Lies of P's DLC has been patched to reduce monster difficulty in repeat playthroughs and "adjusted stats" for some of the field monsters you encounter in your first playthrough of Overture.

Director Jiwon Choi previously said the team didn't think Soulslike games like Lies of P should have difficulty options, and it shipped without any, but has since had a change of heart, saying: “We wanted to make sure a wider audience of players could play the game."

Similarly, players have complained about the DLC's "intended" difficulty, Legendary Stalker. There have been so many comments — both for and against the DLC's difficulty spike — that the Lies of P subreddit has had to merge them all into a "megathread" to stop the community from being overwhelmed by complaints. It prompted developer Neowiz to acknowledge that some areas "did not turn out quite as intended."

Now, as well as addressing some bugs such as the progression issue after you give a bottle of beer to the Old Fisherman, or another that causes visual bugs when wearing certain items, Neowiz has applied "combat balance adjustments" with patch 1.9.0.0, which went live earlier today, June 20. You can also now unlock the DLC from Chapter 5 instead of Chapter 9 from your second playthrough onwards.

Here's the full patch notes, as taken from the Steam page.

Lies of P Update Notes Version 1.9.0.0

Important Notice

• Using software or data not officially distributed by the developer may cause the game to crash.
• Failing to do so may result in crashes, save data errors, or even irreversible data loss.If you are starting the game after installing from a disc, be sure to update to the latest version before playing.
• Please be sure to check your Storage for the item.

Major Changes

• Please read any on-screen prompts carefully.
• Combat Balance Adjustments
  • Reduced monster difficulty in repeat playthroughs.
  • Adjusted stats for certain field monsters in the first playthrough of Lies of P: Overture.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug where benefit items were not delivered properly.
  • If you experienced issues with benefit items such as the "Azure Dragon Crescent Glaive" or "Winter Festival Peaked Hat" not being received, please update the game to the latest version and check if the issue has been resolved.
  • If your Bag was full, these items may have been sent to the Storage. Please check your Storage as well.
• If you encountered this bug, update the game to the latest version and try speaking with Salao again.
• Fixed a bug that allowed movement to unintended areas outside the normal route.
• Fixed a bug that sometimes caused the character to be launched into the air when using the Blade Fable Arts of "Monad's Rose Sword."
• Fixed a bug where using the Blade Fable Arts of "Monad's Rose Sword" in Hotel Krat while listening to a record would skip the current record.
• Fixed a bug where the triggered effect of the "Solutionist's Amulet" would persist even after the item was unequipped.
• Fixed a visual bug affecting the Legion Arm "Flamberge" when wearing the "Blazing Death's Hunting Apparel."
• Fixed various minor issues, including icon display errors, localization and text errors, monster-related bugs, and other miscellaneous bugs.

Developer Neowiz also confirmed today that Lies of P has topped 3 million copies sold.

Lies of P developer Neowiz shadow-dropped DLC Overture during Summer Game Fest, introducing new locations, new enemies and bosses, new characters, weapons, and the very controversial decision to add in two easier difficulty options.

We had a good time with Lies of P, awarding it 8/10, and Overture itself also secured a 8/10. "Even if it’s clearly dancing on the same old strings, Lies of P: Overture is an excellent expansion that adds a whole lot more to a game that was already great," we wrote.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Critical Role's Robbie Daymond will join the cast of Assassin's Creed Shadows next week, as a new character you can recruit as an ally for Yasuke and Naoe.

Daymond will play Rufino, a character he originally created for an Assassin's Creed Shadows promotional one-shot. A quick glimpse at the character shows Rufino wearing a Portuguese-style doublet and sporting a lavish moustache.

Rufino will arrive as a recruitable ally in Shadows' next game update, due next Wednesday, June 25. This will be the latest free drop of additional story content made available post-launch, following an earlier mission that served as a crossover with Dead by Daylight.

So far, Shadows' extra story add-ons have been brief, with little more than 20 minutes gameplay each time. But as a recruitable ally — one of only half a dozen in the game — there's scope here for Rufino to make more of an impact.

Still, it's unclear exactly how large Rufino's role will be. Will you be able to call upon him in battle, as your other allies can be? Will you be able to romance Rufino, even — something other allies are open to exploring. Or will Rufino simply just be another face that hangs around your hideout? Next week, we'll find out.

Okay so imagine: feudal Japan, hidden blades… and Critical Role? Robbie’s in. Luc’s in. You should probably be in too.#ACShadows #CriticalRole #ACxCR pic.twitter.com/guT6cagwE7

— Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) June 19, 2025

Ubisoft previously stated that its June content update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows would also include new difficulty settings, gameplay immersion options, and an open-world alarm system to keep players on their toes. A much requested option to keep headgear on or off during cutscenes will also be added.

Further down the line, Ubisoft is working on a New Game Plus option and additionally story drops, including more crossovers. And before 2025 is out, Shadows will receive its first major expansion — Claws of Awaji — that is set to pick up from the game's ending and add a new region of Japan to explore.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Surprise! NetEase Thunder Fire has just revealed Blood Message, an all-new action-adventure game that looks like a wuxia Uncharted.

Described as a "story-driven, single-player, action-adventure set in Ancient China," Blood Message will feature "cutting-edge technology [to] heighten immersion in [an] epic blockbuster experience."

Players can expect a deeply emotional journey with gameplay "anchored in cinematic storytelling," and visceral, realistic combat that blends stealth and survival mechanics. You'll visit diverse landscapes right across eastern and central Asia.

Blood Message is an upcoming third-person linear action-adventure game developed by 24 Entertainment Studio and NetEase Thunder Fire. It introduces a forgotten odyssey of loyalty and survival where players join Dunhuang’s uprising, taking control of a nameless messenger and his young son in this immersive third-person action-adventure.

"Caught in the crossfire of a righteous uprising and driven by loyalty to both family and country, players will embark on a perilous eastward journey to deliver a message that holds the fate of their war-torn homeland," teases the blurb. "Amidst the shifting sands of history, they will etch a final tale of loyalty. "

"From not knowing about this game five minutes ago, it is now at the top of my most wanted list. Looks incredible!" said one impressive fan on YouTube, with another suggesting: "I see quite a bit of Uncharted/Tomb Raider Reboot DNA in this and I'm liking it!"

Blood Message coming to PC and consoles, although a release window has not yet been confirmed.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Nintendo Switch 2 is off to a strong start, with 3.5 million consoles sold. But outside of playing Mario Kart World, have you bought many other games? And how many of those weren't made by Nintendo?

Analysis has begun on the console's launch week sales figures, and it paints a mixed picture of how non-Nintendo software has fared. Of course, Nintendo games are always the prime attraction on Nintendo hardware — and around 80 percent of Switch 2 consoles sold so far have been the console's bundle option with Mario Kart World packed in.

Beyond that, Nintendo launched its new platform with bitesize tech demo/mini-game collection Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour to sample, plus The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 Editions you can buy outright or buy upgrades for. And, of course, Switch 1 owners have access to their full back catalogues to continue playing. So perhaps it's not a huge surprise that third-party Switch 2 software hasn't dominated more.

In the UK, 86% of Switch 2 physical game sales during launch week were first-party titles. This includes copies of Mario Kart World sold as part of the Switch 2 console bundle, according to NielsenIQ numbers reported by The Game Business. This is roughly equivalent to the 89% first-party physical game sales seen in the UK during Switch 1's launch week.

In the US, third-party publishers saw a slightly rosier picture, with 62% of Switch 2 physical game sales during launch week from first-party titles, per figures from Circana. According to industry analyst Mat Piscatella, that compares to a figure above 80% for the first month of Switch 1.

The best selling non-Nintendo game on Switch 2 during its first week on sale was Cyberpunk 2077, from CD Projekt Red. Sega, which launched Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, Sonic x Shadow Generations and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, was the platform's third biggest publisher during launch week, meanwhile.

The Game Business states that one unnamed third-party publisher described their Switch 2 launch sales as 'below our lowest estimates', despite Nintendo's console hardware selling well. It's an eye-catching quote, but up against Mario Kart World, and with no pre-launch Switch 2 reviews for any games, it's perhaps not too surprising.

And another factor to be considered is that the original Switch launched with just five physical games, whereas Switch 2 has 13 available to buy, likely spreading demand.

Ultimately, Piscatella wrote, solid results on how Switch 2 is performing for third-party publishers will come — but for now, it is still too soon to tell.

"It's far too early to claim best or worst this or that or whatever when it comes to Switch 2," Piscatella concluded. "Sheesh, the thing hasn't even been out 3 weeks yet."

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

In its first Q&A since Dune: Awakening launched on June 10, developer Funcom responded to questions on what's next for its survival MMO, and in particular changes due to come to its endgame.

Funcom said it's "currently formulating a plan" to improve PvP in the Deep Desert, which players have previously branded as "toxic" due to griefing. Funcom has already patched out the ability for players to squish other people with their Ornithopter, but senior game director Viljar Sommerbakk also revealed the team was considering tweaking Ornis further, such as equipping them with rockets that "reduces overall maneuverability and max speed".

The team is also considering making Scout Orni rockets cost slightly more heat to fire, something Sommerbakk said would limit its combat usefulness relative to the Assault Ornithopter "while still allowing it to be an aerial threat."

"We have a lot of plans to address [players'] points about respawn times and revives," creative director Joel Bylos added. "Full loot is a decree that can be obtained via the Landsraad (so compete there if you want to make it a reality), there are control points in the deep desert already, we have no plans to reduce the DD size. As we work on the game, we will continue to work on making PvP more rewarding (I am sure you will note I am not being very concrete but that is because we are planning and watching how people are playing and finding the right points to address)."

Lead producer Ole Andreas Hayley said: "The Deep Desert will always stay a PvP free-for-all area, but we might consider adding other locations that offer factional warfare."

"We want players to make meaningful decisions about what they bring with them and how they outfit their vehicles," Sommerbakk continued. "Once players have engaged in PvP, we want the experience to be reliable, responsive, and clearly understood. This determines how PvP as a whole feels and how players make their moment-to-moment decisions in a fight. To ensure a more reliable experience in ground combat, we are continuing to address issues with movement desyncs and rubber banding, as well as ability activation reliability."

There's also some quality of life tweaks on the way, too, including named storage containers and vehicles, to help you differentiate, as well as "deposit/extract all" buttons for water storages and the like. We should also expect boss encounters as part of future dungeons as the team continues to evolve PvE content.

Interestingly, Hayley also teased that we could receive additional maps in the future, also.

"The Dune universe has a lot of interesting locations and worlds to explore, and we're looking forward to continuing to build on top of the foundation we have," he said.

Right now, there are no plans to make it easier to distinguish between NPCs and other players — "this is in line with the vision of the game" — and when asked if it would be possible to skip all dialogue and animations, Bylos said: "Absolutely not."

We gave Dune: Awakening a Great 8/10 in our review, writing: "Dune: Awakening is an excellent survival MMO that captures Frank Herbet’s sci-fi world incredibly well, mostly to its advantage and occasionally to its detriment. The survival climb from dehydrated peasant to powerful warlord of Arrakis is a joy almost every step of the way, and the story and worldbuilding filled this nerd with absolute joy.

"There’s still plenty for Awakening to work on though, as its combat never really hits its stride, the endgame is a bit of a chaotic mess not worth the effort, and there’s quite a few technical bugs yet to be squashed, but even these rough patches felt like tiny desert mice next to the leviathan shai-huluds that are this survival game’s wonderful successes."

Dune: Awakening has enjoyed a superb launch, with a 'very positive' user review rating on Steam. Within hours of going live on June 10, Funcom's survival MMO had clocked up over 142,000 concurrent players on Valve's platform, and hit a new high over the weekend of 189,333 players.

If all that's got you interested, make sure to check out all the Dune: Awakening classes you can choose from, and keep an eye on our in-progress Dune: Awakening walkthrough for a step-by-step guide to the story. To help you survive on Arrakis, we've got Dune: Awakening resource guides that'll help you find iron, steel, aluminium, and more.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

UPDATE: Nintendo has confirmed to IGN that the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond advert currently at Oxford Circus in London is incorrect, and the game still lacks an official release date.

"We can confirm that the 'Out Now' message on this advert is incorrect," a Nintendo spokesperson said. "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are not yet available and are scheduled for release in 2025."

IGN has been able to verify the advert currently remains in place at the station — as detailed in our original report below.

ORIGINAL STORY: A giant advert for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond at London's Oxford Circus tube station states that the game is now available, sparking confusion from Nintendo fans on their morning commute.

First off, if you've seen the advert yourself, no — the current London heatwave hasn't melted your senses. The advert, now spotted by multiple fans and confirmed in person by IGN staff, really does say the game is "out now".

Officially, Nintendo has not announced a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date other than a vague promise it will launch this year. But even if the game isn't out now, its appearance on an advert in such a prominent location is giving Nintendo fans hope its launch is right around the corner.

"Any idea why the MP4 Beyond ad in the London Underground says 'out now'?" Nintendo fan orchestar wrote on reddit. "I’m genuinely confused. Do they mean the Switch 2 is out? I wish the game was truly out though haha."

Fans have speculated that the advert is perhaps outdated — maybe Nintendo did initially plan to launch Metroid Prime 4 now, and the wording wasn't updated? Alternatively, we could be seeing a version of the advert not due until later, alongside the game's actual release date.

For other Nintendo fans, keen to play the game soon after many years of waiting, the advert has sparked hope of a surprise release. This does seem unlikely, however, with Donkey Kong Bananza firmly positioned as Nintendo's next big Switch 2 title.

As IGN senior commerce editor Rob Anderson told me this morning, reporting from the scene, the whole of this Oxford Circus tube platform is one long Nintendo Switch 2 advert, with individual panels for games such as Super Mario Party Jamboree, Donkey Kong Bananza and the Switch 2 console itself. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's placement here, then, looks just to be part of a wider promotional campaign — rather than a specific placement for the individual game.

IGN has contacted Nintendo for comment.

In a new entry on Sony’s official PlayStation blog, Sucker Punch Productions' co-creative director Nate Fox shared more insight into the research trips the Ghost of Yotei team took to Japan. Following on from his previous PlayStation blog contribution (more on that here), Fox yet again emphasized the team’s commitment to portraying feudal Japan in a respectful way, this time focusing on the efforts they made to represent the culture of the Ainu.

The Ainu are an indigenous people from north Japan, especially Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, which provides Ghost of Yotei’s setting. Their language, culture, beliefs, and traditions are distinctly different from the Yamato (also known as Wajin), the main ethnic group that makes up the overwhelming majority of Japan’s population today.

Ghost of Yotei is set at a pivotal point in the history — 1603 was the year the Tokugawa Shogunate was formed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan’s great unifiers, putting an end to decades of civil war. Edo (now Tokyo) became Japan’s center of power, ushering in the peaceful Edo period in which Japan’s culture and society blossomed. However, at this time, Hokkaido was still a wild, sparsely populated island home to the Ainu, its formidable winter snow and rugged landscape making it a tough place to live.

“When setting a game in Hokkaido we knew a crucial element was doing our best to represent Ainu culture in a respectful way,” Nate Fox explained. “Thankfully we’d connected with an Ainu cultural adviser before setting out on our reference gathering trip.” Not only that, but they were invited by the adviser to meet her family, which led to the Ghost of Yotei team getting to forage for vegetables in the mountains. “It was a lovely way to make new friends and start our journey in learning about Ainu culture. That night we resolved to put foraging into our new game, we wanted players to be able to share (our) experience.”

According to Fox, the Ghost of Yotei team spent part of their research gathering trip in Oshima Peninsula, the southern part of Hokkaido that is closest to Japan’s main island of Honshu. In the 1600s, this was the domain of Matsumae clan, who would be given exclusive rights by the Tokugawa government to trade with the Ainu living further north. Fox observed that there are signs even today of how the mainland Japanese people of this time rarely lived any further north of Oshima. There is a “proliferation of cherry trees on the peninsula, brought there from Honshu, yet uncommon in the rest of the island. That really told the story of how sparsely settled Hokkaido was in 1603 by the Wajin people,” he noted.

“We’ve tried to mimic that quality in the game, leaning into areas of wilderness between homesteads.” This rugged wilderness will provide a backdrop for protagonist Atsu’s quest to take revenge on those who killed her family.

Fox and the team also went to the Nibutani Ainu Museum with their Ainu cultural adviser. Traditional Ainu houses (called cise) differ from traditional Japanese houses. The museum trip “really helped us get a sense for sorts of objects we’d see in the game and how they were used.”

We can get a glimpse of the inside of an Ainu house, with its large central hearth, in Ghost of Yotei’s official release date trailer (around the 2-minute mark). The woman protagonist Atsu is talking to in this scene seems to be Ainu, as she has a lip tattoo. This symbol of beauty for the Ainu would later be cracked down on by the Japanese government in the late 1800s, after it had fully annexed Hokkaido (source: Embassy of Japan in the UK). By then, measures to force Ainu to abandon their language and culture and integrate into Japanese society were in full swing.

(As a side note, J.K Goodrich’s 1888 account of Ainu houses paints a first-hand picture of the contrast, and complicated relations between the Ainu and Japanese at this time.)

Fox also touched on the time that the Ghost of Yotei team spent learning about Edo period Japan, which took them to Nikko Toshogu, one of the shrines in Japan dedicated to the unifying shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who kickstarted the Edo period. “While there we obtained a blessing for the game from the enshrined deity, Tokugawa Ieyasu,” Fox explained, adding that they proudly display the ema (wooden plaque) and omamori (protective charm) that they obtained from Nikko Toshogu at the studio as reminders of their trip.

Reflecting on the research trip, Fox explained that “while our version of Hokkaido is fictional, the feeling of authenticity we strive to create has roots in those real world experiences.” It will be interesting to see how Ghost of Yotei portrays the contrast between the Wajin/Edo culture, and that of the Ainu.

Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.

Thank your own personal deity—possibly the Seneschal—it's Friday. Need an excuse to add to the backlog? Today's digital discounts span epic space operas, cult oddities, and co-op masterpieces, with some titles hitting historically low prices. From Switch swordplay to PC wizardry, there’s something for every controller type or keyboard warrior.

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m lighting 22 candles for Sonic Adventure DX, the high-speed 3D platformer that burst onto the GameCube in 2003. Back then, the excitement was real. This wasn’t just a basic port of the Dreamcast hit. It came with a stack of extra missions, a playable Metal Sonic skin (!!!), and a gallery of visual upgrades that brought a glossier look to familiar levels.

Sure, the camera had a mind of its own, and Big the Cat's fishing stages were divisive at best, but it still felt fresh. DX kept Sonic relevant during a weird transitional time for Sega, and for fans like me, it scratched a nostalgic itch at just the right moment.

Aussie birthdays for notable games

- Sonic Adventure DX (GC) 2003. Get

- Brute Force (XB) 2003. eBay

Contents

• Nintendo
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• PC
• PC Gear
• LEGO
• Headphones
• TVs

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

Nintendo is swinging with a rare price drop on Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, a musou-style spin-off where Byleth is actually the villain. The devs revealed they initially planned three endings, but the darker one was so bleak it got scrapped. Meanwhile, What Remains of Edith Finch is a bargain at under eight bucks. Fun fact: the Finch family’s bizarre deaths were inspired by classic tragicomic literature like One Hundred Years of Solitude.

• One Piece Odyssey Del. Ed. (-20%) - A$68
• Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (-50%) - A$39.70
• Biomutant (-40%) - A$36
• What Remains of Edith Finch (-75%) - A$7.40
• Dead by Daylight (-65%) - A$15.70

Expiring Recent Deals

• Sniper Elite 4 (-12%) - A$52.60
• Everybody 1-2-Switch! (-29%) - A$35.30
• Crisis Core FF VII Reunion (-15%) - A$72.60
• Biomutant (-40%) - A$36.00
• Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (-75%) - A$14.70
• Mark of the Ninja: Rem. (-75%) - A$7.50

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

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Exciting Bargains for Xbox

• Mass Effect Leg. Ed. (-90%) - A$9.90
• Lego Skywalker Saga (-80%) - A$17.90
• Gotham Knights (-83%) - A$19
• Split Fiction (-16%) - A$59
• Metal Gear Solid Col. (-50%) - A$42.40

Xbox One

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (-27%) - A$80.10
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (-11%) - A$249
• The Crew Motorfest (-21%) - A$78.60

Expiring Recent Deals

• The Witcher 3 Comp. (-54%) - A$36.70
• 40K: Darktide (-26%) - A$44.40
• Xbox Cont. Robot White (-36%) - A$58
• Metaphor: ReFantazio (-57%) - A$49.00
• 40K Space Marine 2 (-54%) - A$49.90
• Doom: The Dark Ages (-34%) - A$79.00
• HyperX Cloud Alpha Headset (-35%) - A$103
• Octopath Traveler (-60%) - A$35.90
• Disco Elysium - The Final Cut (-70%) - A$17.90
• Diablo III: Eternal Col. (-67%) - A$32.90

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

• The Outer Worlds 2 (-17%) - A$99
• Gears of War: Reloaded (-18%) - A$49
• EA Sports FC 25 (-57%) - A$34
• NBA 2K25 (-80%) - A$24
• Sonic Frontiers (-40%) - A$59.90
• Until Dawn (-46%) - A$59
• Dragon's Dogma 2 (-60%) - A$43.10

PS4

• Logitech G29 Wheel (-38%) - A$340
• Catherine: Full Body (-27%) - A$39.90
• Tekken 7 (-71%) - A$19.90

Expiring Recent Deals

• Black Myth: Wukong (-20%) - A$79.90
• DualSense Fancy Colours (-32%) - A$82
• Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds (-25%) - A$249
• Tales of Arise (-68%) - A$32.10
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (-21%) - A$79.00
• Crisis Core –FF VII– Reunion (-25%) - A$64.00
• Resident Evil Village (-20%) - A$44.10
• WWE 2K25 (-42%) - A$69.00
• Sonic Superstars (-29%) - A$67.00
• Hogwarts Legacy: Del. Ed. (-16%) - A$101.10

PS+ Monthly Freebies
Yours to keep from Jun 1 with this subscription

• NBA 2K25 | PS5, PS4
• Alone in the Dark (2024) | PS5
• Bomb Rush Cyberfunk | PS5, PS4
• Destiny 2: The Final Shape | PS5, PS4

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

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Purchase Cheap for PC

• Hogwarts Legacy (-75%) - A$24.90
• It Takes Two (-75%) - A$12.40
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-80%) - A$19.90
• Dead Space (-80%) - A$17.90
• Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (-75%) - A$17.40
• Yooka-Laylee (-80%) - A$5.90

Expiring Recent Deals

• Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (-20%) - A$71.90
• Dead By Daylight (-60%) - A$11.50
• Rayman Legends (-80%) - A$5.90
• Norco (-65%) - A$7.60
• Tomb Raider (2013) (-85%) - A$3.30
• Assetto Corsa (-75%) - A$7.20

Or just get a Steam Wallet Card

Laptop Deals

• Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch (-12%) – A$2,197
• HP Laptop 15.6" 15-fd0233TU (-20%) – A$799
• Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (-36%) – A$849
• Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 14", Gen 9 (-41%) – A$1,229

Desktop Deals

• Lenovo neo 50a G5 27" AIO (-47%) – A$1,379
• Lenovo neo 50q G4 Tiny (-35%) – A$639
• Lenovo neo 50t G5 Tower (-20%) – A$871.20
• Legion Tower 5i G8 (-29%) – A$1,899

Monitor Deals

• Samsung QE50T 50" (-31%) – A$596
• ARZOPA 16.1" 144Hz (-55%) – A$159.99
• Z-Edge 27" 240Hz (-15%) – A$237.99
• Gawfolk 34" WQHD (-28%) – A$359
• LG 27" Ultragear (-42%) – A$349

Component Deals

• MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi Motherboard (-41%) – A$229
• AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (-7%) – A$876
• Corsair Vengeance 32GB (-35%) – A$82
• Kingston FURY Beast 16GB (-30%) – A$48

Storage Deals

• Seagate One Touch Portable HDD (-24%) – A$228
• Kingston 1TB USB 3.2 SSD (-17%) – A$115
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO (-63%) – A$29
• SanDisk 32GB Ultra SDHC (-53%) – A$9.90

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Legit LEGO Deals

• Hogwarts Castle: Dueling Club (-40%) - A$23.90
• 3in1 T. Rex to Triceratops (-28%) - A$64.90
• Mario Kart: Donkey Kong (-27%) - A$44
• Star Wars C-3PO (-26%) - A$170

Expiring Recent Deals

• Yoshis' Egg-cellent Forest (-33%) - A$10
• Batman Tumbler vs. Two-Face (-27%) - A$66
• City Space Interstellar (-27%) - A$22
• Simba The Lion King (-27%) - A$22

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Hot Headphones Deals

Audiophilia for less

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless (-38%) – A$399.95
• Soundcore by Anker Q20i (-43%) – A$68.79
• Sony MDR7506 Professional (-30%) – A$169
• Technics Premium (-46%) – A$299
• Bose SoundLink Flex (-31%) – A$171
• JBL Charge 5 - Portable Speaker (-28%) – A$144
• JBL Flip Essential 2 Waterproof Speaker (-26%) – A$96
• Sony SRS-XB100 Travel Speaker (-41%) – A$84.15
• Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Speaker (-41%) – A$134.95
• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro (-26%) – A$259.29
• Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (-46%) – A$275

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Terrific TV Deals

Do right by your console, upgrade your telly

• LG 43" UT80 4K (-24%) – A$635
• Kogan 65" QLED 4K (-50%) – A$699
• Kogan 55" QLED 4K (-45%) – A$549
• LG 55" UT80 4K (-28%) – A$866
• Prism+ Q75 Ultra 75" 4K QLED (-47%) – A$1,229
• Gaimoo Mini Projector 1080p w/ 4K (-33%) – A$119.99
• GooDee 4K Projector (-58%) – A$169.99
• VOPLLS Mini Projector 4K (-19%) – A$168.99
• XuanPad Mini Projector (-36%) – A$128.99
• LG S70TY Q Series Sound Barn*-22%) – A$546
• Sony HTG700 Atmos Soundbar (-15%) – A$594
• Yamaha NS-SW050 Subwoofer (-13%) – A$270

Smart Home Deals

• Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (-53%) – A$107.76
• Google Nest Doorbell (-44%) – A$183
• Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (-40%) – A$149
• TP-Link Tapo Smart Doorbell (-20%) – A$183
• XTU Doorbell Camera Doorbell (-40%) – A$59.99
• D-Link DCS-8302LH Wi-Fi Cam (-62%) – A$75
• Google Nest Cam (-25%) – A$247
• Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Battery (-43%) – A$187
• Swann 4 Channel DVR with 4 x 4K Cams (-34%) – A$399
• WUUK 2K Outdoor Cam (-32%) – A$249.99

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For a limited time, Amazon is offering the lowest price I've ever seen on one of the best Windows-based gaming handhelds. Right now you can pick up a Lenovo Legion Go with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU and 512GB of storage for only $499.99 shipped after a 30% off instant discount. The Legion Go boasts a larger and sharper display, detachable controllers, and a larger battery compared to the Asus ROG Ally. And now that Valve has made SteamOS widely available, you can install it and turn this device basically into a super-powered Steam Deck.

30% Off Lenovo Legion Go 512GB Gaming Handheld

Summertime has arrived, and plenty of great video game deals along with it. There are quite a few Xbox deals, in particular, that are worth checking out at the moment. With big sale events like Amazon Prime Day on the horizon as well, there are bound to be many more to come as we get closer to the sale's start day on July 8. Until then, though, some of our favorite Xbox deals at the moment include discounts on Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Metaphor: ReFantazio, but these just scratch the surface of what's out there.

If you're looking to stock up on new Xbox games or accessories, we're here to help. Here are the best Xbox deals available right now.

Best Xbox Game Deals

If you're looking to stock up on new Xbox games, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth checking out. Some of our favorite deals at the moment are from Woot's Video Game Super Sale, which includes discounts on Metaphor: ReFantazio, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and Sniper Elite: Resistance, but there are so many more to look through. You can check out those deals and more of our favorites above.

What's Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass?

Game Pass has a nice rotation of new titles to play every month. If you're curious about what's in store for the end of June and start of July, we've got you covered. The Xbox Game Pass June Wave 2 lineup is:

• Star Trucker (Xbox Series X|S) – June 18 Now with Game Pass Standard
• Wildfrost (Console) – June 18 Now with Game Pass Standard
• Rematch (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – June 19 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Volcano Princess (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 24 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Against the Storm (Cloud and Console) – June 26 Game Pass Ultimate
• Warcraft I: Remastered (PC) – June 26 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Warcraft II: Remastered (PC) – June 26 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Warcraft III: Reforged (PC) – June 26 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Call of Duty: WWII (Console and PC) – June 30 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Little Nightmares II (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 1 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 1 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard

Best Xbox Accessory Deals

Outside of games, there are a few different Xbox accessory deals that are worth your time and money as well. Walmart's offering a nice discount at the moment on the Elite Series 2 controller, while Amazon's got the 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card on sale. Woot also has a couple of nice accessory deals as part of its Video Game Super Sale.

When Should I Buy an Xbox?

In general, it is advisable to keep an eye out for sales and restocks throughout the year, as availability has improved since the initial launch of the console. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, there is no specific recommendation to wait for a sale regardless of the time of year. Instead, it's a good idea to monitor various retailers and online platforms for restock announcements and promotional offers.

However, certain events like Black Friday or other holiday seasons may bring about unique bundles, discounts, or promotional deals specifically for the Xbox Series X. These bundles may include additional games, accessories, or exclusive limited editions. While quantities for such promotions might be limited, they can provide an opportunity to get more value for your purchase.

It's worth keeing in mind that Xbox recently increased console prices as well, which you can read more about here.

Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?

Choosing between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ultimately depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and specific requirements. Let's compare the two consoles to help you make an informed decision:

1. Performance: The Xbox Series X is the more powerful option, offering native 4K gaming, higher graphical fidelity, and faster loading times. It has more advanced hardware, including a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S targets a lower price point and offers a less powerful performance, targeting 1440p resolution gaming and upscaling to 4K.

2. Price: The Xbox Series S is more affordable compared to the Xbox Series X. If budget is a significant factor for you, the Xbox Series S provides a cost-effective option while still delivering a next-generation gaming experience. For example, the Series S can play Starfield at 1440p 30fps (vs 4K 30fps on Series X).

3. Storage: The Xbox Series X comes with a larger internal storage capacity, allowing you to store more games directly on the console. The Xbox Series S, however, has a smaller storage capacity, which means you may need to manage your game library more actively or rely on external storage solutions.

4. Disc Drive: The Xbox Series X includes a disc drive, enabling you to play physical game discs and enjoy a wider range of media options, including Blu-ray and DVD playback. The Xbox Series S, in contrast, is a digital-only console, meaning you can only play games downloaded from the digital store.

5. Graphics and Performance: While both consoles support ray tracing, the Xbox Series X provides a more immersive and visually impressive experience due to its superior hardware capabilities. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics and want the best performance available, the Xbox Series X is the preferable choice.

Consider your gaming preferences, budget, and whether you prioritize top-of-the-line performance or cost-effectiveness. If you have a 4K TV, want the most powerful console, and are willing to invest more, the Xbox Series X is the recommended option. If you have a lower budget, a 1080p or 1440p TV, and don't mind sacrificing some performance, the Xbox Series S offers excellent value for money.

With how expensive gaming is getting in 2025, we're trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We've got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you're trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

If you’ve been holding out for a solid deal, today’s lineup delivers some excellent finds. From a $12 power bank perfect for your Nintendo Switch 2 to a hefty Skytech gaming PC loaded with AMD’s latest hardware, there’s a little something for everyone.

TL;DR: Deals For Today

Vinyl collectors can also look forward to Woodkid’s emotionally rich Death Stranding 2 soundtrack, while digital deal hunters should check out the IGN Live 2025 Bundle. Eight well-reviewed PC games for just $22.

Hulu + Live TV Free Trial

Final Fantasy x Secret Lair

While boosters, Commander decks, and a new Starter Kit are up for grabs (if you can find them in stock), collectors will be most drawn to the highly coveted Secret Lair drops. Despite selling out instantly via Wizards of the Coast, these limited-edition mini-sets (Game Over, Weapons, and Grimoire) are still available through third-party platforms like TCGPlayer, though you’ll be paying premium prices well above the original $30–$40 MSRP.

Each set features beautifully reimagined cards themed around iconic Final Fantasy characters and spells: the Weapons drop highlights legendary arms like Cloud’s Buster Sword and Tidus’s Brotherhood, Grimoire centers on magic-wielders like Vivi and Aerith, and Game Over pays tribute to villains with cards like Spira’s Punishment and Meteorfall. All sets come in standard and foil variants, with Japanese versions available as well. If you’re considering adding these to your collection, be sure to check listings carefully and be prepared for markups ranging from $70 to $150 or more.

MTG Final Fantasy Chase Cards

It's insane how quickly these cards have climbed in value just days after release, and I can guarantee you (almost) that they won't be coming down any time soon. If you fancy saving some money ripping packs of MTG FF, just buy the card you want on TCGPlayer instead and save a fortune.

Where To Buy MTG: Final Fantasy

It's finally here, Magic the Gathering: Final Fantasy is out in the wild. If you got a preorder for MSRP, well played, but many TCG and Final Fantasy fans missed out. Fear not, there's still some options on sealed products available right now, including options from the secondary market with TCG Player which is around the same or lower than the pricing of big box retailers right now.

Pokémon Restock Updates

Checking these prices against TCG Player secondary market values, a lot of these products aren't far off the mark. Make no mistake, they're still way off MSRP, but finding Pokémon products on shelves that haven't been marked up past the point of anyone caring is a positive. Still refusing to pay over MSRP for new sets? Well played, I'm proud of you. Here's some single card highlights for you to shuffle through instead. Spoiler, there's plenty of deals to be had.

Destined Rivals Singles Are On The Rise (Again)

It's hard to stick a pin on Destined Rivals single card values right now, and the dips in value seem to match the little bits of stock distributors release to stores. Looking at the tracking charts for each of these cards, we can see mostly plummets from day one, then either upticks or cards for sale that exceed the original value at launch. It's crazy, but we now know how low these cards can go. Sure there's always attempts at market manipulation, but I wouldn't buy any cards on the rise right now.

The Most Expensive Pokémon Cards In Packs RIGHT NOW

We're not talking about vintage or out of print sets, all of these are incredible chase cards you can pull from booster packs available now. You can probably put money on their value going up as soon as their respective sets go out of print. If you don't want to spend mega money ripping open packs, market values on these single cards are quite reasonable for the most part..

Destined Rivals Sealed Stock

Wew're look to market values for Destined Rivals at the moment, seeing as big box stores are either fresh out of stock or charging over MSRP and what they're worth on the secondary market. So here's the full lineup to pop on your shelf or rip open like THAT Tyranitar. If you know you know.

Skytech King 95 Gaming PC

Iniu 10,000mAh 22.5W USB Power Bank

IGN Live 2025 Bundle

Woodkid for Death Stranding 2 On the Beach - 2LP Vinyl

Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch 2)

Donkey Kong Bananza

FiGGYZ

Monty Python And The Holy Grail - 4K UHD Combo + Steelbook

Badass Brawlers Bundle

Self Adhesive Hook And Loop Cable Ties

Anker HDMI Switch

JSAUX 3-Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector Switch 2

Switch 2 tomtoc Slim Carrying Case

The Legend of Zelda Master Sword

Borderlands 4 Preorders

Borderlands 4 preorders have finally landed, and the started edition is just under the $70 mark in a suprising move after the comments made by Randy Pitchford. We've had a bit of a behind the scenes look with the beggining of the "Beyond the Borderlands" video dropping on how to make a vault hunter, and it's all looking good.

Narrative Arc Bundle

Apple Mac and iPad Deals

Need an upgrade or a good introduction into the Apple ecosystem? There's plenty of choices here, with the M4 chip powering the MacBook and Mac Mini, it's just a case of thinking about if you'd like a traditional desktop setup or something you can take on the go. iPad A16 is perfect for pretty much anything too, even a bit of Apple Arcade.

Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor

Big Discounts On Crucial DDR5 and Storage

Crucial are one of the most dependable brands when it comes to M.2 and portable drives, and is a great option for those wanting the benefits of DDR5 RAM without flashy RGB and it's price tag. Here's some of the best deals in the Crucial price slashing marathon on Amazon right now. I currently use the X10 Pro 4TB for backing up files and folders on my PC and for watching videos on my projector, just a solid piece of kit.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (PS5)

DOOM The Dark Ages Art Print

Power Up Pride Bundle

Nintendo has confirmed the age of Donkey Kong Bananza sidekick Pauline, sparking questions regarding the young character's timeline and how Bananza's story will tally with previous titles — such as Mario's original arcade game, where DK was famously portrayed as the villain and Pauline was his abductee.

In a character profile found on Donkey Kong Bananza's Japanese website, Nintendo states that Pauline is a "13-year-old girl who loves to sing. She used to live above ground, but for some reason she was brought to the underground world and transformed into a rock."

Yesterday's reveal of this younger Pauline, during the Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Direct, strongly suggested she was the same music-loving version of the character seen in Nintendo Switch platformer Super Mario Odyssey, where a grown-up Pauline serves as both the mayor of New Donk City and the lead singer of a popular band.

Nintendo fans have been quick to highlight what this might mean for Pauline's overall timeline — and the fact that DK and Pauline's friendly team-up in Bananza is a very different vibe to the pair's usual relationship of kidnapper and victim. Does something happen to DK, turning him evil? Or have we been getting Pauline and DK's friendship wrong all these years?

Donkey Kong Bananza sees the two characters working together to help the teenage Pauline get back to the surface, in order to pursue her dream of becoming a world famous singer. Pauline's appearance as a singer in Odyssey suggests that she does indeed make it.

But while Bananza looks story-wise to be an Odyssey prequel, the exact timeline here is somewhat unclear. Nintendo has never stated Pauline's age in Odyssey, or in any of her other appearances, so it's unknown how long before those events it is that Bananza takes place.

But by linking the character across these games through Pauline's musical ambitions, it also highlights the fact that Odyssey's Pauline does address her kidnapping by DK — something she describes as "traumatic."

Pauline has been kidnapped by DK multiple times over the years. Most notably, she is saved from DK's clutches in the original Donkey Kong arcade game, but she is then abducted again in various entries within the Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 series.

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Pauline is snatched by Donkey Kong after the she dares to pick a gift from Mario instead of DK. In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Pauline is kidnapped once more by an enraged DK, upset that he's missed out on a theme park opening.

Later entries in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series paint Pauline's interactions with DK in a kinder light, however, such as in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, where the two team up to host a mini-game, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, where the pair plan Mario a surprise party.

Does something happen to sour DK and Pauline's relationship at the end of Donkey Kong Bananza, turning the ape from an ally to kidnapper? Will we see the events of the original Donkey Kong arcade game take place within Bananza, perhaps, with Mario coming in to save the day? Or have we been getting it wrong all these years?

Some fans have suggested that Bananza will turn the Mario universe on its head by revealing that DK and Pauline are in fact friends — and that Mario has been the villain all along, effectively stealing Pauline back when she's just been hanging out with her pal.

Hopefully all will be revealed when Donkey Kong Bananza arrives as Nintendo's next major Switch 2 launch on July 17, 2025.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Chinese studios are fully embracing AI, with a recent announcement that the iconic kung-fu films of Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and other martial arts greats will get remade via AI.

A group of Chinese studios unveiled what they’re calling the “Kung Fu Movie Heritage Project 100 Classics AI Revitalization Project” during the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 19, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They specifically highlighted titles like Lee’s 1972 film Fists of Fury, Chan’s breakout 1978 film Drunken Master, and the 1991 film Once Upon a Time in China, which made Li a household name in kung-fu films.

The studios also plan to rework John Woo’s 1986 film A Better Tomorrow with a cyberpunk edge, in what they’re calling “the world’s first full-process, AI-produced animated feature film.”

China Film Foundation Zhang Pimin addressed the work at the announcement and said using AI on these “aesthetic historical treasures” would transform their look in a way that “conforms to contemporary film viewing.” He added: “It is not only film heritage, but also a brave exploration of the innovative development of film art.”

Shanghai Canxing Culture and Media chairman of project partners Tian Ming claimed these new versions would “pay tribute to the original work” and “reshape the visual aesthetics,” while also demonstrating upgrades in image, sound, and overall production levels. Ming also revealed that a fund worth a whopping 100 million yuan (approx. $13.9 million), would be used to get the initiative going.

“We sincerely invite the world’s top AI animation companies to jointly start a film revolution that subverts tradition,” Tian said.

Additional partners for the project include the China Film Foundation’s Film and Urban Development Special Fund and Quantum Animation.

AI has proved a controversial topic within creative industries. Legendary filmmaker Tim Burton called AI generated art "very disturbing" while Wizards of the Coast was forced to issue a correction after claiming it didn't use AI for some Magic: The Gathering artwork when it actually did.

However, in December last year, Justice League and Rebel Moon director Zack Snyder said filmmakers need to embrace artificial intelligence instead of "standing on the sidelines with your hands on your hips." And earlier in 2024, Netflix bosses said audiences "don't care much" about the technology used to deliver TV and film, including AI.

Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.

Warning: Spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2 follow.

The Last of Us Season 1’s Nico Parker hasn’t watched its second season yet, because she “can’t watch Pedro die.”

Parker, who played Joel’s daughter Sarah in the season one premiere of the HBO adaptation of the hit Naughty Dog game series, told IGN that her on-screen father, Pedro Pascal, has been asking, “Have you seen it yet? What did you think of it?” “I literally can’t do it,” the How to Train Your Dragon star replied.

It’s somewhat understandable — Joel’s demise comes suddenly and shockingly violently — but that doesn’t mean Parker won’t eventually get around to facing her fears, though. “I’ve seen some of it,” she confirmed, “I just can’t watch that episode, but I am gonna. I’m gonna do it. I just need to have, like, three days of rest period afterwards. I keep seeing clips, and it’s just too much, I can’t. It makes me too sad.”

If Parker can make it through Episode 2, she’s looking forward to seeing the rest of the story play out. “I think that the cast is so brilliant, and I’m so excited to see Bella just absolutely storm it,” she continued. “So I need to watch it. I’m very proud of all of them. That group of people behind that show is so brilliant, and that cast is so talented. We’re very lucky that we all get to witness them be brilliant.”

If you’re also yet to watch The Last of Us season two, you can check out our spoiler-free review here. Or if you’re looking for just our thoughts on Joel’s fateful episode, we’ve also got you covered.

Parker’s trepidation is valid, but maybe not a sentiment that showrunner Craig Mazin shares, if his recent comments are anything to go by. "The big complaint that I've gotten is, 'Why did you kill Pedro Pascal?', said Mazin. “And I keep explaining, we didn't kill him! He's a man, he's alive. He's fine. And he's in literally everything else. So I don't know what the problem is!"

The Last of Us is set to continue into season 3 in due time, but perhaps a season 4 is also on the way, as hinted at by the show’s composer.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

Few living comic book artists are as renowned as Paul Pope. That's why it's so fitting that Pope's work is the subject of the latest exhibit at New York’s Philippe Labaune Gallery. Running from June 19-26, the exhibit will showcase some of Pope's original artwork from projects like Batman: Year 100, Battling Boy, THB, and Heavy Liquid, as well as his personal work and artistic homages.

IGN can exclusively reveal some of the artwork featured in this exhibit. Read on to see several of Pope's stunning original pieces and see creator commentary from Pope himself.

HOUSE OF MOORE

Pope: This was a piece I did for myself after a long day of inks. I like to do personal pieces on occasion to keep the knife sharp, push style and technique a bit beyond what I'd normally do for a comics page or cover for Marvel or DC. I'm enamored with the sculptures and drawings of Henry Moore, there's a lyrical buoyancy and rhythm to his shapes and a dreamlike presence in how he presents figures and objects. I wanted to do a page exploring that--two Moore figures seeing each other in an empty desertscape.

SELF-PORTRAIT

Pope: Initially, I wanted to reprint an updated version of the cover to PULPHOPE, my first monograph (AdHouse 2007), which was designed to be at first an unreadable abstract expressionist canvas. I took a side self-portrait I shot on my old Nikon 8008 camera and blew out the levels until it was high contrast B&W, and added layers of abstract ink marks over a scan of some old yellowed paper I had lying around. I wanted something which was off-putting but irresistible, like it is just too strange to NOT want to pick it up. BOOM! asked me to update this idea and use a drawn self-portrait this time, add some color and make it distinct from the first cover design. I was a bit hesitant at first, thinking it'd feel a bit self-indulgent, but I started thinking about album covers and how it is customary for a recording artist to present themselves on the cover of an album. We don't think twice seeing the musician on the cover of their album, the album is a sort of snapshot in time or a confessional or a testimony. I approached this cover with the same spirit, here adding some subtle dotscreen textures and oil paint layers digitally after the inks dried. This is one of the more recent pieces on display at Philippe Labaune Gallery, made in 2024.

RODAN

Pope: This is an early concept drawing for the character Rodan, from Heavy Liquid, which is out now from Image Comics. In the book she is a sculptor, hence the slight nod to sculptor Rodin, and the Kaiju monster bird Rodan. In the '90s there used to be a heavy music group called Rodan, which I liked. Rodan herself is based on Bianca Jagger circa 1971, for my money one of the sexiest and most commanding faces of women in Rock'n'Roll.

THB LIPSTICK

Pope: Like House Of Moore, this was another one page thought experiment. I had an extra page at the back of one of my THB one-shots (THB:M3, Horse Press 1999) and wanted to do something funny and strange. I was re-reading "The Secret Life Of Salvador Dali," one of my favorite artist auto-bios (although it's full of Munchhausian fabrications), and thinking of the old dance/pantomime group Mummenschanz, whose short performance films used to be shown on Sesame Street in the '70s and '80s. Somehow those two disparate influences ended up in Lipstick. It's one of my favorite THB shorts.

Learn More About Philippe Labaune Gallery's Paul Pope Exhibit

The Paul Pope exhibit runs from June 19-26 at the Phillipe Labaune Gallery, which is located at 534 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011. The gallery will hold an opening reception on June 19 from 6-9pm ET.

“Paul Pope is a singular force in contemporary comics — a comics destroyer, who pushes the boundaries of traditional comic art, “ said Labaune in a statement. “His distinctive style brings together the dynamism of Japanese manga with the narrative depth of European Bande Dessinee, and the spirit of American pulp. Pope blends a manga awareness with a European attention to mood and form. Moebius, Hugo Pratt, and Enki Bilal are all clear touchstones.”

The exhibit itself is timed to the release of PulpHope2: The Art of Paul Pope, an art book published by BOOM! Studios. You can order a copy of PulpHope2 on Amazon.

For more, find out where Pope's Batman: Year 100 falls on our list of the top 27 Batman graphic novels.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

For most PC gamers, buying a prebuilt gaming rig is far more attractive than it used to be. Years ago it was inarguably cheaper to build your own gaming PC than to buy a boutique gaming rig. That's not the case anymore. It's not uncommon for major brands like Alienware, HP, and Lenovo to offer quality pre-built PCs for cheaper than the cost of building your own PC with the exact same specs.

We've compiled a list of the best current gaming PC deals, both from the manufacturers themselves like Dell (Alienware), HP, and Lenovo, as well as from reliable 3rd party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. This includes an excellent deal on an Alienware Aurora R16 Intel Core Ultra 7 265F RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC (32GB/1TB) for $1,899.99. These PCs are significantly discounted from their normal retail price and are going to be less expensive than comparable models from other brands. With Amazon Prime Day on the horizon as well, we'll be keeping an eye on more gaming PC deals as they appear.

The Best Gaming PC Deals

More Dell and Alienware Gaming PC Deals

If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of the brands we'd recommend. The company's Alienware gaming desktops offer a staggering array of options, all built into a custom chassis that's both easy on the eyes and easy on the wallet. Consistent build quality, available inventory, frequent sales, and solid customer service are the main reasons why Dell is at the top of our buying list.

More HP Gaming PC Deals

Of the big three OEM PC manufacturers, HP usually offers the lowest price on equivalently configured items. HP carries several different models of gaming PCs depending on how much power you need. At the upper end of the scale, the HP OMEN 45L offers a massive tower chassis with space for up to a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler as well as a total of four additional 120mm case fans for ventilation. On the other end of the scale, the HP Victus, Envy, and OMEN 25L gaming PCs feature understated aesthetics and a bargain price point. These PCs can still be configured into formidable gaming rigs.

More Lenovo Gaming PC Deals

Lenovo Legion gaming PCs may be the priciest of the big three OEM manufacturers, but they are also generally the highest praised among gamers and reviewers alike. The Legion gaming PCs are highly rated for their build quality. People like the fact that Lenovo does not use proprietary components in their rigs, so they're much easier to upgrade with easily obtainable, off-the-shelf components compared to some other popular prebuilt PC brands. Lenovo gaming rigs generally also utilize solid cooling, especially for the CPU, even if you opt for the base models.

Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 (Intel) with RTX 4070 Ti Super (32GB/1TB)

What’s arguably the best offer for Audible is back, granting Amazon Prime members a three-month Premium Plus trial for absolutely free, or 99p a month for non-Prime members.

As Hot UK Deals editor Chanchi32 points out in a post about the offer, your Prime member status will affect the offer banner you’ll see on the deal page.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series fans, rejoice: there’s a new comic book, Spider-Man '94, on the way that will finally expand upon the animated series’ major cliffhanger — but the show's original writer John Semper Jr. actually wasn’t asked to write the comic or be involved in any way.

“I got a text message this morning from my good friend, Matt Dunford, telling me that Marvel is ‘continuing’ my Spider-Man animated series in comic book form in a four-issue limited series called Spider-Man ’94," Semper explained to fans via X / Twitter on June 18.

He continued: "Since I will no doubt be asked about it by fans of the series: NO, I am NOT involved with this comic book and no one at Marvel approached me to be involved in any way. Matt’s text message was the first I heard of it."

Semper helmed the animated series, which ran from 1994 to 1998. It was here where the now mainstream and very much beloved “Spider-Verse” storyline originated, when — spoiler alert for the show’s finale — Madame Web transports Spider-Man into a new dimension to find the real Mary Jane after Green Goblin caused her to disappear through a portal. The cliffhanger is now a well-known element of the series, but for some reason, the folks behind the story still didn’t ask Semper to return.

That said, Semper did praise the comic’s writer, J.M. DeMatteis, in his post.

So, about that new SPIDER-MAN '94 comic book... pic.twitter.com/7yTN9h06vC

— John Semper Jr. (@johnsemper) June 18, 2025

“[DeMatteis’] amazing body of work over the years in both animation and comic books speaks for itself, and I’m positive this new comic is in great hands,” Semper continued. “Where he now chooses to take the series story-wise is entirely his decision. But, for the record, they are NOT my creative choices, nor do they represent any oversight by me.”

He added: “Yes, it would have been nice (some might even say, respectful) if Marvel had reached out to me at some point as a courtesy. But I have long ago abandoned all expectation that Marvel would acknowledge any of my contributions to the Marvel universe – like, for instance, my creation of what is now known as the ‘Spider-Verse.'”

The Spider-Verse referenced here includes successful animated Spider-Man films such as 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is set to arrive in 2027.

“I wish them well and encourage us all to celebrate with good cheer this 30th anniversary year of SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES,” Semper concluded in his post, but not before adding that he’ll be “launching my own celebration of my series in the very near future” via his socials.

Spider-Man ‘94 #1 is set to be released on September 3, 2025.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.

Yesterday, the new patch 1.01.3 went live for Elden Ring Nightreign. It was a seemingly small patch, centered on bugs and quality-of-life tune-ups. It seemed like most players saw it and went about their day. But then, gradually, some started to notice a new option in their Expeditions menu.

A new Gaping Jaw undertaking, dubbed the "Everdark Sovereign," was appearing on the Expeditions menu. Soon it became clear that FromSoftware had delivered on its promise to add enhanced bosses to Elden Ring Nightreign this month, and it did so without warning, letting players potentially stumble into the new venture. Watching the community piece this together, in the late hours of the night, was truly fantastic.

As confirmed this morning on Bandai Namco's site, enhanced versions of current Nightlords—duibbed Everdark Sovereigns—will start appearing in Elden Ring Nightreign over the coming weeks. Each week, a new Sovereign will arrive in Limveld, with Gaping Jaw as the current Sovereign and both Sentient Pest and Darkdrift Knight due to get new, more challenging versions as well.

Everdark Sovereigns are only available while online, and each Sovereign will hang around for a week, then leave and get replaced by another one. You have to have beaten the base, original form of the Nightlord to challenge its Everdark Sovereign form.

Early reports from players indicate that this souped-up Gaping Jaw is, truly, enhanced. Videos of the fights show the empowered Adel zipping aruond the field, creating massive storms, and generally wiping the floor with entire trios of players in short order.

While you can tackle the Everdark Sovereign solo, or with friends and/or strangers, it seems like the new fight is truly adding some challenge, even for those who have been putting a lot of hours into Elden Ring Nightreign. To me, it's reminiscent of Monster Hunter's upgraded fights that get added post-launch, like Tempered versions of monsters, that seem meant to add extra challenge as players' knowledge and power rises exponentially over time.

What's the reward for felling an Everdark Sovereign? Well, a brand-new shop located in the hub area will let you spend all the Sovereign Sigils you'll earn from a clear, and even this shop is a pretty exciting update. Alongside offering special Relics and other items, the Sigils allow playes to change the Roundtable Hold's lighting, acquire the currently available skins, and set shifting earth statuses. The latter has been a major request from the community, and it's great to see it addressed.

So while the patch notes for 1.01.3 were fairly unassuming at first, players now seem to feel like this is a huge update. The roll-out of enhanced bosses has already brought some new life and challenge back to Nightreign, and the promise of more to come is enticing, as are the new short-term pursuits to chase after.

Bandai Namco is also teasing this as the start of something: "This is only the beginning of the Everdark Sovereign cycle. As the power of the Night ebbs and wanes, the Sovereigns will soon return to the abyss they came from." We already know Elden Ring Nightreign is due to get full updates down the road, so if this is an early indication of what we can expect, the long-term prospects for FromSoft's new co-op survival action game seem good.

We’ve got plenty of Nightreign tips and tricks to help you take down all the eight Nightlord Bosses, and if you’re wondering how to unlock the two locked Nightfarer Classes, check out How to Unlock the Revenant and How to Unlock the Duchess, plus How to Change Characters.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

KPop Demon Hunters streams on Netflix beginning Friday, June 20.

It may seem strange for Sony Pictures Animation to follow the meteoric success of 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse with a movie about South Korean pop idols who moonlight as slayers of supernatural evil. But look at it this way: The Spider-Verse series and the wide-ranging, megapopular musical style known as k-pop are two of the most beloved, powerful, and influential cultural forces of the past 10 years. Why wouldn’t these two great tastes taste great together?

Enter KPop Demon Hunters, the new animated action musical from first-time director Maggie Kang and co-director and writer Chris Appelhans that taps into k-pop’s idiosyncratic sound and quirks to craft a story about strength through adversity and the power inherent in living one’s truth. It isn’t just a worthy, frequently hilarious follow-up to SPA’s Oscar-nominated masterpiece. It’s a relentless celebration of both the music that inspired it and the medium of animation itself.

KPop Demon Hunters centers on Huntrix, a Korean pop trio made up of laser-focused lead vocalist Rumi (Arden Cho), aloof lead dancer and choreographer Mira (May Hong), and bubbly lyricist/resident rapper Zoey (Jin-Young Yoo). While they’ve built a following with their music, the group are in fact a cohort of demon hunters tasked with safeguarding the world from the ravenous soul-sucking hordes of the demon king Gwi-Ma (Squid Game’s Lee Byung-hun), who is hellbent on feasting on humanity and asserting his dominion over the Earth. If that premise sounds a bit like “Sailor Moon à la Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” or “The Powerpuff Girls meets Power Rangers,” well, you're not too far off the mark: The film is as much about inheriting the generational mantle of defending humanity from otherworldly threats as it is about balancing that colossal responsibility along with the challenge of everyday life.

Beyond these reference points, KPop Demon Hunters asserts its own identity with ample drama, comedy, and personality, plus a bevy of catchy bop-worthy tracks – with Huntrix’s vocals provided by the trio of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami – and electrifying action that kept me locked to my screen and eager for more. On the eve of their greatest victory, the legions of Gwi-Ma present Huntrix with their most formidable foes yet: A demon boy band group led by Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop, with singing by Andrew Choi), a human-turned-demon with a mysterious past. To defeat them, Huntrix will not only have to battle their demonic counterparts both on- and off-stage, but confront their own long-buried secrets and insecurities in order to band together and banish Gwi-Ma once and for all. Metaphysical silliness aside, it makes for a pretty moving watch.

KPop Demon Hunters is yet another link in a chain that began with 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, bearing the inventive blend of animation styles, textures, and tones that carried over into spiritual successors like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, The Bad Guys, and The Mitchells vs. the Machines. Impressive as they are, none of those films manage to match Spider-Verse’s peerless synthesis of visual ingenuity, tender storytelling, and infectious music quite like Kang, Appelhans, and team have here. The fight sequences, with their flashy choreography and anime-inflected verve, lean heavily on musical numbers featuring originals songs penned by a who’s who list of popular Western artists and Kpop mainstays like Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of Twice, who wrote and performed the soundtrack’s braggadocious lead single “Takedown.” For all its echoes of Miles Morales’ adventures across realities, KPop Demon Hunters also feels like what would happen if Riot Games and Fortiche went all-in after the conclusion of Arcane and made an animated feature together: a visually sumptuous action fantasy with the kind of heartfelt chest belters that are sure to make ardent converts of fans of animated musicals like Frozen, Moana, Encanto and the like.

That’s to say nothing of KPop Demon Hunter’s comedic chops, nor its dramatic depth. It’s gratifying to watch Rumi, Mira, and Zoey’s journey toward accepting the parts of themselves they’d rather hide from the rest of the world; the same can be said of them hanging out together, making exaggerated stank faces, and thirsting after their demonic counterpart’s ab muscles – despite the fact that they’re, you know, demons. KPop Demon Hunters knows how to tackle serious subject matter without taking itself too seriously which, along with its stunning production value and exciting action sequences, makes for a wholly entertaining experience.

Following the recent announcement of the next Amazon Prime Day sale from July 8-11, a solid selection of early Prime Day deals has soon followed, including a big selection from the retailer’s usual range of own-made tech products.

For gamers subscribed to Amazon Prime, the official Luna Wireless Controller is 43% off at $39.99 from $69.99. This is great if you feel like trying the Luna gaming service, since the controller connects directly through Wi-Fi, promising low latency no matter what device you're streaming games through.

For those wanting to beef up their home security, Amazon has especially honed its Blink and Ring security camera bundles. The savings can be pretty huge depending on what you’re after.

As an example, the Ring Battery Doorbell with Ring Chime bundle is 52% off, now $64.99 instead of $134.98. So, you get front-door security with real-time notifications in your house, without needing to be near your phone, at $69.99 off.

One of the Blink bundles, including the Blink Outdoor 4 & Blink Mini 2 cameras, is now available from $64.98 after having up to 60% taken off each set, depending on how many Blink Outdoor cameras you’d like.

For your gaming and entertainment set-ups, Amazon has knocked some good amounts off some of its Fire TVs too. The 50” 4-Series 4K Amazon Fire TV is now only $279.99, following a 38% price cut from $499.99.

If it’s a QLED you’ve been on the lookout for, you can now buy the 55" 4K Omni QLED Amazon Fire TV for $364.99 at 27% off from $499.99. However, if all you need is an extra HD TV in your household, the 40" 2-Series HD Smart TV can be grabbed for a mere $169.99 with 32% cut off its original RRP of $249.99.

A noticeable omission from these early deals is Amazon’s set of Kindles and Fire Sticks. It’s a bit odd, since both ranges are almost always included in most of Amazon’s sales from the get-go, but it’s most likely that the retailer is saving offers on those until either later this month or for the big sale in July.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

We're a little less than a month away from the release of Donkey Kong Bananza, and now it's getting an adorable amiibo to release alongside it. The brand new amiibo for the game (which you can see here at Best Buy) features Donkey Kong and Pauline, who was recently confirmed to be your trusty sidekick in the game. She's catching a ride on DK's back, holding on to his necktie.

This new amiibo is currently listed for $29.99 and is set to release on July 17, which is the same day as Donkey Kong Bananza. If you want the full Donkey Kong setup for launch day, don't miss out on picking up this amiibo at the link below.

Preorder Donkey Kong Bananza Amiibo

Want codes for Grow a Garden? Well, a code redemption system is finally here! It was added to the popular gardening experience as part of the Lunar Glow event. This big change means it's likely there will be codes released in the future, so IGN will now keep you covered as and when new codes are released!

Working Grow a Garden Codes (June 2025)

I'm sorry to say that even with the new Bizzier Bees update, there still currently no active Grow a Garden codes! As soon as new ones are announced, we'll update this article to include the new ones. For now, check out all there is to do in the new Bizzier Bees and Friendship Update.

Expired Grow a Garden Codes (June 2025)

Unfortunately, these codes have now expired:

• LUNARGLOW10 - This gave players 3x Seed Packs.

How to Redeem Grow a Garden Codes

Now that there's a code redemption system in the Roblox experience, here are the steps you need to follow to use Grow a Garden codes:

1. Launch the Grow a Garden Roblox experience
2. Look in the top left corner to find the Settings cog next to the icon of the backpack
3. Click settings and scroll down to the bottom
4. Copy and paste codes from this article into the Redeem Codes box
5. Press claim and enjoy your goodies!

Why Isn't My Grow a Garden Code Working?

There are usually two reasons why a code isn't working. It's either because:

• The code is expired
• The code has been entered incorrectly

If a code has been entered incorrectly or is expired, it will say the "code is invalid." To stop this from happening, we'd recommend copying and pasting the code directly from this article. We check and test each of the codes before we add them to our articles. However, when copying them, you can sometimes accidentally include an extra space somewhere, so always double check there's no additional spaces!

Where to Find More Grow a Garden Codes

If new codes are added to the game, we'll update this article, so you can always check back here and keep up-to-date with the latest codes. Grow a Garden has its own dedicated Discord server where codes will be announced, as well as game updates.

What is Grow a Garden in Roblox?

Grow a Garden is a new Roblox experience that's become incredibly popular since it launched. The gardening simulator allows players to show off their green fingers, as you buy seeds and plant a variety of crops from basic carrots to exotic dragon fruit trees.

As fruit and vegetables finally sprout, you'll be able to harvest them to sell for Sheckles. To go from a beginner gardener to a pro worthy of awards, you'll want your crops to experience mutations that increase their value. This can happen randomly, with Gold and Big mutations being down to chance, while weather events like snow can increase your luck of a Frozen mutation. There's also gear, and even pets now, that can affect how fast your crops grow, their value, and more.

When is the Summer Update in Grow a Garden?

Grow a Garden hosts new events each weekend, where players can come together and try out the fresh content for the ever-expanding game. The next update is planned for Saturday June 21st, 2025 and is being called the Summer Season update. We're being promised the biggest update yet, with a Summer Harvest event taking place. While we don't know much yet, we can guess that there will be new seeds, new pets, even more craftable items, and maybe even some special summer weather!

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Fan-favorite rhythm game Beat Saber is ending support for PlayStation consoles.

From here on in, you shouldn't expect any further updates or music packs if you play on PS4 or PS5, and from January 21, 2026, multiplayer support will also be withdrawn.

"As we look to the future and plan the next big leap for Beat Saber, we have made the decision to no longer release updates for PS4 and PS5 starting in June 2025," the developer explained in a new FAQ entitled "End of Support for PS4/PS5" (thanks, Eurogamer).

"Our passion for VR remains unwavering. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and what we can bring to Beat Saber fans who have been on this journey with us over the past [seven] years."

The update stressed that you will still be able to play Beat Saber and have access to all of your previously purchased content, and cross-buy "remains active" between the PS4 and PS5 base game. You can also still buy songs and music packs that were released on or before June 18 — just nothing added to the catalog from today (June 19) onwards.

"We're grateful for the incredible support you've shown us over the years, and we're excited to share what the future holds for Beat Saber," the update concluded.

For many players, this feels very much like the final nail in the coffin for PlayStation's VR aspirations, as Beat Saber is still one of PlayStation's biggest VR titles. Fans seem split between laying the blame with Sony and the lack of support its given to its VR headset, and Meta "wanting their game to be the best on Quest."

"Absolutely baffling decision," said one player on the subreddit. "Beat Saber still regularly tops the sales charts on PSVR1 and 2, I think dropping support for PSVR1 is understandable but not supporting PSVR2 feels like an absolutely insane move given how popular the game is on that platform."

"This is a massively stupid f***ing decision," added another. "I can't overstate how mad I am about this."

Despite its impressive technical specs, the PSVR2 seemingly lost momentum following its release in 2023. In June last year, Android Central reported that Sony made "deep cuts to funding for VR," with only two first-party PSVR2 games allegedly in development. Sony eventually gave PSVR2 a new lease on life by adding PC VR support, but mentions of the device have been few and far between since. PSVR2 recently dropped to match its all-time low price thanks to the PlayStation Days of Play sale.

"The PlayStation VR2 may seem pricey, given that it costs $150 more than the base PS5 Digital Edition console you’ll need to use it," we wrote when we reviewed the PSVR2 on release. "Even so, it’s such a quantum leap over the original PSVR in terms of ease of use, visual quality, and immersion that any PlayStation owner who loves VR should upgrade as soon as possible.

"Its 4K HDR OLED screen and excellently tactile Sense controllers are the most obvious improvement, but plentiful quality-of-life changes and the raw horsepower of the PS5 set a new standard for how VR games should play and feel on console. The downside is that, like any new platform, its thin launch lineup makes its lack of backward compatibility with original PSVR games a significant problem, but one that will only improve as Sony and other developers roll out new games that take advantage of the PSVR2’s unique features."

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

A request to film Avengers: Doomsday scenes, submitted to a local UK council, includes mention of a returning location from a previous MCU film.

As BBC News reports, Marvel has requested permission to build a film set within Windsor Great Park, and asked the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for use of the area in August.

Detailed plans for the set name it as a specific location seen in a recent MCU film that now looks set to return in Avengers: Doomsday — though some fans have suggested this still could be a decoy, as Marvel attempts to keep its famously secretive filming plans under wraps.

Warning! There may be Avengers: Doomsday spoilers ahead!

According to the plans, Marvel is seeking to build a set named Annie Reynolds' House within Windsor's park. And if you've seen Thunderbolts* / The New Avengers, that house name may sound familiar.

Annie Reynolds is the mother of Robert "Bob" Reynolds, the character who later becomes Sentry and his evil alter ego The Void. In the movie, viewers get multiple flashbacks showing Bob's troubled childhood, often spent in the attic of Annie's home. But the location is also used as the setting of a labyrinthine version of Bob's consciousness.

Of course, Bob aka Sentry has already been confirmed as returning within Avengers: Doomsday, so perhaps the return of his prison-like mind palace should not be a surprise. The last time we see Bob, during Thunderbolts' post-credits scene, the character has been left powerless, though this seems likely to change. But does the return of flashbacks to his childhood home suggest we'll be seeing The Void return as well?

While filming is only set to place at the location for one day in August, Marvel's plans request 10 weeks of access due to its need for construction (and deconstruction) afterwards — suggesting a relatively substantial set will be built.

Intriguingly, this isn't the first time that Annie Reynolds' house has been mentioned as an Avengers: Doomsday film set, either — as plans seemingly for this construction were discovered by a TikTok user who gained entry to Marvel's main film set last month.

Marvel recently delayed both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars to December 2026 and December 2027 respectively. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the two Avengers movies are currently the only upcoming MCU films with confirmed release dates.

This week, we learned that Marvel shot a fake Thunderbolts* ending scene that included a title that wasn’t The New Avengers.

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Gears of War: Reloaded's upcoming beta weekend will now last a little longer and include more content as developer The Coalition responds to feedback from players.

"We heard you," the team said on social media. "More maps. More modes. More time."

As a result, this weekend's upcoming multiplayer beta has been extended — so the beta now runs from Friday June 20 at 12pm PDT to Sunday June 22 at 9pm PDT — and Execution has now joined the mode pool alongside King of the Hill on Gridlock, Raven Down (Courtyard and War Machine), and Canals. You'll also be able to play Team Deathmatch on the same maps via social matchmaking, with Gold Rush also in the pool.

That won't quite quell the issues some players had about server stability but to be honest, that's precisely what beta tests are for, right? Better to experience that instability now than when the game launches in a few weeks' time.

Last month Microsoft announced Gears of War: Reloaded, a remaster of the original 2006 game, will launch on August 26 on PC, Xbox, and yes, even PlayStation. The shiny new version will come with improved visuals and audio, crossplay, and cross-progression, and all the DLC from the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition.

As a little treat for the Gears of War faithful, Gears of War: Reloaded will be a free upgrade for any players who purchased the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition before the announcement. If you're one of the special ones, expect a code via a DM from Xbox ahead of the release.

"As we approach the 20th anniversary of Gears of War in 2026, we’re reflecting on what this franchise means. It’s about the stories we’ve told, the friendships we’ve built, and the unforgettable moments we’ve shared together. With Gears of War: Reloaded, we’re opening that door to more players than ever," Mike Crump, studio head at The Coalition, said at the time.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Tons of Magic: The Gathering sealed products are on sale at Amazon right now. From commander decks and bundles to booster boxes and prerelease kits, there are plenty of options for any level of MTG player.

Aetherdrift, one of the latest expansions from 2025, is the main focus of the sale, but you can also pick up products from other sets like Tarkir: Dragonstorm and Bloomburrow.

Amazon has also been adding new products to the sale this week as well, and its early Prime Day deals begin to kick off, such as the Aetherdrift Finish Line Bundle now down to $59.36.

Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Discounts at Amazon

Here's how these products break down, like what's included and how much they cost:

Aetherdrift Collector Booster Box $174.99 (42% off)

Booster boxes are the perfect way to start and bolster your collection. The contents of a single collector booster pack vary by set, but here you can find exclusive foils, Japan Showcase cards, or a special serialized card. The booster box comes with 12 packs each with 15 cards inside and two foil box toppers (special art foil cards).

Aetherdrift Bundle $29.99 (44% off)

Bundles are a more affordabale way to jumpstart your collection. These typically include nine booster packs, a promotional or alternate art card, 40 extra basic land cards (20 foil, 20 regular), and a spindown life counter die. You can also use this as a card storage box.

Aetherdrift Prerelease Kit $22.95 (23% off)

Prerelease kits are usually sold the week before a set's wide release and contain a certain color or archetype that ties into the set's mechanic. There are often leftover kits for you to purchase after a prerelease event which contains a spindown life counter die, six booster packs, a foil premium stamped card, and one special promo card.

Aetherdrift Commander Deck - Living Energy $28.99 (36% off)

Commander is easily the most popular casual format among both new and old players. Whenever a new set is released, commander decks (100 card single-copy format) are released alongside it. The Living Energy Commander deck is one of these, which includes the full 100-card deck, two foil borderless Commander creatures, and a deck box.

10 Most Valuable Chase Cards From Aetherdrift

After covering the big sale, I decided to go a bit further with my coverage and collect 10 of the most valuable cards available in play boosters and collector boosters, so you can track the best and most expensive chase cards from the set while ripping open your new boosters.

Aetherdrift has dozens of borderless, Fracture Foil, First-Place Foil, and Showcase editions of main set cards, but these are the 10 most valuable.

From a competitive standpoint, not many of these see much play, although Ketramose, the New Dawn is the face of a hot new Modern combo deck.

And for you Commander players, this is a great chance to nab the elusive Radiant Lotus Fracture Foil or the Aetherspark First-Place Foil.

More Magic: The Gathering Deals

Aetherdrift isn't the only expansion getting discounts. Seemingly random products across older expansions, including pre-release kits and play booster boxes, have also gotten price drops on Amazon.

Keep in mind that older expansions may not be legal in current Standard play, so it's worth doing some research based on whether you're buying cards for a personal collection or competitive play.

After covering the big sale, I decided to go a bit further with my coverage and collect 10 of the most valuable cards available in play boosters and collector boosters, so you can track the best and most expensive chase cards from the set while ripping open your new boosters.

Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy Cards Are Also Available

The newest MTG set is the highly anticipated Final Fantasy collaboration. Easily one of the most popular Universe Beyond sets, Final Fantasy is bringing newer players on in droves. You can pick up a starter kit to learn the game, one of four commander decks, play booster boxes and bundles, or single booster packs.

If you managed to lock in a preorder before they vanished, congrats. For everyone else, here’s where you can still buy the Final Fantasy MTG cards now that the set has officially launched, such as the highly popular Starter Kit for $19.99, which Amazon just restocked again after it sold out just last week. Good luck - these go out of stock fast.

Myles Obenza is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.

Marvel is reportedly already planning a sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite the upcoming blockbuster still being more than a month from launch.

A Variety report states that an untitled Fantastic Four follow-up is one of several currently undated Marvel projects in development, alongside Ryan Coogler's Black Panther 3 and the long-delayed Blade reboot.

Word of a Fantastic Four sequel follows the announcement by Disney this week that it had scheduled a fourth Marvel film for launch in 2028 — without confirming what it will be. The mystery movie will arrive on December 15, 2028, Disney said, following three other Marvel launches currently scheduled for February, May and November that year.

While Disney's first new outing for The Fantastic Four is still to arrive, it makes sense that Marvel is already considering what's next for its heroes. The studio seems confident First Steps will land well with audiences, and has already announced the film's stars will be among the key players in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

It's also worth considering what else Marvel might consider granting sequels to, after a mixed response to a number of projects from the past few MCU phases.

We already know Eternals is not getting a follow-up anytime soon, and it seems unlikely Marvel will be rushing to make sequels for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels, or Captain America: Brave New World considering their low box office performances. Of Marvel's recent hits, the Guardians of the Galaxy series feels likely to be rested, meanwhile, considering the departure of director James Gunn.

Fans have long hoped to see more of Shang-Chi, though it will have been five years since the character was last seen in the MCU by the time he returns in Avengers: Doomsday. Doctor Strange seems ripe for a follow-up, though his multiversal shenanigans would have felt better suited to the current MCU saga that's now coming to a close.

And what of Thor? The popular character's last film was widely considered something of a letdown — and actor Chris Hemsworth recently sparked speculation he might be ready to move on from the character, after posting an oddly-phrased message to fans.

So, of all Marvel's recent projects, a quick sequel to capitalise on the expected success of First Steps feels likely — as long as the film ends up delivering. For now, Marvel has its next two years planned out with Spider-Man: Brand New Day due July 31, 2026, Avengers Doomsday on December 18, 2026, and then Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Rematch developer Sloclap has issued an update on the lack of crossplay in the game, apologizing to fans and admitting it should have let players know it wouldn’t make launch earlier.

Rematch, from the studio behind Sifu and Absolver, is a 5v5 online multiplayer arcade soccer game played from a third-person perspective. Its recent beta was hugely popular, with 1.9 million taking part across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. But fans complained when Sloclap confirmed Rematch wouldn’t have crossplay at launch, just hours before early access began.

Now, in a blog post shared with the press to coincide with Rematch’s full launch today, June 19, Sloclap explained what went wrong.

“We understand many of you were looking forward to playing Rematch across platforms from day one,” the studio said.

“We did our utmost to include crossplay at launch, but Rematch is the studio’s first crossplay title, and we faced unforeseen technical complexities which prevented us from having this feature ready in time. We should have communicated as soon as it became apparent that crossplay wouldn’t be available at launch, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience and frustration it caused to some of our players.

“It’s very important for us that our players are able to enjoy Rematch with their friends, so along with bugfixes, crossplay is our absolute highest priority, we're committed to delivering this feature swiftly, and we’ll share a more precise deadline as soon as possible. We already have a basic working version from a technical standpoint, but we need to implement the relevant interfaces, before debugging and polishing it, and finally passing console certifications successfully — all this takes time but we are doing our best to move forward quickly.”

Elsewhere in the post, Sloclap addressed the performance issues that affected the early access launch, saying fixing them is a priority. These include lag, stuttering, and frame drops affecting gameplay. Server and client desync has been impacting match quality, too.

“For instance, we are aware of issues where players would sometimes be unable to interact with the ball, with player characters and the ball seemingly moving across the pitch unpredictably,” Sloclap said. It’s on the case. And then there is work being done to squash game-breaking bugs that cause crashes, freezes after goals, and menu lockouts.

Besides these issues, Sloclap said it’s working on upcoming updates, “with plenty of cool content and features we want to bring to the game.” The four main areas of focus are core gameplay changes, competitive features (tournament system, a leaderboard system for players above Elite ranking, as well as a club creation system), social components (crossplay is the big one, but others include being able to spectate your squad’s game when you join a squad, and allowing players to team up and rematch with teammates they enjoyed playing with), and casual play features such as AI-controlled bots so players can train with and against AIs.

Sloclap concluded its post by pointing out that it is a small studio and all the features it has outlined will take time to come out. “Please remember that we are not a huge team, and that these features take time, so don’t expect all this by the end of the year!” it said.

Despite the launch issues and lack of crossplay, Rematch is well-received on Steam, where it has a 'mostly positive' user review rating. At the time of this article's publication, Rematch has 35,595 concurrent players on Valve's platform, a number that looks set to rise as the game heads into its first weekend.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Capcom has announced a Spotlight digital event set for next week, when it will show more of Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Street Fighter 6.

The Capcom Spotlight livestream is set for 3pm PT / 11pm UK time on Thursday, June 26, and will last 40 minutes.

Capcom said to expect the “latest news” on the company’s upcoming games, as well as interviews with the developers. Specifically, Monster Hunter Wilds fans will get details on Title Update 2, which is set to release at the end of the month.

Capcom announced Resident Evil Requiem during Summer Game Fest earlier this month with an eye-catching trailer. IGN went hands-on with Resident Evil Requiem, which lets you play in either first- or third-person. There’s a new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, although fans think we’ll also get to play as Leon Kennedy.

Pragmata, meanwhile, reemerged at Sony’s State of Play showcase with a new release date, a trailer, and information on what the game actually is.

Street Fighter 6 also turned up at SGF to reveal its Year 3 roster of playable DLC characters: Sagat is out this summer, C. Viper this fall, Alex early spring 2026, and finally, Ingrid late spring 2026. The trailer released as part of the announcement included a brief look at Sagat gameplay, so perhaps we’ll see more in the spotlight.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Remember when Funcom promised a fix was coming for players sick of getting squished by helicopters in PvP? Well, fix it the developer did. Kinda.

Rather than mess with the Ornithopters themselves, the developer simply deployed a patch so "players no longer receive damage when hit by vehicles."

As PC Gamer points out, this is fine in theory, as it means you're not only protected by griefers determined to squish you like a bug in PvP, but it also protects you from wiping out on your sandbike, especially if you accidentally send yourself rocketing off the side of a cliff, for instance.

And though hundreds of players have upvoted a post on the subreddit that confirms the change, some point out that griefers have simply changed tactics rather than stop griefing altogether.

"The[y] need to decrease top speed when using rockets. They need to increase top speed when using thrusters. PvP should be about control, not ganking. You use rockets to take or hold a landmark, not to hunt people. That would solve a ton," said one player.

"Scouts shouldn’t have rockets," suggested another. "I’ve killed so many people with them and I shouldn’t be this fast or efficient. Assaults should have the rockets, because they’re slow and need constant input to out manoeuvre someone. Scouts should be storage and scanning."

"Is that good? I'm not sure. I think it would have been preferable if both took damage. The Thopter not taking any damage doesn't stop people being annoying with it," added another.

They're not wrong. The only thing that can shoot down an Orni is a rocket launcher or Lasguns, but both of those are Tier 6-exclusive weapons and take some time to unlock.

It also means you can't expedite fights with NPCs by ramming them with your vehicle, either. But hey, it's better than how it was before, right?

We gave Dune: Awakening a Great 8/10 in our review, writing: "Dune: Awakening is an excellent survival MMO that captures Frank Herbet’s sci-fi world incredibly well, mostly to its advantage and occasionally to its detriment. The survival climb from dehydrated peasant to powerful warlord of Arrakis is a joy almost every step of the way, and the story and worldbuilding filled this nerd with absolute joy.

"There’s still plenty for Awakening to work on though, as its combat never really hits its stride, the endgame is a bit of a chaotic mess not worth the effort, and there’s quite a few technical bugs yet to be squashed, but even these rough patches felt like tiny desert mice next to the leviathan shai-huluds that are this survival game’s wonderful successes."

Dune: Awakening has enjoyed a superb launch, with a 'very positive' user review rating on Steam. Within hours of going live on June 10, Funcom's survival MMO had clocked up over 142,000 concurrent players on Valve's platform, and hit a new high over the weekend of 189,333 players.

If all that's got you interested, make sure to check out all the Dune: Awakening classes you can choose from, and keep an eye on our in-progress Dune: Awakening walkthrough for a step-by-step guide to the story. To help you survive on Arrakis, we've got Dune: Awakening resource guides that'll help you find iron, steel, aluminium, and more.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has said he still doesn't know whether the series will be renewed for a new season in the immediate future, as the flagship BBC show's status grows increasingly unclear.

Amid a mixed response to Doctor Who's current era, and a growing sense that Disney's recent co-production deal will not be renewed, fans have been left waiting to find out if and when the veteran sci-fi series will return.

The series' most recent finale ended with the departure of its star Ncuti Gatwa, in a sequence added during later reshoots, and an unexplained regeneration cliffhanger featuring Billie Piper, with her official status as the next Doctor left up for debate. Now, Davies has said even he is uncertain what will happen next.

Writing in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine, in a regular column where the showrunner reveals details of the series' ongoing production, Davies admitted there was little currently to cover.

"We don't know what's happening yet," Davies admitted, "and while everyone works that out, I'll take a pause on this page... Hopefully, we'll have news soon."

In a statement to Variety, a production source confirmed the show was currently on a "pause."

Analysis of Doctor Who's viewing figures by Variety shows a decline of 500,000 viewers from Gatwa's first season to the next, with the era down a further 1.7 million viewers from episodes starring previous Doctor Jodie Whittaker.

Davies has previously claimed the plan had always been for Disney to decide whether to continue co-financing new episodes of Doctor Who after the conclusion of its latest season. However, the showrunner has also said the plan was for a new season of Doctor Who to be made on an annual basis — and it's clear from the current production hiatus that this is no longer the case.

Next up for Doctor Who fans is a spin-off miniseries, The War Between The Land and The Sea, which has already been filmed and is expected to debut in 2026. Last week, the BBC announced early plans for another spin-off — an animated series for UK children's channel CBeebies — but with a production partner yet to be found, this sounds even further off. There's also no word on which Doctor this will focus on — or whether the character will even appear.

With no sign of production resuming on the main Doctor Who series in the near future, fans expect new episodes of the series will now not appear until 2027.

Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Newt in Somerset & Burberry.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Have you ever tried to land a 747 in a crosswind using a plastic yoke that feels like it came from a cereal box? I have. And let me tell you, it's about as unpalatable as the food I imagine my AI flight attendants are serving to the NPCs spawned behind me in virtual Economy Class.

As a seasoned Microsoft Flight Sim flyboy, from MS-DOS to MS 2024, I've weathered many storms (both virtual and real) armed with peripherals that ranged from "modern but meh" to "how come I'm still using this 1997-era Sidewinder?"

Today, I’m finally excited about something new: the Moza AY210 Yoke Base and MFY Handle, a force feedback enabled experience that I've waited far too many years to feel again (thanks to patent hoarding).

The TL;DR headline on this bundle: these premium peripherals soared high in every test I threw at them and feel well worth the hefty price of admission. Speaking of which, we should get those details out of the way early. If you want to skip the window shop, click here to continue to my thoughts.

Moza Flight Test Gear

All About That Base

Despite its intimidating footprint and weight, setting up the Moza AY210 and MFY Yoke is a breeze. The AY210 base offers versatile mounting options, including desktop mounting, suspended desktop clamping, direct installation on simulator cockpits, and aluminium profile mounts, ensuring compatibility with various setups and user preferences. The MFY Yoke has a quick-release mechanism, too, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, facilitating swift transitions between different control setups.

Plug, Play, and Pilot

One of my biggest gripes with flight sim gear is the software compatibility maze. You know the drill: download drivers, update firmware, sacrifice a goat under a full moon, etc. But with the AY210, setup was refreshingly straightforward.

The base connects seamlessly via USB, and the Moza Pit House software recognises it instantly. No arcane rituals required. Plus, it's part of an ecosystem that will make it compatible with a range of yokes and accessories, making it a versatile addition to any cockpit.

Solid as a Rock

When it comes to flight sim gear, the Moza AY210 Force Feedback Yoke Base and MFY Yoke are built like the proverbial brick outhouse. The AY210's all-aluminium alloy construction isn't just for show; it provides exceptional durability and a professional aesthetic. Weighing in at a hefty 8kg, this chonky beast provided me with some serious stability during my more maniacal manoeuvres, ensuring it stayed put even during my most turbulent and ill-advised “Sky King”-like joy flights.

As expected, the MFY Yoke complements the base perfectly. Crafted from high-strength PA66 composite materials, it combines exceptional durability with extensive customisation options. The aluminium alloy quick-release mechanism adds premium functionality while maintaining structural integrity, reflecting Moza's commitment to durability without compromising on weight.

In short, the Moza AY210 and MFY Yoke are a testament to robust engineering and the reasonable replication of real-life controls. They're not just peripherals; they're reliable co-pilots that can withstand the rigours of any flight simulation session. Whether you're navigating through a storm or executing a perfect landing, I think these components deliver stable and immersive experiences.

Performance: Feel the Force (Feedback)

When it comes to flight simulation, the Moza AY210 Force Feedback Yoke Base and MFY Yoke let you feel as close to real flying as you can get without leaving your chair (or getting a bank loan for a trainer-level setup). The AY210's 9 Nm of torque and 210 N of push force provide a tactile feedback that accurately simulates various aircraft types, from light planes to commercial airliners. I loved feeling every nuance of flight, from the resistance of the controls during a steep climb to the nerve-shredding vibrations of escalating turbulence.

The 150 mm of travel distance allows for precise control inputs, making every manoeuvre feel real-life legit (I imagine). The 15-bit magnetic encoder ensures that every subtle input registers with near-zero latency, creating an exceptionally responsive experience that my fellow salty veterans will appreciate.

Meanwhile, the Hall Effect joysticks of the MFY provide precise, drift-free performance, ensuring that your inputs remain accurate over time. I couldn’t spot any bad eggs in the 34 configurable inputs on offer, plus you can tailor the setup to match your flying style, whether you're a casual Cessna enthusiast or you’re schlepping a few hundred souls across an ocean or two.

Basically, the Moza AY210 and MFY Yoke never skipped a beat for me. They offered a performance that elevated the immersion factor of my simming to a whole new height. Just a game-changer feeling that I probably can’t downgrade back from now.

Customisation: Your Cockpit, Your Rules

If you like to tinker, Moza’s Pit House software is a robust tool that will empower your wildest preferences. With up to 15 adjustable force feedback settings, I could fine-tune aspects such as mechanical friction and road feel sensitivity, allowing for less wrist-taxing, chill flight sessions (or shock and awe FFB demos for my non-flight-sim friends).

Additionally, the software offers customisable RGB lighting options, allowing you to personalise the aesthetic of your cockpit setup. I’m not one to stare downwards at my controls much (if at all), but it’s nice to know the feature is both there and incredibly easy to set up/change at will with multiple presets.

Flying High

In the world of flight simulation, peripherals can make or break your realism. The Moza AY210 and MFY Yoke bundle stick the landing in this regard. Offering a blend of durability, performance, and customisation, I reckon this duo is a must-have for any serious pilot. If, like me, you’ve been hungering for decades for that next generation of FFB flight gear, this is your first-class ticket to having a much better time.

Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

This year, Flexispot has kicked off its 4th of July Sale extra early with discounts across its entire site as well as tiered coupon codes. Flexispot has established a reputation for producing quality electric standing desks with premium features at a fraction of the price compared to other reputable brands. We like Flexispot because it offers quality electric standing desks with all the features you'd want at a fraction of the price compared to other more well-known models. We rated Flexispot's highest- end model, the E7 Pro, the best overall standing desk of 2025.

Since then, the company has branched out to other types of furniture, including office chairs, sofas, recliners, and even mattresses. These are, in a nutshell, well-made replicas of other far pricier products, and if you prioritize value over brand loyalty, then you're bound to save a lot of money by picking up one of these deals.

Flexispot 4th of July Coupon Codes

• $30 off orders $500+ with code "J4FS30"
• $60 off orders $800+ with code "J4FS60"
• $100 off orders $1,000+ with code "J4FS100"
• $200 off orders $2,000+ with code "J4FS200"

Featured in this article

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.

Flexispot E7 Pro Desk starting at $399.99

Our favorite standing desk for 2025

Flexispot E5 Desk starting at $179.99

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Flexispot E7L L-Shaped Desk starting at $499.99

Flexispot C7 Ergonomic Chair for $349.99

Flexispot Japanese Joinery Bed Frame starting at $349.99

Flexispot Premier Hybrid Mattress starting at $349.99

Flexispot Lotus Electric Rocker Recliner starting at $519.99