AMD have launched a new PC labeling system based on the performance of the PC the label is thrown on. The AMD Game! (AMD exclamation mark) system has been designed to show to prospective PC buyers the PC gaming potential of the PC at hand.

There are two labels, both of which will be updated with performance levels every six months, the labels are known as AMD Game! and AMD! Game Ultra.

AMD’s Brent Barry told Shacknews this:

“We’re trying to help people identify PCs that are really ready to play the latest games,” AMD desktop gaming strategist Brent Barry explained to Shacknews. “Basically, to bring a little bit of that console-like simplicity to the mainstream gamers.”

While this is an innovative and novel idea to help push the PC as a gaming platform the system only applies to PC systems based on AMD or ATi processors and graphics cards.

UPDATE – I have been kindly informed that AMD are actually part of the PC Gaming Alliance. My mistake!

Early specs for Assassin’s Creed for the PC have been revealed on the Ubisoft Solution Center.

Question
What are the minimum system requirements for Assassin’s Creed?

Answer

In order to play this game properly, your PC MUST meet or exceed these minimum requirements:

Supported OS: Windows XP / Vista (only)
Processor: Dual core processor 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ or better recommended)
RAM: 2 GB (3 GB recommended)
Video Card: 256 MB DirectX 10.0–compliant video card or DirectX 9.0–compliant card with Shader Model 3.0 or higher (512 MB video card recommended) (see supported list)*
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0 or 10.0 compliant sound card (5.1 sound card recommended)
DirectX Version: DirectX 10.0 libraries (included on disc)
DVD-ROM: DVD-ROM dual-layer drive
Hard Drive Space: 12 GB
Peripherals Supported: Keyboard, mouse, optional controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows recommended)

*Supported Video Cards at Time of Release:
ATI RADEON X1300-1950 / HD 2000 / 3000 series
NVIDIA GeForce 6600-6800 / 7 / 8 / 9 series

Laptop versions of these cards may work but are NOT supported. These chipsets are the only ones that will run this game.

NOTICE: This game contains technology intended to prevent copying that may conflict with some disc and virtual drives.

If this is the final spec of the PC version then…well wow. These spec levels are beefier than those for Crysis, I am not looking forward to trying to play this…well I won’t be able to what with only having a lowly P4!

I am also wary of the last part concerning preventing copying, I just hope they don’t put in some software that kills disc drives!