Capcom has big plans for Street Fighter V‘s second season of downloadable content, and it all begins with Akuma on December 20. Revealed over the weekend at the 2016 PlayStation Experience, Akuma’s design will be “burlier” in Street Fighter V, but according to the Capcom-Unity blog, the martial artist is just as deadly as ever:

Character Overview
Akuma returns to Street Fighter V, displaying his mastery of Ansatsuken and while he has become burlier than previous games, he possesses quick footwork and devastating combos. He has a wide array of destructive tools and is able to completely out-class opponents with his oppressive pressure. His moves and stances often strike poses reminiscent of Buddhist statues and Ukiyo-e paintings.

How does Akuma feel about Ryu’s approach to overcoming the Satsui no Hado and what is his relationship to Necalli? Be sure to check out his character story to find out!

V-Skill: Rakan
Akuma strikes a defensive stance and similar to Ryu’s Mind’s Eye, can parry an incoming attack. He can follow-up the move with an upward kick or a long reaching palm strike.

V-Trigger: Dohatsu Shoten
Akuma powers up and envelops his body with ki to enter Dohatsu Shoten mode. In this mode, his Gohadokens are more powerful, now able to travel full-screen and he can unleash two in the air even while jumping backwards. Additionally, when he lands his Goshoryuken attack, he follows-up and violently drives his opponents into the ground.

Critical Art: Sekia Koretsuha
Akuma channels an incredible amount of ki into his palm and drives it into the ground, striking the opponent with an exploding pillar of fierce energy.

Critical Art: Shun Goku Satsu
Only accessible while in Dohatsu Shoten mode, Akuma’s most powerful attack returns. He glides towards the opponent and grabs them, resulting in a series of devastating strikes in the blink of an eye.

Akuma will be the first of six new characters added to Street Fighter V as part of the 2017 Character Pass ($29.99), which will also be available on December 20. The Pass will give Street Fighter V owners access to Akuma and five “completely new” characters throughout the year. Each character will also receive Premium Battle Costumes with Colors 3-10 unlocked. And as always, all of Street Fighter V’s upcoming bonus content can be unlocked by completing Challenges and earning Fight Money in the game.

Capcom also announced they’ll add the 2016 Holiday Content Pack, B-Boy Ryu, and B-Girl Chun-Li to Street Fighter V’s online storefront on December 20. A trailer for these extra costumes can be found after the break. (more…)

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