The Year in Kotaku ‘Shop Contests

If you’re not following the Kotaku ‘Shop Contest, you’re missing on one of the longest-running features here, all of it created by readers. This week’s contest was an encore of 2013’s 10 best subjects, and multiple contest finalist Docherty submitted this outstanding montage capturing all of them (and more) together. If this was an animated…

Good news for those of you patiently waiting for A Bird Story, the follow-up to indie darling To The Moon: the developers, Freebird Games, have released free TTM DLC for you to play. It’s a quick, lighthearted minisode meant to celebrate the holidays a little, andyou can download it here.

Want To See New Games In Action? Check Out Watchlist.

If you aren’t familiar with Watchlist, it’s a place for all the videos that we have here on Kotaku. If you are familiar with it, you should know that it’s now going to be focused on showing off new and upcoming games. Of course you’ll find Leo’s videos there, and the various gameplay videos that…

Burn At Least Six Calories in 2014 With This One Weird Video Game

Exercise sucks. Exergaming sucks. If you’re a video gamer who has set a resolution to lose weight, you have a long, hard road ahead of you in 2014. Or, more likely, you have a very short one before you give up. I can’t tell you what my secret to fitness is because my secret to…

Everything Freezes In Batman: Arkham Origins‘ Story DLC

A giant diamond, some ice crystals, and an invitation to an awards gala at Wayne Manor? Sounds like Batman: Arkham Origins‘ upcoming story DLC is going to be one cool party. Does the Ice Man cometh? The Batman Arkham Twitter account promised a surprise for New Years’ Day, and this looks to have been it.…

The Promises Video Game Stars Should Make For 2014

2014?! Thank god. I was really getting tired of 2013. Hopefully 2014 will be rays of sunshine and progress and happiness to make up for the sludge that was 2013. Some prominent video game characters are with me on this. Let’s check in. Lara Croft, Tomb Raider Buy new outfits cause this one is getting…

Online Now: Takahide Hori (AKA YAMIKEN) has posted the full video of his short film, Junk Head 1, online. Hori has enlisted the aid of professional translator, Emily Balistrieri, for the full version’s English subtitles.

Read Up: Critical Distance compiles a weekly round-up of the best games writing around—and today they published a round-up of some the best games writing of the year.Definitely worth perusing: it’s been a fantastic year for games criticism. You might even find a new site or author worth following, to boot.

I Can’t Wait To Speed-Run This Dizzying Game

I stumbled onto a trailer for this game and thought it looked pretty interesting, so the developer sent me a “demo prototype” so I decided to check it out. Despite the unfinished state, it’s actually quite fun! Update: There’s a public demoavailable now! I’m definitely looking forward to playing the finished version of this game.…

The Next Minecraft LEGO Sets Are Going To Be So Good, You Guys

At MineCon last month, LEGO announced the Minecraft LEGO Co-build Project, in which toy designers and fans of the game work together to build the best video game-themed LEGO sets ever. Looks like all the pieces are falling into place in this holiday update. The first LEGO Minecraft sets were micro scale, which is lovely…

And Then Mortal Kombat Characters Sang A Subway Jingle For 12 Minutes

I can’t think of a more fitting Snacktaku sendoff to 2013 than the Mortal Komband performing $5 Footlong for 12 minutes. It’s one of the biggest snacking nights of the year, kids, so remember to pace yourself and wear clothing with voluminous pockets for storing leftovers. Maybe stop by Subway before you head out. Damn…

Humans Optional: Remember that machine that dekuNukem built, which would find shiny Pokemon for you? Somehow, it’s gotten even better. Now it requires no human input. It’ll find and catch shiny Pokemon for you, in almost all situations. Hell, now it even breeds, names and clones Pokemon for you. Jesus.

How To Get Drunk On Video Games Tonight

Aiming for a night in for New Year’s Eve? Especially if you live in a big city and want to avoid obnoxious crowds, I imagine you might be. So here are a few drinking game suggestions that involve a console and a couch and some friends. Oh and your alcohol of choice. Fun night: secured.…

Steve’s Top Ten Games Of 2013

In the last 24 hours of the year, I finally got around to making my top ten list for 2013. As a special bonus, I’m including my list of shame for everything I didn’t get around to this year. Yes, since I’m technically a video editor, I decided to do my top ten as a…

Let’s Take A Look Back At This, The Year of Luigi

Time passes, things change and all good things must come to an end. So too must it end for this, the Year of Luigi. Sure, Reggie and Iwata have said that the Year of Luigi will extend into 2014, but don’t listen to them. Bargaining is one of thestages of grief, and they are surely…