Which Console For Online Gaming?

There are three main contenders you should be looking at Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii.

Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 offers wireless as an option out of the box, if you want to make the Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless you have to buy an extra component. If you don't want to use wireless or don't have wireless at home then Ethernet is the way to go. You set the console up pretty much like any network device, you can use DHCP or manually enter IP, DNS etc...

The Sony PlayStation 3 all has the ability to act as a media server, if you not going to use this facility remember to switch it off as it will hog your network bandwidth at home. I didn't realise this and had my Sony PlayStation 3 connected wirelessly and couldn't understand why no one else in the household could use wireless while my Sony PlayStation 3 was switched on. After switching off the Network Media Server all was fine.

Broadband is a must for online gaming but it doesn't have to be the fastest broadband, a basic package is fine. Online gaming is all about the upload speed not really the download. Most UK broadband supplies only offer a 256k upload speed, so if you can find one that beats that it will be better for online gaming.

Nearly all new games offer some kind of online play, some games are purchased just to be played online. Checking the back of the game box should tell you what that game offers. If a game comes out on all 3 systems then it's nearly identical and sometimes is 100% identical. Each system will have exclusive titles, this means that game will only be on that system.

The most played game online (to date) is Halo 3 on the Microsoft Xbox 360, although it's a good few years old it is still played a lot. Most games offer ad-dons via downloadable content, this gives the game a whole new lease of life. Things to download could be new levels or new characters. These add-ons are usually charged for.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 has what it called GamerScore, this is your overall score for playing games in the system. You get different awards and points for completing certain levels in a game. Although the score means nothing and it's just to show your friends how good you are, it is very addictive trying to get the highest GamerScore. The Sony Playstation 3 has Trophies instead of GamerScore and they work in exactly the same way.

You can buy certain titles while online and also download demos of games for FREE. You can also download videos, music videos and movie trailers. On the Microsoft Xbox 360 you can also rent movies online.

The Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 both offer HDMI output for connecting to a HDTV. In the box with the Microsoft Xbox 360 you get a component cable and in the box with the Sony PlayStation 3 you get a standard scart cable. So remember to buy a HDMI cable if you want to go that route. All games that are written for Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 have to be HD compatible to at least 720p in resolution. The Nintendo Wii does not offer any kind of HDMI connection but you can get a resolution of 480p out of it if you buy the correct cable.

Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 are FREE to play online and the Microsoft Xbox 360 you have to pay for. You can get a monthly, 3 monthly or 12 month subscription. In the UK the official price off Microsoft for a 12 month subscription costs 39.99 but shop around as there are some good discounts to be had.

Although you have to pay to play on the Microsoft network, you do get what you pay for and out of all 3 consoles the Microsoft Xbox 360 is miles better than the other 2 for online games. The interface is better, the way you communicate with friends is better and it just feels more solid and rounded than the other 2 offerings.

You add friends by sending a invite to them via your console. Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 let you create any nickname to use as your online name but Nintendo Wii gives you a random load of characters to use, also I believe this can change depending on what game your playing.

The best way to make the online experience better is by getting a good friends list together and then your not playing against people who quit all the time while half way through a game to ruining a game by team killing. Over time you can build up a really good friends list. Friends can all join the same party and then chat to each other but actually be playing different games.

Only the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 allow game chat via headsets. The Microsoft Xbox 360 comes with a headset in the box, this connects to the wireless controller and is pretty good for a FREE headset. The Sony PlayStation 3 can either take a wired headset or a BlueTooth headset (like you would use on your mobile phone). I have so far not found a decent headset for the Sony PlayStation 3 unfortunately. They all seem to hiss and buzz or are too loud. When chatting via the headset it is like being sat next to them and everyone can chime in, so it's a group game chat not just one to one.

For good price comparisons, checkout somewhere like http://www.caniplay.co.uk They give unbiased prices from a variety of internet sites. Packages are usually a good deal if there are games included that you want, otherwise just get the console on it's own.

About the Author

Software developer for 15 years, now into photography.

The Best Flight Simulator:Experience The Difference

For everyone that ever wanted to experience what it is like to be a pilot well now you can.Flight Simulators have been around a long time ,mainly used for the training of real pilots.Now you can experience a flight simulator from the comfort of your own home.You can even fly over your own home ,check out your neighbours or just go for a pleasant flight down the coast.
With over 150 planes (helicopters included) you can experience the difference and test your skills flying numerous types of aircraft.There are over 20000 real world airports so your flights are endless.The controls are realistic and have real world instrument behaviour.Instruments that have lag in real life lag correctly in this lifelike simulator.You can even test your flying skills and enjoy intensive air combats with the focus being straight on maneuvering without having to worry about avionics.Flying at night also sees some realistic features, ground lighting from Urban areas, headlights from oncoming cars on major highways and even the correct runway markings with directional lighting which change in intensity depending on your view from the cockpit.You have an entire world scenery that you can spend countless hours exploring.
Now for a few more amazing features, you can change landmarks,change the terrain, build your own runways wherever you like.The software is always being updated as it has a thriving Open Source Community.You can try air to air refueling,fly with your friends as it has a Multiplayer function which is integrated with Google maps so you know exactly where you are in relation to other live players.
Now there is all these features in one simulator.
1.Over 150+ planes
2.Over 20000 real world airports
3.Build your own airports,change the terrain
4.Software constantly updated
5.Fly with your friends and family
It really is an amazing experience,enjoy your flying

About the Author

I am currently working as a Pool Technician(Swimming Pools).I am single and my hobbies are computers and fishing.
Did you find the information on this flight simulator useful.You can find more info here.
http://www.squidoo.com/flight-simulator-game-for-your-pc

A Cheap and Nice Way to Get X-Box 360 Games

Why X-Box 360 games are expensive?

One of the first main reasons why X-Box 360 games are so expensive now is because they are pretty much small movies. Like how games like Metal Gear Solid 4 have added enough cutscenes also know as non-played movie sequences to fill many feature films. The next reason why X-Box 360 games are so expensive are because big HollyWood movie stars are getting into voiceovers, what this means is that they are using their voices to act as a characters voice in a video game. The last main reason why X-Box 360 games are so expensive is because the length of the games. So this means they have to higher more developers, designers, concept artists, writers, producers, and project managers and pay them.

A Cheap way to get X-Box 360 games

One easy way to get X-Box 360 games is just to do a little bit of looking around on the internet not hard at all most people just don't think about it but its so simple. Its good to go on the internet and look for X-Box 360 games because people play games and get sick of them fast once they buy the game and get rid of it on the internet. An the best and most well known place to go and look for X-Box 360 games is E-Bay. Also its great to go look on craigslist and search around on the web for special offers.

Why you should rather look for X-Box 360 games on the internet.

This is really a bad time for our economy so looking around on the internet is a really good resource for looking for things and since X-Box 360 games are not the cheapest things in the world so its great to have the internet. So with the price of about 60.00 bucks plus taxes for a regular X-Box 360 game you could pry get two to three games on the internet instead of one! I don't know but it seems like a better idea to me to look for games on the internet.

Kyle Luetticke Writes on more ways and and stratagies to obtain X-Box 360 games for cheap. You can learn more by visiting my blog, Cheap X-Box Games for Everyone

http://cheap-xbox-games.blogspot.com/

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