Category: Uncategorized

**Post-Cyber Week Offers: Massive Discounts Still Accessible**

Cyber Monday and Black Friday may have passed, yet numerous retailers persist in providing considerable price cuts on a wide range of items. If you overlooked the chance to purchase a new laptop, smartphone, kitchen gadget, or subscription, chances to save remain very much active.

Among the merchants still presenting great deals, Stacksocial shines with its impressive post-Cyber Week savings. One of the standout offers is a lifetime license for the 2021 Microsoft Office Professional for Windows, available at a striking 84% discount. This reduces the cost from $220 to merely $35. However, this deal is moving fast, so it’s wise to act swiftly before it vanishes.

[See at StackSocial](https://shop.kotaku.com/go/4845/)

### Perfect for Students and Professionals

Buying this license means it will be associated with your device instead of your Microsoft account. After finishing your purchase, you will receive an activation code via email along with installation guidelines. It’s crucial to set up the software within a week as the license will expire if not activated. Before moving forward, confirm your system meets the requisite specifications: Windows 10 or 11, a minimum of 1GB RAM, 4GB of available hard disk space, and a monitor resolution of 1280×800 or greater. Most contemporary devices will satisfy these criteria, but a quick verification is advisable.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 encompasses vital applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (free edition), OneNote, Publisher, and Access. These tools are crafted for both professional and personal tasks. Word streamlines document creation and editing, Excel aids in data management, PowerPoint supports compelling presentations, Teams is ideal for online meetings, and Outlook acts as a professional email and scheduling tool. OneNote improves note-taking and project organization.

For students, these applications are essential for coursework and collaboration projects, while professionals can leverage them for deadline management, presentations, and efficient email handling. Regularly priced around $220, this deal provides a fantastic opportunity to secure all these features for just $35—a savings of $185. It’s crucial to emphasize that this is a one-time purchase, unlike Microsoft 365, which operates on a subscription model that provides access to the newest applications across multiple devices.

Ensure you redeem your activation code within seven days of purchase to maintain its validity. Furthermore, this timeframe represents an excellent opportunity to explore additional discounted subscriptions. Stacksocial is also providing substantial discounts on Windows 11 Home and Pro versions. Given the limited supply, prompt orders are advised.

[See at StackSocial](https://shop.kotaku.com/go/4845/)

I’m trying something new for this year’s Black Friday coverage: drastically overestimating how long it would take to put together a guide to its best graphics card deals. How is it past 11 already. Still, I do hope this helps any potential upgrader or from-scratch DIY builder out there – GPUs haven’t been ‘cheap’ in years, and while RAM is currently doing its best to replace them as the most overpriced component type in PCdom, graphics cards are usually in drastic need of discounts. Just as, like, their default state of being.

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Good morning. I have some exciting news for you. Today, indeed today, is Friday. Inform everyone you know. Spread the information. Friday is back, folks. And on this splendid Friday, I happily present to you the most recent edition of Morning Checkpoint, *Kotaku’s* daily compilation of video game news and other topics you may find interesting. Today, we explore what happened to an excellent *Black Ops 7* map, discover why *Hytale* is not launching on Steam, and contemplate high console prices.

### Used Xbox consoles are fetching some outrageous prices

Over on Reddit, individuals are shaking their heads in astonishment at the current state of used gaming console prices. In 2025, Microsoft is offering refurbished Xbox Series X consoles for $550. In 2020, I purchased an Xbox Series X at launch for $500. Microsoft is also selling pre-owned Xbox Series S consoles for $330. At launch, the smaller console was only $300, and you could frequently grab it for less if you could find a bargain.

These prices are ludicrous, yet not surprising given how costly consoles are in 2025, due to various factors such as tariffs, inflation, AI affecting demand, and every company aiming to increase profits. Regardless of the reasons for the high prices, it’s unfortunate that this is the first console generation where PlayStation and Xbox systems are pricier five years after their initial release. Moreover, prices are expected to continue rising for both new and used consoles. I can hardly wait to take out a small bank loan to afford a PlayStation 6.

### A well-liked *CoD: Black Ops 7* map has been inexplicably taken down

*Call of Duty: Black Ops 7*’s first season is currently live, and while it has introduced a plethora of new content to the online FPS, it has also removed something: the beloved Blackheart map. This was one of the original maps launched with *Black Ops 7* and rapidly became one of its most favored. But it’s gone now. Activision states it was removed “temporarily” from both private and public map pools as they investigate a vaguely mentioned “issue.” The map will return in a future, but-as-yet-undetermined update.

> 📢 Call of Duty: #BlackOps7
> Blackheart has been temporarily taken out from both Public and Private map pools while we look into an issue. It will make a comeback in an upcoming update.
> Details: [link](https://t.co/rmpoklhguD)

### Recently identified fish species receives *Dragon Ball*-inspired name

As noted by *Dexerto*, a recent discovery of a small fish was made deep in the ocean near an island off the coast of Japan. And, probably due to its vivid yellow markings across its body, the fish has been assigned the scientific name Vanderhorstia Supersaiyan. Indeed, this is a *Dragon Ball Z* fish. You can find further details about the fish [here](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10228-025-01047-6).

### Newly revived *Hytale* won’t launch on Steam

Earlier this year, *Minecraft*-inspired survival game *Hytale* was canceled by Riot Games. Then, in November, the original creator of the project managed to negotiate the rights back for the game, and now *Hytale* is back in development with some of the team that was previously working on it before it was shelved. However, when it launches in early access, you won’t be able to find it on Steam.

As detailed in a new FAQ on the game’s website, the developers plan to steer clear of Steam for a while to concentrate on its current community and enhance the game instead of pursuing “a surge of cold first impressions that could misdirect the game’s progress.” The post clarifies that the team is not trying to avoid “bad reviews,” but I imagine that’s part of the rationale for the team’s decision to stay away from Steam until the game reaches an acceptable state. A game on Steam with negative or mixed reviews can be tough to recover from. I’m curious to see if more teams choose this approach.

### ICYMI:

### Watch This:

I will begrudgingly accept that Black Friday, bleak as it is to anyone who didn’t grow up with framed spreadsheets above their beds, is at least a good opportunity to pick up dirt-cheap PC storage. Case in point, today’s sales include some nice, sharp slashings on some of the best Steam Deck microSD cards.

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**Comprehending the Repercussions of *Postal: Bullet Paradise*: An Examination of Gaming Reactions**

The *Postal* series, famous for its lewd humor and contentious themes, has encountered considerable criticism lately following the announcement and swift cancellation of its latest installment, *Postal: Bullet Paradise*. This article explores the scenarios surrounding this recent event, the characteristics of the backlash, and the consequences for the future of the *Postal* franchise.

### Overview of the *Postal* Series

Developed by Running With Scissors (RWS), the *Postal* franchise has been linked to shock appeal and socially incorrect humor for many years. The initial game, launched in 1997, established the foundation for the series with its darkly comedic storyline featuring a postal worker embarking on a violent spree. Despite its provocative themes, the game faced commercial challenges, ultimately leading RWS to consider diverse development strategies, including collaborating with other studios.

Throughout the past twenty years, the *Postal* series has undergone several iterations, experiencing various levels of success. The latest release before *Bullet Paradise*, *Postal 4: No Regrets*, was launched in 2022 with the aim of revitalizing the franchise’s image. Nevertheless, it too received mixed reviews and raised concerns regarding the brand’s sustainability.

### The Revelation of *Postal: Bullet Paradise*

On December 3, 2025, RWS unveiled *Postal: Bullet Paradise*, a spin-off designed to reflect popular games like *Vampire Survivors* and incorporate a co-op bullet-hell gaming experience. The announcement was met with the usual blend of enthusiasm and doubt from the *Postal* community, but a more troubling sentiment soon surfaced concerning the game’s development.

### The Backlash Regarding AI Implementation

Fewer than 48 hours post-announcement, *Postal: Bullet Paradise* was met with a significant backlash largely due to claims related to the use of AI-generated assets during its creation. Members of the gaming community voiced their worries on platforms such as Reddit, asserting that the pixel art and assets featured in the trailer seemed to be AI-generated. Detractors contended that this constituted a betrayal of the artistic standards that RWS had historically defended.

The backlash compelled RWS to release a public statement recognizing the issues brought forth by fans. The company expressed regret, asserting that the incorporation of AI materials severely harmed the brand’s image, leading to the game’s cancellation. “Our confidence in the development team has been shattered,” the statement remarked, highlighting a dedication to transparency with their audience.

### Consequences of the AI Backlash

The rapid backlash against *Postal: Bullet Paradise* prompts significant inquiries about the future of game development, especially regarding the integration of artificial intelligence. Ironically, RWS had recently criticized industry leaders championing AI in game creation, underlining the inconsistencies and complexities in their perspective on creativity versus technology.

The cancellation of *Bullet Paradise* acts as a cautionary example for game developers regarding the possible ramifications of employing AI-generated content without clear communication to the fans. The incident highlights the increasing viewpoint among gamers that artistry and creativity should dominate game design, resisting the impersonal aspect of AI-generated creations.

### Conclusion: The Path Ahead for the *Postal* Franchise

As the *Postal* series strives to define its place in a changing gaming environment, the halt of *Postal: Bullet Paradise* sent shockwaves through the community. With stark reminders of historical controversies and evident pushback against contemporary development trends, RWS faces a challenging road in regaining player confidence.

Looking ahead, achieving a balance between innovation and artistic integrity will be crucial for the series. The gaming industry will be observing closely to see how Running With Scissors navigates this intricate landscape, as the future of *Postal* hangs in an increasingly fragile balance.

Pre-release builds of Fallout: New Vegas recently unearthed at a shop in Utah contain rare files which could be “incredibly useful” to expanding what modders can do with the RPG. Well, at least they doe in the estimation of the folks who claim to have found them, a group of preservationists whose current online presence only looks to have popped up last month.

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Of the numerous progression routes available in the extraction shooter *Arc Raiders*, blueprints rank among the most fulfilling. They enhance your weapon arsenal by enabling the creation of a variety of new weapons, gun modifications, grenades, and other items. Upon reaching the maximum level, completing all your quests (many of which reward you with blueprints!), and finishing the expedition project, the real end-game grind involves collecting blueprints.

However, locating blueprints can be quite challenging. Aside from the ones received for quest completions, most players find blueprints sporadically, with little explanation as to why they appear in specific locations.

Based on my extensive gameplay experience, obtaining blueprints consistently proves more difficult than acquiring other types of loot, which are usually situated in designated environmental categories. The loot system genuinely feels random.

Nevertheless, there are effective strategies to boost your likelihood of discovering new blueprints. Let’s delve into it.

### Blueprint hunting? Focus on Night and Electromagnetic Storm Raids

The five distinct maps in *Arc Raiders* feature a regular schedule of activities, including Night Raids, intense lightning storm raids, and the Spaceport’s unique Hidden Bunker event. These activities present fewer extraction points and more hazardous environmental conditions than regular missions.

In my experience, however, participating in these activities significantly enhances your chances of finding blueprints. Additionally, engaging in activities like Night Raids will double the trial points awarded for completing certain tasks, and it’s quite common to receive a blueprint by finishing a trial.

These activities can be perilous, so it’s best to approach them well-prepared or with minimal valuables. Deciding whether to bring your prized weapons or to limit your risk is up to you, but one thing I’ve learned from tackling Night Raids and similar activities is to steer clear of using a Free Loadout whenever feasible.

### Avoid Free Loadouts when searching for blueprints

Free Loadouts are fantastic. They provide a quick way to acclimate without significant risk. However, they lack a safe pocket, which permits you to securely store a single item (that isn’t a weapon or shield) that remains protected even if you fail to extract with it.

Thus, while heading into a Night Raid with a Free Loadout puts you in a position with nothing to lose and everything to gain, securing a blueprint during the run won’t benefit you if you are eliminated without a means to safeguard that item. By the time you start grinding for blueprints and navigating tougher map conditions, you should have sufficient loot to at least assemble a basic loadout with an augment that includes a safe pocket.

Keep in mind, you can always swap a Free Loadout augment for any of the initial augments from Lance in the Traders section of the main menu.

Once you obtain a blueprint, immediately place it in your safe pocket. Don’t take unnecessary risks.

### Now that you have a safe pocket for blueprints, where should you search?

A blueprint might be concealed in a random car hood in a parking lot. It could be discovered in a trash bin hidden away in an alley. Their locations are exceedingly unpredictable, making it challenging to foresee where one might turn up.

For that reason, you should prioritize areas with an abundance of loot containers, particularly office buildings with numerous desk drawers, lockers, and cabinets to search through.

From my experience, it’s not necessarily that specific items like desk drawers and lockers have a higher probability of containing a blueprint, but rather that in a room filled with them, you’re simply opening a greater number of containers, thus increasing your chances of finding a blueprint through sheer volume. Think of them as loot boxes (that don’t cost anything). Do you wish to open one or two, hoping to find something valuable? Or would you prefer to sift through a dozen?

I suggest exploring these locations, as they are brimming with lockers and drawers:

#### Spaceport
– Arrival Building
– Departure Building
– Control Tower A6

#### Dam Battlegrounds
– Research & Administration
– Control Tower
– Testing Annex

#### Buried City
– Plaza Rosa (particularly the locked pharmacy)
– Library
– Space Travel
– Research
– Hospital

As for the remaining two maps, you can indeed discover blueprints there, but based on my knowledge, Blue Gate lacks as many office suites filled with numerous drawers to enhance your chances. However, the Reinforced Reception area is fairly good, though it’s likely to be crowded with other players due to the excellent weaponry found there.

Similarly, Stella Montis, the smallest map in the game, has quickly gained a reputation for being tumultuous. It’s essentially

Rejoice, those with nimble wrists or heightened gravity anomalies localised on top of their desks. Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight 2 gaming mouse, which for my money is the finest ultra-lightweight mouse in existence, is getting cut down in the Black Friday sales – so for your money, it’s down from an admittedly ambitious £149/$180 to a far more reasonable £104/$130.

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**Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and the Switch 2’s 120FPS Innovation**

Nintendo’s newest installment, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, has captured interest not only for its gameplay but also for its remarkable technical enhancements, especially its capability for 120 frames per second (FPS) on the forthcoming Switch 2 console. This represents a significant achievement as it becomes the premier major Nintendo-published game to deliver a genuine 120FPS experience, establishing a new standard for performance in first-party games.

Upon starting *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, players are immediately given the option to select between two performance settings: a 4K resolution at 60FPS or a 1080p resolution at 120FPS. Players have noted that although the 60FPS setting is visually striking and provides crisp graphics, the 120FPS mode offers an exceptionally smooth gaming experience. The distinction is especially apparent during combat, platforming, and vehicular sections of the gameplay.

Initial reactions to the game imply that the opening sequences might feel lackluster; however, many players have discovered that the pace accelerates considerably as they move beyond the initial levels, particularly upon reaching the Volt Forge area. The game’s performance mode has received praise for its reliability; players have reported minimal frame rate drops, which generally surfaced only in larger open-world segments of the game.

While the transition to a high frame rate is thrilling, sharing gameplay clips at 120FPS can present challenges. Platforms such as YouTube impose restrictions on the playback of high-frame-rate content depending on user devices. Still, both players and reviewers advocate for the improved experience, highlighting how the fluidity enhances overall enjoyment and immersion in the game.

The addition of 120FPS support in *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* sparks optimism for future Nintendo releases, as fans eagerly await similar enhancements from franchises like *Mario* and *F-Zero*. The demand for elevated visuals and performance in Nintendo titles has been a long-held expectation, and the success of this title indicates that Nintendo might continue to pursue higher frame rates in forthcoming games.

In summary, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* demonstrates how Nintendo is starting to adopt contemporary technological trends that elevate user experience. With the outstanding 120FPS performance now incorporated into a cherished franchise, players can anticipate future games that expand upon this foundation, potentially reshaping the gaming landscape on Nintendo consoles.

I, erm, write about the Steam Deck a lot, and keen eyed readers may have spotted a recurring theme among the accompanying photographs: a lurking Ugreen logo. That’s the Ugreen 9-in-1 Steam Deck Dock, aND what it lacks in sexy naming, it makes up for by being just the nicest little stand/port extender combo that a handheld PC could ask for. It’s also a mere £36/$40 on Black Friday, up to a third off its usual price.

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