Archive for: console
The battle between console and PC gamers will probably never end, each side saying their hardware/method of gaming is inherently better. (For the record, we’re PC gamers.) But perhaps there is a common middle ground we could come together on, no?
Alienware is trying to bridge the gap between hulking gaming PC and tiny, under-TV console with their new X51 device. This “console-ified” PC is basically a microATX type of device crammed into a box that resembles a certain competing box that begins with “X”.
Specs for the X51 aren’t anything to scoff at: (high end model) Core i7 2600K processor, 8 GB of 1333MHz RAM, 1 GB Nvidia GTX 555 GPU, and a 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive. 7.1 audio as well as a DVD +/- RW are also tucked inside. Pricing is of course higher than your average console at £948.99, but it’s also a much, much better piece of hardware. But if it’s too much, you’ll be able to opt in for a lower powered Core i3 processor and 4 GB of RAM.
When you think of it, your Xbox 360 and PS3 now have hardware in it pushing over 5 years. That is ancient in the technology world. Just look at cellphones five years ago and compare to today’s modern devices.
Toss in a good wireless keyboard and mouse and we think Alienware’s on to something here. You?
Shipping February 6th
Owners of hacked Xbox 360s that have found their Live play cut short due to Microsoft’s console banning over the last couple of years may have a second chance at life. Reports are starting to surface that previously banned consoles are now able to sign into the Xbox Live network. Although, this is as far as said consoles can go as they still aren’t able to actually purchase or play anything. But if it’s a sign of what’s to come…
The current theory circulating the web is that Microsoft has a new disc format that would render any and all old hacks unusable. As such, why not re-allow the banned units back online? It’s certainly a good time to “cease the moment” in lieu of Sony’s ongoing problem, no?
- February 22, 2011 6:15 pm
If Sony has their way, the next PS3 refresh will be “unhackable”, thanks to a larger included hard drive and a thus far undisclosed “anti-hacking system” — this according to IGN. It would be interesting to see how Sony plans to temporarily suspend PS3 hacking, but any hopes and claims to be able to permanently stop it just shows how utterly disconnected and incompetent Sony management really is. Piracy — yes, it’s bad. Throwing all your resources behind the endless game that you’ll never win — also bad. At some point Sony needs to realize that the tougher the DRM and “anti-piracy” measures become, the worse off general users will be. Because, in the end, the only people that will get around Sony’s anti-hacking antics are the dedicated hackers themselves.
- February 21, 2011 5:31 pm
While some gaming console manufacturers would rather sue the very community that creates the future of the platform, Microsoft has chosen to embrace them. When the Microsoft Kinect was first released in late 2010, Microsoft took a very tough stance to hackers (as they have previously with Xbox hacking). But soon after, all kinds of cool little hacks and demos started appearing online showing just how much potential the Kinect accessory had. Shortly after, Microsoft changed their tune, instead taking a neutral approach to the hacks and hackers, promising no legal battles. And now it gets better, with official confirmation via Microsoft themselves that the talented bunch of Kinect hackers will soon have a legitimate SDK to bring their apps to life and the public in a much easier fashion.
The new SDK will be released this March and initially as a non-commercial endeavor only. But Microsoft has promised that commercial creations will be able to flourish at a later date.
With Sony (oh darn, cat’s out of the bag) currently going sue happy on some very prominent and helpful PS3 hackers, we’d say Microsoft is taking the far better road by embracing the Kinect hacker community and actually…you know…listening to the Xbox/Kinect userbase. We expect some very unique and very worthwhile things to come forth for the Xbox/Kinect platform in the near future.
**Note to Sony: This is how you get people interested in your products.
- February 18, 2011 6:55 pm
Within the last couple of weeks, the minimum specs for Crysis were made public. While it gave us a good glimpse as to what would be required of our machines to power the latest and greatest Crytek has to offer, it didn’t tell us much in the sense that minimum requirements are often low-balled. Recommended specs are what really matter. Unfortunately, thus far Crytek has been pretty tight lipped about said requirements. Until now. Well, Crytek still isn’t actually saying anything, but fellow tech site VR-Zone is. They claim to have the recommended specs in the bag. As seen above, Crysis 2 is still a very power hungry game, but not in the same context as it was back in 2007. These days, a Core 2 Duo and Nvidia 280/ATI 4870 aren’t exactly “high-end”. Nevertheless, the true test will be running the final version of the game on our systems to see the results for ourselves.
We’ll definitely be picking up Crysis 2. You?
- February 10, 2011 8:32 am
Since the birth of the iPhone, Apple has dipped it’s magical toes into the gaming industry. With trillions of games released thus far on the iOS platform, it may be time for them to dabble in the console arena. I have always heard rumors Apple was going to release some sort of gaming console in the past, whether it was from them buying up game developer companies, or the fact that the iOS gaming has been such a huge success, but could this be it?
The latest iOS 4.3 beta released shows many-a-hints on AppleTV gaming. If you can decifer the code above, or at least read any part of you’ll notice the code …ATVGames… Could this be iDevice ports to the AppleTV or possibly something bigger? Also, could the Cupertino Giant have figured out a way to play God by creating thunder??? I’ll quote that part of the code here…
ATVThunderSettingsController
You heard it here first folks!!!
Of course we’ll have to wait and find out, but I think with the success of gaming on iDevices, and what could be huge success gaming with the AppleTV, I can definitely see Apple revolutionizing the console industry by releasing the iiBox1080-3(Copyright Gadgesteria).
Read the full story over at Engadget
- December 19, 2010 10:04 am
If the Thrustmaster T500RS steering wheel is a bit over the top for your needs (and budget), perhaps the equally flashy Prosche 911 R2 racing wheel by Fanatec is more up your alley. It will work on PC, PS3, and Xbox, so you can spread your fortune around. For Xbox users in particular, the wheel will work wirelessly, giving you a bit more freedom in placement.
The wheel itself is $249 which may seem like a bargain compared to the previously mentioned Thrustmaster T500RS — but that’s the price for just the wheel. The pedals and stick shifter will push the price up to ~$500. At that point, you’re within $100 of the spec’d out Thrustmaster, so it comes down to personal preference in styling and design. Though, there’s certainly denying it is a mighty fine piece of gaming paraphernalia.
Interested users can pick up the Porsche 911 GS racing wheel from Fanatec’s online webstore. Gallery after the jump…
- December 16, 2010 10:11 am
In regards to massive engineering failures, the first generation Xbox 360 was one of the staple best. A poorly designed PCB and internal cooling system caused critical internal components to eventually wriggle apart and displaying the dreaded RRoD (Red Rings of Death) error. Over the last 5 years, the RRoD death has become as much of a sign of failure as it has the butt of countless jokes. Though theres one other big Xbox 360 failure that doesn’t get nearly the same amount of attention — customizable faceplates.
According to Microsoft’s Albert Penello in an interview with Official Xbox Magazine, customizable faceplates were “what everyone wanted to do”. Apparently not. Sales we never anything to write home about. With the recent Xbox 360 refrsh, the plates were discontinued entirely, leaving the scores of custom Xbox 360 faceplates to collect dust on retail shelves and forever live in the bargain bin at your local walmart checkout lane.
But one, rare occurrence where Microsoft admits defeat.
- November 25, 2010 8:55 am
Angry Birds fanatics will most certainly want to mark December 11th on their calendars, for it is the greatest day of the year — Angry Birds Day. On this day, Angry Birds fans around the world are asked to plan meet-ups to talk, laugh, and play their favorite game in hordes. However, the real party will be going down in London’s Trafalgar Square.
It is there that Rovio’s executive team is rumored to be announcing among other things, console versions of Angry Birds, Angry Birds 2, and/or an Angry Birds Movie. Though fellow tech blog TechCrunch thinks something even bigger and better will be dropped on us.
Whatever it is, I can’t wait. Anyone out there doing something special for Angry Birds Day?
