CoD: Infinite Warfare Update: “Terminal” map free to all and new Quartermaster weapons now available

Posted on December 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

Activision has announced that new downloadable content for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is now available for all players.

First up, a short tweet has confirmed that the “Terminal” map (which was previously exclusive to players who purchased Infinite Warfare at launch) is now available as a free download for everyone. And second, a new collection of weapons can be obtained from the Quartermaster with Keys or Call of Duty Points. A trailer for the Quartermaster update has been embedded above, and players interested in the new weapons can learn more about them right here:

A brand new collection of craftable Prototype weapons, plus new camos, Epic Taunts, and personalization items have arrived at the Quartermaster in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, including the EBR-800 Bomber sniper/assault rifle hybrid, DCM-8 Epitaph shotgun, Type-2 Atomic assault rifle/dual-SMG combo, and much more.

Activision and Infinity Ward will also support Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare with four downloadable expansions throughout 2017. The first is expected to launch in January or February.

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Hungarian company uses racing game on Xbox One to train their self-driving cars

Posted on December 6, 2016 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoThe self-driving cars are coming. Whether its Google or Lyft or BMW or Apple, someone will eventually crack the code and begin production on a car that will drive itself from Point A to Point B. Most companies are tackling the problem of how to “train” their self-driving cars with thousands of hours on the road. But one Hungarian company is using a different type of teacher… video games.

Laszlo Kishonti recently spoke to The Wall Street Journal, and he revealed that his company, Almotive, used an unnamed driving game on the Xbox One to help their self-driving cars learn the basics:

“One of the ways…to train AI [is] you just keep repeating training steps and eventually get a little further and further” in learning, said Niko Eiden, AImotive’s chief operating officer.

Mr. Eiden described using the videogame to training a car to steer, accelerate and brake. “Initially the car will always hit the wall, but after a couple of million tries—that take only a few minutes on a regular PC—it has learned by itself how to drive around a random track and even accelerates on straight sections—just like a child learns to walk!”

Mr. Kishonti said after using the videogame for a few weeks his system had experienced all the variations to be found in the game world.

Almotive is now creating their own simulations using “high-definition video of real-world driving” to further teach their self-driving cars. I’m sure this will in no way lead to the rise of Skynet.

Posted in News, Xbox One |

The Games of December 2016

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Warp Zoned Staff

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There aren’t many games coming out this month, but we at Warp Zoned are passionate about the few that are! The Last Guardian and Super Mario Run are two we can agree on, though there are also a few others we’re looking forward to as well. Hit the jump to see what we’ll be playing for the month of December!

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Posted in Features, Top Story |

Daily Scoop: December 5, 2016 – Pico Games Bundle at Story Bundle

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Nicole Kline

I spent the weekend doing a ton of work, because once my copy of The Last Guardian arrives, that’s all I’ll be doing. I can’t wait until tomorrow!

There’s just one more day left in the Humble Staff Picks Bundle – games chosen by Nick the engineer! Pay what you want for Volume, TIS-100, and Legend of Grimrock 2. Beat the average to unlock Infinifactory, The Secret World, and Dungeon 2. Pay $14 or more to also unlock Grim Dawn.

There are 477 new Weeklong Deals at Steam! Get Miscreated for $9.99, 8-Bit Armies for $7.49, Gun for $4.99, and one of my favorites, Screencheat, for $7.49, among a ton of others.

There’s a great game book bundle happening at Story Bundle – it’s called Pico Games. Pay what you want for Pico-8 Zine #1-4, Dungeons & Dreamers, Complete Kobold Guide to Game Design, Everybody Shake! The Making of Spaceteam, and Pico-8. For $15, get five bonus books – Boss Fight Books: Super Mario Bros. 3, HG101 Presents – The 200 Best Video Games of All Time, Fighting Game Fundamentals, Anything But Sports – The Making of FTL, and Souls of Darkness (which also comes as an audiobook).

Hit the jump to see today’s shirts!

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Posted in Daily Scoop |

Housemarque teams up with Smash TV creator to announce Nex Machina

Posted on December 5, 2016 by John Scalzo

Twin-stick shooters are everywhere nowadays, but Housemarque is going back to the genre’s roots with Nex Machina, which was announced this weekend during the PlayStation Experience. Building on their previous games including Dead Nation and Resogun, the developer is also teaming up with Eugene Jarvis, the creator of Robotron and Smash TV, to create a game where robots have enslaved humanity:

In a world where humans have become more and more addicted to technology, machines have evolved from simple helpers to replacements for unwanted jobs — conscious entities with their own feelings. Robots surpassed mankind’s abilities, becoming the superior being, and started to refuse to serve us.

After the singularity, the rise of the machines was inevitable — and unstoppable. But nobody even noticed. Mankind’s best and brightest were too busy updating their status on social media. When all seems lost, out of the blue a mysterious hero appears: you. Who sent you? Will you save humanity from itself once again? And last but not least, are your skills sharp enough to confront an army of fiendish robots out for blood?

Writing on the PlayStation Blog, Housemarque’s Mikael Haveri said that Nex Machina (which means “Death Machine” in Latin) will be a “true arcade experience” that also serves as something of a spiritual followup to Robotron and Smash TV.

Nex Machina doesn’t currently have a release date.

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged ,

First Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite gameplay trailer introduces Captain America, Morrigan

Posted on December 5, 2016 by John Scalzo

One of the first announcements during this weekend’s PlayStation Experience was Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite, the (rather surprising) fourth entry in the crossover fighting franchise. Last night, Capcom unveiled the title’s first extended gameplay trailer, introducing fans to Ryu, Mega Man X, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Morrigan. The 90-second clip also gives us a glimpse at how the characters will use Marvel’s Infinity Stones in battle.

Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2017.

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

Warpback: What We Played in November 2016

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Warp Zoned Staff

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I don’t think any of us were playing the same games during November! We were all over the map, hitting up our backlogs, playing brand new games, and continuing to play popular games that just won’t quit. Hit the jump to see everything the Warp Zoned staff played last month!

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Posted in Features, Top Story |

Akuma kicks off Street Fighter V’s Season 2 DLC on December 20… don’t miss the trailer

Posted on December 5, 2016 by John Scalzo

Capcom has big plans for Street Fighter V‘s second season of downloadable content, and it all begins with Akuma on December 20. Revealed over the weekend at the 2016 PlayStation Experience, Akuma’s design will be “burlier” in Street Fighter V, but according to the Capcom-Unity blog, the martial artist is just as deadly as ever:

Character Overview
Akuma returns to Street Fighter V, displaying his mastery of Ansatsuken and while he has become burlier than previous games, he possesses quick footwork and devastating combos. He has a wide array of destructive tools and is able to completely out-class opponents with his oppressive pressure. His moves and stances often strike poses reminiscent of Buddhist statues and Ukiyo-e paintings.

How does Akuma feel about Ryu’s approach to overcoming the Satsui no Hado and what is his relationship to Necalli? Be sure to check out his character story to find out!

V-Skill: Rakan
Akuma strikes a defensive stance and similar to Ryu’s Mind’s Eye, can parry an incoming attack. He can follow-up the move with an upward kick or a long reaching palm strike.

V-Trigger: Dohatsu Shoten
Akuma powers up and envelops his body with ki to enter Dohatsu Shoten mode. In this mode, his Gohadokens are more powerful, now able to travel full-screen and he can unleash two in the air even while jumping backwards. Additionally, when he lands his Goshoryuken attack, he follows-up and violently drives his opponents into the ground.

Critical Art: Sekia Koretsuha
Akuma channels an incredible amount of ki into his palm and drives it into the ground, striking the opponent with an exploding pillar of fierce energy.

Critical Art: Shun Goku Satsu
Only accessible while in Dohatsu Shoten mode, Akuma’s most powerful attack returns. He glides towards the opponent and grabs them, resulting in a series of devastating strikes in the blink of an eye.

Akuma will be the first of six new characters added to Street Fighter V as part of the 2017 Character Pass ($29.99), which will also be available on December 20. The Pass will give Street Fighter V owners access to Akuma and five “completely new” characters throughout the year. Each character will also receive Premium Battle Costumes with Colors 3-10 unlocked. And as always, all of Street Fighter V’s upcoming bonus content can be unlocked by completing Challenges and earning Fight Money in the game.

Capcom also announced they’ll add the 2016 Holiday Content Pack, B-Boy Ryu, and B-Girl Chun-Li to Street Fighter V’s online storefront on December 20. A trailer for these extra costumes can be found after the break.

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Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged ,