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The Latest Final Fantasies Go 40% off, Smashing Steam Sales Continue to Amaze, and More!

Par : Adam Mathew

Word is there's quite a lot of influenza going on out there, which means some of you might be grateful for some cheap indoor diversions. Gaming may not be the cure for common pestilence, but the discounts I've arrayed before you will feel like the prescription for stupidly-priced fun and adventure. Case in point: those many-multi-hour (yet highly reduced) Final Fantasies...

In retro news, I've made a big cake with a 25 on it for Ape Escape, the first game to explicitly require a DualShock controller. In these modern times where the dpad is a vestigial limb, it's difficult to explain just how exciting it was to transition from that clunky cross to twin analog sticks. Cameras could be controlled like we were Spielberg. Platforming through a 3D space could be done with a finer degree of accuracy. Using the right stick to swing our weapons was...way less intuitive than just pressing a button.

This Day in Gaming

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

- Ape Escape (PS) 1999. Get

- Spider-Man 2 (GC,PC,PS2,XB) 2004. Reboot

- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (PC,PS3,X360) 2009. Sequel

- Fight Night Round 4 (PS3,X360) 2009. Sequel

Table of Contents

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

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Purchase Cheaply for PC

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Exciting Bargains for Xbox

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

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Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

Wicked Avoids Moana 2 in Release Date Move, but Will Now Compete With Gladiator 2

Warner Bros. Discovery has moved up the release date for Wicked a week ahead of its originally slated fall theatrical release. The film, which tells the untold story of Oz's witches, will now be released on November 22.

According to Variety, Wicked's new release date was seemingly made to avoid having its opening weekend compete against Disney's Moana 2, which hits theaters on November 27. The film's new release date will now have the Hollywood adaptation of the hit Broadway play released on the same day as director Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2.

Chances are Wicked and Gladiator 2's shared release date won't result in a split audience of musical lovers like what might have happened had Wicked come out alongside Moana 2.

Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz that tells the origin story of Elphaba, otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West. The story follows the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, a woman discriminated against for her green skin, and Glinda, a popular witch who aims to find her born in privilege. Actors Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande play Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. The film was first announced back in 2021 and is being directed by Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M Chu.

Wicked is the first part of a duology. Its sequel, Wicked: Part 2, is set to release on November 26, 2025.

Isaiah Colbert is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh

Paramount+ Wants a Streaming Merger, and Max Could Be a Candidate - Report

Paramount is reportedly working on a potential merger between Paramount+ and other existing streaming services.

First details on what could be a major shift in the home entertainment landscape come from CNBC. Its sources say Paramount is having “active discussions with other media and tech companies” about the possibility of co-ownership over Paramount+.

Interestingly, per the report, Warner Bros. Discovery has indicated interest in a merger of its own streaming service, Max, and Paramount+. It’s unclear what a joint Max and Paramount+ streaming service would look like, and a lot still needs to come together before such a deal could happen. Another option could see Paramount working with another technology platform.

CNBC obtained thoughts shared by co-CEO Chris McCarthy during a recent town hall meeting: “What they don’t have is our scale of content, and together we will make for a very powerful combination to drive more minutes and greater profits.”

The idea is that a merger could give subscribers more content to stick around for while removing losses from Paramount Global’s balance sheet. Co-ownership isn’t likely to be a 50-50 split should any negotiations proceed.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that Comcast was interested in merging Peacock with Paramount+, but CNBC sources say that talks for a deal did not proceed. Late last year, Showtime’s standalone TV channel was folded into the Paramount streaming service and rebranded to Paramount+ With Showtime.

“The sheer volume of hit content that we could offer together would be tremendous across TV, film and sports, and would attract millions of viewers,” McCarthy reportedly added during the town hall. “Plus, we would share in all other non-content expenses.”

Like its current streaming competitors, Paramount+ currently offers a selection of exclusive shows and movies, including Halo, Knuckles, a variety of Star Trek programming, and more. The company announced plans for a price hike last week, plotting a course to raise costs for its tiers starting August 20. If you’re a frequent streaming service enjoyer, you can click here for our list of the best streaming bundles and how to take advantage of them.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Reveals Demo Release, Available Today, and Okami Collaboration

Par : Alex Stedman

Capcom announced a Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess demo during its Next livestream, along with a surprise: it'll be available today.

The demo, Capcom said, will allow you to play part of the main story, and there's no limit on playtime or the number of times you can play. It'll be available on all the platforms Kunitsu-Gami is releasing on: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, PS5, PS4, and Steam.

It's time to walk the path. A demo for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess arrives today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, PS5, PS4, and Steam. Experience a unique blend of action and strategy in this new IP from Capcom for yourself!#Kunitsu_Gami pic.twitter.com/W5HGHLDZ9K

— Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (@Kunitsu_Gami) July 1, 2024

And that's not all: Capcom also unveiled a collaboration with its beloved 2006 hit Okami. The collab will include Okami-themed costumes for Kunitsu-Gami's main character, Soh, and the Maiden Yoshiro, as well as special weapons and music.

Capcom added that if enough people work together and complete the bonus unlock compaign between between today and 7:59 p.m. PDT on July 17, 2024, the Okami collab items will be available as part of a free update for everyone who buys a copy of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess when it releases on July 19. You can see the details of the bonus unlock campaign below.

We first learned about Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess just about a year ago at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase, and got a good look at gameplay in March at the Xbox Partner Preview. Interestingly, as we noted at the time, it seems to be a real-time strategy game, blending third-person action with tower defense-style tactics mechanics.

According to Capcom, "The game takes place on a mountain covered by defilement. During the day, purify the villages and prepare yourself for sundown. During the night, protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe. Repeat the day and night cycle until you cleanse the mountain of defilement and return peace to the land."

For more, check out our roundup of the biggest game releases of July, including Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Capcom Confirms Next Resident Evil in Development, Will Be Led by Resident Evil 7 Director

Par : Kat Bailey

With rumors flying that Resident Evil 9 is on the verge of being revealed, Capcom has confirmed that the next entry in the storied survival horror franchise is now in development.

Development will be led by Resident Evil 7: Biohazard director Koshi Nakanishi, who confirmed the new sequel in the course of talking about the previous game's mobile release.

"It was really difficult to figure out what to do after [Resident Evil 7]," Nakanishi said. "But I found it, and to be honest it feels substantial. I can't share any details just yet, but I hope you're excited for the day I can."

Nakanishi has a long history with Resident Evil. In addition to Resident Evil 7, which helped revitalize the series in 2017, Nakanishi directed Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D for the Nintendo 3DS as well as the first Resident Evil Revelations game. Nakanishi also served as a designer on Resident Evil 5.

Rumors of a potential Resident Evil 9 reveal have swirled through much of 2024, though Capcom has thus far kept it under wraps. In May, IGN also corroborated reports of Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica remakes. Its most recent releases include the Resident Evil 4 Remake and Resident Evil Village, both of which were included as Game of the Year contenders in their respective years.

In addition to confirming the development of a new Resident Evil, Capcom also provided details on a new Kunitsu-Gami demo and the release date for Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster during its summer showcase. You can find the rest of the biggest games coming in 2024 right here.

Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

Save 40% Off the Ecoflow River 2 256Wh LiFePO4 Power Station and Get a Bonus Solar Panel

Par : Eric Song

Amazon is offering an Ecoflow River 2 256Wh LiFePO4 Power Station with Bonus 45W Foldable Solar Panel for $179 when you clip the $120 off coupon on the product page. This is an outstanding deal because the power station alone retails for $299... not only are you getting a 44% off discount on the power station, you're basically getting the solar panel ($79 value) for free. The River 2 is well rated because it's equipped with safer and longer lasting LiFEPO4 batteries.

Ecoflow River 2 256Wh LiFePO4 Power Station with Bonus 45W Foldable Solar Panel for $179

The Ecoflow River 2 is a power station with a 256WH battery capacity. It has two AC outlets capable of up to 600W max output (300W per outlet), two USB Type-A ports, and one USB Type-C port. Although each AC outlet is capable of up to 300W of sustained power output, Ecoflow's X-Boost technology allows it to handle up to 600W of surge power for certain electronics and appliances that require a temporary power boost to start up. The River 2 can be recharged using traditional AC or up to 110W of solar. If using grid power (AC), the 360W input will fully charge the River 2 from 0% to 100% in only one hour. Although it's typically used as a mobile backup power solution when you have no available grid power, it can also work as an always-on passthrough AC power strip as well. It has an EPS function that will automatically swap to battery power when there is a power outage. The shutoff delay is less than 30ms, which is small enough for even sensitive electronics like PCs to remain on the entire time.

The 256Whr battery can power your PC or appliances for several minutes or mobile elecronics (including your laptop) for several hours to days. The River 2 uses the newer LiFePO4 cells instead of the traditional NCM sells you find in the original River. LiFePO4 cells have inherently safer chemistry and have a much higher cycle lifespan than NCM cells. They also have lower calendar aging. The only negative of LiFEPO4 is the lower energy density (heavier weight). That said, the River 2 weighs only 7 pounds, which is very respectable for a battery capacity of this size, and with this deal it's not much pricer than NCM alternatives.

Standard "UPS" battery backups like APC and CyberPower are cheaper because they use traditional lead acid batteries. As opposed to lithium batteries like LFP and NCM, lead acid batteries are super heavy, have a much shorter lifespan, and are far less efficient. This is the primary reason why your UPS battery backup should be replaced every 3-5 years. An LFP battery will generally retain at least 85% of its charge even after 10 years of service, and it will do so with even more usage than a lead acid battery.

The River 2 is a smart battery and thus you can change settings, check on its status, and power on or off outlets remotely, all from your phone. In my personal experience, Ecoflow has good product support and they are continuously rolling out new firmware and software updates.

Includes 45W Solar Panel

The Ecoflow branded 45W solar panel retails for $79 on their official site. The foldable design means that it's very compact and lightweight at just over 3 pounds. The array can withstand most weather conditions and it is IP68 rated so it will be fine if you accidentally leave it out in the rain. The 45W rating means that it can charge your power station within 7 hours under peak sunlight conditions. Setup is basically plug and play; just plug the included cable into your Ecoflow's XT60 port and you're good to go.

If you're looking for something pocketable, check out the best portable chargers of 2024.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster Release Date Revealed, Will Run in 4K and 60fps in RE Engine

Par : Taylor Lyles

After unexpectedly teasing the game last week, Capcom has shared new details on Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, confirming among other things that it will release on September 18, 2024.

Saying "it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this game a remake," developer Rysosuke Murai said the new release will run in 4K 60fps on the RE Engine, and will include quality-of-life improvements like the ability to move while aiming, as well as improvements to NPC behavior.

Capcom has also "fine-tuned the interface" and added autosave functionality, and the story will be fully-voiced in nine languages.

In addition to the standard edition, Capcom is planning to release a digital deluxe edition that will include additional costumes and mall background music. A physical release is set for November 2024.

Dead Rising returns

Though it has been years since a new Dead Rising game was developed, the franchise's return seemed possible. In early February, Capcom posted a "Super Elections" survey on its website, asking players if they would like a sequel or spin-off to its dormant franchises, such as Dead Rising, Okami, and Dino Crisis.

Dead Rising was originally released in 2006 and quickly became among the more desirable games available exclusively on the Xbox 360. The franchise ushered in a new franchise for Capcom during the late 2000s and 2010s, including three sequels.

The most recent entry in the franchise before the announcement of Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster was Dead Rising 4, released in 2016 for Xbox One and PC before a PS4 port titled Frank's Big Package was released a year later. Dead Rising 4 was met with mixed reception and was reported to have underperformed sales-wise.

The poor sales performance of Dead Rising 4 led to the cancellation of a new Dead Rising game, in addition to the closing of Capcom Vancouver (formerly Blue Castle Games), which developed Dead Rising games, starting in 2010 with the Dead Rising 2 prequel Case Zero.

In our review of Dead Rising, IGN wrote: "Though Dead Rising may seem like a simple, mindless game when you first pick it up, it eventually reveals itself as a deeper experience. Tons of extras are packed into Willamette's shops, there are magazine power-ups and special drink mixes to be brewed, lots of clothing combinations, countless pictures to be taken and plenty of NPCs to be saved."

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

The Sonos 4th of July Sale Starts Now: Save 25% Off Certified Refurb Soundbars and Speakers

Par : Eric Song

Sonos doesn't discount its popular speakers very often, so it's a good idea to jump on a good sale whenever you see one. Right now there's a Sonos 4th of July Sale that takes 25% off certified refurbished Sonos speakers. Sonos refurb products go through rigorous testing; they come with all accessories, manuals, and documentation and are reshipped in "pristine" packaging. Most importantly, Sonos stands by their refurbs enough to grant them the same 1 year warranty as buying new.

The Best Sonos 4th of July Deals

Sonos One SL Wireless Smart Speaker (Refurb) for $119

The Sonos One is a small standalone powered speaker that pumps out great sound for its small footprint. The best thing about the Sonos One is its multi-pairing capability. Pair it with another Sonos One SL speaker for seamless stereo sound. Pair it with a soundbar and use them as rear wireless speakers. Pair it with Sonos speakers in different rooms for multi-room capability.

Sonos Era 100 Wireless Smart Speaker (Refurb) for $149

The Sonos Era 100 is a direct successor to the Sonos One. Sound quality is equivalent to a Sonos Move, which isn't surprising considering they have similar internal components: two tweeters, a mid-woofer, and three class-D digital amps. The Era 100 also supports Dolby Atmos when it is paired with an Arc or Beam soundbar. It has a built-in microphone and can be voice controlled; it can also be used as a smart speaker for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Sonos Arc SL Soundbar (Refurb) for $509

The Arc is Sonos' flagship product. This is a premium soundbar and it shows. This 45" soundbar houses eleven precisely engineered internal speakers, including two dedicated height channels. It's Dolby Atmos ready, and there's enough power here that you can probably get away without a subwoofer. However, the Sonos Arc can be wirelessly paired up with other Sonos speakers and subs to add even more sound distribution. The "SL" in the Sonos Arc SL means "silence", and that's because the only difference is the lack of a microphone. Because of that, SL is not Google Assistant or Alex voice compatible.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar (Refurb) for $299

The Sonos Beam is a smaller 26" soundbar that houses four elliptical midwoofers, one central tweeter and three passive bass radiators. It's also Dolby Atmos ready. Unlike the Arc SL, the Beam is equipped with microphones, so it can function as a smart speaker that supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Sonos Sub Gen 3 (Refurb) for $479

If you want to add ground-shaking bass to your Sonos setup, there's still nothing better than a separate standalone subwoofer. The Sonos Sub boasts two 6" drivers that face inwards towards each other to eliminate unwanted vibrations. Each driver is powered by its own amplifier and delivers more than enough sound pressure for even a large room. Like the Arc, the Sonos Sub maintains a small footprint and it looks good. The integrated wireless connectivity so you can avoid the hassle of routing a cable back to the rest of your home theater components.

Why is Sonos so popular?

If you're looking for an easy solution to add great sound to your home, then you've probably already heard of Sonos. Sonos speakers are very easy to set up, don't take a large amount of space, and most importantly, offer distortion-free room-filling audio. We picked Sonos as our best soundbar of 2024.

Sound quality vs size

Despite the fact that Sonos products are compact and don't take up much space in your house, they offer surprisingly loud and distortion-free audio. They're definitely pricier than budget options, but the sound quality is more akin to audio products that cost hundreds more or take up much more space.

Easy setup

Sonos devices are usually simple plug and play. All you have to do is plug in a power cable (if even that's necessary) and one connection to your TV (if even that's necessary), download the Sonos app, and you're done. Generally a receiver isn't required; the soundbars are designed to plug right into your TV and the speakers are designed to work wirelessly. For something like a 5.1ch home theater setup, you don't have to deal with a mess of cables. Individual Sonos speakers can pair with your soundbar and be used as rear satellites, and the subwoofer is also wireless so it can be positioned virtually anywhere in your room.

Communication between devices

Practically all Sonos speakers can communicate with each other. That means you can pair different Sonos speakers in different rooms for multi-room capability. Or you can pair two speakers for stereo output. Or you can pair speakers to your soundbar to be used as a 5.1ch setup. It's all seamlessly done through the app.

Looking for more deals? We've compiles all of the best 4th of July sales we've seen so far.

The Catholic Church Is About to Canonize Its First Gamer Saint

Well, it was bound to happen eventually: the Catholic Church is preparing to canonize the first-ever gamer saint.

Earlier today, the Vatican announced it would canonize Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who will be the first millenial saint of the Catholic Church. Acutis died from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15.

Acutis was born in 1991 in London, and moved to Milan, Italy with his family not long after. He grew up in the Catholic faith, frequently volunteering with homeless individuals, cleaning up litter in his neighborhood, working at his local church, and otherwise performing acts of kindness.

Alongside other hobbies and interests, Acutis apparently enjoyed video games and was known to play Halo, Mario, and Pokemon. His mother claims that while he purchased a PlayStation when he was eight, he limited himself to just one hour of gaming a week due to concerns about addiction. Acutis was adept with technology, and has been referred to as "God's influencer" due to his work documenting various Catholic miracles on a website he designed.

Acutis has been undergoing the multiple steps of the canonization process for the last several years. Canonization can often take years or even decades, typically requiring at least two miracles be attributed to the candidate alongside further evidence of a life of faith. But Acutis' cause has been taken up by many in part due to his relatability and popularity with younger Catholics.

The cause for his canonization was opened in 2012, just six years after his death (a five-year wait period is required). He was decreed "Venerable" in 2018, and beatified (declared "Blessed") just two years later in 2020, when the Catholic Church recognized one miracle attributed to him. Allegedly, a Brazilian boy with a severe birth defect who was unable to consume food normally was healed after his mother prayed for Acutis' intercession. A second miracle, involving a Costa Rican girl who supposedly was healed from a head trauma after her mother prayed at Acutis' tomb, has since been attributed to him.

With both miracles recognized by the Church, Acutis is set to be canonized, and will most likely be named a saint in 2025.

Notably, Acutis is the very first millenial Catholic saint, and the first ever saint (that we know of) to have played video games. This is in part due to the difficulty of canonization and the length of time it usually takes, resulting in most being canonized tens or even hundreds of years posthumously. In this case, Acutis' youth and recognizability among younger Catholics may be helpful to the Church in its ongoing efforts to connect with younger individuals and digital natives.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Image Credit: Vatican Pool/Getty Images

Best Standing Desks in 2024

Par : Kevin Lee

You need to take a break from even the most ergonomic office chairs from time to time, and if you don’t want to miss out on work or the action of your favorite PC game, a standing desk is the perfect alternative. Our favorite desk offering a wide range of height adjustability is the Flexispot E7 Pro. But whether you’re after something ultra-affordable you lift manually or a premium option that rises with the push of a button, we’ve got you covered.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Standing Desks:

The best standing desks must be sturdy enough to hold an entire work or gaming setup, while height transitions remain butter smooth via a motor or pneumatically to prevent a wobbly monitor catastrophe. Ergonomics are key, so the desk should reach the perfect position for proper posture and comfort– sitting or standing. From there, size, style, and other customizations come into play, ensuring it caters to your space.

Taking all of this into account, we’ve found ten top-tier standing desks to fit any budget or need. Check out our picks below — and here’s where to find the best standing desks in the UK.

1. FlexiSpot E7 Pro Premium Standing Desk

Best Standing Desk

The FlexiSpot’s E7 Standing Desk long held the top spot on this guide, and its latest revamp, the E7 Pro, is officially taking the crown. With it comes a heavier load capacity, a wider height range, extra cable management solutions, and better stability. Those improvements mean the Pro model costs slightly more than the original, but we think it’s worth it. Plus, this standing desk still offers a great midrange price.

Holding together the FlexiSpot E7 Pro is a sturdy, automotive-grade steel frame with thick, stable legs ready for even the largest gaming battle station – we’re talking up to 440-pound setups. Each of the two T-shaped legs houses a motor for smooth height adjustments between 50.6 and 25 inches, and even at the top height level, there’s no wobble. An easy-to-master control panel raises and lowers the desk, and up to four heights can be saved, so going from sitting to standing is truly as simple as the touch of a button. The USB-A port and child lock feature are also handy additions.

Resting on top of the frame is your choice of desktop, with chipboard being the cheapest option. However, we’d recommend grabbing something with better longevity like bamboo, solid wood, or a special gaming tabletop that adds a bit of friction for easier gaming mouse movements. No matter which desktop you go with, each comes in various sizes to fit any setup. FlexiSpot also helps save desk space and minimize cable clutter, thanks to a large cable management tray with a magnetic fabric cable cover under the desk. Just be prepared for the desk to be quite heavy, so it may be a two-person job to stand the completed desk upright.

2. Autonomous Desk Eureka

Best Budget Standing Desk

If you don’t have $1,000+ for a high-end standing desk, Autonomous gets you well-equipped for less than half that. The Desk Eureka (formerly known as the SmartDesk Core) is a classy, simple number with a strong and stable design which includes a solid steel frame that stands firm on thick, T-shaped legs. Running on dual motors, it has the power to lift to 250 pounds at a quiet 45 decibels, so you don't have to worry about it accommodating a three-monitor setup or disturbing your coworkers.

The SmartDesk Core provides a large desk space at 53 inches wide and 29 inches deep, but you can go bigger or smaller depending on the surface space you need. And Autonomous makes it easy to get a style that matches your office aesthetic, as there are three frame colors and nine different desktop styles — super sturdy oak included. On the side edge of the desk surface is a simple programmable keypad that lets you adjust the height from 28.3 to 47.5 inches and store preferred heights for quick switching. However, there isn't an anti-collision feature, so be mindful when making adjustments.

3. FlexiSpot Standard Standing Desk E2

Best Ultra Cheap Standing Desk

Desks with motor lifts are a perk, but that extra functionality doesn't necessarily translate to a hefty price tag. FlexiSpot's Standard Standing Desk E2 brings the flexibility of a sit-stand option at a much more affordable price starting well under $300. You still get a single motor and electronic control panel with up and down buttons for easy height adjustments, letting you go from 28 to 47.6 inches, giving you considerable range to get the most ergonomic position standing or sitting.

The Standard Standing Desk isn’t some wobbly disaster either. It’s built on a sturdy steel frame, which offers a lifting capacity of up to 187 pounds. On top of the frame is a spacious 42-inch wide by 24-inch deep tabletop made from one-inch-thick laminated chipboard ready to hold a heavy load and stand up to some wear and tear. However, a larger desktop surface and different materials like bamboo or fiberboard are available at different prices.

4. Autonomous Desk Expanse

Best L-Shaped Standing Desk

For many of us, a typical long desk does the job, but for the ballers with a ton of gear, multiple gaming monitors, a gaming PC, a gaming laptop, and some consoles to boot, more space is a necessity. Enter the L-shaped desk, specifically, the Autonomous Desk Expanse (formerly known as the SmartDesk Corner), which rocks a massive tabletop, a hefty max load, and the muscle it takes to lift it all. It’s modular, so you can decide how you want the longer and shorter pieces set up to make the most of your space.

The Autonomous SmartDesk Corner offers a primary surface measuring 77 inches by 29 inches and tacks on a second 35 inches long by 29 inches wide section, ensuring you can easily fit your entire battle station. All of that rests on a solid steel base capable of height adjustments between 28.4 to 47 inches using a responsive keypad with four programmable positions. You might worry about such a hulking desk getting shaky, but with three electric motors ready to lift 400 pounds efficiently and quietly, you can rest assure there won’t be any mishaps.

5. Eureka Aero Pro

Best Standing Desk for Gaming

When you're looking for one of the best gaming desks, there are a couple things that seperate them from any other standing desk on this list. Primarily, you need more space for monitors and other hardware, and it helps to have a high weight limit for more heavy-duty hardware. The Eureka Aero Pro easily ticks both of these boxes, and does so in style with its nice wing-shape design.

Measuring a whopping 63 inches long to start, this gaming desk can easily fit several monitors and a gaming PC, making it perfect for setting up an excellent gaming environment. Plus, it has a headset mount and a drink holder, so you can stay glued to your game for hours without missing a beat. The only thing that really holds the Eureka Aero Pro back is how much of a pain it is to assemble. This gaming desk is shipped out to you in two seperate boxes, and will take at least an hour to assemble. But, once all that sweaty work is out of the way, you're rewarded with an awesome standing desk for gaming. Hard to complain about that, right?

6. Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk

Best High-Performance Standing Desk

If you want a standing desk that's as solid as a rock, you need the Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk. It’s one of the few options on the market with four motorized legs, letting it lift a whopping 535 pounds without breaking a sweat. You can smoothly and safely adjust the height from 25.3 inches to 50.9 inches, and anti-collision technology detects any resistance while the desk is in motion, preventing damage or injury.

On top of its incredible lifting power, the Uplift V2 4-Leg Standing Desk is extremely customizable from the start, and we’re not just talking about add-ons here. You’ll have a wealth of choices for desktop material, color, size and style, frame color and type, the keypad, and even grommet covers, meaning you can really make it your own before purchasing. Starting at $1,200, Uplift’s desk ain’t cheap, but it’s an incredibly sturdy, reliable option backed by a 15-year warranty.

7. ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk

Best Pneumatic Standing Desk

Motorized standing desks are convenient, but if you're not a fan of slow, loud electric motors or having another cord clogging up your outlet, then a pneumatic-assisted desk, like the ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk, is for you. Instead of motors, this system uses dual gas cylinders to help you lift and lower your setup between 29 and 48 inches. Youjust pull the hand lever when raising or lowering using your other hand to assist and never again worry about a motor dying.

The ApexDesk Pneumatic Stand Desk might be slightly more effort to adjust than just pushing a button, but it's also quicker, quieter, and not to mention cheaper. For under $350, you get a sturdy steel frame complete with a crossbar for added stability and a large tabletop. The desk even includes grommets to tuck away wires, while back castor wheels allow easy movement.

8. VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter

Best Standing Desk Conversion

You’ve already made a sizable investment in your current desk, so why toss it out? VIVO offers an affordable desk add-on that comes in various colors and requires a simple setup, letting you convert your existing desk into a standing model in no time. From there, you use an effortless pneumatic lift system with a 10,000-cycle longevity, letting you smoothly raise your whole setup between 4.5 and 20 inches.

With over 30 inches of work surface and a solid metal frame ready to hold up to 33 pounds, the VIVO 32-inch Desk Converter accommodates dual-monitor setups on top. Meanwhile, the lower tier raises and lowers along with the top and is large enough to accommodate a full-size keyboard and mouse. This desk converter adds some extra utility by doubling as an oversized laptop stand: When you’ve got the VIVO folded flat, the top tier is just under 5 inches high for a more ergonomic setup while using a laptop.

9. Xdesk Flex

Best Couch-Side Standing Desk

If you, like a good portion of the world, enjoy occasionally working from the couch, then the flexibility of the Xdesk Flex is for you. This height-adjustable table makes for a much more ergonomic experience while chilling in the living room or a recreational area at the office. You can have it sit as low as a coffee table to as high as an upright standing desk in a couple of seconds with the touch of a button. Best of all, the lift motor is completely battery-powered, and that means no wires to trip over on your way to the couch.

The Xdesk Flex offers a 100-pound weight capacity and a 30-inch by 24-inch work surface, letting you place your laptop or wireless gaming mouse and keyboard on it with little worry of wobbling. Just be prepared to shell out some serious dough as this desk is made with the best materials, from its aircraft-grade aluminum frame and rock-solid tabletop to the high output, quiet motor.

10. EvoDesk Pro Aviator

Best High-End Standing Desk

The EvoDesk Pro Aviator is the ultimate standing desk. From its arrowhead shape silhouette to the four motorized legs and immense 500-pound load capacity, there isn't a more premium option than this. Its height ranges from 23.75 inches to 49.5 inches and hits over 250 positions, while that transition is a smooth and speedy 1.5 inches per second thanks to those highly capable motors.

A unique L-shape design gives the EvoDesk Pro Aviator 22.7 square feet of surface area for you to work, but everything in that space is within easy reach, as you can stand or sit in the center of it all. It’s made with a sturdy steel frame, while the tabletop features soft edges to help with nerve compression and fatigue. Almost everything on this desk can be customized to your exact specifications. However, the price reflects its quality at $2,500+, so this is definitely an investment.

Where to Get the Best Standing Desks in the UK

Standing Desk FAQ

Are standing desks worth it?

In short, yes. Standing while you work and play is a great way to keep mobile, stretch your legs, and maintain better posture. After all, sitting for too long and hunching over your computer is bad for your health, no matter how comfy your office chair or gaming chair may be. There are five reasons standing desks are better for you versus sitting, according to Harvard Health:

Standing desks (versus sitting desks) assume a lower risk of:

  1. Diabetes
  2. Obesity
  3. Cardiovascular disease
  4. Cancer
  5. Premature death

Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam

Danielle Abraham is a freelance tech writer and unpaid music historian.

Stranger Things Season 5 Will Be 'Basically, Eight Movies,' Says Maya Hawke

Par : Alex Stedman

Stranger Things Season 5 is still quite a ways away, but fans at least have a lot of Upside Down madness to look forward to when it does return.

Star Maya Hawke, who's played Robin Buckley on the hit Netflix series since its third season, provided a quick update on the fifth and final season of Stranger Things on a recent appearance on the Podcrushed podcast. She joked that the show has been "a little bit cursed," having been delayed by both the COVID-19 pandemic in the past and the writers' and actors' strikes, but another culprit for the long wait for Season 5 is also its scope.

“We’re making, basically, eight movies," Hawke said on the podcast. "The episodes are very long.”

She also elaborated on the creative process, saying showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer "take a lot of responsibility" in the scripts.

"They have an amazing team of writers, but they’re very involved," she added. "They write a lot and they are very intense and serious about the quality of the continued writing, and so it takes a long time to write each season, and a long time to shoot them.”

Hawke's comments echo previous ones made by executive producer and frequent episode director Shawn Levy, who called Stranger Things Season 5 "as big as any of the biggest movies that we see" in an interview with Total Film back in September.

“We’re making, basically, eight movies. The episodes are very long.

Those are strong statements from both Hawke and Levy when you consider how massive some of the episodes in Season 4 were. The episodes varied in runtime, but they were all at least an hour, with the shortest clocking in at 63 minutes. The longest, meanwhile, was its super-sized season finale, coming in at nearly two and a half hours. It equalled roughly 13 hours for the nine-episode season.

The team hasn't specified if Season 5 will run at a similar length, but the comments from Hawke certainly make it seem that way.

Stranger Things Season 5 doesn't currently have a release date, but it did finally start filming in January following the resolution of the writers' and actors' strikes. Production likely won't be complete for some time though, as star Millie Bobby Brown said in March that they still had another nine months of filming left. That means we probably shouldn't expect Season 5 until at least mid-2025.

In the meantime, Hawke can currently be heard as the voice of Anxiety in Inside Out 2, which just raced past the $1 billion mark this weekend.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

New LEGO Sets for July 2024: Bumblebee, C-3PO, and More

Par : Chris Reed

It’s a new month, which means there’s a new batch of LEGO sets to buy. The number of brand-new sets out now is actually pretty slim, but plenty more are available for preorder. Other sets that used to be exclusive to the LEGO Store have now been made more widely available, so we’re including them below as well. We’ve got a new entry in the Transformers line, a new Lamborghini build, and even a fan-favorite golden droid from Star Wars. Let’s dive in.

LEGO Transformers Bumblebee Is Now Available at LEGO Store

Much like the beloved LEGO Optimus Prime set (see it on Amazon), LEGO Insiders can now buy a new, buildable Bumblebee figure. And just like the Autobot leader, this figure is designed so it actually transforms without having to take it apart. The set is available now for LEGO Insiders (sign up here for free). It will be out for everyone else on July 4.

LEGO Star Wars C-3PO Is Up for Preorder

A few years ago, we got a big and impressive R2-D2 LEGO build intended for the 18 and up crowd (see it at Amazon). Now comes a more modestly sized (and modestly priced) take on Artoo’s golden companion, the protocol droid C-3PO. You can pose the droid by turning his head and moving his arms however you'd like. This set also includes a stand and an informational placard with a Threepio minifigure.

LEGO Dungeons and Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale Is Up at Amazon

The truly massive and impressive LEGO Dungeons and Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale set is the first one released in what I hope becomes a whole D&D series. It may be one of the more expensive LEGO sets available, but it’s a fun build that looks great on the shelf. It kind of reminds me of the Rivendell set from the LEGO Lord of the Rings series.

LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 Is Back Up for Preorder

Preorders for this LEGO Nintendo set became available last month, but they quickly sold out. Apparently LEGO was able to shift some production plans around, because preorders are back up... at least for now.

LEGO DC Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City Is Up at Amazon

One of the very best LEGO Batman sets on the market (and there are many), this hangable art piece looks great and calls back to one of my personal favorite versions of the Dark Knight there is. See our We Build LEGO Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City feature for details on the building process and the end result.

LEGO Minecraft: The Crafting Table Is Up for Preorder

Preorders for this LEGO Minecraft set went live last month as well, but they're still available to anyone interested in the first Minecraft set aimed at the 18-plus crowd. That means is meant more for display than for play.

LEGO Star Wars: The Force of Creativity Coffee Table Book Is Now Available

It’s not a new set, but this huge, full-color coffee table book celebrating 25 years of LEGO Star Wars sets is pretty impressive in its own right. And when you’re talking about the best LEGO Star Wars sets, you’re talking some of the best LEGO sets period.

LEGO Art The Milky Way Galaxy Is Available at Amazon

Previously a LEGO Store exclusive, the LEGO Art The Milky Way Galaxy set is now available at Amazon. It’s built within a frame, and you can actually hand it on your wall. It also features all kinds of 3D effects you might not notice from a distance. This is a set that looks great anywhere, but even better up close.

New LEGO Flower Sets Are Up for Preorder

LEGO flower sets are surprisingly popular with the IGN audience. But perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising, because they look great as decorations anywhere you put them. And better yet – you never need to water them.

LEGO Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole Is Now Available

Fans of muscle cars may be interested in this gorgeous LEGO Icons set of the Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole. It’s a LEGO Store exclusive that will only set you back $179.99 – much less than the real thing.

LEGO Art Mona Lisa Panting is Up for Preorder

This LEGO art piece re-creates perhaps the most iconic painting ever put on canvas. While the real thing is hanging in its own room in The Louvre in Paris, you can secure your own LEGO version once it releases in October.

That's about all the big LEGO news for July. August is shaping up to be a big month for LEGO releases, too, so stay tuned for more in a month.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Threads.

Let Me Solo Her Finally Defeats Erdtree's Final Boss After Three Hour Marathon That Left Them 'Shaking'

The Elden Ring community's favorite folk hero, Let Me Solo Her, has finally completed the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, after a streaming marathon spanning multiple days during which he struggled repeatedly against the DLC's final boss.

Warning: Spoilers for the ending of Shadow of the Erdtree follow below!

The Final boss is kicking my butt rn pic.twitter.com/nf4htyip9T

— Let me solo her (@TsuboiKlein) June 29, 2024

Tsuboi Klein, also known as Let Me Solo Her, has been steadily working his way through the new Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree with the rest of us. Just yesterday, he finally crossed the finish line, defeating Promised Consort Radahn live on stream after something in the vicinity of 74 attempts. Despite being thought of as something of an Elden Ring expert, Let Me Solo Her really struggled with the second coming of Radahn, only defeating him after several hours of attempts spaced out over two days.

"Holy crap, my fingers are actually trembling right now," he said upon victory. "I'm shaking."

Let Me Solo Her rose to notoriety by offering his summon sign to players struggling to beat the most difficult boss in the base game, Malenia. Wearing nothing more than a pot on his head, Let Me Solo Her has defeated Malenia hundreds of times now on behalf of others. While it might be natural to expect him to breeze through the DLC with skills like that, it's worth noting that Let Me Solo Her got so good at Malenia by practicing her fight a lot. It took him over 200 attempts just to beat her the first time. So it's only natural he'd get good at Radahn with practice, too.

So is Let Me Solo Her going to master Radahn and help others defeat him now? Probably not just yet. Let Me Solo Her acknowledged at the end of his stream that he had somewhat beelined his way to Radahn and hadn't finished a lot of the other DLC boss fights, so he wants to go back and wrap things up first. He also wants to enjoy the DLC a bit off-stream, too, just for himself. Additionally, he's already been spending his time helping others beat Messmer, another story-required boss fight that many are struggling with. He's even technically rebranded as "Let Me Solo Him" just for that fight. Let Me Solo Her will continue to assist other players with Messmer for a bit longer, he says, before moving on to helping people with Radahn.

I BEAT THE FINAL BOSS LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/XUxVmAUitB

— Let me solo her (@TsuboiKlein) June 29, 2024

We interviewed Let Me Solo Her two years ago during the height of his fame, and can confirm that he's delightful not just in battle against Malenia and Radahn, but also to speak with. And we caught up with him again ahead of the release of Shadow of the Erdtree to hear his plans for exploring the Land of Shadow. Sounds like that's going great for him.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

<h3>10. We Spoke to 'Let Me Solo Her,' The Elden Ring Community Hero We Need and Deserve</h3>
It’s your 345th attempt to kill Malenia. Tired of the grind, you decide to call in reinforcements. You lay down a summoning sign outside the arena and wait. Moments later, the call is answered: A man appears before you wearing only the skimpiest of underwear and a jar over his head. His name reads “Let me solo her.” So you do, and so he does, single-handedly crushing Elden Ring’s hardest boss with ease. He bows. And then he’s gone.<br><br>
LMSH is a legend in the Elden Ring community. His journey toward began mastering Malenia began during his initial run of Elden Ring, when it took him 242 attempts to kill what many believe to be the game’s hardest boss. Following his own struggle, he decided to help others: "I chose Malenia to help others because I fell in love with her design. All her attacks are very graceful and she is unforgiving as a boss. Her infamous waterfowl dance is considered to be the [hardest] to dodge moveset from a FromSoft boss to date, so I decided to prove to others that it was not impossible."

The 48" LG UltraGear 4K OLED Gaming Monitor Is Down to $680 During the LG 4th of July Sale

Par : Eric Song

As part of the LG 4th of July Sale, LG (direct) currently has its own 48" LG 48GP900-B 4K OLED gaming monitor for only $679.99 shipped after you apply coupon code "HECA14701". This monitor was released in 2022 at a starting MSRP of $1500. This is currently least expensive 48" OLED gaming monitor on the market.

48" LG 48GP900-B 4K OLED Gaming Monitor for $679.99

The 48GP900-B boasts a WOLED panel that's very similar to the one found on the 48" LG C1 OLED TV but with a few key differences. Instead of the semi glossy coating found on the TV, the 48GP900 features an anti-glare matte coating that's better for close up desktop monitor usage because it is a lot less reflective. The 48GP900 also has DisplayPort connectivity and lacks the built-in Smart TV interface. It does carry over the HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K @ 120Hz compatiblity for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, as well as VRR and G-SYNC support. Additionally, the 120Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to 138Hz when used as a PC monitor. There are also some other convenient features that you'll find on LG gaming monitors in general, like an FPS counter and built-in crosshair. Lastly, if aesthetics matter for you, there is subtle RGB backlighting on the rear of the monitor that isn't present on the OLED TVs.

Why Choose an OLED Gaming Monitor?

When it comes to high end gaming monitors, there are so many options to choose from. But one thing is certain, you can't go wrong with OLED. OLED monitors blow away any IPS, VA, or TN display in terms of raw image quality. They have the best contrast ratio and dynamic range thanks to their near infinite black levels and the ability to switch on and off individual LEDs. They also have near instantaneous response times so ghosting is a thing of the past. OLED monitors are usually a lot more expensive, but right now the LG 48GP900-B's price brings it in line with other premium non-OLED monitors.

For more options, check out the best gaming monitor deals today or dive into more 4th of July sales.

Someone Made a Fake The Bear Video Game, and It Looks Like a PS2-Era Fever Dream

The Bear Season 3 dropped last week, so someone decided to turn it into a video game… sort of.

Created by Michael Kandel and Joe Miciak under their Hotel Art Thief banner, the animated video, which you can view below, encapsulates plenty that viewers have loved about The Bear so far — while also turning it into something you might see in a nightmare. While the FX/Hulu show sees chefs like Carmy and Syndey rallying to cook and serve some of Chicago’s tastiest dishes, The Bear "video game" features blurry floating heads, stellar voice acting, smoking and feeding mini-games, and a section where you run away from your hungry mom.

“Dinner for mother,” Jamie Lee Curtis’ disembodied head says as she moves closer to the camera.

It’s… a lot, but if you’re a fan of The Bear, then just about every second of the The Bear The Game video has something to laugh at. There’s even a cover of Radiohead’s Let Down that plays while you fend off Chicago dogs in your restaurant. You can see what it’s like to feed Richie on “No Rush” difficulty mode in the video below.

the bear video game actually looks pretty cool pic.twitter.com/pijrftMFDr

— Michael Kandel (@K_A_N_D_E_L) June 28, 2024

Speaking with IGN, Miciak says the idea for The Bear The Game didn't originally spawn from the Jeremy Allen White-led dramedy. He says he simply "loved the idea of a super stressful video game where you’re running a restaurant like Cooking Mama, or Overcooked, but you’re actually allowed to just take it easy." It was Kandel's idea to tie in The Bear with the "eerily soothing" style they've used in past projects like their user:brian(box) sketch.

"We’re both big fans of the show, and it’s so popular online we figured it would be perfect to try to get it done in time for Season 3," Miciak says. "There’s something about the show that feels like if it were released in the 2000s, there would be a PS2 game for it."

The Hotel Art Thief duo says it took a weekend to edit the first draft, a few days to make those floating heads, and just less than three weeks to record, animate in Blender, and bring everything together for the final package you see before you. It was tireless work to put this fever-dream-like spin on The Bear into a video, so don't expect to actually saute onions and smoke with Syndey in a playable version of a The Bear video game anytime soon.

"Mike and I do want to try to figure out how to add video game storytelling to our live sketches we do as Hotel Art Thief, with audiences participating in a choose-your-own-adventure type group game," Miciak said. "So maybe it will continue to live in on in spirt on stage at some point."

user:Brian(box) pic.twitter.com/M6qP9BLbZu

— Michael Kandel (@K_A_N_D_E_L) August 4, 2023

Miciak and Kandel aren't ruling out a sequel to their The Bear sketch, but they'd like to at least watch Season 3 before even attempting to make a follow-up.

"But we usually like to always keep people guessing. I’m sure we’ll at least do a spiritual sequel," Miciak added. "Mike and I are always talking about people we’d like to see as 3D floating heads in our cinematic universe."

The Bear The Game is, unfortunately, not playable. On the bright side, The Bear Season 3 is now available in full on Hulu. We gave the stressful cooking series’ latest batch of episodes a 7/10 in our review. We said, “The Bear still swings for the fences when it comes to innovative storytelling, but Carmy going deeply interior this season throws the show’s balance and forward momentum out of whack.”

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Score a 77" LG Evo C3 4K OLED Smart TV for Only $1699.99 During the LG 4th of July Sale

Par : Eric Song

As part of the LG 4th of July Sale, LG is offering the massive 77"" LG Evo C3 4K OLED Smart TV for only $1999.99. There's a coupon code "HECA14701" that drops the price by another $300 to $1699.99. If you've been shopping around for an OLED TV, you probably already know that this is an absolutely incredible price. If you're looking for a 77" OLED TV, get this deal now before it expires.

77" LG Evo C3 4K OLED Smart TV for $1699.99

The LG Evo C3 is a 2023 model, just one year behind the recently released 2024 LG Evo C4. So what are the differences? Aside from the near $1000 price differential, not much. The most important trait -- picture quality -- is more or less identical. Where the C4 improves on the C3 are an upgraded processor, newer WebOS smart interface, and a bumped up 144Hz refresh rate over 120Hz.

OLED TVs are considered the best TVs you can buy right now. Compared to traditional LED LCD TVs, they offer better image quality, deeper blacks, better contrast ratio, wider color gamut, and super fast response times. Because of these advantages, the OLED TV are easily the best type of TV for viewing 4K HDR content in all of its intended glory. LG OLED TVs particular have been out for years and benefit from several generations of optimizations.

The LG C3 also has all the features you'd want in a gaming TV as well. It has a native 120Hz panel and all four HDMI 2.1 ports for running 4K at 120Hz on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. It also supports variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and DTS audio, which is good for people who still watch Blu-ray discs. The C3 is also much easier to set up than its predecessors; the rear cabinet housing is made of a composite fiber that drops the weight to a mere 36 pounds without the stand.

The LG C3 is our favorite high-end 4K TV of 2024 because of the brilliance of its OLED display along with a host of quality features that don't quite push it to the point of an excessively high price. This model brings better contrast and clarity than the previous year's already luminous LG C2. It’s a sight to behold, especially when you add in the deep blacks and well-balanced colors on the crisp 4K screen. Once you choose OLED, it's hard to go back to anything else.

There are a lot more LG OLED TV deals during the 4th of July Sale.

Inside Out 2 Just Crossed $1 Billion in Record Time for an Animated Movie

Par : Alex Stedman

As if Inside Out 2 wasn't already a massive success for Disney and Pixar, it just broke an impressive record.

It crossed $1 billion at the global box office over the weekend, becoming the fastest animated movie to reach the milestone in just 19 days, according to data from Comscore. It's also the first movie of 2024 to hit $1 billion, as a film hasn't crossed that theshold since Barbie last year.

As of Sunday, Inside Out 2 had grossed $469.3 million domestically and $545.5 million internationally. As Comscore notes, in just its third weekend, it's already the 11th highest-grossing animated film of all time. It'll likely climb that list in the coming weeks, especially as it has yet to open in a few international markets like Japan.

Inside Out 2 has already well outgrossed its predecessor, too, as the first Inside Out made $857 million over its entire worldwide box office run.

It was a strong weekend for the box office overall, as Inside Out 2 isn't the only one running a victory lap. A Quiet Place: Day One had the franchise's biggest global opening with $98.5 million, and with a reported budget of about $67.5 million and strong reviews, that puts it well on track to profitability.

A Much-Needed Win for Pixar

A lot was riding on Inside Out 2 for Pixar, Disney's once-reliable animation studio that's hit a rough patch as of late. After releasing a number of films nearly exclusively on Disney+ amid pandemic lockdowns from 2020-early 2022, Pixar returned to theaters with Toy Story spinoff Lightyear in June 2022.

That film, however, disappointed at the box office, grossing just $226 million worldwide. Elemental fared better last year, rebounding from a lackluster opening to eventually gross nearly $500 million globally, but Pixar still hadn't approached its $1 billion glory days in some time.

The studio's been struggling internally as well, beginning layoffs of 14% of its workforce in May. The plan, according to Pixar higher-ups, is to shift its focus from production for Disney+ back to theatrical feature films.

Pixar leadership has also expressed a desire to focus more on its tried-and-true IP, hinting at sequels for series like The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. With Inside Out 2's success, it's likely Pixar won't slow down on this sequel-heavy strategy.

Inside Out 2 benefits from positive reviews as well, and we gave it a 7/10 in our review. "It explains plenty about the confusing emotions associated with puberty, often in intelligent ways, but it rarely lets them be felt or experienced the way its predecessor did," wrote Siddhant Adlakha.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Scientists Name Newly Discovered Eyeless Spider After Blind Flying Wyvern From Monster Hunter

Scientists, the original nerd, occasionally like to remind us of that fact by influencing the real world with a geeky reference, this time with a spider named after a flying beastie from Monster Hunter.

As reported by VG247, a newly discovered spider from China has been named the Otacilia Khezu after Khezu, the flying wyvern from Monster Hunter. What do spiders and flying wyverns have in common? Nothing, really, but this spider has no eyes, just like its namesake.

Khezu, which look like fairly normal wyverns from the shoulders down but quickly break that tradition with incredibly long necks, a giant fanged mouth, and retracted eyes due to spending most of their time in darkness, were introduced way back in the original Monster Hunter from 2004.

Pointed out by @SilencedVouivre on X/Twitter, the same scientist who named the Otacilia Khezu has also named myriad other real world animals with nerdy references. These include Funny Valentine and Gryo Zeppeli from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, and even another Monster Hunter reference with the Rathalos genus.

this the same mf who came up with Funny valentine, Gyro zeppeli and the Rathalos genus... pic.twitter.com/BCJ6Q6ve5C

— Corvus_大夕儿爆彈 (@SilencedVouivre) June 28, 2024

There are plenty of other scientists doing the same too, however. The Saurona butterfly was named after the Lord of the Rings' villain, the Venomius Tomhardyi was somewhat bizarrely named after Tom Hardy's Venom films, and the Tachymenoides Harrisonfordi snake was named after the Indiana Jones actor.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

Save $400 Off the Alienware m16 R2 RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop During the Dell 4th of July Sale

Par : Eric Song

As part of the Dell 4th of July Sale, you can get the Alienware m16 R2 RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop for only $1449.99 after a $400 off instant discount. This is the best price we've seen for the latest Alienware m16 laptop equipped with an RTX 4070 GPU. The 2nd gen m16 was announced during CES 2024; it's lighter and more compact than its predecessor without compromising on its gaming performance.

Alienware m16 R2 RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop for $1449.99

The Alienware m16 R2 is lighter and slimmer than the previous generation m16 R1. The hump behind the display is no longer there, resulting in a 14% reduction in both dimensions and weight. Additionally, the m16 R2 is now equipped with a low voltage Intel Meteor Lake CPUs for less power draw and thus less heat and longer battery life. For those of you who didn't like the very noticable RGB bling of the original m16 R1, you can now switch to a more subtle white LED backlighting with a press of a button.

This particular Alienware m16 R2 laptop features a 16" 2560x1600 QHD+ display, the new 14th gen Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is a current-gen Meteor Lake CPU with a max turbo frequency of 4.8GHz with 16 cores, 22 threads, and a 24MB cache. The RTX 4070 mobile GPU performs on par with the RTX 3080 mobile. You'll want this kind of power to run games comfortably on the laptop's beefed up 2560x1600 or QHD+ display. The GPU isn't gimped in any way; it has a TGP wattage rating of 140W, which is the highest you can get. Alienware laptops feature aggressive active cooling

Why Pick a Dell or Alienware Gaming Laptop?

Alienware is always one of our top picks. The Alienware m16 made it into our list of best gaming laptops of 2024. Alienware gaming laptops in recent years have been redesigned to be thinner and lighter while still offering the same immense power under the hood. Consistent build quality, available inventory, frequent sales, and solid customer service are the main reasons why Dell is at the top of our buying list.

For more deals, check out the best Alienware and Dell gaming deals today.

Elden Ring Doot Champion DrDeComposing Has Officially Murdered the DLC’s Most Brutal Boss With a Saxophone

Par : Anthony Wood

Elden Ring challenge streamer DrDeComposing has forced Shadow of the Erdtree’s final boss to sit down and face the music by defeating the monstrous enemy while using the doots from an electric saxophone to control his Tarnished warrior.

Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware certainly didn’t pull any punches when setting the difficulty of Elden Ring’s first and only piece of DLC. The time following Shadow of the Erdtree’s June 21 launch has seen countless players struggle with the extreme challenge posed by the new content. Their plight has triggerest the creation of a slew of mods designed to make the DLC easier, along with the release of an official update that rebalanced the DLC's difficulty scaling system.

Warning: mild spoilers for Shadow of the Erdtree follow.

The final boss of the DLC — Promised Consort Radahn — represents a particularly brutal challenge, which is arguably up there with the toughest any FromSoftware game has to offer. Radahn ranked top in IGN’s list of the toughest Shadow of the Erdtree bosses, with even legendary Elden Ring co-op hero ‘Let Me Solo Her’ — now 'Let Me Solo Him' — admitting that his hands were shaking upon finally putting the monstrous boss down.

And yet a Twitch streamer going by the name DrDeComposing has managed to dispatch the Super Saiyan-esque version of Radahn using a modified electric saxophone as a controller, after only a dozen attempts.

Everyone was telling me how utterly impossible the Final Boss of Shadow of the Erdtree was going to be. Outrageous moveset, impossible dodges, etc

...

It only took me a dozen attempts on the saxophone.

THE WORLD'S FIRST (afaik) ALT CONTROLLER DLC RUN HAS BEEN DOOTED!🎷 pic.twitter.com/nUzPmfgsNx

— Dr. Doot 🎷 (@DrDeComposing) July 1, 2024

“Everyone was telling me how utterly impossible the final boss of Shadow of the Erdtree was going to be,” said DrDeComposing in a victory post on X/Twitter. “Outrageous moveset, impossible dodges, etc. It only took me a dozen attempts on the saxophone. THE WORLD'S FIRST (afaik) ALT CONTROLLER DLC RUN HAS BEEN DOOTED.”

DrDeComposing’s weapon of choice is a Roland Aerophone AE-10 electric saxophone, each tone from which triggers a button press mapped to a virtual controller. The only doot-free input used during the climactic battle came by way of a nubbin-like analog stick located on the back of this very unconventional controller.

The streamer was able to use this real-world legendary armament — and his Tarnished’s Carian Thrusting Shield — to weather Radahn’s relentless attacks until he was able to find an opening to unleash the final doot of violence that ended Miquella’s consort. DrDeComposing had previously performed a ‘hitless doot run’ of Elden Ring’s base game, in which he took down all seven great rune wielding bosses, including the infamous Malenia, Blade of Miquella, without taking a single hit.

For more Elden Ring content why not read up on how one player is defeating Shadow of the Erdtree bosses using electrical signals from her brain to manipulate a virtual controller, or find out about the player who beat the entirety of the DLC without levelling up once.

Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer

Morgan Freeman Thanks Fans for Highlighting 'Unauthorized' Use of AI to Imitate His Voice

Morgan Freeman has thanked fans for calling his attention to the "unauthorized" use of artificial intelligence (AI) to imitate his voice.

The actor, whose distinctive voice has left an arguably indelible mark on films such as The Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby, took to X/Twitter to extend his gratitude to those who alerted him to AI-generated imitations of his voice online after a series of videos created by someone posing to be his niece went viral.

"Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorized use of an AI voice imitating me," Freeman wrote in his appreciation post on June 28. "Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful. #AI #scam #imitation #IdentityProtection"

Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorized use of an A.I. voice imitating me. Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful. #AI #scam #imitation #IdentityProtection

— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) June 28, 2024

While Freeman didn't share the specifics of the incident, his post comes after a TikTok user went viral with videos featuring narration from an AI-generated version of the actor's voice. The content creator had even created a playlist dedicated to her "Uncle mo" voiceover videos, including one titled "a day in the life of a nepo niece."

The person behind the posts has since responded to reports of their Freeman foolery, saying they were having "a bit of fun" and it was a "very obvious" joke.

Freeman is only the latest Hollywood star to fall victim to unauthorized AI imitation. Tom Hanks previously warned his fans that an AI version of his likeness was being used in an online advert for a dental plan, while Robin Williams' daughter Zelda condemned the "disturbing" use of AI to recreate her late father's voice and others.

As Hollywood itself grapples with the rise of AI, more and more people have come forward to voice their opinions on the technology. Tim Burton slammed AI-generated art, a WandaVision background actor raised concerns over "digital replicas," and James Cameron warned of the potential dangers it could present in the future.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter here.

Final Fantasy 14 Director Apologizes for Dawntrail Early Access Issues

Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida has apologized for the issues present in Dawntrail, the latest expansion currently available in early access.

In a blog post, Yoshida apoligized to fans who preordered the game and thus unlocked the early access version, and explained what has caused certain issues and how the development team at Square Enix plans to address them. He also suggested a hotfix would arrive sometime "this week" alongside a brief server maintenance period.

"Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has been playing Dawntrail since the start of early access," Yoshida said. "However, I would like to offer my sincere apologies regarding the issues that we have identified."

Xbox version issues have perhaps been most prominent, as the game client can become completely unresponsive when moving between locations. "Our preliminary investigation suggests that this issue is likely due to a phenomenon known as memory fragmentation," Yoshida said.

I would like to offer my sincere apologies regarding the issues that we have identified.

Square Enix is looking into a fix for the problem but it will be "several days" before one is released, Yoshida said. This is because a patch must go through myriad checks by the quality assurance team.

"We are working to expedite the release of this patch at the earliest possible opportunity," he said. "However, we regret to say that this process will require some time. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this causes and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to address the issue."

Players, in the meantime, may encounter the issue less if they play on worlds with low populations. "Until we have resolved the issue, we kindly suggest you consider playing on either the Dynamis, Shadow, or Oceania data centers," Yoshida said.

An incoming patch will also address freezing abilities not functioning properly and an issue with the display and animations of cerain characters.

"The aforementioned issues are being classified as a high priority," Yoshida said. "They are under investigation on our development server and are being addressed in a systematic manner. We are considering the release of a hot fix, which is likely to occur sometime this week, which would be accompanied by a brief maintenance period."

It's therefore likely all of these issues will still be in Dawntrail upon its full launch tomorrow, July 2, 2024. The accompanying Version 7.0 patch hade made plenty of positive changes to the game too, such as new areas, quests, quality-of-life improvement, a huge graphical upgrade, and the Viper and Pictomancer jobs, but seemingly not without a few frustrating bugs.

Dawntrail's Steam page is also full of middling reviews, as while Final Fantasy 14 expansions are usually widely praised by fans and critics, Dawntrail has dropped to a "mixed" rating. Despite "review bombing" being a common tactic for players looking to express frustration, Dawntrail's current Steam user review rating appears to be the result of genuine grievances and not bugs.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

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