The size of the picture might be the only ‘real’ determining factor for some folks when it comes to projectors vs TVs, but there’s actually much more to it. From a gaming perspective, there are some extra technicalities that will prove important to factor in. The best projectors for PS5 and Xbox Series X do hold some benefits over the best TV for PS5 and Xbox Series X, so there are plenty of points of comparison between the two. We’re here to outline those major differences and help you drill down into the details, getting you well on your way to deciding between the two picture solutions.

The projector vs TV matchup could be worth looking into if you’re after something different from your screen, have specific needs or space limitations, or just want to ensure you’re not ruling out a whole area of tech before committing to one side.

It’s always helpful to keep budget, how and what you play, and some physical factors in mind as we go, but otherwise let’s dive into projectors vs TVs and see what’s best for you.

TL;DR: Projectors vs TVs compared

Projectors

• Enormous pictures
• Various resolutions
• Removes need for TV furniture
• Great when space is at a premium
• Feature-filled models are very expensive
• Requires shelf or wall space, or ceiling mount

TVs

• Tried and tested image givers
• 4K resolutions are near-standard
• Great value for money
• Versatile with multiple ports
• Chock-full of features and specs
• Easy to setup

Projector vs TV: size

It’s no secret that, while you can get some awesome deals on massive 4K TVs nowadays, a projector throwing a large image onto an entire wall is hard to beat from a pure size perspective. Basically, if absolute screen size, corner to corner, is the most important thing – and so important that you’ll happily sacrifice quality – then there is only one winner.

But there’s the actual size of the units themselves to consider as well. A projector’s neat and tidy stance on a shelf or even hanging from the wall or ceiling does mean that you remove the need for TV furniture. That benefit does come with the headache of factoring in the positioning of your consoles and all the connections and cables you need. The idea of gaining all that extra space in a room does sound appealing when looking at projectors but, given we are all accustomed to the space a TV requires nowadays, it feels a bit of a jump to consider the convenience a must-have. That TV furniture is only a nuisance if you have a small living space to deal with.

You can get really small projectors too, like the best portable projectors, but then we get into very niche uses and desires, and not something that can fairly be stacked up against a TV.

Projector vs TV: features

Now, it’s true that modern projectors and TVs both have an array of modern, high-spec features at their disposal, but this is definitely an area of comparison where the TV starts to assert some dominance. So, some careful thought will be needed as this could be an area of compromise, particularly if siding with projectors.

Both will provide you with a good range of ports, but televisions just flat out offer more. Larger projectors can offer a decent handful of ports but nothing like a TV, and to get those decent numbers of sockets, you’re already looking at the much more expensive models. Similarly, it’s rare to find projectors that offer HDMI 2.1 ports, and not many can really offer the guaranteed new-gen gaming performance that the best 120Hz 4K TVs can. 

On that note, true 4K resolution is rare and expensive in projectors. The best 4K projectors get really expensive, really quickly. So, while you will get a much larger picture size, it’ll take a hell of a budget to ensure it’s also UHD to keep up with that near-standard 4K resolution on TVs now – it’ll likely be 1080p in reality, or possibly even lower. And a projector that can match the best 8K TVs? Dream on.

In terms of sound, both aren’t great by default, but the speakers now found in the latest TVs are still better than those in projectors from a sheer quality point of view. Plus, they would have the benefit of coming from where the picture is presented to you, rather than behind you or above you from the point of projection. If you’re hooking up a sound system in either scenario, then this won’t be a problem, but it is an additional expense. 

Lastly, a big factor for projectors particularly is latency or input lag. This is as good as its ever been on TVs, and you could almost not worry about it when purchasing a television. However, such is input lag’s importance in projectors is that it often can be a deciding factor between projector models themselves. In short, this is the time it takes for your actions to be represented on-screen in-game; the lower the better. It’s another factor that is improving with each cycle on both, but TVs being the instant picture-givers they are, do have the edge and can offer lower input lag speeds.

Projector vs TV: price

The good news is that both projectors and TVs are more affordable than ever. It’s as easy as it’s ever been to get a top-quality projector or TV and maximize your bang for buck value.

However, if you really want a projector that will go toe-to-toe with the top gaming TVs, then you are going to be looking at a big budget. A massive budget, really. Something like that demanded of the $6,000 / £6,000 Sony VPL-VW590ES – which you could buy several TVs with. True 4K resolution, low input lag, HDMI 2.1 ports, and excellent picture quality – as the core features – do not come cheap on projectors.

That’s where TVs win out – you can get all of the above for a much better value package. Yes, you’ll be tied to a certain screen size, but that screen will offer everything for gaming and more. 

Who should buy a projector?

If you want to break the mould, desire the largest picture possible (to recreate a cinema effect, perhaps) and have a spare wall for a massive picture then a projector could be for you. There really isn’t much better than filling a wall with sports, entertainment, and gaming.

However, be aware that the latter is probably something you’ll have to compromise on a bit if you want to restrain that budget. If you’re OK with only HD (1080p) gaming, then this is a big first step, for example. Otherwise, think about the key specs that you need to bear in mind, and how they’ll work with your space and budget.

You should buy a projector if you: 

• Have a big budget
• Value screen size over everything else
• Are extremely restricted on living space
• Have a spare wall to project onto or space for a screen
• Only have one gaming machine to hook up (maybe two)
• Have a separate sound system read to plug in

Who should buy a TV? 

If you were only mildly thinking about a projector, a TV is probably still the safer bet. You’ll maximise your bang for buck value and ensure you get all the features and quality your budget can allow – and you’ll guarantee that 4K resolution (almost). 

The traditional TV comes out as the more sensible option for gaming when considering all factors. You’ll get something that can house many devices including multiple new-gen consoles running at their highest frame rates, and also get decent sound to boot right out of the box. Yes, you won’t have the mega image size that a projector will offer, but you’ll make up for it in features and specs.

Grab a TV if you:

• Want the top gaming screen specs for consoles
• Have a smaller budget and want to maximise value
• Don’t mind the space of TV furniture
• Are a fan of the major TV brands’ quality
• Have multiple devices and gaming consoles
• Want the best gaming display
• Desire maximum image quality over size

To fill out your search, make sure to check out the best outdoor projectors as well as our best OLED TV, and best QLED TV roundups too.

The post Projector vs TV – which is best for gaming? appeared first on Game News.

Deathloop is going to be a PS5 and PC exclusive – albeit a timed one – so players on those platforms can act now and nail down their Deathloop pre-order. If you’re like me and are planning to double up on big game pre-orders that month, I believe that picking up both a Mass Effect Legendary Edition pre-order as well as a Deathloop pre-order means – I think – that you have to play all of the former before the latter in *checks notes* a week. Them’s the rules.

Deathloop on PS5 certainly looks like a very interesting prospect though, and that’s due to it being able to harness all the power and opportunities the PS5 presents. The controller is undoubtedly a key part of this. For example, we know that weapons will jam and you’ll feel them in the DualSense, particular if you have early, limited weapons; you’ll feel distinct nuances in recoil and reloading animations that vary from weapon to weapon; and you’ll feel the movement’s of Colt translated through the DualSense, down to the feel of each different surface your traversing.

Overall, however, the game looks like an absolute treat once again from Arkane. There’s the immersive sim-flavoured setting and story, draped in a retro 60s-inspired aesthetic, a mix of supernatural powers as well as cool weapon mechanics, and some intriguing characters and targets to boot. We can’t wait to place our Deathloop pre-order and neither should you. Here’s the lowdown on how to preorder Deathloop and what’s occurring with each edition available.

The best Deathloop pre-order prices and deals

There are only two editions of the game on offer, which should make a Deathloop pre-order relatively easy. Picking between the Standard and Deluxe versions of the game shouldn’t make you lose too much sleep.

Whatever version you choose you do get the following pre-order bonuses:

• A unique Weapon in the form of the Royal Protector Machete (PS5 Exclusive)
• A character Skin in the form of “Storm Rider” Colt 
• One Trinket (an equippable buff)

Pre-order Deathloop – Standard Edition

The Standard Edition of Deathloop is pretty modest, offering just the game itself. That said, Deathloop feels like it’s going to be one of the games of the year already so you’ll still get much bang for buck – plus those pre-order bonuses mentioned above. Here’s what prices are looking like right now:

US Deathloop Standard Edition prices

PS5 | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Best Buy (inc. free steelbook) (opens in new tab) – $59.99

PC | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Best Buy (inc. free steelbook) (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | CDKeys (opens in new tab) – $79.59

UK Deathloop Standard Edition prices

PS5 | Argos (opens in new tab) – £59.99 | The Game Collection (opens in new tab) – £48.95 | 365games (opens in new tab) – £50.99 

PC | CDKeys (opens in new tab) – £58.99

Pre-order Deathloop – Deluxe Edition prices

The Deathloop Deluxe Edition has a little more on offer than its Standard Edition counterpart. As well as the aforementioned pre-order prices, you get the following goodies for a Deathloop pre-order in the form of the Deluxe Edition:

• Unique Weapon: Transtar Trencher (PS5 Exclusive)
• Unique Weapon: Eat The Rich Tribunal
• Unique Weapon: .44 Karat Fourpounder
• Character Skin: “Party Crasher” Colt
• Character Skin: “Sharp Shooter” Julianna
• Original Game Soundtrack Selections
• Two Trinkets (equippable buffs)

US Deathloop Deluxe Edition prices

PS5 | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $79.99 | Best Buy (inc. free steelbook) (opens in new tab) – $79.99

PC | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $79.99 | Best Buy (inc. free steelbook) (opens in new tab) – $79.99

UK Deathloop Deluxe Edition prices

Game (opens in new tab) – £79.99

Getting the most out of Deathloop

Given that Deathloop is currently exclusive to PS5 and PC, it’s not too hard to make sure you’ll be playing in the best place possible, but if you haven’t picked up your PS5 yet, check out our where to buy a PS5 guide to see if there’s any remaining stock. If PC gaming is more your territory then one of the best gaming laptops or best gaming PCs will be worth a look.

And after the systems themselves, it’ll be worth making sure your entire setup will be up-to-scratch. For seeing better, why not try one of the best gaming monitors or best gaming TVs – specifically the best TV for PS5 for console players. And to immerse yourself further, it’ll be wise to make sure you’ve got enough of the PS5 accessories, one of the best PS5 headsets, or one of the best PC headsets for gaming.

Looking to pre-order or buy another big game?

There are loads of great games that will be available on PS5, whether already available via PS4 and backwards compatibility, or coming out in the new console’s launch window. If you’re hoping to check out some more of the best that Sony’s first- and third-party studios have to offer, look no further than the pages below:

• Death Stranding price
• Final Fantasy 7 remake price
• Ghost of Tsushima price
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla price
• Cyberpunk 2077 price 
• Doom Eternal price
• The Last of Us 2 price
• Outer Worlds price
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War price

The post Deathloop pre-order guide: travel to Blackreef as soon as possible appeared first on Game News.

Dirt 5 is both an Xbox Series X launch game and a PS5 launch game, meaning it appeared with both consoles on their respective releases dates last month:  November 10 for the Xbox Series X and November 12 for the PS5. Though if you were eager to play it as soon as you could, the Dirt 5 release date for current-gen consoles was November 6, meaning that the game is already available if you’re playing on a PS4 or Xbox One. If that’s you, remember that you’ll be able to upgrade your copy to a next-gen version for free, just as soon as you’ve bagged your Xbox Series X deal or PS5 bundle.

Dirt 5 developers Codemasters has been working on the series for years, and are the team behind some of the best racing games you can play right now. For the latest game, however, the company has certainly pulled out all the stops: Dirt 5 expands its definition of off-road racing to include ice-racing, dynamic seasons, and stadiums filled with Super Trucks. It’s also boasting some serious talent, with the Uncharted series’ Troy Baker and Nolan North lending their voice to career mode.

Get the best Dirt 5 prices and deals

There are two versions of Dirt 5 available to buy. The Dirt 5 Launch Edition grants access to all the high-octane action of the full game, with every track and a whole fleet of cars on offer. On top of that, the souped-up Dirt 5 Amplified Edition will grant players access to every post-launch addition to the game, as well as three exclusive vehicles, three exclusive player sponsors, and currency and XP boosts to help put you in pole position.

Dirt 5 prices – Standard Edition

This is the most simple version of the game, but there’s still plenty of Codemasters magic in there. When it comes to Dirt 5 prices, as well as the Ford F-150 Raptor PreRunner that’s available to anyone who buys the game early, Amazon has its own limited edition available. Buy from the online marketplace across any console, and you’ll also be able to pick up the extremely colourful Porsche Macan T1 Rally Raid, to make sure you beat your opponents and look good doing it.

US Dirt 5 Standard Edition price links

PS4 | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $49.94 | Best Buy (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Walmart (opens in new tab) – $49.94
PS5 | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Best Buy (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Walmart (opens in new tab) – $59.99

Xbox One | Amazon (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Best Buy (opens in new tab) – $59.99
Xbox Series X| Amazon (opens in new tab) – $59.99 | Best Buy (opens in new tab) – $59.99

UK Dirt 5 Standard Edition price links

PS4 | Amazon UK (opens in new tab) – £53.73 | Amazon UK Limited Edition (opens in new tab) – £54.99 | 365games (opens in new tab) – £44.99 | The Game Collection (opens in new tab) – £42.95
PS5| Amazon UK Limited Edition (opens in new tab) – £54.99 | 365games (opens in new tab) – £46.99 | Base (opens in new tab) – £48.85 | The Game Collection (opens in new tab) – £49.95

Xbox One | Amazon UK (opens in new tab) – £53.73 | Amazon UK Limited Edition (opens in new tab) – £54.99 | 365games (opens in new tab) – £44.99 | The Game Collection (opens in new tab) – £42.95
Xbox Series X|Amazon UK (opens in new tab) – £53.73 | Amazon UK Limited Edition (opens in new tab) – £54.99 365games (opens in new tab) – £44.99 | The Game Collection (opens in new tab) – £42.95

Dirt 5 prices – Amplified Edition

Dirt 5 Amplified Version is perfect if you’re hoping for a more souped-up, long-term experience. As well as the base game, you’ll have access to three exclusive cars, three exclusive sponsors, every post-launch addition that Codemasters introduces, and currency and XP boosts that should have you flying off the starting line. It’s digital-only, however, meaning you won’t be able to pick it up at retail, and it doesn’t appear that the PS5 version is available yet.

US Dirt 5 Amplified Edition price links

PS4| PlayStation Store (opens in new tab) – $79.99
Xbox One | Xbox Store (opens in new tab) – $79.99
Xbox Series X| Xbox Store (opens in new tab) – $79.99

UK Dirt 5 Amplified Edition price links

PS4| PlayStation Store (opens in new tab) – £74.99
Xbox One | Xbox Store (opens in new tab) – £74.99
Xbox Series X| Xbox Store (opens in new tab) – £74.99

Getting the most out of Dirt 5

The best way to play Dirt 5 is likely going to be on next-gen consoles, as, while it’ll run very nicely on the PS4 or Xbox One, the fact it’s been made with the PS5 and Xbox Series X in mind means it’ll look its best on the new hardware. Alternatively, check out our best gaming PCs, as new graphics cards will also have your Dirt 5 deal transformed into something fantastic looking.

Whether you’re opting for a PC or a console, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got the best accessories possible, so look for the best racing wheels out there, or the best PS4 controllers and best Xbox One controllers if you’re not ready to take the plunge on a full simulation.

Whether you’re going all in on the real deal or not, you’ll want to make sure that you can feel as close to the road as possible, so check out some of the best gaming TVs and best gaming monitors, as well as the best gaming headsets or best gaming sound systems to help bring Dirt 5’s tracks to life.

That might sound like a reasonable amount of extra kit, but given the ultra-realism that some of Codemasters’ racing games can offer, investing in the full experience can let you play the game at a whole new level.

Looking to pre-order or buy another big game?

Racing games are great, but if you’re looking to expand your next-gen pallet a little, check out some of the other major games that have either come out this year, or are getting ready to release in the Xbox Series X and PS5 launch windows:

• Cyberpunk 2077 pre-order
• Death Stranding price
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare price
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla price
• Watch Dogs Legion price
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order price
• Ghost of Tsushima price
• Final Fantasy 7 Remake price

The post How to pre-order Dirt 5: fly off the starting line with the best price and edition appeared first on Game News.

If you’re still unsure whether you should the game a go, then consider giving Alex’s The Outer Worlds review (opens in new tab) a read over – spoilers, he liked it and it’ll get you excited for it, 100 percent. But, in brief, The Outer Worlds is a story-driven role-playing game from the team behind Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity. Set in a distant future where corporations rule everything, you play the role of ‘The Stranger’: an unlucky colonist who was lost in transit on their way to a new life. It’s all about choices and the consequences of them – Obsidian confirmed before release that every NPC in The Outer Worlds can permanently die (opens in new tab), for example. SO, all this makes The Outer Worlds perfect if you’re a fan of franchises like Fallout or The Elder Scrolls.

If you want to actually see what it’s like then check out 20 minutes of raw The Outer Worlds gameplay footage (opens in new tab) from the Tokyo Game Show last year. And if that convinces you to fork out for the best Outer Worlds price currently going then you can also take solace in the fact that Microsoft believes The Outer Worlds will be “an enduring franchise”, hinting at a sequel (opens in new tab) already.

It’s very much worth noting that while it is indeed out for most platforms, it isn’t quite there yet for Nintendo Switch players – you guys have to wait a little longer ahead of its June 5th, 2020, release date. However, you’ll still find the latest and greatest Outer Worlds pre-order prices below for Switch to get ahead of the game and nail your copy down with.

The best Outer Worlds prices and deals

Rather unusually, but in an excellent, refreshing kind of way, The Outer Worlds is not a game of many different editions. There’s no extra fuss here: no super mega huge collector’s editions with statues or special editions with digital-only bonuses, just the game, for the best price, on your platform of choice.

Getting the most out of The Outer Worlds

Undoubtedly, you’ll want to optimize your gaming setup to get the best out of your The Outer Worlds deal. If you’re a console gamer, then we’d recommend you check out upgrading to the top models of the major consoles available with either one of the best PS4 Pro deals (opens in new tab) or one of the best Xbox One X deals (opens in new tab) going. If PC is your gaming haven, then consider boosting your setup with one of the best gaming PCs (opens in new tab) or best gaming laptops (opens in new tab) to immerse you in the glories that The Outer Worlds will bring to your eyes. And with the advent of a Nintendo Switch release date, you should definitely check out the best Nintendo Switch bundles (opens in new tab) going too – though Switch stock is pretty hard to come by nowadays, we’ll tell you that for free.

Speaking of being immersed in The Outer Worlds’ environments and lands, make sure you see it as crisply and beautifully as possible with one of the best gaming monitors (opens in new tab) or best gaming TVs (opens in new tab). These will give you the best means to enjoy every detail but also smooth out your gameplay too. Finally, ensure you have a solid gaming sound system (opens in new tab) or go for one of the best PS4 headsets (opens in new tab), best Xbox headsets (opens in new tab) or one of the best PC headsets for gaming (opens in new tab).

It does seem like a massive undertaking, and of course no one can upgrade all of this at once, but if you can upgrade or optimize any of your setup in these areas, you’ll have an even better time with The Outer Worlds.

Looking for another game to get a deal on or pre-order?

From recent big-hitters that are out in the wild, to the biggest games yet to be released that you can pre-order right now, there are several pages which will serve you well if you’re looking for the best price and the right version of games for you:

• Animal Crossing New Horizons price (opens in new tab)
• Doom Eternal price (opens in new tab)
• Resident Evil 3 Remake pre-order (opens in new tab)
• Final Fantasy 7 Remake pre-order (opens in new tab)
• The Last of Us 2 pre-order (opens in new tab)
• Ghost of Tsushima pre-order (opens in new tab)
• Marvel’s Avenger’s the game pre-order (opens in new tab)
• Cyberpunk 2077 pre-order (opens in new tab)

The post Get the best Outer Worlds price going: the cheapest deals on Obsidians latest game appeared first on Game News.

Best SEGA Genesis Mini deal

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SEGA Genesis Mini + Innex six-button USB controller | $89.99 (save $10) (opens in new tab)
As well as getting the retro console itself and its heap of games, this offer nets you a remake of the newer six-button controller.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

As we mentioned in our review (opens in new tab), the SEGA Genesis Mini is “a system that’s been painstakingly recreated almost exactly as it was, only better. The hours of enjoyment you’ll get from it will vary depending on your history with SEGA, of course, but it’s easy to appreciate even if you’re coming in fresh”. The extensive library of 42 games helps the Mini win players over, but it’s the little things that mean it truly excels. The console features historical facts and figures about the classic games you’re about to play, and composing legend Yuzo Koshiro (whose credits include Streets of Rage and ActRaiser) has returned with a new menu theme that’s been put together using tech from the 16-bit era. What’s more, the console itself even features a cartridge slot you can open and blow into to get rid of imaginary dust. Cool, isn’t it? Subtle touches like this make the experience feel so much more special.

I’m not sure how long this offer will last for, so it might be a good idea to get on this sooner than later to avoid any disappointment.

For more retro goodness, check out our review of the PlayStation Classic (opens in new tab) and our coverage of the SNES Mini (opens in new tab).  

The post Save 50% on a classic 6-button Genesis controller with the SEGA Genesis Mini appeared first on Game News.

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(UK) 128GB Officially Licensed SanDisk MicroSD Card | £17.99 on Amazon (save 56%) (opens in new tab)
This officially licensed Nintendo Switch SD card will give your console a much-needed boost to its memory.

View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

(US) 128GB Officially Licensed SanDisk MicroSD Card | $24.94 on Amazon (save 29%) (opens in new tab)
You can also get in on the action via Amazon if you in the US; the American version of the site has slashed its price too.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

If you’ve got a Nintendo Switch then you’ll know that its storage… well, it leaves something to be desired. You only get a meagre 32GB of internal memory out of the box, and that’s not going to be enough in the long run (games take up a lot of space these days, particularly with post-release updates and DLC). That’s where Nintendo Switch SD cards (opens in new tab) like this one come in. They add to your system’s storage and make sure you don’t have to delete an old save to make room again.

While we’re on the subject of discounts, don’t miss our guide to cheap Nintendo game deals (opens in new tab). Although it includes reductions on everything from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to Super Mario Maker 2, you’ll also find Nintendo Switch Online cheap (opens in new tab) and tips on grabbing a Nintendo Switch controller cheap (opens in new tab).

Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Read our affiliate policy (opens in new tab) for more info.

The post Save 56% on this official 128GB Nintendo Switch SD card at Amazon UK (today only) appeared first on Game News.

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LG OLED55E8PUA | $1349 (save $148) (opens in new tab)
The E8 earned its place as our favorite gaming TV thanks to its outstanding performance, crisp visuals and color accuracy, and solid feature set. It comes highly recommended.

View Deal (opens in new tab)

Peerless performance and an attractive, ultra-thin design help this set stand out. The E8’s OLED screen delivers excellent shades of black and a vastly improved HDR picture over previous models, while its use of clear plastic makes the TV screen seem like it’s floating in mid-air. This is one of the prettiest ‘traditional’ sets we’ve seen, and it boasts a responsive input lag of 21.4ms. That’s great for gaming. Yes, the E8 is expensive, but it’s a worthwhile investment, particularly at a discount.

Want to squeeze the most from your new setup? You should take a look at the best HDMIs for gaming (opens in new tab).

Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Read our affiliate policy for more info.

The post The price of our favorite gaming TV, the 55” LG E8 OLED 4K set, has been slashed to $1349 appeared first on Game News.

Standalone, wireless VR

Standalone VR is already a reality, with the Google Daydream powered Mirage Solo and Oculus Go leading the charge into an untethered future, but standalone offerings have been pretty feature-light or niche thus far. That’s all set to change in 2019 with the release of the Oculus Quest (which was demoed at CES), a much more robust and capable standalone headset that will mirror the performance and library of the Rift. 

Vive already offers a standalone headset for the Chinese market, the Vive Focus, and it is now starting to approach the wireless space globally with adapters for the Vive and Vive Pro. The problem with these devices is that they’re bulky and prohibitively expensive – the vanilla Vive adapter is $299.99 while the Pro option is a staggering $359.99, and you’ll still need an impressive PC build to power them.

Hopefully Oculus’ heavy investment in standalone VR tech will give HTC the push it needs to begin development on its own wireless, completely untethered offering for the West. Perhaps even an iteration of the Focus that’s more powerful and streamlined, retaining the Focus’ excellent inside-out, six-degrees-of-freedom tracking. I’m also hopeful that new players in the space, like Google, will introduce a standalone option backed by their massive resource infrastructure, or even that Valve may eventually plumb the standalone depths, perhaps backed by a VR-exclusive version of Steam. 

Wireless charging

Ask anyone with an even reasonably elaborate entertainment setup – wires are the bane of the modern gamer’s existence. While we’ve made great strides towards eliminating technology’s poisonous braided snakes from peripherals like controllers, mice, and headsets, the final frontier is wireless charging. 

Despite its origins in the 19th century, we’re still a ways off from any kind of broad implementation of inductive charging. The majority of solutions now require placing a device on a charging mat or stand, leaving it inert while it (slowly) charges. And of course, while there are some scant battery powered offerings, most of those charging mats still require wires, so while there are some advantages (like reducing the socket and cord wear of constantly plugging and unplugging your device) you’re still required to be tethered to a power source. 

That said, the future of wireless charging looks bright. Disney has prototyped an entire room capable of charging wireless devices simply by having them inside of it, and a California company called Energous is developing a wireless charging solution that pairs a transmitter with a tiny (like, fraction-of-the-size-of a-dime tiny) receiver to charge devices at up to 15 feet away. As innovations like this continue to coalesce and be refined, it becomes easier and easier to imagine a future where everything from your DualShock controller to your electric car can be charged entirely sans wires. Could we see a wirelessly charged controller launching alongside the PS5 and the next set of Xboxs? It’s very possible. 

Exoskeletons

One of my personal favorite reveals at CES this year was the Samsung GEMS-H (Gait Enhancing and Motivating System), a lightweight, sleek-looking exoskeleton designed to help propel your legs while you walk. Reports from the show floor indicate that it’s so light it’s easy to forget you’re even wearing it – that moving around with one strapped to your hips was like “walking on air.” 

These kind of mobility assistance exoskeletons are just the tip of the iceberg. There are others late in development that will allow users to easily lift 200 lbs or more, and a company called Ekso Bionics already produces a lower body exoskeleton that allows paraplegic people to walk again. The same company recently partnered with Ford on a solution to allow factory workers to do overhead work with less effort and strain and a concomitant reduction in injuries. 

What does this have to do with games? Match this kind of exoskeleton tech with the ‘Synesthesia Suit’ for Rez in VR and the possibilities are endless. Imagine true, one-to-one, full body motion tracking and sensory feedback, with portions of the suit vibrating or moving when you’re taking fire or hit with a melee attack. In extreme (and possibly undesirable, but still fascinating) scenarios, an exoskeleton could lock some of your limbs in place in a game if your avatar were tied up or hit with some freezing status ailment. And the AR possibilities are also rich; in the far flung future, we could bound around the world in exoskeletons playing AR games piped through a headset or glasses.  

8K displays

Pleased with that shiny new 4K TV you bought for Christmas? Doesn’t it look all fancy and thin, with all of its colors and lovely menus? Well, bad news, chum, as 8K is a reality and it’s going to make your beloved 4K TV look silly. True 8K resolution is 7680×4320 pixels, four times the density of current 4K displays, and that equates to a 33 megapixel image. 8K TVs were very much the hotness at CES, and you can actually buy the early models right now, if you have a spare $15,000 or so in your bank account. In fact, you’re going to need to buy 65” TVs or above to really see the difference between 4K and 8K. While there’s almost nothing that displays in 8K resolution at the moment, many broadcasters and creators are already planning 8K content for the coming years. It’s unlikely PS5 will offer 8K, and will likely stick to 4K at 60fps, but it’s still a possibility – even PS4 Pro and Xbox One X struggle to deliver consistent 4K right now. Netflix will undoubtedly be looking to create an 8K tier of original shows as the technology starts to becoming more available, and it’s likely that sports broadcasters will be going Ultra HD as soon as possible. 

Streaming games and 5G

Although cloud-based streaming hasn’t exactly taken the world by storm, despite some promising initial offerings from Sony and Nvidia, 2019 could be the year that it does. Think about it. With theoretical data rates of up to 10Gb/s on the horizon, 5G will finally give us the option to forego our shady broadband ISPs in favor of slightly less dubious cellular providers. In an unexpected turn of events, for once in our lives, a win for capitalism is a win for us, the consumers. 

With Sony insisting on broadband speeds of at least 5Mbps for its PlayStation Now streaming service, a simple trick of the calculator reveals 5G could offer up to 2,000 times that. GeForce Now, Nvidia’s PC streaming platform, requires an even more demanding broadband spec of 15Mbps. Meanwhile, its thirst left unquenched by domination elsewhere, even Apple is plotting a streaming service for games. The only remaining variables are Microsoft and Google. Both are suspected to have streaming efforts in the works, but neither the former’s Project xCloud nor the latter’s Project Stream are currently available to the public.

Assuming it’s a hit when it begins to roll out later this year, 5G might prove itself a ‘killer app’ for game streaming services across the board. Especially now esteemed networking hardware companies like D-Link are whipping up 5G routers, we’re a little more optimistic about the future of game streaming services than we were when Sony bought Gaikai nearly seven years ago. Now we’re not just looking forward to the aftermath of 5G on smartphones, but we’re also interested in learning about its effects in the console space. 

Both Microsoft and Sony are rumored to have streaming-first consoles in the works. Thus, it’s only a matter of time before we find out for certain whether or not streaming is the future of games.

The promise of tomorrow

These and some of the other trends signaled at this year’s CES and across our industry point to a future of dramatic innovation. Look a little beyond the smart refrigerators and tech demos of vending machine robots and there’s a lot of real, promising tech shifting across the horizon. Sure, some of it is very much still in the prototype stage, but the trends we’ve highlighted above are already being rolled out in practical, real world scenarios, and many of them could alter the way we play significantly in the coming months and years. 

The post The biggest 2019 tech trends, and how they could affect gaming appeared first on Game News.

How does the Elite Pro 2 stack up against other headsets? Check out our guides to the best PS4 headsets (opens in new tab), the best Xbox One headsets (opens in new tab), and the best PC headset for gaming (opens in new tab).

Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 – Design

To its credit, the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 is one of the best designed gaming headsets available. The earphones themselves are super comfortable, with soft leather cushioning your ear perfectly for extended gaming sessions. If you wear glasses the earphones are soft enough to accommodate them for decent chunks of time (I don’t wear glasses, but did borrow some to test the headset for a couple of hours), and there’s a ProSpecs glasses relief system that further moulds to the shape of the arms on your specs. The only issue I had is that the Elite Pro 2’s ear cushions are so soft and welcoming, that your ears tend to get really cosy and hot after about an hour. Taking regular breaks and removing the headset for a few minutes is a must, because they cover a LOT of your actual ear.

Elsewhere, the Elite Pro 2 is nicely understated in terms of how it looks. There’s a metal headband with a fabric cushion underneath, offering good build quality and comfort, and the flexibility between the ear cushions and the headband itself is good – there’s enough twist and flex here to accommodate most head-shapes and sizes. Everything is either black plastic and metal on the PS4 version, or white plastic and metal on the Xbox One version, and they both look stylish – the kind of cans you could easily wear outside the home without people ever knowing you’re rocking a gaming headset (if that kind of thing bothers you).

Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 – Features

Ok, let’s break this down into ‘normal operation’ and ‘SuperAmp enabled’. When you’re just plugged into the PS4 controller via a wired headphone jack, the feature set is minimal. You’ve got a mute button on the cable itself, and the ability to have the microphone plugged in, or removed. So, if you’re playing offline, it’s handy to just have the headset without anything hanging in front of your mouth.

Add in the SuperAmp and you have… well, a few more wires for sure. The SuperAmp is a little round button that allows you to adjust volume via a pleasingly solid dial. It glows the right color, it feeds directly from your PS4 Pro’s optical audio port, and draws power from one of the USB sockets in the front of the console. If you don’t have a newer PS4 with an optical port, it still works via USB. What the SuperAmp really adds is fidelity in those incidental and surround sounds that are invaluable when it comes to competitive shooters. So, in a game like Black Ops 4 you can hear footsteps and nearby gunfire with remarkable clarity. And I do mean remarkable – the Elite Pro 2 offers a genuine, noticeable advantage in a firefight because of it. However, it does so at the expense of richer, deeper ambient sounds, so things like character dialogue sound like it’s being spoken inside a small, empty room. That’s not a huge problem, and the equalizer on the SuperAmp can be changed via the Elite Pro’s iOS / Android app (there are loads of sound options here), but it does mean that you’ll need to do some audio configuring dependent on what you’re actually playing. The features are here, and they’re good, but you do need to tinker frequently, which may be too much effort for someone who just wants to pick up and play. SuperAmp, for example, also lets you play music or take calls while you play.

Also worth noting that the ear cushions actually detach, so it’s handy for cleaning. And you can remove the plastic outer shells of the cushions to add in more personalized designs (if that’s your thing). It’s a nice touch.

Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 – Performance

Now, this is the biggie – how exactly is the sound on the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2? As a gaming headset, it’s excellent. One of the best. Playing Spider-Man PS4 (opens in new tab) I sat Spidey on a rooftop and listened to the city below with incredible clarity, especially when it came to identifying where noise was coming from. It was, although it sounds corny, a bit like having actual Spidey senses. I tested it with SuperAmp on and off – and the non-Amp version offers a richer, more rounded sound, which is better for a more cinematic experience like Spider-Man. A play session with Fortnite (opens in new tab) revealed the headset’s truest strengths – the ability to pinpoint enemy movement. This is down to what Turtle Beach calls ‘Superhuman Hearing’. It was almost too good, with the clarity of footfall and gunfire actually making me more paranoid and fully aware that someone is creeping up behind me with a shotgun. Full marks here. The microphone, which has TruSpeak tech (according to Turtle Beach) did the trick nicely, and communication with other players in my four-person team was always clear (if not necessarily respected) by my squad mates. 

After that, I tested it with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (opens in new tab), and the sound held up very well too, although lost a little fidelity with the dialogue in this game. The conclusion is that it’s suited to higher action titles, rather than slower games like RPGs and adventures like Red Dead Redemption 2 (opens in new tab), where ambient sound and the richness of the atmosphere is more important. The bass and lower notes are good, but far from the best, and while the ear cushions are comfortable they have limited value in terms of noise cancelling. Not bad, by any means, but not the best either.

Next, I tested the Elite Pro 2s with other media, picking a handful of things from Netflix (and it’s worth noting that I use Netflix Ultra, so stream TV and movies in 4K and HDR where available). It coped ok with Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, offering some pleasing audio during battle scenes but less richness around dialogue. Watching shows like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (opens in new tab) and Elite (I couldn’t resist the irony, and Elite is brilliant) further highlighted the shortcomings with dialogue and moodier scenes that rely on atmospheric sounds. It’s certainly better than TV speakers… but it really hammered home the fact that the Elite Pro 2 is a thoroughbred designed for gaming.

Finally, I tested it with music, via a Samsung Galaxy S8 using a wired connection. While the lack of noise cancelling and slightly underwhelming bass is an issue compared to specialist audio headphones like Bose and Sennheiser, the overall sound quality with music is pretty good. It favors heavier rock and metal over more pop and r’n’b, but adjusting the levels certainly helps bring the best out of certain genres.

Overall – Should you buy it?

If you’re looking for a pure gaming headset, and you’re looking for an edge in titles like Fortnite, Black Ops 4, and Battlefield 5 (opens in new tab)… then yes, this is a damn good pair of cans. The crystal clarity that SuperAmp offers, when it comes to surround sound and incidental noises is brilliant, and easily the Elite Pro 2’s best feature. However, if you’re looking for a headset that brings great all-round sound, and one that provides the same fidelity with movies, TV, and music you can get better headphones for your money. The Elite Pro 2s aren’t cheap ($250 / £220) and if you’re spending that kind of money you need to know exactly what you want. If that thing is a superior headset for action games… this is for you.

The Verdict

4

4 out of 5

Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2

A brilliant gaming headset, ideal for shooters. It’s comfy, stylish, and only let down by a lack of audio versatility when it comes to movies, TV, and other audio

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