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  Take Two: Grand Theft Auto Episodes Market “Smaller Than Initially Expected”

  The Xbox-exclusive episodic expansions to Grand Theft Auto IV received positive reviews (including from us), but one of the heads of GTA publisher Take-Two Interactive indicated yesterday some disappointment with their performance. “Both we and [Xbox-maker] Microsoft believe there was a big market for GTA IV episodic content,” company CEO Ben Feder said during a…

  By Stephen Totilo Published December 18, 2009
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  Survey: Sony Considering Premium PlayStation Network Subscriptions

  A survey sent from IPSOS Online Research indicates that Sony is considering premium subscription plans for the PlayStation Network, detailing potential prices and premium services, including full hour game trials, free access to PSOne Classics, and cross-game voice chat. Reader Brenna sent us PDF files containing the Sony survey, which begins with the following bit…

  By Mike Fahey Published December 18, 2009
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  Talk Amongst Yourselves

  The Dreamcast duel pictured here goes too far today. Otherwise, all is well. Comment here about video games, please. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ.

  By Stephen Totilo Published December 18, 2009
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  Splinter Cell: Conviction Multiplayer Preview: Separation Anxiety Times Two

  The multiplayer in Splinter Cell: Conviction is all at once similar to other Splinter Cell games and somehow entirely different. A lot of this comes from having a second person to look out for at all times. During a gameplay demo, game director Patrick Redding explained that players might recognize “echoes” of Splinter Cell: Chaos…

  By AJ Glasser Published December 18, 2009
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  Driving On the Right Side Of The Road

  To: Totilo From: Bashcraft RE: How About That 2011? I will also go out on a limb here. I think maybe, just maybe, that there will be a Madden game in 2011. Risky to say, but I’m a risky guy. Had to renew my Texas driver’s license while I’m here back home. I drive in…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Mario Recreated In Petri Dish

  In the name of science and awesome, researchers from the University of Osaka in Japan created this Mario in a petri dish. How? By genetically engineering bacteria to express fluorescent proteins and carotenoid pigments. The result? Mario from Super Mario Bros. *applause* Masterworks in Petri dishes [NewScientist Thanks, Tommy!]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Look At These Otaku Rooms!

  Yes, yes, look. Before I left Japan, the folks at Kotobukiya were kind enough to send me a copy of OTACOOL, a book project spearheaded by Danny Choo of dannychoo.com. The idea for the book is fantastic and works on the same principal as our desk feature — people’s personal spaces shed telling light into…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Have Some New Final Fantasy XIV Online Images

  Final Fantasy XIII might be out in Japan, but Square Enix has another new FF title in the pipeline: online game Final Fantasy XIV. A trio of new screenies have hit the official site. Check ’em out. Final Fantasy XIV [Official Site Thanks, Black-Dog-Howls!]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Nintendo Raises The Bar For Game Kiosks

  For the past few decades, Nintendo has pushed video games forward. Now, it’s doing the same with retail kiosks. These new kiosks will be outfitted with touch screens and cameras. Users can use the fairly standard touch interface to learn more about Nintendo’s titles, recommendations, sales figures and whatnot or they can wave a DS…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Some New Resident Evil 5 Alternative Edition Screens

  Next February (Feb. 18 to be exact!), Capcom is bringing RE5 to the PlayStation 3 in the form of Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition. The game will take advantage of Sony motion controls as well as include new episodes like “Desperate Escape” in which players control Josh Stone and Jill Valentine in an effort to…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  PlayStation Home Has Ten Million Registered Users

  PlayStation Home is ten million strong, Sony announced today. According to Dan Hill, Sony’s European Home Business Manager, “PlayStation Home is fast becoming the meeting place of choice between users and developers.” For developers, Hill explains, Home helps to drive interest in games by offering an interactive, hands-on experience built around the game itself. “A…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Just How Straight Are FFXIII’s First Five~Six Hours?

  Pretty dang straight! We’ve already posted a few images of the linear path players can expect in Final Fantasy XIII. Let’s see how that pans out over the game’s first six hours. Spoilers ahead. This map appeared on the Japanese internet and is pieced together of the various sections players will apparently encounter in the…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Let The Final Fantasy XIII Upskirts Start!

  It’s like clockwork. Anytime a big game is released — no, anytime a game is released in Japan, some people decide to look up the female characters’ skirts. Final Fantasy XIII is no exception. The focus here is largely pigtailed character Oerba Dia Vanille and her underoos. This close-ups have reveal more than in-game character…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Quantum Theory Theorizes A Release Date

  Tecmo’s third-person-shooter Quantum Theory has been dated for Japan. Quantum Theory is penciled in for March 25. The game was developed by Tecmo’s Team Tachyon, which recently developed Undead Knights and before that Wii title Rygar: The Battle of Argus. Quantum Theory features a cover system a la Gears of War. The spin is that…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  Dead or Alive PSP Game Bundled With Sexy Kasumi Statue

  The statue is not new — we’ve seen it before. But we haven’t seen it bundled with Dead or Alive Paradise. Nor have we seen the Japanese release date for the title. Likewise, new! DoA Paradise will be released in Japan on April 2, 2010. As we previously noted, because Dead or Alive: Paradise is…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  It’s Never Too Early To Final Fantasy Cosplay

  A very young Yuna from FFX smooches a young Tidus — as seen on That Girl’s Site (via the CHIVE).

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 18, 2009
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  2010: The Year of Better Nintendo DS Games?

  As the Nintendo DS enters its sixth year on the market, introducing its fourth major iteration, the Nintendo DS XL, the software line-up is looking good, especially if you’re a fan of portable role-playing games. The DS’s 2009 was solid and varied, with an all-new Legend of Zelda, Rhythm Heaven, and Mario & Luigi Bowser’s…

  By Michael McWhertor Published December 18, 2009
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  PAL PlayStation Store Update: Discounts On Metal Gear Time Trial

  Big update this week for the PAL PlayStation Store, as Sony not only cut the price on a ton of great PSN titles and dropped a Gran Turismo 5 demo, but also let PSP owners enjoy a little Metal Gear. Yes, in addition to the endless list of discounted games and DLC, there are GT5…

  By Luke Plunkett Published December 18, 2009
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  Final Fantasy XIII’s First-Day Sales Numbers Are In

  Final Fantasy XIII was released in Japan yesterday. A day later, Square Enix have released figures revealing how many copies of the game were sold during its first 24 hours on the shelf. And that number has “exceeded one million”. Which, well, makes it sound like they sold between 1 and 1.1 million. The news…

  By Luke Plunkett Published December 18, 2009
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  EA Reclaims #1 Publisher Position (In Europe)

  It hasn’t been the best of years for Electronic Arts, but the mega-publisher can take solace in one key area: they’ve returned to the top of the summit in the European market. Having been the #1 publisher in the world’s second-biggest market for years, EA were displaced in 2008 by Nintendo, but have regained top…

  By Luke Plunkett Published December 18, 2009