Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- 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”
- GDC Awards: All the Winners from 1996 to Today
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wins “Game of the Year” at 2025-2026 GDC Awards
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) – Yarn Spinner (2026)
- The History Of The Word “Metroidvania” And How It Spread – A Critical Hit (2025)
- Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment – Bloomberg (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history – Design Room (2025)
- In 2005, games started rewiring our brains – The AV Club (2025)
Most Recent: PS4
THQ Nordic acquires Deep Silver’s publishing operation and internal studios
How’s this for a twist? THQ Nordic has announced plans to purchase the publishing operation and internal studios connected to Koch Media (the parent company of Deep Silver) for $150 million.
If you’ll recall, Deep Silver purchased the Volition (and their Saints Row franchise), as well the publishing rights to the Metro series, from the THQ bankruptcy auction in 2013. At the same time, Crytek outbid Deep Silver for Dambuster Studios (and the rights to the Homefront franchise), but both would be acquired by Deep Silver a year later during Crytek’s own bankruptcy scare.
Meanwhile, Nordic Games scooped up THQ’s remaining assets during a second auction that Spring. They’ve since rebranded as THQ Nordic, and begun reintroducing the company’s franchises on new-generation hardware. By purchasing Deep Silver, they’ve moved nearly all of THQ’s former franchises back under the same roof.
According to the announcement, Deep Silver had five announced games in development at the time of the acquisition (the recently-launched Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Codemasters’s Onrush, 4A Games’s Metro Exodus, Yu Suzuki’s Shenmue III, and Sumo Digital’s Dead Island 2), in addition to nine unannounced games. As of now, THQ Nordic will assume management on all of these titles, though Deep Silver will continue to operate as a separate publishing label.
In addition to Deep Silver’s publishing contracts, THQ Nordic will also acquire their internal studios. That includes Volition and Dambuster Studios, as well as mobile developer Fishlabs.
Horizon: Zero Dawn wins “Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing” at 2018 Writers Guild Awards
The Writers Guild of America handed out the 2018 Writers Guild Awards over the weekend, and Guerrilla’s Horizon: Zero Dawn took home the award for “Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing.”
Narrative Director John Gonzalez and Lead Writer Benjamin McCaw were the leading creative force responsible for the post-apocalyptic tale, but the award will also be shared by four other writers at Guerrilla (Ben Schroder, Anne Toole, Meg Jayanth, and Dee Warrick).
Horizon: Zero Dawn beat out Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow, and Madden NFL 18‘s “Longshot” Story Mode to win this year’s “Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing” award.
Posted in News, PS4
Tagged Horizon: Zero Dawn
Sony projected a scene from God of War on a basketball court this weekend
If you were in the stands for this weekend’s Warriors-Spurs game, you got to see a different kind of warrior during halftime. While the players were cooling off between quarters, Sony projected a scene “inspired by” God of War onto the court.
According to the PlayStation Blog, the scene was displayed using cutting-edge “Projection Mapping” technology, and it showed Kratos and Atreus doing battle with Draugr, Helwalkers, and an Ogre:
This projection-mapping magic uses ultra-bright video projectors together with powerful media server engines to paint vivid imagery complete with sense of motion and depth directly onto large surfaces. It could be a building, a wall around Asgard, a World Serpent…or in this case, the basketball court during half time. Because when you think of Norse myth, you think — basketball. Of course!
God of War will be available exclusively for the PS4 on April 20, and you can view Sony’s rather unique halftime show from this weekend in the video embedded above.
Posted in News, PS4
Tagged God of War 4
Here’s your first look at Friday the 13th’s Single-Player Challenges
Gun Media first announced Friday the 13th‘s single-player expansion before the game even launched, and they’ve been hard at work on it ever since. But it looks like fans won’t have to wait much longer.
Recently, the developer unveiled a new trailer for the game’s upcoming Single-Player Challenges mode. In the video, we see Jason stalk a pair of teens trying to fix a flat tire. While stealthily teleporting around the map (and receiving encouragement from his deceased mother), Jason uses environmental triggers to kill both teens to unlock a bonus Objective.
According to Gun Media, Friday the 13th’s Single-Player Challenges will include “numerous Objectives per Challenge, bigger levels, and multiple targets.” A release date for the free update wasn’t announced, but hopefully the long-promised expansion will be available soon.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Friday the 13th
Capcom will add Blanka to Street Fighter V next week
It’s not easy being green, and Street Fighter V players will find out just how true that is next week, as Capcom has announced that Blanka will be available to download on February 20. The Brazilian jungle lord first appeared in Street Fighter II, and according to the Capcom-Unity blog, his latest incarnation will still feature plenty of lightning strikes and rolling attacks:
About Blanka
Blanka’s gameplay remains animalistic in nature and sees him scratching, leaping, and pummeling opponents reflecting his time in the jungle. He retains his signature Electric Thunder attack that emits electrical currents around his entire body, which can be continuously performed by repeatedly pressing his punch buttons. Also returning are his multiple rolling attacks, which can be used to approach opponents from different angles or used as a combo ender.
You can check out how Blank’s fighting style has evolved for Street Fighter V in the trailer embedded above, and his special moves are detailed right here:
V-Skill: Coward Crouch
Blanka immediately ducks for cover for a short time before rising back up. His V-Skill can avoid many attacks, including fireballs. After performing Coward Crouch, Blanka can follow up with either Wild Lift (Punch Button) or Raid Jump (Kick Button). Wild Lift sees Blanka move forward while swinging his arms up to launch the opponent in the air and can be followed up by a normal, special move, or even a Critical Art. Using Raid Jump, Blanka swiftly jumps in the air where he can use any mid-air attack to advance.V-Trigger I: Jungle Dynamo
Blanka’s V-Trigger I gives his special roll attacks more damage and can then be followed up by certain attacks, including his Critical Art. It also powers up his Electric Thunder and changes the animation so Blanka steps forward while unleashing the electric current. On hit, the opponent is launched slightly in the air and can be followed up with a rolling attack.Finally, Jungle Dynamo unlocks Ground Shave Rolling (HP+HK), which can be used as a combo extender or a way to charge in. This move was a super move in previous games, but is now a special move in SFV: AE.
V-Trigger II: Lightning Beast
Lightning Beast unlocks a special move, Rolling Cannon (Direction + HP+HK), which can be performed after using Rolling Attack, Back Step Rolling, and Vertical Rolling. Rolling Cannon can be used in multiple ways, such as extending a combo for more damage or changing positions to surprise the opponent.Critical Art: Dynamic Rolling
In this Critical Art, Blanka slams his opponent into the ground in a series of electrifying rolls that ends in a move reminiscent of Lightning Cannonball from Street Fighter IV.
Blanka will be available to download for free as part of Street Fighter V’s Season 3 Character Pass. He can also be obtained as a standalone download ($5.99) or with in-game currency (100,000 Fight Money).
Posted in News, PC, PS4
Tagged Street Fighter V
New Retail Releases: Bayonetta 2, Dynasty Warriors 9, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, More
The Umbra Witch flies again as Platinum Games and Nintendo will bring Bayonetta 2 to the Switch this week. The package will also include a download code for the original Bayonetta.
Also available on store shelves this week will be a pair of games that explore warfare in the olden days… Dynasty Warriors 9 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Both games will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One.
Players looking for a more modern take on warfare might want to pick up Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition for the PS4 and Xbox One. The re-release will include “rare bonus content” and 600 in-game Credits.
Finally this week, Ubisoft will re-release South Park: The Stick of Truth for the PS4 and Xbox One with a graphical upgrade.
A complete look at all of this week’s new releases can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege
Square Enix unveils new trailer for Kingdom Hearts III featuring Monsters, Inc. world and 2018 release date
Disney is hosting the 2018 D23 Expo Japan in Tokyo this weekend, and Square Enix thought it was the perfect opportunity to unveil a brand new trailer for Kingdom Hearts III.
Fans got their first look at the RPG’s new world based on Monsters, Inc., as well as additional footage from levels that take place within Tangled and Toy Story. Square Enix also released a second trailer featuring the game’s never-before-heard theme song, “Don’t Think Twice” by Hikaru Utada, and more scenes from the game. You can find that video after the break.
But most important of all, both videos end with the promise that Kingdom Hearts III will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime in 2018. It could be wishful thinking on Square Enix’s part, but it probably wouldn’t hurt if we all start clapping and shouting, “I do believe in fairies!” (more…)
Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Kingdom Hearts III
Behind-the-scenes video confirms June 5 launch date for Vampyr
Focus Home Interactive and Dontnod are hoping that players will want to sink their teeth into Vampyr this Spring. In an attempt to sway prospective fans to their side, the publisher and developer have spent the past four weeks uploading a series of behind-the-scenes videos that offer a closer look at the game’s creation.
In today’s video, “Stories from the Dark,” the two companies confirmed that Vampyr will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on June 5:
In Episode IV: Stories from the Dark, Dontnod explain what makes videogames unique compared to other storytelling mediums, as well as their signature approach to narrative. As Narrative Director Stephane Beauverger explains, the player is often occupied with Vampyr’s intricate gameplay systems. Because of this, the exploration, investigations, citizen encounters, combat, and hard-hitting choices are all fundamentally intertwined with the game’s narrative. Game Director Philippe Moreau elaborates, saying that the relationship between a player and their character, as well as the direct feeling of control, is unique to games and something he has worked to make special in Vampyr.
In doing so, Dontnod likens it to theatre, creating a close relationship between actor and spectator that’s more effective and powerful than any film or TV show. Total immersion is the goal, and this episode also highlights how the studio has used motion capture to make the cast of Vampyr that much more human. Subtleties of facial animation can be recreated and combined with the fantastic music, characters, and creatures of the game to produce a living, breathing 1918 London. It’s then up to you who survives it.
Previous episodes in the video series can be found on YouTube.