Innholdsfortegnelse for Annual Special Edition 2023, Vol. 19 Issue 01 i New Age Gaming

You'll have noticed the disparity between the two meticulously crafted cover DVDs and your lack of a DVD drive to read these discs [Steam Code]. Yes, gamers, the Illuminati have quietly removed our access to physical media in pursuit of world domination and streaming platforms [N5W8M-]. We can't say we were not excited about this all-digital world we live in, but the older we get, the more nostalgic we get as well [B48TH-]. If you are young, you'll get there one day, trust us [3DYZP]. For now, the cover DVD holds many treasures, including exclusive game demos, hidden Steam vouchers, outdated drivers and a few fantastic applications for you to play with. If you don't have a DVD drive, grab one of those cool external USB DVD drives online, and…

Did you know that CD Projekt launched Good Old Games? Yes, the same company that brought us The Witcher series and, of course, Cyberpunk 2077. Founded by Marcin Iwiński and Michał Kiciński back in 1994, CD Projekt initially functioned as a distributor of video games for the Polish domestic market. Their expertise in reverse engineering games for the purpose of localising them showed the pair that they had the skills to make their own games, and so, the company ventured into making original video games – quite successfully at that – under the name CD Projekt Red. Around 2008, CD Projekt saw a gap in the market to offer DRM-Pee versions of classic video games and considering it already had a lot of experience in the distribution business, a new…

Brace yourself; mobile gaming is about to get a kick up the wahoo. Apple's latest iPhone features the impressive A17 Pro chip, capable of running AAA games natively. The Resident Evil 4 Remake is the first title available for this new powerhouse gaming device, but gamers can expect Death Stranding Director's Cut and Assassin's Creed Mirage to land on the device soon. If forking out over R36.000 for the 512GB iPhone 15 is not enough, prepare to pay full price for these games. Resident Evil 4 Remake will set you back another cool R1,100, or there about. FUN FACT / Action video game players are better at multitasking, driving, and keeping track of friends in a crowd.…

Red Bull Kumite is a Street Fighter tournament that has been running since 2015. It hosts the best of the best from all around the world and pits them against each other in knockout-style match-ups. The winner becomes the undisputed best Street Fighter player in the world. In 2023, for the very first time, the tournament made its way onto South African soil, and we were honoured to have the best Street Fighter players fly in from all over the world and enjoy some of our local culture before throwing fists in a literal cage match. South African hopeful Jabhi “JabhiM” Mabuza had all eyes on him as he attempted to take the trophy from the clutches of the god-like players from Japan, France, England and the UAE. In a…

The Telkom VS Masters is not just a Counter-Strike competition in South Africa; it's the Counter-Strike competition in South Africa, and this year's finals saw a repeat match-up of last year's. Nixuh took the number one spot against Bravado last year and has held the title up until now. This year, however, Bravado were out for blood. With R150,000 on the line and not wanting to take the L for a second year running, Bravado managed to defeat Nixuh in the exact same fashion they lost to them in 2022. A 3-1 win meant Bravado took the trophy for their own, but will Nixuh be holding the same grudge that Bravado held on them? I guess we'll just have to wait for the 2024 finals to find out. FUN FACT…

For most of us, spending a hundred thousand rand just to keep the house powered is not something we'd easily do. So we have found the next best thing to ensure your gaming room and a few other appliances can get power when you need to use them: battery inverters. These nifty devices have become an integral part of any gamer's setup, but knowing which brand and model to buy is crucial to ensure you can game happily when your neighbourhood is in the dark. Here is the NAG guide to gaming in the dark and what to look for when buying a battery inverter. WATTAGES AND STUFF It is important to know how much power your gaming gear is drawing. This will allow you to calculate the size of…

DEVELOPER: TEAM CHERRY GENRE: ACTION / PLATFORMER PLATFORMS: NS / PC / XSX If you're like us and don't find yourself enjoying or gravitating towards the Metroidvania genre, it's just because you haven't played Hollow Knight yet. Trust us on this one. A good game will entertain you while you play, but a genuinely great game will transport you to another world and keep you captivated by it even when you're not playing, and that's precisely what Hallow Knight managed to do. It's been six long years since Team Cherry first brought Hollow Knight to our screens, and since then, we've been eagerly awaiting anything more to come out for the game. Hollow Knight is so rich with lore, history and purpose that playing it felt like returning to a…

This was an exciting year for PlayStation, not only because of some great exclusives and the rise of PS Plus that has made playing new games more affordable than ever but also because of some significant new additions and changes on the platform. One of the biggest changes came when Jim Ryan, someone whose name has been synonymous with PLayStation for almost 30 years, decided to step down as CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. The announcement came as a bit of a surprise as Ryan was widely celebrated for the successful launch of the PlayStation 5 during the global pandemic. But not all changes were sad goodbyes. Earlier this year, PlayStation released the Access controller, enabling gamers with disabilities to play more comfortably and for extended periods. Using the Access…

The world of board games has come a long way since the days of torturing your friends and family with a never-ending game of Monopoly or fighting over a dictionary in Scrabble. Today, board games appeal to almost every interest. From thrilling crime-solving games that will have you feeling like Sherlock Holmes himself to epic app-based games that let you have a Dungeons & Dragons-like experience without needing a Dungeon Master – there's a board game for everyone. But if you feel more confused than you were watching Lost when it comes to finding a board game you might enjoy, don't worry – we've got you covered with five gems perfect for every skill level. CHRONICLES OF CRIME DIFFICULTY: EASY PLAYER COUNT: 1-4, PLAYS BEST AT 2 PLAYTIME: 60-90 MINUTES…

Naledi Matutoane, known as Androva in the gaming community, is a beacon of diversity and inclusivity in the South African gaming scene. Her journey began in her matric year with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 3, leading to a deep involvement in multiplayer gaming during her university years. As a variety streamer, Androva's content, ranging from streaming how-tos to entertaining gaming experiences, aims to elevate visibility for minorities in gaming. Her passion particularly shines in the League of Legends esports scene. Moreover, her advocacy for female representation in South African gaming, a domain still grappling with sexism, highlights her commitment to creating a more inclusive environment. This award acknowledges her significant role in promoting diversity and representation in gaming. “… Streamer from Joburg, aiming to promote diversity in the local, content creation…

ASUS ROG ALLY PRICE / R13,999 WEBSITE / za.store.asus.com/rog-ally-garjjtng-console The Asus ROG Ally has made a lot of noise since its launch this year, and for hardware geeks like us, there is so much about the ROG Ally that just makes sense. At its core, the ROG Ally is a fully capable pocket computer that runs on the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a for handheld gaming PCs. With onboard AMD RDNA 3 graphics, the Asus ROG Ally can play games at resolutions of 720p and 1080p and up to 120 frames per second – depending on settings, of course – but we found that most games play quite comfortably at 60 fps with plenty of power to boot. What sets the ROG Ally apart from its main competitors is…

We met the local team managing the Thermal Grizzly brand in South Africa in 2022, and ever since, we've been using nothing but Thermal Grizzly paste on our work machines and test benches. This is one of the few brands dedicated to thermal conductivity, and for gamers like us who want to get the best performance from our gaming computers, we choose only liquid metal for our office rigs. Thermal Grizzly has an entire range from entry-level to high-end thermal compounds, and there are even thermal pads that you can use if you want to “upgrade” your gaming notebook. Check out thermal-grizzly.co.za/ for more info on the range. FUN FACT / Playing video games increases creativity, enables more detailed sight, improves concentration and makes people happier.…

A few years back, Microsoft said Windows 10 would be the last operating system ever. Since then, Windows 11 has adorned our desktop screens with what most of us deem a decent upgrade from previous versions. Now, in leaked FTC documents, it seems Microsoft is already looking at ways to take its Windows OS to the cloud. This could mean that large-scale cloud-based desktop computers could be in our future. Pair that with cloud gaming, and most consumers may not even need a desktop computer to work and game. FUN FACT / Pigs are the enemies in Angry Birds because swine flu was riding high when the game was being developed.…

By now, you've all heard about that football game where they changed all the weak, little humans that trip over oxygen into gravity-defying, racing machines powered by nitrous and spit. Rocket League, or SocCar as I like to call it, has a booming esports community, and they hosted their World Cup earlier this year in August. Two teams managed to qualify that came from Sub-Saharan Africa, French Class and Limitless, and five of the six players from these teams hail from our lekker, little rainbow nation. Limitless players Gareth “Snowyy” Spiers, David “2Die4” Morgenrood, Ethan “Darth” Deysel, and French Class players Umar “Werty ^^” Rasool and Joshua “Sweaty” Kleynhans made their way to Dusseldorf, Germany this year to take part in the RLCS – World Championship where they had the…

DEVELOPER: SUPERGIANT GAMES GENRE: ROGUE-LIKE / FIGHTING GAME PLATFORMS: PS5 / PS4 / XBONE / XSX / XSS / PC During the height of lockdown, while we were all stuck at home, forced to play games al day – poor us – Supergiant Games officially released Hades. It was a sensational hit that kept players coming back for more, literally. Hades is a rogue-lite game, meaning you're supposed to fail, pull yourself up off the floor and try again. Each time, you gain better knowledge of how the game plays and hopefully have earned enough coins to upgrade yourself a little. This is the gameplay loop of a rogue-lite, and slowly but surely, you progress through the game until you reach the end. What made Hades special was how Supergiant…

Not the best for Xbox. The seemingly never-ending battle over Activision Blizzard resulted in a plethora of leaks, prematurely revealing much of what Xbox had planned for the future. On top of that, 2023 saw declining console sales in every major market and some of the console's most promising titles being delayed or just not panning out as expected (looking at you, Redfall), leaving many to wonder what the future of Xbox will look like in 2024 and beyond. Still, it hasn't been all doom, gloom and Redfall for Xbox. Starfield was finally released in September to a chorus of sighs of relief after gamers had been waiting for it since 2018, and in a year where most of the news surrounding Xbox focused on various struggles, Starfield was a…

Mobile gaming has received a bad rap over the last few years. Not because the devices are incapable or because there aren't good games out there, but because there is so much noise that the really good mobile games often fall through the cracks when casual gamers are looking for something to play. Then there's also the horrible practice of gatcha games that are just out to snatch your hard-earned coins. Fear not doubtful gamer, the future for mobile gaming is looking very bright. Besides the killer games already available for you to play, a slew of new and impressive mobile games are hitting the market in 2024. Many of which are mobile versions of popular PC and console games. To get you eased into the world of mobile gaming,…

Rushka Samuels, better known as RushkaGG, is a visionary in the South African gaming community. Her innovative spirit shone through in 2022 when she organised the country's first women-only gaming event, a groundbreaking move that brought together female gamers in a competitive Apex Legends tournament. This initiative not only fostered a sense of community but also highlighted the talent of women in gaming. Rushka's dedication to showcasing the casual and cosy sides of gaming aligns with her broader goal of spotlighting femme gamers in South Africa, as seen in her annual Women's Day gaming event. Her efforts have not only elevated the profile of female gamers but have also fostered a more inclusive and diverse gaming environment. Rushka's favourite genres, FPS and horror, reflect her dynamic and engaging content creation…

This year, among all the graphics technologies and innovations to highlight, image reconstruction is arguably the most significant. Although initially met with resistance, the future of game engines and graphics cards largely depends on the improvement of image reconstruction in the coming years. Whether it's DLSS, FSR, or XESS, these technologies are here to stay and will continue to improve alongside hardware advancements. The performance headroom they provide allows for more realistic visuals, which would otherwise be unfeasible using traditional methods. The ultimate goal is to produce an image that is free from artifacts and, more importantly, indistinguishable from native resolution or even better than it, where possible. AMD has adopted an algorithmic approach to this, while Nvidia and Intel have chosen to employ machine learning for their solutions. Each…

Philips 5400 LatteGo Coffee Machine R16,999 Freshly ground coffee, perfectly filtered and mixed with the exact right temperature of hot water, seductively poured into your double-walled glass mug, expertly combined with cyclonically foamed milk and all at the touch of a button. Absolute bliss. Or, as Len would put it, “Duh, we all need a Cappuccino to survive the chaos of the NAG office.” LG 77” C3 Series OLED 4K 120Hz Smart Gaming TV R79,999 We all know that the ultimate gaming TV is the LG C Series. Ever since the C1, they've been at the top of their game and the top of everyone's shopping cart when you sort by “Price: Highest First”. That still doesn't mean it wouldn't go nicely along the NAG HQ gaming wall, all 77…

Well, this isn't good news. According to review scores from critics towards the end of 2023, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) is officially the worst-rated game in the franchise's history. The problems emanate from the fact that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III offers an underwhelming experience at best. Gamers are calling the franchise out for resorting to recycled content and lazy development. Let's see how well this news ages in the era of Cyberpunk 2077-two-years-after-launch-edition.…

Much to our excitement. Rain, a South African 4G and 5G data network operator, has partnered with Nvidia to launch the GeForce Now service in South Africa. We had an exclusive hands-on first look at the service during the closed Beta, and we were rather impressed with the offering. Being able to play your own catalogue of Steam, Ubisoft, and Epic Games content – on virtually any device – is a game changer, literally. We'll reserve the final judgment for when we see the monthly costs for this service. Check out www.rain.co.za…

Another South African innovation has hit the market this year, this time, a solution to a quintessential South African problem: Eskom ineptitude. Called Loadshedder, the company currently offers two products with accompanying solar panels that provide cash-strapped South Africans a more affordable solution to install a home-wide battery and inverter solution. Loadshedder, headed up by Managing Director Gary Gillingham, says that the company was founded to give South Africans a cheaper alternative for home-installed battery and inverter solutions, “We wanted to service the people who don't have hundreds of thousands of rands to spend on backup energy solutions.” There are two products available in the range, with a third on the way and possibly in the market by the time you read this. The Loadshedder 2 is the company's entry-level…

ATK Esports is one of South Africa's top gaming organisations; with teams competing in almost every game on the roster, they're one heck of a force to be reckoned with. This year, the Girl Gamer Esports Festival hosted the Africa leg of their series in Cape Town, with opportunities for all-women League of Legends and Counter-Strike teams to test their mettle, where the overall winners will face off against the rest of the world in the Girl Gamer World Finals. ATK fronted teams in both League of Legends and Counter-Strike this year, ATK Valkyrie and ATK Oshun, respectively, and the ladies from both teams absolutely dominated the festival. Going undefeated throughout the weekend, both ATK Valkyrie and ATK Oshun solidify themselves as the best female teams in South Africa, and…

Until recently, many people's impression of Virtual Reality was very static – being able to only stand still and look around virtual worlds, thankfully we've moved on a bit. Now, Virtual Reality is all about letting players interact within virtual worlds and, by using controllers or following movements, allow players to manipulate objects, solve puzzles, or even participate in a fully immersive workout. And all you need to be transported to these stunning, three-dimensional worlds are some high-tech goggles, space and deep pockets. WHAT EXACTLY IS VIRTUAL REALITY? It's been around for years, but only recently has it started to become a household staple. Companies have also started to embrace this technology, with Netflix and Prime Video offering VR movies to those using the Meta Quest 2 so that you…

Yellow Lab Games is a South African-based game development studio that was started in 2020 and has since managed to pull off the type of magic that other indie studios around the world can only dream of. After years of slogging it out, 2023 proved to be Yellow Labs’ busiest and most successful year yet, acquiring an international publisher, jet-setting to both Japan and Germany and winning an award for a game that they haven't even released yet. We've been keeping an eye on their roguelike drummer boy for years, and it's been exciting to watch the company rock it out on the international stage. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Founded in 2021 by Nicholas Hall, David Hecker, and Shane Marks, Yellow Lab Games was born by chance when circumstances gave the trio…

DEVELOPER: PIECES INTERACTIVE GENRE: SURVIVAL HORROR PLATFORMS: PC / PS5 / XSX When Alone in the Dark was released in 1992, it was the first 3D Survival Horror game ever made. It put players in the shoes of a private investigator, Edward Carnby, who went to investigate a haunted house filled with unspeakable horrors. “Alone in the Dark will return in early 2024 as a reboot that aims to take the franchise back to its survival-horror roots to scare a new generation of gamers and returning players alike.” Players needed to solve puzzles while fighting to stay alive to advance through the game, and since its debut, Alone in the Dark has remained a soft spot for all horror lovers. Much of its success is because of how masterfully it…

Rumours have been swirling around for some time now, but it seems it's all but confirmed that 2024 will see the release of Nintendo's new console. By that time, the Switch will be in its 8th year. So, you'd be forgiven for thinking that 2023 (its swansong year) was not going to be a big one for the Hybrid console. However, you'd also be very, very wrong. While, sales have understandably slowed down in some respects, Nintendo's latest fiscal results (released in November) were staggering. The Switch continued to sell very well, with total sales surpassing 132.4 million – easily making it the third best-selling console of all time (behind just the PS2 and the DS). On top of that, the latest software results confirmed that almost every single Nintendo…

/ Doom (1993) and Quake (1996) were very popular in this regard, not only for the addictive gameplay, but gamers were able to modify it to their liking if they tinkered with the game files. Doom was one of the first games that had a thriving modding community, and many of the biggest mods made their way into the retail version of the game. In 1996, a clan called the Rangers produced a story-driven short called Diary of a Camper (check it out on YouTube) that was shared as a Quake demo file. These are two of the major events that led to the massive online communities driving game modifications today. Now, modding has become consumer-friendly, with loads of tools on the market to make the job easier and many…

DEVELOPER: WIZARDS OF THE COAST GENRE: FANTASY TABLETOP RPG PLATFORMS: TABLES / FLAT SURFACES Dungeons & Dragons is more than just a world to explore in Baldur's Gate 3 or something to be intrigued by after watching Stranger Things. Instead, it's a vast and sprawling game filled to the brim with rich lore and endless tales that's been around since the 70s and has arguably never been more popular than it is today. But with this newfound surge in popularity comes a rise in new players wanting to learn how to play the game, previously reserved for only the darkest and dankest of basements. Thankfully, getting into Dungeons & Dragons for the first time isn't half as daunting or intimidating as it might seem. At its core, Dungeons & Dragons is…

Pippa Tshabalala, a revered figure in South Africa's gaming scene, is a fitting recipient of the “Pioneer of Play Award.” As the host of “The Verge,” South Africa's first locally produced TV show on video games, Pippa has been a pioneering force in gaming media. Her journey, rooted in a childhood love for games, led to her influential role in broadcasting and advocacy for inclusivity in gaming. Balancing her TV industry career with a deep passion for gaming, Pippa continues to be a prominent voice, championing diversity and pushing for an equitable gaming environment. Her contributions have significantly shaped South Africa's gaming landscape. “I have photos of me playing games in nappies.” Games of Choice? This is hard. I'm mostly an RPG girl, so I must include The Witcher (series,…

Luca Tucconi, famed as RoBoHoBo, stands as a pioneering force in South Africa's gaming scene. His accolade as the first Twitch partner in the country marks a significant milestone in the evolution of streaming culture. Shifting from competitive Call of Duty gameplay to content creation for Bravado Gaming, Tucconi exemplifies versatility and expertise in the gaming arena. His background in marketing and project management with Red Bull South Africa and ORENA has been instrumental in orchestrating major esports events in the region, firmly establishing him as a key influencer and strategist in the world of gaming. “…Tucconi exemplifies versatility and expertise in the gaming arena.” Games of Choice? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Metal Gear Solid (PS1), Final Fantasy VIII (It was very hard to choose between VII and…

You have just stumbled upon some of the most drool-worthy pages in this magazine. Upon it you will find the specification list for the gaming PC that we deem the most worthy of worthy gaming rigs. This is the gaming computer we would buy if we had the bank balance to cover the card swipe. Our criteria for choosing these components go beyond simple performance, these products are simply exceptional. The NAG Dream Machine 2023 can handle the latest games in native 4K Gaming or Ultra-Wide 5K gaming, render 8k video with ease, and let you be the envy of your squad. What would this wonderful experience set you back? Well, don't ask questions you don't really want the answers to. The price for the NAG Dream Machine is a…