Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: Mobile
Sony Computer Entertainment introduces ‘PlayStation Suite’ on Android
Last night was a pretty insane time for gaming as Sony unveiled the next-generation successor to the PSP, codenamed NGP. But before Kaz Hirai got into details of their powerful new handheld, PlayStation Suite for Android smartphones and tablets was announced. This is a content delivery service in which devices running Android 2.3 or higher will be able to experience “PlayStation quality” titles. To maintain the good will of the brand, the “PlayStation Certified” program will provide development support and licensing. The service is set to launch within the calendar year, and although no formal lineup has been announced, PlayStation oldies like Cool Boarders 2 and Medieval were spotted at the conference last night. It looks like PlayStation-style buttons appear on the touch screen and players control the games that way.
Despite the ever-increasing relevance of Apple and its iOS in the gaming industry, many have complained about the lack of depth thus far seen on smartphones. Hopefully this service will bring more substance to the market. In addition, SCE’s own touch device, the NGP, will also support PlayStation Suite titles. So you can have PlayStation Suite on your PlayStation… sweet!
DLC already announced for Dead Space 2
Dead Space 2 isn’t even a day old yet, but the screaming, horrifying newborn already has DLC coming. Visceral Games announced Dead Space 2: Severed, which will include two stand-alone single player chapters featuring Gabe Weller and Lexine Murdock, characters from Dead Space: Extraction. The story will run parallel to that of Isaac Clarke’s in Dead Space 2, but you will instead be in Weller’s shoes as the Sprawl Security Guard fights to get himself and Murdock to safety.
In case that wasn’t enough excitement for you, now we’ve also got Dead Space for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Developed by Iron Monkey Studios in close conjunction with Visceral Games, this portable Dead Space promises to be just as terrifying as the full retail games have been. Dead Space is available now at the iTunes store.
So, let’s see… Dead Space 2 is out; DLC was announced for it; there’s an iPhone game; Dead Space: Extraction is available on the PSN and is also included in the PlayStation 3 version of Dead Space 2; the new animated movie, Dead Space: Aftermath, came out today; and the Dead Space Rig Backpack is scheduled to ship soon. It’s like a Necromorph Christmas in January.
New GamesRadar application, Cheats and Guides, brings walkthroughs to you
Tired of having to wait until you get to a computer to find cheats, guides, and walkthroughs? GamesRadar has a convenient solution for you – an application for the iPhone/iPod Touch that brings a vast storehouse of information to gamers’ fingertips. The app has nearly 60,000 cheats, guides, and walkthroughs for over 8,600 games and is user-friendly, offering gamers the ability to search as well as utilize a favorites list for their most-used information. There are even unlockable badges – what gamer doesn’t love that?
But I’m saving the best for last – this application is free. You can find more information at the iTunes store.
Google zaps Android’s Kongregate support, blocking free arcade capabilities
In an event that seemed to end as quickly as it began, Kongregate’s free Android app was taken out of the Android’s App Store by Google today. Google claims that Kongregate’s free app illicitly downloads and installs applications without users’ permission.
Kongregate stated the following in response:
“In truth, Kongregate Arcade just plays Flash games via the Android web browser and doesn’t install anything, though it does cache games for faster loading. The TOS limitation they reference for our takedown is so broad it would apply equally to content apps like Kindle, Slacker, and hundreds of others, and yet only our app has been removed.”
This action may be Google’s way of defending other Android app store developers, but Kongregate is still hosting the app directly via their own website. Kongregate is currently making an effort to get their app back into the Android’s store.
Source: Kongregate.com
Activision taps Beenox to develop future Spider-Man games
As Spider-Man Uncle Ben always said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” So it seems rather fitting that Activision is about to bestow great power and great responsibility on Beenox, the developer of last Fall’s Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.
The megapublisher has announced that Beenox has been named the primary developer on upcoming games starring the superhero. While Activision didn’t go into specifics about the wallcrawler’s next video game adventure, an investor’s call in November revealed a new Spider-Man game is in the works for a 2011 release.
For their part, executives at Beenox and Activision seem excited about the arrangement.
“Beenox’s creative vision reinvigorated the Spider-Man gaming experience among critics and fans in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions,” said Patrick Kelly, Senior Vice President, Activision Studios. “We can’t wait to see where this talented studio will take this franchise in the future.”
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to continue our close, collaborative relationship with Activision, Marvel and everyone’s friendly, neighborhood hero, Spider-Man,” said Dee Brown, Studio Head, Beenox. “Being able to map out Spider-Man’s interactive future gives us the creative freedom to really craft the best gaming experience for the fans.”
Wesley Snipes comes to App Store in Julius Styles: The International
Wesley Snipes has had a rough couple of years recently. After a string of theatrical (and direct-to-video) flops, the action star was arrested for failure to pay his taxes and is currently serving time in a federal prison.
But that hasn’t stopped him from announcing his next project, an iPhone/iPad game titled Julius Styles: The International that promises to combine action and puzzle-solving. According to Snipes, “This project was inspired by my desire to bring my Art of War, Murder at 1600 and Passenger 57 characters into the game world. Julius Styles will offer something for both the mind game strategist and the kick-ass special ops warrior lover.”
Developed by Lapland Studios, the game will be added to the App Store in June, with plans to bring it to the Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare and the Android App Store after that. The actor even plans to star in a movie featuring the Julius Styles character.
But it’ll likely be a long wait before the movie hits theaters as Snipes is scheduled to remain in prison until July 19, 2013.