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Oil Giant Greener than Activision, Says Newsweek
Measuring the 500 largest corporations in America, Newsweek found no video game maker in the top 100 and even rated Activision behind environmental bogeyman ExxonMobil. Newsweek’s methodology draws on ratings in three different categories and, interestingly, Activision is the leader in its sector (“Consumer Products, Cars”) by a scant margin over Electronic Arts, in the…
By Owen Good Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Eliminate Curiosity
Last March, I got a look at ngmoco’s upcoming project lineup, which included announcements of more Rolando 2 and a quick look at an iPhone shooter called Eliminate. Whatever I saw (and at this point, it’s reduced to a hazy recollection), it didn’t look as nifty as this trailer. And it didn’t look half as…
By AJ Glasser Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
New PSP Firmware Adds Bluetooth Tethering, More For PSPgo Launch
Sony is rolling out new firmware—version 6.10 for those keeping track—for the PlayStation Portable any minute now in preparation of the launch of the PSPgo. What’s new? Bluetooth tethering for one. Tethering may be the most enticing new feature in the imminent PSP firmware update, offering an alternative method for connecting to the internet via…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Hello Games Introduces Joe Danger, Its Debut “Stunt ‘Em Up”
Say hi to Hello Games, creators of the self-announced Joe Danger, a promising looking “stunt-em-up” that looks to give fans of Excitebike style action and blue skies something to get excited about next Spring. Hello Games—recently formed by folks formerly of studios such as Kuju, Climax, Criterion, EA and elsewhere—also name-checks LittleBigPlanet in its game…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Tekken 6 “Viral” Ads Remarkably Subtle, Slow
Someone at Namco Bandai may have left a key fact off the brief for these Tekken 6 “viral” ad spots. There’s not a single boxing kangaroo or a man with perfectly coiffed hair fighting shirtless in a leather jacket. Grossly inaccurate though they may be, these “What will you fight for?” teasers for Tekken 6—embedded…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Where Are All The “Next Gen” Games?
The calendar says “2009”. The Xbox 360 launched in 2005. That means we’re four years into the “next generation” of video gaming. If so, then where the hell are our “next generation” games? It’s something that’s been gnawing at me for a while now, but as we approach Christmas 2009 – the fifth holiday season…
By Luke Plunkett Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
IndieCade Games Fest Kicks Off In California Tomorrow
The IndieCade International Festival of Independent Games kicks off in Culver City, California tomorrow, October 1, a four day blowout of events, exhibitions and keynotes that highlight the best of independent games. You should go! For game enthusiasts who may find themselves in the greater Los Angeles area, you’ll be lucky enough to have access…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 -
UncategorizedHow That Stunning Halo 3: ODST Live Action Short Was Made
Halo 3: ODST’s amazing live action trailer didn’t just happen by itself. No, it took dozens of people, hundreds of man hours and a light sprinkling of movie magic to create. Here’s how. This behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Halo 3: ODST spot offers more than just a peek at how Brute’s are…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
This Week In Video Game Comics
This week, Kotaku brings you not only the current week’s worth of new gaming-based comics hitting shops… but last week’s too. Double the comics for no extra price. Click the thumbnails for more details. Halo Helljumper #3… Written by Peter David. Drawn by Eric Nguyen Summary Via Publisher Marvel Comics: Mysteries deepen as the Helljumpers’…
By Stephen Totilo Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Sony Adding PSP-only Digital Copies To Blu-ray Discs
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be introducing digital copies of movies on upcoming Blu-ray releases that are exclusively offered for use on the PSP. That should make the process of adding portable copies a bit easier for PlayStation family owners. According to a report from Blu-ray.com, the first Blu-ray releases to feature said PSP copies…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Reviews
Madden iPhone Micro-Review: The Biggest Small-Time Football
EA Sports‘ Madden franchise didn’t hit the iPhone until the NFL’s first week, trailing Gameloft’s NFL 2010 by a month. Does it deliver what longtime fans should expect? Or is it just a big-name brand’s toehold on a new platform? Loved Come-Back Story: Unlike NFL 2010, which kicked you back to the beginning of the…
By Owen Good Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Kotaku Talk Radio Complete – Download Or Stream It Here
Fall is here, and this week’s episode of Kotaku Talk Radio is in the can, ready to be downloaded and consumed at your leisure. This week Totilo, Crecente, and of course, our callers touch on subjects ranging from the Tokyo Game Show to Cosplay to the PSPgo and all that entails. Download the latest episode…
By Mike Fahey Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
PixelJunk Shooter Impressions: An Improving Flow
Few games that I’ve seen benefit as much from being seen in video, as opposed to in stills, as PixelJunk Shooter. So before reading further, interested parties should watch the following — then read the words that follow. Let’s look at the official Tokyo Game Show trailer for the game, via GameTrailers.com… OK. See how…
By Stephen Totilo Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
PlayStation Home “Universal Game Launching” Update Hits Oct. 1
Denizens of PlayStation Home should warm up the internet connection for tomorrow, as the latest and greatest update to the virtual hang out service will hit Thursday, October 1. Version 1.3 of Home, as previously detailed, will add universal game launching from within the service. No need to stop doing the Running Man just to…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
The Official Energy Drink Of Modern Warfare 2
Activision teams up with Monster Energy next month for special Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2-branded packages, with the chance to win free stuff packed right in. What kind of free stuff? the Monster Modern Warfare 2 Giveaway will be handing out 1,000 copies of the Modern Warfare 2 Hardened Edition; 5,000 map pack codes…
By Mike Fahey Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Red Steel 2 Impressions: What 2006 Promised
My second hands-on with Red Steel 2, this time in Tokyo, confirmed to me that Ubisoft’s first-person Wii sequel is the kind of Wii game that, back in 2006, I thought we would be playing more of. It is a game that will be as fun as the motions needed to control it. If arm-swinging…
By Stephen Totilo Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
BBC Airs Charlie Brooker’s Gameswipe And It Is Good
Last night, the British Broadcasting Corporation aired Charlie Brooker‘s Gameswipe, a humorous (and informative!) look at the history and present of the video game, presented in the style of the broadcaster’s Newswipe and Screenwipe. And it was quite good. The 50 minute one-off program was part obligatory primer, explaining genre types like platformer, shoot ’em…
By Michael McWhertor Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Battlefield Bad Company 2: Battlefield Moments
Let’s take a look at how well a round of Battlefield Bad Company 2 multiplayer can go if your entire team possesses some kind of bizarre mind link. I’m sure there are clans and such that play with the level of communication displayed in this trailer for Battlefield Bad Company 2, due out early next…
By Mike Fahey Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Okamiden Hands-On: The Celestial Stylus
Planted in the middle of Capcom’s eclectic Tokyo Game Show booth, the demo of Omkamiden had attendees playing the DS sequel to Okami in the middle of a traditional Japanese garden while seated on stools which looked like cut lumber. Groups of gamers were escorted into the area by booth companions and seated at small…
By Brian Crecente Published September 30, 2009 - Uncategorized
Why We Love To Hate Activision — And Might Be Wrong
The games biz has a new favorite bad guy, and its name is Activision. Do the mega-publisher and its aggressive, polarizing CEO, Bobby Kotick, deserve the bad rap? Or do we just love to hate? Who is this man, anyway? Though always an industry mainstay, Activision didn’t start to take its place front-and-center in the…
Leigh Alexander Published September 30, 2009