Category Archives: Technology

DIY: how to replace your Xbox 360 controller thumbsticks

Time to face facts. Your Xbox 360 is almost obsolete. When the last of Microsoft’s mighty consoles rolls of the production line it will have become nothing but a toy for young kids. It’s crayon-encrusted shell protecting technology only good for entertaining children keen to play Dora the Explorer’s latest interactive adventure.

But what about you and I, die-hard Xbox fans that have spent the best part of a decade amassing an Xbox 360 game collection that rivals the stock in the local EB Games? Continue reading DIY: how to replace your Xbox 360 controller thumbsticks

Week in review: E3, the voice of Snake, Galaxy Note 10.1 and The Last of Us

Vic B'Stard
The Pre-E3 Week in Review

Whilst I’ve still got a few reviews to sort out, for some reason things seem to be a bit calmer than they’ve been for the last few weeks.

This could be just the calm before the storm, but nevertheless I though I’d take the opportunity to knock out a rather belated edition of Week in Review. It’s a bit of a mishmash, I’m afraid, but I’ve lots of thoughts and little time to put them down in words. Continue reading Week in review: E3, the voice of Snake, Galaxy Note 10.1 and The Last of Us

Vic B’Stard’s week in review: Xbox Live and Windows 8

Vic B'Stard
Microsoft finally sort their act out!

So I finally sorted out a tech issue that I’ve been living with for nearly seven years.

The UK launch of the Xbox 360 happened just before I moved to New Zealand. Buying a new console to drag half-way around the world was the last thing on my mind. So I waited for the ANZ Xbox 360 launch and picked one up at the midnight launch in Auckland. Continue reading Vic B’Stard’s week in review: Xbox Live and Windows 8

Vic B’Stard’s State of Play: a post-christmas PC upgrade

Vic B'Stard
New year, new PC

Well I’m back again after the Christmas break and some much-needed rest. The last six months has been a roller coaster ride that saw me moving across the Tasman, from New Zealand to Australia, and yet again just before Christmas to a leafy suburb of Sydney.

I’ve also introduced myself to the local video game publishing circuit, resulting in copious preview invites and being inundated with game review opportunities, which have been published on the Game Console pages of Techday.com, www.shanethegamer.com and the pages of this site.

I’ve spent the holiday mopping up the likes of Assassin’s Creed 3 and Far Cry 3, as well as enjoying the budget delights of Valve’s annual Christmas Steam sale. I’ve also started the transition of Vic B’Stard’s State of Play from the NZ focused www.stateofplay.co.nz to the more global www.vicbstard.com. You can reach the site using either URL, but expect the a bit of re-branding in the future. Continue reading Vic B’Stard’s State of Play: a post-christmas PC upgrade