Meta has unveiled a new entry-level mixed reality headset, the Meta Quest 3S, which starts at $299.99 for the 128 GB model and $399.99 for 256 GB. Pre-orders are live at Meta’s website and will ship Oct. 15 along with a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow. The Verge was able to get a hands-on demo with the new Quest 3S and notes that it is “bringing a lot of what you can get on the Quest 3 to a much more affordable VR headset.”
As part of the unveiling, Meta has also announced that both the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro are being sunsetted, streamlining the lineup to these two Quest 3S models as well as the 512 GB Meta Quest 3 for $499.99.
While Meta has been pushing virtual reality for many years now — I still have vivid memories of trying out a very early Oculus Rift prototype more than 12 year ago — one of the key turning points was the release of the entry-level Meta Quest 2. It was this headset that eschewed the need to set up multiple external cameras or long cords tethering you to a gaming PC, opting instead for a self-contained experience both in terms of hardware and software, all at a more palpable (though ever-fluctuating) price point. By all accounts, the new Quest 3S will be Meta’s new entry-level model for years to come.
Currently, the Altered TCG is exclusively available through the Asmodee storefront, with just two products primarily intended for resale. But, if you’d like to get a head start on collecting this freshly minted TCG, we’ve detailed all the available products below, along with their contents.
Altered is launching with a collection of six different starter decks, which are currently only available as a $89.94 bundle from the Asmodee store. Each deck represents one of the factions in Altered, and includes a 39-card deck in addition to a single hero card, rulebook, foldable game mat, five Adventure cards, a pair of reminder cards, a foil card, and essential play markers.
Like traditional TCGs, Altered will have Booster Packs available to expand your collection and customize your deck. While individual packs will be available eventually, currently, you can only purchase a $143.64 box from the Asmodee store. Each box includes a total of 36 Booster Packs, each of which includes 12 cards. Each Booster Pack is guaranteed to include at least one card from every faction in addition to potentially holding unique variants of existing cards, or a single true one-of-a-kind card. The rarity spread for individual boosters isn’t disclosed, but each Booster Box, on average, includes 36 hero cards, 288 commons, over 100 rares, and up to five unique cards.
Altered has also launched with a robust collection of premium accessories produced by Gamegenic, including game mats, card sleeves, deck boxes, and more. For now, the only place to find these accessories is the Asmodee store, but we’ve outlined the entire catalog below if you’re looking for some fun extras to enhance your experience with Altered. Just note that some of these accessories, like the premium game tokens, are still in pre-production and are only available to pre-order.
Assassin’s Creed is the latest Universes Beyond expansion for Magic: The Gathering, and will be popping out of an unsuspecting haystack near you starting on July 5. The new set features a total of 100 mechanically unique cards inspired by the stealthy, stabby franchise.
While these new cards won’t include characters or settings from the recently announced Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you can expect appearances from virtually every other corner of the Assassin’s Creed universe, including Altair, Ezio, Eivor, and more. If you’d like to add any of these new cards to your existing collection, the new expansion is available to pre-order in a variety of formats from Amazon and GameStop, which we’ve linked out to below, along with a list of their contents.
Image: Wizards of the Coast
The Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond Starter Kit is the fastest way to start playing with the new cards introduced in this set. Each box comes packaged with a pair of pre-constructed 60-card decks, which both feature a pair of Mythic Rare cards in addition to eight rares and a storage box for each deck, and a Learn-to-Play guide. Both decks are constructed exclusively with the new cards introduced with the new expansion. The Starter Kit is currently available to pre-order from Amazon or GameStop for $19.
Image: Wizards of the Coast
The Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond set is introducing a slightly different take on the classic Booster Pack format with Beyond Boosters. These seven-card packs can include up to four rare cards, in addition to at least one foil art card and borderless art card. Each box comes with a total of 27 Beyond Boosters, and can be pre-ordered for around $131 from Amazon or from GameStop for $179.99. Individual Beyond Boosters are also available from GameStop for $7.99 each.
Image: Wizards of the Coast
If you’re looking to supplement your existing MTG collection with cards from this new set, the Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond Bundle is the quickest way to do it. Each bundle is packaged with nine Beyond Boosters from the new set in addition to 40 lands (20 of which are foil cards). Each box also features a single exclusive alternate-art foil card and an Assassin’s Creed-themed spindown life counter. The $65 Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond Bundle is available to pre-order from Amazon and GameStop.
Image: Wizards of the Coast
The Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond set will also launch with Collector Booster Packs, perfect for scooping up all the tastiest foil and alternate-art cards introduced with this expansion. Each Collector Booster contains ten rare cards with at least one extended art and borderless art card in addition to at least two foil-etched cards. A box of 12 Collector Boosters can be pre-ordered from GameStop for $279.99 or from Amazon for around $308. Collector Boosters can also be pre-ordered piecemeal from GameStop for $27.99.
Star Wars Outlaws, the open-world adventure from Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment, launches Aug. 30 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Players will take on the role of smuggler Kay Vess as they attempt to seek their fortune across a variety of new and classic locations in the Star Wars universe.
While Respawn Entertainment’s open-world Star Wars Jedi: Survivor puts forth an unforgiving melee combat system akin to Dark Souls, Outlaws seems to channel gameplay elements from the Uncharted franchise. This includes sneaking around, quickly resorting to shooting first if things go sideways, and of course, an ample supply of left hooks.
Image: Ubisoft / Massive Entertainment
There are a three versions of Star Wars Outlaws that are available for pre-order. In this post, we’ll dig into:
Every pre-order option available, how much they cost, and where you can buy them
What bonuses each edition of Star Wars Outlaws includes
Pre-ordering the $69.99 standard edition of the game will get you access to the Kessel Runner Bonus Pack which grants exclusive cosmetics for your ship and speeder. The standard version of Star Wars Outlaws is available to pre-order through Ubisoft, PlayStation, Xbox, the Epic Games Store, and Best Buy. Like most recent Ubisoft launches, there’s no Steam version in sight.
If you intend to play the game on PC via the Ubisoft Connect store, digital retailer Gamesplanet is offering a small discount on pre-orders. Normally $69.99, you can get Star Wars Outlaws for $62.99.
If you want three days of early access to Star Wars Outlaws, you’ll need to pre-order the $109.99 Gold Edition. This version of the game also gets you access to the season pass, which is currently slated to include at least two pieces of post-launch DLC, in addition to the “Jabba’s Gambit” mission at launch. You can currently reserve this version of Star Wars Outlaws from Ubisoft, PlayStation,Xbox, the Epic Games Store, and Best Buy.
The digital-exclusive Ultimate Edition costs $129.99 and comes packaged with everything included in the cheaper versions. Additionally, this premium version includes additional cosmetics in the form of the Rogue Infiltrator and Sabacc Shark bundles, as well as a digital art book with concepts and storyboards from the game. Currently, you can reserve this version of the game from Ubisoft, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Epic Games Store.
Alternatively, if you want everything included with the Ultimate Edition but don’t want to pay the full price, you can subscribe to Ubisoft Plus for $17.99 a month. This plan grants you all the same benefits, including three-day early access, and is available on PC and consoles.
The Pokémon Company’s life-size Psyduck is back. It’s up for preorder on The Pokémon Center United States-based store, just weeks after it was restocked on the Japanese site. The Pokémon Company originally released its 31-inch Psyduck plush back in 2020, a blessing to Pokémon fans during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It’s been back in stock a few times before, and here it is again, with perfect timing with Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge, starring Psyduck.
Psyduck remains exactly the same as it was then, both stunning and perpetually stunned by its chronic headaches. (Psyduck is a migraine-haver’s icon.) Psyduck measures 31 inches in its Pokédex entry, making the big yellow duck true to life. The only problem is that it’s $324.99 — $45 more expensive than it was in 2020. That’s inflation for you.
The good news, though, is that you now can read user reviews to tell you how awesome owning a life-size Psyduck is:
Words cannot express how pleased I am with this massive Psyduck. Truly, massive. I’m thrilled that he finally came back in stock, and I had no qualms about purchasing him this time around. He shows up in random places around the house and it’s always a shock at first when I see him (most definitely he is using his confusion attack) but then a calmness quickly washes over me, and I feel comfort in knowing that he too, is confused all the time. Be aware that the shipping box is quite large, and says Psyduck on the outside, so don’t let him sit unattended for too long or someone else might try to capture him! He is way too rare and precious. Trust me – buy him and you will not regret it!! PS…he looks fantastic in hats.
There are actually two four star reviews out of the total 70 — the rest are top scores. The main gripe is that Psyduck is a little top heavy, so it falls over relatively easily. But for the most part, Psyduck has been worth the purchase for many Pokémon fans:
He is incredibly rotund and looks confused and distressed at all times, it’s like looking into a mirror! I couldn’t bring myself to place Psyduck on the floor so he takes up half my bed instead. A small price to pay for Psyduck to watch over me while I dream about an Appletun plush restock.
Also, Psyduck came in a box that was not discrete at all. Anyone will be able to read in big bold letters that a 31” Psyduck plush is inside so be ready to intercept the package once it is dropped off otherwise Team Rocket might steal him away.
The Pokémon Company expects to start shipping this new batch of yellow ducks in October. If you can’t wait until then but don’t care about what big Pokémon you have, a tall Lucario, big round Spheal, and massive Wailord are all in stock. In the past, The Pokémon Company’s sold big Mareeps, Slowpokes, and Gigantamax Pikachus among several other large dudes.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25507308/91cig3zu.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25507306/xzo34ag9.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25507313/h6lu82tz.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25381493/1op8jenf.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25382365/swogoldedition.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25382372/swultimatebonuses.jpg)
