The MMORPG with the best combat system wants to fix a bug, taking billions of silver from players

In Black Desert Online, the developers have fixed a faulty event and taken the items back from the players. This leads to high debts.

What is this event about? The “Pearls Blessing” event recently took place in Black Desert Online. Here, players can spend pearls to receive corresponding rewards such as outfits. This gives players additional rewards for their spending in the Black Desert Online shop.

However, there was a bug during the event. When the event started, players were not reset to 0. Instead, all players retained the status from the previous event, which caused many to reach the items further along the event path more quickly.

But the solution to the problem caused considerable frustration among the players.

Here you can see some nice moments from Black Desert Online:

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Black Desert Online looks back on many beautiful memories with its players

Everything back to zero

How was the bug fixed? The developers only noticed the bug after the event had started. Instead of rewarding the players for their progress and learning from the mistake for the next time, they decided to reset the progress during the ongoing event and only count the newly spent pearls.

Those who had already received items that they shouldn’t have gotten had them taken back by the developers. If they had already been sold, the transaction was reversed as well. This resulted in players losing a lot of silver and some being left in the negative.

The negative amounts occur because the silver gained from the sale was deducted, even if it had already been used for example to upgrade equipment.

This is also the case for a Reddit user, who shows that after the rollback, he stands at -27 billion silver in the auction house. He also shows the notification as proof along with the evidence of how much silver was taken from him. This causes a lot of frustration among the players.

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What do the players say about this? Some players claim innocence and presumably thought this was not a bug but rather a deliberate incentive from the developers. Others are simply upset that the problem was resolved this way, forcing players to deal with their negative silver. As players write on Reddit:

  • Dumbusta: “Lmao wtf? So they just decided to saddle you with 27 billion debt?”
  • mynameisnemix: “I would initiate a rollback, to be honest.”
  • MainSmile: “I would just quit, lol.”
  • Thread creator ArgosVII: “I didn’t know those were unintended rewards. Had I known that, I wouldn’t have used them. Nothing indicated there was a bug. You only found out it was an issue after they finished the event and posted the notice.”

Even though the developers made the technically correct decision, the more popular option would likely have been to leave the event as it was and allow players to keep the additional items. Now they have upset paying players, which should be the opposite of the event’s purchase incentive.

Black Desert Online is one of the enduring titles in the MMORPG genre. Those who have been following the game’s journey for a while will likely have become sentimental this year, as the story came to its finale: The MMORPG with the best action combat system ends an era after 9 years, leaving fans emotional

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

Twitch streamer NoWay reaches the highest rank in LoL on 11 servers, almost breaks down in tears at the last one

Everyone pursues their own goals in League of Legends. For many players, the ultimate LoL dream is to reach the highest rank of Challenger. The German Twitch streamer NoWay has achieved this 11 times already and almost broke down in tears during the last server.

Why has NoWay reached Challenger 11 times? One of NoWay’s major LoL goals is to conquer the highest rank of League of Legends in every region. In 2025 alone, he accomplished this in several regions like Taiwan, which was the ninth server, or the tenth time Challenger in Turkey.

Which server is number 11? As early as July 2025, NoWay attempted to reach the highest rank on the Chinese super server. However, during the attempt, he was banned and couldn’t achieve his goal at that time.

Now on November 19, as seen on his website lol.noway.gg, he won his promotion match to Challenger and is officially at the highest rank of League of Legends in eleven regions.

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Former German LoL Pro is Now One of the Most Successful Twitch Streamers – This is NoWay

NoWay almost broke down in tears

How did he react to the last game to Challenger? In a video on YouTube, NoWay shared his last and most emotional moment during his journey on the Chinese server. After an intense battle at minute 31 of the LoL match, he managed to win the game.

Just before the Nexus, the last structure, fell, NoWay exclaimed an emotional “I am free!” and held his hands in front of his face. For the next 40 seconds, he was speechless and celebrated by his excited friend.

What does a former teammate of NoWay say about the success? His colleague Karni from his time with the German LoL team NNO also commented on the success. On x.com, Sheep Esports shared the news of NoWay as Challenger in China, and Karni wrote in typical German style: “These League of Legends servers are now the property of the Federal Republic of Germany”

NoWay was even banned a second time: During his second attempt to reach the highest rank in China, NoWay was also banned. The reason given was that he played too passively. The ban duration was 7 days.

The viewer Name-om3wq provided an update on the ban in a comment under the associated video. He wrote after about a day that NoWay was unbanned and that it was due to a disconnect during one of his rounds.

On November 29, 2025, NoWay will once again stand on the big stage. The Red Bull League Of Its Own 2025 will take place in Munich and feature a rematch between Faker and NoWay. While Faker has only won the Worlds six times, NoWay has already reached the highest rank in 11 regions, so it could be really exciting: A year ago, Faker lost to the girlfriend of a Twitch streamer; now the five-time world champion in LoL has the chance for a rematch

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

72-year-old player in ARC Raiders pursues his passion despite dementia – fighting against robots to stay fit

ARC Raiders is especially known for its player interactions, which don’t always go peacefully. A fan accidentally found an older Raider and has now shared his heartwarming interaction with him on Reddit.

Which players are involved? The player Bukaja shared on Reddit his peaceful encounter with another Raider, but this was not ordinary. His companion was a 72-year-old player who, despite his old age, still seemed fit.

They had a nice conversation, and Bukaja did not hesitate to help the older gentleman a bit.

Start video
Trailer for the community event “Breaking New Ground” in ARC Raiders

A passionate gamer since 1980

What is the story of this old timer? The 72-year-old player shares a bit about himself. He is from Scotland and has been a passionate gamer since 1980 – of course, he wouldn’t miss the chance to dive into ARC Raiders.

Unfortunately, the older gentleman suffers from dementia, but he can keep his brain active with his games. When it comes to ARC Raiders, the player still enjoys himself, even though the robots give him trouble. Bukaja helped the man with numerous answers to questions about quests and loot and even gave him his collected materials just before the extraction point.

He would have liked to give him more, but unfortunately, he didn’t have enough with him. Many, however, appreciate what they see and celebrate the interaction between the two players.

What do players say about the video? They celebrate the older gentleman and share their experiences with seniors in gaming. 3xPuttRubbleBoagie reports about his 65-year-old father and explains that younger generations will likely see older players in their favorite games more often soon.

CitizenLohaRune shares about himself. At 54 years old, he is still into gaming, even in ARC Raiders – he comes from the era of the Atari2600. His father, 82 years old, is also a gamer, but ARC Raiders is not for him – he prefers to hang out in Doom and Quake.

Nightmareszi loves this situation. It shows that gaming is made for every age group and provides a great escape to have fun. Do you also know older gamers who would never think of putting their hobby on hold? Feel free to let us know in the comments! ARC Raiders gets better and better with every update, and the latest even fixes an annoying exploit: ARC Raiders: Patch Notes for Update 1.3.0 – Fixes an unfair exploit

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

Where Winds Meet is free, but a skin can cost you up to 36,500 €

Where Winds Meet still captivates many players with its world and story, completely for free. However, for development to continue, the game needs to generate revenue. An expensive skin could help with that.

How is Where Winds Meet funded? Although Where Winds Meet is a large game with dozens of features, it can be downloaded completely for free. MyMMO expert Karsten Scholz even mentioned in his preview report that it’s too good to be free.

However, the developers from China still need to make money with Where Winds Meet to guarantee future development. There are several ways in the game to spend money. First, there’s the battle pass, where one can purchase a premium variant with better features monthly. Additionally, there are some skins available in the shop.

The most expensive item available in Where Winds Meet is the “Mirage Boat,” and it is quite something.

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Schnelle Gründe, warum ihr Where Winds Meet zocken solltet

A yacht, please!

What can the boat do? The Mirage Boat is a real boat, allowing the owner to sail from the harbor along a predetermined route through Where Winds Meet. The owner can invite friends and other travelers onto the boat, and it also serves as a kind of social hangout.

For building the boat, there is a special reward which is also the most expensive skin in the game, “Celestial Mortal.” This skin grants the character a majestic outfit with many details and effects. Here you can see it:

How much does the yacht cost? Anyone wanting to own such a yacht must spend a lot of money. The boat can only be exchanged for 170 pieces of “Mirage-Ripped Leaf.” These can only be exchanged for “Harmonious Core,” which is primarily obtained through draws in the game’s gacha skin shop.

In short: One must frequently participate in Where Winds Meet’s gacha to obtain the skin.

The chances of obtaining the right items are not officially known. However, in China, players have estimated the cost for the boat to be around 300,000 RMB, which amounts to approximately 36,500 € (via Gamersky.com).

However, the system is somewhat different in the West. We need 170 instead of 120 leaves for unlocking, though we are missing another item that can also be purchased. It is also unclear whether the chances here are the same as those in China.

Do you have to pay for it alone? No, friends and strangers who are not interested in owning a boat themselves can donate their leaves, which they obtained as a byproduct from the gacha, to a boat under construction and receive rewards in return. Therefore, the owner does not have to build the boat completely alone.

Where Winds Meet is free to play, and there is no need to spend money on the RPG. However, for those who wish to, there is a large selection of skins, mounts, and other cosmetic items available in the game that can make your character shine in a new light, although this can get expensive. You can find out how to change your appearance here: Where Winds Meet: Change Appearance and Gender – Here’s how

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

Borderlands 4 promises the best endgame content of its predecessor, with tough boss fights and new areas

Borderlands 4 will test your skills in the future and promises extremely challenging missions that are set to be released for free in 2026.

What kind of endgame content is this? Borderlands 4 made several announcements on November 20, 2025. For one, the loot shooter spontaneously released a free story DLC and announced a fifth, previously unplanned expansion.

Then the developers also promised to expand the endgame of Borderlands 4, announcing the return of the takedowns. These were introduced with the predecessor Borderlands 3 and are considered the most challenging content of the series.

The new takedown is set to be released in 2026 for free for all players, featuring new boss enemies as well as a new area.

Start video
Der Trailer zum Bounty Pack 1, dem ersten Story-DLC für Borderlands 4

Particularly Tough Challenge for Endgame Vault Hunters

How do takedowns work? Takedowns are divided into 2 parts. First, you fight through enemy territories and hordes of foes until you reach the first boss fight. Once you defeat it, the second part of the mission begins.

Again, you fight your way through massive amounts of adversaries until you finally face the big final boss of the respective takedown. Here, a particularly tough battle awaits you.

The special difficulty lies in the fact that in a takedown you have no respawns. If you perish in battle, you must start all over again – even if you failed at the final boss.

In what way is this the best endgame content? Takedowns are characterized by a very high difficulty, which is why you need to optimize your gear. This provides new motivation for grinding and ignites ambition. Additionally, successful vault hunters are rewarded with good loot.

Unlike the raids in the big competitor “Destiny 2,” takedowns from Borderlands 4 can also be completed solo, even though they are designed for 4-player co-op. This makes the missions a challenging yet accessible endeavor.

The first takedown in the history of Borderlands was released in November 2019 for Borderlands 3. Back then, some players also struggled with the challenge. How that was received can be read here: Borderlands 3 offers loot junkies a hefty challenge 2 months after launch

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

WoW: Complaining has helped – Suddenly the Shadow Priest is good again

After a new patch of the Beta of World of Warcraft Midnight, criticism must be withdrawn. One class is really great again.

Anyone who has read my articles about World of Warcraft in the past years knows that I have basically been playing a Shadow Priest “forever”. This has not changed significantly over nearly 20 years.

I always get a little nervous when Blizzard sets out to revamp my favorite class. Because in the past, it has been a regular up and down. There was the absolute peak of somewhat “perfect” gameplay during Legion with the Artifact weapon. After that, there was a constant up and down, where my opinion fluctuated somewhere between “Blizzard doesn’t want me to play Shadow Priest anymore” and “I AM THE VOID GODDESS, ROAR”.

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WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features

The first version was bad, the new version is good

With the Alpha of Midnight came the next rework and my first assessment was devastatingly negative. Popular spells disappear, entire playstyles are no longer possible, and the essence of what makes a Shadow Priest enjoyable and playable has been dissolved.

A few days ago, the latest Beta patch was released and brought significant revisions once again. The main points are:

  • DoTs can now be extended through gameplay, namely through the Shadowy apparitions, which extend DoTs by 1.5 seconds with the right talent choice.
  • Shadow Word: Pain is no longer removed from the spell book by “Misery” and can still be used.
  • The Mindbender is no longer an active ability but is summoned automatically during Void Eruption.
  • Additionally, “Misery” does not have to be taken anymore. Players can return to the old feeling of “I have to manage my DoTs individually” and are rewarded with a drastically stronger “Shadow Word: Pain” for doing so.
WoW Legion Priest Shadow
In Midnight, the Shadow Priest feels complete again.

The changes have led to a moment where the Shadow Priest somehow has clicked – the puzzle pieces fit together, and we have a specialization that feels complete and right again. The gameplay flow is pleasant, and the different abilities all feel like they have weight and a reason to exist. This is a feeling that was completely missing in the first version of the Midnight Priest.

It is obvious that Blizzard has listened to the harsh criticism from the community and has implemented the feedback quickly and clearly.

Not perfect, but on a good path

Sure, there are still a few points of criticism that I do not fully agree with. The fact that the Shadow Priest will have drastically less life steal and self-healing effects still feels strange for a rather fragile class. I would wish for the healing in “Shadow Word: Madness” to be reintegrated or that the Shadow Priest suffers slightly less damage so that one does not have to take a short break after 2-3 enemies while questing – as that simply feels outdated.

Overall, however, I must say that Blizzard has managed to “save” the Shadow Priest through some major and minor changes and to put it into a state that plays fluidly and feels complete. After one of the first Alpha builds was a clear step backward compared to the live version, we now have a variant where I can clearly say: Yes, I can at least see where Blizzard is headed and trust that they will succeed.
Blizzard is currently also quite open in admitting mistakes: The WoW boss mentioned that they should have reacted 8 years ago.

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

A new co-op horror game on Steam punishes you for screaming – does everything to ensure that you do it

If you turn into a Scream Queen in horror games, you might want to steer clear of this: A new co-op game on Steam aims to punish you for every scream and tries everything to elicit one from you.

Which game is being talked about? Don’t Scream Together by developer Digital Cybercherries has nothing to do with the very similarly named Don’t Starve Together, but it does share two similarities with the game:

  • Both games are co-op spinoffs of a previously released single-player game
  • Both times, a simple “Together” (meaning “together”) has been added to the name to symbolize the co-op aspect

Here you see a short teaser showing what you can expect:

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Don’t Scream Together: Neues Koop-Horrorspiel auf Steam bestraft euch, wenn ihr schreit

One scream and it’s over

What is the game about? In Don’t Scream Together, you and your friends wander through a pitch-black forest at night. Your goal is quite simple: You need to survive until 8 AM and escape the forest. Time only passes when you move.

The whole affair becomes more difficult because you should remain as quiet as possible during your walk in the woods. The game is designed to get you to scream. The developers themselves describe Don’t Scream Together as an “Online Co-op Jumpscare Horror Simulator,” so you can expect many jumpscares.

A single scream can reset the game for everyone or at least make it harder for the remaining players. This depends on the chosen game mode, of which there are two according to the Steam page for the game:

  • Scream & Restart: If someone screams, the entire team has to start over.
  • Scream & Return as a Hunter: The game continues, but the screamer returns as a hunter who can also scare others.

Do I need a microphone to play the game? Yes, to play Don’t Scream Together you must have an active microphone. Otherwise, the game cannot react to your screams (and that would be cheating). In the game, you communicate via a proximity chat: Other players can only hear you as long as they are near you.

When will the game be released? Don’t Scream Together will be released on December 3, 2025 on Steam.

Another horror game on Steam takes a completely new approach to scare you. It uses AI to imitate you and trick you. The Twitch streamer HandOfBlood has already tried it and is thrilled: “No game in the world has fooled me like this at the beginning” – HandOfBlood raves about the new horror game on Twitch

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

The creator of Dragon Ball asked his fans to design a new outfit for Goku, chose the best design and illustrated it

In Dragon Ball, the orange suit belongs to Son Goku like the stars to the Dragon Balls. The creator of the manga, Akira Toriyama, once asked the fans to design a new suit for the Saiyan.

What kind of request was that? In chapter 163 of the manga, Toriyama surprised the readers with an unusual request: Before the story even started, he asked the fans on the title page to come up with a new outfit for Goku.

The reason: Son Goku had just defeated King Piccolo and would receive his growth spurt in the upcoming chapters. At 12 years old, Goku was still a child and had the same height as a five-year-old child. At 18, he suddenly was as tall as an adult man. The anime Dragon Ball Daima explained this phenomenon in more detail.

It’s clear that Goku no longer fits into his old suit. Therefore, Toriyama wanted to know how the fans imagined the Saiyan in a new outfit.

Start video
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods – German Trailer for the Anime Film

Fans design a new suit for Goku, Toriyama draws it

What did the suit look like? Although the author ultimately chose a different suit for Goku, he showed in an image which outfit from the submitted fan designs it would have been.

10 chapters later, he depicted the suit as the cover for the new story arc. 

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  • Unlike his final outfit, the fan design features a white belt and white socks. 
  • The symbol of Master Roshi’s school is also a hexagon and not a circle.
  • Additionally, the neckline is larger than in his actual suit, with a black tank top peeking out underneath that has no sleeves.
  • The orange suit also has darker areas that are ultimately missing in the Saiyan’s solid-colored suit.

Throughout Dragon Ball, Son Goku has naturally worn other outfits besides his fighting suit. However, the fan design only made it onto a cover of the manga, never into the story itself.

The creator of the manga has occasionally published sketches in which Son Goku was shown in unusual situations. In one image, for example, he showed the fans what the Saiyan would look like if he aged: Akira Toriyama draws Son Goku as an old man: This is how he would have looked at the end of Dragon Ball

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

The AI teddy bear is supposed to be the perfect companion for children, turning parents’ worst nightmares into reality

AI is not only a relevant topic in the job market; toy manufacturers are also jumping on the trend. However, AI toys are anything but safe. One manufacturer had to pull their teddy bear from the market.

AI is now used in many areas of life. Certainly, not only adults are an important target group. There are now toy manufacturers that focus on AI toys. This includes not only classic robots but also teddy bears.

However, researchers have found that these toys are anything but safe for children. One manufacturer has now removed their AI teddy bear from the market.

Select a MMO video…

AI teddy bears could teach children dangerous things

What is the problem? The company FoloToy released the Kumma bear, which stood out negatively in a study (Source: Futurism). It looks like a regular teddy bear, except it has an AI chatbot implemented. It is based on Chat GPT-4o from OpenAI. In the study, the bear gave several dangerous tips:

  • The bear explained where to find matches and how to light them.
  • Additionally, the teddy bear could give tips on where to find knives or pills.
  • One of the testers was even recommended dating apps (because he asked about matches, which can also mean “strikes”). It seems to have gone as far as discussing kinks, and the chatbot also talked about sexual practices and fetishes in tests.

Many of the testers mentioned that these hints from the teddy bear were delivered in a child-friendly tone. According to CNN, FoloToy describes the Kumma bear as follows:

From lively conversations to educational stories – FoloToy adapts to your personality and needs, bringing warmth, fun, and a little extra curiosity to your daily life.

What happened after the findings? The teddy bear from FoloToy, which was sold for 99 USD (around 85 €), has now been removed from the market. The CEO of FoloToy, Larry Wang, told CNN that an internal safety review is being conducted. Other AI-based toys from the company are also said to have been pulled from the market for now.

What is the problem with the AI models? The co-author of the study, RJ Cross, explained to Futurism that this type of technology is new and unregulated. There are new risks that we cannot even imagine right now. He says: If I were a parent now, I would not grant my children access to a chatbot or a teddy bear with an integrated chatbot.

The online trade has also made it quite simple to buy unverified toys. Additionally, AI chatbots are unpredictable. However, it should also be noted that the Kumma bear from FoloToy had the most extreme results of the AI toys tested. AI can also be a threat in other areas: The head of ChatGPT says: AI will destroy jobs that are not “real work”

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Dexerto
  2. pirg.org

Bares für Rares will stream next week on Twitch, collaborating with a well-known streamer, but it is not HandOfBlood

About a week ago, there were strange activities on the Instagram channel of the ZDF show Bares für Rares. Now the mystery surrounding it has been solved and announced who the show will go live with on Twitch next week.

Who is Bares für Rares going live with on Twitch? After an alleged “hacker attack” on the Instagram channel of Bares für Rares, the community speculated on who might be behind it. It was finally “revealed” that it was supposed to be an intern who allegedly demanded a joint Twitch stream with a “famous Twitch streamer” in return.

Meanwhile, a new TikTok video from Bares für Rares has clarified who will make their debut on Twitch with the ZDF show: Peter Smit from PietSmiet. The debut livestream is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM on the ZDF Twitch channel (twitch.tv/zdf). It will be streamed from the original studio of Bares für Rares.

At first, it was speculated that it might be the Twitch streamer Maximilian “HandOfBlood” Knabe. A not unreasonable assumption. After all, HandOfBlood has had various guests on his stream: both politician Robert Habeck and actor and director Michael “Bully” Herbig.

Start video
These are the 5 most relevant German streamers on Twitch in 2024, according to Google

“Before GTA VI!?”

How does the community react? Although Bares für Rares is broadcast on linear television on the ZDF channel and addresses a different audience than online, the format has also made its way into the minds of younger viewers on social media. Especially through memes that are compiled and uploaded on TikTok and other platforms. For example, the “What will be” meme.

With the collaboration and livestream on Twitch, Bares für Rares seems to have hit the nail on the head. In the comments under the announcement TikTok, the community seems to be very positive:

  • The Greeny_FV_TF can hardly believe it: “PIETSMIET X BARES FÜR RARES BEFORE GTA VI?!”
  • Max is also a bit perplexed by the composition: “Peter X Horst was not on my list for 2025”
  • Meaph0r is mourning the missed meeting of HandOfBlood and Horst Lichter a bit (source: Reddit): “I would have loved to experience the dynamic between Horst and President Knabe.”

Even more modern topics and items are repeatedly featured in the ZDF show. For example, Pokémon trading cards have already been traded at Bares für Rares for a considerable sum. You can read more about it here on MeinMMO: Pokémon trading cards reach a four-figure value at Bares für Rares, which especially surprises Horst Lichter

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

Dune Awakening lets you return to the desert for free on Steam again, offers a good discount for the survival MMO

Dune Awakening has been available on Steam since June 10, 2025. So far, the developers have held two testing phases of the survival MMO. Now there is another one and additionally a good discount for you.

What is this testing phase about? On Steam, the developers of Dune Awakening have announced that they are starting a third testing phase for their survival MMO. From November 20 to November 27, 2025, you can roam through Arrakis for free for 10 hours and fight over the spice.

During your free time, you can explore the entire Haga Basin and carry over your progress if you decide to purchase Dune Awakening. This includes all character progress, your inventory, the hard-built base, and vehicles, which can finally be comfortably saved with a new system.

How much does Dune Awakening cost with the discount? Along with the third testing phase, the survival MMO by developer Funcom is discounted. The biggest discount so far of 25% brings Dune Awakening to a low price of €37.49. The discount even lasts longer than the actual testing phase, until December 1, 2025.

Start video
Dune: Awakening verdoppelt nach großem Update die Spielerzahlen

With the testing phase, you can visit your friends in the desert

What is new this time? Unlike previous testing phases of Dune Awakening, you can also visit your friends in the desert this time. Previously, only new so-called “trial servers” were opened.

With the current testing phase until November 27, you are also able to join existing servers of your friends and play together with them.

Are all functions available to you? No, during the testing phase, access to three specific locations is denied. Harko Village, Arrakeen, and the Deep Desert are not available for exploration.

Communication is also somewhat limited. The developers do not specify exactly what these restrictions look like in their post on Steam. Only the reason to prevent bots and griefing was mentioned.

While the launch of Dune Awakening looked really good for the survival MMO, it continues to lose more players. The all-time high of nearly 190,000 concurrent players has long since faded, and currently, it attracts about 6,500 players, but the developers want to address the biggest criticism: Dune: Awakening has been steadily losing players for months – Now the developers are addressing the biggest criticism

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

Steam Machine: The Most Important Questions and Answers

The Steam Machine has been introduced. MeinMMO has gathered the most important questions and answers for you and presents them to you.

Valve has introduced the Steam Machine as new hardware. But what exactly can we expect? A console, a gaming PC, or something completely different? And can I even play all my games? MeinMMO has collected the most important questions for you and tried to answer them. We have sorted the questions into specific categories to make it easier for you to navigate.

If you have any further questions or think of any: Use our comment function!

Start video
Valve presents the Steam Machine in the new trailer

Product Information and Specifications

This section covers the basic facts, hardware details, and the possible components of the Steam Machine.

What is the Steam Machine anyway? The Steam Machine is an initiative by Valve to bring the PC market into the living room. The first attempt failed in 2018, four years after its market launch, with the first Steam Machine. Now the Steam Machine is making a comeback. Valve promises PC gaming in a compact form.

How much does the Steam Machine cost? Nothing is known about the price at this time (November 20, 2025). The Steam Machine probably won’t be as cheap as a console, reports a well-known YouTuber. Players and experts estimate that the price could be between 500 and 1,000 Euros.

What accessories are included? This is still unknown. A power cable will definitely be included.

Is a controller included? You can buy the Steam Machine either with or without the new Steam controller. The price will likely be a bit higher with the controller.

Is the Steam Machine upgradable? No, or only to a limited extent. The Steam Machine relies on a proprietary motherboard with a soldered CPU and GPU. Therefore, you cannot easily change the base. The general performance cannot be changed either.

Other components, such as SSD storage and RAM, should be easily upgradable. According to experts, the Steam Machine uses standard DDR5 laptop memory modules that you can buy on the market.

Will there be different models/versions? Basically, all Steam Machines contain the same hardware.

However, there will be models with different storage capacities: one model with 512 GB and one with 2 TB of storage.

Does the Steam Machine compete with my PS4 or is it quiet? Valve states on its own product page: “The Steam Machine remains cool and quiet even while playing the most demanding titles.” According to Valve, you shouldn’t expect a jet engine level noise like on the PS4.

Steam Machine: Technical Data and Specifications

CPU:Modified AMD Zen 4 with 6 Cores/12 Threads; Up to 4.8 GHz, 30 W TDP
GPU:Modified AMD RDNA3 28 Cus; 2.45 GHz maximum clock frequency, 110 W TDP
RAM and Video Memory:16 GB DDR5 + 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM
Power Supply:Internal power supply, AC 110-240 V
Storage:Available in either 512 GB NVMe-SSD or 2 TB NVMe-SSD. Additionally, microSD card slot.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:2×2 Wi-Fi 6E and dedicated Bluetooth antenna
Steam Controller:Integrated 2.4 GHz wireless adapter for the Steam Controller
Ports:DisplayPort 1.4: Up to 4K at 240 Hz or 8K at 60 Hz. Supports HDR, FreeSync, and Daisy Chain.

HDMI 2.0: Up to 4K at 120 Hz. Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC.

USB: 2 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the front; 2 USB-A 2.0 ports on the back; 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port on the back.
Dimensions and Weight:152 mm high (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide
Weight:2.6 kg

Operating System and Compatibility

This section discusses the software base, the installed operating system, and the possibilities of use beyond Steam.

What operating system is installed? The Steam Machine has SteamOS pre-installed, just like the Steam Deck. Steam OS is based on Arch Linux and features a KDE Plasma desktop.

Can I also install Windows? Yes, you can! Valve has explicitly stated that you can also install Windows on your Steam Machine. However, the Steam Machine is optimized for SteamOS, so performance may be lower on Windows.

Can I use Epic, GOG, Battle.net on the Steam Machine? Yes, that is basically possible, but it involves some effort. If SteamOS is set up as it is on the Steam Deck, then you can install other launchers on the Steam Machine. Or access them using Lutris.

Can I use Game Pass? The same applies to Game Pass and streaming services as to the launchers: it is generally not a problem, but it involves effort. Using Game Pass on the Steam Deck was quite cumbersome because there is no official application.

Can I use the Steam Machine as a real PC? Yes, that is possible without any issues. The Steam Machine has a freely accessible desktop interface, just like the Steam Deck, where you can use a browser, use word processing software (LibreOffice), edit pictures (Gimp), or watch YouTube. Streaming on Twitch should also generally be possible.

However, if you want to install specific Windows software, you should expect to put in a bit more effort, for example, products from Adobe. If you want to install software directly from the Linux package management (think of it like a software store), it is very easy.

Can I use a mouse, keyboard, and other controllers? Yes, that works smoothly. SteamOS supports nearly all modern input devices, even mice and keyboards that are a few years older. Only specific software such as iCue (Corsair) or Synapse (Razer) may cause problems. The hardware itself should work perfectly.

Gaming Experience and Functionality

This section focuses on the game selection, controls, and additional gaming features.

Is the Steam Machine a PC or a console? Valve intentionally sells the Steam Machine as a gaming PC and not as a console. And theoretically, you can do whatever you want with the Steam Machine, even install Windows. However, with a real console, like the PS5, that is not possible. The Steam Machine is also equipped with standard PC hardware that Valve has modified for its purposes.

However, the user interface and accessibility provide more of a console player experience.

Can I play all games? No. Many games can be played without issues through the Steam Machine and SteamOS, but some titles may have problems:

  • If games rely on a third-party application, such as Anno 117 with Ubisoft Connect, there may be difficulties.
  • Some anti-cheat systems are not fully supported by Linux, which can also lead to problems.
  • Especially games that you do not install directly via Steam or rely on very old copy protection measures (such as Securom) often do not run on Linux.

As a general rule, the tip is: Pay attention to whether games are verified for the Steam Deck (via Steamdeck.com). They should generally also run on the Steam Machine. In the future, there will be a separate category for the Steam Machine.

Can I enjoy the latest games in 4K and highest quality? That is rather unlikely. The performance of the Steam Machine is said to be closer to that of the PS5. You can play the latest games without issues, but you will have to live with limitations. Valve has also emphasized that 60 FPS in 4K is only possible with AMD’s FSR. The manufacturer stated in the official trailer:

Experience gaming at desktop level with FSR-supported 4K gaming at 60 FPS thanks to a modified AMD processor and a dedicated graphics card.

Without upscaling, performance will likely fall even lower. It is also disappointing that the Steam Machine still relies on RDNA3, which is AMD’s last generation of graphics cards. The best version, FSR 4, can therefore only be used by the Steam Machine in theory.

Furthermore, the 8 GB video memory is likely to be too low for high resolutions (WQHD and 4K). Already now, 8 GB of video memory is too tight for many games.

How user-friendly is the Steam Machine? The Steam Machine and SteamOS use the so-called “Big Picture” mode. This is a very user-friendly interface designed for controllers. Installing, uninstalling games, or browsing the store is very easy here.

If you want to actively use the Steam Machine as a PC alongside Steam, you will need some adjustment time for the desktop environment “KDE Plasma”. Because the interface looks different from Windows.

Can I install mods for my games? In principle, SteamOS and the Steam Machine support the official “Steam Workshop” of your games. This means that the most popular Skyrim mods can also be installed on your Steam Machine.

If you want to install external mods, such as from ModDB or Nexusmods, that is also possible, but it involves effort.

Can I install software like Discord? Yes, that should be possible without issues. You can install Discord directly through the desktop mode on the Steam Deck, for example. You can read how to install Discord on the Steam Deck on MeinMMO. On the Steam Machine, which uses the same operating system (SteamOS), it shouldn’t be much different.

Can I replace my gaming PC now? No, the Steam Machine is not a full-fledged replacement for a gaming PC. You need to make that clear to yourself. The hardware installed is not up to date and can only be partially replaced. While you are buying a compact and modern system, you will get less performance than if you bought a real gaming PC with RX 9070 XT or RTX 5070. However, Valve recently stated in an interview that the Steam Machine is faster than most gaming PCs.

Anyone looking to get more out of their gaming PC might consider buying a new graphics card. But does it even matter at the end whether I choose AMD or Nvidia? MeinMMO presents the similarities and differences between AMD and Nvidia and explains what you should consider before your next graphics card purchase: How important is it whether I buy AMD or Nvidia for a graphics card?

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

Developers of Path of Exile 2 fulfill a great fan wish, finally introduce new class

The developers of Path of Exile 2 have announced the next class for the ARPG in a new teaser. They also reveal the date for the next season.

Which class is coming? The developers of Path of Exile 2 are fulfilling a major fan wish, as the new class will be the Druid. The class has been talked about for months, and fans have hoped for the release of the Druid before every season announcement; now it is finally becoming a reality.

The Druid has the ability to shapeshift into an animal form, offering a very special playstyle. The announcement trailer already shows that the Druid can transform into a werewolf during a full moon. But this is not the only announcement in the short teaser.

Here you can watch the teaser yourself:

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New season dedicated to the Druids

What else have the developers announced? The developers of Path of Exile 2 have announced not only the Druid but also the next season. It will be fully focused on the new class, as shown by the name: “The Last of the Druids”.

The new season, which will also bring a large content update for Path of Exile 2, starts on December 12 at 20:00 CET. All new content regarding the Druid and the big update will be available a bit earlier on December 4 at 20:00 CET on Twitch.

How are fans reacting to the announcement? For many players, the Druid fulfills a long-held wish. Consequently, players are reacting joyfully to the announcement that the class is finally coming to the game. They write on Reddit:

  • Aztek917: “I really hope the werewolf form looks amazing.”
  • SoyDanson: “Holy smokes! Christmas came early this year.”
  • Enrayha: “Finally. Aside from greatswords and daggers, I have been most excited for the Druid and hopefully its new summons/pets.”
  • Ok_Service3956: “Poe.ninja will probably consist of 90% Druids.”

What else is planned? Just like at the start of the last season, the developers of Path of Exile 2 are planning to launch a free weekend. During this time, players on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC can play for free all through the release weekend from December 12 to December 15.

The last major update of Path of Exile 2 finally brought the auction house:

Select a MMO video…

With the Druid, Path of Exile 2 fulfills a long-held dream of many players, and dedicating a season to the new class is very well received. The ARPG is still in Early Access, even though the developers have other plans. The head has told MeinMMO when it should happen: The head of Path of Exile 2 talks about the new release date, explaining why it won’t happen in 2025

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

Where Winds Meet: Patch Notes from 20.11.2025 – Brings synchronization fixes and UI updates

The free role-playing game Where Winds Meet received a new patch on November 20, 2025, that removes major bugs from the game. There is even compensation for players.

Update: We have expanded this article with more information about the event “Swords Unseen” and free items that were recently announced.

When does the patch come out? The new update was released on November 20, 2025, so it should now be downloadable by all of you.

Is there a reward? All players will receive an in-game message with a list of all bugs. Additionally, there is a gift of 50 Echo Jade.

Start video
Schnelle Gründe, warum ihr Where Winds Meet zocken solltet

Patch notes from November 20, 2025 summarized

What does the patch change? On the official Discord of Where Winds Meet, the team lists all changes of the patch. Some bugs in the user interface have been fixed, and some texts have been adjusted. We will list the complete patch notes here in English:

  • The Eastwind Pavilion has addressed several issues and optimized certain features:
  • Fixed the issue of missing voiceovers in some cutscenes.
  • Fixed the translation of “Sword Morph” in certain languages.
  • Fixed some UI display errors.
  • Fixed the issue with the PlayStation search function.
  • Fixed the error in the Fireworks Festival bidding texts.
  • Optimized the task descriptions and requirements for A Warrior’s Journey.
  • Optimized localization.
  • Optimized the text for the event: Dawn to Dusk.

If additional information outside of the list from Discord appears, we will add it to this article.

What has not been fixed yet? The team is aware of the high ping issue affecting many players. It found that parts of the EU and MENA regions were routed to the wrong server. Therefore, further optimizations will follow today, November 21, 2025, to connect these players to the correct server.

What do the developers say about the event? In a new update on Discord, the developers of Where Winds Meet announced that they will be adding more rewards for the new event “Swords Unseen”. Those who are further along in the event can collect these rewards after the patch.

As a sign of gratitude for the smooth release, the developers are also giving away 10 x the item “Lingering Melody” to all players. This allows you to pull 10 times for free in the gacha system of Where Winds Meet.

Furthermore, there will be a patch in December that addresses latency issues in single-player mode. The Eastwind Pavilion team asks for patience, also for potential further performance interruptions.

If you are having no performance issues with the game, but with the content, you are in the right place at MeinMMO. Here you will find an overview of all guides as well as tips and tricks to help you navigate the game better: Where Winds Meet: All guides, tips, and builds summarized

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

Former colleague of Faker is being bullied so badly because of LoL that even a politician is now involved

After the Worlds 2025 of League of Legends, some players are leaving their teams and looking for a new home. Gumayusi, the former ADC of Faker, recently left the most successful team in LoL, T1, and continues to be bullied online. Now even a politician has gotten involved.

Who is bullying Gumayusi? In a Reddit post, the text of a Korean politician was translated and published. This politician shared his thoughts on the topic of cyberbullying in a post on his social media channels, primarily criticizing the “fan group” of T1 called “T1 Support Gallery” or simply “T1 gal.” The creator of the Reddit post shared a brief overview of what T1 gal actually is.

What is T1 gal? According to williamson41 on Reddit, T1 gal is a forum, similar to the subreddit dedicated to T1 or the T1 board on 4chan. T1 gal describes itself as a group of fans, but they have been harassing Gumayusi for the past two years.

Aside from threats to kill him, there were also plans to harm him in real life by injuring him with acid or pushing him off a motorcycle so he can no longer play.

An X user already collected many actions of T1 gal back in August. Among other things, trucks were sent to the T1 building to discredit ADC Gumayusi with false statistics.

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

What does the politician say about cyberbullying? Jeon Yong-gi published a statement on November 20, 2025, titled: “End the cyberbullying against Lee Min-hyung (Gumayusi) immediately.” (via naver.com)

In this post, he addressed the group directly by name and commented on the personal attacks hidden behind the guise of advice and criticism. Jeon Yong-gi further states: “Team support can never be a justification for attacking a particular player, and the argument that one wants to encourage him during a temporary performance drop can be no excuse for malicious criticism.”

The fact that Gumayusi continues to be attacked, even though he has already left T1, is noted by the politician in his post and he doubts that there is genuine fandom behind it. He describes the activities of the community as “cyberbullying for entertainment.”

The politician wants to take measures against cyberbullying

What measures does Jeon Yong-gi propose? The politician proposed three levels of protective measures for players:

  • Esports organizations like KeSPA (Korea Esports Association), Riot Games Korea, and the individual clubs should no longer just be bystanders but take responsibility. He particularly emphasized the urgency of protective measures for young players.
  • From platform providers, like DC Insider, represented in T1 gal, he demands that they take action against those responsible for malicious posts.
  • The government should tighten criminal sanctions for defamation and insult.

Jeon Yong-gi wants to use the case of Gumayusi and T1 gal as an opportunity to advance legislative measures.

Jeon Yong-gi has been fighting against cyberbullying since 2020: Since the Korean politician took office in 2020, he has been combating cyberbullying. He initiated the initiative to abolish comments under sports news and recently submitted a bill to prevent cyberbullying.

After it became known that Gumayusi would leave T1, there were already initial rumors about the new ADC beside Faker. On November 19, 2025, it was officially confirmed that it is indeed the 19-year-old Peyz, who has already been able to break two of Faker’s records: New ADC of T1 in LoL is only 19 years old and has even broken Faker’s records

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

10 Marvel characters who defeated Thanos in battle

Thanos is one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel universe, who has fought against several characters, including in some films. We show you 10 characters who were able to defeat him.

The most famous villain of the many Marvel films is Thanos. In the film Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, he has shown how powerful he is and what is needed to defeat him.

Thanos has been a regular villain in many Marvel stories since the 1970s, often directly confronting many heroes. Sometimes he also enjoys just annoying a regular guy.

Occasionally, Thanos has also been successful. Despite his many abilities, the villain has often been defeated. But the following 10 characters were able to defeat him in battle. It is not just about pure strength; sometimes you can defeat opponents with other tricks as well.

Start video
German trailer for Avengers 3: Infinity War

Doctor Doom

  • Defeated Thanos in Secret Wars No. 8 (2015)

In the 2015 event Secret Wars, Doctor Doom became God Emperor Doom in the comics thanks to the power of the Beyonders. When the multiverse was nearly destroyed, Doom created the Battleworld, a new universe. In doing so, he acquired god-like powers and could manipulate the memories of all inhabitants.

When Thanos lands on Battleworld, he tries to find out what is going on with his soldiers. He learns about Doom and tries to take him out in his base. With his god-like powers, Doom easily takes out half of Thanos’ companions.

Doom offers him a pact, but Thanos refuses. He calls Doom a weak god and a fraud. He should kneel before him. Doom asks him if he has the Infinity Gauntlet. Thanos denies it but explains that his power is enough for him. Well, Doom takes Thanos’ entire spine out and finishes off the Titan with a single grip.

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

WoW corrects the transmog system – you need much less gold

Contrary to what was assumed, fans of World of Warcraft will not have to spend several million gold on Transmog. Blizzard corrects a mistake properly.

For many Transmog fans in World of Warcraft, it was quite disillusioning when they could try out the new and supposedly much better Transmog system in the beta. Because anyone who calculated quickly made it clear: The new system is extremely expensive and those who want to equip several characters will probably have to pay huge amounts of gold.

But Blizzard has heard the criticism and clarified just a day later: This is not finished yet, and one thing is going to change fundamentally.

Start video
WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features

What was the problem? After the first version of the new Transmog system went live in the beta, disillusionment quickly set in. Because the new system costs quite a bit of money and gets more expensive the more characters you play. One had to pay up to 800,000 gold for 20 Transmog slots – that is, free slots that can be filled with sets. On top of that come the drastically increased Transmog costs of around 6,000 gold for a complete endgame set. The disappointment was great, and the criticism was clearly heard everywhere.

What is going to change? Blizzard responded to the criticism in the official WoW forum. There, community manager Kaivax wrote in response to the demand that unlocking the Transmog slots should apply to the whole warband:

This will be the case in Midnight. It will just take a few more weeks to implement this feature in the beta.

In a future build of the Midnight beta, unlocking the outfit slots will apply to the whole warband. And the costs to unlock these slots will not increase.

In other words: Instead of having to pay 800,000 gold for the 20 slots on each character, this will now only need to happen once. Depending on how many characters you play – and how many

What other criticisms are there? One criticism still stands, and that is the increased Transmog costs. If you want to fully customize your entire gear – including weapons – you pay nearly 6,000 gold at max level. That is more than 5x what it currently costs in The War Within.

This is partly offset by the fact that in Midnight, saved “sets” only need to be paid for once – after that, they are automatically applied to all items you wear or find.

This poses a problem for all those who like to adjust parts of their Transmog and often make small changes. Because they are charged just as often as before – only now at significantly increased prices. This adversely affects the player group that has so far used the Transmog system the most. Therefore, there is a strong desire in the community to reconsider these costs and reduce them to a lower level.
If you want to take a look at the Transmog system yourself, check out the beta of Midnight – you can easily join in.

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

Gabe Newell is considered one of the most important figures in gaming, but who is he really?

Many gamers know Gabe Newell because of Valve and the Steam platform. But who is Newell really? MeinMMO explains the details about this well-known personality.

Gabe Newell is considered by many players today to be almost the embodiment of Valve and its Steam platform. Many know him simply as the head of Steam, and significant changes or developments like the Steam Machine are viewed by many as his ideas.

But Newell is also regarded as a charismatic personality and regularly makes public appearances. He enjoys poking fun at his role as head through short appearances and exaggerates it. For instance, in a trailer for DOTA 2 add-ons.

But who is Gabe Newell really? MeinMMO explains who is behind the public persona and what makes him unique.

Birth, Studies, and Microsoft

Gabe Newell was born on November 3, 1962, in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is known that he has an older brother.

Originally, Newell wanted to become a doctor. From an early age, his interest in various topics became apparent, and initially, a medical degree seemed like the logical path. He reveals this in an interview (via PCGamer). However, computers were mainly a pastime for Newell at that time, and he himself was skeptical about their future.

He eventually began his studies at the prestigious Harvard University. The idea of becoming a programmer seemed far removed from his reality. IT was a field that very few considered promising at that time.

A coincidence opened the door to his professional life some time later: Newell visited his brother at Microsoft back then. There he met Steve Ballmer, one of the key figures at Microsoft, who was even CEO of the company from 2000 to 2014. Due to a spontaneous decision, Newell eventually became an employee of the rising software company, as he later recounted in an anecdote (via PCGamer). One semester turned into 13 years.

Time and again, the founder of Valve considered finishing his studies. However, Microsoft and the opportunities there kept him anchored, which is why Newell remained loyal to the company. He later spoke openly about this and reflected:

 “At that time, it was the best place in the world to learn how to become a programmer.

[…]

When I started there, I realized that in terms of interesting work that would be valuable at that time, it was much better to work with hundreds or thousands of people at Microsoft than to go back and continue my studies at university. I was there for 13 years and then decided to found Valve.

The Founding of Valve

On August 24, 1996, Newell finally founded the company Valve together with Mike Harrington, a close colleague at Microsoft. The now 63-year-old stated that he founded Valve after the game Doom showed him that Microsoft “missed” the opportunities of the internet: “I was ready to put my words into action” (via PCGamer.com).

In the following two years, the duo, along with a team of about 30 people, developed the shooter Half-Life 1. Another game concept was assembled by Valve for the project, which in hindsight was supposed to be a very good decision.

When Half-Life 1 was finally released on November 19, 1998, the game became a huge success. Neither Gabe Newell nor the publisher at the time, Sierra, expected this. Back then, no one could imagine it, but Valve broke the mark of 500,000 units sold.

The great success provided a financial cushion that was directly invested: in the license for Counter-Strike, Half-Life 2, and the distribution platform Steam.

Start video
Commercial for the Joule Kitchen Appliance with Gabe Newell from Valve

Counter-Strike, Half-Life 2, and Steam

After the great success of Half-Life 1, Valve acquired all licensing rights to the popular Half-Life mod “Counter-Strike.” Newell quickly realized a problem: it was no longer feasible to provide patches and new content to thousands of players using traditional means.

For this reason, a far-reaching step was decided upon. The team developed a new foundation that would allow not only easier distribution of patches and content but also secure games. The idea for Steam was born, though it had another name at that time.

On September 12, 2003, the platform was officially available for the first time. Half-Life 2, which released on November 19, 2004, and Counter-Strike were now exclusively offered through this system. The development of Half-Life 2 almost led to bankruptcy for Valve, by the way.

But it didn’t stop with Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike. Starting in 2005, more games were added that were also offered through Steam. Since then, the software has been growing relentlessly. However, the decision to fully focus on Steam was not well-received by everyone:

Many users criticized the online requirement and the deployment of the new platform. Even well-known publishers saw no potential in Steam as a platform. But today, Steam is hardly imaginable without the gaming world. Alternatives like the EA App or Ubisoft Connect have never been able to match the success.

More on the topic
Steam, Epic and Co in the Ranking: Which Gaming Platform is the Best in 2024?
von Benedikt Schlotmann

From 2006: New Games and a Serious Illness

Between 2006 and 2007, Gabe Newell was not well. He suffered from Fuchs’ dystrophy, a hereditary disease that slowly destroys the cornea. Two cornea transplants saved his eyesight, he told in a conversation with Forbes.com.

From 2007 onward, progress continued steadily. Games such as Portal, an earlier mod of Half-Life, and other titles like Team Fortress 2 (2007), Left 4 Dead (2008), its successor (2009), and finally Dota 2 (2013) followed. Newell still enjoys playing Dota 2 to this day.

During this time, Newell frequently appeared in public to showcase his projects. Among gamers, he was also liked because he appeared to be one of them: unkempt hair, a bit overweight, just like a true nerd. And as someone who was passionate about his projects.

On March 20, 2013, Early Access on Steam was launched, allowing games to be released unfinished and players to be directly involved in development. A project that remains highly controversial to this day, as alongside real gaming gems, a lot of inadequate quality hits the market.

Players and experts regularly accuse Newell and Steam of spreading cheap and inferior software, and sometimes even extremist content: The regulations are said to be too lenient and the barriers too low to prevent trash or cheap mobile games (via techcrunch.com).

Another point that has come up repeatedly since then and causes criticism of Newell and Steam is: the high revenue share of 30% that Steam demands from profits. Alternatives like the Epic Game Store only take 12% from sold games.

In 2014, Gabe Newell achieved another significant milestone: He was included in Forbes’ important billionaire list for the first time and thus counted among the richest people in the world (via ign.com).

Private Projects and the Steam Deck

In 2020, smaller and larger projects followed outside of Steam: In 2020, he founded the “Heart of Racing” team with Valve employee Yahn Bernier, a racing team for fundraising for children’s charities in Seattle and New Zealand. In 2022, he founded the company “Starfish Neuroscience” with Philip Sabes for developments in the field of brain-computer interfaces.

In February 2022, new hardware from Valve followed: the Steam Deck, a handheld-format computer. The Steam Deck is still considered a successful product from Valve and is reported to have sold over 6 million units since then.

Originally planned for late 2021, the Steam Deck was finally released in 2022 after several delays. A good year later, in November 2023, the OLED variant of the Steam Deck followed. However, the built-in hardware remained identical aside from the display and battery.

Notable Changes Since 2023

In early 2024, a photo of Gabe Newell went viral in which many fans did not recognize him. Compared to previous appearances, he looked significantly slimmer, and his appearance and hairstyle appeared much neater than before. Fans emphasized at the time that these changes seemed to have done Gabe Newell a world of good, making him look significantly younger than before. He no longer resembled a nerd but rather a real businessman.

Although he is now a billionaire, the Steam founder still works daily. In an interview with a YouTuber, he recently revealed that he lives on a boat seven days a week and works from there. Newell explains that he actually works every weekday but enjoys his work, which makes it feel like retirement to him:

I work seven days a week: I work from my bedroom, as you can see. I enjoy working; it’s fun, and it doesn’t feel like work to me. The things I get to do every day are super great.

I’ve said this before, but when you retire, you want to quit your terrible job and do what is most enjoyable and entertaining. In that sense, I’ve been retired for a long time.

Additionally, he is now investing a lot of money in research projects, for example, in a research ship for which he intends to provide 300 million euros.

Recently, Valve introduced more devices for Steam for 2026: The Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and a controller. Newell is also said to have been actively involved here.

Many gamers now find PC gaming too expensive and are calling for an alternative. The Steam Machine could reach thousands of players if the final price is right. However, the chances for the Steam Machine this time look good: The Steam Machine could become the best choice for many players and a real problem for AMD and Nvidia.

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

New game on Steam and PS5 entices stars from Critical Role and Breaking Bad, has already attracted 2 million players in the first month and is “extremely positive”

In October, Dispatch was released for PS5 and on Steam, but it wasn’t fully available until mid-November. The adventure game received praise at launch – now the developers show just how successful they really are. Player ratings are clear.

What kind of game is it?

  • You play as Robert Robertson in Dispatch, an ex-hero who now works in a sort of mediation center for superheroes. The gameplay can be roughly imagined like the famous Telltale games, Indie developer AdHoc consists of former employees.
  • Primarily, you make narrative decisions in cutscenes, but you also have to manage sending the right hero to reported crimes during gameplay. Each has their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Dispatch feels more like a series than a game, especially since it was released over weeks in episodes. The last episodes were released on November 12.

Dispatch is doing well: The developers shared on BlueSky that just under a month after the initial release on Steam and PS5, over 2 million players are playing Dispatch. They have nearly reached the target originally set for a 3-year period (via GameseIndustry).

On Steam alone, Dispatch started with over 65,000 players in its first week, according to SteamDB. With the release of the last episode, the numbers exploded to over 220,000. Additionally, there are players on PS5.

With 97% positive reviews, Dispatch is “overwhelmingly positive” on Steam. Thus, Dispatch is close to being one of the games that reached the “God Tier” on Steam. The success is not without reason.

Start video
Dispatch – Trailer for the demo of the superhero game by former Telltale developers

Dispatch boasts a top-notch cast, but especially the story captivates

The story of the adventure thrives on the characters that bring the game to life, playing an important role especially through their interactions with the player. Many famous voices are behind the characters, such as:

  • Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad) as Robert Robertson III
  • Laura Bailey (Jaina Proudmoore from Warcraft) as Invisigal
  • YouTuber MoistCr1TiKaL as Sonar and Jacksepticeye as Punch Up
  • Travis Willingham (Knuckles from Sonic, Gazlowe from WoW) as Phenomaman
  • Matthew Mercer (Cole Cassidy from Overwatch) as Shroud

Many of these names you may recognize not just from series, anime, films, and games, but also as members of the legendary role-playing group Critical Role, which just released a new series on Amazon in November with The Mighty Nein.

However, the greatest praise in the reviews goes to the story, or more accurately: the interaction with the story. Many players agree that while Dispatch feels more like a series, the conversations make you feel like you are part of it instead of just watching.

Particularly, the humor is often mentioned in reviews as well as the characters themselves, which are excellently portrayed. That exactly NPCs can make a story-driven game successful has also been recognized by other developers: A new role-playing game on Steam learns from Baldur’s Gate 3, even getting help from one of its stars, but plays in space

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

A player wants to know if Diablo 4 is the right game for his 71-year-old dad and gets a clear answer

Diablo 4 attracts casuals as well as those who grew up with the franchise. A player wants to know from the community if the ARPG excites other older individuals and receives very clear feedback.

This is what it means to be an “old gamer” in Diablo 4: Diablo 4 is regarded as the optimal game for fathers who have little time – the so-called “gamer dads”. Log in, slay a few demons, collect loot, and all without much pressure.

Accordingly, many older players gather on Reddit and share their experiences there. One player mentions that his 71-year-old father plays Diablo 4 and asks if there are other fans in that age who are exploring the ARPG.

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Gaming-Mama fragt erwachsene Diablo 4-Spieler, wie sie ihren Alltag mit Zocken verbinden

“These old people live my retirement dream”

In the comments under the Reddit post, many older gamers speak up who also enjoy playing Diablo 4. Apparently, the ARPG is just right for many “gamer dads” and even “gamer granddads”.

That’s why there are so many “old gamers” in Diablo 4: The Diablo franchise has been a pillar of gaming since 1996 and is one of the most well-known game series. Diablo, as a rather brutal game, already targeted a more adult audience at that time, but has shaped how loot works in games.

In a comment, UASdude explains: “One must not forget that the first Diablo was released in 1996 – at that time, these 70-year-olds were in their 40s and 60-year-olds were in their 30s. So it’s not surprising that older OG gamers are still fully engaged.”

Many also regularly play with their families, like DerfyMcDerfDerf: “I am 58. I have 250+ hours. I only started at the beginning of summer. My son (28) and I jump in every day during lunch break. I’m just disappointed that I didn’t start earlier.”

Others are genuinely looking forward to their own retirement as gamers. DOthePOLKA writes: “These old people live my retirement dream. My wife constantly says she worries about what I will do when I no longer work. I am not worried at all.”

Particularly a certain endgame content in Diablo 4 fits perfectly for busy gamer dads who want to slay for a few hours in between. It is a paradise for farming, including the “exploration feeling”, as you can play at your own pace and relax. You can find out more about it here: “Just lean back and farm” – A certain content in Diablo 4 is perfect for busy gamer dads

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