Sefton Hill hints that Rocksteady might have at least one more Batman game in their future

Posted on December 20, 2015 by John Scalzo

Rocksteady recently released a new episode in their Arkham Insider video series ahead of next week’s launch of the Season of Infamy expansion for Batman: Arkham Knight. In addition to giving players a sneak peek at a quartet of returning rogues (Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter, and Ra’s al Ghul), Brand Marketing Producer Dax Ginn also sat down with Game Director Sefton Hill to discuss the studio’s work on the Arkham series as a whole. But their pleasant chat may have inadvertently lead to a hint about the franchise’s future at Rocksteady:

Ginn: Sefton, for you, it must be a very emotional time. because this isn’t just the end of Batman: Arkham Knight, it’s sort of the end of Rockteady’s time with the Arkham trilogy. What’s going on in your head at the moment?

Hill: It’s been a very emotional and exciting journey for us. I’ve always said it’s a tremendous privilege and honor to be the custodians of the Batman universe and to live this for nearly ten years To be thinking about the big guy and all the adventures and coming out with new and exciting things we can do in that world. That huge period of time has been amazing, energizing, emotional… it’s been incredible. I really hope the fans are happy with the work we’ve done… that we’ve been able to let people become the Batman and really enjoy his world for such a long period of time.

Ginn: So Sefton, are you saying categorically that this is the end of the road for Rocksteady and Batman?

With a hopeful lilt in his voice, Hill began to reply, “Well…,” before being cut off by a supposed camera malfunction.

Ever since Arkham Knight’s initial announcement, representatives from Rocksteady have always asserted that it would be their final Batman game. While Hill’s “Well…” isn’t proof the studio will stay tuned to that “Same Bat-Channel” on future projects, it is certainly an interesting statement to make.

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

Weekly Warp-Up: Hideo Kojima Leaves Konami and Other Stories

Posted on December 20, 2015 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…

It was a big week for Hideo Kojima as the legendary developer officially (and finally) parted terms with Konami. Kojima then immediately turned around and announced an alliance between his newly reformed Kojima Productions and Sony Computer Entertainment. The deal will allow the developer to produce a “console-exclusive” PS4 game in a “new franchise” for the company. That’s about all we know right now, but this is a huge get for Sony, and a huge opportunity for Kojima.

No other news from the week that was compares (unless you want to talk about how amazing Star Wars: The Force Awakens is), but you can find more articles after the break.

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Posted in News |

New Releases: The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

Posted on December 20, 2015 by John Scalzo

legendofheroestrailsofcoldsteel-header

Unless next week offers up a surprise game launch or two, this will most likely be the final New Release Report of 2015. But fans of turn-based Japanese RPGs should definitely stand up and pay attention.

After teasing its release for a very long time, XSEED Games is finally ready to launch The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel in North America for the PS3 and Vita. Originally released in Japan in 2013, Trails of Cold Steel is the first game in the “Erebonian Arc” and includes story beats that’ll be easy to jump into for newcomers, while offering a deeper story for veterans of the Legend of Heroes franchise:

Taking place on the same continent as the fan favorite Trails in the Sky offshoot of Nihon Falcom’s storied The Legend of Heroes franchise, Trails of Cold Steel (Sen no Kiseki in Japanese) is the first in the series to tread Erebonian soil and explore the inner political conflicts of this oft-mentioned powerhouse nation in detail. With a standalone story that also delves into the expansive lore that has become synonymous with the series, players can enjoy school life and bond with fellow students to earn new abilities in battle, take advantage of speedy, tactical turn-based combat with the newly-developed “ARCUS” system, and uncover dramatic events that stand to change everything these two opposing social classes stand for.

Posted in News, PS3, Vita |

Next Super Mario Maker update adds more course parts and web-based course search

Posted on December 19, 2015 by John Scalzo

Nintendo will release another free Super Mario Maker update this Tuesday, December 22, and it’ll come packed with three new course parts:

  • Fire Koopa Clown Car: This volcanic vessel is capable of shooting fireballs as well as a powerful charged shot that can even destroy Blocks. It’s perfect for creating shoot-em-up-style courses.
  • P Warp Doors: Unlike regular Warp Doors, these are only visible while a P Switch is active – perfect for creating truly devious Ghost House courses.
  • Bumper: This bouncy donut-shaped object sends Mario bounding away when touched.

P Warp Doors are an essential part of the franchise, so I’m thrilled that Nintendo is finally adding them to Super Mario Maker. And I love that the publisher took some inspiration from one of my favorite player-created courses, “Super Shmup Bros.,” in creating the Fire Koopa Clown Car. In addition to three new toys to play with, Nintendo is also adding a “World Records” leaderboard to each uploaded course so players can fight for the best times.

But next week’s update is even more important because of the launch of Super Mario Maker Bookmark, an online web portal that players to use to search the game’s many courses:

Players can access the Super Mario Maker Bookmark portal site from their computer, tablet, or smartphone, using their Nintendo Network ID to log in. The portal will let players browse recommended courses or search for courses with filters like difficulty, game theme, or course style. Players can also search using a selection of tags, making it easier to find courses that fall into a specific category such as automatic, puzzle, or music. Appealing levels can then be bookmarked for instant access the next time players fire up the game.

A trailer highlighting the new course parts has been embedded above, and another trailer that’ll walk you through the Super Mario Maker Bookmark site is available after the break.

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Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Cartridge-based Retro VGS console has been rebranded as the Coleco Chameleon

Posted on December 18, 2015 by John Scalzo

colecochameleonAfter their disastrous Indiegogo campaign ended in November, the team behind the Retro VGS has found a new partner to help bring their cartridge-based console to market: Coleco. Yes, the company behind the mostly forgotten Colecovision is getting back into the console game with the newly rebranded Coleco Chameleon.

Just like when it was known as the Retro VGS, every game released for the Coleco Chameleon will be manufactured in a cartridge format that is “long-lasting” and “durable.” Players will be able to choose from compilations of older classics, along with new titles likeThe Adventures of Tiny Knight, GunLord, and Read Only Memories that are developed using an 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit style.

Mike Kennedy, the President of Retro VGS, said: “The Coleco Chameleon is a love-letter to all the classic cartridge based gaming systems that came before it and we love the fact it will succeed Coleco’s successful Telstar and Colecovision product lines. It will take gamers and their families back to a simpler time where games were all about great gameplay and fun factor.”

Even with the name change, the Coleco Chameleon is still on track to launch in 2016. And attendees of the 2016 New York Toy Fair will get a chance to try it out at the Coleco booth.

Posted in News, Retro |

Daily Scoop: December 18, 2015 – Great game deals

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Nicole Kline

I lucked out this week and didn’t have to go to jury duty today! I don’t know how I got that lucky. It means I’m on the list to do it next year, but I’m OK with that!

There are tons of amazing sales right now at the Humble Store! Get Broforce for $8.99, Armello for $14.99, Grim Fandango: Remastered for $3.74, or Crawl for $7.99, among many others.

There are some deals at Steam as well. The Weekend Deal is Sword Coast Legends, which is free to play until Sunday, and $19.99 if you want to purchase it. The Daily Deal is early access to Folk Tale, which is $18.74.

Just two t-shirts today…

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Posted in Daily Scoop |

Xbox Store Today: The Escapists on Xbox 360

Posted on December 18, 2015 by John Scalzo

Team17 and Mouldy Toof Studios are going to make another grand escape with today’s launch of The Escapists on the Xbox 360. Originally released on the PC and Xbox One back in February, the retro-styled overhead prison break simulator can now be purchased on Microsoft’s previous-gen console for $19.99. And if you’re an Xbox Live Gold subscriber, the game is even more of a steal (just $13.39) for a limited time.

The Escapists is now available to download for the Xbox 360 through the Xbox Games Store. Here’s a little more information about the game, courtesy of Team17 and Mouldy Toof Studios:

Experience a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life with the award winning indie hit, The Escapists. Master the routine, plan your strategy, then execute your escape in the break simulation sensation of 2015. Whilst the aim of the game is simply to escape, the detail is in the execution where in between attending roll calls, mealtimes and doing your allocated jobs, you should grab every chance to plan your escape.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Daily Scoop: December 17, 2015 – More t-shirts!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Nicole Kline

It’s nearly the weekend, especially for me, as I have jury duty tomorrow! So while it’s not a day off, it’s not a day at work, so it’s a weird in-between kind of day. I’m just hoping I can get some gaming time in while I’m there. Is that even allowed?

Anyway, there’s a brand new Humble Weekly Bundle, and it’s called SPORTS! Pay what you want for Max Gentleman (with the Triple DLC Pack), Qvadriga, and OlliOlli. Beat the average to get WRC4, Vertiginous Golf, and one of my all-time favorites, Sportsfriends. Pay $10 or more to unlock OOTP Baseball 16.

Over at Steam, the Weekend Deal is on Kerbal Space Program! Nab the game for just $23.99. The Daily Deal is Evolve, which is on sale for $13.59. It’s also hyper cheap on Amazon right now as well!

There are some great t-shirts today. Hit the jump to check them out!

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Posted in Daily Scoop |