The Outer Worlds 2 Consumerism, or Why We Need More Such Gags
Did you end up - like many of us here in the editorial team - pre-purchasing The Outer Worlds 2 for whatever reason? Be it because of Obsidian's tenure (New Vegas, Avowed, etc.) or because the game looked awesome in its own right, you might've, and so you unlocked both Advanced Access and the unique Consumerism Flaw. Was that the game making fun of you, though, or was it giving you a cheeky, in-universe-appropriate opportunity to really consider the state of the industry at large? Well, we've got some ideas.
The Outer Worlds 2's Flaws are an evolved version of the original's arguably most unique sub-feature. They are, for all intents and purposes, the way that Obsidian Entertainment has differentiated itself from, say, the likes of Bethesda and its Fallout titles. The bits and bobs you choose during your Character Creation process are all well and good, but they're really not what makes The Outer Worlds 2 such an interesting experience at all. Instead, it's the Flaws: the bits that crop up as you play the game, depending on how you play the game.
There's been some kerfuffle around the notion that The Outer Worlds 2 was actively punishing you for playing the game early or spending a substantial amount of money on it, but that's not at all what's going on. Let's discuss!
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The Outer Worlds 2 Consumerism Explained
"You're the reason our marketing works," says The Outer Worlds 2's 'Consumerism' Flaw. "Promotions and sales have riddled your brain, and you're more interested in buying the next big thing than financial planning."
At face value, this certainly can sound like the game's throwing a leather glove into your face, but if you actually look at its effects, you can really lean into this Flaw and make it work for you:
- -15% Vendor Prices
- -10% Item Sell Value
Further, it's notable that you can get the Consumerism Flaw without having purchased the Premium Edition(s) of The Outer Worlds 2. The reason it gets triggered really early on for Premium Edition owners is that this version of the game comes with a suite of higher-tier goodies of a high combined value, and picking them up triggers the Flaw. You very well could trigger it later down the line, too, if your playstyle leans into its mechanics!
As such, Consumerism isn't strictly tied to The Outer Worlds 2's higher-tier editions at all. It just crops up by default if you interact with them as you're expected to, which obviously is intentional.
And what of the intent is problematic, anyway? The state of the gaming industry and the economy at large is such that it's gotten very difficult not to point it out. What better way to do so than to do it within the context of a game? Heck, what better game is there to do so, than the context of The Outer Worlds 2's hyper-capitalistic future humanity? It's half the fun, in our book!
Nobody seriously expects The Outer Worlds 2 to not follow the established tropes of monetization. It is, after all, a contemporary AAA release in 2025: you can't go against the grain when the production budget is in the tens of millions of dollars. You can leverage the state of things as a bit of a joke, though, and we'd really like to see more of that down the line.
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The unique Consumerism Trait is one of The Outer Worlds 2’s best gags, but what makes it so special?
The Outer Worlds 2 Achievements Guide – A Completionist Checklist
Welcome back to the Halcyon cluster, with new star systems and familiar corporate nonsense. The Outer Worlds 2 doubles down on Obsidian’s signature brand of dark humor, corporate satire, and companion-driven chaos. But for completionists, there’s another mission on the docket: earning all 48 achievements.
From mastering combat tricks to exploring every rift and collecting every quirky item, this guide covers everything you need to snag that coveted “You’ve Given 110%” Platinum Achievement.
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The Outer Worlds 2 Achievement Overview
| Total Achievements | Platinum | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 48 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 34 |
Quick Notes:
- Estimated Completion Time: 60–70 hours
- Required Playthroughs: 2+ (one for Hard/Very Hard and collectibles, one for Anti-Consumerist and extreme moral/faction choices)
- Missable Achievements: Some, mainly tied to companions, factions, collectibles, and moral choices
Pro Tip: Save early, save often. Manual saves are your best friend before big decisions, tricky quests, or explosive combat.
Think of this table as your starting point: a snapshot of what’s ahead, and a reminder that some achievements demand more patience (and chaos) than others.
Main Story and Difficulty Achievements
These are your bread-and-butter milestones—progress naturally through the story and you’ll grab most of these. But if you want to unlock Very Hard glory, you’ll need to bring strategy, skill, and a touch of madness.
- The Outer Worlds 2 (Gold) – Finish the game on any difficulty
- Hard (Silver) – Beat the game on Hard
- Very Hard (Silver) – Beat the game on Very Hard (stacks with Hard if you start here)
- You’ve Given 110% (Platinum) – Earn all other achievements
Pro Tip: Very Hard mode is no joke, with smarter enemies and limited healing, testing your tactical skills. Companions with crowd control and healing perks are lifesavers. Literally.
Companion and Faction Achievements
In The Outer Worlds 2, friendships and rivalries matter. Some achievements hinge on who lives, dies, or decides to ghost you mid-mission.
- One for All (Silver) – Recruit all companions
- All for One (Bronze) – Complete all companion quests
- All for None (Bronze) – Have all companions die or abandon you
- OA: Objectives Accomplished (Silver) – Complete all Order of the Ascendant faction quests
- AC: All Complete (Silver) – Complete all Auntie’s Choice faction quests
- Corporation Cooperation (Bronze) – Convince both factions to work together
- Destroyer of Worlds (Bronze) – Hit rock bottom with both factions’ reputations
Pro Tip: Two saves are your best friend—one for diplomacy, one for destruction. These paths are mutually exclusive, so plan wisely (and enjoy the chaos).
Combat and Exploration Achievements
This is where the game gets messy and fun. Mix creativity, explosive gadgets, and physics to earn these chaotic rewards:
- Elemental Maelstrom (Bronze) – Kill an enemy affected by all damage types
- Stop Hitting Yourself (Bronze) – 15 kills using only Armageddon
- Dance Dance Disfiguration (Bronze) – 10 kills with the Spectrum Dance Saber in Rainbow Mode
- Ad Hominem Homicide (Bronze) – 10 kills on enemies taunted by Ad Drones
- Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee (Bronze) – 5 kills while hovering in the Zyranium Automech Suit
- Go Out With A Bang (Bronze) – Kill 3 enemies with one Big Bang shot
- Stompy (Bronze) – 5 stomp kills after Shrink Ray hits
- Waylaid Grenades (Bronze) – Shoot 3 grenades mid-air
- Scary GARY Adversary (Bronze) – 5 kills with Gary’s Tendrils
Pro Tip: These are easiest late-game when your weapons and skills are maxed. Save before experimenting—you’ll want to savor the chaos multiple times.
Economy, Skills, and Roleplay Achievements
If you love crunching stats, hoarding money, or making morally questionable choices, these are for you:
- Skilled (Bronze) – Raise any skill to level 20
- Level 30 (Silver) – Reach max level
- Anti-Consumerist (Silver) – Complete the game without spending a single bit
- Everything Must Go (Bronze) – Earn 50,000 bits selling items
- Upgrades Available (Bronze) – Apply 10 mods to weapons or armor
- Chemically Dependent (Bronze) – Crash 20 times with the Medical Inhaler
- Flawed Hero (Bronze) – Accept 3 Flaws
Pro Tip: Anti-Consumerist is easiest with a Science/Engineering-heavy build. Craft your way to glory without spending a dime.
Collectibles, Pets, and Oddities Achievements
No space adventure is complete without weird critters and quirky collections:
- Hatchling Catcher (Bronze) – Collect 5 pets for your ship
- Hatchling Hunter (Bronze) – Kill 50 small critters (This includes Raptidon Juveniles, Crabble Hatchlings, Mantiwasps, Spiderlings, and other minor wildlife enemies)
- Winning Hearts and Heads (Bronze) – Collect 20 human hearts
- Corpse Warper (Bronze) – Melt 20 bodies with Auntie’s Acidic Dematerializer
Miscellaneous and Hidden Humor Achievements
Obsidian’s charm shines brightest here. Think funny, hidden, and just plain weird:
- Welcome to Paradise Island (Bronze) – Land on Paradise Island
- Capture The Archive The Hard Way (Bronze) – Take the Archive without backup
- Revive The Archive (Silver) – Restore it fully afterward
- A Stiff In The Rift (Bronze) – Jump into a rift and die
- Well Dressed (Bronze) – Defeat the Consul while wearing casual clothes
- Auntie’s Old Acquaintance (Silver) – Meet Amos
- Left To Your Own Device (Silver) – Acquire the Rift Anomaly Modulator
- Desperate Times Call for Monastic Measures (Silver) – Stop de Vries’ conspirators at Alexandra Monastery
- Vexed the Vox (Silver) – Infiltrate and escape the Vox Relay
Pro Tip: “Well Dressed” is easier than it sounds—use defensive consumables and enjoy the style points.
Missable Achievements and Completion Notes
Some achievements can vanish forever if you’re not careful:
- Anti-Consumerist — no spending
- All for None — companions die/abandon
- Collectibles (cards, murals, rifts, logs)
Recommended Playthroughs:
- Hard/Very Hard run for companions, factions, and collectibles
- Anti-Consumerist & extreme moral/faction choices
Mastering The Outer Worlds 2 Achievements: Reach for the Stars
Unlocking all 48 achievements isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about fully experiencing Halcyon’s chaotic, sardonic universe. From philosophical monks to malfunctioning weapons that literally mock you mid-battle, this guide celebrates the freedom, humor, and chaos Obsidian does best.
So strap in, load your weapons, pack your moral compass (or not), and prepare to give 110%… or 120%, just to be safe. Halcyon isn’t waiting, and neither are your achievements!
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Unlock the lot
The Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation: A Starter Guide for Newcomers!
The Outer Worlds 2 character creation represents a dramatic evolution from the original game, introducing permanent choices that fundamentally shape your entire playthrough, for better or for worse. This Obsidian classic-in-the-making introduces a sophisticated framework built around three core pillars: backgrounds that shape your character's history, a strategic trait system balancing positive traits with negative traits, and a completely revamped perks system featuring over 90 unique abilities.
Important note!
You cannot change your Traits once they are chosen. The same is true for your Specialised Skills and Background. However, there is one final respec opportunity for traits and specialized skills after the title screen, during your conversation with the robot Valerie. After this single chance, your choices become permanent for the entire playthrough.
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Appearance Customization
The Outer Worlds 2 offers extensive visual customization options that go beyond typical RPG standards. You can customize your body type, prosthetics, face shape, skin tone, eye color, hairstyle, and more, including finer details like scars and age.
Players can create diverse characters with unique features and more possibilities, including the ability to equip robot prosthetic arms and legs that provide both visual distinction and subtle gameplay implications. Importantly, regardless of your chosen appearance sliders, including prosthetics, your character's look is purely cosmetic and will not affect gameplay, combat, or story in any way.
Background Selection
There are six backgrounds in Outer Worlds 2 that define your character's history before joining the Earth Directorate. The available options include Ex-Convict, Gambler, Lawbringer, Professor, Renegade, and Roustabout.
Your chosen background may affect some NPC conversations and interactions in the world, providing unique dialogue paths and alternative solutions to certain missions. Unlike the first Outer Worlds, there will be no stat bonuses associated with your choices. Where you see your background play out is in conversations and critical choices and dialogue throughout the game.
The Strategic Trait System
There are nine Traits to pick during character creation, representing the most significant innovation in the sequel. You must choose one Positive Trait, and you can add a second at the cost of also having to pick one Negative Trait.
Positive Traits Overview
The nine positive traits offer substantial gameplay bonuses that enable specific playstyles. Notable options include:
Brilliant allows you to specialize in a third skill during character creation, Brawny lets you knock down enemies by sliding or sprinting into them, and Lucky provides critical hit bonuses plus alternative solutions to skill checks.
Innovative doubles crafting output for ammo and throwables, while Nimble increases movement speed during stealth and combat. Resilient provides a death-prevention safety net in each combat encounter.
Negative Traits Considerations
There are only three to choose from, regardless of the combination of Positive Traits you choose. The options include Sickly (reduced health and toxicity resistance), Dumb (limited skill access but unique dialogue), and Abrasive (reputation penalties with all factions).
We advise choosing Sickly for your trait, as this has the lightest consequence of all the negative traits in the game, only costing some health compared to the more restrictive alternatives. Obsidian doesn't usually massively rebalance their (single-player, remember!) games post-launch, so there's no reason for concern in that respect, either.
If you'd like to read more about The Outer Worlds 2's fancy, upgraded Trait system, the Flaws sub-system may be of particular interest.
Skills and Specialization
There are 12 Skills you can choose from in the character creator, including Guns, Melee, Sneak, Lockpick, Engineering, Explosives, Hack, Medical, Science, Observation, Leadership, and Speech.
You'll need to select two Skills to specialize in (or three if you have the Brilliant Trait) that shape your gameplay style. Specializing in a skill allows you to max it out faster, granting two immediate levels to those skills.
Strategic Planning Tips
My advice would be to stick to just one Positive Trait, unless you really want to delve into a particular build or roleplay path. The negative trait requirement for dual positive traits creates significant trade-offs that may not justify the benefits for first-time players.
Consider your long-term build goals when making trait selections, as these choices will influence every aspect of your The Outer Worlds 2 experience from combat effectiveness to dialogue options and faction relationships.
The Outer Worlds 2 character creation demands careful consideration, but if we're being honest, going into it blind is far more in line with the spirit of the game than you'd think. You can always start a new playthrough after experiencing the game once, after all, and Traits basically guarantee that there's going to be some exciting stuff happening even if you're not thrilled with how you're progressing on your first go.
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The Character Creation system in The Outer Worlds 2 is one of Obsidian’s best. Here’s how it works in practice!
The Outer Worlds 2 Flaws: A Complete Guide
The Outer Worlds 2 introduces a dramatically redesigned flaws system that transforms player behavior into permanent character modifications. These conditions can significantly affect your playstyle by providing a more dynamic trade-off of buffs and debuffs, creating a more immersive role-playing experience than the original game.
How the Flaws System Works
Flaws are permanent, optional modifiers that appear dynamically while you play. Unlike the original game where flaws simply granted perk points for negative traits, each Flaw is a paired trade-off: a tangible bonus and a tangible drawback bundled together.
To trigger a flaw offer, you need to repeat certain behaviors. The game monitors your actions and presents flaws based on your playstyle patterns. Patterns such as habitually stealing items across the world will eventually trigger the Kleptomania flaw.
When one is presented, you choose to accept it or decline it on the spot. If you take it, the Flaw immediately applies its effect to your character for the rest of the run. This permanence makes each decision critical to your character development.
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Difficulty Scaling and Limitations
Depending on the difficulty setting, you can have more flaws active at once. Higher difficulties mean higher risk, but also higher reward. This scaling system encourages players to embrace more challenging playthroughs for greater character customization options.
Complete List of Known Flaws
The developers have said there are 30 flaws in total, though not all have been revealed. Here are all the currently discovered flaws:
Combat and Weapon Flaws
Anger Mismanagement
- Positive: +25% Power Attack Damage
- Negative: +50% Damage Received while Blocking
- How to Unlock: Use melee weapons and never block incoming attacks
Overprepared
- Positive: +50% Magazine Size
- Negative: -40% damage for eight seconds after a weapon's magazine is empty
- How to Unlock: Reload your guns regularly, even if they still have ammo
Dependent
- Positive: +25% Damage to enemies recently damaged by companions
- Negative: -10% Damage
- How to Unlock: Have companions with you often when you get in combat
Drug Addiction
- Positive: -40% Toxicity received from the Medical Inhaler
- Negative: -20% Health restored by the Medical Inhaler
- How to Unlock: Use the inhaler frequently
Robophobia
- Positive: +25% Damage to Automechanicals
- Negative: +25% Damage Received from Automechanicals
- How to Unlock: Fighting robots frequently
Stealth and Movement Flaws
Bad Knees
- Positive: +50% Crouch Speed
- Negative: Crouching emits a 10m radius sound that hostiles can hear
- How to Unlock: Stay crouched for extended periods
Assassination Addiction
- Positive: 5% chance to become Camouflaged when taking damage
- Negative: Take additional 5% of max health as N-Ray damage
- How to Unlock: Repeatedly perform sneak attacks
Behavioral and Social Flaws
Foot-in-Mouth Syndrome
- Positive: +15% XP gain
- Negative: Random dialogue options are automatically selected
- How to Unlock: Skip through dialogue frequently
Consumerism (Premium Edition Exclusive)
- Positive: -15% vendor prices
- Negative: -10% sell value
- How to Unlock: Purchase the Premium Edition of The Outer Worlds 2
Kleptomania
- Positive: Stolen items sell for significantly more
- Negative: Occasionally steal things automatically
- How to Unlock: Steal several items
Environmental and Physical Flaws
Sungazer
- Positive: Auto-heals to 50% health during daytime
- Negative: Reduced vision and +100% ranged weapon spread
- How to Unlock: Look at the sun frequently
Easily Distracted
- Positive: +1 Skill Point gained per level
- Negative: Can only add points to your lowest non-zero skill
- How to Unlock: Spread skill points evenly across different specialties
Energy Waster
- Positive: +50 Gadget Energy Meter Max
- Negative: -25% Energy Recharge Rate
- How to Unlock: Use up all gadget energy unnecessarily
Economic and Crafting Flaws
Savers Gotta Save
- Positive: Interest bonus on saved Bits at level-up (up to +150% by level 30)
- Negative: 75% of all Bits are locked until level 30
- How to Unlock: Accumulate large amounts of currency
Disassembly Required
- Positive: 25% chance to get double materials when dismantling
- Negative: +20% vendor price for crafting materials
- How to Unlock: Dismantle items frequently instead of selling
Luddite
- Positive: +10% damage resistance when gadget energy meter is full
- Negative: -25% gadget meter max; -25% energy recharge rate
- How to Unlock: Avoid using gadgets for extended periods
Special Meta Flaws
Resilient
- Positive: Gain an extra perk point every 5 levels (retroactive)
- Negative: Flaws must be accepted when offered
- How to Unlock: Accept two consecutive flaws during your playthrough
Rapid Food Consumption
- Positive: Food heals for more
- Negative: Food effects last for shorter duration
- How to Unlock: Eat food immediately after acquiring it
Strategic Considerations
Think of flaws as a tool to amplify or, perhaps, throw a curveball at your playstyle. The key to effective flaw management lies in understanding your build's core mechanics.
Decline most Flaws; accept only if the bonus is core to your build and the penalty won't constantly bite. This conservative approach prevents character-breaking combinations while maximizing beneficial synergies.
The Consumerism flaw serves as Obsidian's satirical commentary on premium edition purchases, demonstrating the developer's willingness to poke fun at modern gaming practices while providing actual gameplay benefits.
The Permanence Factor
There is currently no respec/reroll in The Outer Worlds 2. Therefore, if you're 15 hours deep and accept a flaw, it's a permanent decision. This design choice emphasizes the weight of each decision and encourages thoughtful character planning.
The flaws system represents a significant evolution from the original game, transforming what was once a simple risk-reward mechanic into a complex character development tool that responds to player behavior and reinforces specific playstyles.
The Outer Worlds 2 flaws create meaningful character progression that extends beyond traditional leveling systems, offering players the opportunity to embrace their preferred playstyle while accepting the consequences of their choices.
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The Outer Worlds 2 massively expands upon the original Flaws system, and here’s why that’s a huge deal!
The Outer Worlds 2 Game Pass: A Full Set of Info!
With The Outer Worlds 2 is out now, on October 29, and if you're even remotely interested in RPGs at large, you're going to have this one on your radar for sure. As it's a Microsoft-published title, it's to be expected that Game Pass subscribers will have access to it as of day one, and we've compiled everything you need to know about accessing this massive RPG through Microsoft's subscription service down below. Read up!
Game Pass Availability and Pricing
The Outer Worlds 2 launches day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, but there's an important catch for budget-conscious players. The game will only be available on the premium tiers of Microsoft's subscription service.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers pay $29.99 per month, while PC Game Pass costs $16.49 monthly. The sequel won't appear on lower-tier options like Game Pass Premium, making it essential to choose the right subscription level before launch day.
For PC players specifically, Game Pass offers excellent value since the PC Game Pass subscription has fewer restrictions that won't impact your The Outer Worlds 2 experience. Console players will need the full Ultimate package to access the game.
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Release Details and Early Access
The Outer Worlds 2 releases globally at 5PM UTC on October 29 across all platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. However, early access began on October 24 for Premium Edition buyers, giving dedicated fans a five-day head start.
The global simultaneous release means timezone tricks won't work for Game Pass users. Sorry, Kiwis! Everyone gains access at the same moment worldwide, ensuring a fair launch experience.
What Makes This Game Pass Addition Special
As an Xbox Game Studios title, The Outer Worlds 2 is highly unlikely to ever leave Game Pass, providing long-term value for subscribers. This differs from third-party games that rotate in and out of the service regularly.
The game features both first-person and third-person perspectives, expanding on the original's formula. Set in a new solar system with fresh characters, it promises substantial content that justifies the subscription cost.
Download Requirements and Technical Details
File sizes vary by platform, with roughly 76GB required on consoles and up to 83.9GB on PC. Game Pass users can pre-install the title before launch day, ensuring immediate access when servers go live.
The Outer Worlds 2 supports 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and 60 FPS on Xbox Series X|S consoles, delivering premium visual quality for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
Value Proposition for Subscribers
Originally priced at $79.99, the game now costs $69.99 following substantial outcry from the community, but Game Pass remains an attractive alternative nonetheless. Players could potentially complete the game within a month and cancel their subscription, though this approach limits access to the service's broader library.
The inclusion of The Outer Worlds 2 on Game Pass represents Microsoft's commitment to delivering major first-party titles to subscribers immediately. For RPG enthusiasts, this day-one availability eliminates the $70 purchase barrier while providing access to hundreds of other games.
Platform Exclusivity Considerations
Since Microsoft owns Obsidian Entertainment, the sequel remains an Xbox console exclusive with PC support. This exclusivity strategy strengthens Game Pass's position as essential gaming infrastructure for Xbox ecosystem users.
Game Pass continues positioning itself as the premier destination for major Xbox exclusives, with The Outer Worlds 2 serving as a flagship example of day-one value delivery.
The Outer Worlds 2 Game Pass inclusion demonstrates Microsoft's strategy of leveraging first-party content to drive subscription growth while delivering immediate value to existing members.
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The Outer Worlds 2 Game Pass is up now! Here’s what you need to know about it.
Scouting Like a Pro: How to Find Hidden Football Manager 26 Wonderkids with TransferRoom
If you’ve ever spent six hours deep in Argentina’s U18s just to find a left-footed center-half with decent anticipation, FM26 is like a gift from Match of the Day.
The old-school grind isn’t gone, but the game has finally caught up with the way modern football clubs scout talent, and it’s a genuine game-changer.
This year, uncovering Football Manager 26 wonderkids comes down to three tools: TransferRoom™, Requirements, and Pitch Opportunities. Master these, and you’ll find hidden gems before anyone else. It's as easy as a Gabriel goal from a corner.
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TransferRoom™: Finding FM Wonderkids Has Never Been Easier
For years, Football Manager fans have joked we’d sell our season tickets for better scouting control (OK, mostly Spurs fans). Well, now we’ve got it!
Inspired by the real-world platform used by professional clubs like Brentford and Ajax, TransferRoom™ lets you broadcast your recruitment priorities and get curated player pitches from other clubs.
Think of it as a digital transfer market where every club’s sporting director is in the same chat. No more cold calls to scout a 15-year-old in Rosario or scrolling through thousands of database entries, now you’re networking like Monchi… with Wi-Fi.
Requirements: Zero In on Hidden Wonderkids
Every Football Manager veteran has a type. Maybe you only sign center-backs over six feet tall with composure in double digits. Maybe you won’t touch a winger who can’t beat a man (or 3) one-on-one. FM26 lets you set precise Requirements through TransferRoom™.
Other clubs will pitch players who fit your tactical style—age, stats, personality, preferred foot—you name it. Combine that with Pitch Opportunities, which shows who else is tracking your targets, and scouting turns into a strategic chess game rather than a guessing contest.
Pitch Opportunities: Discover Which Wonderkids Rival Clubs Are Targeting
Ever been outbid by Manchester City for the wonderkid you’d followed since he was 16? FM26 gives you the tools to turn the tables. Pitch Opportunities shows which players rival clubs are tracking, letting you make smarter moves before anyone else even knows a gem exists.
Here's your chance to play it strategically: Hold off announcing interest to drop the price, scout quietly to avoid triggering bidding wars, or leak intentions to influence the market. For the first time, scouting isn’t just about player stats; it’s about sneaky footballing smarts.
Final Whistle: Build a Dynasty with Hidden FM26 Wonderkids
TransferRoom™, Requirements, and Pitch Opportunities mean no more nightmares about losing that 17-year-old gem to Barca. Want a left-footed striker under 18 with pace, flair, and killer finishing? Broadcast it. Rival clubs pitch players. You pick the perfect fit. Boom. The next FM26 wonderkid is yours.
In Football Manager, every move matters, and the right kid can take you from mid-table slog to Champions League glory. So, sharpen your scouting, prep your bids, and claim the stars everyone else will miss. Because, in FM26, the real magic of unearthing wonderkids happens off the pitch, and it's up to you to be one step ahead of the game.
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Discover the next hidden gem!
Football Manager 26 Touch: All You Need to Know!
Following the controversial cancellation of Football Manager 25, Sports Interactive and SEGA are making their triumphant return with Football Manager 26 Touch (following the immediate release of FM26 proper, of course). This streamlined management experience is set to launch on Apple Arcade November 4, 2025, followed by a Nintendo Switch release on December 4, 2025.
The Unity Engine Changes Everything
Football Manager 26 marks the first time the series has been powered by the Unity engine, representing a significant departure from the custom engine used in earlier titles. For Touch players, this transition means enhanced matchday graphics, improved ball physics, and smoother animations that bring the beautiful game to life on mobile devices.
Sports Interactive rebuilt the Touch edition with a sharper graphics engine that promises smoother player movement and more on-pitch detail. The visual improvements extend beyond just prettier match presentations. We're talking about a more immersive experience that bridges the gap between casual mobile gaming and the depth fans expect from the Football Manager franchise.
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Premier League Licensing Finally Arrives
One of the biggest draws for FM26 Touch is the inclusion of official Premier League licenses, complete with authentic player photos, club badges, and official kits. This licensing coup means managing Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal will feel more authentic than ever before.
Miles Jacobson, Sports Interactive's studio director, expressed his excitement about these additions: "We're delighted to be bringing FM26 Touch back to Apple Arcade for the start of this new era for Football Manager. We think the reimagined user interface will really enhance the experience across Apple devices. In addition, the arrival of the Premier League fully licensed and the introduction of women's football will further deepen exploration for Arcade players."
Women's Football Makes Its Touch Debut
For the first time in series history, women's football has been fully integrated into the game, with more than 35,000 licensed players and 14 playable leagues included at launch. This expansion isn't just a token gesture - we're looking at fully licensed women's leagues including the English Women's Super League, American National Women's Soccer League, and German Frauen-Bundesliga.
The addition of women's football represents a significant step forward for the franchise. Managing teams across both men's and women's competitions opens up entirely new strategic possibilities for players who want to build a comprehensive footballing empire.
Apple Arcade and Nintendo Switch: Two Different Experiences
Apple Arcade Advantages
As with all Apple Arcade games, Football Manager 26 Touch will be available in full as part of the Apple Arcade subscription, and will feature no additional monetisation on top, be that for an up-front price, in-game purchases or (most woefully) via ads. This subscription model means players get the complete experience without worrying about hidden costs or paywalls.
The Apple Arcade version supports effortless control and swift navigation across Apple devices, from iPhone and iPad through to Mac and Apple TV. Cross-device compatibility means you can start your managerial career on your iPhone during commutes and continue on your iPad at home.
Nintendo Switch Considerations
Based on previous Football Manager Touch releases, Football Manager 2024 Touch on Nintendo Switch, for example, retains everything the Apple Arcade version has, but comes with much-needed cutbacks to visuals, performance, and has much longer load times. We expect similar trade-offs for the 2026 edition, though the Unity engine should help minimize these differences. In fact, it's going to be particularly interesting to see how the fancy new Switch 2 compares to a cutting-edge iOS device.
The Switch version does offer one key advantage we cannot mince words about: ownership. Unlike the subscription-based Apple Arcade model, purchasing FM26 Touch on Switch means permanent access to your copy of the game.
Finally, let's not forget about the modern PC handheld wave that so many of us have fallen prey to. Indeed, it's to be expected that Football Manager 26 will work on devices such as the Steam Deck, and we don't expect it to be a compromised experience performance-wise, either. Issues will crop up for sure, though, as the Steam Deck will get the full-blooded FM26 experience in lieu of the handheld-optimized FM26 Touch, so it's going to be fascinating to see how that goes. To our understanding, there will be no way to access FM26 Touch on PC without emulation, though we're certain some folks may be dead-set on finding a way!
Save Game Compatibility Brings Continuity
Technology that converts your saved games to the new format means that FM26, FM26 Console and FM26 Touch will all launch with save game compatibility for Football Manager 2024 and Football Manager 2023. For long-time managers, this continuity ensures your carefully built dynasties can continue into the Unity era.
Players who've been managing clubs in FM24 Touch can seamlessly carry their careers forward into the new game. The transition should be relatively painless, allowing managers to focus on the new features rather than starting from scratch.
Streamlined Management Without Compromise
The Touch editions have always walked a fine line between accessibility and depth. Football Manager Touch has always been about balance: keeping the strategic heart of the series intact while streamlining features for on-the-go play. FM26 Touch continues this philosophy with new features like club philosophies that let managers set long-term goals influencing transfer strategies and youth development, or so we're being told.
The game's new Vision Matrix lets users see how their decisions ripple through a club's finances, morale, and reputation, while analytics dashboards track everything from shot conversion rates to locker-room influence. These additions provide strategic depth without overwhelming mobile players with micromanagement.
Pricing and Platform Availability
Apple Arcade is available for $6.99 (U.S.) per month with a one-month free trial, making FM26 Touch an attractive proposition for subscription service users. The Nintendo Switch version pricing hasn't been announced yet, but we expect it to follow similar pricing patterns to previous Touch releases.
FM26 Touch for Nintendo Switch, on the other hand, is scheduled to release digitally on December 4, giving Apple Arcade subscribers a month-long head start on their managerial careers.
Finally, you can play the full-featured FM26 on your Steam Deck and its ilk right this instant, if you purchase a copy of the game via its Advanced Access scheme. Neat! Expect more information how this version fares very, very shortly.
The Future of Football Management is Bright, on PC or Mobile!
Football Manager 26 Touch represents more than just another annual update. The Unity engine transition, Premier League licensing, and women's football integration signal Sports Interactive's commitment to modernizing the franchise after the FM25 setback.
Whether you're a longtime manager looking for a more accessible way to build your football empire or a newcomer curious about the strategic depth of football management, FM26 Touch appears positioned to deliver the most comprehensive mobile football management experience yet.
The combination of enhanced visuals, official licensing, and cross-platform compatibility makes November 4 a date worth marking on your calendar. After all, the beautiful game deserves beautiful management tools.
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FM26 Touch is still coming, don’t worry! Here’s all the info we have on it.
The Outer Worlds 2 Best Skills: Build Smarter, Talk Faster, and Shoot Straighter
The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t hand you greatness; you build it. Every skill point shapes who you are in this chaotic, corporate-run corner of the galaxy.
Whether you’re the silver-tongued problem-solver, the silent assassin, or the walking tank who solves everything with a gun and a bigger grin, this guide lays out the skills that truly matter.
These are the best skills that open doors (literally and figuratively) and let you stay one step ahead while everyone else is reloading.
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The Outer Worlds 2 Skill System, Explained
In The Outer Worlds 2, your skills are more than stat boosts; they’re your identity. Every choice changes how you explore, fight, and talk your way through sticky situations. So, here's the deal:
Begin by picking two skills to specialize in, which immediately start at level 2. Each level-up grants two Skill Points to spend, but there’s no respec safety net, so choose wisely.
Your skills affect everything: conversations, exploration, combat, and even which companions respect you. So yeah, they matter.
There are 12 skills in total, and while all are useful, some will dramatically shape your early game more than others.
All Skills in Outer Worlds 2 (AKA: Your Toolkit for Space Chaos)
Here’s the full lineup — 12 skills, each with its own perks and potential headaches:
| Skill | What it Does |
| Engineering | Repair devices, improve resistance, and unlock hidden interactions. |
| Explosives | Boost grenade and mine damage. |
| Guns | Increase ranged damage and armor penetration. |
| Hack | Control terminals, automechs, and machinery. |
| Leadership | Buff companions’ health and damage. |
| Lockpick | Open doors, safes, and containers. |
| Melee | Boost melee damage and blocking. |
| Medical | Improves healing and damage vs. creatures. |
| Observation | Spot hidden loot, increase weak-spot damage, and occasionally unlock dialogue options. |
| Science | Enhance gadgets and extend Tactical Time Dilation. |
| Sneak | Reduce detection and boost sneak attack damage (+35% per point). |
| Speech | Unlock dialogue options, improve conversation outcomes, and add +5% damage vs. humans. |
The Outer Worlds 2 Best Skills (Ranked for Early Impact)
Here’s how to prioritize skills in the early game:
1. Guns — Your Go-To Weapon
It might feel obvious, but Guns is the most reliable skill for combat. Every ranged weapon benefits from it, and you’ll be shooting constantly. Guns increase damage and armor penetration, letting you handle almost any encounter efficiently. If you pick just one combat skill first, make it this one.
2. Speech — Talk Your Way to Victory
Speech isn’t just for smooth-talking your way out of fights (though it does that brilliantly). It unlocks unique dialogue options, better rewards, and strategic advantages against human enemies (+5% damage per point). It's a must-have if you love controlling the narrative.
3. Lockpick — Loot and Shortcuts
For gear without the grind, Lockpick opens doors, safes, and containers, and gives access to the Pickpocket perk, letting you snag ammo and items from NPCs. A small evasion bonus helps with stealth, but the real payoff is access.
4. Engineering — Survive and Thrive
Engineering keeps you tougher, smarter, and more versatile. Repair armor, interact with power systems, and fix broken devices mid-quest. This skill is your survival toolkit and unlocks world interactions that others will miss.
5. Sneak — Silent but Deadly
Sneak rewards players who like the “no witnesses” approach. Sneak attack damage jumps +35% per point, though detection reduction becomes noticeable after a few levels. Stealth feels satisfying when executed correctly, but it’s niche compared to Guns or Speech.
Situational Skills Worth Considering
Not every skill needs to be a priority early on, but several can make a big difference depending on your playstyle:
- Hacking – Essential if you enjoy exploring terminals, controlling automechs, or sneaking into restricted areas. Great for puzzle-lovers and players who want extra quest options.
- Observation – Boosts weak-spot damage (perfect for sharpshooters) and occasionally unlocks unique dialogue paths, offering a hybrid of combat and conversation utility.
- Medical – Improves healing and damage vs. creatures, making it most useful in monster-heavy zones rather than against humans.
- Science – Enhances gadgets like shock traps and Tactical Time Dilation devices, increasing their effectiveness and duration. Doesn’t directly boost damage, but it provides strong tactical advantages for controlling encounters.
- Explosives and Melee – Fun to experiment with, but generally secondary. Grenades, mines, and close-range combat have their moments, but they rarely outperform core combat skills.
- Leadership – Buffs companions’ health and damage. Valuable if you rely on your team, especially for players with a leadership-focused origin or companion-heavy strategy. Certain perks also synergize with specific backgrounds, making early investment more effective than it might seem.
How to Spend Skill Points Without Regretting It
Skill points in The Outer Worlds 2 are precious, so a focused strategy goes a long way. Specializing early in 2–3 skills ensures you get the most mileage out of each point, rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Pairing complementary skills can further amplify your effectiveness. Speech and Lockpick create a charming thief-style build, unlocking unique dialogue options and hidden loot. Guns and Engineering form a reliable, tanky combat setup, while Sneak and Hack let you slip past enemies unnoticed.
Some bonuses scale linearly up to a soft cap, while others unlock perks at specific thresholds (for example, level 5 or 10). Keep an eye on diminishing returns after mid-game, and don’t stress perfection. There are often multiple ways to tackle any challenge, and a clever skill combination makes problem-solving fun rather than frustrating. Pick what suits your style, and the game will reward creativity.
Best Skills: Be Bold, Be Brilliant, Be You
The best skills in The Outer Worlds 2 aren’t just numbers; they define how you experience the game. Whether you talk your way past bosses, unlock hidden loot, or quietly eliminate threats from the shadows, skill choice shapes your story.
For a balanced start, pick Guns, Speech, Lockpick, and Engineering — they cover combat, dialogue, exploration, and survival. After that, you can add Sneak, Hack, or Observation depending on your preferred playstyle.
And remember, in The Outer Worlds 2, you don’t just level up a character, you level up your personality. Make it loud, clever, and unmistakably yours!
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Be the best you
Jurassic World Evolution 3 Mods – How Do They Work?
One of the reasons why we're such big fans of Jurassic World Evolution 3, aside from the dinosaurs, the gameplay mechanics, and the sandbox-style "skirmish" mode, is the modding community. If you ever felt like you had something to add to the franchise, JWE3's mod features absolutely give you the capacity to finally do so. In fact, let us explain!
Even though Jurassic World Evolution 3 mods have a... Workshop... all of their own, we're sorry to report that it's not an actual Steam Workshop implementation. Instead, it's a less-than-ideal alternative that has a massive boon for the playerbase at large, even if it is less-than-stellar for PC players in particular. Confused? Don't be, we've got you covered.
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How to Get Mods in Jurassic World Evolution 3?
You can easily subscribe to a massive number of early mods for Jurassic World Evolution 3 by looking through the official Frontier Workshop via your browser of choice. Oh yeah, remember the fact that we talked about how useful a Frontier Account may be? Well it sure as heck is now!
Obviously, you will need to create a Frontier Account to access the Frontier Workshop - decidedly a totally separate thing from the Steam Workshop - but once you do, you're going to be free to download from upwards of (no joke) 15,000 bespoke player-made mods. Nice!
The crucial part of the equation here is that all Frontier Workshop mods for Jurassic World Evolution 3 are available not just on PC, but also on the consoles! This is why the game's not using the Steam Workshop, as a bespoke developer-hosted solution makes more sense from a console-minded point of view.
Mods are easy to install and quick-to-access in-game. Take for example the featured Jurassic World-Style Asset Care Complex by Meddey, as seen in the featured screenshot.
Available via the Share Code 04Z-37M-Y6Z, Meddey's creation is a phenomenally useful wombo-combo of comprehensive paleo-care for your beloved dinosaurs. It gives you access to a single complex featuring a hatchery, a paleo-response, capture-response, and maintenance facilities in one building. It's even got an emergency generator attached, to boot!
Neat, right? But wait, it gets better: you can easily mix-up and create your own mods from the coziness of your own dino-park. We highly recommend getting acquainted with this starter modding guide from Frontier itself, but the gist of it is that you can easily add new assets and updated features to any building/gadget on-the-fly, which is just astonishing.
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The modding features are one of Jurassic World 3’s strongest suits, and here we’ll teach you how to download mods and more!
Jurassic World Evolution 3 Photo Mode Explained – How to Enter and More!
Now that you've skipped the main campaign and are knee-deep in the spawning and nurturing of your own custom dinosaurs, it's time to figure out Jurassic World Evolution 3's Photo Mode. If you're wondering how this feature could possibly not be self-explanatory, that's because it's titled and accessed a tad differently than you might be used to.
Specifically, JWE3's Photo Mode isn't actually referred to as such anywhere in the game, but can instead be found under the 'Capture Mode' option. That's not nearly as intuitive as you'd think, is it now? Thankfully, that really is the only real problem we've got with JWE3's Photo Mode, because otherwise it's just excellent.
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How to open Photo Mode in Jurassic World Evolution 3?
While you can easily access Jurassic World Evolution 3's Photo Mode by going to the Pause Menu and choosing the 'Capture Mode' option there, we recommend memorizing the simple hotkey as well: SHIFT + C!
Hitting this key combo brings up Capture Mode at a moment's notice, allowing you to instantly apply overlays, crop types, and a variety of other things you may or may not wish to fiddle about with.
Two really important things of note here, however: first, you're likely going to want to hit 'SPACE' to pause the game when you're lining up a shot. Firstly, it'd be poor showmanship if your park was to fall apart while you were taking Herrerasaurus snapshots in the woods, and secondly, getting the dinos to line up just right is no mean feat. Pausing and un-pausing the game is going to be an invaluable tool when using Photo Mode, truly.
Do note that you've got an alternative to using Capture Mode, too! You can take photos from the perspective of virtually any controllable vehicle in JWE3, and those come with their own unique potential angles and whatnot. Still, the best photos you'll get via SHIFT+C, so keep it in mind at all times!
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Taking sweet pictures of sweet dinosaurs is easily the #1 reason to play Jurassic World Evolution 3, and its Photo Mode is here to help!
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