Check out this Best Buy Black Friday Doorbuster deal that just went live this week. Right now you can pick up a CyberPowerPC Gaming PC equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU and GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU for just $1,799.99 shipped after a $380 instant discount. This is a gorgeous gaming PC that can run even the latest games smoothly in 4K .

CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme RTX 5070 Ti PC for $1,799.99

While it's true that you can currently watch the new Superman movie on HBO Max at your leisure, there's no guarantee it will be available to stream forever. And more importantly, unless you have the most expensive HBO Max subscription available, you won't be able to stream it in 4K at all. Which is probably why Warner Bros. has made sure the 4K tier isn't included with the Disney, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle. Fortunately, the physical media route is always available!

If you loved Superman and want to grab the film for your own collection or as a gift, now's a great time to buy it. Amazon has recently dropped the price of both the 4K and Blu-ray versions of the film to a new low price ahead of Black Friday.

Superman 4K and Blu-ray Movie Deal

The Secretlab Early Black Friday Sale has officially commenced starting today. Save up to $100 off Secretlab's popular gaming chairs including its flagship Titan Evo Nanogen chair, up to $249 off its gaming desks, and up to 37% off accessories like the Titan Evo recliner add-on. In addition to the instant discounts, you can get extra tiered savings by hitting a certain order amount for each type of purchase. These should be stackable with the instant discounts.

• Extra $40 off Chair orders of $850 or more
• Extra $50 off Desk orders of $1,489 or more
• $100 off all orders of $1,999 or more

It's no secret that we love our Secretlab gaming chairs. Three of the eight 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.

TL;DR - The Best Secretlab Black Friday Deals

You 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 Evo Nanogen Edition

Secretlab Titan Evo

Secretlab Titan Evo Lite

Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-On

Secretlab Magnus and Magnus Pro

Fancy yourself a pair of high-end noise canceling headphones at a low-end price? Amazon Resale has "Like New" units of the Sonos Ace wireless noise canceling headphones in stock for $204.58. There's an automatic 15% off discount applied at checkout that drops the price to just $173.89 shipped. A new pair normally retails for $399.

Amazon Resale (formerly Amazon Warehouse) is Amazon's official account for used goods. The products are sorted by condition, with "Like New" being the best. There's a good chance these items haven't been used at all and were returns from customers who have changed their minds, or simply products with blemished packaging. All Amazon Resale items also get the same 30-day return policy as any other Amazon purchase. Most "Like New" items still have a majority of its original manufacturer's warranty remaining (and sometimes the full warranty if the item was never sold).

"Like New" Sonos Ace Noise Canceling Headphones for $174

Extra 15% off during checkout

There are a lot of different jigsaw puzzle brands out there, but one of my overall favorites is The Magic Puzzle Company. What really makes them stand out is how unique their approach to puzzling is. Each piece is odd and interesting, and the puzzles themselves feature a secret ending you can only uncover once you've fully completed it. True to its name, these puzzles feel like a mix of magic and puzzling as you're making your way through them. Although they usually cost $25 each, Amazon is currently running a buy 1, get 1 50% off sale that includes quite a few of them. If you've been looking for a good gift to buy the puzzle fanatic in your life, I'd definitely recommend checking these out while the sale lasts.

Magic Puzzle Company Sale at Amazon (Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off)

Each of the Magic Puzzle Company puzzles is 1,000 pieces and features artwork from different artists around the world. There are hidden Easter eggs in every puzzle and the secret endings are all unique and interesting. There have been 13 Magic Puzzle Company puzzles released across five different series so far, but only eight of them are part of Amazon's early Black Friday promotion. Series One and Series Two are underrepresented here, but many of the newer releases are eligible for the discount.

Most notably, the only Series Five puzzle that's been released so far is included in this sale. The Drippy Trip came out back in early August and features some interesting ties to the animated series Adventure Time. I haven't had the chance to put this one together myself, but as a fan of that show I can't help but admire the resemblance to Adventure Time artwork I've grown to love.

Should you wait for Amazon's Black Friday sale?

In case you aren't keeping up with Black Friday sale dates as closely as I am, it's worth noting that the Amazon Black Friday sale actually starts on Thursday this week. While I do recommend taking advantage of this discount right now, there's no guarantee that there won't be a better deal once that sale actually kicks off. I'd expect at least some of the Magic Puzzle Company puzzles to get discounted during Black Friday, but we won't know which ones until Thursday (or next week even).

With that in mind, this sale is definitely worth checking out if you're looking to buy more than one puzzle at once. You may be able to find a lower price on some of these next week, but the extra 50% off now isn't likely to last forever. Amazon launched a similar sale on books last week that has already ended, so it's probable this week's promotion will expire before we even get to Black Friday as well. You may want to check out some of the board games included in these early Black Friday deals while you're at it.

Amazon Resale is offering some excellent Black Friday deals on "Like New" Apple iPad Pro 11" and 13" tablets with the M4 chip and gorgeous tandem OLED display. You can get select models with upgraded 512GB storage and 5G cellular connectivity for less than the price of a base model iPad Pro thanks to an extra 15% discount that's automatically applied during checkout. You better hurry, though, because there are a very few number of units available and they'll likely be gone before Amazon's official Black Friday sale launches later this week.

Amazon Resale (formerly Amazon Warehouse) is Amazon's official account for used goods. The products are sorted by condition, with "Like New" being the best. There's a good chance these items haven't been used at all and are returns from customers who have changed their minds or simply products with blemished packaging. All Amazon Resale items also get the same 30-day return policy as any other Amazon purchase. Most "Like New" items still have a majority of its original manufacturer's warranty remaining (and sometimes the full warranty if the item was never sold).

"Like New" Apple iPad Pro M4 Tablets on Sale

Spoiler note: This review avoids any of the specific twists and turns of the story, but it does mention some unlockables and characters in case you want to go in totally fresh.

I spent the last week embodying Wade Wilson in Marvel's Deadpool VR, slicing and shooting my way through Mojo's twisted interdimensional reality show, and I can confidently say the fast-paced parkour combat on offer here is nothing short of a blast. This is the first Deadpool VR game, built exclusively for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, and it's way more comprehensive than I expected from what could have easily been a shallow licensed tie-in. It didn’t get old to see Deadpool's head roll off his shoulders (my shoulders) mid-battle or watch my severed arms flop around on the ground to the backdrop of a comedic one-liner delivered by Lady Deathstrike. This is a relentlessly witty, often fourth-wall-breaking, and highly replayable single-player campaign that stands out as the best superhero VR game on Meta’s marketplace since 2024’s Batman: Arkham Shadow.

Whether you're a Deadpool fan looking to step into the Merc with a Mouth's shoes or just here for a good old-fashioned VR shooter with tons of secrets and a good sense of humor, Deadpool VR is surprisingly complete. The campaign took me roughly 10 hours to finish, but there are secret levels to find and alternate Deadpool variants like Lady Deadpool and the Deadpool Kid to unlock, each with unique dialogue and Easter eggs that could easily push playtime much further.

Portaled out of existence by Mojo with the promise of making money – like, a lot of money – Deadpool sets out to capture villains from the Marvel Universe for the tyrant's interdimensional streaming service. This story's premise is delightfully silly and simple, played entirely off the cuff, and each villain's domain is ripe for themed cherry-picking. The ninja school level, for instance, is packed with weeb gamer humor and anime references, while Omega Red’s stronghold is full of "in Soviet Russia, game beats you" type jokes. Each area feels as much like an arena for combat with uniquely themed enemies as it does a playground for Deadpool to poke fun at the player, the game industry, virtual reality, and whatever tropes the respective zone represents. None of these areas overstay their welcome, as you'll typically clear a zone in about an hour, and the campaign's roughly 10-hour runtime strikes a good balance between feeling substantial and staying fresh.

The reality show framing isn't just window dressing, either. Each battle ends with a ranked score and Mojo bucks reward based on your performance, while your "viewer count" (basically experience points) ticks upward as comments roll in on the right side of the display that match how well you did. These segments are often hilarious because of how wild the comments are, genuinely making me feel like I was livestreaming to a chaotic Gen Z audience watching Deadpool massacre his way through the Marvel Universe.

The combat itself is immediately arcadey rather than going for deep VR immersion territory like Half-Life: Alyx – which, at one point, Deadpool VR gleefully mocks itself for not doing, in a very Deadpool-like manner – but for what it sets out to do, it feels way more thought through than most VR action games. The very first mission hands you dual pistols and katanas, and shows you a nice big group of enemies to experiment on. That's what Deadpool VR is all about: kinetic movement through dynamic environments, creative kills, and irreverent goofs. This implementation really does capture what makes the character work. You can wall run, double jump, grapple across arenas, strafe around opponents, or divekick into clusters of enemies, and it all feels great without ever getting too easy or unbalanced.

Plus, Deadpool can lose arms mid-combat, or even his head or legs during key story moments, creating surprisingly interesting segments where you're fighting with one arm while waiting for the other to regenerate, or remotely controlling your body from your severed head's perspective. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it in VR, and it creates a layer of dynamism that Deadpool VR regularly riffs on in low-brow fashion, including a memorable segment where – after losing the lower half of my body – I had to race a recurring antagonist up an obstacle course with nothing but a grappling gun.

Deadpool VR's combat system has a satisfying rhythm where you have to time things right if you want to score the slickest kills. It’s enabled by wall-running, powersliding, and dive-kicking, which all feel really good in VR because the arenas are built with plenty of open space to get creative with your maneuvers. You can use your katana to disable an enemy up close, dive-kick into them to push them away, pull out your pistols to finish the next guy off, grab an assault rifle from a nearby locker to blast the big baddy coming down the lane, throw that rifle at him to instantly reload it and refill the ammo meter, then wall-run, dash, and powerslide around to get the next target. It's super kinetic and satisfying, made even better by the grappling gun and plenty of grapple points scattered around most arenas.

There are always a few other tactical considerations at play too, adding layers of variety to the carnage. For example, blocking too many attacks can make your swords break, and your wrist grenades take a few seconds to refill between uses. At least your dual pistols are quick to reload and never run out of ammo, though they're kind of weak on their own. The real fun comes from grabbing superior weapons off enemies, like assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs, grenade launchers, missile launchers, or even melee weapons like flaming swords, shock batons, and in one memorable instance, a chainsaw-bladed axe. All of them feel excellent to use and are so much fun to mix into your arsenal as you rip and tear across each arena.

Additionally, it's awesome that you can buy new dual pistols and katanas with your Mojo bucks between levels in the hub area, including useful variations like basic shotguns or "Penetrator" pistols equipped with laser sights. Upgraded katanas include really fun ones that extend when you slash or spin back to you like a boomerang when you throw them. In total, there are about eight pistols, eight wrist-mounted grenade types, and eight katanas to mix and match between. No upgrade is too expensive or too difficult to earn, and the differences between each are significant enough to make playstyle customization feel robust.

When you fill up your Big Money Time meter, you can press the X button on the left controller to activate it, which puts an incredibly powerful weapon in your hands for a short period of time, increasing your Mojo dollar yield after a battle if you activate it. For most of the campaign, I stuck to the default option – the exploding cards wielded by Gambit – but there are other purchasable Big Money Time abilities like Thor's Hammer and Star-Lord's Element Guns that add variety if you want to switch things up.

There’s a decent collection of enemy types to maneuver around, too, including the typical grunts that you’ll rip through like tissue paper, shield-carriers that need to be disarmed with a little more tact, and more powerful zone-unique enemies that you’ll typically want to pick off earlier in a battle before they can make things difficult. The gore is cartoonish but consistent and appropriate with Deadpool VR's humor and graphical style – think very detailed cartoon dismemberment and giblets rather than realistic splatter. Each zone also introduces unique weapons that fit its theme, keeping combat fresh throughout the campaign rather than letting it devolve into mindless repetition.

My only real problem with combat is that the boss battles feel way too choreographed. Time slows down, and you need to make specific moves in a row or else a cutscene will pull you out of VR entirely. That part is kind of jarring. Worse still, if you're executing one of those timed combat moves against a boss and you're not standing in the right spot, it can jar you entirely out and push you back to the Quest lobby until you reposition yourself. It's not clear why that happens, and it feels like a bug that needs patching.

Deadpool VR at least stays fun beyond the initial playthrough thanks to its alternate Deadpool variants and secret levels. When you replay zones as variants like Deadpool Kid or Lady Deadpool, the gameplay itself doesn't change, but the way each variant reacts is appropriately silly and adds new flavor to familiar encounters. Deadpool Kid brings a cowboy twang to all his lines and in-jokes, while Lady Deadpool constantly points out that NPCs still refer to her as "sir" because the developers didn't re-record those lines, even calling out their laziness as part of the joke in true meta fashion. Each level also contains hidden doors aligned to specific Deadpool variants, meaning when you return as the correct character, you'll unlock secret levels with unique challenges or puzzles that reward extra Mojo bucks and collectibles like comic books, music tracks, concept art, and weapon skins. It's a smart replayability hook that actually incentivizes multiple playthroughs rather than just padding out runtime.

Things like the multiple variants repeatedly contrast how seriously its characters (and Marvel Universe mythology as a whole) take themselves against the lewdness and unseriousness of Deadpool himself, shredding any pretense of urgency and making things go boom for s***s and giggles. The villain roster – pulling liberally from across the Marvel Universe with lesser-known fan favorites like Ultimo and Lady Deathstrike – helps enable a decent variety of levels, and the jokes are typically more three-dimensional than just playing off tropes. For instance, there’s a hilarious sequence where Deadpool bemoans having to fight Ultimo because VR game developers couldn’t afford to include Ultron. These are all well-performed and serve Deadpool as a character rather than forcing him to awkwardly traipse around trying to make sense of why the hell he's involving himself with all these random Marvel characters. It knows it's wacky and stupid, and that's just part of the joke.

My sole issue with how the story is presented is that it does make you sit through long cutscenes and dialogue sequences with no way to skip them, meaning you’ll have to experience an entire level again – exposition and all – if you just want to go back and unlock a secret level with a new character. This can drag down Deadpool VR’s pacing a bit, even when you’re going through and experiencing new(ish) dialogue with a new variant.

At least Neil Patrick Harris absolutely nails Deadpool's humor, so much so that I almost thought he was Ryan Reynolds for a bit. He brings the perfect mix of snark, self-awareness, and chaotic energy that made playing as this version of Wade Wilson a genuine delight throughout the entire campaign. The supporting cast also has a mix of standouts and phone-ins. John Leguizamo's Mojo is fantastic, chewing scenery with the perfect amount of grotesque sleaze, while Julia Jones's Spiral falls flat with delivery that feels uninspired.

Visually, Deadpool VR looks much better on Quest 3 than on Quest 3S, and after the first few levels I just stopped trying to play on my 3S at all. Performance was smooth overall across both platforms, but the cel-shaded graphical style just goes so much harder on the standard Quest 3. It's enjoyable to look at and listen to through and through regardless, even with all the chaos from combat making the Quest 3 work harder to render everything at 90 FPS – with vibrant colors, intricately detailed levels and characters, punchy weapons, and high-fidelity cartoon gore that pops. The sound design and music are also pretty good, though there were definitely points where the audio got blown out or the Quest started making a buzzing noise because it was too stressed – typically during particularly hectic sequences with vehicles or tons of enemies on screen.

Deadpool VR has a variety of comfort options that’s always nice to see. I'm a longtime VR user, so I went straight for the no-holds-barred “VR Hero” experience, but I'm glad there are three comfort modes available, the easiest of the bunch setting a baseline for beginners: snap turning with comfort blinds and no screen shake. Even though I took the most intense one, I appreciate that the most visually intense sequences, usually passenger shootouts in vehicles, are still entirely skippable if needed. There's also a Kidpool mode that removes as much vulgarity from Deadpool VR as it can, which is cool to include I guess, but kind of defeats the point.

Looking for the best deal on Bose's flagship noise canceling headphones ahead of Black Friday? Surprisingly, you'll find it from Bose direct. For a very limited time, the official Bose Outlet eBay store is offering the certified refurbished Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones for just $229.00 with free shipping. Several colors are available including the pearlescent Diamond 60th Edition model. The headphone normally retails for $429 new, and it even comes with a 2 year AllState warranty. This is Bose's latest and greatest noise canceling headphone to date.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for $229

Certified Refurbished

Gaming chairs are one of the best investments a gamer can make. After all, during those long gaming sessions, where are you going to sit? While gaming keyboards and gaming monitors can really lift your gaming experience to the next level, none of it really matters if you don't have a comfortable chair to sit in. Our top entry, the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen, is a perfect example: It's a chair big enough for pretty much any body, and it's comfortable and sturdy enough to sit for hours.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Chairs:

I've been reviewing gaming chairs for years, and the overall best ones you can buy provide a place to sink into for hours of gaming without fatigue or pain. Including features like customizable lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and a movable headrest to beef up the ergnomics only adds to a more comfortable, distraction-free space to focus on your favorite PC games.

However, there are an excess of options to choose from. To help you out, I've cut this list down to eight tested and researched chairs offering solid frames, high-quality material, and all the creature comforts you could want.

1. Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen

Best Gaming Chair

The original Secretlab Titan Evo I reviewed reigned supreme as my top pick since its release in 2022. With the release of the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen edition, that has officially changed as the new model officially slides into the top spot, and by quite a bit too. Though it might look similar from afar, all it takes is a touch to realize how much better its new leatherette and seat cushion actually are.

In the two years since the release of the original Evo, Secretlab has been hard at work developing its brand new Nanogen Hybrid Leatherette. This new material is much softer and instantly makes the chair more comfortable just by virtue of how nice it is to sit on. In my review, I noted that the only similar material I've felt is Brisa, an "ultrafabric" that's typically found on luxury products. The only gaming chair I've encountered with such a fabric, or that even comes close to the Titan Evo Nanogen and its sweet, sweet suppleness, is the LF Gaming Stealth, a luxury bucket seat that starts at $1,700.

Secretlab also took gamers' feedback to heart about the firmness of its signature cold cure foam. This new model now features a Nanofoam Composite cushion on the seat, providing a layer of softness right out of the box while still providing adequate support for long gaming sessions.

The armrests also see a major upgrade. While they still feature hot-swappable top cushions thanks to their magnetic attachment system, the Nanogen comes with velour-wrapped PlushCell foam arm toppers by default. If you've ever experienced sore elbows from leaning on the arms of your gaming chair, you'll know how important this softness is. Paired with its PlushCell magnetic neck pillow, it's easily one of the most cozy gaming chairs out there. With the optional Ergonomic Recliner add-on, it's the only gaming chair I've ever taken a nap in.

This new model does come at a premium over the original, but it's worth every penny. It's class-leading in every way. You can even save some money on it during the Secretlab Black Friday sale for 2025 right now if you choose to buy direct.

2. Razer Iskur V2 X

Best Budget Gaming Chair

3. Libernovo Omni Dynamic Ergo Chair

Best Ergonomic Gaming Chair

4. Hinomi H1 Pro

Best Mesh Gaming Chair

5. Razer Iskur V2

Best Fabric Gaming Chair

6. Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen XL

Best Big and Tall Gaming Chair

The Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen XL is a clear winner for the best big and tall gaming chair. I've been recommending the Titan Evo since its original launch several years ago, but with the Nanogen Edition, the company has taken comfort to the next level (which is also why it's my No. 1 pick for overall gaming chair). The XL version just upsizes that to deliver its comfort to a wider audience.

This version takes everything from the normal-sized version and carries it through. That means you'll get the exceptionally soft, Brisa-like fabric and extra seat cushion, as well as those gloriously plush yet still somehow supportive armrests. If you're a larger person, then you know how important proper back support is, and this delivers that too with its adjustable lumbar support.

It also features full compatibility with the company's different magnetic accessories for the standard Titan Evo XL. There are magnetic pillows and different armrest covers and, though not magnetic, you can also attach the company's new recliner accessory to put your feet up and kick back with the controller.

This chair doesn't come cheap, but believe me when I say that it's worth every penny when stacked up against other gaming chairs attempting similar levels of support and comfort. Secretlab has been an industry leader for a reason, and the Nanogen line is easily the best it has ever produced.

7. Respawn 900 Gaming Recliner

Best Gaming Chair with a Footrest

8. Secretlab Titan Evo (Small)

Best Gaming Chair for Shorter Gamers

How to Choose the Best Gaming Chair for You

Price

This will probably be the biggest determining factor. Going out with a set budget is helpful, as you’ll find chairs ranging from under $50 to more than $1,000. Cheaper gaming chairs, like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed, still deliver the comfort of more expensive ones. You just need to be prepared to sacrifice features, like 4D armrests or adjustable lumbar support. I’d stay away from anything under $100, especially if the chair makes promises that appear too good to be true.

Design

Comfort is king; nobody wants to spend hours in a seat that causes back or neck pain. Finding a chair that’s the right size for you is essential for preventing discomfort. Luckily, most chairs list their dimensions. You’ll want a wide, well-cushioned seat, a long backrest, and a good range of height adjustability. All that should sit on a sturdy metal frame capable of holding your full body weight. If you’re looking into a racing-style chair with bucket seats, like the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, pay special mind to the bolsters, as they can dig into your thighs.

Materials

For the most part, gaming chairs offer PU leather, fabric, or mesh. PU leather is easy to clean but may not always be super durable, and it gets hot when wearing shorts. Fabric, which is used on the E-Win Champion, won’t be as easy to clean, though it’s less of a heat magnet. Mesh is the most breathable option. However, you’ll lose the cushioned seat and backrest in favor of a suspension system, which can be a hit or miss. The Razer Fujin Pro is one chair that gets mesh right.

Ergonomics

After locking those in, a movable headrest, adjustable armrests, and customizable lumbar support can enhance the chair’s ergonomic, but these features often make the chair more expensive. Other quality-of-life additions, like a tilting or rocking mechanism, also help with relaxation between heated gaming sessions.

Keep all this in mind so you know how to pick the perfect gaming chair for your needs.

Gaming Chair FAQ

What's the point of a gaming chair?

Because gaming chairs are glorified office chairs, their main selling points are, frankly, aesthetic. Gaming chairs are often a bit more expensive than comparable office chairs and don't have the same comfort features as seats designed for working in all day. Still, if you love the way that gaming chairs look and you're going for a certain vibe in your gaming den, the best gaming chairs do truly shine. You just might want to look at the best ergonomic chairs if you want something that's truly going to take care of your aching back.

How much should you spend on a a gaming chair?

While you can buy a gaming chair for $80 or less, doing so is just asking for eventual pain. Something inexpensive is usually nothing more than a cheap plastic frame (versus steel) with some thin fabric or pleather upholstery on top.

You can get a quality chair for as little as $200, and that’s the absolute bottom floor of affordability we’d go for. Spending $300 or more will get you access to better options. If your budget allows you to soar a bit higher, more expensive gaming chairs start to come with built-in lumbar support, cooling gel layers, and even more adjustable ergonomics, not to mention RGB LED Kits and more. It all depends on what matters most to you in the long term.

Ahead of Black Friday, the Bose Outlet eBay store is offering some huge discounts on certified refurbished speakers. That includes the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, Bose's biggest and most impressive soundbar speaker with Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace Technology. It normally retails for $1,000 new, but you can get a certified refurbished model for just $550.00 with free delivery. That's 45% off and it even comes with a 2 year AllState warranty.

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar for $550 (was $999)

Certified Refurbished

Magic: The Gathering saw a nice, very welcome shake-up this week with the reveal of fresh bans - and the age of Vivi Ornitier is over as a result.

That’s meant the troublesome mage has dropped in value, but there are PlayStation synergies abound for Secret Lair and more. Here’s this week’s Crashers and Climbers.

Climbing

Dockside Extortionist is getting another mention this time around. It’s getting a reprint in the Avatar Bonus Sheet, and while it’s not unbanned as yet, that could always change. The non-Universes Beyond version is climbing to about $24 right now, having been $20 or so just a week or two ago.

Somehow, the end of the year has returned, and it's time once again for a parade of award nominations and shows, including this year's The Game Awards. Ahead of its early December show, The Game Awards has released a list of this year's nominees, revealing that everyone really, really, really liked Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Expedition 33 has gathered up a whopping 12 nominations, the most ever collected by a single game in The Game Awards' history. In addition to Game of the Year, it's also up for Best Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Independent Game, Best RPG, and three of its actors are nominated for Best Performance.

A number of other games also have earned quite a few nominations, such as Death Stranding 2 (seven nominations) Hades II (six), Hollow Knight: Silksong (five), and Ghost of Yōtei (seven).

The Game Awards ceremony will be broadcast digitally on December 11, 2025 at 5pm PT/8pm ET, when we'll find out all the winners as well as see the usual parade of video game trailers, commercials, musical guests, possibly Muppets, and more.

Here are all the nominees for The Game Awards 2025:

Game of the Year

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Hades II
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Best Game Direction

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Hades II
• Split Fiction

Best Narrative

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Silent Hill f

Best Art Direction

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Hades II
• Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Score and Music

• Christopher Larkin - Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Darren Korb - Hades II
• Lorien Testard - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Toma Otowa - Ghost of Yōtei
• Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Best Audio Design

• Battlefield 6
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Silent Hill f

Best Performance

• Ben Starr - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Charlie Cox - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Erika Ishii - Ghost of Yōtei
• Jennifer English - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Konatsu Kato - Silent Hill f
• Troy Baker - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Innovation in Accessibility

• Assassin's Creed: Shadows
• Atomfall
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• EA Sports FC 26
• South of Midnight

Games for Impact

• Consume Me
• Despelote
• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
• South of Midnight
• Wanderstop

Best Ongoing

• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• Marvel Rivals
• No Man's Sky

Best Community Support

• Baldur's Gate 3
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Fortnite
• Helldivers 2
• No Man's Sky

Best Independent Game

• Absolum
• Ball x Pit
• Blue Prince
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Hades II
• Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Debut Indie Game

• Blue Prince
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Despelote
• Dispatch
• Megabonk

Best Mobile Game

• Destiny: Rising
• Persona 5: The Phantom X
• Sonic Rumble
• Umamusume: Pretty Derby
• Wuthering Waves

Best VR/AR

• Alien: Rogue Incursion
• Arken Age
• Ghost Town
• Marvel's Deadpool VR
• The Midnight Walk

Best Action Game

• Battlefield 6
• Doom: The Dark Ages
• Hades II
• Ninja Gaiden 4
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Best Action/Adventure

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
• Ghost of Yōtei
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Split Fiction

Best RPG

• Avowed
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• The Outer Worlds 2

Best Fighting

• 2XKO
• Capcom Fighting Collection 2
• Fatal Fury: City of Wolves
• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
• Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage

Best Family

• Donkey Kong Bananza
• Lego Party!
• Lego Voyagers
• Mario Kart World
• Sonic Racing: Crossworlds
• Split Fiction

Best Sim/Strategy

• Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles
• Jurassic World Evolution 3
• Sid Meier's Civilization VII
• Tempest Rising
• The Alters
• Two Point Museum

Best Sports/Racing

• EA Sports FC 26
• F1 25
• Mario Kart World
• Rematch
• Sonic Racing: Crossworlds

Best Multiplayer

• Arc Raiders
• Battlefield 6
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Peak
• Split Fiction

Best Adaptation

• A Minecraft Movie
• Devil May Cry
• Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
• The Last of Us: Season 2
• Until Dawn

Most Anticipated Game

• 007 First Light
• Grand Theft Auto VI
• Marvel's Wolverine
• Resident Evil Requiem
• The Witcher IV

Content Creator of the Year

• Caedrel
• Kai Cenat
• MoistCr1TiKaL
• Sakura Miko
• The Burnt Peanut

Best Esports Game

• Counter-Strike 2
• Dota 2
• League of Legends
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Valorant

Best Esports Athlete

• brawk - Brock Somerhalder
• Chovy - Jeong Ji-Hoon
• f0rsakeN - Jason Susanto
• Kakeru - Kakeru Watanabe
• MenaRD - Saul Leonardo
• Zyw0o - Mathieu Herbaut

Best Esports Team

• Gen.G - League of Legends
• NRG - Valorant
• Team Falcons - Dota 2
• Team Liquid PH - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Team Vitality: Counter-Strike 2

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

The Lord of the Rings has maintained its cultural significance since the 1950s through books, movies, and now television, expanding a fandom that stretches across generations, which makes it an excellent starting point as you shop for the One Gift in 2025. Now that the holidays are coming up, a good LotR gift idea could be just what you need to bring some Middle-earth flavored joy into the equation.

Top The Lord of the Rings Gifts

There’s no shortage of options for the Lord of the Rings fans in your life, so we’ve narrowed down the best gifts across different areas of interest, from must-have movie and book sets to collectibles of all kinds. There's a little something for everyone.

Gifts for Fans of the Books

Gifts for Fans of the Movies

Gifts for Fans of LEGO

Gifts for Fans of Board Games

Gifts for Fans of Magic the Gathering

Gifts for Chronic Puzzlers

Lenovo has dropped the price on one of its best equipped gaming laptops to its lowest price ever ahead of Black Friday. The Legion Pro 5 Gen 10 gaming laptop, featuring an OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, and RTX 5070 Ti GPU, is down to $1,690.99 after you apply coupon code: "EXTRAFIVE". That's over $700 off in combined savings. The RTX 5070 Ti is a powerful mobile GPU that will easily run game you throw at it, even on the display's 1600p resolution.

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Gen 10 RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for $1,691

Battlefield 6 is roaring ahead, with update 1.1.2.0 patch notes revealing that open beta aim assist settings are back, as are more weapon dispersion and bloom tweaks, as EA and Battlefield Studios roll out the next new Season 1 map: Eastwood.

The latest Battlefield 6 and REDSEC patch notes, which cover every change in tomorrow’s update, were listed in a new post on the project’s website. It comes with a breakdown for all of the new weapons and features included with the long-promised mid-season update, as well as a shortlist of other major changes, including additional clarity for challenges, a “major polish pass” for gadgets, improved latency and stick response for controllers, a healthy dose of bug fixes, and much, much more.

Aim assist is no doubt the headline for this week’s update and arrives as further proof that BF Studios plans to continue delivering on its post-launch promises. Those who tuned in for the Battlefield 6 beta tests in August will notice base aim assist settings will fall more in line with that build of the game.

It’s a U-turn from the launch version of the option, with the team explaining its original goal was to “make aim assist feel more effective beyond mid-range fights which was one of our focuses within Battlefield Labs and Open Beta.” Now, BF Studios admits those changes resulted in high-zoom aiming that was more difficult to control. Players can expect Battlefield 6 aim assist following update 1.1.2.0 to feel more consistent, steadier, and smoother.

“After reviewing player feedback and gameplay data, we’re reverting aim assist back to the values some of you experienced during Open Beta and Battlefield Labs,” BF Studios says. “This will now serve as the default, whilst still providing you with the ability to alter the aim assist to your preference and playstyle via settings.”

Battlefield 6 fans should be happy to see more weapon dispersion and bloom tweaked further after update 1.1.1.5 changes resulted in positive feedback. While the previous patch tackled dispersion related to gunfire when aiming down sights after sprinting, tomorrow’s Season 1 update delivers a slight reduction to dispersion across the board. While each change suggests BF Studios is getting closer to reaching the smooth FPS experience they desire, Portal players can also look forward to more Portal tools in update 1.1.2.0, including the golf cart and a sandbox map option.

With the one-month-post-launch-mark in the rearview mirror, EA and BF Studios are moving steadily ahead with a level of communication that has kept its player base coming back for more Battlefield 6. Tomorrow’s update will make good on the promises made in a community outline published by the developers last week, but it’s clear there’s more work to do, too.

More weapon bloom tweaks, for example, are likely to arrive in the future as the team monitors feedback, with lighting adjustments, another promise from last week’s outline, absent from the 1.1.2.0 patch notes. These are upcoming changes in active development for Battlefield 6, but other hot topics, including map size, UI, player stats, hit registration/netcode, and more, are said to be under review for potential tweaks in the future.

The three-phase Battlefield 6 Season 1 launched with its first chapter, Rogue Ops, as well as the Blackwell Fields map, October 28, 2025. November 18 ushers in California Resistance, which comes with the 1.1.2.0 update, Eastwood, Sabotage limited-time mode, Rodeo mission for Gauntlet, DB-12 shotgun, M357 sidearm, Battle Pickups feature, and more. The final, major Season 1 update, Winter Offensive, will follow December 9, adding in more gameplay changes, a limited-time Ice Lock version of Empire State, and the ice climbing axe melee weapon.

Battlefield 6 update 1.1.2.0 launches November 18 at 1 a.m. PT / 4 a.m. ET. While we wait for more, you can read our interviews with BF Studios to learn more about a solo queue option for battle royale and other upcoming REDSEC map updates. You can also read our 8/10 Battlefield 6 multiplayer review and our 7/10 REDSEC review.

Finally, the full Battlefield 6 update 1.1.2.0 patch notes can be seen below.

Battlefield 6 1.1.2.0 Update Patch Notes

This update delivers a broad set of improvements to soldier responsiveness, aim consistency, animation fidelity, and overall stability across Battlefield 6. We’ve also introduced a new limited-time mode, refined Aim Assist behaviour, and resolved a large number of weapon, gadget, and vehicle issues based on community feedback. The update will be available tomorrow, November 18th, at 09:00 UTC.

New Content: California Resistance

• New Map: Eastwood. A map with the Southern California theme.
  • Variations of this map will be available for all official modes.
  • Conquest mode on this map will include tanks, helicopters, and the Golf Cart.
• New Time-Limited Mode: Sabotage. A themed event mode focused on demolition and counterplay.
• New Weapons: DB-12 Shotgun and M357 Trait Sidearm.
• Gauntlet mode to include a new mission type: Rodeo. This mission provides multiple vehicles for players to fight over and battle with each other with. Players earn bonus points for defeating enemies while in a vehicle.
• New feature: Battle Pickups. These powerful weapons will be available in specific experiences and Portal with limited ammunition but pack enough firepower to help turn the tide of battle in your favor.
• Portal updates:
  • Sandbox map. This option will let Portal experience builders start with a more level playing field to bring their imagination to life.
  • The Golf Cart vehicle is available for use in building experiences.
• Battle Pass: The California Resistance bonus path becomes available for a limited time.
• New underbarrel attachment: Slim Handstop, unlocked via Challenge.
• New feature coming later in the update: Battle Pickups. These powerful weapons will be available in specific experiences and Portal with limited ammunition but pack enough firepower to help turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Major Updates for 1.1.2.0

• Aim Assist has been reset to its Open Beta tuning, restoring consistent infantry targeting behaviour across all input types.
• Improved input latency and stick response for controllers, providing smoother aiming and more responsive soldier movement.
• Weapon accuracy and dispersion tuning: fixed unintended weapon dispersion increase rates and improved non-Recon sniper rifle accuracy while globally reducing dispersion across all weapon types.
• Challenge and progression clarity improvements make requirements easier to understand and track.
• Major polish pass to deployable gadgets, including the LWCMS Portable Mortar, LTLM II Portable Laser Designator, and Supply Crate systems.
• Fort Lyndon added to Portal, expanding available segments for community-created experiences.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

Aim Assist

As we got closer to launch, we revisited aim assist tuning based on internal testing and the full range of maps and combat distances coming with release. Our goal was to make aim assist feel more effective beyond mid-range fights which was one of our focuses within Battlefield Labs and Open Beta.

At launch, we increased slowdown at longer ranges, but once the game went live, we saw that this made high-zoom aiming feel less smooth and harder to control.

After reviewing player feedback and gameplay data, we’re reverting aim assist back to the values some of you experienced during Open Beta and Battlefield Labs. This will now serve as the default, whilst still providing you with the ability to alter the aim assist to your preference and playstyle via settings.

This change keeps aim slowdown consistent across all ranges, helping with muscle memory and providing a steadier, more reliable feel as we move into future seasons.

CHANGELOG

PLAYER:

• Aim Assist: fully reset to Open Beta tuning, with related options reset to default to ensure consistency.
• Fixed an issue where Vehicle Stick Acceleration Presets would affect Infantry Aiming Left/Right Acceleration option availability.
• Fixed an issue where setting Stick Acceleration Presets to “Standard” would set the Aiming Left/Right Acceleration options incorrectly to 50% instead of 70%.
• Fixed missing Infantry and Vehicle prefixes in captions for Stick Acceleration Presets and Aiming Left/Right Acceleration options.
• Fixed an issue where stick deadzones would ignore the first 10% of movement if using a PS5 Controller on PC.
• Fixed an issue where player movement (Left Stick) would not register until beyond 30% of travel past the deadzone.
• Fixed joystick aiming input behaviour.
• Added a short sprint “restart” animation when landing from small heights.
• Added new death animations for sliding and combat-dive states.
• Fixed a diving loop when entering shallow water.
• Fixed an issue preventing players from vaulting out of water in certain areas.
• Fixed an issue preventing takedown initiation against an enemy soldier if the enemy soldier already initiated a takedown against a friendly player.
• Fixed an issue where a dragged player could face the wrong direction if turning quickly.
• Fixed an issue where holding a grenade while jumping, sliding, or diving froze the first-person pose.
• Fixed an issue where switching weapons while drag-reviving would break the reviver’s first-person view.
• Fixed an issue where the Assault Class extra grenade ability would not grant two grenades on spawn.
• Fixed an issue where weapons could become invisible when crouching before vaulting.
• Fixed bouncing behaviour when landing on object edges.
• Fixed broken ragdolls when killed on ladders, while jumping, near ledges, or in vehicle seats.
• Fixed camera clipping when dropping from height while prone.
• Fixed clipping when initiating a drag & revive.
• Fixed first-person camera clipping through objects when dying nearby.
• Fixed the issue where the Rush signature trait 'Mission Focused' applied its icon and speed boost to all teammates.
• Fixed incorrect prone aiming angles on slopes.
• Fixed misaligned victim position during takedowns when using high FOV settings.
• Fixed mismatched rotation between first-person and third-person soldier aim directions.
• Fixed misplaced weapon shadows while vaulting or swimming.
• Fixed missing pickup prompts while prone.
• Fixed missing water splash effects while swimming.
• Fixed stuck third-person soldier animations when entering player view.
• Fixed teleporting or invisibility when entering vehicles during a vault.
• Fixed third-person facing inconsistencies when soldiers were mounted.
• Improved combat-dive animations in first and third person.
• Improved LTLM II sprint animation in first person.
• Improved vault detection in cluttered environments.
• Increased double-tap window for Danger Ping from 0.2 s to 0.333 s.
• Updated first-person animation cadence for moving up and down stairs.
• Fixed an issue where hit registration would fail when engaging into gunfights after exiting vehicles.

VEHICLES:

• Fixed camera reset when entering an GDF-009 AA Stationary Gun after another user.
• Fixed clipping gunner weapons in IFV seats.
• Fixed faint metallic impact sound from M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tank turret wreckage.
• Fixed several cases where IFV's MR Missile could do more damage than intended to MBT, IFV and AA vehicles
• Fixed inconsistent projectile video effects on the Abrams main gun.
• Fixed instant 180-degree turn after exiting a vehicle.
• Fixed missing scoring for Vehicle Supply when teammates received ammo.
• Fixed oversized hitbox on UH-79 Helicopter.
• Fixed passenger and gunner placement issues in the UH-79 Helicopter.
• Fixed re-entry issues when mounting flipped Quad Bikes.
• Fixed unintended aim-assist from Attack Helicopters gunner missiles.
• Fixed unresponsive joystick free-camera controls in transport vehicles.

WEAPONS:

• Dispersion tuning pass: dispersion has been globally reduced slightly to reduce its impact on the experience
• Fixed multiple instances of Canted Reflex and Canted Iron Sight optics clipping with higher-magnification scopes
• Fixed several issues with underbarrel attachment alignment
• Fixed minor misplacements or clipping on sights and barrels
• Fixed missing or incorrect magazine icons, naming, and mesh assignments.
• Fixed the issue where the SV-98 displayed lower damage stats when equipping the 5 MW Red attachment.
• Fixed the issue where slug ammunition despawned too quickly after being fired from shotguns.
• Fixed the issue where the SU-230 LPVO 4x variable scope lacked a smooth transition and audible zoom toggle when aiming down sights.
• Fixed the issue where two Green Lasers for the DRS-IAR shared identical Hipfire stat boosts.
• Fixed the issue where impact sparks failed to meet photosensitivity compliance standards.
• Fixed an issue in third-person where the Mini Scout could clip with the player’s head while aiming.
• Fixed animation and posture issues affecting the PSR and other rifles when moving or looking at extreme angles.
• Increased weight of long-range performance in balance for automatic weapons; benefiting PW7A2 and KV9, with minor adjustments elsewhere.
• Reduced recoil and variation for LMR27, M39, and SVDM for improved long-range reliability.

GADGETS:

• Allowed friendly soldiers to damage and detonate certain friendly gadgets.
• Fixed an issue where Class Ability would sometimes not activate although the UI shows it as available.
• Fixed auto-deployment of Motion Sensor after recon kit swap.
• Fixed broken M320A1 Grenade Launcher ground model.
• Fixed C-4 pickup edge-of-screen interaction.
• Fixed clipping of the UAV remote when activating it while using certain weapons like rifles.
• Fixed clipping when holding the CSS Bundle.
• Fixed CSS Bundle line-of-sight requirements causing unwanted blocking.
• Fixed Deployable Cover persistence after vehicle destruction.
• Fixed disappearing “pip” indicator during CSS Bundle supply.
• Fixed duplicate deploy-audio playback on M4A1 SLAM and C-4.
• Fixed failed projectile attachment for X95 BRE Breaching Projectile Launcher.
• Fixed inconsistent hit registration for the Defibrillator after range adjustment.
• Fixed interaction logic for the Supply Pouch and Assault Ladder.
• Fixed LTLM II Tripod soldier collision.
• Fixed M15 AV Mine premature detonation on aircraft wrecks.
• Fixed M15 AV Mine proximity placement exploit.
• Fixed missing pickup prompt for thrown C-4 satchels.
• Fixed MP-APS smoke-propagation failure between friendlies.
• Fixed multiple haptic and feedback issues on gadgets, including the LWCMS Portable Mortar and the CSB IV Bot Pressure Mine.
• Fixed placement preview interference from the GPDIS.
• Fixed XFGM-6D Recon Drone physics allowing vehicle pushing.

MAPS & MODES:

• Added Sabotage as a new time-limited event mode.
• Added the new map “Eastwood”.
• Fixed black-screen spawn issue with Deploy Beacon in TDM, SDM, Domination, and KOTH.
• Fixed incomplete or incorrect round-outcome data when joining mid-match.
• Fixed matchmaking logic to prevent late-stage match joins.
• Fixed multiple destruction-reset issues after side swap in Strikepoint and Sabotage.
• Fixed post-insertion movement lock at round start.
• Fixed unintended AFK kicks while spectating in Strikepoint.
• Reduced opacity of excessive environmental smoke across multiple maps.

UI & HUD:

• Added a message when attempting to change stance without sufficient space.
• Downed players now appear in the kill log in modes using the crawling downed state (e.g. Strikepoint, REDSEC).
• Extended top UI on Strikepoint to show detailed alive/downed/dead player counts.
• Fixed incorrect Assault Training Path icons.
• Fixed incorrect colour usage on squad-mate health bars.
• Fixed missing tooltips and UI prompts across tutorials and mission briefings in Single Player.
• Fixed missing XP Tracker icon at level 3 when using Field Upgrades.
• Kill-confirmation indicator now displays if a victim bleeds out after being damaged by the player in modes using the crawling downed state (e.g. Strikepoint, REDSEC).
• Minor UI polish and alignment updates to various game modes.
• Non-squad friendlies now display a “Thank you!” subtitle after being revived.

SETTINGS:

• Added a new option allowing players to sprint automatically when pushing the stick fully forward.
• Added new keybinding that allows the player to instantly swap to the knife instead of having to hold the button. This keybinding will not allow to perform takedowns contextually but will still allow takedowns to be performed once the melee weapon is equipped.

SINGLE PLAYER:

• Addressed multiple occurrences of excessive bright flashes and unintended visual effects.
• Fixed an issue where AI squadmates would not respond to revive orders and other commands, improving squad functionality and responsiveness.
• Fixed loss of grenade functionality and shadow-rendering errors in underground areas during the “Moving Mountains” mission.
• Fixed multiple instances where sound effects or Voice Over would fail to play correctly during gameplay and cinematic moments.
• Fixed subtitle and audio-video synchronisation issues during gameplay and cinematic sequences.
• Fixed various instances of corrupted shadows and LOD behaviour when using lower graphics settings.
• Resolved object clipping and teleporting issues during car-chase sequences in the “Moving Mountains” mission.
• Resolved several cases of stuttering and desync when using certain graphics presets on NVIDIA and AMD hardware.
• Resolved several issues that could result in infinite loading screens during mission transitions and save or load operations.
• Resolved shader stutters in the prologue mission “Always Faithfull”.
• Fixed issues with party invites not working during campaign loading screens.

AUDIO:

• Added new sound effects for Double Ping; refined single and danger ping sound hierarchy.
• Added new soldier movement and gunfire sound effects, and fixed multiple foley issues.
• Added turret movement audio for Marauder RWS weapons.
• Corrected door sound assignments.
• Corrected swimming, obstruction, and platform footstep audio.
• Fixed character voice over not updating when changing soldier mid-match.
• Fixed looped ambient sounds (e.g. food truck) and incorrect debris impacts.
• Fixed missing first person voice over gasp when revived.
• Fixed missing third person voice over for explosive deployments.
• Fixed missing LP voice over zoom audio.
• Fixed missing ping audio while spectating.
• Fixed missing reload sound effects when a weapon had 1 bullet remaining.
• Fixed missing voice over for supply actions and revive requests.
• Fixed multiple Commander voice over issues.
• Fixed Music-in-Menus setting not muting music.
• Fixed seat-change and turret-reload audio on Marauder RWS guns.
• Fixed underwater breathing voice over and inconsistent swimming audio.
• Polished Front-End and Loading music transitions between matches.
• Synced Battle Pass sounds effects to animations.
• Tweaked light-fixture audio setup.
• Updated hostile-voice over logic and adjusted reload voice over mix.
• Updated music urgency system for Portal.

PORTAL:

• Added new scripting functions for music control: mod.LoadMusic(), mod.UnloadMusic(), mod.PlayMusic(), mod.SetMusicParam().
• Fixed RayCast() in ModBuilder to properly detect terrain and environment objects.

HARDWARE:

Fixed an issue where framerate would be be capped to 300FPS with Nvidia cards

REDSEC

VEHICLES:

• Fixed the issue where the Golf Cart could set off the PTKM-1R gadget in Gauntlet.
• Fixed persistent gunner MG model after Rhib Boat destruction.

UI & HUD:

• Added level display information to the Training Path section within the Class Details screen.
• Fixed an issue where soldiers and UI elements could be missing in pre-game lobbies after matchmaking.
• Fixed an issue where the M417 A2 would not appear in kill cards or the kill feed.

AUDIO:

• Fixed an issue where the squadmate death sound effect could trigger for non-teammates.

This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Sony's InZone E9's are not everyday headphones: as with many in-ear monitors (IEMs) you get no mic, no wireless connection, and no noise cancelling. Instead they're specifically designed for clearly hearing your opponents' footsteps and gunshots in competitive shooters, and Sony says it has worked with Fnatic – which has pro teams for CounterStrike, Valorant, Apex Legends, and more – to tune the sound. So can they really give you a competitive edge, and is the sound good enough for you to ditch your regular gaming headset or gaming earbuds in first-person shooters?

Sony InZone E9 In-Ear Gaming Monitor – Design

The InZone E9 buds aren't particularly pretty. The base of the bud is chunky and the ridged, plastic cone that connects them to the cable looks, and feels, cheap. It spins independently of the earbuds, which makes it feel like an extra piece stuck on.

But, having said that, I quite like the simple aesthetic: it's all black except white logos, left and right is labelled clearly, and there are no obnoxious shiny surfaces. The ear loops are similarly plain and functional. More importantly, the InZone E9s are comfortable. Surprisingly so, considering they're designed to be jammed into your ear, fully sealing off outside noise. I never felt any irritation or discomfort even when I played five-hour sessions – that's seriously impressive.

The flexible plastic loop that goes around your ear never tugged on me and most of the time I couldn't feel it at all. It's essentially a guardrail to make sure the lightweight buds don't shimmy sideways, rather than an integral part of the fit.

This comfort is one of its big pluses over larger headsets. Some people's ears get sweaty with big ear cups, and head straps can rub against the top of your head. You avoid all of that here, and for that reason I can see myself reaching for the InZone E9s in future at least some of the time.

You get a wide selection of earbuds colour-coded by size, four standard, and four chunkier ones that blot out more noise. Without noise cancelling tech the InZone E9's rely purely on a physical barrier and while I didn't notice a huge difference between the buds, they each kept me focused on my game – I failed to hear somebody shouting my name several times from a different room at one point.

I applaud Sony for including a long 1.8-meter / 5.9-foot cable, which will snake from your desktop to your ears even if you're not sitting directly next to it. That makes the InZone E9s viable for people who have unconventional gaming setups.

The downside is a dangling cable when you're away from your PC. When I connected the InZone E9s to my Dualshock controller it piled up on the floor, and when I plugged them into my phone via the USB-C dongle, the cable dangled around my knees. You can gather and clamp it with an included tie but that's a lot of faff, especially if you're often switching devices. It underlines the fact that the InZone E9s are very much PC-first headphones, designed for competitive mouse-and-keyboard play.

You can plug them in directly to your headphone jack or, if you want to use Sony's software, via the compact USB-C dongle. Everything fits together in a tidy included travel case, which is bigger than an earbud carrier but so much easier to transport than a giant headset. It's one of the big advantages of IEMs.

Just remember that the InZone E9's have no built-in mic. That'll be annoying for some people who are used to a headset-mic combo: either you'll need to buy a separate mic or, if you have one already, use an extra slot to plug it in. It didn't bother me because I already use a standalone mic, but it's worth keeping in mind.

Sony InZone E9 In-Ear Gaming Monitor – Software

Sony's InZone Hub is Windows-only, so you won't be able to tune the audio if you're on consoles. It is pleasingly simple and easy to use, with every setting on a single screen. You can cycle through six EQ presets or customize your own. The music preset still sounded bad, but the three designed for FPSs were more useful: one that emphasises footsteps and gunshots, one for footsteps and sound effects, and one that suppresses loud sound effects like explosions. I'm slightly skeptical that they do exactly what they say – footsteps sound different in every game, after all – but I did feel like I could hear important sounds better.

The same goes for the dynamic range control, which basically reduces the volume of the loudest noises and raises the volume of the quietest. I felt like it made a genuine difference when listening for footsteps in Arc Raiders. And spatial sound, as I mentioned in the previous section, helps you tell where each noise is coming from. I never turned it off because I preferred the overall sound of it, even when I wasn't gaming. As well as being easy to use the software was reliable, instantly recognising when I connected my headphones every time, and it didn't crash once.

Sony Inzone E9 In-Ear Gaming Monitor – Sound Quality

The InZone E9s sound pretty lifeless. Bass doesn't punch, instruments sound flat, and vocals lack warmth. It's not terrible, but it's all a little tinny. For listening to music or watching films, I much prefer the richer sound of the OnePlus Buds 4, which I recently reviewed, and the more immersive audio of my older, reliable HyperX headset.

I therefore wouldn't choose the InZone E9 as my everyday headphones, and I couldn't recommend them as your only PC device, which limits their value. If you're playing an atmospheric game with music – say, Silent Hill f – you'll want a headset that conveys the emotion better.

They are, however, designed for one job: competitive gaming, which is where their clarity and precision shines. You can easily distinguish individual sounds from one another, even when there's lots happening. In Arc Raiders, I could pick out several different sets of footsteps rattling against a metal floor, even with a background of gunshots, explosions, and voice comms.

Everything sounds detailed and loud: to stay with Arc Raiders, the buzz of a damaged shield was clearly different to the whirr of a shield powering down when it was broken, which helped me decide when to push my enemy, and I could tell what type of container a nearby opponent was opening just from the noise it made.

Again, none of it sounds amazing, but it does the job of telling you exactly what's happening in your game, and because the sound is being pumped directly into your ear, it feels closer, more immediate. You can also easily tell which direction sounds are coming from. In Battlefield 6, I knew the direction of enemy footsteps approaching when I was defending a control point, allowing me to pre-aim certain angles and rack up kills.

Toggling on "spatial sound" in the software (which we'll come onto in the next section), made that directionality even better. Each noise became even more distinct, and if I closed my eyes I had a clear picture of what was around me: a booming tank to my right, a smoke grenade landing and popping to my left, my teammates' boots running up behind me.

Just don't expect a big leap from your favorite headset: most good ones have clear sound and sense of direction. There were a couple of times where I heard things with the InZone E9 that I wouldn't have otherwise heard, and I was slightly more aware of the direction of noises compared to my regular headset, but the difference was marginal.

Black Friday is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your smaller TV and your projector with a single unit that's better than either, and for a lower price. For a limited time, Best Buy is offering the absolutely massive 100" Hisense U7 4K Mini-LED Smart TV for just $2,199.99 with free delivery. This TV is big enough to match the size of most projector screens, and at this price, it's less expensive than most native 4K projectors as well.

2025 100" Hisense U7 4K 165Hz Mini-LED Smart TV for $2,200

If you've not dipped into 3D printing yet, you're missing out. The hobby has never been easier to jump into, thanks to auto-leveling, smarter setup tools, and some seriously capable machines from Elegoo.

Whether you want functional prints made from filament on an FDM printer or highly detailed busts, statues, and miniatures from a resin machine, there's a setup that fits what you want to make, and yes, owning one of each is absolutely the sweet spot.

And with Black Friday kicking into gear, Elegoo has slashed the price across its entire lineup. Pretty much every major model is discounted, which makes this the best moment all year to grab a printer that can actually grow with you instead of holding you back.

FDM Printer Deals

My favorite printer of the bunch here is the Neptune 4 Max, simply because it can more or less print anything thanks to its massive build plate.

I 3D printed a Stormtrooper helmet in one session with it, which took two spools of white filament and nearly three days, but it was worth it for the seamless finished build.

If you want to make bigger things like cosplay armour and one-piece replica swords (basdically anything massive), OrangeStorm Giga has all the features of a big industrial unit with the easy-to-use features of Elegoo 3D printers.

Saturn 4 Ultra 16K Resin Printer Deals

Whilst there's cheaper options with the Saturn 4 and Saturn 4 Ultra (8K), The Saturn 4 Ultra 16k is my main printer for pretty much anything. That's from printing miniatures that have been made in hero forge to massive Pokémon bust and statues in one go.

The whole Saturn 4 line features self levelling and a host of useful features to make life easier, such as a cleaning option that will set a thin sheet of resin to easily clean the FEP without emptying a resin vat. But the Ultra 16K is the most affordable way to print ridiculously detailed STL files without any sacrifices.

Although I have to say that i'd also recommend the Saturn 4 Ultra complete bundle with the Mercury Plus V3.0 bundle. Having moved from the Mercury Plus 2.0 cleaner, v3.0 is perfect for bigger projects and more efficient curing.

Early Black Friday 2025 Deals

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

We’re a week away from official Black Friday week, but the early deals are already popping off. One such deal is a “Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off” sale that’s live at both Amazon and Target. All you have to do is add two games to your cart, and at checkout the cheaper of those two games will show up at half price. That’s a great deal, but it ends November 22, so don’t hold off too long. In any case, let’s take a look at what games are available.

Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off on Board Games

As you can see, we’ve focused on the Amazon sale in the catalog above, but you can check out Target’s sale here if you prefer doing your shopping there. It’s also worth noting that this is in fact a “Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off” sale at Amazon, despite the confusing way Amazon words it on the retailer’s sale page. Amazon has been using confusing wording for these types of sales for years now, and I don’t expect anything to change. That said, you can rest assured that you only need to buy two games total, and you’ll save 50% off one of them.

In particular, this sale is a great time to pad out your board game shelf with some of the most popular and accessible of the newer crop of games. We’re talking games like Catan, Splendor, and Ticket to Ride: Europe. These are mainstays. You’ll also find crowd-pleasers like Camel Up and Horrified, giving you a nice range of themes, from horror board games to Marvel board games.

In addition to these more advanced board games, you’ll also find tons of family and party games on sale. We’re talking classic games like Scrabble and Twister, as well as newer family games like What Do You Meme and Flip 7.

It’s not just board games that are eligible for this sale, either. Check the main sale page, and you’ll find things like candy, toys, and Starbucks coffee in there, too. So even if you don’t find two games you like, you can still grab some Nerds Gummy Clusters for cheap.

For more, check out our picks for the best board games to play in 2025 as well as our extensive Black Friday coverage, because buddy, it’s coming whether you like it or not.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards have been dropping in price, and fortunately that means we'll be seeing plenty of great deals on prebuilt gaming PCs during Black Friday. One such deal is available right now. Walmart is currently offering the Acer Nitro 60 gaming PC with GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU for just $1,499.00 with free delivery. This is one of the lowest prices I've seen for a 5070 Ti prebuilt and it includes a generous amount of memory and storage out of the box.

Acer Nitro 60 GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC for $1,499

If you've been holding off on snagging the 2025 iteration of the Razer Blade 14, your patience has paid off. Razer's newest 14-inch gaming laptop is currently seeing its most substantial price drop since launch. This discount arrives ahead of quite a few Black Friday sales that will start kicking off later this week.

The Razer Blade 14 is an attractive gaming laptop that makes a few sacrifices for the sake of form factor and portability, but it still manages to hold its own for both gaming and productivity. And at its current sale price, it's an even more appealing device for those looking for a versatile laptop that can play modern titles on the go.

Let's brighten up your Monday with a fresh set of awesome deals that should have been during Black Friday, That's right, there are some epic early Black Friday deals today, kicking off with a fantastic sale from Elegoo across their line of FDM and Resin 3D printers. There has never been a better time to get into the hobby.

TL;DR: Deals for Today

Did you manage to pick up any Phantasmal Flames or Mega Evolution over the weekend? Well I've got just the thing to scratch that Pokémon TCG itch with Phantasmal Flames Booster Boxes under market value. How about another $60 off? Or free Phantasmal Flames and Mega Evolution Booster bundles? I've got you.

For the shell heads i've got the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Roning box set up for preorder with a chonky discount. That also goes for a Meta Quest 3S headset early Black Friday Deal. There's also a solid chunk busted of the Final Fantasy I - VI collection (Anniversary Edition) on Nintendo Switch. Let's get straight into it:

Phantasmal Flames and Mega Evolution Deals

So the Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is $239.99, with Booster Bundles for free if you sign up and get accepted for an Amazon Visa card. Upon Approval, you'll get a tidy $60 Amazon Gift Card automatically and instantly added to your account. It's that simple, just behave yourself with that Visa card!

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra Resin 3D Printer Deals

The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra line of Resin printers are perfect for anything that needs intricate detail, especially the 16k model, although the standard ultra does an amazing job too. The Saturn 4 Ultra and Mercury V3.0 wash is a perfect starter kit for anyone wanting to get into the hobby.

Elegoo FDM Printer Deals

What if I said I printed a full sized Stormtrooper helmet on a Neptune 4 Max in one go? It was such a fun project and this printer can handle some insane projects on the large and small side. In fact all of these FDM 3D printers are great for printing anything practical. I'm looking at you cosplayers.

Meta Quest 3S 128GB (Gorilla Tag Bundle)

TMNT: The Last Ronin Box Set

Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition