Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books Gets 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
- Silent Hill, Dragon Quest, Skyrim, and More Announced as Finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
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
Square Enix considering “overseas expansion” for Dragon Quest X
Dragon Quest X was released for the Wii exclusively in Japan in 2012. Since then, it’s availability has expanded to include the Wii U, Windows PC, and Android tablets, but again, only in Japan. That might change soon.
During a financial briefing this morning, publisher Square Enix has confirmed that “expansion to overseas market [for Dragon Quest X] is under consideration.” Square Enix is focusing this possible expansion primarily on other countries in the Asian region, but it could apply to North America and Europe as well. The series has done well on this side of the ocean before and the successful launch of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn might encourage Square Enix to give Dragon Quest X western launch.
However, the same financial briefing also revealed that Square Enix plans to launch multiple “large‐scale online titles developed by Western studios” during their current fiscal year (which runs from April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015). Several “large-scale” projects are known to be in development at Square Enix’s western studios including Hitman 6, Deus Ex: Universe, and a next-gen sequel to the Tomb Raider reboot. Square Enix is also in line to publish Just Cause 3, an unannounced game that has been quasi-confirmed by developer Avalanche on multiple occasions.
So prepare yourself to be knee deep in Square Enix-published games (hopefully including Dragon Quest X) very soon.
Posted in News, Wii U
Tagged Dragon Quest X
Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition comes to PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One this August
Blizzard has announced that Diablo III‘s “Ultimate Evil Edition,” which includes the original game and the Reaper of Souls expansion, will be released on August 19. Before today, the Ultimate Evil Edition was officially only in development for the PS4, but Blizzard has confirmed the compilation will be available for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Xbox One as well.
“The Ultimate Evil Edition brings Reaper of Souls to console gamers for the first time, and wraps all of the content, features, and updates we’ve released for Diablo III into one epic package,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Whether you’re a veteran of the crusade against the forces of evil on PC or are just stepping foot into Sanctuary for the first time, there’s never been a better time to experience Diablo III from the comfort of your couch.”
Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition adds a sixth character class, The Crusader, to the main game as well as a fifth Act that pits players against the Angel of Death, Malthael. Other new features added to the game courtesy of the Ultimate Evil Edition include Adventure Mode (“A new game mode that gives players the freedom to go anywhere and slay anything”), Bounties (“Randomized objectives that reward players in new ways for exploring Sanctuary”), Nephalem Rifts (“Fully randomized dungeons offering endless replayability and heaps of loot”), The Mystic (“A powerful new artisan who provides heroes with loot-customization options”), and a raised Level Cap.
If you’ve already got Diablo III on the PS3 or Xbox 360, you’ll be able to transfer your previously created characters into the Ultimate Evil Edition. PS3 owners can make the jump to the PS3 or PS4 versions while Xbox 360 owners can likewise transfer to the Xbox 360 or Xbox One editions.
See 20 seconds of Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in this trailer
I’ve spent the last 15 minutes somehow trying to equate Pokemon trainers with mothers and it’s just not working out. It always ends up sounding creepy or weird. So anyway… here’s a short sneak peek of 3D versions of Groudon and Kyogre in Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire. Enjoy!
Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire will be released for the 3DS in November.
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby
Weekly Warp-Up: Nintendo is Doomed (Again) Edition
No, that’s not a typo. Welcome to the Weekly Warp-Up, your weekly wrap-up of the biggest and the best articles posted at Warp Zoned this week…
Nintendo has not had a good week. After operating at a loss for the third straight and watching the Wii U get passed by the PS4, the publisher angered the greater gaming community due to their exclusion of same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. If they want to turn things around, they might interested in my advice about Why Nintendo Should Get Into the Movie Business. And even more discussion of Nintendo’s uncertain future was had among the Warp Zoned staff in Episode #3 of “Continue Countdown.” We also chat about Microsoft’s forays into the film business and Kevin Spacey’s starring role in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, among other things.
But if you’re sick of reading about how Nintendo is DOOMED (because I know I am), then you should check out Nicole Kline’s report on the 2014 East Coast Game Conference. And when you’re done with that, there’s even more news from the week that was after the break. (more…)
Posted in News
New Releases: Borderlands 2 Vita, Minecraft: PS3 Edition
The remainder of May will be a treasure trove of great new releases, but first we have to get through one of the slowest weeks for new releases in a long time. Especially when you realize that neither one of these games is new.
The slimmer and lighter PlayStation Vita was shipped to stores last week as part of the Borderlands 2 Vita Bundle, but if you want to play Gearbox’s shooter on the go and you already own a Vita, perhaps you’ll be interested in the standalone version of Borderlands 2 for the Vita.
And over on the PS3, the retail release of Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition will be available this week. The game has been available as a downloadable title through the PlayStation Store since the end of 2013, but if you want a disc, here’s your shot.
OK, that’s it. Be sure to check back later this week for a roundup of new releases on the digital storefronts.
Posted in News, PS3, Vita
Tagged Borderlands 2, Minecraft
Nintendo apologizes for lack of same-sex relationship option in Tomodachi Life
Nintendo got into some trouble with the gaming community this week when it was revealed that Tomodachi Life, their upcoming life simulator, doesn’t include an option for same-sex relationships. After fans tried to organize a protest campaign, Nintendo told the Associated Press that Tomodachi Life wasn’t designed as “social commentary” and that the game “[represents] a playful alternate world rather than a real-life simulation.”
Late last night, Nintendo formally apologized and admitted that the game’s code can’t be changed with a post-release patch to allow same-sex relationships. The company has also pledged that any future Tomodachi Life game will be designed from the ground up to be more inclusive. Nintendo’s full statement can be seen here:
We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game’s design, and such a significant development change can’t be accomplished with a post-ship patch. At Nintendo, dedication has always meant going beyond the games to promote a sense of community, and to share a spirit of fun and joy. We are committed to advancing our longtime company values of fun and entertainment for everyone. We pledge that if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series, we will strive to design a game-play experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players.
Tomodachi Life will be released for the 3DS on June 6.
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged Tomodachi Life
Here’s Why Nintendo Should Get Into the Movie Business
Nintendo is doomed! Doooooooommmmmmmed!
What? No. This is not going to be that kind of editorial. Per their latest financial report, Nintendo is sitting on a warchest of $10,997,600,854. Even though the company posted a major operating loss in their most recent financial quarter, they could still keep the lights on for 24 years just by dipping into their piggy bank. And while they might be conservative, they’re not as conservative as people like to think. Nintendo’s video game business was just an offshoot of their attempt to manufacture toys in the late 70s, which came after they tried operating a taxi service and running a hotel. (more…)
Wolfenstein: The New Order will take 20 hours to complete and include an “alternate timeline”
Jens Matthies, the Creative Director of Wolfenstein: The New Order at MachineGames, opened himself up to the world this morning as part of an Ask Me Anything on Reddit. The developer refused to answer multiple questions asking if Mecha Hitler will be part of the game, but he did have several very interesting things to say.
On the subject of the campaign’s length, Matthies said that the game is about 20 hours long “if you collect everything and explore everywhere.” But the developer also revealed that the “vibe of the story” can go in radically different directions depending upon a choice the player is forced to make early in the game. Matthies didn’t want to spoil it, but if you’re interested in knowing, please highlight the black bars below:
During the 1946 prologue, B.J. Blazkowicz and his squad (Scottish commanding officer Fergus and a young private named Wyatt) are captured by General Deathshead. Offering a devil’s bargain, The General tells Blazkowicz that he must choose whether Fergus or Wyatt will die, which will allow the other to live. Attempting to defy Deathshead results in the execution of both prisoners while Blazkowicz is brutally beaten to death (which you experience through a first person view). As Blazkowicz, you MUST choose which character is murdered by Deathshead. It’s an absolutely horrifying moment in game that is already pretty horriffic.
Matthies said that the team considers each playthrough from this moment as an “alternate timeline” but it does more than just change the closing cinematic. In addition to the “vibe,” it “affects the tone of the whole game a little bit” and “alters the gameplay somewhat.” Of course, if Wolfenstein: The New Order does well, Matthies and his team will have to choose one ending as the official one as he also said, “We would love to do a sequel and we have lots of ideas.”
Ideas like… Mecha Hitler? Wolfenstein: The New Order will released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on May 20.