Culture

Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: A Bush And His Poncho, Winners!

Last weekend feels like it was a lifetime ago. But even in these times of change, some things remain constant. Like George W. Bush’s penchant for being a goof. Congrats to this week’s winner: barhat518. Among a number of great entries, this GIF sat head and shoulders above the rest.  However you feel about the country’s…

Sunday Comics: Deadlifts

Welcome to Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics that usually occurs on Sunday except when it doesn’t. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Nerf NOW!! by Josué Pereira. Published January 26. Read more of Nerf NOW!! Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Published January 23. Read more…

Two John Hurt Video Games That Couldn’t Be More Different

Tender Loving Care was an experiment in interactive cinema while Privateer 2: The Darkening was an ill-fated Wing Commander spin-off. They were the only two games actor John Hurt ever performed in, but even the rich, rumbling tones of his English voice could do little to save either one. In 1996, two years prior to…

Track: Boys Latin | Artist: Panda Bear | Album: Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment.

This Week In The Business: Influencers Passing Their Prime

QUOTE | “These days it is impossible to ‘buy’ endorsements from influencers in a way that makes any economic sense. The videos where someone is paid to promote a game they aren’t passionate about don’t deliver the performance needed to justify repeat spend, and the influencer loses subs, so in the end everybody loses.” –…

What Are You Playing This Weekend? 

The weekend is for taking a shower that’s longer than 10 minutes because you have to run out the door to work. It’s also for playing games! I have not been able to play The Witcher 3 ALL WEEK LONG because I’ve been very busy. Last weekend I finally made it to Skellige but it…

Developer Admits He ‘Deserved’ To Have Game Removed From Steam After Fake Reviews

There are plenty of sketchy games on Steam, but some are so fishy that the stink even causes Valve’s eyes to water. Platformica was one such game, and now it’s off Steam. Somewhat surprisingly, the game’s developer has admitted that, yeah, he screwed up. Steam users sussed out that Platformica’s developer, Lunyov Artem Pavlovych, was…

Snacktaku Eats Taco Bell’s Surprisingly Tasty Naked Chicken Chalupa

The two weeks are up, and it’s time to put Taco Bell’s new fried chicken taco shell creation into our mouths, for science. Sometimes science is pretty awesome. Believe it or not, this is one of those times. After pulling off a major win a few years back with its Doritos Locos Tacos, normal tacos…

One Of These Four Transformers Will Be The Next Leader Of Cybertron

First round results for Hasbro’s “Power of the Primes” Transformers fan vote are in, narrowing down the next keeper of the Matrix of Leadership to four candidates: the Japanese one, the obvious one, Monkey Joe and Unknown (though secretly Deathsaurus) Evil. If only they held debates. Following the popular but re-painty Combiner Wars and the…

Track: Lost Cause | Artist: Beck | Album: Sea Change  Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment.

When D.Va Is All Grown Up

Artist Antoine Collignon wanted to “create a more mature version of D.Va”, and came up with this image of the Korean in her 30s, still fighting, albeit with an improved (and beat to hell) mech. Collignon is based in Belgium, and has worked in both video games and film. You can see more of his…

Now, Which One Of You Is The Prince?

Today on Highlight Reel we have Titanfall 2 plays, elaborately dressed princes, Overwatch strategies, and much more! Watch the video then talk about your favorite highlight in the comments below. Be sure to check out, like, and share the original videos via the links below. Subscribe to Kotaku on YouTube for more! Metro: Redux –…

Players Are Already Fearlessly Speedrunning Resident Evil 7

Resident Evil 7 is filled with dangerous traps and terrifying monsters. A cautious player will slink and stalk their way through the danger. Speedrunners? They’re rushing through the game without any hesitation. My own playthrough ofResident Evil 7 clocked in at around nine hours. Speedrunners are blazing through it in a fraction of the time.…

Ask Dr. NerdLove: My Girlfriend Wants To Try Sex With Another Woman

Hello all you joyous porn badgers and welcome to Ask Dr. NerdLove, the dating column that helps you grind your social calibration meters. This week, we’re talking about relationships in crisis. The strength of your relationship isn’t found when you’re both happy; it’s found when things go wrong. When the earth quakes, poison arrows fall…

Enter The Gungeon Update Adds Gun Shaped Like A Bullet That Shoots Guns That Shoot Bullets

Enter The Gungeon, the roguelike action game that lets you play as a bullet who shoots bullets at bullets, just one-upped itself. The game just got a new update called “Supply Drop,” and in addition to new rooms, weapons, enemies, companions, and bosses, it includes “ a gun shaped like a bullet that shoots guns…

Podcast: A Rain Of Games From Japan

This week on Kotaku Splitscreen, Jason’s out so I’m joined by our own Luke Plunkett to talk Nintendo Switch, Yakuza 0, and the hard rain of big new games coming out of Japan. It’s wild that in the space of a few months, we’ve gotten Final Fantasy XV, The Last Guardian, Gravity Rush 2, Resident Evil…

Batman V Superman: When Good Toys Come From Bad Movies

Can you hate a movie but love its characters, or does a bad cinematic experience poison you against them? Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice was a massive disappointment for me, but damn if I don’t adore DC Films’ Superman and Armored Batman figures. It must be tough to sell $50 premium figures based on…

Track: Scorpio Rising | Artist: Death In Vegas | Album: Scorpio Rising Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to at the moment.

Look At This Damn Star Wars Cosplay

We see a lot of Star Wars cosplay around these parts. Rarely do we see it done with such artistry and attention to detail. This is JediMandawith her 1:1 Queen Amidala outfit that looks like something a team of professionals would have spent thousands on, and gone and made for the actual movie. Instead, it’s a…

Death Star Battle Becomes Planet Coaster Ride

Planet Coaster has yielded some impressive creations, but this one takes the cake in terms of ambition. Chuck Maurice created a whole damn Death Star battle in Planet Coaster. This isn’t just some rinky dink carnival ride, either. It looks like heckin’ Star Wars. Check it out: It’s a little too dark in places, but…