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PC Gaming January 10, 2025

Video Games – Tune In To What’s In!

Video Games – Tune In To What’s In!

The eternal quest for entertainment leads us to the virtual world of video games, and mind you it’s a huge world out there. With companies coming out with newer, revolutionary games, that are even more challenging, have enhanced graphics, integrated realism, and other awesome effects in their games practically every fortnight, it’s difficult to see which ones made the cut.

There’s a huge gaming community out there and it’s fair to say that what’s popular with them is probably worthy of a mention. However, scrubbing through the popular games to determine which one ranks top most is no easy feat.

While the top positions are constantly shifting around, some of the games that have made it to the top this year are:

Halo 3

This game is simply brilliant; it incorporates all that worked well in the previous “Halo” games and has mush more to offer. One of the key points that makes this game refreshing is the fact that the enemies in the game are perhaps as smart as the player itself so its all the more challenging and fun. The makers have also suped-up the multiplayer options and the feature of “Saved film” incorporates a PC idea with console like accessibility.

Super Mario Galaxy

An all time favourite and a legend in its self the Mario games have yet again made it to the top with Super Mario returning and a space adventure riddled with action that has enhanced gameplays and moves away from the dull and common routines making way for some really interesting variety. Packed with surprises the game feel fresh and new despite the fact that it probably a rehash of its predecessors. The graphics are great and sparkle, while the controls prove nicely tight. Is it any surprise then that Super Mario has made it to the top again?

Rock Band

It looks like the purchase of Harmonix by MTV is finally paying off. This game is lets four players, a guitarist, bass guitarist, Drummer and Vocalist have a blast on or offline through the revolutionary rock band rhythms game. It features loads of tunes licensed from several big record labels. Although it’s not completely perfect in the sense that it really lacks the “world tour” bit to give it that touch of making it big, Yet it give people a chance to explore a perhaps unfulfilled ambition as a musician in a rock band and it works out great as a substitute for those who just won’t be able to ever play onstage with real music instruments.

BioShock

Designed for play on the Xbox and PC its setting is based in an alternative reality that’s an underwater battleground. There’s a lot of strategy and thinking involved in this first person shooter game. Attacks from mutants and mechanical drones that roam across this underwater world make for a very interesting game. An intriguing game it captivates the players right from the beginning where the primary player “Jack” ends up on the scene thanks to a plane crash over the Atlantic Ocean. From then on Jack makes his way through the game advised by different charters, he learns his of his origins and the purpose he is there. It’s a real thrilling game and definitely worth trying out.

Portal

Part of the 5 games constituting ‘The Orange Box’, ‘Portal’ turns out to be a pleasant surprise this year. This unique and innovative game is a puzzle of sorts with an excellent story line. The puzzle game is based on the concept of a special gum which is used to shoot portals and create worm holes to enter and exit them from time to time as well as to zap objects. The gun can be operated on almost all of the flat surfaces in the puzzle. What makes this game special are the excellent number of loops, comic narratives and excellent graphics and audio. The theme song of this game which you can hear towards the end is a work of genius.

Call of Duty – 4

Fourth release in the series of the same name, Call of Duty – 4 is a master piece from X-Box. This latest entry gives a powerful and dramatic sense of realism and a sense of immediacy to the player. The game offers you a choice of playing a US Marine as well as a British S.A.S. This gives the game a unique global appeal as players are drawn to it with a sense of loyalty and patriotism. Drawn from the latest experiences of war, this game will take the player across the globe, from one extreme battleground to another, be it the Middle East or Russia. Rendering images from the worst offerings of modern warfare, you will be enthralled by the reality of war and its effects in the real world. All said and done, this game will surely keep you on your toes.

Computer Components November 9, 2024

Who Wants to Know What’s Going On When You’re Not There?

Who Wants to Know What’s Going On When You’re Not There?

Wouldn’t it be nice to know what is happing in your home or office while your not there?

In order to do so you need a surveillance system. There are many reasons why people need surveillance systems, so what’s yours? Do you suspect a cheating spouse, or abusive nanny? Or maybe you have children or pets at home alone and knowing what they are doing gives you peace of mind.

No matter what your reason is, you just need to know. But what is it going to cost you? Using surveillance technology isn’t cheap. From the cameras and expensive recorders to hardware components and maintaining a quality system you can spend anywhere from 0.00 to ,000 and up. This amount of money may not be an option for you, and that’s okay because now you have VISEC.

Developed by NASA level programmers, VISEC is a software that turns your existing home or office computer into a powerful, global-wide video surveillance system in 5 minutes or less.

Simply install VISEC on your computer and connect up to four cameras. Any webcam will connect directly to your computer through USB. Or connect any wireless or hidden camera with a digital video grabber like the GrabBee II. This is the bridge between your computer and camera.

Using your computer’s IP address you can login from any Internet connection in the world an immediatly view live or past video. VISEC can record constantly or only when motion is detected. In motion detection mode you can set-up VISEC to alert you by email, cell phone or PDA when motion is detected. You can also set VISEC to record during a specific time. Companies use this feature during after hours. VISEC starts recording at closing and stops recording at opening.

In all recording modes VISEC can run as a stealth surveillance system. Just click the secret mode button and VISEC will disappear. In set-up you will be able to choose a hotkey that will allow you to bring VISEC back to normal operating mode. Operating in secret mode can help you catch a cheating spouse, abusive nanny or even a burglar. VISEC will record all the evidence you need.

One of the top features of VISEC is it’s ability to FTP recorded video. You can FTP video to a server of your choice or VISEC’s server. This insures that your video is safe in case anything happens to your computer. If your computer is ever stolen you can call VISEC and they will send you the video.

VISEC is a very easy program to use. Even people that consider themselves computer illiterates can operate this program. Best of all, VISEC has NO monthly fees. You can pay a one-time fee and receive a lifetime of free updates.

PC Gaming July 20, 2024

What’s Up With Xbox 360?

What’s Up With Xbox 360?

A Guide of What’s Available for Microsoft’s XBox 360 System

The XBox 360 System. The new Xbox 360 console (9.99) brings Microsoft technology to the gaming industry like never before. This new toy sports new Internet connections to social communities and puts the gamer in ultimate control with goo-gobs of fun accessories.

This article describes some of those accessories and the games available that (almost) everyone can enjoy.

XBox 360 Accessories. For such a powerful system, it should be no surprise that this system takes full advantage of accessorizing. We can start by saving games on the .99 512MB memory unit or with the .99 64MB memory unit. To keep the power going, we can look at the .99 Quick Charge Kit or the smaller .99 Play & Charge Kit. On the go, you can carry and use the .99 Rechargeable Batter Pack while re-powering you controller with the .99 charge Station.

Increase connectivity with the .99 Wireless Network Adapter and keep your system “kewl” with the .99 Intercooler. But that’s enough about maintenance. Let’s look at the fun.

Get a .99 Wired controller or .99 Wireless Controller to play your games. Unless you want feel like getting behind the wheel. In that case, you can try on the 9.99 Wireless Racing Wheel for size.

Want a little multimedia action? Get a 9.99 HD-DVD player (don’t forget the .99 remote) – a .99 Live Vision Camera or a .99 Wireless Headset (wired headset available for .99). Then jam your way onto the .99 Guitar Hero II.

Of course if you want to get down with your PC, check out Xbox’s .99 Wireless Gaming Receiver and user your Xbox 360 controller on the computer!

XBox 360 Games. Looking for games? We’ve separated this part of our guide into two sections: one for children and one for adults. Use caution when purchasing XBox 360 games for players under 18 years of age.

FOR CHILDREN:

Xbox’s UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 .99
Xbox’s Viva Pinata .99
Xbox’s Fuzion Frenzy 2 .99
Meet the Robinsons .99 (by Disney Interactive Studios)
Xbox’s Star Trek Legacy .99
Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution Universe .99

COMING SOON:
Forza MotorSport 2

FOR ADULTS:
Xbox’s Halo 2 .99 (rated 10 by GameInformer)
Xbox’s Gears of War .99 (rated 9.5 by GameInformer)
Xbox’s Crackdown .99 (rated 8.5 by GameInformer)
Capcom’s Lost Planet: Extreme Condition .99
Bethesda Softworks’ Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion .99
Xbox’s Rainbow Six: Vegas .99 (rated 9.5 by GameInformer)
D3 Publishers’ Earth Defense Force 2017 .99
Activision’s Cabela’s African Safari .99
Activision’s Marvel: Ultimate Alliance .99 (rated 9.25 by GameInformer)
Activision’s History Channel: Civil War .99
Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 .99 (rated 8.75 by GameInformer)
Sega’s Armored Core 4 .99

NOTE: A lot of Xbox 360 games exhibit the RP warning. Please remember to follow the guidelines set by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) when buying games for children under the age of 18. Here’s a handy reference to what the ratings mean:

C = Appropriate for Early childhood
E = Appropriate for Everyone
E 10+ = Appropriate for Everyone aged 10 and older
T = Appropriate for Teens
M = Appropriate for Mature Adults
RP = Rating Pending (NOT appropriate for children)

The following games sport ESRB’s RP rating:

Mass Effect
Shadowrun
Blue Dragon
Tenchu Z
The Drakness
Bioshock
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Hour of Victory