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• MLB The Show 26 Best Players August 2026: Top Cards Ranked by Every Position

  In August, with the launch of events like 6th Inning Program and July Spotlight Program & Pack – Drop 3 for MLB The Show 26, a large number of new player cards were added to the game.

  If you want to build a strong team this August, you'll definitely need a list to help you identify the most valuable and powerful player cards for each position.

  Below, this article will provide such a list of player cards for August, categorized by position. If you're interested, keep reading.

  

  Catcher

  First up is Catcher. Catchers are crucial roles on the field, providing not only defense but also consistent offensive firepower.

  In August's MLB 26, the following Catcher position player cards are highly recommended:

  First is Victor Martinez Awards series card. This card boasts an overall rating of 99, making it the undisputed best catcher in the game, and arguably one of the closest to Endgame caliber player cards in the entire game.

  His biggest advantage is that he's an ambidextrous hitter, making him effective against both left- and right-handed pitchers.

  Secondly, there's Adley Rutschman. This card is known for its balance; his Contact exceeds 100, Clutch reaches 107, and he boasts 95 Arm Strength, making him one of the most reliable catchers in the game.

  Cal Raleigh Summer Series is also a good choice. Many players consider this card to be among the top tier of catchers in MLB 26. In All-Star and lower difficulties, he's highly competitive thanks to his excellent hitting motions and power.

  Finally, there's Ted Simmons. This card has extremely high Contact and solid defense, making him popular with some players. However, his drawback is his high price, requiring a significant amount of Stubs.

  Infielders

  First Base

  In Infielders section, I'll first introduce First Base position, which requires player cards with strong offensive capabilities.

  First and foremost, I still recommend Victor Martinez. His strength needs no further explanation.

  Following closely behind, Lance Berkman's Postseason series card also boasts considerable strength. This card is known as a hitting machine due to its excellent Contact and Power stats, along with Dead Red and Breaking Ball Hitter abilities. Its only drawback is its high price.

  Second Base and Shortstop

  In MLB 26, these positions require player cards to possess a balance of defensive range, throwing speed, and offensive capabilities.

  Therefore, Ozzie Albies is the first recommendation. This card possesses excellent hitting motions, Dead Red ability, and well-rounded defensive capabilities.

  Secondly, Ketel Marte is a faster option, and as an ambidextrous hitter, he provides top-tier performance at second base, shortstop, and outfield.

  If you have Troy Tulowitzki's Milestone series card, congratulations! He's considered one of the best shortstops in the game this August, possessing exceptionally high stats.

  However, this card is currently also expensive in the game, requiring players to acquire a sufficient number of MLB The Show 26 Stubs. If you don't have that many Stubs, player cards like Geraldo Perdomo, Willi Castro, and Troy Tulowitzki are also viable options.

  Third Base

  The last Infielder position to discuss is Third Base. For this position, I primarily recommend Rafael Devers.

  Many players consider him to have the best hitting motion in the game, and even against left-handed pitchers, his unique open hitting stance ensures good hitting results.

  In addition, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Junior Caminero, and Nolan Arenado are all good choices.

  Outfielders

  Center Field and Corner OF

  Center Field and Corner OF positions require players to possess a certain level of speed, defense, and offense.

  Therefore, Carlos Beltran is undoubtedly the strongest Outfielder in MLB 26. He can play center field, right field, or Designated Hitter, with no weaknesses in any area.

  Andruw Jones, as a newly added Legend player, has become one of the strongest outfielders thanks to his well-rounded fielding stats and a Speed ​​of over 92.

  Byron Buxton and Mike Trout are also worth recommending; however, some players have reported that Byron Buxton's new card's hitting animation is different from previous ones, which may take some getting used to.

  Designated Hitter

  Designated Hitter position is reserved for pure offensive weapons. Therefore, Yorkan Alvarez is the top choice. He boasts Power of 121 and 119, as well as almost all important hitting quirks; the only downside is his price.

  If you need stubs to acquire Yorkan Alvarez or other player cards mentioned above, you can participate in IGGM MLB 26 stubs giveaway, where you will have the opportunity to acquire a large number of stubs to build a powerful team.

  

  Pitchers

  The strength of pitchers often determines a team's ceiling. In August's MLB 26, strong pitchers generally possess Velocity, Speed ​​Differential, or unpredictable release points.

  In this position, Al Leiter's Signature series cards are widely considered the strongest player cards currently available.

  He boasts a high H/9 rating of 97 and a K/9 rating of 108, and his ball setup, centered around Sinker and Cutter, is virtually unbeatable on Legend difficulty.

  Additionally, Tarik Skubal's sinker with Outlier skill, combined with unpredictable release points, makes him difficult for batters to adapt to; Sandy Alcantara and Justin Verlander also possess considerable strength with their classic Sinker, Changeup, and Fastball combinations.

  This concludes the list of the strongest players at each position for MLB The Show 26 in August. If you're considering building a super team, this list can be helpful.

• EA FC 27 Gameplay Overhaul or Just a Patch? | Breaking Down AI Defending, Corner Kicks & New Features

  The official gameplay trailer for EA FC 27, launching on September 25th, has finally been released. They claim it's a major gameplay overhaul centered on player feedback - AI defense has been significantly weakened, manual defense has been greatly strengthened, the corner kicks mechanism has been completely reworked, and offensive positioning is more intelligent.

  However, players familiar with the series know that the official statement every year is,  "We've heard the community's voice." From FC 25 to FC 26, the drama of AI defending going from weak to strong only to being patched back has played out countless times.

  So, is this a true innovation, or just a patch that was supposed to be released midway through FC 26 being repackaged as a new game? This article will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the gameplay changes in FC 27 based on official Pitch Notes and genuine community feedback.

  AI Defending: Automatic Tackling Gone

  

  The official Gameplay Deep Dive states that FC 27 has made one of the most significant gameplay adjustments to AI defending.

  Specifically, AI-controlled defenders no longer automatically tackle. Previously, the AI ​​would automatically extend its leg to attempt a tackle whenever the dribbler approached. Now, AI teammates will simply maintain their position and provide defensive support until you manually switch to them and make a tackle decision.

  However, the AI ​​can still gain possession in two situations: when a loose ball enters its reach, or when the dribbler directly collidees with the AI.

  Teammate Containment has also been weakened. When performing Teammate Containment, AI teammates will maintain a greater distance from the ball carrier than before. If you want to apply real pressure, you must manually switch to that player to defend.

  However, these changes don't seem to have pleased players much. Players generally believe that the weakening of AI defending, reduced second-man pressing, and weakened team pressing mentioned in the trailer are things that could be fixed with a single patch, and should have been included in FC 26, yet they're being packaged as selling points for FC 27.

  Offensive Innovations

  Creative Runs

  FC 27 introduces a completely new offensive movement system:

  • Triggered Runs: Enhanced, attacking players' off-the-ball runs are more purposeful.
  • Curved Runs: Teammates will run along the defensive line's curve and maintain their position, giving you more time to observe and pass.
  • Pass and Follow: Players can advance into open spaces after passing, drawing defenders away.
  • Offside Awareness: AI will be more aware of avoiding offside.

  Off-Balance Dribbling

  This is another notable new mechanic in FIFA 27: dribblers with a combined Balance, Agility, and Dribbling rating of 85 or higher can maintain ball control even when knocked down and losing balance. This is inspired by players like Pedri and Musiala - who always find a way to protect the ball when tackled.

  Passing Fluidity

  Passing animations and player movement have been optimized: passing actions transition more naturally into running, reducing post-pass delays. Players will make smarter runs after passing, becoming instant passing options for One-Two Passes, quick combinations, and possession-based attacks.

  Corner Kicks Redesigned

  In FC 27, the studio redesigned Corner Kick mechanic, breaking the process into two phases, allowing players to participate more actively in set-piece attacks.

  1. Preparation Phase: Players need to choose the landing point of Corner Kick and control the power of the cross by charging it up.
  2. Positioning Phase: Players will have a few seconds to manually control the movement of their receiving player, allowing the player to attempt to break free of the defense and reach the predetermined landing point at the optimal moment through timing runs to win headers.

  Perhaps the developers hope that this change will make Corner Kick more than just a simple cross maneuver, but closer to the Set Piece tactical design in real football.

  However, the community feedback after the announcement of this new mechanism was lukewarm. Most players play football games for scoring goals, dribbling, shooting, and physical duels; few people find the corner kick system upgrade a particularly exciting new feature.

  Balance of PlayStyles and Bruiser

  Bruiser Nerfed

  In FC 26, players with Bruiser or Bruiser+ could easily physically overpower opponents, leading to player feedback that Bruiser PlayStyle was too overpowered.

  FUT 27 addressed this - defenders can no longer physically challenge from behind, meaning they can no longer simply run towards the dribbler to win possession.

  Attributes vs PlayStyles

  The official trailer also stated that EA FC 27 will rebalance the relationship between PlayStyles and core attributes. They have adjusted a range of Playstyles, including Finesse Shot, Technical Dribbler, and Rapid, which will allow attributes to play a greater role in determining player performance than before, thus enabling both to have a substantial impact on player performance.

  FC 27 Gameplay: Revolution or a Belated Fix?

  Based on the currently released information, the gameplay changes in FC 27 are indeed more extensive than in previous versions. From AI Defending and Manual Defending to Creative Runs, Corner Kick, and PlayStyles balancing, the studio is attempting to make matches more reliant on player action rather than AI automation.

  In terms of direction, these changes largely address the most frequently asked questions from players in previous versions. However, the biggest question remaining in the community is whether these changes will last until the end of the game's lifecycle.

  Players familiar with the FC series know that many gameplay adjustments seem ideal at launch, but with subsequent patch updates, game balance often shifts again. In past versions, AI defense, passing speed, and physical confrontation mechanics have undergone repeated adjustments, leading players to question the developers' long-term maintenance capabilities.

  For EA Sports FC 27, the real challenge is not coming up with new ideas, but ensuring their continued existence.

  ---

  For FUT players, in addition to gameplay changes, quickly adapting to the new meta and building competitive lineups will be crucial for FC 27. Competitive players can pre-order FC 27 coins from IGGM.com to prepare necessary resources and quickly build their initial lineups, gaining an advantage before market fluctuations.

• Monopoly Go August 3-7 Barnyard Treasures Brings the New Rooster Watch Shield | How to Unlock All Rewards?

  Following the launch of Happy Harvest with Looney Tunes album, Monopoly Go kicked off the new cycle of special events with Pig Derby Racers, giving you a chance to unlock rare stickers early on.

  With Pig Derby Racers wrapping up yesterday, the new Barnyard Treasures event is about to launch! Best of all, this event doesn't require teammate assistance; with enough effort on your part, you can unlock the grand prize solo.

  

  Barnyard Treasures release date

  This Monopoly Go treasure-digging event begins at 1:00 PM ET on August 3rd and runs until the same time on August 7th, a full four days. Afterward, you can take a well-deserved break over the weekend to gear up for potential major events the following week.

  During Barnyard Treasures, Monopoly Go is expected to launch two banner events and four tournaments, alongside other daily activities. It's worth noting these, as they will help you complete Barnyard Treasures!

  How to complete Barnyard Treasures?

  As a solo event, Barnyard Treasures unlocks a grid system once you choose to participate. The system spans 20 levels; as you advance, the grid size increases, and the number of treasures to dig up grows.

  The grid starts out covered; starting at Level 1, you must use pickaxe tokens to clear the cover and find all the hidden treasures beneath. Completing each level unlocks corresponding rewards.

  The rarest reward is the purple sticker pack earned upon completing Level 20; these packs offer the highest probability of dropping rare Monopoly Go stickers. Of course, there are also plenty of dice and cash rewards to be won.

  Alternatively, if you want to get more stickers for free, why not join IGGM Monopoly Go Facebook Group sticker giveaways? You can also access them directly via Giveaways link in the navigation bar at the top of the sales page!

  

  To avoid wasting tokens, Monopoly Go displays the minimum number of tokens required to complete the current level, as well as the shapes of the treasures (i.e., how many specific grid squares they occupy).

  Best digging strategy

  To minimize token consumption, we recommend starting your dig at the edges of the grid. The four corners, in particular, help you pinpoint potential treasure locations much faster than the open center area.

  Beyond the milestone rewards, some levels boost your chances of finding treasure as you dig, while others hide varying numbers of exploding critters, or sometimes offer a combination of both.

  Exploding critters are highly useful: consuming just one pickaxe token allows them to blast open a large section of the grid, helping you clear the level faster and save on total token usage.

  To find exploding critters quickly, use a spaced-out digging strategy, avoid clicking on immediately adjacent tiles. This maximizes your chances of discovering treasure or exploding critters early on without wasting tokens.

  After triggering an exploding critter, pause to examine the newly revealed area; the blast radius might expose the edge of a treasure or clear away surrounding obstacles, helping you decide where to dig next.

  How to earn tokens?

  The minimum token count listed for each level in Monopoly Go is just a guideline; actual gameplay may require you to consume more. Therefore, to unlock all 20 Barnyard Treasures rewards, you need to stockpile a large number of pickaxe tokens.

  Complete daily events

  The daily events referred to here are the banner events and tournaments mentioned earlier; the former usually updates every two days, while the latter launches a new event daily.

  Confirmed events include Clucking Riches banner event, which launches alongside Barnyard Treasures (Eastern Time), and tournaments that refresh every 24 hours starting at the same time.

  Banner events and tournaments offer 62 and 40 milestone rewards respectively, with about 10-15 of them providing pickaxe tokens. Based on past treasure-digging events, daily events are the primary source of tokens.

  The gameplay for both event types is largely the same: roll the dice to move across the board and land on specific tiles to earn points that advance your milestone progress.

  The only difference is that tournament tiles require you to play Shutdown or Bank Heist mini-games. Additionally, your tournament performance determines your Tycoon Express rank for the season, higher ranks yield better rewards.

  Finally, during Barnyard Treasures event, small numbers of pickaxe tokens will be scattered across certain board tiles; simply landing on them allows you to collect and use them.

  Complete Quick Wins tasks

  These Monopoly Go tasks refresh daily; there are three in total, and completing each one unlocks a small amount of dice or cash. During events like Barnyard Treasures, or any event requiring tokens to play, tokens may also appear as rewards for Quick Wins.

  The tasks are simple and are usually completed naturally as you go about your daily gameplay. However, it is still a good idea to check the task list to ensure you don't miss anything.

  Claim the shop gift

  Monopoly Go shop updates with a new gift every eight hours, which may include pickaxe tokens. Since these gifts do not stack, it is best to log in on time whenever possible to claim them.

  All Barnyard Treasures rewards

  Now that you have a solid digging strategy and know how to earn tokens, you are ready to start hunting for treasure using the information below!

  Level	Grid Size	Reward	Required Pickaxe Tokens (Min.)
  Level 1	4x4 Grid	50x Free Dice Rolls	2x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 2	6x4 Grid	100x Free Dice Rolls	8x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 3	7x7 Grid	Cash	16x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 4	7x4 Grid	100x Free Dice Rolls, Yellow Sticker Pack	16x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 5	5x5 Grid	200x Free Dice Rolls	8x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 6	5x5 Grid	Cash	12x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 7	7x7 Grid	400x Free Dice Rolls	14x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 8	6x6 Grid	100x Free Dice Rolls, Pink Sticker Pack	12x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 9	5x5 Grid	150x Free Dice Rolls	5x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 10	7x4 Grid	Cash	12x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 11	6x5 Grid	250x Free Dice Rolls	9x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 12	7x7 Grid	600x Free Dice Rolls, Blue Sticker Pack	18x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 13	5x5 Grid	Cash	10x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 14	7x7 Grid	300x Free Dice Rolls	14x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 15	6x7 Grid	Cash	13x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 16	7x7 Grid	500x Free Dice Rolls	23x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 17	7x7 Grid	Cash	12x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 18	6x6 Grid	Rooster Watch Shield	22x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 19	7x4 Grid	Cash	16x Pickaxe Tokens
  Level 20	7x7 Grid	2000x Free Dice Rolls, Cash, Purple Sticker Pack	18x Pickaxe Tokens

  That covers everything for now. If you don't want to miss out on sticker packs and new shield, get ready to participate in Barnyard Treasures!

• Diablo 4 Season 15 PTR Patch 3.2.0 Class Balanced | The Biggest Buffs and Nerfs Explained

  Diablo 4 Season 15 PTR will be available from August 4 at 10:00 AM PT to August 11 at 10:00 AM PT, allowing players interested in the upcoming Season to experience the changes in advance.

  Aside from new mechanics such as Soul Splinters, the biggest focus of PTR 3.2.0 is undoubtedly the balance changes. Which classes will become the biggest winners? Which ones will be weakened?

  

  Barbarian

  Although Barbarian was nerfed in Season 14, it still remained extremely strong and was one of the top-performing classes.

  In Season 15 PTR patch, Barbarian received a large-scale and systematic reduction. From core attributes to Legendary Aspects, Paragon Glyphs, and key Unique items, almost every major source of damage for popular builds has been weakened.

  Barbarian Core Stat Scaler has been reduced from 1.1 to 0.8. This means that every 10 points of Strength will provide significantly less damage scaling.

  Considering that Barbarians can dual-wield two-handed weapons and naturally stack a very high amount of their primary attribute, this base scaling reduction will be amplified heavily through gear, making it one of the most devastating changes in the patch.

  The damage bonuses from several Barbarian-exclusive or commonly used Paragon Glyphs and Legendary Nodes have generally been reduced by 20% to 25%, directly lowering the damage ceiling of almost every build. In addition, many of Barbarian's core skills and Aspects have also received major nerfs.

  However, the unique items changes are the only major highlight of this Barbarian update. For example, after its rework, Ring of the Ravenous can allow almost every Core Skill to easily reach 100% Critical Strike Chance, potentially creating entirely new builds.

  That said, many other Unique items were weakened as well. For example, Ramaladni's Magnum Opus now consumes 10% of maximum Fury per second instead of a fixed amount of Fury. This is a heavy blow to builds that rely on this weapon to maintain high Fury levels and maximize damage.

  Druid

  Druid also received a large number of changes. Unlike Barbarian's overall nerfs, Druid's adjustments are much more complicated, featuring both exciting buffs and significant reductions.

  Druid's Willpower damage scaling has been increased from 1.25 to 1.625, providing a 30% improvement.

  The damage bonus while in Human Form has increased from 5% to 10%, while Resource Generation has also been improved instead of simply granting 5 Spirit per second. However, these changes still may not be enough to make Human Form builds truly competitive.

  For Diablo 4 items, several Druid pieces such as Greatstaff of the Crone, Fleshrender, and Airidah's Inexorable Will have received buffs, while Might of the Ursine has been weakened.

  In terms of Talismans, Storm Shepherd's Call received a major nerf. Talisman can no longer stack multiple effects and can only refresh its duration. The mobility of Rush of the Red Wolf Moon set has also been reduced, removing the infinite Dash Druid playstyle.

  Overall, while Druid's general direction is an improvement, several powerful builds have still been weakened, so the situation is not as optimistic as it first appears.

  Necromancer

  Necromancer had a mediocre performance in Season 14. While Summon Necromancer and Blood Wave Necromancer performed reasonably well, the class's biggest issue was its lack of survivability.

  Necromancer's Intelligence Scalar has also been increased from 1.25 to 1.625. Skills including Sever, Bone Prison, and Blood Wave have received significant improvements. Combined with buffs to Unique items and Talismans, Necromancer has received a near-complete overhaul of improvements.

  It is almost certain that Necromancer will perform better than in Season 14. However, its main problem has never been damage alone, but rather the pressure on survivability. As a result, Necromancer meta is unlikely to change dramatically.

  Rogue

  Rogue was one of the strongest classes in Season 14. Unlike Barbarian, it did not receive widespread nerfs and instead gained several improvements.

  All major Rogue builds avoided any meaningful reductions and received significant enhancements instead.

  Tricks of the Trade Paragon Node and Splinter of Hellfire provide Rogue with a brand-new and powerful independent damage multiplier, which can directly translate into a major increase in Pit progression.

  The only drawback is that maximizing the value of Tricks of the Trade Node may require adjusting the skill bar and adding a Trap skill. However, for players chasing the highest possible damage output, this is clearly a very worthwhile trade-off.

  If you are looking for a powerful, reliable, and highly playable class in Season 15, Rogue is currently one of the strongest choices to consider.

  Sorcerer

  After Diablo 4 Season 14 nerfs, Sorcerer had a relatively average performance, with only Firewall Sorcerer remaining competitive in the endgame. However, in PTR 3.2.0, the core damage components of Fire-based builds have been systematically weakened.

  Meanwhile, Frost-based builds, especially those centered around Ice Spike, could become a new option for high-level Pit pushing after receiving major improvements to multiple Aspects and core equipment.

  With the mechanic fixes and additional effects introduced for Breath of the Frozen Sea set, both single-target damage and survivability have improved significantly. Combined with Ice Spike variant of Fireball (Frostball), this may create new and powerful hybrid builds.

  Sorcerer's biggest loss comes from Elemental Constellation Legendary Node, whose damage has been reduced by half. This heavily impacts builds that rely on hybrid skill combinations.

  Spiritborn

  Spiritborn maintained its advantages of high mobility, explosive damage, and extremely strong defense throughout Diablo 4 Season 14. However, its changes in PTR 3.2.0 are relatively limited.

  Skills, Paragon Boards, and Legendary Aspects have all received improvements, although the buffs are not particularly large.

  One notable change is that Counterattack of the Swarm Variant damage bonus has been reduced from 150% to 75%. Counter Swarm Spiritborn was one of the strongest builds in Diablo 4 Season 14, so it received one of the most significant reductions.

  Warlock

  Warlock is one of the biggest winners of this patch. Its performance in Season 14 was average, not only because of its damage output, but also because it was one of the most awkward and frustrating classes to play. Nearly every skill suffered from heavy animation locks, resulting in slow pacing and clunky combat.

  This patch introduces many improvements to Warlock, allowing skills such as Dark Prison and Bombardment to be cast while moving or performing other actions, greatly improving overall responsiveness.

  Almost every Warlock-exclusive Legendary Aspect and Unique item has received substantial buffs, while many skills have also gained significant damage increases. For example, Calamity Variant of Dark Prison has increased from 36% to 180%.

  Even more dramatically, Legion Shard: Evisceration Fragment's damage bonus has increased from 200% to 1000%.

  Warlock could become one of the strongest classes in Season 15 and is definitely a class worth watching.

  Paladin

  Paladin had a similar position to Warlock in Season 14. Overall, it performed relatively average and lacked standout strengths. However, Season 15 brings considerable improvements.

  The official team not only increased Paladin's Strength scaling but also adjusted several core skills and Legendary effects, allowing Holy-based builds to reach a higher damage ceiling. Core skills such as Holy Bolt and Blessed Shield have received improvements, allowing Paladin to rely less on defensive abilities and support effects while gaining stronger active damage potential.

  Among these changes, Judgement-related enhancement for Holy Bolt has been redesigned. It can now directly provide higher damage gains, making the skill rotation simpler and more effective. Blessed Shield has also received mechanical improvements, further increasing clearing speed and burst potential.

  However, Paladin has not received the same level of attention as Warlock, so the overall number of changes is limited. Whether these improvements will significantly increase Paladin's endgame competitiveness remains to be seen.

  Diablo 4 Season 15 build rankings are expected to undergo a major shift, but the nerfs and buffs in PTR 3.2.0 do not represent the final balance. Players can actively participate in testing and provide feedback to the official team.

• ARC Raiders Chinese Producer Interview Blows the Lid Off the Biggest Lore Secrets | Frozen Trails May Reveal More ARCs' Origins in October!

  Perhaps due to a lack of significant new developments regarding the international version, some ARC Raiders players have shifted their attention to the recently launched Chinese version, while others have begun delving into the game's lore.

  Interestingly, a connection between the two has recently emerged; the publisher of Chinese version revealed several plot-related details in a recent interview, covering topics such as the origins of ARC, the lore behind The Exodus, and more.

  Was this information revealed inadvertently, or does it serve as a teaser for a larger ARC Raiders initiative? Could it be linked to the potential Frozen Trails update coming in October? We break it all down below.

  

  What lore details have sparked speculation?

  To enhance the experience and immersion, almost every game in the survival genre constructs a post-apocalyptic backstory.

  Adhering to this convention, ARC Raiders sets its story on a future Earth. Before the apocalypse struck, the planet endured a severe ecological crisis, necessitating a period of massive reconstruction.

  During this time, vast industrial complexes and spaceports were constructed, yet they failed to halt the planet's environmental decline. Eventually, the wealthy elite evacuated to space aboard alien-tech colony ships, an event known in the game as The Exodus.

  However, the majority of the population was left behind, forced to survive on dwindling resources. To make matters worse, decades after The Exodus, the mysterious ARC arrived on Earth, launching two successive waves of attacks.

  The sheer scale of the second ARC offensive overwhelmed humanity, forcing the survivors to retreat underground.

  You, along with other players forming Raiders, are the courageous and combat-ready warriors among this underground population. You venture to the surface, braving the chaos to scavenge the resources needed to keep the underground world functioning.

  What did Chinese version interview reveal?

  While the general narrative arc of ARC Raiders is clear, many details remain shrouded in mystery, such as the true origin of ARC and the ultimate fate of those who fled Earth via The Exodus.

  Since the game's launch, answers to these questions have been largely speculative. However, a recent interview with the producer of Chinese version touched upon the game's storyline, revealing information that had never been explicitly disclosed on the English official website.

  The biggest revelation, however, is undoubtedly that the humans who departed via The Exodus ultimately settled in low Earth orbit. Previously, official lore merely stated that they had fled into outer space, without specifying a location.

  Since low Earth orbit is only a few hundred kilometers from the planet, this suggests that the evacuees were not merely occupied with building new habitats; rather, they likely kept a close watch on Earth all along.

  Subsequent details from the interview reinforce this theory, noting that the departed humans continuously deployed monitoring and automated production machinery, likely in preparation for an eventual return to Earth.

  An intriguing piece of supporting evidence is the presence of Scavenging Seed Vault on Stella Montis map, a facility that appears to be a relic of the pre-apocalyptic era.

  Had the departed humans not intended to return, they would have had no reason to construct a seed vault. After all, much like in the classic story of Noah's Ark, crop seeds are essential for sustaining human civilization.

  If this hypothesis holds true, ARC units were likely created and deployed by those who leave to monitor Earth's ecosystem and manufacture the resources needed for humanity's eventual return.

  However, for reasons unknown, the interview mentions that "contact was eventually lost." Consequently, ARC machines came to view the humans remaining on Earth as hostile targets, sparking the conflict that drives every raid you undertake.

  Raising new questions

  If the information in the interview is accurate, the core mysteries surrounding ARC Raiders storyline that initially puzzled you are largely resolved. Yet, this raises further questions, specifically, who exactly were the two parties that "lost contact"?

  There are two primary possibilities. The first is that the departed humans lost contact with those left behind on Earth, resulting in a rift where they were not only physically separated but also ideologically misaligned. This led ARC to classify surface dwellers as enemies.

  The second possibility is that the migrants lost contact with ARC units themselves. Left to operate without human oversight, the machines continued to function, ultimately executing their "monitoring" mission in completely unexpected ways.

  These two scenarios would lead ARC Raiders main storyline down vastly different paths, leaving players eager for future game updates to reveal the truth.

  Based on interviews and speculation, the first theory seems to have more player support. After all, internal human divisions and cooperation are always more compelling than a simple "robot uprising."

  Furthermore, the humans who left Earth belonged to the wealthy elite; even if they hadn't lost contact with those left behind, the passage of time and the vast distances involved would inevitably create an irreparable rift between the two groups over several generations.

  Will Frozen Trails reveal more?

  Back in May, ARC Raiders team announced a shift in their update schedule: following Riven Tides, there would be only two major updates per year. The next one on the horizon is Frozen Trails, set to launch in October.

  What we know for sure is that this update will bring a wealth of new content, including new zones and ARC enemy types, while also delving into the origins of ARC.

  When you combine this with the recent interview details, it seems likely that the information shared was intended to build anticipation for Frozen Trails months in advance, keeping players excited and curious about ARC Raiders even during the content lull.

  In short, ARC Raiders boasts impressive gameplay design and a captivating backstory that leaves plenty of room for the imagination. Even if you've stepped away due to the lack of recent updates, you'll definitely want to return in time for the October launch!

  ---

  If you plan to keep playing ARC Raiders and want to gain an edge over returning players when Frozen Trails drops, not only you should stay up to date on upcoming changes but also buy ARC Raiders items on IGGM if you need!

  Doing so will help you complete new expeditions to unlock more permanent rewards or bonuses that will give you a head start when Frozen Trails goes live!

• Torchlight Infinite SS13 T7-T8 Progression Guide | Crafting Priorities, Hero Memories, and Power Spikes

  The biggest impression left by Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight for veteran players is that the overall pace has slowed down significantly. Once players reach Timemark, the game can start to feel like being stuck in mud. Not only does map-clearing speed decrease, but map rewards also become less rewarding.

  Timemark stage is actually only considered the mid-game, or even the early-mid game. Because the progression slows down, many players become uncertain about what to do after reaching this point. Simply put, the main goal during this stage is to upgrade your gear and skills, then move into more efficient farming.

  

  Timemark 1-6

  Timemark 1-6 are essentially the early stages of the endgame. During this period, your main objectives are upgrading equipment, increasing your level, and improving your overall power. You can accumulate resources such as Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium, crafting materials, and Ember during this stage, but gathering these resources is not your primary goal.

  During Timemark 1-4, you should craft higher-energy gear pieces for the weakest parts of your equipment setup.

  Energy is the resource used to add more Support Skills to your main skills. The higher your Energy, the more Support Skills you can equip, which directly increases your damage output.

  You should also check your Auras and make sure you are using 50% Damage Auras. These Auras become available after completing the campaign.

  During Timemark 5-6, as your level increases, Slot 3 Hero Memories will begin dropping in level 75 areas.

  Ideally, you should look for Movement Speed affixes, but regardless of which one you obtain, equip it first. This will activate your Final Hero Trait, which usually provides a significant power increase.

  Timemark 7

  For experienced players, T7 is usually only a short transition stage. However, less experienced players, players with limited playtime, or players with lower farming efficiency may remain stuck in T7 for a long time.

  During T7, the only truly recommended strategy is boss rushing. It is not the most exciting approach, but in Torchlight Infinite SS13, many players are trapped in Timemark 7 because they cannot obtain meaningful upgrades.

  The nerf to certain Netherrealm Resonance nodes in Torchlight Infinite SS13 had a major impact on T7. Resonance was usually the main method for keeping maps continuously refreshed during this stage.

  After the drop rate of Resonance rewards was reduced, the cost of Timemark 7 beacons increased while profit margins continued shrinking. As a result, many players struggled to move past this stage.

  What Can You Do?

  Although there are not many options available in T7, your goal remains the same: reach T8 difficulty as quickly as possible. Your DPS should aim to reach around 100 million.

  Tier 2 Crafts

  In Timemark 7, dropped equipment can be crafted up to Tier 2. You should prioritize crafting your weapon first, followed by other equipment slots. Before entering Timemark 7, you can dismantle all unwanted equipment in your inventory to avoid accidentally crafting on low-level gear.

  Moving from poor legendary equipment obtained during the campaign to Tier 2 crafted gear creates a massive improvement. Each item can have up to six Mods, including primary attributes and Advanced Affixes, meaning your stats and damage can increase dramatically.

  Hero Memories

  Make sure you are using at least Magic Hero Memories and upgrade them whenever possible. Epic Memories can be upgraded to level 30 and provide +1 level to the corresponding Hero Trait.

  Although they are not mandatory, Hero Memories with strong primary attributes or Life affixes can provide a very noticeable improvement. Make sure you are using the correct affixes and upgrading them. Primary attributes, Life/Energy Shield, and Movement Speed are usually the preferred choices, although the best options may vary depending on your build.

  Slates

  Timemark 7 is a good time to obtain some Legendary Slates, as they can provide strong multipliers. Even a Legendary Slate with only one useful Legendary Affix can still offer a significant improvement.

  Basic Legendary Items

  You can look for some affordable Legendary Items to gain a temporary power boost. If you are new to the game, you can check what other players are using on the leaderboards or browse Legendary Items in the marketplace.

  6-Linked Main Skill

  Make sure your main skill is already 6-Linked. Increasing the duration and reducing the cooldown of Support Skills such as Curses and Empower Skills will make your damage output feel much smoother.

  Talent Resets

  Before level 90, you can reset your talents for free. After reaching level 91, talent resets are no longer free and require Elixir of Oblivion. If you need to adjust your talent setup, complete the changes as early as possible.

  Timemark 8

  After reaching Timemark 8, players finally gain access to more diverse farming strategies. However, many SS13 farming strategies were weakened early in the season, mainly because Gold Compass drops were restricted to Profound difficulty and above.

  This effectively removed many viable early-season farming options until enough players progressed into Profound difficulty and began supplying Gold Compasses to the wider player base. As a result, farming methods in T8 that rely on Gold Compasses became much less effective.

  What Can You Do?

  The progression from Timemark 8 to Profound is a true challenge, and your DPS needs to reach around 10 billion. You will need to invest a large amount of FE into improving your equipment.

  Pedigree of Gods

  Pedigree of Gods drops from Traveler 7. The first kill of Traveler 7 and Traveler 8 each guarantees one drop. In most cases, you may not receive an especially strong one, but you can look for any Pedigree of Gods with a useful Core Talent.

  You can check the marketplace to find a Pedigree of Gods that fits your build. There is no need to chase a perfect version. Even having only one useful effect can already provide a good improvement.

  Prisms

  Prisms have different tiers, and the one you should focus on is Ethereal Prism: Haze, which adds additional effects. After placing the Prism into the talent tree, it replaces one talent node.

  You can use this mechanic to remove an unwanted Micro Talent and make it easier to reach nearby Legendary Talents.

  If you can clear Timemark 8 and reach Profound, your equipment is already in a very strong state. Although there are still many ways to continue increasing your DPS, further improvements will require a significant amount of time or good luck.