Categories
Mostly Everything

Datablitz, X-Play issue more conflicting statements regarding the CIDG raid. Who is correct?

Previously…

1. Statement of XPLAY regarding the Datablitz raid
2. Datablitz responds to the raid
—————
Hello again. Yesterday, representatives of XPLAY held an intimate round table dinner to some of the media to further explain the recent raid of Datablitz. I was not there at the dinner as it was scheduled rather last minute. I did ask their PR rep to send over a statement of what was discussed during that dinner.

Today, Datablitz also issued an additional statement clarifying some details regarding the claim of selling “unauthorized copies” of NBA 2k13 games.

I will post both responses.

To be honest, what is disturbing to me is how the police force of the CIDG determined that these goods were “pirated” as it is common knowledge to note that this truly isn’t the case especially when it comes to obtaining sealed boxes of serial keys.

As a frequent Datablitz customer I know for a fact that they have never carried “pirated” software. So often have I been browsing their shelves when oblivious parents would come in and ask whether they have pirated versions of their games OR jail broken / modified versions of the XBOX 360 or the Nintendo Wii. With the value-added features that original games can offer today (such as online play) it would be absurd for Datablitz to even want to carry pirated goods.

Categories
Geek

Steam announces Big Picture, turns your TV into a gaming hub, web browser

The living room has always been a no-brainer venue for tech companies to expand their entertainment platforms, especially for the big three. Microsoft has the XBOX 360 which is also being marketed as a media center. Sony has its PS3 that shipped with Blu-ray capabilities. Of course Apple has the Apple TV. But then there’s Steam, that darling gaming platform founded by Gabe Newell of Valve that changed gaming paradigm permanently — more affordable games made available without the need of physical disks.

Now Steam is invading the living room with Big Picture, a hybrid version of the Steam app that allows you to amplify your gaming experience with your computer + a HDMI cable. ‘Big Picture’ mode gives you full access to Steam, a new web browser (quote: “a web browser on your TV that doesn’t suck), your mouse + keyboard and your gaming controller. No need to buy additional harware. It basically converts your flat screen LED TV into a Smart TV.

Big Picture comes as a welcome surprise as the rumor mill was churning out information that Gabe was in the process of developing a gaming box (aka ‘Steam Box’) which was basically a computer dedicated to gaming which you could hook up to your TV. Big Picture is probably the precursor to this. SIGN UP NOW.

To opt into the beta, go to the Steam menu and select settings. From this screen, you can click the change button under the Beta participation heading and select the “Steam Beta Update.” Once you’ve committed your selection, Steam will prompt you to restart the application. Once it’s back up and running, you’ll find a BIG PICTURE button near the upper right-hand corner of Steam’s main window. Click this, or if you have a game controller up and running, press its center button to enter Big Picture mode.

Exciting times!

Big Picture System Requirements

OS Windows Vista, 7, or 8. OS X support coming soon.

Memory 1 GB RAM

Processor 3.0 Ghz P4, Dual Core 2.0 (or higher) or AMD64X2 (or higher)

Video card Required / at least 256MB memory and DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 2.0b, Recommended / 512MB+ memory and DirectX 10-compatible

Disk space 1 GB recommended

Internet connection Broadband recommended

Controller Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, Xbox 360 Wired Controller, or Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710 recommended. Keyboard and mouse also supported.

Coming soon for Mac

Categories
Mostly Everything

Steam Summer PC Games Sale is HERE! Crazy Percent off on almost everything

From July 12 to July 22 (US time), our favorite digital downloads store for PC games is holding another epic sale. Daily deals and user-voted deals are some of the best in the planet. You’ll probably come home with several good titles for a measly budget of USD $20.00.

Today for instance, we have Portal 2 going for USD $4.99 (that’s about the price of a bootleg copy) and Saints Row the Third for USD $12.46 — cheaper than the retail box in Datablitz.

Anyway, head on over and check their site daily for great PC gaming deals. That’s http://store.steampowered.com. Create an account if you still don’t have one. Completely free and you own the games forever.

Categories
Mostly Everything

DoTA 2 soon for beta download via Steam; International DoTA tournament starts today!

EDIT: Changed title for clarity

It’s a crazy week with the DoTA 2 International Tournament kicking off in Germany. For those who don’t know, the Philippines has team Mineski.Infinity representing us for a pot prize of USD million. Their first match will be at 10:00AM GMT+2 against Team SGC of the Czech Republic. Full schedule here.

Also, DoTA 2 is now open for limited beta testing under the Steam service of Valve. You will need to express interest by logging in to the service. If you don’t have a Steam account you can sign up for one here.

Please pass the word. Our local team needs your full support. In the same way that we’ve shown support for the Azkals, the Dragon Boat team, and SMART Gilas, there’s no reason why we should not support our budding eSports DoTA team! You can watch the games live via streaming through this page.

Categories
Mostly Everything

Street Fighter IV on Steam *faints*

street-fighter-iv

Exclusive to the PC version of the game, three visual shaders based on the “artistic” trailers give a new look to the gameplay: Watercolor, Poster, and Sumi-E ink styles

Coming in July 2009.