With the Quantum Stream, JBL offers a microphone for gamers. The price is under 100 euros. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has taken a look at the model and reveals whether the money is worth it.
The most important points at a glance:
JBL Quantum Stream is a USB microphone for gamers under 100 euros
The microphone can be placed on the table or mounted on a stand
The package includes the microphone, a USB cable, and a manual
The build quality is good, but not as premium as the Yeti Nano
The sound quality is clear and understandable, with slight background noise
The JBL Quantum Stream is a small USB microphone for the desk. You can place it on the table or attach it to a desk mount. There are several competing products in the “100 euros” range.
In my test, I examined the Quantum Stream and explain whether the microphone might be worth it for you. You can also listen to a sample recording of the microphone below.
Who tested this?
I am the Tech Editor at MeinMMO and have a fondness for peripherals, testing mice, keyboards, and gaming headsets. Since 2019, I have been testing hardware for our readers at MeinMMO. Gaming mice, in particular, are among my absolute favorites. Besides the PS5, I also play on my Steam Deck and on my Nintendo Switch.
The JBL Quantum Stream was provided to me by the manufacturer for testing.
Benedikt Schlotmann Hardware Editor MeinMMO
Technical Details (click to expand):
JBL Quantum Stream
Sampling rate
48 kHz
Directionality
Cardioid (unidirectional), Omnidirectional
Frequency response
20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sound pressure
-37±3dB (1kHz@1Pa, 0dB=1v/Pa)
Price (RRP)
89.99 euros
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Contents, Design, and Setup
What does the package include? The package includes the microphone, a manual, and a USB cable to connect the microphone to your computer.
How is the microphone built? It features a casing that resembles a cylinder or a can. On the front, there is a dial module with which you can adjust the volume. The underside of the microphone is equipped with RGB lighting, which is very subtle and discreet.
On the top of the microphone, you can mute or reactivate the microphone by touching it (touch field). A similar function is also present in the Roccat Torch (for testing).
JBL Quantum Stream package: microphone, cable, and manual. The stand is pre-installed but can be removed.
A metal stand is already mounted on the microphone but can be removed anytime if you prefer to mount the device on a stand. There is enough space on the underside for another mount or a screw. Additionally, the foot of the microphone can also be tilted in all directions. This is especially helpful if you want to turn or tilt the microphone towards you.
What does the microphone look like? The microphone comes in a simple black color and otherwise opts for a discreet design. The RGB lighting is also subtle. There are no additional color accents. The manufacturer’s logo is located on the front side.
The microphone itself is almost entirely made of plastic. An exception is the underside, where the mount for the foot or a screw is made of metal. The microphone foot is also made of solid metal, giving it a high-quality impression.
Overall, the device makes a good impression for around 100 euros but doesn’t quite reach the build quality of Logitech’s Yeti Nano.
JBL Quantum Stream, underside: Here is a USB-C port, space for the stand (middle), and a headphone jack.
Software
When you connect the microphone to your PC, you are greeted by an installation assistant from the manufacturer and can set up the microphone directly. Ideally, you do not need to search for the software, as the device does it for you. The installation is quick, and then there is a kind of tutorial that explains all the functions. If needed, you can skip it, as most features are really self-explanatory.
The manual guides me through the software. This is practical, but it can be turned off.
The software itself is designed to be very user-friendly, and JBL uses a simple interface in its “Quantum Engine” without advertising elements. The only thing that annoys me is that there is a 3D animation of the microphone rotating in the interface. Unfortunately, you cannot turn off the animation.
This is what the software “Quantum Engine” looks like. The red microphone (right) is rotating constantly.
In the software, all important settings can be made. These include the directionality (cardioid or omnidirectional) or an equalizer. You can also turn off the lighting if it bothers you. Personally, the RGB lighting has never bothered me because it is really not intrusive.
Sound Quality
During my initial recordings, I had the microphone connected to a USB hub and experienced extremely unpleasant noise in the recordings. It was only when I connected the device directly to my computer that the loud noises in the recording disappeared.
In the sound check, the microphone performs surprisingly well, and I am clearly audible in the recordings. The sound is significantly better and not as strained and artificial as with the Yeti Nano. However, some slight background noise is audible. But this is not unusual for a USB microphone.
I have included a sample recording for you in the article:
“JBL Quantum Stream test recording”.
Conclusion: Very good microphone for under 100 euros
With the Quantum Stream, JBL offers a surprisingly good microphone for less than 100 euros. The speech sounds clear and understandable; the settings directly on the microphone are somewhat limited. However, all important aspects can be quickly set via the software.
If you want to upgrade your setup and are looking for a good microphone, you should give the JBL Quantum Stream a chance.
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What alternatives are there?
The Yeti Nano is Logitech’s entry-level model and is regularly available for under 100 euros. The sound quality is worse than the Quantum Stream, but the build quality is better.
The Roccat Torch is also a good alternative. I like the voice quality even slightly better than on the Quantum Stream, but the build quality is significantly worse, and the microphone is quite bulky.
Further recommendations: If you are looking for suitable headphones for the microphone or just a gaming headset, check out our buying guide here on MeinMMO: Here we present the best gaming headsets, headphones, and microphones that you can currently buy.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the eighth installment in the Yakuza series. Since the seventh part of the series, Kazuma Kiryu has been replaced by Ichiban Kasuga as the protagonist. A new trailer now gives a brief glimpse of the story of the eighth main part.
What is Like A Dragon about? Up to and including the sixth main part, the series is known as Yakuza, since the seventh part, the subtitle Like A Dragon has been added. In Infinite Wealth, Ichiban not only travels to Yokohama but also to Hawaii.
The Yakuza series is known for its quirky minigames and absurd humor. Anyone who has a problem with men in diapers, dominatrixes, or toilet jokes should steer clear of this series.
Start video
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth shows story in 10 minutes
Returning characters from the seventh part of the series will be included, and even the protagonist from Yakuza 1-6 will be back in the game. But new faces are also joining, including the famous action actor Danny Trejo as Dwight.
It seems that Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth could be an emotional rollercoaster and herald the end of Kazuma Kiryu, the protagonist of the first six parts. It remains to be seen whether he can defeat his illness in the end.
But Ichiban Kasuga also has his own story to tell as the protagonist. He travels to Hawaii to talk to his mother. However, he gets involved in such crazy events that he even wakes up on the beach in Hawaii without any clothes on.
A player in Baldur’s Gate 3 can’t get enough of a companion and keeps exploding him over and over again. MeinMMO reveals what it’s all about.
Warning Spoiler: The article contains story spoilers from Act 1 and about Astarion.
In the captivating world of Faerûn, there is a character that stands out in impressive ways: Astarion. Played by Neil Newbon, this role has captured the hearts of one player and presumably many more.
This player has developed a special love for him and repeatedly makes an unusual decision: He lets Astarion explode with a super weapon, simply because he is thrilled by Astarion’s subsequent reaction.
This is how you can reduce your carrying weight:
Start video
3 Tips to Reduce Your Carrying Weight in Baldur’s Gate 3
Neil Newbon is so good that I have to kill Astarion every time
It concerns the decision to activate the solar lance at the end of the Githyanki cradle in Act 1. If you kill Astarion with this super weapon and then revive him, he freaks out. The player raphades is so thrilled with Astarion’s voice actor that he sacrifices Astarion in every new save.
He writes:
No, this is not an “I hate Astarion when I kill him” post. I really love Astarion and keep him in my team in every run. […] The intensity of the dialogues is simply perfect; ever since I found out about it, I blow up the cradle with Astarion in it every time I get there, just to be spoiled by this voice acting talent.
Despite his love for Astarion, he feels the irresistible urge to sacrifice his favorite character in this crucial scene – just to enjoy this moving performance by Neil Newbon once again.
Here you can see the amusing scene:
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Astarion says among other things: What the hell were you thinking activating that lance? I was right there!
If you sincerely apologize to him and promise to be more careful next time, you will receive the following humorous reaction: Next time? No, no, no. If there is a next time, I will be the one aiming the ultimate weapon, thanks. Shall we go now? Or do you want to unleash more chaos here?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, players have numerous dialogue options available. Due to this variety, many players start multiple runs to ensure they don’t miss any important content. Perhaps you might decide to bombard Astarion with the solar lance – just for this humorous scene it is definitely worth considering.
Enad Global 7 acquired the MMORPG company Daybreak in 2020. Now they have shared details on finances and player numbers in a presentation. This included not only the two MMORPGs mentioned in the title but also EverQuest, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Planetside 2.
How many players do the individual MMORPGs have? A graphic showed the MAUs – monthly active users. Here, every person who logged in at least once in the respective game counts:
DC Universe Online has a bit over 300,000 different players.
The Lord of the Rings Online has about 100,000 players.
EverQuest 1 has just under 100,000 players.
Dungeons & Dragons Online recently had a small peak with around 60,000 players.
EverQuest 2 has approximately 25,000 players.
Planetside 2 has around 150,000 players.
The numbers cannot be determined exactly because the corresponding graph contains many lines and was also only visible in a small format in the presentation. We have included a screenshot for you:
Screenshot from the video for the Capital Markets Day (via YouTube).
However, it should be noted that many more players will certainly log in over the course of a month.
Anyone who wants to dive deeper into the topic of numbers can listen to the podcast by MMO editors Alexander Leitsch and Mark Sellner. They have dealt with it:
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The presentation stated that DC Universe is the most susceptible game to fluctuations because it relies heavily on casuals. There are supposed to be regularly new players coming, but many also leave again.
Other titles like EverQuest or LOTRO, however, have a very stable player base with people who have remained loyal for decades and return for larger updates. This is evident from the LOTRO graph when the 15th anniversary was celebrated in April 2022. There was a significant spike upwards.
Start video
The 3 largest MMORPGs in Germany in 2023, according to Google
Overall, the numbers are very stable, especially compared to 2019, i.e. before the pandemic. Moreover, every MMO is currently “highly profitable”.
For next year, the developers expect a slight increase for EverQuest because the MMORPG will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
In addition, a new title in the H1Z1 universe and one for Mechwarrior are planned. Releases for 2026 and 2027 are being eyed. The presentation also included a lot of information on finances, the general development of the gaming market, and monetization.
What do you think about the player numbers? Which MMORPG surprised you, both positively and negatively?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Mortal Kombat 1 does not look as good on the Nintendo Switch as hoped. Now Nintendo has even removed the associated trailer.
What is the deal with the failures and the mockery? Mortal Kombat 1, the latest installment in the popular fighting game series, was released on September 19, 2023.
Since the reboot of the 30-year-old first part was announced in May 2023 with a fantastic trailer, fans of the series have been looking forward to the release – not least because of the impressive graphics shown in the trailer.
But this pretty graphics are not available on all platforms. Mortal Kombat 1 was released not only for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, but also for the significantly less powerful Nintendo Switch and has since received a lot of criticism.
The gameplay trailer shows how good Mortal Kombat 1 can look on PC, Xbox, and PS5:
Start video
Mortal Kombat 1 – Gameplay Trailer
Nintendo removes trailer for Mortal Kombat 1
What now with the trailer? Nintendo has removed the Switch trailer for Mortal Kombat 1. The link that previously led to the trailer now only reads “Video not available” (via YouTube).
The removal of the trailer may be due to the fact that the Switch trailer partially contained PC gameplay that not only looked too good but even included Steam achievements, as one user shows on Twitter/ X.com:
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Even before the removal of the trailer, the Switch version received criticism
How bad is the Switch version? Users on social media agree: Mortal Kombat 1 looks significantly worse on the Switch.
Especially the characters have received a severe downgrade for Nintendo’s console, as piles of comparison images show. On Twitter/ X.com, the difference to the PS5 version is illustrated with several comparison images:
The Switch version, however, is not only criticized for looking worse than the PS5 version. Even in a comparison to genre competitor TEKKEN 6, which was released in 2007 for the PSP, Mortal Kombat 1 does not look good (via Twitter).
MK creator promises update for Switch version
What’s next for the Switch version? As Ed Boon, regarded as the creator of the “Mortal Kombat” series, stated in an interview with BBC, the Switch version “will definitely get an update”.
He further explains: “A number of issues that have arisen will definitely be addressed.”
So it is possible that there will be an update that slightly improves the title’s appearance. How significant the jump will be ultimately depends on the Switch.
If you want to discover more fighting games, you might find the upcoming 2023 title “Die by the Blade” interesting:
Pokémon GO wants to lure you outside once again with the Nichts wie raus-event at the end of the month. You can especially look forward to some changes to the routes. We have summarized what other content there will be from MeinMMO below.
What event is it about? Unlike other games, trainers in Pokémon GO are encouraged to go outside, explore their surroundings, and play together with others. With the Nichts wie raus-event, which starts in a few days, you will be drawn outside.
Those who take advantage of it can expect plenty of spawns and bonuses. These will mainly revolve around content in your area, such as showcases or the routes. The latter are also set to receive some updates. We will show you what those changes are and what else to expect below.
When does the event run? The Nichts wie raus-event starts on September 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM local time and runs until October 2, 2023 at 8:00 PM local time.
New content in the routes
What improvements are planned? In addition to the actual event content, the announced changes to the routes are a highlight for many players. In recent weeks, these have caused frustration for some trainers. This could improve in the future, as the developers plan the following updates:
More trainers can create routes
Trainers can encounter Zygarde cells more frequently
Trainers will receive a notification when routes are nearby
Moreover, there will be updates aimed at improving gameplay quality in the routes.
Why are the changes so important? Since the release of the route feature, there has been ongoing harsh criticism from the community. This is because there are still no routes in many regions. Those who own routes struggle with Zygarde cells.
Zygarde cells are very hard to find, but are required for completing the special research Von A bis Zygarde as well as for changing Zygarde’s forms. Thanks to the changes, there could soon be not only more routes, but trainers could also finally find more Zygarde cells.
All spawns, shinies & bonuses for the Nichts wie raus-event
These spawns await you: During the Nichts wie raus-event, you can not only look forward to updates on the routes but also to some changed spawns in the wild and from eggs. Hisui-Fukano will celebrate its shiny debut in the game.
And with a bit of luck, other Pokémon can also be caught in their shiny forms. Keep an eye out for the following:
Wild spawns: Enton*, Fukano*, Onix*, Evoli*, Barschwa*, Fleknoil*, Pamo and with a bit of luck Arkani
2-km eggs & 7-km eggs: Hisui-Fukano* and all monsters that normally hatch from these eggs
All event bonuses: Of course, various bonuses will also be available to you during the event. The focus is mainly on going outside. So you can look forward to the following content:
Kecleon spawns more frequently at PokéStops
If you explore routes with your buddy, it collects candies faster
3x XP when you complete routes
Event Field Research
Encounters with Hisui-Fukano*, Hisui-Sniebel, Hisui-Baldorfish and Pamo
Limited research Nichts wie raus (free)
Rewards: Items, Stardust, and encounters with Hisui-Fukano*
Limited research Feurige Abenteuer for about 2 Euros
Rewards: Encounters with Hisui-Fukano* & Fukano, 2 incubators, and 2 super incubators
Showcases with Fukano and Hisui-Fukano
Updates for the routes
various event boxes
Wanderbox for 1,990 coins in the in-game shop (10 super incubators, 12 incubators, 2 Knursp)
Hisui-Fukano wig for your avatar for 200 coins in the shop
What do you think of the event content? Which bonus do you definitely not want to miss? And what is your opinion on the route updates? Let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments and discuss it with other trainers.
For a long time, Maximilian “Trymacs” Stemmler was criticized for his streams about the FIFA franchise. Then came a change of heart: the streamer no longer wanted to show gambling mechanics on Twitch. Now he explains why he will still play EA Sports FC .
What is Trymacs’ relationship with the franchise? Trymacs was long one of the biggest streamers for FIFA. In 2020, he was ranked 3rd worldwide among the most-watched streamers on Twitch for the then-current FIFA 2021 (via sullygnome).
Trymacs distanced himself from the criticism of the loot box model in games like FIFA: He showed his viewers how low the chances of getting good cards were and would rather discourage them from spending money on the game.
With the upcoming release of EA Sports FC 24 on September 29, the streamer received many questions about whether he would show the FIFA successor on Twitch.
In a video released on September 19, 2023, he makes a clear statement.
“Complete Online Casino for Kids”
Will Trymacs show EA Sports FC 24? Yes, Trymacs plans to play the FIFA successor on his stream. However, there is a big “but.” He will no longer play the Ultimate Team mode: Nothing has changed; it is a complete online casino for kids disguised as a football simulator, said Trymacs.
The streamer emphasizes that his concern is solely about the gambling aspect. If it was just about throwing money into the game and buying a Mbappé directly, he would have no problem with that. In the packs, everything—from the sound to the visuals and effects—is designed to make someone somewhat addicted, according to Trymacs.
And even if you’ve never opened a pack and are watching it with me, I’m already harming you. Especially younger viewers even more than usual. Some people are susceptible to that. I have a huge community, a lot of viewers who partake in that experience, and I don’t want to do that anymore. That was a big mistake in the past.
For the same reason, he also does not show Counter-Strike cases, although that is currently very popular among many of his streaming colleagues. However, if something changes in the Ultimate Team in the future, Trymacs could envision a return.
Stepping away from Ultimate Team means financial losses for the streamer. FIFA was by far the most successful game on his channel so far. But he simply cannot reconcile it with his conscience any other way.
What does he want to show instead? Trymacs explains that he will show other game modes of EAFC 24. He will compete in friendly matches against his friend streamer Chefstrobel, play Pro Clubs with his viewers, or try his hand at the career mode.
Meanwhile, Trymacs still wants to try to get people away from the game. He will also absolutely continue to insult EA, clearly. How that ended for him last time, you can read about here:
The prices in World of Warcraft are rising. The cause are bots that exploit a new method and become incredibly rich.
Gold is still an important resource in World of Warcraft. Whether it’s about repair costs, buying a new mount, or paying for the subscription with a WoW token. For this reason, the actually forbidden sale of gold remains a problem in the game – especially because bots continually find new methods to gather a lot of gold.
What is this exploit? The exploit allows characters to defeat numerous enemies in the blink of an eye, which are actually well below their level. However, these enemies still drop loot as if they were level 70. This means that the bot loots the loot from several dozen level 70 creatures every few seconds, even though it is actually killing creatures that are more than 20 levels below it.
We won’t explain exactly how the exploit works, and we strongly advise against using it. When Blizzard fixes these exploits, all accounts that have exploited them are usually punished – and this can lead to permanent account closure.
Although Blizzard has already fixed parts of this exploit, clever players – and also the bot operators – have already found ways for the exploit to still work in other areas with a bit more effort.
An outdated, now patched version of the exploit can be seen here:
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How much can one earn with the exploit? Even though the exploit partly depends on drop luck, it results in about a profit of 1,200,000 gold per day, if the bot runs continuously for 24 hours.
This also means that the costs for creating an account are recouped extremely quickly with this exploit. In less than 24 hours, the bot operator has already covered the costs for the account, and from then on, everything is profit.
Typically, Blizzard bans bots in waves, so several weeks may pass before action is taken against such bots.
What is the problem with these exploits? The amount of gold in World of Warcraft has a direct impact on prices in the game, such as the WoW token. In the US region of the game, the price recently climbed to a new high of 353,000 gold. Many players see the exploitation of the aforementioned exploits as a reason for the increasingly soaring prices.
The development team at Bungie is currently very busy. Many players are complaining about connection issues and error codes in Destiny 2, which are preventing them from playing. In a statement, Bungie clarifies what is behind this.
What struggle does Bungie currently have to fight?
The development team did pull the plug and announced a fix
Currently, players are struggling with error codes and connection issues that are not related to the exploit
After yesterday’s maintenance, several error messages suddenly appeared for many players. The fans assumed that the error codes and connection issues were caused by the last patch. But Bungie has now clarified that something completely different is behind it.
The translated statement from English reads as follows:
In recent days, we have observed an increase in error codes and connection issues. The team has confirmed that these error codes are not related to the planned fixes for the recently occurred crafting issue, but are the result of DDoS attacks. Although we usually do not confirm this kind of attack and do not intend to do so in the future for reasons of general game security, we believe it is right to communicate the additional stress on our systems given the recent circumstances to our players.
We would like to thank our players for their patience as our teams work diligently to ensure the integrity of the game and continue to implement our roadmap for future stability improvements.
The development team has thus struggled with hacker attacks in recent days. Normally, Bungie would not make such DDoS attacks public. However, due to recent events, the team decided to inform the players about it.
The players hope that such problems are not part of “The Final Shape”:
Select a MMO video…
“Thank you for letting us know”
Due to the many problems Destiny 2 is currently facing, many players could be upset. However, in the comments, it becomes clear that many users understand Bungie’s situation.
The community is grateful that Bungie has decided to make the hacker attacks public. We have selected some voices for you so that you can get a rough idea of how players are reacting to the situation:
Iiizwerg: “Please what, this is crazy. Thank you for the communication.”
AD2P_Twitch: “It’s a shame that some people feel the need to ruin it for everyone else! Thanks for the transparency regarding the recent DDoS attacks you faced! Take the time you need to get the issue under control, we’ll all still be here to log in and grind again!!!”
NewEra7Official: “On top of the crafting exploit, this is a hell of a weekend for you.”
There are sporadic comments where players still complain about the situation. The community advises these users to take a break from the game and wait until Bungie gets the situation under control. When that will be the case is currently unfortunately unpredictable.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Wargaming (World of Tanks), MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski had the opportunity to interview Victor Kislyi. Victor is the founder and CEO of Wargaming, a studio that has its roots in Belarus – these roots have been completely uprooted due to the war.
On the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. A war breaks out. The war continues to this day.
In 2023, a game studio with Russian roots celebrates its 25th anniversary. In 1998, Victor Kislyi founded the studio Wargaming in Minsk (Belarus). It is today particularly known for its vehicle shooters like World of Tanks and World of Warships. On April 4, 2022, Wargaming announced that it intends to completely leave Russia – and follows through.
On the occasion of this anniversary, Wargaming offered us an interview with Victor, which we will publish in two parts on MeinMMO. The first part of the interview focuses on the profound experience of managing several hundred employees and a studio in a war zone.
We had to make many sacrifices
MeinMMO: A topic that is surely not easy to talk about is the ongoing war in Ukraine. How has the current situation in Ukraine affected daily operations and development at Wargaming?
Victor Kislyi: When the war in Ukraine began, we first had to help our employees in Kyiv. Of course, we held many meetings afterward, and the management team came to the decision to cease all activities in Russia and Belarus. We were as united in this decision as never before. And we all made the only right decision. And why? Because we all decided to stand on the right side of history.
But for us, that was of course a catastrophe. Before the war, two-thirds of our employees worked in these three countries (Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine). And we had to relocate the employees, about 1000 families, meaning they had to leave their homes and move to a completely unfamiliar country.
And it was very painful when we made the financial decision. It was clear that we would certainly suffer a significant financial loss the next morning. We are talking about 250 million US dollars in revenue that we lost overnight. One-third of our player base came from Russia and Belarus.
Developer Sergey Kuravskiy released the Halloween mode for World of Tanks from the bunker in Kyiv in 2022.
We also lost about one-third of our employees – we suffered a lot of damage and had to make many sacrifices during the restructuring because we had to act quickly. We had to discontinue some development initiatives; we lost 3 new, unannounced games, to be precise. The withdrawal from Russia and Belarus was more substantial for us than for most other global companies.
But under these truly bad circumstances, we managed to maintain our live games without interruption; we had new game modes and new content. We did not forget our main task as a company, which is to make our millions of players who entrust us with their time worldwide happy. It was not easy, but our employees did not forget this mission that we have as Wargaming, even though they were very stressed, and I am very proud of that.
MeinMMO: What was the first thing that went through your mind when you received the news of the invasion of Ukraine?
Victor Kislyi: The first thing that went through my mind was horror, and I thought of the suffering of the Ukrainian population, and of course, my thoughts were immediately with our 430 employees in Kyiv (Ukraine) and their families. We had some emergency plans prepared that were implemented in the first one to two hours after we learned of the events.
MeinMMO: What measures has Wargaming taken to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees and their families in the affected areas?
Victor Kislyi: For such a case, we already had plans. First, we provided buses to bring our employees and their families to safety in western Ukraine. This happened only a few hours after the invasion began. We took everyone who wanted to a safe place where accommodation and a temporary workplace were prepared. We also had additional financial resources to assist people with travel and relocation.
But we not only helped our employees; we also donated one million dollars to the Ukrainian Red Cross, contributed to the procurement of ambulances and medical equipment for Ukraine, supported victims of the destroyed power plant Kakhovka, and much more. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary, Wargaming donated a total of 250,000 US dollars through the platform United24. The money was used to purchase medical equipment to help those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Anyone who can and wants to contribute can do so, for example, through Action Germany Helps, which provides humanitarian aid to those affected in Ukraine. Here is the link to Emergency Aid Ukraine.
In an internal crowdfunding project, €200,000 was raised and used to buy and deliver six ambulances for Ukraine.
There is no turning back
MeinMMO: How will the current events in Ukraine affect the future of Wargaming?
Victor Kislyi: We made the right decision immediately after the invasion and implemented it faster than any Western company I know, faster than humans can. We have no presence, no connections, no influence, no exchange of money, no workforce, whatever, neither in Russia nor in Belarus. We are proud of that.
There is no turning back, no regrets. We believe that we have chosen the right side of history.
This is our starting point for the future.
Many thanks to you, Victor, for your openness and time.
In the second part of the interview, Victor shares insights into difficult decisions, the workday of a studio head, and offers assessments on the future gaming market:
For some major streamers, the new season in EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Team has already begun. However, during their pack openings, it becomes clear that this year it is even less certain whether you will pull a strong or a weaker player.
How does the animation work when opening a pack? The sequence of the animation you see after opening a pack has been established over the years and is always the same: First, the nation appears, then the position, next the club, and finally you see the rating, the name, and the image of your drawn star.
As the individual components of the card are revealed gradually, the excitement increases immensely. However, the potential for disappointment in FC 24 is particularly high, and we will explain why. Additionally, we have compiled the biggest trolls so far for you.
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What is the risk of being trolled when opening packs? A good, functioning football team requires all positions to be filled at least twice.
For FC 24, this means that for one position in a club, several players are available. You can also pull these in the packs. It becomes critical when the same position in the same club is occupied by strong and less strong stars from the same country.
An example from the past: Lionel Messi (91) and Ángel Di María (84) played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1 in FIFA 23. But that was not all they had in common. Both Argentinians also played on the right wing (RF).
If after opening a pack “Argentina, RF, PSG” was displayed, many players probably could hardly believe their luck in pulling Messi before being brought back to the bitter reality when Di María appeared on their screen.
Such mix-ups, also known as trolls, exist in FC 24 more than ever before, and that also has to do with the addition of female players in Ultimate Team.
New female players increase the risk of being trolled
Why is the risk of mix-ups greater with the new female players? The player pool has grown even larger with the inclusion of women’s teams. More stars also means more opportunities to be trolled.
A prime example is the midfield of FC Barcelona. For the position of central midfielder (ZM), there are overall 5 players who qualify for that one spot in the team. The ratings range from 91 to 83.
Theoretically, one could not complain about either card. While we certainly do not need to introduce Kylian Mbappé, Marie Katoto is the star player in the PSG women’s team. However, when you already have the chance to pull one of the best cards in the game, the disappointment must be great, especially since Mbappé is also among the fastest players in FC 24.
PSG has double the frustration potential this year. In addition to the previously shown example, the RF position could also involve a deceptive twist. While Dembélé is among the 5-star skillers and is generally one of the strongest pace dribblers in FC, Baltimore’s card is only a solid card for starter teams.
Rashford is back on the rise at Manchester United since last year, while Sancho is increasingly sidelined. The gap between joy and sorrow could hardly be greater, both in FC 24 and in real life.
Musiala or Müller
While one star is on the rise, the light of the other is gradually fading. Youngster Musiala has clear speed and dribbling advantages over veteran Müller.
At Real, Éder Militão has already provided quite a shock. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear and will be out for a long time. In FC 24, the confusion between the two center-back cards could also cause a scary moment.
Finally, we ask you: What was the troll in FIFA that immediately comes to mind? Did we forget any star pairs in EA Sports FC 24 that can mislead? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
A brave player in Baldur’s Gate 3 decided to taste all Vettel potions from Act 1 so that you don’t have to. MeinMMO reveals what they do.
Spoiler: The article contains spoilers from Act 1.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, hidden dangers lurk frequently, including the mysterious Vettel potions. The fight against the Vettel can become one of the toughest challenges in the game. However, after you defeat the Vettel, a mysterious loot is revealed in their cave – ten potions, about which hardly anyone knows what they do.
A brave player from Baldur’s Gate 3 decided to try all the mysterious Vettel potions. Surprisingly, it turned out that some of these potions can actually be useful – at least temporarily.
Start video
5 helpful tips for Baldur’s Gate 3
Player drinks Vettel potions for science
What kind of potions are these? In a Reddit post, the player PartyRooster explains the effects of each of these ten potions. It is no surprise that most of these potions are not very effective but rather harmful. However, PartyRooster discovered two exceptions during his risky tasting:
The potion Heart of Stone grants you poison resistance until the next long rest.
The potion Mother’s Loathing gives you the ability Bite (2d4 piercing damage) until the next long rest.
However, the other potions turn out to be treacherous debuffs that can get your hero into trouble.
You should avoid these potions:
Butterflies in my Stomach: Causes internal bleeding and deals 1-6 piercing damage for four rounds.
Insanity’s Kiss: You will be hostile to all for 5 rounds.
Faltering Will: Gives you a disadvantage on Wisdom checks until the next long rest.
Lost Time: Inflicts -2 on your armor class and prevents you from taking reactions for 50 rounds.
Lover’s Avarice: Reduces your Wisdom by 1 until the next long rest.
Missing Pets: You are frightened for 3 rounds.
Wilted Dreams: At the next long rest, you will take 3-18 psychic damage upon waking.
Broken Promise: +2 Strength until the long rest. However, after the rest, you will permanently receive -1 on your Strength.
Broken Promise proves particularly sly and deserves its name: At first, you gain +2 Strength temporarily, only to find out in the end that you now have -1 on Strength permanently. A deceptive potion that comes with high costs.
The Vettel is known not only for its dangerous potions:
PartyRooster emphasizes that the potions have no negative effects on opponents and therefore it is not worth using them against enemies. Caution is advised, as later in the game you will encounter even more dangerous potions.
The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 holds many surprises, and the Vettel potions are no exception. Thanks to PartyRooster, we now know what to expect when we indulge in these mysterious potions.
Some of these potions can be useful, if only temporarily. But most carry dangers that do more harm than good.
In any case, be careful and don’t drink everything you find – after all, even the most promising potion can have dire consequences.
EA Sports FC 24 has introduced the first Team of the Week. This is special because the game has not officially been released yet.
What is TOTW 1? The Team of the Week is a classic, as it provided new special cards weekly in the FIFA series for players who performed exceptionally well.
These cards are characterized by improved stats, a special design, and a higher price in the transfer market. Furthermore, they are sometimes needed for specific SBCs.
What makes TOTW 1 special? EA Sports has released the new TOTW 1 even though the game is not actually out yet. Some players, such as content creators, can already access and stream the game, but the actual release dates are still pending.
Today, on September 20, 2023, the launch of the web app is next. Theoretically, you should be able to pull the TOTW 1 from packs there if you have the coins for it.
However, you should prepare for the fact that this is highly unlikely, as it takes a lot of luck to pull special cards in Ultimate Team.
This is what TOTW 1 looks like, and we show it to you here.
For EA Sports FC 24, the web app launched on September 20, 2023. The official release date of the companion app is also known. All information about the launch of the apps can be found here.
When does the companion app for EA Sports FC 24 launch? The companion app for smartphones launches on September 21, 2023, just one day after the web app.
Tip: Prepare with backup codes for login issues of the web app
It is possible that at the release, everyone will want to enter the app at the same time and you will then only receive a verification code very slowly to log in.
To avoid this problem, you can prepare backup codes – before the web app is available. More about this here:
6:00 PM has passed, and we still expect a release around 7:00 PM. Last year it was even around 7:45 PM. However, you can use this time to prepare, more on that in the next entry.
5:00 PM
Another hour has passed and the web app is still not available. A release at 7:00 PM is becoming increasingly likely.
4:00 PM
Even after another full hour, there is still no sign of the web app.
It remains the case that the web app will be “available shortly”. We still expect a release around 7:00 PM. It is possible that the first TOTW with special cards will also be released then.
Today is the release day of the web app for EA Sports FC 24. However, at 10:00 AM, the app is still not available. In the past, the release typically took place in the evening, last year it started around 7:45 PM.
However, it is still unclear when exactly the release of the web app will take place. The website for the web app states Available shortly. Therefore, we keep an eye on current information here in the ticker.
As soon as the web app is active, you will find out here!
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EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Team Deep Dive Trailer
EA Sports FC 24: Difference between web app and companion app
What is the difference between the web app and companion app? Both apps serve to allow you to manage your ultimate team in EA FC 24 even away from the console. The web app runs simply through the browser of your choice. Meanwhile, the companion app is an app that you need to download from your smartphone’s app store.
In terms of content, the apps are identical.
What about the web app for FIFA 23? If you want to access the web app for FIFA 23 now, you will only find the screen stating that the web app for EA Sports FC 24 is being prepared. So you cannot use it anymore.
The companion app on smartphones is still accessible. You can still use it for FIFA 23.
What are the web app & companion app for in EA Sports FC 24?
What you need the apps for: If you play ultimate team, you can use some features of the mode in the app. These include:
Buying and selling players on the transfer market
Completing SBCs
Opening rewards
Collecting objectives
Setting up your team
Customizing your club items, such as stadium, jersey, etc.
If you want to do these things, you do not need to turn on your console, but can use the apps instead. However, you can only play actual games on the console.
The loot shooter The First Descendant is currently inviting players to an open beta, with over 70,000 participants already.
What kind of game is it? The First Descendant is an upcoming loot shooter from the Korean development studio Nexon, set to be released as a free-to-play title on Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Just this weekend, the shooter showcased 17 minutes of gameplay.
The First Descendant uses Unreal Engine 5 and features a third-person perspective. Additionally, the shooter is set in a sci-fi environment where players must fight against alien invaders. They have various classes available, each with special abilities.
Alongside shooter gameplay and evil aliens, The First Descendant also offers a 4-player co-op including crossplay on all platforms, raids, and various boss fights. As a reward for completing a mission, players can earn loot and materials.
You can watch the gamescom trailer for The First Descendant here:
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The First Descendant – Official Trailer Reveal gamescom 2022
Beta is already running, access can be requested
When is the beta? The crossplay open beta for The First Descendant started on September 19, 2023, and will run until September 25, Nexon announced at the gamescom ONL 2023.
How can you participate in the beta? If you want to join the beta, you can sign up on the official game website (via tfd.nexon.com). There you will select your platform and provide your email address.
As a PC player, you also have the option to request beta access on the Steam page of The First Descendant (via Steam).
How is the beta received? The beta for The First Descendant has already gathered over 70,000 players on Steam alone on the first day (via Steamcharts) – it is unknown how many players join on consoles.
The first beta players feel reminded especially of Destiny and Warframe – this was already apparent from the first trailers of the shooter. Gameplay-wise, the similarity to Warframe stands out (via Reddit). Destiny can be seen more in the design of the maps.
Overall, The First Descendant receives both praise and criticism. Some enjoy the controls and gunplay and have fun with the shooter despite bugs (via Reddit).
The missions may be repetitive according to Reddit, but still entertaining. Overall, The First Descendant has potential, but it is no Destiny or Warframe killer.
Also, MeinMMO author and Destiny expert Britta participated in a beta for The First Descendant back in October 2022 and summarized her impressions:
EA Sports FC 24 releases the Web App today. Anyone wanting to jump straight into the release should secure backup codes to be prepared for login issues.
What kind of login issues with the Web App? Currently, many players are waiting for the release of the EA Sports FC 24 Web App. So far, it is not live yet, but it will be available on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
It’s possible that the launch will lead to everyone wanting to log in at the same time – and then there may be login issues. In past releases of the FIFA series, the problem was that players had to verify themselves again to access the Web App.
For this purpose, EA sends a corresponding code via email. However, in previous releases, it happened that it took a long time for many users to receive their code simultaneously.
Now, however, you can try to prepare yourself in advance with a backup code and bypass the possible problem. We will show you how to do that below.
Start video
EA Sports FC 24: The official gameplay trailer
How to use backup codes for EA Sports FC 24
This is how backup codes work: This is another verification option with EA that you can still prepare for now. With them, you can log in if the email with the verification code simply doesn’t arrive.
How to obtain backup codes:
Log into your EA account (via EA.com), through the user icon in the upper right corner.
If you land back on the main page, click the icon again.
Select account settings.
Click on “Security”.
There you will find the backup codes section, where you need to click on “View”.
You may receive a verification code via email for this. This is not the correct code yet. However, you need this code to display the other codes.
Therefore, it is crucial that you complete this step before the web app release, otherwise, you could face the same problem again.
Now you will receive 6 personal codes that you can write down and use for login.
But: Do not share these codes, as they can be used to log into your EA accounts. Keep them safe or delete them after use.
If there are login issues at the start of the Web App as before, you now at least have one more option for logging in.
However, please note that you can only access the management aspects of Ultimate Team in the Web App – real gameplay on the virtual soccer field will only be available during early access on Friday.
CD Project Red is finally rolling out the long-awaited Patch 2.0, with which they are almost completely overhauling Cyberpunk 2077 and releasing the DLC Phantom Liberty on September 26. MyMMO editor Sophia dusted off her V and made a dive into the expansion for you.
December 2020: CD Project Red releases Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam. Bugs, a relatively short main story, and missing features put the community in an uproar. Now, around two and a half years later and numerous patches later, the studio promises with Update 2.0 and the DLC Phantom Liberty finally the game they once announced.
As a reminder: In the game, you control V, a mercenary who can be male or female. V lives in Night City, an autonomous city in a dystopian future scenario of the United States of America. V steadily rises in the mercenary food chain until a heist goes terribly wrong.
For V, a race against time begins: A broken biochip is now lodged in his head and will kill him in the coming weeks and months. Of course, it cannot simply be removed, which drives V to desperation.
Here, I have summarized my first impressions of about 13 hours in 2.0 and Phantom Liberty in words. For detailed reviews of Phantom Liberty, I recommend our sister sites:
My journey with Cyberpunk 2077 began two years after its release when the game was on sale. Upon release, I was still too busy with other games. So waiting for the bug fixes was no problem.
And so, on a cold February evening, I sat with a glass of whiskey in front of my then relatively new gaming PC: “Let’s see what Cyberpunk 2077 can do in 2022.” And it could do quite a lot!
Cyberpunk was the first game where I could really stretch my graphics card muscles. With ray tracing, Night City looked incredibly impressive back then.
As a Street Kid, I started in a neon bar and was supposed to steal an expensive car as my first mission. Unfortunately, that didn’t quite work out. But instead of the cash for the car, I got my new best friend.
Jackie Welles is the best. A toast to him – but please with style: A shot of vodka on the rocks, lime juice, ginger beer, and a splash of love. Please don’t forget that.
If I hadn’t wanted to see more than just the first area, I would have easily gotten stuck in the first act. Unfortunately, the allure of the main quest was too great.
To this day, I passionately explore every corner of Night City that is available to me, stick V’s nose into other people’s affairs, and seek the favor of the contract-giving fixers. Even today, occasionally with a nice glass of whiskey.
However, I must admit: I have not finished Cyberpunk to this day. On the one hand, there is far too much to do, and on the other hand, I am very concerned about the ending of “my” V.
Hello, V. I hope I haven’t made any bad decisions for you.
Eventually, I will find out how it ends. But until then, I hope that I will be done with the new DLC Phantom Liberty – because there are many opportunities to make right and wrong decisions.
Let’s talk about 2.0 – because without it, Phantom Liberty would just be more of the same
CD Project Red released version 2.0 of Cyberpunk 2077 on September 21, which is actually less of a patch and more of a 2/3 overhaul of the game.
After activating my press access and installing all downloads, the new skill tree was my first new opponent in the game.
To dive directly into Phantom Liberty, I had loaded my old save file. One of the prerequisites for starting the DLC quests is to have completed the quest line about the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica. Knowing myself, I would have comfortably played another 25 hours with a new game save before even starting the quests.
The new skill tree confused me in that suddenly nothing I had skilled made sense. My approach to the game was never that I wanted to play completely optimized. I enjoyed myself casually and skilled what seemed sensible and fun to me. Apparently, that has not been well implemented in the new update.
The game gave me a free respec, and I used it – even if now with a click on the mouse wheel all specs can simply be reset. My currently chosen skills and the distributed points may not be optimal, but everything works as I wish.
I’ve recorded a deeper insight into the skill tree topic here:
“Want some new chrome, Chicka?” A perpetual mobile of new to-dos
I had a very similar problem with my cyberware. A correspondingly necessary visit to the next Ripperdoc, the specialist for inserting and upgrading cyberware, put me directly in front of the next problem: My V was broke.
No problem – Eddies are earned pretty quickly in Night City. But I thought the last quests in my log were still there because they were quite difficult.
The new quest log is by far clearer: Tasks are either in a collected overview or separated by quest, fixer job, and “completed”.
However, the risk assessment has completely fallen away in the new presentation. My reluctance towards certain tasks as well. So I rolled up my sleeves and went: Eddies farming like crazy!
During this, I also got acquainted with the new police AI! Before 2.0, the law enforcement officers were little to no concerned about whether I was law-abiding. But now? I hit exactly one pedestrian with my motorcycle – which I can’t handle at all – and already the announcement came over the police radio.
After the many gang shootings that were announced on the radio and which I clarified for the Night City Police Department, the chase after me was quite funny. And in a way also cool. I just had to switch cars and drive to another district to throw off the law enforcement officers from my trail.
Round Gameplay with Minor Flaws
All in all, I had a pleasant gameplay round with the base game content updated to version 2.0. The update has polished the functionality of Cyberpunk 2077 to a high gloss without taking away its own charm:
Night City remains Night City. The plaster still crumbles from the walls. The neon-colored, garish advertisements still advertise the same absurd luxury goods. Gangs still roam the streets. Cars stop at green traffic lights. Just Night City.
Until I found a “suitable” chrome and Eurodollar stand, I also enjoyed one or the other new or still existing bug. My personal highlight was the pedestrians who stood wildly in the street intersections and did not move despite the heavy traffic.
Also entertaining: When I opened my wardrobe, the transmog system of Cyberpunk 2077, three outfits were stored of which my V wore one. However, the game displayed them completely naked – please forgive the Sims pixel filter.
Before I tell you about my first adventures in and around Dog Town, a small tip: The update 2.0 is released five days before the DLC. I recommend you to use this time to bring an old save file to 2.0 or to start with a new V. That way you will already be familiar with the new mechanics and layouts when Phantom Liberty is released.
In our news here, we have summarized an overview of all updates that come for free with 2.0 for all Cyberpunk 2077 owners:
Now for the major expansion: This is Phantom Liberty
The last hurdle before entering the “new” district Dog Town is a quest: Only when the quests “M’ap Tann Pelen, I walk the Line” to “Transmissions” are marked as completed in your quest logs, the DLC story content starts.
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Gamescom 2023 ONL – Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
That we should take care of the crashed plane of the NUSA president and its recovery, I already knew from the announcements. However, I did not expect a call like “Hey – I can help you with your Relic if you help me! Come to Dog Town.”
Dog Town is the new district introduced by Phantom Liberty. The southeastern half of Pacifica has been cut off from Night City for years and is ruled by a local military dictatorship under Colonel Kurt Hansen. Accordingly, it looks like a war zone.
Dog Town has its own charm, which not only elicits sarcastic comments from our dear roommate Johnny Silverhand throughout our journey. We also learn more about the rocker’s career.
But before I can really take a look around, time is pressing: Our mysterious caller Songbird is waiting for us at the main entrance. She first forces us to our knees: She is a netrunner, one of the best, and is tinkering with our biochip, the Relic.
Now comes the moment I have been waiting for since the beginning of the base game: We finally unlock the mysterious Relic functions!
The Relic button came with the biochip. But until it was unlocked in the DLC, it had no function. Whoever clicked it only saw a blinking, distorted button. Since I didn’t want any spoilers, I thought for a long time that I needed to befriend Johnny Silverhand to make something of it.
As it turns out, the feature simply was not in the game before Phantom Liberty. I don’t regret being nice to Johnny. But maybe I should have chosen my dialogue options a bit less cautiously.
Back to the Relic function. We start with three Relic points and three selectable base functions: Emergency Cloak, Jailbreak, and Weakness Analysis.
Each of the first three abilities requires 3 points to unlock. However, you can release the points at any time and distribute them differently. You can unlock more at Militech terminals in Dog Town.
Equipped with my new abilities, I follow the instructions of my new netrunner friend into the depths of Dog Town. What follows is a sequence of gameplay and cutscenes that matches the intensity and length of the beginnings of the base game.
It’s a damn wild ride. Songbird leads me through a dilapidated garage labyrinth into Dog Town, to a viewpoint, and through more than one intense confrontation with the “law enforcement” of the district.
At this point, I could now indulge in memories of the last gameplay hours and tell you in detail what happened to me. But then you wouldn’t need to play the expansion anymore.
Just this much: I found President Myers. With her, I had perhaps the coolest buddy cop experience I have ever had in a game. I can only say: Yes, Madam President!
“Please don’t shoot! I’m here to help.”
The start in Phantom Liberty is exhausting. But with reaching the safe house, calm returns for a moment. But also the everyday life of Cyberpunk.
Relaxed: What else is in Phantom Liberty?
Now the “classic” Cyberpunk missions begin for me: Talk to the character, choose dialogue options wisely, visit locations from A to Z, and explore the world. It never gets quiet in Dog Town and if needed, you can dive into new cyberpsychos, stalkers, or gang wars. Many new boss fights await you too.
In all the action, I almost forgot that there is more to Phantom Liberty than just a new main story. One of the first innovations announces itself directly on the phone, as soon as you have some breathing room in the story: the fixer Mr. Hands. He has his base in Dog Town and looks forward to working with V.
Despite good cooperation in the base game, he doesn’t want to meet us right away. To console us, he gives V a new car and almost right away sends him a new lucrative job – one of 17 new side quests and tasks.
According to Mr. Hands, the streets in Dog Town are almost like in Europe, and V needs a suitable vehicle – in which you can also switch on the three new radio stations directly.
On the way from point A of the main mission to point B, I directly stumbled upon one of the new courier missions: A blinking point on my map made me curious. It turned out to be a car that I had to steal for a fixer outside of Dog Town.
Seconds after I discovered the blinking point, my V was in the middle of a wild chase through Night City. But this time not with the police, but with one of the factions from Dog Town! I was so perplexed that I don’t even remember who had me on the hook.
By the way: Anyone who owns and plays Phantom Liberty can unlock a new ending for the base game. So if you are dissatisfied with your previous ending or, like me, have never seen one, you should definitely try out Dog Town before reaching the next ending.
2.0 is the highlight – Phantom Liberty is simply more good Cyberpunk
As you may have noted while reading, I had a really good time with Phantom Liberty and Cyberpunk 2077 2.0. As the game is now, it might be the best version it can be.
Of course, some things are still missing. Without wanting to rehash old issues, but the monorail as a means of transport would have been cool. Or wandering through Night City with my friends in multiplayer. I keep my fingers crossed that the latter might still be possible someday – as a patch or standalone game. The main thing is that Night City remains as flashy and colorful as we know it.
The 2.0 adjustments make the game much more playable and clearer for me personally. Even though I first had to get used to the fact that some things now work differently. From a still somewhat “clunky” game, it has become a smooth gaming experience.
After the initial adjustment phase, the new skill tree, the tidy quest log, and the changes to the cyberware make playing considerably easier for me. I can level up faster and more easily according to my play style. If I once “skilled” incorrectly, I can also quickly revert the adjustments.
Additionally, the update has brought new life to Night City. The now very active NCPD, the shooting from cars, and the consequences for my actions outside of quests.
Cyberpunk 2077 was a good game with flaws. But with 2.0, it finally becomes really damn good. Almost a completely new game – with the caveat that I have (yet) not seen everything from the DLC and this is just a first impression.
Moreover, Dog Town has incredible potential for stories and characters that have only been mentioned in passing so far. Mr. Hands is such a character. His first fixer gigs momentarily made me doubt: Could I have done that differently? And the answer is probably yes.
And if I may express an honest hope: I roughly know how it can end for V – in all scenarios. Maybe Phantom Liberty rewards us with something … satisfying.
Maybe go in there next? I can hardly wait to boot up the game again.
I am very curious about your impressions and expectations for the game. Feel free to leave a few comments. But don’t take it personally; I will read them later.
The article here is now finished, and I have a date with Solomon Reed in Dog Town.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Pokémon GO there has been a new maximum level for almost 3 years now. Therefore, we at MeinMMO want to know from you whether you have already reached level 50.
Which level is it about? In Pokémon GO, you have the opportunity to rise in your trainer level. This is especially important at the beginning because the higher your own level is, the further you can level up your Pokémon and thereby increase their CP. This should ideally be as high as possible in battles.
In the early years of the mobile game, there were only 40 levels that you could achieve solely by collecting experience points. At the end of 2020, the maximum level was finally raised to 50. Nevertheless, many players still have difficulty reaching it. Therefore, we want to know from you in the following survey whether you are already level 50.
Level 50 poses problems for trainers – Have you already reached it?
What hurdles are there? Even though the maximum level has only increased by 10 levels and almost 3 years have passed since then, many trainers are still stuck at other levels. This is mainly due to the additional tasks that must be completed by players for level-ups from level 40 onward. These are quite challenging.
You not only have to collect a lot of XP, but also prove your skills in battles against Team GO Rocket or the GO Battle League, among other things. Additionally, there are extensive tasks for catching monsters, solving field research, or earning medals. Particularly trainers who do not enjoy playing PvP have problems with the quests and criticize them.
But how about you? Have you already reached the maximum level? Let us know in the following survey.
How long did it take you to reach the maximum level? And at which task did you have the most difficulties? Feel free to let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers.
The web app for EA Sports FC 24 gives you the chance to tinker with your Ultimate Team before the game is released and to prepare for the launch. We will show you tips on what you can do with the web app.
Even without the complete game, you can already start tinkering a bit with your Ultimate Team using the web app. You can earn some initial coins, complete SBCs, and buy players.
We have gathered some tips for the first days with the web app.
1. Choose a useful starter nation
Which starter nations are worth it? Usually, you need to choose a starter nation when starting Ultimate Team, from which you will receive initial cards.
However, since most of these card gifts are unlikely to be strong enough for your team, it might be worth choosing a nation that could be useful for the initial SBCs (Squad Building Challenges) in FC 24. These can actually be tackled right now.
Nations that are well distributed across many leagues are suitable here. Examples include Brazil, Argentina, or Germany.
Start video
5 important improvements in the career mode of EA Sports FC 24
2. Which cards to sell? Which not?
What should I do with the first cards from the packs? That depends entirely on what cards you pull.
Do not sell yet: If you pull popular meta cards, you should hold onto them for a few days. Because as soon as the early access grants access to the first players, the prices of such cards can rise quickly. Only then will players need good cards to compete. Moreover, most players won’t have many coins at the start, so they can’t put much on the transfer market.
Sell: On the transfer market, you should sell low-rated gold cards from nations, clubs, or leagues that are uninteresting for SBCs. You can sell these on the transfer market to quickly get coins. If you’re in a particular hurry, they can be sold quickly.
Watch: You should keep an eye on cards that might be interesting for SBCs and sell them when the price is high on the transfer market. These might be cards with high ratings or interesting nation/league combinations.
3. Should I sell cards quickly?
You need to keep this in mind: Generally, you will earn more coins by listing cards on the transfer market than with the quick sell. Therefore, it is often advisable to choose the more time-consuming method and offer the cards on the transfer market for a higher price.
However, there is one interesting exception. Cards that are quickly sold can be “retrieved” through the web app up to a certain point.
So, for example, if you pull a more expensive special card like a TOTW card, you will initially get quite a few coins if you sell it quickly. This way, you can secure coins in the short term to invest more in trading.
Then you use part of your coins to retrieve the quickly sold special card and sell it at a higher price later on.
4. Cosmetic items can be quite valuable
What items are we talking about? Jerseys, stadiums, anthems, goal music, and similar items are all cosmetic items that are often dismissed as filler in packs and ignored. However, especially at the start of the FUT season, you can sometimes sell these things for a good price.
At the start, many players will be customizing their clubs, looking for the jerseys of their favorite teams, and designing how their club should look overall.
At this time, items from popular clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and others may be sold well.
5. Complete SBCs as cheaply as possible
Which SBCs are we talking about? Squad Building Challenges offer a good way to secure rewards. Here, you’ll find the classic starter SBCs, but also the slightly more complex ones from the “Hybrid Nations“ and “Hybrid Leagues“ categories. Whether the rewards will be untradable again as they were last year is still unknown.
What is important is that you solve the SBCs with as little investment in the transfer market as possible. Only buy individual players. If you’re lucky, the SBCs can yield good rewards without you investing many strong cards or coins.
You need to keep this in mind: In the first days after the launch of the web app, many players will be diving into the available SBCs – because there isn’t much more you can do in the web app anyway.
For this, many will rely on SBC solutions from “futbin“ or other sites, and you can use exactly this to your advantage.
Simply look at which cards are included in the most popular solutions to the SBCs and check if you can buy these cheaply and later sell them at a higher price. Even better: If you have some of these cards in your club, sell them when the demand from SBCs is highest.
Do you also have more tips on how you want to use the web app in FC 24? Tell us in the comments!
If you want to start planning your new team now, we’ll show you how to do it:
A man reports on Reddit about his girlfriend’s frequent PC crashes. The reason for this is a small cooler that has come loose and thus triggered a chain reaction in the PC.
In many hardware components, the phrase “bigger, heavier, higher” is becoming more common. This also applies to some models of RAM – be it additional RGB lighting on the modules or a protruding heat sink that sticks out far from the motherboard.
Furthermore, there are differences among manufacturers in the production and quality of the processed parts. This can lead to problems that one would not have thought possible.
With our additional tips, you save time and nerves that could arise from PC problems.
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Manufacturer shows sleek case, gamers are thrilled: “Great design! Goes directly onto my wishlist”
PC coolers are not always helpful
What can be seen in the photo? In the image in the Reddit post, the friend holds the RAM stick (English: RAM | Random Access Memory) of his girlfriend in his hand.
One can quickly see that there is something wrong with the hardware component. The heat sink above has shifted and thus covered part of the contact surface, which normally disappears completely into the slot on the motherboard.
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How did this problem occur? The man suspects that the RAM cooler, the so-called heat spreader, has come loose. Due to this misalignment, one side of the heat spreader has shifted upwards toward the processor cooler.
In a sort of domino effect, the CPU cooler or its fan has pushed the RAM out of its slot on the motherboard.
Since the RAM module was no longer correctly inserted, this led to bluescreens and system crashes during operation. The friend was very surprised and wrote in a comment under the post: ‘I didn’t know that something like this could happen with the heat spreader.’
What is a heat spreader?
A heat spreader is a small piece of metal/metal sheet that is mounted on hardware components that can reach high temperatures during operation. As a heat distributor, the module is supposed to dissipate heat to the surrounding air over its larger surface area.
How was the problem solved? The Reddit user’s girlfriend decided to completely remove the heat sink from the RAM. However, this is not without risks. If done incorrectly, memory chips could be ripped out of the RAM, damaging the module and rendering it unusable.
Is this the end of the story? No, not quite. His girlfriend was able to remove one side of the heat spreader without damaging the RAM. However, she decided not to use the RAM module further.
Instead, she preferred to buy new modules and treat herself to an upgrade to 32 GB DDR4 RAM for her computer.
Useful tips to avoid trouble when buying/upgrading RAM
What should one consider when buying RAM modules? In addition to storage capacity and speed, the installation height of the desired memory should also be checked. Otherwise, it may occur that it collides with the cooler or fan of the already installed processor. This makes installation difficult or renders it impossible.
Low-profile RAM is characterized by a low height and avoids such problems from the outset.
Are there other options? If you already have the RAM in front of you, you can alternatively look for a CPU cooler that does not extend over the RAM slots after installation.
With some models, you can attach the fan not only on the side with the underlying RAM but also on the opposite side of the processor cooler.
Does RAM necessarily require a heat spreader? No, it depends on what temperatures the module reaches during operation and how warm your computer gets inside.
Excessive temperatures can lead to throttling or system instability. If you have adequate cooling with multiple case fans, this should generally not be an issue.
This gamer makes a big mistake during the assembly of his PC:
