Alright, this is it. As you might read in the previous post, the friendly neighborhood console shop Gamer’s Hideout is giving away Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for Xbox 360 to one of you guys, the loyal Multiplay-ers!

We are going to keep this as simple as possible, just like our previous contests. But, before you get too excited, do read the fine prints below:

GIVEAWAY MECHANICS
1. Submit these details to our email (multiplay@lowyat.net) :
- Lowyat.NET account link (example, yours truly: http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showuser=11652 )
- full (real) name
- full address
- handphone number

Deadline: Before 3:00pm on Monday, 9th November 2009

2. The entries will then be compiled into our magic lucky draw pouch.
3. We will pick the lucky recipient of the game during Gamer’s Hideout Modern Warfare 2 Midnight Launch.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Only Lowyat.NET users that registered before or on October 2009 are eligible to be part of the giveaway
2. We only accept entries that are send to the above e-mail address. So, don’t PM us on the forums!
3. We will only ship the game to Malaysian addresses. Sorry oversea folks…
4. We will not be responsible if the game cannot be played on your console due to region differences.
5. We will also not be responsible if the game got lost or damaged during delivery, which will be done by courier.
6. The prize is non-exchangeable.

There you have it. Superbly easy right? Start sending your entries now!

Gamers Hideout Official Website
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 for Xbox 360 - Lowyat.NET Forums

While we might heard of exclusive deal in States but locally? Well, there is always a first time for everything. Our friends at Gamer’s Hideout informed us that they are going to be sole retailer to carry Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for Xbox 360 on the first week of the game’s release.

Since Modern Warfare 2 will be officially released here on Tuesday, 10th November 2009, the shop will held a customary midnight release for the game at their e@Curve (formally known as Cineleisure) outlet. Obviously, since you can’t get the game anywhere else, you just got to queue here on Monday, 9th November to be among the first people in the country to play the game.

Each purchase of the game during the midnight launch will also be entitled for a lucky draw to win a alluring Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition. That’s RM 600 worth of fan service there!

But wait, there’s more… Gamer’s Hideout is going to give away a unit of Modern Warfare 2 (Standard Edition) for ONE lucky Multiplay reader out there! Details will be posted later tonight, so keep on the look for it. One hint: keep your details ready.

Gamers Hideout Official Website
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 for Xbox 360 - Lowyat.NET Forums

Microsoft’s new operating system, the Windows 7 has arrived in Malaysia earlier this week complete with an elaborate launch event by Microsoft Malaysia at Plaza Low Yat, KL. Together with the launch is a week long exhibition which public can get to know the new OS personally.

However, we didn’t see much gaming-related features or activities being shown at the event except for this one multi-screen setup which seems pretty common all over the IT mall. Unknown to many, nothing about this setup is actually ordinary.

According to our tipsters, the multi-display rig is powered by the new ATI Eyefinity technology, which comes standard in the rig’s ATI Radeon 5870 (and other 5000 series) graphic card. The technology enables up to six display to be powered by just one GPU. The rig is also not a dupe, as the game that is being played on it is the yet-to-be-released Colin McRae: DiRT 2, running on Microsoft DirectX 11.

Talk about all the latest release in one single rig! That is exactly why we are a little bit surprised that Microsoft Malaysia didn’t mention anything about them in their Windows 7 pre-launch event publicity. Don’t worry, you still got ample time to checkout both the rig and the game since the roadshow will only ends on Sunday, 8th November.

[thanks to tipsters - TPK, marauderz and mrjefe ,image taken from Windows 7 Malaysia Facebook Page]

Official Website - ATI Eyefinity | Colin McRae: DiRT 2 | Windows 7 Malaysia
Lowyat.NET Forums - ATI Radeon | Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (PC) | Windows 7

Another year, another new Winning Eleven. It is no difference to EA’s annual release of FIFA series but if you are keeping track, you would knew that Konami promised that the World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2010 is going back to its roots.

Among new things that fans that could expect in the latest Winning Eleven are the 360-degree control system together with 300 moves and 7 different fakes which should make the game more interesting than ever. Whether these new addition will be able to satisfy the fans…well, if we take PES 2010 first week sales in UK as indication, let’s just say that we believe the game has just got its groove back.

However, stats means nothing, really. The only way to know whether Konami did fulfilled their promises or not, is to play the game yourself, which should already available by the time your favorite retailers opened their outlet today.

Distributed by Play Interactive, we don’t have the actual retail prices for either PS3 or Xbox 360 version but it shouldn’t be that far off, if not equal to standard pricing.

Winning Eleven 2010 - Official Site (in Japanese) | Lowyat.NET Forums
Play Interactive Official Website

Our country might be a little bit behind when it comes to games development but that doesn’t stop the world famous EDGE Magazine from featuring Malaysia on their Region Specific series. Our country has now joined the rank of Vancouver, North East England, The Nordic Region and Ontario (among the many), who was previously featured in the series.

The special feature talked about a number of prominent local game studios and also, universities that offers game development courses. But before you shrugged it of as another of those industry promotional write-ups, there is one gem you should check out: the round table discussion.

In the discussion, nine of industry top individual from small studios to local unis came together to discuss the current state of Malaysian gaming industry. They touched a number of issues such as why Codemasters Malaysia is pure development studio instead of full-blown commercial outfit and how more Malaysians developers in oversea are coming back to work here; among the many.

We was told that this special feature is available in October the November issue of the magazine but since we’ve yet to see one ourselves, we doesn’t know for sure.. Well, there is a free e-zine version of it anyway…

[original image by Wikipedia, under Creative Commons License and GNU Free Documentation License]

EDGE Magazine - Official Website | Regional Focus: Malaysia E-Zine

It felt like only yesterday that the (original) PlayStation 3 were launched in Malaysia. Just slightly a year after the original 2008 launch, the new PlayStation 3 Slim and its portable cousin, the PSPgo was unveiled at a massive launch ceremony last Saturday. They arrived a bit later than other countries in our region but nevertheless, they are finally here much to the fans liking.

The launch event was pretty much a reprise of last year’s launch but it was significant enough to show that Sony Malaysia are committed to push their PlayStation brand in this country. Jump in to check out what went down over there.

Sony PlayStation - Malaysia’s Official Site | Event Photo Gallery| Lowyat.NET Forums

The new PlayStations, huzzah!

The formal unveiling of the two new PlayStation was made by Tetsuhiko Yasuda, Corporate Executive of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., and also Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Asia. Accompanying him is General Manager of Sony Malaysia’s Product Marketing Division, Taku Taguchi and also, Pradeep Kumar Tewaani of Uptron Multimedia Sdn. Bhd., the local official distributorship partner.

Both Yasuda and Taguchi in their speech thanked all the PlayStation fans that attend the launch especially to everybody that lined up to get their hands on the two new PlayStation. The acknowledgments were responded with a roar from the crowd which has been waiting there since Thursday (gasp!).

THIS.IS.PLAYSTATION! *waves*

Right after the ceremony, we asked Taguchi for his comments on Malaysia’s late launch date compared to other country in this region such Singapore and Indonesia; and also, their expectations of the UMD-less PSPgo. He pointed out that the Malaysia is actually quite fast as the original PS3 took two years to reach here and the new PlayStation only took 2 months. As for the PSPgo, he commented that although Malaysia’s broadband is still at its infancy, the speed is getting better every day. With that, they are expecting good reception for their hand-held PlayStation.

It is not a Sony launch event if there is no queue up madness involved and as we mentioned earlier, the first one in the line actually came to queue up on Thursday. However that particular person or rather a couple - Joey and Lenny, are actually the same couple from last year’s event.

Two years in the row. Try to beat them when PlayStation 4 launch, ok?

Obviously, we are pretty intrigued with their sheer motivation. Also, we were also kind of curious with what they did with their last year’s acquisitions, so we had a little chat with them:

MP: What did motivates you guys to repeat the same queue up madness that you guys did last year?
Lenny: Well, we are actually fans of Sony. If there’s a launch event, we usually are there to support them. So, this is pretty natural for us.

MP: So now, what will happen with the PS3 that you bought last year?
Joey: Ohh, we are still keeping it because you know, due to all the sweet memories we had with it. Instead, we are going to leave this new PS3 slim at our hometown, just to share the joy with the family.

MP: Just out of curiosity, what you guys did with last year’s RM 1000 voucher and what going to happen to this one?
J: Last year, we bought a LCD TV. This year, it will most probably go to…*looking at Lenny*
L: A Handycam! *excitedly*

Proud Micheal is proud.

The couple was not the only one who lined up early for their PS3 as the first customer of PSPgo also lined up pretty early. Unfortunately, the person - Elaine Toh already left before we get to interview her. Another person that was honored at the event is Michael Chong, the champion of PlayStation Studio 24 Hours Game Challenge. Here is what he got to say about his achievement:

MP: Congratulations on your title. How was the level of your other competitors?
Michael: They are tough indeed; a lot of our matches are very-very close.

MP: Since this challenge involves games that came from various genre, which game do you feel is the toughest?
M: The hardest games would be FIFA and NFS Shift, since I never played any of them before. I got thrashed pretty well in FIFA but I survived well on NFS, with the help of my teammate, Kassim.

MP: Now that the challenge is over, what you going to do when you go back home?
M: Favourably, I would like to get some sleep since I only had 2 hours of sleep before I came to the tournament. But it depends. *laugh*

The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim and PSPgo are now available at all Sony Designated Outlets & Partner Shop with a recommended price of RM 1,299 and RM 1,099 respectively. No official post-launch bundles are available at the time of writing but do check with your favourite retailers to see whether they can offer you one.

MSI are well known for their motherboards and graphic cards. How about gaming notebooks? We don’t think so… But then, since the company’s notebook division is a major sponsor of Fnatic, one of the most well known eSports team in the world, MSI should have some tricks underneath their sleeve, right?

Yes, they do indeed, in the form of MSI G-series, their flagship gaming notebook series. Coincidentally, they has just launched their most powerful models so far, the GT740. Don’t be fooled by its rather plain exterior, this is one mighty beast that demand respect from its owner.

Get to know what’s pumping underneath its exterior, right after the jump.

MSI Notebooks - Official Website | Lowyat.NET Forums

Seriously, MSI might want to put a bit of make up on this lady…but this “sleeper” design is not a bad option too.

The first obvious sign of the power that MSI GT740 poses is its CPU – the latest Intel Core i7 processor. However, the tech sheet that we got didn’t actually specify which Core i7 is on this laptop. but come on…it’s THE Core i7, any of the available clock speed would be able to kick us to moon and back. The laptop is also able to support up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, running on either 1066 or 1333 MHz clock speed.

In the graphic department, the laptop features a NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M graphic that is packed with 1GB of sweet video memory. This graphic card is hooked up to a 17″ cinema grade wide screen LCD display that should be able to cater both movie lovers and hardcore gamers alike. You can even hook the laptop up to a larger screen when the need arise, through its HDMI output port.

To complete its superb sound experience, MSI GT740 is equipped with five SRS Premium Sound certified speakers. As per its display, there is a 7.1 audio output, just in case if you prefer external surround speakers. On top of all these, the laptop also comes standard with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, the greatest Windows of them all so far.

Outside of these major features, the laptop has few more standard features: 802.11n wireless connection, E-SATA port, a full numpad and couple of cosmetic but practical enhancement such as the distinct labeled WASD keys. Did you realize that this laptop is painted in fiery red? As mentioned earlier, the laptop might have a bland generic design but in detail, it is not disappointing at all.

At 3.2kg, the MSI GT740 overall weight, including batteries is considerably light for a 17” gaming notebook. So, how much would it cost to own this? RM 6,600, which a price tag that we believe would make many mobile l337 warriors out there to give a serious consideration.

As usual, don’t really take our words too much. Check it out yourselves at MSI official website (http://www.msi.com) or a retailer near you.

Ready to win some stuff from Alienware? Too bad they are not yet ready to give you one of their uber laptops and desktop but what are they going to give away is still pretty l337 in its own right - an Alienware TactX Headset worth RM 279*.

How, you asked? Just follow these steps given by the friendly (to us, maybe not to you) outer space beings themselves:

1. Snap a photo of yourselves with Alienware Cosplayers whom will appear at these locations:

24th Oct, Saturday
11.00am - 2.00pm: Digital Mall, Section 14, PJ
3.00pm – 6.00pm: e@Curve (formerly known as Cineleisure), Mutiara Damansara - around McDonalds vicinity.

25th Oct, Sunday
11.00am - 2.00pm: Plaza Low Yat, KL
3.00pm – 6.00pm: Tbun Networks Cyber Cafe’, Jalan 4A/27A, Wangsa Maju. KL

2. Upload your photo onto the Alienware Facebook Page
3. Get your friends to ‘like’ your photo
4. And leave the rest to the extra terrestrials.

Yes, we realized this notice is quite a late but hey, the headset itself is as rare as other Alienware product themselves, might as well clear up some time and grab the opportunity. What do you say?

*as written on Dell Malaysia Online Store on 23 Oct, 11:29 pm.

Alienware - Official Website | Dell Malaysia Official Facebook | Lowyat.NET Forums

We don’t know how to describe our feelings when we first saw above clip, which an advertisement for Sony Australia’s latest promotion. We can’t decide whether it was straight awesome or plain ridiculous but regardless of that, our jaws dropped like it’s hot.

In the clip which was filmed at a crash test facility, the PS3 Slim flew directly to the Bravia LCD TV with a speed of 80 kph (50 mph). They actually shot the clip three times, with three different Bravia and three different PS3, all destroyed in the making. So, the number 25,000 that is written there is actually not that accurate.

[sauce: Gizmag via Engadget]

Sony PlayStation - Lowyat.NET Forums

Your friendly Xbox 360 neighborhood store, Gamer’s Hideout (GH) has just posted a breaking new via their Facebook page. Apparently, the store is going to receive Forza Motorsport 3 on October 21.

The news send some longtime follower of the shop into frenzy. Further clarification by the shop said that both normal and Limited Edition version of the game will be in stock at the same time. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to confirmed the prices of either edition. Do note that it is also possible that other game shop will receive the game on the same time, so please check with your favorite retailers for clarification.

Early releases are not that new in this country (we talking about legit, original game here, not your Jack Sparrow torrent leaks) and for a game to be released one day earlier than its originally announced is actually quite common due to our time zone.

Still, we got one issue with this FM3 early release…gaji not in yet la! How to buy? *facepalm*

[image from ForzaMotorsport.net]

Gamer’s Hideout - Official Website | Official Facebook
Lowyat.NET Forums - Xbox 360 | Forza Motorsports 3

We already knew that where and when the new Sony PlayStation 3 Slim and PSPgo are going to be launched in our country (come on, that big billboard is very hard to miss…) but there is one more important information that is still missing: their price tags.

Well, Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong (SCEH), the regional HQ of all things PlayStation in SEA, has finally reveal the official pricing for both PlayStation in an official launch announcement earlier today. As expected, they are slightly more expensive than the original release price: RM 1,299 for PS3 Slim and RM 1,099 for PSPgo.

However, there are no mentioned about bundle for launch day but they did list down couple of accessories that might be of interest to the future owners of both game machines:

PS3 Slim
Vertical Stand (CECH-2000) - RM82.

PSPgo
Accessory Pack: pouch, strap & screen protector (PSPAS-10000G/GW) - RM 58
AC Adaptor (PSP-N100G) - RM 42
Component AV Cable (PSP-N180) - RM 32
In-Ear Headset (98581AS) - RM 50
Traveler Case (98585AS) - RM 55
Soft Carrying Case (98586AS) - RM 51
Cradle (PSP-N340G) - RM 92

The announcement by SCEH also stated that for all purchase of PS3 Slim or PSPgo after 31st October will receive a limited edition t-shirt or an umbrella respectively. But of course, only if you purchased them at authorized Sony outlets.

Also, specially for new owners of either PlayStation, they are eligible to receive a RM 5 PSN voucher and 90-day warranty extension, once they register their new machine at PlayStation Malaysia’s official website. Again, it is only for Malaysian official unit. Your advanced Hong Kong or Singapore unit are not counted.

Well, that’s all for now. We already pumped up for the launch event next week. So, bring it on!

Sony PlayStation - Official Website | Lowyat.NET Forums

The Go International E-Sports Cup 2009 has been progressing very well, with the second day concluded yesterday without any major hiccups. With further a due, let’s jump in to check out what went down at One Utama yesterday.

GO.International eSports Cup - Official Website | Official Blog | Lowyat.NET Forums

The day started with the Casual Games Tournament for Trackmania Nations which was moved from Friday to yesterday. Only six out of the twelve players that registered turned up…a little better than what last year’s ESWC Malaysia received. With that, the competition format was changed a little bit whereby all six of the players were mashed up together with top 3 players proceed to the finals later today.

Out of the six, Strifemare were the first one to confirmed his place in Sunday’s finals after only just two maps. Yea Han then became the second one to confirmed his place leaving three other players: TPK, m00tsumi and Syefri Zulkefli to fight for the last finalist spot.

In the end, TPK managed to ousted the two ESWC Malaysia 2008 TMN runner-ups. Looks like today’s finals belongs to the new generation of Trackmania players.

Moving on, the CS1.6 Open Tournament finals took place right after Trackmania. The championship match between LZ and 8075 together with 3rd placing match for two more teams took place simultaneously.

In a rather one-sided match, KG (stands for Kampung…seriously, we are not joking.) Gaming pretty much trashed the Bandar Gaming pretty bad for the 3rd place with 16 - 3 in de_inferno and 16 - 2 in de_nuke. The ironic names aside, as KG Gaming members are made of players from the recent CS1.6 Amateur Cup winners, it was another expected result.

But in the championship finals, things went on differently. As the favorite team, LZ were expected to win this category easily but 8075 gave them a run for their money by bringing LZ into overtime in the first match. LZ did managed to win the match but 8075 once again brought them down in second match with the score of 2 - 16.

We did expect the penultimate match to be epic but it became a rather one-sided match as LZ chomped away 8075 with 16 - 4 at de_inferno. We not gonna speculate anything but with that funny sequence of scores…well, you know lah.

With all the side-tournaments for the day has come to the end, it was time for the main course: the DreamHack CS1.6 Malaysian Qualifiers.

Just a refresher, let us list down the eight finalist that came from the nationwide qualifiers*:

- PK
- UnNamed
- RV
- Apple Gaming
- 5
- 8075
- LZ
- Q’s

*as listed by our friends at SpotGamers

We didn’t get to stay long to follow actions from the single-map double elimination competition but we got to watch a super epic match between the Brunei-based RV and 5.

The match took place at de_nuke and a lot of spectator are expecting 5 to take this match away. However, RV gave 5 a shocking wake up call by concluding the first half with 7 - 8 score.

5 continue to trailed behind even after RV’s already past 10 points. Amazingly, 5 made a comeback and level everything up to 15 - 15 score which forces them to go into overtime…what happens next went beyond our imagination.

RV lead the overtime’s half-time with almost total demolition at 3 - 0 score but then 5 recover back to level it up once again for the second overtime. However, again in the second overtime, the score still tied at 3 - 3 and gave the match yet another overtime.

By the half-time of the 3rd OT, 5 lead comfortably by 3 - 0. They only need 1 more points to secured a victory but it almost didn’t happen as RV gained one points after another

As the possiblity of a fourth OT lingered around, 5 finally manages to finished RV once and for all, thus concluded the match with a total score of 25 - 23. That was quite a bunch indeed. Phewh!

Other first round results that we managed to scored around are:

First Round
PK vs. Q’s: 16 - 11
8075 vs. UnNamed: 16 - 5
LZ vs. A.Gaming : 16 - 14

Upper Bracket
PK vs. 5: 2 - 16
LZ vs. 8075: 16 - 4

Well, that’s all from us. Do tuned in soon for a probable live updates from One Utama, PJ for the last day of Go International E-Sports Cup 2009. Game on!

The GO International eSports Cup (GO.esc) have finally arrived! The event which is a part of Indie Youth Fest’09, has actually started since Wednesday, October 14 at One Utama, PJ. However, the actual competitive action only took place yesterday with Bejeweled - one of GO.esc Casual Games Tournament official game - became the first game competition of the event.

As for today, two more competition are scheduled to take place. The first one would be Counter-Strike 1.6 Open Category at 5:00pm, while another one, Trackmania Nations, will take place at 8:30pm. Both games have a very small number of participation slot with 12 teams and 8 players respectively. The main attraction - DreamHack CS1.6 Malaysia Qualifier - will only begins on Saturday, together with the 3rd title of Casual Games Tournament, Bookworm Deluxe.

Looks like all the games are spreaded out very well. Also, competitive gaming are not the only thing going on over there though. There is a some sort of an IT fair called Digital Delirium Xpo going on as well and of course, music performances by our talented independent artists throughout the event. Now you know where you need to be at, this weekend.

GO.International eSports Cup - Official Website | Official Blog | Lowyat.NET Forums

It was revealed, alright…via a huge giant billboard at Federal Highway in KL! So yup, there it is: 31st October 2009. We believe this is the fastest official PlayStation to be released in this country, although it is almost 2 months after the unit’s initial release. Hey, as long they keep on the official stuff coming in, we ain’t complaining.

We are not sure when the ad actually went up but we saw it for the first time last Friday. We were not able to snap it until this morning though. If you would like to see the billboard yourselves, it is easier to see it if you travel towards PJ as the ad is facing Mid Valley. It is located on your right side, just after the fly-over exit to NPE or exit to Federal Highway/PJ from Mid Valley. Don’t stare it too long though since you need to focus on the road as well.

How about the launch venue? According to our sources, it will take place at One Utama, PJ (the same place as the first official launch) on the said date. It is more or less an open secret, as anybody that joined last weekend’s PlayStation Game Challenge Week #1 at The Curve would have been informed that the finals will take place during the Slim and Go’s launch.

As for activities on 31st October itself, we only knew three of them: the PlayStation Games Challenge finals, the PlayStation Halloween Party and new consoles launch. Expect more details to be out as we approach the event day.

PlayStation - Launch Event Official Website | Lowyat.NET Forums

Just a short notice from our friends at Gameloft and also, EpiCentre, who are currently hosting the Mac + iPod DiscoveryWeek at Pavilion, KL throughout this weekend. They want you to win a shiney 8GB iPod Nano and couple of exclusive Gameloft goodie bags just by playing games!

The game that will be used in this competition is Real Football 2010 for iPod Touch/iPhone. We were not told on how to win the grand prize but, all we know that the finals will take place tomorrow - 11th October. Apart from the footie game, Gameloft are also showcasing numorous other games such as Blades of Fury, Modern Combat Sandstorm and Brain Challenge 2.

Our advise to anybody that are going to participate in the Touch-istic footie competition is… beware of the network lag. That’s all we got to say.

Mac + iPod DiscoverWeek Official Website