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We all know that the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, and if there's one group out there that knows just how daunting this time can be, it's the hardcore gamer.? Beginning in late August, the video game industry enters it's crucial "fall" season, which by far receives the biggest marketing push and sees week-after-week of new hardware releases and AAA game releases. For hardcore gamers, the toughest decision is choosing what to invest their precious time and money in, given the wide selection of offerings to choose from.? This decision, we hope, will be easier after reading our Hardcore Gamer holiday gift guide.
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Hardcore gamers are a diverse bunch, and if you've got one in your family, chances are you already know who they are.? They're a group passionate about their hobby, always technology forward, and most tend to have a platform of choice, be it their Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, or PC.? With the latest study from the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (PDF link) saying that 47% of Canadian households have at least one video game console, and that 59% of Canadians are gamers, it's easy to see just how prevalent this mainstream entertainment industry has become.? Don't be mistaken though, while gaming was traditionally perceived as something teenage boys do, the latest stats show the average age of a gamer reaching 33-years-old, and the male/female split is getting closer to parity every year.
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So, with that hardcore gamer in mind, let's take a look at some great gift ideas for the holidays available at Future Shop that are sure to please.
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Gift List: For the Hardcore Gamer
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Gift idea #1: PlayStation 3D LED Monitor
Available: Now
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want This:
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#1: This 24" gaming monitor is sleek and ultra-slim, capable of displaying full HD 1080p.? Perfect for viewing HD gaming, movies, and TV.
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#2: 3D capabilities greatly enhance the PlayStation 3 gaming experience (for compatible games), and using the SimulView feature the PlayStation 3D monitor has the ability to display two 2D images at the same time for co-operative gameplay (two 3D glasses required)
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#3: Through the use of the 2 HDMI ports and 1 Component HD input, has the ability to connect to your PlayStation 3, cable TV box or PC.? The experience is further enhanced with built-in speakers and subwoofer to bring the experience to life.
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Incoming: PlayStation 3D Display
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SKU: 10178580
Turn any bedroom, den, or office into a 3D entertainment power suite with the PlayStation 3D Display. The brilliant 24" ultra-slim LED screen delivers all of your HD media by connecting to your PS3 system, cable TV box, and PC, while built-in speakers and subwoofer fill out the audio experience.
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Gift idea #2: Nintendo Wii U
Available: November 18, 2012
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want This:
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#1: Nintendo's brand new, next generation console is capable of displaying stunning HD graphics
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#2: Excellent line-up of first-party software from Nintendo (Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3) and equally impressive third-party software support (Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Disney Epic Mickey 2, Assassin's Creed III, ZombiU)
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#3: The innovative Wii U Gamepad promises to deliver new gameplay experiences and an even greater level of immersion in gaming.
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SKU: 10207617
The next generation of gaming has arrived with the Nintendo Wii U. Sporting stunning next generation graphics, the Wii U introduces a new way to play the games you love thanks to the Wii U GamePad's touchscreen controls. The Wii U also offers online play with the revamped Nintendo Network as well as full backwards compatibility with Nintendo Wii titles. The Wii U 8GB Basic comes in white.
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Gift idea #3: Rocksmith
Available: Now
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want This:
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#1: Rocksmith represents the evolution of the music gaming genre, allowing you to plug in a real guitar for the most authentic experience yet.
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#2: Gameplay automatically adjusts to your guitar ability for an intuitive experience, letting you learn at your own pace.
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#3: Over 50 rock songs from the classic era up to modern day are included on disc.? Artists include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, Stone Temple Pilots, and more.
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Be Part of a Music Revolution With Rocksmith
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SKU: 10172207
Introducing the next stage in the evolution of the music game. Rocksmith, the first and only game where you can plug into any real guitar. Nothing plastic. Nothing fake. Just the most authentic guitar experience in music gaming. By plugging into your console, you'll develop real skills and real styles while playing absolutely real music.
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Gift idea #4: Turtle Beach Gaming Headset
Available: Now
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want These:
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#1: Turtle Beach headsets are renowned for their superior sound quality for maximizing the gameplay experience.
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#2: Wireless headsets are perfect for gamers looking for less tangle as they chat with friends over Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network
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#3: These headsets are highly customizable, including the ability to use them with an Xbox 360 or PlayStation console.
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SKU: 10187116
The Turtle Beach Ear Force XP500 headset for the Xbox 360 and PS3 offers the single most incredible gaming audio experience alongside total customizability. Equipped with Dolby Digital Technology, you'll enjoy an amazing surround sound experience. And Bluetooth wireless technology allows for wireless chatting on XBOX LIVE and PSN.
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Gift idea #5: Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Available: November 13, 2012
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want This:
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#1: Call of Duty is consistently the number one best-selling game franchise year after year and for good reason: industry leading graphics, tightly refined controls, and one of the best online experiences available.
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#2: Black Ops II is the first game in the series to feature futuristic warfare technology and branching storylines
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#3: New "Strike Force" missions allow players to control multiple units at once, including infantry, vehicles, jets, and robots.? Black Ops II also sees an expansion of the immensely popular Zombies mode.
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SKU: 10172282
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a First-Person Shooter (FPS) that revolves around unique gameplay that propels the Call of Duty franchise into a world of future warfare, and back again to the modern era. The game is a sequel to the 2010 release, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and features returning Black Ops characters Sgt. Frank Woods and Agent Alex Mason, joined by a wealth of new characters.
Gift idea #6: Halo 4
Available: November 6, 2012
Platforms: Xbox 360
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want This:
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#1: The long-awaited return of Master Chief is finally here.? Halo 4 is first in a brand-new three part trilogy in the Halo franchise.
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#2: All-new "Infinity" multiplayer includes new competitive War Game modes (such as Regicide), new customizations and loadouts, and ten new maps.
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#3: Spartan Ops introduces for the first time, weekly episodic co-operative multiplayer missions complete with accompanying cinematics and gameplay objectives.
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SKU: 10172160
The Master Chief returns to battle an ancient evil bent on vengeance and annihilation. Shipwrecked on a mysterious world, faced with new enemies and deadly technology, the universe will never be the same. Enlist aboard the UNSC Infinity to experience Halo's original multiplayer and Spartan Ops - episodic fiction-based co-op missions.
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Gift idea #7: Assassin's Creed III
Available: Now
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want This:
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#1: Assassin's Creed III is the next big full-fledged entry in the phenomenally popular Ubisoft franchise.?
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#2: The game takes you back to the American revolution with a new lead protagonist named Connor Kenway, a native American assassin who can utilize bows, tomahawks, guns and more.
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#3: A brand new gameplay engine called Anvil Next delivers stunning graphics -- the best the franchise has ever seen.?
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SKU: 10208711
The American Colonies, 1775. It's a time of civil unrest and political upheaval in the Americas. As a Native American assassin fights to protect his land and his people, he will ignite the flames of a young nation's revolution.
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Gift idea #8: Alienware Desktop
Available: Now
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want These:
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#1: Alienware is known for their high performance processing power, essential for a hardcore PC gamer looking for the best experience possible.
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#2: The unique design of Alienware desktops look fantastic and are one of the top reasons why hardcore gamers choose the brand.
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#3: Alienware desktops are highly customizable, essential for PC gaming looking to optimize their experience.? Further, with 1TB of storage gamers will have a tremendous amount of space for game installs, HD videos, photos, music and more.
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SKU: 10224072
The sleek Dell Alienware X51 desktop packs a punch. An Intel Core i7-2600 processor and 8GB RAM power through demanding tasks and meet any challenge, while 1GB of dedicated video memory produces spectacular graphics for an immersive HD entertainment experience. The large 1TB storage capacity has all the space you need for HD video, games, photos, and music.
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SKU: 10224073
The sleek Dell Alienware X51 desktop packs a punch. An Intel Core i5-2320 processor and 8GB RAM power through demanding tasks and meet any challenge, while 1GB of dedicated video memory produces spectacular graphics for an immersive HD entertainment experience. The large 1TB storage capacity has all the space you need for HD video, games, photos, and music.
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Gift idea #9: Asus Gaming Desktop
Available: Now
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Top 3 Reasons Why Hardcore Gamers Want These:
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#1: Asus gaming desktops are among the most powerful PCs in terms of processing power and graphics capabilities for the ultimate gaming experience.
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#2:?With plenty of ports, inputs, outputs and slots, there are near endless plug-and-play options available for hardcore gamers.
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#3: These desktops include a built-in Blu-ray player and a high-capacity hard drive, allowing rich multimedia use including HD video playback, photo storage, music library space and plenty of room for large game installs.
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