Netflix has released its holiday movie watching calendar to brighten your spirits this season. It features such movies and TV shows as “Christmas with the Kranks”, “White Christmas”, and “The Legend of Frosty the Snowman” – just to mention a few.
The Calendar (Click to Make Big)
It’s that time of year, GamingShogun readers, for part 1 of our official holiday gift guide series! Here are some of the products that we would highly recommend as gifts to your friends, loved ones, or even yourself!
If you have kids that are getting into science fiction and/or Star Wars, and if you have an extra four grand laying around, you can’t go wrong with this Millennium Falcon Star Wars bed from Pottery Barn Kids. If I had this as a kid, I would never leave my bed… Ever. I would probably still be typing this article from it more than three decades later – much to the chagrin of my wife.
This new self-balancing hoverboard is all the rage right now around college campuses. Brought over by Chinese manufacturers and re-branded to kingdom come, you can find them for a wide range of price points depending on the retailer you go through. Just know, that most are exactly the same (albeit different brand labels).
The EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti FTW ups the game with dual 8-Pin Power inputs, 8+2 Phase Power Design, Dual BIOSes and an included EVGA backplate. Not to mention this card packs 2816 NVIDIA CUDA Cores and 6GB of GDDR5 memory, giving you the horsepower to drive whatever comes next. In fact, the EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti FTW provides over 3x the performance and 3x the memory of previous-generation cards.
DJI’s new handheld, gimbal-stabilized camera is quite the technical marvel. Not only does it record video up to 4K in image quality, but it also features on-board gyroscopes to keep the thing level during action shots. It also wirelessly interfaces with a smartphone in order to use it as a monitor.
The Sound BlasterX P5 gaming earphones feature a huge amount of good quality sound in an ear bud form factor. Weighing at only 12 grams, the Sound BlasterX P5 is a tiny marvel that fits 7mm Neodymium magnets which deliver amazingly high sensitivity 114dB audio with excellent clarity.
The Mad Catz R.A.T. PRO S provides everything you need in a tournament quality mouse, and nothing you don’t. Basically, you get the high-end PixArt optical sensor, configurable comfort points, and more all without crazy, function-less lights, etc.
Bethesda Softworks latest entry into the Fallout franchise is many things: Epic, fun, intense, and satisfying for hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Easily one of the year’s best games, Kojima’s last Metal Gear Solid title is an epic romp through the world of Big Boss and Co. as they try to build up Mother Base. It is an amazing gaming experience.
As a long-time airsofter, I loved getting to check out the NERF Rival series of pop guns. Shooting small foam balls at an opponent is a great way to liven up the office or dorm room. They are a lot better than the NERF foam darts without being as dangerous as, say, and airsoft BB or paintball.
NERF Rival Apollo XV-700 on Amazon
The NYKO Type Pad for Xbox One makes typing out long messages so much easier than scrolling through every letter on the virtual keyboard, one at a time. You will be sending off text messages or entering passwords like never before with this handy gadget.
We at GamingShogun.com wish all of our readers out there a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Also, be warned…. Black Friday is coming…
November 25, 2015 – After slaughtering his way across the Blasted Wastes, Grimgor Ironhide is searching for a new foe…
Total War: WARHAMMER will be a mix of real-time tactical battles, and turn-based grand strategy played out across a gigantic campaign map.
This epic in-engine cinematic trailer will take you on a fly-through of that campaign map for the first time, hinting at the shear range of cities and terrain you can aspire to conquer– from the Badlands in the South to the Chaos Wastes in the North.
With an uncontrollable thirst for battle, the Greenskin Legendary Lord has never gone more than two days without a fight, crushing entire settlements to sate a desire for the spilled blood of his enemies.
A full Campaign Gameplay Walkthrough for Total War: WARHAMMER will be coming next week.
November 25, 2015 – After years in development, we are thrilled to introduce the Airsoft Innovations Cyclone Grenade; the newest incarnation of the most ruthless spinning airsoft BB dispensing device out there. Using our new Quantum Drive engine, it unleashes a spinning storm of 140 BBs at 225 feet per second and now available for about the price of a GBB pistol magazine.
Boston MA and Rockville MD – November 20th, 2015 – To celebrate the blockbuster success of Fallout® 4, Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. and Bethesda Game Studios® today announced that the Fallout 4 Vault 111 Suit will be added to the character creator in Rock Band™ 4 for both Xbox One and the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system.
Players’ in-game avatars can rock their way through the apocalypse sporting the Vault 111 Suit, complete with the music-reactive Pip-Boy™, when the free Rock Band 4 title update launches on December 8th.
“Rock Band’s character creator has always provided our players a way to live out their rock and roll fantasies, and we’re excited Rock Band 4 allows us to expand those fantastic possibilities by adding new assets to it, highlighted by the Vault 111 Suit. I’ve been a Fallout fan since the beginning. Playing some of the amazing songs in our Rock Band catalog with a band of Vault dwellers is something we think you’ll find is crazy fun” said Harmonix CEO Steve Janiak.
For more information on Rock Band 4 and to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, head over to http://www.rockband.com and follow @RockBand Twitter for updates.
For more information on Fallout 4 visit http://www.fallout4.com.
November 24, 2015 – This has been a phenomenal year for The Witcher! Here are a couple words from Konrad Tomaszkiewicz our Game Director: “This year was really epic for the entire crew behind The Witcher. We launched Wild Hunt, the RPG we’ve been working on for so long, then we’ve gone above and beyond to give gamers as many free DLC as we could, and then released Hearts of Stone, which – judging from player feedback – took the game even further. And we innovated all along the way — if you compare Wild Hunt to our previous game, almost every element was improved or changed. Now we’re working on Blood and Wine, the final expansion for Wild Hunt which we will launch in 2016. To thank everyone for being with us this whole time, we’ve prepared something special — enjoy the Epic Trailer!” said Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, CD PROJEKT RED.
Saitek and its parent company, Mad Catz, have have really stepped up their game with regards to simulation peripherals – beginning a few years ago with a hardcore line of Microsoft Flight Simulator oriented control units. Continuing in this tradition, they have branched out into other areas of simulation gaming. Enter: The Heavy Equipment Precision Control System for PC. When this package arrived at my doorstep, I immediately took note that it was a hefty bundle of peripherals – getting it out of the box could be used for light weight training. The contents of the control system consist of: One steering wheel unit, one side control panel, and a brake and accelerator floor pedal unit. Immediately after unboxing this setup, its build quality became apparent as I dropped it all onto the faux-wood flooring. The three peripherals collided with quite a sound and I went into panic mode: Were they broken?!? No! Thankfully, while the whole system is made from a heavy duty plastic and it is very durable enabling it to survive the fall unharmed.
I pressed on and continued setting everything up. Installation is very easy – the steering wheel and side panel units each have twist on/off attachment points that to a fine job of keeping them both in place. Thanks to the flexible head on the screw that puts pressure on whatever surface the units are c-clamped around, it can work on desktops that even have a slight bend or curve in their design. The steering wheel clamp even has a nice coating of rubber on it to protect the surface of whatever you are clamping it to. Also, everything plugs in via USB cables so you won’t need any special ports to use or anything like that (those of you that remember EPIC cards will be very happy about this).
The control units set up very easily in Farming Simulator 15 which, I might add, is a steal at $29.99, and is the principal game intended for use with this control system. That being said, the controllers are configurable USB devices and could technically be used in any sim title you desire. For instance, the side control panel works especially well in Frontier Developments’ Elite Dangerous. Additionally, you will be very happy using this entire control system with Euro Truck Simulator 2 – especially with the nifty turning knob attached to the steering wheel unit. I kept wanting to reach for an imaginary CB radio and yell “Convoy!” You can even assign the rotary knob on the side control panel as a head turning/view control in the game – pretty nifty stuff here. While the wheel is not the best in terms of design/function for racing games, you can definitely use it for them. There are two paddle controls on the backside of the wheel which can be assigned to shifting gears. Also, I was unable to test it on this game but Saitek claims the peripherals work great with Rail Simulator.
I was not a huge fan of the Farming Simulator series before this peripheral set. After, however, I can’t stop playing it. This peripheral bundle simply takes the game to an entirely new level. Driving the tractors and using cranes has never been so much fun on a PC. Overall, the Saitek / Mad Catz Heavy Equipment Precision Control System is a testament to Saitek’s focus on simulation as a form of entertainment and and is a must-buy for those fans of the farming or utility sim genres. It is a pricey bundle of simulation goodness at $299.99, but you will not find a better heavy equipment sim peripheral set anywhere. Additionally, if you are a sci-fi sim gamer, you can’t go wrong with that side control panel peripheral to add some extra buttons and other controls to your starship, starfighter, etc.
[easyreview title=”Saitek Heavy Equipment Precision Control System Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]
Universal City, California – November 23, 2015 – During this joyful season of giving, Universal CityWalk and NBC4 Southern California are collaborating to present the first-ever “The Wishing Tree” event, inviting the public to pay it forward by making a wish for someone deserving.
From Friday, November 27 through Tuesday, December 22, Universal CityWalk visitors may place their wishes for friends and family next to the decorative trees adorning Universal CityWalk’s “5 Towers” plaza. NBC4 viewers can also share their wishes at www.NBCLA.com/wishingtree.
Wishes will be granted live weeknights from December 9 – 23 during the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Universal CityWalk with longtime NBC4 Weathercaster Fritz Coleman.
Those visiting The Wishing Tree are encouraged to post photos and video using #NBC4You. Updates and a schedule of the Holidays at Universal CityWalk can be found at www.CityWalkHollywood.com as well as on CityWalk’sFacebook- Universal CityWalk Hollywood, Twitter and Instagram @CityWalkLA. Viewers can tune in to NBC4’s Today in LA at 4:30 – 7 a.m. and News at Noon, and follow @NBCLA on Facebook and Instagram for highlights of the surprising moments.
“NBC4 is pleased to collaborate with our family at Universal CityWalk on The Wishing Tree and inspire a tradition of giving during the holidays,” said Steve Carlston, President and General Manager of NBC4 Southern California. “The Wishing Tree aligns with the station’s legacy of supporting the community through several philanthropic initiatives.”
In addition to The Wishing Tree, Universal CityWalk will ring in the season with a wintertime transformation from Friday, November 28, 2015 through Friday, January 1, 2016. A spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree will glisten with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season in the “5 Towers” plaza, plus Santa Claus will make nightly appearances and offer special photo opportunities. Each evening, snow falls hourly at the heart of CityWalk. Admission to Universal CityWalk is free.
San Diego – November 23, 2015 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX: MCZ) announced today the availability of the standalone Rock Band 4 Wireless Fender StratocasterGuitar Controller for Xbox One and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. Built to deliver an unrivaled rock experience, the Wireless Guitar Controller is perfect for shredding in the game’s new flagship feature – Freestyle Guitar Solos. Now, gamers can purchase the standalone Wireless Guitar Controller, ideal for use as a lead guitar with either the digital or software versions of Rock Band 4. In addition, gamers can now use the Wireless Guitar Controller to complement their Band-in-a-Box™ bundle, allowing their band to play both lead and bass guitar simultaneously and experience the ecstatic rush of playing with a full four-piece band.
The Rock Band 4 Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller is now available for purchase for either the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 through the Official Rock Band 4 Store online atstore.madcatz.com and other top retailers.
Based on the authentic and iconic Fender Stratocaster Guitar, a defining symbol of rock n’ roll for decades, the Rock Band 4 Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller features two sets of fret buttons, a silent strum bar, a whammy bar, and a redesigned tilt sensor for precision Overdrive activation. With improved battery life and no need for external adapters or dongles, the Wireless Guitar Controller seamlessly connects with either the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 gaming console and features automatic game calibration technology, adapting to your TV screen for low latency, fuss-free precision.
“With Rock Band 4, Harmonix has created the defining music gaming platform for this generation –delivering the only full-band experience available and an ever growing music library of rock’s biggest acts,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “We’re excited to now give gamers the opportunity to add a Wireless Guitar Controller, and complete their Rock Band 4 experience.”
Called “the new benchmark for rhythm gaming” by GamesRadar+, Rock Band 4 delivers the ecstatic rush of a live full-band game experience like never before. Rock Band 4 builds on the core gameplay people love, with brand new features, including game-changing Freestyle Guitar Solo gameplay that allows players to craft their own face-melting and truly original guitar solos.
For more information or to purchase Rock Band 4 Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller, please visit: http://store.madcatz.com/Rock-Band-4/
For more information on Rock Band 4 and to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, head over to http://www.harmonixmusic.com and http://www.madcatz.com, and follow @RockBand and @MadCatz on Twitter for updates.
