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  Now Microsoft Wants to Stop You Taking Them to Court [Update]

  It’s one of 2011’s more troubling, if less sexy developments: that of major publishers and platform holders finding ways to stop customers taking them to court if something goes wrong with their product or service. Sony was the first company to introduce a “no sue” clause as part of its terms of service in September,…

  By Luke Plunkett Published December 7, 2011
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  Xbox Live Service Buckling Under Weight of Finally Welcomes New Dashboard [Update]

  After a slight delay, the new Xbox Dashboard has begun rolling out to 360 owners around the world. Or, well, it would be, if Xbox Live wasn’t down for many of them. So be patient! Those of us at Kotaku still awake can’t connect to Xbox Live at all, and Microsoft’s support website carries a…

  By Luke Plunkett Published December 7, 2011
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  This Shitty Developer Has No Brains (Or Giant Balls)

  Top Best Adult Entertainment. It’s not a name that springs to mind alongside the likes of Nintendo, Blizzard, Valve or BioWare, and there’s a reason for that. This is one of the worst developers in the world. Not because they put out bad games, though that certainly helps. It’s because of the lies they dress…

  By Luke Plunkett Published December 7, 2011
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  Don’t Procrastinate… Procatinate!

  Greetings, and a happy Tuesday to you. Welcome to another Kotaku open thread, where we come together to talk about games, life, the universe, and everything. Without further ado, a few conversation-starters and other bits and pieces from the Internet at large. Lots of cats today. Sorry, I don’t know what that’s about. The Best…

  By Kirk Hamilton Published December 6, 2011
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  Dragon Age II, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, DLC for Arkham City and Battlefield 3 New This Week on the PlayStation Store

  This week on the PlayStation store, we’ve got new full-game downloads for Dragon Age II and Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, as well as the PSN game Wanted Corp. Plenty of games get DLC content, including Batman: Arkham City, which gives purchasers all of the skins that were initially offered as various pre-order bonuses. (Including…

  By Kirk Hamilton Published December 6, 2011
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  Should You Buy Battlefield 3’s Back to Karkand? Yes.

  Battlefield 3’s Back to Karkand map pack updates four of the most popular Battlefield 2 maps for DICE’s new shooter. The pack also includes four vehicles and ten weapons from Battlefield 2 as well as some new reward, achievements and some other tweaks. Back to Karkand is free to anyone who pre-ordered Battlefield 3, though…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 6, 2011
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  Record 3D Movies on Your 3DS Starting Now

  The new 3DS update just hit in North America bringing with, among other things, the ability to create your own 3D videos. The update that just hit gives the Nintendo 3DS the ability to shoot up to ten minutes of 3D footage with the camera. And to create your own stop-motion photography. Other additions include…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 6, 2011
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  People Who Like Science and Other Thinky Pursuits

  It can be a challenge to buy a gift for your brainy, science-obsessed friend. What kind of games might he or she like? The science brains among us can be so intimidating, partly because it’s always scary buying things for smart people, but partly because who knows what those science people even like? Do they…

  By Kirk Hamilton Published December 6, 2011
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  Gorgeous Indie Platformer Pid Warps Gravity In Cute, Retro Fashion

  You’ve gotta love a game that makes a sly reference to 2010 indie darling Limbo. But, further perusal shows that Pid‘s not going to be like PlayDead’s hit game. It’s got color! Energy! Localized gravity fountains! The retro-styled release happens on a remote alien planet where you’ll need to jump, solve and float your way…

  By Evan Narcisse Published December 6, 2011
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  An Older Guy Who Prefers Crosswords to Video Games

  It’s not that they’re no fun, or have something against games, but we all know someone who seems to prefer the most analog means of interactive entertainment—a good old pencil and paper—over all of the modern media. Here are some gift ideas that will both cater to that preference and maybe nudge him to try…

  By Owen Good Published December 6, 2011
• Reviews

  Mario Kart 7: The Kotaku Review

  There’s a spot on the couch where Mario Kart 7 sits, a well-worn seat where the pillows and cushions have been arranged just so. Over the years, a multitude of previous Mario Kart games have all occupied that spot, and so Mario Kart 7 knows just how to hold itself, just how to sit, just…

  By Kirk Hamilton Published December 6, 2011
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  Where is my Heart is a Disorienting, Confusing and Beautiful Platformer

  Where is my Heart is an addictive platformer recently released on the Playstation Network. In this adorable PSP mini, you play as three little monsters trying to collect hearts and escape levels. Visually, the game is stunning, each level is made up of jumbled panels for you to navigate. Peaceful, charming and mind boggling, Where…

  By Chris Carolan Published December 6, 2011
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  Oh Come on American, Let the Famous Television Actor Have His Words With Friends

  Accompanied by the hash tag #nowonderamericaairisbankrupt, 30 Rock star and certified Baldwin Alec voiced his displeasure with American Airlines’ strict no fun policy. [Twitter]

  By Mike Fahey Published December 6, 2011
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  Chocolate Invaders

  Pixelated Chocolate | Handmade from bean to bar in New York by two Kotaku readers and brilliant chocolatiers. Available at Chocolate Invaders Vietnam Makes Its Call of Duty It was France’s “dirty war”, an unpopular struggle in Vietnam against the French authority governing the colonies of French Indochina. The eight-year First Indochina War ended in…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 6, 2011
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  A Final Warning to Cheaters

  MMORPG EverQuest, which launched in 1999, is plagued with cheaters. Sony Online Entertainment is fed up. So you better watch out, cheaters! “Cheating has become a serious concern to our EQ player base this past year,” wrote EverQuest Community Manager Piestro on the game’s official forums. “Exploits and hacks strike at the very heart of…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published December 6, 2011
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  Wear Your Xbox Live Avatar on Your Chest, Water Bottle, or Coffee Mug

  Do it yourself clothing and crap company CafePress has teamed up with Microsoft to give Xbox Live users the ability to print and purchase stuff starring their own personalized avatar. Let’s go Voltron force! At least that’s what would be on my chest if I went ahead and ordered the snazzy t-shirt on the left…

  By Mike Fahey Published December 6, 2011
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  Dear Esther, You Look Gorgeous

  You’re going to hear a lot about Dear Esther early next year. You may have heard about it already, if you’d caught wind of the original 2008 PC mod that presented a ghost story in lightly-interactive first-person. You’ll hear of it again in late January or early February, when the dramatically improved version is released…

  By Stephen Totilo Published December 6, 2011
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  Wife of Rovio Exec Wears Angry Birds Dress to Finnish State Gala

  Angry Birds don’t just make good games, they’re also great for formal dress, it seems. Teija Vesterbacka showed up at the Finnish Presidential Palace this evening to celebrate the country’s independence in this lovely off-the shoulder, red and Angry Bird ball gown. We assume she’s wearing the dress not just out of a love for…

  By Brian Crecente Published December 6, 2011
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  SOL: Exodus Closed Beta Contest Winners Demonstrate the Soul of a Space Fighter

  Over the Thanksgiving break we asked fans of space sims to prove their passion for a shot at one of 25 spots in the closed beta test for upcoming PC star fighter SOL: Exodus. Time to see who made the grade! SOL: Exodus is a (currently) single-player space shooter crafted by developers at Seamless Interactive…

  By Mike Fahey Published December 6, 2011
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  He’s Level 9 In Skyrim. He Hasn’t Killed Anything.

  YouTube user WestSideLuigi is playing Skyrim as a pacifist. He’s at level eight and has zero kills. “This is what I do with wolves: calm them, turn them into peaceful little puppies.” He’s playing as Felix the Cat (or Felix the Peaceful Monk, it’s not clear). He refuses to go on any quests that require…

  By Stephen Totilo Published December 6, 2011