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If Games Can Be Patched, Why Can’t Their Stories?
Who controls the story of a video game—its writers or its players? The obvious answer—that a storyteller is a storyteller, end of discussion—has driven some reporters (including me) to condemn and dismiss the widely-circulated fan petition that asks BioWare to change its ending for Mass Effect 3, the popular sci-fi roleplaying game that came out…
By Jason Schreier Published March 12, 2012 - Uncategorized
Mega Man’s Daddy Says That Japan Needs to Admit That They’ve Lost Video Game Dominance
Keiji Inafune sounded an ominous note at the beginning of his presentation during the Game Developers Conference last week, saying to the audience that “there might be some harsh comments, so please be prepared.” Turns out the trigger warning from one of Japan’s most respected game designers was warranted as he criticized the mindset that’s…
By Evan Narcisse Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedHere is a Video Game You Can Play Against Your Cat
We all love playing games with our cats. Dangling yarn in front of them, throwing balls their way, terrorizing them with a laser pointer—it isn’t fun unless our feline friends are spazzing out and chasing something around the room. But unless you count the time (or times) your cat jumped onto your lap mid-deathmatch, cats…
By Kirk Hamilton Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedWatch and See How Papo & Yo Might Be 2012’s Most Charming Video Game
I’ve been wanting to get my hands on upcoming PS3 exclusive Papo & Yo ever since hearing how it draws on the bittersweet childhood of designer Vander Caballero. A playable build at GDC gave me my wish and the video above shows the first few minutes of the game from Montreal-based developer Minority. There’s a…
By Evan Narcisse Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedI Don’t Care for Modern Warfare 3 Much, But I’d Play These Two New Maps
I avoid Modern Warfare multiplayer, because it’s no fun to lose all the time. (I’ve got no time to practice!) But you might be having fun—and I might finally have the will to join you, thanks to a twist in two of the three new maps coming to the Xbox 360 in the coming days.…
By Stephen Totilo Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedWTPT: Kid Loses It When His Mom Insists He Quit Call of Duty
We’ve all encountered some pretty hilarious gamers on Xbox Live, whether they’re intentionally comedic or not. The diverse age range means that many of these encounters involve some kid battling with his mom or dad to stay online for just a little bit longer. Two guys camp out in an airplane in Call of Duty,…
By Tina Amini Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedHalo Fan Films Never Look This Good
Though the acting can seem a little hammy in this fanmade Halo film, which creator Xerxes Sangco sent us yesterday, the graphical effects are seriously impressive. And the art direction is phenomenal. Even more impressive: the fact that Sangco and crew made this whole thing without spending more than $200. Hope you’re paying attention, Hollywood.…
By Jason Schreier Published March 12, 2012 - Uncategorized
Is This Instagram App an InstaMatch?
I am obsessed with Instagram. I think it’s the most wonderful thing. Ever. It’s not, I know, but I am finding myself spending significant amounts of time on it. So when I heard there was an app that incorporated Instagram, I got all excited. Talk about easily excited! It’s called InstaMatch, and it’s a card…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedA Drugged and Delirious Nathan Drake Terrorizes the Local Flea Market
Uncharted hero Nathan Drake makes getting hit with a tranquilizer dart and stumbling through an open-air market mumbling to yourself look easy. Video game satirists supreme Mega64 make it look hilarious. Does anyone else feel like investing in a blowgun now, or is it just me? Not that I’d use it, of course. Especially after…
By Mike Fahey Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Art of Video Games Brings Pac-Man and Mass Effect to the Smithsonian This Weekend
The biggest game here in Washington, DC is usually the game of politics. But this weekend, the city will be hopping with something much more fun. This Friday, March 16, the Smithsonian American Art Museum will open their new exhibit, “The Art of Video Games.” And as always happens these days in gaming, they have…
By Kate Cox Published March 12, 2012 - Uncategorized
Why Can’t Male-Centric Sports Games Let the Ladies In?
The football players in the NFL are male. The baseball players in the MLB are male. It stands to reason that custom characters in video games based off these sports should be male, but Kotaku commenter Seoul Sister makes a valid point: When has reason ever stopped a video game? Someone posted in response to…
By Mike Fahey Published March 12, 2012 - Uncategorized
Talk Amongst Yourselves
You ever wonder what we might find out there in the stars, folks? We can discuss those things and more in this very web destination! Welcome to Kotaku’s official forum, known affectionately as Talk Amongst Yourselves, where we gather on a daily basis to discuss all things video game and existential. It’s a cartoony cosmic…
By Evan Narcisse Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedA Normal Life, An Extraordinary Death and the Video Game That Wasn’t Meant to Be
In late 2003, a friendly, attractive and perfectly normal 38-year-old woman named Joyce Vincent died in her London flat. She was in the midst of wrapping Christmas presents. No one knew that Joyce Vincent died that day. Not right away. Not for a while. Joyce’s remains were eventually discovered when building officials entered her apartment…
By Stephen Totilo Published March 12, 2012 - Uncategorized
Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD Feels the Same But Different
While at GDC, I talked to skating legend Tony Hawk about the upcoming re-make of the releases that made him an icon to a generation of gamers. He thinks it’s great but, of course, he would. Me? I found myself surprised at how much I missed the unique style of extreme sports offered by the…
By Evan Narcisse Published March 12, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Real Stars of Prototype 2 Have Spinning Blades on Their Heads
You know what sold me on the original Prototype? Protagonist Alex Mercer leaping onto a helicopter and punching his way inside. I’m sure Prototype 2’s James Heller is a compelling new hero, but what about the whirlybirds? Ah yes, here they are. Radical Entertainment and Activision, keen on the importance of proper helicopter destruction and…
By Mike Fahey Published March 12, 2012 - Uncategorized
“Just For Kids” Comes to PlayStation 3 Netflix, Still Waiting for “Just for Adults”
The menacing black box lurking within your entertainment center just got a bit less menacing, as Netflix adds the bright and colorful “Just for Kids” to the PlayStation 3 version of its streaming video app. For those of you unfamiliar, the picture above depicts the Backyardigans, a group of singing, dancing and imagineering young animals…
By Mike Fahey Published March 12, 2012 - Kotaku East
At This Chinese Video Game Bar, You Drink
There are many arcades in China, some are shopping arcades, others are video game arcades. But Arcade, in Shanghai isn’t an arcade in any sense of the word, it is instead a bar. While there are many video game bars in the US and Japan, there aren’t too many in China. There are arcades that…
By Eric Jou Published March 12, 2012