Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet – Prismatic Evolutions Review: The Ultimate Crown Jewel of This Era

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet – Prismatic Evolutions represents the culmination of the slow build-up to Pokémania 2025. The wild popularity of the set sold preorders out fast, with stock only now starting to return to shelves and online retailers. But, despite these difficulties, it’s quickly become the ultimate crown jewel of the Scarlet and Violet era, delivering fan-favorite Eevee and its evolutions in jaw-dropping Special Illustration Rares and ultra-rare Master Ball foils.

Packed with over 200 cards, including powerhouse Pokémon like Roaring Moon ex and Pikachu ex, this set blends stunning artwork with competitive playability, making it a must-have for trainers and collectors alike. Improved pull rates for Special Illustration Rares sweeten the deal, giving fans a better shot at pulling their dream cards, even as demand hits an all-time high.

Yet, the new sets aren’t just about beautiful cards—they’re introducing exciting mechanics like Budew’s game-changing free attack, and doubling down on rarity tiers to thrill pack-openers. Fancy hunting for the Eeveelution family or stacking your deck with tournament-ready hits? Prismatic Evolutions offers something for everyone. It’s not just another expansion; it’s the kind of release that defines a generation of Pokémon TCG fans.

But, in my experience the pulls have been rough in Prismatic Evolutions so far. This won’t be the same for everyone, of course. Moreover, on the one hand, it is a good thing; your SIRs and the rest have a much better chance of holding their value. On the other hand, 25 booster packs didn’t bring the goods. Let’s take a look at some of the exciting new cards that I did manage to bag, and then discuss some of the other exciting (and rare) new additions the expansion brings to see is Prismatic Evolutions is truly worth the hype.

Glaceon ex (Suprise Box Promo Stamp) 026/131

Glaceon ex could end up being a sound playable card by building up enough damage on an opponent’s bench to knock it out before it comes into play. The challenge with Tera ex-cards is using multiple energies. However, seeing a Glaceon Tera ex deck in action would be very entertaining.

Eevee Elite Trainer Box Promo 173

Thanks to its stunning full artwork, this one will likely be in trainers’ binders rather than their decks. It’s still the standard Eevee card in this set, allowing trainers to evolve it as soon as it’s played. It certainly makes playing an Eeveelution deck a lot easier.

Mela Trainer SAR 140/131

Mela is a powerful trainer card that can be used at the right time. Trainers can grab a fire energy from their discard pile whilst topping up their hand with 6 cards, which would come in handy mid to late game. Again, this is one for a trainer binder, with the usual Mela trainer card being fairly easy to pull.

Pikachu ex 028/131

Prismatic Evolutions also addresses Surging Sparks FOMO with Pikachu ex, although it’s not a Tera ex. Thanks to Thunder, it’s a relatively straightforward basic ex, with the possibility of one-hit knockouts in three turns. It’s a high energy cost, but it’s a lovely card to build up from the bench to switch in and out, thanks to its one energy retreat cost.

Max Rod Ace Spec 116/131

This card can literally flip a battle on its head. Imagine having Tyranitar’s ex knocked out alongside its four energy cards, then using this Max Rod to get it all back and start building it again from the bench. Probably one of the most useful Ace Specs cards we’ve seen.

Espeon ex 034/131

Espeon ex decks are going to be very hard to combat thanks to their ability to both discard from an opponent’s hand and de-evolve all opposing Pokémon, shuffling the evolution cards into their deck. This one card can drag a battle out and whittle down opponents, so imagine a deck built around four of them. Insane.

Tyranitar ex 064/131

At first glance, Grind makes Tyranitar ex very playable. But it’s a different story when I consider it a second-stage evolution with a minimum of three energy cards attached to stretch its legs. I love Tyranitar, but this ex-card ain’t it, chief.

My Favorite Prismatic Evolution Cards

It’s a given that we all want the Eeveelution SIR cards from Prismatic Evolutions. Still, some seriously cool overlooked artwork in this expansion might be worth snapping up if you see a bargain.

Dragapult ex SAR 165/131

Dragapult ex SAR 165/131 is one of my favorite artworks from this set, and I’m very tempted to build a deck around Phantom Dive. Two energy costscosts for a combined 260 damage, 60 of which can be spread on your opponent’sopponent’s bench. It’s an insane move; watch for this card creeping up in value just because trainers want it in their deck.

Roaring Moon ex SIR 162/131

Another heavy hitter with Roaring Moon ex-SIR with stunning artwork. A triple hit energy spend for its attacks is brutal, but this basic Pokémon card could be the final push in a tight battle. Loading a deck up with Stadium cards and building support around Roaring Moon ex sounds like a fun deck to build, that’s for sure.

Umbreon ex SIR 161/131

Finally, ​I doubt anyone will use an $1200+ Umbreon ex SIR in their decks, but if you take a look at that mental moveset, you’d surely be tempted. Like Roaring Moon ex, this card has the chance of flipping a Pokémon TCG battle on its head in the 11th hour with both of its moves. Yes, it needs three different energy types. Still, there’s some fun to be had building out an Eeveelution deck around Umbreon ex.

So, with all things considered, is Prismatic Evolutions worth the hype? In short yes. There are plenty of awesome cards to add to your binder and more playable cards. Still, you’ll be waiting for stock to appear without brilliant timing. Eeveelution-based sets will always be cool, but the chances of pulling one of the elusive Eeveelution SIRs is 1 in 900 booster packs.

There’s also the addition of God packs and Master Ball cards, which is very cool. Imagine pulling every SIR in one booster pack? The problem is it’s very unlikely to happen, so strap in and get ripping packs and boxes.

Where to Buy Pokémon TCG: Prismatic Evolutions in 2025

Stock has been hard to come by for Pokémon TCG: Prismatic Evolutions, and things are only now starting to even out a little. Pokémon is at the height of popularity again, between TCG Pocket, investors buying up stock, and general increased demand for sets such as Surging Sparks, it’s a crazy time to get into the hobby. With The Pokémon Company’s efforts to restock shelves ASAP, Prismatic Evolutions also represent a turning point of going online or in-store to buy stock instead of resorting to the questionable secondary market.

The Prismatic Evolutions collection offers a range of products for collectors and players, each celebrating the beloved Eeveelutions. At the top, the Elite Trainer Box provides nine booster packs, an exclusive full-art Eevee promo, and useful extras like sleeves, dice, and condition markers—ideal for anyone building their collection or deck.

For a simpler option, the Surprise Box includes a few booster packs and a random Eeveelution ex promo with a Prismatic Evolutions stamp, offering an affordable way to dip into the set. Similarly, the Mini Tin is a compact choice with two booster packs, a collectible Eevee coin, and an art card, doubling as a neat storage solution.

Collectors will appreciate the Binder Collection, which pairs four booster packs with a sturdy Eevee-themed binder for organizing prized cards like Master Ball foils or Special Illustration Rares. The Tech Sticker Collection adds a playful touch with Eevee stickers and two booster packs, perfect for younger fans or casual fun.

Lastly, the Poster Collection combines display-worthy content with collectibility, featuring three booster packs, a fold-out Eevee poster, and exclusive holo promos of Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. Each product highlights the magic of the Prismatic Evolutions set, offering something for every kind of Pokémon fan, whether you’re chasing rare cards, organizing your collection, or simply enjoying the Eevee hype.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Guide: Where To Pre-Order Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition On Switch

Best deals and cheapest prices.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is coming to Switch on 20th March and its release marks the arrival of one of the most anticipated Wii U ports on Nintendo’s hybrid console.

The series has gone from strength to strength on Switch, with XC2 and XC3 bringing new fans into the Xenoblade fold as well as wowing critics. The arrival of this one completes the set on Switch, but this is so much more than an also-ran – we’re incredibly excited to see XCX get the Definitive Edition treatment!

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 27 to 31

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 27 to 31

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


City Transport Simulator: Tram

Dovetail Games

City Transport Sim – January 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Become a tram driver, so hop into the cab for the ultimate tram driving experience! Take your pick from a selection of three real life trams, the ULF B1, R2.2b, or ULF A1, and hit the city streets of Tramau! Transport your passengers while sticking to a timetable and create your own tram routes to build up a fully functioning and effective tram network.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Cuisineer

XSEED Games

$29.99

Cuisineer – January 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Dive into dungeons and cook up a storm as Pom, an adventurer-turned-restaurateur! Cuisineer‘s food-focused action challenges you to build your dinner the hard way: by dungeon-diving for materials and ingredients.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Eternal Strands

Yellow Brick Games

Eternal Strands – January 28
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate! Eternal Strands is the debut fantasy title from Yellow Brick Games, a new independent studio founded by industry veterans from franchises including Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Watch Dogs, and Assassin’s Creed. Fight epic, towering creatures while blending magical abilities with an arsenal of powerful weapons to keep the world from crumbling in this third-person, action-adventure game.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap

Robot Entertainment, Inc.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap – January 28
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate! Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is an action-packed, third-person shooter and trap defense game. Evolve as an orc-slaying War Mage through rogue-lite choices and obliterate, eviscerate, and incinerate massive hordes with up to four players.


Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

United Label


$24.99

$19.99

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – January 28
Smart Delivery

As Arlo, young heir to the Warden of the Wastes, journey through the vast, snow-ravaged lands of the North in an epic quest to overcome the Dark Wings once and for all. Hunt down giant beasts. Unite disparate clans. Upgrade your settlement. And discover a terrible secret of blood and crown…


Xbox Play Anywhere

The Stone of Madness

Tripwire Interactive LLC


$29.99

$26.99

The Stone of Madness – January 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

A real-time tactical stealth game set in an 18th-century Spanish Monastery. Located in the Pyrenees, this time-worn Jesuit monastery is home to a madhouse and an inquisitorial prison. Five prisoners – plagued by cruel punishment, madness, and despair – pool their skills and resources to face their phobias, stave off insanity, uncover the mysteries of the Monastery, and find a way to escape.


Wayfinder

Airship Syndicate

Wayfinder – January 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Become a Wayfinder and unlock their powers as you choose your path and playstyle while pushing back a hostile force that has overtaken your world. A co-op ARPG where you directly shape and customize the endless adventures you go on with friends, because Wayfinders are stronger together.


Agent Fall

Eastasiasoft Limited

Agent Fall – January 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A retro side-scrolling shooter across sprawling platformer stages, from the desert sands and jet hangars of the surface to mysterious underground labs and waterways. Choose from 4 agents and infiltrate the base in a search-and-destroy operation where you’ve got the ultimate license to kill.


Stellar Docks

Afil Games

Stellar Docks – January 28
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Embark on an interstellar puzzle adventure in Stellar Docks, a Sokoban-inspired game with charming 2D pixel art. Guide an astronaut as they maneuver drones to their recharging docks across grid-based maps filled with logical challenges.


Checkmate Survivors

RainForest Game Studio

Checkmate Survivors – January 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A top-down automatic shooter game where you control the King on a chessboard where all the other pieces rebel against the King’s tyranny. Your mission is to defeat enemy pieces, such as pawns, knights, rooks, and queens, using weapon upgrades, movement, build management, and positioning to face the enemies. Each enemy piece has distinct movement and attack patterns, challenging you to use tactics and speed to survive and advance.


Slasher: Origins

Wales Interactive

Slasher: Origins – January 29
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A chaotic, 2.5D, auto-attack survival game with rogue-lite elements and noir-anime storytelling. Unlock powerful heroes, create builds of unique abilities, and survive the escalating inferno of Mephistopheles’ underworld.


Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics)

QUByte Interactive & Atari

Accolade Sports Collection – January 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / smart Delivery

Step back into the golden age of sports gaming with the Accolade Sports Collection! Featuring five legendary titles: Hardball!, Hardball II, Hoops Shut Up and Jam!, Winter Challenge, and Summer Challenge. This collection delivers nostalgic thrills with modern enhancements.


Basureroes

JanduSoft


$12.49

$9.99

Basureroes – January 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Dr. Diogenes is back, but this time the real threat comes from beyond the stars: an alien invasion seeking to conquer the Earth. The Basureroes must prepare to spring into action and save the world. Once again, it’s time to take out the trash!


Gimmick! 2

Clear River Games

Gimmick! 2 – January 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A classic challenge modernized. In Gimmick! 2, you once again meet the green little yokai Yumetaro. Decades after his first adventure he now sets out on a new quest in a world packed with interesting challenges, dangerous enemies, and hidden treasures.


A Rite from the Stars: Remaster Edition

Artax Games

A Rite from the Stars: Remaster Edition – January 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Join Kirm and his guiding star Hoku on this adventure full of puzzles, exploration and growth to unveil a beautiful coming of age story with multiple endings. Meet unique supernatural creatures and new companions along the way, cooperate with them and conquer the wisdom, courage and spirit paths!


ROBOBEAT

Kwalee

Robobeat – January 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

You’re Ace – a famous bounty hunter after your latest target, the eccentric robot-showman Frazzer. To find your way through his twisted techno-playground, you’ll have to master the art of shooting, wall-running, sliding, and bunny hopping, all in sync with the beat! Get ready to dance till you’re dead and then suit up for the remix in this rogue-like rhythm shooter.


Sniper Elite: Resistance

Rebellion

$59.99

Sniper Elite: Resistance – January 30
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate! Offering unparalleled sniping mechanics, stealth and tactical third-person combat, Sniper Elite: Resistance turns the attention of the award-winning series towards a hidden war, far from the front lines, deep within the heart of occupied France. Bring a friend – the full campaign can be experienced in co-op. Sniper Elite: Resistance – Deluxe Edition launches January 28.


Techno Banter

Crunching Koalas

Techno Banter – January 30
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

You’re the bouncer of the Green Door club, where every decision matters. Reject the unworthy of partying with clever retorts, explore a neon-lit city, and immerse yourself in the Berlin-like city’s underground techno scene. The beat is pumping—are you in?


Casual Sport Series: Tennis

Revulo Games LLC

Casual Sport Series: Tennis – January 31

Casual Sport Series: Tennis brings the excitement of the game to life with its accessible and action-packed gameplay. The game features realistic court surfaces just like in real tennis — play on grass, clay, or hard courts, each offering a unique feel and gameplay experience. Plus, every shot and serve is at your disposal, from topspin and slices to powerful smashes and precision drop shots, giving you the freedom to play like a pro.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Fellow Traveller

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – January 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

The highly anticipated sequel to one of 2022’s most acclaimed RPGs! You are a sleeper, an emulation of a human mind housed in an artificial body. You are on the run from the corporation that made you and the gang that seeks to control you. Commandeer a ship, build a network of crew and allies, and take on challenging contracts as you seek to build a future for yourself.


Dreamless

17Studio LLC

$14.99

Dreamless – January 31

Every 25 years, horrifying events occur in a lost town in the south. Is a serial killer, who has passed his craft from generation to generation, to blame for these terrible disappearances, or is it a curse? As the protagonist John, you receive a tempting offer from a friend: To explore the long-abandoned house of a deceased old lady who once instilled terror in all the residents.


Hero of Fate

Happy Player

Hero of Fate – January 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Unstoppable Rogue-like excitement! Unlock new classes, gather allies, and dive into unique adventures. Survive the swarms of monsters, navigate the paths of fate, conquer formidable bosses, and fight alongside a variety of randomly acquired Guardian Spirits to ultimately defeat the supreme demon lord!


Marine Survivors (Xbox Series)

Phoenix Reborn Games

Marine Survivors – January 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Dive into the depths as a mystical whale in this spellbinding twist on the survivor’s genre! Enter an underwater arena where ancient magic meets endless action. Cast powerful spells against waves of deep-sea foes as you grow stronger with each run. Choose your path wisely – each level-up presents new magical abilities that can make or break your survival strategy.


Mostroscopy

Seashell Studio

Mostroscopy – January 31

A fighting game that takes up the aesthetics of the horror and Luchador films of Mexican cinema from the 1950s, with an eclectic roster of monsters and masked Luchadores and a simple gameplay style with a retro presentation.


Squab

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Squab – January 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

An exciting precision platform adventure that puts players in control of a young pigeon full of energy but unable to fly. Using the dash as his main means of locomotion, players embark on a challenging journey to rescue his missing father, Maximus.


Xbox Play Anywhere

Stones Keeper

Valkyrie Initiative LLP

Stones Keeper – January 31
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

The Order of the Griffin has at its disposal a floating island-fortress on which its castle sits. As you develop your castle, you will have the opportunity to hire new warriors, equip them with weapons, armor, and elixirs. You can upgrade the castle’s core systems to fight off pirate ships, artillery, and other flying islands. While moving your castle around the map, you explore and participate in story quests, discover ancient ruins, secrets, rewards, and artifacts.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 27 to 31 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Patch Notes Sure Make It Sound Like BioWare’s Basically Done With the Game Now

Dragon Age: The Veilguard developer BioWare has released a new patch for the game and in the same breath suggested it’s basically done with it less than three months after launch.

As spotted by Eurogamer, Patch 5 includes a number of quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes, but it’s the wording from BioWare that suggests this is the final major patch Dragon Age: The Veilguard will get.

“Thank you all for playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard; we were so happy with the game’s stability at launch and hope you have enjoyed our Quality of Life patches since then,” BioWare said. “With the game being in a stable place, we are moving to monitor for any game-breaking bugs should those occur. Dareth shiral!”

Moving to monitor game-breaking bugs sounds like players shouldn’t expect any new content. Perhaps that shouldn’t come as a surprise given BioWare has already confirmed Dragon Age: The Veilguard wouldn’t get any post-launch DLC.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard was the first new game in the fantasy RPG series in 10 years, but it came and went not with a bang but a whimper. This week, publisher and owner EA admitted Dragon Age: The Veilguard had failed to meet sales expectations by a whopping 50%; it had expected three million players, but the game managed only 1.5 million.

There’s been some smoke around Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s struggles, such as it receiving a significant discount just a month after launch for Cyber Monday, and the departure of its director, Corinne Busche, from BioWare just last week. We’ve chronicled some of the game’s development challenges already, including layoffs and the departure of several project leads at different stages.

Mass Effect 5 now appears to be BioWare’s focus, although it seems far, far away still. And what next for Dragon Age? Given how Dragon Age: The Veilguard went for EA, it seems the publisher will take some convincing to greenlight yet another sequel any time soon.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

IGN UK Podcast 784: Doom, Doom, Doom, Doom, I Want You in My Room

Cardy, Matt, and Wes are here to talk through January 2025’s Xbox Developer Direct and the impressive quartet of games featured; Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Ninja Gaiden 4. Plus, there’s also some time for some hands-on impressions of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows thanks to Matt’s sneaking and slashing around rural Japan.

Remember to send us your thoughts about all the new games, TV shows, and films you’re enjoying or looking forward to: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.

IGN UK Podcast 784: Doom, Doom, Doom, Doom, I Want You in My Room

The mad artiste of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints a release date for the Persona-like RPG

If you turn 33 years old in the next couple of months then, sorry, you are dead. I don’t make the rules, that’s just how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 explains the lack of elders in its very French yet very JRPG world. The fantasy game will see you journey across a dangerous landscape to stop the mad “paintress” who’s magically culling humanity at younger and younger ages every year. We’ve been keeping a weary middle-aged eye on its development, and yesterday it got a release date. It’s too late for most of us in the RPS treehouse. But watch the trailer for yourself, maybe you’ll make it.

Read more

Nintendo Adds Fatal Fury 2 and Other SNES Games to Nintendo Switch Online Library

Fatal Fury 2 and two other Super Nintendo Entertainment System games have joined the Nintendo Switch Online library.

A trailer released by Nintendo, below, announced Fatal Fury 2, Sutte Hakkun, and Super Ninja Boy are all now available in the SNES collection.

Fatal Fury 2 arrived in 1992 as a fighting game sequel and introduced new characters Kim Kaphwan and Mai Shiranui. They joined the classic roster of fighters such as Terry Bogard and Big Bear to round out the roster to eight.

Sutte Hakkun, meanwhile, hasn’t been released in English until now. This is side-scrolling puzzle game about gathering arinbow shards as a wee beastie called Hakkun.

Finally, the relatively ahead of its time Super Ninja Boy hits Nintendo Switch Online 34 years after its 1991 release. It blends role-playing game and with action elements as players control Jack and beat up baddies. It features multiplayer too, with a second player able to jump in at any time.

These games are available at no extra cost to users who have a Nintendo Switch Online membership and have purchased the Expansion Pass. Nintendo periodically adds a handful of classic titles to its myriad Switch Online libraries, which also includes games from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, and more.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

EA’s Share Price Plummets After Reports Of Disappointing Financial Performance

A drop of over 16%.

EA’s share price has taken a bit of a tumble after the publisher announced it woud be revising its financial outlook following disappointing sales of EA Sports FC 25 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

In just a single day, the company’s share price dropped by more than 16% from 142.35 USD to 118.58 USD. Things are levelling out somewhat at the time of writing, but it certainly marks one of the most volatile downturns in the company’s history.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 Devs Won’t Say Whether They’ll Ban Elon Musk for Account Boosting

Both Blizzard Entertainment and Grinding Gear Games have declined to say whether they plan to ban accounts belonging to Elon Musk after the X/Twitter owner reportedly admitted to cheating, leading some fans to accuse the developers of undermining the integrity of their games.

Screenshots of a private conversation between Musk, the world’s richest man, and a YouTuber showed Musk’s admission of paying for account boosting in action RPGs Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2.

Account boosting is a form of cheating where a player logs into another player’s account to raise (or boost) their rank to a higher tier and violates pretty much every live service video game’s terms of service. Blizzard’s end user licence agreement specifically warns players that account boosting or power-leveling, in exchange for payment, is prohibited.

Following Musk’s admission this week, Diablo 4 developer Blizzard Entertainment and Path of Exile 2 developer Grinding Gear Games have faced questions about whether they will now take action and ban Musk’s accounts for cheating.

“So now billionaires can buy their way to the top of the HC ladder as a vanity project like owning a football club. Are the TOS not being enforced even when openly broken?” asked one Path of Exile player in a post on the game’s official forum.

“Are there any comments from GGG regarding this? Maybe in [Early Access] it’s not a high priority, or it’s garnering too much free press, but as a longtime supporter, this is a massive blow to the credibility of RMT [real money trading] enforcement.

“I’m not trying to shitpost or troll with this, I’m just extremely disappointed that GGG isn’t getting out the ban hammer.

“Anyone else feel this is undermining the integrity of the game?”

There’s a similar sentiment on Battle.net. “Is boosting against the rules?” asked one player. “If it is, then shouldn’t Elon Musk’s account get banned since he flat out admitted that he boosts his account? I assume he doesn’t get to break the rules just because…”

When contacted by IGN, Grinding Gear Games declined to comment. Blizzard also declined, saying it does not comment on individual player account behaviors or enforcements.

Musk had bragged about his gaming prowess on multiple occasions, most notably in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan in which he said he was in the top 20 players in the world for Diablo 4. More recently, Musk had a hardcore level 97 Path of Exile 2 character, although it has since perished. He has said he plays video games “to quiet my mind.” “Some days are real tough, so playing video games is my strange solace,” he added.

However, Musk’s self-proclaimed gaming prowess was brought into question as players began to take a closer look at his performance and knowledge of the games he plays. Some had questioned whether Musk was capable of dedicating the huge amount of time that would be needed to reach his high levels in Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 given his commitments as boss of Tesla, SpaceX, X/Twitter, and now as Donald Trump’s efficiency tsar. Then an early January livestream that saw Musk tackling endgame tasks in Path of Exile 2 drew criticism from fans who said he failed to demonstrate a basic understanding of the game’s mechanics.

Many had assumed that Musk might have been paying others to boost his Path of Exile 2 character for him, and so it proved. A video posted on Sunday by the Diablo player NikoWrex showed a direct message conversation with Musk on X in which Musk admits to account boosting, insisting it was the only way to compete with players in Asia.

“Have you level boosted (had someone else play your accounts) and/or purchased gear/resources for PoE2 [Path of Exile 2] and Diablo 4?” asked NikoWrex. Musk responded with a 100% emoji. He later added: “It’s impossible to beat the players in Asia if you don’t, as they do!”

“But when I post a video of a game or am streaming, that’s 100% me,” he added. Musk was asked whether he intended to take credit for having a high level hardcore Path of Exile 2 character. “No. Never claimed that,” he replied. “The top accounts in Diablo or PoE require multiple people playing the account to win a leveling race.” Musk then went on to question the need to apologize for his actions.

Following the revelations, the musician Grimes, who has three children with Musk from a previous relationship, tweeted in his defence, saying: “Just for my personal pride, I would like to state that the father of my children was the first American druid in Diablo to clear abattoir of zir and ended that season as best in the USA. He was also ranking in Polytopia, and beat Felix himself at the game. I did observe these things with my own eyes. There are other witnesses who can verify this. That is all.”

On Monday, further allegations of cheating were levelled when Musk’s Path of Exile 2 character was seen as active in the game while he was in Washington attending Trump’s inauguration.

Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson – Pool/Getty Images.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.