Sparzx

Last Updated - 22 April


STRAYANS (and Kiwis from outside of Auckland) - I've put together pricing estimates for flights and buses here:
Approximate travel costs for the weekend of the LAN (So that you can get your piggy banks ready!) as at 17/04/2013

AUSTRALIAN CITIES (IN AUD):

Sydney - $270 Return (incl. bags)
Melbourne - $318 Return (incl. bags)
Brisbane - $275 Return (incl. bags)
Will find the cheapest days for Adelaide and Perth on request as these fluctuate.

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NZ NORTH ISLAND (IN NZD):

Hamilton - Intercity Bus $2 return / Nakedbus $10 return
Tauranga - Intercity $2 Return / Nakedbus $12 Return
New Plymouth - Intercity bus $69 return
Napier - Intercity Bus $64 return / Nakedbus $40 return / AirNZ $158 return
Palmy - Intercity Bus $30 return / Nakedbus $40 return / AirNZ $178 return
Wanganui - Intercity $80 return
Wellington - Intercity $28 return / Nakedbus $40 return / AirNZ $78 return

NZ SOUTH ISLAND (IN NZD):
Nelson - AirNZ $218 return
Christchurch - Jetstar $104 return / AirNZ $118 return
Dunedin - Jetstar $144 return / AirNZ $158 return
Queenstown - Jetstar $148 return / AirNZ $218 return

According to the folks over at Microsoft, the Kinect sensor will be sold with every Xbox One console, and will be ESSENTIAL for the system to work.

This means that for the console to work, kinect MUST be connected or it's no games for you, buddy.

Add to this the ability for Xbox One to power on via voice command, and it means that the console will always be listening, even if you've got it switched off - Now you can feel like Kim Dotcom in your very own home!

While it's creeping on you when you're sleeping, the kinect sensor is so high-tech that it can even pick up your heartbeat.

All we can say is..

This morning Xbox released their newest console, Xbox One.
(If you weren't up at 5am like me, you can watch it at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hub/reveal)

I'll chuck it in bulletpoints because I know you're lazy:

Features:

• Snap - The ability to do two things at once on screen (not ideal for our smaller gaming monitors, but bigger TVs could be good) - It's basically picture-in-picture which has been around for ages. You can play matchmaking while watching a movie in lobbies etc.
  
• Skype - This has been specially designed for the new Xbox, so you can talk to friends and hold group skype chats.
  
• The console itself is an eight-core, x86 processor with more than 5 billion transistors to make lag and load times a thing of the past. Rage quit to dashboard with lightning speed.

F*** Yeahs:

• Smart Match - A new smart matchmaking system virtually eliminates waiting in lobbies by estimating wait times and finding people you want to play with while you are enjoying other activities - reputation fundamentally matters and helps find the best matches.
  (No word on priority given to local search though)
  
• Game DVR - A dedicated Game DVR captures and accesses your magic moments, all saved to the cloud. Along with sharing tools, you will have the most amazing bragging rights with Xbox Live.
  
• Expanded achievements - A new and expanded achievements system captures video of your epic moments, continues to grow a game’s achievements over time and rewards you in new ways, and your Gamerscore carries over from Xbox 360.
  
• Call of Duty Championship Returns! - Microsoft have announced their continued partnership with Activision and the return of the CoD Championships.

FMLs:

• Xbox and Xbox 360 games are not playable on Xbox One consoles. Arcade titles purchased on your Xbox 360 will also likely not work on the new console either. Say goodbye to your old games.
  
• Exclusive Xbox One only releases - Depending on the title, this could impact on our competitive LAN scene, with gamers having to upgrade just to play the latest title in the series (which also includes a big upgrade of all the AvT stage xboxs as well - Gah!)
  
• "Controller looks like it was designed by Madcatz" ~ Aph

I've left out other features like being able to play Kinect or voice control games, because this ain't no PR pitch to the average family with kids, and we mostly care about competitive ability!

I'll update with more - feel free to post anything else you find!

Quote

McDonald's says it will make announcement tomorrow regarding a return of Georgie Pie.
The company's New Zealand managing director, Patrick Wilson, will give details - including where and when the product will be available - at a press conference scheduled for 11am.

http://www.nzherald....&ref=fbheadline

Awwwww yiss.

Hi all,


In a bit of (not so) friendly competition, we've split the forum staff into two teams to see which team can lead their game to a sandwich-filled victory.

Team CoD - Sparzx & KamKraft

Team Halo - ApocolypseFire & Campbell

Similar to last Auckland LAN's competition (which Dylan dogged on making cookies - I SEE YOU KID. WE REMEMBER), the duo who's game has the least number of paid teams will be donning pretty aprons and making sandwiches at the event for each gamer competing in the winning duo's game.

I'll remind you that there was only one team difference between CoD and Halo at last Auckland LAN, so get behind your game and help get those teams together!
(We'd all appreciate as much help as possible since two people can only do so much - If you'd like to get on board, hit us up!)


Halo gamers - Remember that time that myself and KamKraft banned you or put you on post approval?