The ROG Ally X Handheld Is A Mid-Gen Refresh
After the first two models of the ROG Ally released last year, Asus is ready to reveal the next iteration of the handheld PC gaming device. While the upcoming ROG Ally X isn’t a proper second generation for the handheld, the new model addresses much of the major feedback from the device’s early adopters.
While a ROG Ally 2 is on the cards at some point, Asus told The Verge, that’s not the plan for the Ally X, which is more of an optimized version of the original device–similar to a mid-gen refresh on a traditional console. Sporting the same chipset and screen as the original, the Ally X won’t see a substantial performance or quality boost over the base device, and instead will focus on quality-of-life improvements.
One of the main improvements is a bigger battery, as this was one of the main complaints players had about the original Ally. “We’re not looking at 30 to 40% more capacity,” Asus SVP Shawn Yen said about the improved device. “We’re looking at way more than that.”
The Ally X will also have more RAM, a longer SSD slot, and in general will be easier for consumers to repair and upgrade to their liking. The overall look and feel of the device will be slightly different–the larger battery will make it heavier, for one, with revised grips and tweaks to inputs including joysticks, D-pad, and triggers.
The motherboard layout will also be rearranged, which will hopefully put an end to thermal issues that saw the ROG Ally allegedly damaging SD cards–though Asus has still avoided admitting that the design was at fault to begin with.
“We don’t want people to think that’s what we had to do,” said senior product manager Gabriel Meng about moving the SD card reader. “We had to move things around the board to make them fit.”
The ROG Ally X is set to be formally announced on June 2, with a released planned for the second half of 2024. Asus has said that the various improvements to the device will increase its cost, warning that it will release at a higher price point than the $600 base model. The original ROG Ally will continue to be available after the X’s release.
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All The Best Deals In Samsung’s Discover Sales Event
Select Samsung products are on sale during the company’s week-long Discover Samsung Sales event, which kicked off today and runs through May 26. The online deals cover everything from TVs, smartphones, and PC monitors to microwaves, refrigerators, and more. Some notable price cuts include the 85-inch QE1C QLED 4K smart TV for $1,500 (normally $2,800), and the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 curved monitor for 1,200 (was $1,800). There are also special promo offers like bonus trade-in savings on Galaxy S24, Z Flip5, and Z Fold5 smartphones. Check out the list below for the full list of all the week-long deals in the Discover Samsung Sales event.
Most of the discounts in the Discover Samsung Sales event are available all week long (provided they don’t sell out), but there will also be a rotating batch of daily deals. Today’s limited-time offers include price drops on the 65-inch OLED S95C TV, a 32-inch M80C PC monitor bundle for 50% off, and fridges for up to $1,400 off, as well as special trade-in bonuses for unlocked Galaxy S24 Ultra phones that nets you a free storage upgrade and up to $750 in trade-in savings, plus a free pair of Galaxy Buds Pro2 wireless headphones.
Daily deals – Monday, May, 20
Be sure to check back on Samsung’s online store throughout the week to see what else crops up over the coming days.
Now let’s go over all the deals that are available for the duration of Samsung’s Discover Sales Event.
Galaxy smartphone deals
The smartphone deals aren’t specific price cuts, but rather limited-time boosts on trade-in value when you buy select Galaxy S24, Z Flip5, and Z Fold5 models. Samsung is also offering Galaxy a free bump to the next storage space capacity at no additional cost on Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ purchases, while the Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 come with digital gift cards when you activate them with your carrier.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra — Free storage upgrade and up to $750 off with trade-in.
- Galaxy S24+ — Free storage and screen protector upgrade, up to $600 off with trade-in.
- Galaxy Z Flip5 — Up to $500 off with trade-in. Free $75 digital gift card with carrier activation.
- Galaxy Z Fold5 — Up to $800 off with trade-in. Free $100 digital gift card with carrier activation.
Galaxy Book4 deals
Not only can you save a few hundred dollars on select Galaxy Book4 laptops with touchscrens, you can also boost your savings even more this week with an eligible trade-in. As an extra bonus, you also get a voucher for 67% off a portable 2TB SSD.
- Galaxy Book4 Ultra — $1,900 ($
2,4000) plus up to $600 extra savings with trade-in and 67% off 2TB SSD. - Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 — $1,400 ($
1,900) plus up to $500 extra saving with trade-in and 67% off 2TB SSD.
Galaxy Watch deals
Multiple Galaxy Watches from the Watch5 Watch6 lines are on sale in Samsung’s event.
Galaxy Buds deals
If you’re looking for a new set of wireless earphones, you can grab a pair Galaxy Buds2 Pros for as low as $180 with a qualifying trade-in deal.
TVs, projectors, and soundbar deals
Samsung’s Discover Sales Event is a great chance to upgrade your home theater. Quite a few of the company’s TVs are on sale, and in many cases you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on select models, like the 85-inch QE1C QLED 4K TV that’s down to $1,500 (normally $2,800). A couple of projectors are also on sale: the Freestyle Gen2 with Gaming Hub for $600 (was $800) and the Samsung Premiere projector for $5,300 (was $8,000). Buying the premiere also gets you a $1,000-off coupon on a rollable screen.
If you’re thinking of upgrading your home theater’s audio, the Q990C wireless soundbar with Dolby Atmos is down to $1,400 (was $1,900). You can also get a free HW-Q60C soundbar (normally $600) and free TV mounting service when you buy a 98-inch Samsung DU900 Crystal UHD TV for $3,700 (was $4,000).
- 85-inch QE1C QLED 4K TV — $1,500 ($
2,800) - OLED S90C TVs — Save up to $1,900 on select models
- OLED S95C TVs — Save up to $1,300 on select models
- Neo QLED 4k TVs — Save up to $2,400 on select models
- Neo QLED 8k TVs — Save up to $3,000 on select models
- 98-inch Q80C QLED 4K TV — $5,000 (
$8,000) plus free TV mounting ($120 value) - The Terrace — Save up to $1,000 and get free mounting
- The Frame — Save up to $500 on select models
- The Serif — Save up to $400 on select models
- The Sero — $1,300 ($1,500)
- 98-inch Crystal DU900 UHD TV — $3,800 plus get a free HW-Q60C soundbar and TV mounting service with purchase (total value: $4,720).
- Q990C Wireless Soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $1,400 ($
1,900) - Q600C Wireless Soundbar with Dolby Atmos — $$480 ($
600) - The Freestyle Gen 2 projector with Gaming Hub — $600 ($
800) - The Premiere projector — $5,300 ($
6,500) plus save $1,000 on rollable screen
PC Monitor deals
The Samsung display deals don’t stop with TVs–many PC monitors are also discounted, notably the 55-inch Odyssey Ark Gen 2 for $1800 (was $3000) and the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 curved monitor for $1,200 (was $1,800). The most affordable option is the 49-inch Odyssey G95C gaming monitor, which is on sale for $800. Check out the links below for several more discounted models.
Appliances and more
While the mobile devices, displays, and home audio gear are probably the most exciting deals, the Discover Samsung sales event also includes steep discounts on the manufacturer’s wide range of appliances and home equipment. Check the links below for all the week-long deals on vacuums, refrigerators, washing machines, and more.
- Jet 75+ Cordless Stick Vacuum — $350 ($
500) - Jet 75 Cordless Stick Vacuum — $280 ($
400) - Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum with Object Recognition — $1000 ($
1300) - Jet 60 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum — $250 ($
330) - Smart Electric Dryer with Sensor Dry — $650 ($
1,000) - Large Capacity Smart Front Load Washer with Super Speed Wash — $679 ($
1,150) - Smart Electric Dryer with Steam Sanitize+ — $800 ($
1,200) - Smart Gas Dryer with Sensor Dry — $750 ($
1,100) - Bespoke Electric Dryers — Save up to $450 on select models
- Bespoke Gas Dryers — Save up to $450 on select models
- Bespoke AI Laundry Hub — Save up to $1,100 on select models
- Bespoke Ultra Capacity Front Load Washers — Save up to $450 on select models
- AutoRelease Smart 42dBA Dishwasher with StormWash+ and Smart Dry — $749 ($
1,200) - Fingerprint Resistant 53 dBA Dishwasher with Height-Adjustable Rack in Stainless Steel — $399 ($
649) - Bespoke Smart 42dBA Dishwasher with StormWash+ and Smart Dry — $780 ($1,300)
- Over-Range Microwaves — Save up to $170 on select models
- Bespoke Over-the-Range Microwaves — Save up to $230
- Bespoke Ranges — Save up to $900 on select models
- Smart Ranges — Save up to $750 on select models
- 36-inch Bespoke 4 Door French Door Refrigerator with Beverage Center — $2,100 ($
3,500) - Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator (23 cu. ft.) with Customizable Door Panel Colors and Beverage Center — $2,100 ($
3,500) - Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator (29 cu. ft.) with Beverage Center — $2,000 ($
3,400)
Killing Floor 3 Gets First Dev Diary For The Franchise’s 15th Anniversary
It’s been 15 years since a tiny team of modders first released Killing Floor, kickstarting the popular, blood-soaked horror franchise. Now, the game’s veteran devs have dished on the upcoming Killing Floor 3, discussing just how much has changed at studio Tripwire Interactive in those 15 years.
In the developer-diary video, some of Tripwire’s veteran devs reminisce on the history of the Killing Floor franchise, from its origins with a tiny team creating on a restrictive schedule and budget, to the increased size and scope of Killing Floor 2.
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When it came to creating the third game in the franchise, the developers are looking to find the perfect balance between old and new. “I knew I wanted it to return to [Killing Floor 1’s] level of horror, have some cult elements, but become a little more mainstream,” said studio creative director Bryan Wynia, who only joined Tripwire after the release of Killing Floor 2, but has been a fan of the franchise for a lot longer.
Wynia briefly touches on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Killing Floor 3 development process–though in this case it actually turned into an unexpected positive. With the entire studio switching to remote work, it meant Tripwire could now “open the floodgates to people that wanted to be part of the team.”
At that point in development, the Tripwire team was working on early concepts for Killing Floor 3, experimenting with fun new ways the game could play. While early prototypes for the game were just rough, greyboxed levels, it was enough for the team to get a feel for what Killing Floor 3’s gruesome reveal trailer might look like when it was ready to reveal it last year.
“It’s been 10 years [since Killing Floor 2]; let’s step the game right up and give people some new challenges,” Tripwire VP Alan Wilson concludes in the anniversary video, which shows off plenty of footage of the new sequel in development.
Killing Floor 3 is set in the year 2091, 70 years after the events of Killing Floor 2. Taking the role of an operative from rebel group Nightfall, the player can join up to five teammates in their fight against megacorp Horzine and its army of obedient bio-engineered monstrosities called Zeds.
Outfit The ROG Ally With A Slick Set Of New Accessories From Dbrand.
Gaming peripherals manufacturer Dbrand has announced new gear for the ROG Ally, which it’s calling Project Killswitch. This is a new grip for the handheld gaming PC that adds a more ergonomic design and extra durability, as well as a kickstand and optional parts like grippy thumbstick covers, travel cover, and a tempered glass screen protector.
Essentially, this is a comprehensive collection of gear to make playing your ROG Ally more comfortable while also keeping it protected.
Priced at $60 for the essentials kit–or “0.0000000085642857% of the annual defense budget,” according to Dbrand’s math–and $75 for the travel kit, this bundle also includes an optional skin for customization.
The screen protector can also be added to either bundle for $20 extra. Dbrand says the cover has a precise fit over an ROG Ally, and the kickstand comes with built-in microSD card storage. This isn’t the first time the company has made cases, as it has a line of Steam Deck accessories available as well. If you prefer console gaming, the Darkplates for PS5 consoles are also pretty great.
Now could be a good time to consider getting an ROG Ally, as with a mid-gen refresh on the horizon, prices could drop soon. The system is a pretty powerful machine–especially if you opt for the Z1 Extreme version–and can handle demanding games relatively well.
It also has a sharp 120Hz screen, 512GB of internal storage, and since it runs on Windows you can install games from a variety of storefronts on it. It doesn’t have the best battery life, and there have been reports of it ejecting microSD cards, but overall this is a good alternative to the Steam Deck.
Currently, Best Buy is offering the entry-level Asus ROG Ally Z1 for $500, while the higher-spec ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is priced at $700.
GTA 6 Release Date Now Set For Fall 2025
Big news for Grand Theft Auto VI today, as Take-Two has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will be released in Fall 2025. Previously, the game was targeting a release at some unspecified point in the year. This could be a delay for GTA VI, as Take-Two had previously indicated a release earlier in 2025.
“Our outlook reflects a narrowing of Rockstar Games’ previously established window of Calendar 2025 to Fall of Calendar 2025 for Grand Theft Auto VI,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “We are highly confident that Rockstar Games will deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience, and our expectations for the commercial impact of the title continue to increase.”
Pretty much every Rockstar Games release in the past decade has been delayed beyond its original date, so fans hoping to play GTA VI in Fall 2025 might want to emotionally prepare themselves for a potential delay.
GTA VI is reportedly now in the final stages of development. Rockstar Games required most staffers to return to the office beginning April 15 to finish the game and to help prevent leaks. Not all Rockstar workers are happy about this, though, as some say the return-to-office mandate removes a lifeline.
GTA VI is in development at Rockstar North in Edinburgh, Scotland, with Rockstar’s teams around the world supporting the game’s development. Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two has said the developer is seeking “perfection.”
In other news, prolific voice actor Troy Baker recently confirmed he is not voicing the male lead in GTA VI.
Rockstar parent company Take-Two recently announced a cost-cutting plan that resulted in hundreds of layoffs and multiple game cancellations. The games industry at large has seen huge numbers of layoffs so far in 2024.
CoD: Warzone And MW3 Season 4 Confirms The Return Of Iconic Rifle
Activision has released a new teaser trailer for the upcoming Season 4 update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone. The season is confirmed for May 29, and the big update brings the return of Warzone’s popular Kar98k bolt-action rifle.
The brief video clip doesn’t give much away, with quick images of clocks, timers, and keypads. These teasers could be referring to the bunkers in Warzone, which haven’t been unlocked yet, and they could be preparing to open in Season 4. The images could also be teasing an upcoming reveal for Call of Duty 2024. The new game reveal may or may not be tied to the Warzone bunkers, which is something we’ve seen in the past with Call of Duty in-game reveal events.
In addition to the Season 4 clip, Activision also sent packages to Call of Duty influencers that contained teasers to reveal the popular Kar98k rifle is returning. It’s uncertain if this will be the marksman-rifle version seen in Modern Warfare 2019 or Call of Duty: Vanguard’s sniper-rifle version, but it was described in the teasers as being a bolt-action rifle, which makes sense, seeing as it’s a real weapon used by Germany in WW2.
More details will likely arrive in the coming days leading up to Season 4’s launch. In other Call of Duty news, Warzone’s recent update has added a secret “Sally” pistol weapon blueprint, which seems to be teasing Treyarch’s rumored Black Ops 6.
CoD: Warzone: How To Unlock The Black Ops 6 “Sally” Weapon Blueprint
The latest update to Warzone seems to have slipped in a secret weapon blueprint that teases this year’s upcoming Call of Duty game, which is rumored to be Treyarch’s Black Ops 6. Here we’ll explain how you can unlock the “Sally” weapon blueprint for the 9mm Daemon.
The Sally weapon blueprint explained
The Sally weapon blueprint is an akimbo version of the 9mm Daemon pistol, and the cosmetic is skinned to look like the iconic pistols from the cover of 2010’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. In Black Ops 1’s Zombies mode, the M1911 starter pistol could also be Pack-a-Punched to become the powerful “Mustang and Sally” akimbo variant.
Treyarch has tweeted a response to a player’s mention of Warzone’s secret weapon blueprint, so it is very likely a purposeful tease of their upcoming title.
How to get the Sally weapon blueprint
To unlock the Sally blueprint, you’ll need to find the 9mm Daemon in a match of Warzone and get a kill with the gun. Getting your first kill with the pistol will complete the secret challenge called “She Never Lets Me Down,” and the blueprint will be available for use in both MW3 and Warzone.
This will only unlock the Sally blueprint for whoever picks it up and gets a kill with it, but after you or a teammate unlocks the weapon, it can then be dropped mid-match for any remaining teammates to try and unlock the blueprint for themselves.
The 9mm Daemon is very rare ground loot that can reportedly be found across various modes in standard battle royale and Resurgence. This gun can be found as loot on the ground or scavenged from supply boxes.
Some players claim that the spawn rates are better in Warzone’s Fully Loaded LTM for Rebirth Island, but there don’t seem to be any guaranteed spawn locations for the 9mm Daemon.
For more on Warzone, make sure to check out our full guide for completing Rebirth Island’s Champion’s Quest nuke challenge. Here’s how you can get Season 3’s “Redacted” weapon blueprint in Warzone.