General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article


Daily Deals: Logitech Wireless Touchpad, Samsung 830 256GB SSD, and More

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:29 PM PDT

Logitech T650

LogicBuy

Top Deal

Our top deal today is the Logitech T650 wireless touchpad on sale for $68 (normally $80 - use coupon code: 7BRL7?2ZDK?H4G). The T650 comes with a three-year manufacturer warranty, a rechargeable battery, and is compatible with Windows 8 multitouch gestures.

Hardware & Peripherals:

Planar PX2710MW 27" 1080p LCD Monitor with 2ms response time for $210 with free shipping (normally $470).

Dell Dual Monitor Bundle consisting of two U2312HM 23" UltraSharp 1080p IPS panels with horizontal desk stand for $601 with free shipping at Dell (normally $799).

Netgear NeoTV Max 1080p wireless media player for $70 with free shipping at Dell (normally $80).

Samsung 830 Series 256GB SSD for $160 with free shipping at Newegg (normally $200 - use coupon code: EMCYTZT2359). You can also check out our review of the SSD here

Google Might Launch 32GB Nexus 7 Tablet in Time for Holiday Shopping Season

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:14 PM PDT

Nexus 7Unless you're willing to rely on the cloud, the amount of built-in storage is paramount when picking out tablets like the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD, both of which neglect the user any easy way of adding expandable storage space. If you're a fan of the Nexus 7, you'll be happy to know that Google is rumored to be launching a 32GB model in time for the holidays. Currently the Nexus 7 is available in 8GB and 16GB flavors.

That information comes from IT Pro Portal, which received a tip from "someone with close links to Argos," a popular retailer in the U.K. According to the tipster's information, the 32GB Nexus 7 will launch overseas next month, but wait, it gets even better.

Assuming this information is accurate, the larger capacity Nexus 7 will slip into the 16GB model's pricing tier, selling for £199.99. The 16GB model will go the way of the dodo, while the 8GB Nexus 7 will presumably maintain its current £159.99 price point. There's no word if Google plans to do the same in the U.S. market, though it seems odd the search giant would focus its Nexus 7 upgrade strategy soley in the U.K.

None of this is set in stone, mind you, and we think it would make more sense for Google to ditch the 8GB model rather than the 16GB version, which would then match the two capacities Amazon offers on its Kindle Fire HD line (16GB and 32GB). Either way, we'll take the free capacity bump on the higher end model.

EDIT:

Serving as more proof that a 32GB Nexus 7 is in the pipeline, the folks at Android Police took a screenshot of Phone House's Spanish portal displaying a pre-release page for the higher capacity tablet, which has been pulled offline.

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Microsoft Challenges Spotify with New Xbox Music Service

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:45 AM PDT

Xbox Music DashMicrosoft on Sunday introduced the world to Xbox Music, a streaming music service available exclusive to Windows 8 and Windows RT device owners. It's being billed as the first all-in-one music service, and it one-ups streaming services like Spotify by giving Windows 8/RT PC and tablet owners the ability to play specific songs on-demand without having to pay a subscription fee. Microsoft says its music catalog extends to tens of millions of songs (over 30 million), all instantly available to stream and/or to create an unlimited number of playlists.

"The launch of Xbox Music is a milestone in simplifying digital music on every type of device and on a global scale," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "We're breaking down the walls that fracture your music experiences today to ensure that music is better and integrated across the screens that you care about most — your tablet, PC, phone and TV."

Xbox Music users will have the option of purchasing their favorite singles or albums from the Xbox Music Store. There will also be a subscription-based Xbox Music Pass option that runs $10/month, which gets rid of ads and allows you to download songs for offline playback. You'll also need this option if you intend to use the service on your Xbox 360 console (plus a Live Gold membership) and/or Windows Phone device.

Get Microsoft Silverlight

Xbox Music will launch to Windows 8/RT-based tablets and PCs on October 26. Other platforms, such as Windows Phone 8, will have access "shortly after.

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Raspberry Pi Team Tweaks Ingredients List, Doubles the RAM to 512MB in Model B Recipe

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:51 AM PDT

Raspberry Pi DeviceThere's a lot you can do with the Raspberry Pi, the micro-sized PC that's about as big as a credit card. Part of the charm is that it's incredibly affordable ($25 for the Model A version and $35 for the Model B), yet that didn't stop the Raspberry Pi Foundation from upgrading the RAM on the higher-end Model B version to 512MB so that it can more comfortably be used as a general-purpose computer with multiple large applications running at the same time. We know what you're thinking -- how much does the added RAM add to the price?

"One of the most common suggestions we've heard since launch is that we should produce a more expensive 'Model C' version of Raspberry Pi with extra RAM," Raspberry Pi Foundation explained in a blog post. "The downside of this suggestion for us is that we're very attached to $35 as our highest price point. With this in mind, we're pleased to announce that from today all Model B Raspberry Pis will ship with 512MB of RAM as standard."

That's kind of a bummer for people who already purchased and received a Model B with 256MB or RAM, but then again, we all know the risks involved with being an early adopter. To minimize the sting, outstanding orders with either distributor -- Raspberry Pi systems are available to purchase from Premier Farnell/Element 14 and RS Components -- will receive the upgraded 512MB version instead of the one with 256MB.

Raspberry Pi Board

"Units should start arriving in customers' hands today, and we will be making a firmware upgrade available in the next couple of days to enable access to the additional memory," Raspberry Pi Foundation said.

If you're just not feeling the Raspberry Pi, there are a handful of low-cost alternatives out there, including a $50 Android-powered PC from VIA and APC.

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Kupa's Modular UltraNote Tablet Runs Windows 8, Looks Good on Paper

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 07:15 AM PDT

Over the last couple of years, many a company has entered the tablet market with high hopes, found the going tough and become an also-ran. Kupa may not be the most recognizable of names in the tablet world yet, but it is trying its level best to avoid that fate. Having entered the market with the Windows 7-based X11 Pro Tablet earlier this year, the Santa Monica-based company is now trying to stand out with the UltraNote, a modular tablet that runs Windows 8.

At the recently concluded MobileCon 2012 event, Kupa was busy showcasing the 10.1-inch UltraNote, which sports a 1920 x 1200 IPS display with 10-finger multitouch. Inside, there is an Intel Ivy Bridge Core i3/i5/i7 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 128GB of solid-state storage, USB 3.0, NFC, HDMI out, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, RFID, 3G/4G LTE connectivity. The 1.67-pound tablet is accompanied by a digitizer pen boasting 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity.

Its user-replaceable battery is said to last up to seven hours on a single charge in standalone mode, and up to 12 hours with a docking station accessory (optional), which includes an additional battery. The docking station accessory also adds a keyboard, two USB ports, VGA output, Ethernet jack and an SD card slot. That's not all, though, as the tablet supports the docking of a wide variety of other accessories to its sides.

The UltraNote will hit the market next month at a yet undisclosed price.

Image Credit: ZDNet

Best Buy Stocks Store Shelves with Windows 8 PCs Ahead of Launch

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 05:51 AM PDT

Best Buy Windows 8 PCsMuch has been made about the Metro makeover Microsoft applied to Windows 8, and there are a number of ways you can see what all the fuss is about. For one, you can read detailed reviews, like the one we posted last month, or you can install the Release Preview, which is still available to download from Microsoft in 32-bit and 64-bit flavors. Yet another way to experience Windows 8 before it's made available to the general public is to head down to your local Best Buy.

There were reports that some Best Buy stores were already stocking store shelves with Windows 8 PCs from Hewlett-Packard, so I headed down to one that was local to me over the weekend to see for myself. Sure enough, I found a pair of laptops sitting side-by-side, both rocking the touch-friendly OS.

Since Windows 8 doesn't officially release to the masses until October 26, you can't actually take home these PCs, though you can pre-order one if you want. More importantly, if you don't have access to a system where you can install the Release Preview and spend some hands-on time with it, Best Buy's pre-release systems give you a chance to play around with Windows 8 and form your own opinion about the UI.

Best Buy Windows 8 Notebooks

Depending on which Best Buy you visit, there may be just a couple of Windows 8 PCs on display, or there may be several, including all-in-one systems with touchscreens.

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MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Prepare for Riders of Rohan's launch with patch notes, FAQ, and a trailer

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:00 AM PDT

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Prepare for today's Riders of Rohan launch with patch notes and FAQ
Many a Lord of the Rings Online fan is eager to delve into the Riders of Rohan expansion today as soon as the servers come back online. But once prospective warsteed owners set foot in the lands of Rohan, what do they do? Turbine offers a handy launch day FAQ to answer important questions like "How do I get there?" and "Where's my loot sparkle?" The guide offers gems such as: "A server is never late, LOTRO players. Nor is it early. It comes up precisely when Turbine means it to."

Players can also bide their time reading through the hefty expansion patch notes, which feature juicy tidbits on all the new goodies and changes. For a quick guide to more information and impressions on the expansion, check out Massively's pre-launch guide. And check out the launch trailer after the break.

Continue reading Prepare for Riders of Rohan's launch with patch notes, FAQ, and a trailer

MassivelyPrepare for Riders of Rohan's launch with patch notes, FAQ, and a trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MechWarrior Online open beta delayed

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:30 AM PDT

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MechWarrior Online open beta delayed
Looking forward to jumping into MechWarrior Online's open beta tomorrow? You might want to rein in those expectations. Citing issues with MWO's stability, Piranha Games announced that there will be a "short push back" for the start of the open beta until a better build is released.

The devs cited feedback from current beta testers in making this call, and addressed other concerns that players have expressed. The team said that it is working on lag issues, a better match making system, new player tutorials, and general balance tweaks. Players who have paid for a premium account will also have the option to decide when they want to start using the benefits from the bonus.

There is no word as to when the open beta for MWO will commence.

[Thanks to John for the tip!]

MassivelyMechWarrior Online open beta delayed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle for the high skies: Hands-on with Pirate101

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:00 AM PDT

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Pirate101 Header
Her name is Reckless Roslyn Ramsey, and she is a pirate. She sails a ship, loots treasure, hangs out in seedy bars, and fights anyone who stands between her and the fame and fortune she so rightly deserves. You wouldn't be lying to say that young Ms. Ramsey has swashed a fair few buckles in her time, and the pink and white, panda and crossbones flag under which she and her crew sail is feared the world over.

Such is life in Pirate101, a family-oriented MMO created by KingsIsle Entertainment and due to launch today. Placing you in the role of a young pirate at the beginning of his or her quest for glory, Pirate101 asks you to carve your own path, gather cunning crewmembers, and discover the hidden mysteries of The Spiral (a fantasy world the game shares with smash hit Wizard101).

I hopped in on the Pirate101 head-start over the weekend to get an idea of what this colorful MMO has to offer and to see whether its kid-friendly design hinders its ability to be fun for those of us jaded gamers who expect a little blood with our sword slashes. What I found was an accessible game with a clear slant toward younger players as well as a robust and fun MMO with plenty to offer grown-ups seeking to step away from the grim, dark worlds of more traditional fare.

Continue reading Battle for the high skies: Hands-on with Pirate101

MassivelyBattle for the high skies: Hands-on with Pirate101 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    The Stream Team: October 15 - 21, 2012

    Posted: 15 Oct 2012 07:00 AM PDT

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    The Stream Team October 15  12, 2012
    What's worse than a surprise monster troll invasion? Missing watching a surprise monster troll invasion happen to your favorite Stream Team host! It may not happen today. It may not happen tomorrow. In fact, you never know when or where or even to whom it might happen, but it just might happen! Heavens to Betsy: It could be that one has already happened.

    Don't take chances; don't risk missing such an iconic moment. Be sure to watch Massively TV this week to catch all of the action, commentary, and surprises that live gaming can bring. And check any missed livestreams from last week. Those trolls could be anywhere! They could even be hiding in the poll at the end of this column...

    Continue reading The Stream Team: October 15 - 21, 2012

    MassivelyThe Stream Team: October 15 - 21, 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: Why is fluff considered fluff?

      Posted: 15 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT

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      The Daily Grind - Why is fluff considered fluff?
      Yesterday's news of the World of Warcraft player who leveled to 90 without a single kill generated some interesting comments. A couple of them got us to thinking why MMO fluff is considered fluff, and why video gaming in general is so heavily focused on combat.

      Combat is probably the easiest answer when it comes to progression and monetization-based design, but shouldn't MMOs be something more than sticking the pointy end into the other man over and over again?

      So how about it, Massively readers? Why is fluff considered fluff?

      Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

      MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Why is fluff considered fluff? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        MMO Week in Review: GDC Online's business model battle

        Posted: 14 Oct 2012 06:00 PM PDT

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        GDC Online's business model battle
        At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on Massively and then present them all in one convenient place. If you missed a big MMO or WoW Insider story last week, you've come to the right post.

        F2P is the "platform of the future!" No, F2P is "entertainment socialism" that preys on the mentally ill! The participants in this year's GDC Online in Austin, Texas, didn't exactly solve the business model problems posed by the modern MMO industry, but they sure did provoke some passionate commentary from the folks at home.

        Massively's GDC Online reporters heard from notables like John Smedley, Raph Koster, Ultima Forever's Paul Barnett, SWTOR's Damion Schubert, Guild Wars 2's Cameron Dunn, and SOE's Linda Carlson; slaughtered zombies in The War Z; took a peek at World of Warplanes, Age of Wushu, and Otherland; and raised their eyebrows at the results of the Developer's Choice awards.

        Read on for a look at this week's other top MMO stories.

        Continue reading MMO Week in Review: GDC Online's business model battle

        MassivelyMMO Week in Review: GDC Online's business model battle originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          NYCC 2012: Transformers Universe trailer unveiled

          Posted: 14 Oct 2012 05:00 PM PDT

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          Transformers Universe
          Jagex has been keeping details about the upcoming Transformers Universe MMO on the down low until today, when the Jagex team took advantage of NYCC to release the game's first official trailer.

          Transformers Universe will be free-to-play with microtransaction support. Jagex has announced plans to keep the game running for at least 10 years, allowing for exploration to take players to the stars -- even to Cybertron itself.

          Skip below the cut to feast your eyes upon the glory of Transformers Universe!

          [Thanks to groovy webizen Guy for the tip!]

          Continue reading NYCC 2012: Transformers Universe trailer unveiled

          MassivelyNYCC 2012: Transformers Universe trailer unveiled originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            EVE Evolved: Bounty hunting and revenge

            Posted: 14 Oct 2012 04:00 PM PDT

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            EVE Evolved title image
            Last week I looked into the major PvP changes coming in EVE Online's upcoming Retribution expansion, from the piracy revamp to a new global flagging system that puts players in the driving seat of justice. This week CCP Games revealed full details of the upcoming bounty hunting system revamp, and I have to say I'm really excited. The new bounty system not only makes bounty hunting a viable profession again but also gives players a way to deal significant financial damage to their enemies without getting their hands dirty.

            As if that weren't enough, players will even be able to enforce the law on their own terms, trawling high-security space for criminals and lighting them up for everyone to kill. Corporate- and alliance-level bounties will push grudges to new levels, enabling a new type of passive financial warfare. The new bounty system can also be used as a tool to motivate troops into battle, a way to incentivise boring but necessary starbase warfare, and even a method for running tournaments.

            In this week's EVE Evolved, I get ridiculously excited about EVE's upcoming bounty hunting revamp and explain why it makes the Retribution expansion a complete game-changer.

            Continue reading EVE Evolved: Bounty hunting and revenge

            MassivelyEVE Evolved: Bounty hunting and revenge originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Riot killing bad League of Legends behavior with science

              Posted: 14 Oct 2012 12:00 PM PDT

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              Riot killing toxic League of Legends behavior with science
              Riot's well aware of the fact that it has an awful community on its hands in League of Legends. Fortunately for all concerned, the company is killing the problem with science.

              Team Player Behavior is a group of 30 developers tasked with reducing negativity, abuse, and offensive language, and it includes PhDs in statistics, human factors psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. "We're never going to come to a place where there's no toxicity in League of Legends," says Jeffrey Lin, LoL's lead designer of social systems. "We're never going to get there. But we're finding different strategies [for situations where] if toxic behavior happens, how do we shield players from it? How do we reduce the frequency of it?"

              Riot is tinkering with solutions ranging from the recently released honor system to turning off chat by default. The company has also seen some success with its tribunal system, and Lin cites an instance where a 10-year-old LoL player responded positively to the disciplinary action handed down via a Riot reform card.

              "I showed [the boy's response] to the team and I said 'can you guys see the difference you're making in peoples' lives? This is not about games anymore, you guys are impacting these players,'" Lin explained.

              MassivelyRiot killing bad League of Legends behavior with science originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              MMORPG News

              MMORPG News


              Transformers Universe: New Game Play Trailer Released, Beta Registrations Open

              Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:45 AM PDT

              New Game Play Trailer Released, Beta Registrations Open

              The Transformers Universe team has announced that beta registrations have officially opened for the MMO set to be released in 2013. To celebrate the announcement, the team has released the first-ever game play trailer from Transformers Universe. Enjoy!

              General: MMOFTW - Ep 20 - Star Citizen Announced

              Posted: 15 Oct 2012 07:35 AM PDT

              MMOFTW - Ep 20 - Star Citizen Announced

              This week MMOFTW covers the announcement of Star Citizen from Chris Roberts, DAOC's 11th Anniversary, The Secret World's new reticle combat, and the "death of MMOs". Watch it! NOTE: Chris' game is STAR Citizen, not "Space" Citizen. Sorry for the typo and the speak-o!

              Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan Arrives, New Trailer Released

              Posted: 15 Oct 2012 05:42 AM PDT

              Riders of Rohan Arrives, New Trailer Released

              Turbine and the Lord of the Rings Online team have released a new trailer to celebrate today's launch of the Riders of Rohan expansion. Riders of Rohan brings new content to the game including the much-anticipated mounted combat. Check it out!

              Neverwinter: Helm's Hold Profiled in New Trailer

              Posted: 15 Oct 2012 05:22 AM PDT

              Helm

              Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios have released a brand new Neverwinter trailer featuring the Helm's Hold location from the game. The trailer premiered at last weekend's New York Comic Con. The video also features some terrific lore and combat sequences. Check it out!

              DarkBlood Online: Cave of the Abyss Arrives for Halloween

              Posted: 12 Oct 2012 06:22 PM PDT

              Cave of the Abyss Arrives for Halloween

              DarkBlood Online players have a spooky new dungeon to explore with the arrival of the Cave of the Abyss. The dungeon has been added to bring Halloween flair into the game that will feature some awesome rewards for players who are able to complete it.

              MU Online: eX700 Plus Revealed

              Posted: 12 Oct 2012 06:17 PM PDT

              eX700 Plus Revealed

              MU Online players will want to check out the latest update to the game. Called eX700 Plus, the patch brings big changes to the game including a level cap increase, a user interface redesign, powerful unique items and more.

              Odin Quest: Players Guided to Raising Rating

              Posted: 12 Oct 2012 06:12 PM PDT

              Players Guided to Raising Rating

              Odin Quest Developers have released a new guide to assist players of the Norse-themed MMO-ARPG with raising their rating, a sign of power within the game. The guide gives advice about daily quests, taking on more difficult monsters, dungeons and more.

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