It’s not enough just to play the newest and the greatest online games any longer; today’s players want to utilize hands-free voice chat programs so they don’t have to type while playing. In fact, this has become so useful that some of the newer games have voice chat capabilities built right into the game interface.

Programs like Skype, Team Speak, XFire and Ventrillo are designed to allow the user to chat in a normal voice while simultaneously playing a game. This has made typing communications between players nearly obsolete, allowing the player to seamlessly communicate with teammates and effectively become a more adept player. AssaultCube, like many other games, has its own language and any casual eavesdropper to a voice chat session amongst players would likely find themselves wondering what they’re talking about. The following are some common terms that players might shout out while playing and an interpretation for those who aren’t familiar with the lingo.

• WOOT – WOOT is often shouted out in jubilation when one team is about to vanquish another. It translates as “we own the other team.”
• Sens – Sens is short for sensitivity. This relates to the adjustability of your crosshairs in relation to the movement of the mouse or trackpad.
• Ping – Ping is often discussed and refers to the amount of time the game data takes to move from the client to the server and back again.
• Noob – The term noob is often used as an insult, when one is ignorant of the game play mechanics or does something foolish.
• Newbie – This refers to an inexperienced player and is not often used as an insult–rather just as a description of the player’s experience level.
• POV – This is short for “point of view” and is often heard as players try to negotiate terrain in order to eliminate the enemy.
• Headshot – This is the term used to describe a shot to the head from a sniper rifle.
• Frag – This is game slang for a kill.
• Gib – This is also game slang but it refers to the action of receiving two points instead of one after scoring a headshot or by using a grenade to kill an opponent.
• DM – DM refers to one of the modes of game play called Deathmatch, a free for all game play style.
• Clan – Clan is synonymous with guild and is a group of like-minded players who form a community amongst themselves.
• CTF – This is an acronym for another mode of game play called Capture the Flag
• LSS – Last Swiss Standing is the long form and is another mode of game play in AssaultCube.

Using a voice chat program while playing AssaultCube not only frees players from having to type and allows them to become more effective players, but it is in itself a form of entertainment. Others on the channel can hear the myriad swear words and expletives that are shouted at the player’s screen after suffering an unexpected headshot or frag.

If you spend a good deal of your most precious commodity (time) living vicariously through gaming, you’ll have some new adventures to look forward to in 2011. With new features and game engines, most of the highly anticipated games are bringing advancements to their gaming platforms. From stereoscopic 3D games to those using the new PlayMove and Kinect technologies, here are 8 games to love in 2011:

1. Crysis 2

As a first-person shooter game, players can jump into this stereoscopic 3D sequel. The game will be the first to utilize the CryEngine 3 (that’s a game engine). Set in 2023 in New York, the game offers a new environment that replaces the typical jungle setting of the first Crysis. It does, however, keep the aliens.

2. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Join Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan as they travel around the world looking for the Iram of the Pillars, a lost city. The game supports stereoscopic 3D, is multi-player, and has improved features from the previous Uncharted games.

3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Since details are still scarce for the next installment of Elder Scrolls, most of the hype for this game is coming from fans of the series and their expectations. The trailer for the video does start off with a fire-breathing dragon. One added benefit is that the new game will utilize a new engine.

4. Bioshock Infinite

The days of Rapture are yet to come. Bioshock Infinite heralds in an era that predates Rapture. Set in Columbia, a city in the sky, you will fight to determine who will control the world.

5. KillZone 3

Set for release February 22, Killzone 3 is a first-person shooter, and it’s 3D. It also is the first Killzone game to utilize PlayStation Move. While the plot still hinges on war, Guerrilla Games has scaled back on unnecessary swearing and the former overtly dark storyline, both of which generated major complaints.

6. Child of Eden

Sure, many people find shooter games amusing. But, if you want a break from blowing stuff up, keep your eye out for Child of Eden. Featuring visually stunning imagery, the game pulls you into the AI system, where you must purge the mainframe of a virus. As a potential added bonus, this game is Kinect-enabled.

7. Dead Space 2

Players who enjoy grisly games will want to keep an eye out for this horror story. The third-person shooter features a multi-player mode. Players can witness the gory transformation of the Necromorph infection as it attacks the residents of a Sprawl, a space station.

8. Little Big Planet 2

If you enjoy user-generated platforms, Little Big Planet 2 is set to deliver just what you like. The sequel will include over three million levels developed by players in the first version. Each level will be editable, and the new version advances the original Sackboy plot.

These games are the cream of the crop for development and design, so no matter what type of game you prefer to play, whether user-generated, first-person shooter, or fantasy-based, you’re sure to find plenty to keep you busy with this 8 games to love in 2011.

Okay. Just admit it. You like playing video games. It’s alright, no one will judge you! Isn’t it funny how many of us are a little reluctant to admit that we enjoy a video game every once in a while. Perhaps it’s the geek inside of us (and we all have an inner geek!) that lets us enjoy this fun activity.

Whether you are an old-school gamer and can actually remember that first game of Pong you played, or if you are of the newer generation waiting in line for new releases, you probably have a childhood favorite.

We tried to get a comprehensive list of those games that may have defined our childhoods and were completely overwhelmed by the sheer number, but here are at least eight that seemed to rise to the top of the popularity list (and they are in no particular order — chronologically or otherwise!):

Tetris

It was, and probably still is, one of the favorite time-wasters of all time! Believe it or not, this game was originally designed by a Russian scientist — Alexey Pajitnov — who worked at the Dorodnicyn Computing Centre of the Academy of Science of the USSR. And yes, it was still the USSR in 1985 when this little game was developed.

Doom

It is considered to be the original “first person shooter” type game. It was also one of the first games to be released on a freeware basis — well, actually only the first part or module was free.

PacMan

It is a lovely little blast from the past. From a time when the players were just emerging from the 70s with those feathered haircuts and entering the disco era, this little game was released by a Japanese arcade game developer in 1980.

World of WarCraft

It is one of the latest games to see thousands line up for hours for the latest release. It is considered to not only be a game, but a culture as well. This RPG engages millions of players around the world.

Super Mario

It is one of those games that, quite possibly, everyone has played. Those little Mario Brothers jumping throughout the Mushroom Kingdom is one of the more memorable sets of graphics in the gaming world.

Mine Sweeper

It is probably second to, or may even surpasses, Tetris as the all-time time waster. It is said that even your human resource departments, who are notorious for time management, were and probably still are partaking of this guilty pleasure.

The Sims

It is that wildly popular game that let us players create and manipulate our own little worlds. If you doubt how popular this game was (and still is for some), just take a look at Farmville on Facebook.

Rock Band and Guitar Hero

They cannot be left off any list of favorite video games. These two games have brought an entire generation (or two or three) into vicariously living the dreams of a rock star on stage.

This list is in no way the definitive list of all time, it’s just one writer’s opinion. And although the graphics and design in video game development these days is a giant leap from the Tetris days, there are still those certain video games that everyone loves playing.

If you enjoy playing games, you probably spend a decent amount of time online exploring the types of games that are available to you. Have you ever considered that you can also take your game playing offline as well? The way that you can achieve this is simply by choosing to download games that you enjoy for offline play.

The offline play feature will allow you to play single player games at home without having to connect to the internet following the initial download. This means that you can play without other online interruptions, allowing you to focus on your game for as long as you like. If you enjoy playing games but want to play by yourself or simply minimize the potential for distractions, then download your favorite games to your home computer so that you can play both online and offline with ease.

While not every game is available for download or offline play, many are. Simply look around to find the types of games that you enjoy, and you are bound to find many downloadable games. Some downloadable games are completely free to use and play while others allow you to download a free trial. If you decide that you like the game, you can purchase and download the full version later on. This allows you to experiment with a wide variety of different games and game genres, and you will not have to spend any money unless you truly want the full version of the game.

Downloadable games fall into a variety of different genres including puzzles, strategy games, board games, platform games, shooters, arcade-style games, war games and so many others. There really is no shortage of interesting downloadable games for you to play on your home computer. Because an internet connection is not required, they generally play more quickly and easily as well, giving you the ideal gaming situation at home.

Nintendo has been around for what seems like forever. Who doesn’t love the original Super Mario, and the classics like Zelda and Metroid? Satoru Iwata, the President of Nintendo doesn’t want to merge with any phone devices. As of now, Nintendo is doing fine and Iwata doesn’t see any mobile phone as a competitor.With all the apps the Iphone offers including a large variety of advanced and cheap games on the go, Iwata is going to have to consider mobile phone reviews and merge with a device of choice.

Nintendo DS and PS3 are awesome but they are expensive and can only be played at home. The Iphone not only has multiple games to choose from but the all the games can be played anywhere. They go where the Iphone goes. The Iphone also has a clear touch screen which makes playing games easy.

Perhaps and incentive to get Nintendo on board for the merge would be necessary. Iphone although great as is, could come out with a new phone capable of everything it already has consisting of storing and buying music, keeping up with business, internet, and endless applications however, the new phone would be specific to gamers and have a wider screen. The new phone geared toward gaming could also have a built in mini control similar to a sliding keypad that could pop out the side.

Some issues would be things such as the Iphone’s battery life. How impressive would the controller inputs be in an Iphone. Would they actually be worth it or would they realistically be pretty lame causing true gamers to want to stick to the game counsels?

Most people make lists of the best games or the most lovable characters in video games (or online games), but we just thought we’ll go ahead and make a list of the 7 most annoying game sidekicks of all time. Why seven? No particular reason apart from seven being a number I like, and also because most people make the best 5, the best 10, the best 100 or whatever; we thought it’s high time we gave the number 7 it’s due. So here are the 7 most annoying sidekicks of all time.

Roman Bellic (GTA IV)
Irritating and pesky, this character takes the top spot not only because he is useless, but he is also a grating obstruction to the flow of the game. Very demanding and needs constant attention, and probably the weakest link in the Niko Bellic chain.

Kreia (Knights of the Old Republic II-The Sith Lords)
It was a tossup between Kreia and Roman Bellic for the top choice, and Bellic eventually scrapped through with the thinnest of margins to claim the top spot. 99% of gamers will say Kreia should get top billings on this list, but since there are quite a few people out there who adore nagging and irritating mother-in-laws, we thought we’ll respect their senses and pushed Kreia to number 2.

Sometimes, you wonder while playing the game, who you hate more; the villain or the side kick? Nagging Kreia for the number two spot, definitely.

Otacon (Metal Gear Solid Series)
A total loser even for a side kick—what’s the point in having a side kick when all that the character does is hide behind you like a pussy? Weak and pitiful, and an excuse for adding another dimension to the game, Otacon follows Bellic and Kreia closely at 3rd.

Tails (Sonic -the Hedgehog 2)
Awfully slow—that’s how you can pay the best compliment to Tails from Sonic-Hedgehog series. If the purpose was to give Sonic a useful sidekick, then Tails should have been put on a course of anabolic steroids. Though slow in the game, Tails makes it to the 4th spot in supersonic speed.

John Madden (Madden Franchise)
For the stupidest advice on game strategy, John Madden should get the No.1 spot on this list, but since we had more serious contenders, we had to fit in Madden in the 5th place. NFL teams should hire a coach like him if they are on a tax scrutiny and want to show losses for all the unaccounted money. Hiring him is the best way to go bust at top speed.

Navi (Legend of Zelda-The Ocarina of Time
Actually, Navi would have won the competition for the most annoying sidekick hands down if we had made this list based just on feedbacks from gamers. However, since Navi has been kind of a classic figure when it comes to sidekick bashing, we decided to give this sorry for a sidekick character a breather. But we just have to say this, “Navi, go climb those vines.”

Chip (Sonic Unleashed)
The only reason why Chip finds the last spot on this list is only because he is a cartoon character. Just like Tails, Chips just hangs around Sonic without contributing anything to the plot or the game in general. The only reason he is less disgusting in comparison to Tails is because he is a tad faster than Tails. And the high pitched voice just adds to the irritation to intolerable limits.

There ends our 7 top annoying gaming sidekicks list, but we’ve got so many names waiting to get into the list. As of now, these 7 somehow managed to beat the rest, but since competition is high, we might have to make a fresh list sooner than later.