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An Argument Against “Immersion” in Video Games
When we talk about games, the word “immersion” gets tossed around a lot. It’s generally held to be a good thing: If a game has amazing graphics and audio, and a convincingly built world, we will become immersed in it to the point that it feels real. But is it the right word? Is it…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 17, 2012 -
The Katamari Prince Has A Solution for Long PAX Lines
Moments of grace are few and far between at a hectic conference like PAX East, but this photo of the Prince from Katamari Damacy surveying the queue-room is about as graceful as they come. I wonder what he’s thinking. Probably something along the lines of “Man, I bet these jerks would be a lot easier…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 17, 2012 -
Fake Gamer of the Week: Enthusiastic Guy With Incredibly Supportive Girlfriend
I can’t help but admire you, Enthusiastic Guy With Incredibly Supportive Girlfriend. You’ve really got it going on: great hair, winning smile, clearly very handsome despite your thick designer glasses, nicely chosen prep shirt. You’re loving life; you’re playing video games and having fun doing it. And your hot girlfriend supports you. Look at her…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 16, 2012 -
The Witcher 2 Makes it to Xbox 360 Intact and Ready For Sexy Action
If you’re an RPG fan who doesn’t own a super-fast gaming PC, you probably spent this time last year watching your PC-owning friends with no small amount of jealousy as they went on and on about this great game they were playing called The Witcher 2 I was one of those PC ownerrs—I played the…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 13, 2012 -
Disappointment Dog is Disappointed In You
Aww. I feel so bad when I let down Disappointment Dog. But I don’t feel bad to be here, and I hope that you don’t either. Welcome, Kotaku, to your Thursday night Open Thread. I hope your weeks have been going well! Here, assembled from around the internet, are some things to read and maybe…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
The Jazziest JRPG Battle Music. It’s So Jazzy.
Thanks to our resident JRPG columnist Jason Schreier, I have been playing The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky on my Vita. (When I’m not playing Persona 3 Portable that is.) Have you played this game? I’m thinking the answer to that may well be “no,” but if you’re a Vita owner looking to…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Rocking Your Face With Nothing But Audio From Mass Effect 3
Many video game remixes combine tracks from a game’s soundtrack into a new-sounding creation. That’s all well and good, but with “Space Effect,” remixers Reverse Enginears take it one step further, creating an entire tune out of nothing but music and sound effects from Mass Effect 3. It’s a neat bit of mixing that combines…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Keeping an Open Mind About the Halo 4 Soundtrack
Yesterday, we finally found out the identity of Halo‘s new composer—Neil Davidge, best known for his work with Massive Attack, will be filling original Halo composer Martin O’Donnell’s shoes for the upcoming game. They’re big shoes to fill. If you had told me back when I played the first Halo that the soundtrack for that…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Check Out The Plague Sequence’s Brand of Broody, Video-Game Inspired Rock
For a band that makes its music out of re-designed versions of classic video game music, The Plague Sequence takes itself very seriously. From their website, a manifesto: Working to create a voice of dissent in a culture poisoned by corporate occupation and a vacuous society lacking sincerity or substance. The taint of commerce has…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Square Enix Has Their Own Radio Channel
Square Enix fans rejoice: the publisher has opened up a streaming radio channel that plays music from many of their games for free. There aren’t a huge number of games yet, but hey, Xenogears is on here, which should make many people happy, judging by the zealous comments I regularly hear about that game’s soundtrack.…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Kick Back With My Favorite Track From The Witcher 2
Next week, Xbox 360 owners are finally going to have the opportunity to play The Witcher 2. I really liked that game a whole lot, and so I thought that tonight would be a good time to share my favorite musical track from the game. Titled “Vergen by Night,” it’s the music that plays when……
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Fez‘s Beautiful Soundtrack Lives and Breathes Video Game Dreaminess
Fez is a very cool game. Tina’s review neatly sums up many of the things that make it so good. In addition to being a smart, enjoyable platformer that revels in a deep and mysterious energy, Fez is an aesthetic triumph. We tend to throw around terms like that a lot—”aesthetic triumph.” But what does…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 12, 2012 -
Amoebattle Is Loaded With Smart and Challenging Touch-Screen Strategy
A touch-screen should work well with real-time strategy games, you know? RTS games require a good overhead view, the ability to quickly flick between units, and a ready batch of hotkeys and functions. The iPad in particular is uniquely suited to do all of those things; it just takes the right game. Amoebattle, a terrific…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 11, 2012 -
Oh Dear God, My Eye
Hello, Kotaku! I just thought I’d give you a nice and lovely and heartwarming image for your Tuesday night open thread. No reason other than that. Nope. I hope you’re having a good week so far. Here, gathered from around the internet, are some things to check out and talk about. Our former boss Joel…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 10, 2012 -
Skullgirls, The Pinball Arcade New This Week on the PlayStation Store
We’ve got some good downloadable stuff on the PlayStation store, including the cross-play compatible The Pinball Arcade for both Vita and PS3, and Skullgirls for the PS3. Austin Wintory’s amazing Journey soundtrack is available for download (it’s also available on iTunes), and Persona 3: FES is now available as a PS2 classic. Which I’d be…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 10, 2012 -
Gamers Are Excited About Sequels, Says Weird Poll
The research group Nielsen has released a poll under the headline “Video Gamers Eager for New Titles from Familiar Franchises this Year.” They combined “eight key consumer metrics, including awareness and purchase interest” into one score for each game, ranked out of 100. Here are the full (weird) findings, in order: Xbox 360 Halo 4…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 10, 2012 -
Guitar Apprentice Makers Sue Ubisoft Over Rocksmith Patent-Infringement
The British rock band Rocksmith aren’t the only ones suing Ubisoft over the French publisher’s guitar game Rocksmith. Now, the folks who make the instructional guitar game Guitar Apprentice have filed claimed patent infringement against Ubisoft over tech similarities to their own game. Both Guitar Apprentice and Rocksmith use a real guitar, plugged into a…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 10, 2012
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