General News

To provide players with more cost-effective gaming products and services, IGGM platform has officially launched a brand-new points system, designed to let you enjoy a superior shopping experience while spending less!

Below, we break down everything you need to know: how to earn points efficiently, use them for discounts or to redeem exciting rewards, and stack VIP benefits to maximize your savings.

Before Using the Points System - Registration Required

Please note that IGGM's new points system is available only to registered and logged-in users. If you haven't registered or logged in yet, you will need to do so to access Check-in and Points pages.

How to Earn Points?

Accumulating points at IGGM is simple and straightforward, primarily through two channels: daily check-ins and order rewards.

1. Daily Check-in

Simply click the "Check In Today" button on the IGGM Check-in Center page to complete your check-in; once the button changes to "️Checked In (Come back tomorrow)," your points have been successfully credited! Alternatively, you can also check in by clicking the current date on the calendar.

Please note that your check-in time is based on the time zone used when you registered your IGGM account. For example, if you registered your account in PDT (UTC-08:00) time zone, you can only complete the check-in within that time zone on the day in question.

You can view your account registration date on My Profile or Check-in page to ensure you don't miss a check-in!

One-tap check-in (Easter egg)

There's a little Easter egg here! If you forget to check in for the day and land straight on the coupon redemption page, just tap the "little rocket" emoji at the bottom of the list to check in instantly - no need to navigate back to the Check-in Center. You'll still get those incremental rewards for consecutive check-ins.

Please note the visual differences between PC and mobile versions! For PC users, the small rocket only begins to shake and emit flames when you hover your cursor over it; a single click launches the rocket and credits your check-in points. For mobile users, the rocket icon shakes continuously—simply tap it to check in and earn your points instantly!

Other Check-in Entry

In addition, IGGM provides the following access points for quick and convenient daily check-ins:

1. Click "Go Now" on the coupon redemption page to visit the check-in center.

2. Click the coupon section at the bottom of the homepage to access the check-in center.

3. Click the banner at the bottom of any product page on IGGM to access the check-in center.

4. Quickly access the Check-in Center via the My Account → My Orders page.

Incremental Rewards for Consecutive Check-ins

IGGM's check-in system rewards consistency. If you check in without interruption, your daily points will increase over time: 5 points on the first day, 6 points on the second, and 8 points on the third. From the fourth day onwards, as long as you maintain your streak, you will consistently receive the maximum reward of 10 points per day.

Notes: If you check in via the check-in banner on the product page during your shopping journey, you can return to your original page via Back Shopping at the bottom after completing the check-in and triggering the points accumulation. You don't have to worry about your shopping progress being affected!

Reset Upon Interruption

If you miss a day or break your streak for any reason, your progress will reset to zero. Your next check-in will start back at the Day 1 rate of 5 points. Please note that the daily check-in reset is based on the server's time zone; be sure to check in on time to avoid losing progress due to network issues or other interruptions.

2. Points for Orders

Additionally, whenever you make an order on the IGGM platform, the system will award you points based on your subtotal amount.

Point Accrual Rate: $1 = 1 Point

Under standard conditions, every $1 of your actual spending converts directly into 1 point. To simplify calculations for order amounts involving decimals, IGGM rounds to the nearest whole number when determining the points earned. For example, if you pay $17.35, you receive 17 points; if you pay $34.86, you receive 35 points.

To ensure system efficiency for small transactions, the subtotal amount paid for an order must be at least $1 to trigger point accrual; orders under $1 do not generate any points.

Furthermore, points for all orders will be automatically credited to your account by the system only after the order status has officially changed to "Completed"; the number of points corresponds to the amount of the qualifying purchase.

Please note that orders completed without logging into your IGGM account will not be awarded points. Therefore, if you want to earn points to redeem for more offers, register and log into your account now!

New User Perk: 10x Point Rewards

IGGM has a welcome gift for new users! Your first paid order on IGGM automatically qualifies for a generous 10x points reward.

However, if your first order's subtotal is less than $1, you will not receive any points, and your first-order privilege as a new user will be used up. Therefore, IGGM recommends buying higher-value items you need during your first order to make the most of the 10x point reward.

Due to the significant value of this offer, points for the first order will be credited after the order is successfully delivered and passes a security review, provided no refund occurs within 24 hours.

You can view the specific points added upon completion in the My Account → My Orders section of IGGM.com. If you have just completed a payment but do not see the points immediately, please do not worry - simply wait a short while.

Point Value and Validity

Understanding the value of your points helps you make the best use of them. In the IGGM point system, 100 points = $1 (meaning each point is worth approximately $0.01).

Please note that points are not valid indefinitely; each point expires 90 days from the date it was earned. IGGM employs a user-friendly rolling expiration policy: points earned on Day 1 will expire at the end of Day 91. The specific calculation time for rolling expiration depends on the time zone of your account's IP address.

You can check for notifications regarding points nearing expiration on the "My Points" page of your account at any time to ensure you don't miss out on benefits.

Multiple Ways to Use Points: Direct Cash Deduction and Coupon Exchange

When buying items on IGGM, you can choose to use your accumulated points to directly offset the cash cost of your order or exchange them for significant discounts at IGGM Coupon Redemption Center. The choice is entirely yours!

Option A: Direct Cash Deduction at Checkout

On the checkout page, you can use the points in your account balance to reduce the cost of your current order. The proportion of the order total that can be offset by points is directly linked to your order subtotal.

Please refer to the table below for specific deduction ratios based on order subtotal ranges:

Important notes on using points for cash deductions:

1. Points are awarded only for successfully completed orders; orders that are voluntarily cancelled, flagged for suspected fraud, or fully refunded are not eligible for points;
2. Points for your first order are not credited immediately; they will be issued within 24 hours after successful delivery, provided no refund has occurred;
3. If an order involving points undergoes a partial refund, the system will deduct the corresponding points (rounded based on the refund amount) and return any points that were consumed. Returned Consumed Points = Consumed Points × (Refund Amount / Subtotal Amount);
4. Points can be used in conjunction with VIP discounts;
5. Cannot be used in conjunction with discount codes or cash coupons;
6. Cannot be exchanged for cash;
7. Cannot be withdrawn as cash;
8. Cannot be transferred between accounts;
9. IGGM.com reserves the right of final interpretation for all points-related policies.

Option B: Redeem Discount Codes or Cash Coupons

You can also visit the points redemption page to exchange points (in tiers ranging from 100 to 500 points) for discount codes (various rates) or cash coupons (subject to minimum order requirements). For example, the $10 cash coupon can only be used if your order's subtotal amount is $95 or more. If your subtotal is less than $95, the coupon will not automatically appear at checkout.

By the way, if you forget to check in for the day, the little rocket emoji on this coupon page is your quick way to do so! With a simple tap, a shake of the little rocket, and your points are in the bag!

All discount codes and cash coupons are limited to 30 per week, first come, first served! All redeemable rewards reset every Friday at 4:00 PM (UTC+8)/1:00 AM PDT.

Different colors clearly indicate the current stock status: green for 21-30 remaining, orange for 11-20, and red for 1-10. When stock reaches zero, it will display "Out of stock." But don't worry, all redeemable prize inventory resets every Friday at 4:00 PM (UTC+8). Let's do it earlier next time!

While coupons are great, please keep in mind that all discount codes or cash coupons are valid for only 3 days. Redeem them carefully and ensure the items you wish to buy are in stock to avoid wasting your points.

Additionally, please note that all redeemed and used discount codes, cash coupons, and free orders are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-restoreable. Therefore, please carefully check the items you wish to buy before using your coupons to avoid losing them due to subsequent refunds or other changes!

You can view your coupons and their current expiration status on the My Account → My Coupons page.

Note: You can now quickly access the coupon redemption page not only through REDEEM button in the product page navigation bar, but also through "Coupon Center" at the bottom of IGGM homepage. We recommend bookmarking this page for convenient future check-ins and redemptions - saving you time and effort.

Notes on Points Redemption Coupons:

1. Only registered IGGM users are eligible to participate in points redemption.
2. Each reward is limited to the first 30 users per week on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. All discount codes, cash coupons and special items are subject to verification upon redemption.
4. Redeemed discount codes/cash coupons are valid for 3 days from the time of claim.
5. Only one discount code/cash coupon can be used per order. They cannot be combined with VIP discounts or points deductions.
6. Discount codes/cash coupons are not valid for gift cards and top-up services.
7. Redeemed discount codes, cash coupons, and free orders cannot be returned, exchanged, or restored once claimed or used.
8. Each account is limited to one redemption per special item per day.
9. Points required for special items are subject to change based on market price fluctuations.
10. IGGM.com reserves the right of final interpretation.

Option C: Direct Exchange for In-Game Currency/Items

In addition to coupons, IGGM will also add special points redemption options to the redemption page from time to time, allowing you to directly redeem specific in-game items with points, such as Monopoly GO cards, Diablo 4 materials, or POE 1/2 currency.

However, please note that each special item is limited to one redemption per account per day. Please choose carefully.

Note: Due to varying demand for special items and market price fluctuations, the number of points required to redeem these items may also change. Please monitor IGGM regularly to take advantage of low-point redemption opportunities.

Once you meet the points requirements and click to redeem, a pop-up window will prompt you to enter the necessary delivery details for the game. After accurately filling in the information and completing the verification, the system will automatically generate a free order and display it in Coupon Order list; you just need to wait for it to be delivered safely. More point redemption features and options are coming soon - stay tuned!

If you encounter errors during the redemption verification process, please check your network connection and try again using a reliable VPN.

Furthermore, given the nature of virtual items, returns or exchanges are not possible once an order begins processing; however, if delivery fails due to issues on the IGGM platform, the points used will be fully refunded.

VIP Ranks & Benefits

For VIP members, IGGM offers tiered discounts to all users based on accumulated spending. Once your cumulative spending hits a specific threshold, you automatically unlock a permanent VIP discount:

VIP 1: Your Spending (<$1,000), Get a 1% discount.

VIP 2: Your Spending (≥ $1,000 and < $3,000) , Get a 2% discount.

VIP 3: Your Spending (≥ $3,000 and < $6,000), Get a 3% discount.

VIP 4: Your Spending (≥ $6,000 and < $10,000), Get a 4% discount.

VIP 5: Your Spending (≥$10,000), Get a 5% discount.

Discount Stacking Rules:

• VIP Discounts CAN be combined with Points Deductions.
• VIP Discounts CANNOT be stacked with Discount Codes or Cash Coupons.

At checkout, you may apply either:

• Option A: Discount Code or Cash Coupon (Alone)
• Option B: VIP Discount + Points Deduction (Note: Discount Codes and Cash Coupons are not valid for Gift Cards or Top-up services.)

Stacking Discounts and Maximizing Savings

How can you get the most savings when checking out? IGGM has designed a smart checkout system based on our VIP ranks and point-redemption rules.

At IGGM, VIP discounts stack perfectly with direct point deductions. However, please note that redeemed discount codes or cash coupons cannot be combined with VIP discounts or point deductions. Additionally, only one coupons may be used per order.

At checkout, the system automatically compares the final costs of "Option 1 (VIP Benefits + Direct Point Deduction)" and "Option 2 (Single Discount Codes or Cash Coupons)" to select the most cost-effective choice for you, saving you the trouble of manual calculations. Which option offers the best deal will be displayed next to that option (Best Value). Of course, if you have your own preferences regarding coupon and point usage, you are free to select your preferred discount method.

Refunds and Point Returns

IGGM's refund policy allows you to request a refund at any time prior to the completion of delivery. However, we have specific rules regarding the refund and rebate of your points in this situation:

Situation 1: Full Refund

If you cancel your order for personal reasons, orders suspected of fraud or requiring a full refund will not be awarded points; furthermore, points already used in such orders will not be refunded.

However, if a full refund is issued due to reasons attributable to IGGM, the points consumed for the order will be fully refunded to your account.

Situation 2: Partial Refund

If an order involving awarded points undergoes a partial refund due to special circumstances, the system will refund a portion of the consumed points on a pro-rata basis relative to the refund amount. Naturally, the points rebate you would have originally received upon order completion will also be adjusted; the corresponding points will be deducted based on the refund amount, with the figure rounded to the nearest whole number.

Here is the formula for calculating point returns during a refund:

• Returned Consumed Points = Consumed Points × (Refund Amount / Subtotal Amount)
• Deducted Earned Points = Subtotal Amount - Refund Amount (rounded to the nearest whole number)

The all-new IGGM member point system is designed to offer you more viable discount options for your long-term gaming purchases. Every point accumulated is a sincere token of our appreciation for your support.

Log in to your IGGM account now, visit the Check-in Center to start accumulating points, and experience a smarter, more rewarding checkout process like never before!

Frequently Asked Questions about IGGM Points System

Q1: Can I transfer my VIP 5 perks from my old account to a newly created account and start accumulating check-in points there?

A: No. To ensure account security and platform fairness, VIP tiers and points are treated as exclusive assets of an individual account. According to our system security rules, transferring, merging, or gifting perks across different accounts is strictly unsupported.

Q2: My account currently has 277 points. If I buy items worth $34.68 and use up all my points to get a $2.77 deduction, but later receive a partial refund of $15.44 due to certain factors, how many points will I end up with?

A: Your original $34.68 order generates 35 points based on rounding. Due to the partial refund of $15.44, the system will proportionately deduct 15 points (rounded to the nearest whole number). Therefore, the net points earned from this purchase will be: 35 - 15 = 20 points. Additionally, the system will return the points you consumed. Based on the calculation formula: Consumed Points × (Refund Amount / Total Purchase Amount), you will get back 123 points. As a result, your final account balance will be 123 + 20 = 143 points.

Q3: Can I create unlimited new IGGM accounts and place small orders to exploit the 10x points newcomer reward?

A: No. IGGM strictly prohibits the malicious registration of multiple accounts, utilizing technical exploits, or engaging in order manipulation to farm newcomer benefits. Our system is equipped with rigorous anti-fraud and risk control mechanisms: the 10x points multiplier for the first order will only be credited after the order is successfully delivered and passes a 24-hour anti-abuse system review. If the risk control system detects multi-account farming linked by the same IP, same device, same payment method, or malicious account associations, the platform reserves the right to permanently ban the related accounts and clear all accrued benefits.

Q4: I just registered an account and my first order was a small item for $0.9. Because it was under $1, the system didn't give me any points. Then, my second order was for $100. Why didn't my second order get the 10x points? My first order didn't receive any points anyway, shouldn't this second order count as my actual "valid first order"?

A: No. The system strictly identifies the "New User First Order" based on the very first paid order under your account, regardless of the transaction amount. The threshold ruling out points for subtotals under $1 is a foundational platform policy. Therefore, we highly recommend that new users consolidate their shopping carts on their first purchase and bundle higher-value items into the first order to fully maximize the value of the 10x points perk.

Q5: If a website error prevents me from checking in for the day, causing my check-in streak to break, what measures will IGGM take to compensate for my points loss?

A: We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. The daily check-in resets based on a specific time matching the server's time zone. If the streak is broken due to network latency or missing the refresh window, the system will strictly execute the automatic reset policy. We recommend completing your check-in as early as possible each day and ensuring a stable network environment. If the interruption is conclusively caused by a large-scale server outage on the platform, an official site-wide points compensation announcement will be issued once resolved. Please note that support agents do not have the authorization to manually alter individual check-in histories. Thank you for your understanding.

Q6: I spent 300 points to redeem a $5 cash coupon, but the game items I wanted have been out of stock on the platform for the past few days. As a result, the coupon expired within 3 days without being used. The stockout is the platform's issue, so why should my 300 points be deducted for nothing?

A: We apologize, but once a reward is redeemed at the Rewards Center, the corresponding points will be deducted and cannot be refunded. Because each reward is strictly limited to the first 30 users per week on a first-come, first-served basis, and the cash coupons are valid for 3 days, we highly recommend verifying current product stock and your purchase intent before making a redemption to avoid accidental cash coupon expiration.

Q7: Can I still request a refund if my order status is "Completed"? Can the points be refunded?

A: If IGGM has successfully completed the delivery and you have confirmed the order's completion, we unfortunately cannot honor refund requests. The points spent will not be returned. However, if IGGM fails to complete the service due to our own issues (for example, if Tycoon Racers carry service fails to help you achieve Rank #1), we will refund the points you spent according to the refund ratio.

Q8: Why do I keep encountering errors when trying to redeem a coupon?

A: Coupon redemption errors typically occur due to network instability or system security protocols. Your IP address might be flagged as originating from a high-risk region. We recommend adjusting your VPN settings or connecting to a different network, then trying again. If the issue persists, please reach out to our 24/7 Customer Support team for further assistance.

Q9: Can I use a script or plug-in to claim the weekly limited 30 discount codes/cash coupons available each week?

A: To ensure fairness for all players, we have implemented strict security measures. Redeeming any discount codes or cash coupons requires passing verification, rendering any script-based simulated clicks ineffective. IGGM reserves the right to void coupons and impose account restrictions on any account found using irregular methods (such as multi-instance farming, emulators, or third-party software) to forcibly claim coupons.

Q10: If I use points to offset the cost but later receive a refund due to special circumstances, will the validity period of the returned points be extended?

A: No. Returned points retain their original acquisition date and continue to follow the 90-day expiration rule; the IGGM platform will not reset or extend the expiration date due to a refund. Please use the returned points as soon as possible to avoid expiration!

Q11: Will the points required to redeem specific special items on IGGM change?

A: Yes. Considering that the prices of specific items in the game may fluctuate with game updates and changes in market demand, the points required for redeeming special items offered by IGGM will also be adjusted accordingly. However, rest assured that even with these adjustments, the points cost for redeeming items on IGGM remains far below the market price.

Also Read: The Ultimate IGGM Savings Guide: How to Min-Max Points, Coupons & VIP Perks?

Over the past week, GTA 6 has been hit by a massive wave of leaks. Cyberleek apparently has a playable build of GTA 6 in hand, and the numerous leaked videos have provided evidence of that.

Grand Theft Auto 6 has suffered leaks more than once, and the 2022 leak was also one of the factors that contributed to the game's delay. Without getting into spoilers, let's take a look at how this leak unfolded, the official response, and the potential impact it could have.

The 2022 Leak

GTA 6 has experienced three particularly serious leaks in total. The first came in 2022, when members of Lapsus$ released more than 90 videos, all of which were later confirmed to be authentic.

The second GTA 6 leak involved the game's first trailer, forcing the official team to release it earlier than planned.

The third leak is the large-scale leak carried out by Cyberleek, which began on August 18. We'll discuss its impact later.

First, let's look at why the 2022 leak was so serious and why it may have contributed to Grand Theft Auto 6 being delayed.

Although GTA 6 had already gone through early planning and concept work as far back as 2014, this period was still far from the actual start of development.

From 2014 onward, the official team focused much of its attention on Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online. The reason was simple: the online mode had proven capable of generating substantial revenue.

It wasn't until 2020 that the official team shifted most of its development resources from Red Dead Redemption 2 to GTA 6. In other words, Grand Theft Auto 6's actual development period was not nearly as long as many players might have assumed.

The Impact of the 2022 Leak

By 2022, GTA 6 had completed its initial designs for gameplay, characters, and the story. Judging from the more than 90 videos leaked by Lapsus$, development was still at a very early stage at the time.

The leaked footage looked rough and was filled with placeholders and debugging code. As a result, some players who did not understand the development process began questioning GTA 6's overall quality.

The official team was clearly caught off guard by the leak, disrupting its original marketing and development schedule. Fortunately, because the game was still in the early stages of development, there was still enough time to revise the story and adjust the development plans.

However, this may also be one of the reasons Grand Theft Auto 6 was ultimately delayed by a year. In that sense, leaks are bad news for both game developers and players.

The Cyberleek Leak

Starting on August 16, 2026, Cyberleek began posting preview images of GTA 6 on online forums. At first, players assumed they were simply edited images, but beginning on August 18, the group started releasing large amounts of gameplay footage, map content, and other core materials on a continuous basis.

As of August 27, the group is still releasing new leaked videos, and the situation is still developing. Meanwhile, August 28 is the date when the official team is scheduled to release the third trailer.

Around August 24, Cyberleek called on supporters through its leaked videos to visit the studio's office with leeks and take photos as proof of the protest.

After supporters completed the action, Cyberleek promised to release even more GTA 6 material, including more sensitive content.

Putting aside the negative consequences of the leak, there is actually something very GTA-like about the whole incident.

What Build Did Cyberleek Obtain?

At this point, the one thing players can be certain of is that Cyberleek has a playable Grand Theft Auto 6 build. In one of the leaked videos released by Cyberleek, Jason is controlled while shooting at a wall to spell out "LEEK."

This indicates that Cyberleek was able to run and operate a playable development build of GTA 6 at least at one point, rather than merely obtaining internal video files from the development team.

Although there has been plenty of speculation about how the build was obtained, Cyberleek has not revealed its method, so the investigation will have to determine what happened.

Cyberleek may not necessarily have obtained the final version of GTA 6. If the official development progress were already that far along, the game probably would not have been delayed for so long. However, the build in Cyberleek's possession may still be relatively recent.

One piece of evidence is the appearance of Tate McRae's Sports Car in the leaked footage. The song was released in January 2025. Therefore, it can at least be established that the relevant Grand Theft Auto 6 build dates from 2025 or later.

One thing to be especially careful about is the large number of links online claiming to offer downloadable leaked versions of the game. These are very likely to be malware or Trojan files. Do not click such links casually. It is safer to wait for GTA 6 to launch and obtain the game through legitimate channels.

Official Response

As for the leak that has clearly left the official team scrambling, the response has been somewhat helpless. A statement was posted on social media, first apologizing for GTA 6's lengthy development, then acknowledging that the leaked videos could expose players to spoilers. The official team also asked players to avoid spoiler content and wait until November 19 to experience the game.

Unlike the much more forceful attitude during the 2022 leak, when the message was essentially "we will track this person down and stop them," the tone this time feels more like: things could get worse, there is little that can be done, so stay away from the online chatter as much as possible and get ready for November 19.

Impact of the Leak

For dedicated fans, this means spoiler content is likely to flood social media. In reality, however, the players most directly affected may be those on consoles.

Grand Theft Auto 6 series has a huge fan base, and PC players make up a very significant portion of it. Considering how sharply hardware costs have risen this year, many PC players may intend to wait until GTA 6 ends its console exclusivity before playing.

By then, console players will have already spoiled much of the game for them. Therefore, for PC players, the leak may amount to little more than receiving those spoilers several months early, with relatively limited impact.

What could truly affect sales is the length of the console-exclusive period. If GTA 6 remains exclusive to console platforms for too long, many players could become frustrated.

Furthermore, for GTA 6 Online, PC players are more active and are the main group consuming GTA 6 money and participating in missions. Losing these players would also impact GTA 6's long-term revenue.

The official team is currently facing one of the most difficult moments surrounding GTA 6, but there is no need for players to feel sorry for such a major company. The leaker is certainly no Robin Hood either, so whether to look at the spoilers is entirely up to each individual.

Monopoly Go ACME FARM Partners event is underway. While you and your teammates diligently earn tokens according to the rules, have you stumbled upon a brand-new and unannounced feature called Pass It On?

It first appeared during the recent digging event; players who finished that event early triggered it by chance, suggesting it might be a beta test for a new feature designed for Partners events.

If you haven't encountered Pass It On yet but are curious, here is a rundown of what we know and some predictions about its future.

How does Pass It On work?

Normally, when spinning the wheel to earn points during a Partners event, you might land on a Partner Gifts segment, which allows you to gift partner tokens to teammates who are lagging behind, helping the whole team finish on time.

However, player feedback suggests that Pass It On appears to be replacing Partner Gifts.

More specifically, if you land on this segment and choose Pass option, the points you spin aren't added directly to your current building's total. Instead, they are amplified by a random multiplier and then passed on to your teammate, where they accumulate.

However, once the points are passed, the recipient must land on Pass It On again to unlock the chance to claim that accumulated jackpot.

Theoretically, if both players keep passing points back and forth, the accumulated pool grows larger, making it easier for you to complete your buildings in the partners event.

Alternatively, if you don't want to gift the points, you can choose Use option to keep the base point value and advance your own building.

How to trigger Pass It On?

Some players believe that if a Partners event is coming up soon and you finish a different major event early (while the previous one is still active), you might trigger Pass It On.

However, that is just one scenario; others have encountered Pass It On without having finished the current event.

Monopoly Go has previously conducted limited tests for features that eventually became official game content, such as Blocks Boutique. Past tests were largely region-based, so it is likely the same applies here.

However, since Monopoly Go development team has not issued a clear announcement or response regarding Pass It On and its testing phase, it remains uncertain which regions' players might trigger this mechanic; therefore, it is best not to fixate on it too much.

What are the advantages of this mechanic?

A long-standing issue with Monopoly Go partner events is that whale players (high-investing or highly active players) can easily rack up enough points to complete multiple buildings; if you happen to be their teammate, you might simply wait to be gifted points.

While this practice doesn't violate game rules, it feels unfair to other teams where every member is actively playing.

If Pass It On were to completely replace Partner Gifts, anyone aiming for the ultimate partner event grand prize, even those accustomed to receiving gifted points, would have to actively participate in the game and land on Pass It On to receive gifts from teammates.

This would significantly boost player engagement and activity during partner events and effectively raise the hidden cap on giftable points.

Why do some players dislike Pass It On?

Despite the apparent benefits, some Monopoly Go players argue that Pass It On essentially gives the developers tighter control over your potential earnings, as the transferable point multiplier and the odds of both parties landing on Pass It On are random and opaque.

If these odds were quietly lowered, player participation in partner events would likely decline, and interaction between teammates would diminish, ultimately undermining the very purpose of cooperation.

In fact, even before Pass It On appeared, players suspected that Monopoly Go had quietly reduced the odds of landing on Mega Spins and Partner Gifts segments, a source of frequent complaints within the community.

We hope, therefore, that Pass It On offers a better point-gifting experience rather than serving as a sneaky tactic to curtail rewards and pressure players into making micro-transactions.

How can you make the most of Pass It On?

Assuming Pass It On becomes a permanent fixture of Monopoly Go partner event wheel, you will need to adjust your spinning strategy, regardless of your personal opinion on the feature, if you intend to keep playing the game.

Since the teammates for Pass It On are selected randomly, you must ensure during the team-up phase that your partners remain active and participate throughout the event.

Otherwise, if you are matched with a teammate who doesn't log in during the event, you won't be able to use Pass option to earn extra points.

On the other hand, even though Pass It On point pool has a very high cap, you shouldn't slack off on earning partner tokens; more tokens mean more spins, allowing you to contribute more capital to the pool.

More on ACME FARM Partners tips

As the current Monopoly Go partner event, ACME FARM Partners has largely moved past the team-up phase; you will need to keep working hard with your teammates to earn tokens until August 31st.

If you aren't familiar with Pass It On yet, don't worry, it is currently just a test feature that hasn't officially launched. There is a good chance you won't even trigger it during ACME FARM Partners event, so there is no need to stress about it.

That covers everything for now. Just to be safe, keep an eye out for any new updates regarding Pass It On so you can quickly adapt once it goes live!

If previous generations of FC Career Mode transfers often revolved around a series of numbers, FC 27 clearly aims to make it feel more like a real transfer window.

Based on the currently released closed beta gameplay footage, the changes go far beyond just the addition of installments, buybacks, and bonuses.

A player's willingness to come, the club's response time, how offers are returned, whether the contract will see a pay rise, even how AI teams spend money and how the deadline day progresses - all these factors now influence whether a deal will go through.

Of course, this information is currently based on FC 27 closed beta. Before the official release, the specific amounts, waiting times, and AI behavior are still subject to adjustment.

Player Interest

In FC 27, after finding a player you want, you can no longer simply make an offer based on their ability rating and potential.

A complete evaluation of a player now takes time. In Beta, a complete scouting report on a target player takes 7 days. Once the report is complete, besides ability, playstyles, salary, and market valuation, it will also directly show the player's interest in joining your club.

This change allows you to determine whether a deal is worth prioritizing before formally entering negotiations.

This provides Career Mode with a more practical way of judging targets: players who are more interested in joining are obviously better targets for initial discussions, rather than just prioritizing based on Overall and Potential.

More importantly, time is now also considered a cost. In future transfer windows, the real planning will not only involve budget but also how long you are willing to wait for a target.

More Transfer Clauses

FC 27 now allows you to negotiate more than just a final transfer fee; clubs can include significantly more conditions in the deal.

Currently, Beta includes loan-back deals, buyback clauses, and first refusal clauses.

Loan-back allows newly signed players to remain with their original clubs; buyback clauses gives the seller the option to buy back the player at a pre-agreed price in the future; first refusal means that the original club has priority to match offers from other teams in the future.

Of these, loan-back is probably the most practical. For example, you sign an 18-year-old player early, but can't provide them with consistent playing time in the first year.

Instead of bringing them back to sit on the bench for a long time, it's better to loan them back and let them continue playing for their original team for another year.

This way, locking in potential players early in Career Mode avoids the conflict between regretting not signing them and not having a place in the squad after bringing them in, making it much more natural for top clubs to stockpile young players.

Installments

If I could only choose one new transfer feature in FC 27 worth exploring, I'd say it's Installments. It allows you to allocate your current transfer budget to more positions and push some transfer fees to the next few years.

Installments is especially useful if you're in a phase where you need to fill two or three positions at once. Conversely, if the squad is already relatively complete, lacking only one key player, there's no need to force a high percentage of installments just to appear to have a larger budget. The money you save now will become fixed expenses later.

If you stubbornly insist on doing this for several consecutive transfer windows, you're likely to find that a large portion of your new season's budget has already been deducted from transfer fees from previous years just as it arrives.

Bonuses

Besides installments, bonuses are also a very useful tool in FC 27 for controlling the current budget.

In Beta, transfers can include conditions such as appearances, goals, assists, clean sheets, individual awards, and team championships.

Therefore, if the current budget is tight, it's advisable to allocate a portion of the funds to these subsequent conditions, especially for smaller teams that also need to fill other positions. This is much more flexible than paying the entire transfer fee at once.

However, before adding bonus clauses, it's best to assess the likelihood of these conditions actually being triggered.

If a team already has championship-contending potential and includes high-value championship bonuses in several transfers, it might save on budget in the short term. However, once the season's performance materializes, these costs could accumulate all at once.

Negotiation Waiting Time

In FC 27, submitting an offer doesn't guarantee an immediate response.

This change directly alters transfer strategies: it's best not to invest all your time in a single target. Especially towards the end of the transfer window, a more prudent approach is to prepare several targets (A, B, and C) in advance and pursue them simultaneously.

If the primary target rejects the offer a few days later, and you only start contacting replacements then, there might not be enough time to complete the entire transfer.

Therefore, in FC 27 transfer window, besides budget, negotiation time itself becomes a resource that needs to be managed.

Salary Clauses

In FC 27 contract negotiations, besides agent fees, signing fees, and performance bonuses, salaries can also be linked to team goals. For example, players can receive a raise if certain team goals are achieved, or take a pay cut if they aren't.

These clauses seem flexible, but the real concern is their potential for collective triggering. If several key players are eligible for salary increases because of Champions League qualification or winning a title, and the team's performance suddenly improves, the following year's wage bill could rise sharply.

Salary reduction clauses aren't entirely free either. Beta gameplay footage also suggests that while the team can save on salaries, players might be dissatisfied with the pay cuts and even consider leaving.

Therefore, before increasing performance-based salaries for key players, it's best to calculate whether your salary budget can handle the situation if the entire team triggers these clauses simultaneously.

FC 27 Career Mode's real change isn't just the addition of a few more clauses in the menu. Now, every transfer requires more advance consideration.

If the final release retains these systems from Beta, Career Mode transfers will no longer be just about signing players, but will become closer to a club management system that requires long-term planning.

If you're also planning to build a squad outside Career Mode, you can buy FC 27 Coins from IGGM.com and leave more of your playtime for actually using the team instead of grinding for resources.

Registered IGGM users can also make use of daily check-ins, build up Points over time, and redeem them for IGGM Coupons on later orders.

Diablo 4 introduced Mythic Uniques 3.0 in Season 14, theoretically designed to significantly broaden endgame build options. However, in practice, as Mythic Uniques have provided increasingly higher stats and stronger special effects, the value of Legendary Aspects and regular Legendary items has been continuously compressed - Mythic items have become the final upgrade endpoint for the entire Unique item system.

Two Core Problems of Mythic System

Problem 1: Legendary Aspects Shift from Mechanism Innovation to Numerical Bonuses

After Vessel of Hatred, Legendary Aspects underwent a fundamental change - they transformed from gameplay-altering effects into basic stat boosts. In other words, Legendary Aspects no longer alter your skill mechanics or playstyle; they simply provide a numerical bonus.

Mythic Unique increases the effects of Unique gear by 30%, making most Mythic gear completely outclass Legendary Aspect gear numerically. Since Legendary Aspect only provides a numerical bonus, while Mythic gear offers higher stats, why would players even bother with Aspect?

This has led to an increasing number of builds opting for full Mythic gear setups. Currently, most Diablo 4 classes have endgame gear that is either entirely Mythic or almost entirely Mythic with one or two Legendary Aspects.

Problem 2: Mythic Uniques are Just Stat Stacking

Looking at the evolution of Diablo 4 items, Mythic Uniques haven't brought much real gameplay innovation. Take a few commonly used items from the past to the present as examples:

• The Grandfather: increases critical strike damage by 100%;
• Harlequin Crest: 20% damage reduction and +4 to all skill ranks;
• Heir of Perdition: 60% damage increase;
• Ring of Starless Skies: Increases damage and reduces resource consumption when resources are consumed;
• Shroud of False Death: Enters Stealth after 2 seconds of not dealing damage and increases movement speed.

Of all the items listed above, Shroud of False Death is the only one with a slight change in gameplay. Apart from that, almost all Mythic items are simply pure stat increases.

Furthermore, as the game progresses, these unique effects become less distinctive. Now, more than half of the equipment has critical strike damage bonuses, and The Grandfather's doubled critical strike damage effect is no longer special.

Thus, both Legendary Aspects and Mythic items became tedious stat boosts. When the core of the entire equipment system is simply stat stacking, where does the game's depth and enjoyment come from?

3.2.0 PTR: Remedial Measures

The good news is that the developers have clearly listened to community feedback. 3.2.0 PTR for Season 15 brings a series of significant adjustments to Mythic system.

The most crucial change is that Horadric Cube can now directly upgrade a Unique item to its corresponding Mythic version, fully preserving its original affixes, Tempering, and Masterworking progress. This means the gambling-style upgrade mechanism of Season 14 has been completely abolished - Mythic equipment is finally crafted, not gambled on.

In addition, existing Iconic Mythic items will have a new regular Unique version, allowing players to experience the core effects of these items earlier.

These changes did improve the acquisition and progression experience of Diablo 4 Mythic Uniques, but they were essentially superficial solutions: they addressed how Mythic items were obtained, but not why Mythic items were worth having.

The Future of Mythic

If the studio wants to truly solve the fundamental problems of Mythic system, they can start from the following three directions:

Direction 1: Rework Legendary Aspects

This is the most direct solution - to make Legendary Aspects revert from numerical bonuses back to mechanic-based changes. When Legendary Aspects can alter skill mechanics and create new builds, even if Mythic Uniques have higher stats, players will still choose Legendary Aspects for gameplay diversity.

The official statement indicated a desire to migrate some Legendary Aspect effects to the skill tree. This direction itself is not problematic, but the reality is that many old Aspects, after being removed, did not actually enter the skill tree.

For example, in Druid, many Aspects that once supported different builds have been phased out with each season. If the studio doesn't plan to expand these aspects into skill tree in future seasons, it means these playstyles will disappear completely.

Direction 2: Add a New Rarity Above Mythic

Diablo 4 could also add a completely new top-tier rarity above Mythic, preserving the existing Mythic system while adding a new layer to gear building.

An interesting idea is to revive a design from Diablo 4's early development: the highest rarity gear has multiple effects, but players are limited to equipping only one. If these effects are no longer simple stat increases, but rather multiple carefully combined gameplay-changing effects, then such a top-tier item could become the core of the entire build.

Imagine a piece of gear with three to four synergistic mechanics. After obtaining it, players shouldn't simply replace it with a higher-stat item, but rather start thinking: can we rebuild a build around one of those effects? This is the true depth that top-tier gear should bring to build.

Direction 3: Completely Overhaul or Remove the Existing Mythic System

This is the most radical, but also potentially the most radical, solution: eliminate the current Mythic rarity system, revert Iconic Mythics to the regular Unique system, and redefine what Mythics should truly be - Mythics shouldn't just be Uniques with higher stats, but rather core equipment that can truly change builds and allow players to build around them.

The controversy surrounding the Mythic system has lasted an entire season. From Mythic Uniques 3.0 in Season 14 to the fixes on season 15 PTR, the studios have been gradually adjusting their direction. However, superficial balance adjustments cannot solve the fundamental problems - the numericalization of Legendary Aspects, the uninteresting nature of Mythic items, and the increasing tendency of the entire equipment system to lean towards pure stat stacking are the real challenges that need to be addressed.

Whether you have played it, you surely witnessed the massive success of the 2022 blockbuster Elden Ring. Its 2024 DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, was equally acclaimed, winning numerous awards.

To mark an exclusive partnership with Switch 2 launched in 2025, it was announced last year that a Tarnished Edition, tailor-made for the platform, would be released.

After several delays, the official release date for Elden Ring Tarnished Edition has finally been set for August 28, 2026. If you are an Elden Ring fan who has picked up a Switch 2, this is a release you won't want to miss!

Below, we outline the key details of this new edition and offer tips on quickly adapting to the new content and core gameplay mechanics.

What does Elden Ring Tarnished Edition include?

Designed specifically for Switch 2, this edition includes the base Elden Ring game and Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, alongside the following brand-new content:

• Two new classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight
• New armor sets
• New customization options for Torrent's appearance

Players who pre-order the game will receive two bonus gestures upon starting: The Ring and Ring of Miquella.

To ensure fairness, players who already own Elden Ring or Shadow of the Erdtree on other platforms can unlock Tarnished Pack separately to unlock the new content added in this edition.

New class mechanics

While the original version of Elden Ring featured 10 starting classes, the total has now been expanded to 12. Additionally, two of the newly added armor sets are specifically designed for these Tarnished Edition classes.

Heavy Knight

Based on official data and gameplay demonstrations shown at various events, Heavy Knight is a warrior clad in heavy steel armor, capable of wielding a massive curved blade to sweep through enemy ranks.

Given their heavy armor, Heavy Knight's initial playstyle focuses on high Strength and high equip load capacity. Their starting Endurance stat of 17 is among the highest of any Elden Ring class.

Conversely, their weaker attributes are Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. Their exclusive armor set resembles heavy plate armor, implying exceptional physical defense, though it comes with significant weight, which explains Heavy Knight's high stamina.

Overall, Heavy Knight is a rugged, resilient class that allows for a straightforward, no-nonsense combat style and early access to heavy gear.

While you may have played similar classes in other games, Heavy Knight is entirely new to Elden Ring Tarnished Edition. If you encounter any leveling difficulties, it's best to buy Elden Ring Runes to keep things moving smoothly.

Idus Knight

In terms of lore, Idus Knight hails from Land of Idus, a region relatively unfamiliar even to veteran Elden Ring players. Knights from this area are renowned for using lightweight gear and wielding it with exceptional agility.

Consequently, if you choose this class in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, your standout starting stat is Dexterity (15), while Intelligence, Vitality, and Arcane are your weaker attributes.

This makes Idus Knight well-suited for light or medium armor. Although their starting HP is relatively low, this can be improved by allocating points as you level up. Additionally, a decent starting Faith stat allows you to cast certain spells or buffs.

In terms of both gameplay and enjoyment, Idus Knight holds a slight edge over Heavy Knight. However, if you are new to Elden Ring, you might also consider choosing one of the ten classic classes.

Tarnished Edition core gameplay

This edition is essentially a comprehensive package based on the base game and existing DLC; barring any major future patches, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged.

After creating your character, your adventure begins in The Lands Between. As you progress, you will explore various Legacy Dungeons, defeat bosses, claim Great Runes, and ultimately reforge Elden Ring.

While this represents a recommended linear progression, you are free to deviate from the set order, or even skip certain story bosses, to complete the game faster, provided you have the skill to handle it.

As for Shadow of the Erdtree, although nominally just a DLC, it offers a massive gaming experience. The adventure is set in Land of Shadow, featuring various boss battles built around a unique vertical level design.

Additionally, this DLC includes a standalone progression system that allows you to boost your character's attack and defense by collecting Scadutree Fragments.

What about the other new items?

Beyond the sets designed for the two new classes, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition introduces armor sets inspired by Lucatiel of Mirrah from Dark Souls 2; the fan-favorite Dark Souls 3 Hollowslayer Greatsword also makes an appearance.

As for the new Torrent skin, Torrent being the spectral steed your character rides, customizing its appearance doesn't necessarily grant stat boosts, but it serves as a fun, aesthetic touch.

Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition worth getting?

Fundamentally, this edition isn't an expansion that adds a brand-new main storyline; its primary purpose is to support Switch 2 platform. So, if you aren't particularly interested in that platform, sticking with the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree is perfectly fine.

However, the quality of Elden Ring series is undeniable. Even though the new classes and items don't constitute a massive overhaul, unlocking and experiencing them via this separate pack is certainly worthwhile.

We hope this overview helps you better understand Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and offers some inspiration for your future gaming plans!

WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 is now live, and many players and guilds are preparing for Black Temple by gearing up and stocking various consumables and other supplies. But if your gold reserves have already run dry, all those preparations are difficult to put into practice.

When your gold starts running low, the first two waves of trash mobs in Mount Hyjal raid are worth considering. With only a small group working together, this strategy can quickly generate several thousand gold.

Why Choose Mount Hyjal?

In Phase 3 of WoW BCC Anniversary, nearly every class and talent specialization's BiS setup requires Heart of Darkness as a crafting material.

At the same time, many guilds run into a bottleneck when progressing on Mother Shahraz because they lack the newly available Shadow Resistance gear. This has further increased demand for the core crafting material. With supply struggling to keep up with demand, Heart of Darkness has become extremely valuable.

Heart of Darkness does not primarily come from raid bosses. Instead, it is dropped by trash mobs in these two raids.

Mount Hyjal is particularly attractive because you do not need to assemble a full 25-player raid or clear the entire raid. Simply farm the first two waves, loot everything, leave the instance, reset it, and repeat.

This strategy also has relatively low gear requirements. As long as your group can clear these trash mobs quickly, the method works. Naturally, the more efficient your group is, the more gold you can generate per hour.

How to Farm Mount Hyjal?

After entering Mount Hyjal and speaking with Lady Jaina Proudmoore, the first wave of combat can begin. The top of the screen displays the current wave and the number of invading enemies.

The first wave provides neither reputation nor loot, so players must clear it before reaching the second wave, where the actual rewards begin. The second wave contains ten Ghouls and two Crypt Fiends, which are the primary targets for repeated farming.

After killing the first two waves, the group should loot everything that drops and then have everyone leave the instance. At this point, one member who remains outside the raid can reset the instance.

Once the reset is complete, everyone will be returned to the raid entrance, allowing the next cycle to begin immediately. Based on testing, a well-coordinated group can complete one cycle in roughly eight minutes. With even smoother coordination, the time can be reduced further.

If the group is performing exceptionally well, you can also attempt the third wave. It contains 6 Ghouls and 6 Crypt Fiends. Crypt Fiends have an additional 1% chance to drop Heart of Darkness, an additional chance to drop Mark of the Illidari, and an extra 2% chance to drop Epic gear. All of these rewards can provide additional gold.

How to Handle Crypt Fiends?

Crypt Fiends have ranged attacks and enter a Frenzy state when their health becomes low, greatly increasing their attack speed and melee damage. This can pose a serious threat to groups with limited healing.

A Mage can draw the threat of both Crypt Fiends and lead them toward NPCs on the opposite side of the tower where Jaina is located. Mage can then cast Invisibility, causing Crypt Fiends to transfer their threat to NPCs that are attacking them.

This allows the rest of the group to focus entirely on the 10 Ghouls without having to worry about ranged attacks. Once the tank has Crypt Fiends under control, the tank should kite them away when they enter Frenzy and continuously apply slowing effects to prevent their burst damage from causing a wipe.

The most efficient group setup consists of two Mages, one Warlock, one Protection Paladin, and one healer. Mages and Warlock handle aoe damage, Protection Paladin serves as the tank and gathers the mobs, while the healer keeps the tank alive.

Of course, if you want to keep more of the loot for yourself, you can remove one Mage. The core strategy remains the same: group the mobs together, clear them quickly with area-of-effect abilities, and complete each cycle in the shortest possible time.

Rewards

Heart of Darkness is an essential material for most TBC Phase 3 crafting recipes. The base drop chance from Ghouls is around 9%, while Crypt Fiends have a 10% chance.

Mark of the Illidari is another important reward from this strategy. They can be used to craft the new Flasks introduced in this phase, with one Mark corresponding to one Flask.

In addition to these two items, the trash mobs can also drop large quantities of Uncommon and Rare gear that can be sold, as well as Scale of the Sands reputation items.

Epic Jewelcrafting gem recipes can also appear as drops, further increasing the additional value of this farming method.

If your group can kill 80 Ghouls per hour, you can expect to obtain roughly 8 Heart of Darkness. During the early days of Phase 3, their value is likely to be extremely high, potentially allowing each player to generate around 2,000 WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold. Other Epic gear, Bind on Pickup items, recipes, and similar drops can also be highly valuable.

Heart of Darkness could be worth 1,000 or even 2,000 gold during the first week, while its value could be cut in half by the second week. That means the first week could be enough to build a substantial gold reserve capable of supporting you through the rest of The Burning Crusade Phase 3.

However, if too many players adopt this method, its profitability could decline. Even so, crafting still requires large quantities of Heart of Darkness, so the strategy should remain worthwhile.

If you miss this window or cannot find a group, the alternative is to trade with other players for their Heart of Darkness. IGGM.com can provide you with cheap gold needed to trade Heart of Darkness.

If you're a registered user of IGGM.com, you can use your accumulated points from daily check-ins to redeem discount codes at IGGM coupons and use them on your orders to save money.

Mount Hyjal farming method may not be particularly flashy, and it can even become somewhat repetitive. However, it is simple, direct, fast, efficient, and provides consistent returns. For most players, it is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to build up starting capital in WoW TBC Phase 3.

Dear players, with the official announcement of Duelist class's arrival in version 1.0 of Path of Exile 2, swords are finally joining the game - a huge boost for all melee enthusiasts!

The trailer showcases the smooth and stylish combos animations of dual-wielding swords, the powerful return of Cyclone, and Parry mechanic adding a touch of responsiveness to combat.

However, amidst the excitement, if you've been following the situation of dual-wielding weapons in PoE 2, it's hard not to worry about their future. Will these gorgeous swords ultimately become a visually appealing but impractical option in the game?

The Current State of Dual Wielding

Let's first look at the actual distribution of mainstream builds in the community: among all late-game builds surveyed, dual-wielding maces account for only 0.6%, and dual two-handed maces are even lower at 0.1%.

This means that encountering a dual-wielding player in a public area of ​​Path of Exile 2 is practically a rare occurrence.

What's even more thought-provoking is that among the 0.6% of dual-wielding one-handed weapon builds, a staggering 97% of players chose Brutus' Lead Sprinkler. This means their dual-wielding wasn't about leveraging the affixes of rare one-handed weapons, but purely about stacking two unique effects.

Furthermore, crafting two rare one-handed weapons with decent affixes often requires a significant investment of PoE 2 currency, while unique weapons like Brutus' Lead Sprinkler offer stable effects and are much cheaper to acquire, naturally becoming a shortcut for most players.

Only 3% of players actually use rare one-handed weapons for dual-wielding.

These data clearly demonstrate that dual-wielding is practically not a commonly chosen weapon combination strategy in the current PoE 2.

The Root Cause

Why has dual-wielding fallen to this state in the game? The fundamental reason lies in the severe imbalance in Passive Skill Tree's support for two-handed and one-handed weapons. In the vast Passive Skill Tree, only a handful of nodes specifically serve dual wielding, and these are compressed into a very small area, offering limited bonuses.

Most of these nodes are general-purpose, applicable to both two-handed and one-handed weapon dual wielding, but numerically they are far inferior to two-handed weapon-specific nodes.

For example, Overwhelm Notable Passive for two-handed weapons provides a 40% damage increase, while Reaving Notable Passive for one-handed weapons only offers a meager 8% attack speed benefit.

Even if you spend a significant number of points traversing the entire Passive Skill Tree to collect these one-handed weapon nodes, the final return is far less substantial than sticking to a two-handed weapon build.

This design directly leads to a harsh reality: if your goal is to maximize damage in PoE 2, two-handed weapons are always the better choice, and dual wielding will be utterly crushed in the late game.

Can swords change the tide?

Another reason we can't ignore is that currently, the only melee weapon in the game that can be wielded one-handed is the mace. The mace was designed to be the slowest, heaviest, and most charge-intensive weapon, which doesn't align with the inherently fast-paced combos of dual wielding.

Most mace players eventually opt for a two-handed mace paired with a shield, offering both survivability and damage output. Only a few players pursuing maximum skill levels will utilize Giant's Blood keystone passive skill for dual wielding with two-handed maces.

So, will the swords arriving in PoE 2 version 1.0 change this?

Judging from the trailer, swords have a significantly faster attack speed than maces, more agile movements, and seem to possess native parry abilities.

If we can effectively utilize the multiplicative damage bonus provided by a successful parry, it might become a key to the output of dual wielding swords.

Furthermore, the return of Cyclone in version 1.0 will give dual wielding players another viable map-clearing skill.

These designs certainly offer hope for dual wielding players, but if Passive Skill Tree and its stats aren't adjusted accordingly, even the most visually appealing skill animations won't make a difference.

Passive Skill Tree Rework in Patch 0.5.5

The good news is that Path of Exile 2 has confirmed a rework of Passive Skill Tree in Patch 0.5.5, while Swords and Duelist won't be implemented until version 1.0 on December 11th.

This means we have a valuable window between 0.5.5 and 1.0 to observe whether the development team is paving the way for one-handed dual wielding through changes to Passive Skill Tree.

If the reworked one-handed weapon node and dual wielding node stats are reasonable and their positions are convenient, then dual wielding has a real chance to thrive when Swords are released. Conversely, swords might repeat the mistakes of mace.

Every frame of the dual wielding swords in the trailer was exhilarating, but upon reflection, we can't help but recall the current predicament of dual wielding in the game.

A healthy gaming environment should make dual wielding a viable and fun one-handed unique weapon choice, rather than forcing players to use Giant's Blood, a keystone passive skill.

With swords' release imminent and Passive Skill Tree rework in 0.5.5 just around the corner, now is the perfect opportunity to turn the tide for dual wielding!

Hopefully, when PoE 2 version 1.0 officially launches this December, we can confidently pull out two rare swords to charge into battle, instead of sighing helplessly at the flashy animations.

MLB The Show 26 will be added to PS Plus monthly game lineup this September! From September 1st to October 5th, all PS Plus members can claim this year's top baseball simulation game for free. This is not only a celebration for baseball game enthusiasts, but also a major opportunity for countless onlookers to truly step into the world of realistic baseball.

Why is this free offer so important?

A top-tier sports game with low entry barrier

MLB The Show series has long dominated the baseball game genre. Its physics engine, player motion capture, and stadium atmosphere are considered textbook examples of sports games. However, its high price and the complexity of baseball rules have deterred many players. This addition to PS Plus lineup means that even the most basic Essential members can experience this AAA sports game at a low cost - no extra payment, no pre-order required, just a PS Plus member can add it to their library in September.

September's Golden Window: Season Highlights & Game Content Peak

September marks the final sprint of MLB regular season, bringing the 2026 playoffs very close. Starting MLB The Show 26 now means experiencing the same atmosphere as the real-world MLB season, with Live Series player data and rosters updated multiple times.

Meanwhile, after more than six months of updates and optimizations, the game's content system and online modes are relatively mature, with a large and active matchmaking pool. For players just starting out, September is undoubtedly a perfect entry point.

New Momentum for Veteran Players

For veteran players, the free-to-play model brings a surge of new players, meaning a healthier Ranked matchmaking pool. Lower ranks are no longer dominated by skilled players, making it easier for players to gain an advantage or participate in tutorial matches. Simultaneously, Diamond Dynasty market will see more active card circulation, with increased supply of low-priced cards, allowing you to build roster depth with fewer MLB The Show 26 stubs.

PS Plus Exclusive Benefit: Jump Start Bundle Full Analysis

In addition to the game itself, PS Plus members can claim an exclusive Jump Start Bundle from September 1st to October 5th. The claim link is in The Show Shop on the game's main interface. This bundle includes three core items:

The Show 5 Pack Bundle

It contains 5 The Show Packs, offering random player cards, equipment, and other Diamond Dynasty items. For beginners, these packs can help quickly build a strong initial lineup; for experienced players, Silver and Gold player cards can be used in Collections or through Exchange to advance progress, further improving card resource utilization.

The Jump Start Choice Pack

This is one of the most valuable rewards for Diamond Dynasty beginners in the bundle. Based on current pack information, this Choice Pack is a 5-round choice pack, offering 5 Gold player cards to choose from, and the selected cards cannot be sold.

For beginners, it's recommended to prioritize players who can directly address weaknesses in your current lineup, such as starting pitchers, outfielders, or other weak positions. Experienced players can choose based on their existing DD lineup and collection needs.

Road to the Show Equipment Bundle

This equipment bundle is specifically designed for Road to the Show players. It allows you to customize your RTTS players and provides corresponding attribute bonuses. For players who want to experience the new expanded amateur years career path in MLB The Show 26, this equipment can help you achieve better performance on the field in high school and college, and prepare you for MLB Draft Combine and your professional baseball career.

Advice for Beginners

If you're new to the MLB The Show series, the following advice isn't about hitting home runs immediately, but rather about helping you strike out less, get beaten by the computer less, and quickly find enjoyment in the game.

Starting from Beginner/Amateur

MLB The Show 26 offers multiple difficulty levels from Beginner, Amateur, Rookie, Veteran to higher levels, and also supports Dynamic Difficulty. For new players with no prior experience with the series, it's recommended to start with Beginner or Amateur. Once familiar with the basic controls, try Dynamic Difficulty, allowing the game to gradually adjust the challenge level based on your performance.

Start with Moments/Conquest

Beginners are not advised to use Ranked Seasons as their primary practice area right away. You can gradually familiarize yourself with the game in the following order:

Moments → Conquest → Other Offline DD Content → Then try Online PVP

• Moments: Single challenges are usually short, perfect for practicing specific hitting, pitching, or game scenarios.
• Conquest: A board-style gameplay combined with short matches, allowing you to acquire various game resources while familiarizing yourself with DD.
• Ranked: Enter Ranked after you've become familiar with hitting, pitching, and lineup management; it will be much more comfortable.

Three Principles for Beginner Hitting: Observe the Ball, Choose the Ball, Catch Fastball

Beginners don't need to force themselves to master every pitch in the first week.

• Observe the Ball: Observe the release point and the ball's initial trajectory as early as possible after the pitcher releases the ball.
• Choose the Ball: Don't swing at the sight of the ball. Especially in the early stages, minimize chasing balls that are clearly outside the strike zone.
• Catch Fastball: Focus on practicing fastballs and sinkers to develop swing timing and familiarize yourself with the PCI movement.

Once you can consistently identify fastballs, gradually introduce sliders, curveballs, changeups, and other breaking balls.

Properly Utilizing PS Plus Exclusive Benefits

Jump Start Choice Pack

This is a crucial resource for beginners to strengthen their lineup in the early game. When selecting players, don't just look at overall player ratings; prioritize players who can directly integrate into your current lineup and address obvious weaknesses. If your lineup lacks a reliable starting pitcher, prioritize SPs; if your pitching lineup is already relatively complete, choose players in other positions who can directly enter the starting lineup.

5 x The Show Packs

It's recommended to open these 5 packs directly, but don't immediately sell all the cards in Quick Sell or Exchange. New players can check the following in order:

• Is it part of your current collection?
• Is it tradable?
• Is it suitable for your current DD lineup?
• If none of the above are needed, then consider selling for Stubs or using it in Exchange.

This avoids prematurely discarding cards you might need later due to a lack of understanding of their uses.

Road to the Show Equipment Bundle

If you plan to play RTTS, you can use this equipment pack directly after creating your ballplayer to customize and build your career character.

Note that MLB 26 equipment is primarily for ballplayer equipment and appearance customization; it doesn't directly increase ballplayer stats. Therefore, new players shouldn't hoard equipment packs with the intention of using them to enhance stats later. Once you're ready to start RTTS, use them according to your position and preferences.

MLB The Show 26's PS Plus free offer is a limited-time treat - the game is available until October 5th, after which Jump Start Bundle will also be removed from the store. For new players, this is the most friendly stepping stone into the world of baseball games; for veteran players, it's an excellent springboard to expand your roster and climb the leaderboards. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned pro in previous titles, this opportunity is worth making time for.

NBA 2K27 early access officially kicked off yesterday! If you unlocked Deluxe or Ultra edition, you should already be playing. And if you enjoy creating custom players, MyPLAYER mode is definitely the way to go!

While earning in-game resources largely depends on your actual performance in matches, maximizing your potential requires mastering the best strategies right from the player creation stage.

Here, we present a build for an NBA 2K27 point guard (PG) capable of excelling on both offense and defense, allowing you to quickly unlock new on-court moves and enjoy a top-tier virtual basketball experience.

What are the responsibilities of a point guard?

We chose the point guard position for this example because it serves as the primary ball-handler in basketball. You are responsible for bringing the ball up the court and finding open teammates for passes.

Furthermore, the pace of your team's game is largely in your hands; beyond calling plays, you must also create scoring opportunities for yourself. In short, the position offers high engagement and a high skill ceiling.

Starting with physical attributes

Creating a player in NBA 2K27 involves three main setup steps: basic information, physical attributes, and the allocation of stats and badges.

There isn't much to say about basic information other than deciding on your primary and secondary positions, as this affects the subsequent steps.

Regarding physical attributes, while you can customize visual details like hairstyles or tattoos to your liking, your body type, height, weight, and wingspan must be tailored to your chosen position.

Taking a male player as an example: to build a point guard who excels at both offense and defense, you need to ensure the build allows for a 3-point shot rating of 96 and a driving dunk rating of 93.

To achieve this, if you aren't sure where to start, try setting the height to around 190 cm and the weight to approximately 80 kg, while keeping the wingspan at no less than 195 cm.

Other attributes allocation

Player attributes in NBA 2K27 are primarily categorized into six areas: Finishing, Shooting, Playmaking, Defense, Rebounding, and Physicals. These not only impact your in-game performance but also directly determine your progress toward unlocking badges.

After ensuring your Overall Rating reaches 85, the first recommendation is to boost your Ball Handle to 92 in the builder; this grants you access to Steph Curry's signature dribble moves, escape moves, and behind-the-back dribble.

Next, raising speed with ball to 86 ensures you can acquire Lightning Launch badge.

This attribute build does not require extensive use of the attribute cap-breaking mechanic. The only stat that benefits from this is Vertical; it is best to boost it from 77 to 80 to trigger Pro Contact Dunks off one, ensuring your 89 Driving Dunk rating doesn't go to waste.

For Playmaking, you need to set Pass Accuracy to at least 68. However, there is no strict limit here, so you can increase this value later based on your specific needs.

Next, your Steal attribute must reach 90, and Perimeter Defense should ideally be set to 85. You should also boost your physicals to unlock Seatbelt badge.

With the various optimizations made to NBA 2K27, defensive encounters feel much more intense; the configuration above ensures you can defend opposing players more consistently during games.

As a point guard, you need high speed, though you may have to sacrifice a bit of it to achieve superior Finishing capabilities.

Additionally, given the enhancements to dunking and physicality, you need a very high Dunk rating. To round out this build, you should also set Interior Defense to 47 and Standing Dunk to 35.

Badge unlocking

NBA 2K27 features approximately 53 player badges, utilizing a new token system and four progression tiers. You can earn tokens by improving your skill specializations to redeem badges and use the new Takeover system to elevate the potential of specific badges to higher levels.

We previously mentioned several badges to unlock when discussing attribute allocation. Based on the finalized attribute build, you will have access to all Shooting badges right from the start, with the ability to eventually max them out and reach Hall of Fame tier.

At Hall of Fame tier, you can choose Limitless Range, Deadeye, or any other badge you desire.

With a Ball Handle rating of 92, you unlock all of Stephen Curry's dribbling animations; pairing this with Max Plus One upgrade further unlocks Handles for Days badge.

Seatbelt badge, unlocked via an 85 Perimeter Defense rating, helps you stay glued to your defensive assignment. Meanwhile, Interceptor and Glove badges, available from the start, allow you to strip the ball from opponents.

Combining a 93 Driving Dunk (post-breakthrough) with an 80 Vertical rating enables your 2K27 player to execute one-footed posterizing dunks over anyone.

In the late game, your Ball Handle rating will reach 97, unlocking additional Hall of Fame-level playmaking badges.

You can then unlock further capabilities via Takeover system: Air Space for finishing, and Shot Artist, Zip Code, and Calibrated for shooting.

For defensive Takeovers, you can choose Hawk and Glue: the former effectively forces turnovers, while the latter applies immense pressure on the ball handler, transforming your point guard into an elite defender.

Summary

Once this core build is complete, your NBA 2K27 MyPLAYER point guard will boast high ratings in three key areas: three-point shooting, ball handling, and steal. This means you will achieve A-tier status in playmaking, shooting, and defense.

Note that at 85 Overall rating stage, your player may seem weak, as limited attribute points prevent you from excelling in every category simultaneously. Regardless, ensure your Ball Handle reaches 92 and your Speed with Ball hits 86 before playing your first game.

We hope this guide helps enhance your NBA 2K27 player creation experience. Good luck with your early access journey!