Gears Tactics launched earlier this year on PC, and it’s finally heading to Xbox Series X and Series S when the two consoles launch later this year, along with a host of gameplay and content additions.
The new content will introduce Jack to the squad, who you will likely recognize as the cloaking robot companion to Marcus Fenix and co. in the original trilogy of games. Jack won’t be around to rip open doors this time, giving you numerous new commands to use in combat, including area of effect skills and the ability to control enemy units.
The Coalition is also adding new Deviant enemies to the game, which should help its longevity by providing additional challenges to players seeking them. These enemies will be more cunning and quick to react to your strategies, but also reward players with new high-level gear to make the demanding combat worthwhile. These content updates will be available to all console players at launch while PC players will be able to download it for free shortly after.
Gears Tactics will also be making use of the more powerful hardware inside the Xbox Series X to run at a native 4K and at 60 FPS on Microsoft’s flagship next-generation console. The game will also be compatible with the Xbox Series S, but The Coalition didn’t share specific performance details regarding that version of the game. It will also launch for both Xbox One and Xbox One X and will be available at launch on Xbox Games Pass.
Gears Tactics takes place before the events of any of the main games, putting you in the boots of Gabe Diaz in some of the earliest skirmishes between the COG and the invading Locust forces. It was a smart take on turn-based strategy while also retaining the distinctive gameplay from Gears of War. In GameSpot’s 8/10 Gears Tactics review, critic Mike Epstein wrote, “Every successful plan, even a last-ditch effort, feels like a small stroke of genius. That’s no small feat.”
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Amazon is warning customers who pre-ordered the PlayStation 5 that it may not be able to deliver PS5 systems in time for its November 12 launch.
Customers who pre-ordered PlayStation 5 systems from Amazon have received emails warning them that Amazon may not be able to fulfill orders in time for launch. Multiple IGN staffers received the same email from Amazon regarding their PS5 pre-orders.
Amazon has sent an email saying PS5 orders may not arrive on launch date due to high demand pic.twitter.com/xip55XEwYD
“We’re contacting you about your order of PlayStation 5 Console to let you know in advance that you may not receive this item on the day it is released due to high demand. We’ll make every effort to get the item to you as soon as possible once released.”
When PS5 pre-orders went live, Walmart customers found some of their orders were canceled, but in Amazon’s case, these PS5 pre-orders are still valid. The only issue is that those who ordered from Amazon may not receive a system on launch day.
A similar situation with Amazon happened when the Nintendo Switch was released and Amazon couldn’t fulfill orders in time for launch.
With next-gen consoles on the way, and PS5 preorders coming and going like hotcakes, one question you might be asking yourself after securing your PS5 or Xbox Series X preorder is whether you need to shell out for a new TV. The PS5 and Xbox Series X both support 4K and 120Hz. There aren’t many TVs that feature both a 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, and if you’re reading this article, yours likely doesn’t either.
The simple answer is that a 120Hz-capable TV is not required, but there are some noticeable benefits. Here’s what you need to know about upgrading your TV for next-gen and the best TVs to buy for the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
What’s HDMI 2.1?
If you want a 4K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR, you’re going to need a TV with an HDMI 2.1 port. This ensures that your TV can accept the speeds afforded by HDMI 2.1 cables–48Gbps–which are what the PS5 and Xbox Series X utilize to transfer video and audio signals to your television. HDMI 2.1 is still relatively new to consumer displays, with only a select few TVs supporting it and no PC monitors currently available on the market that support it–though Asus has announced HDMI 2.1 monitors that should release in the near future.
Two of the benefits that HDMI 2.1 provides to gamers are built-in variable refresh rate (VRR) and low-latency technologies. VRR provides you with a smooth, stutter-less image during gameplay, while Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) provides zero lag between your inputs and the action on screen.
Can I use the PS5 and Xbox Series X on my HDMI 2.0 TV?
PS5 and Xbox Series X games will play just fine on any TV that has HDMI ports. You’ll only be able to see 4K and 60Hz with HDR like the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro offered, but with only a handful of games taking advantage of 120Hz, an HDMI 2.0 TV will serve you perfectly well for now. At this time, the majority of games are targeting 4K and 60 frames per second, though I’m sure we’ll see a number of different resolutions and frame rates across titles, consoles, and performance modes.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X do claim that they’re capable of an 8K resolution, and HDMI 2.1 does support the transfer of 8K and 60Hz. Despite this, I don’t expect these versions of the PS5 and Xbox Series X to provide us with a true 8K resolution in games and a stable frame rate. And while 8K TVs are currently being sold, they are incredibly expensive. Even if you have an exorbitant amount of money to burn, I’d still suggest going with one of the 4K, 120Hz options available and save the rest of your money for the consoles and games themselves.
The LG CX OLED series of 4K TVs is fantastic for gaming with features like G-Sync compatibility via FreeSync, HDMI 2.1 support, and a 120Hz refresh rate. With its OLED panel, the LG CX series TV also provides gorgeous, vibrant colours and near-perfect black levels, especially when used in conjunction with HDR content, which both the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer.
Samsung’s QLED displays serve as a bridge between LED and OLED, offering better colours in both the bright and dark ranges. The Q80T is a far cheaper option than the company’s Q90 model while also being quite similar in performance. The Q80T also has everything you need for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, including HDMI 2.1, 120Hz refresh rate, and G-Sync compatibility via FreeSync.
$1,300 for 55-inch | $1,800 for 65-inch | $2,800 for 75-inch | $4,000 for 85-inch
The Sony X900H comes in slightly cheaper than the Q80T, and while it doesn’t come with HDMI 2.1 out of the box, Sony promises it’s coming in a future firmware update. Once it gets that update, the X900H will support 4K and 120Hz with HDR. In the meantime, you’ll have a great TV that shines at 4K and 60Hz–perfect for the PS4 and Xbox One as well as most games on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
$1,200 for 55-inch | $1,600 for 65-inch | $2,500 for 75-inch | $3,500 for 85-inch
If you’re looking for a budget 4K TV option for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, TCL’s R635 Mini LED won’t disappoint. TCL is known for making quality TVs at budget prices, and that extends to the R635. It’s a great TV that supports HDMI 2.1, HDR10, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
$650 for 55-inch | $900 for 65-inch | $1,400 for 75-inch
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Back in June, Nintendo released a small, free fitness game on the Switch eShop called Jump Rope Challenge. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, however, your time to do so is quickly running out, as the game will only be available until the end of the month.
As the company previously announced, Jump Rope Challenge is being removed from the eShop on September 30. It’s unclear if it will be offered again in the future, so if you’re interested in grabbing it, you should do so before that date.
Jump Rope Challenge
Nintendo says Jump Rope Challenge was “created by a small group of Nintendo developers while working from home in Japan as a simple game to add some quick and fun movement into their daily lives.” The game uses Switch’s Joy-Con controllers to mimic jump rope handles and tracks how many times you’ve virtually jumped rope each day.
Since its release, Nintendo has rolled out two updates for Jump Rope Challenge. The first added an assortment of costumes based on Nintendo characters, while the second–which arrived earlier this month–introduced a Review Progress screen that you can view after playing 100 days, as well as the option to start a new 100-day cycle. You can download Jump Rope Challenge for free from the eShop or Nintendo’s website.
It’s only a few weeks until the PS5 releases and if you want to outfit your console the right way, you’re going to want to check out the best PlayStation 5 accessories. While you’re eagerly waiting for your preorder to arrive on its November 12th release date, now is the perfect time to pick some extra controllers, spare storage, and other peripherals.
We’ve rounded up a few essentials like controllers and gaming headsets. We’ve also outlined you might find a few things you didn’t realize you would need like a media remote or racing wheel. Here are some great and essential PS5 accessories to help start gaming on your next-generation console on the right foot.
While you won’t be able to play PlayStation 5 games with all the DualShock 4 and other PS4 controllers you’ve been collecting over the years, the DualSense sounds like one of the coolest peripherals to come out in recent years with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
Easily its most significant feature is its adaptive triggers that will add resistance to the L2 and R2 buttons. Games like the upcoming Deathloop are already thinking of cool ways of implementing this feature like locking up the triggers when your gun jams.
Sony has promised the PS5 will deliver 3D audio for enhanced surround sound to make games more realistic. While that sounds great for those of us who have multichannel speaker systems, others using just their television speakers probably won’t be able to get the same effect. If you’re not ready to throw down the money for multiple speakers or a fancy soundbar and AV receiver, the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset might be just what you need.
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is an official PlayStation headset designed specifically to deliver 3D Audio from the PS5. The headset comes with connects to Sony’s console with a wireless USB adapter so you’ll also be able to use this headset with your computer. You can also expect to get up to 12 hours of wireless play and it comes with integrated rechargeable batteries.
If you’re tired of plugging in controllers to recharge them, definitely think about getting the PS5 DualSense Controller Charging Station. This charging dock lets you just set the controller in place instead of having to fiddle around with USB C-cables.
This is an even more crucial accessory if you ended up picking a second, third, or even fourth DualSense controller. Another bonus of this charging station is it’s a great way of showing off your controllers.
The PS5 comes with a hearty amount of storage, but you should definitely games will balloon in size as 4K gaming truly becomes the standard in the coming year. As such we’ve picked out the WD Black P10 5TB Game Drive as the best external hard drive to pair with your new Sony console
It comes packing 5TB of storage space, so you shouldn’t run out of room for games any time soon. The USB 3.0 connection and 140MB/s read speed will pale in comparison to the internal SSD and custom controller Sony has developed, so it’s probably best to leave RPGs, indie games, and other less demanding games on your external drive.
Most modern consoles double as streaming devices so why not get a PS5 Media Controller when you’re using the PS5 to stream or play your Blu-Ray discs.
Sure you could use a DualSense controller to get the same job done, but you’ll have to keep referring to the on-screen button guide to know whether hitting the cross button pauses or plays. Meanwhile, on the PS5 Media Remote is clearly labeled and you’ve got customizable shortcut keys to launch your favorite apps like Netflix and Disney+.
Gran Turismo 7 is easily one of the most anticipated games for next-gen and if you want to play it right on the PS5 you’re going to need a racing wheel for it. The Logitech G923 is one of the newest racing wheels to come to market and it’s a solid option with great ergonomics and 900-degrees of rotation.
Although it only offers an okay amount of force feedback compared to belt-driven and direct drive wheels, it also costs half as much as more complex racing wheels at $400. If you’re looking for that bit of extra realism and precision this is the best racing wheel to get for the PS5 right now.
The PS5 is shaping up to be a solid console for streaming and recording gameplay, but if you want to record yourself and take your content to the next level you’re going to want the PS5 HD Camera. While this peripheral might just look like a more compact version of the PS4’s Camera V2, this one was made primarily for broadcasting yourself.
Firstly it captures video at 1080p with a pair of wide-angle lenses to capture a wide range of shots. It also comes with built-in background removal tools so you can easily add yourself to your gameplay videos without having to buy and set up a giant green screen.
With any new gaming peripheral there’s inevitably someone who finds a way to use it outside of its intended purpose. This time, someone has found a way to use the recently released LEGO Super Mario figurine as an actual controller for the original Super Mario Bros.
As spotted by The Verge, Twitter user r1ckp has coded the LEGO Super Mario figurine to be recognized as a controller input for Super Mario Bros. including the ability to run forwards and backwards, jump, and shoot fireballs.
While this may seem like magic at first, the LEGO Super Mario figure actually contains quite a bit of tech to make this work. Inside the simple figurine is an accelerometer for measuring relative movement and speed, a gyroscope that allows it to monitor the orientation of the device, a camera sensor on the bottom for reading different colors, and Bluetooth for connectivity.
The self-proclaimed “hardware hacker” said it took him “about 4 hours” to code the figurine to work with the emulator, which he is running on a Linux virtual machine on his Mac. The most difficult part for him was figuring out how to get his computer to interpret the Bluetooth signals from the device and turn them into controller inputs.
In the video we can see him tilt LEGO Super Mario forwards and backwards to run in both directions and simulate a jumping motion to make Mario jump in-game. Additionally, a subsequent video showcases how Mario enters pipes simply by placing him over the LEGO green pipe, as well as shooting fireballs by hovering LEGO Super Mario over a small red LEGO platform.
While this method surely doesn’t offer the most precise way to play through the original Super Mario Bros., it sure is novel seeing it in action. Hearing LEGO Super Mario yell “Wahoo!” when he jumps adds a certain level of flare.
That’s not the only trick LEGO Super Mario has, though. If placed on top of the TV included with the LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set it will play sounds and music from the original Super Mario Bros. as the on-screen Mario runs along the course and jumps on enemies.
JRPG Octopath Traveler is receiving a mobile prequel, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, and the game will be released in Japan on October 28. Octopath Traveler’s Twitter posted the announcement and also shared a new trailer. In honor of the game already reaching 500,000 pre-registrations, Square Enix also released a battle theme song for the antagonist Arguste.
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent‘s development was announced back in March 2019, and the dev team confirmed that the mobile game will retain Octopath Traveler’s signature “HD-2D” look. According to a translation by Dualshockers, Champions of the Continent will be more like a single-player RPG, rather than a social game. As for plot revealed so far, the game follows characters as they confront and defeat three antagonists whose “endless ambition plunged the continent into darkness.” The three enemies are the one who holds wealth, “The Witch of Greed” Helminia, the one who holds power, “The Hero” Titus, and the one who holds glory, “The Playwright” Arguste.
In his Octopath Traveler review, Peter Brown said the game “thrives on its character progression and the temptations of high-level challenges and rewards. The promise of new jobs, exciting boss fights, and powerful gear will inspire you to poke around every corner, and there are no shortage of discoveries to strive for. And all the while, you’re treated to one of the most interesting and effective re-imaginings of a retro aesthetic around. Octopath will likely be a divisive game due to its fractured storytelling, but it’s one worth playing despite its lesser qualities. Its high points are simply too good to ignore.”
It remains to be seen if Square Enix plans to release Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent in the West.
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It’s no secret that securing a preorder for the PlayStation 5 has been tough, especially after retailers began offering them right after Sony’s showcase earlier this week. But it seems even if you have managed to lock down an order, you might not get a console on release day.
That’s the case over at Amazon, which has begun emailing customers about potential delays for PS5 orders that might result in shipping after the November 12 launch. The email cites the incredible demand for the console as the reason for delays and says that updates will be communicated to affected customers.
“We’re contacting you about your order of PlayStation 5 Console to let you know in advance that you may not receive this item on the day it is released due to high demand. We’ll make every effort to get the item to you as soon as possible once released.”
Numerous GameSpot staff members have received this mail already, so it could be a case of Amazon warning all customers ahead of potential delays. Target has also adjusted its shipment window for PS5 order, ranging from November 13-18. The entire situation around PS5 preorders has been a bit of a mess, so Amazon is likely not going to be the only retailer faced with these issues.
CD Projekt Red’s Night City Wire series has given us some very comprehensive looks at the many details and facets of the main setting of Cyberpunk 2077. During their recent stream, the developers at CD Projekt Red unveiled a fully explorable website that focuses on Night City, which you can check out right now. Similar a real-world website for any major city, the official Night City website is way more blunt and candid about the current state of things, offering us some surprising details about life in the big, expansive locale–even if most of them are somewhat terrifying. It’s a cool bit of worldbuilding, and if you’re interested in Cyberpunk 2077, it’s a fun read to understand just how crazy the game’s setting is.
One of the more imaginative things about cyberpunk fiction is that it examines our present-day through an extrapolated lens, allowing us to look at our current issues in a different light. This site works well as a satire of capitalism and corporate greed, putting in similar territory to the satirical look at America in Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop, but it also does a lot to show what’s in store for players in the game once it releases on November 19. Here’s a quick look at some of the most interesting and bizarre details from Night City’s official website.
A Brief History Of Night City
One of the first features you’ll see on the site is a quick rundown on the history of Night City. Located on the west coast in Central and Northern California, Night City was first established by billionaire industrialist Richard Night. He would not live long enough to see the completion of the city, but his vision would continue on. In the year 2077, Night City is a massive city-state with its own government, law enforcement, currency, and communities that inhabit it. Violence, corruption, and capitalism are the norm in Night City, and 2077 looks to be the roughest year the place has seen yet. The mayor of Night City in 2077, Lucius Rhyne, even shared his thoughts on the state of things.
“The first time I ran for Night City Council, I burned through about a pair of Bandittos a week. I canvassed every street, alley and megabuilding in my district. I saw a lot and heard a lot more. By the end, I thought I knew everything there was to know about this city.When they showed me this site, I realized just how wrong I was. I almost feel bad revealing all of these secrets to you, visitors to and residents of our fine city. Luckily, there are plenty more you’ll have to discover for yourselves.” — Lucius Rhyne, Mayor of Night City
Getting Around In Night City
The official site has a quick explainer on the different ways to get around town. Despite its massive size, Night City is “surprisingly walkable,” according to the site. Every street in the city is named, making exploration a bit more manageable. If you want to get around fast, you can always take your car or motorcycle and drive around. During the 2060s, paid parking was banned from the city following rampant violence against contractors working for the company MeterMe!, which means you can park anywhere you like without any costs.
If you don’t have access to your car, you can also take cabs and NCart. The former is an AI-driven taxi service that will take you to where you want to go for a cost. NCart is the city’s public transport service, accessed at different points around town, and takes you to various stops around the city.
Keep Track Of The Carnage
Night City’s Trauma Team are a heavily militarized version of present-day paramedics.
According to Night City’s media, the massive city-state has seen its crime-rate triple in the year 2077, putting it higher than the rest of the United States combined. There’s even a current death toll for the day at the very top of the main page.
Capitalism Remains Unchecked In 2077
Based on the many videos and details we’ve seen from Cyberpunk 2077, it’s clear that the citizens of Night City are continually being sold or taken advantage of by Big Business. Rampant, unchecked capitalism and the exploitation pushed by corporations has been a key cause for many of the world’s woes today, and things aren’t any better in the future world of Night City. The site for Night City features countless ads for expensive products, some of which are for everyday things we have in abundance today, such as Real Water (with a trademark). This insight also gives us a look at how problems like radiation, indoor pollution, and mutation are the norm in 2077. And that’s terrifying.
Pop-Up Ads Are More Annoying And Unsettling In The Future
On that note, advertising in 2077 seems much more invasive and annoying in 2077. In addition to seeing ads for products like Arasaka home security, which show off holographic samurai guards watching over you as you sleep, we also see commercials for attorneys on call if you have problems with those pesky instances of mutation or malfunctioning cyberware. To offset this despair, slightly, we also have ads for food products like bagged tacos, the aforementioned Real Water, and packaged burritos made from “in vitro” synthetic beef.
See The Sights In Night City
There are many places to explore in Night City.
The site also includes a quick explainer on life in Night City’s many districts, which consists of a fairly blunt description of the locale and its troubles, along with its NCPD Threat Level analysis. Here are some brief excerpts from the site for Santa Domingo and Pacifica. Head over to the official page for more detailed descriptions on every district.
Santa Domingo: “In Arroyo, Santo Domingo’s industrial heartland, the discarded husks of belly-up factories dot the landscape and have unfortunately attracted the usual bottom-feeding criminals and degenerates.”
NCPD Threat Level For Santa Domingo: “WARNING: The NCPD has issued a warning about a vigilante force active in Santo Domingo known as the 6th Street Gang. Though the veterans who fill its ranks claim they protect their neighborhood from hostiles, the NCPD has received numerous reports of their involvement in typical gang activities, including but not limited to protection rackets and armed robbery.”
Pacifica: “Before you step foot into Pacifica, close your eyes and imagine boutiques with products for every demographic, pop-up cyberware clinics, and amidst them all, throngs of happy tourists spending their hard-earned eurodollars, having the time of their lives.Now open your eyes. What do you see? Crippling poverty? Crumbling infrastructure? Rampant gang violence? And nothing more? Then you, my friend, lack vision. Other, more far-sighted observers see in Pacifica pure potential. With proper investment and robust eviction measures, it may once more become Night City’s premier tourist destination.”
NCPD Threat Level For Pacifica: “WARNING: “The Night City Police Department’s current threat level for Pacifica is: CATASTROPHIC. In the absence of city authorities, criminal groups control it, specifically the Voodoo Boys. Members of this gang’s clothing and body modifications often make reference in some way to the vodou religion—hence the reason Night City locals seem to have revived the “Voodoo Boys” name of an earlier, unrelated gang. Furthermore, frequent attacks by “Scavengers” mean many who enter Pacifica leave without vital organs or prized implants.”
It’s An Election Year
If things didn’t seem bleak enough for Night City, you’ll be surprised to know that 2077 is also an important year for the city’s government. The position of mayor is up for grabs in 2077, and among the candidates is Weldon Holt. He is backed by current mayor Lucius Rhyne and has plastered ads on the site.
Climate Change Has Really Messed Things Up
Many of the locales in Night City are left in ruin following neglect and a damaged ecosystem.
As a reminder, the cyberpunk genre is an extrapolation of our present times, and one of 2020’s issues–climate change–is also a grave concern in the future. With the growing CO2 emissions and constant use of fossil fuels across the world, it’s put our current ecosystem at risk of collapse. 2077 examines this in a way that appears terrifying while also banal. In addition to a brief look at the outskirts of Night City, which is a desolate wasteland populated by nomads, we also see how mass migration has pushed people to more populated areas, resulting in massive unemployment and homelessness. It’s a scary thing, and Night City in 2077 treats it as the norm for everyday life.
Arasaka Is Everywhere
According to Cyberpunk lore, the corporation Arasaka is the world’s most influential and ever-present company. Dealing in arms and civilian products has allowed it to become a mainstay worldwide, and it has an especially strong influence in Night City. Many of the advertisements on the site show off their growing influence, which includes work as a private security force in Africa. In the main game, you’ll have the option to choose the Corpo life path, which starts you off as an Arasaka agent. Eventually, you’ll be cast out of the company and be put on their bad side for the remainder of the game.
That was a quick look at the website for Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City. Be sure to check out the site for yourself to see more details and info about the game’s main setting. And for more on Cyberpunk 2077, be sure to check out GameSpot’s Cyberpunk 2077 lore series, focusing on key characters like Johnny Silverhand and how Arasaka came to be.
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Last month, DC presented Fandome which gave fans its first look at the upcoming Suicide Squad sequel, simply called The Suicide Squad, directed by James Gunn. Kinnaman is only one of four returning from the original cast, alongside Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller.
In an interview with THR, during doing press for his upcoming thriller, The Secrets We Keep, Kinnaman talked about the script for the film how he thought it was the funniest thing he’s ever worked on.
“[The Suicide Squad] is going to be insane,” Kinnaman said. “The script is so funny. Every page of that script was funny, and every page made me laugh.” He also went onto praise Gunn as a director and how he seems him as somebody who “commands that genre.”
“He just understands the world so well, and since he wrote it, he really reinvents not just the concepts, but also the characters. For me, it was like I did my first comedy, but it’s like heavily R-rated. It was a real learning experience for me too because I’d never done a comedy in that way before. So I asked James to work with me and teach me this s***. And yeah, we had so much fun doing it. That movie is going to be a f****** monster. Honestly, even though I’m in it, I can’t wait to see it as a fan.”
Kinnaman went on to describe the big difference on the level of chemistry among cast members this time around and if it felt weird being with an almost completely different cast.
“They’re such good people. It’s also something about the whole concept of being a squad. There was never a bad ego on either of these films; not the first or the second one. There was never a s***** person that was trying to suck up all the air,” he continued. “On both films, there were really generous, warm, funny people around that were just about feeding the collective. There’s something about the concept that really helps that vibe, and because there was a core unit from the first one, I think we brought that spirit of the first film into the second one as well.”
DC’s The Suicide Squad is scheduled to hit theaters August 6, 2021.
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