As one might imagine, amidst the volatile disparity of towering wealth and profound, desperate poverty in São Paulo, this new job turns out to be not quite as cushy as hoped…

In addition to all of the intense technical development and meticulous game design being poured into Max Payne 3 to create an advanced and cutting-edge action-shooter gameplay experience – as always, painstaking effort has also been made by our development teams and internal Rockstar Research department to ensure that the vibe and presentation of São Paulo – touchstones like Paulistano culture, police, weaponry and other elements that will not only contribute to the game’s single-player narrative, but also the single and multiplayer environments and characters – are as authentic as possible.

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be offering a glimpse into just some of the behind-the-scenes research and production design done over the course of Max Payne 3′s development, from information and asset-gathering trips down to São Paulo, to local casting for pedestrian types in all the game’s levels, to extensive study of municipal law-enforcement wings, weaponry and much more.

(Left: São Paulo’s own ‘elite squad’ of special forces, the GATE [Grupo de Acões Táticas Especiais] in action. [Photo via Wikimedia Commons]; Right: One of Max Payne 3′s fictionalized special force commandos from the UFE [Unidade de Forças Especiais].)

Fighting against the criminals, thugs and kidnappers in Max Payne 3’s São Paulo are the Unidade de Forças Especiais (UFE), a fictional special forces police unit much like similar counterparts featured in the documentaries Favela Rising and Bus 174, and feature films like Carandiru, Elite Squad (Tropa de Elite) and its wildly successful sequel Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (Tropa de Elite 2). Real-life Brazilian teams include the GATE (Grupo de Ações Táticas Especiais, or Special Actions and Tactics), GARRA (Grupo Armado de Repressão a Roubos e Assaltos, or Robbery and Assault Repression) and GOE (Grupamento de Operações Especiais, or Special Operations Group) teams in São Paulo, and the feared BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais) squad of Rio de Janeiro. Great care was taken to obtain research on the uniforms, equipment and weaponry favored by these Brazilian police—including domestically-manufactured assault rifles and a wide array of exotic firepower imported from the US, Germany, Italy and other gun-manufacturing countries.

Facing off against the city’s elite police squads are well-armed and highly organized gangs who rule São Paulo’s favelas. Even though Brazil has very strict laws on civilian gun ownership, the gangs benefit from a stream of illegal weapons traffic flowing across the country’s massive, almost unpoliceable shared borders with ten other South American countries. With access facilitated to some of the most powerful assault rifles dirty money can buy, the favela gangs boast intimidating firepower to wage war against rival drug gangs, special police forces, or anyone else brave or foolhardy enough to provoke them.

(Left: Rockstar developers tour the favelas of São Paulo to gather level design inspiration; Right: Max Payne descends into the game world’s re-creation.)

Gathering assets to help accurately inform and create faithful game level environments set in São Paulo, Rockstar game developers and designers took several trips to the area to extensively document everything from the glamour and exclusivity of posh spots like Avenida Morumbi, Avenida Paulista and the Jardins district, to harsh high-crime locales like Favela Japiaçu (Favela do Nove) and the infamous Edificio São Vito (aka Treme Treme or the Vertical Favela). Thousands of pictures were taken for mood and texture, local fashions and outfits were scanned for reference, and a diverse array of Paulistanos from all walks of life — from bossa nova singers to jujitsu champions to favela gang members — were consulted and interviewed to provide thorough background on the dazzling and dangerous world in which the game is set.

Look for this continuing series on the research behind Max Payne 3 in the weeks and months leading up to the game’s release including a look at the casting of São Paulo’s residents, what inspired some of the unique levels you’ll find yourself shooting your way out of and much more…

Related posts:

1. New Max Payne 3 screenshots emerge
2. Max Payne 3 – first trailer!
3. New Max Payne 3 screenshots arrive

I would just like to say that I’ve not been too well these last few weeks and I had intended to write about something else but medication (both prescription and self) rendered my skills……….below par. I couldn’t articulate myself properly and, if I’m honest, wasn’t really in the mood. It’s all good though so January will see the return of the rant but right now I’m in an altogether different mood.

Ahhh, Christmas. I love Christmas. Not the horrible, cynical monetisation of it by the global retail sector. No, nobody loves that side of it unless they have problems upstairs. I’m talking about the soft, dreamlike quality that the sights and sounds elicit. Tastes and smells that trigger strong childhood memories of excitement and wonder. Rubber and pine anyone? Maybe that one’s just me but I’m really talking about the atmosphere of Christmas. I loved it as a child and because of that I still love it as an adult. I have many fond memories and a handful involve video games, which is good if you were starting to wonder about relevance. I grew up in a town called Lewes and it was a town that did Christmas very well indeed, in the old times, classical sense, compared to where I live right now…….which doesn’t (Brighton is about as festive as watching a loved one flat line). The annual late night shopping was a proper event that would bleed mulled wine if you could cut it. Lewes also had the Rotary Club Santa (a charity event) that spent most of December visiting various areas of the town. It would always visit my area on the 18^th or 19^th and this would be the true beginning of Christmas for me: The seven day build-up. It is, at the time of writing, the 18^th. Seven days to go then and I’m writing this in a dark room lit by the twinkling of my rather shaggy-looking fibre-optic tree. It’s nice, it feels retro………and I’m getting misty. I have one or two memories from the Eighties involving games (I remember spending most of one Christmas Day trying to complete Double Dragon on the Master System……..and failing), when I was still pretty young, but the strongest ones come from the Nineties when I was a teenager and I was absolutely and totally in love with games. This was the Golden Era as far as I’m concerned and nearly all my fondest memories of gaming come from this decade.

1990: Early November had seen me part with my beloved Master System in favour of the Mega Drive. I got it for my birthday with Altered Beast free and a copy of Revenge of Shinobi. I thought it was the best thing ever and was after a game for Christmas. When my dad asked it was a total no-brainer; Castle of Illusion. I’d read the review in Mean Machines and was chomping at the bit to play it. I remember staring at that review for hours on Christmas Eve, I literally couldn’t wait. I think I must have at least entertained the idea of breaching the unwritten festive contract and stealing it from under the tree during the night. I didn’t but I was desperate. The game came out a few weeks before so a couple of friends already had it so I had that shit to contend with during the build up too, and for the life of me I can’t remember anything else I got that year but Mickey Mouse was all consuming. So, the morning came and I was up early, too early. I had to wait and wait until the others were ready to open stuff. Finally the time came and the rest of the day is a bit of a blur to be honest but I do remember this: The game was absolutely brilliant and I played it all day (except for the eating parts). To this day whenever I hear the level one soundtrack I get a flood of festive memories and a big smile. It’s still the tune I whistle when I’m in a good mood……which is a little weird but it’s an automatic response. If you’re reading this and you’ve never played it then make it happen, it’s the perfect time of year for it. Trust me.

1992: On a particularly rainy Saturday in December a shopping trip resulted in the purchase of my most sought after game of the year: Contra 3: The Alien Wars. Released in late November in the U.K Contra suffered a bizarre name change to Super Probotector, which sounds like a kinky, mech-themed Japanese dildo. Still, I had it and before I got home and it vanished into the gift cupboard for two weeks I got a glimpse of the box, the screenshots taunting me through the sheen of the shrink-wrap. It was going to be awesome. Sadly, I got the sickness that year and spent most of Christmas day feeling like warm turds, sweating under a duvet. My memory of this is getting out of bed later in the evening and forcing myself to play it in spite of the feverish haze…….but I can’t be too sure if that actually happened. What I do remember is feeling better on Boxing Day and getting up early to play it and it was indeed awesome. So awesome that I called my friend and got him over in the afternoon and we spent many hours playing and having a great time. But it’s the anticipation that counts. A game that I had spent months lusting after, talking about, reading about, to get it for Christmas really was the icing on the cake and why I have such fond, vivid memories of playing it. Guess what I spent New Year’s Eve doing? That’s right, I was a total nerd.

1996: I saved the best for last, although I will admit that I was 20 years old and my childhood was over but………still young. Anyway, by now I had a Saturn and was smitten. What a great machine but truly great games had been a bit thin on the ground. I already had the brilliant Nights into Dreams but decided to treat myself to a game a couple of weeks before Christmas, Daytona USA I believe. That game was okay but it came with a free game: Christmas Nights, which was a two level demo of Nights but with a Christmas theme. If memory serves correct it also reacted to the internal clock inside the console and became Winter Nights in January. Absolutely everything that I loved about Christmas was fully embodied in this game; the music (a version of Jingle Bells I believe), the visuals, the cold feeling, all supremely atmospheric and festive. I don’t believe that there has ever been a game that has captured the essence of Christmas quite like this did and, given today’s technology, that’s a bit weak. If you have a Saturn that still works and you have this disc then I urge you to dig it out now and play it again, at night…..with the Christmas lights on. If you’re feeling a bit Scrooge right now then I promise it will help. If you still have a Saturn and you don’t have this game, there’s still time and e-bay. If you doubt my words then have a look at a YouTube video of the game and then see if you still feel the same. It’s all I’ve got these days. I spent that Christmas Eve playing this until the early hours with a big grin on my face, but that might have had something to do with the amount of mulled wine and other assorted booze that had gone down my neck that night too. It is one of my fondest festive memories……and it’s because of a video game. If anyone reading this has a spare copy that they would like to donate to me ( and a working Saturn that they would like to sell to me) then get your people to call my people, it would make my Christmas.

Now, the Diazepam is starting to kick in and my misty eyes are moving towards bleary, but before I stop and have a play on Castle of Illusion I would like to make a suggestion. I don’t have any kids, I don’t plan on having any kids either but I imagine that Christmas can be more special to those of you older gamers that do because you can help create great memories for your kids, like the ones you might have. So, if the young ‘un is restless on Christmas Eve and can’t wait until morning maybe blow the dust off the old Mega Drive/NES/PSone and share with them a festive gaming memory from your childhood, tell them the story behind it. I know that games have changed a lot since my childhood and the advances in technology have replaced much of the childlike wonder and imagination with high definition realism, and the kid will probably have forgotten all about it by the time morning has broken, but I bet you won’t. I guess what I’m trying to say is…….

………Merry Christmas!

Related posts:

1. Fear and Loathing in Gamesville – Playing with yourself!
2. Fear and Loathing in Gamesville – The State Of Play
3. MG’s Guide to Christmas presents – Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Maybe its due to the fact that is is animated. But the strange thing is that I don’t really like some Manga films. Now they are quite disturbing in many ways. Explicit violence and sex in cartoons. Probably because they can get away drawing it, than making it with real actors.

Maybe I need to take a look at how I see these games…Maybe I need to start buying games without killing in.. Not really many of them about. But saying that there are limits for games, and I make the choice about not buying them.

Do you know what the real problem is?

It becomes censorship. And society will always buck against censorship. We had Mary Whitehouse in the 80′s going to extremes, about anything she didn’t like. Now she is parodied and we are going the opposite way where practically anything goes.

I have major issues with the way society acts, but as an adult I can make a decision on whether or not to buy a game. Or if I do and I don’t like it. I will take it back. Same with films. I don’t watch really gory films. Don’t see the point. I like zombies, and a good psychological horror. but gore and mess for the hell of it… no thanks. Like today, in the local chippie, and 4 children about 8 years old walked in, smoking a joint. What the ……!!! I am sorry but society really needs to get a grip on its self and start sorting itself out. Other day, outside the Magistrates court 2 lads rolling a joint!. maybe I am wrong, but its still an illegal drug. Shiney, I know where you are coming from. I am a parent of 2 teenage girls.

I agree with you that things are going to extreme, and if its too bad then I won’t buy the game. But games are just one sign of the way society is heading. People accepting violence and sex everywhere. Papers, TV, Movies, Games..

Can’t stop one without the other. And if you try to stop it then it will go underground and become uncontrolled.

Remember a couple of years ago there was a game called Manhunter? Never played it, but I remember the fuss over that game?
There is also that Kinect game called Rise of Nightmares. Hand to Hand fighting. One thing using the controller, but to actually fight using your hands…

Do you categorise film makers the same? When they make a film with gratuitous violence or sex in it? Would you feel the same then? There have been some quite bad films recently and special effects make them more and more realistic all the time.

What about books? The written word can be most explicit.

I like being able to make the decision on whether or not I purchase a game, in exactly the same way I don’t stop people watching films etc.

I know where you are coming from, and agree with you. I do feel that it is just an unfortunate statement of the current state of society. But I also feel that censorship is not the way to go against games.  It will have to be the whole hog. Then you will get the back-lash.

You cant win. Its either too graphic and going too far, or it’s censorship and stopping you from playing a game/watching a film etc.

I feel that reality needs to be fixed in society first. Then gaming and other entertainment will correct its self.

No related posts.

Once, if memory serves me correctly, some wee came out and I had to go home. Proper fun times. Yes, I know that I was a child and things are different when you’re young, but fun’s fun regardless of age. It didn’t end there, for there were four more generations of consoles that catered for the two to four player fun times. In the time honoured tradition of video games most of the attempts were crap but I have equally fond memories of the likes of Micro Machines 2, Goldeneye, Bomberman and those bizarre wrestling games on the Nintendo 64 that were a travesty on your own, but the stuff of legend with three or four players. There’s nothing quite like giving your friend a dead leg if he or she beat you. Instant payback. So, I have to ask; what the fuck happened?

Yes, I got old, I’ve got shit to do and most of my friends don’t really play games anymore, but it’s not like the local multiplayer game has disappeared, they’re still around. Nintendo got my support by basing their last console on the very idea of four way fun in the same room. Mind you, they quickly lost it (the horror of Monkey Ball……..the horror). XBLA is a good place for these, thanks to the retro styling of many titles, but ninety percent of the time I have a pad in my hand it’s just me, playing with myself. It’s not just me. Excluding those who are still stubbornly partying on with the Wii (give it up folks) most gamers these days do play with many others…..from all over the world. That’s right people, the party’s over thanks to the Internet. Online gaming has been around for a while but, in my view, really took hold with the current generation of consoles and the higher broadband speeds.

Now millions of gamers all over the world get to enjoy the online gaming experience: Beat total strangers, top the world rankings, earn some random achievements, quit mid-game because you’re a tool, kick people out of the lobby you’re hosting just because you can or because they might be black….or foreign…..or better than you, and let’s not forget the freedom to highlight your staggering lack of intellect and real world experience simply by opening your mouth.

Ah yes, the wonderful, wonderful Internet. For all of its amazing uses (and there are many) it’s also a stinking, fetid cesspool. Just as Godwin’s Law (Google it) covers the inevitable outcome of most, if not all, online forum debates the online gaming community follows a similar, as yet unnamed, law: Nearly every online multiplayer game that includes eight or more players will, over a long enough time frame, end up with one player calling another player a n****r, and meaning it.

It’s true and it’s a law that needs a name. It’s bad enough just listening to some of the brain dead lunacy that exits the mouths of many online gamers but throw racism in and….well, it will ruin any party. It only takes one. If there is one thing that the internet has done for sure is help to show someone’s true colours. Just read the comments under most YouTube videos; true colours being splashed around like a Jackson Pollock. Casual xenophobia is one thing, but I’ve experienced enough aggressive racism online to last many lifetimes, and I’m a casual gamer who racks up maybe six hours a week at best. This is nothing new to most of you I’m sure, but if you haven’t really experienced it before then you’re lucky.

I can’t speak for the PC or PS3 crowd either but Xbox Live is teeming with assholes, ready and willing to put a dark cloud over a bright pastime. I know that you can unplug the headset. I know that you can mute people. I know that you can report them or kick them out of the game. I know that you can have private groups with friends and other like-minded gamers……….but you shouldn’t have to. Just because there are ways of maybe avoiding some of these people doesn’t excuse or solve the problem.

It isn’t just the racism though. There is another particular breed of player who likes to sully the experience: The serious gamer. I don’t know about you but I play games to unwind, or just to help me forget I exist for an hour or so, not to actually compete for real and then go monkeyshit when I lose. I mostly lose anyway due to a moderate skill level across most games, but it’s the taking part that’s supposed to be fun, right?

Does anyone actually care about winning or getting achievements? The kids might, but any adult that does seriously needs to grow up and get a life. Occasionally you read about some sad individual who died after several days straight playing World of Warcraft, bottles found filled with urine, empty cans of Red Bull littering the scene and a porn filled hard drive. Anyone else think that they got what they deserved? Probably not, I tend not to think like most.

Do me a favour though: If I’m found lifeless, slumped over my Xbox, pad still in one hand, limp cock in the other, blood poisoned by lack of food and too many energy drinks, please make jokes about it. I’d do the same for you. I’m not tarring every gamer with the same brush. I know that at least fifty percent of gamers are good people but it really does only take one loser to ruin a good time…….or an annoying child that won’t shut the hell up (fat kids that breath like the Alien queen doesn’t help either).

So, what can be done for gamers like me to help us get back into online gaming with strangers, the new multi-player experience? Muting? Quitting? Playing without the headset on? Defeats the point of playing doesn’t it? Maybe I can start a clan, just me and other like minded people? Shit, I’m thirty five years old, I don’t have the time. I could do what I’m guessing most other lone gamers do and that’s simply put up with all the bullshit and accept that it is the norm. Accept genuine racism, xenophobia and homophobia? Accept ignorance and stupidity? No, I’m pretty sure that’s not the right thing to do.

Blame the parents? Nope, too easy. Recently I’ve been playing Driver online and I noticed that nearly all the players, whether their mic is switched on or not, stays completely silent and gets on with playing the game and having fun. Just the occasional jovial expletive ringing out followed by some giggles. Maybe some are learning, maybe this is the way forward? Stop being part of the cesspool. It’s a little difficult to be optimistic. People are once again at the heart of the problem and it’s not going to get any better any time soon. Spend thirty minutes watching BBC News 24 and see what I mean. Particularly as, like I mentioned in my previous article, many of the mainstream retail games thematically encourage the ape inside the sapiens. I have a dream though, a dream which has all of the bad gamers switch off the headsets and play in silence while better, more secure folks get to engage in conversation and harmless trash talk. Those who are disliked online are probably equally disliked in real life so they have an obligation to do this, it is payment due the rest of us. Never going to happen though. Modern society does not know how to breed equality and fairness.

I don’t have a solution for this problem. I don’t know how to stop people from sucking major ass. As online gaming features seem to take more priority over the quality of the product these days, encouraging more spurious human beings to play online, I can see my interest in video games slipping away as the years pass, the reasons that I used to love playing with friends disappearing in the online fog of war. Once, many years ago, after a fierce Bomberman match, my friend hit me so hard in the balls it broke one of the legs on my bed. The bed collapsed and we all slid into a heap of arms and legs and wires. My balls hurt but it was damn funny, none of us could move for a whole minute because of the laughing. That wouldn’t happen playing online. The loser would just call me a “fucking gay n****r”……….and then quit. That’s not the same kind of funny. That’s not any kind of funny.

It’s a sad truth but the only kind of real fun to be had when it comes to playing video games is to play with myself, and that’s what I’ll be doing later for sure. Until next time.

Related posts:

1. Fear and Loathing in Gamesville – The State Of Play
2. Fear 3: The Ides Of March trailer

Either a game has great game play or it doesn’t, there is no middle ground. One flaw can bring everything else down with it and ruin the experience. The list of games on the current generation of consoles that suffer from this is……well….pretty much all the ones that I have wasted time on, time I can’t get back. How I wasted an hour of my life on the travesty called Dead Island I will never truly understand. The signs were bad from the opening few minutes but I gave it a chance only to be faced with a complete mess of a game. Red Dead Redemption? Everything was fine until I realised that half of the game was spent riding that fucking horse around bland landscapes (I don’t give a shit if they were authentic). Huge mistake and a total game breaker. What were they thinking?

I am old school, I happen to think that Trials HD is the best Xbox 360 game so far (a game so good that any flaw is down to the player not the game) but I was really looking forward to Bodycount, the spiritual successor to Black. Ten minutes in and I was moderately suicidal. How can something that bad, that broken be released to the public? What the fuck is going on? Pretty much every game that has been released on Wii has been beyond shit (Wii owners need to stop defending the console, it’s crap and you know it) and don’t get me started on the 3DS. The great Nintendo has well and truly jumped the shark. Small budgets increase creativity; or rather it forces creativity, from developers, much like films. This is no guarantee of success but chances are your favourite film is not a mega-budget blockbuster. If it is then please don’t breed. Creativity is alive and well on XBLA and PSN and you can try before you buy too.

EA, Activision, Rockstar and the like somehow seem to be perfectly happy with all this too: Development studios full of proper talent being wasted on yet another shit FPS or tedious driving game where you spend hours and hours going round the same tracks again and again and again…..until the end of time. These days it’s very easy to hate everything, the human race isn’t exactly doing very well, but I save my burning hatred only for that which deserves it. This point brings me nicely to one series of games that deserves nothing but pure hatred. I am of course talking about Call of Duty. No, I will not call it COD either, that’s a fucking fish. I’ll start by saying that I started with Call of Duty 3, which wasn’t very good but had an atmosphere that helped keep it interesting enough for about four hours, after that it lost it. Got on the Call of Duty 4 bandwagon a bit late but found the online experience fun with friends….for a while. The single player game had its moments too, and it wasn’t that tasteless either. Sure, it was all in pretty poor taste but it never felt realistic at all; like you were shooting silly caricatures of real-world possibilities. Reminded me of a big, loud, dumb Jerry Bruckheimer film: Fun but forgettable. Now, if you apply logic and reason to this it should only work once in the “that was fun, now what else have you got” kind of way. It’s done, move on.

However, I’m afraid that where Call of Duty is concerned, logic and reason fell off the boat and drowned, along with the gaming public’s brains. Why do I hate the Call of Duty games that have come since the fourth outing? Because they’re shit. You couldn’t defend them even if you tried your best. Sub-standard software, turds with a couple of bells and whistles on and absolutely nothing more. Let’s not forget how shockingly tasteless and frequently racist they are and how they heavily promote patriotism and nationalism, two things that have only ever done the human race harm. No, let’s put that to one side (if only to avoid the usual pathetic “it’s only a game” argument) and stay focused on the real problem: Gamers. Are you not embarrassed that these digital dangleberries are going into our record books as all time best sellers? I am. When the PS3 has two of the best games ever made re-released in HD glory and they are ignored in favour of the same shitty FIFA game yet again, well……..I blush for you all.

Says a lot about the general apathy of gamers across the world when any old shit will do, here’s my money give me that fudge cake. One steaming mud otter is never exactly the same as the last; it may look a bit different, it may smell a bit different, it may contain bits that get your attention, but it’s still shit. Only the stupid would eat it. At this point I could have a go at the online culture that Call of Duty has spawned, but that’s a whole other article, a whole other problem. It saddens me that a game like Blur would be so undersold that it shut down one of the best development teams working at the time, only for the same fuckers who didn’t buy it to populate message boards stating how angry they were with the evil publishers for doing that. YOU did that! You refused to buy a good game that had good ideas and a bright future. You didn’t take the risk. You waited for the big game, the Game With A Name. You killed it. No talk about the economic climate and money can excuse being stupid and easily led either.

Remember that Black Ops broke records at a time that the world’s economy was on its knees. The iPad anyone? Strip away the bells and whistles and it’s a flashy laptop without a keyboard. Massive seller. Oh yeah, we’re being really careful with our money right now. There are revolutions happening around the world as you read this. In these countries the people have decided that enough is enough and they will no longer take shit from those who pull the strings and claim to know what is in the people’s best interests. They are tired of the zeitgeist and they are demanding change in their masses. But guess what? It mostly involves lots of people getting killed in the process. It’s a rather pathetic but sadly true fact of the consequences of breaking down invisible barriers in the real world. The idea is that the long term result will be worth it in the end and those who fought on the right side and died will have played their part in a better future. There could be a revolution involving a section of the human race, one that will not involve any loss of life. A revolution where this group of people band together and say “No, we will not take this anymore”. They’ll demand change, insist on something better and refuse to part with their hard earned cash until their demands are met. It could happen.

Like He-Man had the power of Greyskull you have the power of common sense. If enough of you use that power we can stop Call of Duty from breaking more records and subconsciously reminding us all of how dumb we are and how willing we are to accept the mundane in exchange for money. Money is tight for many people right now, including me. I’m saving mine for Trials Evolution and Guardian Heroes. I’m joining the revolution. What the fuck are you going to do? That’s right, you’re going to buy Modern Warfare 3 aren’t you? You bunch of submissive philistines. When Activision release Call of Duty: Fuck You in the Ass, where you play yourself (thanks to the wonders of Kinect, or ‘Kinshit as I like to call it) avoiding taking one in the cornhole from evil CEO’s, don’t say you didn’t ask for it.

I’m off to play Black, won’t be seeing you online.

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A little history!

Plantronics, as a company, began in 1961 in a garage in Santa Cruz California. Two airline Pilots set out to invent an alternative to the conventional headsets of commercial aviation.  The product Courtney Graham and Keith Larkin created in that tiny garage was more than just the world’s first lightweight headset, it was the birth of  headsets that in 1968 were the choice of the astronaut Wally Schirra who used the MS-50 for the Sigma 7 space mission and in 1969 by Neil Armstrong uttering those immortal words through a set of MS-50′s “That’s one small step”.

In 1980 NASA were using Plantronics headsets in their shuttle missions so to say they know a thing or two about communications is an understatement  and are always driven by one single obsession: remove the barriers to simply smarter communications. The result?  These products are used by everyone from pilots, astronauts, and 911 emergency workers to 100% of the Fortune 100 companies.  From friends conversing across the globe, mobile professionals doing business on the road, contact centres and executive offices Plantronics is the choice for everyone united by digital technology and the human need to communicate. Serious gamers have probably dedicated some part of their home to their passion or even created a hi-tech gaming suite in one room. Often known to others only by their gaming aliases gamers they can spend an average of two hours a day gaming and often stay up late into the night. With this in mind gamers deserve quality and value for money and whilst most core gamers would lean towards brands like Turtle Beach, Tritton etc.  Plantronics has developed a range of headsets that have to now be considered as well as offering the range at price points that make them affordable to all.  Here are my findings.

GameCom X10 Lightweight Headset

Features:

• Flexible noise cancelling microphone.
• Rotating extending boom swivels to wear on either ear.
• Easily accessible inline volume and mute.
• Soft cushioned earpad and adjustable headband.
• None allergenic ear cushions

This headset is designed to provide crisp, clear communication over XBOX live and to that end it does a really efficient job. I had no problems talking to players on xbox live and they said I was as clear as a bell no cutting out no feedback and no delayed speech , nothing worse than hearing your own voice 2 seconds after speaking . There’s no foam on the end of the boom so very easy to keep clean  and the boom extends to give you that perfect position. A very good point for those who wear glasses when you adjust the head band to fit your head it doesn’t interfere with your glasses unlike the xbox equivalent so no need to adjust your glasses as well that’s one of my pet hates and is dealt with very well. The X10 has been designed in a stylish grey, green and white that is robust and feels solid.  The colour scheme also fits nicely in with the XBOX 360′s modern design which is a nice bonus. Overall the X10 is a very robust and colour coordinated designed headset that works a treat, giving clear communication and aural coherence.  Retailing at £14.99 the X10 is a great entry headset substitute for the traditional Microsoft one which is very competitively priced and great value for money.

GameCom X30 in ear gaming headset

Features:

• Lightweight comfortable in ear fit for wearing in either ear.
• Flexible noise cancelling microphone.
• Easily accessible inline volume and mute.

When  looking at the futuristic design your initial thoughts may not be very positive but and after you have had these on for some time the design starts to make perfect sense.  The headset itself actually hooks under your ear instead of over your ear so there is never a need to adjust anything to fit.  The beauty of this is that you don’t have to ram the bud into your ear to gain maximum benefit but sits easily and securely in place and after some time you really do forget you are wearing it . The in line controls are attached to your clothing via a handy little clip.  This makes the volume and mute switches easy to use and very accessible as you can position the unit wherever is comfortable. Talking to players over XBOX live again had no problems with players hearing me clearly as well as myself hearing instruction and conversation  as clear as a bell.  Again, a very well designed headset and retailing at £19.99 makes this a very affordable proposition.

GameCom X40, Stereo gaming headset

Features:

• Closed ear design.
• Noise cancelling microphone.
• Hideaway mic boom.
• Easy to use on ear controls.
• Comfortable earpods.
• Rich stereo sound.
• Comfortable adjustable headband.

GameCom X95, Wireless stereo gaming headset

Features:

• Wireless in game audio.
• Easy set up with XBOX 360.
• Closed ear design.
• Rich stereo sound in plush 40mm speakers.
• Noise cancelling microphone.
• Hideaway mic boom.
• Sleek modern design.
• Separate voice and audio controls.
• Easy to use on ear controls.
• Comfortable adjustable head band

The only difference between the X40 and the X95 is that the X40 is wired and the X95 is wireless which alters setting the headsets up but as the general specifications remain the same I will review them together. Let’s start with how easy this kit is to set up.

You are supplied a set of piggyback RCA cables that plug in line with your existing RCA or component cables it is as simple as that . The wireless headset is easy to set up as well as it requires the same steps as the X40.   The only difference then is that you press the button on the base unit and the one on the right ear of the head set to connect to each other.  The base unit is very small indeed, taking up only 2in by 3in of space, and takes up no room at all.

The base unit has a cracking range to it.  I set it up in my living room and went through the house trying to get the tranmission to break but it held up perfectly, reaching my bedroom without a problem. I thought there may be some issues with the wireless cans with other wireless gadgets around but no problems were found at all in a room with 2 laptops, mobile phone and a wireless set top box.

The boom is fully adjustable and has no foam so it is easy to keep clean which has been one of my pet hates in the past.  The boom also tucks away under the head band which is a very clever touch.

As well as a volume control on the base unit separate headset controls consist of independent mic volume and mute controls on the left ear as well as a game volume control on the right which gives you complete freedom and control in the heat of battle.

The sound is delivered through 40mm speakers, and the first game I played was Battlefield Bad Company 2 as this always provides a great indicator of how good a headset can be.  The first thing I noticed was bags of ambient noise and as I went next to a river on a very large map called Harvest day I could hear the fighting in the distance but could also hear the river itself, a breeze in the trees and flies buzzing around.  When I started to run I could hear the leaves under foot and considering these units aren’t DOLBY 5.1  and work with 40mm speakers, the quality was unexpectedly sublime.

Testing out Forza 3 as well as scarring myself silly with George Romero’s Land Of The Dead film also provided a delightful experience.  Engine sounds, sound effects and immersive atmosphere in both titles provided a symphony of rich and earthy bass sound and well as crisp treble.  Whilst writing this review I’ve also been listening to music on these and Muze, Michael Bubl`e and Paoblo Nutini also passed the sound test.  The head phones have also  been passed around the family to gauge their reactions to them which has provided a thumbs up from everyone and that included two teenagers.

The weight of the headset was not an issue either.   After a few hours of gaming I honestly forgot I had them on.   It’s one thing having the quality but if the comfort isn’t there you’re wasting your money.   The build of the earphones themselves provided a very comfortable experience that didn’t pinch or clasp to hard to the head, even the material surrounding the can themselves did not provide that sweaty lug hole feeling that some of their competitors give you on occasion.

Overall, I  found it difficult to believe that these two products could provide such a high quality experience from only 40mm speakers, disregarding the Dolby 5.1 surround sound factor and producing a quality aural sound at good value for money.  The X40′s retail at £49.99 and the wireless X95 retail at £ 79.99 R.R.P. and my other headset is now officially retired thanks Plantronics!

Written by:- Ian Underwood

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However the new digital age is upon us where consumers have the ability to purchase titles remotely via their broadband. Will retail eventually go in total meltdown? Or will it prevail to be victorious in the distribution of video games?

When video games first really hit store shelves in the early 1990’s. Retailers such as Electronic Boutique (or EB), Virgin Games, HMV, Woolworths, Game, CEX and Gamestation were among the big hitters when it came to choice and distribution. There was also a great deal of competition from the likes WHSmiths, Argos, Blockbuster and other independent outlets but all in all it was relatively healthy competition.

However what we have seen over the years are acquisitions and companies going into liquidation. In 1993 EB acquired Virgin Games and continued to grow by purchasing a chain of Game outlets in 2002. From then on they re-branded themselves as Game in the UK and Ireland and then went on to form an acquisition with Gamestation in May 2007.  Coming up to the end of 2010 we have seen the liquidation of Woolworths and Zavvi, furthermore the closing down of many Blockbuster stores and independent outlets.

What we’re left with is a very narrow market with not much freedom in terms of distribution. Shareholders of these companies are continually squeezing retailers for a greater return on their investment with the difficulty to do so ever increasing.

The price for a single share in The Game Group PLC was around the 1.66p mark in the summer of 2007 having reached over 2.00 a share in same year, now it’s a mere 68.75p.  In just 3 years we’ve seen share prices plummet and most likely to continue to do so.  Also Game reported they made a £18.8m loss in the first half of this year compared to a £14.5m profit in the same time in 2009. Are these early signs of the retail sector going in total meltdown? And could this really be down to the digital market kicking in?

A recent report by the NPD Group (a leading North American market research company) stated that 29% of game sales were digital purchases in the last 3 months alone (Sep-Nov). In addition one in five gamers bought game add-ons of some sort during the same time. This number is believed to be increasing substantially with greater digital content being supported by the 3 major giants and Apple.

Since the early launch of the current gen systems we have seen the library of video games increase.  Microsoft alone has introduced a game marketplace where Indie games, Games on Demand, Arcade Games and a virtual Games Room are just a click away. Sony on the other hand have re-introduced their classic PS1 titles, Playstation Minis and PSP games on their Network. Whilst Nintendo launched a Virtual Console and Wii Ware channel to allow gamers to be able to download their favourite classic titles from a range of earlier consoles.

What’s more with Apple introducing the world to the Ipad, Ipod and Iphone, the future of purchasing games via retail look bleak.

One must not forget other strong community digital distributors. Steam (developed by Valve corporation) and Direct2Drive are major players in the digital space providing gamers with a wealth of content. In fact Steam alone has in excess of 1200 games available on their network with 30 million active user accounts.

Furthermore the recent unveiling and launch of Onlive (a cloud computing, gaming-on-demand platform where games are synchronized, rendered, and stored on remote servers and delivered via the Internet). Adds a further blow to the retail industry.

With the market increasing in competition and the price to take a game to retail being expensive, publishers look for alterative ways to distribute their content. Going digital is seen to be a less expensive method as well as it being low risk strategy. To add further insult to injury publishers recognise they can maximise profitability of their games, as by going digital would mean eliminating the ‘Used Game’ commerce that many retailers support. This again would be a huge knock to retailers as the majority of their profits are down to the used game market.

As technology improves and with the government investing millions of pounds on a faster more robust broadband network, the future of games going digital look inevitable.

To conclude, it would be wrong to assume the digital market alone was solely responsible for the huge holes left in The Game Group’s pockets this year. In actual fact the digital market would only really contribute a fraction to this and there could be a variety of other reasons, anything from software lineup, saturation of hardware and even inflation.

Coming from a personal perspective and acknowledging consumers thoughts and opinions, its clear that the majority would much rather continue to buy the tangible good and would prefer to visit their local video game store or online retailer then have to download it in digital form.

I still believe we are a long way off from going totally digital but the next console race will definitely set the bar on what the outcome of the future will be.

Written by:- David Salman

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1. Pre-order Darksiders on PC and get a free game

This is Nintendo’s latest move to stay ahead of the game in the handheld console space challenging the likes of Apple and Sony to be dominant in the market place.

On 29^th September 2010 Nintendo Japan announced the 3DS will be coming to Japanese waters on February 26^th 2011 with a Western launch believed to come relatively soon after. I thought with that date fast approaching it would be a good idea to have a quick analysis of the 3DS’s capabilities and establish whether it’s worth your investment.

I think the main questions surrounding this topic are; what’s the point of the device? What are the features? Is it going to be expensive and is it worth having?

To begin with I think it would be safe to assume that the current Nintendo DS is hugely successful and popular machine having sold in excess of 135 million units worldwide. However, a recent report showed that there was a 50% drop in DS sales in 2010, with previous sales in 2009 boasting 11.7million in the first half of the year while for the same period in 2010, Nintendo only sold 6.7 million — almost half as much. With these statistics its obvious to see that sales of the DS is dropping significantly and with Apple creeping along with their successful Iphone and Ipod Touch, alarm bells are starting to ring at Nintendo HQ.

With its original launch in late 2004 and a few cosmetic changes later with the DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL, the DS has started to show its age with the lack of features, wi-fi support and mediocre games. With all this causing a concern it was time for Nintendo to create something unique, powerful and unimaginable that no other competitor in the market had.

The 3DS, like the DS, will also have dual screens with one being touch sensitive and with the other being able to render visuals in 3D. As mentioned previously consumers will not need to use special 3D glasses to get the 3D effect, which I believe is a sticking point to the success or failure of the product. Besides from cosmetic features, the 3DS brags enhanced graphics, a Tag mode, Mii Studio, Sleep WI-FI mode, virtual handheld, free TV, multi-tasking, view-playtime and a photo-editor are just some of the features that will come housed with the 3DS.

Tag mode, is a way being constantly active when not in use. The 3DS will actively search for other 3DS systems nearby wirelessly in order to exchange data with people playing the same games as the user. It will also give you the option to challenge the nearby player and exchange in battle in accordance to what game your playing.

Mii studio is a feature, where like the Nintendo Wii, will allow players to design and create their own Mii characters. However with this version its more advanced as it allows players to take pictures of themselves and then try to build a Mii that looks like that person. What’s more it also allows players share their Miis through tag mode.

Sleep WI-FI mode, like tag mode is a feature where you can connect the 3DS to the Internet via WI-FI. With this feature turned on, it automatically downloads free software, games ranking and more whilst asleep.

Virtual Handheld, where like the Wii virtual console will allow consumers to download classic Gameboy and Gameboy colour games, providing players with the enjoyment of playing their favourite classics titles.

Free TV is yet to be given the go-ahead.  However, early reports suggest that Nintendo will give out free 3D videos to 3DS users. Again multi-tasking is still under wraps but it is believed the feature would be similar to that of the Apple iOS software where you hit the home button while playing a Nintendo 3DS game and then launch other applications.

Finally view play time like the DS will allow players to analyse their own personal playtime on the system and have photo editing software where again, like the DS, will provide users a chance to merge two different photos, more than likely in 3D.

The 3DS is expected to go on sale for around ¥25,000 in Japan leaving the analyst to speculate around a $249-$300 price point in the US and around £189.99- £200 in the UK. I believe with the device receiving so much attention and hype, the pricing point will not be an issue and will most- definitely sell out. I also believe Nintendo will continue to use that pricing point until it sees sales saturate and then cut the price (this again is evident from the sales of the Nintendo DS).

Finally most people ask ‘is it a gimmick?’ And the only way to answer that is time will tell. I believe 3D is really big these days, having us exposed to it in the cinema, TV, games and even magazines. Will the 3D fire be out by the time Nintendo launches the 3DS? Who knows? All I know is that I’m going to be the first one in the queue ready to buy one.

Written by:- David Salman

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Well, day 2 brings some clothing that will bring a little bit of originality to your wardrobe and is bound to put a smile on the recipients face!

MG clothing and merchandise has been around for a few months now and our store sports a wide range of designs with the MG logo on.  If you fancy doing things a little more original then you can always e-mail our man Rob who will help you customise your own design, including ID’s and gamertags.

For more information and a look at our wares then please click on the shop link.  Prices start at £9.50 and clothing is available in mens and womens styles, a wide and a wide selection of colours and sizes.  Well, what are you waiting for ….. Go, go, go!!!

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1. MG’s Guide to Christmas presents – Battlefield: Bad Company 2

There will be one article a day featuring either a certain game that stood out this year and is now available rather cheap or a piece of tech to use for your Christmas day gaming sessions whilst drunk.

So without further ado, let us introduce to you are first recommendation of the Christmas season.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Year after year we have been presented with a Call Of Duty title that sells by the bucket load and seems to be the must have shooter before Christmas.  With that in mind, people tend to forget that other military shooters are out there that perhaps do it a little better but are washed away with COD commotion.

DICE, with its frostbite engine brings Battlefield: Bad Company 2 to the table in a more strategic way with a compelling campaign alongside a multiplayer that is explosive and demands team work more than any other game.  Mix in vehicles, destructible environments balanced weaponry and a game that has some of the best after care I have seen in while and will deliver a multitude of fun.

To date, there are 7 map packs that have been released free of charge to VIP customers as well as the Onslaught DLC which allows you and up to 3 team mates to complete maps co-operatively in timed runs that adds a little depth.

If that’s not enough, December 21st sees the release of the Vietnam multiplayer add on too which will add a new theatre of war plus new weapons and vehicles from that era too.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 can be picked up for as little as £20 new (please bear in mind that a pre-owned copy will need to be VIP unlocked which will cost you 1200 Microsoft points, £9.99) with the Onslaught DLC and Vietnam very well priced too.

Read our in depth reviews for Battlefield Bad Company 2 and Onslaught to give you further insight into one of the best military shooters this year.

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