Kotaku
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thailand
Grade School Suicide Leads To Mass Game Website Closings
Thai courts have order the closure of online gaming and gambling websites after a 12-year-old boy jumped to his death from a sixth-floor balcony after being banned from gaming by his father. More »
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145
Comment by Moonshadow101: This is a logical and measured reaction. 22 Responses | Other threads
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bring it
Cocky & Cash-rich? BringIt Will Allow 'It' To Be Brung.
Internet gaming is serious business, where a simple insult or misplaced "LOL! I PWN J00!" can result in a bitter feud. In the real world - say at a pool table - loudmouth players can be quickly made schtum with a gentlemanly wager. But how can you make those eejits on LIVE put their money where their mouths are? More » -
maximum risky
Resident Evil Pachinko Shows More Than Jill Sandwiches
In Japan, it's pretty common for video games to have pachinko machines. Heck! Movies, anime and manga character even get pachinko machines based on them. It's not just spinning metal balls! New pachinko machines even feature large LCD-type displays to keep players engaged. Pachinko maker Yamasa's Resident Evil machine puts poor Jill Valentine through the standard series of scares and shootings — if only for suggestive glances! More » -
rumor smash
Square Enix Crushes Final Fantasy XIII Pachinko Rumors
In Japan, lots of video games get turned into pachinko or pachislot machines. No biggie! SNK, Sega and Konami have all spun off selected titles into pachinko parlors across the country. So when a rumor popped up that Square Enix was doing the same for Final Fantasy XIII, it did seem possible that, yes, Japan would be getting a FFXIII pachinko machine. No way! says Square Enix. In an official statement, the company says: More »
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Comment by ~pandafresh~: while there will be no pachinko machine, there will be action figures, sword/gun replicas, cookies, energy drinks, under garments,... more » | Other threads
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gambling
New Resident Evil May Take More Than It Gives
Yes, it's another videogame franchise licensed out to adorn a pachislot machine. You've seen them before. Ridge Racer, Virtua Fighter, Fatal Fury, Beatmania, Devil May Cry...they're all the rage in Japan. This latest venture, however, might be the biggest of the lot. If only because it's Resident Evil, which gives them license to release not only a second, third and fourth machine, but they can then come back later and remake half of them, while re-releasing the other half into joints across the street. More »
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Comment by kingofallcosmos: I don't see the pachi aspect of that pachislot. I have a pretty cool pachinko machine, but I could never... more » | Other threads
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midway gamer's day 08
Midway Gamer's Day '08: This Is Vegas
What more appropriate setting to see the premier of Midway's This Is Vegas than Vegas itself? True, were a fifty dollar cab ride from the strip, but we got to see it virtually in the game so I suppose that's something. This Is Vegas is a balls out parody done in the tongue in cheek GTA/Bully style. Your character can explore all the parties, gambling, driving and fighting that Vegas has to offer. On display for the Gamer's Day were the fighting, partying and gambling mechanics which we checked out poolside in true Vegas style. More » -
gambling
Drink Up The Evangelion Maids!
How can Neon Genesis Evangelion coffee be improved? You guessed it, maids! Japanese beverage company UCC first released an Evangelion coffee way back in 1997 and did a follow-up last year. This time around, the cans feature characters Rei and Asuka, Evangelion's main female pilots, in maid outfits. Though! These cans will only be sold at pachinko parlors (and probably only at pachinko parlors with Evangelion pachinko machines). Branding at it's best — or worse, depending on how you look at it. Just take it as proof that, yes, maids really do make everything better. More »
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Comment by peteer02: Whoohoo! I have all three Rei Ayanami coffee cans! It necessitated ordering a box of 30 from amiami.com,... more » | Other threads
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china
'Online Gaming Grows Up' - Gambling and Pyramid Schemes!
Giant Interactive's Zhengtu has been getting some attention lately, mostly for its unholy mix of gambling, regular MMORPG high jinxs, and RMT - now they're getting ready to launch a new game, Giant Online. The hook? 500 RMB in virtual currency (almost $70) incentive to sign up and play. Steve at PlayNoEvil says: More »
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Comment by DrFresh: Jesus, what's wrong with gambling? You know the term 'grinding' came from poker way before there was an EQ or... more » | Other threads
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only in china
Zhengtu: Where RMT, Gold Farming and Gambling Reign Supreme
I was thrilled to come across a most glorious article on Chinese MMORPGs (specifically, the wildly popular Zhengtu Online), translated to English from the original that appeared in the Southern Weekly. As Steve at PlayNoEvil sums it up, "While wimpy Americans can whine about "cheating" in online games, quibble about Real Money Transactions (RMT), complain about gold farming, gripe about power-leveling, and otherwise aspire to a mythical "purity" of game play, the most popular game in China, ZT Online, from Giant Interactive has embraced all of these things.. and online gambling to boot." More »
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Comment by playgames: The pictures look like an online casino? Could you give an example? The reason why I ask is because casino... more » | Other threads
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japan
The Mah-Jong Game Maid Cafe
Nothing says Christmas more than women in outfits from PS2 mah-jong title Idol Soldier Suchie Pai IV! From today until December 2nd, Akihabara maid cafe Pinafore will be all Suchie Pai'd. There will be a special menu for customers to order special cocktails, desserts and other food. And if you really want, I'm sure you can get maid wearing a Suchie Pai outfit to draw a big ketchup heart on your omelette. No, that is not a double entendre. More »
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Comment by lazyartist: @Witzbold: Tell me about it. And in a full restaurant, no less ^^; more » | Other threads
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dojo smash
Smash Bros. Brawl Caters To Voyeurs and Gamblers
Today's update to the ever-helpful Smash Bros. Dojo website reveals Spectator mode, but it's not the spectator mode you're used to. Instead of joining a lobby with the competitors and watching them fight, Smash Bros. Brawl will continuously broadcast random games played between competitors online in a continuous broadcast that's always on. No player names will be revealed of course - just the stage and characters used. People will then be able to bet on the outcome of the matches using coins, preferably while sitting in a smoke-filled room filled with vicious cutthroats. There will be prizes to be had, and everyone watching gets stickers! WOOO! Now if you don't want your online matches broadcast you can set the "Allow Spectators" mode to no, but come on. Let us watch you. You know you like it.
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By Mike FaheyComment by little_navi: ok. sharing friend codes won't be that hard on ssbb. include it in a taunt. if you're liking the people... more » | Other threads
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gambling
Place Your Bets On Holiday Bestsellers...Literally
Irish gambling site Paddy Power is taking bets on which video game will come out on top the week before Christmas (ending November 22nd). While most Kotaku readers surely know gaming so well that it's almost cheating, betting is off limits to US residents. Still, we had a good time looking through the odds. More »
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By Mark WilsonComment by kftgr: Depends on what period they are counting. So if it's sales only from Dec 16 - Dec 22, then... more » | Other threads
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gambling
Pong Slot Machine Pays Out More With Pong Prowess
Bally, former maker of fabulous pinball tables, has introduced something new the world of slots with its Skill Series line of machines, the first of which is based on the classic paddle game Pong. While most slot machines are based on nothing but chance, Pong breaks new ground with its skill-based pay outs. During a 45-second bonus round, a random occurrence, gamblers will be able to play a round of old school Pong. Performing better naturally gives you a higher pay out. Even if you're clueless behind the paddles, you'll still get something, but power Pong players may walk away with a bit more of their cash. More »
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Comment by HappyWulf: I live in Vegas... I'm going to the MGM first thing tomorrow! more » | Other threads
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gambling
Virtua Figher Ready to Kick Pachislot Ass
The granddaddy of 3D fighting games, Virtua Fighter, is getting its own pachislot (think pachinko meets slots) machine. Not surprising as SEGA Sammy Holdings is in the pachinko business. The machine isn't set to hit Japanese pachinko parlors until this December. Until keep in mind that pachislots, just like Virtua Fighter, is all about timing — not to mention winning, too. More »
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Comment by Cirno: @siamgx: My bad. I was typing an assignment while reading this @_@ more » | Other threads
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we're not talking solitaire
Cryptologic Buys Stake In Chinese Company 568
568 Inc. is a China-based company that has developed card and casual games for the Chinese market, as well as a couple of MMORPGs that I've not seen any press about, and Cryptologic (a company specializing in casino software) has just bought a stake valued at $1.2 million in the company. A lot of Western companies have been trying to make the leap to the potentially really, really, really lucrative Chinese market; the difference with Cryptologic is that they're going after the 'skill based games' sector instead of your average MMO addict. PlayNoEvil notes that this just further blurs the market between online gaming for fun and gaming for profit, and could perhaps open the industry up to more stringent regulation (as if they need it in China). More »
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Comment by hvnlysoldr: You guys are underestimating solitaire. Why is there a Vegas scoring system unless you can make money off of it. more » | Other threads
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just don't gamble away the rent
Some New Offerings For the Skill Gamers Among Us
PlayNoEvil keeps an eye on skill gaming - playing for cash, and (usually) in a different category than straight up gambling - and points to SkillGround, which has some new offerings, including a fighting game, a FPS, a racing game, and more in the pipeline. Of course, with money comes problems - particularly because some of these games are particularly vulnerable to all manner of bots. More »
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Comment by ablemancain: The most important part is the ranking/matching system. I became one of the top Blackjack Solitaire players in the world about... more » | Other threads
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the nintendo cheated
Life is Unfair, Games Are Not
Activision's James Portnow has written an excellent article examining the nature of fairness in videogames. He argues that videogames are quite fair in rewarding gamers during play. But in order to take the medium to the next level (no pun intended), games must become more like the unfair life that they emulate. Explaining that unfair often equals a boring or frustrating experience for gamers, Portnow offers one type of gaming that is both unfair AND addictive: gambling....we know games can be unfair and yet immensely appealing. Almost every gambling game is weighted and yet gambling games have been popular for millennia. Indeed, gambling games which are not weighted soon lose their appeal (try betting on coin flips with a friend).
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By Mark WilsonComment by snowferret: @CollapseControl: SO TRUE!Every time I play an FPS against real people I get my ass handed to me. IS that... more » | Other threads
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get your bets in now
MMO Operators Could Break Laws In the UK?
Not if they have the appropriate license come September, but with a gambling law getting its final update at that time, MMOs that have competitions or offer prizes may be classified as 'online gambling' and subject to the same laws and penalties as more traditional forms. With all the chatter in the US and elsewhere about where MMOs fit into the overall scheme of online gambling (or not), it will be interesting to see how companies start to navigate the water. In the US, for example, 'games of skill' are - for the most part - exempt from gambling regulations; this is not the case with the new UK law. More »
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Comment by Xagest: Random drops in Korean MMOs can be sold on ebay for several hundred dollars easy. I can understand why... more » | Other threads
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Comment by Jbogle12: Kiowa Casino in Oklahoma has Shinobi! They have Since Probably April! It's My favorite Casino game! As a matter of... more » | Other threads
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boo hoo
Devil May Cry Reinvisioned as Pachi-Slot Machine
Japanese companies like Sega, SNK and Capcom know that video games aren't the only show in town. To make money, you've got to promise players the faint chance of getting more than points. What better way to do that with pachinko slot machines? Here's a Devil May Cry 3 pachi-slot machine from a few years back. Cool, but it's got nothing on the Gamera: Guardian of the Universe pachi-slot I saw a few years back. More »
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Comment by Momomo: The Nurse Witch Komugi pachi-slots have tiny bouncy boobs :) more » | Other threads
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let it ride
Illinois Passes "Video Games" Gambling Bill
Don't quote me on this, but when they say "video games", I think this bill is talking about allowing video gambling machines similar to those legal in the UK (fruit machines and the like), not necessarily the consoles sitting under or around your television as we speak. However, the article, including its headline, includes the phrase "video games", which makes this recently passed Illinois gambling bill confusing: More » -
ds
"Mature" Game Hitting Sees Dual DS And PSP Action
Slapped with Japan's equivalent of ESRB's "Mature" rating, the Chuuka na Janshi Tenho Painyan: Remix is not a sex game. I repeat, THIS IS NOT A SEX GAME. Rather, it is intended for Japanese players over the age of 15. The game is a portable take on the PS2 incarnation, and the characters were created by famous character designer Kenichi Sonoda. The portable versions go on sale in late June, and like I said, this is not a sex game. Haven't played the original, and I imagine its fairly standard stuff for mah-jong games. Still, don't be surprised if you can use the touch pen in novel ways. More »
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Comment by Shadowmist: Mahjong with stripping girls... right... I love japane and all of it's eccentricities, but I'm not getting this one... Maybe... more » | Other threads
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Comment by The Commissar: 'Hmmm never though of money laundering through SL...' No, but I am sure others have. What a fucking dream! Untraceable trial... more » | Other threads
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space invaders
Space Invaders Mahjong
While we hate to post eBay stuff, this is too good to pass up: A Space Invaders mahjong set. Know that in Japan mostly men play mahjong. Men who smoke. And like Space Invaders, apparently. More »
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Comment by Skunky: Aw man, already sold and they don't have anymore. Dang, that's really freakin' cool. They totally need to do some... more » | Other threads
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canada
Quebec Uses Gaming To Warn About Drugs, Sex and Gambling
Potions that cure herpes? Amnesia spells that help you pickpocket? If only! Canadian resident Frederic sent us a link for Quebec campaign to curb drugs, unprotected sex and gambling. The campaign is called "You Only Have One Life" and incorporates gaming so that the kiddies get the message. (The kiddies love gaming, or so we hear.) There's a website, which has all the spots. Basically, they show young people getting into trouble and then making Final Fantasy-type reference like that they're going to reset their health or take a potion. Fairly sophisticated and slick as hell, but still guilty of showing gamers out of touch with reality. For our non-French speaking readers, Frederic was kind enough to translate the clips. All of them at that! Hit the jump for that. More »
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Comment by Kaneda: So, is it true Ubi needs translators? I couldn't find anything about it on the Ubisoft Montréal site, but... more » | Other threads
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konami
Subliminal Messages In Konami Slots
No, they weren't "Buy New MGS" or "Castlevania 4 Evar." Canadian authorities have pulled 87 Konami slot machines due to a subliminal message that appears. The Toronto Star writes: More »
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Comment by Randomeis: -5 Pop points for not doing a SNL "Hot Sex" refrence. more » | Other threads
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donkey kong
Gambling Fun With Donkey Kong
That's not a video game. It's a medal game. Donkey Kong Banana Kingdom has players stuff coins down chutes in hopes of winning more coins. It's like gambling, but not! And it comes courtesy of Capcom and Nintendo. More »
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Comment by h8GWB: What terrible force in the world was compelled to introduce this monstosity? more » | Other threads
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tetris lottery
Tetris Lottery
Reader Rannie sends word of this sweet looking Tetris Lottery scratch-and-lose game being sold in Ontario, Canada. More »
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Comment by LeeShadow: Tetris? Oh god. I think if these come out I'll be getting a few. Pac-man Tickets were kinda neat but... more » | Other threads
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Comment by PokerAddict: Please don't ridicue the situation! I lost lots of money with online Poker. It did not financially kill me, but... more » | Other threads
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Comment by kylenalepa: Akbar the Great - I get it. ;) I remember when I was living in Japan that she released a song,... more » | Other threads
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Comment by @: Suspended Chaos shut your mouth, fool. Matt_Wood has just demonstrated why the PS3 is better then 360. I test 360 games, and... more » | Other threads
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Comment by ReddHeretic: If they don't kill my enemies for me, I have no use for them. more » | Other threads
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Comment by theskeels: Did Sexy Beach 2 even have any gambling in it? ...and if so--did anyone ever actually play the gambling component... more » | Other threads
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Comment by Mascott: I was unaware this wasnt a regular thing. The New Jersey lottery has one where you buy a card that... more » | Other threads
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top
Pac-Man Lotto Gobbles Up Your Money
There are some who never give up. Florian, for instance, is relentless and still hasn't got more than a frosty "slog off, matey!" out of Eliza. He has better chances of winning this Texas Lottery Pac-Man scratch off. Match numbers to win up to US $25,000 or reveal a Pac-Man symbol and win a Pac-Man cocktail table arcade game. If I was 13 years old and if the year was 1982, that *might* be cool. Florian, though, is sadden to learn this lotto is open only to Texans. Yee-ha!
More »
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Comment by beerguy961: Maybe a whole set of these involving other famous game series will see the light of day. On second thought, while... more » | Other threads
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Comment by Shizzle: It could be real, but think of how stupid you have to be to play Prey and never get past... more » | Other threads
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sega
Sega Retro Fruit Machine
Sega Wiki UK Resistance turned up this purdy Sega slot machine from the 1960's. Just look at that groovy font! Those metallic edges! Screw consoles, thank gawd Sega still makes Japanese slot machines. More »
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Comment by chef: Am I the only one who now thinks "Fruit Fucker 2000" when I see this? more » | Other threads
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gambling
Million Dollar Pot For Playing Casual Games
And you thought the big bucks was all in Counter-Strike. More » -
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Comment by wawabau: I've been constantly checking the US tecmo online store for Rio products since i knew about the DS game, but... more » | Other threads
gambling
Denver, 5:21 PM
Mon Jul 6
34 posts in the last 24 hours
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