Editor's Note
Greetings Atomicans!
First up this week is the launch of the Creation Kit and High-Res Texture pack for Skyrim, fresh off the presses at Bethesda. While it doesn't cover all textures it's a great starting point, and is the perfect companion for the Skyrim Modding Guide in Issue #134 (which should be on shelves as you read).
Then comes news that the PS3 and Xbox are both going great guns in the retail market; though potentially brighter news for Microsoft shareholders than Sony. Definitive in showing which console is best overall, or just interesting?
There's more Ubisoft fun with their DRM servers being upgraded - which means any Ubisoft game that relies on that DRM will be unavailable from the 7th of February (Tuesday just passed) for anywhere from a few hours to weeks. It's still confusing why people pay for games when stuff like this happens alarmingly regularly.
And finally Intel have announced their shiny new 520-series SSDs, which come with 25nm flash chips and a bunch of cool features. Sure they're not the cheapest option, but they appear like a decent choice at first glance!
We're still running the Thermaltake giveaway where you could score yourself one of twenty Theron mice, so head to the competition page and enter by Sunday 19th February to ensure you're in the running.
Until next week,
-Justin Robinson, Deputy Editor
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Latest Issue
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Issue: 133 | February, 2012
Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.
Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.
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Top Stories This Week
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News
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Sega Studios Australia lets 37 staff go
The black days of the local games industry continue, as 37 people at Sega Australia lose their jobs.
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Intel announces 520-series SSD range
Updated: Sata 3.0 storage devices are maturing, so Intel's throwing their hat into the ring with the launch of the 520-series SSDs.
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Hawken closed beta rego opens - but when does it start?!
The other big mech game is opening registrations for a closed beta, and confirms that it will be free to play, and PC-only.
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World of Tanks 7.2 patch on the horizon
Video: More tanks, more maps, and an easier way to get started are all part of World of Tanks' next patch.
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Is the GAME retail chain about to fold in Australia?
This week's NDP figures present a not so bad picture of gaming retail - but is one of the big chains in financial trouble?
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PS3 pwns retail, while Xbox also... pwns... huh?
Both the big console makers claim retail dominance... We go behind the spin on 2011's gaming retail figures.
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Building a better game engine
Opinion: Could Microsoft hurry up and release its next console, so we can all get some proper game engine advances?!
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Gaming is looking healthy at retail, despite a slight slump in 2011
Retail sales have contracted, but the industry's still made a mess of money in Oz for the 2011 calendar year.
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New Ghost Recon: Future Soldier trailer stealths it up
Video: A new trailer for the next Ghost Recon game shows off guns, future-tech, and some nasty kills.
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Ubisoft hates you - DRM servers to die next week
As Ubisoft makes some hardware changes serverside, PC gamers will be unable to play some of Ubi's biggest titles.
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RIFT goes free to play - for a bit
As part of the new 1.7 patch, RIFT is now offering a Lite version that is free - for the first 20 levels!
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THQ troubles deepen
Essential linkage: THQ may be denying rumours of massive game cancellations, but more layoffs and even CEO paycuts do not paint a pretty picture.
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New Dead Island DLC not in fact about a porn star
Video: The new DLC for zombie-FPS Dead Island is packed with guns, zombies and terrible Australian accents.
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Reviews
Spec Ops: The Line - horror in the desert
Preview: The action is solid, but it’s the setting and story that really get us interested in Spec Ops: The Line.
Bitfenix's Raider case gets three thumbs up
Review + Gallery: Bitfenix continues to deliver quality, low-cost case solutions, and the Raider is a perfect specimen.
Sonic CD 2011 - same old Sonic...
Review: Sonic is... Pretty much exactly what you remember. Which is both good and bad at the same time.
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