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UncategorizedSimCity 2000 Had Some Weirdo Music, Man
Every so often I’ll be going back through classic video game music and a game will sound completely different than I remembered. SimCity 2000 is one of those games. Listen to the music in this clip—it’s… really weird! The melodies are kind of haunting, odd dissonant notes up against lonely, floating basslines… looping over and…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 5, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Kotaku Mixtape Vol 5: All The Cheesy Game Music You Can Handle
There is a very sick part of me that loves cheesy music and movies. I blame it on being left alone with basic cable in the 1990’s: You couldn’t change the channel without hearing some schmaltzy song playing in the background! And so today on the Kotaku Mixtape, we’re celebrating at some of the cheesiest…
By Chris Person Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
Meet the NFL’s New Uniforms—Same as the Old Uniforms?
Nike is the new maker of uniform apparel for the NFL, and yesterday saw the unveiling of the new threads for all 32 teams. And they’re … basically the same as last year’s for most teams in this tradition-bound sports institution. The Seattle Seahawks did get a makeover but, as the excellent Uni Watch by…
By Owen Good Published April 5, 2012 - Esports
Watch This Pro Gamer Go Bananas, Live, When He Misses His MLB 2K12 Perfect Game Bid
This is Justin Masterson, the Cleveland Indians’ opening day pitcher, being controlled by Richie Martinez, aka TeRRoRR of Major League Gaming, and the captain of Legacy, the pro Gears of War 2 team. Right now, he’s trying his hand at the million dollar prize in 2K Sports’ perfect game challenge for Major League Baseball 2K12,…
By Owen Good Published April 5, 2012 -
UncategorizedA Musical Tradition Unlike Any Other Makes Its Way Into a Video Game
It took several seconds for the surprise to register when I started up Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 on Saturday. The music is so familiar, I expect it on my television when I’m watching golf at this time of year. And then I realized I was hearing “Augusta,” one of the most famous themes in…
By Owen Good Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
CSI: NY Tackles the Deadly World of Competitive Gaming in the Cleverly-Titled “Kill Screen”
On tomorrow’s investigation-packed episode of CBS’s CSI: NY, Spengler, Mattock and Lady Minerva attempt to solve the murder of a pro-gaming champion in “Kill Screen”. Gives you tingles, doesn’t it? “Kill Screen”! So menacing. Sounds like the team at the New York Department of Solving Crimes is in over their heads this time. It will…
By Mike Fahey Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
Too Much Time and Money Can Make a Video Game Bad, Gearbox Says
What would games look like if the developers behind them had an unlimited amount of time to work on them? I’m not talking about an unlimited time in development hell, like Duke Nukem Forever. I’m talking about the luxury of not having a publisher breathing down your neck to crank a game out by the…
By Tina Amini Published April 5, 2012 -
UncategorizedPlay Classic Mario Games With a Tennis Racquet in Mario Tennis Open
The coolest feature of the upcoming 3DS game Mario Tennis Open is the ability to play the original Super Mario Bros.… by hitting a tennis ball against a wall. That may sound strange, but it feels very natural once you see it in action. It’s easily the most interesting part of the game, which for…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
Grand Theft Auto Publisher: ‘THQ Won’t Be Around In Six Months’
Speaking at an MIT conference today, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two and publisher of Grand Theft Auto, criticized the practices of THQ, the company behind Saint’s Row. Zelnick predicted that the struggling THQ won’t last much longer. [Joystiq]
By Jason Schreier Published April 5, 2012 -
UncategorizedThis Is Exactly How Google’s Glasses Will Go Wrong
It’s hard not to be at least a little wary of Google’s cool new augmented-reality glasses prototype. I get distracted enough by my phone walking down the street as it is, and voice recognition on my Droid is more than a bit dodgy. Would blasting all that into my line of sight really help? Internet…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 5, 2012 -
UncategorizedConan O’Brien Debuts Call of Duty: Teenage Girl Edition and Keeping Away From the Kardashians
Black Ops 2? Forget that noise. Late-night funnyman Conan O’Brian has the scoop on Activision’s not-actually-real bid to win over a segment of the population who probably isn’t playing the company’s hit FPS franchise. Call of Duty: Teenage Girl Edition led the way in a segment of fake video games that the red-haired talk show…
By Evan Narcisse Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
No Random Encounters Tomorrow. Blame PAX East!
Because I will be off in Boston for PAX East during tomorrow’s edition of Random Encounters—and because it lands smack in the middle of our panel, Take Over Kotaku—there will be no JRPG column this Friday. Sorry! Instead, you’ll get to watch the horror hilarity as Kotaku readers take over the website for their own…
By Jason Schreier Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
Valve And Nexon Partner for Counter-Strike Online 2
Publishers Nexon and Valve will collaborate to bring the shooter Counter-Strike Online 2 to Asian territories, they said today. In a press release explaining very little about how this will be different than older Counter-Strike games, the publishers write: Counter-Strike Online 2 will offer enhanced graphics, more realistic gameplay and powerful impact sensations powered by…
By Jason Schreier Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
Take Over Kotaku. For One Hour. In Boston. Friday.
After three months of running Kotaku, I’ve decided to bring you on board. Yes, you. You will be paid nothing. You will only be on the team for one hour. After that, consider yourself fired. But think of the fun you can have before then! This amazing opportunity is available to all attendees of PAX…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 5, 2012 - Uncategorized
Shadowrun Returns is Officially a Going Concern
Thanks to an overwhelming response from fans of both video games and table-top role-playing, the Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter has reached its $400,000 goal in a little over 24 hours. It’s all additional features from here. [Kickstarter]
By Mike Fahey Published April 5, 2012 -
UncategorizedLet Me Show You What Doesn’t Work In Kinect Star Wars—And What Does
Kinect Star Wars is not the world’s greatest new video game. I’ve said as much in my review. But you should see this game’s failures—and its triumphs—for yourself. Watch the video and allow me to demonstrate. As you watch, bear in mind that this game might be lovely for little kids who have a high…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 5, 2012