A Visual Tour of the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta Maps

The greatly anticipated Halo: Reach multiplayer beta is just weeks away, so Bungie is delving deeper into just what that frenzied sci-fi shoot ’em up preview will be like, focusing on the four available maps and exciting new info. Bungie’s weekly update offers us a visual walking tour of three of the new maps—Powerhouse, Overlook…

“Brutality” Of Console Gamers Sharpened Crysis 2, Didn’t Dumb It Down

Having despaired over technology complaints involving the PC-only first Crysis game, the main man behind Crysis 2 now dares to withstand the harsh judgments of console gamers. But PC gamers, don’t expect Crysis 2 to be dumbed down. The people behind the game say that won’t happen. The Hurt Of PC Gamers Cevat Yerli, CEO…

The Nintendo Download: 7 Card Games Is Finally Here!

Who needs the arcade version of Sega’s Zaxxon or online multiplayer strategy game Military Madness: Nectaris, when they can have cerasus media’s 7 Card Games for DSiWare? No one, that’s who. I mean, sure Zaxxon is a classic, and no console version back in the day came close to recreating the joy of piloting your…

Conan Takes Show To TBS, But He Could’ve Gone To… Xbox Live?

Former Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien is headed back to television this fall, inking a deal with cable station TBS to establish a new late night show. One report says that Conan was in talks for a very different deal. News of O’Brien’s deal with TBS comes from Variety, who writes that the former Late…

Behind The Scenes Of Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and stars Jake “Chesty” Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton discuss the story behind Price of Persia: The Sands of Time, Disney’s big-budget film based on the long-running gaming franchise. Could this be the best video game to film adaptation of all time? All the pieces are in place. They seem to be following…

Major Nelson Returns To Kotaku Talk Radio This Week, Bringing Madden Maker

Microsoft’s Xbox Live hype man Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb will be the first repeat guest on our weekly podcast. On Wednesday, you can call to ask him and a Madden developer, anything you want. Major Nelson and Madden NFL senior product manager Anthony Stevenson will be our in-studio guests live on Wednesday’s installment of Kotaku…

Modern Warfare Publisher Unruffled By New Competitor

The new development studio formed by ousted Modern Warfare creators and its agreement with EA Partners comes as “no surprise” to Activision, flaunting Infinity Ward’s proven talent in a statement to Kotaku. Former Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella’s conflict with Call of Duty publisher Activision is reaching legendary proportions, with accusations of…

Spelunking Through ‘Heavy Rain’s’ plot holes [Spoilers]

I enjoyed Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain, but I wanted to love it. The game’s marriage of mature story with populist design and easy-to-grasp controls show what we should come to expect from single-player, interactive entertainment. It’s a video game for the folks who aren’t skilled enough to enjoy playing Modern Warfare 2 online or willing…

Red Dead Redemption Shoots You Right In The Facebook

Fans eagerly awaiting next month’s release of Red Dead Redemption should mosey on over to Rockstar’s Gunslingers Facebook app, where they can work out their frustrations against each other the old-fashioned way – with a barrage of hot lead. Red Dead Redemption: Gunslingers is a Facebook app that sees players shooting it out for top…

Ex-Modern Warfare Creators Haven’t Hatched New Game Idea Yet, Won’t Make Battlefield

They say they don’t even know what their next game will be yet. But the former lead men behind Modern Warfare 2 tell Kotaku that their new company, Respawn Entertainment, will make something big that won’t be “exploited.” “Honestly the sky’s the limit in what we can do,” Vince Zampella said in a phone interview…

Capcom’s Annual Private Game Fest Promises to Captivate

Each year, Capcom hosts a big event to show off its year’s worth of games, bringing together international game writers, its developers and a few lucky fans. This year, Captivate kicks off on Tuesday in Honolulu, Hawaii. While we don’t yet know what they’ll be showing, it promises to be a revealing week of hands-ons,…

Rapping About Super Smash Bros. Brawl Is Almost A Trend

People are rapping about the Wii’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Here’s one from 2010. (Rapper D Ciano: “This Is How I Smash Brothers, When I Brawl.”) Below you’ll find another from 2009. Three would be a trend, right? Thanks, WrightCJ!

There’s A Ghost Recon Prize In Every Box Of Splinter Cell: Conviction

Ubisoft drops new details on the latest game in their modern warfare franchise, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, with a reminder that every copy of Splinter Cell: Conviction will come packed with an invite to this summer’s multiplayer beta. Splinter Cell: Conviction launches tomorrow in North America, and as promised, players who pick up…

Master WarioWare: D.I.Y., Make Us a Game, Win a HUGE Prize

Impress us! You can create some pretty amazing games with WarioWare: D.I.Y., but can you create some pretty amazing Kotaku games? We’re kicking off a contest today to see who can make the best Kotaku-themed WarioWare mini-game. Think of it is a Photoshop contest for budding game developers. Oh, and it’s not just Internet fame…

Halo: Reach Multiplayer Map Screens

New South Australian Attorney-General Is Not Pro R18+

Reports that South Australia’s replacement attorney-general supported a R18+ rating for video games turn out to be premature, as John Rau reveals he has “no preconceptions” about the issue whatsoever. Late last month we reported that John Rau, the replacement for former South Australian anti-R18+ attorney general Michael Atkinson, was in favor of allowing video…

FarmVille Creators Take On The Wild Frontier

Masters of the Ville Zynga are making a move into Oregon Trail territory with FrontierVille, the latest social game to devour the time and productivity of people the world over. TechCruch caught sight of Zynga’s latest, FrontierVille, while poking about Facebook on a developer test account. From the sighting they pulled the logo seen here,…

Talk Amongst Yourselves

Water levels in video games get all the special attention. This Monday, TAY celebrates desert levels… or, really, anything you want to talk about here that is video-game-related. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ

My Favorite Cereal Is…

To: Crecente From: Bashcraft Weetabix. It’s so great. So, so great. I think I’m gonna go have a bowl right now. Watch out! What you missed last night Modern Warfare 2 Guest Stars On Family Guy Look At The New Pokemon Series Sony’s Motion Controller Has A New Name Our Definitions For 2D And 3D…

The Accidental Preacher

Traditionally, historically, video games and religion don’t mix. Make a game with strong religious context that deals seriously with the issues and you’re often left with something heavy-handed, preachy and self-righteous. Make a strong video game that is fun to play that also happens to include religion and often you’re left with something distasteful. But…