The First Five Minutes of a Real-Life Russian Horror Story

In 1959 a group of hikers in Russia’s Ural Mountains were mysteriously killed by what authorities could only describe as an “unknown compelling force.” That real world incident is the basis for Kholat, and knowing that only makes things worse. I wish I hadn’t looked up the Dyatlov Pass incident before playing IMGN.PRO’s Kholat. If…

Wanna hear more about developers’ experiences with Steam refunds? YouTuber Totalbiscuit collected feedback (and some stats) from 26 developers, with stories ranging from refund surges to tumbleweeds. It’s enlightening stuff, though—as ever—it’s too early to say anything definitive about how the feature will affect Steam games in the long run.

Call Of Duty Can’t Cut The Last-Gen Cord

Unlike other big series like Assassin’s Creed and Fallout, Call of Duty can’t bring itself to go 100% next-gen just yet, Activision announcingtoday that this year’s Black Ops 3 will be available not just on PS4, XB1 and PC, but PS3 and Xbox 360 as well. The last-gen version will be worked on by two…

Tell Ubisoft What You Really Think About Assassin’s Creed

If you happen to be in Los Angeles next week, they’re giving you a shot. The company already announced a roadshow-style tour in Europe, but there was no word on something similar for the US. That’ll change, starting at E3 next week. Today, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed players will be invited to participate in…

Have You Requested A Steam Refund? Why?

Steam refunds have only been around for a week, and it seems like a lot of people are already using them. Have you used the new feature at all? If so, why? Did it work? Valve’s implementation of Steam refunds has been contentious, but there’s no disputing that they need to exist in some form…

Track: Slip Slide | Artist: Chance The Rapper, Busta Rhymes, The Social Experiment | Album: Surf Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

Mod Adds Working Hotels To The Sims 4

The Sims modders. Is there anything they can’t do? No. No there isn’t. In the latest example of modding excellence, Mod The Sims forum member simmythesim created an add-on to The Sims 4 (via SimsVIP) that lets players create and manage hotel-like buildings in their virtual neighborhoods. The new hotel venues can house up to…

What’s Your Craziest Gaming Marathon Story?

If your story involves some kind of homemade urinating contraption and a strict diet of whatever is within arm’s reach and doesn’t require cooking, you’re probably delightfully gross and I want to hear from you. Ditto if your story involves days of unwashed clothes, missed jury duty dates, or anything involving the words “temporary paralysis.”…

Mirror’s Edge 2 Is Now Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst

For the longest time, Mirror’s Edge 2 has seemed like one of those sequels that needed to happen but probably never would. Put your anxious mind at ease. The thing has a real name now! And it’s definitely “not a sequel.” In advance of the hype-a-palooza next week at video game industry convention E3, Electronic…

The first trailer for LEGO Marvel’s Avengers sticks to the scripts. Coming this winter (no longer fall) to everywhere LEGO video games go, LEGO Marvel’s Avengers injects the plots of the first two films with a heaping helping of brick-based silliness. Can it possibly top the amazingly expansive LEGO Marvel Super Heroes? Probably not.