GAMING REBORN
Console
and video gaming is back with a bang, if the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013
is anything to go by
I DON’T USUALLY write about gaming
and I haven’t covered E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) for years. But this
year was different. Gaming has risen from the ashes and this E3, the industry
got its groove back as was evident from the swagger all around. My top reasons
why E3 and gaming is on a roll.
PLAYSTATION 4: Finally we moved from
conjecture to the real thing. The PS4 is cheaper than the Xbox One, it’s as
powerful, has a controller with a touchpad built in that gives you a whole set
of new things to do with games, has a second-screen feature with a PS Vita,
offers backward compatibility to your old games, has Gaikai cloud gaming,
Blu-Ray and a multimedia centre. And did I mention it’s $100 cheaper than the
XB1?
XBOX ONE: More arsenal pouring out
in this ultimate fight to the finish between the two big consoles. Xbox One may
get rid of the very controversial second hand and renting games block, plus it
announced fantastic new games at E3, new demos of online play and some
fantastic use of the second-screen feature. Still, the sparkle around the XB1
seems to have dimmed a little ever since the dawn of the PS4.
THE WONDERFUL 101: While the Wii U
isn’t exactly setting sales records, this may well be the game that sets them
on fire. You get to control a band of superheroes out to save the world. The
difference is that both the gameplay and the controls are so intuitive and easy
that, at times, it’ll seem like wizardry has taken over as your little heroes
scurry to obey your command. Great use of the Wii U Tablet.
SMART GLASS: It’s a cool name and
adds new dimension to gaming. Smart Glass for the XBox One is great idea if the
implementation can be less clunky. What you get is your console speaking to
another compatible smartphone or tablet wherein the screen of that becomes part
of the game. It can be your second controller or your additional info screen.
TITANFALL: The game that may well
send non-gamers kicking and screaming back into the world of gaming. Within the
gorgeous graphics, you can be in control of a gigantic robot and be super
powerful, albeit slow, or eject out of the mech and play as a fast and agile
(but not as powerful) footsoldier. When to switch can be the difference between
life and death. Aaaaah…me can’t wait!
ALIENWARE GAMING LAPTOPS: These guys
keep churning out these giant and super powerful gaming machines at a
relentless pace. This time they’ve upped it to 18 inches and this hulk of a
beast can play any game you can throw at it without missing a beat. The only
time you’re going to regret buying this machine is when you have to actually
pick it up to carry it with you. That would be a game in itself!
DISNEY INFINITY: The ultimate
morphing of hardware, software and plastic toys. Take your favourite action
figure, set it on top of the Infinity board and boom – your toy becomes a
character in the game. You can even have power-ups, special features and extra
lives added in the same way. Once again, let the Disney magic sweep over you
(or your child) and watch the Disney Corporation make even more money than ever
before.
RAZER BLADE: Who says a gaming
machine has to be monstrous? The Blade is super thin, super light and super
powerful. It’s also one of the most innovative machines I’ve seen in a long
time. Check out the multi-screen control display on the side of the keyboard
and the general wiz-bangery this one throws up. Gamer or not, every one of us
needs one of these.
THE EVIL WITHIN: Think of the most
spectacular horror movie you’ve ever seen, add to that a horror move that
literally had you cowering under your bed sheets – now multiply both by a 100
and you end up with a game called The Evil Within. An added twist is that you
have to use your brains to battle the evil as this isn’t a hack-and-slash
zombie fest.
MAD CATZ MOJO: It fits in your hand
and is so powerful that it plays every Android game on the planet. Attach it to
your TV with an HDMI cable and get banging on its wireless controller. Download
and play any Android game from the Playstore – this is a full blown Android
gaming console.
OCULUS RIFT HMD: I’ve never really
enjoyed the whole idea of Head-Mounted Displays. The feel is very disorienting;
the resolution of the screen sucks and the gaming experience has always been
horrible.
Until the Oculus Rift HD. This one
is immersive to the point of being scary, as it tracks your head movement. Look
left and the screen and game actually tracks with you, look back and you’ll see
who is following you, look up and you’ll see the sky filled with birds. Like I
said, amazing and downright terrifying!
Smartphones and tablets have made
casual gaming a mainstream activity. E3 this year has brought the entire
console and video gaming industry roaring back. You can be sure that at least
one from above is going to be making its way into your home soon. I can bet my
future PS4, my soon to be bought Razer Blade and my about to be ordered Oculus
Rift on that!
-
Rajiv Makhni,Managing editor, Technology, NDTV and the anchor of GadgetGuru, Cell Guru and
Newsnet3 HT130630
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