Archive for the ‘Games’ Category
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
World War II remains intrinsically linked into our popular culture and this is evidenced by the many different video game series based upon it. Without a doubt, one of the most popular of all the WWII shooter games is Call of Duty. This is a long time popular game that originally debuted solely for personal computers. Today, Xbox is home to a stunning new variant of the traditional game called Call of Duty World at War. This is a much more sophisticated game than the original version that first appeared. Such sophistication has led to a little confusion in terms of how the game operates. One such question that commonly arises is how does a player link accounts on Call of Duty? Thankfully, the process is a lot less complicated than many assume. All you need are a few tips and a little direction.
The first step in linking accounts is to visit the multiplayer menu. From there, you will have two choices based on the particular gaming system you are using. If you are playing PlayStation 3, you will choose Play Online. If you are using an Xbox 360, you will need to select the option for Xbox Live. This will take you to a new menu that is designed for the system you are using.
Once you have entered into the new menu region, you will need to select the Barracks option. From here, your next step will be to select the Web Stats option. Once you have done this, you will be presented with an original and unique web stats code. Immediately copy the code and save it because this code will be the key to linking accounts.
Now, go to the games main website at CallofDuty and log in. If you do not have an account, you will be required to register. This process is not a long or complicated one and it will only take a few minutes. Upon completion of your registration, you will need to select the My Account function. It is from the My Account section that you will be able to launch the process that will actively and properly link your accounts. The way this is done is by simply selecting the icon that reads appropriately enough Link Account.
As soon as you have finished selecting the Link Account icon, you will need to select a platform. Once the platform has been selected, you will be asked to provide your Gamer ID which is either your Gamertag or your PSN ID. Immediately after doing this, you will be required to enter the web stats code that you had previously acquired. You did remember to keep a log of it as suggested, right? Enter the web stats code in the required box and hit enter. Upon completion of this to will need to go to your profile page and select the function COD WW DOSSIER. This is where you can complete the action of linking your accounts.
Once again, the process is very simple and as long as players follow the recommended steps, they should be able to link accounts with little or no problem.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Yes, we have come a long way since Atari released the Pong system in 1976. Modern videogames are far more than mere blips on the screen. They are brilliantly designed devices that offer more unique gaming opportunities than ever previously imagined. One of the most popular game concepts is Xbox Live which centers on connecting the Xbox game console through the internet. This allows gamers the opportunity to engage in online multiplayer games with other players from around the world. Of course, in order to do this, one must know how to properly connect an Xbox 360 to the Xbox Live system. Thankfully, the process is relatively simple provided one follows a few basic steps.
Hooking up a modem to the Xbox is the first step as this will be the device that connects your system to the internet. Since you assuredly already have a modem that connects your computer to the internet, you not need to purchase one. However, you will need to purchase a router that will allow both your Xbox and your computer to be connected to the internet simultaneously. There are many routers on the market available at various prices. Simply select the one that fits your budget while not sacrificing operational quality.
Once you have connected your gaming console to the internet, you will need to sign into the Microsoft Passport Network. Xbox Live is a Microsoft product which is why it is integrated into the Microsoft Passport Network. The common ways to do this would be to sign in though Hotmail.com or through MSN instant messenger. It might be better, however, to sign into Xbox.com considering your reason for signing in centers on playing Xbox games. As with Hotmail.com and MSN Messenger, opening an account with Xbox.com is free and takes only a few minutes.
From here, it is time to move to your Xbox dashboard and engage the Xbox Live Banner. The next step would be to click on Join Xbox Live and follow all necessary steps and prompts. Once you do this, you can take part in the games available in Xbox Live. And, yes, there are many games and they can all provide hours of exciting and entertaining fun.
But, what happens if you take all these steps and you still cannot connect? Then you will need to perform a little troubleshooting. Often, this is a cursory process that can pinpoint the problem rather quickly. These problems can center on issues with the internet, PC, Xbox Live, and the hardware you are using. Configuration problems may also arise as well. If the problem turns out to be something simple as your router is unplugged, you can assuredly fix that yourself. If the problem turns out to be too complex to fix on your own, it is advisable to call Xbox Live customer support number. The operators are there to help and will definitely aid you in your troubleshooting. Once the problem has be identified and fixed, you will be back on your way to multiplayer fun.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Online gaming has exploded in popularity in recent years and many avid gamers have jumped into the mix to take part in their favorite games. Now, while it is true that most people play for fun, there is also a competitive edge found among many gamers. They want to show the fruits of their labor by logging win after win. Of course, it is not always possible to win all the time and even the most competitive gamer acknowledges such a point. However, in the game Gears of War 2, there is an added dimension of competitiveness found beyond the mere acquisition of wins and losses. Gears of War 2 also present a ranking system that many will aspire to achieve heights in.
For those that have not played Gears of War 2, this is a brilliantly designed science fiction tactical shooter game that takes place on a strange and violent planet. This game has been designed for the Xbox system and it is also compatible with online multiplayer modes. This is why the ranking system is so popular. It provides stripes of accomplishment that sets one player apart from the others. There are upwards of five ranks and those that have higher ranks certainly acquire a great deal of prestige. That is why there is so much competition for ranks. However, it is not easy to acquire increased rank. If there was, then ranking would lose much of its aforementioned prestige. Unfortunately, there is some confusion as to how rank is achieved. That is why a clear explanation on the basics of Gears of War 2 ranking would be helpful.
In order to understand how rank is figured out, it is important to look at how it is not tabulated. Let us make something very clear rank in Gears of War 2 is most definitely not accumulated by points and kills alone. A misunderstanding of this is often the root cause of players consternation over not being able to achieve rank advancements. There is, however, the misguided assumption that if a players scores and kill numbers increase, so will their rank. This is partially true as these factors are part of the mix. However, they comprise only a part.
So, what factors are the most important? The main factors considered in boosting ones ranking involve the players win loss record and whether or not the player was the favorite in the match up. In other words, defeating weak opponents does little for improving rank. However, many do not know this is the case and assume their ranking stats will increase amidst a bevy of kills. This is most assuredly not the case and a huge pile of weak kills will not move anyone up the ranking ladder. These players will need to compile a large number of victories over tough opponents in order to see their ranking improve. Those that can achieve such goals
Once again, it is not the easiest thing in the gaming world to move up on the ranking ladder of Gears of War 2. However, those that are able to rise to the occasion and increase their ranks can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their actions. After all, they have done something very few have been able to duplicate.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Every true Halo 3 fan has lusted after the recon armor. It is like a mythical creature for some, the Loch Ness monster or the Bigfoot of the game world. Many have searched for it yet few have found it. The reason that recon armor is so sought after is because it has to be given out directly by a Bungie staff member. The members were the only ones to have it at first, but they were then given the ability give out armor to certain players that they felt exhibited some seriously good game play or those who did something especially innovative or cool.
Bungie employees were pretty tight with the recon armor and very few people obtained the armor but there is hope for those who have lusted after it for so long. According to several speculative sources the new Halo 3 ODST disc, due out this fall, will offer achievements that will allow players to unlike the armor. The achievements are not going to be easy and there are several that need to be achieved for the whole shabang to become available but the option is there for those who are really looking to get the goods.
The good news in all of this is that you do not have to wait for the new disc to get started on getting the achievements needed for the recon armor. The Vidmaster Challenge achievements that were released in September are believed to be the first key to getting recon armor. Specialty weekend challenges have also been periodically released recently that are believed to have something to do with the full on recon armor.
Some of the achievements are pretty exact and need to be completed at certain times. For example one Vidmaster challenge requires you to enter into a ranked or social play list with 7 EXP on the seventh of any given month. Another challenge requires you complete Halo on 4 player legendary Live coop. The directions are pretty specific and can be found directly via Bungie.
What the future challenges will be still remains a bit shrouded in mystery. Bungie loves to drop clues and cryptic hints but they are not about to come out and tell everyone what they will need to do in the future. They prefer the “Wait and see” approach to dealing with gamers and it does add a certain element of fun to the entire ordeal.
The good news in all of this is that you will be able to achieve full recon armor without having to beg, plead and bribe Bungie employees but I promise you that it is not about to be easy in anyway Good luck on your quest.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
So you have gone out and bought the Xbox 360!? It was a fantastic decision and you will enjoy hours upon hours of playing time with your new device, but before you get started into the wide world of online gaming you are going to need to know how to connect the 360 to the Live network.
Before you do anything you are going to need to decide how you plan on connecting the bad boy. The 360 supports both wired and wireless connections. In order to use a wireless connection you will need the Xbox 360 Wireless adapter. Personally I find the wireless connection to be a bit too temperamental for my liking so I go with a wired connection via a router, but not everyone has the same wireless experience.
To set up the connection via a router unplug the router and the modem and turn off the 360. Connect an Ethernet cable to one of the out ports of the preexisting router then connect the cord to the back of your 360. Plug everything back in and turn and give the modem and router about 3 minutes to reboot.
Once you have given everything a few minutes to reboot you can turn the 360 back on. If you have already set up a gamer profile you will see the Xbox Live screen. If you have not set up an account you will be prompted to do so. All you need to do is follow the on screen instructions. It is a pretty cut and dry process and should not take more than 10 minutes of your time.
If you want to go wireless or you must go wireless you will need to get the Xbox360 wireless network adapter. The adapters are available at most stores that sell 360 games or you can order it online. Once you have the adapter unplug any Ethernet cable you might have plugged into the 360 then clip the Network adapter to the back of the 360. It is really easy to see where it belongs, but just in case, the adapter will sit right alongside the USB port which is right above the Ethernet port. Once you have clipped it in plug the USB cable that is attached to the adapter into the port on the Xbox 360. Flip up the antenna that is laying flat against the adapter and you are set, well almost set.
Turn on the 360 and head into the System tray. You will see Network options, go ahead into that screen and follow it through to the “Edit Settings” subcategory. The Network name should appear on a list of available networks. Select your network and enter the password, if there is a password. Exit out and you should be ready to play.
It is all a very simple process and Microsoft has gone ahead and made it super easy to setup the network in no time at all. From start to finish the entire setup should only take about 15 minutes, tops!
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Halo 3 has to be one of the most popular, if not the most popular multi-player online game for the Xbox 360. The level of control that is given to players and the time that some play on the game is rather astounding. What really makes the game work for so many people is the ability to communicate openly with other players via the headset. While there is a good amount of “smack-talking” going on at any given time during the game the headset does prove to be a vital and important feature for most players. Through the headset you are able to talk to other players, discuss strategy and get warnings about things that are lurking around the corner. The headset becomes the veritable eyes and ears of the entire operation.
The headset is extremely easy to set up and use. All you need is the Xbox 360 wired headset, the gaming system and your controller. To set it up turn down the volume as much as you can and plug it into the jack on the back of the controller. Both the wired and wireless controllers have the adapter jack on the back of the controller. It is really easy to find. It looks just like your average headset jack. Swivel the microphone so it is in front of your mouth, but not too close. No one wants to hear your heavy breathing.
Once you have it plugged in and set up all you really need to do is turn up the volume and head into a Halo 3 match. You will be able to hear other people with headsets talking. The headset is also equipped with a nifty mute feature. The mute button allows you to turn off your microphone so other people do not have to hear you. If you feel compelled to shout profanity, talk to your mom/dad/girlfriend or have a rap session with your Basset Hound, Charlie, I suggest you employ the mute button, unless, of course, you are keen on becoming the butt of more than one joke.
Smack talk is all right, I guess, but most people do not appreciate being berated in a game and I cannot blame them. Unless, of course, they are just horrible at it and are purposely trying to ruin your experience, then smack talk away. Most people prefer the use of the headset to chat it up about the game itself and what is going on in the actual match. Be prepared because you are going to be hearing more than one person blabbering on about whatever is on their mind and this has led to several people calling it quits to the headset.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
To say that Halo 3 has proven to be an enormously popular video game would be a dramatic understatement. Many games are popular but few reach the level of a pop culture phenomenon. Such is the case with Halo 3 as evidenced by the hundreds of millions of dollars in sales revenues amassed by the game. But, no matter how popular the game may be, players need to be able to succeed at the game or the number of players interested in it will dwindle. One way to increase the chances of success at the game is to make sure the characters are fully armored. This will protect them against many of the threats they face and allow them to achieve their gaming objectives.
There are many different types of armor that can be acquired in the game. These armor types include Mark V, Hayabusa, Scout, and many other variants. Among the most powerful is Recon Armor and, in addition to being highly formidable, it is also the most difficult armor to acquire during game play. Thankfully, difficult does not mean impossible and those hoping to acquire this elusive armor can certainly do so if they have the right guidance.
Originally, the acquisition of Recon Armor was limited to Bungie Employees. In time, Bungie made the armor available to those that were members of its community provided they met certain criteria. (This criteria was often based around players performing very silly stunts as opposed to anything heroic) Needless to say, this made the armor scarce. Scarcity and rarity will immediately make something more valuable. It will also lead to discontentment if players feel excluded due to favoritism. As such, the armor has been made available in a limited manner to those that can follow the pathway to achieve it.
One way to acquire this armor will be based upon forge skills. If your skill level on forge attributes reaches certain exceptional heights, the doors to acquiring this armor will be opened. If you have an aptitude for this type of skill, you can approach your Recon Armor acquisition in an expedient manner. If you lack such skill, there is no reason to fret. You can simply take the steps necessary to build up your forge talents. As your forge skills increase, the ability to acquire Halo 3 Recon Armor becomes more probable. If, however, the ability to develop forge skills is outside your area of expertise there is another option available.
This option centers on the Vidmaster Challenges. These challenges entail completing the game of Halo 3 within a specified amount of time and achieving certain specific objectives. These challenges will be set aside to be completed on a specific date. Those that have completed 3 of these challenges will be awarded with Recon Armor. Now, is it easy to complete these challenges? No, it requires a lot of skill and talent. Hence, that is the reason there is a reward and this reward is the acquisition of the elusive Halo 3 Recon Armor. That alone makes the challenges worth it.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
It seems as though some confusion still remains about the Gears of War 2 ranking system. When the game first debuted in November of 2008 gamers did not really understand the ranking system. In previous MMPs of the shooting variety one’s skill level was attained by the number of kills or points they obtained. The more kills or points you amassed the higher your ranking would be. That is simply not the case in Gears of War 2. There is far more to the equation than that, but it is what makes the game so much better than similar entities.
Gears of War 2’s TrueSkill ranking system is based off of the ELO system which is commonly used in chess. The ranking system is far more sophisticated than systems seen in other games. In the Gears of War 2 system kills and points are not used exclusively to rank a player rather his or her wins vs. losses and favoritism to win the match is used to calculate the points given and thus it influences the ranking of the player. If you are rank 1 and you are playing someone who is ranked at a 3 you will be considered the underdog. The player at rank 3 playing a person at rank one will automatically be favored to win based on their skill level and their win to loss ratio. At the other end of the spectrum is a player who is a rank 3 loses to a lower rank player they lose more points than if the reversed happen. Many games have since adopted such a strategy for ranking; Street Fighter IV comes to mind.
There are several theories and tactics for ranking up with the TrueSkill system but the basic point is always the same. If you are a lower level player you can rank up quickly by playing and defeating higher level players. Because the higher level player is always favored by the system to win you will get more points, as a lower level player, if you win. You will also lose less points as the underdog than you would as the favorite. The goal for many players is to attempt to play higher ranking players at all times. Beating an underdog is just not enticing enough in regards to point to be worthwhile.
Another acceptable tactic for ranking up is finding a full room to play in. If you win the match in a full room you will be judged against each individual player in the room. You will be given points for every single person you beat and thus you will rack up points quickly. For example if you play in a room with ten different people and you beat all of them you will get the points for beating each person individually. If you play in a room with just one other player you will only get points for beating that one individual person.
As you move up the ranking ladder it becomes harder and harder to rank up as you will be pitted against players who are at a lower skill level than you. The more favored you are in the match the less points you will be given for a win.
Regardless of the tactic you use or the strategy you employ to rank up you will need to play the game and play it a lot in order to obtain a high ranking.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
You have put hours into call of duty, you have defeated the bad guys and reeked havoc on unsuspecting newbies. It is a great feeling but what feels even better is knowing that the world can see what you have done and you can compare yourself against those very newbies and the most powerful and experienced players out there. Tracking your stats and the stats of your friends brings an entirely new element to the game. It is no longer just about what happens in one match or one day but rather what happens throughout your playing time on COD, plus it fulfills a bit of the voyeuristic tendencies of the human race. You know you want to see what your friends are doing in their game, go ahead, it is okay to admit it.
Until a few months ago you had to go searching for your stats and matching them up against other players was impossible, but in November of 2008 the Call of Duty team revealed a stats site that enabled players to check their stats, compare them against their friends and the worldwide community and see where they sat in the field of Call of Duty players. You have to set up your stats account before you can go comparing yourself to other players,but it is really easy to do.
You basically need to link your COD account to the stats site and the Call of Duty website directly for all of the information to be loaded. When you are in multiplayer mode all you need to do is choose Xbox Live and enter your “barracks”. Once in your barracks you will see the “web stats” option. Each person’s web stats have a personal code that identifies you as a player. Write down your number and head over to CallofDuty. If you are a serious Call of Duty player odds are you have visited the site before. Log in to your account or create one if you have never been to the site before. Registering for an account is like registering for an account on any other forum or site put in your information and call it a day.
Once you are in your account you need to enter the “my account” tab. Once in the tab you will see a “link account” tab. Click that tab and pick your platform (PS3 or Xbox 360). You will be asked for your gamer tag or ID and the web stats code that you grabbed out of your barracks. Once you’ve done all that and confirmed the information is entered you can head back to your profile on the site and select the “COD WW DOSSIER”.Your stats will appear.
From now on you can track what is going on with your own stats and the stats of others who have linked their account. Feel free to browse around and check out all the features the COD team has really outdone themselves on the stats tracking site and it makes the entire game a whole lot more fun.
This article brought to you by ASTRO Gaming Inc. ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
It seems simply incredible to us that some people actually get paid to play video games (especially to our mothers), but if you are good enough, you could actually make a nice living from-that’s right-gaming. But even Walshy, Fata1ity and T-Squared didn’t become highly paid superstars overnight. The road to success is paved with thousands of hours of practice, failure, and (maybe just maybe) a triumphant payday. So if long odds and even longer practices sound like good times to you,then read on.
First things first: don’t waste your time by asking for cash before you’ve made a name for yourself. Winning a couple of matches on the GameBattles ladder is a good start and a fine accomplishment, but follow that up with a couple of dozen more before you start shopping.
Have something significant to talk about with potential sponsors before you begin making the rounds. The internet is a wonderful place, but potential sponsors want you to participate in live tournaments rather than existing completely online. Live tournament play is where you’ll have the opportunity to be seen and meet the most people-even if it’s just a local LAN or regional tournament.
Most importantly, live tournaments and events are the only place where you’ll meet potential sponsors and partners. This is where you’ll meet with company representatives and develop personal relationships-do this well before asking them for dollars. Spamming companies’ inboxes with solicitations without a direct personal relationship will only succeed in putting you on their email blacklist.
After you’ve won some live tournaments and shaken some hands, always remember that you are entering into a mutually beneficial marketing arrangement. The upside to you is that you’ll potentially receive free gear and travel expenses-but there has to be a return on investment for the company as well. Be prepared to show exactly how you plan to do that, in terms of cost per impression. Having a team website with an active fan community is a natural place to start since you can give potential partners actual data on unique visitor traffic, page views, and site ranking.
Your team’s image is absolutely crucial to any potential sponsor relationship. You’ll be an extension of the company’s brand. Today’s world-wide corporations won’t touch you with a ten-foot contract unless you project a mature, responsible image-no matter how good you are. Start by removing racist, homophobic, and drug references in your Gamer Tag and other avatars or signatures that you use in forums and social networking sites. Bigoted behavior online or in person will quickly earn you a negative reputation, and that’s game over. Drugs and alcohol are a non-starter, period. This includes inappropriate behavior at events but extends to MySpace and Facebook photos-or wherever you keep a public profile. Ask Michael Phelps about his Kellogg’s contract if you are unsure about how important this is.
Even if your team has a carefully crafted image, you probably don’t have a real shot at taking down Str8 Rippin’ on MLG’s main stage-at least right away-but there might be more ways to make your team marketable beyond raw skill. What makes your team interesting? Is your team comprised of former high school football stars (or the cheer leading squad)? Does one of your players have 6 fingers? Look for an interesting angle-are you all from the same small town in Iowa, or from the four corners of the globe? Be sure to keep this in mind when you are looking for teammates who you might otherwise pass up.
Most of all, when you are playing and searching for great teammates, remember to have fun and enjoy the rigors of competition, but always treat both your teammates and other players with respect. The professional gaming community is an extremely tiny subset of gamers and you’ll be sure to meet and network with the same people again and again.
In closing, there are few occupations in life that are as incredible as being a paid, professional gamer. Given the right attitude, skill, and dedication you could be one of the proud elite that can say:”I get paid to play videogames.”
By Joshua LaTendresse — Producer, ASTRO Gaming. ASTRO Gaming creates premium video gaming equipment for pro gamers, leagues and their lifestyles. Spun-off from design powerhouse ASTRO Studios, known in the gaming world for designing the Microsoft Xbox 360™, Alienware PCs, and HP’s Blackbird PC, ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed MLG Gaming Headset, and the new Transport Series of gaming bags.
Related posts
