2024 was a big year for my family, and not in a good way. My partner lost his job, our dog was diagnosed with cancer and one of my family members suffered a stroke.As a personal finance expert, I pride myself on taking risk into account. I have a high-yield savings account and I'm more aware than most of the perils of the credit card debt trap. So how did I find myself in this situation?Life is unpredictable, and sometimes we don't have the resources to handle what comes our way. As such, 45% of American households hold credit card debt, according to recent data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, which shows me that I am not alone in my struggles.I used to vilify credit cards, but through my work and lived experiences, I now recognize them as a tool. Although debt is morally neutral, having more of it than you intend to can dig you into a financial hole. By removing the common vitriol associated with debt and making a clear plan, we can zero out our balances sooner.Here is what I am doing to pay off $10,602.27 of credit card debt in six months. Voices Meet industry creators, contributors and emerging thought leaders that have paired with CNETs award-winning editorial team to provide you with unique content from different perspectives. Identify the real numbersThe first step to paying off any type of debt is knowing your numbers. What is the total debt owed? What is the minimum monthly payment? What is the interest rate? This helps you see what you're up against and how you need to prioritize your money.For example, here is a chart with the above information on my credit cards. I used this so that I could take into consideration what my debt looked like.CardDiscoverAMEXCare CreditTotal debt owed$4,494.57$5,074.82$1,032.88Monthly payment$106.77$140.00$62.00Interest rate29.99%22.15%0% until MarchAn important thing to note is that some of your credit cards may have introductory rates. My Care Credit credit card, for example, is 0% interest until March. Then, the interest rate skyrockets to 32.99%.Have an emergency fundOne of the reasons I got into debt was because my emergency fund wasn't as large as I would have liked. At the moment I could pay off my Care Credit card with the amount of money I have saved in my savings account. I'm choosing not to because that amount of savings is the only defense I have between myself and debt.This is why having an emergency fund is so important. If you have no cash saved, you could dig yourself into more debt that will be harder to get out of.Pro tip: If you're paying down debt and you don't have an emergency fund, prioritize saving at least one month's worth of expensesas a safety cushion. This will help you avoid indebting yourself further and allow flexibility when dealing with unforeseen circumstances.Create a debt payoff plan (and stick to it)There are many debt payoff plans out there. The best one is the one you will stick to.I'm going to use the debt snowball method. The debt snowball method prioritizes paying off the debt with the lowest total amount owed. By paying the minimum on every other debt, you free up more money to allocate toward the smallest balance. Once the debt with the lowest total amount owed is paid off, you apply the amount you were paying towards that debt to the next-lowest debt on your list.The reason I am choosing this method is because of the Care Credit introductory rate. While the 0% interest rate was helpful at the time of my dog's cancer treatment, I do not want to be charged with a 33% interest rate when I can quickly pay off the remaining balance before that happens. After I pay off the Care Credit credit card, I will move on to the Discover card, then finally the Amex card.Budget extra money toward debtI sat down and ran the numbers over the last few months. I put spending averages into categories and created a realistic monthly budget. While that budget is tight, I am committed to following it so that I am able to pay off as much debt as I can each month.I am also putting any "extra" money, including commission, side hustle income, gifted money and tax returns toward debt. (I would much rather use that money to fix my perpetually broken hot tub, but I've committed myself to paying off debt first.) Rocket Money Build a budget you can stick to with Rocket Money, CNET's editor choice winner and pick for best budgeting app. Details See at Rocket Money Remember to have funPaying off high interest credit card debt is important to my financial journey, but it's not the only important step. A few years ago I would have told you to focus solely on debt payoff if you were in debt of any kind. Now I know that sustainable debt payoff is more important.I'm encouraging myself to have fun while I pay off credit card debt. I still went on vacation this fall, I still order DoorDash and I still buy myself treats here and there. It may seem counterintuitive, but spending money on yourself and practicing financial balance is key to staying motivated during debt payoff.Your debt payoff journey doesn't have to be all or nothingIt may take you a little while longer to pay off debt, but you'll hate your life much less in the process and you'll avoid regressing or stopping completely. Sustainability and longevity are what you should aim for in your money journey.

8.4 /10 SCORE Our Verdict Our Verdict Best for: Back sleeper Combo sleeper Stomach sleeper Score Breakdown Performance 8 /10 Policies 7.5 /10 Durability 10 /10 Features 7.5 /10 Pros and Cons Pros Durable steel coils provide the bed with enhanced support Neutral comfort foams above offer nice pressure relief Ideal for much heavier body types Available with cooling cover upgrades Excellent edge support Cons Not for those on a tight budget People under 150 pounds might not need the added support Not ideal for fans of memory foam Table of Contents Helix Sleep has earned its place among the top-rated mattress companies available today, offering a robust matrix of seven firmnesses and three tiers of quality tailored to a wide, wide array of sleep styles. Each mattress is uniquely designed to cater to specific needs, with the brands main collection featuring high-quality hybrid models at budget-friendly prices.Helix Sleep also offers Helix Plus beds, an ultra-supportive hybrid mattress lineup designed to support heavier people. The Plus lineup is further split into three models -- Core, Luxe and Elite. We tested out the Helix Plus Core model to find out whether it's worth buying and who it might be the most ideal for, and we've also tested out the Helix Plus Luxe if you're after a pillow top mattress. Current coupon code Cyber Monday ended weeks ago, but Helix is still taking 20% off mattresses with the special promo code CYBERSALE20. This knocks $300 off the price of the Helix Plus mattress, and you can also get two free pillows with it. First impressions of the Helix Plus mattress Jon Gomez/CNETIn the past, we tested a few different iterations of this mattress. The previous model to this one felt like a neutral hybrid bed with lots of support, but it was around a medium firmness on our scale. This new model now looks very similar to the other beds in Helixs core lineup and also feels much firmer.Once it arrived at our space in a large box, we unboxed it, which took no time at all, and the process itself was really easy and fun to do. Ripping off a bunch of plastic and cardboard kind of makes you feel like a kid again, tearing into your presents on Christmas morning.After we let the bed properly inflate and off-gas, it was ready to be tested. Upon feeling the bed, I immediately noticed the cooling pillow top to be cool to the touch and thought it made the bed look and feel more comfortable. When I hopped, I thought the bed was firmer than where we originally had it at around a medium.Since the bed is designed for heavier people, who sink into beds more and perceive them to be softer, bigger body types could find this bed to be more in line with medium firmness. If youre an average-sized person, this bed might feel a bit too firm for your liking. The bed does provide an ample amount of support, though. Id say it stacks up to the likes of other ultrasupportive options like the Saatva HD, Big Fig and WinkBed Plus.Video: Helix Plus mattress reviewWatch me review the Helix Plus mattress in this video review. Helix Plus mattress firmness and feel Jon Gomez/CNETWhat does Helix Plus feel like?This new core rendition of Helix Plus presents sleepers with more of a neutral hybrid feel. Simply put, it feels like a supportive and durable hybrid bed thats generally comfortable and accommodating. It doesnt have much of a sink-in sensation that youd otherwise get with a memory foam mattress. Instead, it feels like a neutral bed that offers lots of push-back and resistance from its high-density foams and extra-supportive coils.Beds that have a pillow top feel or neutral hybrid feel are often safe choices. They just provide a general level of comfort that should be able to accommodate almost anyone. Unless you know you want a dense memory foam option or a super responsive latex foam feel; I think the feel of this Helix Plus mattress will work just fine for you.How firm is the Helix Plus mattress?I mentioned that the Helix Plus is a bit firmer than a medium nowadays, but how much firmer is it? Well, our team thought it was now right around a proper medium-firm on our scale, so the new model has gotten firmer.This firmness makes the bed most suitable for back and stomach sleepers. If youre a side or combination sleeper, you could get by on this mattress, but only if you prefer sleeping on something much firmer. If youre the type of side sleeper who prefers softer options, this may not be the right mattress for you.Keep in mind that this bed is not designed for the average-sized person. Much heavier people often sink into beds a bit more than average-sized folks, finding beds to be softer than medium body types. So, if youre a much heavier individual, this bed might be right around a medium when it comes to firmness.Helix Plus mattress construction Jon Gomez/CNETThe Plus is an enhanced hybrid bed thats constructed with high-quality materials. Its comprised of the following layers:1. On the bottom, theres a layer of base foam. This is a thin, dense foam that acts as a foundation for the rest of the beds layers.2. Then you have the beds main support system of TitanCore steel coils, designed to be extra durable and withstand a lot of weight.3. Next is a transition layer of Ultra-Dense Helix Responsive Foam., which acts as a buffer between the coils and the comfort elements on top.4. Just beneath the pillow top is a layer of high-density Helix Dynamic Foam. This is a comfort layer designed to be more durable than your average foam.5. Rounding the mattress out is its Breathe Knit cover, which should help the bed sleep temperature-neutral. You can spend up for the GlacioTex Pillow Top, which helps the bed sleep cooler.Helix Plus mattress performance Jon Gomez/CNETMotion isolationCompared to other ultrasupportive hybrid options online, wed say this bed deadens a decent amount of cross-mattress movement. It shouldnt isolate motion as well as dense memory foam options like Nectar or TEMPUR-Pedic, but I dont foresee your movements reverberating through the bed, causing your partner to wake up on this mattress or vice versa.Edge-to-edge supportThe TitanCore steel coils in the mattress provide Helix Plus with a solid amount of edge support. Theres no real roll-off sensation if you happen to sleep closer to those edges, and you should feel plenty of support along the beds perimeter.The dense nature of the comfort foams used above the coils also helps to keep you placed firmly along those edges. If your partner is a major bed hog, you can rest easy knowing this beds got your back.TemperatureLike many other beds within the online space, Helix Plus is advertised to sleep on the cooler side. Based on our tests, we found the standard Breathe Knit cover to be temperature-neutral. The GlacioTex Pillow Top will add a cooling factor to the mattress, which should appeal to hot sleepers more.Sleeping temperature often depends on other factors more than the bed itself. Your rooms overall temperature is the biggest influence in this regard, but it could also come down to the sheets youre using or the pajamas youre wearing. A bed can only do so much cooling-wise.DurabilityA quality hybrid bed such as this can last for several years, sometimes even over a decade. Weve found that coil beds generally last longer than those that have dense support foam. Foam layers can degrade faster over time as you lay on them night after night, whereas coils retain their shape more since theyre made of metal. Since the Helix Plus is an ultrasupportive hybrid mattress. Itll likely last you several years to come, especially if youre a heavier person.Who is the Helix Plus mattress best for? Jon Gomez/CNETAlthough the Plus could work for all body types, it's mainly intended to support folks on the much heavier side, so it might not be right for everyone. Here are the main things to consider about the bed and who itll work out best for.Sleeping positionIf youre a heavy individual well over the 200-pound threshold, you could probably get by on this bed in any sleeping position. Heavier people usually find beds to be softer than the average-sized person since they have more mass to sink in.If youre of a medium-sized build, the bed will probably be ideal for back and stomach sleeping. It might provide too much resistance against your shoulders and hips if youre a side sleeper whos more petite. Id say this bed is best for much heavier combination sleepers who tend to rotate around at night.Body typeAs mentioned above, this mattress is designed to support heavier folks, particularly those around 300 pounds and up. If youre in or around that weight, oftentimes, you need a hybrid bed with an enhanced support system such as this one.If youre an average-sized person, this bed is probably overkill for you. You can get by on a regular hybrid mattress thats more affordable and accommodating for your body type. If youre on the much smaller side, an all-foam bed will likely support you and your wallet more as well.Helix Plus mattress pricing SizeMeasurements (inches)Price Twin 38x75 inches$1,061Twin XL 38x80 inches$1,186Full 54x75 inches$1,374Queen 60x80 inches$1,499King 76x80 inches$1,874CA King 72x84 inches$1,874 For a bed of this caliber, I think the Helix Plus is offered at a great price point. After a discount, a queen size should run you around $1,100. Ultra-durable hybrid beds of this quality can easily cost upwards of two grand, so its nice to see the Helix Plus at a slightly more affordable value. Helix Sleep also likes to bundle in two free Dream pillows with every mattress purchase. Isnt it awesome getting free stuff?Helix Sleep typically runs discounts on its beds year-round as well.Helix trial, shipping and warrantyAs a brand, Helix backs its beds with above-average policies. Its beds ship to you in a box for free, and once its in your possession, you get a 100-night trial period to try it at home risk-free. If you happen to not like it within that time frame, you have a return option, but if you decide to keep it, youre backed by a 15-year limited warranty. Just be sure to use the right foundation for the bed. Otherwise, you could void your beds warranty.The final verdictIf youre a much heavier person looking for an ultrasupportive hybrid bed, the Helix Plus might be one of your best options for the price. If you dont mind spending up for a durable coil mattress with a neutral feel thats slightly softer than a medium-firm, this could be the best bed for you out of Helix Sleeps extensive lineup.Also, if you want a mattress with options, like a pillow top upgrade with a cooling cover for hot sleepers, thats definitely another perk for the Plus.You might like the Helix Plus mattress if:You want a very supportive hybrid mattressYoure a heavier back or stomach sleeperYou like a bed with some optional cooling cover upgradesYou weigh more than 250 poundsYou might not like the Helix Plus bed if:You're looking for an all-foam mattressYoure a smaller-sized person who doesnt need extra supportYou want a soft mattress for strict side sleepingYoure on a super strict budgetOther Plus mattresses from Helix SleepBesides the nearly two dozen other beds that Helix currently has in its lineup, this redesign of the Helix Plus also came with two other renditions of the bed. You now have a Helix Plus Luxe and a Helix Plus Elite to choose from nowadays.The Plus Luxe is similar to the other beds in the Luxe line, only with an even more enhanced support system. The coils on this mattress are laid out in a Zoned support format, which helps promote proper spinal alignment as you sleep. The bed also has a pillow top for comfort, which provides lots of cushion and pressure relief on top.The Plus Elite mattress takes this idea to the next, more luxurious level. Its pillow top features a GlacioTex Cover by default. Its removable comfort insert features a combination of foam and micro coils: there are technically three layers of coils in this one.How does the Helix Plus compare to other mattresses?Helix Plus vs. Big FigBoth of these are more supportive hybrid options with heavier people in mind, but who is right for which bed? When it comes to firmness and feel, theres a noticeable difference. Big Fig is a truly firm bed, and wed say its quite a bit firmer than Helix Plus. Since it uses some latex foam and memory foam, WinkBed has a bit more of a nuanced feel compared to Helix Plus, which feels pretty neutral overall. Both are plenty responsive and supportive; it just comes down to the firmness and feel you prefer. If you want the more affordable option, though, check out Helix Plus. Helix Plus vs. WinkBed PlusSince theyre so similar, these beds are quite difficult to pick apart. Both are right around a medium-firm and have pronounced neutral feels, but I guess the main difference is that the WinkBed Plus comes with a pillow top by default. You will have to spend up for that enhanced comfort option if you decide to go with the Helix Plus mattress. Even with that upgrade, the Helix Plus is still more affordable than WinkBed Plus. Both beds offer plenty of support for much heavier people and are viable options for those over the 300-pound mark. Helix Plus mattress FAQs What's the weight limit for the Helix Plus? According to Helix Sleep's website, this mattress can support two people each weighing 500 pounds, so it can handle up to 1,000 pounds of weight at once. Is the Helix Plus mattress good for side sleepers? Given its slightly firmer profile, I wouldn't classify this bed as a good option for side sleepers. Typically, side sleepers prefer sleeping on softer mattresses that provide lots of pressure relief for their shoulders and hips. While this bed might provide some of that, we don't think it's enough to move the needle for those sleeper types. If you're the type of side sleeper who prefers a firmer bed, maybe look into it, but it wouldn't be at the top of my list of recommendations. What is the Helix Plus made of? All of the materials used in this bed are Certi-Pur US certified, which means they're made in a nontoxic way. Additionally, all the support and comfort elements in the bed are designed to be more durable than your average hybrid bed. Its TitanCore steel coil system is made up of thicker gauge coils, and the high-density foam used above is made to last under lots of nightly weight over time.

Gift cards Target gift card Theres a reason why people (myself included) walk into Target for one or two items and leave with a cart full. From electronics and home goods to clothing and food -- and much, much more -- the skys the limit. No doubt your giftee will appreciate a Target gift card and choose the exact gift(s) theyd like. The cards come in many fun designs and you can select any amount from $5 to $500. You can also choose how you'd like it delivered: mail, email or text. See at Target Close Apple gift card If your giftees an Apple person, an Apple gift card makes the perfect gift. Whether they want a pair of AirPods or some AirTags, they can choose exactly what theyd like. But they can also use the gift card for purchases from the App Store, iTunes and more. You can select the design, amount youd like to spend and whether youd like it mailed or emailed -- and your gift recipient will take it from there. See at Apple Close Walmart gift card From tech and toys to beauty products and clothing, Walmart is a good one-stop shop for all your holiday shopping needs. Email gift card amounts range from $5 to $500 and you can choose from tons of different designs. If youre looking for some ideas on what to get, check out the best Walmart gifts we found. See at Walmart Close Uber gift card Who doesnt like the gift of food or rides? When you give someone an Uber gift card, they can use it for either one. There are many designs to choose from and you can add a personal message, too. You can select any monetary amount from $25 to $500, and you can get it mailed to your gift recipient or emailed.

Master Chief's return to Fortnite stirs fan upset, as it's discovered that an Xbox exclusive has been removedEpic Games says owners can refund skin.Image credit: Epic Games News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Dec. 24, 2024 Halo icon Master Chief returned to the Fortnite item shop last night after a lengthy absence, but his return has been marred by an unannounced change to the character's Xbox-exclusive design.Previously, playing Fortnite on an Xbox console (or via Xbox Cloud Gaming) unlocked an additional, console-exclusive Matte Black version of the Master Chief skin. But when the Spartan returned to the Fortnite shop last night, new purchasers found this was no longer available.Several hours later, Fortnite maker Epic Games announced via the game's support account on X that the "Matte Black style for The Master Chief is no longer unlockable" and that the bonus was limited to players who had bought the outfit before this month.Fortnite fans quickly pointed back to a post from Epic Games back in 2020 announcing the skin, which stated that players would unlock the Xbox-exclusive version "at ANY point in the future" and that there was "no time limit for unlocking this style".A community note has now been attached to Epic Games' announcement today, pointing out the contradiction, while fans have said Epic Games has fumbled the announcement by only announcing the change after the skin returned on sale. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Epic Games has not said why the Xbox exclusive has now ended, or whether similar PlayStation skins with console-exclusive variants (such as Horizon's Aloy) are also affected. We've contacted the company for more.In happier news, Fortnite has launched its Cyberpunk 2077 crossover, which includes skins for Johnny Silverhand and V.

Games of 2024: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Queen's Blood is the best card game of the yearPlay Fair.Image credit: Square Enix / Eurogamer Feature by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Dec. 24, 2024 I've never really been one for card games, both in and out of video games. Beyond collecting a few Pokmon cards in the school playground, I used to play Gin Rummy with my grandad but he taught me such peculiar Devonshire rules I could never play with anyone else. The odd game of Uno at Christmas is about my limit.That all changed in 2024 as I've spent a surprising amount of time playing digital card games, mostly on my phone. For many, Balatro has been a revelation this year, turning poker hands into a tense roguelike. It wasn't until its mobile release in September, though, that it truly clicked for me. I've always struggled with poker - in part I have a terrible poker face, but I can also never remember the hierarchy of hands - yet Balatro had me nearly missing my train stop on multiple occasions.Watch on YouTubeBalatro is one of those simple ideas that just works, but once I found a method of success that easily clicked - unlock the checkered deck and go all in on flushes - and subsequently beat the final blind, I started to lose interest. Then Pokmon TCG Pocket swooped in at just the right time. Its digital cards are beautiful and journeying inside to see what's occurring outside of their borders is a masterstroke. More than anything it seems to have brought out my superstitious tendencies: how many times do I spin the card packs before opening? Which Wonder Pick placement do I select? And if I peel open a pack in a perfect straight line will I be more likely to find a shiny? The initial excitement has worn off, though, as the actual card game is repetitive and I instead simply open packs robotically hoping for anything but another Ponyta.No, there's another card game that truly caught my attention this year: Queen's Blood. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is basically a card game with a world-saving RPG attached as a little side quest. And from the moment I first played it, I knew that was it for me.Of course, there's a strong tradition of card games in the Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy 8 had the iconic Triple Triad, later adapted into MMORPG Final Fantasy 14, while Final Fantasy 9 had the inferior Tetra Master. Yet none of these grabbed me in the way Queen's Blood did. Perhaps, with Rebirth being a remake, its core plot was less central to my enjoyment. I was keen, instead, to explore the world, meet its population, and soak up the atmosphere in each of its expanded towns and regions. I was keen, in short, to play Queen's Blood.It's a simple enough premise. Played on a 3 x 9 board, players duel by laying down cards alternately from opposing sides with the aim of filling it with the highest ranking cards. Cards feature a Tetris-style pattern that dictates where future cards can be placed and I quickly found an easy strategy in placing cards to block opponents. Queen's Blood is simple to start and tricky to master | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerThe game is accompanied by an infectious jazz soundtrack: the gentle lounge piano of card selection making way for a Big Band fanfare as the game properly begins. And as Cloud gets closer to the win, the drums crescendo into an insistent, raucous clatter until victory. Like that music, the game itself builds in complexity as you progress around the world, gaining new cards with strategic abilities. I needed to collect them all, to become the very best, like no one ever was. And not a Ponyta in sight.You see, Queen's Blood isn't just about taking over the board as quickly as possible, as I had initially suspected. Early games were fun but shallow and I easily won. Later, new cards are added that buff others based on more fiddly Tetris shapes until eventually cards that destroy others are introduced. Suddenly a new layer of strategy opens up as filling the board with the most powerful cards isn't enough when you can not only destroy your opponent's cards to disrupt their assault, but destroy your own to boost others and reveal new spaces. Then deck management becomes more integral, balancing high and low power cards, with cards to buff, de-buff, and destroy. It's like Marvel Snap with Final Fantasy characters. Queen's Blood is also an excuse to bring back some recurring characters for a quick game | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerWhat I particularly enjoy is the puzzle mode - much like the Remake trilogy itself, it's a smart way of reinterpreting the game. Here, instead of a live opponent, you're given specific cards and a set number of moves with which to achieve victory, forcing new thinking. For instance, I distinctly remember being given a set of cards with shapes aiming backwards instead of forwards that had me completely rethinking my tactical charge across the board. And when destroy cards were introduced, I needed to carefully choose targets to maximise power. I spent almost as much time pondering Queen's Blood puzzle strategies as I did the game's convoluted conclusion.Where Queen's Blood really excels, though, is in fleshing out the world. That, really, is what the Remake trilogy has been all about. Sure, Final Fantasy 7 is a sci-fi mystery of bizarre conspiracies and alien experiments and existential crises, but it's also camp as hell. It's with the Queen's Blood quest that the developers really leaned into that silliness for some levity, right up until its melodramatic finale. Nowhere else do you get to play a card game against, among others: a crybaby grown man in tears before you even begin; a young ventriloquist child who sounds like she has a smoking problem; a steam-powered AI robot; a giant cranky rideable chicken (fine, a chocobo); or even a dog. It's so bizarre, but so in-keeping with the weird spirit and tonal shifts of the original game.Of all Rebirth's myriad minigames, it's Queen's Blood I keep coming back to. Sure, other card games this year may have clever joker twists and cute critters, but Queen's Blood has the complexity and the ability to reinterpret itself in new ways to ensure its longevity. Besides, it's through a Queen's Blood tournament we get to see over-sized fire-dog Red XIII doing a Michael Jackson impression - what could possibly be better?

After Switch 2 design leaks, Nintendo keen to announce console as soon as possible - analystLet's-a go.Image credit: Nintendo News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Dec. 24, 2024 Nintendo will have been watching the recent stream of Switch 2 design leaks and is likely now keen to unveil its under-wraps new console as soon as possible, an analyst has said.We've had a fair idea what Switch 2 will look like for a while - at least since a prototype console shell and internal components surfaced online in late September. But recent weeks have seen further images posted, this time by accessory companies now taking orders for Switch 2 add-ons, which show close estimations for Nintendo's next console in greater detail.In other words, it's now widely expected that Switch 2 will simply look like a slightly larger Switch 1, now with magnetic Joy-Con attachments and an additional button below Home on the right Joy-Con.So, when will Nintendo finally unveil Switch 2? In early November, industry analyst Serkan Toto, CEO of Japanese game industry consultancy Kantan Games, told Eurogamer that the company had now run out of time to reveal its Switch successor in 2024.Nintendo has set itself a deadline of 31st March 2025 to show off its Switch successor, but, considering the leaks, and the falling sales of Switch 1, Toto suggested to Eurogamer today that the company was unlikely to wait that long. "Nintendo will not have much time in January, so a potential announcement early in the month could make sense," Toto said. "You can bet that Nintendo is aware of all the leaks and not happy about them, even if some of them will turn out to be made up. "It is actually getting so bad with those leaks that they might cause Nintendo to release information earlier than planned."Switch 2 is widely expected to arrive later in 2025, and while Nintendo is yet to offer any suggestion of timing, we don't have too long now to wait and find out.When Switch 2 does arrive, fans expect next year's long-awaited blockbuster Metroid Prime 4 to launch on Nintendo's new hardware. Nintendo has also confirmed that Switch 2 will be backwards compatible.

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 hereDead By Daylight has had a largely fantastic 2024, but next year is poised to possibly be BeHaviours best ever 12-months thanks to the already confirmed collaboration with Five Nights At Freddys. We will have to wait a bit for the FNAF Chapter to happen, but the good news is that 2025 is starting with a bang almost immediately. Here you will find the DBD January 2025 roadmap comprising of everything known so far including new skins, the return of a popular LTM, and the duet with Junji Ito. Before the new year arrives, make sure to claim the new December 2024 codes to get extra Bloodpoints. In addition, following the confirmation that DBD Mobile is shutting down, dont forget to get the Bloodpoints compensation from BeHaviour Interactive that totals 500,000 at minimum. We still have a few weeks of DBD Bone Chill left to enjoy, but, once its over, theres plenty else part of the Dead By Daylight January 2025 roadmap for players to anticipate. Dead By Daylight January 2025 roadmap Below is the Dead By Daylight January 2025 roadmap so far: Rift Bundle finishes Jan 2nd30% off Tomb Raider x DBD Dec 26th Jan 2nd DBD Bloodfeast (earn 3x Bloodpoints) Dec 26th Jan 7thBone Chill event finishes Jan 7th Junji Ito Collection Jan 7thThe ArtistThe SpiritTricksterThe DredgeKate DensonYui KimuraYun-Jin LeeThe TwinsChaos Shuffle Jan 16th 28thNew DnD rewardsDungeons and Dragons CollectionJan 16thZarina KassirElodie RakotoGabriel SomaAdam FrancisVecna The LichTome 22This has all that has been confirmed so far during BeHaviours pre-release livestream for Chapter 34. Dont forget theres also the following daily logins for January: Jan 1st 25K BloodpointsJan 2nd 50K BloodpointsJan 3rd 50K BloodpointsJan 4th 50K BloodpointsJan 5th 50K BloodpointsJan 6th 25K BloodpointsAs for the rest of 2025, the roadmap is as follows: March licensed killer chapter, possibly Tokyo Ghoul April new original survivor chapterFive Nights At Freddys chapter Anniversary chapter possibly Jurassic World For more Dead By Daylight content, check out ourranking of the top 10 DLC expansions to buyalong with a ranking of thebest killer perksandbest survivor perks.Dead by DaylightPlatform(s):Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Survival Horror7VideoGamerSubscribe 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 hereHelldivers 2 has been one of the best games of the year as it is a perfectly formatted co-operative experience. You can play solo if you wish, but the best experience is playing alongside Super Earth soldiers in teams up to a maximum of four. Some players even desire to be part of squads bigger than four, and the Helldivers 2 CCO has teased that team size increases are not impossible and that the future will tell for if it ever happens.We dont know what Arrowhead has planned for 2025 officially, but they have said they feel comfortable taking risks again, and they are also working on a new content roadmap to give the community updates to anticipate. As for whats leaked, theres still datamined warbond weapons and armor yet to surface, and recent leaks have shown gameplay of a new support weapon stratagem. While we look forward to more warbonds and updates next year, fans shouldnt hold their breath for teams to increase in maximum size from four. Its something that is not entirely undoable, but it sounds more likely for HD3 than Helldivers 2. Helldivers 2 CCO teases team size increases, possibly for HD3 One of the most requested improvements amongst the Helldivers 2 community is to increase the maximum number of players possible for teams. Right now, the maximum number of players possible is four, and many within the community would like to see it upgraded to six or even eight. On X, one user asked Arrowhead CCO and Helldivers 2 creative director, Pilestedt, if the developers would increase team sizes from 4 to 8 players but only on super Helldiver difficulty. As for why they want to increase the team size, the user explained, My friend group on the game has grown to the point where we all cant play together and it makes me sad. Unfortunately, Pilestedt explained its not happening because The engine, network architecture, UI, performance and difficulty cant cope. But, while Arrowhead would need significant investment for 8p coop to work, the future isnt entirely bleak. Pilestedt added Its not impossible, and its something we talk about often at the studio. The creative director also teased the Future will tell what happens. Image credit: @Pilestedt on XAnother user cheekily commented, Helldivers 3, coming in 2032 will add 8 players and swimming. To this Pilestedt responded, We are growing Helldivers 2 into Helldivers 3. so you may be correct. Except maybe swimming all our games have had the thing about the protagonist not being able to swim. Image credit: @Pilestedt on XWhile it seems highly unlikely co-op teams of eight will ever be added to HD2, the good news is that it is something Arrowhead regularly discuss, and is something Pilestedt regards as not impossible. The bad news is that it seems way more likely for Helldivers 3, and that is surely many, many years away. 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 hereOver the past few days, Epic Games has brought back many rare Fortnite skins. From Master Chief to Renegade Raider, players can now unlock some of the cosmetics that were previously vaulted for years. Unfortunately, some of these dont come with additional styles that were previously available. Due to this, Epic is now involved in another controversy.Previously, players who purchased Master Chief were able to unlock an additional black style for it. However, this is no longer the case. Epic announced disappointing news on Monday night, shortly after the iconic skin returned to the shop.Fortnite players can no longer unlock the Matte Black style for Master ChiefEpic Games released Master Chief to Fortnite in December 2020 during Chapter 2 Season 5. This season had numerous collaborations, bringing many gaming legends to the battle royale title. When the popular Spartan came out, Epic added an additional style for him that was only available by playing a match on Xbox Series X|S.Back then, the Fortnite developer clarified that the owners of the skin will be able to unlock the additional style during any point in the future. However, the style is no longer available for new owners, which caused a lot of backlash over social media.The black style for Master Chief is no longer available in Fortnite. Image by VideoGamerThe Matte Black style for The Master Chief is no longer unlockable. This style is limited to players who purchased the outfit and played on an Xbox Series X|S prior to December 2024, Epic announced on Monday night. The game developer also gave new owners of the skin a free return ticket due to this misunderstanding.It will be interesting to see how this situation will develop. However, considering that the post from December 2020 is addressed to original owners of Master Chief, Epic Games may not change anything about the acquisition of the extra style. Furthermore, the skin is a collaboration between Fortnite and Halo, which makes the situation even more complicated. 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

V has Come to (FN)Keanu Reeves is in Fortnite again, this time as Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand, and he's bringing his nuke alongFortnite's next cross-over is with Cyberpunk 2077, making it the second time Keanu Reeves has joined the battle royale shooter.Image credit: Epic Games, CDPR News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Dec. 24, 2024 Epic Games has announced the next guest characters to officially arrive in Fortnite, and they both hail from Night City. Both Johnny Silverhand, and female V have joined the in-game shop.If youre counting, this makes it Keanu Reeves second appearance in Fortnite. Hes also there as John Wick, of course, though its debatable as to which character is more popular.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. As you might expect, the two characters are part of the same bundle, which costs 2,800 V Bucks. They can each be bought individually, too, for 1,500 V Bucks each. The bundle also comes with a few other cosmetics, including Johnny Silverhands infamous duffle bag nuke.Its only a cosmetic, of course, so dont expect to use it to blow up the map or anything. Alongside the new arrivals, the in-game store has also been updated with more Gaming Legends bundles, including the return of the Master Chief one. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Its a little surprising that it took this long for Cyberpunk 2077 to cross over with Fortnite, but seeing as CD Projekt Reds relationship with Fortnites Epic Games is deepening, the timing makes some sense. Just recently at The Game Awards, we got our first look at The Witcher 4. The game will be the studios first project to be built on Epics Unreal Engine, and its poised to kickstart a deep alliance between two of the most recgonisable developers in the world.