Gamersnewsbits.com

I know I have bought a few games that have to reluctantly sit under the tree until that glorious day that they are unrapped and played the hell out of…. yes, i’m talking about Rock Band World Tour and the others that I have to dream of playing for the next 25 days. *sigh*. Well, I decided to check in on the GOG.com site to see what old classics I might grab to tide me over until Christmas…. 

They have added more games from the Unreal catalog this week:

Unreal 2: The Awakening 

Unreal Tournament 2004 Collector’s Choice Edition

…not to mention Unreal Gold and Unreal Tournament GOTY edition already released last month….

and next week, there’s Disciples 2 Gold and Jagged Alliance 2 on Tuesday!

So, keep it simple, do it old school….and get it real inexpensive and DRM-free over at gog.com

apparently I missed this one yesterday:

ASUS Present the G71: The World’s First Quad Core^TMGaming Notebook – 28th November 2008

ASUS have today launched the G71 series – featuring the world’s first Intel® Quad Core™ gaming notebook to add to an existing range of powerful devices specifically designed with gamers in mind.
The G71 delivers a truly dedicated gaming experience within a highly portable package, focusing on providing the clearest audio and the most exhilarating graphics performance.

The Quad Core™ Concept
The ASUS G71 is the world’s first Quad Core™ gaming notebook, powered by the Intel Core™ 2 Extreme processor QX9300. The removal of Overspeed Protection allows the G71 to reach extremely high levels of performance through overclocking, pushing the boundaries of conventional computational processing power and allowing extensive user multitasking.

Superior Gaming Performance
As a notebook designed for the most hardcore gamers, the G71 (Quad Core version) boasts an array of high performance components, including:

• 17” Crystal Shine high brightness display with super fast response time of 8ms
• NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT GDDR3 512MB graphics card
• 4 GB of DDR2 1333MHz SDRAM memory
• Dual hard disk drives 500GB (250GB x 2)
• Blu-ray drive for total entertainment
• Webcam and Bluetooth for great connectivity and communication

Such a superb combination of internal components integrate together to provide top notch performance, multimedia entertainment and gaming enjoyment whilst at home or on the move.

Direct Console 2.0
The Direct Console 2.0 is an all-in-one gaming control interface that allows users to choose from three processor speed settings depending on their mode of usage. The gaming hotkeys enable users to launch their favourite games with a single touch, as well as execution of in-game commands.

The G71 chassis also integrates a programmable lighting system which is configured through the Direct Console 2.0, which lights up and blinks during in-game events for a totally futuristic ambience whilst immersed in play.

Direct Messenger
Gamers no longer need worry about missing out on communications from email and instant messenger whilst sucked into gaming action. The G71 notebook provides Direct Messenger, a secondary display which displays notifications, instant messages (MSN™), battery reserves and system loadings in real-time even during intense game play, so that gamers can keep in touch with friends and family whilst multitasking between various applications.

Entertainment meets Style whilst on the Move
The G71 incorporates a host of entertainment features which offer gaming experiences like never before. Altec Lansing speakers equipped with a subwoofer deliver excellent sound reproduction, further complimented by Dolby™ Home Theatre.

A dedicated game keyboard layout provides gamers with strategically placed movement keys on a full sized keyboard – granted quick and efficient access to in-game inventories and commands.
Furthermore, the 2.0 megapixel web camera provides high performance visual output (ideal for Skype™ or MSN™) and adds another layer to the G71’s excellent communication capabilities.

Fun for Everyone
Despite the capabilities to satisfy even the most hardcore gamer, the G71 is just as suitable for those who only casually jump into the gaming world.
Optional accessories such as the Eee™ Stick (a plug and play device which allows users to control on-screen movements through hand motions) transform the G71 into a mobile gaming console.

Specifications
ASUS G71 with Intel® Quad Core™ :

Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB)
Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset +ICH9M-E
Intel® WiMAX/ WiFi Link 5100
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate
4GB DDR2 1333MHz SDRAM (2 x 2GB)
NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT with 512MB GDDR3 VRAM
Intel® Turbo Memory Technology with 2GB NANDFlash(optional)
17″ WUXGA, High Brightness, Color Shine
Dual hard disk drives; 500 GB (250 GB x 2) 5,400 rpm
Blu-ray Combo
2-megapixel swivel web camera
Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.1+EDR

——–

ASUS G71 with Intel® Core™2 Duo :

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53GHz, 6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset +ICH9M-E
Intel® WiMAX/ WiFi Link 5100
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
4GB DDR2 1333MHz SDRAM (2 x 2GB)
NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT with 512MB GDDR3 VRAM
Intel® Turbo Memory Technology with 2GB NANDFlash(optional)
17″ WUXGA, High Brightness, Color Shine
Dual hard disk drives; 500 GB (250 GB x 2) 5,400 rpm
Blu-ray Combo
2-megapixel swivel web camera
Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.1+EDR

Early Glimpse At How Characters In Overgrowth Will Interact With The Environment

Video: http://blog.wolfire.com/2008/11/procedural-animation-redux/

Despite focusing mainly on the Phoenix Engine’s realistic terrain system (http://blog.wolfire.com/2008/11/high-detail-terrain-shadows/), Wolfire lead programmer David Rosen has still found time to lay the foundation for Overgrowth’s procedural character animation system.  Though the animation system is still in early development, fans were glad to see a character model hopping around on the terrain.

Catch up on other exciting Wolfire news at the wolfire blog: http://blog.wolfire.com/