Kotaku’s Look At 2010 Starts Now* [Announcement]

Whoever said that gamers are always looking to the future might as well be guest-editing Kotaku this week, because we are ignoring the final two weeks of 2009 to begin our look at… 2010. It’s not that we don’t like 2009. It was a fine year of gaming, one that we’ll get around to reviewing and ranking soon enough (probably when we’re done impatiently looking ahead to next year). But at the halfway point of December, 2009 just doesn’t have the magic anymore. It’s an old man of a year and we can’t help but be distracted by the enthusiasm of that young cherub of 2010. We know some wonderful things to be true already about the coming year: -2010 will include a lot of games we thought we’d play in 2009 (Blur! Bayonetta! Singularity! Gran Turismo 5?) -2010 will include a January-March choked with promising games (Mass Effect 2! BioShock 2! Splinter Cell Conviction!) -2010 is already being experienced favorably by people in Japan (See again Bayonetta and this week’s — for them — Final Fantasy XIII) -2010 will include more Halo, more Metroid, more Mario, more God of War, more Madden (educated guess), more Star Wars The Force Unleashed and even more Shantae -2010 will be the most motion-controlled year of gaming yet With information like that, you can surely understand why we at Kotaku believe that 2010 has a shot at being better than 2009. But we could be wrong. To test our theories and to provide you a look at the possible future, we will be publishing posts all week that detail the concrete plans for games coming to each of the major platforms. In addition we’ll be previewing a handful of upcoming games that demonstrate the diversity of the 2010 line-up. And we’ll be opening things up to you in a series of posts that explore the imaginative possibilities of gaming in 2010. For all our 2010-week posts, look for the tag 2010preview . We’re expecting a fantastic gaming year to come, and we’re ready to start talking about it… now. *Technically, Kotaku’s look at 2010 started yesterday with our preview of Heavy Rain and R.U.S.E. , but really, 2010 is such a futuristic year that a bit of out-of-order time manipulation seems ok by us.

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Kotaku’s Look At 2010 Starts Now* [Announcement]

Kotaku’s Look At 2010 Starts Now* [Announcement]

Whoever said that gamers are always looking to the future might as well be guest-editing Kotaku this week, because we are ignoring the final two weeks of 2009 to begin our look at… 2010. It’s not that we don’t like 2009. It was a fine year of gaming, one that we’ll get around to reviewing and ranking soon enough (probably when we’re done impatiently looking ahead to next year). But at the halfway point of December, 2009 just doesn’t have the magic anymore. It’s an old man of a year and we can’t help but be distracted by the enthusiasm of that young cherub of 2010. We know some wonderful things to be true already about the coming year: -2010 will include a lot of games we thought we’d play in 2009 (Blur! Bayonetta! Singularity! Gran Turismo 5?) -2010 will include a January-March choked with promising games (Mass Effect 2! BioShock 2! Splinter Cell Conviction!) -2010 is already being experienced favorably by people in Japan (See again Bayonetta and this week’s — for them — Final Fantasy XIII) -2010 will include more Halo, more Metroid, more Mario, more God of War, more Madden (educated guess), more Star Wars The Force Unleashed and even more Shantae -2010 will be the most motion-controlled year of gaming yet With information like that, you can surely understand why we at Kotaku believe that 2010 has a shot at being better than 2009. But we could be wrong. To test our theories and to provide you a look at the possible future, we will be publishing posts all week that detail the concrete plans for games coming to each of the major platforms. In addition we’ll be previewing a handful of upcoming games that demonstrate the diversity of the 2010 line-up. And we’ll be opening things up to you in a series of posts that explore the imaginative possibilities of gaming in 2010. For all our 2010-week posts, look for the tag 2010preview . We’re expecting a fantastic gaming year to come, and we’re ready to start talking about it… now. *Technically, Kotaku’s look at 2010 started yesterday with our preview of Heavy Rain and R.U.S.E. , but really, 2010 is such a futuristic year that a bit of out-of-order time manipulation seems ok by us.

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Kotaku’s Look At 2010 Starts Now* [Announcement]

Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

The releases of Assassin’s Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 dominated this week’s news cycle, with McWhertor and Totilo supplying immediate reviews of what both offer. The end of Pandemic, as a studio anyway, was the big headline. Kotaku Talk Radio Top Stories Confirmed: EA Closes Pandemic Studios, Says Brand Will Live On Rumor: RIP Pandemic Studios, 1998-2009 Layoffs Hit Star Wars Developers Reviews, Previews, Hands-On and Impressions Assassin’s Creed II Review: A Season For Masterpieces Left 4 Dead 2 Review: We Don’t Care How You Did It Up North LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review: Nuke The Mini-fig Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Impressions: The Day After Christmas Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Review: Deja Vu in Space Phoenix Wright WiiWare Preview: Throwing Out Objections Torchlight Review: The Fate Of DiabloCraft Frankenreview: Left 4 Dead 2 The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Multiplayer Preview: Spreading The Phantom Art Style Digidrive Micro-Review: The Superiority Of Video Games Frankenreview: New Super Mario Bros. Wii News Turbo: The Struggle To Make A Better Video Game Movie Hey, It’s The World’s Fastest Graphics Card iPhone Chart Toppers: Asphalt 5 Takes Second Firmware 3.10 Update Is Live How 2010 Is Actually Christmas 2009 (In Disguise) Jersey GameStops Break Street for Assassin’s Creed II, L4D2 Testing Ubisoft’s “Frequent Flyer” Rewards Program With Assassin’s Creed II EA Talks Command & Conquer’s “New Digital Model,” Medal of Honor “Re-invention” What Left 4 Dead 2 Boycotters Are Playing Sports Authority Fitness Retailer Inks Deal to Sell Wii New Kingdom Hearts PSP Fit For Japan Features In College, the Party Never Stops – for LAN Sports Leaked Survey Tips Off MLB 2K10 Cover Athlete – Updated Columns Well Played: All Out War (Games) Stick Jockey: Maybe the Greatest of All Time, but not In Its Time Notebook Dump: Excuse Time Old News ‘90: Nintendo Says NES Final Fantasy Is Geared To Adults Kotaku Talks to Reggie Reggie: Wii 2 Theories Miss Key Point Nintendo Talks Mario Multiplayer And Keeping Zelda’s Secrets Nintendo Dissatisfied With Sales Of Some Games, Dates Vitality Sensor Showcase New Super Mario Bros. Wii New Super Mario Bros. Wii In-Game Tips Nintendo’s Temporary Mario Museum, The Video Tour Mario Vs. Bowser, Waged Through Chess Outreach A Room Full of Loot Win Ryu in LEGO

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Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

The releases of Assassin’s Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 dominated this week’s news cycle, with McWhertor and Totilo supplying immediate reviews of what both offer. The end of Pandemic, as a studio anyway, was the big headline. Kotaku Talk Radio Top Stories Confirmed: EA Closes Pandemic Studios, Says Brand Will Live On Rumor: RIP Pandemic Studios, 1998-2009 Layoffs Hit Star Wars Developers Reviews, Previews, Hands-On and Impressions Assassin’s Creed II Review: A Season For Masterpieces Left 4 Dead 2 Review: We Don’t Care How You Did It Up North LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review: Nuke The Mini-fig Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Impressions: The Day After Christmas Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Review: Deja Vu in Space Phoenix Wright WiiWare Preview: Throwing Out Objections Torchlight Review: The Fate Of DiabloCraft Frankenreview: Left 4 Dead 2 The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Multiplayer Preview: Spreading The Phantom Art Style Digidrive Micro-Review: The Superiority Of Video Games Frankenreview: New Super Mario Bros. Wii News Turbo: The Struggle To Make A Better Video Game Movie Hey, It’s The World’s Fastest Graphics Card iPhone Chart Toppers: Asphalt 5 Takes Second Firmware 3.10 Update Is Live How 2010 Is Actually Christmas 2009 (In Disguise) Jersey GameStops Break Street for Assassin’s Creed II, L4D2 Testing Ubisoft’s “Frequent Flyer” Rewards Program With Assassin’s Creed II EA Talks Command & Conquer’s “New Digital Model,” Medal of Honor “Re-invention” What Left 4 Dead 2 Boycotters Are Playing Sports Authority Fitness Retailer Inks Deal to Sell Wii New Kingdom Hearts PSP Fit For Japan Features In College, the Party Never Stops – for LAN Sports Leaked Survey Tips Off MLB 2K10 Cover Athlete – Updated Columns Well Played: All Out War (Games) Stick Jockey: Maybe the Greatest of All Time, but not In Its Time Notebook Dump: Excuse Time Old News ‘90: Nintendo Says NES Final Fantasy Is Geared To Adults Kotaku Talks to Reggie Reggie: Wii 2 Theories Miss Key Point Nintendo Talks Mario Multiplayer And Keeping Zelda’s Secrets Nintendo Dissatisfied With Sales Of Some Games, Dates Vitality Sensor Showcase New Super Mario Bros. Wii New Super Mario Bros. Wii In-Game Tips Nintendo’s Temporary Mario Museum, The Video Tour Mario Vs. Bowser, Waged Through Chess Outreach A Room Full of Loot Win Ryu in LEGO

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Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

The releases of Assassin’s Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 dominated this week’s news cycle, with McWhertor and Totilo supplying immediate reviews of what both offer. The end of Pandemic, as a studio anyway, was the big headline. Kotaku Talk Radio Top Stories Confirmed: EA Closes Pandemic Studios, Says Brand Will Live On Rumor: RIP Pandemic Studios, 1998-2009 Layoffs Hit Star Wars Developers Reviews, Previews, Hands-On and Impressions Assassin’s Creed II Review: A Season For Masterpieces Left 4 Dead 2 Review: We Don’t Care How You Did It Up North LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review: Nuke The Mini-fig Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Impressions: The Day After Christmas Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Review: Deja Vu in Space Phoenix Wright WiiWare Preview: Throwing Out Objections Torchlight Review: The Fate Of DiabloCraft Frankenreview: Left 4 Dead 2 The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Multiplayer Preview: Spreading The Phantom Art Style Digidrive Micro-Review: The Superiority Of Video Games Frankenreview: New Super Mario Bros. Wii News Turbo: The Struggle To Make A Better Video Game Movie Hey, It’s The World’s Fastest Graphics Card iPhone Chart Toppers: Asphalt 5 Takes Second Firmware 3.10 Update Is Live How 2010 Is Actually Christmas 2009 (In Disguise) Jersey GameStops Break Street for Assassin’s Creed II, L4D2 Testing Ubisoft’s “Frequent Flyer” Rewards Program With Assassin’s Creed II EA Talks Command & Conquer’s “New Digital Model,” Medal of Honor “Re-invention” What Left 4 Dead 2 Boycotters Are Playing Sports Authority Fitness Retailer Inks Deal to Sell Wii New Kingdom Hearts PSP Fit For Japan Features In College, the Party Never Stops – for LAN Sports Leaked Survey Tips Off MLB 2K10 Cover Athlete – Updated Columns Well Played: All Out War (Games) Stick Jockey: Maybe the Greatest of All Time, but not In Its Time Notebook Dump: Excuse Time Old News ‘90: Nintendo Says NES Final Fantasy Is Geared To Adults Kotaku Talks to Reggie Reggie: Wii 2 Theories Miss Key Point Nintendo Talks Mario Multiplayer And Keeping Zelda’s Secrets Nintendo Dissatisfied With Sales Of Some Games, Dates Vitality Sensor Showcase New Super Mario Bros. Wii New Super Mario Bros. Wii In-Game Tips Nintendo’s Temporary Mario Museum, The Video Tour Mario Vs. Bowser, Waged Through Chess Outreach A Room Full of Loot Win Ryu in LEGO

Read more:
Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

The releases of Assassin’s Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 dominated this week’s news cycle, with McWhertor and Totilo supplying immediate reviews of what both offer. The end of Pandemic, as a studio anyway, was the big headline. Kotaku Talk Radio Top Stories Confirmed: EA Closes Pandemic Studios, Says Brand Will Live On Rumor: RIP Pandemic Studios, 1998-2009 Layoffs Hit Star Wars Developers Reviews, Previews, Hands-On and Impressions Assassin’s Creed II Review: A Season For Masterpieces Left 4 Dead 2 Review: We Don’t Care How You Did It Up North LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review: Nuke The Mini-fig Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Impressions: The Day After Christmas Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Review: Deja Vu in Space Phoenix Wright WiiWare Preview: Throwing Out Objections Torchlight Review: The Fate Of DiabloCraft Frankenreview: Left 4 Dead 2 The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Multiplayer Preview: Spreading The Phantom Art Style Digidrive Micro-Review: The Superiority Of Video Games Frankenreview: New Super Mario Bros. Wii News Turbo: The Struggle To Make A Better Video Game Movie Hey, It’s The World’s Fastest Graphics Card iPhone Chart Toppers: Asphalt 5 Takes Second Firmware 3.10 Update Is Live How 2010 Is Actually Christmas 2009 (In Disguise) Jersey GameStops Break Street for Assassin’s Creed II, L4D2 Testing Ubisoft’s “Frequent Flyer” Rewards Program With Assassin’s Creed II EA Talks Command & Conquer’s “New Digital Model,” Medal of Honor “Re-invention” What Left 4 Dead 2 Boycotters Are Playing Sports Authority Fitness Retailer Inks Deal to Sell Wii New Kingdom Hearts PSP Fit For Japan Features In College, the Party Never Stops – for LAN Sports Leaked Survey Tips Off MLB 2K10 Cover Athlete – Updated Columns Well Played: All Out War (Games) Stick Jockey: Maybe the Greatest of All Time, but not In Its Time Notebook Dump: Excuse Time Old News ‘90: Nintendo Says NES Final Fantasy Is Geared To Adults Kotaku Talks to Reggie Reggie: Wii 2 Theories Miss Key Point Nintendo Talks Mario Multiplayer And Keeping Zelda’s Secrets Nintendo Dissatisfied With Sales Of Some Games, Dates Vitality Sensor Showcase New Super Mario Bros. Wii New Super Mario Bros. Wii In-Game Tips Nintendo’s Temporary Mario Museum, The Video Tour Mario Vs. Bowser, Waged Through Chess Outreach A Room Full of Loot Win Ryu in LEGO

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Kotaku Originals: Review to a Thrill [Original]

Wicked [Note]

To: Luke From: Crecente Your late Christmas post was a real eye-opener. I’m going to have to really concentrate on my game play this month if I want to be prepped for the slew of games coming early next year. No work for the wicked I guess. And check out these kudos from Cnet . Oh, don’t forget to stay tuned tonight for our Left 4 Dead 2 review. What you missed: All Out War (Games) Command & Conquer: Red Alert Micro-Review: Palm-Size Power Trip Nintendo Talks Mario Multiplayer And Keeping Zelda’s Secrets A Room Full of Loot Frankenreview: New Super Mario Bros. Wii Kotaku Game Club: Modern Warfare 2 Discussion Resumes.. NOW (Levels 7-9) Reggie: Wii 2 Theories Miss Key Point In College, the Party Never Stops – for LAN Mario Vs. Bowser, Waged Through Chess

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Wicked [Note]

Xbox 360 Owners "Defecting" To PS3 For Sequels? [Analysts]

Multi-platform console gamers may be making the switch to the PlayStation 3 for sequels to games they may have owned on the Xbox 360 , analysis from consumer research and consulting firm OTX shows. Gamasutra ’s report on that OTX Gameplan Insight research shows that, for at least two titles, Xbox 360 owners are planning to invest in the PS3 versions of holiday sequels more so than the other way around. Both Assassin’s Creed II and Modern Warfare 2 are seeing a shift in platform choice that favors the PS3, according to OTX. Why defect? Gamasutra’s report doesn’t speculate on that, but one might assume the reasons are two-fold. In the case of Modern Warfare 2, the option to play the game’s multiplayer portions without the need for an Xbox Live Gold account may be a factor. The other may simply be the expanded PS3 console ownership following the system’s recent price drop. Both titles appear to be feature equal, but the allure of buying games for the new console you just invested in, well, that might be enough to make the switch. Any other theories? Analysis: Xbox 360 Gamers Defecting To PS3 For Holiday Sequels? [Gamasutra]

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Xbox 360 Owners "Defecting" To PS3 For Sequels? [Analysts]

Solution To Ubisoft Mystery Less Thrilling Than Surmised [Answers]

Remember this mystery mailing I reported receiving yesterday? Your theories as to its true nature were, sadly, off the mark. Some readers thought the package, which came with the three pictured games and no explanatory note, was an elaborate tease of a new Prince of Persia game. Some suggested that these three games were bound by the fact that their protagonists were all replacements. One reader helpfully noted to me that all three games were published by Ubisoft. The envelope they arrived in only indicated that the Family Feud would be inside. So I wondered if the person mailing it just threw some extras in. Then I heard from other people in the games media who received the same package. Well, the dull truth is that these games were part of Ubisoft’s mailing to judges for the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards this year. A company rep confirmed the details to me today. These and other games that didn’t make it into that package — unless the mailman snatched himself an early copy of Assassin’s Creed II or something — are titles the company hopes will be considered for some of the possible VGA categories. Prince of Persia may have been released in December of 2008, but it just qualifies for the December 2nd 2008 date of eligibility for this year’s VGA. Games released through late November 2009 are eligible. The awards air on Spike on December 12. So, it’s not a hint of a Prince of Persia sequel. Sorry.

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Solution To Ubisoft Mystery Less Thrilling Than Surmised [Answers]