For once it doesn't matter whether you swear by the Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, or PC gaming. It's all here. Here's what caught our eye--and what we wish we'd never laid eyes on--at this year's E3 gaming expo in LA.

Xbox 360 Gets Netflix
Out of all the "big three" press conferences at E3 2008, the one thing that stuck in most people's heads was Xbox Live supporting Netflix. Of course, this has little impact on NZ, but might be a sign of things to come.

Nintendo Woos Casual Gamers, Forgets Hardcore Fans?
Nintendo previewed its forthcoming Wii Sports Resort and Wii Music games. Our early verdict based on activities like sword fighting, disc throwing, Jet Ski riding and rocking out on virtual drums: Both deliver the irreverent fun you'd expect, coupled with some crafty control methods that you perhaps wouldn't.

Spore is Gonna Be Huge
Whether upcoming designer celeb Will Wright's forthcoming soup-to-nuts PC-based "life simulator" turns out to be an actual game or just a clinically addictive toy, E3 2008 confirmed that everyone wants to play Spore. Whether it's fussing virtual putty into tripods with 20 eyestalks or teaching your tribe to ape your groovy Joey Fatone moves, Spore's going to turn heads and, who knows, maybe even raise a few anti-evolutionist eyebrows.

First Person Parkour?
My personal favorite from the show: Mirror's Edge, due on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC late 2008 from EA DICE--the team behind the excellent Battlefield series. You'll play Faith, an information "runner" from a dizzying first person perspective as she traverses stunning cityscapes, using both Parkour (a gymnastic system of fluid movement around obstacles) and the martial art Wing Chung to evade and disarm enemies. You'll see motion trails as Faith builds up speed and the camera will spin when she somersaults. Vertigo and motion sickness could be an issue with this one, and I can't wait.

Oh, The Horror!
So long as you don't mind a smattering of blood on your screen, you've got plenty to scream about this fall. EA's Dead Space was a huge surprise for me. This trippy sci-fi thriller has shades of the films Event Horizon and Alien as you try to survive--and escape--a derelict spacecraft. No surprise, though, was Left 4 Dead. Every time I play Valve's Left 4 Dead, it's a completely different survival horror experience. Fighting floods of zombies with four friends online: Y'know, fun for the whole family.

Resist This!
Was PS3 exclusive sci-fi shooter Resistance 2 pilfering Gears of War's bossy Brumak with its footage of a Godzilla-sized walking rock-pile whopping on skyscrapers? Maybe, but then everything about Insomniac's gorgeous-looking sequel screams Big and Bigger. I, for one, cannot wait to plug alien uglies on U.S. soil, even if it means firing blind and squandering bullets because I'm too engrossed ogling all the sexed-up, invasion-laced panoramas.

BigLittleGames
If humble developers with little games are making a big dent in the gaming world, then the uber-cutesy LittleBigPlanet must be the poster child. Build your own levels and race your creations through 'em. Another game with a similar approach is Capcom's Flock. Herding sheep, cows and chickens is fun enough, but the level editor lets you create and share with buddies. And then there's D3's Puzzle Quest: Galactrix. Imagine an addictive puzzle game like Bejeweled gets turned into a role-playing game. It may sound harmless enough, but you've officially been warned.

Rimshot
Sorry, Konami, but the Rock Revolution is in jeopardy. I know I stink as a drummer, but your game just drummed that into my head. The drum pads are a little tiny--I can live with that--but it's near-impossible to see the colored buttons onscreen. Think I'm out of touch and alone on this one? A band came on to "play" during Konami's press conference and they bombed out in less than a minute. At least I don't feel alone now.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

Newtype and Boneshot take the stage for the CS Source final.

One round each early on and then Boneshot goes one up.

Three rounds now to Boneshot.

Newtype take one back with great tactics in the closing seconds of the round. 3-2 to now to Boneshot.

A big audience in for this final.

Boneshot come back hard and take round six in double-quick time to go 4-2 up.

Newtype takes the next one to close the gap. 4-3 to Boneshot.

Newtype takes another. It's 4 all.

Newtype keep their nerve and take the lead 5-4.

6-4 now with Newtype putting the boot in hard.

7-4 to Newtype.

8-4, Newtype pulling ahead strongly.

10-4. Two quick rounds to the New boys.

11-4. Are the Bone boys shot?

12-4. Newtype in the box seat now. Boneshot looking down the barrel of defeat.

14-4.

16-4. Newtype put Boneshot out of their misery and take the final. Congrats Newtype, clinical stuff.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

RYE-BORG just witnessed the massacre of Divine Gaming by Sidewinder 8-1. Being an ex-n00b I will explain for those of you who are as fresh as myself to this environment.

Teams of 4 play against each other hunting the opponents down in what could be descibed as a virtual war zone from one of the many hotspots covered on the news in recent years.

Scrambling over rubble, reloading clip's, gaining vantage points and communicating with your 3 other team mates to corner, out flank and out witt the enemy is the key to this game. Lets not forget the hours and hours of practice, put me in there for instance and I wouldn't last 2 seconds.

Here is what was making the crowd react... the big screen action!

The auditorium was almost full and there was a lot of cheering, cringing and elataion as each kill was made. It's a bit like poker, once your out (or killed in this game) you sit quietly and await for those who are still playing to finish, hoping your team comes up trumps, all the while your able to do nothing until either team is completely dead, then you start the next round.

And the huge crowd heads out for refreshments as the next game final sets up and the followers of the Counter Strike Source move in... yes there are two versions of Counter Strike.

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Team Sidewinder and Divine Gaming are on the stage now for the CS1.6 final.

And the battle begins

Team Sidewinder looking confident.

And the winners are congratulated by the Clearnet lads

Divine Gaming make a strong start.

Sidewinder come back hard and the score line pulls out to 7-1 in favour of TSW.

And TSW put the final nails in Divine's coffins to win the game and book their tickets to the WCG finals in Germany.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

Here we are in the thick of battle.. results up in moments.

And SILA were the winners...

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

As long as I am stuck in the middle of a bunch of gamers, I'm happy with explosions all around me..

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 7:19 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

I met Team Influence on the way back to the front lines refuelled for more action at the 'coal-face' or should that be 'screen-face'.

RYE - BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 7:14 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

In the foyer of the games spectators are enjoying their own gaming action on a Samsung and Xbox set-up.
Not sure who won, but the wee guy had the big guy in a fix when I left.

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Havng wandered the floor watching an array of different games in sections I discovered these two ladies enjoying the gaming action.

The two lads were fighting back the enemies...

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

Below is one of the exhibition games, with quite a following of spectators watching the game as the two opposing teams battle it out.

Two more exhibitionists were captured doing their 'thang' - if you see Peter and Dan around the event, be careful or deliberate, but you could end up on Clear-net's live video footage of the games... "Where are they now?"

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:27 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

No event can run without a team behind it, the tireless people who work around the clock to make it seem as though it takes no effort to run events the size of this.... imagine 760 computers on 14.5km of cable... the other logistics boggle the mind, but here is some of team working hard, although one of them has time to give the crowd a wave.
Please note that this photo was taken against Susan's wishes, but hey this is one part of the event she can't control ;-)

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

In the great hall of warriors, I found one who I will knight 'Xena the warrior princess".

I did manage to keep my head, but I can't say Xena was entirely happy about the distraction, although none of her counterparts batted an eyelid.

"I wish the well on thy quest Warrior Princess", or, "Kick some backside out there",.... I guess how I should address HRM all depends on which game and which era Xena was gaming in??

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

So you started gaming at 12pm yesterday.... you drank 3 can's of Demon energy drink... ate 2 pizza's, played 12 hours of gaming and then feel like a wounded soldier...

This weary soldier was sleeping with one eye open, the camera flash stirred him enough to get an answer from his outpost buddy that he was just snapped!

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Split of from the main hall of 760 gamers who plugged in their own machines, here are the teams competing in the NZ-WCG Qualifiers on the comp-stage. These guys are all using the same machines as supplied by Playtech - so it's "mano-e-mano", a test of the gamers skill, pitted against each other on a level laying field technology wise.

Who has the best reactions, best timing, the most cunning approach? Like the SAS motto "Those who dare, win". Here are the current gamers at each other on stage with live commentary for the spectators...

And now for the close up.... the big Samsung screen looking at us is the same game-view that this 'Sidewinder' is playing on - so as a spectator, you see it from their perspective... "Duck incominnnnnnngggg!"

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

The X-LAN & NZ-WCG has an exhibitors hall with a range of stands including this Xbox terminal that these two future gamers are enjoying

The PC World stand where past PC World magazines can be picked up.

There is also a range of exhibitors with all these cool puta-parts that might just crank Rye-Borg up to Iron Man status, if you see a low flying missle, you'll know I have kitted myself out with the awesome gear available...

Last but not least, the X-box Rockstars, rocking out in a Duo... do you think these two know who the Carpenters were... or are we thinking more like Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love??

More seriously, this is a extension of Xbox - which allows you to play a guitar according to the coloured notes on screen (like that arcade dancing game that you see people jumping all over) - you just have to keep strumming.

Alright, game on and look for the competition gamer pix coming next...

RYE-BORG

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

The PC World case modding competition has finished, and the judges are deliberating. Being one of the judges, I can appreciate how hard this will be, as the overall standard of the mods this year was astonishing.

Check below for a few pics.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Ok, so last night I was a n00b and appropriately named so, but now it's a different day and it's time to update the nick with all my new found knowledge of the World Cyber Games and what goes on here.

I was outside the venue is the cold wet Auckland weather that most the hardcore competitors wouldn't know about being attached to their machines intensely gaming away. The heat inside the gaming floor from 760 odd souped up machines and gamers is almost stifling to someone whose been out in the fresh air.

Pizza boxes and Demon energy drink cans are piling up and nobody cares about anything accept the gaming - It's hardcore concentration on the floor.

RYE-BORG shutting down for recharge.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

The gaming action is hotter than ever, with most teams now well into their campaigns to glory.

There are some pretty tired people wandering around, but Energy Drinks and coffee are in ample supply around the venue. I just had a sitdown with Anthony, one of the organisers at xlan. Despite a short night's sleep, he's in good spirits and as excited as ever to see the tournament going well.

There have only been some minor hickups this year, involving server-less games, but overall the network has performed extremely well, no doubt thanks to the many volunteers at this event.

The PC World case modding competition kicks off around 1PM today. I've only seen a few floating around the venue so far, but what I've seen looks damn impressive.

I'll be back later with some pics of tired gamers :)

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

The first prelim matches are finished, with some minor upsets and undeniable victories.
There are still matches happening as I'm writing this, the Halo teams are in action on the main stage and several teams are playing group matches in the players arena.

Check out some photos below, more to come tomorrow morning. I'll do another update in the morning with the latest standings, teams commence play around 9AM.

Until then, I'm ghost.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

The n00b is still driving this tank and the leader of this unit is on the gaming floor in the midst of the action, probably battling for his life.

We have zero radio contact and I am feeling isolated and need support.

Luckily I have now recieved co-ordinates and will head towards the front leaving the communication tool stealthly placed for later updates.

"Don't shoot - Don't shoot!"

n00b - Over and out for now.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 7:01 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

There are rockstar guitars, drum kits, men, women, boys and girls - the TelstraClear Events Centre is packed and humming with these and the typical hunt-shoot-kill games.

I have seen a range of teams all decked out in their team uniforms aiming for game supremacy, bragging rights, and a place in the NZ WCG qualifier - gunning for that all important place in the NZ Team that travels to the Pan Asian Games and the WCG finals in Germany later this year.

While the competition on screen is more than healthy, in person and moving around the event, everyone is friendly and approachable, and keen to talk about what game they're playing, just not the innids of their droid like PC's that they have bought with them.

Some look like a space ship with lights, others like jetplanes with air intakes... all awesome machines of gaming, all tuned to perform.

I can't wait to see the PC World Case & Console Modding entries - I have already come across a 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' case-mod.

By: n00b

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

I was a virgin WCG'er at 11am today, and now I am up with the play. It was amazing to see players camped outside waiting for the doors to open with their puta's and sleeping bags - I truely saw some dedicated people.

One by one, team by team they all put up with the registration process, which I helped get on track for a while, organising entrants lanyards and user name passes - I hope "Fish slappah" does well at the games - go hard or slap that fish?

Slowly the 760 puta's were set up and silence feel on the hall. Screens were blarring with action and I'm sure the headphones were as well, it was a bit unnerving to see war scenes and explosions visually, but no sound effects - it was like watching Arnie in Commando with no sound (weird and freaky but exciting).

All in all, I am now a convert. Having blasted the C-64 to death 25 years ago and tired of the indoors, gaming has come a long way and has a new face - it's dynamic and exciting and no wonder it's hitting other sports hard.

Game on.

n00b over and out.

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

There's some warm food in the cafeteria at the moment, The chicken pasta is not bad at $6.

Most of the gamers have settled in, and team meetings are underway. By the sounds of it, the majority of the teams will kick off their campaign between 8PM and 10PM tonight; good luck to everyone competing.

There are still exhibition matches being played on the main stage, so if you have 15 minutes free, go check it out.

Go easy on the energy drinks and keep hydrated throughout!

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Xlan and the New Zealand WCG qualifier have officially kicked off today, with gamers from around the country arriving in drones to take part in New Zealand's largest gaming event.

TelstraClear stadium in Manukau now houses about 800 gamers, eager to take on the best gamers in New Zealand. The venue looks great, and a huge step up from previous years is the main stage, which is a theater style room with amphitheatre seating. Over 14 kilometres of network cable has been laid out, and hundreds of hours spent on getting ready.

The first competitions will kick off later tonight, and won't end until the grand finals on Sunday morning. For some teams, this event will work as a catalyst to going to the world championships in Cologne, Germany later this year.

Exhibition matches are already being played, with New Zealand's top CS 1.6 and CS:S battling in out in their respective games. The match was close fought and ended in an official draw, with some world class plays performed from both sides.

There is currently an Exhibition match in Warcraft going on, with New Zealand's top gamer, Kowi, taking on Crucicus in what will unbdoubtedly be an excellent match.

There's a bunch of exhibitors at the event, and gamers can get a welcomed relief from their screens by checking out the entire venue. There is definitely a buzz in the air!

Keep your eye on this blog, we'll be updating it live from the venue, and keep you up to date on the latest developments. We'll post results as they happen.

I will be embedded with Team Sidewinder, which is the largest team competing at Xlan this year with almost 50 competitors.

Game on!

Posted by Jan Birkeland at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Entry Details:
No need to sign up. Just bring your case-mod along to the World Cyber Games this weekend to enter the competition. Entries must be in by 12pm on Saturday 12th July. Judging will take place at 1pm.

World Cyber Games Location:
TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau

Hours:
Friday 11th July - 2pm till 8pm
Saturday 12th July - 9am till 8pm
Sunday 13th July - 8am till 8pm

Spectator Cost:
Free

Winners:
Winners will be announced at the World Cyber Games on Sunday 13th at 2pm. Pick up the August issue of NZ PC World for a list of the winners, plus full coverage of the xLan event.
On sale 28 July 2008.

This year, there are three competition categories:
1. Best Mod
2. Best engineered Mod
3. Craziest Mod

Click here to read more

Posted by Cindy Park at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )