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A Plea For Scene Selection in Video Games
You can skip to your favorite scene in a movie, flip to an exciting chapter in a book you’ve read, but you can’t just drop into a video game you’ve finished at any given point. In today’s Speak Up on Kotaku, commenter Smorlock wonders why. So you’re sitting at home, and you’ve got maybe 20…
By Mike Fahey Published May 19, 2011 -
Guns, Gadgets, and Gear Define Guild Wars 2‘s Engineer
In some fantasy role-playing games, engineering bombs, guns, and useful gadgets is nothing more than a novel crafting skill. In Guild Wars 2, it’s a way of life. Let’s meet the game’s newly-revealed Engineer. While other classes rely on their magic or physical prowess to survive the harsh environs of Tyria some 250 years after…
By Mike Fahey Published May 19, 2011 -
Lego Harry Potter Sequel is Official, Ends List of Obvious Lego Video Games
Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7, the expected series-closing sequel to last year’s delightful Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4, will be out late this year, according to a Warner Bros. press release this morning. The company has their Lego specialists Travellers Tales on the case again and will be putting the game out on a ton…
By Stephen Totilo Published May 19, 2011 -
engineer gallery
Engineer Skills in Action The Bomb Pack is a backpack filled with bombs. Yum. The Flame Pack gives the Engineer access to a flamethrower, which is all anyone really ever needs. The most elaborate Health Pack we’ve ever seen. A Health Turret, which kills you with health. Mine Pack is not Your Pack. A Rifle…
By Mike Fahey Published May 19, 2011 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Welcome to the Kotaku water cooler. If you’ve got something to say, don’t keep it to yourself—share it here! My special thanks to Hisilarn for selecting one of my favorite games for today’s choice TAYpic. Think you’ve got a flare for good ol’ Photoshop splicing? Please deliver the fruit of your labors here:#TAYpics (Read this…
By Drew Cohen Published May 19, 2011 -
MetalStorm Online Brings Exhilarating Two-Minute Bathroom Dogfights to Life
I’ve almost got target lock when the enemy banks sharply to the left. “Sonofabitch!” I shout, pouring on the speed and rolling my plane, leaning hard to the side, as if my body movements will make the craft more responsive. The toilet seat creaks in protest. Its protests go unheard. There’s 30 seconds left on…
By Mike Fahey Published May 19, 2011 -
Famous Japanese Comedians Uncaged (How Many Can You Name?)
All Systems Go | TOKYO, JAPAN: Fighters Uncaged launches in Japan. (Photo: Game Impress Watch) Japan’s Oldest (And Most Famous) Hardcore Dragon Quest Player Actress Keiko Awaji is proof of two things: video games have no age limit and even pretty ladies get old. Guild Wars 2 , Your Art is Simply Beautiful I usually…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
Xbox 360 PayPal Shopping Starts Now!
Today’s Xbox Live update includes expanded PayPal shopping options. The functionality is being rolled out today and “throughout the next couple of weeks”, depending on where in the world you live. The update also includes a power consumption auto-standby feature for consoles that are idle for an hour plus. [Major Nelson]
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
Kill Time at the Bank with the Nintendo DS
Throughout Japan, fastfood chain McDonald’s and multimedia shop Tsutaya have Nintendo DS zones that allow DS owners to connect and get original content. Now, a bank does, too. Staring today, the Bank of Kyoto is establishing a Nintendo zone at ten branches in Kyoto. The original content available includes “Notices from the Bank of Kyoto”,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
Is L.A. Noire Locking Up Xbox 360s?
The PS3 is apparently overheating while playing L.A. Noire because of firmware. That’s according to a retracted statement from Rockstar, the studio behind L.A. Noire, adding that the issue persists mostly with older PS3 consoles. But the PS3 isn’t alone. There are reports online that the Xbox 360 version of the game is locking up.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
Armored Core’s Finest, From Unboxing to Badass Completion
This month, famed Japanese model maker Kotobukiya is releasing an Aspina White-Glint Armored Core 4 model, based on a design from the popular mech game. Kotaku often features amazing finished models, but here’s a look at the box and parts it contains, culminating in a completed kit. Developed by From Software, Armored Core 4 was…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
Ten Thousand Bottles of Wine. Capcom’s Head Honcho Bought Ten Thousand Bottles of Wine.
Capcom boss Kenzo Tsujimoto makes wine. How did he learn about it? By buying 10,000 bottles of it. “I bought the most famous and the finest,” Tsujimoto told The Japan Times. “I tasted a wide variety from all over the world; I compared them all in order to create the very best wine.” Imagine if…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
Another Day, Another Action Figure of Persona’s Aegis
The world is not desperately short on action figures based on the character Aegis, of popular role-playing series Persona. Think that’ll stop Bandai from releasing another one? Spoiler alert: it won’t. Due for release in Japan in September, this particular Aegis will set you back a little over USD$50. [via Tomopop]
By Luke Plunkett Published May 19, 2011 -
Minecraft Heading to the Clouds With New Update
To help expand the world of Minecraft, developers Mojang came up with the idea of a “hell” dimension. Now they’re working on another one, up in the sky. Minecraft creator Markus Persson calls it the “Sky Dimension”, and as you can see in these pics, it’s…land up in the sky! You may not want to…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 19, 2011 -
The Best Thing You’ll See Today (Mmm Brains)
Animator Lee Hardcastle made this short, which was shown last night at Cannes Film Festival. You might be familiar with Hardcastle’s last short, Chainsaw Maid 2. He even once did a music video in Mario Paint Hardcastle told the BBC earlier this year, “I guess I must have watched quite a lot of gore and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2011 -
This Game is Called Awesomenauts
Such a great name. It’s being developed by Ronimo, the guys behind the excellent 2D strategy title Swords & Soldiers, and trades fast clicking for fast multiplayer platforming action. Heading for the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, they’re calling it an “explosive Multiplayer Online Battle Arena” game, claiming inspiration drawn from 80’s cartoon series.…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 19, 2011 -
Master Craftsmanship Comes to the Mass Effect Universe
Were this a 3D render of Mass Effect 2’s Thane, it would be impressive. Thing is, it’s not. This is a tangible, old-fashioned sculpture. Get a load of the detail! Seriously, had you not been informed this was crafted by hand you’d simply assume it was a game asset, such is the colour and intricacy…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 19, 2011