Free-to-play games have served most genres well. Role-playing, strategy, and first-person shooters are represented by numerous offerings that don’t cost a dime. But what about space shooters? All of the genre’s best titles are paid. Most don’t even offer multiplayer or, if they do, the community has been dead for years. There is a new kid on the block, however. His name is Star Conflict

Ten years ago Bioware released a game called Neverwinter Nights. Though disappointing as a single-player RPG, the campaign wasn’t really the point. Instead, the game focused on user-generated multiplayer content built with the amazingly powerful Aurora toolset. Players eventually used the game and its sequel, Neverwinter Nights 2, to build sprawling co-op campaigns and miniature MMOs. Now, a new Neverwinter title has been released by Cryptic

Apple doesn’t offer an all-in-one office suite, so users who want to handle these tasks on their tablet must turn to a third-party solution. One of the most popular is QuickOffice Pro HD, a $19.99 iOS productivity suite that is actually owned by Google. The app promises the creation and editing of Word, Excel and Powerpoint files and lets users save documents to .PDF. All of which sounds great – but does it actually work?

We recently covered two sites, CPUBoss and GPUBoss, launched to provide a fast, easy way to determine what you next hardware upgrade should be. Shortly after our last review, the people behind the sites reached out to tell us another site was one its way, too, and it would cover solid state drives. Hard drives may not seem like an obvious extension of the Boss mission, but I think it makes sense.

Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there is a nifty website called Kickstarter where people can pledge to support projects that they’re interested in. Little things – like Android game consoles, eInk watches, and high-budget video games. Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation?

First person shooters have been at the forefront of game development since their first incarnation over two decades ago. They combine adrenaline-soaked action with a perspective that provides a great stage for technology; first-person games feature excellent graphics, carefully crafted story events and amazing sound. Yet the core remains the same. You shoot a thing, until its dead – then repeat.

Most laptops, and some desktops, ship with internal speakers. These are often adequate, but only just, and they’re certainly not a good choice for anyone who wants to enjoy media or music. Most computers still need a pair of external speakers to sound their best. Fortunately, speaker prices have dropped like a rock over the last decade. Just $100 will buy you a sound-system easily capable of handling a living room or home office.

Apple’s latest iPhone is surprisingly robust given its light weight but it’s only designed to survive minor drops in a friendly environment. Serious falls, dirt and water aren’t a factor, and that’s a problem if you’d like to use your iPhone while camping, hiking or playing sports. Tough cases are harder to find than those built to provide aesthetic value with some minimal protection and so to save you time, we’ve rounded up five of the best.

For most gamers, sitting down with a controller means escapism and relaxation. There are others, however, who enjoy games for the competition they provide. A great game can offer an adrenaline rush unlike anything most people experience in day-to-day life. Of course, that rush can turn to despair when you’re repeatedly stomped. Losing a game time and time again isn’t fun, and isn’t instructive. The only way to solve the problem is to improve your skills.

Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation? It’s impossible to know before the money starts flooding in – or doesn’t So pop some popcorn and grab your mouse. We’ve got some Kickstarters to watch.

Turbine’s take on Middle Earth has been live for almost 6 years now and, despite the appearance of numerous other titles, remains one of the most popular western MMOs. It’s also one of the easiest to access thanks to its free-to-play business model. You still need to have a handle on the game’s basics, however, and the complexities of the pay store can be confusing. Here’s what you must know to get started.

Touch controls are great for games that require thought rather than quick, twitch movement. You can plot moves, activate abilities and direct units all with the touch of…well, your touch. You’d expect that to mean excellent strategy games dominate the platform but, in fact, the most popular titles tend to be lighter fare or free-to-play games defeated with cash more quickly than skill. Here are a few titles that stand out for their quality rather than price.

Smartphones can be important tools in an emergency. Besides providing the chance to call for help, a phone can act as a flashlight, compass and GPS. But all of a phone’s functions rely on the battery and the features most useful in a pinch are the ones that consume the most charge. Once the battery is flat, the phone becomes nothing more than a lump of plastic and metal.

Purchasing a video card is a rite of passage for PC gamers. Researching, buying, and installing a brand new card for an existing rig separates casual gamers, who simply buy a new PC every so often, from those who truly care about the capabilities and performance of their system. That’s why any gamer looking to break into the do-it-yourself territory should check out GPU Boss.

Buying an Android phone is more complicated than buying an iPhone. There are literally thousands of choices, most of which are terrible (but also inexpensive). Homing in on the best requires time, research, consideration and careful balancing of pros and cons listed on hundreds of lengthy reviews. Or you can read this article and find out everything you need to know in 10 minutes. Your choice!