Alienware revamps their gaming notebook lineup

Anthony Garreffa | Laptops | Jun 11, 2013 6:26 AM CDT

Alienware did promise something big for E3 this year, and they delivered by unveiling a refreshed range of gaming notebooks. Each new Alienware notebook features a HD matte display with a new keyboard and LED illuminated trackpad.

Alienware have crammed in Intel's latest fourth-generation Core processor, or "Haswell", as well as NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 700 series of GPU's and a minimum of 8GB of RAM across the board. They've also chosen a simpler naming structure, so welcome the new Alienware 14, Alienware 17 and Alienware 18. The numbers are of course, varying screen sizes.

The smallest of the bunch, Alienware 14, comes in at $1199 and includes the Intel Core i7-4700MQ processor, GeForce GT 750M GPU, 8GB of RAM, 750GB HDD, a slot-loading DVDRW and WLED HD 1366x768 display. The Alienware 17 includes the bigger display, the same Haswell processor, RAM, DVDRW and HDD but the better GTX 765M GPU and a WLED HD+ 1600x900 display and comes in at a slightly higher $1499.

Continue reading: Alienware revamps their gaming notebook lineup (full post)

iOS 7 is a love child of all mobile operating systems, and that's not a bad thing

Anthony Garreffa | Software & Apps | Jun 11, 2013 3:19 AM CDT

I really thought that last week with Computex was busy, but I didn't quite prepare myself for the onslaught of data that would be slamming into my face via websites, Facebook, Feedly, our own website and e-mail. E3 and WWDC at the same time? Stahp!

Anyway, iOS 7 has been unveiled to the world and I'm liking what I see. It definitely is a huge departure to the previous iterations of iOS which is great because iOS was becoming very stale for me, and a lot of others. iOS 7 now features a 'flat' design, which is gorgeous and you really need to check out videos on it to get an appreciation for just how much work Apple have put into their next-generation mobile OS.

The icons that are on the home screen move too, so if you move your iPhone from side-to-side, the icons kind of move - allowing you to see "behind" them, which is a nice trick. Multi-tasking on iOS 7 is heavily borrowed from Android, which is a great thing as multi-tasking on iOS until now has been pretty slow and clunky - but now, Apple have it done very well.

Continue reading: iOS 7 is a love child of all mobile operating systems, and that's not a bad thing (full post)

Sony troll Microsoft by showing you how easy it is to share games on the PS4

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 11:29 PM CDT

E3 2013 - So... Microsoft, I hope you're reading this and if you are, you'd better be sitting down with valium in one hand. Sony have just come out swinging, and rightly so, about how damn easy it is so share games on the PS4. In case you don't know already, the video below will follow you through the complicated procedure.

Um... yeah... that was a little easier than you thought, right? I laughed out loud at the video, as we all did here at TweakTown and as soon as I get back to Australia I'll be pre-ordering a PlayStation 4 for sure. Sony, you have impressed the world today, please don't stop doing so. Lots of love, the world of gamers and technology enthusiasts.

Continue reading: Sony troll Microsoft by showing you how easy it is to share games on the PS4 (full post)

Mirror's Edge to return via next-gen consoles and Electronic Arts

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 7:29 PM CDT

Millions of gamers all over the world today, got the news they have long been hoping for. The cult classic Mirror's Edge is getting reboot thanks to game developer DICE. When first released in 2008 Mirror's edge took off like a wild fire and the game's heroine "Faith" instantly became a videogame icon.

The new Mirror's Edge refreshes the series for the next generation with advanced visuals and an all-new origin story for Faith. Powered by DICE's proprietary Frostbiteâ„¢ technology, the game will be heading to Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 4, and PC.

"We introduced Mirror's Edge and Faith to gamers five years ago, and we've waited for the right moment to reunite them," said Sara Jansson, Senior Producer, DICE. "Thanks to the Frostbite engine and a new generation of platforms, we are now able to deliver a richer world that players will be able to explore with a new level of freedom in both movement and action."

Continue reading: Mirror's Edge to return via next-gen consoles and Electronic Arts (full post)

EA and Victory Games says a new Command & Conquer is on the way

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 7:19 PM CDT

E3 2013 - A new Command & Conquer game was announced today at EA's E3 press conference. The new game titled simply Command and Conquer, the new game is raising the bar for Real-Time Strategy games across the gaming world by delivering intensive immersion and stunning visuals. Victory Games is dedicated to letting players control more - more Generals, more strategy and more direct feedback in the game. Command & Conquer will launch in 2013 as a free, live service.

"The community has always been and will continue to be paramount to the success of Command & Conquer," said Jon Van Caneghem, General Manager of Victory Games, EA. "Being a live platform, we have the freedom to be responsive and to deliver content that our players care about at launch and beyond. As developers, this sort of direct and evolving relationship with our audience is incredibly exciting and we can't wait to hear what players think about this new Command & Conquer experience."

The new Command & Conquer will mark a return to the core game play that put the series on the map. In addition to strategic, fast-paced, high action, Command & Conquer also introduces a large variety of Generals, which gives each commander the freedom to conquer on their own terms. Players will be in full command of the battlefield as they take control of dozens of unique Generals across three varied factions

Continue reading: EA and Victory Games says a new Command & Conquer is on the way (full post)

EA Sports shows off new UFC game powered by EA IGNITE technology

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 7:01 PM CDT

E2 2013 - Today EA Sports General Manager, Dean Richards, took the stage alongside UFC President, Dana White, to unveil the long anticipated EA Sports UFC for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Like most of the other sports games announced today, EA's IGNITE engine ensures the game will pack one hell of a punch.

"We are very excited to deliver the most realistic fighting experience ever achieved," said Dean Richards, General Manager, EA SPORTS UFC. "With a talented and experienced team at the helm, and powered by EA SPORTS IGNITE, we've created a gameplay feature set for EA SPORTS UFC where every fighter, every strike, every takedown and submission will bring you inside the Octagon like no game ever has before."

"I couldn't be more excited about the work that the team at EA SPORTS has done on the upcoming UFC game," said Dana White, President, UFC. "It's been a great partnership and even though it is still early in development, the game looks amazing. It will be groundbreaking! Fans of all combat sports will love it and have a lot to look forward to in the spring of 2014."

Continue reading: EA Sports shows off new UFC game powered by EA IGNITE technology (full post)

FIFA 14 brings stadium and players to life on Xbox One and Playstation 4

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 5:49 PM CDT

E3 2013 - Possibly the hottest sports gaming franchise in the world right now is FIFA, and EA did not disappoint with its FIFA announcement at this afternoon's press conference at the E3 Expo. The company says that FIFA 14 will feel alive with players who think, moved and behave like world-class athletes.

This is all made possible through EA's IGNITE engine which is able to blend the best rendering, runtime physics, animation, intelligent, locomotion, and online systems into one powerful ecosystem to fuel the next generation of sports games.

EA says that for the first time ever, fans will feel the electricity of the living Stadium, and experience the majesty of the world's greatest soccer theaters. Players now have four times the decision-making ability in the current generation of players in the current FIFA, which enables each player to have "Pro Instincts" which EA defines as humanlike reactions, anticipation, and instincts.

Continue reading: FIFA 14 brings stadium and players to life on Xbox One and Playstation 4 (full post)

EA announces Madden 25 at E3 press conference

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 5:32 PM CDT

E3 2013 - Electronic Arts has just announced that Madden NFL 25 will be coming to the next-generation consoles Xbox one, and PlayStation four. Madden NFL 25 is powered by EA Sports' new IGNITE engine and ushers in the next generation of sports games by delivering the smartest, most realistic, and detailed version of the game in its franchises history.

"We've never been more ready for a console transition than we are right now," said Cam Weber, General Manager of American Football for EA SPORTS. "The development team is crafting the most impressive Madden NFL game we've ever made, and I'm extremely excited for fans to get their hands on it for themselves when the Xbox One and PS4 launch."

Coupled with this announcement is the introduction of Adrian Peterson as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 25 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings running back, is a five-time Pro Bowler and the reigning NFL MVP. Last season Peterson came within 9 yards of breaking the NFL single-season rushing record set by Eric Dickerson.

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EA shows off Battlefield 4 multiplayer footage at E3, makes CoD Ghost look like old school Counter Strike

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 5:16 PM CDT

E3 2013 - During the Microsoft and EA press conferences today at the E3 Expo, game developer DICE showed off its flagship FPS, Battlefield 4, in both single player and online multiplayer modes. As one of the biggest Battlefield fans in the world I cannot express in words the excitement I am feeling for Battlefield 4.

During the Microsoft event dice showcased "Angry Sea" a stunning display of how the new Sea warfare mode in battlefield for might play out. While during the EA press conference DICE showed off a 64 person online multiplayer demo that was played by 64 actual participants on stage. Dubbed the "Siege of Shanghai" it unveiled several new dynamics to the game. Players are now able to use elevators to reach various levels of buildings, and even level entire skyscrapers for a truly destructive environment.

First EA is bringing back Battlefield Commander Mode, which is similar to the Commander mode featured in Battlefield 2, but is much more dynamic and only gives you the resources available based on your team. Possibly one of the coolest features of Commander Mode is that it can be utilized through your touchscreen mobile device such as a tablet. In my opinion this brings in an entirely new dynamic, and is the new technology needed to take the Battlefield series to the next level.

Continue reading: EA shows off Battlefield 4 multiplayer footage at E3, makes CoD Ghost look like old school Counter Strike (full post)

Microsoft announces Forza 5 for Xbox One, utilizes cloud processing for unrivaled graphics and performance

Charles Gantt | Gaming | Jun 10, 2013 12:22 PM CDT

E3 2013 - Microsoft and Turn 10 studios announced the next generation in simulation racing this morning. Forza 5 just may be the most bad ass racing game I have ever seen. The use of cloud processing and what is being called a Drivatar, you are always racing, even when you are not online.

The so-called Drivatar is an AI that learns your driving habits, your speed up and breaking habits, and even your crashing habits. It then races for you when you are not online. It is able to accomplish this through cloud processing which also gives the game graphics like no other game I have ever seen. The McLaren featured on the screen appeared to be a live video image and not a video game rendering.

Continue reading: Microsoft announces Forza 5 for Xbox One, utilizes cloud processing for unrivaled graphics and performance (full post)

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