Xbox One controllers now work with your PC

Now we just need the wireless adapter so we don't need cables!

Summery: The drivers will be baked into a Windows update shortly.

If you can't wait, go here: http://majornelson.com/2014/06/05/pc-drivers-for-the-xbox-one-controller-available-now/

I've tidied up my awesome freeware page!

I've tagged the suggestions with their OS specific platforms and actually proof read it so it should make a bit more sense thing time around.

http://blog.alpagot.net/p/awesome-freeware.html

Not what you expect to hear at the start of a new consoles lifespan, usually midway or at the end when PC graphics are performing a fair bit better with some stand out titles. Then again Microsoft have always struggled with PC gaming and pushing the limits of game developers in fear of cut out large chunks of their market who wouldn't be able to run the games at full spec (and thus feel disadvantaged).

Also they don't have any massive PC only games like others such as Blizzard, Value, etc 

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-it-has-renewed-focus-on-pc-gaming-details-coming-this-summer

One Note for Mac and standalone for PC.

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-rumored-to-have-plans-for-free-onenote-for-mac-and-desktop-windows

F1 2013 comes to a close.

Vettel has blown everyone away this season but with the change to V6 turbos next season down from V8's it could be a very different challenge for all teams next year. 

MARUSSIA has had a winfall from not coming last financially. McLaren won't be happy with with Lotus coming ahead of them and have an interesting season ahead with them changing to Honda in 2015.

Well i'm going to continue my F1 antics with the brilliant F1 2013 game + the PC XBox receiver and XBox wireless wheel. 

BioShock Infinite + Columbia’s Finest DLC PC - £7.50

BioShock Infinite + Columbia’s Finest DLC PC - £7.50

Apply code 9to5Mac @ checkout. 

Want a very expensive custom desk with 2x PC enclosure support

Look no further:

Costs about £1350 for Europe.. 

http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2013/08/12/pre-order-your-red-harbinger-cross-pc-desk/1

Former Valve business head now at Microsoft to lead PC gaming division

 Lets hope he gets the support he needs. Microsoft have never really been good at pushing the PC as a serious gaming platform (apart from all their work on DirectX). Its weird as this is where some of the biggests RTS's and MMO's are and generally the platform pushes graphics forwards in the later years of the console markets life-cycles.

http://www.neowin.net/news/former-valve-business-head-now-at-microsoft-to-lead-pc-gaming-division

In Theory: Can Xbox One multi-platform games compete with PlayStation 4?

 Good article. PS4 comes out on top but i'm starting to sway back to the Xbox One with all the expected U-turns.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-can-xbox-one-multi-platform-games-compete-with-ps4

Xbox One controller to get PC support

Good to see they are making an effort with the PC support. Its a good platform in the later years of a control cycle for testing new graphics APIs and a fair amount of PC gamers are starting to use controllers with the likes of SteamPlay.

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-xbox-one-controller-will-work-on-pcs--in-2014

F1 2013 game gets new ‘Hungaroring’ trailer, October 4 release date

I haven't actually played the F1 games yet (although I love watching PC). Keep telling myself it would be pointless without a wheel. Any recommendations?! Logitech seem expensive these days for wheels!

It's a shame theres no Mac version as well!

My first proper mod. Shuttle 120mm fan.

So I've began modding a 120mm fan into the top of my Shuttle XPC. The hole is a bit rough as it was trickier and louder than I expected with a Dremel, but with a metal file it shouldn't take too long to sort out. Trying to find some U-channel rubber for the edging in the UK is a pain also! I also have a minimal black circular grill to allow maximum air flow and hopefully avoid anything falling into the fan. 

The only down side to this mod is I lose a hard drive bay in the top of the shuttle. With three in there its not a massive loss, especially since I got a HP mini server for use as a NAS.

Next I have a 80mm side fan to do. That is going to make getting the case on and off a bit tricky though as its tight for space inside. I really need an in-take fan though as I have a lot of exhaust fans. 

Game music redone.

Found this through a Razer promotion. Some of their videos are really good so I thought i'd share!

Guild Wars 2:


Morrowind & Skyrim:

SimCity 2013 - Impressions

I've been waiting for this game for ages! Even happy to look past all the faults (of which there are a fair few). I've put in 15+ hours and enjoyed all of it. I am however starting to see where the regional limitations are. It's a great idea in theory, having regional cities provide to each other but I can see how this matrix of interconnected cities could soon get out of hand. 

Sadly this is what I think they have 'fixed' in order to keep the service going. Kinda of annoying when you gear one city up to provide the others with water supply (It had a river so the water table wouldn't keep going dry) or when your mega police / fire station doesn't send units its volunteered to the neighbouring cities.  Still as a single city game it does work well with a constant challenge. I keep wanted to go back for more so it's still got that old SimCity feel! 

Here are some pics: 

https://help.ea.com/article/simcity-patch-notes

Steam sale!

Its that time again!

I've picked up some great cheap games as well as some Mac compatible games! I'm not going to list prices as they are constantly changing but be sure to keep an eye out. I don't even think i've spent over £30 yet!

http://store.steampowered.com

Games i've bought for Mac:
FTL: Faster than light
Counter Strike: Global Offensive
Civ 5 (Deluxe)
Avseq
Legend of Grimlock
RollerCoast Tycoon 3: Platinum edition
Limbo

Games for Windows:
Sniper: Ghost Warrior (It was like £1.75, don't judge me..)
Sim city 4 deluxe

If i didn't already own ARMA:CO I would have got that as well as it has an awesome mod call Day Z that i'm yet to try but have read some hilarious articles on.

Graphics upgrade?

OK so I have some fairly hefty constraints on what I can upgrade my ageing Shuttle PC with.

First and foremost is power constraints with only a 450W PSU in the case ...
Then comes dimensions...With a precarious motherboard power connected in the lower left. I barely got my GTX 275 in there!

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-275,2266-14.html

http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/graphics_cards_buy_now_uk.html

I'm thinking this Zotac will fit the bill in terms of size and power draw.

http://www.ebuyer.com/393783-zotac-gtx-660-ti-2gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-displayport-pci-e-graphics-zt-60801-10p

Can you guess the top 10 UK games brands from 1996 to 2012?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-07-30-can-you-guess-the-top-10-uk-games-brands-from-1996-to-2012

Bit-Tech : Custom PC project - D33P Thought by A Souter

These sort of projects were the reason I started visiting Bit-Tech over 6+ years ago. Totally geeky, over the top but at the same time pretty damn cool and unique. I wish I could justify a new PC build at the moment!


D33P Thought by A Souter

Skyrim gets mounted combat in new update

 • News • Eurogamer.net http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-24-skyrim-gets-mounted-combat-in-new-update

Raspberry Pi PC passes CE tests; still no ship date

Neowin with the article: here

Direct link to article : http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/978