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worldofwarcraft posts

SteelSeries World of Warcraft Mouse equipped for hands-on impressions, +14 agility

by Paul Miller, posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 2:16PM

We finally got our hands on SteelSeries' World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse, and took the thing for a little spin across Azeroth. After hiring a rogue to open the complicated packaging and marveling at the mouse's incomprehensible runes, we hooked up the mouse over USB and were treated to the ambient light show. The "cracks" across the back of the mouse glow with subtle colors, though we wish they could light up a bit more dramatically and actually convey game status info -- but we're boring like that. Compared to most mice, the WoW mouse is rather large and "hand supporting," leaving behind the typical friction and frame of reference that a trailing hand and wrist usually supply. It's nice and comfortable, but there's a bit of a trade off, though overall we found the mouse to be incredibly "right" in responsiveness and accuracy. More impressions after the break.

Gallery: SteelSeries WoW Mouse

Continue reading SteelSeries World of Warcraft Mouse equipped for hands-on impressions, +14 agility

NVIDIA offers up GeForce 3D Vision, takes WoW players further down the rabbit hole

by Richard Lawler, posted Jan 7th 2009 at 9:09PM

Look for something to drive your new Samsung monitor or 120Hz 3D HDTV? Enter NVIDIA's GeForce 3D Vision package, loaded up with powered 3D glasses (no red / blue silliness here, charged via USB) and an IR emitter to keep everything synced between the display and your glasses. Left 4 Dead, WoW: WotLK and several other games are already compatible with more expected to come soon. CES had a quick demo and didn't notice any of the headaches sometimes associated with stereoscopic 3D, but at $399 for the display and $199 for this set when it's available in the next few days, we're not sure how close we want to get to those zombies, but WoW fans may see things differently.

Hand-on with Logitech's G13 Gameboard

by Laura June, posted Dec 11th 2008 at 4:27PM

Maximum PC's laid hands on that Logitech G13 Gamepad we just saw a few days ago, and they've got plenty to say about it. They're fans of the gamepad's physical form and the layout of the keys, mouse buttons and the analog stick. The pad's got a color-customizable mini LCD and backlighting, and it's possible to bind up to 87 different macros at a time on it -- which the reviewer thinks will make this a totally sweet option for MMO-enthusiasts. The G13 is expected to run about $80 and to be released sometimes this month, but if you just can't wait until then for more glimpses of it, hit the read link.

Logitech's G13 gameboard turns it up to level 80

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 10th 2008 at 5:07AM

Check it PC and Mac gamers, Logitech just announced its G13 Gameboard. With a trio of game modes, built-in 160 x 43 pixel LCD for stats and messaging, 25 programmable keys, and a programmable joystick, Logitech says that the G13 "offers up to 87 ways for you to control your game." It comes with pre-configured settings for World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare to name a few. Otherwise, you can setup custom button-profiles as you please and even create macros on the fly without having to pause your quest. Available in US and Europe sometime this month for $80.

Gallery: Logitech G13 Advanced Gameboard

SteelSeries WoW MMO Gaming Mouse makes wasting your life that much easier

by Paul Miller, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 3:41PM

With Wrath of the Lich King just around the corner, it's time to up your game and finally make it out of the low double digits with that Blood Elf mage you keep telling us about. Maybe SteelSeries can help. The high-end gaming peripherals builder recently snapped up Ideazon, and together they've built the official World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse in close cooperation with Ideazon's BFF Blizzard. There are 15 programmable buttons scattered across the mouse, and a new in-game configuration utility to graphically assign the buttons just where they're needed. You can save different profiles for different purposes, and choose one of 16 million colors for those LEDs down the back. Just don't expect any fancy auto-levelling macros or even a recommended control scheme -- Blizzard still expects you to do the hard work of lining up your favorite actions and buying your gold on eBay. The laser mouse hits on November 13th to coincide with the Lich King launch, and should retail "under $100."

Nerds race across Azeroth IRL, nearly die from shame

by Paul Miller, posted Aug 26th 2008 at 10:23AM

Let's try not to read too much into this one. Here are the facts: two dweebs thought it would be a good idea to hook up treadmills to their PCs, don brightly-colored wigs and cardboard swords, and race their avatars across about a mile of virtual turf by jogging in place with only a modicum of coordination and zero athletic ability. The folks at Mana Energy Potion were complicit in the event, which failed to prove treadmill gaming is a good idea, but made great strides in proving just how low World of Warcraft addiction has brought certain members of our society. Video is after the break, we recommend you look away.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Nerds race across Azeroth IRL, nearly die from shame

Blizzard Authenticator passcode token adds anti-theft enchantment to your World of Warcraft account

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 8:04AM

Nothing's worse than when you log on to raid Onyxia only to find that some loser sold all your elite loot. Fear not, vulnerable World of Warcraft denizens, for Blizzard is here to sell you the $6.50 "Blizzard Authenticator" dongle. Reacting to an upswing in account theft incidents, Blizzard has released a security token that allows hardcore users to add another layer of protection to their high-level (and attractive) characters. The device is basically a SecurID token with a six-digit code that you'll need to keep with you any time you want to get your groove on in Azeroth. By the way, we dare you to put this on your keychain and wear it with pride.

High voltage "antivirus" halo protects your laptop, keeps you vigilant

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 7th 2008 at 2:46PM

Here at Engadget HQ, we have a certain respect for tesla-based DIY endeavors. That being said, we still can't fathom who in their right mind would actually fling sparks around their laptop just to feel a little closer to that WoW raid. Nevertheless, the High voltage "antivirus" protection project claims to play nice with Macs or PCs and utilizes a ZVS flyback supply driving a 4-stage CW multiplier. According to the mad scientist who arranged this thing, the shot on the right was taken by a camera forced to hold its shutter open for ten seconds before capturing, and he even took a number of shots (check 'em all in the read link) to defuse the "Photoshopped!1one!" arguments. If you can't sense the fear in our fingertips, trust us, it's there.

Dell reveals XPS M1730 World of Warcraft edition

by Evan Blass, posted Dec 4th 2007 at 8:34AM

We're not exactly sure what kind of impression they'd make during a presentation or business meeting, but luckily for sales of Dell's upcoming World of Warcraft edition XPS M1730 laptop, most folks who would purchase such a product have long ago fled corporate America for the privacy and creepy ambiance of their basements. Seriously, though, the pair of special edition Horde and Alliance notebooks are a hardcore fan's dream come true, featuring WOW artwork all over the place along with all the current games and patches preloaded. What's more, the bonus swag here is off the hook, including a special box full of items related to the game and an envelope containing such goodies as beta tester privileges and a free in-game pet, whatever that means. Dell also claims that the minimum configuration specs have been bumped as compared to the plain Jane M1730, but like pricing for this package which goes on sale next week, specifics remain a mystery.

Update: As commenter Ryan points out, specs and pricing are now up on Dell's retail site. The good news is that even a barebones rig gives you a 2.2GHz T7500 Core 2 Duo, 2GB of DDR2, and 160GB of storage; the bad news is that such a configuration starts at $4,500 and only goes north.

Extravagant World of Warcraft setup includes 47 PCs, seven monitors

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 8th 2007 at 3:18AM

And you thought adding a trio of displays to your mobile gaming rig was hardcore. To be frank, calling this setup "extravagant" could be the understatement of the month (or year), but it's a tad hard to articulate how mind-blowing a 47 PC, seven monitor World of Warcraft installation actually is. According to the original poster, all but two of the machines are "diskless" to cut down on load times and energy consumption, and both he and his SO threw down for oh-so-comfy recliners to kick back and raid in. Of course, envious (and understandably skeptical) commenters have questioned the true motives behind such a momentous rig (farm much?), but it's not like this is the first time we've seen a fanboy take things to the extreme. Click on through to catch the full gist.

[Via Core77]

Continue reading Extravagant World of Warcraft setup includes 47 PCs, seven monitors

Video game addiction "not a mental disorder"

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 25th 2007 at 1:15AM

If you've been thinking lately that your video game habit is getting a bit excessive, don't worry. According to reports this week, doctors backed away from a proposal that would have designated certain types of video gaming as a mental disorder (similar to alcoholism or gambling addiction) -- so you can rest easy knowing that whatever it is that you're doing to yourself probably isn't that big of a deal. We attempted to speak to two avid gamers concerning the decision, but one was busy fighting Razorgore the Untamed in WoW, and the other claimed that he didn't have a problem and could quit whenever he wanted.

Dell to auction off custom World of Warcraft XPS M1710 laptops

by Barb Dybwad, posted Jan 10th 2007 at 1:20PM

Dell's in your laptop, airbrushing your WoW art -- in honor of the upcoming World of Warcraft Burning Crusade expansion release on January 16, they again commissioned artist Mike Lavalee to airbrush two limited edition XPS M1710 laptops with BC-inspired art; the lappies will be auctioned off to benefit World Harvest, an international humanitarian relief organization. For the ~~non-addicted~~ uninitiated, the artwork depicts the two new Blood Elf and Drainei races to be released in the expansion in the process of totally pwning each other. It'll be interesting to see how much these actually fetch on auction, as ironically the people who'd want them most may be ~~unemployed and living in Mom's basement~~ financially challenged.

Rehab center for video game addicts opens in Amsterdam

by Stan Horaczek, posted Jul 15th 2006 at 10:01PM

If you're worried your World of Warcraft habit might be getting a little out of hand, you might think about checking yourself into the Wild Horses Center in Amsterdam. Their video game rehab program, which was started by addiction specialists Smith and Jones, is designed to help you replace the excitement of the fantasy world with real world experiences such as therapy sessions and group interaction. The 16th century town house, in which the patients reside, has no access to gaming of any kind, making it the perfect place to take in the non-polygonal sights the real world has to offer. Unlike the novelty cellphone addiction program being implemented at a Chicago Hotel, Wild Horses is staffed with certified psychologists and addiction specialists that can offer legitimate help to those unwilling to leave their games to have a social life or even use the bathroom. With impressive next-generation consoles like the Wii and the PS3 promising an even more engrossing gaming experience in the near future, we can't help but think this kind of facility might start popping up in other parts of the world as well. Since there probably isn't one in your area yet, we suggest you follow these instructions for making your own game addiction patch. First, tear off two pieces of duct tape. Second, place one piece of the duct tape over the A/V inputs on your TV and the other over the ASDW keys on your keyboard. Then go outside already, would you?