• Uncategorized

  Well, the PSN Still Isn’t Online In Japan

  Enjoying the PlayStation Network and the Qriocity service? Japan…isn’t. The Japanese PSN is still down, which is pretty shitty if you have a PS3 and use the Japanese PSN. If not, well. In Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment was supposed to go live late last month. It never quite happened, and now Sony is saying it…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  Hey, Listen! It’s Friday!! Kick off your weekend in style with a little Talking Amongst Yourselves. It was a big week in video games, Ocarina of Time 3D came out, Sonic turned 20, and Retro Games Master premiered (in North America) here on Kotaku! That’s plenty to get you folks started, just remember not to…

  By Jen Schiller Published June 24, 2011
• 

  Uncategorized

  Backstab Delivers Buggy Free-Running, Cannon-Play and Piracy

  Whenever a Gameloft title hits the iPhone I play a little game before the game: I try and guess what popular console game it’s trying to mimic. Initially, I thought Backstab was Gameloft’s unofficial take on Assassin’s Creed (Never mind that they made an official take.), but after spending a bit of time with it…

  By Brian Crecente Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Let’s Ride The Star Horse Together!

  Jockey | Tokyo, Japan: Sega shows off arcade games at its private summer show. (Photo: Keystone Features | Hulton Archive) The Brutal, Beautiful Video Game Art of Bjorn HurriBjorn Hurri is an artist who has been working on video games for years now, having lent his skills in some way or another to projects like…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Proving Ground Co-Host’s Blood-Alcohol Over Legal Limit

  As previously posted, Ryan Dunn, the 34-year-old co-host, died in a car crash this week when he lost control of his Porsche 911, killing him and his passenger. According to Reuters, Dunn’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. [Reuters]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Here Are Some Final Fantasy XIII-2 Screens

  This December, Final Fantasy XIII sequel Final Fantasy XIII-2 goes on sale in Japan. That’s a few months away, so to hold gamers over, Square Enix released these new screenshots. The multiplatform Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be released in the West early next year.

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Reviews

  The Avenger Looks Nuts, But Puts Console Gaming at Your Fingertips

  I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for crazy-looking peripherals. The crazier, the better. The Avenger checks off all the peripheral lunacy boxes. Just look at it! It’s bananas. There are straps, nubs, and pokey appendages that look like spider legs. Straight out of science fiction, this is some rubberized steampunk fantasy. This isn’t just bondage…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Culture

  The Brutal, Beautiful Video Game Art of Bjorn Hurri

  Bjorn Hurri is an artist who has been working on video games for years now, having lent his skills in some way or another to projects like Dead Space 2, Viking: Battle for Asgard and the last three entries in the Total War series. He’s at his best working with people, as most of his…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Europe Getting Vita In 2012?

  Sony has said all along that the PlayStation Vita would only begin its global launch in 2011. It never said there’d be a worldwide launch in 2011. So somebody misses out. Guess who! VG247 reports that a 2012 European launch for Sony’s new handheld is a “certainty”. We’re contacting Sony for comment, but if true,…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  This Assassin’s Creed Statue is Not a Cheap Date

  How much do you love Assassin’s Creed’s Ezio Auditore da Firenze? Enough to spend $600 on a statue of the smooth-talking killer? That’s what Sideshow is asking for a 16.7 inch coldcast resin statue, which is limited to 200 pieces worldwide. While there’s great detail on it, and resin statues look great up close, for…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Xenosaga Studio Making a Wii U Game

  Monolith Soft, known for the Xenosaga games, is working on a new title for the Wii U and currently taking applications for the game. What could it be? [Monolith Soft]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  First Two Uncharted Games Are Coming Back. Together.

  First rumoured earlier in the month, Sony has now confirmed that a bundle deal featuring the first two Uncharted games will go on sale next month. Speaking with CVG, Sony say that alongside the two blockbuster games the pack will also include a dynamic Uncharted theme and an Uncharted avatar for your PS3. It’ll be…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  The Art of Tearing Off Vampire Clothes

  In PSP game Akiba’s Trip, you must strip vampires in broad daylight to expose them to the sun and kill them. PSP graphics are showing their age, which is why the illustrations in the game’s complete guide provide a better glimpse at all the game has to offer—namely different kinds of underpants. Akiba’s Trip was…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Great Game Posters Keep it Simple

  Kronus, also going by iwilding, is just starting out on a career in graphic design. He may be onto something. Sharpening up his skills, Kronus has put together these minimalist posters for classic video games. I know, the whole minimalist poster thing is old hat by now, but I dig these, so up they go.…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  Did this Beautiful Drawing Foretell the Wii U?

  A Square Enix Final Fantasy music website went live this past January to promote the More SQ album, remixes and reworkings of iconic Final Fantasy themes. But what’s got Japanese netizens talking is the website’s splash art. Drawn by Akihiko Yoshida, Square Enix artist and character designer, the image features what looks to be the…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• 

  Uncategorized

  Oh God This Game Is Making Me Sick

  Proun, a super-fast and stylish racer (?) Kotaku first showed you last year is now out on PC. It’s available as a free download or, if you feel like supporting the developer, Joost van Dongen, you can pick up a “pay what you want” copy that includes a bonus track. I’ve been playing it all…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  The Bomb Threat Sent from a PlayStation 3

  On July 22nd, at around 3am in the morning, a mysterious message appeared on Japanese bulletin board 2channel. It read: “Tomorrow, I will blow up Hiroshima Station.” Japanese cyber police set to work, trying to stop the would-be bomber. Good thing he made their job easier—way easier. The police traced the message to the would-be…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  This Shooter Was Lost, But Now Is Found

  It’s a messy, sad tale, so we’ll give you the brief version: In 2001 there was an awesome game called Operation Flashpoint. After release, its developers and publisher split up, leaving the series in creative limbo. Codemasters, the company publishing the game, retained the rights to it, and has gone on to release several new…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  BioWare Sending Out Hack Emails (Maybe You Got One!)

  Last week Kotaku reported that BioWare was hacked. The company has been active on company forums and is sending out emails today to BioWare account holders. More info here. [Thanks to all who sent this in!]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published June 24, 2011
• Uncategorized

  8-bit Chiptune Cover Art Cost This Man $32,500

  Chiptune connoisseur and tech guru Andy Baio released an album last year called Kind of Bloop, an 8-bit tribute to Miles Davis’ jazz masterpiece Kind of Blue. Yet despite receiving permission to cover the songs, Baio still found himself in court. What gives? While Baio got the blessing of Davis’ publisher to cover the songs,…

  By Luke Plunkett Published June 24, 2011