Taking Shanghai: HP Reveals All..

Taking
Shanghai
HP reveals all...
I S S U E 2 0 / Vo l . 2
Ju n e 2 0 1 2
w w w. g l a d ge t m ag . c o m
Diablo 3
Max Payne 3
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Sniper Elite V2
Resistance: Burning Skies
and more...
To Hell...
Evil returns in Diablo 3
The Payne
Max Payne is back!
Silent Killers
High-tech warfare in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
I S S U E 3 6 / Vo l . 3
Ju n e 2 0 1 2
w w w. g a m e c c a m ag . c o m
www.gameccamag.com
Taking fun seriously!
Inside
THIS MONTHS COVER
HP are working on making
computing available to all...
See the feature on page 8
6 From the Editor
8 Taking Shanghai
HPs Global Influencer Summit 2012
18 Photography Primer
Strapped for time...
36 Reviews
Three graphics cards, and more...
70 DVD Seen
Some new movies for the collection
78 Money to Burn
A bit of history?
80 Inner Workings
Making faces...
82 PC Builder
RAM essentials...
gladget contents issue 20 June 2012
Reviews
38
MSI R6970 Lightning Graphics Card
40
HP Compaq 8200 Elite All-In-One Business PC

GLADGET Volume 2 Issue 20
June 2012
42
MSI Z77A-G45 Motherboard
44
Epson Home Cinema EH-TW9000W Projector
46
MSI N570GTX Graphics Card
48
Logitech Mini Boombox
50
MSI R7970 2PMD3GD5 Graphics Card
Editor:
Walt Pretorius
walt@1337-media.com
Writers:
Alex Scanlon
Charlie Fripp
Dylan Bouch
Rob Edwards
Letters:
letters@gladgetmag.com
Competition Entries:
competitions@gladgetmag.com
Newsletter Subscriptions:
www.gladgetmag.com
Design & Photography:
Katia Taliadoros
Marketing Contact:
Katia Taliadoros
katia@1337-media.com
52
Apacer Black Panther DDR3-1600 RAM
54
Diablo 3 (PC)
60
Max Payne 3 (X360)
technology. simply.
CREATED USING
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
64
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (PS3)
68
Resistance: Burning Skies (PSV)
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GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA
gladget contents issue 20 June 2012
Copyright 1337 Media CC 2009 - 2012
Shanghaied!
From the Editor
by Walt Pretorius
t has been a busy month for the

Gladget Crew. And it all started
out with a trip to Shanghai. I
must be honest; while overseas trips
are something that happen quite a
bit in this game, Shanghai wasnt a
city that I ever thought I would visit.
Theres something mystical about the
idea, because the city has been used
so often as a place of mystery and
intrigue.
In truth, it is a place of massive
sky-scrapers, weird architecture,
smog, tons of people and immense
energy. The ancient and modern rub
shoulders here, in one of the most
populated places on the planet. And
amid all of this, HP held their Global
Influencer Summit 2012, which was
the reason we were there. Check out
the feature on page 8.
We will be running a few more
features based on this event in the
coming months, because it wasnt

just about new products. Journalists
from around the globe were treated
to inside looks at the way HP thinks
and operates, all of which is really
rather interesting.
On a personal note, if youre
planning a trip to visit the Far East,
Shanghai is something of a mustsee city. From the financial towers
of the Pudong district through to the
ancient Old Shanghai City, there is
a lot to see, do and experience here.
And get your haggling skills in order,
because shopping in Shanghai is all
about negotiation. Assisted by pocket
calculators and driven by a desire to
make a sale, shop keepers in certain
areas of the city can be bargained
with to a massive degree. In fact, if
you dont get a huge discount, youre
probably being ripped off.
And while you are there, be sure
to check out the Yuyuan Gardens

and City God Temple, a working
Taoist temple dedicated to the god of
Shanghai. Our photography section
this month is a rather extensive
collection of pics taken on a dash
through the Yuyuan Gardens free
time is always a little limited on these
kinds of trips, unfortunately.
Back home, the technology market
is a little quiet still, as many new
products are poised for release but
havent seen the light of day just
yet. Still, we have managed to put
together a bunch of reviews for you.
The issue has a rather strong PC
flavour this month, and includes three
graphic card reviews.
Before we head off into the
issue, a quick thanks to HP and
Bairds Renaissance, who were
behind us getting to Shanghai.
Great job, guys! g
gladget column issue 20 June 2012
Feature
gladget feature issue 20 June 2012
Taking
Shanghai
HPs Global Influencer Summit 2012

by Walt Pretorius
Were very proud of the things

that we have done well. And were
very proud of the fact that weve
earned our customers trust and
their business. It has made HP the
clear leader in both printing and
personal computers. Were using
that position of strength as an
opportunity to define the markets
where we compete.
Steve Hoffman
hen the view outside your hotel

window shows you ferries and
barges plying their way on the
Huangpu river, with the historic Bund district
reflected in its waters, you know that youre in
one of the worlds largest and most populous
cities: Shanghai. This massive metropolitan
area in Eastern China is a thriving hive of
activity, where ancient buildings rub shoulders
with modern glass behemoths to create an
atmosphere that is energetically charged, and a
skyline that is unmistakable.
Amid the hustle and bustle of this dynamic
city, HP presented their Global Influencer
Summit 2012. Held at the Shanghai Expo
Centre, in the business-oriented Pudong
district, the event hosted scores of attendees
from around the globe. Over two days, HP took
the opportunity to unveil some new products,
as well as discuss their global strategies,
with particular attention paid to the booming
Chinese market.
With numerous products unveiled, as well as
break-out tracks dealing with various aspects
of HPs business (ranging from industrial
design and testing through to case studies
performed on the effect of printing on the lives
of ordinary people), the event displayed not
only what HP will be bringing to the market in
the next few weeks and months, but also gave
a glimpse into the companys philosophy.
David Packard very famously said once
that market share leadership can never be
objective; it is the result of doing many things
well, Steve Hoffman, Vice President and
Chief of Staff, Printing and Personal Systems,
said during the final presentation. Were very
proud of the things that we have done well.
And were very proud of the fact that weve
earned our customers trust and their business.
It has made HP the clear leader in both printing
and personal computers. Were using that
position of strength as an opportunity to define
the markets where we compete.
And competition seems to be what drives
the company forward. Naming many business
and technology partners, Hoffman went on to
explain that the company relies on innovation
to strengthen their position in the market, and
maintain previous victories.
We have the ability to listen to our
customers, be inspired by them, and drive
innovation in the market, he said.
This aspect of the business is very clearly
seen in the range of Ultrabooks that HP
10
11
12
Steve Hoffman
will be producing over the next few months.

The introduction of product lines like the HP
Spectre, HP Envy and HP Folio will help secure
their presence in this exciting new notebook
trend. The Spectre and Envy lines, for example,
will all feature Beats Audio, a high performance
technology developed by HP in collaboration
with musician Dr Dre. HP CoolSense
technology will help keep the units cooler
by adjusting performance and fan speeds.
ImagePad implementation will ensure precise
multi-fingert touch and gesture recognition (in
time for the release of the anticipated Windows
8) and high-definition images will be made
possible using HP TrueVision HD Webcams.
Even the convenience of a backlit keyboard will
be available to users of the Spectre and Envy
lines.
The all-metal Spectre features a closed
width of 14.5mm and a weight of only 1.395kg,
making it an extremely portable device. This is
supported by a battery life of up to eight hours,
as well as a clear 13.3 inch display and a wide
array of ports, including Ethernet, USB3.0 and
HDMI. Part of the weight reduction results
from 256GB of solid state storage, which will
also deliver faster performance.
The Envy range is made up of both
Ultrabooks and Sleekbooks, a term that HP is
using for devices that fall into a middle-ground
between Ultrabooks and more traditional
notebooks. With sizes ranging from 19.8mm
when closed and a weight of 1.79kg, the Envy
Ultrabooks and Sleekbooks offer screen sizes
of either 14 or 15.6 inches, with battery lives of
up to eight or nine hours, respectively. Because
they play in a wider field, they also feature subwoofers to compliment the built-in Beats audio,
making them more than just workhorses.
The Spectre and Envy ranges should be
available this month.
Innovation needs to start somewhere though,
and despite the fact that HP have, historically,
been responsible for many new ideas and
technologies, keeping innovation rolling is a
challenging task in the modern world. To this
end, HP Labs work on new ideas that will keep
the company more than current.
John Apostolopoulos, Director, Mobile &
Immersive Experience Lab, HP Labs, gave an
insight into the research and development that
goes into the products HP produce.
HP Labs is the Central research arm of the
Hewlett Packard company, he explained. Very
few companies in the world have a research
13
14
Jacob Rosenberg
lab. We work very closely with our business

unit to make innovation that matters.
Youre probably familiar with some of the
innovations from HP Labs, but there are other
innovations that you use every day that you
dont know come from HP Labs. For example,
many of you flew here and, as soon as you
landed, you wanted to use your smart phone
to check email, use GPS to find your location.
Well, the reason those things work are because
of technologies created at HP Labs. Another
invention you may be familiar with is the pocket
calculator. That helped make mathematical
calculation affordable, and accessible to many
more people around the world.
But it was the upcoming innovations that
he mentioned that were truly exciting. Two
in particular stood out; the memristor and
flexible screens. Memristors, basically, combine
resistors necessary for virtually every
electronic device with memory storage,
offering the potential for massive storage at
a fraction of the space. And flexible screen
technology well, almost indestructible,
flexible screens may well be a wave of the
future and not as far flung a future as you
may think.
Another technology mentioned by
Apostolopoulos was eprint, the recent
innovation made by HP that allows people
to print from anywhere that they can email
from. However, the printer is still bound to a
location in this case, which is where the newly
announced HP Officejet 150 Mobile All-InOne makes quite a difference. First shown
during the opening presentations by John
Solomon, Senior Vice President, HP Imaging
and Printing Group, the Officejet 150 offers
the perfect solution for those who need to
take their printing, scanning and copying with
them wherever they go. A Blurtooth system
will allow connectivity with a wide variety of
devices, while the rechargeable lithium-ion
battery will provide enough charge for 500
pages of printing.
Also unveiled by Solomon was the HP
LaserJet Enterprise 500 MFP M525, a large
multi-function printer that sports a massive
20.32cm full colour LCD touch screen. This
screen will allow this business printers users
to edit, zoom and preview images before
printing, as well as giving access to a wide
variety of HP Quick Sets functions, for fast,
streamlined workflows.
Both of these devices will be available within
15
16
Ryan Friedlinghaus
this month.
As part of the overall presentation, HP
called on well-known personalities to deliver
testimonials regarding their experiences with
HP products. Film-maker Jacob Rosenberg,
the Director, CTO and Partner of Bandito
Brothers, explained how HP assisted him to
work effectively in the field. Fashion designer
and former Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Anya
Ayoung-Chee, told of how she uses HP
products to allow not only effective workflow,
but also to express her design creativity. Car
modification expert and CEO of West Coast
Customs, Ryan Friedlinghaus, explained how
HP devices fitted into the process and
workspace of his operation.
HP had news for them, too, in the form of
the HP Z220 Workstations, customisable and
powerful workhorses that will be able to handle
all tasks given them, including video editing,
mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD),
architecture engineering construction (AEC),
education, healthcare and government. In fact,
the Z220 range are designed to fill gaps where
standard PC computing is reaching its limits.
For those on the go, the HP EliteBook 8770w
offers similar power in a portable package. The
generous 17.3 inch display will allow for even
the most demaniding on-site work situations to
be handled beautifully. Those needing a little
more portability without compromising power
can look at the 15.6 inch screen 8570w, or
the 14 screen 8470w. These powerful mobile
solutions can handle the most arduous of task,
including video editing, post production, 3D
animation and audio production. All should be
available within the next few months.
Over the two days, HP showed a dedication
to innovation and growing the global PC
market by delivering reliable and powerful
devices to all territories. They also affording
attendees a valuable look into the companys
ideas and methods, which we will look at in
subsequent issues of Gladget.
HP have aspired to be market leaders, and
their showing in Shanghai went a long way to
show why they have the powerful position they
enjoy. Smart products and driving technology
forward are hallmarks of this leading company,
and the Global Influencer Summit 2012
showed that, as well as making promises for
many exciting developments to come from
these industry veterans, across all fields of
computing. g
17
Photography Primer
A Nick of Time
Sometimes the luxury of planning each shot
simply doesnt exist.
by Walt Pretorius
18
gladget regular issue 20 June 2012
PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
once heard someone say that a real

photographer never uses automatic camera
settings. I strongly disagree. Its a bit more
complicated than that.
A real photographer knows what the different
elements of taking a photograph are, and how
to use them when trying to create the perfect
photograph. But they also know when they
need to forego the luxury of time, and when
automatic settings will enable them to capture
images that cannot be planned.
See, getting the perfect photograph can take
a lot of time, but when you dont have it, you
need to make do using either fully automatic
settings, or making use of priority settings (like
aperture or shutter speed priority) to get the
job done.
A recent trip to China afforded one hour
to take photographs in the Yuyuan Gardens,
a famous site in Shanghai. This labyrinthine
complex was built around 500 years ago,
and is a photographers paradise, thanks to
the incredible mixture of architecture, water
and flora. One hour is not a lot of time to see
everything on offer, let alone take as many
photographs as possible of what may well
be a once in a lifetime experience. And not
taking photographs here would be the ultimate
photographic sin
Even if time had been less limited, automated
settings are important in a site like this; the
Gardens are literally crawling with tourists.
The few seconds it might take to make an
adjustment may mean the difference between
a clean photograph and one featuring a tour
group. Sure, you can wait for them to clear out,
but once again this particular trip was on
a very tight schedule. Every second counts in
these situations.
It is a good idea to carry extra memory cards
and shoot photographs in RAW format under
these conditions. While the files may be larger
(hence the need for extra memory cards) they
can be adjusted and tweaked more effectively.
All of the following images were shot with
automated settings (most being either fully
automatic, or with aperture priority). g
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
Adobe CS5
MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
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MASTER SUITE
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Photography Primer
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PRESENTED BY
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Reviews
Highlights
38 MSI R6970 Lightning
Graphics Card
An awesome mid-fielder
40 HP Compaq 8200 Elite
All-In-One Business PC
Save space, preserve power
44 Epson Home Cinema
EH-TW9000W Projector
3D projection
52 Apacer Black Panther
DDR3-1600 RAM
Super-RAM
hile it might have been a busy month at Gladgets

offices, the hardware industry seems to be really
rather quiet...
Still, we have brought you a number of reviews, with a strong
PC flavour. From all-in-one PC systems to top notch RAM, and
a whole bunch in-between, you will find it all in this issue of
Gladget g
36
gladget review issue 20 June 2012
Distributed Exclusively by Apex Interactive Tel: (011) 796 5040 www.apexint.co.za Email: sales@apexint.co.za All rights and trademarks and logos are copyright of their respective owners.
www.apexactive.co.za
MSI R6970 Lightning Graphics Card
Bolting!
A fast and powerful graphics option

by Walt Pretorius
raphics cards are not hard to find these days.

There are a great many makes out there,
although they all rely on only two chipset
manufacturers to power their basic architecture AMD
Radeon or Nvidia. In essence, though, a chip is a chip.
Whether you are an AMD or Nvidia fan is really up to
you (fans of either make will sing praises of their chosen
brand, while maligning the other, of course). What is
almost more important than the chipset, these days,
is who is behind building that chipset into the board
that you will put into your PC. And to that end, there
are many players, all claiming to make the best brand
around.
See, while the chipset delivers the core performance
of a graphics card, it is the bells and whistles added by
manufacturers that make the real difference these
peripheral technologies can have a massive effect on
the cards performance.
MSI manage to make a very solid graphics card
offering, with a wide variety to choose from (we have
38
three on review in this issue.) They also manage to fall

into a price category that is quite reasonable, when cards
bearing specific chipsets are compared to others from
competing manufacturers. Theyre not the cheapest, but
they certainly arent the most expensive, either.
Take, for example, the R6970 Lightning. This card is
well priced, for whats youre getting, and delivers an
exceptionally good performance.
With a Radeon 6970 chipset at its core, this monster
sports 2GB of GDDR5 memory, which is around double
what most other manufacturers put onto their cards.
Weve seen more on MSI cards, but this number certainly
is respectable. Even 1GB is respectable. But that added
RAM gives the performance of this card quite a boost.
With more power comes more heat, of course, but this
card has twin fans (using the Twin Frozr III specification) as
well as a nickel-plated copper base, 8mm heat pipes and
an increased heat dissipation area thanks to high density
fins. The fans themselves also have a unique structure,
which adds even more cooling power.
g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e i s s u e 2 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
This all means, of course, that the card is big. Really big.
Its not a mammoth, but it is certainly one of the bigger
cards we have seen in a while.
Added heat dissipation and military spec components,
including solid capacitors, super ferrite chokes and highlyconductive capacitors mean that this particular GPU is
great for overclockers. This is supported by the inclusion
of MSIs Power 4 architecture and included Afterburner
technology, which allows the user to overclock pretty much
on the fly.
We have no complaints about this card. Sure, it isnt
cheap by most standards, but the price isnt unreasonable
by comparison, and seeing the performance that this card
has to offer is enough to make you eye the piggy-bank
and hammer meaningfully. You could do far worse than the
smooth frame rates and generally cool operation that this
device offers. Even under strain, the temperatures that it
generates are far from alarming.
If AMD is your flavour and you want a card with a ballsy
service delivery, this is a great option. g
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Excellent
performance
Runs cool
CONS:
A little pricey
Manufacturer: MSI
Distributor: Pinnacle Africa
Online: www.pinnacle.co.za
RRP: R4845
TECH SPECS:
Radeon 6970
chipset
2GB VRAM
2 x DVI
2 x mini
Displayport
HDMI out
Twin Frozr III
Score
A little more expensive, but still a

great option for Radeon fans.
85
39
HP Compaq 8200 Elite All-In-One Business PC
One Piece
OK, three with the mouse and keyboard

by Rob Edwards
pace is often an issue these days, whether at

home or at work. We end up using so much with
everything we clutter our existences with that
sometimes just sometimes there isnt enough space
for the really important stuff. What is important varies
from person to person, of course, but for us hardware
junkies, a PC is pretty important. But what if the PC
can save space as well?
That seems to be a question that HP asked. We are
seeing a number of All-In-One PC solutions come from
that company, including the Z1 Workstation (which
we hope to be able to review soon) and this, the HP
Compaq 8200 Elite All-In-One Business PC. Thats
quite a mouthful, but it really is the most space this
device will take up.
All-In-Ones are a sort of hybrid between desktops and
notebooks; theyre designed to sit on a desk, and do
not have integrated input devices. But they pretty much
have everything else built into a single unit. They look,
40
for all intents and purposes, like really big monitors, but
they are so much more.
Powered by a second generation Intel processor (i3, i5 or
i7) this PC has power, as well as performance granted by
up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM. Hard drive storage comes in a
variety of flavours, with up to 1TB available as a hard disk,
160GB as solid state or 320GB self-encrypting.
The most prominent feature is the 23 inch, full HD LCD
screen, which really dominated the visual aspect of the
design. There is a web cam mounted at the top, and a
sturdy stand that allows from -5 to 25 degrees of tilt in
the vertical plane. Along with that comes a set of internal
stereo speakers, as well as headphone and microphone
jacks.
All the bells and whistles are built into the same housing
as the screen, and are accessible from the sides of the
unit. These include the likes of a Blu-ray combo drive,
a 6-in-1 card reader, 7 USB ports (three of which are
USB2.0 built into the sides, and four are standard USB
built into the rear) a LAN connection port, and so on.

Basically, everything that would be required for effective
computing.
Its not really the kind of PC youre going to try run
games on, as the name implies. And, quite frankly, it lacks
punch in certain areas, that make it more of an office PC
than a creative PC (a gap that the Z1 fills.) But, as such, it
is an excellent device.
Having made laptops for years has taught HP a lot about
compact computing, and that knowledge shows here.
While not as compact as a notebook, it also has a bit more
punch. This hybrid idea is great for those that want to save
space without compromising performance, although the
other end of the scale is that it is not as versatile (in terms
of hardware) as a normal desktop PC. That shouldnt
matter, though if you choose your initial set-up correctly,
you will not run into any problems.
A great space saver, packed with HP reliability. g
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Space saver
Good performer
Nice screen size
CONS:
Not very
expandable
Manufacturer: HP
Distributor: HP
Online: www.hp.co.za
RRP: R12 499
TECH SPECS:
Intel 2nd
generation CPU
Up to 8GB RAM
Up to 1TB HDD
23 screen
7 USB ports
Webcam
Score
A good option for those who

want to save space without
compromising on performance.
89
41
MSI Z77A-G45 Motherboard
All-Rounder
A motherboard for all seasons
by Alex Scanlon
erformance motherboards are seeing a blurring

of the lines. While, once upon a time, there were
almost tangible distinctions between various
classes of motherboard like gaming boards those
lines are quickly becoming less easy to define. Take,
for example, MSIs Z77A-G45 motherboard. It is,
at a glance, more of a multipurpose board. But the
performance of the device keeps it very viable as a
strong gaming board, too.
Sure, it is not a focussed gaming board, and there are
still focussed gaming boards out there, but someone
who wants their PC to do more than run the latest
games wont go wrong with this device. Even those who
dont play games will find merit in this mobo not least
of which will stem from the on-board graphics option,
which eliminates the need for a dedicated graphics card,
and thereby lessens the system cost considerably.
The watchword for this board really is ease of use,
combined with solid performance and reliability. The
ease of use stems from things like the mouse driven
42
Click-BIOS II and Control Centre II instant overclocking

system (supported by OC Genie II technology), while
reliability comes from military class III components(MSIs
usual collection of solid capacitors and super-ferrite
chokes among them.)
With overclocking having such a strong relation to
gaming, theres no surprise that the Z77A-G45 throws
gamers another bone, too. This comes in the form of
PCI Express Gen III, which allows for a blazing 32 GB
per second transfer speed via a dedicated PCI Express
expansion slot on the board.
More speed is also squeezed out of its two front and two
rear USB3.0 ports, as well as the two included SATA 6
ports (all in addition to the expected USB2.0 and SATA 4
ports, of course.)
Ports abound on the board, too; video output is handled
by D-Sub, DVI and HDMI ports, while 7.1 audio is
provided on-board, too, partnered with THX TruStudio
Pro technology. The back of the board is a little shy on
USB2.0 ports, with only four rear ports on offer, but the
two USB3.0 ports do make up for that. LAN and optical

audio ports are also provided, but these are pretty much a
standard for any motherboard these days.
Quite simply, this is a fine all-rounder. It possibly lacks
some of the focus that dedicated motherboards have on
offer, but this is hardly noticeable. The military class III
components are a nice touch, and the single PCI Express
Gen III expansion slot is awesome, provided your graphics
card is worth the effort.
And it is a board that should last you long after your
next upgrade is due, with a claimed life of 12 years under
strain, and 40 years under normal load. That all depends
on how much overclocking youre planning to do, of
course.
The fact that it is an Intel socket 1155 compatible device
also adds versatility to an already great all-rounder, with
compatibility with a number of processor builds (i3, i5
and i7) meaning that the user can really make this board
exactly what they need it to be. And thats never a bad
thing. g
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Versatile
Good performer
User friendly
CONS:
Not focussed
Manufacturer: MSI
RRP: R1899
TECH SPECS:
Socket 1155
4 x USB3.0
2 x SATA 6
DVI output
HDMI output
1 x PCI Express
Gen III
Score
This motherboard will take care

of all your PC computing needs
beautifully
85
43
Epson Home Cinema EH-TW9000W Projector
3D!
A big projector, in all senses of the word

by Rob Edwards
o you need a big picture, for whatever reason?

Well, a projector is a good choice in those cases,
provided your set-up supports a protected
display, rather than a more traditional screen display.
But what about 3D?
Not everyone likes 3D. I must admit, it isnt my
favourite way to view well, anything, really. I avoid
3D movies, and I seldom play video games or watch
Bluray disks in 3D. But there are a lot of people who do,
and those that want to make the change to projector
viewing dont have too many choices in that regard.
Epson, though, has a solution.
We have seen many Epson projectors before, and
they are all generally great quality. The Home Cinema
EH-TW9000W is no different. It provides the viewer
with exceptional image quality and then takes things
further. This projector is capable of 3D. Yep, a 3D
projector.
In the box you will find, in addition to the huge
projector unit (and we mean huge) two pairs of
44
powered 3D glasses. One would assume that, seeing as

how cinemas (and LG screens, thanks to their Cinema
3D technology) dont need powered glasses that a 3D
projector wouldnt either. Oh, well. Theyre not ideal, but
they do the job really well, when all is said and done.
The projector can become an integral part of a hime
entertainment system, as the name implies. This is thanks
to a large variety of signal input ports, ranging from HDMI
through to component cable and PC inputs. This kind of
versatility is priceless, particularly when you consider
that this projector makes for a rather steep financial
investment. No projector is cheap, but this behemoth is
one of the pricier weve seen from Epson.
The visuals are powered by a 3LCD system, which
delivers full HD 1080p images. Image quality is supported
by ultra high contrast and DeepBlack technology,
delivering better than expected projector visuals. It
can also project in daylight, thanks to its 2 400 lm
colour output. It can also be used vertically (although
were not sure why) and two image sources can be
viewed simultaneously, thanks to a form of split-screen

technology. It even has a 2D to 3D conversion system, is
compatible with wide screen and supports numerous 3D
sources.
In short, it is a very fine projector indeed, no matter if
youre viewing 2D or 3D images. It also has a wider degree
of forgiveness for varying conditions, and its daylight
performance is farbetter than one might expect from a
projector.
But it has two major downfalls. The first is the price,
which is really not something that is unexpected. As said
before, projectors are expensive, and this one has a lot
more tech built in that the run-of-the-mill device. The other
is size. It really is huge and heavy. It is not the kind of
projector youre going to want to transport, because that
would simply be a massive pain. Then again, it is not the
kind of projector you get hold of with that purpose in mind
this baby is designed to be set up and left there.
If you have the cash and the inclination, this is a superb
device. g
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Great image
Versatile
Powerful
CONS:
Big
Expensive
Powered glasses
Manufacturer: Epson
Distributor: Epson
Online: www.epson.com
RRP: R38 209
TECH SPECS:
3D
3 LCD
DeepBlack
technology
2 400 lm
Multiple inputs
Full HD
Score
Its big and powerful, and the

images look great in 2D and 3D
90
45
MSI N570GTX Graphics Card
Cooler
A more affordable Nvidia option

by Walt Pretorius
he graphics card market is extremely hot at the

moment. Actually, it always has been. And it is
dominated, in part, by two major players, in the
form of Nvidia and AMD Radeon. But their dominance
comes with the help of manufacturers who build their
chipsets into the cards themselves. Without these
palyers, the end-user would have far fewe choices.
Heres a card for those who prefer their cards to be
Nvidia flavoured. Now call me a fence sitter, but I find
merit in both manufacturers, with each offering slight
variations(like AMDs Eyefinity and Nvidias physics
and 3D support). But, if you are going to get picky, and
Nvidia is your thing, MSIs N570GTX is a pretty good
way to go.
Sure, it lacks the 3GB of RAM and punchier
performance of the N590GTX we looked at a while
back, but lets be honest a 570 chipset and 1.28GBof
GDDR5 are nothing to sneeze at these days.
The card makes use of MSIs newish Twin Frozr III
technology, which delivers around 40% better cooling
46
than Twin Frozr II. This is, in part, due to the propeller
design used in the twin cooling fans that this baby
sports. They deliver around 20% more airflow, thanks to
a whole bunch of clever engineering, which means better
circulation and, ultimately, cooler operation. The fans can
also be set in two modes; Performance, for maximum
cooling, and Silence, for a balance between noise and
heat. Is the card gets very hot, the fans will kick up a
bit more racket, tough keeping the card from frying is
more important than you being able to hear the birds sing
outside your window, after all.
Further cooling is provided by multiple heat pipes and a
high-density heat sink, which effectively increases the area
that heat can dissipate from.
In addition, the card features a direct contact design,
which allows the heat to travel the shortest possible
distance when moving away from the processor. The base
plate is made of nickel plated copper, which works well in
moving the heat away.
So, with a performance that is generally cooler than
chipset manufacturer reference devices, the N570GTX is

primed for overclocking. This is further supported by MSIs
usual use of military class II components, including solid
capacitors, super ferrite chokes and highly-conductive
capacitors. These are pretty much an MSI standard, but
they do make a difference.
Overclocking is made easy with the included Afterburner
software, which allows for overclocking of the GPU,
memory and PLL all of which add up to a highly
improved performance.
This isnt the most powerful card we have seen from
MSI, but it does strike an excellent balance between price
and performance. It is also a reasonable size, which means
better overall airflow in your PC case never a bad thing.
It runs on a mimimum of a 550 watt power supply, which is
also pretty good for those who cannot upgrade everything
including the kitchen sink.
It is a versatile and capable card, when all is said and
done, and one that wont break the bank quite as harshly
as other models. A solid option for Nvidia fans g
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Good price
Great
performance
Runs cool
CONS:
More VRAM
would be nice
TECH SPECS:
Nvidia 570 GPU

Twin Frozr III
1280MB VRAM
2x DVI
Midi HDMI output
Manufacturer: MSI
RRP: R3799
Score
It may not have tons of VRAM, but

a 570 GPU is nothing to sneeze at
82
47
Logitech Mini Boombox
Boomin!
Better audio on-the-go...
by Alex Scanlon
eople love taking their music with them. We

have noted this before just like we have
complained before about those folks who seem
to think that the speaker on their smart phone is a good
way to share music. Its not. Its annoying.
Rather get yourself one of these there are a number
of good reasons for it. One, its made by Logitech, and
they know their stuff when it comes to audio. The sound
on this diminutive device is great. Next off, its Blue
Tooth enables, which means that any device capable of
Blue Tooth connection tablets, smart phones, laptops
and so on can be paired with it, for better audio
delivery. Thirdly, it has a speaker-phone built in.
There are also things like the ten hour battery life
from the rechargeable battery and the small size making
it extremely portable. It even has an auxiliary jack for
non-Blue Tooth devices, adding lots of versatility.
Seriously, dump the smart-phone speaker and save
up for one of these. I, for one, would be happier hearing
your choice of music decently reproduced, at very
least.g
48
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Good sound
Versatile
Stylish
CONS:
None, really
TECH SPECS:
Blue Tooth
Enabled
Rechargeable
Auxiliary input
Speaker phone
Manufacturer: Logitech
Distributor: Logitech
Online: www.logitech.com
RRP: TBC
Score
A far better option than your smart

phone speaker, and versatile too!
80
MSI R7970 2PMD3GD5 Graphics Card
For Everyone
A graphics card that suits all tasks perfectly

by Walt Pretorius
ost graphics cards have a very distinct gaming

focus. It doesnt matter what chipset they are
running be it AMD Radeon or NVidia. They
are there to get the highest frame rates out of modern
video games. And theres nothing wrong with that; the
video game market is a mammoth industry, and even
if there has been something of a decline in PC based
video gaming (overseas, at least, because it is still very
strong here in South Africa) there are millions of people
playing video games on the PC platform, and upgrading
their PCs on a more-or-less regular basis as a result.
So the drive for better graphic processor chipsets and
the accompanying cards is pretty much constant. But
video gamers arent the only people who need high-end
graphic performance. Many industries and enthusiasts
also need the power of a good graphics card.
Judging by the packaging, thats partially where MSIs
R7970 2PMD3GD5 graphics card is aimed. It sports
a powerful Radeon 7970 chipset, supported by a very
50
generous 3GB of GDDR5 RAM. Thats performance right

there, and no gamer would turn their nose up at those
basic specifications. However, this card offers a lot more
than just gaming performance.
The biggest, most obvious difference between this card
and the other two we review this month is the fact that it
doesnt make use of MSIs Twin Frozr III cooling system.
Rather than two large fans, this card only has one, which
looks more like a turbine than a fan, quite honestly. The
casing is also very different even the packaging is more
down-played. And when you flip it over and look at the
cards features on the back of the box, you get even more
of the idea that this card is meant for multi-purpose use,
as opposed to being focussed on video games.
It supports real-time video capture, for example, which is
not really something that gamers will be after, necessarily.
In addition, it can be controlled wirelessly by Android and
iOS devices were guessing thats to use some of the
cards other functions. No gaming application there, really.
Whatever the case may be, this is still a very powerful

graphics card, no matter what the application may be.
Another missing component that weve grown used to with
MSI (at least according t the documentation) is military class
components. That said, it does make use of solid capacitors,
so the assumption that all the usual bells and whistles are
present is probably a safe one. Either way, these capacitors
help prolong the devices life, to a claimed 12 years under
strain and 40 years running normally. And, as to be expected,
it is overclockable, with a relatively easy tweak to the GPU
voltage delivering a lot more power. The overclocking is
supported by MSIs easy-to-use Afterburner software, which
makes squeezing a little more juice out of the card a doddle.
On the downside there is always a downside the
card only has one DVI port. Still, it makes use of Eyefinity
technology, so there are 2 mini DisplayPorts on board, as
well as HDMI output.
It is an expensive card, but it does perform all round tasks
well. g
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Powerful
Looks good
Various functions
CONS:
1 DVI port
Expensive
Manufacturer: MSI
RRP: R6549
TECH SPECS:
Radeon
7970chipset
3GB GDDR5 RAM
2 x mini
DisplayPort
HDMI out
1 x DVI
Real-time video
capture
Score
Its very capable, if a bit expensive,

with tons of power on offer
88
51
Apacer Black Panther DDR3-1600 RAM
Stealthy
WFast and efficient, Just like its namesake

by Alex Scanlon
AM is RAM, right? Wrong! The assumption

that all RAM is created equal can lead to more
than just a little heartache. This is particularly
true if youre trying to put together a top end system
RAM that underperforms can create a bit of a nasty
bottleneck.
If you make use of this RAM, though,
underperformance is not really something you will need
to worry about. This is high quality DDR3-1600 RAM,
after all, with each module offering a capacity of 4GB
(for a total of 8GB perset) so it flies along quite nicely.
Apacer have a great track record with RAM, after all.
And it looks good too. The solid metal heat-sinks are
a stylish black that looks great in any case, particularly
if you have a side window to show off your machines
innards.
So, good performance, good looks and good heat
dissipation- they all add up to make this particular
product a great one. And the RAM gets shipped in
matched pairs, to ensure even better performance. Its
an all-round win for those who want more from their
RAM than just running Windows.. g
52
AT A GLANCE:
PROS:
Looks good
Fast
Heat sinks
CONS:
A bit more
expensive, but
not by much
TECH SPECS:
DDR3-1600
4GB per sim
Heat sink
Paired
Manufacturer: Apacer
Online: www.pinnacle.com
RRP: TBC
Score
Not just ordinary RAM its fast

and cool.
90
ENTE
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Visit m
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and staterene
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to win
/sa
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xperie TIC
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Diablo 3
All Hell...
Nine parts pleasure, one part pain...
had a nightmare the night before I installed Diablo

3. I dreamed that the graphics were 8-bit, and
that all the menus were in Chinese. Perhaps that
dream stemmed from the fact that I was concerned
that the return of the popular Blizzard franchise would
fail to live up to more than a decade worth of waiting
and anticipation. Can any game really live up to the
kind of expectations that the passage of so much time
generates?
In the case of Diablo 3, the answer is something of
a mixed bag. While the game is, for the most part,
absolutely awesome in every sense of the word, the
execution and delivery of the title seems to show that
Blizzard have, on a level, lost connection with gamers
out there. It is a danger that anyone, in any industry that
deals with end users, can encounter. Thats because
we forget what it is like to be a normal person, with
54
by Walt Pretorius
normal capabilities and normal resources. For example,

Blizzard undoubtedly have an internet connection the size
of a sewage pipe leading to their systems. Most normal
people dont.
So the decision to make Diablo 3 a game that requires
a constant internet connection was a poor one. Single
player games need a connection, too, which is a nasty
route to follow, whatever the reasons may be. Even in
countries that have a far better internet infrastructure
than South Africa, problems have been cropping up with
this system. Added to that is the fact that their servers
simply couldnt handle the initial player load, which
displays a possible lack of forethought by a company that
has plenty of experience running online titles, including
World of WarCraft and StarCraft. And then, just to worsen
the situation, they decided to do a six hour maintenance
session on the server on the first Sunday after the games
ggal amdegcecta vriedveioe wg ami es s u ei s 1

s u7e 2N0o v eJmu bn ee r 22001120
release a day that many players relied on to get to grips

with the title.
How did all of this happen? We cant be sure. But what
is certain is that they have generated more than a little
ire among their end-users, particularly when considering
that Diablo 3 is not a cheap game by any stretch of the
imagination. And that is particularly sad, because server
and connectivity issues aside Diablo 3 is a fantastic
title. And while we did experience a few issues with
connectivity and servers during our review process, the
overall experience that the game provided was excellent.
Hopefully all the bad press generated by online issues
wont tarnish its name too much, because once those
servers are finally sorted out, the experience will be
priceless.
Diablo 3 returns the player to the world of Sanctuary, 20
years after the events of the previous game. With almost
gladget video game issue 20 June 2012
all of the Lords of the Burning Hells defeated, the world

has known some peace. But when a burning comet falls
from the sky and Belial and Asmodan begin trying to take
over Sanctuary, all hell literally breaks loose.
The player takes on the role of a hero bent on saving
Sanctuary. As such, the player can select one of five
character classes Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Monk,
Witch Doctor or Wizard. Each character class is unique in
terms of skills and abilities, and while players will certainly
find their own favourite class, each is as capable as the
other.
The characters show some of the new directions that
Blizzard have taken in creating this game. One cannot
help but wonder if they looked at elements of games that
followed Diablo 2 like Titan Quest and tried to improve
upon them. The characters, for example, can be either
male or female (like in Titan Quest) rather than
55
the fixed sexes of characters in Diablo 2. Developing the

characters has also changed a bit. There are the expected
tons of random weapons and other equipment, but the
skill tree idea is absent. Rather, the characters earn set
skills as they advance through the game. These skills are
further modified by runes that are unlocked with increasing
character levels (they dont need to be found in the game
world).
Initially, this system seemed to be a step backwards
from the variety granted a player by Diablo 2s skill tree
system. All it really does, though, is remove a degree of
customisation from the characters; in game terms, this
system allows for an extremely fluid and versatile play
style. The player can switch between the two attack, four
active and three passive skills pretty much on the fly, and
runes can be equipped as and when their modification
effects are needed. Its smooth and crisp, and keeps the
game going at a frantic pace almost constantly. Reducing
56
the number of skills that can be equipped at a time also

helps keep the game a little easier to play.
Levelling up has been kept extremely simple in this
title, due to the fact that all a player really does when a
new level is achieved is acknowledge the newly earned
skills and runes, and equip them if they like. Stats are
pretty much handled automatically, which seems to strip
a bit of control away from the player, but in truth adds
to keeping things fluid. Besides, the randomly generated
equipment gives the player a large degree of control over
stats, with many items buffing either strength, dexterity
or intelligence (and subsequently buffing the characters
abilities).
The control scheme for this game couldnt be simpler,
but it belies a degree of depth that hasnt been seen
before in the franchise, or in games like it. The player
can, for example, train and equip three followers, as well
as train up artisans who can provide them with valuable
services, like making equipment. The latter process costs

a lot of in-game gold, so it can be seen as something of
a grind, but grinding has been something that Diablo has
always handled well, thanks to randomly generated levels.
In addition to those, the player will also run into
random encounters and this is where Blizzard got
really clever. See, some encounters are found at certain
difficulty levels, but not at others. This keeps the game
fresh through all four difficulty levels, which is great. The
achievement system that has been built in also gives the
player something to strive for through the course of these
difficulty levels.
Each player may also have up to ten characters saved,
with the expandable stash and gold (as well as artisan
levels) shared between all their characters. This simple
idea adds a lot to the game, allowing players to save
useless equipment for their other characters. And while
it seems that this gives an unfair advantage to new
characters, the system extends to everyone, keeping

things fair.
Unwanted equipment can still be sold in-game, or can
be sold using the auction house. At the time of writing,
only the in-game gold auction house is active, but having
used it to sell and buy numerous items, we can safely say
that it is a fun idea. An issue does arise from the fact that
vital equipment, including crafting supplies and gems, can
simply be bought, removing something of a challenge from
the game. There is a bit of a point there, sure, but the fact
is that it requires in-game gold to buy the stuff. While you
might not have to adventure through the game to find the
items you buy, you still have to earn the gold and while
doing that, you may find some of the items you need along
the way.
As the player moves on to higher difficulty levels, finding
gold and awesome equipment gets easier, because there is
more of it about. On the other hand, the difficulty increase
57
is a fairly steep ramp-up, so it gets harder, too. And more

satisfying beating off a boss at a higher level is very
satisfying.
But dying is something that will happen in the game.
Thankfully, except for hardcore characters (which do not
respawn when they are killed dead is dead) the game
doesnt punish death too much. The player will experience a
short delay before they can respawn at the nearest checkpoint, with some damage applied to their equipment. Too many
deaths really just results in the player having to head back
to town to get their equipment fixed. This is an area in which
Blizzard have shown a good understanding of how to keep
players playing the game. Dying and respawning is frustrating
enough without punishing the player heavily. At this level, the
frustration turns into a desire to succeed, rather than one to
walk away from the game.
During multiplayer boss fights, the player wont simply
respawn, though. They can be resurrected by other players,
58
which adds another level of challenge, because it takes some

time to do so. In fact, casting a town portal also takes time,
and if the character is hit during either of these actions, the
casting is interrupted. It equates to added strategy, which is
a good thing. Even quaffing health potions can be seen as
more strategic, because the player has to go through quite a
long cool-down period between each potion. The game does
provide health orbs and health wells, though, which provide
instant healing when touched (and heal the entire party, too,
which is a nice touch.)
There are numerous other improvements and tweaks that
add to the experience. For example, the player simply has to
run over gold and health orbs to pick them up. Identifying rare
items is automatically available to the player. Finding a friend in
the field is as simple as clicking on their customisable banner.
Blizzard have created a game that really is a treat in Diablo
3. From the good graphics and great sound (which bring the
massive, chaotic battles to thunderous life) through to the
be engaging in bloody battles or hunting achievements,

collecting items or dying clothing and armour different
colours. Diablo 3 will keep its devotees going for years, quite
literally...
The good does outweigh the bad here, without a doubt.
The issue is that the bad can scupper the experience, at least
temporarily. Still, that hasnt stopped millions of people from
playing the game, whether in single or multiplayer games
(made easy through Battle.Nets robust friend system).
Although the problems that crop up from time to time are
annoying, it is easy to forgive them after just a few moments
of actually playing this title. In time, the connection and
server issues will likely be sorted out there has already
been a reduction in lag issues and connection problems.
Hopefully, before long, Blizzard will sort all of those niggles
out, which will allow Diablo 3 to achieve the greatness it
is destined for... a greatness that is hampered by only one
aspect of the title. g
AT A GLANCE:
If it wasnt for some issues with
constant online play, we might
have broken our highest score
ever record here...
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Distributor: Megarom
Parental Advisory
Violence
Language
Sex
Drug Use
Prejudice
16+
Accessibility
Hard-Core
Medium
Casual
PC
Platforms
simple yet effective control scheme, from the variety offered

by random levels and items to the improvement of storage
and artisans, from the variations between difficulty levels
to the five exciting character classes, Diablo 3 is a brilliant
game. There are very few titles that can boast the variety
and longevity of this title, and the game dynamic allows the
player to feel true immersion in the title, without the need
to remember a huge number of controls. Diablo 3 is a game
that you can get lost in, a title that you can savour and enjoy,
even after numerous play-throughs. The savagery of the
game world, both in terms of plot and the high degree of
in-game violence, is compelling - the player feels the need to
be a hero, really, and to best all those nasty evil-doers. The
cast of supporting characters also add a bit of depth to the
immersion; they feel real, at least in context of Sanctuary,
and they provide amusement in addition to sometimes
expanding the back story and setting.
There is literally tons to do in this game, whether it
PC
X360
Kinect
PS3
Move
Wii
PSV
DS
3DS
Score
97
59
Max Payne 3
Bullet Time
& Painkillers
I tried to forget... but there was something

that kept me going back for more...
ax Payne 3 is the oh so long awaited sequel

to Remedys Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2. I
mention the name of the developer specifically
because this game is not made by Remedy, but rather by
Rockstar Games, creators of the GTA franchise.
The original games were dark, gritty tributes to the film
noir genre, and perfected the slow motion diving of bullet
time in the era of The Matrix.
But will Max Payne 3 live up to its hype? Or will it slam
head first into the ground? With such a strong legacy to
live up to, as well as a change in developer, I approached
this game with both anxiety and anticipation eager to
step into Maxs tortured mind once more, but worried
about what I might find when I did.
Max Payne 3 begins a new chapter in Maxs life. He
60
by Pippa Tshabalala
is older as the game is set eight years after the events

in Max Payne 2, he is no longer living in New York, and is
now working as private security in Brazil, as opposed to
being employed by the NYPD.
Max has also developed an addiction to alcohol and
painkillers, and considering the way he pops those babies
in game, this shouldnt really surprise anyone.
Hes working the private security detail in Brazil,
protecting members of the wealthy Branco family, when,
as is pretty usual around Max, things go horribly wrong.
What follows is a gun-toting, painkiller popping conspiracy
that culminates in piles of dead bodies and loads of slow
motion diving.
Story wise Max Payne 3 is gripping, and completely
in tune with the style of the previous games. Sure, the

setting is not that same, and Max is not out to avenge his
fallen loved ones, but you get the very real sense that this
is just another chapter in Maxs life as opposed to a story
that is completely independent. And while the story may
not be the same, as a character Max is most definitely
influenced by his past.
The plot jumps backwards and forwards in time, so you
are continually uncovering new elements to the tale and
discovering how Max got to the position hes in now. You
both see and feel the opulent lifestyle of the people Max
works for, contrasted sharply with the poorer, seedier
side of the city, and you become achingly aware that
money doesnt appease the resentment that can fester in
anyones heart, rich or poor.
When the wife of his employer is kidnapped, Max is hell
bent on saving her, not just because hes being paid to do

so, but rather because he has a saviour complex. After all,
what better way to absolve his guilt over his wifes death
than to save the wife of another?
The game not only puts you in Maxs shoes, it puts
you in his mind. You become Max Payne alcoholic, drug
addict, hired gun, man with a dark and dangerous past
who is struggling simply to keep his head above water and
will latch on to any reason to do so.
Sure, its all tortured souls and drama, but the story has
lost none of its appeal, if some of its film noir look and
feel, and Max is as complex a character as ever.
The complexity of this game doesnt stop at character
development however. The grainy, desaturated look of the
previous games is gone from Max Payne 3, replaced with
61
bright, oversaturated colours and somewhat nauseating

patterns at times. This doesnt detract from the game
however, it is always indicative of Maxs state of mind.
Walking through a club drunk, suffering from multiple
injuries and popping painkillers to control the physical
and emotional pain would likely be completely in line with
looking at flashing disco lights and wanting to puke your
guts out.
This is not dirty, smoggy New York. This is Brazil, and
the look of this city is very different to the one Max went
on his killing spree in, and this is aptly reflected in the
visual style of the game.
Another great touch that illustrates Maxs perception
of reality are the colour shifts and bursts, which are very
prevalent throughout the cutscenes but even make an
62
appearance in game. The cutscenes themselves, which

can go on for a little too long at times, as well as being for
the most part unskippable, are nevertheless essential to
the telling of this story, as they provide not only a hint of
the relationships Max has developed with people over the
years, but situational context as well.
James McCaffrey, who voiced the original games,
returns not only to voice Max once again, but also for the
added role of motion capture. It is small touches like these
that keep the Max Payne franchise together as a cohesive
unit, not just as separate games in a linked franchise.
Dont get the impression that this game is all looks and
no substance however; not only are the story and visual
quality of this game above average, but the use of bullet
time is as advanced and slick as ever. Rockstar have not
convincing, although granted at times there are some

rather stiff movements, and the bullet time impeccable.
One or two gripes about weapon switching also rear their
ugly heads, such as the changing between dual Berettas
and a shotgun for example, which is clumsy and often
requires you to put down one weapon and then pick it up
again if done in the wrong order.
Overall however, Max Payne 3 is an experiential feast of
a game. Sure maybe one or two things might bother you,
but I cant for the life of me think of anything that wouldnt
make me buy this game.
Rockstar might have delayed this game for years, but
with good reason. Max Payne 3 is a fitting sequel. I might
even go so far as to say a masterpiece if I - I mean Max
wasnt quite so cynical. g
AT A GLANCE:
Max Payne 3 captures the spirit
of the original games and adds
its own bottle of whiskey to the
punch. Bullet Time FTW!
Developer: Rockstar
Publisher: Rockstar
Parental Advisory
Violence
Language
Sex
Drug Use
Prejudice
18+
Accessibility
Hard-Core
Medium
Casual
X360
Platforms
only kept the beauty of the original slow motion dive, but
theyve enhanced it and added their own sense of dynamic
interaction.
Depending on how comfortable you are with the
controls, you can choose not only between an Easy,
Normal and Hard mode, but you can also customise the
shooting style.
Want to have more control? Choose a completely
manual aim and shoot. Want to have just a little bit of
help without going completely noob? Easy enough, use a
slightly automated assist that will lock on to your target
but will allow you to select which body part you want to
incapacitate. Such as their head. Which explodes quite
convincingly in slow motion I might add.
The fighting is smooth, the motion capture mostly
PC
X360
Kinect
PS3
Move
Wii
PSV
DS
3DS
Score
88
63
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Tactical Advantage
High tech wins the war
ersonally, I like feeling like an invincible superhero

when I play games. Sure, just about everyone
hates it when their in-game persona gets plugged
by an unforeseen headshot, but its not just not dying
that thrills me. I like feeling like a super-soldier, like a
gung-ho love child of Rambo and Conan the Barbarian,
charging through levels and laying waste to hordes of
hapless, near retarded enemies. Maybe its because I am
a control freak. Maybe its because I dont like losing,
ever, at anything. Whatever the case may be, Ghost
Recon: Future Soldier affords me that awesome feeling,
while still requiring a sensible approach. And thats even
better than mad run-and-gunning
Future Soldier displays the idea that better equipment
makes for a better soldier perfectly. Set twenty years
in the future, this game puts the player in the role of a
64
by Walt Pretorius
Spec Ops soldier, a member of a four man team sent in to
do all kinds of dirty, deniable jobs for the powers that be.
From African semi-desert to Baltic snow-scapes, the game
tours the world, consistently giving the player a thrilling
combat experience. As a member of this particular crew,
the player has access to extremely high technology, which
gives a definite edge over the enemy. When the player can
see heat signatures, track enemies through walls and rely
on optical camouflage, theres little that an AK-toting bozo
with cool shades can do to stop them.
The tech is a big thing in the game, almost a central
theme. The player will be able to take advantage of various
kinds of technology that not only give an edge, but give
the player at times the ability to dominate the enemy
is every possible way. Thanks to the high level mil-tech on
hand, the four team members can take on small armies,

and they often do through the games single player

campaign.
Veterans of the Ghost Recon series will notice, though,
that the game dynamic has shifted from a strategic one
to a more cinematic one. This game is more accessible,
because it allows the player quite a lot of leeway when it
comes to approaching missions. And that high tech makes
you almost unstoppable.
Most of the levels are pretty linear. Allowing the player
a limited amount of freedom within restricted level areas.
There are even parts that are on-the-rails, like escorting
VIPs through danger zones. While this may sound a little
lame, the fact is that these sections provide some of the
more thrilling sequences in the title, near set-pieces that
get the pulse pounding. In short, it is a game that takes
a lot of the tactical responsibility away from the player,
giving them the gift of being a bad-ass instead.

Not that there isnt a tactical element to the game. The
tech is, in some ways, fallible. The optical camouflage,
for example, might render the character near invisible,
but it only works when the player is crouching or moving
stealthily. The in-game excuse is that this is because the
technology is still in prototype phases. The reason, though,
is so that the player cannot charge around like some
Predator clone, killing enemies who cannot see him at all.
And even though the camo might need to be handled
sensibly, there are other things that tip the scales in the
players favour more often than not. Deployable sensors
will sniff out enemies, for example, and the player can rely
on a variety of vision modes to gain the upper hand. Some
of these items are limited in terms of the amount that the
player can carry, but restocking crates are generously
65
supplied throughout the levels, so the player will never

have to worry about wastage.
The players team mates are beer-swilling, toughtalking, car-loving, metal-listening tough guys, right out
of a clichd war movie. In fact, the clichs abound here,
at least in terms of plot. But that still doesnt ruin the
experience, which is compellingly exciting from start to
finish.
The team mates are also smart enough to not need
micromanagement. They will ape the players activities for
the most part moving when he moves, crouching when
he crouches, and so on. They deliver a fair amount of
support in a fire fight, too, managing to stave off enemies
without stealing the players thunder. Also, the player
can use them to do funky things, like getting them to
66
simultaneously pop tagged enemies.

There is a downside to the high tech gear and smart
team AI, though the game just feels a little too easy.
Sure, it is a more cinematic experience, designed to
feel more like an action movie than a tactical game, but
the players ability to dominate enemies so totally does
minimise the challenge of the game.
The gun-smith section of the game, accessible before
each mission, allows the player to fully customise
weapons. This is a boon to the game, particularly if youre
a gun nut. As new guns and parts get unlocked, the player
can even go retry missions with different configurations,
adding a good degree of longevity to the title.
Multiplayer carries quite a strong emphasis in this title,
but the multiplayer modes arent too much to write home
action is a good mix of stealthy take-downs and all-out

gun-battles, with each mission providing the player with a
fresh experience. The game avoids repetition beautifully, and
gives the player just enough control, without the burden of
brain-straining responsibility. It is a wonderfully entertaining,
massively exciting military shooter that leaves behind boggy
dynamics in favour of a more fluid, faster-paced approach. It
is, despite its lack of a whole lot of tactical depth, a very fine
military shooter, and one that gets a solid recommendation
for those who want a lot of action that, while not mindless,
is not overly taxing in terms of nitty-gritty planning. In short,
it is a breath of fresh air in the genre, and most certainly
for the Ghost Recon franchise. And its well worth playing,
because it is extremely satisfying to be a bad-ass Future
Soldier even if you dont get to plan all the details. g
AT A GLANCE:
PS3
Although not tactically deep,

this game is still a fun military
shooter.
PC
X360
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Parental Advisory
Violence
Language
Sex
Drug Use
Prejudice
18+
Accessibility
Hard-Core
Medium
Casual
Platforms
about. There is an obligatory Horde mode (called Survival

mode), as well as a few competitive modes. The four
modes have variations, but they arent so fresh as to stand
out above the crowd. Still, theyre enjoyable, and the
implementation of the high-end tech makes playing with
friends a lot of fun.
I have mentioned the lower focus on tactical game play
a few times in the review, but it does bear mentioning that
this isnt really that much of a weak point in the title. While
those that want to plan every step of an operation may find
the game lacking, the truth is that Ubisoft managed to keep
a very high degree of entertainment going through Ghost
Recon: Future Soldier. And thatswhat gaming is really
about, now, isnt it? Having fun.
Theres tons of it to be had here, thats for sure. The
Kinect
PS3
Move
Wii
PSV
DS
3DS
Score
88
67
Resistance: Burning Skies
A Little War
Small screen shooting has arrived
few years ago not too many, mind you people

scoffed at the idea that one could play a firstperson shooter title on a console. But with the
advent of HD consoles, FPS titles have really come into
their own on these platforms. It really is a question of having
the right tool for the right job.
And the PS Vita seems to be the right tool for bringing
the job of playing FPS games on a hand-held platform. Once
again, previous hand-helds did not offer the functionality
needed to effectively recreate a game that resembled an
FPS, but the Vita is more than just a run-of-the-mill handheld. It allows for many more control options, thanks to
elements like touch sensitive areas and gyroscopes. As
such, it opens up many doors for developers, particularly
those who implement the control ideas creatively.
Nihilistics Resistance: Burning Skies is the first FPS
game for the Vita (which really is fitting, seeing as how the
68
by Walt Pretorius
Resistance franchise started with a PS3 launch title.) It is the

second serious combat game for the Sony device, with Unit
13 having beaten it to the punch.
In this new instalment of the Resistance franchise, the
player assumes the role of Tom Riley, a fireman working on
the US East Coast. His day pretty much gets ruined when
the initial wave of Chimera invaders show up, and he has to
evolve from fire-fighter to alien-fighter in short order, all the
while trying to find his family.
While setting the game at the beginning of the Chimera
invasion is a nice idea, the overall plot is pretty standard
Resistance fare; personal sacrifice in the face of a horrific
onslaught, and all that. We have seen the story a few times
before.
The novelty of the game comes from the platform, though.
Using the Vita as the basis for this title, Nihilistic have
managed to create a game that really is rather unique, for

modifications; the player gets to use multiple weapons, of

course, including old favourites like the Bullseye and Auger,
along with some new guns. Using a weird tech, the player can
apply two modifications to a weapon at a time, provided they
have unlocked the tech using weird blue cubes. This adds a
fast-paced strategic element to the game, as well as making
the weapons far more versatile.
Graphically, the game looks good, although the looks
arent up there with titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss.
We did expect a little more, to be honest, but we werent
disappointed. The sound, though, leaves a lot to be desired
here and there.
Burning Skies even offers a multiplayer option, which is fun,
but a little forgettable.
On the whole, this title is a good step in the right direction.
It goes to show that with the right kind of approach, anything
is possible. g
AT A GLANCE:
As the first FPS title for the PS
Vita, this title is a step in the
right direction
Developer: Nihilistic
Publisher: SCEE
Distributor: Ster Kinekor
Parental Advisory
Violence
Language
Sex
Drug Use
Prejudice
16+
Accessibility
Hard-Core
Medium
Casual
PSV
Platforms
the Vita, for the franchise and for the genre. And they have
kept the hand-helds strengths and weaknesses in mind in
developing the title.
Key to the title actually working are the dual analogue
sticks, which function exactly like one would expect. Their
small movement range does seem a little tricky at first, but
once you get into it, theyre just fine. Also key is the touch
screen, which has been implemented quite cleverly. The
player will be able to tag enemies, open doors and use special
weapons using the screen. It does necessitate moving your
thumbs off of the sticks every now and then, but this is made
up for by a slightly slower, less frantic pace in the game.
In short, it actually works well. Its not perfect, but it is a
great start to FPS playing on the Vita. While Burning Skies
does display a few issues, none of them are deal-breakers.
Overall, the experience is really rather enjoyable.
This is made more so by an interesting take on weapon
PC
X360
Kinect
PS3
Move
Wii
PSV
DS
3DS
Score
80
69
Movie of the Month

DVD Seen
Brain power!
70
Sherlock Holmes:
A Game of Shadows
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson team up again for
another mystery adventure of crime, fighting, and
disguises.
As Sherlock Holmes investigates several murders,
which end up being linked to professor Moriarty (Jared
Harris), he uncovers a deeper plot to all these crimes
all while still trying to get Dr. Watson to his wedding. A
Game of Shadows is a step up from the first movie but
still keeps with the same era, wardrobe and set designs.
The Sherlock Holmes distinct fighting style still carries
through, as well as his eye for detail and every clue.
Guy Ritchie did a great job directing, supported by an
excellent story by Michele Mulroney.
Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law again work well
together and perform perfectly. Jared Harris was
excellent in his role as a criminal master mind trying to
take over the world. The return appearance from Rachel
McAdams is short, but still as good as she was in the
first film. Overall a better film and a must see. g
DIRECTOR:
Guy Ritchie
DISTRIBUTOR:
Nu Metro
FPB Rating:
13V
Score
STARRING:
Robert Downey Jr.
Jude Law
Jared Harris
90
MOVIE
OF THE MONTH
71
DVD Seen
Escapee
You kind of know what to expect when theres a

spelling mistake in a films title. The Traveler is a tale
about a mysterious man who shows up at a police
station on Christmas Eve, confessing to a murder.
Six, in fact. As he tells the tale of each murder, one
of the cops dies in exactly the way he is describing.
They soon figure out that the man telling the tales is
somehow responsible for the killings.
Yes, it drops its twist that early. And where it
could have been a really entertaining thriller with a
supernatural twist, the director seems to have realised
that the script hold no surprises late in the film, and
decided to replace substance with gratuitous, graphic
violence. Sometimes even inexplicably graphic.
Val Kilmer is the biggest name here, and he is not bad
as the titular character. In fact, the acting is not bad at
all. But everything else is. The Traveler might appeal
to a teenage slasher-fan market, but the promises it
makes early on are not delivered upon at all. Which is
sad, because the concept if actually pretty good... g
72
DIRECTOR:
Michael Oblowitz
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
FPB Rating:
16LV
Score
STARRING:
Val Kilmer
Dylan Neal
Camille Sullivan
60
Dominic Purcell must have this thing about breaking

out of Prison. The Prison Break actor once again plays
someone who get out of the big house, but this time
he isnt an innocent man falsely accused in fact, hes
something of a psycho. And he handles the role rather
well. Purcell is convincing as the killer, Harmon Porter,
who is intent on stalking and murdering a college
student after his escape.
Its a pity, then, that the rest of the cast come across
as forced and wooden in their roles. There are some
seasoned actors here (the kind of actors who you say
where have I seen that one before about) but all of
them manage to inject no depth, warmth of believable
emotion into their characters.
The story loops around plot holes with the grace of an
inebriated hippo, veering away from what might have
been an entertaining thriller and bee-lining for the
realms of cheap B-grade slasher. And while B-grade
can be enjoyable, Escapee isnt, because it plays out
far too slowly. The tension it tries to build up gets
drawn out, making the film a chore to watch. g
STARRING:
Dominic Purcell
Melissa Ordway
Danny Nucci
DIRECTOR:
Campion Murphy
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
FPB Rating:
16V
Score
The Traveler
50
Forbidden Attraction
A quiet and innocent women, Alyce (Jade Dornfeld),

desperately wants to be more like her friend - more
outgoing and liked by her peers. After accidentally
knocking her friend(Tamara Feldman) off of her
apartment building, she is haunted by the fact and
turns to alcohol and drugs of all kinds. After Alyce
learns that her friend is not dead, she goes to the
hospital to end the pain. After the relief from this pain,
drugs lead her to a life of murder and vengeance on
all those that cause her pain and suffering. At first
the film starts off really slow, but while thinking it will
be a psychological disaster it actually surprised me
turning out to one of the most hard-core movies this
year.
This film will terrify you, make you jump and almost
turn your head away. Jade Dornfeld is superb at first
you think that she wasnt meant for the part, but she
actually took the part on perfectly and showing her
decent acting skills. Writer and Director Jay Lee took
a great story and made a great movie, and the director
of photography he does have some strange filming
methods but it does work for this awesome twisted
film. This is a film about how someone can go mad
really psychotic and great. g
FPB Rating:
18LVSD
DIRECTOR:
Jay Lee
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
Score
STARRING:
Jade Dornfeld
Tamara Feldman
James Duval
72
A married couple move to a cabin in the woods; the

wife has cancer and is about to die. The husband,
Henry (John Muscarnero), who deeply loves his wife,
is having trouble letting go. During a jog in the woods
one day Henry comes across a girl being assaulted and
rescues her. The girl, Alicia (Mary Kate Wiles), stays
with the couple until her family can fetch her. She
starts getting between Henry and his dying wife will
Henry fall for Alicia? John Muscarnero does a decent
job at acting depressed and alone, but also being the
writer he does understand the role well.
The plot is slow, weak and not very interesting. Mary
Kate Wiles does well as her conflicted character trying
to take Henry away from his wife, Tracy Coogan, as
the dying wife, delivers perhaps the best performance
of the film. The camera work and use of natural
lighting was excellent, with eerie classic piano as
the background music. Overall the film is slow, and
quite depressing, but with good cinematography and
music.g
STARRING:
John Muscarnero
Tracy Coogan
Mary Kate Wiles
DIRECTOR:
Michael Escobedo
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
FPB Rating:
16LV
Score
Alyce
55
73
DVD Seen
Few Options
The Thing is the prequel to the 1982 horror film

Scientists discover a alien space craft buried beneath
the Antarctic ice and find an alien creature with it. After
the scientists remove the thing from its icy deathbed
they realise that its still alive thats when the
Antarctic mission goes south. The thing can change
itself into any form, taking a human body and using it
against the scientists. Mary Elizabeth Winstead , the
lead actress, leads the disaster with her open mouth
straight face look, despite which the supporting actors
did well. Post production editing and music are ok and
the special effects good enough but The Thing could
have been handled much better. This is a movie you can
wait for, or dont need to see at all. g
74
DIRECTOR:
Matthijs van Heijningen
DISTRIBUTOR:
Nu Metro
FPB Rating:
16LV
Score
STARRING:
Mary E.Winstead
Joel EdgertonU
lrich Thomsen
60
Due to government budget cuts, a prisoner is set free

after a 23 year drug related crime sentence. After he
is released he gets offered a job by an old friend as a
security guard at a scrip club. For keeping his mouth
shut for 22 years his former boss offers him another
job, a hit that needs to happen to pay off his debt;
he has few options. Frank (Kenny Johnson) the soft
criminal that has nowhere to go and no one to turn too,
was too soft for the role, and was played up by other
performances from Erin Daniels and Rainn Wilson (The
Office America, actor and director).
The story is weak and with a title like Few Options, the
viewer will most certainly know what is about to come.
Some of the script is stretched over a few scenes,
dragging the story out even more. Few Options doesnt
apply to the viewer. Although a sub-par story, the
acting isnt too bad but this is still not a blockbuster
to collect. g
STARRING:
Kenny Johnson
Erin Daniels
Rainn Wilson
DIRECTOR:
George A Pappy Jr
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
FPB Rating:
18
Score
The Thing
45
A Night for Dying Tigers
Aukmen
FPB Rating:
16LSD
DIRECTOR:
Terry Miles
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
Score
STARRING:
Jennifer Beals
Gil Bellows
John P. Ferguson
60
When a foreigner to the Middle East comes to Thailand

to become a professional Maui Tai boxer, he arrives in
Thailand and becomes an unlucky tourist, being robbed
by a transvestite and being stood up by his friend and
new manager. With nowhere to go and no money, he
stumbles across a rundown fighting camp, where the
culture shock isnt the biggest knock hes going to
take. Without subtitles you really get the feeling how
Ahmad (Ahmad Rashid Al Sulati) feels in a foreign
country with nobody to turn to.
This film is not very good; the fighting is below
average and perhaps the better part of the film. The
cinematography is poor and lacks a steady hand
during most scenes. The urge for Ahmad to shout at
everyone that he thinks doesnt understand him gets
annoying, but the strange thing is that the people who
do speak English, speak very well. This is not a good
fighting film, maybe a half decent foreign film without
subtitles.g
STARRING:
Ahmad Rashid Al Sulati
Ying-Julaluck Ismaloane
Kaoklai Kannorasing
DIRECTOR:
David Ismalone
DISTRIBUTOR:
Ster Kinekor
FPB Rating:
16LV
Score
When a man about to be sent to prison brings his

whole family together on the eve of his incarceration,
you can be pretty certain that some odds stuff is going
to come out. But the events that take place in the
family home that evening add a whole new level to the
idea of a dysfunctional family.
A Night for Dying Tigers is a good film, when all is said
and done, but it isnt one that will leave you with any
form of good feelings when you have done watching
it. The acting is good, the direction is solid and the
concept is interesting. The cine does a few weird
things, but even this is OK. What makes it a difficult
film to watch is the cast of utterly reprehensible
characters on offer; from the mans wife and mistress
through to his incestuous brother and sister, there
really isnt anyone in this film for the viewer to identify
with or even like.
A Night for Dying Tigers is heavy in the way that only
an arty drama can be. You have been warned. g
50
75
Collectables
DVD Seen
Birds eye-view
76
Earthflight
We have often seen documentaries about birds, but
Earthflight has a different approach that makes it fresh
and rather awesome. This BBC Earth series shows
not only the ways of birds, but also shows the world
around them, from their point of view.
It is an interesting take on the idea, and features some
footage that is interesting and rare baboons hunting
flamingos, for example did you even know that they
did that? Herons waiting for dolphins to force fish onto
river banks another great example.
What makes Earthflight so great, though, is the
footage. Using cutting edge techniques, the series
shows bird and their surroundings in all their glory.
Birds are even employed as camera-men. With
cameras mounted on the birds backs, the resulting
footage is awe-inspiring.
Earthflight is only six episodes long, with each episode
visiting a different area, and using different migrating
birds as a tie-in to travelling around continents and
revealing incredible sights.
Narrated by David Tennant, Earthflight is really very
unique. It provides a breath of fresh air in the wildlife
documentary market, and manages to stick to the
new idea that impressive footage is everything for this
kind of series. Bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts can
confidently put this on their must own list. g
CREATOR:
Various
DISTRIBUTOR:
Nu Metro
FPB Rating:
PG
Score
STARRING:
Lots of birds
88
COLLECTABLE
OF THE MONTH
77
History
Money to Burn
Old materials, old tech
by Walt Pretorius
hat would you do if you got one of those

emails proclaiming you to be the winner of
the Ultra-Crazy No-Ticket Super-Lottery,
and it turned out to be real? Lets say that the prize
money was GBP5 million. At current exchange rates,
that would work out to a touch more than 65 million
South African Rand.
Would you feed the poor? Would you set up a charity
for AIDS orphans? Would you help people in their frail
twilight years?
Maybe a little less selfless, then would you buy a
pretty awesome mansion (and have some change left
over)? Would you collect awesome cars? Would you buy
an iPad 2? Well, if you were shopping at Stuart Hughes,
you could pretty much just afford an iPad 2
The iPad 2 Gold History Edition (perfectly named,
because iPad 2 technology is pretty much history
already) will set you back a cool five million British
Pounds. Not because it is super high-tech. Its an iPad
2. Come on.
Rather, it is because this particularly flamboyant
device (of which there are only two being made, so
hurry while stocks last) is gold and diamond encrusted.
The body of the iPad well, the back of it, anyway is
made of 2kg of solid, 24 carat gold. Nice. There goes
78
easy portability. Then, it is encrusted with 16.5 carats of

diamonds, with an additional single 8.5 carat diamond
worked into the front panel. The Apple logo at the back
contains the lions share of diamonds, weighing in at 12.5
carats.
And now for the history bit the front face, surrounding
the unmodified iPad screen, is made of ammolite. What
is ammolite, I hear you ask. Well, its a kind of stone. The
worlds oldest stone, in fact, at over 75 million years old.
And get this the ammolite has inlaid tyrannosaurusrex thigh bone set into it. This bone is also pretty old at
65 million years, although the ammolite still wins the age
race.
Why would you want this? Would you like to be able to
tell your friends and family that it is special because it is
old?
Well, yes, its an iPad 2, its old, so what? Every part of
the device belongs in a museum, from the materials to the
tech. Except for the diamonds and gold. They belong in a
bank vault. And the owners. They belong in an institute for
the financially insane.
Seriously, go for the mansion. Use the change to buy
a normal iPad 2. You will feel less of a fool when it is
replaced by a new one, which Apple seem to do every
fifteen minutes or so. g
Smile for the Camera

You might be familiar to more people than you think
Inner Workings
by Charlie Fripp
t has featured prominently in some films, while it has

taken a bit of backseat feature in other television
episodes, but facial recognition has been not only used
in Hollywood productions it is actively being used in the
work place.
While television shows like CSI and the casino drama Las
Vegas make use of facial recognition to search a database
of known offenders, the technology is also being used by
security firms to keep track of high-risk individuals, and
for hi-tech access control to sensitive buildings. Facial
recognition is also being used in most notebooks and laptops
as an extra level of online protection.
But how is it possible that software can scan a users
face and determine if they are friend or foe? Does it take
an image of the users face and compare it to the one in the
database, or is it more technical than that? In short, how
does facial recognition work?
The earliest forms of facial recognition didnt fair too well
when field-tested, with most of them only registering around
a 60% success rate. Although it might sound impressive,
80
60% is very low when considered it needs to make a 100%

positive identification to be able to be used in court or to
track a dangerous person.
For the software to work effectively, it has to first of all
differentiate the face from the background or a crowd of
people. Once it has captured the face, it will start a series
of complex processes to determine that it has the right
object.
Just as with fingerprints, each face in the world has
unique features that the program will be able to pick up,
such as different peaks and valleys that make up facial
features many of which is too small for the naked eye to
see.
Each face has about 80 distinguishable areas, which
includes the distance between the eyes, width of the nose,
depth of the eye sockets, the shape of the cheekbones and
the length of the jaw line.
With anything technological and digital, a copy of the
face is made creating a numerical code, which is called a
faceprint, but the most prominent technology used today is
3D Facial Recognition. While it works on the same basics,

it does a couple of things differently in order to increase
accuracy and reliability.
The technology still makes use of capturing a persons
facial features, but focuses more on the distinctive features
of the face such as the curves of the eye socket, nose and
chin. The selected features are more rigid, dont change a lot
over time, and are most apparent.
Keeping track of all the data and the measurements, the
software compares the image to its database, and even has
the ability to recognise someone at a 90 degree angle while
functioning pretty well in low-light conditions.
Depending on the software, it can capture an image from a
live video feed or from a 2D picture. Once the subjects face
has been detected, it starts to calculate the heads position,
size and pose. Then it starts measuring the finer details of
the face which is on a sub-millimeter scale, and creates a
template.
Just as with the earlier software, 3D Facial Recognition
software then translates the template into a series of
unique numeric codes. Once it has been captured, the

match-making process starts to look for an identical face in
the system, matching the parameters measured from the
subject.
If a potential suitable image is found, the verification and
identification processes jump into action. The image will be
screened against one other image (1:1) in the database,
as in the capture will be compared to an image from the
database at the Department of Home Affairs.
If the purpose of the image is identification, then the image
is compared to all images in the particular database resulting
in a score for each potential match (1:N). Its the same
principle as when the CSI techies upload a fingerprint into
the AFIS system, giving them a result of possible matches.
Facial recognition software has helped to solve many
crimes, keeps people safe and protects the information
that might be on a laptop, and the technology is only in its
infancy. Hopefully we will see systems in the future that can
instantly identify perpetrators, and keep everyone out of
harms way. g
81
Go Big
Lots of RAM is a good thing
PC Builder
by Alex Scanlon
hen people talk about their PCs, they will list

a few specifications to show how impressive
the machine is. One of those specs will be
RAM, a number that is thrown out with great confidence,
even when the person doing the bragging doesnt really
know what the significance of that number is. But RAM
is a vital component of the PC set-up, and having a big
number there really is impressive, when you know what it
indicated.
Every program needs RAM. The acronym stands for
Random Access Memory, and it refers to devices that
allow temporary data storage. When programs are run on
the PC< and the CPU sorts through all the information
82
to allow them to run properly, it requires a place to store

bits of data that will need to be accessed quickly. Sure,
the data is stored on the hard drive, but RAM allows the
CPU to access functions more quickly when information
is stored there. Think of it as a sort of notepad where the
CPU can make notes for quick reference, and you will have
a fair idea of what its function is.
The information stored by the RAM is only kept there
temporarily. When the system is powered down, the RAM
is cleared of all data (although research into RAM that will
save data even without power is underway). Restarting
a computer that is running slowly is often an effective
technique to speed things up, because this action clears
the RAM of any unnecessary information it might be

storing.
Because of the way RAM works it is one of those
components where more certainly is better. Providing the
system with a bigger notepad means that it will run more
smoothly overall; less time will be spent clearing the RAM
while vital operations are being performed, and more data
stored on the RAM means smoother operation. One of the
biggest bottlenecks in PC performance is the result of not
having enough RAM installed, and because it is (even at
the high end) relatively inexpensive, putting as much RAM
as possible into a machine is not a bad idea.
The amount of RAM you would need really is determined
by the programs you intend on running on your PC. System

requirements lists will give an indication of how much RAM
is required but, with that said, going over the minimum is a
good idea.
Not all RAM performs the same some higher end RAM
offers lower latency, for example, allowing faster access to
data. This is generally considered high end RAM, and will
cost a bit more.
How much RAM you want to get is up to you, of course,
but always try to ensure that you buy RAM in pairs
matched pairs, sold together, are the best bet.
Next month we will take a look at storage and optical
drives. g
83
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Taking

Evil returns in Diablo 3

6 From the Editor

gladget contents issue 20 June 2012

MSI R6970 Lightning Graphics Card

HP Compaq 8200 Elite All-In-One Business PC

MSI Z77A-G45 Motherboard

Epson Home Cinema EH-TW9000W Projector

MSI N570GTX Graphics Card

Logitech Mini Boombox

MSI R7970 2PMD3GD5 Graphics Card

Apacer Black Panther DDR3-1600 RAM

Max Payne 3 (X360)

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (PS3)

Resistance: Burning Skies (PSV)

All rights reserved. No content may

GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA

gladget contents issue 20 June 2012

Copyright 1337 Media CC 2009 - 2012

t has been a busy month for the

coming months, because it wasnt

to check out the Yuyuan Gardens

gladget column issue 20 June 2012

gladget feature issue 20 June 2012

HPs Global Influencer Summit 2012

Were very proud of the things

hen the view outside your hotel

gladget feature issue 20 June 2012

gladget feature issue 20 June 2012

gladget feature issue 20 June 2012

will be producing over the next few months.

gladget feature issue 20 June 2012

lab. We work very closely with our business

gladget feature issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

once heard someone say that a real

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

gladget regular issue 20 June 2012

hile it might have been a busy month at Gladgets

gladget review issue 20 June 2012

MSI R6970 Lightning Graphics Card

A fast and powerful graphics option

raphics cards are not hard to find these days.

three on review in this issue.) They also manage to fall

A little more expensive, but still a

HP Compaq 8200 Elite All-In-One Business PC

OK, three with the mouse and keyboard

pace is often an issue these days, whether at