-
Is Pokemon Still Gaming’s Monster King?
From Godzilla to Gamera, Japan loves its monsters. Pokémon, or Pocket Monsters, is no exception. But Pokémon’s days as Japan’s reigning video game monster ruler could be over. This is anecdotal evidence at best, and in no way am I trying to imply that Pokémon is no longer popular in Japan (that would be insanity!),…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 2, 2010 -
Half Of Xbox Live’s Users Aren’t Paying Subscribers
It’s easy to assume that most people who connect their Xbox 360 consoles to the internet have an Xbox Live Gold subscription. But nope. Turns out a lot of you don’t “Of our 25 million members, about half of them are subscribers to the business and pay us about $60 a year for that,” Microsoft’s…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 2, 2010 -
Go Go (Away) Kamen Rider Girls!
This year marks the fortieth anniversary of masked, motorbike-riding super hero “Kamen Rider” (“Masked Rider”). How will this milestone be marked? Why, with hotpants. A Japanese record label is teaming up with the franchise’s production company to create “Kamen Rider Girls”, a Japanese pop unit with five girls ranging in ages 18-20 and representing different…
By Brian Ashcraft Published December 2, 2010 -
NSFW: Can Trashtalking Rattle A Real Soldier?
Morons yammering away in your headset can be off-putting to the average gamer toiling through a round of Call of Duty online, but how does it affect the combat capacity of an actual, trained soldier in the field? Machinima specialist Rooster Teeth’s new series Immersion seeks to find out, having US Special Forces veteran “Shane”…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 2, 2010 -
Here’s A Look at Iran’s First Big Time Video Game
Though the country earlier this year published a sci-fi MMO, Garshasp – a monster hunter of folklore – is billed is Iran’s first AAA-quality video game. It’s being made for the PC because trade sanctions prohibit selling dev kits there. Thus, Garshasp has been in development since 2006, and its makers are waiting on a…
By Owen Good Published December 2, 2010 -
Hell Yeah, This Lady Would Love To Be In The World Of Warcraft Movie
Of all the things she’s done in her life – like starring in sitcoms, animated series and big Hollywood movies – there’s nothing actor Mila Kunis would love more than to play a “kick-ass mage”. Kunis, who has scored gamer brownie points for her addiction to WoW then lost them with a starring role in…
By Luke Plunkett Published December 2, 2010 -
Suck On That, Tomahawk Kill
Three weeks post-Black Ops we’ve seen more lucky kills and wacky vids than you can shake an RC-XD at. This helicopter takedown reminds that Grand Theft Auto IV, even two years later, pulls its weight in WTF multiplayer kills, too. [seen via Hot Blooded Gaming]
By Owen Good Published December 1, 2010 -
See You In New York
Kind Kotaku readers, won’t you come into this post and talk about the off-topic things we like to discuss when darkness falls over the video game news of the day? This is your opportunity. I’ll leave this open thread in your possession. I must prepare for a few days off and a trip to New…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 1, 2010 -
Gran Turismo 5, Monster Hunter Are Very Kind To PlayStation Hardware
The release of Gran Turismo 5 in Japan and the build up to Monster Hunter Portable 3rd give the PlayStation family a week to completely dominate overseas. Just how helpful were GT5 and the latest Monster Hunter? Well, the PSP was actually down from its spectacular sales from the week prior, with the PlayStation 3…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 1, 2010 -
A Champion In The Making
Fight Night Champion will offer players the story of fictitious boxer Andre Bishop, whose career arc will involve – as the HBO guide used to say – adult situations, adult language, profanity (maybe nudity?) in EA Sports’ first M-rated game. Here’s the game’s second video, released Tuesday. To see more of Bishop’s story, go to…
By Owen Good Published December 1, 2010 -
Isaac Clarke Vs. the Necromorphs of the Mushroom Kingdom
Artist Sheridan Johns puts Donkey Kong, Yoshi and a flock of Goombas through a warp pipe and onto the USG Ishimura for an unexpected and awesome video game mash-up entry in this deviantArt contest. Even scarier than Dead Space? Maybe. DEAD SPACE BROS [deviantArt via RampagedReality]
By Michael McWhertor Published December 1, 2010 -
All Sweaters Now Unlocked In NHL 11
It’s a curious tradition in video game sports, but the NHL doesn’t allow games to use all the third and alternate sweaters until they’ve been used in real life. Now they have, and EA Sports released the code unlocking them. The code is: bcxkg8fkx3h4m3p5. Select “My NHL 11” from the main menu, then “NHL 11…
By Owen Good Published December 1, 2010 -
A Look At Darkspore’s Cooperative Multiplayer
Electronic Arts is giving us an advanced look at how cooperative play is going to work in upcoming action role-playing game Darkspore. The four-player coop mode felt a lot like cooping through the old Diablo games, but with that distinct spacey, Spore feel to it. Have a look.
By Brian Crecente Published December 1, 2010 -
FarmVille Takes Root In Japan, Vegetable Hats Worn
Social gaming smash hit FarmVille officially goes to Japan, signing on with the country’s biggest social network, mixi, and resulting in the best Zynga photo op possible. Over there, they call it FarmVillage and telecom powerhouse SoftBank is helping to spread the cow-clicking obsession. [GameWatch]
By Michael McWhertor Published December 1, 2010 -
You’ll Get Gameplay In Resistance 3’s VGA Video
The Video Game Awards means the silly season of teasers, trailers, and teaser trailers is upon us. Though Resistance 3’s been featured in much longer cinematics, this one promises you’ll see actual real honest gameplay on Dec. 11.
By Owen Good Published December 1, 2010 -
Why Is Video Game Sleep So Boring?
To: Brian From: Stephen Re: The Child Seems Tired Yeah, your kid looked tired in that picture this morning. But I bet he had a delightful nap after that. Why is sleep never delightful in games? I hate sleeping in games. I always feel like I’m missing stuff, except in Bully, which enforced healthy sleep…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 1, 2010 -
Protect Your Skull In Total Tron Luxury
The diehard Tron fan who prefers its 1982 aesthetic, rides a motorcycle (or scooter) and has heaps of disposable income should put in their pre-orders for Les Ateliers Ruby’s newest helmet now, lest Tron Guy snap them all up. True, they’re not cheap. Les Atelier Ruby‘s designer helmets run between $1200 and $1800 USD, for…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 1, 2010 -
EA Sports MMA Sequel A Matter Of When, Not If, Says Producer
EA Sports MMA’s initial sales were low enough to get a fatalistic poor-mouthing from industry analysts, but the company is committed to a sequel. A producer has confirmed an EA Sports MMA 2 is coming. “There is definitely going to be an EA Sports MMA 2,” EA Sports’ Jeff Ecker said in a podcast with…
By Owen Good Published December 1, 2010