PS5 and Discord: The small crossplay revolution is running, but comes with flaws

Maik Schneider Maik Schneider Reading time 3 minutes

With the PS5, you can now participate in voice chats on Discord. MeinMMO editor Maik Schneider has extensively tested it, explains how it works, and gives you an assessment of how good the new feature is.

Since early February, the PlayStation 5 has allowed shared voice chats with Discord – initially as a beta, now available for all players. This finally allows for easy chats with PC players when you want to talk or game something crossplay.

I’ll show you how exactly this works and what the feature is capable of:

Diablo 4 also comes with extensive crossplay features. You can find more about the multiplayer in the new action RPG in the video:

Start video
In Diablo 4 you can play with players from all over the world – All information about multiplayer

PS5 & Discord – Set up voice chat

How does Discord work on PS5? For this, you first need to link your PSN account with your Discord account. Either on the console:

  • PS5: Settings > Users and Accounts > Linked Services

Or in your Discord app:

  • PC/Phone: Settings > Connections

If you linked the accounts before the introduction of Discord chats on PS5, you may need to link them again. Follow the appropriate instructions. The settings will guide you through the setup.

After that, you can pull any voice chat from Discord over to the PS5 – whether direct conversation, group, or server chat. However, this only works on PS5: The PS4 does not support voice chats.

Tap on the chat in Discord so that you can see all participants, and then you can transfer the chat “To the console” from here.

On the PC, you will see a black-and-white icon at the bottom left, which looks like a controller in front of a tablet. On the phone, you need to swipe up from the bottom to see the chat options.

ps5 discord voice chat transfer PC
The small icon is easily overlooked on the PC.

After that, you still need to select the correct console for transferring and wait a few seconds. A small chat window will open on the PS5, and now you can use your console headset to chat on Discord.

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Familiar PS quality with small dropouts

How is the quality of the voice chats? The overall voice quality is comparable to the usual standards of PlayStation chat. Nothing special, but mostly stable, and teammates are easy to understand.

What stands out positively: The connection is established much faster. In a party in the PlayStation Network, it sometimes takes minutes for all participants to finally hear each other. This did not happen with Discord.

However, I experienced some disconnections and had to pull the chat back from the Discord app to the PS5. So far, this has only been a minor issue and happened rarely.

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Conclusion: Minimal solution – There is more to come

First of all: The fact that the PS5 finally offers options to chat with people on PC is a small revolution. I specifically bought a headset with multi-channel Bluetooth so I can connect both PC and PS5 at the same time.

In the past, I often had an in-ear headphone under my actual headset to be able to use the Discord chat.

However, when I could finally test the feature, there was disappointment before the first chat: no Discord app on PS5. You have to start Discord from the PC or the phone, go into the chat, and then transfer it over to PlayStation.

As a result, no party is started on the PS5, into which I could invite other console friends. Everything runs through Discord, and you only transmit the audio inputs and outputs of the voice chat.

A minimal solution. But still better than having a button in your ear under the headset.

If you have questions or your own opinion about the feature, then write me in the comments. If you would rather clean your PS5, check this out: How to clean your PS5 fan without voiding the warranty

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

Xbox manager explains why the Game Pass is not a “disturbing business model”

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 2 minutes

Chris Charla, the Director of ID@Xbox, shares his opinion on Game Pass and explains why the business model does not disrupt the gaming market but enriches it.

What is ID@Xbox? The acronym stands for Independent Developers @ Xbox and is a program that allows indie developers to self-publish their titles for PC, Cloud, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S.

The ID@Xbox program is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. Several indie developers and publishers who have previously collaborated with Xbox expressed very positive opinions about the program, according to gamesindustry.biz. However, there are also some questions and concerns, with a focus on Game Pass.

“It enriches in a really positive way”

The concern about the direction of the model is completely normal among business people, said ID@Xbox Director Chris Charla in an interview with gamesindustry.biz.

However, the concerns about subscriptions and how they could disrupt the gaming market do not reflect in Xbox’s data: “I wouldn’t call it disruptive.” Instead, Charla sees it as complementary:

It is additive. People are still buying a lot of games, and they are still buying a lot of games on Xbox. They buy games through Game Pass with a discount they receive as members.

So I don’t believe that Game Pass is a disruptive business model, but rather it is enriching in a really positive way. And we in the industry need to look at more of these additive business models. Similar to digital distribution, which did present some disruption for retail, but ultimately added value because not every game had to be so big that it justified a release on a disc.

This suggests to Charla that indie developers particularly benefit from the Game Pass system, as smaller titles can also be published more easily, which might not have made it to a disc release.

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What does the future hold for Game Pass? Recently, Microsoft ended the €1 trial subscription, where interested parties could test the Xbox Game Pass at a special price.

In a statement to The Verge, Kai Perez, Head of Global Communications, stated: “We have stopped our previous introductory offer for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass and are currently reviewing various marketing actions for new members in the future.”

With a simple trick, you can save a lot of money with Game Pass. MeinMMO editor Patrick Freese explains how the trick works and what you need to consider:

Beware, do not just pay 10 € for the Xbox Game Pass – I almost made the mistake

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

The new ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ movie is a must for every gamer and MMORPG fan

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

With “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” a new fantasy movie has hit the theaters. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann viewed the film in the cinema and believes: Every gamer should give the film a chance.

What kind of movie is this? The new “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” tells the story of a thief and a group of quite unusual adventurers. Together, they undertake a risky heist to reclaim a lost relic.

However, this operation goes terribly wrong and triggers a whole series of unexpected events. I don’t want to reveal too much at this point, as the film has some exciting twists.

Already my colleague Benedict explained, that the trailer for the film creates a great desire for MMORPGs. I have embedded the trailer here for you. And after my visit to the cinema, I can confirm that!

Start video
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – Second Official Trailer for the Movie

The new movie is a feast for gamers and fantasy fans

Personally, I’ve already spent countless gaming hours on the Sword Coast. Just in Baldur’s Gate, I’ve spent over a thousand gaming hours, and it keeps increasing each year. In “Neverwinter Nights,” I could also spend many gaming hours. Together with my namesake Benedict, I even gave Dark Alliance a chance.

The story may not be very original, but with its ideas and humor, the film resonates with me completely.

Why does this work for me as a gamer? Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most well-known and largest role-playing games in the world. As pen & paper, it is usually played at a table with character sheets, a storyteller, and dice. However, the new film “Honor Among Thieves” skillfully tells a fun story from these elements:

All characters in the story take on typical roles from an RPG party in the film:

  • A bard who sees himself as the team’s planner but has few skills otherwise.
  • A wizard with little self-confidence.
  • A druid who can transform into a giant owl bear or other animals.
  • A warrior who can hit hard with her axe but speaks little.
  • A paladin with much charisma and honor but little speaking talent.

And all of them also have their typical recognition value: The paladin, for example, wears shiny armor, the bard always has an instrument on his back, while the warrior always has her axe within reach. I encounter all known role-playing clichés in this chaotic but lovable party.

And it just fits perfectly. I constantly feel that “could” also be my party, with which I am currently traversing a dungeon, more or less successfully.

In one scene, an adventurer is surprised by a mimic, a monster that disguises itself as a treasure chest. In another scene, there is a gelatinous cube that some of you have certainly already encountered.

In yet another scene, there is a somewhat… interesting dragon. But you have to see that for yourself.

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As a gamer, you feel right at home because many aspects just seem instantly familiar. And after the film, I simply feel like digging out my old Baldur’s Gate again and going on adventures with my party once more.

But without a bard, because I can hardly deal with him:

Damn, the multiplayer of Baldur’s Gate 3 is really good!

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

Who was actually the first Twitch streamer and what is he doing today?

Lydia Lydia Reading time 4 minutes

Twitch is one of the largest destinations for live streaming. More than 7 million content creators stream every month on the Amazon platform. But who was actually the very first Twitch streamer? That question is not so easy to answer and that’s due to how the platform was created.

How did it all begin? Twitch originated from the now-defunct website Justin.tv. It was founded in 2007 by 23-year-old Yale graduate Justin Kan and his friends Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel, and Kyle Vogt.

On March 19, 2007, Kan began streaming his life 24/7. He used a webcam attached to a baseball cap for this purpose. Breaks were only taken for using the bathroom.

The novelty of the concept generated a lot of media attention. Reactions among viewers were mixed: many found the “reality” format unappealing, but were very interested in creating their own streams.

In the summer of that same year, Kan discontinued his so-called “lifecasting,” and Justin.tv eventually became a platform where anyone could create their own channel and perform in front of viewers.

Screenshot of the original JustinTV
This is what justin.tv originally looked like (via techchrunch)

How did Justin.tv become Twitch? On Justin.tv, there were different categories, of which “Gaming” quickly established itself as the most popular section. In 2011, the Gaming category of Justin.tv finally became its own website: Twitch.

By the time of Twitch’s creation, thousands of content creators had already streamed on the predecessor Justin.tv. Who was the very first to go live on the new platform is not known.

Is Justin Kan therefore the first Twitch streamer? In a way, yes, because he was the first to stream on the platform that later became Twitch. But strictly speaking, it was Justin.tv and not Twitch. So who claims the title?

One candidate is the American Sean “Day[9]” Plott: He was the first Twitch streamer to receive a subscription button. He is also featured in our video of the first successful streamers:

Start video
Twitch: Who were actually the first successful streamers?

From StarCraft Player to Full-Time Streamer

What kind of streamer is he? Plott started as a professional player and commentator for the SF strategy game StarCraft: Brood War. He represented the USA at the World Cyber Games (WGC) Grand Finals in 2004, where he placed 12th. In 2005, the following year, he won the WCG USA.

With the release of StarCraft II in 2010, Plott shifted from active playing to commenting. In his show “The Day[9] Daily,” he analyzed and commented on high-profile matches in StarCraft II. His channel on Twitch or Justin.tv was created according to the analysis website TwitchTracker on December 9, 2010, but he started live streaming as early as late 2009.

One of the first games Plott showcased alongside the StarCraft franchise was the survival horror game Amnesia: The Dark Descent, just in time for Halloween 2011. 10 years later, he reacted to his own playthrough and concluded that listening to himself was probably worse than the horror in the scare game (via YouTube).

Screenshot from a YouTube video of Day9TV, where he reacts to his former self
Day[9] 2021 (bottom left) and 2011 (large) via YouTube

How did he get the subscription button? Initially, it was not intended for streamers to earn money through paid subscriptions on Twitch. Plott was involved in the development of the subscription program and finally received partner status in May 2011.

The former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear wrote about this on Reddit in 2016:

We developed the feature in collaboration with him [Day9]. For a while, he was the only channel with a sub-button because we had hardcoded a lot.

via Reddit

What is he doing today? Plott is still active as a streamer on Twitch and thus the longest-standing Twitch partner (via twitchstats).

On average, he streams four times a week and showcases games such as Magic: The Gathering, DOTA 2, and current games like Elden Ring, Marvel Snap, Terra Nil, and Rim World. Day[9]’s streams averaged over 1,700 viewers last year (via sullygnome).

In addition, he runs his YouTube channel and operates his own website Day[9]TV.

On October 22, 2019, he celebrated the 10th anniversary of Day[9]TV. On Twitter, he explained that he had streamed nearly 200 shows per year since then and looked forward to the next 10 years:

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Link to the Twitter content

Privately, Plott has been married since October 2020. The couple has two cats: Sheriff and Desperado (via Top twitch Streamers).

Is Day[9] now therefore the first Twitch streamer? Maybe Plott wasn’t the first streamer to send on the new platform Twitch, but he was at least one of the first and helped shape the platform. As the first streamer with a subscription button, he was also a pioneer for content creators as we know them today.

More Twitch stories on MeinMMO:
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What happened to the other first streamer? Justin Kan left Justin.tv shortly after the launch of Twitch as a standalone streaming site to develop new startup ideas. In 2021, he launched the website Fractal, a marketplace for the hot new trend at that time: NFTs.

Twitch founder launches NFT site, fraudsters scam €132,000 – thanks to hackers

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Bild: Pixabay
  2. Business Insider
  3. Failory
  4. liquipedia

Destiny 2 will challenge with a new difficulty level – players believe this is the worst change that ‘Lightfall’ has brought

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

With the addon “Lightfall”, there have been many changes for Destiny 2. Among them is a change in difficulty. However, the lowest difficulty level is said to overwhelm many already. Some believe: “The new difficulty level ruins the gaming experience.”

With the increase in difficulty, Bungie wanted to address various issues. The Guardians should not be bored, and they also wanted to mitigate the so-called “Power Creep”. After all, items become stronger with each addon, and content eventually becomes too easy.

But some believe that Bungie’s intentions may have been too ambitious. The enemies do not feel too strong, but many Guardians simply feel too weak. PvE content is said to be frustrating many players to the point that they leave the game in anger, abandoning their teammates.

Broken balancing and too weak rewards

What are the Guardians upset about? Some gamers explain on reddit that the balancing simply does not work right now. Especially the average player, who might want to casually play for a few hours after work, is then overwhelmed:

It is about the PvE balance in general right now. Some weapons feel terrible in the sandbox when it comes to activities above patrol difficulty. Many legendary primary weapons are gathering dust out here, while things like Osteo Striga plow through whole spawns of enemies, and quite mindlessly.

I definitely agree, though: The difficulty at the lower end definitely needs to be revised.

The enemies may be defeatible, but it’s not enjoyable anymore.

Another problem arises, and that is the rewards. Whether you play the dungeon on easy or on hardcore, the rewards are always the same. Many wonder: Why should I put in so much effort when the rewards are always weak:

Is this the spectrum of difficulty? Easy to ridiculously hard – and yet both offer exactly the same rewards?

Others go even further and explain that the balancing simply cannot be right. Officially easy missions are way too hard, and hard missions are far too easy.

Ultimately, we want to play and not suffer.

Bungie urgently needs to make adjustments because this is simply wrong: “The easy stuff is hard and the hard stuff is easy, that’s totally wrong” (via reddit.com).

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Destiny: Der Abschied naht – 10 Waffen, die wir nie vergessen werden
von Tom Rothstein
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What do you think? Is the difficulty too high or do you find the changes with “Lightfall” just right? Let us know in the comments and discuss with other gamers about it.

If you want to read more about Destiny 2, check out the following article on MeinMMO:

Destiny 2 is only boring because you are too lazy

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

Could this new role-playing game become the next big hit after Genshin Impact? – I say yes

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 5 minutes

Finally, the time has come and the new sci-fi RPG from HoYoverse “Honkai: Star Rail” is being released. MeinMMO editor and fan of Genshin Impact Marie Friske was immediately captivated by the trailers and believes that the game studio will achieve its next success with Honkai: Star Rail.

On March 24, 2023, there was a major livestream where Hoyoverse revealed new information about the upcoming space fantasy RPG Honkai: Star Rail.

During this, the exact release date of the game was announced: On April 26, 2023, the sci-fi adventure will launch – as a big Genshin Impact fan, I am incredibly excited.

In Honkai: Star Rail, players explore the galaxy with the Astral Express. You discover different worlds, meet various characters along the way, and uncover the secrets of the universe. 

Start video
Dramatic trailer for Honkai: Star Rail shows new RPG from the developers of Genshin Impact

Strongest elements from Genshin Impact adopted

One of the most important aspects of Genshin Impact is the interesting and diverse characters you encounter on your journey through Teyvat. In addition to their aesthetic design, I appreciate their complex personalities and exciting backstories. 

It is precisely here that Honkai: Star Rail comes in and piques my interest. From the mysterious “Kafka” to the lively girl “March 7th” and the calm senior member of the crew “Welt”, a variety of personalities have already been introduced, and their stories have been teased. 

Screenshot Honkai Star Rail Special Program March 7th
Screenshot Honkai Star Rail Special Program Welt
On the left you see Kafka, in the middle March 7th, and on the right Welt, via: YouTube

March 7th is a cheerful person who always jumps around with a camera and spreads good cheer among the crew members. However, the mystery lies in how she became part of the crew. 

The girl was found frozen in a massive block of ice, floating through space. She was rescued and taken to the Astral Express, where she started a new life without any memories of the past events. The name March 7th, which is March 7, is the date she awoke on the express. 

It is exactly such backstories and the exploration of what is behind them that attracts me to games like Genshin Impact. I want to get to know different personalities, only to be surprised the next moment when another facet is revealed. 

The special program for Honkai: Star Rail keeps throwing me small hints about who the characters seem to be – but the rest I have to discover myself as a player, and I am looking forward to that. 

In addition to the interesting characters, the new sci-fi game promises an exciting plot that immediately reminds me of the Archons, the deities in Genshin Impact, with its many eons.

Moreover, many mysteries, puzzles, and exploration opportunities await the players. All of these elements are aspects that made the multiplayer title Genshin Impact so good for me:

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New setting for Genshin Impact fans

However, Honkai: Star Rail is different enough not to simply be a Genshin Impact clone. I can easily imagine playing this new RPG as a complement to my current evening program. 

The sci-fi setting is located in the already known universe of “Honkai Impact 3rd.” As a Genshin Impact player, it is a completely new world for me. It is said to offer different locations, such as the ice planet Jarilo-VI or the Herta Space Station, where the journey begins. 

In the futuristic Herta Space Station, the adventure begins, via: YouTube

Differences in gameplay compared to Genshin Impact

One of the biggest differences lies in the game mechanics. Honkai: Star Rail relies on a turn-based combat system. In a battle, you control a team of 4 characters who take their actions in turns — just like the enemies. 

The quicker a character acts, the more actions can be performed within a certain time period. Additionally, certain skills enable multiple attacks in quick succession.

Like in Genshin Impact, characters in Honkai: Star Rail have special abilities. Additionally, they belong to one of seven “Paths” that bring certain properties:

For example, Jing Yuan is a character from the “Path of Erudition” and deals a significant amount of AoE damage. In his ultimate, he summons a “Golden Spirit” named “Lightning-Lord” that attacks multiple enemies simultaneously. 

Welt, on the other hand, belongs to the “Path of Nihility.” Characters of this type weaken enemies. Through his abilities, Welt can immobilize opponents and reduce their speed.

Welt in combat
Ultimate ability of Jing Yuan
This is what turn-based combat looks like in Honkai: Star Rail, via: YouTube

Although Genshin Impact players may find the mechanics of special character abilities familiar, Honkai: Star Rail delivers a completely different gameplay experience through the turn-based combat system.

In Genshin Impact, I frantically type and switch through characters at lightning speed to create elemental effects. In contrast, Honkai: Star Rail places an even greater focus on strategy and planning. It’s less about reacting quickly and more about getting the most out of a turn and playing effectively.

I see the game principle in combination with the focus on single-player as a welcome change from Genshin Impact, which could especially appeal to strategically focused players.

Honkai Star Rail is already highly anticipated

Honkai: Star Rail seems to build on familiar and beloved games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd by relying on proven elements and an established setting. This could especially attract the already existing HoYoverse player base – this is already evident before the release. 

Interest in the sci-fi game is already massive internationally. As Axios reports, there have already been more than 10 million pre-registrations for Honkai: Star Rail – 2.5 million of which are from outside China:

More on the topic
New game from the creators of „Genshin Impact“ has already 10 million registrations – This is Honkai: Star Rail
von Marie Friske

At the same time, players can also start the sci-fi adventure without any prior knowledge, which could attract new interested players. Furthermore, like its predecessors, the game is completely free to play.

The only thing that might deter some players would be the gacha system. However, if Honkai: Star Rail is as enjoyable as Genshin Impact without costs, I see no problem with it.

The sci-fi setting in the RPG genre could work particularly well to attract a new player base. The genre-typical fantasy theme, as seen in Genshin Impact, is already explored by numerous other games.

In comparison, there are significantly fewer RPGs set in a futuristic world. This could allow Honkai: Star Rail to establish itself more easily in the market and appeal to different players than, for example, a sequel to Genshin Impact.

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The new RPG will be available on April 26 for PC, Android, and iOS. A PlayStation version will follow later.

My excitement for Honkai: Star Rail is already immense, and I can hardly wait to start my journey with the Astral Express. 

Until April 26, I will shorten my waiting time with Genshin Impact. Here comes the next update with Baizhu, finally one of my absolute favorite characters as a playable figure:

Genshin Impact 3.6 Banner: The new characters Baizhu and Kaveh and their abilities

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

Horror game was a huge hit on Twitch, now you can play the game for free on Steam for a short time

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 2 minutes

Midnight Ghost Hunt, a horror hide-and-seek game on Steam, was a true streaming hit on Twitch at release. Currently, you can try the game for free for a limited time.

The multiplayer horror game is developed by Vaulted Sky Games. Since March 31, 2022, you can play it in Early Access on Steam. Right at release, the horror game was among the top trends on Twitch:

  • Right at release, the game had 66,000 concurrent viewers.
  • After a week, the game had a total of 1.39 million hours watched across all channels (via Sullygnome.com).

In Midnight Ghost Hunt, you play hide and seek and take on one of two roles: Ghosts or Hunters. As Ghosts, you become invisible by disguising yourself as objects – then striking from behind.

The Hunters aim to find and eliminate the Ghosts before midnight. Because after that, the Ghosts become overpowered and hunt the other group.

You play Midnight Ghost Hunt in online PvP as a 4v4 multiplayer game.

Here you can see a trailer for Midnight Ghost Hunt:

Start video
New Steam game launches soon and shows trailer – Looks like a modern Ghostbusters with multiplayer

How long is the offer on Steam valid? Until Monday, April 3, 2023, you can play Midnight Ghost Hunt for free on Steam.

Currently, there is also a weekend deal where instead of €19.99, you now pay €6.79 with a 66% discount. The offer ends on April 6.

How do players rate Midnight Hunt? The game is rated very positively on Steam. Of the total 4,176 reviews, 81% are positive (as of April 2, 2023).

Many praise it as a fun multiplayer game that scores points for its gameplay and good mechanics:

  • [Pastor]Quaacki: ‘A brilliant counter to Phasmophobia. If Phasmophobia is too boring for you and you want to play it in a first-person shooter style, this game is perfect. Personally, I find this game extremely fun. The development team is consistently working on this game to create improvements […]’
  • LevyXnu: ‘Honestly thought it was just another prop hunt game, but I changed my mind once midnight came and I got brutally beaten by Ikea furniture.’
  • Champ Ba1ley: ‘Please just make the game free at this point. It has so much potential and I know it sucks for all those who purchased it, but I’m sure people would prefer to have a player base over never being able to play.’

However, it is often mentioned that the game has a rather small player base, which sometimes makes matching difficult and drags on.

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How long will the game be in Early Access? On Steam, the developers state that Midnight Ghost Hunt has been in development for more than 3 years. However, it was only last year that the team expanded, allowing them to fully start production.

The game is regularly expanded and they expect another 1-2 years in Early Access, but do not rule out a longer period before the full launch.

If you are looking for free games, you can find a list of the 15 best free MMOs and MMORPGs on Steam here.

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

Steam: New shooter excites players, receives 98% positive reviews – “Like Risk of Rain 2, but with a crab”

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 2 minutes

Crab Champions is a shooter on Steam, where you play as an armed crab causing chaos on the beach. The game was released on April 1, 2023, in Early Access and is already extremely popular among players with 98% positive ratings.

Crab Champions is a new third-person shooter with roguelike elements developed by Noisestorm Limited.

The developer of the game, Noisestorm, released the well-known music video “Crab Rave” on April 1, 2018, which has since garnered over 157 million views (as of April 3, 2023, via YouTube). Five years later, the crab shooter from the musician and solo developer was released on April 1, 2023.

Here you can see a trailer for Crab Champions:

Start video
Crab Champions Early Access Launch Trailer

Be the most dangerous crab on the beach

What does the gameplay look like? You blast your way through hordes of enemies as a crab on exotic islands and collect loot to become stronger. A run takes about 20 to 40 minutes.

Various weapons, ranging from a pistol to a coconut rocket launcher, are available for you to choose from.

You can complete challenges to unlock cosmetic skins for the crab, such as an ice blue coloration or a tiger pattern. Weapons can also be customized with skins.

The game does not contain loot boxes or microtransactions. All content can be unlocked through gameplay.

Crab Champions can be played solo or in online co-op with up to 3 other players.

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von Jasmin Beverungen

How do players rate Crab Champions? The game has received extremely positive feedback on Steam. Of the total 1,511 user reviews, 98% are positive (as of April 3, 2023).

Many are excited about the game concept, fun gameplay, and the music. Some Steam users compare Crab Champions to the shooter roguelike Risk of Rain 2.

  • bubbletrout: “I am a crab with a gun. How cool is that?”
  • CSyMaticION: “Horde shooter rogue-lite, with a variety of classic weapons, Risk-of-Rain-like upgrades during runs, and excellent music. You can still improve your skills to shoot and move at the same time, but overall the game is very easy. Upgrades work best when you think in advance about when and how they can be combined […]”.
  • Marponsa: “For a game that originated from an April Fools’ joke, this is probably the most fun I’ve had in a shooter game in years. It’s such a simple concept, yet so engaging, and the soundtrack is of course fantastic. Highly recommended, even if you’re not interested in the meme”.
  • Danjo-sama: “Risk of Rain 2, but with a crab”

How much does Crab Champions cost? Currently, you can get the shooter at an introductory price with a 15% discount. Instead of €9.99, you pay €8.49. The offer ends on April 8, 2023.

Here you can find the best games on Steam 2023 – as of March.

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

Destiny 2 is only boring because you are too lazy

Britta ♤ BeAngel Britta ♤ BeAngel Reading time 5 minutes

For weeks, the Destiny-2 community has been discussing the challenges of the new Guardian ranks. This has shown that more and more players are losing interest in challenging activities. They claim the game has become boring. But is that really the case, or are players just too lazy to take on tough challenges in the game?

Some Guardians are getting lazier: It is no secret that Destiny 2 is a game that requires time and commitment. There are numerous quests, missions, and tough challenges to overcome to progress in the game and be at home in the endgame.

Since the introduction of the Guardian ranks in the Lightfall DLC, many players have found it increasingly difficult to master tough challenges.

  • Playing lost sectors solo on hard difficulty? Sometimes too exhausting.
  • Doing a raid to complete all seals and weapons? Why?
  • Fighting through the hardest Nightfall 99x and triumphing? That can be easier.

So some Guardians prefer to casually roam through the easy activities or the open world of the game and leave the tough challenges behind.

After all, it is precisely the challenges, triumphs, and victories, including those in the Guardian rank system, that make the loot shooter exciting and varied.

Start video
New gameplay of Destiny 2: Lightfall takes you to spectacular heights – “This moment was made for Guardians”

Guardians switch from “Tryhard” to “Chillmode”

There are also goals in Destiny 2: For me, the goal of any game, including the loot shooter Destiny 2, is to try to complete all available challenges and thus get the most out of a purchased game.

Accordingly, I find it a shame that some players no longer see completing all challenges as an important achievement and a sign of their own skills in the game.

Of course, this always involves effort. One has to experiment a lot, build and test builds. What works and what doesn’t. Improving skills, learning move combos, or dying in the toughest activities until it finally works and one ultimately reaches their goal.

There will surely be players who may not have enough time or resources to face these challenges.

However, there are also some advantages for those who want to master all challenges in Destiny 2.

  • On one hand, these Guardians can earn a lot of rewards that help them improve their gear and strengthen their character abilities in the game.
  • On the other hand, they can also enjoy the feeling of getting everything out of the game and not missing anything.

Destiny 2 changes its modifiers every season, adjusts the weapon meta, and keeps shifting the boundaries. This means you have the same activity, but still a changed challenge that needs to be mastered again. Partly through modifiers, partly due to the required wave or high points requirements.

This also creates new, interesting builds that are fun and make the game varied:

More on the topic
Destiny 2: Strong Strand Builds for Every Class That Will Captivate Your Enemies
von Britta ♤ BeAngel

Why have Guardians become too lazy to take on challenges?

Admittedly, it may have been a bit mean of me to label parts of the player base in Destiny 2 as lazy just because they have lost interest in looting and shooting or prefer to enjoy the game more leisurely, for example, in the open world. But sometimes it takes a little stirring to clarify what it’s really about.

This brings us to the question, why do some Guardians refuse to actively tackle challenges?

guardian-rank-8-11-title-destiny2-season20
Only 11 Guardian ranks, and some Guardians have already lost the desire to improve.

1. Progress is taken away again

One reason could be the fact that especially the new challenges in the Guardian rank system are reset by Bungie, and one is dependent on the appreciation of other Guardians. This was one of the biggest criticisms from our readers and the Destiny community.

That is why some players are also no longer willing to complete the challenges set, because they lose them anyway when they are reset from rank 11 to rank 6 at the end of season 20. However, I would like to note that title gildings are also reset every season, which, however, has not been criticized as strongly.

What Guardians specifically complained about regarding the new system can be read here:

More on the topic
How difficult it is to be a role model in Destiny 2 – All goals for rank 8 to 11
von Britta ♤ BeAngel

2. It takes some Guardians too long

Another reason could be the fact that many players are simply too impatient. They want to progress quickly everywhere and have the best weapons and gear without investing the necessary time and effort.

However, anyone who wants the best gear and armor cannot avoid the tough endgame.

More about Destiny 2:
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Weapon from Destiny 2 kills at lightning speed, captures the community by storm and is now easier to get
von Britta ♤ BeAngel
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Destiny 2: Head of Activision Blizzard was against the investment of $100,000,000 in Bungie
von Christos Tsogos
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Destiny 2: New final boss in the Lightfall raid is designed for 6 people – The first has now defeated him alone
von Christos Tsogos

3. The game is no longer fun

The third reason I see is that many players have been playing Destiny 2 for so long that it simply no longer brings them as much joy as it used to. I keep seeing new Guardians discovering the world with open eyes and chasing every carrot with bright eyes. For them, everything, including the Guardian rank system, is a fascinating experience that they want to accomplish.

Many veterans, on the other hand, are tired because they have done it a thousand times and see no appeal in checking off tasks set by Bungie. They hardly find Destiny 2 exciting anymore with activities or quests.

I believe that the only solution is to jump on the Destiny train and try out new tactics and play styles to experiment with different skills, weapons, and gear. Only then can you find new strategies with old or new exotics that are challenging and keep it fresh.

destiny2-help-support-raid-leaders-lfg-sherpa-iliasgaming
In Destiny 2 there are many clans and Sherpas who are happy to support other Guardians.

4. Without a team, it’s only half as much fun

I also find a team incredibly important in this game. I find it very exciting to chat with other players, exchange tips and tricks. My clan is the evening gathering, where you meet comfortably with friends, chat, and play Destiny 2 on the side.

Participating in raids and other difficult challenges can also be much more fun together and make the game as a whole more exciting. There are now plenty of German Destiny 2 clans that you can join easily and directly. Furthermore, Destiny 2 will soon make it easier to find a group when the internal LFG system comes in Lightfall.

In summary, there are many ways to avoid boredom in Destiny 2.

Of course, it is up to each player whether they face the challenges in Destiny 2 or not. There is no wrong decision, and it is important that every Guardian plays and enjoys in their own way. Nonetheless, a touch of ambition never hurts if it can crown special achievements in Destiny 2 and allow one to stand out.

What are your experiences with Destiny 2? How do you avoid boredom in the game? What tips and tricks do you have to make the game more interesting and entertaining? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments, and let’s engage in a discussion and learn from each other.

And sometimes it’s just your own limits that you want to test in Destiny 2, like this player:

Destiny 2: New final boss in the Lightfall raid is designed for 6 people – The first has now defeated him alone.

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

Pokémon GO: Thousands of players protest against several changes, threatening to delete the game forever

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Niantic has introduced several changes for Pokémon GO. Two of them affect the popular Remote Raids. More than 20,000 users have signed a petition against Niantic and demand a reversal of the changes.

During the Corona pandemic, Niantic offered “Remote Raids” as an option to fight together with players over long distances. However, many feared that Niantic would remove this pass again or at least make significant adjustments.

Now Niantic wants to drastically raise the price for Remote Raid passes and significantly limit the number of Remote Raids one can participate in per day. However, players are upset about the changes to the Remote Raids. Now thousands of players have come together.

Petition against Niantic has already collected almost 30,000 signatures

What is being demanded? Starting April 6, the boycott participants are to reduce their interaction with the raids in the game for one week. However, other players are already planning to delete the app permanently as soon as the changes go live.

A petition started by a player has now reached almost 30,000 signatures. With this, they want to show how negatively the proposed changes are expected to affect the game and the community.

It says in the petition ( via Change.org):

Niantic Inc. and the developers of Pokémon GO have decided to drastically increase the price for Remote Raid passes and limit the number of Remote Raid passes one can participate in per day. This affects the majority of Pokémon GO players who have enjoyed this aspect of the game since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were all forced to stay indoors and could not play the game as it was intended.

This includes people with disabilities, parents, immunocompromised individuals, and many more. This community has come together in the past to advocate for accessibility issues, and we hope to show Niantic with this petition that they need to reverse their decision.

Many complain that the changes would simply overlook the players. Because especially disabled individuals and gamers living in rural areas with few opportunities for raids would suffer from the higher prices.

Moreover, some argue that this would only encourage cheaters to continue cheating and spoofing (via reddit.com).

More about Pokémon Go
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von Franzi Korittke
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Pokémon GO: Research breakthrough in May 2023 brings you 6 Pokémon
von Max Handwerk
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Pokémon GO: All Events in April 2023 – Dates and Bonuses
von Patrick Freese

What happens next? Many hope that the petition will lead to a change of heart at Niantic. Whether that will actually happen is questionable. So far, Niantic has not commented on the criticism. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Players have long desired more accessibility for Pokémon GO. During the then Autumn event, Niantic accidentally introduced a change that certain players really needed:

Pokémon GO accidentally introduces a feature during the Halloween event that some players urgently needed

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

Gamer buys high-end processor for only 9 euros because the seller is unaware and buried the CPU under a pile of trash

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A gamer has bought a new processor. For the i9-9900K, he had to pay ‘only’ 9 euros. Because the seller had buried the product under a lot of other stuff.

A gamer reports how he claims to have made the purchase of his life (via reddit.com). He bought an i9-9900K for just 9 euros. This CPU is already 4 years old, but it still ranks among the fastest processors you can buy. At the moment, you will pay around 600 euros for the CPU (via geizhals.de).

He has been very lucky with his purchase, as he explains himself. The seller buried the good processor under a pile of other junk and probably didn’t know what he was selling for that price. Another gamer had bought a high-end graphics card for 18 euros from an uninformed seller.

The user himself says about his purchase:

It was the only thing I could find, and believe me, I searched. No idea how it [the CPU] ended up in the mix of rubbish. Usually, I only find junk from Target, but today they had a bunch of Amazon Basics items that looked like canceled/returned orders, so it might happen more often that they mess up.

According to the gamer, it is also original sealed goods. He did not receive used goods.

Our title image comes from the reddit thread we linked above.

More about Hardware and Tech
The price of the Steam Controller has been leaked and many are now hoping that the Steam Machine will not become an expensive affair
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Such sellers usually sell returns from Amazon and Co

Such sellers, like the one described by the gamer, usually sell returns from major mail-order companies. In Germany, you can also purchase such return pallets for different prices, but these offers are mainly aimed at commercial buyers. A YouTuber once bought such a pallet to see what interesting items were in it. We embedded the German video here for you:

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Link to the YouTube content

Is it even worth it? Basically, you should avoid such experiments, as explained in a comment on YouTube (via youtube.com). Because valuable items have already been sorted out, and you mainly receive “hard-to-check goods, heavy goods, white goods, cheap stuff, no-name products, your own returns” and a lot of mixed junk. You probably won’t get a PS5 or a powerful gaming PC from such a return shipment.

If you still want to try this, the consumer protection has some important tips for you regarding what to consider when purchasing such “mystery boxes”. In many cases, these boxes are not worth it for private buyers anyway.

A well-known tech YouTuber wanted to build a gaming PC using only used hardware, but it went pretty wrong. This was mainly due to a specific component:

Tech YouTuber buys used hardware for 600 € – Builds a gaming PC from it that dies after 25 minutes

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

2 new MMORPGs are coming out in April – Are they something for you?

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 3 minutes

In April, two new MMORPGs, Aion Classic and Mad World, are coming out. Additionally, a completely new game called Anvil Empires has been announced, along with some news regarding WoW, RuneScape, and New World. We have summarized everything for you.

The highlights of the week:

The shock of the week: In Old School RuneScape, players can choose between three new skills, one of which will be implemented. This is the first new skill in 10 years. Consequently, players are debating it intensely.

The discussion of the week: Why haven’t any good new MMORPGs been released in nearly 9 years? This question was raised by Schuhmann, inviting you to discuss it. You can do so here in the comments or feel free to do so in the article itself.

A lot of complaints in WoW, new expansion for Black Desert, and a delay for New World

What happened with the major MMORPGs:

Start video
Black Desert – Trailer “Land of the Morning Light”

What happened with the minor MMORPGs:

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Developer veteran describes how disgusting players in MMORPGs can be: ‘That’s why we implemented a police force’
von Alexander Leitsch

What happened with the MMORPGs in development:

These are the MMORPG news of the week at a glance. What was your personal highlight? Did you experience anything else interesting this week that you would like to share? Or did we possibly forget something important? Feel free to write it in the comments here at MeinMMO.

For those looking for the currently best MMORPGs, you will find them here:

The 10 best MMORPGs 2023 – Which one is right for me?

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

Steam: Crusader Kings 3 makes fans happy because it is being developed like an MMORPG – but in a good way

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

Crusader Kings 3 is one of the best-rated strategy games on Steam with 92%. And it seems to be getting better and better. The developers, Paradox Entertainment, aim to fundamentally expand the gaming experience in 2023, much like is common with MMOs.

That’s the special twist with Paradox’s strategy games: The major strategy games from the Swedish developer Paradox are developed over years with expansions and DLCs, even for decades.

It works similarly to an MMORPG like World of Warcraft, which regularly receives patches and expansions.

About every 10 years, Paradox makes a cut and releases a new game in the series. This primarily offers better graphics and clarity because the old games, after 10 years and countless expansions, suffer from a surplus of features.

Swedish strategy nerds expand their game over 10 years

Perhaps the most extreme example of such DLC madness is “Europa Universalis IV”:

The game was released in 2013: By now, 18 expansions and countless smaller DLCs have been released for the strategy game. An additional expansion has been announced for 2023: It aims to expand and revise the most popular starting nations.

Start video
Europa Universalis 4: Trailer

Paradox turns the bad mood around with new DLC for Crusader Kings 3

What’s the situation with Crusader Kings 3? Currently, Paradox is still holding back with their dynasty & incest simulation in the Middle Ages. The base game was released in 2020, and so far, only one major expansion, “Royal Court,” has been released, which fundamentally expanded and changed the game. Additionally, two DLCs, “Northern Lords” and “Fate of Iberia,” focusing on individual regions, were released.

The last DLC, “Friends & Foes,” for €5, was critically discussed in the community because it only added new text events. Engaged fans stated that it wasn’t worth the money; such things should actually be included in a normal patch. While they are ready to pay more money, they want “real new content” in return.

Paradox was accused of being money-grabbing. Fans were generally disappointed with the development pace of Crusader Kings 3: While the game was impressively polished at release and perhaps had the best start of the series, development has somewhat lagged.

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Crusader Kings 3: How to Achieve the Best Start in 2023 – But Your Viking Son Eats All Your Babies
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Crusader Kings 3 impresses fans with grand plans

What’s changing now? Paradox has presented a new expansion for 2023, “Tours & Tournaments,” which seems to really hit the mark as it addresses weaknesses in the game that players have complained about for years, including in previous titles.

The expansion aims to bring even more role-playing elements and expand the daily gameplay loop, the routine that players partake in year after year.

Because the process in Crusader Kings 3 quickly follows a certain pattern:

  • You wage wars, kill rivals, loot, raid, marry your own sister, or create a cult
  • All of this creates stress that slowly drives the character insane
  • Therefore, one must engage in leisure activities to relieve stress. This could be a grand feast or a hunt. Sadistic rulers, on the other hand, prefer to relieve their stress by torturing or impaling others

In detailed developer diaries with countless screenshots, the developers show how they plan to further develop these leisure activities.

While hunting used to be a relatively monotonous affair, except when the heir accidentally shot a court lady, there should now be more variety in the events, and players will have more control over what happens:

In doing so, “Tours & Tournaments” doesn’t necessarily introduce new features but rather expands existing rudimentary features that consist only of text menus.

This way, common player activities like pilgrimages, feasts, or hunts become more interactive and transparent with numerous systems.

A new “nickname” system is supposed to make the individual characters in the game even more distinctive.

Start video
Crusader Kings 3: Trailer

The first reactions from fans show that the mood has completely changed now. After the last text DLC caused so much discontent, fans seem to be excited about Crusader Kings 3 again.

This also mirrors the mood in many MMOs.

More about Paradox’s strategy games:

In my favorite game on Steam, I devour the universe – Resistance is futile

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

ARK 2: Release postponed to late 2024 – Studio Wildcard explains what’s next

Lydia Lydia Reading time 3 minutes

The highly anticipated dino sequel ARK 2 will not be released as planned this year. Instead, there will be a remaster of ARK: Survival Evolved.

What is happening at Studio Wildcard? In a blog post on the afternoon of March 31 local time, the studio announced its plans for the upcoming year. And these are likely to be a considerable disappointment for all fans eagerly awaiting a successor to the dino game ARK: Survival Evolved.

Because ARK 2 will not be released as planned this year, but only in late 2024.

Anyone looking for a survival alternative to bridge the wait until ARK 2 can take a look at the video:

Start video
New survival game on Steam looks like ARK, but with insects instead of dinos – Coming this March

ARK 2 will only come at the end of 2024

Why is ARK 2 being delayed? As Studio Wildcard explains, they need more time to get used to Unreal Engine 5 in order to fully utilize the new technology. Therefore, the launch of the sequel has been postponed to the end of 2024.

It was a difficult decision, the blog post states, but they are confident that they have done the right thing.

Our goal is to make ARK 2 the best possible game and to provide players with a truly exceptional and rewarding experience. The Unreal Engine 5 is an incredible new technology for us (and all other developers), and we want to fully utilize this cutting-edge technology as we develop a game of unprecedented scope from Studio Wildcard.

What happens now? Aside from the changed release date, not much should change for now. ARK 2 is still set to be released exclusively for Xbox, Game Pass, and the Windows distribution platforms. A shirtless Vin Diesel will likely still be part of it.

Studio Wildcard announces that they will keep fans informed and involve them in the development processes. In the coming months, assets from ARK 2 are to be regularly shown. However, there will likely be no gameplay, screenshots, or even videos this year.

Instead, the studio comforts fans with a remaster of the original Ark: Survival Evolved.

Instead of ARK 2, there is Ark: Survival Ascended

What kind of remaster is this? The next-gen remaster of the first ARK is supposed to be called “ARK: Survival Ascended” and is expected to be released in August 2023 for Xbox Series S/X, PC, and PlayStation 5 – provided it is not delayed.

The special thing: the remaster is supposed to utilize the technology of Unreal Engine 5, just like the delayed sequel. According to the studio, there are two reasons for this:

  • On the one hand, they want to develop a deeper understanding of the new technologies with the remaster and test some of the “riskier” technical advancements.
  • On the other hand, ARK 2 is supposed to come with some changes compared to the original that may not be to everyone’s liking. The studio mentions a soulslike combat system with only primitive weapons, a strict limitation to 3rd person, and an overall more serious tone. To ensure that all players can enjoy it, there will be a next-gen version of the original that fans can enjoy for many years to come.
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A player has spent 35,000 hours in Ark: Survival Evolved, now advises against buying it on Steam because a new patch has ruined everything
von Cedric Holmeier

How much does ARK: Survival Ascended cost? For Xbox and PC players, the remaster will only be available as the “ARK Respawned Bundle” with the sequel ARK 2. For $49.99, players will then get the remaster and one month of access to the closed beta of ARK 2.

After one year, ARK: Survival Ascended and ARK 2 will then be sold separately. For PS5 fans, the remaster will be available as a standalone for $39.99.

Additionally, there will be two expansions available for $19.99 each, which will be sold separately across all platforms.

  • the “Explorer’s Pass” with the expansions “Scorched Earth”, “Aberration (coming late 2023)” and “Extinction (early 2024)”
  • the “Genesis Pass” with “Genesis Part 1 and 2” (available 2024)

ARK 2: Release, Trailer, Gameplay – What we know so far

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

All of a sudden, April 1st shows how much love is still in Blizzard

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

Blizzard is back on track – at least that’s what MyMMO demon Cortyn thinks. April 1st is a shining example.

In recent years, Blizzard has gone through a tough time. Not only did it lose the trust of fans due to unpopular expansions (WoW: Shadowlands) or new, controversial titles (Diablo: Immortal), but various major crises and ugly scandals have also periodically led to dissatisfaction, protests, or calls for boycotts.

The once probably most popular video game company was at rock bottom and had to endure a lot of criticism.

The “love for detail” has disappeared, the “creative minds” are gone, and everything new is just “garbage”.

Blizzard can still do it – the last months show this

But the last months, and especially today, have shown me: Blizzard can still do it, and developers are working on projects that are close to their hearts and understand what the player base wants.

I feel this most clearly in World of Warcraft with Dragonflight. Two years ago, I would have never believed that Blizzard could manage to deliver a new patch every two months that actually provides content – but so far they are succeeding. New story quests, cool rewards, and significantly less “pressure” to log in every day. The game feel has shifted significantly towards “Do what you want” and is less about “Do this, or you can’t keep up”.

WoW Alexstrasza Blood Elf Cheer title
World of Warcraft is on the rise – and other games are improving as well.

Even if Diablo IV doesn’t pique my interest, I hear almost only good things from beta participants. The reactions are positive, and Diablo fans seem to be getting what they’ve been waiting for for years.

The probably most colorful example is Overwatch 2. Even though it was significantly criticized at launch – partly justifiably – it has truly improved over the last months. Criticism has been taken into account, the progress system has been significantly improved, and regular events entice with cool skins.

However, the “biggest hit” comes from the April 1 event. Blizzard traditionally makes little jokes, but with Overwatch 2, they put in a lot of effort.

Almost all heroes have received a revision or enhanced abilities in the arcade. Even community memes have been taken into account.

  • When a Genji screams for healing “out in the middle of nowhere”, there’s a chance it might heal him on its own.
  • Reinhardt can now fly with his Charge – and take enemies from the sky.
  • Mercy now has 5 times more ammunition and shoots faster, making the “Battle-Mercy” meme a really solid character.

But there are also changes that are so good that they could even remain in the game:

  • Headshots from Widowmaker now deal damage as poison over 3 seconds. Poisoned targets can be seen through walls by Widowmaker.
  • If Junkrat blows himself up with his own mine, he leaves grenades on the ground.
  • Moira can now suspend her Biotic Orbs in the air, so they stay in one place.

Already after a few hours, calls are being made: “This is just too good for an April Fool’s prank, let this stay in the game”.

More around Blizzard:
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The “smallest” joke is even more impressive

Even more impressive – and again funnier – is the second feature that they “just brought into the game”:

All characters have received new voicelines for their ultimates, which are played randomly instead of the normal voicelines.

Here, Blizzard has once again shown humor and demonstrated that they understand how players tick and what they find amusing. A few examples:

  • Ramattra now calls: “You will suffer as I, Ramattra, have suffered! Your torment will outlast the stars. When the universe crumbles to dust, you will still be there, suffering as I… have suffered.” While doing this, Ramattra also ignores that the ultimate is basically over after about half of the voiceline.
  • For those who understood only gibberish from Sombra’s “¡Apagando las luces!”, Blizzard now grants a wish, as she now simply says: “Propaganda is useless!” It doesn’t make sense with her ultimate, but the community has been hearing this for years.
  • Moira completely indulges her Dragon Ball Z fantasy and simply shouts “Kamehameha!” We always knew it.

A large part of the new voicelines (in English) can be seen here:

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Even if it may look like “not much” from the outside, a lot of work goes into these ideas. Not only has the humor of the characters and the community been captured quite well, but also getting all 36 voice actors in several languages together for such a small “silly” event is quite an effort.

It is this playful love for little details and the effort that goes into such silliness that I have long associated with Blizzard. It gives me hope, along with the developments of the last months, that the once beloved game studio still “has it”.

I want more of this, and I want it in all of Blizzard’s games.

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

77,000 viewers follow on Twitch as a streamer tries to befriend a squirrel

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

The former Overwatch professional Félix “xQc” Lengyel is currently the most-watched Twitch streamer worldwide. However, in a stream from March 28, a small rodent stole the show from him.

What was that stream about? xQc and Swedish streamer Hans “Forsen” Fors have a feud in the sandbox hit Minecraft: In January, xQc managed to break Forsen’s speedrun record, but on March 23, Forsen retaliated and defeated the final boss of Minecraft, the notorious Ender Dragon, in just under 18 minutes – 2 minutes faster than xQc.

xQc is now trying to reclaim his title and has been diligently streaming his attempts in Minecraft for days, making him currently the most-watched channel on Twitch (via sullygnome). However, this is just filler, as the true star of the March 28 stream only appears after 13 1/2 hours.

xQc has a very special viewer

Who appeared in the stream? xQc is almost 13 1/2 hours deep into his Minecraft stream and highly focused when he suddenly gets distracted by something outside his viewers’ line of sight. He exclaims: “Squirrel!”

And indeed, on the windowsill outside his streaming room sits a gray squirrel, the American cousin of our native squirrels. The little rodent seems to be watching xQc intently. The accompanying clip has been viewed over 190,000 times:

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Is that it? No, the saga of the squirrel is not over yet. A second clip shows the streamer trying to approach the animal and offer it a cracker. With a slightly disheveled expression, xQc peeks out from among the plants in front of his window.

But the rodent has already taken off:

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Was there a happy ending? That is certainly a matter of interpretation. A few minutes later, the squirrel returned to the great joy of xQc. The little rodent probably couldn’t resist the offered cracker.

However, the streamer was all the more disappointed when the squirrel simply grabbed the treat and vanished to take it to safety. But who knows, maybe the fluffy buddy will return for a second helping.

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How was the reception? The stream peaked at 77,338 viewers, who were captivated as xQc tried to approach the animal. Numerous fans shared in the chat how funny they found the situation and gave tips on how the streamer should behave.

More Twitch news on MeinMMO:
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Are crackers a good squirrel food? No. While the clips are entertaining, human food is often not suitable for animals. The cracker likely won’t harm the squirrel much, but it shouldn’t become a regular part of its diet.

What you should consider when feeding squirrels can be found at the WWF.

Twitch: Killer cat deletes a streamer’s progress in Hitman 3 with deadly precision

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

MMORPGs used to be cooler because there were more skills and the balance was often completely broken

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 5 minutes

Balance plays an important role in MMORPGs, especially when you want to experience fair races for World Firsts or battles in PvP. However, in the past, it was much more common for players to create their own builds and even discover a few mistakes along the way. Yet, such moments remain memorable and have made games special, according to Alexander Leitsch.

Since 2005, I have been playing almost exclusively MMORPGs, and I have accumulated thousands of memories. However, it is rarely the fair moments that stick in your head, but rather the curious and surprising situations that stand out. And these were usually accompanied by creative skill builds.

No matter if it was a totally overpowered farm build with the Summoner in Aion, a 100% evasion build in Last Chaos, or the 55-HP monk in Guild Wars 1 – all these skill builds were never intended by the developers and would probably lead to a huge outcry today.

But they create memories. Memories that I will never have in Final Fantasy XIV or New World because they don’t offer this kind of build variety.

Who is speaking here? Alex is the MMORPG expert at MeinMMO. He has spent thousands of hours in games like Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2, New World, or ESO, and also tests (almost) every indie MMORPG on the market.

Old MMORPGs often had elements that players could exploit

What are these creative builds? In 2007 – over 2 years after the release – the 55-HP monk in Guild Wars 1 became famous.

Usually, players have at least 480 base health and aim to increase their health, for example through runes on equipment. However, there are also runes that grant additional attributes but take away health points. And here, some players came up with a curious idea.

The monk ability Protective Spirit ensures that a player cannot lose more than 10% of their maximum health points. The fewer health points a character has, the less they need to be healed.

Players managed to reduce their health points to 55, allowing them to take a maximum of only 6 damage. With other spells like Protective Hands and Shield of Absorption, incoming damage was reduced by 5-15. Basically, they took 0 damage as long as they could maintain the abilities.

Additionally, a new MMORPG called Lost Ark was released, which offers many classes, but every class can also do all the important things. Everyone can jump, counter, evade, and even large classes like the Berserker are not particularly clumsy or slow.

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Yet, the prime examples for missing build variety for me are FFXIV and New World:

  • In Final Fantasy XIV, play style and build for each job are basically predefined. You get the appropriate equipment and have no talent trees. Here you can’t make mistakes, but you also can’t experiment.
  • New World basically offers only 6 abilities per weapon and thus only 84 abilities total. That no crazy builds or major balance problems can arise from this is obvious. In comparison: In Guild Wars 1, each class has about 200 abilities + a secondary class + special PvE skills, so I have access to over 2,000 skills with one character.

Without build variety, I feel an important core of role-playing games is lost: the freedom to create my own build. Yes, I know that there will always be meta builds even with many abilities and freedoms, which I would even spread here on MeinMMO.

But sometimes crazy creations develop or simply a combo that is only cool in one specific scenario – but really cool for that.

What do you think about build variety and balance? When was the last time you spent hours crafting a build? And should there always be perfect balance?

Looking to the future, several MMORPGs are promising more abilities and build diversity. We have gathered the games in development for you:

All 59 MMORPGs currently in development for PC

Other crazy builds were also possible in Guild Wars 1, such as a permanent immunity to spells, which allowed one to tank heavy bosses or farm entire groups of enemies solo.

Start video
5 old MMORPGs that are still actively played

My colleague Mark Sellner told me about another example in our joint podcast MMO News. With a trick involving scaling, he managed to create a build with 100% evasion in Last Chaos. This only worked in PvE, but he was able to defeat the hardest bosses solo – even if it took hours.

But besides that, I can think of more examples:

  • In Aion, for example, elemental spirits of the Summoner were far too strong at release. This allowed players to virtually farm enemies AFK.
  • In Ragnarok Online, there was a 100%-evasion build, but that only applied to attacks and not abilities. However, it also worked in PvP.
  • Age of Conan was terribly unbalanced at release, and one weapon type completely dominated the first weeks.

Even in WoW, there were big balance discussions, mainly concerning the situation between Paladins and Shamans. During the Vanilla times, the Alliance could not play Shamans while the Horde could not have Paladins. This affected some races for World Firsts and also PvP.

But not only in MMORPGs is perfect balance sometimes a hindrance. In LoL, for example, almost every new champion appears in an overly strong version. However, this makes them interesting, causing many players to want to try them out immediately. Champions that appear with good balance, like Rell, quickly disappear into obscurity and receive much less attention.

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Where do the 57 largest MMORPGs for PC stand currently? The Tier List 2023
von Alexander Leitsch

Modern MMORPGs are forsaking too many abilities, becoming increasingly cautious

What does it look like today? Many new and established MMORPGs have become more cautious and simpler.

Guild Wars 2, for example, has removed many class-specific buffs in recent years, which Mark also criticized in a column. This supposedly provides more freedom in group composition, but also leads to boredom because everyone can do everything.

In WoW, the number of talents and abilities has also been reduced over the years, although there has been a slight reversal with Dragonflight.

Additionally, a new MMORPG called Lost Ark was released, which offers many classes, but every class can also do all the important things. Everyone can jump, counter, evade, and even large classes like the Berserker are not particularly clumsy or slow.

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Yet, the prime examples for missing build variety for me are FFXIV and New World:

  • In Final Fantasy XIV, play style and build for each job are basically predefined. You get the appropriate equipment and have no talent trees. Here you can’t make mistakes, but you also can’t experiment.
  • New World basically offers only 6 abilities per weapon and thus only 84 abilities total. That no crazy builds or major balance problems can arise from this is obvious. In comparison: In Guild Wars 1, each class has about 200 abilities + a secondary class + special PvE skills, so I have access to over 2,000 skills with one character.

Without build variety, I feel an important core of role-playing games is lost: the freedom to create my own build. Yes, I know that there will always be meta builds even with many abilities and freedoms, which I would even spread here on MeinMMO.

But sometimes crazy creations develop or simply a combo that is only cool in one specific scenario – but really cool for that.

What do you think about build variety and balance? When was the last time you spent hours crafting a build? And should there always be perfect balance?

Looking to the future, several MMORPGs are promising more abilities and build diversity. We have gathered the games in development for you:

All 59 MMORPGs currently in development for PC

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

WoW: New specialization for Summoners – More hints about the “3rd spec” of the Dracthyr discovered

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

A third specialization for the Evokers in World of Warcraft is becoming increasingly likely. Now NPCs are already talking about it.

A few days ago, we speculated that the latest class in World of Warcraft, the Evoker, might soon receive a third specialization. Now there is new information that further supports this theory. Because the former leader of the black dragons, Deathwing, is talking about it himself.

What has been discovered? In the game data of Patch 10.1: Neltharion’s Fury, colleagues from wowhead found new sound files. These are played during the storyline of the new update and are spoken by Neltharion. Presumably, this is a recording from the past. Because the former aspect of the black dragonflight says (translated):

You three will be the examples for all Dracthyr.
Sarkarath, my devastator, you shall tear your foes apart with the power of the red and blue dragonflights.
Viridia, my guardian, you shall heal our allies with the grace of the green and bronze dragonflights.
And Emberthal, you will carry the essence of the black dragonflight within you to empower all those around you.

By my command, kneel and serve.

Neltharion is clearly talking about three different archetypes that should exist among the Evokers. So far, however, only two of them are playable.

What does that mean? Of course, “story” and “gameplay” are fundamentally two different things. However, it is unusual for an important character to clearly address the different specializations and even mention a new, currently unplayable specialization. It would definitely fit the theme of self-discovery and exploration of the past if Evokers were to receive another talent tree.

Whether this talent tree will actually come with Patch 10.1 or if it will just lay the groundwork for this search remains to be seen. However, it seems clear that Blizzard is not done with the Evokers yet.

More about WoW can be found here:
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What kind of talent tree would that be? Neltharion speaks in his speech of “Augmentation”, meaning something like “increase”, “enhancement”, or “improvement”. Accordingly, the third specialization would likely be something quite new in World of Warcraft, namely a role that enhances other group members and grants them additional buffs – at least in theory. However, whether this is just a term or functions predominantly independently like the “Enhancement Shaman” remains to be seen.

In any case, it is an exciting topic, and we will surely learn more about it in the coming weeks.

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

While players fear for build diversity in Diablo 4, a competitor on Steam even brings skill trees for weapons

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

Path of Exile is one of the biggest competitors of Diablo 4. In April, the A-RPG will receive a new update that allows players to give their weapons their own skill trees.

Which Diablo competitor is it about? Path of Exile (PoE) is a popular action RPG and one of the biggest competitors of Diablo. For nearly 10 years, this hack’n’slay has been available and is characterized, among other things, on Steam by an enormous and extremely complex skill tree.

In April, Path of Exile will receive the new “Crucible” update – it will be released on PC on the 7th, followed by consoles on the 12th. With the update, players will have the chance to assign new skill trees to their weapons.

We are embedding the trailer for Path of Exile: Crucible here:

Start video
Path of Exile: Crucible Official Trailer

Weapons with their own abilities

What is the deal with skill trees for weapons? To give your weapons their own skill tree, you channel one of your equipped weapons in a “Crucible Forge” that is added to PoE with the “Crucible” update and upgrade it.

By upgrading, the selected weapon receives a new skill tree along with new talents to unlock. However, you will only gain the new abilities when you succeed in a battle against numerous opponents, as channeling the weapon summons monsters.

The number of opponents that come and how strong they are is supposed to depend on the time it takes to craft the new abilities. The longer the channeling takes, the “more dangerous and rewarding” the encounter will be.

If you summon additional monsters during the process, they merge into even larger opponents and provide even more experience for the new skill tree of your weapon.

Additionally, you can visit the “Titan Forge” in the endgame of the update and, if you make it to the forge, merge two weapons there and combine the skill trees of the two items to create even stronger weapons.

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“Like working on a 20-piece puzzle”

What are Diablo players afraid of? Path of Exile is known for its complex skill tree. Diablo, on the other hand, takes a simpler approach. However, some fans of the series find it too easy.

On Reddit, some players describe the various skill trees as unimpressive and fear for the variety they have in creating different builds.

  • PhotonDecay: “Does anyone else find the skill tree unimpressive? PoE may be too much for most players, but the tree in D4 is like working on a 20-piece puzzle. It feels like your decision doesn’t really matter.”
  • Gasparde: “Having now played all 5 classes, I am severely disappointed with the skill tree as a whole and the lack of synergy it seems to offer.”
  • Timooooo: “During those 2 weekends, I felt that more than half of each skill tree isn’t worth investing points in. […] Some skills are just useless and many passive points have little impact. Surprisingly, I only had to think a lot about the Barbarian.”

The last comment refers to the weakness of the Barbarian. Many players consider it not strong enough. It requires some thought to find a good build for the Barbarian.

An example of a strong Barbarian is the bleeding build by MeinMMO editor Maik Schneider:

Diablo 4: Barbar Build tears apart whole groups of enemies, focusing on bleeding and self-healing

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

GTA 5: Roleplay server must close because a Twitch streamer was banned from wearing a bracelet

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In GTA 5 Online, there is a vibrant scene of role players who play on private servers. The most well-known role-playing server is called “No Pixel.” It is especially popular among Twitch streamers, who fuel their careers this way. No Pixel had opened a variant for the Arab region, but conflicts arose there.

This is the situation:

  • GTA 5 Online is a 10-year-old MMO – the online version of GTA 5. In 2013, the game brought online games into the console mainstream on PS4 and Xbox One.
  • For several years now, there has been a role-playing scene that is especially popular among Twitch streamers: GTA 5 is considered an ideal career springboard. Streamers take on roles, interact with each other, play cops and robbers or start their own businesses. This has suddenly made GTA 5 one of the most successful games in the world on Twitch.
  • The most successful of these servers in the English-speaking world is called “No Pixel” – they had also opened a server for the Arabic-speaking region.
Start video
GTA Online: Los Santos Drug Wars: The Last Dose – Trailer

Support for LGBTQ on server “strictly prohibited”

This has recently occurred: The Twitch streamer “dantexstar” from Istanbul played a character who wore a rainbow-colored bracelet on their right wrist. A sign of solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

He was contacted by an administrator of the server, who told him to take off the bracelet as it was “strictly prohibited.”

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The Twitch streamer then received another message through the server’s Discord:

As you know, most Arab countries are Muslim, so it essentially violates our religious beliefs and our culture to openly support the LGBTQ community. We cannot endorse any LGBTQ actions, both within and outside of role play in connection with Arab No Pixel.

Main server shuts down the Arabic offshoot

What were the consequences? The central “NoPixel” server then decided to cut all ties to the Arabic NoPixel and close it permanently.

This decision was made after internal discussions. They were willing to make concessions, but at this point, they decided it was in the best interest of the community to completely end the matter.

More about role-playing in GTA 5:

Twitch streamer quits GTA 5 RP because played job is becoming real: “It’s brutal”

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