Video Games – Page 292

Asus unveils Godlike PC Gaming Rig

There are computers. And then there is this monstrosity from Asus’ stables. Behold: The ASUS ARES CG6155 Desktop PC, designed to give gamers the ultimate gaming experience. Hell, the experience is so ultimate, even the game developers have no clue what it feels like.

The case you see above has been inspired off of armours from both Eastern and Western influence, perfectly matching the PC’s theme of providing- I dunno, UNLIMITED ABSOLUTE POWER. It looks stylish and Asus makes it a point to add substance as well.

The machine contains only the most high-end components money can buy, easily making it the ultimate gaming rig you can buy. Oh wait, you can’t: the price will probably be large enough to buy a Pacific island and build your own vacation home on it. Still, if you are the sort willing to sacrifice a great vacation for unlimited Crysis gameplay, be my guest.

The specifications:

OS: Microsoft Vista Ultimate

CPU: Intel Core2 Extreme QX9650 (Overclockable up to 4.0GHz)

Chipset: NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI

Memory: Dual Channel DDR3 1333MHz up to 8G

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX280 3-Way SLI

HDD: Up to 4TB

ODD: Blu-ray DVD

LAN: 2 x LAN 10/100/1000

Power Supply: 2 Kilowatts (Dual Power)

Accessory: Gaming Keyboard, Mouse, Mousepad, Headset

Seriously, it’s like Asus decided “Okay, show me the topmost stuff in every possible PC component. Great, now let’s package it all together with a killer CPU case and sell it and hope that some rich-ass geek will buy it!”

Tomb Raider: Underworld Portal launched

Eidos Interactive has officially launched the new Tomb Raider portal – a destination for fans of the series to find the latest news, art, and announcements regarding Lara Croft’s newest adventure, Tomb Raider: Underworld. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, this entry marks the first Tomb Raider title built specifically for next generation consoles, bringing Lara Croft and her world into life-like detail.

Continuing the thrilling legacy of Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Underworld represents an advancement in exploration-based gameplay, delivering an epic adventure that offers a new level of challenge and choice. Using every weapon in her arsenal – from her signature dual guns and expanded kit of archeological tools to her own physical prowess and the environment itself – Lara embarks on a quest that circles the globe to uncover the secrets of the Norse underworld and a forgotten power that, if unleashed, could lay waste to all civilization.

Visit www.tombraider.com to uncover exclusive developer podcasts and blogs, screenshots and other media, and all of the latest news.

Tomb Raider: Underworld launches November 2008 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo DS platforms.

Lord of the Rings: Conquest trailer looks tedious

Wow, people still make and play Lord of the Rings games? I mean seriously, it’s been a while since the King returned it’s not like we’re magically going to be seeing prequels of it some 20 years in the future (OK, maybe the Hobbit). But what the hell, when EA has a franchise, they’re gonna make sure it’s milked clean.

Lord of the Rings: Conquest is being developed by Pandemic Studios, the same guys behind Star Wars: Battlefront (they were acquired by EA not very long ago, you will remember). As you can probably guess, Conquest is the Lord of the Rings version of Battlefront (which in turn was a Star Wars version of the Battlefield series). Hmm.

In the epic struggle between good and evil, you get to pick your side. The game will get you up close and personal with Lord of the Rings’ mass scale battles. In the good campaign, you will be able to play as one of the many heroes of Middle-Earth: Gandalf battling Saruman, the battle of Isengard through the eyes of an Ent and such. The dark campaign, however, will take you to an alternate route, where Sauron managed to kill Frodo and secure the One Ring. Now he must battle across Helm’s Deep, the Shire, Weathertop and so on, ultimately in Rivendell.

Personally, the trailer doesn’t look too exciting. It reminds me of the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King game, which I had absolutely no interest in. The graphics don’t seem to be in with the times, and the art style wears me out a but. They remind me of the Age of Conan game that came out recently. Not interested.

But if you are, then this game is coming out later this year for the PC, Xbox 360, PS3 and the Nintendo DS.

First Look at Gerard Butler in Game

Gerard Butler: ever since 300’s first trailer came out, he has been seen on dictionary entries for “awesome”. Butler will be next seen doing awesome shit in Game from Lionsgate studios. As the name suggests, the movie will be about a game, but judging by the first photo released (that you see above), it is going to be a far cry from Game Over and most other abysmal video-game-inspired movies.

In Game, we see a huge uber-violent multiplayer game called Slayers, that involves real death row inmates. Butler plays Kabel, one such inmate who must go through what must be one hell of an adventure of death, fury and destruction. Funny thing is, Kabel will be completely controlled by a nerdy teen, who, going by our experiences with Halo, will be screaming expletives while munching on potato chips and tacos.

No, seriously: Kabel will have to fight the creator of the maniacal game and overthrow the system, while at the same time being entirely controlled as a sim character. This is a very promising concept that should most likely go pretty well. The photo above seems to suggest that a bit of 300 style will be applied here as well, which can only be good. The plot also sounds pretty similar to Death Race, starring Jason Statham. Personally, I’d prefer this to Death Race.

The plot also sounds unusually similar to Unreal Tournament and its sequels. In UT, we see a futuristic gladiatorial tournament where humans, aliens, mutated humans and other such beings fight each other for fame, glory and fortune in a ultra-violent killing frenzy of a tournament relished by seemingly adolescent viewers across the globe. Interestingly, the background on some of the characters in UT2003 says that they were prisoners and were forcibly entered into the tournament.

Whatever the case, this is one movie to watch out for. It is scheduled for release this year, although we have practically no information about it, such as more photos, a trailer or anything like that…

Gamers Worldwide Prepare for Record-Breaking Marathon LAN Party

LAN Party gaming will reach a new level during a Guinness World Record-setting attempt at the NVISION 08 event on August 25 in San Jose, California. The aim of the event is to make history as the world’s “Longest Non-Stop LAN Party.”

“This will be one of the most exciting gaming record attempts of the year. I’ve been really impressed with the enthusiasm of the NVISION team and I look forward to being the official adjudicator for this great event,” commented Gaz Deaves, records manager, Guinness World Records.

“I have faith and confidence in the NVIDIA gaming community, one of the most loyal, energetic, and enthusiastic core audiences of NVIDIA since we were a startup, ”said Sheryl Huang, NVIDIA marketing director and veteran of countless LAN events. “At NVIDIA events in the past, these guys have been up all night anyway. Their energy is incredible. I’m looking forward to them setting this record and earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s glory time.”

The goal for the Guinness World Record is for a dedicated team of gamers to play video games continuously for 36 hours (10 minute breaks are allowed for every 60 minutes of continuous gaming). If the record is achieved, the participating team members will receive numerous prizes, including a commemorative medal, custom gear, gift cards, and of course, world recognition. The attempt will take place in a special, reserved section of the NVISION 08 GeForce LAN Party.

A flagship event at NVISION 08, the Guinness World Record attempt is made possible by the support of EVGA, the Marquee Sponsor of the NVISION 08 LAN Party, as well as Patriot Memory, an official NVISION 08 Sponsor.

Gamers who are serious about the attempt and have what it takes to handle a LAN Party Guinness World Record seat at NVISION 08 should go to http://www.amireg.com/nvision08/intro.html.

Games that should be movies

Uwe Boll and Anderson have both got the right idea. Since there are so many remakes of television series and movies coming out they are the only two directors which have taken a game franchise and attempted to convert it to movie form. Not including those currently in production like Max Payne and BioShock.
Continue reading “Games that should be movies”