6 Real-Time Strategy Games on Steam You Can Easily Spend 1,000 Hours On

Ody Ody Reading time 5 minutes

Are you a fan of strategy games and can’t bear to constantly spend money on new titles? Then games that you can invest an insane amount of time into are the way to go – here are 6 such titles that you can find on Steam.

What criteria was this list created based on? In this list, we will only present RTS, so real-time strategy games. Global and turn-based strategy are left out. It’s also important that you can spend as much time in the games as possible without it getting boring immediately, and that they are available on Steam (although we will have to make a small exception for a few).

How much time you can spend in a game naturally also depends on personal taste. It’s not guaranteed that the gameplay loop of a game will remain enjoyable for 1,000 hours (or more) – but in these games, that applies to many.

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Age of Empires

Start video
Age of Empires 2 sends you on the campaigns of Alexander the Great in its latest DLC

The “Age of Empires” (AoE) series starts things off. It has produced some of the most popular RTS games of all time. In its Definitive Edition, the original trilogy is still easily playable on modern systems.

Especially worthwhile are parts 2 and 4: Both games still receive DLCs today that add new historical factions and campaigns. So both single players and multiplayer fans are catered to here, with the strong multiplayer keeping the games alive.

With the “Rise of Rome” DLC for AoE 2, you also essentially get part 1 in a better form, and the Chronicles expansions also offer new peoples and campaigns for fans of antiquity. You can safely skip the first game nowadays. If you want primarily modern graphics, AoE 4 is your best bet.

  • Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition on Steam
  • Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition on Steam
  • Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition on Steam

Age of Empires 3 is also recommended if you don’t mind that no new content is being released for the game anymore. With home cities and card decks, it offers unique mechanics for the series, and the campaigns are also engaging and well-presented. There is even a free demo of the game if you want to take a look.

The Settlers

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With the History Collection for The Settlers, you will experience the venerable strategy series in a new light

The strategy series is somewhat between classic RTS and city-builders. Each installment focused on a different aspect – sometimes more on combat, sometimes more on economic management. Depending on what you prefer, you should choose another installment of the series.

Unfortunately, you can only find a part of the games on Steam, but in modernized versions. These are: 

  • The Settlers: Heritage of Kings on Steam
  • The Settlers: Rise of an Empire on Steam
  • The Settlers 7 on Steam

Here comes the only exception to our Steam rule since the rest of the games are only available via the Ubisoft Store. There, you will also find the individual games in the improved History Edition, or in a collection with all games (except The Settlers: New Alliances).

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3

Pokémon GO: Catch as many costumed Pokémon as possible tomorrow – It could be worth it

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

October 31 in Pokémon GO will be interesting: You have a chance to collect rare special candies.

What kind of event is this? Currently, the second part of the Halloween event is running, which brings various bonuses since the beginning of the week. However, October 31 will unlock a special bonus that you should definitely take advantage of if you have the time.

What kind of bonus is this? On October 31, you will have the opportunity to get special candies and special candies XL when you catch costumed Pokémon. It’s crucial that you land good, great, or excellent throws – so aiming well is important.

However, there is a catch: The announcement states that you can receive “special candies or special candies XL when catching with a lot of luck.” The candies are therefore not guaranteed, and in fact seem to be very rare.

It’s unclear how many candies you will receive. What is clear, however, is that it is worth catching as many costumed Pokémon as possible. That way, you have more chances.

Start video
Pokémon GO: The Season “Stories of Transformation” in the Trailer

Why is this a good bonus?

Special candies and special candies XL can be used on any Pokémon to perform upgrades or pay for evolution. Especially for rare or legendary Pokémon, for which candies are hard to obtain, this can really pay off.

Especially the XL candies are usually hard to get. XL special candies would therefore be a pretty good item that you should secure if possible.

Which costumed Pokémon are around? You should look out for the following Pokémon:

  • Teddiursa with Witch Hat
  • eF-eM with Hairband
  • Pikachu with Halloween Prank Costume
  • Plinfa with Halloween Prank Costume
  • Gengar with Halloween Costume
  • Drifzepeli with Halloween Prank Costume
  • Froxy with Witch Hat
  • Bauz with Halloween Top Hat

If more are added, we will update them here.

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What’s next in Pokémon GO? Halloween day is the last day of October. Therefore, we will move on to November next! Although the Halloween event will continue until Sunday, fresh dates are coming up afterward. We’ll show you which they are: All events in November 2025 in Pokémon GO.

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

While Twitch streamers build bases and go on adventures, Trymacs pretends to play another game in his Minecraft project

Johanna Johanna Reading time 2 minutes

Currently, the project Craft Attack 13 is running on Twitch, with Maximilian “Trymacs” Stemmler participating as well. The streamer plays Minecraft in a special way, as he imitates gameplay from another game he really likes.

What kind of Minecraft project is this? Currently, the Minecraft project Craft Attack is taking place on Twitch. The project is already in its 13th season and this time includes 100 content creators. They come together on a server where they team up in small groups to play together.

What game is Trymacs imitating? The game that Trymacs seems to be imitating in Craft Attack 13 is Foundry. A factory game where the goal is to build automatic machines, connect them, and expand further.

Foundry is a game that Trymacs has played repeatedly in the past, even though it is a niche game. The Twitch streamer enjoys it.

Start video
Vom Pizza-Lieferant zu einem der größten deutschen Twitch-Streamer – Leben und Karriere von Trymacs in 2 Minuten

Minecraft or factory game?

What does Trymacs do in Craft Attack 13? Trymacs primarily builds one thing in the Minecraft project: farms, specifically automated ones. With the help of materials like Redstone, machines can be built that either produce materials or provide experience for the players.

Of course, other Twitch streamers also occasionally build farms. After all, they ensure quick progress in the game, depending on their utility. But Trymacs clearly stands out with his playstyle, as he builds so many farms side by side and seems to focus solely on that. Other streamers, for example, also expand their dwellings and furnish them nicely, whereas Trymacs positions his beds outdoors next to his farms.

Trymacs takes his farming activities very seriously. For example, he taught his brother Nici Stemmler, who also livestreams on Twitch, how to build a farm. Both were very focused and joined a separate voice chat group to concentrate on the task.

Nici Stemmler in Craft Attack 13
Nici Stemmler helps his brother build many farms (via twitch.tv).

The special thing about Craft Attack 13 is that every content creator can play Minecraft the way they want. Additionally, viewers can always watch the Minecraft content that they find intriguing.

Trymacs’ many farms can, for example, inspire viewers to recreate such farms themselves. However, if viewers prefer to see the world explored in Minecraft, they can simply switch the Twitch stream.

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Even though it is a niche game, Trymacs has played the factory game a lot. The Twitch streamer likes Foundry so much that he was willing to ban someone from his chat after they spoke poorly about the game: Trymacs loves a game so much that he won’t tolerate any bad words, even banning a colleague from his Twitch chat

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

Developers of New World bid farewell to players with a secret letter that can only be found in the MMORPG

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

The players have discovered a letter in New World that now turns out to be a farewell message from the developers. We will tell you what it contains and how the developers say goodbye.

What kind of farewell letter is this? The Amazon MMORPG New World will no longer receive any further content updates. This news shocked many players who had just gained new hope thanks to the fresh expansion Nighthaven. The expansion was launched on October 13 and has been well received by players.

Since the release of Season 10, players have been able to find a collectible. A kind of letter that has gained new significance with the end of New World. It contains a message that players previously thought was an ordinary lore entry, but in reality it is a kind of farewell letter.

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Kaum läuft’s bei New World richtig gut, macht Amazon den schlimmsten Albtraum aller Fans wahr

Farewell letter with heartfelt words

What does the farewell letter say? The letter that players were able to find before the official announcement contains a long message that reflects the development of New World and its players from the perspective of the developers. We have translated the English text for you here into German:

We were there when you found Thorpe for the first time in the abandoned grove after you had struggled your way across a foreign shore.
We were there when you found your first settlement and explored its charm and its inhabitants.
We were there when you fought against pirates, tigers, the corrupted, ghosts, and all sorts of dangers across the land.
We were there when you set foot on the forsaken sands filled with lost secrets and hidden dangers.
We were there when you discovered the untamed wilderness full of animals and lush jungles.
We were there when you crept into the dark heart of lands filled with opulence, madness, and horrors.
We witnessed it all. We rejoiced. We shared in your joy over every perfect moment, every carefully crafted story, and we were even witnesses to the union of two souls that met here in Aeternum.
We did all of this for you, dear adventurer.
Thank you for so many amazing stories, triumphs, and fits of laughter.
We raise our glass to our fallen comrades: Divya Shaun Kelvin Aaron
Good luck and good night.

The message seems clearly to be a kind of farewell letter from the developers. According to PCGamer.com, it could come from quest/level/game designer Jason Bowes, who was responsible for the area. Senior game designer Rachel Barnum has since also posted the location of the message on X.com.

Where can you find the message? The message can be found in the game next to the Tower of Strength in the new area that came with the Nighthaven update. It is located on a small island with only a few stones, trees, and the message named “The Spirit of Aeternum”.

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After the end of New World, many of the talented developers will also lose their jobs. However, a new MMORPG could now become the savior in need, but only the best of the best will find a job: After the layoffs at New World, the boss of the LoL MMORPG responds with an offer that could dry some tears

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. PCGamer
  2. icy-veins.com
  3. X.com

Player creates wild map in Battlefield 6, become an action hero like Arnold Schwarzenegger

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes

With Battlefield 6: Portal, fans can create their own crazy maps for Battlefield 6. One of them even makes you an action hero, throwing around explosions that could impress even Arnold Schwarzenegger.

What kind of map is this? User Rolezn has published his new creation in Portal on Reddit – Chaos Climb. In this, you spawn on a ramp and must try to reach the end. As you make your way forward, you will be bombarded with countless exploding vehicles like tanks or quads.

In the video, Rolezn showcases impressively how action-packed the mode really is. He dodges vehicles and even slides under a speeding tank just to avoid being crushed. In the end, he was hit by a quad and thrown off the ramp, but despite the map being very hectic, many fans are eager to test it soon.

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Die große Stärke von Battlefield 6 sind die Maps!

Fans remember Halo Reach

What do fans say about the map? They recall the time when Halo 3 was still fresh. With the “Forge” mode, fans could create their own custom modes back then and have fun with them. One of these modes was called Hurricane Katrina (source: youtube.com) and it was set up just like the fan mode in Battlefield 6. Here’s what fans have to say:

  • “Great Halo Reach vibes” – BourbonMyFriend
  • “The dive under the tank was epic!” – Deeedy
  • “I will try this with my brothers. I assume we can play with just 4 people?” – Hyperboreanpc
  • “Okay, I guess I need to learn more about Portal maps. I didn’t realize you could basically create mini-games like in Halo’s Forge mode.” – NoireResteem

If you want to see for yourself what the map in Battlefield 6 is like, you can visit it with code: ZX45F in Battlefield 6: Portal. Up to 24 players can participate in a round and get lost in the chaos. One thing can already be said: the mode could come straight out of an action movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, as chaotic and explosive as it is.

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Do you regularly play in the Portal or are you more active in multiplayer mode? Battlefield has even recently received a Battle Royale, and according to our shooter expert, it is actually quite good. You can find more about it here: REDSEC already shows me in the first round why millions of players love Battle Royale, but don’t forget that it’s still a Battlefield

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

Pokémon GO shows new information about the Nature Zone: Safari Balls get an upgrade

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

Pokémon GO is hosting the great Nature Zone 2025 in November. Now, new supplementary information is known.

When does the Nature Zone take place? The Nature Zone runs on November 15 and 16 in its global variant. Thus, everyone can participate in the Nature Zone worldwide.

Shortly before, there is the event “On to Adventure”, which also delivers some highlights.

What does the Nature Zone bring? Basically, there are several new monsters, exciting Pokémon in Gigantamax raids or regular raids. However, an absolute highlight is the “powerful” Pokémon. These are particularly strong specimens that you can encounter in the wild. They are very difficult to catch but usually have very good stats and an increased chance of being XXL Pokémon.

To catch them, it’s best to use the “Safari Balls” introduced last year in the Nature Zone. And some of the new information revolves around that.

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What’s new regarding the Nature Zone?

The team behind Pokémon GO has announced that it will be possible in the future to send Pokémon in Safari Balls to Pokémon HOME as well. This will provide an option to use some of the powerful Pokémon in other games, which should please some players. However, the Safari Balls will be represented differently than in Pokémon GO.

Speaking of Safari Balls: During the Nature Zone, ticket holders will find “Delivery Balloons” in the game every hour, bringing them new Safari Balls. This has also been newly announced.

Furthermore, there is more information about the special research that awaits you during the Nature Zone.

The research is available from 10:00 AM on November 15 and offers you two paths:

  • The “Dark Researcher”
  • The “Fairy Fan”

Depending on your choice, you will receive different rewards, and you can also secure a medal with the respective title.

However, the following bonus is especially crucial:

  • You will receive an additional XL Candy when catching powerful Pokémon for the type you have chosen starting from level 31.
  • There are 1,000 Stardust extra for each catch of the respective type.

So choose wisely which Pokémon you prefer to catch.

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What’s next? The Nature Zone runs in mid-November, but the new month has some other things to offer. Now this weekend, the Halloween event is still ongoing until its end, then next week, new events will follow directly. Do you want to know what’s coming up? Then check the overview of all events in Pokémon GO 2025.

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

Thick exploit in WoW: Remix characters escape, make current raids solo

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

A really nasty exploit is causing problems in World of Warcraft. Remix characters have “escaped” – Blizzard had to intervene immediately.

In Legion Remix, everything is a bit wilder than in traditional World of Warcraft. The characters are more powerful, have extremely strong abilities, and can handle raids on their own. Therefore, a Remix character cannot be used in modern WoW, but must be converted first. However, Blizzard has now halted this conversion – because there was a really strong exploit. Remix characters were able to participate in current content and handle it alone.

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WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features

Remix characters solo the Manaforges Omega

How does the exploit work? The answer is: shockingly simple. With a little trick, it was possible to use the characters from Remix in “Retail” as well. One only had to proceed as follows, as described by player siming85 in the WoW subreddit:

  • Own 2 WoW accounts.
  • Both create a Legion Remix character.
  • The characters invite each other into a group.
  • One of them logs out and converts their character.
  • Now you have a Retail character that is in a group with a Remix character.

This Retail character can now form groups as usual, for raids or dungeons. With the help of a Warlock portal, it was possible to summon the Remix character as well – who then easily completed a raid on mythic difficulty alone. Like against the current final boss Dimensius:

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Is that allowed? No. Exploiting such a flaw is a clear violation of the rules and is usually harshly punished by Blizzard. In the past, not only the exploiters themselves but also involved characters – such as all those who were in the raid group – were punished for such incidents. This will likely be the case again this time.

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Is it still possible now? No. Blizzard has temporarily disabled the conversion of a timewalker character into a normal character. Until the error is fixed, it is therefore not possible to convert a Remix character anymore. Therefore, it is practically impossible to replicate and exploit this exploit.
Besides exploits, there is also something else in the Manaforges – a nice hidden mount that you can easily obtain.

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

While we wait for Aion 2, the Classic version of the MMORPG is getting a major expansion, with a new class and raids

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

Many players are waiting for the new MMORPG Aion 2, which is supposed to come to us in the West in 2026. However, the Classic variant has now received a major expansion that can shorten the wait.

What kind of update is it? The big 4.0 update has now been released for Aion Classic Europe, bringing the new expansion “Light of Atreia”. Unlike previous updates, the developers have packed as much content as possible into a single large release, giving players a lot of new things to do.

The expansion is already live on the servers of Aion Classic Europe and has been available for free play since October 29.

Here you can watch the trailer for the new class:

Start video
Aion Classic Europe presents new mage class Luminess in trailer

The new expansion is impressive

What does the expansion offer? The biggest new feature in the expansion is the new class “Luminess” and, as seen in the trailer above, she fights as a mage with moonlight spells against enemies. The class can be played both as a damage dealer and as a supporter.

The fast caster class can hex enemies with stackable debuffs, making her effective in combat. For the team, the class can enhance unique abilities that the group can benefit from. Uncharacteristically for a mage, she is played at short distances instead of far from the enemy.

What else is new? Besides the new class, the expansion also brings a level increase. Instead of only reaching level 60, players can now level up to level 70. The skill system has also been changed, and players no longer need skill books for their basic skills.

Content-wise, there are two new raids and two new dungeons in the game. Additionally, with the new PvPvE map “Tiamaranta Mesa,” a large area is added that promises good loot when not being taken down by other players.

In addition to the new features, the developers have also released some new systems for gear enhancement. The new update has also brought many “Quality of Life” improvements and bug fixes.

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While many players are still waiting for Aion 2, the new expansion “Light of Atreia” offers a good moment to kickstart again in the predecessor. Especially the mixed PvP and PvE aspects of Aion are also said to return in the second part. What else to expect in Aion 2 can be read here: New MMORPG Aion 2 explains how PvE and PvP work, shows first fights in the video

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. MMORPG
  2. gameforge
  3. MMORPG.org
  4. massivelyop.com

A video shows HandOfBlood and NoWay in South Park, and today we’ll find out what it’s all about

Johanna Johanna Reading time < 1 minutes

Eintracht Spandau, the e-sports team of Twitch streamer Maximilian “HandOfBlood” Knabe, announced a collaboration with the American series South Park. There is already a trailer for it, and today the collaboration is set to launch.

What is this collaboration about? The e-sports team Eintracht Spandau teased a new collaboration with South Park initially on its social media accounts, before a short trailer was uploaded. Apparently, there will be an episode of South Park focusing on Eintracht Spandau and League of Legends.

The release date is October 30, 2025, but no specific time has been announced yet.

This joint project is not entirely surprising, as Eintracht Spandau worked with Comedy Central, the channel on which South Park airs, back in 2024.

Start video
HandOfBlood: The most important thing about the YouTuber and Twitch streamer in under a minute

The alleged “rescue” of League of Legends

What can fans expect? First, a short clip was uploaded to X and Instagram in South Park style, featuring Twitch streamer Frederik “NoWay” Hinteregger. The animated NoWay called out in a Twitch stream to tune in, which was commented by the Eintracht Spandau account with “Does anyone know him? Heard he’s stealing our viewers” and “30.10.”

After the two posts, which provided not much context, a short trailer was uploaded. It can be deduced from this what it is about: the “rescue” of the game League of Legends. Originally voiced by the real people on whom the animated characters are based.

You can watch the short trailer here:

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If there are more updates about the joint project or the episode is released, we will keep you informed here on MeinMMO. You can read more about Eintracht Spandau here on MeinMMO: LoL team of HandOfBlood reveals master plan against the impending relegation to the 2nd league

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. EIntracht Spandau auf X
  2. Eintracht Spandau auf Instagram (Bildquelle)
  3. Eintracht Spandau auf YouTube (Bildquelle)

A bug in Battlefield REDSEC steals your secure victory, even catches Twitch streamer shroud

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

In Battlefield REDSEC players are losing their matches due to a glitch, even though they are the last survivors in the final circle.

What is this glitch? In Battlefield REDSEC, the new Battle Royale from EA, players are currently losing their rounds due to a glitch and being robbed of a sure victory.

As clips from affected players show, they were the last survivors in the final circle, but the match did not end. The flames got closer and closer until they died and placed second. Even Twitch streamer shroud and his team were affected by the glitch (via X).

In a video on X, it appears that the last remaining opponent was likely under the map. As the flames struck down the player whose perspective we see in the clip, the player beneath the map was declared the winner.

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What’s behind the glitch: It’s not yet possible to say for sure, but there are hints about how the glitch occurred.

Some comments on X show clips of a bug that caused players to fall under the map. This happened, for example, when a building collapsed above them. They were then trapped under the map and could not get out, but also did not die. They either had to leave the match or wait until the round ended.

This could be the glitch that ultimately led to shroud and the other players being robbed of their victory. The winner of the respective matches could therefore have fallen under the map due to a bug, but did not leave the match and stayed under the map until the end.

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What is REDSEC anyway? REDSEC is the new, free Battle Royale from Battlefield, which was released with the start of Season 1 on October 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

In the Battle Royale of Battlefield REDSEC, up to 100 players compete against each other. There is a duo mode for teams of up to two players and a quad mode where you can play as a four-person squad. Genre-typical, the team that is still standing at the end wins. The steadily shrinking zone where the battles take place is bounded by a ring of flames.

MeinMMO editor Dariusz Müller took a look at REDSEC directly upon release and noted his first impressions for you. You can read them here: REDSEC already shows me in the first round why millions of players love Battle Royale, but does not forget that it is still a Battlefield

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

WoW Guide: How to Obtain the New Secret Mount and Toy in Manaforge Omega

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

A new hidden mount and a toy have been found in World of Warcraft. We reveal how to get both.

In World of Warcraft, developers regularly hide smaller and larger secrets that ultimately entice with special rewards. Although the raid “Manaforge Omega” has been live for several months, a puzzle has only now been solved, and it’s worth it twice. There is a mount and a toy that can transform you.

In this short guide, we will tell you how to obtain the “Trustee’s Glide Disk Xy” and the toy “Cartel Transmorpher.”

Note: The screenshots used in the article come from the Secret Finding-Discord. There, players solved the riddle first.

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How to prepare for the puzzle: Before you start solving the puzzle, certain prerequisites must be met:

  • Your character must have reached level 80.
  • Your reputation with the “Manaforge Vandals” should be at least at renown level 8.
  • Purchase the following items from the auction house:
    • Deal: Cartel Ba
    • Deal: Cartel Om
    • Deal: Cartel Zo

Unlock Glide Disk of the Trustee in WoW

How to solve the puzzle? To obtain the two rewards, you need to visit the Manaforge Omega a total of 3 different weeks. With each visit, you must use one of the deals. The deal gives all your characters on the account a buff so that you have a deal with the corresponding cartel for the rest of that week (until the following Wednesday).

As long as you belong to the corresponding cartel in this way, you can loot a new item in the Manaforge Omega that is somewhat hidden. These items are “gray” items that you can safely sell afterwards. The only important thing is that your character has picked them up once.

The items can be picked up by multiple characters, but there is a short cooldown until you can interact with the item again.

The items for the corresponding cartels are hidden in the following locations:

Cartel Ba: After the first boss, the Plexus Watcher, continue through the boss room until the end and turn right. If you go to the end of the corridor, you’ll come to a teleporter that would take you to the central middle ring. Do not go through the teleporter! Instead, look directly to the left of the teleporter at the railing. There lies the item you need to pick up.

WoW Guide Mount Manaforge 1
The item for Cartel Ba. (Image source: Aerinis in the Secret Finding Discord)

Cartel Om: After defeating the boss Fractillus. After the boss, there is a building where you can find a stone on the back, on which the item lies.

WoW Guide Mount Manaforge 2
The item for Cartel Om. (Image source: XAM in the Secret Finding Discord)

Cartel Zo: You will find this item on the way to Smith Master Araz. It is important that Araz is still alive; otherwise, the item cannot be obtained anymore. Go to the first mana ventilation and jump on the pipes on the right side at the edge. Follow the pipe a few meters, and you should already be able to see the item.

WoW Guide Mount Manaforge 3
The item for Cartel Zo. (Image source: Mat in the Secret Finding Discord)

What to do next? Once you have successfully looted all 3 items, you can then speak to Zo’turu in front of the entrance to the Manaforge. He then has a new quest that you can accept and also immediately turn in. The quest grants both the “Trustee’s Glide Disk” and the Cartel Transmorpher for your collection.

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Unlike many other puzzles in World of Warcraft, this one is still harmless. It only takes a little time because you need a total of 3 weeks to obtain all the items. If you’re in the mood for tougher puzzles, here are the biggest secrets of WoW with their solutions.

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

Guild Wars 2 honors a deceased animal protector, moves players to tears

Alexander Mehrwald Alexander Mehrwald Reading time 2 minutes

The new expansion for Guild Wars 2 also brings new content. A new challenge has a particularly sad background and touches the hearts of the players.

Note: This article deals with critical issues such as suicide and bullying. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can contact the telephone counseling service at 116 123 around the clock. The service is free.
You can find more help offerings on the homepage of the German Society for Suicide Prevention.

What challenge is it about? In the new expansion Visions of Eternity, there is a new hero challenge that you can face. There you will meet a small gray fox named Makaela on a shore. To complete the challenge, you must gain her trust.

This initially inconspicuous challenge, however, has a tragic origin, as the name of the fox is inspired by a deceased American animal rights activist and YouTuber. The developers have immortalized her in this content and have etched her into the hearts of the community.

Start video
Guild Wars 2 zeigt die hübsche Strandregion der neuen Erweiterung Visions of Eternity

A place of honor with a sad background

Whom does the challenge remind you of? The fox named Makaela is a reference to the animal rights activist and YouTuber Mikayla Raines. She was a passionate animal rights activist, YouTuber, and founder of the organization SaveAFox Rescue. Even at a young age, she cared for rescuing foxes from fur farms, and her YouTube channel reached over 2.5 million subscribers.

However, Mikayla Raines privately struggled with mental burdens and became a victim of persistent online bullying (cf. People.com). These burdens ultimately led her to take her own life in June 2025 at the age of 29. Her husband publicly shared the tragic step and spoke of being overwhelmed by ongoing attacks and the “feeling that the whole world had turned against her” (see New York Post).

With this hero challenge and fox Makaela, the developers of Guild Wars 2 create a connection to her and give her a place to remember her and what was dear to her. This monument deeply affects the players and moves them to tears.

Here you can take a look at a snippet of the challenge:

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Link to the Reddit content

What does the community say about the challenge? In a thread on Reddit, the community shares their thoughts on the homage to the animal rights activist. Some users clarify what this quest is about and why it is so special. Many users thank the development team for this inclusion and the place of honor they have received:

  • DotReasonable6003 writes: “I am very happy that someone who deserves it so much gets such a solid place in our game.”
  • KyuubiJRR comments: “And now I’m tearing up. What a kind person!”
  • AuRon_The_Grey adds: “Oh, Mikayla. That’s a nice gesture and really sweet. It makes me so sad to think of what happened to her.”
  • AnnieGraves says: “That’s so sweet of them. Oh my God …”
  • DaSphealDeal_1062020 thanks: “God bless ArenaNet for this update, they deserve the best.”
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The community of Guild Wars 2 has often shown itself to be warm-hearted and open. They are currently showing this again with their compassion for many players whose beloved MMORPG will soon be closing its doors: New expansion for Guild Wars 2 attracts more players on Steam than ever before, the community encourages New World players to join them

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

ARC Raiders: Live ticker for the release – All about server status and login

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes

ARC Raiders starts today and many are wondering how the login situation is and if server problems are to be expected. We are here with our live ticker and will provide you with all the information about the server status.

When does ARC Raiders start? The release is already in full swing. The start time has been set for October 30 at 10:30 AM German time. So the first fans can already log in and try to defeat the ARC.

Due to the sudden influx of players, there are queues and login issues, so we are here with our live ticker to provide you with the most important information about the server status.

Thursday, 30.10.2025

11:15 AM

ARC Raiders already has over 117,000 players (via SteamDB).

11:06 AM

The influx is still huge, even though the first players can already play. So expect queues and/or difficulties and crashes.

10:45 AM

The first players can log in and start the tutorial of the extraction shooter. However, some still have problems.

10:30 AM

Good morning Raiders! The first players are starting their journey in ARC Raiders, but many will be greeted by a queue and subsequent loading screens, preventing them from playing.

Start video
Wichtige Tipps für ARC Raiders, um die ersten Runden zu überleben

What is ARC Raiders? In ARC Raiders, you take on the role of a Raider. These are looters who must navigate a dystopian world filled with hostile robots.

Humanity has retreated underground due to the threat, and your task is to gather important resources for the inhabitants, complete quests, and strengthen your Raider – of course, you should not die because this is an extraction shooter.

If you die, you lose all your items in your inventory. This can be frustrating, but thankfully you are not fighting alone. You do not have to start a mission solo, but can traverse the land with friends in a duo or trio squad and loot everything you find.

Be aware that not only robots are your enemies. Other Raiders could also come after you, hunt you down, and, in the worst case, kill and loot you. So be careful whom you trust out there.

Are you excited for the launch and can’t wait to level up your Raider? Good news, we’ve summarized the first important tips for you in an overview. With these, you’ll be well prepared right from the start: ARC Raiders: 8 beginner tips you should know at release

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

A new story of Batman brings back the Joker, but this version could give you nightmares

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 3 minutes

Batman has to face the Joker again in a new comic story. But this time, everything is turned upside down, as they find themselves in an alternate universe of DC. Including nightmarish design.

What kind of story is this? “Absolute Batman” is a comic series by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, starting in 2024 and has so far received 13 issues. In it, things are different: Bruce Wayne is not a billionaire, but comes from humble beginnings. Thus, he lacks the money to finance his Batman project. But that doesn’t stop him from hunting criminals: He builds his equipment himself.

While in the next issue, number 14, the finale against Bane is about to happen, in issue 15 the Joker will make his grand appearance. As first images show, it will be an impressive and eerie volume.

Start video
A Crazy Joker in the Trailer for “Batman: The Killing Joke”

A true monster

What does the Joker look like? Even the cover shared by Scott Snyder on x.com shows the Joker in an unusual form. He is not a crazy suit-wearing man with green hair and makeup on his face, but nothing less than a monster.

The mouth is wide open and long, sharp teeth are exposed. The tongue is curled and protrusions emerge from the back of the very muscular body. All in all, the new design is true nightmare material. This is not the first villain to become nightmarish in the “Absolute” universe.

Scott Synder Joker Post
Screenshot from x.com

Additionally, comic collector Felix Comic Art shared on YouTube images of concept drawings depicting the Joker. Here, you can see the face from the front and get a better impression of how terrible he looks. In fact, his horns here resemble the devil, complete with a pointed tail.

Felix Comic Art Screenshot
Concept drawings of the new Joker (via youtube.com)

The Joker has already appeared in the “Absolute” universe, namely as a normal man in a suit who resembles Bruce Wayne. It is also the case that the Joker is a billionaire in this alternate setting. The roles are switched. For Scott Snyder, Batman is always the exact opposite of the Joker, as he explained at this year’s Dragon Con (via comicbook.com).

However, the human version of the villain is probably just a disguise. Beneath it lies the horror. Even in issue 6, he injected himself with the blood of infants to make himself younger.

What is issue 15 about? The details are still unclear. However, Scott Snyder has revealed that the character in the new story will be explored down to their origins – which could go back to the year 1800.

So, issue 15 of the comic will focus primarily on how the Joker became what he is before he reaches Gotham and confronts Batman.

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When will the volume be released? The English original edition is set for December 10, 2025. When the German version will follow is still unclear.

It is certain that this version of the Joker surpasses many others in terms of horror. He can easily compete with other creepy icons – or what do you think? Feel free to write your opinion in the comments. Have you become interested in the Joker? On MeinMMO, you will find a fitting list: 7 wicked Jokers that made Batman’s life difficult

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

Amazon shows what it wants to do instead of MMORPGs, and fans can’t believe what New World has died for

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 2 minutes

Since the announcement a few days ago that New World will be coming to an end, Amazon Game Studios has been promoting its latest project, aiming to attract loyal players. The disappointed fans of the canceled MMORPG are not only sad but also feel completely betrayed as they see what the studio is focusing its remaining resources on.

What has Amazon just released? On the official X account of Amazon Game Studios, there is little mention of the mood surrounding the current wave of layoffs affecting approximately 14,000 employees or the announced end of the MMORPG New World. Instead, the studio’s latest posts refer to its new project, which has been playable on its own gaming platform Luna since October 23, 2025.

This is the game “Courtroom Chaos starring Snoop Dogg”, designed to entertain 2 to 6 players with AI-generated content and an equally AI-generated Snoop Dogg as the judge. 

In the game, players can improvise witness testimonies, create characters, and contribute to the interrogations led by Snoop Dogg – “the generative AI takes care of everything else,” states the official description on Luna.

However, the players, who must reluctantly come to terms with the fact that their beloved MMORPG is being discontinued, simply cannot believe what New World will be replaced by. This sentiment is also expressed under an X post about Courtroom Chaos, which at the moment has only received 40 likes but nearly 500 comments, showcasing a similar sentiment: “You killed New World… for… this?!?” (@Wolfvs_ on X)

Start video
Kaum läuft’s bei New World richtig gut, macht Amazon den schlimmsten Albtraum aller Fans wahr

The Mourning over the End of New World Turns to Absolute Disbelief

How are players reacting to Courtroom Chaos? The comments under the X post are filled with utter disbelief from disappointed players who are simultaneously bidding farewell to New World and now witnessing what Amazon is creating instead. Some users are trying to take it humorously, others are letting their frustration out, and some are doing both:

“Nothing against Snoop Dogg, but this is the dumbest decision and action that Amazon and AGS could make,” writes @Woldvs_ on X, “Charges: Destruction of the Lord of the Rings MMO [and] Destruction of the New World MMO. The court finds you guilty and utterly clueless.”

Also, @PliyoTV tries to inject some irony on X: “Finally the game we needed!! The community has been talking about this game for years, there’s so much hype around it, I can’t wait to try it out!! Please make it a gacha game so we can pay for Snoop Dogg skins!”

What else are users criticizing? There’s a bitter aftertaste that after Amazon’s restructuring there will be 14,000 fewer jobs while their latest game proudly boasts about AI-generated fun.

This aligns with the report from industry insider Jason Schreier, who stated in his article on Bloomberg that Amazon wants to reduce work on titles, especially those associated with large budgets. This includes MMORPGs and other multiplayer titles.

According to his information, the company will stick to “casual games and AI-focused games”.

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However, the voices of disappointed players are not only echoing on platforms like X. Those who have to say goodbye to New World are experiencing in real-time how the MMORPG is sinking into chaos on Steam, as they go through all stages of grief, from disbelief to anger: New World is sinking into chaos on Steam: Harvesting Wrath and Erasing the Last Signs of a Living MMORPG

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

Grieving family uses AI chatbot to reduce hospital bill from $195,000 to $33,000

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A family is supposed to pay nearly $200,000 to a hospital. After using a chatbot, they still have to pay around $30,000. Because the hospital made a series of errors in its billing and double-billed some items.

A family in the USA was able to drastically reduce their hospital bill after the death of a relative using the AI chatbot Claude. Initially, the family was supposed to pay a bill of $195,000, which is approximately €167,000.

But thanks to the AI chatbot, the family was able to reduce the costs to $33,000 (about €28,000). This was reported by the English-language magazine TomsHardware.com.

Start video
Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds

Chatbot corrects excessively high hospital bill

Where did the bill come from? The user Nthmonkey on Threads claims that he was supposed to pay a high hospital bill for his deceased brother-in-law. The bill was so high because the relative’s health insurance had expired two months before the hospital visit.

Nevertheless, the hospital’s billing was unusually high, as the user noted. With the chatbot Claude, he then had the bill checked:

  • After the hospital disclosed the individual items, the family of the deceased used the chatbot Claude to review the medical billing codes and fees that had been charged.
  • The AI revealed that both primary procedures and their components were billed separately. So, items were double-billed. This finding alone led to a savings of around $100,000.
  • Other errors were also found, such as incorrect coding for emergency vs. inpatient care, and double billing for ventilation services on the same day.

The AI not only helped with the analysis but also with drafting legally sound complaint letters to exert pressure on the clinic. In the end, the user stated that he was satisfied with the final result. Especially the Claude subscription for €20 was worth it for him:

I had access to tools that helped me reach this number, but the moral question is clear. No one should have to pay more out of pocket than Medicare would cover. No one. We must not let them get away with this anymore.

The user also accuses the hospital of playing on the ignorance of patients. Because they usually do not check or question their bills. Since the state health insurance Medicare does not completely cover hospital and doctor costs, patients have to contribute themselves. He criticizes this in his posts on Threads:

Charges were billed at 500% to 2,300% of the Medicare reimbursement. In short, the hospital set its own rules and prices and assumed that it could simply take money from inexperienced people.

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The AI chatbot ChatGPT can assist you in many situations in life. A British user has now come up with a very clever idea and managed to eat for free at a fast-food chain for a good year. On YouTube, he explained how he did it: A user used ChatGPT to eat for free at McDonald’s for almost a year – His trick was a simple request

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

Developer of legendary emulator reveals his identity after 24 years, releases own game on Steam

david hausberger david hausberger Reading time 2 minutes

A developer who made gaming history with a legendary emulator speaks publicly about his work for the first time. In his first interview, he reveals what drove him back then and how his love for retro games has now led him to a personal project on Steam.

Who is it about? The programmer “zsKnight” programmed the Super Nintendo emulator ZSNES as a teenager. In his first interview with YouTuber “Zophar”, he talks about the development and why he kept his identity secret for so long. 

At first, he only wanted to test basic graphics commands of the SNES. But it quickly turned into a complete program, whose speed on PCs of 1997 was very fast for those times. Although he initially did not believe he would ever achieve stable frame rates (via pcgamer.com). 

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With UFO 50 you get 50 retro games for the price of one

A technical marvel between innovation and gray area

What made the emulator so special? ZSNES was not only fast but also offered some extras. The “Snowy UI” (snowflake interface), which was particularly praised in the community, was the distinctive menu design of the emulator. Instead of classic windows, it displayed a pixelated, gray-blue interface with an animated snow effect in the background. 

To enable online matches, which were a real rarity in 1997, he invented a trick. The game simulates what the opponent might do next so that everything can be displayed without delay. 

When the actual input arrives later and is different, the game briefly “rewinds” and corrects the scene in the background. This creates the impression that everything is happening in real time, even though there is actually a small time difference between the players (via pcgamer.com).

From emulator to personal game on Steam: The developer has since opened a new chapter. With Retro Endurance 8bit he made his debut on Steam. The game consists of several mini-games that are connected into an endless arcade experience. Originally, he programmed the project for his children; today it is a complete 8-bit title available on Steam for 3.99 euros (price as of 29.10.25). 

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Why did he keep his identity secret? Despite the success, the programmer remained anonymous. In the interview, he admits that he did not inform even close friends and his parents that he had developed ZSNES (via pcgamer.com).

He was still a minor at the time and did not know if there could be legal issues with his software. In fact, emulation programs themselves are not illegal; they merely simulate the hardware (via mcneelylaw.com). 

The difficulty lies with the games: The situation regarding ROMS is legally controversial since it does not clearly clarify when copyright infringements occur. Emulators are often tolerated until they are misused for piracy. For this reason, Nintendo sued the developer of a Switch emulator. The fear of such lawsuits was one of the reasons why “zsKnight” kept his identity secret for over two decades (via pcgamer.com).

What does Nintendo itself think about emulators? The corporation behind the Switch regularly takes action against fan projects and unlicensed emulators, but internally uses similar technology to make old classics playable again on new consoles like the Switch.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. pcgamer
  2. Youtube
  3. mcneelylaw

After the end of New World, fans are worried about Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark – Now Amazon responds

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

After Amazon announced that it would not provide further content updates for New World and shrink its MMORPG segment, fans also became concerned about Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark. Now, there is an answer from Amazon.

Why are there concerns? In light of the recent restructuring processes at Amazon, there are expected to be 14,000 layoffs in Amazon’s offices. While these are intended to be compensated by AI technology, there are significant cuts at Twitch and Amazon Games Studios. The MMORPG and multiplayer segment particularly suffers, which is set to be massively reduced.

In this context, Amazon Games Studios announced that no further content updates for New World would be released. The MMORPG will continue to operate at least until December 31, 2026, but what happens afterward remains unclear.

After the announcement of significant cuts in MMORPGs, many players also expressed concerns about Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark, and now Amazon responds to this.

Start video
MeinMMO at GameStar News: Our MMORPG expert analyzes the current success of New World

No Alarm, as Amazon is doing little

What’s next for Lost Ark and New World? Amazon Games Studios is the western publisher for Lost Ark and New World. They are responsible for marketing, localization, and communication with players in the western market. Following the withdrawal from development, players feared that the other MMORPGs would also suffer.

According to Amazon spokesperson Brittney Hefner, this is not the case. In a statement to The Verge, she says: “We will continue to support Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark with regular updates and community engagement.”

The background is likely that Amazon Games Studios has little effort invested in Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark because the content is all sourced from developers in Asia. This saves expensive developers and acts merely as a link between players and developers.

What’s coming in 2026? The developers of Lost Ark have released a new blog post stating that they plan to present their new roadmap for the year 2026 in December. Until then, they will still roll out additional content updates and Act 4 for the MMORPG.

Players can also expect a year full of updates in 2026 for Throne and Liberty. Recently, the developers announced the next area expansion, which is to be presented soon. This is expected to be quite large and will bring a unique climate to the MMORPG.

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The future of Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark is thus secured for the time being. Even if Amazon were to withdraw completely at some point, the titles could continue to operate with a new publisher. MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz has revisited the failure of Amazon Games Studios: Amazon wanted to be a big player in games – The end of New World completes a sad story of failure

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. The Verge
  2. playlostark.com
  3. massivelyop.com
  4. mmorpg.org.pl

One of the best action movies on Amazon Prime is even harder than John Wick, but you only have a few days left to watch it

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 3 minutes

Fans of hard action movies can currently watch a very good representative of the genre on Amazon Prime. But there are only a few days left before the film leaves the program. MeinMMO author Christoph Waldboth advises not to miss this opportunity.

What film is it about? The Raid is an action film by British director Gareth Evans. However, it is actually a co-production between Indonesia and the USA. The film was released in 2011 and has earned a very good reputation over time. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 87%, both from critics and audiences. This is mainly due to the successful action, which can easily compete with other films that have a significantly higher budget.

The storyline is intentionally simple and aligned with the aforementioned action: A group of police officers storm a high-rise building in the Indonesian city of Jakarta. There, the criminal boss Tama has entrenched himself with his minions. While many of the law enforcers meet their demise, especially protagonist Rama relentlessly fights to work his way up floor by floor.

Start video
The Raid – Trailer for the Ultra-violent Action Spectacle

Uncompromising Action Up Close

What makes the film so good? The Raid is one of those action films that truly deserve that title. Yes, there is a storyline, but it actually doesn’t play a significant role. The focus is on the fights, of which there are many in The Raid.

When one thinks of well-executed action scenes today, John Wick quickly comes to mind. There, Keanu Reeves fights his way through hordes of enemies with firearms, but sometimes also with knives or other objects. Director Chad Stahelski has stated to Rotten Tomatoes that The Raid was an inspiration for him:

John Wick 2 was heavily influenced by Hong Kong and Asian films, and John Wick 3 took it even further and was heavily influenced by The Raid. Gareth [Evans’] works are amazing.

Chad Stahelski

However, there are differences: What looks stylish in John Wick is considerably grittier in The Raid. This is mainly because the confrontations feel much more real. Every punch, every kick, every stab feels genuine and hurts to watch.

Of course, you have to like that. So be warned: If you can’t handle violence in films or find it too much, this is definitely not for you. The Raid does not shy away from making the impact of the fights palpable at all times, and showing the consequences that arise from it.

If you have no problem with that, you will experience some fantastic fight choreography, where the handheld camera is always close to the action. It is dynamic, but never too hectic, so you do not lose track of the chaotic events. This is also because the film does not have too many cuts and shows movements in one piece – a virtue that many other genre representatives have unfortunately forgotten.

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Is the film perfect? In its genre, there is hardly anything to criticize in terms of action. However, you can partially tell that the film had a low budget of around 1.2 million euros (aintitcool.com). The sets are all quite small and tidy and are far less varied and spectacular than, for example, in John Wick. You can find more film tips for Wick fans on MeinMMO.

The story could also be more interesting, even for an action film. It especially lacks an emotional anchor that ensures that the main character is close to your heart.

However, if that doesn’t bother you, you will experience a great representative of the genre here, which even received a sequel in 2014. This continues the story and makes everything a notch bigger.

Part 1 is currently available on Amazon Prime, but not for long: On November 6, 2025, just 8 days away, the film will leave the streaming provider. If you want to find out how the police officer Rama fares in the high-rise building, you need to hurry. MeinMMO editor Niko Hernes has another film recommendation that no fan of John Wick should miss.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Titelbild: Sony Picture Classics auf YouTube

WoW: Another Leak – Pre-Patch 12.0 for Midnight already in January

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Another leak reveals when World of Warcraft continues. Only a few weeks until the Pre-Patch of Midnight starts.

Before we start the next expansion Midnight, the release of the Pre-Patch is coming in World of Warcraft. It already brings a lot of content from the upcoming addon, but it usually also has a pre-event attached. Through data mining, it has now been discovered when the pre-event is supposed to start – and thus the release date of the patch is generally known.

Start video
WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features

When will Patch 12.0 be released? Patch 12.0 will be released on January 21 or 28, 2026, as per the data mining from wowhead. The start date for the pre-event, which involves the mysterious activities of cultists, is set for January 28.

In general, the patch is released one week before the start of such an event, allowing everyone to get used to the changes before preparing for the addon.

Pre-Patch to be released in January, brings neighborhoods and cultists event

What’s included in the Pre-Patch? The Pre-Patch of Midnight, that is Update 12.0, contains a number of features. Essentially, it already includes all important systems of the upcoming expansion. Among the biggest changes are:

  • Many class adjustments, such as the revised talent trees and optimizations in healing.
  • Stat squish, the numbers will be shrunk back to a smaller scale.
  • Neighborhoods: Housing will be fully implemented, allowing for various neighborhood activities to finally be addressed.
  • The pre-event, where the Shadowhammer cultists will cause chaos all over the world.
  • Devourer is available as a new specialization for demon hunters and can be played immediately.
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The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
WoW: Midnight Tier List – Ranking of the Best Classes for DPS, Tanks and Healers
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WoW: 5 Depth Tricks – How to easily complete Delves at level 11
von Cortyn

When does Midnight officially start? After the pre-patch, it usually takes another 4 to 6 weeks until the release actually takes place. This aligns with the previously leaked release date, which is set for early March. The release leak has gained even more credibility with the new leak for the pre-event.

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