- Culture
Tony Holmsten’s Video Game Art Is a Final Fantasy
Tony Holmsten, formerly of Sweden now living in Japan, has been working as a video game artist since 2002 at two of Sweden’s biggest studio’s, Battlefield developers DICE and the now-defunct Grin. In that time, he’s done concept art, level art, promo art and lighting for games like Battlefield 2142, Bionic Commando and Fortress, the…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
What If Bayonetta Was More “Western”?
As far as video game characters go, Bayonetta was built with one thing in mind. The suit, the heels, the librarian glasses, all there for sex appeal. But would she have been sexier if she was less “Japanese”? I mean, let’s face it, accent aside (at least in the Western version) she’s still a very…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
UncategorizedGrand Theft Auto IV Really Is a Giant Toybox
Reader forsinain42 has put together this beautiful tilt-shift video showing a day in the life of Grand Theft Auto IV’s Liberty City. Adorable, no? Also makes you appreciate the technical work that went into the game, as it focuses on the things that you may never even realise were even in Liberty City if all…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
Sony Computer Entertainment Gets a New Bossman
Sony revealed today that Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe honcho Andrew House is now the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment International. Kazuo Hirai is now SCEI’s Chairman. Corporate musical chairs, people! [PlayStation]
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
UncategorizedBlue Skies, Great Tunes and a Little Metroidvania
Metroidvania. It’s a sub-genre of gaming made famous by, well, Metroid and Castlevania, games renowned for their 2D exploration and backtracking. It’s made a bit of a comeback in recent years, with games like Shadow Complex, but it usually doesn’t look this pretty This is indie game Celestial Mechanica, available now for $5. Made by…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
UncategorizedLeft 4 Dead Brought to Life
Valve’s co-op zombie shooter Left 4 Dead is getting the fan film treatment. There’s some neat special effects, the cinematography is slick, and the trailer opens strong. The actors look just like their in-game counterparts. Shame about the headbanger music, though! Thanks for the tip, Theron!
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
Europe’s Fancy Big Box of Xenoblade Chronicles
Not to rub salt in the wounds of American fans still fighting for a US release of the game, but really, you should check out the bundle deal that’s being offered in Europe for Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles. It’s great. It includes a copy of the game and a red classic controller. Not the world’s…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
From Costa Rica with Dr. Strangelove
It’s not everyday that Kotaku features Costa Rican cosplayers. And it’s also not everyday that Kotaku features Costa Rican cosplayer dressed as a character from a game set in…Costa Rica! This is not everyday. This is June 29, 2011. Here’s Costa Rica’s TenshinoSekai cosplaying as Dr. Strangelove from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, a game…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
But WHY is Portal 2’s Music so Great?
One of the highlights of Portal 2, like it was with the first game, is its music. Most will agree that it’s a wonderful soundtrack, perfect to accompany the on-screen action, but just why is that the case? Dan Bruno has an idea, and it uses sound editor Walter Murch’s theory of the “aural spectrum”.…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
Let’s Be Sensitive About Height, M’kay?
When Sega held an event for Yakuza 4, it assembled the game’s producer Toshihiro Nagoshi and the title’s assorted cast. One of the game’s biggest stars, former Morning Musume singer Mari Yaguchi, was one of the smallest. And when it came time for a Kodak moment, Yaguchi was shuffled into the back. Her small stature…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
LA Noire’s Studio Under Investigation Over Alleged Shonky Work Practices
Brendan McNamara, boss of LA Noire developers Team Bondi, thinks it’s totally reasonable for his staff to be “killing themselves” with long hours because that’s what this business is about. The International Game Developers Association begs to differ. The IGDA, which can serve as a watchdog of sorts for developers, has launched an investigation into…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 - CultureTotal Recall
The PlayStation Controller You Never Got to Use
Yesterday, we looked at the PlayStation controllers that Sony has released (or in the Boomerang’s case seriously intended to release) to the public. Today, we’re looking at one that never made it. Before the PlayStation was released in 1994, development kits had to be sent to studios to ensure games would be ready for the…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 - Uncategorized
The Wasteland
Oi! It’s been a long day, Kotaku readers. One that won’t even end with a drop of sweet, sweet booze to calm my nerves. I’ll have to settle for stimulating off-topic conversation. Can you help? I’m on something of a dry spell this week, trying not to wet my whistle as it’s helping to make…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 28, 2011 -
UncategorizedFrom Kuribo’s Shoe to Requiem For A Dream‘s Fridge, Skullgirls‘ Great Visual Gags
Fighting game Skullgirls recently unveiled one of its latest feminine fighters, the 1920s-inspired character Peacock, a Skullgirl stuffed with in-jokes, pop culture references and homages to fighting games past, all peppered throughout her more than one thousand frames of animation. Maybe you’ll see some of them in her debut trailer above. Maybe they’ll slip by…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 28, 2011 - Uncategorized
The Man Behind Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII Jumps To Level-5?
Yasumi Matsuno, the Japanese video game creator best known for his work at Square Enix on titles like Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII and Tactics Ogre, may have a new home: Professor Layton and White Knight Chronicles developer Level-5. Good news? Maybe. It’s still not officially confirmed, but early reports stemming from the latest issue…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 28, 2011 - Uncategorized
Edible Insects, You Go First
Edible (fake) insects. | Sent to me by people whose job it is to get me to write something about Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (Photo by Stephen Totilo) The Best Kinect Game You Never Heard Of (and Maybe the Best of them All) I heard great things about Mother Nature last week at the…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 28, 2011 -
UncategorizedThe Taiwanese Take On the Supreme Court’s Violent Video Game Ruling
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a California law banning the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional. You may have read about that decision and the arguments for and against the ruling. Would you like to see it crudely animated? Thankfully, Next Media Animation, the Taiwanese outlet that trades in hastily…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 28, 2011