In today's tear-jerking and slightly spoilery edition of Speak Up on Kotaku, commenter Firescorpio tells us about a special relationship he formed in Skyrim, and how he wound up ruining it.

Today I think Skyrim for the first time made me care in a very strange way for an NPC, not even a very important one at that.

This is my third character Ulfr Jormungand a pure blood Nord, he is into the Stormcloak rebellion and he is the only one of my characters to do the Companion quest line as it seems fitting for the warrior-bred dumb Nord Ulfr is.

For some reason every time I end up choosing Whiterun as my central city. I just like it. More specifically I choose Warmaiden's forge as my forge of choice. There is a somewhat homey charm to it and the couple that runs it. Ulfberth War-Bear and Adrianne Avenicci.

Somehow Adrianne became a welcoming site to any and all of my endeavors I got accustomed to her sight as I entered the city. I got used to her working next to me in the forge whenever I crafted something.

You might even say she became the reason I kept coming back to Whiterun, even if she had nothing new to say I enjoyed bartering with her, forging and just having her around felt natural.

It felt like home....

After going through some quests in the Companions I had my first bestial rampage that fatal night. I was running low on health. The screen was turning completely black. I could barely see anything, anything but a red dot that ran towards me. I assumed it was a guard... I assumed killing it was ok....

The next morning after continuing the quest line I finally came back to Whiterun, triumphantly carrying loot I knew Adrianne would be interested in buying. Upon my entrance at 11:00 PM I waited 10 hours for her shop to open and have her as always working hard on her forge.

10:00 A.M and no signs of Adrianne so far. I told myself silly Adrianne had gotten stuck perhaps waiting one more hour would have her pop in the forge.

And so I waited one, two, three hours more and yet no sign of Adrianne. I figured sometimes she is sitting next to Ulfberth inside Warmaiden's but to no avail; I couldn't find Adrianne anywhere.

It was only when with some reluctance I made my way to the Skyforge to sell stuff to Eorlund Gray-Mane, as I walked up to the market a cold shiver ran on my back. There were three people laying down on the floor, these NPCs were asking themselves what was going on.

As I walked closer I recognized the name on my screen and the cold dead face on the ground.

It was Adrianne, my character had killed her... the one NPC I had grown attached to in the game. During my rampage I had entirely obliterated her happy existence on Skyrim.

I tried loading a previous save, but to my dismay I had nothing prior to her death. I had overwritten my save and the auto saves no longer worked thanks to my waiting.

I muttered under my breath *fuck* and eventually made my way to our kitchen where my girlfriend asked me what had happened, I probably had a big frown all over my face.

I told her about my vile deed, she just laughed and told me "Don't worry baby, you probably can bring her back to life with one of your spells, oh remember we have to be at your mom's at 10."

I ran back to Warmaiden, my character running out of breath entered the shop and tried to talk to Ulfberth, only two dialogue's where highlighted, my character asked "Who Makes your Armor and Weapons?"

Ulfberth answered "Since.. Since Adrianne's death I bring weapons from the Khajiit caravans... Ii tried making them myself but I'm no good, Adrianne was the best."

And so Adrianne Avenicci the Master Blacksmith, a hard working woman from Whiterun, the reason this player so often visited the city was no more.

Now I don't visit Whiterun at all. The rare occasion my travels lead me back to Whiterun I always end up staring at the now empty forge, hoping Adrianne will walk from behind the house and start smithing as she always did.

2011's been a year of unexpected protests. We've had the Arab Spring reconfiguring the political map of various Muslim governments and the Occupy movements calling for financial reform. This summer, a video-game equivalent happened on the servers of CCP's cult sci-fi MMO EVE Online.

In the words of senior producer Arnar Gylfason, "It wasn't a complete surprise. But, at the time, we were shocked at the magnitude of the backlash and dissatisfaction." What pissed players off? Users felt like they weren't being listened to and were being handed expensive add-on content and gameplay modes that broke their expectations. Gylfason says the way that CCP introduced Incarna—the avatar gameplay mechanic that forced people out of their ships—took players out of the transports that they'd so lovingly crafted. Furthermore, the introduction of virtual goods rankled players as may users felt the in-game accoutrements were too pricey. "it was just pure vanity items that you could buy something to outfit your character. But, when we rolled out the store," Gylfason offers, "it looked like the price range of items was going to be from $10 to $20 to $60, and nothing under it. I think one of the major screw-ups was just not having more fleshed-out pricing tiers before the roll-out. We absolutely intended to have it, but it was just a question of asset production not being complete."

Protests took the form of a massive spaceship sit-in, where thousands of users went outside of one of the game's most popular trade hub stations. "Hundreds and hundreds of players kept showing up and shooting at a monument that's out there," Gylfason "You can easily draw parallels to real world examples." And there was a real-world chilling effect on EVE, too. "It strained the server for sure," the producer admits. "When people share a universe, you can't really do balancing in terms of just saying, ‘Oh, sorry, this group of hundred people go to this server. And this go to this server.' Everybody goes to the exact same location. You have to deal with that."

And deal with that, they did. Canvassing the community for feedback, CCP also admitted that they'd not been as engaged with EVE as they'd previously been. Gyalfson say that the admission was that "we made a mistake. We're sorry for it. And now we're going to improve." Crucible addresses the quality-of-life issues people have had for a while, he offers, balancing some ancient features in some cases, fleshing out production lines, adding new modules and fixing UI issues.

"I think we've now shown with Crucible that we've heard you loud and clear," Gyalfson says. "And we are back on track and doing what has made EVE and CCP great for all these years. Here we are. This is us."

The latest set-up clip from Warner Bros. Animation for the upcoming Bat-FPS puts viewers in the middle of a firefight where the game's factions face-off against each other. Sure, a gun battle in what looks like broad daylight probably isn't how Bruce Wayne would handle things but the Bat-vibe in this game will be different than in others. These videos have been great in setting up the free-for-all tone of the world but the actual gameplay's going to have to live up the humor and fun set up in these cartoons. Gotham City Impostors hits next months for Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Hello, Kotaku. Is your weather as dreary as New York's has been? I hope not. It's hard to ring in the holiday cheer with consecutive days of rain. But, that's beyond our control. Gaming and rainy days go hand in hand anyway, right? On that note, let us know what you've been playing below, and talk amongst yourselves!

Many thanks to Shaows for today's TAYpic! Clever.

Take a crack at being featured atop TAY some time this month simply by making a hilarious Photoshop or some other manipulation of the month's image. Pull a clean version from this thread. Make sure your image is 16x9 and funny. That will improve the odds of your image getting picked. Submit the image to the #TAYpics thread. Good luck!

I had high hopes when EA Sports hinted a couple months ago that "figures recognizable to the sports world" would be playable golfers in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13, due in March. That kind of longhand comment, as opposed to just saying "former sports stars" had me thinking the game might include some kind of celebrity pro-am event.

Well, that seems not to be the case—at least in what was revealed Monday of the game's celebrity roster. Four former stars, all of whom have some relationship with EA Sports already, will be a preorder bonus if you get the game through Amazon. That's it.

I'll be a little surprised if it indeed stops at that; I emailed an EA Sports representative to ask if any additional announcements regarding celebrity golfers were on the way. We've heard back nothing. [Update: The rep got in touch to say this is the only announcement, concerning celebrities, that EA Sports has to make at this time.] A pre-order bonus through a single retailer just doesn't sound like the kind of thing the game's director of marketing would be excited to bring up with me in a phone call six months before release.

Anyway, if you lay down a pre-order with Amazon, you get a code that delivers a playable Marshall Faulk, Jeremy Roenick, Sugar Ray Leonard and Dwight Howard in the game.

Faulk, the Hall of Fame running back for the St. Louis Rams, was on the cover of Madden NFL 12's collector's edition; Roenick was featured as an all-time great in NHL 12 and goes way back with EA Sports, all the way to the treasured NHL '94. Dwight Howard, of the Orlando Magic (currently, anyway), was on the cover of NBA Live 10. And boxing hall-of-famer Sugar Ray Leonard is in Fight Night and has made promotional appearances for the label.

I bring all of that up to say these four would be about the easiest retired sports greats that label could bag up. Though EA Sports is mum, I think we'll hear something more about this. If not, well, I'm not sure why the fuss was necessary.

Nintendo's 3DS is quickly, finally becoming a must-have gaming handheld. Games like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 are easily satisfying my gaming itch these days and this latest update for the system adds the sorts of new features that has me once more showing off the 3DS to friends and relatives.

The update hit last night, if you haven't downloaded it you should do so now. It brings with it a nice assortment of new features including the ability to shoot 3D video, create stop-motion movies, new ways to play with your Mii and Nintendo's take on achievements.

This video walks you through all of the new features, but here's a run-down for those of you who can't or don't want to watch it.

The new camera features are easily the biggest improvement that come along with the update. They add the ability to shoot video in 3D and to create stop-motion movies.

The 3D video is actually not nearly as neat as it sounds, because you're dealing with 3D and moving objects things can get a little messy at times. Perhaps more time spent shooting video will improve the results, but for now, they're a mixed bag with video that seems either out of focus, blurry or in 3D. Usually all three happen in the space of a minute video.

The stop-motion stuff, though, is amazing. The device lets you take an image and then keeps a ghost of that image on the screen to help you set up the next shot. I was able to create a one minute, hundred shot video in about ten minutes. Of course it sort of sucks, but it shows that with a little care you could create some amazing things. There's also an option to set the camera on a timer, so you can work on a scene away from the camera, setting up while a beeping countdown alerts you of the upcoming next shot. One big thing missing from the process is the ability to record or add sound, so you'll have to do that through post-production, which is a bummer. The only other thing missing is a way to easily share these creations, but I can think of plenty of reasons why Nintendo wouldn't want to do that.

The other big additions in this update are all for the Mii Plaza. The update adds something Nintendo calls "Accomplishments" to the area, but I can see these achievement-like tasks showing up in future games too. You also get a way to view where all of the Mii you've met came from on a world map. The best part are the expansions to Puzzle Swap and Find Mii. Puzzle Swap comes with new images. While Find Mii comes with a new adventure. Unfortunately you need to find all 16 hats in the original Find Mii before you get to go to the new adventure. That means playing through Find Mii twice before you move on to Find Mii II and its 57 new hats. (Thanks for the details KingHippo)

Check out the video above to see all of this in action.

Ninjas. They've been a staple of video game adventures for decades now, but games featuring them almost always happen in feudal times. Makes sense, I suppose, since it's easier to set up a shadow warrior's superhuman powers of stealth in a world without electric lighting. Or cameras. Or alarm systems.

Developed by indie studio Ink Vial, Ninja Hoodie goes in the opposite direction and lets players control a modern-day ninja who doesn't bother with any of that sneaking around stuff. Hoodie, as he's called, must search for his kidnapped sensei in a contemporary city landscape filled with various classes of ninja robot. Like, I said: modern.

You play from a tight, third-person over-the-shoulder perspective with movement automatically advancing as you mow down waves of enemies with an endless supply of throwing stars. The action's all in the mix of aiming, shooting and deflecting and you can get a nice rhythm going once you figure out the timing of enemy attack patterns.

The hook with Ninja Hoodie is that it never feels too static, even though it is an on-rails shooting gallery. You never know where enemies will pop up from and successful progression is as much as about reaction time as it is anticipation. You don't get the thrill of creeping up on a bad guy in Ninja Hoodie but throwing shurikens with reckless abandon proves to be its own reward.

Nija Hoodie [iTunes]

Alfista | Xbox 360: As detailed on sister site Jalopnik, the Dec. Forza 4 DLC comes with a 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider QV. (Photo: Microsoft)

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Mario Kart 7: The Kotaku Review

There's a spot on the couch where Mario Kart 7 sits, a well-worn seat where the pillows and cushions have been arranged just so. Over the years, a multitude of previous Mario Kart games have all occupied that spot, and so Mario Kart 7 knows just how to hold itself, just how to sit, just how to... More »

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An Older Guy Who Prefers Crosswords to Video Games

It's not that they're no fun, or have something against games, but we all know someone who seems to prefer the most analog means of interactive entertainment-a good old pencil and paper-over all of the modern media. More »

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Should You Buy Battlefield 3's Back to Karkand? Yes.

Battlefield 3's Back to Karkand map pack updates four of the most popular Battlefield 2 maps for DICE's new shooter.
The pack also includes four vehicles and ten weapons from Battlefield 2 as well as some new reward, achievements and some other tweaks. More »

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Xbox Live Service Buckling Under Weight of Finally Welcomes New Dashboard [Update]

After a slight delay, the new Xbox Dashboard has begun rolling out to 360 owners around the world. Or, well, it would be, if Xbox Live wasn't down for many of them. More »

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Now Microsoft Wants to Stop You Taking Them to Court

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Sony was the first company to introduce a "no sue" clause as part of its terms of... More »

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Game-Breaking Skyward Sword Bug Confirmed. Here's How to Avoid It.

Nintendo has admitted that, yes, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has a game breaking bug. What is this bug and how can you avoid it? Warning: Spoilers.
The bug makes it impossible for players to complete the game's "Song of the Hero" quest. More »

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Who are you to Resist This God of War Art?

With over a decade's experience in video game concept art, Carlo Arellano has worked on some of the industry's biggest franchises, including World of Warcraft, Resistance and God of War.
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Last Guardian Executive Producer Quits. Goes Elsewhere.

Is Yoshifusa Hayama the latest Last Guardian casualty? The former Sony Computer Entertainment Vice President and Last Guardian executive producer has left the company. More »

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PopCap Games is "retiring" Bejeweled 2 + Blitz from iTunes today, replacing it with another version of Bejeweled that sells for the same price, but which doesn't come with Blitz.

Instead iPhone and iPod Touch gamers will have to pick up a new "freemium" version of Bejeweled Blitz if they want to play that version of the game.

The roll out of these titles kicks off what the Electronic Arts-owned studio is calling a "new strategic direction for PopCap's blockbuster puzzle game franchise on mobile platforms," according to the press release.

Let's hope that direction isn't toward removing content and repackaging as freemium add-ons.

It's hard to tell what is new in the "all-new" version of Bejeweled, which will sell for the same $.99 price tag as Bejeweled 2 +Blitz.

The press release promises that it will continue to evolve with new and exciting features, but it sounds like it's launching as something very similar to Bejeweled 2 + Blitz... without the Blitz.

The new version will have retina display support, Classic, Zen and Diamond Mine modes, in-game leaderboards, user profiles seven achievements and a player ranking system.

Currently Bejeweled 2 + Blitz comes with Classic, Action and Endless play modes. It also includes the beloved Blitz mode.

Now to play Bejeweled Blitz on your iOS device you're going to need to pick up Bejeweled Blitz Standalone Freemium Edition.

PopCap's entry into the freemium business includes the same Facebook integration as the original Blitz and "cool new content."

That new content:

"An entirely new and irresistible user-interface."

"The Daily Spin feature where players try their luck to get bonus coins"

"A fun new tutorial system to help get new players moving up the leaderboards as quickly as possible"

"Retina display support and more"

Update: Just heard back from someone at PopCap, the thing that makes the new Blitz freemium is the ability to buy coins in the game. You can still earn them the old fashioned way, by playing, but this version lets you pay for a shortcut as well. There is no time limit or any other limitations associated with the new Blitz.

Some video games have exploding heads. That evokes criticism. Other games have giant breasts and panty shots. Likewise, people get upset. Skullgirls developer Reverge Labs is here to pass out the chill pills.

Skullgirls is an all girl-on-girl 2D fighting game. Skullgirls roster features characters like Valentine, a nurse ninja; the demon-haired Filia; a girl who wears hulking arms for a hat, Cerebella; and zombie cutie Squigly.

"Our characters are strong, powerful women who happen to be attractive," Reverge lead designer Peter Bartholow told Eurogamer. "None of the characters use their sexuality in any aggressive way. It's just a thing they happen to be."

As previously posted, Skullgirls is the work of Reverge Labs and the spawn of artist Alex Ahad and programmer Mike Zaimont. Zaimont, or Mike Z as he's known in fighting game circles, is a tournament competitor, well versed in the 2D fighting styles of BlazBlue, Guilty Gear, and Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.

The issue of the character's appearance has followed the game. Bartholow recalled an incident at this year's Gamescom in Germany in which a gamer came up to him, only to call the Skullgirls sexist. "I'm like, did you know our lead animator is a woman? Then he's like, that's amazing," the designer said. "It's like I gave him the excuse to think it was okay all of a sudden, or to admit he liked it."

According to Bartholow, the animator "intentionally lavishes attention on the breasts herself because she thinks it's cool."

The panty flashes, he added, are the result of short skirts. Naturally, if girls were fighting in skimpy duds, they'd show their underpants. What's more, if they were fighting other girls, they probably wouldn't care about showing their underwear.

"All the people who seem bothered by it are guys," he continued. "It's a weird chivalry intent thing that's sort of misplaced and maybe shallow, even, because they see breasts and panty flashes and they go, that's sexist, but I've yet to meet a woman who has complained about it. They're over-thinking it."

Skullgirls will be out next year, high kicks and all.

Skullgirls Sexism Complaints Are Misplaced and Shallow Chivalry [Eurogamer]