Star Wars is getting a new game, a 14-year-old MMORPG still won’t hang, soon starting a new era

While the Game Awards 2025 announced a new game with Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic is set to receive several updates that will lead the game into a new era and shows what awaits you in 2026.

What does 2026 hold for the game? In the latest letter from Executive Producer Keith Kanneg, not only were the milestones of 2025 discussed, but there was also a look ahead to 2026.

According to this, early in 2026 with Update 7.8.1 named Master’s Enigma, there will be not only new story content and a new Galactic Season, but they will also function differently than before. More information about this is expected in a developer stream scheduled for February 2026.

Also in the spring, Update 7.9 titled Legacy Reborn will usher in a new era. With it, the grand storyline surrounding the legacy of the Sith will come to an end, shaking the galaxy thoroughly. Thus, a new era begins. Additionally, the 10th PvP season will commence here.

In the summer, Galactic Season 11 will launch with 7.9.1 and will follow a similar pattern as the first season of 2026. Both seasons will be introduced and elaborated in the developer stream in February. Preparations for the 15th anniversary are also in full swing and are expected to hold some surprises that will be released with version update 8.0.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic zeigt Grafikupdates im Trailer

A Year Full of Milestones in Retrospect

What milestones were reached in 2025? In the letter, Kanneg also addresses the milestones of this year, which were quite a few. New options for character customization were introduced, giving players more freedom.

The graphics were also modernized and polished, giving the game a more contemporary look. Additionally, many improvements were made for the player experience, such as an era menu to help you better track your progress and making some features accessible for free version players.

Besides, there were of course numerous story updates that advanced the narrative surrounding the Sith and the introduction of support for DirectX version 12, while version 9 is no longer supported.

While Star Wars: The Old Republic is being continuously optimized, allowing players to dive deep into the MMORPG, during the Game Awards 2025, the next upcoming game in the franchise was announced with Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. To find out exactly what it’s about, read here: Former head of Anthem wants to try again, creates quasi-sequel to the best RPG for Star Wars

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

A new build makes pressing buttons an option in Diablo 4, doing everything while you are AFK

The Paladin is not only one of the strongest classes in Diablo 4, but also offers a build that takes down monsters in droves while you virtually just exist. We’ll show you what you need for that.

On December 12, 2025, the Paladin surprisingly appeared in Diablo 4 and is available to everyone who pre-orders the new expansion Lord of Hatred. The class offers various playstyles, including an extremely powerful OP build that deals up to 5 billion damage per tick and can nearly oneshot bosses on Torment 4.

What is this AFK build? Another Paladin build stands out particularly, as you do not actively attack enemies with skills here. Instead, you eliminate entire groups of monsters simply by existing. So if you’re looking for a relaxed build where you hardly have to press buttons or keep track of complex skill rotations, the “Auradin build” is just right for you. The name combines Paladin and the Auras that the build is based on.

For the so-called Auradin build, you use the Disciple Oath. More information about the Paladin and his oaths can be found in the official trailer:

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Diablo 4 shows the Paladin and his oaths in the gameplay trailer

“Walking Simulator” thanks to unique gloves

This is what makes the build so strong: The Auradin build is one of the most convenient builds in Diablo 4 and is rightly referred to by the experts at maxroll.gg as a “Walking Simulator.” You move quickly across the map while monsters practically evaporate from your Fire Aura.

Key points of the build are:

  • For the build, you need the unique gloves “Dämmerfreuer,” which drop among others from Varshan. Their effect ensures that Holy Light continuously deals fire damage around you – your most important source of damage. For that, “Aura of Holy Light” must be on your skill bar. You can additionally activate the aura, which is especially effective against bosses.
  • “Falling Star” is your most important mobility skill, which allows you to move quickly between groups of enemies.
  • “Aura of Fanaticism” weakens enemies while “Aura of Defiance” heals you. Activating the latter also makes you unstoppable.
  • For additional healing, you rely on “Consecration,” which simultaneously deals damage per second.
  • As an ultimate, you use “Lord of Justice,” with which you plunge into the battlefield as a Lord and deal massive damage.
  • The Disciple Oath enhances your Disciple skills like Falling Star and Lord of Justice. In the Lord form, you deal 50% [x] more damage with these skills.

“Auradin Build” – the gameplay

This is how the build plays: You switch between “Lord of Justice” and “Falling Star” to stay in your Lord form for as long as possible. You regularly activate your aura skills to deal constant damage while benefiting from bonuses to armor, resistances, critical hit chance, and attack speed. “Consecration” is particularly useful in more challenging fights.

The unique gloves “Dämmerfreuer” ultimately ensure that your Paladin automatically melts enemies – perfect for leaning back and watching everything around you perish in droves.

You can find a detailed build guide by the experts and theory crafters at maxroll.gg. And a variant in video format is shown by the Diablo expert Chronikz on YouTube. An overview of the strongest builds can also be found in our Tier List for Diablo 4 Season 11.

Anyone who generally enjoys relaxed playstyles and is looking for an alternative should also check out the “Zealot Build.” This one is based on the Fanatic Oath and feels almost like a cozy weekend simulator for gamer dads. You can find more about it here: The Paladin in Diablo 4 now also has the perfect “Dad Build,” mowing down enemies like grass with a lawnmower

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

A company co-founded by Knossi is said to have faked private chats with Twitch streamers and is now commenting on the serious allegations

After a YouTuber made serious allegations against the company Fanblast, a massive backlash against the company ensued. On social media, Fanblast is now defending itself against the accusations, which involve fake private chats with Twitch streamers and other influencers.

What is the accusation? At Fanblast, customers can obtain the private numbers of influencers for real money. They can then communicate with them. At least that is the promise of the company. However, the YouTuber RobBubble apparently discovered some inconsistencies:

  • The private chats are allegedly not conducted with the streamers but with employees of the Oasis Agency. 
  • They are said to mentally blackmail the customers to get even more money from them. 
  • Involved are the companies Fanblast and the influencers themselves, who allegedly provide the chatters with information to avoid contradictions.
  • Among the involved influencers are streamers Alexisshv and GwendolynCeline.

RobBubble also reportedly found out that the companies Fanblast and Oasis Agency are located in the same office in Hamburg. For him, it is clear that the two companies are in cahoots and behind the fraudulent scheme.

Twitch streamer Knossi, who co-founded the company Fanblast, has already commented on the serious allegations. He stated that he was only part of the founding and investor team and had no influence on the development of the company. He had no knowledge of the current events.

Now the affected company Fanblast itself is issuing a statement. It is stated on Instagram how they are defending themselves against the accusations and how fans should act in case of doubt.

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

Fanblast dismisses allegations

What does Fanblast say? The responsible parties clarify what Fanblast actually is, namely a direct connection between fans and content creators. It is not their job to dictate to people what they should do with their tool, that is, Fanblast.

Our job is to ensure that everyone adheres to the rules. If we find that someone is abusing Fanblast, we will block that person.

They advise the affected fans to use the whistleblower system that has been available on the platform since June. It can be used anonymously to report abuse. Since Fanblast does not monitor the private chats, it is important to use the tool and report suspicious activities.

The majority of social media agencies would comply with the terms of service of Fanblast, but there are also black sheep. These would be blocked by Fanblast as soon as they violate the rules.

To make Fanblast even more transparent, we urge all creators to clearly indicate who is communicating with the fans. If messages do not come directly from the creator, but from the team or management, this must be immediately visible to the fans.

In the end, this means: Fanblast denies the accusations and shifts the blame to the management of the influencers. Moreover, fans must report suspicious activities; otherwise, Fanblast cannot act.

Knossi gained fame on Twitch, among other things, for streaming gambling content. However, he later distanced himself from the content and revealed what set him apart from other casino streamers: Knossi became huge on Twitch back then because he streamed online casino games but does not want to belong to “them”

In the end, this means: Fanblast denies the accusations and shifts the blame to the management of the influencers. Moreover, fans must report suspicious activities; otherwise, Fanblast cannot act.

Knossi gained fame on Twitch, among other things, for streaming gambling content. However, he later distanced himself from the content and revealed what set him apart from other casino streamers: Knossi became huge on Twitch back then because he streamed online casino games but does not want to belong to “them”

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

Because Dungeons & Dragons is too much sitting, I’m now questing through real life with sword and shield

In the new hobby of MeinMMO editor Sophia Weiss, she fights alongside orcs, infiltrates pirate ships, and brews potions – and all of that in the real world. But what is LARP anyway, and how does it differ from pen & paper? We have the answers!

I have some strange hobbies and have reported on these a few times on MeinMMO. For example, about my visit to the One Piece Gym in Tokyo (working out for the Pirate King!) or my odyssey into working with epoxy resin.

As a fulltime nerd, I am also a passionate role player. I discovered Dungeons & Dragons in 2017 thanks to Critical Role and have since taken a few trips into Call of Cthulhu or the Avatar pen & paper game. 

Since 2022, however, the meeting at home and worshiping the dice gods has not been enough for me. No, I need more. And that’s why I started with LARP, Live Action Role Playing. But what exactly is that?

From Tables and Dice to Battles with Foam Weapons

At its core, LARP is like pen & paper. But of course with differences: The players are dressed as their characters, everything happens in real time, and they rarely sit at tables and roll dice.

In essence, many enthusiastic role players meet at LARP in fancy costumes and create events that are a mix of festival, medieval market, and real-life game.

Of course there are not only (high) fantasy settings: If one wishes, they can enjoy themselves at vampire conventions or delve into the (zombie) apocalypse. There are events for every genre. 

So: One experiences the adventures of their own hero in a very real way and is also responsible for portraying the character. However, since LARP is a collaboration between several players, game masters, and non-player characters (NPCs), you are not usually the main character.

For instance, one does not take part as Arthas from World of Warcraft, but rather as a somewhat lesser-known adventurer with their own backstory. Some also choose a culture that appeals to them – for example, Vikings may come from the Skellige Isles in the Witcher universe. Or one is a hobbit who has taken a wrong turn in search of the best leaf for their pipe.

Possible locations are diverse and chosen based on the size and type of the event. Many medieval or fantasy events are held in suitable restaurants or even castles. Apocalypse events, on the other hand, often take place in old factory sites or on former military grounds. The larger events like Drachenfest or Conquest of Mythodea in Germany, however, have a festival character with large camping areas and battlefields.

The games are led by a usually multi-member management team that takes care of the organization. They brief the NPCs. These are also portrayed by people, but as a real NPC equivalent, they only have the agenda set by the management, usually not one of their own – think of the nice tavern owner or the lord handing out quests. 

While tabletop games take place at home at the table, in LARP worlds which most only ever imagine, suddenly come to life. And that with a lot of commitment, fun, and energy.

Trying LARP – What Do I Need for It?

No matter if you are on a one- or multi-day event: You need an outfit, a character name, and a concept. Once you know what kind of person or being you want to embody, you can get the appropriate clothing and equipment for it – whether bought, borrowed, or improvised, it doesn’t matter.

A knight, for example, will pay attention to noble clothing and, of course, armor. On top of that, weapons like sword and shield, with which they will adequately go into battle. 

Yes, fighting does occur in LARP. But for safety reasons, no real swords are used in battle, but padded weapons. Thus, most fighters usually just come away with bruises. Important: It’s better for the weapon to break than your leg. One should only ensure that everything is safe – improvisation should generally be avoided.

Anyone portraying a character with specialization must be able to portray it. For example, I play an alchemist. Accordingly, I carry an alchemy lab with me. Part of my play at the LARP involves brewing potions of all kinds. This needs to be portrayed, for example, with baking soda volcanoes, color tests, and smoke effects.

Magic users face a similar problem: Anyone who wants to cast spells must have the appropriate incantations ready. Then there is the question of how to portray it – some whirl blue cloths for water magic or throw a red-dyed Styrofoam ball as a fireball. There are no limits to creativity, as long as no one gets hurt.

Each character gets a kind of character sheet similar to D&D: It states, for example, which armor one can wear and which weapons one may wield. Or also whether certain abilities have been learned.  

It is also established how many hit points a character has. Unlike in D&D, these are not about 50, but rather 2, and in exceptional cases even 3. Depending on the rule set, armor points may be added, but these only absorb hits to the armor. In my experience, however, the vast majority do not take the hit points too seriously.

If you have a basic wardrobe and all optional accessories that belong to your character, you are ready for your first LARP. The major events in Germany include Drachenfest in Northern Hesse, Epic Empires in Saarland, and Conquest of Mythodea in Lower Saxony.

While large conventions have the advantage that you can fully immerse yourself and gather your first experiences, you do not always get much of the active plot. Weekend events or one-day LARPs are much smaller and offer more opportunities to actively participate right from the start. 

But the easiest way to dip in is through LARP tavern nights. Here, you don’t have to directly save the world, just the cake.

The large events are widely known. However, finding smaller ones in your area is often more difficult. It is best to Google or specifically look for groups and events on Facebook. 

One last point: Depending on the event, a tent is needed. Those who absolutely want to camp in style and appropriately will have to use linen tents like at medieval markets. However, many events also allow you to sleep on the edge of the camp with regular tents. So you don’t have to spend a fortune for a dry place to sleep.

For the big convention vibes, here is the trailer for Drachenfest 2025:

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LARP for Beginners – Here’s How It Works

Once you are at your event, there is a common signal for going IT. IT is the abbreviation for In Time, meaning the game world or game time. I am going IT now means the person is now in their role and can be addressed as their character’s name. 

Going OT is the opposite: Going Out of Time. Whoever is not playing (break, sleeping, going to the restroom, etc.) is accordingly OT and is addressed by their own name. Those who are IT usually ignore OT people and vice versa.

Regarding going OT: There is no set signal for it. Those who need to go somewhere walk to the edge of the camp and thus leave the IT area. Or one retreats to the tent and is simply not there. Essentially, one shows they are OT by moving around the playing area or leaving politely. 

The LARP community is generally very friendly, and people watch out for each other. However, if things get too wild, one can definitely signal IT or OT that it is too much: Oh Mother is a common signal at Drachenfest for Hey, it’s getting too crazy for me, please tone it down. And should a fight escalate and someone gets hurt, one should definitely always ask for a medic.

Before you start, one last point: You do not win LARP. There is no king of Drachenfest. It’s not about being the prettiest, coolest, or best.

No More 100 Question Marks? Quests in LARP are Simple

In LARP, it’s about telling stories. Having a good time. Giving each other opportunities to shine. Trying out cool new things. And yes, now and then, a monster must also be defeated – together. Of course, one can also go on an ego trip. But that will never be as much fun as questing together. 

One of my favorite tasks so far was a total side story: While collecting herbs in front of the casino, I was approached by the matriarch of the establishment. Because I seemed competent to her, she asked me to give her son marriage counseling.

He had apparently messed things up badly with his wife – the divorce was imminent! After an in-depth conversation with me and my IT sister, he wanted to try again to convince his wife. The mission was a success, and we were rewarded. 

On the side, I also sneak into other camps, gently knock out opposing guards, and help with banner stealing at 3:00 AM. When the next morning you hear your fellow campers questioning how the second or even third banner ended up in our camp overnight, you do feel a sense of pride.

In reality, I am an editor. Sneaking around at 3 AM elsewhere rarely happens. One also gives marital advice much less often. And I catch myself even less frequently brewing a healing potion. 

LARP gives me the chance to live out my wildest dreams and fantasies. And for that alone, it has become my favorite hobby. Not to mention that it has now started two more hobbies for me: Because I wanted a leather armor, I made one myself. And to ensure I wouldn’t look so amateurish on the battlefield anymore, I’m now training sword fighting at the club (HEMA). But more on that another time.

I have nothing else to add about LARP itself. Everything else is learned when you are on site – from the other players or from the respective rule set. So pack your adventure backpack, throw on the cloak, and let’s go! And if you need a bit of inspiration for a fitting character, you can find it here: 5 strong backgrounds from Dungeons & Dragons in the ranking that make your backstory advantageous in the game

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

Gamer devastates a hotel room for 2 years, leaves a disgusting condition – employees complain: “Guest from hell”

A gamer stays in an e-sports focused hotel for an extended period. He devastates the entire apartment and turns it into a trash heap. The hotel owners are shocked after his departure. 

What happened? The U.S. Sun, a magazine from the United States, reports in a news article from December 17, 2025, that a gamer trashed a Chinese hotel room. The guest in question is said to have lived in the hotel room for over 2 years, during which he ruined the space. There were said to be mountains of empty bottles, trash, and food packaging piled up. 

The condition was so bad that many areas of the room were inaccessible, and the staff reportedly referred to the e-sport player as “the guest from hell.” Furthermore, the gamer allegedly has an outstanding bill for over 10 days amounting to 300 British pounds or about 342 euros (as of December 19, 2025). 

The creator of a cult classic received no money for his game for years, more about this can be found in the following video:

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He created a legendary game, but didn’t get paid for it – Today he’s still a millionaire

Decluttering and renovations are necessary 

How did the hotel react? According to The U.S. Sun, the room had to be cleared out and then renovated before it could be used again. The decluttering alone, followed by disinfection, took over three days. After the cleaning, the full extent of the damage became visible. Further renovations were necessary. 

The magazine reports that the hotel currently does not plan to take legal action against the gamer and has not reported the incident to the police. Because the unpaid overnight stays alone could pose legal problems for the guest. 

The hotel is located, according to The U.S. Sun, in Changchun, the capital of the Chinese province of Jilin. There stands the Chengdu 567 hotel, which describes itself as an e-sports hotel. Whether the incident occurred there could not be verified by MeinMMO at the time of the news.

Jokes and comparisons with a well-known streamer 

How is the community reacting? Users on X.com comment under the post from The U.S. Sun with questions, humor, and concerns: 

  • Solomon Jones compares: “The Asian Asmongold”
  • Jace asks: “Can you stay in a hotel room for so long without anyone coming to clean it?”
  • Erica says: “The hotel needs to hire a professional cleaning company. I hope the hotel staff doesn’t have to clean it up.” 

But everyone agrees that the condition of the room is catastrophic and that no one should live there. A few users compare the devastation to streamer Asmongold, whose apartment had a similar condition a few years ago. So bad that even a family member spoke up: “I couldn’t even walk through the living room” – Asmongold’s father complains on Twitch about his mess

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. thesun
  2. x
  3. Instagram

My neighbor in WoW has the best house of all

WoW demon Cortyn has sneaked through the neighborhood. One house has become particularly impressive – and it stood open.

Like so many others, I have spent the last days and weeks in World of Warcraft, focusing primarily on Housing. Luckily, I live in a neighborhood with many other players who have put way too many hours into this feature; many have their doors open and proudly showcase what they have built.

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So gestaltet ihr in WoW einen Weihnachtsbaum für die Feiertage

Today, I want to show you one of these houses because it combines many interesting ideas and is, for me, the most impressive house I have seen so far.

So let me show you the house of Ticks from my neighborhood!

6 secret rooms right at the entrance

From the outside, the house seems relatively inconspicuous, but it impresses with its dark appearance and the fact that the entire property is fenced. You get the impression that perhaps someone lives here who values their privacy (but since the door was open, I simply ignored that and intruded).

WoW Housing Ticks 1
From the outside, it looks ordinary yet secure – a fence completely around.

The entrance area seems simple at first glance – a long corridor leading to the main room. But that is deceiving. Each of the bookshelves is a secret door, behind which lies its own chamber with playful, interesting details:

WoW Housing Ticks 2
The wall decoration is creative, but each bookshelf hides a secret.

Behind the first door awaits a warning – a large, creepy scarecrow designed to chase away curious troublemakers.

WoW Housing Ticks 3
The zonk. That must have been the wrong door.

Another door leads to a miniature room – apparently a dollhouse. Who knows if a child truly plays here or if a crazy wizard is shrinking his victims and keeping them trapped. Eh, I digress.

WoW Housing Ticks 4
Surely, many a young elf will enjoy themselves here!

But my personal favorite is the “Pen & Paper” room. Here, a table is hidden, on which a tabletop game appears to be currently underway – the Game Master has concealed his area behind a book, the figures are positioned on the game board, and of course, everyone has junk food with them.

WoW Housing Ticks 5
Just missing the dice …

The creepy library

After the entrance area, you enter the large main hall, evidently a library with a giant magical relic in the center.

WoW Housing Ticks 6
The library could easily stand in Dalaran.

All bookshelves on the lower level have been hand-stocked and display different relics. From a small guillotine to miniaturized demon altars or alchemical potions, there is much variety. Just the countless small objects must have consumed several hundred thousand gold or meant many hours of farming work.

WoW Housing Ticks 7
The content of this bookshelf is associated with a lot of time and gold.

It becomes truly impressive when you look up. You can see that the library goes up several floors and seems to reach for infinity. Several objects float in the air and appear to be attracted by a void portal on the ceiling. This reminded me a bit of Karazhan or the inscriptionist shop in Dalaran – but so far, I have not seen it implemented so coherently anywhere else.

WoW Housing Ticks 8
Looking up, it looks particularly impressive.

More rooms with playful details and great windows

In one more room, there seems to be a workspace. Several desks, alchemical devices, and a large chimney. But what I find particularly interesting here is the artificially created window. Ticks has built a part of his garden in miniature behind a glass pane so that it looks like you could actually look outside and see the garden at night. An extremely creative and visually impressive solution!

WoW Housing Ticks 9
The window is a clear highlight since you “see” the garden.

The sleeping area is somewhat less outlandish than the rest of the house (if you ignore the poison barrels on the side), but it also has some highlights. The bed has been made significantly more impressive with rugs and cushions and looks quite elegant.

WoW Housing Ticks 10
One enjoys sleeping here.

Again, the view through the window is impressive. A beautiful moon and small stars are visible – it was built following a similar principle as the window in the workspace. Here, the overwhelming carpet was also used.

WoW Housing Ticks 11
In these rooms, there is always a starry sky.

In another corner, there is a strange construct made of Draenei devices that apparently holds a bottle of wine in a state of stasis. It must be a particularly fine drop being preserved for eternity – or at least until I passed by and treated myself to a sip.

WoW Housing Ticks 12
I don’t know what happens to the bottle of wine, but it was tasty.

I haven’t shown all areas of the house here. Partly because the article would then significantly exceed the planned length and also because you can still notice in a few corners that the decoration limit sets some smaller boundaries on creativity. And maybe also because I don’t want to know in detail what the room with the giant Xal’atath portrait and the small cloths on the floor is for.

Housing is just at the beginning – already surpasses everything

What fascinates me most about the whole house is probably how many details and what scope is already possible if one puts in the right effort. Because so far, housing is only available in Early Access and has quite significant limitations. Especially the limits for decorations and rooms or the selection of decorations will significantly increase after the release of Midnight – I am curious to see how this house will further develop.

Maybe you have gotten some inspiration through the pictures to understand what is possible with Housing. For my part, I know for sure that I will spend many more hours on my little mage tower to ensure my elf has a proper roof over her head for Christmas …
Blizzard has already announced what else is to come for Housing – and that only makes it better.

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

The trailer of a new game for Warhammer 40,000 shows how heroes dominate the battlefield and when you can send them into battle

The year 2026 is filled with new releases for fans of Warhammer 40,000. One of these games showcases powerful heroes in its new trailer – and when you can send them into battle.

Which game is being referred to? It is Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2, the sequel to the tactical game released in 2018, which is heavily reminiscent of the X-COM series. The new installment is also being developed by Bulwark Studios.

The release of Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 is set for the year 2026. Fans probably won’t have to wait too long, as the game is expected to launch in spring. This is revealed by a new gameplay trailer, which also shows two leaders who will dominate the battlefield with their abilities.

You can watch this gameplay trailer here:

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Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 showcases its mighty leaders in the gameplay trailer

Tech-Priests meet living machines

What is the game about? In Mechanicus 2, two factions from the Warhammer 40,000 universe fight against each other:

  • The technology-obsessed Adeptus Mechanicus, which is even among the most dangerous organizations in the Imperium
  • The Necrons – an ancient species of aliens (referred to as “Xenos” in Warhammer slang) that consists of soulless, living machines.

The Adeptus Mechanicus has unknowingly settled on a world of the Necrons. The Necrons then awaken their legions from millennia-long sleep to mobilize against the intruders.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 features a campaign that you can experience either from the perspective of the Adeptus Mechanicus or the Necrons. Both factions have leaders who enter the battlefield as hero units and greatly influence how your troops fight.

Collector versus Tech-Necromancer

These are the heroes: The new trailer gives a brief deep dive into two of the leaders. These are Tech-Aquisitor Scaevola for the Adeptus Mechanicus and Lord Ominekh for the Necrons.

Scaevola is a collector of Xenos technology. As such, her abilities become stronger the more “Cognition” she collects in battle. However, this comes at a high price: In combat, Scaevola can randomly overload and shock enemies as well as allies nearby.

Ominekh, on the other hand, specializes in resurrecting fallen soldiers. He is also expected to lead a diverse selection of Necron units into battle. His special resource called “Dominion” can, among other things, be used to heal allies.

More deep dives into the remaining leaders in the game are expected to follow. MeinMMO editor and Warhammer expert Benedict Grothaus was able to preview Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 at gamescom 2025. You can find his assessment of the game here: One of the most interesting new games about Warhammer 40,000 that I could see only because I was really lucky

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

Dune: Awakening Chapter 3: Release, content and new features – Everything you need to know about the game’s biggest update

Dune: Awakening gets its next chapter, which according to Funcom will be the largest update yet for the survival MMO. What new content awaits you in the endgame, what is planned for PvE fans, and when you can start, find out here.

Funcom has officially announced the next big update for Dune: Awakening and has already given an initial look at the upcoming content. The new content is free for everyone who already owns a copy of the survival MMO. Those who want to spend more money can additionally purchase the new DLC “Scavengers of the Wastes”.

When does Chapter 3 release in Dune: Awakening? Chapter 3 is expected to launch in early 2026 in Dune: Awakening. However, you will have the opportunity to try out a large part of the new content via the Public Test Client beforehand. Funcom will provide more specific information about the PTC at a later date.

The contents of the DLC cannot be tested there. The DLC “Scavengers of the Wastes” is also planned for early 2026 and will mainly bring new building parts and vehicle skins to the game.

Do I have to pay for new content? No, Chapter 3 is completely free as long as you already own Dune: Awakening. So all new story content, additional quests, and endgame expansions are available to you at no extra cost.

The optional DLC “Scavengers of the Wastes” is expected to cost around 9 euros. As of now, it does not contain any story or quest content, but focuses on cosmetic items. The DLC is also included in the Season Pass.

The trailer gives you an initial impression of the new content:

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Dune: Awakening shows Chapter 3 and the free content update in the trailer

New Content in Chapter 3 of Dune: Awakening

What content does Chapter 3 bring to the game? The free Chapter 3 update expands Dune: Awakening with new features for the endgame and additionally provides fresh content for PvE fans:

  • The Landsraad system will be revamped and complemented with new, repeatable missions.
  • New specialization skills allow you to further refine your playstyle – for example as a fighter, crafter, or explorer.
  • The overworld map will receive 10 new locations with new challenges, including 5 new test stations with adjustable difficulty.
  • With the new augmentation station, you can specifically enhance your gear with augmentations.
  • Two new weapons will be added: Dualblade and Pyrocannon, and the Rapier will be revised.
  • A new quest line will advance the story.
All new content in Chapter 3 of Dune: Awakening.

What content does the DLC bring? The DLC “Scavengers of the Wastes” expands Dune: Awakening with numerous cosmetic contents, including:

  • 74 smuggler building parts
  • 17 smuggler decorations
  • 3 smuggler armor sets
  • 2 smuggler weapon variants
  • one raider buggy skin
  • one smuggler texture and emotes

Are there currently discounts for Dune: Awakening? If you want to get an impression of Dune: Awakening before the big update, you can currently save during the winter sale on Steam. The survival MMO is available for about 32.50 euros until January 5, 2026. Additionally, owners of a copy of Conan Exiles benefit from an additional discount when purchasing Dune: Awakening.

With Chapter 3, Funcom will bring fresh content to Arrakis in early 2026. Especially the new specializations and the revamped Landsraad tasks are sure to appeal to PvE fans. If you wish to take a break in the meantime without leaving your base to the sandstorm, you can use a new tool that allows for easy saving of bases. More details can be found here: Dune Awakening gives fans with hundreds of hours of gameplay what they want: They can finally stop playing

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

Indie developer cries because EA ruined the release of her game – Thanks to everyone who bought it anyway

An Indian developer has finally released her game after many years, but then Electronic Arts (EA) came along. Now she says thank you to everyone who played it anyway.

Which game is it? On March 7, 2024, Potions: A Curious Tale was released on Steam. The game was developed by indie developer Renee Gittins and is described as an adventure-crafting game.

  • You play as the young witch Luna, who fights monsters with self-brewed potions and solves puzzles on her journey to become a master witch.
  • The fantasy game is already rated for ages 6 and can be understood as a so-called cozy game.

Gittins began developing Potions: A Curious Tale over 10 years ago as portfolio work, but when the game piqued interest in her surroundings, she launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2016. It turned into a real game that was finally released for the public in 2024 – but EA intervened.

Start video
The indie game Potions: A Curious Tale presents itself in the launch trailer

EA knocks indie game out of the trends with shadow drop

What happened with EA? EA released eight games from the “Command and Conquer” series on Steam on March 7. These are popular strategy games featuring base building and large battles. Additionally, EA released the strategy games “Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri” and “Sim City 3000 Unlimited,” as well as the role-playing game “Dungeon Keeper Gold.”

There are a total of 11 well-known and quite popular titles that had their original release years ago. These games now pushed onto Steam’s list of popular new releases.

There, games are listed that have been newly released and are already well-received by players. The higher a game is on the list, the more popular it is. EA’s 11 new releases all positioned themselves above the indie game and catapulted it out of the popular new releases.

This hit the developer emotionally hard, which she spoke about in a video on Tiktok in tears.

Free update as a “thank you” for the support

This is the latest development: Renee Gittins announced on December 11 that her game, Potions: A Curious Tale, will now be available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series.

In time for the console release, she wanted to, as she writes on Reddit, thank everyone who supported the Steam launch and played it at release with a free endgame update.

A statistic from 2025 also shows why the developer was so emotionally impacted by the EA situation: A large portion of the games released on Steam disappear in the masses: In 2025, over 19,000 games were released on Steam, but almost half of them didn’t even receive 10 reviews

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

Pro player banned in League of Legends, fans say: “He deserves it”

If you behave incorrectly in League of Legends, it can lead to you being banned. Now, a pro and Twitch streamer has been banned, and fans believe he deserved it.

Which pro is it about? The Swedish LoL pro Thebausffs plays as a Toplaner for the team Los Ratones. Together, the team has won the EMEA Masters twice in 2025 with some well-known Twitch streamers (lol.fandom.com).

Thebausffs is also a Twitch streamer, where he mostly plays League of Legends. After a ranked match, Thebausffs was banned in LoL for a week because he, as a Support, accumulated a total of 17 deaths within 30 minutes. However, he was unbanned after just one hour (x.com).

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

Why do fans believe he deserved it? Thebausffs is known for the champion Sion. This character has a passive ability that allows him to resurrect after his death for a short time and continue to attack with devastating blows. The pro and streamer often employs the strategy that while he dies with Sion, he achieves enough with his ability to make the death worthwhile.

However, during his round with Sion as Support and the 17 deaths, he was only able to achieve very little with the ability and consequently did not adhere to the official rules of LoL. The X user icardiadamya comments on the ban: “He deserved it.”

Too many intentional deaths lead to a ban in League of Legends

How does this behavior lead to a ban? In a Riot FAQ, all questions regarding the topic “ban” have been answered personally. It states that a ban may occur if the player “intentionally plays for the opponent”.

A Reddit user writes the following under the post about Thebausffs’ ban: “17 deaths on Support Sion in Master (the rank) are honestly just intentional feeding.” Intentional feeding describes a player like Thebausffs, who intentionally “feeds” the enemy with gold through dying.

With Thebausffs’ many deaths, without gaining any benefit from them, he fed the enemy a lot of gold, which gave his team a significant disadvantage.

It is not new that Twitch streamers are banned in League of Legends if they do not follow Riot’s rules. Streamer Bardinette set himself a strange challenge and harmed his team. He wanted to climb to a certain rank while defeating no minions, which are actually one of the main sources for the important gold: Twitch streamer sabotages his team in LoL through a special challenge and gets banned for it

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

There are 6 games about Divinity on Steam that you can currently save a lot on: Two are particularly worth it

The creators of Baldur’s Gate 3 are returning with their next role-playing game in their own fantasy setting: Divinity. On Steam, you currently find 6 games from Larian set in this universe. In preparation for the new Divinity, two of them are particularly worthwhile.

What is Divinity? That’s not just the name of Larian’s new role-playing game, but also the name of the fantasy universe it takes place in. It began in 2002 with Divine Divinity. Since then, many other games have been released in the world of Divinity, which differ quite a bit in gameplay:

  • The first two games of Divinity, Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity, resembled more action RPGs like Diablo or the old games of Baldur’s Gate
  • Divinity 2: Ego Draconis was a 3D RPG in the style of The Witcher or Skyrim
  • With Divinity: Dragon Commander, Larian even developed a real-time strategy game in the fantasy universe
  • Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2 are turn-based cRPGs that are most reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3

With the multitude of games, it’s easy to get confused – especially if you’re only familiar with Baldur’s Gate 3. Fortunately, we already know quite a bit about the new Divinity. Therefore, we can already say which games you should play in preparation.

Here you see Divinity: Original Sin 2 in the trailer:

Start video
Divinity: Original Sin 2 Trailer

Divinity ties back to the “Original Sin” games

Which Divinity games are particularly worthwhile? The new Divinity is supposedly a sequel to Divinity: Original Sin 2, even though it has dropped the subtitle. If you want to prepare for the new game, Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2 are especially recommended.

The two games also resemble the new Divinity in terms of gameplay: Divinity will be a classic RPG with turn-based combat, but without having to stick to the rules of Dungeons & Dragons.

Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2 are available on Steam in the “The Source Saga” bundle for €10.66. You actually pay a little less than if you were to get just part 2 for €11.24. This offer is valid until January 5, 2026.

Do I need to have played the two games to understand Divinity? No, Larian itself emphasizes that you do not need any prior knowledge for the new Divinity. Players of the predecessors may have a deeper understanding, but it is not strictly necessary to navigate the game.

If you are still interested in an even older Divinity game, there are also strong discounts. You can see an overview of all Divinity games on Steam here on Steam.

Larian CEO Swen Vincke spoke with MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski about the new Divinity. The interview covered, among other things, the immense task the team faces after Baldur’s Gate 3, the freedom that Divinity as a setting offers, and a character he regrets to this day. You can read the entire interview here: Larian CEO Swen Vincke in the interview: “I hate the squirrel” – and the great freedom for Divinity after Baldur’s Gate 3

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

The greatest feature of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was created so you are no longer dependent on luck

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been awarded Game of the Year 2025. One reason for this is the original combat system, which head Guillaume Broche revealed in an interview regarding how the idea came about.

Why is the combat system in Clair Obscur the way it is? In an interview with the Japanese magazine Denfaminicogamer.jp and Hiroyuki Kobayashi, founder of the development studio Binary Haze Interactive, which develops the Ender series, Clair Obscur head Gillaume Broche discussed the combat system of the successful game.

It was also mentioned that CO: Expedition 33 is inspired by classic JRPGs and how it significantly differs. In typical JRPGs, much of the combat system relies heavily on luck and chance. Players can respond to the opponents’ actions to some extent – but planning ahead and avoiding dangers is only feasible to a certain extent.

This leads many players to frustration, and that is exactly what they wanted to counteract, as Broche explains:

The reason why dying in typical turn-based RPGs is frustrating is that often luck is involved. For example, the boss might just attack the wrong character, and there’s nothing the player can do about it, or the boss has a random behavior pattern that cannot be countered. Such deaths lead to dissatisfaction among players.

The reason for the inspiration from JRPGs is mainly the level of challenge that it offers the player, and Broche personally enjoys it very much.

In Western games, it is rather unusual to encounter really difficult bosses early in the game. However, in his view, this also creates hurdles that one wants to overcome, creating an “irresistible feeling” when one masters the challenge and then becomes significantly stronger.

This is exactly the feeling they wanted to deliver with Clair Obscur, but without the frustrating luck factor.

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

“A game where you can defeat the final boss at Level 1.”

How was this goal achieved? The biggest problem with classic JRPGs with turn-based combat systems is that players may try their hardest to figure out the game, but there’s still the element of luck that can ruin the best strategy. Therefore, the developers worked on a system that would allow players to react directly to all incoming actions.

This resulted in a hybrid of turn-based combat with real-time elements in the form of parry and dodge mechanics, allowing the player to completely avoid damage in a round and even deliver powerful counters. The developers asked themselves with every fight, “Can a boss using this mechanic be defeated without taking damage?” If the answer was “no,” the corresponding mechanic was discarded.

Broche wanted to ensure that the game could be completed without taking any damage at all. On his YouTube channel, Broche shares videos of his no-hit runs and proves that his team has done a great job.

Broche explains that Clair Obscur should be a game that can theoretically be completed at Level 1 if one masters the patterns and the combat system – without random components undermining that skill. However, it should not become too easy.

This is also a type of challenge that he loves in other games and which he wanted to perfect with Clair Obscur.

Meanwhile, other players prove that the reverse version is also quite possible. Instead of dodging all incoming attacks, a YouTuber took on the challenge of simply taking every possible hit and still completing the game without dying. You can read about how that went here: YouTuber plays in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 the opposite of a no-hit run, completing the game on the highest difficulty

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

Pokémon GO: All Events in January 2026 in the List

In Pokémon GO expect new events, raid hours, and spotlight hours in January 2026. Which ones? We will show you in the list.

January 2026 is approaching, bringing plenty of new dates in Pokémon GO. From spotlight hours to raid hours to various themed events, there are many opportunities to catch monsters.

Highlights are:

  • The Fusion Day with Kyurem, bringing you two of the best Pokémon in the game
  • The Pokémon GO debut of Klibbe in the event “The Perfect Trick”
  • A Rocket takeover at the end of the month

The overview of all dates can be found in the following list. As always, possible shinies are marked with an asterisk*. If there is further information about events, it can be found under the corresponding links.

[toc]

Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

All Events in January 2026

DateEvents
January 2 – February 1Crypto Raids with Cresselia*
January 4Community Day Classic with Plinfa*
January 6 – 11The Perfect Trick
January 10Fusion Raid Day with Kyurem*
January 13 – 18High Zaptitude
January 18Community Day with Chimpep*
January 20 – 25Precious Pals
January 23 – 25Precious Pals: Takeover
January 24Crypto Raid Day
January 27 – February 1Into the Depths
January 31 – February 1Dynamax Weekend

All Spotlight Hours in January 2026

DateSpotlight Hour
January 6Schmerbe* & double catch XP
January 13Voltilamm* & double evolution XP
January 20Hatenna* & double sending candy
January 27Tarnpignon* & double stardust bonus

All Raid Hours in January 2026

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

As soon as more information about the events becomes available, we will add it here. So check back regularly to find out what is happening in January! And if you want to know which Pokémon are really worth it: Here are all the top attackers in Pokémon GO in the list.

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

After Andor, you see Rogue One with different eyes

In his new video, Marco Risch from the Nerdkultur channel talks about Tony Gilroy’s work on Rogue One and the series Andor, and how it has changed Star Wars forever.

Who is Marco Risch? Since 2015, Marco Risch has regularly been uploading videos to his Nerdkultur channel on YouTube that cover news, reviews, analyses, and interviews on various films and series. Among other topics, he discusses Star Wars and Andor, for which there is already an analysis of the finale of Season 2.

In addition, he and his colleague Yves Arievich discuss various topics from pop culture weekly in the Nerd & Kultur podcast.

Both projects are part of the Webedia network, which also includes MeinMMO.

In his new video, Marco once again addresses the Star Wars film Rogue One and the series Andor. Their two seasons told the backstory to Rogue One, which in turn is the prequel to Episode 4. In the video, Marco highlights the significance of showrunner Tony Gilroy for the franchise and what makes his work on Star Wars so special.

Start video
Marco from Nerdkultur explains what connects Rogue One and Andor and makes it so good

Gilroy saved Rogue One from chaos

Why is Tony Gilroy so important? Right at the beginning of his video, Marco explains how Gilroy came to be involved with Star Wars. He was actually not a fan of the brand, unlike Gareth Edwards, the director of Rogue One.

However, Gilroy was supposed to help with advice after the shooting was completed. When he saw the first cut of the film, he reportedly labeled it a lost cause that could no longer be saved. Nevertheless, he did not want to give up, and many reshoots occurred, in which Gilroy’s ideas were incorporated. Among other things, Gilroy scripted the now-iconic appearance of Darth Vader at the end of Rogue One.

Because working with him had gone so well, Gilroy was able to submit his own pitch for a Star Wars project. He seized the opportunity and pitched the series Andor.

What makes Rogue One and Andor good? Marco emphasizes how differently the two projects feel compared to the rest of Star Wars. They are much more realistic, even in their presentation. Accordingly, Andor actor Diego Luna plays in a naturalistic way. The camera is especially hectic and excited with the rebels – with the Empire, it is much calmer and shows clear, clean images that at times remind one of Stanley Kubrick.

At the same time, Marco sees a clear visual language in the camera work: The camera often moves forward, showing a drive to move forward that perfectly fits the rise and strengthening of the rebellion.

The video also shows how much Rogue One and Andor reflect each other in some moments. For example, the introduction of Cassian Andor is presented quite similarly in both cases – only the character is much more experienced by the time of Rogue One.

Andor takes more time for the characters: While Gilroy had to deal with already shot material in Rogue One, he was able to work much more freely in Andor – together with his brother John Gilroy, who was responsible for the editing. This led to calmer moments where the characters come fully into their own and are not rushed in a cutting frenzy from one event to the next.

Supporting characters thus receive their well-deserved moments, even those who were not present during the filming of Andor: Gilroy used old, previously unused footage from Episode 4, explaining through the death of a pilot why Luke later receives a place in the flight squadron.

Real locations, such as in London, make the series tangible and authentic. The fascism from Star Wars is successfully depicted, showing that it also destroys those who have worked for it.

Thus, the overall package Rogue-One-Andor, according to Marco Risch, tells an exciting new trilogy that has been overlooked, in which it ultimately comes down to who lives for what – not for what one dies. MeinMMO editor Karsten has experienced Rogue One and Andor similarly: Star Wars has a new “best trilogy” with about 1,400 minutes of runtime

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

ARK 2 has a new release date, coming much later than expected

The development studio behind ARK 2 has finally mentioned a new release date for the survival game, but it will still take a long time.

What is ARK 2? At the Game Awards in December 2020, Studio Wildcard announced a sequel to the popular survival game “ARK: Survival Evolved”: ARK 2.

  • Like its predecessor, ARK 2 also relies on a futuristic setting complemented by prehistoric creatures.
  • With Hollywood star Vin Diesel, the team at Studio Wildcard receives prominent support. The actor is the executive producer of the title and plays the protagonist Santiago da Costa.
  • Unlike “ARK: Survival Evolved” and “ARK: Survival Ascended”, ARK 2 is intended to use a third-person perspective, a melee combat system inspired by Soulslike games, and movement reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed.
Start video
ARK 2: Watch the 4-minute announcement trailer for the survival sequel

New release year, but long wait

What are the new details? The publisher of ARK, Snail Games, allowed the development studio to talk about ARK at an investor event at the NASDAQ Marketsite Building in Times Square, according to Epic Games. During this event, Wildcard co-founder Jeremy Stieglitz reportedly revealed the currently planned release year for the survival game ARK 2.

When is ARK 2 supposed to be released? The release of ARK 2 is currently planned for the year 2028.

Since further delays for ARK cannot be ruled out and no specific release date has been shared with players, but only with investors, a significantly later release is still possible.

How much later is that than expected? Initially, the release of ARK 2 was supposed to be in 2022, followed by 2023, before the survival game was postponed to 2024. At the end of 2024, ARK 2 then disappeared from Steam without further communication. There, players could at least read basic information about the game until then.

The planned release in 2024 did not materialize, and the developers remained silent. No new release date has been provided since. The last mention of ARK 2 was the announcement of the expansion “Lost Colony” for ARK: Survival Ascended, which aims to close the narrative gap between the expansions “Extinction” and “Genesis” and provide a transition into the world of ARK 2.


If you are currently looking for a new survival game, ARK 2 is probably not an option for now. But don’t worry, MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus has 31 alternatives for you – most of them without dinos: The 31 best survival games 2025 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox

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

The pre-patch of World of Warcraft Midnight starts in January, bringing the addon end

The next expansion of World of Warcraft starts in January – at least the gigantic “Pre-Patch” will go live then.

Although we suspected from data mining and Blizzard’s general release cadence that the Pre-Patch for the upcoming expansion World of Warcraft Midnight must be released in January, we now have certainty. Blizzard has officially announced that the era of the 12th expansion of the MMORPG will begin in less than 5 weeks.

If you need a stylish look for housing for the holidays, check this out:

Start video
So gestaltet ihr in WoW einen Weihnachtsbaum für die Feiertage

What has been announced? In a blog post by Blizzard, the developers announced that the Pre-Patch 12.0 of World of Warcraft will be released on January 21, 2026. As usual, due to time differences and different maintenance schedules, this will be half a day earlier on American realms, on January 20, 2026. From then on, the era of “The War Within” officially ends, and the major innovations of Midnight are already live.

What is already in the Pre-Patch? Although the Pre-Patch does not yet contain the new zones and quests, Update 12.0 already includes a large portion of the extensive revisions and innovations that belong to the expansion. These include the following features:

Aside from that, many of the addons may no longer work with the Pre-Patch, as Blizzard drastically limits functionality and offers its own solutions when necessary.

The weeks between the Pre-Patch and the actual release of Midnight are therefore perfect for familiarizing yourself with the innovations so that you can launch into the expansion well prepared later.

When will Midnight be released? The official release date for Midnight is March 3, 2026, so almost exactly 6 weeks later. From then on, all buyers of the expansion can dive into the new areas of Midnight, experience the continuation of the “Tale of the Worldsoul Saga”, and climb the 10 new levels up to level 90. However, note that pre-orders of the Epic Edition can start a few days earlier. They get access at least 3 days before – that would be no later than February 28, but maybe even on February 27.

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

Riot announces one of the largest updates in the history of LoL, plans extensive overhaul of the entire game

League of Legends is constantly changing. New champions, items, and gameplay elements are regularly added, or existing mechanics are altered. Now, Riot has announced one of the biggest updates in the history of LoL.

What kind of update is this? In a short on YouTube, League of Legends gave a small dev update. In this video, two of the developers discuss a completely revamped version of League of Legends.

The LoL launcher, which is currently still separate from the game client, is set to be completely eliminated. There will be a single client where game preparation or group creation will take place.

The Summoner’s Rift, where a game of LoL is played, will also receive a complete visual overhaul. Additionally, new gameplay elements will be introduced, and the rune system, which gives champions various bonuses, will also undergo some changes.

The final announcement is the revamp of the experience for newcomers to the MOBA. One of the developers says the following: “It should be the best time ever to bring your friends to League of Legends.”

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

When are the announced updates set to be released? In the video, the developers clearly state that these changes will not appear until after 2026. However, there will be new information between the MSI, a tournament around the middle of the year, and the Worlds, which are held in the fall.

The information about the huge update shouldn’t be public yet

Why did the developers upload the short? In the Subreddit for League of Legends, the video was also shared. The Reddit user G0ldenfruit asks the following: “Why is the biggest LoL news in the last 8 years in a YouTube short, haha, what the hell?”

One of the developers from Riot commented under his question and confirmed that the information about the massive overhaul was not supposed to be released until January 2026.

Furthermore, the employee RiotMeddler writes: “Some of this information has already leaked elsewhere, so we picked it up and published it today to give you the context directly from us.”

What are the community’s reactions? Many LoL players are excited about Riot’s announcements. Especially the new client seems to be a dream for YouTube user ZeekarPRIME: “A new client … I honestly never thought we’d see this day. Pinch me, am I dreaming?”

The news about the revamped experience for new players even excites veterans. Player lilnxss6411 writes on YouTube: “Okay Riot, this time you got me. I’m bringing you the souls of my friends.”

At the beginning of December, the developers of League of Legends just gave their last real dev update. There, they talked about the new season in 2026. In addition to many new changes for champions and the overall gameplay, there’s a new system that will make it easier for you to rank up if you should master every role: In LoL, you’ll climb faster to a higher rank, but you’ll have to learn all roles

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

The most dangerous gangs from Cyberpunk 2077 and why you shouldn’t encounter them in Night City

While megacorporations rule Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, there are other powers that have a say in the streets of the city. In this list, we introduce you to the gangs that set their own rules.

In Night City from Cyberpunk 2077, the lives of people are not only determined by the megacorporations. Because even closer to human activity, in the dirt of the city instead of massive skyscrapers, where the lives of ordinary citizens actually take place, there are other groups that have a say. And even some corporations cannot intervene there.

Night City is a playground for various gangs that, while having their own territories, also create conflicts and gang wars. They can be found spread throughout the city, where they threaten both rival gang members and innocent citizens, who often also become collateral damage from violent confrontations between the groups.

It is not uncommon for people on their way to work or while shopping to lose their lives to an unluckily fired bullet because they show up at the wrong time at the site of an escalated dispute.

Start video
Cyberpunk 2077: The Ultimate Edition trailer shows a ‘City of Dreams’

Why are there so many gangs? The art book for the game “The World of Cyberpunk 2077” explains how the extent of these gangs has come to be:

When many companies and factories in the country had to close in the early 2020s, resulting in thousands of people losing their jobs, it was a death sentence for small cities and suburbs. 

People fled to the big cities in the hope of finding new work, but the job market could not absorb this wave. They were placed in poor areas and mega-buildings, where they had to lead lives that were often truly miserable.

This desolate existence, mixed with a crumbling infrastructure and abandoned social institutions, led to an increase in gang formation that spread from neighborhood to neighborhood. By the year 2077, there are areas in many cities, including Night City, where gangs have completely taken over.

How was the list created? The book classifies the gangs according to various danger levels, which relate to the ideology of the gang and the “likelihood that they commit ‘random acts of violence.'” Of course, there are individual personalities in each gang that are particularly nasty and ruthless, but the danger level is determined by the group as a whole.

In this list, we want to present to you which gangs from Night City you should definitely not mess with – although one should not mess with any of them unless your name is Adam Smasher, V, or “Gonk”.

Mox Cyberpunk

Rank 8 – The Mox

  • Danger Level: Low
  • Estimated Size: 200 – 250 members
  • Area: None, but mainly hangs out in Kabuki, their base is “Lizzie’s Bar”
  • Cyberware: Optical Cloaking, Cooling Systems, Augmented Cyberlimbs

The Mox are the smallest gang in Night City and only hold the 8th place on this list based on their danger level, which doesn’t mean they are harmless.

The greatest strength of the Mox is their protective instinct, their solidarity, their anger, and their ideology, which make them a fighting unit. Violence against their own, sex workers, sexual minorities, and other marginalized groups is not tolerated and is responded to immediately. Because exactly from these values, the Mox have emerged.

We have already extensively reported on the Mox and dedicated an article to them, which is why we keep their part of this list a bit shorter.

However, it must be emphasized – those who leave the Mox alone have nothing to fear, but if one confronts them, they have no fear of attacking much larger and more dangerous gangs in Night City. This makes them a group that should not be underestimated.

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

Generation Z is more productive than Millennials: The reason for this is called Hangxiety

Generation Z consciously drinks less alcohol. This also leads to higher productivity compared to other generations. Because those who drink less alcohol are significantly more productive and creative, various studies report.

It has been known for some time that Generation Z has a different drinking behavior than older generations. Reasons for avoiding alcohol are often cited by young people as self-protection and control, which one would otherwise lose.

The IWSR recently highlighted in a report (Paywall/Login required), that Generation Z is said to drink 20% less alcohol compared to the Millennial generation. ISWR is a data and analytics company specializing in the beverage industry.

And this rejection of alcoholic beverages also affects productivity. And the fear of hangxiety.

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“We have created a monster” – A Spanish model earns up to 10,000 euros a month, yet she is not real

The fear of losing control and psychological symptoms makes Gen Z abstain from alcohol

What does hangxiety mean? Hangxiety is a portmanteau of hangover and anxiety and describes the psychological symptoms such as fear, panic, restlessness that can occur after consuming alcohol. This is reported by the English-language magazine TheGuardian.

Members of Generation Z consciously abstain from alcohol to avoid these problems. As a result, they are spared from hangovers or other cognitive impairments and can start their day more productively.

This behavior contrasts with other generations, such as older Millennials, who, according to the study, drink 20% more than Generation Z. Because these people, who have been drinking, struggle with the effects of alcohol for between 24 and 48 hours, while the others are significantly more creative and productive than their older counterparts who had too much to drink the night before.

Does alcohol really have such a strong impact on productivity? Yes, alcohol demonstrably reduces performance and productivity, both acutely and in the long term. This is noted by the German Headquarters for Addiction Issues e.V. (PDF file).

In Germany, it is estimated that alcohol annually causes productivity losses of over 16 billion euros, primarily due to errors, reduced efficiency, absenteeism, and accidents. This is reported by the independent information portal “Alcohol? Know your limit”.

Generation Z is therefore more productive over a longer period than individuals who drink regularly or more frequently and thus take certain risks.

The declining alcohol consumption has also been noticed by breweries, which earn less money from their beverages. There is now a rethink happening. Breweries that can survive the transition financially are focusing on non-alcoholic beers or beers with very low alcohol content: In Germany, breweries are panicking because Generation Z simply doesn’t drink enough alcohol anymore

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

Twitch streamer screams for help in ARC Raiders loudly, forgets that his window is open, receives an unwelcome visit

The Twitch streamer NICKMERCS yelled for help in ARC Raiders at the top of his lungs. He did get help, but not in the Extraction shooter.

Who is it about?

  • It is about the American Twitch streamer Nicholas “NICKMERCS” Kolcheff, who was once among the biggest shooter streamers in the world.
  • NICKMERCS gained popularity during the Fortnite hype around Ninja, but later switched to games like Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone, with which he celebrated the peak of his career.
  • In 2021, NICKMERCS had an average of about 42,000 viewers on Twitch, but after he lost a special deal with Call of Duty in June 2023 due to transphobic comments and was banned on Twitch in June 2024, he lost a large part of his audience. Today, he rarely reaches more than 10,000 viewers.

Currently, NICKMERCS is primarily streaming the Extraction shooter ARC Raiders. Recently, the Twitch streamer found himself in an uncomfortable situation.

Start video
ARC Raiders zeigt im Launch-Trailer, wie der Kampf Mensch gegen Maschine aussieht

Twitch streamer embarrasses himself in the neighborhood

How did the uncomfortable visit come about? The Twitch streamer was playing ARC Raiders when his character went down and started slowly bleeding out. Since in Extraction shooters like ARC Raiders you lose your carried equipment upon death, NICKMERCS repeatedly yelled for help in the voice chat of the game.

“Hello? Hello, is anyone out there? Hello? My friend and I are on the ground, and we need your help.”

Then it happened: A passerby outside the building heard the cries and rushed to help. According to NICKMERCS, he had forgotten that his window was open and attracted the attention of the concerned citizen.

The passerby himself did not listen, but apparently inquired about the well-being of the streamer and asked if he could help. NICKMERCS then explained that he was just yelling at his screen. This was obviously very embarrassing for him.

Here you can see the clip of the streamer on TikTok:

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For NICKMERCS, the situation ended in great laughter: “You should have seen his face when he saw the stupid headset on my head,” he told his teammate. The streamer was quite lucky that the passerby did not call the authorities.

In the past, NICKMERCS often received visits from the police, but not because bystanders were worried. Viewers repeatedly played a dangerous prank on the streamer called swatting, where local authorities are falsely informed of an emergency, which then storms the homes of the affected streamer armed. More on this here: Major Twitch streamer has already sent 2 viewers to jail – “I get swatted 3 times a week”

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