If you've been dying to get your hands on Lenovo's Legion Go, now is the time to strike. As part of its early Black Friday deals, Lenovo has the 1TB Legion Go at22% off for just $580. With its 8.8-inch QHD display, TrueStrike controllers and multiple gameplay modes, the Legion Go is a handheld masterpiece for any gamer on your holiday gift list. The 512GB variant is also on sale at Amazon, down as low as $550.See at LenovoIf you're tired of sitting in a desk chair all day, you can connect the Legion Go to your monitor or TV, sit back on your couch and relax. The TrueStrike controllers are also detachable for ease of use. For uninterrupted gaming, the Legion Go has a 49.2-watt-hour battery capacity, and thanks to Super Rapid Charge, you can get back to 70% after just 30 minutes of charging. You'll be happy to hear that the Legion Go has a vivid, dynamic display that has a refresh rate of up to 144 hertz, a 10-point touchscreen, 97% DCI-P3 color gamut and brightness at 500 nits. In terms of sound, the Legion Go has a 2 x 2-watt speaker system for incredible soundscapes. Plus, thanks to Legion Space, you can use this display and speakers to their fullest while having access to a wide variety of games. In addition to the Legion Go itself, this purchase comes with a controller base, 65-watt power adapter and a carrying case. Why this deal matters Right now, this is the lowest price for a brand-new 1TB Lenovo Legion Go. The device normally costs $750, and other retailers currently have it priced starting at $700. In other words, this early Black Friday deal offers the more capacious Legion Go at the best price of $580. While Lenovo is offering Black Friday deals up to 75% off for a limited time, there is no guarantee that this price will continue to drop or last until December. So, if you've been wanting the Legion Go, now is the time to go add it to your cart. Check Out These Impulse Buy Gifts, All Under $25 See all photos

OpinionNovember 19, 20246 min readRFK, Jr., Is a Bad Prescription for U.S. Public HealthProminent vaccine skeptic RFK, Jr., is a proven menace to public health. But with a bird flu outbreak looming, he is poised to take a perch atop the federal public health enterpriseBy Maggie FoxFormer Republican presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks ahead of a live interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, during the finale of the Tucker Carlson Live Tour at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on October 31, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty ImagesRemember ivermectin, the antiparasitic drug that right-wing media figures wrongly touted as a cure for COVID? How about hydroxychloroquine, the malaria treatment taken by thousands who then suffered side-effects after Donald Trump recommended it as a COVID treatment? And recall when the Trump White House pondered poisonous oleandrin as a COVID treatment on the advice of a pillow-maker campaign donor?Now Trump says he will elevate to his Cabinet someone with a notable record of promoting pseudoscience and downright quackery: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. A prominent vaccine skeptic, Kennedy promises to be a disaster for U.S. public health.For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health, wrote Trump in a November 14 post on X (formerly Twitter) in which he announced that he will nominate Kennedy to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again! Trump added.That, according to Kennedy, will include pushing for the removal of fluoride from drinking water, relitigating the already meticulous approval of vaccines and revisiting disproven treatments, such as chelation therapy, sometimes touted as a treatment for autism.An environmental lawyer, Kennedy is a master at seeding doubt around public health. He employs the same distrust-sowing technique that worked for the tobacco industry for decades, just asking questions dissembling that threatens support for science and an already stumbling public health infrastructure.Kennedy largely owes his prominence and income to his last name, not demonstrated scientific competence. As a senior writer on the NBC News medical unit in the 2010s, I fought more than once with senior producers who wanted to give airtime to Kennedy and his bogus health claims. These claims run the gamut from vaccine skepticism to advocating for raw milk and fears Wi-Fi might cause cancer. Now hell have the implied legitimacy of the White House. News outlets will have little choice but to report whatever nonsense he decides to spew.This is not his area of expertise. I am not quite sure why they would let him do any of this stuff, says Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.The Senate will have to confirm Kennedy to head HHS, an enormous department with a nearly $2-trillion annual budget that oversees the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.But even if the Republican-led Senate balks at approving Kennedy, Trump could give him an unofficial czar position with extensive influence over fresh political appointees eager to please the fickle Trump.They take calls from the White House, says Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University. Being able to whisper in the ear of the president, that brings enormous power and influence.HHS leads the agencies tasked with discovering new drugs, approving new treatments and vaccines, advising on public health and preparing against threats such as pandemics and biological attacks. COVID has killed more than 42,000 people in the U.S. so far this year alone. And with H5N1 avian influenza spreading among poultry, cattle and people, this is a perilous time to give free rein to an amateur.Kennedy comes to the Trump administration with a track record of trying to thwart public health campaigns. His nonprofit Childrens Health Defense has produced films, such as Vaxxed III: Authorized to Kill, that feature testimonials by people claiming standard medical treatments or vaccines hurt them or killed loved ones. We leave you to decide where the truth lies, reads Vaxxed IIIs introduction. A Facebook misinformation campaign funded in no small part by Kennedys organization helped fuel fear of measles vaccines in American Samoa. The resulting outbreak there in 2019 killed 83 people, mostly children, and sickened more than 5,700. This year alone, undervaccination has led to at least 277 measles cases in 32 cities and states, according to the CDC.Its unlikely Kennedy could directly limit state-decided approval of vaccines, Gostin said. But he can scare more people away from vaccines and help turn an already dubious public away from mainstream medicine. On spreading mis- and disinformation, there are no guardrails. There are no restraints, Gostin says.In my mind, he is the most influential and most well financed anti-vaxxer in the world. But he will now have the imprimatur of the White House and the organs of public health like the CDC to really amplify that deep distrust in vaccines and also deep distrust in public health agencies and science itself, Gostin adds.Already the CDC has struggled to gain the cooperation of state officials and dairy farms in collecting data on an outbreak of H5N1 in farm animals that has caused infections in humans. In the U.S., human cases have been confirmed in 53 people in seven states. So far all but one of them have been confirmed animal-to-human infections. (The source of the additional U.S. case is unknown.)Having spread from poultry to dairy cattle, the virus also infects a range of other mammals, including pigs, the best-known mixing vessel for flu viruses. If the virus does start to spread from human to human, the federal government is already behind in preparing vaccines. If we have an H5N1 outbreak, assuming we have a vaccine that works, how do we get people to take it? Benjamin asks.An HHS chief telling people to drink raw milk from possibly infected cows wont help. While pasteurization kills the virus, raw milk offers no such protection, and it sickens several hundred people every year who catch Listeria, Campylobacter and other bacterial infections from it. The FDA has long been battling the raw milk movement. Howard Lutnick, Trumps transition co-chair, told CNN in October that Kennedys plans include dismantling faith in vaccines. He wants the data so that he can say that these things are unsafe, Lutnick said, despite prodigious amounts of clinical trial data showing that vaccines are overwhelmingly safe.FDAs war on public health is about to end, Kennedy recently wrote on X. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything else that advances human health and cant be patented by Pharma.While few would argue against the benefits of exercise, psychedelic treatments have yet to make it through clinical trials, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin dont treat or prevent COVID, hyperbaric therapies are proven only to treat rare conditions such a decompression sickness, and the FDA is restricted by law from regulating the multibillion-dollar nutraceutical and supplement market. Many legitimate stem cell treatments exist, but thousands of clinics offer sham treatments at extortionate prices, exploiting desperate patients hope.Its ironic that Kennedy happily casts doubt on vaccines, which are meticulously tested and monitored and which have saved 154 million lives over the past 50 years, while promoting unproven or disproven products alongside treatments that only empty pockets with empty promises.Benjamin says he despairs. We already know [the FDA] is overburdened, underfunded and under stress to do things quickly, he notes.Strong leaders at HHS, the FDA and the CDC will have a hard time withstanding what the COVID experience has already promised: an onslaught of confusing, contradictory and chaotic health direction coming from a Trump White House. Weaker leaders may not even bother to try.Oh, God. Wouldnt it be terrible for us to have another epidemic on [Trumps] watch? Benjamin asks. I am not sure how much they learned from the first one.This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

Play this crossword inspired by the December 2024 issue of Scientific American

Big changes for the Green Game Jam as it targets triple-A gamesPlanet toaster.Image credit: Playing for the Planet Alliance Feature by Robert Purchese Associate Editor Published on Nov. 20, 2024 For three years now, I feel like I've been writing the same story about the Green Game Jam: great efforts are being made but where are the companies making blockbuster games? Why aren't they part of this, and what will it take to get them involved?It's frustrating because the potential for impact is there, as witnessed in the few blockbuster games that have been involved. In 2022, the first year I was a judge in the Media's Choice category, Sony ran a plant-a-tree campaign for Horizon: Forbidden West that fit the brief perfectly and resulted in trees being planted in real life. That same year, Ubisoft set a Riders Republic map ablaze to raise awareness about the devastation of wildfires - a dramatic event players couldn't help but be drawn in by. This year, PUBG Mobile did something similar of its own, transforming a verdant map - with the help of an expert climatologist - into a dried and withered husk, representing what it would look like as a result of climate change. Imagination, reach, impact: these examples had them all.But entries like the above are few and far between. In fact, those games are perhaps the only times triple-A, or even double-A games, have featured in the Green Game Jam. Most entries come from games in the social, casual, and mobile gaming space - all of which are huge and impactful in their own right. But when it comes to reaching the more traditional gaming public - the likes of you and me, for example - there's no denying a household publisher could bring more clout to the whole endeavour. It's telling that this year's PUBG entry was for PUBG mobile only; what I wouldn't have given to see it realised in PUBG on PC too. More worryingly still, there's a slightly backwards trend of fewer triple-A entries appearing than in previous years; I don't think I saw a triple-A anywhere on the nominations list this year at all. What gives - do triple-A game makers just not care?This year's PUBG Mobile map transformation - the winning entry in the Media's Choice category I was a judge for.Watch on YouTubeThe answer is complicated, as I discovered while speaking to Sam Barratt, one of the leaders of the Playing for the Planet Alliance, which organises the Green Game Jam. Playing for the Planet, in case you didn't know, is a United Nations initiative that aims to bring games companies together to help them to make meaningful changes to the environmental impact of their work and operations. It was launched in 2019, and more recently, you may have seen project director Lisa Pak on stage during a brief segment in this year's Gamescom Opening Night Live show.But back to the answer: the complication comes not from a desire to take part, but from the Green Game Jam itself. "We're a round shaped hole that a square peg doesn't quite fit in," Barratt admits, talking to me in a video call. Triple-A games are typically much bigger projects with slower turning circles and longer development lead-times, which makes it hard to mobilise in time to take part. The organisers tried lengthening the entry period, but that didn't work either.The double-problem with this is Playing for the Planet knows there are companies out there doing things that absolutely fall within the remit of the environment-related work it would like to celebrate. "Rare is doing some remarkable things that we know about," Barratt says, "Ubisoft's got other ideas that we know about. Sony has got two or three things that they're planning that just don't sit in the Jam framework. So it's happening but it's not able to happen inside the Jam rubric - that's what's going on."The question then becomes: how do you fit them in - how do you recognise their efforts? Simple: you change the awards.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Cue the inaugural Playing for the Planet Awards, which took place this week in Helsinki, Finland. This might sound like the Green Game Jam, but in the name-change lies a significant difference: it's no longer confined to games making content specifically for the Green Game Jam - the scope is wider. It allows the organisers to celebrate games that aren't in the Green Game Jam but are making exceptional efforts in this area - I'll never forget talking to Terra Nil developer Free Lives, a strategy game about rewilding environments, and being told it had never heard of the Green Game Jam, for example. It can also celebrate people making exceptional individual contributions - efforts that the Green Game Jam couldn't recognise before.Just look at this list of winners from the inaugural Playing for the Planet Awards, which features names like For Honor and Minecraft - those are the kinds of names we want to see.Best Purpose-Driven Game - Longleaf Valley by TreesPlease GamesBest Green Activation - Minecraft: Urban Miner by Mojang StudiosBest Green Tech - For Honor by UbisoftChangemaker - Mojang StudiosChampion - Jennifer Estaris & Jude Ower UNEP's Choice - Dragon Mania Legends by GameloftCall to Action - Love & Pies by Trailmix GamesMedia's Choice - PUBG Mobile by the Lightspeed Studios of Tencent Games & KraftonTrailblazer - Love & Pies by Trailmix GamesNewcomer - FarmVille 3 by ZyngaPlayer's Choice - Hay Day by SupercellJam Spirit - June's Journey by WoogaOne award that particularly catches my eye is "Best Green Tech", which is an area of significantly increased importance recently. You might remember an investigation I co-wrote on Eurogamer about how green game downloads are, and how a part of it mentioned the importance of talking about efficiency in games, not just in the sense of more power, but efficiency that runs through hardware right down to a game's code. That's what Best Green Tech is about.It's as Sam Barratt says: "Those that make and power the games really have all the agency to make things easier for people further downstream. So the more that Nvidia is conscious, the more that the engines like Unreal and Unity are conscious, the more that the platforms are conscious, the easier it is for the rest of the ecosystem to do the right thing."These new awards, then, are a way to include the industry more widely and to keep people thinking about the issues year round, to "shift it from being a seasonal event where people think they need to do something and just tick the box, to an always-on mindset, where people are thinking about what contribution they can make," Barratt says.I'm relieved. I admire what Playing for the Planet is trying to do, and it's a relief to hear triple-A games companies aren't ignoring it, they're just doing things slightly differently, their way. It's enormously encouraging to hear that companies like Rare and Sony and Ubisoft are busy cooking things up in this area - I can't wait to see what they are. It only takes one leader to inspire a change.In five years, Playing for the Planet has announced itself, established itself, and made the Green Game Jam something of a known quantity. This feels like the next step. It'll be a harder one to gauge the impact of, I suspect, given that it won't be contained within the Green Game Jam (or at least not entirely). But then, it's never been about fame or prestige - it's always been about bringing companies together towards a greater goal: to inspire action before it's too late. That, I applaud.

Final Fantasy 14 Mobile officially revealedFrom Tencent-owned Lightspeed Studio.Image credit: Square Enix News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Nov. 20, 2024 A mobile version of Final Fantasy 14 has officially been revealed.The in-development game was announced by Final Fantasy 14 director and producer Naoki Yoshida, with Tencent-owned Lightspeed Studio behind development. The studio previously developed PUBG Mobile."This is our latest MMORPG title specifically tailored for the mobile platform," said Yoshida in a video announcing the project. "Despite these adjustments Lightspeed Studios is working with tremendous enthusiasm and dedication to faithfully recreate the story, duties, battle content and other aspects of the original game."Final Fantasy 14 Mobile Reveal TrailerWatch on YouTubeHe continued: "I hope both current FF14 players and those who are interested in exploring its story will look forward to what's coming next."The video provides a first look at gameplay, which shows a fully-realised version of Eorzea from the cities of Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa, to the Gold Saucer and even a battle against the Primal Titan.To see this content please enable targeting cookies.As noted on the game's website, nine jobs will be available at launch out of the full game's 22 battle jobs. While these aren't listed, imagery suggests the likes of Black Mage, Warrior, Dragoon, Bard, and White Mage will all be playable.What's more, all 11 crafting and gathering jobs will be included, as well as side activities like Triple Triad, chocobo racing, and home customisation.Final Fantasy 14 has already received over 30 million registered players and has proven a huge success for Square Enix. It's no wonder a mobile version is in development to boost that further.This mobile version, along with the Tencent collaboration, was rumoured back in July this year. A month later, it was approved in China.While a release date is unknown, a demo through multiple play tests will soon be available in China, with a global launch planned afterwards. Fans can pre-register now.The expansion to mobile is part of Square Enix's "aggressive" push to multiplatform releases to "diversify earnings opportunities".For current players of Final Fantasy 14, the latest Patch 7.1 was released earlier this month, bringing the Final Fantasy 11 themed raid series as well as new story content.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereHelldivers 2 has been one of the best games of the year, and it deserves its nominations for Geoff Keighleys Game Awards set to be hosted in December. While HD2 has been absolutely fantastic, Arrowhead are not at all resting on their laurels as they have a lot of plans for the future. Not everything has been revealed, but a Helldivers 2 developer has guaranteed more mission types are on the way.Theres a lot to be excited about for HD2 judging by leaks that have yet to materialize. More weapons for the Illuminate have been uncovered through datamines, leaks have shown off a mysterious new weapon, and there are also old Dune weapons and armor speculated for a new Warbond.While leaks are a way of knowing whats potentially happening behind-the-scenes, Arrowhead has shared some of their plans for the imminent and far-off future. One of these plans includes extra activities for Helldivers 2 players to enjoy.More mission types are coming to Helldivers 2On the Helldivers Discord, Arrowhead community manager, Twinbeard, was asked if there is any news on new content, patches, reworks on the DSS this month or next.In response, Twinbeard posted, We almost never talk about upcoming content beforehand unless its already announced. He elaborated that Arrowhead are absolutely working on new content, but he didnt reveal exactly when stuff will arrive.Then, in response to a different user, Twinbeard said, I can almost guarantee that more mission types are coming, sooner or later.Image credit: Helldivers DiscordFinally, although the specifics of the new content and extra missions types havent been revealed, Twinbeard eased concerns that anything has been delayed due to issues with the DSS. The community manager shared, AFAIK no patch or upcoming content has been delayed because of the DSS launch.While its unclear what the extra mission types will involve, Arrowhead has shared more specific plans for what they are currently working on. Of course, were still waiting for the arrival of the Illuminate, meanwhile, Arrowhead are officially looking to revamp the jet pack while also fixing excessive ragdolling.As for new content, the CCO has confirmed that previously leaked vehicles will be added soon, and Arrowhead has also stated they are planning crossovers.For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We have also a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield.Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe Battle Pass is one of the most entertaining things in Fortnite. This progression system offers a variety of rewards every season, including skins, and is relatively easy to complete. On top of that, it costs less than an average skin, making it affordable for everyone. However, the system is completely changing next season, and Epic Games revealed all the details about it.Earlier this year, Epic made seasonal passes non-exclusive, so its no surprise that were getting another big change. Once again, this is a positive change that will benefit the community.Fortnite is removing Battle Stars from the seasonal passFor more than five years, Fortnite has used Battle Stars with its seasonal pass. These stars had different functionality over in the first five chapters but were always used for leveling up the pass. When the next chapter comes out, this will no longer be the case. Epic Games is moving away from Battle Stars to make the progression system simpler and more effective.With the release of the Remix season, Epic enabled progression across multiple modes. Thanks to this, it is now possible to level up in Fortnite Festival, LEGO Fortnite, and Battle Royale at the same time. The next chapter will take this a step further by completely removing Battle Stars. Festival Points were also removed with Chapter 2 Remix, while Studs will be gone in Chapter 6 as well.Fortnite Chapter 6 will bring many changes. Image by VideoGamerOnce these earned currencies are retired, the Battle Pass, Music Pass, and LEGO Pass will simply unlock rewards for you to claim as you earn XP.Epic GamesLeveling in Fortnite has become extremely easy in every mode. The upcoming change will make this task even quicker, removing the grind completely from the game. It will be interesting to see if Epic Games will add more rewards to the Battle Pass in the future, as that would motivate players to keep playing more after hitting level 200. FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Its important to check the reviews on the specific item youre looking to buyquality and functionality can vary, since there are a lot of different brands represented on the site.Mistana Patio Dining SetDalenna Outdoor Ottoman with Sunbrella Cushion8. ArticleIf you go in for Scandi-influenced, LA-presenting outdoor furniture, look no further than Articles catalog. We love the poolside vibe of their outdoor selections, with their selection of warm neutrals and acacia wood foundations.Article Solina Outdoor StoolArticle Lubek Outdoor Loveseat9. Crate & BarrelCrate & Barrel has a robust section dedicated to outdoor living. Their bestsellers include nature-inspired seating sets, sculptural side tables, and chic loungers (like the one below). Check out their gorgeous look book for a serious dose of inspiration.While CB2s options skew more modern, Crate & Barrel is all about traditional and contemporary designs. Plus, a good selection of the furniture you see online can be seen in person at one of the companys many stores.Crate & Barrel Nayarit Outdoor Side TableCrate & Barrel Abaco Resin Wicker Outdoor Chair10. CB2CB2 is a sister brand of Crate and Barrel that skews more minimalist and modern. Need a backyard or patio design consultation? They do that too. Their designers will create mood boards and room renderings to help you bring your outdoor space to life.The quality and delivery process is pretty standard (in a good way) for a massive retailer. Reviews have applauded quick ship times, but make sure the piece youre looking to purchase is in stock before buying. A good number of items have longer lead timesas long as you know what to expect, youre good.Bacio All-Weather Rattan Outdoor Sofa by Ross CassidySunset Teak Outdoor Loveseat by Fred Segal11. TargetShop Targets outdoor living section and your next haul might just include some backyard must-haves, like this cute-as-can-be wicker patio set. Target has patio chairs starting at $20 and seating solutions for every size space. Dont forget to check out their vibrant selection of accessories, including bright outdoor pillows, mood-setting string lights, and every kind of planter you can imagine.Nolina 27.5" Round Bistro Patio Dining TableTangkula Patio Adirondack Set12. Lulu and GeorgiaIf youre looking for a statement piece of outdoor furniture, chances are youll find something that catches your eye from California-based Lulu and Georgia. The brands highly curated selection of outdoor living essentials elevate classic silhouettes, spanning teak lounge chairs to side tables. Each piece is special and looks like something youd find straight out of a designers studio. In fact, the brand consistently works with top designers from around the world to offer dialed-in furniture collections. This is a great place to shop if custom work isnt within your budget but you still want something special.Lulu and Georgia Manila Indoor/Outdoor Dining ChairLulu and Georgia Clarabelle Indoor/Outdoor Stool13. Design Within ReachDesign Within Reach is another one of the best outdoor furniture stores, especially if youre searching for high-end pieces. Their modern aesthetic brings an elite sophistication that complements any contemporary backyard. The brand also has exclusive rights to a number of iconic designs, so its always worth checking for special colorways or fabrics if youre looking for a very specific piece of furniture.

If Black Friday usually means an add-to-cart frenzy of items youre not even sure youll like after 48 hours, fear not. We found early Wayfair Black Friday deals on items youll want to keep around for a long while (not to mention that are available to shop from your sofa). Said deals are already going strong onlineno anxiety-inducing in-person brouhaha required. If youre aiming to refresh your living room and cookware (you definitely need a new nonstick pan) or want to snag a new area rug and and piece of wall art to update your interior design this holiday season, head straight to the Wayfair Black Friday Sale.Read ahead to find all of our favorite early Wayfairs Black Friday sale deals and get your home decor refreshed and ready for the holiday season and beyond. And mark your calendar for the main event, which will start November 21.PS: If youre in the market for furniture, mattresses, vacuums or other home deals, check out our full Black Friday and Cyber Monday lineup here.Furniture DealsCleo Velvet Upholstered Platform Bed by Kelly Clarkson HomeFew things will make you feel more like royalty than a velvet bed. But this one doesnt go overboardthe simple stripes of cushion ground the luxe material and create a solid anchor for a whole crew of pillows. The best part? You dont need a box spring.Husno Rubberwood Solid Wood Dining TableJust because you have a small apartment doesnt mean you cant have a dining roomyou just have to get creative. This 47-inch table can also be used as a workspace. The vibe leans Scandinavian, so itll slip right into your existing home decor scheme without interruption.Hertford Linen Accent Chair by Sand & StableMidcentury enthusiasts will love the combination of wood frame and linen-blend upholstery on this classic lounge chair. Deem it your reading perch and find a sculpural side table to plop right next to it. It also comes with a lumbar pillow for extra support.Sealy Cool 12" Medium Memory Foam MattressWhile the term cool in the bedroom used to refer to the other side of the pillow, youll now find pillows, sheets and even mattresses laden with cooling technology, promising an end to the night sweats. The Sealy Cool 12 is counts itself as one of the top cooling mattresses in the game. It features a medium firm memory foam infused with SealyCool gel and Copper Cool technology, providing ample support and cooling all night long. It comes rolled up in a box for convenient delivery and setup and is designed and assembled in the USA.17 Stories Bed Frame with 2-Tier Storage Headboard and Power OutletsOnce youve found your mattress, take advantage of the other Wayfair sleep deals and snag a frame to fit your new bed. This frame comes with built-in plugs, so you can always keep your devices charged and two-tiered storage on the headboard perfect for books, art or a zillion half-empty cups.Dingler 77'' Upholstered Sleeper SofaWe tested this budget sleeper sofa ourselves and were very pleased with the results, especially considering the price point. Reviewer Rachel Fletcher said had this to say: This is a sofa bed (vs. a sleeper sofa), so it is designed to be used without a mattress. You unfold the sofa, slap on a sheet (I had better luck with a flat sheet than a fitted), and your bed is ready for the evening. If you enjoy a firm sleeping surface (which I tend to), this is right up your alley.Steelside Dustin Media ConsoleMedia console, TV stand, a place to line up the 10 cups you accumulate during the workdaywere not going to tell you how to use this piece of living space furniture. But the step-up design is fun, and we love that. The natural wood grain and sleek black hardware is a nice touch, too.Mercury Row Campanelli Coffee TableAmong the Wayfair Cyber Monday deals youll find a big selection of coffee tables and tv stands, like this simple, mid-century-inspired table from Mercury Row. The curved lines and abstract looks standout, but the top comes in different colors to help the table blend into whatever design style you are looking for.Steelside Aichele Vegan Leather Wingback ChairAs we nestle into the coziest time of year, consider where youre going to curl up on the coldest days. This faux leather chair from Steelside is stylish enough to stand out but isnt overbearing, meaning it could be the focal point of a room or simply do its duty as an accent chair. Add in your favorite new mystery novel, a wool blanket and some Earl Gray to really round out the wintry vibes and stay cozy until spring has sprung.Ashalyn Upholstered OttomanPair your new armchair with a cozy, upholstered ottoman to make it the coziest duo in your home. Designed for reading, relaxing with Netflix after a long day, or to serve as an extra surface for throws and other necessities, its 38% off and also available in black.Teele 18" Wide Round Pouf OttomanIf natural fibers are more your look, we get it. Thats where this 65% off jute option comes into play. Its available in seven colorways if you want something that pops, but were partial to the un-dyed version pictured.Harriet Bee Tena Solid Wood Standard Bunk BedsBunk beds offer so much extra room for activities. We think this kid-friendly design with easy-to-manage stairs and plenty of storage is more than ideal for little ones sharing a room or for extra sleeping space in a guest room.George Oliver Hermas 82.3'' Vegan Leather SofaStorage isnt always pretty, but it sure is in this case. Ideal for a small living room where every piece of furniture needs to double as storage space, this single-arm sofa is high on our list of Wayfair Cyber Monday sale deals. The chaise-style seat is hiding a pocket of storage underneath, while two drawers pull out to pack in even more space.Mercury Row Henline Solid Wood Spindle BedMade of solid wood, the slatted headboard on this frame is reminiscent of Shaker-style furniture and the curved shape gives off wingback vibes. Its a lot of detail for a bed, but it doesnt look like its trying too hardand thats hard to nail down.Home Decor DealsNayelis Metal Arch MirrorThere are few places that arent made better with a mirror in a fun shape. This one is great for the entryway, bedroom, hallway, living roompretty much any wall with some empty space.Pippi Modern Floating Shelves (Set of 2)Theres a world of possibility when it comes to floating shelves. Make a candle hub, pile a few books from your to-be-read stack, or display your favorite souvenirs. These are made of pinewood and each one can hold up to 75 pounds. As is, theyre pretty rustic, but you could paint them a bold color. Just an idea.AllModern Laurene Blackout Curtain PanelTheres something timeless about a bold windowpane pattern. This set of blackout curtains is the key to snoozing right until your alarm goes off (and then some). The linen material adds some great texture, making these seem way more expensive than their actual price tag.Knitted Throw BlanketYou can never have enough throw blankets, especially once winter hits. This one comes in 28 colors and packs some major fluff into its chevron pattern. A kick of fringe is a nice touch when youve got it folded over your couch or favorite lounge chair.Kelly Clarkson Home Anderson Metal Table VaseFlowers deserve to shine, so give them a worthy home. It may look ceramic, but this vase is made of metal and could hold its own on a mantle. The ribbed exterior is chic, and the neutral color palette means those bright pink anthuriums will really make a statement.AllModern Edgar Throw PillowCan you have too many throw pillows? The Edgar Throw is available in over 20 colors and comes with either a down or a polyfill insert. If you dont need inserts, you can buy the pillow covers on their own and fill it yourself. Add one or two to accessorize your bedroom furniture or plop one down on each of your bar stools for a comfortable seatregardless of where you use them, more pillows are always a good option.Loloi Sorrento Oriental Machine Made Power Loom Polyester Area RugYou can get up to 80% off area rugs during Wayfairs Black Friday event, including this machine-made rug from Loloi. The price above is for the 710 x 102 rug size, but there are over 10 sizes to choose from, meaning you can find a rug to fit any space. The Sorrento Oriental rug is power-loomed in Turkey from 100% Oeko-Tex certified polyester pile, meaning you wont have to deal with any pungent smells or harmful chemicals upon arrival.

Population V2 Crowd Simulator Adds More Control and Powerful UI Features By BlenderNow on November 20, 2024 Add-ons The latest release of Bproduction's Population crowd simulator for Blender adds finer control over motion paths using pinch/deflate, look target control, new painting and group options and more!What's New in Population V2 ?Paint your crowd: Thanks to the new mode, you can paint your crowd directly in the 3D viewport.Bidirectional Crowd: Characters can now cross each other in 2 directions when walkingPinch/ Inflate: Enlarge or shrink your characters' path in follow curve modeGroup Mode: Allows you to vary the density of the crowd according to its position, perfect for concerts or auditoriums.On vertices mode: Add characters based on an object. Maximum control over the position of your characters.Look Target in Stadium mode:Free seating in stadium mode:Add groups of characters: x3, x5 or x7 to create a crowd quickly.Progress bar, loading time divided by 4, improved addon stability, and much more...Discover Population V2 on Blendermarket with -30% OFF for the launch of this new version for a few days only