This Week In The Business: Metacritic Means Nothing

QUOTE | “We’ve basically seen Metacritic all but become obsolete right now… We get obsessed with it…but it doesn’t really matter, as far as the sales of the game.” – Double Fine COO Justin Bailey, talking about what things have and have not influenced the sales of their games Elsewhere in the business of video…

The Up All Night Stream Plays Captain Toad [Game Complete!]

Yesterday, Super Mario 3D World spin-off title Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker hit store shelves in Japan. That leaves just one question. Who’s up for joining me for some puzzle-platforming action? It’s probably important to note that, as I never played Super Mario 3D World, I have no experience whatsoever with Captain Toad. So don’t be…

Sweden Invests $36,672 in Gender Equality for Video Games

Sweden’s government has turned its eyes to the portrayal of women in games and gender issues. Swedish news site, The Local, reports that the Nordic country has issued a $36,672 (272,000 kronor) grant to research gender issues in Swedish games. Despite the country’s relatively small population (just under 10 million people), Sweden’s home to several…

Even Beheading Isn’t Enough To Get A Mordor Orc To Stop Talking

You know how chickens can live without their heads? Same thing with orcs, apparently. Lately I’ve become fascinated with a particular type of glitch in Shadow of Mordor, where players will behead an orc…only to have that orc continue to talk, as if nothing is wrong. Observe: The “best” part about this video by ishavemyhole…

You Probably Shouldn’t Play Counter-Strike With Your Voice

Don’t get me wrong: this guy’s dogged vocal attack on terrorists—he yelps commands like “COMPUTER, LEFT CLICK AHHH” to spray his gun in sheer panic—is a certain sort of impressive. It’s just not exactly practical. GamerMuscle whipped up the video in question, and it’s certainly something. He actually gets a few kills in between moments…

Driveclub is handing out free DLC as an apology for its disastrous launch. If you snagged the full game, you’ll get November’s premium DLC packs, Ignition and Photo Finish Tour, free. That means five new cars, 22 new tour events, 10 trophies, and 10 livery items. So that’s something, even if the game is still…

Ubisoft has published a handy rundown of known technical issues with Assassin’s Creed Unity as well as the status of fixes. Framerate’s on the list for all platforms, with the following workaround offered pending more fixes: “If playing single player, we suggest that you disconnect from your internet connection (wifi or network cable). It could…

I Can’t Stop Listening To Persona Q‘s Battle Theme

The first time you hear it, you’re like, “haha this is ridiculous,” and then the second time you’re like “OK this is kinda catchy,” and then by the third and fourth time you start getting really excited every time the woman starts singing the chorus, and then by the fifth time you’re dancing, by the…

Okay, Who Else Wants a Last Starfighter Sequel Now?

A sequel to Buckaroo Banzai isn’t in the works as far as we know. And that’s terrible. But if Hollywood ever comes to its sense, there’s an awesome movie poster ready to tell people about the return of the best genius weirdo action hero ever. You’ve wondered to yourself, “Y’know, a Last Starfighter sequel would…

Third Grader Explains Why Schools Should Have Video Games

TED talks can range from informative lectures to absurd satire. But the most TED thing ever has to be this third grader’s talk on why video games should, like, totally be in classrooms. In aTEDxUniversityofStThomas talk called ‘Individualization, failure and fun’, third grader Cordell Steiner makes some valid points about why classrooms should have more…

Pokémon Has Come A Long Way In Twelve Years

We’ve seen comparison shots, which put the new Pokémon remakes next to the original games. Now, you can see how the graphics compare in motion—something that really highlights the difference that the new X & Y engine makes. Though The Pokémon Company released this footage earlier in the month, it was all contained in a…

Playstation TV, The Art of Uncharted, Cheap DualShock 4s, More Deals

Playstation TV, Sony’s non-portable entry point to the Vita library/box for streaming your PS4 to another TV/other things is $20 off today, for the first time ever. The DualShock 3 Bundle is also $20 off. Assassin’s Creed Unity ($40) | eBay | Promo code CPLAY10 Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare ($40) | eBay | Promo…

Track: Sandstorm | Artist: Darude | Album: Before The Storm Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.