ipower X2.0 is a welcome relief for PC gamers

Not every PC gamer can mod his/her PC. So when if you are looking for a machine that looks capable of gaming then Packard Bell’s ipower X2.0 is what you really want. Unveiled at the Electronic Sports World Cup in Paris, the machine is glossy, and looks every bit capable of delivering performance. Dubbed a “second-generation” gaming machine, the ipower X2.0 will be available around Christmas in Europe, ranging €999 to €1799. Packard Bell has kept design considerations at the top while making this machine and a look is enough to prove as much. Translucent sides with red LED lights exude glow and reveal inner secrets of the machine. Host of options are available to the gamers and they can choose between: GeForce 9800GX2, or the ATI Radeon HD4870 for graphics, the Intel Core 2 Quad or Intel Core 2 for processing power, and 5000GB to 3TB of storage. Other specs include:

Another Critic, Noel Gallagher, blames crime on Games

Well another non-intelligent person slaps all the crime to games. Apparently if you play something like Grand Theft Auto, you will actually go out, jack a car while screaming profanity, then run some people over and shoot others with an AK. May I ask everyone, how many times has this happened? There are literally millions, if not billions, of people who play games and does even 5% of them do these things? I think not! Well, Noel Gallagher believes so and pushes all the blame onto video games. He also lays blame onto the good ‘ol reefer.

An exciting Halo 3 diorama for X-box 360

The Halo 3 seems to have shaken up a lot of dust and by which we mean interest and excitement. If you are looking for more excitement, there is also a brand new Halo 3 Believe website which features an interactive view of the diorama. The website allows you to fly through the action, see all the models, take a look at the buildings and almost everything else that is involved in this game. Scott Schneider from LA took this as a totally different challenge and worked on the Halo 3 diorama for x-box 360. The set, as you all know, is pretty detailed and required 40′ x 40′ x 12′ and it contains over 700 figures. You can also find the custom built vehicles and structures. This is like having a tangible array of mise-en-scene of the game. This sure shall keep you wanting for more.

Via: MiniEffects

New Halo, No Master Chief

The new Halo game, that is been heavily rumored, is said to be released E3. This is surprising because it’s possibly just a fluke, but who knows? It could be a hit game, but although highly unlikely, it is still something to keep your eyes on. This may be the Peter Jackson Halo project, but then again we have no other information other than it is Halo without Master Chief. Even if this is all true, and this is a new halo game, it will never be a halo game without Master Chief. But we do have some intuition to go on. With a number of usually well informed blogs endorsing this news, it is unlikely to be entirely false.

Via: CVG, Videogamer247

Chrono Trigger is back

Another RPG classic has made its way back to the front lines. Chrono Trigger from the old days is back to modern times where the game will be added as another title to the DS. The game will be another hit, along with all the other classic old games in the past. The game, ported by Square Enix, will feature a new multiplayer, a new dungeon, and use both screens and have touchscreen availability. The game will be released around the holidays. No price mentioned as of yet. So if you are really into classic games of old, then don’t miss out on this old Nintendo classic.

Via: SlashGear

Acer G24 gaming monitor features the world's best contrast

When it comes to gaming, Acer are really getting themselves a little reputation don’t you think? But it’s all good, of course. And now the Acer G24 monitor is claiming to be the only monitor in the world that’s capable of matching your high-performance video game graphics. The 24-inch LCD now officially features a proclaimed 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio which, according to Acer, is a world first for monitors. That’s hot. And what’s even hotter is that it also boasts of a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 2-ms response, 400-nit brightness, and a host of Acer imaging and color management functions that allow you to fully customize the monitor to your particular tastes with image brightening and ambient light reflection avoidance. With PC-friendly DVI and game-console/Blu-ray friendly HDMIs, the spanky new monitor should definitely be one your must-have list whenever it makes it grand debut.

Source: Engadget

Stargate Worlds - New MMO game in the making

Stargate fans are in luck, as a new PC release is in development, called Stargate Worlds. The MMO game is being developed by Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment. G4TV’s X-Play team got a chance to test out the Pre-Alpha version, which eventually debuted on television. From initial appearances, the game really does look like it is still incomplete. However, faith is not lost because this seems to be the first game of its kinda, and it is a pre-alpha. X-Play was also able to get interviews with some of the top heads at the company. Information will be posted soon about it. Otherwise, you can check out Stargate Worlds for more info about the game. Users can interact with community members and also apply to try out the beta version of the game.

Xbox 360 Prices Slashed

For the folks out there dreaming of getting an Xbox 360, but just couldn’t afford it at the time, well now is your chance to get it. Microsoft has slashed the Arcade version to US $349, making it the cheapest non-handheld gaming console available to date. Ofcourse, Microsoft had to support this price slash with positive words, saying currency fluctuations and manufacturing efficiency costs savings are being passed on to the consumer. However, game retailer EBGames has suggested differently. They sum up different points, which really go negatively to the Xbox’s favour. They believe the drop in sales of Xbox 360 games has forced to sell the system for much lower prices to encourage more buyers to come into the market.

CustomPlay Golf 2009 by early next year

A decade ago, people would have found it funny to play golf inspired video games but golf definitely is seeing a rising popularity among the young, though initially it was the preserve of the rich and the old. This newfound popularity of the game can be found in the growing number of games which are based on the game itself. Lexicon Entertainment’s CustomPlay Golf 2009 is the latest entrant to this arena. With a realistic gameplay and interesting extras, the game is quite suitable and attractive to casual players as well. One can customize players, edit from the scratch, create and tailor their looks and style, etc. There are also various levels and game modes like Crazy Golf, Mini Golf, Par 3, Pitch & Putt, and Driving Range. It is planned on both Wii and the PC. It would hit the markets in early 2009 in Europe.

v2.40 - Latest firmware update for PS3

PS3 users who have been waiting for that much needed firmware update, have something to rejoice for. The System Software Version 2.40 takes very little time to download and install, probably 5-6 minutes in total. With this new version, one can perform a search directly from the XMB™ screen. The other cool feature is that messages can be exchanged between friends and view trophies during gameplay. You can also use the trophy feature, check your friends’ trophies, and you can add up to 100 friends. At the click of the PS button, GTA IV automatically pauses and you do not have to bother about anything but playing. Another interesting feature is the added clock on the XMB which helps you to keep track of your gaming habits. Looks like a lot of PS3 fans are going to be downloading the latest firmware update.