General News

The studio behind GTA 6 did not open pre-orders on May 18, as many players had hoped, and its parent company's stock took a noticeable hit. That is a headache for shareholders, though - right now, players are simply waiting for any scrap of news about the third trailer.

Almost the whole of May has been thick with impatient anticipation for that third trailer, yet players still have received nothing concrete - only unconfirmed leaks. The latest leak concerns the music for GTA 6 trailer 3.

Trailer 3 Music leak

By now, the third GTA 6 trailer has been missing for about ten days. Over that period, speculation has repeatedly pointed to one date after another, each time coming to nothing. Recently, however, a new leak surfaced.

At its heart is the claim that the trailer will feature "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" by The Rolling Stones. The information comes from a Reddit user who is not a GTA or gaming enthusiast, but someone with ties to the music industry.

A common way to judge the credibility of such rumors is to check whether the poster used a throwaway account to avoid harming their main profile. This particular user has been active for nearly a decade, has amassed over one million post karma and close to 400,000 comment karma, and displays numerous trophies in their case - all signs that this is their main account, not a burner.

What Is Its Connection to GTA 6?

The Song

The lyrics tell two stories: one about a boy mistakenly shot in the heart by New York City police, and another about a 10-year-old girl who dies in an alley from an overdose.

The song obviously does not line up perfectly with GTA 6 plot, but its themes strike a similar chord. Both tales center on a man and a woman, each marked by intense struggle and tragedy. The setting is New York City, which in GTA universe corresponds to Liberty City.

Liberty City

On the studio's official website, Lucia is described as yearning for the good life her mother had been dreaming of ever since their days in Liberty City. She is not one to get lost in fantasy; instead, she is ready to take control of her own destiny. That the developers chose to explicitly lay out Lucia's backstory suggests it is likely an important narrative thread.

Moreover, Liberty City license plates appeared in the second trailer, and a screenshot shows a man wearing a "Liberty City Cycles" cap. All of this indicates that Liberty City will be heavily referenced in GTA 6 and could even play a key role in the story - perhaps as a prologue setting, or by allowing players to travel between Vice City and Liberty City.

Trailer Content

Looking at the studio's trailer release habits, both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 used their third trailers to focus on character introductions, giving players a better understanding of the two leads' identities and backgrounds.

GTA 6's protagonists, Jason and Lucia, are a couple - a significant departure from the bachelors of past titles. Their relationship may well sit at the heart of the story, and the third trailer will likely shed light on their romantic history. The chorus of "Heartbreaker" perhaps hints that their bond is not always harmonious; we might even see arguments or betrayal unfold in the trailer.

When Will The Trailer 3 Arrive?

So we inevitably circle back to that question: when will the trailer drop? Rather than hoping it arrives unannounced today or on some random day soon, it makes more sense to look at when the studio is likely to make major moves.

Summer Marketing

First and foremost is the summer marketing push. The studio has previously made it clear that summer will be the main window for GTA 6's marketing. We are not yet in summer, so it is hardly a surprise that the big bets placed on this week - for the third trailer, pre-orders, the cover reveal, and everything else - ultimately did not materialise.

CEO of the parent company, Strauss Zelnick, recently reaffirmed that November 19 remains the target date and that the project is on track. He will very likely repeat that message during the upcoming earnings call. This means June, July, and August will be packed with promotional and marketing activity.

Other GTA 6 details

Although the large-scale marketing blitz will not begin until summer, that does not mean there will be complete silence before then. The earnings call later this week could reveal a more precise marketing timeline, mention the pre-order window, or give a rough outline of the next trailer's schedule.

Furthermore, even before summer officially starts, the studio could release the full cover art, unveil details about different editions and the date pre-orders go live, then follow up with the third trailer, and cap everything off by opening pre-orders.

Another date worth keeping an eye on is May 26 - originally floated as a possible release date for GTA 6. The studio might also choose this day to release something to calm the fanbase.

The game's official launch is still roughly six months away. Until the summer marketing period truly arrives, we must remain patient.

GTA Online is also set to receive a major update in the summer - possibly its last big one - which could include content tied to GTA 6. That said, you may be looking forward to GTA 6 Online even more. Whatever kind of mayhem you plan to unleash in Vice City, IGGM GTA 6 Store can set you up with everything you need to become the city's legendary outlaw or financial kingpin.

Raiders, ARC Raiders has just released Patch Notes 1.29.0. Keen-eyed players have likely already noticed the addition of a new Special break-action Grenade Launcher called Rascal. Is this blue Grenade Launcher worth getting? Let's take a look.

As a Rare-quality Grenade Launcher, Rascal is cheaper and easier to craft than the purple Hullcracker, essentially a weaker version. Its key advantage lies in its weight of only 4 kg, compared to Hullcracker's 7.25 kg, and its faster equipping speed.

Especially when compared to Hullcracker without lightweight attachments, Rascal serves as an emergency secondary weapon, specifically designed to quickly eliminate small ARC enemies such as Wasps, Hornets, or Shredders.

Blueprint and Acquisition Methods

The most reliable way to obtain ARC Raiders Rascal blueprint is by scavenging various containers, including backpacks, weapon cases, medical bags, grenade tubes, and security lockers. Some players have also found blueprints in regular containers in locked rooms.

In fact, the probability of directly finding a Rascal is extremely high compared to searching for a blueprint. It might just be lying there in a container, waiting for you to discover it, a pleasant surprise. This is especially common in Night Raid, breachable rooms, and locked rooms.

Therefore, you don't need to deliberately spend time searching for blueprints, as you can find a finished product every day.

If you plan to craft a Rascal, you will need 5 Canisters, 3 Heavy Gun Parts, and 2 Advanced Mechanical Components.

Subsequent upgrades add one Mechanical Component and 2 Gun Parts per level. Upgrading from level 3 to level 4 requires 2 Advanced Mechanical Components and 2 Heavy Gun Parts.

From this perspective, the overall cost of crafting Rascal is similar to other weapons of the same rarity. However, given that the finished product is not difficult to obtain, its practical significance is limited, and there's no need to obsess over crafting Rascal for now.

Key Comparison between Rascal and Hullcracker

Ballistics and Effective Range

While Rascal seems decent, we must acknowledge its significant bullet drop.

At 45 meters, Hullcracker can generally hit its target at the 20-meter mark, while Rascal, when aiming at the same spot, will result in a significantly lower bullet impact point.

Therefore, if you're aiming to attack long-range enemies like Rocketeer or Vaporizer, Rascal isn't ideal. It's better suited for close-quarters combat.

Rate of Fire and Single-Shot Damage

We can also compare the time it takes to fire all 10 rounds of ammunition for Hullcracker and Rascal. Hullcracker takes approximately 9.5 seconds, while Rascal takes approximately 17 seconds. Clearly, Rascal's reload time between each round is significantly longer.

When killing Shredder, Hullcracker can reliably kill with two shots, while Rascal requires three shots to directly hit Shredder's body. However, if the two thrusters, Shredder's weak points, are precisely targeted, Rascal can also kill with two shots, which is quite surprising.

Looking at Bastion, Hullcracker's single-shot damage is approximately 427-650, while Rascal's single-shot damage is approximately 300-400, with an average damage per shot that is about 30% to 50% lower than Hullcracker.

Even so, Rascal is still much more efficient than ordinary weapons like Anvil. One Rascal shot deals roughly the same damage as five Anvil shots against a high-armor ARC enemy.

Equipment Speed

Equipment speed is also a key difference between Rascal and Hullcracker.

Rascal is significantly faster to draw and aim than the standard Hullcracker, matching its speed with a lightweight attachment. This allows you to instantly pull out Rascal and eliminate swarms of Wasps while running around the map with a single shot, instead of lugging around the bulky Hullcracker.

Practical Performance and Usage Recommendations

Advantages

Rascal's advantages are already quite clear.

First, it's very easy to obtain; you can find it almost every game, making it ideal for those who have just completed Expedition, haven't upgraded their workbench, or cannot afford Hullcracker because of economic constraints.

Second, its lightweight allows for quick draws, making it a great secondary weapon specifically for dealing with small ARC enemies.

When fighting Shredders, hitting their thrusters can result in a two-shot kill, surprisingly efficient.

Therefore, in PvP lobbies or other high-risk areas, using a found Rascal instead of the expensive Hullcracker is a safer choice.

Disadvantages

As mentioned before, Rascal's bullet drop is extremely severe. For long-range targets like Wasps and Snitches, extensive practice is essential; otherwise, you might miss a single Wasp after five shots, which is both embarrassing and frustrating.

Furthermore, Rascal's overall damage output against large ARC enemies like Bastions and Bombardiers is significantly lower than Hullcracker's .

Overall, Rascal isn't suitable as a primary weapon against ARC enemies, but rather for guerrilla tactics involving firing a shot from cover and then retreating.

Is Rascal worth getting?

You don't need to search for Rascal blueprint; its high drop rate means you can likely obtain one after playing a few games a day.

You also don't need to craft it specifically, as its crafting cost isn't low. Found units are usually Tier 1-2, and a few upgrades will give you a faster reload speed.

Rascal isn't a particularly amazing weapon, but it's certainly not as bad as some players claim. For a blue-quality hero, its damage and utility have exceeded expectations. If you can easily use Hullcracker, then Hullcracker is the obvious choice. However, if you're on a tight budget or prefer a lighter loadout, Rascal is a very reliable alternative.

Go online now and try to acquire Rascal!

With the official launch of Dune: Awakening The Water Wars DLC, the developers have finally unveiled the long-awaited server migration and consolidation plan. To make room for the brand-new 1.4 update and DLC, and to optimize the overall server ecosystem, the developers will be shutting down and consolidating underperforming servers.

Whether you are a veteran player returning to Arrakis or a steadfast survivor who has remained since the beginning, this major server reshuffle directly affects the survival of all your assets and your base. Below, drawing upon the latest information and practical migration experiences, we present the most comprehensive preparation guide available to ensure your base remains exactly as you left it.

Migration Schedule and Affected Servers

First, please note that all affected Dune: Awakening servers will officially shut down on May 26. However, not every player needs to take action regarding this server migration.

The developers have explicitly stated via Twitter that worlds scheduled for closure have been clearly marked within the game client. The servers affected by this process span multiple major regions, including Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. If your current server does not appear on the shutdown list, no action is required on your part; simply sit back and prepare to welcome your new neighbors!

To compensate players who are compelled to migrate, the developers are offering a special Free Migration benefit: starting with version 1.3.20.0, players migrating away from a world scheduled for closure will not consume any Transfer Tokens to do so.

We strongly recommend that all affected players perform a manual migration as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the system to process it automatically. The sooner you act, the faster you can secure a prime location for your base on the potentially crowded destination servers! Time waits for no one!

How ​​does migration work?

Depending on the status of your current server, the migration process generally falls into one of the following three scenarios:

Server Safe: Rest Easy

If your primary server is not listed on the shutdown list, you do not need to make any preparations. Your gaming experience will not be interrupted in any way; simply continue playing as usual.

Migration Between Official Servers

When players from an affected world access Server Browser, the system will prompt them to select a new destination world. You will be able to back up and reconstruct your Dune Awakening Solari, resources, base, and vehicles using a dedicated tool provided by the developers. If you haven't acquired the necessary tools yet, head over to Claim Rewards menu to pick them up!

Migrating to a Private or Self-Hosted Server

If you've grown weary of the conflicts and strife on official servers, you have the option to migrate your character to a private server. However, please take note: this is a one-way street. Simply put, once you transfer your character to a private server, you will never be able to transfer them back to any official public world again.

How to Package Your Assets before Migration?

To ensure that not a single brick or beam is lost during your journey across worlds, players must personally package their items while still on their original server.

Claiming Your Migration Tools

First, upon entering Dune Awakening, press ESC key on your keyboard to open Claim Rewards menu. Here, all affected players can claim two crucial items completely free of charge: Base Reconstruction Tool and Vehicle Backup Tool.

Dismantling and Backing up Vehicles

Transferring your vehicles in their entirety can be tricky; since Vehicle Backup Tool has limited storage slots, we recommend prioritizing rare vehicles, such as Scout Ornithopter, for storage within it. More importantly, any vehicle stored in this tool will perfectly retain the fuel currently in its tank, allowing you to seamlessly resume your exploration of the new world.

What about the vehicles that don't fit into the tool? Instead of simply abandoning them, you can manually dismantle them into their component parts and store them inside your base's storage containers.

It is worth noting that vehicles dismantled in this manner will have their fuel tanks emptied upon reassembly; therefore, be sure to stock up on Fuel Cells in your inventory or storage containers beforehand.

One-Click Base Packaging

Once your vehicles have been sorted out, it's time to pull out Base Reconstruction Tool and use it to save your base. Acting like a snapshot, this tool will package your entire architectural structure, along with all internal Complex Machinery, Refineries, and Storage Containers (including the resources stored inside them), directly into your character's data.

Arriving in the New World

Once you return to the server list with your packaged character data and select a new destination world, the real challenge of establishing a new home begins.

Upon entering the new world, all players will spawn in Haga Basin region, located in the southern part of Dune Awakening. You are free to switch between different Sieges (starting zones) without consuming a Transfer Token. You can utilize this mechanic to pilot your vehicle back to your original base coordinates for an on-site reconnaissance mission. 

It is worth noting that many players construct their bases to conform to specific terrain features or unique structural formations. If your intended location on the new server has already been claimed by another player, you can try your luck by switching to a different Siege, or simply look for a new spot elsewhere.

If the terrain is unoccupied, but an in-game NPC camp has spawned there during your absence, do not panic. You can utilize Snap to Origin tool to force your base to snap back precisely to its original coordinates and orientation; doing so will automatically displace and despawn NPC camp.

Once the reconstruction process is complete, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that your water reserves, fuel supplies, and all the rare resources stored within your chests remain completely intact. All that remains is to reassemble your vehicle at your major base, allowing you to seamlessly resume your quest for dominance on Arrakis.

All in all, server migrations and mergers inevitably come with some growing pains; however, for Dune: Awakening, this process is a necessary step toward expanding the game with the brand-new The Water Wars DLC. Therefore, before making your move, we recommend visiting various community forums to gather intel on the factions and general atmosphere of the different new worlds, ensuring you choose a new home that best suits your needs. The sands stretch endlessly, and dangers lurk around every corner, so pack up all your belongings and get ready to write your own legend on a new server!

With less than ten hours remaining until the start of May's Monopoly Go Tycoon Racers event, you've likely already geared up and prepared yourself! But do you have enough energy left to jump immediately into the new Partners event that follows right on its heels?

Perhaps because the current Monopoly Ever After album concludes on June 3rd, leaving insufficient time to launch a major event within June for it, the game's schedule has become particularly packed toward the end of May.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to participate in Gingerbread Partners, the event immediately following Tycoon Racers, ensuring you can maximize your chances of unlocking more stickers and other valuable rewards!

Gingerbread Partners release date

The event is scheduled to begin on May 25, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET and conclude on May 30 at 4:00 PM ET, running for a total duration of 5 days and 3 hours.

There is only a one-day gap between the conclusion of Tycoon Racers and the start of Gingerbread Partners, so you won't have much time to catch your breath!

However, there is a silver lining: since both events require collaboration with other players, you can try to retain your teammates from Tycoon Racers and invite them to continue partnering with you for Gingerbread Partners.

But if, for whatever reason, they decline your invitation, don't worry! You can immediately buy Monopoly Go Gingerbread Partners Event Slot from IGGM, a move that can even boost your odds of securing the top-tier rewards!

Other ways to find teammates

Although time is extremely limited this time around, it is certainly still possible to find teammates on your own; Monopoly Go in-game recommendation list or various related forums are excellent resources for doing so.

However, before teaming up with strangers, be sure to verify that their accounts are genuine and reliable, and confirm that they are familiar with the partners event mechanics, otherwise, they could end up holding you back!

Gingerbread Partners mechanics overview

The steps involved in participating in this event can be summarized simply as follows:

1. Form your team.
2. Earn Partner Tokens.
3. Use your tokens to spin the prize wheel and accumulate points based on the results.
4. Use your accumulated points to advance the construction progress of your designated landmarks until the event is completed.

Once your team roster is finalized and the event has officially begun, all four members of the team must work together to complete the construction of a designated landmark within the allotted time frame in order to claim the ultimate grand prize.

Each landmark requires a minimum contribution of 32,000 points to be fully completed. Additionally, as your total point count reaches specific thresholds, you will unlock corresponding milestone rewards (five milestones in total).

These points are earned based on the content indicated by the segment where the pointer lands after spinning the event wheel. To spin the wheel, however, you must first earn a sufficient number of partner tokens.

How to earn partner tTokens?

Since many points are required, you must farm enough tokens to ensure you have a healthy reserve. Don't worry if you end up with a surplus after the event concludes; these leftover tokens are typically converted into dice for your use.

Additionally, to help you get acquainted with the gameplay faster, you will receive a bonus of 100 tokens immediately after the event begins, allowing you to take a few practice spins on the wheel right away.

Participate in daily events

Once Gingerbread Partners event begins, partner tokens will be included as milestone rewards in the banner events and tournaments that refresh every one or two days.

To obtain them, you must use your dice to advance across the game board while the daily event is active. By landing on specific tiles, you will accumulate event points, thereby unlocking additional milestones.

Complete Quick Wins tasks

Every morning, Monopoly Go refreshes with three such tasks; completing each one rewards you with 3-5 partner tokens.

The requirements for these tasks are typically met automatically as you engage in your regular daily gameplay, making them very simple to clear.

Claim gifts

The in-game shop refreshes with a gift every eight hours; during special events, this gift may include relevant tokens.

However, these gifts do not stack, meaning that no matter how much time has passed, you can only claim one gift at a time. To avoid missing out, be sure to claim your gifts promptly.

Advance across the board

As you move across the game board during your regular gameplay, you will notice that some tiles feature scattered tokens; simply landing on these tiles allows you to collect them.

How to use partner tokens?

Once you have accumulated enough Partner Tokens, you can spin the event wheel by consuming 20 tokens per spin. To save time, we recommend utilizing the multiplier feature to execute multiple spins in a single turn.

The wheel is divided into several segments, each corresponding to a different point value. If you are lucky enough to land the pointer on Mega Slice, you will be rewarded with an exceptionally generous haul of points!

Gingerbread Partners reward list

If you and your partner successfully complete the construction of your respective landmarks, you will all receive the ultimate grand prize upon the event's conclusion: 5,000 Dice Rolls, 1 Wild Sticker, and 1 Gingerbread Man Board Token.

Additionally, the milestone rewards and point requirements obtainable during the process of building landmarks are as follows:

Interestingly, Monopoly Go hosted an event of the same name back in late 2024; at that time, Gingerbread Train served as the board token included in the ultimate reward.

Starting today and for nearly the next two weeks, you will be exceptionally busy in Monopoly Go, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Keep striving to unlock even more new stickers!

Although the official roadmap for Black Ops 7 Season 4 has yet to be revealed, plenty of leaks have already surfaced online.

Around this time each year, not only do we see the unveiling of the current Call of Duty's 4th season, but the marketing campaign for the next Call of Duty title also kicks off simultaneously. Based on all the clues gathered so far, here is a systematic breakdown of every update likely to arrive in Season 4.

Season 4 Release Date

According to the current battle pass timer, Season 4 is expected to launch on June 4. That date could shift by one to two weeks due to potential delays, but given that all previous DLC updates for Black Ops 7 have largely stayed on schedule, it is highly likely the team is aiming for this target.

The corresponding marketing push for the new Call of Duty installment is expected to begin on May 27 or 28. At that time, the developers will release a full blog post and roadmap, followed by gameplay trailers and cosmetic deep-dives, with the entire promotional rhythm extending through the first week of June.

Multiplayer

Maps

During a Season 3 developer interview, it was confirmed that the multiplayer maps Frequency and Arsenal would be returning to Black Ops 7. Both are classic maps from Black Ops 4. They may be released together during Season 4, or possibly one at a time.

Vertigo map has also been officially acknowledged. In fact, this map was already finished – or nearly finished – months before the game's official launch. Previously, Vertigo could be seen outside the boundaries of Express and Gridlock maps.

According to leaks, Combine and Stronghold from Black Ops 3 might also join the game. While unconfirmed by official sources, these maps would fit BO7 remarkably well. They are small-to-medium sized maps originally designed for jetpacks and wall-running mechanics. However, Black Ops 7 features a wall-jump system, so the developers could definitely adapt such maps accordingly.

Rank Play Skill Rating System

The developers have confirmed that starting with Season 4, Skill Rating system in Rank Play will become much more transparent. The biggest change: there will no longer be a hidden MMR, nor any inexplicable gains or losses of SR. Your rank, your performance, and the opponents you face will be the only factors influencing your Skill Rating.

After every match, a brand-new post-game summary will detail exactly why you earned or lost each Skill Rating point. If you perform poorly in Rank Play, you can review your mistakes and then head into CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies to retrain and shore up your fundamental weaknesses.

Endgame

Officially, the team has confirmed that exciting changes are being prepared for Season 4's Endgame content, but specific details remain unknown – the developers have done an excellent job keeping this under wraps.

Based on patterns from previous seasons, players can expect a brand-new Operation, a new Guild Strike, and a brand-new Glitch Fracture when Season 4 launches.

Warzone Mode

On Warzone front, players are mostly waiting on features that the developers have discussed for months but have yet to deliver.

Early this year, before Season 1 Warzone integration update, the studio stated that Fortune's Keep would return – they had prepared a newly improved version of the map and planned to release it sometime in the future.

However, the map did not appear in previous seasons. That makes Season 4 the next most likely window. If the team pushes it back any further – to another season – it would be uncomfortably close to the end of the year. Therefore, Fortune's Keep will likely return either at launch or during the mid-season update of Season 4.

During a CoD podcast a few weeks ago, the only mention from official sources was that Plunder is on their radar; they would consider adding it as a limited-time mode rather than a full, permanent mode.

Zombies Mode

Zombies mode may be the most significant update in Black Ops 7 Season 4. Given that each season typically lasts eight to nine weeks, the next core round-based Zombies map is expected to arrive around July 2 or July 9 – roughly the mid-season point.

New Map

Clues regarding the next round-based Zombies map come from two sources: the ending of Totenreich, and hidden details found in Paradox Junction map. Taken together, it is highly likely the new map is set in a volcanic environment, and the main story quest or side Easter egg will involve Takeo Masaki and his katana.

Survival Maps

Before the new round-based map arrives, Season 4 launch content is expected to include one or two new Survival maps.

Players have already uncovered clues for one of them. Inside the in-game emblem system, there is an emblem called Population: Just You, unlocked by completing wave 10 in Nuked Survival. Additionally, a Nuke Town weapon charm exists, requiring you to survive 25 waves in Nuked Survival. This strongly suggests the next Survival map will be a nuked version of Paradox Junction, likely with some layout modifications.

Another Survival map that could launch simultaneously or shortly after is Lighthouse. Data miners have shared relevant code showing that Beacon Island – from Totenreich scenario – already has dedicated Mystery Box zones, a Rampage Inducer, and isolated zombie spawn points set up for Survival mode.

Widow's Wine

Since last December, the machine model for Widow's Wine Perk and its corresponding augment upgrades have been leaked for months. Players should expect to see this Perk by Season 4 at the latest – perhaps by drinking from a cave near a Japanese temple.

Prophet Operator

Following past patterns, any character appearing in the season's end-of-season cut scene almost always becomes the featured character in the following season's Battle Pass. Therefore, players can anticipate Prophet arriving as both an instant unlock and Level 100 top reward in Season 4 Battle Pass.

Some players have worried that Prophet might be turned into an entirely new original character unrelated to his past incarnation. However, based on current information, he is more likely to serve as a key link between the storylines of Black Ops 7 and Black Ops 4, helping players make sense of Black Ops narrative that has grown messy over the years.

Weapon Leaks

This year, leaks for Black Ops 7 are quite different from previous years: there is very little information about DLC weapons, operator codenames, or crossover content. Nevertheless, data miners have shared a list of future weapon codenames:

• sat_ar_albatross
• sat_ar_kiwi
• sat_sm_mammoth
• sat_me_maru
• sat_dm_samar
• sat_sm_marmot
• sat_sl_atria
• sat_sk_compound

As for specific returning weapons, the likely candidates are ICR-1, VMP, and Dingo. Following tradition, each season's Battle Pass includes two new weapons, while the rest are distributed through weekly challenges and special event rewards throughout the season.

That covers all the known information about CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4 so far. For more detailed content, we will still have to wait for the official roadmap.

Players, Forza Horizon 6 has finally been officially released, and many loyal fans have been eagerly anticipating it. Now, let's analyze the game's performance in various aspects to see if it meets everyone's expectations!

Many players initially didn't have a wonderful impression of FH6, feeling it was just a re-skinned version of FH5, only with Mexico replaced by Japan. Coupled with mediocre initial optimization, some players gave it low scores.

However, after FH6's release, it has undoubtedly restored players' confidence in arcade racing games.

Physics and Controls

On roads, the performance on highways and asphalt surfaces is less than ideal, feeling strange whether using a controller or steering wheel. However, the off-road and rally modes work very well with the game's physics.

Drifting, if set up correctly, offers a very good experience. Straight-line acceleration is slightly lacking because of the inability to burn tires or preheat the tires.

Some slow-moving cars, such as Honda Beat and Autozam AZ-1, deliver a considerable sense of speed, not through exaggerated camera shake or blur, but through a natural feel. This is arguably a major strength of the game.

Steering wheel support is perhaps the biggest drawback. Although it's an arcade game, the supposedly linear steering curve is anything but. The dead zone in the center is significant, and after a certain angle, the steering wheel suddenly jerks to one side.

Even when your animation matches the steering input, the feel is still like a non-linear, jerky go-kart. No matter how you adjust the force feedback and parameters, you can't achieve a truly realistic driving experience.

In FH6, it feels like the gamepad is more precise than the steering wheel. This contradicts the initial intention of using a steering wheel for higher precision. Perhaps this was a deliberate weakening by the development team to balance the gamepad and steering wheel.

Menu and Map Design

First, the vehicle list isn't categorized by manufacturer, making it look cluttered and less intuitive than in Gran Turismo. The Settings menu is also unappealing.

However, the ability to disable most pop-up notifications in HUD, maintaining a relatively clean driving interface, is something many players will appreciate.

The map is immediately cluttered with icons upon unlocking, coupled with constantly popping up challenge menus, which can easily overwhelm players with information. Players need to calmly familiarize themselves with the game and gradually get into the rhythm.

The scale of Tokyo is noticeably small, and the lane widths are excessive. However, this is likely a compromise made for performance and development costs and shouldn't significantly affect actual driving. Traffic density is relatively low, lacking the sense of urgency of weaving through traffic.

Vehicle Lineup: Regrets and Highlights

Since the game is set in Japan, it's natural to expect the inclusion of some iconic Japanese cars. However, this is noticeably lacking in FH6. For example, the game doesn't feature R33 GT-R; only NISMO GT-R LM is included.

Furthermore, some vehicles still use outdated polygonal models, such as 1992 Honda NSX-R, where the sharp edges of the steering wheel and dashboard are clearly visible, highlighting the polygonal traces.

Another disappointing aspect is that some vehicles can only be obtained through Wheelspins, not through Barn Finds or Treasure Cars. As the game progresses, Wheelspins become increasingly difficult to acquire, meaning some models may require a gamble, somewhat disrupting the normal progression balance.

The good news is that some car models have been updated, improving upon previously criticized quality, which is commendable.

Customization System

Customization parts remain somewhat mediocre. Many models lack widebody options, bumpers, spoilers, etc., suggesting the development team hasn't invested much effort in this area.

Furthermore, while there's launch control and anti-lag, there's no nitro boost. This is practically standard for open-world arcade racing games.

Music and AI Opponents

The game's soundtrack is a major highlight, featuring various styles including metalcore and classic rock.

AI ​​opponents have also been adjusted, now significantly more difficult and indeed harder to defeat. However, AI's spatial awareness is poor, making them prone to rear-ending the player in corners or crashing into the car in front when braking. However, compared to the completely player-ignoring AI of Gran Turismo 4, FH6's AI at least attempts to slow down and avoid obstacles.

Characters, Narrative, and Presentation Style

FH6 finally shows improvement in character voice acting; players should no longer feel the urge to immediately turn off the voices. NPCs are no longer as annoying as in FH5. The protagonist is still mute, but this is acceptable.

However, some of the game's exaggerated scenes, such as a four-story-tall transforming robot wreaking havoc in the forest and planes skimming extremely low over crowds, have been overused. While this kind of silliness is a characteristic of the series, it feels too deliberate.

But the festive atmosphere created by fireworks, confetti, and crowds is well-executed.

Progress System and Long-Term Re-playability

The first hour or two of the game can be a bit tedious, but once you start collecting more vehicles and experimenting with modifications and tuning, the fun quickly increases.

Players need to use specific types of slow-moving vehicles to progress, which forces you to experience diversity, but also means you need to unlock and upgrade a large number of vehicles.

Overall, the fun and re-playability overwhelmingly outweigh the game's shortcomings. The lowbrow go-kart-style track racing, off-road, and rally racing are all very appealing.

If you enjoy open-world arcade racing games and don't mind realistic physics, then FH6 is definitely worth a try!

The next major roster update for MLB The Show 26 arrives on June 5, when the developers will adjust player card ratings based on real-life performances from the past period. Astute players may have already realized this presents a solid investment opportunity.

With about two weeks left before the statistical cut-off, that means pitchers have roughly two or three more starts remaining, while hitters have around 50 plate appearances. You'll need to track and evaluate which players are excelling and which are struggling. Based on your judgments, you can then sell or invest in players - come June 5, you'll be able to earn a substantial number of stubs.

Players Likely to Receive a Boost

85 OVR Andy Pages

In the first in-season rating update on May 8, Andy Pages had already moved up from Gold to Diamond status thanks to his strong start to the year.

He's currently batting .299 with 10 home runs. Over the past two weeks, his average has risen noticeably. His defense is even more impressive, ranking among the best in MLB. He's on an upward trajectory, and barring any surprises, he should see another rating increase.

85 OVR Kyle Schwarber

Kyle Schwarber is currently at quicksell value, but he's a highly reliable veteran hitter who has been especially hot of late - he's been hitting a home run just about every other day, sometimes more. He just became the fastest to reach 20 home runs on the season, with nine homers over his last 15 games.

In MLB 26, his power numbers against both lefties and righties have room to be raised. However, because Schwarber has never been known for his defense, his overall rating might only go up by one point - unless he maintains his current home-run pace. It's recommended to stock up on 10 to 20 copies of Kyle Schwarber.

85 OVR Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sánchez hasn't suffered a loss since April 18. He's thrown 24 consecutive scoreless innings across games, and his streak without allowing an earned run once reached 29.2 frames. Over his last three starts, all wins, he has racked up 30 strikeouts against just one walk. Looking at the entire season, he's been among the elite. His overall rating could rise by two points. He's definitely worth investing in.

84 OVR Shea Langeliers

Shea Langeliers started the game cycle at 79 OVR, but thanks to his outstanding play, his Live Series card has already been upgraded once to 84 OVR, with a boost to his defensive rating as well.

Through mid-May, his hitting has been excellent, with overall offensive production above league average. He's hit 12 home runs, making him one of his team's primary power bats. Even while hitting those homers, he's maintained a batting average of .332 or even .337. This kind of performance makes it highly likely he'll be promoted again to Diamond status.

83 OVR Drake Baldwin

Drake Baldwin has crushed five home runs over his last 15 games. Although his in-game power numbers aren't particularly high, his 13 real-life homers are more than enough to push for a +2 upgrade.

He has the potential to become a Diamond card. However, Baldwin was just placed on injured list (IL) with a right oblique strain. This could affect his rating increase. If he misses too much time, the developers might opt to give him only 1 point bump.

83 OVR Elly De La Cruz

Elly De La Cruz is riding a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's had seven multi-hit performances. Over his last 10 games, he's batting .333. He also hit a game-winning three-run homer in a single contest, bringing his home run total to 11, and he's swiped nine bases on the season.

All things considered, De La Cruz has been nearly flawless, and he's healthy with no injury concerns. His contact and power ratings are both poised for an upgrade, and his overall rating could climb as high as 86. He's an absolute S-tier investment target - just stock up on him, and you'll earn MLB The Show 26 stubs.

82 OVR Ben Rice

His triple-slash line is an astronomical .343/.455/.759, with a jaw-dropping 1.214 OPS. Those numbers have made him a league leader in both OPS and slugging percentage at various points. Additionally, his home run stats are superb: 12 homers and 27 RBIs.

His current rating simply doesn't match his production. A three-point bump could push him all the way to Diamond level.

Players Likely to Be Downgraded

85 OVR Seiya Suzuki

Seiya Suzuki's batting average has plummeted to .196 over his last 15 games. He hasn't been able to sustain the hot form he showed during the first roster update. His fielding and speed in the game are middling - not his strong suits, and unlikely to see major improvement based on in-season performance. Unless he turns things around in the next two weeks, the developers will probably lower his numbers.

85 OVR Mike Trout

Mike Trout has been plagued by recurring injuries throughout May, and his season is essentially over. His recent batting average has been terrible, no longer matching his in-game ratings. The best-case scenario is that the developers show mercy and leave him unchanged; otherwise, his overall rating could drop by two or even three points.

84 OVR Yandy Díaz

Yandy Díaz has very high Contact ratings in the game. In reality, he's hitting .295 against both lefties and righties - which merely maintains his high Contact rather than improving it. What he needs is power production. He's hit two home runs recently, but his average continues to decline.

More critically, during a game on May 19 against Orioles, he was hit by a pitch on his finger in the 8th inning and left early. Since it was a direct blow to bone and joint, and the developers are highly unlikely to risk a rating increase for a player who might miss games, a downgrade is much more probable.

84 OVR Matt Olson

Matt Olson has only three home runs over his last 15 games - he's cooling off. The problem is that his in-game baseline ratings are so high that they actually limit his upside. Continuing his hot streak would only allow him to barely hold his current rating. Given his recent form, he might see a slight downgrade.

84 OVR Nico Hoerner

Nico Hoerner's performance has taken a sharp downturn over his last 24 games. His triple-slash line has fallen to a dismal .194/.290/.247, with just five doubles providing his only extra-base contributions. If he continues at or below this level, he's very likely to be downgraded.

If, however, he can string together home runs over the next two weeks, there's a slim chance he could rise to Diamond. So you can hold a small number, but don't waste too many stubs on him.

Beyond the names listed above, the performance fluctuations for other players are smaller. That doesn't mean they aren't worth investing in, though. You'll need to closely monitor their upcoming performances to make accurate judgments.

Players, Diablo 2 Resurrected Ladder Season 14 is around the corner, it's best to accumulate resources at the beginning of the season. Since there's no guaranteed drop system, most items will rely on random drops, which leads to our discussion of trading up.

What is trading up?

Trading up is a strategy that uses multiple item exchanges to gradually snowball lower-value currency into higher-value runes or gear.

The core idea is not to rely on farming for ultimate gear, but to utilize market liquidity to convert any valuable drops into universal currency, primarily runes. Then, through multiple trades, the currency itself is upgraded to ultimately obtain the target item.

Unlike traditional barter, trading up emphasizes tiered value enhancement. For example, you can first exchange 40 Perfect Gems for one Ist Rune, then exchange several Ist Runes for an Ohm Rune, and finally use Ohm Runes plus other runes to exchange for Ber Rune you want most.

You can trade in-game by creating rooms, joining channels, and adding friends. If you have limited time, utilizing the player community is more efficient than simply creating rooms within the game.

The whole process is like constantly exchanging small change for larger denomination bills until you've saved enough to buy a big house, much like the previous Enigma Armor Runeword.

Why trade up?

Diablo 2 Resurrected Season 14's drop system is extremely reliant on luck.

Take the top-tier rune Ber Rune as an example. In Hell difficulty level 85 areas, the probability of it dropping from a random monster is approximately 1 in 2 million. Even farming Secret Cow Levels requires thousands or even tens of thousands of kills on average to see a high-level rune.

Therefore, the official system doesn't provide a pity system; everything depends on randomness. Thus, even a hardcore player who plays 8 hours a day might only get 1-2 Ber Runes or Jah Runes throughout the entire season. An Enigma item requires Ber Rune, Jah Rune, and Ith Rune. If you rely entirely on farming, most players might not obtain it by the end of the season.

This is where trading up shines. It allows any valuable small drops, such as Bases and Jewels, to participate, turning them into rune fragments.

Especially in the early season, there's a high potential for high premiums. In the first week of the new season, a regular Shako might require Ohm Rune or even Lo Rune to obtain. By the fourth week, the same item might only be worth Ist Rune. Selling early allows for quick monetization, letting wealth grow as the season progresses.

Furthermore, this trading strategy significantly reduces the time it takes for players to complete their gear sets. Even with 5-6 hours of play per day, Enigma can still be obtained within a week through trading.

Impact of Patch 3.2 on Trading Strategies

We can predict that after the release of Patch 3.2, Sunder Charms will remain a popular item, but their scarcity and value will quickly decrease. Because Sunder Charms can drop from all monsters on the map in Patch 3.2, and the spawn rate of Heralds has also increased.

It's recommended to sell off any stockpiled items as soon as possible during the first week of the season, even if the stats are unfavorable. Avoid hoarding them to prevent prolonged holding. In the mid-to-late game, Sunder Charms will essentially lose their trade value, allowing you to use them yourself or give them away.

Invest more resources in stable daily gear, high-value bases, or items that unlock hidden levels, as the demand for these items is likely to be more stable.

Ist Runes are also highly liquid; you won't have to worry about not being able to sell them. The same applies to 40 Perfect Gems; there will always be someone in demand. Spirit Runewords are essential for new characters, so keep an eye on this resource.

Furthermore, since several of Warlock's core skills and survivability have been nerfed, Warlock gear demand will shift.

Many people leveled Warlocks at the beginning of the season; after the nerfs, they will probably switch to other classes, so focus on the essential gear for the new popular builds.

Examples include Sorceress's Tal Rasha's Wrappings, Paladin's Enigma, and Necromancer's Death's Web.

If you have Warlock's exclusive gear, it's recommended to sell it as soon as possible. It's already obsolete in the new season, otherwise it might end up unwanted.

Next, we know that Patch 3.2 didn't change the rune drop rate, meaning that runes will still remain the hardest currency in the game. The drop rates for Jah Rune, Ber Rune, Lo Rune, and Ohm Rune are still very low.

Therefore, our strategy remains unchanged: ultimately convert all tradable items into high-tier runes. This will still be the most reliable path to crafting your ideal gear and Runewords. Of course, you can also buy Diablo 2 Resurrected runes from IGGM.com, which are very cheap and will help you acquire better gear sooner.

The new season is about to launch, so seize this excellent opportunity to trade up, decide which resources to stockpile, and I wish you the best of luck in obtaining top-tier equipment!

It has been a week since the launch of Phase 2 of TBC Classic Anniversary. If your raid progression has been sufficiently swift, you and your teammates have likely already experienced the majority of the newly added content.

Among these additions, the only obstacles likely to impede your further advancement are the final bosses of the two new raids: Kael'thas Sunstrider in Tempest Keep and Lady Vashj in Serpentshrine Cavern.

Comparatively speaking, the overall difficulty of TK is slightly lower than that of SSC. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you prioritize clearing TK first to accumulate gear, thereby ensuring a smoother progression through SSC.

With this in mind, this guide will focus specifically on Kael'thas Sunstrider encounter, providing you with a detailed walkthrough to ensure your successful completion of Tempest Keep.

Kael'thas Sunstrider boss fight overview

As the fourth and final boss of Tempest Keep raid, Kael'thas encounter spans a total of five distinct phases. Phases 1 and 3 are particularly unique, as the enemies you face during these stages consist of four council advisors summoned by Kael'thas himself.

From a lore perspective, Kael'thas possesses this ability because, as Prince of Quel'Thalas, he holds the status and authority of a true leader.

As for the boss himself, Kael'thas does not make his personal appearance until Phase 4 begins. The loot obtainable upon defeating the boss includes Tier 5 chest tokens, Ashes of Al'ar flying mount, and more.

Preparations

In addition to understanding the combat mechanics, you must ensure that you bring a sufficient supply of consumables, such as health potions and resistance buffs, before entering this boss fight. You should also take the time to optimize and upgrade your current gear setup.

Given that it is generally best to complete the entire raid in a single run, and to avoid any unnecessary time expenditure, it's most efficient to buy WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold from IGGM at the start, which you can then used to acquire all the necessary items!

Phase 1

As previously mentioned, during this phase, the enemy forces will first deploy four advisors to confront you: Thaladred the Darkener, Lord Sanguinar, Grand Astromancer Capernian, and Master Engineer Telonicus.

The challenge in this phase lies not only in defeating the advisors but also in carefully controlling where you kill them, as they will resurrect at their exact death locations during Phase 3.

Consequently, if the advisors die in a scattered, disorganized manner, it will be extremely difficult for you and your teammates to position yourselves effectively for Phase 3 based on your respective roles, ultimately leading to total chaos.

Below are the four advisors, their primary abilities, and their recommended kill locations:

Regarding specific details to watch out for with each advisor: first, the abilities of Thaladred and Capernian are extremely lethal at close range, so it is crucial to maintain a safe distance from them at all times.

The key to handling Lord Sanguinar is ensuring that a Fear Ward buff is active on your group's tank whenever his fear mechanic is about to trigger. Telonicus poses a threat because the bombs he throws can stun random players.

Phase 2

After successfully defeating the four advisors, seven specific weapons will appear in the arena, signaling the start of Phase 2.

Compared to standard enemies, these weapons have relatively simple attack patterns and are easy to deal with. The crucial part is that once you have defeated them, you and your teammates can pick up these weapons and equip them as part of your gear setup.

Note that each weapon remains lootable for only one minute after being defeated; if not picked up within that time, it will despawn. However, there are no class restrictions on which players can pick up which weapons.

Below are the individual weapons, along with their hostile attributes and the beneficial effects they provide:

Phase 3

In this phase, those pesky advisors return to life! However, provided you followed instructions and killed them at their designated locations earlier, dealing with them should not be difficult; furthermore, the weapons acquired during Phase 2 will provide invaluable assistance.

A key point to note is that you must first ensure all tanks in the group remain within range of the healers. Secondly, ranged DPS players should focus on Thaladred and Capernian, while melee DPS players concentrate on the other two.

Phase 4

Starting with this phase, Kael'thas himself makes his appearance. In addition to casting various abilities, the boss will summon a Phoenix during Phase 4.

Phoenix possesses a self-destruct mechanic, so there is no need to actively attack it. The critical point to watch out for is that upon death, it explodes and transforms into a Phoenix Egg, remaining in this state for 15 seconds.

During this time, all DPS players must focus their fire on the egg; otherwise, it will hatch, spawning two new Phoenixes.

However, if the boss casts his Shock Barrier and Pyroblast combo while Phoenix Egg is present, it is best to prioritize dealing with those abilities first; failing to do so can easily result in the main tank's death, bringing the entire encounter to a premature end.

Other boss abilities that may appear include:

• Fireball
• Mind Control
• Arcane Disruption
• Flamestrike

Phase 5

The final phase begins once Kael'thas Sunstrider's health drops to 50%. At this point, the abilities seen in Phase 4 will largely cease to appear; instead, he will begin by casting Gravity Lapse.

This ability grants your entire raid the power of flight for 30 seconds; however, if you touch the ground, you will take damage and be knocked back into the air. Subsequently, the boss will unleash Netherbeam and Nether Vapor to inflict further damage.

Fortunately, aside from these high-damage abilities, Phase 5 introduces no additional complex mechanics. So, as long as everyone remembers and fulfills their respective duties, victory will be achieved in no time!

That concludes this comprehensive guide to defeating the final boss, Kael'thas Sunstrider, in Tempest Keep raid. If this encounter has previously stood in the way of your progress, now is the time to conquer it!

On May 19, Diablo 4 received Hotfix 1 for Patch 3.0.2, addressing skill bugs across several classes - including a crucial fix for Sorcerer and corrections to abnormal damage on the Necromancer and Warlock.

Alongside this hotfix, a week-long event called Compass to Carnage has also gone live. Let's dive into everything this update brings.

Hotfix 1

Sorcerer: Ball Lightning

The most talked-about change in this patch resolves an issue where Ball Lightning was not correctly recognized as a Core Skill. Previously, this prevented it from triggering equipment effects that rely on Core Skill tag; that has now been fixed.

The developers noted that Ball Lightning's tooltip will temporarily still not display Core Skill tag, but the ability already functions as a Core Skill in practice. The full tooltip text will be corrected in a future patch. For now, casting Unstable Currents properly generates a large number of lightning orbs.

Fractured Winterglass grants a 25% chance to summon a Conjuration of the same element when you cast a Core Skill. Before the fix, Ball Lightning could not trigger this effect, severely weakening that build. Now that lightning orbs can properly activate Fractured Winterglass effect, the Sorcerer's damage output has been restored to its intended level.

Sorcerer: Perma Teleport

The patch also adjusted Sorcerer's Perma Teleport playstyle. Previously, players could use one of Meteor's upgrades to gain Overpower stacks and then combine it with Teleport's enhancement - which consumes one Overpower stack to enable Perma Teleport. After this fix, that tactic largely no longer works.

Necromancer: Blood Lance

The patch also corrected a Necromancer issue. Under certain circumstances, Blood Lance could deal far more damage than intended. Some players using Blood Lance build were nearly one-shotting everything in Pit tier 150, including bosses. This clearly went beyond the design intent. The hotfix has addressed it, and Necromancers may no longer be able to speed-clear Pit 150 in the same way.

Warlock: Eviscerate Fragment

A serious exploit tied to Eviscerate Fragment allowed Warlock to deal absurdly extreme damage - even more egregious than Blood Lance problem. Some players were hitting for quadrillions of damage in Pit 150, causing the damage display to cap out.

This exploit had been around for about a week, letting many players effortlessly speed-farm Pit 150 and rapidly level their Glyphs. The patch has fixed it.

Rogue

Notably, this hotfix makes no mention of Rogue. The class has already been adjusted three times before, yet it can still speed-clear Pit 150. The top build on the leaderboards is Rain of Arrows Rogue, which reportedly can achieve this without top-tier gear.

According to the leaderboards, Rain of Arrows Rogues can clear Pit 150 at a staggering pace of around two minutes - clearly not normal. But the patch notes are silent on this. Perhaps it will be addressed in a future hotfix or mid-season patch.

Overall, this hotfix is a victory for Sorcerer players; Ball Lightning fix finally brings the class back to its proper power level. The abnormal damage from Necromancers and Warlocks has also been justifiably corrected. Players are hoping the developers will appropriately buff the classes that have been neglected this season, such as Paladin, bringing them at least closer to the strength of Sorcerer and Spiritborn.

Compass to Carnage

Compass to Carnage event is already underway and runs until May 26. During this event, fighting in Infernal Horde yields more chaos waves, which means you'll obtain more Burning Aether - allowing you to exchange for more Diablo 4 items. Mythic Seals are also rumored to appear in Infernal Horde.

If you are after gold, farming Infernal Horde is a highly efficient option. Around 800 Aether can be exchanged for roughly 100 million gold. With the event bonus, you can easily obtain hundreds of millions of gold in just 10 to 15 minutes.

How to Choose Your Boons?

For players new to Infernal Horde, or even those returning after the mode was added, it can feel quite complex.

Inside Infernal Horde, you shouldn't just pick options at random. Instead, much like crafting a character build, you should strategically assemble your Horde build. Options related to Aether Fiends are currently the best.

Team Up

If you plan to take part in this event, you'll want a build with strong area-clearing capabilities - especially when playing solo.

Should you prefer not to fight alone, you can use Find a Party feature through the social menu to recruit a group specifically for Infernal Horde. Select your desired Torment tier and expansion content, then search for and join an Infernal Horde party.

Grouping up not only lets you enter without a Compass but also grants more Burning Aether, additional allies, and a 10% experience bonus. During the event, all of this stacks together into an incredibly efficient way to farm items.

Not all players enjoy Infernal Horde, so you don't necessarily have to play this mode. While Hotfix 1 did address some crucial issues, players are still waiting for more hotfixes to tackle Rogue's outrageous performance and other extreme imbalances.