Tag: microsoft

Posted on

DirectX 12 coming to Windows 10

Unreal 4 Engine 4.4 Supports DirectX 12!

So as expected, the upcoming Windows 10 will have DX12. Technically, DX12 can make things better and smother on development side. Still not sure on the upgrade but things looking good on the gaming side. I’m waiting for more information and actual test before deciding on getting windows 10 but like I said, exiting PC gaming days are ahead of use if and only if developers started to use the full power of PC gaming instead of using the bench mark set by PS4 and Xbox One.

I’m currently building a new PC and thinking of going 64 now that 4GB is becoming standard and newer games may require more soon. Will update you all once actual testing takes place. Hoping that Microsoft starts taking PC gaming seriouse again.

Posted on

My thoughts on Windows 10

windows 10

Microsoft surprisingly announced Windows 10 totally skipping the 9th version. Technically windows 8.1 is a stand alone windows so that could be counted as 9 but oh well. Any way, my opinion on why Microsoft made the decision to drop the 9th version name and jump straight to 10; Corporate market.

But before I get into that I would like to bring forward my two main reasons to upgrade.

  • Resources usage: I had XP for God knows how long before upgrading to 7 skipping Vista (Well I tested it but nothing serious). When I upgraded to 8 I noticed increased performance and smoothness in games. And since my main usage of the PC is gaming (I know I sound stupid but it is what is its) I welcomed the upgrade with open arms. Now will the same apply to Windows 10? I am yet to discover.
  • Compatibility: Software and games. Drivers seems to auto load and games and software that I have all supported. Nothing to complain about.

Now why did Windows 8 do so horrible or should I say not as expected on the corp side? Ignorance and touch phobia. See, Microsoft made a huge and stupid mistake of auto loading the touch interface with every restart and that scared the corps away. The problem with most corp including our own is that they fear change, especially when the current setup is working fine.

The removal of the Start button was another disaster which angered me personally for about 3 days and then I moved on with my life worrying about other stuff. Corps didn’t like that hence another reason to hate Windows 8. Another valid reasons is that some legacy software is not compatible with Windows 8. In-house software development wasn’t big on 8 and so we never moved.

Now did Microsoft do the right thing jumping to 10 to further itself away from 8 as much as possible? My answer is yes and no. Yes for the corps that know nothing but counting and 10 seems further than 9 so they might give it a chance especially that the Start button is returning. No, as hatters gonna hate. Many may see 10 slimier to 8 and skip it all together regardless.

At the end of the day, companies upgrade and will have to jump to the next thing as support ends for older windows so we will see how things play out. My concern; make it as smooth and less system demanding and I’m sold. Let me know what ya all think. Adam signing off.

Posted on

Bethesda’s The Evil Within System Requirements reviled

Finally after months of speculating and guessing the system requirements for the upcoming horror game are live and they are NOT what everyone expected. Note that these are the only the recommended high requirements and anything lower is NOT supported.

64-bit Windows 7/Windows 8
i7 with four plus cores
4 GBs RAM
50 GB of hard drive space*
GeForce GTX 670 or equivalent with 4GBs of VRAM
High Speed Internet Connection
Steam account and activation

So not only will you need to upgrade, you will need to be a hardcore PC gamer upgraded with dedicated knowledge and budget to play this game. Now I know that so of you will say: PC gaming was always an expensive hobby. Im sorry but since when did PC gaming became a no choice platform? PC gaming was always about choice. You have a low hardware? No problem. You have high end hardware? Good for you.

Asking people to upgrade this insainly is an open door to hell. Suppose I sell my arm and leg to get this and the game still is having issues? The game should be optemized to the max and make you feel that it is using every bit out of the hard earned upgrade or otherwise whats the point? I can easily get the Xbox 360 version and call it day but I want to have the best experience and experience the best gam play and graphics aka PC version.

I have a feeling the game will be poorly optimized hence the reason for such a high upgrade like the many before it namely Watch Dogs and GTA 4. A 64 bit Windows 7 or 8 only? Really? Bethesda, you are asking people to spend allot of money on something, make us feel that the spending was worth it.

I may be wrong but so far this is the only game that is requiring such a powerful hardware with nothing else supported so I hope to God that Bethesda knows what its doing.

 

Waiting for more news and possibly a demo or a batch mark in order to confirm or disregard my fears.

Posted on

iCloud is here, but

icloud

The long overdue and awaited by apple fans, iCloud is finally useful. Problem is, you still need to jump over obstacles for full reliable use. The iCloud now accepts all kind of files and offers 5GB free. Anything more and you will need to pay; pay way more than the competition with less features. For starters, there is no stand alone client on mac, PC or even iPhone. You can only upload using the browser interface which is great but not for a serious backing up purpose. Support and possibly a stand alone app is promised in the upcoming OSX 10.10.

The prices are as follow:

australia flag
Australia		 AUD $1.29 $4.99 $12.99 $24.99
canada flag
Canada		 CAD $0.99 $3.99 $9.99 $19.99
china flag
China		 CNY ¥6 ¥25 ¥68 ¥138
denmark flag
Denmark		 DKK 7 kr 29 kr 69 kr 139 kr

Euro2, 4		 Euro 0.99 € 3.99 € 9.99 € 19.99 €
hong kong flag
Hong Kong		 HKD HK$ 8 HK$ 28 HK$ 78 HK$ 158
iceland flag
Iceland3, 4		 USD $1.24 $5.01 $12.54 $25.09
india flag
India		 INR Rs 60 Rs 250 Rs 600 RS 1200
indonesia flag
Indonesia		 IDR Rp 12000 Rp 45000 Rp 119000 Rp 229000
israel flag
Israel		 ILS NIS 3.50 NIS 13.90 NIS 34.90 NIS 69.90
japan flag
Japan		 JPY ¥100 ¥400 ¥1200 ¥2400
mexico flag
Mexico		 MXN $12 $49 $129 $249
new zealand flag
New Zealand		 NZD $1.29 $4.99 $12.99 $24.99
norway flag
Norway4		 NOK 8 kr 29 kr 79 kr 149 kr
russia flag
Russia		 RUB 39 p. 149 p. 379 p. 749 p.
saudi arabia flag
Saudi Arabia		 SAR SR 3.69 SR 14.99 SR 36.99 SR 74.99
singapore flag
Singapore		 SGD S$ 1.28 S$ 4.98 S$ 12.98 S$ 24.98
south africa flag
South Africa4		 ZAR R11.99 R49.99 R119.99 R249.99
sweden flag
Sweden		 SEK 9 kr 35 kr 89 kr 179 kr
switzerland flag
Switzerland4		 CHF CHF 1 CHF 4 CHF 10 CHF 20
taiwan flag
Taiwan		 TWD NT$ 30 NT$ 120 NT$ 300 NT$ 590
turkey flag
Turkey		 TRY 1.99 TL 7.99 TL 19.99 TL 39.99 TL
united arab emirates flag
United Arab Emirates		 AED AED 3.69 AED 14.99 AED 36.99 AED 74.99
UK flag
United Kingdom		 GBP £0.79 £2.99 £6.99 £14.99
USA flag
United States		 USD $0.99 $3.99 $9.99 $19.99

As you can see, getting a 1TB is allot cheaper on Dropbox, OneDrive and even Google Drive. I cant read the future but if apple wants to fulfill the late Steve Job’s wish of killing dropbox then they will need to do something more, way more and at affordable prices considering the cloud war is raging. Let me know what you all think.

Posted on

Why I switched to OneDrive

OneDrive_logo.svg

As a long time Dropbox user, the switch was hard and not even on my radar until I found out about the new Microsoft offer. While Dropbox’s 1TB for $10 was a good move, that only gets you an amazing sync tool with 1TB of online backup storage. Microsoft on the other hand offers the same space along with a few important extras:

offciehome1 year subscription includes the latest full Microsoft Office applications1
Share your subscription with up to four members of your household4
Office on 5 PCs or Macs plus five iPads or Windows tablets3
Easily access your docs with Office Mobile apps for iPhones, Android, and Windows phones
1TB OneDrive storage per user, for up to 5 users
Call phones in over 60 countries with 60 minutes of Skype calls per month2

A great offer indeed considering I am a heavy office user. A free 60 minute skype credit is a great bonus for the people that can use it, too bad Ukraine is not supported.

My experience so far

Upon syncing all my camera roll, I only got 1 error which was fixed by re syncing. The web interface looks good and works good. Not sure if my work PC or auto refresh is not working but everything seems fine.

I will be testing Office once I am home and the 5 PCs share option is great considering I have 2 and my brother can use one as well.

There are a few privacy conference as Microsoft might be monitoring for porn and other unacceptable materials but I have nothing to hide so no worries here. Will also start using OneNote as its part of the package. Great deal, well done Microsoft.

 

Posted on

Microsoft could be buying Mojang

mojang

Latest latest rumblers claim that Microsoft will be buying the minecraft creator, Mojang. If that is true I expect it to go Xbox One/360/PC exclusive as it makes sense to put it on Microsoft controlled hardware except the PC which is running windows as a gaming platform.

What will the shift mean to all the mine craft fans if true? A logical solution is to keep the already out game updated but add exclusive worthy updates or DLC to the Xbox, even make it free or cheaper like Steam is doing with Left 4 Dead 2. Microsoft is a multi billion company and needs money to stay at the top and buying Mojang must have been about business and not ego.

We wait for more news and or conformation regarding this.

Posted on

WB client in works and why do I care

wb-play-It is almost confirmed that WB will be entering the clients war. I don’t own a crystal ball nor do I use magic to read the future but this could go wrong, especial for Batman lovers.

Steam did something right and revolutionized the digital era, what followed by the industry was not so great. Sure, EA Origin is catching up but nothing beats Steam in terms of flexibility, reliability and the ease of use. The uPlay was a disaster and although I do have a choice of not using anything else, that window is closing very soon. The problem arises when games become exclusive to a platform. Origin did it and now WB might too.

batman_arkham_knightBatman Arkham Knight coming out next year, by this time the WB client will most likely be out. If and that’s a big if, the game requires it many problems could arise and even make people buy the console versions instead. Early applications tend to be buggy, just go back and count the years it took steam to be where it is now. Batman will be a demanding game, anything else slowing it down like eating system resources by supposedly this clinet will have a negative impact.

Everything I said is not confirmed so I may be jumping the gun but fears are fears. I am looking forward to this game and will end up buying it on more than a system like I did on the previous Arkham games so this is a big deal to me. Once again, anticipating the future and hoping for the best.

 

Posted on

Mortal Kombat X Preorder

mortal-kombat-X

In short, the game will be or should be available on April 14, 2015. Goro is the preorder bonus. I must say I am little disappointed that Goro, a not so powerful previous game boss is the preorder bonus although anything is better than extra colors. What would have been cool is Extra stage fatality that could be preformed online on a non preorder player but cant complain on free stuff I guess.

MKX_GamescomScreenshot_KanoScorpion

Preorder it now from Amazon.

Link includes all versions

 

The press release:

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today confirmed that Mortal Kombat™ X, in development by NetherRealm Studios, is scheduled for release worldwide beginning April 14, 2015. The game will be available for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

Legendary series character Goro has also been announced as a retail pre-order exclusive. Making his first appearance in more than eight years, Goro, the feral, four-armed Shokan warrior will be available day of launch as a playable combatant to those who pre-order Mortal Kombat X through an exclusive UK retailer.

Mortal Kombat X is NetherRealm Studios’ next highly anticipated installment in its legendary, critically acclaimed fighting game franchise that propels the iconic franchise into a new generation. The game combines cinematic presentation with all new gameplay to deliver the most brutal Kombat experience ever, offering a new fully-connected experience that launches players into a persistent online contest where every fight matters in a global battle for supremacy. For the first time, Mortal Kombat X gives players the ability to choose from multiple variations of each character impacting both strategy and fighting style. Players step into an original story showcasing some of the game’s most prolific characters including Scorpion and Sub-Zero, while introducing new challengers that represent the forces of good and evil and tie the tale together.

For more information about Mortal Kombat X, please visit www.mortalkombat.com and www.facebook.com/MortalKombat.

Mortal Kombat X© 2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by NeatherRealm. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Mortal Kombat, the dragon logo, NetherRealm Studios, NetherRealm logo and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

WB GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
(s15)

” ”, “PlayStation”, “PS3”, “ “ and “ “ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “ ” is a trademark of the same company. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Posted on

Preorder The Evil Within now on Steam

the evil withinThe preorder on Steam is live; secure your digital special edition for $59.99 as well as the season pass for $19.99 and get the Fighting Chance pack for free.

the fighting chance packThe game should be out on 14 Oct 2014. Personally, I will preorder mine but not sure about the season pack yet.

Posted on

Windows 9 impression

w9
Credit: http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-New-Windows-Start-Menu-Will-Debut-in-Windows-9-435552.shtml

When Windows 8 was first announced I had mixed emotions as I was perfectly happy with Windows 7’s performance. But with increase urge to try the next big thing and with the help of my brother who kept on praising W8 I finally made the switch and boy, was I impressed.

Before going forward, I would like to make it clear that the looks play big part in me deciding to try something out. I know it is stupid but that’s how I am. What made me love Windows 8 is the beautiful design along with a noticeable boost in performance in gaming. As a PC gamer every fops counts and I must say I had about 10 or more FPS increase. I am yet to update to 8.1 as I read horror stories about games not working and what not so that’s for the future.

Now what bothered me about Windows 8 is the tablet interface. I know I can easily get out but with the lack of the Start button which I tend to use allot the experience got downgraded for me. Apart from that everything was good although I still think Microsoft Store looks and feels strange.

Now Windows 9 is announced with the possible return of the Start button and I am excited again. What I expect is another increase performance with more beautiful designs and from the rumors and little news I think I will be getting just that. I know I can add the start button to Windows 8 but the original ingratiated Windows 9 design looks amazing. Mark my words; I will be switching, just not right away as I first need to confirm the gaming performance hit or increase.

w9 2
Credit: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-9-Desktop-Concept-Looks-Suspiciously-Like-a-Linux-One-398582.shtml

Another beautiful concept floating around the web. Just look at this beauty. Years ago when I was using Windows 95 I always thought why cant PC operating system look beautiful. Now I can smile as my wish came true. Nothing comes close to this design and certainly not OSX which I am using for over a year and hatting every part of.

Let us all hope that my predictions about Windows 9 turns out true ;J