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Daily Deals: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller, Forza Motorsport, and More

The weekend is officially here, and we’ve rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, January 12, below:

Save $44 Off This Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Controller

This deal from Target on the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core controller is one you can’t miss. Widely regarded as one of the best controllers on the market, the Elite Series 2 has so many great features you can use to your advantage. This includes modifying the tension of the thumbsticks, creating custom button profiles, and so much more. The Core version of the Elite Series 2 controller allows for a cheaper price point with less premium outer materials and textures. Additionally, you won’t get the paddles or charging dock in the box, so you’ll need to buy those separately if you’d like them.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for $24.99

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title in the long-running RPG series. Kiryu Kazama returns following the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, uniting with Ichiban Kasuga in a wild adventure you won’t forget anytime soon. While you should absolutely try to play through the series in order, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth can be played and enjoyed standalone.

Anker Zolo Power Bank for $15.99

If you’re looking for a compact portable power bank that you can take with you anywhere, this Anker Zolo Power Bank is perfect for you. Holding 10,000mAh, this power bank can charge an iPhone 15 twice all the way through, with up to 30W of power for fast and efficient charging. A USB-C cable is included, built into the device as a lanyard, so you won’t need to bring a cord with you to charge up.

Forza Motorsport for $30

Forza Motorsport offers over 500 cars to choose from, with an incredible attention to detail placed on each. There’s no better racing game for Series X, especially for $30. The game has dozens of environments to race through that all offer day & night cycles, with weather even possible as well! Builders Cup, the new career mode, makes for a fun single player experience that can keep you busy for hundreds of hours.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora for $19.97

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has hit $19.97 on Amazon, marking a new low. If you’ve been searching for a new open world adventure, this is a great option. You’ll get to experience a full open world with Frontiers of Pandora, exploring and fighting enemies with plenty of Na’vi weapons at your disposal.

Metaphor: ReFantazio for $49.99

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest game from Persona 3, 4, and 5 Director Katsura Hashino and the team at Atlus’ Studio Zero. In our 9/10 review, we stated, “Refining the Atlus RPG formula of weaving tough turn-based combat into compelling social sim mechanics, Metaphor: ReFantazio doesn’t just send a powerful message across its political drama, it becomes a beautiful expression of the real impact storytelling can have on all of us.”

M2 MacBook Air for $799

Amazon has this 2022 Apple MacBook Air on sale for $799 this weekend. This model includes the M2 chip, which supports Apple Intelligence, as well as 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 13.6-inch display. If you’ve been holding out on upgrading your MacBook this can be an excellent option.

Anker 60,000mAh 192Wh Power Bank for $89.99

This massive Anker power bank is a solid option if you need some extra juice on your next road trip or getaway. With a 60,000mAh capacity, you can charge an iPhone 14 Pro Max up to 7.4 times or a MacBook Air 2.9 times. This power bank is made for activities like camping, as it has a built-in light at the top that you can retract up and down. Additionally, you can recharge the device with onboard solar panels, so you can continue to power your devices regardless of how long your trip is.

Murder Mystery 2 Codes (January 2025)

On the hunt for some new redeemable codes for Murder Mystery 2? You’ve come to the right place. This article will compile all of the latest codes for Murder Mystery 2 in January 2025, so you can earn some useful rewards in MM2 and flee your killer in style.

Active Murder Mystery 2 Codes (January 2025)

Currently, there are no active Murder Mystery 2 codes in January 2025. As soon as that changes, we’ll update this page, so check back soon for updates.

How to Redeem Murder Mystery 2 Codes

To redeem Murder Mystery 2 codes, launch the game and, once you’re in, follow the steps below:

  1. Look at the icons on the left-hand side of the screen. You’ll see three labelled icons.
  2. Click on the Inventory icon beneath the crate symbol.
  3. On the bottom right-hand side of the tab that appears, you’ll see an Enter Code bar.
  4. Type your code into the code bar, being careful to make sure it’s in the right case and spelt correctly.
  5. Click Redeem and you should see the resources you unlock appear in your inventory.

Why Isn’t My Murder Mystery 2 Code Working?

If your Murder Mystery 2 code isn’t working, it’s likely due to one of two scenarios. The first is that the code was inputted incorrectly. Murder Mystery 2 codes are sometimes in lower case or entirely in upper case, so make sure you have the code inputted correctly before you hit redeem. You can even copy and paste the codes directly from this article over to Roblox if you want to make sure you’re inputting them correctly.

The other possibility is the code has expired or you’ve already used it. In either case, the redeem bar won’t register the code, so if it isn’t working, check to see if it’s in our expired category or if you already received the resources the code provided.

How to Get More Murder Mystery 2 Codes

If you’re looking to scout out some Murder Mystery 2 codes yourself, the easiest way is through the game’s official Discord. After joining, you’ll be able to hop into the announcements channel to find all the latest codes as they drop or chat with the community to see if you’ve missed any.

You can also follow Nikilis over on X, where the creator frequently drops new codes for the community.

What is Murder Mystery 2 in Roblox?

Murder Mystery 2 is an asymmetric horror game where you play as one of three roles: an innocent, a murderer or a sheriff. From there, the match plays out similarly to social deduction games like Among Us. The murderer stalks the map, killing unsuspecting innocents, who try to flee to survive. Meanwhile, the sheriff tries to deduce who the killer is so they can shoot them to save the innocents.

Each round ends when the murderer kills all the innocents or is taken down by the sheriff, so you’ll need to be suspicious of everyone, watch your back and be cautious to survive.

Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he’s away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.

Daily Deals: RIG 900 MAX HX Gaming Headset, Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller, Anker Zolo Power Bank, and More

The weekend is officially here, and we’ve rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Saturday, January 11, below:

RIG 900 MAX HX Gaming Headset for $124.99

The RIG 900 MAX HX is one of the best gaming headsets you can score on the market right now. It’s 50% off this weekend, making this the best deal available for today. The 900 MAX HX includes Dual-Mode Wireless, so you can use it with Xbox, PlayStation, PC, or Nintendo Switch. You’ve got a 50-hour battery life with the 2.4GHz connection, with up to 60 if you use Bluetooth. There’s also a charging stand included to dock your headset when it’s not in use.

Save $44 Off This Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Controller

This deal from Target on the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core controller is one you can’t miss. Widely regarded as one of the best controllers on the market, the Elite Series 2 has so many great features you can use to your advantage. This includes modifying the tension of the thumbsticks, creating custom button profiles, and so much more. The Core version of the Elite Series 2 controller allows for a cheaper price point with less premium outer materials and textures. Additionally, you won’t get the paddles or charging dock in the box, so you’ll need to buy those separately if you’d like them.

Anker Zolo Power Bank for $15.99

If you’re looking for a compact portable power bank that you can take with you anywhere, this Anker Zolo Power Bank is perfect for you. Holding 10,000mAh, this power bank can charge an iPhone 15 twice all the way through, with up to 30W of power for fast and efficient charging. A USB-C cable is included, built into the device as a lanyard, so you won’t need to bring a cord with you to charge up.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora for $19.97

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has hit $19.97 on Amazon, marking a new low. If you’ve been searching for a new open world adventure, this is a great option. You’ll get to experience a full open world with Frontiers of Pandora, exploring and fighting enemies with plenty of Na’vi weapons at your disposal.

M2 MacBook Air for $799

Amazon has this 2022 Apple MacBook Air on sale for $799 this weekend. This model includes the M2 chip, which supports Apple Intelligence, as well as 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 13.6-inch display. If you’ve been holding out on upgrading your MacBook this can be an excellent option.

Anker 60,000mAh 192Wh Power Bank for $89.99

This massive Anker power bank is a solid option if you need some extra juice on your next road trip or getaway. With a 60,000mAh capacity, you can charge an iPhone 14 Pro Max up to 7.4 times or a MacBook Air 2.9 times. This power bank is made for activities like camping, as it has a built-in light at the top that you can retract up and down. Additionally, you can recharge the device with onboard solar panels, so you can continue to power your devices regardless of how long your trip is.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition for $44.99

If you recently completed the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this is the perfect game for you. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Defintive Edition is the newest mainline title in the series, and there is so much it offers. For many, this is one of the best Dragon Quest games out there, and you can’t go wrong picking this up for only $44.99. This is an RPG you can easily spend over 100 hours in.

Anime Royale Codes (January 2025)

Looking to load up on extra resources in Anime Royale? We’ve compiled all of the active redeemable codes currently available in the Roblox game, so you can get your hands on a treasure trove of Cursed Fingers, Rerolls, Diamonds, Stat Crystals, and much, much more.

Active Anime Royale Codes (January 2025)

Here are all the currently active and working Anime Royale codes in January 2025 that you can redeem for free rewards in the Roblox Experience:

  • TYBWGEMS – 20x Rerolls, 1,500 Diamonds (NEW!)
  • Mugetsu – 2,000 Diamonds, 20x Rerolls, 1x Super Lucky Potion
  • Quincy – 10x Rerolls, 1x Cupcake
  • Shinigami – 10x Rerolls, 1x Lucky Potion
  • HappyNewYear!! – 2,000 Diamonds, 100x Rerolls, 1x Cupcake
  • INC – 20x Rerolls, 1x Super Lucky Potion
  • HappyEarlyNewYear! – 5x Stat Crystal, 1,500 Diamonds, 20x Rerolls, 5x Stat Shard
  • SetYourHeartAblaze – 5x Stat Shard, 1x Super Lucky Potion, 1x Lucky Potion, 15x Reroll, 1,500 Diamonds
  • JustARandomCode – 1x Cupcake, 1,700 Diamonds, 10x Rerolls, 2x Stat Shard
  • Jolly – 15x Rerolls
  • SecretChristmasCode2024 – 1x Cupcake, 5x Stat Shard, 5x Cursed Finger, 20x Rerolls
  • Christmas2024 – 1 Lucky Potion, 20x Rerolls
  • HappyHolidaysEveryone! – 5x Stat Crystal, 5x Rerolls, 5x Stat Shard
  • MaintenanceWorldRecord – 1x Cupcake, 5x Stat Shard, 5x Cursed Finger, 150 Rerolls
  • FixFixFix – 1,500 Diamonds, 10 Rerolls, 5x Cursed Finger
  • SubToToadBoi – 1x Reroll, 100 Diamonds
  • SubToVanilla – 1x Reroll, 100 Diamonds
  • SubToMozKing – 1x Reroll, 100 Diamonds
  • StopTheVoloLaborPls – 15x Rerolls, 5x Cursed Fingers

Expired Anime Royale Codes

Below, you’ll find a list of expired Anime Royale codes that can no longer be redeemed as of January 2025:

  • RealFixes
  • Fixes
  • Shutdown!
  • 35kLikes!
  • SuperBooghan
  • TrailerCode6194
  • SorryForDelayAgainV2
  • PlsStopUpdatingAt6AmImTired
  • SpoofFightsCyclones
  • Wish
  • SorryForDelayAgain
  • Perfect
  • RoyalePass
  • Titans
  • SorryForDelay!!
  • 8KActiveTysm
  • IAmAtomic!
  • HappyLateHalloween
  • Shadow
  • CheersToRellHawk
  • 25KLIKES
  • 30KFAVS
  • THANKYOUFORWAITING
  • Update2
  • SpookySeason
  • MiniUpdate
  • SorryForDelay
  • 100KMEMBERS

How to Redeem Anime Royale Codes

To redeem Anime Royale codes, boot up the Roblox Experience and, once you’re in, follow the steps below:

  1. Anime Royale codes work slightly differently to most other Roblox codes. To redeem a code, first enter the hub world and look for the area labelled Codes. It’s shown in the image above and can be found between the Raids and Challenge areas.
  2. When you arrive, walk up to the shrine below the Codes sign.
  3. As you approach the shrine, the codes bar will automatically appear. Input your code and then press Redeem Code to add the rewards to your account.

Why Isn’t My Anime Royale Code Working?

If your Anime Royale code isn’t working, it’s likely due to one of two scenarios. The first is that the code was inputted incorrectly. Make sure you have the code inputted exactly as it is in the Active Codes section above. You can even copy and paste codes directly from this article over to Roblox if you want to make sure you’re inputting them correctly.

The other possibility is the code has expired or you’ve already used it. If your code has been used, a message will appear in the bar reminding you that the code’s already been activated. If the code has expired, it’ll show up as invalid, meaning its no longer available to use.

How to Get More Anime Royale Codes

If you want to hunt down some extra Anime Royale codes, make your way over to the game’s official Discord server. When you’ve joined, jump into the Game Announcements channel. Whenever a code is added, the devs will drop it in here, so you can copy and paste them directly over to the game.

What is Anime Royale in Roblox?

Anime Royale is a tower defense game that tasks players with tactically defending the worlds of their favorite anime. Featuring familiar faces from shows like Naruto, Dandadan, Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Z, you’ll recruit an army of iconic heroes and villains, using them to defend your base from enemies across a variety of modes.

As you battle your way through its story missions and other challenges, you’ll face some of the anime world’s most dangerous adversaries and collect resources, leveling up your units to face tougher challenges. So, do you have what it takes to lead some of the toughest anime warriors into battle?

Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he’s away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.

Fisch Codes (January 2025)

Looking to snag some free resources in Fisch? We’ve put together a list of all of currently active and working Fisch codes, so you can get your hands on a host of rewards and goodies in the Roblox fishing simulator without having to spend a penny.

Active Fisch Codes (January 2025)

Below, you’ll find all of the currently active and working Fisch codes in January 2025 that you can reedeem for free rewards:

  • NewYear – 2 Holly Berry, 2 Peppermint Worm
  • 1BVisits – 1 Aurora Bait, Party Popper Bobber, “1B” Title
  • NorthernExpedition – Rewards
  • RFG – 3x Instant Catcher

Expired Fisch Codes

The following Fisch codes have expired and can no longer be redeemed as of January 2025:

  • GOODBYEFISCHMAS
  • FISCHMASDAY
  • MERRYFISCHMAS
  • ThankYouFollowers3
  • ThankYouFollowers2
  • Advent
  • Prehistoric
  • AncientIsle
  • ThankYouFollowers
  • TheDepths

How to Redeem Fisch Codes

To redeem Fisch codes, boot up the Roblox Experience and, once you’re in, follow the steps below:

  1. Look at the top of the screen. You’ll see a button labelled “Menu“.
  2. Click the button to open the menu screen, then scroll down to the bottom of the menu tab.
  3. At the very bottom, you’ll see the codes bar. Input your code into this bar and then press the ENTER key to redeem it.

Why Isn’t My Fisch Code Working?

If your Fisch code isn’t working, it’s likely due to one of two scenarios. The first is that the Fisch code was inputted incorrectly. Check the spelling and that the case is correct, then redeem again. You can even copy and paste the codes directly from this article over to Roblox if you want to make sure you’re inputting them correctly.

The other possibility is the code has expired or you’ve already used it. In this scenario, you should see an error message pop up below the code bar informing you that the code has already been used or is invalid.

How to Get More Fisch Codes

The best way to get more Fisch codes is by joining the Fisch Discord server. However, it’s worth noting the server can be difficult to join considering it’s frequently full, with a whopping 500,000 members. If you do run into that issue, keep checking back every few days until you’re provided access. Luckily, the team also posts Fisch codes over on X, so even if you can’t join the server, it’s worth checking the Fisch X account to see if you can find some there.

What is Fisch in Roblox?

Fisch is an open-world fishing RPG in Roblox where players traverse a sprawling ocean on a quest to catch fish, meet other players, and unlock new gear. Along the way, they’ll be able to collect a nearly endless number of fish variations, using their catching skills to level up and become a legendary fisherman.

Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he’s away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.

Black Myth: Wukong for PS5 Is on Sale Today

The popular and well-reviewed Black Myth: Wukong game is on sale at Amazon. Right now you can get it a physical PlayStation 5 copy for $56.99, a 13% off discount from its original $65 price. Black Myth: Wukong was one of the few recently released games that didn’t see any discount during Black Friday. At this price, it’s also less expensive than getting the digital only edition at the PlayStation Store.

Black Myth: Wukong (PS5) for $56.99

Black Myth: Wukong was released on August 17 of 2024 and was an immediate success. This game from Game Science is built on Unreal Engine 5 and is easily one of the best looking PlayStation 5 games. The grand, sweeping story is inspired by the Monkey King lore with a main campaign that takes about 35 hours to complete according to howlongtobeat. It boasts punishingly difficult Souls-like gameplay (I personally found it harder than Elden Ring) and epic boss battles. It didn’t make it into our list of best PS5 games of 2024, but only because it was too new (had to be out for 6 months or longer).

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

DICE Awards 2025 Nominations Revealed With Astro Bot, Helldivers 2, and Indiana Jones in the Lead

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the nominees for the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards and the list reveals Astro Bot, Helldivers 2, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are leading the charge with six nominations each.

The 2025 D.I.C.E. Awards will take place on Thursday, February 13 at 11pm ET/8pm PT at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas and there will be 60 games from 2024 competing for awards in 23 categories. Astro Bot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will all be up for the top honor of Game of the Year.

While we already revealed which games earned the most nominations, we’d also like to share Balatro and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II came in second with five nominations each, and 1000xResist, Animal Well, and Batman: Arkham Shadow came in third with four nominations each.

You can check out the full list of D.I.C.E. Awards 2025 nominees below, and you can also see how they compare to our IGN Awards from 2024 and how these nominees and winners are picked.

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

  • Astro Bot
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
  • Neva
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
  • LEGO Horizon Adventures
  • The Plucky Squire
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Outstanding Achievement in Character

  • 1000xRESIST – Watcher
  • FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH – Yuffie Kisaragi
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones
  • INDIKA – Indika
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – Senua

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

  • Astro Bot
  • Helldivers 2
  • Monument Valley 3
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
  • Star Wars Outlaws

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

  • Frostpunk 2
  • Helldivers 2
  • Monument Valley 3
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
  • Still Wakes the Deep

Outstanding Achievement in Story

  • 1000xRESIST
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Still Wakes the Deep
  • Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Outstanding Technical Achievement

  • Astro Bot
  • Batman: Arkham Shadow
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Action Game of the Year

  • Batman: Arkham Shadow
  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Helldivers 2
  • Stellar Blade

Adventure Game of the Year

  • 1000xRESIST
  • ANIMAL WELL
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
  • Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Family Game of the Year

  • Astro Bot
  • Cat Quest III
  • Little Kitty, Big City
  • The Plucky Squire
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree

Fighting Game of the Year

  • Blazing Strike
  • DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO
  • Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns
  • TEKKEN 8
  • UNDERDOGS

Racing Game of the Year

  • F1® 24
  • MotoGP™24
  • NIGHT-RUNNERS™ PROLOGUE

Role-Playing Game of the Year

  • FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard
  • ELDEN RING: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio

Sports Game of the Year

  • EA SPORTS College Football 25
  • EA SPORTS FC 25
  • MLB The Show 24
  • NBA 2K25

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

  • Balatro
  • Caves of Qud
  • Frostpunk 2
  • Tactical Breach Wizards
  • Satisfactory

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

  • Alien: Rogue Incursion
  • Batman: Arkham Shadow
  • Skydance’s BEHEMOTH
  • Starship Home
  • UNDERDOGS

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

  • Alien: Rogue Incursion
  • Batman: Arkham Shadow
  • Escaping Wonderland
  • Skydance’s BEHEMOTH
  • UNDERDOGS

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

  • ANIMAL WELL
  • Balatro
  • Grunn
  • INDIKA
  • Mouthwashing

Mobile Game of the Year

  • Balatro
  • Halls of Torment
  • Monument Valley 3
  • Paper Trail
  • Wuthering Waves

Online Game of the Year

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
  • Helldivers 2
  • Marvel Rivals
  • Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

  • ANIMAL WELL
  • Astro Bot
  • Balatro
  • Helldivers 2
  • UFO 50

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

  • 1000xRESIST
  • ANIMAL WELL
  • Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
  • Riven
  • Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Game of the Year

  • Astro Bot
  • Balatro
  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Helldivers 2
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

IGN is proud to be the official media partner of the D.I.C.E. Awards and we will be exclusively streaming the ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Greg Miller and Stella Chung.

If you want to know more about how these nominees were picked and how the winners are chosen, the AIAS has shared the following;

“The Academy’s 30K+ members, comprised of the interactive publishing and development communities, recognize excellence in 23 different interactive game categories in one of the highest forms of recognition in the industry, the AIAS wore, “Titles were played and evaluated by members of the Academy’s peer panels to determine final nominees. These panels, one for each award category, are comprised of the game industry’s most experienced and talented experts in their chosen fields. Winners are determined as part of a confidential voting process and will be revealed on the evening of the show. A list of all the peer panelists can be found here.”

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

Half-Life Fans Are Doing a GTA 6 and Losing Their Minds Over Hidden Half-Life 3 Clues They Desperately Want to Be Real

Half-Life fans have waited years for Valve to do… something Half-Life 3 related. That’s nothing new. But recent weeks have seen a step up in the hunt for clues, with some believing Valve has already started an elaborate alternate reality game (ARG) that will lead to the dramatic confirmation that Half-Life 3 is finally on the way.

This next level obsession, which GTA 6 fans will find instantly familiar, was kickstarted by Mike Shapiro, the voice actor behind Half-Life’s mysterious G-Man. Late last year, in full G-Man mode, Shapiro published a cryptic tweet teasing some sort of news for 2025 alongside the tags #Valve, #Halflife, #GMan, and #2025. It was Shapiro’s first non-reply tweet since he congratulated Valve on the success of VR exclusive Half-Life: Alyx back in December 2020.

That was enough to send the rumor-mill into overdrive, but since then all sorts of wild theories have emerged within the Half-Life community. Some who have analyzed Shapiro’s tweet to within an inch of its life believe he has started an ARG for Half-Life 3, connecting the dots in such a way to lead them to the ultimate prize in video games.

Half-Life fans obsess about numbers. Valve, famously, can’t count to three. But can it count to 197? It turns out that Shapiro’s X/Twitter post contained images of the cover art of his new song, Best Long Dog. Buried within this image is the number 197. Bizarre!

Best Long Dog is three minutes and 17 seconds long, aka 197 seconds long, because of course it is. Oh, and it came out 197 days after his previous song, Magnetic North. Weird!

Here’s where the Half-Life community really steps up to the plate. Some fans theorize 197 is a reference to gold, or, more specifically, its stable isotope 197Au. This is Half-Life, after all! What’s gold got to do with anything? GoldSrc, pronounced “Gold Source,” is the original Half-Life engine. Eventually it was replaced by the Source engine, but the link is clear. Oh yeah, gold only has a single stable isotope, which means 197Au is the only gold isotope with no half-life.

The plot thickens. 197 appears three times in relation to Shapiro: in the cover art of his song, in the length of the song, and in the days after the release of his previous song. Three times! Could 197 hint at a date? Some think so. Perhaps it’s July 19?

Now we move on to fellow Valve game Counter-Strike 2, and what some believe to be hints at Half-Life 3 in the game. Remember we told you Shapiro’s song is called Best Long Dog? Valve renamed the Popdog hallway in map de_train to “Longdog.”

A few months ago, Valve updated a location in CS2 to be named “longdog”
byu/orthodonticjake inHalfLife

There’s a lot more to this apparent ARG, including even more numbers and people drawing lines in the snow. But the long and short of it is that Shapiro’s tweet, combied with changes to Counter-Strike 2, mysterious references to a dog and the number 197 are fuelling one of the most popcorn-worthy community obsessions since GTA 6 fans started analyzing phases of the moon.

Redditor emsollas summed up the sentiment. “I think we’re so starved with real information on our beloved HL3 (or even the notion of Episode 3) that we’re literally seeing signs where there are none,” they said.

“Yes Shapiro’s post is definitely leading, and there maybe something coming. But breaking down every bit of info and finding the 197 and trying to connect it is just… lunacy.”

Long dog in the clouds.
byu/BlueEnvelopeMedia inHalfLife

Officially, Half-Life 3 does not exist, despite the story ending on a cliffhanger with 2007’s Half-Life 2 Episode 2. In November, to mark Half-Life 2’s 20th anniversary, Valve opened up about its development in a documentary that revealed never-before-seen work-in-progress footage, a brand-new Ice Gun, and a raft of new concept art. You can see the gameplay segment from the documentary in the video below.

Among the details shown in the video, Episode 3 would have been set in the Arctic, and it would have focused on Alyx as a companion character. Aside from the Ice Gun, the footage shows a blob-like enemy that could split into multiple parts. According to the documentary, the team had completed a “collection of playable levels in no particular order” and expected to be able to release the game within a year or two.

Valve has plenty on its plate already, of course, including ongoing support of Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Steam itself, the Steam Deck, and new game Deadlock. Could it also be working on Half-Life 3 alongside all those other projects?

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Hyper Light Breaker: Watch 2 New Boss Fight Gameplay Videos

Hyper Light Breaker, the upcoming roguelike prequel to Hyper Light Drifter, tasks you with trekking into the Overgrowth alone or with a friend in order to restore peace by defeating the Abyss King. Today we have two exclusive new gameplay videos to share with you. Both are boss fights.

The first, which you can watch above, pits you against Dro, described by the developers at Heart Machine as “a furious wolven warrior.” And the second, which you can watch below, showcases Exus, whom Heart Machine calls a “fierce gladiator.”

Hyper Light Breaker launches into Steam Early Access on Tuesday, January 14. Check out our first hands-on preview from 2023, and if you still want more, we previewed it again last year. Oh, and check back on Monday for one more exclusive gameplay video!

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

IGN UK Podcast 782: Squid Game and Jesse’s Shocking KCD2 Playstyle

Dale, Mat, and Jesse storm into 2025 with their opinions on Squid Game season 2 and discuss Jesse’s mad playstyle for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 at length. “What do these have in common?” I hear you yell. Mass murder… lots of mass murder.

We also have an increased amount of feedback this week, with some juicy questions about cardigans and goodie hunting. Remember to send us your thoughts about all the new games, TV shows, and films you’re enjoying or looking forward to: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.

IGN UK Podcast 782: Squid Game and Jesse’s Shocking KCD2 Playstyle