Half-Life: Alyx PC System Requirements Are Higher Than VR Minimum Specs

So much information has been dropped on the next game in the Half-Life series, which is a game built specifically for virtual reality called Half-Life: Alyx. It’s been 12 years since we got an entry in the franchise with Half-Life 2: Episode 2, so fans are sure to be eager to jump into this VR exclusive, but it also begs the question of hardware requirements. Well, if your PC is VR-ready, you’ll likely be set to play the next Half-Life game.

Most, if not all, PC-based VR games abide by closely similar required and recommended specs, though Half-Life: Alyx turns things up a bit. Below are the the minimum required specs for Half-Life: Alyx.

Half-Life: Alyx Minimum PC Specs

  • Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-7500 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
  • Memory: 12 GB RAM
  • Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 – 6GB VRAM

Those are noticeably higher than the minimum specs to simply run the Valve Index VR headset, which require a dual-core hyper-threading CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 970 or AMD RX 480. However, if you take Index’s recommended specs into consideration, Half-Life: Alyx’s requirements don’t seem as farfetched. Valve Index recommends a quad-core CPU paired with an Nvidia GTX 1070 or better.

Though Valve Index owners will be able to get Half-Life: Alyx for free when it launches in March 2020, the game will be playable on any SteamVR compatible headset; this includes HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest via PC Link, and Windows Mixed Reality. Finger-tracking will also be featured in the game when using Index controllers, and a number of movement options will be included. For all our coverage on the upcoming Half-Life game, check out our stories below:

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-alyx-pc-system-requirements-are-higher-t/1100-6471639/

Before Half-Life: Alyx, Valve Considered A Portal VR Game

Valve has released the first trailer for the third Half-Life game, Half-Life: Alyx, a VR title scheduled to release for all SteamVR-compatible headsets in March 2020. The upcoming game wasn’t always scheduled to be related to Half-Life, however. The project began with Valve just wanting to create a big VR game–deciding the franchise to explore came second.

“We explored different franchises,” Valve software developer David Speyrer told Geoff Keighley in a Half-Life: Alyx development documentary. “We kind of ruled out multiplayer just because of the small audience for VR, and other issues as well with VR avatars and things like that. We settled on Portal or Half-Life as interesting. And Portal is so much about flinging yourself through space and through portals that we thought, ‘Well, we’re just going to make people sick with this game.'”

“A full-on Portal game seemed challenging,” he continued. “And then we looked at Half-Life and the DNA of that product and a bunch of the elements seemed really enhanced by VR. Half-Life is about this cadence of story, combat, puzzle, exploration, interaction, environmental art–vistas, things like that. And they all seem to be enhanced or reinvented in interesting ways by VR.”

Half-Life: Alyx is a full-length game set prior to the events of Half-Life 2. In a statement, Valve founder Gabe Newell said, “Everyone at Valve is excited to be returning to the world of Half-Life. VR has energized us. We’ve invested a lot of ourselves in the technology. But we’re also game developers at heart, and to be devoting ourselves to a VR game this ambitious is just as exciting.”

If you’re already on board to play a new Half-Life game, Half-Life: Alyx is already available for pre-order. The game costs $60 USD but pre-ordering it nets you a 10% discount–knocking the price down to $54 USD. Half-Life: Alyx is free for all Valve Index VR headset owners, whether you already own the headset or decide to buy it down the line.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/before-half-life-alyx-valve-considered-a-portal-vr/1100-6471638/

Amazon Deals Black Friday 2019: PS4 Bundles, Joy-Con, Fire TV Stick, And More

Although Black Friday 2019 isn’t until next week, Amazon has been doling out deals for a while as part of its Happy HoliDeals sale, but we can expect even more deals from the world’s biggest retailer when next week starts to roll around.

As with Prime Day, Amazon’s holiday deals page includes a mix of Lightning Deals–which are only available for a limited time–and longer-term deals that should be available throughout the duration of this first round of deals (or while supplies last). The early holiday sale ends today, November 21. But starting tomorrow, November 22, Amazon’s Black Friday sale will officially begin. The week of deals will run right up until November 29, Black Friday itself.

Unfortunately, Amazon is keeping things vague in terms of the actual deals that will be offered, and the retailer’s press release mentions only discounts rather than actual sale prices. We already knew Amazon will be offering Nintendo’s official deals, including the Switch console bundle (older model) with a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for $300. We also know Amazon will have select Switch games for up to 30% off and Joy-Cons for a lower price than its competitors. The announcement also confirms Amazon will have the holiday PS4 and Xbox One console bundles; otherwise, the retailer is only teasing discounts on gaming laptops and monitors, the Oculus Rift S, Bose headphones, and other tech as well as numerous other deals across other categories.

Amazon’s Black Friday 2019 schedule

  • November 22-29: Official Black Friday week of deals begins
  • November 28-29, December 2: One-time-only deals will launch throughout the day on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday


Live now: Gaming and entertainment deals

As Amazon’s HoliDeals sale nears its send, the pickings are slim, but the below deals (and plenty more) are still live now until November 22 or until they sell out.

Video game deals

Entertainment deals


Starting Nov. 22: Amazon’s Black Friday week of deals

After the first round of deals has ended on November 22 (or while supplies last), another batch of deals will be posted in the week leading up to Black Friday itself on November 29. In addition to the official gaming console bundles and accessories from Xbox, Nintendo, and PS4, the online retailer has confirmed a wide range of Amazon devices will be on sale starting with several tablets on November 22, including the Fire HD 10 Tablet for $100 ($50 off) and the Kindle Paperwhite for $85 ($45 off). We’ve included the full list of device deals and pricing below, but please note these prices will not be live until their respective sale date.

PS4 Slim 1TB bundle with God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and The Last of Us Remastered – $200

PS4 Slim (1TB) with God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition, and The Last of Us Remastered | $200

Another official PlayStation offer, the PS4 Slim holiday bundle is a great way to get your hands on some of the system’s best games. The 1TB console will $200 and comes bundled with Marvel’s Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition, and God of War. It’ll be available at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and other retailers.


Nintendo Switch (older model) with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle – $300

Nintendo Switch bundle with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | $300

No, we haven’t entered a time machine and gone back to Black Friday 2018. Nintendo is offering the same Nintendo Switch holiday bundle that was available last year. For $300, you can get the Switch and a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The potential snag with this bundle? It’s the launch model Switch, which means you won’t get the upgraded battery that comes with the newer Switch model released a few months back. That said, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an incredible game that normally sells for about $50.


Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons – $53.60

Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons (Gray or Neon Red/Blue) | $53.60

Nintendo’s pricey Joy-Con controllers will be down to $60 on Black Friday at many retailers, but if Amazon’s press release is correct, each pair of Joy-Cons will be available for $53.60, a full 33% off rather than 25%. It appears that only the original gray or neon red and blue Joy-Cons will be eligible for this awesome deal. Nevertheless, if you’re gifting a Switch this holiday or want to have some multiplayer fun at your holiday party, you shouldn’t pass up this deal.


Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet – $50

Fire HD 8 | $50 ($80)

Starting November 22, Amazon is kicking off its first wave of Black Friday deals with the Fire HD 8 tablet for $50. Don’t expect a tablet with the power of an iPad, but if you want something to read e-books, watch Netflix, or any other media-based thing, then the Fire HD 8 can handle it. It’s equipped with 1.5 GB of RAM and comes in 16 GB and 32 GB storage options.


Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet – $80

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition | $80 ($130)

The Kids Edition of the Fire HD 8 bundles the tablet with a kid-proof case and a year’s subscription to Free Time Unlimited, which gives its users access to more than a thousand books, movies, TV shows, apps, and games suitable for children. It goes on sale for $80 on November 22.


Amazon Fire 7 Tablet – $30

Fire 7 Tablet | $30 ($50)

The Fire 7 tablet is Amazon’s seven-inch tablet, both cheaper and less powerful than the Fire HD 8. It’s equipped with 1 GB of RAM and comes in 16 GB and 32 GB storage options. It’ll be available for $30 starting November 22.


Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet – $60

Fire 7 Kids Edition | $60 ($100)

Like the Fire 8 Kids Edition, this bundle includes the Fire 7 tablet, a protective case, and a 12-month subscription to Free Time Unlimited. The subscription gives your kid unlimited access to a ton of child-friendly books, movies, shows, apps, and games. You’ll be able to pick it up for $60 on November 22.


Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet – $100

Fire HD 10 Tablet | $100 ($150)

The Fire HD 10 tablet is Amazon’s ten-inch–and most powerful–tablet. It’s equipped with a 1080p screen and 2GB RAM. It comes in 32 GB and 64 GB storage options but also features upgradeable storage via microSD. You can grab it for $100 starting November 22.


Kindle Paperwhite – $85

Kindle Paperwhite | $85 ($130)

The Kindle Paperwhite is Amazon’s most popular e-reader, with a screen that looks more similar to paper than a tablet. It has weeks of battery life and comes in 8 GB and 32 GB storage options. Starting November 22, you can grab it for $85.


Echo Show 5 and Ring Video Doorbell Pro – $190

Echo Show 5 + Ring Video Doorbell Pro | $190 ($240)

This bundle packages the Echo Show 5 with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro. The Echo Show 5 is Amazon’s compact smart display, similar in size to an alarm clock but with features like video calling, music and video playback, and Alexa voice control. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro, on the other hand, is a camera-equipped doorbell that you can put on the front of your house. It gives you video access to your front door with motion alerts sent directly to your phone, tablet, or PC. You can pick up the bundled pair for $190 on November 22.


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote – $25

Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote | $25 ($50)

Starting November 24, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K will be available for $25. It gives you access to a bunch of apps, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, all streamable in 4K. The Alexa Voice Remote lets you control your media with your voice.


Amazon TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote – $20

Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | $20 ($40)

On November 24, you’ll also be able to pick up the regular Fire TV Stick for $20. This gives you the same access to all of your favorite apps but in 1080p instead of 4K. It also comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, so you’ll be able to speak to your Fire TV Stick without fumbling with the buttons.


Amazon Fire TV Cube – $90

Fire TV Cube | $90 ($120)

The Fire TV Cube gives you everything the Fire TV Stick 4K does, in addition to complete smart home control, Alexa voice assistant, and a built-in speaker. Starting November 24, you’ll be able to grab it for $90.


Blink XT2 3-Camera Kit – $185

Blink XT2 3 Camera Kit | $185 ($250)

Starting November 27, you’ll be able to pick up Amazon’s three-pack security camera pack for $185. With its cloud storage, these cameras can store hundreds of clips for up to a year. The cameras also feature two-way audio and two years of battery life.


Ring Indoor Cam 2-Pack – $100

Ring Indoor Cam 2 Pack | $100 ($140)

The Ring Indoor Cam pack comes with two cameras for the interior of your house. Starting November 27 for $100, you can equip your home with two Ring Indoor cameras that feature two-way audio, motion alerts, and Alexa support.


Amazon Smart Plug – $5 with the purchase of Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock, Echo Show 5, or Echo Studio

Amazon Smart Plug | $5 with Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock, Echo, Echo Show 5, or Echo Studio

For $5, you can pair an Amazon Smart Plug with the purchase of an Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock, Echo, Echo Show 5, or Echo Studio. The Amazon Smart Plug gives you the ability to control whatever you plug into it with Alexa smart home control. This deal starts on November 27.


Amazon Echo Dot with clock – $35

Echo Dot with clock | $35 ($60)

The Echo Dot with clock is Amazon’s compact Alexa speaker that comes with a clock, so you don’t have to ask for the time whenever you need it. Starting November 28, you can pick it up for $35.


Echo Dot – $22

Echo Dot | $22 ($50)

The Echo Dot without the clock comes with all the Alexa features you need in a compact form factor. Ask for music, the news, weather, traffic, and more, thanks to the thousands of skills you can have your Echo Dot learn.


Amazon Echo Auto – $30

Echo Auto | $30 ($50)

Amazon’s Echo Auto puts an Alexa speaker into your car. Even more compact than the Echo Dot, equip your vehicle with all of the Alexa skills and features you can enjoy at home. The auto smart speaker goes for $30 on November 28.


Amazon Echo (Gen 3) – $60

Echo (Gen 3) | $60 ($100)

The Echo is a slightly-less compact speaker with better speakers, so if you’re looking to use it more seriously as a music player, this could be a good choice for you. On November 28, its price goes down to $60.


Amazon Echo Show 5 – $50

Echo Show 5 | $50 ($90)

The Echo Show 5 is Amazon’s compact smart display that works as an alarm clock, video caller, music and video player, and much more. It goes on sale for $50 on November 28.


Amazon Echo Show – $150

Echo Show | $150 ($230)

The Echo Show is Amazon’s smart display with a bigger screen and better sound. The screen comes in at 10-inches with speakers that feature Dolby processing. You can pick one up for $150 starting November 28.


from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/amazon-deals-black-friday-2019-ps4-bundles-joy-con/1100-6471095/

How To Get Half-Life: Alyx For Free

Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx was revealed earlier today and information about the SteamVR-compatible title continues to trickle out. While the game’s release date has yet to be confirmed, there is a way to get Alyx for free.

If you own or purchase Valve’s VR headset Index, Half-Life: Alyx will appear in your Steam library when it launches next year. There are no strings attached and no code to enter. Those who pick up Idex before the end of this year will receive a handful of exclusive bonuses, including alternate gun skins and more. Alyx is on sale as part of a pre-purchase promotion through March 30, 2020.

Half-Life: Alyx was announced with our first look at some gameplay. We’ve compiled a list of everything we know about the game so far, including its estimated length, what platforms it’ll come to, its price, where it takes place in the Half-Life universe, and more. Alyx is expected to launch sometime in March 2020.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-to-get-half-life-alyx-for-free/1100-6471637/

Half-Life: Alyx Has Exclusive Content If You Buy A Valve Index This Year

It’s been a long time coming, but Valve finally unveiled a new installment in its seminal Half-Life series, titled Half-Life: Alyx. The game is expected to launch on Steam in March 2020 and will be a “full-length” VR-only adventure set between the events of the original title and Half-Life 2. While Half-Life: Alyx is playable on all Steam-compatible VR headsets, you can get the game for free if you own Valve Index, and it’ll also come with some additional content–provided you buy one in time.

If you pick up Valve Index by the end of this year, you’ll receive a handful of exclusive bonuses. First, you’ll receive alternate gun skins in Half-Life: Alyx. You’ll also be able to explore environments from the game in your SteamVR Home space, and there will be “special” content themed after Half-Life: Alyx in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

You’ll get access to all of this additional content starting early 2020. You can read more about the Valve Index bonuses on the official Half-Life website.

As previously mentioned, you’ll also get Half-Life: Alyx for free if you own Valve Index. If you’re interested in playing it on other headsets, the game is available for pre-order right now on Steam, and you can get a 10% discount on it as part of a special promotion that runs through March 30, 2020.

Valve Index was released this past June and is Valve’s flagship VR headset. The company says Index was “built hand-in-hand” with Half-Life: Alyx, but it comes at a steep price–the headset alone is $499, while the Index kit retails for $999. GameSpot’s Michael Higham went hands-on with Valve Index and said, “It’s easy to see how Index can push VR gaming forward. However, like all enthusiastic-level platforms, it comes at a significant cost.”

Half-Life: Alyx arrives 13 years after the series’ last release, 2007’s Half-Life 2: Episode 2, which ended on a cliffhanger. You can read everything we know about Half-Life: Alyx so far in our roundup, and you can check out the first Half-Life: Alyx trailer here.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-alyx-has-exclusive-content-if-you-buy-a-/1100-6471632/

Half-Life: Alyx Devs Include Firewatch’s Campo Santo Veterans

Following the official reveal of Half-Life: Alyx, the next game in the series following a 12-year hiatus, games journalist Geoff Keighley released a new video in his Final Hours series focusing on its development. During this extended look at the new VR game, he spoke with Valve developers Robin Walker, David Speyrer, and Dario Casali to learn the inside story of the making of the next Half-Life game and what’s been going at Valve Software. As the developers spoke more about the making of Half-Life: Alyx, it was revealed that Firewatch developers at Campo Santo had been brought on to work on the game as well.

What’s interesting about this news is that in the days leading up to the reveal of Half-Life: Alyx, Campo Santo developers updated their social media and the official site to remove mentions of their follow-up to Firewatch, In The Valley Of Gods. Revealed back in 2017, the next game from Campo Santo would have been in a similar style to Firewatch, except that it was set in 1920s Egypt, and would follow the story of a young filmmaker exploring ancient ruins. The reveal trailer showed a lot of promise, and it featured a similar art-style from their previous game, blending cartoon-like visuals and colors with more realistic characters and a mature story. In April 2018, Valve acquired Campo Santo, and since then, things have been quiet in regards to their next game.

As of this time, the fate of In The Valley Of Gods hasn’t been revealed, though the fact that developers removed mentions of the game on their official site and social media is usually not a good sign. With that said, it is interesting to learn that Campo Santo will be offering up their creative talents to the Half-Life universe, especially for the first game in over 12 years. As a VR game, Half-Life: Alyx leans further on the franchise’s level of immersion and in-the-moment storytelling, which could make for an exciting return for the series. During the interview with Geoff Keighley, Valve developer David Speyrer stated Half-Life’s style and presentation made it the right game to bring to VR.

“We looked at Half-Life and the DNA of that product, and we saw that VR could enhance many of the elements,” said the developer. “Half-Life is about this cadence of story, combat, and puzzles, exploration, and interactions–and they seemed to be enhanced and reinvented in interesting ways by VR.”

For more, check out our roundup of everything we know about Half-Life: Alyx.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-alyx-devs-include-firewatchs-campo-santo/1100-6471633/

Black Friday 2019’s Best Deals On Xbox Game Pass And Xbox Live Gold

Microsoft is leaning on its Xbox Game Pass program in a big way, as showcased at this year’s X019 event. If you play a lot of video games and want to do it for cheap, Game Pass is a fantastic deal; it offers a huge selection of game for both Xbox One and PC for a flat subscription fee, similar to Netflix. Microsoft’s recently made the deal even better with some great deals for newcomers, and with Black Friday 2019 coming next week, we’ll probably even better deals on Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and Game Pass Ultimate (which combines Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold) soon.

For those unfamiliar with the Xbox One’s subscription services, you can find more details on Game Pass for Xbox One and PC, Xbox Live Gold, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at the bottom of this article. As a reminder, these subscriptions stack, so even if you’re already a member and don’t need to renew quite yet, you can save yourself some money in the long-term by buying these subscriptions while they’re cheap.

Plus, catch up on more of Black Friday 2019’s best Xbox One deals so far, including great discounts on games as well as console bundles and accessories.

Best Black Friday deals on Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold

3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new members – $1

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Get 3 months for $1 (new subscribers only)

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate normally costs $15 a month, which adds up to $45 over three months, but this offer gets you a full three for only $1. This is the best deal we’ve seen for new subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate so far, and it’s available right now for a limited time.


3 months of Xbox Live Gold – $15

Xbox Live Gold: 3-month membership | $15 ($25)

Starting November 28, Best Buy is selling three months of Xbox Live Gold for $15, a full $10 off its normal price of $25.


3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $25

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: 3-month membership | $25 ($45)

Best Buy will have three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions for $25 each on November 28. If you happen to miss out on the “buy three months, get three months free” deal at Walmart, then this is the next best thing–buy two, and you’ll have a six-month subscription for $50 (only $5 more).


What is Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass for Console

Xbox Game Pass for Console provides access to over 200 Xbox One games. New games are added to the service every month, and users get special discounts on the ones that are leaving just in case players want to keep them. In addition to all this, first-party Xbox One games always launch on Game Pass day one–this has included games like Gears 5, The Outer Worlds, and Forza Horizon 4. It costs $10 a month to join Game Pass for Xbox One.

Xbox Game Pass for PC

Xbox Game Pass for PC provides access to over 150 PC games through the Xbox app on Windows 10. Like the console version, new games are added every month, and special discounts are available in case you want to keep any games on their way out. First-party Xbox One games launch on PC the same day as console, so you gain access to them as well. You can join Game Pass for PC at $1 for the first month, after which the price goes up to $5 a month.

What is Xbox Live Gold?

Xbox Live Gold provides access to online multiplayer, exclusive discounts, and free monthly games. You can subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for $10 a month, $25 for 3 months, or $60 for a year.

What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate packages the benefits of Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One and PC with Xbox Live Gold. You can join Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $1 for your first month, after which the price goes up to $15 a month.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/black-friday-2019s-best-deals-on-xbox-game-pass-an/1100-6471291/

We’re Giving Away A Pokemon Sword And Shield Bundle

Get ready to catch them all because we have put together a prize bundle for Pokemon fans that comes with a Poke Ball Plus, a Nintendo Switch, and Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Double Pack.

To enter the giveaway you have to read the official rules in the form below, accept the terms and conditions, and fill out the form. You also have the option of increasing your chances of winning by doing the additional actions on the form like following us across social media and visiting the site.

If you are having trouble viewing the form on your mobile device, please use this link.

Don’t forget to check your email (including your junk mail folder) on December 2 because we will be reaching to the winner via email.

Head to the comment section and tell us what was the first Pokemon you ever caught. Good luck, everyone!

This giveaway is neither sponsored nor endorsed by Nintendo.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/were-giving-away-a-pokemon-sword-and-shield-bundle/1100-6471608/

Xbox One Black Friday 2019 Deals: Consoles And Accessories

With Microsoft’s next console, Project Scarlett, launching next year, we’re going to see some massive discounts on Xbox One consoles across the board during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019. Accessories are also likely to go for cheap, so if you’re looking for something to bolster your Xbox One gaming experience this year, we’ve got some great Black Friday Xbox One console and accessory deals for you.

Black Friday 2019: Xbox One deals to expect

We’re expecting both the Xbox One X and Xbox One S to be discounted, in addition to its various controllers and accessories. If there’s stock, it’ll likely be on sale. Last year, we saw deals that brought the Xbox One X down to $400–$100 off its regular price. According to early Black Friday 2019 ads, Xbox One X bundles will dip to $350 during this year’s sale. It’ll be interesting to see just how low Microsoft’s first 4K console goes, considering the next-generation Xbox console is now just a year away from release. Meanwhile, Xbox One S bundles are going for $200, and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition will be available for just $150 during Black Friday.

As for accessories, it’s likely we’ll see numerous discounts, including the first edition of the Xbox One Elite Controller. The Elite Series 2 controller just released, but since it is a premium item, don’t expect to see a heavy discount on it. Of course, we’re always ready for a Black Friday surprise, and we’ll report back if this changes.

A large number of Black Friday Xbox One discounts are expected to be revealed at Xbox’s X019 event on November 14. The Inside Xbox livestream is scheduled for 12 PM PT / 3 PM PT that day, and you’ll be able to tune in on Mixer, Twitch, or YouTube. When those deals are announced, we’ll be sure to include that info here.

In the meantime, there are plenty of pre-Black Friday deals going live early, so you might be able to grab what you want before the craziness of Black Friday actually starts. Below, we’ve collected some of the best early Black Friday deals that are already live at online retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Plus, read on for an overview of the best upcoming Xbox deals that have been confirmed by various retailers’ ads.

Pre-Black Friday Xbox One deals live now

Xbox One X deals

Xbox One S deals

Xbox One accessory deals

Best Black Friday 2019 Xbox One deals

Xbox One X bundle with Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order Deluxe Edition and three months of Xbox Live Gold – $350

Xbox One X bundle with Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order Deluxe Edition + 3 months of Xbox Live Gold | $350

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order is one of the most anticipated games of the holiday season, and this Xbox One X bundle scores you its Deluxe edition as well as three months of Xbox Live Gold. Gold gets you free monthly games in addition to online multiplayer access. This deal is available starting November 28.


Xbox One X bundle with Gears 5 and a $40 Target gift card – $350

Xbox One X bundle with Gears 5 and $40 Target Gift Card | $350 ($500)

One of Target’s marquee deals is its Xbox One X, Gears 5, and $40 gift card bundle. This deal goes live on November 28, and we’ll include a link here when it’s available.


Xbox One X bundle with NBA 2K20 and $105 in Kohl’s Cash – $350

Xbox One X bundle with NBA 2K20 and $105 Kohl’s Cash | $350 ($500)

You can grab the Xbox One X with NBA 2K20, the latest entry in Visual Concept’s basketball sim series, for $350. That’s a pretty awesome deal, and you also get $105 Kohl’s Cash with your purchase.


Xbox One S bundle with two controllers and three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – $100 off

Xbox One S bundle with two controllers and 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | $100 off

This Costco bundle is also an enticing offer, with two controllers and three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. There are more than 200 games available through Game Pass on Xbox One, and with Game Pass Ultimate, you also get Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass for PC. This deal kicks off on November 24 for Costco members.


Xbox One S bundle with Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and $40 Target Gift Card – $200

Xbox One S bundle with Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and $40 Target Gift Card | $200 ($300)

Target’s Xbox One S bundle is also quite enticing and may sell out quickly. It comes with the console, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, and a $40 gift card. It goes live on November 28, and we’ll include that link here when available.


Xbox One S bundle with NBA 2K20 – $200

Xbox One S bundle with NBA 2K20 | $200 ($300)

The NBA 2K20 Xbox bundle is also available for the Xbox One S, and it’ll be discounted to $200 during Black Friday.


Xbox One S All-Digital bundle with Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, and Fortnite content – $150

Xbox One S All-Digital Edition Bundle | $150

The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition doesn’t have a disc drive, but there are still plenty of great deals on digital games in the Microsoft Store. However, you get two great games (Minecraft and Sea of Thieves) and some bonus content for Fortnite in this bundle–2,000 V-Bucks and the Legendary Rogue Spider Knight outfit. The bundle goes for $150 starting November 28


Xbox One controllers – $39

Select Xbox One controllers | $39

Walmart plans to discount a selection of its in-stock Xbox One controllers on November 27. The available controllers vary by store, but they’ll go for $39 each.


Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel for Xbox One and PC – $207

Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel (Xbox One/PC) | $200 ($400)

Racing wheels aren’t for everybody, but for big racing game fans–especially more simulation-focused ones–will love this racing wheel. It’s compatible with both Xbox One and PC, so you can enjoy both platform’s libraries of racers. The best part is this deal is available right now.


Xbox One game drive – Up to $20 off

Xbox One game drives | up to $20 off

Starting on November 28, you’ll be able to grab an Xbox-branded external hard drive at a discount from Microsoft. They come in 1 TB and 3 TB options, which normally sell for $65 and $110, respectively.


Turtle Beach Xbox One headsets – Up to $125 off

Turtle Beach headsets | Up to $125 off

The Microsoft Store will discount several Turtle Beach headsets by up to $125 starting November 28.


from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-black-friday-2019-deals-consoles-and-acce/1100-6471153/

Half-Life: Alyx Specific Release Date May Be Hinted On Steam

Half-Life: Alyx has been announced, offering our first look into the world in years. Valve has already said it’s due in March 2020, but the Steam listing may offer an even more specific date–you know, just in case you want to plan your vacation days in advance, or anything.

The Steam page is offering a 10% discount on the game as a pre-purchase promotion. But notably, it says that offer ends on March 30, 2020. That could suggest a release date of March 30 or March 31, which is a Tuesday–one of the usual days for retail releases. It’s also possible that this is just a placeholder date, or even that the discounted price will apply to early purchasers as well as pre-purchasers. GameSpot has contacted Valve for clarification.

Half-Life: Alyx is said to be a full-length game experience that takes place before Half-Life 2. It will be free for Valve Index owners, so you can still get in on the offer by grabbing an Index. It will be playable on any SteamVR compatible headset. We also know now that Campo Santo veterans are helping with the project.

Our first look at the debut trailer showed that it’s different, thanks to the VR controls, but an unmistakably Half-Life experience. For more details, check out everything we know so far.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-life-alyx-specific-release-date-may-be-hinted/1100-6471636/