Gaming

Predator’s midrange Helios 300 gaming laptops allow overclocking

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Overclocking has been around for a while on gaming laptops, but usually only on the higher-end models like the ludicrous Predator 21 X. Acer is making the feature a little more accessible this time by letting its new Predator Helios 300 midrange line handle the extra hardware boosting.

Technically, overclocking — the process of pushing a gadget’s processor past its factory settings — can be done on any device, from smartphones to desktop computers. But there are several reasons why overclocking hasn’t become mainstream on gaming laptops until now.

For one, cooling technology hasn’t reached a point where it’s both efficient and portable enough to fit in a non-behemoth-sized notebook. Another reason is the practicality of it all; why risk pushing a midrange graphics card when you can buy a gaming laptop with a better setup in the first place?

Thanks to NVIDIA’s latest crop graphics cards and Acer’s recent laptop advancements, the Predator Helios 300 series introduces fairly priced gaming notebooks that you can effortlessly overclock without having to deal with additional peripherals.

This is made possible using a dual-fan system with an AeroBlade 3D Fan design and PredatorSense software to safely push the system while keeping the temperatures in check.

Compared to the simultaneously launched Triton 700, there’s nothing out of the ordinary with the Helios 300 looks-wise. I found it to be on the thick side, and the non-mechanical keyboard was unimpressive.

The two primary models come in 15.6- and 17.3-inch display sizes, with processor options being Intel’s Core i7 (7700HQ) or i5 processor (7300HQ) and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or 1050 Ti graphics card. Both cards, as mentioned earlier, can be overclocked using bundled apps.

Memory can go as high as 32GB, and storage includes the best of both worlds: a high-speed SSD and a large 1TB HDD. There’s nothing out of the ordinary for I/O (input and output) ports, but you do get the newest USB 3.1 Type-C port.

North America is getting first dibs on the Helios 300 starting July 2017. The 15.6-inch models start at $1,299, while the 17.3-inch units will go for $1,399.

Pricing is a little different for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), wherein both sizes will start at EUR 1,199 beginning in August. China will follow the North American July timeline, but retail for CNY 9,999 for both models, as well.

SEE ALSO: Acer Predator 21 X first look

[irp posts=”4303″ name=”IFA 2016: Acer Predator 21 X first look”]

Gaming

EA is delisting classic Battlefield games

And Mirror’s Edge

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EA is a mixed bag nowadays. Formerly one of the biggest names in gaming, the company’s public reception is more varied these days. However, no one can argue against the studio’s earlier eras with more notable titles. Unfortunately, that era is coming to a more definitive close. EA is officially delisting a few notable Battlefield titles and the original Mirror’s Edge from digital stores.

In an official statement from the company, EA has announced the retirement of four online titles this year. Starting April 28, users will no longer be able to buy Battlefield 1943, Battlefield: Bad Company, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and Mirror’s Edge online. Additionally, the online services for these games will cease on December 8.

Still going strong today, the Battlefield franchise is EA’s answer to the Call of Duty franchise. While the latter focuses on more arcade-like shooting, Battlefield tries to infuse more strategic gameplay into historical and modern-day shooting.

On the other hand, Mirror’s Edge is a classic first-person parkour adventure. At the time, the title was notable for its fluid movement and easy-to-read visuals. It even spawned a sequel, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst.

Anyone who owns these titles can still play through them after April. However, come December, players can only go through the offline single-player campaigns of these games.

SEE ALSO: Blumhouse is getting into gaming

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Gaming

Netflix is working on a cloud gaming platform

Plus over 40 games

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Cloud gaming is one of gaming’s greatest enigmas. On paper, the technology should have made it big. However, a lot of the biggest players have fallen off and abandoned their cloud gaming projects. Now, eager to make a valiant push towards gaming, Netflix is working on its own cloud gaming platform.

Netflix’s push towards gaming is long and storied. For a while now, the platform offers games for all of its subscribers. Though some are themed content to match the platform’s shows, a good bunch are notable titles that have thrived outside of Netflix such as Spiritfarer. Even then, the platform is still making other strides.

As mentioned by TechCrunch, Netflix is actively working on a cloud gaming platform to brings its titles to wherever a user has the app. The company has not noted how it will offer the service or which games will come with it. However, it is also planning a major expansion this year.

In the same report, Netflix has promised over 40 titles to expand its gaming platform. The titles range from rogue-lites to city builders. The company is going all-in on offering a wide range of genres to cater to most gamers on mobile devices.

SEE ALSO: Netflix Philippines drops prices

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Gaming

Microsoft is planning an Xbox store for mobile

Dependent on the Activision Blizzard deal

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Even outside of its main console, Microsoft and Xbox has become quite a powerhouse in the world of gaming. The Xbox Game Pass offers a wealth of gaming titles for the price of a manageable monthly subscription. Now, Microsoft’s slate of platforms is growing once again. The company officially has plans to open a store on mobile devices.

According to the Financial Times, Microsoft is currently planning to open a game store for both Android and iOS. With a store coming to mobile, the company can start offering its services on all major screen sizes used today.

It will take a while to launch the store, though. Microsoft is hinging the store’s launch on the successful acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Very early last year, the former announced that it was acquiring the latter. However, world governments have prevented the deal from going through, citing claims of anti-competition. More than a year later, the deal still hasn’t officially concluded.

Because of the number of mobile games offered by Activision Blizzard, Microsoft is likely relying on the library to buoy the store amid the availability of other mobile stores. That said, the company still has a good library of titles on its own. Offering an alternative to the Play Store and the App Store is a welcome addition to the tech space.

SEE ALSO: Xbox wireless controller gets a new green color

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