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While the ongoing Writer’s Guild strike is finally nearing a resolution, the film and TV actors are still in the midst of their own strike. And now, it seems that video game voice actors and motion capture performers are ready to join them. In the latest development regarding the potential strike action in the gaming industry, members of SAG-AFTRA who work on video games have unanimously voted to authorize a strike. This means that a strike could be called at any moment as negotiations continue.

A press release issued by SAG-AFTRA reveals that the vote in favor of authorizing a strike passed with an overwhelming majority of 98.32%. The negotiations are centered around the Interactive Media Agreement, with SAG-AFTRA representing voice actors and motion capture performers in discussions with major companies in the gaming industry such as Activision, Disney, EA, Insomniac Games, Epic Games, Take 2, WB Games, and production service providers for other industry giants.

The negotiations for the Interactive Media Agreement have been ongoing for nearly a year. The union claims that the companies involved still refuse to offer satisfactory terms on crucial matters such as wage growth, workplace safety, and the utilization of artificial intelligence. The next bargaining session is scheduled for September 26 to 28, and the possibility of a strike serves as additional leverage.

“It is high time for the video game companies to cease their games and approach these contract negotiations with seriousness,” stated Fran Drescher, the president of SAG-AFTRA. “The outcome of this vote demonstrates that our members comprehend the critical nature of these negotiations and that these companies, which are generating billions of dollars in revenue and compensating their CEOs extravagantly, must provide our performers with an agreement that ensures a sustainable career in video games.”

In 2016-2017, video game voice actors embarked on their very first strike, which lasted for 11 months. This strike resulted in improved working conditions and remuneration for voice actors. Now, the union’s industrial action encompasses motion capture performers as well, who play an increasingly vital role in major AAA productions. Whether the upcoming negotiations will lead to an actual strike remains to be seen.

Scheduled for release on February 8, 2024, Helldivers II, a squad-based third-person shooter, is all set to make its debut on PS5 and PC. Just like its predecessor, this sequel brings together teams of up to three players who must confront swarms of lethal extraterrestrial creatures during their intergalactic missions.

With the launch date fast approaching, Arrowhead Games has recently unveiled two editions of Helldivers II: the standard edition priced at $40 and the digital-only “Super Citizen” edition priced at $60. The latter edition offers a plethora of additional content. Both versions of the game are now available for pre-order on PS5 and Steam. If you pre-order the game before its release, you will receive bonus in-game items as a token of appreciation.

Helldivers II Preorder Bonus

Every Helldivers II pre-order comes with three exclusive sets of in-game armor:

• TR-7 Ambassador of the Brand
• TR-2 Cavalier of Democracy
• TR-52 Knight

If you’re interested in swiftly acquiring some games for your Steam Deck or PC, the Fanatical Favorites bundle provides a convenient opportunity to obtain a handful of games at a low cost. It is one of the retailer’s customizable bundle options. For $6, you can select two games, $8 will grant you three games, and $12 will add five games to your Steam library. The majority of the eligible games have been confirmed to be playable on Steam Deck.

There are numerous notable titles included in this bundle, with Dead Island: Definitive Edition being the most prominent. This gory first-person adventure, set in a tropical island called Banoi during a zombie outbreak, is one of the pioneering open-world zombie apocalypse games. The desktop PC version boasts impressive visuals and includes a substantial amount of additional content. Moreover, it features an optional difficulty mode that enhances the power of your attacks, allowing you to revel in the blood-soaked paradise while embodying the spirit of an anime protagonist.

Another enjoyable game to acquire is BPM: Bullets Per Minute, which can be best described as a fusion of Doom and Guitar Hero. Instead of wielding a musical instrument, you will be armed with rhythmic firepower, and as you defeat more enemies, the game becomes increasingly challenging, culminating in a crescendo of carnage. Other noteworthy titles in this bundle encompass the atmospheric survival-platformer Rain World, the narrative-driven adventure game Burnhouse Lane, the classic hack-and-slash-inspired action-RPG Chronicon, the charming low-fi adventure Garden Story, and the first-person Siberian survival-horror Tunguska: The Visitation.

Fanatical Favorites: Build Your Own Bundle

• BPM: Bullets Per Minute (Steam Deck compatible)
• Arboria
• The Darkest Tales (Steam Deck verified)
• Gun Gun Pixies
• Gal Gun: Double Peace (Steam Deck compatible)
• Gal Gun 2
• Rain World (Steam Deck compatible)
• Tunguska: The Visitation
• Beyond the Long Night (Steam Deck verified)
• Dead Island Definitive Edition (Steam Deck compatible)
• Burnhouse Lane
• Bad North: Jotunn Edition (Steam Deck verified)
• Marsupilami: Hoobadventure (Steam Deck verified)
• Home Sweet Home: Episode 2 (Steam Deck verified)
• White Day: A Labyrinth Named School Fanatical Edition (Steam Deck verified)
• Garden Story (Steam Deck verified)
• My Summer Adventure: Memories of Another Life
• Chronicon (Steam Deck compatible)
• The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf (Steam Deck verified)

Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.

We are examining the Mythic+ Ranking for the third week of Patch 10.1.7.

DISCLAIMER

The subsequent article is based on information from our sibling website U.GG, which has combined nearly 39K evaluations from active servers. Consequently, the information provided here may differ from Petko’s Mythic Ranking Lists maintained on our website.

How the Information is Calculated

U.gg’s ranking list is formulated by assessing damage and healing scores from the most skilled players and considering the frequency of each specialization’s appearances in the top rankings of the current Mythic+ season. The ranking list for each specialization is determined by its effectiveness and prevalence at the highest levels of Mythic+ gameplay.

Mythic+ Ranking for Patch 10.1.7 Week 3

This week’s affixes are: Fortified, Volcanic, Spiteful.

Healer Ranking

• S-Tier
  • Holy Paladin
• A-Tier:
  • Discipline Priest
  • Restoration Shaman
• B-Tier:
  • Holy Priest
  • Mistweaver Monk
  • Restoration Druid
• C-Tier:
  • Preservation Evoker

Tank Ranking

• S-Tier:
  • Guardian Druid
• A-Tier:
  • Blood Death Knight
• B-Tier:
  • Brewmaster Monk
  • Vengeance Demon Hunter
  • Protection Paladin
• C-Tier:
  • Protection Warrior

DPS Ranking

• S-Tier:
  • Augmentation Evoker
  • Shadow Priest
  • Fire Mage
• A-Tier:
  • Retribution Paladin
  • Fury Warrior
  • Beast Mastery Hunter
  • Balance Druid
  • Enhancement Shaman
  • Subtlety Rogue
  • Destruction Warlock
  • Frost Mage (up from B)
• B-Tier:
  • Outlaw Rogue (down from A)
  • Windwalker Monk
  • Arcane Mage
  • Feral Druid
  • Arms Warrior
  • Survival Hunter
  • Havoc Demon Hunter
  • Frost Death Knight
  • Affliction Warlock
  • Elemental Shaman
• C-Tier:
  • Marksmanship Hunter
  • Devastation Evoker
  • Demonology Warlock 
  • Unholy Death Knight
  • Assassination Rogue

A brand new armor set with a Night Elf theme is being introduced in Guardians of the Dream.

The set consists of the following three items:

• Darnassian Moonsilver Spaulders
• Darnassian Cloak
• Darnassian Tabard

Set Appearance

We are examining the Visage of Ursoc, a novel Head cosmetic that will be introduced in Patch 10.2.

The item will most likely be obtainable at some stage in the Trading Post.

Visage of Ursoc

“An ancient and disregarded ceremonial headdress displaying the countenance of the sagacious Bear Lord.”

Amazon has unveiled the dates for its upcoming major sales event. Named Prime Big Deal Days, the two-day sale is scheduled to take place on October 10-11. This exclusive 48-hour sale will be available only to Prime members, although there will likely be enticing deals for non-members as well.

Prime Big Deal Days: A Sequel to Prime Day

Big Deal Days is essentially a follow-up to Prime Day

If you’re sensing some Prime Day vibes, you’re not mistaken. Last year, Amazon held a sale in October called Prime Early Access, which turned out to be quite similar to Prime Day itself. Although the name has changed to Big Deal Days, this sale bears all the hallmarks of a Prime Day 2023 sequel.

Prime Big Deal Days will kickstart the holiday shopping season, as deals seem to arrive earlier each year. This new sales event by Amazon will serve as an early opportunity to snag Black Friday 2023 deals.

It’s highly likely that Amazon won’t be the only retailer offering a wide range of deals on October 10-11. Competing retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target always hold their own sales during Amazon’s major events. Expect the same to happen during Big Deal Days, even though no rival sale has been announced yet.

Big Deal Days: Exclusively for Prime Members

Prime Big Deal Days will take place on October 10-11

Yes, just like Prime Day, Big Deal Days is reserved for Amazon Prime members. A Prime membership costs $15 per month or $139 per year. However, new subscribers can take advantage of a complimentary 30-day trial. Since the sale is within 30 days, you’ll be able to access all the official Big Deal Days offers without paying for a membership.

However, anyone who has ever shopped during Prime Day knows that there are always plenty of deals available on Amazon that don’t require a membership. This is because of the competing sales. Amazon often matches deals from rival sales without restricting them to Prime members. As a result, Amazon’s sales end up being even more extensive than advertised.

Furthermore, Amazon’s official deals will extend beyond the Amazon website this time. Prime members will have the opportunity to access the same deals directly from select manufacturers, including Targus and Wyze.

Early Deals for Big Deal Days

Expect Amazon Fire devices to take center stage during Big Deal Days

Most of the best Big Deal Days promotions won’t go live until October 10 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. However, it wouldn’t be an Amazon sales event without a selection of early offers. Amazon has already created a sales hub where early deals will be featured.

At the moment, there aren’t many deals available, but you can save on select Amazon Fire TVs and tablets, Bluetooth speakers, and smartwatches. Similar to Prime Day earlier this year, members can also request invitations to purchase specific products.

During the event, you can expect a diverse range of deals on gaming, tech, and entertainment products. These Amazon sales are always a treat for those looking to expand their game libraries for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X. It will also be an excellent opportunity to purchase gaming accessories such as controllers and headsets, as well as PC gaming hardware and gear.

How to Score a Free $15 Amazon Credit before Big Deal Days

Amazon is once again offering Prime members the chance to receive free credit to spend during Big Deal Days. All you need to do is download the Amazon Photos app and upload a picture by October 7. If you took advantage of this offer leading up to Prime Day, you won’t be eligible, but those who missed out have another opportunity.

Amazon is also running several other promotions in the weeks leading up to Big Deal Days. If you own an Amazon-branded credit card, you can receive 10% back on Amazon devices purchased between October 2-12.

If you’ve never subscribed to Amazon Music Unlimited, you can enjoy four months for free. Meanwhile, current subscribers can switch to a family plan for four months while paying the individual membership price.

Be sure to keep an eye on GameSpot’s deals hub, as we will be covering all things Prime Big Deal Days leading up to and during the sale.

The Xbox Series S is a fantastic console for individuals who are not overly concerned with 4K gaming, and currently, you have the opportunity to acquire the recently launched 1TB edition with a $100 gift voucher from Dell. Initially introduced in a white 512GB model, this new iteration of the Xbox Series S increases the storage capacity to 1TB and provides the console with a sleek new coat of Carbon Black paint.

Xbox Series S 1TB

Although it lacks the raw 4K graphical power of its larger sibling, the Xbox Series X, the Xbox Series S instead aims to deliver a gaming experience at 1080p and 1440p that comes close to the capabilities of the more advanced console. It is smaller, lightweight, and features the same high-speed SSD technology that significantly reduces loading times and enables the suspension of multiple games through the Quick Resume function. Additionally, it comes with an Xbox wireless controller, allowing you to start gaming right out of the box.

Combine it with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, and you have a fantastic little console that can access and store a surprisingly large number of games. With this deal, you also receive a $100 gift voucher that can be used in the Dell Store. You are free to spend it on a variety of items in the Dell Store, such as an additional controller for the Series S or a high-spec gaming headset, but there are also numerous recently released games available as digital codes.

We have reviewed the exclusions for promotional gift cards and did not find digital games listed, so it appears that you can use your gift card to purchase a couple of games once you receive it.

• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor — $70
• Street Fighter 6 — $60
• Immortals of Aveum — $70
• Diablo IV — $70
• Dead Island 2 — $70
• Dead Space — $70
• Cyberpunk 2077 — $60
• Resident Evil Village — $50
• Resident Evil 4 — $70
• WWE 2K23 — $70
• Evil West — $60
• Persona 5 Royal — $60
• Control: Ultimate Edition — $40
• Aliens: Dark Descent — $40

Princess Peach will take on the leading role in an upcoming Nintendo game after almost twenty years. Nintendo has fully unveiled Princess Peach’s diverse adventure during the latest Nintendo Direct. Princess Peach: Showtime will be available on Nintendo Switch starting from March 24, 2024. Preorders for Princess Peach: Showtime are now available at major retailers.

Princess Peach: Showtime preorder bonuses

Princess Peach: Showtime currently does not offer any official preorder bonuses. However, many first-party Nintendo games often come with retailer-exclusive bonuses. We will update this guide with any offers from major retailers like Walmart, GameStop, and Best Buy.

Princess Peach’s only desire is to enjoy her visit to the Sparkle Theater. However, the villainous Grape and the Sour Bunch have other plans. After Grape “steals the show,” Peach assists the Sparkle Theater guardian Stella by taking on various theatrical roles.

With each role being distinct from the last, Princess Peach: Showtime promises to offer a captivating gameplay experience. Players will see Peach transform into a classical swordfighter, a martial arts master, a pastry chef, and even a detective tasked with solving a museum mystery.

Discover the enchanting world of Disney Dreamlight Valley and unlock the highly sought after characters Belle and Beast from the beloved classic Beauty and the Beast. Prepare yourself for an exciting journey filled with tasks and quests that will lead you to these iconic Disney favorites.

Unleash the Magic: Unlocking Belle and Beast in Disney Dreamlight Valley

Embark on a thrilling adventure by heading to the Dream Castle and using 12,500 Dreamlight to open the Beauty and the Beast Realm. This will trigger the “Into the West Wing!” quest, where you’ll explore the captivating Realm. Follow the glowing book through the castle hallways until you find Belle in the library.

Belle will challenge you to collect five glowing books scattered around the library. Once you’ve gathered them, she’ll ask you to find a secret passage hidden near the rolling ladder in the corner of the room. But first, you must locate four ladder straps and two wheels within the library. These items can be easily found glowing on the ground or on tables. Use them to unlock the secret passage.

After speaking to Belle again, embark on a quest to find various items. Search the library for one Castle Candle and the Golden Curtain. In the courtyard, you’ll find another Castle Candle against the wall with the tools. Look for the Castle Candle Holder in a hallway near lion statues. Lastly, discover the final two Castle Candles–one near the piano in the main lobby and one inside the secret passage on a barrel.

Hand over all these items to Belle and receive the Candlestick Disguise. Equip the hat and costume, then venture through the secret passage to meet Beast. Afterward, return to Belle and seek out Merlin. Your next task is to craft the Enchanted Canvas. Gather the following materials:

• Softwood x12
• Fiber x8
• Dream Shard x4
• White Daisy x3
• Garnet x2

Present the Enchanted Canvas to Belle and follow her into the room where you first encountered Beast. Engage in a conversation and complete the “Into the West Wing” quest. However, your journey doesn’t end there. Speak to Beast to initiate the “A Prince in Disguise” quest.

Now, you must locate three key pieces. One can be found by digging near the rose bushes in the courtyard, another can be mined from one of the lion statues in the hallway, and the third can be obtained by using your watering can to extinguish the fire in the library fireplace.

Return to Beast and open the nearby chest to obtain the Enchanted Mirror. Speak to Beast once more, then venture into the valley to find the following items:

• Fiber x20
• Purple Falling Penstemon x3
• Empty Vial x1
• Feather from Scrooge McDuck

Craft Belle’s Book Kit and return to Beast. You’ll need to find three more items to assist him with his grooming. The Princely Cologne can be found on the table beside him, the Princely Shampoo is located behind the privacy wall on another table beside the bathtub, and the Brush is in the storage box near the doorway.

Once you’ve gathered these items, return them to Beast and follow him to the courtyard garden to witness his heartfelt apology. After all the running around, you can finally place Beast’s Castle in your valley by paying 20,000 gold to Scrooge McDuck for its construction. This will prompt Belle to join your valley as well.

Belle will give you a note to deliver to Beast. Deliver it, and he will instantly make his way to your valley!

For more tips and tricks on Disney Dreamlight Valley, visit our comprehensive guides hub.