Alienware Arena Articles - Gaming News, Buzz & More

Civilization V - The Definitive Turn-Based Strategy Game

Published June 18th, 2013

Civilization V is the rare game that never loses its luster, and always manages to deliver a fresh and revitalizing experience no matter how many times you play it.

Five Features the Sims 4 Should Have

Published June 17th, 2013

With the recently announced Sims 4 in the works for release next year, what does the team need to do differently to coax people over from the game they’ve collected yearly expansions for over the course of the last five years?

Fez Retrospective

Published June 13th, 2013

High resolutions and pixel graphics go hand-in-hand to create beautiful homages to the good old days of arcade platformers and homeplace RPGs—and Fez certainly kicked the premise into overdrive.

Retrospective: Deus Ex, Cyberpunk at its Finest

Published June 12th, 2013

Eidos Interactive’s Deus Ex (2000) interweaved first-person shooter mechanics with that of role-playing elements in order to achieve unprecedented depth through strong storytelling in a cyberpunk world.

Firefall Review

Published June 11th, 2013

Firefall is a new massively-multiplayer online, first-person shooter (MMOFPS) developed by Red 5 studios, who places big emphasis on quake-style combat in a world set 200 years in the future on a ravaged Earth torn apart by an event called The Melding.

Crysis 3 Retrospective

Published June 7th, 2013

Crysis 3 is probably the most beautiful, gratifying game on the market right now. If you want an engaging FPS game then Crysis 3 is not a bad bet.

A Look Ahead: Dota 2 - The International 3

Published June 6th, 2013

Widely considered as the most prestigious tournament in the Dota 2 scene, The International 3 will be hosted in Seattle, WA once again.

Papers, Please - Beta Review

Published June 5th, 2013

I suggest that you keep your eyes peeled when Papers, Please releases, as you may experience something a little more thought-provoking than your average game.

Sword of the Stars: The Pit Retrospective

Published June 4th, 2013

Sword of the Stars: The Pit is a fantastic roguelike experience. It brings in a story which unfolds itself as you advance with wonderful visuals, sounds, and surprising immersion for what it appears to be.

Transistor at PAX East

Published June 3rd, 2013

Bastion went on to sell 1.7 million copies for the tiny studio, Supergiant Games from California. With their next title, Transistor, they look to build heavily on that success.

Dark Souls Guide - Part III

Published May 30th, 2013

Continuing from Part II, we dive into how you can obtain the Long Bow, shields and other miscellaneous items that may help you along your journey.

Dark Souls Guide - Part II

Published May 29th, 2013

Continuing from Dark Souls Guide Part I, it's beneficial to get powered up early on in the game, so you are given a bit more strength and room to try different strategies and be able to enjoy the game without having much fear of death

Dark Souls Guide - Part I: Prepare to Die (a bit less)

Published May 28th, 2013

To get powered up early on in Dark Souls may make you feel a little safer and get you through the game without as much fear of death, although you definitely will still die plenty.

GoldenEye Doom2 Mod Retrospective

Published May 23rd, 2013

GoldenEye Doom2 mod is a complete rehash of Doom II, turning your good old fashioned trip through hell, into one of the most popular action names of all time, 007.

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Retrospective

Published May 22nd, 2013

Bethesda Game Studios' The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002) is a game steeped with lore, exotic locales and characters that give meaning to the game's core gameplay.

LEGO The Lord of The Rings Guide

Published May 21st, 2013

The enchanting world of Middle-earth in LEGO The Lord of the Rings offers an alluring adventure of engaging combat, puzzle solving and exploration.

Gyrocopter DotA 2 Hero Guide

Published May 20th, 2013

Gyrocopter has been floating around the DotA scene every now and then for some time now, but when he was first released, he was rarely ever experimented with.

Afterfall: InSanity Retrospective

Published May 16th, 2013

Afterfall: InSanity's potential as a good indie action horror game is definitely evident, but the assets are not put to good use.

LEGO The Lord of the Rings Retrospective

Published May 15th, 2013

Brimming with epic adventure and witty humour, LEGO The Lord of the Rings reinvents the fantastical escapade from the film trilogy as Frodo Baggins and company journey through a Middle-earth built from Lego.

SCII's Affect on eSports

Published May 14th, 2013

With Heart of the Swarm (HotS), StarCraft II’s (SC2) first expansion pack, released on March 12th of this year, it’s time to discuss on what the successor will do to the gaming scene, and what its impact will be on eSports.

Dead Space 3 Retrospective

Published May 10th, 2013

Still on the fence about Dead Space 3? Here's a run down on the most recent installment to this survival horror series.

Battlefield 3: Multiplayer Tips - Part II

Published May 9th, 2013

Part II - For some gamers, it’s about getting your avatar’s name on the #1 spot of the leaderboard with the most kills. But then, I discovered that there are other ways than killing to get on top.

Battlefield 3: Multiplayer Tips - Part I

Published May 8th, 2013

For some gamers, it’s about getting your avatar’s name on the #1 spot of the leaderboard with the most kills. But then, I discovered that there are other ways than killing to get on top.

The Showdown Effect Retrospective

Published May 7th, 2013

The camera zoomed in and with a slow motion effect, my character basked in victory and shards of falling glass. In that moment, everything clicked. I just chopped an airborne man in half, and it was stupid amounts of fun

Infinity Wars Overview

Published May 6th, 2013

If you are skeptical of breaking into either world, as a video gamer or trading card gamer, Infinity Wars is the perfect medium for you.

DC Universe Online Retrospective

Published May 3rd, 2013

It’s obvious that creators have placed a lot of effort into DC Universe Online in order to make this game as good as possible, and fans of the comics especially, will be overjoyed.

Free-to-Play Fiesta: APB Reloaded

Published May 2nd, 2013

You might have heard of All-Points Bulletin (APB) before, and also might be familiar with its legacy that it left behind in the gaming world.

World of Warcraft PvP: Past, Present and Future

Published May 1st, 2013

World of Warcraft (WoW) has had a tumultuous journey in and out of organized tournament play, as one of the most watched games on Twitch, yet it has seen the least love in the way of tournaments.

BioShock Infinite Review

Published April 30th, 2013

With the multiplayer aspect removed to concentrate on a new single player story, we follow the strange events surrounding Booker DeWitt and the mysterious Songbird in BioShock Infinite. The narrative that Irrational Games created is mind-blowingly original.

DmC: Devil May Cry Retrospective

Published April 25th, 2013

After many years of waiting, we have a new Devil May Cry game in our hands, but Capcom decided to reboot the series, which may or may not have been a great decision. Did they manage to make a good game on par with previous titles?

Another Look at Resident Evil 4

Published April 24th, 2013

Resident Evil 4 may be very different from previous titles in the franchise, but they have overall created an amazing and entertaining video game.

Anno 2070 Retrospective

Published April 23rd, 2013

Anno 2070 in its quest for a perfect society, is not a perfect game. On the contrary, one can put the flaws aside and enjoy what this game has to offer. It’s a gentle stroll as a creator of megalopolises, and with maximum graphical settings, it is quite beautiful.

Looking Back at Warcraft III

Published April 22nd, 2013

When Blizzard announced they were in production on Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (WC3), I was ecstatic. It was a phenomenal game for its time and still holds up.

Fallout: New Vegas Retrospective

Published April 18th, 2013

As an expansive, open-world role-playing game (RPG), we take a look back at Obsidian Entertainment's Fallout: New Vegas.

Dark Void: A Disjointed Story

Published April 17th, 2013

...Once this generation of gaming is well and truly over, someone may revisit this unique, but failed attempt at a AAA free-flying game and turn to Capcom and Airtight Games for answers.

Revisiting Skyrim: The Glory and the Glitches

Published April 16th, 2013

You’re addicted... you can admit it. But what is it about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that captured the hearts and minds of heroic quest seekers, item collectors, and players with a hunger for magic or melee focused combat?

TERA Retrospective

Published April 15th, 2013

From En Masse and Bluehole Studios comes TERA, a visually stunning MMORPG with fast-paced action that is not typical of the genre. Players get the chance to delve into a deep, fantasy world, but at what price?

Mini Reviews: Indie Games

Published April 11th, 2013

There are many notable independent games out on the market, yet they are very simple, so they don’t usually need a lengthy review to explain what makes them unique, fun or overall entertaining.

Miasmata Retrospective

Published April 10th, 2013

There’s something refreshing about playing a survival game that doesn’t require you to kill every other living thing you encounter. Miasmata manages to offer players a decent challenge while throwing disorienting exploration and interesting mechanics into the mix.

Dark Souls: Prepare to Die (often) Edition

Published April 9th, 2013

Dark Souls received much praise from hardened veterans of the series due to the game's difficulty. You're expected to get stuck, frustrated, and die. This may seem like a game for sadomasochists, but at the game's core, it is finely tuned and balanced.

Battlefield 3: Multiplayer Review

Published April 8th, 2013

Developed by DICE, Battlefield 3 boasts a flawless combination of daring combat and intelligent strategy. Your heart will be pounding in your chest with unleashed adrenaline as you take on the opposing team in an explosive war.

Planetary Annihilation Preview

Published March 29th, 2013

As an interplanetary RTS game, Planetary Annihilation will have you strapping massive rockets to asteroids in an effort to push them into a different orbit with the aim of crashing them into your enemies, completely obliterating entire planets

A First Look at Path of Exile Open Beta

Published March 29th, 2013

Path of Exile is a free-to-play Action RPG Dungeon Crawler, boasting some of the most freedom and depth in character customization and multiplayer options ever seen in the dungeon crawler genre before.

PlanetSide 2 Review

Published March 29th, 2013

The shooting feels nice, the customization options are broad and well laid out, and it's one of the nicest looking free-to-play games I can remember. Best of all, this is just the beginning for PlanetSide 2.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Retrospective

Published March 29th, 2013

Firaxis Games' newest installment in their XCOM series added the Fire Emblem-esque gameplay mechanic of permanent death of defeated units. This mechanic combined with extremely customizable units makes XCOM a heart-wrenching death simulator.

Tomb Raider (2013) Review - Part II

Published March 28th, 2013

Continuing from Tomb Raider (2013) Review Part I, we conclude with Part II, by addressing weapon upgrades, quick-time events and what it takes to survive.

Tomb Raider (2013) Review – Part I

Published March 27th, 2013

In Tomb Raider (2013), we follow the path of the legendary Lara Croft, but developer, Crystal Dynamics turns our expectations of this confident and charismatic protagonist inside out, with a beautifully crafted and darkly violent origin story.

Sonic Generations - A Second Look

Published March 26th, 2013

Sonic Generations was released in celebration of the franchise’s 20th anniversary and it was a masterpiece, filling fans with joy that their one and only blue hedgehog was back, so let's put our pedal to the metal and fill our need for speed with Sonic: Generations.

Preview: MechWarrior Online

Published March 25th, 2013

It’s been about a decade since the last MechWarrior game launched on the PC. Those games held a strange place in the gaming world. You took your place inside the cockpit of a giant robot, and ran around shooting other giant robots. In other words, you were living out your nerdiest fantasies.

Assassin’s Creed III Review

Published March 21st, 2013

If you’ve played any of the other Assassin’s Creed games, you have a general idea of what to expect, but with improvements and a handful of changes to ACIII, the series continues to impress.

Darksiders – A Second Look

Published March 20th, 2013

Darksiders, made by Vigil Games, is a classic God of War style hack-and-slash game that will provide hours of fun as you cut through enemies using a wide range of combos and weapons.

The Life and Times of Google Native Client

Published March 19th, 2013

The mighty Google Inc., self proclaimed curators of the world wide web, developed and released their very own gaming platform, Native Client (NaCl), back in 2011, which could be considered the company's only true failure to date.

The Hidden - A Second Look

Published March 19th, 2013

While it has been quite some time since this game has been released, it’s worthy of a chance. The objective is simple: kill the Hidden or the Hidden kills you.

The Role of FPS Box Art

Published March 14th, 2013

For popular games, box art will be scrutinised and analysed by videogame journalists and fans alike, as they try to glean crucial shards of information about a highly anticipated, yet unreleased game.

A glimpse at Chivalry: Medieval Warfare

Published March 13th, 2013

Chivalry is exactly what you would expect with the words, 'Medieval Warfare' at its disposal. However, the key features of the game is what lures players in despite the nonexistance of an actual plot or storyline in the game.

Darksiders II Review

Published March 12th, 2013

Darksiders II is a third-person Action-RPG published by THQ. While it has been some time since the release, let’s review Darksiders II for those who may have overlooked it.

Would It Blend? - Red Faction 3: Fallout

Published March 11th, 2013

Red Faction: Guerrilla left much to be desired, and left many considering it an unworthy successor to Red Faction II. But if we chucked Red Faction: Guerrilla into a blender with Fallout 3 for example, would the result be any better?

The War Z Overview

Published March 7th, 2013

Zombies: they are everywhere from Call of Duty to Left 4 Dead, but what about a game where not only do you have to worry about surviving from zombies, but from other players?

2012: The Good and The Bad

Published March 6th, 2013

2012 was a great year for video game fans, giving them a little taste of everything, but it also had its fair share of low points, which will continue to exist unless there is a change.

What is The Binding of Isaac?

Published March 5th, 2013

The Binding of Isaac is very akin to previous works through the dark humor and flash-based platform. Be forewarned though, you will form a hate-love relationship with Isaac as the gameplay is frustratingly addictive.

Hitman: Absolution Review

Published March 4th, 2013

Hitman: Absolution is a fast-paced, action-stealth game that will never cease to entertain. However, this fifth title in the series may not be for everyone.

Tribes: Ascend - Part 3/3 - Capture the Flag Guide

Published March 1st, 2013

This final portion of the guide (Part III) continues to outline how the Capture the Flag (CTF) game mode is best played and how to be of the most use for your team.

Tribes: Ascend - Part 2/3 - Capture the Flag Guide

Published February 28th, 2013

This guide (Part II) continues to outline how the Capture the Flag (CTF) game mode is best played and how to be of the most use for your team.

Tribes: Ascend - Part 1/3 - Capture the Flag Guide

Published February 27th, 2013

Perhaps you are new to TA and want to know how to be a great asset to your team, or perhaps you have come to the sobering realization that all of the midfield-fragging in the world won't help stop a capper from taking your team’s flag and scoring. This guide outlines how the Capture the Flag (CTF) game mode is best played and how to be of the most use for your team.

DotA 2 Hero Guide: Jakiro

Published February 25th, 2013

Jakiro, the twin-headed dragon, is an item-independent support hero with amazing area of effect (AoE) spells, who is able to contribute to his team throughout the entire course of a game. In recent months, thanks to the buff to his Ice Path, he has become one of the most desired supports around.

Learn to play Tribes: Ascend like a boss

Published February 21st, 2013

It's no secret that Tribes: Ascend (TA) isn't the easiest game series to get into. It's a fairly unique game involving flying high, going fast and landing those difficult shots with slow-moving projectile weapons.

A Second Look at Batman: Arkham Asylum

Published February 20th, 2013

One of the best video games ever based on a superhero. With copious side quests, stealth combat and a great attention to detail, both fans and newbies to the Batman storyline will undoubtedly be captivated.

World of Warcraft - The Monk Overview

Published February 19th, 2013

With the arrival of the fourth World of Warcraft (WoW) expansion, players were left to wonder if the newly introduced eleventh class would fill a role sufficiently different from the other ten to justify it. The new class, to accompany the peaceful new Pandaren race, is the monk.

Preservation is the Name of the Game

Published February 13th, 2013

Digital distribution is not only the preferred method of video game and content delivery by both publisher and consumer, it is rapidly becoming the standard method. However, does the cross over from physical media to online digital storage raise concerns in terms of video game preservation?

LIMBO Review

Published February 13th, 2013

LIMBO is both charming and haunting. The game has a twisted artistic beauty that is darkly addictive. Completely unique, LIMBO is sure to enchant and disturb you to the end.

Game Changer: The Indie Game Scene

Published February 12th, 2013

The indie development scene is a booming part of the industry. Developer teams as small as a single person can produce games of amazing quality with mass market appeal. With many successful indie titles released, it has taken its place as a core part of the gaming industry.

Star Citizen Preview

Published February 11th, 2013

With a very early estimate for release in November 2014, Star Citizen could very well be a classic that goes down in history as a gem and a triumphant return.

Don't Starve Preview

Published February 7th, 2013

If you ever wanted to know what it is like to survive in the mind of Tim Burton, the upcoming game called Don’t Starve, is probably the closest you’re ever going to get. Don't Starve is a 2D survival game filled with strange creatures, dark humor and oddly-entertaining characters.

There is such a thing as a free lunch and its name is Blacklight: Retribution

Published February 6th, 2013

If you enjoy shooters and want a free game, which is going to take up quite a bit of your time with endless hours of entertainment, raging and customization then this is a great choice.

What is Hotline Miami?

Published February 5th, 2013

Hotline Miami is a landmark in the resurgence of 2D gaming. The fast-paced combat and pickup, and play style offers entertainment beyond that of which many full priced commercial games cannot put forward.

Far Cry 3 Single-Player Review

Published February 4th, 2013

The Far Cry franchise has established a strong name for itself, and with any sequel released, there’s a chance of success or failure, but fortunately, Far Cry 3 seems to fit the former.

Star Wars: The Old Republic Free-to-Play

Published January 31st, 2013

How does the new Free-to-Play (F2P) model for Star Wars: The Old Republic affect the game? Is it time for you to enter, or re-enter, a galaxy far, far away?

Retro Revival: Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Published January 30th, 2013

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 attempted to represent the PC as a legitimate source of 2D platforming action, but does this forgotten relic of PC gaming offer an experience comparable to those on the home consoles of the time?

Choice in Gaming, Even Good Guys Fart

Published January 29th, 2013

A lot of modern games like to give players choices as they play and progress, but it feels like this addition means that it instantly improves game quality. However, this is not the case, as it can make a game feel stagnant.

Borderlands 2: Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage Review

Published January 28th, 2013

For those who still yearn for more Borderlands 2, grab your gear and prepare to fight your way to the top of the leaderboards to become the next champion in this add-on pack.

Interview with Hidden Path Entertainment (Defense Grid 2)

Published January 24th, 2013

"When we made Defense Grid, we asked ourselves, what would the definitive tower defense game look like? And as we talked about it more and more, we saw a vision of something that we felt should be made and that we thought we could do well." -Hidden Path Entertainment

Defense Grid: The Awakening Review

Published January 23rd, 2013

Hidden Path Entertainment's Defense Grid: The Awakening is, at its core, a tower defense game. However, it's far more in-depth and well-developed than your average title.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Review

Published January 22nd, 2013

Developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine received favorable reviews. Equip your armor, select your weapon and prepare to slay countless Orks in this third-action shooter.

Reviewing Gaming’s Untouchable Titles: Portal

Published January 17th, 2013

There are a lot of games that are ‘untouchable’ for reviews these days. They are often set above scrutiny, but today, we will clasp hands and dive into the dark abyss of gaming sacrilege that is Portal.

The Mass Effect Trilogy Review

Published January 16th, 2013

The Mass Effect trilogy boasts a quality unseen in many other games—the player’s choices affect the universe, your character’s personality, the survival or death of your allies and the outcome of the game.

Revisiting Neverwinter Nights

Published January 15th, 2013

The game still feels exciting and fresh to me and the sheer amount of ways the game can be played, with the depth of character selection and development, Neverwinter Nights is one game I’d recommend to pick up and try.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) Review

Published January 14th, 2013

Criterion Games brought back a classic Need For Speed (NFS) title from the original collection, producing a re-envisioned remake of the 2004 Most Wanted, breaking away from a few standards seen in the series.

PC Gaming: The Next Generation

Published January 10th, 2013

With an elongated console cycle and an evolving distribution market, a paradigm shift is occurring. Your next generation console is already here, and it's been waiting for you a very long time.

Deadlight Review

Published January 9th, 2013

At a time where a plethora of zombie games are constantly being released, Deadlight might not stand out from the crowd, but deserves a look as Tequila Works’ platformer paints the picture of a beautifully destroyed Seattle, and its post-apocalyptic inhabitants.

Gaming Oddities: Octodad

Published January 8th, 2013

You never really know what will end up being a great game, or at least what you might get a laugh out of it for a while. With Octodad, I wasn’t sure what to expect once I got down to the actual game.

Interview with ‘Fogged’ from Team Dignitas

Published January 7th, 2013

I was fortunate enough to interview Ioannis ‘Fogged’ Loucas, captain of Team Dignitas, and ask him a couple of questions about the team, life as a pro gamer and the Dota 2 pro scene.

The Walking Dead: A New Day Review

Published January 3rd, 2013

For the player with a thirst for horror, and the ability to sleep through nightmares, there is no need to look further than The Walking Dead as it has both literal and metaphorical guts, with enough gore to keep any horror fan satisfied.

Interview with Team Dignitas Dota 2 player: Waytosexy

Published January 2nd, 2013

Peter 'Waytosexy' Nguyen talks about Team Dignitas' win in the Alienware Arena North American Battlegrounds, as well as his thoughts on future tournaments and the Dota 2 Winter Event, Frostivus.

BioShock 2 Review

Published December 31st, 2012

Grab your weapons, equip your drill and get ready to protect Little Sisters as we dive into Rapture again for BioShock 2.

Casualties of Warcraft: Is the world's most played MMO too easy?

Published December 27th, 2012

The massively-multiplayer online genre has been a staple of PC gaming for many years, with many different takes on the genre coming and going. Prime among these has been World of Warcraft, which has skyrocketed to worldwide popularity. However, with each expansion, are we witnessing the slow death of greatness?

Natural Selection 2 Overview

Published December 26th, 2012

Now many of you may be scratching your heads at the above statement if you've never heard of or played Natural Selection, but I assure you that to some, it strikes the utmost fear into every marine on the battlefield.

League of Legends - Hecarim Jungle Guide

Published December 24th, 2012

Hecarim has always been one of those junglers that you never know whether you want to learn or not, but he is worth a shot as he is very fun to play and your team will appreciate having him as well.

BioShock: A Second Look

Published December 20th, 2012

With the highly-anticipated release of Irrational Games’ next installment in a few months, let’s dive into the depths of the sea, and return to the underwater city known as Rapture where it all began: BioShock.

A Second Glance: FTL? More like FTW!

Published December 19th, 2012

It has been just over a month since Faster Than Light (FTL) was released. The game had received quite a bit of attention via Kickstarter. In turn, the developers pumped out a fantastic space simulator, which has hints of different styles of gameplay from a wide breadth of games.

SimCity: Societies, a Controversial Tangent

Published December 18th, 2012

With the announcement of the sixth SimCity February 2013 release, I already had SimCity on the brain when I heard about the promotion. Admittedly, it was probably a poor idea to slightly drool over the impressive features of the latest game and then backtrack to an older game, but I don’t think it hampered the experience too badly.

Dota 2 Invoker Guide

Published December 17th, 2012

Boasting high burst damage, semi-carry potential, a decent escape mechanism, crowd control, and long range initiation/counter initiation, Invoker is a very diverse Hero that can fill many roles, but can also be the most difficult to learn in Dota 2.

You’ve Probably Seen, But Not Heard Of: Dustforce

Published December 13th, 2012

Dustforce is a time-trailing platformer, suited for the obsessive-compulsive because the main objective is to simply clean—wait, who voluntarily cleans?

Mark of the Ninja Review

Published December 12th, 2012

Mark of the Ninja is a stealth-based 2D, side-scrolling action game published by Microsoft and developed by Klei Entertainment, responsible for the arcade game Shank. Originally an exclusive title for Xbox 360, Mark of the Ninja was released on PC on October 16, 2012.

Retrospective: Battlefield 1942

Published December 11th, 2012

There was a time long ago, in first person shooters, where combatants were limited to small, confined arenas surrounded by the art of their skyboxes, longing to break free and wage war on a grand scale. Their saviour came in September 2002, and it was called Battlefield 1942.

Be a More Aggressive Jungler

Published December 10th, 2012

Playing as an aggressive jungler can be both risky and rewarding for a player and the entire team. Successful ganks, counter-ganks and counter-jungles can put you and your lanes ahead in the early game, which can translate to larger leads late game, if handled correctly.

Arma II: Combined Operations – DayZ Review

Published December 6th, 2012

In DayZ, there is only one primary objective: Survive. The zombie apocalypse has occurred and not only do you have flesh eating monsters at your heels, the living is just as merciless. DayZ focuses on realism and every action affects the world around you.

What is Far Cry 3?

Published December 5th, 2012

If you are someone who enjoys playing first-person shooter video games then a title like Far Cry isn’t anything new to you. Far Cry 3, being the third installment from the Far Cry series, shows many promises in gameplay.

Becoming the Trackmania Nations Forever World Champion at ESWC 2012

Published December 4th, 2012

A long training session comes to an end. All that was left was to push the last four hours of practice time through my fingers. Knowing that I had done everything I could to perform my best at this year’s Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) event felt great.

DotA 2 Hero Guide: Skeleton King

Published December 3rd, 2012

Ostarion, the Skeleton King, is a Melee Carry, who can also serve as a Disabler and a Tank. Although he is one of the easier Heroes to play, he can still be quite hard to fully utilize in the early game.

What Is Bioshock Infinite?

Published November 29th, 2012

The members of Irrational Games have been quite secretive about their new game, Bioshock Infinite and rightly so. It has been almost six years since players were first introduced to the world of Rapture and due to the success of the Bioshock series, expectations are high for this next installment.

Warface gaining steam, coming soon to U.S.

Published November 28th, 2012

Could 5 million Russians be wrong?

Steam Big Picture Review

Published November 27th, 2012

One of the only advantages consoles has left is the fact that you can comfortably sit in your living room, in front of your massive flatscreen TV and game for hours on end while using a small hand-held controller. Valve's new “Big Picture” mode for Steam effectively eliminates this advantage.

What PC games will you play this holiday?

Published November 26th, 2012

The holiday season officially started last week with the arrival of Thanksgiving, leaving many PC gamers to ponder which of the numerous new holiday games they plan to spend their play time with.

PC gaming: What are you thankful for?

Published November 21st, 2012

The annual display of gratitude continues. AWESOME.

Black Ops II best since Call of Duty 4?

Published November 19th, 2012

The only Call of Duty story I'll publish for the rest of the year, including why pro gamers don't play it, and how the latest Black Ops 2 is being billed as the best since the original Modern Warfare.

DotA 2 Support Spotlight: Leshrac

Published November 16th, 2012

Leshrac, the Tormented Soul, is an intelligence-support Hero with great pushing capabilities. He is not an easy Hero to learn, as his abilities are highly unpredictable and difficult to master, but if used correctly, it can cause critical damage to an enemy team. Is this Hero right for you?

Looking at high-res PC screenshots never gets old

Published November 14th, 2012

Consider these some of the best screen grabs of the year. What's yours?

Torchlight 2: First Impressions

Published November 14th, 2012

Due to the success of Torchlight after its release in 2008, fans have long been awaiting an anticipated sequel. As I have stated in my review of the first game, few flaws were found in the beautifully-executed dungeon crawler, but will Torchlight 2 be just as perfect or will it disappoint?

Alienware to gamers: "Your next-generation console is already here"

Published November 12th, 2012

With Sony and Microsoft right behind them, Nintendo next week will launch the world into the eighth and possibly last console generation as we know them. What does the leading name in PC gaming hardware have to say?

Borderlands 2: Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty (DLC Release)

Published November 8th, 2012

Are you a huge Borderlands 2 fan, but getting a little tired of the same loot, guns, and monsters that give you a hard time? Are you tired of killing the same old bandits and watching an enraged berserker wreak havoc on allies? Well, your wait is over with Gearbox Software's newest released DLC pack for Borderlands 2.

The incredible shrinking price of PC games

Published November 7th, 2012

Good news for gamers: The price of PC games has steadily declined over the last five years.

Dishonored: Tips & Tricks

Published November 7th, 2012

Being entirely undetected during the missions in Dishonored is not an easy feat. I'm going to explain a few tips and tricks that I have learned while performing a stealth-run throughout the campaign. For those who haven’t completed the game yet, don't worry, as there are no spoilers here.

Six years later, Alienware merger with Dell a "healthy business"

Published November 5th, 2012

Many corporate mergers often fail. This one didn't, reports The Register, because "the resulting entity is better off than either were before."

The Art of Practice: Improving Yourself as a Gamer

Published November 1st, 2012

The road to becoming a competitive player of any game can be long and tough. Much like traditional sports, success in the world of eSports is dependent on hard work and dedication.

Happy Halloween: 5 scary-cheap PC games to play

Published October 31st, 2012

Whatever your plans tonight, don't miss the opporutnity to play one of these five scary games for less than $5.

Riot's Brazilian LoL Tournament Recap

Published October 30th, 2012

Even with all eyes on the Season 2 World Championship, the Brazilian League of Legends (LoL) scene had its own big tournament with a prize pool of $80,000. The Brazil (BR) Championship took place in São Paulo and was the first official Riot tournament with the biggest prize pool in the history of the Brazillian e-Sports.

Best video game players throw morals to the wind

Published October 29th, 2012

In good vs. evil gameplay, the darkside rules, a new study found.

A Closer Look at PlanetSide 2

Published October 25th, 2012

PlanetSide is an MMOFPS (massively-multiplayer online first-person shooter) that has some great ideas, but a below average net code. The game, in general, was awesome and promoted teamwork, but due to the strange mechanics with flying, hitboxes, strafing and overall game performance, PlanetSide lost the community it was built for and slowly faded away.

Gamer poll to Windows 8 launch: "Not quite yet"

Published October 24th, 2012

The results are in: Microsoft has an uphill battle on its hands proving to PC gamers why they might want to upgrade to the new Windows 8.

Games Worth a Second Look: Torchlight

Published October 23rd, 2012

With the recent launch of its sequel, it’s only fitting to reflect on how Torchlight became a gaming staple. The Runic Games title was published by Perfect World for the PC in October 2009.

Relive the past with Sega on PC

Published October 22nd, 2012

Massive bundles and $3 games make playing Genesis games on PC easy peasy.

Reader poll: Will you buy Windows 8 next week?

Published October 17th, 2012

Next Thursday, Microsoft will release its biggest operating since since the mighty XP. And we want to know: Are you buying?

The most addictive PC games so far this year

Published October 15th, 2012

Did your favorite game make the list?

Games Worth a Second Look: Bastion

Published October 11th, 2012

Although Bastion’s release came in mid-2011, the recent Steam Summer Sale has given the game a breath of new life. There are many reasons why Bastion has achieved the staying power it has.

Onslaught of greatness continues: XCOM reboot a hit

Published October 10th, 2012

Your backlog just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Reviews: Dishonored one of the games of the year

Published October 8th, 2012

To put it mildly, "a gorgeous, complex, assasination sim."

League of Legends North American Regional Finals Recap

Published October 6th, 2012

With the start of the World Championship this week, let’s take a look at how the North American teams earned their way to the Los Angeles, California.

The StarCraft II World Championship Series: Europe Finals Report

Published October 4th, 2012

The World Championship Series: Europe Finals was a tournament held by Blizzard and attendees qualified through a set of individual regional tournaments that covered the whole of Europe.

The biggest PC games this fall

Published October 3rd, 2012

As if you needed any more games on your radar, here's a list of 21 of the biggest PC games dropping this fall.

MLG Summer Championship Recap

Published October 2nd, 2012

Major League Gaming recently finished up their Summer Championship, holding the event together with Blizzard’s World Championships Series (WCS) North American finals.

There's a crap load of PC games right now

Published October 1st, 2012

The most high scoring games I've seen at one time in recent memory. Have you played all these?

On Track: In The Driving Seat with TrackMania Part Three

Published September 28th, 2012

Looking into the smaller eSports titles new and old from the perspective of the people who are in the thick of it.

Blast from the past: A movie game that didn't suck

Published September 26th, 2012

The movie this PC game was based on is a sci-fi classic. The game itself is a great point and click adventure.

Team Fortress 2: Mann vs Machine - Know Your Enemy

Published September 26th, 2012

The robots are invading! The Red and Blu mercenaries of Team Fortress 2 have had to call a temporary truce in order to stop these mechanical menaces.

Borderlands, Torchlight, Dishonored dominate your fall wishlist

Published September 24th, 2012

Earlier this month, I asked you which games you were most excited to play this fall. You responded in kind and have good taste in games. Here's proof:

Does SMITE Have Staying Power in the MOBA Ring?

Published September 20th, 2012

With the popularity of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games at an all-time high with titles like Defense of the Ancients, Heroes of Newerth and League of Legends, more and more MOBAs are showing up on the scene.

Top 5: Why PC gaming is back in business

Published September 19th, 2012

It's a great time to be a PC gamer. Here's why.

On Track: In The Driving Seat with Trackmania - Part Two

Published September 18th, 2012

In this three part series, we talk to three Trackmania pros from Team Dignitas about themselves, how they got into Trackmania, and what their future holds. Today, we talk to a young member of the Team Dignitas squad Carl-Antoni 'CarlJr' Cloutier who is 15 years old and but has been in Team Dignitas for two years.

Steamy living room: What do you think of Big Picture?

Published September 17th, 2012

Valve last week released Big Picture, a controller powered living room mode for all your PC games and Steam friends. What do you think of it?

Choosing a New Gaming Mouse

Published September 15th, 2012

What mouse do you use for gaming? A stock one or specialized one?

On Track: In The Driving Seat with Trackmania - Part One

Published September 14th, 2012

Looking into the smaller eSports titles new and old from the perspective of the people who are in the thick of it.

When did you become a gamer?

Published September 12th, 2012

Video games have been commercially available since 1972, an even forty years. So when did you join the party?

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Reviewed

Published September 11th, 2012

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a the First-Person Shooter (FPS) that was developed and recently released by Valve. Tournaments have already begun to be organized, like the 300 000 SEK Dreamhack Winter tournament. Is CS: GO the next big thing in the eSports scene when it comes to FPS games?

Cloud gaming claims its first casualty

Published September 10th, 2012

Last month, we discussed the future of cloud gaming. While half of you viewed it as an alternative to local PC gaming, a fourth of you thought it would flop, and recent news suggest they may be right.

What fall game are you most excited for?

Published September 7th, 2012

I suspect many of you will be busy with Guild Wars 2 for the foreseeable future. But there are a lot of PC games on the fall horizon. So, what are you most excited for?

Interview with dignitasNewmaN

Published September 4th, 2012

Interview with dignitasNewmaN - “expanding our audience is the single most important thing we need to achieve if we want esports to grow”

Now available: Guild Wars 2 well received

Published August 29th, 2012

It's here. The game many of you have been waiting for is here. The early verdict: It's in the running for game of the year.

Interview with Jesse Cox

Published August 28th, 2012

Jesse Cox is an American voice actor and rising Youtube star, now known as a prominent gamer in the online scene after working with people such as HuskyStarcraft and TotalBiscuit. I recently had the opportunity to find out how much he knows about eSports and competitive gaming.

Broken Sword: An adventure worth funding

Published August 27th, 2012

Venerable adventure game seeking crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Here's why you should care.

Smite's First Impressions

Published August 23rd, 2012

First impressions of the newest entry into the MOBA scene and how its new perspective stacks up against the current MOBA powerhouses.

Piracy still a PC problem? F2P to the rescue!

Published August 22nd, 2012

Ubisoft has a rocky history with PC gamers who accuse the publisher of locking up their games in off putting ways. But thanks to free-to-play, the company says its more committed to the platform now. Might other traditional console publishers follow suit?

Interview with dignitas.Scarra

Published August 21st, 2012

League of Legends mid lane for Team Dignitas, Scarra, sat down for a talk about the last MLG and some mid lane tips.

Roll call: Who's buying Counter-Strike: Global Offensive?

Published August 20th, 2012

PC darling Valve Corporation this week releases the highly anticipated, cheap (one Hamilton + a Lincoln), and fast-paced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Who's buyin'?

Interview with dignitasMerz - “It's been quite a bumpy road for the past months.”

Published August 17th, 2012

We catch up with Team Dignitas’ Starcraft II player, Merz, and talk about the recent twists and turns in the game.

Good game alert: Darksiders II out now

Published August 15th, 2012

Action/adventure games don't come often to PC. Here's a new and improved one you may want to plot on your radar.

PC game franchises that are improving and deteriorating

Published August 13th, 2012

A new survey by PC Gamer provides insight on the franchises that you feel are headed in the right direction, and the ones headed to the toilet.

Quality Gaming for Free: The Best Titles That Won’t Cost You a Penny

Published August 10th, 2012

A sample of sweet titles that won't cost you a penny to purchase?

Go it alone: Most popular PC genres a solitary affair

Published August 8th, 2012

The largest video game association has released its 2012 report on the state of the industry, and the most popular game genres on PC may just surprise you. Details inside.

Interview with dignitas.SeleCT - “When I have big matches, I prepare for the match based on the map.”

Published August 7th, 2012

SeleCT answers a few grilling questions about himself and his past.

Survey says: Cloud gaming a PC alternative, not replacement

Published August 6th, 2012

The results are in. The vast majority or readers are level-headed when it comes to predicting the future of cloud gaming.

Replayability & Incentivization in Diablo 3

Published August 2nd, 2012

Blizzard's latest RPG, Diablo 3, has many persistent progression systems installed into the game, which drive replayability on multiple difficulties and classes. But even with all of these systems that incentivize the player to grind on, many, including Blizzard themselves admit that end-game Diablo 3 is lacking.

Top 10 games that hog your hard drive

Published August 1st, 2012

Solid state drives are crazy fast and should be bundled with every new gaming rig. But they're also smaller in capacity than traditional hard drives, which makes us hate the ridiculous install sizes of these 10 games even more.

Interview with dignitas.DreAm

Published July 31st, 2012

Shijie ‘DreAm’ Zhu is a Protoss player, currently playing for Team Dignitas. He was a prominent Warcraft 3 player, but Dream now has set his sights on StarCraft 2, and will surely become a household name in both his home country of China, and the rest of the world.

Did you see this? The evolution of PC games

Published July 30th, 2012

Delightful two minute video documenting the visual and audio evolution of more than 30 years of PC gaming.

A Gamer's Perspective on Trine 2

Published July 27th, 2012

The recent Steam Summer Sale has rekindled the popularity of a number of games, with many players experiencing them for the first time. As a great opportunity to try out games you may have overlooked before at a greatly reduced price, let's take a look at just one of these examples: Trine 2.

Poll: What do you think of cloud gaming?

Published July 25th, 2012

What is the future of cloud gaming and PCs?

Interview with Dignitas L0CUST

Published July 24th, 2012

Support player for Team Dignitas’ League of Legends’ team, L0CUST, talks about adjusting to having a new member in the team as well as preparation before going to Korea for the OGN.

Analyzing the top 10 most played PC games

Published July 23rd, 2012

Two weeks ago, I published a report which estimated the top 10 most played PC games by hours spent...

MOBA Payment Models Get Competitive

Published July 19th, 2012

Payment structures and the competitive nature of MOBA games in the market, can Riot be beaten by Valve?

Publishers no longer dictate what games you get. You do.

Published July 18th, 2012

The promise of Kickstarter keeps getting better. Although still to early to tell what kind of legacy it will leave, on the surface, it appears gamers may finally be able to largely bypass publishers for the games the market still isn't supplying.

Interview with NaVi SAND

Published July 18th, 2012

A little chat with NAVi's League of Legends support player SAND about how things have been since joining Team Natus Vincere.

"We have to make games about different stuff," says some dude

Published July 16th, 2012

Unless changes are made, video games will eventually become niche like comic books have. Or so says nascent developer Chris Hecker.

League of Legends overtakes WoW as most-played PC game

Published July 11th, 2012

There's a new sheriff in town. Three years after its release, the free-to-play League of Legends has overtaken the longstanding World of Warcraft as the most-played PC game in the world, according to a new report.

How does Torchlight 2 compare to Diablo 3?

Published July 11th, 2012

Diablo 3 had an amazing launch, but with Torchlight 2 on the horizon is the crown going to be Diablo's for long?

Meh on modern: Shooters "moving towards near future," says DICE

Published July 9th, 2012

Battlefield to follow in the footsteps of Black Ops II towards near future gameplay? A top EA officials suggests as much.

Dota 2 - Playing Treant Protector

Published July 6th, 2012

A guide with some tips and breakdowns of playing the support hero, Treant Protector.

Buying a gaming rig? Don't overlook these factors

Published July 5th, 2012

Form, needs, and budget are key among them. But that are a lot more you should consider.

Diablo 3 Monk: Farming Guide Act 1

Published July 3rd, 2012

A guide to farming with your level 60 Monk on Inferno Difficulty - Act 1 in Diablo 3.

Remember 12-bit PC games?

Published July 2nd, 2012

Of course, no such thing existed. But it was the only way my childish mind could compute the graphical difference of PC games to console ones.

Have backlog? Will play this weekend.

Published June 29th, 2012

But your backlog to good use this weekend. Read this then play one for me, will ya?

Interview with Crumbzz from Team Dignitas

Published June 28th, 2012

Vigilante has a chat with League of Legends top laner player from Team Dignitas, Crumbzz, for Alienware Arena.

No excuse not to try these 13 games

Published June 27th, 2012

Since we're on the subject of free to play, you owe it to yourself to at least sample these 13 games without plopping down cash.

Can Counter-Strike: Global Offensive refresh PC first-person shooters?

Published June 26th, 2012

The PC First Person Shooter genre appears to have become stagnant and in need of a refresh can Counter-Strike: Global Offensive deliver the eSports goods?

It's inevitable: Free-to-play the future of gaming

Published June 25th, 2012

Not just PC gaming. All gaming. You win!

Diablo III named "most playable of the year" by Alienware readers

Published June 20th, 2012

I suspected how you would vote when I asked last month which game you would play the most this year. I was right.

This change your mind? Black Ops II getting dedicated servers

Published June 18th, 2012

After playing second fiddle to other shooters since quitting dedicated servers five years ago, the next Call of Duty plans to get serious again about competitive multiplayer. Too little too late?

Weekend edition: Sending you off with three gold nuggets

Published June 15th, 2012

Behind this door you'll find two things that will make you smile and one thing that will make scare you.

Man plays Civilization for 10 years, looks into the future

Published June 13th, 2012

What's the longest you've played a game? This guy played Civilization II for 10 straight years and learned a thing or two about simulated humanity.

E3 rewind: 5 more PC games you need to know

Published June 11th, 2012

Don't call 'em sloppy seconds. Now that the dust has settled, here are a few more PC games from E3 2012 that you need to follow.

Gross! Excessive gore offending some gamers now

Published June 7th, 2012

Twenty years after Mortal Kombat delighted gamers and shocked the mainstream world, has meaningless violence in games reached a tipping point?

Flood of new PC games announced this week (w/ video)

Published June 5th, 2012

As well as updates to previously announced games and lots of new trailers.

Witcher devs bringing cyberpunk RPG to PC

Published May 31st, 2012

Early artwork does its job in whetting appetites.

3 reasons Diablo III set PC sales record

Published May 29th, 2012

Almost five million gamers purchased Diablo III on the first day alone, making it the fastest-selling PC game on record. Here's why, according to PC World.

Top 5: PC games of summer

Published May 24th, 2012

And by "top" I mean the biggest, baddest, most buzz-worthy titles coming to PC over the next three months.

What game will you play the most this year?

Published May 22nd, 2012

There can only be one. Let's hear it, readers.

Botched Diablo III launch "hurts" PC gaming, says developer

Published May 17th, 2012

The fallout continues. But how significant is it, if at all?

Diablo III: "The servers are busy. Please try again later."

Published May 15th, 2012

I suspect Diablo III will eventually meet player expectations. But it's been a bumpy ride so far.

The problem with traditional MMORPGs

Published May 10th, 2012

In light of decreasing interest in the much hyped Star Wars: The Old Republic, do traditional MMORPGs have a problem?

Check-off list: Diablo III launch guide

Published May 8th, 2012

Blizzard has released a check-off list of seven things you need to consider before jumping into Diablo III next week.

This news ensures more PC games on the way

Published May 3rd, 2012

Although business news is usually a bore, it's easy to read between the lines of this latest report: After three straight years of impressive growth, PC gaming is still thriving and more games are on the way.

Tera released; T-minus two weeks until Diablo III

Published May 1st, 2012

May shaping up as a much hyped month for PC gaming.

23 eyelid bugs? How video games are made

Published April 26th, 2012

A smattering of internal memos by Bioware during the development of Mass Effect were made public recently, shedding insight into all the crazy things game developers have to consider when making a game.

PlayStation coming to a PC near you?

Published April 24th, 2012

Flying in the face of everything consoles have done in the past, Sony last week opened the door to allow some of its games to appear on "certified" third-party devices. Might that include PCs?

Gone Moabing—what are you "playing”?

Published April 19th, 2012

Your handsome editor is heading for the canyons this weekend. After sharing your plans with the community, check inside for tips, tricks, and "cheats" for maximum idea generation. Oh yeah!

Today's news brief is PC game heavy

Published April 18th, 2012

Max Payne 3, Sword & Sworcery, Crysis 3, Steam Discounts, and Unlimited PC Play all in the news.

Considerable games: Legend of Grimrock, Blacklight Retribution, Lone Survivor

Published April 16th, 2012

All three are "buzzing" recently.

Do you make faces while gaming?

Published April 12th, 2012

I'd like to think my facial reactions are subtle while gaming. But having never recorded them, I'm not so sure. What about you?

”iTunes of PC games” made one guy crazy rich

Published April 10th, 2012

$1.5 billion, according to a new report. His name: Gabe Newell. His idea: The wonderful, crazy affordable, and easy-to-use Steam, which helped to enhance and popularize PC gaming once more.

What are you playing this weekend?

Published April 6th, 2012

Easter is upon us. While many of you will be with family over the weekend, let us know if you plan on sneaking away to game as well, and if so, whatcha playin'?

Skyrim tower defense coming ”early April”

Published April 4th, 2012

New mod coming to Steam in a matter of weeks, developer says.

Tera trending as anticipated PC game

Published April 2nd, 2012

Before Diablo III drops later next month, TERA is trending as one of the more anticipated titles coming to PC within the next 30 days. Will you bite?

Best-selling PC games right now

Published March 29th, 2012

Rayman Origins, Total War, Diablo III pre-orders, and Sims make the recent best-selling list in America, among others. Details inside.

”When is the real PC release date?”

Published March 27th, 2012

A recent "interview" with Ubisoft regarding the upcoming PC release of Assassin's Creed III made me laugh because it was funny, and laugh because it was true.

Have you played these recent high-scoring games?

Published March 21st, 2012

In terms of well-received unexpected games, this year is off to a great start for PC players.

You call that hardcore? THIS is hardcore.

Published March 19th, 2012

Aiming a bullet is one thing. But coming to grips with abstract math, gravity, and physics in this otherwordly indie game is entirely different. It's beyond hardcore. It's downright daunting.

Evil is back! Diablo III coming May 15

Published March 15th, 2012

It's on, people. After 12 long years since the last game, Blizzard Entertainment today announced a May 15 release date for the highly anticipated Diablo III.

Debris-filled Battlefield 3 expansion looks intense

Published March 13th, 2012

And it's obvious the game is gunning squarley for Call of Duty now. Trailer and details inside.

How to overclock your graphics card

Published March 9th, 2012

Got an itch for overclocking. Peep this helpful guide first.

Blast from the past: SimCity returns to PC next year

Published March 7th, 2012

Electronic Arts and Maxis games today announced a "rebirth" of the venerable SimCity, coming to PCs at some point in 2013.

Is Alienware's newest rig about to become a Steam Box?

Published March 5th, 2012

Rumors are swirling this week (literally swirling, I tell ya!) that Valve will soon begin licensing "Steam Boxes" to hardware partners such as Alienware to port the popular Steam service beyond the desktop.

Have you seen this? Massive space war

Published March 2nd, 2012

Bioware knows how to make a sizzle reel, that's for sure. New launch trailer inside.

Most overrated PC game? You tell me.

Published February 29th, 2012

Don't hate the playa, hate the game. Or something like that. Details inside.

Not dead, just inclusive: PC gaming on more machines

Published February 27th, 2012

Chief creative officer of Electronic Arts says the old definition of PC gaming is too narrow. Moving forward his company will "embrace" spec-challenged rigs as much as heavy duty ones, in an effort to equal the playing field.

Weekend edition: What are you playing?

Published February 24th, 2012

Spit it out! Then peep the comments for other ideas.

PC gamers upset over Mass Effect 3 upsell

Published February 23rd, 2012

Bioware this week confirmed rumors that it would upsell a launch day expansion pack upon release of Mass Effect 3 on March 6—Let the milking begin.

$2 million PC adventure: Crowdfunded games have arrived

Published February 21st, 2012

The future is bright for fan-funded video games. Really bright, especially if you like point and click adventure games, or bold or financially risky games in general.

5 reasons you'll love PC gaming this year

Published January 31st, 2012

There's never a bad time to start or rekindle a love for PC gaming. But this year should be especially kind to the platform for the following reasons.

Losing touch with an "Unreal" friend

Published January 25th, 2012

Have you ever lost touch with a cool online multiplayer friend? I have. Here's my story.

Underwhelmed: Less than half renewing Star Wars Old Republic, poll finds

Published January 23rd, 2012

Consistent with the high-profile game's luke-warm reception last month, a recent survey by our commrades at PC Gamer found that many players aren't willing to renew their subscription after the one month free trial.

What do you think of Alienware's new mini?

Published January 19th, 2012

A year and a half ago, there was increasing talk of set-top gaming rigs — small but powerful desktops that could pull double duty in the living room. For Alienware, the time is now.

PC gamers freaking out (or lying) about Mass Effect 3 intent

Published January 17th, 2012

Like Battlefield 3 before it, EA has announced that the upcoming Mass Effect 3 will not be available on Steam, the largest PC gaming store in America. Now gamers are pissed!

Kinect for PC gaming: Nothing to see here

Published January 13th, 2012

Microsoft announced this week that it would be porting Kinect from Xbox to PC next month. But given the lack of supported games and applications, it means little to PC gaming.

Alienware to unveil "victorious" rig next week

Published January 11th, 2012

Because I work here, you'd think I'd get a sneak peak at the new Alienware system. But I don't. I'm just like the rest of you: I put my pants on one leg at a time and I have to wait until next Wednesday to find out.

Most played game of the year causing real-life rifts

Published January 9th, 2012

The massive Elder Scrolls: Skyrim was the most played game of 2011, according to market researcher Raptr. Consequently, significant others, house chores, and even pets are being neglected.

First-person shooting with a camera instead of a gun

Published January 5th, 2012

Have you seen this? New indie-game introducing a novel twist on the tried and true FPS genre.

Looking for something to play this year? Try one of these 158 PC games

Published January 3rd, 2012

PC Gamer has compiled an exhaustive list of 158 games that will likely make their way to PC this year. Get clicky with it.

What are your new year's gaming resolutions?

Published December 29th, 2011

Games you still need to finish? Places you still hope to visit? Let's hear it.

What's your favorite holiday PC game? Here's mine

Published December 27th, 2011

The year: 1995. The game: Burn: Cycle. The experience: Awesome.

Despite hype, Star Wars: Old Republic launches to mixed reviews

Published December 22nd, 2011

World of Warcraft-slayer this is not, at least not yet.

Unlimited PC play: You're gonna have to do better than that, Gamefly

Published December 20th, 2011

New "unlimited PC play" service launched this week, only it's not that good.

New Mass Effect 3 trailer highlights action changes

Published December 15th, 2011

Bioware this week released a gigantic gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated Mass Effect 3, revealing the series new shift towards action-heavy and genre-bending gameplay.

Great execution, not innovation, makes video games fun

Published December 12th, 2011

If innovative games are so great, how come all 13 of PC Gaming magazine's "most anticipated" games are all sequels? One game designer explains why.

Last minute holiday notice: Don't forget to buy Trine 2!

Published December 8th, 2011

It's better than the unsong but beautiful first game. Get clicky to see why.

Your consensus game of the year: The winner is...

Published December 6th, 2011

Last week, I asked you handsome readers what your favorite game of the year was. Well, the overwhelming results are in!

What's your game of the year?

Published December 1st, 2011

It's been a great year for PC gaming. Looking back, what has been your favorite game of the year?

The best-selling PC games in America right now

Published November 28th, 2011

Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Batman: Arkham City, and "Modern Battlefield 3" the biggest bread winners so far this holiday. More inside.

PC gaming: What are you thankful for this year?

Published November 23rd, 2011

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, coupled with a collective "cheer up sad pandas" at grumpyy or otherwise downer gamers, let us give thanks this season.

$5 indie game alert: The Binding of Isaac

Published November 21st, 2011

From the creator of Super Meat Boy and Gish comes this old school Zelda shooter mashup. Good times.

Browse free PC games with tiny downloader

Published November 18th, 2011

Finding a free PC game you'll actually want to play is a chore. Game Downloader, a tiny PC client, hopes to change that.

Would we still play war games if there was a military draft?

Published November 16th, 2011

Despite more than a decade of real war, military shooters are the biggest attraction of modern video games. Would that still be the case if Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 were released during an actual draft?

Skyrim out now: Is this game awesome or what?

Published November 14th, 2011

If anyone needs me, I'll be at my computer. Playing Skyrim. For the next several months, if not year, even. Details inside.

There's a soldier in all of us

Published November 10th, 2011

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 dropped this week to solid reviews, just like Battlefield 3 before it. So which is the better game? Answering that question is largely a matter of taste.

Video: Game testing is a thankless, crappy job

Published November 8th, 2011

It's better than digging ditches. But not by much.

Poll: Is your gaming PC your primary computer?

Published November 4th, 2011

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes of ZDnet is the latest columnits attempting to make PC pricing and console pricing an apples to apples comparison. It's not. Take this poll to proove it.

Driving a powerful gaming rig never gets old

Published November 2nd, 2011

Now you're playing with power!

Top 5 holiday games for PC not named Battlefield 3 (w/ video)

Published October 31st, 2011

Or Call of Duty. You already know about those two. So in addition to them biggins, plot the following five on your radar as well. You can thank me later.

What's the first simulation game you ever played?

Published October 27th, 2011

The year was 1991. Van Halen had just released their chain-saw sounding For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album. And it was the first time I played a simulation game, which would go on to become one of the PC's most popular attractions.

PC games knee deep in action right now

Published October 25th, 2011

Action games are having quite a moment on PC right now. Battlefield 3, Batman: Arkham City, Skyrim, Saint's Row 3, and Modern Warfare 3 all within the next 30 days.

Exclusive: EA producer on new Battlefield 3 gameplay, burning oil, and 100-man platoons

Published October 19th, 2011

Why is Battlefield 3 hyped more than any previous Battlefield game? In addition to a graphics boost, will the new engine actually enable new gameplay? And how much does Battlefield 3 love PC? EA producer Aleksander Grondal spills his guts in an exclusive interview with Alienware Arena.

Excitement in the air: Battlefield 3 causing PC upgrades

Published October 17th, 2011

Battlefield 3 is a system seller. According to one analyst, PC gamers are replacing or upgrading their rigs in anticipation.

Good luck gaining steam, Amazon. You're gonna need it.

Published October 13th, 2011

The battle for PC game downloads has only just begin. But despite Amazon.com rising ambition, Steam still reigns supreme. Here's why.

What are your favorite custom gaming songs?

Published October 11th, 2011

We scratch the surface by listing ours—from Metallica to DeadMau5. Join the discussion inside.

Performance boost: Free PC tweaks or hardware upgrade?

Published October 5th, 2011

How much can free PC tweaks boost gaming performance compared to hardware upgrades? Click to find out.

Out now: id's Rage storms onto PC

Published October 4th, 2011

20 years after the release of the legendary Doom, fabled first-person developer id Software today released their newest game, Rage. What's the early verdict? Find out inside.

PC game "mistaken" as actual war footage

Published September 29th, 2011

Either graphics have become ridiculously realistic, journalism has reached new lows, or someone is straight up lying. Either way, PC game Arma 2 was mislabeled as actual IRA war footage this week by British broadcaster ITV.

Have you played these new high-scoring PC games?

Published September 27th, 2011

An uncommon number of good games have arrived on PC in recent weeks leading up to the holiday rush of fall and winter. Have you played them all?

YouTube + gaming = epic win

Published September 22nd, 2011

Admit it: Gaming's gotten better thanks to YouTube. Not only that, but it's gotten a lot bigger, too, according to a new report.

Indie developers flocking to PC due to console red tape

Published September 20th, 2011

In addition to increased publisher support for PC in recent years, a growing number of indie developers are returning to the mouse and keyboard, after struggling to find a place on close-walled consoles.

Micro-transactions driving costs of PC games down

Published September 15th, 2011

Tired of paying a monthly subscription for that MMO of yours? Good news, the tend appears to be on the decline, according to a new report via Gamasutra.

Bigwigs dish on future of PC gaming

Published September 13th, 2011

You already know what PC gaming looks like. Here's where it's going, according to a couple of people a lot more connected than you.

NBA player Gordon Hayward to join pro gaming league

Published September 9th, 2011

Pro gaming got a little more mainstream yesterday, with Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward announcing he'll join the IGN Pro League this fall to compete in StarCraft II tourneys.

How important are hardware mods to PC gaming?

Published September 8th, 2011

A new opinion piece on a popular gaming blog argues that hardware tinkering isn't required to achieve the "best graphics and sound" on PC, and that in fact, such modders may be holding the platform back.

Even though it's "more of the same," you'll still play next Call of Duty

Published September 6th, 2011

A new preview of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 says the game is "basically the same as Modern Warfare 2." And allthough PC gamers have alternatives (i.e. Battlefield 3), you'll still play Activision's yearly shooter because many of your friends will.

How to fix low completion rate of games?

Published September 1st, 2011

A new report by CNN suggests only 10% of players finish their games. The reason: The aging gamer (who is busier), a glut of games, and the rise of multiplayer. More inside.

Counter-Strike GO: Six things we know

Published August 30th, 2011

The first trailer for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was released on Friday. Although details are still light, here are all the juicy morsels to hold onto until Valve drops more information.

New indie game trailer making waves

Published August 25th, 2011

Got another low-profile game you might want to put on your radar. Trailer inside.

Critical opinion: Deus Ex Human Revolution is good

Published August 23rd, 2011

I love the smell of a good game at the end of summer. The verdict is in: Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a "dark, cool, and beautiful revival of an incredible game," according to reviews, both critical and user.

Ubisoft still struggling with PC releases

Published August 18th, 2011

Newly released From Dust added to a growing list of buggy PC games made by one of the world's largest and often creative publishers. Is this worst over?

Steamy Valves incoming: Counter-Strike GO or DotA 2?

Published August 15th, 2011

Revered PC publisher Valve has two highly anticipated "udpates" coming to classic franchises: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Defense of the Ancients 2. Which are you more excited to play?

The top 25 best PC games of the modern era

Published August 12th, 2011

IGN has posted what they believe to be the best 25 PC games "from more recent times." Think you know what made the list?

Nothing to see here: Mouse and keyboard alive and well

Published August 10th, 2011

Despite the recent influx of motion and gesture alternative, the mouse and keyboard are still the go-to input device for computing mortals, a new report found. Long live QWERTY!

Will this change your mind on Battlefield 3?

Published August 8th, 2011

It's official, everyone. The highly-anticipated Battlefield 3 will not be playable fromSteam, the largest PC gaming store in America, when it releases this October. Details inside.

Hey you, look at all these great PC games!

Published August 4th, 2011

Looking for something new to play? How about one of these 22 exclusive PC games?

This Diablo 3 news makes me a sad panda

Published August 2nd, 2011

Game to be DRM'd with constant internet connection. Bye, bye airplane gaming.

New Driver San Francisco trailer looks fun

Published July 29th, 2011

Calling on sandbox / driving PC gamers!

Battlefield 3 making PC the lead platform again

Published July 27th, 2011

After trailing HD consoles in recent years as the lead development platform, the PC is reclaiming the top spot once more, thanks in part to the upcoming release of Battlefield 3.

What are your all-time favorite PC mods?

Published July 25th, 2011

Here's a pretty good list to get you started: Count-Strike, Team Fortress, and DotA, not to mention a few surprises.

Do your tastes in games change by day, week, or season?

Published July 20th, 2011

For example, do you prefer shooters to strategy during select times and vice versa?

The best-selling PC games in America

Published July 18th, 2011

Indie-game Terraria, World of Warcraft, and Bad Company 2 lead the pack during the summer doldrums. More inside.

StarCraft II: One year down, many more to come

Published July 13th, 2011

Like StarCraft II? Take a trip down memory lane with this fan-made video, highlighting some of the most exhilarating and painful moments from the game's first anniversary.

Halftime report: The best games so far this year

Published July 11th, 2011

What do Portal 2, Witcher 2, Dirt 3, and Shogun 2 all have in common? Yes, they're sequels, but among a handful of others, they're the highest rated games released so far this year on PC.

Call of Duty: Star Wars mod is all sorts of awesome

Published July 7th, 2011

You no longer have to wait for The Old Republic to get your Star Wars fix.

Interview: Pro gamers staying alive, chasing the dream like the rest of us

Published July 5th, 2011

In a sluggish economy, even pro gamers are feeling the sting. But they're still making a living, playing the game and things are looking up, says 27 year-old David "Zaccubus" Treacy of Team Dignitas in an interview with Alienware.

Play this game: The best new PC racer you'll find

Published June 30th, 2011

Better yet, it's free (details inside). Don't say I never did anything for ya.

Interview: Riot Games dishes on League of Legends updates

Published June 28th, 2011

What's next for the popular DotA clone? Are new maps in the cards? And what about that spectator mode? Find out inside.

LA Noire on PC: It's no Red Dead Redemption, but it's a start

Published June 23rd, 2011

One month after releasing the console version, Rockstar Games today announced it's bringing LA Noire to PC this fall. Too bad it's not the previously released (and better) Red Dead Redemption.

Streaming PC games coming to a Walmart near you

Published June 21st, 2011

PC game service and Onlive rival Gaikai today announced a massive deal to stream games for Walmart, the largest gaming retailer in America. Lookout, Steam!

Whether you pay $300 or $0, League of Legends is a fun game

Published June 17th, 2011

Here's one reason the free-to-play League of Legends is so hot right now.

Grab some popcorn. This is gonna be good.

Published June 15th, 2011

The fight between Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 is getting downright hostile, even before the first bullet has been fired. Regardless of who wins, this should be fun.

If this game isn't on your radar, we can't be friends

Published June 13th, 2011

A lot of big PC games were shown at E3 last week. But unless you put this lesser known game on your radar, we can no longer be friends.

What press conference? Here's my PC game montage

Published June 9th, 2011

PC games don't have an E3 press conference and probably never will. But that doesn't mean there aren't any good games being shown.

Hi, I'm a PC. And I make video games look good.

Published June 7th, 2011

You already know this, but the latest trailer for Battlefield 3 is a thing of beauty, and further proof you may want to upgrade your rig.

Is Rift a worthy alternative to WoW?

Published June 2nd, 2011

Three months since its release, how does Rift compare to the MMO heavyweight?

Big games coming to PC this summer

Published May 31st, 2011

Summertime is known more for the great outdoors than it is video games. But a surprising number of promising PC titles might keep you indoors more than you had originally anticipated this summer.

Most wanted shooter: Battlefield 3 or Modern Warfare 3?

Published May 27th, 2011

Two notable miliatary shooters are coming to PC this fall: One is a cult favorite among gamers and the other is a cultural behemoth. Which will you buy and/or expect to play more of?

Rant on! StarCraft is a game not an e-sport

Published May 25th, 2011

Here's why StarCraft and other popular competative titles should always be referred to as games, never e-sports.

Despite recent news, Steam still king of PC games

Published May 23rd, 2011

The battle for digital PC games is heating up, but the independent and gamer-favorite Steam still reigns supreme.

Here's why people like watching StarCraft

Published May 17th, 2011

Video games are meant to be played. StarCraft, however, is unique in that it can be as much fun to watch as it is to click. Here's why.

What makes StarCraft II so good?

Published May 12th, 2011

You tell me first. Then I'll follow up with detailed reasons why in the coming weeks.

Further proof Rage will set a new benchmark upon release this fall

Published May 10th, 2011

You know the name. But have you seen this exclusive gameplay trailer?

Updated: Promising Brink ready to rumble on PC

Published May 10th, 2011

The newly launched Brink looks hot. I've heard more than one person refer to it as "the next Team Fortress 2." But like so many games before it, including Call of Duty: Black Ops for PC, it seems as though Bethesda shipped a buggy game.

Have solid state drives given you that extra gaming edge?

Published May 4th, 2011

A quick look at the performance benefits of SSDs. Take that, sucka!

How much longer will real-time strategy dominate PC games?

Published May 2nd, 2011

Over one in four games on PC are classified as real-time strategy, the most of any genre, according to the Entertainment Software Association. Long live clickfests?

Give the little guy a chance: The great game nobody saw

Published April 29th, 2011

Tom Ohle likes video games. As a gaming PR guy, it's his job to like games. But he's also saddened by the fact that so many low-profile games go unnoticed.

Poll: What's the most you've ever spent on a rig?

Published April 26th, 2011

Depending on specs, the price of a gaming rig can vary greatly -- from under $1000 to well over $7000.

Do you still enjoy versus fighting games?

Published April 25th, 2011

There were great in the '90s. Not so much anymore. Am I wrong?

User reviews mixed on Portal 2's value

Published April 20th, 2011

Despite its mind-bending gameplay, a significant number of gamers have taken issue with the value of Portal 2. While the first game sold for $15 on PC, the sequel goes for $50. Are certain players just nit-picking, or is there "value" in their argument?

Poll: Are you buying Portal 2 this week?

Published April 18th, 2011

One of the biggest sequels of the year arrives this week. Are you buying?