Articles about Gaming

Back in July, we told you that the Intel NUC 9 Extreme was finally available for purchase. This diminutive computer offers some impressive performance for such a small body. At just 5L, it is quite amazing what Intel was able to cram inside. Not only will it run Windows 10, but it will serve as a brilliant Linux box too.

Today, ADATA unveils the GAIA MINI PC under its XPG gaming brand. This computer is based on the aforementioned Intel NUC 9 Extreme Kit. Is it merely a rebadged computer? Yes and no. While ADATA did not design the PC at all, the XPG GAIA comes with 32GB of XPG RAM and a 2TB XPG SSD. In other words, it is an Intel NUC equipped with high-end ADATA XPG components. It also has the XPG logo emblazoned on the front.

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High volumes of attacks have targeted video game companies and players between 2018 and 2020, with an inevitable uptick in attack traffic that correlates with COVID-19-related lockdowns.

A new report from Akamai shows that game players themselves are subjected to a steady barrage of criminal activity, largely through credential stuffing and phishing attacks.

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Headsets are an essential part of the online multiplayer gaming experience these days. They allow you to communicate with teammates -- or opponents -- depending on the game. Hell, even for offline single player games, a quality headset can usually provide superior audio compared to many chintzy computer speakers. They can also be used for music and movies, of course.

Today, ADATA unveils its newest gaming headset under its "XPG" gaming brand. Called "PRECOG ANALOG," it is designed to be a less expensive version of the company's regular PRECOG. This new version seems to forgo the USB control box and associated virtual 7.1 surround. Otherwise ,they seem almost identical, including the handy removable microphone.

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Some people think you need expensive hardware to have fun playing video games, but the truth is, you don't. Believe it or not, there are plenty of free games that can run well on a fairly meager PC. No, I am not just talking about emulating classic video games (piracy is bad, mmkay). Actually, there are some really fun PC games that you can legally download at no charge.

One such popular game is SuperTuxKart. This open source Mario Kart clone is totally FREE on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It can even be had on Android too. Rather than use Nintendo mascots, the racers in SuperTuxKart are based on open source projects -- it is quite cute. The game even has network support these days, so you can have a multiplayer experience over the internet. SuperTuxKart recently reached version 1.2, and the new version is chock full of improvements. The developers are also sharing their plans for the future of the game.

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When it comes to racing games, there are generally two types of gamers -- those that like realism and those that just enjoy having a good time. I fall into the latter category, preferring games like Mario Kart instead of Gran Turismo. After all, I own an actual car and driving it isn't too fun. I'd much rather shoot turtle shells at opponents, but I digress.

If you prefer simulation racing games, I have some really great news. Today, Logitech announces the Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE Sim Racing Wheel and Pedals for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. What makes the leather-wrapped G923 so special is its "TRUEFORCE" technology, which is an enhanced force-feedback system. Logitech promises it will provide a very realistic experience when playing games like Gran Turismo Sport and Grid. It even has a nifty Rev Indicator, which uses LED lights to let you track your RPMs right on the wheel. Very cool.

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If it feels like HyperX releases a lot of gaming headsets, that's because it does. Yeah, Kingston's gaming brand seems to like having a large offering of headsets for some reason. While that can be confusing for some consumers, ultimately, having choice and a diverse product line is a good thing. It ensures there are models for all budgets and needs.

Today, HyperX launches the Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1. As the name implies, it offers virtual 7.1 surround sound. The wired headset looks to be attractive and comfortable too. It even comes with a USB breakout box with controls. Best of all, it is very much affordable at less than $70.

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When you are a serious gamer, including those that play competitively, your gear really matters. Players need to carefully select high-end mice, keyboards, headsets, and more if they are going to compete -- especially on a professional level. Many elite gamers choose Logitech G for their hardware needs, and it is not hard to see why -- Logitech's gaming brand has consistently released high-quality gear for many years.

Today, Logitech G announces the PRO X Wireless LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset. As the name suggests, this wireless headset utilizes Logitech's excellent LIGHTSPEED technology. If you aren't familiar, LIGHTSPEED is the company's proprietary low-latency wireless solution that minimizes many of the complaints gamers have about Bluetooth. If you are a gamer and you want wireless gear, LIGHTSPEED is where it's at.

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In life, there are luxury items that aren't achievable by the average consumer. For instance, while many people can afford a car, they probably have to settle for a Ford or Kia rather than a Lamborghini or Ferrari. You know what? That's OK. No one ever said life was fair, and ultimately, some people simply have more money than others. And so, there are specific products designed for those with excess cash.

For example, Logitech G has partnered with Herman Miller on a new variant of the existing “Embody” gaming chair, and it is quite expensive. This piece of furniture costs $1,500! Believe it or not, given its quality and features, it doesn't seem to be overpriced either. Embody features seven points of calibration, allowing it it be customized for top comfort. It also has "posturefit technology" where the chair's back conforms to the sitter's spine. Best of all, it ships completely assembled -- there is no need to use tools or follow confusing instructions.

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Nowadays, 8GB of RAM is pretty much the bare minimum that should come with any decent computer. Sure, maybe some light users can get by fine with 4GB, but with memory prices so low, there is really no excuse for anything less than 8GB. Hell, I would recommend all consumers target 16GB -- if their budget allows it, of course.

With all of that said, there are some hardcore computer users -- primarily designers and creators -- that can benefit from much more than 8GB or 16GB. Just how much? It isn't crazy for some folks to need 32GB, 64GB, or even more. Today, HyperX unveils that its popular Predator and Fury lines DDR4 RGB RAM are getting some new kits. Believe it or not, you can now get Predator kits featuring capacities up to 256GB or with speeds up to 4800MHz! And yes, there are RGB variants of both Predator and Fury too.

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If you want a proper gaming PC, you need a full ATX motherboard and a massive tower full of fans, right? Actually, no. Nowadays, there are very capable mini ITX and micro ATX motherboards, making it possible to have a lot of power in a small package.

But holy cow, I never expected to see this much power crammed into such a small space! Today, MAINGEAR launches the TURBO -- a beautiful and impossibly small AMD Ryzen 3000XT gaming desktop. Just how small is it? A very impressive 7" x 14.4" x 12.3". This diminutive liquid-cooled beast can be configured with a processor ranging from the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 to the 3950X -- including the new 3000XT chips. You can choose up to 16TB of storage and up to 64GB of RAM. Graphics cards from both NVIDIA and AMD are available.

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If you are a serious PC gamer, I hope you own a mechanical keyboard. Whether gaming on a laptop or desktop, you should absolutely have a high-quality mechanical keyboard and mouse plugged in. After all, there is a good chance your competition is using these things, so why should you be at a disadvantage?

If you are in the market for a mechanical keyboard, I have good news. Kingston's gaming division, HyperX, launches a new model today. Called "Alloy Elite 2," it is the successor to the wildly popular first-gen Alloy Elite. This time, you get "pudding" keycaps, which feature translucent sides for a brighter and more colorful RGB experience. Thankfully, the volume wheel and media buttons make a return.

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Not everyone can afford the latest and greatest components for their gaming PC, and depending on the titles the gamer plays, they may not even need hardcore specs. For those that prefer high frame rate to gigantic resolution, you can get by very comfortably without breaking the bank. Look, a 1080p screen is far more affordable than a 4K monitor.

Today, MSI launches a beautiful 1080p display that focuses on eSports titles and other games you might play in FHD. Called "Optix MAG273R," this 27-inch IPS gaming monitor isn't top-of-the-line, but does have has an impressive 144Hz refresh and 1ms response. It is even compatible with AMD's FreeSync. The monitor also features thin bezels and a fun design with colorful lighting on the rear -- something PC gamers should appreciate. Best of all, it is rather affordable.

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When you think of gaming mice, your mind probably conjures images of brands such as Logitech G or HyperX, am I right? That is totally understandable. However, there are many other companies manufacturing these types of mice nowadays. Believe it or not, even ADATA is making gaming mice and keyboards under its XPG enthusiast brand.

Today, ADATA unveils its latest such pointing device. Called "XPG PRIMER," this optical gaming mouse is wired, so you don't have to worry about replacing batteries. And of course, as a gaming product, the XPG PRIMER has customizeable RGB lighting too.

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Chromebooks are wonderful computers. In fact, the underlying Linux-based Chrome OS is arguably the most secure desktop operating system on the planet. Yes, it is more secure than Windows or macOS. If you have to access a website for banking information or other sensitive data, a Chromebook is probably the safest way to do so.

With all of that said, they aren't just good for surfing the web or education, but for fun stuff too. Not only can you enjoy streaming media on a Chromebook, but you can actually do some light gaming too -- thanks to Android support and the Google Play Store. Two classic games -- DOOM and DOOM II -- are on Play Store for $5 a piece, but if you own a Chromebook, you can get both for free!

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It is never fun to buy the same game over and over again as it gets repeatedly re-released for newer and newer consoles. So naturally, backwards compatibility is a good thing. Microsoft seems to be hoping the ability to play old games will make the terribly named Xbox Series X attractive to consumers.

In fact, the company isn't just promising backwards compatibility, but the ability to make some old games look and run better on the newer hardware. You will even be able to use Quick Resume -- the ability to start playing exactly where you left off -- with these previous-gen games. While this is all undoubtedly cool, it is not the way to advertise a next-generation console. If Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 ends up being superior for next-gen titles -- absolutely a  possibility -- the Xbox Series X's enhanced backwards compatibility won't really matter.

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