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Did Buying Your Gaming Console Help Fund War Atrocities in the Congo?

Do you own a video game console? Then you might have more to do with the bloody, brutal war in the Congo than you realize. While the availability of blood diamonds, those rare minerals mined in war zones and sold to build armies, has begun to dwindle under international scrutiny, a new set of conflict…

By Brian Crecente Published June 30, 2010

Student Cockpit Concept Puts Wii Balance Board In The Pilot’s Seat

How can the Wii Balance Board make life better for the pilots of international passenger aircraft? Graduate student Nicoline van der Vaart suggests they sit on it and spin. In her graduation project for Industrial Design Engineering, van der Vaart tackles the issue of airline pilot back pain with an innovative and inventive application of…

By Mike Fahey Published June 30, 2010

Who Cheers For War?

Are games our escapist fantasies, or our outlets for dealing with reality? Either way, why is our most common gameplay choice the pursuit of war? I remember watching a long stretch of television footage of the United States dropping bombs on Iraq. It was late at night, so the broadcast was dark green and bright…

Leigh Alexander Published June 30, 2010

The Best Games, The Best Play of The First Half of 2010

We are almost exactly halfway through the year twenty-ten, and lest we forget, there have been quite a few spectacular games to buy and play already. One could already make a substantial list of the best games of the year. So why don’t we, together, live, on the radio. No guest during this week’s podcasts,…

By Brian Crecente Published June 30, 2010

See Seth Green Talk Up Dragon Quest IX

Comedian, voice actor, and television producer Seth Green isn’t just the star of Nintendo’s Dragon Quest IX commercial, he’s also a client, or at least well-coached on the game’s merits, as demonstrated in this video clip. We posted the commercial yesterday, and I have to agree with McWhertor here – it really works. Green is…

By Mike Fahey Published June 30, 2010

Toronto Police Include LARPing Gear In G-20 Weapons Display

Justifying the harsh handling of protesters at the G-20 summit this weekend, Toronto police invited journalists to a viewing of dangerous confiscated weapons, including foam swords, sock-headed arrows, and a suit of scale mail. Did someone call forth a flame bolt? The 2010 G-20 financial summit in Toronto, Canada attracted more than its fair share…

By Mike Fahey Published June 30, 2010

NASA’s VR Headset Looks Like That Thing You Made In 4th Grade

The ’90s may’ve given us Blink 182 and stonewashed denim, but I very much doubt NASA will be reviving 1993’s virtual reality system alongside those other comebacks, seen here modeled on a (presumably) taken-advantage-of intern. According to the NASA page the VR system was found on, it was a prototype which used a head-mounted display,…

By Kat Hannaford Published June 30, 2010

This is What you Look Like Playing Street Fighter

Be prepared, it’s not pretty. And don’t think for a second that you look any better. [Thanks Khoa]

By Brian Crecente Published June 30, 2010

Could World Of Warcraft Go Free-To-Play?

With many major massively multiplayer online role-playing games adapting the free-to-play model, could Blizzard’s immensely profitable World of Warcraft one day make the switch? Lead designer Tom Chilton says that one day the game’s subscription model “may not make sense.” With MMO titles with strong licensed properties behind them like Dungeons and Dragons and Lord…

By Mike Fahey Published June 30, 2010

Aliens Vs. Predator Going On A Bughunt

Aliens Vs. Predator fans who weathered the storm of mediocre review scores are being rewarded with a second helping of downloadable multiplayer maps next month in the Bughunt Map Pack, complete with environmental hazards and weather effects. The Bughunt Map Pack, available on July 7, consists of four new multiplayer maps: Crash Site and Furious…

By Mike Fahey Published June 30, 2010

Farmville, World of Warcraft Are Divorce Lawyers’ Latest Weapons in Court

Social sites and massively multiplayer online games aren’t just a great place to catch up with friends and be entertained, they’re also a great place to dig up dirt on a soon-to-be ex, according to an article in USA Today. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says 81% of its members have used or faced…

By Brian Crecente Published June 30, 2010

Wonder Woman Costume Modified So That It Makes Sense?

Wonder Woman is the most popular super-hero no one seems to like very much. She doesn’t get movies, can barely sell a comic book. Today, she’s been given a new outfit. Tapping into the fact that one of the most loved elements of Wonder Woman lore is the fact that she sometimes flies an invisible…

By Stephen Totilo Published June 30, 2010

Talk Amongst Yourselves

It’s the last day of the month, so we need not just your comments about video games but a suggestion for a new TAY image. A painting, a painting name and an artist, please. Confused about commenting on Kotaku? Read our FAQ

By Stephen Totilo Published June 30, 2010

Weighing Morality in Gaming

Philosophers and Theologians have been debating the mechanics of moral choice for millennia. Debates have ranged from the popular “nature or nurture” to total freedom of the will, to some modification that sits between these extremes. Video games have only recently begun to consider the nature of moral choice as an integral piece of a…

Joshua Wise Published June 30, 2010

So, I’m Reading Pippi Longstocking

To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Snakes in a Yard! Yikes. Snakes, I hate snakes. You asked a few days back if we have limits on Mini-Bash’s tv watching/game playing. We only have one TV in chez Ashcraft, and it’s in the living room. My office is right next to the living room — there is…

By Brian Ashcraft Published June 30, 2010

Are You Good Enough To Write Dragon Quest?

Like Dragon Quest? Want to, perhaps, write Dragon Quest games? Okay, read on. Square Enix is taking job applications for those interested in writing future Dragon Quest games. That could be you! Well, if you live in Japan and are fluent in Japanese. Hopefuls need to submit two writing samples. One is an essay about…

By Brian Ashcraft Published June 30, 2010

There Is An Evangelion Motorbike…. VROOM!

You’ve seen the Neon Genesis Evangelion racing car. You’ve seen the Evangelion race queens. And now, you will see the Eva road racing motorcycle. Or part of it. More pictures here According to the Anime News Network, the Evangelion racing team has decorated a Kawasaki ZX-10R superbike to look like the franchise’s EVA-01 unit. Next…

By Brian Ashcraft Published June 30, 2010

Meet Your 2010 American Pokémon Champions

Last weekend, the 2010 Pokémon national championships went down at the Indiana Convention Centre. Hundreds entered, but only one two could emerge the winner. Those two were Wade Stanley, who was the junior champ, and Wesley Morioka, winner of the “seniors” division. After three days of Pokémon warfare, the pair will be off on an…

By Luke Plunkett Published June 30, 2010

And You Thought Laptops In Starbucks Were Bad

That’s an Xbox 360 and a small TV set. In Starbucks. This is in Alaska. All that snow and darkness must make this seem normal.

By Luke Plunkett Published June 30, 2010

White Knight Chronicles Ready To Slay PSPs

PS3 role-playing game White Knight Chronicles is coming to the PSP. It currently has the temporary title of “White Knight Chronicles: New Project” (clever!). The game’s concept is being created by Level-5, the studio behind the console games. The game development itself will apparently be handled by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. From the teaser in…

By Brian Ashcraft Published June 30, 2010