It's not unusual for Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios to add items to the game, but the latest update has given players a shovel without even telling them it was an option. And apparently, the shovel can actually be used for its most important purpose: Digging.

Via IGN, a player known as The_Fighter03 shared the discovery on Reddit while demonstrating that the shovel can be used to create an improvised ditch for cover. Trench warfare could be very useful in Helldivers 2's battles, assuming the player isn't killed while digging.

THERE'S SHOVELS NOW?!?
byu/The_Fighter03 inHelldivers

However, it doesn't appear that digging is an option everywhere. Players will get a POI notice if they can use the shovel. For now, players are still experimenting to learn the extent of what they can do with the shovels, including how deep they can dig and if they can create a network of trenches by working together.

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During the Switch 2 reveal event in January, Nintendo showed off the console's updated Joy-Con controllers and seemingly teased mouse-like functionality. Such a feature would be "intriguing," according to Civilization VII executive producer Dennis Shirk.

Shirk told IGN, "It's definitely intriguing." A control setup like that could in theory help games like Civilization be embraced on console, but it's too soon to say if the mouse-like controls for Switch 2 are real or if Civilization VII could come to the Switch 2 (the game is only confirmed for the original Switch right now). Shirk said it "would be cool" for the Switch 2 to offer some kind of mouse-like control functionality.

"You always do some trade-offs when you have to deal with pure console controls. And the [Switch 2] announcement has some great stuff in it. I love what they're doing with the controllers. It's all very cool. That's about all I can say about it in terms of an opinion. I think it looks awesome and they're not wrong, so it would be cool for something like that."

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Unlike other games, it's difficult to put an exact timeframe on just how long it takes to beat a playthrough of Civilization VII. For starters, the first couple of hours when you begin can be so daunting from a gameplay perspective, so you might spend more time reading the encyclopedia than actually playing. Another huge factor is the various difficulty settings you can apply to your playthrough, which can drastically alter the overall time it takes to get through all three ages in Civ 7.

Still, we know you have questions about the game's length and we're to give you the best answer we can. So just how long does it take to beat Civ 7?

How long it takes to beat Civilization 7An end-of-game scene in Civilization VII

The best way to measure how long a playthrough of Civ 7 takes is by counting the number of turns you do across all three ages. While this isn't a full representation of the overall game length, it does provide you with the best tool to measure your progress. And, speaking from experience, I can offer rough time estimates for the amount of turns it takes to beat a playthrough.

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The lead writer of the beloved RPG Fallout: New Vegas has returned to Obsidian, but those who are hoping to see a hypothetical New Vegas 2 are going to be disappointed. On his LinkedIn profile, John Gonzalez posted that he's returned to Obsidian Entertainment in a new role as creative director. Under the entry for this job, he wrote the following: "Back to Obsidian for exciting times! (No, it's not FNV2.)"

Gonzalez is arguably best-known as one of the lead writers of New Vegas, but he's contributed to a number of other projects. As his LinkedIn shows, he served as narrative director on Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West at Guerrilla Games. He also worked on Tom Clancy's EndWar at Ubisoft and contributed lead narrative to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Gonzalez is also working on a novel titled "God Mode: Single Player," which he describes as "the ultimate video game novel."

Though it's unclear what Gonzalez is working on at Obsidian, the studio has two currently announced projects. One is The Outer Worlds 2, the sequel to one of the studio's biggest games, known for its signature sense of humor. The other is Avowed, a new RPG set in the world of the studio's previous Pillars of Eternity games. Avowed releases on February 18, 2025, while The Outer Worlds 2 is set to come out sometime in 2025.

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The '90s Batman animated series is considered the best TV incarnation of the Caped Crusader, but its follow-up, Batman Beyond, has also become a cult classic over the years. For those looking to revisit the sequel series, you can pick up the Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray box set for just $25 at Amazon right now, saving you quite a bit compared to its normal $55 price tag.

Batman Beyond: The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray $25 (was $55)

This Blu-ray set gets you all 52 episodes of the series across six discs, around 18 hours of action starring an all-new Batman. You'll also get the uncut version of the film Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. As for bonus materials, you'll get two brand-new special features that were created to celebrate 80 years of Batman called Nostalgic Tomorrow: A Batman Gathering and Knight Immortal.

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Set decades after Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond follows Terry McGinnis, who takes up the Batman mantle under the mentorship of an older and crankier Bruce Wayne. Over the course of the series, Terry develops from a rookie vigilante into a full-fledged superhero while defending Neo-Gotham from new and familiar villains.

If you're interested in seeing more of Terry's stint as Batman, you'll also want to check out the Batman Beyond: The Animated Series Classics Compendium graphic novel, which is on sale for $35 (was $60). Released last year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Batman Beyond, this 752-page hardcover book collects all the Batman Beyond tie-in comics into a single volume for the first time. The book includes the original six-issue mini-series, all 24 issues from the second ongoing series, and Batman's guest appearance in Superman Adventures #64. Terry's version of Batman also appeared in the first two seasons of the Justice League: Unlimited animated series, which you can add to your collection with the Justice League Unlimited: The Complete Series Blu-ray box set that's available for $25 at Amazon.

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A vast realm awaits you in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, sequel to the 2018 open-world adventure role-playing game (RPG) from Warhorse Studios. This sequel continues the journey of Henry of Skalitz across war-torn Bohemia, where you encounter friends and foes, both fresh and familiar, in an unforgettable adventure that's equal parts compelling, remarkable, and frustrating to boot. Here's our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 guides hub to help you as you get started.

Table of Contents [hide]

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 guides hub
  • General gameplay mechanics
  Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 guides hub

  Our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 guides hub is organized into multiple categories depending on related mechanics and themes. We tackle everything from basic concepts to expansive quest chains.

  General gameplay mechanics

  From one corner of Bohemia to the next, Henry of Skalitz has his work cut out for him. Given that this is a sequel, several systems are derived from the original game, though there are vast improvements, too. We talk about some of the basics that you're likely to encounter within the first few hours of starting the campaign.

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The days leading up to the Super Bowl are always filled with excellent TV discounts, but the same is true for soundbars and sound systems. Popular models from Sonos, Samsung, JBL, and more are currently listed for some of their best prices in months, making it the ideal time to upgrade your home theater's audio setup. We've rounded up all the best soundbar deals available ahead of the Super Bowl in the list below.

See all deals at Amazon Sonos Soundbar & Speaker DealsSonos Arc

The Sonos Arc 5.0.2 Soundbar is one of the best deals of the bunch, as the wildly popular device is now just $650 (was $900). With support for Dolby Atmos, the ability to optimize its sound for the acoustics of your room, and a Speech Enhancement feature to make dialogue easier to hear, it’s a premium choice for most shoppers. For something more affordable, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is also discounted to $399 (was $499). Its compact design makes it a better fit for smaller TVs, though you’ll still benefit from Dolby Atmos support.

• Sonos Arc 5.0.2 Ch. Smart Soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $650 ($900) | Also at Best Buy
• Sonos Ray -- $179 ($279) | Also at Best Buy
• Sonos Beam (Gen 2) -- $399 ($499) | Also at Best Buy

Samsung Soundbar & Speaker DealsSamsung HW-Q600C with Subwoofer

With a staggering 45% discount, the Samsung HW-Q600C 3.1.2 Ch Soundbar with Subwoofer is down to one of its best prices in years. The soundbar includes a wireless subwoofer, a Game Mode Pro that optimizes performance while gaming, and can be set up in minutes thanks to its HDMI eARC support. Though it’s not as impressive, the Samsung HW-C400/ZA 2.0 Channel C-Series Soundbar is just $90 (was $120) and it should be a nice (and affordable) upgrade from most built-in TV speakers.

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With the Switch 2 launching this year, Nintendo has confirmed that it is preparing to prevent scalpers from negatively impacting the release of its hybrid console. In a press conference, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that the company would take all "possible measures" for the Switch 2 to produce enough stock to meet demand.

"We will take all possible measures based on the experience we have accumulated to date," Furukawa said to Nikkei (via VGC). "We are making preparations."

While the Switch was popular when it first launched in 2017 and stock did sell quickly, it wasn't until the COVID pandemic that demand quickly outpaced supply. Combined with the global semiconductor shortage at the time, the Switch became a sought-after item at the start of 2020, with resellers using the opportunity to buy up available stock and make a profit.

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Supernatural: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

$105 (was $230)

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Supernatural: The Complete Series is on sale for its best price yet at Amazon. For a limited time, you can save 54% on the $230 Blu-ray collection, dropping the price to $105. The show had quite the run, airing for a staggering 327 episodes across 15 seasons from 2005-2020. That's a lot of ghost, demon, and monster hunting to enjoy.

Supernatural: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) $105 (was $230)

Supernatural: The Complete Series is a mammoth TV box set. It comes with 58 discs and clocks in at 13,700 minutes. In other words, if you watched an episode a day, you'd be watching Supernatural for 11 months. Or, if you wanted to break the world record for fastest Supernatural series watch, you could get through all 327 episodes in only 9.5 days of nonstop watching.

Another way to look at it is that you're getting each season of the show for only $7. That's a serious bargain.

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Supernatural earned widespread acclaim from viewers on Metacritic, with the series sitting at an impressive 8.2 rating with nearly 3,000 reviews. It's a great match for fans of thrillers and (surprise!) supernatural mysteries, as its bleak world is haunted by vampires, demons, and other monstrous beings. Consider checking it out if you need a series that could legitimately keep you entertained throughout a big chunk of 2025.

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The Last of Us Season 2 will finally arrive in April and bring more big changes to the story. Tommy's (Gabriel Luna) and Maria's (Rutina Wesley) family dynamic will be altered as the two now have a child together. The first season of the show, based on one of the most acclaimed games of this generation, definitely changed some aspects of the narrative to spread out the season--and one of the best episodes of television that year.

Max recently released new photos for the upcoming season that seemingly don't give any of the story away--Joel (Pedro Pascal) sitting, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) riding their horses through town, Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and her WLF cronies, and Tommy, Maria, and their son together.

After all we've been through...#TheLastOfUs returns this April on Max. pic.twitter.com/QAW9XgAO5V

— Max (@StreamOnMax) February 3, 2025

In one of Season 1's quieter moments, Tommy tells Joel that he's going to be a dad and Maria is already a few months along. Tommy tells Joel he thinks he'll be a good dad, with Joel responding, "Guess we'll find out." The brothers get into an argument about how life didn't stop for Tommy just because Joel felt like he had no reason to keep going.

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The film adaptation of Just Cause has been slowly moving through Hollywood's development hell for almost 15 years. Now, the project is taking another step forward with Aaron Rabin, one of the writers behind Prime Video's Jack Ryan series.

According to The Wrap, Rabin is set to work alongside Blue Beetle director Angel Manuel Soto, who joined the project last May. Rabin's previous credits include Silent River and Nobody 2, which will feature Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk reprising his role from the first film.

John Wick and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch is producing Just Cause alongside Kelly McCormick. Their previous producing credits together include Violent Night, Bullet Train, Nobody, and The Fall Guy. Universal Pictures is set to release Just Cause, but the studio hasn't set a date for it yet.

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THQ Nordic and Bugbear Entertainment have confirmed that Wreckfest 2, a sequel to their wildly destructive racing game, will finally enter early access on March 20. We also have a solid idea of what Wreckfest 2 will feature when it enters early access and what will be added over time.

The original Wreckfest was one of the first early-access success stories. It stood out due to its penchant for destruction with impressive damage models that let its vehicles get significantly more busted and bruised than your typical racer. Now, over a decade after Wreckfest's early access release, Bugbear and THQ Nordic are going through the same process with its sequel, which ups the ante with a rebuilt physics engine that makes the damage simulation for its cars even more detailed.

The early-access trailer demonstrates the destructive nature of Wreckfest 2's gameplay, as we see racers bump and crash into each other while speeding through a junkyard. This is presumably from one of the three modes that will be available in Wreckfest 2 at release: Racing, Derby, and Multiplayer. Bugbear Entertainment has teased what it plans to add to its racer over time, and it goes beyond just adding more tracks and car-customization options.

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Metroid Prime fans are a patient lot, and after almost a decade of waiting, 2025 looks like it'll be their year. Nintendo confirmed that this year will be a big one, as not only will the Switch 2 console launch, but the long-in-development Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be one of several tentpole games released in 2025 as well.

While it doesn't have an exact date yet. Nintendo did confirm in the financial results for the first nine months of its latest fiscal year that Metroid Prime 4 is one of the big four first-party 2025 releases, alongside the recently released Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Xenoblade Chronicles X on March 20, and Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Metroid Prime 4 is out this year.

Metroid Prime 4 was announced for Switch all the way back at E3 2017, but beyond that, there was nothing but radio silence surrounding the game. In 2019, Nintendo announced that it had rebooted development on the game as it had not reached the standards the publisher wanted from it. This means the game will likely be backward-compatible with the Switch 2, although it's unclear if there'll be a native Switch 2 version available for purchase.

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EA recently announced Battlefield Labs, a new community test program for Battlefield 6--or whatever the next entry in the series is called--and interest in the program exceeded expectations.

The Battlefield Comms account thanked fans for their "enthusiastic response" to the Battlefield Labs announcement, saying, "We're thrilled by the interest, which has exceeded our expectations."

The demand was so high that EA implemented a queue on the sign-up page, and some fans ran into issues. EA said it's "actively working" to resolve any ongoing issues with the sign-up process and encouraged fans to continue attempting to sign up until they are successful. EA also assured fans that the order in which they signed up for the test will not affect the chance of being accepted into the program.

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Nintendo has announced that Switch hardware and software sales were "below expectations" for the first nine months of its latest fiscal year (April-December 2024) and is also now expecting to sell fewer Switch consoles and games than it previously forecast.

Whereas Nintendo initially announced it was expecting to sell 12.5 million Switch consoles for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, it now expects sales to reach 11 million. Additionally, Nintendo originally modeled 160 million game sales for the fiscal year but is now expecting 10 million fewer, or 150 million.

Despite the lower-than-expected results for the latest period, Nintendo said the Switch "continues to be enjoyed by many people." Nintendo management said Switch sales have been "stable" for a platform in its eighth year, noting that the Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition, which was released during the holiday, showed "steady growth." Nintendo management also reminded people that Nintendo released multiple Switch OLED special edition systems in Holiday 2023, so Holiday 2024 was always going to be a tough comparison.

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In 2026, the arcade classic Breakout will celebrate its 50th anniversary. However, Atari is getting the party started a little early with a brand-new revamp of the game called Breakout Beyond. This title was originally announced as an exclusive for Intellivision's Amico in 2018, but it's going to get a much wider release later this year. In the first trailer below, Breakout Beyond shows off some of the modern touches that will breathe new life into the gameplay.

Choice Provisions is the developer behind Breakout Beyond, which modernizes the gameplay created by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and Steve Bristow for the original Breakout. Essentially, players use Pong-like controls to bounce a projectile to destroy bricks that stand in their way.

Unlike the Breakout arcade game, this version will unfold sideways on a larger canvas. Breakout Beyond also introduces combos that can make the projectiles even more powerful while ramping up the resulting light show from the destruction. Another new feature allows players to slow down time and gain a greater control of the projectile, but it will come at the cost of a reduced score. There are 72 levels, and a second player can join in the action through local co-op. Additionally, there will be an unlockable endless mode with an online global leaderboard.

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Elgato has announced a brand-new version of its free digital audio mixer took, dubbed Wave Link 2.0. Like the original software, the 2.0 version is designed to give content creators a flexible suite of options for managing their audio feeds while also adding in several quality-of-life upgrades designed to address the challenges that streamers and podcasters regularly run into.

One of the big new features is Voice Focus, which Elgato says was developed in collaboration with audio company AI-Coustics and can be used to remove unwanted noise, room reverb, and echo. At the same time, Elgato claims that a user's voice can be isolated and elevated to "professional" quality standards and this toolset is designed to deliver high-quality results in seconds. Essentially, if you're in a rush to get started on on your project and you don't want to tweak audio settings, this can potentially make you sound like a pro with minimal input needed from you.

Wave Link 2.0Gallery

Managing multiple audio channels should also be easier with the new simplified layout in Wave Link 2.0. The overhaul includes one-click audio-routing allows users to instantly assign apps to channels, app-grouping for better organization, and input channel-renaming to streamline your layout. Additionally, digital tools like a compressor, de-esser, equalizer, and reverb adjuster have been retained and you'll still be able to use third-party audio plug-ins.

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Nintendo has revealed new Switch sales figures from the first nine months of the current financial year--ending on March 31, 2025--and while sales of the console and its games have been below expectations, there is a silver lining here. The Switch has sold over 150 million units since launch, making it the first console to do so in 13 years.

The last video game console to reach these numbers was also a Nintendo device, specifically the Nintendo DS. The dual-screen handheld had numerous hardware revisions over its lifespan, ranging from the original futuristic clamshell model to a streamlined design before the Nintendo 3DS eventually succeeded it, and it was quite popular with Nintendo fans thanks to its strong library of games and affordable pricing.

The Switch is still the third-best-selling video game system of all time, and if it can shift four million more sales, it'll take the second place position held by the Nintendo DS. The top spot still belongs to Sony's PlayStation 2, as after its lifetime sales were updated, it was revealed that over 160 million of these consoles were sold in total.

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Creating an empire from the ground up might sound like a daunting task, but the journey is worth the effort in Civilization VII. The new title in the iconic franchise is finally here after eight years of waiting and there are plenty of new mechanics to keep veteran players on their toes. Of course, if you're brand new to the Civ series, then you have a plethora of knowledge to absorb as your first empire comes to fruition. To help you along the way, we have a wealth of guides that answer any questions you might have in Civilization VII.

Table of Contents [hide]

• Civilization VII Guides Hub
  • General FAQs
  Civilization VII Guides Hub

  Our guides hub is split into different categories to help streamline your navigation. We have guides on general FAQs, gameplay-related questions, and lists that will help you make better decisions as you progress in Civilization VII.

  General FAQs

  While Civ 7 lays most of its features out plainly for you to see, there are some hidden options and general questions you might have at the beginning or midway through the game. For any basic inquiries, we have you covered in this section.

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Last month, Microsoft held its first Xbox Developer Direct of 2025 and announced Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black among other titles. But fans won't have to wait very long to learn what else Microsoft's gaming division has planned for the future, as the next Xbox Showcase is scheduled to take place in February.

According to IGN, this year's IGN Fan Fest will begin with an Xbox Showcase on February 24. Aside from the reveal of "the next big collaboration for Balatro," details are scarce about what to specifically expect beyond trailers and gameplay footage. However, the announcement of the showcase does note that there will be several reveals from indie studios including Raw Fury, Team 17, Akapura, 11 Bit, and more.

During one of last year's Xbox Showcases, Microsoft announced World Of Warcraft: The War Within and Doom: The Dark Ages, as well as 2025 titles including South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Fragpunk, and Fable. We can only speculate which titles will be showcased in February, but we'd certainly like to see more of Gears of War: E-Day, the upcoming prequel to the long-running shooter franchise.

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