Steam giant Valve bans 27-year-old during the tournament: Own professional career and that of his team ruined

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

27-year-old Peruvian Steven “StingeR” Vergas had a very bad day. The support player was banned live during a tournament in DOTA 2 (Steam) by Valve. This caused them to lose the tournament. He and his teammates were subsequently fired from their team.

This was the situation:

  • The tournament “DreamLeague Season 22: South America Closed Qualifier” was played – here, 8 teams from South America fought for the right to participate in the attractive “DreamLeague” in DOTA 2.
  • Support player StingeR was one of 3 teams directly invited to the qualifier with his team “Mad Kings.” However, they had already lost their opening match against White Dragons and ended up in the loser’s bracket, where they won their first match.
  • But in the 3rd game of the qualifiers against “Thunder Awaken,” StingeR was banned by Valve in the middle of the match. His team automatically lost and was eliminated.
Start video
Dota 2 – The New Frontiers Update

Pro player allegedly “boosted” by his own teammate

Why was he banned? The ban against StingeR had been looming in the days leading up to the match. Community members accused StingeR of having another player play on his behalf to boost his account (via reddit).

The second player is David “Parker” Nicho Flores, another team member of Mad Kings.

While it has not been officially confirmed whether StingeR was banned for this reason, it is assumed within the community.

This boosting was seen as repulsive behavior in the community.

In games like DOTA 2, a matchmaking rating ensures that players are matched with opponents and teammates of roughly equal strength. However, if a player uses another’s account to play (smurfs), who has a lower ranking, they compete against significantly weaker players. This is generally considered unfair.

Ban in the middle of the tournament even confuses the casters

This was the reaction: StingeR was banned in the middle of the tournament, at the 10-minute mark in the 2nd game. After the ban, he could no longer log into DOTA 2. The ban resulted in an automatic loss for his team and elimination.

The clip of the live ban during the tournament and how the casters discussed it can be seen on Twitch. Apparently, everyone was surprised by the situation. The casters said that such a ban in the middle of a game had never happened before.

As Dotesports writes, the ban of StingeR in the middle of a tournament is a clear sign that Valve is serious about their initiative against “smurfs.”

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitch content

Player and his teammates fired within 24 hours

This was the result: After the ban of the player, he and all his teammates were fired from the team “Mad Kings” within 24 hours. They had formed the team on December 29.

The organization now wants to take a break from esports.

More on the topic of “smurfing” in DOTA 2:

Twitch streamer unbox gift in DOTA 2, gets banned immediately: “Is this for real?”

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. dotesports

Palworld seems to be the 1st Twitch hit of 2024 – And the ‘Pokémon with guns’ is even wilder than everyone thought

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

The survival game Palworld enters Early Access on Steam and Xbox on January 19, 2024. Streamers on Twitch are already showing what players can expect, and the “Pokémon with guns” looks really crazy.

What kind of game is it? Palworld is a survival shooter that the internet affectionately calls “Pokémon with guns.” In contrast to other monster collectors, you are not only supposed to send your “Pals” into battle but also let them work in factories for you and even be able to eat them.

This crazy mix makes many curious and earns Palworld a spot among the most wished-for games on Steam. On January 19, 2024, the survival game will start in Early Access, but it already has thousands of viewers on Twitch.

Start video
Palworld showcases the small monsters in massive action in the early access trailer

Twitch hit with human trafficking and bird butts

How is Palworld performing on Twitch? Palworld is poised to become a hit on Twitch even before release. Some larger streamers like Rubius, the “Spanish xQc,” and shooter streamer Lirik are already showcasing the game to tens of thousands of viewers (via sullygnome).

At its peak, Palworld even had more than 104,000 simultaneous viewers. It is currently playing in a league with established titles like Escape from Tarkov and Rust. At one point, the insane survival shooter even went head-to-head with Fortnite. Currently, it stands at number 16 of the games with the highest viewer peak in the last 3 days (via sullygnome).

What are the first impressions? To put it briefly: completely crazy. With more than 27,000 views, the currently most-watched clip shows how streamer “Coney” surprisingly catches a human instead of a chicken.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitch content

The game immediately informs him that this practice is considered morally reprehensible, but it does not stop him from selling the captured human at the next trader. Coney has thus already discovered the first “meta” in the game: human trafficking (via Twitch).

For those who find this too unethical, they can also simply process their prisoners into meat (via Twitch).

Other clips show the use of Pals as flamethrowers or as bizarre grenade launchers – no points if you can guess where the exploding eggs come from:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitch content

A factor that contributes to the popularity of Palworld on Twitch is that, besides the excitement of players, there is also curiosity about whether this is even a real game. After all, many may still remember The Day Before, which went from being the most wished-for game on Steam to the supposed “scam of the year”.

More games on Steam:
Valve has quietly released an important update that thousands of players on Steam will be happy about
von Benedikt Schlotmann
If you only see the new shooter from Capcom on Twitch, you are missing a special gaming experience
von Johanna
Player only realizes after 20 hours in Windrose how to parry, community shares valuable tips for beginners
von Jasmin Beverungen

It is thus little surprising that potential players want to get a picture of the game first. Nevertheless, the absurd clips are also really damn entertaining.

What do you think? Do you want to give Palworld a chance at launch? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

If you find Palworld a bit too crazy and are more into classic survival battles, we have the 25 best survival games of 2024 for PlayStation, PC, and Xbox for you.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. PC Gamer

Steam: The new survival game Nightingale gives a taste of your start in the open world in 20 minutes

Linda Knabe Linda Knabe Reading time 2 minutes

Nightingale, the new survival game on Steam, showcases the first steps in the game in nearly 20 minutes of gameplay: from exploring the open world, to gathering resources, to building the first base.

What can you expect in Nightingale? Nightingale is a new survival game on Steam, which is set to be released next month on February 22, 2024. The game is being developed by Inflexion Games.

  • Nightingale takes place in an open fantasy world that is heavily inspired by Victorian style.
  • Players explore the mysterious world as fearless “Realmwalkers” in multiplayer or solo.
  • The game aims to focus heavily on PvE.
  • During the closed playtest in November, over 12,000 players were able to test the survival game and spent quite a bit of time alone in the character editor.

We have summarized even more information about the world of Nightingale and your life as a “Realmwalker” in a short video:

Start video
Nightingale is considered a great hope for survival, without PvP – The latest gameplay looks fantastic

What do the 20 minutes of gameplay show? You can now enjoy nearly 20 minutes of gameplay on the IGN YouTube channel and get a first impression of the initial steps in the open world, resource gathering, and base building.

The video begins with a narrator wanting to tune you into your new life and your task in Nightingale. Afterwards, the video shows quite a bit of gameplay, where fans of the survival genre should quickly feel at home:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content
Nightingale shows what survival fans can look forward to

To build your base, you will of course need to gather the right resources. As the video shows, you can plan your construction beforehand and then gather the necessary materials to complete your new home step by step.

You can freely design both the exterior and the interior of your base, allowing for a great deal of creativity. As the video shows, you should equip your house with a bed, a cooking station, and a workbench to survive in the world of Nightingale.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Survival MMO with 47,000 players had to leave Steam due to a lawsuit, is now back, begins testing
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
A wild survival shooter starts in a few days on Steam, shows in the trailer how effective guns are against Pokémon
von Linda Knabe

In addition to the typical survival gameplay, you can also catch a glimpse of the world maps in the video. These provide you with information about possible resources or important locations.

Additionally, there seem to be “Realm Cards” that can bring you various advantages when played. For example, the video shows the “Abeyance Card”, which provides a location with minimal dangers, making it perfect for building a base.

Not only Nightingale could become the new hit for survival fans in 2024: 8 new survival games to look forward to in 2024

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Pokémon GO: First hints of new Ultra Beasts and legendary Pokémon have been found

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

First hints of new Pokémon have been found in the code of Pokémon GO. These belong to Ultra Beasts and legendary Pokémon.

What hints are there? Data miners have discovered new attacks in the code of Pokémon GO that have been added to the game. These attacks were found within so-called movesets, meaning the assignment of Pokémon to the respective attacks.

This is an indication that the appearance of the respective Pokémon is being prepared. When exactly this will happen is still unknown. We will list the attacks and the corresponding Pokémon for you here.

Trailer for the current season Timeless Travels.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows the new season “Timeless Travels” in the trailer

Many legendary and mysterious Pokémon as well as Ultra Beasts

Which attacks and Pokémon were discovered? The attacks and Pokémon found by the data miners are the following:

Venicro

  • Fast Attacks: Poison Jab, Spike
  • Charge Attacks: Mud Bomb, Mud Wave, Spike Finale

Agoyon

  • Fast Attacks: Poison Jab, Air Slash
  • Charge Attacks: Mud Bomb, Acrobatics, Spike Finale, Dragon Pulse

Muramura

  • Fast Attacks: Rock Throw, Body Slam
  • Charge Attacks: Light Cannon, Stone Edge, Steam Roller

Kopplosio

  • Fast Attacks: Incinerate, Astonish
  • Charge Attacks: Magic Flame, Shadow Ball, Heat Wave

Zeraora

  • Fast Attacks: Spark, Volt Switch
  • Charge Attacks: Thunderbolt, Charge Beam, Shock Wave

Chongjian

  • Fast Attacks: Leaf Tornado, Present
  • Charge Attacks: Dark Aura, Branch Poke, Leaf Storm
More on the topic
Dynamax-Regirock in Pokémon GO: The best counters against the boss
von Paul Kutzner
All lure modules in Pokémon GO explained – With spawns and evolutions
von Patrick Freese
Pokémon GO: New promo code gives you Max Particles now
von Paul Kutzner

Baojian

  • Fast Attacks: Powder Snow, Present
  • Charge Attacks: Dark Aura, Avalanche, Blizzard

Dinglu

  • Fast Attacks: Mud Shot, Present
  • Charge Attacks: Dark Aura, Steam Roller, Earthquake

Yuyu

  • Fast Attacks: Incinerate, Present
  • Charge Attacks: Dark Aura, Nitro Charge, Flame Wheel

Koraidon

  • Fast Attacks: Crasher, Dragon Tail
  • Charge Attacks: Giga Impact, Dragon Claw, Close Combat, Fury Attack

Miraidon

  • Fast Attacks: Thunder Shock, Fire Breath
  • Charge Attacks: Hyper Beam, Dragon Pulse, Thunder, Fury Attack

What other attack updates have there been? An attack update for Epitaff was also discovered in the data. This Pokémon will already celebrate its debut in the new battle event. For Epitaff, the charge attack Shadow Ball has now also been found in addition to the previous attacks that were already present in the code.

What do you think of the discoveries of the data miners? Are there Pokémon in the list that you are particularly looking forward to and have been eagerly anticipating for a long time? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments and exchange thoughts with other trainers. You can also find out which events are coming in January 2024 in Pokémon GO with us.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Gamers discuss the end of a legendary studio: “Could have been the German Witcher”

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

The studio Piranha Bytes seems to be facing closure. The German role-playing game developer has built an international reputation with games like Gothic or Risen. Therefore, the reports about the likely end of the studio after more than 25 years are being discussed internationally. Along with a lot of nostalgia, there is also disappointment.

Where do the reports about the studio’s closure come from? The German gaming magazine GameStar has learned from reliable sources that Piranha Bytes is likely facing an end. This is indicated in an article from January 17.

The website is shut down, no new videos have come out since November 27 (via youtube), and sources report layoffs of employees.

Yesterday, we at MeinMMO looked into the backgrounds of the studio’s problems, which apparently are mainly rooted in the buying spree and subsequent hangover of the publishing group “Embracer Group”.

Piranha Bytes is particularly known for the role-playing series Gothic:

Start video
Gothic 2: Gold Edition Trailer

“Doing the Same Thing for Too Long”

This is how the end of the studio is being discussed: In the gaming section of reddit, the end of Piranha Bytes is one of the biggest topics on January 17 and 18. More than 150 comments have already been received, many people have a sober view of the German studio and clearly enumerate its failures and missed opportunities:

No one on reddit is really surprised by the closure. The studio “did the same thing for too long” and has slipped from being the “leader of the pack” to the end of the food chain. The author of the top comment says he has played all the games, and Elex 2 felt like it was created a decade ago.

Another user states: The studio’s own stubbornness has been its downfall. The head of the studio, Björn Pankratz, once said he would rather close the studio than expand the staff or switch engines.

A third user makes it clear: Piranha Bytes developed AA open-world role-playing games with a small team. They had around 33 people in 2021. The Witcher 1 in 2007 had much more staff than Elex 1 in 2017 – thus, comparing the role-playing game from Piranha Bytes with major competitors is unfair.

More on the topic
“I shouldn’t have opened my mouth” – Twitch streamer dared to criticize her colleagues, now says what consequences it has for her
von Johanna
28 years old MMORPG is re-released, earning up to 6 million euros daily
von Niko Hernes
ARC Raiders: Hurricane Caches – Every Location on All Maps
von Christos Tsogos

The user “GoldenJoel” raves: Gothic was a technical marvel overshadowed by Morrowind, which came out a year later. No one created such vibrant 3D worlds as Gothic back then.

There is also a “What if?” post: A user says the quality of Gothic took a steep rise in the first 2 games, transitioning from a solid niche game to a masterpiece. However, Gothic 3 had to be released too early because the publisher Jowood needed money – but through the fan patches, it became clear that Gothic 3 had the potential to catch up with the genre leader The Elder Scrolls.

The user concludes: Piranha Bytes had the chance to become the German CD Projekt Red (Witcher), but they messed it up in the end. Everything after Gothic 3 has only lived off the nostalgia of the people. No title from the studio has come close to Gothic.

Lots of Love from German Players

How is this being discussed in Germany? In the comments at GameStar, Piranha Bytes is seen a bit softer and more tender:

  • “A significant part of German video game history is leaving the stage.”
  • “It’s really a shame. Gothic 1-3 and Risen 1-2 are all among my top 10 favorite games.”

Typically German, they also discuss business decisions here. Whether it would have been better to remain independent. Whether the studio would have survived if it had evolved as many critics kept demanding.

For many players from Germany, a piece of youth and childhood memories is surely dying here.

This might be a glimmer of hope for fans of Gothic:

Gothic took away my youth – now it’s coming as an MMO and that will give me the rest

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

After 14 years, an item in WoW has finally been found

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

It took almost 14 years for players to obtain this item in World of Warcraft. Now they are all fishing for it.

When it comes to collecting transmog items to beautify their characters, there is no holding back for fans of World of Warcraft. Especially the end of Shadowlands offered some new options, as glasses finally became part of the game.

But one pair of glasses has been hiding bravely for over a decade. Now players have finally found “Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses”!

What kind of item is this? We are talking about “Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses”. This is an item that players have wished for a very long time. The glasses are worn by Lord Godfrey during the original Gilneas intro quest and have a unique model. The blue lenses are mirrored from the outside, making the eyes of the character wearing them invisible – very different from previous glasses in the game.

By the way, “Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses” have been in the game data since patch 4.0 – that is, since 2010, when Cataclysm was launched. For many years, fans speculated on how and where to obtain the glasses, but the source was never identified.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Reddit that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Reddit content

WoW: Finding Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses

Where can you find the glasses? To acquire “Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses”, you must first complete the quest line for the reclamation of Gilneas. This is only possible for characters at level 70, and you should already be wearing solid gear for this mission, as the enemies might hit a bit harder.

The quest line takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your speed.

After that, you need to fish in the waters around Gilneas. It seems irrelevant whether you fish in the channels around the city, in the rivers, lakes, or the sea. As long as your area is still recognized as “Gilneas”, you can try your luck.

WoW Fishing in Gilneas
Fish somewhere in Gilneas, around the central city.

At some point, you will catch Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses and can then immediately add them to your transmog collection.

The glasses are soulbound upon acquisition, so you cannot sell them. The only option is to redeem them in your transmog collection.

More Secrets in WoW:
More on the topic
WoW Guide: How Hunters Tame the Fancy Spirit Beast Sul’raka
von Cortyn
More on the topic
WoW Guide: How to get the secret toy ‘Gadgeteer’s Pocket Watch’
von Cortyn
More on the topic
WoW Guide: How to Unlock the Secret Mount Valor
von Cortyn

How long does it take? How often you have to fish depends, of course, on personal luck. The special fishing rewards, such as Lord Godfrey’s Old Glasses, have a relatively low probability of being caught. However, most report that they obtained the glasses after about 100 attempts – which is a relatively short time for such an exclusive transmog.

So, those looking for the perfect look in the coming days should plan a little fishing trip in Gilneas.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Diablo 4: Season 3 offers you 2 powerful Uber Uniques for your new companion – This is what Blizzard says

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Diablo 4 offers you, in addition to new activities in Season 3, a mechanical companion that you can customize with various stones to match your playstyle. With 2 special Uber Uniques for your companion, Blizzard promises you incredible power.

In Season 3 of Diablo 4, you will be accompanied by a new mechanical companion, the Seneschal:

  • With 2 guiding stones, you can determine its behavior, such as whether it defends as a tank or attacks
  • Tuning stones change the abilities of the Seneschal and are comparable to runes or affixes, of which you can equip 6
  • The official blog for Season 3 describes 12 guiding stones and 27 tuning stones

In addition to the described stones, there are also 2 secret tuning stones, only the name is known. Evernight and Genesis are said to give you power that far exceeds that of ordinary people.

What exactly the two stones can do is still unknown, but in an interview with PCGamer, Blizzard revealed some additional information.

Start video
Diablo 4: The Announcement Trailer for Season 3

The 2 special stones are like Uber Uniques

In the interview, the two special tuning stones are compared to the Uber Uniques. They are said to reflect the power and rarity of the latter, and one has the right to brag if one finds them.

Evernight is described in a bit more detail than in the cryptic blog post. This tuning stone is said to be oriented towards the Harlequin Crown and give you +4 ranks for each of your abilities. Unlike the crown, this buff only lasts for you briefly when the Seneschal attacks enemies. Nothing was revealed about Genesis in the interview, however.

System Game Designer Sean White goes a bit further in the interview with PCGamer, describing the power that you or your Seneschal gain through these stones as it will either amplify your own power or that of the Seneschal by – let’s say quite a bit. A lot. A whole lot.

The described power matches statements made by General Manager Rod Fergusson in an interview with Electronic Playground Network, where he talked about not wanting to nerf less because the seasonal model allows OP builds to be used for a fixed period. The seasons are perfect for experimenting.

You can find the entire interview here:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content
More on the topic
“Mama is back”: Fans of Diablo 4 thought the big villain was dead, now he is coming back
von Nico Scheibel
Video about Lord of Hatred shows new feature for Diablo 4 for the first time, allows you to farm rare items relaxed
von Nicole Wakulczyk
Diablo has its own Jesus, who returns in Lord of Hatred, but he does not spread any charity
von Niko Hernes

What do you think about the approach of keeping strong classes and abilities so powerful for the season? Are you excited about the mechanical companion? Let us know in the comments and tell us what you are looking forward to in the next season.

You won’t have to wait much longer; starting January 23 at 7 PM, you can start slashing in Season 3. Due to the upcoming Season 3, many players are already starting to miss the abilities from Season 2.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. PCGamer
  2. Games Radar
  3. Blizzard

Anyone looking to upgrade their gaming PC should definitely wait a few more days for AMD and Nvidia

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Are you looking to buy an upgrade for your gaming PC? Then wait a few more days, because you could save some serious money on hardware.

Upgrades for a gaming PC can get really expensive depending on the product. If you are considering buying new components with your Christmas money, you should wait a few more days. Not only have new graphics cards been presented, but prices are also expected to drop significantly in the coming days.

AMD Announces “Promotional Prices” and Nvidia New Graphics Cards for Gamers

What about AMD? AMD has introduced new promotional prices for its current 7000 series graphics cards. How much the prices will drop is still unknown. Many speculate that buyers could save between 50 and 100 euros.

However, it will still take a few days for the new prices to reach interested buyers. AMD’s promotion needs to reach the retailers first, who will then need to adjust their prices accordingly. Therefore, it is quite possible that you will only pay 700 euros for an RX 7900 XT next week: Currently, prices are between 760 and 810 euros. The 7900 XTX has already been dropping below the 1,000 euro mark repeatedly for the past few weeks.

AMD also presented a new graphics card at CES 2024 that could fulfill many player wishes. However, we believe it is unlikely that the prices for the 7600XT will be lower than the MSRP at release.

What about Nvidia? Various Super variants of the current 4000 series cards are expected to come from Nvidia in the next few weeks. So far, the new Super models offer slightly more performance for the same price as the non-Super cards. For that, check out the RTX 4070 Super review at GameStar Tech with the corresponding benchmarks.

For interested buyers, this also means that it might be worth waiting for the release of the new cards. Because if someone buys an RTX 4080 now, they might get an RTX 4080 Super for the same price in a few weeks – if the sellers do not dictate other prices. After all, the days when scalpers sold graphics cards for thousands of euros on eBay are over.

More on Hardware and Tech
A new setting makes Crimson Desert even more immersive, and we show you how to set it up
von Christos Tsogos
Forget the Steam Machine: Players are waiting for another device from Valve and it could sell like hot cakes
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Additionally, it is quite likely that retailers will sell the old GPUs without Super at a lower price.

Players who want to upgrade in the coming weeks will likely benefit in every way. Whether you decide to go with AMD or Nvidia, patience might be worth it in the coming days.

AMD and Nvidia are arguing about the fastest graphics card – Meanwhile, the GPU is not even aimed at gamers

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

EA FC 24: Professional ranks all playstyles, places great importance on defense

Thomas Dummer Thomas Dummer Reading time 4 minutes

A professional player has ranked all playstyles in EA FC 24 after about 4 months. He considers playstyles particularly important that you need for defending. We present the ranking and then look at which players possess many of the strongest playstyles.

Who created the ranking? The creator of the tier list is the American pro Christopher Holly, better known as “didycristlito_”. Especially in the USA and Canada, the esports player is well known, having crowned himself the North American Champion in 2022 and being the first ever to win the eChampions League.

The ranking was published on the Instagram account of the content creator “ChuBoi”, who is famous for his reviews and assessments of all kinds of content about EA FC 24.

EA-FC-24 professional rates all playstyles: This is his ranking

In the list, all playstyles are based on the golden variant (Playstyle+). We emphasize at this point that we are relaying the expert’s opinion.

These are the best playstyles:

  • Intercept: more assertiveness in tackles
  • Intercept: balls can be intercepted over a larger radius and are highly likely to remain within your own ranks
  • Anticipation: greater likelihood of successfully executing tackles and stopping the ball at foot when taken away by the opponent
  • Curled Shot: curled shots are executed with additional effect and improved precision
  • Technique: allows for controlled sprint (R1-dribbling) with more speed and better agility
  • Power Pass: crosses arrive more accurately, sharper and with more effect

These playstyles are very good:

  • Speedster: higher sprint speed with the ball, more precision when passing the ball (right analog stick while sprinting)
  • Power Shot: power shots (L1+R1/LB+RB) are executed faster and with more force
  • Trivela: outside foot passes and shots (L2/LT) are triggered contextually and have more precision
  • Shielding: in jockey movement (L2+R2/LB+RB) you achieve higher speed and can switch to sprint faster
  • Fast Step: you accelerate faster during explosive sprints
  • Power Header: headers have more power and precision
  • Block: greater range and higher success rate with blocks
  • Long Pass: high passes and lofted through balls (L1+triangle/LB+Y) arrive more precisely

These playstyles are sensible:

  • Tiki-Taka: directly forwarded flat passes arrive more precisely
  • Through Pass: allows for faster flat passes that the receiver can easily process
  • Calm Center: tight dribbling at running speed, better shielding of the ball from the opponent
  • In the Air: allows for higher jumps and better success rate in heading duels
  • Decisive Pass: through balls arrive more precisely, effect passes have more curve, precision passes (R1+triangle/RB+Y) have more speed

These playstyles are not absolutely necessary:

  • Tricks: additional flick special movements (pressing the right analog stick)
  • Relentless: recovers more stamina before the second half or extra time, players can perform secondary pressing/team pressing longer (holding R1/RB while defending)
  • First Touch: better processing of balls after passes, faster transition to dribbling
  • Footwork (for GK): goalkeeper makes more saves with his legs
  • Catching Crosses (for GK): goalkeeper tries to reach crosses before the opponent when the chance is there

These playstyles are unnecessary:

  • Lob: lobs are executed faster and with more precision
  • Set Piece: set pieces are more dangerous, with more effect and precision, the target assistance is extended
  • Slide Tackle: slide tackles are more effective, the chance of possession after a successful slide tackle is higher
  • Long Throw: throw-ins are faster and farther
  • Flair: flair passes and shots (L2/LT) arrive more accurately, are executed contextually
  • Acrobatics: volleys are more precise, additional animations for executing high balls
  • Long Goal Kick (for GK): goal kicks go farther
  • Coming Out (for GK): keeper is more aggressive when coming out
More on the topic
FC 24 Pre Season: In Ultimate Team you can secure strong packs for FC 25 with just 3 games a day – but you have to hurry
von Thomas Dummer
„I have never seen anything like this“ – Twitch streamer pities the opponents of the new world champion in FC 24
von Julian Schröder
Wonderkid dominates in the largest tournament of FC 24, directly claiming the title
von Julian Schröder

Playstyle Ranking: These cards embody the best playstyles

Which players embody the most of the best playstyles? For the following selection, we looked at which players possess the most playstyles of the top category. Our selection process initially indicated that only a single card has four of the best playstyles, but none in gold:

  • Nina Lührßen (SV Werder Bremen): Curled Shot, Power Pass, Intercept and Technique

To still create a meaningful list, we combined all offensive playstyles (Curled Shot, Power Pass and Technique) and all defensive playstyles (Intercept, Anticipation and Shielding). Additionally, we made sure that one of the named playstyles is available in gold. This resulted in the following players for offense and defense:

Players with the best offensive playstyles (at least one Playstyle+):

  • Thunderstruck Pires (Icon): Curled Shot+, Technique, Power Pass
  • Versus Fire Asensio (Paris Saint-Germain): Curled Shot+, Technique, Power Pass
  • Versus Ice Asensio (Paris Saint-Germain): Technique+, Curled Shot, Power Pass

Players with the best defensive playstyles (at least one Playstyle+):

  • Thunderstruck Varane (Manchester United): Anticipation+, Intercept, Shielding
  • Dynasties Oberdorf (VFL Wolfsburg): Intercept+, Anticipation, Shielding
  • Winter Wildcard Saliba (FC Arsenal): Intercept+, Anticipation, Shielding
  • Gold Oberdorf (VFL Wolfsburg): Shielding+, Intercept, Anticipation
  • Gold/TOTW Bright (FC Chelsea): Shielding+, Intercept, Anticipation
  • Radioactive Caicedo (FC Chelsea): Shielding+, Intercept, Anticipation

What do the lists of players with the best playstyles show? So far, there is only a very limited number of players who can combine the best playstyles, with one being available as a Playstyle+-variant. Notably, aside from Thunderstruck Varane (market value: about 470,000 coins) and Winter Wildcard Saliba (market value: about 245,000 coins), all cards cost a maximum of 150,000 coins.

This is likely because players with the best playstyles do not automatically have the best stats. However, that might soon change, because the TOTY is just around the corner. We are curious whether one or another TOTY player will wait for us with these playstyle combinations.

Which playstyles do you find the best? Feel free to write it to us in the comments.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

The end of used video games? Large retailer stops buying and selling games

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

A retail chain from the United Kingdom has announced that it will no longer accept and sell used games.

Which company is giving up the trade of used games? The video game retailer “GAME” has announced that it will phase out the purchase and sale of used video games in the coming months.

GAME is a large retail chain in the United Kingdom where gamers could trade their used games for store credits or gift cards. In June 2019, GAME was acquired by the Fraser Group.

In an interview with BBC, a spokesperson for the Fraser Group revealed that the company will continue to sell the games they have in stock – but only as long as supplies last. No further games will be accepted in exchange for store credits or gift cards.

Top videos

Start video
In the hero-based military shooter World of Tanks: HEAT, agents fight with their tanks in heated battles
Start video
Sword Art Online: Unanswered//butterfly turns the hero Kirito into a player killer
Start video
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 shows the big city feeling in the first trailer
Start video
Final Fantasy XIV shows the new class in the trailer for Patch 7.5

“The End of an Era”

How is the gaming community reacting? A user on X.com (formerly Twitter) writes that he once ran his own independent store and believes that without the trade of used games, GAME cannot survive.

Another user describes GAME’s decision to stop selling used games on Reddit as “the end of an era”, to which another Reddit user expresses his surprise over this decision: “I’m surprised. When I worked there, the used goods trade was the main source of income for the store.”

Other users are less surprised by the company’s path: “The fact that GAME no longer has its own stores and is reduced to a small corner in a sports store shows that the hour for the brand has struck. A huge shame and mismanagement for a great brand.”

More on the topic
“I shouldn’t have opened my mouth” – Twitch streamer dared to criticize her colleagues, now says what consequences it has for her
von Johanna
28 years old MMORPG is re-released, earning up to 6 million euros daily
von Niko Hernes
ARC Raiders: Hurricane Caches – Every Location on All Maps
von Christos Tsogos

Why does GAME want to stop selling used games? The company has not specified an exact reason.

Perhaps selling used games is not as profitable today as it was a few years ago. After all, there are more and more subscription services that allow players to sample a wide variety of games for a relatively low price before making a purchase decision.

Additionally, there are numerous websites where gamers can conveniently buy and sell their used games directly from home. There are also regular sales in online stores and the return of demos on Steam.

If Ubisoft has its way, gamers will increasingly rely on gaming subscriptions in the future. But as a senior employee of the company recently stated, players will first have to get used to not owning their games: You should get used to not owning your games, says a Ubisoft official

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Eurogamer
  2. BBC
  3. 3DJuegos

Steam hit The Finals releases new mode for players without friends

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

In The Finals, players have always had to compete for victory in teams of 3. In the new patch, the developer Embark introduces a mode where everyone has to go solo.

We have updated the article on January 18, 2024, at 10:15 AM with the player counts.

What kind of mode is this? The arena shooter The Finals still enjoys high player numbers, with a peak of 73,245 players playing the game simultaneously in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, a patch was released that expanded the game. It also introduced the new mode “Solo Bank It!” or in German “Solo-Geldregen” (Solo Money Rain).

In this game mode, 12 players compete against each other alone. The winner is the one who collects 40,000 cash first. The mode is said to work like the standard “Money Rain” mode. Players earn cash for kills and safes, which needs to be delivered at drop-off points. Any cash that is not delivered drops upon death and can be collected by opponents.

Will the mode stay? The mode is experimental and time-limited. The developers mention in the patch notes that they want to continuously improve the mode and are listening to feedback from the community on Discord.

It primarily targets solo players who have always been at a disadvantage as they had to compete against 3-player teams of friends while paired with 2 random teammates.

You can watch the trailer for the new major update 1.5.0 here.

Start video
The Finals shows new Season 1 Update 1.5.0 trailer with new mode

New balance patch nerfs the “Nuke”

What is the Nuke? The “Nuke” is a gas barrel with C4. The barrel could be thrown far and detonated at any time during its flight with the C4. The C4 dealt high damage, and the poison often finished off the rest.

For players of the light or medium classes, the “Nuke” meant a certain death, as there were hardly any counters against it.

What balance changes are being made? The patch brings many balance changes, particularly affecting the meta weapons. The C4 of the “Nuke” is being nerfed, with player damage reduced from a maximum of 210 to 155.

The minimum damage that the C4 inflicts on players is now only 100 instead of 120. This should make the C4 deal less damage.

The “Nuke” will also receive a second nerf; all portable explosive items that can be placed on throwable objects will now add weight to them. This means barrels with C4 now fly shorter distances effectively, potentially dealing less damage.

More about The Finals
The developers of ARC Raiders have learned from their last shooter, explaining why Free2Play would not have been the right way.
von Cedric Holmeier
An athlete is as cool as an action star, now coming to a video game on Steam
von Christos Tsogos
The 25 Best Shooters 2025 – These PvP and PvE Games Impress with Their Gameplay
von Dariusz Müller

What else has changed? In addition to many bug fixes and balance changes to almost all weapons in the game, there is also a new Fair Play Code (via Discord) that now more precisely defines what actions can get you banned in The Finals.

In short, this includes cheating or attempts to cheat, going AFK to farm currency, overlays that provide unfair advantages, and everything else where the developers decide it gives an unfair advantage. You can read all patch notes in detail on The Finals website.

Cheaters are expected to be easier to ban now as the rules about what is allowed and what is prohibited are now clearly defined. In another change, the shop is now slightly larger and offers more cosmetic items. The developers are taking different directions with the patch and seem to be listening to player feedback. The patch also fixed the bug that allowed players to fly through the map.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Patchnotes

Gamer posts a video on YouTube because he feels unattractive and lonely: It changes his life

Lydia Lydia Reading time 3 minutes

Nearly 6 years ago, a young man, feeling down and slightly drunk, decided to publish a video on YouTube. In it, he spoke about how much he suffers from his appearance and how lonely he feels. By now, he is happily married.

What kind of video was it? On January 26, 2018, a young Swede, under the name “Never Give Up”, talked on YouTube about his experience of being “ugly”. He reported on insults and rejection he had faced throughout his life because of his appearance. He had never received a genuine compliment.

On YouTube, he searched for videos of people like him, as Never Give Up stated, but he only found content from good-looking people, which only intensified his feelings of loneliness.

The video received over 20.5 million views and numerous comments. Many viewers could identify with Never Give Up, thanked him for his honesty, and shared their own experiences.

Start video
Twitch streamer with only 1 viewer becomes famous through a nice gesture – This is her story

Never Give Up shows why you should never give up

How did the video change his life? After Never Give Up’s video went viral, he began to publish updates at irregular intervals, responding to comments, sharing about his life, or voicing his opinions on various topics. Additionally, he started live-streaming, where he played games or chatted with his viewers.

Among those whom Never Give Up reached with his video was an American woman who went by the name “Lullaby” online. They began talking over Discord before meeting in person and entering into a relationship.

However, the young man also reported health problems and ups and downs in his life.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Couple met 8 years ago in Dota 2, got engaged now in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers
von Lydia
More on the topic
Twitch streamer falls in love with her German mod – Flies around the world to meet him
von Lydia
More on the topic
Twitch streamers distract fan at gamescom so his partner can prepare a marriage proposal
von Dariusz Müller

How is he doing today? In 2022, four years after his original video, Never Give Up’s life changed drastically once again: In a video, he announced his breakup with Lullaby and talked about his experiences with heartbreak.

Still, in the same year, a new comment appeared under the video that started it all. “I actually find you quite cute, to be honest. I really mean it,” wrote a viewer named “Juli”. The comment can still be found pinned under the video.

From the comment, chats eventually emerged, where Juli shared her own worries, and the two grew closer. After a few months of a long-distance relationship, Juli traveled to Sweden to be with Never Give Up.

In 2023, the two got married and moved into a shared apartment. In another video, the couple talks about the past year. It is clear to see how much happier Never Give Up is with his life compared to before.

More than 5 years passed between these videos

In the comments under the newer videos, where the young man showcases his wedding, his wife, and their new apartment, viewers celebrate with him. Many recount how they stumbled upon his videos years ago and are now filled with joy to see how his life has changed:

  • LunA-tn7ot: “You are truly inspiring. Seeing your progress over the years, and how you have grown as a man, makes me so damn happy for you.”
  • kw7814: “I remember watching your video 5 years ago and feeling absolutely terrible for you and what you went through. And today, you are married. That’s why you should never give up, no matter what.”
  • masface6: “He made it. Congratulations, Dude. I remember commenting on your original video 3 years ago. True love has been found.”

How much life can change through online connections is something MeinMMO author Kevin Nielsen has also experienced: Thanks to the love for MMOs, I’ve found the love of my life

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Never Give Up via YouTube
  2. crazed.net

WoW lost two “kings” in one day

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

In the small patch 10.2.5 of World of Warcraft, the balance of power shifts. Leaders step down – and others take their place.

Patch 10.2.5 Seeds of Renewal in World of Warcraft is live. Even though it’s just a small patch with relatively few new story quests, a lot happens in them. Many leaders make way for a new generation. We reveal what this means for the story.

Spoiler warning: The article discusses the outcome of some quests from the new patch 10.2.5. If you don’t want to know what happens, you should not continue reading.

Start video
WoW: Patch 10.2.5 – Release trailer for the Seed of Renewal

The reign of King Genn Greymane ends

The first major change concerns the rule of Gilneas. A larger questline of patch 10.2.5 is the recapture of Gilneas. The Horde and Alliance work together to reclaim the former kingdom of humans, some of whom have been transformed into Worgen.

In the fight against the Scarlet, who have chosen Gilneas as a new fortress for their purposes, Genn Greymane fights alongside his daughter Tess, who largely leads the attack.

WoW Genn Tess Greymane
Tess is initially incredulous when her father chooses her.

The conquest proceeds without major issues, and the scarlet threat is eliminated. In the end, a conversation takes place between Genn and Tess – and Genn announces that he will now hand over the kingdom to his daughter. He abdicates as king, thus appointing Tess as queen of Gilneas.

However, Genn does not disappear from the scene. Now that his people have a kingdom again, he wants to focus on other matters, namely the protection of Azeroth. He can now do this with full strength, knowing that his people are in his daughter’s good hands.

More about WoW:
The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
After Nostalrius came WoW Classic, now the end of Turtle WoW must lead to WoW Classic Plus
von Karsten Scholz
WoW: Leveling Valeera to Level 60 – Here’s How to Do It in a Week
von Cortyn

Tyrande and Malfurion hand over responsibility

A similar situation occurs among the Night Elves. During the inauguration of the new capital Bel’ameth, Tyrande and her adopted daughter Shandris discuss that the Amirdrassil will now be a sacred place for the Kaldorei; just like many other places, including Hyjal, Val’sharah, the Emerald Dream, and hopefully one day again the Darkshore and Teldrassil.

WoW Tyrande Malfurion Love
Tyrande and Malfurion see each other again after a long time – and want to take a break together.

But while the two are talking, another figure appears: Malfurion. The archdruid has returned from the Shadowlands and apparently switched places with Ysera, who returned to Ardenweald at the end of patch 10.2.

In a heartwarming family hug, Tyrande decides that she will retreat with Malfurion for a while to enjoy some time alone together. However, Shandris has “everything her people need” and can always turn to her mother and father.

WoW Tyrande Shandris Malfurion Happy Family
The happiest scene in WoW in a long time.

It seems that the responsibility of the Kaldorei is slowly passing to Shandris. Whether Malfurion and Tyrande will both disappear from the scene long-term seems rather unlikely. However, it is clear that Blizzard is laying the groundwork for Shandris Moonfeather to take on an important, even greater role among her people.

Thus, players witnessed in the course of a single day how two major leaders made way for the next generation – a novelty in the history of World of Warcraft.

What do you think of the development of the story? Do you think it’s good that Genn and Tyrande are handing over some of their responsibility? Or does that not sit well with you?

Anyone who wants to experience the entire story can now also complete dungeons with NPCs – with one restriction.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Diablo 3: Tier List for Season 30 – Best Classes, Best Builds

Patrick Freese Patrick Freese Reading time 10 minutes

In the tier list for Season 30 of Diablo 3, we show you the best classes, builds, and items. We consider the balance changes from patch 2.7.7.

What is happening in Diablo 3? Since January 12, 2024, Season 30 in Diablo 3 has been running. With patch 2.7.7, the “Rulers of Hell” theme returns as the seasonal theme. At the beginning of a new chapter, players start with seasonal characters from “zero” and then climb to the maximum level of 70.

In our tier list, we show you the classes and builds that have the greatest potential in Greater Nephalem Rifts in Season 30.

What makes Season 30 special? This is the first season where Blizzard is warming up an old theme. Up until Season 29, there were still new contents. From now on, there will only be a rotation of the familiar. With the Soulstone theme, all classes become particularly strong and can break through Greater Rifts of level 150 without much trouble.

Who creates the tier list? We base our tier list on the tier list from maxroll.gg. The website develops this tier list with elaborate tests and mathematics. It is managed by a team including Rob, Wudijo, Northwar, Facefoot, Raxxanterax, and Chewignom.

In the article, we show you the tier list as a graphic and go over the top 3 builds of each class on this and the following pages. There is also a link to the build, so you can easily recreate it and understand the mechanics.

Diablo 3 Season 30 Tier List Maxroll
Tier List for Season 30 of Diablo 3 via Maxroll.gg

What does tier “S” to “F” mean? This tier list consists of the best builds available in the game. The rankings from S to F evaluate the potential of these builds in Greater Nephalem Rifts. The S tier is the best. However, keep in mind that even builds in the F tier can be strong; they just have less potential.

You can use the tier list for Season 30 as a guideline for the strongest builds for each class. Essentially, it comes down to who grinds more and finds better gear in Diablo 3.

This is what we show you here: On this and the next 6 pages of the tier list, we present the top builds for Barbarians, Demon Hunters, Witch Doctors, Crusaders, Monks, Necromancers, and Wizards. Click on the links behind the builds to read the full explanation on maxroll.gg. There you will find all items, gems, skills, and runes.

If builds are named “LoN” or “LoD”, these are abbreviations for the legacy bonuses. You obtain these through a legendary gem or a set of rings.

[toc]

Best Barbarian Builds in Season 30

Diablo 3 Barbar Title
  • S-Tier: Raekor Boulder Toss with Starter Set (via maxroll.gg): With the Raekor set, you amplify your boulder throw and with this mobile build, you move quickly. You don’t have to play entirely in melee range. That’s good because the build is quite “soft” and you need to position yourself well.
  • S-Tier: LoD HotA (via maxroll.gg): The second strongest build for the Barbarian in Season 30 plays with the Hammer of the Ancients. The advantages of the build are that you can endure a lot and attack quickly. Your chance for crits is also quite high. However, it takes a long time to assemble the LoD build, and the playstyle is quite one-dimensional. This build was still in S tier in Season 27.
  • A-Tier: Savage Frenzy (via maxroll.gg): This lets you slice through your enemies with a relatively fast playstyle; however, it has little big AoE damage. For groups, you bring good buffs but are tied to cooldowns.
  • A-Tier: MotE Leapquake (via maxroll.gg): If you want to use the set, this build is a good choice. It is easy to play by hopping from group to group. A playstyle that you should try out. If the monster density is relatively low, the fun factor of the build decreases.
  • Bonus: The popular Whirlwind build has made it back to A tier. If you have always wanted to try out new Barbarian builds, Season 30 is your chance. If you want to stick with “Spin to win,” you can find the Whirlwind build on maxroll.gg.

On the next page, we will show you the best builds for the Demon Hunter in Season 30 of Diablo 3.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Trymacs is feasting after days of hunger in the camp of 7 vs. Wild – Despite warnings from doctors

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

In 7 vs. Wild, the teams had little to eat for 14 days. After the elimination of Trymacs and Rumathra, they made up for what they had missed in the last 10 days.

Why was the team in camp? The team of Maximilian “Trymacs” Stemmler (29) and Wieland “Rumathra” Welte (27) left the survival show because they had run out of drinking water. You can find out more about the exact reasons for their exit here.

In the latest episode of the 7 vs. Wild “Making-of” format “Behind the Scenes”, you can see the team arriving at camp. The team must have been really hungry after they had found hardly anything edible for 10 days. Even the vegetable broth they had cannot replace full meals.

One of the participants of Season 3 is the Twitch streamer Jens “Knossi” Knossalla. You can see more about him in our video.

Start video
From the Witness Stand with Barbara Salesch to the King of Twitch – Career and Life of Knossi

The participants ignore the doctors’ warning

What were the doctors warning about? The doctors warned the team not to eat too much. According to their statements, this could lead to constipation, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

However, the team’s hunger seemed insatiable. Initially, there was a small meal that should have sufficed for the participants, but the doctors probably underestimated the participants’ hunger, as it appeared to be unbridled.

What else did the participants eat? After the small meal, the participants were still hungry. Despite medical advice, there were initially chocolate bars and a coffee, followed by a pack of chips for Trymacs.

While Rumathra initially didn’t consume anything more in the video, Trymacs really dove in. He was brought a huge bowl of rice, and there were also different main dishes for dinner.

Even after the meal, Trymacs seemed to have still been hungry. The Twitch streamer and his teammate showed a member of the production their vegetable broth powder that they had been eating over the days. Apparently, it smelled so bad that Trymacs didn’t even want to smell it, while he ate another chocolate bar.

More about 7 vs. Wild
More on the topic
Crisis at 7 vs. Wild: Season 3 was almost canceled due to forest fires – How it could still take place
von Cedric Holmeier
More on the topic
7 vs. Wild Season 3: Diseases plague the teams, a star goes black before eyes – One team gives up
von Cedric Holmeier
More on the topic
7 vs. Wild Season 3: Fritz Meinecke confronts new production with “It’s a complete lie and misinformation”
von Cedric Holmeier

Did the participants have problems after eating? Whether the participants had problems after eating is not known. However, in scenes the next day, they seemed cheerful and lively. In their hotel room, they were surprised by the other eliminated participants who were hiding in the closets.

In the following days, while the other teams were still out in the wild, the eliminated participants had all sorts of fun with recreational activities in Canada. They especially thrived on the golf course. You can read more about their recreational fun in our article: The new background episode of 7 vs. Wild finally has the hype and success that Season 3 was missing

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. 7 vs. Wild Behind the Scenes
  2. Foto von Flo Dahm

What happened to the lightest gaming mouse in the world after its deal at ‘Shark Tank’ fell through?

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

In 2021, a particularly lightweight gaming mouse aimed to impress on the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”, but the deal fell through. How does the product stand today?

What kind of mouse is it? In March 2021, brothers Dominik and Patrick Schmalzried presented a special gaming mouse on the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”: the 23-gram Zaunkoenig M1K.

They showcased their creation as “the lightest gaming mouse in the world” and managed to convince two investors, Ralf Dümmel and Carsten Maschmeyer, of the product made from carbon fiber. The two lions invested €100,000 for 25% of the shares – but the deal with the investors never materialized because a small detail was missing.

Why did the deal with the investors fall through? The investors stated some time after the show that the deal did not go through due to some disagreements. Among other things, they mentioned the mouse’s “pricing” and the lack of a scroll wheel (via X.com).

Top videos

A niche product with fans in the shooter scene

What is the current status of Zaunkoenig? The Zaunkoenig mice are still available and have developed into a niche product that has a number of fans in the gaming community. The Zaunkoenig M1K, showcased on the TV show, now even has a successor, the M2K, which includes a scroll wheel.

While Zaunkoenig mice are still not designed for casual gamers, there are particularly among shooter players some who swear by the small mouse and its lightweight.

For example, the YouTuber “optimum” stated in a video in 2022:

When it comes to actual gameplay, this thing feels great. As far as aiming and general movement goes, this is actually the best mouse I’ve ever used. Aiming just felt very natural.

optimum via YouTube

optimum produces videos on hardware and tech topics but regularly shows in his videos that he indeed has a shooter affinity and skill in games like Apex Legends. And though he praises the mouse, he clearly states that not everyone will have fun playing with it.

Due to its size and design, Zaunkoenig is only suitable for players who grip their mouse with a fingertip grip. For palm grip and claw grip users, the mouse is rather unsuitable. Also, it lacks any thumb buttons and is wired.

More on the topic
More on the topic
How do I hold my gaming mouse properly? 3 grip types explained simply
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Zaunkoenig sells 444 mice in one day

What’s next for Zaunkoenig? The Zaunkoenig M2K is not going to be produced and sold further. Instead, sales of the new M3K, priced at €340, started in December.

A total of 444 units of the M3K were available, which, according to the manufacturer, were sold out just a day later. These 444 units are now to be produced and shipped by June 2024.

The second production series M3K is to be offered in June 2024 after the first batch has been delivered (via Zaunkoenig).

More on hardware and tech
Valve has quietly released an important update that thousands of players on Steam will be happy about
von Benedikt Schlotmann
AMD is supposedly bringing back its best gaming CPU and I would immediately upgrade my old PC with it
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Are there alternatives to Zaunkoenig? Yes, lightweight gaming mice are becoming increasingly popular – especially among shooter players. Accordingly, there are several mice that aim for a similarly low weight.

The direct competitor to Zaunkoenig is probably the G-Wolves HSK in its various variants. Although it is still a bit heavier at around 30 grams, it is also wireless and available at a significantly lower price as well as with thumb buttons.

MeinMMO editor Dariusz Müller is also still enthusiastic about his Lamzu Atlantis Mini. While this weighs twice as much as a Zaunkoenig, it is designed in a shape suitable for claw grip players. It is therefore not a direct alternative to the Zaunkoenig, but an option for players looking for a mouse that weighs under 50 grams. You can read more about it here: My new gaming mouse weighs as much as 2 Knoppers and costs €110 – Is it worth the money?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Is Ready or Not coming for PS5? This is what the developers say about the console release

Martin Vollert Martin Vollert Reading time 3 minutes

Ready or Not has left its Early Access status behind and successfully launched with version 1.0 on Steam. Players are now wondering when the tactical shooter will be released for consoles.

The article first appeared at the end of 2023. We have updated the article on January 17, 2024, and added new information.

Last update: January 17, 2024

The first-person shooter Ready or Not is now available on Steam in version 1.0. The gameplay is designed for cooperative action, making it perfect for playing a few rounds with friends.

Unfortunately, console players on PlayStation and Xbox are left out. At this time, Ready or Not can only be played on PC via Steam. However, there is reason to hope that a version for PS5 and other consoles will be developed in the future.

Start video
Ready or Not shows a new trailer for the full release

What about a PS5 release of Ready or Not?

Will Ready or Not be released for PS5 and others? After about two years in Early Access, the now-released full version has had a successful launch on Steam. Now PS5 players want to enjoy the new cooperative shooter as soon as possible. They had hoped for an announcement for consoles to coincide with the Steam release.

However, there are currently no concrete plans from the developer VOID Interactive regarding this. There are no details about a release on Sony and Microsoft’s consoles so far. There have also been no statements about a planned release date. Fans on PlayStation and Xbox cannot dive into the game at this time.

At least in the FAQ on the VOID Interactive website, a console release is not ruled out. It states: “Ready or Not will be a PC title at launch. However, we are interested in releasing it on other platforms like consoles in the future.” (via voidinteractive.net)

More on the topic
More on the topic
Steam: Highly anticipated coop shooter reminiscent of Ready or Not and Escape from Tarkov – Released today
von Cedric Holmeier
More on the topic
The 10 most promising shooters releasing in 2024
von Dariusz Müller
More on the topic
Ready or Not: The Best Weapon and How to Improve It
von Cedric Holmeier

What speaks for a console release? Besides the question of which platforms Ready or Not will be available on, there is also a comment regarding possible controller support.

The developers say: “The Alpha will not provide official controller support from the start, but we will try to integrate it during or shortly before the Beta.”(via voidinteractive.net)

This promise could unfortunately not be kept. The feature did not make it into the game even at the launch of version 1.0. A connected controller is currently not recognized by the game. However, clever players have found a way to integrate controller support into the game through alternative methods.

They use a custom controller layout via Steam. By mapping keyboard inputs to various controller buttons, they trick the game into thinking it is still being played with mouse and keyboard. How well the shooter plays this way must be decided by each player for themselves.

Developers respond, no word on consoles

Are there any new clues about a console release in early 2014? No, even about a month after the release of version 1.0 for PC, the developers have no news for console players. Today, January 17, 2024, a new hotfix was released on Steam with a few bug fixes.

Together with the hotfix, the developers addressed the community:

“We have returned from a short holiday break and continue to place great importance on improving the Ready or Not experience for our dedicated community of players and fans. Our main focus is currently on the upcoming releases of Hotfixes No. 3 and No. 4. […] We are committed to Ready or Not and its continued developmental support, driven by your enthusiasm and feedback. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and upcoming change logs!”(via Steam)

For VOID Interactive, the focus in the near future will clearly be on further fixing bugs and issues to continue improving the gaming experience on PC.

What does the community say? Even though developer VOID Interactive is not revealing new information about a console release, some players continue to ask about it incessantly.

In a tweet from the developer on X, dating back to August 2019, the question of a release for consoles is repeatedly asked:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content
The X account of VOID Interactive with an old statement about a console release.

The same question is regularly asked by users on Reddit, as shown by this current post:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Reddit that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Reddit content
One of many Reddit posts discussing the question of a console release.

Players on PlayStation and Xbox will have to continue to be patient. As soon as there are new information, we will update the article for you.

Perhaps the great popularity of the tactical shooter among players on Steam will lead the developers to consider a console version more intensively: Ready or Not was already popular in beta, now has 50,000 players on Steam, is 91% positive

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. dotesports.com
  2. voidinteractive.net (Titelbild)

Quirky game on Steam gets naughty update: Was already a hit before, now has 5 times more players

Nicole Wakulczyk Nicole Wakulczyk Reading time 3 minutes

The surprise hit Cult of the Lamb received a free update on January 16, allowing you to pair your followers. Since the patch, player numbers on Steam have increased fivefold.

If you look at the homepage of the Database website Steamdb, you might notice the category of “Trending Games.” Currently, Cult of the Lamb holds the number 1 spot. On the evening of January 16, the player count soared from an average of 3,000 to 16,000, more than quintupling in a short time. But what is the reason for this?

This could be due to the new “Sins of the Flesh” update, which was introduced into the cute-but-evil game on January 16.

In the trailer, you get a glimpse of the update:

Start video
Cult of the Lamb – Trailer shows new features for the update ‘Sins of the Flesh’

The “Sex Update” attracted the cultists

What is behind the increase in player numbers? Just the title “Sins of the Flesh” made fans think about just one thing upon its announcement, and the rumor of a “Sex Update” spread.

In a very short time, the number of players of Cult of the Lamb rose from about 1,500-3,400 to over 16,000. On that day, the free content update went live, apparently attracting numerous new and returning cult leaders.

The update has apparently been so well received that player numbers surged (Source: Steamdb):

cult-of-the-lamb-steamdb
1 week
cult-of-the-lamb-steamdb
6 months

Overall, the game is doing quite well on Steam. In its first week, Cult of the Lamb sold over one million copies:

  • 94% of over 58,000 reviews are positive.
  • The recent reviews, those submitted in the last 30 days, are even 97% positive.

What kind of update is this? “Sins of the Flesh” includes not only the feature that leaders can now pair their followers in a breeding tent. Additionally, they can receive an egg – which provides for “fresh meat” for the cult.

In the breeding tent, followers “unite” and can receive eggs
You then incubate the egg for a few days to receive a baby animal

Furthermore, the update brings new upgrades for your temple, as well as additional buildings, such as a tailor, a cocktail bar, a drum circle, and new rituals. In one of these, your followers dance naked in a circle – and yes, it is as absurd and funny as it sounds.

Overall, it seems almost too sweet and cheerful for a game where you lead a cult with your dark demands, sacrifice followers, and may even eat them. But don’t worry: There are also alcohol and firearms in Cult of the Lamb. And the reactions to this announcement were very enthusiastic back then.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Players constantly complain about Diablo 4 – Blizzard praises feedback, but some things will only get better in months

Nicole Wakulczyk Nicole Wakulczyk Reading time 2 minutes

Players of Diablo 4 regularly express their wishes or criticize content. While a new season is approaching, the developers at Blizzard announce that it may take a while before player feedback is actually implemented in Diablo.

Since the release of Diablo 4, feedback from players has been coming in regularly, both positive and negative. The developer team engaged with the community in Season 1 during a campfire chat, after receiving quite negative feedback.

The developers also responded to feedback and adjusted endgame content in Season 2 that was simply too difficult for many. In almost every campfire livestream, the developers express that they appreciate feedback. In an interview with MeinMMO, they noted: The community is the most valuable asset.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, the developers explain that Season 3 is coming to Diablo 4 and that no further content from Season 2 can be incorporated. Nevertheless, they emphasize that feedback from the community will be taken into account in future content.

Start video
Diablo 4: The Announcement Trailer for Season 3

The feedback should lead to “exciting things” in Diablo 4

What do the developers say about the feedback? According to GamesRadar+, the developers of Diablo 4 have incorporated some of the feedback expressed during Season 2 into Season 3. However, they stress that it is not possible to include everything, especially since the new season is already “through the door.”

Nevertheless, the developers plan to consider the feedback from Season 2 for future developments.

We have indeed made a number of changes in Season 3 based on things we saw in Season 2, but there are limits. At some point, it’s: ‘We need to build this into Season 4 now. Or, if it’s really big, maybe even in Season 5.

– Timothy Ismay, senior game producer, GamesRadar+

The developers have already made extensive adjustments based on feedback from Season 2. One concrete example is the significant reduction in the time window between hell floods in Diablo 4. Another feature that is set to come with Season 3 is the WASD controls for PC players.

What is expected to improve over months? “And even if you don’t see it this season, that doesn’t mean we’re not working on it,” Ismay tells GamesRadar+. The team is still reviewing the feedback they received in Season 2.

“There are some exciting things that will emerge in Season 4 that are influenced by what players expressed in Season 2,” Ismay notes.

More on the topic
“Mama is back”: Fans of Diablo 4 thought the big villain was dead, now he is coming back
von Nico Scheibel
Video about Lord of Hatred shows new feature for Diablo 4 for the first time, allows you to farm rare items relaxed
von Nicole Wakulczyk

Season 3 in Diablo 4 is basically already around the corner and starts in less than a week – on January 23. So you have a few days left to take care of the remaining tasks and secure any outstanding rewards. Here’s how you can prepare for the season start: Diablo 4: Season 3 starts on January 23 – What you should complete beforehand

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. gamesradar.com

Baldur’s Gate 3 will never come to Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus – Boss makes clear announcement

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

Anyone who planned to get the role-playing epic Baldur’s Gate 3 at a low price through a gaming subscription will be disappointed. The boss of Larian, Swen Vincke, has just clearly rejected subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus – for ideological reasons.

This is the situation:

  • In recent years, “subscription services” have become trendy: You subscribe, pay a relatively small monthly fee, and receive a few fresh games each month without additional costs.
  • The most well-known models are “Xbox Game Pass” and PS Plus.
  • However, the boss of Larian is now clearly rejecting these models for “his games” like Baldur’s Gate 3 on principle. In a world where this model is “dominant,” he says he does not want to be a gamer.
Start video
Baldur’s Gate 3 is coming to PS5 – Trailer prepares for console release

Larian boss does not want a world where subscription services decide everything

This is what Vincke says: In a series of posts on Twitter, the company head explains:

“You will not find our games in a subscription service, even though I recognize that such a service is an opportunity for many developers to develop their game. I have no problem with that. I just want to ensure that other business models do not die because they are also valuable.”

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

Why is he saying this? Vincke refers to a statement from a Ubisoft employee: Players should get used to not owning games, but rather borrowing them, as subscription services become increasingly important.

Vincke says: Content remains king. However, it will become increasingly difficult to develop good content if subscription services become the dominant model. Because then a small, selected group of people would determine what comes to market and what does not.

In such a world, one would have to convince the heads of subscription services of their own game, rather than the players. That would be a significant setback.

For him, “directly from the developer” is the right way.

A model where a subscription service decides which games come to market and which do not, is not a world gamers would want to live in. He should be trusted on this.

More on the topic
“I shouldn’t have opened my mouth” – Twitch streamer dared to criticize her colleagues, now says what consequences it has for her
von Johanna
28 years old MMORPG is re-released, earning up to 6 million euros daily
von Niko Hernes
ARC Raiders: Hurricane Caches – Every Location on All Maps
von Christos Tsogos

Larian wants money from players, not from publishers

What’s behind this: As PC Gamer notes, Vincke’s attitude stems from his own painful experience: Larian did not receive funding for their key projects in 2015 through the usual route, via major publishers who were convinced by their own games.

Instead, they went the route of borrowing from a bank, through external investors, and through backers on Kickstarter for Divinity: Original Sin. Nonetheless, they were close to bankruptcy.

If the original Divinity had not been a success back then, it would have meant the end for Larian, and Baldur’s Gate 3 would have never existed.

More on the topic:

Baldur’s Gate 3: Game of the Year will never land in Game Pass – the boss thinks that’s only fair 

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.