Articles about Gaming

Yesterday, I reported on how Windows 10 usage had fallen in February according to the latest figures from NetMarketShare.

Today, Steam releases its hardware survey for February, and that shows that Windows 10 usage has fallen on the gaming platform too, and not for the first time. Usage in January was also down from the month before. Is it the start of a downward trend?

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Google has announced a few changes to the Play Store, one of which means that listings for games will be promoted not based solely on the number of downloads. The company is tweaking its algorithms to take into account how much time is spent playing games -- so a game which achieves large numbers of downloads but isn’t played much will drop down the rankings.

Another change that has been a long time coming is the option for developers to list sale prices for their apps and games. While it was previously possible to manually change the price of a title, now devs can list the full and sale price at the same time, so buyers can easily see what savings they are making. New editorial pages are also due to be added to Google Play.

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Gaming can be an expensive business, with games often costing $60. Starting later this spring, however, things are set to get cheaper. Microsoft is about to launch Xbox Game Pass, a $9.99 per month subscription that gives unlimited access to over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.

Fears that this might just mean access to a substandard set of titles appear to be unfounded -- games such as Halo 5: Guardians, Payday 2, NBA 2K16 and SoulCalibur II are to be found on the list. Microsoft is quick to stress that this is not a streaming service; subscribers will be able to download full games to the console.

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Are you a PC gamer? If yes, you should really get yourself a gaming headset. When playing multiplayer games online, a big part of the experience is trash-talking opponents. Not to mention, for those of you that live with other people, a headset can prevent arguments over late-night gaming marathons that keep folks awake. It is common courtesy to game with a headset or headphones.

Back in October of 2016, Mad Catz launched the Tritton ARK 100 stereo gaming headset for consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Today, the company begins shipping the PC variant to retailers. This model can connect using USB for a special 7.1 surround mode. If you prefer to use 3.5mm, do not worry --  it has that connectivity too, but only for stereo.

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If you've ordered yourself a Nintendo Switch you had better prepare to crack open your wallet and splash out on an SD card. Nintendo has shared details of the size of the console's digital games, and at least one of them simply won’t fit on the internal storage.

The company reveals that Dragon Quest Heroes I·II weighs in at a sizeable 32 GB -- exactly the same size as the Switch's built in storage, which is already home to the required system files. Other games are big enough to mean that even if you're not interested in Dragon Quest Heroes I·II, an SD card is going to be pretty much essential.

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When it comes to gaming mice, there are often two schools of thought for design. Some manufacturers go overboard, thinking consumers want flashy-looking mice with tons of features. Other makers go a more conservative route, where the user wants fewer distractions. Neither is wrong -- consumers have different tastes. There is also the wired vs. wireless debate, with many gamers preferring the former for reduced lag and no need for battery charging.

Today, ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) unveils an all-new wired mouse with a more conservative design approach. Called "Strix Impact," the wired gaming mouse is certainly attractive, but it does not look not too funky or childish. The RGB lighting allows the owner to customize the appearance, while a dedicated button lets them change the DPI on the fly. The ambidextrous-friendly mouse is also built to last, with high-quality Omron button switches, which ASUS ROG claims will last for over 50 million clicks!

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Video gamers are very spoiled nowadays, as there are so many great games and consoles to buy. Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are great, for example, and Nintendo will be launching a new console called Switch on March 3. Let's not forget PC gamers -- they have lots of powerful hardware and quality games available too.

One game that has many gamers excited is Halo Wars 2. It will be launching very soon, on February 21. If you ordered the "Ultimate" edition, however, you get to play it a few days earlier on the 17th. Don't have an Xbox One? Don't panic. To celebrate the release of Halo Wars 2, Microsoft is giving away an Xbox One S Halo Wars 2 Ultimate Edition Bundle! In addition, the Windows-maker will be giving away other cool prizes too.

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While Windows 10 has its fair share of vocal detractors, the operating system is actually very good. In fact, some people say it is the best version of Microsoft's desktop operating system ever -- particularly for gaming. Consumers that want a Windows 10 computer are very lucky nowadays, as there are many quality machines from which to choose.

One such quality laptop is the Razer Blade. The 14-inch Windows 10 laptop is quite popular with gamers, as it is both svelte and powerful. Today, Razer announces that it is refreshing the notebook with new Intel Kaby Lake processors and an optional 4K display.

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As the news of the world gets crazier and crazier, people are increasingly needing distractions to cope. While TV, movies, and music are obvious choices, video games should not be forgotten. These games allow the player to escape into an alternate reality for a while, and can be more immersive than other media.

If you do not own a game console, you really can't go wrong with the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One -- both are powerful and have respectable game libraries. Today, however, Sony makes its offering very attractive. The company announces three new console bundles for a mere $249.

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Mechanical keyboards are all the rage nowadays, and for good reason -- they can be brilliant for both gaming and typing. The tactile and audible feedback that they can offer are sometimes a world beyond the crappy pack-in keyboards that come with many desktops. That's not to say that all non-mechanical keyboards are bad -- that is not the case at all. In fact, it is largely personal preference.

Back in October, respected manufacturer HyperX (a Kingston gaming brand) released the 'ALLOY FPS' Cherry MX Blue mechanical LED backlit gaming keyboard. The problem? Not everyone likes Blue switches. You see, different switches perform in different ways, and consumers can vary wildly in their preferences. You can witness visual examples of the differences below. Today, the company refreshes the keyboard with two new Cherry MX switch colors/types -- Brown and Red.

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If you are a PC gamer, you probably own a hardcore graphics card and fancy mouse, am I right? Some of you will even have a mechanical keyboard and premium headset. Here's the question, though -- how's your monitor, bro? Are you still gaming on a small 1080p display with poor viewing angles? We are in 2017 -- it might be time to upgrade.

If your computer is powerful enough, and your pockets are deep enough, Acer has a new monitor that will make you drool. Called "XR382CQK," it is a 37.5-inch 21:9 ultrawide QHD (3440x1600) monitor. It even features a 5ms response and 75Hz refresh -- nice! AMD fans will particularly want this display as it supports FreeSync. There is one huge problem, though -- the price.

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The last three Windows 10 Insider Preview builds have offered a wealth of new features, and the next build, which is expected in a day or so, won’t be any different.

This week’s update will include some big new additions for PC gamers, including Game Mode and Beam video game streaming.

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Mobile devices are increasingly used for many aspects of our lives and that includes playing games. But what does this mean for enterprises looking to promote their brands?

New research from mobile engagement platform Tapjoy suggests that consumers are twice as likely to say they feel relaxed when playing mobile games than they are when using social apps and that means more potential for advertisers to get their message across.

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As part of its new "3D for Everyone" strategy, Microsoft has announced that it will acquire the 3D optimization vendor Simplygon.

The company's corporate vice president of Next Gen Experiences Kudo Tsunoda revealed the acquisition intended to help boost its own 3D efforts. The Swedish company Simplygon will play a large role in allowing Microsoft to simplify the process of allowing its users to capture, create and share in 3D.

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As someone born in the 1980s, Nintendo was a huge part of my life. I owned every one of its home consoles from the NES to the Wii. Yes, I even bought the Virtual Boy, which I still have. Unfortunately, I sat out the Wii U due to poor design and a lack of quality games. Apparently, I was not alone in not embracing that console, as it is largely considered a flop.

The company's latest console, however, got me very excited. The Nintendo Switch doubles as both a home and portable console, making it more useful. Based on the company's presentation, it looked very fun. I pre-ordered it immediately, for fear of it selling out. This was a good idea, apparently, as pre-orders are no longer available at major retailers. Here's the problem -- I am considering canceling my order, as it is looking to be a failure.

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