PS5 price hike hits us hard, is Sony making the right move?

Remember when you thought the PS5 was a once-in-a-lifetime investment, like a college tuition or a new car? Yeah, about that. Sony decided to crank up the price, which felt as inevitable as a day-one patch. I can’t say I’m thrilled, especially when my wallet’s already tapping out from a year of expensive releases. But hey, at least it’s not like they’re thinking of raising the price on… oh, wait. Anyway, let’s see what else is happening in the gaming world this week while we reconsider our budget for gaming luxuries.

The PS5 Price Hike Was Inevitable, But What Comes Next?

For the RPG fans, the latest PS5 price hike might feel like a dagger straight to the wallet. Sony’s giving us a $200 reason to reconsider our hardware choices, and it’s got a lot to do with the so-called “RAMageddon” and some greedy component prices. Sony says it’s about protecting their margins, which basically means we’re picking up the tab. Circana’s Mat Piscatella told GameSpot that this trend might push gamers towards cheaper pastures, whether that’s streaming, PC gaming, or even mobile. And he’s not wrong. With housing and gas prices skyrocketing, dropping a cool $900 on a PS5 Pro feels like buying a luxury yacht when you’re just trying to float.

Piers Harding-Rolls over at Ampere Analysis says this was inevitable, given the AI-driven demand that’s keeping chip prices high. Toss in a dash of global tension, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. We’ve got our fingers crossed that Microsoft and Nintendo don’t follow Sony’s lead, but let’s be real, they probably will. And with the GTA 6 hype train rolling in, there’s more at stake than ever. Sure, it’s expected to sell like hotcakes, but the cost of entry could make some folks think twice. So, what’s a gamer to do? Maybe it’s time to dust off those old consoles or dive into the backlog while we wait for the economic storm to pass.

Read the full article on GameSpot

All bank locations in Borderlands 4

Not to be outdone, Borderlands 4 has decided that going on an intergalactic loot-fest isn’t enough. Now, we need to know where all the bank machines are located. Polygon reports that these banks are sprinkled throughout the game and figuring out where they are is almost as important as the guns you’ll stash in them.

In Borderlands 4, the bank system is your trusty sidekick for hoarding those legendary loot pieces you swear you’ll use someday. The game spreads the banks across major hubs, so make a mental note (or take a screenshot, we won’t judge) when you’re passing through. You’ll want to use these banks to manage inventory since, let’s be honest, the “I can’t carry another item” message is the bane of any true looter’s existence.

While we’re all here for the chaos and gunplay, the added strategic layer of managing your loot stash adds a new kind of pressure. It’s like adulting in space, with guns and explosions. If you want to optimize your looting and shooting, knowing where these banks are could be the key to your success, or at least to a slightly more organized inventory. Borderlands 4 is clearly banking on us caring about our in-game currency management. And you know what? We just might.

Read the full article on Polygon

Exclusive deal: Get 77% off a 2-year NordVPN Plus plan, and enjoy 4 months free and an Amazon gift card on top

In other news, VPNs just got a lot more tempting thanks to NordVPN’s latest deal. PC Gamer spills the beans on a whopping 77% off a 2-year NordVPN Plus plan. And if that doesn’t tickle your digital fancy, they’re tossing in 4 months free and an Amazon gift card. Yes, you heard that right, you can finally catch those international shows you’ve been missing out on without feeling guilty about your wallet.

I’ve always been a bit skeptical about VPNs. I mean, unless you’re dodging geo-blocks or staying anonymous during your late-night rabbit hole adventures, why bother? But this deal? It’s a no-brainer. You’re getting top-tier digital security plus some free goodies. So, if you’re like me and finally considering jumping on the VPN bandwagon, this might just be the deal that seals it.

Read the full article on PC Gamer

Quick Hits

• Great news for those worried about censorship: AdHoc’s superhero workplace comedy, Dispatch, is coming to Xbox untouched. Eurogamer
• The Switch 2 is outselling its predecessor like crazy, but Nintendo’s stock prices are still dropping. A classic case of “making money but not enough for investors.” GameSpot
• Fortnite’s got some buzz (and not the good kind) with folks wondering if the battle royale king is losing its crown. Catch up on the drama in this week’s VGC podcast. VGC
• Still waiting on GTA 6? Get your fix with some mind-blowing GTA 5 mods instead. Who needs an official release date anyway? Destructoid
• Brace yourself: Disney Plus dropped Versa, a touching short about pregnancy loss that

The PS5 price hike may feel like a kick in the wallet, but let’s be honest, it was bound to happen. The real question is how this changes the gaming landscape moving forward. Will it affect your gaming plans? Keep your setup cozy and your controllers charged, because there’s always a game worth playing, even when prices go up. If you’ve got opinions, gripes, or just want to chat about your latest gaming session, we’ve got you covered. We talk about all of this and more in our Discord, come hang.