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Wii at Last, Wii at Last, Thank God Almighty …
So President Obama, once again, dinged video games in a speech. I’d rather send a more uplifting message, where a console is judged not by the content of its games, but the color of its skin. As we know, today is an historic day* in America – the first black Wii is available for purchase.…
By Owen Good -
Week in Games: Two Sequels and Something New
Lost Planet 2 (above) and Skate 3 highlight the coming week. But let’s do this roundup a bit differently and, I hope, in a way that’s a little more useful and interesting to you. Monday (May 10) • Photo Dojo (DS): It’s a chop-socky side-scroller/fighter, but more importantly, it gets you into the action, with…
By Owen Good -
Kotaku’s Top 5 List of Top 10 Lists
Each week throws off several new video game lists ranging from the humorous to the trivial. What’s better? A list of those. Here’s a roundup of the rundowns out there. •Nine Things I Learned from the Halo: Reach Beta [GamerCrave] No. 10: They should just change the game’s name to “Powerhouse Slayer.” •15 Life Lessons…
By Owen Good -
More Sonic 4 Video Spills Onto Internet, Threatens Wildlife [Update]
About a month ago several videos purporting to show gameplay from Sonic the Hedgehog 4 leaked out. This one, visually consistent with the others, shows a new stage: “Mad Gear Zone.” YouTube user SuperBlizHedgehogRev got these up on Friday and they’ve managed not to get smashed down by a Sega copyright claim since then. Skip…
By Owen Good -
If Not Creating Truth, Then Suspending Disbelief
Ultimately, the challenges the “uncanny valley” poses to motion capture and animation will be overcome by technology. But suspension of disbelief is just as important to a game’s storytelling, writes the actor who portrayed Ethan Mars in Heavy Rain Pascal Langdale, writing on his blog Motives in Movement, examines the latter concept, which he reasons…
By Owen Good -
Weekend Coupons: Deserve’s Got Nothin’ to Do With It
I’ve killed women and children. I’ve killed everything that walks or crawls at one time or another. And I’m here to kill you, Little Bill, for what you done to my Weekend Coupons. Sorry they’re a day late Mr. Munny. Here are your coupons. Now, if you’ll just lower that shotgun … Hardware • Reminder:…
By Owen Good -
Kotaku Originals: A Day Late
But, like this guy, not a dollar short. We still had plenty of news – LucasArts’ power outage, Activision’s financials, Fallout: New Vegas and the Black Wii – worth rounding up in the five-star final edition of Kotaku’s original reporting. K Monthly – April 2010 Kotaku Talk Radio Top Stories LucasArts President Resigns Activision Boss…
By Owen Good -
Kotaku Off-Topic: Home is Where the Smells Are
Just got back from five days away on assignment. Is anyone else weirded out by how their home smells different upon returning from a trip? Like, “Holy Toledo, does it smell like that to visitors?” This time, however, I’m pretty sure the weird aroma was not of my own making. It’s largely attributable to the…
By Owen Good -
Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Merit Badge Edition Winners
The Cub Scouts are now offering pins and belt loops for meritorious study and applied knowledge of the subject of video gaming, but they failed to consult with Kotaku on the lesson plan. That’s where the ‘Shop Contest comes in! The chance to offer a wry take on a familiar subject – achievement whoring, in…
By Owen Good -
Isn’t It A Little Early For A Star Trek Online Winback Weekend?
Atari and Cryptic Studios have mounted a huge push for players in Star Trek Online, featuring a referral program, veteran rewards, a free demo, and an invitation to lapsed players of the three-month-old MMO to try it again for free. Has Star Trek Online really lost so many of its launch players in the past…
By Mike Fahey -
Is The PSP Go Dead Yet?
This is the last picture I took of my PSP Go before selling it on eBay for $200. Is anyone still holding onto theirs? Three months after Sony released the UMD-less, sliding screen PSP Go I finally caved and bought one of my very own. Why? For one, it is a very pretty device. It’s…
By Mike Fahey -
How To Be A World Of Warcraft Guild Leader, Now In Convenient Book Form
If leading a large World of Warcraft guild seems like a fun way to spend your free time, then you should probably check out Scott F. Andrews’ The Guild Leader’s Handbook to see the hellish task it really is. Leading a guild is no easy task. Well, let me clarify that: Leading a successful guild…
By Mike Fahey