The Star Trek Influence In Your Games

Star Trek is as much a staple of geek culture as gaming, so it’s no surprise that it’s influence has shown up in countless video games over the years. What’s your favorite Star Trek video game reference? Video games have been around a little bit longer than Star Trek, so the 1966 television series isn’t…

Attention, Lost Fans

It’s been a day since the Lost season premiere. It must be discussed. Jump over to the Lost Season Six discussion page, #LostTalk. Remember, starred commenters can start pages on any topic via the submission box atop our front page.

Talk about Lost right here. And feel free to spoil up through the most recent episode that aired on ABC.

There Shall Be New New Vegas News Tomorrow, Apparently

Three different tweets from three different Bethesda Softworks sources hint at some sort of big Fallout: New Vegas info dropping tomorrow. From Bethesda’s Pete Hines: “if you’re into Fallout or want to find out something, anything, on Fallout: New Vegas…well, tomorrow, it begins.” From community manager Nick Breckon: Tomorrow will be a big day for…

Metroid Creator Talks Metroid: Other M, WarioWare & More At GDC

Looking forward to Metroid: Other M? Then take note. This year’s Game Developers Conference adds one more must-attend session with the addition of Metroid creator Yoshio Sakamoto‘s rare lecture about his work on WarioWare and the adventures of Samus Aran. Sakamoto will likely talk about the progress and development of Metroid: Other M for the…

Kotaku Talk Radio Celebrates A Decade of The Sims, Download It Now

Want to simulate listening to today’s episode of Kotaku Talk Radio with special guests from The Sims team in real time? Simply download the podcast in your format of choice, roll the clocks back and enjoy. At no point in today’s episode does the podcast switch to Simlish, making it easy for English speakers to…

Latest Dante Stunt Buries ASCII Art In Our Source Code

Checked the source code of our front page lately? We didn’t think to until we got a tip. Dante’s Inferno ASCII art is buried with in it – along with one of six clues to unlock some kind of download. Loyal reader Kyle K. pointed us out to the ASCII art in the front page…

Cold Turkey

To: Ash From: Crecente Re: Three Days. No Coffee. I do that sometimes, just for fun. I watched almost zero television for a month while I was in Australia. Also fun. The only downside of kicking coffee for me are the vicious headaches I get. By the way, I’m too lazy to look it up,…

ESRB Explains “Creepy” Dead Or Alive Paradise Re-Rating; Tecmo Responds

Earlier today the Entertainment Software Ratings Board issued a “Mature” rating and description for Tecmo’s Dead or Alive Paradise, citing its “creepy voyeurism” and “bizarre, misguided notions of what women really want.” That description was quickly removed and reworked. The ESRB says that the previous description, which also called the PSP game “cheesy” and opined…

This Week In Comics

Today marks the final “This Week In Video Game Comics” here at Kotaku and the birth of “This Week In Comics.” Video game comics first, then some others I think are worth highlighting, all in U.S. shops this week. The Legend of Zelda, Vol 9: A Link To The Past Written and drawn by Akira…

THQ Returns To Saints Row, Darksiders, And De Blob Next Year

THQ is rolling out the sequels in fiscal year 2012, with releases planned for Saints Row 3, a Darksiders sequel, and a follow-up to the Wii-exclusive hit de Blob. During the THQ investor call today, CEO Brian Farrell continued listing off upcoming games after outing a new Red Faction title and Homefront for release during…

Red Faction Guerrilla Sequel At E3 2010, Arrives By April ’11

THQ’s recent Martian hit Red Faction Guerrilla will get a sequel sooner than you may have expected, with the publisher’s CEO announcing that a follow-up is in the works. And you’ll get a look at it at this year’s E3. THQ bossman Brian Farrell says that gamers should expect Red Faction Guerrilla 2—or whatever they’ll…

THQ CEO Names Sony’s Motion Controller As “Arc”

Get used to referring to Sony’s forthcoming motion controller for the PlayStation 3 as Arc. That’s how THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell referred to the still unofficially named, PlayStation Eye-powered controller, previously known as “Gem,” in today’s investor call. That name backs up previously published rumors that Sony was going with the Arc name,…

It’s Not The Size Of Your Sword…Okay, It’s The Size Of Your Sword

Is your sword so small that monsters barely feel it? Do you have trouble convincing maidens that you’re a real adventurer? Atlus and PlayStation 3 exclusive 3D Dot Game Heroes are here to help. Is there such a thing as having too much sword? It gets to a certain point where it’s hard to hide…

Blood Bowl Review: No Fun League

Nearly 25 years old as a board game, Blood Bowl has a strong history among fantasy gamers for presenting quasi-football in a turn-based, strategy framework set in the Warhammer universe. But does any of that translate well to a console? Short answer: No. Loved The Release Date: The fact Blood Bowl came out a month…

Silent Hill’s Akira Yamaoka Finds New Home At Grasshopper Manufacture

Akira Yamaoka, famous for his musical and directorial contributions to Silent Hill, recently ended his longtime employment at Konami. That publisher’s loss is quirky developer Grasshopper Manufacture’s gain, as Yamaoka has signed on with Goichi Suda’s studio, according to Famitsu. According to 1UP‘s account of Famitsu’s interview with Suda and Yamaoka, the musician will be…

Speak-Up On Kotaku: Press Start, Men Of Repo, Game Prices, And Avatar Effect 2

This week in Speak-Up on Kotaku, readers NelCon26, MirrorfortheSun, Clyparkr, and Maschinerie discuss the start button, game prices in New York City, Repo Men, and completely unfair comparisons. Don’t like the gallery layout? Click here to view everything on one page. About Speak-Up on Kotaku: Our readers have a lot to say, and sometimes what…

Reviewer: Mass Effect 2 Sidequests Sometimes Poignant, Often Busywork

What makes a good video game sidequest? The optional diversions in big games like Mass Effect 2 don’t always delight players. Sometimes, they even tick them off. The New York Times, reviewing ME2, seems conflicted: Most of the game is spent on a series of side missions in which you build and strengthen your team…

Wii Owners, Do You Like Games About Gladiators?

Yeah? Then High Voltage Software‘s Tournament of Legends, coming exclusively to the Wii this May, will give you all the ancient Roman one-on-one fighting you so desperately crave. If Sega’s announcement of Tournament of Legends comes as a surprise, realize that it’s the game formerly known as Gladiator A.D., the previously more brown fighter from…

2010 Life Love Game Design Challenge Offers $2.5K Prize

This week is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention week, it’s also the kick off for the third annual Life. Love. Game Design Challenge. The flash design contest challenges developer and budding developers to create a game that deals with teen dating violence without using any violence in the game. This year’s winner will…