Xbox 360 Accessories - What They Are and Why You Need Them

Welcome to the world of Xbox 360--the gaming world's most powerful, innovative, and advanced platform ever! Since its unveiling on MTV on May 12, 2005, Xbox 360 has taken the world by storm. Preceded by the much-hyped Xbox, this phenomenal gaming platform is the second video game console produced by Microsoft The console completely sold out when it was released in all regions except for Japan. The Xbox 360 platform was developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, and SIS, and according to Microsoft, has sold over 22 million units worldwide as of September 30, 2008.

The Xbox 360 is available in three console configurations: the "Arcade", the "Pro or Premium", and the "Elite." Each of these consoles comes complete with its own collection of Xbox 360 accessories, including wired and wireless controllers, faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, webcams for video chatting, Gamercize and dance mats for exercise, three different sizes of memory cards, as well as three sizes of hard drives--120GB, 60GB, and 20GB--each of which are designed to match the console. There are now so many different peripherals in different configurations, colors, styles and technological capabilities, that hard-core Xbox 360 gamers now pride themselves on building their own custom systems.

Here are a few of the major Xbox 360 accessory categories and descriptions of each:

1. Consoles
At the heart of the Xbox gaming system, the console is the "heart, soul and brains" of the platform. It's sleek, ergonomic desktop design looks great in either horizontal or vertical placement. The Xbox 360 console is the component into which nearly all other accessories are attached. The unit measures 3.3 by 12.2 by 10.2 inches and weighs a mere 7.7 lbs. It's power comes from a custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU with three symmetrical cores each running at 3.2 GHz. Furthermore, the console contains a custom ATI graphics processor having 10 MB of embedded DRAM, 48-way parallel floating-point dynamically scheduled shader pipelines and Unified shader architecture. As a point of reference, this is enough power to enable the system to draw 500 million triangles per second....more than needed for great looking games in standard TV definition, which is made even more awesome thanks to built-in support for HDTV 1080i televisions. The console even supports the widescreen 16:9 format. Out of the box, the Xbox 360 console employs a 12x dual-layer DVD-ROM drive, which plays both games and progressive-scan DVD movies. For game-save and media storage, users can select between the detachable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive, or a 64MB flash Memory Unit (sold separately). In addition to storing files, the hard drive makes the Xbox 360 backward-compatible with part of the existing Xbox game library.

2. Controllers
As the name implies, the Xbox 360 Controller is the hand-held device used for navigating and accessing all on-screen activities. It's boomerang-shape--reminiscent of Batman's iconic symbol--fits comfortably in the palm of both hands. The ergonomic design includes left and right shoulder buttons, two analog pressure-point triggers, two vibration feedback motors, and an eight-way directional pad. Controllers come in wired and wireless models. The wired model includes a nine-foot break-away controller cable. The glowing Xbox Guide Button at the center of the controller provides quick access to digital movies, music, and your game libraries. You can even contact your friends on Xbox live as well as customize your gaming experiences. The controller even includes a port for your Xbox 360 headset. Many users consider the standard Xbox 360 controller to be the best gaming controller ever made.

3. Adapters
Wireless network adapters let you configure your Xbox 360 system to your home wireless network to quickly get online and into the game. These adapters are easily configured, seamlessly synchronizing with the Xbox 360 system. Once connected, you can easily transfer videos and music to your system from your Media Center PC, chat with friends, play games via Xbox Live and more, all without the clutter of wires.

4. Batteries & Charge Kits
Rechargeable battery packs and charge kits are recommended for use with wireless controllers. With these packs, you rarely need to buy batteries. With a normal rechargeable life, the packs last a year or two and can be charged while the unit is being used. While the Xbox 360 off, the unit can simply be charged from your computer's USB port.

5. Hard Drives
With the Xbox 360 Hard Drive, you can expand your Xbox 360 experience with downloadable content. These devices let you save your games, Xbox Live gamer profile, game demos, and custom soundtracks from your own music collection. The device also lets you play an assortment of original Xbox games and even comes preloaded with an Xbox Live Arcade game, music, and videos.

6. Headsets
Many different types of headsets designed specifically to work seamlessly on Xbox 360 system are available for the Xbox 360 platform. From the Xbox 360 wireless headset to the over the ear headset, to headset earbuds, each style lets Xbox 360 gamers choose the perfect fit for them. Regardless of the style you choose, you're guaranteed enhanced clarity and performance, stylish ergonomic design for comfort, and state-of-the-art radio technology for crisp, clear reception and audio delivery.

7. Remotes
Remotes for the Xbox 360 range from the Universal Media Remote to the Light Up Wireless Remote to the Intelligent Report, among an assortment of others. The Universal Media Remote, for example, functions as an integrated control center for the entire Xbox 360 experience, all with the touch of a single button. You can play DVD movies and music, control your TV and Media Center PC, all with this single remote. The Intelligent Remote 360, on the other hand, is a self-programming remote that learns the functions for other remotes.

8. Faceplates & Skins
Faceplates and console skins are sticker graphics that allow the Xbox 360 gamer to customize their hardware components towards their own personality traits and characteristics. The typical faceplate and skin designs range from the psychedelic to iconic representations of favorite Xbox 360 games like Halo and Guitar Hero II.

9. Cables & Wiring
Having the right cables and wiring enhances the Xbox 360 gaming experience. As users upgrade their TVs, they may also need to upgrade their cables in order to retain the sharp, crisp details they've come to expect from the Xbox 360. One user describes how he converted from a CRT television to a 60-inch plasma and lost a tremendous amount of resolution in the process. By upgrading to Xbox 360 VGA HD AV cables, he suddenly notices that game images became intense and crisp. The details seemed sharper and fonts displayed during character's conversations became clear and legible. In short, he was blown away at the quality difference he obtained through something as simple as an upgrade in wiring.
As you can see, the Xbox 360 system is hardly a generic, one-size-fits all platform. Rather, it is a highly sophisticated, multi-component gaming system allowing users to customize their game play based upon style, preferences, and performance needs. These features make the Xbox 360 one of the most advanced, unique, and customizable gaming systems on the market today.

Curt Zilbersher is a freelance journalist for the Web's #1 Xbox 360 resource covering Xbox 360 accessories [http://xbox360-accessories.org/] (game consoles, controllers, hard drives, cables, wires, adapters, headsets, remotes, games, cables and wiring, and faceplates and skins).

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Xbox 360 Red Lights - Why You Can't Just Hope Your Xbox 360 Red Lights Just Go Away!

Sadly, if you have Xbox 360 red lights then you will have to fix your Xbox 360 to make the red ring of death go away. But "can I fix my Xbox 360 myself?" you ask...well, the short answer is yes, and the long answer is yes, and you can do it from home with common house hold tools.
There are step by step Xbox 360 repair guides available (you can take a look at the #1 Xbox 360 repair guide at the end of this article by following the link) but the basic Xbox 360 repair involves:
1. Removing the cover and faceplate
2. Taking the motherboard and heat sink out
3. Creating space between heat sink and motherboard (using washers)
4. Cleaning the GPU (graphics processing unit)

Now you may be curious as to where Xbox 360 red lights come from and the simple answer is heat. As the Xbox 360 heats up, the motherboard vibrates. These vibrations loosen the GPU and once it comes loose you have the Xbox 360 ring of death. This is why the red light's won't just go away if you leave it.
While you need to keep your Xbox 360 in a well ventilated area at all times (to avoid overheating), you should know that the Xbox 360 red lights are not really your fault. Microsoft made a mistake, which they admitted to publicly in July 2007. They had made a major design flaw which could cause the system to "fail" (i.e. there is a good chance you will experience the Xbox 360 ring of death at some point, even from 'normal' use).

What is this design flaw?
Well, Xbox 360 red lights occur, as you know, when the motherboard overheats and the GPU comes loose. Microsoft had made a decision during the development of the Xbox 360 to shrink the heat sink to make room for the DVD drive. The problem is, the heat sink is the cooling unit which is supposed to keep the motherboard cool, and since they shrunk it too much, a lot of people are getting red light errors.

I am too nervous, I don't think I can perform my own Xbox 360 repair. I don't think I can fix my Xbox 360 red lights!
This is a fair concern you have, and you may get very scared about the idea of taking your Xbox 360 apart. You may have even tried some sketchy repair methods (like wrapping your system in a towel, hitting it, or blowing air into it with a hair dryer), none of which are safe or work (at least permanently). Well, rest assured, Xbox 360 repair is not hard, in fact it's very simple and many people do it themselves (the Xbox 360 red ring of death is not an uncommon problem, about 1 million people are in the same boat as you).
If you are absolutely dead set on not fixing your Xbox 360 red lights, be aware it costs $140 and takes up to 6 weeks to send it into Microsoft. $140 is a lot to pay for a problem you may not even be responsible for.
The good news is that 94% of Xbox 360 ring of death systems don't need new parts, they just need a little tweak to get them up and running. Step by step Xbox 360 repair guides will show you everything you need to do and some (like the one at the end of this article) have videos which will literally show you every step you need to take.

Wrapping up what you now know about Xbox 360 red lights
You now know that Xbox 360 red lights are caused by overheating and once you experience Xbox 360 red lights you need to repair your system to make them go away. The main cause of overheating is the heat sink being made too small, and the Xbox 360 repair involves separating the heat sink and motherboard to allow the motherboard to cool off when it's on.
Xbox 360 repair is safe and easy to perform, and it can be accomplished with common household items. It takes less than an hour, and you avoid a 6 week wait and a $140 Xbox 360 repair bill by sending it into Microsoft.
Don't let the red ring of death stop your gaming. Fix your Xbox 360 yourself, and get rid of your Xbox 360 red lights once and for all.

Here is your EASY step-by-step video guide so you can permanently fix your Xbox 360 red light errors!
Click here [http://www.Xbox360fixed.info] to get back to gaming today, and fix your red lights problem once and for all. Don't pay a $140 repair bill and wait months to get it back-don't let your Xbox live membership go to waste!
Home repairs are safe and easy, and this guide is going to show you everything you need to do to, step-by-step, to fix red lights. Get back to "freezing-free" gaming today! Click here [http://www.Xbox360fixed.info] to gain access to an EASY step by step guide (with videos) that will get your Xbox 360 up and running in under 1 hour---GUARANTEED.
Remember: 94% of red light error Xbox 360s don't need new parts!
Click here [http://www.Xbox360fixed.info] to gain access your step by step repair guide and get red light error Xbox 360s up and running in less than an hour!
Anthony is an avid gamer and bought his Xbox 360 the day it launched. Sadly his Xbox 360 was full of problems that needed fixing.

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2012 In Video Gaming: 10 Games to Wait For

Year 2011 has been very good for a gamer, possibly the best in a long time. We had Littlebigplanet 2, Killzone 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Uncharted 3 and the list goes on. The year 2012 will see many original video games, as well as the release of numerous sequels to already successful franchises. Here are ten titles to wait for in 2012.
1. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
This upcoming single-player RPG developed by 38 studios has all the potential to be a success. The game universe is created by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore and responsible for the artwork has been no other than Todd McFarlane (Creator of Spawn). Taking God of War and marrying it with Oblivion is a BIG promise (one made by Curt Schilling), but we will see does the game live up with the hype. Oh and btw Claudia Black (you know.. Morrigan) is doing some voice acting.
2. Torchlight II
Supposedly being bigger and better than the original game, Torchlight II features overland areas with multiple hub towns, and a longer campaign. New features are heard to be included as well such as time of day cycles, weather and renewed user interface. Players can now also customize their appearance with choice of gender, face, and hair style. We are eager ready for this new hack-and-slash rpg. PC, MAC
3. Final Fantasy XIII-2
Claiming to fix the problem fans hated in Final Fantasy XIII, read: linearity, the game continues five years after the events of FFXIII. The game claims to add freedom, new towns, and improvements to the (already excellent) battle-system. Glorious world design, excellent combat and strong storytelling: These are the things look for in Final Fantasy XIII-2. PS3, XBOX360
4. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
We love eye candy and interesting stories. A game which combines both, is surely welcomed. If you already haven't heard: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a game developed by LEVEL-5 with Animation by Studio Ghibli. The title surely has the potential to be a keeper. PS3, 3DS
5. The Last Guardian
What can Team Ico can offer us this time? If you loved Ico or the Shadow of Colossus there is no need for explanation because it is something good. Unfortunately, The Last Guardian has been a title people have just been waiting... and waiting.. and waiting with most recent news being Yoshifusa Hayama, The Last Guardian's executive producer, leaving the studio to develop some Facebook games!!! The Last Guardian is a third-person perspective game that combines action-adventure and puzzle elements. PS3

6. Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Uncharted: Golden Abyss is the first Uncharted prequel and first Uncharted title on handheld devices, meaning Sony's upcoming PlayStation Vita. We will see how the Uncovering of the dark secret behind the 400-year-old massacre of a Spanish expedition goes on PS Vitas OLED screen. PlayStation Vita.
7. The Last of Us
We don't know much about this title yet, since it was just recently released. Resembling I am Legend, the game has astonishing graphics and developer team which no doubt can deliver a real adventure. If Uncharted meets Enslaved in this game, consider me sold. Even with so little detail, this game might already be the most hyped PS3 game for the following year. PS3
8. GTA V
GTA V, the latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series and another GTA that is set in Los Santos, San Andreas! The game looks awesome so far and will most likely deliver what is to be expected.
9. Borderlands 2
Gearbox's shoot and loot game looks better than ever. The first Borderlands was purely an awesome game. Building upon the gameplay elements of its predecessor, Borderlands 2 features all-new characters, skills, environments, enemies, weapons and equipment, which come together in a crafted story. PC, PS3, XBOX360
10. Mass Effect 3
Earth has been taken, the galaxy is on the verge of total annihilation, and you are the only one who can stop them. This probably is the game everybody is waiting for. Mass Effect 2 was the best sci-fi RPG I've ever played. So get ready to follow YOUR story of Commander Shepard in Mass Effect 3, if you have the save-game files for Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2. If you don't.. I suggest you leave home now and don't come back without those earlier Mass Effects.
Trailers for games to wait for 10 Games to wait for can be found here.

I am editor-in-chief and a webmaster at Bag of Games. I have always been captivated with games, be it console, board, card or any types of games. It is only fair that I share my honest thoughts and reviews about them.

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What Is the New Playstation Vita by Sony?

Everyone is talking about the new upcoming game console by Sony, which is Playstation Vita that is going to be released late this year. Get in the know and find out what people have been talking about, and why. This article discusses the fuss about this new handheld game console.
In early 2011, everyone was so excited about this new upcoming handheld game console by Sony, which back then was codenamed Sony NGP, or Sony Next Generation Portable. In June 2011, during the E3 Expo (Electronics Entertainment Expo) that took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Sony announced that the official name for this new handheld game console will be Playstation Vita, also called PS Vita, sometimes also written as PSVita, without the space in between the word PS and Vita.

Critics have good praise for this device, with most game critics citing that it will probably be the best handheld console out there that will defeat Nintendo 3DS (also called 3DS) hands down, and Nintendo 3DS was only launched February this year (Japan) and March this year in North America. Playstation Vita, or PS Vita is speculated to take most of the market share from Nintendo 3DS when it is released. The official release date for this console still has not been announced yet, as of now. However, many have speculated that the console will be released as early as November this year in Europe, and probably after Christmas this year in North America. However, this is only speculation and we are yet to hear from Sony official representatives regarding the release dates. Many have expressed their disappointment to the rumor that this console will not be launched before Christmas. Many are hoping to get this console for Christmas as a Christmas present.

Some die-hard Apple iPhone fans may not like this game console though, thinking that this gaming device is a 'threat' to their beloved iPhone (even though both products clearly have different target market than PS Vita). Whatever it is, PS Vita is already climbing the chart in Video Games category on pre-order on Amazon.com and many other online retailer websites like Best Buy.
If you are a casual gamer there's a chance you won't like this device though, as this device is probably built with 'hardcore gamers' in mind. This device is clearly targeting 'gamers' who are always looking for new features and looking for maximum gaming experience. Since PS Vita also allows you to save and play your PS3 games on it, this will be a really great feature for gamers alike.

The author can be found on most PS Vita and PlayStation forums. He is also running a PS Vita website dedicated for PS Vita news and updates.

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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Review

It's been a long time since the good ol' days of Battlefield 2 and in its absence, Call of Duty has sprung in and claimed the first-person shooter crown. Developers DICE have answered with a worthy contender but is it good enough to knock the likes of Modern Warfare 2 off of its perch? In my opinion, it is a better game, but I'm unsure as to whether fans dedicated to the Call of Duty franchise will be swayed. In this short review I will analyze the major elements of this game and explain why I personally think Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is simply brilliant.

What sets this game apart from all other first-person shooters is its amazing destruction engine known as Frostbite. This engine is specifically designed to create environments so that players can tear them down and one of my most satisfying gaming moments was the first time I blew a gaping hole in the wall with a grenade launcher. The environments in this game boast a 92% destructibility, which is impressive, compared to most other games of this genre and really takes the realism of the fighting to the next level.
The Battlefield franchise has always been known as a multiplayer online game but Bad Company 2 includes a new single player element. The first couple of opening missions were intriguing and it is obvious that DICE had a more structured experience in mind as the missions take you down a more restricted path. The campaign was enjoyable at first but I was quite disappointed because they could have utilized the unique game engine to create something much better than it was. Overall I thought the singe player experience lacked quite significantly in terms of plot and also in how limited it felt. It was a good effort by DICE at a single player campaign but work is needed to elevate it to an above average level.
The biggest, and by far the most memorable part of this game is the online Multiplayer experience. The Battlefield series has always been a powerhouse at creating deep and addictive multiplayer games and Bad Company 2 is no exception. There are four different game modes you can play which are Rush, Squad Rush, Conquest and Squad Death match. In the two bigger modes, which support twenty-four players, you can choose to go it alone or team up with other players in a four-man squad. You can spawn from various fixed points on the map or your teammates can serve as mobile respawn points, which put you right back into the thick of it.

The four different classes in this game are Recon, Assault, Medic and Engineer, which all serve a different purpose and you can easily switch to another class if the situation so calls for it. One of the reasons why this game is so enjoyable is because the battlefield constantly changes and you have to adapt your strategy or you'll soon find yourself dying every few seconds. This game requires much more strategy than current Call of Duty games in my opinion because the classes actually have significantly different roles. Vehicles are also a huge part of this game and if you play it smart you can alter the course of the battle and secure the win, or vice versa you can use Engineers to unleash a payload on enemy vehicles. This adapt to survive sort of game play is extremely addictive and combined with the stunning graphics and sound, you've got yourself a game that will keep anybody hooked for months and months.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is an amazing game. If you look past the mediocre campaign and focus on the brilliant Multiplayer experience, there is no other game like it. It may take a while to get used to the larger maps and more strategical game play but once you make the adjustment, there's no looking back. Each battle plays out in a different way and there are moments where you just stop and laugh at how high someone was thrown from an explosion. This game is full of both hilarious and amazing moments where you sit back and say "how the heck did that just happen?" and it's those kind of moments that make this game such a memorable experience.

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Assassin's Creed Brotherhood: Is It Worth My Time?

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is the third main installment in Ubisoft's popular Assassin's Creed franchise. It once again continues the intertwined story of Desmond and his Italian ancestor, Ezio Auditore de Firenze and their fight against the evil Templar Order. It only took around a year to hit stores after Assassin's Creed 2, which is incredibly fast development for an entire video game but the question is, has it truly developed on what it's predecessors did right? Or is it just more of the same?

Gameplay
If you've played AC2 then Brotherhood will feel very familiar to you. The smooth free running and fighting mechanics are a winning formula so it is no surprise that Ubisoft decided to re-use them in this sequel. Although this game feels very similar to the last one, a few changes and developments have been made to arguably improve game play in both areas. The free running in this game is better than ever with the inclusion of wooden construction lifts, which launch the character to the top of a building in a split second. There is also a parachute that can be unlocked later on in the game which allows Ezio to jump from insane heights, back to ground level with safety. The climbing and jumping hasn't changed since the second one and all in all it is a delight to hop skip and jump around the Roman playground.
In AC2 it was common to be caught in a fight with several guards at a time but the frustrating thing about this was that you had to wait for them to attack and it became a tedious exercise. To solve this problem, the developers moved to the other end of the spectrum, allowing the player to initiate the attacks with a swift kick to the groin, leaving guards vulnerable to spectacular finishing moves. While this is visually impressive and empowers the player, in my opinion it chokes out all aspects of stealth that the two previous games built on.
To add to this, the player can now swiftly move from victim to victim with the press of the button, meaning that once you land a kill move you just keep pressing attack and he finishes off another guard instantly. This keeps going from guard to guard until you're left surrounded by a pile of dead guys who never had a fighting chance. It does make the fighting smoother and more 'bad ass' but for me it was just overkill.
The fighting mechanics would be fine if the missions were a bit more challenging but aside from the odd climbing mission I often found that instead of stealthily strolling through the crowd to get to my target I could just pull out the newly added crossbow and fire at will. After the novelty of the killing streak feature wears off and you've seen everything it has to offer, in my opinion all it really does it remove any hope at making the game challenging to beat. Those guards don't stand a chance.

Graphics and Sound
The Assassin's Creed franchise is known for its stunning visuals and this time around it lives up to its name. While in the first two games there are a variety of different cities you can travel to, each with its distinct style, there is only one city in Brotherhood: none other than Rome. Looking out across the large urban expanse from the top of the Castello's flag left me gob smacked at Ubisoft's efforts and is one of the most impressive renditions of a city I have ever seen. Although it may be impressive from a distance, common visual glitches such as texture pop ins and occasional frame tearing sadly take the graphics down a few notches. If you ignore these small annoyances and focus on the greater work at hand, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood has some spectacular aesthetics.
The voice acting is once again very good, along with the soundtrack, which fits perfectly into the game. The ambient sound of peasants walking the streets and birds tweeting in the countryside adds to the immersive realism of the game. If you play it stealthy then the subtle sound of Ezio's hidden blade will be drowned out by the ambient surroundings, but if you go on a rampage killing every guard in sight then the crowds around you will respond and run in terror.
If you take this game on its own, it is truly superb, but compared to the massive advances that Assassin's Creed 2 made in relation to the first one, the developments that Brotherhood have made aren't quite as dramatic. Note that I have only reviewed the single player aspect of this game and the introduced multiplayer, which mainly involves the player hunting another player while also being hunted at the same time is a new dynamic to the franchise. The multiplayer does have the potential to be a hit but it only scratches the surface in terms of a deep multiplayer experience, as I reached the highest level and completed most of the challenges that the game had to offer in a number of weeks. Overall Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is a solid installment to the franchise but hopefully Ubisoft really take their time with the next one to create something extraordinary.

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Online Game : Rift Marksman PvP Build

Many Rift players love the Marksman soul from the Rogue class because of its excellent damage-dealing skills. Some of the best DPS characters on Rift are based off of Marksman and even some elite Rift leveling builds utilize the Marksman's strengths in order to excel in their own craft.
Obviously, the Marksman cannot be used as a foundation soul for healing or tanking, which are the two other important builds players must learn to handle, but in PvP and Warfront, a Rift Marksman PvP build might just be the last thing you want to see in front of you. Especially in a Warfront situation where a Rift Marksman PvP build can just lay off of defending and just concentrate on DPS, the build can easily wreak havoc on any field. The strength of the Marksman as an exclusive DPS PvP build relies on the fact that it can deal high-speed combination attacks which deal a lot of damage all while doing it from a distance. There's nothing more frustrating for a Warrior, as an example, than to have a mid to long-range player hitting you with substantial blows and you can't retaliate because it's just outside your range and breaking formation would only put the group in jeopardy.

As a solo Rift Marksman PvP build, you can choose to combine Marksman - Ranger - Bard for an all-around build that has the most basic skills needed for fighting and survival. The Marksman's toolkit in terms of damage is enviable combining precision attacks with scalability so combination moves are very effective. Some of the skills that you can rely on include Rapid Extraction, Close Quarter's Combat, Improved Swift Shot, Getaway, On the Double, and Repelling Shot for only 32 allocation points but should you wish to go higher, the full repertoire of Marksman skills become available at 51 at which additional skills like Strafe, Crossfire, Single Minded Focus, Increased Fire Power, Killer Instinct, Sniper Training, Master Archery, Sharpshooter and Penetrating Shots deal plenty of damage. To balance these offensive firepower, the Bard soul can produce excellent healing buffs so the character can stand on its own in any situation. At least 15 points on Bard and the rest on Ranger should be sufficient to attack from short and long-range with problem.

 

Using this combination, the Marksman - Ranger - Bard Rift Marksman PvP build is more than capable of laying waste to any PvP scenario. It is an ultra reliable build with excellent damage skills and powerful enough to withstand heavy attack via the healing buffs from the Bard. With the Ranger pet options, a semi-tanking strategy can also be used so the Marksman can focus on long-range attack while keeping the enemy at bay.
Check out this Rift Marksman PvP build and see if you can use this to establish your reputation as one of the best soldiers on the Planes of Telara.

Learn to build your rift characters using this rift character builder guide. If you want more helpful information on how to build characters, level your way to 50, and make all your friends jealous, go here now for the best rift leveling guide available.

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PS3 HDMI Cables for the Ultimate Gaming Excitement

In an era where High-Definition rules the entertainment market, why should the gamers of PS3 be left behind? The HDMI cable has become the de facto standard for high-definition digital connector devices. It combines both audio and video into one convenient cable, so you can easily connect your high-definition source devices. With the new sets of HD cables that help you connect your PS3 to the Sky HD, HDTV set top boxes and HD DVD players; you can always enjoy your favourite PS3 games with superior picture and sound quality.

There is a wide selection of PS3 connector cables at the affordable prices to enhance your gaming experience. These premium quality cables are available in wide range of specifications and are also priced to suit your pocket. The cables are available in various lengths ranging from 2m to 10m. So remember to pick one that best suits your requirements. The PS3 HD adapter coupler is designed to join two HDMI cables together without any signal loss. This HDMI cable features shielding and a durable, black PVC outer layer which provides defence against outside interference and helps maintain the integrity and purity of the digital signal. All available cables and adapters are 1080P and HDCP compliant and have gold plated connectors.

The HDMI cables promise to transfer your audio and video at the rate of 5GB/sec. If you want to get crisp video and sound quality then this cable is a must have for your PS3. These HDMI cable costs much less than those other overpriced HDMI cables but deliver the same, if not better quality. Now your PS3 games will look fantastic on your 1080p HD LED TV. Most of these HDMI cables are also Ethernet compatible and Ethernet-ready HDMI cables allow you the added benefit of also being able to carry all of your favourite internet content in one single cable.
There are also high end cables for the more discerning customers like the PS3 Monster Cable Game Link HDMI Digital Video/ Audio cable that is Gas-injected dielectric for maximum signal strength throughout length of cable and comes with a Flexible Duraflex protective jacket.
Remember to match your needs to the available cables options so that you can enjoy the best gaming experience with your PS3. For those gamers who demand the highest in picture and sound quality, there is no other alternative to high definition quality so remember to bring one home to enhance your gaming experience

Bruce writes for Digibuys UK where you can find a large selection of game accessories, connector cables and other related electronic enhancements including Nintendo Wii accessories

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Gaming Laptops Under $1000

If you're doing a little digging to find a decent gaming laptop under $1000, you might run across several options out there. Your best bet would be to create a list of features you want from the laptop and search according to that list.
A good gaming laptop must first be configured to carry a powerful processor. Now for this limited budget, some good suggestions would be dual-core processors, since these are both powerful and affordable at the same time. Single core processors are great for simple tasks, but since games demand more from the gaming system, it's a lot better if you start with a dual-core processor just to make sure everything runs fine.

In terms of system memory a good target to start at would be 3GB. Extreme gaming laptops might carry up to 16GB, but for a modest gaming laptop, 3 or 4GB of RAM is a good start, since most modern games don't even go beyond 3GB in their system requirements list. This amount will allow you to also do some editing work, graphic design and even a bit of multitasking.
The video card that comes with a gaming laptop has to be dedicated. What this means is that it has to have its own dedicated memory, so it doesn't take from your available RAM in order to run. For this budget you'll probably get away with a decent model from either nVidia or ATI with about 512MB to 1GB of dedicated memory. This is fine if you don't mind running games in medium to high quality settings, but for extreme graphics you'll definitely need to do better than this.

Games are better played when they're viewed properly and you don't have to strain your eyes to keep the crosshair on your target. This means that the screen size on your gaming laptop should not go under 15 inches, since then all the targets you're hunting will be mere pixels. Average laptop screen sizes are in the 15.4 inch range, but you might also find 16 inch screen laptops in this budget range and they're quite capable of displaying decent resolutions too.
The hard drive is often an overlooked feature in gaming laptops, since all it does is store information. You should not overlook one aspect of HDD though, and that is their rpm. More is better in this case, so don't settle for an average laptop hard drive with 5400rpm, but try to go for a 7200 rpm model, or, if you're willing to spend a bit, go for an SSD drive.

Go ahead and check out the Best Gaming Laptop Under $1000 for more information and actual examples.

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Assassins Creed Revelation to Be Released in November 2011

The breathtaking and one of the best adventure game series of all time, The Assassins Creed by Ubisoft, is expected to release its next version, Assassins Creed Revelations on November 2011. After the grand success of the three former games,
Ubisoft will release its fourth installment in the Assassins Creed series, Assassins Creed Revelations, on November 15 2011. It is an action packed third person adventure game with a brilliant plot and a background story.

The game will follow the series' standard open-world gameplay. New gameplay additions include an item called the hookblade, which can be used to zipline across the city or grab enemies to yank them in for a combo attack. The hookblade reportedly speeds up navigation by around 30 percent. Along with the hookblade, Ezio will also have 300 different bomb variations at his disposal, which will be craftable.
Multiplayer gameplay is also making a return in Revelations. The mode expands the basics of online modes from Brotherhood with new characters and locations. Players will be able to customize their characters' appearance and weapons, as well as start a guild and create its unique coat of arms. Matchmaking and game interface will be improved. Ubisoft says that while the component is returning, they're putting greater focus towards the narrative, as it's the heart of the franchise. As players level up in the game, they will move up in their Abstergo Templar rank and gain access to more information about the company. New multiplayer modes will be added to the already existing modes, including "story-oriented quests". Some multiplayer maps will be based in the island of Rhodes
Both Assassins Creed 1 and 2 were top hits. But the only problem of these games were less freedom in gameplay. The two games were concentrated on the storyboard of the entire series. So Ubisoft solves the problem with the release of Assassins Creed Brotherhood, which concentrates less on the main storyboard and more on freedom while in gameplay.

In Brotherhood you can buy shops, do many side missions, accompany co-assassins, call horses from wherever you are and u have a great variety of missions. In this game you can where a variety types of clothes, capes, weapons, armor, etc
Anyway you have a terrific twist climax in the main storyboard of the whole series in this one.
In addition to Ezio's award-winning story, the acclaimed online multiplayer experience from Assassin's Creed Brotherhood returns, refined and expanded, with more modes, more maps and more characters that allow players to test their assassin skills against others from around the world. The latest chapter in the Assassin's Creed saga also includes revolutionary gameplay, allowing players to manipulate the construct of Desmond's memories and the Animus to decipher the mysteries of his past and gain insight into the future.
Ubisoft is keeping the fans sit to the brink with its twisting and thrilling background story. More than the extraordinary fighting moves and techniques, fans are eagerly waiting for the continuation of the thrilling story of Desmond Miles.

To know more about Desmond and the thrilling story of the series, watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mYlPTYkvGw&feature=player_detailpage

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Metal DDR Pads - A Good Workout As Well As Being Good Fun

Dance Dance Revolution or DDR is an arcade style video game which is activated by the player's feet. It was first introduced in Japan as an arcade game back in 1998, This game is now extremely popular for use at home. To enjoy the real arcade experience of DDR at home, you will want to get yourself a set of the best metal DDR pads on the market.

To participate in the game, players have to be on a square metal mat with an arrow on each side. The Arrows move around the tv screen to the beat of the tunes, which are chosen by the player. As an arrow moves around the tv screen, the participant steps on the equivalent arrow on the metal platform. The games come with all the tunes incorporated into the software. As you play the game and improve your speed and scores, hidden songs will be uncovered.

Dance Dance Revolution is perfect for anyone who likes to dance and is also up for a good challenge. DDR is also for anyone who is really fed with using a treadmill, static bike, or cross training machine. It is important to remember that before starting any new exercise regime, you should get yourself cleared by your Doctor.

So, you have the game and you also have a set of the best metal DDR pads. You start to play the game and suddenly - you find are actually dancing. What else is happening? very likely you will be sweating a lot. This is great news - you are having fun and also doing cardio - how often does that happen?

If you like dance music and you want to add something to your life that is fun yet helps you to lose weight, this is the game for you! Do not waste any time, get hold of the best metal DDR pads and see how good a dancer you really are. As well as achieving a really good workout you will see your dancing skills rapidly improving. You will also find that you have much better balance and coordination - all in all its a pretty good result from something which is actually fun to do. You can probably count on the fingers of one hand, how many times you have come away from the gym and have been able to say you had fun......

For more information on DDR Gaming and where to purchase the best metal ddr pads on the market visitwww.squidoo.com/best-metal-ddr-pads Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lois_Redington

Alienware vs Rockdirect vs Dell : Finding the Best Gaming Laptop

So you want to buy a gaming laptop.

But not just any old gaming laptop, you want to buy the best
gaming machine on the planet, the best gaming machine money can
buy -- the fastest, the most powerful, the ultimate kick-ass,
take no prisoners, meanest motherboard of all gaming laptops.

Well, there's some good news for you, things have really changed
in the laptop world. No doubt you are probably aware there have been
some major developments in laptop construction and technology
in the last year or so. Technology that puts the gaming laptop
on par or near par with its main rival, the desktop PC.

Recent changes in technology have really brought gaming laptops
into the spotlight with a whole list of new Technologies:
PCI Express, Sonoma Chipset, SLI, Hyper-Threading, Dual Graphics,
Better RAM, and now Dual Core gaming laptops. Gaming notebooks are
just now entering the specs and performance arena which was exclusively
reserved for the bulky yet much more powerful desktop PC.

Just in case you have had your head buried in term papers and study
sheets lately -- hey, it happens! Here's a brief rundown of these
new technologies that will give you the fastest gaming laptop:

Graphics Cards: these are the real heart of any gaming machine. They
are getting faster and more powerful. We also see the use of dual
graphics cards and better transfer of data with new pipelines
and buses.

PCI Express: is a new standard for expansion cards that comes in
different versions. Presently, we have the x16 and x1 lanes, they
offer increased bandwidth. For example, x1 lane offers 500MB/sec
instead of just 133MB/sec for PCI.

NVIDIA SLI: SLI stands for Scalable Link Interface, technology
that lets you use a couple of GeForce 6800 graphics cards together
with PCI Express X16. Basically, SLI will speed up graphics on a single
monitor by deploying two graphics cards. It also lets you combine
4 GPUs in one system for the fastest graphics yet.

An alternative system would be ATI's CrossFire which
is a SLI-like configuration using 'Master' and 'Slave'
cards to combine two Radeon GPUs for improved and faster
graphics.

Hyper-Threading: Gives processors better performance
especially when combined with dual-core processors,
capable of handling four software threads which will put
a smile on any gamer's face.

Better RAM: DDR3 SDRAM (Double Data Rate Three Synchronous
Dynamic Random Access Memory) this new DDR memory standard
will use 40% less power and run at speeds up to 800 MHz.
Don't confuse this with GDDR3 (in Graphics Cards) which is
a totally different technology.

Dual Core: just as the name says, you put two CPUs into
a laptop for more power and faster computing. Rockdirect's
Xtreme 64 was one of the world's first dual core notebooks to
hit the market.

Also be on the lookout for Intel's Dual Core Notebook
Chip dubbed Yonah, it will be somewhat different in that
this notebook chip will not only have two cores but these
cores will share a 2MB cache which will greatly boost performance.

In most cases, keeping ahead of all these developments and
improvements can be a pleasurable chore for most gamers but
it can sure eat into your gaming time. And as the notebook
technology evolves, the gaming laptop will get even more smaller
and more powerful, offering a real alternative to the gaming
desktop PC even for the most die-hard Power Junkies.

Serious gamers will also know laptop or notebook gaming technology
is constantly evolving and mutating. Therefore, most gamers will
only purchase a fully upgradeable open architecture notebook, they
look for a laptop design which can be easily upgraded with the newest
and latest technology, if at all possible.

Despite this option, as laptop gaming technology steadily improves,
gamers are still left with the choice of which gaming system to buy.
Just in case you have be hibernating for last five years -- hey, it
happens. Here's a quick rundown of the different systems on the market
...Voodoo, Alienware, Mayhem, Vigor, Sager, ASUS, Rockdirect,
M-Tech, Dell...

Despite the fancy lapels, serious gamers know that most laptops are
made by the same two or three companies in Taiwan! The same components
and mainframes are assembled under different brand names and marketed
to the public.

Not to get too cynical, but sometimes it's the laptop with
the better paint job or the better advertising that will
win your purchasing dollar. Not that savvy gamers are easily
fooled, perish the thought, but packaging may rule the day,
performance may be the same or negligible in gaming
machines with basically all the same components and specs.

Regardless of this sober reality, gamers are still left with the
choice of which gaming manufacturer has tweaked these components
into the best gaming laptop on the market. There are numerous gaming
specialists that make high quality machines well worth your
consideration but because of limited space here we will only examine
three major gaming manufacturers, sometimes for entirely different reasons.

These three are Alienware, Rockdirect and Dell. All produce serious
contenders for the ultimate gaming laptop. Here's a brief rundown on
all three makers and their gaming laptops which may be of some help
to anyone looking to purchase a high-end gaming monster.

Alienware Laptops

First, we will start with the most distinctive looking gaming
laptops on the market. Those coming from Alienware, a company
founded by two avid gamers, Nelson Gonzalez and Alex Aguila, in
1996. It has become one of the leading producers of revolutionary
gaming PCs and Notebooks. It has also won raves and rewards from such
top industry publications as CNET, PC Gamer, Computer Games and
many more.

Their flagship model is the Area-51m 7700. This scary monster
can be outfitted with an Intel Pentium 4 Processor with
Hyper-Threading Technology - (2.8GHz - 3.8GHz, 800MHz FSB,
1MB Cache, Socket 775) Intel 915P + ICH6 chipset with NVIDIA
GeForce GO 6800 ULTRA with 256MB DDR3. It has a 17 inch WideUXGA
1920x1200 LCD Display and 4 dedicated SO-DIMM slots for
Dual-Channel DDR2 Memory. Warranties can be purchased for up
to 4 years.

The Alienware Area-51m 7700's base price starts at around
$2000 but if you want to max out this system, be prepared
to double that amount. High price for high performance.
Runs quiet and cool. This one is dressed to kill.

Rockdirect Laptops

Next, we go across the pond, for a company that produces some
high priced yet powerful gaming machines. Rockdirect gaming notebooks
are another group of machines that many gamers should consider.
Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock, is a British company that's
on the cutting edge of notebook technology. They have had a long
history of making high quality laptops for business and gaming.
Rockdirect laptops are expensive, there's no way to get around
that fact.

Rockdirect's Xtreme 64 is one of the world's first dual core
notebooks using AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ processors and twin
100GB 7,200RPM hard drives. With NVIDIAGeForce Go 7800 GTX
graphics and a 17 inch WSXGA+ (1680x1050) display with X-Glass
for better viewing. Around 2,300 pounds or $4,000 USD.
Three Year Collect and Return Warranty.

Dell Laptops

Hey dude, this can't be a DEll?

Dell with the introduction of its XPS second generation gaming
laptops has to be considered by the serious gamer. Don't laugh!
With the introduction of the XPS Gen2 laptops, Dell entered the
gaming market for real. A lot of people stood up and took notice.

Even more people stood up when Dell introduced the XPS Renegade 600
desktop gaming system with 4 NVIDIA 7800GTX GPUs at the
CES this year. Now that's putting SLI to some good use!

Dell's top Notebook Model is the XPS M170 powered by
Intel Pentium M Processor 780 (2.26 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
and 2GB1 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm Memory on
a 100GB 7200rpm Hard Drive. It uses 256MB NVIDIA GeForce
Go 7800 GTX and has a 17 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen UXGA
Display. Priced at around $3,896 with a two year warranty
and longer warranties may be purchased.

Show me the Facts!

Anyone can pick a top gaming notebook and say its the fastest
in the world. However, you have to prove it or back it up.
That's where benchmark testing enters the picture, these are
standard tests that rate the performance level of your
gaming laptop. Hey, tests are good for something!

One good site that has performed a whole slue of tests on
the gaming laptops mentioned above is http://www.hexus.net.
You can see the different Benchmark tests here:
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=4188

Testing for memory bandwidth and latency, picfast,
cryptography, raytracing, realistic render, encoding and
so on. The dual core Rock XTreme 64 showed impressive
numbers, even beating out an Athlon 4000+ Desktop in
many areas.

WildCard Entry: M-TECH!

There's another laptop maker many novice gamers don't consider
when buying their ultimate gaming machine. It may not be as
well known as the ones above but the real wildcard entry is
M-TECH. This is basically the American equivalent of Rockdirect,
although the companies are in no way connected. They just have a
similar philosophy of working with and using cutting-edge technology
and firms to produce some superior gaming machines.

M-TECH, a Michigan company, started in 1995 and has close
strategic partnerships with Tech firms in Silicon Valley. It
is favorably reviewed by many industry magazines such as
Laptops, Mobile Computing, CNET, PC TODAY and others.

M-TECH produces some powerful low priced (relatively speaking)
gaming laptops such as the D900K and the D900T:

You can configure your D900T with two 100GB (7200RPM) SATA HDD
Hard Drives with Pentium 4 3.8GHz 2MB L2Cache with a RAID setup.
With Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX w/256MB DDR3 and a 17 inch TFT WSXGA+
Glassview LCD display for around $3500 USD. One year warranty,
longer warranties may be purchased.

When buying your laptop, keep in mind, just because a gaming
laptop has a lot of style doesn't mean it has sacrificed performance.
It is not a matter of style over substance, it just means
you have to pay highly for all that style/advertising/packaging.
If you can afford it, go for a higher priced gaming laptop.
People buy Ferraries don't they? There's no accounting for how
people spend their money, if you want one of these dual core
laptops from Rockdirect and you can take a little bit of heat
and noise with your games, go for a Rockdirect Xtreme 64 or
the older Xtreme Ti.

If you want a dressed to kill Alienware laptop, go for the
Area-51m 7700. If you're on a budget, look closely at the Dell
XPS M170 or the other XPS systems and watch for special Dell
coupons and discounts. Dell is known for giving some great
discounts so keep your eyes peeled. And if you really want to
go against the mainstream, why not check out M-TECH. Especially
the M-TECH D900K or the D900T, ultimate performance at a good price.

No matter which gaming system you go with, try to pick one
that has a fully upgradeable open architecture structure so
you can easily upgrade when the time comes. Keep in mind,
laptop technology is changing so fast by the time your
dream machine is configured, it is probably already out of date.
Sobering thought but more true than any of us would like to
believe.

Finding the fastest gaming laptop may be an on-going process
of outfitting your dream machine with the latest technologies
and hardware as they come on stream. Hey, nobody said life would
be simple.

Just wondering how you can fit Quad SLI with 4 GPUs
into a laptop. Hey, it can happen and probably will!

For more on the best gaming laptops click here: Gaming Laptops. For information on upgrading your gaming laptop click here:Laptop Memory Upgrade. Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2006. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Titus_Hoskins