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WWW.IGN.COMSave Big on the Best Gaming Chairs of 2024 During the Secretlab Black Friday SaleSecretlab just launched its official Black Friday Sale, which starts now and runs until November 30. Save up to $169 off Secretlab's popular Titan line of gaming chairs, Magnus gaming desks (including its Magnus Pro electric standing desk model), and accessories like the Secretlab Skins upholstery covers, desk mats, cable management, and more. Sadly, the newer releases like the Titan Evo Nanogen Edition chair and the recliner add-on are exempt from this sale. If you're looking to upgrade your chair, there's no better time than Black Friday. Secretlab sale events only come around a handful of times per year, and the Black Friday sale is usually the best one of them all.It's no secret that we love our Secretlab gaming chairs. Two of the six chairs in our best gaming chair roundup are Secretlab models. Of all the gaming chairs we covered in our "Budget to Best" roundup video earlier this year, my colleague Akeem Lawanson considered the Secretlab Titan Evo to be the most comfortable. No good chair comes cheap and Secretlab chairs definitely cost a premium, but we think the craftsmanship, materials, and customizability are worth it.Featured in this articleSecretlab Titan EvoSecretlab Titan 2020Secretlab Titan Evo LitePreorder (Out November 24)Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition$799.99 at SecretlabNot Yet Available (Out 2025)Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-On$199.00 at SecretlabFixed Gaming DeskSecretlab MagnusElectric Standing DeskSecretlab Magnus ProYou can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. For more information on each product and why they are worth your consideration, read through below.Secretlab Titan EvoSecretlab Titan EvoThe Titan Evo starts at $519 during the sale. This is Secretlab's flagship chair and it's available in small, medium, and large sizes. Upholstery options include Neo Hybrid leatherette, SoftWeave Plus fabric, or premium Napa leather. The chair features cold-cure foam upholstery for the seat, a supportive four-way lumbar system, full length backrest with 165 degrees of recline, full metal 4D armrests with magnetically attached PU cushions, and a memory foam headrest pillow.Aside from the build quality, the Titan Evo also stands out thanks to the sheer number of officially licensed designs from popular video games, TV shows, and more. Some of the more popular examples include The Witcher, Overwatch, Attack on Titan, League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and Game of Thrones. They generally cost more than the standard colors, but they're worth it if you're looking for that extra personal touch.In our Secretlab Titan Evo review, Chris Coke wrote that "after two years of daily use, the Secretlab Titan Evo has proven that it can stand the test of time and still be one of the best gaming chairs you can buy. Meaningful ergonomics paired with Secretlabs wide selection of designs, it remains a fantastic option, especially for fans of bright colors or designs."Secretlab Titan 2020Secretlab Titan 2020The prior model Titan 2020 gaming chair is available for $474, which is $45 less than the base model Titan Evo. The Titan 2020 is still an excellent chair and not much different than the current Evo model. In fact, outside of an upholstery change (the PU leather has been updated with Neo Hybrid Leatherette), the changes are mostly cosmetic. You are limited to fewer design options, so if you want to build out something that's truly unique, you might want to splurge a bit extra for the current generation Titan Evo model.Secretlab Titan Evo LiteSecretlab Titan Evo LiteAmong the Titan chairs, the Evo Lite is definitely the best value with its starting price tag of $419, or a full $100 less than the base model Titan Evo. It's built upon the same frame as the Titan Evo and has the same core features like the cold-cure foam cushioning, lumbar, 165 degrees of recline, and 4D armrests. What it compromises on is customization, with "only" two upholstery options, two sizes, and five colors, a non-adjustable lumbar system, simpler arm rests, and no included head rest. If none of these tradeoffs bother you, then you'll be saving quite a bit of money.Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen EditionPreorder (Out November 24)Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition$799.99 at SecretlabAlthough the Titan Evo Nanogen Edition isn't on sale, it deserves mention simply because this is our top pick for the best gaming chair. In our Titan Evo Nanogen Edition review, Chris Coke wrote that "the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition deserves every bit of the overwhelming praise Ive given. Granted, at $799 its significantly more expensive than the original and not far off from an entry-level Herman-Miller. But the return it offers in comfortable, supportive gaming is well worth the extra cost thanks to dramatically improved materials in both the fabric and multi-layered padding. The Titan Evo Nanogen Edition is class-leading, and is hands-down the most comfortable gaming chair Ive ever used."Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-OnNot Yet Available (Out 2025)Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-On$199.00 at SecretlabSecretlab also announced a new recliner add-on to anyone who already owns the Titan Evo chair. It's so new that not only will this recliner ship out sometime next year, it's not even available for preorder yet. We have received a unit for testing, however, and it has turned out to be a very practical addition. In our recliner add-on review, Chris Coke wrote that "while both comfort and value are subjective things, the recliner is able to take the Titan Evo and transform it from one of the best racing style gaming chairs to standing head and shoulders above the competition at its price point. Its novel enough that I wouldnt be surprised to see other brands following suit in the near future. If you dont mind paying for it, its an absolutely killer upgrade for your gaming chair."Secretlab Magnus and Magnus ProFixed Gaming DeskSecretlab MagnusElectric Standing DeskSecretlab Magnus ProThe Magnus and Magnus Pro are also on sale during Black Friday. The Magnus is a traditional fixed-frame gaming desk while the Magnus Pro ups the ante with a custom designed electric standing desk frame for an additional $250. Both desks feature an all-metal desktop surface, solid steel legs and cleverly thought out areas for cable management, but the Magnus Pro has some really unique features including a power cable that runs internally inside one of the telescoping legs and an in-line control panel that you won't bump into.In our Secretlab Magnus Pro review. Mark Knapp writes that "the Secretlab Magnus Pro is a fantastic desk, bringing the brilliant cable management solutions of the original Magnus to a fast, quiet, and wide-ranging motorized standing desk. The desk is built well and proves an excellent platform for work and play alike. Its an expensive desk though, and for the money, it would have been nice to see a smarter safety mechanism for the motors and the desk mat included. Still, the overall quality you get is a big step up from cheaper standing desks, and the optional accessories truly enhance the experience. Anyone whos not committed to a standing desk should save their money and go for the standard Magnus if everything else about this model sounds good, but for gamers who love a tidy desk and want the flexibility of a standing desk, the Magnus Pro should be the first they consider."PlayShould I Wait Until Black Friday?Probably not in this case. This is Secretlab's official Black Friday Sale and it will run through Black Friday. We expect the sale to continue a bit longer through Cyber Monday as well. There's a chance a specific chair configuration might go on sale at a third-party retailer like Amazon, but most of the deals should remain largely the same.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 10 ViewsPlease log in to like, share and comment!
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WWW.IGN.COMAmazon's Ad-Supported Streaming Service Freevee Is Shutting DownRemember a few months ago, when Amazon denied rumors that its free, ad-supported streaming service Freevee would be shutting down following the introduction of ads to Prime Video? Well, things have changed.As reported by Deadline on Tuesday, Freevee will be "phased out" over the coming weeks. The good news is that its original series, including Bosch: Legacy, Jury Duty, and Judy Justice, are already available on Prime Video and will remain there. Additionally, in territories where Freevee has been available, its content will still be viewable in front of the paywall for non-Prime members. Amazon addressed the shutdown with the following statement:We have built Prime Video into a first-stop entertainment destination where customers can personalize their viewing experience by streaming exclusive Prime member entertainment produced by Amazon MGM Studios, licensed movies and series, content from other services as an add-on subscription, live sports, blockbuster movies and series to rent or buy, FAST Channels and the complete Amazon Freevee content offering. To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding. There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels all available on Prime Video.Freevee, home to originals like Jury Duty (above), Bosch: Legacy, and Judy Justice, is shutting down. Freevee launched in 2019 as IMDb Freedive, changing its name to IMDb TV a few months later before rebranding once more to Freevee in 2022. It gained some popularity not only as a place to watch a number of Prime Video shows for free, including The Wheel of Time, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and A League of Their Own, but for its own original content. Specifically, it scored three Primetime Emmy nominations for its hoax reality series Jury Duty.However, once Prime Video introduced ads early this year, the distinctions between that streaming platform and Freevee started to blur. Prime Video subscribers now have to pay an additional $2.99/month to avoid ads. The streaming market may have just gotten a little bit smaller, but that doesn't mean there's still not an overwhelming bevy of options to choose from. For more, check out our ranking of the major streaming services available currently. Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 10 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMLimited Edition White Steam Deck Announced With Exclusive White Carrying CaseThe Steam Deck is getting a brand new color starting net week. Valve announced on Monday that a white version of the Steam Deck OLED will be available in limited quantities starting November 18, offering users who don't want to go through the trouble of purchasing custom skins a bit more variety.The newly-revealed Steam Deck OLED: White Edition will have all the same specs as the one terabyte model and will be available everywhere the Steam Deck currently ships, including Australia. It is the second unique Steam Deck colorway to be announced, following on from the smoky translucent version released last year.Steam Deck OLED: White Edition - Slideshow GalleryIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250"Last year, we released a smoky translucent limited edition Steam Deck OLED as an experiment to find out if there was interest in alternative colorways (there was!). This is our second experiment along those lines. The difference this time (aside from the color!) is that we're able to ship the Limited Edition White to all regions where Steam Deck already ships. We're curious to see what the response is, and will use what we learn to inform future decisions about any potential new color variants down the line," Valve said in its announcement."We've been super happy with the reception of Steam Deck since we first launched the LCD version in March of 2022. We've always said our intent is to continually work on improving Steam Deck, and that's true from both a software perspective (continuing to ship improvements) and a hardware one (Steam Deck OLED, as well as ongoing work toward the future of Steam Deck and other hardware plans).The Steam Deck OLED: White Edition's is being treated as a limited edition, with Valve saying "once we're out, we're out." It plans to allocate stock proportionally across each region and will restrict purchases to one unit per account. Eligble accounts must have made a Steam purchase before November 2024 and be in good standing to be eligible.The 10 Best Steam Deck GamesThe Steam Deck has become a popular way to play games on the platform since its release in 2022, spawning a raft of imitators. The OLED version improved on the original release with a superior screen, and better battery life."When the Steam Deck is living up to its promises, it's absolutely incredible. Playing GTA 5, God of War, and other modern games on the go is an absolute joy, and the hardware and controls feel good to hold even though its a big chubby boy of a handheld," we wrote in our original review. Notably, GTA 5 and Apex Legend have since lost Steam Deck support.The Steam Deck OLED: White Edition will release on the eve of Black Friday, and you can read our guide to what to expect right here.Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 19 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMYellowstone Chose the Most Shocking, Divisive Way to Send Off Kevin Costners John Dutton and Fans Are PissedFull SPOILERS ahead for Yellowstone!How popular TV shows with passionate fandoms handle their final season and the fates of their leading characters has always been a tough challenge for showrunners and writers. The endings of Game of Thrones, Lost, Dexter, Seinfeld, or, for some, even The Sopranos royally pissed off the very people who made those shows years-long hits. Now it seems we may have to add Yellowstone to that list although its series finale has yet to be set. (Yellowstone Season 6 is not officially greenlit despite rumors that it would follow Kelly Reilly and Cole Hausers characters.)Yellowstone fans are deeply unhappy with how creator and showrunner Taylor Sheridan handled the departure of Kevin Costners patriarch John Dutton in Sundays episode Desire Is All You Need, the first of six episodes in Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2. There was no real good option, mind you, and well get to why, but Sheridans choice shocked and angered fans who feel theyve been robbed of a proper goodbye to one of the shows most beloved characters.Why Is Kevin Costner Not in Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2?After leading the cast for five seasons, Kevin Costner didnt return to Yellowstone due to his commitment to his Western movie trilogy Horizon: An American Saga. With Taylor Sheridan juggling multiple TV series commitments, the writing of scripts for the second half of Yellowstones fifth season kept being delayed (due in part to the labor strikes) to the point where Costner believed he could no longer fit it into his schedule. Costner insists I didnt quite the show, telling SiriusXM over the weekend:Yeah, I didn't really have to leave anything behind. There were the gaps that were there. There was contractual things that would allow for both things to be done, but because both things were contractual, you had to make room for the other thing. There was room, but it was difficult for them to keep their schedule. It seemed to be, it was just too difficult for them to do it. There was the time there, what happened, you can deal with it. But no one, I didn't leave. I didn't quit the show. Okay? I had made a contract to do all three. There was a contract in place to do all three. And within about an eight-month period, two more different kind of contracts were being negotiated. Not at my request, but at their request to try to do things. I accommodated them on those extra two things that changed, things change, and finally when they wanted to change it a third time, because I had my obligations to do, I had 300 people waiting for me, I couldn't help them anymore. I just simply couldn't help them. But I didn't quit the show. There was no, there was just a, you know, everybody has to live up to what they say they're going to do. And it doesn't matter what business you're in.So it seems it just wasnt in the cards that Kevin Costner would return to give John Dutton a proper send-off this season.PlayWhat Happened to Kevin Costners Character John Dutton?Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2 is only six episodes long so the season premiere wasted no time in revealing that Montana Governor John Dutton is dead. The episode opens with Johns daughter Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and son Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) arriving at the Dutton Ranch to find it swarmed by law enforcement. They rush inside to find police examining the remains of John Dutton in his bathroom. Although we never see Johns face, we do see his legs and a gun on the floor. The news media reports that it appears John committed suicide on the eve of his impeachment hearing.But, as viewers know and Beth rightly suspects, John Dutton was not suicidal. As the episode progresses jumping between weeks before Johns death and the present we learn that femme fatale attorney and fixer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri) had arranged for Johns murder with the company handling it making it look like a suicide as the least complicated option. Johns adopted son Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), the states Attorney General, is complicit in it although he claims he didnt actually want John dead. Well, too late, bub.As the ending of the first half of Season 5 established, Beth and Jamie were already on a collision course where the death of one or both of them seemed inevitable. John Dutton is the first victim of this endgame between them, but he wont be the last. Someones gonna take a trip to the train station for this.For his part, Costner hasnt watched the season opener yet and is in no rush to either. As he told SiriusXM this weekend: I didn't see it. I heard it's a suicide, so that doesn't make me want to rush to go see it. Well, they're pretty smart people. Maybe it's a red herring. Who knows? They're very good. And they'll figure that out.TV's Most Divisive Series FinalesFans React to the Death of John DuttonJohn Dutton had survived mortal danger before, from being shot to colon cancer. While fans may have thought his demise was inevitable given that Costner wouldnt appear in the final season, it was the manner and immediacy in which it was handled that has rankled them most.Fan reaction to John Duttons death was swift and overwhelmingly negative, with some threatening to not watch the rest of the season as a result. Heres a sampling of what Yellowstone fans on X had to say after watching Sundays episode, with both Sheridan and Costner each getting blamed for the disappointment:What did you think of how Yellowstone handled John Duttons exit? Are you less likely to watch the rest of the season now? Let us know in the comments. Yellowstone airs Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on Paramount Network.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 20 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMA 10/10 Masterpiece Drops Under 30, $34 Hogwarts, A New Low on Outlaws, and More!Welcome back to another wonderful week of discounts with the guy who lives and breathes gaming. And not just any games, my friendthe best ones actually worth buying / playing / storing in a shameful pile to probably never be touched again. Personally, I'm all about the surprisingly early 30%+ discounts I'm seeing on Dragon Age Veilguard and Star Wars Outlaws. So maybe start saving there.In retro news, I'm commemorating the 19th anniversary of Resident Evil 4, a port that blew PS2 owner minds like a .223 calibre Semi-Auto Rifle round to the melon. Though I'd already dropped about 60 hours incessantly replaying this via my (better looking and sounding) GameCube version, I recall being instantly re-smitten when I booted this on 'Station. The new big cherry on top? Separate Ways, a roughly 2.5-hour mini adventure that slipped us into the impractical heels of a TMP-packing Ada Wong. Truly, RE4 was in the top 3 games of a console flush with all-time greats. Anybody who skips the Remake is Ganados levels of loco.Happy Bday Resident Evil 4 This Day in Gaming - Age of Mythology (PC) 2002. Redux- Resident Evil 4 (PS2) 2005. Redux- Sonic Colors (DS,Wii) 2010. ReduxTable of ContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchOctopath Traveler IIIf you liked Octopath Traveler (or even any of the Bravely Default games) Octopath Traveler 2 is another good ol' fashioned 80-hour JRPGJoy-Con Pair (-21%) - A$95Lets Sing 2024 2-Mic Bndl (-43%) - A$57Pro Controller (-21%) - A$79Hades (-60%) - A$15Transistor (-80%) - A$4.79Expiring Recent DealsLego Skywalker Saga Galactic (-75%) - A$28.73Mario & Luigi: Brothership (-21%) - A$62.95Detective Pikachu Returns (-23%) - A$53.95West of Loathing (-64%) - A$5.76Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (-90%) - A$6.99No More Heroes (-70%) - A$8.98Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch Zelda: $629 $509 | Switch Original: $499 $428 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $489| Switch OLED White: $539 $489 | Switch Lite: $329 $293 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $309See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCStar Wars Col.The Force is strong with this one! Get 14 epic games in one massive line-up with the Star Wars Collection.XCOM 2 (-95%) - A$2.99The Division Gold Ed. (-75%) - A$18.73Dead Space [2023] (-70%) - A$26.98Thrustmaster USAF Multiplat headset (-22%) - A$140Far Cry 6 (-75%) - A$22.48Metal Slug Bndl (-80%) - A$4.59Expiring Recent DealsDisney-Pixar Cars (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeDishonored: Definitive Ed. (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeBioShock: The Collection (-80%) - A$15.99Metro 2033 Redux (-90%) - A$2.99Metro Last Light (-90%) - A$2.99Metro Exodus (-90%) - A$4.49Battlefield 2042 (-92%) - A$7.19Or just get a Steam Wallet Card.PC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxDeath Stranding DirectorsWell, heres a surprise release that nobody saw coming at all. Also, one of the weirdest games Ive played in recent memory. Definitely do some investigation before you pull the trigger on this. A real love it or hate it proposition.Expiring Recent DealsMetaphor: ReFantazio (-14%) - A$99FF XII: The Zodiac Age (-56%) - A$35.53Suicide Squad: KTJL (-69%) - A$36Jedi Survivor (-38%) - A$ 67.99The Quarry (-91%) - A$9The Outer Worlds (-67%) - A$14.95Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Series S Black: $549 $513 | Series S White:$499 $481 | Series X: $799 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationRed Dead 2Combined with strong writing and direction, the result is a game thats sincere instead of satirical, and funny while remaining capable of some supremely well-earned emotional moments, especially throughout the excellent crescendo and epilogue. 10/10.Hogwarts Legacy (-66%) - A$34Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete (-55%) - A$34.95Star Wars Outlaws (-30%) - A$77Marvels Spider-Man 2 (-21%) - A$99FF VII: Rebirth (-33%) - A$79.95Expiring Recent DealsDragon's Dogma 2 (-45%) - A$59Suicide Squad: KTJL (-69%) - A$36NBA 2K24 Kobe Ed. (-87%) - A$15Resi 4 Gold (-40%) - A$41.97Rayman Legends (-80%) - A$4.99Limbo/Inside Bndl (-75%) - A$10.23Or purchase a PS Store Card.PS5 Pro Enhanced BargainNeed a cheap Pro showcase title?Demons Souls - $124.95 / $104Even without a Pro Enhancement, the visuals of this '24 remake of a '09 PS3 classic already knocked my chainmail socks off. That said, there is indeed a vaguely described "PS5 Pro" toggle in the Display Adjustment menu. It seems to be a 4K-like 60fps Fidelity Mode, which, I think, looks noticeably better than the base experience thanks to additional tessellation density and a new contact shadow system that adds finer micro-detail to stonework (which is everywhere). Basically, I'm fixing to replay this all over again now. As a busy reviewer who's always on The Next Thing, I need a bona fide reason to look backwards; PS5 Pro Enhancement feels (and looks) like a worthy one.PlayStation Console PricesWhat you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $795 | PS5 Slim Digital:$679 $639 | PS VR2: $879 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $959 $949 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsSonic: Amys Island40 bucks off a 6-character set? Thats worth every ring.Expiring Recent DealsMinecraft The Frog House (-40%) - A$59.97Animal Crossing: Julians Birthday (-40%) - A$12Star Wars C-3PO (-19%) - A$159Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 23 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMKevin Feige Delivers Updates on Blade, Scarlet Witchs Future, and When Miles Morales Will Be Introduced to the MCUMarvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has issued a number of somewhat vague but tantalizing updates on various M.I.A. MCU projects and characters at D23 Brazil, the same event that showcased new Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World trailers.Lets start with Marvels troubled Blade film, which Disney recently delayed from its announced November 2025 release date into some TBA release date. The delay to Blade came as little surprise given the behind-the-scenes drama it has suffered. In June, news surfaced that director Yann Demange had left the project, which will see Mahershala Ali portray the titular vampire slayer should it eventually get off the ground and into production.Demange's departure was the second time someone had vacated the director's chair, as Bassam Tariq previously relinquished the role because of a scheduling conflict that came to light before the movie was due to begin shooting. A report at the time claimed that Ali was frustrated with the movie's progress, with production grinding to a halt shortly after. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige at D23 Brazil. Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images for Disney.Now, speaking to Brazilian entertainment website Omelete, Feige provided an update on Blade, insisting the character will reach the MCU."We're committed to Blade, Feige said. We love the character, we love Mahershala's version of him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still trying to figure out how it fits into our schedule, we let the public know. You're up to date on what's going on. But I can tell you that the character will be coming to the MCU.So, according to Feige, Mahershala Alis Blade is still coming out eventually. But what of the future of Elizabeth Olsens Scarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff?Warning! Spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Agatha All Along Season 1 follow.Scarlet Witch apparently died at the end of 2022 MCU film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and failed to make a dramatic return in Disney+ show Agatha All Along, much to the disappointment of fans. Olsen recently confirmed shed be up for playing Scarlet Witch once again, if theres a good way to use her. So, has Feige worked out a good way to use her?Again, speaking to Omelete, Feige gave fans a tease thats already got Scarlet Witch fans excited.We had Agatha Forever on Disney+ just now, and that series was great for us, he said. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about Wanda on fans' minds... So all I can say is that we're excited to find out when and how the Scarlet Witch might return.Thats not an outright confirmation that Scarlet Witch will return to the MCU, but it certainly sounds like Feige wants to make it work.Who Will Be the New Avengers in the MCU?Moving on to Miles Morales and Feige was more definitive, insisting that shortly after the third Spider-Verse movie, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, comes out Miles will make his debut in the live-action MCU."Miles will appear in the third Spider Verse, which is currently in production, Feige told Omelete. I hope that, shortly after that, he can enter the MCU in live-action.Unfortunately, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse does not have a release date. Indeed some speculate it wont come out until 2027, so it may be a few years before we get to see Miles Morales in live-action. Its worth noting that Tom Hollands Spider-Man 4 comes out on July 24, 2026, just two months after Avengers: Doomsday. Avengers: Secret Wars releases on May 7, 2027.And finally, Feige has hinted that it may also be some time before the X-Men make their long-awaited full-blown entry into the MCU, telling Omelete the X-Men will be an important part of the future following Secret Wars."When we were preparing for Avengers: Endgame years ago, it was a question of getting to the grand finale of our narrative, and then we had to start all over again after that, Feige said. This time, on the road to Secret Wars, we already know very well what the story is going to be until then and afterwards. The X-Men are an important part of that future," he commented.In October, Marvel Studios added three untitled movie projects to its 2028 release schedule: February 18, 2028; May 5, 2028; and November 10, 2028. It seems increasingly likely one of these movies is X-Men.Thats plenty to digest for MCU fans, but in the shorter term Marvel Studios has Captain America: Brave New World out in February 2025, Thunderbolts* out in May 2025, TV shows Daredevil: Born Again out in March and Ironheart out in June. Phase 6 kicks off with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images for Disney.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 23 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMThe Penguin Finale ReviewThe following review contains spoilers for the finale of The Penguin, Great or Little ThingIn great pieces of media, a story will go to places that the audience wasnt expecting or didnt even know they wanted it to go, and deliver something fresh and unique. Its something that modern audiences have struggled with in an age of neverending fan service (I have many thoughts on the subject), but is often the outcome of an artist with a vision for a project that is so thought through and rounded out that it succeeds despite the trends. The Batman is a great example of this, with Matt Reeves taking a character full of opportunity for fan service and creating something both familiar and unique that the audience didnt know they wanted. Because The Penguin sprung from that well of creativity, it has benefitted a lot from it. The tone, characters, and aesthetic of The Batman can all be used as a blueprint. And ahead of the finale, the series has done solid work at yes and-ing the movie without veering much at all into overtly flattering or catering to its most ardent devotees (or those of Batman in general).Now, The Batman isnt entirely innocent on this front. The Joker bit at the end is a huge fan service-y teaser (and probably my least favorite moment of the movie). The Penguin, too, has saved its fan service for the end, with the final shot of the series almost literally passing the baton to The Batman Part II. Reeves has said that The Batman would lead directly into The Penguin, and The Penguin would then lead directly into The Batman Part II, but the series makes it crystal clear. That, on top of a note sent to Sofia Falcone from Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman, gives audiences a ton to look forward to in the sequel film. Theres a part of me that thinks The Penguin could have done away with these moments. They stoke anticipation for whats to come in a heavy-handed way. But at the same time it was enough to get me excited for the Batman Epic Crime Saga to continue, now that The Penguin has added so much lore and backstory to Matt Reeves little pocket dimension of the DCU.The Penguin does a really good job at the hardest part of concluding its own story: How do you finish something like this, or even begin telling it, when the protagonist is a villain? Its something that Ive mentioned before while reviewing the series, and I think throughout, The Penguin has always done the right things in this regard. It never tried to paint Oz as a good guy maybe sympathetic, but never good and the more time spent with him, the harder it is to be on his side. And Great or Little Thing is not a happy ending. As much as hell try to convince himself he won, and that he got what hes always wanted, its easy to see in those final moments how empty his success is. That his quest for power over Gotham has driven him to become his worst self, and he was already pretty terrible. Great or Little Thing leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and thats exactly what The Penguin is going for, as well as what it should do. Oz is not the hero of this story, and the finale sinks that knife in deep.The Penguin Finale GalleryIts the pacing of the finale that really takes it out at the knees, though. The story logically heads down the path it created for itself last week, but in a way that meanders at times. It takes its time getting to the better moments towards the end. I feel like each week Ive talked about how every scene is a necessary and impactful one, and that its just about the order theyre placed that throws off the rhythm. Its a symptom that much of the latter half of The Penguin has suffered from, and Great or Little Thing is no exception. While every scene adds up and makes sense for where the characters are and who they are as people, it just doesnt always flow. Great or Little Thing has a number of impactful moments that will excite and dismay (in a good way), but theyd have been more impactful if the smaller moments of the episode lived up to them.The most impactful moments are the final scenes we get with these characters. Vics final scene in particular is awful to watch, as the kid talks his way into trouble just by being human, letting Oz know how much he means to him. Vic was always too good for this world, and his death at the hands of his supposed mentor and protector solidifies that we can no longer excuse Ozs actions. Sofia gets to leave with her life, at least, but is sent back to Arkham, ending up right back where she started, all thanks to Oz once again. Great or Little Thing leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and thats exactly what The Penguin is going for.But where we leave Francis is maybe the most horrifying of them all. To live the rest of her life in a vegetative state, the one thing she said she could never do, while shes forced to stare out at a Gotham shell never again really see. And yes, she sucked, but no one deserves what she got. Where Oz leaves the people around him is the ultimate indictment, putting the final nail in the coffin of his soul. Hes sold it, and has truly become The Penguin.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 23 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMThe Penguin: Ending Explained - How The Series Sets Up The Batman 2The Penguin just wrapped up its eight-episode run on HBO, completing the story of Oswald Cobbs (Colin Farrell) attempt to put himself on top of Gothams criminal underworld. But does he succeed? Does Oz ultimately triumph over his rival, Cristin Miliotis Sofia Falcone? How many allies and loved ones does Oz sacrifice along the way? And where exactly is Batman during all of this?As we look ahead to Matt Reeves upcoming The Batman sequel, lets break down the ending of The Penguin and how exactly the series lays the groundwork for the next movie. Well also explore the biggest burning questions that remain after the series finale, including the all-important Batman question. Read on to learn more, but beware of full spoilers for all eight episodes of The Penguin ahead!The Penguin GalleryThe Penguin Ending ExplainedThe Penguin has basically been one long game of cat and mouse between Oz and Sofia Falcone Gigante, with both jockeying for control and trying to take advantage of the power vacuum left by Sofias father, Carmine (played by John Turturro in The Batman and Mark Strong in The Penguin). The balance of power between the two has repeatedly shifted over these eight episodes. In Episode 7, it seemed Oz might have finally come out on top by stealing Sofias Bliss drug and successfully fending off an attack by Sal Maronis (Clancy Brown) gang. But Sofia responds by literally going scorched earth, blowing up Ozs underground lab and capturing both Oz himself and his ailing mother, Francis (Dierdre OConnell).Thats where Oz finds himself in the finale. Hes at the mercy of a vindictive Sofia and forced to listen as his mother reveals shes always known his darkest secret - that he was responsible for the deaths of his two brothers as a child. She knows better than anyone that Oswald Cobb has always been a sociopathic monster. Monster or not, Oz also has a knack for worming his way out of desperate situations. He and his mother escape Sofias clutches, though not before Francis suffers a stroke. Oz regroups and manages to turn the tables on Sofia for the final time, with more than a little help from his right-hand man, Victor (Rhenzy Feliz). Together, they convince the Chinese Triads to betray their leader, Franois Chaus Feng Zhao, and throw their lot in with Oz, enabling him to capture Sofia and finally bring an end to their bloody feud.Oz doesnt simply kill Sofia, though. He finds a more poetic form of revenge. Oz colludes with Councilman Sebastian Hady (Rhys Coiro) to pin the blame for his destroyed drug lab on a war between the Maronis and the Falcones. Oz leads Sofia to what seems to be her death, only for her to instead be arrested by the GCPD and brought back to the very last place she wants to go - Arkham Asylum. As the series wraps, Oz is finally the undisputed master of the criminal underworld. Unfortunately, he has precious few friends with which to celebrate. Victors reward for helping Oz rise to the top is death by strangulation at Ozs own hand. Oz can no longer allow himself the weakness of close friends. All he has left is his mother, now trapped in a catatonic state following her stroke, and his lover Eve (Carmen Ejogo), who seems like shed rather be anywhere else in the world but at Ozs side. Its lonely at the top.PlayDoes Robert Pattinsons Batman Appear In The Penguin?From the beginning, one of the biggest questions surrounding this spinoff of The Batman is how big a role Robert Pattinsons hero would play. When last we saw him, Batman had just saved the city from Riddlers devastating terrorist attack. Bruce was beginning to learn a very important lesson - that Batman can be as much a source of hope for Gotham as he is a sign of terror to criminals. The Penguin takes place shortly after that movie, so it would make sense to include Batman in some capacity. We learned coming into The Penguin that Pattinson wouldnt be appearing in the series, though that didnt necessarily stop speculation regarding a possible cameo. After all, in this post-Spider-Man: No Way Home world, fans arent always willing to trust studios when cameo rumors are shot down. But in this case, showrunner Lauren LeFranc wasnt fibbing when she said Batman wouldnt appear in the series. We only get a slight nod to the Caped Crusader in the final shot of the finale, where we see the Bat-Signal blazing against an eerie Gotham skyline.But why not include Batman? Ignoring whatever logistical difficulties are involved in getting Robert Pattinson back in the Batsuit, wouldnt it have made sense to include the Dark Knight in some form? Doesnt Batman have a vested interest in dealing with the new gang war consuming Gothams underworld?But as weve previously explored, there are valid reasons not to include Batman in the series. For one thing, The Penguin focuses on areas of Gotham City it seems Batman doesnt patrol. He doesnt stalk the suburbs or venture too deeply into slums like Crown Point. The movie also suggests that Oz Cobb was never particularly on Batmans radar during his first two years on the job. They clearly encounter one another for the first time when Batman forces his way into the Iceberg Lounge. For better or worse, Batman seems to focus on specific areas of the city, and thats made him blind to the threat growing under his nose.For better or worse, Batman seems to focus on specific areas of the city, and thats made him blind to the threat growing under his nose.More to the point, though, Batman isnt around to deal with the rise of Oswald Cobb. HBO produced a faux-newspaper as a promotional item for The Penguin. That newspaper includes a political cartoon that shows a dejected Commissioner Gordon standing by the Bat-Signal while an officer tells him, Its been weeks, sir...Reeves Batman universe is drawing loosely from the Batman: No Mans Land comics with its depiction of a Gotham City struggling to move forward after a devastating disaster. As in the comic, we can probably infer that Bruce Wayne has left the city to lobby the government for more aid, meaning theres no Batman around to keep the peace. Or perhaps theres a bigger mystery at play regarding his absence. But either way, the writers have purposely arranged it so that Batman is MIA while Oz Cobb makes his rise through the underworld. How The Penguin Sets Up Matt Reeves The Batman Sequel The Penguin doesnt necessarily end in a shocking or unexpected place for Farrells character. We knew based on the ending of The Batman that Oz had ambitions to rise above his station and take Carmine Falcones place atop the underworld. The Penguin shows us how he accomplishes that goal, and the terrible toll it takes on those around him.Well definitely see Oz again in The Batman 2, where hell now be calling the shots rather than serving other masters. In that sense, The Penguin isnt necessarily required viewing for those following the movies. All you really need is that final shot of Oz in The Batman to understand how he gets to where hell be in the sequel. But this series exists for anyone who wants to know exactly how Ozs rise to power came about.Thats not to say The Penguin doesnt lay the foundation for Reeves next movie. The impact of this Gotham underworld shakeup will surely reverberate out to affect the wider The Batman Epic Crime Saga. Batman will have to confront the fact that he wasnt there to deal with a new threat emerging in Gotham. He dismissed Oswald Cobb as a mere lackey of Carmine Falcone, never suspecting that Oz had what it took to become the new Falcone. In his two years on the job, it doesnt seem that Batman has made much, if any, headway in dismantling the mob. At some point, hell have to reevaluate his methods and realize that pummeling low-level street criminals every night is only going to get him so far. The balance of power is shifting from the old guard - men like Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni - to a newer generation of psychopathic super-criminals.Theres also the fact that Penguin represents the evolving face of crime in Gotham City. The balance of power is shifting from the old guard - men like Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni - to a newer generation of psychopathic super-criminals. Theres going to come a point where the Gotham underworld is taken over by costumed villains like Barry Keoghans Joker, Two-Face, and whatever other Bat-rogues Reeves chooses to introduce. The Penguin becoming Gothams new crime lord is the tipping point that ushers in a darker era for Gotham City. Theres a reason Reeves chose to set his Batman story at this point in the Dark Knights career.We can also see the new drug Bliss making a return in The Batman 2. Ozs underground drug lab may have been destroyed, but assuming he can connect with Sofias supplier, it may be only a matter of time before the city streets are flooded with this psychedelic, euphoric substance again. We could easily see the next movie including a subplot where Batman attempts to get Bliss off the streets and comes into conflict with Penguin again.And finally, theres still the lingering question of where Batman has been during all this chaos and bloodshed. Why has he been MIA in the weeks following Riddlers attack? Why didnt he do anything to stop this bloody gang war? The Penguin never answers that question, but it does seem to tee up the next movie to address it. We suspect The Batman 2 will deal with Bruce returning to his city after his mysterious absence, forced to confront the fact that things have only gotten worse since he left.DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV ShowWill Sofia Falcone Appear in The Batman 2?Theres another loose end from The Penguin that could very well be picked up in The Batman 2. For all the bodies left in Ozs wake in this series, he opted not to kill Sofia. Instead, he doomed her once again to live out her life trapped within Arkham State Hospital. That leaves room for Milioti to reprise her role in the next movie. We dont know much about the plot of The Batman 2 other than that Pattinsons Bruce and Farrells Oz have both been confirmed to return. But its easy to see the sequel dealing with Batman unraveling another major conspiracy at the heart of Gotham City. Once again, he may be forced to turn to an Arkham inmate for guidance in his investigation. But what if this time, instead of Keoghans Joker, he meets with Sofia? Given her family ties, maybe shes the best person to act as Batmans Hannibal Lecter next time around.The series also seems to be setting up a future plot thread involving Sofia and her half-sister, Zoe Kravitzs Selina Kyle. When last we see Sofia, shes locked away in her cell and reading a letter sent by Selina. Maybe it wont be Batman paying another visit to Arkham next time, but rather Selina. There are other options for continuing Sofias story. The Arkham Asylum TV series seems to be dead currently, but we certainly wouldnt say no to a series that follows Sofia as she struggles to survive her hellish second stint in Arkham. At this point, Sofia has become a legitimate Batman villain. While she may or may not have committed the murders her father had her put away for (the series leaves some room for interpretation there), shes clearly a cold-blooded killer with a penchant for theatricality. She could easily carve a place for herself in the evolving Gotham underworld and become a lasting thorn in the sides of both Batman and Penguin. Whatever is next for this character, theres no denying that Miliotis Sofia Falcone was the highlight of The Penguin. Theres no reason her story should end here.Who was your favorite character in The Penguin? Cast your vote in our poll and let us know what you think in the comments below.For more on Batman's cinematic future, brush up on every DC movie and series in development.Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 23 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMDaily Deals: Final Fantasy I-VI Collection, Silent Hill 2, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, and MoreThe weekend is officially here, and we've rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, November 10, below:Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster CollectionFINAL FANTASY I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition - 2024 (PS4)The first six Final Fantasy titles paved the way for the series as we see it today. Many fans still regard both Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI as some of the best that Final Fantasy has to offer, with gripping narratives and engaging gameplay. This package includes all six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, which feature updated graphics, soundtracks, font, and more. Mario & Luigi: BrothershipMario & Luigi: BrothershipMario & Luigi: Brothership is the first Mario & Luigi title on Nintendo Switch, acting as the first new entry in the series in over nine years. Developed by Acquire, this is the first 3D entry in the series, with plenty of new mechanics to discover. Join Mario and Luigi on this adventure to reconnect the world of Concordia and set sail to many islands on Shipshape Island!Silent Hill 2Silent Hill 2 - PlayStation 5Bloober Team's remake of Silent Hill 2 is on sale at Woot this weekend for $59.99. Recreating one of Konami's most beloved titles was never going to be easy, but the Silent Hill 2 remake delivers an immersive horror experience that preserves almost everything that made the original so great. In our 8/10 review, we said the game "smoothly polishes down the rough edges of the original games combat while taking a piece of heavy grit sandpaper to scuff up every rust and mold-covered surface of its nightmarish environments, successfully making them appear far more abrasive and menacing to explore."Arcane: League of Legends - Season One 4K UHD Blu-rayArcane: League of Legends - Season One - Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-rayArcane: League of Legends Season 2 is officially out today, and this is a great deal if you've yet to watch Season 1. The complete Season 1 4K UHD Blu-ray collection is only $34.99 at Amazon, which is $25 off its standard price. Packed inside a unique Steelbook, this is perfect for both new viewers and even the biggest of Arcane fans. LG UltraGear 45" OLED Curved MonitorLG UltraGear 45" OLED Curved WQHD 240Hz Gaming MonitorThis weekend, you can save $700 off this UltraGear 45" OLED curved monitor. With a resolution of 1440p and a refresh rate of 240Hz, you can expect a fantastic experience that is perfect for gaming. The OLED panel allows for high color accuracy and a wider viewing angle, so this monitor is also a great option for watching video content or movies.Sony UBP-X700 4K UHD Blu-ray PlayerSony UBP-X700 4K Ultra HD Home Theater Streaming Blu-ray DVD Player If you don't own either an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, it's not likely you have a quality 4K UHD Blu-ray Player. This weekend, you can save $90 off this Sony UBP-X700 model, which supports 4K upscaling, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and more. The player even has a HDR-SDR converter, allowing you to watch content on any display with vivid colors.Sony WH-1000XM5 HeadphonesSony WH-1000XM5 HeadphonesThe Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are some of the best you can find on the market. Sony made tremendous improvements from previous models, with major upgrades to both noise cancelation and sound quality. In our 9/10 review, we said, "The Sony WH-1000XM5 is hands down the best sounding and most impressive noise-canceling headphones around."Sonic X Shadow GenerationsSonic X Shadow Generations - Nintendo SwitchSonic X Shadow Generations just released last month, and you can already save $10 off a Nintendo Switch copy at Woot. This package includes a remastered version of Sonic Generations and a brand-new campaign focused on Shadow. Both 2D and 3D levels are included, making for the ultimate package for any Sonic fan. Super Mario RPGSuper Mario RPG - Nintendo SwitchThe remake of Super Mario RPG is $31.99 at Woot right now, which is a great price for this classic title. If you've yet to either play the original or check out the remake, this is the perfect time to do so. Composer Yoko Shimimura returned to compose the remake's original soundtrack, and each boss and environment has been expertly recrafted for the Nintendo Switch.Star Wars Jedi: SurvivorStar Wars Jedi: Survivor - PlayStation 4Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - XBOX OneThis weekend, you can save on the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The next chapter of Cal's journey is set years after the ending of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. New lightsaber styles, planets, and more await.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 26 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMDonkey Kong Country of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan Is Getting a Direct TomorrowNintendo has announced that Donkey Kong Country of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan is getting its very own direct tomorrow, November 11, at 2pm PT/5pm ET.Nintendo shared the news on Twitter/X, saying, "Tune in on 11/11 at 2 p.m. PT for a Super Nintendo World Direct livestream!""The stream will be roughly 10 minutes and showcase Donkey Kong Country of #SuperNintendoWorld at Universal Studios Japan," Nintendo continued. "No game information will be featured. #NintendoDirect"While this is a Super Nintendo World Direct focused on Universal Studios Japan, those excited for Super Nintendo World's debut at Orlando's Epic Universe in 2025 should pay attention as it will also have a Donkey Kong Country and the mine-cart ride.The ride is called Mine-Cart Madness and will see guests helping Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana. Guests will be able to look forward to "getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more."Super Nintendo World first opened at Universal Studios Japan in March 2021 and Donkey Kong Country will add a whole new layer of Nintendo-themed fun to the festivities. Alongside Mine Cart Madness, fans will be able to collect the K O N G letters like in the games, enjoy a "selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings," and much more. Universal Epic Universe: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country ImagesIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250Donkey Kong Country's website says it is still set to open at Japan's Super Nintendo World before the end of 2024, so it's safe to assume we'll get an opening date tomorrow or a delay into 2025.For more, check out our review of Super Nintendo World and further details of Epic Universe before it opens on May 22, 2025.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 26 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMBest Early UK Gaming Laptop Setup Black Friday DealsWhy wait for Black Friday to score a gaming rig thatll blow your mind and save precious desk space? With early deals on the ASUS ROG Strix 16, a curved PHILIPS Evnia monitor, and the GameSir Cyclone 2 controller, you can build a pro-level setup without the holiday chaos. Hunting for the power of an Intel i9 processor, a 49-inch wraparound display, or a chair thatll keep you comfy through marathon sessions? These early discounts let you go all in for less. Snag these deals now, and get your setup ready for action way before the Black Friday rush.Featured in this articleASUS ROG Strix 16 G614JIRGameSir Cyclone 2 Multiplatform Controller$44.00 at GameSirPhilips Evnia 49M2C8900 Boulies Master Max Gaming Chair$364.99 at AmazonGlorious Gaming Model I Wired Gaming MouseASUS ROG Strix 16 G614JIRASUS ROG Strix 16 G614JIRBlack Friday is still weeks away, but Amazons already dropping serious deals like 15% off the ASUS ROG Strix 16. Thanks to an Intel i9-14900HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, this gaming beast is ready to go head-to-head with any desktop. Its 165Hz refresh rate and 16-inch WUXGA display ensure your visuals stay smooth and sharp, so you wont miss a thing. Plus, with 16GB of RAM and a spacious 1TB SSD, this laptop has the power to tackle any game (and then some). Right now, you can score it for 1,689, down from 1,989, making it a serious deal if youre ready to elevate your gaming setup before the holiday chaos.GameSir Cyclone 2 Multiplatform ControllerGameSir Cyclone 2 Multiplatform ControllerGet a metal USB-C charging dock for an extra 4!$44.00 at GameSirLooking for a new controller without waiting for the Black Friday madness? The GameSir Cyclone 2 is on early sale for just 44, letting you upgrade your gaming experience with a discount. Designed for hardcore gaming, this controller has Mag-ResTM TMR levers, and Hall Effect triggers for unparalleled precision, no matter your platform. Whether youre gaming on Switch, PC, or mobile, its multi-mode connectivity and customizable RGB lighting make it a top pick. And at this early Black Friday price, its a no-brainer for players who want premium control without the premium price.Philips Evnia 49M2C8900Philips Evnia 49M2C8900Why wait to go big? This early Black Friday deal lets you snag the PHILIPS Evnia 49-inch curved OLED gaming monitor for 679.97a nice 22% drop from its usual 868.97 price tag. This screen is built for total immersion with its massive 32:9 DQHD display, ultra-fast 144Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync Premium Pro support. And thanks to Ambiglow lighting and DTS surround sound, youll feel right in the action. Perfect for gamers ready to make an epic upgrade, this deal ensures youll enter the holiday season with a setup that turns heads. Boulies Master Max Gaming Chair Boulies Master Max Gaming ChairAll the features of a high-end gaming chair with a budget price tag$364.99 at AmazonAre you looking for a comfy chair without waiting for Black Fridays shopping frenzy? The Boulies Master Gaming Chair is on an early sale for 364.99. Known for its ergonomic build, this chair has all the adjustability you could want 4D armrests, lumbar support, and a head pillow that makes long sessions way more comfortable. It reclines from 95 to 165, which means you can kick back for breaks or gear up for intense sessions. This pre-Black Friday discount lets you level up your setup without breaking the bank.Glorious Gaming Model I Wired Gaming MouseGlorious Gaming Model I Wired Gaming MouseGet your hands on the Glorious Model I wired gaming mouse for just 49.99 ahead of Black Friday a tidy 17% savings on a mouse that punches well above its weight. Designed for quick response and smooth control, it boasts nine programmable buttons and an ultra-flexible paracord cable that gives you a nearly wireless feel without the wireless price. Its honeycomb design keeps it lightweight and ergonomic, so you can game longer without hand fatigue. This early Black Friday price makes it a great time to snag high performance for less.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 27 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMAndor Season 2 Release Date Announced for Disney+ at D23 BrazilAt D23 Brazil, Lucasfilm confirmed that Andor Season 2 will premiere on Disney+ on April 22, 2025.To help celebrate the announcement, Andor's wonderful droid B2EMO was brought on stage and that alone is a reason to celebrate. You can also check that out below.On April 22, 2025, #Andor returns to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/c6P3pdNBi6 Star Wars (@starwars) November 9, 2024 #Andor's B2EMO has arrived on the #D23Brasil stage. pic.twitter.com/XSU7ye7ghi Star Wars (@starwars) November 9, 2024 Andor also had a big showing at D23 in Anaheim, with a teaser trailer confirming Krennic and K-2SO would officially be returning for some prequel action. As for what else fans can expect from Season 2, Andor actor Diego Luna says it will turn Rogue One: A Star Wars Story into a completely "different film." "I think people watching Rogue One, after watching Season 2, are going to see a different film," Luna said. "Everything will be signified differently knowing what had to happen for Kaytoo to be there. It's going to make you witness the journey of Rogue One in a different way, I think. And not just with Kaytoo, but with many other characters. I think it'll be really cool."Many fans will be very excited for the return of Andor, and we are part of that enthusiasm as we said it is "one of the best things ever to come out of the Star Wars universe" in our review.For more, check out our ranking of the Star Wars Disney+ live-action TV shows and all the other upcoming new Star Wars movies and TV shows.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 26 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMThunderbolts* Special Look Trailer From D23 Brazil Reveals Who Bought Avengers TowerA brand new special look trailer for Thunderbolts* from D23 Brazil has not only revealed more of the team-up MCU film starring Yelena, Bucky, Red Guardian, John Walker, Ghost, Taskmaster, and Bob, but it has also confirmed who now owns Avengers Tower. The trailer opens with a look at a scene from the MCU film that is set to be released in theaters on May 2, 2025, but we'll get to that later as we have to talk about the fact that Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine now owns Avengers Tower.PlayShe reveals the news to our team when they arrive to the tower once owned by the late Tony Stark."How crazy is it to think of all the monumental fights that happened exactly here where you're standing," Valentina says. "I mean, the place wasn't cheap, but it has good optics."As for the other scene, Yelena, Red Guardian, Ghost, and John Walker are being chased by three cars and all is saved when Bucky destroys the enemy vehicles. Well, at least they thought they were saved until he shoots an explosive right at them. Elsewhere in the trailer we get to see a nice introduction to each team member, including Bob aka Sentry, and a ton of action of the team fighting each other and others. PlayFor more, check out the first teaser for Thunderbolts*, all we know about the * at the end of the title, and how this film is looking to return the MCU to its "roots" to cap off Phase 5.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 26 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMAvatar: Fire & Ash Concept Art Revealed at D23 Brazil That Shows Off the New Fire and Air TribesAt D23 Brazil, new concept art was revealed for Avatar: Fire & Ash that gives fans a look at thew new fire and air tribes that will feature in this third film set to be released in theaters on December 19, 2025.The concept art, which is by Dylan Cole, Zachary Berger, and Steve Messing, showcases flying vehicles, gorgeous vistas, Ikran, a village that looks to belong to these fire/ash Na'vi, the beautiful ocean at night, a character whose hands are bound, and more. Avatar: Fire & Ash Concept ArtAs reported by @cinepop (via @DiscussingFilm), these Ash People are a "reflection of the worst side of Na'vi.""We have a lot of anger and a lot of rage in the world we live in right now," Cameron said.Cameron revealed the name of Avatar: Fire & Ash back at Anaheim's D23, and he also shared he'll direct both Avatar 4 and 5 unless he's "hit by a bus." While we are still waiting for our first look at footage of this film, Cameron did say this is an "insane adventure that also has high emotional stakes, more than ever before. We are going into challenging territories. There are new characters, and one youll love to hate. New cultures and settings and biomes and more of Pandora."PlayAvatar: The Way of Water was released in late 2022 and we said it was "a clear improvement on its predecessor and, though its story isnt breaking new ground, its jaw-dropping visuals make this an irresistible return to Pandora." It also became the sixth film in history to earn $2 billion at the global box office.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 26 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMArcane Season 2, Act 1: Our Biggest Burning Questions for the Rest of the SeasonThis article contains spoilers for Arcane Seasons 1 & 2.After a two year wait, Arcane Season 2 has arrived. Well, at least the first three episodes. Thanks to the popularity of the series, Netflix is dropping the final season of the show in three three-episode acts, the first of which debuted on Nov 9. Picking up directly where the critically acclaimed last season ended, we rejoin Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), Caitlin (Katie Leung), Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), Jinx (Ella Purnell), Mel (Toks Olagundoye), and the rest of the cast of the steampunk video game adaptation right where we left them. They're struggling in the wake of a deadly Hextech attack by Jinx that, as we quickly learn, left multiple members of Piltover's ruling council dead, including most shockingly Caitlyn's mother, Cassandra Kiramman (Abigail Marlowe). The first three episodes left us with more questions than answers, so we're here to dig into the return of the highly-anticipated series and our biggest questions as we wait for Act 2. PlayWill Caitlyn and Vi Ever, Ever Get (Back) Together? While we finally get their first very sensual kiss, the first act leaves us once again in the wake of a furious split between the pair, making us wonder if they're ever going to get their version of a happily ever after, especially now that war with the Undercity is all but certain. The pair's slowburn, star crossed romance has been at the heart of what made many fans fall in love with the show. But it feels likely that we'll see the pair struggling to come together as they both try to work out where they stand in the face of the coming war, and the reality that Vi and Jinx are still connected and will feel for each other no matter what. The separation between Caitlin and Vi will make their inevitable reunion more powerful, though who knows how long it'll last. With all of that said, the creators of the series have hinted that we'll get more hot and heavy action like the now infamous Jayce/Mel sex scene in Season 1. So we'd bet that we'll see Vi and Cait finally get to have their moment in the saucy sun before the second season and series as a whole ends. Arcane Season 2 Acts I and II GalleryWhat is Ambassa's Plan? Ever since she first appeared in Arcane Season 1, Ambassa has been more like a force of nature than a council member's mother. As Act 1 ends, we see that her arrival in Piltover with hopes of getting Hextech was actually hiding a deeper agenda. After the attack on the council, Ambessa plans to take advantage of the power void to bring her Noxian army to help "take down" Zaun, though it feels like she could have her sights set on taking control of Piltover completely as the war takes over and she gets to flex her warlord muscles through the chaos. Of course, she'll have a fight on her hands as both Mel and Jayce are likely to resist her warmongering, especially now that Jayce is down in the Undercity with Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert) and Ekko (Reed Lorenzo Shannon) gaining even more empathy for its inhabitants and connections with the Firelights and his old mentor. Mel has never been a fan of her mother or her appearance in Piltover. But seeing as the rest of the city and the Enforcers seem eager to embark on the war after the Chem Baron's latest attack, it feels like Noxia will be welcomed into Piltover for now. That could give Ambessa even more power than Mel expects. PlayWhat Happened to Viktor? After almost dying during the lab explosion in Season 1, Jayce finds that his best frenemy Viktor has also survived and decides to use Hextech to save him. Completely submerging him in Hextech goo does manage to extend Viktor's lifespan, but it also changes him forever. After the events of the first act, we see that the scientist has essentially become a piece of living Hextech, with only a few pieces of his human body left. This is far closer to the "Machine Herald" version of Viktor that players know from League of Legends, who has fused his body together with science and steel, and presents as more of a classic robot/cyborg. Where we leave him after Act 1 is inline with the popular video game version too. We see the origins of Viktor's "glorious evolution" in the third episode as he transforms Huck (Bill Lobley) from a shimmer-wrecked broken man into a half-Hextech/half-human being, inspiring the rest of his shimmer-crew to follow Viktor into whatever dark future he has planned for the Undercity. It's likely we'll see him trying to create an army of Hex-humans going forward as a way to raise the Undercity and its inhabitants up in the face of Piltover's reign. Who is Vi's New Drinking Buddy?After falling out with Caitlyn again, Vi heads out on a bender and ends up with her head in a fountain, lamenting her war-starting family drama. But she's not alone. We meet a bearded burly giant who takes interest in the fact that Vi is being called up to join the Enforcers. Soon the pair are both in the Enforcers on Caitlyn's special team for heading into the tunnels. We know very little about him, don't hear his name, and he's not an obvious analog for any Champion from the games, but it's clear he's going to become a key part of the cast for the next few episodes.Interestingly, as quick as he was to join the Enforcers, he doesn't seem to be a fan of Ambessa and her plan for war. That means he could be a veteran or even someone familiar with Noxia and Ambessa's version of leadership. His stormy response to her authoritarian behavior likely hints that he'll be an ally to Vi as the more morally complex of our heroines rather than Caitlyn, who is now in charge of the Council. It'll be interesting to see how he plays into the greater war and potentially setting up future spinoffs. Arcane Season 2 September 2024 Trailer StillsWhat Did Jinx and Sevika Release into Piltover? The big cliffhanger at the end of this act is that we see Jinx and Sevika (Amirah Vann) accomplish their plan to reverse the filtration system that protects Piltover from the dangerous substance known as the Gray, seemingly flooding the city with a strange overpowering smoke. But it doesn't appear like the Gray as we've seen it depicted before, instead looking more akin to the brightly colored shades of Shimmer or Hex than the obviously gray-tone of the Gray. So the big question is, what did they actually release? It does seem like a Jinx-coded plan to release Shimmer and get a bunch of Piltovians get addicted to the drug. Or potentially some kind of Hex-poison, like we've been seeing impact the Firelight's tree.Whatever the answer, it's going to be a huge source of conflict going forward, especially as it once again moves Jinx away from a possible redemption and reconnection with Vi and Caitlyn. And it's one more reason for Caitlyn and Ambessa to go to war against the Undercity and the Chem Barons that rule it, setting the stage for an epic final six episodes. When Is Arcane Season 2, Act 2?Now that youve finished the first three episodes of the season, heres when you can watch the other two acts of Arcane Season 2.Arcane Season 2 Act 2 releases November 16Arcane Season 2 Act 3 releases November 23Season 2 of Arcane is the final season of the Netflix series.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 28 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMCaptain America: Brave New World Trailer Reveals Our Best Look Yet at Harrison Ford's Red HulkAt D23 Brazil, Marvel release a brand new trailer for Captain America: Brave New World that gives fans their best look yet at Harrison Ford's Red Hulk.The trailer starts off with Sam Wilson talking to Isaiah Bradley after his surprising attack on Harrison Ford's President Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross. We get a good glimpse at the action to come on February 14, 2025, but perhaps none of the footage was as exciting as the end where we get to see Ross become Red Hulk and getting ready to fight Wilson. PlayThis trailer follows the last one that not only blew up the White House, but also confirmed that the origin of adamantium in the MCU is from the body of Eternals' Celestial Tiamut from the middle of the ocean. Marvel also shared a new poster that shows Cap and Red Hulk facing off, and you can check it out below.For more, check out who Giancarlo Esposito is playing in the film and the latest Thunderbolts* trailer that reveals who bought Avengers Tower.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 25 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMBest Buy's Early Black Friday 3-Day Sale: The Deals You Shouldn't MissBest Buy just kicked off an Early Black Friday Sale lasting through Sunday, November 10. There are hundreds of products listed but only a handful of them are what I would consider "Black Friday" caliber. Some of these show the lowest prices we've seen all year and are unlikely to drop further on Black Friday. We've sorted them by category and broken out individual deals that we think are the cream of the crop so you can browse in one place. It's also worth noting Best Buy offers free shipping on most orders over $35, and there's usually an option to pick up in-store. And, since you'd be shopping ahead of Black Friday, you'll avoid the crowds.What's the top deal so far from Best Buy?SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless HeadsetIf you're looking for a wireless gaming headset with swappable batteries, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless gaming headset is your best bet now at the lowest price you'll find. Best Buy just dropped 50% off this headset, now only $139.99 shipped. The packaging mentions only PS4 and PC compatibility, however SteelSeries has confirmed PS5 compatibility. The only other wireless headset with swappable batteries is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, and we've never seen that model sell for under $250.Early Black Friday LEGO DealsAt Best Buy, there are also LEGO sets on sale, but most LEGO deals are reserved for Best Buy Plus and Total members. The Plus and Total memberships are paid subscriptions, so unless you're already a member, I'd recommend waiting for these deals until Black Friday because Best Buy will eventually make them available to everyone.However, we did find the deals which don't require a membership and are worth buying ahead of time, especially if you're anxious to shop now. The LEGO Icons Corvette is only on sale at Best Buy and it's set to retire very soon. The LEGO Advent Calendars are also worth buying sooner than later before they sell out, and to secure them in-hand before December 1. They are popular gifts and go out of stock quickly (the LEGO Star Wars and LEGO City Advent Calenders are gone).LEGO Icons Corvette 10321LEGO Harry Potter 2024 Advent Calendar 76438LEGO Disney 2024 Advent Calendar 43253LEGO Marvel Spider-Man 2024 Advent Calendar 76293Original 2021 Release Set.LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course 71387Original 2021 Release Set.LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Princess Starter Course 71403LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance 42158For more LEGO Black Friday deals, check out Target's own Early Black Friday sale, with some discounts on different LEGO sets. Target's exclusive Shadow the Hedgehog is already on sale even though it was released very recently.Early Black Friday Gaming Peripheral DealsThere are a couple of Best Buy exclusive deals on SteelSeries gaming headsets, some higher end gaming monitors from LG and Samsung, and the Logitech G923 gaming wheels for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X.PS5, PS4, PCSteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless HeadsetPS5, PCSteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Gaming Headset45" LG UltraGear OLED WQHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor49" Samsung Odyssey G9 Dual QHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor43" Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 43" 4K 144Hz Mini-LED Gaming MonitorXbox Series X|S, PCLogitech G923 Racing Wheel and PedalsPS5, PCLogitech G923 Racing Wheel and PedalsEarly Black Friday Sony Headphone DealsThe Sony headphone and earbud deals have started early for Black Friday. These are manufacturer discounts, so the discounted pricing should be available at other retailers if you prefer them, like Amazon, Walmart, or Target. The Sony WH1000XM5 is currently our favorite noise cancelling headphone. In our IGN 9/10 rated Sony WH-1000XM5 review, Kevin Lee wrote that "the Sony WH-1000XM5 is hands down the best sounding and most impressive noise-canceling headphones around. They demand a high premium but the cost of audio excellence is well worth it."Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling HeadphonesSony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling HeadphonesSony WHCH720N Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesSony WF1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling EarbudsSony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling EarbudsSony LinkBuds S True Wireless Noise Canceling EarbudsEarly Black Friday Gaming Laptops and PCsThere are already some great deals on gaming laptops and PCs at Best Buy. These are prebuilt systems that ship out immediately. Score an RTX 4070 gaming laptop for as low as $1199.99 or an RTX 4070 Super gaming PC for only $1499.99.16GB RAM, 1TB SSDMSI Katana 15" Ryzen 9 8945HS RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop32GB RAM, 2TB SSDiBUYPOWER Y40 i7-14700KF RTX 4070 Super Gaming PC32GB RAM, 2TB SSDiBUYPOWER Y60 Ryzen 7 7700X RTX 4060Ti Gaming PC16GB RAM, 1TB SSDMSI Codex Z2 Ryzen 5 8400F RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC32GB RAM, 1TB SSDAcer Predator Helios 18" QHD+ i9-14900HX RTX 4080 Gaming PC16GB RAM, 512GB SSDMSI THIN 15" Core i5-13420H RTX 4050 Gaming Laptop16GB RAM, 1TB SSDASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 16" QHD+ OLED Core Ultra 9 RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop16GB RAM, 1TB SSDAcer Predator Helios Neo 16" QHD+ Core i9-14900HX RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop16GB RAM, 512GB SSDAcer Nitro 15" Core i7-13620H RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop16GB RAM, 1TB SSDMSI Vector 16" Core i9-13980HX RTX 4080 Gaming LaptopFor more early Black Friday deals on gaming laptops and PCs, check out both the Dell Early Black Friday Sale and the HP Early Black Friday Sale for a greater selection and potentially deeper discounts. These computers are made-to-order and usually take longer to ship out, but the consistency in build quality and customer service makes them worth it.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 28 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMSave $700 Off This Decked Out Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4090 Gaming PC Ahead of Black FridayThe best high-end prebuilt PCs command premium prices, but that doesn't mean you can't find great deals that will still save you a lot of money. In many cases, you can get a prebuilt for less than the cost of building a comparable DIY system. As part of its Early Black Friday Sale, Dell is offering an Alienware Aurora R16 GeForce RTX 4090 gaming PC for $2999.99 after a $700 instant discount. A standalone RTX 4090 GPU will run you $1,800 by itself, which means building your own DIY PC could easily run you the same price or more. Although building your own PC certainly has its merits, a prebuilt gaming PC is ready to go out of the box and can give you peace of mind with an all-inclusive warranty.Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4090 Gaming PC DealsAlienware Aurora R16 Liquid-Cooled Intel Core i9-14900KF RTX 4090 Gaming PC with 32GB RAM, 2TB SSDThis Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC is equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU, GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and a 2TB NVMe SSD. The 14th gen Intel Core i9-14900KF is the most powerful consumer Intel CPU you can get right now. The chip is known to run pretty hot, but fortunately it's cooled by a robust 240mm all-in-one liquid cooler. The entire system is powered by an energy efficient 1000W 80PLUS Platinum power supply.The RTX 4090 is likewise the most powerful GPU on the market. No other video card, either from NVIDIA or from AMD, comes close. In his RTX 4090 review, Chris Coke writes "The RTX 4090 may be huge and expensive, but holy smokes if it doesnt blow the competition out of the water... Until the rest of the pack can catch up, between its impressive hardware specs and its DLSS 3 AI wizardry, even the $1,599 price doesnt seem unreasonable for the unrivaled frame rates that this card can crank out." You'll be able to run any game in 4K with ultra settings and ray tracing enabled and still pump out high framerates, even the newest, most demanding titles like Black Myth: Wukong or Warhammer Space Marine 2.The 4090 is also the consumer card of choice for AI thanks to its 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM. A note on Alienware's newest "R16" desktop chassisThe R16 is Alienware's current 2024 desktop PC design. It's 40% smaller in volume compared to previous iterations. It features a simple yet proven airflow pattern; air is drawn in through the side intake vents over the GPU area and a 120mm fan at the front of the case, and exhausts by way of a 120mm rear fan and two 120mm top fans. A 240mm radiator for the all-in-one liquid cooling system is mounted to these top fans. Some configurations don't actually include the liquid cooling system, but we rarely include them in this roundup. That's because Alienware's liquid cooling solution is far superior to their stock air cooling and is easily worth the price premium.More Alienware Gaming PC DealsAlienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4090 Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9-13900F RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9-14900F RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4060 Gaming PCEric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 34 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMAU Deals: A Freebie Arkane Studios Definitive, 90% off Some FPS Greats, Dragged Down Dogma 2, and More!Thank your own personal deitypossibly Morninglordit's Friday. I'll be honest with you, it's been a bloody awful week for me, but I know I can find quick respite in a big stash of games to play (and the deep satisfaction of finding discounts for you). In case I don't see you, stay safe, save often, and catch you Monday. In retro news, I'm celebrating the 28th birthday of what was once called "The Sonic's Ass Game," Crash Bandicoot. I have crystal clear memories of chasing its white "100% gems" at a mate's place as we swore our way through especially fiendish levels like Sunset Vista and Slippery Climb. Visually, this was also seen as a stunner for '96 with its "Tazmanian Devil cartoon come to life" chic. If you want to get your butt handed to you, old school style, the platforming here is timeless and got spit-shined well in 2017's N. Sane Trilogy. This Day in Gaming - Sonic the Hedgehog (MS) 1991. eBay- Crash Bandicoot (PS) 1996. Redux- Spyro: Year of the Dragon (PS) 2000. Redux- Sega GT (XB) 2002. eBay- GTA: Vice City (PS2) 2002. Redux- Blinx: The Time Sweeper (XB) 2002. eBay- LOTR: The Two Towers (PS2) 2002. eBay- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) 2007. eBaySunset Vista. It'll kill you. Repeatedly.Table of ContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchSuper Mario Bros. WonderWonder looks and plays like the true next step for 2D Mario platformers. Wonder effects change each stage in both surprising and delightful ways, the Flower Kingdom makes for a vibrant and refreshing change of pace, and Elephant Mario rocks. 9/10.Lego Skywalker Saga Galactic (-75%) - A$28.73Mario & Luigi: Brothership (-21%) - A$62.95Detective Pikachu Returns (-23%) - A$53.95West of Loathing (-64%) - A$5.76Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (-90%) - A$6.99No More Heroes (-70%) - A$8.98Expiring Recent DealsOr gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch Zelda: $629 $509 | Switch Original: $499 $428 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $489| Switch OLED White: $539 $489 | Switch Lite: $329 $293 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $309See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCBaldurs Gate 3The ideal mix of crunchy, tactical, old-school RPG combat, an epic and well-written story with complex characters and lots of meaningful choices, and a level of polish and cinematic presentation. A 10/10 masterpiece.Disney-Pixar Cars (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeDishonored: Definitive Ed. (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeBioShock: The Collection (-80%) - A$15.99Metro 2033 Redux (-90%) - A$2.99Metro Last Light (-90%) - A$2.99Metro Exodus (-90%) - A$4.49Battlefield 2042 (-92%) - A$7.19Expiring Recent DealsTrine: Ult. Col. (-77%) - A$16.09Gris (-80%) - A$4.45Talos Principle Gold (-85%) - A$9.29Limbo (-75%) - A$3.79Persona 5 Tactica (-54%) - A$43.67Humankind (-86%) - A$9.79Or just get a Steam Wallet Card.PC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for Xbox1TB SSDTypically going for $300 and beyond, this bad boy (along with an Xbox Game Pass subscription) will be your gateway to a ridiculous amount of entertainment, sitting right at your fingertips.Metaphor: ReFantazio (-14%) - A$99FF XII: The Zodiac Age (-56%) - A$35.53Suicide Squad: KTJL (-69%) - A$36Jedi Survivor (-38%) - A$ 67.99The Quarry (-91%) - A$9The Outer Worlds (-67%) - A$14.95Expiring Recent DealsGTA V (-53%) - A$28Park Beyond (-77%) - A$9Remnant II (-52%) - A$36EA Sports FC 25 (-23%) - A$85Assassin's Creed Mirage (-65%) - A$ 28Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Series S Black: $549 $513 | Series S White:$499 $481 | Series X: $799 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationPS5 SlimWell, because the new kid is in town (the PS5 Pro) this older model has been reduced to clear. Forty bucks off a damn fine and more diminutive console? Yes, please. Worth a look for a forthcoming holiday gift.Dragon's Dogma 2 (-45%) - A$59Suicide Squad: KTJL (-69%) - A$36NBA 2K24 Kobe Ed. (-87%) - A$15Resi 4 Gold (-40%) - A$41.97Rayman Legends (-80%) - A$4.99Limbo/Inside Bndl (-75%) - A$10.23Expiring recent dealsSystem Shock (-50%) - A$29.98Hogwarts Legacy (-55%) - A$49Mortal Kombat 1 (-53%) - A$36EA Sports FC 25 (-23%) - A$85Or purchase a PS Store Card.PS5 Pro Enhanced BargainNeed a cheap Pro showcase title?EA Sports F1 24 - $109.95 / $59.95Sadly, I'm not rich or connected enough to have the TV needed to test out the biggest addition here: 8K at 60 fps. Mind you, it was hard to feel miffed with the results of an upgraded "Quality" mode with on-track, PSSR-based ray tracing running at 4K/60Hz, plus a Performance mode at double the pixel count of base PS5 at 4K/120Hz. This entry in the list is a true jewel in the PS5 Pro, best seen in wowfactor improvements like new on-track shader response with superior rain VFX, pit lanes lined with reflective glass (not to mention impact reflections from glass and puddles, too). Currently, this is in the pole position for most impressive Pro Enhancements.PlayStation Console PricesWhat you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $795 | PS5 Slim Digital:$679 $639 | PS VR2: $879 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $959 $949 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsTechnic Mercedes-AMG F1At this price, I say make room for some vroom.Minecraft The Frog House (-40%) - A$59.97Animal Crossing: Julians Birthday (-40%) - A$12Star Wars C-3PO (-19%) - A$159Expiring Recent DealsBack to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 YouTuber Accidentally Leaves 12 Hour, 147-Round Zombies Run Live on Stream Instead of Saving and QuittingCall of Duty Zombies YouTuber MrRoflWaffles had a disastrous end to a high round Black Ops 6 run, leaving the game at round 147 and after 12 hours of play rather than saving and quitting.Black Ops 6s round-based Zombies mode sees players face off against endless waves of the baddies in a bid to reach ever higher levels of difficulty. Saving in Black Ops 6s Zombies mode is only available to solo players, and you can only save one solo match at a time, which means if you leave the match without saving, there is no save to return to.MrRoflWaffles, who has 2.11 million subscribers on YouTube, set out to break his personal best of round 141 and to hit round 200 before the disastrous mistake put an end to the attempt.The disaster began when a confident MrRoflWaffles signaled his intention to save and quit then load back into the match. "This is how this works chat," he declared. "You quit the game, you reload in, and you try not to get bugs."MrRoflWaffles, perhaps moving too fast through Black Ops 6s pause menu for his own good, accidentally selected leave match rather than save and quit. Despite the leave game? warning pop up, MrRoflWaffles proceeded, putting an end to the run forever.All the while, MrRoflWaffles chat couldnt believe what theyd witnessed, with various messages of disbelief littering the screen.Realization then kicked in, and, as youd expect, MrRoflWaffles couldnt believe what hed done. I left?! he said. What?! What?! What?! Are you kidding me?! Youre kidding me! Youre joking chat. Noooooooo!12 hours of my life, MrRoflWaffles eventually sighed after a period of silence. The bugs won. Id rather have fought the bugs! I cant believe I just did that. Im in pain.So, whos to blame? MrRoflWaffles for accidentally pressing the wrong button, or developer Treyarch for putting the 'leave match' and 'save and quit' buttons right next to each other in the Zombies pause menu? For his part, MrRoflWaffles said it was entirely his mistake, but called on Treyarch to make the leave match button a 'hold for three seconds' selection.I really want to blame Treyarch for putting the leave button next to the save button, MrRoflWaffles said. I want to blame them, but honestly this is my fault. I pressed the button.MrRoflWaffles reacts in disbelief after accidentally ending his Black Ops 6 Zombies run. Image credit: MrRoflWaffles / YouTube.In a desperate bid to save the run, MrRoflWaffles pulled the power cable and ethernet cord out of his Xbox, hoping Black Ops 6 would somehow forget what had transpired. But, alas, the game remembered. No save files were available upon loading back in.A clearly devastated MrRoflWaffles decided to end his stream early, saying that starting all over again tilted would only cause him to die early on in a subsequent run. But he insisted he would continue his bid to hit round 200 perhaps once hes had a lie down.Taking on Zombies mode yourself? We've got Essential Zombies Tips and Tricks to help you get started, plus a guide on How to Exfil. Both Zombies maps are full of easter eggs and secrets; here's everything we've found in both Terminus and Liberty Falls, including How to Pack-a-Punch in Liberty Falls and How to Get the Meteor Easter Egg in Terminus.Image credit: MrRoflWaffles / YouTube.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COM5 Best esports Players of All Time According to GIANTXEE is pretty serious about gaming. Alongside the EE Game Store and their high performing Full Fibre Broadband crafted exclusively for gamers, theyre also official partners of competitive esports team, GIANTX. It makes sense after all; you need reliable, high-speed broadband to be at the top of your game. Speaking of which, we spoke to players Jackies and Purp0 from GIANTX about who they consider to be the greatest esports players of all time. In no particular order, here are their top 5S1mpleS1mple - AKA Oleksandr Kostyliev - began playing Counter Strike at four years old. Just let that sink in for a moment The Ukrainian professional now plays for esports organisation, Natus Vincere, and is regarded as one of the best players in Counter Strike history. Jackies said, S1mple is probably the best CS:GO (Counter Strike: Global Offensive) Ive ever known, praising his dedication and long term career dominance. S1mple has won a record 21 HLTV MVP medals, so the staggering amount of practice and commitment hes put into the sport since he was a young teen has certainly paid off. He attributes his success to a training regime consisting of 8 hour long CS:GO sessions with his teammates, strategy meetings on video calls, and even a nutrition programme.FakerGIANTXs Jackies describes Korean esports pro Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as Faker, as the Ronaldo of League of Legends, and its not hard to see why. During his career, hes earned a record of 10 League of Legends Champions Korea titles, and a record four World Championship wins, causing him to be regarded as LoLs greatest player of all time, even drawing comparison to Michael Jordan in terms of prolific sporting success. What makes Faker so formidable is his versatility (he is skilled in a wide pool of playable champions), his well-honed technical skill, and his deep understanding of LoLs mechanics. He also credits a MOBA he put a lot of time into called Chaos as affording him an easier transition into League. Faker also emphasizes the power of cooperative play, viewing his teammates as his second family, which is likely a contributing factor to their strong performance in tournaments. RulerNot only has South Korean player Park Ruler Jae-hyuk won a myriad of titles - including two League of Legends Pro League titles, and one World Championship title - hes also, according to Jackies from GIANTX, the only guy to consistently challenge Faker in his title reigns. He also became the second player ever to win Worlds, Mid-Season Invitational, League of Legends Champions Korea and League of Legends Pro League. Many fans consider Ruler to be the greatest example of an ADC - thats Attack-Damage Carry, a League of Legends role who typically deals physical based damage to all on the enemy team. Though he hasnt surpassed Faker just yet, hes one to keep an eye on for sureNiKoPurp0 from GIANTX placed Nikola Kova AKA NiKo among his top five esports players of all time, citing that players like him are mechanically insane and super talented. Regarded as one of the most technically skilled players in Counter-Strike, and the best rifler in the history of CS:GO, NiKo has also been in contention for the title of the best player in the world numerous times throughout his career.Like S1mple, he played Counter Strike from a young age, as his parents owned an internet cafe in his home country of Bosnia, alongside his cousin, fellow esports player huNter. His long-running experience with the game, coupled with lightning-fast reactions make him an exceptionally strong player in the CS:Go scene. ChovyFinally we have Korean pro Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon, who became the first professional League of Legends player to achieve an overall KDA (a ratio calculated by dividing total kills and assists by the amount of deaths) of 100. Known for his ability to amass huge minion advantages in lane (the main paths that minions follow towards the enemy in LoL), Chovy handles pressure remarkably well, and multitasks in such an impressive way during each match, spinning so many plates so precisely that its questionable as to whether hes even human. As GIANTXs Jackies puts it: Chovy is probably the best player in the world right now. Enough said. And there you have it. Dream of making it among the esports legends? According to Purp0 it just takes patience and talent, alongside hard work, sacrifice, and luck. At least getting EE Full Fibre broadband is the easy bitLearn more about esports team GIANTX here, and if youre looking at picking up the latest games, consoles or accessories head over to the EE Game Store, open to every player on any network.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 31 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMAU Deals: All-Timer JRPGs For Way Less Gil, New Lows For LEGO Skywalker and Prince of Persia, Plus More!Welcome back to a slightly surreal Thursday of bargains. Do you know what I say in strange times? Video gamesentertainment via escapism, and that's exactly what I have for you here today. I'd start by looking to some top-tier AAA JRPGs on Switch first, then grab a bunch of PS5 Pro Enhanced games cheap (for future wow-factor investment). But heyyou do you.In retro news, I'm Tekken the time to celebrate the illustrious 29th of a 3D fighter kinga long-in-the-jaguar-tooth progenitor of a 58M copies sold series that still endures. Though I was a staunch Virtua Fighter / Saturn man at the time, I remember coveting my mate's copy of this more approachable and well-presented competitor. The concept of controlling each limb with a dedicated face button made much more sense for muscle memorising combos, and the lure of unlocking a bunch of sub-bosses was addictive enough to make us actually go buy a Memory Card. (Or just leave that PS One on all week.) This Day in Gaming - Tekken (PS) 1995. eBay- Eternal Darkness (GC) 2002. eBay- Top Spin (XB) 2003. Sequel- Call of Duty (PC) 2003. Sequel- Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike (GC) 2003. eBay- CoD 4: Modern Warfare (PC,PS3,X360) 2007. Redux- Guitar Hero III (PS3,Wii,X360) 2007. eBay- Rock Band (X360) 2008. Sequel- Xbox One X launch, 2017. eBayHere's the copy I bought, signed personally 27 years later by the man himself: Katsuhiro Harada.Table of ContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchPrince Of Persia TLCA new low for, quite honestly, a damn fine game. TLC captures not only what made games such as The Sands of Time so good, but it irons out a lot of the little issues that plagued the 3D games in this series by opting for a 2D perspective and owning it.Expiring Recent DealsZelda: Tears of the Kingdom (-23%) - A$69NFS Hot Pursuit (-35%) - A$39Golf Story (-80%) - A$4.49Moving Out (-80%) - A$7.50Transistor (-80%) - A$4.79Bastion (-80%) - A$3.50Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch Zelda: $629 $509 | Switch Original: $499 $428 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $489| Switch OLED White: $539 $489 | Switch Lite: $329 $293 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $309See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCHumble Choice NovOne low price (17 bucks) to forever own: Warhammer 40,000 Darktide, Persona 4 Golden, Lamplighters League, Cassette Beasts, The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales, KarmaZoo, Hexarchy, and Garden Life. Worth it.Trine: Ult. Col. (-77%) - A$16.09Gris (-80%) - A$4.45Talos Principle Gold (-85%) - A$9.29Limbo (-75%) - A$3.79Persona 5 Tactica (-54%) - A$43.67Humankind (-86%) - A$9.79Expiring Recent DealsMarvel GotG (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeMafia: Definitive (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeDeath Stranding D.C. (-50%) - A$7.47Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (-50%) - A$9.99Control Ultimate (-80%) - A$11.99Abzu (-75%) - A$7.23SoulCalibur VI (-91%) - A$8.54 Or just get a Steam Wallet Card.PC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxRoboCop: Rogue CityId buy this for a dollayeah, ok, its been done. RRC is a pitch-perfect throwback to the action movies of the '80s. It's over-the-top violence with charm, largely well put together but rough on the edges. Itll surprise you, I think.GTA V (-53%) - A$28Park Beyond (-77%) - A$9Remnant II (-52%) - A$36EA Sports FC 25 (-23%) - A$85Assassin's Creed Mirage (-65%) - A$ 28Expiring Recent DealsOr just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Series S Black: $549 $513 | Series S White:$499 $481 | Series X: $799 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationLego Skywalker SagaInsane value for money here. Skywalker Saga provides some rollicking reimaginings of Star Wars most iconic moments and seats them inside a series of interplanetary playgrounds that are dense with discovery and entertaining diversions. 8/10.System Shock (-50%) - A$29.98Hogwarts Legacy (-55%) - A$49Mortal Kombat 1 (-53%) - A$36EA Sports FC 25 (-23%) - A$85Expiring Recent DealsOr purchase a PS Store Card.PS5 Pro Enhanced BargainNeed a cheap Pro showcase title?Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - $114.95 / $79.95Here's the basic good news early: via a PS5 Pro exclusive "Versatility Mode" the enhanced visuals of Rebirth look and feel newborn fresh. This is another case of the developers transplanting out the old upscale solution for PSSR (and I believe it was very much needed). The results? A dramatic and highly obvious increase in overall sharpness, geometric/texture detail, and all while it's barreling along at a fluid 4K 60fps (thanks to a CPU High Frequency Mode). Just a gigantic improvement that needs to be seen / felt through a DualSense to be believed.A shot from my adventures in "Versatility" mode.PlayStation Console PricesWhat you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $795 | PS5 Slim Digital:$679 $639 | PS VR2: $879 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $959 $949 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsTIE Fighter & X-WingTwo incredibly iconic starfighters for (almost) the price of one.Expiring Recent DealsMario: Dorrie's Shipwreck (-40%) - A$54Star Wars: R2-D2 (-35%) - A$129Star Wars: Podrace (-34%) - A$79Sonic: Speed Sphere (-34%) - A$35Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 32 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMWill the Meta Quest 3 Be Discounted for Black Friday?Just recently, Meta released a more affordable Meta Quest 3S VR headset starting at just $299.99. At the same time, they announced permanent price drops on the existing Meta Quest 3 VR headsets. The 512GB model dropped to $499.99 from its launch price of $650, and the 128GB model dropped to $429.99 from its launch price of $500. With such deep discounts less than two months before the big sales event, can we reasonably expect the Quest 3 to be discounted even more on Black Friday? Is there even a chance the Quest 3S will go on sale despite the fact that it is a super new release? Our answer: Maybe.Meta Quest 3 and 3S Black Friday Price PredictionsBundled with free stuffMeta Quest 3 512GBBundled with free stuffMeta Quest 3 128GBBundled with free stuffMeta Quest 3s 128GBBundled with free stuffMeta Quest 3S 256GBThe most likely scenario is that neither the Quest 3 nor the Quest 3S will drop in price at all. However, if this was a particularly good Black Friday, we might see the Quest 3 128GB model drop to $399.99 and the 512GB model drop to $449.99. That's a small but certainly not an insignificant 10% discount. The Quest 3S 128GB model might drop to $279.99 at best; that's a 6% discount, but what can you reasonably expect for such a recent release?What's actually more likely to happen is that Meta as well as some of its officially licensed retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart will bundle the Quest 3 and the 3S with some freebie accessories or games. Technically these aren't discounts, but you'll still be saving money. In the past, bundled accessories have included the Elite VR headstrap, carrying case, silicone facial interface, or the official Oculus Link cable.Additional free games are also a very viable possibility. The Quest 3 and 3S already comes bundled with Batman: Arkham Shadow (which we gave an 8/10 in our review), but I wouldn't be surprised if a Black Friday bundle popped up that included Beat Saber, Asgard's Wrath 2, or a gift card that can be used to buy a game of your own choosing.The Quest 3s is the most accessible VR headsetThe Quest 3s is an improvement over the original Quest 2 in every way and amazingly, without a price increase. It adopts many of the same features of the Quest 3, like the new Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and full color AR passthrough. In his 9/10 Quest 3S review, Gabriel Moss wrote that "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for arguably the very first time.PlayThe Quest 3's improved optics justify its higher price tagEven with the release of the Quest 3S, the Quest 3 is still an outstanding and relevant VR headset in its own right, and a purchase that is much easier to justify after the September price drop. The Quest 3 features better optics that include a new thinner pancake lens, increased resolution, wider FOV, and native 120Hz refresh rate.I actually reviewed the Quest 3 headset for IGN. In the article, I wrote that "the Quest 3 continues Metas legacy of offering a cost-effective headset that doesnt require an expensive gaming PC, but can still benefit from one if you have it. Thats a unique feature that sets it apart from almost every other VR headset out there, other than its own predecessors. The sheer amount of upgrades are well worth the $200 generational price increase. For everyone who is willing to make the splurge, the Quest 3 sets the new standard for VR and mixed reality gaming."PlayEric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMThe HP Early Black Friday Sale Starts Now: The Best Deals on Omen Gaming Laptops & PCsHP has kicked off its Black Friday Sale with two tiered coupon codes that work on most gaming laptops and PCs. Extra $100 off select gaming PCs $999+ with code CPCGAME100Extra $200 off select gaming PCs $1999+ with code CPCGAME200Eligible systems include HP Omen 45L, 35L, 25L and Victus gaming PCs and HP Omen, Transcend, and Victus gaming laptops. This is the first time in 2024 that we've seen HP coupon codes that stack with instant savings. They make several already good deals even better, especially if you can grab one of the limited-time "Flash deals".HP Omen 45L Gaming PCsThe Omen 45L is one of the best prebuilt gaming PCs you can get. This is HP's roomiest chassis with plenty of cooling in the form of three 120mm fans positioned at the front of the case and another three 120mm fans attached to the 360mm all-in-one liquid cooling radiator at the top of the case. This PC is equipped with a massive 1,200W 80PLUS Gold certified power supply that's big enough for even the most power-hungry of gaming PCs.HP Omen 45L RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCHP Omen 45L Intel Core i7-14700K RTX 4080 Super Gaming PC with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSDHP is offering an HP Omen 45L gaming PC equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700K Raptor Lake CPU, GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD for only $1,999.99 after an $800 off instant savings and additional $200 off coupon code "CPCGAME200". The 4080 Super is a second generation card that supersedes the RTX 4080. It's Nvidia's second most powerful card and a superior GPU to AMD's Radeon RX 7900 RTX if you factor in DLSS and ray tracing performance. In our RTX 4080 Super review, Jackie Thomas writes, "If you're in the market for a 4K graphics card around $1,000, it's hard to think of any GPU that's a better purchase right now. This is the RTX 4080 that should have launched in 2022."HP Omen 45L RTX 4090 Gaming PC HP Omen 45L Intel Core i9-13900K RTX 4090 Gaming PC with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 1TB HDDHP is offering an HP Omen 45L gaming PC equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900K Raptor Lake CPU, GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and dual storage (1TB SSD and 1TB HDD) for $2,999.99 after a $400 off instant savings. Unfortunately, this is the only system in this roundup that isn't eligible for either of the coupon codes.The RTX 4090 is the most powerful GPU on the market. In his RTX 4090 review, Chris Coke writes, "The RTX 4090 may be huge and expensive, but holy smokes if it doesnt blow the competition out of the water... Until the rest of the pack can catch up, between its impressive hardware specs and its DLSS 3 AI wizardry, even the $1,599 price doesnt seem unreasonable for the unrivaled frame rates that this card can crank out."HP OMEN 35L Gaming PCsNew for 2024, HP touts the Omen 35 as its "first gaming desktop designed with Omen components". What that essentially means is that many of the parts that were originally sourced elsewhere are now designed in-house by HP. That includes the power supply unit, the case fans, and the cooling system. The OMEN 35L itself is a good looking, mid-tower chassis with a sensible airflow design; two large 140mm fans bring air in from the front and a rear 120mm fan exhausts it out the rear. Some of the higher end models are also equipped with a 240mm liquid cooler that exhaust air out the top. Overall this looks like a promising redesign that prioritizes cooling and ease-of-use.HP Omen 35L RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PCHP Omen 35L Intel Core i5-1440F RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PC with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect 'Graphics Card - Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti' (+$120)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $1069.99The RTX 4060 Ti video card is a very good option for 1080p gaming at high frame rates. It's also the minimum Nvidia GPU we'd recommend for 1440p gaming, although you'll see noticeable gains by jumping to an RTX 4070.HP Omen 35L RTX 4070 Super Gaming PCHP Omen 35L Intel Core i5-1440F RTX 4070 Super Gaming PC with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect 'Graphics Card - Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super' (+$380)Select Chassis & Power Supply - 850W ATX Power Supply (+$60)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $1389.99The RTX 4070 Super is the best graphics card for most people, especially for gaming at resolutions of 1440p or lower. The RTX 4070 Super is a second generation GPU that's about 10-15% faster than the original RTX 4070 at 1440p according to our RTX 4070 Super review. Jacqueline Thomas wrote that "the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super is the graphics card we should have got back when Nvidia first released its 4000-series cards. Performance is significantly improved over the original RTX 4070, along with more VRAM that should make the graphics card a little bit more future-proof. If you are in the market for a GPU and you have a budget, this is the best graphics card on the market for you."HP Omen 35L RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PCHP Omen 35L Intel Core i5-1440F RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PC with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect 'Graphics Card - Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super' (+$540)Select Chassis & Power Supply - 850W ATX Power Supply (+$60)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $1549.99The RTX 4070 Ti Super is a second gen RTX 40 series GPU; it's about 10% more powerful than the RTX 4070 Ti and 15-25% faster than the RTX 4070 Super. This is a great card for both 1440p and 4K gaming. The VRAM count is upped to 16GB compared the the RTX 4070 Ti's 12GB, which means it has the same amount of VRAM as the RTX 4080 Super.HP Omen Gaming LaptopsThe Omen is HP's most popular series of gaming laptops. They offer great performance at a very affordable price point. The 2024 models are available in both 16" and 17" screen sizes.HP Omen 16" RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopFlash Deal!HP OMEN 16" Intel Core i7-14700HX RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect Processor & Graphics - Intel Core i7-14700HX + GeForce RTX 4060 (+$80)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $929.99This HP Omen gaming laptop is equipped with a 16" 1080p display (upgrade to 1440p for an extra $70), Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The RTX 4060 has a TGP rating of 115W (+25W dynamic boost) and should be able to run pretty much any game at the display's native 1080p resolution.HP Omen 16" RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopFlash Deal!HP OMEN 16" Intel Core i7-14700HX RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect Processor & Graphics - Intel Core i7-14700HX + GeForce RTX 4070 (+$200)Select Keyboard - Full-size, 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard (+$30)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $1079.99This HP Omen gaming laptop is equipped with a 16" 1080p display (upgrade to 1440p for an extra $70), Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The RTX 4070 has a TGP rating of 115W (+25W dynamic boost). You'll want to pick this option if you want to play in 1080p at very high frame rates (144fps and up) or if you plan on upgrading the screen to the 2560x1440 option.HP Omen 17" RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopFlash Deal!HP OMEN 17" QHD AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSDThis HP Omen 17 gaming laptop is equipped with a 17" 1440p display, AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The RTX 4070 has a TGP rating of 105W (+15W dynamic boost) and is capable or running most games smoothly on the display's upgraded QHD resolution.HP Omen Transcend Gaming LaptopsThe Omen Transcend 14 is HP's newest gaming laptop and was released in January 2024. It is lighter and thinner than the standard Omen, weighing in at only 3.6 pounds and measuring 0.71" thick, and it features better build quality and materials like a premium aluminum chassis. This is also the only laptop that lets you add on a gorgeous OLED display. The Omen Transcend is a great option for anyone who wants a slim and easily portable laptop while still being able to play games.HP Omen Transcend 16" RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopHP Omen Transcend 16" Intel Core i7-14700HX RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect Processor & Graphics - Intel Core i7-14700HX + GeForce RTX 4060 (+$80)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $1179.99This HP Omen Transcend gaming laptop is equipped with a 16" 1920x1200 display, Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The GPU found in this "16t-u100" laptop has the highest TGP rating of all Transcend models. The RTX 4060 has a TGP rating of 115W (+15W dynamic boost), which makes it a very powerful gaming laptop despite its compact footprint.HP Omen Transcend 16" RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopAdd a QHD+ OLED display for +$250HP Omen Transcend 16" Intel Core i7-14700HX RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDFollow these instructions to get this exact configuration:Start HereSelect Processor & Graphics - Intel Core i7-14700HX + GeForce RTX 4070 (+$290)Proceed to checkoutAt cart, apply code: CPCGAME100Final price will be $1389.99This HP Omen Transcend gaming laptop is equipped with a 16" 1920x1200 display, Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The GPU found in this "16t-u100" laptop has the highest TGP rating of all Transcend models. The RTX 4070 has a TGP rating of 115W (+15W dynamic boost) and is a good GPU to choose if you decide to upgrade the display to the higher resolution OLED option (an extra $250).Not all laptop GPUs are the same, even if they share the same name.There are two important tidbits concerning graphics cards found in laptops. First, mobile GPU variants are not as powerful as their desktop counterparts. For example, a mobile RTX 4060 doesn't perform as well as a desktop RTX 4060. The mobile versions are generally about one to two tiers lower in performance. Using the same example, the mobile RTX 4060 performs more similarly to a desktop RTX 4050.Second, not all laptops feature the same performance out of the same GPU. For example, the RTX 4060 found in the HP Omen is generally more powerful than the RTX 4060 found in the HP Omen Transcend. To make things even more complicated, the same laptop model can be equipped with GPUs of varying TGP ratings. For example, the Omen Transcend "u1xxx" has a better performing RTX 4060 GPU than the one found in the Omen Transcend "fb0xxx". Very confusing! In order to roughly tell how good a GPU will be, you can look at the TGP rating. That's basically the amount of power supplied to the GPU. A higher TGP rating means more power will be delivered, equating to stronger performance, however the wattage consumption and heat generated will be higher. Here are the maximum TGP rates for the RTX 40 series graphics cards:Mobile RTX 4050: 115WMobile RTX 4060: 115WMobile RTX 4070: 115WMobile RTX 4080: 150WMobile RTX 4090: 150WShould you wait for Black Friday?In most cases, we would say that Black Friday has the best deals of the year. It probably won't hurt to wait around and see if HP drops prices further, however HP coupon codes are very rare nowadays (this is the first time we've seen coupons that work on gaming systems this year) and I don't know when they'll expire.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 31 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMWhere to Buy Xbox Series X|S Consoles Online (November 2024)Some people might still line up in front of stores for the day of a new console's release, but online shopping has definitely become the preferred method for making big gaming purchases. Online retailers generally have more inventory, and you don't have to leave the comfort of your home. Some stores even offer the option to secure your purchase and then pick it up when you're ready. If you're looking for the best places to buy a new Xbox online, we've got you covered. Read on for a full breakdown of pricing on current Xbox consoles, the best time to buy an Xbox Series X or Series S, information on Xbox Game Pass, as well as where to trade in your existing Xbox consoles and games.Where to Buy Xbox Consoles OnlineIf you're looking to buy a new Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or Xbox One, here's where you can purchase Xbox consoles online in 2024. If you're looking for savings, it might be worth waiting for Black Friday Xbox sales, but you can also check out the latest Xbox deals for discounts sooner rather than later.Xbox Series XXbox Series X$499.99 at XboxCurrently UnavailableXbox Series X$499.99 at AmazonXbox Series X$499.99 at Best BuyXbox Series X$499.99 at GameStopXbox Series X$449.99 at TargetXbox Series X$499.99 at WalmartMicrosoft's flagship console, the Xbox Series X, retails for an MSRP of $499.99 and features 1TB of storage and true 4K gaming. Xbox Series SXbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)$299.99 at XboxXbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)$299.99 at AmazonXbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)Currently UnavailableXbox Series S (1TB - Carbon Black)$349.99 at Best BuyXbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)$299.99 at GameStopCurrently UnavailableXbox Series S (1TB - Carbon Black)$349.99 at GameStopXbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)$299.99 at TargetCurrently UnavailableXbox Series S (1TB - Carbon Black)$349.99 at TargetXbox Series S (512GB - Robot White)$287.99 at WalmartCurrently UnavailableXbox Series S (1TB - Carbon Black)$349.99 at WalmartThe Xbox Series S is the less-powerful, all-digital variant of Microsoft's current console lineup that starts at an MSRP of $299.99. The base model features 512GB of storage and 1440p resolution gaming in a 60% smaller package. You can also get the Carbon Black Series S console, which starts at an MSRP of $349.99 and comes with 1TB of storage space.Xbox OneXbox One (500GB - Pre-Owned)Xbox One S (500GB - Pre-Owned)Xbox One X (1TB - Pre-Owned)Xbox One (500GB - Amazon Renewed)Xbox One S (500GB - Amazon Renewed)Microsoft Xbox One X 1TB Black (Console Only) (Renewed)The Xbox One is Microsoft's previous generation console that released in 2013. While it's not currently being manufactured, you can still find refurbished models online at some retailers. There are three standard models available: the original Xbox One, a slimmer redesign called Xbox One S, and the more powerful Xbox One X. It's worth noting that Xbox Series X|S are backwards compatible with Xbox One games, so your money may be better spent on the current generation consoles.How Much Does a New Xbox Cost?Xbox has a variety of different consoles at different price points to satisfy the needs of any gamer. The flagship console, Xbox Series X, retails for $499.99 but can also be financed via Xbox All Access at select retailers for $36.99/mo for 24 months which also includes 2 years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It's worth noting that you'll need to qualify for a line of credit with Citizen's Pay Line if you opt for Xbox All Access.Xbox Series S, the smaller, all-digital console, retails for $299.99 for the 512GB model or $349.99 for the 1TB model. Additionally, both can be financed via Xbox All Access starting at $26.99/mo for 24 months.While Xbox One consoles aren't currently in production any longer after being quietly discontinued in 2020 to focus on production of Xbox Series X|S, you can find them pre-owned or refurbished at resellers such as GameStop and Amazon, as well as through third-party marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and more.Additionally, you can often find bundles throughout the year that include either an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, sometimes with a unique color or design, as well as an included game, trial of Xbox Game Pass, or in-game content.Xbox Game Pass Plans and Pricing3 MonthsXbox Game Pass Ultimate Gift Card$49.99 at AmazonXbox Game Pass pricing was updated with the discontinuation of Xbox Live Gold to feature a streamlined tier list depending on whether you play exclusively on Xbox consoles, PC, or both. As with most subscription services, Game Pass also had a couple of price hikes in 2024, specifically for Game Pass Ultimate. Current pricing plans range from $9.99 for essentialy Xbox Live to $19.99 for the full Xbox Game Pass Ultimate experience. On the plus side, Black Ops 6 did end up being available through Game Pass on Day One. Xbox Game Pass CoreXbox Game Pass Core is $9.99/month and includes online multiplayer for Xbox consoles, a catalog of 25 games to play, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This plan effectively replaced what was previously known as Xbox Live Gold. To see what games are available through this plan, make sure to check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass Core games.Xbox Game Pass StandardThe Standard tier of Xbox Game Pass is $16.99/month and includes online multiplayer as well as access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog for Xbox Consoles (except day one Xbox first-party titles). It also includes exclusive member discounts and deals. PC Game Pass PCThe PC equivalent of Xbox Game Pass is $11.99/month and includes access to hundred of games to play on PC including day one Xbox first-party titles, an EA Play membership, and exclusive member discounts and deals. This is a great option if you only play on PC and want access to the Xbox Game Pass catalog of supported games. To see what games are available through this plan at the moment, check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass PC games.Xbox Game Pass UltimateXbox Game Pass Ultimate is $19.99/month and combines both Xbox Game Pass Console and Xbox Game Pass PC to provide access to the entire Xbox Game Pass catalog of games on whichever platform you choose, as well as online gaming for Xbox. You'll be able to play Xbox first-party titles day one, as well as stream hundreds of games over the cloud to compatible devices. Additionally, you'll be able to play EA titles with an included EA Play membership, and access member-exclusive deals, discounts, and perks. To see the games available to you on this membership, check out our IGN Playlist of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games.Best Time to Buy an XboxGenerally, the best time to buy an Xbox console is during major yearly shopping events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the various Amazon Prime Day sales. Often times, you can scoop up the console at a discount, or purchase limited-time bundles that include additional games, Xbox Game Pass trials, accessories, or in-game content.How to Trade in Your Old XboxIf you're looking to trade in your old Xbox consoles, you can do so at select retailers in-store and online. Often, the most widely available retailers are GameStop and Best Buy. However, you can also trade your used devices online at retailers such as Amazon and Microsoft.Some retailers will offer you cash for your used goods, while others may provide you with a gift card that can be used in-store and online. This is a great way to offload your old gaming gear and get some money that you can put towards a newer console and games.While trading devices in at retailers will often net you the lowest amount for your used consoles, there are also online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp that may fetch higher prices, but you'll often be responsible for packing and shipping costs, or be required to meet someone in person for the transaction, the latter of which poses its own risks.Where to Trade in Xbox GamesSimilar to Xbox console trade ins, you can also trade your existing games in at specific retailers. The most widely available retailer accepting used video games is GameStop, but they are notorious for giving you pennies on the dollar for your pre-owned titles. However, if you're looking for an easy way to offload some of your library for cash or in-store credit, this is a convenient option. You can always look up the expected trade-in value on GameStop's website before heading into a store, so you know exactly how much you'll receive. Additionally, you can trade in your used games online through Amazon in exchange for an Amazon gift card.Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 35 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMThe Best Black Friday iPad Deals Are Already HereApple has a reputation of being stingy when it comes to discounts and sales, but you'll be still be able to take advantage of significant savings on iPads during the holiday season. Although we are still weeks away from Black Friday, most of the Apple iPad models - including the ones that were released this year - have already dropped to the lowest prices we've ever seen. Many of these deals are likely to be the same ones we'll see from Apple on Black Friday proper, so it might be a good idea to get ahead of the rush and start your holiday shopping now before the rest of the crowd wakes up.Featured in this articleiPad 9th Gen 10.2" 64GBiPad 10th Gen 10.9" 64GBiPad Mini 6th Gen (A15 Bionic) 8.3" 64GBiPad Mini (A17 Pro) 8.3" 128GBiPad Air (M2) 11" 128GBiPad Air (M2) 13" 128GBiPad Pro (M4) 11" 256GBiPad Pro (M4) 13" 512GBThe list of iPads and their lowest prices are listed above. For a breakdown of each iPad model, then read on below.iPad 9th Gen 10.2" 64GBiPad 9th Gen 10.2" 64GBThis super popular deal is back ahead of Black Friday. Amazon is currently offering a brand new 9th gen (2021) Apple iPad 10.2" Wi-Fi 64GB tablet for only $199.99. That's 40% off the $329 list price and the lowest price we've seen. This is the most affordable iPad model you can get brand new with warranty.For most people, the iPad (not the Air, Mini, or Pro) is the best model to get. Despite its very low price tag, the 9th gen Apple iPad is a fully featured and capable tablet. The 10.2" Retina display is bright and crisp, and the Apple A13 Bionic chip offers good CPU and GPU performance. The iPad is also equipped with both a front-facing camera for voice chat and rear camera for taking photos and videos. This is a great option for school, work, or simply relaxing with your favorite movie, book, or streaming service.iPad 10th Gen 10.9" 64GBiPad 10th Gen 10.9" 64GBThe 10th gen iPad was released in 2022 at a launch price of $449, but it's all the way down to $299 for Black Friday. This model has significant improvements over its predecessor. For starters, it boasts a larger 10.9" screen without adding to the overall dimensions thanks to a slimmer bezel. It also has a faster A14 Bionic chip, which is a 20% increase in CPU performance and 10% increase in GPU performance over the A13. It's now compatible with the Magic Folio keyboard so you can convert it into a mini laptop for better workflow (making it one of the best iPads for students). Other welcome features include the transition to a universal USB Type-C port, a better camera, and an updated Wi-Fi 6 protocol. For people with more demanding needs, the upgrades are worth the $100 surcharge.iPad Mini (A17 Pro) 8.3" 128GBiPad Mini (A17 Pro) 8.3" 128GBThe new iPad Mini was released in October of 2024, and it's already on sale. The iPad Mini may be the most diminutive tablet of the bunch, but that doesn't mean it's hindered in any way. This is the most compact and portable iPad and it's not that much bigger than an iPhone Pro Max. It sports a 8.3" Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 Wide Color. It has some pretty significant improvements that are well worth the $50 surcharge over the previous generation model. Upgrades include a more power A17 Pro processor, double the base storage capacity, the newer and faster Wi-Fi 6e protocol,a higher bandwidth USB Type-C port, compatibility with the newer Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), and upcoming Apple Intelligence support. If you're looking for a powerful yet pocketable iPad, this is definitely your pick.iPad Mini 6th Gen (A15 Bionic) 8.3" 64GBiPad Mini 6th Gen (A15 Bionic) 8.3" 64GBEven with the release of the new 2024 model, the 2021 6th gen iPad Mini is still relevant and costs $50 less. It's powered by an Apple A15 Bionic processor that's superior to the A14 Bionic found on the newest standard iPad. It has a USB Type-C port for non-legacy charging and supports the Apple Pencil 2 for better workflow.iPad Air (M2)iPad Air (M2) 11" 128GBiPad Air (M2) 13" 128GBThe 2024 iPad Air is nearly as powerful as the iPad Pro but at a much lower price point. It comes in two sizes, an 11" display with 2360-by-1640 (264ppi) resolution and a 13" display with 2732x2048 (264ppi) resolution. The display is superior to the one found on the standard iPad model with more premium features like P3 wide color, True Tone, and an ultra-low reflectivity film that helps combat glare and direct sunlight. Upgrades over the previous gen iPad Air include an M2 chip that's 15% faster in CPU performance and 25% faster in GPU performance over the M1, compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, and adoption of newer connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 6E and USB Type-C.iPad Pro (M4)iPad Pro (M4) 11" 256GBiPad Pro (M4) 13" 512GBIn our 2024 iPad Pro M4 review, Jacqueline Thomas wrote, "For creative professionals, the 2024 iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market and is going to shine if your work revolves around a touchscreen. For the rest of us, though, the iPad Pro is simply the most beautiful display you'll find in a tablet, with hardware that's powerful enough to be a top-end device for years to come."The 2024 iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market, iOS or otherwise, thanks to the new M4 processor which is both powerful and power efficient. Compared to the previous generation iPad M2, it performs about 20% better. However, the biggest update of the iPad Pro is not the M4 chip, but instead the tandem OLED panel which hadn't previously been seen on an Apple product. Tandem OLED is better than traditional OLED in two ways: (1) it's far brighter and (2) it's less prone to burn-in. If you're wondering why this technology hasn't found its way into TVs, the answer is simply because it's not cost effective. The iPad can get away with it because the 11" screen is much smaller, but that's also why the iPad Pro is priced much higher than the other iPads in Apple's 2024 lineup.Should I wait for better prices on Black Friday?Black Friday is the best opportunity to score some great deals on electronics, and Apple products are no exception. You might be wondering just how low these prices can go. Although we have no direct feedback from Apple themselves, we have years of our own historical price trends to back up our predictions. At this point, Black Friday is close enough that there's certainly no harm waiting. That said, we don't expect these iPad prices to drop much further, if at all. The iPads most likely to drop in price are the iPad 10th Gen, the iPad Air 11", and the iPad Pro. If Amazon isn't your preferred vendor (or if they run out of stock), I expect these deals to be available at Best Buy and Walmart as well. The Apple Store will also host its own Black Friday Sale, although these deals usually aren't nearly as good as the third party retailers.Looking for more iPad resources?If you're not sure which iPad is best for you, we have an iPad guide which details which iPad is ideal for which use case. If you intend want to get an iPad for schoolwork, we have an iPad guide for students as well. If you're looking for options outside of iOS, check out the best Android tablets of 2024.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 34 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMArcane Is Reportedly the Most Expensive Animated Series Ever by a LongshotArcane has been a massive hit for Netflix and Riot Games an unabashed critical darling that's been embraced by League of Legends fans and otherwise but it didn't come cheap.Variety revealed some pretty jaw-dropping numbers in a new report on Wednesday, revolving around why Riot's expansion into film and television has been stunted despite Arcane's success. A lot of that has to do with budget; according to Variety's sources, it cost $250 million to make and market Arcane's two seasons. That's a hefty chunk of change for 18 episodes.Riot co-founder and chief product officer Marc Merrill declined to confirm that whopping $250 million number when speaking to Variety, but stood by the results. Were more than comfortable with the spend it took to deliver a show that was worthy of our players time," Merrill said.Arcane's two seasons reportedly cost $250 million to produce and promote. As Variety points out, that makes it the most expensive animated series of all time by a longshot. It also might explain, at least partially, why we're only getting two seasons. When Netflix first announced the news in June that Arcane would end with Season 2, co-creator Christian Linke pointed to story reasons, saying, "since we started working on this project, we had a very specific ending in mind, which means the story of Arcane wraps up with this second season." Linke also teased that the team was plotting other stories set in Runeterra.The report has a couple of other interesting tidbits as well, including the fact that Riot had apparently recruited Marvel mainstays Joe and Anthony Russo to develop a feature film set in the League of Legends universe. However, Riot's inexperience in Hollywood dealmaking a crux of the article led to the developer losing $5 million only for the Russos to walk away due to disagreements over the script. That's an expensive creative difference.Arcane Season 2, like the first season, will release in three acts, dropping episodes on November 9, November 16, and November 23. We thought that massive budget showed in the first season, which we gave a 10/10. "Arcane is the first video game adaptation thats truly a masterpiece, breaking new ground for whats possible in TV animation," we wrote at the time. Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMNintendo Switch 2 Will Officially Be Backward-Compatible With Original Switch GamesNintendo has confirmed that the yet-to-be-announced Switch 2 will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will feature Nintendo Switch Online.Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa shared the news during the company's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, revealing a bit more about the successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch."This is Furukawa," Nintendo wrote on X/Twitter. "At today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date."We have a ton left to learn about this new Switch as we are still waiting for its actual announcement, which Nintendo has previously said will happen by the end of March 2025. IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250The Current State of the Nintendo SwitchNintendo also shared more about sales of the current Switch and its software, including that it was cutting the sales projection of its current hardware for the financial year ending March 2025 from 13.5 million units to 12.5 million units. Nintendo had a 17% revenue drop and a 69% profit drop versus the same quarter from its last financial year, and it sold 4.72 million Switch units in the six months ending September 30. That latter figure is down from the 6.84 million units sold during the same period last year.On the software side from April to September 2024, Nintendo said The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom sales have reached 2.58 million, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's have jumped up 2.31 million, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's have climbed to 1.94 million, and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD's have scared to 1.57 million.PlayFor context, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has now crossed a whopping 64.27 million units sold and is far and beyond the best-selling Switch game. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is currently in second place with 46.45 million units sold.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 36 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMThe Dell Early Black Friday Sale Starts Now: The Best Deals on Alienware Gaming Laptops & PCsThe Dell Early Black Friday Sale has commenced and Dell has once again come out in front with some pretty outstanding deals on Alienware Aurora R16 gaming desktops and Alienware m-series and x-series gaming laptops. Check out all of the deals below, and we'll keep adding to the list as we find more.Early Black Friday Dell Gaming PC DealsAlienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4090 Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9-13900F RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9-14900F RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PCEarly Black Friday Dell Gaming Laptop DealsAlienware m16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopAlienware m16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopAlienware m18 R2 18" i9 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopAlienware m18 R2 18" i9 RTX 4090 Gaming LaptopAlienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopAlienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopAlienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 9 RTX 4080 Gaming LaptopDell G15 15" AMD Ryzen 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopYou can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. See below for our favorite picks.The Best Dell and Alienware PC DealsThe 2024 Alienware "R16" desktop chassis is a major improvement.The R16 is Alienware's current 2024 desktop PC design. It's 40% smaller in volume compared to previous iterations. It features a simple yet proven airflow pattern; air is drawn in through the side intake vents over the GPU area and a 120mm fan at the front of the case, and exhausts by way of a 120mm rear fan and two 120mm top fans. A 240mm radiator for the all-in-one liquid cooling system is mounted to these top fans. Some configurations don't actually include the liquid cooling system, but we rarely include them in this roundup. That's because Alienware's liquid cooling solution is far superior to their stock air cooling and is easily worth the price premium.Alienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4090 Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4090 Gaming PCThe Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4090 Super gaming PC drops to $2999.99 after a $700 instant discount. The RTX 4090 is the most powerful GPU on the market. In his RTX 4090 review, Chris Coke writes, "The RTX 4090 may be huge and expensive, but holy smokes if it doesnt blow the competition out of the water... Until the rest of the pack can catch up, between its impressive hardware specs and its DLSS 3 AI wizardry, even the $1,599 price doesnt seem unreasonable for the unrivaled frame rates that this card can crank out." The 4090 is also great for AI thanks to its 24GB of VRAM.Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9-13900F RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9-14900F RTX 4080 Super Gaming PCThe Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4080 Super gaming PC drops to as low as $1999.99 after an $800 instant discount. The 4080 Super is a second generation card that supersedes the RTX 4080. It's Nvidia's second most powerful card and a superior GPU to AMD's Radeon RX 7900 RTX if you factor in DLSS and ray tracing performance. In our RTX 4080 Super review, Jacqueline Thomas writes, "If you're in the market for a 4K graphics card around $1,000, it's hard to think of any GPU that's a better purchase right now. This is the RTX 4080 that should have launched in 2022."Alienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Gaming PCDell has dropped the price on this Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 4070 Super gaming PC to $1,499.99 after a $400 instant discount. Alternatively, you can save $100 and get the RTX 4070 (non-Super) model instead. The performance difference between the two is about 15%. This is the best value for gamers who want a PC that can run any game currently available, but don't want to spend to overspend. The RTX 4070 Super is the best graphics card for most people; it's not exorbitantly priced, and it's powerful enough to run games at up to 4K resolution (although 1440p is its sweet spot).Alienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4060 Ti Gaming PCThe Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC features a Intel Core i7-14700F CPU and RTX 4060 Ti GPU for only $1,199.99 after a $400 instant discount. The RTX 4060 Ti video card is a very good option for 1080p gaming at high frame rates. It's also the minimum NVIDIA GPU we'd recommend for 1440p gaming, although you'll see noticeable gains by jumping to an RTX 4070.Alienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PCAlienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PCThis Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC boasts a multi-tasking friendly Intel Core i9-14900F CPU and RTX 4070 Ti Super GPU for $1,799.99 after a $600 instant discount. The RTX 4070 Ti Super is a second gen RTX 40 series GPU; it's about 10% more powerful than the RTX 4070 Ti and 15-25% faster than the RTX 4070 Super. This is a great card for both 1440p and 4K gaming. The VRAM count is upped to 16GB compared the the RTX 4070 Ti's 12GB, which means it has the same amount of VRAM as the RTX 4080 Super.The Best Dell and Alienware Laptop DealsNot all laptop GPUs are the same, even if they share the same name.There are two important tidbits that deserve mention concerning graphics cards found in laptops. First, mobile GPU variants are not as powerful as their desktop counterparts. For example, a mobile RTX 4060 doesn't perform as well as a desktop RTX 4060. The mobile versions are generally about one to two tiers lower in performance. Using the same example, the mobile RTX 4060 performs more similarly to a desktop RTX 4050.Second, not all laptops feature the same performance out of the same GPU. For example, the RTX 4060 found in the Alienware m16 will be more powerful than the RTX 4060 found in the Alienware x14. In order to roughly tell how good a GPU will be, you can look at the TGP rating. That's basically the amount of power supplied to the GPU. A higher TGP rating means more power will be delivered, equating to stronger performance, however the wattage consumption and heat generated will be higher. Here are the maximum TGP rates for the RTX 40 series graphics cards:Mobile RTX 4050: 115WMobile RTX 4060: 115WMobile RTX 4070: 115WMobile RTX 4080: 150WMobile RTX 4090: 150WAlienware m16 R2 16" RTX 4060/4070 Gaming LaptopsAlienware m16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopAlienware m16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopDell is offering an Alienware m16 R2 16" RTX 4060 gaming laptop for $1,199.99 after a $300 instant discount. You'll need a decent amount of GPU power to be able to run games smoothly on the display's bumped-up QHD+ resolution. The RTX 4060 sits between the RTX 3070 and the RTX 3070 Ti, so it's definitely no slouch in terms of gaming performance. Alternatively, you can upgrade to an RTX 4070 for only $300 more. The RTX 4070 mobile is on par with the RTX 3080 but with newer features like DLSS 3.0.Alienware m18 R2 18" i9 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopAlienware m18 R2 18" i9 RTX 4090 Gaming LaptopAlienware m18 R2 18" i9 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopThe Alienware m18 is the biggest Alienware laptop you can buy with an imposing 18" 2560x1600 display and top-of-the-line components. There are two models that are on sale today. The higher end model includes an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and RTX 4090 GPU for $2899.99. The RTX 4090 is still the most powerful mobile GPU on the market, and by a very substantial margin. It's roughly equivalent to a desktop RTX 3090 GPU. If that's beyond your budget, there's also a model equipped with an Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU and RTX 4070 GPU for $1899.99.Alienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopAlienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopAlienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 9 RTX 4080 Gaming LaptopAlienware x16 R2 16" Intel Core Ultra 7 RTX 4070 Gaming LaptopThe Alienware x16 gaming laptop is a slimmer and lighter redesign of the traditional m-series laptop. It's the thinnest 16" Alienware laptop ever and compares in build quality and performance to other high-end ultra-thin laptops like the Razer Blade. This Alienware x16 R2 laptop is built with premium materials, like a magnesium alloy chassis and palm rest, anodized aluminum lid, stainless steel keyboard tray, and Micro LED RGB accent lighting. It's only 0.73" thin and weighs in at 6 pounds. That's impressive considering the fact that this laptop can be equipped with the most power NVIDIA GPU.Dell G15 15" AMD Ryzen 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopDell G15 15" AMD Ryzen 7 RTX 4060 Gaming LaptopDell has dropped the prices on both this Dell G15 RTX 4060 gaming laptop to an incredibly low price of $799.99. Dells G-series laptops are great options for budget gamers. They offer excellent gaming performance equal to a comparably equipped Alienware laptop but at a much lower price point. They also have better build quality than Dell's consumer-oriented Inspiron lineup, with nicer materials that include anodized aluminum, and an aggressive cooling design borrowed from Alienware laptops.The Best Dell and Alienware Monitor Deals15% Off 32" Alienware AW3225QF 4K OLED MonitorAnd bonus $250 Dell promotional gift card with purchase32" Alienware AW3225QF Curved 4K 240Hz G-SYNC QD OLED Gaming MonitorBonus $250 Dell promotional gift card with purchaseRight now, the Alienware AW3225QF 32" 4K QD OLED gaming monitor is down to $1,019.99 after a 15% off coupon code "MONITORS15". Although we've seen this monitor discounted as low as $999.99, Dell is also throwing in a bonus $250 promotional e-gift card this time. There are some T&Cs to take note of: You'll receive the gift card within a few weeks after the monitor ships, and you'll have 90 days to use it. It's good on pretty much anything at Dell (excluding gift cards). If you're looking for the best 4K gaming monitor, this should definitely be on your short list. This is the monitor I personally use and I absolutely recommend it.Why Pick a Dell or Alienware Gaming PC?If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of best gaming brands we'd recommend. The Alienware gaming desktops offer a staggering array of options, all built into a custom chassis. Alienware gaming laptops in recent years have been redesigned to be thinner and lighter while still offering the same immense power under the hood. Consistent build quality, available inventory, frequent sales, and solid customer service are the main reasons why Dell is at the top of our buying list for gaming laptops and PCs.Should You Wait for Black Friday?In most cases, we would say that Black Friday has the best deals of the year. Dell, however, is quite the opposite. Historically, Black Friday hasn't always been the best time to buy an Alienware computer. Aside from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the best times of year to score Dell deals are actually (1) Memorial Day and (2) right before Black Friday from September to early November. Either way, the deals that are going on right now are quite good.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 35 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMWalmart Slashes 50% Off Its Walmart+ Membership for Black Friday (Includes Paramount+)The best Walmart Black Friday deal has kicked off early. Walmart is slashing the price of its Walmart+ membership by 50%, which means you're paying only $49 instead of $98. This promotional price is available to anyone who isn't a current annual Walmart+ member. That means new, expired, trial, and monthly members are all eligible. This promotion only comes around a few times a year and you absolutely do not want to miss out. Walmart+ gives you a whole host of benefits that extends beyond free expedited shipping, including streaming access to Paramount+, early access to Black Friday deals, and more. This sale runs through Black Friday and ends on December 2 (Cyber Monday), but there's plenty of great reasons why you should get it sooner than later.50% Off 1 Year Walmart+ MembershipSave more time & money with a Walmart+ membershipSave 50% off for Black Friday. Perks include free shipping with no minimum, video streaming with Paramount+ Essential subscription, and more. See Walmart+ Terms & Conditions. Walmart+ Basic Membership PerksIf you're a regular Walmart shopper, then the Walmart+ membership is worth $49 even outside of Black Friday. Standard perks like removing the minimum threshold for free shipping or being able to return an item from the comfort of your home are significant everyday perks that shouldn't be overlooked. Some of the best standard benefits include:Free shipping with no minimum (normally $35+)Free returns, including free pickup from your house for many items10 cent discount on select gas stationsFree tire repair and road hazard warranty at Walmart Auto Care CentersMobile scan & go checkout at retail locationsEarly Access to Black Friday DealsLast year Walmart+ members got a three hour headstart on the best Black Friday deals, but this year this benefit is even better. Walmart recently announced that it will release Black Friday deals in two separate time frames. Event 1 starts on November 11 and Event 2 starts on November 25. For both events, Walmart+ members will get a five hour headstart. In addition, Walmart+ members will get a three hour headstart on Cyber Monday. Last year, some of the best deals were only readily accessible before the Walmart+ exclusive window ended. Walmart typically saves some inventory for the non-W+ crowd, but it's much harder to grab the deal before it goes out of stock. We expect 2024 to be no different.Complimentary Paramount+ SubscriptionThe Walmart+ membership also includes an annual Paramount+ Essential (ad-supported) subscription, which normally costs $60. Paramount+ is one of the better populated streaming services available. Its extensive library of media has been bolstered with the addition of Showtime earlier last year, making it a great service for those who enjoy movies, original shows, live sports, news, and more. Some highlights include the Yellowstone prequels 1883 and 1923, Star Trek content like Picard, the live-action Halo tv series, and exclusive South Park specials, as well as fan-favorite reboots such as Beavis and Butt-Head, Frasier, Rugrats, iCarly, and more. Current movies include A Quiet Place: Day One, Knuckles (a Paramount exclusive), and If with Ryan Reynolds. Sports fans can stream the NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and more.Walmart+ Launches First-Ever Dining Benefit with Burger KingWalmart recently added yet another reason to sign up for the Walmart+ membership. Moving forward, Walmart+ members can enjoy 25% off any Burger King digital order every day. In addition, members can receive a free flame-grilled Whopper with any purchase every 3 months via the BK app or bk.com. For those of you who eat at Burger King on a semi-regular basis, this is just one extra perk added to the laundry list of benefits youll enjoy from a Walmart+ membership.Additional Limited Time OffersFrom time to time, Walmart+ membership gives you access to additional limited time offers. These rotate every so often, but here are the ones that are available right now:Get up to 5 free months of Apple ArcadeSubscribe to SiriusXM & get 6 months freeGet 25% off 4 months of Hallmark+ and $5 Walmart CashGet $20 off live events & $5 Walmart Cash with Tickets For LessGet up to 3 free months of Apple News+Get $10 Walmart Cash with your bus or train tripCatch up on more Black Friday news, including start dates, what to expect, and how to prepare.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 34 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMStardew Valley 1.6 Secretly Added Multiplayer to the Mobile Version and You Unlock It With the Konami CodeStardew Valley 1.6 added a hidden experimental multiplayer feature to the mobile version of the game, developer Eric ConcernedApe Barone has revealed.In a blog post, Barone said the feature is hidden because it may have some bugs or issues, and the nature of the mobile platform could make a multiplayer session frustrating.Mobile multiplayer works pretty much the same as on other platforms, except there is no farm discovery capability, Barone explained. You can only connect via IP. You can, however, join a PC-hosted farm from a mobile device via IP.Stardew Valley Gameplay Screenshots - 1.6 UpdateIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250The ideal mobile multiplayer scenario, Barone added, would be to connect to a PC-hosted farm from a high-end mobile device on a local network (using wi-fi, unless you have some way to connect your mobile device to ethernet). This would be the best-case scenario, Barone said, before warning against trying to connect or host using a cell phone network.The worst case scenario would be if someone were to host a game from a low-performance phone, on a cell network (you would probably have to create a mobile wi-fi hotspot for others to connect to locally), and they were on a train or something, going through tunnels, Barone went on.And then the host is also getting calls, causing the app to be interrupted repeatedly. This would result in a potentially frustrating multiplayer experience.However, if you want to try these things out, theres nothing stopping you Just be aware that there are inherent connectivity issues that can arise when attempting to host a multiplayer game from a mobile device.Stardew Valley 1.6 finally released on console and mobile this week, eight months after the update launched on PC. It did so alongside another big update that changed the hugely popular farm and life sim further.Unlocking the mobile versions hidden multiplayer feature requires inputting a riff on the Konami Code (the famous series of inputs used to unlock cheats in Konami games).As Barone explained in the blog post, on the title screen, players will notice that the Stardew Valley logo has four groups of leaves attached to it. Tap the leaves in this order: then press the ? button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Exit the ? menu and youll have a co-op button on the title screen.Stardew Valley now has a Konami code of its own: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, ?.The free 1.6 update, which sparked a fresh 10/10 Stardew Valley review from IGN, launched on PC in March. Barone initially expected the console and mobile ports of 1.6 would be released a month later.Barone has apologized to disgruntled fans and promised not to return to work on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, until Stardew 1.6 is finalized. Haunted Chocolatier, revealed in 2021, doesnt have a release window.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 34 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMHow Much Should You Spend on AirPods for Black Friday?If you're holding off until Black Friday to buy a new pair of Apple AirPods, you are making the right decision. Black Friday is undoubtedly one of the best times of year to pick up any Apple products, including some of the best wireless earbuds, at a significant discount. Although the Apple Store hosts its own Black Friday sales, you'll usually find the best deals at third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart. We've covered the Black Friday deals we hope to see from Apple, but here are our specific predictions about price drops on the best AirPods models.How Much Should You Spend on AirPods for Black Friday?Apple AirPod prices are fairly easy to predict, as long as they actually go on sale. Historical trends from the past year suggests that AirPods generally drop in price by a similar amount during each major sale event. During one of the bigger marquee sales events like Black Friday, there's a higher chance that a retailer might defy expectations and drop the prices to a new "lowest price ever," but for AirPods, that would just be an extra 1-5% lower than our conservative estimate. That said, here are our predictions for all of the current-gen AirPods for Black Friday 2024.Apple AirPods Black Friday Price PredictionsDoes not reflect current pricingAirPods ProAirpods ANC (4th Gen)Airpods (4th Gen)AirPods MaxAirPods ProAirPods ProThe AirPods Pro currently retails for $249. The best price we've seen was $169.99 during Amazon's Prime Day event. A typical sale price would be $199.99. Our prediction is that the Black Friday price will be between $169 to $180.The AirPods Pro are the best-sounding "truly wireless" earbuds for iPhone users, thanks to its passively isolating in-ear design, low-distortion driver and amp, and the newer Apple H2 chip. In addition to being only one of two AirPods earbuds with active noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro has useful features like "Adaptive Transparency Mode" to hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds and "Conversation Mode" that automatically enhances the voices of people you're talking to. The newer 2nd generation AirPods Pro replaces the Lightning port with a more universal USB Type-C port, so you don't have to mix and match cables, and also includes a MagSafe charging case by default.AirPods ANC (4th Gen)Airpods ANC (4th Gen)The AirPods 4 ANC (or active noise cancelling) currently retails for $179. The best price we've seen was $159.99 in September from Woot!, which is owned by Amazon. A typical sale price would be about $169.99. Our prediction is that the Black Friday price will be between $159 to $169.99.The AirPods 4 was launched in September of 2024. We don't expect any significant discounts for an Apple product that has been available for only a few months. The AirPods 4 follows the inherent open-ear earbud design of its predecessors. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which sits inside the ear canal, the AirPods 4 sits right outside your ear. It's easier to put on and take off, and it's definitely more comfortable to wear. Upgrades over the AirPods 3 include the newer Apple H2 chip (vs. H1), Bluetooth 5.3 support (vs. Bluetooth 5.0), new IP54 resistance rating, which now protects against dust intrustion (vs. IPX4), and adoption of the USB Type-C standard (vs. Lightning).This particular model also features active noise cancellation. It's not as good as the AirPods Pro simply because it doesn't have any significant passive noise isolation (which you can only get with an in-ear design), but it's still quite effective and does a good job of enhancing the sound quality.AirPods (4th Gen)Airpods (4th Gen)The AirPods 4 currently retails for $129. The best price we've seen was $109.99 back in September as part of the same Woot! sale that also saw the AirPods 4 ANC discounted. A typical sale price would be about $119.99. Our prediction is that the Black Friday price will be between $109 to $119.99.The AirPods 4 is, as you would expect, the AirPods 4 ANC without the noise-cancelling feature.AirPods MaxAirPods MaxThe AirPods Max currently retails for $549. The best price we've seen was $399.99 for the Lightning connector model during Amazon's October Prime Day sale. A typical sale price would be about $449.99. Our prediction is that the Black Friday price will be $399.99 to $450.Unlike its AirPods brethren, the AirPods Max is a more traditional style over-ear headphone. If you're not a fan of earbuds that go in your ear, then over-ear headphones are definitely going to be a better fit for you. Much of the high cost of the AirPods Max stems from the materials and build quality. The AirPods Max features an all-metal build with silicone type material wrapped around the headband and knit mesh and memory foam earcups that are both comfortable on your ears and effectively seal in sound. The hinge and adjustment mechanisms are smooth and very easy to use. Apple went all in on the craftsmanship and it definitely shows.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 32 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMPokmon TCG Pocket Players Think They've Discovered a Secret Way to Get Super Good CardsSome Pokmon Trading Card Pocket players believe they've discovered a secret way to get super good cards such as Charizard ex or alternate arts.When opening a booster pack, Pokmon TCG Pocket players must first pick from a dozen or so options, and these are seemingly (almost definitely) completely random despite the occasional booster appearing backwards or with bent corners and so on.As reported by Kotaku, some players have taken to social media to share their conspiracy theory on which packs are best, claiming it's the packs with slight imperfections such as wrinkles or bent edges that are worth opening.This requires a careful analysis of each pack, spinning it around and pushing it up and down to see which one has a barely perceptible blemish, but many online are claiming it is worth the effort. Plenty of others are saying they tried this method to no avail though.We tested this theory ourselves at IGN and admittedly pulled an alternate art Meowth, but also acknowledge this means nothing and it is more likely pure chance. Developer Creatures does share the odds of getting each card, with "rare packs" coming in at one in every 200 picks, and the rarer cards come in at just a small percentage of these.Creatures therefore doesn't intend for specific packs to have secret increased odds, but it's not impossible that some sort of bug connects these twisted packs with a rare card. Regardless, the technique has gained enough attention online that, if it is in fact real, it will likely be patched out soon.Pokmon TCG Pocket arrived in October on iOS and Android as a digital version of the beloved trading card game. It lets players open packs, collect cards, build decks, and battle others, a simple formula that has already proved popular given it made $12 million in just four days.It's also hitting fast and hard with events, and players may want to take its two strongest decks into the latest. The Lapras ex Drop Event adds a new category in the Solo Battle menu that lets players take on four increasingly difficult Lapras decks with a chance of winning a special booster pack after each, which can include the brand new Lapras ex.Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMDaily Deals: Final Fantasy XVI for $25, BOGO 50% Off Metaphor, Warhammer Space Marine 2, and MoreToday's early Black Friday daily deals include Final Fantasy XVI, Metaphor: Refantazio, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, a discounted Hulu subscription, Anker power bank, Apple iPad, Walmart+ membership, Bose headphones, and more.Featured in this articleFinal Fantasy XVI (PS5)Amazon Buy One Get One 50% Off Select Video GamesSee it at AmazonPRESENTED BY:3 Months of Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, ESPN+ BundleAnker Prime 27,650mAh 250W USB Power BankApple iPad 9th Gen 10.2" 64GBSave 50% Off Walmart+ (Includes Paramount+ Essential)Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling HeadphonesNon-Current Subscribers OnlyAudible Premium PlusApply 25% off Target Circle CouponWingspan Board GameYou can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. For more information on each product and why they are worth your consideration, read through below.Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)Final Fantasy XVI is down to $24.97. This is way lower than the previous best price of $39.99 and I can pretty much guarantee you that it won't drop any further for Black Friday. This is an epic game in every sense of the word. In our 9/10 Final Fantasy XVI review, Mitchell Saltzman wrote that "Featuring fast, reflex driven, action heavy combat, Final Fantasy 16 is certainly a departure from what fans may expect out of a Final Fantasy game, but its excellent story, characters, and world building are right up there with the best the series has to offer, and the innovative Active Time Lore feature should set a new standard for how lengthy, story-heavy games keep players invested in its world."Amazon Buy One Get One 50% Off Select Video GamesAmazon Buy One Get One 50% Off Select Video GamesSee it at AmazonAmazon just kicked off a buy one get one free sale on select video games. The list includes two recently released and highly rated video games: Metaphor Refantazio (rated 9/10 at IGN) and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (rated 8/10 at IGN). Both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S editions are eligible for this promotion.3 Months of Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, ESPN+ Bundle3 Months of Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, ESPN+ BundleHulu is offering its Hulu + Live TV service bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $59.99 for 3 months. It's normally $82.99, so you're saving nearly 30% off. Note that all three included packages are ad-supported. This bundle gives you access to the entire Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming libraries, no-hassle setup, no hidden fees, and unlimited DVR. Live TV gives you access to 95+ TV channels including ABC and ESPN.Note that Deadpool and Wolverine will be available for streaming on Disney+ starting November 12.Anker Prime 27,650mAh 250W USB Power BankAnker Prime 27,650mAh 250W USB Power BankWoot! (owned by Amazon) has just dropped the price on its highest capacity power bank: The Anker Prime 27,650mAh 250W Power Bank is down to $99.99 (originally $180). Amazon Prime members get free shipping, otherwise it's an extra $6. This is the best price we've seen by a fair amount; the previous historic low was $120 during Prime Day. It also happens to be the best Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X charger you can get. Very few power banks can match its 250W output.Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2" 64GBApple iPad 9th Gen 10.2" 64GBThis super popular deal is back ahead of Black Friday. Amazon is currently offering a brand new 9th gen (2021) Apple iPad 10.2" Wi-Fi 64GB tablet for only $199.99. That's 40% off the $329 list price and the lowest price we've seen. This is the most affordable iPad model you can get brand new with warranty. Right now you would have to pay an extra $100 to upgrade to the newest 10th gen Apple iPad, whichi may not be worth it for most people.Save 50% Off Walmart+ (Includes Paramount+ Essential)Save 50% Off Walmart+ (Includes Paramount+ Essential)Walmart is slashing the price of its Walmart+ membership by 50%, which means you're paying only $49 instead of $98. This promotional price is available to anyone who isn't a current annual Walmart+ member. That means new, expired, trial, and monthly members are all eligible. This promotion only comes around a few times a year and you absolutely do not want to miss out. Walmart+ gives you a whole host of benefits that extends beyond free expedited shipping, including streaming access to Paramount+, early access to Black Friday deals, and more. This sale runs through Black Friday and ends on December 2 (Cyber Monday), but there's plenty of great reasons why you should get it sooner than later.Save $250 Off the CAROL Stationery Exercise BikeSee it at CAROL BikeBose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling HeadphonesBose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling HeadphonesThe QuietComfort is essentially a re-name of the QuietComfort 45 with some new color options. That's not a bad thing. These are the best noise cancelling headphones you can find right now for under $200. Aside from Bose's excellent sound and noise cancelling performance, the QuietComfort features excellent ergonomics, up to 24 hours of battery life, a fast charging USB Type-C port (3 hours of juice after 15 minutes of charge), and an "Aware Mode" function that allows you to hear your surroundings.Audible Premium PlusNon-Current Subscribers OnlyAudible Premium PlusOne of the best Audible deals for Black Friday and the upcoming holiday season has started early at Amazon. From now until December 31, non-current Audible subscribers are eligible for three months of Audible Premium Plus for $0.99 per month. Premium Plus is Audible's best plan and three months would normally cost you about $44.95. You also get a free audiobook of your choice each month that you get to keep indefinitely.Note: The fine print says that anyone who does not have a current Audible subscription is eligible. Normally with trials like these, Amazon explicitly states "current and past" subscribers aren't eligible. I'm not sure if that means previous Audible members who have let their subscriptions lapse are allowed to get in on this deal. If you're one of those people, there's an easy way to check: After you log into your account, if you see the $0.99 promo banner right on Amazon's Audible page then you're eligible and if you don't then you're not.25% Off + Free Shipping on All Socks at BombasSee it at BombasWingspan Board GameApply 25% off Target Circle CouponWingspan Board GameWe haven't seen a deal on Wingspan at all in 2024 until now. Target has it for $39.74 when you apply the 25% off Target Circle coupon. This Stonemeier game released in 2019, but we still consider it one of the best board games to play in 2024. Wingspan is a deceptively simple and yet endlessly replayable game, and you'll find yourself developing and honing new strategies with every subsequent playthough. In our IGN 8/10 rated Wingspan review, Matt Thrower writes, "As you might have gathered, Wingspan is a moderately complex game, certainly moreso than most of its peers whove made the jump into wider popularity. But its clear from the success of the game that its delightful components and appealing theme are more than enough to get many players to take the plunge. And, once there, theyre won over by the absorbing and addictive strategies on offer."Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMPlanet Coaster 2 ReviewWhen we already have a theme park simulator as good as Planet Coaster, it can be tricky to imagine what a sequel might add. And Planet Coaster 2, most of the time, does feel pretty similar to the first one. That isn't necessarily a bad thing since I really liked the original. Adding water rides is exciting and refreshing, and even deeper visual customization is downright impressive, while equally daunting in how the options are presented. But this is still much more of a park decorating sim than a park management one.Where the recent Frontier games (Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo) have really excelled is in the nearly ridiculous amount of visual customization options available. Hundreds of modular pieces that can be recolored, resized, rotated, and overlapped allow you to create just about anything you can imagine. The terrain editor is more powerful than ever here, and the tools for carving my dreams into the landscape are pretty intuitive. It does feel a bit like being thrown into the deep end, though. I get decision paralysis from the sheer amount of choice, and risk getting bogged down in making each little decoration perfect.Planet Coaster 2 ScreenshotsI don't find that level of fiddliness to be as enjoyable as designing rides or running a park, but the pre-made decor doesn't quite fill the gap to where I feel like I can skip that step and still get the theming I want. Plopping down an unadorned ride feels boring, and the pre-decorated ones don't have quite enough variety. What I really found myself longing for was something in-between the extremes of fussing over every handrail and accepting unthemed or pre-themed attractions. But thanks to Steam Workshop integration always a great addition I'm sure the community will have me covered after the true detail masters have more time to tinker.Where I do really like that fine control is when I'm building rides, and the coaster editor is more powerful and easier to use than ever. Creating banks, corkscrews, spirals, loops, and bends of all sizes feels intuitive and almost effortless thanks to the great UI. The option to automatically finish a track with one click when you're getting close to the end works really well this time around, too, and allowed me to skip the hassle of fishing for the right angle to bring everyone safely into the station.Sandbox mode presents a beautiful canvas for almost anything I can dream up.Despite how much I enjoy the act of building my ideal park, the original Planet Coaster was neither challenging nor interesting as a management tycoon game, and that has unfortunately not changed. Even after messing with the difficulty settings, of which there are several, I found it almost mindlessly simple to generate infinite money with a small number of flat rides and a high entry fee. You can now sell what are basically Disney's Fast Passes as another income stream, in addition to charging extra for a pool pass on water rides. There are deeper systems for guest preferences and even things like sunburn in sunny climates, which is all neat in theory. But when I'm making so much money that I can basically ignore all of it, why would I care? Power management is also new, but why am I building generators in a theme park game? What theme park supplies its own electricity?Staff management is still mostly hands-off, with some nice new quality-of-life features like being able to select from three different preset pay levels instead of typing in the numbers yourself. The annoying thing this time is that, unless I was entirely missing some core feature, the ride maintenance system seems to be broken currently. No matter how many mechanics I hired at one point I had one per ride, plus a couple extra to cover breaks I was constantly getting notifications about rides being in poor condition or breaking down. Once they had broken down, my staff was pretty quick to address the issue. But I'm not sure what they were doing the rest of the time. Am I supposed to manually dispatch them every time a ride drops below a certain repair level? Because they don't seem to pay attention to that until it's too late.I couldn't really get my head around the scheduling screen, and the in-game tutorials are not much help. In fact, they seem to start from a point of assuming you already know how to play Planet Coaster, skipping over a lot of the basics.Thankfully, the sandbox mode is still the star of the show for me, presenting a beautiful canvas on which to realize almost anything I can dream up. The underwhelming management layer doesn't detract from the joy of laying out everything with ease and total freedom, building whole attractions from scratch, and getting to ride my custom coasters in glorious first-person. All of the reasons I already loved the first Planet Coaster are not only alive and well here, they have all been improved in some way. So if I sound a bit down on this sequel, it's only because I don't feel the need to go back over every single thing that was already great about this series, but you can check out my review of the first Planet Coaster for a refresher.What we said about Planet CoasterPlayWhile it may not be an amazing capitalism simulator, Planet Coaster is a fantastic theme park-building sandbox that rarely ever took an idea I had and told me, No, you cant do that. Its knobs and levers are various and potent enough to allow creativity on par with a Minecraft or a Second Life, and a big part of my excitement is seeing what other people are going to do with it - especially when you factor in the seamless Steam Workshop integration. If I were another prominent theme park game coming out this year, suffice to say Id be pretty worried right now. - Leana Hafer, November 23, 2016Score: 8.5Read the full Planet Coaster review.Customizable pools, flumes, splash rides, and even water coasters open up the opportunity to create totally new kinds of parks, which kept me from feeling like I was playing the same game again but a little bit prettier. I do wish the pool editor would simply let me paint a shape rather than fiddling with polygons and a somewhat iffy rounding tool. But getting the shapes I wanted was really just a matter of time.There's also a career mode that features a handful of increasingly complex scenarios and challenges to master. It does an okay job of introducing some new concepts, like those water rides, but I still think it's missing some major steps to onboard someone who might be new to the series. Also the dialogue is just ugh. I think I would rather listen to cats dancing on stainless steel sheeting than these painful little skits that wouldn't pass muster in most modern childrens' cartoons.Water rides kept it from feeling like I was playing the same game.What I did like about these scenarios, similar to those in the first game, was that they show off the kinds of things you can do with the tools available to you, serving as a source of inspiration for my own parks. I was never going to stick with them once I'd earned enough stars to move on (it's just not as fun to finish something someone else already started than it is to build from the ground up), but I definitely stole a lot of cool ideas.Performance is also very respectable. Even at 4K, I was getting 60+ fps on my RTX 4070 Super most of the time, though a bit below that in the absolute most elaborate parks. I was able to do really silly stuff like recreating the Erdtree from Elden Ring using what must have been hundreds and hundreds of golden pyrotechnics, and the level-of-detail swapping refused to let my shenanigans, however ridiculous, banish my park to slideshow territory.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 32 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMHow the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Will Impact Video GamesThe U.S. Presidential Election takes place Tuesday on November 5, 2024, and its results will impact video games regardless of the outcome both the people who make them and the people who play them.Video games are art, they are culture, and they are, yes, political. While we expect most people will have made up their minds on the two candidates former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris we wanted to explore the ways in which video games are directly impacted by politics in 2024. We consulted the Entertainment Software Associations policy platform, as well as our own newswriting archive from the last few years, to come up with a list of major issues facing video games right now that could see dramatic impacts depending on who wins the election. And we used past actions statements by the candidates, official platforms, and other literature to provide a rough idea of what the video game industry can expect on each topic from either candidate in the next four years.Heres our 2024 voters guide to video games, canvassing video game violence, AI, consumer protections, antitrust, right to repair, labor, DEI, and other video game-related issues.Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris at the September 10 debate. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.Video Game Violence and the First AmendmentVideo games dont come up often in mainstream political discussions, so the direct comments from Harris and Trump are few and far between. However, both candidates in this years election have at least touched on the issue of the correlation between real-world violence and video game violence.Former President Donald Trumps comments go back to 2012 when he tweeted, Video game violence & glorification must be stoppedit is creating monsters! He then discussed violent video games even more directly back in 2018 while he was in office, following a high school shooting in Florida that left 17 dead. The then-President called a meeting with politicians, the heads of Take-Two, Zenimax, and the ESA, and others to discuss what effect video games might have on real-world violence. Though the ESA pointed to multiple scientific studies establishing the lack of connection between video games and violence, President Trumps White House published a violent video game reel featuring clips from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Wolfenstein, Dead by Daylight, Sniper Elite, and Fallout 4. This is violent, isnt it? he asked the attendees.PlayIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250"Im hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video games is really shaping young peoples thoughts," Trump said following the shooting but prior to the meeting. "And then you go the further step, and thats the movies. You see these movies, and theyre so violent, and yet a kid is able to see the movie if sex isnt involved, but killing is involved, and maybe they have to put a rating system for that." [Video games do have an existing rating system in the US, run by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, thats existed since 1994. Films have had one for even longer.]Harris thoughts on the specific issue of violence in games are a little trickier to work out. At the time President Trump made his remarks in 2018, then-Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden agreed with him. But it is not healthy to have these games teaching kids that, you know, this dispassionate notion that you can shoot somebody and just, you know, sort of blow their brains out. That said, this statement occurred a few days before Biden announced that Harris would be his running mate, and theres no indication she shares that explicit sentiment.In a more clear example, Harris weighed in on the issue as part of her own campaign for the presidency. Her announcement at the time dealt not with regulation of violent games, but with gun safety legislation, including a more dogged pursuit of companies that violate negligence laws by marketing assault weapons to children in video games.Further back than that, Harris was involved in the famous 2011 Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association case in which the Supreme Court struck down a California law that restricted the sale of violent video games to minors, saying it was a violation of the First Amendment. Harris at the time was the newly-appointed attorney general of California, inheriting the case from her predecessor, and thus on the side of upholding the law whether she wanted to or not. With that context, its not exactly clear if her efforts in that case are an accurate reflection of her actual feelings on video games, violence, and the First Amendment.In summary, both candidates over the years have brushed up against the idea of regulation of violent video games, but neither has explicitly defined a policy that would result in it happening. Similarly, neither has exactly defined what that regulation would look like, whether it would be purchasing limitations, outright bans, mandated ESRB ratings, or something else.PlayArtificial IntelligenceIncreasingly, discussions around the use of artificial intelligence, more specifically generative AI, have cropped up in gaming spaces. Various executives, companies, and start-ups have floated generative AI as a solution to all sorts of game development problems imagined and real, from cutting down development time spent doing repetitive tasks to generating an entire game wholesale. Developers, meanwhile, have pushed back with concerns over its environmental impact, use of copyrighted and owned materials, the possibility of AI replacing workers, and the overall question of the artistic value of mushing up a lot of other peoples work and calling it a new thing.On AI, both candidates have expressed clear and recent stances. The Biden administration released an AI Bill of Rights in 2022 that highlighted the need for individual protections against unsafe systems, algorithmic discrimination, and abusive data practices, and the need for notification, consent, and the ability to opt-out. Then, in 2023, President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. Though not explicitly about video games, the order included new standards for AI safety and security, privacy protections, consumer protections, and more. Perhaps most relevant to gaming is the section on worker support, which emphasizes the need to mitigate the harm and maximize the benefits of AI for workers by addressing job displacement; labor standards; workplace equity, health, and safety; and data collection.That is all Bidens policy, but Harris has vocally backed it. At a global AI summit, Harris acknowledged the potential of AI technology, but emphasized the potential to cause profound harm and the threats AI poses to individuals. She also announced the establishment of the United States AI Safety Institute, which will create rigorous standards to test the safety of AI models for public use. Broadly, her views can be summarized by a line from her global AI summit speech: AI has the potential to do profound good, it also has the potential to cause profound harm. Harris has professed a desire to federally regulate AI in the interest of public safety, while also supporting the exploration and advancement of the technology.As for Trump, while AI wasnt as pressing a political issue during his term in office, he did have a few occasions to address it. In 2019, Trump signed an executive order launching the American AI Initiative in an effort to increase funding and research into the technology, and in late 2020 he signed another one to promote the innovation and use of AI in government operations. He has also pledged to repeal Bidens executive order on AI safety, with his campaign saying We will repeal Joe Bidens dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology. In its place, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.What this likely means we can expect is that under a Harris presidency, we would see some support for AI investment and research alongside additional federal regulation of the tech. For video games, that could mean some limitations on their ability to use generative AI, or potentially protections for workers from having their jobs replaced by AI. Under Trump, regulations would likely be repealed, and AI would potentially see more government investment and more prominent and regular usage in federal government operations. Though this likely wouldnt impact video games directly, if his administration did less to regulate the tech we would be more likely to see increased investment in and use of AI throughout gaming, among many other industries.Consumer ProtectionsVideo game monetization, consumer privacy, and digital ownership are all fairly significant issues in the games industry that are nonetheless a bit niche in the grand scheme of presidential political platforms. As a result, neither candidate has really addressed the category that weve lumped together under the big banner of consumer protections in a way that obviously links to a direct video game-related policy. But both Trump and Harris have taken actions in their past government roles that have impacted many of these issues and could indicate future impacts on gaming. Heres a quick rundown of just a few.Harris has supported a strong Federal Trade Commission and regulation against anti-consumer practices. As part of her official platform, Harris pledges to crack down on junk fees, scams, and fraud. These hidden fees typically impact things like entertainment and cable bills, but curbing them could keep them from bleeding into the games industry as well. Shes also promised to fight against deceptive marketing practices, and as vice president supported the FTCs Click to Cancel rule that makes it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for it. However, unlike the Biden administration, Harris has signaled she may be at least somewhat supportive of the crypto industry, though shes also called for some regulation in the past.Trumps prior administration made a number of decisions during his first term that could point to what hed do with a second. His appointees broadly dismantled a number of consumer protections while he was in office, including net neutrality (which Biden appointees later restored). Additionally, Trumps administration opted to allow massive data breaches to go uninvestigated, indicating a fairly loose strategy for consumer privacy and data protections. Trump has also been friendly with major tech executives such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, X/Twitter CEO Elon Musk, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and others, indicating big techs interest in gaining his support if elected. And while Harris seems to be leaning friendlier than expected toward crypto, Trump has outright embraced it, allowing supporters to donate to his campaign using cryptocurrency, promoting it in his presidential platform, and even launching his own coin.Both administrations have spoken in the past about taking action to lower consumer prices across the board in a move that may eventually impact video games. Harris has proposed a federal bill banning price gouging in response, but this is focused on necessary goods (like groceries) during states of emergency, not luxury items like video games. Trump, however, has proposed tariffs on all sorts of goods, claiming they will reduce consumer costs, but economic experts says this will increase prices, not lower them.More specific to video games, while neither candidate has addressed loot boxes in a meaningful way, its possible the future U.S. President is forced to address the issue anyway. A bill introduced in Congress in 2019 by Republican Senator Josh Hawley to regulate video game microtransactions and loot box sales garnered bipartisan support, but was ultimately allowed to expire in 2021. Its unclear if either party intends to revive the bill or, if passed, if either potential future president would sign it into law.Activision Blizzard Deal Compared to Other Major AcquisitionsAntitrustThe video game industry has seen a surge in mergers and acquisitions in recent years, and none as large as Microsofts $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. Those acquisitions have had massive impacts on video games and the people that make them, resulting in industry consolidation and contributing to a two-year period of unprecedented layoffs.Both Trump and Harris have expressed positions indicating they may be tough on antitrust, though their actions while in their respective offices have indicated different levels of follow-through. Trump put forth unsuccessful efforts to block an AT&T/Time Warner merger early in his presidency, and his administration launched antitrust probes into Facebook and a number of other tech companies. Additionally, Trumps vice presidential pick J.D. Vance has praised the work of Biden-appointed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair Lina Khans work, indicating that a strong FTC focused on breaking up monopolies is something their administration might continue. That said, much of Trumps past and present policies are focused on de-regulation, not increased regulation, and many of his most vocal supporters (including X/Twitter CEO Elon Musk) are vehemently anti-Khan and anti-FTC, and would stand to benefit from her removal. Trumps actual platform on this isnt entirely clear.Harris, on the other hand, is expected to continue Bidens strong stance on antitrust. Under Biden, the FTC took on a massive crackdown on big tech mergers, most notably for gaming by its failed challenge of the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard. That said, Harris hasnt said much about antitrust on the campaign trail, leading to some questions as to whether or not shed be as tough on antitrust as her predecessor. Harris campaign has fielded recent pressure by various Democratic figures to replace Khan spearheading the FTC, including from those who believe Khans challenge of Microsoft/Activision Blizzard was a waste of money. At the same time, more progressive portions of her base are warning that this would be a mistake. For now, its not entirely clear how a Harris antitrust policy would shake out.Right to RepairRight to Repair, or the right to fix something you own when it breaks either yourself or through an independent repair shop, is a pretty simple policy that has largely had bipartisan support at the state level. Its opposed by big tech companies, who often want to push consumers to spend money to replace broken devices or only use their internal repair services, which often come with extra costs and caveats. Last year, the Biden administration signed an executive order supporting right to repair, and Harris VP pick, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, recently approved the countrys broadest Right to Repair law in his state. Its very likely, then, that a Harris administration would continue to support and increase right to repair protections.The Trump administration has not, to our knowledge, adopted or stated a specific policy on Right to Repair. During Trumps administration, his FTC hosted a workshop on Right to Repair in which the commission expressed concern about halting manufacturer monopolies. While thats roughly the extent of the administrations engagement with the issue, Right to Repair is largely considered a rare party-unifying issue, meaning the games industry is likely to see an uptick in regulations protecting consumers who want to repair their own devices regardless of whos in charge.PlayLaborIn recent years, the video game industry in the United States has slowly but surely begun to organize. For years, issues such as crunch, harassment, workplace abuse, poor pay, and lack of corporate transparency have come to the forefront of industry conversation. Now, developers are increasingly turning to unions and other collective action as a potential solution. The outcome of the 2024 election will likely have a major impact on whether those efforts continue to be successful or not.Harris has made supporting organized labor a major part of her platform. Under Biden, she was put in charge of a new White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment with the explicit goal of strengthening unions through measures such as the CHIPS and Science Act, among others.Harris has pledged to continue this support for labor, calling unions the backbone of the middle class in her platform. Shes promised to sign the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to support organizing workers, raise the minimum wage, and fight for paid family and medical leave. Shes been endorsed by numerous major US unions, including the Communications Workers of America (which represents a number of video game studios). The president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has called her a president for the labor movement, and her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, is a former union member himself.Trump has also garnered support among some union members, though his platform has been criticized for its potential to unravel a number of organized labor protections. Vance, his running mate, voted against the aforementioned PRO Act and Trump threatened to veto it. Vance also introduced legislation that would let managers sidestep employee unions. During his first term, Trump weakened the ability of federal employees to bargain contracts and perform union-related functions. And during his campaign, hes said striking workers should be fired, and that he used to hate to pay overtime.Diversity, Equity, and InclusionIn the last year, a number of gaming communities, companies, and personalities have found themselves targeted by an unprecedented wave of harassment. Though the cited reasons behind the attacks have varied, at the heart of most of these campaigns is a movement to allegedly remove DEI or diversity, equity, and inclusion from games that contain diverse characters, pro-social messages, or inclusive themes. Organizations such as Take This and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have responded condemning these attacks, with the IGDA stating that "Harassment has no place in games or the games industry, and we must create a safe, welcoming, and equitable environment for everyone."These attacks come at a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives gaming spaces are declining elsewhere. During the COVID-19 pandemic when funding for gaming was plentiful, a number of companies increased their financial contributions to such efforts. They hired more diverse staff, established employee DEI committees, and greenlit pro-social projects. Now, that funding has dried up, and both practical and anecdotal evidence suggests that its these initiatives and individuals that are being cut first.In the midst of all this is a presidential election where issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion have come up repeatedly. In his first term, Trump issued an executive order banning workplace diversity training, and while the ban was reversed by President Biden, Trump is reportedly planning to ban DEI initiatives again in both the government and private sector on his first day in office. Harris own platform includes the protection of civil rights and freedoms, including passing anti-discrimination protections and funding Offices of Civil Rights across the federal government. Shes also pledged to fight to pass the Equality Act, which would enshrine anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ individuals in a number of areas. PlayOther video game appearancesThough not really policy-related, both presidential candidates have had other, more direct interactions with video games in the past that may indicate in some small way how they view the medium. Trump actually has his own video game: Donald Trumps Real Estate Tycoon!. Released in 2002 for PC and published by an Activision subsidiary, this was a business simulation game where the goal was to beat Donald Trump by becoming a rich and powerful business tycoon. Its finale incorporates a business competition with Trump himself, and Trump appears throughout the game to offer the player advice. Trumps exact level of personal involvement in the game is unknown, but at minimum he agreed to have his name, likeness, and personality used for a video game.Harris has quite recently had more direct involvement. Last week, her campaign rolled out its own Fortnite map: Freedom Town, USA. It also partnered with a number of Fortnite content creators to stream the map, which was designed to inform players about some of Harris campaign pledges. In the waning days of her campaign, Harris has made a number of bids targeted specifically at gamers, especially young men. Her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, even went on a livestream with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to play Madden NFL and Crazy Taxi.Simply appearing in a video game, either via licensing agreement or user-generated content, isnt necessarily an expression of a political platform. But both candidates have, over the years, demonstrated some level of awareness of the space, and Harris campaign in particular seems interested in courting the gamer audience by meeting them in the spaces theyre already playing.How to VoteThe 2024 U.S. Presidential Election officially takes place on November 5, 2024. If youre a U.S. citizen and havent already voted early or by mail, you can visit Vote.gov to find out where and what time you can vote in your state. If youre not registered, check to find out if your state allows for same day voter registration. Remember, if youre in line when polls close, you legally must be allowed to vote, so stay in line.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMAU Deals: Freebie AAA Marvel and Mafia Action, Reduced Baldur's 3 and Dragon Age, Plus More!I'm pretty happy that I can direct you, without fuss, to the very free and criminally under-bought Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy. If that slick, '80s-infused action isn't for you, pick up a fedora (freely again) to slip into the patently awesome Mafia: Definitive Edition. Otherwise, I've scoured the stores for a wide range of other bargains. Get amongst them before they're gone.In retro news, I have something different for you. Typically I pick a yesteryear game of the day, drag out the console that hosted it, play it, and then post photos of that. Today, you can spot that stockpile of retro machines as I'm unboxing and adding a new entry to their midstthe PlayStation 5 Pro. This PS-provided unit is being used by me to evaluate 50+ "Pro Enhanced" titles. I'm going to filter the results of those tests (plus cheap ways to buy the test game in question) into these articles come Nov 7th. This Day in Gaming - Colony Wars (PS) 1997. eBay- Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (PS) 1999. eBay- RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 (PC) 2004. Get- Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time (PS3) 2009. eBay- Dragon Age: Origins (PC,X360) 2009. Get- Tekken 6 (PS3,X360) 2009. eBayTable of ContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchHadesA one-of-a-kind rogue-lite that sets the bar for creatively combining wildly different genres together and using their strengths to complement each other in unexpected ways. Its blend of satisfying, twitch-based action. 9/10.Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (-23%) - A$69NFS Hot Pursuit (-35%) - A$39Golf Story (-80%) - A$4.49Moving Out (-80%) - A$7.50Transistor (-80%) - A$4.79Bastion (-80%) - A$3.50Expiring Recent DealsMoving Out (-80%) - A$7.50Untitled Goose Game (-50%) - A$15Inscryption (-60%) - A$12Witcher 3 Complete (-65%) - A$27.98Mario Party Superstars (-19%) - A$65Paper Mario: Thousand-Year Door (-19%) - A$65Fire Emblem Warriors: TH (-48%) - A$41.88Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch Zelda: $629 $509 | Switch Original: $499 $428 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $489| Switch OLED White: $539 $489 | Switch Lite: $329 $293 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $309See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCBaldurs Gate 3I waited 14 years for the stars to align again so that we could get the ideal mix of crunchy, tactical, old-school RPG combat, an epic and well-written story with complex characters and lots of meaningful choices. 10/10 Masterpiece.Marvel GotG (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeMafia: Definitive (-100%) - FREE w/PrimeDeath Stranding D.C. (-50%) - A$7.47Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (-50%) - A$9.99Control Ultimate (-80%) - A$11.99Abzu (-75%) - A$7.23SoulCalibur VI (-91%) - A$8.54 Expiring Recent DealsTurok (-70%) - A$8.68Secret of Monkey Island (-50%) - A$7.25Shantae Pirates Curse (-50%) - A$33.82Resi 4 Remake (-58%) - A$25.17Dragons Dogma 2 (-43%) - A$61.53EA Halloween Sale (%85)Or just get a Steam Wallet Card.PC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxStarfield Constellation Ed.Not to keep the spacey theme going, but this Fancy Watch Edition continues its decaying orbit of RRP. Great news if you dig cool timepieces and reasonably decent RPGs that arent as out of this world as they could have been.Expiring Recent DealsJedi: Survivor (-28%) - A$79Gotham Knights (-75%) - A$28Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra (-16%) - A$276.94Sniper Elite 5 (-61%) - A$34.54Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Series S Black: $549 $513 | Series S White:$499 $481 | Series X: $799 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationRed Dead RedemptionWhat a game, and how well its agedlike a fine Limping Williams sour-mash whiskey. RDR truly is a bucket list piece of entertainment. Play this to experience the moment everybody talks about: riding to Mexico for the first time. Thank me later.Expiring Recent DealsExpeditions: MudRunner (-42%) - A$49Dragon Age: The Veilguard (-19%) - A$89Lies of P (-38%) - A$52.91Persona 5 Royal (-43%) - A$54.11Street Fighter 6 (-32%) - A$67.98Or purchase a PS Store Card.PlayStation Console PricesWhat you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $795 | PS5 Slim Digital:$679 $639 | PS VR2: $879 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $959 $949 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsCreator 3in1 T. rexDr. Robert Doback : When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a dinosaur. I wanted to be a Tyrannosaurus Rex more than anything in the world. I made my arms short and I roamed the backyard, I chased the neighborhood cats, I growled and I roared.Mario: Dorrie's Shipwreck (-40%) - A$54Star Wars: R2-D2 (-35%) - A$129Star Wars: Podrace (-34%) - A$79Sonic: Speed Sphere (-34%) - A$35Expiring Recent DealsBack to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 34 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMNew Movie in the Works Set in David Cronenberg's The Fly Universe That Won't Be a RemakeThere's a new The Fly movie in the works, but no, it won't be a remake, and no, it's not coming from David Cronenberg. Deadline broke the actually pretty intriguing news on Monday that Nikyatu Jusu, best known for the well-reviewed 2022 horror film Nanny, is developing a new film based on Cronenberg's 1986 classic. But, the report stressed, the new project that Jusu wrote and will direct for 20th Century Fox is "set in the universe" of The Fly, rather than being a straightforward remake.Further plot details, however, are being kept under wraps. As Deadline points out, it's coming at a time when body horror is having something of a moment; satirical film The Substance has ridden the wave of positive word-of-mouth to bring in $43 million worldwide on a slim reported budget of $17 million.A new movie based on David Cronenberg's The Fly is in the works. (Image credit: 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)Cronenberg's The Fly was based on a 1957 short story and 1958 film, both of the same name, and followed a scientist who started turning into a nasty fly creature after an experiment gone wrong. It starred Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, and carved a place for itself in Hollywood history thanks in large part to its gnarly effects.Jusu, meanwhile, seems pretty in-demand in the horror department currently. Deadline notes that she's set to direct a Night of the Living Dead sequel and is in development on a project for Universal/Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw that's an expansion of her Suicide by Sunlight short film. We'll have to wait and learn more about this upcoming The Fly film, but personally, I'm interested (and preemptively grossed out) to see what modern practical effects could conjure up for that universe. For more, check out our breakdown of five brilliant moments of Cronenberg body horror. Thumbnail credit: 20th Century-Fox/Getty ImagesAlex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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WWW.IGN.COMUniversal Keeps Asking for Back to the Future 4, But Its Creator Just Wants to Make a MusicalGiven today's IP-driven Hollywood, it should be little surprise that Universal is hungry for a Back to the Future sequel but director Robert Zemeckis has something else in mind. Zemeckis appeared on an episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast and, among other things, talked about potential future projects continuing his and co-writer Bob Dale's beloved Back to the Future trilogy. Host Josh Horowitz asked Zemeckis if Universal approaches him about Back to the Future 4 every two years, to which the filmmaker joked, "oh, every six months."While he clarified that that figure was just an "exaggeration," he went on to add that, of course, the studio has been pestering him about it. "Isnt there anything we can figure out to do here? Isnt there anything we can do?," he said, imitating Universal executives. Universal keeps asking Robert Zemeckis for Back to the Future 4, but he'd rather adapt the musical. (Image credit: Universal/Getty Images)"We have to say, 'you know, there are different things we can do that might work,' something like that, you know? But to remake the movie or to suggest that there's a Back to the Future 4, you know, it just isn't in the cards," Zemeckis continued.One of those things that he might consider, however? "I would like to do Back to the Future: The Musical [as a film]," Zemeckis said later in the podcast, referencing the Broadway production that'll wrap up its run early next year. "Just like [Mel] Brooks did The Producers. I would love to do that. I think that would be great." Horowitz then pressed him on if he's pitched the idea to Universal, and Zemeckis revealed that he has "floated" it to the studio. But "they don't get it," he said. "So, nothing I can do.""To remake the movie or to suggest that there's a Back to the Future 4, you know, it just isn't in the cards."While Zemeckis' desire to adapt of Back to the Future: The Musical is news, his comments on not wanting to do Back to the Future 4 shouldn't be too surprising. He made similar statements in a previous interview with The Telegraph, saying, "That can't happen until both Bob and I are dead. And then I'm sure they'll do it, unless there's a way our estates can stop it."The cast isn't quite as ready to dismiss the idea. Christopher Lloyd said he would "love" to do a sequel "if somebody has a brilliant idea that would justify a fourth film it might happen." Michael J. Fox, meanwhile, doesn't "think [Back to the Future] needs rebooting because are you going to clarify something? Youre going to find a better way to tell the story? I doubt it.In short: don't count on Back to the Future 4, but hey, maybe Zemeckis will get his wish and we'll be tapping our toes to the musical adaptation in theaters soon enough. For more, check out our list of the 25 best sci-fi movies of all time.Thumbnail credit: Universal/Getty ImagesAlex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.0 Reacties 0 aandelen 33 Views
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