Kotaku: Christmas

Police Say Christmas Gaming Drove Woman to Attack Children with Butcher Knife

Mike Fahey — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Allegedly enraged over her five-year-old son's playing of a video game he received as a Christmas gift, Jutrina Tillman of Phoenix, Arizona, dragged the young boy into his bedroom and began to strangle him before threatening to kill him and his 13-year-old sister with a butcher knife. More »

Please Do Not Arm Our Readers with Weapons, Especially Those with Cutting Edges

Mike Fahey — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:20:00 EST

Commenter GiantBoyDetective poses here with the replica Master Sword he received for Christmas, a harbinger of dark times ahead in today's Speak Up on Kotaku. More »

If You Got a New Phone or Tablet Today, Buy These Games First

Owen Good — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

If you got or you gave a mobile device this morning—iPhone, Android phone, iPad or tablet—chances are there's a "what now?" factor in the discussion. Chances are you or someone else may also have given or been given a little money to put some apps on the thing, too. What do you do? What are the first games to download? Calm down, we've got you covered here. More »

Portal Christmas tree is absolutely genius

Cyriaque Lamar — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:10:00 EST

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Here's further proof that basically everything goes better with Portal. Check out Ryan Kelly and his coworkers' Portal-fied Christmas tree, which certainly beats the hell out of the 20 years' worth of musty tinsel I festooned all over my folks' Tannenbaum this very evening. Also, learn how to make this Aperture Science-infused arbor for next year. More »

Yule Love These Holiday Fireplace Apps for Gaming Consoles and Mobile Devices

Owen Good — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST

In 1966, TV station WPIX filmed a a fireplace at New York's Gracie Mansion, canceled $4,000 worth of advertising, and broadcast it for two hours on Christmas Day as a gift to viewers who had no fireplaces in their apartments. Its spirit lives on screens large and small to this day. More »

Skyrim Christmas Lights. Battlefield 3 Christmas Lights.

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:00:00 EST

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Nothing says CHRISTMAS SPIRIT like synchronising an expensive set of blinking lights to video game theme music. More »

In DC Universe Online, Christmas Belongs to Larfleeze

Mike Fahey — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:20:00 EST

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First DC Universe Online introduced the Green, Yellow, and Red Lanterns. Now, just in time for Christmas, they're getting all greedy. The one and only Orange Lantern Larfleeze has appeared in game update seven, spreading Season's Greedings to Gotham and Metropolis. More »

Postal III Will Be Homicidal for Christmas

Mike Fahey — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:20:00 EST

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Do not fret, Postal guy fan! The third entry in the PC game series so over-the-top offensive that everyone pretty much forgot about will be ready in time for wrapping paper. Who's excited? Show of hands! More »

Some StarCraft Player Has The Best Girlfriend Ever

Mike Fahey — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST

Adrienne Baginski's boyfriend loves StarCraft II. Adrienne Baginski loves him, so she made him the most adorable plush rendition of a Protoss Probe she possibly could for Christmas. Lucky bastard. More »

Police Say Man Stole Game Boy From Teen That Died On Christmas [Update]

Mike Fahey — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:20:00 EST

Seventeen-year-old Bradley David-McCombs Jr. died in a tragic car accident on Christmas Day. On Monday night his family held a viewing at the Rairigh Funeral Home in Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania. That night, someone decided to steal his Game Boy. More »

A Video Gamers' Christmas

Brian Crecente — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST

It was the winter of 1980. My brother and I, wrapped in blue robes, ran down the stairs to be greeted by a brand new Atari 2600 and bevy of games under the tree. More »

There Are No Silent Nights When Santa Rides A Tank

Luke Plunkett — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:00:00 EST

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even...Santa's Second World War-vintage self-propelled gun? More »

Cheap Christmas Cards For The Broke-Ass Gamer

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST

There are plenty of guides out there to help you pick a Christmas gift. But what about the card to go with that gift? More »

What's The Worst Christmas Game You Ever Got?

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

With Christmas Day almost upon us, no doubt many of you are asking for games to be crammed in your stocking. But such requests aren't always the stuff of fond memories: sometimes Christmas games can scar you. More »

What Ever Happened To The Christmas Video Game?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

Christmas. It's not only a holiday, but a mood, a memory. Movies ranging from It's A Wonderful Life to Home Alone capture that festive feeling. Video games, do not. More »

Bulletstorm Decorates A Christmas Tree, Makes The Baby Jesus Cry

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST

Bulletstorm developers People Can Fly get into the Christmas spirit with a lovingly decorated tree adorned with Bouncers and dead bodies, while delivering the occasional gruff and snappy retort. An unhappy holiday for the cannon fodder of Epic's next game. More »

This Dreamcast Christmas Is Suitably Tragic

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:30:00 EST

December. 1999. Two brothers are about to embark on a roller-coaster of emotions that, while sharing some things in common with the famous "Nintendo 64 kid", aren't quite as joyous. Which is fitting, considering they asked for a Dreamcast. More »

Killing Floor's Twisted Christmas Special Has A Team Fortress 2 Surprise

Mike Fahey — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST

While the church downstairs prepares to celebrate the Christmas season, Tripwire Interactive has been busy creating an expansion for Killing Floor that lets you kill Santa Claus, along with a special present for fans of Valve's Team Fortress 2. More »

Your Christmas Tree Needs Video Game Console Ornaments

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:30:00 EDT

Last holiday season, reader Dave wowed us with his laser-cut controller ornaments. This year, he's getting into the Christmas spirit early with these console ornaments. More »

Kids Don't Want Toys For Christmas, They Want iPhones, iPads & Kinect

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:40:00 EDT

Video games like LEGO Harry Potter and fancy new controllers—Kinect and PlayStation Move—are among the most wished-for items this holiday, according to a new survey. But it's Apple's iOS-based devices that kids are demanding most. More »

PSP Porn Ruins Christmas

Mike Fahey — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST

Ten-year-old Kade Goodman's holiday dreams were shattered on Christmas Day, when it was discovered that someone had left a penis on his used PSP. More »

A Modest Proposal For Holiday YouTube Videos

AJ Glasser — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Every year, I always end up seeing this home video on YouTube as everybody gets into the holiday spirit. I'm sick of it. I want to nominate another video clip in its stead. More »

What Games Did You Get For Christmas Today, For Better Or Worse?

Stephen Totilo — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:00:02 EST

You asked for Uncharted 2 but grandma got you .hack? Did you receive that prestige edition of Modern Warfare 2 you asked for? Is your Christmas console broken already? Celebrate or vent about your gaming Christmas gifts right here. More »

Why Can't This Ever Happen At The Airports I Use?

AJ Glasser — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

This is quite possibly the only Army of Two: The 40th Day teaser that's made me laugh. Probably because I've spent six hours in airports so far this holiday and have another four ahead of me to go home. More »

What The Video Game Industry Wants For Christmas

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST

Christmas is a time for giving, yes, but it's also a time for receiving. Which is more important. And while we know what we want for Christmas, we wondered: what do the big names of the video game industry want? More »

Here, Have A Sonic Racing X-mas Video

AJ Glasser — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 EST

I cannot express in words just how sick I am of the 12 Days of Christmas song. And I'm not saying that just because I'm Jewish and Hanukkah is over — I really can't stand that song. More »

With a Corncob Pipe and a Drill Made Out of Snow ...

Owen Good — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:40:00 EST

Big Daddy Snowman. Submitted by Snežana Nedeski of The Netherlands. Happy Holidays! More »

Obama And The Game-Crazy Christmas Kids, Now In Video Form

Stephen Totilo — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:20:24 EST

OK, everyone. Obama asks the kid if he the DSi plays "The Sims" on it, not "Sins." So much for the CNN transcript from earlier today. This is the American President listening to the Christmas wishes of kids. Not easy! More »

Kids Tell Obama They Want Games For Christmas, He Asks Tough Questions

Stephen Totilo — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:00:06 EST

Kotaku brings you this rush transcript, via CNN, of American children telling a befuddled Barack Obama what they really want for Christmas: DSi, PSP, PS3. We are scrambling to figure out, however, if Obama thinks "sins" is a DSi game. More »

Happy Holidays From Fallen Earth

Mike Fahey — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:20:00 EST

There might not be any snow in the post-apocalyptic world of the MMO Fallen Earth, but that won't stop the Wastelanders from building Dirtmen while waiting for the Seasonal Arctic Network of Toy-based Altruism to arrive. More »

Tetris Around the Christmas Tree

Owen Good — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:30:00 EST

Seen at a home in San Diego, by reader Jon S. Happy Holidays. More »

Seasons Greetings From Earth Eternal

AJ Glasser — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:40:00 EST

Earth Eternal, an adorable massively multiplayer online game, brings you Santa suits and snowmen to celebrate the holiday season. That's great, so... where's my menorah? More »

Christmas Comes To PlayStation Home

Mike Fahey — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

The holidays hit PlayStation Home this week, bringing new content for MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, a Dead Space 2 costume, free copies of Diner Dash, and a mysterious Festive Tree in the Central Plaza. More »

Cover Your Christmas Tree With Hand-Made Gaming Ornaments

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:00:00 EST

Just in case those fancy controllers weren't pushing your yuletide buttons, here are some more game-related ornaments suitable for hanging from your Christmas tree. More »

Two Worlds Lets You "Play" An Advent Calendar For Prizes

AJ Glasser — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Again, I have to use my Jewish status to explain why I have no idea what an advent calendar is. Sounds pretty silly, though — a calendar that only covers 80% of a single month out of the year? Meshugge! More »

Deck The Halls With Video Game Ornaments

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST

If this Christmas you're feeling sick of seeing Santa, candy canes and wooden cars hanging from your tree, you could always try something different. Laser-cut video game controllers, anyone? More »

More American Homes Play WoW Than You Probably Think

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Terrifying statistic incoming. According to research performed by the NPD Group, 14% of American homes have an online game subscription. Not 14% of homes connected to the internet. 14% of homes. More »

How 2010 Is Actually Christmas 2009 (In Disguise)

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Remember how Christmas used to be a time of too many games, not enough time? Yeah, well, not this year. This year is a little off. Christmas 2009 will actually be taking place in early 2010. More »

Walmart Confirms 360 Sale, More Cuts Coming

Brian Crecente — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Walmart's official website today confirms the rumor we broke yesterday about one heck of a deal on the Xbox 360 Arcade. More »

For Thirty Four Years, Kids Have Wanted Video Games For Christmas

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:30:00 EST

Market research firm Permuto Discoveries have published a list of the top-selling Christmas gifts for kids over the past forty years. Unsurprisingly, over the past few years at least, video games have dominated. More »