The Ultimate Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 2 (Hardcover)

$32.54 (was $35) | Releases October 21

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The Ultimate Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 2 Gift Set

$50 | Releases December 9

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The Ultimate Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 1 was released several years ago, giving fans of Hydaelyn a chance to bring its best virtual dishes to their real-life dining table. With recipes for all skill levels and meals that run the gamut from snacks to desserts, it simplified the process of preparing Final Fantasy 14's best delicacies. This year, you'll get to dive into The Ultimate Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 2, which is up for preorder ahead of its October 21 release. Much like the first volume, this one includes nearly 200 pages of recipes--only it now focuses on dishes found in the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions.

The Ultimate Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 2 (Hardcover) $32.54 (was $35) | Releases October 21

Written by Victoria Rosenthal, the author and chef responsible for Volume 1, we're expecting Volume 2 to once again be packed with creative meals. You'll find more than 70 recipes within its pages, including Alligator Salad, Knight's Bread Reprise, Tandoori Raptor, and even fun drinks like Carrot Coffee and Hyper-Potion.

Recipes are joined by images of the final product, plus detailed instructions highlighting exactly how to bring the meal to life. It also includes the difficulty of the recipe--ensuring newbie chefs don't bite off more than they can chew.

Beyond recipes and mouthwatering images, The Ultimate Final Fantasy Cookbook Vol 2. Includes an exclusive foreword by game director Naoki Yoshida. Combined with its premium hardcover design and colorful artwork, it should be a lovely addition to most kitchens.

Preorder at Amazon The Ultimate Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 2 Gift Set $50 | Releases December 9

If you don't mind waiting a bit longer, a fun Gift Set featuring the cookbook arrives on December 9. Along with the hardcover volume, it includes a metal stand featuring Mogria and Gyohan. That should make it easier to read through the book's recipes while cooking--and it'll lift it off your countertops, ensuring it doesn't get messy with food.

Preorder at Amazon Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Volume 2Gallery

This cookbook joins a long list of other cookbooks inspired by video games, TV shows, movies, and other pop culture icons. Meals from Avatar: The Last Airbender to World of Warcraft have all been given a similar treatment--many of which are available as gift sets. The World of Warcraft Cookbook, for example, is bundled with an apron, while the Star Wars Galactic Baking Set comes with a spatula. Beyond World of Warcraft, other notable gaming cookbooks include Pokemon, Minecraft, and Fallout.

More Cookbooks

• Avatar: The Last Airbender Cookbook and Apron -- $24.65 ($45)
• Disney Villains Cookbook and Apron -- $19.75 ($40)
• Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Cookbook and Apron -- $32.25 ($45)
• Harry Potter Cookbook and Apron -- $27 ($40)
• Harry Potter Christmas Cookbook and Tablet Stand -- $34.29 ($50)
• Friends: The Central Perk Cookbook and Apron -- $23.54 ($45)
• Friends Cookbook and Apron -- $25.67 ($45)
• Minecraft Cookbook and Apron -- $37.21 ($50)
• My Pokemon Cookbook and Apron -- $28 ($50)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Baking Cookbook and Tablet Stand -- $43.22 ($50)
• Star Wars Cookbook and Apron -- $30 ($40)
• Star Wars Galactic Baking Set and Spatula -- $15.60 ($35)
• Supernatural Cookbook and Apron -- $22.49 ($40)
• The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Cookbook and Apron -- $33 ($45)
• The Westeros Cookbook and Apron -- $38 ($50)
• World of Warcraft Cookbook and Apron -- $30.50 ($45)
• Yellowstone: Dutton Ranch Cookbook and Apron -- $31.56 ($40)

The Enyclopedia Eorzea series is also a great companion for the upcoming Final Fantasy 14 Cookbook Vol. 2. Three hardcover books are available in the series, each one covering different aspects of the game's lore, development, and design. All three are currently on sale, dropping their prices from $50 to less than $31 each.

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Red Dead Redemption for Nintendo Switch

$30 (was $50) | Releases September 15

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Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy for Nintendo Switch

$30 (was $60)

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Red Dead Redemption is getting a new physical edition for Nintendo Switch with a lower price point. Amazon is taking preorders for the $30 edition ahead of its September 15 launch. If you already own Red Dead for Switch, there's no reason to get this edition, as it's exactly the same as the 2023 edition. Red Dead Redemption still retails for $50 on the eShop, and the original physical edition sells for that price, too. So if you pick up RDR on Switch in the near future, make sure you buy the version with a $30 MSRP. The full game and the Undead Nightmare expansion are on the cartridge.

Red Dead's rerelease arrives on the heels of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy's new physical edition. Launched last month for $30, the new GTA physical edition is the same scenario: nothing new but much lower price. GTA: The Trilogy still retails for $60 on the eShop, and the old physical edition often sells for around that price, too.

Red Dead Redemption for Nintendo Switch $30 (was $50) | Releases September 15

As for the game? Red Dead Redemption is a spaghetti western that nails the mythic appeal of being a cowboy. The game doesn't stray far from the open-world template that Rockstar Games perfected with its previous GTA releases, as you're given the freedom to explore, get up to mischief, and take on jobs from a colorful assortment of characters you'll meet along the way.

You'll get to experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American Wild West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past and protect his family. This version of the game also includes the expansion Undead Nightmare, a horror-themed adventure in which the world around you has been transformed into an apocalyptic landscape overrun with zombies.

On a technical level, this is also an impressive port for the Switch, as the game reaches 720p and 30fps in handheld mode, 1080p and 30fps in docked mode. There haven't been any updates to it for the Switch 2 console, but load times are better on Nintendo's new hardware.

Preorder at Amazon Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy for Nintendo Switch $30 (was $60)

If you also want to explore the city streets of the modern age, check out Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition's new budget-friendly edition. As mentioned, this collection originally sold for $60, and the recently released physical edition is the only version for Switch with the $30 MSRP. GTA: The Trilogy includes three PS2-era classics: GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas.

While the collection launched in an admittedly rough state, several patches have significantly overhauled the experience, and while it's not perfect, it is in a much better state now.

Note: The physical cart includes GTA 3 and San Andreas, but you'll need to download Vice City to complete the set. The download is roughly 10GB. There was some confusion surrounding this at first, as the promotional box set didn't have the "Download Required" label on the cover. Amazon has since updated the image. We also tested the rerelease and can confirm we had to download Vice City from the eShop.

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Borderlands 4 is chock-full of more loot than you'll know what to do with during your time on Kairos. From ordinance to weapons to shields, the amount of loot you can acquire in just a brief playthrough is staggering. Of course, most of this loot will end up sold to a vending machine or left on the ground for some wandering Psychos to pick up.

However, the same can't be said for loot that you receive from a Golden Chest. Golden Chests offer extremely rare items in Borderlands 4 that will provide an immediate jolt to your inventory. The chests can only be opened with Golden Keys, which you'll mostly acquire through active Shift Codes that you redeem. While it might be tempting to immediately open a Golden Chest once you get a Golden Key, that's not necessarily how you want to use the rare item in Borderlands 4.

Golden Chests have some caveats in Borderlands 4

For starters, Golden Chests are only located in a few, specific locations around Kairos in Borderlands 4, so you can't open them as soon as you start playing the game. However, after you've done a few missions and gotten a decent chunk of playtime in, you'll come across your first Golden Chest. While you might want to open the chest right away if you have a Golden Key on you, that's not the most efficient move.

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Borderlands 4 is out now on PC, and a number of issues have cropped up as the game sets records on Steam. On the Borderlands Support site, Gearbox lays out some of the known issues so far and has provided workarounds for some issues.

Compiling shaders

To begin with, Gearbox reminded people that it's a good idea to ensure your drivers are updated, since doing that alone can fix some issues. For issues compiling shaders, Gearbox said they should take about 10 minutes to compile, and if it's taking longer, you can try rebooting the game and your system.

If that doesn't sort out the issue, you can clear the shader cache. Here's how:

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Developer Gearbox has revealed that Borderlands 4 players can pick up two legendary weapons by watching the looter-shooter on Twitch. To start, the Midnight Defiance sniper rifle will be available by viewing two hours of partnered creators playing the game from now through September 30.

Players can also claim a legendary shotgun called the Forsaken Chaos by viewing two hours of the game via the Borderlands 4 category on Twitch (just make sure Drops are enabled). Gearbox notes on the Borderlands website that Midnight Defiance and Forsaken Chaos can't be earned at the same time, so collectively a person would need to watch four hours of the game to obtain both legendary weapons.

The Midnight Defiance legendary sniper rifle will be available as a Twitch Drop for Borderlands 4 from now through September 30.

If watching hours of Borderlands 4 sounds like a bit too much, you can also grab a "Watch, Drop, and Roll" ECHO-4 Drone Skin by viewing 20 minutes of the game on either the official Borderlands 4 Twitch channel or Gearbox Twitch channel. This skin will be available through September 26.

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The cinematic trailer for Borderlands 4 has arrived just ahead of launch. The trailer shows the game's new set of Vault Hunters in action, and the footage is accompanied by the fast tempo of "Birds" by Turnstile. Familiar Borderlands characters can also be spotted in the cinematic chaos.

This latest installment of Gearbox's looter-shooter lets players explore the dangerous planet of Kairos, which is ruled by a dictator known as the Timekeeper. Vex, Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe serve as the four playable Vault Hunters for Borderlands 4, who can all be seen using their unique abilities in the trailer as they attempt to break free of the Timekeeper's oppression.

While the game primarily focuses on a new planet and cast of characters, the trailer does highlight a few staple characters of the Borderlands series, including the iconic bartender Mad Moxxi and the annoying robot known as Claptrap. The gameplay features new traversal mechanics like double jumping, gliding, dodging, and fixed-point grappling, and there are plenty of new guns to loot. Borderlands 4 will support Shift codes, and here are all known codes and how to redeem them.

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Gearbox's Borderlands 4 officially launches on September 12, but it's already available for PC--and on Steam, it's putting up big numbers.

Steam's own public stats show that Borderlands 4 is Steam's top-selling title globally and in the US. It has exceeded 175,000 concurrent players to rank as Steam's No. 4 most-played game today.

That's more concurrent players than any previous Borderlands game ever achieved. Borderlands 2, which is the best-selling entry in the series, reached a record of 124,678 peak concurrent players and was the record-setter for peak concurrent players in the Borderlands franchise until today. Borderlands 3, meanwhile, topped out at 93,820 peak concurrent players. That game, however, was exclusive to the Epic Games Store at launch.

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The TV adaptation of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us on HBO is a big hit, but could the developer's next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, leap to TV or the big screen?

It's too soon say, but Hollywood studios are already pitching Naughty Dog, Neil Druckmann said. Speaking to Variety, Druckmann said, "We've already had studios approach us" about Intergalactic--based on excitement around the trailer alone. "Just having seen the trailer; they don't know much about the game," Druckmann said of these pitches from unspecified companies.

Given the success of The Last of Us TV series at HBO, it makes sense that studios would come knocking and try to lock up an adaptation of Naughty Dog's next project. For his part, Druckmann said, "I want to make sure we don't put the cart in front of the horse." He said Naughty Dog needs to ensure Intergalactic turns into a "fantastic video game" before any transmedia opportunities are considered.

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Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of The Last of Us game series and former co-showrunner of the critically acclaimed HBO adaptation, walked away from the TV series earlier this year. The show was recently nominated for over 15 Emmy Awards, with a third season greenlit. Druckmann has finally revealed what prompted his return going back to Naughty Dog full-time.

In an interview with Variety, Druckmann said he was proud of the work that was accomplished on the show, but knew it was time to refocus on game development when the writers' room was starting to come together for Season 3.

"I looked at what's in front of me, what would the next season might look like, and with all the various Last of Us things I'm working on--not just the show. With all the various games I'm working on--the biggest one that takes up most of my time is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, our next big IP for Naughty Dog and PlayStation--it felt like I could better serve all of my responsibilities if I stayed at a higher level," he said.

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Rubik's Pulse Cube

$20 (was $21)

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While the Rubik's WowCube might be the most exciting model on the horizon, cubers looking for another interesting take on the classic puzzle should check out the Pulse Cube. An official Rubik's brand product, the Pulse Cube is a light-up variant that gives you 60 seconds to fully solve all six sides. Once the minute is up, the cube returns to its plain reflective state, and you'll need to start again. The Rubik's Pulse Cube launched this week and is in stock at Amazon for $20 (was $21).

Rubik's Pulse Cube $20 (was $21)

When you first pick up the cube, all you'll notice is a mirrored finish on its sides. However, press its center button, and the sides will light up in all the usual Rubik's colors. You've then got 60 seconds to unscramble the puzzle before the lights go off again. Extra time can be added by pressing the logo again. As the timer ticks closer to zero, the cube will begin to rapidly flash.

The cube is intended to help high-level solvers get ready for competition. Once the cube has been scrambled, it'll be impossible to see the orientation of the cube until you press the button and its lights start to glow. That added element of surprise means you'll have to be on your toes and quickly adapt to whatever the cube throws at you.

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You really have to see the cube in action to appreciate how cool (and challenging) it is, so be sure to check out the video below if you're interested in adding the Pulse to your collection:

The Pulse Cube isn't the first challenging version of the 3 x 3 puzzle from Rubik's brand. The Rubik's Impossible Cube has iridescent colors that make the tiles appear as different colors depending on the angle you view them from. It's available for $17.50 (was $20) at Amazon. The Rubik's Phantom Cube is even trickier. Similar to the Pulse Cube, the Phantom starts as a blank slate, only this time all of the tiles are black. Heat from your fingers temporarily reveals tile colors, so you need to work quickly to slot tiles in the correct spots before the colors fade to black. The Rubik's Phantom Cube is on sale for only $9.49 (was $17) at Amazon.

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Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann has responded to a question about what the company might make next after Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and if it could be The Last of Us 3 or Uncharted 5.

Speaking to Variety, Druckmann said he's hopeful that Intergalactic succeeds and that if it's a hit, "you will see it again" in the form of a possible sequel. However, whether or not a potential Intergalactic 2 is Naughty Dog's next game "right after that," Druckmann wouldn't say. "I leave that door open," he said.

Druckmann said he wants to step back and assess where the team is at and how they're feeling when Intergalactic is finished before looking at "the options in front of us" for the next project.

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Hellraiser: Revival developer Saber Interactive is aiming to deliver a faithful adaptation of the cult-classic horror series, and the studio says it wants to earn its M rating when the single-player survival-horror game is eventually released. The source material--starting with Clive Barker's novel that the popular horror film series is based on--was already pretty extreme for its time, as it revolved around people unwittingly summoning the sadomasochistic Cenobites: explorers from another dimension who subject their victims to gruesome experiments.

"We are going to go as far as we possibly can, as far as the people that make rules will let us go," Saber development chief Tim Willits said to IGN. "And I hope that we can make one version, but we are willing to go as far as we possibly can go."

Barker is also involved in the project, as Saber says that he was consulted on the story written for the game. "We're trying to portray all the gore and horror that is present in the films, violence, sexuality, everything," associate game director Aleksandra Pelivanović explained to GameSpot recently. "It was really important for us to catch every key element of the franchise and put it in the game in the right context. And when we sent Clive the final draft for the storyline, he was like, 'Yes, that's Hellraiser!'"

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Fortnite will soon allow players to purchase V-Bucks in the exact amount that they want: a feature that players have requested for years. Beginning October 14, Fortnite's shop will include an "Exact Amount" option that allows users to top up their V-Bucks balance to the precise amount needed for whatever they're trying to buy.

The Exact Amount option will be available in Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys across Xbox, Nintendo, PC, Android, iPhone, and the Fortnite web Item Shop. It's not supported on PlayStation, but Epic Games said, "We will work to make this available everywhere."

You can soon purchase the exact amount of V-Bucks that you need.

Exact Amount shopping will be available in Fortnite and Rocket League in increments of 50 and for Fall Guys in increments of 100. On October 10, anyone with a balance of Fortnite V-Bucks or Rocket League Credits will have their balances rounded up to the nearest 50. For Fall Guys, anyone with a balance will have their balances rounded up to the nearest 100.

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Flash games were everywhere in the late '90s and early 2000s, as they were an easy way to play games on the internet, no downloads required. Unfortunately, many of these games are now lost due to Flash having been discontinued in 2020, but others were lost even before then as they were harder to preserve. One such game was actually from the fictional musical group Gorillaz called Kong Studios, and in a bit of a surprise move, the game has been brought back to life.

The original Kong Studios arrived on the internet in 1998, and was the fictitious recording studio that Gorillaz made their albums in. You could wander round the studio, listen to some music, and discover hidden secrets, but the game was shut down in 2008. Except now it's back!

The news was shared on the official Gorillaz YouTube channel, and if you head to the site you can play a game inspired by the music video for Clint Eastwood where you have to fend off, well, gorillas in a first-person-shooter-style perspective as you make your way to Kong Studios.

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GameSir X5s Bluetooth Controller For Switch 2, iOS, Android

$50

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If you're looking for an alternative handheld controller for Nintendo Switch 2, popular third-party manufacturer GameSir just launched a new budget-friendly option that's worth checking out. The GameSir X5s is a $50 Bluetooth mobile controller for Switch 1/2, iOS, and Android. It can hold devices measuring up to 8.38 inches and has several pro-style features and design elements that make it an intriguing substitute for Nintendo's Joy-Con 2 Controllers.

The X5s isn't officially licensed by Nintendo. At this time, there aren't any official alternatives, and options are slim in general. I haven't tested the X5s, but I have used the higher-end GameSir G8 Plus on Switch 2 and were impressed by the ergonomics and build quality. The G8 Plus retails for $80--though it's on sale for $70 at Walmart--and has a few additional features. At $50, the GameSir X5s sounds like a bargain.

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Star Wars: Battle of Hoth

$60

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There's no shortage of Star Wars-themed tabletop wargames, but the latest adapts The Empire Strikes Back's iconic opening battle on the frozen planet Hoth to a fast-paced board game format for two players. Star Wars: Battle of Hoth launched in August, and now it's finally available at Amazon for $60.

Star Wars: Battle of Hoth $60

This miniatures skirmish game is a two-player recreation of the iconic Battle of Hoth--one player controls the forces of the Rebel Alliance defending their base, and the other commands the Galactic Empire's attack force. The set includes 74 highly detailed miniatures based on rebel soldiers, Imperial Snowtroopers, and iconic vehicles like the T-47 Airspeeder and AT-AT Walker. The game is highly replayable, offering 17 unique pre-made scenarios and two dynamic multi-scenario campaigns to follow along with. Matches typically last around 30 minutes, so you can knock out a quick skirmish or roll through a bunch of different battles in a single game night.

See at Amazon Star Wars: Battle of HothGallery

Battle for Hoth isn't the only great Star Wars board game. Other options include the strategic matches of Imperial Assault, the traditional miniatures experience of Star Wars: Legion, and the squad-based combat of Shatterpoint. Many of these have several expansions, so if you're looking for a game you can constantly upgrade and evolve, be sure to give them a look.

You can also check out the role-playing adventures offered by Star Wars: Age of Rebellion and Edge of the Empire. Both are ideal for beginners, thanks to pre-generated character profiles and an adventure book that guides you through the entire quest. The Mandalorian Adventures, meanwhile, is a cooperative board game that has you working with your friends to complete missions inspired by the TV show. For something a bit less complicated, Star Wars Villainous lets you dive into the shoes of your favorite bad guys.

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You'll find yourself stuck on the prison world of Kairos in Borderlands 4. A megalomaniacal leader, the Timekeeper, has ruled the planet with an iron fist since time immemorial. Now, it's up to you to fight for your freedom and that of other citizens. You don't have to go at it alone, though, because our Borderlands 4 guides hub has numerous tips to help you out.

Borderlands 4 guides hub

Our Borderlands 4 guides hub tackles multiple facets about Gearbox's latest looter-shooter extravaganza. We take a look at a few basic mechanics that you're bound to notice early in the campaign. We also discuss points-of-interest and collectibles that are sure to keep you engaged for prolonged periods.

How long to beat the campaign - Find out how many hours it would take for you to complete the campaign. Oh, and that's just the beginning. The endgame--Ultimate Vault Hunter mode--still awaits.

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Are you curious as to how long it takes to beat Borderlands 4? The latest installment to Gearbox's hit looter-shooter franchise is all about pulse-pounding thrills and non-stop action. The campaign itself, where you take on the Timekeeper and his goons, is just your first big step before reaching the endgame. Likewise, please be reminded that this article contains minor spoilers.

Table of Contents [hide]

• How long to beat Borderlands 4 - Campaign length and mission list guide

How long to beat Borderlands 4 - Campaign length and mission list guide

On the average, it should take you roughly 20 to 25 hours to beat Borderlands 4. Mind you, we're just talking about the campaign here, which means focusing on main missions, while avoiding most of the side content.

Short cutscenes recap how you've fared in the campaign.

If you really want to put in the work as a completionist, then you can expect to spend over 100 hours roaming across the wastelands of Kairos. That's because Borderlands 4 features the most seamless open-world environments in the series' history. At launch, there are four major regions: Fadefields, Terminus Range, Carcadia Burn, and Dominion. Each one is filled with countless collectibles and optional objectives.

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Are you wondering about how to increase your inventory space in Borderlands 4? Your character's backpack, as well as containers like the bank and lost loot device, can only carry a limited number of items. But, if you get a few upgrades, you won't need to worry about hauling a bunch of gear everywhere you go.

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• How to increase inventory space in Borderlands 4

How to increase inventory space in Borderlands 4

You can increase your character's inventory space via the SDU menu. SDU, which stands for Storage Deck Upgrade, is somewhat akin to points or resources that you earn throughout your adventures. The SDU menu not only allows you to increase the capacity for the stuff you're carrying around, but also the maximum ammo for various types of weapons.

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Hollow Knight: Silksong launched last week and immediately saw its highest engagement on PC via Steam. According to Circana's US Player Engagement Tracker, over 7% of active Steam users played Silksong on launch day, ranking it as the third-most-played game overall, just behind Helldivers II and Counter-Strike 2. It should be noted that it was on Steam that the original Hollow Knight gained its loyal following.

"It was anticipated that Hollow Knight: Silksong would have the highest initial appeal with the core enthusiast audience, particularly on PC. So far, that seems to have been the case," Circana's Mat Piscatella added. "On console, being on Game Pass certainly appears to have helped boost launch-day engagement on Xbox."

Looking at the stats for Xbox, Silksong managed to secure over 2% engagement, placing it at 12th overall. Now, this metric reflects active players, not total downloads or interest--so plenty may have grabbed it for later. PlayStation, on the other hand, saw under 1% engagement, coming in at a distant 55th place, but it was not available via any services like it was on Xbox. Without access to Nintendo platform data--which Circana's tracker currently doesn't cover--it's hard to gauge what could be the actual biggest player base in the future, especially since the original Hollow Knight had a huge Switch following as well.

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