The Complete History of Middle-earth: Collector's Box Set

$80.65 (was $250) | Restocked on October 4

Get deal at Amazon

After selling out earlier this week, The Complete History of Middle-earth: Collector's Box Set is back in stock at Amazon with a massive discount. The 5,440-page, three-book collector's set is on sale for $80.65 (was $250) in Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days book promotion. The 68% drop--nearly $170 off--is the steepest price cut offered by Amazon since William Morrow published the collector's set in 2020. Since Amazon has already sold out of this deal multiple times this week, you probably shouldn't wait too long to snag this one. Like many other J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord of the Rings book deals Amazon is offering this weekend, you need to be a Prime member to get The Complete History of Middle-earth for this low price.

Alternatively, all four of the 2024 hardcover box sets collecting The History of Middle-earth and The Silmarillion are on sale for up to 66% off.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Hunger Games 5-Book Hardcover Box Set

$60.90 (was $125)

See at Amazon See All 5 Hardcovers

The Deluxe Hunger Games Collection

$36.74 (was $70)

See at Amazon

The Hunger Games returned in a big way earlier this year with Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth novel in Suzanne Collins' wildly popular dystopian book series. More than 1.5 million copies were sold worldwide during launch week in March. If you haven't read it or are interested in snagging a nice box set for yourself or as gift, Amazon has a fantastic deal on The Hunger Games 5-Book Hardcover Box Set ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Released in June for $125, the slipcased collection is on sale for only $60.90. Alternatively, you can snag the gorgeous collectible paperbacks that were published ahead of Sunrise on the Reaping's release. The Deluxe Hunger Games Collection comes with an eye-catching display case and is only $36.74 (was $70). All four Deluxe Editions are also on sale individually for less than $10 each.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Have you ever noticed that Helldivers 2 takes up a lot more room on PC than it does on either Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5? At 150GB, the game is roughly three times bigger on PC than on consoles. According to Arrowhead game studio deputy technical director Brendan Armstrong, the reason why is that Helldivers 2 is still catering to a small segment of PC users.

In a lengthy post on Steam, Armstrong wrote that Helldivers 2's install footprint is so large because most of it is duplicated for the benefit of players who still use mechanical hard disk drives. It's an antiquated process that features duplicate data grouped close together in order to reduce loading times. Armstrong notes that the duplication is not necessary for players who have long since upgraded to solid state drives, but Arrowhead has had difficulty determining how many players remain on mechanical HDDs.

"How many Helldivers 2 players are still using mechanical HDD? The truth is that we don't currently know," Armstrong wrote. "Even the Steam user surveys are unable to give us data on mechanical HDD use in the overall gamer population. Our best estimates put it at around 12% of all PC gamers, but the data is very unreliable and relies on a lot of extrapolations. Until we can more accurately determine the number of mechanical HDDs that Helldivers 2 is installed on, it is difficult to know how many players will be impacted by reducing the amount of data duplication. Even if that number is small, keep in mind that the load time for each player dropping into a mission is determined by the slowest member of the squad."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Crucial P310 NVMe M.2 SSD

1TB: $75 (was $96) | 2TB: $112 (was $145)

See 1TB at Amazon See 2TB at Amazon

While Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days officially begin on October 7, several products are already seeing discounts ahead of the event. This includes steep price cuts for the Crucial P310 1TB and 2TB M.2 SSDs, which are down to their lowest prices ever. The 1TB model is $75 (was $96) while the 2TB version is $112 (normally $145). These internal SSDs come with a built-in heatsink, meaning they work out of the box with all PS5 models, as well as PCs that support the NVMe M.2 format. These are great deals if you're looking to add a bit of extra space to your computer or console during the busy fall release season. However, we don't know how long these deals will be available--in fact, we've already seen similar early Prime Big Deal Days discounts on other SSD models sell out--so it's worth grabbing one of these internal drives while you can

Crucial P310 NVMe M.2 SSD 1TB: $75 (was $96) | 2TB: $112 (was $145)

The Crucial P310 is capable of read speeds up to 7,100MB/s, which is far beyond Sony's requirements of 5,500MB/s. An included heatsink means you won't have to worry about shopping for an external heatsink, and getting your SSD installed shouldn't take more than a few minutes (if you need help, consult our PS5 SSD installation guide).

See 1TB at Amazon See 2TB at Amazon

Note that a 4TB version of the Crucial P310 NVMe M.2 SSD is also available; however, it is not currently on sale and can only be purchased from third-party sellers. However, we have a few alternative options if you're shopping around, including Samsung's popular Samsung 990 Pro. It's available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, and all of them are also on sale (though they're noticeably more expensive than the Crucial lineup). These support speeds up to 7,450MB/s, and while that speed difference is negligible on PS5, it could be useful if you're installing the drive on a PC.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

PowerA Wireless Controllers for Switch 1/2

Save big at Amazon ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.

Get deals at Amazon

With Nintendo's official Pro Controllers for Switch 1/2 now priced at $80/$90, it has become quite expensive to pick up first-party gamepads for Players 2-4. Thankfully, there are officially licensed third-party controllers with lower prices and Nintendo's seal of approval. And ahead of next week's Prime Big Deal Days sale, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 owners can save big on over a dozen wireless controllers produced by PowerA, Nintendo's most prolific official partner.

Most of the controllers on sale are themed around popular Nintendo franchises, with plenty of Super Mario and Pokemon models discounted by up to 50%. Arguably the best design on sale--and currently the top seller of the bunch--is the ultra-cute Kirby Mouthful Wireless Controller for $30 (was $50). You'll also find Princess Peach and Super Mario versions for $30 each. For King Koopa fans, the Bowser-themed wireless controller with back buttons is only $27 (was $45). You can check out those three models and more with huge discounts in the gallery below.

PowerA Kirby Mouthful Wireless Controller for Switch 1/2 $30 (was $50)

Inspired by Mouthful Mode in Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the adorable design makes it appear as if Kirby just inhaled your Nintendo Switch controller.

This is a standard PowerAo Wireless Controller, which means it uses AA batteries (included) and doesn't have back buttons. You can get up to 40 hours of game time before needing to swap out the batteries. We'd recommend grabbing a pack of rechargeable batteries such as this popular 8-pack with a charger for $22 (was $29).

PowerA's Switch controllers offer great ergonomics and solid performance for the price. The Kirby Mouthful Controller has six-axis motion controls, but it doesn't have rumble motors, an IR camera, or an NFC reader for Amiibo.

Get deal at Amazon See all the deals

Note: PowerA's Enhanced Wireless Controllers have two remappable back buttons and charge via USB-C. The Bowser controller and this Legend of Zelda controller split the difference by having back buttons and AA batteries. You'll also see a couple Enhanced models with PowerA's Lumectra RGB lighting effects. All of the controllers have very similar form factors with the exception of the Mario Victory Nano Controller, which has a compact form factor and is on sale for 50% off.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Black Ops 7 launches on November 14, and the game is packed with 30 weapons, including 16 debuting for the first time in Call of Duty history. There are plenty of powerful guns and equipment to try, as we went over in our best BO7 loadouts guide but you'll also want to make sure you have the best perks to suit your playstyle. In this guide, we'll discuss the recommended perks and Wildcards, and we'll also break down how the new Combat Specialties work this year.

Table of Contents [hide]

• Best perks for multiplayer
  • Perk 1 slot
  Best perks for multiplayerPerk 1 slot

  Ghost: Undetectable by enemy Scout Pulse and UAV when moving, planting, defusing, or controlling Scorestreaks. This is in the Recon (blue) perk category.

  Ghost is a great perk for staying off the radar if you're a player who wants to go for stealthy plays. This can also be a smart pick if you're planning on making a class to lay low with a sniper rifle.

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet Productivity Bundle (64GB - No Ads)

$236.49 (was $370)

See at Amazon

Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet Productivity Bundle (64GB - With Ads)

$221.49 (was $357)

See at Amazon

Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet productivity bundle (128GB - No Ads)

$271.49 (was $407)

See at Amazon

Just because Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale doesn't officially start until October 7, it doesn't mean you can't start saving early. As with any flagship sale at Amazon, great deals start going live days ahead of the actual event, and we're already finding a few worthwhile offers popping up at the online retailer. That includes over $100 off the Amazon Fire Max 11 productivity bundle, which not only comes with a no-ads version of the tablet itself, but also a keyboard case and a stylus (which you probably would've ended up buying separately, anyway). The 64GB No Ads bundle normally starts at $370, but with Amazon's early Prime Big Deal Days discount, you can pick it up for just $236.49. Alternate configurations of the bundle are also discounted ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, as well as a few other Amazon Fire Tablet models, which we've rounded up below.

Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet Productivity Bundle (64GB - No Ads) $236.49 (was $370)

This Amazon Fire Max 11 bundle comes with the 64GB, ad-free version of the tablet, as well as a keyboard case and stylus, which is essentially everything you need. The Fire Max 11 is Amazon's latest addition to the Fire Tablet lineup, featuring an updated 11-inch display and significantly enhanced processing power. In the days leading up to Amazon's sale, you can get this whole package for just $236.49, saving you $133 compared to its regular $370 price.

See at Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet Productivity Bundle (64GB - With Ads) $221.49 (was $357)

If you don't mind ads, you can save an extra $15 compared to the ad-free model by opting for this version of the bundle. It includes the 64GB Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet with ad-supported lockscreen, plus the same keyboard case and stylus accessories as package above.

See at Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet productivity bundle (128GB - No Ads) $271.49 (was $407)

If you need extra storage space, this is the model you'll want to consider. This bundle includes the ad-free, 128GB configuration of the Fire Max 11 tablet, along with the keyboard case and stylus. At just $271.49, you're getting all the bells and whistles for over $130 off.

See at Amazon

These aren't the only Fire tablet devices getting early Prime Big Deal Days discounts. If you don't need the accessories from the above bundles, the Fire Max 11 64GB is available on its own for just $155 (was $245), while the 128GB variant is $190 (normally $280). You can also save on older models like the Fire HD 10 32GB, which is half off at $70 (normally $140), or pick up the Fire HD 8 Plus 32GB for just $75, saving you nearly $100 compared to its standard $170 price. Check the list below for even more Fire tablet discounts available ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. You'll also find tons of other early deals on GameSpot's Prime Big Deals Hub, and we'll be covering all the best deals once the sale officially starts on October 7.

More Fire Tablet Deals

• Amazon Fire Max 11 (64GB) -- $155 ($245)
• Amazon Fire Max 11 (128GB) -- $190 ($280)
• Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) -- $70 ($140)
• Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (32GB) -- $75 ($170)
• Amazon Fire HD 8 + Standing Cover (32GB) -- $78 ($133)
• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids + Stylus (Grape) -- $78 ($157)
• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids + Stylus (Blue) -- $78 ($157)

Sign up for GameSpot's Weekly Deals Newsletter:

Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 multiplayer beta is live now in early access, and it got some big new additions today: Zombies and the multiplayer mode Overload.

The Zombies Survival mode is now playable on the Vandorn Farm map. If Zombies doesn't show up when you boot up the beta, Activision recommends restarting the client.

The Black Ops 7 beta also added new multiplayer content today, including the map Imprint. New modes are available, too, including the brand-new mode Overload.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

After working in game development for over four decades, Peter Molyneux is calling it quits after he finishes his god game Masters of Albion--that is, if you take his word for it.

Speaking to Edge (via PC Gamer), Molyneux called Masters of Albion his "redemption title," adding: "... it's my last game. It just is." The game was announced back in August 2024 at Gamescom Opening Night Live; at the time of its announcement, Molyneux had already secretly been working on the title for three years.

Masters of Albion is in the works by Molyneux's independent studio, 22cans, which he founded in 2012 after leaving Lionhead Studios. The game, which has players managing a medieval village, currently lacks a release window.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Kingmakers, the highly anticipated medieval action-strategy game that also includes AK-47s, grenade launchers, and attack helicopters, is not going to make it out on time. Just five days before it was due to launch on October 8, developer Redemption Road has announced the game is being delayed indefinitely so the studio can make it the best game it can be whenever it does launch.

"It's an incredibly ambitious, uncompromising game, and we don't want to cut any planned features for the sake of getting it out the door earlier," the studio said in a statement. "We just need a bit more time on content polish before we feel good about charging money for it."

"We're making sure everyone who buys the game is enthralled and feels like their money was well spent," the studio added.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Kinetic Games' Phasmophobia came from humble beginnings, with a single developer bringing to life their vision for casting players as paranormal investigators and then letting them loose to explore spooky environments and be terrorized by a variety of malevolent entities.

Its success was impressive and has even paved the way for other social-multiplayer games to achieve similar success. But now, Kinetic is preparing to take another big step forward. And although it has the attention of Hollywood, with a big-screen adaptation now in the works in partnership with Blumhouse Productions, the devs are staying focused on making sure its players have plenty to look forward to too.

We recently spoke to Daniel Knight and Asim Tanvir from Kinetic to discuss the success of the game, as well as what the future holds for it and the team.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's early access beta went live yesterday, and Treyarch has already confirmed some updates are planned to go live sometime this weekend. This includes adjustments to the beta's slow earn rates for weapon XP and overclocks.

Day 2 of #BO7Beta Early Access starts at 10 AM PT with Zombies Survival, new 6v6 map Imprint, and our new competitive mode, Overload!https://t.co/Rzqp9Vi1O0
Plus, we've got incoming weekend updates based on your feedback:
• TTK tuning
• Door adjustments
• Increased Weapon…

— Treyarch (@Treyarch) October 3, 2025

In a recent post by Treyarch, it's confirmed that player feedback has been taken into consideration. Leveling up in the beta has been a painfully slow process, requiring tons of playtime to unlock weapon attachments and the game's new overclock upgrades. Hopefully, leveling up will feel much faster when this upcoming update goes live.

This planned update also includes adjustments to the automatic doors on the multiplayer maps. Black Ops 7 removed the manual doors from recent Call of Duty games and added automatic doors, and these open either when players get close or when someone shoots them. It's uncertain what changes can be expected for the doors, but it's possible this is related to the sensitivity of the sensors or the speed at which they open.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds brought Sega's iconic characters to the racetrack last month, and now, the company is teaming up with Puma for a limited-edition set of sneakers and apparel inspired by the game.

Sega and Puma have officially unveiled the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds collection, which includes themed trainers for Sonic, Tails, and Shadow, all in their signature colors. Puma describes them as a blend of "motorsport styling with graphic cues inspired by racing and design elements from Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds."

Beyond the sneakers, the collection features a jacket, T-shirts, a hoodie, and more.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Dan Forden, the longtime audio director for Midway and NetherRealm Studios, has been synonymous with Mortal Kombat since his iconic "Toasty!" catchphrase first appeared in Mortal Kombat II in 1993. Now, after 36 years, Forden has announced his departure from the studio he joined in 1989.

Forden shared the news on his Instagram account alongside a picture of a homage to his first "Toasty!" appearance.

"Wednesday was my last day at NetherRealm," said Forden. "We made a lot of fun stuff over the years. I'm really proud of what we accomplished as well as how much fun we had making that stuff. There are so many smart, talented people there--look for more great things to emerge over the next several years. I love the little touches that people left around the studio like this little Toasty homage on the bathroom mirror. I wouldn't have lasted 37 years in the industry if fans weren't out there playing the games we made. Thanks to all of you for supporting what we've done. Live long and… Toasty!"

Continue Reading at GameSpot

I've come to Sensei Takahashi to learn the way of the yari, but we are sitting on the edge of a cliff facing the ocean, painting sumi-e. Ghost of Yotei gives you plenty of opportunities to take a break from slaying ronin to partake in the East Asian painting style, but this is the first time it's been part of protagonist Atsu's training.

It makes sense, though. Sucker Punch's highly anticipated sequel to 2020's Ghost of Tsushima tells the story of a woman warrior on a quest for revenge, and in between bouts of brutal killings, Atsu follows many of the same practices as the original game's protagonist, Jin Sakai. She meditates at hot springs, honors deities at shrines, follows animals to points of interest, and releases captive creatures.

But Atsu is even more connected to nature than Jin, and her affinity for the arts, coupled with her dogged, deadly determination, makes Ghost of Yotei a divine take on the power of femininity.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Cheaters never prosper, as the saying goes, and that's true in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's early-access beta, as Activision has already found and banned a few of them.

Players have been sharing clips of the myriad cheaters they've encountered, many of whom are using cheats to see through walls and get instant kills. One video, posted to X on October 2 by user HateToSeeMeComing, demonstrated the aimbot and wallhack they used to get the drop on unsuspecting players. Meanwhile, streamer Stodeh shared a clip on the same day of a random player folks in chat claimed was cheating since "hour 0." It looked like his team was getting crushed by this cheater.

In response to at least Stodeh's video, the Call of Duty Updates account said their "system caught this account" and that they've been "banned." Other cheaters, like HateToSeeMeComing, should face the same ban hammer with Activision telling Dexerto that various other accounts have been canned. You love to see it coming.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Microsoft is gearing up to announce an ad-based version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, according to a new report. The Verge's sources said Microsoft is now testing an ad tier for the streaming service, with employees trying it out now before it may launch publicly for everyone.

The report said the free ad-based tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming will allow players to stream "some" of the games they already own, along with select titles from the "Free Play Days" promotion that allows people to play select titles on weekends at no cost. Xbox Retro Classics titles may be included, too.

In terms of the ads themselves, the report said the current iteration has people watching two minutes of preroll ads before jumping into a game. The report also mentioned that there could be streaming limitations, including a cutoff of one-hour sessions each and up to five hours for free each month. It's possible things change before the ad-based program goes live, if it does at all.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

A recently discovered job ad at Netflix is seeking a candidate who will lead the company's efforts in finding ways to use generative artificial intelligence for its gaming efforts.

"This role sits at the intersection of technology, product, and creativity--driving how we leverage cutting-edge AI to create meaningful, novel, and scalable experiences for players," Netflix said.

The ad for a Head of Gen AI (spotted first by a BlueSky user) states that a successful candidate will be paid a salary in the range of $430,000 - $840,000.

Continue Reading at GameSpot