General Gaming Article

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• Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition Receives Steamworks Update
• Getting Started With KODI(XBMC)
• Xbox App Pops Up in Leaked Windows 10 Build
• Newegg Daily Deals: MSI Z97 PC Mate Motherboard, Asus Radeon R9 290 GPU, and More!
• Cicret Braclet Turns Your Arm into a Touchscreen Display
• Skype Will Begin Translating Your Speech Today
• Microsoft Turns New Leaf, Isn't Bothered By Windows 10 Leaks
• Former LulzSec Hacker Turned Informant Talks Life Without a PC
• Asus Transformer Book Flip Signature Edition Now Just $299 at Microsoft Store
• Torrenters Unfazed by The Pirate Bay Shutdown

Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition Receives Steamworks Update Posted: 15 Dec 2014 06:02 PM PST Praise the sun! Mention Games for Windows Live to a PC gamer and chances are that they are going to cringe. Microsoft's online gaming service has caused many issues for the games it has been attached to and, upon the news that Microsoft would do away with it, some publishers have been making the effort to remove GFWL from their games. Today, From Software announced a new update for Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition that replaces GFWL with Steamworks and joins other developers who have made the transition.  The update will allow players to transfer their save data and achievements from GFWL over to Steamworks between now and February 16, 2015. Afterwards, the developer warns players that the new version of the game, using Steamworks, will become the default version and all save data and achievements will be lost if they haven't been transferred. Once the game has been updated, gamers will no longer need to login to a second platform in order to play Dark Souls.  Unfortunately, there have been issues being experience by some players who have mods, such as DSfix, installed. However, in the case of DSfix, there is a new version of the mod available that should hopefully address these issues. As for other mods, that are causing problems, players might have to completely remove them for now.   The update has been a long time coming ever since it appeared that Microsoft would no longer support GFWL when a support update on Xbox.com stated, "Games for Windows Live will be discontinued on July 1, 2014." However, the message was removed and, in June of this year, the company stated that it will continue to support the service.  For those who need to save their information, From Software has posted instructions on how to transfer the game's data to Steamworks for both digital and physical copies of the game. Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Getting Started With KODI(XBMC) Posted: 15 Dec 2014 03:54 PM PST Get the most out of your HTPC with KODI It may have started as a media center for the original Xbox, but KODI (formerly XBMC) has since evolved into a full-fledged application with a huge library of add-ons generated by diehard fans and users. Available on pretty much every platform you'd want to install it on—Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and more—it's a stellar way to get all of your content onto a big screen without having to deal with a mouse and keyboard, unless you want to. Before you get started, it's important to realize that KODI might not be the best option if you rely heavily on streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon Instant Video. Most services aren't officially supported and have flaky implementations that don't always work. The point of an HTPC, after all, is to make it easier for you to consume media.  Installation and Setup  The first step is getting KODI downloaded and installed. Head on over to the KODI website and download the version that's appropriate for your hardware. If you don't have old hardware lying around to use as an impromptu home theater PC (HTPC), building or buying a dedicated HTPC isn't a bad idea. With options like the KODI-compatible Raspberry Pi starting at only $25, you can get a decent system up and running without breaking the bank—unless you want to.  The ideal HTPC is small, quiet, and suitably fast. You don't need the latest and greatest hardware, but having a processor capable of playing 720p or 1080p video is essential. Hard-drive space is another key component if you aren't going to stream content online or over your local network.  Alongside the computer, you'll want some sort of remote control. If you've got one lying around, you'll probably be able to get it working with KODI. You've also got the option of using your smartphone to control KODI remotely. Official KODI remotes are available on both iOS and Android and are a great way to control playback without resorting to a keyboard and mouse. Yatse isn't an official remote, but it does support streaming to your Android device. That's not to say that a keyboard and mouse aren't useful, because a good wireless keyboard with an integrated track pad can be a lifesaver. Having said that, the KODI interface is designed to be navigated with d-pad controls and works best with a remote.  Audio and Video Settings KODI does a great job of setting itself up when you first start it up, but you'll want to make sure that all of your audio and video settings are correct. Scroll over to the System tab of the home menu and select Settings.  Once you're in the Settings menu, drill down into the System tab on the left to access KODI's basic settings. Make sure that KODI is set to an appropriate resolution for your monitor or TV. If you're running KODI on a system hooked up to multiple displays, you can set KODI to blank other displays and select which screen KODI should be displayed on. Move onto the Audio output tab to fiddle with your audio settings. Here you can choose your audio output, what your speaker setup is, and whether or not your setup supports various technologies—Dolby Digital, DTS, TrueHD, DTS-HD, et cetera. Importing Your Content Now that you've got KODI up and running, your next step should be to make all of your content available on your HTPC. It could just be a matter of copying over the terabytes of movies and music you've collected over the years, or installing an add-on or two to access online streaming services.  KODI may not find all of your media automatically, but adding new sources is a cinch. If you've got all of your media stored locally, the process is really simple. Drill down into the Music or Video menus and click Add source, browse for the folder containing your music, and add it to the list as a source. With the default skin, click the play button on the bottom-left to access detailed playback controls. Read-on to learn about our favorite add-ons, services, and skins. Add-ons and Services It's more than a little surprising just how many add-ons are available on KODI. They range from things like CollegeHumor, to the TWiT network, and even Khan Academy. Download and install an app—usually from inside KODI—and you'll be presented with basic menus that let you navigate a staggering amount of video and audio content. The only problem with KODI add-ons is that some of them aren't regularly updated and many popular services aren't supported.  We don't know what CherryMusic is, but it's proof that KODI has a huge library of add-ons. NetfliXMBC is absolutely essential if you're a heavy Netflix user. Installing this add-on isn't as easy as the others and requires a bit of work. Start off by downloading AddonScripterDE's repository. Launch KODI and go into the Settings menu, Add-Ons, and click Install from ZIP File. Find the ZIP you just downloaded and the repository should now be installed. Click Get Add-Ons and select AddonScripterDE's Beta Repo. Now when you check under Video Add-Ons, you should see NetfliXBMC. Install it, enter in your Netflix information, and then switch the Win Browser from Chrome to IExplorer. If you're not using a keyboard, you'll also need to set up alternate controls for your remote.  The YouTube add-on is great if you spend a lot of time on YouTube. Navigating the add-on can be a bit tedious if you aren't using a mouse and keyboard, but it's manageable and gives you a chance to catch up on the latest cat videos without leaving your couch. We particularly love the ability to easily view official YouTube feeds—most viewed, trending videos, top rated, et cetera. Spotimc is an easy-to-install Spotify add-on that's currently in beta. It's not available in the official KODI repository, but installing it is simply a matter of downloading the latest release and going to Home > System > Settings > Add-ons > Install from zip file and selecting the zip that you downloaded. It's a little slow, but it gives you an easy way to get Spotify onto your TV. This unofficial Hulu add-on gives you full access to Hulu in KODI. Download BlueCop's repository to get access to it. It works as you'd expect and even has the added benefit of semi-skippable commercials—fast forward through them with no penalty. Yatse's our favorite Android-based remote for KODI. It's a clean, well-thought-out app for Android phones and tablets that gives you full control over KODI. The $3.99 upgrade even gives you the ability to stream content from KODI directly to your phone.  Making It Look Nice KODI's default skin, Confluency, looks great. If you want to mix it up, there are plenty of options available. Some of our favorite skins are Aeon Nox, Aeon MQ 5, and re-Touched if you're running KODI on a device with a touchscreen.  It doesn't all look this good, but Aeon MQ 5 is slick and sexy. Installing a skin is simple. Dive into Settings > Appearance > Skin and click Get More. Pick the skins you want, and you'll even get notifications once they're ready for use. Head back into the skins menu and swap between them at will. A great skin for touchscreen devices; finger-friendly and clean. All that's left now is to sit down and catch up on your backlog!

Xbox App Pops Up in Leaked Windows 10 Build Posted: 15 Dec 2014 11:30 AM PST Yes console games, we can all get along There are several interesting things taking place in the leaked Windows 10 build, the one that Microsoft is apparently super calm about making the rounds. One that we wanted to touch a bit more on is a new Xbox app. This is something that Microsoft is still working on, as the app clearly states when it's fired up, but the Redmond outfit is so excited about it that it wanted to give early users a sneak peek. The folks over at The Verge have been playing around with Xbox app. They say it appears to act as a gateway into the entire Xbox ecosystem -- you'll have access to achievements, your friends list, activity feeds, and the Store. And since it's an extremely early version, there's speculation that the final release might include SmartGlass integration as well. As our sister site PC Gamer points out, there's a chance this could be what Microsoft's Phil Spencer was referring to a week ago when he said it was "time for us to talk about gaming on Windows." We're crossing our fingers that Spencer was hinting at something more than an Xbox app -- as cool as that is, accessing our Xbox achievements on our Windows rigs isn't exactly game changing. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Newegg Daily Deals: MSI Z97 PC Mate Motherboard, Asus Radeon R9 290 GPU, and More! Posted: 15 Dec 2014 11:04 AM PST Top Deal: It's the end of the year, and a long one it's been -- why not treat yourself to an system upgrade? It'll help make up for the ties, fruitcakes, and other gifts you'll fake a smile for this seasons, only it will be a real grin this time around because you'll be thinking about that sweet PC you built for yourself. Need some help getting started? Check out today's top deal for an MSI Z97 PC Mate LGA 1150 Motherboard for $80 (after $10 mail-in-rebate). It has half a dozen SATA 6Gpbs ports, USB 3.0 support, and a host of other goodies for a friendly price. Other Deals: Asus Radeon R9 290 4GB 512-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card for $240 with free shipping (additional $30 Mail-in rebate) Dell 23-inch 7ms (GTG) Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor IPS 250 for $130 (normally $160 - use coupon code: [EMCWHWW37]) Seagate Backup Plus 3TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive for $90 with free shipping (normally $130 - use coupon code: [EMCWHWW36]) Antec 850W ATX12V 80 Plus Bronze Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply for $70 with free shipping (normally $110 - use coupon code: [EMCWHWW25];additional $30 Mail-in rebate)

Cicret Braclet Turns Your Arm into a Touchscreen Display Posted: 15 Dec 2014 10:51 AM PST Nice forearm, what's the resolution? The wearable category has opened the door to several interesting product ideas, one of which is a bracelet that turns your arm into a touchscreen. Say what? It's called the Cicret Bracelet (pronounced "Secret") and it's currently in development, though you won't find it hanging out on any crowdfunding sites. Instead, the developers are seeking donations on their own in hopes of raising 700,000 euros to finish the first prototype. It's an interesting design that makes use of a picoprojector and various proximity sensors, the latter of which pick up your gesture actions and commands. Just like a glass touchscreen, you can tap your forearm and perform touch functions, even when it's wet (taking a bath, for instance). Supposedly the device can do anything a phone or tablet can do, Daily Mail reports. That includes things like read emails, hop around the web, play games, watch videos, make calls, and more. It's being built to sync with an iPhone, though it can also function as a standalone device. Should the project come to fruition, it will cost around $475 and come in 16GB and 32GB models in choice of 10 colors. Check it out. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Skype Will Begin Translating Your Speech Today Posted: 15 Dec 2014 09:57 AM PST ¿Cómo estás? Voice over IP communication is entering a new era, one that will hopefully help break down language barriers. Or so that's the plan. Using innovations from Microsoft Research, the first phase of the Skype Translator preview program is kicking off today with two spoken languages -- Spanish and English. It will also feature over 40 instant messaging languages for Skype customers who have signed up via the Skype Translator sign-up page and are using Windows 8.1. It also works on preview copies of Windows 10. What it does is translate voice input from someone speaking English or Spanish into text or voice. The technology relies on machine learning, so the more it gets used, the better it will be at translating audio and text. "This is just the beginning of a journey that will transform the way we communicate with people around the world. Our long-term goal for speech translation is to translate as many languages as possible on as many platforms as possible and deliver the best Skype Translator experience on each individual platform for our more than 300 million connected users," Skype stated in a blog post. Translations occur in "near real-time," Microsoft says. In addition, there's an on-screen transcript of your call. Given the many nuances of various languages and the pace at which communication changes, this is a pretty remarkable feat that Microsoft's attempting to pull off. There's ton of upside as well, from the business world to use in classrooms. If you want to test it out yourself -- and Microsoft hopes you do, as it's looking for feedback at this early stage -- you can register for the program by going here. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Microsoft Turns New Leaf, Isn't Bothered By Windows 10 Leaks Posted: 15 Dec 2014 09:19 AM PST It's all good in Redmond's hood Excuse us as we do a double take, the only normal reaction to Microsoft being totally chill with a new build of Windows 10 being leaked to the public before its intended release. We're referring to Build 9901, which contains a whole bunch of consumer-specific features and improvements, not all of them working. It leaked to the web over the weekend, and Microsoft's response is refreshingly relaxed. "@GabeAul Im really enjoying your MS/'s attitude regarding preview/leaked builds. It's refreshing," Twitter user Brian Haslip posted to the microblogging site. In response, the longtime Microsoft veteran tweeted back, "How could we be upset about lots of people wanting to try our new stuff? We'd prefer you stick to official builds though," followed by a smiling emoticon. That's a different type of response than we're used to hearing from Microsoft. Consider that in the past, Microsoft would warn users that pre-release versions of Windows 7 could contain malware, an honest statement but also one that was intended to scare users away from playing with leaked builds. This time around, Microsoft seems fine with the curiosity, perhaps because it needs Windows 10 to be a smashing success. The only thing Aul warns is that "If you install 9901, the next build will notcome to you automatically. You'll have to install it via ISO." Duly noted. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Former LulzSec Hacker Turned Informant Talks Life Without a PC Posted: 15 Dec 2014 08:52 AM PST What life is like for an ex-hacker Hector Monsegur caused quite a bit of chaos during his stint as a LulzSec hacker, a group he co-founded. You may know him better as "Sabu," his online stage name when he was helping the hacking group with its agenda. That is, until the FBI tracked him down and gave him a proposition he couldn't (or wouldn't) refuse -- help them convict other LulzSec hackers or risk losing the two girls he was fostering. Monsegur accepted the FBI's proposition, and with that part of his life now behind him, he's ready to speak about his days as a hacker and informant. CNET has the three part interview with Monsegur, who talks about growing up in poverty and how several immediate family members had spent time behind bars. Around that same time, a period he describes as feeling alone, his foray into computers began with an Apple computer from the 1990s. He would play games on it before his Aunt later bought him a Sony Vaio with Windows 95. Not long after he discovered the Hacker's Manifesto, which drew him into the world of hacking. Thousands of illegal activities later, he was caught by the FBI and facing around a dozen counts of hacking and fraud. Using his foster girls as incentive, the FBI was able to get Monsegur to agree to be an informant, ultimately helping to thwart several hundred hacks against government sites. He also played a significant role in the arrests of fellow hackers, one of which is Jeremy Hammond, who's currently serving a 10-year sentence. Monsegur served seven months, in part because the FBI took the unusual role of outlining exactly how helpful he had been. He's even allowed to own a PC, though he doesn't have one these days because he's afraid of being framed. There's a lot more to the story, including his thoughts and theory on the recent Sony attack. When you have a free moment, check out the full interview by going here. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Asus Transformer Book Flip Signature Edition Now Just $299 at Microsoft Store Posted: 15 Dec 2014 08:10 AM PST Great price on a snazzy 2-in-1 hybrid This holiday shopping season has been highlighted by numerous deals on lots of different items, though the sales didn't end after Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Several retailers continue to pitch discounts, including Microsoft, which is in the home stretch of its 12 Days of Deals promotion. Effective today (and today only), Microsoft is offering the Asus Transformer Book Flip (TP500LA) Signature Edition Laptop for a comparatively low $299. That's $200 off its normal selling price of $499 and representative of the kinds of ongoing deals that are out there. This happens to be one of the better ones, as the discounted price approaches budget territory for a decently spec'd 15.6-inch 2-in-1 device. The Asus Transformer Book Flip's HD touchscreen display is powered by an Intel Core i3 4030U processor and 4GB of RAM. It also boasts a 500GB HDD, 2-in-1 card reader, two USB 2.0 ports, a single USB 3.0 port, HDMI output, headphone/microphone combo port, GbE LAN, webcam, 802.11n Wi-Fi (Miracast enabled), Bluetooth, and Windows 8.1 64-bit. As its name implies, the Transformer Book Flip's display can flip to any angle from 0 to 360 degrees, allowing you to use it as a laptop or a tablet. It's available now at the Microsoft Store for $299, or $379 with Office 365. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Torrenters Unfazed by The Pirate Bay Shutdown Posted: 15 Dec 2014 01:06 AM PST TPB co-founder was right: people no longer care about site The recent shuttering of The Pirate Bay (TPB), which followed a police raid on a Stockholm, Sweden-based datacenter belonging to the popular torrent site, has had almost no effect on peer-to-peer file sharing, the latest data from German anti-piracy firm Excipio has revealed. Although there was a slight blip in torrenting activity in the two days immediately following the shutdown, it did not take too long for things to get back to normal. According to a Variety report, the latest p2p file sharing data from the German company, which tracks torrent downloads on behalf of its clients, shows that TPB's unavailability "appears to have put hardly a dent in global piracy activity" so far. This is because the number of IP addresses logged by the company for being involved in illegal torrenting of copyrighted content on December 9 — the day the Swedish police raided TPB — was around 99 million but fell rather sharply thereafter, averaging just around 95.3 million IP addresses over the next two days. However, things got back to normal on December 12, when the number of IP addresses involved in such activity shot up to 100.2 million. These numbers not only speak to how little people care about TPB, but also highlight the Sisyphean nature of the flim and music industries' war on piracy. Follow Pulkit on Google+

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MMORPG News

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• Shroud of the Avatar: Release 13 - Get Lucky
• General: Warhammer Quest Announced for PC
• Darkest Dungeon: Steam Early Access to begin February 3rd
• Elite: Dangerous: The Entire Galaxy, Yours For The Taking
• Wurm Online: New Challenge Mode, Siege Weapons, Defense Structures
• Stronghold Kingdoms: New 'Europe" World Launched to Meet Player Demand
• Skyforge: A First Look at Naori Island

Shroud of the Avatar: Release 13 - Get Lucky Posted: 14 Dec 2014 11:48 AM PST I found it rather amusing that this is the 13th major release for Shroud of the Avatar, and that it comes after their hugely successful debut on Steam. Last month saw the game added to Steam's list of available Early Access titles, and the results were a sweeping victory for the team at Portalarium. With a whopping 87% positive reviews, and really strong sales that put the game in the top 10 on Steam's list of top sellers, it's been a fantastic month for Shroud of the Avatar.

General: Warhammer Quest Announced for PC Posted: 15 Dec 2014 04:56 AM PST Previously released for iPad, Chilled Mouse has announced that it is working in a partnership with Games Workshop and Rodeo Games to bring Warhammer Quest for PC, Mac and Linux. The game is a mixture of roleplaying, strategy and adventure genres and will launch on January 7th.

Darkest Dungeon: Steam Early Access to begin February 3rd Posted: 15 Dec 2014 04:41 AM PST Fans of the upcoming Darkest Dungeons, an RPG built around the mental trauma of being a hero, will be pleased to know that the Steam Early Access program will begin on February 3rd. No similar date has been set for the PlayStation 4 version announced last week.

Elite: Dangerous: The Entire Galaxy, Yours For The Taking Posted: 14 Dec 2014 12:59 PM PST Thirty years ago, programmer David Braben created the ground-breaking, but controversial space trading game, Elite, a game that sparked many a debate among computer enthusiasts, and served as a precursor to games like Wing Commander: Privateer and EVE Online. Next Tuesday, Braben's releasing Elite: Dangerous, an ambitious sequel that could very well be the next ground-breaker/debate-maker, and I was fortunate enough last week, to get an early look at it.

Wurm Online: New Challenge Mode, Siege Weapons, Defense Structures Posted: 13 Dec 2014 03:14 PM PST Survival MMO Wurm Online this week added a new 8x8 kilometer Challenge mode. Each Challenge will last one month, with prizes given to winners at the end of each cycle. Characters within this speical server begin with all the skills they need to build the best in battlefield offense and defense.

Stronghold Kingdoms: New 'Europe" World Launched to Meet Player Demand Posted: 13 Dec 2014 03:24 PM PST Medieval castle builder Stronghold Kingdoms this week launched a new Europe map. Accurately based on the modern map of Europe, it provides players the opportunity to build in 33 different countries.

Skyforge: A First Look at Naori Island Posted: 13 Dec 2014 03:35 PM PST Obsidian Entertainment gifted would-be Skyforge players with some images of Naori Island, a one-time tropical resort located on Aelion.

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