Author: Trafficblast

First Reviews Of Lord Of The Rings/Hobbit 4K Trilogies Are Extremely Positive

Just in time for the holidays, Warner Bros. is re-releasing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit once again, this time with a 4K UHD. Reviews for the re-releases have begun to appear online, and they are very, very positive.

Bill Hunt from The Digital Bits said one scene in particular from The Lord of the Rings trilogy shines very brightly. “The Ride of the Rohirrim in 4K with HDR and Atmos is the single great thing I have ever experience in my home theatre,” he said. “And I do NOT say that lightly. I may just have leapt out of my seat.”

Hunt went on to share some further thoughts about the 4K re-releases, saying the VFX still look “a bit processed,” but the rest of his takeaway was very positive.

“The new color grade & HDR means they blend w/live action MUCH better. OCN footage is gorgeous, w/very light grain & improved fine detail. The Atmos mix is spectacular. I’d prob. give Fellowship an A- for image and A for audio,” he said.

Ars Technica posted a review of the new films, saying they are “must-own home theatre stunners.”

“It’s not a matter of if you should get your hands on the LOTR 4K trilogy, but when,” reviewer Sam Machkovech said. “If you’ve worn out the films’ supplementary featurettes and documentaries over the years, or if you typically skip extra features and simply want each film’s theatrical and extended cuts to watch on your 4K-iest TV, don’t hesitate to snap this up.”

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies launch on December 1, each carrying a $90 USD price point. Each box contains the theatrical and extended edits, as well as a code to get the 4K movies on Movies Anywhere service.

You can pre-order them right now on Amazon.

At launch, you can only buy them separately, but Warner Bros. is releasing an Ultimate Collector’s Edition in 2021 that comes with all six movies and “new bonus content.”

In other Lord of the Rings news, HarperCollins is releasing a new Middle-earth book that will, among other things, explain who can grow beards.

Amazon is currently filming a very expensive TV show based on the fantasy series in New Zealand, while there are multiple Lord of the Rings video games in the works, including an MMO and a title featuring Gollum.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Update Drops Tomorrow, Full Patch Notes Detailed

A new update for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is set to go live on November 26 for Amazon Luna, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S | Series X. Read on to find out what the update does, and check below for the full patch notes.

The main feature coming to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla thanks to Update 1.0.4 is the option to choose between Performance and Visual Quality modes on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S | Series X. As their name suggests, Performance will run the game at 60fps while adapting resolution and graphic settings to maintain the frame rate, and Visual Quality holds the game at 30fps in order to reach “maximum resolution and graphic settings.” Ubisoft didn’t specify whether this means the game will run at 4K on next-gen hardware in Visual Quality mode. However, the studio did clarify that those on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have been playing the game in Performance mode since its launch, while Xbox Series S users have been on Visual Quality mode.

Update 1.0.4 also addresses a number of bugs related to combat and gameplay. This includes issues with Zealots regenerating health during battle, ironing out inconsistencies with aiming the bow, improving boss and NPC behavior across the board, and reworking the slide.

Elsewhere, the patch stabilizes the game, adds a new background image to the title screen, corrects a myriad of issues with save data, and addresses various user interface problems.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Update 1.0.4 Patch Notes

Estimated Patch Size

  • PlayStation 5: 2.5 GB
  • PlayStation 4: 4.1 GB
  • PC: 4.3 GB
  • Xbox Series X|S: 5.3 GB
  • Xbox One: 4.9 GB

Content

  • Graphics/Performance Mode Introduction:
    • Add an option to the game that allows players to choose between Performance or Visual Quality.
    • Feature breakdown:
      • This option is available for Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5.
      • Choosing Performance allows the game to adapt the resolution and graphic settings to maintain 60fps.
      • Choosing Quality enables the game to run maximum resolution and graphic settings while maintaining 30fps.
      • Default values since the launch of the game are as follows:
        • Xbox Series X / PlayStation 5: Performance
        • Xbox Series S: Quality

Miscellaneous

  • Added a new background image to the title screen.
  • Added various VFX to enhance visuals.
  • Added an option that will automatically assign all nodes on the path when acquiring a central skill.
  • Added rune categories to the rune menu. All runes are now categorized in Weapon & Armor runes.
  • Added a warning when switching from a language that supports TTS to one that doesn’t.
  • Sliders can now be moved with left/right arrows on M&K and controllers.
  • Increased fabric limit to 82.
  • Added fabric to traders once the settlement has reached Level 6.
  • Added offering altar requirements to the world map.

Balancing

  • Updated gear quality and gear to their correct values.
  • Added Assassination damage stats on the character stats page.
  • Removed duplicate gear from inventory.
  • Heavy and light attack stats will now adjust correctly based on acquired skill nodes.
  • Heavy attack modifiers will no longer be applied to range attacks.

Game Improvements

  • Performance and Stability:
    • Improved stability and performance.
    • (Xbox Series) Improved experience on Xbox Series S|X consoles including screen tearing
    • (PC) Addressed a VRAM/RAM leakage issue when alt-tabbing to desktop.
  • Save Games:
    • Corrected some instances where Load Game would not display save games correctly.
    • Renamed Cloud saves to make them more distinguishable from regular saves.(Previously the cloud save was only highlighted with a Cloud icon. Now they’ll be called, for example, “Manual Save Cloud”).
    • Removed Cloud saves from the Save menu. This will ensure that it cannot be overwritten unintentionally.
    • Added a notification when a cloud save retrieval has failed.
  • Graphics, Audio, and Animation:
    • Addressed various graphical issues across the board.
    • Addressed various FX issues.
    • Addressed various instances of clipping issues.
    • Addressed various visual issues with Eivor’s cloak.
    • Addressed various instances of player or NPC animation issues.
    • Addressed various audio issues.
    • Addressed various lighting issues.
    • Shadow resolution on High will now use correct values.
  • World:
    • Addressed various texture or object placement issues.
    • Addressed some instances where the player could become stuck in specific locations.
    • Fish in Norway will now spawn in bad weather. Yeah, we had to read this one twice too.
    • Crows will no longer randomly fall from the sky in Asgard. Bad omens, huh?
  • Gameplay, Combat, and AI:
    • Addressed various bow-aiming issues.
    • Improved NPC and Boss behavior across the board.
    • NPCs will now react to the player stealing…so think twice before stealing!
    • Addressed an issue where dogs would start levitating when Eivor starts to pet them.
    • Blocking Springald projectiles will now consume stamina, as intended.
    • Zealots that were hit with a sleep dart can now be stun attacked. Sleep tight.
    • Zealots will no longer heal themselves while in player vicinity.
    • Guards who clearly saw Eivor shoot their ally will now turn hostile. presses emergency button
    • Guards will now hear the impact of dead bodies dropping to the ground.
    • Improved guard reactions to whistling.
    • Improved disguise behavior in distrust zones.
    • Shooting bows from the Longship now consume arrows.
    • Players will now be able to air-assassinate sleeping NPCs. Savage…
    • Improved fish-reeling behavior.
    • Addressed an issue where the horse wouldn’t use the gallop animation in combat.
    • The crowd will now cheer during drinking games. You better.
    • Reworked sliding mechanic.
  • Quests, World Events, and Side Activities:
    • Addressed an issue where the assassination sequence wouldn’t play for some targets.
    • Addressed various texture issues during cutscenes.
    • Addressed various issues with quests or world events that prevented players from completing them.
    • Players can no longer use the fishing tool or the horn during the drunk walk with Tewdr – you’re drunk, go home.
    • Subquests will now display the correct “Part of” parent quest.
    • The memory stream can now be chosen when starting a New Game if Hold Alternative option is set to ON.
    • Increased frequency of experienced travelers.
  • User Interface and HUD:
    • Addressed various issues with the User Interface/HUD.
    • Addressed various localization issues.
    • Addressed various Mouse- and Keyboard-related input issues
    • Secrets will now be discovered when synchronizing a Viewpoint. (This does not apply to Pathfinder difficulty)
    • Experienced travelers are now highlighted on the world map and on the compass when in proximity.
    • Addressed an issue where the map wouldn’t update once players got intel from an experienced traveler.
    • Increased Odin’s Sight radius and enemies will now be highlighted for longer.
    • Improved radius in which Synin reveals keys.
    • Reduced Synin’s view distance of materials.
    • Improved the objective beam behavior.
    • Settlement building beams can now be seen using Odin’s Sight.
    • Improved enemy target-lock mechanic.
    • “Sell all trinkets” will now be greyed out after all trinkets were sold. Cha-ching!
    • Bosses’ power levels will now be displayed on their health gauge. This does not apply to regular enemies.
    • Regular brightness settings will no longer apply to HDR exposure settings.
    • The Codex will no longer foreshadow or spoil some events.
    • (A11y) Desktop entries and content on Layla’s laptop are now narrated when Menu Narration is ON.
    • (A11y) Colorblind filters are now applied correctly to the mini-quest log and raid tutorial.
  • Abilities and Skills:
    • Addressed an issue where players couldn’t use any abilities anymore when the Dive of the Valkyries ability was interrupted.
    • Ally NPCs or horses can no longer trigger body traps. Some people just want to see the world burn, huh?
    • Addressed a display issue where the poisonous powder trap could become invisible after using Synin.
    • Adjusted chain-assassination behavior. Players will no longer be able to assassinate a target who was tackled to the ground.
    • The Secondary hand slot will no longer be available when a two-handed weapon is equipped (pre-heavy dual-wield skill).
    • Flaming powder traps will now explode when walking over the arrow.
  • Raid:
    • “Force Open” will now be displayed correctly even if nearby allies are in combat.
    • Addressed an issue where allies would not help Eivor to open a door during Raids.
    • Allies will now return to the longship once a raid is complete.
    • Added a timer until players can restart a raid that was just completed.
  • Photo Mode:
    • Effect values can now be adjusted with arrow keys or WASD.
    • The no-filter option will now work correctly.
    • The Territory panel is no longer displayed in Photo Mode.
    • Changing filters will now work as intended.
    • Addressed an issue where an Online Service Error could occur temporarily when looking at photos on the world map.
    • Snow FX will now center to the camera instead of the player in Photo Mode.
  • System:
    • (PC) Updated readme files to show correct PC specifications.
    • Added additional checkpoints to some boss fights.
    • Addressed an issue that led controllers to vibrate constantly.
    • Addressed an issue where players could become stuck in a black screen after closing the menu with start.
    • (PC) Updated the autodetect config for Nvidia Geforce 1650 S.

Now Playing: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: 9 Secrets You Missed

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Cuphead DLC ‘The Delicious Last Course’ Delayed Again

Studio MDHR has announced that the Delicious Last Course DLC for Cuphead has been delayed until sometime next year.

In a statement published on Studio MDHR’s Twitter account,t hed developer shared that they aren’t “content for this final chapter to be anything less than our best work.” As such, the studio has made the difficult decision to delay the content.

The studio cites the global pandemic as having an impact on the development of the final Cuphead DLC. “Rather than compromise on our vision in response to COVID,” the team ultimately decided on pushing it back.

The Delicious Last Course is slated to be a conclusion to the story that began with Cuphead. The DLC was announced in 2018 and was originally scheduled for a 2019 release before getting delayed into 2020. Now it has been delayed once more, though the external factor of the pandemic played a part in the most recent delay.

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There’s no release date for the Delicious Last Course, though the studio says it’s aiming for 2021. In the meantime, check out IGN’s Cuphead review.

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Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

The Best Black Friday Gaming Monitor Deals from Dell, Samsung, LG, and More

Black Friday deals on monitors – both gaming monitors and productivity monitors – are here and now. Score the lowest prices of the year on some of the most popular monitors from Alienware, Samsung, LG, Acer, Gigabyte, MSI, Lenovo, and more. Choose from monitor sizes ranging from 24 inches all the way to 49 inches. If you’re looking specifically for a gaming monitor, there are several here with super fast response times, 120Hz or higher refresh rates, more connectivity options, and G-Sync compatibility.

Black Friday Gaming Monitor Deals

What makes a gaming monitor a gaming monitor? It’s a bit arbitrary, but in our opinion it must have at the very least a fast response time (4ms or less) and tolerance for higher refresh rates (100Hz or higher). Of course the more you spend, the more features you unlock.

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Black Friday Monitor Deals

Just because these monitors don’t have gaming features doesn’t mean they are not good for gaming. I’ve personally used a “standard” monitor for years before switching over to a newer model and I was perfectly content playing games on it. That said, these monitors are considered “general purpose” monitors. Good for games but even better suited for everything else you’d use your PC for.

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Black Friday PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC Game Deals

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More Black Friday Deals

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Eric Song is IGN’s deal curator and spends roughly 1/4 of his income on stuff he posts. Check out his latest Daily Deals Article and subscribe to his IGN Deals Newsletter.

Black Friday Is Always a Great Time for PC Gamers

Black Friday is here, with Amazon’s Black Friday deals kicking off last Friday and other retailers joining the Black Friday deals fray shortly thereafter.

Since all the major online retailers are having Black Friday sales, that means you have some truly awesome opportunities to save big on gaming PCs, laptops, motherboards, RAM, and possibly even 30-series graphics cards. Possibly… but unlikely.

Click on the link below to jump to one of the Best Black Friday PC deal sections:

Best Amazon Black Friday PC Deals

Amazon’s Black Friday deals are well underway.

Best Black Friday Gaming PC Deals at Amazon

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Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals at Amazon

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Black Friday PC Accessory Deals at Amazon

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Best Newegg Black Friday PC Deals

Newegg Black Friday sales have plenty chances to upgrade or scratch-build a new PC and save. There’s also a chance, albeit slight, we’ll see Xbox Series X and PS5 restocks from Newegg, since they carry game consoles. In fact, I got my Xbox Series X preorder from Newegg. So keep an eye out.

Gaming Laptop Black Friday Deals at Newegg

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Gaming PC Black Friday Deals at Newegg

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Even More Black Friday PC Deals at Newegg

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Best Dell Black Friday PC Deals

Dell always comes through with the Black Friday deals. Dell’s Black Friday ad lays out some of the deals, but expect Dell Black Friday deals to be much better than advertised. They have, in the past, left a lot of the best deals out of their ads.

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Best Buy Black Friday PC Deals

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RTX 30-Series Deals: How to Get One of NVIDIA’s New Cards on Black Friday

It’s highly unlikely we’ll see any deals on the new 30-series cards given the fact it’s nearly impossible to get one at the moment. However, many retailers have been offering prebuilt gaming PCs powered by one of the new RTX 30-series cards. If you want to get your hands on an RTX 3080, for example, your best bet is to buy a prebuilt gaming PC specced out with one. While I don’t think we’ll see deals on prebuilt gaming PCs, I do think we’ll see prebuilt gaming PCs with 30-series cards available for purchase from Newegg, Amazon, Dell and Origin, to name a few.

 

 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 4: Everything To Know

All three parts of Sabrina have seen the teenage witch go up against (and ultimately defeat) some of the most powerful cosmic forces imaginable–even the literal devil, who turned out to secretly be Sabrina’s birth father–but the finale is primed to make the stakes even higher. The Old Gods, or the “Eldritch Terrors,” are headed for Greendale and the crew is going to have to figure out a way to stop them from they destroy absolutely everything. There’s just one catch: No one is quite sure how you’re supposed to kill a god.

M Downey breaks down how Part 3 ended, what Part 4 is about, the returning cast of characters, and the drama ahead in these final episodes.

The Best Black Friday SSDs, Hard Drives, and MicroSDXC Memory Cards Deals

Black Friday is the best time of year to stock up on storage, whether it be for your laptop or gaming PC, your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch console, your smartphone, your camera, or anything else that would benefit from extra space. Black Friday deals start a bit earlier this year and you’ll find some really great sales on SSDs, hard drives, and MicroSDXC cards from Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and more. There will undoubtedly be more deals going live throughout this week and we’ll make sure to add them.

Black Friday MicroSDXC Memory Card Deals

MicroSDXC is the most universally popular storage format for portable electronics. That includes your Nintendo Switch, smartphones and tablets that allow for expandable storage, and cameras including GoPros and dashcams. For Black Friday you’ll find some dirt cheap prices on 128GB and 256GB models.

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Black Friday External Hard Drive and SSD Deals

These hard drives don’t require any kind of installation on your part other than plugging in the necessary cables. They’re also more versatile than internal hard drives. Use these for your PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X gaming console or your PC.

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Black Friday Internal SSD Deals

If you haven’t yet upgraded to a solid state drive, you’re missing out big time. One of the biggest upgrades for the PS5 and Xbox Series X over their predecessors is the almost non-existant load times. That’s made possible thanks to the upgrade from traditional hard drive to SSD storage. You can do the exact same thing to your PC and you’ll see the same kind of difference.

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Black Friday PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC Game Deals

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More Black Friday Deals

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Eric Song is IGN’s deal curator and spends roughly 1/4 of his income on stuff he posts. Check out his latest Daily Deals Article and subscribe to his IGN Deals Newsletter.

Activision Wants You To Share Your Call Of Duty Loadout On Instagram

Loadouts have become an increasingly important part of the Call of Duty series over the past two years. Players can create their ideal weapon in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone by equipping attachments, camos, charms, stickers, and more with the Gunsmith feature. Activision wants players go further with their creations and share their loadouts on social media.

The publisher’s patent for “systems and methods for customizing weapons and sharing customized weapons via social networks” was approved on November 17. The patent, credited to Treyarch lead multiplayer developer David J. Vonderhaar, indicates that a new tool that helps players share their custom weapons on social networks like Twitter and Instagram may be coming in the future.

Loadout and Gunsmith systems are mainstays of recent Call of Duty games.
Loadout and Gunsmith systems are mainstays of recent Call of Duty games.

The patent goes in depth about what the new sharing system might feature, including the ability to challenge other players to beat your best scores and records. “According to an aspect of the invention, the sharing engine may further enable a player to issue challenges to one or more other video game player,” the patent reads. “To obtain or exceed certain player performance statistics, weapon usage statistics, or ratings, and/or achieve other objectives using a given weapon configuration.”

The existence of a patent doesn’t mean that the feature is coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War or Warzone, but it does make it more likely. Patents are uncovered all the time in the video game industry, but the inventions they cover don’t always see the light of day.

Call of Duty developers split loadout functionality between Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare earlier in November. Players now have the ability to make ten custom loadouts for each game, giving them more content to share on social media if Treyarch follows through on this patent.

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