Blizzard is currently causing a stir with Overwatch 2 because they are breaking a 7-year-old principle

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

A decision by Blizzard regarding Overwatch 2 has leaked and has been upsetting fans for days: New heroes in Overwatch are no longer to be available for free and immediately to everyone but will be tied to specific conditions: Fans of the game are outraged. Some are already demanding their money back.

What principle are they breaking? The then-head of Overwatch, Jeff Kaplan, said in a 2015 video (via youtube):

We decided the best way to add [new heroes and maps] is to bring them into the game as free content and not as DLC.

Jeff Kaplan

And that is how it was all those years in Overwatch: When a new hero arrived, players could play and use them immediately. Everyone was equal and had access to the same heroes.

Because Overwatch uses a kind of “rock-paper-scissors” system and players can switch their heroes mid-match, this was an important point that set Overwatch apart from other games:

If you couldn’t make it as nimble Tracer, you might switch to Widowmaker and try it from a distance or swing the hammer as Reinhardt.

But to keep it fair, everyone needed access to all available heroes: Otherwise, you might as well have played rock-paper-scissors without scissors.

Start video
Overwatch 2 Trailer – Release Date Reveal

New heroes no longer accessible to everyone – players must earn them or buy

How is this principle now being broken? In Overwatch 2, players are to “earn” new heroes first: This was revealed by a mistake from Blizzard: For a brief time last week, one could catch a glimpse of a $40 package that mentioned a Battle Pass and exclusive skins.

The post included the sentence: “Those who own the Premium Battle Pass will gain automatic access to the new hero Kiriko.”

This means, by extension: Those who don’t have the pass apparently do not have access to the new hero. That is a break with the principle.

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Overwatch 2 changes the way you get new heroes – “If you do that, I won’t touch OW2”
von Maik Schneider

This is how Blizzard responded: An important Overwatch employee, Jon Spector, made it clear:

  • The new heroes will be available on the “free track of the Battle Pass”
  • Heroes could also be unlocked if you miss the season
  • More details will be provided ahead of the launch on October 4

This is apparently how the model looks: Overwatch is apparently planning to bring a Battle Pass with 2 different “tracks”:

  • On one track, you can earn free things – including the new hero
  • However, those who pay and get the premium edition can unlock new heroes immediately

Players demand their money back

How is this being discussed? In the Overwatch community, the new development is viewed extremely critically. It is full of memes in which players express their protest:

There is a post on reddit where kids ask Tracer if they can also become heroes like her. But Tracer responds: “Um, no – you are too poor for that.”

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One user posts a selection screen from Overwatch with locked heroes that you have to unlock first:

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Another user posts a picture: “Sorry Bro, can’t switch off Lucio, I’m broke and in debt.”

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Some of the currently biggest posts on reddit include user discussions where players are demanding refunds for Overwatch. This could still happen before the release, a user explains (via reddit).

Overwatch still has an “old” business model that is now changing

Why is this issue so annoying for many? The site PC Gamer explains: Overwatch comes from a time before the new business models took hold, which we know from games like Apex Legends or Valorant. In Overwatch, all content was freely accessible, only cosmetics could optionally be purchased through loot boxes.

And the game remained unchanged in monetization for 6 years: You bought the game and had access to everything: That was the deal Blizzard made with players.

The preparation for Overwatch 2 is simply not going well for Blizzard:

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Now Blizzard is breaking this principle. In Overwatch, it is possible to switch your hero mid-game to respond to a situation – if you lack heroes for that, they apparently see it as a big problem.

It also fits with the “Blizzard is being greedy” narrative that many have in mind ever since Diablo Immortal when looking at new actions from Blizzard.

Overwatch 2 has already brought several disadvantages for Blizzard:

Overwatch 2 was a bad idea from Blizzard and has killed a successful game

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

Ex-professional explains why streamers stop playing CoD Warzone – The risk of injury is too high

Maik Schneider Maik Schneider Reading time 3 minutes

Nicholas “Nickmercs” Kolcheff was for a long time the biggest Twitch streamer in the cosmos of Call of Duty: Warzone. For over a year, he has only been playing the battle royale occasionally, but he recently played a round again. In doing so, he explained his impression of why Warzone has lost many streamers – it is too “demanding”.

Who is Nickmercs?

  • The streamer is among the biggest on Twitch. In his recent streams, he attracted an average of over 25,000 viewers to his channel, primarily playing Apex Legends (via twitchtracker.com). He is closely associated with the “FaZe Clan”.
  • Nickmercs is a strong shooter player, especially with the controller. Years ago, he was considered the best in the world in Fortnite with a controller. In addition to his pro gameplay, he possesses a laid-back humor and a positive demeanor, which brings him many fans.
  • With Warzone, he rose to become a top streamer, even managing to gather over 350,000 concurrent viewers in one stream. Now he only plays CoD occasionally and explains why many other streamers are experiencing the same.

By the way, the new Modern Warfare 2 is coming soon. Here’s a short trailer for the campaign:

Start video
CoD MW 2 excites players in 30 seconds for the new campaign: “Looks like a movie”

Nickmercs thinks Warzone will go on bones

On September 12, Nickmercs released a YouTube video with one of his Warzone rounds. He was joined by TimTheTatman, the FaZe player Booya, and former CoD world champion TeeP.

In the middle of the match, he apparently realizes how much work Warzone demands from its players. Compared to the competition, Warzone is significantly “more demanding”, but not in terms of difficulty, rather in movement:

Let me tell you something, bro. Apex, CoD, Fortnite [in comparison] … This damn game [Warzone] is so demanding. You constantly have to crouch, slide, spam buttons.

The former league pro TeeP agrees: “Yeah, seriously”. The corresponding English video titled “Why Streamers are Leaving Warzone” we embed here:

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The problem with constant inputs and demanding movement are actually injuries. Warzone requires players to make an extreme amount of inputs through actions like “Slide Cancel” or “Bunny Hopping”.

Injuries occur frequently, especially noticeable in the professional Call of Duty scene. In early 2021, pro player “ZooMaa” ended his career because his thumb and wrist could no longer handle the stress. ZooMaa ended his career at 25 after 8 years of daily training.

The strain is a serious issue for e-sports players. Due to the often young age of these players, the long-term effects of constant strain on their bones, joints, and muscles are underestimated. MOBAs like League of Legends also demand a lot from their players.

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von Schuhmann

In an interview with the “Washington Post”, Chuck Tholl, a scientific researcher at the German Sports University Cologne, stated that professional players make up to 400 inputs in a minute.

He says: “Gamers perform micro-movements and fine motor skills that can seriously harm their bodies without preventive measures” (via washingtoinpost.com).

While there are already many teams in the professional scene that implement such preventive measures, it seems to be different for streamers. According to Nickmercs, there comes a point where you notice it and have to say goodbye.

More on Call of Duty on MeinMMO:

Especially the “Slide Cancel” in Call of Duty puts pressure on the joints. You can practically perform it constantly, actually being slightly faster in CoD: Warzone with the trick and protecting yourself from headshots and targeted hits.

This very mechanic could actually be missing in the new Modern Warfare. There are rumors that the trick might completely disappear. The developers reportedly have the option to activate or remove the “Slide Cancel” from the game. However, these are currently just leaks.

By Friday, we’ll know for sure, as that’s when the Modern Warfare 2 Beta starts and many players will take their first rounds in the latest CoD.

If you have an opinion on the subject, leave a comment.

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

Player of Escape from Tarkov wants his friends to be banned – Has good reasons

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

A player of Escape from Tarkov wants his friends to be banned in the hardcore shooter and has good reasons for it.

Who is it about? In the subreddit for Escape from Tarkov, the reddit user ContributionAsleep69 has questioned the Tarkov community. The reason: He wants his friends to be banned in Escape from Tarkov.

What reasons does he have? ContributionAsleep69 wants his friends banned because they are cheating in the hardcore shooter. As the reddit user wrote, all his friends are cheating in Escape from Tarkov.

However, since discussing the banning of players violates a rule in the subreddit, the post was removed by the moderators. The title of the post “All my friends are cheating, how can I get them banned?” and the comments are still viewable (via reddit).

Below we are embedding a screenshot of the reddit post:

reddit Escape from Tarkov friends get banned for cheating
The reddit user ContributionAsleep69 wants his friends to be banned (via reddit).

What is the background?

  • Escape from Tarkov is an extraction shooter or EFT-like with hardcore elements.
  • The hardcore elements make weapons very challenging to control. Additionally, stealth plays an important role in Tarkov.
  • Cheaters have a significant advantage in games like Escape from Tarkov due to the challenging weapon handling and the importance of stealth.

If you want to get an impression of the gameplay of Escape from Tarkov, we are embedding the Battle of Concordia here:

Start video
Escape from Tarkov Gameplay – Battle for Concordia

Players give tips on how to get their friends banned

What do other players say about it? Many players suggested that he should report his friends directly in the game or through the launcher (via reddit). However, it is generally important that he has evidence that they are cheating (via reddit).

The reddit user Shawn_NYC additionally expressed the idea that ContributionAsleep69 could have his friends stream the cheats to him via Discord. He could record that and send it to the developers Battlestate Games as evidence for his report and his friends’ cheating.

Another reddit user responded that he tried this trick with his brother and that the developer studio had not banned him for over a year.

Escape from Tarkov reddit cheater report via Discord
The reddit user Shawn_NYC suggested streaming cheats via Discord (via reddit).

Not the only one: As can be seen from the comments on the post, ContributionAsleep69 does not seem to be the only player wanting to get his cheating friends banned.

Another player reports under the post that he tried something similar and wrote an email to Battlestate Games. However, the response was that he should report cheaters in-game when they shoot him.

What do you think about the player wanting to get his friends banned? Do you think it is right that he stands against cheating in video games or do you think he should stand by his friends? Feel free to write us here on MeinMMO in the comments!

Reporting a cheater is an unwritten rule for fair gamers. However, Tarkov players have other unwritten rules, and some ensure that they shoot their teammates.

Greedy players break unwritten rules in Escape from Tarkov – Executed by their own teammates

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

Developer legend Hideo Kojima once played with the idea of having you fight against a boss for 2 weeks

Irina Moritz Irina Moritz Reading time 3 minutes

In the popular PS2 game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, an extremely long boss fight almost sneaked in. The game’s director, Hideo Kojima, had a fancy idea that would have cost players two weeks of playtime. And we’re not talking about “in-game weeks”, but calendar weeks.

Who is Kojima? The well-known Japanese developer Hideo Kojima is famous for his unconventional ideas and distinctive style that is evident in the games he developed. His games from the Metal Gear series are considered legendary and milestones in game development.

However, some of Kojima’s creative impulses can be a bit too unconventional, such as one of his ideas for the game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The popular game was released in 2004 for the PS2 and takes place before the events of its predecessors.

Kojima had intended to incorporate a special fight into his game. Players would have struggled for almost 2 real weeks on a single boss fight if the developer had gotten his way. The original voice actor of Snake, David Hayter, talked about this in a video.

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This is the boss fight in question: The setting of MGS3 is an alternate history during the 1960s, in the Cold War. Players take on the role of CIA agent Naked Snake, who must rescue a Russian scientist and destroy an experimental superweapon.

One of the boss fights in the game is against a rival agent named The End. He is a legendary sniper that players must find in a large area spanning three zones. They will be shot at repeatedly and must deduce his location based on clues such as footprints and the direction of darts from The End.

mgs3 the end boss
The End is a very old man and a sniper legend in MGS3.

The sniper duel was supposed to be as realistic as possible

Hayter describes: In a video from the gaming trivia channel “Did You Know Gaming” on YouTube, voice actor David Hayter told a story about how the fight against The End was originally supposed to last 2 weeks. It was meant to replicate the torturous, lengthy, deadly hide-and-seek game between snipers in the real world:

[…] During development, Kojima fell in love with the stories of author Stephen Hunter, whose books “The Master Sniper” and “Point of Impact” revolve around snipers in the mountains attempting to take each other out.

Kojima’s idea was for Snake’s fight against The End to be as close to a real sniper fight as possible. It was supposed to take place over a span of two real-time weeks.

David Hayter

Players would have to use their environment to stay hidden and quiet. At the same time, they would need to search for clues indicating where The End is hiding, to land the perfect sniper shot.

The developers in Kojima’s team had to read Hunter’s books to better visualize the fight between two snipers. Their boss even dragged them to the mountains to participate in “real training”.

The crazy part is that this boss fight actually made it to the prototype phase. At one point, it was truly part of the playable build. However, when it came to testing the fight, no one could locate the old man [The End]. Numerous players spent hours searching for The End and found nothing. […]

David Hayter

Kojima’s unconventional idea did not resonate with his colleagues. They found the fight to be incredibly boring and frustrating, as it blocked progress through the game. The team even booed the developer for it.

For more stories from gaming on MeinMMO, click here:

This is how it ended: Although the idea for the fight did not make it into the final game, traces of it can still be found in MGS 3. The boss fight against The End is a shorter version of Kojima’s idea and can be completed in different ways:

  • On one hand, you can find “The End” normally through clues.
  • On the other hand, you can also wait a week or set the system date forward by a week. Then The End’s shooting suddenly stops, and when you discover him, you find that he has died of old age.

A little wink that 2 weeks of playtime for a single boss fight is a bit too long.

What do you think of Kojima’s idea? Do you find realism in games exciting and desirable, or not? Let us know in the comments.

Streamer waits 74 hours for a trailer for a mysterious new PS5 game

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

The former WoW boss is working on a new MMORPG based on LoL – He explains the current state of the game

Patrick Freese Patrick Freese Reading time 3 minutes

Many players from the gaming community and fans of League of Legends are eagerly waiting for the MMORPG that Riot is developing for LoL. The head, Greg “Ghostcrawler” Street, gives a brief update. Street has ample experience with MMORPGs: he was the Lead Systems Designer for World of Warcraft for 5 years.

This is what happened before:

On September 12, 2022, the head of the LoL MMORPG spoke about his responsibilities for this project and the current status of the MMORPG.

Yes, there will be LoL champions in the MMORPG, but they will be treated with respect

Who is speaking? The head of the LoL MMORPG is Greg “Ghostcrawler” Street. He was one of the most well-known employees of World of Warcraft from 2008 to 2013. There, he worked as a Lead System Designer and was always in touch with fans. When he joined Riot Games in 2014 as Lead Game Designer, it was big news in the gaming scene.

Now, Greg Street is the head of development for the new LoL MMORPG.

What does he say? In a series of tweets, Greg Street shares more about the creatures and the state of the game:

As the head of this MMO team, I don’t have much actual work related to creating things. One exception is that I do brainstorming and solve issues related to creatures, especially with creatures you fight against. That’s something I’ve done a lot. For work and also D&D, and I love it.

For me, it’s satisfying to think about these contents, what the creatures represent creatively and how they fight from a gameplay perspective. And then to integrate that meaningfully into a (fantasy) ecosystem.

I’m particularly careful not to dictate to the team that they have to use my ideas. I enjoy seeing which ideas excite them and which ideas don’t go anywhere.

Thanks to Legends of Runeterra, there are already a whole host of creatures in the world, but (we and other games!) will need many more.

Note: We adjusted an error and amended the “thanks” to Legends of Runeterra.

Ghostcrawler on Twitter

To this, users on Twitter asked him questions, some of which Ghostcrawler answered. One user asks if the bosses in dungeons could or will be champions. The user imagines fighting a huge Cho’Gath and it makes him curious.

“We want to treat the champions with a lot of respect,” explains Ghostcrawler. “I’m not saying you’ll never fight one of them. But we won’t just use them when we run out of ideas for bosses.”

LoL Cho'Gath Dinosaur
A battle against Cho’Gath in the LoL MMORPG – Would you also like that?

How is the project doing right now? A user asked the MMORPG boss directly how the project is doing and whether the head has confidence in the project.

Ghostcrawler confidently responds and explains (via Twitter) “It’s going well and I have a LOT of confidence in it. The team does too.”

In recent months, a bit of information about the LoL MMORPG has come to light. The game is still in early development. Videos or screenshots are not being shared yet, and we’re not talking about an alpha yet.

But don’t worry, the LoL MMORPG is delivering exactly what many fans want

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

CoD MW2: Beta starts on Friday for pre-orderers, but which version is worth it for me?

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will soon have its beta, but which version is worth it for you and which one will you be participating in on Friday? We show you everything important in an overview and give you a brief consultation about it.

When does the beta for CoD MW2 start? The beta for Modern Warfare 2 kicks off on September 16. On this date, however, only pre-order customers on PlayStation can start initially. A few more days need to pass before the open beta for Sony console users begins on September 18.

All important dates regarding the beta and which version gets to play when can be found in this article:

More on the topic
CoD Modern Warfare 2: Beta is online on all platforms – Duration, Download & Content
von Maik Schneider

To help you keep track, we will take a closer look at the editions in the following section and show you everything you should know.

All versions of CoD Modern Warfare 2 at a glance

What editions are available? There are three editions that you can pre-order. These differ from each other. The following are available:

Now let’s get into detail and show you what to expect in each edition.

Standard Edition

Ghost is also back in the campaign
  • Price – €69.99
  • Platforms – PC only
  • Bonuses
    • Early access to the beta and campaign

Who is this edition worth it for? The edition is especially worthwhile for players who prefer the campaign. Pre-ordering this edition gives you not only early access to the multiplayer beta but also to the story. You can then play it on October 20 before all the other non-pre-order customers.

Cross-Gen Bundle

COD-MWII-Ghost-Cross-Gen
Serious poses for the upcoming release
  • Price – €79.99
  • Platforms – PlayStation and Xbox only
    • You can play on all generations
  • Bonuses
    • Early access to the beta and campaign
    • Last Judgment bundle
    • Khaled Al-Asad operator bundle

Who is this edition worth it for? The Cross-Gen Bundle is especially worthwhile for players who enjoy both the campaign and the multiplayer mode. With a pre-order, you even benefit from two additional operator bundles for the multiplayer.

So if you want to check out MW2 but want to first test the game thoroughly, this would be your version.

Vault Edition

COD-MWII-Vault-Edition
An edition with a lot of content
  • Price – €109.99 for consoles, €99.99 for PC
  • Platforms – For PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
  • Bonuses
    • Early access to the beta and campaign
    • Last Judgment bundle
    • Khaled Al-Asad operator bundle
    • Ghost legacy pack in MW/WZ
    • Red Team 141 operator pack
    • FJX Cinder weapon vault
    • Battle Pass (1 season)
    • 50 tier skips for the Battle Pass

Who is this edition worth it for? This bunker version is primarily worthwhile for players who play in multiplayer mode. Pre-order customers will thus be showered with a bunch of goodies for PvP. Skins and operator packs, as well as the first Battle Pass and even 50 tier skips if you do not manage to complete the Battle Pass.

If you are a fan of Modern Warfare 2 and want to benefit from all bonuses, the Vault Edition is the right choice for you.

That was all the important information about the editions available for purchase.

More about CoD: Modern Warfare 2 can be found here:

Keep this in mind: However, be aware that the bonuses of the pre-order editions may expire once the shooter officially releases.

If you want to play it safe and want to take everything with you, pre-ordering is advisable. Otherwise, you might regret it and miss out on the cool content that comes with pre-orders.

What do you think about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2? Are you hyped? Or would you prefer to wait and see what the community’s response will be after the beta and the official release? Let us know in the comments.

If you prefer Warzone 2, we have the right article for you:

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

PS5 Slim Release: Why Sony Could Introduce the Console Earlier Than Expected

Maximilian Maximilian Reading time 4 minutes

That Sony will release a PS5 Slim is considered very likely. After all, this has always been the case with previous consoles in the series. Now, there are initial signs that this could possibly happen sooner than expected.

Eventually, Sony will launch a Slim version of the PS5. After all, every single PlayStation console has received a slimmed-down and smaller revision of the original model after a few years – a tradition that the Japanese manufacturer will certainly continue with the PS5.

Typically, these new models were always released about three years after the original console launched. Considering that the PlayStation 5 has now been on the market for nearly 2 years, a soon announcement seems plausible.

However, there are initial signs that some kind of “prototype” of the PS5 Slim might even be available right now. 

Recently, Sony released the latest model of the PlayStation 5 “CFI-1200” in Australia and Japan. Such revisions of the original console are not unusual at first. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at the latest model – especially since it indeed provides initial hints of a PS5 Slim.

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The latest model of the PS5 could be a “prototype” of the PS5 Slim

What distinguishes the latest revision from the older models? The most obvious difference from both the original model (CFI-1000) and the first revision of the console from last year (CFI-1100) is clearly the reduced weight. While the disc version of the console, released at launch, weighed a hefty 4.5 kg, Sony has now reduced the weight of the PS5 to only 3.9 kg. The fact that Sony is already slimming down its latest console is a good indicator of the release of a Slim variant in the not too distant future.

The reasons for the weight loss are primarily due to a smaller cooler, a significantly shorter board, and a much smaller motherboard. In the CFI-1200, the motherboard is indeed only half the size of that of the original model. To ensure that it remains well secured within the console, Sony has also modified the plastic case in the middle of the console, between the two side plates. Viewed this way, one could already consider building a Slim version of the PS5 around the now only half-sized motherboard. 

Due to all these material savings, the latest revision of the PS5 has already become significantly cheaper to manufacture. At least, that’s what Tweaktown.com reports. Sony recently announced that they want to increase the price of the console:

More on the topic
Sony announces price increase for the PS5 – This is what you will have to pay from now on
von Benedikt Schlotmann
Comparison of the internal components of the different PS5 models (Screenshot: PSReady YouTube-Channel)

Another highly interesting detail in this regard is that the APU of the new model of the PS5 has also been modified. 

What is an APU? An APU is an Accelerated Processing Unit. It refers to a processor that has an integrated graphics chip and therefore does not require a separate graphics card. These are used in many office PCs and in gaming consoles like the PS5 or Xbox. The term “APU” is also coined by AMD. There are no “APUs” at Nvidia or Intel; a different term is used at Intel.

The revised APU of the CFI-1200 model consumes not only 20 watts less while gaming, but it also doesn’t get as hot – a problem that has occurred at Sony more frequently in the past. Thus, the reduced power consumption also explains why temperatures do not rise further despite the smaller cooler. 

A lower power consumption has also always been the case with earlier slim versions. For example, the PS4 Slim consumes 165 W, the “normal” PS4 250 W, and the PS4 Pro consumes significantly the most power at 310 W. 

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My favorite accessories for the PS5 is an SSD and you should buy one too
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When can we expect a visually altered PS5 Slim? 

Are there also factors that make the imminent release of a PS5 Slim unlikely? The switch to a completely new manufacturing process – especially in combination with supply difficulties due to the corona situation – currently seems fundamentally difficult to imagine.

However, Sony has already made significant changes to the design of the PS5 with the CFI-1200. So far, this mainly concerns the internal components of the console with the new and space-saving components. For that reason alone, one can indeed be optimistic that it won’t be too long before a visually smaller version of the console is also announced. 

However, how many centimeters and grams Sony will ultimately take away from the polarizing design of the “largest ice cream cone in the world” is still completely open. 

However, it is likely that the new design will not be too far from that of the previous models. It is conceivable, for example, that the stand of the console will not be necessary for a shorter Slim version. Just this change would make the console significantly more space-saving than the current PS5 model. This step would also make a lot of sense from a cost perspective.

By the way, a pro-controller for the PS5 was recently introduced by Sony: 

Start video
PS5 presents its own pro controller in the trailer

Furthermore, the additional reduction of materials could significantly increase production capacities, allowing Sony to deliver even more consoles to the public.

Do you also not have a PS5? If you haven’t got a PS5 yet, then be sure to check out our ticker. We keep you updated daily and explain how you can best get a PS5 and show you drops related to the coveted console.

There are regular PS5 deals from various retailers. By keeping an eye on our live ticker, you’ll reduce the chance of missing out on the popular console.

Buy PS5 – Keep an eye on these retailers from now on

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

The best sniper in PUBG goes viral on TikTok – Is so good at math that it looks like cheating

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

27-year-old Dana “Danucd” Gard is a Twitch streamer known for showcasing PUBG: Battlegrounds. She is considered the best sniper in the online shooter: opponents often accuse her of cheating. In videos on TikTok, she reveals her secret: she is just good at math.

How did Danucd’s career on Twitch go? The streamer is 27 and lives in Riga, Latvia. She plays almost exclusively the battle royale shooter PUBG:

  • Danucd started streaming in April 2018, and her channel on Twitch skyrocketed within half a year from 2 viewers to an average of 2000.
  • However, the problem was that PUBG has lost a lot of popularity since 2018 after streamers like DrDisrespect, shroud, and Summit1g left the game. In 2022, PUBG ranked only 30th among the most-watched Twitch games, with many of the viewers coming from Asia – in 2018, PUBG was still 4th.
  • Thus, Danucd’s Twitch career stagnated after the extremely steep rise in 2018: Over the following 4 years, she fluctuated between 1600 and 2000 average viewers.

PUBG was the biggest game of all time on Steam from 2017, then Fortnite came:

Start video
Everything that makes PUBG: Battlegrounds special in 2 minutes

Sniper Videos Go Viral on TikTok

This is her breakthrough now: The streamer is making headlines with a series of “TikTok” videos. In the videos, she shows how she uses mathematics to successfully complete even extremely difficult kills:

  • She checks the map to see where her opponent is approximately located – apparently orienting herself to certain objects on the map to pinpoint the opponent
  • Then she estimates in her head how many meters away he is
  • Once she knows the distance, she can adjust her sniper rifle to calculate the bullet’s trajectory and take him down with a single shot.
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The streamer herself says:

Why do people call me a cheater when I snipe? I just use math.

With the video, DanucD has achieved enormous success: The clip has already received over 6,600 comments and almost 800,000 likes after 2 days.

In a second video, she shows moments where she is so successful that people accuse her of cheating (via YouTube).

More on the topic
Why are so many PUBG cheaters coming from China?
von Jürgen Horn

How is this being commented on? In over 6,600 comments, TikTok users express their opinions about the video (via TikTok):

  • One user explains it: “Hmm, opponents don’t move, and every mark in the scope represents 100 m. Using landmarks on the map that even show meters – ez!”
  • However, one TikTok user is put off: “Why play a game where you have to do math?”
  • A TikTok user sees her exact problem in the video: “I always guessed. Haha. Don’t make me try so hard. In the end, I’m dead.”
  • Another user regrets life choices: “My math teacher was right. I should have paid attention in class?”
  • In any case, the streamer is given much respect: “Is she the best female sniper or just the best sniper overall?”

TikTok proves to be an exciting medium for gaming streamers to reach new audiences – especially when one has the misfortune of playing a game that isn’t among the popular games on Twitch.

Streamer IShowSpeed also benefits greatly from TikTok:

Fortnite: Streamer bets with 6-year-old for $100 – berates him for 35 seconds when he can’t pay

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

Beta test gives you the first cool skins for Modern Warfare 2 – How to get them

Maik Schneider Maik Schneider Reading time 3 minutes

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 starts its beta test on September 16 on PS4 and PS5. All participants have a chance at their first skins for the shooter. Additionally, there is new information about the beta preload.

When does the beta for Modern Warfare 2 start? The beta will run over two weekends, with the first phase only available for players on PlayStation. A pre-order grants you “Early Access”:

  • PlayStation Dates
    • Early Access: September 16 – 17
    • Open Beta 1: September 18 – 20
    • Open Beta 2: September 22 – 26
  • Xbox/PC Dates
    • Early Access: September 22 – 23
    • Open Beta: September 24 – 26
  • All information about the beta is here

MeinMMO lists the currently known information about the download, what rewards you can expect for participation, and what the contents of the beta might look like. Here you can find all the information about Modern Warfare 2.

The new multiplayer map “Grand Prix” is part of the beta; check out the trailer here:

Start video
Fans are amazed by the first Multiplayer Map in CoD: Modern Warfare 2 – “Even the Formula 1 cars are detailed”

CoD MW2 Beta – Preload, Download, Rewards

What rewards are there? If you level up in the beta, you will earn rewards. This includes skins for operators and weapons, a talisman, and emblems.

In the first weekend, there are rewards from level 2 to level 15. In the second weekend, you will unlock the “Beta Rewards” from level 2 to level 30. This secures your first cosmetics for CoD MW2, if you haven’t bought any of the expensive versions or participated in the open beta.

The rewards from the first week are not PlayStation-exclusive.

call of duty modern warfare 2 beta rewards 2022

When does the preload go live? The dates for the preload on PlayStation are now known. On Wednesday, September 14, at 7 PM, the preload will be available for all pre-order customers.

  • PlayStation preload for pre-order customers: September 14 / 7 PM

Search for the beta in the PlayStation Store and start the download. You are automatically registered if you purchased the game digitally. If you prefer CDs, you should have received a code for early access.

How large is the download? No official statements have been made yet. However, a data miner claims to have found the files in the PlayStation’s update system.

It is said that the beta is 15 to 30 GB in size, depending on the region. The version in Europe is expected to be the largest, so expect a download of around 30 GB.

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More about Call of Duty on MeinMMO:

What can you test in the beta? There is still little known about the content. The map “Grand Prix” is said to be in the game, and the revised Gunsmith makes its debut. The beta of the predecessor CoD: Vanguard offered 6 modes on 4 maps.

Otherwise, it is important to thoroughly test the new and revised mechanics. There are significant improvements in water gameplay, new movement mechanics, and completely revised vehicle gameplay.

More information about the gameplay innovations can be found here: The 5 most important innovations in CoD MW2 and why I can only think of Warzone 2 in this context

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

Beware when friends invite you to tournaments on Steam – There is nasty fraud behind it

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

On Steam, scammers are currently trying to gain access to Steam accounts with a new trick. To lure users, hackers offer exciting tournaments. However, those who participate will lose access to their account.

Scammers regularly target valuable accounts and profiles. However, a new scam is currently making the rounds. This is reported by the Online magazine PCGamer. Hackers are trying to access your Steam account by using a particularly nasty tactic, directing you to a deceptively real website. A comprehensive analysis of the attacks was launched by the security service Group-IB.

Scammers send nasty invitations to tournaments

How does the trick work? Users receive a direct message on Steam from unknown individuals or friends inviting them to participate in a tournament. The messages vary:

  • A final player is needed for the team in a LoL, CS, Dota 2, or PUBG tournament.
  • They suggest that you should vote for the user’s favorite team.
  • Some request that you purchase discounted tickets for digital sports events.

If you click the link in the message, you will be redirected to a convincingly real tournament platform that officially offers tournaments, merchandise, and other things. Here, you are supposed to enter your Steam login credentials and your two-factor authentication.

However, once you enter your details here, you will receive an error message stating that something must have gone wrong. Now the scammers have access to your Steam account and can change your credentials. You will lose access for a while. This method is known as a “Browser-in-the-Browser” attack.

What happens next? The scammers begin to empty your account. This includes valuable skins, loot boxes, or other digital items that you have on your Steam account.

If you finally regain access to your account, all items and skins will be gone. If you had credit card or other banking details stored, these are likely to have been copied by the scammers as well.

Hackers direct you to a deceptively real website

Why is the tactic so nasty? As soon as you click the link, a popup window opens in Steam, similar to what you experience with credit card institutions or PayPal when you want to pay on Steam. In this popup window, you will see a convincingly real page: it is professionally designed, available in multiple languages, and uses a validity certificate.

The login window for Steam also looks familiar. It features the same login interface that is used officially by Valve.

Have you received such a message already, or do you have friends who have received such messages? Or have you so far been spared? Let us know in the comments!

Hackers regularly target gamers’ digital riches. In one game, scammers made a particularly large haul. It involves half a billion euros:

Hackers steal €550 million from NFT game – Pokémon-like game was unfortunately too successful

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

Pokémon GO: Spotlight Hour today with Trasla and XP bonus

Patrick Freese Patrick Freese Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO today, on September 13th, the Spotlight Hour with Trasla starts. There is a bonus that gives you more experience points. We will show you everything about the start, Shinies, and the bonuses.

What kind of event is this? Every Tuesday, there is a Spotlight Hour in Pokémon GO. From 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, this type of event is active and highlights a selected Pokémon for 60 minutes. You will encounter it very frequently in the wild.

Additionally, there is a bonus that rounds off the event for you. Here we show you an overview of what will happen today, on September 13th.

Spotlight Hour on September 13th – Start, Bonuses, Shiny

When does it start? As usual, it begins at 6:00 PM German time with the Spotlight Hour and Trasla. The event is active until 7:00 PM.

What bonuses are there? During the Spotlight Hour, you will encounter Trasla almost everywhere in the wild. If you use incense, you can further increase the number of spawns.

Additionally, there is an XP bonus. For catching Pokémon, you will receive double the amount of experience points. If you’re still on the path from level 41 to 50, you can take good advantage of the event.

More on the topic:

Is there Shiny Trasla? Yes, in Pokémon GO you can find and catch Shiny Trasla. This is also possible outside of the Spotlight Hour. In the following graphic, we show you the shimmering family of Trasla compared to the normal form.

For whom is the Spotlight Hour today worthwhile? The Spotlight Hour today is very interesting for you. Because Gardevoir is an important attacker for raids, which we often mention in our counter guides. If you raid a lot, you should secure a few strong specimens of Trasla. For PvP players, Gallade could be interesting, as it performs well in the upper middle class in the Great and Ultra Leagues.

Alternatively, the event is worth it to gain XP and possible Shinies.

The dates for the Community Days in September, October, and November have been finalized.

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

Activision Blizzard invites 150 streamers to event in Call of Duty – But DrDisrespect does not: ‘Are you kidding me?’

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

YouTuber streamer Guy “DrDisrespect” Beahm used to work for Activision Blizzard on Call of Duty and is now one of the most important shooter streamers in the world. Activision Blizzard is now going to present Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and CoD Warzone 2 at an event, having invited 150 streamers: But not DrDisrespect.

What relationship does DrDisrespect have with Activision Blizzard?

  • Before his career as a streamer, Guy Beahm worked for Sledgehammer Games, which is one of the studios that works on Call of Duty for Activision Blizzard.
  • Beahm first worked as a Community Manager and later as a Level Designer. Here he helped develop several maps for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. He left the studio in September 2015.
  • During his streaming career, DrDisrespect often played Call of Duty and at times voiced strong criticism of the game.
More on the topic
DrDisrespect explains seriously how his Twitch career started
von Schuhmann

Activision Blizzard invites 150 live streamers to CoD event

What’s going on with the event now? Activision Blizzard is planning the next major offensive for Call of Duty by the end of the year: CoD Warzone 2 promises to be huge and is an opportunity for streamers like DrDisrespect to make a fresh start.

On September 15 at 6:30 PM, the major event “CoD Next” is supposed to take place and introduce the new phase of Call of Duty.

It is known that more than “150 live streamers” were invited to the event – but apparently streamer DrDisrespect is not among them.

Call of Duty wants to dominate the end of the gaming year 2022:

Start video
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II “Ultimate Team” Teaser

“I love Call of Duty and want to be the best at it”

This is what DrDisrespect says about it: In a stream, DrDisrespect appears somewhat sniffly. The 40-year-old seems to feel misunderstood and wants to emphasize his love for Call of Duty. Because he tears apart and criticizes games only when he really loves them and speaks about them passionately:

If I’m not tearing into a game in the most passionate way possible, it’s probably because your game doesn’t interest me. But if I’m sitting here destroying Call of Duty, picking it apart, and tearing it into pieces, it’s because I love Call of Duty and want to be the best at it.

It particularly seems to hurt the 2-meter man now that 2k has included him in NBA 2k23 and features him as a character, while Activision Blizzard shows him no respect.

He says 2k understands it: They included him in NBA 2k23 because they want to create the best possible game. But Activision Blizzard “just doesn’t get it,” namely him, the Two-Time:

“Do you know who just doesn’t get it? Activision Blizzard, they just don’t understand. They used to understand. Now they have a few new people – I don’t know who that is. Not inviting me to the CoD Next event – You gotta be kidding me?”

DrDisrespect just wants respect

This is what’s behind it: It becomes evident time and again with the “new DrDisrespect” how much it hurts him that with the ban from Twitch many of his business contacts and opportunities were cut off.

Because many companies apparently shy away from working with DrDisrespect for fear that something dark will come to light that led to his Twitch ban.

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DrDisrespect probably wishes for this cuddly and special treatment for CoD as well.

That’s why it was also unusual that 2k worked so closely with him on NBA 2k23. The fact that his former employer Activision Blizzard is not inviting him to such an event seems to really hurt him.

At Twitch, DrDisrespect had built a brand. The enterprising streamer had several irons in the fire and was in and out with big companies. As he later admitted in a stream, everything fell apart when Twitch decided to ban him. His career crumbled, something even a tough guy like DrDisrespect can’t handle:

Dr Disrespect can’t handle the Twitch ban, has real problems

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

Pokémon GO: The big Steel event starts on Friday with Mega-Stock and Togedemaru

Franzi Korittke Franzi Korittke Reading time 4 minutes

In Pokémon GO will take place from Friday, September 16, 2022, the Steel Event “Test Your Nerves.” This brings you not only bonuses but also numerous spawns. We at MeinMMO have looked at what content you can expect and show you the new monsters in the game.

What event is it about? Under the name “Test Your Nerves,” a large Steel Event starts on Friday in Pokémon GO. Joining in are plenty of Steel Pokémon, which you can encounter in the wild and in raids. And new Pokémon will also debut in the game on this occasion. The event is additionally rounded off with various bonuses.

You can particularly look forward to the following highlights:

When does the Steel Event start? The Steel Event “Test Your Nerves” starts on September 16, 2022, at 10:00 AM local time and runs until September 21, 2022, at 8:00 PM local time.

All new Pokémon for the Steel Event

As part of the Steel Event, four new monsters will debut in Pokémon GO: Kaguron, Katagami, Togedemaru, and Mega-Stolloss. Below we briefly introduce you to the new monsters.

Kaguron: Kaguron is an Ultra Beast of the Steel and Flying types. It originates from the 7th generation of games and has no pre-evolutions or further developments. You can recognize Kaguron by a kind of silvery gray metal armor that surrounds its otherwise thin white body.

Kaguron (via pokemon.com)

The Pokémon will be available in the level 5 raids as of September 13, 2022, unlike the other spawns of the event, but only in the Southern Hemisphere. So if you want to secure this monster, you will need to be invited by your friends to a corresponding raid abroad.

You can find the best counters against the Ultra Beast Kaguron here.

Katagami: While you can only find Kaguron in the coming days in the Southern Hemisphere, Katagami will take over the level 5 raids in the Northern Hemisphere during this time. The Ultra Beast is also from the 7th generation of games and can be classified under the types Grass and Steel. Like Kaguron, it has no pre-evolutions or further developments.

You can recognize the “Sword Art Pokémon” by its white, paper-thin body, resembling origami, as well as its yellow and orange embellishments.

Katagami (via pokemon.com)

Here we have compiled the best counters against Katagami.

Togedemaru: Another new Pokémon that you can catch for the first time at the Steel Event is Togedemaru. The Electric and Steel Pokémon, also referred to as “Rolypoly Pokémon,” also originates from the 7th generation of games.

Its cute, white-gray, round body is decorated with brown and yellow spikes that it can use for defense. This Pokémon also does not have any pre-evolutions or further developments. You can find it throughout the event in the wild, in raids, and in research task rewards.

Togedemaru (via pokemon.com)

Mega-Stolloss: A Pokémon that many players have been eagerly waiting for is Mega-Stolloss. The Steel Pokémon can finally be found in Mega Raids with the start of the Steel Event. The Mega Evolution can be temporarily activated from the Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon Stolloss using the corresponding Mega Energy.

Mega-Stolloss (via pokemon.com)

All spawns and Shinies of the Steel Event

In addition to the new entries, you can also look forward to many other spawns and raid bosses in Pokémon GO. And also in the 7 km eggs, other contents can be found during this time. With a bit of luck, you may even encounter a shiny or two. All Pokémon that you can catch in their shiny form are marked with an (*).

Wild spawns:

  • Magnetilo*
  • Tannza*
  • Nasgnet*
  • Stollunior*
  • Tanhel*
  • Bronzel*
  • Rotomurf
  • Kastadur*
  • Togedemaru
  • rare: Pliprin, Galar-Flunschlik*

Pokémon from 7 km eggs:

  • Alola-Sandan*
  • Alola-Digda*
  • Galar-Mauzi*
  • Riolu*
  • Galar-Flunschlik*

Raid bosses of the Steel Event:

  • Level-1 raids: Sichlor*, Tanhel*, Schilterus*, Klikk*, Togedemaru
  • Level-3 raids: Magneton, Panzaeron*, Flunkifer*, Stollrak
  • Level-5 raids: Kaguron (Southern Hemisphere), Katagami (Northern Hemisphere)
  • Mega raids: Mega-Stolloss*

All bonuses for the Steel Event

During the Steel Event, you can benefit from bonuses. We have summarized what these will be below:

  • Higher chance of XL candies when catching with great, ultra, or excellent throws
  • additional candies when catching with great, ultra, or excellent throws
  • Time-limited research
    • Reward: Mega Energy for Stolloss, encounter with Togedemaru and Stollunior
  • Event quests
    • Reward: Encounters with Magnetilo*, Tannza*, Nasgnet*, Rotomurf, Kastadur*, Togedemaru, Tanhel* as well as Mega Energy for Stolloss and Scherox

More about Pokémon GO:

What do you think of the contents of the Steel Event “Test Your Nerves”? Which Pokémon are you most looking forward to? And what other content were you hoping for? Feel free to let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers on this topic.

In addition to the Steel Event, you can expect another highlight on Sunday. We show you, what bonuses to expect on Community Day with Kiesling.

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

Pokémon GO starts today raids with 2 new bosses – Katagami and Kaguron

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 3 minutes

Pokémon GO is getting two new raid bosses in 5-star raids today. Katagami and Kaguron are taking over the gyms – but not everywhere.

Update, September 13, 2022: The previously secret bosses are now known!

When are the new bosses coming? In the overview of the Pokémon GO events in September, Niantic officially announced: Between September 13 and September 27, there will be 5-star raids with secret bosses. The raid hours between September 14 and 21 will also include these bosses.

The bosses are now known: They are two new Ultra Beasts:

  • Katagami
  • Kaguron

These two will replace Deoxys in the raids starting now.

Where do the monsters appear? These two bosses are currently regional monsters.

  • Katagami appears in the northern hemisphere, including Germany
  • Kaguron appears in the southern hemisphere

Thus, you can only challenge one of the monsters with the “regular” raid passes unless you have planned an appropriate trip. The other monster could, however, be obtained through a remote raid with an appropriate invitation.

Which monsters you should use for the raids can be found here:

This article is an update. Prior to this, the two Ultra Beasts had appeared in a leak – here continues the original article.

Two new Ultra Beasts might appear in the 5-star raids of Pokémon GO

What was found: A new discovery by the Pokeminers shows that attack pools have been added for two Ultra Beasts. These monsters are “Kaguron” and “Katagami”.

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Basically, this discovery is a leak, not official information from the developers. So it is quite possible that the contents will still change or may not even make it into the game. Furthermore, this is only an update of the attacks – not an official addition to the raids.

Nevertheless, the timing fits very well with the fact that two still unknown monsters are supposed to occupy the raids tomorrow. Kaguron and Katagami are a good possibility, as the last Ultra Beasts also landed in the 5-star raids.

Especially Katagami creates anticipation in the Pokémon GO subreddit – as this monster could become one of the best grass attackers for raids with the shown attacks Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade.

Start video
Pokémon GO: The strongest attackers of all types in the video

Are there any other candidates? Two other monsters could also be considered as bosses for the raids, because: Recently, there have been more and more hints about the themes “Sun” and “Moon” in Pokémon GO. These match the two legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala. The two monsters are also evolutions of Cosmog, which currently plays a role in the special research “A Cosmic Companion”.

Lunala was recently discovered in a leak for Pokémon GO. At the same time, assets for Kaguron were also added – accordingly, a mix with Lunala and Kaguron is even conceivable.

For now, we have to wait – until the official announcement, or even until the start of the new raids.

Which monsters would you like to see in the raids? Let us know in the comments!

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

Twitch streamer Asmongold tells how he talked his way out of a ban in WoW: „I felt like a genius“

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

The Twitch streamer Asmongold is working on his legend. In a Twitch stream, he now explains how, as a teenager, he pulled off a masterstroke: he made a bad joke in the trade chat of World of Warcraft, received a ban in the MMORPG, but managed to convince a game master from Blizzard to let him go.

This is the situation:

  • In WoW, there is a trade chat where a lot of silly stuff is written, especially in the capitals.
  • A typical, quite adolescent gag is to write the word “anal” and then link an item or a skill from World of Warcraft.
  • The Twitch streamer Asmongold is now telling exactly about his situation in a stream.

The showcase nerd of Twitch – thousands hang on his lips as he explains MMORPGs to them:

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

Ban in WoW for anal [Kil’jaeden’s Mal]

This was the ban of Asmongold: Right now, WoW Classic is approaching the expansion “Wrath of the Lich King” – which brings the servers to the brink of collapse.

As Asmongold is talking about the passage of time in a Twitch stream, he begins to tell a story from around 2008, when the legendary expansion was originally released.

Asmongold was 17 years old at the time:

So I made one of those “anal jokes” in the trade chat and I got reported. A game master messaged me and – everyone made some arbitrary anal joke – and I just put “anal” before “Kil’jaeden’s Mal.” It was completely arbitrary – I just thought it was funny.

Asmongold

How could Asmongold free himself from the ban? He says he simply asked if “anal” was a bad word.

The GM explains that the word is not bad, but if you add something, then it becomes a bad word.

But Asmongold tells he asked the GM now:

What do you think “anal Kil’jaeden’s Mal” means? That’s a non sequitur. There’s no sexual innuendo here – it makes no sense at all.

And I actually won the discussion with the game master and they lifted the ban. I was 17 at the time: I felt so great, you can’t even imagine. Like a damn genius, a mastermind. I outsmarted you again, Blizzard, I showed you!

Asmongold

What is a non sequitur? The “magic word” that Asmongold used to convince the Blizzard GM describes a “fallacy in an argument.”

Just because “anal” has a sexual connotation in some contexts, doesn’t mean that every word you put after it is automatically sexual.

Thus, “anal Kil’Jaeden’s Mal” is not sexual.

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What is behind it? It is a heroic story:

  • The young Hercules strangled snakes in his cradle.
  • Asmongold already defeated a feared Blizzard GM in a debate at the age of 17.

No wonder he has become such a great guy.

Asmongold was able to avoid the ban back then due to his brilliant mind. A few weeks ago, Blizzard banned him again from WoW, but he got out of that ban quickly too. However, some players suspect favoritism:

Asmongold’s ban from WoW shows how much normal players are annoyed by the special status of Twitch streamers

The GM then contacted him and said: We have banned your account and you cannot speak. The reason was what Asmongold had put in the chat.

More on the topic
The exemplary nerd of Twitch must not have a girlfriend: “I want him to be unhappy and lonely like I am.”
von Lydia

Asmongold felt like a “damn genius” when he won the discussion

How could Asmongold free himself from the ban? He says he simply asked if “anal” was a bad word.

The GM explains that the word is not bad, but if you add something, then it becomes a bad word.

But Asmongold tells he asked the GM now:

What do you think “anal Kil’jaeden’s Mal” means? That’s a non sequitur. There’s no sexual innuendo here – it makes no sense at all.

And I actually won the discussion with the game master and they lifted the ban. I was 17 at the time: I felt so great, you can’t even imagine. Like a damn genius, a mastermind. I outsmarted you again, Blizzard, I showed you!

Asmongold

What is a non sequitur? The “magic word” that Asmongold used to convince the Blizzard GM describes a “fallacy in an argument.”

Just because “anal” has a sexual connotation in some contexts, doesn’t mean that every word you put after it is automatically sexual.

Thus, “anal Kil’Jaeden’s Mal” is not sexual.

Recommended editorial content

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

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content

What is behind it? It is a heroic story:

  • The young Hercules strangled snakes in his cradle.
  • Asmongold already defeated a feared Blizzard GM in a debate at the age of 17.

No wonder he has become such a great guy.

Asmongold was able to avoid the ban back then due to his brilliant mind. A few weeks ago, Blizzard banned him again from WoW, but he got out of that ban quickly too. However, some players suspect favoritism:

Asmongold’s ban from WoW shows how much normal players are annoyed by the special status of Twitch streamers

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

An unloved mechanic continues to cause frustration in Path of Exile – “The worst mess in this game”

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

The players of Path of Exile are frustrated, and the cause is a mechanic that was once considered rewarding. We at MeinMMO will show you what it’s all about.

What mechanic is it about? Players are frustrated by the Archnemesis mechanic.

  • Archnemesis was originally an expansion mechanic,
  • Archnemesis allowed players to design rare monsters with new modifiers.
  • Players could create very strong and difficult-to-fight monsters through Archnemesis and fight against them.
  • As a reward for victory, there was valuable loot.

Archnemesis used to be rewarding, now it’s just frustrating

Why was Archnemesis not a problem in the past? Archnemesis is one of the aspects that YouTuber ZiggyD mentions in his comprehensive summary as a reason for the frustration of PoE players.

Some of the modifiers are considered frustrating by players, but at the release of Archnemesis, that was not a problem. Players created their strong opponents themselves and were therefore responsible for frustrating fights.

Overall, the annoyance was worth it because of the loot that players received at that time through the Archnemesis expansion. But that changed with the release of the Sentinel expansion.

Start video
Path of Exile Sentinel Trailer

Why has Archnemesis been so unpopular since the Sentinel expansion? When the Sentinel expansion for Path of Exile was released in May 2022, the frustrating Archnemesis modifiers were added to all rare monsters in the game.

On top of that, players said goodbye to valuable loot from Archnemesis opponents with the expansion. As the original rewards from Archnemesis opponents are no longer dropped, the rare monsters became more frustrating but no longer rewarding.

The reddit user Filthytricks shared a video of fighting Archnemesis opponents:

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Players express frustration on reddit

This is what players say: The players of Path of Exile find the Archnemesis monsters frustrating, and the game is no longer fun for some.

  • Yurdahil via reddit: “I just find it funny how Archnemesis was supposed to make you interact with rare enemies and have interesting fights with them. Meanwhile, I can hardly see the enemy while I try to dodge all the random junk on the screen.”
  • expeLeviosa via reddit: “Archnemesis – The worst mess in this game by far. Why should I consider bosses as these all-powerful lore creatures when the normal rare monsters are just as threatening?”
  • VerothEnd via reddit: “Archnemesis be like: ‘*Random Bullshit*, GO!'”
  • Caouette1994 via reddit: “Honestly, it gets harder and harder to stay calm and polite when it comes to describing this kind of ‘experience’. […] Let’s not even talk about how rare monsters usually drop armors and whetstones, what a terrible design.”

What do you think about the Archnemesis mechanic in Path of Exile? Do you believe the game would be better without it, or do you think the negativity of the players is exaggerated? Feel free to tell us here on MeinMMO in the comments!

If you’re looking to take a break from Path of Exile, Last Epoch might be the perfect alternative for you:

Action RPG on Steam mixes Diablo and PoE, has over 10,000 positive reviews – “This is Diablo 4”

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

Chess: 19-year-old Twitch streamer gets caught cheating twice, now beats the world champion – he storms out of the tournament angrily

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

In chess, there is a controversy regarding cheating. The 19-year-old Twitch streamer Hans Niemann cheated twice on the site chess.com a few years ago, was banned from the site, and has since ruined his reputation. On September 4, he defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen at a tournament. Carlsen angrily left the tournament.

Why is the 19-year-old considered a cheater? The 19-year-old Hans Moke Niemann is an American chess grandmaster and live streamer on Twitch. He streams under the name “GmHansN” and has 58,000 followers.

Niemann admitted that he has been banned twice from the site “chess.com” for cheating:

  • Once when he was 12 years old
  • Once when he was 16 years old

Today, he says these incidents are embarrassing for him, but he has admitted to them and is determined to make amends and restore his reputation.

This reputation, however, seems to be permanently ruined in the chess community.

Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura explains: Niemann was banned from playing for money on chess.com for 6 months:

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19-Year-Old Defeats Chess God Carlsen

This was the controversy: Niemann plays in a tournament in St. Louis against world champion and chess god Magnus Carlsen, who had eliminated one of the best chess players in the world in the first round. Carlsen had previously gone 53 games without a loss.

Carlsen played with white against Niemann and the unimaginable happened: Carlsen lost in 57 moves.

He made some mistakes at the beginning: Ultimately, Carlsen was behind with a bishop against a knight and 2 pawns so much that he had to resign. It is believed that Carlsen may have completely underestimated his opponent.

You can view the game move by move here (via chessgame.com).

In any case, Niemann’s victory against Carlsen was a real sensation. Niemann himself called it: “A ridiculous miracle.” He said he had speculated how Carlsen would open and had prepared for it.

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The best chess player in the world no longer wants to be a world champion, rather to break an insurmountable high score
von Schuhmann

“If I tell the truth, I’ll get in trouble”

This was Carlsen’s reaction: Carlsen withdrew from the tournament the next day, on September 5. He posted a meme of football coach Mourinho saying: “If I tell the truth, I’ll get in trouble, big trouble. And I don’t want to be in trouble.”

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The statement in connection with the Mourinho clip was read as an accusation that Niemann had cheated in his victory against him. Even though Carlsen did not make the accusation explicitly, others jumped in for him and took it up.

Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura stated that Carlsen would never withdraw from a tournament without very, very good reasons. After all, Carlsen is the “ultimate competitor.”

Carlsen must “strongly suspect that Niemann cheated,” Nakamura speculates.

Twitch is always good for a surprise:

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Twitch: One of the most popular clips shows a super sweet scare moment

Did Niemann Cheat with Sex Toys?

How is he supposed to have cheated? No one really knows, as there were strong security measures against cheating at the tournament.

A Canadian grandmaster speculates that Niemann could have cheated with anal beads: Through the vibrations, an accomplice might have been signaling moves to Niemann. But he is not an expert on that.

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How does the accused respond? He says in a statement:

If you want me to strip completely naked, I will do it. Because I know that I am clean.

According to Niemann, he has never cheated at a board in his life. He has only cheated in some online games.

I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me. I am proud of myself for learning from my mistakes and now dedicating everything to chess. I have sacrificed everything for chess and have done everything to improve.

He says that at the tournament, there was the best technology in the world to detect cheats. People know exactly that he did not cheat.

I believe it is completely unfair. I am not afraid to tell the world that I cheated in a few random games when I was 12 and 16 because that is who I am.

For Niemann, the encounter with Magnus Carlsen was very strange:

You spend your whole life looking up to someone and then you meet him and know that your dream is coming true. I lived my dream for one day by beating Magnus, and then all of this happened.

Since the success of “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix, chess is experiencing a surge on Twitch. Individual chess players have become influencers and use the streaming platform Twitch to reach a new audience:

Chess grandmasters discover Twitch, talk fast, play faster

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Source(s):
  1. pc gamer
  2. reddit

FIFA 23: Official ratings show the overpowering Mbappé – Top 23 are now here

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

Official FIFA 23 ratings have now been announced. The “FIFA ambassadors” were introduced first – and more ratings are expected to come soon.

Update, September 12, 5:00 PM: Now, further values are known. The 23 best players have been published:

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  1. Mbappé – 91
  2. Benzema – 91
  3. Lewandowski – 91
  4. De Bruyne – 91
  5. Messi – 91
  6. Salah – 90
  7. Van Dijk – 90
  8. C. Ronaldo – 90
  9. Courtois – 90
  10. Neuer – 90
  11. Neymar Jr. – 89
  12. Son – 89
  13. Mané – 89
  14. Kimmich – 89
  15. Casemiro – 89
  16. Alisson – 89
  17. Kane – 89
  18. Ederson – 89
  19. Kanté – 89
  20. Oblak – 89
  21. Haaland – 88
  22. Kroos – 88
  23. Marquinhos – 88

Here continues with the original article.

What are FIFA 23 ratings? The ratings are the values with which real football players are equipped in the game. Overall rating, speed, dribbling, passing, shooting, and many other numbers determine how strong a player will be in the game itself.

Every year, the ratings are eagerly awaited; however, for FIFA 23 there was a major leak on Xbox. This revealed numerous ratings – and it’s possible that some of these values will still be adjusted for the “FIFA 23” release.

In any case, EA Sports has now announced the first official ratings. The “FIFA ambassadors” were presented with ratings. We will show you these here.

The first official FIFA 23 ratings – Featuring a strong Mbappé

These values were shown: EA Sports presented a total of 13 players.

The first 23 official ratings (via EA Sports / Twitter)
  • ST: Kylian Mbappé, 91
  • IV: Virgil van Dijk, 90
  • LF: Heung-min Son, 89
  • LF: Vinícius Jr., 86
  • ZM: Pedri, 85
  • LV: Davies, 84
  • MS: João Felix, 84
  • ZM: Federico Valverde, 84
  • ZOM: Kai Havertz, 84
  • LF: Jack Grealish, 84
  • ST: Dusan Vlahović, 84
  • ZM: Jude Bellingham, 84
  • LF: Christian Pulisic, 82

More about FIFA 23 on MeinMMO:

This is how strong Mbappé will be: At the current stage, these cards correspond to what has already been known through the leak. This also applies to Kylian Mbappé, who will likely be the best player at the start of FIFA 23.

In the FIFA subreddit, the card is already being discussed. Some users think that Mbappé’s new card could be worlds better than all the others that will end up in the game – especially since other favorites like Ronaldo & Messi are likely to receive a downgrade.

In recent years, Mbappé has been considered almost unbeatable due to his combination of speed, dribbling, finishing, unique animations, and 5-star skills. It seems that this will be the case again this year.

Meanwhile, we have already taken a look at which talents from the Bundesliga could be really exciting in FIFA 23.

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Underdog goes to the LoL Worlds, deals a blow to the European top team G2

Marcel Marcel Reading time 3 minutes

The World Championship of League of Legends is around the corner. To qualify for the group stage, teams must win the LEC split. G2 already claimed the title in the spring and secured an early spot in the summer finals after a 3-0 victory against Rogue. However, Rogue avenged themselves in the summer split finals with a blowout against G2.

What you should know beforehand:

  • Pro team Rogue managed to advance through the loser bracket by defeating Fnatic 3-1 in the semifinals and reached the finals of the summer split for the third time. 
  • However, they have the reputation of being unable to win the LEC, so it was previously assumed that they would once again head to the Worlds without a title and would first qualify through the play-ins.
  • After G2 had already defeated Rogue 3-0 beforehand, they were seen as clear favorites in the match. However, things did not go according to plan for G2 in this final.

League of Legends attracts many viewers with its World Championship. But the LoL cinematics are also impressive:

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A spectacular video about League of Legends has now 138 million views – Shows how huge LoL is

Rogue destroys G2 Esports

Why was the game such a blowout for G2? After a clear victory in the semifinals against Rogue, top team G2 Esports from the LEC had to endure a lot in the final. With a 3-0 victory, Rogue claimed their first trophy. Here we tell you how it came to be:

  • Game 1

The first game between G2 and Rogue took a while to get going. However, Rogue managed to turn the game in their favor within a few minutes. Two kills, one in the mid lane and one on the bot lane, led to decisive advantages. Shortly thereafter, there was a massive team fight at the second dragon, which Rogue managed to win. 

With this advantage, Rogue could assert themselves further in the game and pushed G2 back into their base. This was apparently not enough for Rogue’s ADC Markos “Comp” Stamkopoulos. He achieved a quadra kill and together with his team even secured a pentakill against G2.

You can watch Comp’s pentakill here in the English YouTube video:

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  • Game 2 

In the second game, it was not clear for a long time who was in control of the game. Both teams fought hard, until Rogue managed to set a trap for the G2 players at the fourth dragon and succeeded in killing 4 of the opponents without losing a player themselves. 

This granted the team the Baron buff and allowed them to tear down G2’s base. G2 briefly managed to turn the game back in their favor, but Kim “Malrang” Geun-seong defended the base and prevented an early end to the game.

A mistake by Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski, which Rogue exploited, led to another Baron buff and thus to Rogue’s victory. G2 was overwhelmed by the subsequent offensive.

  • Game 3

In the third game, Rogue secured a farm and thus gold advantage of nearly 4,000 through individual superiority on each lane. Rogue shone with a secure playstyle and headed straight for victory. 

Thanks to the gold advantage, they could lure G2 into an ambush at the Baron and acquire the Baron buff. With a push, Rogue was able to finish the game a few minutes later and assert themselves with a 3-0 against G2. 

LoL team Rogue at the award ceremony (Source: YouTube)

Why is the victory so significant? The first trophy for Rogue: For Emil “Larssen” Larsson, this was a home game in Malmö. He was able to showcase his skills on the mid lane with the “LeBlanc” pick. This was his first trophy win in the professional league. 

Not only for “Larssen” was it the first trophy. Andrei “Odoamne” Pascu also held the LEC trophy for the first time. After seven years of career and 3 finals in the LEC, he did not want to continue his career with the label of a “loser”, but to break the meme of the 0-3 Rogue losses and claim the title. 

Moved to tears, he gave an interview at the end of the third game and spoke about how unique it feels to destroy those who had previously defeated them 0-3 just a week ago, even in the LEC summer split finals (via youtube.com).

More about LoL on MeinMMO:

What does this mean for the Worlds 2022? With the 3-0 victory against G2 Esports, Rogue secured their entry to the Worlds 2022. As trophy holders of the summer split, Rogue have qualified directly for the group stage of the Worlds.

An exciting story from the German pro-LoL can be read here: LoL: German Twitch Streamer Gives Up the Dream of Becoming a Pro in 2020, Starts Working – Now Has to Quit Because He’s Too Good

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Source(s):
  1. Youtube
  2. Dot Esports

The Future of Call of Duty: Big Event Reveals 2 New Warzone Games and CoD MW2 Starts Beta

Maik Schneider Maik Schneider Reading time 3 minutes

An exciting week for fans of Call of Duty is coming: On September 15, CoD will launch the reveal event “CoD Next” and on September 16, the beta of Modern Warfare 2 goes online. You can find all dates and important information here on MeinMMO.

What dates are coming up? Call of Duty is going all out this week: In a large event, two new titles will be presented in detail for the first time, and the multiplayer of Modern Warfare 2 will also be in the spotlight.

Moreover, on Friday, September 16, the first phase of the beta for CoD MW2 will start. You can find the most important information about the event and the beta here in the overview.

CoD Next: Event reveals Warzone title and multiplayer mode

When is the event? In our timezone, CoD Next starts on Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 PM. The event can be followed on YouTube and Twitch:

What can we expect to see at the event? At the reveal event, three major announcements will be the focus:

Modern Warfare 2 will be released on October 28 and will feature an extensive presentation of the multiplayer mode at the event. Additionally, there will be information about the new Warzone games.

There could also be some surprises. A leak about a subscription service for CoD has been circulating in the community for some time. Announcements related to the Xbox Game Pass could also be possible. The CoD zombie community is also eagerly awaiting new announcements.

However, the only certain announcements are those for the three titles mentioned above.

CoD MW2 PlayStation Beta: The dates for the first week

When does the beta start? The testing phase will run over two weekends, and in the first week, only players on PlayStation will have access.

  • Early Access: September 16 – 17
  • Open Beta 1: September 18 – 20
    • A specific time has not been announced yet

You can get early access through a pre-order of CoD MW2. Many content creators are also raffling keys for the early access of the beta.

We are gathering all information about the beta in our comprehensive info article:

More on the topic
CoD Modern Warfare 2: Beta is online on all platforms – Duration, Download & Content
von Maik Schneider

What can be tested? A test of the multiplayer mode will take place, but the exact contents are still unknown. Among other things, the new map Grand Prix, a Formula 1 racetrack is said to be playable.

The beta of the predecessor Vanguard offered a total of 6 modes on 4 maps in 2021.

When does the second beta start? For the other platforms Xbox One, Xbox Series, Steam, and Battle.net, it will not start until September 22. For players on PlayStation, the second weekend will be a complete open beta:

  • Xbox / PC Dates
    • Early Access: September 22 – 23
    • Open Beta: September 24 – 26
  • PlayStation
    • Open Beta 2: September 22 – 26

If you haven’t seen any gameplay of Modern Warfare 2 yet, we’ll embed a video here that shows almost a complete level of the campaign:

Start video
CoD: Modern Warfare 2 shows gameplay of a full level – looks more realistic than ever before

More about Call of Duty on MeinMMO:

This week is crucial for Call of Duty. After two rather lean years with declining player numbers, they want to make a strong comeback this year. Some surprise announcements are also possible.

2022 is a decisive year for the world’s most successful shooter franchise, and with CoD Next, they are explaining to us players how they plan to get back on the fast track. Please share your expectations in the comments.

Why the current strategy strongly resembles the last CoD hype of 2019/2020 can be read here: Activision loses 40% of players in 1.5 years – Yet Call of Duty has the same plan as in 2019, which changed everything.

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