The new „The Last of Us“ series exceeds my expectations: Spoiler-free conclusion after all 9 episodes

Leya Jankowski Leya Jankowski Reading time 4 minutes

On January 16, the new series of The Last of Us starts in Germany on Sky and WOW. MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski saw all 9 episodes already, thanks to a press screener from Sky. This is her spoiler-free review as a fan of the video games.

The Last of Us is one of the best games of the last ten years for me. The plot may not be particularly original. However, it convinces through the relationship of the main characters and the atmosphere, which is both oppressive and hopeful. 

After seeing the first trailers for the series, I was convinced that at least a good adaptation was coming our way. However, I did not expect it to exceed my expectations. It manages to tell some things even better than the game.

Start video
The new trailer for The Last of Us series shows: It will break our hearts over and over again

Hopelessness Captured Impressively

The starting point of The Last of Us is an epidemic that breaks down civilization. What captivates me about this universe is that the mass disease is not caused by a virus. The culprit behind the misery is a type of fungus: the Cordyceps or also known as Kernkeule in German.

These fungi are parasites that infect insects and spiders. They disturb the nervous system of the host, thus directing the muscles and will of the animals. The Last of Us extends this characteristic of nature and here the fungus infects humans. It turns them into mindless zombies, always in search of new hosts, thus biting off more and more of humanity.

For the aspiring mycologists among you: Here is the Wikipedia entry on Kernkeule.

More on the topic
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von Cortyn

The series takes its time to portray the mushroom apocalypse scenario and the people in it. Those who play The Last of Us have to read through numerous notes that explain in detail what has happened to humanity. The adaptation shows us right at the beginning why we as a species would have no chance against this biological catastrophe.

The desperate rescue attempts evoke an indescribable sense of discomfort because everything seems so logical and realistic. This makes it all the more impressive how fiercely humanity fights for its survival.

I often recognize the handwriting of co-author Craig Mazin, who created the series Chernobyl. It deals with the nuclear catastrophe of Chernobyl and hits you in the gut persistently. These blows are also felt in the series of The Last of Us, often only through scenery and imagery.

Who is writing here anyway? Leya has already completed several playthroughs of The Last of Us. She played the first part multiple times on the PS3, PS4, and recently again the remaster on the PS5. There is hardly anything she loves more than storytelling and she believes that The Last of Us has a depth worth dissecting and analyzing. Getting to do that again with the series is a dream for her.

Perfect Casting of the Main Roles

The relationship between the two main characters Joel and Ellie is the heart of the story.

The cynical Joel is in his late 40s, brutal, and a smuggler in the apocalypse. His latest cargo is a 14-year-old girl named Ellie. She is quick-witted and brings a somewhat childlike admiration for the world, despite being born in the apocalypse.

After watching the series, I can say with certainty: There could not have been a better casting than Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the main roles.

Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal)

The two have the right chemistry with each other to tell this story. I believe them every second, whether they are angry at each other, afraid for each other, or whether they understand and like each other.

Especially Bella Ramsey impressed me. It feels as if the role of Ellie was written for her. The quick-wittedness and impulsiveness of Ellie never seem forced with her. She even managed to bring tears to my eyes at moments when the game could never reach me like that.

Joel and Ellie are of course crucial figures. However, it should be noted that the supporting roles in the series can blossom in ways they never could in the game. Because even they get time to unfold, like the scenario itself.

The Series Utilizes the Strength of the Medium but Cannot Compensate for Its Weakness

The series of The Last of Us knows the advantages of its medium, which is consumed passively, and makes full use of it. As a player, I would be bored to death if I had to watch a supporting character manage their bitter daily life in the epidemic for half an hour. The series turns this into highlights.

After all, the game is an action-adventure. I want to loot, slay zombies! Feel my adrenaline kick when my life hangs by a thread and I only have one bullet left in the gun.

However, this is exactly the great strength in the series. Everything can have an impact on you, and the creators allow time for emotional subplots. In the game, I love to look around and let the destroyed world affect me. I become particularly melancholic when I come across devastated children’s rooms or when a teddy bear lies in the dirt – the series captures all of this at a high level.

The adaptation remains close to the original and does not tell a completely new story.

What is the great strength of the game – or all video games – is: You are actively involved. I am the one who sends Joel and Ellie on their journey, accompanying them from a first-person perspective.

I pull the trigger of the rusty gun at the end.

This feeling can of course not be captured by the series. This makes the storytelling in The Last of Us, the game, so special. Even the different perspectives you see in the game cannot be conveyed by the series. However, this is just a minor downside.

Here quickly the most important facts about the series:

  • Start/Release: On the night of January 15 to 16
  • Channel: Exclusively on Sky
  • Director: Kantemir Balagov (Pilot), Ali Abbasi, Jasmila Žbanic, Neil Druckmann
  • Writers: Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
  • Number of episodes: 9, each lasting about 45 minutes. The pilot episode lasts 85 minutes

You can find more information at our sister site GamePro.

If you now feel even more excited about adaptations into series, we have a list for you through which you will find out what is still to come this year:

15 movies and series about games that you will soon watch on Netflix – From A like Assassin’s Creed to T like Tomb Raider

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

Buy PS5 on January 10 in the ticker – Here you can order NOW without any problems

MeinMMO MeinMMO Reading time 2 minutes

Where you can buy a PS5 now, you can find out here in the ticker on MeinMMO. We show you the retailers and offers for the PlayStation 5 that are currently delivering. Here you can read when you can buy a PS5 at MediaMarkt, Amazon, and others.

Daily reading tips for the waiting time:

Update on January 10 at 08:15 AM: A very good morning to everyone. It has never been easier to buy a PS5 since it was released. From the start, Sony’s latest console has been very popular and has sold out everywhere within minutes at all times. A global pandemic and further extensive circumstances have meant that the PS5 was in short supply even two years after its release in November 2020. Only in December 2022 did Sony launch a campaign aimed at satisfying all customers. All consoles ordered last month are supposed to be delivered by the end of January. Buyers who ordered after Christmas will receive their PS5 by the end of February at the latest. In the following list, you will find all retailers participating in Sony’s ordering campaign.

By the way: If you order from MediaMarkt or Saturn and have a store nearby, there’s a good chance you can pick up your bundle after just a few days, and not have to wait until the end of January or February. Both retailers are also currently running another gaming promotion. When you buy 3 games, you get the cheapest one for free.

You can now order a PS5 bundle from these retailers. Delivery or pickup will take place by February 28, 2023 at the latest

Online

The offers listed here are equipped with so-called affiliate links. By purchasing through one of these links, you support MeinMMO: Without affecting the price, we receive a small commission from the provider.

But not all retailers participate in the promotion and continue to offer the classic drops as we know them. So if you don’t want to wait, you can get your console a little faster this way. Therefore, we will keep you updated on all drops and other campaigns and offers. As of now, you can order immediately from the following retailers:

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Tech YouTuber gives his PS5 a new design in 60 seconds – Here’s how you can recreate it for 45 euros
von Benedikt Schlotmann
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Gameswirtschaft
  2. Gameswirtschaft

Gamer buys new power supply and complains that the cable does not fit – does not realize that he almost burned down his apartment

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 3 minutes

A gamer buys a new case and power supply. On reddit, he complains that his old cable no longer fits his computer. The community is shocked and astonished, as the situation could have ended badly.

If you want to upgrade your gaming PC, you can do so in various ways:

  • Either you install a new graphics card, which is often the most expensive upgrade.
  • Alternatively, you can buy a new RAM or a new, fast SSD for your system.
  • Or you buy a new case to give your hardware more “breathing room”.

A gamer decided to buy a new case and power supply. However, while upgrading the system, he stumbled upon a problem, which he then shared with the community. And they are quite relieved that the manufacturer prevented a worse outcome.

Note: Our title image is symbolic and does not represent the person mentioned in this article.

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Therefore, you should not overlook the case when building a PC
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Gamer cannot connect new power supply with old cable

What is the problem? A gamer bought a new power supply and case. After assembling, he had apparently wanted to use the old power cable of the case.

Because the used case has its own power connection with cable management for the power supply. So he writes somewhat annoyed on reddit:

Be Quiet power supply [PSU] and case not compatible? Dark Base Pro 900 internal PSU cable does not fit Dark Power PSU? WTF? What am I missing?

In his picture, you can see how he holds the old cable next to the new power supply. And you can immediately tell that the new connector is much larger.

The power supply and case seem not to match anymore during assembly. And the user is quite loud about it.

But many are relieved, because had he actually connected the cables, far worse could have happened.

More on the topic
Gamer warns that with a tiny mistake you can set your expensive PC hardware on fire
von Benedikt Schlotmann

The special connection prevents the gamer from setting his apartment on fire

How does the community react? People clearly and decisively tell him: If he had actually plugged the cable in and powered on the computer, he could have said goodbye to his computer and probably his apartment. Someone writes:

This is a feature, not a bug. It prevents you from connecting a low amperage cable to a high amperage power supply and burning your house down.

And another adds:

It’s a special cable designed for higher power draw to prevent you from burning your devices or your house down.

In the worst case, he could have had an apartment fire because he connected the wrong parts together.

But the manufacturer has already built in a fuse here and designed the cables so that they don’t fit together in the first place, preventing such mistakes from happening. Some don’t even want to know how many people unknowingly mix cables at home and then wonder about high property damage.

Can the user’s problem be solved? In fact, the gamer has thought of a very special combination of power supply and case. Because the Dark Power Pro, the power supply the gamer chose, has a special power connection. However, the case requires another connection, so they do not fit together (via reddit.com):

Dark Power Pro has such a high wattage that it needs a different connector – normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, as most cases do not use an internal power cable to house the power supply elsewhere, but you chose something special for both parts, causing the incompatibility. Dark Base Pro works with most power supplies, and Dark Power PSU works with most tower cases, but they are not compatible with each other.

The new case internally relies on a cable with a C14 connector, while the power supply requires a C20 connector because the power supply delivers over 1000 watts. For this reason, the cables do not fit together.

And yes, the problem can be solved by the user contacting BeQuiet. The manufacturer will then send him an alternative plate for the case so that he can use the right cable.

Therefore, if you are buying a new power supply or a special case, make sure to follow the manual and always use the provided cables. This way you can be absolutely sure that the cables for the corresponding model are certified. Because in the worst case, you not only damage replaceable hardware, but also harm people who are irreplaceable.

What a wrong cable can cause: What a wrong or damaged cable can cause, a YouTuber tested. He warns against cheap cables and explains why a wrong or cheap cable can be really dangerous for you and your hardware:

YouTuber shows how you can ruin your gaming PC with a single cable

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

Pokémon GO: Today starts ‘Twinkling Fantasy’ – All about Shiny, bonuses, Mega Raid

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 3 minutes

In Pokémon GO the event “Twinkling Fantasy” is coming up. We take a look at the contents and show what you can expect in terms of spawns, shinies, raids, and more.

What kind of event is this? “Twinkling Fantasy” is the second major event in January for Pokémon GO after the “New Year’s Event”.

It changes the spawns, introduces a new shiny, and also features an exciting Mega Raid Boss with Salamence. Additionally, you can look forward to some bonuses.

When does the event start? Twinkling Fantasy starts on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 08:00 local time. It runs until January 16 at 22:00.

So you have a little over a week to take advantage of the event’s bonuses. We will show you what to expect.

New shiny and powerful Mega Raid Boss in Twinkling Fantasy

Which shiny is new? Twinkling Fantasy will for the first time introduce the shiny version of Dedenne into the game. The Pokémon is of the Electric and Fairy type.

Dedenne can appear during the event in the wild, in field research tasks, and also in level-3 raids. Whether you catch the shiny form depends on chance – as always, the odds are low.

Who is the Mega Raid Boss? Mega Salamence will appear for the first time in Mega Raids during the event and is likely to become a sought-after target. It is among the best Dragon attackers and also provides an attack bonus to other dragons during raids. Thus, it will be a very useful monster for future raids. Additionally, there is a chance to catch the shiny.

You can find the 20 best attackers against Mega Salamence here in the raid guide.

Pokémon-GO-Dedenne-Shiny-Mega-Brutalanda

Zekrom as a level-5 boss: In the level 5 raids, you will also find Zekrom as a boss. It is one of the top Electric attackers in Pokémon GO. During the event and until January 18 at 10:00, it learns the exclusive move “Fusion Bolt”. Additionally, you may also encounter it as shiny.

The best attackers against Zekrom are shown in the raid guide.

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Pokémon GO: Zekrom Counters in Raid Guide – 20 Strongest Attackers
von Patrick Freese

Spawns, Researches, and Raids for Twinkling Fantasy

Which monsters spawn? In the wild, you can encounter various monsters, focusing here on the event types “Fairy” and “Dragon”. Among them are:

  • Clefairy*
  • Pixie
  • Jigglypuff*
  • Dratini*
  • Togetic*
  • Marill*
  • Trasla*
  • Vibrava
  • Sneeze*
  • Wingull*
  • Dedenne*
  • Viscora
  • eF-eM*

Monsters marked with an asterisk* can also be shiny.

Pokémon GO Twinkling Fantasy Pokémon wilderness
All spawns for the event in overview (via pokemongolive.com).

Field Research: During the event, you will find new research tasks, including encounters with the following:

  • Clefairy*
  • Dratini*
  • Sneeze*
  • Dedenne*
  • Viscora

Raids: In the raids, “Twinkling Fantasy” also brings new bosses apart from Zekrom and Mega Salamence. These are:

  • Level 1: Jigglypuff*, Marill*, Dratini* and Wingull*
  • Level 3: Flunkifer*, Shardrago* and Dedenne*
  • Level 5: Zekrom*
  • Mega Raids: Mega Salamence*

More about Pokémon GO on MeinMMO:

What bonuses does “Twinkling Fantasy” bring to Pokémon GO?

These are the bonuses: During the event, you can grab some bonuses to get extra XP. The special thing is: The event relies on catching bonuses.

These include the following throw bonus: For every catch with an excellent throw, you receive double XP. So aiming well is worth it. Additionally, there are the following bonuses:

  • Additional candies for catches with nice, great, or excellent throws
  • An increased chance for XL candies starting from trainer level 31 when a Pokémon is caught with a nice, great, or excellent throw
  • Snapshots during the event can yield encounters with a fairy or dragon Pokémon
  • The collector challenge “Twinkling Fantasy” rewards you with 50 Mega Energy for Salamence, a charged TM, and a fast TM

What other content will appear during the event remains to be seen. Last weekend, Pokémon GO surprised trainers with a long-awaited release: Kecleon suddenly appeared and made headlines.

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

LoL: Expert explains which position professionals earn the most money and why

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In League of Legends, Brieu “LEC Wooloo” Seeger is considered a reliable source for player transfers between teams. He has now explained on Twitter which role is the most rewarding in LoL. According to him, players in the midlane in the USA, Europe, and South Korea earn the most money.

Who is the expert?

  • The Belgian made a name for himself by reliably predicting on Twitter who would transfer from one LoL team to another during the off-season. Official announcements about player transfers are usually not allowed until a certain deadline, but in reality, it is often clear weeks in advance where players will go.
  • LEC Wooloo is now practically the unofficial transfer ticker that fans and professionals follow. A few years ago, e-sports journalist Jacob Wolf held this position: Wolf had previously worked for the e-sports site ESPN, but covering LoL as an e-sport did not pay off commercially and he was let go.
  • Therefore, the Belgian is now the go-to expert for everything you need to know about LoL transfers.
Start video
The Life of Faker – Why He is a Living Legend

Which role is the highest paid in LoL? The expert says he has evaluated sources:

“The information from my sources shows that most of the time (but not always!), the midlane is the highest-paid position on an LEC team.

Additionally: The highest salaries I know for 2022 go to midlaners in the LCS and LCK.”

He is essentially saying that the midlane is the most lucrative position in South Korea, Europe, and North America.

Midlaners shine the most, hence they have the highest hype

Why is that? LEC Wooloo says it’s because midlaners have the highest “advertising value”: The position is in the middle of the map and also a carry role, which allows for creating in-game highlights and thus generating more hype.

Is it traditionally like this? Yes, this aligns with many other stories. Traditionally, the mid-laner is the “star of the show”. Heroes like assassins or mages are played there, who can secure kills in a very short time with skill combinations.

While an ADC-carry is usually quiet for most of the game and only fully blossoms in the late game, a midlaner can already shine in early stages.

Midlaners are also the players from whom most highlight reels circulate on YouTube and who regularly win popularity contests:

  • In the USA, Bjergsen was long the most popular player
  • In Europe, “Caps” and “Perkz” are probably the two most popular players, both are midlaners, leading to problems when they wanted to play on the same team
  • In South Korea and worldwide, Faker is certainly number 1.

These stars have one thing in common: they are all midlaners.

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LoL: Star player swallows ego, teams up with biggest rival
von Schuhmann

Even though midlaners are the stars – Every role has been MVP in the finals at some point

However, the mix of who really plays the outstanding role in a team is much broader. In the last 6 World Championships, the MVP has been awarded to 4 different roles:

  • 2017, Ruler, a botlaner, won
  • 2018, Ning, a jungler, won
  • 2018, it was Tian, again a jungler
  • 2020, Canyon, the third jungler in a row, took the title
  • 2021, Scout, a midlaner, surprised with the win
  • 2022, Kingen took the MVP title, even a top-laner

The last supporter to win an MVP title was quite a while ago: It was the legendary Mata in 2014:

Legendary LoL pro (25) retires, becomes a coach immediately, wants to do “the Zidane”

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

2 healers are currently dominating the hardest dungeons in WoW – Why?

Marius Mach Marius Mach Reading time 3 minutes

In WoW: Dragonflight restoration druids and preservation Evokers dominate season 1 of the Mythic+ dungeons. They also outpace other healers in raids and PvP. Some players are calling for adjustments.

What happened? Some dungeons in WoW are currently considered almost unplayable and are receiving multiple nerfs as a result. Healers in particular have complained about how difficult it has become to master Mythic+ with Dragonflight. Only two classes seem unaffected.

The platform Raider.IO recently published a statistic showing which classes most frequently complete high keystones in Mythic+ dungeons. The data indicates that two classes clearly stand out among healers.

Restoration druids are by far the most popular healers for high keystones. They make up over 40% of all healers. They are followed by preservation Evokers at around 25.9%.

The third place is taken by holy priests with 14.8%, followed by holy paladins with 10.7%. After that, there is a significant gap to the lower spots: restoration shamans make up only 4.2% of the Mythic+ population at the highest level.

The statistics come from RaiderIO and show the distribution of healers among 7625 rated M+ 20 keystones.

Discipline priests are still represented at 2.2%. The absolute last place is taken by mistweaver monks, with only 1.9% found in the high Mythic+ groups.

In PvP, druids and Evokers are also currently at the top of the popularity scale. However, the distribution of healers here is somewhat more balanced. MyMMO demon Cortyn has found great joy in PvP with WoW, even though they can’t do it.

Mobility is the key to success

Why are these two classes so popular? The unique feature that gives druids and Evokers a significant advantage is their mobility. Most of a druid’s healing comes from healing-over-time spells (“HoTs”), so they do not have to stay in one place to heal effectively.

This is particularly advantageous in mythic dungeons when groups are trying to take down many monsters at once to save time. Their mobility also allows druids to evade certain harmful mechanics more easily. With the ability “Wild Growth,” they also have an extremely effective spell for group healing. Talents like “Revitalize,” which help the group with resource regeneration, round out their toolkit.

Preservation Evokers also possess strong abilities and talents. They are particularly good at avoiding damage. Their toolkit allows them to maneuver their allies out of dangerous situations. Thanks to talents like Zephyr or Time Spiral, they can temporarily increase their group’s movement speed or enable their allies to use movement abilities regardless of cooldowns.

Moreover, Evokers can cast while moving and do so significantly more often than other classes with similar abilities. This places them high in terms of mobility.

If you want to try a Dracthyr Evoker for yourself, we have the right guide for you: WoW Dragonflight: Evoker Guide – How to play the new class with builds for DPS & Healer

You can see the most popular M+ dungeons from Season 1 here in the video:

Start video
WoW Dragonflight: All Dungeons of Season 1 in the Ranking 

This is what the community says: Players are somewhat disheartened that only two classes seem “playable” – although this topic is often discussed among DPS classes as well. However, some users believe that the solution is not nerfs for the strong classes, but buffs for all others.

It is said, on reddit: “Resto druids and preservation Evokers are so strong because they can reliably complete the content. If you make them weaker, the content won’t be as easy. There are deficits that need to be addressed. Nerfs ruin the game, buffs help everyone.”

Blizzard has already made some adjustments to the classes and is bringing significant buffs for 9 classes, including some healers. More updates will certainly come in the future. However, how strong they will be remains to be seen.

More about WoW: Dragonflight on MeinMMO:

It is also quite possible that the distribution of healers will change again with the rotation of the M+ dungeons at the beginning of the next season. If the content has different mechanics that require particularly strong single-target or group healing, then other healers could be in the spotlight.

What do you think? Should Blizzard swing the nerf bat here? Or is the whole thing not so dramatic? Does it look completely different at lower keystone levels? Share your experiences with the community and leave us a comment.

Decorations in WoW Dragonflight: What do they do and which should I use?

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

Journalist revives the killer game debate in 2023: „Young men sit in front of these games and hunt others“

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 3 minutes

On January 8, some German journalists spoke about what happened on New Year’s Eve in several cities in Germany: riots, attacks, and general chaos. Eva Quadbeck uses the age-old debate about violent video games as an explanation.

Who is the journalist?

  • Eva Quadbeck studied history and has been working as a correspondent for Rheinische Post in Berlin since 2002. There, she rose to editorial director and deputy editor-in-chief.
  • Since 2019, she has been working at the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, which is responsible for national content, and currently leads the main editorial team.
  • Quadbeck co-authored a biography of former German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and is frequently a guest on discussion shows in the media.
More on the topic
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This is what the discussion is about: On New Year’s Eve 2023, riots occurred in various German cities. The two most frequently discussed are Berlin and Borna (Saxony).

In Berlin, 18 police officers are said to have been injured, one of them seriously, as reported by Der Tagesspiegel. According to the report, the fire department had 15 injuries, one of which required hospitalization.

In the capital, there are reports of attacks on firefighters with steel rods and firecrackers. Families and children are also said to have been injured in fireworks-related attacks, and there was increased destruction of property and shops.

In contrast, in Borna about 200 people reportedly walked through the city center, attacking police officers and emergency personnel “with firecrackers and rockets” and shouting “Heil Hitler” (via Berliner Morgenpost). There too, there was destruction, including damaged street signs.

The discussion took a strange turn towards video games with violence and “realism,” as Call of Duty exemplifies:

Start video
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 – Launch Trailer

“Young men sit in front of these games and kill”

This is what Quadbeck says about it: In the discussion surrounding New Year’s Eve in the press club from January 8, 2022, Hasnain Kazim, Eva Quadbeck, Jasper von Altenbockum, and Ulrike Winkelmann talk about the reasons and explanations for the riots. The show can be watched in the ARD media library.

The arguments of the discussants are often very nuanced. In past discussions, according to Kazim and Winkelmann, some people quickly resorted to words like “foreigners” or “Nazis”.

According to the discussion, it cannot be denied that mostly individuals with a migration background committed the attacks in Berlin and that right-wing terms were used in Borna. However, this is only part of a larger picture. About halfway through the show, at minute 21:35, Eva Quadbeck throws in (via Twitter):

When it comes to the keyword disinhibition, I would like to add something. One must not overlook which video games are being played. And with what realism people slaughter each other there. And without batting an eye, especially young men sit in front of these games and kill and hunt others.

And also, at times, the reality is no longer seen when one is on the street, and then either confronts the police or emergency personnel, this could at least be an explanation. Not an excuse, but an explanation.

Where does the argument come from? Since at least the 2000s, the “killer game debate” has accompanied gaming. Above all, politicians repeatedly look for a justification for violence among young people in violent video games. However, recent studies have shown for some time that video games actually have the opposite effect.

Nevertheless, especially shooters are still used as scapegoats. In 2016, for example, the public broadcaster funk took up the discussion again and blamed “killer games” for rampages:

More on the topic
Complaint Wednesday: The Return of the ‘Killer Game’ Debate
von Cortyn

Even US politicians jumped on the discussion, who blame video games for part of the responsibility for rampages. Some politicians even go so far as to want to ban such games altogether.

Violence in video games was also one of the reasons why the Olympics decided in 2018 not to include e-sports. Quadbeck is now even revisiting this old discussion in 2023.

Gaming has long since arrived in the mainstream of society, and several studies have claimed that video games even promote certain skills. Research is still trying to establish concrete effects. We already spoke with 2 scientists about what actually makes gaming fascinating:

We asked scientists: Why do we play games? This is the answer

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

reddit moderator belittles artist: “AI does that better in seconds than you can in hours”

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 3 minutes

AI Art is a controversial topic on the internet. Some artists fear for their jobs, while others are excited to see their ideas realized in great images. One artist has now encountered problems on reddit because his works do not appear human enough to the moderators.

Who is the artist? Minh Anh Nguyen, also known by his artist name Ben Moran, hails from Vietnam and calls himself a professional “Digital Artist.”

Moran’s works predominantly depict people or figures in a fantasy environment, often with an Asian touch and a certain manga style. Sci-Fi motifs like mechs and cyberpunk are also part of the artist’s portfolio. You can find his portfolio on DeviantArt.

One of the artist’s latest works is titled: “A Muse in Warzone” and was commissioned as a book cover for the fantasy series “Beneath the Dragoneye Moons” by Selkie Smith. However, this very work has now resulted in Moran being banned in the art subreddit:

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Link to the Reddit content

Moderator advises: “Get a new style”

Why was Moran banned? According to the moderator, the problem is that Moran’s style resembles art created by an AI too much. Such art is banned in the relevant subreddit, which is why the thread was closed and Moran himself was banned.

When asked for a solution to the problem, the artist received a rather unfriendly response, which he showed on Twitter. Moran explained that he does not use AI assistance and can even provide Photoshop files and his portfolio as proof. The corresponding moderator replied:

I don’t believe you. Even if you did “paint” it yourself, it is so obviously an AI-influenced design that it doesn’t matter. If you are truly a “serious” artist, you need to adopt another style because A) no one will believe you when you say this is not AI, and B) an AI can create this in seconds better than you can in hours. Sorry, but that’s how the world works.

Moran was subsequently muted and cannot respond or contact the moderators for 28 days. Other users on Twitter have tried to clarify the matter for Moran and were permanently banned for it.

In another thread on reddit featuring Moran’s works, users complain about the behavior: “200 IQ: Ban everything that looks even remotely like AI immediately without warning. 300 IQ: Reject any evidence to the contrary. 400 IQ: Make sure it’s a commissioned cover for a pretty popular book.”

In an interview with the U.S. site Vice, another moderator of the subreddit explains: only humans work there, and mistakes can happen. Moderators are unpaid, volunteer workers. The admins provide no assistance. The subreddit was temporarily set to private to prevent trolls from having a platform. Reddit itself, according to Vice, does not want to comment on this.

More on the topic of AI on MeinMMO:

For some time now, there have been projects by artificial intelligence that create art through input of a theme. Among the most well-known image AIs are Dall-E and MidJourney.

The AIs are often used as a toy, for example, to see what the last selfie looks like that was ever taken on Earth. The AI accesses existing images to create a new image from them. This is heavily debated in the art scene, as there are still no clear rules regarding image rights.

An AI has even won an art competition.

Moran himself stated in a comment that art AIs are not a threat to artists, but can contribute to the development of art as a whole. MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski shares a similar view:

The AI that artists are afraid of makes me happy

The cover image serves as a symbolic image.

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

Steam game parodies the clichés you love and hate about RPGs – Has 86% positive reviews

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 3 minutes

Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death lets you as a knight make a lot of bad decisions. The game takes typical elements from the RPG genre and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has 86% positive ratings on Steam and costs €15.

What kind of game is Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death? The game is an RPG with hack and slash elements and an open world that pokes fun at itself. It draws on typical elements from the RPG genre and parodies it.

This game was recommended to us by MeinMMO user Erik. Thank you for that!

What is Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death about? You plunge into adventure as a knight and search for the legendary villain-slaying artifact to bring down the immortal.

However, the villain sends all sorts of monsters and wicked beings into the game world of “Wildwood,” which you take down in bloody gameplay.

Even if you want to prove yourself as a true hero in the role of Sir Whoopass, you will make bad decisions multiple times in the game, and chaos will follow you everywhere.

Here you can see a trailer for Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death:

Start video
Sir Whoopass – (Yet another) Gameplay Teaser Trailer

What is the gameplay like in Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death? You fight your way through numerous enemies, such as rats, orcs, or skeletons. A dragon, of course, is also a must in the game according to fantasy clichés.

Level up your knight continuously and choose the best weapon depending on your favored combat strategy. Explore the different dungeons in Wildwood and loot the rewards. Additionally, you need to solve some puzzles.

There’s also a bit of “Grand Theft Auto” vibe in the game. Because you’re not just walking around, but you have a medieval car that you can zoom around in.

Here are some screenshots from the game

Your hero can also be outfitted with stylish items: You can give him a stylish top hat or put a fitting crown on him.

You will be accompanied on your journey as Sir Whoopass by a narrator in voice-over, who narrates the hero’s story narratively.

A note: German is not supported in the game. You can only play Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death in English.

Update on January 18, 2023: The game will receive a major update on February 3, 2023, and will support additional languages in the game. From then on, you can also play Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death in German.
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 on that or send us your game recommendations to the email address [email protected] with the subject “Game Recommendation.” Perhaps your game will be the next one featured on MeinMMO.

How do players rate Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death? Overall, the RPG has a very positive reception on Steam. However, it should be noted that there are only 304 reviews so far, which is quite few. Of those, 86% are positive (as of January 9, 2023, via Steam).

  • jmmaddox: “It’s a very unique game. It’s fun, it’s funny, without being frustratingly hard. This is a game that entertains, which is what games should do. Thank you for making this gem!”.
  • Dunfast: “The Witcher, but in the Shrek universe”.
  • WhiffPunish: “Great game! The combat is janky, the map doesn’t really tell you much. Sometimes you pull off a hard combo on a boss and kill him in two hits. But it’s a really fun game that isn’t too complex. Kill things and loot, or blow stuff up and loot.”.

More about Steam can be found here:

However, it is sometimes criticized in reviews that technical problems occur, and the game is overall quite short. Nevertheless, most users praise Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death in their reviews and have a lot of fun with it.

How much does Sir Whoopass: Immortal Death cost? Currently, you can get the RPG for €15.99 on Steam.

Here you will also find a hidden feature on Steam that is ideal for anyone using more than one hard drive.

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

Red Dead Redemption 2 has just gained more players on Steam than in the last 3 years – Where are they coming from?

Marie Friske Marie Friske Reading time 2 minutes

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a well-known game from the developer studio Rockstar Games, which had its release on Steam in December 2019. Recently, the western shooter reached a new player count record on the platform. But why now?

Why is the game so successful right now? One fact that may have contributed to the current success of Red Dead Redemption 2 is the Winter Sale on Steam. This ran from December 22, 2022, to January 5, 2023, and provided players with numerous titles at a special price.

Among them was also Red Dead Redemption 2, which was available for €19.79 and therefore 67% cheaper. This is the lowest price at which players could get the western shooter on Steam (via SteamDB).

Here you can see a trailer of Red Dead Redemption 2:

Start video
Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Trailer

So many players does Read Dead Redemption 2 have

Using the analytics website SteamDB, the player numbers of the game on the platform can be traced.

The new player count record was set on January 8, 2023: the all-time peak number of players reached 69,134 people.

Red-Dead-Redemption-2_Spielerzahlen-Januar-2023
The last peak in the graph shows the new record of player numbers

In addition, Red Dead Redemption is among the top sellers on Steam in the first week of January, ranking 6th. The week before, the game was still in 7th place (via SteamDB), showing an increase here as well.

Reviews on Steam have improved recently

Moreover, the game is still very popular in the Steam community. Of the total 314,653 ratings, 89% are positive.

Looking at the recent reviews, with a volume of 19,959 opinions, these are even slightly better at 92% (as of January 9, 2023, via Steam).

More about Steam can be found here:

The game generally has a very good reputation, is especially known for its gripping story, and impresses with great graphics. Therefore, the third-person shooter could have attracted many new players at the special price.

Already during the Black Friday sale on Steam, Red Dead Redemption 2 celebrated a success in player numbers. Here you can find an article from our colleagues on the GameStar website about it.

How much does the game currently cost on Steam? Currently, you can get Red Dead Redemption for the regular purchase price on Steam for €59.99 (as of January 9, 2023). The Ultimate Edition costs €89.99 and includes additional bonuses, such as:

  • Extra outfits for the online character
  • Rank bonuses
  • Black fox thoroughbred
  • Free access to the storage style “Survivalist”
  • Free access to additional weapons in online mode

If you also recently started playing Red Dead Redemption 2, here are 25 beginner tips.

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

Pokémon GO makes a great release for a useless monster – I want more of that

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 4 minutes

After years of waiting, Kecleon has appeared in Pokémon GO. While it’s not particularly helpful, it is one of the most exciting monsters in the game, thanks to its special release. The game could use more of this, says MeinMMO author Max Handwerk.

One of the longest discussions and puzzle-solving inquiries in the history of Pokémon GO has ended: “When will Kecleon come?”, “How does Kecleon land in the game?” and similar questions were finally answered over the weekend after the Community Day with Igamaro.

Now, the rare chameleon can be collected by spinning certain PokéStops where it hides in its invisible form.

This form of encountering Kecleon is quite unique, and there is little comparable in Pokémon GO. Additionally, the monster was just thrown into the game without much prior announcement – a real surprise, especially given the long discussions.

This small feature, however, gives the game a much-needed boost of excitement and surprise. Because even though Kecleon is quite useless in the game, it will be memorable to players. Niantic should keep this in mind – and plan for more surprises.

Kecleon is weak in Pokémon GO, but cool

What can Kecleon actually do? Looking at Kecleon in Pokémon GO, it is relatively uninteresting. As it stands now, it has no utility as a raid attacker, nor is it a useful team member for the battle league.

In the main series games, Kecleon has the special ability “Color Change,” which allows it to turn into the respective types of the attacks it is hit by. Another hidden ability called “Transformational Art” works in the opposite direction and turns it into the type of its own attacks that it uses.

However, in Pokémon GO, these abilities do not exist, which causes it to lose a considerable part of its uniqueness. So only the long-built hype around Kecleon and the eventual release of the monster remain in the players’ memories.

Yet, with that, it has achieved much more than many other monsters.

Special releases like Kecleon breathe life into Pokémon GO – Please, more of this

Do you remember the release of Meltan in Pokémon GO? When everyone suddenly wondered what that blob was that was crawling around on the map? Or the not-so-distant release of Gierspenst, which suddenly chased you and sent you on a coin hunt?

I think Kecleon will also rank among these, even though it really doesn’t do anything in the game: as a special monster that feels less interchangeable than many of the Pokémon in the game that have no place in players’ attacker teams.

And above all: As a monster that has managed to surprise me and create a memory. Unfortunately, many of the Pokémon in the game are simply fillers that you catch once for the Pokédex entry and then don’t pay further attention to.

Do you remember the release of, let’s say, Eguana? I don’t. Yet, every new release actually represents an opportunity to create curiosity.

What makes Kecleon better? With Kecleon, the game has succeeded in giving a monster a personality, thus allowing it to stay in players’ minds. Simply by making the release itself a surprise and giving it a special feature.

Most Pokémon get an “event” upon release, or at least celebrate their release within a special event. The Kecleon surprise, however, was something truly special. Especially for players who had no prior announcement or anything, finding a Kecleon must have been a joyful surprise.

More about Pokémon GO on MeinMMO:

Given that Pokémon GO no longer brings waves of monsters today but instead releases new monsters individually, this is a system that Niantic should use more often.

Imagine a new ground monster digging through the earth, and you had to catch it in the wild while it was digging before it disappeared. Or a new flying Pokémon chasing across the screen instead of just fluttering around in one spot.

If a Pokémon can’t do anything, at least make it cool. That definitely encourages the desire to go out and discover new monsters.

A second opinion: My MeinMMO colleague Franzi Korittke has also shared some thoughts on the release of Kecleon:

Like many other players, I have eagerly waited for the release of Kecleon in recent years and am very excited that I could finally complete my Platinum Medal for Hoenn.

However, I somehow expected more from the release of the little chameleon. After all, Niantic made a big deal about it in interviews and planned a very special debut for Kecleon. With this background, I found the release right after a Community Day to be less spectacular and honestly expected a standalone event instead.

Nevertheless, I think it’s cool that the developers came up with something special for Kecleon. You can’t just find it in the wild or in raids; you have to specifically look for it at the photo disks of the PokeStops. This makes the search for the little monster a bit more interesting and varied.

franzi meinmmo avatar

Franzi Korittke
Author at MeinMMO

Survey on the Kecleon Release in Pokémon GO

We want to know from you: What do you think of the Kecleon release? Participate in our survey:

What do you think of the Kecleon release? Was it a cool surprise for you, or did it disappoint your expectations after all these years? Did you expect a standalone event? And what do you think of the monster itself? Let us know in the comments!

By the way: If Kecleon does not appear for you, Team Rocket may play a role. Here you can find out everything about the issues with Kecleon and the Rocket Radar.

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

Players are intentionally losing in Destiny 2’s PvP to grab rewards

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

In Destiny 2 players can earn useful rewards and a popular shader in the Iron Banner, but this requires a huge effort. To shorten the grind, there is a new tactic in PvP, and it is: to lose.

What’s going on in Destiny 2? In Destiny 2, since the weekly reset on January 3rd, the Iron Banner is active. The popular and especially varied PvP event has a new mode per season since Bungie’s changes. This time, the new mode “Fortress” has been implemented, where Guardians must capture a favored zone twice per match to reach victory faster.

But while victory usually reigns supreme in PvP, this week Guardians have been intentionally trying to lose. We’ll show you why Guardians like to lose in PvP now.

Start video
Destiny 2 shows the season of the Seraphim in the trailer – announces the return of the Warmind Rasputin

New shader makes Guardians intentionally lose matches

Why are Guardians intentionally losing? Losing a match is often part of a Guardian’s life. You learn from it and do better in the next match. This time, however, Guardians are intentionally grouping together to quickly produce losses in the Iron Banner. It even goes so far that players are looking for “Iron Banner farming” in LFG, a code word to quickly farm losses.

This tactic is used according to Paul Tassi to gain XP points for Lord Saladin’s reputation rank in the fastest and most efficient way. This reputation rank needs to be reset almost twice to access the currently sought-after shader “Iron Counter Shader”.

iron-banner-shader-rusted-chainmail
A cool shader that turns your armor into a chainmail

How does the tactic work? If you belong to the players who are not skilled in PvP, you can use this method not only to gain loot but also to acquire the medieval chainmail shader.

All you need to do is create a post in the LFG of Destiny 2 explicitly looking for a full squad of players who are ready to lose. Then you go into a match with your squad and wait for the opposing team to defeat you. Note that you should still move a bit, otherwise, you will be kicked from the match due to inactivity.

This tactic allows you to complete the exhausting grind of the Iron Banner in a very short time with little effort. Meanwhile, you can even have a movie running so that the waiting doesn’t get tiring.

You can see what that looks like in this post by Chem2calWaste on reddit shared by DestinyTracker on Twitter.

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Find more about Destiny 2 here:

Is the new tactic worth it? It’s not easy to answer. Basically, the method is mainly worth it for shader collectors or players needing resources. With it, you can avoid annoying and especially sweaty matches, and still quickly and efficiently achieve your goal. However, the method is very monotonous, not very conducive to gaming, and requires a fair amount of patience.

So if the shader doesn’t concern you and you have more fun things to do, then prefer those before you get lost in the grind.

What do you think about players intentionally losing just to get a shader? Have you run into many such squads, or was the Iron Banner rather filled with bubbling Titans? Let us know in the comments!

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

The MMORPG ArcheAge used to be my favorite game, but a new trailer shows what is going wrong

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 3 minutes

When ArcheAge was released in Europe in 2014, MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch was extremely excited. Especially the many freedoms, the housing, and the combat system created high expectations. Today, however, ArcheAge is just a niche game. A new trailer now raises a lot of eyebrows.

With ArcheAge, I associate two incredibly beautiful memories related to housing and sailing:

  • A private house in the open world that everyone could visit, the many decorations, and my own little farm in the garden. I had a place of peace, relaxation, and it belonged entirely to me. For me, it is – aside from WildStar – the best housing system.
  • On the other hand was the sailing. Building my own ship, sailing around the world, and defying the dangers at sea. That awakened a true sense of freedom that few other MMORPGs have ever offered me.
  • Added to this was an interesting class system that allowed me to combine 3 skill trees at will without being bound to a playstyle.

Today, I only associate ArcheAge with mindless grinding, overly powerful opponents in PvP, and constantly new servers that are meant to entice players to spend money.

However, what hurt me most was the trailer released on January 5. It ridicules what is, for me, a truly special MMORPG and shows a sad reality:

Start video
ArcheAge x Larva – Trailer

Colorful characters, ridiculous music, and not a single player in sight

Even the first few seconds of the video leave me perplexed. A weird teddy flies on a laughing worm, and this bizarre music plays. Then, suddenly, this worm is also perched at the front of the ship. After a minute, I need to collect myself.

With the help of Google, I find out that the larva crossover is a well-known Korean children’s series. But what exactly does that have to do with my game?

I find the crossovers in Fortnite quite fun because the game is very entertaining and funds itself through quirky skins. However, MMORPGs offer a vast world with a story in which I want to immerse myself. For me, such a world must also be somewhat coherent.

However, the larva and this crazy music bother me immensely. I certainly don’t want to see SpongeBob in WoW or Digimon in ESO. That just doesn’t fit.

More about MMORPGs on MeinMMO:

But the trailer shows another sad picture. In the video, there isn’t a single player visible. This also reflects reality on some servers. I logged in over the weekend and didn’t encounter a single player in the starting areas.

That really hurts me. Because ArcheAge had some unique features with the open class system, the combat system, the caravans, and the mentioned aspects of housing and sailing.

With the right monetization, the right updates, and some comfort adjustments for beginners, ArcheAge could have been a really strong MMORPG. In 2019, I briefly had hope with ArcheAge Unchained, which they have also messed up by now. Here too, the desire to earn a lot of money with few players was greater than to establish the game widely and healthily.

More on the topic
Everything about the new MMORPG ArcheAge 2, the great hope for sandbox fans
von Alexander Leitsch

In 2023, it is a niche MMORPG that has now also received a ridiculous crossover. It is hardly recommendable to me anymore.

However, there is reason for hope in 2023 if you are an MMORPG fan. With Throne and Liberty and Blue Protocol, two really good games are coming:

7 new MMORPGs that are definitely expected in 2023

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

German YouTuber HandOfBlood gets hacked – A “Gaming browser” uses that for its own advertising

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

Opera GX is currently making quite a splash on Twitter in Germany – at least passively. The account is joining almost every discussion of major influencers. Among them is HandOfBlood, who came under the browser’s spotlight due to an unfortunate situation.

What kind of browser is this? Opera GX is a special version of the Opera browser designed for gamers. The browser allows you to limit the usage of the CPU, RAM, and network. This is meant to prevent greedy websites from plaguing you with lags and stuttering while gaming.

The design and features are gaming-oriented, offering, for example, a “release calendar” for upcoming games or even free games, such as for mobile. MeinMMO author Britta is completely convinced of the browser and says: you should also use Opera GX.

What does HandOfBlood have to do with it? At the beginning of 2023, the YouTube account of Maximilian “HandOfBlood” Knabe was hacked. The channel suddenly was called “Tesla Twitter” and posted news about Elon Musk and Bitcoin. An unpleasant situation.

By now, HandOfBlood has regained control of his account. However, since the incident, Opera GX has been posting under almost every tweet of the influencer, as “Hänno” himself noted (via Twitter).

The YouTuber complains: “Imagine your YouTube channel got hacked and ever since a browser company is hanging under every one of my tweets with their Red Bull Twitter account for the poor to farm my community for their product.”

A comment from the account under Hänno’s posts was simply: “HandOfUrin.” HandOfBlood is not the only victim here.

HandOfBlood is one of the largest gaming influencers in Germany. In 2021, he even founded his own LoL team, Eintracht Spandau, together with his agency INSTINCT3:

Start video
Everything you need to know about the LoL team Eintracht Spandau – in 4 minutes

“What kind of cringe-master is sitting there?”

After the topic seems to have picked up speed, the person behind the account responds with an apology. They had no knowledge of the hack, thinking that the original post was actually meant to promote HandOfBlood’s first video.

The account writes: “This all [was] really inappropriate. I would, of course, like to apologize to him, I didn’t know that.” (via Twitter)

Opera GX on Twitter does not know HandOfBlood

The German Twitch streamer Vlesk reacts to HandOfBlood’s tweet and finds further “unpleasant” tweets from the official Twitter channel of Opera GX. For example, there was a response to a post from EliasN, the largest German streamer on Twitch, who was even able to overtake MontanaBlack.

Elias showed two pictures, along with the comment: “crafting.” OperaGX responded with: “Craft yourself a few bitc- nvm” (via Twitter). Some users suggest the account should take lessons from channels like DrPepper or DrOetker, which gain attention without being embarrassing.

Others comment that an apology to HandOfBlood would be of little use. The public tweets or inappropriate jokes at other places were too far out of line.

Opera GX is not the first company to try to connect with the youth and gaming through trendy statements:

Philipp Amthor takes a controller in hand, brings shame upon himself

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

Gamer buys used Nvidia graphics card with strange attachment, but the community is more concerned about something else

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A gamer bought a used Nvidia graphics card. It comes with a very strange attachment. The community can quickly explain to him what he has bought, but another thing is of much greater concern.

Used hardware is an alternative for many users to save money when purchasing new components. Because used hardware is cheaper than new goods, but in many cases works just as well. Former crypto miners are flooding the market with cheap graphics card deals and are now even selling graphics cards below the recommended retail price.

A gamer recently bought a graphics card used to save money. But it looks quite strange. For this reason, he asked the community for help.

More on the topic
Sparrow buys graphics card RTX 3080 at half price – But the joy fades quickly
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Used graphics card with passive cooler

What did the gamer buy? A gamer posted a picture of a graphics card and explained that he purchased it on Facebook. He writes (via reddit.com):

I recently bought this graphics card on Facebook. I don’t know what that is on top of the GPU. I would appreciate it if someone could identify it and [say whether] I should remove it or not.

What exactly can be seen? The picture shows the inside of the case with the installed graphics card. On the graphics card, there is a strange black object placed that looks like a net or a grid and is placed about two-thirds of the way up the graphics card.

What is it exactly? According to some users, the object is said to be a passive cooling system. You can buy these for graphics cards on Amazon and they typically cost around 10 Euros. Therefore, it is nothing dangerous.

However, some are questioning why an RTX 3060 Ti or an RTX 3070 would need such an attachment. Because these graphics cards typically do not have overheating problems.

More on the topic
Gamer warns that with a tiny mistake you can set your expensive PC hardware on fire
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Damaged cables worry the community more than the strange attachment

But another thing is worrying the community more than the strange component. As someone mentions:

I would leave it as others have said. But am I the only one who thinks that the cable looks a bit strange?

Others also speculate that the cable must be damaged, judging by how it looks in the picture. And damaged cables should not be used in your gaming PC. Because they can, in the worst case, cause a cable fire in the computer, which could cause significant damage.

Some therefore recommend that he check out manufacturers that offer good cables for gaming systems.

What a faulty cable can do: What a wrong or broken cable can do was tested by a YouTuber. He warns against cheap cables and explains why a faulty or cheap cable can be really dangerous for you and your hardware:

YouTuber shows how you can ruin your gaming PC with a single cable

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

CoD Warzone 2: Level Weapons Quickly – 2 Tips for Maximum Weapon Levels 2023

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

In Call of Duty: Warzone 2, players can level up their weapons, but it doesn’t work as directly as it does in Modern Warfare 2. However, we will show you 2 ways to level up your weapons quickly.

How do I level up weapons in Warzone 2? To level up your weapons in Warzone 2, all you need to do is have them equipped and actively participate in combat. This means kills, assists, and hits are enough. However, most players do not want to level up randomly spawned weapons from crates, but rather weapons that they previously created in their loadout.

Update, January 9, 2023: We have updated the article. No new methods for more effective XP gain have been discovered so far, but if new ones emerge, we will list them here.

It is not only time-consuming and difficult in Warzone 2, but also nerve-wracking. Therefore, we will show you 2 methods to get it done faster and, above all, more relaxed.

If you are new to Warzone 2, feel free to check out the launch trailer:

Start video
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 – Launch Trailer

1. Complete contracts – Bounties, Intel, and Safecracker

CoD-Warzone-2-Aufträge
These green phones are contracts – they can be marked on the map

What are contracts? When you start a new round in Warzone 2 and have landed, you can also complete certain contracts during your attempt to survive. There are three types of contracts that are wildly distributed on the map, namely:

  • Bounties – Kill a marked enemy near you
  • Intel – Recover and upload intel
  • Safecracker – Blow up three safes near you

If you complete one of these contracts, you will not only receive a lot of money, but also XP for the weapon you are holding. The Safecracker contracts are particularly worthwhile, as they can be completed quickly and reward you with good loot.

So pack a weapon in your loadout that you want to level up, land on the map, buy this weapon with enough 5,000 cash at a buy station, and complete contracts with this weapon. A player on reddit reports that he achieved 15 weapon levels in a single round.

Quick tip: Gather a lot of dollars and go to a buy station with your weapon that you want to level up and buy as many armor plates as possible. This way you can get a small XP bonus on top.

More on the topic
CoD Warzone 2: You can unlock 3 new weapons in 15 minutes – Even for CoD MW2
von Maik Schneider

2. The DMZ mode rains XP

How do I level up weapons in DMZ? The DMZ mode of Warzone 2 allows you to directly level up your desired weapons. You can customize your gear before the expedition and select the weapon you want to level up.

But be careful: if you go down, the insured slots used will be on cooldown for 2 hours. After that, you must use a weapon from the DMZ inventory or ground loot from the match.

Land with your squad, complete your tasks, and also pick up green marked contracts on your map. Additionally, open crates, kill enemies or bots, and successfully complete the mission.

This way you can level weapons that you want to level faster and more efficiently. Note that you must always have your desired weapon in hand before the XP is distributed; otherwise, it will not count towards your weapon.

Learn more about CoD Warzone 2 here:

Quick tip for your XP routes: Keep in mind that you can earn XP tokens in DMZ mode if you successfully complete missions. You can then use these in Warzone 2 to drastically increase your XP yield during your quests for contracts.

The battle royale shooter is still fresh and will provide more ways over time to level up your weapons. Should more tips become known, we will update our list accordingly.

Do you perhaps have secret tips on how to quickly gain XP? Then feel free to share them with us in the comments!

Warzone 2 is also struggling with cheaters who are now using more creative methods of cheating:

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

CoD MW2: Leveling Weapons Quickly 2023 – 5 Tips for Maximum Weapon Ranks

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 4 minutes

To level up your weapons quickly in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, you need to shoot a lot and play. However, to get more efficient methods for reaching the maximum level, we have 5 tips for you on how to level up your weapons faster.

Update, January 9, 2023: We have updated our tips. If new tricks for getting more XP are discovered, we will add them to our list.

How to level weapons in MW2? Weapons in CoD MW2 are leveled up through kills. This time, however, the weapon arsenal does not have incredibly long leveling phases where you sit for hours with a gun to raise it to level 50. Each weapon in MW2 has about 20 levels. However, this can vary from model to model.

Nevertheless, the weapon level of each gun is important because it allows you to unlock platforms to unlock more types of killing machines. Everything interconnects in the Gunsmith 2.0 and requires you to have played each rifle, pistol, or other for some time.

However, we will now show you 5 tips on how you can increase the level of your weapons faster and more effectively. Here again is the English trailer for the Gunsmith 2.0: 

Start video
CoD Modern Warfare 2: Gunsmith Trailer

1. Choose the right mode

What does this mean? At the release of MW2 Infinity Ward implemented a total of 11 modes. However, one of them is the most rewarding, and that is Ground War. The 32vs32 combat mode allows you to compete against a large team on a huge map and capture zones.

Many players have noticed during their time in multiplayer that Ground War is particularly rewarding for XP.

CoD-MW2-Groundwar
Large battles are worth it

Why is Ground War so lucrative? It is strange why Ground War is the one distributing XP. The CoD YouTuber WhosImmortal achieved the same amount of kills in a normal mode as in a Ground War session, but found that Ground War yields more XP.

Whether this is intentional or just a glitch in the system is uncertain. However, the fact is that if you want to level your weapons faster, you should definitely take a detour to Ground War.

2. Try Kill Bonuses

The second way to secure extra XP is through kill bonuses. Kill bonuses mainly refer to things that can come in addition to a kill. These include:

  • Headshots
  • Multiple kills in a row
  • Comebacks
  • King Slayer kills

At first glance, the additional 15 or 20 XP may seem small, but when you collect several such bonuses in a round, it adds up. So try to get on it and clear the battlefield.

3. Confirmed Kill and Flashbangs

The third and new way to quickly secure XP for your weapons is the “Confirmed Kill” mode. According to Warzone_Loadout, you select the mentioned mode, equip flashbangs in your setup, and select the extra pack “Extra Tactical Equipment” and start a match.

When you spawn, throw your grenades onto the enemy side. Additionally, you can also select “Ammo Box” as field equipment. This way, you can periodically upgrade your grenades and cover the battlefield with flashbangs again. With this trick, you not only gain a lot of XP, but it is also said to be more fun than Ground Wars according to Warzone_Loadout.

4. Extra XP through Camo Challenges

One step to collect additional XP is the camo challenges. With them, you not only unlock cool and especially rare weapon skins, but you even earn a bit of XP upon completion.

The good thing about this is that the challenges in MW2 have been simplified significantly. You no longer have to sit for 10 hours on a challenge but can comparatively complete them. While you are looking for kill bonuses in Ground War, you can unlock the camo challenges on the side.

5. Shipment 24/7

The map “Shipment” is finally available in Modern Warfare 2 and even has its own mode. With it, you will be thrown onto a very small map and have to master different game modes. These include Confirmed Kill, Domination, Team Deathmatch, and more.

Here, it is especially worthwhile to choose flashbangs and DDOS as equipment and run around with your weapon you need to level up and a riot shield. Additionally, take small killstreaks that can be activated quickly. This way, you can constantly generate XP and level up weapons in less than a few rounds.

More about CoD MW2 can be found here:

An important note: If you play the story missions in MW2 consecutively, you can earn so-called “Weapon XP Tokens” for completing some missions. These can then be redeemed in multiplayer and give you double experience points for your equipped gun when you get kills or similar XP-gaining actions.

However, note that this is a consumable item, and this token dissolves after use.

These were our tips on how to quickly and effectively earn XP for your weapons. Do you have other tips that you would like to share with others? Then please let us know in the comments!

If you are still looking for a good setup for the beginner weapon M4, we have just the right thing for you:

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

Can’t find Kecleon in Pokémon GO? It might be due to the Rocket Radar

Franzi Korittke Franzi Korittke Reading time 3 minutes

In Pokémon GO, you can finally encounter the long-awaited Kecleon since the weekend. However, some trainers report having difficulties finding it. We at MeinMMO explain what Team GO Rocket might have to do with it.

Which Pokémon is it about? On Saturday, the first Community Day of the year took place in Pokémon GO, which brought you a huge surprise afterward. Niantic finally released Kecleon in the game.

Trainers have been waiting for the little chameleon for many years to complete their Hoenn medal. Now it is finally here. However, some trainers report on social networks that they are having trouble finding it. We have summarized what a possible reason could be and how you can avoid this below.

“Turn off the Rocket Radar”

Since Saturday, many trainers have been trying to hunt the new Pokémon from Generation 3 in Pokémon GO with varying degrees of success. The reddit user VNRG writes that he and his family were also looking for Kecleon, but there was a situation where only he was able to find the chameleon.

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Although Kecleon is supposed to spawn for all trainers at the same stops, his relatives couldn’t find the little monster there at all. The obvious reason for this was an activated (Super) Rocket Radar. Instead of the disguised monster, the Rocket boss Giovanni suddenly spawned at that spot.

Only after deactivating the radar was it possible for the other family members to catch the Pokémon. Therefore, VNRG assumes that this was related to the activated Rocket Radars and advises all other players (via reddit.com): “Turn off the Rocket Radar as it blocks a potential encounter with Kecleon!”.

What you should consider with Goons and Autospin

Problems with Goons: And that’s not enough, because as VNRG further explains in his post, he has noticed that there can also be problems with sightings of normal Goons. As other players have noted on Saturday, there should actually be no problem securing Kecleon after a battle against Team GO Rocket, but there seems to be a catch here as well.

Problems occur, according to VNRG, exactly when you have spun the PokéStop before a Rocket battle or deactivating the radar. According to his observations, this seems to overwrite the spawn, and Kecleon is no longer found there for the time being. Other trainers were able to make similar observations according to the comments.

As the reddit user IdiosyncraticBond explains (via reddit.com): “A friend told me that there was a Kecleon near my house. I went there and got a normal Goons. I had to wait until the Goons was over, and then I could see Kecleon. Kecleon is at the very bottom of the food chain, below Team GO Rocket.”

This is the reason: The fact that Kecleon is ranked low in the game code in terms of PokéStop priority is also confirmed by martycochrane, who is active for the data miners “PokeMiners”. He writes (via reddit.com): “Yes, Kecleon is a Rocket stop with the lowest priority under Kanto NPCs, gold coins, leaders, goons, etc., so everything else blocks it.”

For this reason, you should also not spin these stops carelessly or use autospin on various gadgets if you want to find Kecleon.

More about Pokémon GO:

What are your experiences with sightings of Kecleon? Have you managed to secure the little chameleon yet? Or have you had a similar experience to VNRG’s family members? Let us know here at MeinMMO in the comments.

In the coming weeks, there will still be a lot going on in Pokémon GO. We will show you all events in January and which are especially worth it.

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

How good is a gaming mouse for 25 euros that receives 4.5 stars from 400 reviews on Amazon?

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time < 1 minutes

With the M910K Ranger, manufacturer RedDragon offers an affordable gaming mouse. But is it worth it, or should you invest more? MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has tested the gaming mouse.

In the price segment under 50 euros, several manufacturers vie for gamers when it comes to mice and keyboards. RedDragon is also among them, offering a gaming mouse for under 30 euros, the Ranger Basic.

On Amazon, the mouse receives above-average positive reviews with 4.5 out of 5 stars based on around 400 ratings. I tested the mouse for you and wanted to find out if the price of about 25 euros is justified.

The 5 Best Mobile MOBAs for Android and iOS 2023

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 8 minutes

With League of Legends: Wild Rift there was a small hype about MOBAs on smartphones. However, there have been various MOBAs for Android and iOS for years. We have compiled the top 5 for you.

How did this list come about? In this list, we have collected mobile games that belong to the genre of MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). The included games must have at least 100,000 ratings, the majority of which are positive.

This list makes no claim to completeness and is ultimately based on a selection by the editorial team. The order is meant to provide variety and does not represent a ranking.

If you are looking for more exciting mobile titles, you will find here the best MMORPGs for iOS and Android or alternatively the best free PvP games for iOS and Android.

The list was last updated on January 9, 2023.

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League of Legends: Wild Rift

Developer: Riot Games | System: Android, iOS | Release Date: December 10, 2020 | Rating: 12 | Payment Model: Free2Play

What kind of game is this? Wild Rift is a standalone mobile version of League of Legends. It started in Europe on December 10, 2020 in an open beta that simply transitioned into a release.

The mobile version differs in several aspects from the PC version:

  • The controls have been adjusted so characters can be played on the touchscreen
  • Matches are significantly shorter
  • There is more action than in classic LoL
  • There is a custom champion pool

We at MeinMMO have already tested Wild Rift and compared the game extensively with the PC version.

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What do the reviews say?

  • Wild Rift receives 3.8 stars from 2.14 million ratings in the Play Store
  • In the App Store, it has 4.2 stars from nearly 20,000 ratings

In the reviews, Wild Rift is particularly praised for the gameplay, which is said to be on par with the PC version. Many also find the controls surprisingly good. Graphics and animations are also highly praised, as is the case with LoL itself.

However, there are criticisms regarding ping issues and it is said that there have been occasional crashes since an update in November. Additionally, the matchmaking in the PC version is said to be significantly better implemented. However, many of these complaints sound like players are unable to accept defeat well. There are complaints that teammates are always worse than opponents.

Pro
  • Good version of LoL for smartphones
  • Good gameplay and well-executed controls
  • Beautiful graphics and animations
  • Many updates even in beta in the form of new champions
Contra
  • Problems with matchmaking
  • Stability issues for several weeks

Where can I download it? You can download Wild Rift in the Google Play Store or in the App Store.

Who should play it? If you already play LoL on PC and want to play it on the go, with friends, or on the couch, then Wild Rift is the ideal game. You encounter the familiar visuals, champions, and items. Everything is reminiscent of the PC version.

But newcomers and fans of other mobile MOBAs should also give Wild Rift a chance. The game offers a gentle entry and a fair funding model. There are even voices claiming that champions are unlocked too quickly.

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