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CulturePopular Counter-Strike Streamer Fails Hilariously At Pro Event, Becomes Meme
Jaryd “summit1g” Lazar is one of the most popular Counter-Strike streamers, with more than 1.3 million followers. Over the weekend, he subbed for a pro team. It did not end well. Summit was subbing for a member of Splyce, a not particularly accomplished American team. He’s competed before, but it’s not his main claim to…
By Nathan Grayson Published May 9, 2016 - Reviews
Stellaris: The Kotaku Review
Stellaris is a space opera, played out in three acts. It’s the latest game from Paradox’s internal development studio, the guys who brought us grand/complicated/alienating strategy games like Crusader Kings II and Europa Universalis IV. I liked the latter and adore the former, so there was a lot for me to look forward to here!…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 9, 2016 - Uncategorized
Jeffrey Lin, lead designer of social systems on League of Legends, has left Riot Games, the developer announced today Lin had focused on trying to improve the infamous levels of vitriol tossed in competitive games. “I have always said that passionate gamers, even angry ones, are gamers that care about the game—just like us,” he…
By Patrick Klepek Published May 9, 2016 -
CultureLong-Distance Relationships Suck, But VR’s Made It Easier
I looked into my girlfriend’s eyes as I reached out to gently touch her face. In that moment, I felt something. A rush of warmth from my head to my toes. Comfort. Contentment. It should be noted that my girlfriend was, at the time, a floating ball robot. Since early April, my girlfriend has been…
By Nathan Grayson Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedRemembering Naughty Dog‘s First Game
These days, people think of Naughty Dog as the company behind the Uncharted series, but it didn’t start that way. The company’s first game was a swords ‘n sorcery RPG called Keef The Thief, published by Electronic Arts. Naughty Dog has changed directions quite a few times throughout its history. It used to be known…
By Patrick Klepek Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedA Technical Look At What Makes Uncharted 4 So Pretty
Uncharted 4 is, without a doubt, the best-looking video game I’ve ever played. Here’s an in-depth analysis of how the folks at Naughty Dog pulled it off. The good people at Digital Foundry put together this semi-spoilery video—don’t watch it unless you want to see some of the locations and set-pieces in Uncharted 4—that digs…
By Jason Schreier Published May 9, 2016 - Culture
Uh, Nice Job, Rey
Krzysztof Maziarz is an artist from Poland currently working in the games business. I’m digging the variety of styles here…a lot of game artists can only play a few notes (albeit very well), but Krzysztof’s portfolio shows a real wide range of work. You can see more of Krzysztof’s work at his Instagramand ArtStation pages…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedOverwatch Player Obliterates Enemy With Basketball Trap
If you’ve been playing Overwatch’s beta, you’re probably familiar with basketballs in starter areas. Usually people just shoot at them until the match starts, and then they’re left behind, forlorn and forgotten. A couple players, though, figured out how to weaponize them. Puppy :U and his cohort realized that you can attach Junkrat’s steel trap and…
By Nathan Grayson Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedA Rare Mario Maker Super Expert Level That Is Not Trash
I’ve largely avoided stages labeled super expert in Mario Maker; they’re usually nonsense. Sometimes, they’re the right kind of nonsense. My intention this morning was to stream the latest stage from Tristan,an eight-year-old from Canada who’s been crafting devious levels for me. Sadly, Nintendo deleted his stage before I was able to play it for…
By Patrick Klepek Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedFan Edits Full-Length Movie Telling Dark Souls 3‘s Confusing Story
It’s possible to beat Dark Souls 3 and have no idea what really happened. Fortunately, MoonlightButterfly on YouTube has been meticulously making sense of the series’ complicated storytelling by turning them into movies. I’ve previously highlighted MoonlightButterfly’s work on Kotaku, as the release date for Dark Souls 3 loomed. If you’re looking for an easy…
By Patrick Klepek Published May 9, 2016 - Uncategorized
Watch Us Play The First Hour Of Uncharted 4
Want to get a taste of Nathan Drake’s final adventure? You’ve come to the right place. Today, Kotaku editor-in-chief Stephen Totilo will join me in a livestream where we play through Uncharted 4‘s opening chapters—and you can join in! Send us questions on Facebook, and we’ll do our best to answer them while playing. Otherwise,…
By Patricia Hernandez Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedFans Remake Classic RTS Games Like Command & Conquer, Red Alert
OpenRA is an open source project that “recreates and modernizes” Westwood’s classic RTS games on the PC by building a new engine for them and making them free to download. Why? A new engine means they can run natively on modern systems, and also means they can run natively at modern resolutions, so you can…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 9, 2016 - Uncategorized
What The ‘Tower Of Joy’ Scene Means To Game of Thrones
One scene on last night’s episode of Game of Thrones might require some explanation for people who haven’t read the books. Let’s talk it through. SPOILERS FOR LAST NIGHT’S GAME OF THRONES AND POTENTIALLY FUTURE EPISODES FOLLOW: For many years now, A Song of Ice and Fire fans have subscribed to a theory that fits…
By Jason Schreier Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedHighlights Of Two Uncharted 4 Levels, One Traditional And One Full Of New Tricks
Above, a video we capped of Uncharted 4‘s ninth level, which plays similarly to many Uncharted levels of old. Below, a video we capped of Uncharted 4‘s 10th chapter, which shows the game opening up, allowing more variety in exploration and combat. Note how open the level is. It includes a number of optional side…
By Stephen Totilo Published May 9, 2016 - Uncategorized
Battleborn‘s Toughest Mission Is The Game At Its Best And Worst
Battleborn has eight story missions available to play either alone or with a group online. I have completed six. The Saboteur is the seventh, and I’m having a hell of a time with it. I am not alone. This piece originally appeared 5/7/16. Many of the story missions in Battleborn require players defend a point…
By Mike Fahey Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedTen Years Ago, Square Announced Final Fantasy Versus XIII
As Final Fantasy fans across the world wait impatiently for FFXV, let’s take some time to celebrate an important milestone. Yesterday, Final Fantasy Versus XIII’s announcement turned ten years old Happy birthday, announcement! Yep, an entire decade has passed since we first met Noctis. On May 8, 2006, Square Enix announced Versus XIII during their…
By Jason Schreier Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedHunter’s Dream From Bloodborne, Remade In Unreal Engine
Childhood classics aren’t the only games with fan-made re-imaginations in Unreal Engine 4. Newer ones can get one too every now and then. And Bloodborne is a fantastic-looking game that deserves an homage like this. Artist Simon Barle recreated Hunter’s Dream, the central hub of the game. While Bloodborne’s graphics were excellent, the dark, dreadful…
By Gergo Vas Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedFan Restores World of Warcraft‘s Oldest Zones
Quel’Thalas was added in 2007, but never got the facelift that other, older zones received in 2010. And while there are no plans to revamp anything in these parts of Azeroth, YouTuber Hayven played with the idea for the duration of a short clip. Hayven restored the Blood Elf starting zones Eversong Woods and Ghostlands,…
By Gergo Vas Published May 9, 2016 -
UncategorizedSuper Mario Is Headed to Minecraft: Wii U
On May 17, the digital version of Minecraft: Wii U Edition will get a free update that brings the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, which features Mario skins, music, item textures, and a Super Mario-themed world. Players won’t only have to worry about Creepers, but also Super Mario foes like Dry Bones and Hammer Bros. The…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 9, 2016
