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How to Redeem V-Bucks Gift Cards on Fortnite Mobile, Xbox, and PlayStation

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If you have a Fortnite V-Bucks gift card and are not sure how to use it, you are in the right place. Whether you play on mobile, Xbox, or PlayStation, the redemption process starts at the same place but splits into different steps depending on your platform. This guide walks you through each method clearly, so you can get your V-Bucks added to your account without any confusion.

What Are V-Bucks and Why Do You Need a Gift Card?

V-Bucks are the in-game currency used in Fortnite. Players spend them on Battle Passes, skins, emotes, pickaxes, wraps, and other items in the Item Shop. One of the most popular ways to add V-Bucks to an account is by purchasing a V-Bucks gift card from a physical or digital retailer.

V-Bucks cards are available at authorized retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy, as well as through online platforms including Amazon, the PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft Store. They come in both physical and digital formats. Physical cards have a PIN code printed on the back, while digital cards deliver a code to your email or account.

V-Bucks gift cards do not have an expiration date, so your code remains valid until you decide to use it. However, it is always recommended to redeem your card sooner rather than later, as Epic Games may update its redemption policies over time.

Important Things to Know Before You Redeem

Before starting the redemption process, keep the following in mind.

First, you must have an Epic Games account. This is the account you use to log into Fortnite. It should be linked to your email address and, ideally, have two-factor authentication enabled for security. Your Epic Games account must also be connected to your console account on Xbox or PlayStation before you can redeem V-Bucks on those platforms.

Second, some V-Bucks gift cards are locked to specific regions. If a card has a regional flag printed in the upper left corner, it can only be redeemed if your Epic Games account or platform account matches that region. For example, a card purchased in France cannot be redeemed on a Canadian account. Always make sure the card you purchase matches your account region.

Third, V-Bucks card redemption cannot be done inside the Fortnite game itself. The process must begin on the official Epic Games website.

Finally, V-Bucks cards are non-refundable. There are no returns once a card has been redeemed.

Where to Start: The Epic Games V-Bucks Redemption Page

No matter which platform you play on, every V-Bucks card redemption begins at the same place. You need to visit the official Epic Games V-Bucks card redemption page at fortnite.com/vbuckscard and log in with your Epic Games account.

Once logged in, click the yellow “Get Started” button. You will then be prompted to enter the PIN code from your V-Bucks gift card. The code is found on the back of physical cards or in your email for digital purchases. Scratch the card carefully if it has a protective coating, and enter the code without any dashes.

After entering your code, you will be asked to select the platform on which you want to use your V-Bucks. The platforms available to you will only include those you have already linked to your Epic Games account. If you do not see your platform listed, check that your console account is properly connected to your Epic account through the account settings on the Epic Games website.

How to Redeem V-Bucks Gift Cards on Mobile

Redeeming V-Bucks on a mobile device is one of the simpler processes compared to consoles. The redemption does not need to be done inside the mobile app. Instead, use a mobile browser to access the Epic Games website and follow the standard steps outlined above.

  1. Go to fortnite.com/vbuckscard on your mobile browser.
  2. Log in with your Epic Games account.
  3. Click “Get Started” and enter your V-Bucks card code.
  4. Select mobile (iPhone, iPad, or Android) as your desired platform.
  5. You will see a confirmation screen stating that you are about to redeem V-Bucks on your mobile account.
  6. Review the details, confirm your Epic Games account and new balance are correct, then click “Confirm.”
  7. Launch Fortnite on your mobile device and your updated V-Bucks balance will be reflected in your account.

How to Redeem V-Bucks Gift Cards on Xbox

Redeeming V-Bucks on Xbox requires an additional step after the Epic Games website process. After confirming your platform selection as Xbox on the redemption page, Epic Games will generate a 25-digit code that you must then enter directly into the Microsoft Store.

Here are the full steps:

  1. Go to fortnite.com/vbuckscard and log in with your Epic Games account (using your Xbox credentials or your linked Epic account).
  2. Click “Get Started” and enter your V-Bucks card code.
  3. Select Xbox as your platform and click “Next.”
  4. A screen will appear confirming you are about to redeem V-Bucks on your Xbox account. Review the details, then click “Confirm.”
  5. Epic Games will display a 25-digit code on screen.
  6. On your Xbox console, press the Xbox button to open the guide.
  7. Navigate to Store to open the Microsoft Store.
  8. Press the View button on your controller to open the sidebar, then select “Redeem.”
  9. Enter the 25-digit code and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the redemption.
  10. Launch Fortnite on your Xbox to confirm that the V-Bucks have been added to your account.

Alternatively, you can redeem the 25-digit code directly through Microsoft’s code redemption website. Make sure you are logged into the correct Xbox account that is linked to your Epic Games profile before entering the code.

How to Redeem V-Bucks Gift Cards on PlayStation

The process for PlayStation is similar to Xbox in that it also requires a secondary code to be entered on the console after the Epic Games website step. For PlayStation, the secondary code is a 12-digit code that must be redeemed in the PlayStation Store.

Follow these steps:

  1. Go to fortnite.com/vbuckscard and log in using your PlayStation account or your Epic Games account linked to PlayStation.
  2. Click “Get Started” and enter the code from your V-Bucks card.
  3. Select PlayStation as your platform and click “Next.”
  4. A confirmation screen will show your Epic Games account, the platform selected, and your new balance. Review everything carefully, then click “Confirm.”
  5. Epic Games will display a 12-digit PlayStation Store code on screen.
  6. On your PS4 or PS5, navigate to the PlayStation Store from the home screen.
  7. Select your profile icon at the top of the screen.
  8. Choose “Redeem Codes” from the drop-down menu.
  9. Enter the 12-digit code and follow the on-screen instructions.
  10. Launch Fortnite on your PlayStation to verify that the V-Bucks have been added to your account.

You can also redeem the code through the PlayStation Store on a web browser or through the official PlayStation mobile app. Make sure you are signed into the PlayStation account that is linked to your Fortnite and Epic Games profile before completing this step.

Understanding the Fortnite Shared Wallet

One important feature to be aware of is Fortnite’s Shared Wallet. V-Bucks redeemed on platforms that support the Shared Wallet can be used across all other supported platforms. The platforms that support the Fortnite Shared Wallet are PlayStation, Xbox, PC, mobile, and cloud gaming services.

This means that if you redeem a V-Bucks card on PlayStation, for example, those V-Bucks will also be available when you play on PC or mobile. However, V-Bucks received on Nintendo Switch by redeeming a V-Bucks card can only be used on Nintendo devices and are not part of the Shared Wallet.

What to Do If Your V-Bucks Do Not Appear After Redemption

If your V-Bucks balance does not update after successfully completing the redemption process, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure you entered all codes correctly, including any hyphens or spaces. Next, check that your Epic Games account is properly linked to your PlayStation or Xbox account. Sometimes a delay on Epic Games servers can slow down the transfer of V-Bucks into accounts, so waiting a few minutes and then restarting Fortnite may resolve the issue. Logging out of your Epic Games account within the game and logging back in can also prompt a balance refresh.

If none of these steps work and your balance still has not updated after an hour or more, contact Epic Games Support directly and provide your account details along with the code you used.

Final Notes on V-Bucks Gift Cards

V-Bucks are not considered electronic money or any other form of currency. They can only be used within Fortnite according to the game’s rules. The full face value of a gift card is applied at the time of redemption and is associated with a single account on the device you select. V-Bucks cannot be transferred between accounts, and refunds are not available once a card has been redeemed. Gift cards will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or used without the cardholder’s permission.

Vitality Qualifies for PGL Cluj-Napoca Playoffs

Vitality has qualified for the playoffs of PGL Cluj-Napoca, beating MOUZ with a 2-0 scoreline and securing their third win in a row in the swiss-bracket. Flawless start to the campaign for apEX’s side as they cruise forward with momentum into the next round of play with no signs of slowing down.

VETO

  • Vitality removed Ancient
  • MOUZ removed Anubis
  • Vitality picked Dust2
  • MOUZ picked Inferno
  • MOUZ removed Nuke
  • Vitality removed Mirage
  • Overpass was left over

Map 1: Dust2; Pick: Vitality; Winner: Vitality

A perfect start for MOUZ saw them go 3-0 up on their defense until Vitality converted their first full buy and went on to level the scoreline. Building the scoreline from 3-3, Vitality managed to 6-3 up before MOUZ converted two more, leaving the last round for Vitality to lead 7-5 before switching sides. A tough contest in the first half between both teams became a distant memory as Vitality wiped the floor with MOUZ on the defense with a flawless streak to close out the map. In addition to a better team, Vitality’s individuals showed up in superior form, from winning duels to making the right plays at the right time. MOUZ’s offense was not allowed to get comfortable, let alone to build a foundation for a comeback. ZyWoo’s AWP accounted for 14 kills and 22 overall on the map, which helped Vitality take a lead in the series.

Map 2: Inferno; Pick: MOUZ; Winner: Vitality

Starting on the defense in Inferno, Vitality went 3-0 up before MOUZ could get their first round. MOUZ did manage to win a few rounds, but they were few and far between as the solid Vitality defense left MOUZ little room to even get a respectable scoreline before switching sides. Having managed two rounds early on, Torzsi dropped an ace to get their 3rd of the half as Vitality walked away with 9 before switching sides. 6 rounds deficit got cut in half with MOUZ converting three rounds following their pistol win, only for Vitality to convert their first buy round to win back-to-back 3 rounds and regain their lead. MOUZ from the brink of defeat managed two more rounds as Vitality closed the game with a 13-8 scoreline. Yet another ZyWoo masterclass of 22 kills on Inferno put a stop to MOUZ threatening to get a win over the world number 1.

With all the talent under this MOUZ banner, they just can’t seem to find that X factor they need to close out big games. It has been a point of concern for this side in 2025, and the same has continued in 2026. One more win would see them through to the playoffs in Cluj, especially when the pressure is on to reach the playoffs.

5 Best Rainbow Six Mobile Operators for Beginners in 2026

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Finding the best Rainbow Six Mobile operators as a new player determines whether you contribute to your team or struggle through matches. With the global launch set for February 23, 2026, beginners need operators that deliver value without demanding advanced mechanics. This guide ranks the best Rainbow Six Mobile operators specifically for newcomers, focusing on ease of use and consistent impact.

Unlike traditional mobile shooters, Rainbow Six Mobile rewards gadget usage and team coordination over raw aim. The best Rainbow Six Mobile operators for beginners teach core mechanics, breaching, anchoring, and utility denial, while staying useful even when mistakes happen.

Top 5 Best Rainbow Six Mobile Operators for Beginners in 2026

Following are the top 5 best Rainbow Six Mobile Operators for beginners in 2025:

5. Thatcher

Thatcher solves problems beginners face constantly: defender gadgets blocking paths. His EMP grenades disable electronic devices, i.e., mute jammers, Bandit batteries, and cameras within radius.

Thatcher

For new players, Thatcher reduces reliance on teammates. When you encounter jammed walls or electrified barriers, you handle them yourself. His L1A1 assault rifle performs consistently at medium ranges.

Pick Thatcher when your team has hard breachers. You’ll learn how attacker utility chains together and why clearing defender gadgets matters.

4. Jäger

Jäger introduces utility denial without active management. His Magpie Defense System automatically destroys incoming attacker projectiles, including grenades, flashbangs, and breach charges.

Jäger

Place his three ADS devices at round start, then focus on gunfights. His 416-C assault rifle competes with attacker weapons. Jäger works on every map, making him one of the best Rainbow Six Mobile operators to unlock first.

He teaches where attackers throw utility from, building game sense that transfers to other operators.

3. Rook

Rook eliminates gadget-timing pressure while providing guaranteed team value. His armor pack gives every defender increased damage resistance and guarantees DBNO state before death. This makes him one of the best Rainbow Six Mobile operators for nervous beginners.

Rook

Place his armor pack at round start near the objective, and you’ve already contributed. This frees you to focus on gunfights and positioning. His MP5 submachine gun offers stable performance with a 1.5x scope option .

Rook teaches anchor positioning, holding objective rooms against pushes. Since his value is front-loaded, you concentrate on crosshair placement and callouts.

2. Ash

Ash combines speed with simple utility, making her one of the best Rainbow Six Mobile operators for beginners who want impact without complexity. Her breaching rounds destroy barricades and soft walls from distance.

Ash

With the R4-C assault rifle and three-speed rating, Ash forgives positioning mistakes by letting you reposition quickly. Her gadget needs no setup; simply shoot it at barriers you want gone.

Use Ash to learn entry fragging. Her speed helps you explore maps faster, building spatial awareness for advanced operators later.

1. Sledge

Sledge ranks among the best Rainbow Six Mobile operators for learning soft breaching. His tactical breaching hammer destroys non-reinforced walls, floors, and barricades, letting you create sightlines and entry points without explosives.

Sledge: Best Rainbow Six Mobile Operator for Beginners in 2026

What makes Sledge one of the best operators for beginners is immediate feedback. You see exactly what you destroy and understand how it affects the map. His L85A2 assault rifle handles predictably, and he carries frag grenades for clearing defender utility.

Start with Sledge to learn map destruction. Create sightlines into objective rooms from safe positions rather than rushing through holes you make.

Rainbow Six Mobile Operators to Avoid as Beginners

Skip Caveira and Glaz initially. Caveira’s interrogation requires map knowledge and roaming skills that take dozens of hours to develop. Glaz’s thermal scope demands specific sightline understanding and coordinated smoke usage that rarely happens in public matches. Neither ranks among the best operators for learning fundamentals.

Start with Rook on defense to learn anchoring, then try Jäger. On attack, begin with Sledge for map destruction, then add Ash for speed-based entry. Once comfortable, Thatcher teaches utility coordination.

Rainbow Six Mobile features 18 operators at launch; nine attackers and nine defenders. Master these five best Rainbow Six Mobile operators first before expanding. Their skills transfer directly to advanced picks, ensuring your early hours build lasting competence.

Arc Raiders Blue Gate Cellar Key Location: Where to Use Your Key

The Blue Gate Cellar Key is one of the trickier key rooms to find in Arc Raiders, requiring players to often go way out of their way to unlock it. However, the Blue Gate Cellar Key room in Arc Raiders is definitely worth checking out, with many players reporting receiving precious Blueprints and tons of purple loot from the containers within.

As you can probably already guess from the name, the Cellar Key room is located in the Blue Gate map. Because it sits well outside the usual loot routes and spawn areas, you’re unlikely to stumble across it unless you’re intentionally searching for it.

Without further ado, let’s check out where to find the Blue Gate Cellar Key room in Arc Raiders.

Arc Raiders Blue Gate Cellar Key Location

First, it’s recommended for players to do the Cellar Key room during the Night Raid, Electromagnetic Storm, or Cold Snap map conditions, as the total value of the loot you’ll find inside is doubled during these.

With the Cellar Key room being in a far end of the map, it’s unlikely you’ll get into PvP unless another team is looking to do the same room. If you’re looking to be extra cautious, we recommend doing this key room (and every other key room in the game) during the Cold Snap map condition, as you’re able to make swift exits using a Hatch Key. For the unaware, Embark has recently added the Cold Snap map condition back into Arc Raiders with the game’s latest patch.

Once you load into Blue Gate, head toward the southernmost corner of the map, just southwest of the Olive Grove.

There, you’ll be able to find a locked cellar door that can be opened by the Blue Gate Cellar Key.

We’ve attached an image of the exact location of the Blue Gate Cellar Key room below.

Image Credits – Arc Raiders Subreddit

Upon entering the room, you’ll be able to find several lootable containers that have a chance of providing high-tier Blueprints and other valuable loot.

Once you’re done looting, you can make your exit through the Highway Collapse Hatch located north of Olive Grove, or take the long way home through one of the available Airshafts.

How to Find Field Depots in Arc Raiders

While you’re traversing the topside in your hunt for precious loot and other materials in Arc Raiders, you’ll occasionally come across large, rectangular buildings that serve a special purpose unfamiliar to many Raiders.

These buildings are called Field Depots in Arc Raiders, and you interact with them to collect some valuable loot, provided you know how to solve their puzzle.

Even if you’re not actively looking for the loot from these Arc Raiders Field Depots, you’ll also need to find them to complete certain quests in the game, like ‘Off The Radar’ and ‘Down To Earth.’

So, how exactly do you find these Field Depots in Arc Raiders?

Arc Raiders Field Depot Locations

While you can find Field Depots in any map in Arc Raiders, we recommend jumping into the starter map, Dam Battlegrounds, if you’re not yet sure what you’re looking for.

There are a total of six Field Depots that you can find in Dam Battlegrounds. They can be found in the following locations:

  • Near the Red Lakes Balcony
  • Between the Water Towers and the Electrical Substation
  • East of the Water Treatment Control main complex
  • At the Southern Swamp Outpost near Old Battleground
  • At the centre of the Hydroponic Dome Complex
  • East of the Power Generation Complex

We’ve marked the locations of all the Arc Raiders Field Depot locations in the image below.

Once you’re within 50 metres of any Field Depot, you’ll be able to open your map and see it marked with an icon. If you’re on the Spaceport map for the Hidden Bunker event, you can open your map just before you enter the bunker to find a Field Depot nearby.

PARIVISION Fights Back Against FaZe at PGL Cluj-Napoca Day 3

PARIVISION completes an extraordinary comeback against FaZe Clan to win the series with a 2-1 scoreline. Having been blown away in the first map, to making a stellar comeback in the second, and a solid close in the 3rd map puts them a win away from playoffs and puts FaZe a loss away from elimination.

VETO

  • PARIVISION removed Nuke
  • FaZe removed Dust2
  • PARIVISION picked Mirage
  • FaZe picked Ancient
  • FaZe removed Overpass
  • PARIVISION removed Anubis
  • Inferno was left over

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: PARIVISION; Winner: FaZe

Starting the map with a clean pistol win, FaZe lost their first round as PARIVISION bought in the 3rd round of the map. Gaining the momentum back in the following round, FaZe remained extremely dominant as PARIVISION’s mid-heavy plays got choked out round after round with crafty utilities. FaZe’s defense let PARIVISION have mid in most rounds while focusing heavily on taking control of choke points like B apartments and Palace. This strategy paid off as PARIVISION failed to get more than two rounds, leading to FaZe walking away with a dominant 10-2 half. Winning the pistol round, FaZe set themselves up for an effortless win as they closed the game with a 13-2 scoreline. The young gun in jcobbb stood out with 17 kills and 1.83 IR to hand PARIVISION their worst defeat since the start of the year.

Map 2: Ancient; Pick: FaZe; Winner: PARIVISION

Coming in with a dominant performance on Map 1, FaZe picked up the momentum right from the get-go. The mid-heavy T side laid out by them choked PARIVISION into giving up rounds as Twistzz and frozeN seemed not to miss any shots. Failing to keep up, PARIVISION defence conceded 9 rounds with only putting together 3 in their favour by the end of the half. Switching sides at a 9-3 deficit, the CIS side started their offense with a pistol win. FaZe, having won the first gun round, failed to convert a single one, leading to PARIVISION’s fast and proactive offence securing a series point incredibly, being 9-3 down at one point. With momentum on their side, FaZe were allowed to win one more before they closed out the game in regulation with a 13-11 scoreline and forced a 3rd map. Spirit’s outcast Zweih with stalwart rifler BELCHONOKK came in with the firepower late into the game to force FaZe into conceding a map from the edges of victory.

Map 3: Inferno; Pick: Decider; Winner: PARIVISION

Starting the final map with yet another pistol conversion, the FaZe offence set PARIVISION on the backfoot. FaZe’s solid start failed to give them significant advantages with PARIVISION recovering late into the game to level the scoreline 6-6 by the end of the first half. Switching over to defense, FaZe lost the pistol round. It provided PARIVISON the room to put together a streak of 5 rounds before losing one, and therefore giving them enough buffer should they lose a round or two. FaZe managed to pull in 3 rounds, but that was far from enough as the PARIVISION offence closed the map with relative ease. Jame stood out as the best performer for PARIVISION with solid holds on their defences while being instrumental in defending against FaZe’s retake attempts and therefore securing a solid 1.31 IR despite not topping the kill chart for his side.

The first map gave the fans the idea that Karrigan has finally ironed out the issues with FaZe, but the following two exposed the gaps that remain unaddressed. Individuals clicking but being unable to close out the map speaks to how this team is having issues in complementing each other on the map. Karrigan is known to have fixed issues like this, but only time can tell if we will see FaZe rise in Cluj, as we have come to see with this side when they are on the verge of defeat.

Esports Nations Cup Adds PUBG to Its Lineup

PUBG: Battlegrounds has been formally included in the lineup for the Esports Nations Cup 2026, placing Krafton’s battle royale at the center of a brand-new, national team-focused event in Riyadh. The Esports World Cup Foundation has formally announced PUBG as one of the featured games for the first-ever Nations Cup, taking place from November 2nd to 29th, 2026, in Saudi Arabia.

Throughout the month-long competition at the Esports Nations Cup, PUBG will take up a dedicated slot from November 11th to 15th, placing it firmly in the mix as one of the major mid-tournament draws. Twenty-four national teams will parachute into the battlegrounds, swapping out their team colors for national flags in what promises to be one of the most storied PUBG events of the year.

The competition is being billed as a genuine “country vs. country” affair, with national pride and regional one-upmanship taking center stage over more traditional org-focused narratives. For PUBG Esports, it marks an extension of a successful Nations Cup format into a broader, multi-game universe presented by the Esports World Cup Foundation.

The PUBG Nations Cup portion will feature 24 national teams competing in a three-group, 24-team opening stage, with each group of eight teams playing five matches. The overall standings will decide which 16 teams will move on to a high-pressure Grand Final.

The Grand Final will feature PUBG’s Smash Rule format, where teams must first reach a points target and then secure the championship with a Chicken Dinner, with all 10 matches played if no team achieves it early. Twelve national rosters will qualify through direct invitations based on a PUBG National Team Ranking constructed from Krafton’s Power Rankings, while 10 teams will qualify through online regional play, and two teams through wildcard spots.

The Esports Nations Cup presence provides PUBG with a second key foundation in national team esports, in addition to the PUBG Nations Cup standalone series, which grew to 24 teams in 2025.

StableRonaldo and Lacy Reveal Twitch Earnings After Kick CEO Viewbotting Claims

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Former FaZe Clan streamers Rani “StableRonaldo” Netz and Nick “Lacy” Fosco have both gone public with their Twitch revenue figures after Kick CEO Eddie Craven directly accused them of using viewbots to inflate their live viewer counts.

Kick CEO Names StableRonaldo and Lacy as “Huge Viewbotters”

The accusations came during Kick Talk Episode 76, a conversation between Craven and Andrew Santamaria, the Head of Kick Studios. During the episode, Craven claimed that several former FaZe Clan members who had streamed on Kick were what he described as “huge viewbotters.” He specifically named StableRonaldo and Lacy, alleging that up to 90 percent of their viewership was artificially generated.

Craven went further by claiming that when Lacy streamed on Kick, he had only around 100 genuine viewers, a figure sharply at odds with the thousands of viewers Lacy regularly attracts on Twitch.

StableRonaldo Fires Back With Revenue Dashboard

Shortly after the clip began spreading online, StableRonaldo went live on Twitch and addressed the situation directly. During the stream, he pulled up his Twitch revenue dashboard on screen and walked his audience through his earnings history.

StableRonaldo revealed he had already earned over $352,000 in 2026, just 46 days into the year. His January earnings came in at $266,000, followed by $86,000 in the first 15 days of February.

His core argument was built around a straightforward challenge to the accusations: “If I were to viewbot, wouldn’t I viewbot my revenue too? That’s my question. I dare you. Ask streamers who you think are viewbotting, and show their revenue.”

StableRonaldo also pointed out a significant inconsistency in Craven’s position. He reminded viewers that Kick’s own team had previously offered him millions of dollars to stream on the platform, a deal he said he declined. “If I’m a big botter, Eddie, why did you and your team at Kick offer me millions and millions and millions of dollars?” he said on stream.

Past Accusations Tied to Former Management

The response from StableRonaldo also surfaced older history around viewbotting claims. He referenced a previous situation in which he alleged that a former management team had encouraged him to use viewbots in order to help secure a deal with Kick. He stated at the time that he refused the offer.

Lacy Responds With His Own Metrics

Lacy took a similar approach to countering the accusations. After Craven claimed he had only around 100 real viewers during his time on Kick, Lacy responded by publicly sharing his own earnings and performance data. As part of his response, Lacy questioned how he could have earned approximately 50 times what someone with 100 Kick viewers would earn in the same timeframe.

It is worth noting that xQc has previously stated that Kick’s anti-bot detection systems reduced Lacy’s payout at one point, with the platform stripping out viewer traffic it had identified as artificial. That context has added an additional layer of complexity to the current discussion.

Community Divided on Craven’s Approach

The reaction across the streaming community has not been uniform. Some viewers have praised Craven for openly discussing viewbotting and making clear that Kick does not intend to compensate creators for fake traffic. One comment widely shared online noted that showing ad revenue and earnings is essentially the only way for Twitch streamers to credibly deny viewbotting claims, while also pointing out that sharing such figures can technically put streamers at risk under Twitch’s terms of service.

Others have been more critical of Craven’s decision to publicly name specific streamers as viewbotters without presenting direct evidence, particularly given that Kick had previously pursued those same creators with significant financial offers to bring them onto the platform.

Logan Paul Sells Pikachu Illustrator Pokemon Card for $16.4 Million World Record

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YouTube star and internet personality Logan Paul has set a new world record after selling his PSA 10-graded Pikachu Illustrator Pokemon card for $16,492,000 at auction. The sale, which concluded on February 15, 2026 through Goldin Auctions, marks the highest price ever paid for a Pokemon card at auction and the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction in history.

The Card That Became a World Record Holder

The Pikachu Illustrator is widely regarded as one of the rarest and most sought-after Pokemon cards in existence. Logan Paul first acquired the PSA 10-graded version in 2021, paying $5.275 million for it. That purchase involved trading in his previous PSA 9 copy of the card along with $4 million in cash.

In the years since, the card became closely associated with Logan Paul’s public persona. He famously wore it around his neck during his entrance at WWE’s WrestleMania 38 in 2022, bringing the card to a global audience far beyond the Pokemon collecting community.

How the Auction Unfolded

Logan Paul announced the decision to sell the Pikachu Illustrator card as part of his plans heading into 2026. As part of his arrangement with Goldin Auctions, he received a $2.5 million advance prior to the sale, money he stated he used toward his wedding and several other major personal expenses.

https://twitter.com/LoganPaul/status/2023087975954063739?s=20

Reports of bids reaching upwards of $12 million circulated before the auction concluded. The final hammer price came in at $16,492,000, generating more than $8 million in profit for Logan Paul after auctioneer fees were factored in. He described the outcome as “crazy” once the sale was finalized.

The auction event also featured expensive first edition Pokemon card pack openings, with buyers having paid approximately $40,000 each for the packs.

A New Record, Replacing an Iconic Sports Card

The $16.4 million sale replaced the previous world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. That record had been held by a one-of-one Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Autographs card, which sold for $12,932,000. Unlike the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, that sports card carried only a PSA 6 grade at the time of its sale.

Meet the Buyer: A.J. Scaramucci

The winning bidder was identified as A.J. Scaramucci, a venture capitalist. Speaking directly to Logan Paul and Goldin Auctions auctioneer Ken Goldin after the sale, Scaramucci revealed that the Pikachu Illustrator is just the first acquisition in what he described as a personal “treasure hunt” of rare and historically significant items.

“A T-Rex dinosaur fossil, that’s on my list. I’m going to buy the Declaration of Independence, and I’m not stopping there. This was only the beginning,” Scaramucci said.

He also noted a personal connection to the franchise behind the card, stating: “We have been fans of Pokemon since we were kids. This was the right way to start the treasure hunt.”

Controversy Surrounding the Sale

While the record-breaking sale drew widespread attention, Logan Paul has faced criticism in connection with it. The controversy stems from his decision to sell stakes in the Pikachu Illustrator card through a platform called Liquid Marketplace prior to the auction, a move that drew backlash from those who had purchased those stakes.

Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group in $6-$7 Billion Talks to Acquire Moonton From ByteDance

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Saudi Arabia is continuing its aggressive push into the global gaming industry. Savvy Games Group, the Saudi gaming investment vehicle, is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Moonton, the Shanghai-based gaming subsidiary of ByteDance, for between $6 billion and $7 billion. The deal would follow a series of major acquisitions that have placed Saudi Arabia among the most powerful forces in the games business.

According to a Reuters report, the broad terms of the transaction between ByteDance and Savvy Games Group have already been agreed upon. The official announcement could come as early as March, making this one of the faster-moving deals in recent gaming industry history. ByteDance originally purchased Moonton back in 2021 for $4 billion, meaning Savvy Games Group is reportedly prepared to pay well over 50 percent more than that original price just a few years later.

What Does Moonton Actually Make?

Moonton is a Shanghai-based subsidiary known primarily for its 2016 mobile MOBA, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. The game has been downloaded over a billion times since its release, making it one of the most-installed mobile titles in the world. Beyond its flagship title, Moonton has continued to expand its game portfolio. Last year the studio released the auto battler Magic Chess: Go Go, the RPG Silver and Blood, and the cooperative vertical shooter Acecraft.

A Top-10 Gaming Acquisition

If the deal closes at the reported $6 billion to $7 billion range, the Moonton acquisition would rank among the top 10 biggest gaming acquisitions in history. It would not be the first time Savvy Games Group has made a headline purchase in the mobile space. The group acquired Monopoly Go developer Scopely in 2023 for $4.9 billion, and in 2025 picked up Pokemon Go creator Niantic for $3.5 billion.

The Much Larger EA Deal Still in Progress

The potential Moonton deal, while significant, is still considerably smaller than Savvy Games Group’s most ambitious move to date. The group is also in the process of acquiring Electronic Arts in a $55 billion deal that would take the Madden and Sims publisher private. EA’s board of directors and shareholders have already overwhelmingly approved that agreement, but the deal is not expected to be finalized until sometime over the summer.

The EA acquisition has drawn scrutiny from several directions. Unions and Democrats in Congress have called for investigations and regulatory due diligence before one of the largest American gaming companies is sold to a foreign government. Adding a layer of political complexity to the situation, Saudi Arabia reportedly has a direct line to the White House through President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Kushner reportedly helped broker the EA deal and holds a personal stake in it through his own Saudi-backed investment group, which observers have noted makes regulatory intervention appear unlikely.

Saudi Arabia’s Growing Gaming Empire

The combination of the Moonton talks, the completed Scopely and Niantic acquisitions, and the pending EA deal paints a clear picture of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in the gaming sector. Through Savvy Games Group, the kingdom has systematically targeted major mobile gaming franchises and live-service publishers, building a portfolio that now includes some of the most-played titles and studios in the world.

None of the parties involved have publicly confirmed the Moonton transaction at this stage.