Alyssa Mercante, Author at Kotaku

The BestsGift Guides

Kotaku’s Ultimate 2023 Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all

Alyssa Mercante & Jen Glennon Published November 21, 2023

OpinionCommentary

Admit It, You Don’t Understand Skill-Based Matchmaking (And Neither Do I)

The implementation of the popular FPS matchmaking system has shifted and changed within the last two decades

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 21, 2023

CultureTwitch

The Funniest Twitch Streamers You Should Watch Immediately

Twitch isn’t just for video games, it’s also for laughing your ass off

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 17, 2023

CultureNews

Travis Kelce Tweets Reveal He Loved GoldenEye, Hated ‘Call Of Dookie’

The Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end (and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend) had some hilarious old tweets unearthed this week

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 16, 2023

ReportFuture of Gaming

This Elden Ring Clothing Is The Future Of Video Game Fashion

Clothing inspired by games can be cool and chic, and ARK/8 is determined to prove it

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 16, 2023

OpinionCommentary

Dear Video Game Industry, Please Name A Woman

Why was this year so frustratingly regressive when it came to representation in games?

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 14, 2023

OpinionImpressions

Modern Warfare III Multiplayer Is A Helluva Nostalgia Trip

Every single map from 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is back, and it’s a blast

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 13, 2023

CultureCosplayGallery

BlizzCon 2023 Gave Us Some Great Cosplay Moments

Blizzard's biggest weekend had Overwatch and Diablo IV reveals, a K-Pop performance, and great cosplay

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 9, 2023

CultureNews

Roblox Players Say Pro-Palestinian Games Are Being Taken Down [Update]

Some players say they received warnings for making in-game statements supporting Palestine

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 6, 2023

Tips & Guides

The Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare Franchise, Explained

How many Modern Warfares are there? Where are we in the timeline? Let’s figure it out

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 6, 2023

CultureNews

The Apex Legends Post Malone Event Is Cool, Guys

The event will bring a brand-new limited-time mode called Three Strikes that is utter chaos

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 2, 2023

OpinionCommentary

I Use My Xbox Series S For Shooters And My PS5 For Everything Else

Controller ergonomics, social options, and more determine how and when I play each console

By Alyssa Mercante Published November 1, 2023

CultureTwitch

Nickmercs Will Stream Gambling On Kick, But Not ‘A Shit Ton’

The FaZe Clan member recently announced a $10 million contract with the Twitch competitor

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 30, 2023

CultureNews

Games For Gaza Fundraising Bundle Surpasses First Goal In Hours

The itch.io bundle features over 250 games, interactive stories, and game assets

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 27, 2023

CultureNews

Disney Dreamlight Valley Community Divided After Latest Announcement

Developer Gameloft reversed a year-long promise ahead of the cozy life sim’s launch

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 27, 2023

CultureNews

Payday 3 Devs Apologize Again For Missing Major Update

‘It’s not easy to communicate when we have not been able to offer any updates,’ a dev blog reads

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 25, 2023

CultureOdds and Ends

You Can Marinate In Water Heated By Bitcoin Mining At This NYC Spa

Bathhouse has one location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and another opening in Flatiron, NYC

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 25, 2023

CultureNews

Kids Are Attending Pro-Palestinian Protests In This Popular Game

A solidarity protest took place on Roblox , with 200 players reportedly attending

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 24, 2023

Tips & Guides

The Quintessential New York Landmarks In Spider-Man 2

A New Yorker's tour of all the best spots in Spider-Man 2 from the Empire State Building to the Coney Island bathrooms

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 23, 2023

OpinionCommentary

Is Peter Parker More Buff In Spider-Man 2? A Kotaku Investigation

Peter Parker is ripped up like a bad report card in Insomniac Games’ sequel, but is he actually bigger?

By Alyssa Mercante Published October 20, 2023