PlayStation Now game streaming service will launch this Summer

playstationnow

Sony has announced that their Gaikai-powered game streaming service for PlayStation platforms will be available in the US this Summer. Officially known as “PlayStation Now,” a closed beta will launch near the end of the month to gather feedback and work out any bugs.

When PlayStation Now does launch, users will be able to stream PS3 games through their PS4, PS3, and Vita as well 2014 Sony Bravia TVs. In the future, Sony’s plan is to expand PlayStation Now’s streaming capabilities to include tablets, smartphones, and other non-Sony Internet-connected devices. Presumably, PS2 and PSone games will eventually be offered through the service as well.

Players will be able to stream games through PlayStation Now as individual title rentals or with a multi-game subscription service. Although which games will be available through the program and when it will be released in territories outside the US is currently unknown.

Posted in Mobile, News, PS3, PS4, Vita |

Daily Scoop: January 7, 2014 – Polar Vortex

So there’s this thing happening in part of the world that is sort of crazy: it’s a distorted polar vortex, and basically it is making life really, really cold. We’re talking single digit degrees – in some cases in the negative. The best way to handle this weather is to stay inside and play video games. Trust me! I’m a professional.

If you’re looking for some new games to play while hiding from the cold, you’re in luck, because there’s a brand new Humble Bundle! Pay what you want for To the Room, Joe Danger 2: The Movie, Papa & Yo, and Runner2. Pay more than the average and unlock Reus and Surgeon Simulator 2013! Soundtracks are included for all of the games. This is a great lot, and you should be sure to pick it up! You’ve also got a little time left on the Humble Weekly Bundle as well, which includes Samorost 2, Machinarium, Lume, and Windosill, as well as Shelter and Botanicula when you pay more than the average. Scoop ’em all up!

Quite a few video game shirts available today!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Alien: Isolation officially announced for late 2014 release

Well that didn’t take long. Sega has officially announced Alien: Isolation, just a few hours after Microsoft prematurely added a product listing for the game to Xbox.com.

Developed by Creative Assembly, Alien: Isolation wants to put the Alien back into games based the Alien film series and is ditching the Colonial Marines versus Xenomorphs style that has been used in most of the games based on the franchise. Eschewing the action-focused shooter model, the game is being developed as a survival horror where Amanda Ripley, the daughter of series star Ellen Ripley, attempts to escape from a single Xenomorph. Creative Assembly also plans to position the game as “lo-fi sci-fi” and they’re heavily leaning on the 1970s view of the future featured in the first movie.

Al Hope, the Creative Lead, said that the decision to base Alien: Isolation on Alien was made because, “[N]o one had created the game we wanted to play, which is one that captures the spirit of the original movie.”

Alien: Isolation will be available in late 2014 for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Creative Assembly has also uploaded a behind-the-scenes video where the developers discus the “Origins” of Alien: Isolation. You can find it after the break.

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Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Hideo Kojima is working on a “SUPER CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT”

Here we go again. According to a new post on his Twitter feed, developers within Hideo Kojima’s Kojima Productions are working on a brand new “SUPER CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT.”

With Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain already in development, it’s probably safe to say that this “SUPER CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT” isn’t Metal Gear-related. Nor is it likely connected with Zone of the Enders 3, which was canceled last year.

But maybe, just maybe, Kojima and company are up to something new.

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Alien: Isolation story, boxart leaked by Xbox.com

alienisolation-boxKotaku outed Creative Assembly’s Alien project, Alien: Isolation, a few months ago. Today, a product listing on Xbox.com has confirmed the game’s title as well as the starring role for Ripley’s daughter, Amanda, and the presence of only a single Xenomorph:

Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger. Fifteen years after the events of Alien, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother’s disappearance. As Amanda, you will navigate through an increasingly volatile world as you find yourself confronted on all sides by a panicked, desperate population and an unpredictable, ruthless Alien. Underpowered and underprepared, you must scavenge resources, improvise solutions and use your wits, not just to succeed in your mission, but to simply stay alive.

As you can see, Xbox.com has also provided an early glimpse at the game’s box art. Alien: Isolation is in development for the “current-generation consoles” (obviously including the Xbox 360), “next-generation consoles,” and the PC. Hopefully, Sega will make an official announcement soon, but after the Aliens: Colonial Marines debacle, I understand why they’re being secretive about Creative Assembly’s Alien game.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Daily Scoop: January 6, 2014 – Happy New Year!

Hello everyone, and happy new year! It’s been an amazing holiday for me – I spent so much time playing games, it boggles my mind. Anthony and I got loads of games on sale and pretty much haven’t stopped playing games for the last two weeks. The last few days we’ve played more Hammerwatch than my poor hands can take! I can’t recommend that game enough to everyone. Seriously. It is ridiculously good.

But I’m sure you’re here for the deals! There are some going on at Amazon, like the Limited Edition of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag for $99.99 and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time for $12.99. You can also get an Ouya Console on sale for $89.99.

If you’re looking for some digital games, you might want to check out the Humble Bundle Store, where you can get Continue?9876543210 for $7.99, Retro City Rampage for $4.99, and Trine for $1.99.

There are also lots of good t-shirts for sale today!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Microsoft sold more than 3 million Xbox One consoles in 2013

xboxone-box“Anything you can do, I can do better.”

While I don’t think Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi is going to duet on that ditty with Sony’s Andrew House anytime soon, their back-and-forth over next-generation sales figures continues today. In a post on Xbox Wire, Mehdi, the Xbox Division’s Vice President of Marketing, has announced that Microsoft sold more than three million Xbox One consoles in 2013. The executive appears astounded by the system’s sales success:

“It’s been incredible to see Xbox One selling at a record-setting pace for Xbox, and we were honored to see Xbox One become the fastest-selling console in the U.S. during our launch month in November. Since our launch, demand for Xbox One has been strong, selling out throughout the holidays at most retailers worldwide. We are continuing to work hard to deliver additional consoles to retailers as fast as possible.”

For comparison’s sake, Sony announced that 2.1 million PS4 systems have been sold as of December 3.

Posted in News, Xbox One |

Weekly Warp-Up: Welcome to 2014 Edition

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…

I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year’s because now it’s full steam ahead into 2014! Woo! Yeah! Wait, nothing actually happened this week!

Well, one thing happened. We here at Warp Zoned handed out the 2013 Golden Pixel Awards, honoring our favorite games from last year. Besides our yearly top ten, we handed out The Participation Trophy, picked a piece of tech that is pushing the world one step closer to SkyNet, rocked out with our favorite game soundtrack, and highlighted more than a dozen other games.

The (very short) remainder of the Weekly Warp-Up can be found after the break.

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Posted in News |