• Uncategorized

  Monopoly Gets The Grand Theft Auto III Treatment

  After years of top-down and isometric views, EA is taking the Monopoly franchise to the streets, transforming it from board game to a “dynamic, living, 3D world.” Will this be Monopoly’s Grand Theft Auto III? While the Grand Theft Auto series is known today for creating living, breathing, immersive 3D worlds, the series started off…

  By Mike Fahey Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  More World Of Warcraft: Cataclysm Info Than You Can Handle

  Say hello to Deathwing the Destroyer, the dragon whose escape from the plane of earth causes devastating changes to the world of Azeroth. It’s just one of hundreds of screens in MMO Champion’s massive World of Warcraft: Cataclysm alpha update. MMO Champion has access to the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm alpha client, and they’ve posted…

  By Mike Fahey Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Can Harry Potter Help Redeem Video Gaming’s Soul?

  There are two ways that video games might corrupt the people who play them. There are two popular elements that two crowds of people detest, two elements that games usually have more of with each passing year. Violence is the first. Collecting is the second. The former — virtual killing and maiming and blowing things…

  By Stephen Totilo Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Game Design as Make-Believe: Props

  Based upon part two of the Mimesis as Make-Believe serial. At the centre of the make-believe theory of representation is the concept of a prop. Any representation (a toy, a novel, an artwork, a game) can be understood as a prop, and people participating with such props are considered in Professor Walton’s system to play…

  Chris Bateman Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  Matchmaking for Talk Amongst Yourselves begins any second now. We’ll be talking about games here in the comments. Anyone want to vote on a map and modes for TAY today? (I’m voting against Oddball.) Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ

  By Stephen Totilo Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Next Silent Hill Movie Begins Filming This Spring

  The sequel to 2006’s Silent Hill will begin shooting in Toronto this coming spring, the film’s producer says. Speaking with Fear.Net, Don Carmody, the producer of both Silent Hill films and the upcoming Resident Evil: Afterlife, said that production on Silent Hill 2 is moving forward despite the hate mail he is receiving about it.…

  By Brian Crecente Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Back In The Saddle

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Kata One day off, recharged, now ready to rock ‘n’ roll. Whenever I take a day off, I feel like I need a couple hours just to play catch up. What you missed last night Let’s Compare Gears of War 1, 2 and 3 Wii Sales Down 21% In A…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  This Is SEGA’s DRM Solution

  Nobody like DRM, AKA Digital Rights Management. Game companies, however, seem to think they need it. Japan-based game company SEGA has come up with its own in-house DRM solution and has explained what exactly it is. The DRM solution will be included in SEGA’s espionage-themed action role-playing game, Alpha Protocol. Here is a breakdown on…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Shinning Wind? More Like Shinning Bikini

  Shinning Wind figures seems to all have one thing in common: a dearth of clothing. These latest Shinning Wind figures are no exception. Last month, a US$100 figurine of Forest Goddess Elwyn was released. This latest batch of bikini version Shinning Wind figurines feature characters Clalaclan Philias, Kanon Seena and Touka Kureha. They’re priced at…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Let’s Put Things In Perspective

  Because now that the DS has outsold the Game Boy, perspective is a wonderful thing.

  By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  European PlayStation Store Sneezes, Falls Over

  European PlayStation 3 owners had a bit of trouble yesterday, with their PlayStation Store wallet and purchasing system falling down, while problems also beset those trying to get their hands on Modern Warfare 2’s downloadable content. Issues reported to Sony by users included freeze-ups while trying to enter money into their PSN wallet, transactions showing…

  By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Why Do You Think Wii Sales Have Slowed?

  The Nintendo Wii, a hugely successful console, is experiencing a sales slowdown. Wii sales are down 21 percent — the biggest decline since the console launched in 2006. But why? It is important to keep in mind that the Wii has been a juggernaut, running rings around the competition. So even when Wii sales drop…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Metal Slug Tanks Are Even Cuter In Real Life

  Treasure Festa, a toy show currently going down in Japan, has already given us a few video game-related treats. Time for a few more, with this set of Metal Slug vehicles. Comprising of two tanks and two mech suits, these custom pieces may never turn up on your shelf, but that shouldn’t stop you dreaming…

  By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2010
• 

  Uncategorized

  These Schoolgirl Songs Are Popular

  For an anime about schoolgirl rockers, one thing is more important than all others: the music. And animated series K-On!! has just that, good music. Well, if you can stomach saccharine anime pop. (Doesn’t bother me!) The show’s season season opening tune “Go! Go! Maniac” hit number one in the Japanese music charts, selling over…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Now This Is What I Like In An iPhone Game

  I’m not the world’s biggest iPhone gamer. Sucky controls and a flood of crapware sees to that. If only more games took advantage of the hardware as elegantly as FixPix does! It’s not much of a game. All you do is tilt the iPhone and the screen goes all quasi-3D, the aim of the whole…

  By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Let’s Compare Gears of War 1, 2 and 3

  In just three screenshots! The Gears of War franchise is developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The first Gears title was released in 2006, the second one was released in 2008, and Gears of War 3 will be out in 2011. It will have short sleeves! And many people will buy…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Who Is Ready For Some Nintendo Console Sales Numbers?

  You? Yes? No? Maybe? Nintendo has released the lifetime global hardware sales numbers for the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii. As Kotaku previously posted, Wii hardware sales were down this past year; however, the company still posted its third best year ever In the financial year from April 2009 to March 2010, there were…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• 

  Uncategorized

  George Clooney Beat Up This Guy

  Meet David O. Russell. Director of war drama Three Kings and comedy Flirting With Disaster. He’s a pro at making interesting films. He’s also a pro at pissing off actors. Sounds like just the guy to helm the Uncharted movie! As Kotaku mentioned previously, Russell is atop a short list of filmmakers that Sony execs…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Wii Sales Down 21% In A Single Year

  Could the huff finally be running out of Nintendo’s recent puff? As far as the current generation of hardware is concerned, it certainly looks that way. Nintendo released its annual fiscal report today, and perhaps the most interesting finding is that hardware sales for both the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS are down, in the…

  By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2010
• Uncategorized

  Nintendo Game’s Box Art Is Turning Japanese

  The European box art for Wii shooter Sin & Punishment: Star Successor contains an unexpected surprise: a reversible cover, letting you forgo PEGI ratings in favour of something a little more Japanese. The “alternate”, printed on the reverse of the standard art, is above, the game’s title displayed in Japanese across a gatefold cover. Note…

  By Luke Plunkett Published May 6, 2010