Articles about Gaming

Video games may be more popular than ever these days, but the truth is, they simply aren’t as fun as they used to be. Sadly, game developers focus too heavily on graphics and in-game purchases than actual gameplay. And so, in 2020, a true gamer is better served by playing video game ROMs from yesteryear, from systems like NES, SNES, Genesis, and N64.

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of ways to play classic video game ROMs nowadays. You can even use inexpensive hardware like the Raspberry Pi line of computers to easily get them onto your TV screen. If you have the latest such device, the Raspberry Pi 4, I have some great news — you can finally use the Linux-based RetroPie for your classic gaming fun.

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When it comes to gaming mice, there are some very funky designs out there. Quite frankly, it isn't uncommon to have a gaming mouse resemble alien technology rather than a pointing device. Hell, some gaming mice even feature things like a dozen thumb buttons! Look, some people like crazy-looking mice with tons of buttons, while others value simplicity.

Today, Logitech unveils a "new" gaming mouse that focuses on simplicity and affordability, but at the same time, it oozes style. Called "G203 LIGHTSYNC," it appears to be nothing more than a rebrand of the existing "G203 PRODIGY" mouse. From what I can tell, specifications and designs are identical. Hell, even the price is the same. With that said, there are new model and SKU numbers, so it is technically a new product.

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Facebook is now a multi-faceted beast, and the latest weapon in the social network's growing arsenal is a dedicated gaming app.

The company is launching Facebook Gaming today, providing users with an app to livestream game content. Reports says that the app will also include "casual games and access to gaming communities". Competing with Amazon's Twitch, Google's YouTube and Microsoft's Mixer, the app lands on Android today, and is also due on iOS pending approval from Apple.

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RGB lighting rules -- it's a fact. It has the ability to make a great product even better. True, some people decry the inclusion of RGB in so many products nowadays, but to them I say, either buy a different product or simply turn the lighting off! You see, many of these products allow you to turn off the lighting effects entirely, so there is really no downside.

Today, ADATA announces its latest memory, and yes, it features RGB lighting! Called "SPECTRIX D50," these DDR4 modules carry the company's XPG branding, meaning they are intended for gaming. With that said, even non-gamers can enjoy the performance and good looks of these sticks.

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If you've purchased a gaming PC or motherboard lately, there's a very good chance it has a Killer Ethernet controller by Rivet Networks. These controllers are supposed to provide better performance for gaming thanks to Killer's software for Windows that prioritizes gaming traffic. Some swear by Killer's technology, while others call it snake oil.

Today, Rivet Networks announces its latest such Killer Ethernet controller for gaming. Called "E3100," it provides 2.5 Gbps performance, more than double that of gigabit. True, 2.5 Gbps networks are still fairly rare -- especially in homes -- but its popularity is growing. Some people prefer 2.5 Gbps to 10 Gbps , as the former can use existing cabling.

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If you are a console gamer, you probably have your gaming system hooked up to a TV. After all, this is what most people will connect their PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, or Microsoft Xbox One up to. And for the most part, that make sense. But what if you want a really big screen without breaking the bank? When I say "big," I mean bigger than can be realistically achieved with a TV -- like, say, 150 inches. Well then, a projector is what you will need.

Unfortunately, projectors aren't typically designed for gaming, so there is a good chance you won't have a great experience due to lag. Today, BenQ  hopes to change that with the all-new TH685 HDR 1080P console gaming projector. The company promises that the low input lag (8ms response time) will provide a superior console gaming experience compared to other projectors.

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Black is beautiful. And so, HyperX is releasing a new variant of its popular Cloud Alpha S headset in that color. Well, technically black isn't a color, but a total absence of it, but I digress. Called "Cloud Alpha S Blackout," it is entirely black, giving it a very cool look. This is much appreciated, as not all gamers want a colorful product that looks like it is designed for millennials or gen-z.

This Blackout variant is subtle and classy. It wouldn't look out of place in a business setting. In fact, with so many people doing the "work from home" thing these days, HyperX even suggests using it for remote work and video conferencing.

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Proclaiming that "it is time for DirectX to evolve once again", Microsoft has revealed DirectX 12 Ultimate which unifies the graphics technology for Xbox Series X and PC gaming.

There are a number of graphic hardware features for developers to take advantage of, including DirectX Raytracing 1.1, Variable Rate Shading, Mesh Shaders and Sampler Feedback. But Microsoft stresses that the new API will not reduce compatibility. DirectX 12 Ultimate is described as an "additive initiative"; hardware that does not support it will still be able to run next-generation games, but without some of the visual enhancements.

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We always knew that the Xbox Series X was going to be an impressive, powerful device, and now Microsoft has confirmed this. The company has revealed the full specifications for the upcoming game console... and it's a beast!

The console is more like a high-end gaming PC (it's not without good reason that Microsoft bills it as its fastest, most powerful console ever) and it offers hardware-accelerated raytracing, 4K output at 60 fps, and support for up to 120fps. All of this is driven by an 8 core AMD Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2-class GPU -- and you'll be able to buy it this year.

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Qi is amazing technology, allowing you to charge your smartphone by just placing it on a wireless charging pad/mat. Long gone are the days where you have to fumble around with a cable to charge your phone like a caveman. The thing is, it is hardly new -- it took Apple a while to add it to the iPhone, but the Palm Pre had it over a decade ago. Seriously, folks. Hell, there were even Nokia Lumia Windows Phones with wireless charging! And yet, despite the technology being fairly old in 2020, it is still very cool -- and finding its way onto more device types all the time.

For instance, today, HyperX launches a new gaming headset that features Qi wireless charging. Called "Cloud Flight S," you can drop the headset onto any Qi pad (such as this one) to charge it up, but HyperX is selling its own wireless charger called "Chargeplay Base." If you find yourself without such a charging pad, don't panic -- it can also charge with USB. The microphone can be easily detached for when you just want to listen to music, but also, this is great for privacy. While Cloud Flight S does have a mute option, being able to physically remove the microphone is the most foolproof way to avoid accidentally sharing too much during a gaming session.

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AOC monitors are some of my favorite, because they provide great quality at an affordable price. If you are a gamer or just need a display for productivity, and you are on a budget, you need to give the company's products a look. Hell, even if you aren't limited by money, you should check these monitors out.

Today, AOC unveils its latest gaming monitor, and holy crap, it looks like a beauty. Called "AGON AG353UCG," this 35-inch gaming display is chock full of features. For instance, it supports VESA DisplayHDR 1000 and NVIDIA G-Sync Ultimate, plus has a refresh rate of 200Hz! The monitor has a very respectable resolution of 3440 x 1440 UWQHD and 2 ms GtG response time. And yes, it has a built-in USB hub and integrated RGB lighting on the back. There is a even a handy hook on the side to hold your gaming headset.

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Last year, we told you about the Logitech G604 LIGHTSPEED -- a gaming mouse with six thumb buttons. For many folks, a half-dozen thumb buttons would be overwhelming. Well, today, CORSAIR launches a mouse that is even crazier than Logitech's. The "SCIMITAR RGB ELITE," as it is called, has a dozen thumb buttons!

The number of buttons (there are 17 that are programmable) isn’t the only exciting N.H. thing about this wired mouse, however. Also interesting is it’s impressive 18,000 DPI and customizeable RGB lighting. Oh, and it looks really cool too!

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Nowadays, eSports (competitive video gaming) is a huge business -- many people spectate video game players as if they were professional athletes. I wouldn't be surprised to one day see video games in the Olympics.

For whatever reason though, eSports largely consist of first and third person shooters. With that said, racing games, or "eracing," are starting to gain in popularity, however, with some gamers building in-home racing rigs, with car seats, steering wheels, and pedals. Now, Logitech G and famed NASCAR driver William Byron are joining forces to promote eracing. Byron also owns an eracing team on iRacing.com.

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When building a gaming PC, one of the most important purchases you can make is memory. With that said, you don't necessarily need a ton of RAM, nor do you need the fastest. In other words, for gaming, 16GB of memory is still totally fine -- 32GB is more of a want than a need. Unless you are using an integrated GPU, such as an AMD APU, faster RAM speeds won't necessarily give you better game performance either. Currently, 16GB of 3,200MHz memory seems to be the sweet spot -- a good performance/value balance.

Today, GeIL launches its latest such gaming memory. Called "EVO SPEAR Phantom Gaming Edition," it is designed to work with ASRock Phantom Gaming series motherboards. Is that a marketing thing? Yeah, pretty much. I mean, these sticks of RAM will of course work with motherboards made by other manufacturers, such as ASUS, Gigabyte or MSI. If you are an ASRock fan, however, this RAM will be extra interesting to you. There are two types from which to choose -- sticks optimized for either AMD or Intel. You can then choose amongst various frequencies and capacities.

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Last month, Logitech did something very cool. The company released a limited-edition pink variant of its G PRO wireless gaming mouse. It dubbed this model "PIXEL" and vowed to donate the profits from its sales to charities. This proved to be extremely popular, as the PIXEL sold out the same day it was released. This was a big success, as not only did some Logitech fans score a rare collectible, but charities received money as a result.

Today, the Logitech is doing it again, this time with a mouse called "GHOST." Once again, it is a limited-edition G PRO wireless gaming mouse, but this time, the rare color is white rather than pink. I expect GHOST to sell out much faster than PIXEL, as the pink color had a more limited appeal. A white mouse may entice more shoppers, such as Mac users that want to match with their Apple keyboard, for instance. And yes, there are gamers that use macOS.

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