Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Angry Birds, Dragon Quest, FIFA Soccer, and Silent Hill are the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
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Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
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Most Recent: News
Wii U suffers miserable sales during the last three months, can Pikmin 3 turn the tide?
Nintendo has released their second quarter sales figures for 2013, and they do not make for pleasant reading. Their new flagship console, the Wii U, sold just 160,000 units worldwide from the start of April through the end of June. Compare that to its predecessor, the Wii, which managed to sell 210,000 units and push its worldwide sales total past the 100 million mark.
Needless to say, this was reported across the board as disastrous news for the company, however solvent they are. Yet taken in a different perspective, it does not immediately spell doom and gloom for the Wii U. First of all, the console has sold 3.61 million units globally in the eight months since it was released. Also, Q2 saw a vast drought of games for the console. The only first party games released were Game & Wario and New Super Luigi U, and the latter is just a downloadable expansion for New Super Mario Bros. U. Worthwhile third party games were also in scant supply, though multiplatform games such as Injustice: Gods Among Us and Resident Evil Revelations did make it to the Wii U.
The pessimistic view is that games are not the issue, yet as GamesIndustry International reports, the July release of the long-awaited Pikmin 3 pushed the Wii U to sell 22,000 units in a single week in Japan. Given that only 90,000 units sold in that country in the previous three months, it would be safe to assume the raft of new games set to release this year, including The Wonderful 101, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Super Mario 3D World will see the Wii U steadily climb in sales before its next generation siblings are released.
However, Pikmin 3 also illustrates how Nintendo is learning from their past mistakes. A advertising big push for the game in Europe prior to its launch propelled it to number two in the most recent Chart-Track list of bestsellers.
This new teaser for Deep Down will freak you out, but maybe only if you live in Japan
Capcom has released a new teaser trailer for their PS4-exclusive online multiplayer RPG Deep Down. Featuring a long descent down a dark, cavernous shaft, various voices can be heard rasping and whispering, before flashes of various creatures attack the camera, including a demonic looking bear and a… thing with an open ribcage full of teeth. It’s pretty freaky, and presents the game in a much different tone from the knights versus dragons game shown at E3.
While Capcom keeps us guessing, Forbes has revealed that, at the moment, Capcom is still undecided as to whether the game will see a release outside of Japan.
Honor Watch Dogs by watching this “E3 Honors” trailer
Like every other trade show/convention it’s been a part of, Watch Dogs swept into E3 2013 on a wave of hype and swept out with an armful of awards and accolades.
According to Ubisoft, the game received over 90 “Best of E3” awards and nominations from a wide variety of publications including Machinima, Kotaku, IGN, The Escapist, and many more. They’ve compiled some of the kind words into the new gameplay trailer above. Like every other Watch Dogs trailer, it’s definitely worth your time.
Watch Dogs will be released for the PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360 on November 19. PS4 and Xbox One editions will also be available before the end of the year.
Bethesda delays Wolfenstein: The New Order into 2014
Bethesda’s Vice President of Marketing, Pete Hines, has tweeted that Wolfenstein: The New Order has been delayed. The latest game in the series, in development at Sweden’s Machine Games, had previously been set for a Fall 2013 release. Due to a need for more polish, the game will now be released in 2014:
We have confirmed today at QuakeCon that Wolfenstein will ship next year, all platforms. Felt it deserved some additional time for polish.
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) August 1, 2013
When it does finally make its way to stores, Wolfenstein: The New Order will be available for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Hines has specifically ruled out a Wii U version, so Nintendo fans are out of luck.
Ubisoft plans to bring a brand new next-gen IP to Gamescom 2013
Ubisoft plans to make a big splash at this year’s Gamescom expo, which kicks off on August 21 in Cologne, Germany. The publisher will have nine games playable on the show floor (including Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Rayman Legends, Watch Dogs, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist, The Crew, and more). They also plan to debut a “new next-gen IP currently in development.”
“This year’s Gamescom is particularly exciting because it’s the first time players can really get their hands on the next-gen consoles and games they have been waiting for,” said Yves Guillemot, co-founder and CEO, Ubisoft. “Gamescom is a unique opportunity for us to connect face-to-face with our fans and listen to their feedback, and we think they’ll love what we’re bringing to this year’s show.”
A complete rundown of Ubisoft’s Gamescom lineup can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Gamescom 2013, Rayman Legends, The Crew, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Watch Dogs
Ace Combat: Infinity is Free-To-Play and will be available this year
Namco Bandai has released a few more details about Ace Combat: Infinity, including a release date (sometime in 2013) and whether or not it’s a free-to-play game (it is). Yes, you read that right, the next Ace Combat game will be free-to-play and, as of now, available exclusively on the PS3.
Namco Bandai isn’t looking at Infinity as some free-to-play cash grab. The game will be developed by Project Aces, the same team that has been responsible for the rest of the titles in franchise. It will also include a large Story Campaign Mode for solo players and a 2v2 multiplayer mode where teams will compete to inflict the most damage on a common enemy.
“The Ace Combat franchise has evolved dramatically over the years, but never before have we been able to offer its amazing graphics and tactical action for free,” said Olivier Comte, Senior Vice President at Namco Bandai Games Europe. “The team at Project Aces listens very carefully to its players, and is bringing the best the series has to offer to Ace Combat: Infinity, with plenty of new surprises too.”
Namco Bandai has released a new teaser trailer for Ace Combat: Infinity, which you can find after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PS3
Tagged Ace Combat: Infinity
Nintendo Download: Pikmin 3, Cloudberry Kingdom, Planes, more
Nintendo has updated the Wii U eShop and 3DS eShop with a ton of new games today, but this week’s biggest release, Pikmin 3, won’t be available until Sunday. If the further adventures of Captain Olimar and his little companions doesn’t interest you, Pwnee’s insane platformer, Cloudberry Kingdom, is available for the Wii U today. And if neither of those games are of interest to you, 3DS and Wii U adaptations of Disney’s Planes will be available to download on Tuesday, August 6.
Virtual Console fans will be interested in knowing that Harvest Moon (originally released for the Super NES) has been added to the Wii U eShop and Kirby’s Dream Land 2 (originally released for the black-and-white Game Boy) has been added to the 3DS eShop.
More information on all of these games and a few additional releases can be found after the break. (more…)
Daily Scoop: August 1, 2013 – BioShock deals
What a crazy day it’s been here in Philadelphia! It was pouring rain all day, but now the sun is actually trying to shine. It’s definitely been an interesting summer!
There aren’t a lot of deals going on today. In fact, the best one I was able to find was another one on Amazon. It’s a downloadable PC deal called the Bioshock Triple Pack, which includes BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite. There are no DLCs included, but hey, while you’re at it, you might as well get the season pass for Infinite!
Just two shirts today, everybody: (more…)
Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News