Square Enix has shipped more than one million copies of Nier: Automata

Posted on April 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

The original Nier has gathered together a rather dedicated cult following since its release in 2010, and this built-in audience has helped propel the recently-released sequel to new heights. Nier: Automata was released for the PC and PS4 last month, and Square Enix announced today that worldwide shipments and digital sales of the game have surpassed one million copies.

Square Enix also turned the Square Enix Blog over to Character Modeler Hito Matsudaira, who went over the process he used to create Nier: Automata’s 2B:

Does anyone famous in particular come to mind when you think of a character modeler? No one comes to my mind – character modelers rarely come out in public these days! Fortunately for me, I was given this opportunity so I would like to explain what kind of thoughts I had, and how I modeled the character 2B using some in-progress images of the character.

I would like to show you that the process isn’t as simple as changing an illustration into 3D.

If you’re still on the fence about Nier: Automata, a demo is now available to download for the PS4 through the PlayStation Store.

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CoD: Infinite Warfare’s Continuum DLC Pack goes back to the 70s on April 18 with “Shaolin Shuffle” and four new multiplayer maps

Posted on April 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

Activision has delivered our first look at “Shaolin Shuffle,” the 1970s-set Zombies Mode chapter set to launch as part of the next downloadable expansion for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The trailer also introduces players to Pam Grier’s “Shaolin Sister,” who will help players fight back against the undead with four new kung fu fighting styles:

“Shaolin Shuffle,” the next thrilling chapter of the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare zombies experience, features the return of Willard Wyler, the mysterious movie director villain portrayed with voice and likeness by Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, Gotham). This time, Wyler has trapped the four protagonists inside a new horror film, set in the unforgettable 1970s. Players will face all-new zombie enemies across a variety of disco-era New York locations, including subways, flashy nightclubs and a martial arts dojo headed up by the Shaolin Sister, played with voice and likeness by Pam Grier (Jackie Brown, Foxy Brown). In addition to hallmark Call of Duty action, “Shaolin Shuffle” introduces four unlockable kung fu fighting styles, each with its own set of unique combat moves.

The Continuum DLC Pack will also include four new multiplayer maps that favor close-quartered combat and unique architectural design:

Multiplayer Maps in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare’s Continuum DLC Pack

  • Turista – A plush spa and resort, “Turista” is nestled in the middle of a giant skeleton of an ancient creature. With sniper spots scattered across a majestic, central waterfall, Turista also boasts tight interiors for fans of close-quartered combat and a three-lane design that caters to a variety of play styles.
  • Scrap – Set in an abandoned junkyard on the Moon, “Scrap” features a combination of extended sightlines and tactical pathways that reward players who engage in both long and short range combat.
  • Archive – Fast, frenetic engagements set the pace in “Archive,” a post-futurist art gallery where tight engagements contrast with open exterior battlegrounds in this wide three-lane style map.
  • Excess – Perched atop a gilded penthouse in a sprawling future metropolis, “Excess” is a small, circular map re-imagined from the classic Modern Warfare 2 map, “Rust,” that retains the intense, fast-paced combat from the original.

The Continuum DLC Pack will be available to download for the PS4 on April 18, while PC and Xbox One owners will receive access to the expansion sometime in May.

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

New Mega Man series headed to Cartoon Network in 2018

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Brittney Williams

Capcom, in collaboration with DHX Media, Dentsu Entertainment, and Man of Action Entertainment, have announced that their in-development Mega Man animated series will debut on Cartoon Network in 2018.

The series will go into production this Summer, and it’s designed to introduce Mega Man to a new and much younger audience. The Mega Man series appears to be in good hands, as all three companies have proven themselves in children’s entertainment before. Dentsu Entertainment is responsible for localizing the popular Yo-Kai Watch series, and DHX Media has a long history of producing successful kid’s shows such as Degrassi and Teletubbies. Meanwhile, Man of Action Entertainment is most famous for the creation of Ben 10 and characters from Big Hero 6.

However, Mega Man fans have already taken issue with the upcoming show, citing Mega Man’s new aesthetic, and his “Aki Light” alter ego. According to DHX Media, Aki Light is a happy-go-lucky robotic child, who discovers that he has secret protocols that allow him to transform into Mega Man (basically, a robotic schoolboy version of nearly every mainstream superhero). Throughout the series, Mega Man will struggle with saving Silicon City from imposing threats, while trying to maintain his day-to-day life, and preserve his secret identity.

While this is definitely a break from the traditional Mega Man storyline, including that of the popular Mega Man cartoon from the mid 90s, it’s still an interesting reboot. Given the success of the companies involved with the new show’s production, this latest Mega Man cartoon is worth keeping on your radars, even if just to check it out once.

Posted in Etcetera, News, Retro | Tagged

Batman: Arkham VR will swoop down on the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on April 25

Posted on April 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

Batman: Arkham VR was one of the higher-profile titles available during the PlayStation VR’s launch period last Fall, and now WB Games has announced it’ll be available for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive on April 25. A new “Announcement Trailer” for the game’s PC debut has been embedded above.

“Bringing Batman to VR was a very rewarding experience for us here at Rocksteady. The Dark Knight has always been an incredible character to work with due to his psychological depth, so it’s really exciting to use this immersive medium to delve deeper into his psyche than ever before,” said Sefton Hill, the Creative Director of Rocksteady Studios. “We’re thrilled that PC players can finally wear the cowl for themselves and take on the role of the World’s Greatest Detective with the addition of the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift versions.”

Batman: Arkham VR will support both the Oculus Touch and Vive Controller, as well as the PS4 DualShock 4, Xbox One Controller, and Steam Controller.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

It looks like Udon will publish a Shovel Knight: Official Design Works artbook in August

Posted on April 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

We’re still waiting patiently for the release of those children’s books based on Shovel Knight (they’re currently scheduled to arrive in stores on April 18), but it looks like you’ll be able to purchase yet another tome featuring the titular knight later this Summer.

According to a new listing on Amazon, Udon Entertainment will publish Shovel Knight: Official Design Works on August 29. The artbook will include 184 pages of images from the game, as well as new information about Shovel Knight from the development team at Yacht Club Games:

Shovel Knight: Official Design Works collects the fun and original artwork behind this landmark title. Inside you’ll find key art, character concepts, enemy designs, sprite sheets, unused ideas, and an all-new Shovel Knight tribute art gallery! This epic tome is also packed with creator commentary, as well as exclusive interview with the Yacht Club Games team.

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, the newest expansion to Shovel Knight’s side-scrolling adventure, will be available to download for the PC beginning tomorrow. If missed its Nintendo Switch launch last month, you might not know that it’s an AMAZING addition to the franchise.

Posted in 3DS, Etcetera, Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Vita, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged

Volition’s Agents of Mayhem gets a new trailer and an August 15 release date

Posted on April 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

Volition’s Agents of Mayhem roared back into your line of sight yesterday, with a new trailer that cribs heavily from The A-Team, Knight Rider, and today’s superhero-driven cinema.

The world first heard about Agents of Mayhem last year, when the Saints Row-adjacent project was unveiled at the E3 Expo. But now we know when it’ll be released (August 15), and a bit more about the game’s fame-hungry heroes:

After the horrors of Devil’s Night, the world was left in ruins from the devastation that the shadowy supervillain organization LEGION (League of Evil Gentlemen Intent on Obliterating Nations) had left in its wake.

They needed heroes.

They got the Agents of MAYHEM (Multinational AgencY for Hunting Evil Masterminds).

In a case of bad versus evil this elite band of often unstable misfits, armed with a variety of crazy weapons, work under the watchful eye of Persephone Brimstone, ex-LEGION lieutenant, and her assistant Friday, to bring down LEGION and its mysterious leader, the Morningstar.

Explore the city of Seoul with a diverse cast of twelve interchangeable agents that you can assemble into squads of three, each with their own distinct look, sense of humor, weapons, and skillset. Players can build and customize their squads however they choose, switching from Daisy, a mini-gun wielding, beer-swigging, foul-mouthed roller derby girl, to Rama, an immunologist with a futuristic bow firing energy arrows, to Red Card, a loveable but psychotic German soccer hooligan with a temper that can literally clear a crowd.

With a toy box of twelve unique agents to choose from, players can jump between reality TV star/pretty boy Hollywood, to sky pirate and internationally infamous thief Fortune, as the open-world missions demand.

Agents of Mayhem is an open-world action game currently in development for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One… and I cannot stress enough how 80s-tastic the new trailer is.

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

The Games of April 2017

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Warp Zoned Staff

Here at Warp Zoned, we’re all pretty excited for the April game calendar! There’s a little bit of excitement for Yooka-Laylee, a little for Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition, and even a little for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Read on to see what we’re hype for and why this month!

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Posted in Features, Top Story |

XSEED announces Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash will be released for PS4 this Summer

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Brittney Williams

XSEED Games fulfilled the dreams of many a Senran Kagura fan today, by announcing that the latest entry in the series, Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash, will be released for the PlayStation 4 this Summer.

In Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash, we find our favorite lady ninjas enjoying a bit of fun in the sun… armed with water guns and skimpy bathing suits. But don’t let the appearance of the game fool you. While there is definitely some heavy fan service afoot, there’s a fun concept behind the bouncy appendages sported by the half-naked ninjas.

In Peach Beach Splash, the ladies of Senran Kagura find themselves forced to participate in a mysterious tournament. In order to win, the ladies will have to use a combination of ten types of water-based weapons. And that’s where the water guns and bikini’s come in. Water gun battles will take place in beach-style arenas, where players can participate in Survival Mode and 5v5 matches via online multiplayer. For those who fancy playing solo, a single-player mode gives players the chance to create a team of five by choosing from a pool of over 30 characters, and then customizing their abilities and weapons, before leading them to battle.

To make things even more interesting, Attribute Cards up the ante, forcing players to put more thought behind their strategies. Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash features over 800 attribute cards, which provide players with summonable pets, weapon improvements, and new skills. During matches, players can use six Skill Cards and three Pet Cards per match, providing these nimble ninjas with unique combos that keep the gameplay fresh and unique.

For now, check out the first screenshots after the break while we wait for Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash to make its PlayStation 4 debut this summer.

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Posted in News, PS4 |