Category: Videos

Razer Onza Xbox 360 Controller Available this Month (Finally!)

I’ve been excited for the release of Razer’s Onza controller for Xbox 360 since last year. Packed with excellent features for precision gaming, the Onza is a cut above the standard Xbox 360 gamepad. At CES 2011, Razer announced that the Onza will be available for pre-order on January 17, 2011. Here are some details from the press release:

Built for the hardcore competitive gamer, the Razer Onza Tournament Edition offers superior customizability with adjustable resistance analog sticks. Onza’s tagline Resistance is Futile means nothing stands in your way for exceptional precision. Twist the analog sticks in one direction to make them more resistant for steadier control, or twist in the opposite direction for quicker, fluid movements.

The Razer Onza Standard Edition features Multi-Function Buttons (MFB) on the controller’s shoulders which allow remapping of critical buttons to any location under your fingertips. Not only does this increase efficiency of game control, but aids those with disabilities unable to reach specific functions on a crappy standard controller. Razer lets everybody play. Both Standard and Tournament Editions feature MFB, Hyperesponse technology, PC compatibility, and a 15 foot cable for the ultimate pleasure in Xbox gaming.

The Onza Tournament Edition will retail for $49.99, while the Onza Standard Edition will cost $39.99. Any of you interested in these controllers?

2010 Videogames: The Year in Review

In case you missed any of these excellent videos starring 1Up.com’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee, here they are! Let’s start with their favorite games of 2010. Find out why these three excellent writers felt that Bayonetta, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, and Red Dead Redemption were the cream of the crop.

Next, find out why Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV, and Gran Turismo 5 were the most disappointing games of the year to Christian, Sam, and Garnett.

Discovering sleeper hits is always a fantastic thing. There are games we all love that don’t get the attention they deserve. In the following segment, my dynamic guests tell you why Split Second, Ys: The Oath in Felghana, and Bayonetta should have your attention.

Last, but certainly not least, is the biggest gaming news in 2010. In a truly fascinating year for the business that kicked off tons of change, Garnett, Sam, and Christian reveal what news they thought had the biggest impact.

If you have any closing thoughts on videogames in 2010, speak now or forever hold your peace!

Coffee Talk #271: Sleeper Hits of 2010

There were so many fantastic games in 2010 that some of them were bound to get less attention than they deserved. Are there any games that you loved this year that fit that description?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, whether you got powers from the recent lunar eclipse, why the hell Manny Pacquiao is fighting Shane Mosley, or Cafecito Organico’s Guatemala El Carmen Estate, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

There were so many fantastic games in 2010 that some of them were bound to get less attention than they deserved. Are there any games that you loved this year that fit that description? 1Up.com’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee share their sleeper hits of 2010. Watch the video above to see if any of your favorites made the list.

Naturally, I want your picks for 2010’s sleeper hits. Let me know what games you think should have gotten more love.

Coffee Talk #270: The Biggest Gaming News of 2010

What was the biggest gaming news of the year? Find out what 1Up.com’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee had to say on the matter.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, CAA’s involvement with the formation of Respawn, Harmonix suing Viacom, or Larry Brown’s next coaching job, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

2010 was a truly fascinating year for the gaming world. There’s so much change in the air! 3D gaming, social gaming, motion controls, mobile gaming, developer consolidation, publisher power shifts, and more have changed and will continue to change the gaming landscape. What was the biggest gaming news of the year? Find out what 1Up.com’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee had to say on the matter by watching the video above.

Naturally, I want to know what you thought was the biggest gaming news of 2010. Shout it out in the comments section (please)!

Coffee Talk #269: Your 2010 Videogame Disappointments

My excellent friends GameFly Garnett Lee, Gamasutra Christian Nutt, and 1Up.com Sam Kennedy are back! This time around they talk about the games that disappointment them the most in 2010. What games let you down in 2010?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the dangers of acting in the Spider-Man musical, Bryan Danielson wrestling his real-life trainer last night, or Yao Ming out for the season (again), Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

My excellent friends GameFly Garnett Lee, Gamasutra Christian Nutt, and 1Up.com Sam Kennedy are back! This time around they talk about the games that disappointment them the most in 2010. Naturally, I want to know about your videogame disappointments (But only after you’ve watched the video. Ha!). What games let you down in 2010?

Coffee Talk #268: Your Favorite Game of 2010

It’s time for you to declare your favorite game of the year! I’ve dragged three of my friends into the mix — three friends that happen to be some of the best editors in the videogame business.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Milwaukee Brewers making some noise with the Greinke trade, WWE Edge as your new World Heavyweight Champion, or your favorite Christmas dish, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

It’s time for you to declare your favorite game of the year! I’ve dragged three of my friends into the mix — three friends that happen to be some of the best editors in the videogame business. 1Up’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee share their personal game-of-the-year choices in the video above.

Kindly check out the video and share your favorite game of 2010!

Coffee Wars: Coava Kone vs. Chemex Paper Filters

For the last month I’ve been using Coava Coffee Roasters’ Kone filter with my trusty Chemex coffee pot. Coffee lovers rave about the bright and clean taste produced by Chemex paper filters, so I was curious to see what the Kone would bring to the table. To my surprise, I now prefer Kone coffee over paper-filtered coffee. The Kone produces a cup that’s richer than coffee produced by paper filters and brighter than coffee brewed from a French press or Sowden Softbrew. Your taste may vary, but for me the Kone hit a brilliant sweet spot.

Although $50 seems like a lot for a stainless steel filter, daily drinkers will save money in the long run over buying paper filters. Furthermore, the Kone was engineered in Oregon and is manufactured in Connecticut from Ohio steel. Most of the stuff in my kitchen (sadly) has a “Made in China” stamp on it, so I feel proud and patriotic when brewing coffee with the Kone. (Perhaps I should play John Williams’ Superman theme when I use the Kone.)

The Kone also sports some very cool tech. It has been meticulously engineered to provide superior extraction over paper filters and has thousands of photochemically etched holes. It makes me feel proud as a geek and an American.

Check out the video above for more details on the Kone and to see it in action. If you have any questions about my experience with this fine product, please ask away in the comments section. Congrats to Coava for making an environmentally friendly coffee filter that boosts the American economy!

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Exclusive: Heroes’ Greg Grunberg Confirms Role in L.A. Noire

In the immortal words of that Spike TV guy, I have a “worldwide exclusive”! Heroes actor Greg Grunberg confirmed his role in Rockstar Games’ upcoming L.A. Noire at EA’s Need for Speed Hot Pursuit launch event. The video above features Grunberg talking about the game and the unique motion capture used by Depth Analysis. Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Celebrity Launch Video

Here’s my video from last night’s launch party for Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Entourage’s Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara were on hand to follow up the fine work they did in the game’s commercials. I also caught up with Playboy Playmate Jenna Bentley, 24’s Roger Cross, Heroes’ Greg Grunberg, and more. Since RPadholic N8R mentioned her in a comment, I was sure to get some footage of Shannyn Sossamon too! Please, please, please check out the video and let me know what you think!

Confession: when I started editing this piece, I was still drunk from the party. I’ve written previews and opinion pieces while buzzed, but this is the first time I edited a video while inebriated. I think it’s a fun clip…but I’ll have to watch it again after I wake up. Ha!

Also, what do you think was up with Ethan Embry last night? I found him thoroughly entertaining…but a bit strange.

Coffee Wars: Chemex vs. Oskar Sowden SoftBrew

Yesterday, I posted a video on the Oskar Sowden Softbrew. Today I’m going to compare this fine coffee maker with my usual method of brewing: the Chemex coffee pot. Brewing with Chemex offers a taste that people describe as “clean and bright”. The SoftBrew offers a richer and deeper taste. Chemex also requires filters and a thermos (if you want to keep your coffee hot for more than 20 minutes). While I really love what the SoftBrew brings to the table, the Chemex coffee maker remains my everyday choice.

Kindly check out the video and let me know if you have any questions!

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