Gadzooki

Take Some Time off and Relax With the Internet

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The Internet is great for many things – apart from helping you get your work done more efficiently and be more productive in your life in general, it can also be very useful for relaxing and spending some time off when you feel the stress has built up too much. And if you know where to look, your relaxation time in the Internet can be a very pleasant one!

One of the best ways to kill some quick time on your computer is to play a few rounds of your favorite game – and with the help of the Internet, you can find many free Flash games of great quality! Just make sure you apply some self-control to the whole ordeal – some of those games have been made to be anything but boring, and they can easily get you addicted and coming back for yet another round even when you should be working. We’re all familiar with the feeling, sadly.

Of course, it can be cool to catch up with the latest trends in the geek world as well, in case you’re interested in that scene – reading the proper geek blog can be a good way to get the latest news in that field, and it can be quite the interesting read as well – certainly something which can work great to take the time and stress of and help you relax for a few minutes! Plus, it can be useful for getting the latest bits of information in the IT field too.

Sony reveals PlayStation Move

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I have to admit, my mind is officially blown. Sony finally revealed its new PlayStation 3 motion controller at GDC 2010 in San Francisco, and boy is it looking good.

Dubbed the Playstation Move, the advanced motion controls on this baby makes it supposedly more accurate than that other motion controller from that little-known console from Nintendo (maybe you’ve heard of it, it’s called the Wii?). You can operate the controls via action buttons and an analog trigger, with the typical shock and rumble treatment from the controller itself. You can even use the PlayStation Eye camera for 3D simulation, basically putting you in the game.

If that wasn’t enough to make any gamer stop and be excited for this, Sony is set to release at least 20 games that will cater specifically to the new motion controllers.

Just check out games like the brutal street boxing game Dukes.

You will be able to get involved with PlayStation Move in several ways:

  • Camera + controller (including a “starter disc” with a range of demos for games releasing later in the year)
  • A single controller for people who already have a PlayStation Eye camera
  • A full console pack which includes PS3, dualshock3, Move controller + camera
  • Finally some of the PS3’s biggest games will be available with a Move controller included

I admit, I’m not too crazy about the colored lightbulb at the end of those sticks. It really makes the PlayStation Move look a bit silly, but I think I might change my opinion once I get t play with one of those things.

Steam finally coming to Macs in April

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I’m really agnostic in this whole Mac vs. PC thing here – I use (and love) a Windows 7 workhorse, but at the same time I’m seriously considering getting a Mac for my next computer. Of course, it goes without saying I can’t make fun of both sides of the debate: Windows – blue screen of death, Macs – rabid fanboyism, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Of course the biggest card PC users throw at Macs would be the “Macs can’t be used for gaming” card. In fact, people have been making jokes about the Mac’s apparent lack of gaming capabilites over and over again.

But it looks like the games can now consider a Mac for their next computer purchase. This April, Steam is finally coming to the Mac, and bringing the entire library of Valve games with it. From Mac Life:

Steam is a digital games distributor, a social networking platform for gamers, a multiplayer host for huge frag fests, and one of the most essential pieces of software for computer gamers everywhere. And if you still have no idea what we’re talking about, think of game titles like Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress 2, Half-Life, Portal, and Counter Strike–these gems will finally be available for Mac heads everywhere.

The availability of Steam for Mac gamers means that we’ll finally be able to kick the butts of our PC brethern, without investing in a pricey gaming console, or a Windows PC. Additionally, game publishers will be able to distribute all of their latest game titles via digital downloads, and we’ll be able to play all the various Valve titles across a multitude of different computers, regardless of operating system. We don’t doubt that the Mac versus PC debate won’t continue on for generations to come, but at least there’s finally some common ground.

I’ve always resisted getting a Mac for the longest time, and this might just be the tipping point that’ll actually make me want a Mac. What do you think?

Use your Nokia N900 to play SNES games

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Okay, sure, old-school gaming emulators are a dime a dozen. You can easily download one off the net for a small price – or if your Google-fu is strong, free – and you can just download the ROMS of the games that you legally (heh) purchased back in the console’s heyday, and play away! I actually have quite a few installed on my computer and a NES and GBA emulator on my Nokia E63 as well.

So what’s the big deal about playing SNES games on the Nokia N900?

Well, I don’t think any other cellphone can allow you to play SNES games through a PS3 SixAxis controller. And if you use the Nokia N900’s TV out function, you can actually connect your diminutive cellphone to a ginormous HDTV and enjoy your games on a huge screen!

Setting it up is a bit complicated though. Pairing the PS3 SixAxis controller to your N900 via bluetooth isn’t as easy as it looks, though. Unfortunately N900’s Maemo does not come with joystick and mouse support in kernel. These instructions will help you reconfigure the device’s kernel to enable joystick device and mouse support.

Were you able to get SNES emulators to work on your N900? Don’t be afraid to try it, and tell me what happens!

[via]

The Acer Predator Aspire G Is Flaming HOT

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acer-aspire-predator-now-fasterAcer had never been one of my favorite brands of computers but this new release has caught my attention. Their latest gaming computer is dubbed the Acer Predator Aspire G, and it really is something else. At first glance, you might not be that impressed. It really has the same look as the earlier version – all orangey and tough.

First impressions do not always mean everything, though, you should know about that. Inside the tough casing, the hardware is the perfect set up for the ultimate gaming machine. These are the specifications, as is published in The Akihabara News:

For their flagship model, the ASG7710-A41, Acer offers a Core i7-950 @ 3.06GHz CPU, 6GB of DDR3 RAM (up to 12GB), an Intel X58 Express Chipset, 1TB of SATA HDD @ 7200rpm, two Nvidia GeForce GTS 250 (1GB of VRAM), a Blu-ray disc drive, as well as 11 USB 2.0 ports, 2 eSATA ports, a multi-card reader, 4 DVI-D ports, two Gigabit Ethernet… It runs on Windows Vista Home Premium (64bit), and also comes with the G15 keyboard and the G9 Laser mouse.

While I am sure that some of you might already have some machines with specs close to these, having everything in one neat package could be quite convenient, don’t you think? As of now, there is no specific information as to when exactly the Predator will be released. The news is that when it is released, it will cost about $2,700. Who said that predators come cheap?

Tekken 6 – To Be Released Third Quarter 2009

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NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe gets working on its combos in preparation for the next instalment in the ultimate fighting franchise TEKKEN 6, scheduled for release in Europe through its distribution partnership with Infogrames Entertainment in autumn 2009 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., TEKKEN 6 brings the blockbuster fighting series onto multiple platforms for the first time in the history of the TEKKEN franchise. TEKKEN sets the standard for fighting games with its stunning realism and uncompromising quality, and TEKKEN 6 promises to propel the series to greater heights with major gameplay enhancements and the largest character roster ever seen in the TEKKEN series.

Rendered in vivid high definition detail, TEKKEN 6 heralds the dawn of a new era as a new King of the Iron Fist Tournament opens for business, with intense gameplay modes, new features and environments that guarantee blistering fight action, lightning-paced brawls and bone-crunching punch-ups.

TEKKEN 6 sees the return of many familiar faces while also introducing a host of new characters resulting in the largest line-up the series has ever seen. Each fighter is equipped with their own deadly techniques, moves and attack combinations to make TEKKEN 6 the most challenging King of the Iron Fist Tournament yet. A character customization feature will further intensify the fighting action and multiplayer gameplay modes let players take their fighters online to compete for world domination.

Boasting an illustrious 14 year legacy, TEKKEN is among the most popular and well-known gaming brands in the world with the entire franchise selling more than 33 million units to date. TEKKEN 6 is a must-have for any fan of console arcade fighting.

I for one am extremely excited about the legacy of Tekken continuing, as it has been one of my favourite beat-em-up titles since the release of the original way back on the Playstation. More information and screenshots to follow as I receive them.

The Gears Of War 2 Combustible Map Pack

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gears-of-war-2
More than 1.5 million people were drawn to “Gears of War 2” on Xbox LIVE during its first weekend, logging over 15 million gameplay hours and driving a new record for concurrent users. Now, the online experience has become even more explosive with the release of the Combustible Map Pack, a collection of three new maps for “Gears of War 2” available now on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 MS Points.

Debuted during the SPIKE TV Video Game Awards on Dec. 14, where “Gears of War 2” took home the Best Shooter and Best Xbox 360 Game awards, Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games unveiled exclusive footage from the Combustible Map Pack with Marisa Miller (Sports Illustrated’s 2008 Swimsuit Issue cover model) and “Gears of War 2’s” Augustus “Cole Train” Cole (played by Lester Speight) presenting the first look at the new maps.

The Combustible Map Pack unleashes three new multiplayer maps: Flood, Gold Rush and Fuel Station.

• Flood is a very tight map that’s made extra snug when the environmental hazard of Imulsion begins creeping up around the edges. As the playing field closes in, the firefight will intensify as combat is forced to the center of the map. Teams skilled at flanking their opponents will have a powerful edge.

• Gold Rush takes place in an old Imulsion refinery that now serves as a hotly contested battleground. Players must survive heavy crossfire as they infiltrate the factory and navigate multiple tiers. Breakable glass allows for a clean shot at those who make a dash for the Longshot rifle while bolder players make their run for the heavy weapon. In the right hands, the Mortar can be devastating on this map, so keep those smoke grenades armed as the concussive effect comes in very handy.

• Fuel Station is situated in a desolate area marked by an abandoned fossil fuel station. The team that secures and controls the station is likely to be the side that wins the match. An especially strategic location on this map is the rooftop, as there are only two points of entry – the main elevator and a staircase on the back side of the building. Heavy weaponry is situated right in front, which presents a high risk to reward ratio in this level. Lugging the Mulcher around, deploying it and revving it up can keep an entire team at bay, and unleashing hell from the rooftops is always an excellent tactic.

All of the multiplayer maps in the Combustible Map Pack are playable in the highly popular, five player co-op Horde mode.

“Gears of War 2” is the best-selling console game in the US (November NPD data) and has been named the ‘best Xbox 360 game ever’ by GamePro magazine. “Gears of War 2” is available exclusively on Xbox 360 and is rated “18’’ by the BBFC.

Moto GP 08

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The official game of the 2008 season, MotoGP 08 features all the official riders, bikes and tracks from this year’s event whilst being packed full with new features. MotoGP 08 marks the debut of the series on the PLAYSTATION®3 and the introduction of the all new Indianapolis track in the US and the spectacle of night racing at the Qatar circuit.

New for 2008, players will be thrown into the centre of the MotoGP experience by joining a team and competing alongside their sporting heroes as themselves, in all three race classes – 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP. Recent MotoGP titles have excluded 125cc and 250cc and Capcom is keen to ensure that all riders are faithfully represented, providing gamers with a different racing experience as they proceed through each class. The game features a competitive AI which adjusts within limits to give a more enjoyable race experience on the lower levels but shows no mercy in the higher levels.

Also new for MotoGP 08 is the tutorial mode. Player’s will be able to decide what motorcycle and racing style suits them best, but rather than taking players ‘out of the main game’, this mode will transport them immediately into an arcade race which offers hints and tips from the start. For the first time in the MotoGP games players will be able to create their own rider and develop their racing skills for up to 5 seasons with the aim of becoming the ultimate MotoGP champion. After choosing a team and bike class players can customise their riders’ helmet design. As races are won the stronger teams will be looking to recruit for the following season, enabling players to race better performing bikes.

In championship race mode players can select any class, rider and team and recreate the entire 2008 season. Practice and qualifying modes are optional whilst the weather conditions, difficulty setting, number of laps and handling model can also be decided, allowing players to shape their own season.

Before each race players can tweak the set-up of their bike, including changing tyres, suspension settings and gear ratios. For those players who aren’t happy with their performance then the practice racing circuit can be tried out alone in free practice mode, or choose a quick race where players can choose their favourite track, rider, difficulty level, bike class, riding model, transmission type, number of laps and weather conditions before starting their race. If all that wasn’t enough then there are 50 unique challenges for players ambitious enough to accept them which on completion will reward players with hidden content.

The PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360® and PC titles will allow players to set up their own match and pit their riding skills against up to 12 friends across the globe in a number of online modes competing for that all important first place. The Xbox 360® version will also include headset voice chat support and ranked matches, leader boards, friends, reserve slots, invites and of course achievements.

GamerDNA.com – What Are You Made Of?

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GamerDNA.com, the social platform for videogame identity and discovery, today announced a milestone 500,000 quizzes have been completed on the site by gamers looking to define their gaming preferences, interests and unique gaming identity. To celebrate the initial success of the quiz system, GamerDNA will further expand their gamer identity platform in the coming months with the addition of new quizzes, aggregation of more gameplay information, and new tools for discovering games.

“The quiz system is central to the identity defining capabilities of GamerDNA.com and we are thrilled with the positive response that it has received thus far from the community,” said Jon Radoff, CEO of GamerDNA, Inc. “Our goal was to have quizzes on the site that are fun to take and that also help us to define what we, as gamers, find interesting. The quizzes not only enhance our identity platform, but also help us to draw unique insights from the collective intelligence of people involved in the culture of gaming.”

The Bartle Test of Gamer Psychology, a quiz that classifies the personalities of massively multiplayer online game players has quickly become the most popular on GamerDNA.com. Additional quizzes on the site measure the play styles of other gaming genres, such as first-person shooters and real-time strategy games, as well as a quiz that measures which decade gamers feel have had the greatest impact on their game preferences. After completing each quiz, a “facet” system shows participants a set of personality traits that represent their unique “fingerprint” as a gamer. Gamers can participate in these quizzes, as well as view current result summaries, by visiting www.gamerdna.com/quizzes.

GamerDNA aggregates each member’s gameplay history from popular networks including Xbox Live, Xfire and Steam. When this-real time information is combined with feedback about game preferences and quiz results, it enables a member to define their unique “gamer identity,” a lens for discovering new games, showcasing experiences and exploring the experiences of others who love games.

If you haven’t tried the quizzes yet, I’d certainly recommend it. They are a lot of fun and help to build a profile of exactly what sort of gamer you are. I’m on the site under BlackVV, so make sure to check out my profile.

We Love Golf! Review – Nintendo Wii

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We Love Golf!
Format: Nintendo Wii
Price: £39.99 (or around $50)
Available: Now

If you’ve played Wii Sports, you might have found (as I did) that Wii Golf is one of the best little minigames to play. It’s fun, relaxing and best of all the action does really well to mimic the actual sport. However, you may have been disappointed with the fact that Wii Sports golf is very short. This is where We Love Golf! can fit in.

We Love Golf! transforms the Wiimote into a virtual set of golf clubs, creating the most immersive golfing experience available off the greens. This new title is being developed in partnership with Camelot Software Planning, best known for developing successful sports games for home systems, including Hot Shots Golf and the Mario Golf series.

We Love Golf! presents a realistic golfing experience with a fresh new spin incorporating the Wii Remote’s unique motion-sensing functionality. Players will use the controller to choose clubs, line up shots, swing and even add a touch of fade or draw with a flick of the wrist. Just as on a real course, gauging wind conditions, correct club selection and careful reading of the greens are all essential for victory. A variety of game modes, multiple characters, unlockable content and online gameplay will provide endless hours of putting heaven.

Why will you like it? Well the stylised Japanese characters are very cute, and give an instant cue that the game is a Capcom creation – which should mean high quality. It also means you’ll get some arcade fun in an anime style package – which frankly sounds really great and is a new approach instead of the usual Miis that you have in many Wii games.

For those of you who are a fan of the golf game genre, you may see some similarities with Everybody’s Golf – a great game in on the PSP. The similarities aren’t only visual however. Once again, this is a game that won’t confuse you with a huge array of complexity, in fact one of the real pleasures is how straightforward it actually is to simply pick up and play.

There are a variety of courses to master without the awkwardness or unnecessary setup that a lot of other golf games have. Granted, it’s not going to be as deep as Tiger Woods (the games not the man!) but as mentioned earlier, it has far more to offer than Wii Sports golf – so in that way it’s a very happy medium between fun arcade styling and realism.

One of the best things about the game is the actual control mechanism – the Wiimote works perfectly here and many games developers could take a leaf out of how well the system has been implemented. The swing action is simply superb. The graphics however give you an indication of the level of difficulty here – it’s rather easy to get exactly the shot that you want. On top of this, I found an issue with the opponents being just too easy in single player mode – though hopefully they get harder the further you get in to the game.

Online gameplay has been implemented in We Love Golf! – to a rather impressive degree. There is the opportunity to play online with up to 16 players, whilst you can also go 1v1 on the links in either Friend Play or World Play. This should give you plenty of opportunity to swing your club in anger or rejoice in victory and have a lot to brag about.

There are a variety of game modes on offer including tournament, character matches, stroke play, special minigames and more. Telecast style presentation also puts you firmly in the game, giving you a chance to see just how you did with replays and commentary. On course, there are a range of obstacles and you shouldn’t get too bored as each one is unique.

In terms of the unlockables above as this is a Capcom game there are some real gems here. First of all there’s the standard costumes, characters and courses that give you extra content on to play with. On top of that though, there’s the added bonus of Apollo Justice, Arthur, Chun-Li and Jill Valentine to find in the game. What could be better? There are even two extra characters specially implemented for western gamers.

So, is We Love Golf! worth buying if you have a Wii? I certainly think so, especially as it is suitable for all ages and is genuinely fun to play.