Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Video Game Companies combat: Xbox vs. Playstation

The companies that create the video game decks like Xbox and Playstation are locked into what seems to be a bitter rivalry for the top spot in the hearts of gamers the world over. While both systems offer similar concepts, games and graphics, there are still those that have their favorites. Favorites mean more sales for one company or another. Then one must take into consideration the new advancements that are made and when the new decks hit the market. All of this is highly important to the consumers that make the purchases and the companies that produce them.

This past year was a good and bad year for Xbox. The release of their Xbox 360 model, which is thought to be the most advanced of all video game systems on the market hit the shelves just in time for the Christmas rush. The shortage of systems that followed was good for the company as new orders went through the roof and many people were told they would be waiting at least six months to see their new system. The secondary market exploded and some of the machines were selling for three or four times the retail price before the final day of Christmas shopping.

The only downfall for the company seems to have been a mistake made in their rush to hit the market with the system. The new Xbox 360 worked on the same premise as a computer, with a hard drive and processor. The system was released though before all the bugs were worked out and the games were locking up during play. The manufacturer rushed to release a patch but the damage was done.

The same can be said for Playstation on the good and bad front. While their Playstation 2 was a highly advanced and functional system with hundreds of games, they needed to release something new and high tech. They announced the Playstation 3 game system to the market but gave no certain release date for the machine. Anticipation built in the months leading up to Christmas and still no word from Sony. Low and behold Christmas came without a new release from Sony on the Playstation front, setting the company back millions in the market and allowing Xbox 360 to take the lead.

Finally in the spring of 2006 Sony announced that the release date of the Playstation 3 would be even further off as they were facing similar problems to that of Xbox. This announcement actually helped the company in many ways because people saw it as a sign that the new machine would not have the glitches that came with the Xbox 360 which made all involved very happy. There is still no definite date for the release from Sony but one can be assured that when the day arrives it will be a mad house for people to pick up the new machine.


Monday, April 7, 2014

Coparison between The Playstation 3, Xbox 360, And Nintendo WII

At last, they're all here. The Xbox 360 has had the next generation gaming market to itself for a year. Now its two competitors, the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, are here. No more speculating about speed. No more guessing about memory. Now we can take a look and see exactly how they stack up compared to each other.

Let the console bettle begin again.

Price
The PS3 has two configurations much like the Xbox 360. The PS3 comes in a $499 variation that comes with a 20 GB hard drive and a $599 version that comes with a 60 GB hard drive; Wi-Fi; and memory stick, SD, and Compact Flash slots.

The Xbox 360 has two configurations.  It comes in a $299 core version and a $399 version that comes with a 20GB hard drive.

The Nintendo Wii is the cheapest of the bunch with just one configuration that costs $250.

Processing Power
The Playstation 3 comes with its Cell processor. It�s a PowerPC based core that runs at 3.2 GHz that also have 7 DSPs that run at 3.2 GHz. This configuration can do about 2 Teraflops.

The Xbox 360 has a Custom IBM PowerPC processor. This processor also runs at 3.2 GHz. However, Xbox went with a true 3 core processor compared to the one general processor of the Cell and 7 additional DSPs. This configuration can do about 1 Teraflop.

The Nintendo Wii includes its Broadway processor, a PowerPC based processor running at 729 MHz.

Disc Media
Part of the reason the PS3 is so much more expensive than the Xbox 360 is because the Sony decided to include a Blu-ray drive on the system. The drive can play both Blu-ray movies and regular DVDs. The Xbox 360 comes with a DVD player and an HD-DVD add-on is planned. The Nintendo Wii uses a DVD drive; however, the system will not work for playback of movies, just Nintendo games.

Backwards Compatibility
The Playstation 3 is just like the PS2 was. You�ll be able to play both PS2 and PSone games on the PS3.  Nintendo is taking things a bit further. Their system will be compatible with the Gamecube games and also the Gamecube controllers since the two systems use very different controllers. Not only that, but the Wii will also have the ability to download games from the original Nintendo (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES), and the Nintendo 64.

Sweet Features
If you want high definition gaming, then the PS3 is the way to go. It comes with a Blu-ray drive built in and can output in 1080p. Although the PS3 controller may look familiar, it�s had some updates. The controller is now motion sensing so in some games you�ll be able to move your character or fly a plane just by moving the controller.

The Xbox 360 was built to work with Windows XP media center. If you have a computer that already has media center on it, you�ll be able to view pictures, videos, and even recorded TV by using your Xbox. You won�t need to put your PC in your living room to take advantage of having a Media Center PC.

The Nintendo Wii decided to completely change the way gaming controllers are built. In the past, one controller was always held with both hands. The Wii�s controller looks more like a TV remote control than a game controller. It has a built in motion sensor so, for example, to swing a sword, you simply move you hand just like you were really swinging a sword.

Hopefully this review has helped you compare the three next generation gaming systems. Each has its pluses and minuses, and feature that are unique to it. Ultimately, your decision will likely come down to which system has the games that most appeal to you. And that is a decision that only you can make when deciding on a system to buy.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

A Highly Technical Xbox360

Xbox360, the latest version of the video game console that has been manufactured by Microsoft, was a term that was finally arrived at by the computer software company last year. This was after a marketing firm that it hired conducted a survey which asked people whether they thought the Xbox evoked a more "next generation" or "next-gen" sound. It was apparent that Microsoft was having worries at that time that sticking to Xbox2 as the name of its new video game console would make it appear or sound older or less "cutting-edge" than its main rival, the PlayStation 3 or PS3.

Keeping such a concept in mind, Microsoft recently announced that it has successfully produced a set of fresh 360 backwards compatibility update of the Xbox which the firm is scheduled to release anytime within the week. This is in keeping with the company's commitment to concentrate on the continuous improvement of the console's features. Peter Moore, the game's top honcho, said the updates are presently having their final testing at Microsoft. Once completed, these will be released to the market sometime this week.

Aside from the compatibility updates, the Xbox360 is also reported to have a special feature that has the capability to perform maintenance functions in the console's storage devices. A player, who recently purchased a copy of the video game, said the console's cache can be cleared simply by going to the system blade, then to its memory. From there, the player said, one can press Y on either the HDD or the MU. The said player consequently posted his observations on one of the console's numerous websites.

A Microsoft representative did confirm the existence of the said feature. However, he tried to make it clear to those who purchased the console that while the HDD clearing feature is a part of the game's entire electronic processing system, it is also a part of the technical support process. Ideally, it should only be utilized in instances when technical operations are involved. Moore said that while the said Xbox360 feature, when utilized, will not really harm or cause severe damage to the console, still it is advisable that it be used sparingly and only upon proper instructions from a qualified Microsoft customer service staff.

The latest model of the Xbox is considerably much smaller in size than its predecessor. It also has the obvious looks of a 21st century set top box. In addition, the game also contains a removable hard drive that is located on the left side of the console.

In general, the Xbox360 is, for all intents and purposes, a most powerful console, a truly next generation video game that has amazing top-of-the-line and cutting-edge features. It promises to provide an amazing digital visual enjoyment. The latest Xbox has a variety of hot as well as new game titles ranging from science-fiction, to adventure, to action, to sports, and to practically anything that the human mind can imagine.

10 Reasons To Purcase An Xbox 360

Gamers and techies have waited with bated breath for advancements and innovations in gaming. To set the pulse racing and the mind thinking one needs to be challenged. This has become possible by computer technology and the wonderful world of gaming. Just as adventures and wars would have done in yester years these days it is technology that offers to quench the thirst for adventure. Microsoft has created a challenge in the form of the Xbox 360-- a visionary, super powerful, multimedia console that brings to you the GenX gaming world. Of course, the markets being competitive present so many choices.

If you need to be convinced here are a few reasons why you must buy the Xbox360.

1. There are games galore for the thirsty. Kameo elements of power, Project Gotam 3, Perfect dark Zero, and many more. All unique, with great effects and gaming wizardry.
 
2. The Xbox360 has wireless controllers as well as internet connectivity. The premium pack presents great delights offering freedom of movement and a superb range of over 30 feet. Ergonomically designed the controller has skip wires, tangles and boomerangs.

3. With an aim to please even the most discerning palate, the Xbox360 has an amazing variety of games. Some are exclusively designed for the box like Condemned, and Dead or Alive. Titles that have been widely acknowledge by expert gamers are: Call of Duty 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo, King Kong, and Condemned.

4. Amazing and most welcome is the fact that over 200 Xbox games will be backwardly compatible with the Xbox360.

5. Xbox 360 brings with it the arcade marketplace. Imagine free games, cheap games, and addictive non-stop games. The possibilities are endless and thrilling.

6. The Graphics are stupendous and bring to life the games in virtual reality. Xbox360 has three 3.2 GH processors that run with a 500MhzATI graphics processor. Whew�let�s bow to power.

7.  Endless possibilities with the Xbox360. Games, CDs, movies and customized music. It even connects to the Microsoft media center for a complete media sensation. You can let your creativity and innovativeness take wing.

8. The Xbox 360 is more than an everyday console. It is interactive and you can buy many things like bonus levels, episodic content, gamer specials, and gamer tag images.  You can download demos, and bonus packs from game developers. A live platform with no limits marketplace for developers and publishers.

9. The Xbox360 is a keeper of records. It creates history. The gamer card becomes your identity with name, image, scores, games you like, and your aims and mottos. This takes online fraternities a step closer to one another.

10. Fulfils many dreams and fantasies. The games are the best, interesting, mind stimulating, and exciting. The Xbox 360 takes the gaming world forwards and offers options like downloads, online plays, movies, as well as a touch button marketplace for games.  

The Xbox360 is a must for serious gamers. It indicates your dedication as a gamer and reflects your tastes and reputation in the cyber gaming universe. Opens up endless possibilities and takes you to the next generation gaming delights.