It’s Day 5 of Tech Guide’s 2023 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas which is designed to help you find the right gift for your family and friends.

Today is Day 5 and we’re talking about all things gaming and accessories.

Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas:

Day 1: Cameras

Day 2: Smartphones

Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches

Day 4: Headphones/speakers

DAY 5: Gaming

DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers

DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets

DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices

DAY 9: In-car gadgets

DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K

DAY 11: Appliances

DAY 12: Computers

DAY 5: GAMING

SONY PLAYSTATION 5 SLIM – $799

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced a new slim-line PS5 console will go on sale on December 6 with pre-orders kicking off today.

The new PlayStation 5 has a smaller and slimmer design but packs the same power as the original model and includes 1TB of storage for the PS5 and PS5 digital edition.

This new model also makes it possible to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive to the PS5 digital edition.

Sony created the new form factor to provide players with more flexibility and choice while at the same time ensuring the same technology was being offered despite the smaller housing.

FULL REPORT HERE

PANASONIC SOUNDSLAYER WEARABLE SPEAKER

Panasonic has released its latest SoundSlayer wearable speaker that can deliver an exciting audio experience while playing your favourite games.

The GNW10 SoundSlayer is the newest version of the SoundSlayer speaker released last year.

The lightweight speaker is worn around your neck and places four 38mm speakers right below your ears to add even more realism to your game.

FULL REPORT HERE

QUEST 3 – $799

The Quest 3 headset is powered by the Snapdragon XR2 from Qualcomm to give it enough power to run the latest graphics intensive games including Asgard’s Wrath II and Assassin’s Creed Nexus.

The new headset will allow user to play games, exercise and stream content in 4K and immersive 3D audio.

The new Touch Plus controllers have also been redesigned with a more streamlined look and now offer haptic feedback.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

LASER LED PC Gaming Bundle – $89

This PC Gaming Combo from Laser has all the essentials you need to get started on your computer gaming journey. The bundle features a full-sized RGB Gaming Keyboard with RGB backlighting, a six button mouse to configure your games with your most used commands, RGB Mouse Pad with 13 different lighting modes and a headset with microphone. The built-in boom microphone on the headset comes in handy when gaming online or during applications which require voice-chat. Available from Big W.

SAMSUNG NEO G9 57-INCH GAMING MONITOR – $3,199

Samsung has just unveiled the Odyssey Neo G9 – a monstrous 57-inch gaming monitor that’s the world’s first dual UHD display – to take your gaming experience to all new heights.

The Odyssey Neo G9 (C95NC) has 1000R curvature in the 32:9 screen which is just as wide as two 32-inch monitors.

It is the world’s first DUHD (dual ultra high definition) screen so users can enjoy pin sharp picture quality and wide wrap-around field of view.

FULL REPORT HERE

BACKBONE ONE PLAYSTATION EDITION FOR ANDROID – $179

Sony and Backbone have joined forces to unveil the Android version of its popular BackBone One PlayStation Edition Mobile Gaming Controller.

The controller has been available for iPhone since last year, but finally Android users will be able to enjoy mobile gaming with the device on the move.

The controller was created in collaboration with PlayStation and looks just like the PS5 DualSense wireless controller right down to the button design, colour, material and finish.

FULL REPORT HERE

ASUS ROG ALLY – $1,299

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Ally is a powerful portable gaming system running Windows 11 that’s powered by the all-new AMD Ryzen processor.

The ROG Ally brings powerful gaming into the palm of your hands to enjoy anywhere.

The device features a bright 7-inch 120Hz full high definition display and all the physical controls you’d find on a regular gaming controller.

FULL REPORT HERE

PLAYSTATION DUALSENSE EDGE WIRELESS CONTROLLER – $339.95

If you want to get serious about your gaming on the Sony PlayStation 5 then you need the new DualSense Edge wireless controller which can take players to the next level.

It’s appropriately called Edge because that’s precisely what it can give you – the edge over your opponents which can make the difference between winning and losing.

The added controls and settings can make you a more efficient player to provide that little bit extra over and above your skills and reflexes.

And you can personalise the controls and triggers to suit your own preferences and to better fit the game you’re playing.

FULL REPORT HERE

LEGO 2K DRIVE: AWESOME EDITION – $149.95

Rev your engines for a high-speed adventure in LEGO 2K Drive, the perfect Christmas gift for LEGO and racing fans of all ages. Create custom LEGO vehicles to race or complete challenges across a vibrant and playful open world. The robust co-op mode also allows the entire family to get behind the wheel for thrilling multiplayer action!

Logitech G PRO X TKL Gaming Keyboard – $369.95
Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2 Gaming Mouse – $299.95
Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset – $449.95

Upgrade your gaming prowess this festive season with the Logitech G PRO X Suite. The G PRO TKL Gaming Keyboard, engineered for elite play, pairs seamlessly with the SUPERLIGHT 2 Gaming Mouse, boasting LIGHTFORCE switches and a HERO 2 sensor. Complete the trifecta with the G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset, designed in collaboration with pros, offering 50mm graphene drivers for superior audio.

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Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced a new slim-line PS5 console will go on sale on December 6 with pre-orders kicking off today.

The new PlayStation 5 has a smaller and slimmer design but packs the same power as the original model and includes 1TB of storage for the PS5 and PS5 digital edition.

This new model also makes it possible to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive to the PS5 digital edition.

Sony created the new form factor to provide players with more flexibility and choice while at the same time ensuring the same technology was being offered despite the smaller housing.

The new slim PS5 has 30 per cent less volume and is 24 per cent lighter (PS5 Digital Edition is 18 per cent lighter).

The new external measurements make it 35.8cm wide, 9.6cm high and 21.6cm deep with a weight of 3.2kg.

The new design has four separate cover panels with glossy panels on top and a matte finish down below.

Customers who purchase the PS5 digital edition have the option of adding the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive for PS5 later – this will be sold separately for $159.95.

There will also be a number of colour covers for the new slimmer model from early next year including all matte black and the Deep Earth Collection colours in volcanic red, cobalt blue and sterling silver.

The new slim PlayStation 5 console will go on sale on December 6 with pre-orders commencing from today.

PRICING

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – $799.95.

PS5 Digital Edition – $679.95.

PlayStation 5 specifications

External dimensions(excluding projecting parts)	Approx. 358 × 96 × 216 mm(width × height × depth)
Mass	Approx. 3.2 kg
CPU	x86-64-AMD Ryzen “Zen 2”
	8 Cores / 16 Threads
	Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
GPU	AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine
	Ray Tracing Acceleration
	Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS)
System Memory	GDDR6 16GB
	448 GB/s Bandwidth
SSD	1TB
	5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw)
PS5 Game Disc	Ultra HD Blu-ray, up to 100GB/disc
BD/DVD drive	Disc Drive port equipped with Disc Drive
Video Out	Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1)
Audio	“Tempest” 3D AudioTech
Input/Output Front of Console	USB Type-C® port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps)
	USB Type-C® port (Hi-Speed USB)
Input/Output Back of Console	USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2
Networking	Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Specifications

External dimensions(excluding projecting parts)	Approx. 358 × 80 × 216 mm(width × height × depth)
Mass	Approx. 2.6 kg
CPU	x86-64-AMD Ryzen “Zen 2”
	8 Cores / 16 Threads
	Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
GPU	AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine
	Ray Tracing Acceleration
	Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS)
System Memory	GDDR6 16GB
	448 GB/s Bandwidth
SSD	1TB
	5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw)
PS5 Game Disc	Ultra HD Blu-ray, up to 100GB/disc
BD/DVD drive	Disc Drive port
Video Out	Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1)
Audio	“Tempest” 3D AudioTech
Input/Output Front of Console	USB Type-C® port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps)
	USB Type-C® port (Hi-Speed USB)
Input/OutputBack of Console	USB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2
Networking	Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax

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Panasonic has released its latest SoundSlayer wearable speaker that can deliver an exciting audio experience while playing your favourite games.

The GNW10 SoundSlayer is the newest version of the SoundSlayer speaker released last year.

The lightweight speaker is worn around your neck and places four 38mm speakers right below your ears to add even more realism to your game.

“The GNW10 SoundSlayer delivers an immersive audio soundscape and intense gaming experience, along with crystal-clear communication,” says Fifi Tjiong, Product Marketing Manager – AV, Panasonic.

“It’s combined with an ergonomic design that removes pressure on ears and the head, so you can play hard in comfort.”

By connecting the transmitter to a PC or console via USB, this creates a wireless connection to the speaker so you’re not getting tangled up in cables.

The GNW10 SoundSlayer works with Windows 10/11 PCs, PS4 and PS5 consoles and the Nintendo Switch in TV mode only.

The speaker has new housing that’s 60 per cent larger than the previous version and offers improved audio and more powerful bass to help immerse you into the game even further.

The GNW10 SoundSlayer is an alternative to conventional headphones and players can still hear dialogue, music, sound effects and chat.

Play who connect the speaker to their PC can also install the SoundSlayer app which brings added functionality including accessing the equaliser, adjusting chat volume and choosing a sound mode.

The GNW10 SoundSlayer Is designed to be worn for hours and eliminates contact pressure around the ears and the top of your head that’s often the result of wearing headphones for extended periods.

Panasonic did a long study of ergonomics and created a housing that avoids contact with the collarbone and places no pressure on the trapezius muscles. The results in a comfortable lightweight fit.

Onboard is proprietary wireless technology that can transmit six channel audio signals on a dedicated 2.4Ghz band with the latency below 20ms so you can stay competitive and comfortable within the game.

There are also microphones on both sides of the speaker to make sure you’re heard during the game no matter where your head is facing.

The GNW10 SoundSlayer Also has AI voice control and noise cancelling that eliminates the ambient noise around you so your fellow players will only hear your voice loud and clear.

The Panasonic GNW10 SoundSlayer will be available in mid-December through Amazon and will be priced at $449.

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Telstra is offering mobile customers and avid gamers with a need for speed a way to find faster download speeds and lower latency even during periods of high network traffic.

The Telstra Mobile Speed Optimiser delivers faster typical download speeds when compared to the standard plans without this feature activated.

This means customers can download large files even faster and hotspot multiple devices that will benefit from the faster speeds to improve their work or video streaming experience on the go even during busy times.

And for online multiplayer gamers – and there are plenty who play on their smartphones – the Mobile Latency Optimiser reduces the time it takes for data to travel while playing competitive and multiplayer games.

Any online gamer will tell you, a fraction of a second could mean the difference between winning and losing and they try and take every advantage they can find.

Mobile Latency Optimiser can be that advantage.

Telstra says there are more than half a million gamers that use its network for gaming with more than a third having significant monthly data usage that will allow them to benefit from the Speed or Latency Optimiser.

Telstra did a thorough test of their network to ensure the Speed and Latency Optimizer add ons would perform at their best and provide that improved network experience.

Telstra says to ensure the products don’t impact other users and take away from their experience, the Speed and Latency Optimisers will only work in prescribed network traffic levels.

In other words, these customers who choose to pay an additional $10 a month for these Optimiser products will be given priority when performing tasks that require faster downloads and lower latency.

But Telstra says if the network congestion goes above optimal levels, the Optimisers will not provide any improvement to ensure there is no impact on other customers.

The Speed Optimiser and Latency Optimiser from Telstra will be attractive to a small core group of customers who already have high network activity and whose needs require extra speed or lower latency when they are not typically delivered at times of peak usage on the network.

Customers can access a one month free trial of either product before being charged $10 per month and they can cancel at any time.

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Australian success story espresso Displays – the company that introduced portable touchscreen technology to make it easier to work from anywhere – has just unveiled its latest product – the espresso 17 Pro.

The espresso 17 Pro is a stunning 4K portable touchscreen display that’s capable of displaying more than a billion colours and with 450 nits brightness.

The espresso 17 Pro connects to your computer with a single USB-C cable and can expand your screen real estate from your laptop or desktop computer as well as offering a unique touchscreen experience so users can interact with their favourite applications like never before.

“espresso 17 Pro is meticulously crafted to support professionals and creatives who need to perform at their best, wherever their work takes them and whatever platforms they use,” says Will Scuderi, cofounder and CEO at espresso Displays.

“Every aspect of espresso 17 Pro has been developed and refined to produce an unrivalled experience and helps people deliver their best work, whatever the task.”

Tech Guide was offered a sneak peek at espresso 17 Pro ahead of its official launch.

It has an impressive and lightweight design that’s made of aerospace grade aluminium with the same portability as the previous versions.

When we saw espresso 17 Pro for the first time, all we could think about were the many uses and possibilities the product could offers whether it’s in a corporate setting, on the go, for a creative professional or for video production.

And now the 4K resolution has provided the very thing many creative professionals have been waiting for.

“We’ve listened intently to how people work today and where work trends are evolving,” Scuderi added.

“Our innovation responds directly to what we see and hear from our customers, partners, and collaborators, which is why our products do not sit within the confines of traditional tech product categories.”

The touchscreen software has also been re-engineered to deliver enhanced and intuitive controls whether it’s connected to a Mac or PC.

Now espresso 17 Pro can support pro-level drawing and creative touchscreen controls.

Also announced today is espresso Jot – software that turbocharges your note taking and drawing and that can also work with hundreds of existing desktop and web-based applications.

Users can capture, cut, save and copy on-screen content and move between other apps and windows or documents.

Jot can also be used to mark-up documents and insert sketches into presentations and other creative projects.

Espresso has also launched a range of accessories to optimise the experience with the espresso 17 Pro.

The espresso Stand Pro attaches magnetically to the back of the display so it can be adjusted at the precise angle and height to suit what you’re doing.

You can also power the whole experience with the espresso Charge which is designed to seamlessly integrate under the stand and elevate it to an even higher position.

The battery can provide power to your laptop or smartphone when you’re working on the move.

The new espresso Creator is a screen protector that also provides a paper-like texture when writing and drawing on the espresso 17 Pro screen.

The espresso 17 Pro is available to preorder now with shipping in November. Launch bundles are also available with a preorder deposit.

espresso 17 Pro techs and specs:

Australian pricing and pre-sale bundle offers:

US pricing and pre-sale bundle offers:

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The 2020s have been a strange and exciting time for the handheld market. After the initial launch of the Switch as a next-gen handheld device in 2017, more and more companies have tried to take the top spot as the best handheld gaming device money can buy, and that led to a sea of impressive emulation-focused devices that promised games from the NES to the PS2 in the palm of your hand.

These seem like the lofty promises of an Alibaba seller offering 5000 games in one on a piece of hardware suspiciously resembling the Playstation Portable, but against all odds, most of these competitors actually pulled off their goals. The Retroid Pocket 3+ allowed gamers the chance to play Kingdom Hearts 2 on a pocket-sized device, whilst companies like Anbernic and PowKiddy completely dominated the more budget market of handheld retro gaming enthusiasts.

With all this going on, however, one console stood above the rest in terms of power and design, offering an experience that would have seemed like a near-impossibility even a year before. On February 25th, 2022, the Valve Steam Deck would release, bringing with it a new gold standard that would need to be crossed for anyone looking to dominate the handheld space. At the time, practically nothing could even compare to the Steam Deck’s absolute prowess in the handheld gaming market, with the console allowing for AAA gaming experiences like Elden Ring and Death Stranding without too much in the way of graphical tweaking. Plus, the fact that it was designed and released by Valve themselves allowed for seamless integration between the Linux-based device and Steam, the largest digital distribution platform for PC gaming.

However, that was then, and this is now. Cut to August of 2023 as I’m writing this article, and the Steam Deck isn’t the only high-power gaming machine available on the market. So, that begs the question of where a gamer should be investing their money if they’re thinking of entering the handheld market now, and whether the Steam Deck is still the right choice in a fast-paced tech environment.

Firstly, What Made the Steam Deck So Special to Begin With?

There has never truly been something quite like the Steam Deck in the world of gaming. I don’t say that to overstate its innovation, as many of its specific functions can be achieved through the use of a solid gaming laptop. Rather, there has never been such a powerful device that was optimised solely for the gaming experience. A laptop is good, and will offer a high level of portability, but is it going to allow you to comfortably play Katamari Reroll on a packed train? Are you going to be able to whip out your laptop and seamlessly get back into a game of Dark Souls 3 while waiting for the bus? The answer is yes, but not without great difficulty and a lot of strange looks.

The Steam Deck took the basic control-first design principles of the Nintendo Switch and managed to successfully blend them with high-end hardware capabilities in a way that just feels natural in the hand. Some of my nicest gaming memories of recent times involve me lounging out in gazebos and on my family’s verandah in the rain with the Steam Deck (undercover, of course) playing Sekiro or Undertale and watching the clouds go by. It’s a unique level of freedom just being able to pull out a handheld console and play literally anything, and that’s an experience that most people had for the first time with the Steam Deck.

Steam Deck Specs

With a 40Whr battery allowing anywhere from two to eight hours of gameplay off the charger, the Steam Deck is an absolute beast of a machine. That coupled with a Zen 2 AMD CPU and 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM makes the Steam Deck a machine capable of playing almost anything in the Steam library without issue. That said, all of this isn’t to say that the Steam Deck can play every game, with compatibility issues with the Steam Deck layout being one of the main reasons that certain games are labelled as unsupported. Certain well-loved games that the Steam Deck has proven to have issues with include:

• Destiny 2
• Fall Guys
• Dead By Daylight
• Burnout Paradise Remastered
• Valheim
• Terraria
• Remnant 2

Do note that many of the games mentioned here aren’t due to issues with the Deck as much as they are either issues with game optimisation or simply offer controls that aren’t very compatible with a controller setup.

Steam Deck Competitors

Whilst the Steam Deck may have been a trendsetter, inevitably, we were always going to get to the point at which competitors would be able to throw their hats into the proverbial ring. So, if we’re asking whether the Steam Deck is the best choice, we have to take a look at the releases that are vying to take its place.

ASUS ROG Ally

An absolute juggernaut in its own right, the ASUS ROG Ally is an incredibly sleek Ryzen Z1 CPU-powered machine that really gives the Steam Deck a run for its money. As a Windows-running console, it’s perfect for those that want to step away from Steam and into the world of standard Windows games that won’t work on the Steam, Deck’s Linux OS.

With all that said, the ASUS ROG Ally isn’t leaps and bounds above the Steam Deck in terms of game functionality, and for its still quite high price point and history of minor issues with hardware and software, it’s not an unquestioned pick for the top spot. The one thing that really sets the Ally apart from the Steam Deck is just its CPU, which is more optimised for gaming and is likely to provide a smoother experience for some more CPU-intensive gaming experiences.

The Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld

Whilst this Logitech offering has definitely been touted as a Steam Deck competitor, I’d say that I am in two minds about whether I would consider it as such. At a $300 USD price point, this Android-based device, as the name suggests, is designed for cloud gaming. In other words, it is not nearly as powerful as the Steam Deck, instead focusing the experience on the cloud and game streaming.

To be clear, this isn’t a bad thing on its face, but it does limit the type of experiences most people are going to have. For example, in Melbourne where I’m currently writing from, the internet speeds are truly terrible for most gaming means. In other words, most people here just aren’t going to be able to get the amount out of cloud gaming that someone in the States may, and that’s a problem for something like the Logitech G Cloud. This, coupled with the price point being not that different from the Steam Deck itself, makes its viability as a competitor pretty meagre.

The Razer Edge

Whilst not as impressive in some respects as the ASUS ROG Ally, I have to give the Razer Edge respect for being one of the more uniquely interesting handheld devices I’ve seen appear in the past few years. Razer is a well-regarded name in many respects, and this isn’t their first attempt at breaking into this market, technically. I say technically because their entry into the field wasn’t a gaming device in and of itself, instead being the Kishi, a controller add-on for phones that allowed them to take on a similar aesthetic and function to the Retroid or other small gaming handhelds at the time.

So, when it came time to create a gaming handheld properly, they didn’t leave the Kishi on the cutting room floor. Rather, they created a tablet to pair directly with the Kishi V2, allowing for a tablet handheld that is capable of running Android and Xbox games. Whilst I can’t say I’ve had the chance to sample the Edge personally, its Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen-1 chips and 5g capabilities really do make it a unique entry in Android-based gaming. I’ll be excited to see more come out about it as time goes on.

So, What’s the Verdict?

As much as the competition has really put up a good fight in doing what the Steam Deck has achieved, there’s still nothing that quite hits that sweet spot of affordability and powerhouse capabilities. Even as more powerful consoles are released, the Steam Deck’s native Steam compatibility and sleek design just make it a difficult machine to readily replace in the market. Plus, with the thriving emulation scene getting the EmuDeck to play games up to the late PS360 era, as well as practically every Switch game, it’s hard to see Steam being beaten out until they themselves potentially release an updated console.

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Streaming video, music and gaming services saw a drop in annual growth in the past year as cost of living pressures take hold in Australia according analyst firm Telsyte.

The Telsyte Australian Subscription Entertainment Study 2023 revealed the number of subscription services in Australia grew by 3 per cent to 49.9 million as of June 2023 but the growth rate was lower than the double digit increase of the previous year.

But Australians are still quite attached to their on-demand services with Netflix continuing to be the market leader with 6.1 million subscribers in Australia as of June 2023 followed by Amazon Prime Video (4.5 million), Disney+ (3.1 million), Stan (2.6 million), Binge (1.5 million), Paramount+ (1.5 million), Kayo Sports (1.4 million) and Apple TV+ (1 million).

While the growth has declined, Australians are still avidly consuming SVOD (subscription video on demand) with 55 per cent discovering new content through their services.

Average weekly video consumption dipped by 9 per cent year on year to 45 hours but SVOD consumption was one of only two categories that increased across nine video categories measured by Telsyte.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of subscribers said they would switch between services to save money with 27 per cent finding it too hard to unsubscribe even if they are not using them often.

“Profits, partnerships, and more aggressive behaviour. There’s going to be increasing competition to win people over from other platforms,” Telsyte Managing Director, Foad Fadaghi, says.

Telsyte says SVOD subscription could exceed 30 million by June 2027 thanks to new content, growth in multiple subscriptions, new market entrants and more ad supported services.

SVOD market revenue grew to $2.7bn in 2023 – that’s a 14 per cent year-on-year increase because of the rising subscription costs and in-service adoption.

SVOD ranked sixth among segment where customers would be willing to cut back to ease their household budget.

The top three were dining out and takeaway, clothing and accessories and holiday-related expenses.

Above SVOD cutbacks were also alcohol and electronics and gadgets.

“Paid SVOD services as a category exhibits strong retention and near recession-proof characteristics, as other significant spending areas become household budgeting priorities,” says Fadaghi.

This year Netflix started a crackdown on password sharing with 32 per cent sharing their services and half of those are with people who live outside their household.

About 7 per cent of Netflix subscribers cancelled their accounts in the last 12 months because of the crackdown.

At the time of the survey the number of new Netflix members was yet to exceed those exiting the service.

Gaming subscription saw a 2 per cent increase over last year – this is a slower growth rate that can be put down to the rising cost of living.

Music streaming services still remain popular with subscriptions hitting 16.6 million by the end of June 2023 – an increase of 5 per cent from a year ago.

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Samsung has just unveiled the Odyssey Neo G9 – a monstrous 57-inch gaming monitor that’s the world’s first dual UHD display – to take your gaming experience to all new heights.

The Odyssey Neo G9 (C95NC) has 1000R curvature in the 32:9 screen which is just as wide as two 32-inch monitors.

It is the world’s first DUHD (dual ultra high definition) screen so users can enjoy pin sharp picture quality and wide wrap-around field of view.

“As we stride forward as pioneers in the global display industry, Samsung consistently seeks to redefine the boundaries of excellence, particularly in response to the ever-evolving needs of the gaming community,” said Phil Gaut, Senior Director of Display and Brand Memory, Samsung Australia.

“With the introduction of the world’s first dual UHD monitor, the 57” Odyssey Neo G9 paves the way for monitors in 2023 and beyond, helping gamers see new levels of detail with an incredible field of view.

“The Neo G9 transcends conventional limits, boasting cutting edge technology for those seeking a truly immersive experience with enhanced colour expression and pin sharp imagery, opening the doorway to adventure like never before.”

Under the hood is Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Technology that powers the Quantum Mini LED lighting for more smaller and discrete dimming zones.

The result is impressive contrast and reduced blooming.

The VESA Display HDR 1000 when combined with the 1000 nit peak brightness produces accurate colour and contrast.

Gaming realism is also enhanced with the 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms grey to grey (GTG) response and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro which syncs the screen so its lag-free and stable.

The Odyssey NEO G9 offers VESA-certified DisplayPort (DP) 2.1 along with HDMI 2.1 and a USB hub to allow gamers to easily connect all their other devices.

“By bringing DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity to their premium gaming monitor, Samsung is opening new doors for gamers,” said Scott Herkelman, senior vice president and general manager, Graphics Business Unit at AMD.

“More bandwidth, high speeds and fast refresh rates provide new levels of performance and visual fidelity in games, and together the new Samsung displays and Radeon RX 7000 Series graphics cards will deliver vivid and immersive gaming experiences yet.”

Having so much screen real estate when not gaming allows the user to spread out their work and organise their desktop as if they had multiple monitors.

The Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo is priced at $3,199 and will be available exclusively from the Samsung online store.

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Australians love their video games. In fact, 81 per cent of the population plays video games according to the new Australia Plays 2023 report – that’s a 14 per cent jump from the previous report.

The Australia Plays 2023 report was produced by the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) in conjunction with Bond University.

It proves conclusively that gaming is a mainstream activity and that it’s not just for kids with the average age of a gamer found to be 35 years old – that’s up by three months from the last report.

And nearly half of all gamers are female at 48 per cent – up from 46 per cent. And more women than men play videos aged 55 years and over.

The report found 94 per cent of Australian households have a device for playing video games and 76 per cent have two or more.

And gaming is also a family affair with 91 per cent of parents playing with their children.

The report also posed the question: why do you play video games? The most popular answers were for enjoyment (91 per cent), to bring joy to their lives (82 per cent) and to nurture their mental health (66 per cent).

And what do they enjoy within the game? The most popular responses were achieving (92 per cent), exploring (81 per cent) and socialising with others (59 per cent).

The most popular gaming genres are Puzzle (36 per cent), Action/Adventure (32 per cent) and strategy (21 per cent).

Australians over 65 who play games say it is to feel challenged and to improve their mental health.

The report says aging Australians who play games are wanting to increase their mental stimulation, promoting mindfulness and to fight dementia.

“Australia Plays 2023 proves that Australia is a nation that loves to play, achieve, connect,

and learn through video games,” said Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA.

“Over 80 per cent of the population is now engaging with video games, making it clear that video games have become a part of everyday life.

“Over 90 per cent of Australian gamers say they find joy in video games, as is reflected

by our successful local industry.

“Video games have proven to be very important to this country’s economy, as can be seen by the recently released consumer video games sales data in Australia.”

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One of the best things about being a gamer is being able to transport yourself to different realms, new dimensions, and unseen worlds. There’s real magic to being able to lose yourself in a game, no matter what your favorite genre or style is. 

If you’re a fan of strategy, simulation, and fantasy games, you may have a few castle games in your library. There are heaps of them out there on every platform, from mobile to PC, and it can be hard to know what to play next in this expansive genre.

To help you live like a King, here are the four best castle games to download today.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires has an incredibly dedicated following in the strategy community- and with good reason. It’s an immensely influential franchise, and you can see the impact that it’s had in almost any of the games featuring castles available right now.

Without a doubt, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is one of the most rich and immersive castle games out there. It’s a detailed RTS game with elements of city building, combat, and resource management, and the campaigns it offers are second to none.

One of the things that makes this game stand out from the crowd is that there are 35 different civilizations to play as. Each civilization comes with a different playstyle, troop variety, and aesthetic, which adds a huge amount of replayability to the game.

King of the Castle

If RTS games aren’t your style and you’re hunting for something a little more casual and laid back, King of the Castle could be the perfect pick for you.

King of the Castle is a fun, casual party game with a strategic feel. The aim is to successfully lead your Kingdom throughout your rule, making key choices to keep your people happy and to placate your advisors. There will be people trying to ruin your run, and you’ll need to make smart choices in order to keep your castle safe and to keep the crown on your head.

Unlike most of the castle games in this list, King of the Castle is a party game. It’s been built with casual co-op in mind, and it’s a lot of fun to bring out at a games night with friends.

It’s also quite an accessible game, meaning that it’s ideal if you want to play something with a friend or partner who’s not that into traditional or competitive gaming.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Changing subgenres once again, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of the most influential castle games in history. The Castlevania franchise itself is legendary (spawning the Metroidvania genre alongside the Metroid franchise), and this entry is a fan favorite.

This is an action RPG set in Dracula’s Castle. Complete with all the side-scrolling action and over-the-top enemies you might expect from a 90s ARPG; this is an absolute must-play for anyone who wants to expand their castle game library.

The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, too.

Something that makes this game an absolute gem is the free, open nature of the in-game world. Most ARPGs from this era tend to stick you on quite a linear path, but in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, you’re free to wander and unlock secrets at your own pace.

Stronghold Crusader HD

History nerds, this one’s for you. The Stronghold franchise is very well known in the RTS and war game community, and Stronghold Crusader HD is one of the most popular entries. It’s detailed, immersive, and full of content.

The gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, including all the best elements of base building, sandbox, and strategic war games. Each campaign is rich and vibrant and takes heavy inspiration from the actual Crusades to keep things intriguing for gamers with an interest in history.

One brilliant thing to note about this game is that the AI opponents pose a genuine challenge. Unlike other castle games, which might have standard bots that throw out the same troops and moves every time, this game will push even the most dedicated strategy fan to their limits.

The post Live Like a King: The Best Castle Games Ever appeared first on Tech Guide.

Amazon’s Prime Day is here and there are lots of tech bargains on offer during the sale on July 11 and July 12 – and we’ve gone through them and found the best deals.

Customers need to be Amazon Prime members to enjoy the discounts. For $9.99 a month or $72 annually, members receive free shipping all year round as well as subscriptions to Prime Video, Amazon Music and Prime Reading.

Here are the best deals we’ve rounded up:

Amazon Devices – Echo, Fire TV, Kindle and Ring:

– Save 63 per cent off RRP on the brand new Echo Pop, the latest compact smart speaker with Alexa, just $29

– Save 56 per cent off RRP on the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), featuring an 8” HD touchscreen with Alexa, just $99

– Save 50 per cent off RRP across the entire range of Fire TV products, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Max our most powerful streaming media stick

– Save 30 per cent off RRP on the Kindle Paperwhite range, purpose-built for reading with adjustable warm light, from just $187

– Save 51 per cent off RRP on the Ring Indoor Cam, watch over your home with the compact plug-in HD camera for just $49

– Save 34 per cent off RRP on the Ring Video Doorbell, to help you monitor your home your way, for just $99

Amazon Basics – additional discounts on already great value! 

– Save up to 30 per cent on select Amazon Basics range products including select Batteries, Luggage, Bedding, Kitchen items and more

Electronics, Home Entertainment and Videogames

– Save up to 50 per cent off RRP on select Philips TVs, 20per cent off on select Sony TVs

– Save up to 45 per cent off RRP on select soundbars, headphones and speakers from brands including Sony, JBL, Bose and Ultimate Ears

– Save up to 54 per cent off RRP on select Fujifilm Instax products

– Save up to 35 per cent off RRP on select PC Accessories and Routers from Logitech, Corsair and ASUS

– Save up to 30 per cent off RRP on select Laptops and Monitors from LG, Lenovo and Samsung

– Save up to 46 per cent off RRP on select Samsung Galaxy phones and accessories

– Save up to 30 per cent off RRP on select printers from Canon, Epson and Brother

– Save up to 26 per cent off RRP on select Nintendo Switch grey console

– Save up to 38 per cent off RRP on select Nintendo Switch games including The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda Links Awakening, Mario Strikers and New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe

– Prime members get $50 promotional Amazon credit with eligible purchase of select PlayStation 5 consoles (per console purchased)

– Save up to 31 per cent off RRP on select PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headsets

– Prime members get $100 promotional Amazon credit with eligible purchase of Meta Quest 2 or Meta Quest Pro VR Headsets (per headset purchased)

– Save on select Prism+ Monitors

– Save on select Prism+ TVs

– Save on select HP Probook

– Save on select Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

– Save on select electronics, chargers and more from Anker

– Save on select headphones and accessories from Avantree

– Save on select Bang & Olufsen

– Save on select Edifier Speakers

– Save on select SoundPEATS Earphones.

– Save on Select Viewsonic projectors

Ecovacs Robotics

Customers can enjoy up to 43 per cent off the recommended retail prices of the ECOVACS DEEBOT range.

There are seven models that will be available at greatly reduced prices – the T10 Plus, N10. X1 Turbo, X1 Omni, N8+, N8 and the Winbot W1 Pro.

Huawei

Audio deals

HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i – $89 (45 per cent off) at Amazon

HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 – $149 (57 per cent off) at Amazon

HUAWEI Sound Joy – $169 (27 per cent off) at Amazon

Wearable deals

HUAWEI Band 7 – $87 (55 per cent off) at Amazon

HUAWEI Watch Fit 2 Active – $177 (41 per cent off) at Amazon

HUAWEI Watch GT 3 46mm Brown– $289 (42 per cent off) at Amazon

HUAWEI Watch GT 3 46mm Black – $239 (47 per cent off) at Amazon

Tineco

– 36 per cent OFF FLOOR ONE S5 Steam – RRP $699, On sale for $449. Available on Amazon Australia
– 33 per cent OFF iFLOOR3 – RRP $549, On sale for $369. Available on Amazon Australia 
– 33 per cent OFF A11 Pet – RRP $449 and now available at $299. Available on Amazon Australia
– 38 per cent OFF PWRHERO 11 Snap – RRP $319 and now available at $199. Available on Amazon Australia

CuboAi

– CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor 3-Stand Set RRP$499 30 per cent down to $349.30

– CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor Wall Mount RRP$329 30 per cent down to $230.30

– CuboAi Sleep Safety Bundle RRP$699 30 per cent down to $489.30

The post We’ve rounded up the best tech deals for Amazon’s Prime Day sales appeared first on Tech Guide.

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin says she’s proud of how her team responded to the massive data breach last year but admitted they still need to rebuild trust and that there were things the company could have done better.

Optus also revealed the work it was doing to block scam text messages and calls from reaching customers and showcased the many new and existing features and services of the network.

Speaking at Optus Tech Day at its Macquarie Park headquarters, the Optus boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said she learned a lot about the company, her team and their customers in the aftermath of the data breach in September.

“For us we were very, very clear that our mission was to protect customers and ensure that no customer came to any harm and that really galvanised our team,” Ms Bayer Rosmarin said.

“One of my learnings was just how important it is to build culture and to have a strong team around you well ahead of when you need it.

“I’m enormously proud and grateful to the whole team, how everybody responded and leaned in.

“We saw the best of everybody and working together it meant we could deal with the incident very effectively under enormous pressure and really continue to focus on customers and the right priorities.”

But Ms Bayer Rosmarin said Optus could have done some things differently.

“There was a lot of information around – some of it right, some of it wrong,” she said.

“We could have managed that better.

“We could have explained how complex the process was that we were going through.

“The customers saw our actual response not just what they read about our response.”

Ms Bayer Rosmarin also implied that Optus had also returned to pre-breach customer numbers.

“All the metrics that we tracked have now stacked really strongly so I think they (customers) appreciated that we were transparent in a way that has not been seen before in corporate Australia, that we did put them first,” she said.

But the Optus CEO also said there is still a lot of work to do rebuild their reputation and trust in the eyes of customers.

“For people who are not customers, that’s going to take a longer amount of time for us to rebuild that trust and ensure that people are focused on what we actually do every day, what motivates us as a team which is delivering a great solution with leading innovation to our customers as we continue our endeavour to build the most loved everyday brand in Australia with lasting customer relationships,” Ms Bayer Rosmarin said.

“Obviously, there were other learnings we took away about cyber crisis management and those will be fully implemented.

“We are striving to be the best that we possibly can be when it comes to security practises.”

Optus says it is also actively blocking scams texts and messages.

Here’s what Optus has done so far:

– Optus has blocked more than 300 million scam calls since December 2020; and blocked 65 million SMS scam messages over the last year.

– Just in 2023 alone, Optus suspended more than 22,000 services on the network for sending scam messages.

– Currently, Optus is blocking close to 5 million calls per month, and almost 8 million SMS per month.

– Over the last month, Optus blocked more than 18,000 LINKT scam SMS.
At Optus Tech Day, the company demonstrated a number of features and services available for Optus customers including The Living Network, SubHub, Cloud Gaming and Smart Spaces.

THE LIVING NETWORK

This is a menu of features Optus customers can use including Optus Pause to pause your home and mobile connection, Network Pulse to visual the Optus network and towers near you, Call Effects which can trigger in-call skills like a coin toss.

SUBHUB

SubHub is a dashboard where you can stay on top of all your streaming services and keep track of your subscriptions and easily pause and swap services when needed.

And if you have three or more eligible services in SubHub you can save 10 per cent on each of them every month.

CLOUD GAMING

Optus has formed a partnership with Pentanet and NVIDIA to start a premium cloud gaming service.

This means players won’t need a console to play the latest games – all they need is a controller and a connection.

Optus says this service will be optimised for Optus 5G customers so they get a fast and responsive experience.

SMART SPACES

Smart Spaces is a service where customers can purchase a range of smart products and receive personalised installation and set for everything like security cameras, smart doorbells, sensors and even installing and setting up smart TVs.

This service is available to everyone, not just Optus customers.

The post We need to rebuild customer trust and could have done things better says Optus CEO appeared first on Tech Guide.

Ubisoft and Lucasfilm has announced Star Wars Outlaws – the first open world game set in the vast Star Wars universe – that will be available for Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Windows PC in 2024.

Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, Star Wars Outlaws is set in the criminal underworld of the Star Wars galaxy between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as the Rebel Alliance tries to vanquish the Galactic Empire.

Developed by Massive Entertainment, Star Wars Outlaws will have players assuming the identity of Kay Vess alongside a number of colourful scoundrels as they attempt a massive heist in the Outer Rim.

Kay wants to start a new life with her companion Nix as they work their way through the underbelly of the galaxy and battle crime syndicates and wanted criminals.

 “When we first imagined the first open-world Star Wars game, we explored where and when it could take place, and quickly realized that we had all the right ingredients for the journey of a scoundrel,” said Julian Gerighty, Creative Director at Massive Entertainment.

“These outlaws live life under the thumb of the Galactic Empire but can still thrive given the opportunities that the criminal underworld opens up for people looking to take advantage of the turmoil.

“The time is ripe for a new outlaw to make their name, and Kay Vess is written in the stars.”

Douglas Reilly, vice president, Lucasfilm Games said: “With Star Wars Outlaws, we’re excited to deliver the first truly open world Star Wars game, with an action-adventure story filled with characters and planets both new and well-known to the Star Wars galaxy.

“We have been working closely with the talented team at Massive Entertainment, and with their years of experience in creating richly detailed worlds, we’re excited for fans to be able to jump into the Star Wars scoundrel fantasy like never before.”

Star Wars Outlaws will be released in 2024 for Xbox. PlayStation 5 and Windows PC.

The post Ubisoft and Lucasfilm unveil first open world game set in the Star Wars universe appeared first on Tech Guide.

Sony and Backbone have joined forces to unveil the Android version of its popular BackBone One PlayStation Edition Mobile Gaming Controller.

Due for release on July 6 and priced at $179, the controller has been available for iPhone since last year, but finally Android users will be able to enjoy mobile gaming with the device on the move.

The controller was created in collaboration with PlayStation and looks just like the PS5 DualSense wireless controller right down to the button design, colour, material and finish.

A PlayStation fan will recognise the look and feel of the controller right down to the transparent face buttons with the iconic symbols and floating appearance of the directional pad.

When users download the PS Remote Play app, the device is recognised as a DualSense controller so users can play your favourite PS4 and PS5 games on their Android smartphone anywhere.

The Backbone One PlayStation Edition draws its power from the Android smartphone it’s connected to so there is no need to charge it.

The BackBone One PlayStation Edition for Android is available for pre-order now through JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, Big W and The Gamesmen. It goes on sale on July 6 for $179.

The post BackBone One PlayStation Edition is now available for Android smartphones appeared first on Tech Guide.

Sony has stunned gaming fans with the news of a new portable gaming system during its PlayStation Showcase known only as Project Q.

The device, which is due for released before the end of 2023, is designed to let you play your favourite PlayStation 5 games on the move.

Take a sneak peek at new accessories revealed at today’s Showcase — the Project Q device for playing games installed on your PS5 and streamed over WiFi, plus our first official wireless earbuds offering lossless audio on PS5 and PC.

More details to come in the months ahead. pic.twitter.com/0nzemSWSCV

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 24, 2023

PlayStation is no stranger to portable gaming with the PSP (PlayStation Portable) and the PS Vita.

But, by all accounts, the Project Q device will only be able to stream games from the PS5 console in your home.

There is a hope the device will be able to stream games from online gaming services.

Project Q has an 8-inch full high definition display which looks like its been placed in the middle of a PlayStation 5 Dual Sense wireless controller that’s been cut in half.

Sony says the Project Q device can only play the games that are already installed on your PS5.

There was no information about whether the device could play games outside your home.

Pricing and a launch date is also yet to be confirmed.

The post Sony unveils Project Q portable gaming device that can stream your PlayStation 5 games appeared first on Tech Guide.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has unveiled Ally – a powerful new portable gaming system running Windows 11 that’s powered by the all-new AMD Ryzen processor.

The device will be available on June 13 and will be priced at $1299 and preorders are already open.

The ROG Ally brings powerful gaming into the palm of your hands to enjoy anywhere.

The device features a bright 7-inch 120Hz full high definition display and all the physical controls you’d find on a regular gaming controller.

“Before the ROG Ally, handhelds were limited, only offering certain games often at lower resolutions and framerates,” said Shawn Yen, Vice General Manager of Gaming BU, ASUS.

“We spent five years working to elevate that experience.

“The ROG Ally offers high performance in Full HD on a platform that can play all your games, anywhere you go.”

With the device running Windows 11, it can play any game from any platform and comes with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Users can play the ROG Ally anywhere whether it’s on their commute or on a break.

They can also connect it to a TV to play with friends.

The ROG Ally is powered with the new Ryzen Z1 Series processor from AMD which uses the Zen 4 architecture combined with AMD RDNA 3 architecture-based graphics which offers the same power of a gaming console

“Our team has spent over a decade developing the technologies necessary to enable the Ryzen Z1 Series of processors,” said Renato Fragale, senior director of product management for the Consumer and Gaming Client Business at AMD.

“Working with visionary partners like ROG, we’ve designed a platform that redefines mobile gaming.

“We’re excited for gamers to experience the first device powered by Ryzen Z1 Series processors with the launch of the ROG Ally.”

Also on board to make the high end gaming possible is the ROG zero gravity thermal system which includes a dual fan system with ultra-thin heat sink fins and high friction heat pipes to keep the device cool no matter how it’s being used.

Under the hood is 16GB of high speed LPDDR5 6400 Mhz memory and 512GB of PCle Gen 4 storage.

There is also a microSD card slot to expand the storage capacity and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity to ensure a strong connection when playing multiplayer or streaming a game via Xbox Cloud Gaming or AMD link.

The ROG Ally is a fully-fledged Windows 11 mini computer and can even be paired with a keyboard and mouse.

Users can even run other applications on the device like PowerPoint, Excel and the Edge browser.

It has full support for Steam, the EA App, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, the Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy 2.0, Android apps, and other game platforms.

The ROG Ally is priced at $1299 and goes on sale on June 13 at JB Hi-Fi, PB Tech and the ASUS E-shop.

The post ASUS unveils the ROG Ally powerful hand-held gaming system running Windows 11 appeared first on Tech Guide.

If you’re on the lookout for new games that’ll make your spine tingle and your heart race, we’ve scoured the darkest corners of the indie gaming scene to bring you a list of 10 bone-chilling, yet lesser-known indie horror games that you’ve probably never heard of.

So, grab a cosy blanket, turn off the lights, and get ready to dive into these terrifying hidden gems that’ll leave you sleeping with one eye open. And oh, be sure to visit OffGamers here for all your gaming needs.

1. FAITH: The Unholy Trinity

Drawing inspiration from the Satanic Scare of the 1980s, FAITH: The Unholy Trinity thrusts you into the heavy vestments of a priest returning to the site of a botched exorcism to finish the job.
On his quest, the priest finds himself in a number of gruesome situations, each with its own little island of gameplay with rules that you must learn and adapt to on the fly.

These isolated puzzles aren’t afraid to add or remove mechanics in service of establishing an empathic bond between the player and the avatar. The priest’s frustration and helplessness become yours, and that makes his fear even more real.

Don’t let the simplistic visuals fool you, 2017’s FAITH: The Unholy Trinity is a masterclass in horror fundamentals. The immaculate timing, incredible sound design, and innovative gameplay trickery create a sense of unease and dread that doesn’t relent until the game’s heart-pounding conclusion.

2. From the Darkness

From the Darkness gives you a simple objective: explore a Soviet residential building and retrieve the photo albums from the abandoned apartment room of your deceased grandfather.
Borrowing from iconic enclosed space horror films like the original Saw, From the Darkness packs a complete horror experience into one small apartment.

Through clever tweaking of the layout, this tiny space feels large and inescapable. Already unsettling from the jump, the tension and terror slowly build with each passing moment.
Those who fancy slow-burn horror over jump scares and have some time to kill (the game only takes about an hour to beat), definitely check out From the Darkness.

3. The Last Door

For horror game fans seeking a fresh experience, The Last Door is a standout. This point-and-click adventure applies traditional Lovecraftian-style storytelling with a deft touch.

Where other Lovecraft-inspired games tend toward heavy-handed reliance on Chtulian powers from beyond the veil, The Last Door knows that the most horrible things can often be mundane at first glance. That it does this without dialogue is even more impressive.

Typical of any point-and-click game, puzzles make up the bulk of the gameplay.

Fortunately, the puzzles are where The Last Door really shines. Despite the supernatural leanings, each puzzle is firmly grounded in a consistent logic. You’ll have to work to find some of the solutions, but they’re always “a-ha” moments and not “but why?”. The result is a puzzle-laden story that is inseparable from gameplay and one of the most effective horror point-and-click games available.

4. I’m on Observation Duty Series

The gameplay in I’m on Observation Duty should feel familiar if you’ve played Five Nights at Freddy’s — watch the security cameras for suspicious activities going on. Instead of hostile animatronics, though, you get moving objects, mysterious shadows, and horribly misshapen guests in the night. All you have to do is report the anomalies you find (using the game’s intentionally clunky report system) and survive the night.

One Steam review summed up the experience of playing I’m on Observation Duty as an exercise in self-gaslighting. Not everything that goes bump in the night is a non-human thing with overlong limbs (though you’ll find those, too), and half the challenge in playing this series is in knowing the anomalies from your own imagination.

5. Discover My Body

Discover My Body is an indie horror game created by Yames that takes place in the year 2040, where humanity turns to ever stranger ways to rebuild social connection. The game focuses on a procedure called “flowering” where a patient becomes connected to some kind of fungus that allows psychic connection to all the other “flowered.” As a medical student, your role is to observe the flowering of a researcher on the organism and its effects, who is all but giddy about his changing form despite the grotesque changes happening to his mind and body.

The game has you observing the doctor-turned-patient body, skeleton, and nervous system while he describes the horrific metamorphosis taking place. Even more sickening, throughout the procedure, the doctor’s tone of stark casualness and researcher’s neutrality gradually transforms into disturbing euphoric glee.

Though not much of a game at all, the grotesque nature of Discover My Body is sure to interest fans of body horror while also offering a unique insight into humanity’s quest for social connection in the future. Also, it’s free to play, so if you want an interactive experience that’s wholly unlike any other, you owe it to yourself to play this.

6. [Chilla’s Art] Inunaki Tunnel | 犬鳴トンネル

Chilla’s Art is an established name in the indie game scene, mostly known for crafting atmospheric experiences with a distinctive retro-Japanese aesthetic. Inunaki Tunnel is probably their most well-known game, but even this title is woefully under-appreciated by horror game fans.

The Old Inunaki Tunnel is a real place in Japan that was sealed off after five men abducted a factory worker, bringing the victim to the tunnel, where they tortured him and burnt him to death. This game allows players to step inside the structure and uncover its mysteries through the frame of a hand camcorder.

Part Fatal Frame and part Blair Witch Project, Inunaki Tunnel is more about atmosphere than jump scares, creating a sense of anxiety through disorientation.

7. 3 Blind Mice: A Remediation Game for Improper Children

3 Blind Mice: A Remediation Game for Improper Children is a short, surreal game where the player answers 10 questions aimed to straighten out “improper children”.
Designed as a “coffee break” game, its goal seems to be to build dread in as simple a manner as possible.

Think of it more as an experiment in horror basics, rather than a fully-fledged horror experience. Players who go into the game with no expectations and a willingness to experience surreal creepiness will find a fun little game that’s simple and effective.

It’s also free and only takes five minutes to beat, so why not give it a shot?

8. MOTHERED – A ROLE-PLAYING HORROR GAME

MOTHERED is a first-person point-and-click adventure horror game with a disturbing retro aesthetic. The player takes on the role of Liana, who returns home to stay with her mother after undergoing surgery. The game’s unsettling tone is established early on in an unsettling drive with Liana’s father and doesn’t let up throughout the game’s roughly 2-hour duration.

Like Inunaki Tunnel, MOTHERED taps into the inherent creepiness of found footage by utilizing visual effects reminiscent of DVD menus and VHS tapes. These amazing visuals are coupled with some incredible sound designs that will have you on the edge of your seat.

All that said, MOTHERED is not particularly scary and doesn’t rely heavily on jump scares. Still, you’ll want to stick with it for its story. You’d be doing yourself a disservice by passing up a chance to experience this story yourself.

9. Lost in Vivo

Lost in Vivo is a psychological horror game that draws inspiration from classic survival horror games. Featuring a strong PS1-inspired aesthetic, fans of Silent Hill will love exploring the creepy and horrifying world of Lost in Vivo.
While most of the games on this list are interactive horror experiences first and games second, Lost in Vivo is unmistakably a first-person action title.

Players set off on a rescue mission to recover their lost service dog, which takes them into an eerie sewer world inhabited by grotesque creatures. To defend yourself, you’ll have to use the various melee weapons and firearms you come across.
If you’re searching for something in the vein of your traditional horror video games from the PS1 and PS2 era, Lost in Vivo will scratch that itch.

Great enemies, a heavy atmosphere, a compelling soundtrack, and a fantastic understated story all come together to make Lost in Vivo a short but sweet experience that all psychological horror fans should play.

10. Knock Knock

Knock-Knock is a simple yet surreal horror game in which the player assumes the role of a lodger living alone in a forest hut. He is awakened each night by banging on his door and the conviction that something wants to harm him.
Who is this night disruptor and what do they want with the lodger?

That answer can only be found by uncovering clues and exploring the lodger’s history, which is a mystery all on its own.

During the night, your goal is to simply survive until daylight. Avoid the horrible creatures that stalk the randomly generated layout of the lodger’s hut, fixing lights to repel them or finding clocks to make the morning come faster. During the day, you explore the surrounding forest for clues.

Knock Knock can get repetitive and has pacing issues (especially towards the end). Also, the randomly generated stages will probably have you cursing under your breath a few times. Thankfully, it keeps a short playtime with a narrative that’s genuinely gripping the whole way through.

Those were 10 indie-horror games that will make your skin crawl and your heart race. Indie devs often have the creative freedom to offer unique and terrifying horror games that you won’t find in your typical big-dev release. As horror game fans, we’re just happy there’s space and an audience for the type of weird and experimental experiences on this list alongside your Resident Evils and Dead Spaces.

The post 10 Indie Horror Games You Have Probably Not Heard Of appeared first on Tech Guide.

If you want to get serious about your gaming on the Sony PlayStation 5 then you need the new DualSense Edge wireless controller which can take players to the next level.

Tech Guide was sent the DualSense Edge controller by PlayStation Australia for review and we mainly used it playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.

It’s appropriately called Edge because that’s precisely what it can give you – the edge over your opponents which can make the difference between winning and losing.

The added controls and settings can make you a more efficient player to provide that little bit extra over and above your skills and reflexes.

And you can personalise the controls and triggers to suit your own preferences and to better fit the game you’re playing.

There are changeable stick caps – you have three pairs in total – each with different heights and textures to ensure stability and grip.

This is important in a game where you need to move and react quickly.

But you can go even further with the sticks and replace the entire module with a new one that’s sold separately.

The plate below the thumb sticks can be removed using a small lock switch on the base of the controller.

On the front are new function keys that lets you toggle between pre-set gaming profiles and adjust the game volume without leaving the game.

You can access the on-screen menu when you press and hold either of these keys.

The DualSense Edge controller has dedicated back buttons which are mappable to your game.

In the hard case that comes with the controller are two pairs of removeable buttons – one pair has a half dome shape that protrude further from the controller and the other pair are flat lever that hug the base of the controller.

But what they both have in common is that they’re precisely at your fingertips on the underside of the controller.

This way you can put commonly used controls or controls you need to reach instantly literally at your fingertips.

One of our favourite new features was the adjustable trigger lengths which can be set manually for the left and right triggers.

We set these to the middle setting. Slide the switch all the way to the bottom makes the trigger’s travel shorter and sliding all the way to the top sets the trigger travel length to the normal level.

We found this adjustment helped us while playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare II.

Left trigger is aiming and the right trigger is for firing your weapon.

By reducing the travel length of the trigger meant we could activate those settings faster. We kept it at the middle setting because we like to keep the right trigger almost engaged while we’re playing so– making it the shortest setting could possibly fire our weapon when we didn’t want to.

The Sony DualSense Edge controller comes with a 2.8m braided cabled so it can be connected to your console while sitting on the couch or at your gaming desk.

Also included with the cable is a lockable connector housing so the cable is locked in place and can’t be accidentally disconnected from the controller.

That’s the last thing you want to happen especially in the middle of a game.

Now let’s talk price. Having this much extra control and customisation comes at a price – it’s $339.95.

This includes the DualSense Edge controller, the braided cable, cable lockable connector, the additional back keys, the additional stick caps and the hard case to keep it safe and sound to take anywhere.

If you’re serious about your gaming then you need a serious controller and the Sony PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller is a pro-level accessory that certainly fits the bill.

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Just weeks after being unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung’s new Odyssey G6 smart gaming monitors are now available in Australia.

The Odyssey G6 is available in stores now in 27-inch and 32-inch sizes and are priced at $949 and $1,099 respectively.

“As seen at CES, our 2023 Odyssey Gaming Monitor range focuses on delivering exceptional speed and image quality with a range of innovative features that now means you can game, work and watch from an all-in-one Monitor display,” said Phil Gaut, Senior Director of Display and Brand Memory Samsung Australia.

“In combining game-winning features with Smart TV options, the Odyssey G6 is a one-stop gaming monitor that personalises home entertainment experiences without compromising on the gaming performance that Odyssey is known for.”

The monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro which virtually eliminates screen tearing and input latency so you can maintain a competitive edge.

The Odyssey G6 has QHD resolution and has 1.7 times more pixel density than FHD so you’re getting more detail and vivid colours.

And with the 1000R curvature of the display you’re completely immersed into the game.

The Game Bar is a fast and easy way to check and control game settings.

Players can also extend from 16:9 to ultrawide 21:9.

But the Odyssey G6 also has all the features of a smart TV so you have access to all your favourite streaming services and apps.

Users can connect wirelessly to a Mac or PC and use the Samsung DeX platform while AirPlay 2 can mirror your Apple devices.

The Odyssey G6 has a VESA-standard ergonomic stand so user can tilt and turn the screen from landscape to portrait mode as well as adjust the height for comfortable gaming and viewing.

Samsung’s Odyssey G6 (G65B) is now available in select retail stores, online gaming resellers, and the Samsung Online Store  in 27 and 32-inch display options and priced at $949 and $1,099 respectively.

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The new Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 dual-UHD 57-inch curved display really has to be seen to be believed. It was unveiled in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show.

It’s the world’s first single monitor with dual ultra-high definition resolution and is a powerful solution for people looking to have more room to move for their work and play.

“We are introducing the future of gaming monitors with our Odyssey Neo G9, making each game more lifelike with innovative features and picture quality on a new scale,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

“CES is the perfect place to showcase our innovations that can take not only gamers but also graphic designers or TV fans to the next level while providing personalized experiences across a range of integrated smart apps.”

 The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor (Model Name: G95NC) delivers like no other thanks to its 32:9 aspect ratio and 7680 x 2160 resolution.

The 57-inch screen’s curve is 1000R and utilises Quantum Mini LED technology with VESA Display HDR 1000 to bring a high-quality image to your gaming environment, so you see better in both the shadows and bright scenes as well.

It has a matte display to reduce light reflection and minimise distractions during your most competitive games.

It’s the world’s first monitor to support DisplayPort 2.1 which is capable of moving data twice as fast as the previous DisplayPort 1.4.

This new DP 2.1 standard allows lossless Display Stream Compression (DSC) to ensure what’s shown on the screen has zero distortion.

The monitor also has a refresh rate of 240 Hertz so it can easily keep up in fast games.

Pricing and release date in Australia is yet to be announced.

* Stephen Fenech travelled to Las Vegas with support from Samsung, LG, Hisense and ASUS.

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