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Finally, a Corporation Worth Playing For
Async Corp is a silly, catchy game about work that requires the labor of both of your thumbs. You play it on the iPhone. Your pay is high scores. Your left thumb boxes and ships units on the left of an iPhone’s touchscreen; the right does that work on the right. Your thumbs must work…
By Stephen Totilo Published June 29, 2011 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Getting through another work week with an opportunity to Talk Amongst Yourselves, since 2009 (Yes, it’s been that long.) Be thankful you’re not on display for thousands of people to gawk as they like (or are you?). Frolic, discuss video games, and be merry! Special thanks to Kaploy9 for today’s image. Wanna get your TAYpic…
By Jen Schiller Published June 29, 2011 -
Thank Ratchet and Clank for This Wonderful Disney Game
The latest Ratchet & Clank game is wearing a Disney costume While Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension is based on an upcoming television movie for Disney’s popular cartoon, the game play will feel very familiar to fans of Insomniac Game’s famous lombax and robot. That’s because the PS3 and Wii title is developed…
By Brian Crecente Published June 29, 2011 -
Sometimes a Pipe Is Just a Pipe
Smokin’ | OCTOBER 1932: Actor Harold Huth smokes pipe. (Photo: Sasha/Hulton Archive | Getty) The PlayStation Controller You Never Got to Use Yesterday, we looked at the PlayStation controllers that Sony has released (or in the Boomerang’s case seriously intended to release) to the public. Today, we’re looking at one that never made it. Would…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
Angry Birds to Overrun China
Over the next three years, over 200 Angry Birds merchandise stores will open in China thanks to a deal with the game’s developer Rovio and a Chinese portal. Merchandise includes the usual suspects: t-shirts, stuffed animals, and toys. [New Launches]
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
Everything Wrong with Online Gaming in Less Than Two Minutes [Updated]
There must be a reason why I don’t talk to random people on Xbox Live. Oh, right. This is it. [Update]: We’ve gotten another copy of this video (above), which was pulled by YouTube shortly after our story aired. Internet person Cody is having an argument with some kid’s mother. There’s apparently a 12 minute…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
Dragon Quest X Clip Bundled with New DQ Set
Marking the franchise’s 25 anniversary, Dragon Quest I, II and III are headed to the Nintendo Wii. The bundle will be out September 15 in Japan. More info here about the set. This DQ compilation has more than spiffy box art. It also includes Dragon Quest X bonus footage. ドラゴンクエスト誕生25周年記念ポータルサイト | 最新情報 [Dragon Quest]
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
What If Bayonetta Was More “Western”?
As far as video game characters go, Bayonetta was built with one thing in mind. The suit, the heels, the librarian glasses, all there for sex appeal. But would she have been sexier if she was less “Japanese”? I mean, let’s face it, accent aside (at least in the Western version) she’s still a very…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
Grand Theft Auto IV Really Is a Giant Toybox
Reader forsinain42 has put together this beautiful tilt-shift video showing a day in the life of Grand Theft Auto IV’s Liberty City. Adorable, no? Also makes you appreciate the technical work that went into the game, as it focuses on the things that you may never even realise were even in Liberty City if all…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
Sony Computer Entertainment Gets a New Bossman
Sony revealed today that Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe honcho Andrew House is now the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment International. Kazuo Hirai is now SCEI’s Chairman. Corporate musical chairs, people! [PlayStation]
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
Blue Skies, Great Tunes and a Little Metroidvania
Metroidvania. It’s a sub-genre of gaming made famous by, well, Metroid and Castlevania, games renowned for their 2D exploration and backtracking. It’s made a bit of a comeback in recent years, with games like Shadow Complex, but it usually doesn’t look this pretty This is indie game Celestial Mechanica, available now for $5. Made by…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
Left 4 Dead Brought to Life
Valve’s co-op zombie shooter Left 4 Dead is getting the fan film treatment. There’s some neat special effects, the cinematography is slick, and the trailer opens strong. The actors look just like their in-game counterparts. Shame about the headbanger music, though! Thanks for the tip, Theron!
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
Europe’s Fancy Big Box of Xenoblade Chronicles
Not to rub salt in the wounds of American fans still fighting for a US release of the game, but really, you should check out the bundle deal that’s being offered in Europe for Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles. It’s great. It includes a copy of the game and a red classic controller. Not the world’s…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
From Costa Rica with Dr. Strangelove
It’s not everyday that Kotaku features Costa Rican cosplayers. And it’s also not everyday that Kotaku features Costa Rican cosplayer dressed as a character from a game set in…Costa Rica! This is not everyday. This is June 29, 2011. Here’s Costa Rica’s TenshinoSekai cosplaying as Dr. Strangelove from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, a game…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
But WHY is Portal 2’s Music so Great?
One of the highlights of Portal 2, like it was with the first game, is its music. Most will agree that it’s a wonderful soundtrack, perfect to accompany the on-screen action, but just why is that the case? Dan Bruno has an idea, and it uses sound editor Walter Murch’s theory of the “aural spectrum”.…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011 -
Let’s Be Sensitive About Height, M’kay?
When Sega held an event for Yakuza 4, it assembled the game’s producer Toshihiro Nagoshi and the title’s assorted cast. One of the game’s biggest stars, former Morning Musume singer Mari Yaguchi, was one of the smallest. And when it came time for a Kodak moment, Yaguchi was shuffled into the back. Her small stature…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 29, 2011 -
LA Noire’s Studio Under Investigation Over Alleged Shonky Work Practices
Brendan McNamara, boss of LA Noire developers Team Bondi, thinks it’s totally reasonable for his staff to be “killing themselves” with long hours because that’s what this business is about. The International Game Developers Association begs to differ. The IGDA, which can serve as a watchdog of sorts for developers, has launched an investigation into…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 29, 2011