Author: John Scalzo

April Fools’ Day 2011 is nearing it’s end and we’ve already highlighted some of our favorites, but hit the jump for a quick rundown of more gags, pranks, jokes and hoaxes that the game industry played on unsuspecting gamers this year.

And don’t forget this year’s greatest non-prank, the 100% real feces flinging in Duke Nukem Forever. Also, check out our real rumor report on The Undead States of America.

Did we forget your favorite? We’ll update this post throughout the rest of the day and let us know what we missed in the comments. (more…)

Ever since Kinect has been known as Project Natal, gamers have dreamed of using the peripheral like a high-tech general would… moving units into position with a flick of the wrist and raining destruction down on an inferior foe from a comfortable (and fortified) command center. A lone warrior fighting all of the aliens by himself would just be a lone (and very dead) nutcase in real life.

Thankfully, Blizzard has heard our cries and has announced their return to console development, StarCraft: Motion Overdrive for the Xbox 360. Playable exclusively with Kinect, the real time strategy game will offer “the exciting strategy gameplay of StarCraft II,” but now with motion controls!

Gag Reflex: Very funny, but this is just salt in the wound for players that still hold out hope that StarCraft: Ghost will one day rise from the ashes.

In a world where We Dare encourages gamers to swap spouses, a title like Kama Sutra: Connected was inevitable.

X-Rated Studios may be a new developer on the scene, but they have lofty aspirations. They want to offer “practical advice on sexual intercourse and behaviour” to gamers everywhere through a series of minigames that they hope will remain true to the spirit of the classic Hindu text. Available in late 2011 for all consoles and handheld systems, Kama Sutra: Connected will make use of your favorite motion controller to bring gamers “closer to the action than ever before.”

Edmund Rechtion, the Creative Director at X-Rated Studios, said: “We found through our research that there is an increasing audience for video games that offer more than is being serviced through the hardcore action or casual game markets. There is a market for a title that targets a mature audience who are looking for far more from a shared interactive experience than bowling or dancing, and we dare to provide just that.”

Gag Reflex: I have to admit, I was convinced this LunchPR stunt was real until I looked closer at the name of X-Rated Studios’ Creative Director… Edmund Rechtion… E. Rechtion. A tad crude, but since when do gamers shy away from dirty jokes?