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Do You Think Video Games Are Worth Saving?
We do! Recently, news reports cited as wasteful spending a $113,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games to preserve video games. We disagree. We believe video games not only are the most dynamic, exciting, and innovative form of media today…
Jon-Paul C. Dyson Published December 22, 2011 -
There’s No Stopping the Epic Call of Duty Lawsuit
Denying request for summary judgment, the Los Angeles Superior Court gave Activision the green light to go to trial with its $400 million contract interference lawsuit against Electronic Arts over Call of Duty creators Jason West and Vince Zampella. The gist of the lawsuit is this: Activision Publishing alleges that West and Zampella of development…
By Mike Fahey Published December 22, 2011 -
How To Succeed At Infinity Blade II
I haven’t had a chance to check out Infinity Blade II yet, but I loved the first and Totilo seems to like the second, so I’m probably going to take the plunge over the holidays. Fortunately, ChAIR entertainment has my back with this handy-dandy guide to slicing face in the game. And now, here are…
By Brian Crecente Published December 22, 2011 -
The First Things I Did with My PlayStation Vita
The PlayStation Vita won’t officially be out in the United States until mid-February, but I got one today. It’s from Sony. It’s not a Japanese unit. I guess it’s an American one? They say it’s not necessarily final. They haven’t set it up to connect online, for example. Its services are not up and running.…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 22, 2011 -
Even Birds Can Get the Super Mario Theme Stuck in Their Heads
Koji Kondo created an earworm of epic proportions when he wrote the theme music for Super Mario Brothers more than 20 years ago. The tune’s become one of the most recognizable pop culture jingles of the last 40 years, to the point where tropical birds feel the need to sing it out loud. The feathered…
By Evan Narcisse Published December 22, 2011 -
It’s the World’s First Gaming Laptop Delay
Originally slated for release before Christmas, Razer’s ambitious Blade gaming laptop has run into supply issues pushing shipping back to mid to late January. Don’t cry, they’re throwing in a free gaming mouse. You can’t cry when there’s a free mouse involved. In a comment posted on Razer’s Facebook page earlier this week, company CEO…
By Mike Fahey Published December 22, 2011 -
Come Talk About Skyward Sword Before You Get Any New Games!
Welcome to the Kotaku Game Club! Today will be our third meeting to discuss The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword This week, we’re discussing the events from where we left off last week: the end of the Ancient Cistern through the Fire Sanctuary dungeon. As always, the conversation takes place in the comments below the…
By Mike Epstein Published December 22, 2011 -
Game Boy Version of Bionic Commando Coming to Nintendo eShop on Dec. 29
With classics like the original Tetris, Metroid II and Blaster Master released in recent weeks, Nintendo’s eShop has been a retro cornucopia for 3DS owners. Capcom’s announced that they’re adding another old-school title to the download store with the impending debut of 1992’s Game Boy version of Bionic Commando. You’ll be able to grab the…
By Evan Narcisse Published December 22, 2011 -
GameStop Says The Last Guardian is Canceled, Sony Says It’s Not [Update]
Customers of the world’s largest dedicated video game retailer were shocked today when an automated phone call went out declaring the cancellation of Team Ico’s eagerly-anticipated PlayStation 3 exclusive The Last Guardian. Say it isn’t so, Sony! Update: GameStop apologizes for the mistake. While it is true that The Last Guardian creator Fumito Ueda recently…
By Mike Fahey Published December 22, 2011 -
You Can Now Pretend that Nintendo Sent You a Christmas Card
Nintendo’s corporate affairs team just sent me a holiday card. Very official! Actually, their card arrived in the form of a web link to a neat Mario animation. Go ahead, click on it, and pretend that Nintendo’s corporate affairs team sent it to you. They love you. (For other game company holiday cards that involved…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 22, 2011 -
Sony Announces Games and Pricing for U.S. PlayStation Vita Launch
We’ve known for a while when the PlayStation Vita was hitting American shores, but were still in the dark about exactly what games would be coming with it. No more. Sony’s finally detailed the games that will be available when their newest gaming handheld hit on February 22, 2012. According to a post on the…
By Evan Narcisse Published December 22, 2011 -
The Bittersweet Triumph of the Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas Tree
Celebrating 20 years of Sega’s blurry blue mascot, this Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas tree from 8BitFix’s Beatboxtaun stands as both a monument to video game culture and a reminder of those who won’t be with us this holiday season. We’ve featured Tanya “Beatboxtaun” Valdez’s creations on Kotaku several times over the past couple of years,…
By Mike Fahey Published December 22, 2011 -
This Year’s Most Popular Facebook Game Wasn’t Made By Zynga
Despite its tremendous impact on Facebook gaming, the most popular Facebook game of 2011 wasn’t made by Zynga. They didn’t make the second most popular either, according to Facebook. But Farmville and CityVille makers Zynga, which went public on the stock market this week, still managed to have four of their games in the top…
By Brian Crecente Published December 22, 2011 -
Here’s a New Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Fight Stick to Kick Galactus’ Ass With
Serious fighting game players demand high-quality controllers and Hori’s got a reputation for making some of the best. The Japanese accessories company’s just released a controller tied to Capcom’s Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, with varieties for PS3 and Xbox 360. If you’re in need of a new whuppin’ stick or just want to dig…
By Evan Narcisse Published December 22, 2011 -
This is the Very Best Reason to Go Back to EverQuest II
EverQuest II ushers in a new age of player-created content with its new Dungeon Maker system, a ridiculously easy and entertaining way to amaze and kill your friends. Released earlier this month as part of the Age of Discovery expansion, EverQuest II‘s Dungeon Maker is a tool that allows a player or (groups of players)…
By Mike Fahey Published December 22, 2011 -
Man and Niece Killed for a PS3 and a Tattoo, Prosecutors Say
The brutal murders of a 7-year-old girl and her uncle were apparently spurred by a tattoo-loving gunman and a plot to pay off his next bit of ink with game consoles, according to Indianapolis prosecutors. Jeremy Crane, 21, and his niece Kyleigh Crane were shot as they lay on the ground during a robbery turned…
By Brian Crecente Published December 22, 2011 -
Skyrim Isn’t Forbes’ Game of the Year. (Deus Ex: Human Revolution Is)
It may be notching up top honors at outlets like GameSpot and The Wall Street Journal, but Skyrim doesn’t quite what it takes to be Forbes‘ Game of the Year. Bethesda’s RPG comes in third in the write-up on the business magazine’s affiliated website, with Portal 2 in second place and Deus Ex: Human Revolution…
By Evan Narcisse Published December 22, 2011 -
Tetris Tops the Last Nintendo Download Shopping Week Before Christmas
Twas three days before Christmas and all through the Nintendo Download fresh new games both big and small tried desperately to outshine the majesty that is the original Game Boy version of Tetris The game that got an entire generation doing lines in the back seat of their parents’ cars is a tough act to…
By Mike Fahey Published December 22, 2011 -
Goodbye, My PSP
I left my PSP for dead several times. The best thing I can say about it is that I did that more than once. My PlayStation Portable always had a way of rising from whatever grave I lost it in. For six years, it’s been coming back. At last, it seems, it’s finally done. This…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 22, 2011 -
The Gift on Every Modern Warfare 3 Lover’s Wish List
This holiday season give the gift every digital soldier in your family will love — a Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 3 gaming headset by Turtle Beach. With four models to choose from, there is a perfect feature set for everyone from those who have just enlisted to the four star general. The top of…
Sponsored post Published December 22, 2011