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What Are You Playing This Weekend?
That’s right. Bejeweled 3. PopCap Games’ match-three puzzle game has sunk its casual claws into my mind and now I can’t stop playing this thing. I should have never doubted Stephen’s review of this great timesink. My weekend will likely be full of primary colors, for I also intend to dig into the Super Mario…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 31, 2010 -
Making Movie Magic In Star Wars: The Old Republic
If I were other massively multiplayer online role-playing games, my New Year’s resolution would be to come up with dialogue and quests half as dynamic as those of BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic. Making The Old Republic’s missions as dynamic and cinematic as possible is the job of the cinematic designer. In a blog…
By Mike Fahey Published December 31, 2010 -
Five New Year’s Resolutions For Gamers
As most of us prepare for some holiday rest, we reflect on the year ahead and the year to come – while you’re doing that, here’s some resolutions you could make to be a better gamer in 2011. Stop Making Fun Of People Who Play FarmVille When you found out there was a book coming…
Leigh Alexander Published December 31, 2010 -
I’ve Got Sand In My Arcade Eyes
While New Year’s in the northern hemisphere means cold weather, down here in Australia, it’s summer time. So instead of huddling in front of a fire, I’m on the beach with a beer, listening to this. To me, summer means three things: Outrun, Coronas with lime and the sweet, sweet sounds of former Kyuss and…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 31, 2010 -
Spend New Year’s Eve With This Man
This is Shinya Arino, comedian, television personality and all around bad gamer. Back in 2007, I hung out on the set of Arino’s show Game Center CX and interviewed the jumpsuit-wearing gamer. Arino is truly a funny guy — and not a very good gamer! But he’s so persistent and has such a likable personality,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Mario? Ostriches? Flying babies? Put down the mushrooms and start talking. Thanks,
By Brian Crecente Published December 31, 2010 -
Tell Me About Your 2010
To: Crecente From: Ash RE: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow No snow here in Texas. But it snowed in Osaka, apparently! I always love when people in Colorado blow off six inches of snow as no big whoop. This is a look a my 2010. What did you do this year?…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
David Bowie’s Son Is Excited About The World Of Warcraft Movie
Okay, that’s not fair. Duncan Jones is more than just David Bowie’s son. He’s also the son of fashion model Angela Bowie And, of course, Jones is a terrific filmmaker in his own right, helming the wonderful sci-fi flick Moon Jones tells Badass Digest that he’s “very cynical” of directors who claim to be gamers.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Did Japan Fall Out Of Love With Love Plus?
Anecdotal evidence at best, but a mountain of Love Plus items apparently didn’t exactly move like hotcakes at Comiket. The Comiket goods Konami is offering cost around US$67 for each set. There are three different sets, one for each Love Plus character. Developed by Konami, Love Plus is a love simulation game for the Nintendo…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Roger Ebert’s Past Game Addiction Made Him Sad
This year, famed film critic Roger Ebert said games could never be art — a mistake he later admitted. While Ebert might not be a fan of games, that doesn’t mean he didn’t used to play them obsessively . In a “Siskel & Ebert” holiday gift guide from 1989, Ebert and his former co-host Gene…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
On A Quest For More Cosplay Photos?
No, it’s not Halloween. It’s the end of December, and Japan is dressing up at Comiket, or “Comic Market”, the country’s biggest gathering of fan fiction, toy figures and otaku. Sure, folks are buying self-published manga, games and photobooks, but it’s really hard to overstate how big the event’s cosplay (“costume play”) is. Hordes of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Possibly Illegal Lengths To Get Xbox 360s In Japanese Homes
In Japan, generally speaking, you cannot rent video games, nor can you rent consoles. It’s just not done. Software and hardware companies successfully pushed for a ban on rentals, which is why used games in Japan are in such good shape. Players buy new games, complete them very quickly and then sell them second hand.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
What Did You Think Of Gaming In 2010?
It’s Friday. Friday, Friday, Friday! Let’s talk. Here’s how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn’t some marketing survey or whatever. It’s an emotional investment in you. Yes, we’re interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know oodles about us – more than you…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
New Year Brings New Anime Girl Shrine Hopefuls
December 31 is the eve of Japan’s biggest holiday, New Year’s. Why not celebrate it with a beautiful anime girl? The entire country will descend on temples to (literally) ring in the new year as bells are rung 108 times in what’s called joya nokaneto, which aims to purify the souls of the 108 worldly…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 31, 2010 -
Career Mode, New Controls On Serve For Top Spin 4
Tennis sim Top Spin 4 teased more realistic controls when it was announced three months ago; a retail listing says it’ll continue sports gaming’s trend of moving commands to the right analog stick. A singleplayer career mode also is coming. “My Player,” which debuted in MLB 2K10 last spring and has been a moderate success…
By Owen Good Published December 31, 2010 -
Reigning King Of Kong Goes After Own Record
After Steve Wiebe reclaimed the world record high score in Donkey Kong in September, the Seattle teacher said there still was “room at the top” left for future challenges. He’ll try to beat his own mark in about two weeks. Wiebe, whose 1,064,500 in Donkey Kong is currently the top mark, thinks a score of…
By Owen Good Published December 30, 2010 -
The Year, NSFW
Some year-end retrospectives play out to the accompaniment of a tinkly piano. Others to a cheese-cloth montage. Our subject here plays out to strains of bow-chicka-bow-bow and the censor bars. It’s Kotaku’s Year, NSFW. (Warning, NSFW, duh.) Heavy Rain is Light on Clothing: Midway through the PS3 thriller Heavy Rain, Kotaku reader kuroner declined a…
By Owen Good Published December 30, 2010 -
Dead Rising Mobile Is Little More Than a Reanimated Corpse
There’s a difference between dead and lifeless, as this iPhone port of Dead Rising unfortunately demonstrates. Tedious mission design, bad frameskip and close – I mean very close – redraw distances, plus a slapped-on social networking feature, don’t do the Dead Rising brand any favors in Dead Rising Mobile. Its sludgy virtual stick controls are…
By Owen Good Published December 30, 2010