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.

Voice actor strike reveals unannounced games like Lego Marvel 2, Brothers in Arms, more

Posted on October 21, 2016 by John Scalzo

legomarvelsuperheroes-header

SAG-AFTRA, a union representing voice actors and stunt performers, authorized a strike against game developers that began this morning. As part of the process, the union has published a list of projects that members are no longer allowed to work on, and it includes several unannounced games.

It wasn’t much of a shock to learn that EA Sports is already hard at work on Madden NFL 18 and NHL 18, but listings for Lego Marvel 2 and Brothers in Arms were a bit more surprising (though not unexpected). While WB Games has yet to make any noise about a new Lego Marvel game, Gearbox confirmed the existence of a fourth Brothers in Arms game last year.

A large number of mobile games also make up a large part of the list, as well as a few games that are denoted only by codenames. For example, Take-Two is working on something called “Alligator,” while EA is developing games under monikers as diverse as “Odin,” “Fearless,” “Scorpion,” and “Timbits.” We may never know what these codenames refer to (they may even belong to games that have already been released), but one of the union’s major demands is for developers to be more transparent during the hiring process and to use a game’s actual title when contracting with vocal/stunt performers.

Finally, several highly-anticipated 2017 titles will be affected by the strike including Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue, Injustice 2, and Crash Bandicoot Remastered. So hopefully the two sides can reach an equitable agreement soon.

UPDATE: A representative from WB Games has informed us that the inclusion of “Lego Marvel 2” in the SAG-AFTRA strike list is actually a reference to Lego Avengers, which was released earlier this year. However, Lego Avengers was announced in January 2015, several weeks before the union’s deadline for projects that must be part of the picket line.

I’m not sure why it was included on the list (it’s possible the union goofed), but the official line from WB Games is that “Lego Marvel 2” is definitely not a reference to “Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2” or any other unannounced game. That said, I’d be very surprised if WB Games isn’t working on another Lego Marvel game, and we’ll likely hear more about “Lego Marvel 2” in the future.

Posted in 3DS, Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , ,

Voice actors represented by SAG-AFTRA union go on strike against game developers

Posted on October 21, 2016 by John Scalzo

man-screaming-at-computerNegotiations between game developers and the voice actors and stunt performers represented by the SAG-AFTRA union began in February 2015, but after more than 18 months of discussions, the two sides appear no closer to an agreement. Because of the impasse, and to protest against a contract they believe is decades out of date, the members of the union went on strike this morning.

“SAG-AFTRA has gone to the negotiations table with serious concerns affecting voiceover and stunt performers,” said Ray Rodriguez, the Chief Contracts Officer for SAG-AFTRA. “It’s time for video game employers to take our concerns seriously and negotiate a modern contract based on actor safety, industry precedent and best practices.”

This strike won’t affect all developers, and currently only applies to games that went into production after February 17, 2015 at Activision, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Take-Two Interactive, and WB Games. However, the strike also extends to several independent vocal production studios that do a lot of contract work with the big publishers.

The game developers are offering an immediate 9% salary hike for all performers, and “additional compensation” depending on the number of recording sessions. However, the union’s demands for better working conditions went unmentioned in a statement from the Chief Negotiator for the game developers.

The SAG-AFTRA union plans to push the game developers for a better deal over the next few weeks, and their first order of business is encouraging all members to join a picket line in front of EA’s headquarters this Monday, October 24.

Posted in 3DS, Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One |

Sports! NBA 2K17, Madden 17, FIFA 17, NHL 17 are the best-selling games in September 2016

Posted on October 21, 2016 by John Scalzo

nbalogoFootball season is in full swing, and the NBA season is getting ready to tip-off this weekend, so it’s a great time to check out this year’s newest sports simulations. Gamers definitely agreed, as four sports titles were at the top of September 2016’s sales report from The NPD Group.

2K’s NBA 2K17 was #1, and it was followed by three from EA Sports: Madden NFL 17 (#2), FIFA 17 (#3), and NHL 17 (#4). Shooters dominated the rest of the list with BioShock: The Collection rounding out the Top 5, and Destiny: The Collection (#6), Overwatch (#8), and Call of Duty: Black Ops III (#10) all in the Top 10.

Believe it or not, Minecraft failed to find a place in the Top 10 for the first time in nearly a year. Perhaps this is why hardware, software, and accessory sales totaled $838.2 million last month, which is down from September 2015’s $1.09 billion tally. But the NPD is pinning the blame on the PS4 Slim and Xbox One S.

“Spending on software, hardware, and accessories declined by 23% compared to this time last year,” NPD Analyst Sam Naji told GamesIndustry.biz. “The release of the PS4 Slim and the second month of the Xbox One S was not enough to stimulate total hardware spending and this month’s new software releases could not compete with last year’s stronger slate of new games.”

The full Top 10 from September 2016 can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Play Zombie Mini Golf with the Dead Rising 4 Deluxe Edition or Season Pass

Posted on October 21, 2016 by John Scalzo

deadrising4-header

Microsoft has announced (via the Xbox Wire) that Frank West will find a few extra toys under the Christmas tree this year thanks to the Dead Rising 4 Season Pass. Priced at $24.99, the Season Pass will include three downloadable content expansions which will be available sometime after its launch on December 6.

The highlight of the collection is clearly Super Ultra Dead Rising 4 Mini Golf, which reconfigures the town of Willamette (and the Willamette Memorial Megaplex Mall) into a zombie-filled golf course. However, if you’d prefer to extend the story, the Frank Rising expansion forces a freshly-infected Frank West to search for a cure in a time-limited version of the campaign after he’s bitten by a zombie. Finally, the Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack is your standard issue “bonus content” pack and will include an assortment of “festive” weapons, vehicles, and costumes.

More information about each expansion can be found right here:

  • Stocking Stuffer Holiday Pack: Frank West is home for the holidays and he’s got a naughty list the size of Willamette, Colorado. Tear up the streets with festive weapons, zombies, vehicles, costumes, and more.
  • Super Ultra Dead Rising 4 Mini Golf: You’ve mastered the outbreak – now it’s time to master the green, with eighteen holes of pure wanton destruction you can play with up to three friends online. Flip zombies the birdie where bloodthirsty, over the top zombie mayhem is par for the course. The world of Super Ultra Dead Rising 4 Mini Golf is extreme and the fairways are the town of Willamette, Colorado, including the iconic Willamette Memorial Megaplex Mall. Use Frank West’s favorite weapons as your set of golf clubs. With an oversized golf ball, drive down the fairways, reaching for the green to nail the perfect putt. Watch your score as you do not want to bogey in this zombie filled eighteen-hole golf course. Mini golf is made crazier with the zombie horde as obstructions and hazards. Dead Rising Fore!
  • Dead Rising 4: Frank Rising: In this DLC, Frank West is freshly infected and needs to find a cure before he becomes a zombie and is lost forever. While searching for a cure, Frank discovers that everything is not the same as it was; zombies are getting smarter, people cannot be trusted and paramilitary forces are plotting to wipe out Willamette. Frank has a limited time before he reverts to the full zombie state and the city is wiped out. Frank will have to get to the truth first… or die trying.

The Season Pass content can also be obtained as part of the Dead Rising 4 Deluxe Edition ($79.99), which will be available exclusively as a digital download. And don’t forget, if you opt for a digital download of Dead Rising 4, you’ll receive the game on both the Xbox One and Windows 10 PC thanks to the Xbox Play Anywhere program.

Posted in News, PC, Xbox One | Tagged

Nintendo Download: SteamWorld Heist, Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks, Pirate Pop Plus, more

Posted on October 20, 2016 by John Scalzo

Don’t worry, Nintendo didn’t forget about this week’s Nintendo Download amidst all the hoopla for the Switch reveal…

This week, Wii U owners will be able SteamWorld Heist, a side-scrolling strategy game from Image & Form. Players will be able to take part in “turn-based tactical shootouts” and perform “awesome bullet-bouncing trick shots” while they scour the universe for treasure.

Also available to download for the Wii U this week is The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Link’s second adventure on the DS. Originally released for the DS in 2009, Spirit Tracks offers plenty of exploration and dungeons for Zelda fans… as well as a Spirit Train to travel around New Hyrule.

Wii U and 3DS owners will also get the chance to try out Pirate Pop Plus, a retro-styled bubble-popping arcade game that emulates the monochromatic colors of the Game Boy. Best of all, players who purchase Pirate Pop Plus will receive access to it on both platforms.

Finally this week, the classic Super NES RPG Breath of Fire is now available to download for the 3DS. Originally released in 1994, the Capcom-produced game was eventually followed by five sequels.

More information on all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged

The Big List of Nintendo Switch Games

Posted on October 20, 2016 by John Scalzo

nintendoswitch-header

It’s time to retire the “Big List of Nintendo NX Games” name and say hello to “The Big List of Nintendo Switch Games.” While I’m sure you’ve spent the last few hours analyzing and re-analyzing the “First Glimpse” trailer for Nintendo’s new console/handheld hybrid, let’s take a deeper look at some of the games we know are in development for the Switch, and some we suspect might be. (more…)

Posted in Features, Switch, Top Story |

Developer behind SteamWorld series is developing a new game for the Nintendo Switch

Posted on October 20, 2016 by John Scalzo

imageandformgames

Just when you thought the Nintendo Switch spiggot got turned off for the day, Image & Form has confirmed they’ve got a game in development for Nintendo’s next console. If you’re unfamiliar with Image & Form, they’re the developer behind the retro-styled side-scroller SteamWorld Dig and strategy game SteamWorld Heist.

Image & Form CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson sat down with Nintendo Life today to talk a bit more about the project, which is still shrouded in mystery:

Nintendo Life: So, what game are you developing? We have to try and ask that!

Sigurgeirsson: Can’t comment on that, except it’s going to make a lot of people happy.

Nintendo Life: When did development start?

Sigurgeirsson: Earlier this year. It’s an idea we have had for quite a while and Switch will be the perfect platform for it.

Nintendo Life: What features of your game, and separately the NX hardware, are you most excited about?

Sigurgeirsson: I’m confident that Switch will be a hit for Nintendo, since they’re once again reinventing the gaming industry. As for our own game: it’s an Image & Form title, and it’s going to be our finest work to date. If you liked anything about our past games you’ll absolutely love it.

Sigurgeirsson and Community Manager Julius Guldbog also sat down to talk a little about their experience with the Switch in the latest episode of Image & Form’s behind-the-scenes video show, “The Engine Room.” You can find the video after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Rockstar unveils the first Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer

Posted on October 20, 2016 by John Scalzo

I understand that the big Nintendo Switch unveiling blew away everyone’s expectations, but don’t forget that Rockstar Games also unveiled the first Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer this morning. The trailer is incredibly beautiful, showing life in the old west in greater detail than ever before, but there’s not much new information to glean from its short running time.

Developed by the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.

Red Dead Redemption 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One in Fall 2017.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged