Culture

This Week In The Business: Feardom Of The Press

QUOTE | “In the very near term I am fearful of journalists.” ­ Unity boss John Riccitiello speaking during the Vision Summit keynote about how press might react to the shortfall between the analyst numbers and his own forecasts on VR. Elsewhere in the business of gaming this week… QUOTE | “Console games can be…

The first uncensored sex game on Steam is finally out. In the past, Steam versions of visual novels with adult elements have had nudity removed, but yuri game Kindred Spirits on the Roof is beholden to no such rule. Have you played it? What do you think?

Witness Speedrunner Takes 30-Minute Sandwich Break, Beats World Record

The Witness is not like other games, so it stands to reason that a Witness speedrun would not be like other speedruns. (Warning: Witness spoilers ahead.) The Witness’ island is overrun with brain-incinerating-puzzles (and statues that are just, like, SO sad). Some puzzles are hidden. Some, by their very nature, take significantly longer than others.…

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

It’s the weekend! Something something Valentine’s Day something video games something something. What are you gonna be playing this weekend? I’ll go first, as usual: I wrapped a bunch of hours with Dying Light: The Following last weekend (I really liked it) and I might keep playing to check out the bounties, do some more…

Rainbow Six Grenade Kills A Dude Before It Even Goes Off

Today on Highlight Reel we have XCOM 2 slashes, round-ending grenade tosses, Halo 5 streaks, GTA V Karma, and much more! Watch the video above or on our Youtube page, 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.…

Aliens vs Dude Who Is About To Get Eaten

Rostyslav Zagornov is an artist who works at 4A games, the studio behind the Metro series. You can see more of Zagornov’s workat his ArtStation page To see the larger pics in all their glory (or, if they’re big enough, so you can save them as wallpaper), click on the “expand” button in the top-left…

When Your First Ever Cosplay Knocks It Out Of The Park

Maru’s boyfriend Paladinhad, until last week, never cosplayed in his life. Time for that to change. The pair (Maru is a cosplay vet) went together as Link and Zelda to AniRevo Winter 2016 in Vancouver, and looked fantastic Pic by Oshley Photography

Track: The Mothers’ Suite III: Ritual Of Take | Album: From The Vine | Artist: Fresh Cut Orchestra Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

A Racing Game About Finding Shortcuts

I love games that encourage players to break the rules. Super Impossible Road is a racing game where sticking to the straight and narrow will probably leave you eating dust (or glowy purgatory specks). Here’s what it looks like: And here’s how it works: “SUPER IMPOSSIBLE ROAD is a futuristic racing game about shortcuts. Get…

The Original 151 Pokémon, Ranked

For some people, the first set of Pokémon designed by Game Freak might as well be the only Pokémon that exist. Given that this year those O.G. Pokémon turn 20 years old, what better time to mercilessly judge them against one another? Here is the definite ranking of the original 151 Pokémon, from worst to…

Podcast: Why XCOM 2 Is Better Than Its Predecessor

Just what makes XCOM 2 so good? How does the branching work in Fire Emblem Fates? And is Valve even working on Half-Life 3? Those questions and much more, today on Kotaku Splitscreen On this week’s episode of Kotaku’s premiere podcast, Nathan Grayson joins me and Kirk to talk Dying Light, XCOM 2, and Fire…

Stab It, Link, Right In Its Stupid Face

Wanchana Intrasombat is an artist from Thailand who has worked in both video games and advertising. You can see more of Wanchana’s work at his personal site and ArtStation page To see the larger pics in all their glory (or, if they’re big enough, so you can save them as wallpaper), click on the “expand”…

The Struggles And Triumphs Of Black Cosplay

Cosplay has always prided itself on its ability to transform fans into their heroes, wherever and whoever they are. In theory, at least. In practice, things haven’t always been that perfect, especially when a fan is black. This piece originally appeared 2/10/16. The cosplay scene is full of cool people who are committed to making…

Track: Sayonara Identity | Artist: Yonige | Album: Coming Spring Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

Castle Mœbius Looks Fun

Lorenz Hideyoshi Ruwwe is an artist based in Germany who has done work for game studios like BioWare and Firaxis. You can see more of Ruwwe’s work at his ArtStationpage. To see the larger pics in all their glory (or, if they’re big enough, so you can save them as wallpaper), click on the “expand”…

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Awesome Evie Fry Cosplay, Assassin

My new favourite Assassin gets the cosplay she deserves from Elanor-Elwyn. Look at those weapons! That jacket! Photos by Shaadorian

Undertale now has an official jazz album. Like “Determination,” the first Toby-Fox-sanctioned Undertale cover album, “Live at Grillby’s” takes a bunch of Undertale’s most memorable tracks and reimagines them—this time with gorgeous jazz. I bet Greater Dog is secretly a bomb-ass sax player.

Guild Wars 2 Cosplay Includes 9-Foot-Tall Golem

Guild Wars fan Enayla has outdone herself here. Not only has she gone and made a fantastic Asura costume, but she built the accompanying Golem as well. A Golem that’s nine-feet-tall. The Golem can’t walk (at least not yet, anyway), but it has been wired so that its gems light up. Enayla can also clamber…

XCOM Snake Alien Can Bust A Move

Today on Highlight Reel we have rhythmic snake monsters, loafing Assassin’s Creed workers, Black Ops 3 mistakes, and much more. Watch the video above or on our Youtube page, 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. Fallout…