After scandal: “The Game Awards” will not have Activision Blizzard involved

Activision Blizzard must take another hit. They will not be able to present any new games at the Game Awards 2021.

The negative news surrounding and for Activision Blizzard currently does not stop. One opportunity to showcase future games on a big stage is now slipping away from them. At the Game Awards, there will be no platform for Activision Blizzard – there is simply no space for companies where there is abuse and harassment.

What are the Game Awards? The Game Awards were created in 2014 by Geoff Keighley. He is always the host of the awards, but you might also know him from Gamescom, as he produces the program for “Opening Night Live”, where the biggest innovations are announced.

The Game Awards aim to honor the best game titles of the past year in numerous categories. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for many publishers and developers to reveal upcoming games and show first, exclusive images of the next top games.

This year, the Game Awards will take place on Friday, December 10th – from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM.

What has been said now? On Twitter, Geoff Keighley announced that Activision Blizzard will not have a major appearance at the Game Awards. Only in the nominations do games from Activision Blizzard appear, as Call of Duty (“Best Esports Game”) and Warzone (“Best Ongoing Game”) have been nominated.

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On Twitter, Keighley explains:

The Game Awards are a time of celebration for this industry, the largest form of entertainment in this world.

There is no place for abuse or harassment in any company or community.

Geoff Keighley on Twitter

He further explains in a follow-up tweet:

I am also aware that we have a large platform that can inspire and accelerate change. We are committed to this, but we must all work together to create a better and more inclusive working environment where everyone feels comfortable and can build the best games in the world.

Geoff Keighley on Twitter

Those who were looking forward to major announcements from Activision Blizzard will likely not experience them at least at the Game Awards. Since Blizzard just recently also canceled BlizzConline 2022, not much was to be expected from that direction anyway.

What significance does this have? That a large developer like Activision Blizzard does not appear at all outside of the nominations and possible wins in the categories is relatively rare. After all, the Game Awards are not only used to honor past titles but also to provide a glimpse into the future. Trailers or short comments from developers about upcoming projects are meant to hype fans and players a bit – not to mention that it represents quite solid advertising for their own projects.

The fact that the Game Awards do not want to provide a large platform for Activision Blizzard is another, quite open sign of rejection and fits into many criticisms. Already the heads of PlayStation and Xbox have expressed criticism of Activision Blizzard and especially Bobby Kotick.

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

New World finally begins merging the servers

New World has announced the first server merger. This adjustment is eagerly awaited by many players to finally move away from empty servers. Which servers are affected, when the merger takes place, and how it works exactly, we will explain in this article.

Which servers will be merged? The European server Mardi will transition into the server Brittia. Since December 4th, you can no longer transfer to either of these two servers.

The merger will take place on December 8th at 4:00 PM German time.

How does such a server merger work? The small server X (in this case Mardi) is integrated into the larger server Y (Brittia). All progress such as level, gold, items, factions, or companies will remain intact.

However, the world will remain in the version that currently exists on server Y (Brittia). This applies to the state of events, upgrades of settlements, and ownership of the different territories.

Which worlds will be merged in the future? There is currently no information on which worlds will be merged in the future. However, the developers have revealed the criteria for such a merge:

To determine whether a world is unhealthy, we look at several factors, including population size and overall activity. Once we determine that a world needs to be merged, we compare it with existing worlds in the world set to find the optimal partner world by comparing elements such as faction, play style, and language. Merging within a set means that a US-West world can never be merged with a US-East world, but a US-West world could be merged with another US-West world.

According to the FAQ, future server mergers will always be scheduled for Wednesdays to avoid any potential maintenance with the patch. This also effectively means that content updates will be released on Thursdays, such as the upcoming patch 1.2:

More on the topic
New World announces major December update, significantly revises the endgame
von Alexander Leitsch

Server merger is currently a big wish in the community

Why are the merges so important? Since the release, New World has significantly lost player numbers. However, the developers opened dozens of new servers directly at launch. This now leads to some worlds having very few players left.

But too few players lead to problems, such as in the fight for territories. Therefore, many players hope that their empty servers will be integrated into larger servers before Christmas, so they can at least play properly over the holidays.

However, there is a concern shared by players, including Twitch streamer Shroud. Players from smaller servers could significantly disrupt the economy on the new server. They keep all their previous items, and it should be easier to hoard thousands of items on smaller servers.

More on this can be found here:

Twitch streamer explains that an “inevitable problem” is looming for New World

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

Fortnite: Battle Pass of Chapter 3 Season 1 – All Skins and Contents

A new Battle Pass has been released with Season 1 – Chapter 3 in Fortnite Here you will find all the skins, emotes, harvesting tools, and other content that you can obtain in the new Battle Pass.

This starts in Season 1: The invasion of the Cube Queen came to a tragic end in the live event when she suddenly vanished with her minions. Due to her actions, the island was flipped, and now players are engaging on a new map.

If you want to see the patch notes for the new Chapter 3, we have summarized the most important points for you:

Structure of the Battle Pass: As usual, the Battle Pass costs 950 V-Bucks. The pass for the new Season 1 of Chapter 3 will have the same system as in Season 8 before. So you have the opportunity to unlock your rewards with stars.

Can I immediately get the last skin of the Battle Pass? It won’t be that quick. First, you would have to unlock all previous pages. Many rewards build on their style or theme often on the previous reward.

The following pages can then be obtained either by unlocking rewards or by leveling up.

  • For page 2, for example, you need to redeem 4 rewards or reach level 10.
  • Page 3 requires 10 rewards or level 20.
  • For page 4, you need 17 rewards or level 30. 

This continues up to page 10. You can also watch the trailer for the Battle Pass that we have summarized for you:

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All Rewards of the Battle Pass in Season 1

Is there finally a secret skin? Not this time, the additional skin in the Battle Pass is The Foundation.

The Rock also known in Fortnite as The Foundation

This skin will likely receive additional styles and items that you can unlock over the weeks.

All content in the Battle Pass for Season 1

This overview shows you all the items that you can unlock in the new Battle Pass. 

Battle Pass – Page 1

Page 1

Requirements: Available from the start with the Battle Pass

Contents: 

  • Shanta – first skin 
  • Loading screen “Ronin’s Vengeance” (3 stars)
  • Spray “Shanta’s Life Blossom” (3 stars)
  • Back accessory “Blossom of Ancestors” (5 stars) 
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Skin Ronin (9 stars)
  • Banner icon (2 stars)
  • Glider “Enchanted Life Blossom” (6 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Bronze Scimitar” (7 stars)
  • Contrail “Mehndi” (4 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 2

Page 2

Requirements: 4 rewards or level 10 unlocked

Contents: 

  • Skin style Ronin “Azure” (8 stars) 
  • Loading screen “Shanta’s Story” (3 stars)
  • Spray “Ronin’s Mission” (3 stars)
  • Back accessory “Crimson Crescent Moon” (5 stars) 
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Emote “Moon Energy” (7 stars)
  • Glider “Crescent Moon Glider” (6 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Crescent Moon Sword” (7 stars)
  • Paint “Lotus Paint” (4 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 3

Page 3

Requirements: 10 rewards or level 20 unlocked

Contents: 

  • Skin LT. John Lama (9 stars)
  • Loading screen “Heated Battle” (3 stars)
  • Paint “Crescent Moon” (4 stars)
  • Back accessory “Lama Shotgun” (5 stars) 
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Skin style Shanta “Ancestors’ Blossom (Cloak)” (4 stars) 
  • Emoticon “Ronin’s Flame” (3 stars)
  • Banner icon (2 stars)
  • Emote “Monster Truck Junior” (7 stars)
  • Contrail “Flaming Crescent Moon” (4 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 4

Page 4

Requirements: 17 rewards or level 30 unlocked

Contents: 

  • Skin style LT. John Lama “Special Forces” (8 stars) 
  • Loading screen “Exploration” (3 stars)
  • Spray “Lama Strike!” (3 stars)
  • Emote “Lovely Art” (7 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Emoticon “Battle Ready” (3 stars)
  • Glider “Hairy Monster” (6 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Laminator” (7 stars)
  • Paint “Lama Paint” (4 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 5

Page 5

Requirements: 25 rewards or level 40 unlocked

Contents:

  • Skin style Ronin (Vest) (8 stars) 
  • Banner icon (2 stars)
  • Loading screen “Canopy Haven” (3 stars)
  • Back accessory “Animal Chest” (5 stars) 
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Paint “Nomad Treasures” (4 stars)
  • Spray “Haven’s Mask” (3 stars)
  • Skin Haven (9 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Wilderness Spear” (7 stars)
  • Music “Haven’s Opus” (5 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 6

Page 6

Requirements: 35 rewards or level 50 unlocked

Contents:

  • Skin style Haven (Reversed Cap) (4 stars) 
  • Loading screen “Always Ice Cold” (3 stars)
  • Spray “Here it Comes” (3 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Emote “Muaharhar” (7 stars)
  • Skin Gumdrop  (9 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Gumstick” (7 stars)
  • Back accessory “Gum Pouch” (5 stars) 
  • Contrail “Slimy” (4 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 7

Page 7

Requirements: 47 rewards or level 60 unlocked

Contents:

  • Skin style Gumdrop (Bitter) (8 stars)
  • Banner icon (2 stars)
  • Loading screen “Apocalypse” (3 stars)
  • Spray “Firmly in View” (3 stars)
  • Emoticon “Gumdrop Splot” (3 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Paint “Sweet Concerns” (4 stars)
  • Integrated emote Gumdrop “Sweet Brain Food” (7 stars)
  • Music “Gumbeat” (5 stars)
  • Glider “Gum Ball” (6 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 8

Page 8

Requirements: 60 rewards or level 70 unlocked

Contents:

  • Skin Harlowe (9 stars)
  • Glider “Wyvern X77” (6 stars)
  • Loading screen “Harlowe’s Target Practice” (3 stars)
  • Back accessory “Chic Traveler’s Backpack” (5 stars) 
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Skin style Ronin (Cloak/Helmet) (8 stars)
  • Emoticon “Horrn Heart” (3 stars)
  • Contrail “Sky Wheels” (4 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Tips Bat” (7 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 9

Page 9

Requirements: 74 rewards or level 80 unlocked

Contents: 

  • Skin style Harlowe (Motorcycle Jacket) (8 stars)
  • Loading screen “View with Distance” (3 stars)
  • Banner icon (2 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Back accessory “Net Swinger Backpack” (5 stars)
  • Contrail “Spider Threads” (4 stars)
  • Emoticon “Thwip, Thwip!” (3 stars)
  • Skin Spider-Man (9 stars)
  • Music “Border Ride” (5 stars)
  • Emote “Is That You?” (7 stars)

Battle Pass – Page 10

Page 10

Requirements: 89 rewards or level 90 unlocked

Contents: 

  • Skin style Spider-Man (Symbiote Suit) (8 stars)
  • Paint “Webslinger” (4 stars)
  • Loading screen “Web Shot” (3 stars)
  • Spray “Everything a spider can” (3 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • 100 V-Bucks (5 stars)
  • Emoticon “My Spidey Senses are Tingling!” (3 stars)
  • Pickaxe “Hefty Web Hammer” (7 stars)
  • Glider “Web Parachute” (6 stars)
  • Integrated emote Spider-Man “Just Hanging Out” (7 stars)

In addition to the Battle Pass pages, there will also be bonus rewards that you can unlock at higher levels. Thus, the Battle Pass offers a lot of new content to earn.

So, what do you think of the new pass? Do you find the skins and styles original, or is there nothing for you this season? Let us know.

If you want to know how the live event of Chapter 2 went down, you can find out everything you need to know on MeinMMO.

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

Fortnite Update: Patch Notes for Chapter 3 Season 1 – All new content

In Fortnite, after the live event on December 4th, the servers went down due to a cliffhanger. The downtime was used to roll out the new Chapter 3 with Season 1. All changes will be captured here on MeinMMO in a timely manner.

What happened today in Fortnite? In Fortnite, the live event marking the end of Chapter 2 concluded with a twist of the map. The Cube Queen has retreated, leaving us with a new map and a cliffhanger. However, the servers are back, and we will provide you with all the important information regarding the new patch notes for Chapter 3.

If you need important information about the live event and the new trailers, we have just the right thing for you:

For more information about the map, you can find it here:

Fortnite cannot be played – when and for how long?

When and how long is the downtime? The downtime lasted until December 5th at 4 PM. Players had been staring at the gloomy sea since the live event marking the end of the chapter, where a skin was floating on a log. The skin drifted unconscious for hours until the servers were finally back up.

[toc]

What new content does Chapter 3 Season 1 bring?

Pokémon GO: 7 tips to help you through the cold season

The days are getting colder in Germany, and it’s time for trainers in Pokémon GO to prepare for the winter months. To keep you playing actively even in the cold season, we have put together 7 helpful tips.

What is it about? In Pokémon GO, it’s all about getting outside, moving around, and discovering new interesting places. However, the temperatures are getting cooler every day, making it difficult for you to play.

However, this is no reason to give up the game. Therefore, we have compiled 7 tips for cold winter days.

1. Weatherproof clothing

One of the most important tips is weatherproof clothing, as you should be warm during the winter months. This primarily includes hats, scarves, and gloves.

Make sure that you can still operate your smartphone with the gloves on. Nothing is more annoying than seeing an interesting Pokémon and having to take off your gloves to catch it. Or when you can’t hold your phone properly with your gloves on.

We have listed below suitable touchscreen gloves that allow you to play Pokémon GO while keeping your hands warm:

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2. Stay active

Even in cool temperatures, a daily walk is healthy. In addition to wearing weatherproof clothing, you should especially always keep moving. So, it’s best to plan in advance which route you want to take. Avoid longer waiting times.

To stay warm on the go, you can also use one or another warming gadget. For example, use a hand warmer or bring a thermos with hot tea. Of course, you can find these in typical Pokémon designs as well.

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3. Faster catching

Quick catch trick: To avoid having to stand around forever catching all the monsters at many spawns, the quick catch trick is especially useful in winter. To do this, click on your Pokémon as usual. However, before you try to catch it, slide your Pokéball icon at the bottom right of the screen to the left to hold it there.

With the other hand, you can throw the ball as usual. Once you have hit the monster, you can lift your fingers off the screen and exit the catch screen through the icon in the upper left corner. Now the monster on the map can either be clicked again because it did not stay in the ball, or it disappears. In this case, you have either caught the Pokémon or it has fled.

Tools: If you don’t want to make the effort yourself, you can also use various gadgets. The Pokéball Plus or Pokémon Go Plus allows you to automatically spin nearby stops and attempt to catch monsters for you.

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We have also summarized 7 helpful tips on how to catch Pokémon quickly and effectively.

4. Use lures and incense

In winter, you can also comfortably play from home. Make yourself cozy on the couch and use some incense. This will attract wild Pokémon for 60 minutes that you can catch. If you’re lucky enough to have a PokéStop nearby, you can also set a lure module, which attracts even more monsters.

Incense, Lure Module & Wonder Box

Activate Wonder Box: If you can no longer see the wild spawns, you also have the option to open the Wonder Box. However, you need to connect to the Nintendo Switch or Pokémon Home to activate it. Similar to incense, it lasts for a whole hour.

You will not attract wild monsters, but the mysterious Pokémon Meltan. Its evolution, Melmetal, is a solid attacker and can particularly impress in the Master League (via pvpoke.com). Therefore, this is a great opportunity to catch a strong specimen and collect as many candies as possible.

But beware: While you have activated the Wonder Box, you cannot set any more incense, as both do not work simultaneously!

5. Participate in remote raids

Even if you don’t have a gym in your immediate vicinity, you can easily participate in raids from home. This is due to the remote raid passes introduced as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just invite friends from around the world to raids or invite them yourself.

Need more friends for raids? We have summarized in the following article how you can find friends in Pokémon GO:

More on the topic
Pokémon GO: Find Friends Worldwide in 2026 – Here You Will Find Codes
von Patrick Freese

6. Trade and send Pokémon

Trading: If you caught numerous monsters in the summer and never had the time to sort them out, you should use the cold season for that. But before you simply send away all unwanted Pokémon, you should trade them with friends. With a little luck, you might get a lucky Pokémon.

Especially during the season of origin, which runs from December 1st to March 1st, trading monsters is especially worthwhile. You will receive an additional candy and a guaranteed XL candy with each trade made.

You can perform up to 100 trades per day. The probability of a lucky Pokémon is generally about 1 in 25.

Tip for sending: Niantic often offers double candies for sending Pokémon. So if you’re not in urgent need of space, it’s also a good idea to sort your monsters by tags. When a corresponding bonus comes up, you only need to send those specimens with that tag.

Pokémon GO Tags
This is how you use tags in Pokémon GO

How to set tags? Setting tags in the game is very simple. Open your Pokémon storage and click on the “Tags” category in the upper left corner. Then you can create a new tag using the plus sign. After that, switch back to your Pokémon.

Finally, press and hold all the monsters you want to assign this tag to for a longer time. This will open a selection window where you can assign the tag. If you now reopen the view of your tag, you can find all assigned specimens under it.

7. More activities indoors

PvP battles: If you’re not so fond of raids, you can try your hand at the GO Battle League and compete against other trainers. You don’t have to leave the house in icy temperatures for this either.

In addition, you will earn valuable stardust, items, and depending on your rank, encounters with special Pokémon, such as Lin-Fu, eF-eM, or Wrestler Pikachu, for your victories.

Lin-Fu, eF-eM, and Wrestler Pikachu as rewards in the GO Battle League

Platinum Medals: If you are still on your way to level 50, this season is a good time to work on your platinum medals. To reach level 49, you need 35 of them. There are numerous different medals in the game, giving you plenty of choices on which ones you want to upgrade to platinum.

You can, for example, catch 2,500 of each Pokémon type, trade a certain number of monsters, occupy and defend gyms, participate in raids or PvP battles, or increase your friendship with other players.

A selection of Platinum Medals

Rate PokéStops: Want to try something different? Then rate new PokéStops on the Wayfarer platform or submit new suggestions for your area. This will benefit you and other trainers, and maybe a new interesting place will soon emerge near you.

However, to submit new suggestions or be able to review them, you need to be at least player level 38.

Are you out and about on cold days or do you prefer to snuggle up on the couch and play from home? What do you do to keep warm while playing in winter? Share your experiences and tips here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers.

What is this Schillerpin anyway? We took a look at what it’s all about and tell you whether it exists in Pokémon GO.

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

Path of Exile removes old content – Shows Destiny 2 how to do it right

The Hack’n Slay Path of Exile will remove five-year-old content from the game with the next patch. It is said to have become outdated and boring. In the MMO shooter Destiny 2, removing content regularly leads to criticism, but with the Hack’n Slay, the removal of the expansion has caused general jubilation. What is going on?

What about Destiny 2?

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Destiny 2 is a real problem for new players and the Content Vault is to blame
von Britta ♤ BeAngel

Path of Exile removes 2016 expansion “Prophecy”

This is happening now with Path of Exile: With patch 3.17.0 in January 2022, the systems of the “Prophecy” expansion will be removed from the game. It is said that the 2016 expansion now feels “outdated” and has been overtaken by new expansions.

What does Path of Exile do better? Path of Exile doesn’t just remove content, but sorts it out.

  • A whole range of unique items is now considered “not exciting anymore” and will be completely removed from the game.
  • Other items are distributed differently and players can acquire them in other ways.

What is the reaction? Unlike Destiny 2, the reaction to the change is mostly positive. Players seem to agree with the developer team that much of the expansion was now boring. Therefore, players are happy not to have to deal with the mechanics of the expansion anymore.

People are already considering which annoying mechanics they would like to get rid of next.

Soon, we will see the duel of Diablo 4 vs. Path of Exile 2

What’s behind this: In Destiny 2, it seems that content is being taken out of the game “as a whole”: This creates huge gaps in the story. But Bungie seems not to be bothered by this. Path of Exile takes a more nuanced approach. It “retains” the good aspects of the old expansion.

Moreover, there is obviously a significant difference whether the developers_remove only systems or story content from a game. Whether a free-to-play game removes free content or whether content is taken out that had to be bought previously as DLC for money is apparently also relevant for many.

The systems in Path of Exile are closely related to the concept of “parasitic systems”: When a game adds so many new systems over the years that can enhance a character, some of them can become annoying.

WoW: Parasitic systems and how they make our MMORPGs worse

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. path of exile
  2. reddit

New survival game on Steam impresses with gameplay – nonetheless receives a lot of criticism

Icarus is a new survival game that you can play solo or in coop on Steam. It was released on December 3rd and has received mixed reviews on Steam so far. While the gameplay is well-received, pretty much the rest is criticized.

What kind of game is it? In Icarus, you are part of a crew exploring new planets. You start at a space station and complete various missions that vary in length. A mission can take 10 minutes, but it can also last up to 48 hours of real playtime. You can complete these missions alone or with players in coop.

You will face numerous dangers on the alien planet, including:

  • Wild animals that can hunt you and even poison you with bites.
  • Random world events that make your life difficult.
  • Hunger, thirst, and oxygen, which you must constantly keep track of, as the air of the planet is toxic

Icarus offers a diverse skill and tech system for your survival. You are expected to utilize your skills in countless combinations and have a lot of room for experimentation.

The well-known Twitch streamer shroud tested Icarus in beta and claims it could be one of the best survival games ever.

How is Icarus performing after launch? The release of Icarus took place on December 3rd. The game costs 24.99 euros on Steam, but so far has only received mixed reviews there.

Out of 4,400 votes, only 55% are positive. While there is a lot of praise for the gameplay, players are bothered by bugs, performance issues, and even placeholder texts from beta.

At its peak, 47,370 players have played simultaneously. This number could be broken again today on Sunday.

Icarus feels more like an “Early Access” title

What do players say about Icarus? The general consensus in the reviews is that while Icarus shows many good approaches, it feels more like a game in Early Access. For example, the user Joe from Colorado writes after 15 hours of playtime (via Steam):

This is an early access title being marketed as a “full version” with bugs from previous betas still present, and features in the crafting menu labeled as “coming soon.” The performance is nowhere near optimized (as it should be for a full-fledged game). […].

To the developers: I appreciate the effort you’ve put into this game so far, and I admit it’s a fun game. It’s not your fault; the project leaders have left you in the lurch and rushed it out for the Christmas sale. It’s a shame they are releasing the game as a full version.

Many opinions of players, whether the review is positive or negative, read similarly to this review. Because there is praise for almost all aspects of the gameplay, including:

  • The diverse missions that must be completed within a fixed time
  • There is a lot to collect and craft
  • The various skill and crafting trees are said to be very extensive, requiring real decision-making
  • The need to search for food and water is said to be present but not so excessive that you live in constant fear
  • The graphics are generally well-received

Criticism, on the other hand, is given for:

  • Performance issues and FPS drops
  • A very slow download time
  • Problems and disconnections when playing with other players
  • Mobs are said to have unusual pathing and can walk up mountains at a 90-degree angle
  • The housing is said to still offer too few meaningful functions beyond workbenches

Another point of criticism lies in the endgame, which some beta players say can become quite repetitive. Steam user Würger criticizes this in his review but also states that the criticisms are too harsh (via Steam):

To be honest, I was very critical of the game after I completed the first (very pleasant) 10-20 hours of gameplay (in the beta). As I approached the 40th to 50th hour as a pure solo player, I began to feel the repetitions of the gameplay mechanics (having to rebuild everything from scratch repeatedly).

What I want to say is that I am certainly no fanboy. But these very negative reactions towards the game are not fair. It is not a bad game. It does have some weaknesses. Some of them are even so profound that I am unsure if the developers really want to improve them, as that would require a lot of work. But anyway, the game does not deserve to receive so many negative reviews […].

I would advise fans of the genre to maybe wait 2-3 months and then buy the base version.

Who is Icarus interesting for? Icarus is not a survival game where you stay in one place for a long time and build a base, like in Rust or Ark. You get a specific mission, complete it within a given time, and then return to the space station.

This results in a certain gameplay loop that you always experience, including building your own base. This is more akin to strategy games than classic survival games. In doing so, you always unlock new technologies and skills, which can feel rewarding.

However, it seems that Icarus is still in an unfinished state, as almost all reviews confirm.

Many reviews recommend “The Forest” as an alternative to Icarus. It is currently experiencing a resurgence:

7 Year Old Survival Game Suddenly Becomes a Hit on Steam – Over 30,000 Players

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

Final Fantasy XIV doubles its player count on Steam – MMORPG at hardware limit

The MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV is almost 10 years old, but it is experiencing unprecedented hype in 2021. With the new expansion Endwalker, player numbers on Steam explode in December: With over 94,000 simultaneous active players, a new record has been set. That is more than double the peak players from the previous month.

What is happening with Final Fantasy XIV on Steam?

  • Player numbers on Steam saw a surge in the summer: In July 2021, the hype around Final Fantasy XIV began, when major Twitch streamers like Asmongold turned away from World of Warcraft and switched to Final Fantasy XIV – in July 2021, the average number of players on Steam increased by 58.8 %.
  • From September onwards, the hype leveled off a bit. This was surely also due to the release of the MMORPG New World. But now in December 2021, the big expansion “Endwalker” is approaching. It is not out yet, but pre-order customers have been able to play since Friday, December 3rd.
  • With 94,414 players, Final Fantasy XIV has broken the record for simultaneous active players. A month earlier, the peak was “only” 42,433 players on Steam, less than half.
Start video
Everything you need to know about Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker in 3 minutes

Dhe amazing thing about this record: At the moment, this is just a preview, because not everyone can enjoy Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker yet, only the pre-order customers.

The real rush for the game begins on Tuesday, December 7th. Then we can expect that the player count of Final Fantasy XIV will experience another increase.

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von Schuhmann

Final Fantasy XIV is at its “hardware” limit – Long queues

What effects does the hype have? As Final Fantasy XIV announces today, the enormous rush for the early access of Endwalker has led to an overload of the service. It is said that there are queues everywhere, and they are only being reduced slowly.

The login attempts for Final Fantasy XIV are at their “hardware” limit, especially during peak times.

The peak times for Europe are stated as 12:00 to 24:00, at least on weekends.

ff14-steam-charts
New record for Final Fantasy XIV on Steam.

Director apologizes for overload, promises 7 free days

Final Fantasy XIV says: Every player who has a full version and a subscription of Final Fantasy XIV will receive 7 free days. They might even increase the number of free days. This is shared by the Director of Final Fantasy XIV, Naoki Yoshida, via a blog post on Sunday, December 5th.

Yoshida apologizes for the “inconveniences” that have arisen for the players. It is said that they are doing everything possible to improve the situation.

Yoshida also points out that those who watch the end credits should move the mouse or press a key occasionally, otherwise they risk an automatic log-out.

Yoshida refutes reports that one can escape an “auto-log-out” due to AFK in Final Fantasy XIV by dancing or hitting a dummy. According to Yoshida, that is not enough to circumvent the mechanic. He considers such statements to be “rumors.”

More information about Endwalker:

Final Fantasy XIV: 3 useful system settings for Endwalker

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. FF!4
  2. Steamcharts

DrDisrespect nominated as “Streamer of the Year” – Overhyped Twitch rule ruins everything

The streamer Guy “DrDisrespect” Beahm is still suffering from the effects of the Twitch ban in 2021. He was nominated for an award as “Streamer of the Year 2021”, but was cut from the award ceremony. Now he is hurt. He says he doesn’t want to know anything about the “Esports Awards” anymore. He had been an important part of the award in recent years.

Which award was it about?

  • In addition to “The Game Awards” by Geoff Keighley, there are the “Esports Awards”. The show took place on November 20, 2021. The award has a strong focus on esports and content creation. Many awards go year after year to the scenes around League of Legends and CS:GO.
  • 12 streamers were nominated for the “Streamer of the Year 2021” award, including the likes of XQc, Valkyrae, Summit1g, CouRage, Shroud, and of course DrDisrespect.
  • The award was eventually won by Spanish-speaking streamer Ibai.
More on the topic
Minecraft: Twitch streamers hint that Dream does not deserve an award
von Schuhmann

DrDisrespect is no longer allowed to be seen on Twitch – Has the award ruined him

What was special about DrDisrespect? During the presentation, the streamers were shown personally with their faces and how they stream.

In DrDisrespect’s case, the streamer himself was not shown, only his gameplay.

This stood out particularly in the show because the streamers before and after DrDisrespect were personally the focus of their introduction clips, while in DrDisrespect’s case, the star of the clip seems to be a sniper rifle:

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Link to the Twitch content

DrDisrespect is not allowed to appear on Twitch – not even on other channels

Why was that? DrDisrespect was banned from Twitch in 2020. Therefore, he is officially not allowed to appear on Twitch, not even on other channels.

Anyone who interacts with DrDisrespect in their own stream and shows him or lets him speak can also be banned from Twitch. The rule has often been criticized as “excessive”, but Twitch even intensified it in September 2020.

Since the Esports Awards were broadcast live on Twitch, the team apparently decided not to show DrDisrespect’s face.

How it used to be: At previous Esports Awards ceremonies, DrDisrespect was consistently one of the most important figures during the shows. The two-meter man sat in the audience, received awards, and gave speeches. He was a constant focal point of the show for years (via youtube).

drdisrespect-2017
In 2017, DrDisrespect still gave interviews at the Esports Awards – he was an important part of the award.

DrDisrespect makes it clear: Awards have lost credibility

This is how DrDisrespect reacts: He has cut all contact with the Esports Awards and says he doesn’t want anything to do with the show anymore. They should not mention him on social media and completely leave him out of everything.

He says he had a good run with the awards for years, but they have now lost all credibility.

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Link to the Twitter content
DrDisrespect seems honestly disappointed. The consequences of the Twitch ban seem to weigh on him.

This is how the Esports Awards react: They say that for them, Doc is the greatest. He has raised the bar for streamers so high. DrDisrespect’s decision to end all relation with the award would affect them.

It is known that the usually cool and strong DrDisrespect still has major problems coping with the Twitch ban:

Dr Disrespect is struggling to come to terms with the Twitch ban, has real problems

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

Guild Wars 2 finds creative solution to upgrade boring Legendary items – players celebrate this

Guild Wars 2 is getting 16 new legendary weapons with the new expansion End of Dragons. They looked really boring in a teaser. But with a brilliant trick, the developers made the weapons interesting with little effort. And that is really well received by the players.

What kind of weapons are these? The new legendary weapons from the End of Dragons expansion all have the same style. They all revolve around the elder dragon Aurene and therefore have a very similar appearance. This includes things like the crystal structure and the prismatic glow.

These weapons were received very poorly by the players, because Guild Wars 2 is actually known for very creative legendary weapons.

For example, there is a scepter with a pet accompanying you, a powerful weapon that changes its appearance based on day or night, or a shield that is like an aquarium.

Guild Wars 2 Shuushadoo legendary
The legendary shield Shuushadoo contains a Quaggan in a glass.

But now the developers have revealed new details about the weapons. Each weapon comes in 6 versions. Each of these versions has a different color and is associated with a different elder dragon. Moreover, each weapon only needs to be crafted once, and each color is also tied to a new story.

96 instead of 16 new weapons

How does it work exactly? If you craft one of the new legendary weapons, you first receive the prismatic version associated with the dragon Aurene. But because it is the prism, you can also craft the colors of the elder dragons you have defeated so far. Thus, 16 legendaries will now total 96 weapons.

At the release of the expansion, there will initially only be the version from Aurene. The other 5 versions will be added to the game after the release.

The developers presented how the variants look using the greatsword:

What do the legendary weapons offer? Each of the new legendary weapons offers the following features:

  • A finishing blow corresponding to the respective elder dragon (for Aurene, a rainbow that strikes from above and leaves a crater with prisms)
  • Unique footprints

Additionally, like any other legendary weapon, you can change the appearance, stats, sigils, and runes anytime.

How do you obtain the weapons? The new legendaries will require a precursor again, which you can craft. In the end, to build the finished weapon, you need to visit a Mystic Forge.

However, you shouldn’t have to build a new weapon for each skin. The precursor is sufficient just once. Specific details on how to obtain the individual skins will be shared in the future.

What is special about the legendaries from End of Dragons is that you can sell them on the Trading Post, just like the 1st generation. The weapons from the Heart of Thorns expansion, however, will remain unsellable.

Will there be underwater legendaries? No. Since only 16 legendary weapons are coming to the game, the 3 underwater weapons will again be left out.

Players celebrate the idea for the new legendaries

How do players react to the change? While the legendary weapons created many negative reactions upon the announcement of End of Dragons, players are very satisfied with the different colorations and the adapted animations:

  • MovieTrailerReply writes in reddit: “I have to say: I love this decision. It makes me much more curious about the new legendaries. I can’t wait to unlock the Destroyer variant.”
  • Triddy was one of the critics of the legendary weapons (via reddit): “I was very critical of the legendaries. I will admit and publicly say that my opinion has been turned 180 degrees. Provided that “in the future” is not in the timeline of the legendary armor [Note: From the announcement to the release, it took over 2 years for legendary armor].”
  • FracOMac is particularly excited about the finishing blows: “This completely changes my opinion about the set of weapons. I am especially looking forward to the on-kills effects that have already been mentioned” (via reddit).

When will the weapons be released? The weapons will be released together with the new expansion End of Dragons in February 2022. This will also bring new areas, new elite specializations, and the fishing feature.

Lastly, the new mount, the Siege Turtle, also brought a lot of fun and excitement:

In Guild Wars 2, you can currently test the coolest mount there has ever been in MMORPGs

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Guild Wars 2

Pokémon GO: Stardust Challenge – All Rewards and Farming Tips

In Pokémon GO, there is a Stardust Challenge. We will show you all the tasks and rewards and give tips on how to earn Stardust quickly.

What type of challenge is this? With the start of the new season of origin in December, Pokémon GO launched a Stardust Challenge for you. Each player has their own challenge, but everyone has the same tasks.

By earning Stardust step by step, you will receive rewards such as a Kapuno hat/mask. We will show you all 15 tasks and rewards and explain how to complete the challenge quickly.

Stardust Challenge – 15 Rewards

TaskReward
Earn a total of 500 Stardust10 Poké Balls
Earn a total of 1,000 Stardust
(500 at this level)
10 Himmih Berries
Earn a total of 3,000 Stardust
(2,000 at this level)
Encounter with
Rihorn
Earn a total of 6,000 Stardust
(3,000 at this level)
15 Sanana Berries
Earn a total of 10,000 Stardust
(4,000 at this level)
Encounter with
Onix
Earn a total of 15,000 Stardust
(5,000 at this level)
25 Poké Balls
Earn a total of 20,000 Stardust
(5,000 at this level)
15 Nanab Berries
Earn a total of 30,000 Stardust
(10,000 at this level)
Encounter with
Sterndu
Earn a total of 40,000 Stardust
(10,000 at this level)
20 Great Balls
Earn a total of 50,000 Stardust
(10,000 at this level)
2 Silver Sanana
Berries
Earn a total of 60,000 Stardust
(10,000 at this level)
Encounter with
Alolan Exeggutor
Earn a total of 70,000 Stardust
(10,000 at this level)
25 Ultra Balls
Earn a total of 85,000 Stardust
(15,000 at this level)
Encounter with
Kapuno
Earn a total of 100,000 Stardust
(15,000 at this level)
5,000 XP
Earn a total of 120,000 Stardust
(20,000 at this level)
1 Lucky Egg and
a Kapuno hat

You have until the end of December to complete it. Consider that the Stardust requirements count as “Total”. By step 7, you should have earned a total of 20,000 Stardust. From the previous steps, you have already collected 15,000 Stardust, so for step 7, you only need to earn an additional 5,000 Stardust.

Pokémon GO Stardust Challenge

Earn Stardust Easily in Pokémon GO – Tips

In Pokémon GO, there are various ways to earn Stardust easily. For those of you who want to complete the challenge faster, we provide a few tips here.

Pokémon GO Stardust Piece

1. An obvious tip: Use Stardust Pieces. When you activate the items, you earn 50% more Stardust as long as the Stardust Piece is active. You can buy such items in the shop or earn them through special research like “Unleashed Mischief”.

2. Catch a lot of Pokémon! Focus on the Pokémon you can catch easily and quickly without having to use multiple balls per Pokémon. Pokémon with weather boosts give extra Stardust when caught.

3. Hatch eggs. This works wonderfully from home during Corona by getting some exercise. Through Adventure Sync, your walked steps count towards the egg progress. This is how you hatch eggs in Pokémon GO without leaving the house

4. Pay attention to events: Often, events in Pokémon GO come with Stardust bonuses. If you take good advantage of these events, it can give you a strong boost for your challenge.

5. Be mindful of which Pokémon you catch. There are certain specimens in Pokémon GO that give you more Stardust when caught than others. Zobiris and Mauzi are both among these special monsters. Additionally, catching evolved monsters gives you more Stardust than catching monsters in their base form.

These 22 monsters in Pokémon GO give you more Stardust when caught

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

5 Secrets about the Mysterious Xur in Destiny 2 that you don’t know yet

Xur is the most mysterious vendor in Destiny 2. Next week the new dungeon “Sog der Habsucht” starts, and it looks like we will also encounter Xur more often in the new activities starting in December. It is high time to unveil the mystery surrounding his person a little.

Xur helps players in Destiny 2 every week to expand their collection of Exotics. He is also one of the strangest vendors. The official agent of the Nine has tentacles growing from his face and speaks in riddles. Those who take the time to listen leave with even more questions.

Over time, Xur has told a lot, almost unnoticed. Although he struggles to remember, players believe he reveals a lot in the process. His statements are both strange and peculiar:

  • “You have made the necessary adjustments to promote organic life.”
  • “You have fought against everything else that has entered this realm. Will you fight a planet?”
  • “The Eye of the Nine is still watching. If you are here, it means the Nine are not done with you yet.”

Is the new dungeon Xur’s hideout? It is time for us to get to know Xur better. He is not just an NPC who sells some items on weekends. Players have long wondered where Xur takes all the fragments and strange coins. To the Nine? Or will we get a glimpse into his world in the new dungeon “Sog der Habsucht” ? There are countless treasures and thousands of coins stored there. Perhaps strange coins? The fact is, Xur is already expecting us there.

There is plenty of reason to uncover a few things before the new activities start on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Because Xur’s story is fascinating, and perhaps his future is as well. Here are his 5 most interesting secrets.

photo dungeon -destiny 2 Sog der habsucht
Here you can see Xur’s reflection in a mysterious treasure cave.

Rank 5. Xur is actually the “Agent of the Five”

The Nine are sentient beings in Destiny 2 that consist of dark matter. Xur’s dealings in Destiny 2 are significantly influenced by them. However, even though he always refers to “the Nine,” this is not entirely correct. Officially, he serves only Five of the Nine.

What is known about the machinations of the Nine? The Nine control large parts of the solar system behind Jupiter. It is the threshold to infinity. Their existence is connected to the planets there and their inhabitants, the Jovians. What we know is that they are divided into two factions and exist on another plane of existence.

The planet of the Nine and their symbols.
  • Five of them study the Light to use it for their own purposes.
    They were also the ones who created Xur so that he could interact with us Guardians. If life in the Light ends, the Five would also cease to exist as thinking entities. So they have an interest in strengthening the Light. Their agents, like Xur, are responsible for helping those who maintain peace throughout the galaxy.
  • Four of them want to free themselves from their dependence on matter-based life and Light.
    They want to create their own realm that exists in the dark, independent of the Light, through gravitational wells. To achieve this, they are experimenting with black holes based on dark matter and have little interest in Guardians and the Light. It is unlikely that this faction supports Xur.

By the way: The weapons of the Nine in Destiny 2 are not quite as mysterious, but still a hidden gem.

More on the topic
6 Weapons from the Prophecy Dungeon in Destiny 2 That You Should Farm
von Britta ♤ BeAngel

Rank 4. Xur’s appearance is based on planetary alignments

One might think Xur’s weekly location in Destiny 2 is completely arbitrary. In reality, no one has cracked his secret code yet. Xur’s statement “I cannot fully control my movements.” refers to the fact that he is partly dependent on the Nine, partly on planetary alignments. It is never his free choice, and apparently not by chance where he appears.

Unfortunately, the Content Vault has also restricted Xur’s movements. Instead of appearing in six locations, Xur only appears in three locations in the solar system: on the Tower, in the European Dead Zone, and on Nessus.

This is how players have known Xur for years.

Rank 3. Xur is Jovian and “out of dust”

Xur himself says: “We came from dust and dug into flesh to warm ourselves and became… something new.” In the game, Xur is often categorized as “Jupiter.” However, it’s not referring to the planet Jupiter, but a group of humanoids known as Jovians who inhabit a place beyond the asteroid belt. It is suspected that some of the cells in his body even originate from Earth.

Jovians are partly human: The Jovians retain the shape of their human ancestors. However, their faces resemble a mass of black worms, and light seems to cause them pain. Just like with Xur. That’s also the reason why he usually stands in the shadow or dark areas.

So much light here, I assume I feel pain.

Xur, during his weekly visit.

To keep his body going, he is controlled by the Nine. As a result, he has only limited control over himself. If his physical condition worsens, the Nine simply replace his cells.

Was Xur perhaps once a Guardian? There are rumors that Xur was once a Guardian as well. However, no one has seen a ghost with him. With the current information about the new activities, it is likely that we might learn more about this soon. Perhaps Xur is that adventurer who sacrificed his humanity for a treasure mentioned in the new dungeon.

Rank 2. Prototype Xur, Orin and a Space Horse

Xur is nothing more than a prototype, a first attempt. He does not have a fully physical form. Only with Orin, formerly Nasya Sarwar and (ex-)girlfriend of the Drifter, did the Nine find and create an optimal envoy. Players know her from the Season of the Drifter and the Prophecy dungeon. Unlike Xur, she still possesses a certain degree of free will and desire.

It is also interesting that particularly these three characters, Xur, Orin, and the Drifter, share a strange bond. All three are familiar with the stardust or space horse, which you see in the title image.

Titan Nasya Sarwar, who later became Orin, the Messenger of the Nine.

What role does the stardust horse play? The horse frequently appears in association with the Nine. It can be found on the “You are worthy” emblem from the flawless run of the former Trials of Nine. Here too, a horse head can be seen in space.

The horse head on the Trials of Nine emblem.

Later, Orin shows the stardust horse to the Drifter in a vision during the Season of the Drifter.

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Cutscene week 9 Season of the Drifter / recorded by “Prince Uldren Sov

So there is not only a connection between the Drifter, the Messenger of the Nine, and Xur. The space horse also seems to play a greater role. Starting Tuesday, players might discover even more about this.

Rank 1. Xur was severely injured by a Guardian

Xur did not always have a hunched posture. The Nine did not create him as we know him today. His pain and hunched posture were inflicted upon him by Orin, who later also became an envoy of the Nine, in the past.

Orin (Nasya Sarwar), once a Titan and friend of Mara Sov, Queen of the Awoken, was tasked by her to investigate the role of the Nine in the disappearance of Sjur Eido.

Who was Sjur Eido?
Sjur Eido is mainly known in Destiny 2 from the Wünsche-Quest. She was, before Petra Venj, the first Wrath of the Queen, and her skills with bow and arrow were renowned throughout the Reef. Mara trusted her unconditionally. She was a masterful hunter of treacherous Ahamkara. And she was the friend/loved one of Mara Sov. However, Sjur mysteriously died during the Reef Wars. She was betrayed and murdered by an unknown assailant, and her Wishender bow was stolen. Mara thus carved a statue in her honor, which now stands in Eleusinia (the area in the Broken Throne). Sjur’s identity somehow became linked to that statue.

Xur was also interrogated by her at that time. While she demands information, she brutally crushes his windpipe. Xur begs her to “forgive them.”

After he freed himself from her, he reached into his robe to reveal a silver glass. Orin interpreted that as an attempt to attack and as a sign of hostility. She strikes the agent in the chest with her Titan war hammer, launching him up and breaking his spine in the process.

Xur survives but adopts a permanently hunched posture due to his injuries. The posture that players recognize him by today.

Did you already know all the secrets of Xur, or have we surprised you? What do you think, what role does Xur play from next Tuesday? Will we learn more about him soon?

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

New World: How to best enhance your equipment since Patch 1.2

With the major December update 1.2, the watermark system in New World is being revised and the new material gypsum is being introduced. This will change a lot about your gear score. In the forum, the developers have now shown new details; data miners have further substantiated these with additional information.

What exactly is changing? With update 1.2, the watermarks will be renamed to “competency”. In addition, this competency will be displayed alongside your items in the inventory. This way you can see exactly how high the value is for each gear slot.

At the same time, a new system – gypsum – will be introduced. With gypsum, you can make casts of your previous gear and increase your competency with them.

There are now new details about this system and the general changes through update 1.2. The chance of increasing competency through drops and chests will be reduced. At the same time, 7 gypsum casts can be crafted daily. We will reveal how this works precisely.

This is how watermarks worked previously

What exactly are watermarks? The watermarks indicate what the highest gear score was that you have ever obtained from a drop. The longer you go without getting a drop that corresponds to a higher gear score, the greater the chance will become.

If you receive a better item, your watermark increases to exactly that value. Each gear slot (chest, hands, weapon, etc.) has its own watermark.

How are watermarks increased currently? Currently, the value only increases by obtaining random drops from mobs or chests. The increase currently looks as follows:

  • At gear score 500, the watermark can increase by a maximum of 5
  • Your chance for this is 3% + 0.25% for each drop below that
  • After 388 drops of the same item, the chance of an upgrade is thus 100%, but usually the upgrade happens much sooner.

However, the values become smaller the higher your watermark is. This table from reddit user kaptainkeel shows the exact values:

WatermarkChance for IncreaseIncrease Chance
5102 %0.225 %
5251.75 %0.1875 %
5501.5 %0.125 %
5751 %0.06 %
5901 %0.025 %

What changes with update 1.2? With the introduction of competencies, there are three major innovations:

  • The watermarks, which will then be called competencies, will be displayed next to your inventory
  • The chance for higher competencies through drops will be significantly reduced
  • The gypsum system will be introduced, which will allow you to increase your competency more effectively
New World Watermark
The numbers next to the equipment will now show your competency.

Gypsum will be the best way to increase competency, 7 casts possible per day

What changes in the values? Basically, the chances for increasing competency through the new update are reduced. Through data mining, kaptainkeel came to the following conclusion:

  • At each level, the chance for an increase is 1%
  • The increase from a drop is always 0.1%

For drops of level 575 or higher, the situation slightly improves, but the grind to level 575 will become more elaborate.

How does the gypsum system work? To counteract the higher grind, the gypsum system will be introduced. There are 7 different types:

  • Obsidian Gypsum – Earned by defeating bosses of level 60+
  • Sapphire Gypsum – Earned by completing the final bosses in the dungeon Lazarus Instrumentality and Garden of Genesis
  • Ruby Gypsum – Earned through the Outpost Rush
  • Emerald Gypsum – Earned through chests in crafting above level 200
  • Citrine Gypsum – Earned through boss arenas
  • Amethyst Gypsum – Earned through corrupted events
  • Topaz Gypsum – Requires a special potion that can be crafted at level 5 campfires. After that, you must defeat level 55+ mobs and have a small chance for this drop

From these types, gypsum casts can then be produced. Per day, you can craft one gypsum cast per gear type (a total of 20 – 5 armor pieces, 3 jewelry pieces, 12 weapons).

However, you will only receive loot for 7 gypsum casts per day. The developers revealed this in the forum (via New World Forum).

How expensive is it to create gypsum casts and what do they bring? Here too, the data miner kaptainkeel has provided some answers:

  • Each cast increases the value of competence by 3, at least at level 500. It is unclear whether the value decreases as the level of competence increases.
  • The production of a cast currently costs a total of 600 gold. However, the developers have already said after the first feedback that they will reduce the costs by the time of the live release (via New World Forum). However, how much it will cost exactly is not known.

Competency is to determine your gear score starting in 2022

Why is the competency value so important? Competency is important for two reasons. Firstly, this value determines the loot you receive in the open world. Secondly, a change is planned for 2022 whereby competency will determine the value of your armor:

  • If you have a competency of 520 for the hammer, find or craft a hammer of level 600, it will be scaled down to 520.
  • Only when you have increased your competency to 600 will that hammer count as gear score 600.

This system is intended by the developers to prevent players from simply buying the best armor with money. However, this is not well received by the players. More on this here:

New World announces a change to equipment for 2022 and receives a backlash

What do you think about the changes? Do you find the weakening of the watermark leveling appropriate? And how do you feel about the gypsum system? Feel free to write your thoughts in the comments.

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

LoL: This tip is hardly mentioned by any guide, but it will make you a better jungler

In League of Legends, each position has its specific tasks. One of the less popular roles is the Jungle – especially among newcomers. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus has learned an important lesson about jungling that will surely help you.

What are Junglers anyway? A Jungler is the position that does not travel on any of the so-called “Lanes” – namely Top, Mid, and Bot. Instead of engaging in combat against enemy NPCs and players on these fixed paths, the Jungler is moving in the jungle.

There, he defeats monsters in so-called “Camps” and manages important buffs. He is responsible for ensuring that his team receives important power-ups from defeating dragons or the Rift Herald. These provide additional gold, advantages on the lanes, and later powerful, permanent buffs.

Moreover, the Jungler ensures that the other players win against their opponents. This works through so-called “Ganks,” which are unexpected attacks from ambush. This is meant to take down an enemy and allow a teammate to secure a kill.

The role is so important, that Riot had to nerf Junglers because they had too much influence.

LoL League of Legends Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao, the Seneschal of Demacia, is currently one of the top Junglers.

What is this tip? The tip itself is simple: Learn all the other lanes. Since I started playing LoL again after a long break, I noticed this right away, especially as a returning player.

Since I stopped playing, a lot has changed. Almost every champion can now be played in any position. This changes the dynamics of the team, but not necessarily how the lanes function.

After a lot of experimenting, I’ve found myself back in one of my old positions, the Jungle. And while going through various guides, I noticed that this very tip is hardly mentioned.

Note that this tip is really only useful for new players and returnees. Those who already know LoL well will hardly benefit from it. But even here, it’s worth expanding your horizons and not getting fixated on one thing:

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Learn all lanes, then you can jungle more easily

That’s why knowing the lanes helps: As a Jungler, it’s crucial to understand what your teammates are currently doing. Often, you have only a brief moment to assess the situation. In a few moments, you must decide:

  • Is my teammate ready for a gank?
  • Does he need a buff right now?
  • Do I need to save him because the enemy Jungler is ganking?
  • Where was the enemy Jungler, and can I steal his camps right now?

However, if you only play Jungler yourselves, you can hardly make such assessments. Because you only know your perspective. If you think a kill is definitely possible, your teammate might come to a completely different conclusion.

What do I learn from this? If you know how the other lanes work, you can better and faster assess which strategy will lead you to victory. Some examples:

  • If the enemy Jungler is extremely aggressive, punish him by stealing his camps or taking important objectives like the dragon.
  • If one or more lanes fail completely, let them play defensively and focus only on the one that can still win. Better a late comeback than a total loss.
  • If your teammates are dominant, help them and gather supports. But let the other lanes have the kills.
  • If your teammates are too passive or you lack a strong player, take the kills yourself and become the “Carry”.

A good tip for beginners is to first focus on 2 lanes. However, one lane must play very cautiously or dominate by itself. Over time, it will become easier for you to find the right timing.

Learning all lanes – an effort that pays off

You’ll need quite a while to get to know all the lanes. This will be accompanied by effort and surely some defeats. The reward is that you will later be a much better Jungler.

In doing so, you should really look at every lane and every role, preferably even with different “classes”:

  • Play mages and assassins in the mid lane
  • Try bruisers and tanks on the top lane
  • Try your hand as ADC and as support

Whether you support your team or act as a carry yourself: If you are good in the jungle, your chances of winning are significantly higher. A good Jungler can turn a game on its own. By the way, the heroes from the LoL series Arcane are a great way to facilitate the entry: How to play the 4 most important characters from Arcane correctly in LoL

Start video
LoL: We introduce the champions from Arcane in gameplay

One tip does not make you a pro!

What else should you pay attention to: Knowing all lanes is not enough to become a truly good Jungler. Consider the tip more as a foundation to build upon or as an extension of your knowledge. You should definitely also look at:

  • which champions are currently strong
  • which items and runes can make you better
  • which champions you are countered by and how to behave then
  • how to best choose your route through the jungle

The jungle is considered a thankless job. If a lane loses, the Jungler is blamed for not ganking. If a lane wins, the help of the Jungler is not appreciated. If you dominate, you only “stole” the kills.

With the right approach, however, you can still secure victories and enjoy them even if you aren’t literally praised for it. Now and then, however, you might receive some praise from your teammates. It always plays best with friends anyway:

LoL pro warns against playing solo queue as a Jungler: “It’s bad for you”

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

Fortnite: Battle Pass trailer for Chapter 3 Season 1 – Shows ancient warrior and Marvel superhero

With a new trailer, Fortnite gives a preview of the Battle Pass skins in Chapter 3 Season 1. There is a brief glimpse of the map, focusing on the new skins. Among them is the friendly neighborhood spider: Spiderman.

What does the Battle Pass trailer show? In line with the start of Chapter 3, the trailer provides a brief overview of which skins you can expect in the Battle Pass. It also touches on the diverse landscape of the map. These are the skins you can expect:

  • The Foundation – One of the legendary Seven
  • Spiderman – A Marvel superhero with spider powers
  • An Aztec warrior in golden armor
  • A mysterious wanderer with various wooden masks
  • A swordsman resembling a modern samurai
  • A colorful brutal fighter with pink skin
  • Gumball machine with a crazy design
  • Llama warrior with a hefty body and an eye patch

We have also analyzed the season trailer, which you can find here:

Here you can watch the Battle Pass trailer yourself:

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A new map appears in Chapter 3

What is Chapter 3 about? In the live event, the map was completely flipped, causing the Cube Queen and her forces to disappear without a trace.

You will find yourself on a brand-new map, with many new and familiar locations from previous chapters. It is possible that the inhabitants are devising a plan to defend against a renewed threat.

When does Season 1 start in Chapter 3 and what’s included? Many players are undecided, but one leaker claims that on December 5 at 4 PM you can take your first steps on the new map. However, keep in mind that this has not been officially confirmed yet.

What do you think of the new skins for the Battle Pass? Do you think they will get cool new styles? Let us know!

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

Fortnite: Trailer for Chapter 3 Season 1 shows new map, sliding mechanics, weapons

In the new overview trailer for Chapter 3 Season 1, Fortnite showcases all the changes. New weapons, locations, and mechanics will bring fresh air in Chapter 3. And of course, the map that has flipped.

What’s going on in Fortnite? On December 4th, Chapter 2 ended in Fortnite with a massive live event. After that, players couldn’t do or play anything in the game. Epic Games released the overview trailer for Season 1 in Chapter 3 on December 5th, and it’s received very well by players.

We will show you the trailer and what changes are coming for you in Fortnite.

Chapter 3, Season 1 – Trailer with Map, Weapons, and Locations

What does the trailer show? The video takes you on a ride over the new map of Fortnite. During the major live event, the island was flipped, and now you play in the chapter on the underside. There are new locations to discover that you’ve never seen before.

New weapons and items are also set to bring variety to Chapter 3, Season 1 in Fortnite. Check out the new trailer here:

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In the video, you also see the new sliding mechanic, allowing you to slide down mountains and slopes. This is ideal for avoiding enemies while moving quickly. If you feel more comfortable in the air, you can use the new swinging mechanic, reminiscent of the movement style of Spiderman as he swings from house to house with his webs.

Also new are the “Camps”. These are tents that you can set up to heal yourself and your group members.

More about the Weapons of Chapter 3

What’s known: A few weapons were already introduced by Fortnite with the new trailer for Chapter 3.

  • Ranger Assault Rifle – A strong weapon for medium to long ranges
  • MK-Seven Assault Rifle – A rifle with a high rate of fire for medium to long ranges
  • Striker Pump Shotgun – A shotgun with high burst damage
  • Auto Shotgun: An automatic shotgun with less damage than the Striker but a higher rate of fire
  • Stinger SMG: With high damage against enemies and buildings – ideal for medium ranges
  • Sidearm Pistol: A precise weapon that deals high damage at medium ranges
  • Hunter Bolt-Action Sniper: With high damage and three bullets per magazine for long ranges

How do you like the outlook on Chapter 3 Season 1 in Fortnite? Let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments.

You can also find the new trailer for the Battle Pass of Season 1 in Chapter 3 of Fortnite here on MeinMMO.

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

The last major MMORPG expansion was released this week in 2021

In the week from November 29 to December 5, the latest expansion for Final Fantasy XIV was released. Additionally, there were some exciting articles about New World, Lost Ark, and WoW. We at MeinMMO have summarized the most important MMORPG news.

The highlight of the week: The new expansion Endwalker for Final Fantasy XIV was released on December 3 for players who had pre-ordered. It brought several new features, including:

The controversy of the week: New World has announced changes to the equipment system for 2022, which have not been well received. Especially crafters and traders are unhappy with it.

The discussion of the week: Players repeatedly call for a restart of New World, similar to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch thinks: That’s nonsense:

More on the topic
No, New World does not need a restart like Final Fantasy XIV
von Alexander Leitsch

New mount for Guild Wars 2, adjusted classes and outfits in Lost Ark

This happened in the major MMORPGs:

This happened in the minor MMORPGs:

This happened in the MMORPGs in development:

These were the news of the week from the world of MMORPGs at a glance. What was your personal highlight? Did you experience something exciting this week? Or did we forget something important? Let us know in the comments here at MeinMMO and discuss with us.

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Fortnite “Flip the Island” – Check out the new map from Chapter 3

With “Flip the Island,” Fortnite introduces the new map of Season 1 in Chapter 3. The new island where you will soon be playing has been revealed. We at MeinMMO will show you the details.

What is Flip the Island? In the action created by Epic, players had the opportunity to reveal the new map piece by piece with a simple hashtag.

On the page of Epic Games, a progress bar was displayed that filled up slowly as more players participated. As a result, inverted images appeared everywhere on Twitter and on the profiles of well-known leakers to quickly drive progress.

If you need important information about the live event and leaks, we have just the right thing for you:

Turning Everything Upside Down on Twitter

Here’s how Flip the Island went down: Players made progress during the night of December 5, 2021. Gradually, a small spot was revealed, and players examined the map for new locations or comebacks. Every little detail has now been unveiled, and you can rediscover the island.

What locations are visible? As long as you can’t walk on the map yet, the following discoveries are just speculations:

  • Logjam Lumberyard – A sawmill covered in snow with logs nearby
  • Daily Bugle – Spiderman’s workplace as a reporter
  • Greasy Grove – A small neighborhood with fast-food places
  • The arm of the Cuddle Mech Leaders – Sunk in the sea
  • A racetrack in the midst of a barren desert area
  • A facility of the Foundation with a huge statue

And many more. These could soon be discovered by you.

When could it start? Leakers believe it is very likely that the servers will go live again on December 5 at 4 PM German time, and Jonesy will awaken from his KO state to finally step onto the new map.

How do you like the new map? Is it interesting and reminiscent of a mix between Chapter 2 and 1? Let us know in the comments what you think of the map.

If you want to know more about the battle pass in advance, we have embedded a trailer for you in a post: Fortnite leaks new map, trailer, and battle pass for Chapter 3 – Here’s what’s changing

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We talk to the head of Vanion about the end of the largest German fan site for WoW

Four months ago, a legendary WoW fan site called Vanion closed its doors. The site leader, Andi, now speaks with us on the MeinMMO Podcast about his experiences and reasons.

What does a fan do when your favorite game only delivers bad news? What happens when the passion for a game hits a low point? With this and many other questions, we speak with the operator of Vanion, Andi.

The past year has not been kind to WoW. Harsh criticism of the Shadowlands expansion and the sexism scandal surrounding Activision Blizzard have continued to worsen the atmosphere surrounding the MMORPG. Constantly delivering bad news can really dampen the mood.

In the podcast, Andi expresses his view of the situation, his wishes, and also talks about new projects. Over the past few months, he has not just been sitting around, but has taken on new challenges.

He is joined by the editor-in-chief of MeinMMO, Leya Jankowski, and editorial manager Gerd Schuhmann.

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You can follow the podcast here:

You can find more on the topic in our article:

More on the topic
Largest German WoW fan site Vanion is shutting down – “Passion for WoW is at an unprecedented low”
von Jürgen Horn

Suggestions or criticism?

Here’s how you can contribute: You can actively participate in improving the podcast. If you have feedback, suggestions, or criticism, or simply want to submit a cool topic proposal that needs to be discussed, then come by our Discord server.

Alternatively, you can also directly send an email to [email protected] and share your thoughts with us. Share your opinion and discuss with us!

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Pokémon GO starts today Smoke Day with Quiekel – All bonuses and Shinys

Today, on December 5, 2021, a Smoke Day featuring Pokémon GO with Quiekel and other Ice and Ground Pokémon begins. We at MeinMMO have taken a look at which spawns and bonuses you can expect at this event.

What kind of event is it? The new season, the Season of Origins, kicks off directly with a Smoke Day, where Ice and Ground Pokémon are in the spotlight. As the name of the event suggests, they will be attracted using smoke.

Smoke Day in December 2021 featuring Ice and Ground Pokémon

When does the event start? The Smoke Day takes place on December 5, 2021, starting at 11:00 AM local time. You will have a full 6 hours to catch as many monsters as possible before the event ends at 5:00 PM.

Smoke Day with Quiekel

The focus of tomorrow’s Smoke Day will be the Ice and Ground Pokémon Quiekel. It will be catchable throughout the day, for the entire 6 hours, using smoke. The monster from Generation 2 can evolve from Keifel into Mamutel.

Is it strong? Quiekel and Keifel are generally considered weaker monsters in the game and are not used in raids or the PvP league. However, this is not the case for Mamutel, the final evolution of Quiekel.

Mamutel can shine with a strong attack and good stamina. Additionally, it has a strong move set, which makes it one of the best Ice attackers in Pokémon GO.

But not only in raids can you confidently rely on Mamutel. It can also impress in the Master League and is considered one of the top contenders (via pvpoke.com).

Is there a shiny Quiekel? Yes, with a bit of luck you may encounter a shiny version. You can recognize it by its green body.

from top to bottom: Mamutel, Keifel, and normal Quiekel (left) and their Shinies (right)

Other Spawns for the Smoke Day

Which monsters will there be? During the Smoke Day, in addition to Quiekel, you will encounter numerous other Ice and Ground Pokémon. These will also be attracted by your smoke. You can also look forward to the following monsters: 

  • Ice Pokémon: Jurob*, Rossana*, Sniebel*, Schneppke*, Gelatini, and Galar-Flampion
  • Ground Pokémon: Onix*, Tragosso*, Rihorn*, Felino*, Phanpy, Schmerbe*, and Larvitar*

All monsters that you can encounter in their shiny form with a bit of luck are marked with a (*).

Unlike what you may be used to from other events like Community Day, the selected monsters will not spawn over the entire time. With the exception of Quiekel, the remaining Ice and Ground Pokémon will have the following time distribution.

Time Spawns
11:00 AM to 12:00 PMIce Pokémon
12:00 PM to 1:00 PMGround Pokémon
1:00 PM to 2:00 PMIce Pokémon
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Ground Pokémon
3:00 PM to 4:00 PMIce Pokémon
4:00 PM to 5:00 PMGround Pokémon

All Bonuses for the Smoke Event

Of course, there will also be some bonuses for you on Smoke Day. You can look forward to the following special features:

  • Antique Power as an exclusive charge move when you evolve Keifel into Mamutel
  • Special event field research
  • Event box with 2 smoke for 1 Poké Coin in the in-game shop

Is the charge move Antique Power worth it?

If you evolve Keifel into Mamutel during the event, it will receive the charge move Antique Power. This attack is a Rock-type attack. Mamutel is already one of the strongest attackers in the game without this attack. With the new charge move, you can deal 45 damage in Trainer battles and 70 damage in raids or gym battles.

If you’re battling against other trainers, you should rather rely on Mamutel’s strong Ice attack. If a Rock attack is needed in combat, you’re better off with Stone Edge, as it deals significantly more damage with a bit more energy expenditure.

In raids and gym battles, however, the new attack can be useful as it charges quickly and deals good damage there.

Are you participating in the Smoke Day with Quiekel? What do you think of the spawns and bonuses? And which monster are you most looking forward to? Feel free to share your opinion here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange thoughts with other trainers.

The Smoke Day isn’t really your thing? There will be plenty happening in Pokémon GO in the coming weeks. We have looked at which events are scheduled for December and which are particularly worthwhile.

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