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Marvel's Venom infects Zen Pinball games next month
Zen Studios announced a new table for its pinball games based on the popular villain from Marvel's Spider-Man universe, Venom. The table explores Venom's rivalry with Spider-Man as well as Carnage, the offspring of the dark Symbiote, hosted by the first of Venom's victims from the webbed superhero's comics, Eddie Brock. As with Zen Studios' other tables, the add-on will launch for multiple Zen Pinball and Pinball FX games on December 10 and December 11. It will cost $2.99 (€2.99/£2.49) for Zen Pinball 2 and Pinball FX 2 players on PS4, PS3, Vita, PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Wii U. Those playing Zen Pinball, Zen Pinball HD and Marvel Pinball on iOS and Android will need to pay $1.99 (€1.79/£1.49) to access the Venom table in those games. [Image: Zen Studios]
Pinball FX2 launches for Xbox One with table transfer feature
Zen Studios has released an Xbox One version of Pinball FX2, bringing its collection of dozens of previously released tables to Microsoft's latest console. Previously pegged for a July premiere, the Xbox One version of Pinball FX2 was delayed in order to implement a fan-requested table transfer feature, allowing players to import content purchased in the Xbox 360 version of Pinball FX2. Pinball wizards can consult this FAQ for assistance regarding the import process. Pinball FX2 arrives on the Xbox One as a free download, with multiple tables based on Star Wars and the Marvel universe available for purchase separately. [Image: Zen Studios]
Pinball FX2 delayed on Xbox One, devs adding table transfers
Pinball FX2 won't be pulling plungers and flipping flippers on July 31 after all, developer Zen Studios announced on its blog. But before you go full tilt on the comments section, know that it's for a good reason: Zen Studios is using the extra development time to implement table transfers so that players who purchased a table for the Xbox 360 version of FX2 will be able to move that table to the Xbox One, free of charge. Zen Studios doesn't expect the implementation of the feature to take long, as the Pinball FX2 release date has only been pushed back to "sometime in August," nebulous though that date may be. "We do apologize for the delay while we create the Pinball FX2 experience that our fans both want and deserve," the Zen Studios blog reads. "We're excited to bring Pinball FX2 to Xbox One owners, to have their previous purchases honored and transferred, and we can't wait to share with you what we've got coming in the future." [Thanks, Kraig!] [Image: Zen Studios]
Pinball FX2 rolls on Xbox One July 31
Pinball FX2 is ubiquitous across nearly all devices (check your toaster, it's probably on there too!), so consider us flippering surprised when we got an email this morning saying it was coming to Xbox One on July 31. It wasn't there already? Apparently not! As is standard, Pinball FX2 is a free downloadable platform, with various add-on tables available for a few dollars apiece – though the download on Xbox One does include the Sorcerer's Lair table for free. The game will launch with "nearly the entire Pinball FX2 library," according to developer Zen Studios. This includes all Star Wars Pinball table packs, all Marvel Pinball tables, Plants vs. Zombies (super fun!) and original Zen tables.
Joystiq Weekly: GOG's Galaxy, Murdered: Soul Suspect review, Homefront's combat and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. E3 doesn't technically start until June 10, but with all of this week's announcements and E3 trailers, you wouldn't really know it. Forza Horizon 2 will let you drive recklessly later this year, Homefront is due for a return in Homefront: The Revolution, and the thinly-veiled Mortal Kombat X tease is finally over. And that's just the early stuff - we're about to get trampled with news and hands-on demonstrations as the convention itself kicks off next week. Don't worry though, we'll survive by channeling Simba's light-footed evasive maneuvers. Just ... y'know, without the tragic loss immediately preceding our exercise. You don't have to stick around and watch us warm up though - this week's highlights are waiting for you after the break. There are release dates for The Witcher 3 and Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved, reviews for 1,001 Spikes and Tomodachi Life, and an exploration of combat in Homefront: The Revolution. It's all awaiting you neat and orderly-like after the jump!
Zen Studios bringing KickBeat and CastleStorm to next-gen, Pinball FX2 to Xbox One
Zen Studios announced a slate of new releases coming to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this year, showcasing upgraded ports of KickBeat and CastleStorm alongside the Xbox One debut of Pinball FX2. KickBeat, originally released for the PlayStation 3 and Vita last year, features beat-matching rhythm gameplay wrapped in an acrobatic kung-fu aesthetic. The updated KickBeat: Special Edition will feature additional levels and a music-analyzing feature that allows players to create playable levels based on tracks from their own library. CastleStorm: Definitive Edition boasts a similar upgrade, offering new battles, modes, and spells not seen in last year's multiplatform release. Pinball FX2 will hit the Xbox One with a collection of previously-released tables based on the Marvel and Star Wars licenses, along with upcoming machines inspired by "new, unannounced IPs." A compilation of Zen's previous pinball efforts premiered for the PlayStation 4 and Wii U last year in Zen Pinball 2, and new tables will debut across all supported platforms. [Image: Zen Studios]
Soccer and pinball combine in upcoming Super League Football table
Zen Studios unveiled the latest addition to its lineup of video pinball tables this week, announcing that the soccer-themed Super League Football is coming soon to Zen Pinball 2 and Pinball FX 2. Inspired by Williams' real-world 1994 table World Cup Soccer, Super League Football pairs pinball mechanics with sports-themed challenges and gameplay modes. The table features a lineup of international soccer clubs, and players will compete for rank in global and club-specific leaderboards. Super League Football will premiere soon as a downloadable table for Pinball FX 2 on Xbox Live Arcade, Steam and Windows 8, and will join Zen Pinball 2's playable lineup on the PlayStation 4, PS3, PS Vita, Wii U, and iOS and Android devices. A release date has not been announced.
Pinball FX 2 gets Captain America table on Steam
Zen Studios launched DLC for Pinball FX 2 on Steam this week in the form of a Captain America-themed table. The table is available now for $2.99. The game launched on Steam in May, and is available as a free download with six different table packs priced at $9.99 each. Captain America joins Epic Quest, Paranormal, Civil War and Fantastic Four as the other $2.99 tables available on Steam.
Pinball FX 2 flips onto Steam May 10 with Windows 7 support
Pinball FX 2 rides the Steam ramp on May 10. The XBLA and Windows 8 game arrives next week as a free download, with six packs available at launch for $9.99 each. The sextet includes Star Wars Pinball, Marvel Pinball, Marvel Pinball: Vengeance and Virtue, Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles, Pinball FX2 Core Collection, and Zen Classics. The Steam version brings Windows 7 support to the pinball platform. As Zen Studios VP Mel Kirk tells us, the Steam version is compatible with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and even good old Windows XP.
May the Fourth be an excuse for Star Wars Pinball discounts
Every year, we forget that people celebrate Star Wars-related stuff on May 4, thanks to a cute pun, and every year we smile a bit when we remember. This year, Zen Studios is marking the occasion with a sale on Star Wars Pinball, marking the game down 50% in all of its multifarious versions. Starting yesterday, and through May 7, Star Wars Pinball as part of Pinball FX2 on Xbox is 400 Microsoft Points; Star Wars Pinball for Zen Pinball 2 is €4.99 for European PS Plus members; and the iOS, Android, Mac App Store, and new Kindle Fire HD versions are all 99 cents. There have been some ups and downs for Star Wars recently – new owners, and new movies, but LucasArts is gone. Enjoy this game, then, as it's likely to be a while before we see more Star Wars games.
Star Wars Pinball experiences issues on Windows 8
Zen Studios is currently having issues with the recently released Star Wars Pinball on Windows 8 machines. Following up with the developer after receiving several tips this morning about a "Not_Yet_Localized" error on the Microsoft operating system, the company tells us it's working with MS to resolve the issue."Zen Studios rarely has release issues, and we really feel terrible whenever players spend their time and energy having to report issues instead of playing games," a company spokesperson told Joystiq. "Fixes are coming soon! Apologies to the players trying to play Star Wars Pinball on Windows 8!"The issue appears to be platform specific and we haven't heard about the problem on consoles or other operating systems.
Empire Strikes Back with pinball table
Here's a better look at Zen Studios' "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back" table for its upcoming Star Wars Pinball. We're not going to lie and say we aren't just a little disappointed we're not locking balls by knocking them into a tauntaun belly.
Zen Studios launching Star Wars Pinball this month
Whether you're playing Pinball FX 2 on Xbox Live Arcade or Windows 8, Zen Pinball 2 on PlayStation Network or Mac, or Zen Pinball on iOS or Zen Pinball HD on Google Play, you'll be able to supplement your virtual table collection with a trio of new Star Wars-themed tables later this month. These three tables will be available standalone on iOS and Google Play, or in the aforementioned games as DLC.The first three tables offered are themed around Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett and the animated Clone Wars series, each with their own unique missions and layout – and in the case of Episode V, even has footage taken directly from the film that will display in the dot matrix window prior to every mission.A total of 10 different Star Wars Pinball tables are planned. Zen Studios has yet to finalize pricing, but we'll be sure to pass along that info as soon as it's announced.%Gallery-178043%
'Zen Classics' DLC flippers over to XBLA's Pinball FX2 this Wednesday
Zen Studios will add four classic tables to Pinball FX2 this Wednesday. The "Zen Classics" bundle includes four "digitally re-mastered" tables, altered from their already digital state, with upgraded graphics and physics for Pinball FX2.The four tables in the pack are Tesla (pretty great!), Shaman, Eldorado and V12. The tables come as a bundle for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).
Marvel Pinball's 'Civil War' table available now
Zen Studios' downloadable Civil War table for Marvel Pinball is available today on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the Mac and Google Play versions available tomorrow. The table is priced at $3 on consoles and Mac, and $2 on Google Play and iOS (whenever it arrives).Zen Studios has been taking special events in the Marvel universe and turning them into pinball experiences, this time using the Civil War storyline for the table's design. The multi-part comic series revolved around the Superhuman Registration Act, in which superheroes had some mild disagreement over whether to register with the government and reveal their identities.%Gallery-168320%
Pinball FX 2 ricochets onto Windows 8
Windows and free pinball games go together like computer labs and bored high-school students, and Microsoft's shiny new Windows 8 platform will be no exception to that rule, as Zen Studios has launched Pinball FX 2 on the new OS' Microsoft Store app repository.The free download includes one table ("Mars," specifically), with 18 other tables available for $2.99 each, including Marvel-branded jams such as "Thor," "The Infinity Gauntlet" and "Marvel's The Avengers." Zen plans to support the Windows 8 version with new DLC just as it has the XBLA version, though no amount of DLC will complete that essay on Uncle Tom's Cabin that you're supposed to be working on.
Zen Studios' Plants vs. Zombies pinball table lets in sunshine next week
Zen Studios' first mystery pinball table based on a PopCap franchise will be Plants vs. Zombies. The table, playable at PAX this weekend, features your favorite flora and undead continuing their epic battle with the assistance of giant silver balls.The Plants vs. Zombies pinball table will be available on September 4 and 5 in North America and Europe, respectively, as a cross buy add-on for Zen Pinball 2 on PS3 and Vita. The table flips on in XBLA's Pinball FX2 on September 5. The table is $2.99 through the PlayStation Network, 240 Microsoft Points ($3) on Xbox 360.Asked for a review of the table, Crazy Dave expounded, "Wabby-wibby woooo. Whaaaa! Wanna watta win."
Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles out next week
Zen Studios' Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles will assemble on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade on June 19 and 20, respectively.The Avengers Chronicles pack includes four new tables, including The Infinity Gauntlet, which the developer sent out a trailer of today. The table is based off the comic series where Thanos killed half the life in the universe to impress Death. It's a love story, really.
The Avengers' pinball table unmasked
Avengers, roll out! ... Go,go gadget Avengers! ... Avengers, SPOON! Fine, fine, Avengers assemble to check out this trailer and screenshots of the upcoming pinball table from Zen Studios.The Avenger pinball pack, coming this spring, includes four tables: Marvel's The Avengers, World War Hulk, The Infinity Gauntlet and Fear Itself. World War Hulk was shown off last month. Give us Infinity Gauntlet now!%Gallery-154673%
'Archer' may take a shot at a Pinball FX 2 table, it's all Twitter's fault
So it went down like this: Someone tweeted Archer production designer and art director Neil Holman the idea for an Archer table in Zen Studios' Pinball FX 2, Holman said he could send the idea up to FX if Zen was down, and Zen said, "Yuuuuup" (paraphrased). Holman since requested Zen's contact info and said he'll "put the wheels in motion."It looks to us like Twitter already got those gears turning, in a wonderfully public way. This is what happens when cool people work together: transparency and dead hookers. Uh, we mean, cartoon spy-drama pinball tables. Of course.
