No matter how accurately those Type II phasers were modelled, someone was always going to point out that the comms badges were slightly out of proportion or that the Bolians' skin is more of a duck-egg blue rather than the tourquoise the idiot developers went for.

To try and clear up some of the fans questions on issues as diverse as Pricing, PvP and Travel Times, Cryptic has released a comprehensive FAQ for the game.

Hit the jump for a selection of Q's that have been A'd F.

Will a monthly fee be required to play?
We haven't decided on pricing plans yet.

What races will we be able to play?
The plan is Human, Vulcan, Andorian, Klingon, Orion, Gorn, and several others. You will also be able to create your own race with its own custom look and attributes.

Will everyone be the Captain of their own ship?
Yes, but you will have to earn the responsibility and skill to command larger and more powerful vessels. Remember, in Star Trek as well as naval tradition, whoever commands the ship is the "Captain," even if it is not your current rank.

Will console and PC players be on the same servers?
We would like that to be the case. There is nothing technologically keeping us from making it so.

Will there be PvP, PvE and RP rule set servers?
There will not be separate servers. Open PvP will be restricted to designated sectors of space (far-off reaches of unclaimed territory). Consensual PvP and competitive PvE will occur between the realm borders (the Neutral Zone), where players will be competing over territory and resources with the option to PvP.

Will there be realistic travel times in space?
Travel times will be semi-realistic, with a focus on fun. Space is big, and it can take a very long time to travel great distances. That travel time can be impractically long. We will introduce transwarp conduit technology and worm holes to allow players to travel to distant sectors of the galaxy without needing days or weeks of gameplay to do so.

Star Trek Online FAQ [Star Trek Online Official SIte]

First, there would be no alphabetical or numerical review scores. Second, reviews would be focused on delivering the most critical information in the most efficient way possible. Third, they should be fun to read and hopefully foster conversation about a game's positives and negatives.

We decided to exclude a final score to ensure that Kotaku reviews would not contribute to the average rating at sites that collate and aggregate numerical scores, scores that do not follow a universal grading scale. Our hope was that we could avoid discussions that fruitlessly debate whether a "10" was, indeed, perfect and if one exclusive was better than another exclusive simply based on a number. Boiling down pages of analysis to a single grade or score or number of pumpkins doesn't help readers, it hurts them, reducing the process of critiquing what is often a living document into black and white terms, when there is often a world of gray left untouched.

Our hope is that by laying out the analytical process, by exposing what we feel was good and bad about that game without weighting either, we give you the resources to form your own educated opinion.

We hope this explains how and why we designed this system. We encourage you to add your comments, questions and suggestions in the comments after reading through the more detailed explanation on the key aspects of our reviews on the jump.

Our Reviews Are Designed To Be Concise And Easy To Read
We're not fans of long-winded reviews, ones that read more like the author is getting paid by the word and span seven pages. We've tailored our reviews to be as to the point as possible while giving the reader the relevant information about our experience with a title.

Reviews are divided into four parts: An introduction to get the reader up to speed on the game or series, a list of things we liked under "Loved," a list of things we didn't like under "Hated," then two paragraphs summing up whether we think the good outweighs the bad or vice versa. We then wrap up with some basic facts and figures about the game. Aspects of a game that we "Loved" or "Hated" are not weighed equally and a score should not be inferred because of the number of each. Pointing out what we loved and hated about a game we hope will highlight potential deal breakers, because what matters to one gamer may not matter to another.

Reviews will address both technical and artistic aspects of a game, as games can be more (or less) than the sum of their parts. We feel that due to the nature of the medium, it's important to discuss a game's artistic style as well as its technical capabilities.

Our Reviews Don't Use Numerical Scores
We like arguing about to-the-decimal-point scoring discrepancies for games we haven't played then complaining about them on internet message boards as much as the next guy, but concluding that "Basically, Game X is better than Game Y" because of an arbitrary scoring scheme doesn't benefit the reader. We'd prefer you read our review instead of just skipping to the score and forming an opinion based on a number, a number that doesn't represent a reviewer's assessment. There are plenty of resources for one to judge a game worthy of purchase and play by numbers, stars and letter grades, we're just choosing not to be one of them.

We're Transparent About What We Played
When reviewing a game, our goal is to at least complete a game's single-player mode, whether that's a story-driven campaign or a season in Madden or a series of license tests in Gran Turismo. However, in some cases beating a game is simply not possible, as is the case with open ended, massively multiplayer online RPGs. If we don't "finish" the game or access a particular multiplayer mode, we'll tell you. We'll also divulge how much of the game's multiplayer and bonus modes we played, if applicable and we'll tell you which system(s) we played it on. If there are questions about the experience, we urge you to ask your question in the comments or e-mail us directly.

Our Reviews Will Be Timely And Accurate
We do our best to get reviews up by the day the game ships to stores in North America. Occasionally, when a title is released in another region before its North American street date, we'll review the PAL or Japanese version. Our goal is have a review up no later than a week after its release, but we're not always given the courtesy of early review copies and often take extra time to play online portions post-release to get a better handle on how something will play in the real world. We'll take extra time with games that feature a significant online component to get a more accurate perspective of the experience.

Brian Crecente contributed to this article.

Helpfully, here is a FAQ (a FAQ? an F-A-Q? how do I do this) from 23/6 to break down the choices and consequences and action and intrigue that make all the young folk shine shoes and save up their penny-candy money to buy it.

So this video game. Is it like pong?
No. It's called a "sandbox" game.

A who?
A sandbox game. That means it's not strictly linear and the player has some freedom of movement within the game.

Is this e-mail you're talking about?
No. E-mail is different.

I think Sen. Ted Stevens was a consultant on this outreach initiative.

Grand Theft Auto IV: FAQ for Old People [236.com]

We're trying our best to avoid spoilers, so some questions may go unanswered in the interest of letting you discover on your own. On with the questions...

1. How's the game? Any good?
Yes, yes it is. Check out our GTA IV review. It's spoiler-free and almost totally free of "teh biases"!

2. Should I get the PlayStation or Xbox 360 version?
That's up to you. They're nearly identical and it's hard to go wrong with either version. We found the feature set to be better on the 360, but the PS3 holds up a bit better technically. Check out our PS3 versus 360 GTA IV comparison piece.

3. Is there split screen multiplayer? What about local multiplayer via LAN?
No, multiplayer for both systems is only online.

4. Whats the deal with the PS3 hard drive install?
Installation is mandatory and kicks off when you insert the disc for the first time. We timed the 3.4 GB install at 7 minutes and 20 seconds.

5. Does the Xbox 360 have a hard drive installation?
No. There is no required installation, nor is there an optional one.

6. Can I remap the controls? Is there a control option for lefties?
Controls can't be remapped, but you can choose between Standard and Classic modes. Switching between the two will switch shoulder buttons for aiming and firing, among other changes. There is no special consideration for left handed players.

7. Is there an option for custom soundtracks?
No, the game's radio stations will have to suffice. Xbox 360 owners can still stream music from their hard drive or an iPod, but music played via the Xbox 360 Guide will continue to play over cell phone calls and cut scenes. If you're just going out for a stroll in GTA IV, it's still an option.

8. Does the PlayStation 3 version have any kind of achievements or accomplishments?
Outside of the standard stat tracking, which tallies up your kills, deaths, arrests, distance traveled, passed missions, stunt jumps, and other extracurricular activities, there are no Xbox Live Achievements-like features for the PS3.

9. How's the online performance?
Solid. We played for a pretty long, 16-player session before release via Xbox Live and were impressed. Microsoft says it's ramping up in anticipation of the release, adding hardware and hoping for smooth sailing. We have yet to go online with the PlayStation 3 version. Sony and Gamespy declined to comment about the status of the PlayStation Network.

10. How many players does the online mode support?
Up to sixteen players, depending on the game type.

11. Can I have sex with prostitutes?
In the game? Yes!

12. When can you trigger the "bullet-time"? Is it only while driving, or can you do it when walking around/shooting too?
You can switch to "bullet-time" during stunt jumps. While driving, hold B/Circle (or toggle to it using the Back/Select button) to enter the cinematic view. While in the cinematic view, click the left analog stick to toggle bullet time on and off.

13. Is there a huh, "normal" menu as in, not the cell phone one? For things like stats, audio, HUD and controller options, or just ofr ismply leaving the game paused? Or is this handled all in our cellphone?
Yes, when you press the Start button, you'll see options like Controls, Video, Audio and more.

14. How does the game end?
A list of credits scrolls vertically, with an extensive list of contributors.

15. Do helicopters have weapons?
Some do. Good luck hitting anything with the mini-guns! You might have better luck taking out foes with the chopper's blades.

16. Is ammunition only obtained by purchase? Are there (oh, the shame) cheats in this game?
Ammunition can be purchased from gun shops or one of your gun-running friends. It can also be collected from the corpses of your enemies. There are cheats, but we've yet to use any.

17. Can Niko buy the different outfits we see him wear or are they unlocked via missions?
Niko can buy new clothing, but some of Liberty City's clothing shops aren't immediately available to you.

18. Can you ride bicycles or skateboards?
Not that we've seen. You also can't ride in shopping carts.

19. Can you swim, or do those damn sharks eat you?
Niko can swim.

20. Is there a saved film or replay feature? What about saved screenshots?
Nope! This is certainly something we'd like to see added in a future game or update, as some of the player deaths are begging for a replay.

21. Are there different camera angles the player can select while on foot?
Sort of. The camera will pan further out or in, depending on your preference. While in vehicles or on the train, you can choose a cinematic camera mode, which is more cool than it is playable.

22. What if me and a couple friends just want to wreak havoc in Liberty City, no game modes, can we do that?
Yes, there is a Free Mode in multiplayer that can be played however you want.

23. How does the save system work?
There is an autosave feature, which you can turn on or off. The game will save your progress after each successfully completed mission. You can also choose to save at any time in one of Niko's safehouses. You have twelve save slots available to you.

24. Does GTA IV have Feature X from Vice City or San Andreas?
Character customization isn't as deep as it was in San Andreas, so you won't be hitting the gym or tattoo parlor to shape your own unique Niko. You can't own property, fly planes or jet packs, customize cars or parachute off of skyscrapers. In multiplayer, you can choose how your character looks, with options for hair, hats, tops, pants, glasses and more. As you progress in ranked online matches, you'll unlock new looks for your character.

25. Are there subtitles? What about subtitle support for other languages?
Yes, and they come in handy, considering that Niko and his cousin will occasionally speak in their native tongue and characters like Little Jacob are nigh indecipherable. The game offers subtitles and menu translations in English, French and Spanish.

26. Is lock-on targeting in multiplayer? Doesn't that kind of ruin it?
Lock-on targeting is an option in multiplayer matches, set by the game host. Even with lock-on targeting, however, there is still a level of skill involved, as accuracy increases while crouched, analog targeting tweaking can increase your likelihood of headshots and "pray and spray" firing will decrease accuracy. There are many, many options available to you in multiplayer, from having other players show up on your radar, to weather, to traffic density.

27. How is the SIXAXIS used in GTA IV?
Not well, not well at all.

28. Can you run police, fireman, or taxi extra missions in GTA IV?
You can take on police missions via the LCPD computer. There's one in every cop car. You can earn taxi missions, but they're handled through one of your friends. We haven't seen any fireman missions, but we have taken the fire truck out for spin (and pedestrian hose-down).

29. What are the side-missions like? Worth doing?
In addition to the ones listed above, you can call up some of your other friends who will set up street races, package deliveries and assassinations. They may be less compelling (and more difficult) than the missions offered in the core story, but they're still a blast.

30. Is online multiplayer cross platform?
No.

31. How does death/getting busted work? Do you still lose your weapons?
If you're "killed" you'll respawn at the nearest hospital, with your weapons cache intact. If you're arrested, the LCPD will take your weapons and you'll have to re-arm yourself. For the record, I have yet to be busted by the fuzz.

32. Can you enter buildings in multiplayer?
Yes, you can access buildings that are open to you in single-player, at least as far as regular businesses like Cluckin' Bell or the TW@ internet cafe. You cannot, however, order food, play mini-games or use a computer. The most heartbreaking part is that you can visit a strip club, but there are no strippers.

33. Does the PS3 version support the DualShock 3?
Yes. We recommend it, for maximum enjoyment of thunder and cell phone rings.

34. How much does the phone tie into gameplay?
It ties in very heavily. Niko will use it to make and receive calls, remind him of appointments, take pictures, call cabs, phone in favors, and more. Need a cop car? Call 911, wait for the LCPD, then carjack it. The cell phone is also your entry point for accessing multiplayer games.

35. Does the PlayStation 3 version support in-game voice chat?
Yes, according to Rockstar reps.

36. Unless I'm missing something, the HUD doesn't show the in-game time. How to you view it? Cell phone?
Either via cell phone or by pressing the Start button.

37. I saw a video where it was raining and the street was all wet, does your car handle differently in the wet surfaces?
Definitely, during "rain" or "drizzle" weather settings, it can be much harder to steer. Don't set up your multiplayer games to said weather type or no one will like you.

38. Are there extra things to collect in order to gain bonuses?
There are 200 extra things to "collect", but we don't know what the reward is for finding them all.

39. How's the cover system?
Good! Press RB/R1 to take cover behind an object. You can take aim with LT/L2 without exposing yourself, quickly move to nearby cover with RB/R1 while aiming the analog to the side and blindfire with pretty good accuracy while covered.

40. Is the story connected to any other game, or can I just jump in?
It's completely independent. There may be the odd reference or two to previous GTA entries as fan service, but you can enjoy GTA IV without ever having played a previous game in the series.

Have a question we didn't answer? Leave it in the comments starting with a big, annoying all caps "QUESTION!" and we'll do our best to find an answer.

Story
You play Niko Bellic, an Eastern European who has been lured to the US by his cousin Roman who claimed to be wildly successful here. Roman lied. He just runs a small taxi company and needs tough guy Niko to help him in his fight against debt collectors and people who he's generally rubbed the wrong way.

City
Liberty City, modeled after New York, is actually smaller than San Andreas from GTA III. Broken into 4 districts, players will enjoy pseudo-areas Broker (Brooklyn), Dukes (Queens), Bohan (Bronx) , Algonquin (Manhattan), and Alderney (New Jersey).

Single Player
You can change Niko's clothes, but you can't change Niko. GTA IV will not allow huge character customization in this mode. That's for multiplayer. But it isn't so bad playing Niko. He's a modern man who takes the occasional cab, uses the internet to read more about his targeted hits, and knows to hide in cover during firefights while shooting with far better (over the shoulder) mechanics than his predecessors.
Rockstar has claimed gameplay as long as 100 hours. A play-through by Xbox World 360 was completed in 25 hours without sidequests, and estimated to run an average player around 40 hours for the main campaign and another 25 for sidequests (that's 65 hours total). Every GTA IV day is 48 minutes of real time. That means a 40 hour game will take roughly 133 days of game time, or a little over 4 months.

Multiplayer

Here's all the multiplayer...that we know about. Pull out your trusty cellphone and dial up the fun (but keep that party to 16 people, m'kay?).

Race
•Players race from one point to another with cars, boats and helicopters
•In Free Race mode, it's a start to finish race. In Canonball Run mode, players must hit checkpoints along the way

GTA Race
• It's Race mode with weapons that spawn along the way. Plus you traverse on foot.
• A tutorial mode is included.

Team Deathmatch
• Two to eight teams battle. As opposing teams are taken out, the winning team takes their cash.

Hangman's NOOSE
• Four players attempt to escort crime boss while avoiding SWAT team attack. Online only.

Team Mafiya Work
• Two to eight teams take separate contracts like stealing cars and escorting wanted men. The team who completes the most contracts in a certain time wins. Teams can also attack other teams.

Team Car Jack City
• Two to eight teams steal marked cars that spawn on the map. Whichever team delivers the most to the chop shop (in the best condition, or containing drug bonuses) wins the most cash and wins the game.

Turf War
• Two teams capture control points (or "bases") in a game very similar to Team Fortress 2. Controlling points equals cash. Cash equals winning.

Cops 'n Crooks
• Two teams only. One team are crooks who need to escort their boss safely. One team are cops who must bust the boss.
• All for One mode works as described above. One for All mode ditches the boss, and the crooks must escape with no respawning.

Co-op Campaign
• Our own Brian Crecente described it only as a "short co-op campaign," not a full co-op game ala Crackdown.

Other Interesting Multiplayer Tidbits:
• Characters can level up, peaking at level 10.
• All games are played on same Liberty City map.
• Liberty City map is fully explorable in all game modes.

Rockstar Social Club
Rockstar has announced a website called the Rockstar Social Club, and the first game it supports will be GTA IV. Among plenty of other services, the club will track the first player to complete 100% of the game and the fastest single-player participants over time.

GTA IV Music and Amazon
If you like any of the 200 songs that play in the game and have signed up at the Rockstar Social Club, just text message a special code through your in-game cellphone. Over time, a playlist will be built from the selected tracks which can be purchased DRM-free through Amazon for about $2 a pop.

FAQ

What's the deal with downloadable content?
Extra "episodes" will be exclusive to the Xbox 360. Sony has said that PlayStation 3 owners will get some type of DLC.

What's better about GTA IV?
• No load screens, ever (UPDATE: Stephen Totilo reports that the game indeed has sporadic, brief loads. However, there are no actual loading screens. Word fun.)
• Autosaving
• Liberty City will remember the damage you've caused.
• Euphoria engine brings AI physics to falling, getting hit, etc.
• Every street is named
• GPS support
• Targeting no longer sucks.

What vehicles will the game feature?
Cars, motorcycles, boats and helicopters. No planes.

Will there be storyline co-op?
As we said above, yes, but it won't be nearly the complete game.

What's in GTA IV Special Edition?
As explained by Rockstar:
• A customized Grand Theft Auto IV metal safety deposit box with keys.
• The Art of Grand Theft Auto IV. This 68 page book contains never-before-seen production artwork from Grand Theft Auto IV.
• The Music of Grand Theft Auto IV. This CD features select new material from top artists that can only be found on this release.
• An exclusive Rockstar keychain for the safety deposit box keys.
• A limited edition Rockstar duffel bag with vibrant orange lining.

How much will Special Edition cost me?
$89.99

Well I'm not paying no $89.99.
Then you ain't getting no GTA IV Special Edition.

What was that reference from?
Caddyshack.

We'll try to keep this page updated with the latest news, so be sure to bookmark it and come back every now and again.

Be sure to also check out:
GTA4 Hands-On: The World is Yours
GTA IV: Reinventing a World

Sources other than Kotaku: [Official GTA Site] [MTV Multiplayer] [Wikipedia] [GTAIV.net]

Hit the jump to check out excerpts from a very cool FAQ about the game featuring Mr. Lucha Libre Head.

What is Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People?
SBCG4AP is a new episodic game series starring Strong Bad and the rest of the crew from the Homestarrunner.com cartoons. The games are being developed by Telltale Games, the same company who has been tirelessly turning out Sam & Max episodes since 2006.

Who is Strong Bad? What is Homestarrunner.com?
Homestarrunner.com is a cartoon created by Mike and Matt Chapman in 1999, and Strong Bad is the series' most popular character. He's an awesome guy who enjoys answering emails from random fans, beating up his younger brother, and messing with people. It's kind of hard to explain. Just visit homestarrunner.com and see for yourself.

(Oh, also Strong Bad was voted Sexiest Man Alive by Salon.com. Which is a little weird, since he's a cartoon character who goes around wearing a lucha libre mask and no shirt, but we try not to be judgmental.)

Who is this game for?
Attractive people.

No, really. What will the gameplay be like?
These are story games, with weird plots and tons of dialogue conceived through a mind-meld between the guys who make the Homestarrunner.com cartoons and the team who brought you Sam & Max Seasons One and Two. In each SBCG4AP episode, you take control of Strong Bad and interact with other characters in beloved locations such as Strong Bad's basement, Bub's Concession Stand, and The Stick. Besides talking to other characters and messing with their minds, you'll also get to dress up in funny costumes, check email on Strong Bad's trusty Lappy 486, and play arcade-style mini games such as the timeless Snake Boxer 5.

Are you doing anything special for WiiWare?
SBCG4AP was designed specifically for WiiWare, and we're cooking up some fun ways to use the controller. We'll also be taking advantage of Wii Connect24 with some special features that will tie the episodes together and let you communicate with friends.

Okay, I want to check it out. Where/when can I play it?
The five-episode season of SBCG4AP will kick off on WiiWare this June. SBCG4AP will also be released for PC from our online store, both as individual episodes and in a full season bundle. (More details on the PC release coming soon!)

How long will I have to wait between Strong Bad episodes?
Episodes will be released one month apart, giving you just enough time to play through the game, dissolve into fits of mad laughter (and potentially freak out any cats or small children in the vicinity), poke around and find all the hidden stuff we crammed into the game for your amusement, and tell all your friends how great it was before it's time to start on the next one.

Strong Bad's Game Blog

If you are up for long reads check out all of our impressions of GTA IV so far:

Hands on With GTA Multiplayer: City of Chaos
GTA4 Hands-On: The World is Yours
Rockstar Experimenting with Episodic Content
GTA IV: Reinventing a World
Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV Multiplayer Fact Sheet

Supports up to 16 players in all adversarial modes except co-op, which is a maximum of 4

Players are ranked from 0-10, picking up money in multiplayer increases rank

Options in each mode are dictated by the host - among the options they can change are location of the matches (can be entire city, one borough at a time, or even small sections within the borough), types of weapons available, time of day, weather, use of auto-aim, police presence, NPC presence, and tons more.

GTA Race sees the host choosing the class of automobile, each player can choose a car within that class. Races can include helicopter and boat races as well.

Multiplayer Modes:
Team Deathmatch
Classic deathmatch done Grand Theft Auto style. Go anywhere, do anything: the whole city is yours. 16 players max, teams can be made in any configuration. Weapons on the ground can be configured by the host. Capitalism rules here: the team with the most money in the end is the winner.

GTA Race
Rockstar North's twist on the concept of a race. Host selects vehicle type (each racer selects his or her specific vehicle after that), race, number of laps, and time limit. Despite ordered checkpoints, players can go anywhere in the city at any time. Do you want a straightforward race from start to finish or do you want to create a roadblock and shoot rockets at your fellow racers? The choice is yours - each player does it slightly differently. 16 players max.

Cops N Crooks
2 teams, 2 vastly different goals. The cops can see the crooks on their radar but the the crooks can only see the escape point making this the ultimate cat and mouse situation. For the first time, players can get a chance to be on the other side of the law in a Grand Theft Auto with Cops n' Crooks. A team of "crooks" need to get their boss to safety, as the team of "cops" pulls out every trick in the book to try and stop this from happening. Again, 16 players max.

Hangman's NOOSE
Co-op in Grand theft Auto IV is a 4 person affair. Each mode is a short, story-based mission you must complete with your friends. In Hangman's NOOSE you must get crime boss to an extraction point alive. First, several of Liberty City's finest need to be dealt with and then transport must be secured. Will you take Kenny to safety in an armored car? How about a motorcycle or attack chopper? The choice is all yours.

I've heard touching the Fallout 3 box will make the paralyzed walk. Will it also cure my herpes?

When will Fallout 4 be out?

Ask these, and any other questions your heart desires on Bethesda's blog. The developers will be posting their answers soon.

Get Your Questions Ready! [via filefront]

1. Death Knight Hero Class (starting at higher level, damage-dealing tank)
2. Level 80 character cap
3. Siege weapons and destructible buildings in PVP
4. "hundreds of new recipes and thousands of new items"

But I'm not a WoW freak, so hit the jump for the entire FAQ and some bombshells that I may have missed.

FAQ for World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

What are the features of the new expansion?

Wrath of the Lich King builds on the rich foundation established in World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade, providing a wealth of new content for players to explore. The harsh, forbidding continent of Northrend, home of the Lich King and his undead minions, will be uncovered on the world map, and to contend with the new challenges found there, players will be able to advance to level 80, acquiring potent new abilities and talents along the way.

In addition, Wrath of the Lich King will introduce the death knight hero class to World of Warcraft. Once certain criteria are met, players will be able to create a new death knight character, which will start at a high level. Furthermore, player-vs.-player battles will reach a new level of intensity with the addition of siege weapons and destructible buildings, not to mention a new battleground. There will also be an abundance of new quests, dungeons, monsters, items, and recipes — as well as a new profession, inscription — for players to try out. The expansion will include some additional character-customization options for players as well. We'll be going into more detail on all of these features in the months ahead.

How will the death knight class fit into the game?

The death knight combines martial prowess with dark, necromantic energies. Players might be familiar with the death knight from previously released Warcraft games — most recently, in the campaigns for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and the Frozen Throne expansion, the former paladin Arthas became a death knight and wreaked havoc across Azeroth and Northrend before fusing with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King. The death knight is the first hero class in World of Warcraft; once certain criteria are met, players will unlock the ability to create a new death knight character, which will begin play at a high experience level. We're currently exploring various options for how the death knight will play and the types of abilities at its disposal, and we'll be revealing more information about this new class as we get further along in development.

Will the death knight have any abilities from previously released Warcraft games?

The way we portrayed death knights in past Warcraft games is certainly a source of inspiration, but we are still determining how best to capture that feel within the mechanics of World of Warcraft, and haven't made any final determinations on specific abilities.

What role will the death knight play in groups and raids?

In general terms, the death knight can be considered a type of class that combines damage dealing and tanking, but naturally it will have an array of unique abilities as well.

What races will be allowed to play death knights?

We haven't yet made a final determination about which races can be death knights. However, the class will be available to both the Alliance and the Horde.

Will there be additional hero classes in the future?

Yes, we do intend to add more hero classes in the future, but right now our focus is on the current expansion.

What is the story background of the expansion?

Players last visited Northrend in the Warcraft III expansion, when Arthas Menethil fused with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King, one of the most powerful entities in the Warcraft universe. He now broods atop the Frozen Throne, deep in Icecrown Citadel, clutching the rune blade Frostmourne and marshaling the undead armies of the Scourge. In Wrath of the Lich King, the greatest champions of the Alliance and the Horde will do battle with the Scourge amid Northrend's howling winds and fields of jagged ice, and ultimately face the Lich King himself.

Will players actually get to encounter Arthas himself?

Players will be skirmishing with the minions of Arthas from the moment they set foot on Northrend. He will be a constant presence as players progress through the expansion content — which will culminate in a showdown with the dread Lich King himself.

Can you discuss some of the new talents and abilities that will be available from level 70 to level 80?

As with character advancement up to level 70, players will gain access to an array of potent and exciting new abilities and talents as they make their way from level 70 to level 80. However, it's still too early to get into specifics on these.

How long will it take to advance from level 70 to level 80?

We were pleased with the pacing from level 60 to level 70 in The Burning Crusade, and we intend to take a similar approach to pacing character advancement in Wrath of the Lich King. However, the specific amount of time that it will take players to reach level 80 will vary widely based on play style.

What can you reveal about Northrend?

The first area of Northrend we're showcasing is the Howling Fjord, a region of grasslands overlooking massive cliffs at the southeastern edge of the continent. This, along with the Borean Tundra, is the front line of the war against Arthas, and players will come face to face with his minions as soon as they set foot on Northrend. Eventually, as players progress further, they will explore the Grizzly Hills, Dragonblight, and more. We'll be showing off some of these new areas in the months ahead.

What's the level requirement to enter Northrend?

Players of any level who have purchased the expansion can visit Northrend. However, all of the content is designed for players level 68 and up.

How many new dungeons will be in the expansion?

The first dungeon players will enter is Utgarde Keep, which is intended for five players around level 70. Utgarde is inhabited by the Vrykul, a Viking-like race bent on proving their strength to the Lich King, who will raise the most worthy of their warriors to serve him beyond the grave. We intend to provide a variety of dungeons comparable to that in The Burning Crusade and will be revealing more details about some of these in the months ahead.

Do you plan to continue with the 25-player model for raids?

Yes, we've been pleased with the tactics, intensity, and variety of the 25-player raid model, and plan to continue with it.

In what ways will players be able to further customize their characters in the expansion?

In addition to the numerous new character-customization options that will be available with all of the new weapons and armor added by the expansion, we'll be offering some fun ways to alter both existing and new characters with regard to dances and hairstyles, but we're not ready to go into more detail just yet.

What can you reveal about the new profession coming with the expansion?

Inscription allows the player to permanently enhance their spells and abilities and to create mysterious items of power to use, trade, and sell.

What can players expect with regard to player-vs.-player combat in the expansion?

Players will be able to take control of siege weapons and use them to destroy opposing buildings, adding a new layer of complexity to PvP battles. Naturally, we'll be providing some fun places to put these new tools to good use, and we'll be revealing more information about them in the months ahead, in addition to the new battleground content being added.

Can you give a sneak peek at the new recipes and items in the expansion?

There will be hundreds of new recipes and thousands of new items available, but we're not ready to discuss specific examples just yet.

How many zones will be in the expansion?

Northrend will be roughly equivalent to Outland in terms of size and scope.

Will there be any new cinematic scenes?

Yes, our cinematics department is hard at work preparing a new intro movie for the expansion.

Release/Availability

Do you need to own the expansion to play with friends who have it?

There will be many aspects of the expansion that will be available to all players. However, in order to experience certain content, such as Northrend, or be able to play as a death knight, players must purchase the expansion.

Will there be an open beta test of the expansion?

We have not yet determined whether the expansion will require an open beta test. If we do decide to conduct a beta test, details will be posted on the official World of Warcraft website once we've gotten further along in the development process.

When will the expansion be released? How much will it cost?

We have not yet announced a release date for the expansion set. However, we expect to announce further details, including the release date and price, on our community website in the months ahead. Please stay tuned to [link] for more information.

Will there be a collector's edition?

We have not yet made any determination about whether there will be a collector's edition of Wrath of the Lich King. We'll be announcing details such as this closer to release.

Will a Mac version be available simultaneously with the PC version?

Yes. As with all of our games, Wrath of the Lich King will be compatible with and optimized for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.

What are the system requirements?

We'll continue to ensure that the game is playable on a wide range of hardware. However, we have not made a final determination on the system requirements as yet.

Will the expansion be released globally at the same time?

We recognize that players throughout the world will be eager to experience all of the new content being added with Wrath of the Lich King, and we will make every effort to release the expansion simultaneously worldwide. However, there's always the possibility that unforeseen circumstances could delay the launch in any given region. We'll share the launch timing with players in each region as soon as the plans have been finalized.

What is the ESRB rating for the expansion?

The expansion has not yet been rated by the ESRB. However, we anticipate that it will receive the same rating that the original World of Warcraft received — "Teen."

It's tough to see this as WoW fanboy rantings, since writing it would have required at least 20 minutes not playing the MMO.

Exklusiv: Antworten zum neuen Addon [wowszene]

The topics run from the mundane to the technical, but also provide some interesting details about the future of Home. For instance, the "current maximum of concurrent users in a lobby is 64" and Home usernames will be be the same as your PlayStation Network ID. That means when user NeoZeed is in a lobby, you'll know I'm present.

On the more interesting side of things, it looks like you'll be able to buy virtual and physical goods from within Home. But not right away. According to the FAQ, "Initially all commercial transaction will be via the PLAYSTATION Network Store. Eventually users will be able to transact within the Home environment." Interesting.

We've pulled some of the more interesting Q&A's from the PDF and put them after the jump.

Q: What is the timeline for rollout?
Closed Beta (appx. 15,000 users): April - August
Open Beta (appx. 50,000 users): August - October
Service Live (50,000+): October

Q: Will I be able to attend ticketed (paid-for) special events?
Yes, in time Home will play host to many types of event. Bespoke events such as exclusive game previews and developer interviews will be organised by Home and its affiliated content providers. Live events such as sports and concerts may also be broadcast within Home.

Q: Can Home users win non-purchased prizes and items?
Yes, it will be possible to give prizes to users.

Q: Home looks so great - how do publishers ensure that users continue to play their games rather than spending all their time in Home?
There is a huge scope for publishers and developers to promote their current and future IPs - as well as exploiting their back-catalogue. For example, it will be possible to develop small demo-areas within Home that promote new titles, or to re-publish an old IP as mini-game within their Home Space.

Q: Is Home a PS3 specific service? Will users be able to access Home through other devices?
Initially Home will only be accessible via that PLAYSTATION 3, although over time our intention is to enable users to interface certain Home features and services via other networked devices such as PlayStation Portable (PSP ) and mobile phones.

Q: Can I launch and watch a BD movie from within Home?
Launch, yes. Watch, no.

Q: Will we be able to sell products (other than Home assets) online?
Eventually Home will not only support the merchandising of virtual assets, but also will provide cross-promotional opportunities for selling physical goods online.

Q: Could publishers sell tutorials to their games through Home?
Yes, the commercial services and features that publishers and developers will be able to support is extremely broad.

Q: How large is the download?
We're aiming for the initial download to be under 500MB. Subsequent downloads will hopefully integrate a streaming method that makes them negligible.

Q: How do users find friends and spaces within Home?
There is an integrated PSN Friends list, and search functionality for spaces.

Q: How many friends can I have?
As many as the PSN friends list allows, which is currently 50.

Q: How often is incremental content being created for Home?
Content for Home will be developed continually. In addition to an ever increasing variety of items to customize avatars and Home Spaces, there will be special events such as Halloween and Christmas where special content will be available for a limited time.

Currently Home is not a persistent world, so when you leave Home, all of your possessions go with you. For instance, it is not currently possible for other users to visit your apartment while you're not there. We are working on the persistent aspect of Home, and expect to implement it in the long term.

Q: Will there be a restriction to the age you'll be able to give your avatar?
Yes. We will not have avatars which resemble children. The avatars are adult in appearance.

Good news for those of us who aren't pedophiles. You can read through the rest of the FAQ at the link below. Michael McWhertor

PlayStation Home Development Q&A (PDF)

The thing is, getting in isn't the trick, staying in is.

To get commenting access you just need to make a comment that, as I like to put it, "adds to the conversation." In other words, not:

This is not news.
Not News
How is this news.
Why are you writing this, it isn't news.
Que news?

After making your witty or smart comment, leave the username and password blank and click on submit and it will jump you to a tiny registration page where you can create your account.

Once you're done, the comment is shipped off to a real live person who is forced to read each and every one of these posts and decide if you should stay or should go.

If you get in you just need to remain a thoughtful and interesting poster. As soon as you dip into tool territory, I or Ash will make sure to boot you from our enclave and the whole thing starts over. Brian Crecente

So you read our Twilight Princess hands-on, but still had a few more questions? That's understandable...especially for a girl your age. When changes begin to happen in one's body, all we can recommend is hearty, safe, legal exploration.

So we collected all of your best questions, and like the total jerks we are who never call the next day, posted them after the jump (along with the complete BS we're referring to as "answers").

How far, exactly, did you get? First dungeon, second dungeon, etc?
I almost finished the second dungeon after 9-10 hours of play.

Will Twilight Princess stick with the old text based dialog, or will there be voice acting?
Text dialog only - which makes some of the longer scenes seem...longer at times.

Did you ever forget you were merely playing a game?
Actually, this is a great question because I NEVER forgot I was playing a game...but I blame that on being surrounded by journalists and sitting at a demo kiosk. You know the kind of tacit pissing match an environment like that becomes?

I was just wondering if the graphics in the Wii version of Twilight Princess are better, or any different at all?
I never saw or played the Gamecube version (it wasn't available to us). However, I was told to expect a very similar level of graphics, save for the wide aspect ratio of the Wii version and a mirrored image.

Does the game give you an option to play with the Wii's "Classic" controller or GCN controller?
From a conversation with PR, I'm 99% certain you can play TP with a Wavebird on the Wii, but only with the Gamecube version of the game. I'm 100% certain you cannot use the Wiimote with the Gamecube version.

I've one BIG question unanswered: Is there a way to change the remote controls to a "left-handed" mode?
No. But we had a lefty in our group who was also concerned about this issue. He reported no problems.

Do you have the ability to go anywhere right at the beginning or do you have to unlock certain areas?
You need to unlock certain areas.

Does the cord get in the way when you are doing movements or actions with both the nunchuck and the remote? Do you get slapped in the face with the cord?
The cord does seem short when you first hold the controllers, but I never had an issue with running out of length, probably because swinging the sword only requires a small amount of movement. I predict any games that will require large Wiimote motions will ditch the nunchuck. But what do I know? Maybe getting strangled will be half the fun.

So, are there any notable new weapons or items in Twilight Princess?
Not so far.

The game is supposedly 70 hours long. Did what you play indicate gameplay varied enough to keep the game interesting and fresh for that length of time?
Definitely. Like all Zelda games, Link continuously gains more items and learns new skills/attacks - and there is some neat gameplay that I can't talk about. But I will say it seemed like there was less room for growth as wolf Link. I hope I'm wrong there.

When you're aiming...does it go right where you point it with no delay?
Sometimes it felt like there was a slight delay. However, I'm not sure if that was because I was aiming from my arm instead of my wrist. Make sense? When you change the channel on your TV, you don't pay much attention to the remote's angle. Now imagine that the remote is aimed a little left and you don't realize it while you trail an enemy. You could constantly be a step behind your target and not know why.

"In my opinion, the Wii controlls for Zelda: TP ____________"
...don't define the gameplay experience as they will for other Wii titles.

Can you compare the size of Hyrule to any other game? Bigger than GTA? Smaller than Oblivion? Biggest thing ever?
The scale is nowhere near Oblivion, from the map I saw (which they claimed was the only map...). And while TP has some wide open spaces, it never reminded me of those GTA or Oblivion.

Is there a day/night system like in Ocarina of Time?
No, but there is a world of light (normal) and a world of dark (twilight). Developers probably ditched real time lighting in favor of the theme.

Are Rupees in the game?
Of course. And I was maxed out in the first dungeon and incredibly annoyed when I had to put rupees back in treasure chests.

Is Tingle in the game?
Not that I saw.

I've been watching all the videos that have been released online and I see inconsistencies with the animations in the game. Are the game's animations flawless and smooth or are there hiccups in the fluidity?
They were smooth. I had issues with pixilation, but not the animations.

You and many other reviewers have mentioned the plant whistling method of calling Epona...Will I have a tough time searching before I can call on my trusty steed?
There will be times where finding a plant is either a pain or impossible. Or maybe it's such a pain it just feels impossible.

How would you say that Twilight Princess stacks up to Links Awakening, musically? Will the theme become a classic and recognizable for years to come?
I'll admit it - I didn't pay enough attention to the music. I remember large orchestral scores and being generally impressed, but my favorite sounds were surprises from the Wiimote speaker - even if that speaker sounds pretty crappy.

Are there zombies and motorbikes?
...yeah...sure...

Above all, is this game TOTALLY AWESOME?
The game has an epic feel, no doubt. I'm not taking back my disappointment with some of the graphics and some of the controls, but overall I had a great time playing. Zelda fans will be pleased. (And who isn't a Zelda fan?) Mark Wilson

Alright. Some of you liked my preview, and some of you didn't. But I'm sure most all of you have questions that I didn't answer about Twilight Princess, the Wii, what Nintendo HQ is like and whether Wolf Link could defeat human Link in a cosmic crossover battle to the death.

Anyway, shoot me an email at tdig@kotaku.com with your best questions and I'll post a top ten sometime later this week. I know it's not much, but until I take my rightful position as ruler of the world, diverting all research and human faculty into getting us our Wiis two weeks sooner, this is pretty much the best I can do. Mark Wilson

Over the weekend a controversy popped up surrounding 1Up's Dead or Alive 4 strategy guide and its similarities with a strategy guide put together by fan site DoA Central.

Some allege that 1Up's Richard Li lifted lots of material, just reordering or slightly rewording it, from DoA Central, while others argue that the similarities exist simply because both are dealing with a known set of facts. While getting to the bottom of the issue is of the utmost importance, the thing I found most disturbing was Che Chou's response to the allegation on the Gaming-Age Forums.

Okay, well.

I'm not exactly sure what our strategy guide writer Richard Li's methodology was when he wrote the DOA4 feature but I know for a fact that it wasn't straight "plagiarism." Maybe his research started at the fansite level (where he might have found a list of moves folks were discussing a lot), but I sat with him for a week and a half while he went through every character and tried to discover move properties and effectiveness in actual matches. And he took a ton of notes. And he also got pretty good at the game as a result.

Did he look at DOA Central? Probably. Did he straight lift VirtuaPai's strat? Fuck no.

As for the forumites on DOAC... their reaction to my DOA4 score is totally expected... isn't it?

In later posts Che goes on to question the veracity of the claim because it's coming from a "fansite."

I'm a little surprised by this reaction. First, just because the allegation comes from a particular place doesn't mean it should be looked into. Second, are you looking into it? Judging by that response, 1Up isn't and seems to think it's OK to lean on other people's research without giving credit. There's no such thing as a little bit of plagiarism.

I'm hoping that a formal review of the writer's work is under way, not because I believe or don't believe the claims, but because that's how you maintain a publication's integrity.

EGW/1Up Steals the Blood and Sweat of hardcore gamers? [GAF, thanks James]

The superfans authors over at Revolution Report have put together a nice, orderly FAQ on Nintendo's next console. In addition to providing a pretty solid group of "Facts," Revolution Report's FAQ is also an excellent spot to grab links on all kinds of Revolution news. It's a pretty sweet guide. Check it.

Revolution FAQ [Revolution Report]

Alice points out that a slew of Walk Throughs have already hit the net for Mario Kart DS. Hey Luke, maybe you should check them out before we play again.

Mario Kart DS [Gamefaqs]

I've been flooded with emails from readers regarding the Japanese Xbox 360 console and software. Questions like "Is it worth importing it?" or "Can I play Japanese games on my U.S. 360?" Late last week, I had a chance to talk to Microsoft Japan about these issues. I put together a short FAQ with responses directly from Msoft Japan that should answer the most burning (and basic) questions for those planning to buy a Japanese console.

Q). Will American games play on the Japanese console?

A). No, the Japanese console will only play games that were purchased in Japan and vice-versa.

Q). There are rumors that certain American games will play on the Japanese console. Is this true?

A). It well may be possible. We're not sure as we haven't tried each title on the Japanese console.

Q). Can users select language preferences for the Japanese console and Xbox Live?

A). Users can select various languages on their consoles. Xbox Live will show the language that was chosen.

Q). Will there be any difficulty for gamers in Japan playing their friends in other countries on Japan's Xbox Live?

A). No problems.

Q). Are there any differences between the U.S. and the Japanese consoles?

A). Consoles and controllers are the same globally.

Q). If someone buys an Xbox 360 in Japan, will they have difficulty using it abroad? Likewise, if someone buys a 360 abroad, will it play in Japan?

A). Yes, they can play as long as they have a power adapter and also if they have games for that region.

Q). Will there be English-speaking support for the console and Xbox Live in Japan should gamers run into any problems?

A). Yes to both.