General News

In the real world, driving mode switching is nothing new. From Comfort to Sport to Track, different settings can indeed change a car's performance. But in a racing game like Forza Horizon 6, are these modes truly performance switches, or merely visual gimmicks?

To answer this question, we conducted a series of rigorous real-world tests. The tests focused on track lap times and top speeds on straightaways, covering a variety of car models. Below are the complete conclusions and model guide.

Testing Methodology: Limitations and Standards

First, it's important to clarify several hard limitations of driving mode switching in FH6. According to our tests, all mode switching can only be done in Free Roam mode, and the vehicle must be completely stationary. This means you cannot adjust the mode mid-race. The only viable scenario for competitive use is in-game time trials.

To quantify the differences, we chose Legends Island Circuit as our primary test track. This track features both high-speed and low-speed combination corners, effectively testing the handling differences caused by changes in downforce. We also conducted top-speed comparison tests on the highway to verify the actual effect of the low-drag mode.

Testing of Various Cars

Mercedes-AMG ONE

As one of FH6 models with the most significant visual changes, AMG ONE's mode switching is a veritable transformation show. In Highway mode, the massive active rear wing is completely flattened, the front wing flaps are closed, and the ride height is at a normal level. Once switched to Track Mode, the rear wing rises, and the front air vents and flaps deploy, creating a striking visual impact.

However, the actual driving experience contrasts sharply with the exaggerated visual effects. In Legends Island Circuit lap time comparison, Track Mode lap times were only about 0.2 to 0.3 seconds faster than Highway Mode. In terms of perceived performance, theoretically, lower wind resistance should result in higher top speeds. However, in actual highway testing, both modes remained stable at 227 mph, with no difference.

In other words, the mode switching in Mercedes-AMG ONE is more of an emotional experience. In high-speed corners, there's almost no perceptible change in grip. Unless you're staring at the mode icon in the upper left corner of the screen, most drivers wouldn't be able to tell the difference blindly.

Gordon Murray T.50: The Only Real Power Difference

Gordon Murray T.50 is the most unique case in this test because it boasts an extremely hardcore setup: VMax Boost. This isn't just a simple suspension or steering tuning adjustment; it's a genuine power boost.

In High Downforce mode, the output is approximately 655 horsepower; while in VMax Boost mode, the output jumps to 685 horsepower, while the active rear wing enters a low-drag state.

In track testing, the lap times of the two were minimally different. However, in top speed tests, High Downforce reaches 217-218 mph, while VMax Boost easily achieves 222 mph, with potential for even higher speeds.

Despite this, the perceived difference remains negligible. Whether in high-speed long curves or heavy braking zones, the T.50 performs extremely stably; you can hardly determine the current mode through steering wheel feedback or vehicle dynamics.

McLaren P1 & Ford GT: The Only Two Perceptible Handling Differences

These two cars prove that mode switching in Forza Horizon does indeed produce a sense of handling.

 McLaren P1's mode switching process is extremely slow, with an animation lasting several seconds, visually only showing a change in the rear wing angle and a slight lowering of the body. But in actual driving:

• Sport mode: Slight hesitation in cornering, noticeable understeer
• Race mode: Significantly faster front axle response, sharper cornering, improved rear-end tracking

And the lap time difference reaches 1 second, which is a clearly perceptible difference in FH6's physics system.

Ford GT's performance is even more pronounced. In Track Mode, the car feels noticeably more grounded, boosting confidence when navigating high-speed, undulating terrain and allowing players to brake later and accelerate earlier.

If you'd like to experience the differences between these two cars' modes firsthand, but haven't unlocked them in your garage, you can buy Forza Horizon 6 cars from IGGM.com to immediately experience the realistic handling in the virtual world.

Toyota GR Yaris: No Change

Theoretically, this popular performance car has a complex all-wheel-drive torque distribution tuning in reality, with noticeable differences between modes. However, in the game, there are no perceptible changes to the vehicle's appearance, lap times, or top speed in either Sport or Track modes.

Rimac Nevera: The Real Difference

If the mode switching of the previous models was a minor adjustment, then Rimac Nevera's Drift mode is a genetic mutation.

In all-wheel-drive mode, the Rimac Nevera achieves a lap time of 42.7 seconds, demonstrating extremely efficient power distribution and rapid cornering exits. In Drift mode, the vehicle is forced into pure rear-wheel drive, causing the lap time to drop to 47.8 seconds, more than 5 seconds slower.

In Drift mode, even a slight touch of the accelerator exiting a corner will cause the rear wheels to spin instantly. You must control your right foot with the same finesse as if you were driving a modified 1000-horsepower rear-wheel-drive car. While the lap time is abysmal, this mode is a godsend if you want to create exaggerated drift angles in high-speed corners.

In short, there are indeed differences between the different driving modes of Forza Horizon 6, but they are far from game-changing. Until more driving modes are added, you can confidently leave your AMG ONE in track mode and enjoy the visual and psychological satisfaction it provides.

Mythic Unique system in Diablo 4 Season 14 has been heavily criticized since its release. The main reasons include the extremely low and random drop rates of Mythic Uniques, as well as the restrictions caused by Crafted tag.

The good news is that since Patch 3.1.1, the official team has been gradually addressing these player complaints. They have increased the drop rates of Mythic items and removed Crafted tag restrictions.

On Tuesday, July 21, the official team released 3.1.1 Server Hotfix, which solved a critical material and Mythic farming issues. After this hotfix, character progression has become much smoother.

Glints of Hope Cache

First, Glints of Hope Cache has received a major improvement. It now includes Superior Lair keys as a repeatable reward, meaning you can obtain Superior Lair keys every time you claim the cache. This allows you to create a new farming loop for Mythic items.

How to Obtain Glints of Hope Cache?

Open Seasonal Board and claim all accumulated Glints of Hope repeat reward caches.

If you do not have any caches available, there is no need to worry. Simply head to Helltide areas and repeatedly farm Rupture Events, which is currently the fastest way to obtain Glints of Hope Cache.

After receiving the caches, open all of them and collect every reward. However, the most important item to obtain is Superior Lair keys.

Corrupted Reaper

After obtaining the keys, travel to Zarbinzet and find Corrupted Reaper. Keep defeating this boss repeatedly. Solo farming is possible, but playing in a group is recommended because it provides better overall loot efficiency.

You can obtain Mythic items, Iconic Mythic items, and Mythic Seals. If you do not need the seals, you can also sell them for gold. Legendary Seals can provide up to 13 million gold each, making them an important source of gold income.

After completing a farming cycle, check the items in your inventory. Ancestral Uniques with excellent affixes should be kept. Unwanted Mythic items can be salvaged directly to obtain Resplendent Sparks, which can be used at Blacksmith to craft Iconic Mythic items you need.

Although Mythic drop rates have been significantly increased, finding the exact Mythic Unique that fits your build still requires time and luck. If you want a simpler approach, you can buy Diablo 4 Mythic items from IGGM.

Alternatively, you should only consider upgrading when a Mythic Unique has the exact same high-quality affixes as your current regular Unique item. Otherwise, keeping your current setup may be a more efficient choice.

Mythic Tribute of Armament

Another piece of good news is the increased Mythic item drop rate from Mythic Tribute of Armament:

• In Torment 10, the chance of obtaining Mythic items has been greatly increased.
• In Torment 12, Mythic items are guaranteed to drop.

This is almost identical to the situation in Diablo 4 Season 13, but unlike that period, this time it is not caused by a bug.

Mythic Tribute of Armament can be crafted in Horadric Cube by combining 5 Greater Tribute of Armaments.

There are many ways to farm Tribute of Armament, including Tree of Whispers, Kurast Undercity reward caches, and Helltide chests. Tree of Whispers is the most efficient source, but players who focus on Helltides can also accumulate enough Tribute of Armaments over time.

War Plans

Do not rush into the dungeon and start running it randomly. First, make sure you are playing on Torment 12 difficulty. Then check your Undercity Tree, because you must unlock Gutter Filth node.

Its effect is: when you activate any beacon inside The Undercity, there is a chance to summon a Portal Prankster. If a Portal Prankster appears, additional treasure chests will spawn at the end of the dungeon, giving you more Mythic items. Since Mythic drops are now guaranteed, each run should provide two, three, or even four Mythic items.

Mythic Item Upgrade Recipe

In addition to the two pieces of good news above, the developers previously announced some good news regarding Mythic items. Starting from Season 15, Diablo 4 Horadric Cube will remove Mythic item reroll recipe and add a new recipe that directly upgrades items into Mythic versions while preserving the original item itself.

This change comes from widespread player misunderstanding. During Season of Death Awakening, many players placed their carefully farmed high-stat Unique items or other base items into Horadric Cube and selected Upgrade to Mythic recipe, believing that their original affixes would be preserved. However, they ended up receiving a random Mythic item from the same equipment slot.

In reality, Season 14 recipe only guarantees the same equipment slot, not the specific Mythic item. The affixes are also completely rerolled. If players put a carefully crafted top-tier item into Horadric Cube, it could be permanently ruined. This is why some players strongly disliked the system.

After Season 15 begins, if you place a Unique item into Horadric Cube and upgrade it, it will transform into the corresponding Mythic Unique while keeping the original affixes.

This means that even in a Season, a Non-Ancestral or non-Mythic Unique item can become extremely valuable if it has high-quality affixes. This allows players' carefully prepared top-tier base items to remain useful instead of being wasted.

Diablo 4 Season 14 Server Hotfix 3.1.1 has made the game progression much faster and more intense. If your character was previously missing key upgrades, you can now try completing your equipment setup with Mythic versions after this update.

NBA 2K27 is attempting to drum up interest ahead of its official launch by using countdowns to tease potential new content. While this strategy is effective, the waiting period has also led players to uncover further underlying issues within the series.

We have previously analyzed flaws in the shooting and passing systems, but those were merely the tip of the iceberg; the failure to resolve deeper, systemic issues is precisely why these mechanics often fall short of providing a satisfying experience.

Before more details on NBA 2K27 are revealed, we want to analyze the shortcomings exposed in previous titles and express our hope that the new game will implement necessary optimizations.

Pure Green Windows make cheating easier

Cheating and the use of third-party hacks have long plagued NBA 2K series, but the introduction of Pure Green Window mechanic has exacerbated the problem.

Before this mechanic was introduced, the inherent randomness of shooting meant that cheat tools were less effective; even with perfect timing, a basket wasn’t guaranteed.

However, with the addition of Pure Green Windows, players can achieve a 100% success rate simply by releasing the shot meter at the precise moment of the jump shot’s release, effectively bypassing RNG and other variables.

While the mechanic was clearly intended to make shooting easier and help players secure more victories, it also created a vulnerability that cheat tools could easily exploit.

What is particularly baffling is that, while most games take proactive measures or respond to player pressure, to combat cheating, NBA 2K has been notably unreliable in this regard.

Compared to the myriad cheating methods found in shooter games, the issues caused by Pure Green Windows are relatively straightforward to fix. We sincerely hope NBA 2K27 addresses this; otherwise, it severely dampens the enthusiasm of honest players.

Because easy shooting allows cheaters to rapidly accumulate more MT Points, a failure to fix this could destabilize the game’s economy, forcing you have to invest significantly more NBA 2K27 MT to unlock the player cards they desire.

Furthermore, NBA 2K26 suffers from a ridiculous form of cheating that exploits network latency. While this issue cannot be entirely eliminated, it is easily solvable; the fact that it remains viable speaks volumes about the laziness of NBA 2K development team.

Ineffective AI system

An increasing number of games, including NBA 2K, incorporate AI technology as a support mechanism. Generally, this is a reliable approach; however, in NBA 2K26, if a teammate disconnects and the AI takes over, you will find it so inept that it becomes a liability.

This phenomenon also fuels rampant cheating, as teams exploit it to farm wins against AI-controlled squads for easy, lopsided victories.

Fixing this isn’t difficult: the developers could either improve the AI’s defensive mechanics, forcing them to stick closer to opposing players, or simply kick disconnected players from the match entirely. Playing a man down is preferable to being sabotaged by idiotic AI.

Terrible three-point fadeaway shots

This issue is particularly glaring with three-point fadeaways. From a realism standpoint, even elite NBA players rarely attempt fadeaway shots from beyond the arc; the move is neither realistic nor fun.

Moreover, if an opponent uses speed bursts to strafe laterally before launching a fadeaway three, it is nearly impossible to defend without double-teaming them and employing specific lateral defensive tactics. If you also encounter players using cheats or hacks, the entire experience is ruined.

Flawed shot contest system

If NBA 2K27 optimizes the shot contest system, the aforementioned issues could potentially resolve themselves. Currently, however, even when you trigger a contested status, opponents can still sink shots with pinpoint accuracy.

Conversely, if you play tight defense to initiate physical contact while simultaneously raising your hands to trigger a contest, the system often fails to register the defensive action, a completely contradictory design.

The contest system actually worked well in NBA 2K25; it is baffling why it was changed so drastically for the worse in 26. Hopefully, the developers will rectify this flawed system before NBA 2K27 launches.

Dunk meter issues

While this issue may not be as severe as the ones mentioned earlier, it is certainly frustrating, especially given that current dunking mechanics feel inferior to those in previous versions.

For instance, you might set up for a dunk, only to find the pure green window suddenly shrinking drastically, causing you to miss the timing.

Although aiming for the very top of the dunk meter can sometimes mitigate this, it is an issue that the development team really ought to fix promptly.

Flaws in the matchmaking system

In NBA 2K series, plates serve as an indicator of your consistency in winning and overall on-court performance; the game’s matchmaking system relies on this attribute to pair players up.

This creates a problem: if a top-tier player creates a new character, starting with a black plate, the system matches them against genuine novices. Predictably, this results in a miserable experience for the beginners.

Furthermore, this allows skilled players to exploit the system for easy gains while disregarding the experience of others; it intimidates potential new players, causing them to give up on the game entirely before even starting.

Consequently, unless this matchmaking system is fixed, casual and new players are unlikely to jump into the game, no matter how many innovative features NBA 2K27 might introduce.

Conclusion

The issues outlined above have a significant negative impact, yet from a technical standpoint, they are not difficult to resolve. They could easily be addressed via the patches even after development on NBA 2K27 is complete, let alone now, while the game is still in the works.

We sincerely hope NBA 2K27 development team will listen to valuable community feedback and make improvements based on it, rather than remaining set in their ways.

Previously, players might have thought that without Runeword: Enigma in Diablo 2 Resurrected Ladder Season 14, the efficiency of our long journeys to bosses like Andariel, Mephisto, or Baal would be greatly reduced.

But that's okay, there's a way to compensate - D2R has a group of Super Unique Monsters with fixed locations near waypoints. Not only are their drop mechanics consistent, but they're also very convenient, making them ideal farming choices during the mid-to-late game gear accumulation phase.

These monsters always drop two items per kill, potentially including D2R runes, gems, or Worldstone Shards, making them well worth farming.

Act I: Inner Cloister's Bone Ash

Inner Cloister waypoint is arguably one of the most cost-effective treasure hunting starting points in Diablo 2 Resurrected.

There's always a Rogue's corpse near the waypoint that you can search, and once you enter Cathedral, the target monster, Bone Ash, always appears deep inside.

The advantage of this area lies not only in the boss itself, but also in its surrounding environment: Cathedral is often accompanied by multiple groups of Ghost-type monsters, and Ghosts have the highest rune drop rate in the game besides Countess, providing an additional implicit bonus to obtaining high-level runes.

Meanwhile, the side halls on both sides of Cathedral and a hidden back room that is easily overlooked contain numerous treasure chests and special monster groups, further enriching the rewards of each farming run.

In Non-Terrorized state, Bone Ash already possesses considerable drop potential, capable of dropping Ber runes, and in Nightmare difficulty, even Ko runes.

When Terror Zone covers Catacombs, we can start from Inner Cloister and clean up Bone Ash before moving down to the next layer, so as to achieve a balance between farming efficiency and benefits in D2R.

Furthermore, regardless of whether you choose to play offline or online, the layout of the aforementioned areas and the locations of monsters remain largely unchanged, so it's perfectly fine to treat it as a repeatable daily farming option in D2R.

Act II: Fire Eye in Arcane Sanctuary

Next, we arrive at Arcane Sanctuary. Fire Eye spawns regularly at the portal, and its spawn logic is clear.

After entering Arcane Sanctuary through the portal, this monster usually appears directly in front of the portal or in one of the adjacent rooms.

Compared to Bone Ash, Fire Eye is level 81 and boasts a higher Treasure Class drop rate. Therefore, you are very likely to farm popular Diablo 2 Resurrected items like Shako from Fire Eye, or Ber and Jah runes.

It's worth noting that we don't need to explore the Fire Eye extensively. While it offers a lot in terms of stats, the actual loot is subject to randomness, so try not to spend too much time on it.

Act III: Supplementary Options to Kurast

Super Unique Monsters in Act III are relatively scattered and don't meet the direct waypoint requirements of the two locations mentioned above. Therefore, we can consider them as supplementary options during D2R farming.

While Stormtree in Spider Forest is a Super Unique Monster, its spawn location is not fixed, requiring searching along the map edges, making the total time unpredictable and reducing farming efficiency.

However, its Treasure Class is as high as 83, approaching the level 85 scene level, and it can drop almost all basic and expansion gear. As long as you don't mind running a bit more, Stormtree remains very attractive.

Additionally, while Travincal Council Members are not a single Super Unique Monster, considering their fixed locations and high rune drop potential, they are worth farming. However, the overall difficulty is relatively high, and players should carefully evaluate based on their gear.

Act V: Eldritch and Shenk of Frigid Highlands, and Pindleskin

Upon entering Act V, the concentration of Super Unique Monsters near the waypoint increases significantly, marking the climax of our farming route.

First, heading upwards from Frigid Highlands waypoint, you can directly encounter Eldritch the Rectifier, level 84, with an exceptionally wide loot pool. Even outside Terror Zone, it yields most high-level items.

Next, we can turn our attention to Shenk the Overseer, which is right next to Eldritch the Rectifier - another Super Unique Monster. The numerous minions surrounding it not only increase the overall drop rate but also provide ample supplies (especially Rejuvenation Potions).

Both locations are very close to the waypoint, allowing for a near-complete kill with no need to revisit the map, resulting in extremely high loop efficiency.

As for the end point of this farming route, we can extend it to Pindleskin in front of Nihlathak's Temple.

Most players are familiar with this, as its drop rate in Diablo 2 Resurrected is renowned. Outside of Terror Zones, it covers almost all unique items, except for a very few specific ones (such as Tyrael's Might and Arachnid Mesh).

This allows us to create a complete loop in Diablo 2 Resurrected: Inner Cloister, Arcane Sanctuary, Frigid Highlands, and then Pindleskin, making the farming route more compact.

If you've just entered Hell difficulty and your gear isn't fully developed, the monster density in these areas is relatively consistent, and the paths are straightforward, making farming relatively safe.

In online multiplayer, even if other players have already occupied the main boss room, these fixed targets near the waypoints can still enter your farming at any time.

As long as you allocate your time and repetitions reasonably, this Enigma-free farming system can provide your character with stable Diablo 2 Resurrected runes and gear accumulation!

MLB The Show 26 All-Star Week has brought several exciting events, and more importantly, a large number of powerful new cards have entered the game.

With a massive wave of cards from 2026 Home Run Derby, Draft, and All-Star Game going live, the addition of many new players has completely reshaped the current power rankings.

Since pitchers have always been the most controversial position, and their performance varies greatly depending on difficulty settings, this ranking will only focus on the strongest non-pitcher cards. Along with the top-tier options, some relatively easier-to-obtain players will also be included below.

Catchers

1. 99 OVR Victor Martinez Awards
2. 97 OVR Adley Rutschman All-Star
3. 98 OVR Cal Raleigh Summer

There is no doubt that Victor Martinez takes the top spot among Catchers. As a switch-hitting catcher, he has nearly maxed-out Contact against left-handed pitchers, while his Power ratings are also extremely impressive.

Adley Rutschman is another switch-hitting catcher, and his defensive ability is even more outstanding. His Arm Strength and Arm Accuracy are both close to maxed out, making defensive mistakes extremely rare.

Cal Raleigh has a very impressive overall profile. He provides solid defense and exceptional power, although his position limits his overall impact. Even so, he remains a highly valuable option at around 200,000 Stubs.

First Base

1. 99 OVR Albert Pujols Signature
2. 99 OVR Victor Martinez Awards
3. 99 OVR Miguel Cabrera Milestone

First Base has many elite cards, but Albert Pujols, Victor Martinez, and Miguel Cabrera's 99 OVR collection cards have established absolute dominance. Their overall quality is among the best in the game, although Cabrera's swing may feel slightly less effective than Pujols'. The difference, however, is extremely small.

Many players may not have collected these three top-tier 1B cards, but there are still other strong alternatives.

97 OVR Chris Hacopian has excellent Contact, Power, and Clutch ratings. He can play Corner Infielder positions, the outfield, and even several spots across the infield, making him an incredibly versatile option. It is also a free card.

Second Base

1. 98 OVR Ozzie Albies 2026 All-Star
2. 96 OVR Ketel Marte Vintage
3. 97 OVR Tyler Bell 2026 Draft

Ozzie Albies is currently the best Second Baseman. His Contact hitting is nearly maxed out, his Power against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers is above 90, and he starts with Gold Shield Defense, which can be upgraded to Diamond Defense.

Ketel Marte is a switch hitter who performs slightly better against left-handed pitchers. His defense and baserunning ratings are both excellent, making his overall performance almost comparable to Ozzie Albies.

Tyler Bell is also a switch hitter, and his Contact can reach above 100. Aside from Vision, nearly every attribute can become outstanding through Parallel upgrades, making him an underrated card.

Third Base

1. 99 OVR Albert Pujols Signature
2. 99 OVR Miguel Cabrera Milestone
3. 99 OVR Roch Cholowsky 2026 Draft (Red)

3B position heavily overlaps with First Base, with collection cards such as Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols still leading the group. The overall ranking structure is unlikely to change significantly in the short term.

Besides top-tier cards, there are also many free and easily obtainable high-value options. 96 OVR Chase Headley is very effective and loved by many players.

Shortstops

1. 99 OVR Troy Tulowitzki Milestone
2. 99 OVR Geraldo Perdomo Awards
3. 98 OVR Grady Emerson 2026 Draft

Troy Tulowitzki is elite in almost every category and is unquestionably the best Shortstop option. Geraldo Perdomo is only slightly better in terms of Contact hitting, but unless you strongly prefer right-handed hitters against right-handed pitching, Tulowitzki remains the clear choice.

Grady Emerson has most of his attributes above 80. His only noticeable weakness is slightly lower Speed, but his defensive ability is excellent, which is enough to make him one of the best Shortstops available.

Corner Outfielders

1. 99 OVR Albert Pujols Signature
2. 99 OVR Cody Bellinger 2026 All-Star
3. 98 OVR Juan Soto 2026 All-Star

Albert Pujols can play both infield and outfield because his attributes are strong enough to handle almost any role. However, his Speed and Fielding are not elite, which makes him a better fit in the infield.

Cody Bellinger's attributes are comparable to Albert Pujols, and his defensive ability is outstanding. Playing him in the outfield allows this card to reach its maximum potential.

Juan Soto is incredible against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers. Defensively, he has decent arm strength, but his speed is limited. His offensive ability, however, makes him one of the best Corner Outfielders.

It is also worth mentioning 99 OVR Mike Trout card, which can play both Corner Outfield and Center Field. His 75 Fielding and Reaction ratings are slight weaknesses, but his 90 Speed helps compensate. Even without the 99 OVR version, 92 OVR Mike Trout remains extremely effective because his swing is almost impossible to replace.

Centerfielders

1. 99 OVR Cody Bellinger 2026 All-Star
2. 99 OVR Mike Trout 2026 All-Star
3. 98 OVR Cedric Mullins Spotlight

Centerfielder rankings overlap heavily with Corner Outfielders, with only players capable of truly handling center field defense being selected. Cody Bellinger and Mike Trout still lead the top tier, and whether you prefer a left-handed or right-handed bat, both are excellent choices.

Cedric Mullins is also an outstanding Centerfielder. His defense and Reaction are excellent, but his 80 Power against left-handed pitchers may be considered a weakness compared with other top-tier cards.

After All-Star Week, many new cards have entered the meta. Overall ratings do not fully represent a card's true strength. Some players with average ratings can still perform exceptionally well because of their attribute combinations and unique swing animations, causing them to be underestimated.

Some collectible cards or cards with a 99 overall rating are very difficult to obtain, often requiring a large collection to unlock. You can buy MLB The Show 26 Stubs from IGGM, so you could easily get the powerful cards, or complete collection missions to unlock top players.

With the 2026 World Cup, which spanned over a month, concluding with Spain's victory, the official pre-order date for EA FC 27 has finally been confirmed, following a steady rise in anticipation throughout the tournament.

Consequently, discussions regarding price predictions for the various editions and which one to get have been heating up. We will cover these topics in detail below.

When will FIFA 27 pre-order begin?

According to the latest news, pre-orders for FIFA 27 will open this Thursday, July 23 (UK time), though the exact time depends on your time zone. However, even if you get it a few hours later, it won't matter much, as there is still plenty of time before early access begins.

You can pre-order the game right up until the day before its full launch on September 25. That said, it is best to unlock it at least a week in advance to avoid missing out on the seven-day early access benefit.

Which FC 27 editions are available for pre-order?

FIFA series has long offered Standard and Ultimate editions during the pre-order period, but this time, an additional Ultimate Plus edition has been introduced.

The pricing for Standard and Ultimate editions of FIFA 27 follows the series' tradition, set at $69.99 and $99.99, respectively. The price for Ultimate Plus edition remains unconfirmed but is expected to rise to between $119.99 and $129.99.

If you have an EA Play subscription, you should be able to enjoy a discount of approximately 10% regardless of which edition you choose. Also, keep in mind that actual prices may vary depending on the platform you use.

While it is possible that the prices of the other two editions might be lowered slightly due to the introduction of Plus edition, it is best to disregard this optimistic speculation for now to avoid potential disappointment.

Which edition should you pre-order?

First, it is important to note that if you want benefits beyond the base game, you must pre-order. As for which edition to choose, that depends on your budget and your gaming needs.

If you are on a budget and don't need a massive array of extras, Standard Edition is sufficient for a solid FIFA 27 experience; it includes standard perks like Career Mode boosts, Archetypes, and customization items for the new The Grounds mode.

If you happen to regret unlocking Standard Edition, perhaps worrying that a weaker starting squad will leave you trailing behind, you can always pre-order FC 27 coins from IGGM to unlock extra packs or players whenever you need a boost.

However, if you want early access to FUT 27 (starting a week ahead of the official launch) and exclusive packs and cards, Ultimate Edition is the better choice.

As for Ultimate Plus Edition, honestly, unless you are a die-hard EA fan who habitually unlocks every possible perk without hesitation, it isn't really necessary.

While more perks are certainly nice, the key to the best virtual soccer experience lies in whether FC 27 delivers genuinely reliable changes and fresh content.

Since the first leaks regarding FUT 27 surfaced, the community has remained skeptical and cautious, likely because players were burned by FIFA 25 and 26, which looked promising at launch but ultimately relied on constant patches just to keep things running.

How to pre-order?

FIFA 27 is available in both physical and digital formats. Physical copies offer advantages like refund eligibility, no need to pre-download massive files, and collectible value; digital editions, meanwhile, offer greater convenience across the board.

However, the trend is clearly shifting toward digital; for EA titles, digital sales now account for over 80% of the total, and PlayStation has announced plans to stop releasing physical game copies starting in 2028.

All things considered, we recommend pre-ordering the digital edition of FIFA 27 for your specific platform.

Once pre-downloading becomes available, simply download the game during your free time, then log in with your EA account when early access or Standard launch begins to start playing.

One important note: if you share your device with others, rewards are granted only to the account that pre-ordered the game and cannot be transferred. It is also best to use the same account you played previous titles on to avoid losing your existing game progress.

This potential downside is particularly tricky because, regardless of which edition of FIFA 27 you pre-order, any 92+ Rated ICON players you earned in FIFA 26 will carry over to FIFA 27 and be ready for immediate use.

Is FUT 27 still worth playing?

To be honest, given that EA FC series has lost some player trust, you might worry that FUT 27 is just old wine in a new bottle, offering a veneer of varied updates while the core mechanics remain virtually unchanged.

If that concern outweighs the appeal of extra pre-order bonuses, there is a solid alternative strategy: simply unlock a one-month EA Play membership after FC 27 launches.

One of the perks of EA Play membership is a free ten-hour trial of newly released titles. If you are a regular FIFA player, that should be plenty of time to decide whether the new game is worth the full unlocking.

Then again, we all know the type of player who complains about and mocks every new release yet can't help but keep playing, after all, there is currently no real alternative capable of completely replacing FIFA series in the virtual football space.

If that sounds like you, then instead of sitting on the fence, you might as well jump in early. You're going to end up back in Ultimate Team sooner or later anyway, so why not make life easier on yourself?

That covers everything for now. Regardless, we hope FC 27 delivers genuinely valuable new content and doesn't squander the free promotional momentum generated by the World Cup.

In Helldivers 2, while exceptional individual skill is undeniably important - landing a clean shot on an enemy's weak point can instantly turn the tide of a firefight - your loadout ultimately defines each mission's experience. Even a highly capable player may struggle to achieve meaningful results if they bring a set of equipment geared more toward novelty than efficiency.

Your loadout and your technical ability together shape your performance on the battlefield. Without a well-considered combination of gear, you will find progression arduous. It is not simply a matter of picking the most powerful weapons; instead, you need to build around each piece's shortcomings. Let us examine a few examples to illustrate this approach.

High Damage But Weak Against Swarms

Take R-6 Deadeye as a case in point. This sniper rifle handles beautifully, delivering 300 damage per shot with medium penetration capability, and its stagger force rivals that of many shotguns. That makes it exceptionally effective against larger foes.

However, its drawbacks are equally pronounced: a magazine capacity of only eight rounds, paired with an excruciatingly slow reload. When facing Terminids' relentless swarms of smaller enemies, this limitation can prove fatal.

The core issues with this weapon are its reload speed and the vulnerability window that arises when facing numerous adversaries.

Reload Speed

Reload speed can be addressed through your armor selection. Two options stand out:

• RE-2310 Honorary Guard, whose Reinforced Epaulettes passive boosts primary weapon reload speed by 30%;
• Siege-Ready armor passive, which also provides a 30% reload bonus and adds 20% extra ammunition capacity.

Given that R-6 Deadeye does not typically suffer from ammo shortages, Honorary Guard offers the better trade-off here, allowing you to carry other, more impactful choices in your loadout.

Clearing the Horde

that is the real challenge you must confront. Your sidearm can handle small or medium enemies to some extent, but the core solution ultimately relies on your Stratagems.

For your Backpack slot, consider AX/AR-23 Guard Dog or AX/LAS-5 Rover. Both are excellent tools for sweeping away lesser foes. AX/LAS-5 Rover is particularly outstanding because it requires no ammunition and delivers sustained damage over time.

If you prefer not to bring a Guard Dog, you can opt for a Sentry with a short cooldown, such as A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry or A/FLAM-40 Flame Sentry.

Should you choose neither of those, then you will need a Support Weapon dedicated to crowd control - for example, GL-28 Belt-Fed Grenade Launcher, M-1000 Maxigun, MGX-42 Bullet Storm, ARC-3 Arc Thrower, or LAS-98 Laser Cannon.

You have up to four Stratagem slots, so your options are plentiful. By flexibly selecting among these, you can handle most combat scenarios. If you are playing in a squad, you can delegate the task of clearing minor enemies to your teammates; under their cover, you can safely take your sniper shots from a distance.

Strong against Swarms But Lacking in Damage

AR-23 Pacifier presents almost the exact opposite situation to R-6 Deadeye. It features medium armor penetration and a stunning effect, with a rate of fire comparable to that of an assault rifle.

AR-23 Pacifier excels at eliminating smaller targets and can effectively interrupt charging heavy units, yet many players consider it underwhelming because its swarm-clearing potential remains limited, and its high fire rate drains ammunition at an alarming pace.

Ammunition Concerns

While Siege-Ready armor passive was not the optimal choice for R-6 Deadeye, it proves especially suitable for AR-23 Pacifier, increasing your total ammo reserves and easing sustained-combat pressure.

Damage

AR-23 Pacifier can reliably stagger and stun enemies, but its raw damage is somewhat insufficient. It functions more as a support tool, and you will need other weapons to supply the finishing power.

AX/FLAM-75 Hot Dog pairs exceptionally well with AR-23 Pacifier. Because the Pacifier can pin enemies in place, Hot Dog's flames will not accidentally harm you; instead, you can calmly roast the stunned foes at your leisure.

You might also choose LAS-99 Quasar Cannon as your anti-heavy support weapon. For your sidearm, LAS-58 Talon handles medium threats like Alpha Commanders effectively.

G-13 Incendiary Impact grenade synergizes with Pacifier's stun, creating a sea of fire within enemy groups. In combat, you can then rely primarily on AR-23 Pacifier for crowd control while letting your other Stratagems deliver the bulk of the damage.

Balanced Performance But Scarce Ammunition

Consider SMG-203 Gallant. This medium-penetration submachine gun defies the traditional SMG role, which usually restricts you to close-range skirmishing against weak foes; instead, it possesses a genuine capacity to deal with elite targets. Its rate of fire is extremely high, but its greatest flaw is again the rapid depletion of ammunition.

Ammo Issue

SMG-203 Gallant offers excellent damage output, yet its ammunition supply curtails its potential. You can bring a powerful support weapon such as AC-8 Autocannon or LAS-98 Laser Cannon to reduce your dependence on the primary.

For your backpack slot, B-1 Supply Pack completely eliminates Gallant's ammo anxiety. For Stratagems, take 20mm HE Barrage to clear Factory Striders, and add an A/MLS-4X Rocket Sentry to counter dropships from automaton reinforcements.

As your sidearm, P-33 Missile Pistol can destroy bunker turrets and even Factory Striders from a distance; for grenades, G-48 Giga Grenade handles heavily armored units. With these choices, you effectively cover nearly every weakness.

In Helldivers 2, no weapon is truly useless. As long as you thoughtfully consider its shortcomings and build around them - using your sidearm, grenades, armor passives, and Stratagems to compensate - you can often turn any mission into a resounding victory.

Some key pieces of equipment aren't free, and they may be included in Warbonds. You can buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits on IGGM to unlock these weapons and stratagems, so you can optimize your loadout.

Dear Raiders, the fourth Expedition Departure for ARC Raiders officially began yesterday. To be honest, every time Expedition is about to start in the game, players can't help but express in the community their expectations that the development team might create some surprises.

And this isn't just hype; it's purely based on their understanding and experience of the game. They just feel that for such an important milestone as Expedition, the development team should at least include something new, right?

Even if it's not a major update, a new Raider deck, some new ARC Raiders items to pick up, or even a backpack trinket would be great. Many veteran players, though they don't say it out loud, are secretly hoping for even a small update.

However, perhaps because of previous disappointments, some players are saying, "Don't worry, it'll probably just be adding a couple of new colors to our skins and that's it." Or they're saying there will definitely be another round of Trials, but it'll likely be released with bugs.

These jokes are quite disheartening. So, did the recent ARC Raiders Store Update 1.38.0 meet everyone's expectations?

Update Content

The update everyone was waiting for finally went live on July 21st: Store Update 1.38.0. And indeed, as some players predicted, this update added two new colorways to Torpedo set - Camo and Black.

Frankly, this is just a cosmetic change and doesn't significantly affect how you play matches in ARC Raiders. The truly noteworthy change is the optimization of the matchmaking algorithm.

The development team candidly stated in their announcement that they received numerous complaints from players regarding the quality of matchmaking, especially during off-peak hours, in certain regions, or under specific map conditions, where the match experience was indeed subpar.

Therefore, starting July 21st, they will be testing a new matchmaking logic. Simply put, the algorithm might make you wait a little longer, but the goal is to match you with opponents of similar playstyles and team sizes, making matches fairer and more interesting.

This change is actually quite crucial because ARC Raiders is a mix of PvPvE. The quality of matchmaking directly determines whether you encounter equally matched opponents, get crushed by skilled players, or have a very quiet match when you enter the map.

The Gap Between Expectations and Reality

The updated outfit colors and matchmaking algorithm seem fine on their own, but the problem is that Update 1.38.0, comprised of these two elements, completely fails to meet player expectations.

Many players are complaining that after each Expedition, regardless of win or loss, they have to use the materials lost in Topside to upgrade their benches level by level.

This is the fourth Expedition, and the situation has remained almost unchanged in ARC Raiders.

What players truly want is something fresh and innovative that breaks the mold - like a new gun that makes the ubiquitous Bobcat and Vulcano no longer the only viable options.

Or a new map mechanic that forces players to adjust their tactics from ARC Raiders.

In short, only these things can make Expedition feel different and fresher than before.

How can new outfit colors and matchmaking optimizations alone keep players motivated to log in during the long lull from July to October?

The Main Event in October

If we put ourselves in their shoes, we might understand that ARC Raiders development team is not unaware of the desire for a new design, but they have most likely focused their manpower on the major update in October of this year.

The community is naturally placing incredibly high expectations on that October update, with some even jokingly saying it will not only save the game but also solve world peace.

It's clear that most people are pinning their hopes on that moment, but with several months to go, the regular updates in between won't satisfy the players' desires.

Many rational veteran players believe that once this Expedition ends, they should put ARC Raiders aside and play something else first.

Don't mistake this for giving up; it's more like a smarter form of self-management - since there's no new work, I won't waste my time here, lest I burn out my last bit of enthusiasm for the game.

Future Uncertainties

Overall, it's not that ARC Raiders development team isn't working, nor that players are too picky. Rather, the current timing is indeed delicate and awkward, and games that focus on PvPvE inherently need a constant influx of fresh content.

Outfit color updates and matchmaking optimizations are routine game maintenance procedures and have their value, but expecting them to sustain the hype during a months-long hiatus is unrealistic.

Whether the highly anticipated major update in October will deliver the new map, weapon balance improvements, and system overhaul everyone is hoping for remains to be seen.

For veteran players who have already spent hundreds of hours in ARC Raiders, they need to see some noteworthy new changes in the game. Only in this way can Expedition not just be a repetition, but truly the beginning of a new journey.

And only in this way will those who decide to leave ARC Raiders temporarily be willing to download the game again and return to this familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar battlefield when October truly arrives!

Although much of Path of Exile 3.29 content has already been showcased via livestreams and announcements, more new videos have since been released, teasing further changes arriving with the league.

Beyond new unique items, Path of Exile 3.29 introduces a series of quality-of-life (QoL) improvements, most notably optimizations to Verisium mechanic, aimed at ensuring smoother combat flow while enriching gameplay content.

Below, we detail these changes to help you prepare and quickly adapt to the new game environment once Curse of the Allflame begins.

Verisium in PoE 1

If you have also been playing Path of Exile 2 recently, you have likely encountered Verisium quite often. In PoE 2, Verisium is a special currency used at Verisium Anvil to add Runic Ward to your armor.

However, a mechanic by the same name was actually introduced in PoE 1 back during 3.25 league. In Path of Exile 3.25, Verisium exists as an ore that workers can smelt into Verisium Bars; both the bars and the raw ore are then used to upgrade Kingsmarch infrastructure.

To obtain Verisium ore, you must locate Verisium veins while exploring, then click and hold to channel energy into them.

As you channel, Verisium vein's progress bar fills up. This not only increases the final yield of ore but also raises the difficulty of the monsters that spawn upon release.

Once you release the button or the bar fills completely, powerful monsters spawn around the vein, and you must defeat them quickly. If you die or flee during the process, you lose the extra Verisium ore accumulated through channeling.

3.29 Verisium mechanic optimizations

Building on this gameplay, update 3.29 introduces a small but significant change: an added layer of protection while you interact with and channel on Verisium veins, preventing unexpected interruptions to the channeling action.

Although this optimization is a bit late in coming, it is a welcome change, as it effectively boosts your success rate and final yield when farming Verisium ore.

Even if you aren't currently engaging much with other Kingsmarch mechanics in Path of Exile, the ability to sell Verisium ore or bars for significant PoE currency income means these new changes shouldn't be overlooked.

More workbenches added

Workbenches, also known as crafting benches, allow you to add new modifiers to your gear by consuming a certain amount of currency.

Previously, workbenches were typically found in your Hideout. While this was fine for dedicated crafting sessions, it became a hassle if you wanted to upgrade your gear on the fly while progressing through the campaign or mapping.

To address this, Path of Exile 3.29 is adding workbenches to towns in Act 2 and all subsequent acts. Now, whenever you have the currency and want to upgrade your gear to tackle more dangerous content, you can do so immediately.

Increased stack sizes for currency and fragments

One of Path of Exile's defining features is its complex currency system. While collectively referred to as currency, the system comprises various orbs with distinct functions; some even have corresponding fragments that can be combined once you've collected enough.

Consequently, a single play session can yield a wide variety of orbs and fragments, quickly filling up multiple inventory slots. After a major battle, you might find yourself unable to carry away all the loot.

To solve this, Path of Exile has announced that, following the launch of Curse of the Allflame league, the maximum stack size per inventory slot for most currency items and fragments will be doubled. So, feel free to go out and gather as many orbs as you like!

Additionally, 3.29 league kicks off in just about a day, and IGGM PoE Facebook Group will be hosting random giveaways irregularly. To ensure you don't miss out, join the group now and stay tuned for the prize draws!

Optimized Ritual routes

Ritual is a key endgame event in Path of Exile that requires you to defeat enemies spawned by activated altars. Since these altars appear randomly across the map, you might sometimes consume more time searching for them than actually completing the encounters.

3.29 league introduces a special mechanic to address this: if you want to focus on Rituals while mapping, the system will release a swarm of insects after you complete a Ritual; these insects will guide you directly to the next nearby Ritual location.

Animated Guardian improvements

Animated Guardian is a unique spell that imbues a piece of equipped melee weaponry or armor with life, creating an invisible minion.

Once summoned, the minion uses melee skills based on the gear items you provided to aid you in combat; it remains active until it dies or you un-equip Animated Guardian skill gem.

Furthermore, a previously created guardian can be re-summoned directly without needing to consume the gear again.

Note that even if you animate multiple items, their effects stack onto a single guardian, and unidentified items cannot be used for this mechanic. If the guardian dies, you cannot re-summon it within the same area.

Path of Exile 3.29 introduces a QoL improvement for this spell, allowing you to view your guardian's currently equipped items at any time.

While this isn't a direct power buff, it provides greater clarity regarding the spell's effects, enabling you to adjust your strategy based on the combat situation.

These are just some of QoL improvements revealed for Path of Exile 3.29; more changes are expected upon the league's official launch, promising an enhanced experience across the board. All that's left for you to do now is prepare your league-start builds and get ready!

If you're still undecided about which hero to choose for your Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight playthrough, my suggestion is to play Selena 2 directly. She's one of the smoothest heroes to play through the early game - no complicated operation required, she's an auto-bomber who can clear the screen while just walking around.

Next, I'll provide a comprehensive guide to this SS13 Selena 2 starter build for automated attacks.

Selena 2's Core Mechanism: Dance of the Deep

A Brand New Tree-Based Hero Trait System

Selena 2's biggest feature is her brand new tree-based hero trait system, instead of the fixed linear talents of traditional heroes. This means you can freely choose trait nodes according to your build direction, customizing your own gameplay.

Selena 2's trait is called Dance of the Deep, and its effect is very direct: all Core Terra Skills will be cast centered on the player and follow the player's movement. Additionally, Terra Skills gain a 20% increase in range and an additional damage bonus.

Two Main Branches of Trait Tree

Selena 2's trait tree has two main branches. The left branch focuses on sustained damage, while the right branch focuses on burst spell damage with a higher damage ceiling. However, for early game progression, the left branch is more suitable because DoT builds offer natural comfort. They don't require stacking crit chance or considering hit chance, have lower gear requirements, and can easily utilize the blur mechanic for survivability.

Key Node: Silencing Severance

This is the core node for automation in Selena 2. When you select this node, your primary skill will automatically gain Activation Medium: Terra buff. This means that your core ground skill will automatically be cast whenever there is an enemy within 25 meters.

Combined with Dance of the Deep, which makes ground skills follow you, your build is fully automated from the moment you select this node. You don't need to monitor skill cooldowns or position yourself to cast skills; you only need to move to an area with enemies.

Early Game Skill Path

Levels 1-35: Howling Gale 

Before unlocking traits, Howling Gale is recommended. It's an area-of-effect elemental spell, highly efficient at clearing mobs, and doesn't rely heavily on gear. At this stage, simply pick up gear with spell damage, elemental damage, increased mana, and mana regeneration attributes. Prioritize talents that increase damage and mana regeneration to ensure sustainability.

Levels 35-45: Switch to Nether Grasp

Once you reach level 35 and unlock the first tier trait, Dance of the Deep, immediately switch your main skill to Nether Grasp.

TLI SS13 added several active Terra skills, including Bramble Field, Tidal Spring, Falling Star, Thunderstorm Zone, and Nether Grasp.

However, during the early game, Nether Grasp is the preferred choice for DoT path. Its mechanics are: dealing continuous erosion damage to enemies within range every second, and knocking enemies back to the skill's center every 0.5 seconds; it can also instantly kill enemies with less than 10% health. In other words, you only need to activate Nether Grasp, and enemies will be pulled to the center, continuously losing health, and instantly executed when their health is low.

Level 45: Silencing Severance

At level 45, you gain a second trait point, prioritizing Silencing Severance. Combined with Nether Grasp, you no longer need to press any attack keys; they will automatically and continuously control and damage surrounding enemies. This is the most crucial turning point in the entire early game.

Late Game Transition

Time Mark 7

When you approach Time Mark 7 in Torchlight Infinite, you need to consider switching your gear to a pure Energy Shield build.

Because Psychic talent tree has a powerful node that resets your Energy Shield charge with each Reap. Combined with the high-frequency damage from Nether Grasp, you can maintain a near-permanent 20% Energy Shield regeneration per second.

Therefore, once you reach Time Mark 7, several items should be your priority:

• Time of Vow: Restores 10% of missing health and provides an energy shield per second, making it a core item in ES build.
• Chain Behind the Curtain: Automatically builds blur mechanics while moving, converting those levels into a powerful Affliction bonus.
• Eternal Sea Fog: Increases movement speed based on blur effect levels.
• Folklore of Locking Fingers: Increases defensive stats and allows blur effects to apply to your DoT.

Blur itself has a chance to dodge damage. These items will add even more powerful effects to your Blur mechanics - the higher your blur stacks, the stronger these bonuses become, improving both damage output and survivability.

Time Mark 8

Upon reaching Time Mark 8, if you want to further maximize your build's potential, consider allocating some talent points to The Cycle I Resist node. This node converts critical strike chance into a percentage of Core Terra Skill's duration, which is the duration of Nether Grasp.

Therefore, after TM8, you should focus on maximizing your critical strike chance. The common method is to use Flame Elementium to reroll the corresponding affixes onto your gear. However, this process is random. If needed, you can buy Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium from IGGM.com, and getting the critical strike chance attribute will only be a matter of time.

In short, Selena 2's auto-bombing build allows you to completely free your hands from level 45 onwards, enjoying the smoothest map clearing experience with minimal gear costs. If you're tired of tedious operations, why not follow this guide and start dancing in the deep sea? Your TLI SS13 progression will be surprisingly easy.