Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- BAFTA Games Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books to Get a New Look for Richard Moss’s “Age of Empires”
- GDC Awards: All the Winners from 1996 to Today
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wins “Game of the Year” at 2025-2026 GDC Awards
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) – Yarn Spinner (2026)
- The History Of The Word “Metroidvania” And How It Spread – A Critical Hit (2025)
- Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment – Bloomberg (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history – Design Room (2025)
- In 2005, games started rewiring our brains – The AV Club (2025)
Author: John Scalzo
WB Games performs a Fatality on the PS3/Xbox 360 version of Mortal Kombat X
Mortal Kombat X launched for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in the Spring, with plans for a PS3/Xbox 360 version to follow a few months later. Eventually, its previous-generation port was pushed back to the Fall, and today, WB Games officially put an end to its development with an announcement on their community forum:
After months of development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has come to the regrettable conclusion that we cannot release Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Please know our teams worked diligently to meet the quality standards set by the current-gen versions of the game. We were not able to get the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to the quality expected of a Mortal Kombat game and are very sorry for not being able to deliver the products as originally planned.
Like most cross-generation games, the PS3/Xbox 360 version of Mortal Kombat X would have been considerably less impressive than its PS4/Xbox One counterpart. After trying to close that gap for months, the publisher decided to cut its losses and ripped the game’s heart out like Kano. After being delayed three times, it was probably the right call.
Since its release this Spring, the new-generation version of Mortal Kombat X has been expanded by NetherRealm Studios with a Kombat Pass that includes Tanya, Tremor, The Predator, and Jason Voorhees. Rumors abound that a second batch of downloadable characters will join the game’s roster in the near future, but no official has been made.
Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360
Tagged Mortal Kombat X
Xbox Store Today: Magnetic, Blues and Bullets, Nova-111, Whispering Willows
The final day of Microsoft’s Summer Spotlight promotion is here… and so are its last three games.
The first of those three games is Magnetic: Cage Closed, a first-person puzzler for the Xbox One that encourages players to “manipulate and master magnetic forces.” This special Magnet Gun will give players the ability to navigate the game’s deadly maze.
Also available this week is Blues and Bullets, the first part of an episodic adventure series that casts players in the role of Elliot Ness. With his days with The Untouchables over, Ness is living out his days working in a diner and keeping his head down. But you can’t keep a good lawman off the case and he’s quickly drawn in to the “increasingly morbid and decadent scenarios” that grip Santa Esperanza.
Nova-111 is a side-scrolling space exploration that asks players to pilot their trusty ship to”fix space-time and search out the scientists lost in the aftermath of the universe’s greatest experiment.” No pressure there.
Finally this week, Whispering Willows is a side-scrolling puzzler where players explore a mansion as Elena, a young girl who can project her spirit outside of her body. Elena needs to use this supernatural ability to communicate with the benevolent spirits and wicked wraiths of the mansion, solve their riddles, and find her missing father.
More information on all of these games can be found after the break. (more…)
Catch a ride to the theater… a Borderlands movie is in the works
Gearbox Software, Take-Two Interactive, and Lionsgate have announced they are teaming up with producers Avi and Ari Arad to create a Borderlands movie. The fivesome’s current plan is to go big with Borderlands and turn it into a “tentpole” film that’s befitting of the Borderlands name.
For a better reference point, it might be helpful to look at some of the past projects that Avi and Ari Arad have been responsible for. The executives got their start in the comic book realm, producing Blade for New Line, X-Men for Fox, and Spider-Man for Sony. They’ve also helped guide those franchises through multiple sequels and even a reboot or two (yes, they’re also responsible for X-Men: The Last Stand and The Amazing Spider-Man 2). More recently, the duo has branched out into video game adaptations, with plans to produce films based on Uncharted and Metal Gear Solid.
Lionsgate also sees the potential in a Borderlands film, with Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger quoted as saying: “The Borderlands games don’t pull any punches, and we’ll make the movie with the same in-your-face attitude that has made the series a blockbuster mega-franchise.”
That said, the adaptation is currently lacking actors, writers, and a director… so it might be a long time before we get to see it. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about the Borderlands movie during the “Inside Gearbox Software” panel, which will be held at PAX Prime later today.
Posted in Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Tagged Borderlands, PAX Prime 2015
Minecraft: Story Mode will be playable at PAX Prime 2015
The 2015 PAX Prime expo begins in just a few hours, and if you’re in Seattle waiting to get in, you might be pleased to learn that Telltale Games will have a playable demo of Minecraft: Story Mode at their booth (#3117) this year. According to the developer, this is the first time the game will be playable by anyone outside their office, so this is quite the opportunity for PAX Prime attendees.
A lucky few will also have the chance to acquire an expo-exclusive Minecraft: Story Mode t-shirt. And actually, there will be four different shirt designs, one for each day. Telltale has also said there’s a chance some could collect all four:
[F]rom Saturday onward we’ll have a limited number of the day’s t-shirts reserved each morning for people who visit us wearing one of the previous day’s designs. No need to play the beta again, just wear the shirt! So if you play on the first day and are quick getting to our booth each morning thereafter, you might just manage to collect all four designs.
Minecraft: Story Mode will follow Jesse (Patton Oswalt) and his friends as they attempt to revive the Order of the Stone and save the world from an Ender Dragon. The first episode (of five) is expected to premiere this Fall on the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices (iOS and Android).
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Minecraft: Story Mode, PAX Prime 2015
Shovel Knight Amiibo figure (and possibly a sequel) officially announced by Nintendo
Wii U and 3DS owners were left out in the cold earlier this year when Shovel Knight‘s PS4 and Xbox One debut included exclusive platform-specific content. We could only sit back and watch as our knightly brethren did battle with Kratos and the Battletoads. However, the wait was probably worth it as Yacht Club Games had a very important Shovel Knight-related announcement to make during Nindies@Night, Nintendo’s pre-PAX event at the EMP Museum.
This news is three-pronged, and huge, so let’s start small. You know what else is small? Amiibo figures are small. Even a Shovel Knight Amiibo figure, which will be available this Fall and which unlocks exclusive content in the 3DS and Wii U game. On the Wii U, players will be able to team up with a friend and take on the Order of No Quarter in a co-op mode. In addition, customizable gear (featuring new visual enhancements, relics, and abilities) and a special Challenge Mode will also be available on the Wii U and the 3DS.
Let me pause for a moment and mention that Nintendo did not announce Shovel Knight’s addition to the DLC slate for Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U, even though an extensive fan campaign has been pushing for the character’s inclusion in the fighting game for months. However, the commission of an Amiibo figure (the first to be compatible with a Nindie game) is certainly a strong indicator that Nintendo is at least considering it.
Moving on, Nintendo also confirmed that the Shovel Knight Amiibo will be compatible with future games released for Nintendo platforms. So, in a roundabout way, Nintendo just confirmed the existence of Shovel Knight 2 (or a Shovel Knight appearance in Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U).
Yacht Club teased a “MEGATON” announcement earlier this week, and the announcement of a sequel to their beloved debut game (or an appearance in Smash Bros.) certainly fits the bill. Though, I suppose, the upcoming expansions would also count as “future games.” So we probably shouldn’t start talking sequel just yet.
Finally, the developer revealed that the Plague of Shadows expansion will be available to download in September. And if you’re interested in seeing the Shovel Knight Amiibo figure “in action,” I recommend checking out the comedic trailer from Game Grumps after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged PAX Prime 2015, Shovel Knight, Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows
Night Dive will remaster Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Turok 2 for modern PCs
If you were a teenager in the late 90s, you probably spent a lot of time playing Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil for the Nintendo 64. That’s because the pair of games, which were developed by Acclaim, were two of the biggest first person shooters available at the time. Eventually, both titles were also released for the PC as well. And as of right now, they’re going to be re-released on the PC in “modernized” versions, courtesy of Night Dive Studios.
According to the developer, they plan to restore both games by adding enhanced graphics and making other improvements to the nearly 20-year-old Turok titles. These tweaks will make Dinosaur Hunter and Seeds of Evil more accessible to modern players, with both eventually scheduled to be available exclusively through digital distribution platforms like Steam, GOG, and the Humble Bundle Store.
Here’s what Stephen Kick, CEO and Founder of Night Dive Studios, had to say about the announcement: “When Turok: Dinosaur Hunter was first released it was nothing short of revolutionary. To that point, no game had ever offered the combination of graphics and an open world environment that Turok featured. We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring this great franchise back to life and to be able to share these great titles with today’s gaming audience.”
Night Dive is perhaps best known for their restoration of System Shock 2. Hopefully, they’ll use the same amount of care in remastering Turok for a new generation of players, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet.
Posted in News, PC
Tagged Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Rainbow Mika joins Street Fighter V and will be playable at PAX Prime this weekend
Capcom has announced that Rainbow Mika, or R. Mika as she’s more commonly known, is the latest character to be added to Street Fighter V. Not only that, but the wrestler will be included in Street Fighter V’s playable PAX Prime demo, which will available in Capcom’s booth (#3103) this weekend in Seattle. If you’re unfamiliar with R. Mika (her only previous appearance is in Street Fighter Alpha 3), here’s what Capcom had to say about her on the Capcom-Unity blog:
As an aspiring young wrestler, Mika dreamed of one day becoming a star in the ring, much like her idol Zangief. Training under the strict tutelage of her coach, she traveled the world engaging in random matches with street fighters in order to spread her name and popularity. R. Mika’s wrestling prowess will be on full display in Street Fighter V, as she dazzles opponents with a wide variety of high-flying moves. This time around, her wrestling tag-team partner Nadeshiko assists in the fight! By calling Nadeshiko at the right time using R. Mika’s V-Trigger ability, players will be able to set up sneaky attacks and punishing command grab mix-ups that are sure to deliver devastating amounts of damage. Players who enjoy putting on a stunning display of fear-inducing close-combat guessing games will find R. Mika a colorful and rewarding way to play.
V-Skill: Mic Performance
R. Mika pulls out her trusty microphone and gives a heart-pumping monologue to the crowd. The longer the buttons are held down, the more powerful her normal and special throws become! During her monologue state, she is able to absorb one hit from the opponent and can also cancel the speech at any time by letting go of the buttons, causing her to fling the mic at the opponent.V-Trigger: Nadeshiko (3 Variations)
Now this is wrestling! Depending on the direction held during the V-Trigger activation, R. Mika’s faithful tag-team partner will deliver a surprising, high flying attack at the opponent from different angles: neutral (body splash from above), hold back (dropkick from the front), hold forward (dropkick from behind). The different variations keep opponents guessing and afraid to hit buttons, perfectly setting up R. Mika’s damaging command throws.
Street Fighter V will be released for the PC and PS4 in Spring 2016.
Posted in News, PC, PS4
Tagged PAX Prime 2015, Street Fighter V
Nintendo Download: Disney Infinity Star Wars, Runbow, Sin & Punishment 1 & 2
Today’s Nintendo Download is a big one for the Wii U as a pair of highly-anticipated titles and another pair of Nintendo classics are now available to download (or will be soon):
- Available on August 30, Disney Infinity: Star Wars will bring the Disney Infinity formula to the Star Wars universe, including a brand new series of figures.
- But available today is Runbow, a “frantic party-platforming game” for up to nine players that will also include a huge number of guest characters from Nintendo’s ever-expanding slate of “Nindies.”
- Rounding this week’s new releases are Sin & Punishment and Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, a beloved pair of rail shooters that are available to download on the Wii U for the first time.
More information on all of these games (and a few others) can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged Disney Infinity: Star Wars, Runbow