MSI components and peripherals are rather popular in the computing industry. And while MSI also makes gaming gear and hardware, only in recent times has MSI started to push hard in the gaming laptop and desktop arena. The MSI GL63 is one such series which offers some serious spec hardware at interesting prices.
We are checking out the MSI GL63 9SD. This is one of MSI’s newest gaming laptops. There are a few things that make gaming laptops good;
It should have good cooling
Hardware to support most games
Fast Refresh Display
Great keyboard
Somehow still lightweight.
MSI managed to check all the above boxes in the GL63 series. and the 9SD is also perfectly placed in that bracket.
The MSi GL63 9SD has a good design, a usual aggressive look for a gaming laptop. Even though the laptop is missing any kind of RGB, it makes up for it by introducing aggressive lines and reflective decals.
Specifications
Our unit was equipped with the 9th Gen Core i7 9750H along with 8GB RAM and 256 m.2 SSD paired with a 1 TB HDD. For graphics the 9SD has GTX 1660 Ti With 6GB of VRAM.
The display also fits the bill with a 120 hz refresh rate and an antiglare coating , excellent viewing angles and good brightness from a full HD 1920x1080p panel.
MSI partnered with Steelseries for the keyboard on the laptop. The Keyboard keys have good travel but still remain easy to game on and comfortable for long sessions of gaming. The 9SD model has RED backlit lets, but you can always get the 9SDK model for a full RGB backlit keyboard.
Gaming
The Combination of the above hardware allowed for impressive gaming results, With PUBG running comfortably at 100- 110 fps and Shadow of the tomb raider delivering a good 60-70 fps. Wolfenstein Youngblood achieves 100fps. All the games were between High – ultra settings, with Motion Blur Off.
The MSI GL63 9SD also has impressive audio inbuilt with large stereo speakers and support for 3D audio using the company’s Nahimic 3 App. The laptop also has a dragon centre which is like a dedicated Game mode to allow for customisation and hardware performance focusing towards specific games.
The MSI GL63 series is presently on sale for upto 30% off and you get additional deals like PUBG loot boxes and mechanical gaming keyboards on certain products.
Lenovo is seeking to expand its gaming laptop offerings with the Legion Y540 and Y740 that have just been launched in India. The Legion series of laptops are typically aimed at gamers and the latest iterations feature the 9th Gen Intel Core processors alongside RTX graphics card options. The new laptops are claimed to offer better battery life over past iterations and should run cooler under heavy loads.
Legion Y740
Lenovo’s Legion Y740 is built from aluminium and features a fully customisable RGB keyboard lighting. The gaming laptop features a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display which has 500 nits of maximum brightness and 144Hz refresh rate. Furthermore, the display is also Dolby Vision HDR compatible. Under the hood, the powerful device is run by an Intel i7-9750H processor with 16GB of DDR4 RAM which is upgradable to 32GB. For graphical fidelity, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is provided to run current-gen AAA games with ease. Additionally, users are also offered 1TB M.2 SSD.
The Legion Y740 from Lenovo ships with Windows 10 Home along with Office Home & Student 2019. It houses a 720p webcam on the front and is powered by a 3 cell 57Watt hour battery that is capable of delivering up to 5 hours of usage on a single charge. For connectivity, the device includes a KILLER 2×2 AC Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.1 Gen2, two USB 3.1 Gen1, one HDMI, one ethernet (RJ45), one Mini DP and a Type-C port (TBT, DP, USB3.1).
Legion Y540
Lenovo’s Legion Y540 is a slightly toned down variant in comparison to the aforementioned Y740. It is made from Plastic PC-ABS material but features a 144Hz refresh rate for its similar 15.6-inch FHD IPS display. Although, the maximum brightness is noticeably lower at just 300 nits. The gaming laptop packs Intel’s i7-9750H processor coupled with 16GB of DDR4 RAM that can be upgraded to 32GB as well. Similar to the Y740, it also houses 1TB of M.2 SSD for storage and 6GB NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU.
The Lenovo gaming laptop is powered by a 57Watt hour 3 cell battery which can again deliver up to 5 hours of battery backup. Unfortunately, the Legion Y540 doesn’t offer an RGB backlit keyboard but has a fixed white colour backlit keys. The device is shipped with Windows 10 Home and Office Home & Student 2019 preinstalled on the laptop.
The Lenovo Legion Y740 starts at INR 1,29,990 while the Legion Y540 starts from INR 79,990. The new legion range of gaming laptops are currently available on Lenovo’s official website as well as leading online stores and Lenovo stores across India.
PUBG Mobile is a multiplayer game which is a port of the massively popular game, PUBG PC. The franchise’s mobile game version has seen sensational success which is growing with each passing day. Its success can be credited to the fast-paced action gameplay seen in the battle royale genre alongside it being constantly updated with new features and modes. PUBG Mobile has unveiled its new update 0.14.0 which brings in pirate theme with undead zombies.
PUBG Mobile v0.14.0
PUBG Mobile is a multiplayer game which has its operations and revenue tied to the number of people playing the game and purchasing in-game items. However, a player can not simply survive on its great gameplay as it tends to get repetitive. Hence, to keep things fresh, Tencent developers are constantly working on adding new content and game modes. The latest build of the game version 0.14.0 brings a brand new sea-faring and pirate exploration PVP (player versus player) mode with undead zombies as your enemies.
What’s New?
The New Infection Mode: Players can now play the new PVP mode in PUBG Mobile. It’s an infection match where at the start of the game players are randomly divided into zombies and defenders. The objective of the former is to eliminate and infect every human player using firearms and weapons while zombies are restricted to melee attacks. The defender, on the other hand, need to survive the onslaught and eliminate zombies that respawn till the timer runs out. Zombies win if every human is infected or lose even if one human survives.
Character System: The new update also brings a brand new character progression system during a match in PUBG Mobile. Each player is assigned a character at the start who carry one skill that is exclusive to the EvoGrounds. Characters can be customized with outfits, voices, emotes and MVP emotes and can be levelled up which give out special rewards as well.
Updated UI: PUBG Mobile has also received an overhaul to a few of its menu options. The Matchmaking and Settings are now on the same page and visual effects have been improved.
Redesigned Daily missions: The number of Daily Missions are reduced with rewards being adjusted accordingly. Login missions are now random and players can select the missions they wanna pursue 3 times a day from the mission pool.
Improvements and Bug Fixes: PUBG Mobile’s latest update brings numerous quality of life upgrades and bug fixes. Players are now offered an expanded view of item display with improved logic of weapon and vehicle selection. Notably, non-inventory UI functions can not be accessed once in the inventory menu.
PUBG Mobile has seen massive success across the globe. The credit to Tencent Games’ mobile port is definitely its hardworking developers that brought popular battle royale franchise to handheld devices. But, a multiplayer game is only alive as long as the game is constantly updated with new content and features. Hence, a bold new update is bringing the fight from the skies with helicopters soon being added to the game.
New Vehicles
Previously, Tencent Games had confirmed that it was working on a rework of the map Erangel for PUBG Mobile which was first introduced in PUBG PC. Now, the company is further expanding on that update by also rolling out new types of vehicles that bring an entirely new dimension of aerial combat. The helicopter itself seems to bear resemblance to the real-life Boeing AH-6 Light Helicopter.
It can be found on a helipad on top of School in Erangel and is currently in the beta version of the Chinese build of PUBG Mobile. Furthermore, a new BRDM combat ground vehicle will be added to the game which was also first seen in PUBG PC. BRDM is a vehicle that is extremely durable against gunfire and explosions and can travel both on land and water.
New Weapons
PUBG Mobile’s update that brings the helicopters may turn the tide heavily in the favour of those that get to the chopper first. However, gamers do not worry as Tencent is also adding a bunch of new guns to counter the flying vehicle. In the new update, a homing missile launcher will be present to make sure the hail of bullets from above do not win from mere advantageous positioning.
It means that both the team on the ground and the ones flying in the sky need to keep an eye on each others movement. Other guns such as a grenade launcher is also being added and will be one of the go to weapons against BRDM users in PUBG Mobile. Unfortunately, it is currently unknown when the feature goes live since it is only available in China, but a global launch is expected to arrive soon.
Gaming smartphones are one of the new trends with the last couple of generation in the mobile industry. The devices, as the name suggests, are made with modifications or tweaks with gaming in mind. Previously, the genre had failed miserably with many unsuccessful attempts of bringing a new breed of cellular yet portable gaming consoles to the mainstream markets. Since then, consumer’s perspective has changed and the unique handsets are now widely sought after. But, do we really need a gaming smartphone?
To answer the question lets take a look at the brief history of gaming smartphones alongside other portable gaming devices.
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
Portable Gaming
The first video game ever created was Pong back in 1958. Since its inception, a new multi-billion dollar industry has been borne with gaming as its business model. Soon after, in the early 1960s, consumers were looking at video games as the next big thing in the entertainment industry. Hence, companies took notice and game studios were founded. By 1970s, there were already multiple studios with various games for PCs alongside the first form of gaming consoles. Interestingly, the first consoles also birthed the race for portable consoles that have a wider reach and easier accessibilities.
Nintendo DS
Nintendo is widely credited for being the company to popularize the handheld console market with its release of Game Boy in 1989. The portable gaming console was explosive in success and dominated the market for years into the future. Note, this was also the time where the mobile industry had devices become more compact meaning more portability. The gaming industry and mobile industry went parallel for the better part of each respective infant stages. However, the advancement in technology meant a cross over was soon to be expected.
Game Boy Original
Gaming Smartphones of Old
Gaming smartphones are not a new breed. Although they are now certainly a lot more viable than before. The reason why many established OEMs kept their distance from them is due to their infamous history. Devices such as the Nokia N-Gage, Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and more are a few that pop into mind. The gaming phones of old were surprisingly more powerful and capable than their handheld gaming consoles at the time in some scenarios.
Nokia N-Gage
For example, the N-Gage was a direct competitor to Game Boy Advance while featuring a much better processor. But, speed isn’t enough as the implementation of controls whilst having games actually made for your platform is rather difficult. The devices launched then suffered either of the two problems or both. At the time, the game studios had no inclination or incentive to collaborate with the mobile OEMs either, since the portable consoles were extremely popular at the time. However, that has since changed.
Known Gaming Phones and Handheld Consoles
Nokia N-Gage
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
PlayStation Portable (PSP)
PlayStation Portable Vita
Game Boy & Game Boy Advance
Samsung SPH-B5200
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Gaming Smartphones Now
Surprisingly, even after the harsh history of the breed, gaming smartphones have stood the test of time. It indirectly implies the unending growth of gaming culture and entertainment. Currently, the smartphone gaming market accounts for more revenue than both PC gaming and console gaming market combined. In other words, studios earn more from games like Candy Crush over games like Call of Duty.
Nubia Red Magic 3
Furthermore, we all know the PUBG Mobile fever that has infected globally, especially India. After the game’s launch, we have seen more smartphone like the Asus ROG Gaming Phones being launched. These smartphones unlike regular feature aesthetical changes which make them look a lot more appealing and gaming-centric. They also carry tweaks and modifications, especially to the UI, to provide an enhanced gaming experience. Unlike the past, there is a booming mobile gaming market to cater to the increasing capabilities of smartphones.
PUBG Mobile
Are They Really Worth It?
Finally, the reason why you are here. Gaming smartphones are worth buying now more than ever before. Tech giants have recognised the true potential of the gaming genre and its immense value and are heavily invested in many mobile gaming studios. However, it would still be advised to wait just a bit longer. Yes, gaming smartphones are the best they have ever been, but they can be better. What we see now is the gaming industry finally penetrating the main stream market of smartphones or as they say, “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Razer Phone 2
Hence, it is expected that specialised hardware, such as MediaTek Helio G90T SoC that is made for gaming, will improve with time and exclusive more mobile gaming studios like Tencent Games will emerge. Regardless of its popularity, the gaming smartphone market is still a niche with its sales not being close to mainstream devices.
Additionally, there really isn’t a lot that difference, in most cases, between a gaming smartphone and a regular flagship. For the most part, gaming handsets offer a better display with a higher refresh rate panel, overclocked SoC or even better cooling solutions. Conclusively, it is a great time for mobile gamers and huge potential in the industry. With a bit more time, it is expected to mature into a gaming world of its own within amazing portability that beats any handheld consoles.
Gamescom is one of the largest gaming expos that is held annually in Germany. The events in 2018 had the highest numbers of visitors so far in any gaming convention with over 370,000 people attending. It is known for major reveals and insight into upcoming projects from some of the biggest publishers and gaming studios in the industry. They include Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Konami, Namco Bandai Games and a lot more. The event has just kicked off and lasts from 20th to 24th August 2019.
Here is a short roundup of all the exciting new games that are arriving by year-end or the following year.
Gamescom 2019
The largest gaming expo has led to a lot of hype garnering for loyal fans within the gaming industry. Expectations are at an all-time high with the upcoming release of timely AAA titles that are the most awaited within the list. Gamescom 2019 all but confirms Cyberpunk 2077 being available of Google Stadia, PUBG getting cross-play support between consoles and who can forget, the beloved indie titles which are now arriving on Nintendo Switch as well.
Gamescom 2019 has just kicked off and we already have certain news regarding a few of the most anticipated games. The list includes Cyberpunk 2077, Need For Speed Heat, Gears 5 and the most hyped game of 2019, Death Stranding.
The game is probably one of the most sought after the game at the moment. It is being developed by the legendary video game creator Hideo Kojima and will mark his first game since his departure from Kojima Studios. So far, we have received numerous teasers and trailers that have led to more questions than answers regarding its beautifully twisted plot and settings. However, this time the studio introduced two more characters to us. One of them is a baby called BB while the other is called Mama, aptly named as she can pluck babies from the sky. Yes, we get how confusing it must sound, so watch the video linked down below for some clarity.
Cyberpunk 2077 is about the only game which is close to Death Stranding in terms of hype or anticipation. The game is a take of the future from the beloved game studio, CD Projekt Red which is also known for the Witcher Series. It is now also confirmed to be available on Google’s game streaming platform stadia and Gamescom 2019 saw its official reveal trailer being given out. The short trailer had shown hacking and a motorcycle ride in the first person and least to say, we are waiting for this one in particular.
https://youtu.be/CcsZHPdMr1M
Gears 5
Gears 5 is the fifth entry in the Gears of War franchise which is one of the most popular titles in the Xbox console exclusive lineups. Furthermore, the entry is different from its previous iterations as it is considered to be a soft reboot with the main cast of the game is changed. A past side character is now the protagonist and it seems to heavily rely on its single player campaign narration. The game is also set to reveal its much-anticipated Horde mode which lets 4 players team up to survive increasingly difficult waves of unrelenting enemies.
Blair Witch
Yes, the game is exactly what you think it is. For those unaware, Blair Witch is game revloving around a movie based on the same name and setting. The game takes place in the same universe as the legendary horror movie alongside whilst providing more insight into its lore and history. It is also based in the iconic Blair Witch forest and will have gamers on the edge of their seats. Gamescom 2019 has revealed its arrival on August 30th so be on the look out.
NBA 2K20
The gaming world is incomplete without the virtual sports titles. NBA 2K series is one of these and has been a staple within the industry. Now, its latest iteration NBA 2K20 has chosen a star studded roster to showcase its new career mode. The game is being co-produced by LeBron James production company and also features a performance from Idris Elba, Rosario Dawson, Thomas Middleditch, Ernie Hudson and LeBron James himself.
Need For Speed: Heat
One of the most iconic racing game franchise has finally receive a new entry. Need for Speed will be the latest installment within the franchsie and features intense street races and cops as well. The game was announced a month prior to Gamescom 2019 but we were finally offered a first look at the gameplay. The game will have to carry out the legacy of the popular series and is one game to definitely try out.
Moving on to Indie titles, Ori and The Blind Forest isn’t a new game but its arrival on Switch is perfect. The game will fit right in with its award winning environment set in a side scrolling fashion. The hand drawn game will be a much appreciated entry into Nintendo’s library.
PUBG Mobile is one of the most successful smartphone games currently available. The game reached a large player base extremely early after its initial launch and is now dabbling in the competitive scene as well. In July, the PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) 2019 finals were held in Berlin. It had worlds best players battle it out for victory including Indian teams as well. In the event, Tencent Corp also announced Erangel 2.0, a step towards the PUBG Story.
What’s new?
In the video shared, the company will be making major changes in the overall changes in the visual design of PUBG Mobile. We can observe a lot of changes in the map which is demonstrated with Yasnaya Polyana, Mylta Power and Prison. However, it is not yet confirmed if the new changes will affect PUBG Mobiles performance since the additions seem graphically taxing. At first glance, the following changes are noticeable:
The maps now feature more overgrown grass and flora taking over roads and towns.
Speaking of towns, they now seem more lifelike and actually feel as they were occupated in the past.
The maps now feature a lot of military vehicles from the past and impacts that portray its war-torn past.
The overall details surrounding the map see a lot more depth included in PUBG Mobile.
Notably, the overall mood is more vibrant with a big switch from deciduous to an evergreen type of environment.
Previously, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the original PC version, was slated to receive a massive overhaul to its first map. The changes were being introduced to also include a narrative direction to the massively popular game. It would also be a part of the games season 4. Now, PUBG Mobile is also following suit with a similar update. The new update is apparently made to bring the map more in line with the others whilst linking a supposed backstory. According to the teaser, the PUBG map is based on a war-torn reality and the “battlegrounds” are a sport to be the last survivor. Hence, we can soon expect PUBG Mobile to also include a narrative which is arriving soon on PUBG for PC.
2019 has been one of the best years for gamers. The PC market is booming and lowest ever pricing on consoles have made gaming more affordable. Furthermore, the options for game choices have risen as well. The year-end is generally where the biggest names alongside the most number of games are released. So here are our Top 10 upcoming AAA games to keep a note on:
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
It has been about 12 years since the original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare released. Earlier this year, Activision gave many gamers a glimpse of hope at the revival of the beloved series with a reboot of a new pedigree. The upcoming game is simply being referred to as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and seeks to spiritually carry forward the original series message on the global rising tensions. It features the signature first-person shooting mechanics that the game is widely known for in its multiplayer and campaign modes. Notably, the game is the target of many controversies regarding its portrayal of reality so the single-player might just be the highlight of this entry.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
Release Date: 25th October 2019
Doom: Eternal
In 2016, ID Software released Doom 2016 which was a soft reboot of the original series. The first person run and gun game is one of the progenitors of the genre itself. In other words, the legendary status that the series holds is ubiquitous amongst gamers worldwide. Now, the studio is all set to release the sequel to the popular title aptly named as Doom: Eternal. The game will feature fast-paced action, crisp shooting mechanics and a lot of gore. So gamers beware!
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch
Release date: 22nd November 2019
Death Stranding
Death Stranding is an upcoming game made by the legendary game creator Hideo Kojima. It is his first game after parting ways with Kojima productions and the beloved Metal Gear franchise. The game features many A-Grade Hollywood stars like Norman Reedus from the Walking Dead series and has already generated a lot of hype. The game will be an action/thriller title and will feature breathtaking visuals in open-world settings. Its story is still a mystery but its teasers videos have intrigued the world all the more.
Platforms: PC (TBC), PlayStation 4
Release date: PS4 – 8th November 2019, PC – TBC (To Be Confirmed)
Control
Do you remember the failed game Quantum Break? Well, it’s unimportant if you don’t but the game had laid the foundation for a lot of mechanics that will be featured in Control. The title is heavily being marketed under the Ray Tracing capabilities of NVIDIA’s RTX Series graphics card and features gorgeous visuals. It has mechanics that bend the actual fabrics of reality, time and space whilst squeezing in a third-person shooter. The trailers seem promising. Remedy Entertainment, the studio behind Max Payne and Alan Wake, has made a title that will make even the best gaming rigs break a sweat.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
Release Date: 27th August 2019
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
The latest entry in the popular franchise Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon is arriving with the Breakpoint. Ubisoft Montreal, one of the largest game studios and publishers, showcased the game on E3 2019. It also features known Hollywood star Jon Bernthal who is most famously known for his role as The Punisher. The game will feature the tried and true Ghost Recon mechanics that include futuristic gadgets and technology. It is an RPG styled shooter which will be set on a large map with objectives that can be cleared according to players’ will.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Google Stadia
Release Date: 4th October 2019
Gears of War 5
Gears of War series is one of the fan favourites titles from the Xbox console. It was popular since the original Xbox 360 and was renowned for its gruesome and morbid settings and tense shooter style gameplay. Many loyal fans who were surprised with the storyline of the previous titles are in for another surprise. In the game, the protagonist shifts from JD Phoenix to former sidekick Kait. It is yet to be seen how gamers react to the gameplay but for now, it is still got us waiting for a chance to mow down the locusts again.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One
Release Date: 10th September 2019
Borderlands 3
After too long a wait, Gearbox studios is finally giving gamers the third entry in the Borderlands franchise. The third game follows a philosophy similar to its predecessors with the renowned co-op style quirky looter shooter genre. The post-apocalyptic settings combined with diverse enemies which are a mix of humans and mutants promises fun gameplay overall. It also features a bevvy of new guns that will have you equipped for the most gruelling of situations as well.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release date: 13th September 2019
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
EA’s Star Wars title have been the target of a lot of controversy for its predatory monetary practices. The company in its last-ditch effort has announced Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order but here is the catch. It is being developed by Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the popular battle royale game Apex Legends. It is a third-person based single-player game which aims at breathing life to the iconic Star Wars universe. The protagonist is a hiding Jedi that aims to live through Order 66 that has him painted as a target by the Imperial Army.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release date: 15th November 2019
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds is a game that takes heavy influence from many past AAA titles. However, it does not mean that isn’t a breath of fresh air for us. The game is a first person RPG from Obsidian Entertainment which is famous for Fallout: New Vegas. To best describe the game, combine Fallout series settings and space exploration. It is highly recommended to be tried out if you are a fan of Borderlands, Rage or even Fallout. Players will encounter all sorts of species that will either be hostile or extremely welcoming. Be on the lookout for this one.
The last game is one of the personal favourites in this list. GTFO is a Co-Op centric first-person shooter with great visuals and emphasis on team play. In other words, you and your friends get to have a survival shooting experience together. A great game for hours of fun and is noticeably influenced by Left 4 Dead 2. You’ll need nerves of steel and Shroud-like aim for this one.
In the past couple of years, game streaming has becoming massively successful. Twitch, one of the largest streaming platform, has offered many people a chance to showcase their skills or personality. Now, Discord is offering much of the same functionality, but to those that wish to have a closed and smaller viewership with Go Live.
Discord
Discord is a voice chat application that is extremely popular amongst gamers. It is an online voice chat application that allows for commnication between teammates or friends whilst they are playing a game. One of the reasons for its popularities is its quirky UI which is filled to the brim with features. It is available for Android, iOS and Windows. Hence, it a great app even gamers that play PUBG Mobile on their smartphones.
Go Live
Previously, users could share their gameplay with their friends in private calls. Now, Discord is introducing the much need feature named Go Live that makes the same possible but for a broader audience. No, it is not turning into the next Twitch like Mixer. It is just allowing for a more closed and interactive experience for its large userbase. It is an exciting new feature and holds potential for a lot of fun to critique your friends in game skills.
The feature can be accessed after joining any channel in the app and is an extension to he screen sharing feature mentioned above. The streams quality is automatically set at 720p but paid subscribers are offered more options. Nitro Classic subscribers will be able to stream on 1080p at 60fps while Nitro subs are able to stream on 4K at 60fps.
The Go Live update is available for both the desktop app or directly via the browser website. Unfortunately, the feature is yet to be announced for Android. It is expected to arrive on the 15th August 2019. Discord is an application which free and also offers a premium service as well. Here is a link to the app for those who wish to try it out. Stay tuned for more.
PlayerUnknown’s Battleground is a massively popular multiplayer online shooter. It is set in the battle royale genre and has 100 people dropping into a large map that fight to be the last man standing. PUBG Lite was introduced last month and featured similar mechanics whilst being easier to run on lower specced PCs.
Now, the game is being further streamlined into the PUBG experience with the inclusion of Team Deathmatch and Lite Pass which basically is a seasonal Battle Pass.
4v4 Team Deathmatch
PUBG Corp. is making the move to bring the game more in line with its other entries by adding more content to the current barebones game. In Team Deathmatch, two teams of 4 battle it out in a much smaller arena. Unlike the regular battle royale mode, players do not get eliminated permanently. Rather they respawn after a short duration of time and get back into the fight. The goal of this game mode is to reach the maximum number of kills.
In PUGB Mobile, the objective is to gather up to 40 elimination of enemy players to win. Hence, it is safe to assume the objective remains more or less the same in PUBG Lite. Furthermore, it is reported that the map will be set in a warehouse with both teams spawning on either end. It is very much in line with PUBG Mobile’s team deathmatch arena so players should feel right at home.
As mentioned earlier, the developers behind the game wish to make the game robust which means content being added. So, to give players more incentive to play via challenges and rewards, a battle pass feature is also being introduced. PUBG Lite battle pass has been aptly named as “Lite Pass”. The base Lite Pass is free and is available to all players. It will reward players that complete their specified missions. Additionally, a premium version of the battle pass is also being offered. The paid version will have players receiving more rewards and exclusive in-game items while levelling up.
PUBG Lite is free to play so any person interested can try the game as well. Conclusively, the new update is a healthy update to the game and help draw in more players in the arriving weeks after. Stay tuned on iGyaan for more gaming related content.
Previously, we had covered a few leaked specifications of Xiaomi’s latest entry in gaming laptops. Now, a short wait after, the Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 has finally been launched and which boasts of powerful specifications. The gaming laptop is currently available in China and offers Intel CPU configurations alongside NVIDIA GPUs.
Design
Xiaomi’s Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 is almost identical to the 2018 model in terms of design. Similar to its predecessors, the same number of ports and vents are offered with a 15.6 inch display. The bezel size also remains the same as does the keyboard layout that is LED-backlit. Notably, the 2019 version is slightly darker in shade with a bit of a deeper black casing.
Specifications
One of the key differentiating factors between the newer and older Mi Gaming Laptops is their internal specifications. Notably, NVIDIA’s latest generation of GPU offerings was only made available in 2019 as was the latest generation of Intel Core processors. Hence, prospective buyers can expect impressive performance with the specs offered. The 15.6 inch display has a refresh rate of 144Hz which will be achieved via the new hardware. Xiaomi’s Mi Gaming Laptop is offered in three variants:
Base Model
Intel Core i5-9300H
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
8GB DDR4 RAM (2666MHz)
512GB PCIe SSD
144Hz Refresh Rate Full HD Display.
High End Model
Intel Core i7-9750H
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 RAM (2666MHz)
512GB PCIe SSD
144Hz Refresh Rate Full HD Display.
Top Model
Intel Core i7-9750H
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 RAM (2666MHz)
512GB PCIe SSD
144Hz Refresh Rate Full HD Display.
Connectivity
Every variation of the Mi Gaming Laptop sports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 2 x 3W speakers, Dolby Audio, and a 1MP HD webcam. Furthermore, Xiaomi offers 4 x USB 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, a mic, one headphone jack, an HDMI output port and a 3 in 1 card reader. The dimensions of the gaming laptop are similar to its past iteration which is 364 x 265.2 x 20.9mm but weighs lesser at 2.6kgs over 2.7kgs.
Xiaomi Mi Gaming 2019 features a 4 colour LED-backlit keyboard with 3 different modes. Additionally, a glass touchpad is offered with multiple gesture control, and ships with Windows 10 Home. It has a 55Whr battery that should offer a decent backup.
The Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 carries a price tag of CNY 7499 (approx. $1,080 or INR 76,130) for the base model. The higher-end model will sell for CNY 8,599 (approx. $1239 or INR 87,300) while the top end goes for CNY 8,999 (approx, $1,297 or INR 91,400). Currently, Xiaomi has launched the gaming laptop exclusively in China with a global launch being uncertain. Stay tuned for more updates.
Online competitive gaming tournaments have become increasingly more popular in the last couple of years. Mainstream media have already started taking notice on the vast potential of a new breed of athletes. E-sports is the official name of this newfound sport which is video gaming-centric in nature. Now, after various gaming tournaments having been successfully hosted, Sony is also starting a new Challenger Series for every PS4 user.
PS4 Tournament: Challenger Series
Sony has invited users of all skill levels to participate in its latest seasonal online competitive gaming tournament. The game roasters that will be played for the competition include AAA titles like Mortal Kombat 11, Warface, Battlefield V, and FIFA 20. One of the taglines the company is pushing is that anyone of any skill level can compete against their friends and other PS4 gamers to win prizes. The PS4 Challenger Series officially kicks off on August 6th with Mortal Kombat 11.
Competition & Prizes
Seasons: PS4 Tournaments: Challenger Series is seasonal, it means gamers are given repeated chance to compete again within a fixed interval. In each season, PS4 users can progress through various stages that test their skills on a level playing field which will be rewarded.
Competition Stages: In every season of the tournament, the competition will be played in 3 stages. Stage 1 has, for Mortal Kombat 11, users win at least 3 out of 4 matches to advance to the next stage. In Stage 2, users will compete at a higher skill level and need to win to get to the final stage. Stage 3 has the gamers join other elite competitors to fight for the PS4 championship title.
Prizes: Sony is offering a chance to every PS4 user to compete and win various prizes. With progression, gamers can have the value of prizes earned increase with each rising levels of competition. The prizes include unique games specific dynamic themes to in-game currency and even cash prizes. There are plenty of reasons for gamers to compete throughout the season so look out for the tournament.
Earlier this very month, a Fortnite championship had seen a teenager take home millions of dollars. Furthermore, Valve is also hosting a DOTA 2 crowdfunded tournament which will have its total prize pool cross over $35 million. If it is any indication, video games are here to stay and the multi-billion dollar industry is an ever-growing form of popular entertainment and virtual sport. Sony is jumping on the bandwagon and the PS4 Challenger Series seems very promising. It provides a competitive platform to its user and offers a great opportunity for an esports career. Stay tuned for more updates.
It’s finally here! After many requests, the iGyaan team has finally built a budget gaming PC. We made a gaming computer for just under INR 25,000 and have provided links to all the parts that are available online. Furthermore, we have also provided step by step instructions as to how you can build it yourself.
Gaming PC Parts
One of the hardest aspects of building a budget gaming PC is deciding on the components. We have used parts that are easily accessible and are available online while leaving room for future upgradability. Here is a list of what we used along with their respective buying links:
Note: The parts we acquired may have their prices vary.
How To Build A Gaming PC
Step 1: Install the PSU after opening up the Antec NX200 case, the Thermaltake 450W PSU will be installed first (always use a renowned brand as PSU is a crucial component). Do remember to always safely store screws while building or opening a PC. The bottom part of the case houses an area specifically for the power supply unit and we will start from there.
Step 2: Now, we ready the motherboard before outfitting it onto the case. The Asus A320 AM4 compatible motherboard is perfect for the Ryzen 3200G. To install the APU, lift the lever before placing the chipset. Now, an arrow can be found on both the CPU and motherboard that must be aligned to ensure proper fitting. Pull the lever down again to lock in the CPU.
Step 3: The A320 has 6 total standoffs holes which can be used to safely mount the motherboard onto the case. The case only offers four standoffs pre-installed but offer additional screws that make it possible to place two more. Make sure to have the standoffs at the same height lest the motherboard bends and gets damaged.
Step 4: Place the IO shield on the backplate. It is a metallic slate which can be fitted into the backplate. Once you place the motherboard, the IO shield should have ports from the board that align perfectly with its holes. Now, use a screwdriver to ensure a secure fit of the motherboard onto the case and make sure not to overtighten the screws.
Step 5: Install the RAM according to the slot. DIMM A1 is the first slot and where the 8GB Crucial RAM should be fitted. You should hear a click once it is housed properly. After this is done flip the case to route the cable and equip the build with the SSD. After opening the side panel users can use the screws provided to fit the 480GB Crucial SSD into place.
Step 6: Cable management is always important. We used the cases inbuilt routes to ensure better cable management with wires being less evident from the clear side of the build. Users can take each cable out from the side panel. It is required to connect necessary cables, like the power cable, after being routed from the back. Users should check to see which pins the cable align with to know where to connect the plugs. For example, HD Audio connects to the audio connector. Like the LED power connectors, Always check the motherboard that has markings which define what each pin is made for.
Step 7: To keep the CPU cool, users need to install the Wraith Fan from AMD. Take the cable from the back before plugging, it is similar to what we have previously done with the other wires. This hides most of the wires to the back of the PC build. The CPU cooling fan has thermal paste pre-applied which can be cleaned and switched but we recommend using the stock. Remove the mounting brackets that are pre-installed on the flanks of the CPU unit, these are not required in our build.
Make sure to hold onto the plates that are co-joined with the brackets from the opposite side and screw it along with the fan. In our initial attempt, we had the fan come into contact with the RAM. To fix the issue we rotated the fan bracket right way up to avoid the problem by loosening 4 screws on the fan itself and tightening it back again.
The build is more or less done considering we don’t have to worry about a GPU or additional SSD. The case has space for added cooling via more fan units or even water cooling if users wish to upgrade in the future. The build isn’t complete before we can secure every cable and close up the case; so do check our video to see how we used ties to group the cables neatly before tucking them in.
Step 8 (Optional): For aesthetics, we also included an LED strip whose power had to be routed through the back to power it up. After the Windows installation was complete we decided to spray paint the red and mustard colour cables that seemed distracting. It was achieved without spending additional money and we went spraying to finally achieve the look we were after.
Performance & Conclusion
In games like PUBG Lite and GTA V, we achieved frame rates between 50-60fps after tweaking some settings. The budget PC is capable of running other popular games like CS:GO, Apex Legends and even DOTA 2 as well. It is a long shot to claim you can play the latest AAA titles but most classic to even certain new games run well at the lowest settings. You can also look at the chart below to discern the synthetic benchmark of the PC.
For visual assistance, while building your own setup, you can refer to our video on the official iGyaan Network YouTube channel. The video offers a much more in-depth look with visual cues as to how to go about certain complex portions such as cable routing or management. Do follow us on social media for more PC and gaming related content and stay tuned for more.
One of the gaming worlds most popular video game genre is first-person shooters. Games such as Call of Duty, Halo, CS: GO and much more follow this genre and are one of the most recognizable names in the industry. In a first-person game, the player is thrust into the shoes of the protagonist and sees the world through their eyes. Now, Doom, one of the progenitors of the popular genre sees a revival of its original trilogy with a platform-wide port to Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One and Switch.
Quakecon 2019 saw the arrival of multiple big announcements from the event. One of which is that the first three Doom games will be made compatible on every major console platform alongside PC. Notably, the first two titles will also be available on iOS and Android devices as well. It is big news considering one of the forerunners of the most popular game formula will be resold again. It is in part a great homage to the games that helped forge the backbone of the gaming industry as we know and love today.
Furthermore, Bethesda, the game studio behind the legendary title, has also announced the inclusion of more games into Sony’s PlayStation (PS) Now service. PS Now is an online game streaming service and will now feature the remade Doom 2016 edition along with Wolfenstein: The New Order and Fallout 4. The latter two in comparison are relatively new and feature updated graphics modern graphics over the original iterations.
The first two entries in the series, Doom and Doom II will carry a price tag of $5 each (approx. Rs. 350). Doom III will be sold for $10 (approx. Rs 700). The announcement will revive the ancient games and their fan following. The Doom trilogy will be optimized for current-gen PCs, consoles and excitingly enough, smartphones. For more information regarding gaming stay tuned to iGyaan.
Tencent Corp, the game studio famous for porting the massively popular PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds to smartphones have just launched a new game. Owing to the explosive success of the original PUBG Mobile, Tencent Games have released a new watered-down version of the game named PUBG Mobile Lite. The game was in beta for a while now and has finally been launched in India.
So What’s New?
PUBG Mobile Lite is similar to PUBG Lite which was also launched with toned down graphical fidelity in comparison to its original. PUBG PC and PUBG Mobile are taxing games on their respective platforms, hence, to lower the barrier of entry a Lite version was launched for both titles. Here is a list of some of the new mechanics you will find in PUBG Mobile Lite
Aim Assist: PUBG Mobile utilized an aim assist system to aids its players aiming during gameplay. PUBG Mobile Lite takes it even further by enhancing this feature, mking it much more prmoinent. In the game, we were able to hip fire enemy combatants from range which was impossible in past iterations.
Recoil Control: In efforts for streamlining the experience, the game features heavily supressed recoil when firing different guns. It means that there is less kick when firing which also better aids aiming and firing.
Higher Time To Kill: PUBG Mobile Lite has significantly raised the TTK of the game. In other words, each player takes a lot more damage before being downed or eliminated completely. According to Tencent, the balancing was introduced to test and encourage a more aggressive style of gameplay.
Heal While Moving: Players are now able to heal or use boosters while moving. It is a feature which is also going to be introduced in PUBG PC and soon across other titles within the franchise. The new feature is much needed and will ensure better survivability during tense gun fights.
New Map & Smaller Amount Of Players: Currently, the only map offered in the game is an updated version of Eragnel. The map changes will also be reflected in other games and have been made for a narrative direction in the future. Notably, unlike other PUBG titles, the total amount of people dropping in to fight it out are just 60. It is lower than the other games in the franchise which featured 100 players.
Smaller Download Size: The new game from Tencent is about four times smaller than the original PUBG Mobile. The latter has a download size of about 2GB while the former fall just under 500MB in size.
First Look & Hands On
We fired up PUBG Mobile Lite on a low-end smartphone to test the minimum requirements of the game. It looks and plays almost identically to PUBG Mobile but with the lowest graphical settings. Speaking of which, graphical settings are not available for fine tuning in the game, rather the option itself is not present. While playing the game, we found it extremely easy to get kills in the game and have already achieved a “Chicken Dinner” on the second run. The game is highly rewarding and can be picked up by just about anyone.
PUBG Mobile Lite is an extremely easy game to get into and for those who wish to experience PUBG without dealing with experienced players, they can try this game right now. Unfortunately, since the game is relatively new, it still suffers from the annoying bot problems owing to a general lack of players. The problem is expected to soon be solved once more players join in. For seasoned PUBG Mobile players, this game will be right up there an area of expertise.
Availability & Conclusion
Tencent claims that the game was optimized for areas with an unstable network connection and will run on a minimum of 2GB RAM. The company made the decision to lower the entry to an authentic PUBG experience. Ironically, while playing the game we managed to get affected with occasional latency issues and even disconnection on a stable network connection. This could partly be due to the fact only two servers are currently offered.
We recommend casual gamers to try out the game as it still offers a true PUBG experience. The game is currently available in Google’s Play Store and is free to play. Comment down below on your experience with PUBG Mobile Lite and stay tuned for more gaming related news on iGyaan
