holiday-gift-guide posts

Yesterday, we listed our picks for some great multiplayer games to play over the holidays. However, the thing about PC games is that you usually need an individual copy for each computer to play. It gets really expensive to shell out $40-50 per game to give as gifts. It can also be difficult to convince friends and family to buy those games for themselves.

Big Download knows your pain, and we've got you covered. Here are our top picks for multiplayer games that cost $20 or less, but provide plenty of fun for the holiday season. Some of these games might go on sale in the next few weeks for even more savings. Now you can spend less time worrying about what you can afford and more time planning that gaming get together.

Click on the image above to continue reading Big Download's 2009 PC Gamer Single Player Game Holiday Gift Guide.

The holidays are a time for coming together, eating way too much food, and getting in plenty of gaming action. Last week, we gave you gift recommendations for games that provide a fantastic single player experience. Now it's time to throw off those AI limitations and head into multiplayer, and we're not talking MMO's. Whether fighting cooperatively or going head-to-head against other players, 2009 has some excellent offerings that put players skills to the test.

Click on the image above to continue reading Big Download's 2009 PC Gamer Single Player Game Holiday Gift Guide.

Christmas morning is not the time to break even. What good are all those gift-wrapped PC games if your machine isn't up to the task of running them efficiently? Instead of tube socks, bubble gum, potato chips, and deodorant, make sure to consult Big Download's Stocking Stuffers 08 Guide if you're shopping for that special PC gamer in your life -- or if someone is shopping for you!

The last week of November was all about giving at Big Download as we posted up a ton of holiday gift guides andstarted a contest that will net one of our readers a tricked out gaming PC rig. Let's look at the highlights for the past week:

Exclusive features

• Holiday gift guides: We have tons of suggestions and opinions on buying games this season: How PC gaming saves you money; Big Download's 2008 PC Gaming Holiday Gift Guide; Big Iron's 2008 Holiday Wish List; Big Download's 2008 Holiday Gift Card Guide For Future Games; 15 Indie Games For The Holidays; Black Friday 08 Virtual Bargain Bin
• Contest: Would you like to win a $2,499 gaming PC from iBuypower? Then check out our biggest contest yet for all the details.
• Reviews: We have our final verdict on Call of Duty: World at War and Penny Arcade Adventures Chapter 2
• Mac Monday: Our regular Mac game column takes a look at the 2D adventure game Aquaria.
• MODmonday: Our mod column takes a look at the Half-Life mod Action Half-Life
• Boot Disk: Our retro gaming column takes a look at the original Half-Life.
• Big Ideas: Our weekly look at game industry themes is all about the children.
• Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games takes a gander at the indie fighting game Toribash

Tomorrow's the day; thousands of folks are at this moment getting ready to raid stores early tomorrow morning to get the best early bird deals on holiday gifts as part of "Black Friday" Here at Big Download we have been running a lot of holiday gift guide ideas over the past week. In case you missed any of them here's a round-up of all of our articles. It might give you some ideas before heading to stores or going online to your favorite retail web site:

How PC gaming saves you money
Big Download's 2008 PC Gaming Holiday Gift Guide
Big Iron's 2008 Holiday Wish List
Big Download's 2008 Holiday Gift Card Guide For Future Games
15 Indie Games For The Holidays
Black Friday 08 Virtual Bargain Bin

Plus don't forget; we are also giving away a new $2,499 gaming PC rig from iBuypower to one lucky Big Download reader. Head over to the contest page for more info and to enter.