Xbox Vs. PlayStation: History Of The Rivalry

The current rivalry between the Xbox 360 and the coming PlayStation 3 is just the latest battle in the exciting leadership war that began in 2001, when Microsoft introduced the original Xbox into the console market. The PlayStation was the reigning champion of the console market. It had dominated since the mid-90s. The original PlayStation sold some hundred million units, a staggering figure at the time.

By the end of the 1990s Microsoft was worried about what is in our perspective the prospect of the PlayStation encroaching in the console market. Hence Xbox, was and still is a bid to win back territory for Microsoft in many of our gaming views. While Xbox might have been the new kid on the block, it had the might of all Bill Gates empire behind it. Before the Xbox, Microsoft had already ported Windows CE to the Sega Dreamcast, giving them experience in the console market.

More importantly, they had some of the best programming teams on the planet. One of their original plan, if not their main plan for this long-time distribution for the Xbox, focused heavily on integrating it with other Microsoft products, for example by including DirectX technology. The battle is about much more than just the console market. Sony and Microsoft are looking forward to a time of increasing integration of different electronic devices within the home. Consoles are increasingly becoming conduits for Internet access, for playing music, and even for personal computing.

Sony could be using the PlayStation 3 to push the Blu-ray disc format. In the past, it has come up with the PSX, intended as a multi-purpose device, able to record and play videos as well as being a gaming console. Microsoft, for its part, is putting a lot of weight on the Xbox Live online service, which we can expect to see expanding massively over the coming years. The continuing delays in shipping Windows Vista - the next incarnation of Microsoft PC operating system - has dampened the impact of linking it with the Xbox. Once Vista is released, we could expect to see a stronger focus on linking the Xbox 360 to a PC running Vista.

In short, everything is becoming interconnected, and the exciting console leadership war is at the very center of this battle. Whoever can dominate this market will have the say over how the digital homes of the future are laid out - and will be able to profit massively as a result. The stakes are high in the rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox. It is just an exciting rivalry to keep watching over the years to come, for sure.

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Xbox vs. PS2 Game Consoles

There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the two most popular gaming consoles currently on the market: Playstation 2 (PS2) and Xbox. PS2 is a Sony product, while Xbox is owned by the software giant Microsoft. Many different people have worked with these gaming systems inside and out, attempting to determine which system provides the best performance for your hard-earned gaming dollar. Here we take a look at each gaming system and compare the specs and performance of each. We will attempt to answer that age-old question: which is the better gaming system, Xbox or PS2?

You can take a look at a table comparing hardware specs here.

There are many specs in addition to the ones listed above, but these should give you some idea of just how close these two game consoles really are. If you are looking for pure processing power and graphics capabilities, the Xbox appears to have a slight advantage. In addition, its computer-like features, such as a built-in hard drive are nice to have. With the PS2 you must purchase a memory card if you run out of storage room. When comparing raw power and extra features, the Xbox wins - but you have to keep in mind that the PS2 was released first, and there are additional things to consider besides system specs.

What about Multi-player Capabilities?

Both the Xbox and PS2 have multi-player capability. You can hook up a series of both consoles so that you and your friends can play games together at the same time. The Xbox may be connected using a home LAN system, much like your home computers (here's another example of how the Xbox is more like a specialized gaming computer). The PS2 may be connected using a link cable, not a LAN. This system may be cost prohibitive for some gamers, since you have to own multiple consoles, seperate TVs for each, and several copies of the same game (yep, that's expensive).

Of course, you can always ditch the local network and play through the internet. Bboth PS2 and Xbox allow you to play online against a random assortment of opponents. Xbox uses Xbox live, a fairly well supported online gaming network. PS2's network is not as popular as Xbox Llive, but it works fairly well all the same. If you are really into multi-player, it seems that Xbox is probably the best console for you.

Xbox Games vs. PS2 Games

When deciding which of these two game consoles is best for you, you should certainly take into consideration what types of games each offers, and which games you are most interested in playing. PS2, having been around a little while longer, tends to have the larger game library, but Xbox is not terribly far behind. In addition, Xbox tends to produce games geared more towards adults than children. The graphics seen on the new Xbox games are also clearly a step ahead of PS2 graphics. There is, however, nearly a PS2 game for everyone, and there are lot of PS2 games geared towards teenagers. If you are looking for games for kids, the Nintendo Gamecube may actually be a better choice than either of these two - and it's cheaper.

Other Considerations

Some other things you may want to consider when comparing PS2 and Xbox is the controller provided by each. These may not seem like a big factor at first glance, but people usually prefer one type of controller over the other. The Xbox controllers tend to be slightly larger than PS2, mainly because Xbox is designed with older gamers in mind. You can always buy a converter in order to get one game console controller to work with another.

As far as price goes, PS2 has typically been cheaper than Xbox. As of the time of this writing (Dec. 2004), PS2 retails for about $150 and Xbox $100. Game prices are very similar for both game systems, with most new games costing about $30 - $50.

The bottom line is, PS2 is a little older than the Xbox, and is geared for a younger gaming crowd. If you are buying this console for a teenager, the PS2 may actually be your best bet - they have more games, the console is cheaper, and the games are more appropriate for that age group. The Xbox is a little more expensive, has fewer games, but it out-performs PS2 and has more adult-oriented games.

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Yahoo Game is a (Mostly) Free Resource for Gamers

Have you ever visited the Yahoo game site? If you haven??t you might want to take a look. It is one of the free gaming sites on the web. You will find all types of traditional games such as checkers, canasta, pool, and Black Jack, as well as news about the latest video games, downloads for your laptop or cell phone, and even clubs and multiple player games with tournaments and leagues as well. The kids have their own Yahoo game site called Yahooligans. Take the time to look at this brief description to see if Yahoo game is something that you would be interested in.

Some people like to play online games without any other competition. Other people like to play against multiple players. On Yahoo game you have the choice of being the sole player or playing against others. You can join a club and have set times when you meet to play against the same group of players, or you can join in a game when you come online. You will find listings on Yahoo game of single elimination tournaments for various types of games as well.

For the kids, Yahooligans is a safe environment created by Yahoo game where they can play without fear of sharing personal information. They don??t have to register. There are games which are educational, traditional games, and games which are just for fun. The games on Yahoo game are fairly simple, but you do have to pay for the more popular titles and many require you to download the software which may not appeal to everyone.

If you are a sports fan you can set up a fantasy team and compete against other teams until the ultimate winner is decided.

One of the links on Yahoo Game is to the Yahoo video game site. This site has information about current video game products as well as upcoming new releases (including previews) for all of the major game systems such as PS 2, X-Box 360 and others.

Some of the other features on the Yahoo site that you might find useful include a newsletter, new game alerts, and an All Star Club for registered members which allows you special gaming privileges at no cost to you.

There are many free gaming sites on the web for you to choose from. But not all of them are suitable for every member of your family. Yahoo is one alternative. The games are fairly entertaining and you have a lot to choose from. If you want a site that you can feel safe and comfortable on, you might want to check out the Yahoo site and see if it is right for you.

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You Don't Have To Be Rich To Be A PC Gamer

There is a common misconception that you have to take out a second mortgage on your house if you want to get a computer that will run all of the latest and greatest games. I don't know who started the rumor that you need to spend $3000 to get a gaming computer. The truth is, if you are smart about it, you can easily afford to get a high-end gaming computer. Here are a few simple rules to follow to put a gaming computer within reach.

Rule 1. Never buy the newest technology.

I know we all want to be the guy or girl with the newest toy, but you will never be able to keep up with technology. That top-of-the-line graphics card that came out today will be old news in just a couple of months and a new one will be released that is "so much better". Guess what happens to the price of the new graphics card you just broke the bank on? It dropped by about 50%. If you would have just been patient you could have purchased it for a fraction of the cost.

Rule 2. You only have to keep up with the software.

Rule 2 closely correlates to Rule 1. It usually takes software companies two years, give or take, to develop a new game. During this time there are new technology breakthroughs. If they went back and re-engineered the game every time a new processor or a new graphics card came out, the game would never be released. Another important factor is that they want the game to be available to the largest number of consumers. For this reason they do their best to make sure the game can be played on a wide variety of systems. Check out the system requirements for some of the more popular games. A 1.8GHz processor and a Direct X 9 compatible graphics card will run just about everything out there. Granted you might have to turn some of the settings down but it will run it.

Once you reach a certain point the added performance of the new technology is noticeable. For example, the Athlon 64 chip has been out for more than a year, yet there are very few applications that require a 64 bit processor. If you check out benchmarks on the new PCI Express graphics cards you will see that they are running games at 300+ frames per second. When you watch a movie it runs at roughly 60 frames per second. A game will still run relatively smoothly at 20 frames per second. Basically anything over 60 frames per second likely will not be perceived while playing the game. You will only see the difference in your benchmark programs.

Rule 3. Build Your Own Computer

This is important for two reasons. First, you can be assured of better quality components when you pick everything out on your own. When you buy an off-the-shelf system, chances are you are getting a big name CPU and everything else is most likely generic. Do you know what motherboard, power supply, or type of RAM you are getting? This of course, is my personal opinion, I'm not saying every manufacturer builds sub standard machines, but from experience I've had greater longevity from the computers I've built myself. I've also noticed that you will often get little system memory, unless you pay a great deal more for it. You will often get 256MB of RAM with these base system. Windows XP will run, but likely with problems, on 256MB of RAM. It seems to be the most stable with 512MB or more. Other areas they cut costs is by using integrated graphics chips. This saves them having to put in a graphics card, but you will pay the price for it when you try to play a game.

The second reason to build your own computer is that you can cut your costs by stealing parts from your old computer. You can save hundreds of dollars by reusing the drives, case, monitor, keyboard and mouse. Plus, you don't have to worry about calling a technician to install RAM or a new graphics card because you'll already know how to do it.

How Much Can You Build A Computer For?

I just checked out some pricing and you can build a very nice midrange gaming computer for around $600-$700 using an AMD Athlon 64 3000+. If you can steal a DVD drive from your old computer and maybe the case, you can bring the cost down even more. You can build a high-end machine for under $1000. The internet is full of useful websites about how to build computers. Look around and you'll find all the information you need. There are several books published about the topic as well. If you follow these simple rules and do a little research you can enjoy all of the best computer games even if you are on a shoestring budget.

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Your Playstation Guide

First there was just Playstation. Now there is PS 2, PS 3, and the PSP, which is the portable version. Video games are being updated, enhanced, improved, and revolutionized just as quickly and often as computers are. Well, considering they both do go hand-in-hand in today??s hi-tech world, it makes perfect sense. The PSP actually makes it possible for a person to access the Internet as well as play games, watch movies, and listen to music, all from its convenient, fit-in-your-pocket, portable game system. Though, with the way and at the pace that technology and electronics are moving, today??s newest and coolest could be tomorrow??s old news.

Playstation is just one of the few most popular video game systems available. If you are a video game fan, and in this particular case, a PS fan, then you probably share in the idea that it is important to stay on top of the newest or soon to be newest system models and games. You also probably already know that the easiest way to do that is by getting online and checking out the PS websites. On these websites you will be able to find all the latest productions of game systems, new game releases, and all other game products manufactured and distributed by Sony. Other updated information you can obtain on these websites would be game tips and secrets, the best games available, events and promotions coming in your area or other areas, and you can learn about ways to win, or acquire somehow, free PS items.

Most video game fans aren??t just ??kind of?? fans; they are ??all the way?? fans. Therefore, if you are a fan, you know how important it is to stay in the know of all the latest PS hype. Check out the websites, consult with your buddies who are also die-hard fans, talk to guys that work in the game department of electronics stores, or whichever electronic store you like to frequent, read the magazines that feature all the latest news on video games, including Playstation, and get playing! Besides, you want to make sure you??re better than all the rest of the video game junkies out there, don??t you?

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Yukon Solitaire Strategy Guide

Yukon Solitaire is fun card game, requiring the ability to plan elaborate sequences of long moves. It is quite unusual compared to other solitaire games, because it lets you move stacks of cards when they aren't in sequence.

It isn't possible to win every game of Yukon Solitaire, but a good player should be able to win more than 80% of the games they play, if they use the right strategy...

The key to doing well in Yukon Solitaire is to work backwards. Instead of doing any move that is possible, the player should work to expose the uncovered cards.

Starting from the first stack, look at the top exposed card. Then try and find another card that the exposed card could be moved onto, and then try and re-arrange the cards to make the move.

This might be best shown with an example:

Suppose the top exposed card in a column is a red 3. You need to find a black four to play onto. There is only one black four in play right now, and it has a black 6 directly underneath it. So the black 6 needs to be moved... which means that a red seven is needed. Suppose there is a red 7 visible at the bottom of a stack... Then play would proceed like this:

Black 6 onto the Red 7

Red 3 onto the Black 4

And a covered card in the column has now been exposed.

Now usually, the sequence will take longer than that. Sometimes I've played out sequences over 10 moves long!

You will find that some columns can not be exposed at this time. Either a card in the sequence is missing, or a card you need is already being used (In the example above, if the black four already had a red three underneath it, then play would be blocked, because there would be no where to move the other red three onto).

When that happens, just move onto the next column. I find it helpful to leave my mouse cursor above the column I'm currently analyzing. This helps me to remember which column I am up to, which can be particularly handy if you've just been investigating a really long sequence.

If you can't find any columns that can be exposed, then it's time to start looking for cards to free that can be moved to the foundation. Are there any cards you can move that would allow you to free an Ace?

If you follow this one tip, you should find that you can quite easily win atleast 80% of the Yukon Solitaire games that you play.

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Zone Out With A New Gaming Headset

Nothing is more annoying then constant interruption when you are trying to hang out with your friends on the internet, listen to music, or enjoy an online game. Especially if this is your way of unwinding from a stressful day, your housemates might see you playing a game and see that as an open invitation to engage in a mindless conversation with you. So what is the best way to zone out of your daily stresses and zone into your game, or music, or friends? The answer is simple; you are in the market for a gaming headset.

A gaming headset will allow you to listen to your music completely uninterrupted. The newest headsets utilize the latest technology in audio so you can rock out to your favorite band with the highest quality sound. A gaming headset will also give you the freedom to communicate with your friends online. There is nothing like enjoying a LAN party without having to leave the confines of your bedroom. A good gaming headset also has voice command functions, what could be better?

So where do you find good gaming headsets? Lots of companies are coming out with newer and more cutting edge models with better technologies. Chat with your friends online about which ones are the best for your needs. A good gaming headset will allow you to unwind without the annoying interruptions of siblings, roommates, or parents. Even if you are just using your gaming headset to listen to music, having a headset on is a very clear sign that you are not available for small talk at the moment.

So if you are looking to develop relationships online, continue with your internet gaming, or just listen to favorite tunes then check out a wireless headset. Newer models have awesome voice activation functions as well as technology that blocks out outside noise. Gone are the days where the person on the other line can not hear you due to a loud vacuum in the background or your roommate??s stereo playing loudly. Technology has paved the way for you to relax and regroup doing what you love to do with no interruptions by using a gaming headset.

So the next time you feel frustrated by the people around you that don??t seem to get it that you are busy ?? slap on your gaming headset and zone out. You will be guaranteed some time to unwind.

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Zuma Deluxe Style Games Evolution

As I think most of gamers who play in shareware games know game called Zuma Deluxe. This game was extremly popular some time ago and still popular now. It's now a classic game!

Long time nobody in game industry try to make a game with Zuma gameplay. It was a fear of fail - as someone can know big portals like RealArcade or Shockwave.com don't take for publishing game clones.

But in last time we see a lot of games what takes a Zuma gameplay idea plus some interesting own ideas. Let's look at whis games.

First game will be Luxor.

Main idea is the same, but here one deferent feature - you blast a colored spheres from the bottom line. Game use ancient Egipt styling with pyramids and Pharaoh, you explore the path of the Nile. The game very popular right now.

Next game we will look at is TumbleBugs.

IMHO this game have one of best graphic work (also as last game) and use very interesting design - you need to save your beetle buddies from the Black Bug Empire. According to game info "In a deep dark lair, in Any Backyard USA, creep the Evil Black Bugs. You, the hero "Tumble", hold the fate of your beetle buddies in your hands. Save the colorful beetles from being enslaved by the Black Bug Empire". It has some unique power ups not presented in other games and has some features to talk about - how about two sources and to plases to shoot from?

Another two games Bubblefish Bob and Aqua POP uses sea adventure design. It first game you need to save small fishy friends. The second game objective not known. As I think this game was created in zuma gameplay with only design changes.

Next game have extremly diferent gameplay but use some ideas from parent game - Twistingo.

Main Zuma idea - colored shperes presented, but gameplay based based on the bingo cards and the numbers on it. It requires you to stay focused and yet still full of situations to think over in every minute. You need to explore the Big Island step by step to find and save the cute animals that need your help.

Last game I want to say named Zzed.

This game was created by developers from Russian Federation and have very interested idea mixed with some zuma elements. It's puzzler-shooter game with a space theme. In Zzed, you are a plot of space garbage truck. The space craft is located in the middle of the screen and can rotate both clockwise or counter clockwise. You can also move the spaceship, albeit in a very small circle. A continuous flow of space junk gravitates toward you (rather fast, sometimes) and you have to destroy it, before it damages the ship. This is the action part. What makes the game tricky (and addictive) is the puzzle part. All garbage is "color-coded". In order to destroy it, you have to get 3 or more pieces of garbage of the same color stuck together (here we have some Zuma ideas). Since you pilot a space garbage truck, not some super-cool X-Wing interceptor, you call only shoot with garbage pieces. Occasionally, as you get bonuses like missiles or bombs, which will allow you to feel yourself like a space commando for 0.17 seconds, but other than that, it's all about waste management.

The storyline of this also very interesting, but I don't want to open all - try by yoursef!

Here we see 7 games in some parts based on Zuma classic game. I try all of them and think what Zuma, Tumblebugs, Twistingo and Zzed is the best and have very much difference to explore. How you think?

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