Secret Ponchos is a multiplayer western for PSN, XBLA and it’s coming to PAX East

Posted on March 19, 2013 by John Scalzo

Switchblade Monkeys is made up of developers previously employed by Blizzard, Hasbro, and Radical and they’re bringing their first game to this weekend’s PAX East show. Check out the debut trailer above and be sure to stop by the Switchblade Monkeys booth if you’re going to be in Boston this weekend.

Secret Ponchos is a multiplayer spaghetti western with a Smash TV flair. The overhead shooter pits six outlaws, each with their own weapons and skillsets, against each other in a wild west arena.

When the team at Switchblade Monkeys began development of the game, they left behind the overtly corporate, money-driven world of commercial game development and set out to create something of a passion project between a group of friends. They studied elements from their favorite games, including team shooters, fighting games and isometric action-RPGs, as well as the style and flair of graphic novels and classic spaghetti westerns, to create a game they could call their own.

Secret Ponchos is in development as a a downloadable title for the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. It’s expected to be released this year.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

NinjaBee bringing new game Nutjitsu, A World of Keflings to PAX East

Posted on March 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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A few days after announcing that Windows 8 and Wii U versions of A World of Keflings, NinjaBee has confirmed that both versions of the world builder will be available to play on the PAX East show floor this weekend. The developer also plans to let gamers get their hands on Nutjitsu, their next original game.

If the idea of playing an unreleased game doesn’t get you excited, how about receiving a free game after you play the unreleased one? While supplies last, NinjaBee will give away a free copy of the PC version of A Kingdom For Keflings to anyway who tries out Nutjitsu or A World of Keflings.

The developer will also be holding a Nutjitsu high score challenge (two winners a day will receive 1600 Microsoft Points) and a fully-stocked merchandise booth.

Posted in News, PC, Wii U | Tagged , ,

Civilization V: Brave New World announced for Summer 2013 release

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Bret Morace

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Sid Meier’s Civilization fans, your day to celebrate has come. 2K Games and Firaxis have announced that the second expansion of the critically acclaimed Civilization V, Civilization V: Brave New World, will be released this Summer on Windows PC by 2K and on the Mac by Aspyr Media.

“Civilization V: Brave New World continues the strong tradition of ambitious expansion packs that fans have come to expect from the Civilization franchise,” said Sarah Anderson, senior vice president of marketing for 2K. “Brave New World is destined to continue the strong Civilization lineage that already includes massive expansions such as Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword and Civilization V: Gods & Kings.”

Brave New World will focus on culture and diplomacy as well as introducing international trade. Prepare to do a lot of nothing this Summer, Civ Fans! A complete list of key features for Brave New World, straight from 2K, can be found after the break.

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Posted in News, PC |

Daily Scoop: March 18, 2013 – Surviving St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Nicole Kline

Truly, the only surefire way to survive St. Patrick’s Day is not to leave the house, under any circumstances. Unfortunately, I had to leave the house yesterday, as my family was celebrating my birthday… in New Jersey. I’m glad to say that, despite being outside at several different times, at no point did I witness too much green clothing, gratuitous drunkenness, or any vomit. At all. I was impressed.

There are plenty of new deals up on Amazon’s game deals page. Diablo III, Dishonored, and NBA 2K13 are all $39.99. Doom 3 BFG Edition is $19.99 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and $9.99 on PC, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Game of the Year Edition is $12.49 on PC. And let’s not forget the Angry Birds Trilogy, which is $19.99 on the 3DS, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Scoop ’em up!

No scoop would be complete without some video game-themed t-shirts!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

EA’s acceptance of SimCity situation includes free download of one of these games

Posted on March 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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The end is near for the SimCity launch debacle as Electronic Arts has finally worked their way through the five stages of grief:

  • First came denial… “There’s nothing wrong with our game, it’s just too popular!”
  • Then the anger… “No, you can’t have a refund.”
  • This was followed by the bargaining… “What if we add more servers?”
  • Then wallowing in depression… “It’s supposed to be an MMO!”
  • Finally, acceptance and the promise of a free game for all of our troubles.

If you’ve purchased SimCity or plan to activate it by March 25 (that’s right, this offer is good even if you haven’t bought the game yet), you’ll also be given the opportunity to select one of eight games as a free download from EA’s Origin service. Your selection must by made by March 30 and the selection page will open by March 22. The eight games are:

  • Battlefield 3
  • Bejeweled 3
  • Dead Space 3
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Medal of Honor: Warfighter
  • Need For Speed: Most Wanted
  • Plants vs. Zombies
  • SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition

If you’re on the fence about SimCity, perhaps a free game to go with it could sweeten the deal. But I guess that means EA has slipped back to the bargaining stage.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged , , , , , ,

Don’t watch this Saints Row IV teaser trailer at work

Posted on March 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

I know it’s Monday and I know you’re probably unhappy with being at work, but I beg you, wait until you get home to watch this teaser trailer for Saints Row IV.

The insane open-world heads to outer space for its fourth installment and this trailer includes a first look at the new superpowers your Saints will employ as they take on all comers. There’s also plenty of scantily clad women, dancing hot dogs doing the “Harlem Shake,” a lot of poor dudes getting punched across the screen, and some full frontal nudity (of the male variety). Seriously, don’t watch this trailer at work.

Saints Row IV will be available for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on August 20. And don’t forget, new publisher Deep Silver is debuting the game this weekend at the PAX East convention. Don’t miss it.

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

Disney Infinity pushed back to August

Posted on March 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Disney Infinity, the media company’s take on the lucrative toy/game combo first made famous by Skylanders, will miss it’s planned June release date. Instead, the game will be released for the 3DS, PS3, Wii, Wii U, and Xbox 360 on August 18. According to John Pleasants, Co-President of Disney Interactive, the delay was actually made at the request of retailers who hoped to see Disney Infinity in stores closer to the holiday shopping season.

Pleasants also said, “We could deliver in June if we wanted to. Will a two-month timing change help us? Sure, of course. It gives us a little more time to add bells and whistles and make sure it really sings and pops.”

Disney Interactive is a big company and they can do what they want, but this has to be the worst reason for a game delay ever. And they announced it publicly! I just can’t believe it.

[Source: The New York Times]

Posted in 3DS, News, PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Weekly Warp-Up: We Love Joakim Mogren Edition

Posted on March 17, 2013 by John Scalzo

No, that’s not a typo. Welcome to the Weekly Warp-Up, your weekly wrap-up of the biggest and the best articles posted at Warp Zoned this week…

The Tomb Raider reboot was released last week to pretty much universal acclaim, so this week we decided to take a look at 10 Actresses That Could Help Reboot the Tomb Raider Film Franchise.

Hopefully you’ll agree with our picks, but I’m sure more than a few will make you ask, “Who?” (And I don’t mean David Tenant).

But the biggest story of this past week is the emergence of Joakim Mogren, the CEO of Moby Dick Studio. The elusive developer appeared on GameTrailers TV to tout his company’s first game, The Phantom Pain, and confirmed the game will be further detailed at this year’s Game Developers Conference. But all this secrecy just makes me head hurt, so much so that I just want to scream, “Hey Hideo Kojima, WE KNOW You’re Behind The Phantom Pain.”

Prove me wrong, Mogren, prove me wrong. Until then, check out the rest of this week’s news after the break.

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Posted in News |