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  Dick Cheney, Video Game Villain?

  The president of the United States featured in this week’s newest Tom Clancy game, Splinter Cell: Conviction, looks like no real U.S. president. She’s a woman. The possibly nefarious vice president, however, looks familiar. Without giving too much away about how good or bad the video game v.p. turns out to be, let’s just say…

  By Stephen Totilo Published April 16, 2010
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  Guild Wars Beyond Lays The Foundation For Guild Wars 2

  If you’re interested in playing a part in the events leading up to Guild Wars 2 now is the time, as NCsoft and ArenaNet launch Guild Wars Beyond, an ongoing campaign allowing players to take part in world-changing events. When Guild Wars 2 is released, players will find themselves in a very different Tyria. 250…

  By Mike Fahey Published April 16, 2010
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  Red Steel 2 U.S. Sales At 50,000, Expert Says [UPDATE]

  The Wii-only and well-reviewed samurai Western Red Steel 2 sold about 50,000 copies in the U.S. in March, its first month of release, according to financial analyst Michael Pachter. [UPDATE: Ubisoft comments.] That follows a halving by publisher Ubisoft of its sales projections for the game. The previous Red Steel, a first-person shooter/sword-fighting game like…

  By Stephen Totilo Published April 16, 2010
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  2010: The Year of Empire Strikes Back Nostalgia

  I’ve finally caught on. The Hoth-themed recruiting booth at Game Developers Conference last month was a clue. The e-mail about rare movie set photos seals it. It’s the 30th anniversary of the Empire Strikes Back this year. Nostalgia time. Well, not nostalgia time here. Not yet. The movie premiered in the U.S. on May 21,…

  By Stephen Totilo Published April 16, 2010
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  The Most Astounding Sim City, Population Six Million

  YouTube user Thelmperar claims to have maxed out Sim City 3000 with the creation of Magnasanti, a metropolis a few years in the making. Some facts about the city, from the video: -Magnasanti has zero abandoned buildings. -100% of all zoned structures are historical -Zero water pollution -Zero congestion -No crime -Utilities all done through…

  By Stephen Totilo Published April 16, 2010
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  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  The volcano in Iceland continues to block air travel over Europe, but it cannot — will not — interfere with your ability to comment here about video games. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ

  By Stephen Totilo Published April 16, 2010
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  Who’s With Me?

  To: Totilo From: Bashcraft RE: Dy Nt It’s Friday, and I gotta know, are you with me? If you want to stay in Thursday. Fine, do it. I don’t care. But I’m all about Friday and I must know: Are you with me? What you missed last night Four Year-Old Gets Game, Finds Bag Of…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  Maybe The Best Deal In Japan Right Now, Bar None

  This really, really is. Yodobashi Camera is one of the largest retailers in Japan, and boy oh boy does it ever have a deal for you! This branch is offering The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for ¥480 — that’s obviously less than one ¥500 coin (US$5.40). It’s a steal. Never really played that much…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  No Doubt vs. Guitar Hero Publisher: Hella Good, Hella Bad

  Things are looking good for rock band No Doubt. Less so for game publisher Activision. Last fall, the group sued Activision over a breach of contract. Activision’s Guitar Hero allowed players to unlock No Doubt avatars and turn the band into “virtual karaoke players.” As Kotaku previously posted, No Doubt said in a statement last…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  Demon’s Souls Coming To Europe In A Lovely Big Box

  From Software’s brutal role-playing game Demon’s Souls, one of 2009’s real surprise packets, has only been available in Japan and the United States. From June, though, (as suspected) it’ll be available in PAL territories! That’s you, Europe and Australasia! To make up for the delay (and perhaps to entice those of you who imported the…

  By Luke Plunkett Published April 16, 2010
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  Four Year-Old Gets Game, Finds Bag Of Weed

  A four year-old boy in the United Kingdom was chuffed to bits when his dad bought him an Xbox 360 game. He wasn’t quite sure, though, what to do with the bag of weed he found inside. Riley Brown, from Littlehampton in West Sussex, England, was bought a copy of Fight Night Round 4 (which,…

  By Luke Plunkett Published April 16, 2010
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  Dubbing Or Subtitles? Take Your Pick!

  Typically, there are two ways to bring media from one language to another language. One is to subtitle. The other is dubbing. Do you have a preference? Subtitling allows the original language (and in turn, mood) to remain in tact, while dubbing allows players to take in the visual elements without having to worry about…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  Baby Meets Xbox 360 Controller, Loses Her Freakin’ Mind

  This small child isn’t terribly interested in a green cup. She’s damn interested in that Xbox 360 controller, though. She’s not laughing at it. It’s not quite a scream, either. Or a cry. She’s just…freaking out, and won’t stop staring at the left analogue stick. Leaving us to wonder if that man created a baby…

  By Luke Plunkett Published April 16, 2010
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  What Would Super Mario Bros. On Kindle Look Like?

  Kinda like this. Japanese company Klab has developed a Nintendo Entertainment System emulator. Here it is running on a Kindle emulator. That’s…alot of emulating. Amazon’s e-book Kindle reader was first released in 2007. It now faces increased competition from Apple’s iPad. Super Mario Bros on Kindle Emulator [Hobby Blog]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  The Erosion of Communication

  Like waves crashing against a cliff face, video games are slowly eating away at the foundations of the English language. But is that such a bad thing? Let’s ask Andrew over on LittleBoBeep ‘Guys, I’ve done some preliminary calculations and, uhm, judging by the building angle and the estimated distance to heaven… we’re fucked.’ ‘Watchousayin’…

  Andrew Hlavats Published April 16, 2010
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  Ten Unforgettable Video Game Songs

  Video games aren’t just about the games, the story or the graphics. Oh, no. Music is so incredibly important. And often, long after you have finished playing, it sticks around, lingers in the back of your brain. Here are ten songs we sometimes find ourselves either humming or having a hankering for a listen. These…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  How Did Microsoft Say Goodbye To Xbox Live?

  Not with flowers, but with cake. As seen on Major Nelson’s Twitter

  By Luke Plunkett Published April 16, 2010
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  West Getting Unedited Version of MGS: Peace Walker

  Stealth game Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a T-rated game in North America. The means it is suitable for kids 13-years-old-and-over. Japan, however, has a different rating system. Time to get out the scissors to cut things out. Peace Walker has a C-rating in Japan (15-years-old-and-up) and to prevent the game from getting a…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010
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  Gold Medalist Loses Xbox, Soul Mate

  Steve Holcomb won America’s first gold medal in the bobsled in 62 years at the recent Vancouver Winter Olympics. For his troubles, he’s since had his Xbox 360 stolen, which has left the guy devastated. No, traumatised “It’s like a death in the family,” he told cnet, “at least for me being single with no…

  By Luke Plunkett Published April 16, 2010
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  South Korea Gets Face-Slapping StarCraft Commercial

  If there were ever two things made for each other, that would be real-time strategy game and South Korea. They love each other so much it hurts. The game is hugely popular in South Korea — and has been for some time. Korean Air is sponsoring the OnGameNet StarCraft League this spring, and the date…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2010