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Does Just Cause 2 Even Need A Story?
When you can tie a man to the back of a fighter jet and take to the sky with him screaming behind you, does your game really need a plot? Developer Avalanche is obviously trying too hard. There is really no need for you to have a compelling narrative in a game where I can…
By Mike Fahey Published February 19, 2010 -
Hideo Kojima And Yoichi Wada, Talking. On Twitter.
At the 2008 E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles, Square Enix boss Yoichi Wada appeared on stage and tapped Microsoft exec Don Mattrick on the shoulder. At the 2009 E3, Hideo Kojima did the same. But why? Messaging via Twitter, Wada asked Kojima if the now infamous E3 shoulder tap was something he was put…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 17, 2010 -
EA Takes Nine More Games Offline
Achievement hunters, beware! Electronic Arts is pulling the plug on nine more games with online components, titles like The Godfather, Def Jam: Icon and The Simpsons Game, which will go offline forever starting in March. Some of those titles are going offline in certain regions only—Asia loses Army of Two on the PS3 in April—and…
By Michael McWhertor Published February 16, 2010 -
Toy Story 3 Game Delves Deeper Into The Toy Box
While a portion of Disney Interactive’s video game adaptation will follow the events of the animated movie, its Toy Box mode will allow players to create their own adventures using the franchises iconic characters. Props to developer Avalanche Software for thinking outside of the toy box. Or inside of the Toy Box. However you put…
By Mike Fahey Published February 16, 2010 -
How Xbox Live Works On Windows Phones 7 Series
As expected, Microsoft’s Steve Balmer announced Xbox Live support for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 series at the Mobile World Congress, but what exactly will Xbox Live users be able to do on their phones? According to the official press release, not all that much. Accessing Xbox Live through the Windows Phone 7 Games hub…
By Mike Fahey Published February 15, 2010 -
Halo 2 Maps, Original Xbox DLC Returns To Xbox Live
Microsoft’s plans to end Xbox Live support for original Xbox games had an unfortunate early affect — the removal of all downloadable content from Live for those older Xbox titles. The good news? That DLC is back. That means that your old Splinter Cell or Halo 2 downloadable content is once again accessible, the data…
By Michael McWhertor Published February 11, 2010 -
Apparently, Playing Xbox Is Not An Infidelity Solution
A person writes in to UK Daily Star sex advice columnist Just Jane. He’s got some problems. He’s dodging the consequences by playing Xbox. Jane says that’s no good. The problem: He was caught having sex with his boss’ secretary in the boardroom, was fired, can’t get the courage to confess any of this to…
By Stephen Totilo Published February 11, 2010 -
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Teaches Irresponsible Driving
How can Sega expect kids to play Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and not be tempted to jump out of moving vehicles? There are so many bad ideas laced throughout this special moves trailer for Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing that I hardly know where to begin. There’s drinking and driving, standing up while driving…
By Mike Fahey Published February 10, 2010 -
DLC Removal Threatens Halo 2 Farewell
Downloadable content for the original Xbox has been taken offline as Microsoft prepares to terminate the console’s online support. One problem: Matchmaking restrictions require all Halo 2 DLC to play it online. That could make for a small going-away party. Here’s the situation: Matchmaking requirements mean those playing Halo 2 on the Xbox 360 need…
By Owen Good Published February 6, 2010 -
“Saddened” Bungie Plans Halo 2 Send Off On Xbox Live
Earlier today, Microsoft announced that it was pulling the plug on Xbox Live support for original Xbox games. That obviously includes Bungie’s Halo 2, consistently the top original Xbox title represented on Live. Bungie responds to the change. “We’re all saddened at the realization that an era is coming to an end but looking back,”…
By Michael McWhertor Published February 5, 2010 -
We Shall Mourn The Following Xbox Live Originals
Microsoft’s decision tonight to end online play for all original Xbox consoles and games marks the end of an era in console gaming. Let’s take a minute to remember those titles who tonight gave their lives. Being the first successful platform for online console gaming (sorry, Dreamcast), the Xbox was home to many good games…
By Luke Plunkett Published February 5, 2010 -
Microsoft: No More Original Xbox Games Over Xbox Live
Microsoft announced tonight that online play for original Xbox consoles and titles – including those played on an Xbox 360 – over its Xbox Live service will soon be discontinued. The axe will fall on April 15, and will bring an end to years of online play for games like Halo 2 and…whatever other original…
By Luke Plunkett Published February 5, 2010 -
11-Year-Old Girl Chases Xbox Robber With Crutch
In a roundabout way, one New Zealand girl got her stolen Xbox back. Wellington-based newspaper The Dominion Post tells the tale of 11-year-old Rena Sciascia, whose dad was too hobbled by a broken leg to chase a burglar who bolted from the Sciascia’s home earlier this week with Rena’s iPod and Xbox in hand. Rena…
By Stephen Totilo Published January 28, 2010 -
My 10 Favorite Gaming Moments of 2009
I’m just about done looking back at 2009 and just about done playing 2009 games. So I’m ready to share my fifth-annual list of my favorite in-game moments from the past year. These are not the 10 best games of 2009, nor are they ranked in any special order. They are 10 sometimes spoiler-y great,…
By Stephen Totilo Published January 21, 2010 -
Spec Ops: The Line Screens Don’t Paint A Pretty Picture
Call me a pessimist, but post-apocalyptic Dubai doesn’t look like the sort of place you’d want to vacation in. And look! They’ve even hung the flag wrong. All things considered I’d probably not want to visit pre-apocalyptic Dubai, but if I dwell on that I’ll start adding pre-apocalyptic in front of every place name for…
By Mike Fahey Published January 8, 2010 -
Tiger Woods Xbox Game, Broken Hand Converts Boxer To Golfer
The Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports that an amateur boxer has become a promising golfer, and he owes some of that to a Tiger Woods‘ video game. Usually, stories about people getting inspired by video games aren’t this… positive. The newspaper tells the story of Joshua Anglin, who went 115-15 as an amateur boxer, but…
By Stephen Totilo Published January 4, 2010 -
Xbox Live’s Major Nelson Takes Your Calls During This Week’s Podcast
Microsoft’s Xbox Live director of programming, Major Nelson, will be our guest host on the Kotaku call-in podcast this week, filling in for … me. The good Major joins Crecente live, Wednesday, ready to field your live calls. Major Nelson will talk about anything Live-related that you can dream of. Such as: Why is there…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 28, 2009 -
Drunk Scot Woman Stabs Teen in Xbox Argument
Whoa, whoa, whoa, lady. When I said, “try safe, effective, fast-acting kick his ass,” for video game-playing kids who won’t listen, I did not mean “ventilate his abdomen with a kitchen knife.” Authorities say a 13-year-old Scottish boy was stabbed by his 55-year-old babysitter after he refused to stop playing his Xbox (original or 360,…
By Owen Good Published December 23, 2009 -
Microsoft: Hardcore Games “Sell Themselves”
It’s been a constant criticism of both Xbox consoles: that Microsoft can only sell shooters to the hardcore gaming market. So what does it say about Microsoft’s marketing power when the company admits those games “sell themselves”? In an interview with GI.biz, Microsoft’s David Dennis has said that marketing games towards a casual audience –…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 17, 2009 -
Digital Re-Releases Deal Damage to Collections’ Value
Who doesn’t love it when golden oldies get a re-release over the PlayStation Network or Virtual Console? Game collector, that’s who. MTV Multiplayer examined collectible game values and saw many nosediving after getting a reboot on the current generation. Some highlights or lowlights – really, you should go see the whole thing – Marvel vs.…
By Owen Good Published December 16, 2009