Most Recent: News

Xbox head Don Mattrick leaves Microsoft for Zynga

Posted on July 1, 2013 by John Scalzo

donmattrickWell this was unexpected. And it just might explain why Mattrick has been unable to give reporters a straight answer about anything over the last month.

According to a report on AllThingsD, Don Mattrick, the President of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment division, is leaving the company. This comes on the heels of an absolutely disastrous E3 outing for Mattrick and Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox One console. Was he fired? Did he quit in disgust? Did he purposely tank attempt to make things better with the gaming public? The world may never know.

What we do know is that the report comes from “multiple sources close to the situation” and that Mattrick’s new home may be as the CEO of Zynga. The troubled casual/mobile developer would certainly be a new challenge for Mattrick, but it is positively low-stakes compared to spearheading a major new console launch.

An announcement on Matttrick’s future could come as early as today. And if the reports are true, his Microsoft career will have culminated with the reversal of the Xbox One’s much-hated DRM policy.

UPDATE: It’s official.

Posted in News |

Rise of the Triad reboot to be released on July 31, includes free download of original ROTT

Posted on July 1, 2013 by John Scalzo

Prepare to get ludicrous! Apogee and Interceptor Entertainment have announced that the Rise of the Triad reboot will be released on July 31.

The Unreal Engine 3-powered PC exclusive has been priced at $14.99 and all pre-orders will come packaged with the “Apogee Throwback Pack,” a four-pack of classic Apogee titles including Rise of the Triad: Dark War, Extreme Rise of the Triad, Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold and Blake Stone: Planet Strike.

You can also check out the new trailer (which features plenty of gibs) above.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged ,

Beatbuddy slides onto Steam on August 6

Posted on July 1, 2013 by John Scalzo

beatbuddy-boxA few days after the release of last week’s very amusing new edition of Threaks News, the developers of Beatbuddy have announced that the game has a new name (Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians) and an official release date (August 6). The PC, Linux, and Mac title will be available to download exclusively from Steam for $14.99.

Beatbuddy was included in our Best of PAX East 2013 roundup and we’re thrilled the game will be available to everyone soon. Are you unsure what Beatbuddy’s all about? It’s all about the beat…

Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians tells a story of an ethereal, blue creature who is awoken from his eternal slumber in order to save the world of Symphonia from losing music forever to Prince Maestro. Beatbuddy’s quest takes him to a series of worlds where he encounters vibrant characters, such as Harmony, Clef, Trebble, and Quaver, who aid him as he opens paths and solve puzzles on his journey. Threaks has created a rich, interactive experience utilizing its patent-pending sound technology that syncs in-game animations with the beat, enabling players to experience music that is woven into the fabric of this action-adventure.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Weekly Warp-Up: The Annual “It’s Too Hot” Edition

Posted on June 30, 2013 by John Scalzo

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…

Does everybody remember the “Rent is Too Damn High” guy from the 2010 New York governor’s debate? I’ve been thinking about him again recently, not least of which because it’s been too damn hot this week. Yup, that’s how little is going on in the game industry this week, I referenced the “Rent is Too Damn High” guy and the weather.

Anyway, UK Correspondent Andrew Rainnie looked at Nintendo’s performance during this year’s E3 Expo and has put together a few thoughts on what he considers “The New Conservatism of Nintendo.” And speaking of E3, the Game Critics Awards got together and announced the nominees for their annual Best of E3 2013 awards. This year, a trio of games (TitanFall, Destiny, and Watch Dogs) came away with more nominations than all the rest.

So cool down and take a gander at the rest of this week’s big news stories, after the break. (more…)

Posted in News |

New Releases: Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition, Dark, Crash City Mayhem

Posted on June 30, 2013 by John Scalzo

mortalkombatkomplete-box

Happy July everyone! If you were looking for a massive list of new releases to while away a few Summer hours indoors when it’s just too hot outside… you’ve come to the wrong place. Just three games are on the release schedule for this week:

Hmm. Maybe this week’s downloadable slate will offer up something interesting…

Posted in 3DS, News, PC | Tagged

Yawn… Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is up to seven million copies sold

Posted on June 28, 2013 by John Scalzo

minecraft360-header

Hey look! Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition sold another million copies. I love the game and I’m happy for everyone involved, but isn’t selling another million copies every few months a bit boring? Why not switch it up a bit? Next time, developer 4J Studios should make an announcement after Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition sells exactly 1,234,567 copies since their previous tweet. Whatever, it’s Friday afternoon.

Here’s the latest celebratory tweet from 4J Studios:

Seriously, congratulations.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Beatbuddy beta begins and Threaks shows off the game’s mo-cap session

Posted on June 28, 2013 by John Scalzo

Threaks is spreading the word about Beatbuddy, their upcoming rhythm-based puzzle platformer for the PC, with a new developer diary titled “Threaks News Episode 2.” Company CEO Wolf Lang and programmer Steve Liesche sit in their “new studio” (Translation: A desk in front of an air mattress) and show off the game’s “mo-cap session” (Translation: A guy in a Beatbuddy costume with ping pong balls taped to his face). I love those wacky Germans.

In actual Threaks news, Lang and Liesche announced that the Beatbuddy closed beta has begun. If you’re interested in joining, please email them at beatbuddy AT threaks DOT com.

Beatbuddy will be available through Steam’s download service sometime this Summer.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

XBLA Today: Doodle Jump For Kinect

Posted on June 28, 2013 by John Scalzo

A Kinect-powered, Xbox Live Arcade version of Doodle Jump was announced over two years ago. Today, it has finally been added to Microsoft’s digital storefront and it’s been priced at 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Developed jointly by Lima Sky and Smoking Gun Interactive and published by D3 Publisher, Doodle Jump For Kinect players can now tackle “three original worlds, robust power-ups, and challenging boss battles” in their attempt to get the Doodler to the top of the screen:

Doodle Jump, the most addictive mobile platformer ever, comes to Xbox Live Arcade with amazing new Kinect-only features. Guide Doodle the Doodler on a journey up, up, up, bouncing from platform to platform, past monsters, black holes and other obstacles. Players step left and right to move, point to blast nose balls at baddies, flap their arms to fly and more with other unique gesture controls. Doodle Jump for Kinect introduces 3 all-new worlds, treacherous bosses, and unique power-ups. Get off your couch and get your friends and family together to see who can score the most points and collect the most stars.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged