Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opinion. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

PC Gaming is Doomed | Why That's A Bad Idea

I just read the article called "PC PHOBIA - Is the PC dead as a gaming platform" written by the Gaming Wiz a while back. Decided just to add my two cents in. I've been playing games for almost the last two decades or so and I can safely claim that "I know what I am talking about". So it's console VS PC once again.

Even though I started my gaming career with a funky console called the Atari 800XL, still I can never align with consoles. This console was capable of running enhanced version of already popular games like River Raid, Moon Patrol, Pac Man, Missile Command, Gyruss, Qix etc. I really had a blast with the console, and I kind of grew up playing these games. Later on, I had a Nintento 16 bit console, and now I own PS2.

However, even after playing with consoles for so many years, I still prefer PC as a gaming platform. PC games are almost always more challenging and intriguing. Only recently real time strategy games and first person shooters are being released on consoles; previously these marvel of video games were PC exclusive. Xbox might have Gears of War or Halo, but nothing compares the satisfaction of using a keyboard+mouse combination to map movement keys to WASD and to use the mouse buttons to blast away waves of enemies; be it zombies, demons, Nazi soldiers or anything else--the satisfaction is unmatched.

I really find it retarded to play strategy games using a gamepad; or even a keyboard and mouse attached with a console. The feeling is not just the same. While on PC, I can simply pause a skirmish battle, minimize the window and reply back to the gazillion messages sent to me by my friends through MSN. I can check my emails, I can post a message or two in Facebook, and what not.

Although there are some painful moments; these comes when you've found that so and so hardware manufacture has just slashed prices for processor and graphics card whereas you just spent a fortune to upgrade your PC. The bottom line is, if you really want to enjoy gaming in this platform, you always have to be alert and informed. Downloading patches, applying cracks, installing mods, graphics update, downloading new version of directX and graphics card driver--overall it's a very engaging process. Sounds painful? Hehe, it is, to some extent. But the end result is rewarding.

On a console, a game has little or no value after you finish the single player missions once (although the Wiz touts about the Achievements and GamerScore of the Xbox 360). Few games have (had) multiplayer support, and the communities and available games are smaller as well. Well, you can always call in a friend or two for some split screen or vs action, but it's not always easy to find a friend with similar gaming interests and free time.

Although in Bangladesh internet gaming is still a far cry, but there are now a good many gaming cafes, and all of them are solely PC gaming cafes. I remember visiting a console gaming cafe in Kolabagan and playing x-box and ps2 games, but that cafe went out of business very soon.

The most irritating fact about consoles are their relative obsolescence and small life cycle. Perhaps the PS2 enjoyed the longest life cycle, ever, but few consoles live beyond 2 or 3 years. After this short life cycle, there are no new games for that particular console. However, for a PC, I can still find games that will run on my 10 year old pentium II PC. Well, yeah, definitely these are not new games, but flash, emulation and many other stuff keeps old PCs alive, but few consoles get that kind of support.

You can call me a PC fanboy, but this is my verdict--PC's rule!

Signing off for today...your friendly (new) blogger Dead_Man_Rollin.

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Saturday, September 15, 2007

NFS ProStreet Video Analysis | An In-depth Look

EA Blackbox has taken NFS ProStreet in a new direction - the right one. The recent NFS series have been sub par at best. While I enjoyed Most Wanted and Underground 2, but I can't say the same for Carbon.

A couple of trailers have been released. Here's what I like so far: 

View the E3 2007 Vehicle Physics Trailer 1. The physics engine: The previous NFS games lacked an important element - the physics. Sure its an arcade racer but you need the rudimentary physics at the very least. No, I am not saying that turn NFS into Gran Turismo or Project Gotham Racing. What I am saying is that if I drive a car, it should feel like one and handle accordingly. I am sick of pulling off all those corners at excessively high speeds - it's plain dumb. While I don't know whether the cars handle realistically in ProStreet but I can sure say one thing - the crashes rock! Which brings me to my next point.

View the E3 2007 High Speed Crash Gameplay Trailer2. Realistic damage models: Now, the car makers won't like it, but I sure love crashing an expensive car (in videogames, that is)! EA has acquired rights to apply damage models to these licensed cars which means even more realistic damages. Gone are the days of minor scrapes and broken rearview mirrors. We're talking about body transformations that truly mimics what you'd expect if you drove a Mazda head long into a wall at 150 mph.

View the Exclusive Speed Challenge Trailer 3. Sense of speed: The fast paced action packed races are back in NFS ProStreet. From what I saw, you really do feel like driving a fast sports car. I hope they feature motion blur this time.

4. A change of locale: What does NFS Underground, Underground 2, Most Wanted and Carbon have in common? They are all about illegal racing in cities. While it rocked in Underground and Underground 2, but the midnight racing theme is getting a bit - um, I don't know - a bit boring. So kudos to EA for making the switch to daylight locations and not making me drive in a city all again.

5. Getting rid of those cheesy cut scenes they called a story line: They might have worked in Underground and Most Wanted but Carbon was a laugh off. I barely went through them - all I want is some good old fashioned racing. But the racing girls are hear to stay (thanks!) and EA hinted that there will be some sort of persuasion to keep players going for more.

View the Exclusive Smoke Trailer 6. Smoke effects: I just love what I saw - the burning of rubber and getting to see the smoke as it fills the air. This is a new feature in the NFS franchise. Hope they handle it properly and not blow it off.

Now that's not to say that I like everything in NFS ProStreet. I was a bit disappointed with what I saw in one trailer - the way that the cars drove off the cliffs - they seemed a bit too flimsy for my likings. Anyway, don't take my word for it. Head on to Gametrailers and see them yourself. Can't wait for NFS ProStreet to release this October.

RELATED ARTICLES:

NFS heads to a new direction : PROSTREET
NFS Carbon Collector's Edition DVD Giveaway
Exclusive NFS ProStreet Screenshots

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Sunday, September 02, 2007

The Death of Hardcore Gaming?

Hardcore gamers, you're a dying breed. Casual games are blowing up, and it seems like everyone wants in on the action. It's easy to see why: from free-to-play web-based games like Bejeweled to the Wii minigame collections clogging retail shelves, the genre commands an audience more than 150 million strong, according to a report by the Casual Games Association. But the industry-wide push to turn grandmas into gamers has raised a worrisome question: as more and more companies shift their attention to these seemingly innocuous games, will more traditional, hardcore experiences fall by the wayside?

Let's step back for a second. Casual games - usually defined as simple games that are easy to get into and relatively inexpensive to make - have been with us for a long, long time. For years now, their biggest audience has been on PCs, where downloadable games like Diner Dash and Cake Mania entertain a mostly older, female demographic more interested in killing time than in killing monsters. With the advent of the Wii and successful game-download services on the 360 and PS3, however, we've seen an explosion in the amount of attention paid toward the genre - as well as a trickle of publishers abandoning more complex games in favor of lower-cost, higher-profit projects on the Wii and DS.

Read the full story at Games Radar.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

Less Blogging, More Gaming - A Serious Addiction

I think I have become very much addicted to blogging. I always think about blogs, what I can write for my blog, how to generate more traffic, tweak the template so that it's more appealing to visitors and so on and so forth. In fact, I dare say that I have become obsessed with blogging, as a test I took proves so ( you can try it too). The test shows that I am 80% addicted to blogging! Now that's a scary number indeed.

80%

 

I am so much obsessed with blogs that I cannot remember the last time I've played video games. My Xbox 360 lies unwanted, unloved and gathering dust (with a shiny new copy of Gears of War that I am still about to complete). Long time fans of this blog will notice that the gamerscore on my Xbox 360 gamercard has remained the same over a long time. I plan to change that.

This might come as a surprise to many of you because this blog deals with video games in the first place. So how can I write about something that I've not been playing for a long time? You see, there is so much going on in the gaming industry, so much news, and so much to write about. And there is only 24 hours in a day. Sigh. And I am still in the middle of my education course.

Just for tomorrow, I think that I will turn to some good old fashioned video gaming goodness - and hopefully not write about it. Let's just hope that I can refrain from this serious addiction which has taken a dominant part of my life.

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Switchplanet | Trade in your used DVDs, CDs, Games and more

Got used stuff lying around? Want to trade in your used games and DVDs for something even more better? Well, now you can, thanks to Switchplanet.

Consider Switchplanet as an alternative to EBay - although you cannot sell your wares. The idea is simple, list the goods you want to trade and browse other's inventories and wish-lists. If you find something you like, then send a trade request to that user. Other users can do the same.

But a service of this kind requires an active online community and a huge online inventory, and thankfully, Switchplanet has both. After a quick, effortless sign-up, I was happily listing my wares for trade. I found a lot of trade offers in every category, whether be it CDs, DVDs, Games, Movies or Books. They even have a plan to add clothing, electronics and tools in the future.

Whenever you "switch" an item, you get a link to add donations to the "switchfund". These funds are then donated to charities such as the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society and a host of others. Now, that's a good cause. Founder Chris Samarin said, "I want this [service] to be huge so the positive impact it has on the society is [equally] huge". "If we can get millions of people using the site and donating on average $1 per month, wow, we can sure help a lot of people if that happens".

Sure, Switchplanet has the potential to become something big and there is also the essentials in place. Fancy a trade? Then head to SwitchPlanet.com and start browsing today. And who knows? Maybe you might get a trade request from the Gaming Wiz!

* This was a sponsored review. 

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Thursday, July 19, 2007

Battle of The Consoles : Wii VS PS3 VS Xbox 360

Today I am going to tell you about the next-generation console and do a comparison between them.

Article written by guest blogger Game-Craze. We are not responsible for the individual opinions expressed in this article.

Wii ::::: 

This is one great console Nintendo produced with a cheap price.

It's the fifth console released by Nintendo . The console is the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3, but it competes with both as part of the seventh generation of gaming systems. A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. Another is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode

While the cool controller and games are impressive, Nintendo is going nowhere with that kind of graphics.If Nintendo is able to increase it's graphics capabilities,the Wii will definitely be the wii-ner of the next-gen console war. Fortunately, the Wii looks to have a bright future since I heard that Nintendo is going add some features to it.

Grade: Not bad, worth buying

PS3 :::::

The PlayStation 3 , is a video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment, and the successor to the PlayStation and PlayStation 2.
The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.

Oh, its price tag really pissed me off, but if you can afford it, why not? Afterall, it is a good deal, considering the fact that Sony has managed to squeeze in many juicy features into the console. The games look good to me and there are also those beautiful, HD graphics to drool over .

The PS3 can also output high-definition video for both video games and movies via an HDMI 1.3 port, supporting up to 1080p HD resolution. After a recent software update, DVD-Video, PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games can be upscaled to high-definition, however copy-protected content (such as commercial DVDs) can only be upscaled over HDMI.

As its digital soul, the Cell Broadband Engine™ represents a tour de force in parallel processing, which means a gaming experience that is beyond what you know today. Its built-in Blu-ray Disc™ drive delivers a whole new generation in high-definition gaming and unmatched digital media storage. Whether it’s gaming, Blu-ray movies, music or online services, PlayStation 3 invites you to Play Beyond.

Grade: The best of the best.

Xbox 360 ::::: 

The Xbox 360 is a video game console produced by Microsoft, developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, Samsung, and SiS. Its Xbox Live service allows players to compete online and download arcade games and content such as game demos, trailers, TV shows, music videos, or rented movies. The Xbox 360 is the successor to the Xbox, and it competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of gaming systems.

Although the xbox 360 was released 1 year earlier than the Wii and ps3,it does not seem to have the edge above the two consoles mentioned. It's sales is also lacking a lot behind the WII . Recently ,Microsoft released an improved version of the Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 elite .The elite has an improved 120 GB hard drive , a HDMI port, and a new matte black finish.

But, [then again] the design looks very uninspiring as its as big as the original

Xbox . Looks like it will fail---following the fate of the original Xbox. [Not true - The Xbox 360 is the most successful console of this generation so far, although the Wii is catching up - Editor Gaming Wiz]

Grade: Not very good

FINAL VERDICT:
1ST : PS3
2ND : WII
3RD : XBOX 360
(The Gaming Wiz wants a recount!)

RELATED ARTICLES:

What Everybody Should Know : Which will win in Bangladesh - the PS3 or the Xbox 360?
Burning Question: Has the PS3 already lost in the next-gen console wars?
You Thought Wrong: Why the PS3 won’t lose out in the next-gen console wars

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Xbox's Billion Dollar Problem - A Conspiracy?

Microsoft has been taking some serious flak for the high failure rates of their consoles. At least 2.5 million Xbox 360s sold worldwide have been reported to be defective and it is going to cost the company about $1.1 billion to fix this mess. If you don't know the whole story, then I suggest reading my previous article Xbox's Billion Dollar Problem first.

But it seems that there might be other reasons behind this announcement. An article posted in Computer World said that Robbie Bach, the Microsoft executive in charge of the video game console sold $6.15 million worth of company stock or about 20% of his holdings prior to the announcement. While that alone might not raise any flags but the article goes on to say that "Bach was one [of the] Microsoft executives who spelled out the problems with Xbox 360." "The game machine's design, Bach said, was defective".

Now this is spreading like wildfire around the internet and in forums. I came across one statement online that "it was all a setup" and another "he [Bach] wanted to make a quick buck".

While this may sound absurd, but some think that there might be truth in it. The fact that Microsoft had been aware of the problems for several months and that Bach was one of the first to spill the beans, adds further suspicion to this matter. Bach sold his shares in May at an average price of $30.73 while the price fell down to $22.07 when the announcement had been made on July 5th.

Could this have been an insider activity? A lot of people in message boards are speculating so. But I doubt it. It just might be that Bach sold his shares at the wrong time and "that the timing may not have been up to [him]".

Indeed, Friday night, Microsoft spokesman Eric Hollveiser issued a statement about Bach's transactions. "Robbie Bach's past trading is completely unrelated to last week's announcement [of]extending our Xbox 360 warranty [and that] Microsoft executives sell shares for a variety of reasons, the most common being portfolio diversification".

Not only Bach but several others, including Microsoft Chairman Bill gates, General Counsel Brad Smith and the head of the Windows division, Kevin Johnson had sold shares that May.

Enjoyed this article? Consider subscribing to the Gamers World Bangladesh Blog Feed.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Xbox's Billion Dollar Problem
My Xbox 360 just took a bath!
Xbox 360 can scratch your game disks
What Everybody Should Know : Which will win in Bangladesh - the PS3 or the Xbox 360?
Xbox 360 and Why DVD Rentals are as good as dead

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Microsoft Xbox 360 exec sold $6.1M in shares before woes disclosed

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

A Great Free Feed Reader that You Cannot Do Without

If you are anything like me and subscribe to hundreds of blogs by email, then you know what a chore it is to wade through all those messages to find your favourite bloggers. Luckily this is where GreatNews RSS Reader comes in handy. Most importantly it's free and gets the job done adequately (even sometimes better than those of some commercial ones).

I really like it for its web-like browser interface. All of your feeds are neatly categorised on the left with individual feeds displayed on the main right window. Found an interesting link? No need to fire up your web browser - just click on it and it will open in a new tabbed window. Handy indeed! You could also ditch your browser for this all-in-one feed reader, although that's not something I would recommend.

Adding new feeds is a snap and the reader will automatically highlight updated feeds. You can opt-in to view only the updated articles or the entire feed. Trust me, managing hundreds of feeds has never been so easy. You can categorise, search and even tag your feeds. You can even import your entire feed list from another source.

Although that's not to say it is without problems. The software is still in beta, and I experienced a crash or two. And the built-in web browser seems a bit slow. I also noticed that it would hang-up for a couple of seconds while adding new feeds. I hope that the developers would take care of these issues. Otherwise it is a solid feed reader.

If you have a feed overload and can live with a few odd glitches now and then, then I would highly recommend GreatNews RSS Reader. Download it and give it a try - I know it won't disappoint.

Enjoyed this article? Why not subscribe to the Gamers World Bangladesh Blog Feed in GreatNews?

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Saturday, July 14, 2007

Xbox 360 and Why DVD Rentals are as good as dead

I've just read an article "Films on Xbox 360 threaten DVD rentals" and it got me wondering. Is Xbox's digital distribution service really going to hurt DVD rentals? I've done another round of online research and the facts seem to point to one thing - digital distribution service is not something to underestimate. But will it replace DVD rentals in the near future? Not likely. Here's why:

The main factor in online distribution is your internet connection speed - you don't want to spend ages downloading your favourite flick while you can just drive to the store and grab it in less than fifteen minutes. And not everybody has a 1 MB per second connection. So it could take a while to hit mainstream. Then not everybody has an Xbox 360 :-) The install base of Xbox 360 is just around ten million while almost everyone has a DVD player nowadays.

But, people with Xbox 360s are already making the switch to digital distribution and this is the place where it really shines:

You can start watching as soon as a certain percentage (called the buffer) is downloaded - enjoy it while the movie is downloading in the background (much like YouTube). The HD (High Definition) movies on Xbox Live feature much better compression so it takes up less space (and hence less download times) while maintaining a great picture quality at 720p resolutions. Besides, these rentals automatically expire so you have no worries of running out of hard drive space. And look at it this way - you don't have to get your butt off the couch (or your house, for that matter) to rent a movie - how convenient!

And the digital distribution service of Xbox 360 is an inexpensive option to HD movies. You don't need a HD-DVD or BD (Blu-Ray disc) player - just download and start watching (although I am assuming that you have a HDTV in the first place). As the format war rages between HD-DVD and BD-Discs, and with no clear winner in sight, digital distribution might be your only ticket to enjoy HD movies. You get to experience movies from both camps (HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Discs) without having to worry about compatibility. Disney has already signed to offer their BD movies collection - Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures is soon to follow.

Microsoft has also reported that Xbox Marketplace has already moved $110 million worth of content in just 8 months - and that's no joking matter! Sure, there is the potential, but I don't see digital distribution as a real threat to DVD rentals in the near future.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Xbox's Billion Dollar Problem
PC PHOBIA - Is the PC dead as a gaming platform?

Enjoyed this article? Consider subscribing to the Gamers World Bangladesh Blog Feed.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Xbox's Billion Dollar Problem

 Why your Xbox 360 might break down more sooner than you think and what Microsoft is going to do about it.

Although reports have been circulating around the Internet that more and more Xbox 360 customers are getting the "red ring of death" but Microsoft remained oblivious of the fact. It seems that even now Microsoft cannot deny that fact due to Xbox 360s failing at an average rate of around thirty to thirty-three percent of all consoles sold.

Earlier this Thursday Microsoft announced that it will extend its Xbox 360 warranty coverage to three years from date of purchase and fix any consoles within the warranty period free of charge. With an estimated 2.5 million Xbox 360s reported to be defective, it will set back the company's Entertainment & Devices division as much as by $1.1 billion. Sony executives might be glee with joy but it's certainly not good news for Microsoft as it's Entertainment division is operating at $315 million in the red in it's third quarter. "In doing so, Microsoft stands behind its products and takes responsibility to ensure that every Xbox 360 console owner continues to have a fantastic gaming experience."

Though the company has not revealed the cause behind the hardware malfunctions, it claims to have "identified a number of factors which can cause general hardware failures" and "has made improvements to the console".

This might be good news for Xbox 360 customers because not only has the warranty period been extended, but Microsoft will reimburse any amount that you have spent behind repairing your console.

Sony must also be celebrating this announcement. With Microsoft confirming hardware issues, and set back by a billion dollars, Sony is in a spot of pure advantage. A well-planned price frop may give them some more leverage in the console war for this year.

Now the next generation consoles are complicated pieces of equipments. The industry accepted standard is a failure rate of three to 5 percent. So what about the other consoles? Are they also facing the same fate as Microsoft? When compared against other systems, the Xbox 360 is failing at higher rates than its current competitors and predecessors.

Former EB Games worker Matthieu G. said that the failure rates for all other consoles are not high enough and guesses that most other console systems have a failure rate of less than one percent, including the PlayStation 3. Another EB Games manager conceded that in the hundreds of Wii units sold at that location thus far, zero have come back as defective.

So there you have it folks. The Xbox 360 might be one of the most successful console so far of this generation but the Xbox 360 is a less reliable machine than its competitors. Still, Microsoft has taken a bold step in the right direction, don't you think?

RELATED ARTICLES

What Everybody Should Know : Which will win in Bangladesh - the PS3 or the Xbox 360?
My Xbox 360 just took a bath!
Xbox 360 can scratch your game disks!

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Tuesday, July 03, 2007

What Everybody Should Know : Which will win in Bangladesh - the PS3 or the Xbox 360?


An in-depth analysis of the next-generation console wars in Bangladesh - which will win - the PS3 or the Xbox 360?

Yes, when the entire world rumbles around which of the new next-gen consoles is going to win the battle, we are PS3 and XBOX 360going to actually focus on, which console suits best for Bangladeshis. As one of the major poor nations in Southeast Asia , Bangladesh is not actually considered as a profitable region for the console giants, but that never pulled back the very enthusiastic gamers in Bangladesh. We have been playing games on  PC for years. However, the consoles are merely a new notion in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that Bangladeshi gamers started to switch to consoles for last two years. Now, many events like PS2 gaming competitions are held in the city. It is still very new to most of the people in the country. Well, the last two years have shown quite a hasty trend of gaming in consoles.  I mean, though the PS2 and Xbox took almost more than four years to get acknowledged to the hardcore and optimistic gamers of this poor nation, the new consoles are taking away the hearts of the gamers of Bangladesh pretty quick. It’s like, since the launching of PSP, already many gamers have collected PSP, and already there is market for the handheld in Dhaka. We can easily collect PSP games, both original, and non-original, from Banani, Gulshan, Boshundhara City and Rifles Square. As the Xbox 360 is already here, and many are showing their earnest interests, it is hoped that, we will not take very long to enter the next generation of gaming than Europe. 

So, this is the best time to provide you all the information of which will be best for you to pick up, considering the amount of money you will be spending, and give you suggestion for which you should have a go-ahead. We will also be telling you, for which should you save money, if you want to play next generation games.

Playstation has earned huge popularity in Bangladesh. Partially because of its huge inventory of gaming, lower price level and Sony as a branded Asian manufacturer. But is the Playstation 3 going to serve up to the expectations?? To answer that question we will have to take a closer look. 

STEP 1: COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PS3 AND THE XBOX 360

PLAYSTATION 3 XBOX 360
Console Type Home Console Home Console
Platform PlayStation 3 Xbox 360
Gaming Type On-line and Single player * Multiplayer On-line and Single player * Multiplayer
Processor 3.2 GHz Cell 3.2 GHz Triple Core IBM PowerPC
Installed RAM 256 MB of 3200 MHz XDR 512 MB of 700 MHz GDDR3
Installed Cache Memory 512 KB 1 MB
Memory Bus Bandwidth 25.6 GB/sec 22.4 GB/sec
Display
Max. Resolution 1920X1080 1280X1080
Graphics
Graphics Processor NVIDIA RSX Custom ATI Graphics Processor
Polygons per second 75 Million 500 Million
Storage
Hard Drive Size 60 GB 20 GB, 120 GB
Optical Drive Type Blu Ray Disc (BD-ROM) DVD-ROM standard, High Definiton DVD (HD-DVD ROM) optional
Optical Drive Speed 24x (CD), 8x (DVD) 12x (DVD)
Audio
Audio Support Dolby Digital 5.1 256 Audio Channels, Dolby Digital 5.1, 3D Sound Support (64 3D Channels), Macronix 16 Bit
Audio Out Line Out, Digital Out (Optical) Connector, HDMI out x2 Multi-channel surround sound output
Technical Features
Communication Type Bluetooth, 802.11b, 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, USB 2.0
Expansion Slots SD Card, Memory Stick, Compact Flash Xbox Memory Card Slot
Wireless Capabilities 802.11b, 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g
Input/Output Ports RJ-45, 4x USB 3x USB, 2x Memory Unit Slots
DVD Movie Playback Yes Yes
Dimensions
Height 3.86in 3.27in
Depth 10.79in 10.16in
Width 12.8in 12.17in
Weight 11.02lb 7lb
Miscellaneous
External Colour Silver, Black White, Black
Release Date November 2006 December 2005

 

Now, if you look at the comparison, you will see that both of the machines are extremely powerful. In some areas, one may slim down and the other soars up, but they provide quite the same performance. There have been debates and many talks about this, because,  hey it is a battlefield.

The largest contrast between the two machines is maybe, that the PS3 is equipped with a next-gen Blue-ray DVD ROM, whether the X360 only comes with a current-gen DVD-ROM (optional HD-DVD ROM). Still, that doesn’t make the PS3 better. We will see it shortly.

STEP 2: COMPARISON OF PRICES IN BANGLADESH

Now for the most important part. The price of PS3 is minimum 500 US dollars, while the Xbox 360 is nearly 400 dollars or less. There is a cheaper edition of X360 which is lesser than this price, and the next price range for the PS3 is 600 dollars. In Bangladesh, the price of X360 is now, 40 thousand taka. Don’t freak out. Where from US you buy it for 28 thousand Bangladeshi taka, the price is almost 40 thousand because an electronic converter and a game are added here. So, the retailers are making profit of around 4 thousand here, now. However, things are about to change. It is predicted, that the price will drop within five months in Bangladesh as soon as the games are available. One reason is maybe that Microsoft is bringing the console to India in September (or November), for 20 thousand rupee. Things get easier for us then. So, it can be hoped that in the beginning of next year, we can grab a console for 32 thousand taka, or a little less or more.

Now, considering the X360’s price, the price of the PS3 can get more than 50 or 60 thousand taka in Bangladesh. You can freak out now. The consoles are almost identical. Then why is the huge price difference??

It is because of the added Blue-ray DVD in PS3. For X360, you may have to upgrade it later, adding another 200-300 dollar, but hey, you might not need it for the next four years. You can not also forget the fact that you live in Bangladesh. So, it is totally on you, whether you want to spend almost double the amount behind PS3 (not to mention, the games are more expensive for it), or you can purchase an Xbox 360. It is pretty risky to go for  a PS3, because you do not know when and will will the games available in Bangladesh run on the console or not. We can get pretty sure about the Xbox 360, because, there are games already that are being sold for 5000 taka and the pirated ones cost around 800 taka. It is still impossible for us to buy, but this is still not the time. We are trying to make the retailers come into the GAME RENTAL business like US, and it will happen. We all have to pursue the retailers, if we want to play the next generation games. With it we will be spending not more then 300- 400 taka primarily, for a week. We can rent the original games, being a member of the shops and can play new games.  So, Xbox 360 is clever decision to go for. PS3 might not see any light in this country, for next three years. If considering all this, you are thinking of buying a new PC, look at the comparison back again, and then talk. The price of a PC with such a configuration is even higher then PS3. There is also a risk, that the games might not run. The consoles assure us, that we will be playing.

STEP 3: COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE AND GAMES

Gamer TV has shown some exclusives on both of the consoles, and did let the gamers decide, if there is any difference can be noticed. I must admit, watching the exclusives, I even failed to differ them. Yes, the games provide similar performance on both consoles. “Sonic: the hedgehog” is the game that they used, in an attempt to provide some significant graphical differences. They failed.

Now if you consider the games, as a Bangladeshi, I will again go for Xbox 360. We have always been fascinated by good games that Sony has provided. Everyone loves PS2’s “Metal Gear Solid” series. Sony will be bringing the next generation of MGS, in PS3, but hey, most other games will be in X360 format, too; and also, to beat MGS4 or Devil may cry 4, there will be Gears of War and GTA 4. Yes, people, GTA 4 is coming to X360 later this year. Also many other great games are already there in X360, like G.R.A.W. or Elder scrolls 4: oblivion. Two similar GTA games like Saints Row, and Crackdown, is coming to X360, even before the PS3 launches. This is because, in US X360 has already sold 5 million copies, and that makes it a safer platform for the developers to maximise their revenue and thus profits. From next year, be sure that all the great titles will be for both platforms.

To make you sure about the visual appearance of two rival companies two biggest title, I’m providing you a screenshot from gears of war and MGS4. You decide which one looks better, or that both are almost same.

 

Gears of War Xbox 360 Screenshot

Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 Screenshot

STEP 4: THE FUTURE OF GAMING IN BANGLADESH

Now, as you have considered everything, you see that the cheapest is the X360, and it is better to go for it. Because with the huge inventory of games and even before the release of PS3, it may become the next PS2. It is because already there are many games and, by November 2006, X360 may have hundred titles in its inventory. Therefore, we suggest Xbox 360 will win the game market in Bangladesh, by next year. It is better for you to hope for an X360. As a middle class guy, I suggest, it is the best suited for me.

In Bangladesh we have always relied on alternatives. However, modding of these consoles may not be possible. If anyone claims that they have earned success in modding the consoles that may put us even into more delicate situation. The cheaper games may not work, or the modded ones may not work. Meanwhile, we loose our warranties, by modding and modded consoles are being banned from Xbox Live. Therefore, it is high time that we lure the retailers into Game rental business, and make them understand the huge profit they can gain from the high profile games of next generation. It is really lucrative. A retailer can earn back the money spend behind an original disc within two and a half months, and earn extra profit from the games by renting it. It is like, if they can rent a game for five months, they can collect double the amount that they are selling for. This business is so lucrative, that anyone can get involved into this business. University students can try investing in it too. Even, any entrepreneur can set up this rental business, and high profit can earned from it.

All the people out there, if you think that upgrading your PC is good enough then you are wrong. You will only waste your money. Come on people. If you can spend 25 thousand taka behind a PSP, or around 30 thousand taka in upgrading your PC, you can spend 30 thousand taka behind the next generation of gaming, behind these super consoles. It is ensured, that they will be providing you next-generation gaming for the next 5 years atleast. Do not forget, a merely eleven thousand taka priced PC is good enough for doing the regular works, now-a-days. The consoles are for gaming, not the PC’s.

So, talk your nearby retailer today into it, or think about investing in this business. Others try to sum up at least 30 thousand taka. You will surely be bringing home the XBOX 360very soon, the next generation of gaming. 

RELATED ARTICLES:

You Thought Wrong: Why the PS3 won't lose out in the next gen console wars

Burning Question: Has the PS3 already lost in the next-gen console wars?

7 Ways the Xbox 360 Beats the PS3

Article written by guest writer Raisul Islam
No responsibility is taken for the individual views expressed here

 

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Thursday, June 28, 2007

PC PHOBIA - Is the PC dead as a gaming platform?

It got me wondering. I mean, I'm not spending as much time with my PC as I used to. I admit that I find myself buying more games for my console than for PC. If a game releases on multiple platforms, I will most likely get the console version, preferable for Xbox 360. To put it in short, I mostly prefer consoles to PCs. But it got me thinking - what does the future hold for computers as a gaming platform? Are we going to accustom computers with offices and consoles with homes?

I don't blame you if you are thinking the same. I mean, the PC graphics are oh-so last-generation, even if you do own a decent gaming rig. For the half that you spend on your PC, you will most likely find a top-of-the-line next generation console. And should I start about the next-gen graphics in consoles and HDTVs? Sure, that will soon change when Direct X 10 graphics cards hits Bangladesh, but come on, are you kidding me? Is anyone willing to cough up $500 just for a graphics card when you can get the wlite Xbox 360 just for $480?

Then there isn't the hassle of ensuring that your system meets the requirements to play the game, just pop the disk inside your console and start playing - even no installation required! Unlike PCs, you don't have to constantly upgrade your consoles meaning that your "investment" won't get obsolete by the next year or just six months from now.

Besides, the analog controller in consoles is more fun to play with than a standard "keyboard and mouse" setup. Couple that with rumble and motion sensing support and you know what I mean.

Then there is the achievements in X360 and PS3 - the main reason why I bother to stick with single player games on consoles - bragging to your friends of your gamerscore is a truly satisfying experience. Now why don't we see that on PCs?

Xbox Live for 360 is, I believe, one of the greatest online multiplayer experiences avaialable at the moment. I know there is multiplayer support in Pcs, but it has to be more streamline. Games for Windows Live is nothing but a flop. Look at consoles, ther are no viruses, spywares, adwares or crashes to deal with. And now you can browse the internet with consoles!

Heck, you even get to watch DVDs/HD-DVDs/Blu-Ray discs on consoles any experience "next-generation entertainment", which is expensive to do so on computers. And then you have to ensure that all your hardware is HDCP compliant or its standard definition or even no movies at all for you!

Now don't get me wrong. I've been using PCs since way-back 1995. But something needs to be done to help promote PCs as a gaming platform. The "Games for Windows Live" and "one-click game installation" in Vista is one step forward in the right direction by Microsoft. Sure, the PC is not entirely doomed and excels in certain areas. You cannot get the fast and twitchy gunplay in consoles as in PCs. And a true RTS experience is only possible on computers. But the point is that something needs to be done for this waning platform - and SOON - because consoles are quickly catching up.

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Sunday, June 24, 2007

My Xbox 360 just took a bath!

As hard as it might be to believe, my Xbox 360 really did take a bath, although I was not responsible for it. You see, last Friday (or maybe it was before?) there was torrential rain in Dhaka city and all roads and drainage system got waterlogged (don't ask, it happens every time it rains). This time it rained so hard that water came pouring down the stairs from the roof and into our house (now that doesn't happen very often)! And it happened at night, so I didn't realise it until the next morning. And what a shock I got! My imported premium 360 was a goner for sure I thought. It was just soaked! Now how did it happen? Well, you see, my precious 360 lies on the ground in a dusty corner of my room. But luckily, I was able to recover it from it's bath.

First I unplugged all the power cords and left it to dry for an hour or two. Next I got out my mom's hairdryer and blasted every vent holes with hot air. I would have taken the console apart and dried each part individually, but, I wanted to keep the warranty sticker intact. Lucky for me, I happened to put some old newspapers under the 360 which soaked up most of the water before it could really do much harm to my console.

The next time I turned on the power, I was happily playing Project Gotham Racing 3 on my squeaky-clean X360 without a glitch. Guess it needed the bath, right? And in case if you are wondering, yes, my X360 still lies on the ground in the same exact spot. I think that I still haven't learned from my experience, that is, until the next flood comes. That's how careless I am.

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Saturday, June 23, 2007

Die hard Oblivion fan - disk error - you've just wasted 110 hours!

Ugh! That's why I hate consoles - because of their over reliance on the DVD drive and the DVDs itself. If anything goes kaput, then it's game over. Worse still is the fact that a malfunctioning DVD drive in next-gen consoles is next to impossible to replace by yourself.

Take my point for example. I'm an avid fan of the Elder Scrolls IV : oblivion. I've completed every single quest in Oblivion. But my love for Oblivion didn't stop there. I've taken great pains to set up a home network to share my internet connection, so that I could download the near 1 GB expansion pack, Shivering Isles, over my lousy 128 kbps connection (it's the fastest in Bangladesh). Trust me it wasn't a happy moment. Not only that, but I've had trouble paying for Shivering Isles because I live in Bangladesh ( and goddamned Microsoft won't accept an international Visa credit card!!). Nasty details aside, and fast forward a couple of days, I was happily exploring the wonderful realm of Sheogorath in Shivering Isles. I've spent over 110 hours in total playing Oblivion, I just can't put it down.. But it seems that I am cursed, because my woes with Oblivion didn't end there.

Recently, I'm getting an unreadavle disk error while playing Shivering Isles. It's gotten so frequent that I can't even load the goddamned game. The cause? If you play long enough on the 360, your game disk could get scratched(more at http://gamersworldbd.blogspot.com/2007/06/xbox-360-can-scratch-your-game-disks.html). My warranty period has expired so there's no option for replacing the disk. I could just buy a new one - yep, that seems the best option. But ther's just a teeny-weeny problem. I've imported my Xbox 360 and all its game from the US. So none of the pirated games available here in the whole of Bangladesh is going to work on my unmodded X360.

Looks like I will just have to travel thousands of miles to the nearest Gamestop retail outlet in the US to grab a new copy of the game. Yeah, I'll do that. I'll even go to the ends of the earth just to be able to play Oblivion again - heck, it's the only reason I bought an Xbox 360.

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Cool Bangladeshi site!

For all of us Bangladeshis, there is good news. There is this cool yahoo-like Bangladeshi site at http://www.desibdesi.com/. It has everything Yahoo has to offer, including email, chat, web directory and lots more. The design is good too! I could go on and on about this site, but I'll leave you to see it for yourself.


Visit this site today! I know you won't be disappointed.

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Friday, June 22, 2007

Xbox 360 can scratch your game disks!

I've read about this issue a couple of times online, but I didn't find enough evidence to backup this claim. So, I dismissed it. But it seems that the Xbox 360 CAN scratch your game disks! Yep, its true. As far as you would like to avoid this unpleasant fact, the truth is that if you play your games long enough on an Xbox 360, it might end up getting scratched.

Now here's the fact. I'm a big fan of Oblivion, with playtime well over 110 hours. Recently the game just freezes up for no good reason and I receive an error message saying that the disk is unreadable. I pop out the disk and upon further inspection, find a couple of scratches on the game disk. Now, I don't know how it occured. I've always stored the game disk back into its protective case and always handled the game carefully. I never lent the game disk to any of my friends. So the most obvious culprit is my 360 and the long hours I've spent with it in Oblivion.

It seems that I'm not the only one suffering the same problem. Head online and you are bound to come across some stories similar to mine. Infact, in a recent press release, Microsoft DID say that the Xbox 360 MIGHT scratch your game disks. Not only that, but Microsoft has an offer in their support section to replace scratched Xbox 360 game disks that are published by Microsoft.

So, in the end, remember that prolonged use of a game disk in an Xbox 360 might end up getting scratched. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Get free reciprocal links

On the hunt to get some quality reciprocal links to boost your page rank? You've come to the right place! We are open for all types of reciprocal link exchanges. Heres what you need to do:

1.Just place our link http://gamersworldbd.blogspot.com with the title "Gamers World Bangladesh Blog" on your web.
2. Notify us that you have put the link and where you have put it.
3. Specify your link details and email us at gamertushar123-linkexchange@yahoo.com!
4. We will have your link up and running!

Another website that I recommend is Noli Control Systems - Save Energy With Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. "We offer a range of quality energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and accessories. We have the most popular and best value energy saving light bulbs in America!"

They maybe a bit off topic, but they sure have some pretty good page rank.

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Taxes to be imposed on computer products


It seems that tax-free computer products and peripherals are history in Bangladesh. Our caretaker government has recently decided to impose taxes on computers, peripherals and accessories in the fiscal year 2007-2008.

Although the exact rate of tax is yet to be declared, this recent decision might have some serious effects on the ICT sector in Bangladesh. With the aim of promoting growth through ICT and exporting home-made softwares, taxes could make life more complicated for these relatively new software industries in Bangladesh.

But wait. What about us consumers? It will make computers more expensive to afford in the lower and middle class groups. But will it have any serious effects on our purchasing trends? That remains to be seen.

Well, taxes or no taxes, there is no way anyone can stop me from getting a Geforce 8800 later this year.

Readers, what do you think? Do you support this or against the idea of taxes on computers. Let us know by leaving a comment.

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Monday, June 11, 2007

Free and superb Gaming Magazines you don't read

P3Zine Issue 3 - Colin McRae DIRT and The Darkness
These are some very good gaming magazines that you probably don't read. It contains lots of previews, witty reviews and exclusive interviews. So check them out now!

Gamerzines.com is the answer to every gamers prayer, free gaming magazines! It might be free, but they did not skimp on the quality. Each issue is jam-packed with tons of previews, reviews and exclusive interviews with game Call of Duty 4 Halo 2 Starcraft II coverdevelopers. What sets this apart from the competition is how they used multimedia content - beside every review and preview is a game footage and other interactive contents. Brilliant.

The quality of these zines rivals some of those print magazines. Updated on a monthly basis, gamerzines.com currently publishes five magazines, the 360zine for Xbox360 gamers, the PCGzine for PC gamers, the P3zine for playstation fans, HGzine which is for handle held Halo 3, GTA IV, Project Gotham Racing 4 and Devil May Cry  in issue 7 of 360Zinegamers and last but certainly not least is the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) Zine.

Grab your copy today and you could also win a PS3, X360 or a DS for you and your friends! How sweet is that?

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Friday, June 08, 2007

Yahoo offers unlimited mail storage space


I think in order to beat strong competition from Google and Microsoft, Yahoo is offering free unlimited storage! It's not the first for a web mail service, rediff mail also offers the same.

But what's in it to us? I mean I have been using a Yahoo Mail Plus account with 2GB storage for over 3 years, and still its only 20-30% full. Incase you are wondering, no I don't delete any email other than spam. And yes I do receive a lot of email. A lot.

Still, you can use it as an online storage space for all your photos, mp3s, etc. but I will leave you to that. Right now, more is good and unlimited is better.

To read more about this, visit Yahoo's official posting at http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/yahoomail/tools/tools-08.html

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