A College History Class About Video Games? Sign Me Up.

I have a history degree from the Australian National University. Earned through books, and papers. I used to be totally OK with that, until today, when I see that history students at the University of South Carolina have it way better. Prof. Joseph November is running a class next year called Computer Games and History.…

This is What a Lot of the Internet Looks Like

When people say the internet is just a series of tubes, they’re not too far from the truth. It’s made up of tubes, cables and data centres, which have to sit in enormous, industrial buildings. Like the monstrous ones internet monolith Google makes use of. These stunning pictures posted by the search and advertising giant…

Let’s Get Trapped In The Closet All Over Again

Sure, R Kelly’s Trapped In The Closet is already a magnum opus. I’ve watched (I think?) all of the episodes so far, and have marveled at their bizarre genius. But hey, we can always have more, right? After announcing that he is preparing to debut 20 (!!) more episodes of the saga, R. Kelly went…

A Son Takes His Father on a Tour of His Boyhood Home—in a Video Game

When you introduce a video game to an older relative who doesn’t play them—a parent or a grandparent—and they realize they’ve underestimated how detailed, how immersive these things really are, the conversations you have after that really are special. If this hasn’t happened for you, ask anyone for whom it has. Or better yet, just…

Cobra’s Elite Makes the Miniature Red Leather Jacket Look Good

They are an elite fighting force led by a pair of twins that feel each other’s pain. They are the Imperial Guards of Cobra. They wear red leather, not caring that the 80’s were three decades ago. They are the Crimson Guard, the latest in the sixth scale line of G.I. Joe figures, and they…

If You’re Streaming a Game Online, Don’t Start Jerking Off on Camera, OK?

Poor Slooshi. The League of Legends player was livestreaming one of his rounds earlier today when, in a fit of boredom, he decided to alt+tab and do something else. Like, uh, go watch some porn. And knock one off. In a scenario that makes your standard “go to high school naked” nightmare seem like a…

After three years on the drawing board, Elise the Spider Queen finally joins the roster of League of Legends champions

Congratulations, Ash, You Finally Caught Them All

Nice to see Dan Hipp back in the saddle, brightening up our day with amazing video game art. This time around, it’s a Pokémon piece, showing what happens when Ash finally gets around to catching them all. It’s…well, he’s entitled to celebrate it however he wants. This just isn’t quite how I pictured it. Wish…

Lightbox Interactive, the studio behind Starhawk, has shed some employees as it moves from the PS3 to iOS development.

Having Gone Six Years Without Saying Anything Offensive, Steve Lyons Gets a Job in MLB The Show‘s Booth

Steve Lyons, whose 15-year broadcasting career is dotted with numerous insensitive remarks—one of them enough to get him fired—is taking a seat in a more controlled environment: MLB 13 The Show. As reported by Operation Sports, Lyons said via Twitter at the end of last month that he was recording “lots of VoiceOver work for…

An eagle-eyed NeoGAFer has noticed new Borderlands 2 trophies for DLC called “Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage.”

Forza Horizon: The Kotaku Review

Forza Horizon coined a new term for itself, more out of self-defense than to describe its creative goals. “Action racer,” we were told at E3, because another racing genre known by the A-word would be a scarlet letter on a motorsports brand as precise as Forza. Arcade racer, action racer, either term is accurate to…

Midweek Moneysaver: BFG and BFDs.

This Wednesday edition of Kotaku’s The Moneysaver catches all the offers, promotions and bargains that can’t wait until the weekend. The Midweek Moneysaver is brought to you by Dealzon. Software • Yesterday’s release Doom 3: BFG Edition (PC download) is $24 from Green Man Gaming. List price is $30. [Dealzon] • Yesterday’s release Borderlands 2…

One Easy Tip For Finding Buried Treasure In Borderlands 2‘s New Pirate DLC

X marks the spot. I’m playing Borderlands 2‘s effortfully-titled new DLC Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty for a lot of reasons, I guess. I’m playing it for the colorful new locations, for the goofy new pirate enemies, for the sweet new sand skiff (though boo on Gearbox for not unlocking it across the entire…

Here’s What Is (and Isn’t) Included In Free-to-Play Star Wars: The Old Republic

We’ve known since July that Star Wars: The Old Republic would be going free to play this fall. Now, developer BioWare has published a detailed list showing just what the free tier of the game includes. Players who keep paying a monthly subscription fee of course have access to all features and content. Free players,…

Steam’s Greenlight service is being expanded to include “non-gaming software” and a concepts section for new games

Team Fortress 2 Is Now Punishing Cowardly Quitters

It’s never cool to bail from your multiplayer game mid-match. It may mean that you won’t get another “L” on your record, but it also means you’re a quitter who lets his or her team down. Valve has begun to crack down on people quitting Team Fortress 2‘s new Mann vs. Machine mode mid-match. From…

Xbox Live Has Got A Binder Full Of Awful Debate Questions

I’ve been watching the Presidential debates on my Xbox 360. I’m not alone—Microsoft reports that more than 100,000 people watched last night’s debate on their gaming console. While I applaud Microsoft for making these vital discussions available on the Xbox, there’s one big downside to watching them this way: Those insipid, meandering interactive questions. At…

The iOS Revival of M.U.L.E. is Coming Along Nicely

Remember earlier this year when we told you the small indie team at Comma 8 Studios was bring a reskinned version of the classic turn-based strategy game M.U.L.E. to iOS this summer? This summer looks to be ending in November, and from what I’m seeing here it’s worth the extra time. Keep track of the…

Asari Biotics Liara and Samara Look Fantastic As a Mage And a Templar In Dragon Age

Andrew Ryan, the artist behind the spectacular, brain-bending Dragon Age and Mass Effect crossover art, has continued adding to his glorious gauntlet of crossover characters. The most recent additions are deadly asari Liara and Samara. Liara has taken the role of High Enchanter and Samara, with her strict justicar’s code, makes a perfect Knight-Commander. (Preferably…