Epic launch Make Something Unreal

Epic Games offers "commercial Unreal Engine 4 licence for PC digital distribution" as prize in gaming pitch competition

Are you a budding games developer with a rock-solid idea for the next big IP? Might time to start writing up a verbal pitch; Epic Games, the makers of the hugely successful Gears Of War franchise, have teamed up with the Wellcome Trust to launch the 'Make Something Unreal' game development competition. This international contest is open to all students enrolled full-time at any European higher education establishment.

The rules seem very straightforward: entrants are tasked with pitching their idea for a videogame that plays on the theme of the Mendelian inheritance, which apparently means that games based around "concepts such as variation, mutation and other behaviours of the human genome" are all welcome. Any entrants who make it into the shortlist round will then have to use Epic's Unreal Development Kit (basically a free version of the Unreal Engine 3) to build and design a PC game based on their pitch.

The grand prize for all of these creative efforts is a free commercial Unreal Engine 4 licence for PC digital distribution. The window for accepting pitches closes on November 2nd, so we suggest you Cliff Bleszinskis of the future get cracking.

Source : rss[dot]feedsportal[dot]com

Hauppauge 1445 HD-PVR Gaming Edition High Definition Personal Video Recorder for Use with PC, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii

HD-PVR Gaming Edition is a high definition (HD) video recorder for Gaming Consoles and PCs. It records video in an H.264 Blu-ray compatible format to your PC from any component video equipped Game Console with component out, like Xbox360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. This Gaming Edition includes a 3 in 1 component cable for use with the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. This cable is a $30 value. In addition, it will record from HD cable TV and Satellite set top boxes. The HD PVR records at video resolutions up to 1080i in real time using a built-in hardware H.264 encoder. Audio is recorded using AAC or Dolby Digital. Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and Windows XP with Service pack 2.

Price: $208.86

Click here to buy from Amazon

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Cohesion XP 10.2 Gaming Chair: Wireless Audio and Comfort

One of the most important aspects about every piece of gaming hardware is the ergonomics. If the mouse, the keyboard, the keypad are not comfortable, than the gaming session will end soon, which is enough reason for you to be dissatisfied. The same rule is, in fact, applicable for every object surrounding you, such as the chair and most of us will admit that the chair’s importance in gaming is huge.

Could you win a battle after, let’s say two hour (plus or minus) of seating on an uncomfortable chair? No, if you would have to change positions more than once while gaming, and this is what usually happens, after a couple of hours. A possible solution to that problem could be the Cohesion XP 10.2 Gaming Chair with Wireless Audio.

The Cohesion XP 10.2 Gaming Chair with Wireless Audio features a very impressive design, impressive because it is based on simplicity and sporty contour lines and somehow, just by looking at it, one can already feel a little bit of the comfort that this gaming chair can provide.

Cohesion XP 10.2: not the most extreme gaming chair

Aside from the looks, the Cohesion XP 10.2 Gaming Chair with Wireless Audio hooks you up with wireless radio and a built-in audio system (that consists in a subwoofer and a two way speaker). The control buttons, such as the volume, the bass, the power or the channel selection are easy to reach and press, which is nevertheless a good thing! Plus, the radio even though it is wireless, some might like it better in the headset, so the gaming chair also provides a headphone jack! (useful if you don’t want to wake up your neighbours when gaming). The chair can also fold, in order to save space.

In terms of performance, the Cohesion XP 10.2 Gaming Chair with Wireless Audio has quickly developed into a much loved chair, because the producers understood that a chair with plenty of options and rather uncomfortable is worthless. Therefore, this is one of the video gaming chairs conceived to put an emphasis on the ergonomics and to be a fun toy for you to play with.

The price of the Cohesion XP 10.2 Gaming Chair with Wireless Audio is around 135 US dollars. What you get for this money is one of the most relaxing gaming chairs available on the market (that are just as suitable for watching a movie or the TV) with a good audio system and wireless radio. Seems like a very nice deal to me!

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Bose Companion 20 computer speakers: The Essential Gaming Sound

The sound of the game you play is one of most important aspects. You might lose or you might win what really matters, is the fun you get while playing! In order to have fun, one must immerse into the environment of the game. Just try to imagine a horror film and its fullest part of suspense.

Would you be able to feel that suspense in the absence of the background music? Probably not and the same goes for your favorite game. What good quality does is help you enjoy better the movie, the TV show, the game! One of the desktop speaker systems that can make you feel that way is the Bose Companion 20 Multimedia Speaker System. Every producer presumes with his products; let’s see if the Bose Company has got it right this time!

The Bose Companion 20 Multimedia Speaker System is one of the surround sound systems that offer digital sound experience. What we are basically talking about is two speakers and a control pad. The first thought of any of us goes like this: two speakers and no subwoofer, it is not worth any attention! Tempting thought, but the trick is this particular one: built two speakers that sound like twenty! And the Bose Company did it!

Bose Companion 20: elegant and effective

The looks of the two speakers, as well as the appearance of the pod control is not at all amazing. For those of you that still remember the old computer speakers, these one will seem familiar. The pod control allows you to adjust the volume and set it on mute (and there is a touch button for that).

The performances that the Bose Companion 20 Multimedia Speaker System can reach are pretty amazing, considering its size and the lack of the subwoofer. Actually, it is nice to know that you can always plug the headsets or that you can connect the speakers to your tablet or IPod. All these are things that I consider nice.

Bose Companion 20: Back View

Should you buy the Bose Companion 20 Multimedia Speaker System? They are, indeed, very suitable for intermediate gaming level, but I would not recommend this system for a professional gamer since there’s no 5.1 surround sound and you might need a higher volume to ‘feel’ the games you’re playing.

The price of the Bose Companion 20 Multimedia Speaker System is listed on at around 250 US dollars. What you get for this money is a set of louder and more refined speakers (in terms of sound quality), but I do not find that they provide good money value since you can purchase a more powerful THX certified 5.1 surround sound system for the same amount of cash.

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Cohesion XP 11.2 Gaming Chair Ottoman: When Just Games Are Not Enough

Despite the fast technological advances, in terms of gaming hardware and software, the key word for an enjoyable experience remains unchanged: comfort! Comfort is commonly described as a state of mind, but it doesn’t take a lot of experience in gaming to know that a hard wood chair, badly shaped can cause the gamer back and neck pains and therefore a defeat! That is why the gaming chair is just as important as the PC or the specially designed peripherals for gaming.

A possible solution to this particular problem could be the Cohesion XP 11.2 Gaming Chair Ottoman with Wireless Audio. And the word ‘’possible’’ is not accidentally put in last sentence, because every gaming object must suit the gaming style of the user, so keep reading the article and see if the Cohesion XP 11.2 Gaming Chair Ottoman with Wireless Audio is what you seek for!

The first thing that hits you regarding this video gaming chair is the way it looks. It is very similar to a Formula 1 racing chair, so it transmits very well the idea of competition, on one hand and the toughness of the user, on the other hand, due to its shape and the black leather that was used to cover the seat. All in all, it does have a design meant to impress, and greater comfort than a racing chair!

Cohesion XP 11.2 Gaming Chair

The set of high tech options includes an FM wireless, 3-channel audio and a headphone jack, for those who enjoy better playing the game in teams or with the headsets on. A panel of controls is provided in order to adjust the volume, to set it on or off and input or output.

In terms of performance, the Cohesion XP 11.2 Gaming Chair Ottoman with Wireless Audio is one of the best gaming chairs available on the market, at least for now. The good ergonomics and the sound quality is what recommend this seat to every user, aside from the looks. Other than that the gaming chair can fold into an ottoman and this way it saves space. It is definitely a great chair for gaming!

The price for the Cohesion XP 11.2 Gaming Chair Ottoman with Wireless Audio is listed at around 155 US dollars. Is it a good deal? Yes, the gaming chair is definitely worth this amount of money or at least, it is an option I would go for if I was looking for such a gadget.

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Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500: Sounds Professional

Nothing compares to the atmosphere of a certain game that you like to play and what introduces you best into it is the sound! Just like a horror movie scene is meaningless without its background sound, because it is that specific music that creates the suspense! The same principle goes for games! If the sound is not flawless when gaming, the action doesn’t feel the same and an experienced gamer knows that, therefore the sound’s accuracy is, indeed, very important. Being able to feel the enemy vibrating throughout your entire room is quite an amazing sensation!

This review is for those who had it and want to feel it again or those in search for it! The Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500 speaker system is one of the surround sound systems that can deliver that.  Follow the article and see why!

The Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500 speaker system hooks you up with six class D amplifiers (able to shake you like an earthquake, because of the 232 Watts RMS of power) and an 8? subwoofer, able to deliver the best of the digital sound!

Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500 2.1 speakers system

The TFT color display (shows information in more than one language) is placed on the placed on the remote control and it allows the user to customize the sound depending on his activity, so you have the Mod X theatrical audio processing (perfect for Blue Ray and DVD audio), dynamic DSP programs (such as Late Night, helps you adjust the sound in a pleasant manner) and custom-designed EQ curves (especially designed for environmental simulation, best suitable for games, films or music).

In terms of performances, the Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500 speaker system is, probably, one of the best computer speakers available on the market. The sound is very accurately reproduced and the base is incredible! It allows you not only to adjust the volume and base, but also to customize the curves of the digital wave of sound depending on what you want to do: listening to your favorite album, watching a nice movie or have tones of fun gaming!

The price of the Corsair Gaming Audio Series SP2500 speaker system is listed at (almost) 220 US dollars and I believe it should not cost more in other stores. What you get foe this amount is not only a subwoofer and two satellite speakers, but one of the best desktop speaker systems. It is, indeed, expensive, but it is worth every penny!

Classic Black design for Corsair SP2500

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Top Wireless Gaming Routers for 2012: When Games Are a Prority

We’ve been talking a lot here about gaming gadgets, but the topics we’ve covered were mainly for the popular niches like gaming mices and keyboards for gaming. That’s why I’ve decided it’s time to talk also about less popular gaming gadgets. Today’s talk is about wireless gaming routers, an often neglected category of specialized networking products for amateur or professional wannabe gamers.

Read on the entire post to understand what a gaming router is and what you should be looking for in the best gaming router (there’s a sizeable intro chapter covering this). At the end there’s a section with our current favourites routers for gaming. We’ll be updating this list constantly so you might want to check back to this page from time to time (if you haven’t found your model yet).

The easy answer to this question is: a normal wireless router with a few tweaks that targets gamers. The complete answer is a little bit more complex, and involves a faster CPU and memory (yeap, a router is pretty much a computer running Linux) that reduces lag/latency since games transmit massive packets (small amounts of data) that needs to reach the destination fast and constantly, and bigger antennas that keep signal strength for longer distances, so you don’t experience sluggishness. Dual band compatibility (2.4 and 5 GHz) is also something you’ll want in a noisy environment where multiple wireless networks fight for the same frequency space.

With gaming routers actual bandwidth is not that important, but low package overhead and most important, a function for QoS (Quality of Service) which is basically prioritization for specific tasks, so that realtime communications  are given priority over non critical apps.

All these additions make a gaming router more expensive than a normal one, and if you pick a model that features things like LCD display to show up what’s happening at any given time you’re getting dangerously close to the cost of a computer (netbook actually, so don’t be alarmed). But if you want a top wireless router, a gaming model will surely cover your networking needs, no matter what they are.

Now let’s see what the GadgetRoad favourite wireless routers for games. We’ve been picking these by reading user reviews and speciality tests, but in case we’ve missed a model you think it’s worth mentioning don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and let us know. We’ll be monitoring your suggestions and update this post accordingly.

The Netgear N600 Gaming Router hooks you up with one WAN port, four LAN ones and dual band wireless internet. Or to put it in a more simple and easy to understand way: where there are ports (except for the USB one), there is Gigabit internet, where as the dual band wireless connection is available on the frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz  and both these frequencies can be used simultaneously.

The Netgear N600 Gaming Router does include a USB hub as well (which I have already mentioned) and it comes very useful when you connecting a printer or a storage device to the router transforming it basically into a NAS – Network Attached Storage (maybe there is some information you would want to release into the network or print some of the data that just came in).

Netgear N600 WNDR3700

In terms of performance, the Netgear N600 Gaming Router is a fast router (the speed for wireless varies between 300 Mbps and 600 Mbps, if the bands are combined), as for the Ethernet, that is a very reliable streamer of HD gaming, but if you like freedom you can rely on the wireless connection without a problem.

Get one from here or Read our complete review

The price of the Netgear N600 Gaming Router is listed on at almost 100 US dollars. Is it a good deal? It is one of the best gaming router deals so worth checking in our opinion.

The Belkin N600 Gaming Router is a very interesting device. Let’s start with the design: incased in a polished black plastic, but a little bit tall and slim. That is what gives one the idea of seriousness and quality, on one hand, and what makes it suitable for home or office use.

The Belkin N600 Gaming Router provides dual band wireless internet (works on 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequencies and the download speed is 300 megabits per second for both frequencies). Nevertheless, these two wireless frequencies can spread ‘’internet waves’’ at the same time.

Belkin N600

This gaming router can also hook you up with four Ethernet ports and one USB hub, so that you could connect another device, such as a stick or a printer.

In terms of performance, the Belkin N600 Gaming Router is one of the best long range gaming routers. It assures a constant data flow and it should not cause you any trouble when gaming. The innovation of Belkin N600 Gaming Router consists in a Self-Healing function that detects the problem and fixes it, but I would not give my highest appreciation to that until I see this function managing all situations by itself.

Find one here – Read full article

The price of the Belkin N600 Gaming Router is listed on at almost 70 US dollars and that is a good value for the money!

The Cisco-Linksys E4200 Gaming Router is one of the gaming routers that work on two wireless frequencies (the famous 2.4 GHz and the less congested 5.0 GHz) at the same time. The data transfer rate starts with 300 megabits per second (and that is the worst case scenario), but it can reach 450 Mbps in laboratory conditions.

Other than that, one gets four Ethernet ports and a USB hub (it comes useful when you want to connect your printer or stick to the gaming router).

Cisco Linksys E4200

In terms of performances, the Cisco-Linksys E4200 Gaming Router is, actually, a more than decent router for games. The internet coverage is very good (because of quality antenna it has inside), the Gigabit internet is a monster (in a profoundly positive way, but if you don’t like this term, will change it with Speedy Gonzales).  Important as well is how much time you spend with  the setup and the Cisco-Linksys E4200 Gaming Router is very user friendly, its setup being no more than a two or three minutes issue.

Buy from here – Read our test

The price of the Cisco-Linksys E4200 Gaming Router is listed at almost 180 US dollars. Although I like this router, its price doesn’t seem very customer friendly, does it?

The looks of the ASUS Black Diamond Dual Band Wireless Gaming Router are quite extravagant (it does resemble a diamond, except for the thing that it is black) and that is certainly a magnet for consumers. But, not just the looks tend to draw attention.  This router provides wireless internet, as well as LAN and WAN. The wireless connection works on the frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz simultaneously with the top speed of 300 megabits per second.

ASUS Black Diamond RT-N56U

The Ethernet, on the other hand, seems to be worth considering. You get one WAN port and four LAN ports. The speed reaches 900 Mbps, in the case of WAN to LAN and 1GB per second, for LAN to LAN, which is not bad at all.

In terms of performances, the ASUS Black Diamond Dual Band Wireless Gaming Router is most certainly fast and irreproachable form the technical point of view. The looks are discussable, but they seem fine to me.

Buy it – Read more about it

The price of the ASUS Black Diamond Dual Band Wireless Gaming Router almost 130 US dollars. That is, in my opinion, a very good price or money value. I think this gaming router is something that’s worth spending money on.

The D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme Gaming Router draws one’s attention with its three antennas and its small LCD panel. The three antennas are detachable and the Network Activity Display allows you to check on the received and sent packages, as well as the time you have spent playing or surfing.

D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme N

The D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme Gaming Router is one of the routers that provide dual band wireless and Gigabit internet. In the first case, you can use either 2.4 GHz frequency or the less congested one (which is 5.0 GHz) to connect to the internet. In the second case, you have four Gigabit internet ports, which is good, because the speed is here much better than the above discussed wireless connection (where the top speed is 300 megabits per second).

In terms of performances, the D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme Gaming Router has one of the most interesting gaming features (the one I love the most): it allows you to prioritize a certain network traffic, such as gaming, mail, VOIP or media. And the function gets its own name: Gamefuel. Nice touch!

Purchase from here – Read our full test

The price of the D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme Gaming Router is around 96 US dollars. From my point of view, this is the best wireless gaming router deal one can get right now.

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Sony PSPgo ultra portable gaming console: my thoughts

Gaming is a beautiful passion, but it should not keep one locked in the house, so while we all demanded more portability, the manufacturers decided to obey and deliver. This way a new type of hardware has seen the light of the day: the portable gaming console. The consumer’s market abounds in variety of offer, but one product of the kind that we thought it wordy of attention is the Sony PSPgo. Stay close to us and see if it could satisfy and match your needs and expectations!

The Sony PSPgo features a 16 GB of internal memory and Bluetooth support, so other devices (like headsets, for instance) can be connected to the gaming console. In addition, the Sony PSPgo provides a built-in microphone, so communication through Skype is piece of cake.

The design of the Sony PSPgo is not very different from the previous PSP (Playstation Portable) models, so you will find no trouble in handling it if you are familiar with Sony PSPgo’s older relatives. However, the gadget’s screen slides upwards, revealing four directional arrows, the four Playstation buttons (Triangle, Circle, Square and X) and an analog thumb stick. Its display is 3, 8 inches wide and the ultra-crisp technology makes it more resistant to accidents, assures the manufacturer.

Sony PSPgo: a very small and portable console

In terms of performances, the Sony PSPgo hooks you up with 3D gaming joy (games with polygons, not 3D screen, as you were expecting), high fidelity images (either static or in motion) and good audio characteristics. If its memory is not what you would have expected, you can always enlarge it with Memory Stick Micro (I know, Sony should stick to universal standards). I am more into music kind of girl and if you are, too, here is a list with the type of files that the Sony PSPgo can read and play: MP3, WAV, WMA, ATRAC3+, and MP4 files. One can also access the Internet through the gaming console with the help of Wi-Fi technology.

Should you get it? Yes if you are into gaming, movies, music and more. The gadget is most certainly a fun thing to play with, but it is quite suitable for the ones in search for a complete entertainer, which is what the Sony PSPgo tends towards.

Sony PSP Go: so small it fits in your hand

The price of the Sony PSPgo is listed at almost 175 US dollars. From my point of view this is one of the best priced portable consoles you can buy, so the Sony PSPgo is a reliable and relatively inexpensive gaming console. You lose nothing giving it a try.

Familiar interface for the Sony PSP Go

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New to Internet Gaming?

Internet games have seen a surge in popularity over the last few years, with the result that countless titles make use of internet for their games in one way or another. Today:

- Games use web addresses as their locations and are played on a browser window.
- Some simply use the e-mail clients for basic gaming.
- Graphic-heavy games that can't simply be uploaded online use internet as their multi-player solution, providing multi-player gaming where a person in the US can compete even with someone living across the continent.
- Conveniences like Internet Relay Chat, MUD clients, Telenet and certain web-based forums are brought into use by those developing the games and those playing them.
Ever since the development of the first MUD in the late 1970's, the industry has its attention focus on providing easy internet gaming solutions to consumers, and the interest has been increasing ever since.

To get going:

All you need is a reliable internet connection, a personal computer or a gaming console and whatever software may be required by the games you choose to play (Think flash player, or the games' own software). Once you have all of that, get going! There are literally millions of choices scattered all over the cyber world: you can choose between a huge collection of simple board games, action and adventure, fashion, music, combat, city planning, strategic or simply basic puzzles.

Tips to enjoy optimized, trouble-free performance:

- Give the computer breathing space: delete temporary files and internet files, empty recycle bin once a week, and uninstall programs that are of no use to you.
- Download any updates that are made available for your Operating System periodically. They're designed to give your computer performance boosts.
- Keep a lot of space handy in your hard drive, and maintain a backup system at all times.
- Run the disk defragmenter once a month to organize the computer's file. Activate automatic defragmenting if your OS allows you to.
- Clear the cache before you start playing.
- Check for spyware on a daily basis and remove them periodically.
- You would want a lot of RAM free, so try killing all other running programs before you begin your game, if you want a seamless experience.
- Run anti-virus programs when you're not busy playing your favorite games.
- Keep the add-ons to a minimum.
- Be sure to shut down your computer properly each time you play.

The Internet allows gamers to compete with people living miles away. Some use PCs while others use consoles. What you use is a personal choice influenced by costs, availability, and taste.

What games to buy?

You don't want to be buying games that won't run on your available gaming hardware, so it's best to check a few things before you count the cash:

- Check system requirements for specific hardware or software for each game.
- Make sure you know whether the game is single or multi-player. You don't want to buy a multi-player game without installing a broadband connection back home, do you?
- Find out whether your keyboard would substitute the joystick for your choice of games or not. If the game requires a joystick, it's up to you to buy one or give this game a miss.
- There are a lot of choices available for each genre. Make sure you're aware of all titles before you make your decision. Read forums for user reviews.
- Try playing a game at some store before you purchase it. Counting on reviews and friends' advices can often make you waste your money. Trying a demo can help avoid that.

Now that you have enough information about online gaming, you might want to give a try to Friv game and many other Friv online games.

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