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
- 2025 GOTY Scoreboard: In Progress
- BAFTA Games Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books to Get a New Look for Richard Moss’s “Age of Empires”
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- With Grand Theft Auto 6 poised to take over the world, I reached out to Jack Thompson and it did not go well – PC Gamer (2026)
- Vib-Ribbon: An oral history – Design Room (2026)
- How a Second-Grade Teacher Revived a Beloved Video Game – The New York Times (2026)
- Spore: An oral history – Design Room (2026)
- Diablo IV PC Cooled With Real Human Blood Is Still Going Strong Two Years Later, Says Guy Who Won It – Aftermath (2026)
Most Recent: PS4
Rise of the Tomb Raider launch trailer includes Karen O’s theme song, “I Shall Rise”
Rise of the Tomb Raider will make its Xbox One and Xbox 360 debut next week, so now’s the perfect time for Microsoft and Square Enix to release the game’s launch trailer. The three-minute video is a deep dive into Lara Croft’s next adventure, which cribs from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with its paternal quest for immortality (and a watery escape is borrowed wholesale from Temple of Doom). While they might feel familiar, the stunning environments that Lara visits should be enough to entice fans of the franchise.
However, if they’re not, the trailer is also soundtracked by Karen O, the lead singer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. She told Rolling Stone that her song, “I Shall Rise,” is about the exact moment that Lara Croft: Young Archaeologist transforms into Lara Croft: Tomb Raider…
“It all sounded really tasty. They wanted drama and high-stakes and melodrama. That was very appealing to me because I love making music connected to a storyline. It was all stuff I loved like having the theme song to [Lara Croft] becoming an icon and the creation myth to the moment she becomes Lara.”
You can listen to “I Shall Rise” in its entirety after the break. (more…)
New Releases: Call of Duty Black Ops III, Need For Speed, Yo-Kai Watch, More
Are you ready to answer the call of duty? Right on schedule, Activision and Treyarch will release Call of Duty: Black Ops III for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One this week. Taking place in a near future where technologically-augmented soldiers form the backbone of modern war, the game will also be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360, though it won’t include the single-player Campaign Mode. Players in the market for a PS4 will also be able to pick up a 1 TB PS4 + Call of Duty: Black Ops III Bundle this week.
This week’s other major new release is Need For Speed, the latest entry in the long-running racing franchise. Developer Ghost Games considers the PS4 and Xbox One game a complete reboot of the series and has packed Need For Speed with five overlapping storylines and dozens of cars.
The kids will get their chance to play as well as Nintendo and Level-5 will release the Pokemon-like Yo-Kai Watch for the 3DS, while Little Orbit will launch Snoopy’s Grand Adventure for the 3DS, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Finally, a number of games are getting special edition re-releases including Evolve: Ultimate Edition (PS4, Xbox One), Lords of the Fallen: Complete Edition (PS4, Xbox One), and Shovel Knight (3DS, PS4, Wii U).
A complete list of this week’s new releases can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Evolve, Lords of the Fallen, Need For Speed, Shovel Knight, The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy's Grand Adventure, Yo-Kai Watch
Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst delayed as DICE pushes the release date back to May 24, 2016
Bad news for all the Runners in the audience… Electronic Arts and DICE have delayed Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst. The first-person free-running game, which was previously scheduled to launch on February 23, will now be released on May 24. Writing on the game’s official website, Producer Sara Jansson blamed DICE’s “ambitious vision” for the delay:
Years ago, we set out an ambitious vision for Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst. Achieving that vision and delivering the best possible experience is equally inspiring and challenging. And it takes time. We set out to create a vast city to explore, full of stunning vistas, majestic skyscrapers, and mysterious tunnels. We’re building the most immersive action-adventure game with fluid movement and combat in first person. Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst will be an all-new playground with a deeper and more engaging story – and we want to accomplish all these goals to the highest quality possible.
So we’ve made the decision to bring Mirror’s Edge to the world starting May 24, 2016. We will use these few extra months to make sure that when you step into the massive City of Glass and experience the rise of Faith, it’s as entertaining, impressive, and memorable as it can be.
Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is currently in the works for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Mirror's Edge: Catalyst
Gran Turismo Sport races onto the PS4 in 2016
We don’t know if its the long-rumored Gran Turismo 7, but Sony has officially announced that Gran Turismo Sport will be coming to the PS4 sometime next year. Unveiled during this week’s Paris Games Week, Gran Turismo Sport will be an MMO racer of sorts where players pledge allegiance to their home country and their favorite car manufacturer:
In Gran Turismo Sport, there will be two FIA [International Automobile Federation] online championships running simultaneously. In the Nations Cup, players will be able represent their home country. Whilst in the Manufacturers Cup, players will be driving on behalf of their favorite car manufacturer. Players will not only be able to race as drivers themselves, they’ll also be able to root for their home country or their favorite manufacturers teams.
The winner of the championship will be awarded at the FIA prize giving ceremony, alongside real life motorsports champions. This will be a historic moment, the first time a video game will officially be recognized as part of the real motoring world.
Polyphony Digital’s Kazunori Yamauchi told the PlayStation Blog that his team continues to improve the franchise’s graphics, physics, and sound, and he hopes to deliver “the most realistic driving simulator to date.” I’m sure most of the world would expect nothing less from the famed developer.
A beta test for Gran Turismo Sport will be held this Spring.
Posted in News, PS4
Tagged Gran Turismo Sport
Tekken 7 officially announced for PS4 and other home consoles
After being available in arcades since early this year, Bandai Namco has finally announced that Tekken 7 will soon be available for “home consoles.” Sony later followed up their announcement with confirmation (via the PlayStation Blog) that the game’s first destination will be the PS4.
Tekken 7 will use Epic’s Unreal Engine 4 and it’ll include “numerous modes and enhancements beyond its arcade counterpart.” The 1v1 fighting game also promises to reveal the fate of the Mishima clan and serve as a conclusion to the franchise’s sprawling storyline:
Tekken 7 is currently in development at Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.’s Tokyo, Japan studio under the leadership of franchise director, Katsuhiro Harada. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, Tekken 7 sets a new standard in graphics quality for the series, featuring highly detailed characters and dynamic environments. In its first appearance on home systems, Tekken 7 will feature numerous modes and enhancements beyond its arcade counterpart, including an in-depth story mode that lets players fully experience the canon storyline. Players will also be able to check out new fighters Kazumi Mishima, Claudio, Josie, Shaheen, Katarina, Lucky Chloe, Gigas, and more for the first time outside of the arcade.
As exciting as this news is for PS4 fans, we don’t yet know what other “home consoles” Tekken 7 is in development for. The Xbox One is always a possibility in situations like this, as is Nintendo’s NX, which could be released as early as next Summer. Bandai Namco didn’t announce a release date for Tekken 7’s PS4 debut, but hopefully we’ll learn more about it soon.
No Man’s Sky will be released in June 2016
Hello Games’s Sean Murray wouldn’t tell Stephen Colbert the release date for No Man’s Sky, but the developer was more than willing to share the news with the audience at Paris Games Week. Sadly, the space exploration game won’t make it out by the end of 2015 as originally planned. Instead, No Man’s Sky will be released for the PC and PS4 in June 2016.
Writing on the PlayStation Blog Europe, Murray said that this delay will allow the team to add even more features to the game, including ones that haven’t been revealed yet: “Every hour of every day between now and then allows us to add more features, polish and diversity to our universe. Some of those features are things we haven’t shown anyone yet, but are our most requested.”
A new trailer for No Man’s Sky, which gives us a look at the game’s combat options, was also released as part of the Paris Games Week presentation. Believe it or not, but that’s Rutger Hauer providing the voiceover.
Posted in News, PC, PS4
Tagged No Man's Sky
DriveClub Bikes, WWE 2K16, Divinity: Original Sin, more added to PS Store
With Halo 5: Guardians ready to launch for the Xbox One this week and a bevy of Paris Games Week announcements to digest, Sony wisely kept this week’s PlayStation Store update to the bare minimum. However, they did surprise-release DriveClub Bikes (PS4), a standalone expansion to Evolution’s racer that features a full Tour Campaign, a Challenge Mode, multiplayer, and a ton of customization options.
If you drop all the motorcycle gear, you’re left with two men in speedos, which is a perfect segue into the news that 2K Games will bring WWE 2K16 to the PS3 and PS4 this week. Their latest wrasslin’ title includes the franchise’s biggest roster to date and an expanded Create-A-Wrestler mode.
No speedos can be found in Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode, which is quickly expanding this week with the release of Episode 2: Assembly Required on the PS3 and PS4.
Finally this week, a pair of re-releases will make fans of RPGs very happy. Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition makes its console debut this week as Larian Studios brings an expanded and enhanced version of their RPG to the PS4. Slightly more familiar to PS4 owners might be this Friday’s PS4 release of Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition, which includes the apocalyptic action RPG sequel (originally released for the PS3 in 2012) and all its downloadable content.
More information on all of these games (and a few other new releases) is available found after the break. And, as always, a complete rundown of this week’s new game add-ons and discounts can be found at the PlayStation Blog. (more…)
Posted in News, PS3, PS4, PSP, Vita
Tagged Darksiders II, Divinity: Original Sin, Minecraft: Story Mode, WWE 2K16
Dhalsim joins Street Fighter V, which will officially launch on February 16, 2016
Dhalsim was my guy back in the Street Fighter II days, so it’s great to see that Capcom has added the yoga master to next year’s Street Fighter V. The publisher also announced that we can stop saying “next year” and instead use the much more accurate “February 16,” which is when Street Fighter V will be available for the PC and PS4.
If you’re stretching yourself in knots to learn more about Dhalsim, don’t worry, the Capcom-Unityy blog recently put together this complete report about the character’s stylish new moves:
About Dhalsim
Debuting in Street Fighter II, Dhalsim’s yoga fighting style means that using his long range limbs and slow projectiles will frustrate even the most aggressive of his World Warrior opponents. Although he’s a pacifist, Dhalsim is always saving others whether it’s helping to raise money for the poor or destroying dams that are keeping water from reaching his village.V-Skill: Yoga Float
Upon activation Dhalsim hops into the air and floats for a few seconds. During this time, all airborne attacks and specials are accessible. This can also be activated in the air.V-Trigger: Yoga Burner
Dhalsim shoots out a stream of flames that stays on the screen on the floor for an extended period of time. If the opponent stands in the flames, they will slowly lose life in the form of recoverable damage. Once they step out of the flames, their life will begin to recover.
Besides revealing a release date and Dhalsim, Capcom also confirmed that six downloadable characters will be available for Street Fighter V by the end of next year. A new character will appear roughly every two months and all of them will be obtainable for free with Fight Money, Street Fighter V’s in-game currency. Players will be able to earn Fight Money by completing daily challenges (land X number of Hadokens, land X number of anti-air attacks, etc) or by leveling up characters. Of course, new characters can also be purchased with real money too.
Capcom will include 16 characters in Street Fighter V when it’s released early next year, so expect to learn more about the final one in the very near future.
Posted in News, PC, PS4
Tagged Street Fighter V