As the first Spring Auckland Armageddon Expo since 2020 set the stage, the scene was set for the return of bigger brands and more variety, a welcome return for those not solely into anime or cosplay.

With still more than an abundance of anime and cosplay to your hearts content if that’s what you’re after, the return of bigger brands like PlayStation, Mighty Ape and Samsung were certainly a highlight to see, making the event start to feel a glimmer of what it used to be years ago.

It was disappointing to still see no return for Xbox and Nintendo though, who were usually a highlight alongside PlayStation of my visit to Auckland Armageddon.

Saying this, PlayStation and Mighty Ape were nowhere near as grand as they used to be. Given the scope of Mighty Ape as a whole online shop, I was surprisingly disappointed by how small their stand was and how little stock they had on display.

PlayStation’s stand was more of a Spider-Man 2 stand, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is a major release after all, but ultimately it didn’t show any of the wide scope that PlayStation as a brand is usually known for.

The slow rise of physical guests continued. Voice actor legend Troy Baker was present at this year’s Springeddon and became one of the reasons I attended the event. It was a lot of fun having the likes of Troy Baker attend, but the second main stage where I watched his panel was incredibly small and had a screen at the back that unfortunately made it no easier to see the voice actor.

The show floor, as expected, was very busy, and popular. On the other hand, a negative term to otherwise use could be cramped. Most of the time you couldn’t see the vendors, especially in artist alley, because so many people were standing and struggling to walk in all directions. With not a lot of ventilation I could tell of, a part from the doors on the outskirts, the space become very hot and suffocating, despite only being in Spring.

The unique and tasty food vendors outside were a breath of fresh air, literally, and it was cool to not only see the generic stalls, but also more unique food and drink options.

Artist alley remained one of the most popular spots of the event, as mentioned by the bustling crowds. There’s nothing better than finding something exciting and different, perhaps only found by being exposed to an independent artist. A lot of the bigger vendors selling items felt generic and cheap, which was a shame when comparing to the more independent artists who are vying for recognition.

Although continuously rising back to its former grandeur, Auckland Armageddon can’t quite keep up with the momentum required to grab people’s attention long enough to stick around for years to come, unless you fall into a very specific anime or cosplay niche. Saying this, you can’t deny the crowds, so albeit my time attending an Armageddon Expo may need a long deserved break, I’ll still be there admiring from afar.

The post Armageddon Expo (Auckland, NZ) 2023 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Samsung has just announced to us their launch of Odyssey Neo G7 (Model name: G70NC), the company’s first flat Mini-LED model, adding a new form factor to the industry-leading Odyssey lineup.

The new monitor delivers a large screen designed to give gamers a more comprehensive range of vision and details – inviting them to explore the worlds of their games with near life-like picture quality.

“The evolution of our Odyssey range isn’t just about delivering a bigger and better gaming experience. It’s about providing all-in-one solutions for multiplayers to get the most out of game consoles and PC rigs,” says Phil Gaut, Senior Director of Display, and Brand Memory, Samsung Electronics Australia. “Smart TV capabilities paired with Mini-LED technology on this expansive 43” display, enables players to fully immerse themselves in their games and enhance their emotional experiences.”

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 is designed to help deliver astounding picture quality, a customisable high-performance viewing environment, and personalised features for optimal gaming and entertainment.

The large 43” screen delivers 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160) with VESA Display HDR600 and HDR 10+ certification for advanced picture quality showcasing some of the best graphics of today. The Odyssey Neo G7 brings Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Technology to the fore, using Quantum Mini LEDs, which enable ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs. As a result, users can see richer blacks, more expansive colour expression and more detail, even in shadowy gaming environments.

Additionally, the Matte Display reduces light reflection on the screen, minimising distractions during the most intense gaming sessions and letting the large screen deliver details while keeping the player focused on the game and the stunning visual performance.

The Odyssey Neo G7, is a great monitor for any gaming platform – using DisplayPort or HDMI connection to hook it up to the users’ Gaming rig or switch to HDMI 2.1 to play on their latest game console. Another option is to play a mobile game on a larger 43” screen through the built-in WIFI/ Bluetooth or just connect a third-party controller to enjoy a game in the cloud without even having a console.

A 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms (MPRT) response time allows a swift, smooth response and enables precise mouse movements. Even during the most intense moments, the Odyssey Neo G7 keeps extremely smooth and fast action gameplay and reduces stuttering, input latency and screen tearing through AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support.

The Odyssey Neo G7 provides a range of innovative features that allows gamers to customise their gaming experiences such as adjusting the screen size, position, and even screen ratio for a personalised gaming setup. Flex Move Screen allows gamers to adjust the screen size between 43- and 20-inches to match their preferred size based on the game they play, and even change the screen position so they can always perform at their best.

To further personalise their performance, gamers can use Samsung Game Bar to quickly view and change important settings without ever needing to leave the game screen. Players can see and change FPS (Frames Per Second), aspect ratio, high dynamic range (HDR), and variable refresh rate (VRR), or adjust settings such as response time and Game Picture mode.

The Odyssey Neo G7 is equipped with Samsung Smart Hub – a centralised hub experience that brings Entertainment, Gaming, and SmartThings together in one place. With Smart Hub built-in, content curation and discovery is front and centre, enabling gamers to spend less time searching and more time streaming the movies, shows and games they enjoy.

Accessing a high-quality Smart TV experience on the Odyssey Neo G7, gamers can enjoy numerous over-the-top (OTT) content apps such as Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube. Furthermore, Samsung’s Tizen OS-powered entertainment hub delivers access to Samsung TV Plus, the brand’s free ad-supported TV (FAST) and video-on-demand service that offers 90+ channels in Australia and thousands of shows and movies on-demand.

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 gaming monitor is now available.

The post Samsung launches first Mini-LED Flat Gaming Monitor appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

As we travelled through the misty mountains to Wellington, it wasn’t long until we were greeted by the misty mountain of Sky Stadium, or perhaps the misty towering carpark and building, as a day of Autumn rain settled in at Armageddon Expo’s Wellygeddon.

Despite the rain, people flocked to the yearly  event, putting aside the umbrellas (this is windy Wellington after all) and most without raincoats to get a sprinkling of rain on their everyday outfits and extravagant cosplay costumes. Luckily we managed to pay for a carpark at the event location, even though the carpark chaos and sheer high numbers was insane. Although expensive carpark pricing continues to rise, it certainly made the journey to the event short and easy.

After rushing to find the bathroom because of the long journey to get to Wellington and to get inside the event as we needed to wait to receive our media passes outside, the size and design of Sky Stadium made it quite the task to access the bathroom facilities. It may seem like a pointless thing to point out, but with the number of people and various ages at the event, no doubt needing easy access to such facilities, I wonder if they struggled to find these locations quickly as well, unless just happening to stumble upon them on their journey.

Bathrooms aside, it was time to tackle Wellgeddon. The ring design of the Sky Stadium was very familiar to me, but the frustrations of this design never seem to cease, even if I tried to remind myself to take my time, and not be in a rush. You know when you’re at a shopping centre, or walking along a path and a group of people just stop to have a chat in the middle of the space? That happened here too, despite the already minimal room, especially in certain parts of the ring. This caused build up and a back log of bodies bashing against one another quite often, soon relying on handholding to not loose my partner in the chaos.

Breathes of fresh air occurred on and off throughout the journey of Wellygeddon, and when I mean breathes of fresh air, I mean openings in the crowd where you had room to stretch your legs, take a moment to regain yourself and get your bearings. Because of the high intensity ‘flow’ of the Sky Stadium ring design, I often found myself having to back track as I’d missed something and being a woman of average height, I simply couldn’t see what I was missing out on at times.

Post pandemic world, artist alley continues to be my favourite new appreciation for the local artists. Finding unique gifts or household items is what I’ve loved for years. I will admit I never used to give artist alley as much attention years ago, across all Armageddon Expos, as I was often distracted by the bigger brands and names, but when you take that away (which I am still quite gutted about), you’re left to admire the smaller things in life, for Armageddon Expos, that’s artist alley.

I do wish I had the insight into understanding why bigger brands and names no longer seem to be attending any Armageddon Expos anymore. There was nothing better than the excitement of experiencing new games or previews of technology as they’d just made their way to our shores or were going to.

This ‘wonder’ made me feel less isolated in comparison to the rest of the world and excited for new things to come. Now we can all only hope to have access to such events overseas, which isn’t practical for a lot of people.

As mentioned earlier, the weather didn’t stop people from attending Wellygeddon, with crowds bustling and cars jam packed not only in the Sky Stadium carpark but also out onto one of the main roads into Wellington city. I wonder what pulls others into attending the Armageddon Expos with their families when a lot has changed about the event since Covid, with a lot less big brands, big shops and celebrities. For myself, anything entertainment related is my go to and I’ll never not jump to the opportunity to experience an exciting event.

Ranging from swords, food, pop vinyls, and artwork in all its forms, the local vendors and artists delighted people with their stalls and abundance of goodies to choose from. Although missing the big brands still, for video games and technology especially, we can always rely on the locals of New Zealand to come together and put on a fun event.

The post Wellington (NZ) Armageddon Expo Wrap-up appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Skullcandy has revealed its re-entry to the gaming category with a trio of value-packed headsets for all skill levels.

Offering compatibility across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile, the all-new SLYR, SLYR Pro and PLYR Multi-Platform Gaming Headsets were purpose built for gamers, delivering rich, detailed sound, crystal-clear communications and all-day comfort.

“Everyone knows Skullcandy offers a premium sound experience and getting back into gaming is something our fans have been requesting for years. We’re stoked to release our new multi-platform gaming collection into the wild,” said Jason Luthman, Director of Global Product Management, Skullcandy. “As gamers will attest, exceptional audio, seamless communication and comfort are absolutely crucial. From illuminating unique nuances with personalised audio profiles, to executing crystal-clear player-to-player comms, we packed PLYR, SLYR Pro and SLYR with the must-have technologies gamers demand for fully immersive play.”

The ideal lifestyle-to-livestream audio companion, PLYR, the collection’s flagship offering, is perfect for gamers who desire maximum flexibility to play both wired or wirelessly via Bluetooth. To add maximum dimension to the audio experience, PLYR adapted Skullcandy’s well-known Personal Sound technology, re-engineering it specifically for gaming. Like prescription glasses, but for your ears, the enhanced technology is called Enhanced Sound Perception (ESP) and requires users to take an innovative hearing test to tune audio drivers specifically to the user’s unique hearing.

To deliver crystal clear communications, PLYR features Clear Voice Smart MicTM, which leverages artificial intelligence to isolate the speaker’s voice and cut out background noises, such as keyboard clicks. The technology works with both the boom mic, and on-board headset mic if boom mic is removed. Dual-connect capabilities enables users to connect via wired and wireless connection to stream audio from two separate devices, simultaneously.

Lastly, an adjustable suspension headband reduces pressure on top of the head, an absolute must for all-day play.

For gamers seeking a premium wired-only gaming experience, SLYR Pro is the answer, offering must-have features like ESP and Clear Voice Smart Mic technology with detachable boom mic. SLYR Pro also sports a slightly redesigned headband for those who prefer a more classic, yet comfortable fit.

Casual gamers seeking an entry-level solution will want to turn their attention to SLYR.

Supreme Sound maximises the gaming experience, providing premium in-game audio depth to ensure users not only hear enemies creeping up from behind, but also the roar of the crowd. SLYR also features a bi-directional removable boom mic that enables focused voice pickup, ensuring gamers can seamlessly communicate and collaborate with clarity in multiplayer settings.

PLYR, SLYR Pro and SLYR models are all constructed from tough, lightweight materials, each boasting head conforming, memory-foam ear cushions wrapped in moisture wicking, breathable material.

Easy-to-reach, on-board controls across each headset enables gamers to quickly mute and adjust volume without gameplay interference. Boom mics are also equipped with a mic-status LED so players know at a glance when they’re on mute or “on air.” SLYR Pro and PLYR models also include the ability to toggle through various gaming EQs, including ESP and custom EQ.

The collection is rolling out now at Skullcandy’s official website.

The post SKULLCANDY AMPLIFIES THE GAMING EXPERIENCE appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Skullcandy has released news that its re-entry to the gaming zone with a trio of value-packed headsets for all skill levels.

Offering compatibility across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile, the all-new SLYR, SLYR Pro and PLYR Multi-Platform Gaming Headsets were purpose built for gamers, delivering rich, detailed sound, crystal-clear communications, and all-day comfort.

“Everyone knows Skullcandy offers a premium sound experience and getting back into gaming is something our fans have been requesting for years–We’re stoked to release our new multi-platform gaming collection into the wild,” said Jason Luthman, Director of Global Product Management, Skullcandy. “As gamers will attest, exceptional audio, seamless communication and comfort are absolutely crucial. From illuminating unique nuances with personalised audio profiles, to executing crystal-clear player-to-player comms, we packed PLYR, SLYR Pro and SLYR with the must-have technologies gamers demand for fully immersive play.”

The ideal lifestyle-to-livestream audio companion, PLYR, the collection’s flagship offering, is perfect for gamers who desire maximum flexibility to play both wired or wirelessly via Bluetooth. To add maximum dimension to the audio experience, PLYR adapted Skullcandy’s well-known Personal Sound technology, re-engineering it specifically for gaming.

Like prescription glasses, but for your ears, the enhanced technology is called Enhanced Sound Perception (ESP) and requires users to take an innovative hearing test to tune audio drivers specifically to the user’s unique hearing.

To deliver crystal clear communications, PLYR features Clear Voice Smart Mic, which leverages artificial intelligence to isolate the speaker’s voice and cut out background noises, such as keyboard clicks. The technology works with both the boom mic, and on-board headset mic if boom mic is removed. Dual-connect capabilities enables users to connect via wired and wireless connection to stream audio from two separate devices, simultaneously. Lastly, an adjustable suspension headband reduces pressure on top of the head, an absolute must for all-day play.

For gamers seeking a premium wired-only gaming experience, SLYR Pro is the answer, offering must-have features like ESP and Clear Voice Smart Mic technology with detachable boom mic. SLYR Pro also sports a slightly redesigned headband for those who prefer a more classic, yet comfortable fit.

Casual gamers seeking an entry-level solution will want to turn their attention to SLYR. Supreme Sound maximises the gaming experience, providing premium in-game audio depth to ensure users not only hear enemies creeping up from behind, but also the roar of the crowd. SLYR also features a bi-directional removable boom mic that enables focused voice pickup, ensuring gamers can seamlessly communicate and collaborate with clarity in multiplayer settings.

PLYR, SLYR Pro and SLYR models are all constructed from tough, lightweight materials, each boasting head-conforming, memory-foam ear cushions wrapped in moisture wicking, breathable material. Easy-to-reach, on-board controls across each headset enables gamers to quickly mute and adjust volume without gameplay interference. Boom mics are also equipped with a mic-status LED so players know at a glance when they’re on mute or “on air.” SLYR Pro and PLYR models also include the ability to toggle through various gaming EQs, including ESP and custom EQ.

Each headset is beautifully designed and set off with a unique digitised aesthetic, blending the nostalgia of gaming with a modern form factor. SLYR and SLYR Pro are being offered in three colourways: Black DigiHype, Green DigiHype and Blue DigiHype, with PLYR available in Black DigiHype and available now.

The post Skullcandy gets its Game on appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Armageddon is making a return to Auckland, bringing Aotearoa’s biggest esports event and a line-up of celebrity guests with it.

The Winter Auckland Armageddon Expo kicks off June 10th, 2022 and will have an Esports Open with $20,000 up for grabs, voice actors from popular anime shows and free child entry.

Armageddon Expo director William Geradts says Armageddon’s 100th event will be unlike anything New Zealand has ever seen.

“We’ll be bringing our signature brand of pop culture magic to Auckland this June, but with a key difference; we’re hosting an Esports Open, which will be the first one of this scale in New Zealand and have $20,000 worth of prizes,” he says.

“While there is a small market for esports in New Zealand, it hasn’t really taken off the same way it has overseas. So we’re dedicating a large part of our winter event to this massive esports tournament.”

The main stage at the Auckland Showgrounds will be filled with gamers competing in Halo Infinite, and a massive 35m screen will stream the action to a live audience.

“Whether you’re a serious gamer or just want to have a go, we’re keen for you to jump on board.”

#Wintergeddon will also host a number of animation voice actors, both virtually and in-person.

“We haven’t been able to host international celebrity guests in-person since the pandemic started in 2020 so we’re really keen to bringing back that aspect of the show.”

“Many of the people who come along to Armageddon Expo love anime, so we’re bringing in a bunch of talented voice actors for fans to meet.”

The line-up includes stars from Sonic the Hedgehog, RWBY, Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia.

Kiwi YouTube sensations Viva La Dirt League will also be there in-person, and virtual stars from Pokémon, Futurama, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and more are set to beam in.

The event, which will run over the weekend of June 10th and 12th, will be the first Armageddon Expo of 2022 after the planned Tauranga show had to be postponed.

“We were disappointed that we were unable to host our event in Auckland in 2021 – we know our fans missed the event and the sense of community it creates,” he says.

“We’re working hard to make sure this Armageddon Expo, and every event we host across the country this year, will be an epic celebration of pop culture for people of all ages to enjoy.”

The expo will have a range of stalls selling art, toys, collectables, comics and all things geek.

Attendees will be able to enjoy a huge range of in-show attractions including PC and console gaming, an arcade, virtual reality, the Armageddon Cosplay Parade, a Chilli Eating Challenge, Squid Game-inspired competitions, life-size spaceships and more.

The Winter Auckland Armageddon Expo will be held June 10-12 at the Auckland Showgrounds. Kids get in free.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the website: https://www.armageddonexpo.com/

The post Armageddon Expo bringing esports & celebrity guests to Auckland appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

BenQ is launching the X3000i, bringing the finest ever audio visual performance to a grand projected scale.

Gaming scenes are delivered with 100% DCI P3 wide colour gamut coverage powered by BenQ’s exclusive CinematicColor technology, paired with enveloping treVolo sound system and input lag as low as 4ms, allowing gamers to traverse to open-world games imbued with live realism.

“Leading the X series with unprecedented combination of cinematic images and realistic sounds, along with the lag free control that comes from 4ms response time at 240Hz frame rate,” said Grace Tran BenQ Australia and New Zealand Product Marketing Manager. “X3000i invites gamers to expand infinite universes and realise their full potential.”

For a truly immersive gaming experience, X3000i draws gamers deeply into the plot with authentic colours balanced with true 4K UHD, high 3000-lumen visual brightness, crisp 500,000:1 superhigh contrast with Dynamic Black algorithms, 3D readiness, and projector-optimised HDR with HDR10/HLG support ensuring futureproof visual performance, while the 4LED light source with auto colour calibration guarantees years of gaming enjoyment.

Adding to the visual with audio enhancement, X3000i fully envelopes players in powerful 5W x 2 stereo speakers that are tuned by BenQ’s treVolo audio team and enhanced by Bongiovi DSP (Digital Signal Processor) with Dynamic Stereo Enhancement, offering aural details with more surrounded, three-dimensional game sounds. Audio can be output to an external sound system via HDMI eARC for the ultimate cinematic experience.

The realness of all interactions can be further discovered through role playing, first-person shooter, and sports games as X3000i is equipped with specially-designed preset game modes. The depth, clarity, definition, and presence of the surrounding deep bass background music, approaching footsteps and clear vocals are emphasised respectively, with the true colours the games originally intend to display. These carefully calibrated settings are also applicable in models such as TK700STi and TK700 in the TK Series as well as TH Series, complementing a full projector lineup that’s dedicated to gaming.

Styled in dynamic design to complement any gamer’s décor and setup flexibility of 1.3x zoom, 2D keystone, and advanced AV connectivity, X3000i’s 4LED light source provides over 30,000 hours or 10+ years of vibrant colours and gorgeous gaming quality without lamp replacement cost. Console gamers who play for hours on can carefully explore the storyline and show the world who they aspire to be with no hassle.

X3000i is available now.

The post BenQ Unlocks World’s First 4LED 4K HDR Gaming Projector appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The Predator X32 gaming monitor earns a CES Innovation Award

Acer at CES 2022 unveiled its refreshed Predator Orion 5000 series gaming desktops, designed for gamers who require supreme performance and the ability to upgrade down the road.

Also unveiled today are the new mid-range Predator Orion 3000 series gaming desktops, an OLED Predator monitor, and an additional pair of IPS monitors that combine VESA DisplayHDR 1000-level visuals with high refresh rates.

Acer also announced that the Predator X32 earned a CES Innovation Award in the “Computer Peripherals & Accessories” category.

Predator Orion 5000

The Predator Orion 5000 combines up to the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor (on an Intel H670 chipset) with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU in order to deliver high frame rates and incredible gaming experiences, even in the most graphically-demanding games.

Alongside Windows 11, 64GB of 4,000MHz DDR5RAM and up to 2 TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs, ARGB-infused Predator FrostBlade 2.0 fans support these powerful internals, keeping the system cool. This generation of fans utilize a static pressure design to optimize airflow, while sealed rifle bearings and a new arc-shaped design along the ends of the fans’ fins reduce vibration and noise.

Housed within an obsidian-hued chassis made of darkened glass and metal mesh, all this bleeding-edge hardware and ARGB flair show through a transparent side panel, the panel is also EMI-compliant, serving to protect users and their peripherals from potential electromagnetic interference.

DIY enthusiasts will appreciate the chassis’ tool-less design that allows for easy access to the computer’s internals, such as to upgrade the CPUs’ air cooler to up to a 240 mm liquid cooler and also its flexible configuration options that maximize future upgradability.

Latency-reducing features include Killer E3100G 2.5G Ethernet Controller and Intel Wi-Fi 6E for more reliable internet, while DTS:X Ultra allows gamers to turn any pair of headphones or speakers into a high-end 360-degreesound system.

Four USB ports (3x Type-A and 1x Type-C) and audio-jacks conveniently positioned on top of the chassis allow for ease of access, while several more on the back of the tower keep infrequently-moved cables out of sight.

Predator Orion 3000

With up to a 12thGen Intel Core i7 processor (on an Intel B660 chipset)and up to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, the Predator Orion 3000series is designed for gamers seeking the best experience that a mid-tower rig can deliver: gamers who want to max settings in their favorite titles and dive into streaming or video editing with little to no impact on performance.

Up to 64GB of 3,200MHz DDR4 memory and 2TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage tops the hardware off to increase responsiveness and load times, all supporting lightning-fast gaming action. Just in case 2 TB of SSD storage isn’t quite enough, 6 TB of SATA3 HDD storage is also included.

The Predator Orion 3000 Series features the same attractive design as the Orion 5000, wreathed in darkened glass, plastic, metal and mesh, with an optional transparent EMI-compliant side panel.

Three 92x92mm Predator FrostBlade 2.0 fans optimize airflow and cool the internals.

Additionally, the hub of the front and rear fans has RGB LEDs built directly on to them, the lighting of which can be controlled via the Predator Sense software.

An Intel Killer E2600 Ethernet controller, Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (Gig+) and Control Center 2.0 provide players with all the tools necessary to clear out online competition, while DTS:X Ultra lets them experience their favorite movies, music and games with real-world spatial sound.

The Predator Orion 3000 comes with Windows 11out of the box.

Predator X32 & X32FP Gaming Monitors

The new Predator X32 and X32FP gaming monitors have been carefully engineered to balance the performance gamers expect with the visual brilliance creators need.

Featuring 160 Hz and 165 Hz (overclocked) refresh rates, respectfully, both of these UHD (3,840×2,160) 32-inch monitors also boast VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certifications, IPS panels that support 576-zone miniLED local dimming, Delta E<2 color accuracy and 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB color gamut.

As a result, they deliver stunningly clear and fluid visuals that are essential for tracking objects as they zip across the screen.

The Predator X32 leverages the exceptional performance of NVIDIA G-SYNC ULTIMATE to deliver lifelike HDR and ultra-low latency, resulting in a better gaming experience.

Players of competitive multiplayer games will appreciate NVIDIA Reflex, a suite of GPU, G-SYNC, and software technologies that measure and reduce system latency (a.k.a click-to-display latency) in online games, ultimately helping players to acquire targets faster, react quicker, and increase aim precision.

Additionally, this monitor earned a CES Innovation Award.

The Predator X32 FP comes with an HDMI 2.1 port, meaning that players can enjoy 4K gaming not only on PC but also on console.

With a 165 Hz (overclock) refresh rate and a 1ms response time, it’s the fastest 4K monitor currently available.

AMD FreeSync Premium Protechnology further enhances the gameplay experience, supporting HDR capabilities and delivering buttery smooth visuals and low latency even during graphically-intensive scenes. A USB Type-C port is also available, offering 90W of power delivery.

Predator CG48 Gaming Monitor

Big enough to be a TV replacement, the Predator CG48 gaming monitor offers players 48 inches of pure 4K glory, even at refresh rates of 138 Hz.

HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 mean that players can enjoy a next-level gaming experience even on consoles, while four USB 3.2 ports and a USB Type-C port offer more than enough room to host any extra peripherals desired.

From there, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology and up to a0.1ms response time (G-to-G) allow for some of the fastest 4K gaming possible.

Each AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology display is designed to ensure a smooth, variable refresh rate (VRR) gaming experience that minimizes tearing, stuttering, artifacts and flicker.

The Predator CG48’s OLED display leverages a 135K:1 contrast ratio, HDR10 and 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut in order to offer one of the most stunning visual experiences currently possible. OLED monitors are capable of turning off individual pixels, allowing for true blacks to be replicated.

They also do not require backlighting, increasing the overall efficiency of the monitors.

Local availability and pricing for the Predator Orion 5000 gaming desktops, the Predator Orion 3000 gaming desktops, the Predator X32 gaming monitor, the Predator X32 FP gaming monitor, the Predator CG48gaming monitor are still to be announced.

The post Acer Boosts Gaming w. New Predator Desktops & Monitors appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Acer announced refreshes across its lines of Predator and Nitro gaming laptops, starting off the year with new models of the Predator Triton 500 SE, Predator Helios 300 and Acer Nitro 5.

All of the laptops feature the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop GPUs, while the Acer Nitro 5 also includes AMD Ryzen 6000 Series process or options.

They also come with one month of Xbox Game Pass, giving gamers day-one access to popular titles and the ability to play with friends, whether they’re on PC or console.

“Our most popular gaming laptops have been updated with the latest silicon announced at CES,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Combine that with state-of-the-art cooling technology and high-refresh rate displays and you get exciting laptops that even the most demanding of players will love.”

“With a new performance hybrid architecture in addition to industry leading I/O, memory and connectivity support, 12th Gen Intel Core H-series processors deliver the blazing fast performance and platform capabilities that today’s gamers demand,” said Jerry Tsao, VP of Enthusiast Laptops at Intel. “The new Acer lineup of gaming notebooks with 12th Gen Intel Core feature incredible designs that gamers of all levels will be excited to play on.“

Predator Triton 500 SE

The Predator Triton 500 SE (PT516-52s) is a “special edition” laptop for gaming and work.

On the inside, up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and 32GB of 5200MHz LPDDR5 memory dish out the extreme performance necessary for the latest games.

On the outside, its all-metal  spartan-styled aesthetics let it blend perfectly into the work place or lecture hall. Just 19.9 mm (0.75 in) at its thinnest point, the laptop can go wherever users do, while up to 2TB of high-speed PCIe Gen4 storage offers plenty of space for games and files.

Backing up this powerful hardware is state-of-the-art cooling technology.

The laptop utilizes a triple-fan system, including two 5thGen AeroBlade 3D fans with 89 metal blades each. Acer’s Vortex Flow technology redirects the airflow those fans generate to critical components, while strategically-placed thermal foam, liquid-metal thermal grease on the CPU, and four heat pipes further improve cooling.

Performance boost aside, this means that users won’t be feeling the heat while making the most of the long battery life granted by the laptop’s large 99.98Wh battery.

Content looks great on the Triton 500 SE’s 16-inch PolarBlack display. Gamers will appreciate the industry-leading WQXGA (2560×1600) panel’s 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, topped off with support from the frame-syncing power of NVIDIA G-SYNC technology.

Content creators will appreciate 500 nits of brightness,100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, and a productivity-boosting 16:10 aspect ratio, plus an SD7.0 card reader for offloading content. The laptop runs Windows 11 out of the box and also features a full range of USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports with support for DisplayPort and power delivery, while an HDMI 2.1 port makes 4K@120Hz possible by allowing users to plug into an external display.

Topping everything off, an Intel Killer E3100G 2.5G Ethernet Controller, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675i and Control Center 2.0 empower users with blazing fast connectivity.

Predator Helios 300

The Predator Helios 300 (PH315-55) is a powerful gaming laptop equipped with a host of top-tier hardware.
Up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, 32GB of DDR5-4800 MHz memory and a terabyte of PCIe Gen4 SSD RAID 0 storage.

This hardware muscle powers up to a15.6-inchQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate and with a revamped, cleaner chassis, the outside of the laptop looks great, too.

A thin light bar below the palm rest (configurable via PredatorSense) lets the device retain its gamer aesthetic in a slightly more subtle fashion.

A dual-fan layout that includes one 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan helps the keep the system running cool, further supported by liquid metal thermal grease and Acer’s CoolBoost technology.

A single press of the built-in PredatorSense button offers users control over the fan speed via four preset operating modes, while a single press of the built-in Turbo key instantly maxes out these settings for improved gaming performance. Upping the cool factor, the laptop’s mini-LED backlit keyboard features per-key RGB.

Running Windows 11, the laptop comes with Killer DoubleShot Pro (E2600+1675i) and WiFi 6E connectivity in addition toa healthy range of ports, including an HDMI 2.1 for connecting to external monitors or consoles, a Thunderbolt Type-C port, and two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, one of which allows users to charge a mobile device even if the laptop is turned off.

A 17.3-inch model (PH317-56) with an IPS panel (QHD 165Hzor FHD 144Hz) is also available.

Acer Nitro 5

The Acer Nitro 5 is a gaming laptop that gives players everything they need to explore and enjoy the latest titles, featuring up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 (AN515-58) and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU.

A pair of M.2 SSD slots (PCIe Gen 4) offer massive storage, while up to 32 GB of DDR4 3200 RAM offers players plenty of breathing room to handle multiple applications at once. Combined with a QHD 165Hz panel that has a 3ms response time, the Nitro 5 delivers pleasantly fluid gameplay.

For further control, Killer Ethernet E2600 and Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650i lets players make their network prioritize game traffic for even faster connectivity when every second counts.

The Acer Nitro 5 can also be equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen6000 Series processor (AN515-46)and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, plus up to 32 GB of the latest-generation DDR5 4800 MHz RAM.

This generation of the Nitro 5 comes with two options, an FHD 144Hz panel or a 165Hz QHD Panel, both taking advantage of AMD FreeSync technology to offer smooth gameplay without screen tearing.

Storage-wise, the AMD processor-powered Nitro 5 features two M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD slots (PCIe Gen4 x1, PCIe Gen3 x1).

It also comes with Windows 11 and a redesigned chassis that features dual-fan cooling, an intake on both the chassis’ top and bottom, and four exhaust ports. Users needing more or less cooling power can control fan speeds with the NitroSense utility app, a built-in software solution that also enables users to overclock their CPU / GPU and customize the 4-zone RGB keyboard’s lighting.

Completing the gameplay experience, DTS:X Ultra audio deepens their immersion by delivering clear sounds that can be delivered in a 3D spatial soundscape. This technology also translates into a competitive edge, enabling players to hear exactly where an opponent is coming from.

Users wanting to play with headphones and other peripherals will enjoy the Nitro 5’s full range of ports, including HDMI 2.1 and support for both USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2.

The Intel-powered model also includes a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port. The AMD-powered model includes USB 4.

A pair of 17.3-inch models with an IPS panel (QHD / FHD 165 Hz, FHD 144 Hz) are also available.

Local availability and pricing for the Predator Triton 500 SE, the 15.6-inch Predator Helios 300, the 17.3-inch Predator Helios 300, the Acer Nitro 5 (Intel processor, 15.6-inch), the Acer Nitro 5 (AMD processor, 15.6-inch), the Acer Nitro 5 (Intel processor, 17.3-inch), the Acer Nitro 5 (AMD processor, 17.3-inch) are still to be announced.

The post Acer Launches New Gaming Laptops appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

When you take your gaming seriously, performance matters and seeing and hearing everything with pinpoint precision can prove decisive.

When you compete at this level, you need a gaming headset that’s just as focused on your needs: Introducing the new GSP 600 from audio specialist Sennheiser. Building on the
success of the GAME ZERO, acclaimed as the ultimate closed gaming headset, the new GSP 600 improves on its predecessor with even better audio performance, improved microphone performance, as well as increased comfort and durability. No matter how long the gaming session and no matter how intense the action gets, the GSP 600 lets you keep cool and in control. It features a range of ergonomic enhancements that include an all-new ear pad design, an innovative adjustable headband to customize contact pressure, new materials and an advanced hinge system for a better fit.

The new GSP 600 delivers a truly excellent sound performance that shatters expectations of what a gaming headset can do: It features a new and improved speaker system designed and manufactured by Sennheiser, with improved aluminum voice coil speakers that ensure an exceptional audio experience with an increased sub-bass range that powerfully adds impact to games and movies. This warm deep bass never overpowers the well-controlled mid-range and finely detailed high frequencies, for incredible fidelity and realism that lets you hear every detail and react faster.

With its advanced, broadcast quality microphone, the GSP 600 provides high-end noise cancellation that ensures crystal clear gaming communication. Controlling game audio is fast and intuitive: The mic can be quickly muted by lifting the boom arm, while a volume control wheel integrated into the ear cup offers brilliant convenience.

Featuring a new, more ergonomically shaped and ultra-deep memory foam pad design, the GSP 600 mirrors the contours of the ear for improved noise insulation and wearing comfort. This new design shields the user more effectively from external noise and prevents sound from escaping between the ear pad and the face to preserve the intensity of bass frequencies. The ear pads also help you keep your cool with a luxurious combination of materials for both style and comfort: While leatherette is used around the edges of the ear pad, a cooler feeling suede- like material is used around the ear that won’t stick to the skin – even in the heat of the action.

The GSP 600 also introduces an advanced solid metal hinge system that gives even more freedom of movement and also increases the durability for which Sennheiser products are renowned. This innovative mechanism improves the fit by catering to a wider range of face shapes – pivoting smoothly to conform just as well to narrow or broad jawlines. To adapt to different head sizes, Sennheiser has introduced an innovative Adjustable Contact Pressure feature to the headband that can be customized according to each user’s preference to ensure the headset feels perfectly snug and secure without ever feeling too tight.

“In the creation of the GSP 600, we took our very best closed gaming headset and made it even better,” explained Andreas Jessen, Head of Product Management Gaming, Sennheiser Communications A/S. “The GAME ZERO broke new ground by building a high quality audio headset that was created entirely around the needs of gamers. With its successor, the GSP 600, we have stayed true to this ethos with a headset that even more perfectly matches the needs of each individual gamer – with an exceptionally comfortable fit that can be tailored to each person, so they can truly become one with the game.”

The GSP 600 is multi-platform compatible for gaming with PC, Mac as well as consoles featuring a 3.5mm jack input. Use with lower-powered mobile devices is improved thanks to reduced impedance acoustic system that makes it easier to game on the go.

The GSP 600 is available from the end of January 2018.

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