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Today's gaming deals from Steam, Square-Enix, Target [update]
Steam's Thin Wallets 2013 Campaign holiday sale continues today with a fresh batch of discounted games you surely have time to play. For the next 24 hours, the Darksiders series, season pass and all, is available for $9.99. Sleeping Dogs is down to $4.99, season passes for Telltale's The Wolf Among Us are $16.74, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 is $4.99. The current batch of Flash sales will expire at 9 pm EST, but until then you can snatch up The Binding of Isaac for $1.24, XCOM: Enemy Unkown for $9.99, or Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut for $4.99. If you're looking to play on consoles, Square-Enix's online store is offering 50 percent off select games with an ongoing holiday sale. 360 and PS3 copies of Sleeping Dogs are $14.99. If you're okay with passing up on features included in the more recent Director's Cut, 360 and PS3 copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution Augmented Edition are also $14.99. You can also get ready for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII with 360 or PS3 copies of Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2 for $10 apiece. Lastly, Target's recent credit card data breach has resulted in many of their in-store items being marked 10 percent off this weekend. Combined with their weeklong sale on 3DS XLs, that means you can pick up a 3DS XL today at Target for $135. If you don't have a 3DS yet, you might want to consider 2013's contributions to its lineup. Update: This article has been updated to reflect changes in pricing for the Steam holiday sale. Prices that were originally listed for the Darksiders series, The Wolf Among Us, KOTOR 2, The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unkown and Director's Cut have all been altered. Thankfully, they're now all cheaper than when the new batch of sales began!
Target has last-minute iPad, iPhone deals
If you're looking to get some last-minute holiday shopping in, Target may just be the place to be during the next few days. The nationwide retailer has some great deals on iPhones and iPads that will allow you to keep a little bit more cash in your wallet. Through December 21, Target is offering the following deals: - The iPhone 5s can be picked up for US$149.99, a solid $50 savings from its normal $199 price point. - Meanwhile, the iPhone 5c is being offered for just $50 and comes with a $50 Target gift card. - Lastly, Target, through this Saturday, is selling the first-gen iPad mini for $299 and bundling it with a $30 Target gift card. If you can't trek on over to a nearby Target location tomorrow, no need to fret. Target is holding another sale on iOS devices running from December 22-24. Here's how those deals stack up: - In the days preceding Christmas, you can pick up an iPhone 5s for $179 along with a $25 Target gift card. - The iPhone 5c will be available for $30 and will come bundled with a $30 Target gift card. - iPad-wise, the iPad Air will be available for $479 with a $20 gift card upon purchase. - And lastly, the first-gen iPad mini will be available for $299 and will come with a $30 Target gift card. All told, some really great deals to be aware of if you're on the hunt for a new iOS device in the next few days.
Target's one-week sale shrinks 3DS XL price to $150
If you're looking to buy a handheld during the holidays, you could do much worse than the 3DS XL - particularly now that Target has knocked 25 percent off its standard retail price. Keep in mind that this is only a limited time offer. Come next week the 3DS XL will return to its normal $200 price point. Further, those of you hoping to pick up a discounted 3DS XL won't be able to order the handheld over the 'net, but must instead head out into the harsh glare of real life to buy one at a Target retail location. Otherwise there's surprisingly few caveats here. No rebates to send in, no extra bundle items to purchase; it's simply a 25 percent off discount on Nintendo's most popular handheld. If you're in the market for one, now would be a very good time to visit your nearest Target location. (Image credit: Nicholas Eckhart)
Target won't sell Beyoncé CD due to iTunes-exclusive launch
Superstar Beyoncé's self-titled album is breaking all sorts of records thanks to incredible marketing on the Apple iTunes store, but that has retailer Target a bit miffed. The company has reported that it won't sell the CD version because the record had its original release on iTunes before Target and other retailers had a chance to sell it. Billboard notes that Target had built up a strong marketing relationship with Beyoncé in the past, with one of her previous albums -- 4 -- offered in an exclusive Target-only version with six bonus tracks. In a rather terse statement, a Target spokesperson told Billboard: At Target we focus on offering our guests a wide assortment of physical CDs, and when a new album is available digitally before it is available physically, it impacts demand and sales projections. While there are many aspects that contribute to our approach and we have appreciated partnering with Beyoncé in the past, we are primarily focused on offering CDs that will be available in a physical format at the same time as all other formats. At this time, Target will not be carrying Beyoncé's new self-titled album Beyoncé. It's unknown if the sour grapes attitude of Target will extend to Apple products. We reported that iPad sales were one of the Black Friday hits at Target and other retailers, so it's unlikely that the company will seek vengeance on Apple.
Blood Pact: Multitarget DPS and situational awareness
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill discusses how to handle one, some, or many whelps. Before BlizzCon, I left off with the beginnings of how to put together your UI. While it would be easy to generate a post of macros and Weak Auras import strings, that wasn't my intent. User interfaces in WoW are varied and can be unique to the player, so I think it's a greater lesson to learn how you can design your UI to help you, rather than to help patchwork import settings together for you. So while the setup of unit frames may have seemed incredibly basic to some readers, knowing where some set frames are helps you take control of how your targets are presented to you. Much like healers considering a raid frames grid to be a central part of a healing UI, having damage targets at the ready is a central if often subconscious part of a DPS UI. Today is another basic topic, but it too has a subtle effect on how a proper UI setup can aid in DPS.
Target accidentally sells demo iPad unit, new owner freaks out
I'm not going to beat around the bush with this one; what we have here is an overblown story about a non-story, with a bit of overreaction mixed in for good measure. This is what happened: Target sold an iPad Air that was meant to be a demo unit to a Canadian woman on Black Friday. She opened it and booted it up, finding a bunch of apps, a bunch of photographs and a bunch of contact information already on the device. She freaked out and contacted CTV, a Canadian news agency, and now it's being spread with headlines like "Woman buys 'new' iPad Air (full of someone else's stuff)." No, she didn't buy someone's old iPad. She bought a demo unit filled with pre-loaded eye candy that was supposed to be stuck on a plastic arm and paged through by bored shoppers. If you take a look at the video above, you can see that all the photos in the iPad are professionally shot and even the profile images for the "previous owner's" contacts are perfect head shots on white backgrounds. Yep, it's a demonstration unit. Not only that, according to the original report, the customer noticed that it was a demo unit after inspecting the sticker on the bottom, but instead of simply returning it to Target she decided to call a local news agency. You know, for justice. But while this particular instance is clearly a stocking mistake and has nothing to do with privacy (which it is being exploited as elsewhere), it's a fine reminder that if you're ever in the position of returning an item like a smartphone, tablet or computer, be sure to wipe it ahead of time. The mythical "woman from California" that owned this iPad Air has nothing to lose, but the same probably can't be said for you. Thanks to TUAW reader Adam for pointing this one out!
Daily Update for December 2, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Report: Mario and Luigi: Dream Team 3DS XL bundle incoming
Nintendo is preparing a new 3DS XL bundle, including a pre-installed copy of Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and a branded handheld, according to the leaked Target circular posted by GameTrailers. The $199.99 bundle will go on sale starting December 1. The game's story centers around yet another Peachnapping and two alternate realities: the lucid world and another inside of Luigi's dreams. The brothers Mario work together across these two worlds in order to save Peach and an indigenous race of sleepy pillow-like creatures. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team has sold over one million copies since its debut in August. In our review, we said Mario & Luigi: Dream Team "does a lot of things right, and is a satisfying detour for a franchise that is risking too much predictability in its main guise."
Target app gets iOS 7 and Black Friday ready
Target has just released the latest version of its iPhone app just in time for Black Friday shoppers. The updated app actually has new features for all, and then a select number of beta features, depending on your location. The new features everyone gets are an all-new iOS 7 design, improved shopping list features -- including the ability to see which items on your list are on sale and a What's In Store section that allows you to see trending products and deals. The app also sports a number of beta features Black Friday shoppers are sure to find useful. In-store maps have been greatly improved, allowing shoppers to easily find items in the store they are shopping in -- even in Target stores with multiple floors. Another beta feature called Decide allows shoppers to see if a product they want is available at that specific store. The beta features right now are limited by location, with only Target stores in Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago and all City Target locations supporting the beta. Target for iPhone is a free download.
Target wants to improve your shopping by fueling Indian technology startups
We usually associate Target more with bargain pricing than technology leadership, but the big-box retailer is about to defy those expectations with plans for a startup incubator in Bangalore, India. When it launches in January, the Target Accelerator Program will finance young tech firms specializing in content aggregation, data, mobile and search. Only one or two companies will make the cut each year, but Target hopes that their projects will improve our shopping experience. TAP is also a clever way to compete against digital-savvy retailers like Walmart, which already has an Indian footprint -- Target may spot clever ideas (and buyout candidates) before they reach competitors.
Target Black Friday preview: Hardware, headsets and games, oh my
Target has posted a sneak preview for its deluge of Black Friday deals and quite a few have been extended to the video games section of the store. Headlining the weekend of savings from November 28 to November 30 are a pair of console deals: a 4GB Xbox 360 S bundle, which includes Kinect Sports Season Two and Kinect Adventures, for $190 and a 250GB PS3 system with The Last of Us and Batman: Arkham Origins for $200. Select current-gen games have also had their prices slashed. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Max Payne 3 are both down to $10; Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Splinter Cell: Blacklist are $25; and Battlefield 4, Batman: Arkham Origins and Madden NFL 25 are $35. Target is dishing out gift cards, too. Pick up a copy of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and you'll net a $20 gift card, while snagging a copy of Call of Duty: Ghosts or Mario and Luigi: Dream Team will earn a $10 card. To see the full multi-page ad, click the source link below and you'll be directed to your local Target's circular.
Target's buy two games, get one free sale spans all consoles
It turns out the previously-reported buy two, get one free sale at Target stretches across all major consoles, and is on now through Saturday, November 16. The sale includes games like Pokemon X and Y, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Grand Theft Auto 5 and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. We know what you're thinking: "What about all those launch games for PS4 and Xbox One that I want?" We filtered the platforms down on Target's sales page, and found that only four next-gen games are seemingly eligible for the sale: NBA 2K14 on PS3 and Battlefield 4, Fighter Within and Call of Duty: Ghosts on Xbox One.
Target's trading $200 gift cards for any working iPad, even first generation tablets
Still kicking around a first generation iPad? Quit it. That tablet is bulky, old and four generations out of date. We know, new hardware is expensive - but Target is making it pretty hard not to upgrade. Until November 9th, the big box retailer is offering $200 in store credit for any iPad, regardless of generation. The trade needs to happen at a brick and mortar location, but the other caveats aren't too heavy: as long as the iPad works, powers on and isn't marred by a scratched or broken screen, you're good to go. A successful trade will still leave you $299 shy of Apple's new iPad Air, but it drops the non-retina iPad Mini's price tag down to a cool $99. If that doesn't appeal, the credit can be used on virtually any item in the store. After all, tablet computing isn't for everybody.
Target will give you a $200 gift card for your iPad, including first gen (Updated)
Update: While you could get up to $200 for your old iPad, readers are reporting a trade in of just $65 for the 1st-generation iPad Wifi-only with 16 GB of storage. Others on twitter reported getting the full $200 for "first generation" iPads (we don't know the capacity or if they had cellular). Obviously the only way to know what you could get is to go to a Target store to check. Target is currently running a pretty sweet iPad trade-in promo, especially if you have a first-generation iPad. Using the company's Target electronics trade-in program, customers can trade in any working iPad and get a US$200 Target gift card good for any item the company sells. Here are the rules according to Target's site: Between November 3rd thru 9th visit your local Target Mobility store and trade in any iPad for at least $200 *. To take advantage of this offer simply follow the below steps: Step 1: Find your local Target mobility store by clicking here and selecting "Target Mobile" under store services. Step 2: Your device will be appraised in-store at the mobility kiosk. Step 3: $200 minimum promotional credit will be issued on a Target Trade-In Gift Card and is redeemable in any Target store. * Visit TargetTradeInProgram.com for store hours, locations and to see if your iPad qualifies for the offer. To be eligible for trade in, the iPad must power on and screen must not be scratched. If you've got a third- or fourth-generation iPad, the trade-in program isn't such a good deal as you could almost certainly get more than $200 for your iPad on eBay, Craigslist or Amazon. However, if you've got one of the original, aging iPads from 2010, $200 is a pretty good price for a no-hassle swap.
Report: Buy 2 PS4 launch games, get 1 free at Target
Target is offering 3 for 2 on PlayStation 4 games when the console launches next month, according to an image of a leaked flyer posted on Reddit. The flyer, apparently for deals from November 10-16, indicates each of the games shown and "more in stores" will be eligible. The fine print notes the three games must be different, so don't go trying to hoard all the Killzones, you would-be Killzone hoarders. It's also worth noting the flyer lists some of the games, like Madden 25, FIFA 14, Assassin's Creed 4, and Battlefield 4, as available starting Tuesday, i.e. November 12. As ever with new system launches, we're seeing next-gen games beat their next-gen consoles to retail shelves. For example GameStop is already selling Killzone: Shadow Fall, if you fancy staring at a box for two weeks. Or just hoarding it. [Thanks, Punkrawk Bob!]
Ouya retail presence expands to all Target locations
The Ouya's brick and mortar retail presence will grow to include 1,800 Target locations, Ouya founder Julie Uhrman told Polygon. While the Ouya has existed within Target stores for some time, its availability has been limited to select locations, rather than every location, as will be the case now. The Android microconsole's retail packaging has been spruced up to take advantage of its new-found exposure, Uhrman said. Target will push the device in its winter circular, through video adverts in its electronics departments and with special displays starting in December, though the Ouya's expanded availability goes into effect this month. Demo units are planned for early next year – Uhrman called production of the kiosks "incredibly expensive," a fact compounded by the necessity to design a wired controller for the system. In related news, Ouya is also in the process of negotiating availability at Wal-mart. "I would expect something, us to announce something with them soon," Uhrman said.
Sony: Try the PS4 at newly installed demo kiosks
Sony's got good news for those of you hoping to test out the PlayStation 4 prior to its launch: By visiting select retailers, players can try the PS4 right this very minute. According to Sony, these demo kiosks will be gradually rolled out over the coming weeks, leading up to the PS4 launch. Sony Stores, GameStop, Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy are most likely to receive kiosks first, though Sony claims that other retailers will also be participating. This means nothing to you if there's not a participating store in your area, but helpfully Sony has also issued a list of which stores now feature PS4 kiosks. If you visit Experience PlayStation and enter your zip code, you'll be presented with a map of all stores carrying PS4 demo stations within your area. The system seems to be a bit glitchy at the moment - according to Experience PlayStation, the PS4 kiosk nearest my apartment is supposedly inside "The Wood Doctor," a hardware store specializing in kitchen remodeling - but Sony has assured us that this is a temporary problem.
Target discounting iPhone 5c to $49.99... or less
Target has joined the parade of retailers who are discounting Apple's colorful iPhone 5c. Earlier this week, TUAW reported that Walmart and RadioShack were selling the 5c for just US$45 with a two-year contract; now Target has announced that they will sell the 16 GB version of the phones for $49.99 or less. That "or less" has a caveat attached to it, of course. An extra 5 percent discount is available for those who happen to have a Target REDcard, bringing the price tag down to $47.50. The prices are for a phone equipped with a new two-year contract with the carrier of your choice, and appear to be available only in stores and not online.
Target's Brightspot mobile service launches Sunday, starts at $35 per month
Ever tenacious retailer Target is once again nipping at Walmart's heels. Following the introduction of its Target Ticket video-on-demand service -- a direct competitor to Vudu -- the big box chain is now looking to get into the prepaid phone business with a service known as Brightspot. The MVNO is set to launch on October 6th, which will use T-Mobile's network and serve as Target's answer to Straight Talk. Brightspot will offer two service tiers, one for $35 that includes unlimited talk and text, in addition to a $50 plan that piles on unlimited data with 1GB of high-speed use. While Target's offering is a bit less tempting than Walmart's (which offers 2.5GB of high-speed usage for $45), the bullseye retailer will reward loyal subscribers with a $25 Target gift card for each six months of paid Brightspot service. Consider it one more excuse to kick your costly monthly phone plan to the curb.
Target Ticket video-on-demand service exits closed beta, is now open for everyone
We heard whispers just a few weeks ago that Target was about to open up its video-on-demand service to the general public. Turns out, those rumors were on the money: Target Ticket exited its closed beta today, and is now live for anyone to try out. Like Amazon Video on Demand, it offers a mix of movies and TV shows, with a choice of rentals and the option to buy outright. At a cursory glance, too, it looks like all the most popular stuff is included. (All six seasons of Breaking Bad? Check.) As for pricing, there's no consistent rule here, and we can't totally explain why some shows are more expensive than others, either ($15 for the third season of Downton Abbey seems like a steal, if you ask us). It's the same thing with the movie selections: there are lots of recent titles on tap, with prices generally ranging from $13 to $20. We've included the link below, along with a link to Target's new online-only subscription service for buying the same items over and over again. Unfortunately, though, that last one is limited to baby supplies for the time being, so unless you need to stock up on diapers, there's not much to see there.
