The first Twitch streamer from Sauercrowd reaches level 60, celebrates the moment with several characters in Goldshire, breaks down in tears

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

The first streamer from team Sauercrowd has reached the maximum level 60 with his character in WoW Classic! On the hardcore servers, this is a remarkable achievement celebrated by many players.

Who did it first? Last night, Hahn became the first streamer from the Sauercrowd guild to reach level 60 in WoW Classic Hardcore. This is a remarkable achievement for several reasons.

On these special servers of World of Warcraft, every virtual death means the immediate end of the character. Many of Hahn’s fellow players have impressively demonstrated how quickly that can happen in recent days. Even seemingly harmless elevators can be deadly in Azeroth. Hahn did not die even once on his journey.

Moreover, one must be faster than the sometimes very experienced WoW competition. Four more members of Sauercrowd are still in the high 50s level range: riirex, dhalucard, sieglinde, and tolkin. Therefore, a big congratulations to Hahn from us!

Start video
WoW Classic: The Hardcore Servers Are Here!

Tears in Goldshire

What was the moment like? Of course, Hahn’s last level-up was streamed live on Twitch. When the stream was about 3 hours and 50 minutes old, Hahn set off to Goldshire to collect the remaining experience points by completing a quest. There, many characters were already waiting for him to celebrate the moment together with the streamer.

The streamer was visibly moved by this. As he approached the quest giver, he could no longer hold back the tears of joy. Happy, he said: “Thank you so much for letting me be part of this project.” Then came a greeting to the Sauercrowd leadership, a click, and ding! Level 60.

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Who is Hahn? The streamer is only 24 years old but has been creating gaming content on Twitch since January 2015. He is one of the smaller content creators from Germany who is now gaining much more attention through the Sauercrowd project.

As Hahn stated himself on X in December 2025: “I have been stuck at ~26,000 to 28,000 followers for years, and there was never any movement. Now, after all these years, I’ve broken through the 30,000 followers on Twitch – I owe it all to #sauercrowd.” Now it’s even more than 41,270 followers.

Hahn reached a second milestone on January 2, 2026. On X, the streamer stated: “The first time in 11 years without a host hitting 1000 viewers. I had 20 three months ago. What the hell is going on????? THANK YOU HOLY SHIT #SAUERCROWD.”

Hahn is not the only streamer gaining exposure to significantly more viewers through the Sauercrowd project. A certain Brudivoeller is also making a name for himself, although his grandmother might not want to read the following message: Twitch streamer from Sauercrowd reveals HandOfBlood during dungeon run in WoW culinary sin, could set off 28 Days Later

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

20 years ago, it took 5 clicks to set up Windows: Today it takes 16 clicks, advertising, and poorly placed buttons

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

An author examined how easy it is to set up Windows. However, as the operating system gets younger, it becomes more extensive.

Taras Buria, a writer at Neowin.net, has explored in an article how extensive the setup of a Windows operating system is: He tested all systems from Windows Vista to Windows 11.

The setup of the popular operating system has changed significantly in the past 20 years, and not for the better. Buria describes today’s experience “as having to fend off an annoying salesperson rather than quickly making basic settings before getting to the desktop.”

The Steam Machine from Valve, by the way, does without the Windows operating system. We have embedded the trailer here for you:

Start video
Valve presents the Steam Machine in the new trailer

Setting up Windows Vista took a few clicks, while Windows 11 is anything but user-friendly

How long does setup take? The very old systems Windows Vista and 7 can be set up relatively quickly and easily: You need no more than 5 or 6 clicks, apart from entering the username and password once. Windows Vista dates back to 2006, which is now nearly 20 years ago.

From Windows 8 onward, the number of pages and settings rises to 8, but most features can be disabled and/or rely on so-called opt-in: You must consciously decide to activate certain features. There is no obligation here.

From Windows 10 onward, Microsoft uses significantly sharper methods for setting up its operating system: There are fewer options than in Windows 8, but all features are enabled by default, which is not optimal in terms of privacy. However, you can still disable most settings.

What about Windows 11? Windows 11, on the other hand, significantly expands the scope of pages and advertisements: In total, there are 18 pages with many features, advertisements, and poorly placed buttons, making it possible for you to accept things you may not have wanted. The declination of certain features is also hidden behind additional pages.

As a bonus, the advertisements for certain Microsoft products in Windows 11 are ubiquitous after setup: You will find references to Game Pass, the Edge browser, and Microsoft 365 in many places in your system. Even useful features are reportedly undermined by advertisements, and a rejection is hidden behind several sub-pages.

What does the community say? Users in a Reddit thread, also draw a similar conclusion as the author, where the analysis is discussed. Many users recommend various tools to clean up Windows 11 and remove annoying notifications.

Recommendations include “Windows 11 Debloater” or “Chris Titus Tech’s Windows Utility,” with which one can free their Windows installation from a lot of clutter. Another alternative: replacing Windows with Linux, which, however, is not always the easiest way.

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Windows 10 has officially been dead for several months now, yet millions still have the old operating system installed and now face a new problem: The rising hardware prices make switching to new hardware neither easier nor cheaper: Millions of users still have the old Windows 10 installed on their PCs and now face a new problem

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

A game on Steam proves that the world is relying on the wrong graphics engine, but now the developers seem to be making the same mistake as everyone else

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 3 minutes

The developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 have posted new job openings, but the job description reveals a major change that could significantly alter all new titles.

What is this change? The developers at Warhorse Studios, who published the medieval RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 last year (2025), could soon switch from their current engine.

While the two “Kingdom Come” titles were still developed on the CryEngine, a job posting on tech-artists.org suggests that the developers are looking for new developers with knowledge of the Unreal Engine. According to a report by PCGamesN, tech ops lead Jakub Holik has been searching for a senior technical animator and a dev ops engineer.

Although Warhorse’s publisher Plaion does not want to comment on the rumors, the engine switch could bring significant changes.

Here you can watch the trailer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2:

Start video
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 shows Royal Edition with all DLCs for the medieval role-playing game

The Strength of the CryEngine

What would a switch mean? The game engine is the development environment that composes every game. The Unreal Engine, in comparison, is the most commonly used engine for new titles, and many new developments are created with this engine.

The CryEngine, which is used at Warhorse Studios, has become rarer now, even though many titles, such as Aion, Hunt: Showdown, and Prey, were successful with it.

However, the decreasing prevalence of the engine is a problem, as finding employees with the necessary skills to work with the program is more difficult than with the more well-known Unreal Engine. Many studios work with Unreal Engine, and many developers can handle it.

Yet the CryEngine also has some advantages. It provides particularly good graphics, even with poor hardware. For instance, you can play Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 with the almost 10-year-old GTX 1060.

The Strength of the CryEngine was also explained by the director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: “The Unreal Engine 5 is perfect for dry worlds, rocks, and deserts, but not for trees and dense vegetation.” However, it is these lush forests and fields that characterize the medieval RPG.

A switch to the Unreal Engine would mean that the next title from the studio would look visually different and would particularly make concessions in terms of flora and fauna. However, it could be easier for the developers to recruit new staff.

A Change with Consequences

MeinMMO author Cedric Holmeier says: I love wandering through virtual Bohemia and can hardly get enough of the beautiful landscapes. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has a great strength in its graphics. As a village child, I feel at home in the games, as the forests and fields look much more realistic than in most other titles.

Similarly, like many other MMORPG fans, I can almost tell that games are now using Unreal Engine 5, which, although not negative, has made me personally a bit oversaturated with games that have the same look.

The CryEngine, however, was simply a strength of the studio, delivering a game with good performance and good graphics due to its great capabilities. Now, while many people are searching for jobs due to economic reasons, conducting a potential engine switch just to find it easier to recruit employees does not make sense to me.

A switch to Unreal Engine 5 for a potential Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3 or another RPG sounds harsh, as the developers would give up a clear strength. However, nothing is set in stone yet, and there remains hope for more beautiful landscapes thanks to the CryEngine.

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Whether the developers will actually switch the engine is still unclear. The job postings could also relate to a spinoff, a mobile game, or a web application. The future of Warhorse and what title is next is still uncertain. How the development of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 unfolded is shown in a documentary: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one of the best RPGs of 2025 – A new documentary shows how the game came to be

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

User complains about a dirty PC they have to clean – shows with an image just how harmful smoking can be for your hardware

jan hartmayer jan hartmayer Reading time 2 minutes

A crafter shocks Reddit with a photo. He has been tasked with cleaning a computer, and it is something else. Dirt, smoke, and grime from years of use have built up in masses. 

What did the crafter post? The user enhanced_flower1 shares in his Reddit post from January 6, 2026 a PC picture of a customer. He explains that the customer was wondering why his device was so slow. 

Opening the computer later shocked the Reddit user. He writes: “How can something like this even happen?” 

The device was wrapped in thick layers of smoke from top to bottom. The CPU cooler, graphics card, and power supply fan were completely covered. Even the cables were already infested with brown soot deposits.

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The motherboard appears to be an Intel model from 2013, as the LGA 1150 socket is visible. This suggests that the PC is likely several years old and has probably never been cleaned before. Why this would have been a good idea is highlighted by another user, who cleans his PC for the first time after 8 years. 

In the Reddit comments, the crafter posts a second picture of the device the same day after he had blown it out with compressed air. The difference is enormous. The smoke deposits have almost completely disappeared, but the insides are still heavily soiled. 

If you don’t feel like cleaning a gaming PC, you can instead take a look at the contents of the Switch 2:

Start video
The Nintendo Switch 2 in the unboxing video

Cigarettes harm not only your health

How harmful is smoking for your hardware? The short answer is: It is harmful. Not only can important air circulation be interrupted by the additional dirt, but your devices can also wear out faster. 

In the crafter’s example, the cooling of the PC was likely severely affected, which in turn negatively impacts the performance of the device. Modern processors slow down due to lack of cooling to protect against overheating. As a result, you actively lose performance. 

But not only lack of cooling is a problem for hardware. Stuck dirt can corrode electronics due to moisture. Parts of the electronics can be slowly attacked and decomposed by chemical reactions. In particular, high temperatures can indicate poor PC hygiene. One user was even surprised that you have to clean your computer at all. 

From dirty PCs to advertising for research

What else does the user point out? Although the post is designed as a joke, the Reddit user also draws attention to a project by Stanford University. The so-called Folding. He added the website link to the project in a follow-up the same day. 

It is software intended to loan the computing power of your computer to Stanford University’s research. This is aimed at advancing research on diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s. 

According to the website, you do not have to provide sensitive data such as email or name, but you can for extra points within the application. You only need to install the software and choose how much power you want to lend and when. 

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Furthermore, it should be possible to select whether the program starts with the PC and whether it is always active. Alternatively, it should be possible to limit the use of the program by time. But not only on Reddit is there advertising for donations. Streamers also collect donations for good causes: Gronkh and PietSmiet raise over 1.75 million euros for a good cause on Twitch, breaking their own record.

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

All 5 Seasons of Stranger Things Ranked – Which is the Best?

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 4 minutes

Stranger Things has ended with 5 seasons of the mystery series released over 9 years. But which one is actually the best? MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes reveals it to you.

How was this list created? Since Stranger Things has ended with season 5, we are now ranking all 5 seasons of Stranger Things on this list. We include the entirety of individual seasons and show which episode of each season was rated the highest on IMDb.

The ranking is based on the author’s personal opinion and is purely subjective. If you have a different, personal ranking of the seasons, feel free to let us know in the comments.

[toc]

5. Season 2

Start video
Stranger Things shows in the trailer for Season 2 what happened to Will after he returned
  • Highest rated episode on IMDb: Episode 9 (Chapter nine: The Gate) with a rating of 9.3 out of 10 from over 46,800 ratings.

When I try to recall all the seasons of Stranger Things, I find it hardest with Season 2. After the fantastic first season, everything seemed a bit toned down. Many episodes are simply forgettable, and Will as such a central character didn’t always work for me.

Cool new characters like Max or Murray were introduced and the emotional moments around Bob worked as well. Unfortunately, the Mindflayer here falls short of its potential as a villain. Its design is really strong, but this ongoing threat from the being just doesn’t come across.

The season still has many good moments, but compared to the rest, it falls a bit short. Nevertheless, the season finale here is a spectacle.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Ttielbildquelle: Netflix.com
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

The Elder Scrolls Online transforms the payment model again in 2026, presents unusual experiments

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 6 minutes

In a long livestream, the developers of The Elder Scrolls Online presented their plans for 2026. There was hardly anything to see. However, all fans of the MMORPG can expect a flood of – partly surprising – innovations.

What does the plan for ESO in 2026 look like? You have certainly noticed that the Zenimax team already changed a lot in The Elder Scrolls Online at the end of 2024. The annual chapters were history, instead, 2025 saw the start of the first season of the MMORPG, which also brought the new subclasses to Tamriel and marked the debut of the Content Pass.

Back then, it was clear that 2025 would be a transitional year and that only in 2026 would the seasons and the promised experiments really kick off. The current livestream about the future of Elder Scrolls Online convincingly reinforced this. For almost 45 minutes, the developers bombarded the community on Twitch with a barrage of information bites. The key insights:

  • They want to continue bringing new content to Tamriel every quarter, but these should be more unpredictable and varied through the seasonal model than they have been in the past. 4 seasons per year, each lasting 3 months, are planned.
  • All future playable content for ESO (such as new quests, zones, features, dungeons, and so on) will be free for every owner of the ESO base game starting from the launch of “Season Zero” (this also applies to players via Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus). No new Content Pass is planned for 2026.
  • Old, previously paid add-ons will be gradually integrated into the base game. Starting in March with Update 49, the Thieves Guild, the Dark Brotherhood, and Orsinium will be included.
  • A Battle Pass system will serve as a new monetization source; ESO Plus will continue to exist at the usual price, with the known benefits and some new bonuses (such as for progress in the Battle Pass or the cap for Transmutation Crystals). Anyone who subscribes to ESO Plus for a total of 12 months will receive a token each time for the most expensive version of the Battle Pass.
  • From Update 49, all platforms will receive new content simultaneously. Console players will therefore no longer have to wait several weeks longer than their PC counterparts.
  • Among the planned experiments they want to conduct in 2026 is the introduction of world oceans, large ships, and ship battles. An event zone for groups that will be significantly tougher than other content from ESO is also planned.
  • Successful experiments may find their way into the game more frequently or permanently in the future.
Start video
The Elder Scrolls Online: Your World, Your Playstyle – Live Action Trailer Lures You to Tamriel

Historical Change

During the stream, the developers emphasized once again that a departure from the chapters was necessary to maintain the required flexibility for upcoming content. Each expansion tied up a large part of the team for around 18 months, with a release cycle of 12 months. There was never much time to respond to feedback from the community or to take risks.

The new direction is expected to feel historically significant for ESO in hindsight, similar to the launch of One Tamriel 10 years ago. Back then, the developers introduced flexible level scaling in the world and completely overhauled the endgame.

Part of this change includes involving players earlier in the development of new content. Through earlier availability, improved transparency, surveys, AMA rounds on Reddit, and clear responses on how feedback from the community has influenced content.

What this can look like in practice has already been demonstrated by the developers with their detailed plans regarding upcoming adjustments for all classes.

In addition, a new task force within the ESO team has been formed, which has only one job: to identify the most requested features and improvements from the community, assess their feasibility, and gradually bring the feasible wishes into the game. The first of these implementations will come with Update 49 (see below).

ESO Seasons in 2026
Tamriel is preparing for an exciting year in 2026.

The Roadmap for 2026

Here again are the known dates and innovations for 2026:

Season Zero and Updates 49 and 50 in Spring / Early Summer

  • Release of Update 49: March 9, 2026 on all platforms
  • Season: The first group event zone “The Night Market” with a very high difficulty level and a special reward (a playable house that can be upgraded through progress and has an integrated bank) – Start time: April 29, 2026, should be available until mid-June
  • Season: Introduction of Battle Pass system called “Tamriel Tomes” – with free and paid pages that can be unlocked through all kinds of gameplay points, which can then be exchanged for rewards
  • Season: New PvP progression system coming in June that aims to offer exclusive rewards for PvP fans
  • Season: New difficulty levels for open world (first version to be expanded in the future)
  • Season: Playable rewards through the new “Gold Coast Bazaar”, including formerly limited rewards that have not been available for a long time – the items available there will rotate and are paid for with the new currency “Trade Bars” (obtained through the Battle Pass (especially through the free path) and by playing the game)
  • Update 49: Visual overhaul and balance adjustment for Dragon Knight class and two-handed weapon skills
ESO: Dragon Knight
The Dragon Knight skills will be overhauled first.
  • Update 49: Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood and Orsinium will become part of the base game
  • Update 49: Account-wide outfit slots
  • Update 49: Free respec within the interface
  • Update 49: Return to the 30-day list of guild traders
  • Update 49: Faster horse training (3 stat upgrades at a time instead of just one)
  • Update 49: A new mount for gold is being added to the game. 16 other mounts will be removed from the Crown Store and also made available for gold in-game
  • Update 49: The cap for furnishings will be increased in many properties (the missing properties are to follow gradually because some property types still have technical limitations that need to be resolved)
  • Update 49: You can hide items like gloves, pants, chest armor, and shoes
  • Update 49: Items for vampires and werewolves will disappear from the Crown Store, instead, there will be new starter quests, and the cleansing costs 0 crowns
  • Update 49: The costs for bags and bank slots will be reduced, the UI for bags will be updated
  • Update 50: Visual overhaul and balance adjustments for werewolf class
Tamriel Tomes – the new Battle Pass of ESO
The developers want to offer the “Tamriel Tomes” Battle Pass in 3 variants:
– Free Tome for free – available only during the season, offering rewards like new armor, 8,000 seals of endeavor, alternative skill and weapon styles, furniture, new currency “Trade Bars”
– Premium Tome for $14.99, can also be completed after the season ends, providing additional rewards
– Premium + Bonuses for $29.99, with Premium benefits plus bonus cosmetics and faster progress in the Battle Pass

Season 1 and Update 51 in Summer / Fall

  • Season: Story content and quests around the Thieves Guild
  • Season: Feature “Sage’s Vault”, corresponding to the new Thieves Guild content
  • Season: Multi-phase events for groups in the open world
  • Season: Story content and quests around Sheogorath
  • Season: Trial “Crimson Veldt”
  • Update 51: Visual overhaul and balance adjustment for Warden class

Season 2 and Update 52 in Fall / Winter

  • Season: Event “High Seas of Tamriel”, which is likely to revolve around the planned ship battles.
  • Season: Solo dungeons “Moon Hunter Keep” and “March of Sacrifices” with multiple modes (including an easy story mode)
  • Season: Grand world event in Skyrim: “Dynamic Storms”
  • Update 52: Visual overhaul and balance adjustment for Sorcerer class
  • Update 52: Chapter Greymoor will become part of the base game

The developers also gave a preview of various improvements that are to follow throughout the year, for which there are yet to be update assignments, including guild housing, improvements for guild mails and the guild bank, crossplay, and much more. Many detail improvements are also planned for the PvP area.

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In the coming weeks and months, there will be a whole series of articles in which the developers will detail each feature and update. MeinMMO will keep you updated on the most exciting innovations in ESO, of course. It’s just a pity that the studio is no longer working on the new MMORPG: Microsoft scrapped its dream game, despite their love for it: Ex-CEO of Elder Scrolls Online explains why he left ZeniMax

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

League of Legends shows its trailer for the first season of 2026, players compare a character to a well-known anime figure

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

League of Legends begins its first season of the year on January 8, 2026. In line with this, the creators of the MOBA have released a new cinematic trailer that can be watched even by users who have never had anything to do with the game.

What kind of video is it? The first season is all about the theme “For Demacia”. Accordingly, some characters associated with the region of Demacia make an appearance, including Quinn and Garen. Sona is also seen in the trailer with her musical instrument.

The video description states:

In the darkest hours, there is always a glimmer of hope. The first season of 2026, For Demacia, is dawning. Stand up, defend the light, and fight for good.

The characters defend themselves in the video against a dark threat, which is represented in the form of shadows or a frightening dragon. In the background of the video, the song Salvation, created in collaboration with Forts, plays.

Start video
League of Legends shows new trailer for Season 1 from 2026

Cinematics excite people who don’t play LoL

How is the video received? In the comments below the YouTube video and on Reddit, there are mixed reactions. It’s noticeable: There are many commenters who don’t play League of Legends, but still enjoy watching the videos. One user mentioned he has been following the cinematics since 2018 but has never played LoL.

This is also reflected in the top comment: The writer states that he finds it brave how Hatsune Miku defends the city. He means Sona, who indeed looks a bit like Hatsune Miku with her turquoise braids. This refers to a virtual anime girl, who even got her own movie.

On one hand, there are users who wish that such cinematics would never stop. Players are excited to see certain characters. The appearance of Quinn surprised many.

On the other hand, some users feel that the song could have a bit more punch. One user wrote on Reddit that he feels like he hears the same song every season. Additionally, the lyrics are hardly audible in the song.

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The new season brings various changes. These include the removal of a monster, quests for each role, and fairy lights for better visibility. What players can expect from the new season, you can find out on MeinMMO: The first season of 2026 starts tomorrow in LoL, removes controversial monster from the game 

On the other hand, some users feel that the song could have a bit more punch. One user wrote on Reddit that he feels like he hears the same song every season. Additionally, the lyrics are hardly audible in the song.

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The new season brings various changes. These include the removal of a monster, quests for each role, and fairy lights for better visibility. What players can expect from the new season, you can find out on MeinMMO: The first season of 2026 starts tomorrow in LoL, removes controversial monster from the game 

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

Just before the end of Anthem, a player gets a rare trophy that only 0.7% of all users have received

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

Not long now, and the servers of the MMO Anthem will be permanently shut down. While some players can no longer download the title, one user has taken the last few days to secure an important trophy.

What is the situation with Anthem? The MMO from publisher EA and developer BioWare was, in the eyes of many players, a bitter disappointment. Nevertheless, there are still fans of the title today. Recently, it was announced that the servers will go offline on January 12, 2026 – the final blow for a title designed for online play.

But even earlier, just a few days ago, users reported that they could no longer download and play the game. The problem apparently did not occur for all players. Those who were still able to connect to the servers are enjoying the last days and hours – including one user who accomplished a feat achieved by only 0.7% of all players.

Select a MMO video…

The Prayers of the Grandmaster

Which user is being referred to? On Reddit, the player KingExile96 spoke up and proudly showed in his post that he received the final and rarest trophy of Anthem on January 5, 2026.

This is called “Grandmaster” and is awarded only to those players who managed to grab all the other 46 achievements of the game. In the case of Anthem, only a fraction of all users managed to do this – namely 0.7%. The platinum trophy can no longer be achieved after Anthem shuts down, making it even more valuable.

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Under a screenshot that documents the achievement, the user expresses joy over his accomplishment and describes Anthem overall as “memorable.” He further expresses the wish that the developers would not shut the game down but rather hand it over to another company:

I want it to get another chance! It has potential. It was stressful to get the trophies, but it was also so much fun to roam around, fight bosses, and execute elemental combos… Man, I will miss this game so much. Anthem will remain in my heart.

In the comments under the post, other users join in the prayers that Anthem should please remain online. Another user, however, expresses little hope: “It’s EA, you might as well be talking to a wall.”

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Even if the game will no longer be online soon, the player’s achievement remains. That he reached it at the last moment is remarkable. Are you among the 0.7% that can call themselves “Grandmaster” in Anthem? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments. One problem with the game could have been its genre: Former lead developer of Anthem explains why the looter-shooter genre destroyed the gaming experience

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

In a shooter on Steam you must use cheats to survive, because each hit degrades your PC’s performance

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

A new shooter will soon be released on Steam, presenting an innovative concept: When you take hits, your framerate drops. You can counteract this with various tricks, some of which are far from honorable.

What kind of game is this? FPS Quest is an upcoming shooter by the developer Farlight Games Industries on Steam, whose name may not sound very creative at first glance. However, the game mechanics turn the classic shooter gameplay on its head and bring some exciting ideas to the genre.

The catch of the title: Your framerate, or FPS, corresponds to your health. When you get hit in the game, the frames per second drop, and the image gradually becomes choppier.

If you get hit too often, it quickly leads to a slideshow that primarily brings one thing: death. To prevent this, FPS Quest offers a range of tricks you can use against the game to keep your life and framerate up.

Start video
In the shooter FPS Quest, each hit lowers your framerate – Watch the trailer here

A shooter that wants to be optimized

What tricks are there? What do you usually do when your PC is too weak for a consistently high framerate? Exactly, head into the game settings and adjust certain graphics options until the gameplay runs smoothly. A developer has revealed what the secret of good performance is.

Such tricks can help in FPS Quest. However, in addition to simple adjustments to textures, shadows, or effects, you can also remove elements of the levels, including pillars, doors, or floors.

This may boost your FPS, but at the same time, the level sections, which are generated anew each run, become increasingly dangerous. If you remove too many important elements, you may find yourself running around completely disoriented – but enjoying a pleasantly fluid gaming experience.

Defeated enemies also grant you some frames per second. More effectively, there are the cheats that the game provides. With these, you can speed up or slow down the shooter, allowing you to fight in slow motion.

You’ll receive additional help, but also resistance, throughout the game from various factions, some of which will support you in your runs, while others aim to stop you. Above all, there is the so-called Dungeon Lord, a crazy AI that interferes with the level structure and causes considerable chaos.

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How exactly you approach FPS Quest and which tricks you ultimately use is entirely up to you. The developers emphasize on the official Steam page that you need not fear headaches from low framerates: The low-FPS world is only simulated, and your actual hardware remains unaffected by the settings in the game.

Is there already a release date? Unfortunately, not yet. However, you can already add FPS Quest to your wishlist on Steam, so you won’t miss anything about the game. Besides the exciting game concept, FPS is also a significant technical aspect in other titles. Tools can help to increase it: Popular app on Steam promises more FPS for 7 euros – MeinMMO has tested it in several MMORPGs

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

Ubisoft closes studio behind Rainbow Six Mobile, over 70 employees lose their jobs

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Ubisoft closes the Halifax studio in Canada, where around 71 employees are employed. And this only a few weeks after a union was formed by the employees.

Why is there a closure? In a statement obtained by VGC, a spokesperson for Ubisoft writes that the company has been implementing measures for “streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and reducing costs” for 2 years. Years ago, the CEO called on his employees to increase their work commitment and cost awareness.

As a result, Ubisoft Halifax must now close. The closure affects 71 jobs, who now have to hope to find other positions within Ubisoft – or alternatively must start job searching. Ubisoft aims to support them:

We are committed to supporting all affected team members during this transition phase with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career counseling.

The measures are said to have occurred shortly after the corona pandemic. As part of this, Ubisoft Massive has already been reshaped, both in resources and in the team. Halifax is therefore not the only affected studio.

Start video
Rainbow Six Mobile: First gameplay shows what the tactical shooter looks like on mobile

Closure comes after union formation

Why is Halifax so critical? The closure comes just days after the report that the employees of Halifax have formed their own union. The process is said to have started in June 2025.

With the voluntary association of employees, they would have represented common interests towards the employer. This could include better working conditions and higher wages.

Ubisoft claims that the closure was decided long before the union was founded and that they had full respect for the formation.

What is Halifax known for? The studio has focused mainly on the mobile games sector. Two well-known titles from the studio are Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Rebellion. Both are free-to-play titles that should be financed by in-game purchases.

Presumably, the live operation of the two titles will be discontinued due to a continuous decline in game revenues. However, there was no explicit statement about it.

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Just in 2025, Ubisoft entered into a collaboration with Tencent. The two companies have founded a new subsidiary that deals with 3 major IPs from Ubisoft. What exactly happens there can be found on MeinMMO: Ubisoft is now indeed collaborating with Tencent, selling stakes in 3 important game series for 1 billion euros

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. gamesindustry.biz
  2. Ubisoft Halifax

The first season of 2026 starts today in LoL and removes a controversial monster from the game

Nico Scheibel Nico Scheibel Reading time 3 minutes

The new season of League of Legends starts on January 8, 2026, ringing in the new year for the MOBA. Many changes will be made, and a controversial monster will be completely removed.

What will change in the new season of LoL? The complete patch notes for the new season have not yet been published, but Riot has already given a preview for the first season of 2026. Not only will the controversial monster Atakhan be leaving, but many other changes will also be introduced (leagueoflegends.com).

The trailer for the new season will be released on January 7, 2026, at 4:55 PM on the official YouTube channel of League of Legends.

You can navigate to the individual points in our directory.

[toc]

Start video
The trailer of the new champion of League of Legends showcases his abilities in action

The epic monster Atakhan will be removed

Atakhan was added in January 2025 for the first season. In the same month, some players criticized the buff from the epic monster that rewarded you if you died on purpose. Players in the League of Legends subreddit also complained about Atakhan, stating he was unnecessary and too much for the junglers.

Riot has taken the criticism to heart and is removing the short-lived monster with the new season. They cite the overwhelming number of objectives on the map as the reason. With Atakhan, the Blood Roses will also be removed.

The “Feat of Strength” will also be removed

The “Feat of Strength” were introduced to League of Legends in 2025, just like Atakhan. This mechanic will also be removed to reduce objectives on the map.

By completing certain tasks, such as the first three kills of champions or destroying the first turret, a team could finish the “Feats of Strength” challenge and unlock an upgrade for their shoes.

With this mechanic’s removal, there will be more gold available for the first kill in the game and for the first turret destroyed.

Quests for each role

The roles Jungle and Support already have a role-specific quest for important upgrades. With the new season of 2026, Toplane, Midlane, and Botlane will also have theirs, provided they complete their quest:

  • The Toplaner receives increased experience, a new level cap, and a free teleport (like the summoner spell, but with a longer cooldown).
  • The Midlane receives the shoe upgrade from the “Feats of Strength.” Additionally, they will be able to teleport back to base faster, albeit with a cooldown.
  • The Botlaner receives a gold reward upon completing the quest and earns more gold for each minion or champion defeated. With all that gold, they can finally buy a seventh item to scale even stronger.

Although the Jungler and the Support already have a quest, they will also receive some minor updates:

  • The Jungler gains increased movement speed in their territory, as well as more gold for slain monsters.
  • As a Support, they receive additional passive gold income and a special item slot for Wards.
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Faelights for more visibility

The Wards that provide you with more visibility in League of Legends to see early enemy rotations will receive a new mechanic. The Faelights are pre-determined locations that exist at the start of a round and grant the ward placed there increased sight range.

At later points in time, such as when the map changes due to in-game events, there will be additional Faelights. With this mechanic, Riot aims to simplify learning how to effectively enhance visibility on the map.

Pushing is easier and more rewarding

In League of Legends, lanes must be pushed to destroy towers and ultimately the Nexus to win the game. The new mechanic “Crystalline Growth” affects the towers and is consumed on hit, dealing additional damage.

The tower armor, which only applied to the first towers and was removed at minute 14, is now permanently active. Additionally, the inner towers and those before the inhibitors will also have tower armor. For each armor destroyed, you will receive gold and this is designed to reward aggressive pushing should the tower not be fully destroyed.

Nine new items and two old acquaintances

With the new season, new items will also be introduced to Summoner’s Rift. There will be a total of nine items and they are intended to provide each class (like Tank, Assassin, or Mage) with new opportunities. Additionally, the items “Hextech Gunblade” and “Stormrazor” will be brought back.

Riot states that they have closely examined which classes haven’t received enough support from previous items and will fill that gap with the new items.

Rounds now start faster

Previously, the first minions appeared at the 65-second mark of a round. With the new season, the little helpers will spawn as early as the 30-second mark. Jungle monsters will also have a faster spawn accordingly.

Riot assures that invading the enemy jungle is still possible, players just need to decide faster whether they want to take that risk.

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Although the year 2026 is still in its infancy and the first season of League of Legends is just starting, there is already information about 2027. Riot plans to extensively overhaul their MOBA in the form of a graphics update, a new client, and an improved experience for new players: Riot announces one of the largest updates in the history of LoL, plans a comprehensive overhaul of the entire game

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

Player proves how easy Path of Exile 2 really is, finishes it in just 3 hours

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

Path of Exile 2 offers decent challenges for its players. But the best player of the ARPG shows how easy it can be.

Who is it about? The “Path of Exile 2” speedrunner Angormus was recently a guest at the charity event “Awesome Games Done Quick”, where speedrunners showcase their skills and raise donations. The donations go to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, which deals with cancer prevention and early detection.

Speedrunner Angormus is likely the best player when it comes to speedruns in Path of Exile 2. Out of the nine official races held by the developers, he won six and remains undefeated when playing a warrior character. This time, he also demonstrated how skilled he is.

Here you can watch the trailer for the current season of Path of Exile 2:

Start video
Trailer zu Path of Exile 2: Fate of the Vaal zeigt die Königin der Vaal

Finished in less than 3 hours

How did the speedrunner perform? During the charity event, speedrunner Angormus played his favorite class, the warrior. While others typically take a weekend to play through Path of Exile 2 at the start of the season, the player showed that it can be done much faster.

Without help from other players and without trading, the speedrunner defeated Path of Exile 2 in just 2 hours and 55 minutes. He played his character from the start in Act 1 to the new Tavakai end boss in Act 4.

During the nearly three-hour run, the speedrunner died seven times and nearly an eighth time against the end boss, as the boss threw several of the most challenging attacks at him due to bad luck. However, Angormus also showed in the final battle why he is the best player of the ARPG and survived that encounter as well.

You can watch the entire video here on YouTube:

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How does the community react to the speedrun? The community of Path of Exile 2 finds the performance of the speedrunner incredible. Many viewers comment that they could watch the video on YouTube several times in a row and still not be done with the campaign.

Other players are simply happy to see Path of Exile 2 at Awesome Games Done Quick and that donations for a good cause could be collected with the ARPG.

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The donation livestream from Games Done Quick is one of the largest charity events in the gaming world and takes place every six months. In Germany, some streamers have started their own charity event over 10 years ago and were also recently very successful: Gronkh and PietSmiet raise over 1.75 million Euros for a good cause on Twitch, breaking their own record

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

Pokémon GO: Raids, legendary bosses and raid hours in January 2026

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

January 2026 also brings several raids in Pokémon GO. What they are has been summarized for you by MeinMMO.

As every month, there are not only various events and spotlight hours in Pokémon GO, but also several raids and raid hours for you.

We have created an overview with all raid bosses and raid hours in January 2026 for you. Monsters that can also be obtained here as shiny are marked with an *.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

Raid hours in January 2026 in Pokémon GO

Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM, the so-called raid hour takes place in Pokémon GO. During this time, the raid boss that is highlighted in the event appears very frequently and in many arenas in the game.

DateRaid Hour
January 7Genesect (Flame Module)* and
Genesect (Freeze Module)*
January 14Genesect (Flame Module)* and
Genesect (Freeze Module)*
January 21Voltolos (Incarnate Form)*
January 28Boreos (Incarnate Form)*

Level 5 Raids and Mega Raids: Bosses in January 2026

In addition to the raid hours, there will also be rotating level 5 and mega raids waiting for you. What they are has been summarized for you. We have also linked suitable counter guides directly for you.

DateRaid Boss
January 3 – 4Crypto-Cresselia*
Counters against Crypto-Cresselia
January 5 – 16Genesect (Flame Module)* and
Genesect (Freeze Module)*
Counters against Genesect
January 5 – 16Mega-Lohgock*
Counters against Mega-Lohgock
January 10 – 11Crypto-Cresselia*
January 16 – 25Voltolos (Incarnate Form)*
Counters against Voltolos (Incarnate Form)
January 16 – 25Mega-Gewaldro*
Counters against Mega-Gewaldro
January 17 – 18Crypto-Cresselia*
January 24 – 25Crypto-Cresselia*
January 25 – February 4Boreos (Incarnate Form)*
Counters against Boreos (Incarnate Form)
January 25 – February 4Mega-Ampharos*
Counters against Mega-Ampharos
January 31 – February 1Crypto-Cresselia*

Which monsters are especially worth it? Generally, all bosses in January 2026 are solid attackers. However, Mega-Lohgock and Mega-Gewaldro stand out here. While the mega version of Lohgock belongs to the absolute top of the best fire-type attackers in Pokémon GO, Mega-Gewaldro is a very strong grass-type attacker.

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In addition to the raids, there are also various spotlight hours and events that await you this month. If you want to know when they take place and what content awaits you there, take a look at our overview with all events in January 2026 in Pokémon GO.

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

Twitch streamer Tolkin becomes president of a new LoL team, aiming to become German champions together

Nico Scheibel Nico Scheibel Reading time 2 minutes

The Twitch streamer Tolkin is now the president of a new team in League of Legends. Together, they want to conquer the German Prime League and become champions.

What is this new LoL team? The multiple winners of the European Regional League of League of Legends, G2 Esports, has created a new roster in collaboration with the Scandinavian team NORD. The resulting team is called G2 NORD and aims to shake up the German pro scene.

What is Tolkin’s role in the team? The Twitch streamer and former LoL professional Tolkin has been announced as the president of G2 NORD. According to the blog post from G2 Esports, Tolkin is meant to drive the project’s vision forward and act as a bridge between competition, content, and the community (g2esports.com).

Start video
The trailer of the new champion of League of Legends showcases his abilities in action

G2 NORD has high ambitions in the LoL pro scene

What does the new team want to achieve? G2 NORD has several goals within the LoL scene. The team wants to conquer the German Regional League Prime League and become German champions. The blog post also states that they want to become the strongest team in Germany.

According to the CEO of G2, the organization has given little love and attention to the most loyal fans, especially from Germany. The CEO further states: “This project is supposed to bring us closer together again, make us listen more closely, and build something that German fans can truly call their own.”

Additionally, new talents should be promoted, making it easier for players to transition to professional status.

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Who is playing in the new team G2 NORD? The team has already established its roster, which includes the following players:

  • Francesco “Shelfmade” Cardia as Toplaner
  • Mark “Markoon” van Woensel as Jungler
  • Alex “Toasty” Chea as Midlaner
  • Khalil “Rin” Sahraoui as ADC
  • Timo “Tockimo” Bock as Support

The new team will train with G2 Esports. Among them plays the Midlaner and LoL star Caps, who has already achieved many titles with his team. Unfortunately, they could not win Worlds 2025, but G2 has demonstrated why they are the greatest LoL hope for Europe: Danish superstar shows with his team in LoL why they are the biggest LoL hope for Europe

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. https://x.com/G2esports/status/2008554765312241957
  2. g2esport.com

Lego introduces a smart brick, calling it the “most significant development” in 50 years

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Lego introduces a surprising innovation to its building sets after 50 years: a smart Lego brick with intelligent functions. First sets have already been presented.

Lego introduces a completely unexpected innovation to its bricks after many years: a smart brick that is said to have various abilities and bring entirely new functions to Lego products.

According to the magazine TheVerge, the company Lego describes these new smart bricks as “the most significant development in the Lego System-in-Play since the introduction of the Lego minifigure in 1978.”

Select a MMO video…

A new smart brick from Lego is meant to make sets “come alive”

What can the “Smart Brick” do? The “Smart Brick” contains an NFC chip that is supposed to detect other bricks and tags nearby. If this “Smart Brick” detects a Smart Tag nearby, it will, according to the company’s information, bring entire Lego sets to life: music will play, you will hear the hum of lightsabers, or other features will be activated. You can also find some initial information on the official German page of Lego.

Which sets are being launched first? Initially, there will be three Lego sets for Star Wars that are to be equipped with the corresponding smart bricks:

  • A TIE Fighter with Darth Vader for 70 US dollars.
  • Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing for 100 US dollars
  • The throne room with Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and the Emperor, including an A-Wing. Price: 160 US dollars.

According to the German page, the first sets can be pre-ordered in about 2 days, as a countdown is running. However, there are still no German prices available, but at first glance, the sets do not seem much more expensive than the regular sets on the “Star Wars” theme. The regular sets have also not been particularly cheap and Star Wars has long been among the high-priced sets.

In the future, more sets are likely to follow, as otherwise the company would not simply call these bricks the most significant development in recent years.

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Lego has recreated the Bugatti Chiron from Lego bricks. The result is quite impressive, and even more impressive is the fact that the model can even drive. Although not as fast as the actual vehicle from the manufacturer Bugatti: Lego has built a Bugatti from more than 1 million bricks, and it can even drive

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

New gadget from Razer brings LoL legend Faker to your desk – it should not only help you while gaming

jan hartmayer jan hartmayer Reading time 3 minutes

The gaming manufacturer Razer is showcasing the advancement of AI technology. The new device is supposed to assist players during gaming and even go beyond that. 

What kind of gadget is this? The Project Ava, as Razer calls it, is an AI companion in a round, real vessel that you can place on your desk. It is designed to help you play better. In addition to coaching features, a hologram of a pre-made figure, such as Faker, can be seen within the device. The well-known League player is supposed to be able to troll you via voice function. Whether this lives up to the original, as fans claim, remains to be seen.

As early as the beginning of 2025, Razer had experimented with an AI for esports coaching. Project Ava is the further development of this initiative and is not supposed to be limited to the gaming sector.  

The device was recently presented at CES 2026 and can already be pre-ordered on the official Razer site. For this, you need a website account and must pay a fee of 20 US dollars for a reservation. The amount of approximately 17 euros (as of January 7, 2026) will then be deducted from the order. 

The device is expected to be available in the second half of 2026. Currently, it is not possible to pre-order the gadget on the German Razer site. A price has not yet been announced. 

Razer uses AI to help you, while students have started using artificial intelligence and a camera to steal sensitive data from others. You can find out more about it in the following video:

Start video
Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds

An Alexa that also helps you while gaming

What can the gadget do? In addition to the holograms of pre-made avatars or companions, as the manufacturer calls them, the device is also supposed to be able to see your screen and flexibly respond to its content. 

This is particularly supposed to help you with tips from the famous LoL pro Faker on how to play more effectively and die less often. Depending on the settings, sarcastic comments during losses and praise during wins are also possible. How good the pro is, his home country Korea already knows. There he is even honored as an athlete and lands in the Hall of Fame for athletes.

According to the manufacturer, Project Ava is also supposed to serve as a daily planner, wellness and routine coach, brainstorming partner at work, translator, and gaming companion. Thus, the device is not only intended for gaming.

Possible classification as cheating

Does this count as cheating? The question of whether such a device counts as an attempt to cheat in games is pertinent. After all, you receive assistance from outside through software. Many games like Counter Strike 2, League of Legends, or Battlefield have strict rules regarding external software that provides you with an advantage while playing.

In its own FAQs, Razer states that AVA is designed only as a coach and trainer, not as a tool for winning. They are working on ensuring that all features comply with the terms of use of games. 

The goal is to sharpen the skills of buyers, improve their mechanics, and learn new strategies. It is not supposed to provide any unfair advantage over other players. 

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Many games already use programs, known as anti-cheat software, to expose users while playing. If a gamer is recognized by the system, they will be flagged and receive a penalty depending on the rule violation. Some of these programs have been in development for years and are nearly unbeatable: Riot’s anti-cheat in LoL and Valorant is so good that you could now earn almost 2 years’ salary if you overcome it

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

New MMORPG on Steam lets you rise from farmer to noble knight, launching today in Early Access

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

Working your way up from the clumsy farmer to the noble knight was likely a dream that many people held hundreds of years ago. In the new MMORPG Past Fate, you can replay it today on Steam.

What kind of MMORPG is this? With Past Fate, a new Kickstarter MMORPG enters the scene, which at first does not sound extraordinary in terms of setting: medieval, knights, castles, and of course various monsters that also appear in typical medieval fantasy adventures.

However, the new MMORPG consciously opts for a simplified version that primarily rewards exploration, thereby clearly placing itself in the old-school MMORPG category. The trailer already makes it clear: it will not be colorful and loud here:

Start video
Past Fate shows in the trailer what an old-school MMORPG looks like in 2026

Old School, but 2026

What makes this MMORPG stand out? Past Fate aims to appeal primarily to those in 2026 who are tired of the effect-laden MMOs like Blue Protocol: Star Resonance or the dopamine roller coasters like Where Winds Meet.

Past Fate feels almost like the exact opposite. There is an open world where players first learn the basics before diving into the familiar grind. Even the developer’s gameplay introduction on YouTube showcases typical quests such as “Defeat 8 living dead.” The quest design remains consistent throughout the game.

The MMORPG deliberately does without a minimap and only displays a compass with quest markers for orientation. The developer also reveals in the video that treasures have been hidden all over the world that players can find when they explore off the beaten paths.

Instead of a rigid class system, the new MMORPG employs a skill system based on the weapons. A warrior becomes a necromancer as soon as the weapon is swapped. The appropriate equipment is, however, crucial.

What can be seen in the endgame? The idea of rising from a farmer to a noble knight reflects the journey from the beginning of the game to the endgame. Once there, Past Fate offers a theme park with dungeons for up to five players and raids that can involve up to 25 players.

World bosses also spawn across the world, differing in difficulty and requiring up to 25 players to defeat.

When does Past Fate launch? Past Fate will enter Early Access on Steam on January 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The title will be Buy2Play and cost €20 during the pre-release phase on Steam. The MMORPG was funded through Kickstarter and welcomes player feedback for its development.

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According to the trailers, Past Fate is still early in development and is expected to go live in its first truly playable version at the Early Access launch. Nevertheless, the medieval setting and old-school character could make the MMORPG special. How well the MMORPG is already will be revealed after its release. In the meantime, another MMORPG has launched with significant hype and aims to regain it: Anime MMORPG on Steam lost 97% of players in just 3 months, now aims to shine again with a new season

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

Developers of Clair Obscur regret only one decision because they believe it disappointed a certain type of player

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

There is one decision the lead game designer of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 regrets to this day. It led to a somewhat disappointing finale for some players.

Where does this information come from? The info comes from an interview conducted by the lead game designer of the game, Michel Nohra, and the lead programmer Tom Guillermin with the English-speaking Edge Magazine (via gamesradar+).

In this interview, the two developers explained that the team at Sandfall Interactive did not anticipate such great success for the game. However, this resulted in an unexpected problem – players spent too much time with all the side content too early.

Start video
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hinterlässt bei den Spielern eine Leere

Many players were too strong for the final boss

What is the issue? Besides the main story, which also earned the game the award for “Best Narrative” at the Game Awards, the game offers numerous side activities – including optional bosses and Gestral games.

However, the developers did not anticipate that players would want to complete all these side quests before facing the final boss. This caused many players to achieve a higher level before the final battle than expected – making the fight potentially too easy.

the only thing I regret is not making it clearer that if you want the intended difficulty for the boss, you have to go beat it now

Michel Nohra, Lead Game Designer of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

“Often, people don’t want to finish the game, so they do all the side content before finishing it, because once the story is over, you’re usually less motivated to do the side content,” Nohra explains. However, he underestimated this.

People who wanted a challenging final boss were somewhat disappointed when they had completed all the side content beforehand. “I don’t regret doing it the way we did it,” he says, “but [we could have] had more explanation about your choice [in Act 3].”

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Developers did not expect players to want to experience everything

What does the lead programmer have to say about it? Guillermin believes that this decision is also partly due to the “humility” of the developers at Sandfall Interactive. They really did not expect the game to be such a hit and for people to want to spend so much time in it:

“We weren’t sure if our game was going to be that good. And if it’s not, people may just want to see the story, and go directly to the end of the story. So it was a surprise for us [that] people were doing every single thing there is to do in the game before going to the final dungeon. We’re happy about that, but we didn’t see it coming.”

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has made a lasting impression not only on players but also in the gaming industry. We are already looking forward to the first games inspired by the RPG hit. One of them is introduced in this article: Clair Obscur was so successful that the first “Ex33-likes” are coming our way

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

The creator takes 48 hours to shoot a 21-second clip to get featured on Sauercrowd

Johanna Johanna Reading time 2 minutes

Since January 27, 2025, over 200 German-speaking Twitch streamers are playing Hardcore WoW Classic together. The so-called Sauercrowd guild is very popular in the community and more content creators want to join. Applications are now open, and one is particularly creative.

Where does the creator want to be accepted? The Hardcore WoW event in German-speaking Twitch is in full swing and is well received by the community. Over 200 participants are involved, but the demand for a spot in the guild continues. Even after the start, many other content creators expressed their interest in being part of the project.

Therefore, applications were reopened on January 4, 2026, as Metashi, one of the three founders of the project, announced on X. Under the hashtag #SauercrowdBewerbung, content creators of all sizes are posting their applications and reasons for wanting to join.

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“You must be accepted!”

Who is the creator? In 48 hours, the content creator Max Osterholz took it upon himself on TikTok to create a short stop-motion film. For this, he first built a small Metashi out of silicone. He also tried to recreate the small details as accurately as possible and carefully painted the guild logo onto the elaborate costume.

He also added an opponent in the form of a skeleton and a background for a short scene. After 5 hours of recording, Max Osterholz edited the material and was able to present a clip that lasted 21 seconds.

You can watch the result here on TikTok:

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How does the community react? In the comments, there are some enthusiasts who would like to see the creator at the event:

  • Blossom would like to see Max Osterholz at the event: “Joooo you definitely have to be accepted!”
  • B0sskit is also enthusiastic: “Wow, this is cool. Geilenkirchen work”

What do you think of the creator’s mini-project? Let us know in the comments!

Max Osterholz shows with his small stop-motion film how creative content creators can be with their applications. The solution found for the absence of the Twitch streamer Chefstrobel was also creative: German Twitch streamer survives dungeon wipe in WoW Hardcore, ends up in court: Is he the worst rogue of Sauercrowd?

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

ARC Raiders will not promote PvP in the future, therefore skipping a well-known system: “It’s not about shooting other players”

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

The CEO of ARC Raiders explains that the developers do not want to deliberately promote PvP, as it is not primarily about battles between the Raiders.

What system does ARC Raiders want to do without? ARC Raiders might do without PvP leaderboards in the future, at least that is what Patrick Söderlund, CEO and co-founder of Embark, indicates in an interview with GamesBeat on YouTube. Similar applies, according to him, to the introduction of some kind of “archenemy system”.

The mentioned PvP leaderboards were about a classic ranking system that shows which players have shot down the most Raiders or stolen the most loot from other players.

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“It was never the idea of the game to shoot other players”

What exactly does he say? Söderlund explained in the interview that he does not know how the team currently feels about the potential introduction of leaderboards. However, he believes that one of the appeals of the game is that there are no leaderboards or anything similar, and ARC Raiders is not competitive.

Söderlund elaborates that the team does not want to deliberately promote PvP, even though it is part of the game: “In this game, it is not about shooting other players. You can do that if you want, but it was never the idea of the game to shoot other players.”

Internally, many discussions on this topic have already taken place, but PvP is rather something they want in ARC Raiders up to a certain point, to create excitement in the rounds – and not to create a purely competitive PvP landscape. And such a leaderboard would encourage players to shoot at other players.

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What else does Söderlund say? He then talks about how the possibility of PvP contributes to excitement in the raids. The sound design of the shooter plays a significant role in this, as you hear shots, nearby footsteps, and feel that something is happening on the maps, indicating that other players and thus potential threats are nearby.

Söderlund recounts that during a test, the flares that Raiders shoot into the air when they are shot down were not in the game anymore. He demanded that they be brought back because they are an iconic part of the game and signal to other players that something has happened there.

In the same interview, Söderlund also confirmed what many players had suspected for a long time: There is indeed “aggression-based matchmaking” in ARC Raiders. You can read more about it here: If you shoot in ARC Raiders without warning, you can be sure that it will happen to you too

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