Archive for: video games
- February 15, 2011 9:54 am
This is definitely news. 2012 is the year video games aren’t just child’s play. Gaming isn’t just something for single boys and men sitting in basements anymore. The time has come – video games are art.
The Smithsonian will be placing video games on display on March 16th, 2012 AS ART! It’s about time. The developers out there that create these masterpieces are artists and need be recognized as such. The hard work, discipline and time that goes into creating video games isn’t just a job or hobby, it is so much more.
The choice of which games will be on display is being left up to the public to decide, with voting open at artofvideogames.org through April 7, 2011.
The Art of Video Games exhibition will explore the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, with a focus on striking visual effects, the creative use of new technologies, and the most influential artists and designers. We want you to help us select the eighty video games that will be represented in the exhibition. Remember, this is an art exhibition, so be sure to vote for games that you think are visually spectacular or boast innovative design!
The exibit will consist of 5 video game eras – Start! / 8-Bit / Bit Wars / Transition / Next Generation
So please, head on over to artofvideogames.org and vote on each era. And if you are anywhere near the Smithsonian in DC, stop by between March 16th – September 30th 2012 to witness this. I am going to try to make arrangements to be there where I will live tweet and photograph everything I see.
- November 2, 2010 10:36 pm
One of the biggest complaints adults have had regarding the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises is that they teach kids to mash a few buttons instead of actually learning an instrument. That will all be a thing of the past in the near future however, with Fender’s new Squier Stratocaster Rock Band 3 controller.
The Squier is the “controller” musician-gamers have been waiting for, seeing as how it is a 102-button beast that perfectly mimics a real guitar. both a real guitar and game controller. The official release date is marked down as March 1st 2011, though you can get in on the fun early by pre-ordering the guitar come December 1st.
Unfortunately, all of that high-end, music-teaching fun comes at a price — a $279 price that is. For a gaming accessory, that’s insane. For an instrument that can play games and in stand alone situations as well as actually teach you how to play along, well a price can’t really be put on that.
Anyone looking to pick up the latest Rock Band solely for it’s unique guitar and re-worded Pro modes?
- February 15, 2010 9:13 am
The basis of any good gaming computer is a ridiculously fast (and large) graphics card and equally fast processor. There are a ton of mainstream and more niche gaming PC companies to choose from. On the whole, there isn’t too much variation between the actual internal specs as it is more of a difference in the cases each custom PC maker users. The sea of information regarding gaming computers can be quite daunting to say the least, so why not let me give you a helping hand?
If you’re looking for something different in a gaming PC, one that looks just as impressive on the outside as it does the inside can be found with the Black OPS Gaming PC by Digital Storm. The biggest talking points for the Black OPS PC’s are the sub-zero liquid cooling and “Twistedboost” overclocking process that should get those 1′s and 0′s moving at break neck speeds.
If you’re looking for hard specs, seeing as this is a top-o-the-line beast, nothing less than the best will do. That means the fastest Intel Core i7′s, 1,333+MHz RAM, the latest graphics cards from Nvidia and ATI w/ Crossfire and SLI support and a no holds barred cooling system are all present. In regards to the latter, just look at the cooling system and tell me it isn’t pretty. Definitely a looker wouldn’t you say?
Prices start between $1,709 – $3,102, with checkboxes weighing heavily on your wallet.
[Product Page: Digital Storm]
Geeky-Gadgets > GizmoWatch
- February 9, 2010 12:48 am
Oh geeze, I know what is going on gadget/gamers wish lists this year — Crysis 2. Even though a good chunk of computers still can’t run the visually demanding and sensory pleasing game, one of the co-devleopers of Crysis (Crytek) aren’t sitting down, content with the still virtually unchallenged work.
Come this holiday season, Crysis will finally be unseated as “the” game to benchmark. It’s been a wonderful couple of years. Heck, besides being a great all around game to play and look at, the game became a standard. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard someone say “But can it run Cyrsis…?”. Such things only happen to the best of the breed.
A new revelation this holiday season for round 2 is that for the first time, console players will be able to get in on the action. After being a PC exclusive for the last couple of years, it will be interesting to see how Crysis does jumping across to different platforms and user markets. And of course, I can’t wait to see the downright beautiful graphics ‘splayed across my screen. See you on Xbox Live this Christmas…
The Video Game Blog
- December 16, 2009 8:13 am
Before you freak out and wet yourself, make it known that there is nothing concrete about any of this. It is merely a theoretical assumption and think pot of ideas…
Recently Nikkei Japan asked Sony executive VP Masayuki Chatani about how Sony maintained the cost of running the PSN network — a free online gaming network. Several options were highlighted with the most interesting being “single-payment packaged software” as well as the possibility of monthly fees or per-item charges.
Keep your finger off that freak button a little while longer. Just because monthly or yearly subscriptions are mentioned doesn’t mean the PSN as a whole is going to or even looking at an all out subscription model like Microsoft’s Xbox Live. There are plenty of things that can have a monetary amount attached to them without encompassing the bigger picture. Namely, game updates, extra game content, movies, online storage, and more are but a few of the many ways Sony can begin an influx of cash via the PSN without making everyone pay an entrance fee.
To me it makes sense. Keep the entry gate free and open and charge more for what users want to do. Of course, Sony can’t get too greedy or too stupid with their payment schemes as it will only push people away — something they don’t really want to do know that the PS3 is finally getting some sizable market share. I do think a blanket subscription fee for the PSN would be a bad idea. The PSN’s main talking point is that “FREE” tag slapped on the front. Playstation Home has stalled in development as of late and still hasn’t really caught on big like Sony has hoped. Finally, let’s be real here. Xbox Live is extremely well developed and robust providing (in my opinion) a better online gaming experience. If Sony is thinking of an all out subscription model, the PSN is going to need some more work. At the end of the day however, you can’t beat free. Some people simply won’t or can’t pay.
So I leave with two questions for current and potential PSN users: What would you pay, if anything, for certain features and services on the PSN? Would you even be willing to pay a base subscription fee if Sony enacted one? Leave it below.
Joystiq
- November 16, 2009 8:58 am
I don’t write about games a whole lot here on Gadgetsteria. The reason being that if I’m not sitting in front of a computer or phone writing an article, the few opportunities I get to play games are just that — playing games. I don’t have nearly enough time to start reviewing games too. Sad I know. We all have our favorite game. One that we could spend hours playing over and over again with no end in sight. My personal favorite is Grand Theft Auto. More specifically, Grand Theft Auto IV. To date it is the best graphically speaking as well as involved. It’s just fun. For many fans of the GTA series, with each subsequent release we’re left wondering if this is the last sequel. I can enthusiastically say that GTA IV is not the last GTA game from Rockstar as Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games started letting small details slip about the franchises next installment.
If you’re looking for a plot, main character, city name, or any other number of variables I’m sorry to say that you won’t find it here. You won’t find it anywhere yet actually as this slipping of “details” was more of “thank god it will exist” type of thing. True to GTA form however, the environment and city of GTA 5 will come first, after which the characters and plot will fall into line. Houser also shared that the inspiration for GTA came from (surprise surprise) his love for watching car chases on TV and that GTA is the depiction of what the real world would look like if the media world set the rules. Fair enough. All I know is I like some good ‘ol simulated theft and tom foolery. You?
Electric Pig > The Times > Rockstar
- September 21, 2009 1:42 pm
Get your tissues ready and prepare to weep. If you’re old enough to remember GoldenEye 007, (not only the greatest James Bond game ever, but one of the best games ever) and were hoping that it may make it’s way to a new console such as the Xbox Live Arcade or Wii Virtual Console, you’re going to be thoroughly disappointed. According to Rare, the company responsible for the N64 first person shooter, made it very clear that there isn’t much hope for future renditions or even ports of the game to come to modern consoles. A rather close summary would go along the lines of: “a snowball’s chance in hell”.
Again, not very encouraging to say the least. I know that I myself as well as hoards of games would have shelled out another $20-$30 to get a modern version/port of that game on new hardware. Sadly it looks as if those leaked shots of a hi-def GoldenEye “10th Anniversary Edition” are nothing more than a visual tease, taunting us from behind closed doors. god life sucks…
CrunchGear < G4 < Nintendo Everything
Image Source
- September 17, 2009 5:54 am
Playing video games, especially extended gaming sessions, can cause a weird yet often experienced phenomenon. The phenomenon in question is the growing hunger that builds inside your gut with each punch, lap, shot, etc. Some have to pause their game, waste precious valuable seconds/minutes walking into the kitchen. Some are lucky to have a mini fridge in close proximity. But the coolest of the cool have a PS3 and are enjoying the new built in Papa Johns on screen ordering. Surprise! PS3 users will find a nifty little Papa Johns icon right next to the YouTube icon on the PS3 home page giving you quick and easy access to a gateway for weight gain. Super! Upon clicking the link, a special PS3 optimized version of the site springs to life making it easy to design the pizza of your dreams. Who’s ready to eat?
Source: Gear Log
No doubt one of the best ways to escape your current trials and tribulations in your day to day lives is to sit back and play a good video game. Another approach to the same mind relaxing goal can be had by means of alcohol. What if you put the two together? Obviously many a night have been spent with games and alcohol in the company of good friends. Such events make life worth living and all the more enjoyable. Anyone can have some consoles and a big screen with a fridge full of beer. But if you want to really impress your friends, you need to invest in the Arkeg. All great things take time and money. The Arkeg at $4,000 is no different. But what you get is well worth it — an old style arcade game with a kegerator stuffed inside the cabinet.
The Arkeg comes with a 5 gallon keg, (depending on your drinking habits, mileage may vary) and a PC pre-loaded with 104 classic games. I can already see it now. This thing would be great in my bar/garage. Why would I have to ever go into the house again? Weekly tournaments on the 24″ screen accompanied by 2.1 surround sound with a powered sub will without a doubt make your house the house to be at for parties. I’ll take two please!
[Product Page]
Source: Slippery Brick, Dvice
