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Notebook Dump: 2010 Games, 17 For The IGF, And Where 1943 Leads EA
There comes a time in the week to reflect on what got into my reporter’s notebook but didn’t turn into Kotaku blog posts. Shall we? I wasn’t able to do a dump (not that kind) last week, because Brian Crecente was on vacation and I was doing the Day Note to end my shift each…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 11, 2009 -
Aliens Vs. Predator Impressions: This Time, As An Alien
Violent in a way that would displease the genteel and the members of an Australian ratings board, Aliens Vs. Predator is all about stabbing heads and bursting chests. Not surprisingly, this game’s playable Alien is no diplomat. Kotaku has witnessed the human and Predator sides of the game. Now Aliens. The Aliens campaign, like those…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 11, 2009 -
Couple Chucks Cable Box, Settles For PC And Xbox
The most popular story on the New York Times website chronicles the tale of a couple doing something I don’t think I could do. This is one brave couple that you can read about on the Times. They have canceled their cable service. They have decided that they will still watch TV, still watch movies,…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 11, 2009 -
Who Put Out The Most Good Video Games In 2009? [UPDATE]
On Wednesday, EA CEO John Riccitiello provided evidence — in chart form — that his company published the most well-reviewed games of 2009. Wanting to test his assertions, I dug into the data and found some surprises. The EA chart was shown at an investor’s conference, designed to appeal to people who EA hopes will…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 11, 2009 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Snow levels can be precarious, even the snow level in TAY. It’s hard to get good footing. Snowmen pop up and hurl snowballs. But let none of that stop you. Comment about video games here. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.
By Stephen Totilo Published December 11, 2009 -
DVR Alert: Spike Televises Top 2009 Indie Developers Tonight
Spike TV’s second-annual special celebrating indie games airs on Spike tonight. Host Geoff Keighley shared a copy of the show early with Kotaku and it does indeed feature visits with the makers of Osmos, ‘Splosion Man, Trials HD and Flower. The show even offers an early look at ‘Splosion Man developer Twisted Pixel’s next game,…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 10, 2009 -
NPD Instant Analysis: Things You Should Note
What if someone asks you today to quickly sound smart about how video games sold in November? Here’s our monthly analysis cheat-sheet you can use in such desperate social situations. And this time, Kotaku gives you options. Just like BioWare. Before you read this analysis, open up some tabs or windows with McWhertor’s NPD November…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 10, 2009 -
PlayStation Home Director Wants “Mini-MMOs” On The Service
Having been presented for its first year of public existence as a social platform, PlayStation Home is about to be pushed in a new way: As a social gaming platform. “We have developed a forum for developers to come in and develop 3D social games,” Buser told Kotaku during a Sony Playstation 3 showcase in…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 10, 2009 -
Rock Band Makers Harmonix Lays Off 39
Thirty-nine of the approximately 300 employees at Harmonix, development studio of the Rock Band series, were laid off from the company today, in a move said to result from a shift in game-testing rather than a reflection on game sales. “We can confirm that 39 positions were eliminated today at Harmonix as part of re-structuring…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 10, 2009 -
We Played A Wii Game Without A Wii Controller
Picture tennis on the Wii, but without a Remote. You could say it’s like Microsoft’s Project Natal, but the surprise new Wii game that pulls this off is actually borrowing an approach from Sony’s EyeToy. Kotaku swung through it yesterday. The game is Ubisoft’s newly-announced Racquet Sports. It offers tennis, squash, table tennis, racquetball and…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 10, 2009 -
Sony: “Gem” Was A Prototype Name For PS3 Motion Controller
Following up on reports that EA chief John Riccitiello let slip the name of Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 3 motion controller, a Sony spokesperson told Kotaku that “Gem” isn’t necessarily the device’s real name. The term “Gem” was “an early code name for the product,” according to Sony Computer Entertainment of America director of communications Patrick…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 10, 2009 -
This Week In Video Game Comics
Two big video game comics this week from two big games. Modern Warfare 2: Ghost #2 (of 6) Written by David Lapham. Drawn by Kevin West. Summary Via Publisher Wildstorm Entertainment: Sgt. Riley – codenamed “Ghost” – has found himself in many a sticky situation while serving in the S.A.S. But never has a mission…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Another Impossible Action In A Video Game
Look closely and you’ll see that man is kissing that woman with a cigarette in his mouth, as seen in the occasionally-idiosyncratic Saboteur (Snapped off my TV; they stopped kissing before I swung the camera to a better angle).
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Uncharted 2’s Amy Hennig Took Your Calls, Teased DLC And Explored Drake’s Contradictions [UPDATED]
You all did not disappoint with the quality of questions you called in to ask Naughty Dog creative director Amy Hennig today during Kotaku’s latest podcast. And now you can download the show at the links in this post. [UPDATED] Blog Talk Radio link now works. Sorry about that fokls! Past the opening banter, listeners…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Reviews
The Saboteur Review: Rough Draft
What seemed great on paper — a World War II game like nothing else, with sophisticated artistry to boot — had to be turned into a video game. But then some things, not necessarily too many things, went wrong. The Saboteur is the final game developed by Pandemic Studios out of the EA-owned label’s former…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Yakuza 3 Impressions: In English, Partly
Yesterday’s surprise announcement that the Japanese hit Yakuza 3 will be coming to America after all was followed by the surprise that the English-language version was three blocks from Kotaku’s NYC office. Good reason for a short walk. The game is a brawler starring tough guy Kiryu Kazuma and the detailed surroundings of a fictional…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Kotaku Talk Radio is Live: Let’s Talk With Amy Hennig
Amy Hennig, creative director of Naughty Dog‘s Uncharted 2 is playing the role of Brian Crecente on today’s live Kotaku podcast. We’re starting now. Give us a ring and you could be live on the air with me and Amy. Only if you have a decent question, of course. To listen, head over to our…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
You. Comment? Games? Here. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.
By Stephen Totilo Published December 9, 2009 -
Kotaku Programming Reminder: Talk Live With Uncharted 2’s Amy Hennig On Wednesday
As noted yesterday, Amy Hennig, creative director of PlayStation 3 blockbuster Uncharted 2 will guest-host tomorrow’s live Kotaku call-in podcast. Show time’s 11am MT, 1pm ET. Call-in and listening details will be live on the site just before show time.
By Stephen Totilo Published December 8, 2009
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