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Just got an email for my AKS-74U Assault Rifle pre order item from Gamestop. :laugh:

Apparently you input the codes for DLC stuff in game, as the directions in the email seem to indicate. I like that, no going through a hard to navigate website like for ME2 and Dragon Age.

It just used my email that I registered at Gamestop with. They're really bad with sending out emails for pre order items. I pre ordered ME2 from Gamestop as well and I didn't get my email until 2 weeks after I got the game. By then I had emailed Gamestop and told them I never got one. So in the end I ended up getting 2 pre order codes. :shiftyninja::laugh:

I wouldn't recommend anyone cheat the system like that..but yeah...I didn't do it on purpose! And you still have 4 more days or so before it really matters.

WTF they didn't even ask me for my email.. hmmm

I am pretty sure that should not matter and you will get it anyway. My one friend who preorders from Gamestop quite often is always referencing the fact he gets emails from them as well about his preorders, and I know for a fact I personally never do. I think some of us are registered under our email, some of us are not. I think we still get the same codes at the end of the day. I would just call them tomorrow to verify though. Actually still time to call them tonight. (Y)

Apparently bootleg is out :(

Hope this beats MW2 in sales still!

I don't see it being MW2, because MW2 appeals to a bunch of kids, where as the Battlefield series never has. It's more of the older crowd who likes the slower paced big world combat.

I am pretty sure that should not matter and you will get it anyway. My one friend who preorders from Gamestop quite often is always referencing the fact he gets emails from them as well about his preorders, and I know for a fact I personally never do. I think some of us are registered under our email, some of us are not. I think we still get the same codes at the end of the day. I would just call them tomorrow to verify though. Actually still time to call them tonight. (Y)

I called them, and they did not even have an email address on file for me. So I cleared that up. Thanks!!

hopefully this time the "rank up" weapons will be available in single player. Also, hopefully the system will work properly. I never seem to rank up in 2142, despite being on the ranked servers and it saying I rank up. It never actually ranks me up.

Did you not play the beta or demos at all? The rank up system seemed to work just fine. Other than it was capped to rank 11 for the pc beta. I don't know how it worked in the console demos.

Did you not play the beta or demos at all? The rank up system seemed to work just fine. Other than it was capped to rank 11 for the pc beta. I don't know how it worked in the console demos.

no I haven't played the beta or demo of bad company 2. I'm just irked that after all this time they still haven't fixed it in 2142. Hopefully it doesn't have the same problem in this game.

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So do not try and say you somehow got an advanced copy, etc., as quite simply, we know it is BS.

  • Like 2

Thread Cleaned

All comments about the leaked version will be deleted and you also run the risk of being warned. Please do not discuss the game. Keep it to yourself until Tuesday.

No Illegal Software/Copyrighted Discussion.

Discussions involving warez, cracks, security circumvention, using torrents for downloading copyrighted or illegal material is strictly prohibited. This includes music files or other unauthorized software. Asking for help in doing so will cause warns or suspensions of accounts.

The following punishments may be applied to your account following infractions:

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  • Suggesting (overtly endorsing) that somebody pirate material. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Requesting assistance in pirating material. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Posting screenshots that show obviously pirated material (e.g. someone's uTorrent download screen) = SNIP POST + PM and/or ZERO LEVEL WARN
  • Openly discussing pirated material (e.g. z0mg - new episode of Lost was amazing!! BitTorrent FTW!) = SNIP POST + PM and/or ZERO LEVEL WARN

Repeat offenders of the above examples will eventually be restricted from posting all together.

Please make note of the bolded part. I am about to delete your posts, and if you keep discussing it, you will be warned. Really is that simple.

No discussion about the leaked version will be tolerated.

Please especially see the last bullet. If you discuss the Single Player before the release date on Tuesday, you are openly discussing pirated material. So considering this your warning.

I am well aware that a few known groups in the "scene" have released the game early for both PC and 360.

So do not try and say you somehow got an advanced copy, etc., as quite simply, we know it is BS.

Thank you very much for putting an end to this foolishness before it even begun DL.

Thread Cleaned

All comments about the leaked version will be deleted and you also run the risk of being warned. Please do not discuss the game. Keep it to yourself until Tuesday.

No Illegal Software/Copyrighted Discussion.

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The following punishments may be applied to your account following infractions:

  • Posting a link to pirated software/film/tv/music. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Suggesting (overtly endorsing) that somebody pirate material. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Requesting assistance in pirating material. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Posting screenshots that show obviously pirated material (e.g. someone's uTorrent download screen) = SNIP POST + PM and/or ZERO LEVEL WARN
  • Openly discussing pirated material (e.g. z0mg - new episode of Lost was amazing!! BitTorrent FTW!) = SNIP POST + PM and/or ZERO LEVEL WARN

Repeat offenders of the above examples will eventually be restricted from posting all together.

Please make note of the bolded part. I am about to delete your posts, and if you keep discussing it, you will be warned. Really is that simple.

No discussion about the leaked version will be tolerated.

Please especially see the last bullet. If you discuss the Single Player before the release date on Tuesday, you are openly discussing pirated material. So considering this your warning.

I am well aware that a few known groups in the "scene" have released the game early for both PC and 360.

So do not try and say you somehow got an advanced copy, etc., as quite simply, we know it is BS.

thumbs_up.gif

Just put in my pre-order for the 360. I realize most here have abandoned the console for PC but hopefully I catch up online with a few of you.

I'm going to pay special attention to this thread until Tuesday. ;)

Thread Cleaned

All comments about the leaked version will be deleted and you also run the risk of being warned. Please do not discuss the game. Keep it to yourself until Tuesday.

No Illegal Software/Copyrighted Discussion.

Discussions involving warez, cracks, security circumvention, using torrents for downloading copyrighted or illegal material is strictly prohibited. This includes music files or other unauthorized software. Asking for help in doing so will cause warns or suspensions of accounts.

The following punishments may be applied to your account following infractions:

  • Posting a link to pirated software/film/tv/music. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Suggesting (overtly endorsing) that somebody pirate material. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Requesting assistance in pirating material. = SNIP POST + WARNING LEVEL RAISE
  • Posting screenshots that show obviously pirated material (e.g. someone's uTorrent download screen) = SNIP POST + PM and/or ZERO LEVEL WARN
  • Openly discussing pirated material (e.g. z0mg - new episode of Lost was amazing!! BitTorrent FTW!) = SNIP POST + PM and/or ZERO LEVEL WARN

Repeat offenders of the above examples will eventually be restricted from posting all together.

Please make note of the bolded part. I am about to delete your posts, and if you keep discussing it, you will be warned. Really is that simple.

No discussion about the leaked version will be tolerated.

Please especially see the last bullet. If you discuss the Single Player before the release date on Tuesday, you are openly discussing pirated material. So considering this your warning.

I am well aware that a few known groups in the "scene" have released the game early for both PC and 360.

So do not try and say you somehow got an advanced copy, etc., as quite simply, we know it is BS.

:yes:

IGN Review - 8.9

That guy made absolutely no sense. He kept exclaiming how the game had huge wondrous maps and vistas packed with tank warfare etc and says the game wasn't cutting it to be labeled epic? What did he want? a snowmobile race that ends in a super jump? Oh wait.

Also as mentioned above, MW2 gets higher on graphics? is he high? :huh:

They gave the game a 9 on graphics and sound while giving MWF2 a 10 for those. :pinch:

I've never played a game that sounds as good as BC2. That's kind of surprising.

It's the hype-effect and that's why you should never trust reviews, they are BS now a days.

MW2 has better graphics than BC2? Yeah, right. :laugh:

@Green_Eye - I see what you mean. He did go on about beautiful vistas and long draw distances and said it wasn't epic. That's pretty conflicting.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Nope. That lack of surround sound capability (analog) won't fly with me. Sure, I use headphones most of the time, but still.
    • Creative Sound Blaster AE-X PCIe review: your headphones will love it by Steven Parker If you have been reading Neowin for any length of time, you may remember that I reviewed the Sound Blaster Audigy FX Pro back in April. I found it to be an excellent budget sound card, even though it lacked support for formats such as DTS over the included SPDIF port. Anyway, Creative reached out to me again asking if I was interested in reviewing the Sound Blaster AE-X. It is a card mainly targeted at headphone wearers, which I'll get into a bit later. Before we get underway, here is a disclaimer: Creative Labs provided a free sample without any review pre-approval. Here are the full specs of it: Creative Sound Blaster AE-X Dimensions: 179 x 126 x 18 mm Weight: 263g / 9.28 oz Platform: PCI-e DAC: ESS ES9039Q2M Connectivity Options Side: Rear: 1 x HD Audio Front Panel Connector, 1 x ⅛“ Headphone port, 1 x RCA Line-out (Left) port, 1 x RCA Line-out (Right) port, 1 x Coaxial SPDIF-out port, 1 x ⅛“ Mic in/Line-in port, 1 x TOSLINK SPDIF-in port Surround: No DNR / SNR: THD+N: 0.0001% Dynamic Range 130 dB Recording Resolution: PCM up to 32-bit / 192kHz (Stereo) Direct Mode: Line Out (Stereo): PCM up to 32-bit  384 kHz Coaxial SPDIF Out: PCM up to 24-bit 192.0 kHz Headphone Amp: PCM up to 32-bit / 384kHz (Stereo) Native DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 Output Impedance: 1Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 8–600Ω, IEM: 0.5Vrms, Low: 1.5Vrms, Mid: 3Vrms, High: 6Vrms, Maximum output power: 350mW @ 32Ω (High), Maximum output voltage: 6Vrms (High) Front Panel Headphone Amp: PCM up to 32-bit / 192kHz (Stereo) Native DSD: DSD64, DSD128 Output Impedance: 10Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 32–300Ω, Maximum output power: 40mW @ 32Ω, Maximum output voltage: 1.9Vrms ASIO: ASIO 2.3 Total Harmonic Distortion: THD+N: 0.0006% Dynamic Range: 114 dB Scout Mode: Yes EMI shielding: No (but it passed all the FCC emission tests) Operating temperature: 0–45°C Input Power: 12V⎓0.5A Warranty: 1 Year (MSRP) Price: $179.99 / £169.99 The Sound Blaster AE-X was announced at the end of May, and it becomes clear that it is mainly for headphone wearers. I should also note that the card does not support DDL/DTS encoding technology, but it is said to support decoding through the coaxial SPDIF port. I was able to test this working with the classic Windows Sound properties, but I could not get a DTS (decode) signal through my Logitech Z906, it defaulted to 3D sound whenever I played DTS content through Plex or Emby. In addition, this card only supports two channels (stereo) over the speakers. The surround support is limited to the Headphone Amp, so before I get underway, what we have here is a card mostly intended for headphone use, especially with its SPDIF In (Toslink) port where you could connect another device like a console. So what about the highlights of this card? The AE-X is powered by the ESS SABRE DAC (ES9039Q2M), which is capable of a 130 dB dynamic range. In addition, it supports 32-bit/384 kHz playback for deeper detail and clarity. The headphone amplifier delivers up to 350 mW @ 32Ω, which admittedly far surpasses standard onboard audio, offering support for studio-grade headphones. DSD256 and ASIO 2.3 are also supported. What doesn't it have? No support for What-U-Hear, Super X-Fi, or the SmartComms Kit No EMI shielding, but it passed all the FCC emission tests (from the FAQ) I also want to make it clear that I am no audiophile. For me, it's purely subjective and it should just "work" out of the box. First impressions As I said in the introduction, I was a bit sad to see that the AE-X only supports stereo output, meaning it would not be on par with my ALC1220 over my speakers, as I mentioned it seems like this card is marketed toward headphone users. Since I am not an avid gamer that would rule me out as a potential customer, but I can still test its capabilities! The card arrived in a nice-looking box, as shown above. It's quite a bit larger than the Audify FX Pro that I reviewed back in April, and at first I thought the covering meant that it was EMI shielded, but it isn't as mentioned above in the highlights section. What's in the box: 1 x Sound Blaster AE-X PCIe card 1 x 3.5 mm CTIA TRRS to Dual TRS Headset Splitter Cable 1 x Quick Start Guide Aside from the Quick Start Guide, which someone at my age (I guess) needs a magnifying glass to read thanks to the tiny fonts, Creative Labs also has the manual online, which first requires you to prove that you're human in order to access it (so I can't direct link it). Anyway, the box is mostly made up of cardboard, and the only plastic in it is the anti-static bag for the card itself. Design Top Bottom The card itself looks pretty cool and actually wouldn't look out of place in an all-white build. There's only one connector, and for some reason it is awkwardly placed on the side (front-facing) that is for the front panel audio connector, which will let you use the headphones through the front PC audio jack. Since the front panel Headphone Amp has fewer capabilities than the rear headphone port, I decided not to use it. Rear of card PCI-e interface The rear of the card is completely open and is normally where you would find the front panel connector. The PCIe interface side is completely covered, which initially made me think it was EMI shielded. I/O panel Side (front-facing) with Front panel connector On the outer rear bracket side we have the TOSLINK SPDIF in, Coaxial SPDIF out, RCA line out (Right), RCA line out (Left), Headphone out, and Mic/Line in ports. On the front facing portion of the card itself is the F-panel connector. Usage Test System Our test system consists of the following: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Gigabyte X870E AORUS MASTER (BIOS F12) Corsair RM1000x (2024) Thermal Grizzly Kyronaut (33x33x0,2mm) 2x 32GB Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5 6000MT/s CL36-38-38-80 T-Force Z540 2TB (PCIe Gen5) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition (NVIDIA) Creative Sound Blaster AE-X Windows 11 25H2 Pro I installed the card into the Gigabyte X870E AORUS MASTER which includes the RealTek ALC1220 onboard audio. For our subjective listening tests, I used the Coaxial SPDIF port to my Logitech Z906 speakers. For headphone tests I used the OneOdio Studio Max 2 Wireless DJ Headphones that I reviewed last month. After installing the audio driver, I installed Creative Nexus, which is a relatively new app designed for the latest Sound Blaster cards. Then I discovered the AE-X needed both a driver update from 1.00.15.0001 to 1.01.09.000 and a firmware update from 1.00.06.0000 to 1.00.06.0002, then I was set to go. It should be noted that the card did not work without the driver (not Plug and Play). As you can see above, you can manage the firmware, driver, and inputs via Advanced Settings on the Device tab. By default Nexus enabled "Direct Mode". Upon clicking on Acoustic Engine, the Equalizer can be enabled and set to four different presets, which are: Gaming Music Movies Footsteps Enhancer There's also a dedicated Scout Mode for gamers. I mainly used Tidal and Spotify in the past week to listen to some of my Liked Songs (which now total over 700) in Shuffle mode; there were no pops or interference that I could hear. I also found a 5.1 Surround Music playlist on Tidal that sounded really great over Studio Max 2 headphones. When I reviewed the Audigy FX Pro, I went out and purchased a Logitech Z906 set second-hand for €100 specifically to use with the card, but in this instance all I could get on the AE-X was the 3D output of surround sound through Coaxial SPDIF and although it still sounded great, it isn't quite as good as DTS Interactive via my onboard Realtek ALC1220. Conclusion So what have I learned? The AE-X lacks multi-channel support for 5.1/7.1 setups and drops support for modern surround technologies like Dolby or DTS, functioning strictly as a stereo output device. So to really benefit, you will need Studio-grade headphones to "hear" the benefits of this card. With that being said, I can imagine it will appeal to gamers who are switching between console and PC. By utilizing the SPDIF in port, you could just plug your headphones into the AE-X (front or rear port) and then switch between PC and Console without having to move the headphones to a different port. As I said in the Sound Blaster Audigy review, the EQ in the Creative Nexus app offers safe presets, which allows a user to further tweak the lows, mids, and highs for a personal listening experience. Of course it all depends on the headphones you hook up to it. Speaking of headphones, I kind of wish I had higher-quality Studio-grade headphones to really test this card with; I'm not usually wearing headphones in my day to day duties. The only time I will wear them is if I want to listen to music very late at night and I don't want to disturb my neighbors, so my rating (verdict) is based on this fact. Someone with a PC/Console setup and wears headphone religiously to game, and consume media will benefit much more than I from the high-quality Headphone Amps that are included in the AE-X. Once again, I do feel like Creative could have gone the extra mile to support the S/PDIF port a bit more. Why include it if you're not supporting the main popular digital formats? It seems like the decision was more of a legacy-based one, offering uncompressed 2-channel PCM audio, for users with high-fidelity audio systems and external DACs. Maybe I will be lucky enough to review a card that truly includes all these features in the future. I am sure readers with far more knowledge on audio systems than me will correct me in the comments below. I'll just say I am happy to learn what I don't know! Where to buy The Sound Blaster AE-X is available to purchase now in preorder for $179.99 on the U.S. Creative website, or for £169.99 on the Creative UK website and will start shipping to customers from June 25.
    • $80 or 90%, anything else would be financial suicide one way or another.
    • Or... just use Bitwarden. Free, and has on-prem option as well. Works both on desktop and mobile, wherever you are. The age of local password files is over.
    • Thanks
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