Well, there’s no escaping it now, Christmas is well and truly coming so we asked the team to share what’s top of their wish list this holiday season.
Whether you're looking to get your Christmas shopping early, find some Black Friday deals or nab a little treat for yourself - get these in the bag for some very happy faces on Christmas day!
Top of Jack's wish list - SPHERO R2-D2
What is it? Walking talking Sphero R2-D2
If you’re a fan of Star Wars this is the gift for you. The specialised tech in the Sphero R2-D2 is unlike any other droid, making it as realistic as the Artoo you know and love from the big screen.
By simply downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet you can sit back and let it run freely, or use the commands to patrol the perimeters of the house. And when danger is near you can even get it to hide. With authentic sounds, this R2-D2 makes for an experience like no other.
You can even connect other Star Wars droids! If you or your pals have any other Star Wars app-enabled droids, you can link them together for entertaining interactions. You can even get them to patrol the house together.
Want to hear more from Jack? LinkedIn // Twitter
Top of Sanson's wish list? Mini PlayStation Classic console
What is it? A compact recreation of the original PlayStation console - preloaded with 20 classic games.
Relive the moments that changed gaming forever, with the iconic PlayStation Classic – featuring 20 of the best games from the original PlayStation console, including Final Fantasy VII, TEKKEN 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, Jumping Flash!, Wild Arms and more to be announced.
The design of PlayStation Classic perfectly mirrors the original console, with the same logo, button layout and packaging – but 45% smaller than 1994’s PlayStation. This miniature console comes complete with two wired controllers, an HDMI cable to connect to your TV, plus a virtual memory card to save your adventures as you switch between titles.
You will have to wait a few weeks though as it’s not on sale until December 3rd. But you can pre-order now.
Want to hear more from Sanson? LinkedIn // Twitter
Top of Alex's wish list? Commodore 64 Mini Retro Games System
What is it? A homage to the bestselling home computer in the world - the Commodore 64 Mini Retro Games System.
Keeping on the theme of micro-classic’s this 50% scale replica features HD output at 720p via HDMI, 64 built-in games, and a classic style joystick.
The Commodore 64 Mini makes you feel like you’re back in the 80s with its large collection of retro games, including classics such as Paradroid, Neubulus, Monty Mole, Hawkeye, and Uridium. It’s easy to set up, simply plug it into your TV using the HDMI cable, and you’re ready to go.
Additional features include a save game function, two USB ports, allowing you to plug in a USB keyboard to use it as a home computer. Or add a second joystick for two-player games. Perfect for getting together with family at Christmas!
Want to hear more from Alex? LinkedIn // Twitter
Top of Katie's wish list? Sony PlayStation VR Starter Pack
What is it? Sony PlayStation VR Starter (version 2) lets you discover truly breath-taking virtual reality worlds and adventures
Powered by cutting-edge technology, PlayStation VR transports players from their homes into the heart of incredibly immersive virtual reality games and experiences.
Stunning visuals, 3D audio, and intuitive controls, PlayStation 4 players live out their most epic gaming dreams - from high-octane racing and battling dragons, to exploring deep space and coming face-to-face with nerve-shredding horror. This is the future of play.
Now with everything you need to get started in one box - PlayStation VR Headset, PlayStation Camera and PlayStation VR Worlds. Just connect to PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Pro to begin your VR experience.
Want to hear more from Katie? LinkedIn // Twitter
Top of Joe's wish list? Gigabyte Aero 15X Lightweight Gaming Laptop
What is it? An ultra-lightweight Gaming Laptop that lets you take your gaming experience anywhere you go.
At a super slim 1.9cm thick, you can level up everywhere you go. Complete with a 5mm ultra-thin bezel, which offers a larger display size without increasing the size of the chassis.
Aside from its high performance, the latest GP also offers an immersive VR experience and high-resolution gameplay. The Aero 15 features the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GDDR5 8GB graphics along with DDR4 RAM, PCIe M.2, and more.
It also includes the Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor, which provides a 10% performance increase in comparison to 6th generation Intel Core CPU. The Aero 15X also boasts an impressive battery life, consuming three times less battery in 4K video playback. Using the RGB Fusion software, you can customize any key with RGB lighting and macro.
What more could you ask for?
Want to hear more from Joe? LinkedIn // Twitter
Top of Ben's wish list? OCULUS Go - 64 GB
What is it? Standalone virtual reality headset
Jump into virtual reality without needing to connect to a thing. Oculus Go is the easiest way to explore VR - you don't need a gaming PC or console to get started. Simply switch the headset on and put it on. That's it. Then you're ready to play games where you really feel like the main character, watch your favourite Netflix shows on a huge 180” screen and explore new worlds in a stunning way.
With 64 GB of storage space, you can save 7 HD films, 20 games, and 40 apps.
Feel surrounded by audio that will make every game and experience that much better. The Oculus Go has speakers built into the headset, so you can immerse yourself in surround sound without getting tangled in cables. Prefer to wear headphones? The Go has a 3.5 mm jack, so you can easily plug in.
Good VR depends on good lenses, which is why the Oculus Go has crystal-clear optics - so everything you see looks vivid and realistic. The lenses have a wide field of view, so you won't be distracted by the screen ending in your peripheral vision.
Navigate around, jump back to the menu and draw your weapon easily – all with the included controller.
Want to hear more from Ben? LinkedIn // Twitter
Top of Giles wishlist? 3DoF VR MOTION SIMULATOR
What is it? The world's most compact and affordable virtual reality motion simulator.
At the slightly more expensive end of our wish list the 3DoF VR Motion Simulator is small and lightweight - a diameter of 29 inches and a height of 15 inches when folded, so be careful, not to lose sight of it. Its weight is just 44 lbs, so you can easily pick it up and move along.
It has unlimited, 360 degrees yaw movement capability on the vertical axis, and on the horizontal axes, there are 50 degrees freedom, which is also exceptional.
Want to hear more from Giles? LinkedIn // Twitter
So hopefully there are a few ideas here for you and your gaming loved ones. Our consultants love to chat gaming so hit them up on Twitter or LinkedIn if you fancy a chat. If you’re thinking about a fresh start in 2019 they also love talking jobs, so speak to them about your next move in the games industry. You can also register for updates on all our latest gaming roles.
Likewise, if you’re a studio looking to increase your team in 2019 and need a hand sourcing the best talent from all over the world get in touch with Giles and the team.