• While We Wait For State Of Decay 3, This Punishing New Zombie Game Is Hitting All The Right Notes
    www.gamespot.com
    I've long appreciated State of Decay as the exciting middle ground between an approachable zombie game like Days Gone or Dead Rising, and unforgiving survival sims like DayZ and Project Zomboid. No series or game that I know of has found that same middle ground--harsh, but digestible. But maybe that's no longer true. While I impatiently await more news for State of Decay 3 from Undead Labs and Xbox, Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days is giving me a similar experience with some welcome twists on the formula.Into The Dead might be a name-brand undead devotees already know. Previous to now, it's been the name of a first-person auto-runner series on mobile. They're neat games, but they really aren't trying to do too much other than being a gritty, scary, first-person take on something like a Jetpack Joyride--a fun, albeit one-note, time-filler for bus rides or lunch breaks. Our Darkest Days is far from that and more in line with what a console or PC player might expect of a zombie game.Presented in a 2.5D art style, Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days is essentially a side-scrolling State of Decay, and if that series isn't already unforgiving enough, it seems like Our Darkest Days also looked to This War of Mine for inspiration. I recently checked out a demo for the upcoming game on PC--a demo you can now play yourself, by the way--and the best thing I can say about it is that I was so impressed that I actually stopped playing at a point when I could've gone further, because I want to preserve as much of the experience as I can for when the game is out and my save data will carry over. But I saw enough to know this game is worth that deeper look.Continue Reading at GameSpot
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  • Scariest Twilight Zone Episodes
    gamerant.com
    The Twilight Zone ranks among the finest anthology television shows of the twentieth century. Created and hosted by Rod Serling, the series delves into the darker side of life using morality plays and parables that examine the human condition through supernatural lenses.
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  • How To Get a Mythic Mammoth Pistol in Fortnite
    gamerant.com
    Fortnite Lawless brings back the heist theme of previous seasons before it, this time cranking up the action with a range of unique mechanics, such as the ability to break into the island's train, wield fast-attacking melee weapons like The Kneecapper, and much more. There's a whole lot to dive into this season, with no shortage of epic moments to experience.
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  • My Loyal Shield treasure map location and solution in Avowed
    www.polygon.com
    My Loyal Shield is one of Avoweds easier treasure maps and one that doesnt send you to the most dangerous places in a region to find its reward.You can buy this map, and the secret to finding the treasure this time consist of finding a back door and pressing a secret button. Thats it! And at the end of it all, you get a mighty shield thats worth keeping for a while even if you dont rely on blocking in battle.This Avowed guide shows where to find the My Loyal Shield treasure map and where to find the shield in question.Where to find My Loyal Shield treasure mapYou can purchase My Loyal Shield from Eberk, a merchant standing outside the South Warden Towers front door. Its literally one of the first things you see if you follow the road north from where you enter Galawins Tusk, and the only enemy in sight is Eberks price philosophy. He charges 5,220 skeyt for the map.If youre short on cash, rummage through the towers several floors and grab all the weapons you can. Selling them should get you more than enough to cover the map.My Loyal Shield location solutionThe little callout box on this map is slightly misleading, as it has nothing to do with the actual location, but everything to do with how you reach it. Head northwest from South Warden Tower, following the lava river, until you see Outcast Tower Camp to your north. Thats the broken tower with scaffolding the map shows in the distance. Youre looking for an Ekida-slash-Godless ruin instead.Youll see a group of beetles chowing down on some poor souls remains. Ignore them, and turn left. This path takes up to the towers back entrance, where youll find a table and an otherwise empty room. The callout box was pointing to this table and, specifically, the button on it that opens a secret door.Press that, enter the door, drop down into the chamber, and collect your treasure, the tier-four Times Tarnish shield. The room looks dangerous, but theres nothing else inside.My Loyal Shield rewardTimes Tarnish is a fantastic shield, and even though its enchantments have a high chance of not activating, theyre awfully useful when they do actually work.Times Tarnish stats84 block efficiency20 stability340 parry efficiency45 elemental resistanceTimes Tarnish enchantmentsTimeless Aegis: Blocking has a 20% chance of restoring 20 staminaDull the Edge, Blunt the Point: 10% chance to avoid melee damageEverything in Galawins Tusks wants to kill you, and unless youve saved upgrade materials along the way, you probably dont have a tier-four piece of armor yet. This shield is a useful stopgap that helps keep you safe in battle until you get to that point, so consider using it even if you dont normally equip a shield.For more treasure maps in the Galawains Tusks region, see our solutions to the Ancient Arrowhead and The Blade that Hungers treasure maps. And dont miss our fullAvowedwalkthrough.
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  • The Blade that Hungers treasure map location and solution in Avowed
    www.polygon.com
    The Blade that Hungers is one of Avoweds most difficult treasure maps, thanks to general clues that give you almost nothing to go on and a visual trick that makes deciphering those even more challenging.Its worth the trouble, though. The weapon at the end is one of the most useful in the game, especially at this point, so much so that its worth speeding through Galawins Tusks to get it before tackling any quests there.This Avowed guide shows where to find The Blade that Hungers treasure map, where to find the treasure itself, and what youll get for doing soWhere to find The Blade that Hungers treasure mapYou can purchase The Blade that Hungers from Bulti, a merchant in the upper levels of Solace Keep whos standing in front of a giant altar with a stone book on it. Hes selling the map for 4,030 skeyt.If this is your first time heading to Solace Keep, make sure Marius is in your party. The Warden at the gate wont let you in without him.The Blade that Hungers location solutionThis treasure map drawing is rather misleading, which makes sense in the context of the reason why the treasure was hidden, but still makes finding it a bit difficult. The perspective is looking southwest toward the Ash Forest outpost, and given how far north that location is, the only possible location is in the tunnels and mountains east of the fort.The stone arch is the key here. Look northeast from it, and youll see a little tunnel with a tree in front. Youll know this is the right area if a bunch of spiders start swarming you. Follow the tunnel, and itll spit you out in front of the chest containing the Umbral Needle dagger.The Blade that Hungers rewardThe Umbral Needle is a powerful tier-four dagger with a decent critical hit chance and two excellent enchantments.The Blade that Hungers stats98 physical damage80 stun9 stamina cost9% critical hit chanceThe Blade that Hungers enchantmentsFampyrs Bite: Restore 2% of the damage you deal as healthGreater Opening Strike: Deal an additional 15% damage to enemies who are at full healthGreater Opening Strike is useful at the start of any battle, but the real standout here is Fampyrs Bite. Maintaining full health is tough in Galawins Tusk, even more so if Giatta isnt in your party. Having an easy and instant way to replenish HP without using food or potions is an essential aid if youre struggling to stay alive during this leg of the adventure.For more treasure maps in the Galawains Tusks region, see our solutions to the Ancient Arrowhead and My Loyal Shield treasure maps. And dont miss our fullAvowedwalkthrough.
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  • 'Fix Me a Plate' Is the Cookbook You Need for Hearty Meals
    lifehacker.com
    We may earn a commission from links on this page.Welcome to Cookbook of the Week. This is a series where I highlight cookbooks that are unique, easy to use, or just special to me. While finding a particular recipe online serves a quick purpose, flipping through a truly excellent cookbook has a magic all its own.Ive reached a state of eating that I shall call Deep Winter. I know there are much colder environments in the world, but my weak New York City constitution makes it impossible to have fun out in the 20-degree weather. I prefer to stay indoors, comment on the snow like a Progressive commercial, and cook hot comfort food. If you share any of these inclinations, Ive got a great cookbook for you: Fix Me a Plate.A bit about the bookFix Me a Plate is a collection of soul food recipes, both traditionally prepared and dishes with a twist. This cookbook comes to us from chef Scotty Scott, and was published in 2022. It reads as much like a cookbook as it does a personal account of how Scott came to be a chef and his family history with some dishes. I know personal stories are meant to hook us, but dammit, it just works. Im hooked. Probably because we all have some special history with different meals, and many of us can relate to the feeling of choosing one career path and realizing later that maybe we should be feeding our creative side.This book has 60 recipes, from side dishes to sweets, and each one is written with a refreshing dose of Scotts personality. Many cookbooks take on the air of something official, or the wisened scientific approach. I love that, and theres a place for that. But cooking is also a joyous activity that you can mess with. Fix Me a Plate is fun to read, and it feels like a friend is teaching you their recipes. Theres space for substitutions and wiggle room with spices. Its like when the boss is out of work for the day: You get your work done, but you can talk to your buddy for a little longer too. Fix Me a Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food Recipes from Scotty Scott of Cook Drank Eat $9.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $9.99 at Amazon A great cookbook for hearty eatsEvery recipe in this book looks like I could just nestle in its arms and fall asleepfrom the Chicken and Brown Butter Sweet Potato Waffles to Slow and Low Red Beans and Rice. This is not a diet cookbook. There isnt a leafy green salad in sight. Theres nothing dainty in here, and I like it.The last thing I want right now is a light meal that leaves me searching for a snack 20 minutes later. This is the cookbook you grab when your family is grumpy or your weekend getaway plans get ruined. It's the one you reach for when you have something or someone to celebrate or, heck, when you just want to feel full. It works for me in my current state of Deep Winter because all I seem to be craving are soups, stews, powerfully savory meats, beans, and saucy vegetables. Oh, and I almost forgotcarbs. Few things are as delicious to me as pasta, bread, grits, potatoes, or rice with some sort of gravy situation. Fix Me a Plate has it all.As an added benefit (and surely unexpected when it published in 2022), Scott doesnt eat stand-alone eggs. You wont be missing out on any breakfast scrambles, omelets, or quiche recipes in here because of skyrocketing egg prices. Of course, there are recipes where eggs are mixed in, but he keeps them to a minimum. (If you need other eggless breakfast ideas, read here.)The dish I made this week Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I have a bag of shrimp in my freezer this week, (its part of my cheap eats shopping list) so I settled on the Blackened Shrimp and Fried Polenta recipe from The Soul Remix chapter. It wasnt the simplest of recipes I could have chosenthere are multiple components with the polenta, chopped veggies, and shrimpbut it was completely worth the effort.I appreciate how Scott organizes the ingredient list in separate sections if the recipe includes multiple parts, which they often do. Some cookbooks just have a long running list, but seeing what I need for the polenta separated from the shrimp component is less overwhelming.Many of the recipes, including this one, encourage you to take advantage of spices and small amounts of fresh and dried ingredients. The shrimp sauce uses a mixture of dried spices, dried herbs, aromatics, and shrimp stockshrimp stock that Scott includes a recipe for in the Sauce and Spice section. I made my shrimp stock a little differently, but I did make it myself after shelling my shrimp, and what an incredible difference it made. Each ingredient intentionally layers flavors and aromas, so when you finally chow down, each bite boasts a robust depth of flavor.I had to stop myself from making the Southern Raised Biscuits with Spicy Sausage Cream Gravy (I had just made a loaf of Irish soda bread so I needed to focus), but its next on my list.How to buy itFix Me a Plate is available in softcover online, or as an ebook for a great price. But you know me: Id rather you go to a big, old, gloriously dusty bookstore. Support your local one when you can, even if its not dusty; lets keep them in business. Check their shelves for this cookbook or see if they can order it to their location.
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  • The Six Best Methods for Paying Off Credit Card Debt
    lifehacker.com
    The average balance per consumer now stands at $6,580up 3.5% year over year, according to a recent report from TransUnion. Altogether, consumers owe a record $1.21 trillion on theircredit cards, according to a separate report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If you're struggling with credit card debt, it's safe to say you're not struggling alone.Carrying a growing balance on high-interest credit cards can put a huge financial strain on your monthly budget. Whether it's an unexpected expenselike a car repair or medical billor you're going through a period of reduced income, being saddled with credit card debt can make it feel impossible to get ahead financially. If you're struggling to make a dent in your credit card debt, here are some of the best ways to create a plan to become debt-free once and for all.The debt snowball method The debt snowball method focuses on paying off your debts in order of smallest balance to largest. You make minimum payments on every debt except the smallest, where you pay as much extra as possible until it's paid off. The idea is that getting "wins" by paying off smaller debts quickly can provide much-needed motivation to keep going. However, this method typically results in paying more in interest over time. Here's my guide to deciding if the debt snowball is right for you.The debt avalanche method Compared to the snowball method, the avalanche method involves listing out all your debts from highest interest rate to lowest interest rate. You make minimum payments on every debt except the highest interest rate one, where you throw all extra money until it's paid off. This is the fastest mathematical way to get out of debt while paying the least amount of interest charges. This can be especially helpful if you have one or two debts with significantly higher interest rates than the others. The downside is you may not see entire debts paid off for a while, which may sap a bit of your motivation. The debt snowball method is often recommended for individuals who need the psychological motivation of quick wins to stay motivated in their debt repayment journey. The debt avalanche method, on the other hand, is considered the most cost-effective approach from a pure numbers perspective, as it minimizes the amount of interest paid over time. Debt consolidation loan Debt consolidation can look like an easy solution if you have multiple loans or credit cards and are struggling to keep up with all the separate payments. Taking out one loan with a lower interest rate to pay off all your credit card balances at once can streamline the repayment process to a single payment. You may qualify for a much better interest rate than your cards through a bank, credit union, or online lender with a debt consolidation loan or personal loan. Balance transfer credit cards that offer 0% interest for 12-18 months can provide breathing room if you can pay off the full balance during that periodmore on that below. But first, keep in mind: Debt consolidation loans aren't necessary in many cases. At the end of the day, debt consolidation loans are financial products, which means financial institutions wouldnt offer them to you if they didnt make money from them. Balance transferWith a balance transfer, you move your existing credit card balance(s) over to a new credit card that offers an introductory 0% APR promotion for a set period of time, usually 12-18 months. If executed properly, you can use those months to aggressively pay down the debt without accruing additional interest charges. The key is to have a plan to pay off as much of the balance as possible before the 0% APR period expires. Many balance transfer cards charge a 3-5% fee on the amount transferred, but this is usually still less expensive than the interest you'd pay without the transfer. Here are some of the best balance transfer credit cards to explore.Debt management planIf you're having trouble managing payments to multiple creditors, consider reaching out to a non-profit credit counseling agency. A qualified (crucially, non-profit) credit counseling agency will give you free debt analysis. And by law, they must serve your best interests and recommend a debt solution that works for you, not them. They can put you on a debt management plan where they negotiate with your creditors for lower interest rates and fees. All the money you pay goes directly toward your debts, but there may be costs to use such a program. Theres often a setup fee of up to $75 and an ongoing monthly fee of between $25 and $75. Look into qualified non-profit credit counseling agencies here.Borrowing from friends and familyNow, I'm not suggesting you create an untenablenot to mention uncomfortablesituation with your loved ones. But if your circumstances allow, one option to avoid high interest rates is borrowing money interest-free from a loved one. If exploring this route, be sure to clearly document the repayment terms and amounts in writing to protect the personal relationship.No matter which method you choose, review your full financial situation and make a plan you can stick with until you're debt free. Seeking professional guidance can help determine the right debt repayment strategy for your unique circumstances.
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  • What to expect at Mobile World Congress 2025: Nothing, Samsung, Xiaomi and more
    www.engadget.com
    On March 3, Mobile World Congress will kick off in Barcelona, Spain. While its not the premier show it once was, many of the smartphone industrys leading players still attend the conference and frequently launch new devices there. Typically, we hear from companies like Lenovo, Arm, Xiaomi, Dell and more at the conference, as well as standards organizations like the GSMA on developments in areas like 5G or SIM technology. And judging by the event agenda on the MWC website, we will be seeing at least some kind of presence from Meta about Whatsapp, though it's unlikely anything major gets announced at that event. Below, youll find a list of the more notable devices we expect to be launched at MWC 2025.Nothing Phone 3a seriesAt MWC 2022, Nothings Carl Pei showed off a prototype of what would become the companys first handset, the Nothing Phone 1, behind closed doors, and at last years event, Nothing announced the Phone 2(a). This year, were definitely getting at least one new device from the company at MWC, with Nothing teasing something for March 4, the second day of the show.I say at least one device because Nothings invite says Phone 3a Series. To add to that, recent reports suggest the company is preparing to announce a Phone (3a) Pro alongside a regular offering. Why would Nothing release a Pro version of a midrange device, you ask? Im not sure, but this is Nothing we're talking about and the company has frequently done things a bit differently from the rest of the pack.Phone (3a) Series. Power in perspective.4 March 10 AM GMT. pic.twitter.com/auesJycJQy Nothing (@nothing) January 30, 2025 Xiaomi 15 UltraXiaomiIn 2024, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra made its global debut ahead of MWC, and its looking like history will repeat. Before the start of this month, there was some evidence to suggest Xiaomi would launch its new flagship at MWC 2025, but more recent rumors suggest the company plans to announce the 15 Ultra on February 26. In any case, Xiaomi is listed as an exhibitor at MWC 2025, so if the phone does debut before the end of this month, theres a good chance it will be on the show floor for people to try out. Like the 14 Ultra before it, it looks like the 15 Ultra will be a photography powerhouse, with the phone rumored to feature a 1-inch main sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens.HMD GlobalSince 2017, HMD Global has been a mainstay at MWC. First, with its Nokia-branded phones, including retro throwbacks like the 8110 Reloaded, and now more recently with devices carrying its own name. Given that history, it seems a safe bet the company will have something to announce at the show. What that could be is more of a mystery, though its possible the sub-$100 HMD Key could get a global release.Samsung Galaxy S25 EdgeSamsungAfter Samsung teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at Unpacked last month, you might think it would be fitting for the company to launch the phone in Barcelona next month. After all, MWC was the venue where, up until the Galaxy S10 in 2019, Samsung announced every S series phone beginning with the S2 back in 2011, and the companys presence at MWC was the highlight of the event. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem Samsung is feeling nostalgic for and the sunny boulevards of Barcelona, with little in the way of rumors suggesting we could see the S25 Edge at MWC 2025. Still, never discount the chance Samsung may have a surprise up its sleeve.Everything elseAs Engadgets resident AI reporter, Im obligated to mention a lot of companies will probably have AI-related announcements to share at MWC 2025. Dont expect anything from the big players like OpenAI the company isnt registered as an exhibitor but with artificial intelligence being the trendy thing in the industry right now, everyone will be trying to cash in on the hype; in fact, AI+ is one of the main themes of MWC 2025.Update, February 21 2025, 1:45PM ET: This story has been updated to add more context in the intro, calling out a few more companies that typically present at MWC, as well as some additional info pulled from the MWC agenda page.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/what-to-expect-at-mobile-world-congress-2025-nothing-samsung-xiaomi-and-more-140057306.html?src=rss
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  • Meta approves massive bonuses for executives after broad layoffs
    www.engadget.com
    Meta has offered up a lucrative new executive bonus plan, according to a company filing released Thursday. Under the new plan, executives could earn a yearly bonus of 200 percent of their base salary, which is up from 75 percent. This comes just after Meta announced sweeping layoffs impacting five percent of its workforce.A committee for Metas board of directors approved the change on February 13, on the grounds that the target total cash compensation for its executives was at or below the 15th percentile of the target total cash compensation of executives holding similar positions at rival companies. Its worth noting that the new bonus plan doesnt apply to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Dont worry about his bottom line, however, as hes worth nearly $250 billion.Meta has also decided to slash its annual distribution of stock options by around ten percent for thousands of its regular employees, according to a report by The Financial Times. The exact reduction could differ depending on where the employees live and what they do, but Meta hasnt commented further on the decision.As previously noted, Meta is in the process of laying off five percent of its global workforce. This is despite the fact that company shares are up nearly 50 percent over the past year, with a current stock price of around $687 per share. Also, it recently announced that its fourth-quarter revenue grew 21 percent year-over-year to more than $48 billion. The company has cut more than 20,000 jobs in the past couple of years."A leaner org will execute its highest priorities faster. People will be more productive, and their work will be more fun and fulfilling," Zuckerberg said at the tail-end of last year. Nothing says fun and fulfilling more than watching your co-workers get laid off while the executives get massive bonuses.If youre a current or former Meta employee with thoughts on this new executive bonus structure, hit me up on Signal at LawrenceBonk.96. Ill ensure that things are kept anonymous.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-approves-massive-bonuses-for-executives-after-broad-layoffs-183222951.html?src=rss
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