Paladins in World of Warcraft are being significantly reworked. The next patch aims to help Retribution Paladins finally become really good.
With World of Warcraft Dragonflight, there were massive revisions of almost all existing classes. Although Blizzard has tried to maintain the popular playstyle for many classes, quite a bit has changed. This is mainly due to the “new, old” talent system, which is intended to provide more flexibility and options for change. However, not all classes have made this adjustment unscathed and are providing as much joy as before.
This led to some classes and specializations receiving massive buffs of up to 30% or even 40% in the first weeks. Other specializations simply do not feel rounded – like Retribution Paladins. That is exactly what is supposed to change soon.
What does Blizzard have planned for the Retribution Paladin in Patch 10.0.7?
The developers have identified several “pain points” with the Retribution Paladin, which will be addressed with a rework. The most important aspects of the renewal were presented in the official WoW forum:
Too many buttons: Paladins have quite a few abilities, and some of them feel unnecessary or simply too weak. The number of abilities is to be reduced, focusing instead on fewer, but clearly more enjoyable abilities.
Too many stackable modifiers: For Paladins to act efficiently, they currently require many stackable effects. This makes it confusing and often unintuitive as to when the right time is to use an ability. Additionally, it leads to core mechanics feeling poor and providing little benefit.
Here is where the biggest changes will likely occur. Core abilities should always feel “good” and fewer stackable effects will create a bit more order. Burst damage should be able to be used more strategically.
Retribution Paladins are getting a rework – it was about time.
Too little survivability: Retribution Paladins are plate wearers who can also heal – and yet have one of the highest death rates in almost all types of content. This feels wrong and needs a revision. A series of passive bonuses and improvements to active abilities should achieve the desired results.
Too little movement: Paladins are one of the least mobile classes in the game, and there should be some improvement in this area. However, the developers emphasize that Paladins will not receive the mobility abilities of a rogue – there will only be small improvements in this area.
More about World of Warcraft can be found here on MeinMMO:
Improving utility: Currently, Retribution Paladins have to decide whether to improve their own performance or bring bonuses to the group. This leads to decisions that often feel wrong. Therefore, Blizzard wants to ensure that it is easier to choose a healthy mix of personal improvements and useful abilities for the group.
There is not yet a precise date for Patch 10.0.7, but it is expected to release at the end of March or early April.
Do you think the Retribution Paladin needs a rework? Or do you like the current design of this Paladin specialization?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The loot distribution in World of Warcraft constantly causes discussion. But which loot distribution is the best? We want to find out.
In World of Warcraft, even after almost 20 years, everything revolves around one thing: loot, loot, and more loot. After all, good equipment makes the character better and ensures that tougher challenges can be mastered, one can show off a bit with their performance in the damage meter – or as a tank, one can completely forgo a healer.
However, how loot is assigned by the game has changed significantly over the years. Especially with the launch of Dragonflight, Blizzard has gone a bit “Back to the Roots” and brought back group looting – much to the joy or dismay of some players. But which loot system is actually the best? Is it now better than before, or should Blizzard return to “Personal Loot”? We want to know from you in this survey.
In World of Warcraft, there are currently primarily two methods of distributing loot: the so-called “group looting” and “Personal Loot”. We will briefly introduce both variants:
The “Personal Loot” is active in most areas of World of Warcraft. In the open world or in dungeons, this option exists. This means that the game internally decides which character receives loot, and only that character can loot it and receives it directly in their inventory. Those who wish – and meet certain requirements – can subsequently pass their loot on to other players, but the final decision always lies with the person who received the loot item first.
Some people just have more luck – in both systems.
In contrast, there is “group looting”, which is currently used in raids. Here, all participating characters are shown the entire loot from the boss. Everyone can then choose how much they want the item.
Need: The item is needed and improves the character. This option is only available to characters who can also (meaningfully) use the item.
Greed: The item is not needed for improvement but for other reasons – such as for direct sale or as transmog.
After all players have made their choices, everyone with “Need” rolls for the item, and the character with the highest roll receives the item. If no one rolls Need, the items are instead rolled among the players with “Greed”.
Here too, it is possible to pass the item on to other characters afterwards.
Both systems have advantages and disadvantages. While World of Warcraft initially relied heavily on group looting, “Personal Loot” has been increasingly employed in recent expansions. Only now, with Dragonflight, have the developers brought back group looting.
But now let’s hear from you! Which loot system do you think is the best in World of Warcraft, and which should Blizzard carry into the future? Participate in the survey and let us know how you prefer to receive loot.
If you want, feel free to leave a comment explaining which of the two loot systems you like best and why – or whether there should be a completely different one.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
All spotlight hours in January 2023 at Pokémon GO in overview. We show you all Pokémon, bonuses, and times and explain which Shinies you can find and whether the events are worth it..
What kind of events are these? Every Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time, a spotlight hour takes place in Pokémon GO. During this time, a Pokémon is in focus, appearing almost everywhere in the wild. At the beginning of each month, the developers announce which Pokémon and bonuses will be the focus of the events in the coming weeks.
The bonuses include more Stardust, more XP, or more Candy. Here we show you all Pokémon and bonuses for the spotlight hours in January 2023.
All dates for the spotlight hours in January 2023
These are the dates: In January, you can expect five spotlight hours. During these, the following Pokémon and bonuses will be in focus:
Pokémon marked with an asterisk (*) can be caught as Shiny
Spotlight hour on January 3rd
Which Pokémon? The first spotlight hour in January 2023 brings you Alola Sandshrew. You can evolve it into Alola Sandslash. Both Pokémon are of the Ice and Steel types.
What bonuses do you get? For evolving Pokémon, you receive double the amount of experience points.
Who is it worth it for? You can ignore Alola Sandshrew as an attacker. Alola Sandslash, on the other hand, plays in the mid-level of PvP in both the Great League and Ultra League. However, there are stronger alternatives. Additionally, Alola Sandshrew has appeared quite frequently as event content.
Nonetheless, evolving Pokémon during this period is worthwhile to earn a lot of XP.
Can you catch Shiny Alola Sandshrew? Yes, the shiny form of Alola Sandshrew is already active in Pokémon GO and you can catch it.
Spotlight hour on January 10th
Which Pokémon? In the second spotlight hour of January 2023, you will encounter Swablu. This Pokémon comes from the 6th generation and is of the Fairy type. Its evolution is Altaria.
What bonuses do you get? For catching Pokémon, you receive double the amount of Stardust.
Who is it worth it for? Swablu is not particularly interesting as an attacker. Altaria, however, does play moderately well in the Great League and Ultra League PvP.
However, the Stardust bonus is exciting. Even though Swablu is not that easy to catch, you should take advantage of the event to fill up your Stardust resources.
Can you catch Shiny Swablu? Yes, the shiny version of Swablu is active in Pokémon GO.
Spotlight hour on January 17th
Which Pokémon? The third spotlight hour in January 2023 features Budew. It comes from the 3rd generation and is of the Grass type. Its evolutions are Roselia and Roserade.
What bonuses do you get? For catching Pokémon, you receive double the amount of experience points.
Who is it worth it for? Although Budew and Roselia are not particularly strong attackers, Roserade can be very useful in different situations. In PvE during raids, it is a cost-effective alternative to many powerhouses, especially for new players. In PvP, it ranks quite highly in the Great League and Ultra League. So, if you’re looking for a strong attacker of the Grass and Dark types, you should take advantage of this event.
Can you catch Shiny Budew? Yes, the shiny version of Budew is already unlocked in Pokémon GO, and you can catch it.
Spotlight hour on January 24th
Which Pokémon? In the fourth spotlight hour in January 2023, you will encounter the Pokémon Zapplardin. It comes from the 5th generation and is of the Electric type. Its evolutions are Zapplalek and Zapplarang.
What bonuses do you get? For catching Pokémon, you receive double the amount of Candy.
Who is it worth it for? Zapplardin and Zapplalek are not particularly good as attackers. Zapplarang does play decently in PvP in the Great League and Ultra League.
You can also utilize the Candy bonus when catching raid bosses.
Can you catch Shiny Zapplardin? So far, it is not possible. In an early graphic of the events in January, Niantic mentioned that one could catch Zapplardin as Shiny, but later corrected the graphic and removed the Shiny indication. It’s quite possible that the Shiny will be released during the month.
Which Pokémon? The fifth and final spotlight hour in January 2023 brings you Elekide. It is of the Electric type and comes from the 5th generation. Its evolution is Zebritz.
What bonuses do you get? For transferring Pokémon, you receive double the amount of Candy.
Who is it worth it for? Neither Elekid nor Zebritz are particularly noteworthy as attackers. The spotlight hour is worth it if you use this time to clean up your collection and transfer Pokémon you don’t need. This way, you can secure more Candy for yourself.
Can you catch Shiny Elekid? Yes, you can catch shiny Elekid in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In World of Warcraft, the Trading Post opens. We reveal to you what is available there, where to find it and how to use the feature.
Patch 10.0.5 is on the horizon, and one of the biggest features is the Trading Post. But what is it all about? Do you have to participate? What is the Trading Post all about and how does the vendor currency work? We will inform you about the new feature and explain everything you need to know about it.
When does the Trading Post start? The Trading Post is a new feature from Patch 10.0.5 and was released on January 25, 2023, but will only open its doors on February 1. The Trading Post likely starts on February 1 at 05:00 AM, as that is when the daily reset is performed. However, be aware that maintenance is scheduled until 07:00 AM.
It provides access to a variety of different cosmetic rewards – including mounts, transmog sets, and toys. Payment is made with a new currency, the so-called “vendor currency”.
Where can you find the Trading Post? Depending on whether you play as a member of the Horde or Alliance, you will find your Trading Post in a different location.
Heroes of the Alliance travel to the human capital Stormwind. Near the Mage Quarter, close to the entrance to the dungeon, you will find the Trading Post T&W (Tawny and Wild).
Champions of the Horde travel to Orgrimmar and find the Trading Post Zen’shiri located right next to Grommash Hold.
The Trading Post – check back at least once a month!
How do you get vendor currency? Vendor currency can be obtained in two different ways. One is passive, the other is active.
Each month, you can open the “Collector’s Chest” at the Trading Post and receive 500 vendor currency. This requires an active subscription.
Each month, there are a variety of tasks you can complete to collect up to 500 additional vendor currency. The tasks come from all possible areas of the game, and you only need to complete a fraction of them to receive the maximum vendor currency.
Overall, you can receive a total of 1,000 vendor currency with your account each month.
Additionally, there is a one-time bonus of 500 vendor currency for owning the expansion “Dragonflight”. It does not matter whether you already own Dragonflight or purchase it after the launch of Patch 10.0.5; the bonus is also retroactive.
Various tasks await month after month.
What rewards are available? The Trading Posts offer a very wide range of rewards. These include:
Complete transmog sets
Transmog individual pieces (weapons, chest, etc.)
Mounts
Pets
Toys
Interestingly, there are also items that were previously only available for real money in the World of Warcraft shop. Some rewards that are no longer obtainable – such as those from the long-defunct trading card game – can also be found at the Trading Post.
Blizzard is also using the feature to make old rewards accessible again, thereby giving a broader range of players the opportunity to enjoy them.
More about World of Warcraft can be found here at MeinMMO:
The offerings at the Trading Post change monthly. Items that were available in February will not be available in March. However, all items are expected to return in the future. If you were unable to purchase something in the first month, there will be future opportunities to do so.
For this reason, it may also be wise to always keep a small reserve of vendor currency to secure at least one desired item in the coming month, rather than having to wait a long time in the future.
What do you think of the Trading Post? Is it an interesting, exciting feature? Or do you find the limitation of vendor currency rather annoying?
This week, The Elder Scrolls Online presented its new expansion and Throne and Liberty announced a new test. Additionally, there were discussions about the dismissal of a WoW employee, two new MMORPGs announced on Steam, and a player who cheated a lot of money in RuneScape. We have summarized all the news of the week.
Throne and Liberty will conduct its “final test” in February. However, this will only take place in Korea, for only 2 days, and with an NDA (via NCSoft). Nevertheless, the MMORPG sounds exciting, not least because of its unique weather system.
This week in the podcast: In the MMO News podcast, Alexander Leitsch and Mark Sellner will again talk about the most important news surrounding MMORPGs. Topics included the postponement of Blue Protocol, the discontinuation of WoW in China, and the roadmaps of MMORPGs for 2023.
You can listen to the episode on Spotify here:
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Guild Wars 2 has provided more details about the upcoming patch on January 31. The jade bots will also be usable outside of End of Dragons. Additionally, the WvW will receive an update with new weekly achievements (via GW2).
In ESO, the new DLC Scribes of Fate will be released on March 13. It includes two new dungeons and the kickoff of the story for the entire year 2023. The DLC was showcased on Twitch. Here you can watch the cinematic for the new ESO expansion:
Ashes of Creation showcased 47 minutes of gameplay from the tank class in alpha in a video (via YouTube).
These are the MMORPG news of the week at a glance. What was your personal highlight? Did you experience anything 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.
Now, with Red Faction: Origin, a video game adaptation from Netflix is disappearing, which many “fans” are likely not to miss. On February 15, 2023, Red Faction: Origins leaves Netflix. By the way, this doesn’t apply to Germany, as you can no longer access Red Faction: Origins through Netflix here (via jeuxvideo.com).
The film about Red Faction offers good technology but is poorly rated otherwise
Red Faction is a first-person shooter series that first appeared in 2001. You take on the role of a resistance group fighting against their oppressors on Mars and later also on Earth.
After the fourth game, Red Faction: Armageddon, the series was ultimately discontinued by THQ due to poor sales figures, and since then it has been quiet regarding the series. The film was released shortly after the fourth game and tells the background story of the game.
How is the film rated? Red Faction: Origins receives overall poor reviews:
On IMDb, the ratings are about 5.1 out of 10 stars from over 3,000 reviews (via imdb.com).
On RottenTomatoes, the ratings are even worse with an Audience Score of 24 % (via rottentomatoes.com).
The effects are quite fitting for a science fiction film. Otherwise, the story is nothing special: A family is divided, and the hero must bring his family back together. This has also been seen in dozens of other films before.
The casting of the actors is also okay, but the whole film feels exaggerated. Some explain the weak film also because the budget was very low.
Other video game adaptations also tend to cause more annoyance than enthusiasm among fans. For instance, the film adaptation of Monster Hunter: World not only received poor reviews but also the video game received bad reviews:
As a newcomer in MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV, one often makes mistakes that can be avoided. Here are 5 mistakes that can be easily avoided when learning a new game.
Starting a new MMORPG can be very overwhelming, especially when the game has been on the market for many years. It can and will happen that as a beginner, you make some severe mistakes and have trouble playing.
FFXIV is no exception, although the game tries to make the fresh start as easy as possible. Generally, mistakes are not a big deal; after all, you are supposed to learn from them.
However, there are mistakes that you and the teammates you are playing with would gladly avoid. Here are 5 of them.
Start video
Final Fantasy XIV Trailer for Update 6.3
No Job Crystal
Job crystals are small colorful stones that are extremely important. You start FFXIV by choosing a class. At level 30, this class is upgraded to a job after completing a series of quests. This gives you access to new abilities and resources.
This happens by going into your character menu and equipping the corresponding job crystal. For advanced jobs like Dark Knight, Dancer, or Red Mage, this happens automatically when you equip their weapon. But for starter classes, it does not. It has to be done manually.
Starting at level 30, everyone should wear a job crystal.
You can’t stress it enough: Do your class and job quests, and make sure to equip your job crystal starting at level 30. Stick that thing to you, staple it to your gear, inject it under your skin, as long as it always remains equipped. Job crystals are your friends.
Without them, you lose access to more than half of your abilities at higher levels, making your life and the life of your group unnecessarily difficult. You also don’t have to equip the crystals every time you change classes or jobs. They count as equipment and can also be saved with armor sets.
Sounds strange, but it’s true. When you choose a class or job, you should also know what you can and cannot do with it. The combat system of FFXIV uses the so-called global cooldown, a short cooldown that shares among some abilities. When one skill is used, others cannot be used temporarily.
This leads to most jobs in FFXIV using their skills in a certain order during combat to deal damage, for example. You learn how this order looks from the skill descriptions.
In the command menu, you will receive an overview of all your abilities.
Some abilities form longer combo chains and must be used in sequence without interruption.
Other skills give you a damage boost and should be used alongside your strongest attacks.
Others set off chain reactions through “procs” and allow the use of abilities that were previously grayed out.
Aside from the fact that it’s quite useful for a healer to know which buttons to press so that the group doesn’t collectively bite the dust.
In areas like Summerford Farms or Deep Woods, there are special training dummies where you can try out your skills and combos, so go for it!
Not Equipping New Gear
The hunt for ever better gear is part of MMORPGs, and FFXIV is no exception. You start, as usual, with shabby beginner gear, which is quickly replaced during leveling by dungeon drops, crafted gear, or equipment from NPCs and quests.
You just have to remember to equip it. During leveling, you will sometimes be flooded with gear, which can make it difficult for new players to keep track. But don’t despair; FFXIV has a solution for that.
In your character window, right above the weapon slot is the small but fine button [Recommended Gear]. This button opens a new window, showing your current equipment and gives you the option to swap it for the best possible equipment from your inventory.
If you have gear that is better than your current one, it will be suggested in the window.
The system checks whether you can even equip the items and looks at their item level and stats. Then the best gear is compiled and presented to you as a suggestion.
Mandatory contents such as dungeons and trials have a minimum item level that you must meet if you wish to enter the content. Otherwise, you will have to stay outside. So do yourself a favor and keep your gear as up to date as possible.
Not Using Area Attacks
In the dungeons of FFXIV, there are plenty of demons, undead, bandits, monsters, and other enemies wanting to claw at you. During a dungeon run, tanks often pull them together in large groups so the party can send them off to the afterlife together.
In such a case, as DDs, healers, and tanks, you must always use your available area attacks to knock down the enemies as efficiently as possible. Yes, the skill description indicates a higher number for single-target attacks. Abilities targeting single enemies typically have a higher attack value.
Area damage is the best way for tanks to keep aggro from large groups of enemies.
However, it is more efficient to deal area damage when there are 3 or more enemies, as it spreads out among all and thus multiplies. For tanks, area attacks play an even more important role. They are tremendously helpful in keeping the hate of the enemies on them.
Once the tank stance is activated, all attacks against enemies generate increased hate. Therefore, when facing larger groups of enemies, a tank should always use area attacks to build hate evenly across all enemies.
You won’t have to worry then about an enemy suddenly turning around and slapping the healer or punching a DD in the face. So remember: Area attacks are love. When there are 3 or more enemies.
Since FFXIV is an MMORPG where other people are also around, it will happen that you must play with them. This usually occurs in instances such as dungeons or trials, where you are together with up to 8 people at the same time.
It can be quite useful to communicate ahead of time that you are a new player and that the veterans should take that into consideration. Talk to people. New players in FFXIV are marked with a little sprout to signal that they are not very experienced yet, but this cannot replace real communication.
Even though many contents in FFXIV can also be completed solo, sooner or later you will have to play with other people.
If you, as a healer, cannot keep up with healing, ask the tank to slow down the pull pace. Or if you are standing in front of a boss and would like to know the fight mechanics, ask the group what to pay attention to.
Experience shows that most people will react normally to you and answer your questions. However, they cannot know if two enemy groups might be too much if you do not say so.
If people continue to behave rudely despite asking and pleading, you can always leave the content and block or report the people. There are black sheep everywhere; just don’t let yourself be discouraged by them, as communication is important and can save you a lot of frustration.
What mistakes do you know that newcomers in FFXIV should rather avoid? Let us know in the comments.
More info for newcomers can be found in our extensive guide:
In Destiny 2, since Season 19, there is a special Exo to earn that not only combines two weapons into one but also seems to be very versatile. We show you how good the pulse rifle Revision Zero really is and whether the grind for it is worth it.
What kind of weapon is this? It is a powerful pulse rifle from the Häkke manufacturing combined with the carbon design of an Ikelos weapon. Both components create the pulse rifle “Revision Zero”, which can be earned during the season quest “More than a Weapon.”
The rifle receives a separate quest, after which it can be forged in the Enclave on Mars itself. However, the special feature of this rifle is the catalyst advantages, as there are four of them.
For this reason, with some time and patience, you can forge a weapon according to your ideas that can prove useful in both PvE and PvP. Our Destiny 2 author Christos Tsogos has taken a closer look at the weapon and shows you whether the grind for this exceptional talent is worth it.
Start video
Destiny 2 Lightfall: The new trailer “Neomuna”
Revision Zero – A useful tool, but not a monster
What can the weapon do? The pulse rifle naturally possesses shield-piercing rounds that help you break the shields of barrier champions.
Additionally, you can charge your target acquisition bar with successful precision hits. This new bar allows you to switch to a secondary fire mode depending on the charge. This fire mode resembles that of a sniper with a very solid scope.
If that still doesn’t impress you, you can adjust the salvos on the weapon itself during its inspection. The selections available are:
Light Häkke Salvo
Fires a stable salvo of four light shots
Heavy Häkke Salvo
Fires a less stable salvo of two shots, with high damage and great range
A cool rifle with many uses
Depending on the salvo type, you get more or less range or stability. If that is still not enough, you can further refine your pulse rifle with one of the four available catalyst advantages.
The following are available for selection:
Feast Rework
Pressure Rework
Outlaw Rework
Quad Rework
All of this together makes the rifle a versatile weapon in Destiny 2. One might even say it is so far the most versatile piece in the entire loot shooter. But enough with the packaging, how does it perform in practice?
How good is the weapon in PvE
How good is the weapon against champions?
Can the weapon convince in PvE? Well, that depends on where you want to use it. I had the rifle with me in almost every PvE activity and must say that the pulse rifle couldn’t blow me away. Some things hold Revision Zero back from shining, including:
Disappointing damage against barrier shields
Too slow charging of the target acquisition data
Hardly any harmonious perk combos in PvE
I felt that the weapon is actually strong, especially noticeable from the secondary sniper mode, which distributes good damage, but I feel Bungie is intentionally holding the rifle back. In normal strikes, dungeons, Gambit, and some raid passages, I can highly recommend the rifle, but in Grandmaster activities, I would prefer the bow “Wishender”.
Now let’s get to PvP.
How good is the weapon in PvP
In PvP, things look different for the weapon
How good is the weapon in PvP? I must say that Revision Zero deserves a place in PvP, but only under certain conditions. The rifle can bring foes to their knees in just two salvos when you have the light Häkke salvo equipped.
Better to stay away from the heavy salvo, as it allows for few mistakes and you often misplace shots in the heat of battle, thus losing gunfights. Moreover, the pulse rifle is a laser and can keep up well even at very long ranges. For perks, we would recommend the following:
Conclusion on Revision Zero: The pulse rifle is not bad, but also not so good that you should immediately replace it with other top performers. The new feature that allows you to switch the weapon type at the push of a button provides cool moments where it’s fun to use Revision Zero.
However, if you want to play in serious activities, then only in PvP and only on selected maps with open spaces. Grandmaster raids or strikes should preferably be approached with more effective toys.
That was our conclusion on Revision Zero. What do you think of Bungie’s experiment? Would you like more of these craftable Exo weapons? Do you think the rifle is good and do you also use it in Grandmaster activities? Feel free to leave us a comment!
The Adventurer’s Domain Online, or TADO, is a new MMORPG on Steam. It is developed by the indie studio Unbalanced Equations.
On January 26, 2023, TADO launched in Early Access on Steam. Almost all reviews there are positive – a total of 87%. Many players emphasize the visual similarity to RuneScape, at least to its version at the release in 2001.
An adventure with many stress-free contents
What kind of game is it? TADO is an indie MMORPG with a third-person perspective. It aims to mix classic aspects of an MMO with those of an action-combat RPG. The developers emphasize that it is not intended to be a high-quality MMORPG, but rather aims at players who want to have a relaxing time.
The game features a classless system, in which you can spend your experience points as you like. You can either level up your character or use the points for your skills. For example, you can specialize in the great sword simultaneously with occultism and become a mix of warrior and mage.
TADO offers various PvE content such as dungeons for single players or groups, but PvP is also possible. However, this is optional and should only take place during certain events.
What other content does it offer?
Exploration on land or by ship
A story with numerous quests and side quests
Fishing, which you can also do from a boat
A fleet system where you transport and sell goods with your boat to collect coins
Gathering and crafting
In the video, you can see the official trailer for the MMORPG:
Start video
The Adventurer’s Domain Online MMORPG Trailer
Who is it worth it for? Those who value demanding, highly detailed graphics are absolutely wrong here. The MMORPG targets players who want to enjoy a relaxed adventure while feeling a nostalgic vibe.
If you are looking for alternatives to the big MMORPGs like Lost Ark, New World, and WoW or just want to try something new, you can give TADO a chance.
What do you think about The Adventurer’s Domain Online? Do you want to buy the MMORPG directly and give it a try or do you prefer to wait until it leaves Early Access one day? Which indie MMORPGs have you played so far and which are your favorites? Feel free to write it in the comments here on MeinMMO!
Activision has asked the community with its survey which next big map they would like to see from the past for Call of Duty: Warzone 2, but the fans have a different wish.
What was asked? According to CharlieIntel (via twitter.com), Activision sent a survey to many fans of CoD: Warzone 2. The developers asked the players which big map they would like to see in the game if a map change were to occur. The following options were available:
A completely new map
Return of Verdansk ’84 (2021)
Return of Caldera (2021)
Return of the original Verdansk map (2020)
Return of Blackout – map from Black Ops 4 (2019)
Players could then select up to three answers and specify their favorites. While the result of this survey is not displayed, fans on Twitter agree on what they really want, and that is not just one map.
Start video
CoD Warzone 2 – 3 Tips on how to quickly level up your weapons
Multiple maps for Warzone 2 just like in Apex Legends
What do the players want? In the comments on Twitter, it becomes clear that Caldera is one of the least popular maps. Verdansk and Blackout are then among the more popular options. In the end, however, many fans only want one thing, and that is the rotation of a collection of maps.
Basically the same system as in Apex Legends, where players can fight on different terrain every 60 – 90 minutes. Players comment with the following statements:
When will a new big map come? No one knows yet. Season 2 is coming soon for Warzone 2. On February 15, it’s time, but before a new battle pass encourages players to continue their grind, they will be gifted a small battle royale map.
Players have been wishing for this for quite some time and will soon be made accessible during the 2nd season. So until Activision evaluates the survey and analyzes the voices of the community, it remains to be seen how the developers will decide regarding a larger map.
Is a map rotation likely? Those who play Warzone 2 know, in what a desolate state it is, but the team is trying to mitigate the flood of bugs with continuous updates. However, many glitches are still present in the game and continue to proliferate.
It is therefore unlikely that Activision will implement such a feature in the near future. Nevertheless, it is not impossible, because as we can see in the revival mode, the team likes to fulfill the players’ wishes to keep them entertained. It could just be a matter of time before Activision decides on such a feature.
In “Astroneer“, you build a base on a foreign planet and explore space. The game excites players on Steam and has 91% positive ratings. This weekend, the game is half price and costs €14.
Astroneer is a base-building game with exploration elements in space. You are in the 25th century and are sent on an intergalactic discovery tour.
You embark on a mission to expand the boundaries of known space. Build a base on a foreign planet and craft helpful gadgets and devices to survive in dangerous areas.
The game is playable on the Steam Deck but requires some extra effort in interaction or configuration.
Here you can see a trailer for Astroneer:
Start video
Astroneer – Release Trailer
Build your base and explore the planet with friends
What is the gameplay like in Astroneer? At the beginning, you are transported to a planet in a space capsule and initially face an untouched landscape.
Gradually, you build your base by collecting resources and using terraforming to shape the planet as you need it.
But always keep an eye on your oxygen level, or you may quickly perish in the foreign atmosphere. You can also set up a line to your base that supplies you with air permanently, allowing you to explore further places.
Here are some screenshots from the game
The solar system in Astroneer consists of 7 planets that you can explore. Race through the area with vehicles or explore cave systems and dig your way to the planet’s core. You will encounter mysterious phenomena on your journey, the secrets of which you can uncover.
You can play the game both solo and in co-op with friends, causing mayhem on the foreign planets together.
Send us your game recommendations
Do you have an absolute favorite game on Steam or know true hidden gems that deserve more attention?
Then leave us a comment about it or send us your game recommendations to the email address [email protected] with the subject “Game Recommendation”. Maybe your game will be the next one featured on MeinMMO.
Write to us in 3-4 sentences about what you like about the game, and we will include your comment in our recommendation article.
How do players rate Astroneer? The base-building game scores very well on Steam. Of the total of 87,829 reviews, 91% are positive (as of January 27, 2023, via Steam).
Especially the cute graphic style is celebrated by players even in the early access version, but the gameplay is also convincing. Many describe it as a nice, relaxing game that is even more fun in co-op:
TeeSaufen: “Absolute recommendation from the bottom of my heart. Just adorable, with a lot of love for details. I am now on my 12th save and keep starting anew. Total addiction factor, and I am still searching to find out how many glowing marbles the game has. So far, I’ve reached 32 in one save. Who can find more?”
-JCBRKER-: “We have been playing Astroneer for a week, and I can say that it is totally worth the money! The graphics are beautiful, the graphic style is totally cute and incredibly detailed […] You can sense the love for the game and the effort the developers put in through the dozens of details while playing”.
Siscoprofit: “Fun game focusing on exploration and base-building. Really great to play with friends in co-op”.
How much does Astroneer cost? You currently get the game with a 50% discount. Instead of €27.99, Astroneer costs €13.99. The special offer ends on January 30, 2023.
A bundle of the game and soundtrack is currently priced at €15.86 instead of €32.98, reflecting a 52% discount (as of January 27, 2023).
In League of Legends the magic cat Yuumi is heavily nerfed with patch 13.1b. The responsible LoL developer explains: The nerfs should look “fucking huge” to make it clear to every pro: Don’t play Yuumi anymore. At the same time, the nerfs are supposed to look worse on paper than they actually are.
Who is speaking? David “Phreak” Turley” (35) started his career as a caster for League of Legends in 2009. Since 2022, he has been a member of the design team as “Riot Phreak”.
Before his career at Riot, he was a professional “Warcraft 3” player.
Which nerf is he talking about? With the update 13.1B, the champ Yuumi is heavily nerfed. There are a total of 8 nerfs affecting her base stats, her passive ability, and the skills W and E:
The nerfs have been considered one of the “heaviest nerfs in LoL history”.
A user on reddit said they are taking Yuumi out of the game without removing her from the game. A reference to the desire of several pro players for Riot to just “delete Yuumi”.
Phreak says: “The nerf isn’t as bad as it looks on paper.” It should only “look damn huge” so that the pros stop playing Yuumi and the normal players stop banning Yuumi in solo queue: Actually, the nerf isn’t that bad.
Yuumi’s base stats were so strong that she could even compete against the best ADCs like Caitlyn. The pros exploited the base stats to win their lanes. Normal support players didn’t benefit as much from the base stats.
For him, Yuumi was intended as a “noob-friendly” champion who is overall weaker.
With the nerf, he believes he can now achieve the set goals:
“I’m pretty sure Yuumi will now disappear from the pros’ game. The nerfs in the laning phase are too strong for her to still be playable in pro play. I really hope pros now say: ‘Well, good, we’re not playing her anymore, she’s gone’ and that the pro games will get better now.”
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Will it stay like this? For a while, it will likely stay this way. Riot accepts that the champion will now also have a hard time in normal play.
In the long term, a major rework for the cat has been announced. However, there is no schedule yet for when we will see the new Yuumi.
The cat Yuumi has a special role in League of Legends due to her unique mechanic of merging with a player and becoming untargetable, which has always been extremely controversial:
Matthew ‘Mizkif’ Rinaudo is one of the currently most controversial streamers on Twitch. He has now launched a unique challenge: staring at a white wall for hours. He has collected money for an organization that cares for mentally ill people.
Mizkif has come up with a new challenge for a good cause and stared at a white wall for 10 hours. For this, he turned his back on his setting and the viewers and started a timer for 10 hours. You can watch the stream directly on Twitch.
By the way, he is not the only streamer who comes up with crazy ideas for his stream:
Twitch streamer wants to stare at a wall to test his own mind
He himself explains before his stream that this action would be quite exhausting: ‘It is a very mentally destructive stream. It is very exhausting. The reason why I like to do this stream is that it tests my mind.’
Mizkif also had to realize that staring at a white wall is not necessarily one of the creative highlights of his career. He noted:
It will be ridiculous, I tell you, you do not want to be here unless you are an absolute idiot. Which I would probably assume for nearly every stream I participate in. It is really dumb.
How much and for whom did he raise? Mizkif ended the stream on January 27, 2023. He raised a total of 11,000 USD with his stream. The money goes to Rise Above The Disorder (RAD). This is a nonprofit organization that covers the costs of mental health care for people around the world.
Start video
Twitch: Who were actually the first successful streamers?
Mizkif’s career abruptly stopped when he was involved in a major scandal
Eventually, he was accused during a stream of being involved in sexual assault. The discussion about this accusation quickly affected not only Mizkif’s community but also those of Twitch and Twitter.
Also, because he did not take the whole thing seriously at first and many colleagues and friends supported him.
After the scandal, he was not banned, but he disappeared from the surface for weeks. His colleagues probably advised him to let the matter settle.
Meanwhile, Mizkif is back on the air, but he perfectly apologized for his behavior:
With the DLC “Rise of Iron,” Bungie has created a new and abstract threat. SIVA, the replicating nanotechnology from BrayTech, has caused a lot of havoc in Destiny 1, and players have been hoping for a return in Destiny 2 for years. Bungie answered questions in a new Q&A, one of which revolved around this old enemy.
Q&A with Bungie – Who was present? Bungie held a Q&A with selected media, with Nikko Stevens, the Senior Narrative Designer, and Liz Baker, the Narrative Designer for expansions, present. Questions were asked about the story development from Witch Queen to Lightfall, as well as specific content in the Season.
One interesting question that should particularly interest veterans from Destiny 1 is why SIVA, a self-replicating nanotechnology, did not make it into Season 19. Many enemy races also made their comeback in Destiny 2. From the Hive to the Taken, everything was represented, yet SIVA with the devilish Splicers was skillfully neglected. Bungie now explains why a comeback is unlikely.
Start video
Destiny 2 Lightfall: The new trailer “Neomuna”
SIVA is a story that is simply checked off
What do the developers say about a return? In response to this question, Nikko Stevens stated that SIVA was often a topic when it came to a Rasputin Season. He said:
We always talk about every related story thread when we start something new. So whenever the Warmind comes up, whether back then in the season of the Worthy or now, SIVA has been narratively part of the conversation. We talk about it; we kick it around. But ultimately, I think SIVA is a story that was told in Rise of Iron and concluded in Rise of Iron.
Many Guardians have been hoping since the release of Destiny 2 that SIVA might make another appearance in the loot shooter. The weapons and their design, as well as the mechanics behind the nanotechnology, have always been eye-catching, but in Destiny 2 only the Exo weapon “Perfected Outbreak” and some Exo ornaments have made it into the game.
Nikko Stevens also addresses a problem that stands in the way of a SIVA release, which is the story of Destiny 2 itself:
While it is narratively possible to turn these stories upside down and bring them back, I think we need to do one thing seasonally to ensure that we focus on the story that the season tells – and that we do not indulge in pieces that do not necessarily advance the story. I think SIVA is cool, but it would be a step backward. We have tried to build on Neomuna and Lightfall and ensure that this story has room to breathe – room to blossom – before players enter this new destination.
While Nikko himself does not deny a comeback, the Senior Narrative Designer makes it clear that the main story around the Light and Darkness saga is the top priority. Everything that does not fit the story will also not be added. This includes SIVA.
When did SIVA make its first appearance? SIVA made its first appearance in September 2016 with the DLC “The Rise of Iron Lords” in Destiny 1. In this expansion, Guardians could travel back to Old Russia to contain a sealed threat.
The devilish Splicers who have been changed by SIVA
This threat was a self-replicating nanotechnology called SIVA. The Iron Lords wanted to use this technology for good, as SIVA could break down all matter into its components and reassemble it. While the Iron Lords attempted to recover this technology, they fell into an ambush by an artificial intelligence and were then eliminated by SIVA itself, leaving only a few survivors.
For this reason, SIVA is classified as highly dangerous and is guarded by Lord Saladin himself, so that no one gets the idea of causing another SIVA crisis.
What do you think about Bungie’s focus on more current topics like the upcoming DLC “Lightfall”? Do you think it’s good or unfortunate that SIVA might never make a comeback? Let us know in the comments!
Linus Tech Tips is one of the most well-known tech channels on YouTube. He tried out a tiny PC that costs around 160 euros.
With the “Pantera Pico PC,” Linus bought a tiny PC. According to the manufacturer, it costs around 160 euros for the basic version. Linus is surprised at how well everyday tasks can be managed with the device – as long as you don’t want to play competitively.
In our article, we introduce the device and explain what Linus thinks about it.
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Mini PC features Intel processor and is ready for Windows 11
What hardware is in the device?
Intel J4125 (processor)
UHD-Graphics 600 (GPU)
8 GB LPDDR4 (memory)
512 GB M.2 SATA-SSD (storage)
Compatible with Windows 11
The Intel J4125 is one of the absolute entry-level processors and is quite slow. However, it is suitable for most everyday tasks such as office work or video streaming. The advantage is that the chip has a TDP of only 10 watts, making it very energy efficient.
Additionally, there is a tiny projector that is about the same size as the PC itself. However, the projector alone costs around 180 euros extra. You can buy the device and the projector on Indiegogo.com.
How usable is the device? Linus explains that the device does have potential. The PC is not very big, and if you only watch YouTube videos and do a bit of office work, then this little thing would easily last “for years”.
Otherwise, the device is “kind of compelling” – unless you want to start gaming seriously. Linus only tests CounterStrike, but the game doesn’t look good, and it doesn’t run smoothly. You can probably imagine how other games would look on this device. So, you won’t find a real replacement for a powerful desktop PC here.
The projector is also quite interesting and offers cool touch features, but is otherwise pretty weak and the image quality is quite poor. But you shouldn’t expect any masterpieces from such an inexpensive device.
The projector (left) and the PC (right).
Mini PCs are no longer a rarity: Various manufacturers now offer such small devices that promise enough performance for everyday use. Often, these devices use mobile chips that can also be found in laptops. The price range for these devices usually lies between 150 and 500 euros.
MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann bought such a device himself, invested 350 euros, and explains why such a device could be worthwhile for you and your daily life:
In FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, the “Team of the Year” is currently running, which is the “TOTY” event. This brings some of the best cards in the game. However, they are hard to obtain.
This is the TOTY: In the “TOTY,” there are a total of 12 cards that have been brutally improved. Players like Mbappé, van Dijk, or Haaland are included and have values in the high 90s. They are among the best, but also the most expensive cards in the game.
The team was released over the past week in three phases. Defensive players, midfielders, and attackers were available for a few days in packs, along with new “TOTY” icons – until Friday evening, January 27.
Then the entire Team of the Year was put into packs all at once. Additionally, further cards were released: “Honourable Mentions,” which are players who narrowly missed out on the TOTY, but at least received a small upgrade. However, they are significantly weaker and less valuable than the 12 “real” TOTY cards.
Many players save their packs for the TOTY to have a chance of pulling one of the coveted cards. However, the chances are very low. This is currently proven by some Twitch streamers who invest a lot of money in the event.
Twitch streamers buy FIFA points, invest – But TOTY cards remain the exception
One example is one of the biggest streamers for FIFA 23, “Castro1021.” He is known for his loud personality but also for pack openings. Since the start of the TOTY event over a week ago, he has been investing a lot of FIFA points and pulling packs.
In his new video, he shows the evening when all TOTY cards landed in the packs. Here it should work, and he pulls his first TOTY card – that of goalkeeper Courtois. Shortly after, he pulls another TOTY. Again, Courtois.
He is very happy about the card and torpedoes his streaming room with confetti, but he also explains that he has already invested nearly 10 million coins over the week and nearly 1 million FIFA points.
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Coins can be obtained through transfers or rewards in Ultimate Team, but not FIFA points. If you want to buy FIFA points in Ultimate Team, you can choose from various sets. The largest brings 12,000 points for 99.99 euros. If you calculate that up to a round million, it comes to over 8,000 euros in the course of a week.
Two other streamers invested points on the “Complete Team Night” as well.
One of them is “Bateson87,” who invested 100,000 FIFA points that evening (about 833 euros). He shows in the video that over the previous week he had already pulled two TOTYs and 3 TOTY icons. However, the 100,000 points that evening did not yield a single additional TOTY card, only three of the weaker “Honourable Mentions” (via YouTube).
YouTuber Danny Aarons also put 100,000 points into the TOTY evening but did not get a TOTY card (via YouTube): “I can’t believe it, I invested another 100,000 points and didn’t pull a TOTY.”
However, this was not his first opening: “Every pack opening costs 600 British pounds, and this is the ninth,” he calculates: “I won’t calculate it because it will make me sick. But guys, do the math – and you haven’t seen how I pull a TOTY yet.” In total, he has probably invested 5,400 pounds (around 6,100 euros).
Overall, the streamers are ultimately able to buy a large part of the TOTY cards on the transfer market from the sheer number of cards they pull from the packs.
But they simultaneously highlight how low the chances of TOTYs from packs are. Of course, you can be lucky and pull these cards. However, you shouldn’t count on it.
The chances of a TOTY player are in the single digits percent range
What are the chances? FIFA 23 shows in the shop how the chances of TOTY cards from packs look. The probabilities depend on the individual packs.
A few examples:
With typical Premium Gold Packs, the chance is under one percent.
In the current promo pack “Elite Pack Plus,” the chance is 1.1 percent. It contains 26 rare gold players, at least one of which is rated 86 or higher, and additionally, there is a Rare Players Pack included. It costs 150,000 coins or 3,000 FIFA points.
The “New Year Special Set” still offers the highest chance, at 6.2%. The pack brings a FUT Hero, 75 rare gold players over 80, and at least six of them over 86.
However, the pack also costs a whopping 500,000 coins or 3,000 FIFA points. Additionally, the contents of the pack are untradable. Whatever you pull from it cannot be sold on the transfer market.
If you’re not into Ultimate Team, you can try the offline career mode in FIFA 23, for example. There, you can build your own club and lead it to the top of the world. Here you can find the best talents in FIFA 23.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
With Hi-Fi Rush, developer “Tango Games” has simply released a surprise hit for Xbox and PC. As a PS5 player, MeinMMO author Max Handwerk can only watch with some wistfulness – probably not for the last time this year.
“Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man. Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man. Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man.” For almost two days, I’ve been repeating this mantra in my head to remind myself of the fantastic games that the PS5 has already made flash across my screen.
However, this mantra is continually interrupted. And that is by the loud pulsating beat of the trailer for “Hi-Fi RUSH”. A game that no one saw coming, but which there is currently no avoiding.
At the Xbox-Bethesda showcase, the rhythm explosion in comic style was presented, and then it was released directly via Steam and Game Pass. What makes the game is something you can see quickly in the trailer:
Start video
Check out the trailer for Hi-Fi Rush – A crazy game that relies on music and rhythm
Hero Chai fights through a colorful world where everything is synchronized to the same rhythm. Attacks become stronger depending on the sense of rhythm, and a good portion of ease and humor is also taken care of.
The game seems to hit a nerve with people who enjoy colorful, explosive fun. If you visit the “Games” subreddit, the strong reviews of the game are being discussed. Numerous players are sharing what a blast this surprise hit is. On Steam, the game is collecting positive reviews, with 98% favorable reviews.
And here I sit, watching gameplay videos and looking somewhat wistfully at my PlayStation.
I haven’t really missed having an Xbox or a particularly powerful PC until now. But now, “Hi-Fi Rush” is passing me by, even though the game, in all its action-comic-guitar-hero-ness, would definitely be something for me.
And when I look at the rest of the Xbox year, this feeling could become even more frequent.
Exclusive titles in 2023 – does Xbox have the edge?
So far, I haven’t really needed an Xbox for exclusive titles; for me, the PlayStation has generally been equipped with the more suitable titles. For example, I would always choose God of War over Halo.
However, the argument that I’ve always looked at with a bit of envy is the “Game Pass”. The Xbox offering is indeed already very strong, and the catalog is full of exciting games.
And the fact that strong titles are even appearing there regularly from day one, like now Hi-Fi Rush, is simply ideal if you enjoy trying out new games. Who knows if Hi-Fi Rush, with its unusual approach, wouldn’t simply disappear into “nothing” after its surprising release if players couldn’t try it out immediately.
And then Xbox simply has a few good arguments up its sleeve this year. One of them is the upcoming game from Arkane Studios, Redfall.
Start video
Redfall – Detailed Gameplay Trailer
The upcoming co-op shooter is set to release on May 2, 2023, exclusively for Xbox and PC, also available in Game Pass from day one. Even if it’s not entirely clear how strong the new Arkane Studios game will be: it looks exciting all the same.
The last game from the makers of Redfall, Deathloop, was ironically also a time-limited exclusive title, but for PlayStation. The gameplay of the shooter thrilled me back then, and combined with the co-op aspect, which I love in games like Borderlands, Redfall would definitely appeal to me.
Well, and then there’s Starfield.
Start video
7 gameplay highlights from Starfield that you should know about
Here too, it remains to be seen how strong the title will ultimately be when it releases later in 2023. But after all my hours in Morrowind, Skyrim, or the Fallout titles, Bethesda’s space adventure would definitely have made it onto my list if it were coming to PlayStation.
Does Xbox have the edge? That remains to be seen. After all, PlayStation will also get its titles this year. For example, the new Spider-Man or the next part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake are upcoming – although not until autumn and winter. Additionally, there are more games that both consoles will receive.
But some exciting titles are indeed missing from PlayStation this year. From my perspective, Xbox is definitely on a really good path. It will be interesting to see how this develops further – and whether Xbox can gather even more interesting arguments that PS5 players would miss.
What do you think about the upcoming releases this year? Let us know in the comments.
Others suggest that perhaps a staff member indeed makes the final decision in the case of an account ban, but that it is virtually just a matter of a few clicks, where accusations are not even checked. This may not be ill will but simply the pressure to handle a certain number of incidents per hour.
How exactly Blizzard goes about administering penalties and reviews is not known. However, in recent years, there have been repeated complaints about unjustified penalties that were later revoked.
It is clear, however, that Blizzard needs to change something about this system. The fact that real cartels are forming for crafting professions that “ban” anyone offering a cheaper price cannot be healthy for the game.
What is your stance on this topic? What should change, and how can Blizzard and the players realistically counteract?
In World of Warcraft, there are nasty player cartels. Those who do not adhere to the prices will be banned. What is behind this?
Blizzard has fulfilled many promises with World of Warcraft Dragonflight. One of them was that crafting professions should finally become truly useful and important again. That is exactly what has happened, as trade is booming and many of the best gear pieces can be crafted by artisans, as long as the materials are procured.
However, the system has its downsides. While on one hand, interaction between players is encouraged, others try to profit as much as possible from the system and eliminate competition, even using unscrupulous methods.
The Elemental Lariat Cartel Eliminates Competition
Even though there are a number of useful crafted items, none is as coveted as the Elemental Lariat. This necklace is desired by basically all classes and specializations as it has a very powerful additional effect and the stats can be freely determined. It is hardly easier to obtain a strong necklace.
At least in theory. However, the recipe for the Elemental Lariat is a very rare drop from some strong, rare enemies from the elemental storms. It can take dozens of kills of these enemies before one gets the recipe. This, in turn, leads to very few jewelers per realm being able to do so.
The best necklace for almost everyone. Hard cartels determine the prices.
One example is Schlay from the Thrall server, about whom we reported a few days ago. He stood against the “cartel” on his realm and offered the Elemental Lariat for practically free or for a self-determined tip, promoting his services repeatedly. Even though there were many grateful customers and a lot of support, Schlay was initially “silenced” – he could no longer write in the chat. This happens when messages are reported by many others, e.g. as “spam” or “insults”.
The obvious assumption: The jewelers who wanted to keep their price of 20,000 gold for crafting stable reported Schlay together to silence him.
After his penalty was over, Schlay resumed his services and satisfied numerous customers, promoting his craft again. But just a few days later, his account was completely banned – for a significant 10 days.
Penalties for those who stand in the way of the cartel. The reporting system makes it possible.
Players report threats and pressure: Schlay is not an isolated case, and such cartel structures seem to have developed on most major servers. Many jewelers are in contact with each other and seem to want to keep their prices stable – by any means necessary.
Many report in various posts on the World of Warcraft subreddit that they are contacted by jewelers after they searched for a manufacturer for the Elemental Lariat in the trade channel. When they then explain that they found a cheaper provider, the “cartel members” are very eager to find out the name and even tend to threats and insults if the buyers do not want to disclose the name.
For example, as Fast-Like-A-Snail tells:
On my EU realm, there is a cartel that sets prices for various crafting orders, and if you do not comply, they warn you, and then they report you. If you are not part of the cartel, you will be silenced and banned and cannot offer things at a cheaper price.
I guess that’s how it is on many realms, and it’s something that Blizzard should address. These cartels are no better than the boosting communities they have banned.
Account penalties are issued too easily: Blizzard has repeatedly emphasized in the past that every account penalty is reviewed by an employee beforehand, but serious doubts exist about this statement. Many report that they know exactly how many reports it takes on a chat message to impose this player immediately with a “mild” sanction, such as a speaking prohibition in chat for a few hours.
Others suggest that perhaps a staff member indeed makes the final decision in the case of an account ban, but that it is virtually just a matter of a few clicks, where accusations are not even checked. This may not be ill will but simply the pressure to handle a certain number of incidents per hour.
How exactly Blizzard goes about administering penalties and reviews is not known. However, in recent years, there have been repeated complaints about unjustified penalties that were later revoked.
It is clear, however, that Blizzard needs to change something about this system. The fact that real cartels are forming for crafting professions that “ban” anyone offering a cheaper price cannot be healthy for the game.
What is your stance on this topic? What should change, and how can Blizzard and the players realistically counteract?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Do you want to try a new MMORPG? Then you could check out Embers Adrift: The indie MMO is hosting a free test this weekend.
When does the free weekend take place? Embers Adrift has already started its free weekend. It began on Friday, January 27 at 07:00 and runs until Monday, January 30 at 07:00.
To participate, you need to register on the Embers Adrift website and then download the game. According to the developers, you can use the time until Monday morning to try the game as a newcomer or see what has improved or changed as a returning player.
What does Ember Adrift cost? If you want to continue playing after the weekend, you need to buy the game, as Embers Adrift is not a F2P game:
Embers Adrift is offered for $39.99 plus taxes (during the weekend $29.99), which includes one month of gameplay.
After that, however, you’ll have to subscribe for a price of €9.99 per month.
In the game itself, there isn’t currently a real-money shop or similar options to spend money.
What kind of game it is, we show you here.
Embers Adrift focuses on subscription, PvE content, and old-school vibes
What kind of game is Embers Adrift? Embers Adrift was released on October 15, 2022, making it just over three months old. The game is a PvE sandbox MMORPG that does not include PvP content. You won’t face other players in the open world or arenas.
In the game, players are meant to create their own adventures, which means there is little guidance given. For instance, there are no markers or a minimap. Instead, you need to read quest texts carefully and orient yourself to complete a task.
In this way, Embers Adrift is “old-school,” which also applies to the game’s graphics. Fans of modern, crisp graphics may be disappointed here.
Start video
Embers Adrift gives deeper insights into the story of the dark, new PC MMORPG – Releases this week
These quests are an important part of the gaming experience, just like challenging bosses or dungeons. Players can expect difficult challenges right in the starting area, for instance in the form of powerful enemies. You can attack them at any time, but it may not necessarily be advisable.
What kind of character you go in with is up to you. Three classes and a character editor are available to choose from.
Who is the game for? MeinMMO MMORPG expert Alexander Leitsch closely examined Embers Adrift last year.
His conclusion was mixed: Embers Adrift is a game full of contrasts that works mainly when played in a group. He described Embers Adrift with its free adventure approach as a niche game that is not for everyone but could provide fun for exploration-minded groups.
Just the subscription model and the purchase price might deter players. However, those who still want to have a look can take advantage of the opportunity this weekend without spending money.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The loot shooter Destiny 2 was offline for over 20 hours on PC, Xbox and PS5. Now the developers explain why you couldn’t play for so long.
Destiny was offline for over a day on January 24 and 25, 2023. We also reported on MeinMMO that Destiny 2 was not accessible. During the update, it seems the wrong data was copied to the servers, leading to losses for players.
A configuration error of a tool is to blame for the problems.
The developers have now commented on the problems. They have blamed an internal tool that apparently caused the trouble. The developers had copied data from the old expansion “Beyond Light” into the game. This, in turn, reversed gameplay progress (via bungie.net):
We found out that the problem was caused by some currently unfinishable EDZ and Nessus triumphs from Forsaken being moved to the archived triumphs section. To make this change, we used a tool that can move a player’s status from one place to another in the player’s account. This tool is very powerful but requires careful and cautious handling.
Due to a configuration error, we accidentally re-executed an older migration process that was used for the Beyond Light version. The result was that we copied old data from before Beyond Light into the current configuration, which reversed certain aspects of gameplay progress since then.
What is lost due to the reset? This error caused the problem and has now been fixed, but not without the loss of nearly three hours of gameplay.
Compensations are not mentioned, by the way. After all, all purchases made in the lost time span will be refunded. So if you spent money, you should have received it back by now.
How long was Destiny 2 offline? The released hotfix 6.3.0.5 caused unexpected and severe problems.
Destiny is now a free-to-play live service game. Many games have since tried this model, such as The Division 2, Marvel Avengers, or Anthem. However, all have failed. On MeinMMO you can read why Destiny 2 remains a significant exception:
