Most Recent: Articles

Mass Effect 3: N7 Edition is a collector’s dream

Posted on November 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Are you a massive Mass Effect fan? If so, then listen closely, because BioWare wants to tell you all Mass Effect 3‘s “N7 Collector’s Edition.”

Retailing for $79.99 and available on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, the N7 Collector’s Edition includes a treasure trove of goodies that fans have been requesting for a long time. I refer, of course, to the commemorative tin case with artwork featuring the official female character model for Commander Shepard. Oh, and MaleShep is on there too… if that’s your thing.

What else can you expect to find in the N7 Collector’s Edition? Behold…

  • Premium metal case featuring commemorative artwork of Commander Shepard.
  • 70-page hardbound art book featuring hundreds of unique and gorgeous illustrations from the BioWare development team.
  • Limited edition Mass Effect comic by Dark Horse Comics, complete with unique cover artwork.
  • Join the ranks of the N7 with the premium fabric N7 patch.
  • Exclusive 4×6 lithographic print featuring a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.
  • A full collection of in-game content that can’t be found anywhere else!
    • N7 Arsenal Pack – Bring the firepower with the N7 Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, SMG, and Pistol.
    • Robotic Dog – A faithful sidekick to keep you company on board the Normandy.
    • Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack – New appearances for your favorite squad members.
    • N7 Hoodie – For Commander Shepard’s casual days on board the Normandy.
  • Relive all the greatest moments of Mass Effect 3 with the digital soundtrack.
  • Xbox Live Normandy prop for your Avatar. (Available on Xbox 360 version only.)
  • Display your initiation in the N7 ranks with a collection of forum and social badges, avatars, and perks.
Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Torchlight II suffers a slight delay to ensure it’s “awesome”

Posted on November 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

Travis Baldree, the President of Torchlight developer Runic Games, has announced that his company’s next project, Torchlight II, won’t make it out in 2011 as previously promised. Baldree wouldn’t commit to a new release date, but he did say, “The amount of time we need to take it the rest of the way is relatively small.” So I think it’s safe to assume that Torchlight II will make it out sometime in the first half of 2012.

In his quest to make Torchlight II “awesome… all the way through,” Baldree doesn’t feel too bad about delaying the game as he (rather correctly) reasons that everyone is already playing all of this Fall’s biggest reasons:

We feel pretty safe in saying that if you enjoyed Torchlight at all, this sequel is superior in every respect. Right now our job is to ensure that the quality level is consistent all the way to the end.

Besides, you’re all playing Skyrim right now anyway, aren’t you? Or Battlefield 3? Or Uncharted 3? Or Saints Row 3? Or Arkham City? Or Skyward Sword? Or Minecraft? Or Modern Warfare 3? Or Dark Souls? Or Assassin’s Creed Revelations?

You definitely can’t say he’s wrong. But he forgot Halo Anniversary.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Latest PS4, Xbox 720 rumors point to 2012 release

Posted on November 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

This is getting ridiculous.

Edge Magazine has finagled a few new next-generation rumors and they’re reporting that the Xbox 720 (or whatever it’s eventually called) will be released in late 2012 alongside the Wii U. Ubisoft Montreal is said to be working on their next project using Xbox 720 “target boxes” (PCs that closely align with the specs of the next Xbox) with preliminary devkits said to arrive any day now.

Another Edge source, corroborating an earlier set of rumors, has told the magazine that an internal Sony studio has begun development on its first PlayStation 4 game.

It’s safe to say that no one is quite sure when the next generation of game consoles will launch. Earlier rumors pointed towards a 2013 release for the PS3 and Xbox 360 successors, but each new rumor seems to point to a different release date. And Nintendo’s plan to launch the Wii U in 2012 surely has Microsoft and Sony mulling all their options, so a 2012 release isn’t an entirely crazy idea.

I have no idea when the next generation is going to begin. But it sounds like your average developer doesn’t know either.

Posted in News | Tagged ,

CoD Modern Warfare 3 sets another record: $775 million/12.5 million copies in 5 days

Posted on November 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

Brace yourself, Activision has a new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sales record to announce.

In its first five days of availability, Modern Warfare 3 has generated $775 million in sales worldwide. For those scoring at home, that works out to more than 12.5 million copies. That surpasses the previous record of $650 million, set a year ago by Call of Duty: Black Ops.

“As I have said all year, we have been singluarly focused on making a spectacular game for our fans, and nothing else. Our incredible teams at Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have done just that,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO, Activision Publishing. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 continues to thrill core gaming enthusiasts as well as draw new people into the medium, which is not an easy balancing act. But it takes more than a great game. I would also like to thank our incredible team for the pulling off the launch of the year, as well as our retail partners around the world. But most of all, I want to thank our fans. They are our toughest critics, and our biggest supporters, and none of this would be possible without them.”

In addition to another sales record, Modern Warfare 3 has also set a new standard for simultaneous players on both the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. According to Microsoft, 1.4 million were playing Modern Warfare 3 at the same time on November 8. The total number of simultaneous PS3 players was not released by Sony.

Check back with Warp Zoned one year from today, where I plan to copy-and-paste this article, replacing every instance of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” with “Call of Duty 9.”

Posted in DS, News, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Kirby’s Adventure (in 3D!) added to 3DS eShop

Posted on November 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

It’s Thursday and Nintendo has, once again, updated their trio of download services. This week’s batch of new games is lead by Kirby’s Adventure. The NES favorite (and Kirby’s first adventure in color and his first on a console) has been given a “3D Classics” makeover for its inclusion on the 3DS eShop today.

Another Legend of Zelda Symphony piece is available for the 3DS’s video service along with these other games:

Escape Trick: Convenience Store (DSiWare) – When our main character tries to leave the convenience store where he works, he finds that the door won’t open and the store looks somehow different. Who would lock him in here? Can he get out of this place?

Play & Learn Chinese (DSiWare) – Play & Learn Chinese is the fast, fun, and friendly way to learn to speak Chinese!

Pinocchio’s Puzzle (WiiWare) – Solve increasingly difficult puzzles as you progress through the classic tale of Pinocchio. In addition to developing sensory skills and hand-eye coordination, you’ll enjoy an endearing and enchanting story told puzzle by puzzle.

More information on all of these games can be found within the Nintendo Download weekly newsletter.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, Wii |

Skyrim ships more than 7 million critically acclaimed copies

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Brian Bishop

When I went to pick up my copy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at a midnight release party I got there three hours early and I was STILL 150th in line at the store here in Phoenix. By 11:30, the line was in the 400s. It was then that I knew that Skyrim had one of the biggest openings of the year, and as it turns out, I was right.

A press release from Bethesda parent company Zenimax today revealed that seven million copies of their latest Action RPG/Soul-Consuming-Fantasy-Life-Simulator have been shipped to date, equaling about $450 million in revenue. Within 48 hours of it’s release on 11/11/11, more than 50% of all the shipped copies were sold, and massive re-orders for the game through many outlets are already expected. On Steam, Valve’s computer game distribution service, it was reported that over 280,000 players were playing the game simultaneously, shattering the previous record.

In addition to the huge sales numbers, Zenimax stated the game has seen “perfect” reviews from more than 50 outlets.

“Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Game Studios have crafted a very special game,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of Zenimax media, “Anticipation for Skyrim has surpassed any game in our company’s history, and we are pleased that sales and reviews have reflected the quality and hours of amazing gameplay it provides.”

I for one have already thrown around 40 hours into this game, and think that this praise is, indeed, warranted. Now if you will excuse me, this news post is cutting into my precious adventuring time.

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

Daily Scoop: November 16, 2011 – Rainy day woman

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Nicole Kline

It’s Wednesday, and it’s a beautiful rainy day – not too cold, not too rainy, just a general kind of soggy day. Back in high school, my soccer coach was obsessed with Bob Dylan, and named all of our plays after his songs – and nicknamed some of us as well. I was Rainy Day Woman, so when it rains, I always think about him.

Whew! Anyway! Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games continues on their Black Friday Deals with up to 75% off Collector’s Editions! There’s Killzone 3: Helghast Edition for $39.99, Disney Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition for $34.99, and even the Bully Scholarship Edition for $5. Some interesting stuff there on the cheap! Oh yeah, and the Duke Nukem Forever: Balls of Steel Edition for $17.99. *snicker*

There are two awesome gaming shirts today, both of which you should buy immediately if not sooner… (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 |

5 For $5: Adventures In Xbox Live Indie Games

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Adam Woolcott

It’s easy to understand why some people would completely ignore the Xbox Live Indie Games channel in the Xbox Live Marketplace. After all, the once-promising service has been completely overrun by tons of silly zombie/vampire/ninja games, puzzling avatar-based titles, awkward Angry Birds clones, games clearly made for extremely horny teenagers, and pretty much the entire Silver Dollar Games catalog. However, there are some very solid needles in that haystack, and some of them are as little as one dollar! That’s why we’re here, in fact – if you were to, say, purchase 400 Microsoft Points for $5, you could get five Indie Games for that five dollar transaction. You’d be supporting small, independent developers, and finding some fun takes on popular genres without going broke. Everyone likes getting good stuff for cheap, right? (more…)

Posted in Features, Top Story, Xbox 360 |