Gaming

Three new that Google announced earlier this year have reportedly started rolling out on Android. The tools — Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock and Remote Lock — are aimed at giving users a way to quickly lock down their devices if they’ve been swiped, so thieves can’t access any sensitive information. Android reporter shared on social media that the first two tools had popped up on a Xiaomi 14T Pro, and said some Pixel users have started seeing Remote Lock.

Theft Detection Lock is triggered by the literal act of snatching. The company said in May that the feature “uses Google AI to sense if someone snatches your phone from your hand and tries to run, bike or drive away.” In such a scenario, it’ll lock the phone’s screen.

Offline Device Lock, on the other hand, can automatically lock the screen after a thief has disconnected the phone from the internet. You can already remotely lock your phone with Google’s Find My Device, but the third feature, Remote Lock, lets you do so without having to scramble to figure out your Google account password. All you’d need for this is “your phone number and a quick security challenge using any device.”

Valorant is right now one of the most-played gaming titles in the world. Released in 2020, this game has garnered a huge fanbase. Its unique and intricate maps, team-based tactical gameplay, and superb optimization on any system made this game a world-beater.

This game is always busy bringing much-needed updates along with new content like agents and maps. However, as things stand, we are going to get a bigger upgrade, which the game has never received. The closest competitor of this Riot shooter also tried an overhaul upgrade but failed miserably. Is that going to happen with it as well?

Since its release, Valorant has been dominating the scene on Unreal Engine 4. Now, after quite a successful period, Riot Games has decided that the game will be shifted to Unreal Engine 5.

This decision might be about ensuring a safe future for the game, as most of the titles these days are built on UE5. Recently, the Senior Vice President and Head of Valorant Studios, Anna Donlan, has recently confirmed the game’s shifting to UE5. She stated:

She has also said that this upgrade is not going to be an easy one as it will take a lot of effort to put this overhaul change in the game as this is a live-service title. This upgrade is not going to change the looks or gameplay of the game immediately. This shift is more of a future enhancement rather than an immediate transformation.

Putting the game in UE5 will give the developers more space, freedom, and opportunity, as well as better tools to develop and experiment. However, we are yet to witness the actual potential of UE5 in the game or any confirmed date from Riot Games.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive can easily be regarded as the most popular title of this generation. The craze regarding the game was unmatched until the biggest upgrade in Counter-Strike history surfaced. On September 27, 2023, Counter-Strike 2 was released, which was a huge technical leap from CS: GO.

From new smoke mechanics to a complete UI overhaul, from upgraded maps to new models and cosmetics, the updated game has it all. But the biggest change in the new game has to be its shift from the aging Source Engine to the more contemporary Source 2. However, things didn’t go as they were supposed to.

The game deteriorated heavily after this overhaul upgrade, with hoards of bugs and glitches. There was one bug in the game that even restricted players from scoping in. The new game was poorly optimized, with movement feeling awfully slow and constrictive. 

Valorant is slowly beginning its new chapter. We just hope it doesn’t follow the same path that led to Counter-Strike‘s downfall. What’s your opinion on this? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

The Helldivers 2 community is currently determined to liberate planet Imber of the Talus sector, however, fighting on this planet is completely different from any other planet. Fighting Automatons is already a tough task but on top of this, the scorching temperature, high winds and low precipitation on this planet has forced Helldivers to compare it with hell.

Many players have shared their clips of fighting on this planet and on higher difficulty level, things get very chaotic. Some players even believe that bots are much more aggressive on this planet. This is exactly what the community was waiting for and with all the improvements to Stratagems and weapons, the overall gaming experience has become much more exciting.

⛶

⛶

Commit these weak points to heart to have an easier time.

⛶

⛶

⛶

The focus is currently on planet Imber of Talus sector as Helldivers 2 players are giving their best to liberate this planet from Automaton control, but the extremely high temperate and fire tornadoes have made things much more difficult. A player shared a chaotic clip of their battle on this planet, and as a result, the community is comparing it to hell.

You don’t just dive Imber, you live it
byu/Busy_Decision_9102 inhelldivers2

There is a way to make things easier but it requires players to purchase the Freedom’s Flame Premium Warbond. Ths Warbond contains armors like I-09 Heatseeker and I-102 Draconaught that provide 75% damage resistance to fire, so players will have some protection from the fire tornadoes.

The chaos and explosions are not everyone’s cup of tea but these are the things that made Helldivers 2 popular in the first place. Obviously, players who find it difficult to fight Automatons can lower the difficulty and still contribute to the liberation of Imber. Things will get far more chaotic when Arrowhead releases one terrifying Automaton unit that was recently found in the game’s files.

Due to pressure from the community, Arrowhead decided to scrap its original strategy and decided to improve the game using players’ feedback. So far, many Stratagems and weapons like Flamethrower, Railgun and Breaker shotgun have been improved but this is just the beginning as the studio has some big plans for the future.

For many months, players have been waiting for the game’s third rumored faciton, the Illuminate. This super-advanced alien faction was a part of the first Helldivers game, but so far, players have not come across this faction in Helldivers 2. With a black hole formed in the place of Meridia, players strongly believe that it has something to do with the Illuminate. Now is the best time to introduce this faction as the game has become relevant again but it still needs some new content.

Do you think Arrowhead Game Studios is heading down the right path? Share your views in the comments!

The latest Major Order in Helldivers 2 has the community both thrilled and agitated. Arrowhead Game Studios has once again upped the ante, challenging players to liberate the planet Claorell from the clutches of the Automatons in order to advance Super Earth’s plans for the Democracy Space Station.

But as any seasoned diver knows, the path to victory is rarely straightforward!

To even reach Claorell, players must first conquer the planet Imber, a fiery hellscape ravaged by deadly fire tornadoes. It’s a daunting task, but fear not, brave Helldivers! With the right equipment and a little bit of know-how, you’ll be spreading democracy across the galaxy in no time.

So, what’s the secret weapon in your arsenal for this Helldivers 2 Major Order? Look no further than the Freedom’s Flame Premium Warbond. This fiery-themed content pack, available for purchase with Super Credits, contains a selection of weapons and gear that will make your life on Imber a whole lot easier.

But the real star of the show? The armor sets! Freedom’s Flame includes two body armor, each with a unique passive ability that could mean the difference between victory and defeat. The I-09 Heatseeker Light Armor and the I-102 Draconaught Medium Armor both come equipped with the “Inflammable” passive (nice one, Arrowhead), which provides a whopping 75% damage resistance to fire.

That’s right, you read that correctly. 75% damage resistance to fire. On a planet plagued by fire tornadoes. It’s almost as if Arrowhead knew exactly what “Game Master” Joel had in store for us and decided to throw us a bone ahead of time. Or, more precisely, a very stylish and functional set of armor.

Of course, the armor alone won’t guarantee success. You’ll still need to coordinate with your fellow Helldivers, make strategic use of your weapons and stratagems, and pray to the RNG gods that a teammate doesn’t accidentally call down a supply drop on your own head.

But with the Freedom’s Flame armor equipped, you’ll be able to face those fire tornadoes with a little more confidence and a lot more style.

So, what’s next for the Super Earth’s finest? Once Imber is secured and the path to Claorell is open, the real work begins. The Automatons won’t give up their deep-mantle mining complex without a fight, and you can bet they’ll have plenty of surprises in store for us.

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from our time in Arrowhead‘s hugely popular sci-fi space shooter, it’s that this community is more than up to the challenge. With each new Major Order, we’ve seen players come together, strategize, and ultimately triumph in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

And with the help of gear like the Freedom’s Flame armor, we’ll be ready to take on whatever the Automatons throw at us next.

So gear up, Helldivers. The fight for Claorell is just beginning, and we’ve got a whole galaxy to liberate. And soon, an entire new alien faction to welcome back. But, for now, let’s show those Automatons what happens when you mess with Super Earth!

What’s your go-to loadout for taking on the Automatons? Have you had a chance to try out the Freedom’s Flame armor yet? Share your tips and stories in the comments below, and let’s keep spreading the word of democracy, one planet at a time!

Dragon Ball Super’s Limited-Edition Steelbook Collection is on sale for a huge 40% discount on the Crunchyroll Store, dropping the price to $120. First released in 2022 and reprinted earlier this year, this premium gift set is arguably the best Dragon Ball Blu-ray set thus far. You’re saving 40% with this deal; Dragon Ball Super: The Complete Series normally sells for $200, and discounts are exceedingly rare. This is one of the most notable offers in Crunchyroll’s new Treat Yo’ Shelf Sale.

$120 (was $200)

The entire Dragon Ball Super arc is collected across 20 discs, two in each steelbook case. That’s right, this gift set comes with 10 steelbooks and a premium “steelbox” display case. The storage box has slots for each steelbook as well as a lid featuring the dragon Shenron.

At the $120 deal price, you’re paying $12 per steelbook, which is quite cheap compared to standalone anime Blu-rays with steelbook cases.

Crunchyroll’s deal probably won’t last for long, as the $120 price is by far the lowest we’ve seen over the past two years. At one point in 2022, Amazon had the collection for $155, but the price has been pretty much locked at $200 for nearly two years now. We’ll update this article if Amazon matches Crunchyroll’s deal for Prime Big Deal Days, but at the moment, the gift set costs $195.57 at Amazon.

Dragon Ball Super takes place during the gap in the Dragon Ball Z timeline following the Majin Buu arc. Amazon’s exclusive Dragon Ball Z Complete Series Box Set is $175.36.

Check out the full list of bonus features for Dragon Ball Super: The Complete Series below.

Dragon Ball Super: The Complete Series Bonus Features

• Catching Up on the Dragon Ball Universe: Sonny Strait and Savannah Ligaluppi
• Catching Up on the Dragon Ball Universe: Christopher R. Sabat and Hero D. Sabat
• Textless Opening and Closing Songs
• Watching Dragon Ball Super: with Jason Douglas and Ian Sinclair
• Anime Expo 2017: Interview with Sean Schemmel and Jason Douglas
• Dragon Ball Super: An Interview with Sean Schemmel
• Coffee Break with Mai and Trunks
• Dragon Ball Super at Anime Expo 2018: Interviews with Sonny Strait, Matthew Mercer, and Kyle Hebert
• Dragon Ball Super: Rawly Pickens and Chuck Huber Answer Twitter
• Dragon Ball Super: Two Humans and an Android
• Dragon Ball Super: Twitter Q&A with Sarah Wiedenheft and Dawn Bennett
• Dragon Ball Super: Interview with Patrick Seitz and Kyle Hebert

More Dragon Ball Deals at Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll’s Treat Yo’ Shelf Sale includes a handful of other Dragon Ball products, including Dragon Ball Z: Complete Manga Box Set for $187.59 (was $280). The set comes with all 26 volumes of the acclaimed manga. Crunchyroll’s price is better than Amazon’s current deal ($210). The reverse is true for the original Dragon Ball Complete Box Set, as Amazon’s deal price is $97, while Crunchyroll has the 16-book collection for $113.89.

• Crunchyroll has the best deal on Dragon Ball Z manga set:
• Amazon has the best deal on Dragon Ball manga set:

You can also get the Dragon Ball Z – Premium Collector’s Lamp for $95 (was $150). Admittedly, this seems rather pricey still, but it does look pretty cool at least.

Four Dragon Ball Super films are available on Blu-ray, too. But if you haven’t watched the series, you may want to wait on them, as a few cover the same plot points in a more condensed format. Plot points from the movies were fleshed out and included in the Dragon Ball Super anime.

Square Enix’s failed party shooter, Foamstars, is going free-to-play just in time for its latest Season, Season 6. This new Season introduces a fair bit of new content for players to sink their teeth into.

Over on Square Enix’s website, it was revealed that the shooter, which released back in February, has gone through many discussions and the new model has already begun, meaning players whether they’re PlayStation Plus members or not can enjoy Foamstars for the low price of free.

If you were among those who purchased the game or claimed it on PS Plus from February through early March, you’re able to claim the Legacy Gifts DLC, which includes limited items like 12 Bubble Beastie skins complete with an exclusive color variant. Additionally, you can plaster “Legacy” as your title and a new slideboard design.

The next Season, Diamond Jam, introduces tons of new maps across the Smash the Stars, Rubber Duck Party, and Extreme Party game modes as well as new boss battles in Squad Missions. It also introduces Diamond Chips, which act as a currency to trade-in for items.

In the end, Foamstars hit a rough patch, just like Square Enix in general, finding itself myrid in controversy thanks to its use of AI art. It also couldn’t shake the comparisons to Nintendo’s Splatoon no matter how hard the team tried.

Season 6 of Foamstars goes live on November 8.

For many Valorant players, the climb up the ranked ladder can feel like a battle of willpower. When Valorant players discuss the hardest rank to escape, many people focus on the higher ranks like Ascendant or Immortal. But in truth, the real struggle often lies much lower.

Despite being so low in the rank tiers, Gold has earned a reputation as a frustrating and difficult rank to escape. Many players find Gold lobbies more toxic, inconsistent, and volatile, making the climb out of this rank a mental and skill-testing hell.

⛶

⛶

Valorant recently entered the console market and is doing pretty well in that space. Image credit: Riot Games

⛶

⛶

⛶

One of the primary reasons Valorant‘s Gold rank is so challenging lies in the mindset of the players. Gold players often develop an inflated sense of skill, believing they’re far superior to their rank. This mentality breeds arrogance, leading to poor decision-making and communication breakdowns.

Comment
byu/jk_lewds from discussion
inVALORANT

In Gold lobbies, many players fail to acknowledge their mistakes, choosing instead to blame teammates for losses. This environment fosters a toxic atmosphere where teamwork suffers, making it difficult to maintain a cohesive strategy throughout a match.

Comment
byu/shurpness from discussion
inVALORANT

Another factor that contributes to Gold being the hardest rank is the inconsistency in skill levels. In Gold, you’re likely to encounter a mix of players who belong in Silver or Platinum, which disrupts the balance of the game. This creates lobbies with skill gaps between teammates and opponents.

A match can feel like a constant uphill battle when one player consistently carries while others struggle to keep up. The disparity in individual skill can make matches feel more chaotic and unpredictable compared to higher ranks, where the skill level tends to even out.

Comment
byu/jk_lewds from discussion
inVALORANT

Some players have even gone as far as to say that Gold lobbies are harder to win than those in Diamond or Ascendant. This is partly due to the sheer unpredictability of the players in Gold.

Despite the perception that Gold is a toxic cesspool, some argue that it’s also a critical learning phase for players. The rank forces players to improve their game sense, communication, and adaptability, as they’re constantly exposed to different styles of play. Those who persevere through Gold often come out with stronger skills and a deeper understanding of the game.

Players often report that despite performing well in terms of kills and assists, their Ranked Rating (RR) gains are minimal. This is because Valorant’s ranking system prioritizes overall match performance and win-loss ratios rather than individual combat scores.

Comment
byu/its_kymanie from discussion
inVALORANT

A player might consistently carry their team but still see slow progress due to the hidden MMR system working behind the scenes. This mismatch between visible rank and hidden MMR means that Gold players often feel like they’re stuck in limbo, unable to break free despite their efforts.

In contrast, once players reach higher ranks like Platinum, Diamond, or Ascendant, the environment becomes more stable. Communication improves, and players are more likely to focus on strategy and team play.

Higher-ranked players are often more focused on winning, which creates a more consistent and enjoyable experience. But for many, the mental and emotional toll of grinding through Gold is so exhausting that they’re unable to appreciate it once they finally escape.

What do you think about Valorant‘s ranked system? Let us know in the comments!