The biggest MMORPG streamer on Twitch avoids light, lives in chaos and loves WoW – All about Asmongold

Anny Anny Reading time 3 minutes

Asmongold is considered the biggest MMORPG streamer on Twitch and he is also successful with his second account Zackrawrr. But who exactly is behind it?

The streamer’s real name is Zack, we do not know his last name. He also does not reveal his date of birth. He must be about 30 years old.

After high school, Zack studied business administration and earned a Bachelor’s degree. He aimed for further degrees in economics and a law degree. However, he gave that up and has now become one of the biggest Twitch streamers.

He comes from Austin, Texas, and still lives there today.

MMORPG King and Super Nerd

What kind of guy is Asmongold? Many would call Asmongold the “classic nerd” as he fully embodies the stereotype and also plays with these clichés. Long hair, a messy room, leftover food everywhere, and he avoids daylight.

What games does he play? His most played and streamed games are WoW and Final Fantasy XIV – he is now the biggest MMORPG streamer on Twitch. There, on the Asmongold channel, he currently has 3.4 million followers.

Asmongold has been playing WoW for many years, feeling a sort of love-hate relationship with Blizzard’s MMORPG. Hardly anyone complains as much about the game, but he is there for every new expansion. In Final Fantasy XIV, he hasn’t been around quite as long. However, in 2022, the MMORPG introduced a new NPC and Asmongold believes they named it after him.

Start video
Career and life of Asmongold in 3 minutes – What makes him special?

How did it all start?

After uploading YouTube videos about WoW as a content creator since 2009, he switched to Twitch in 2014. This is how he started the Asmongold channel.

In 2018, he decided to fully concentrate on Twitch and YouTube. Zack abandoned the idea of pursuing a law degree.

Over time, he became more popular in the WoW community and experienced a significant upturn in 2019 when WoW Classic was released.

Sometimes, Zack also talks about difficult phases and problems in his personal life during streams. Therefore, he has taken breaks from Twitch several times. Around 2021, when his mother passed away from the effects of a fire accident. Until then, he had lived with her.

Streams not only as Asmongold but also as zackrawrr

In addition to his main account Asmongold, Zack also has a second account on Twitch: zackrawrr. He has 1.3 million followers there but is not a Twitch partner.

Since July 2022, the streamer has been increasingly online on the zackrawrr account. According to the Twitter account @StreamsCharts, he ranked 6th among the most-watched streamers in the first quarter of 2023.

Why doesn’t he stream on his main account? Although the viewer numbers are very similar, Zack currently finds it difficult to stream on his main channel. Asmongold is Zack’s streamer persona, which he claims differs from his actual character. On zackrawrr, the streamer appears as “himself”.

Asmongold is a character that caricatures the “typical gamer”. It is just a character that Zack plays. Thus, Asmongold accepted an award for best MMORPG streamer via video link from his messy room because he did not want to leave the house.

However, on the second account, he occasionally talks about personal topics and shares more serious thoughts, appearing somewhat calmer than Asmongold.

For him, this distinction is important. However, viewers do not always notice the differences; the boundaries between Zack and Asmongold are sometimes not very clearly defined.

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Asmongold founded OTK in 2020

Zack is also a co-founder of the company One True King, abbreviated OTK, a group of Twitch streamers. Most of them come from the MMORPG sector. They work loosely together and support each other.

OTK functions as a network for influencers, all of whom produce digital content. On their website, they even sell their own merchandise.

In addition to Asmongold, Esfand, Mizkif, Sodapoppin, and others belong to it. Currently, there are a total of 10 people involved.

They announced their own online RPG at the beginning of the year:

The Twitch clique around Asmongold announces its own online RPG – working with former WoW developers

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

Destiny 2: Guardians are not as resilient anymore after a faulty patch and die faster because of it

Britta ♤ BeAngel Britta ♤ BeAngel Reading time 2 minutes

The Guardians in Destiny 2 may have lost their resilience after a faulty patch. Some players report that their values no longer provide the expected damage resistance, making the game more challenging. Now, calculations are being frantically made.

That’s why resilience is so important in Destiny 2: For those unfamiliar, resilience values in Destiny 2 represent a Guardian’s damage resistance. The higher the resilience, the less damage is taken from enemies.

  • Resilience is extremely important for any Guardian who wants to succeed in difficult challenges.
  • Those who are at maximum, with a value of 100, can withstand at least 30% more damage.
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Destiny 2 shows new insights into Strand in its trailer – The focus in Lightfall

This is how buggy resilience is: Since the midseason update last Tuesday, several players have reported that their resilience values apparently no longer function correctly. They indicated a significant difference in damage resistance that does not match the expected value.

Player n3ws4cc opened a Reddit post and asked the Destiny community if it was just his impression.

I don’t know if it’s a resilience bug or an FPS thing or an enemy damage thing, but since the update, everything hurts. […] Everything that is [difficulty level] Legendary and above is now super frustrating. […]

describes player n3ws4cc the problem on Reddit

Other Guardians also responded to his post and shared that they have the same impression. As player Lankygit commented: “That explains it. This is probably the most significant bug in patch [7.0.5.0] because it affects all difficulty levels and becomes more critical as the difficulty of the content increases.”

Players suspect a bug with resilience: It is almost certain that this is a resilience bug.

Some players shared videos and test results where they experimented with resilience and damage resistance mods. It appears that there seems to be “no difference in their performance” so far.

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However, it must be noted that there is also the possibility that a change in the patch, such as an old and no longer functioning mod combination or too many now non-stackable mods, could also negatively affect the resilience of the affected players.

What does Bungie say about the problem? Bungie Help, the official support account of the Destiny developer, has already commented under the Reddit post. They stated that they have not encountered this yet but want to use the information from these player tests to potentially initiate an investigation with the Bungie team.

So far, however, this is the only feedback. No patch or solution has officially been provided yet. Therefore, one must wait for when Bungie’s official channels will announce more on this.

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If you also notice problems with your resilience, unfortunately there isn’t much you can do about it other than wait and hope for a fix from Bungie. Some fans have also suggested avoiding certain, hard activities until the bug is fixed.

Or you can participate in the tests on Reddit and support Bungie and the community in finding the bug as quickly as possible.

Have you noticed similar experiences with resilience? Or did you not notice it at all because you are currently not engaged in the endgame? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

However, there are many other bugs in Destiny 2 that Guardians are worried about:

A bug that everyone fears in Destiny 2 is back – player provides first video evidence

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

XDefiant extends Beta and the players say: “Just extend it until launch”

MeinMMO MeinMMO Reading time 3 minutes

XDefiant, the free arena shooter from Ubisoft, has extended its first closed beta. This was announced by the official Twitter account of the game.

  • The official Tweet reads: “We have heard your requests and are extending the closed beta by another 48 hours! 🎉 The closed beta will now end on Tuesday, April 25, at 11 PM PT (April 26, 8:00 AM CEST). Use the extra time for a few more matches and share your feedback with us!”
  • The beta was originally scheduled to end on April 23, which is this Sunday.
  • The reactions to the closed beta are very positive and exceed expectations – according to Ubisoft, over one million players have played the XDefiant beta and streamed the game on Twitch.
  • This is also shown by various reactions to the extension of the closed beta: “These guys are amazing,” it says on reddit, a comment that receives particularly strong approval from users.
  • And under the official tweet, there are already demands for the beta to just continue: “Just extend it until launch… maybe… maybe.” Although there have also been feedback that some things are still not running smoothly, like the balancing of the gameplay mechanics, some bugs, and unfair matchmaking – the desire to continue playing XDefiant now is greater for many.

The new shooter is often compared to Call of Duty, both by well-known streamers like MontanaBlack, as well as by the community and various experts who praise the map design and fresh gameplay.

The GameStar also gathered some judgments from well-known CoD players like FaZe Jev. The well-known streamer and pro states that XDefiant is a sure success, but not necessarily a “CoD killer.”

xDefiant reactions tweet
The reactions to the beta extension are overwhelmingly positive.


Currently, there are also drops on Twitch, but only weapon skins for the MK22 and D50. We have included a screenshot of the drops for you:

xDefiant Twitch Drops MK22 D50

Is a hit forming here? The success came as a surprise, but the high player numbers, the many viewers on Twitch, and also the many positive reactions send clear signals that a surprise hit may be forming here, creating a dynamic reminiscent of Apex Legends.

Another indication is the high Google searches, which currently even exceed well-known games like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, or Destiny 2:

The game in short: XDefiant is the new arena shooter from Ubisoft, which will be available for free on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game lets you compete as factions from Tom Clancy games like The Division or Splinter Cell, each with special abilities.

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The game offers various PvP modes, some without skill-based matchmaking, promising fast-paced and action-packed combat. More information about the maps, game modes, and the release can be found on GamePro, which has published a overview of XDefiant.

Start video
XDefiant Game Overview Deep Dive Trailer

What do you think? Will XDefiant be a big hit and how do you see it compared to CoD or Battlefield?

How to participate in the beta: Have you gotten interested in the shooter XDefiant and want to participate in the beta? In the following article on MeinMMO, we will tell you how to secure a beta code:

XDefiant: Get beta codes – Here’s how to enter the closed test of the new shooter

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

Steam: A new first-person shooter in space is already considered by thousands of players as the surprise of the year 2023

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

About a week ago, the shooter Boundary was released on Steam. Here you fight weightlessly in space. Many are already enthusiastic or recommend keeping a close eye on the shooter. Because especially one thing is still being criticized.

With Boundary, a new shooter has entered Early Access on Steam. The special thing about this shooter is that you have to fight weightlessly in space. You are not only fighting against other players, but also against the weightlessness that surrounds you everywhere.

You float in space and around a space station, shooting at each other. With your rocket suit, you move across the map and have to hit your opponents at the same time. You are facing a completely new situation compared to standing firmly on the ground with both feet.

Many players already agree that the shooter should definitely be kept in mind. Because Boundary could develop into a real insider tip if the current problems can be tackled.

If you want to try the shooter, you can currently purchase Boundary on Steam for 21.59 euros.

Fantastic Atmosphere and Missing Region Lock

Almost all players praise the unique setting and the very good gameplay, as the shooter offers everything you need for a good multiplayer game:

  • There are different game modes like Team Deathmatch, Point Mode, or a No-Respawn Deathmatch mode.
  • The presentation and sound are excellent for an “Early Access” title.
  • The atmosphere is dense and you really feel like you’re traveling in space.

The colleagues from the English magazine PCGamer report that the shooter “Boundary” has been a real surprise for them in April 2023.

Is there criticism as well? Yes, especially one thing annoys many players and that is the high ping. The problem: All players from North America, Europe, and Asia play together on the same server.

Players complain that they are constantly defeated by people they do not even see on their screen or their shots simply go through the opponent without causing damage:

I was constantly killed by people who had not yet appeared on my screen, or in just 2-3 rounds after I had fired 8-9 shots at them and only received hit markers, and that only when my bullets did not simply go through them.

Due to the lack of a region lock, it is guaranteed that you will encounter an Asian player with a ping of over 300 who will shoot you down without you being able to do much.

Another significant problem is the progression system. Because in the game, you unlock better attachments or weapons, and that means you are much better off than players who are playing the game for the first time. This would make the barrier for newcomers uncomfortably high.

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How long will the Early Access last? The developers explain on Steam that the game is to be developed together with the community for 6-12 months. After that, the game is to celebrate its official release.

If you are looking for more shooters that you can currently play, check out the following list on MeinMMO. Here we present you with the currently best multiplayer shooters you can play:

The 14 best multiplayer shooters of 2023 for PC, Switch, PS4, PS5 and Xbox

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

The winner of 7 vs. Wild brings his own survival series to YouTube

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

The YouTuber OttoBulletproof became a fan favorite and the winner of the second season of 7 vs. Wild. Now he is creating his own survival series on YouTube.

What is this series about? The “Arctic Warrior” is a survival series on YouTube, created by Otto “OttoBulletproof” Karasch, which started on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

In the series, eight teams of two compete in the icy landscape of Lapland (Finland) for the title of “Arctic Warrior”. They are exposed to the dangers of unforgiving nature. The team that reaches the destination first and collects the most points in various challenges wins.

Each team consists of one participant with no survival experience (a civilian) and one professional, who will explore Lapland together for 5 days.

Among the participants are Sascha “unsympatischTV” Hellinger, actress Yvone Pferrer, and MMA fighter Stephan Pütz. The professionals include various military personnel such as a mountain rifleman and a foreign legionnaire.

When does Arctic Warrior start and when are new episodes released? The Arctic Warrior premiered on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at 5:00 PM. New episodes air every Sunday and Wednesday at 5:00 PM, which you can watch on Paramount+ and OttoBulletproof’s YouTube channel (via YouTube)

Former Paratrooper and Winner of “7 vs. Wild” Season 2

Who is OttoBulletproof? Otto Karasch claims to be a former paratrooper of the Bundeswehr. On YouTube, he makes survival-related videos and regularly shares insights into the experiences he had as a professional soldier.

Otto was also one of 7 participants in the 2nd season of 7 vs. Wild. He endured the survival battle until the end, collected numerous points in the daily challenges, and won the second season of the survival series. He became one of the audience favorites, acting both professionally and down-to-earth.

The Arctic Warrior is the successor to the “Ocean Warrior”, a previous major project by Otto. One of the participants in the Ocean Warrior was Fritz Meinecke, the founder of “7 vs. Wild”.

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8 Professionals Meet 8 Civilians

Who is participating in Arctic Warrior? Otto will himself participate in the project as one of eight professionals. There are also 8 civilian participants who have no survival experience.

Among these eight inexperienced participants are also two so-called wildcards, who are not prominent and applied to participate in the project.

The eight civilian participants:

  • Sascha “unsympatischTV” Hellinger – YouTuber and streamer
  • Yvonne Pferrer – actress
  • Stephan Pütz – MMA fighter
  • Evil Jared – musician from Bloodhound Gang, also known for appearances in various TV formats
  • Gerd Schönfelder – ski racer who won 16 gold medals at the Paralympic Games
  • Alex “Roofless Cat” Müller-Perlefein – YouTuber

There are no detailed information about the eight professionals, as some are still on active duty.

The eight professionals:

  • Ottogerd “OttoBulletproof” Karasch – former paratrooper from the parachutist special unit
  • Tom – KSK
  • Philipp – mountain rifleman from the high mountain unit
  • Sahin – sniper from air force protection
  • Manu – army scout
  • Mello – survival instructor of the Bundeswehr
  • Hauke – former foreign legionnaire
  • Tatjana – hunter battalion 25, Austrian Federal Army

The YouTuber and fitness expert Sascha Huber was also supposed to participate in Arctic Warrior as a civilian and was present during filming in Lapland, but he got injured prior and had to withdraw. Sascha Huber was also previously part of the second season of 7 vs. Wild.

You can see the introduction video of all participants and the trailer on OttoBulletproof’s YouTube channel:

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With Arctic Warrior, Otto creates a show that serves as an alternative to 7 vs. Wild, which you can watch until the release of season three of the survival series.

The Twitch streamer Trymacs has also attempted a similar project called “Nerd in the Dirt” and was supported by Otto.

Allegations that he copied 7 vs. Wild with Nerd in the Dirt were dismissed by the streamer:

Trymacs defends against accusations of having copied 7 vs. Wild with his survival show

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

The Red Cross wants you to stop committing war crimes in shooters and help your enemies

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

An action by the International Red Cross drew attention. Shooter fans should adhere to rules and act as it should be in real war.

In shooters, killing, blowing up, and humiliating are done sneakily. There is no mercy for the wounded, and if it provides an advantage to blow up a building, the rocket launcher is drawn in an instant.

This is everyday life for gamers and is simply part of firefights in games – but it should not be the case in the real world. The International Committee of the Red Cross (“ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross”) therefore wanted the rules of International Humanitarian Law to apply in games as well and initiated a challenge.

What was done? On April 15, there were several streaming events in which the streamers were to adhere specifically to the rules of war.

The games that participated in the project included the rather colorful Fortnite, but also the quite realistic Arma III. However, the appeal was directed at players of all shooters, so PUBG or CoD streamers also took part.

What rules are there? A total of 4 rules were to be followed:

  • Defenseless enemies are not to be attacked: If an opponent is lying on the ground, cannot move, or has lost consciousness, no further fire is to be directed at them. Prisoners of war must be protected from violence, intimidation, and ill-treatment.
  • Non-enemy NPCs must not become targets: Bots that do not open fire without provocation are considered civilians and must not be attacked. Civilians must never be attacked and must be protected.
  • Civilian buildings must not be destroyed: On maps where there are residential houses, schools, or hospitals, these are considered safe areas and must not be damaged. In fights in these regions, everything must be done to avoid damage. Civil infrastructure is considered a protected area.
  • Medical kits are to be used by all in need: If you have a medical kit that can also be applied to others, you must use it if someone needs it – regardless of whether they are friend or foe. The sick and wounded on both sides must be cared for.

What is the aim of this? The ICRC aims to draw attention and increase awareness of International Humanitarian Law. It was stated on the website for the action:

Every day, people play games set in conflict zones – simply from their couch. But right now, armed conflicts are more prevalent than ever before. And for the people suffering from their effects, these conflicts are not games. They destroy lives and have devastating consequences for communities. That is why we challenge you to play first-person shooters according to the real rules of war, to show everyone that even war has rules – rules to protect humanity on real battlefields.

What are the reactions to this? The action is being welcomed by many and is considered meaningful to draw attention to the rules of war and International Humanitarian Law. Especially in current times, it is good to sharpen the awareness of these rules and their benefits – and since video games are played everywhere, it is a suitable way.

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However, there is also criticism of the action. Most video games are designed in such a way that adhering to the rules – such as sparing wounded enemies – will eventually lead to defeat. And the message “Anyone who adheres to the rules of war will lose” is certainly not what the Red Cross intended.

What do you think of this action? A good thing to draw attention to such an important topic in these times? Or do you have a different opinion on this?

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

BattleTech: Game with Battle Mechs will become one of the biggest Kickstarter campaigns of all time, exceeds goal by over 15,000%

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

A Kickstarter campaign sets new standards. More than 7 million dollars for a “small game with figures” was achieved by BattleTech.

When you ask gamers about a vision of the future in space filled with war, the answer will most likely be “Warhammer 40,000.” However, another franchise also plays in a very similar area and has now shown how strong community support is. Because a Kickstarter campaign for “BattleTech: Mercenaries” has developed into one of the largest support campaigns ever on Kickstarter.

What is BattleTech? BattleTech is a vision of the future that primarily takes place in the 32nd century. In space, large battles for resources have developed, and mercenaries are deployed in many places to enforce claims. However, they rarely fight on foot and are mostly in gigantic combat robots (“Mechs”). These “MechWarriors” are the central focal point of the tabletop game, but also of the video game spin-off.

On average, supporters finance the project with around 300 euros

How much money was raised? In total, the Kickstarter campaign raised $7,549,241 – that’s almost 6.8 million euros. With a total of 23,654 supporters, this means that on average $319 (~287 €) was paid as support.

That BattleTech: Mercenaries – like most tabletop games – is especially for people who like to dig deeper into their pockets to indulge in their nerd hobby can already be sensed at a glance at the Kickstarter campaign. As usual, there are specific thresholds in supporting the project that a “donation” must reach to enjoy special bonuses. The lowest reward starts at $15 and therefore brings a selection of various franchise books.

Those who have completely dedicated their hearts to BattleTech could also purchase packages up to $5,000 (approximately 4,505 €) and will then be showered with BattleTech content in the form of figures, books, and merchandise until the dust of the galactic war settles.

It’s hardly surprising that the (relatively low) target of $50,000 was easily exceeded by more than 15,000%. This makes this Kickstarter campaign one of the 20 most successful of all time.

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Do gamers know BattleTech? Fans of video games have likely also heard of the “BattleTech” series over the past decades. However, most titles were published under the name “MechWarrior” or “MechAssault,” which were primarily distributed on Xbox and PC.

Most of these games are characterized by tactical combat and a high degree of customizability of the Mechs – weapon systems and armor could usually be customized in high detail to give the Mech advantages such as protection against missile systems, but also disadvantages such as slower movement with high armor.

Even if the franchise is still somewhat under the radar for the mainstream, this Kickstarter campaign clearly shows that BattleTech can compete with the big players and apparently has a loving (and well-off) fan community that keeps the franchise alive more than just.

There are often curious projects on Kickstarter – such as the console that is the size of a matchbox.

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

Almost 2,000 MeinMMO readers have revealed whether they still play Pokémon GO as often after the recent changes

Franzi Korittke Franzi Korittke Reading time 4 minutes

In Pokémon GO there have been ongoing changes in recent months that have not exactly thrilled the trainers. We at MeinMMO wanted to know from you if you are still playing. Here we show you the results.

What changes are we talking about? In recent months, Niantic has repeatedly made changes to the game and systematically removed or complicated the home bonuses introduced during the Corona pandemic.

The developers of Pokémon GO have, among other things, reduced the effectiveness of incense when stationary, cut the community days from 6 to 3 event hours, and made significant changes to the boxes in the shop. In early April, the popular remote raids were limited and the associated passes made more expensive.

This led to a large wave of protests among the trainers, which in turn sparked a petition with a considerable number of signatures. Therefore, we wanted to know if the changes have affected your playing behavior and if you are still playing at all. Below, we show you the results.

This is the result of the survey

Here’s how you voted: After Niantic made changes to the remote raids and has not spoken out about the players’ protests so far, one can often find trainers on social media announcing their intention to boycott the game. For this reason, we wanted to know how our MeinMMO readers feel about this issue.

In our survey from April 17, 2023, we asked if you are still playing after numerous changes. So far (as of April 21, 2023, 7:20 PM), a total of 1,964 people have participated, and the votes are as follows:

  • 42 % (819 votes) for “Yes, but I play less in general”
  • 36 % (702 votes) for “Yes, but I play fewer raids”
  • 12 % (239 votes) for “Yes, I play as before”
  • 10 % (204 votes) for “No, I don’t play anymore”

What does the result show? A total of 78 %, more than 3/4, indicated that they have now reduced their participation in raids or even play less in general. Another 10 % have even completely given up the game. Only 12 % of the trainers remain loyal to Pokémon GO.

What are the reasons for this result?

Reasons trainers are playing less: In the comments under our post on MeinMMO and in our Facebook group dedicated to Pokémon GO, some players have revealed to us the reasons for their decisions. It becomes clear that some trainers have lost motivation and no longer find the game enjoyable.

But the lack of an active local community and the difficulty of playing, especially in rural areas, is also a major topic. The price increase of the passes plays a decisive role for the trainers. In the comments, you can read the following (via MeinMMO & Facebook):

  • Andrea W.: “Raids are completely off the table. Only two others play in my village, there’s nothing to win. Remote raids are unaffordable. I’m considering quitting.”
  • Tiaguai: “I currently only check in for the free raid pass and maybe for daily incense, although even there the spawn of Galar birds isn’t really happening and thus the motivation isn’t either. Where I used to invest more time, is at events, with the last big one being the worldwide tour, which was disappointing due to the low shiny chance.”
  • Nicole A.: “I play much less, not at all remote raids. It’s a shame because I live in a village and there are hardly any players. I am a first-hour player and must say that it’s now very boring without raids.”
  • Conny H.: “It’s definitely less fun without raids. I don’t see why I should spend so much money on passes. Adventure sync doesn’t work correctly either. I don’t play PVP. So what’s left that’s fun for me in the game?”
  • Maximilian H.: “Only catching normally now. Hatching and raiding are boycotted 99 % of the time.”
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Other trainers say “The game hasn’t changed”

However, not all trainers believe that the game has turned negative due to the changes. For them, these adjustments have reportedly hardly influenced their gameplay. You can also find the following comments on MeinMMO and in our Facebook group:

  • erzi222: “I went out before these changes and also after the ‘changes’. The game hasn’t changed, physical movement is still fun!”
  • Glubenza: “No major changes. Since hardly anything interesting is coming, spending has decreased. The community is slowly coming back […]. The prices don’t really bother anyone, free players are not affected by this, and the rest earns enough money. […] It’s more the boredom that is problematic.”
  • Sandra K.: “Of course, it’s a lot more fun now because it’s just not so easy anymore.”
  • Thilo K.: “I play just like before. I didn’t do remote raids that often, so I don’t care.”

Compromise idea for both sides: However, even trainers who are less affected by the changes as they are not reliant on remote raids can understand the frustration of other players. Ignatz P., a user from our Facebook group, writes:

As I hardly used remote raid passes anyway, the changes don’t bother me. But I also live in a big city and have no problem doing raids thanks to various groups. However, I feel sorry for the players who do not have these opportunities. Niantic is thus excluding players from the gameplay experience without offering an alternative. Personally, no one is taking anything away from me if they play with a remote raid pass. Maybe there should be some bonuses offered to local players (items, increased chances, etc.) to lure people out again without excluding others.

Ignatz P. via Facebook

This is also the view of many other trainers and content creators, which is why they have already addressed this in an open letter to Niantic. It is suggested that the developers should reward trainers who play raids locally instead with guaranteed XL special candies, an increased chance of a lucky friend, or more premium items.

Whether Niantic will take up this suggestion in the interest of the majority of the players remains to be seen. If there are any new updates on this, you will find them with us on MeinMMO.

What is your opinion on this topic? Are you also actively affected by the numerous changes? Or do you live in an area where participating in local raids is not a problem at all? Feel free to let us know in the comments and discuss with other trainers.

By the way: Pokémon GO now has a new raid feature that trainers have been waiting for years. We show you what it is.

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

WoW: You will soon receive really powerful gear for achievements

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Achievements in World of Warcraft were mostly quite useless. But for the first time in the history of the game, powerful set pieces are soon to be rewarded for achievements.

Achievements in World of Warcraft usually have little benefit. They simply provide a fixed point value. A few achievements grant additional rewards, such as titles, toys, or mounts. However, there was never a clear “power gain” for the character. Until now.

With Patch 10.1, Ember of Neltharion, this is about to change. Now you can actually earn tier set pieces for achievements.

What’s coming in Patch 10.1? With the upcoming patch, there is for the first time a tier set piece as a reward for an achievement. For the overarching achievement “Dragonflight Season 2 Master,” you must complete one of the three achievements listed below.

  • Dragonflight Keystone Master: Season Two – Achieve a dungeon rating of 2,000.
  • Challenger II: Dragonflight Season 2 – Achieve at least the rank Challenger II in PvP.
  • Heroic: Aberrus, Crucible of Shadows – Defeat all bosses in Aberrus on heroic.

If you complete one of these achievements, you will receive a “Draconic Mark of Mastery” as a reward. You can exchange this with a vendor for a tier set piece of heroic quality – regardless of which piece it is.

The achievement can be obtained multiple times on the account, but each character can only receive a Draconic Mark of Mastery once.

The intro cinematic for Patch 10.1 can be seen here:

Start video
WoW: New cinematic ‘Opening the Path’ shows the new plan of the dragons

Why is Blizzard doing this? The intention behind this is clear. Blizzard is trying to find a healthy balance in the distribution of tier sets. Especially at the beginning of a new season, tier set bonuses can provide a significant boost in performance, later on, they often become prerequisites to even be included in groups.

By ensuring that every character receives at least one set piece of their choice at the heroic level through this achievement, gaps can be closed. It is essentially built-in “bad luck protection,” guaranteeing at least one set piece.

More on the topic
The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
WoW hotfixes from April 15, 2026 make raids and dungeons easier, fix annoying bugs
von Karsten Scholz
Blizzard promised quick updates with WoW Midnight without loss of quality – The endeavor has failed
von Karsten Scholz

Most characters will likely already receive set pieces on the way to this achievement – whether through visiting the raid Aberrus, Crucible of Shadows, or through Mythic+ and the weekly reward chest.

What do you think about equipment being given for achievements soon? A good solution to mitigate the “problems” of the tier sets? Or exactly the wrong way?

There are also serious problems currently in WoW: The developers are angry and getting louder.

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

The 5 multiplayer games on Steam with the highest player counts – as of April 2023

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 5 minutes

We have gathered the multiplayer games on Steam with the highest number of players. 5 different PC games have been selected and listed here based on SteamDB.

What criteria were used for selection? We relied on the data from the analysis website SteamDB to identify the “most played games” on Steam.

Looking at the statistics, one genre clearly leads the list in terms of player numbers: Shooter. They are far ahead here. Additionally, only multiplayer games occupy the top 5 positions in the ranking (as of April 21, 2023).

For each game, there is a description and a trailer. Additionally, we provide “pros and cons” arguments for and against the game. Finally, there is a note on who might benefit from playing the game on Steam.

[toc]

5. Grand Theft Auto V

Genre: Action-Adventure|  Developer: Rockstar Games | Release Date: September 17, 2013 |  Steam Page

What is GTA V? The story revolves around 3 main characters living in a ruthless city, involved in illegal underground businesses. They must prove themselves in the dangerous environment through risky heists and daring crimes.

The campaign of GTA V is played solo, but the game features the multiplayer mode GTA Online, where you can play with and against other players.

The game offers the vast, open world of Los Santos and Blaine County, where you create your own character, complete missions, buy houses and cars, and cause chaos in the city with others. Furthermore, updates regularly provide new content and events in GTA Online.

GTA Online is also one of the 15 currently best MMOs and MMORPGs 2023.

Start video
Grand Theft Auto V – Trailer
Pro
  • Massive game world with many details
  • Diverse missions
  • Numerous contents
  • Multiplayer content with GTA 5 Online
  • Campaign with a good story
Contra
  • New content is released only for GTA Online and costs quite a bit of in-game currency
  • Obtaining in-game currency can be somewhat grindy
  • Hackers on PC can ruin the gaming experience

Who is Grand Theft Auto V worth it for? Those who enjoy exploring an open game world and messing around with others in GTA V will find satisfaction in the multiplayer mode. However, since the campaign is played solo, solo players could also enjoy the gripping story and spectacular missions. Additionally, the developers constantly add new content in the online mode that can be completed solo with ease.

4. PUBG: Battlegrounds

Genre: Battle Royale Shooter | Developer: Bluehole Studio | Release Date: March 23, 2017 | Steam Page

What is PUBG: Battlegrounds? The game is considered a true classic among battle royale shooters. You land alone on a map and equip yourself with weapons to be the last person (or team) standing and win the match.

PUBG: Battlegrounds takes place in a realistic setting and relies on a classic arsenal of weapons instead of colorful gadgets. The gameplay is rather slow-paced. Accordingly, more tactical approaches are required instead of rushing recklessly into the crossfire.

PUBG: Battlegrounds is also among the 14 best multiplayer shooters 2023 for PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox

Start video
PUBG Battlegrounds – Cinematic Trailer
Pro
  • Extensive content that changes regularly
  • Normal mode is free to play
  • Realistic setting with many weapon details
  • Rather slow pace
Contra
  • Cheaters are a problem in the free play modes
  • Not all content is available for free unlocking
  • Landing might be somewhat tricky for newcomers

Who is PUBG: Battlegrounds worth it for? Those looking for a battle royale with a realistic setting could be well served by PUBG: Battlegrounds. However, it may be tricky for shooter newcomers to get into the game. Since weapon handling and the low time-to-kill might require some learning. Therefore, the title is more suitable for players who already have some experience with shooters.

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

Steam: The most useless thing you can buy in Counter-Strike is worth a lot of money because Valve changed a little thing

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Five years ago, Valve removed the map Cobblestone from the rotation in CS:GO. However, this has led to significant speculation about a particular item that everyone wants. Today, you have to pay 1,000 euros for it.

The map Cobblestone was one of the least popular maps in CS:GO due to its gameplay. It did not play particularly fast, and the battles quickly became boring. However, something else made the map so popular: loot boxes with skins that could be purchased for a few euros. With a lot of luck, you could get the “AWP Dragon Lore,” the most expensive skin in the game.

This box is useless because you could really only draw skins from these loot boxes that provided no advantage in the game.

However, five years ago, Valve removed the map Cobblestone from major tournaments. Consequently, the option to buy loot boxes with skins also disappeared. Since then, prices have been rising.

Low number of loot boxes causes prices to rise steadily

Since the map was removed from the rotation, the number of Cobblestone boxes on the open market has been steadily declining. Boxes that were worth between 15 and 30 euros back then, according to 3Djuegos.com, now cost 1,000 euros.

Despite the high price, there are thousands on Steam who are willing to buy a Cobblestone box at such prices. Because there is still a chance to draw the extremely rare “AWP Dragon Lore” skin from this box, even though the chances are reportedly 1 in 4000 (0.025%).

Will the map Cobblestone return? That is difficult to determine. With Counter-Strike 2, Valve introduced significant changes for the popular shooter, including new and altered maps. However, many agree that the map Cobblestone would need major changes to become an exciting map for competitive matchmaking again.

Until then, the small Cobblestone boxes are likely to continue being sold at record prices.

More on CS:GO
Gamer punches opponent in the face on the stage of CAGGTUS – Here’s what the organizers say
von Dariusz Müller
The best team in Counter-Strike 2 is so good, ESL offers $100,000 for the players who stop the victory march
von Dariusz Müller
Streamer was known for only 1 game for years, brings back the biggest shooters, storms to number 1 on Twitch
von Dariusz Müller

Skins regularly generate record revenue on Steam

Rare skins from loot boxes are worth a lot of money, and some users are certainly willing to pay a lot for such a skin. In recent weeks, sales of skins have soared and millions in revenue have been generated. This is always the case whenever Valve introduces changes or there’s a major tournament in the game.

For major tournaments, you can always buy special loot boxes that bear the symbol of the team or the best player (so-called MVP). Here, many gamers are willing to invest a few euros in the boxes to have a chance at getting a valuable skin. One collector even became rich from the skins:

Steam: Collector uses hype to sell valuable skins in CS:GO for top prices – generates incredible amounts of money

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

Nvidia is said to produce fewer RTX 4070s because no one wants to buy them – Gamers mock: “Incredible example of greed”

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

According to rumors, Nvidia is reportedly slowing down the production of the GeForce RTX 4070. The reason is said to be poor sales figures. Gamers are already mocking that the poor numbers are not surprising, as the GPU is far too expensive.

The times when graphics cards and consoles were completely sold out are over. Nowadays, you can buy hardware everywhere without a shortage if you’re willing to pay the high prices.

With the RTX 4070, Nvidia recently released its newest graphics card. However, the high price of $599 is likely deterring many from buying it. Because the graphics card is available everywhere and stocks are feeling. And that is probably a problem for Nvidia.

The online magazine Tweaktown reports that Nvidia is slowing down the production of the RTX 4070 so that retailers can first sell their stocks. But many gamers are just shaking their heads at this.

For a mid-range graphics card, the RTX 4070 is far too expensive

What are the reactions like? On reddit, the reactions are not very friendly. Many criticize Nvidia and say that the company must be responsible for the poor sales figures. Because for a graphics card that aims to cater to the mid-range, meaning the broadest tier of gamers, it is simply too expensive. And for many, that is the wrong reaction. Some explain:

  • “They [Nvidia] should have lowered the prices but have instead paused production. Which probably means they will try to keep the prices up.”
  • “So instead of lowering the price to sell more units, they are artificially limiting the number of units to keep the price up. An astonishing example of greed and complete ignorance of the consumer.”
  • “They have really dug their own grave. They changed the prices at the last minute and screwed over all the retailers, but they didn’t make it cheap enough to justify an upgrade for users of the previous generation.”

Others explain that the competition in the GPU market is simply too strong now. The times when only Nvidia could offer competitive graphics cards are over.

More on Hardware and Tech
This gaming mouse does without an important feature, but after over 100 hours I didn’t miss it
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Traders are fed up with Amazon accidentally sending whole boxes of PC components
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Nvidia and internal products are competing

What other problems are there? On one hand, Nvidia is struggling with internal competition. Because the 3000 series is still available on the market and is currently a real option for many players when looking to buy a graphics card. Because the time when you had to pay thousands of euros on eBay for a graphics card is over.

On the other hand, the competitor AMD has positioned itself strongly with its own graphics cards. Both the 6000 series and the new 7000 series offer good performance for gaming. You may have to forgo certain features, but you will pay on average 100 to 150 euros less for AMD GPUs.

What you need to consider when buying a graphics card and whether AMD or Nvidia is the better choice, you can read in the following article on MeinMMO:

How important is it for a graphics card whether I buy AMD or Nvidia?

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

Still 1 year after release, Elden Ring shows me what a new AAA title really has to offer

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

Elden Ring is a game that positively shaped 2022. It gave many gamers the opportunity to finally play something fresh and new, and above all, fun again. So why do I take the game from FromSoftware as a prime example of what an AAA title must offer today? You can find out here.

Who is writing here? MeinMMO author Christos Tsogos is a long-time Souls fan and has spent thousands of hours in the franchises of FromSoftware. Besides Souls, he also plays other genres such as shooters or MMOs and is not averse to trying new things.

Despite the “variety” that currently exists in gaming, I occasionally look back nostalgically at Elden Ring and miss the time when a game could captivate me like this one.

It has become increasingly rare, and that surprises me because we have so many AAA titles on the market, yet I pass by them yawning. Elden Ring showed me why.

Elden Ring has been a successful risk

The gaming market is a boring bunch that keeps repeating itself. Many games from well-known IPs, such as Assassin’s Creed, CoD, or FIFA, flood the market with their presence.

They have been a staple of the industry for a long time and are almost impossible to imagine without. The problem is that they hardly evolve in terms of gameplay. They offer few innovations, remain true to their patterns, and only seem like reheated dishes served over the years.

With Assassin’s Creed 2, Ubisoft was able to captivate me back then. The story surrounding Ezio and his quests for revenge appealed to me, but after the story surrounding Desmond ended, my interest faded.

AC01

However, Ubisoft remained true to its successful series, ensuring that Assassin’s Creed, like FIFA, resembles nothing but a lifeless copy of one after another, without taking risks or experimenting.

In contrast, Elden Ring deviates from the principle of stagnating innovation and was released at the right time.

Elden Ring has impressed many despite its niche genre. The game punishes everyone, whether professional or beginner. It is relentless, offers no straightforward narrative, and overwhelms many players with its countless possibilities to reach the end of the game.

Nevertheless, Elden Ring reached second place among the best-selling games of 2022 according to Forbes, even though we are talking about a new IP (via forbes.com).

The success of Elden Ring had a good reason, as FromSoftware not only took advantage of the drought in which gamers found themselves in 2022 due to a lack of games, but they also tried new things and took the risk of failing.

FromSoftware is known for its “Dark Souls” series. Hardcore games usually played only by fans due to their difficulty. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the father of the Souls games, had something different in mind for Elden Ring.

It was meant to offer not only a new story but also to mix familiar elements of the Souls games and come together into something new with an open world. This risk of possible failure was taken and is now evident thanks to the sales figures and the success.

More on the topic
Elden Ring film: Release date, trailer and cast – Everything you need to know about the upcoming film adaptation
von Niko Hernes
Elden Ring: Finding bell bearings and buying smithing stones – All locations 2026
von Tarek Zehrer
Player became a hero in Elden Ring, then could not play for 180 days because he performed a silly dance
von Ody

Familiar games lack experimentation

Elden Ring was a fresh start. A new title without a prehistory, where players could approach it without expectations. This was well received, and big studios should take this to heart. Familiar formulas like FIFA and CoD will always sell well because there are no adequate titles to offer exactly what these titles can.

However, in my opinion, resources should still flow into experiments. New ideas or formulas should be tested that no one has seen before. What would a hack and slay made by Ubisoft look like? Or a loot shooter from Nintendo? There are so many possibilities to finally create more excitement in our yawning bubble; developers just need to dare to take a risk.

But enough about me, how do you find the current situation in gaming? Do you also find it yawningly boring, or can you not complain? Let us know in the comments!

The game that has captivated me again after a long time was Dredge, and it is not an AAA title:

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

How good is a gaming headset for the PS5 that costs no more than 60 euros?

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 5 minutes

With the GXT 489 Forta, Trust offers a discreet gaming headset for the PS5 for under 60 euros. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann reveals who the headset is suitable for.

For many gamers, 100 euros is a magical limit when purchasing peripherals and accessories for PC and console. With Logitech, Razer, and SteelSeries already in this space, several manufacturers have positioned themselves.

The manufacturer Trust aims to appeal to gamers who don’t want to spend more than 60 euros with its GXT 489 Forta. The gaming headset from Trust for the PS5 primarily wants to score points with a simple design and good sound quality. Whether it succeeds, I explain in the in-depth review.

Who tested this?

I have been testing hardware for our readers on MeinMMO since 2019. Aside from gaming mice, gaming headsets and keyboards are my absolute favorites. I have a dozen headsets stored both professionally and privately. With a head circumference of 58 cm, I have a relatively smaller head.

The Trust GXT 489 Forta was provided to me by the manufacturer for testing.

fragt meinmmo benedikt

Benedikt Schlotmann
Hardware editor MeinMMO

Features and technical details:
DesignOver-ear/Closed
Connection type3.5mm jack cable to PC and PlayStation
Frequencies20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
CompatibilityPC, PS4, PS5
Weight244 grams
ContentsHeadset, 3.5mm jack cable (1.2m), microphone, pop filter
Price (RRP)59.99 euros

Design and build

What is included in the package? The gaming headset is delivered with a 3.5mm jack cable (1.2 m), an attachable microphone, and a pop filter. Additionally, a user manual is included.

Trust GXT 489 Forta Gaming-Headset Lieferumfang

Construction of the headset: You can get the device from Trust either in black or white. Neither the Trust logo on the ear cushion nor the PlayStation logo is illuminated. This makes the headset significantly less noticeable than the sometimes brightly lit competition.

The manufacturer uses artificial leather padding for the ear cups. All components such as the microphone and cable can be removed and stored separately. A mute button and a volume control are located on the left ear cup.

At the console, you have to connect the headset with your DualSense controller. On PC, you can also use a USB sound card. However, a Y-splitter for microphone and sound is not included.

Processing

Trust uses a plastic case without metal for the headset. Overall, the headset seems well made, without obvious weak points in processing. Other headsets in the same price range, like the EKSA 900 Pro, rely on similar processing. Because of its relatively small size, the headset also appears very robust.

The volume control feels a bit cheap and turns overall too easily. The jack cable can be detached and easily replaced with another cable. In the case of a cable break, the cable can therefore be quickly replaced.

Trust GXT 489 Forta Gaming-Headset Nahansicht
The PlayStation logo is prominently displayed on the ear cup; otherwise, the design is simple and understated.

Software

The headset can be easily connected to the PS4, PS5, or PC via the included jack cable. There is no software available for either PlayStation or Windows PC. Therefore, you have to be satisfied with the preset sound. Trust does not offer drivers or other software for the headset.

On the next page, you can read all about comfort, sound, and the microphone. In the concluding summary, I explain to you for whom the headset could be worthwhile.

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

Destiny 2: Xur today – location and offer on 21.04

Britta ♤ BeAngel Britta ♤ BeAngel Reading time 6 minutes

It’s that time again – Xur, the mysterious Agent of the Nine, will Destiny 2 pay his weekly visit. Although many players wish that Xur would disappear forever, he will still delight you with his presence.

Why are so many Guardians so upset about Xur’s arrival? Well, it’s no secret that Xur often has disappointing items on offer. Nevertheless, there are still players who hope that he has something useful this time. After all, you never know what treasures he hides under his cloak.

So make sure you have enough Legendary Shards to buy his wares if he comes with a surprise. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what has been happening in Destiny 2 this week.

Start video
Destiny 2: Lightfall – “Season of Resistance” trailer

What happened this week in Destiny 2? On Tuesday, the big midseason update for Destiny 2 was released, bringing some important changes and improvements to the game. These included optimizations in the Crucible and adjustments to weapons.

However, the game sounded a little different afterward, as some players noted. And overall, they were not happy with the update at all. It seemed to bring more bugs than it fixed.

More on the topic
Destiny 2: Curious audio bug and other errors frustrate guardians and literally cause headaches
von Britta ♤ BeAngel

At least at the exclusive event in Neomuna, things are now running better. A player has created an option to quickly locate the event and bring players together.

  • Now it almost always works to take down the 6 Minotaurs and secure the guaranteed Exotic.
  • By the way, since the update, new Lightfall Exotics can also drop here, so you no longer have to farm only the Lost Sectors for them.

Finally, Bungie addressed the last word about Ekuegan, the banned streamer:

Twitch: Streamer dedicates his life to Destiny 2, streamed over 14,000 hours – swears he is innocent, but Bungie bans him

Season 15 destiny2 xur Cult Merchant
Xur doesn’t care who likes him. His task is to deliver Exotics, no matter how bad they are.

All info about Xur on April 21, 2023 – PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

When does Xur come? Xur, the Agent of the Nine, appears in Destiny 2 every Friday at 7:00 PM. His visit ends again the following Tuesday at 7:00 PM. During this time, Guardians can buy exotic items from him.

Where is Xur? This is his camp for the weekend

Xur’s location: Xur’s whereabouts change every week, making it a little challenging for players to find him. However, MeinMMO is always hot on his trail and posts his location so you don’t have to search long.

Here is where Xur is this weekend: Nessus, at the landing point “Guardian’s Grave”
Destiny-2_nessus-guardian-grave
Visit Xur on Nessus in the landing zone “Guardian’s Grave”

Xur’s inventory from April 21 – 25 – All Exotics at a glance

What does Xur have on offer? The Agent of the Nine in Destiny 2 offers players a random selection of exotic items for purchase each week. His inventory changes all the time, and you can obtain Exotic weapons as well as armor from him to fill your collection.

This is Xur’s offer this week:

Xur’s offer from April 21 – 25.

Exotic weapon: “Wardcliff Coil” – Arc rocket launcher for 29 Legendary Shards

Titan: “An Unyielding Skullfort” – Helmet for 23 Legendary Shards

  • Mobility: +16
  • Resilience: +7
  • Recovery: +11
  • Discipline: +2
  • Intellect: +7
  • Strength: +22
  • Total: 65

Hunter: “The Gunchera” – Leg Armor for 23 Legendary Shards

  • Mobility: +17
  • Resilience: +2
  • Recovery: +13
  • Discipline: +15
  • Intellect: +10
  • Strength: +7
  • Total: 64

Warlock: “Ophidian Aspect” – Arm Armor for 23 Legendary Shards

  • Mobility: +3
  • Resilience: +16
  • Recovery: +11
  • Discipline: +6
  • Intellect: +7
  • Strength: +20
  • Total: 63

Legendary Armor Set: “Simulator”-Set

If you prefer to have all of this read to you, along with recommendation tips, just check out Nexxoss:

Recommended editorial content

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

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Link to the YouTube content
Nexxoss walks you through Xur’s offer piece by piece

In addition to selling legendary items, Xur offers unique variations of exotic items each week that were available in past DLCs and are no longer obtainable. However, it is important to note that these weapons can only be purchased by players who own the respective expansion.

Currently, he has these two weapons on offer:

  • The exotic hand cannon “Fatebringer” (Beyond Light DLC) with “Murderous Wind”
  • The exotic scout rifle “The Tale of a Dead Man” (Beyond Light DLC) with “Snapshot Sights”
xur-weapon-only-with-dlc-fatebringer-destiny2
This is how it would look if you lacked the appropriate expansion to purchase

Trials of Osiris from April 21 – 25 – Map, Weapons and Info

Starting today, Friday, April 21, players in Destiny 2 can once again compete in the 3v3 matches of Trials, also known as “Trials of Osiris”.

What are the Trials in Destiny 2?

The Trials of Osiris is a weekly PvP event where teams of three Guardians compete against each other in a tournament style to claim victory. This is the endgame in PvP and takes place every weekend. There is only one exception, which applies when the Iron Banner event is active; then the 14th Saint takes a break in favor of Lord Saladin.

Which map is active this week? In the Trials of Osiris, battles are held on a designated map every weekend, unlike regular PvP where maps rotate. Guardians need to focus on this specific map and adjust their strategy accordingly to be successful in the battles.

The map this week is: Distant Shore
destiny-2-distant-shore
You are playing on the map “Distant Shore”

If you’re interested in playing the Trials with a fixed team, MeinMMO recommends the Callout Maps via Warmind. This way, you can accurately describe to your fireteam where the enemies are located on the map, which is useful information for the entire team.

How to get your loot: The Trials of Osiris have a rank system. Your top loot reward from PvP matches is currently available for:

  • Seven victories
  • 50 rounds
  • The notorious flawless run that takes you to the Lighthouse

This is the reward for a flawless run: Every week, a very special weapon awaits you in the Lighthouse that you receive for your flawless run, that is, 7 victories, as a Master version. You can obtain the weapon until the upcoming Tuesday, April 25 at 7:00 PM.

As a reward, you will always receive an Adept weapon if you make it safely to the Lighthouse.

This week’s Adept weapon is: Unwavering Duty, a Solar machine gun
destiny2-unwavering-duty-season19-trials-master-weapon
Master weapons can also be obtained from the Trials along with the Dusk – this week “Unwavering Duty”

All Trials weapons have a Trials origin trait: “Swiftness” – Improves reload, stability, aim assist and range when you are the last remaining member of your fireteam or fighting alone.

You can focus your Trials Engrams at the 14th Saint on your desired weapon. Additionally, you will receive enhancement prisms and ascendant shards. Remember that your rewards further increase once you have a complete pass – even if you lost one or two games.

When do the Trials start officially? The Trials of Osiris commence today, April 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM and end with the weekly reset on April 18, 2023, at 7:00 PM.

Overall, Xur is a fascinating character in the world of Destiny 2, always bringing surprises and disappointments. But what do you think of him? Are you a loyal follower of his exotic treasures or do you think he has overstayed his welcome? Let us know in the comments.

Have you been having sound issues in Destiny 2 recently? Then it might be due to this sound bug:

Destiny 2: Curious audio bug and other errors frustrate Guardians and literally cause headaches

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

Gamer is asked what he wants for the wedding anniversary, jokingly wishes for a gaming PC – His wife gives him hardware worth 2,000 euros

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A couple is celebrating their 1st anniversary and the wife wanted to know what her husband wishes for. He jokingly mentions components for a PC. And then he is not quite surprised when the items are actually on his table.

A gamer posted on reddit that he and his partner are celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary. His wife asked him if he wishes for something special. As a joke, he named a whole list of components for a gaming PC.

His wife apparently did not take it as a joke, because he posted a picture showing several hardware components. Among them is also a new RTX 4070 Ti and a gaming monitor. In total, his wife invested around 2,000 euros for the hardware that can be seen in the picture. This includes, among other things:

  • An i9 processor from Intel
  • A GeForce RTX 4070 Ti from Nvidia
  • The Fractal Meshify 2 as a case
  • RGB RAM
  • MSI Z790 Tomahawk WIFI (motherboard)
  • Samsung 980 Pro (SSD)

Community celebrates the gamer’s wife

The reactions are almost entirely positive. Many are impressed by the gift and wish the user and his wife all the best for the anniversary.

Some are already joking: If the wife gives hardware worth 2,000 euros for the first anniversary, what will there be for the 10th anniversary?

What does his wife get at all? In another post, the gamer explains that he wants to give his wife an “all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica” for the anniversary. Some joke: That is a win-win situation for him – unless his wife would go on vacation alone and not take him with her.

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Others are not so “lucky” with their wives. One user wants to play Diablo 4, but must first convince his partner that he really is allowed to do so. The reactions from the community are very diverse:

Player wants to persuade his wife to let him play Diablo 4 – asks AI for help

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

EVE Online: Powerful Space Tyrant explains why he had to give up his beloved MMORPG after 15 years

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

The MMORPG EVE Online is the original metaverse, explains Michael Pusateri, a businessman in real life and space tyrant in his free time. He played the MMORPG EVE Online for 15 years, enjoyed his growing fame and influence, but then it was over.

Where does the information come from? Michael Pusateri, who is the CEO of an IT company in real life, published an article on Medium describing his relationship with the MMORPG EVE Online.

The article is aimed at readers from the business world who have no idea what is going on in the game. He strives to explain the fascination of EVE and how rewarding he found his time as the leader of an organization with thousands of players.

In the game, Pusateri was called “Dunk Dinkle” and was the CEO of “Brave.”

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5 old MMORPGs that are still actively played

Space democracy simply does not work – leaders have absolute power

What is remarkable: The author recounts his journey in the game, which sounds like a pure success story for a long time:

  • He starts playing in 2008, slowly makes a name for himself in an organization and learns about the game
  • In 2013, he builds a group of players and dives deeper into EVE Online. He writes about his gameplay, publishes videos, participates in talks with other players
  • Eventually, he becomes the CEO of his organization. As a leader, he has unlimited power, as he explains:

The group of leaders in EVE consists almost entirely of (mostly) well-meaning dictators. Groups have tried space democracy, but that has consistently failed. What ultimately works is a leader with total control who makes decisions in the game. In EVE, they are called CEOs, but they are actually warlords who rule their territories and command their troops to attack or defend.

How did he perceive it? The author describes that EVE Online was very relaxing for him at the beginning and provided a counterbalance to his stressful “business life” in the real world. The complexity and steady rhythm of the game felt relaxing to him.

However, as he became CEO, that slowly changed. He explains:

  • Through Discord, he was now constantly in contact with other CEOs, had to be available at all times to manage crises
  • Contracts were drawn up, often reviewed by real lawyers, to find loopholes that could be exploited later
  • He enjoyed the “nano-fame” he had as an extroverted space lord, with whom everyone wanted to talk and that so many knew. He even always had trinkets like bottle openers with him, featuring his guild’s logo, to give away as gifts
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EVE Online becomes a second job and that is one job too many

What was the problem? During the pandemic, stress in real life increased and he started getting worse headaches:

Every morning I woke up and had problems solving things in EVE: I spent long days in the office and then had to take care of EVE in the evenings. It was a lot of work. My fun per hour was low and EVE felt like a job on many days. I still found it rewarding, but it took its toll, my second job in the metaverse. Even when I had time off from work, I was still on duty in EVE, having to manage things from the hotel room or the beach, instead of relaxing.

Ultimately, the headaches became unbearable. He took anti-migraine medication and underwent surgery to fix issues with his jaw, but as he slowly recovered, doctors advised him that stress was a major trigger and that he urgently needed to reduce it.

So six months ago, he did what he never thought was possible: he quit EVE Online and handed over the keys to his part of the galaxy to a NASA researcher he had chosen as his successor.

Now he says:

I miss the people terribly, but I enjoy the freedom to do other things. The freedom of not having to turn on my computer to do space work.

His wife is also “thrilled” that he has closed this chapter of his life.

If we’re already writing about space tyrants in EVE Online on MeinMMO, we must also refer to THE space tyrant:

The hardcore space tyrant in the MMORPG EVE Online quits everything: “I’m not the scapegoat of the galaxy”

The title image is the thumbnail of a YouTube video by Pusateri. He used it to apply for the player council in EVE “CSM”.

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

Diablo 4: What happens to your beloved HC characters when they are defeated in PvP

Patrick Freese Patrick Freese Reading time 2 minutes

In Diablo 4 you can play in HC mode. If you die from monsters, your character is permanently dead. But what if a HC character is defeated in PvP?

What kind of mode is this? Many Diablo players prefer the softcore mode for their characters. If you die, you can resurrect and continue without losing your progress. In hardcore mode, it works differently. If you die, it means “permadeath,” so the character is not resurrected.

For many HC players, this mode brings another thrill, as you should play more cautiously. Blizzard now confirms another detail for this already challenging mode on Twitter.

Permadeath also for PvP deaths in HC mode of Diablo 4

This is what Blizzard says: On Twitter, user rizarjay asks the Blizzard team: “I’m not sure if this has been mentioned before, but if you play hardcore in Diablo 4 and then die in PvP, does that mean permadeath or… ?”

Adam “PezRadar” Fletcher, the Global Community Development Director of Diablo 4, answers succinctly: “Permadeath.”

The response from Blizzard sparks a lot of discussion within the community. In the comments of the tweet, a user asks, “Can someone explain what this really means? So if I’ve geared up and leveled my character for 2 weeks and die in PvP, is my character wiped? Or do I just get kicked out of the PvP arena?” To which PezRadar explains that it means you would have to create a new character in hardcore mode.

Others are saying that they are now really “afraid.” As a suggestion, player theonethief writes that there should be PvP zones in hardcore mode where you can die without losing your character, in addition to the permadeath zones.

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What is the “problem” with it? In Reddit of Diablo, a player asks why PvP in hardcore mode should be regulated differently than how PezRadar described. User Kaelran believes:

Because permadeath in hardcore PvP means that hardcore PvP does not exist. The risks are exponentially higher than the rewards.

And this doesn’t even account for things like hacking, bad balance, or stream sniping.

Path of Exile had MANY PvP glitches because some ability was overlooked in balancing specifically for PvP and it caused way too much PvP damage, effectively killing people instantly without any way to counter it. I expect a lot of this in a new game with very few tests in the PvP zone.

[…]

Also, the PvP in Lost Ark was full of speed hackers. It will be great to lose your character because of a hacker. Oh wait, people just won’t play PvP. This way, PvP will be removed from hardcore again.

In contrast, other players argue that the appeal of hardcore PvP is simply very high. Players love to take risks and put everything they’ve earned on the line in PvP. The theoretical possibility of hackers is put on the back burner by other users, who suggest waiting to see if this situation even arises instead of being angry about it beforehand.

Blizzard emphasizes that PvP in Diablo 4 is “not designed to be fair”

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

In The Division Heartland there should be PvP everywhere at night – players hope they won’t be forced

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

The developers of The Division Heartland have shared new information about the shooter, and players are now hoping they won’t be forced into PvP.

What is The Division Heartland? The Division Heartland is the latest installment in the “The Division” series and will be released as a F2P title on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

What does the gameplay of Heartland look like? The game is supposed to be a mix of extraction shooter and survival game, set in the American small town of Silver Creek.

There, you support Agent Mackenzie Amber Reed in the fight against her former commander Killian Tower, who has gone rogue and murdered his former unit.

Your task is to protect Silver Creek from hostile factions, rogue agents, and a deadly contamination. For example, your first mission will be to help Reed in rebuilding an operations base.

During the day, you roam Silver Creek, trying to survive, complete quests, and achieve important objectives. You will encounter plenty of enemies and a deadly contamination spreading in the small town. There are also supposed to be diseases and dehydration.

At night, additional dangers arise, and PvP comes into sharper focus. “The night is a deadly sandbox”

What did the developers say about PvP? At night, new, more dangerous enemies will make your life harder in The Division Heartland – these also include other players.

Taylor Epperly, Associate Game Director at Red Storm Entertainment, says:

When night falls in Silver Creek, it becomes dangerous. The threat is escalated, and the dangerous PvEvP gameplay of rogue players and AI is activated. The night is a deadly sandbox that constantly presents threats, but there are also consistently great rewards to be gained.

From Taylor Epperly’s statement, it can be concluded that PvEvP is activated throughout Silver Creek at night, and you should expect continuous battles against other players.

Additionally, Ubisoft writes on the game’s website that you return “empty-handed” if you die before returning to the operations base – here the principle of an extraction shooter becomes clear. The map becomes a large Dark Zone at night.

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The developers of The Division Heartland talk about the gameplay of the upcoming shooter

What do players say? In the comments on YouTube, some players hope it will be possible to play only PvE and completely avoid PvP. The desire for pure PvE worlds or a corresponding mode seems to be high.

  • Foab Moab: “I hope you can play everything just in PvE. Dark Zone has never been fun enough […].”
  • Leon Dev: “I hope there is a PvE-only mode like in the pre-alpha.”
  • Rafael Madeira: “I also hope for a PvE world.”
  • Mister Facepalm: “Definitely looks interesting, but I would like to see a dedicated PvE mode for it.”
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With the current information, it is conceivable that during the day PvE is played and at night PvP is added. This would create the PvPvE experience known from various extraction shooters and the Dark Zone. Whether this will be organized through a separate matchmaking, in a day-night cycle, or otherwise is currently still unknown.

For more extraction shooters, you can find them in our list of 6 games you should play if you like Escape from Tarkov.

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

PS5: Sony buys studio with people who made Destiny when it was really good – New „AAA-Multiplayer-game“

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

Sony has announced that they have acquired “Firewalk Studios.” Here, some former developers of Destiny 1, who left Bungie after then-CEO Harold Ryan left in 2016 or was let go by Activision. The studio is to develop a new “AAA multiplayer game” for PlayStation 5, apparently a service game like Destiny.

What kind of studio is this? “Firewalk” is a studio that was founded in 2018. Until now, it has been part of “Probably Monsters,” a group of top developers with many former Destiny employees.

The idea of Probably Monsters is to unite several game studios under one roof and develop their own brands there. The teams were supposed to develop freely, and Probably Monsters would then take care of other business parts. Now Firewalk is being sold to Sony, and the studio will therefore be spun off from Probably Monsters:

The key people at Firewalk were former Bungie employees such as:

  • Studio head Tony Hsu (previously General Manager and Senior Vice President for Destiny at Bungie)
  • Creative Ryan Ellis (previously Creative Director at Bungie).

The studio currently has about 150 developers.

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Sony has been collaborating with Firewalk since 2021 – Plans service game offensive

Why is Sony buying the studio? Firewalk and Sony have been working together since April 2021. Sony seems to be convinced by the people there. They say Firewalk has an innovative approach to storytelling and is “committed to high-quality gameplay.”

The acquisition of Firewalk is part of Sony’s plan to enter the “live service” sector, where they plan 10 new games for PlayStation 5 and have also acquired Bungie in January 2022.

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What do the developers say? Tony Hsu says they have a fantastic team, work well with Sony, and are looking forward to utilizing the “incredible creative power” of the PlayStation studio network. Now they can make their vision a reality.

His former boss, Harold Ryan, says he is proud of the team and the game that has developed over the years. They are very happy for the team.

CEO left Bungie very quietly in 2016

Why did they all leave Bungie back then? This is still not really known today. Harold Ryan left Bungie in early 2016. That was around the time it became clear that they would not meet the crazy master plan of Activision Blizzard and that Destiny 2 would not be released as planned in 2016.

Perhaps Microsoft was satisfied with Bungie at that time, or the people at Bungie no longer wanted to work under such a tight schedule. There was also a reboot of Destiny later on. However, it is unclear whether Ryan’s departure was related to all of this or whether he simply wanted to do something different after 16 years.

In retrospect, it’s ironic: Ryan left after 2015, which is now considered “the golden age of Destiny” – for some fans, Destiny was never better than with “The Taken King,” which was released in September 2015.

In the following years, some familiar faces left Bungie and moved on to Probably Monsters: Ryan has also established his company in Seattle, where Bungie also operates.

Ryan’s company subsequently raised $200 million in record time and developed new games. However, none of them have been seen yet. Perhaps now the one from Firewalk.

Why Destiny as a game failed for 10 years – The 3 biggest mistakes of Bungie

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