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
- 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
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: Xbox 360
Is Mortal Kombat X the end for the Mortal Kombat franchise?
NetherRealm Studios has an ambitious plan for Mortal Kombat X‘s Story Mode. After recreating the first three entries in the long-running franchise for 2011’s Mortal Kombat, Ed Boon and company want to visit the far-flung future in next year’s sequel. Ultimately, the campaign will send the player 25 years into the future, but Mortal Kombat X will begin by examining the direct aftermath of Shao Khan’s defeat in the previous game. From there, NetherRealm will check in on characters both old and new in five-year intervals. So after this epic bit of storytelling, what do you do for an encore?
IGN asked Ed Boon this question at Gamescom today and the answer is that this could be the end of the Mortal Kombat saga:
“One thing that’s certainly on my mind after jumping ahead 25 years, is I don’t know where we’d go from here,” Boon tentatively begins. “We wanted to do something bold, and this is a bold new story, despite the fact it’s the tenth game. But when you jump ahead 25 years it’s like… what do you do now? Do you jump in time again? Do you go back 25 years? Do you introduce a whole new cast? We’ll worry about it when we reach it, but I do think it could be hard to continue, if we do another one.”
While Boon might be willing to walk away from the franchise, the hard reality of financial success may force the developer to reconsider. The 2011 reboot became the best-selling game in the entire franchise and if Mortal Kombat X lives up to the early hype, it may sell just as well. If Boon really is out of ideas, WB Games might “persuade” him to think harder.
But that’s all far in the future. Check out the IGN interview and read up on some of the neat ideas Boon has for Mortal Kombat X.
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Mortal Kombat X
XBL Store Today: Risen 3: Titan Lords
Risen 3: Titan Lords is today’s lone addition to the Xbox Live Games Store. Developed by Piranha Bytes and published by Deep Silver, the game is a traditional RPG in the medieval mold that is sure is sure to make some gamers out there happy.
It has been priced at $49.99 and is available to download now. And in case Risen 3: Titan Lords is brand new to you, here’s a description of the game straight from the Xbox Live Dashboard:
The world has been abandoned by its gods and is scarred from the rampage of the Titans. Humanity is struggling to regain strength and rally its forces. You, however, have more pressing concerns: your own life has been shattered and you must set off to reclaim what is lost amidst the darkness that is spreading throughout the world. Step into a classic hand-crafted role-playing world – full of rugged charm, colorful characters and demonic dangers. From quaint medieval-style towns to delving deep into the dank dark of mines, to the supernatural shadow world, there is a wealth of possibilities waiting to be explored.
Posted in News, Xbox 360
Tagged Risen 3: Titan Lords
Geometry Wars 3 coming to PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One; first screenshots inside
I think it’s safe to say that if you’ve played Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 for any length of time, finding out that Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is in the works is like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day all rolled into one. But what do Sierra and Lucid Games have planned for the threequel? Thankfully, IGN is on the ground in Cologne, Germany with the first preview.
According to the report, Geometry Wars 3 will expand the horizons of the series in new ways. Instead of a flat plane, Dimensions will warp the playing field into 3D shapes such as spheres, cubes, and cylinders. Players will be able to completely circumnavigate the shape and fire bullets all the way around:
Right from the very first stage, Dimensions was as hectic and maddening as the Geometry Wars I fell in love with back on the 360. Additions such as a customizable drone ally, landscapes that morph throughout the round, and bullets that fire all the way around the circumference of a level make each round even more chaotic, but the smart design, easily-digestible color pallette, and UI make sure that the action never becomes truly disorientating.
Wow. Each level in Dimensions will also include its very own leaderboard and a variety of special objectives that players will have to complete to earn Stars. Like many games nowadays, Stars are the currency required to open up new levels and modes in Dimensions. Finally, IGN was able to confirm that the game will appear on the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One before the end of the year.
If you’d prefer to see it for yourself, you can find Geometry Wars 3’s first screenshots after the break. And by the way, Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day is January 27. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
Rise of the Tomb Raider also coming to Xbox 360; exclusivity deal “has a duration”
After a stealth Silent Hill announcement and Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s Xbox exclusivity, yesterday was a big day for Gamescom surprises. But, as we all expected, that exclusivity won’t be permanent and Rise of the Tomb Raider will be free to appear on other platforms someday.
The news was confirmed by Eurogamer, who tracked down Microsoft’s Phil Spencer and got him to admit that their deal with Square Enix “has a duration.” He couldn’t say what Square Enix plans to do with the game after this deal expires, but he could confirm that the game will also launch on the Xbox 360 next year:
Spencer: “I have Tomb Raider shipping next holiday exclusively on Xbox. It is Xbox 360 and Xbox One. I’m not trying to fake anybody out in terms of where this thing is. What they do with the franchise in the long run is not mine. I don’t control it. So all I can talk about is the deal I have. I don’t know where else Tomb Raider goes.”
Eurogamer: “Is there a time limit on the exclusivity period?”
Spencer: “Yes, the deal has a duration. I didn’t buy it. I don’t own the franchise.”
If history is any guide, Square Enix will likely announce Rise of the Tomb Raider’s future destinations (cough PC, PS3, PS4 cough) sometime after the game’s 2015 release.
Posted in News, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Gamescom 2014, Rise of the Tomb Raider
WWE 2K15 campaign will focus on rivalries with 2K Showcase mode
The past few iterations of the WWE games have featured a very rich story mode, and WWE 2K15 will be no different. 2K Games announced that the upcoming title’s 2K Showcase mode will feature two of the greatest rivalries in WWE history: the HHH / Shawn Michaels feud from 2002 to 2004, and John Cena’s rivalry with former WWE star CM Punk, which lasted from 2011 to 2013.
Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing at 2K Games, had this to say about the Showcase Mode: “No fan can deny the fierce competition marking the notorious battles waged between Cena and Punk. These two rivalries are firmly etched in WWE history, and 2K Showcase enables fans to take part in those memorable experiences.”
The 2K Showcase mode will span 33 matches, and will be presented documentary-style, complete with classic footage and sampled audio from the matches. Furthermore, additional famous rivalries will be available as DLC after the game launches on October 28th.
For those of you who just can’t wait to relive these feuds, here’s a picture of CM Punk and John Cena after the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Boston Bruins for the Stanley Cup.
Valiant Hearts: The Great War Review: A Valiant Effort
At first glance, Valiant Hearts: The Great War seems bizarre at best and flippant at worst: a cartoon-style puzzle game set during the ugly brutality of World War I. But fortunately, looks are deceiving, as Valiant Hearts is one of the most intriguing (and dare I say it, educational) games of the year. (more…)
Activision reveals Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’s multiplayer mode in new trailer
Activision’s decision to switch to a three-team development cycle for the Call of Duty franchise was to give each of the teams more room to shake things up. Sledgehammer Games is attempting to do their part by massively revamping the multiplayer experience in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. And by “revamping,” I mean that they’re adding in a ton of sci-fi touches like mech suits, invisibility devices, and jetpack jumps:
With the all-new exoskeleton, players can boost jump, dodge, dash, slide, slam and more as the action goes vertical, while using future-tech, cutting-edge capabilities and a brand-new weapon class as part of nearly 350 custom weapons. Offering a new reward system, including more than 1,000 in-game player rewards, and nearly limitless customization options that create more than two billion unique player combinations and more, the title offers the most in-depth, robust and advanced Call of Duty multiplayer experience ever on both next generation and current generation systems.
Also, the much loved Pick 10 create-a-class is back with even more customizable options than before with Pick 13. Gamers can now choose their favorite scorestreaks, which are fully customizable, and include them in their preferred class, raising the bar on personalization from top to bottom. The introduction of co-operative scorestreaks also allows friends to experience Call of Duty multiplayer together in a new way, as for the first time ever, two players can now join a scorestreak and work co-operatively.
The technology of the future in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare wouldn’t be complete without advancement in weapon technology, beginning with the debut of a directed energy class of weapons. This all-new weapon class for Call of Duty uses the power of focused energy to overcome enemies and relies on tactical heat management instead of reloads. Players can test out this new class, along with all their weapons, on the new Virtual Firing Range, a brand new feature that allows players to instantly test-drive their favorite weapon loadout with the click of a button before the next match starts.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will also include a comprehensive create-a-character mode known as Create-An-Operator that will allow players to “personalize their soldier however they want.”
Finally, Activision has announced that a special “Day Zero Edition” will be available to those who pre-order the game. Available one day early, on November 3, the package will include the game itself, two custom weapons, and double XP on “Day Zero.” For the rest of us plebes, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will be available on November 4 for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Gamescom 2014
2K has unveiled the Pharrell-curated NBA 2K15 soundtrack
Pharrell Williams has completed his curation of the NBA 2K15 and 2K Games announced the final tracklist on their Facebook page today. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of Pharrell to be found on the soundtrack. The “Happy” singer has three songs on the soundtrack as well as a featured credit on another. There’s also appearances by Lorde (“Team” ), Lauryn Hill (“Doo Wop (That Thing)”), Snoop Dogg (“Drop It Like It’s Hot”), and Depeche Mode (“Personal Jesus”).
I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t expecting “Personal Jesus.” Here’s the full soundtrack:
- A Tribe Called Quest – “Scenario”
- Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force – “Planet Rock”
- Basement Jaxx – “Hot ’n Cold”
- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – “River Styx”
- Busta Rhymes – “Dangerous”
- Clipse – “Grindin'”
- Death from Above 1979 – “Romantic Rights”
- Depeche Mode – “Personal Jesus”
- Junior – “Mama Used to Say”
- Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
- Lorde – “Team”
- Major Lazer (featuring Pharrell Williams) – “Aerosol Can”
- Missy Elliott – “On & On”
- No Doubt – “Spiderwebs”
- OneRepublic – “Love Runs Out”
- Pharrell Williams – “Hunter”
- Pharrell Williams – “Can I Have It Like That”
- Pharrell Williams – “How Does It Feel?”
- Public Enemy – “Shut ‘Em Down (Pete Rock Remix)”
- Ratatat – “Seventeen Years”
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Suck My Kiss”
- Santigold – “Creator”
- Snoop Dogg – “Drop It Like It’s Hot”
- Strafe – “Set It Off”
- The Black Keys – “Everlasting Light”
- The Rapture – “House of Jealous Lovers”
- The Strokes – “Under Cover of Darkness”
2K has created a Spotify playlist if you’d like to listen to the soundtrack right now. Or you can wait until October 7 when NBA 2K15 is released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.