Alienware Arena Articles
Microsoft readies "more announcements" for PC games
Published August 31st, 2010
After several years of estrangement, Microsoft is increasingly courting PC gaming again. And new comments published this week suggest a lot more loving is on the way.
Yeah, baby! These Portal 2 trailers freak me out
Published August 30th, 2010
New gameplay trailers shown last week reveal just how awesome this game could be.
Video games are easier now to encourage repeat business
Published August 25th, 2010
Thanks to unlimited lives, regenerative health, frequent checkpoints and glaringly obvious puzzles, video games are easier today than ever before. It's a fact.
Top 5 best PC games to play this fall
Published August 23rd, 2010
The rules: They have to release in either September, October, or November. They can't be named "World of Warcraft." And they have to look awesome.
Microsoft announces "return to PC gaming" with new Age of Empires and Flight-sim games
Published August 20th, 2010
It was a good week for PC games, thanks to announcements of several new games. But in unveiling Age of Empires Online and Flight, Microsoft seems to be making good on its promise to “return to PC gaming.”
PC gaming taken for granted, but always there
Published August 17th, 2010
Every so often, some video game rag poses the same, tired question: "Is PC gaming dead?" In fact, this attention-grabbing discussion has been regurgitated and shared numerous times since the '90s by "who knows how many" people. Thanks to a pair of repeats, this month is no different.
Before buying your next PC, consider this living room option
Published August 16th, 2010
Hi, I'm a "PC." And I'm a "TV." And we're getting married!
Blizzard, EA dominate retail PC games in July
Published August 12th, 2010
Selling nearly 750k copies last month, StarCraft II was the best selling game last month of any system—by far. And if that wasn't enough for Blizzard's golden coffers, several World of Warcraft editions continued to pepper the top 20 retail list, released today by NPD. (EA had a good month too, thanks to strong sales of Sims, Bad Company 2, and Dragon Age).
The trouble with porting games to PC
Published August 11th, 2010
The biggest video game released in the last year was undoubtedly Modern Warfare 2. Unfortunately for PC gamers, they were sold an inferior version for the same price, thanks to erratic multiplayer and neutered options. Why is that? How did the PC go from being the historical target platform to an afterthought? And what does the future hold for ported PC games?
Good luck with that: Controllers that heat or cool depending on the game
Published August 9th, 2010
Next to rechargeable health, vibrating gamepads may be one of the finer innovations of recent video games. But controllers that heat or cool depending on the situation!? That’s just silly.
Top 10 most popular PC gaming genres
Published August 6th, 2010
Think you can guess the most played genres in PC games over the last year? The results may surprise you, as given to Alienware Arena by NPD, the official tracker of U.S. video game sales.
Say it ain't so: More games delayed on PC
Published August 4th, 2010
Were you excited to play Fable III or Crysis 2 on PC this year? Too bad. You’re gonna have to wait until at least next year, both Microsoft and Electronic Arts announced this week, lending further credibility to the belief that PC still plays second fiddle to consoles when it comes to shipping games on time.
Reader Poll: How do you buy PC games?
Published August 2nd, 2010
There are only so many ways to buy video games: in-store, mail-order, or via download. So tell us, readers: In light of recent news, how do you buy your PC games?
Today’s biggest PC game franchises
Published July 30th, 2010
Face it, fellow PC gamers. Our world has changed. Although epic fantasy, shooter, and racing games still play a large role, the following mean more to the mouse and keyboard today than Doom and Ultima ever did.
More StarCraft 2 than you can shake a stick at
Published July 26th, 2010
The highly anticipated (and by "highly," I mean longer than a decade) StarCraft II arrives on PC tomorrow. It will undoubtedly become the best-selling game of the year, and could overtake World of Warcraft as the most-played game. To make sure no rock goes unturned, here’s a list of StarCraft 2 stories you might want to catch up on before playing.
Report: Half of all PC games are downloaded now
Published July 22nd, 2010
Although not as fast as in music, digital downloads are slowly overtaking in-store sales of PC games. A new report released this week by market researcher NPD revealed that digital downloads represented 48 percent of all PC game sales last year, compared with 52 percent in-store.
Researching games then playing them on a single system
Published July 21st, 2010
You know what, I missed one. In addition to obvious gaming advantages, the PC as is extra useful because it lets players research and play their games on a single system. No other platform can say that, because let’s face it: when you read and talk video games, you do it on computers.
Alienware acknowledges set top gaming PCs, won’t say if they’re making one though
Published July 19th, 2010
I asked several E3 attendees last month what kind of PC gaming system they'd like to see in the near future. Surprisingly, many expressed interest in TV-ready rigs. You know, a sleek, easy to use box like this (only more powerful) that plays just as nice with your HDTV as it does your monitor.
Global PC shipments increase by 22%
Published July 16th, 2010
The world's most popular gaming platform just got more popular. Market researcher IDC this week said worldwide shipments of personal computers jumped 22 percent in the second quarter, thanks to 82 million new units sold.
Don't make me think: When gaming and unwinding don't mix
Published July 14th, 2010
After a long week, I didn't feel like doing anything last Friday — much less play a thought-provoking video game. It wasn't always that way. While in school, I would fire up any cartridge, disc, or executable you put in front of me. At least to try it. Didn’t matter my mood, the day, the season, or the genre. To me, video games were the superior input source for all glowing objects.
Learn everything you need to know about next-generation PC graphics
Published July 12th, 2010
don't really know what all this technical mumbo jumbo really means (Note: I quit speaking fluent geek after learning that my computer science future was futile.) But I know it looks awesome, and it’s coming to a PC game near you via DirectX 11.
Forget story: Video games are meant to be played
Published July 9th, 2010
This week, the following discussion was posted on a popular gaming forum: Video games with acclaimed stories that actually have TERRIBLE stories. We laugh because it is funny. We laugh because it is true.
PC dominates E3 awards with more "best of show" games than any other
Published July 7th, 2010
Maybe this guy was right. With exception to only a handful of non-applicable categories (i.e. "handhelds"), the PC was home to more E3 gaming awards this year han any other system, including "best console game." (Go, figure!)
Activision calls for "gamer-friendly PCs" that connect to TVs
Published July 6th, 2010
You know what would make PC gaming better? Ease of use with the living room. At least that’s what Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told the Financial Times this week.
Video games demand weekly top 10 listing in the news
Published July 2nd, 2010
Isn't it nice to read the news and find the top 10 movies or songs of the week? Makes you feel in touch with your surroundings, no? Well, wouldn’t it be nice to find a "most popular" video games list, alongside the most popular movies and music? That’s what Entertainment Software Association president Michael Gallagher is hoping for.
Osmos: My new favorite PC game now only $5
Published June 30th, 2010
You probably didn’t download Osmos when it was released last August. And why would you? It comes from a no-name indie developer, and it’s a puzzle game. And who the freak likes artsy fartsy puzzle games made by pretentious indie developers?
Opinion: Why the PC won E3
Published June 28th, 2010
Let’s be honest. Regardless of your favorite gaming platform, everyone’s a winner during the Electronic Entertainment Expo. A million new games. Fresh ways to play. And more than enough content to tide everyone over for the next year. But according to one gaming authority, no one was more blessed by E3 2010 than PC players.
Microsoft recommits to PC gaming (again), promises "more news later this summer" following Fable III announcement
Published June 22nd, 2010
Over the last decade (aka since launching the Xbox), even Microsoft’s media relations department knows the company hasn’t done the best job in supporting PC gaming.
E3 2010: Top 10 PC games for big boys
Published June 21st, 2010
Just when you thought E3 might not be the best showcase for PC games, this year's show proved quite the opposite. As my witness, here are 20 plus upcoming games that not only caught my attention, but my imagination.
Server-based gaming launches. Does it work?
Published June 18th, 2010
First announced last year, California start-up OnLive promised to stream high-definition video games to any computer or TV this month, regardless of the processing power (or lack thereof). As promised, the company opened its server-based gaming doors today on a “first come, first serve” basis. So is seeing believing?
Interview: State of PC gaming in 2010
Published June 17th, 2010
When the PC Gaming Alliance launched two years, there was no single authority promoting the PC as a viable gaming platform, which is why the alliance was created in the first place. So what’s the coalition been up to?
Unknown PC game worthy of your E3 radar
Published June 15th, 2010
If you're reading this and play PC games, you probably recognize most of the big games being shown at E3 this week: Crysis 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Deadspace 2, Homefront, Mafia II, Xcom, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty: Black Ops. The list goes on.
Why you'll probably never see a PC press conference at E3
Published June 11th, 2010
When E3 kicks off next week, every major video game platform will have a big, sensory press conference, telling the world why it should play their hardware in the coming year. Everyone except PC, that is.
Top 5 reasons PCs play video games better than consoles
Published June 9th, 2010
Video games have played a large part in my relatively short life. As I've said before, "If it's fun, I'll play it -- no matter the platform." But there are pros and cons to every system. And when it comes to playing video games, PCs are great for the following reasons, especially when compared to consoles.
Celebrate World Cup with free FIFA Online
Published June 7th, 2010
Confession: I become a soccer junkie every four years. No, I don't have a weird leap year fetish for the sport. I simply hitch my ride to the every four years World Cup, which starts anew this Friday in South Africa.
PC gaming: What to expect from E3
Published June 4th, 2010
Mega gaming site IGN this week published a preview of some of the biggest PC games expected at E3 this month. So what's on tap when the expo opens its doors on June 15?
Understanding the "Gamer Petition" and why you might want to sign
Published June 3rd, 2010
This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court will once again hear the latest case (California's Schwarzenegger v. EMA) challenging the protected free speech status of video games. Like movies, music, books and other media, video games are currently protected under the First Amendment. But that could all change, says the Entertainment Consumers Association, given the interactive nature of the medium. Unless, of course, consumers help the industry protect the medium.
Why PC games sometimes lack the spotlight
Published June 1st, 2010
Despite being the most widely-played video game system in the world—by a long shot—the PC often lacks the spotlight enjoyed by popular consoles. Why is that? "A couple of reasons," says game consultant Adrian Crook.
Top 5 PC games to play this summer
Published May 28th, 2010
Looking for something new to play on your PC this summer? Unlike most June through August gaming calendars, 2010 is brimming with high-profile awesomeness, including StarCraft II, Alpha Protocol, and Need for Speed World to name a few. Don't get a life just yet.
Can World of Warcraft get any bigger?
Published May 27th, 2010
With an incredible 11.5 million gamers paying $14/month, World of Warcraft is both the most widely played and most profitable video game in the world. But growth has been stagnant since 2008, something Blizzard Entertainment hopes to change later this year, with the release of the Cataclysm expansion pack.
The summer of PC racers?
Published May 25th, 2010
Summer is right around the corner, and as I previewed last month, it's a helluva good time to play PC racing games.
Hey, you spilled strategy guides on my Steam
Published May 21st, 2010
Stuck on a game and don't want to exit out to the internet for help? For Steam users, you no longer have to, depending on the game, as Valve today launched the first batch of Prima guides for the platform.
First-person shooters: Which did you play first?
Published May 19th, 2010
Throughout history, gamers have always liked to shoot things. In the olden days we had shoot 'em ups. Nowadays we have first-person shooters. Although I missed Space Invaders upon its release in 1978, I clearly remember playing the game that transitioned shooters to the first-person perspective. It was the summer of 1992. My buddy Mark had recently acquired a new PC, and he had this 3.5" floppy disc with a game called Wolfenstein 3D.
How to make PC gaming even better
Published May 17th, 2010
With upwards of 300 million players -- the most popular platform by far -- PC gaming is bigger than ever. But the system has its share of challenges, something Games Radar recently described as "powerful but flawed" in an editorial examining How to fix what's wrong with PC gaming.
Five things you didn't know about Crysis 2
Published May 14th, 2010
In addition to Medal of Honor and Call of Duty: Black Ops, Crysis 2 is one of the most anticipated military shooters for PC the year. And even if you haven't played Crysis 1, this self-described "reboot" is a "clean starting point for you to jump in," says executive producer Nathan Camarillo. That said, here are some important things to note about the sequel.
Assassin's Creed goes multiplayer in new side quest
Published May 12th, 2010
Not to be confused with Assassin's Creed III, the newly renamed Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is more a "continuation" of the second game than a proper sequel. But it's coming to PC later this year, and it's adding a new multiplayer mode, Ubisoft announced today.
Missed opportunity: PC needs more suitable experiences, not piracy control
Published May 10th, 2010
If publishers could ever contain piracy, PC game sales would go through the roof, right? That's not what one aspiring developer thinks. No, piracy isn't the problem, says indie game maker David Rosen. Poor use of PC technology is.
I've never been steamier for cohesive PC gaming
Published May 6th, 2010
Call me old-fashioned, but I still like owning things you can hold. You know, something like a PC game pressed to disc. Unlike my digital music collection, it's really nice to know your other stuff won't disappear when the electricity goes out. That alone keeps me in the "this guy still likes to buy tangible goods" category.
StarCraft II coming Jul 27; next "modern" Call of Duty on Nov 9
Published May 3rd, 2010
Activision dropped bombs this weekend. Two in fact. Specifically, the company will release the highly anticipated StarCraft II worldwide on July 27 (exclusively for PC), followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops-the follow-up to Modern Warfare 2-on November 9.
Special report: What makes PC gamers tick?
Published April 30th, 2010
Logan Decker really likes PC gaming. Admittedly, as editor-in-chief of PC Gamer, he gets paid to like PC games. But when talking to him about what makes the platform special, he exudes both enthusiasm and fairness.
This just in: PC is loaded with hit action games
Published April 27th, 2010
Whoever said the PC doesn't have any action games is a turd. Undoubtedly the platform is a haven for role playing, massive multiplayer, and strategy games. But the PC is no slouch when it comes to action games either. In fact, it's home to many of the same high-octane blockbusters consoles are known for.
Online multiplayer: What's the best time of day to win?
Published April 26th, 2010
Winning feels good. Great, in fact. And like anything else in life, winning in video games is no different, especially the online multiplayer kind. The other night while playing online, I was enjoying an unusual winning streak. Unusual because I'm normally not that good at playing games. (There, I said it.) It was around 2 am. The wife and little ones were asleep. And I was... what are the kids saying this days?... oh right, pwning the competition.
Top 5 remaining PC games to play this spring
Published April 23rd, 2010
Spring has been kind to PC gamers so far this year. There's been Bad Company 2, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City, and "better than the original" Just Cause 2. And let's not forget about Mass Effect 2 and Bioshock 2 released earlier in the year. But if you're still looking for something new, a lot of fresh games are just around the corner.
New Left 4 Dead 2 expansion free on PC; loves chainsaw massacres
Published April 21st, 2010
Whether you've since moved on or are still playing, Valve this week gave Left 4 Dead 2 owners new reason to take pause. Beginning this Thursday, players can download the newly announced Passing expansion pack, which adds a new single-player, new multiplayer, and new co-op campaigns. And unlike the poor saps getting nickled and dimed on Xbox, this add-on is free for PC owners of the game.
Five things you should know about the new XCOM
Published April 19th, 2010
Last week, 2K Games confirmed longstanding rumors that they have acquired the XCOM license and are making a new game for PC and Xbox 360. Here's the important stuff to note from the announcement.
After messy breakup with Activision, Modern Warfare developers form new studio with EA
Published April 15th, 2010
Well that didn't take long. One month after being fired by Activision, suing for wrongful termination, and then being counter-sued, former Infinity Ward executives Jason West and Vince Zampella have partnered with once-rival Electronic Arts to form the glaringly obvious Respawn Entertainment.
Tiger Woods Online launches to dismay of corporations, productivity consultants, and loyal marriages
Published April 15th, 2010
Just in time for The Masters, Electronic Arts announced the launch of Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online. And it's free to play on your web browser, so long as you don't mind replaying the same public courses and wearing the same crusty old gear.
F.E.A.R. 3 coming to PC this fall
Published April 15th, 2010
Are your ready to soil your pants? Get ready. Just a year after releasing the first sequel to the seminal horror shooter, Warner Bros. announced F.E.A.R. 3 for release on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. And it's coming "this fall."
Welcome to Hot Stories: An introduction
Published April 15th, 2010
Greetings "personal computer" users. All billion of you. Okay, so a billion is a little misleading. But there are an estimated 150 million of you already playing games on a PC—by far the most prevalent gaming platform. Which is why Alienware Arena is excited to launch our new Hot Stories section of the website, to help foster thought-provoking conversations about PC gaming news that matters, trends that change the way we play, and games that inspire.