Category: Games

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is finally set to launch on November 10 for Xbox One, Series X, PS4, and PC players, with PS5 following up a couple of days later on November 12. If you’re ready to jump back into the Animus, then this is the perfect deal for you.

Right now at Amazon, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is down to at least $49.94 for Xbox One and PS4, both of which include free next-gen upgrade options. That means you can buy the game and get all the wondrous PS5 and Xbox Series X graphical and performance improvements, even on release day.

Save $10 on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Free Next-Gen Upgrade

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How Do You Upgrade the Game to PS5 or Series X?

It’s quite simple really. For Xbox users, just insert the disc and complete the install, the console will then inform you of a next-gen patch available, which will then optimize the game for your new system. This is what Xbox is calling, Smart Delivery.

On PlayStation, this is a similar process, but the console will instead inform you that a free upgrade path is available, and then prompt you to download a PS5 copy of the game at no extra cost. You’ll need to keep your disc in both cases, as proof of purchase. But from there forward, you’ll be using a next-gen version of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, 60FPS, 4K resolution, Huzzah!

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How to Pre-Download Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on Xbox One

If you’re looking to take advantage of pre-downloading on Xbox, you can now do it even if you don’t own the game digitally. This is done via the new and improved Xbox app on mobile devices. This process will significantly reduce the time it takes to install and play your game on launch day.

Starting off, download the Xbox app on your phone, and make sure all your account info is set up correctly. From here, look for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla using the search bar within the app. Once you’re on the page, you should see a big download button. Hit this to start a remote download on your console, the app will inform you that you won’t be able to play if you don’t own the game, this is okay.

Next, head on over to your console and check if the download has started. If you’re lacking in space on your base console, you’ll definitely want to check this as you’ll need to tell your system to download to an external drive, or to delete another game to make room.

This is another important decision if you’re upgrading to Xbox Series X as well. When you’re new console comes, you can do a network transfer to bring all your current games over to the new console, or just plug your external hard drive in the back of the Series X and transfer Valhalla over that way. You’ll want to do this if you’re looking to take advantage of the Series X upgrade, alongside the superfast internal SSD. Once you’re all set up, just pop the disc in when you’re ready, and the game will be good to go (once you’ve sorted that day one patch as well).

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How to Get a PS5 or Xbox Series X on Release Day

Now that the wild and erratic preorder stage is pretty much done, it’s time to move on to launch day. There’s plenty of signs to indicate that we will be getting more console stock at major retailers on November 10 for Xbox Series X, and November 12 for PS5.

We’ve put together a couple of comprehensive guides on the two consoles, and how you can snag one of them come release day. Check out how to find a PS5 on release, and where to get an Xbox Series X at launch. We might also see a few new deals come black Friday, so keep an eye on our best Black Friday deals page as well, or follow @IGNDeals for the latest stock updates on next-gen consoles.

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Robert Anderson is a deals expert for IGN, he’s both excited and terrified at the prospect of Black Friday. Be nice and ask him how his day is going @robertliam21

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While PlayStation 5 is only able to output up to 4K on 8K displays at launch, a future system software update will allow the PS5 to “output resolutions up to 8K when content is available, with supported software.”

As revealed in PlayStation.Blog’s PS5: The Ultimate FAQ, this news is a good sign for the future-proofing of Sony’s newest console.

Even though the PS5 will one day be able to output select content at 8K, that doesn’t mean you need and 8K display, or even a 4K display, to enjoy PS5 games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, and more.

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Supported resolutions for the PS5 are 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and 2160p. The PS5 also supports the HDR10 specification, and an HDMI 2.1 cord will enable 4K/120Hz.

While 8K might sound exciting, it’s important to understand that we aren’t quite in a place were 8K will soon be the new normal.

As it stands, even the most budget 8K TVs are $4,000. Our choice for the best 8K TV in 2020 is the Sony 85″ Class Z8H Master Series, and that retails for $8,999 USD.

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It will also be interesting to see if the PS5 will be able to support native 8K, or is if it will use techniques like checkerboarding to conserve bandwidth like the PS4 Pro.

Only time will tell, but 4K/120Hz for PS5’s launch will be a big jump for many when it launches at November 12, 2020, and will make PS5 games and backward compatible PS4 games look better than ever.

For more on PlayStation 5, check out our PS5 review, how PS5 games can’t be installed or played on external storage right now, and find out the release windows for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon Forbidden West, and more.

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Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

343 Industries has been slowly releasing each Halo game in the Master Chief Collection on PC over the past few months, and it’s now Halo 4’s turn. According to a new trailer, Halo 4 will arrive on PC as part of the MCC on November 17.

This completes the original remit of the Master Chief Collection, at least according to 343. The studio has said repeatedly that the divisive Halo 5 will not be added to the collection. A recent announcement from 343 emphasized that Halo 4 is the “last title we have planned for the collection.”

Halo 4 was the first Halo game not to be developed by original studio Bungie. The MCC version of the game is visually enhanced and features new armor customization compared to the original game. It also includes the co-op mode Spartan Ops, which was introduced as a new feature in Halo 4, along with the traditional campaign and multiplayer modes. According to 343, the campaign is “totally remastered,” which presumably refers to the visual improvements. If you’re planning to play the MCC on console, it will receive optimizations for the Xbox Series X and Series S as well.

Besides 4, the MCC includes Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 3: ODST, most of which are playable on PC for the first time thanks to the collection. Halo Infinite–a spiritual reboot of the franchise–was originally scheduled to launch with the Xbox Series X this month, but was delayed to 2021 following negate fan reaction to pre-release materials. Several staffers have left the project recently, which usually doesn’t bode well for a game’s success.

Update: A new PS5 FAQ covers the current issues with storing PS5 games on an external USB hard drive, saying a future update could allow that process.

“No, players cannot transfer PS5 games to a USB drive,” reads the answer to a question titled ‘Can I store or play PS5 games from a USB drive?’. “PS5 games must be stored on the console’s internal ultra-high speed SSD for gameplay. Explorations for allowing players to store (but not play) PS5 games on a USB drive in a future update are underway.”

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PlayStation 5 currently doesn’t allow you to install, store or play next-gen games anywhere other than its internal SSD.

As noted by Digital Foundry, next-gen games can’t be played from an external drive, and the console currently offers no options to move your PS5 games into external storage. When the internal SSD is filled, the only option given is to delete games to free up space.

It’s concerning given that the console comes with a relatively slim 667GB of usable storage space, and doesn’t support SSD external storage (which could presumably play next-gen games) at launch. No window has been given for when an update will allow SSD storage.

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Xbox Series X also cannot play next-gen games on anything other than its internal SSD and (expensive) approved external drive – but unlike PS5 it does offer the option to store games on external hard drives and transfer them back to the SSD without a lengthy download process. PS5 does allow PS4 games to be moved between internal and external storage.

For more on PS5, we also have news on why PS5 doesn’t seem to have custom themes, what its new Activity Cards are for, how the Create button differs from the PS4 Share button, and you can read our full PS5 console review. And if you’re interested in the PS5’s launch lineup, check out our Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales review and our Astro’s Playroom review.

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Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

 

It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is nearly over: Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S arrive on Tuesday, November 10. The initial wave of preorders has come and gone, but Microsoft will be providing more units on launch day. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to have the best chance of securing an Xbox Series X or Series S at launch. As new information comes out about which retailers will get new stock and when, we’ll add it below.

And in case you haven’t yet, check out our Xbox Series X review and Xbox Series S review to see what we think of the new next-gen hardware.

Where to Buy Xbox Series X

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Where to Buy Xbox Series S

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Where to Find Xbox Series X in Stock Online at Launch

More Xbox Series X|S stock is expected to be available on launch day. As for your options to purchase a console online, here is the concrete data we’ve seen so far:

Walmart – Walmart announced it will have Xbox Series X in stock online at walmart.com at 12 PM ET on November 10.

So far, that’s all we know for sure. That said, it’s unlikely Walmart is the only place Microsoft is sending a batch of new systems at launch. It’s a safe bet other retailers will offer additional stock of the new consoles as well–they just haven’t announced it yet. If/when announcements arrive, we’ll update the bullet point “list” above.

In the meantime, if you want to manually check to see if the console is in stock anywhere, use the above links to visit the listing pages.

Where to Find an Xbox Series X in the UK

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Where to Find an Xbox Series S in the UK

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Follow IGN Deals on Twitter

For the most up-to-the-second information about where you can find Xbox Series X|S in stock at any given time, you’ll want to follow IGN Deals on Twitter. Since stock of these consoles is likely to sell out shortly after it goes live, your best bet is to follow our deals team on Twitter, where we’ll post links as soon as stock becomes available.

Where to Buy Xbox Series X in Physical Stores at Launch

Based on what we’ve heard so far, it seems unlikely that you’ll be able to go into a store and buy an Xbox Series X|S at launch or even for a while after that.

Target has suggested it will have Xbox Series X in stock at brick-and-mortar locations, but it sounds like you’ll have to order it online for pickup or as a Drive Up order.

Best Buy has also announced you won’t be able to walk in and buy next-gen consoles in stores “this year.” Instead, you’ll be able to order them online when they become available and select pickup at checkout.

For its part, Sony announced that brick-and-mortar retailers will not offer PS5 at launch for anyone who didn’t preorder it online and choose to pick up at a local store. Microsoft hasn’t made any similar sweeping statements, but details about where to find an Xbox Series X|S at a local retail store are scant at the moment. We’ll update here if that changes.

More Xbox Series X|S May Be Available for Black Friday

According to Best Buy’s Black Friday ad, it will have “limited quantities” of Xbox Series X and S available online only on Black Friday, which falls on November 27 this year.

Other retailers may follow suit and open up more stock of Xbox Series X|S on Black Friday or during the lead-up to the sale event.

How Much Does Xbox Series X|S Cost?

Xbox Series X costs $499.99. The less powerful and disc-drive-less Xbox Series S retails for $299.99.

Xbox Series X Games Available for Preorder

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Halo Infinite was originally planned as an Xbox Series X|S launch title, but it has been delayed into 2021. That said, you’ll have plenty of games to play on November 10, including Gears Tactics, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and more.

Remember nearly every single game you could play on Xbox One, including backwards-compatible titles dating back to the original Xbox, will be playable on the Series X and Series S right out of the box.

Xbox Series X Accessories Available for Preorder

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Accessories can help you get the most out of your new console, but not all accessories are created equal. The most useful accessory for anyone who wants to add a player two is going to be an extra controller. These new Xbox Series X|S controllers have a few new tweaks, but aren’t a giant leap beyond Xbox One controllers. And it’s worth noting that any Xbox One controllers you have lying around will work just fine on the Series X and S. For more details about the new controller, check out our Xbox Series X controller review.

One problem rearing its head for anyone with a lot of games is storage space. Xbox Series X and S can load games super fast, thanks to their onboard solid state drives, but SSDs being expensive, they come with limited storage space. The Series X comes with 1TB, while the Series S has 512GB, which turns out to be only 364GB of usable storage thanks to the OS. That’s going to fill up fast for a lot of people. Fortunately, you can buy an official Seagate storage expansion card to get an extra 1TB of fast-loading storage. Unfortunately, it costs $219.99. It is what it is.

Beyond that, you can pick up things like a rechargeable battery pack, charging stand, and media remote, but none of these are absolutely necessary, especially at launch.

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Chris Reed is a commerce editor and bonafide deals expert at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.

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Halo 4 will launch on PC as part of the Master Chief Collection with a ‘fully remastered campaign’ on November 17.

A trailer titled ‘Wake Up, John’ just dropped over on the Halo YouTube channel, which you can check out below. This addition will complete The Master Chief Collection on PC, which will then offer every game in the mainline series aside from Halo 5: Guardians.

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The description for that trailer on YouTube reads: “Now optimized for PC, experience the fully remastered campaign to embark against new foes, dust off some orbital drops in Spartan Ops, or dive right back into the multiplayer.”

Of course, you can already access every Halo game via The Master Chief Collection on Xbox consoles. The console version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be receiving an update on November 17 to coincide with this news, optimising the collection for Series X and Series S and offering 120 FPS in both campaign and multiplayer modes.

It’s time to dust off the ol’ Needler.

Fully Optimized on Series X|S
120 FPS in Campaign & Multiplayer
Split-screen improvements & up to 4K on Series X
Available for free to existing owners or those with @XboxGamePass on November 17 pic.twitter.com/Ufusdsyd8C

— Xbox (@Xbox) October 20, 2020

Series X players will be able to experience Bungie and 343’s famous shooter series in up to 4K, with split-screen improvements to boot. The updated version of The Master Chief Collection will be free for those who already own it, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have the package included in their library on launch day.

In other Halo news, Halo Infinite project director Chris Lee recently left the project following the game’s delay into 2021.

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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Whether you live in a small apartment or a lavish estate, chances are you have some sort of home office area. Whether it’s a small corner of another room, a section of the couch, or a dedicated room of its own, it’s incredibly valuable to be comfortable and have everything you need close by.

One of the benefits of a home office is the ability to more freely customize it, adding items to make your work (and play) easier, more enjoyable, and perhaps most importantly, more comfortable.

Whether you add office plants and coffee cups or lavish chairs, there are tons of noticeable mental benefits that can come from upgrading your workspace. Additionally, things like digital assistants, webcams, wireless routers, headphones, and other similar items can make navigating the modern digital work environment more effortless and tension-free than it’s ever been.

With all of that in mind, we’ve assembled a list of great home office gifts just for you. Enjoy!

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Home Office Tech Gifts

Enable your workspace (or the space of someone you love) with this easy-to-use tech.

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Home Office Comfort Gifts

Make your workspace more comfortable with these gifts.

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Home Office Plant Gifts

Add some greenery to your workspace to help create a more relaxed, natural feel.

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Home Office Stocking Stuffer Gifts

The best home office gifts for $25 or less.

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The Best Gift Ideas for 2020

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Brian Barnett writes wiki guides, deals posts, features, and much more for IGN. You can get your fix of Brian’s antics on Twitter and Instagram (@Ribnax).