How to Maximize the Fun in the Nintendo Wii Friends Bundle
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmFor many years, video games were used as a method to sit down, unwind and relax. The games can be played with others if the game was designed as a two player game. In most cases the person you played the game with needed to be at your house as well in order to play the game. Video games were typically played alone.
Recently this has changed dramatically. There is a Nintendo Wii Friends Bundle that allows you to make a huge event out of playing video games. The Nintendo Wii friends bundle gives a multitude of different options to implement in the video game experience. You can literally make playing video games a huge event.
What Makes the Nintendo Wii Friends Bundle A Good Investment?
- Tremendous Value: The bundle is a good investment due to the value that you receive when you purchase the package. The Nintendo Wii friends bundle has a number of controllers that allows many people to play a single video game all at once.
- Multiple Gaming Capabilities: There are five different sports games that you can play with the package. This gives you a wide variety of different games that you can play with your friends. For example, if you have three of your friends over the house, you can form teams of two and play a match of doubles tennis. If you don’t want to run around swinging at a tennis ball, you can all set up two teams and play some frames of bowling. Whether it’s golf, boxing or baseball, there are a number of different games you can play.
Maximizing The Bundle
How do you maximize the Nintendo Wii friends bundle? You maximize it by using it as a tool to play with many people at once.
For example, one way that you can maximize the use of the video game is to plan a video game get together with your friends and love ones. You can rotate to each other’s house each week and make a little potluck out of it. This way as you play video games you can enjoy snacks, food and drinks while playing the sports game at the same time.
The Nintendo Wii friends bundle makes an excellent tool to help people enjoy playing video games together. It takes an activity that use to be a solitary activity and making it a group activity. While it does cost some money to get the package, there are deals and opportunities available that you can take advantage of. If your group knows you are going to be playing together a lot, you can even chip in together and get it as well.
For more news, reviews and helpful tips on Nintendo Wii Console and Wii Games, check out Wii Games Downloads.
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The Best German Style Board Games
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmp>German style board games are a type of themed game which is catered to a wide age range of potential players. They usually require a healthy amount of thought and strategy but less tactical maneuvering than a game such as Chess. With a highly stylized board, simple rules, and a generally modest length of play, German style board games allow players to experience a fun, competitive environment without having to follow complicated rules and an exhaustive set up time. Because of their popularity and accessibility to a large range of players, these types of games can be found the world over, in any number of countries.
The best German style board games are multi-player games which can be learned quickly and played in a relatively quick time frame. They usually require some level of socializing but are not usually combat related, meaning that players usually do not have to confront one another head-on. Strategy against other players usually comes in the form of building one’s own game up and using any possible resources available that might benefit other players. Face to face fights between players are usually rare on a German style board game. These games are always loosely themed, giving a suggestion of what the goals of the game actually are without being so heavy that they weigh the game down. Many different popular themes have to do with either building a city or governing an area.
One of the best features of German style board games is that they are tailored for everyone. They have easy to understand rules and a format of play that is simple to follow. Being competitive doesn’t stop the social aspect of this game, allowing players to sometimes constructively help other players if the intent is there. They are also fluidly designed to generally be able to support between 2 and 6 players, with some games being able to accommodate up to 10. Each player in a German style board game generally plays the game for themselves, partnerships and teams are rare. Most of the games generally run for about an hour’s worth of playing time, and many games feature a component to the game which will end it after a certain amount of time.
Another one of the best features of a German style game is that there is typically no player elimination. Having players be forced to drop out of the game before the end is generally seen as a counterproductive move, as it usually only gives the leading player an advantage. By keeping all of the players in the game until the end, the game remains competitive and the outcome isn’t predictable.
The games are made for an international audience, usually having a board which is designed mostly with pictures. The rule book usually comes in a variety of languages, allowing players from many different nations to enjoy the game. The best German style board games are geared toward these multi-national audiences and feature elements which any player speaking any language will be able to understand. All of these elements combine together to make a great game, and when searching for a suitable German style board game, an interested player should take all of them into mind.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for board games, chess boards, and dungeons and dragons miniatures. You will find all these things and more if you visit German style board games, chess boards, and dungeons and dragons miniatures.
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Game Console: Highly entertaining widgets
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmThe gaming concept has undergone drastic changes. The video games have become more demanding among the avid players. These game consoles have come up as an innovative multimedia device which is backed with features and functions. This electronic multimedia computer device enables the users to play games in a more exciting way. It is very interactive and highly entertaining modern widget with a remarkable entry in gaming world.
A game console is a form of interactive and innovative multimedia device which is used for entertainment. It lets users to play video games from their personal computer. It has many exciting functions that are especially designed keeping avid players in the mind. This console has some special images and sounds features which can be displayed on a audio video system like television. The game console is mostly controlled and manipulated by using a controller. The controller is directly connected to console.
These multimedia games are mostly available in a disc. The users have to insert the disc into the console, to play their favourite games. The latest console offers users to play and download games directly to the console through the Internet. On other hand, earlier the consoles used to come with a fixed number of built-in games. The users require some devices like memory card, game media and a console core unit to input information and to manipulate objects on screen. Some of the best game consoles in the market are Nintendo Wii, Sony PS 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. These devices are available in both portable and stand-alone version.
Nintendo Wii
The Wii is the cheapest of all the latest games consoles. This game console comes from the home of Nintento and it is the fifth home video home game console which comes in the row. It is a direct successor to the Nintendo Game Cube. This console is targeted towards Xbox 360 from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 from Sony. The attractive features of the game console are Wii Remote and wireless controller. It can be used as a handheld pointing device, as it detects acceleration in three dimensions. Another sunning feature is the WiiConnect24, it has the ability to receive messages and updates through the Internet in standby mode. In comparison to the XBox 360 and PlayStation , 3 the controller for the Wii looks more like a TV remote control rather than a games console.
Microsoft Xbox 360
The Xbox360 from the house of Microsoft is the latest gaming console. It is packed with loads of exciting features and functions. It is a perfect entertainment device that offers great online and offline gaming features. All the games in the Xbox 360 are built on high resolution and the Xbox 360 emulator helps the users to play all the favourite games.
The Xbox has a user friendly dashboard interface which enables the users to easily navigate through the options using the user-friendly remote control. It is adorned with digital multimedia capabilities which help the users to play all their favourite movies and listen to the most popular tracks.
Sony PlayStation 3
The Sony PS 3 offers amazing and hi-end gaming experience. It is third gaming console launched by Sony Entertainment. This console is powered by real-time 3D computer graphics which are enhanced by the processor. This console is available in 20 GB and 60 GB and carries features like multiple flash card readers. One can enjoy hi-tech entertainment features and high definition multimedia interface.
One can store essential files such a music, video and images in the 60GB removable hard disk. With the built-in Blu-ray disc player, the users can enjoy hi-end entertainment like games and movies.
All the console offers advanced features and functions. Therefore, the game console comparison is must before opting for one.
Stephen George is expert author of Games Products industry.
Who writes on Latest Games, Xbox 360 games and Game Consoles
Article Source: Game Console: Highly entertaining widgets
Rise of Nations - Great Gameplay For a Great Price
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmLooking for a great bargain Real-Time Strategy game that still plays like new? Then I suggest you check out Big Huge Games’ Rise of Nations. In fact, you can get Rise of Nations (RoN) and its expansion pack (Thrones and Patriots) together for a great price now, so I’ll be talking about both in this review. RoN combines elements from Turn-Based Strategy games into an excellent RTS engine. Though it is beginning to age, RoN still looks and plays great.
RoN gives great RTS gameplay. Your empire-building is centered around cities. Cities expand your national borders, allow you to build resource-collecting and research buildings, and even Wonders of the World, historical structures that boost your performance. Resources are spread throughout the map, and are not depleted. Rare resources can also be found, which give increased production and added bonuses. Technology is also key, unlocking new units and buildings, and allowing you to progress through eight “ages,” from Ancient to Information. Most technology is researched at the library, but nearly every building has some of its own. Combat follows the rock-paper-scissors concept, in that one unit easily defeats another, but is easily destroyed by a third, making well-balanced armies and navies the best choice.
Replayability is unlimited, with different map types that can be randomly generated time and again. There are 24 different “races” available, from British to Nubian to Mongol, each with its own unique units and national bonuses. Quick Battles offer custom fights between you and up to seven computer opponents, on a variety of different map types, with many customizable options. When (or if) you tire of unlimited Quick Battle play, there are five “Conquer the World Campaigns” to choose from. These range from Alexander the Great, Napoleon, the New World (following the colonization of the Americas), the Cold War between the USA and USSR, and “The Entire World,” a Risk type map where each nation starts small and must expand its empire. Multiplayer is still highly active, and many player-made scenarios are available. RoN does not bore easily.
Even though it has been out for several years, RoN is still worth getting. It offers unlimited play with a very innovative design. Even graphics wise, RoN still holds up to more modern strategy games. Choose your nation, choose your gametype, and play in your own style. Rise of Nations is a great game that is easily found for a bargain price.
Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more reviews, info, and screenshots.
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Supreme Commander - RTS of Unprecedented Scale
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmSo you’ve been playing through your Real-Time Strategy games and are starting to get bored with the same thing over and over. You want something bigger, better, more complex. Well, Gas Powered Games has given us Supreme Commander, an RTS of unprecedented scale. And I mean enormous; you don’t make a base of a few buildings, you use dozens, and hundreds more in resources farms. You don’t build a couple tanks and send them to wipe out the enemy. You build strategic missiles and long-range artillery to soften up the enemy, then move your army of 200 units into their base. Supreme Commander (popularly called SupCom) is unbelievably large, and sets a new standard for RTS.
The story takes place in 3844 A.D., after humans have colonized much of the galaxy. After several events, three factions emerge: the United Earth Federation, trying to restore order to the galaxy; the Cybran nation, a group of human-AI cyborgs trying to liberate their brethren; and the Aeon Illuminate, humans taught “The Way” by an alien race and trying to spread their beliefs throughout the rest of mankind. You start in any battle with an Armored Command Unit or ACU. This is the base unit, and allows you to begin construction of all other units and buildings.
The ACU is supported by engineers, who can build more buildings but at a slower pace. Air, land, and naval factories produce units, while mass extractors and power generators produce resources. Mass is used in the building process, and energy is used to run buildings and units. Resources are stockpiled in storage, but if you run out, you don’t stop building. The more resources you use that you don’t actually have, the slower you produce units and buildings. Factories can be upgraded from Tech 1 to Techs 2 and 3, allowing production of better units and better engineers, who can build higher level buildings.
Overall, each faction can produce around 30-40 different unit types and around the same number of different buildings. At a low level, each faction’s units perform about the same, but at the higher levels they diversify. Each faction also gets three unique experimental units which can easily turn the tide of battle, but are very expensive to produce.
SupCom’s single-player campaign gives each of the three factions six missions. While it doesn’t seem like much, each mission expands several times, and can last several hours. In the first few, the player is confined to low level units, which can prove quite boring. The only way to defeat your enemy is to build large numbers of units and continually throw them at the enemy. In the last two missions, you gain access to Tech 3 units and buildings, allowing you to come up with your own strategies. The skirmish and multiplayer modes make up for this, with many maps and options to play with. The maps range in size from 5km x 5km to 81km x 81km. The largest maps are perhaps the biggest even seen in RTS, and can take many hours to complete. SupCom also has in all probability the most nuclear explosions per round in any game. To win, you must destroy the enemy’s ACU, which explodes in a nuclear fashion. Nuclear missiles are also the best way to destroy the enemy’s base. However, every attack has a defense, and nuclear missiles can be stopped.
So, if you are experienced with RTS’s and are looking for something more, check out Supreme Commander. It does have a steep learning curve, so I would only recommend it for experienced players. The scale is enormous, and allows players to come up with multiple strategies so that no game ever plays the same way. For those tired of traditional RTS’s, SupCom brings a whole new definition and level of play.
Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com for more reviews, info, and screenshots.
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World in Conflict - Excellent Story, Excellent Graphics, and Excellent Game Play
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmImmense destruction, beautiful graphics, and a chillingly plausible storyline. You want this in a Real-Time Strategy game? Massive Entertainment’s World in Conflict delivers all this and so much more. World in Conflict (WiC) takes place in 1989, after the Cold War turned into World War Three. The single player plot puts you in control of a company of American troops trying to control a Soviet invasion of Seattle. I won’t go into the story too much, but it is excellent, and more than once gave me goosebumps. However, multiplayer shines above even that, making for a very well-rounded game. WiC deserves its title of 2007 Strategy Game of the Year.
Single player puts you in the role of a Lt. Parker, just as the Soviets invade Seattle. The campaign is of average length, but involves good mission variety. WiC is not so much a typical RTS, with no base-building or resource management. Instead, the player gets a set amount of reinforcement points, which can be used to bring in different units. Once units are destroyed, their points eventually return to the pool, allowing you to repurchase additional units. Most units also have an offensive and defensive ability, giving them an extra push when needed. The other big point to the game is Tactical Aid. As you fight the enemy and take over control points, you gain TA points, which can be used for radar scans, artillery barrages, and airstrikes. It is extremely fulfilling to watch your artillery fall upon the enemy forces, or watch them walk right into your tank buster’s line of fire. All portrayed in the most beautiful way I have ever seen in an RTS, with every object being destructible, and every artillery round leaving a crater.
As I said, multiplayer is where WiC comes into its own. Most servers are dedicated, not personally hosted, so there are always servers to be played on. When you enter a server, you can choose between the US/NATO or the USSR, and also a certain role. Multiplayer revolves around fulfilling your role, choosing from infantry, armor, air, and support. Infantry and armor are self-explanatory, air allows you to control helicopters, and support gives you powerful artillery and anti-air units. Different game types are also available: domination, which is taking more control points than the enemy; assault, where one side attacks the other’s control points and then switches to defense on the same map; and tug-of-war, where one team must take a row of control points to push a frontline forward. The level of destruction is unprecedented, with up to 16 players throwing in dozens of air and artillery strikes upon the beautifully rendered scenery. Tactical nuclear weapons are also seen occasionally.
I will not lie; when I first saw WiC I was not overly excited, because it did not seem to reach the veteran RTS player. But after playing it for many hours, I can tell this will be one of my all time favorite RTS’s. I love the story, I love the multiplayer, I love the graphics, and I love the gameplay. This is simply an awesome game. If you are looking to get into the RTS genre, then this is a great learning game for beginners. If you are an RTS vet and looking for something more, then WiC will deliver its great content in good fashion. I highly recommend World in Conflict, and will be playing it for time to come.
Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog
http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more info, reviews, and screenshots.
Article Source: World in Conflict - Excellent Story, Excellent Graphics, and Excellent Game Play
Star Wars-Empire at War - Epic Space and Ground Battles
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmIf you are a fan of Real-Time Strategy games, and a Star Wars buff, then Star Wars: Empire at War is the game for you. Created by LucasArts and Petroglyph, Star Wars: Empire at War (further abbreviated as SW:EAW) allows players to fight on the ground and in the space above over forty planets in the Star Wars universe. While the main focus is on tactical control, players also get a grand overview of the galaxy from which you can control and purchase new units and buildings. Overall, SW:EAW is the best RTS of its type.
The game focuses on conflicts between the Empire and Rebel forces just before the fourth movie. Each side has its own units, although both have the same types generally. Both sides also have a campaign, which gives the player missions complete, although you can control what units to purchase and where to attack. SW:EAW’s other main element is Galactic Conquest, an open campaign where the player selects which scenario (which sets the number of planets), starting money (called credits), and technology level. Tech levels are also important, unlocking new units and building types. Finally, SW:EAW is rounded off by an instant action mode, also available on multiplayer.
The greatest action and fun to be had is in the space battles. Everything a Star Wars fan could hope for and more can be found in these epic battles. Every ship present in the movies is present, from small fighters like Tie’s and X-Wings to capital ships, like Imperial Star Destroyers and Mon Calamari Cruisers, the Rebellion equivalent. At least one side usually has a space station, from which upgrades and units and be purchased (units only in Instant Action), and the Empire can construct the Death Star in Galactic Conquests. Larger ships and stations have hardpoints which can be specifically attacked, so players can take down the most important systems first. Visuals and sound are magnificent and sound “realistic” to Star Wars.
Ground battles also involve many of the same qualities, but seem to be much more constrained. There is still a great variety of units, but the maps seem too small. While space battles allow lots of movement, ground battles can be slow as units traverse the battleground. The attacker must capture reinforcement points to bring in more units, and points around the battlefield can be captured and built into different turrets or support buildings. The AI won’t win any awards either, mainly just coming straight at you, but the visuals are still great.
An expansion pack, Forces of Corruption, has been released since SW:EAW’s launch, which adds a new faction with all new units and buildings and more planets. I would recommend picking up the dual pack of both games, since the expansion is great. I have also barely touched on the galactic overview part of the campaigns. This game is a great addition to the RTS genre and brings Star Wars into it in a good way. With a great variety and almost unlimited replayability, Star Wars and RTS fans alike should pick up this fantastic title.
Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more info, reviews, and screenshots.
Article Source: Star Wars-Empire at War - Epic Space and Ground Battles
Hearts of Iron II - Master of World War Two Strategy
August 7, 2008 – 2:36 pmCreated by Paradox Interactive, developers of Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron II is the second installment in one of the best World War Two strategy game series ever. Hearts of Iron II puts you in control of any country that existed between 1936 and 1947. This means that while you can take control of the world playing as the United States or Germany, you can also participate in smaller conflicts as Hungary, Argentina, or Siam. Allowing you to manage every aspect of your countries war machine, Hearts of Iron II is simply one of the best strategy games out there.
The game centers on one main campaign on a global map, which allows you to control any country, and let’s you jump into the world in 1936, 1939, 1941, and 1944, so you can start in the time period of your choice. However in Hearts of Iron II, also included are sixteen limited scenarios depicting major campaigns, ranging from the invasion of Poland and D-Day, to alternate history scenarios like the invasion of Japan and a war between Brazil and Argentina.
Hearts of Iron II allows total control over your country of choice. You must balance resources by importing and trading on the global market. You must use your industrial base not only on weapons of war, but also supplies and common goods to keep your populace happy. You can choose which side you will ally with, or create your own alliance of nations to take over the world. Realism is also prevalent, with events occurring almost constantly, informing you of new political and economic advances, as well as declarations of war and annexations. While most are historical events, your actions influence what will happen and when, and games never play the same way twice.
Combat itself is simplified, but you must be prepared in order to win over your enemies. Researching technology will give you newer units, but you must use some of your industrial power to upgrade them, and keep a constant supply of reinforcements. Adding brigades to your divisions, the primary unit size, will give them better firepower, but you must have the correct doctrine in order to use them correctly. Units dig in and use terrain, aircraft bombard enemy positions and dogfight in the air, and ships must struggle to keep supply lanes open. Using combined arms is the most effective strategy in this very complex and in-depth game.
Overall, Hearts of Iron II is one of my personal favorites and the best game of its type out there. Nearly anything you want to do can be done, and replay is almost unlimited. I am sure that I have not done the game justice in this short review, but hopefully I have given you the idea of just how excellent this game is. While it can take a while to learn everything and get used to the gameplay, Hearts of Iron II is certainly worth it.
Scott is a student and avid strategy gamer. Please support him by visiting his blog http://greatstrategygames.blogspot.com/ for more info, reviews, and screenshots.
Article Source: Hearts of Iron II - Master of World War Two Strategy
‘Megadrive handheld’ firm plots more retro classics
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmMCV: Blaze ‘already has other products in development’ to add to popular portable system
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AMD Ships 790GX Gaming Chip
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pm"AMD announced that it has started shipping the new 790GX graphics chipset targeted at gaming enthusiasts. The chipset features enhanced SB750 southbridge, ATI Radeon HD 3300 chip integration, scalable ATI CrossFireX graphics technology, and Phenom chips with higher overclocking thanks to the new ‘Advanced Clock Calibration’ technology. The 790GX is slotted below AMD’s existing 790FX chip, which is targeted at the high-end gaming segment. AMD claims the 790GX chip is the world’s fastest motherboard GPU (mGPU), with Mark 3D Vantage entry mode scores in excess of 2900. "
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An Uncrackable Lock
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmImagine an encrypted data chip so secure that even the greatest hackers in history would find impossible to crack. That chip is very much a reality thanks to the combined efforts of Siemens, Austrian Research Centers (ARC) and Graz University of Technology who have teamed up to create the first quantum cryptology chip for commercial use to ensure securer electronic communication.
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Dark Knight Xbox 360 spotted in Taiwan
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmAt a MS game exhibition in Taipei, Microsoft Taiwan confirmed that Final Fantasy XIII would be available for the Xbox 360 in Taiwan although exact details about localized versions were not confirmed. In addition to this, a Dark Knight themed Xbox 360 was spotted at the show…
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Best Video Cards For The Money: August ‘08
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmDetailed graphics card specifications and reviews are great-that is, if you have the time to do the research. But at the end of the day, what a gamer needs is the best graphics card within a certain budget.
So if you don’t have the time to research the benchmarks, or if you don’t feel confident enough in your ability to make the right decision, fear not. Tom’s Hardware has come to your aid with a simple list of the best gaming cards offered for the money.
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AMD Fusion details leaked: 40/32 nm, dual-core CPU, RV800 graphics
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmTG Daily: AMD pushed Fusion as one of the main reasons to justify its acquisition of ATI. Since then, AMD’s finances have changed colors and are now deep in the red, the top management has changed, and Fusion still isn’t anything AMD wants to discuss in detail. But there are always "industry sources" and these sources have told us that Fusion is likely to be introduced as a half-node chip.
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Pioneer Produces 500GB Blu-ray Disc
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmThe article reports: -
If at first you succeed, just go and raise the bar anyway…
Since seems to be the motto at Pioneer since it has followed up its ground breaking (and potentially Blu-ray compatible) 16 layer 400GB optical disc (below) with a 500GB version less than one month later.
A mammoth 25 layers were jammed onto the disc this time around and it also has the same potential to be made Blu-ray compatible - though whether a disc with the capability to handle around 20+ 1080p flicks has really any use other than as a storage medium is open to some debate (2160p Fuller HD anyone?!).
"While Blu-ray discs (BD), offering both 25GB and 50GB, are sufficient for users’ current demands, we envision the need for a technology that can support far greater capacities as HD streaming in particular becomes commonplace and users build larger files of digital content," said Pioneer Multimedia Division Product Manager Brendan Sheridan. "The multi-layered method is compatible with Blu-ray devices providing a long term future for the technology and is more easily produced when compared to competing technologies such as holographic storage."
Sheridan admits the disc is only a research project at present though talks are ongoing with the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) about formalising the standard. Public availability? Between two and four years it claims - though I’m guessing it will take a brave man to risk a 500GB coaster…
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New Intel CPU Threatens GPU Obsolesence with Integrated Graphics Processing
August 6, 2008 – 9:42 pmShacknews reports: "A new chip unveiled by hardware maker Intel will reintegrate graphics processing into the CPU with DirectX and OpenGL support, according to TechReport. Dubbed "Larrabee", the chip was unveiled at this year’s Siggraph conference and sports a variety of new technical features. The CPU is said to offer better scaling of its cores, with a quad-core chip four times faster than its single-core counterpart.
Should the CPU-based graphical rendering capabilities prove viable to developers, Larrabee could serve as a cost-efficient alternative to expensive PC video cards, such as those produced by AMD and Nvidia. Intel expects engineering samples of the chip by the end of the year, followed by a general market release in late 2009 to early 2010.:
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