Upgrading your health is arguably the single most important thing for your survival in Doom: The Dark Ages. To make it through all the challenges entailed by fighting demons with minimal suffering, improving your health could mean the difference between life and death. And you can considerably improve your chance of staying alive if you upgrade your health in Doom: The Dark Ages. But your health bar is not a simple task. First, you need to prove yourself by fighting stronger – and quite annoying – demons and sucking their essence to make you stronger. In this Doom: The Dark Ages guide, we explain how to upgrade your health plus show you where to find all health upgrades. How to upgrade health in Doom: The Dark Ages While your guns, shield, and melee attacks can be upgraded using special currencies to buy new abilities in a Sentinel Shrine, increasing your health requires a little more fighting. Following the same idea as upgrading your ammo capacity and armor, health upgrades are permanent and obtained when you defeat leaders that grant those upgrades. All you need to do is to defeat them to collect their Demonic Essence.  Leaders are stronger than your usual demons. You can identify them with ease, since they have a blue-hued plus sign floating above their head. Below, see maps showing the locations of all health upgrades in Doom: The Dark Ages and the requisite leaders they’re associated with. Hebeth (Chapter 2) You face the first leader in the Doom: The Dark Ages in the second level, Hebeth. You find the leader of this level in the final segment of the map. Before you can challenge them, you must clear all the waves of enemies with all kinds of demons you found until then. A short cutscene will play when you’re done, showing the leader. They are a stronger version of the Pinky Rider demon. They still shoot a Hell Surge projectile to attack you, but their special move is a wave of shields. One of the shields is green and you must try to parry it. If you pay attention, the beast has armor. Even though it protects them from your attacks, the armor follows the rule as the regular metal shields some enemies carry. Superheat the armor then use the Shield Throw to remove it completely. Since this is a tough enemy, consider keeping some of the other demons alive during the fight so you can follow one of our tips and kill them to recover life. The Holy City of Aratum (Chapter 5) As you fly through the Holy City of Aratum in Chapter 5, you can land your cyberdragon on secret landing zones. The leader you want to fight in this chapter to receive a Health upgrade is in the first secret landing zone, a small tower on the left side of the starting gate. You must defeat a Titan who is defending the place before you can actually land in the arena. Once you’re there, enemies will spawn. Defeat some of them for the leader, a Pinky Rider demon, appears. Be careful with the other demons in the arena and focus on breaking the leader’s shield with the Accelerator. Parry their Hell Surge arrows and survive long enough to claim their Demonic Essence. Siege – Part 2 (Chapter 7) The third leader who gives you a Health upgrade is found in Chapter 7 “Siege – Parte 2”. You can’t miss them since they are a mandatory encounter in the main mission. While you are trying to defend the city and rescue Novik, you reach a part of the main building marked as a red zone on the map with a crowned skull icon. This is where you will be facing the leader. The leader is an armored Hell Knight. You have already faced one of these jumpy annoying demons when collecting the first Ammo upgrade. They keep pressuring you with melee attacks and throwing their axe at you.  Keep a distance and bait their Hell Surge axe attack to parry it. Break Hell Knight’s armor as soon as possible and keep your eyes open for the incoming attacks from the regular Hell Knights who are following the leader. Ancestral Forge (Chapter 9) In Chapter 9 “Ancestral Forge,” you find the next leader to fight as you progress in the main mission. They are in the red zone on the right side of the map, close to where you find the Purple Key.  When you get to the location of the encounter, you first need to clear the area of some groups of regular enemies. After a few minutes — and many demon bodies on the ground — the leader will appear. You face another armored Hell Knight, which is great considering this is the same kind of demon you defeated to get your last Health upgrade. Follow the same strategy and you will be fine. The Forsaken Plains (Chapter 10) While the enemies you’ve faced so far were not a breeze, be ready to meet a new kind of challenge when hunting leaders. Chapter 10 “The Forsaken Plains” has a Cyberdemon leader and they have a morale bar. You find them while you’re looking for the Hell Cannons to destroy them as your main mission. The arena where you fight the Cyberdemon is in front of one of these cannons. Before you can fight the leader, you need to deplete their morale bar and disable their shield by killing other demons. The leader doesn’t take damage while they have the shield up so you can’t rush the process. The best approach to a fight against a Cyberdemon is to get closer to them and bait their melee attacks, which you can parry. It is dangerous though, so learn to read their moves and parry all their Hell Purge attacks. Sentinel Command Station (Chapter 12) The sixth Health upgrade available for you is in Chapter 12 “Sentinel Command Station.” To find the leader in this chapter, just follow the main mission which asks you to defend the Command Station. Eventually, you will have to look for the Hangar Card key and also find a new weapon, the Ravager. When you get to this point, you’re right beside the leader’s room. The arena is a large space and the leader won’t appear until you have cleared the place by killing some of the demons who are already there. The leader this time is a Pinky Rider. You’ve already beaten many of these demons so go get their Demonic Essence. Spire of Nerathul (Chapter 14) Although it is not actually hidden, the leader in Chapter 14 “Spire of Nerathul” can be easily missed if you ignore the secondary objectives of this chapter. To find them, you move forward after deactivating the first Stasis Emitter.  On the path to find the second one, you will find a red zone with a crowned skull icon. All you will see in the area is a tree with a red portal above it. Once you destroy it, the leader and many other demons will appear. The leader is another Cyberdemon, but this time they have a morale bar. Begin by killing all the other demons to deplete the Cyberdemon’s bar. Start fighting them as soon as the shield goes down. City of Ry’uul (Chapter 15) As you explore the alien corridors of the City of Ry’uul in Chapter 15, finding the leader whose Demonic Essence raises your maximum Health is a matter of time. Follow the main mission until you get into a large circular room using a water tunnel.  There are some strong enemies – a Vagary and a Cacodemon Hybrid – waiting for you in this room. Kill them for the leader to finally appear. This time you fight an Agaddon Hunter leader. The best strategy is to learn their move set and parry their attacks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by their attacks, run from them and look for weaker enemies to kill and recover Health, Armor, and Ammo.  Harbor of Souls (Chapter 19) Your main mission in Chapter 19 “Harbor of Souls” is to find the way to the Mortal Realm and you can imagine it’s going to be one hell of a journey. In the middle of the way, there is also a leader for you to defeat. The arena where you find the leader is after the first gate that requires the Red key. Keep following the path indicated by the game and you will eventually reach the place. Before you can actually fight the leader, you need to kill a Cosmic Baron and an armored Pinky Rider.  The leader is a Komodo, a complicated foe to face. They are quite agile and hit really hard, always pressuring you with their sequences of attacks. Wait for the right moment and use the Rocket Launcher. Since the leader is always close to you, it’s easy to land your shots. Resurrection (Chapter 20) The leader of Chapter 20 “Resurrection” is the first major enemy you face in the chapter. After the cutscene, pass over the Sentinel Shrine and you will see a vast area filled with demons. This leader, a Revenant, has a morale bar, which means that you must kill every demon you see before you can go land some shotgun bursts onto the leader. Since this is one of the last chapters in the game, you will find all kinds of enemies in the area. From a Cyberdemon to a Pinky Rider, there are enough deadly creatures ready to rip you apart if you don’t pay attention. 

In Doom: The Dark Ages, you have a long list of weapons at your disposal, each gun with its own flavor. But regardless of whether we are talking about the Combat Shotgun or the Chainshot, you will always need ammo upgrades for them. Right after your Health and Shield capacity, ammo is one of the most important resources in Doom: The Dark Ages. It’s also one of the scarcest. Since you can’t store thousands of bullets for all the weapons you have in the game, any chance of recovering ammo or increasing the amount you can keep with you is always welcome.  This guide helps you understand how to get ammo upgrades in Doom: The Dark Ages plus shows you where to find all ammo upgrades. How to upgrade ammo in Doom: The Dark Ages To upgrade your ammo capacity, you need to collect the Demonic Essence of specific leaders — and to do so, you must find and defeat them first. When you find leaders from whom you can collect Demonic Essence, a yellow icon showing three bullets appears above their heads. Unlike the other two types of upgrades, Health and Shield, when you defeat a leader, they will give you an upgrade for one of the three kinds of ammo in the game: Shells, Cells, Spikers, Skulls, Reaver, and Launcher. These upgrades are permanent, so you don’t need to worry about having to chase leaders in every chapter. Below, you find all the chapters in which there are leaders who give you ammo upgrades in Doom: The Dark Ages. The Holy City of Aratum (Chapter 5) The fifth chapter of Doom: The Dark Ages is the first time you have access to your cyberdragon to explore the areas and look for its secret landing zones. This is a lengthy chapter, but there’s only one ammo (Shell) upgrade to get. To find the leader, after you’re done with the tutorial, fly with your dragon to the first ship to your right. You will need to destroy all its canons for the landing spot to appear. Once you’re in, there isn’t much secret. Just keep following the path available to you until you reach the last room. The objective sign will take you to the lowest platform in front of a red energy gate which you must destroy dashing with your shield. However, before you can even try, the leader will appear.  Your first ammo upgrade leader is an armored Hell Knight. This enemy uses the jumping Hell Surge attacks which the regular version you’ve already faced does. They will also throw Hell Surge axes at you, so stay alert to parry them.  The challenge in this fight is to fight this aggressive enemy in a tiny corridor. Focus on using the Accelerator to break their armor faster and don’t let them corner you.  The Siege – Part 1 (Chapter 6) Doom: The Dark Ages’s Chapter 6 will force you to traverse a long and a little bit confusing map. To find the leader who will give you an ammo (Spiker) upgrade, you want to visit the area to the left corner of the map from the starting gate. The place is marked by a red skull icon on your map. This fight is the first involving the morale system, which means that, before you can actually fight the leader — who will be attacking as soon as they spot you — you need to kill the other demons in the area to deplete its morale bar. Once you have killed enough demons and a message appears saying “Leader Shield Disabled!,” it’s time to shoot. The leader this time is an armored Mancubus and as you might have expected your top priority is to destroy their armor. Keep a safe distance from them since the Mancubus will pop their flamethrowers at you if you get too close. You can play it safe and look for their signature attack, a wall of energy that always has one side which you can parry.  Ancestral Forge (Chapter 9) Finding the leader in Chapter 9 who gives you an ammo (Cell) upgrade is just a matter of reaching the end of the level. You will need to face another armored Mancubus. Take advantage of the Shield Rune you unlock in this chapter and parry all their attacks.  Be careful with the regular enemies around you as you fight the Mancubus. The fight is easier than the previous one, so you don’t need to worry too much. You should, however, deal with the Pinky Rider who is in the arena as soon as possible to make your life easier. The Forsaken Plains (Chapter 10) Your main goal in Chapter 10 is to destroy the two Hell Cannons in the Forsaken Plains. By going to the one on the right side of the map, you will be closer to the leader you want to fight to unlock an ammo (Skull) upgrade. They are indicated by an icon of a crowned skull in a higher segment of the region. When you reach the place, all you find is a tree. Destroy it with your shield to summon some waves of enemies. After defeating them, the leader will appear. This time you need to fight a Revenant, but they don’t have a morale bar, making the encounter less demanding. Revenants are pretty agile so try your best to get closer to them before taking a shot. They usually shoot Hell Purge projectiles and skulls. You know the drill, go parry them.  If you see them becoming all white, don’t waste your bullets. The Revenant doesn’t take damage while frozen in this state. It is worth parrying the projectiles they will shoot though since they seem to break their ice skin. From Beyond (Chapter 13) In Chapter 13, you’ll again fly around with your cyberdragon, destroying ships and dealing with tentacles from another dimension. Usual stuff. During this chapter, there is also an ammo (Reaver) upgrade for you to gain. By following the main mission of this chapter, you will eventually get to the first landing spot on the map. It’s a tower that you access after destroying a ship. Once you land, the battle against an armored Mancubus will start.  Although the strategy won’t change when fighting them directly, you must first clean the area to deplete its morale bar. Always try to look for the larger enemies since killing the smaller ones doesn’t affect the bar. Spire of Nerathul (Chapter 14) Spire of Nerathul takes you to a region you haven’t explored yet but don’t fret. The dangers are still the same ones. As you progress in the main mission of Chapter 14, you will destroy a statue of the Old One and drop into a hole that takes you to an arena. Enemies will spawn and after defeating some of them, Chapter 14’s ammo (Launcher) upgrade leader will appear, a Revenant. Follow the same strategy suggested for Chapter 10’s leader. Just be careful because a Komodo, a large behemoth of Hell will fight alongside the leader. The Kar’Thul Marshes (Chapter 16) There is one leader that will give you an ammo (Shell) upgrade in Chapter 16 and you can find them by just following the main mission. As you make your way to gather the second Relic Fragment, you will find an arena where the leader is. You will be facing an armored Mancubus again to get your hands on this upgrade. The real challenge in this fight is to handle the Pinky Rider, the Cyberdemon, and the Cosmic Baron who are also in the arena. Kill them all to disable the leader’s shield. Temple of Lomarith (Chapter 17) Chapter 17, the Temple of Lomarith is a quite confusing map and there are two leaders for you to chase. You find the first one as you’re trying to rescue Thira. The area has a huge gate in the middle so it’s hard to miss. Be ready to fight your way through waves of enemies containing powerful ones like the Vagary before you can disable the leader’s shield. When their morale bar is completely depleted, you can look for the armored Pinky Rider, the first leader you fight in this chapter. Defeating them unlocks an ammo (Spike) upgrade. Now, the second leader is hidden. By following the main mission, you eventually get to a section where you use green gates to reach some floating wreckage of ships. Before you use the second gate, look to your left and you will see that you can dash to destroy a wall.  Drop to the level below and you will see a tree. Once you use your shield to destroy it, the room will be sealed and waves of enemies will start to appear. After killing some enemies, the leader, a Revenant, will come and you must defeat them to unlock an ammo (Cell) upgrade. You are already familiar with this enemy. Just be careful since the room is small and you will be fighting large enemies inside of it. Harbor of Souls (Chapter 19) After one hell of a ride to the underworld, it’s time for you to find your back to the Mortal Plane. However, before you do so, there’s a leader you need to defeat and an ammo (Skull) upgrade to claim. Keep following the main mission and you will find it. You face another armored Pinky Rider in this chapter, who has a morale bar. Take advantage of the Berserk cell in this arena to fight the strongest demons around. With them out of the way, beating the Pinky Rider is quite simple.  Resurrection (Chapter 20) There is a lot to be done in Chapter 20, but luckily finding the leader — who gives you an ammo (Reaver) upgrade — of this chapter is not one of the most difficult challenges it offers. Your main goal in the first segment of this chapter is to destroy the Siege Towers. Following this objective will inevitably lead you to the left part of the map where there is a red zone with a crowned skull icon. By getting there, you will find the leader. This time a Komodo is the leader, a quite challenging enemy to face. Focus on clearing the area of other large enemies and, when facing the Komodo, focus on parrying their attacks. They unleash long sequences of attacks so learn them to know the right moment to fight back. Reckoning (Chapter 22) There’s one last leader in Doom: The Dark Ages for you to hunt down. You can find them by reaching the last red zone on the top side of the map. Once you claim their Demonic Essence, you will receive an ammo (Launcher) upgrade. There are some tough fights before you can reach the place, so be prepared. The leader of Chapter 22 is a Cyberdemon and they are in their regular version, so you know what to do. Get close to them, parry their attacks, and hit the Cyberdemon hard. They have a morale bar, forcing you to fight a Komodo and other strong demons before the final encounter.

Beyond classification (Nintendo) The Wednesday letters page debates whether Borderlands 4 is worth £80 or not, as one reader looks forward to Nintendo Switch 2 OLED Model. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk Multi-generational I have a question about the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s not very serious and I don’t think it’s possible to have a definitive answer, but is the Switch 2 the start of the tenth generation of consoles or is it still part of the ninth generation?I was curious to see if Wikipedia had a stance on it, and it seems pretty unambiguous in counting it as ninth generation. I find this unsatisfying, as it’s clear that the Switch 2 is a big change for Nintendo, in terms of pricing and things like online accounts. Also, the tenth generation sounds like it’s going to start in a couple of years and I’m not sure it’s fair to pretend the Switch 2 isn’t part of it. For me it’s not a question of power but of who you’re competing with, and I’d already bet the Switch 2 is going to easily outsell the PlayStation 6 and next gen Xbox.Penfold GC: We’d say the huge gap between the release of the original and the Switch 2 means they cannot be considered the same generation. So, the real question is what generation is the Switch 1? Our initial reaction is to say eighth, but we’d also agree with the idea that the Switch broke the concept of generations and is simultaneously eighth and ninth and neither. So, if you wanted to consider Switch the start of the tenth we wouldn’t argue against it, but for us it fits better as ninth. A rich man’s world I’d say I was shocked by the arrogance of Randy Pitchford’s comments, about $80 games, but It’s Randy Pitchford so I’m not. I’m not sure I’d even argue a game like Borderlands 4 isn’t worth it: a co-op focused multiplayer game that’s got lots of replayability.It’s not like Doom: The Dark Ages where I imagine you’re only going to play it once but something that can potentially last for years (admittedly probably via DLC and other expensive extras). So in theory I can see the argument, but do all these millionaire owners and businessmen have to be so smug about it? Although it may not be a lot of money to them it is to the rest of us. If the price rises mean I have to be much more select about what I spend my money on then I think Borderlands 4 just went down the priority list a few notches.St1nger Take your pick It’s not a very Nintendo thing to do, because they sure do like to encourage double and triple-dipping, but I would’ve been happy if they’d releases the Switch 2 OLED Model and Switch 2 Lite straight away and just made them options. Everyone knows they’re coming, so it would be a lot fairer on people that don’t want to be caught out.I do wish you had not worked out the time from the original Switch to its OLED version though and said that means we might not get the Switch 2 edition until 2030. Not because I’m that desperate for it but because that just goes to show how long the Switch has been going and how long it’s been. I truly do believe it’s the best console ever and the length of time it’s stayed relevant just goes to show that.Gadfly Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk The funniest of us I will be very happy if Naughty Dog is working on another IP. They’ve been bogged down with The Last Of Us for too long now and I’d like to see them break out and do something new. Ideally, I’d like to see them do something a bit lighter in tone but I don’t see that happening with Neil Druckmann in charge.He even tried to make Uncharted more miserable, and took all the supernatural out of it, so I don’t know what kind of fantasy game he’d make. Probably something that would make Game Of Thrones seem light-hearted. Maybe it’s just me but given all the news from the real world at the moment I’m looking for something more hopeful and optimistic from my entertainment right now. Although given how long games take nowadays, who knows what will be going on by the time Naughty Dog’s latest is actually out.Pinky Grand Theft Horsey For me there’s no argument about Red Dead Redemption 2 being Rockstar’s best game… and one of the best games of all time. Yes, it’s too long, and that means the plot is not as focused as it should be, but that’s the only criticism I’m willing to take seriously.In terms of graphics, I’ve still never seen anything better and that goes for the open world too, which is just amazing. The amount of freedom and total non-linearity is amazing and yet the game is still able to have scripted scenes, like Arthur’s illness and the shipwreck that come out of nowhere, but which feel completely natural. An amazing game that may even end up being better than GTA 6. It’s certainly the one to beat as far as I’m concerned, as I’d put it several leagues above GTA 5.Keith Lowering expectations I am curious to know what the next mainline Pokémon game Is going to look like on Switch 2, but I really don’t know how optimistic I can be. The problem is that Pokémon has always been open world, right from the Game Boy games, so while Game Freak clearly aren’t very good at making modern 3D worlds, they kind of have to because there’s no way to take things back a notch and still be authentic to what the series is.If I was Nintendo, I would’ve sent Monolith Soft over to do all their tech for them, but that doesn’t seem to be how things work. Instead, I worry that all the talk of bugs with Violet and Scarlet will overshadow the improvements Game Freak tries to make. It would be great if their next game was bug free but if they put all their energy into that there’s going to be no time to actually improve the gameplay and try to innovate. Which has been the whole problem for at least the last decade. I just don’t know what to suggest. Based on the scale of the concept, and the popularity of the franchise, Pokémon should have the biggest budget and biggest number of staff working on it. It sells much more than Zelda and yet it looks so cheap and empty compared to it. But I don’t think Game Freak is capable of the kind of radical change necessary, to step up in the way it needs to. So I really don’t know what to expect at all from the next game, except probably disappointment.Tasker Uneven distribution Well, thanks to you guys I actually managed to bag myself a Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart and the camera from Very. I was able to put it on But Now Pay 12 months later with interest free credit and I also got 10% off the total value too (due to Very owing me a discount code).However, I was very surprised though how long Very, Argos, etc. actually had the Switch 2 in stock for. It must of been three or four days before they all sold out?HAJ GC: We’re happy to help but it was strange, especially as some bigger retailers didn’t seem to get any new stock at all. Anniversary bump After your Star Wars feature, I thought you’d be interested in knowing there’s been a massive spike in interest in playing Battlefront 2 lately. The number of people playing on Steam has shot up and it’s just outside the top 20 selling games on PlayStation 5.That’s great because I think, after all the updates, it’s a really good game, but the problem is nobody seems to have any idea why. I think it’s a combination of Andor and the re-release of Revenge of the Sith and its 20th anniversary. There’s a lot of good prequel era stuff in the game (far more than the sequels, oddly) and I think younger (or not so young now, I guess) fans appreciate that. I would be really happy if this convinced EA to make a third game, especially if it was based on the tech from the new Battlefield. I don’t know how likely that it is, but I think Battlefront is an important part of making non-Jedi elements of Star Wars work. For me it’s just a really good shooter, with some interesting weapons, vehicles, and great graphics. It is interesting to see how other media can affect games though, even if I’m sure this one was completely unanticipated by anyone.Terry Gold PS: I agree that Andor would be a much better for setting for the new XCOM clone game. The prequel setting makes no sense to me, especially given how perfect Andor would’ve been.Inbox also-rans I wonder what it would mean if Cyberpunk 2077 was a big hit on Switch 2? I’m sure Cyberpunk 2 wouldn’t work on it so would CD Projekt consider some kind of exclusive spin-off?BowieSo are we expecting the normal not-E3 Nintendo Direct next month? It’ll be pretty soon after launch so I’m not sure if there’s going to be any other announcements for a while.Toska GC: It’s very likely there’ll be a Direct in mid to late June, just like usual. Whether it’d have any new announcements is another question entirely. More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk The small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter. Arrow MORE: Games Inbox: What is Rockstar Games’ best game? GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Jawmuncher Crisis Dino Moderator Oct 25, 2017 44,816 Ibis Island As Gamers Express Concern About Borderlands 4 Potentially Costing $80, Gearbox Chief Randy Pitchford Says: ‘If You’re a Real Fan, You’ll Find a Way to Make It Happen’ - IGN Gearbox chief Randy Pitchford has responded to a fan who expressed concern about the prospect of paying $80 for Borderlands 4, saying: “if you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen.” www.ign.com The Quote Here's the exchange: "Randy, this game better not be 80 dollars. Don't take that risk, a lot of gamers aren't gonna pay 80 dollars and feed this notion of constant increase of the price tag. You are the CEO, you have some say with the price when it comes to your publisher." And here's Randy Pitchford's response: "A) Not my call. B) If you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for Sega Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen." Click to expand... Click to shrink... Unsure of the price, and it's not his call Last week, during a PAX East panel, Pitchford insisted that he didn't know the Borderlands 4 price but refused to rule out $80. "I'll tell you the truth. I don't know. That is the truth. I'll hit it straight on. It's an interesting time," he said. "On one level, we've got a competitive marketplace where the people that make those choices want to sell as many units as possible and they want to be careful about people that are price-sensitive. There are some folks who don't want to see prices go up, even the ones deciding what the prices are. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Take-Two Boss is open to $80 In a recent interview, IGN asked Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick if the company would go to $80 for its games. Zelnick wouldn't say either way, but did say consumers would be "willing to pay for the very best." "I have said for a long time that we offer enormous value and that that's our job," Zelnick said. "Of course, we certainly believe that compared to other forms of entertainment, whether that's movie tickets or live events or streaming services, the value for our entertainment that we offer is just astonishing, and it's our job. It's our job to deliver much more value than what we charge. That's our goal. We think consumers are willing to pay for the very best. It's our job to make the very best." Click to expand... Click to shrink... More at the Link Firstly, if the game is going to cost $80, I would HOPE that means the Switch 2 version would be on the cart. Game-Key prices are going to garner even more ire when they're used for fully priced titles instead of "cheaper" releases. With that said, 2K was one of the first publishers to instantly jump on the $70 price raise when the PS5/XSX launched, so I would definitely expect $80 to be the new norm in the US for any titles from them and Borderlands 4 being the start wouldn't be a stretch. I am curious to see how the higher base price impacts games where selling a season pass alongside it is a big deal (As DLC for BL has always been a key part of its success). Could just be everything costs more across the board, but I guess we'll see.  Last edited: Today at 10:35 AM Zukkoyaki Member Oct 25, 2017 14,279 I really like Gearbox's games but Randy is a dumbass.   Bucca Member Oct 25, 2017 5,517 fuckin lmao   Kouriozan Member Oct 25, 2017 24,800 Would not be surprised, the industry kept waiting for the moment to increase price (of AAAs) again and Nintendo just opened the way for everyone else, haha.   PlanetSmasher The Abominable Showman Member Oct 25, 2017 132,841 Even if he is technically right (I saved up my allowance for the SNES JRPGs I wanted to play in the 90s) it's really not something you come out and say.   Greywaren Member Jul 16, 2019 13,084 Spain I know there are way worse people out there, but I really, REALLY can't stand this guy. It's something visceral and every time he opens his mouth I dislike him a bit more.   Teenage Fansub Member May 24, 2019 24,228 Finding a way is waiting for it to be free on EGS.   Televoid Uncle Works at Nintendo Member Nov 28, 2024 1,443 I don't think the whole "If it works for Mario Kart and GTA, it'll work for our franchise!" is going to go the way they want it to go.   S1kkZ Member Oct 27, 2017 5,094 sell your body for BL4!   jroc74 Member Oct 27, 2017 34,026 Aaww shit.   Diogo Arez One Winged Slayer Member Oct 20, 2020 20,319 Ok Randy whatever floats your boat, I'll just wait until it's free on PS+ like usual then   ponylegs Member Jun 23, 2024 420 Brazil I'm not going to make it happen   AstralSphere Member Feb 10, 2021 13,106 Sometimes it really is better to not say anything at all. Much, much easier too. Like, before you say something publicly, think to yourself "am I about to say something incredibly out of touch that makes me sound like a prick, even if I really strongly believe it?". Randy and lot of these execs seem to lack that filter.  Kirksplosion Member Aug 21, 2018 2,661 In that case, it seems I'm not a real fan of any franchise or series.   Falchion Member Oct 25, 2017 44,397 Simply make it happen you poors.   ditusjack Member Oct 26, 2017 720 Man, the industry bout to get quite the reality check on theses prices increase.   Squirrel09 Member Nov 4, 2017 1,911 I have all the main borderlands games and never bought any of them. I can wait lol   Dust C H A O S Member Oct 25, 2017 41,028 DURING MY TIMES WE PAID $80 FOR STARFLIGHT ON SEGA GENESIS AND WERE HAPPY GOD DANG IT BOBBY   rodeo_chirb Member Jun 16, 2020 459 PlanetSmasher said: Even if he is technically right (I saved up my allowance for the SNES JRPGs I wanted to play in the 90s) it's really not something you come out and say. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Right? Like believe what you want, but this man is just constantly putting his foot in his mouth. Just end it at "not my call".   kodax_shc Member Oct 27, 2017 7,401 Southern California In 1991, the cost of living was also not insane like it is today. At $80 this game is DoA.  Bardeh Member Jun 15, 2018 3,838 Damn. Guess I'm not a real fan, sorry Randy   gary! Member Jan 17, 2024 220 Will be discounted fast   CognitiveAtrophy Member Oct 27, 2017 2,520 Or just wait a month and get it for half of that. Plus the patches it will inevitably need. There's absolutely no benefit to buying games day one.  ElectricBlanketFire What year is this? Member Oct 25, 2017 34,681 Real fans have money.   SunBroDave "This guy are sick" Member Oct 25, 2017 15,112 You really have to almost admire his unearned confidence, where the hell does he get all that from and how do I get a piece of it   Kyrios Member Oct 27, 2017 19,035 PlanetSmasher said: Even if he is technically right (I saved up my allowance for the SNES JRPGs I wanted to play in the 90s) it's really not something you come out and say. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah I came in thinking he was going to say some stupid shit as usual but it really is just him saying the quiet part out loud. Still a dumb thing to say publicly, but yeah.  Arsene no Kiseki Member Oct 25, 2017 5,623 Canada Yeah I'm going to wait until its in a bundle, BL3 and Tiny Tina tanked in price fast.   FizzMino Shinra Employee Member Sep 15, 2022 5,004 Colorado, USA I mean it probably isn't his call. And what do you want him to say? "Yeah $80 sucks don't buy the game my team just spent 5 years making"?  Nemesis121 Member Nov 3, 2017 16,364 Not a real fan ain't paying $80 for a game..   julia crawford Took the red AND the blue pills Member Oct 27, 2017 40,550 this man really is talking about boots and straps   VilleEricson Member Oct 27, 2017 301 Sweden Randys comments makes me think of: "We have a console thats offline, it's called the Xbox 360" Or whatver that stupid idiot said. Same vibe. And I don't like it.  akilshohen Member Dec 8, 2017 1,439 With how borderlands 3 crashed my Xbox to reset, I think not.   Dust C H A O S Member Oct 25, 2017 41,028 He is right in that diehards will pay for sure anything.   Reedirect Member Oct 27, 2017 2,410 He always finds a way to say something dumb.   thankyoumerzbow Prophet of Truth Member Dec 8, 2020 12,202 having 70 trillion guns is really a steal for 80$   Diogo Arez One Winged Slayer Member Oct 20, 2020 20,319 ElectricBlanketFire said: Real fans have money. Click to expand... Click to shrink... At this point the gaming industry might as well forbid you from playing videogames if you aren't a CEO of a company swimming in money   Ouroboros Member Oct 27, 2017 16,117 That big "there's an xbox for you, its called the 360" energy.   ClickyCal' Member Oct 25, 2017 65,438 FizzMino said: I mean it probably isn't his call. And what do you want him to say? "Yeah $80 sucks don't buy the game my team just spent 5 years making"? Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's alienating people that may indeed be long time fans of the series, but can't afford to fork over $80 to Pitchfork.   Xando Member Oct 28, 2017 37,627 Can't wait to hear all these guys whine about how their games didn't meet expectations   SilverX Member Jan 21, 2018 15,762 $80 game and probably $50 seasons lol. Fuck off Gearbox   JakeNoseIt Catch My Drift Verified Oct 27, 2017 4,751 imagine being this addicted to own goaling yourself   maze001 Member Sep 18, 2024 644 He's right but it sounds obnoxious to say that out loud lmao. Borderlands is a series whose games are always packed with content and post-launch support so it's not like these guys are trying to sell you a 15 hour game that you'll play once and then never touch again. For games like this the value proposition is still high even at $80   Beelzebufo Member Jun 1, 2022 5,860 Canada Do Borderlands fans wake up and think "no, I can't play BL4 today"? No, they get up and make it happen!   Rosebud Two Pieces Member Apr 16, 2018 51,186 lmao, I'll wait for Humble Bundle   OP OP Jawmuncher Crisis Dino Moderator Oct 25, 2017 44,816 Ibis Island kodax_shc said: In 1991, the cost of living was also not insane like it is today. At $80 this game is DoA. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Always find it funny how that element is just ignored a lot of the time. Games used to cost $80-$100! Ignoring the fact that having a roof over your head was vastly cheaper to acquire among other things.  Gavalanche Prophet of Regret Member Oct 21, 2021 25,858 Yes, my way of making it happen is wait for a sale. There are so many games coming out, and most of tem aren't $80. For that price, I can probably buy three indies that I want. So I am patient, I will wait.  Philippo Developer Verified Oct 28, 2017 8,824 Typical Randy L. What a fucking asshole of an answer, god.  HououinKyouma The Wise Ones Member Oct 27, 2017 9,097 Am I going crazy or are gamers kinda willing this shit into existence? All these "can't wait to pay $100 for GTA6" posts are so bizarre and are becoming more and more frequent. (This is the closest I'll come to a gaming conspiracy theory lol) (Oh and this also doesn't excuse companies from milking their customers dry)  barjed Project Lead Verified Aug 31, 2018 1,802 You can't make this shit up, lol   Pancakes R Us Member Oct 27, 2017 9,280 Hah, get a second job, lads. Also, this is one of those games that'll get a discount so hold out to avoid paying the higher price if you feel 80 is too much. 

Inky blacks and smooth QD-OLED gaming performance for $649.

Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?Last week I was reading one of my favorite design newsletters, Cathy and Garrett of The Grit And Polish, a pair of old-home renovators in Washington state. Cathy was sharing about shopping for window treatments, specifically the designer-beloved Chik blinds, for a rental renovation project. When the estimated price for the blinds didn’t come in at budget, instead of giving up, Cathy employed what she’s coined, “The 90% Rule.” I’ll let her explain:“Garrett and I have found that getting from 90% to 100%, design-wise, can be very expensive,” says Cathy. “And more often than not, we’re just as satisfied with the lower cost option.”Cathy ended up sourcing bamboo rollup blinds that, while not an exact match to the Chik blinds, are close enough to get the desired look without significantly breaking the budget. Cathy admits that, like all of us, she occasionally splurges, but “most of the time 90% feels like the right compromise between good design and reasonable budget.” Armed with a new catch phrase, I spent the weekend thinking of all the times I’m thankful to have settled on a “pretty good is good enough” way of thinking.In the Living RoomEllen GodfreyThe living room of my 1914 Craftsman is bright and cheerful with coffered ceilings and an original coal-burning fireplace with an inky green tile surround. I knew I wanted to do something to highlight the green tile, so when my friend and designer, Ellen Godfrey introduced me to Trustworth’s “Hydrangea” wallpaper it was love at first sight. It’s a whimsical, floral pattern that has similar green tones to my tile paired with muted yellows and dusty pinks. But without the budget to afford a full-room wallpaper install, I opted to apply the 90% rule and only wallpaper the fireplace bump out instead. I saved thousands of dollars on both the wallpaper and the installation fees, and, thanks to the room being mostly windows and door, I got 90% of the way to the look I was after. Seven years later and I’m still so glad I didn’t wait until I could afford to wallpaper the entire room. For More on Wallpaper:In the KitchenBecky-Luigart StaynerBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingThe vision for my British-inspired kitchen renovation was always yellow, so nailing the perfect shade of warm sunshine was mission critical. Once my husband and I completed extensive swatch testing, lost a few nights of sleep, and polled a dozen of our most design-savvy friends it felt like a worthy splurge to go with our winner, Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball instead of color-matching the yellow hue with a more affordable paint brand. However, another element on the vision board was a breakfast nook for our family of four to have a space to enjoy more casual meals and snacks together. With a tiny kitchen footprint that left no room for a built-in banquet and a budget that couldn’t handle more custom cabinetry, we once again decided to get 90% of the way there, opting for an antique pedestal table and a freestanding scalloped banquette-style bench upholstered in performance fabric. Again, we saved thousands of dollars in construction costs, and, in the end, got 90% of the way there in both form and function. For More on Kitchens & Breakfast Nooks:In the Kid’s RoomMaribeth Jones for Country LivingWhen our daughter Ruby was born we had to get serious about light control in the guest room that was getting twirled up into her nursery. The room has SEVEN windows. Seven! I think it was a sleeping porch in a past life, but I digress. I really wanted motorized linen shades from The Shade Store, like I’d seen in the beautiful Connecticut farmhouse of Debbie Propst. But with the aforementioned seven windows, they just weren’t in the budget. Once again, we employed the 90% rule and went with a more affordable line of motorized shades in a creamy linen that allowed us to get both the light filtering and ease we needed, while not sacrificing too much on the look we were after. If you squint they aaaalmost look like the luxe version from my original inspiration. For More On Window Treatments:So, whether you’re looking to do a full renovation or some minor decor swaps, let the 90% rule be your North Star. Cheers to good enough! Maribeth B JonesDesign DirectorMaribeth B Jones is the Design Director of Country Living where she creates seasonal content full of warmth and playfulness. When she’s not wrangling chickens for a cover shoot you can find her collecting vintage oil portraits or flipping pancakes in her sunny, yellow kitchen with her two chatty daughters.

Rocketz Prophet of Truth Member Oct 25, 2017 8,604 Metro Detroit Ubisoft has release a gameplay showcase of what to expect in Anno 117: Pax Romana. Get a chance to see the new roads and land armies. Release still set for 2025. Looks like content creators have videos and impressions as well if you choose to seek them out. View: https://youtu.be/GBXNl88yeW4?si=dR8qywUrXnks3ver  Firebricks Member Jan 27, 2018 2,438 This is my most anticipated game of the year, and it looks great.   PapaJustify Member Nov 3, 2017 1,318 Germany Incredible. It's all I wanted and more. I cannot wait.   OP OP Rocketz Prophet of Truth Member Oct 25, 2017 8,604 Metro Detroit Saw as well you get a choice now of what food you want to start your first group of citizens with.   MacReady Member Jan 21, 2024 476 Looks really good.   MacheteSquadSteve Member Jan 6, 2025 276 Going to spend a lot of time with this. As gorgeous as Manor Lords is, I'm looking forward to a more pleasant climate to build in.   strudelkuchen Member Oct 25, 2017 13,387 Looks good. Anno 1800 is the best one since 1404, I have high hopes!   ProdigyZA Member Jun 9, 2024 1,491 Looking great.   Nacho Papi Member Oct 27, 2017 3,270 Looks gorgeous!   Squirrel09 Member Nov 4, 2017 1,909 What's the combat like in these games? My impression was that they were themed city builders, are they more like RTS with a city building focus?   cabelhigh Member Nov 2, 2017 1,917 Visually looks good, but just that trailer gameplay wise looks a LOT like 1800...seems like the streams have more unique gameplay tho, but I dont have the time to watch them   Shahadan Member Oct 27, 2017 5,565 So apparently you can choose which foods to supply to houses? wow Not sure I like stuff being locked behind a tech tree however  Majora's Mask Member Oct 26, 2017 2,028 Will watch when I get home, but really hope M+KB is implemented on consoles.   attic Member Jun 28, 2024 383 wow so this is by far the earliest setting in the series so far, that's so cool. antiquity-heads are eating good   Xando Member Oct 28, 2017 37,600 There is a lot of footage out there. Seems like some german influencers got a lot of time with it   Potterson Member Oct 28, 2017 7,227 Looking at influencers' videos, it looks like Anno 1800 (chains of production, how you handle citizens and their needs etc, missions) with small changes. And... It's great. 1800 is amazing.  FliX Master of the Reality Stone Moderator Oct 25, 2017 10,928 Metro Detroit Awww yiss, been waiting for this!   Anno Member Oct 25, 2017 7,876 Columbus, Ohio idk that I need ground combat to return. But otherwise it looks amazing, unsurprisingly.   GTAce Member Oct 27, 2017 4,601 Bonn, Germany Anno 1800 with a (for me) entirely uninteresting setting. Love 1800, but I hoped for a game with a generally bigger scope, maybe even multiple eras.   FliX Master of the Reality Stone Moderator Oct 25, 2017 10,928 Metro Detroit Squirrel09 said: What's the combat like in these games? My impression was that they were themed city builders, are they more like RTS with a city building focus? Click to expand... Click to shrink... The focus has historically been on production chains and trade. But looks like more combat options in this one than in 1800.  Bucca Member Oct 25, 2017 5,506 Beautiful   strudelkuchen Member Oct 25, 2017 13,387 monketron Member Oct 27, 2017 4,112 Hype levels at max. Cannot wait for this and also to see where they go with the DLC over the years. Shame we don't have a proper release date yet.   MegaSackman Member Oct 27, 2017 20,674 Argentina Only watched the trailer which didn't say much but I'll watch the rest later. Regardless, this is a day one for me. Thank god it's coming on consoles day one.   Shairi Member Aug 27, 2018 10,175 Oh damn, this looks sooo good. I'm so excited.   Splinky Member Jul 12, 2023 133 It makes sense to go straight to the Romans, those guys were way ahead of the curve in their love of grid layouts.   shoal Member Dec 27, 2020 753 Wow, I loved 1404 and didn't know this was coming out!   Genesius Member Nov 2, 2018 20,542 I'm excited for this but also a bit intimidated, especially since I'd be on console for this. I wonder if you'll be limited to Roman gods or if they would do something like incorporate early Christianity.  mavericktopgun Member Oct 27, 2017 5,435 Do we know if this comes to Switch 2? Mouse mode is perfect for this   strudelkuchen Member Oct 25, 2017 13,387 Genesius said: I'm excited for this but also a bit intimidated, especially since I'd be on console for this. I wonder if you'll be limited to Roman gods or if they would do something like incorporate early Christianity. Click to expand... Click to shrink... You are not limited to Roman gods.   Lightsong Member Nov 11, 2022 9,385 I'm so glad we went back so far in history. I loved 1800 but something even more modern is just not working well for this franchise.   Sec0nd The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 6,952 Looks nice. Anno 1800 was so wonderful and I've spent ridiculous amounts of hours in that game last summer. Don't feel like I'm ready for another Anno game yet, but I'll keep my eyes open for this one for sure.  FliX Master of the Reality Stone Moderator Oct 25, 2017 10,928 Metro Detroit Genesius said: I'm excited for this but also a bit intimidated, especially since I'd be on console for this. wonder if you'll be limited to Roman gods or if they would do something like incorporate early Christianity. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The console version of 1800 is wonderfully realised. Plays great with a controller.   SofNascimento cursed Member Oct 28, 2017 24,883 São Paulo - Brazil Give me all Roman games.   Lightsong Member Nov 11, 2022 9,385 My favourite Anno is still 1602, that had land combat too (controlled terribly, lol), so I'm totally on board with this.   Morten88 Member Dec 22, 2019 2,391 This looks really fucking good   Dmax3901 Member Oct 25, 2017 8,554 Looks so good, the tease of Romanising other provinces sounds super interesting, I wonder how extensive that will be. Would certainly be a good avenue for Season Passes to go down.   Smokey_Run The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 5,077 Can't wait to play it. It looks great. Hopefully a date gets announced soon.   MegaSackman Member Oct 27, 2017 20,674 Argentina I watched the IGN preview with distractions and didn't find anything truly different from 1800 outside of minor stuff. Not that it matters to me, 1800 was my first full Anno game (I played a FTP one a long time ago) and I'm ready for a new one, doesn't matter to me if it's more of the same.   FliX Master of the Reality Stone Moderator Oct 25, 2017 10,928 Metro Detroit Honestly 1800 is like the perfect game for me. More of the same is good in my book.   Aangster Member Oct 27, 2017 3,016 Looking forward to this, the universal UI being the console version of 1800 is my main concern though, because I don't think it'll work well for PC players and could end up being a bit of a disaster like Civ 7's.   Dmax3901 Member Oct 25, 2017 8,554 What do we think the chances are for this to get pushed to 2026?   Tmespe Member Oct 27, 2017 3,758 Dmax3901 said: What do we think the chances are for this to get pushed to 2026? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Medium since we don't have a release date yet. Then again the press preview is looking quite polished already.   Lucreto Member Oct 25, 2017 7,273 Dmax3901 said: What do we think the chances are for this to get pushed to 2026? Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's possible but they are still saying 2025, so it's still there target. There is a developer commentary livestream Wednesday so they might mention a date there.  finaljedi Member Jul 15, 2018 629 Cincinnati, OH I wonder when they run out of titles that add up to 9.   eonden Member Oct 25, 2017 17,557 That looks class.  

Akiba756 Member Oct 1, 2020 1,600 Sao Paolo, Brazil So, there was a dumb controversy a few months ago, when E33 unveiled its MSRP of 50 dollars, some were wondering if there was a "catch" (the game is super short, unpolished, etc.) to the point that it's developer had to came foward to clarify things (which goes to show how cynical everyone is now). Expedition 33 Dev Confirms $50 Price Is Correct, '30+ Hours of Main Game' Wants as many people as possible to play RPG www.pushsquare.com So obviously, we now know that there is no catch, the game is a serious goty contender, but that had me curious, had the game been sold for 60 or even 70 bucks, do you think it would have achieved the same financial success? Obviously, less people would've bought it at launch, but considering the latest sales figure, 2 million, had it been sold at 70 bucks, it would need to sell roughly 1,43 million units to result in the same revenue, could it have reached that?  Last edited: Today at 9:02 PM Pikagreg Member Feb 5, 2018 513 I think the cheaper price definitely helped a lot of people but I think the game is worth full price a lot more than a lot of other things I end up buying.   DontHateTheBacon Unshakable Resolve Member Oct 27, 2017 14,472 Short answer: critically it would still be hugely successful and commercially, less successful but still a huge success.   808s & Villainy Member Oct 27, 2017 46,629 Of course anew IP from an unknown first time indie studio wouldn't do as well at $70 as it did at $50...   colorboy Member Apr 5, 2025 169 If by "successful" you mean "units sold" then no.   PlanetSmasher The Abominable Showman Member Oct 25, 2017 132,763 No. Absolutely not. I think it still would've wound up in the zeitgeist but it would not have sold nearly as many copies.  Stone Ocean Member Oct 25, 2017 3,354 For me the price made it go from keeping an eye on it to an instant impulse purchase so I'd go with "no"   Khanimus Avenger Oct 25, 2017 46,440 Greater Vancouver It still would've sold, but obviously not as many as it has so far.   R3ndezvous Member Dec 17, 2024 1,338 As quick? No I don't think so. The price and word of mouth regarding the game being amazing, just made it a easy instant buy with that price being the threshold Moreover, I got the game for less than €44.95 at launch and the "gamble" paid off :)  cursed knowledge Member Mar 15, 2019 3,594 Brazil hell nah dawg the cheaper you go the more units you sell  Dyno AVALANCHE The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 16,779 I mean, I probably wouldn't have bitten at that price since I had other options then too, but that said I also think there's some, I guess shortcomings compared to AAA, where I'd have been much more critical if it was full priced. The level design for one doesn't feel up to AAA standards even at the lower end. It would still be successful is my guess but I also don't think it quite holds up for AAA pricing in some areas if it were to have launched at it.  Vincent Grayson Member Oct 27, 2017 7,356 Mount Airy, MD I got far more than 30 hours out of it, and wouldn't have balked at paying "full" price. But I think it's a given that at a higher price fewer people would check out a new title from a new developer. Perhaps moreso with it also being on Game Pass. I often wonder how much the game's price factors into the GP effect. Like, if I try something I wouldn't have bought otherwise and like it, I might buy it to support the developer further. That's *far* less likely with a game that's $70, simply on a practical level.  Xando Member Oct 28, 2017 37,600 No but probably would still have sold somewhat decent based on reviews   Mobius and Pet Octopus Member Oct 25, 2017 16,771 The game is definitely worth 70 or more, so people who bought it basically got a really good deal. Obviously value is subjective, and I'm not commenting on the hypothetical, but I wouldn't be complaining if I bought the game for 70 or even 80 because it's that special.   AAION Member Dec 28, 2018 2,006 I would have waited at $70   jitteryzeitgeist Member May 26, 2023 9,115 A quiet place I think it would've had less initial sales, but relatively the same given enough time. What really helped Sandfall was the sprint to 2 million, though. That's huge.  kami_sama Member Oct 26, 2017 7,543 I bought it the day reviews hit because it was cheap. Even if it's a great game, were it more expensive I'd have waited.  UraMallas Member Nov 1, 2017 24,425 United States Absolutely yes.   Geode Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 5,476 Nope.   Lord Vatek Avenger Jan 18, 2018 24,722 Still successful but definitely not as much, nope.   Mekanos ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 17, 2018 48,536 I think $50 was impulse buy territory with the strong WOM. $70 I'm not sure. Only the studio could probably tell you the ROI.   Z-Brownie Member Nov 6, 2017 4,347 it sold quite well but i think the word of mouth and the reveals would make it sucessful anyway.   Shryke Member Oct 26, 2017 3,350 Hell no. I got it at $40. Easy choice right there. If it was higher, I'd wait for a long while. I'm sure others would too.   NotLiquid One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 37,848 Eventually. Probably. Hard to tell from my own perspective because despite people gassing up that it launched at an economical price, I already didn't buy it at $50.  Linus815 Member Oct 29, 2017 24,084 obviously not lower price = more impulse buys, lower barrier of entry  -orion- Member Oct 27, 2017 132 Anecdotally, I wouldn't buy before a sale if it was $70... so I think the price maybe plays a small part in the success  Yerffej Prophet of Regret Member Oct 25, 2017 29,419 um no   Joule Member Nov 19, 2017 4,947 Yep, sales would've been nigh identical. This is the 2025 version of that *one* game that seems to catch that "wave" and blows up thanks to WoM, internet discussion, twitter, streamers and just the general cultural zeitgeist. Nothing was gonna stop this train from reaching 2(?) million sales [as of this post]. Incredibly lucky and seems to happen to 1-2 games per year. This one also happens to be well received by critics.   Desma "This guy are sick" Member Oct 27, 2017 6,754 I wouldn't had brought it, but I think it would   Rosebud Two Pieces Member Apr 16, 2018 51,162 Nope. In US it's "only" $20, but in my country for example Clair Obscur is half the price of Doom. Insane difference.  Nano-Nandy Member Mar 26, 2019 2,840 Game's really good, but there's no denying that the price helped.   ElFly Member Oct 27, 2017 3,736 no at full price people wouldn't have overlooked the many limitations and technical faults of the game  Renteka-Bond Chicken Chaser Member Dec 28, 2017 6,030 Clearwater, Florida No and anyone saying yes, I think, has not been paying attention. It is absolutely worth the $70 bucks. People will not buy it for $70 though AND people will judge it more harshly at $70 since a lot of the facets of the game that are adorably quaint in a cheaper 'indie' dark horse story would be reviled at a higher pricepoint. Edit: It's a large part of why the narrative of "Square / Big devs should just copy Clair, look at how this worked out!" is annoying, because people are seemingly either unaware or unable to admit the obvious generosity they're giving Clair here.  Dust C H A O S Member Oct 25, 2017 40,978 $50 is impulse price point, the WoM is absolutely insane so it's really easy to jump in.   RpgN Member Oct 25, 2017 1,796 The Netherlands Nope, I would have waited on the game with a deep sale. The price along with the word of mouth is what got me to play day one. Word of mouth would have not been enough alone.   Mason56 Member Feb 8, 2024 153 I mean in terms of pure numbers sold…no. Just about everything would be more successful it were cheaper   tucah Member Oct 25, 2017 1,501 AS successful? No. Still successful? Absolutely   HellofaMouse Member Oct 27, 2017 8,360 i sure wouldnt buy it week 1 as soon as the reviews were out   Raskol Member Sep 5, 2018 845 No. Its price was one of the main reasons I picked it up now instead of later.   Alek Games User Researcher Verified Oct 28, 2017 9,797 Higher priced items very obviously tend to sell less units. I don't think this is a sensible question. The question is, if the game was one of those higher priced titles, would it still have sold enough units to generate the same revenue, as it has at the lower price. And the answer is not one that anyone on this forum can give. Because we can't know. But, to try and answer this I think it's worth considering the appeal of the lower price tag the factors that consumers are considering when making a purchase. So, most consumers are inherently risk averse by default, so they'll avoid spending if they think there might be a risk that they won't have a good time. In relation to that there are a couple of components worth discussing. 1) It's a new IP. So this means that people aren't coming into it with strong expectations about the games quality. 2) It was received very well by critics and social media influencers. I think people are more guarded with new IPs but because it was received so well, that component that would encourage a risk aversive attitude towards the game, actually gets flipped. Suddenly, people are very excited to play a new IP that's good, because they haven't had that experience in some time. I think this also heightened excitement around the game on social media, allowing it to reach more people as influencers were keen to talk about this game that seemed to come out of nowhere. So, I think in this case, it would have been likely to perform well at a higher price point too. Obviously it would have sold fewer units as some players were literally priced out, but I suspect it would have seen similar revenue. Because they've built that relationship with players, I would probably expect a sequel to target a higher price point.  Brawly Likes to Brawl Member Oct 25, 2017 16,523 Ryohei Suzuki's bedroom No. It being in the impulse buy range on top of the WoM gave it crazy momentum. I fully expect the sequel to be $70 because now it's a known and highly regarded property.  Gestault Member Oct 26, 2017 14,681 I don't think we can ever really know, but speaking personally, I don't buy $70 games unless there's some major draw (which is almost never), so I definitely wouldn't have grabbed it during this launch window. I happily grabbed a hard copy after loving what I played through Game Pass.   Mekanos ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 17, 2018 48,536 NotLiquid said: Eventually. Probably. Hard to tell from my own perspective because despite people gassing up that it launched at an economical price, I already didn't buy it at $50. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I didn't either, but that was more a function of already having too many RPGs to play. If it hits $30 that's probably my impulse buy range.   OnionPowder Member Oct 25, 2017 10,838 Orlando, FL No way. I think the $50 price tag is a bigger factor than people realize. Especially right as Nintendo and Microsoft announce $80 games.   carlsojo Shinra Employee Member Oct 28, 2017 37,551 San Francisco I think word of mouth would have carried it to commercial success regardless of the price.   HolyJonte AVALANCHE Member Aug 31, 2023 1,290 From Stockholm but now living in Padova, Italy Nope. The game is fantastic but a very big part of the record breaking user score that made much of the hype is the goodwill behind it being a new developer, old ubisoft employees, small team and the price tag. With a full price title it would probably have been much less talk about it.   kowhite Member May 14, 2019 7,454 I don't know. I don't necessarily believe it couldn't have succeeded at that price. I mean they didn't price it at 50 bucks cause they knew it would be received this way.   Splinky Member Jul 12, 2023 133 Obviously it would sell fewer copies guys. The real question is if it would've ended up with more or less revenue overall I lean toward "no". And I think a lower price point + GP makes a lot of sense for a debut studio that wants to get their name out there.  JRedCX Member Nov 10, 2020 1,277 Yeah   Universal Acclaim Member Oct 5, 2024 2,292 Alek said: Higher priced items very obviously tend to sell less units. I don't think this is a sensible question. The question is, if the game was one of those higher priced titles, would it still have sold enough units to generate the same revenue, as it has at the lower price. And the answer is not one that anyone on this forum can give. Because we can't know. But, to try and answer this I think it's worth considering the appeal of the lower price tag the factors that consumers are considering when making a purchase. So, most consumers are inherently risk averse by default, so they'll avoid spending if they think there might be a risk that they won't have a good time. In relation to that there are a couple of components worth discussing. 1) It's a new IP. So this means that people aren't coming into it with strong expectations about the games quality. 2) It was received very well by critics and social media influencers. I think people are more guarded with new IPs but because it was received so well, that component that would encourage a risk aversive attitude towards the game, actually gets flipped. Suddenly, people are very excited to play a new IP that's good, because they haven't had that experience in some time. I think this also heightened excitement around the game on social media, allowing it to reach more people as influencers were keen to talk about this game that seemed to come out of nowhere. So, I think in this case, it would have been likely to perform well at a higher price point too. Obviously it would have sold fewer units as some players were literally priced out, but I suspect it would have seen similar revenue. Because they've built that relationship with players, I would probably expect a sequel to target a higher price point. Click to expand... Click to shrink... This is what I'm thinking. Maybe slightly lower revenue, but still very successful.  

Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse5.0 OutstandingBottom LineSilent buttons and an 8,000dpi sensor bring Logitech's flagship MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse just one or two clicks from perfection.Street Price365.0VSApple Magic Mouse (USB-C)3.0 GoodBottom LineThis 2024 update to Apple's Magic Mouse swaps the Lightning port for a USB-C one, but the rest of the design—including its most puzzling flaw—remains frozen in time.Street Price329.0 Design and Build QualityThe Apple Magic Mouse is one of the sleekest input devices you can buy. Its glossy, featureless shell evokes a futuristic feeling, a bit like magic, if you will. The aesthetic has more or less defined the mouse for the better part of a decade. While there have been minor changes over the years, like moving away from disposable batteries or—most recently—the switch to a USB-C port from the old Lightning connector, the mouse has looked largely the same since the Magic Mouse 2 was introduced in 2015. You even still charge its battery the same awkward way, by flipping it upside-down to access the USB-C port.(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)It’s a fairly small mouse, too. In my hands, it’s a little too small, and the slight bump at the center barely offers my hand any support. The distinctive body is well-suited for both right- and left-handed users, but the hyper-glossy exterior is prone to smudging (though it can be easily wiped away with a microfiber cloth). If you're buying the Magic Mouse by itself, you can choose from two colors (black and white), though additional options are available with the purchase of an iMac, including green, orange, pink, purple, and yellow. While the Logitech MX Master 3S's curvaceous shape is strictly for right-handers, the larger size offers more real estate for larger hands. While it's not expressly intended to be an ergonomic mouse, the MX Master 3S does offer supreme comfort. A slight wing on the mouse's left flank holds your thumb perfectly, while the soft ridges and smooth, rubber-like exterior feel good in your hands. The Logitech MX Master 3S comes in three color schemes: black, pale gray, and graphite.Both mice look good paired with any Mac. But while the Apple Magic Mouse is a gorgeous mouse, as far as comfort is concerned, there are few that can compete with the Logitech MX Master 3S.Winner: Logitech MX Master 3SFeatures and CustomizationThe Logitech MX Master 3S and Apple Magic Mouse each offer unique features that power users will enjoy. The Magic Mouse supports Apple's Multi-Touch gestures. In addition to traditional right and left clicks, you can perform certain other gestures by dragging your fingers across the mouse. For example, you can drag your finger down the center of the mouse to scroll, or swipe two fingers across the mouse to switch between apps. One thing to note: Apple says the latest Magic Mouse requires a Mac with macOS 15.1 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 18.1 or later. You can use the mouse with Bluetooth-enabled Macs running earlier OS versions, but functionality will be limited.(Credit: Molly Flores)The Logitech MX Master 3S, on the other hand, comes with additional buttons and a horizontal scroll wheel. The physical MagSpeed Electromagnetic scroll wheel is fast, precise, and nearly silent. A small button sits just under the scroll wheel and cycles between sensor resolution presets up to 8,000 dots per inch (DPI). The Magic Mouse does not have an adjustable sensor resolution, and Apple does not list its maximum DPI. Recommended by Our EditorsAs far as software is concerned, the MX Master 3S supports Logi Options+, Logitech’s free, proprietary software that offers tons of additional functionality. Logitech Flow allows you to seamlessly work between two Windows or macOS computers, and even transfer text, images, and files between them. Logitech Smart Actions is a macro builder designed to automate repetitive tasks, and the Logi AI Prompt Builder allows users to build prompts and queries for ChatGPT. The Apple Magic Mouse can’t do any of that, and is obviously only compatible with Apple devices, though it does have a few basic customizable options accessed via the macOS System Preferences app. Winner: Logitech MX Master 3SBattery Life and Wireless ConnectivityBattery life is another important factor in choosing a wireless mouse. The Logitech MX Master 3S offers 70 days of power on a full charge and gets three hours of use from a one-minute quick charge. The MX Master 3S also saves up to three Bluetooth connections, which can be swapped with a press of a button located underneath the mouse. Or, you can use the Logi Bolt USB dongle, which promises a drop-off-free connection up to 33 feet away. (Credit: Zackery Cuevas)The Apple Magic Mouse, on the other hand, offers “about a month or more” of power. It doesn't have a USB dongle, with Bluetooth as its sole connection option. You also can't charge it while you're using it (you know, because it needs to be upside-down to charge), while the MX Master 3S has a USB-C port for charging right at the front of the mouse.Winner: Logitech MX Master 3SPriceChances are, you want to get the most out of whatever money you've got leftover to spend on peripherals after buying a Mac, and if you're buying an iMac, you'll be tempted to not shell out any additional money at all, since your purchase already includes a mouse. In fact, neither the Apple nor the Logitech mouse is budget-friendly. The Logitech MX Master 3S originally retailed for $99 when we first reviewed it back in 2022. However, it has crept up in price since then, now retailing for $119. For that sum, you’ll get a USB-C charging cord (USB-A-to-C) and the Logitech Bolt USB receiver in addition to the mouse itself. (Credit: Molly Flores)The Apple Magic Mouse, on the other hand, retails for $79.99 and includes a USB-C (USB-C-to-C) charging cable—if you get the white mouse. For some reason, Apple charges an additional $20 for the black option. Apple products are typically expensive endeavors, but in this case, the Magic Mouse is actually the most economical option.Winner: Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C)

We may earn a commission from links on this page.The only thing I didn’t love about the Mammotion Luba robot lawn mower I tested last summer was its size. It’s a hulking four-wheel-drive robot and I live in the city, where we don’t have huge lawns. Enter the Luba Mini, a halved version of the Luba meant for smaller lawns (and tighter budgets). In fact, if you paid attention this spring, miniaturized versions of some of my favorite technology were everywhere. These mini-me versions seem to be driven, according to the companies themselves, by two market needs. While smart home tech is incredible in terms of functionality and independence, it often comes at a steep cost. But it’s not just price driving the shrinking of our tech; many companies realized was that many folks wanted the automation even when they didn’t have an acre of lawn to mow or a wall of windows to clean. Here’s how a few of my favorite pieces of technology have shrunk themselves to become more accessible and affordable.Mini lawn mowers Yuka full size on the left and mini on the right Credit: Amanda Blum Mammotion released mini models of both the Luba (AWD) and Yuka (2WD) robot mowers, and I’ve been testing them for the last month. In terms of size, they’re perfect for most suburban and urban lawns under ¼ acre and have almost the same functionality as the larger models. That's the point, according to Senior Product Manager David Cheng, who told me, "We weren’t just shrinking our existing models—we were filling a real gap in the market for homeowners seeking smart, perimeter wire-free lawn care that fits smaller outdoor spaces."Mammotion’s mowers require an RTK tower, which is a highly accurate GPS method that allows for triangulation between the mower, the tower and satellites. Using your phone as a remote control, you walk the robot around the perimeter of your lawn to set up zones, and create pathways between zones so the robot can navigate on its own. The minis have a new benefit, which is the ability for them to map spaces on their own, without you walking them around. If your yard has clear borders, I found it worked as well as mapping the area on your own.   The larger Yuka comes with a hopper for grass clippings, which you can teach to dump the clippings anywhere you like—the mini doesn’t have that option. Still, I didn’t find the hopper very usable on the large version, so no loss there.  I did find the minis had trouble, regardless of which version of mapping you used, getting to some edges of the yard. If there were overhanging shrubs casting a long shadow, the AI would interpret that as a no-go zone, avoiding it altogether. Still, that was the only degradation of features I found between the models. The mini has another benefit: It’s a lot less conspicuous parked at the dock, given the size. While you can install a 4g chip in your robot and set up notifications in case someone grabs it and goes, you just know where someone has absconded with it to.  The models use the same app, and the minis mowed as well as the original models. At a dramatically lower price point, this gives you an excuse to invest in a robot mower if the thing holding you back was how large or expensive they are. Mammotion Luba full size robot mower at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now at Amazon Mammotion Luba Mini robot lawn mower $1,999.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $1,999.00 at Amazon Mammotion Yuka mini robot lawn mower $999.00 at Amazon $1,098.00 Save $99.00 Shop Now Shop Now $999.00 at Amazon $1,098.00 Save $99.00 Mammotion Yuka 2000 robot lawn mower $2,448.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $2,448.00 at Amazon SEE 1 MORE   Smaller smart grills The original Brisk It Origin Credit: Amanda Blum Last summer I tested all the smart grills on the market, and my favorite was the Brisk It Origin. Through the fall, winter, and this spring, I have used it extensively because it turns smoking (a merciless task that involves a lot of overnight grill babysitting) into a flawless, hands-off experience. You tell the grill what you want to make, and AI kicks in to tell the grill how to make it, and it will notify you when it's time to flip things over or add a baste; when it's done, the grill turns itself off.You can, of course, edit the smoking program, create one on the fly, or just use the smoker manually as a grill. I went from someone who never rarely smoked on the grill to someone who does so once a week. On my recommendation, a BBQ devotee up the block added a Brisk It to their three-smoker lineup and revealed to me that it has become their favorite. Still, the original Brisk It clocks in just under $600 so I was excited to test the Zelos, a smaller, less expensive Brisk It with all the functionality of the Origin, albeit with less real estate. My experience isn't that unique, according to Christopher Huang, CEO at Brisk It. "Over 70% of U.S. adults say they want to cook more at home, but cite time and effort as their biggest barriers...and while more than half of home cooks express interest in smart kitchen tech, only 15% actually use it regularly." the mini has about 80% of the space of the original, seen here. I fit a whole rack of ribs plus a tray of chicken, but couldn't fit two racks of ribs. Credit: Amanda Blum Even as a highly enthusiastic home cook willing to put in the time, I cannot deny how much utility I get out of smart home automation in the kitchen. A smart grill is out of this world, since the notifications and temperature reporting of the grill and food means I don't have to stand over the grill. Brisk It even helps control the stall that barbecued meats often experience. Last month, I set up the Zelos (a thirty-minute affair) and invited neighbors over. I was worried about the smaller grill space (the Origin has 580 inches of grill space to the Zelos' 450 inches). While I could fit more racks of ribs on the Origin, the Zelos accommodated a full rack, plus a whole tray of chicken thighs, and I used the upper rack to smoke an array of vegetables. It didn't escape my attention that because the smaller grill uses less fuel (both are powered by pellets, although the control unit requires electricity), I'd be more likely to use it more often. Again, the app experience is the same on both models, and is highly functional and, dare I say, pretty fun. The AI the program uses is great for finding new recipes, a function I find underwhelming in practice on other products. At a reduced price, the Zelos makes an awfully appealing Father's Day gift, since it will also free up Dad from watching the grill all day. Brisk It Origin 940 Smart Smoker and Grill $849.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $849.99 at Amazon Brisk It Origin 580 Smart Smoker and Grill $549.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now Shop Now $549.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $50.00 Brisk It Zelos Smart Smoker and Grill $449.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $449.99 at Amazon SEE 0 MORE A smaller window-washing robot In full disclosure, the only reason I haven't tested a Winbot, the window washing robot, is that I simply don't have the window real estate. The Winbot is about 13 inches square, and works by suctioning itself to your window and then putting it through a four-step wash process. I know people with Winbots, and if you have large square or rectangular windows, particularly those where some portion of the window is out of reach, it seems worthwhile. If you've got arched windows, though, the Winbot struggles with shapes that don't match the design of the robot itself, which has 90-degree angles. The Winbot also isn't for curved glass. These may seem like a lot of limitations, but I spent the winter in Arizona looking at a lot of glass patio doors, patio rooms, and walls of dusty windows and thought, "Ah...this is what the Winbot is for." Except now, there's a Winbot Mini, with an 8.5-inch square footprint. At that size, almost all my windows are fair game, so I'm excited to try it out. That was the point, according to Michelle Jones, U.S. spokesperson for ECOVACS, who said, "We saw an opportunity to bring the power of our larger window-cleaning robots to homeowners in the U.S. who have smaller or segmented window panes and don’t need a fixed cleaning station."But Ecovacs also points to a more specific problem that a lot of smart tech products suffer from, in my opinion: By the time the company has worked out the tech, the solution is often overly complicated. Ecovacs recognized that, as well, and simplified the offering in the Winbot Mini. The Mini ditches the rubber bumpers of the larger model, but that means better edge-to-edge cleaning. The mini also gains more portability by not having a heavy station like the full size model. What the mini lost seems like a worthwhile tradeoff for the price: The large Winbot has twice as many cleaning programs and more safety features (12 to the Mini's 9), but in both cases, what the Mini has seems sufficient. Priced around $250, the WinBot Mini feels like a luxurious piece of tech within reach for most folks. [add to list https://www.amazon.com/ECOVACS-WINBOT-Window-Cleaning-Robot/dp/B0DR8W696Y] Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Omni $499.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $100.00 Shop Now Shop Now $499.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $100.00 Ecovacs Winbot Mini $199.99 at Amazon Learn More Learn More $199.99 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE The Shelfy Lite the original Shelfy Credit: Amanda Blum For the last six months, I've had a Shelfy installed in my fridge. A small, charegable device, the Shelfy uses a catalyst on a ceramic filter, activated by LED lights in the device to mimic chlorophyll photosynthesis. To simplify, it purifies the air in your fridge to remove ethylene gas that ripens vegetables, and it removes odors and prevents cross contamination.I can confirm that it works to make your fridge smell better, and while I can't confirm the additional twelve days of freshness in vegetables that Shelfy claims, it has definitely added some shelf life to my fruits and vegetables.In particular, I notice the change in fruit. I buy strawberries and blueberries with some regularity year round, so I know traditionally how long they'd last before starting to form mold (two to four days). As long as I have Shelfy charged, I can get a full week out of strawberries and ten days out of blueberries. That's a huge difference that creates savings in my food budget. The CEO of Shelfy, Paolo Ganis, put a number to the savings, explaining that "the average family throws away approximately $1,996 worth of food each year—money that could easily be saved with better food preservation." Vitesy Smart Refrigerator Device | Extends Food Freshness $149.99 at Walmart Learn More Learn More $149.99 at Walmart Shelfy isn't large or particularly expensive (it's just under $150) but Vitesy has just introduced a Kickstarter for the Shelfy Lite, which will only be $66 (the project is already funded). "Through a number of user surveys, we consistently heard that people loved the idea behind Shelfy but wanted a version that was more accessible: smaller, more affordable," Ganis said.The Lite adds multiple modes to the device, one for the general fridge, one for the crisper drawer and a power mode for when someone buys a particularly stinky cheese. The Lite improves on the battery charging and performance over the original model, and comes in some additional accent colors, if you care about that sort of thing. The Lite is only marginally smaller than the original Shelfy, but at less than half the price, that seems immaterial.What I've enjoyed about the Shelfy is that there are no filters to replace; you simply wash and wet the ceramic filter when you recharge the device every few weeks. If you don't recharge it, there are no annoying beeps or notifications—it's been a quiet helper.A smart home hub for lessSometimes even I forget there are smart home hubs outside of Samsung, Amazon, Apple, and Google. But Homey, a hub that keeps all your connections local, has gained traction over the last few years since its introduction. Homey has a specific focus on automation through its "Flow" platform, which is a version of routines or automatons in any other platform. Homey fans claim Flow has far more flexibility, and although I've never found Alexa or Google Home difficult, Homey is noted for its appeal to beginner smart home fans. Still, at just under $400, the Homey Pro hub was an expensive way to dive into smart home tech, compared to other platforms. Jasper Foppele, head of marketing at Homey, was transparent about their strategy, explaining that their usage data and feedback made clear they had to rethink their offering. Instead of trying to offer everything (the Homey Pro supports 60 apps), the Homey product team chose the core technology they saw being used in the U.S. market (Matter, Thread, Zigbee) and winnowed the app coverage to the most common 25. "This approach allowed us to significantly reduce cost and complexity," Foppele said, "a privacy-first, locally running smart home hub priced at $199."The Homey Pro Mini still prioritizes local first connection, including backups, but it has an option for cloud backup. The Mini is on pre-order and will ship sometime this month.