Using sound in competitive online video games is so important that it spawned its own slang: sound whoring. It's the act of using audio information (in the case of games like "Call of Duty," an enemy's footsteps or reload announcement) to get an idea of an opponent's position so you're cocked and ready as soon as they come barreling around a corner.
In the interest of giving armchair commandos an unfair advantage, headset manufacturer Turtle Beach just announced two new gaming headsets. But will gamers bite at the pricey peripherals?
The upcoming products - the PC-centric Z6A and the more game console-friendly Ear Force PX3 - will both cover the usual range of headset implements, but boast some enhancements as well.
The $99 Z6A caters to PC gamers, though remains compatible with the Xbox 360. It features 5.1 surround sound support, sub-woofers and the ability to hear yourself in your own headset. Turtle Beach suggests this will help gamers cut down on shouting at the screen; I have my doubts.
The PX3, on the other hand, works with the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC and MAC platforms. With that added flexibility comes a pricier product, however: the PX3 will set gamers back $149. Luckily, cross-system support isn't the only allure. The company says the PX3 is programmable and allows for 18 different pre-sets which can be selected at will. Players can even use the included wireless transmitter to connect an MP3 player and listen to music. Hopefully, gamers will vie for a little "Bridge Over Troubled Water" to soothe the aggression brought out by a rousing game of "Killzone 3."
In a press release detailing the announcement, Carmine Bonanno, president and CEO of Turtle Beach, said both products represent exactly why his company is successful.
"One message we have heard from gamers load and clear is that they want to control their gaming experience as much as possible," Bonanno said. "The PX3 allows us to bring many of the PX5's amazing innovations to an even broader audience, while the Z6A offers PC gamers a competitive edge with a flexible multi-driver surround sound experience that provides the comfort needed for long gaming sessions."
Both headsets are currently slated for a vague "Summer 2011" release.
Disclosure: I bought a Turtle Beach Ear Force X11 headset of my own accord a couple months ago, mainly because I had a leftover Christmas gift card that covered the bulk of the $75 price tag.
