Most Recent: Etcetera

First Mortal Kombat: Legacy episode is now available

Posted on April 12, 2011 by John Scalzo

It started as Kevin Tancharoen’s longshot pitch to Warner Bros. to allow him to direct a new movie based on the Mortal Kombat franchise. While Warners wasn’t interested in that, they did tap the director to create a series of nine webisodes to fill in the gaps of what transpires before the tournament.

After a long wait, the first episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy is finally available and Tancharoen introduces us to Jax (Michael Jai White), Stryker (Tahmoh Penikett) and Sonya Blade (Jeri Ryan) as they infiltrate a Black Dragon hideout looking for Kano (Darren Shahlavi).

While Legacy is clearly a low budget affar, Tancharoen fills the screen with the same style he displayed in Mortal Kombat: Rebirth. There are also plenty of subtle allusions to future events in the franchise’s canon, so we’re sure to be in for a wild ride.

Machinima will release the second episode featuring the kombatants next week, the same day as the Mortal Kombat reboot launches for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

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

Video games get a little extra recognition at next year’s Grammys

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

As a new medium, video games are still struggling to be recognized as a legitimate form of art. At next year’s Grammy Awards, games will get one step closer to making its critical acceptance a reality.

Kinda.

The Recording Academy has announced that games will be getting equal billing alongside television and film for four categories: Music for Visual Media, Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, and Best Song Written for Visual Media. Previously, video games were inferred in the descriptors of the awards, which used to read like “Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Motion, Television, or Other Visual Media).” Now, they’ll be listed right alongside their counterparts in the parentheses.

It may not be a giant step, but it’s a step forward nonetheless. Still, it leaves the Grammy Awards far behind other similar events, such as Britain’s Ivor Novello Awards, which last year gave their inaugural Best Original Video Game Score to Joris de Man for his work on Killzone 2.

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Posted in Etcetera, News |

Daily Scoop – April 8, 2011: Shred it up

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Other than the fact that the weekend is on the horizon, there’s nothing much going on today. It’s just a lame rainy day, without deals or scoops or anything fun.

I mean, other than today’s Amazon Deal of the Day in video games, which is Activision’s Tony Hawk: Shred Bundle for the PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360. It’s 50% off today at $29.99, so if you want to shred in your living room, scoop this puppy up.

Nothing else. Really. You are looking for something that isn’t here. Or you just want to go buy unicornos:

They live between the magic kingdom and the real world. Magic Kingdom is in Florida, so they live in, what, Tennessee? I want to get a case.

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth premiering April 12; now titled “MK: Legacy”

Posted on April 8, 2011 by John Scalzo

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth… get over here!

The short film series, that was a labor of love of director Kevin Tancharoen, will debut on the Machinima YouTube channel on April 12. In anticipation of its release, The series has been given a new name, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, and a new trailer. In the teaser above, you can see Jax (Maichal Jai White) battling it out with a pre-facial surgery Kano (Darren Shahlavi) in a fight that includes knives, guns and a grenade launcher.

The release schedule for future installments in the Legacy series wasn’t announced. But don’t worry, you’ll get plenty of blood and gore when the Mortal Kombat reboot is released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 a week later on April 19.

Posted in Etcetera, News | Tagged ,

Mass Effect’s Commander Shepard has a face for television

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Ryan Littlefield

Thaaaat’s right. BioWare is pumping Mass Effect through every media vein available, including today’s announcement of a full-length anime movie. FUNimation and T.O. Entertainment will be working closely with EA and BioWare on the film, which “will bring [the] rich universe to life with the utmost quality and the same attention to detail that the Mass Effect games are known for.” The Mass Effect anime will be available on DVD and Blu-ray next Summer.

We at Warp Zoned generally love the Mass Effect games, but it seems that the continuous ventures through every available outlet may overwhelm some Mass Effect fans.

But hey, if this is what works for EA, then by all means, seize it, and go with it – especially if it means that Mass Effect 3 will be as well-crafted as Dead Space 2.

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

Daily Scoop: April 7, 2011 – Nicole needs an Xbox 360

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Nicole Kline

I’ve made a really important decision regarding my birthday, which was a month ago tomorrow. Which…will be a month ago tomorrow? Whatever. It’s not like I went to school for English, people. Anyway, I’ve quit drinking, and every time we have a birthday gathering, people want to buy me shots, so instead, I’m going to put out a small fishbowl with a sign that says something along the lines of “Nicole’s Xbox 360 fund.” Instead of dumping shots down my throat/tempting me with Irish Car Bombs, you can just drop a dollar in the fishbowl. How awesome is that? You’ll get to be an important part of my video game curriculum! Congratulations.

Speaking of the Xbox 360, today’s Amazon Deal of the Day in video games is the Xbox 360 Sharkoon X-Tatic SX Stereo Gaming Headset by… Sharkoon. Shocking, I know. It’s $39.99 today down from $59.99, and is “sophisticated in design and technology” to give you “the crucial sound advantage for epic gaming sessions.” Wow! That just sounds…yes. Good.

Nothing in the daily t-shirt realm today, but I found this shirt that is ridiculously incredible and fully functional as an AR card today at Level Up Studios. Watch this amazing video:

O_o.

Posted in 3DS, Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, Xbox 360 |

Daily Scoop – April 6, 2011: I <3 my PSP edition

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Thank goodness I’ve been inundated with PSP games lately. Hackers are trying to destroy the PlayStation Network, and the 3DS is making people sick (no, not like, disgusted sick. Like sick sick!). Luckily, my trusty PSP 1000, though over five years old, is still rockin’ it. And Gods Eater Burst is completely amazing.

Anywho, today’s Amazon Deal of the Day in video games is SEGA’s Yakuza 4 for the PS3. Jump on this, kids – it’s only $39.99 from $59.95. This is an awesome deal for a game that hasn’t even been released a month yet here in the states. There’s a lot of great stuff in this game, including much of what you’d like to see in “Tokyo’s adult nightlife…including hostess bars, karaoke pickup bars, massage parlors, and pachinko palaces.” Sounds awesome to me!

Nothing to report on the t-shirt end, unless you want to see my favorite shirt today, courtesy of shirt.w00t:

I need to wear this every day to work. When I try to explain these shortcuts to people, they look at me like I am some kind of wizard. Perhaps I could wear this shirt with my robe and wizard hat?

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Mass Effect: Deception novel coming September 27

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

After three literary adaptations, the Mass Effect universe will see another later this year with Mass Effect: Deception. Scheduled for a September 27 release, the plot is summarized as follows:

Gillian was once the subject of horrifying scientific experiments, but now, after her rescue, she is beginning to master her amazing powers. When she falls under the sway of a radical group who believe their powers make them superior to ordinary humans, she finds herself faced with a choice between her destiny…and her humanity.

The book will roughly coincide with the release of Mass Effect 3 for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 this holiday season.

Posted in Etcetera, News |