What’s you favourite intro. to a game? Not just the opening cut scene but the very first bit of gameplay where you know “this is where it starts.” I’ve been playing Oblivion and Fallout 3 lately and the first part of those games is just great. I love the whole, “emerging into a huge, unknown…

Tecmo Koei: Xbox 360 Is Doing “Well” In Japan

Remember when the Xbox 360 launched in Japan? Boy, that was embarrassing! Microsoft has turned things around of late and found a small degree of success in the region. “Xbox 360 as a business is doing better than the old Xbox,” Tecmo Koei boss Kenji Matsubara tells game site Kikizo. “They have a good opportunity…

Designing BioShock 2’s Little Sisters

Like they did with the Big Daddies, 2K have released some concept art for BioShock’s tiniest denizens, the Little Sisters. Unlike the first lot, which showed the initial designs for the original Big Daddies, these show how 2K Marin – the developers working on the sequel – have gone about depicting the Little Sisters for…

Tecmo Koei Boss: PS3 Price Cut Plskthx

While not as belligerent as Activision’s calls, newly-merged company Tecmo Koei would still like Sony to cut the price of the PS3. And are asking them publicly to do just that. Speaking with CVG, CEO Kenji Matsubara has said “Whenever I discuss this with Sony reps I always ask them: ‘Please cut the price’, but…

Better Look At Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver Pre-Order Schwag

July 4 isn’t only Independence Day, it’s also the day pre-orders for Pokeémon Heart Gold/Soul Silver. We previously posted a blurry magazine scan of the pre-order goodies, and here’s a crystal clear pic. In Japan, those pre-ordering Heart Gold will get a Ho-Oh figure, and those pre-odering Soul Silver will get a Lugia. Pre-order both,…

Japanese Games Market Down A Whopping 25%

Publisher/market research firm Enterbrain this week released some sales data for the Japanese market. And the data is not good. From a period roughly running from January 2009 to the end of June, hardware sales in Japan were down around 28% from the same time last year. The drop in software sales wasn’t quite as…

A Week In Comments

The Great Xbox 360 Robbery Comment by: The Swearing Gramps Nominated by: Mr Pappzy lurves Orange Soda Don’t worry. Microsoft will get em all back within a year or so. Hey Americans, Why The BBQ? Why? Why? Why? Comment by: monkeysaresilly Nominated by: (Zombie) Jolan I doubt there was any actual symbolism with the cookout.…

LittleBigPlanet: We’re Ready To Believe You

Not much of a teaser this, is it? Unless there’s some obscure British pop culture icon that also says “who ya gonna call?” we’re somehow not aware of, it’s pretty clear we’ll soon be getting some Ghostbusters DLC for LBP. Cuddly proton packs? Big-eyed slimer? The chance to create a level where Janine is brought…

Do You Game During National Holidays?

Hi. How are you? I’m fine, thank you. And you? Today, right now at this very moment, it’s Friday. Can you feel it? That means one thing and only one thing: It’s time time to talk. Let’s TUD it up, you and me and that guy over there. Together. This is TELL US DAMMIT. What…

PS3 Bundle Includes MGS4, Killzone 2 [Update]

Normally, hardware bundles are a spotty affair. A game you don’t really want, or two games, one you kinda want, one you just do not want. But this bundle, on sale at Best Buy next Sunday, looks great! Sent in by a Best Buy employee, and confirmed by other BB employees, it’s an 80GB PS3…

It’s EGM, But Not As You Know It

Electronic Gaming Monthly died, then was risen. But when it makes its eventual return, it won’t be in any form, shape or guise you’re used to. Owner Steve Harris says: First and foremost, we’re planning to incorporate digital content within the magazine. This includes professionally-produced video, audio and other types of content. We’re also going…

Blockbuster’s Top Ten Selling New Video Games Includes… Haze?

Maybe it’s because I don’t really read newspapers anymore. Maybe it’s that I just never noticed it. But I didn’t realize that like the New York Times, Blockbuster has gotten into the bestsellers business. Leafing through the (New Orleans) Times-Picayune this morning I stumbled across a page dedicated to video games. The Game Dork page…

Gears of War In Red And Blue Bronze

Via the Mindzeye Studios comes these three 12 inch tall Gears of War bronze collector’s statues of a Boomer, Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago. All three are limited to a production run of one hundred and priced at US$125. The statues are cast in bronze — bronze is heavy! For example, the Boomer weighs a…

Tim Schafer’s Brutal Legend Intro Walkthrough

In this set of videos Tim Schafer provides a sort of director’s commentary for the beginning of his upcoming Brutal Legend. Packed from beginning to end with spoilers, I’d suggest giving it a pass if you want your Legend experience to be virginal.

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Review: Clench The Difference

Getting the most out of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen requires a steady hand, a keen eye, and the ass muscles of an Olympic athlete. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is an action adventure game based on the movie of the same name, telling the story of the return of Megatron and the rise of…

Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma Premium Box Pack Premium Price

Ninja Gaiden Σ 2 has been dated for Japan. Here are details about the ¥9,980 (US$104) Premium Box. It includes a soundtrack CD, an original accessory set and a special sleeve. Those who pre-order can get a “Starter Set” that includes a Ninja Gaiden guide book.

How Dead Space Extraction Controls On Wii, With Side-Shooting Twist

The Wii’s September 29 prequel to last year’s Dead Space has a control scheme EA’s Visceral Games couldn’t put on an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. A new EA trailer shows how it works. Dead Space Extraction will be out September 29. As you watch, remember, EA calls this a “guided first-person experience.” Different platform.…

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Most of my weekend will be spent playing a little real-life Tetris, as I attempt to find open slots for all the boxes, furniture and knickknacks still in boxes from the Kotaku Towers West relocation endeavor. First thing I’ll be playing in the virtual world this weekend is the iPhone version of Doom: Resurrection, in…

Alpha Protocol Hits Oct. 6

Spy role-playing game Alpha Protocol will be hitting the PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on Oct. 6, according to Sega. I took the game for a spin during the lead up to E3 and was quite impressed with how well the game blended the best elements of shooter, action and adventure. I’m hoping my…

How To Name A Video Game Studio — And Hopefully Get It Right

The decision to give something a name, whether that be your struggling rock band, your first dog, your only child, or your game development studio is no simple task. For better or worse, you might be stuck with it. Names carry weight. They give a group of people and the products they create an identity.…