Coinciding with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50-series GPU reveal at CES 2025, PC hardware company MSI has announced a slew of new gaming laptops running on the laptop versions of Nvidia's next-generation GPUs.

The flagship model is the Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition Norse Myth, which comes in multiple hardware configurations, the most powerful of which sports a GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, and up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM. An RTX 5080 model will also be available. The 18-inch laptop features a 4K UHD MiniLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a unique case sporting a hand-drawn dragon illustration and Nordic runes.

Titan 18 HX Dragon Edition Norse Myth

In addition to the Dragon Edition Nose Myth laptop, there will also be standard edition Titan 18 HX models that ditch the fantasy aesthetics but feature the same powerful hardware options. MSI says these models all feature a 270 Watt system power, putting it on par with many desktop builds.

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World of Warcraft continues to pay tribute to Mats "Ibelin" Steen, the subject of the recent Netflix documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, this time transforming Steen's character into a full-fledged NPC.

As spotted by Wowhead, dataminers have discovered an NPC by the name of Lord Ibelin Redmoore on the public test realm for the MMORPG's upcoming 11.1 update. The NPC's appearance matches Ibelin's look in the documentary, though it's currently unclear where players will be able to find Ibelin in-game or what he might have to say should players interact with him.

Steen suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and played WoW as a means of socializing and connecting with others. His character Ibelin, who he often roleplayed as, labeled himself as a private investigator and would use his in-game job title as a means to strike up conversation.

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Palworld developer Pocketpair has launched a new game on Nintendo Switch despite the fact that it's currently being sued by The Pokemon Company and Nintendo.

The game is called Overdungeon, which combines card game, tower defense, and roguelike elements. It has real-time gameplay with cards featuring various animals like cats, dogs, and alpacas. It was first released in 2019 for PC before its surprise launch on Switch today, January 9.

The Pokemon Company sued Pocketpair last year, alleging that the Pocketpair engaged in infringement on The Pokemon Company's patents. Pocketpair revealed that the three Japanese patents were centered around the mechanics of throwing balls at creatures to catch them, riding characters in the game, and shooting at targets.

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As part its delay of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has announced that it's putting plans in place to pursue "various transformational strategic and capitalistic options" to help put itself in the best possible financial situation. Ubisoft said it has appointed an advisory team to do this.

Ubisoft said it will continue to "drive significant cost reductions" as part of this plan, though the company did not say if more layoffs are coming. Ubisoft added that it will take a "highly selective approach to investments" during this period. In total, Ubisoft said it expects to see a reduction of €200 million ($206 million USD) as part of this plan.

Looking ahead, Ubisoft said it expects Q3 FY2024-25 revenue to be less than what it originally forecast, due in part to lower-than-expected game sales during the holiday, mainly due to an underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws. The downturn is also attributed in part to the discontinuation of XDefiant.

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Ubisoft has delayed Assassin's Creed Shadows once again, moving the game from its planned February 14 launch date to March 20. Ubisoft says that it made the decision to provide an additional month of development to Assassin's Creed Shadows as part of its "renewed focus" on gameplay quality.

"This additional time will allow the team to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months and help create the best conditions for launch by continuing to engage closely with the increasingly positive Assassin’s Creed community," Ubisoft explained in a press release.

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It's the start of a new year, and if you're looking to ring it in with discounts on several games, then you can check out Fanatical's January 2025 edition of its Diamond Collection bundle. Like previous versions of this build-your-own-bundle deal, you'll choose from a list of games to build your very own bundle, and pricing depends on how many games you pick, with the price per code dropping the more you add. The bundle starts at three games for $15 ($5 per game), and scales up to five or more games for $23 ($4.60 per game), and at seven or games you'll only pay $4.50 per game. If you add all 16 possible games to your bundle, you'll only pay $72 total.

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There are some great titles here like Control: Ultimate Edition. This paranormal-themed action adventure game melds third-person shooting with Metroidvania-style level design. It comes from Remedy, the same studio behind the Alan Wake series, which happens to share the same fictional universe with Control. In fact, some of the bonus content included in Control: Ultimate Edition ties into the recent Allan Wake II.

Another strong recommendation is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The game is a spiritual successor to the 2D Castlevania games and is even directed by Koji Igarashi, who popularized the "Igavania" style of Castlevania games that started with Symphony of the Night.

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Standing desks are a great addition to any office, as they offer serious health benefits like improved circulation and reduced back pain. Unfortunately, many standing desks are expensive, featuring price tags that soar over $500--however, if you just need something basic to change your posture during the workweek, take a look at the affordable Edx Electric Standing Desk at Walmart. Multiple colors and sizes are available with prices starting at just $80 (was $140), making it a solid choice for shoppers on a budget.

Edx Electric Standing Desk $80 (was $140)

Though it’s not as flashy as some competitors, this standing desk still gets you all the basics. That includes an adjustable height ranging from 48 inches to 28.7 inches, a weight capacity of 154 pounds, and a multi-function control panel that lets you quickly alter your desk’s height.

You can even save three heights to memory, allowing you to toggle between your favorites at the press of a button. A small LED display lets you know the current height setting. As a nice bonus, you’ll find storage hooks under the desk for your headset or other gadgets.

Pricing varies based on the size of the desk, starting at just $80 for the 40 x 24 inches model and maxing out at $127 for the 63 x 24 inches model. Pricing below is for the black model, though note that the 63 x 24 model is slightly cheaper for the oak, rustic brown, and white designs. Regardless of which you pick, you’ll benefit from steep discounts.

Edx Electric Standing Desk

• 40 x 24 inches -- $80 ($140)
• 48 x 24 inches -- $90 ($150)
• 55 x 24 inches -- $93 ($170)
• 63 x 24 inches -- $100 ($180) ) $127 for black

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Need a new chair to pair with your affordable new desk? Walmart has several good options on sale, including the Bossin Big and Tall Home Office Chair for $100 (was $200). Along with waterproof materials, it gets you thick padded cushioning for enhanced comfort and durability, padded armrests, a premium design, and several ways to customize its positioning to find an ergonomic working posture.

You could also consider one of the many gaming chairs discounted at Walmart. An affordable option is the GTRacing Gaming Chair with Footrest, as it’s now just $90 (was $230), though only the pink model is still available. For more color options, check out the Ferghana Blue Gaming Chair with Footrest, as it’s even cheaper at $80 (was $215). We’ve listed a few of the best deals below, but be sure to check out the full catalog for more options.

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Akira Kurosawa is considered one of the most influential filmmakers of all time and now two of his best films, Yojimbo and Sanjuro, are finally available in a 4K Blu-ray Criterion Collection set. Even better, the 4K collection is discounted to just $56 (was $80). It’s unclear how long the price cut will stick around, so if you’re interested in adding two of Kurosawa’s most celebrated movies to your home theater, it’s worth grabbing the set soon.

Yojimbo / Sanjuro: The Criterion Collection (4K UHD) $57 (was $80)

Yojimbo tells the story of Sanjuro, a masterless samurai attempting to rid a village of corruption. He does this by convincing two rival parties to recruit him as a bodyguard--only to later trigger a gang war between them in an attempt to destroy their stranglehold on the town. Yojimbo is followed by the companion movie, Sanjuro, which sees the samurai helping a young group of warriors remove evil influences from within their clan. Both earned high praise from viewers and critics--and now that they’re available in 4K, this collection is the best way to enjoy them in 2025. A standard Blu-ray edition is also available for just $44.42 (was $70).

See at Amazon (4K) See at Amazon (Standard Blu-ray) Yojimbo / Sanjuro Special Features

Along with the two movies, this bundle is packed with extra features. Highlights include audio commentaries by Stephen Prince, a Kurosawa scholar, and documentaries on the making of both films. Note that most of these bonus features are offered in standard Blu-ray.

• 4K digital restorations, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks
• Two 4K UHD discs of the films and two Blu-rays with the films and special features
• Optional DTS-HD Master Audio Perspecta 3.0 soundtracks, preserving the original simulated stereo effects
• Audio commentaries by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince
• Documentaries on the making of Yojimbo and Sanjuro
• Teasers and trailers
• Stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos
• Essays by film writers Alexander Sesonske and Michael Sragow
• Comments from Kurosawa and members of his casts and crews

If you’re interested in adding more Kurosawa films to your home theater, take a look at some of the other movies in the Criterion catalog, many of which are also on sale at Amazon. The deals include several more of Kurosawa's iconic samurai films, such as Kagemusha for $27 ($40), Roshamon for $37 (was $40), and Seven Samurai, which is available in 4K for $49.49 (was $60) or standard Blu-ray for $32.87 (was $50). It's also worth noting the Studio Canal Blu-ray edition of Kurosawa's Ran is on sale for $17 (was $20). Check out a list of more Kurosawa Blu-ray deals below.

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Nintendo has released a new trailer for Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, the upcoming remaster of the 2015 Wii U game. The trailer shows off several of its graphical improvements in this new version of the classic JRPG ahead of its release on Switch in March.

Set in the year 2054, Xenoblade Chronicles X tells the story of an intergalactic war between alien races that has left humanity teetering on the edge of extinction. Survivors have fled to the stars, but after their spaceship crashlands on the hostile world of Mira, they have to survive and thrive in this new frontier if the human species hopes to bounce back from annihilation.

Xenoblade fans have waited quite a while for the game to arrive on Switch, and this new edition will also feature several quality-of-life updates, new story content that will let you dive deeper into the world of New Los Angeles, and several multiplayer modes to experience. If you're looking to buy the game ahead of its March 20 launch, you can grab a physical copy for $60. There are also some neat preorder bonuses, as purchasing the game before April 6 will unlock the Exploration Support Pack. This comes with the following extras:

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Another day, another Switch 2 detail has apparently leaked out. Accessory listings have allegedly appeared in GameStop's internal computer system for employees. While the usual suspects are showing up for the hybrid system--a carrying case and Joy-Con charging stand, for instance--the microSD options are of particular interest. That's because Nintendo's next system seemingly will support express card functionality for expanded storage.

A Reddit post revealed the alleged GameStop listings for Switch 2, with microSD express card options for 256GB and 512GB popping up. No brand is noted, though SanDisk sells 128GB and 256GB versions (intriguingly not the 512GB option, however). Additionally, SanDisk says its microSD express cards offer read speeds that are 4.4 times quicker than the next fastest option. For video games specifically, this allows players to "start gaming faster and explore virtual worlds that appear more realistic than ever," according to the company. The current Switch doesn't support these cards.

Switch 2 SKU’s found in system today!!
by u/Opposite-Chemistry96 in Switch

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Video game voice actors in the SAG-AFTRA union have been on strike since July 2024, and one of the chief issues concerns the use of artificial intelligence. Jennifer Hale, who is among the most famous voice actors out there, has commented on the ongoing negotiations and why it's taking so long to resolve. She told Eurogamer, "AI is an existential issue for all of us." Hale is best known for voicing Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series, along with roles in Baldur's Gate, Metal Gear Solid, Halo, and Overwatch, among many others.

She said the "repercussions are vast" when it comes to AI, and this helps explain why the union and the video game publishers are taking their time to make a deal.

"I've been speaking to people on both sides over the last few months especially and there's a lot to learn on both sides," Hale said. "Some of the decision makers in that room who hold significant power are at the same time quite disconnected from how production happens. There are also many in that room who are deeply connected to the process. So there is such a wide variety of agendas at play."

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The next Xbox Developer Direct event is coming up soon. Microsoft has announced a new Xbox Developer Direct broadcast for January 23, and it will feature a number of games like South of Midnight and Doom: The Dark Ages, as well as a "brand-new game."

The event takes place January 23 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK. It's expected to stream in all the usual places, including YouTube and Twitch.

"We'll visit Compulsion Games in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, head to Montpellier, France to see Sandfall Interactive for a look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stop by the legendary id Studios in Richardson, Texas to check in on Doom: The Dark Ages, and visit a surprise location to see another studio's brand new game," Microsoft said.

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Actor Jennifer Hale, who voices Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series, has spoken up to share her thoughts on the upcoming Mass Effect TV series. She said in an interview that she's excited to see Mass Effect become a TV show and would love to be a part of it. She also offered a piece of advice to the team making the show that she believes could make the show even better.

"I never suppose to tell creators what to do. The only thing I must say about that TV series is I want to play! Any capacity, I will be there with bells on!" Hale told Eurogamer.

She went on to say that the producers would be "really smart" to try to involve as many of the original cast members as possible in the Mass Effect TV series. Hale said she'd love to see her colleagues show up in "cameos and Easter eggs" or even recurring and regular roles.

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Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Complete Series (Blu-ray Steelbook)

$53 ($59) | Releases March 25

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Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Final Season (Blu-ray)

$26.49 | Releases March 25

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Star Trek: Lower Decks is getting a collectible box set featuring all five seasons of the superb animated show on Blu-ray. Slated to release March 25, Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Complete Series comes with two steelbook cases and a collectible art card. The box set retails for $59, but Amazon is offering a preorder discount that drops the price to $53.

Considering individual seasons of Lower Decks typically sell for around $25, The Complete Series Steelbook is surprisingly cheap. With Amazon's preorder price guarantee, you'll pay the lowest price offered between the time you order and release.

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Tommy Boy (4K steelbook)

$30

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The classic comedy film Tommy Boy is coming to 4K Blu-ray with a Limited Steelbook Edition, giving fans a new way to experience one of the late Chris Farley's best movies. The Tommy Boy 4K Steelbook Limited Edition launches March 25 for $30, and preorders are available now through Amazon.

Tommy Boy 4K Steelbook Edition

$30

Tommy Boy Limited Edition Steelbook

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From the moment that Shadow the Hedgehog appeared in the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it seemed obvious that Sega's antihero was going to be the sequel's breakout character. But few could have predicted that it would mean Sonic 3's Build-a-Bear line would be disrupted by Shadow's resurgence.

As reported by Kotaku, Shadow's Build-a-Bear is sold out and going for ludicrous prices on eBay from $300 on the low end to $1,500 at the highest. Currently, the highest amount that anyone has actually paid on eBay for Shadow is just north of $600. That's still quite a mark up from the other currently available characters, as you can see below. Note that Tails is an online exclusive, while Sonic is available both online and in stores.

• Sonic Build-A-Bear -- $34
• Tails Build-A-Bear -- $34
• Tails Build-A-Bear with sound -- $42

See all Sonic Build-a-Bear plushies

Shadow has been removed from Build-a-Bear's site, and the company reportedly has no plans to restock the character. That seems counterintuitive, given the clear demand. And the only way to cool off the secondary market for Shadow Build-a-Bears would be if there were enough to meet the demand.

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Path of Exile 2 is out now in early access ahead of its 1.0 launch in the future. Naturally, that means the game will change a lot over the months ahead. While the ARPG will feature three acts of the campaign, a portion of the 12 classes, and additional content, there's still more to come as time goes on. Though the early access version of Path of Exile 2 went live on December 6, there is a key stipulation to gaining access; the game will eventually be free-to-play, but to play during the early access period, you'll need to pay up.

You can find out how much you need to pay and other details about Path of Exile 2's launch in the guide below.

How much is Path of Exile 2 Early Access?Early access to Path of Exile 2 costs some money.

The early access version of Path of Exile 2 costs $30. That $30 is spent on an Early Access Supporter Pack, which gives you a Path of Exile 2 early access key as well as 300 Points and the extended digital soundtrack. The Points can be used to purchase items in the Path of Exile 2 shop and are technically a $30 value on their own.

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After seven years on the market, 146 million systems, and more than 1 billion games sold, Nintendo is finally gearing up to announce its next piece of hardware. In this post, we're rounding up everything we know about the Switch 2--or whatever the next console is called--and what's been speculated about the next system from Nintendo. There has been quite a lot of news about the next Nintendo console lately. In fact, it appears the rumor mill is really heating up of late, though this doesn't necessarily mean an official announcement is coming up soon.

Nintendo has made multiple announcements lately, including an alarm clock and a music app, but there hasn't been any official word on the Switch 2.

2025 kicked off with a juicy rumor, as people claim to have their hands on the Switch 2's Joy-Cons. Images posted online claiming to be the new controllers suggest they will sport a similar design to the original, though they could be hiding a new feature or two. Another recent report detailed how many units the Switch 2 could sell in the US during its first year.

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The Switch 2, or whatever Nintendo calls its next console, is expected to be announced soon and released later this year. But how many units will the system sell? According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, the Switch 2 will sell 4.3 million units in the US during 2025.

This assumes that the Switch 2 launches in the first half of 2025, Piscatella clarified. He added that the Switch should make up about one third of all video game consoles sold during 2025 in the US, excluding PC portable devices.

Piscatella went on to say that he expects the Switch 2 to face "hardware constraints" for several months after launch, and that the total number of units sold will depend on how many Nintendo can produce. Despite the popularity of a new Nintendo console, Piscatella said he continues to expect Sony's PlayStation 5 to be the No. 1 best-selling console in the US in 2025 based on unit sales.

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The massive Palisades blaze in Southern California has prompted production to halt on a variety of projects in and around Los Angeles, including Fallout Season 2. The sophomore season was expected to resume filming today, January 8, following a holiday break, but that's no longer the case.

Film LA said in a statement that the Los Angeles County Fire Department instructed permit-holders that anyone filming in Altadena, La Crescenta, and La Canada Flintridge must pause.

Soundstages where a number of productions are being filmed are not directly at risk of the fires at this point, but local authorities have advised against non-essential activities, and filming for Hollywood projects falls into that category, it appears.

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