CoD Vanguard: Duration of the Campaign – How long does the story take?

Call of Duty: Vanguard lets you experience World War II as part of the Vanguard unit in the solo campaign. But how long does the fun last and how much gameplay is involved? Is Victory Day reached after just a few hours or do you need to take more time until the Nazis are defeated? Here on MeinMMO you will find out the length of the campaign in single-player mode.

What is included in the campaign’s playtime? In the solo campaign of Vanguard, you play in the eponymous special unit, where members of various special forces of the Allied forces are represented. Your goal is to stop the nasty Nazi villain Colonel Group Leader Hermann Wenzel Freisinger and his secret Project Phoenix.

To do this, you fight your way through nine different missions across various war zones, including the already known Battle of Stalingrad. Each of them lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on how much time you take to explore the maps and what difficulty level you have chosen.

Update November 6: If you are having trouble starting the campaign, check here.

Start video
Everything you need to know about the new Call of Duty: Vanguard – in 2 minutes

The length of the single-player campaign of Vanguard is in line with the average duration of the series

This is the length of the campaign in Vanguard: Assuming a regular difficulty level and a player who is somewhat competent in shooters, the campaign should last between 4.5 and 7 hours.

So if you play quickly or are very skilled, you might defeat the Nazis after a good afternoon post-release and celebrate Victory Day.

How long is the duration of a CoD campaign on average? With an average length of just over 5 hours, Vanguard is in line with the CoD series average. For comparison: The last title, Cold War, was also completed in just over 5 hours. The longest title in the series so far was Black Ops III, which required about seven hours of playtime.

The campaign playtime is over, what should I play now in Vanguard? Fortunately, the campaign is not the only thing you can play in the game. Because if you enjoy mowing down AI opponents but don’t like playing alone, you can have fun in the new Zombie mode and slay masses of undead.

Competitive players can battle in various game modes in multiplayer, and later in the year, the new Warzone with the Pacific map will finally arrive. Furthermore, things will quickly continue after release: Here is the roadmap for the time after the release of CoD Vanguard.

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

First reactions to CoD Vanguard: „Best multiplayer at release in almost 10 years“

Call of Duty: Vanguard is on the market, many players have already had their first rounds, and many content creators have been bustling on the servers for days. MeinMMO shows you the first impressions of the multiplayer of Vanguard and they are positive.

The next CoD generation has officially launched with Call of Duty: Vanguard. To give you an impression of how the shooter is received by players after the first hours, we summarize some opinions.

We followed the release of Vanguard in the live ticker and also paid attention to the voices from the community. The opinions that we encountered repeatedly are found in this article. For a short insight into Vanguard, check out our video:

Start video
Everything you need to know about the new Call of Duty: Vanguard – in 2 minutes

What is well received?

Changes after the beta: There is much praise for the implemented feedback after the rather mediocre beta phase. The beta was received rather mixed in the community and the spectrum was broad – between “Best CoD” and “A disgrace!”

It is not easy to pinpoint which change stands out compared to the beta. It is the overall package that can convince. Although there are exceptions and not everything is perfect. However, most of the major criticisms have been addressed and improved in some cases:

  • Gameplay is faster and supports mobile, aggressive players
  • Better visibility of enemies
  • No distortion effects when firing
  • Improved audio
  • The ninja perk is in the game

Especially with the audio, there are still some problems, but the improvements are “audible.” The CoD expert and YouTuber “Drift0r” says after a few days in the game: “I am pleasantly surprised how much the game has improved compared to the beta” and especially praises the improved visibility of enemies (via YouTube).

Much content at release: Another point on the positive side – 16 maps in 6v6 at launch. This impression arises mainly due to the experiences from the previous year.

Cold War had only 8 maps at launch and half of them could be extensively played in the beta at that time. Vanguard offers a wealth of multiplayer content and even players who spent many hours in the beta see a lot new at release.

As @FlamenautLucas writes on Twitter: “Vanguard has perfected what CoD MW did wrong and launched with more quality and content than Cold War, except for zombies.”.

More on the topic
CoD Vanguard: All Maps, Weapons, and Modes at a Glance – The Multiplayer Content in the Shooter
von Jürgen Horn

Diverse and good maps: But not only the amount of content is well received, the quality also meets the approval of many players. The maps are well received after the first hours – in terms of structure and variety.

At launch, all maps are unique and offer both visual and gameplay variety. The focus on the 3-lane system is noticeable and is well received. The long-time data miner and CoD player @TheMW2Ghost writes on Twitter: “I haven’t played a map that I don’t like so far. All are visually (and play) so nice.”.

Much praise is also received by the large news account @ModernWarzone on Twitter: “Vanguard is the best and most complete CoD multiplayer experience at release that we have had since Black Ops 2. And that’s almost 10 years ago.”.

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What is not well received?

Combat pacing forces larger matches: With combat pacing, you actually have control over how many players start a match. However, the system is not particularly strict after the release. This is especially annoying for players of the normal 6v6 matches.

For although you set the tactical pacing for 6v6, it may be that you end up in a match with attack pacing but actually blitz pacing. You thus have a completely different experience than intended. @CODWarfareForum says on Twitter: “6v6 plays really well, but I could only play it once last night. Stop forcing me to play 8v8 and 10v10. I hate it.”.

More on the topic
The 12 most important innovations of CoD Vanguard – Which one is the highlight for you?
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Audio needs improvements: The sound was a major critique in the beta and remains a certain problem for some players after the release. While there were clearly improvements, they were not sufficient for some.

On reddit, the user Paulkdragon writes: “My biggest problem with the game is the audio. Seriously – I can’t hear anything, everything is so dull.” However, opinions vary widely regarding the audio.

Certain start-up problems: Furthermore, there are some small bugs, lags, and connection issues at launch. The server problems seem to be an individual issue and not everyone had a problem after the release.

Additionally, there are still difficulties in unlocking some weapon camos. Apparently, not all progress currently counts towards challenges and with some weapons, you cannot unlock certain camos. Ken_kerlijerIs on reddit: “Is it just me or are the camos not unlocking for the StG? The weapon is level 30 right now and the only camo I have is 15 multi-kills, but I have 0 on the elimination counter”.

These were our first impressions from the community after the launch. Have you already played a few rounds? Then feel free to leave your thoughts on the new Call of Duty: Vanguard in the comments.

If you are still unsure about the purchase, you can find important information for your decision here: 10 things you should know before buying CoD Vanguard

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Pokémon GO: Misunderstood Pranks 13 and 14 – New Rewards

In Pokémon GO starting from November 5, parts 13 and 14 of Misunderstood Mischief will be available. This is the special research featuring Hoopa. We will show you the tasks and rewards.

What are the tasks? In Pokémon GO, the Festival of Light begins on November 5 and brings cool bonuses. Part of the event is the continuation of the special research featuring Hoopa, which you will find in your research overview under the title “Misunderstood Mischief.”

We will show you the new tasks and their rewards.

Misunderstood Mischief 13/16

TaskReward
Make a new friendshipEncounter with
Meditite
Send 10 gifts to friendsEncounter with
Lampent
Use 20 berries while catching
Pokémon
2 Silver
Sananaberries

Stage Reward: If you successfully complete all three tasks and claim their rewards, you will also receive an encounter with Electabuzz, a Snorlax, and 10 Dedenne candies.

How to find new friends: In Pokémon GO, you can add new friends by using QR codes or their friend codes. In our overview, we show you how to find new friends in Pokémon GO.

Misunderstood Mischief 14/16

  • Professor Willow is still researching this task area. Once the task is unlocked, you will receive 720 Stardust and 720 XP.

We have compiled an overview of all tasks and rewards from Misunderstood Mischief in Pokémon GO. On the linked page, you will find the latest contents of the special research.

What is happening now in Pokémon GO?

The current event: The Festival of Light runs in Pokémon GO until November 14. You will encounter the new Pokémon Dedenne, which belongs to the Electric and Fairy types. Additionally, you will see an increased spawn rate of Electric and Fire-type Pokémon in the wild.

Other bonuses include:

  • Friend levels increase twice as fast
  • You can open up to 45 gifts per day
  • You will receive more items from gifts
  • Fireworks can be seen in the game
  • New field research tasks
  • New avatar items and stickers

From November 9, you will encounter Team GO Rocket more frequently again. All details, contents, and bonuses for the Festival of Light can be found here on MeinMMO.

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

New World allows addons like the custom minimap, but not all

For many fans of MMORPGs, addons and mods are simply part of the experience. For New World, players have created their own minimap to navigate the world more easily. This minimap was initially banned by Amazon, but is now officially allowed. In general, there is now a statement regarding addons through Overwolf.

Are addons now allowed? Partially. As community manager Luxendra stated in the forum, addons from Overwolf that are overlaid on the game and do not access the client or external websites are allowed.

However, addons that provide gameplay advantages through client manipulation or external websites are prohibited.

Here is the official statement:

Greetings adventurers,

We continue to discuss this specific addon [the minimap] with Overwolf. At the moment, we have decided that client-controlled addons that solely use the player’s position in the world are acceptable.

However, if the functionality changes in a way that violates our terms of service, such as incorporating other websites to determine resources, paths, or safe/unsafe areas of the map, we will first announce an official change in our stance and then take action.

We thank you for your patience.

Luxendra via New World Forum

What does this mean specifically? An overlay like the minimap that two players created is allowed under the current regulations.

It becomes critical once the overlay provides advantages, such as revealing the locations of nodes, which paths are safe or unsafe, or showing quest objectives that are not marked with an official marker. These remain prohibited.

Addons that access the client, such as implementing a DPS meter, are anyway prohibited in the terms of service.

What do you think about Amazon’s decision? Do you find the restrictions in New World acceptable or too harsh? Will you use the minimap addon now that it is allowed? Feel free to write it in the comments.

New World also announced the first major update for November, which will bring some interesting changes for the economy and expeditions:

New World announces first major update – Promises many improvements in November

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

MMORPG wants to abandon randomness in loot in Star Wars – Here’s how that should work

The MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic will receive the new expansion “Legacy of the Sith” in 2021. This will introduce new content and a new max level, but also some general improvements. One of them revolves around the topic of randomness in loot, which is to be significantly reduced in the future.

What changes with loot? As the developers have communicated, the RNG factor regarding loot will be removed from the game. Instead, players will be able to specifically aim for better equipment and work towards upgrading it.

Specifically, the changes are as follows:

  • You should now receive most new equipment items and upgrades for your equipment guaranteed through weekly missions.
  • The Group Finder will offer a limited number of Flashpoints and Story Operations each week, through which you will receive a guaranteed upgrade for your weakest piece of equipment. Players running the Flashpoints multiple times will receive a currency that can be invested in upgrades.
  • Bosses will now drop either a new currency with which you can buy new equipment, or a fixed reward through which you can upgrade your gear.
  • The system in PvP will resemble that of the Flashpoints, where there will be certain missions that grant you upgrades.
  • Glory and random drops are to be removed with Patch 7.0.
  • The equipment items are to be static and cannot be modded, making the upgrade path easier.

At level 80, you should be able to obtain equipment with an item rating of 320. The maximum level at the release of the expansion will be 334.

Are there really no random drops anymore? Yes. In Flashpoints, you will receive random crafting materials and vanity rewards. You can find a detailed overview of the drops on the official SWTOR website (via SWTOR.com).

New expansion coming in 2021, new events in 2022

What is the new expansion about? The new expansion “Legacy of the Sith” is set to be released in 2021. It continues the storyline revolving around the rogue Sith Darth Malgus.

The following content is to be offered by the expansion:

  • The maximum level increases from 75 to 80 during the story
  • We will travel to the water planet Manaan and some other locations
  • A new Flashpoint on the planet Elom
  • A new operation in the wreckage of a research station
  • A new “Combat Styles” feature that combines a class story with abilities of other classes
  • Redesign for a “tighter” class design
  • Improvements for character creation
SWTOR Manaan
Concept Art of the new planet Manaan.

For 2022, several events and updates are planned to be released throughout the year. It will be a special year for SWTOR, as the MMORPG was released in 2011. The 10th anniversary will be celebrated accordingly.

SWTOR is also among the 10 highest-rated MMORPGs on Steam.

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Destiny 2 brings back the popular Eyasluna in December – What about Icebreaker?

December is approaching, and with it, the “30 Years of Bungie” expansion pack in Destiny 2. Some returning items, like Eyasluna, have been confirmed. However, new rumors suggest that the exotic sniper rifle Icebreaker could also make a return.

On December 7, the “30 Years of Bungie” pack will bring new and old content to Destiny 2. Confirmed weapons include the once-famous Exotic rocket launcher Gjallarhorn, the legendary hand cannon Eyasluna (the legendary version of the Hawkmoon) and the sniper 1000-Yard Stare.

In addition, the birthday pack will offer more content:

  • A new dungeon will be coming.
  • Additionally, there will be a new 6-player activity.
  • Plus, ornaments and cosmetics, such as the Thorn armor set.

However, rumors have surfaced in the community that this might not be all.

What we currently know: We know that upon release, on December 7, there will also be a huge sandbox patch. This will mainly include ability and weapon changes. Since the rocket launcher Gjallarhorn will also make its debut in Destiny 2, players are now speculating about another revised exotic weapon.

Why the Icebreaker sniper specifically? Reddit user XOnslaught (via reddit) shared a screenshot showing the percentage of weapon usage in the Trials of Osiris. The exotic sniper rifle Icebreaker can be seen along with Eyasluna. XOnslaught speculates about the return of the considered overpowered sniper.

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The fact that Eyasluna is in the same screenshot lends credibility to the source. Moreover, it shows that the data for the exotic sniper is already present in the game.

What can the exotic sniper Icebreaker do? Anyone who played Destiny 1 probably has good memories of this classic exotic. Icebreaker is an exotic solar sniper rifle and became extremely popular due to its ability to regenerate ammunition over time. In the first game, it was almost indispensable. It played a key role in PvE activities and was a powerhouse in PvP.

More on the topic
Destiny: How to get the Icebreaker in Year 3 – Here’s what it can do
von Schuhmann

The community believes in a connection

The rumor about the return of the exotic sniper has been received positively, especially among long-time players in the community. Players definitely see possibilities for a return of Icebreaker. Reddit user Aggressive-Pattern writes:

What if they made infinite/regenerating ammunition more interesting? That it regenerates after each kill with a different weapon (not loading from reserves)? That seems a bit more balanced.

And LK_Tempest adds:

The presence of Eyasluna gives me hope that Icebreaker actually returns. Even if the weapon is completely overhauled, it was a sick weapon.

The legendary hand cannon Eyasluna is returning to Destiny 2 in December 2021.

One should not forget that Bungie has already reintroduced many weapons from the past. Iconic examples include the Vex Mythoclast or the Hawkmoon.

How credible is the comeback? There has been no leakage or confirmation from Bungie’s side regarding this, especially not about the return of the Icebreaker. So we can only speculate.

However, even if it turns out in December that Icebreaker returns, it will no longer be the weapon that veterans from Destiny 1 know. Bungie continues to clarify this. Joe Blackburn stated in an interview that “Destiny weapons are never the same when they are reintroduced for Destiny 2”.

Destiny 2 needs a replacement for exotic quests soon

The Icebreaker sniper would be an excellent reward for players in a new exotic quest, similar to Omen or Signs. Both were challenging missions that were popular. However, both missions will have to leave Destiny 2 soon.

Bungie has definitely announced a replacement for these unique seasonal activities. But when and how they will be implemented in the game remains mostly secret. This makes it difficult for players to determine whether it is worth paying for a new expansion or season.

Do you believe in the return of Icebreaker? And do you think Bungie might have a new exotic quest hidden in December?

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

CoD Vanguard: The release in the live ticker – Information after the start

Call of Duty: Vanguard is online and MeinMMO has covered the release. You can find the most important information before and after launch here.

The release of Call of Duty: Vanguard is done, the servers are online.

Update 16:00: You can find our first hands-on report on Vanguard here.

Update 09:45: The first players have already completed the campaign and you can find out how long the story lasts here.

Update 09:00: Here you can find the first reactions to Vanguard’s multiplayer.

Update 05:15: A quarter of an hour after launch on PC, things look quite good. The servers are holding up and there seem to be no further issues.

Update 05:05: There are wait times in the Battle.net launcher, but the CoD servers apparently are not affected. Wait a moment and stay in the queue, everything should work perfectly afterwards.

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Update 05:02: There are reports that the “Play” button in the Battle.net launcher may remain gray. Restart your launcher to resolve the issue.

Update 05:00: Vanguard is now live worldwide!

https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/1456471393755881481

Update 04:55: Good morning! The worldwide release of Vanguard on PC is just minutes away. If there are any issues, you can find more information here.

Update 00:20: Even 20 minutes after the official launch, there are no issues with the servers. We will say goodbye until the PC release at 05:00. We wish you a lot of fun and a good night.

Update 00:08: After launch, the servers are stable and we had no problems starting a match in multiplayer.

Update 00:00: Vanguard is available on consoles.

Update 23:55: The release is imminent for console players. If there are issues with login or the servers, we will keep an eye on the official CoD channels.

Update 20:00: A warm good evening to all readers and welcome to the release ticker for Vanguard. The first content creators are already allowed to show Vanguard and if you want to take a look at the game, here are some options:

All Information on the Release of Vanguard

If you are waiting for the release or looking for information on the latest CoD, you will find here a collection of interesting articles regarding the launch:

Start video
Everything you need to know about the new Call of Duty: Vanguard – in 2 minutes

Vanguard takes CoD back to World War II and brings back the original setting. And although the background story does not resonate well with everyone, Vanguard could become a strong year for CoD fans.

We would also love to read your thoughts on the new Call of Duty and discuss with you in the comments. How do you perceive the release this year? Are you excited or rather cautious and observing Vanguard before purchasing?

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

19 Minutes of Gameplay for Elden Ring Drive Fans Crazy: “Looks Absolutely Fantastic”

Fans have been waiting for Elden Ring for a long time and now they have been given a good insight into the gameplay of the upcoming game. Judging by the first reactions, it seems to be exactly what many had hoped for.

Here’s what’s in the video: A total of almost 19 minutes of gameplay from Elden Ring were shown. One voice comments on what we are actually seeing. And it’s quite a lot. Among other things:

  • An insight into the open world areas of Elden Ring. We see forests, ruins, castles, fortresses, and all sorts of inhabitants of these places. We also see how the weather affects the area, for example, by covering it with lightning strikes.
  • The game’s map is introduced.
  • We see the pot creatures that can talk to our character.
  • We see how the riding feature works and how you are catapulted into the air using “Spirit Springs”.
  • The crafting system is shown.
  • Numerous battles are presented – both against simple foot soldiers and impressive bosses. Among other things, a dragon descends in search of trouble – reminiscent of good old Skyrim times.
  • If you don’t want to fight, you can also sneak through enemy lines.
  • First insights into the multiplayer aspect of the open world are shown.

But the best thing is to just see for yourself to get an impression:

Start video
19 Minutes of Gameplay from Elden Ring – With Coop

The community reacts excitedly to the Elden Ring insight

The Elden Ring video is well received: The gameplay was presented in the form of a live premiere on November 4 at 3:00 PM on YouTube and has now, 3 hours after release, received remarkably positive reactions. The video currently stands at 112,819 likes, with only 1,112 dislikes (as of 6:12 PM).

A similarly positive ratio is offered by the separately uploaded gameplay video after the premiere, currently with 9,982 likes to 127 dislikes (as of 6:12 PM).

And also in the comments, both videos receive mainly eager and excited voices regarding the new Elden Ring:

  • “Incredible. Magic, the red lightning, new weapon abilities and movesets will definitely spice up the gameplay. However, my inner explorer is already crying in despair (but also in joy) over the size and complexity of the map,” says user Mikołaj Błaszczyszyn (via YouTube).
  • The open world generates excitement for many. Some draw comparisons to the last Zelda game, which also impressed with its great open world: “‘Breath of the Souls.’ I’m hyped and I really hope for the unmistakable signature level design. I imagine this to be quite difficult in an open world,” says user Max Power (via YouTube).
  • “Looks absolutely fantastic. I love how the landscapes look like a cover of an old fantasy novel. This is just top-notch material, Miyazaki has done it again,” says a user (via YouTube).
  • “Wow, the weapon abilities and spells look so incredibly satisfying. I know it’s only a fraction, so I’m really excited just because of this aspect,” says user Psyler (via YouTube).
  • “Absolutely amazing. Elden Ring seems to unite the best of every game. It looks like it will be a serious GOTY contender and could be the best game FromSoft has developed” (via YouTube).

Criticism is meanwhile coming from some regarding the graphics. Here, some players seem to have wished for something fancier.

Overall, fans seem to find most of what they expect from the gameplay video. It is commented repeatedly that Elden Ring apparently combines the best of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro and an open world.

Whether this hype will also be reflected in the game remains to be seen, of course. A few months are still to come: Elden Ring will be released in February 2022.

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

10 Things You Should Know Before Buying CoD Vanguard

The new Call of Duty: Vanguard celebrates its release on November 5th, and if you need more information before purchasing, you can find here a collection with many details about the download, the content, and the innovations in the game.

Call of Duty is bringing out CoD: Vanguard, the 18th main installment of the shooter series. The franchise focuses on fast-paced battles, a lot of action, and the relentless fight Soldier vs. Soldier.

If you are considering buying Vanguard or looking for all the important information at a glance, you are in the right place. MeinMMO presents 10 important things for the release.

Start video
Everything you need to know about the new Call of Duty: Vanguard – in 2 minutes

1. Everything about the release – times, download, costs

When does Vanguard start? That depends on your platform. For consoles, the game will be released on November 5th at 00:00 and can be started. From 05:00 in the morning, you can start Vanguard on PC.

How much does the new CoD cost? PC players get it a bit cheaper and only have to pay 10,- Euros less for the corresponding editions. In total, you can choose between 3 editions:

  • Standard Edition: 59.99 € (PC); 69.99 € (PlayStation and Xbox)
  • Cross-Gen Edition: 79.99 € (only PlayStation and Xbox)
  • Ultimate Edition: 99.99 € (PC); 109.99 € (PlayStation and Xbox)

How big is the download? Again, your platform determines the size of the download:

  • PlayStation 5
    • Download: 64.13 GB
    • Free space for download: 89.84 GB
  • PlayStation 4
    • Download: 54.65 GB
    • Free space for download: 93.12 GB
  • Xbox One
    • Download: 56.6 GB
  • Xbox Series S|X
    • Download: 61 GB
  • PC
    • 61 GB of disk space required

You can read more about the system requirements for PC here:

More on the topic
CoD Vanguard: System requirements for Minimum to Ultra
von Benedikt Schlotmann

2. Pay attention to your edition when buying for console

What should you pay attention to regarding the editions? There are different versions of Vanguard on the console, and you should pay close attention to which one is right for you.

Players on next-gen consoles need the “Cross-Gen” edition if you buy the digital version to benefit from the advantages of better graphics and performance. You can also purchase a disc edition for the next-gen consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, but these versions will not work on PS4 or Xbox One.

If you are still transitioning to the new consoles and are starting with a last-gen console, we always recommend the digital versions – they can be easily upgraded for an additional cost.

However, do not get the disc version of the Xbox One! It cannot be upgraded. The disc version of the PS4, however, can be upgraded.

More on the topic
Do not buy the wrong CoD Vanguard: What players should consider when purchasing on PlayStation and Xbox
von Jürgen Horn

3. Return to World War II

What setting does Vanguard offer? The CoD of 2021 goes back to the origins of the series, and you fight in World War II for the freedom of humanity.

In both multiplayer and campaign: You will experience many fronts at different times of the war and be sent almost all over the globe. There are locations for:

  • Western Front – France
  • Eastern Front – Russia
  • Pacific Front
  • African Front
  • Germany and Alps
  • Italy
  • Japan

It’s always about stopping the nasty Nazis from their plans for world domination – this also applies to the zombie mode, where you prevent armored undead from overrunning Europe.

CoD-Vanguard-Reveal_06
A burning windmill in France – One of the many locations.

4. 3 major game modes – Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies

What game modes does Vanguard come with? Like its two predecessors, Vanguard again relies on the trinity of solo, PvP, and co-op content.

What is there for solo players? There is a story campaign where you relive the history of the very first special unit. You will take on the role of various allied soldiers that you first get to know individually and then accompany on the hunt for a hostile Nazi officer.

A first glimpse of the gameplay is provided by a 9-minute mission trailer:

More on the topic
Call of Duty: Vanguard becomes more female – New information about the campaign with gameplay
von Maik Schneider

What is there for PvP players? The centerpiece of Vanguard is again the large multiplayer mode. In quick battles, you fight with almost 40 different weapons and many different equipment for every kill. The maps are spread across different locations around the world.

You can find more information about the multiplayer here:

More on the topic
CoD Vanguard: All information about the multiplayer – maps, modes and gameplay
von Maik Schneider

What is there for co-op players? If you prefer to shoot NPCs, then the zombie mode is for you. Here you fight through large hordes of the undead and either find out how long you can survive or what secrets are hiding on the first map “The Beginning”.

More about the zombie mode can be found here:

More on the topic
CoD Vanguard: All About the Zombie Mode – This is “The Beginning”
von Jürgen Horn

5. The biggest innovations of Vanguard

What is different this year with CoD? The paid titles of Vanguard are released every year, and the developers always try to create something unique so that you remember a title particularly well. Vanguard also relies on some changes for this:

  • Gunsmith with 10 attachments
  • Anti-Cheat system “RICOCHET”
  • Revamped zombie mode
  • World War setting
  • Combat pacing
  • Adjusted movement
  • Operator progression
  • Destructible level elements
  • Large amount of release content
  • New standard mode “Patrol”
  • Return of killstreaks

This is an overview of the most important adjustments. If you want more information on the individual points, you can visit here:

More on the topic
The 12 most important innovations of CoD Vanguard – Which one is the highlight for you?
von Maik Schneider

6. Massive multiplayer content at launch

How much content does Vanguard offer at launch? Unlike the two predecessors Black Ops Cold War and Modern Warfare, Vanguard is packed with content at launch.

It is still unclear how big the campaign and zombie mode will be. But the numbers from the multiplayer speak a clear language:

  • 20 maps at launch
  • Of which 16 are 6vs6 maps
  • Almost 40 weapons at launch
  • 8 standard modes

In terms of 6vs6 maps, Vanguard comes with double the amount compared to the predecessor Cold War. An overview of all maps, weapons, and modes has been prepared for you here:

More on the topic
CoD Vanguard: All Maps, Weapons, and Modes at a Glance – The Multiplayer Content in the Shooter
von Jürgen Horn

7. New Anti-Cheat system “RICOCHET”

What’s the deal with the anti-cheat? Cheaters and hackers have been a plague of Call of Duty for years, and with the big, free Battle Royale Warzone, the problem has come more into focus.

With Vanguard, the CoD makers are essentially overhauling the entire security infrastructure in the background and also introducing a kernel driver for PC players that runs in the background. RICOCHET consists of several components:

  • Server-side analysis tools
  • Improved investigation processes
  • Increased account security
  • Kernel driver on PC

The kernel driver will, however, only be available for Warzone, and only the first three points of the list will go online at the launch of Vanguard. You can find more answers about the anti-cheat and the driver for PC here:

More on the topic
The anti-cheat system of CoD Warzone is online – This is “RICOCHET”
von Maik Schneider

8. Advantages for PlayStation players

What advantages do players on PlayStation have? As in previous years, PlayStation players receive minor advantages, but there is no longer an exclusive mode on Sony consoles:

  • The Battle Pass bundle gives you 25 level jumps instead of 20
  • For PS Plus members, there is a monthly bundle with exclusive cosmetics for free
  • In a PlayStation player party, you receive 25% more weapon XP
  • Monthly there are 24-hour double XP events
  • 2 additional loadout slots for equipment

The free cosmetics also work in the Battle Royale Warzone. You can find information about the current package of Season 6 of Cold War here:

More on the topic
CoD Warzone & Cold War: Get the free DLC for Season 6 with PS Plus now
von Jürgen Horn

9. Warzone gets the Vanguard engine and new map

How are Warzone and Vanguard related? The Battle Royale Warzone remains the link between the annual CoD titles. The live seasons run parallel and simultaneously bring content for Vanguard and Warzone. This year, however, the collaboration goes even further, and Warzone will even adopt the graphics engine from Vanguard.

However, there are even more similarities:

  • All Vanguard weapons come to Warzone
  • The cosmetics from Vanguard also work in Warzone
  • Shared progression system

Additionally, there will be a completely new map for the Battle Royale at the start of Season 1 of Vanguard on December 2nd. With the start of “Caldera”, the setting of Warzone changes from a city in the Cold War to a green island in the Pacific.

How exactly the gameplay changes after the transition is not yet fully clarified. You can find more information on this topic in the following articles:

We will embed the trailer for the start of the shared story of Vanguard and Warzone here:

Start video
New trailer shows the beginning of the story of CoD Warzone with Vanguard

10. What happens after the release

What happens after the release of Vanguard? The new CoD will be supplied with fresh, free content for about a year. There will be new maps for multiplayer, new adventures for the zombie mode, and a battle pass, with which you can unlock over 100 items for just under 10 Euros.

Part of the battle pass also includes new weapons, which you can get without additional costs when you level the pass to the corresponding level. Generally, gameplay-relevant content is completely free, only for cosmetics do you have to dig extra into your pocket.

The first live season goes online on December 2nd. However, the 17th 6vs6 map comes into play even before that – the Vanguard version of Shipment. More information about the plan after the release until the first season, including the roadmap can be found here.

After the release weekend, it will be seen how the new Call of Duty is received by players. Especially the setting caused a lot of skepticism at the presentation and is even a reason for many to skip Vanguard.

What is your current stance on a purchase? We would love to read your comments on the newest installment of the series and why you decided for or against a purchase.

If you would rather read something about why you, as a CoD fan, should still keep an eye on Vanguard, even if you don’t like the setting, click here: CoD Vanguard: Fans complain about the reason that makes the new CoD truly great for me

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

Lost Ark beta is now live – ticker for the start, servers, and queues

On Lost Ark, the Closed Beta starts on November 4th. We at MeinMMO will accompany the launch with a live ticker and keep you updated on server issues, queues, and also the latest news.

What is this about? In this article, we will live cover the launch of New World. As with New World or Swords of Legends Online, we will keep you informed about any server issues and queues. So it’s worth checking this article regularly.

Update 19:20: We have taken a closer look at the Lost Ark shop and will inform you about all the content:

Is Lost Ark Pay2Win? This is what’s in the shop of the western version.

Update 18:05: A second server – so far with no queue – has been added!

Update 17:30: Unlike New World, you make progress in the queue in Lost Ark. In about 30 minutes, we have gained 3,000 spots.

Update 17:15: We at MeinMMO were able to play the beta of Lost Ark and have summarized our experiences here: Today, the new MMORPG Lost Ark starts – We have already played for 12 hours.

Update 16:55: Just before the official start of the beta – which is already live – there are queues. And they are not short. If you log in now, you already have over 5,100 players ahead of you.

It is also interesting: Only 9.9 million characters can still be created. When the number originally allowed 10 million character slots, there are currently about 21,550 players logged in.

Lost Ark Queue

Update 16:20: The servers are already live and you can play!

Update 16:00: One hour until the start of the beta. Our 500 keys have already been distributed. Let’s see if it starts sooner like in New World.

Update 14:40: We at MeinMMO are now giving away 500 keys for access to the Closed Beta of Lost Ark.

When does it start? The Closed Beta of Lost Ark starts on November 4th at 5:00 PM. We will start the live ticker around 4:00 PM and keep you informed about everything important.

How can you participate in the beta? You need a beta key, which you can apply for on the official website of Lost Ark . However, these keys are distributed randomly. If you want guaranteed access, you must purchase a Founder’s Package.

Where could problems arise? The developers have already communicated via Twitter that they will focus on load testing from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Thus, there will initially be only one world per region, and players should already prepare for issues. Generally, server problems are the norm with new MMORPGs.

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Lost Ark is considered a great MMORPG hope finally coming to the West

What kind of game is this? Lost Ark resembles a mix of MMORPG and Diablo:

  • You use the isometric perspective, an action combat system, and fight against hordes of monsters. Additionally, loot plays an important role. This is reminiscent of Diablo.
  • At the same time, there are classic guilds, PvP content, an auction house, dungeons, and raids, as you are used to from an MMORPG.

The game offers you 15 classes at launch, of which we particularly recommend 5 for beginners. You can find all classes here in the quick preview:

Start video
Lost Ark delivers intense action with 15 classes – See here in the video what they look like

The game world is divided into many zones with loading screens, where you can meet other players, much like in Guild Wars 2. Additionally, you will encounter events such as dimensional rifts and larger bosses in the world.

We have prepared a detailed overview of the game for you:

5 reasons why MMORPG and Diablo fans should check out Lost Ark

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

New World announces 1st major update – promises many improvements in November

In the forum of New World there was a large post about upcoming updates. The focus is on the economy, expeditions, and PvP. Additionally, the first “Major Update” has been announced. We at MeinMMO summarize everything important for you.

What about future patches for New World? They are supposed to happen every week. These weekly updates should fix bugs and adjust the balance in the MMO, and they will always come with downtimes.

The server downtimes should, whenever possible, occur in such a way that they do not hit prime time in a region. However, outages should be communicated more clearly in the future and announced on Tuesdays, so that players can better prepare for the update.

In addition to the weekly updates, the first “Major Update” is also planned for November (via New World Forum).

The first major update focuses on the economy and expeditions

What is included in the first Major Update? In the blog post, some adjustments for the economy and expeditions have already been announced, which are supposed to be included in the Major Update:

  • All trading posts will be linked to strengthen the economy and force players to teleport less. The tax costs will still be paid in the settlement you are currently in. Also, you can now only set up sales listings for a maximum of 14 instead of 28 days.
  • Bosses in expeditions are supposed to give 25% to 100% more coins in the future.
  • The costs for orbs for expeditions are supposed to be lowered.
  • The taxes for houses will be due every 7 instead of every 5 days, with no increase in costs.
  • Additionally, there is talk of a reduction of the respec costs by 60%, which was already included in the new patch 1.0.5.

What about new content in the Major Update? There is no mention of that in the blog post yet, but it is stated that the adjustments are just part of the Major Update in November. As soon as there is new information about upcoming content, we will inform you.

How is the economy in New World doing? A few weeks ago, we reported that there is a kind of economic crisis in New World because too few coins are generated in the game. In the blog post, Amazon gives partial reassurance.

Currently, more coins are still being generated than destroyed. However, the number of coins at endgame is supposed to be somewhat lower than at the beginning. As more and more players reach level 60, the number of generated coins shifts further into the negative. That’s why the changes mentioned above are also coming.

New World Economy
The current economic situation in New World as of October 20.

Statements on planned bug fixes and false reports in wars

Which bugs will be fixed in November? In addition to the statement about the first Major Patch in November, there was some further information regarding bug fixes:

  • There are some perks and gems that are not functioning correctly, including the Resilience perk. All these bugs are supposed to be fixed during November.
  • There is a bug with the attribute Strength as soon as you reach level 250. Work is already being done on this bug.
  • The “Crouching Bug” is supposed to be fixed with the upcoming update.
  • Work is ongoing on the lag issues during wars.
  • The World Clock bug is also known, but is currently not reproducible. However, work is being done on it.
  • Due to the many fishing bots, the gold rewards from the Fishing Chests have been removed. However, work is being done to ensure that fishing will yield good rewards in the future.

Additionally, there was a detailed explanation regarding the client and what bugs arose from it. It is emphasized that New World is not client-authoritative, but completely server-based.

What about the automatic bans during wars? In New World, some companies reported enemy players so that they would be banned for 24 hours. This made it easier for them to win the war. Players suspected that the bans had been automated.

However, the developers deny this, stating that the bans were justified. The blog post states:

Reporting can and has been used as a war tactic. The behavior pattern is that two rival groups have confrontations in chat before a war or major battle. These groups try to incite each other to violations of the code of conduct and promptly report each other when violations occur.

These violations are reported multiple times, checked by a moderator, and, if it concerns a legitimate violation, suspensions are issued. It is also true that the suspension does not depend on the number of reports, but on the legitimacy of the violation.

Finally, the blog post discussed the topics of luck in New World, the difficulty of invasions, and watermarks in more detail. Those who are interested should read the official post carefully. However, no announcements were made regarding future changes to these contents.

What do you think of the developers’ outlook? Do you feel they are addressing the right issues, or would you prefer other adjustments? And what new content would you like to see in the Major Patch in November? Feel free to share it in the comments.

A player recently focused intensely on the topic of luck. He has killed 1,000 wild boars for this:

New World: Player kills over 1,000 wild boars to prove that luck works

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

Epos B20 in testing: 200€ streaming microphone for PC and PS5, which says: “I can afford it”

The company Epos has brought a streaming microphone for PC, Mac, PS4, and PS5 for just under €200. Our author Schuhmann has tested the Epos B20 extensively in everyday use and in the podcast. He says these are €200 that you do not spend on yourself, but for your listeners, and you spend the money to look good while speaking. After all, the eye hears too.

This is how the microphone looks: The first impression of the microphone when it comes out of the box is initially positive. The microphone is simple and black, exuding a certain sober elegance. The black microphone stand is also stylish and simple, just stylish. Except for the control buttons, the device is made entirely of metal. It has a good feel.

  • Sampling rate/bit depth: 48 kHz, 24-bit
  • Directional characteristics: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional, Stereo
  • Frequency response: 50–20,000 Hz
  • Weight (microphone and stand): 1.2 kg (including packaging)
  • Weight (microphone only): 49.9g
  • Connections: USB (a 2.9m cable is included)

Easy setup, but defiant software

This is how the setup works: The microphone can be plugged directly into the computer with a 2.9-meter USB-C cable. If that’s enough, you can use your Epos B20 with the included stand as a desktop microphone.

However, it is advisable to spend an additional €40 and get a microphone arm. The Epos B20 comes with a 3/8 inch thread and can be easily screwed into the microphone arm. The arm also comes with a pop filter, which is not included by default with the €200 microphone.

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If you value sounding perfect, you can download the program “Epos Gaming Suite” from the internet and work on fine-tuning your voice. The software allows you to change the sound, making your voice sound a bit warmer or fuller. In the software, you can also listen to yourself to hear how you sound.

I found the software to be clunky. Because the program insists that you must use the Epos microphone as the base for the headset, otherwise it acts up. Because I refused to plug my headset into the microphone when my computer has suitable ports for it, it was a constant struggle over default devices or not.

I have always found it irritating that my computer tends to use the Epos microphone as the default audio output device for headsets. A common cause for the “Why can’t I hear you?” problem that has been well known since the pandemic.

epos-gaming-suite
Definitely wants you to obey its will: The sound program from EPOS.

On the microphone itself, there are two knobs on the back to modify the sound, along with a volume knob and a classic mute button with an LED indicator on the recommended front of the Epos B20. The LED indicator shows whether the microphone is currently on or off. However, other indicators on the microphone, such as how loud you are, are missing. You would have expected those for €200.

Overall, the setup takes only a few minutes. Sure, you can optimize the fine-tuning. But it is not strictly necessary; the sound is also fine “out of the box.”

epos-b20-mute
The mute button is ideally the only button you need after installation.

A “€200” microphone that you can also drop on the floor

How is the microphone in practice? In practice, the Epos B20 is a stable, solid microphone that is well made and reliable. Those suffering from acute cable chaos know that such a microphone can fall from the desk to the floor over time: My microphone has survived two or three drops without issue while it was still on the table.

For continuous use, I still recommend installation via a microphone arm.

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The Epos B20 is designed so you take 20 to 40 minutes to perfectly adjust your voice and then never touch it again except to operate the mute button. Some testers criticized that the control elements are inconveniently placed on the imagined back of the mic – which is true, but in everyday life, you usually don’t need to touch them again.

Here you can hear the EPOS B20: If you want to experience the EPOS B20 in action and also hear my voice, listen to the official podcast from MeinMMO. Here you can also see how the microphone can sound:

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The current podcast from MeinMMO, from October 31, 2021

For many, the high price of €200 is certainly a hurdle. Here you’re paying for the aesthetics. Overall, such a high expenditure for a microphone seems strange because you don’t benefit from it yourself: An expensive graphics card is immediately noticeable, but a high-quality microphone is only noticeable by the reaction of the listeners – or by whether someone is actually listening to you.

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Overall, the Epos B20 receives a purchase recommendation, even if there are certainly alternatives in this price segment like the Blue Yeti.

The Epos B20 is suitable for people who do not have to worry about the price, who do not want to spend much time balancing and searching for the perfect sound, but who are looking for a good microphone that works out of the box and that you can set once and then forget.

Pros
  • stylish, simple design
  • robust construction
  • overall feels high-quality and stable
  • strong, authentic sound
Cons
  • relatively expensive
  • temperamental additional software
  • No info on the microphone about how loud you are
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Today the new MMORPG Lost Ark starts – We have already played it for 12 hours

Today marks the start of the new MMORPG Lost Ark. At least the closed beta. For many, this is the first chance to play the game. Our author Mark has already spent 12 hours in the beta and shares his experiences.

What can you play? Today, on November 4th, at 5 PM, the closed beta for the new MMORPG Lost Ark kicks off. Anyone who pre-ordered the game, received a Twitch drop, or won in one of the giveaways can participate.

Besides the very limited alpha in June, this is probably the first opportunity for most fans to get a taste of their new favorite game. Even if you couldn’t snag a key in advance, getting access through the Twitch drops will be very easy once the beta starts.

Playable for a week is a beta build of Lost Ark. For the first time, you’ll also get a look at the cash shop of the EU version. This is particularly important, as the game has repeatedly faced Pay2Win accusations. 

Amazon announced that it will completely revamp the cash shop for the western version. Every player will also receive a sizable amount of real currency to play around with in the shop.

What could we play? As one of the few lucky ones, our author Mark was able to play this beta build. The cash shop was still disabled in our version, but the versions were otherwise identical.

Everything up to level 55 was available, in multiple languages and in its full glory. MeinMMO author Mark reports on the first 12 hours in a game he has been looking forward to for 7 years.

Who is writing here? Mark Sellner is an MMORPG and news author at MeinMMO and has been involved with various MMOs since his childhood. The first trailer for Lost Ark in 2014 had already made his mouth water. Just 7 years later, he can finally play the MMORPG and explains why he is excited, but also somewhat disappointed.

The first 60 minutes get a lot right but also something quite wrong

How does the game start? At the start of Lost Ark, you’ll find yourself in the character selection. Here you can look at the 5 base classes of the game and watch short preview videos for the important sub-classes.

This is important since, thanks to the new prologue, you never actually play as a base class. Choosing a base class therefore feels somewhat obsolete after these 60 minutes, but more on that later.

You select your base class and then a short video tells you the story behind your class and why you do what you do. This video is different for each class.

Directly after the video, you land on a golden bridge at the edge of the world, where an angelic being asks you to choose your sub-class. Here, you also have the opportunity to try out all sub-classes beforehand and test them.

After that, you go through a portal, and the actual prologue of the game starts. On a ship, with several rascals and a priest, on the way to the island of Trua.

Is the prologue worth it? Attentive fans will notice that they can skip the prologue immediately in the menu or even at the top left. If you’ve played an MMORPG or a game with an isometric perspective before, you won’t really learn anything new here.

However, the prologue does a great job of setting up the story of Lost Ark. If you skip the prologue, you’ll soon encounter a villain in the main story who you neither know who he is nor what he wants.

This may have its appeal, but the approximately 30-minute prologue gives the story a narrative thread and characterizes the villain with a motive. This makes the main story of the game much more interesting right from the start and is recommended for every story fan.

What does it do wrong? What the prologue doesn’t provide is a good insight into the game. It’s immediately clear which characters are involved, as the others remain completely characterless.

Additionally, the staging of the island of Trua is very colorful. While this fits with the first city of Prideholm, which you visit right after, the general tone of Lost Ark is for a long time a darker one.

Moreover, there is far too little fighting during the prologue. The action-packed battles and the fast-paced, excellent combat system are hardly utilized here. Instead, mechanics are explained and a story is introduced.

So the prologue provides a great and cohesive introduction to the story and gives the first location you visit a much greater significance. You immediately understand what’s important.

What it doesn’t deliver is a good insight into what to expect in Lost Ark generally. If you’re not interested in the story and would rather jump right into the action, you can skip it.

Start video
Lost Ark: Trailer shows you gameplay for the Closed Beta

After the prologue, there’s another one

What happens in the first 60 minutes? After leaving the island of Trua, you save the priest Armel from dangerous bandits. It’s immediately clear that Armel must play a central role in the story of Lost Ark.

After that, you travel with him to the village of Prideholm, as he coincidentally seeks the same thing as you. What follows is about 30 minutes full of tutorial quests that involve “Talk to X” and “Bring me Y”. 

You learn the various functions of the NPCs and buildings and get shown mechanics, but it just doesn’t seem to pick up speed.

What is good? The only noteworthy side quest is the one that explains how companions work. You should help a little girl pick up things. To do so, you open a jar that endlessly spits out many items. 

To pick them up, you hammer the G key about 50 times, which is used to collect items. Then another NPC informs you how foolish it is for the little girl not to use a companion.

You acquire a companion, and the little girl asks you again to collect the items for her. This time, your companion, who has an auto-loot function, takes care of it. 

The girl thanks you for simplifying her task, and we as players clearly feel the significant relief that companions provide. It actually feels really good. And you even get to keep the cute rabbit companion.

Good things come to those who wait

Why you must endure the beginning: Lost Ark takes a long time to really pick up speed. Especially the first area around Prideholm offers almost none of what the MMORPG excels at.

Because you start directly at level 10 and never got to play your base class, you receive your first real character progression when you learn your first new skill at level 14. And that takes a while.

Side quests in Lost Ark give hardly any experience and are incredibly generic tasks, especially in the beginning. Rarely does a side quest ask me for more than 10 dead enemies or 5 picked flowers.

If you want to get past this slow start quickly, you should really only take on the main quests. However, this feels wrong to me, as someone who likes to complete everything. So I push through the side quests and the start area.

In this video, you can see gameplay from the first dungeon:

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When does it get good? It only gets exciting when the game lets me into the first dungeon. Here, Lost Ark shows its strengths for the first time. It feels fantastic to rush through entire armies of enemies.

Even in the first dungeon, various bosses greet me with different move sets. Lost Ark makes it clear right from the start that you can’t simply lean back and enjoy the action.

I quickly realize that even in the first of all dungeons, I can easily die if I’m not careful, dodge, and combine my skills sensibly. This is not necessarily demanding, but far from easy. And that is fantastic.

From level 25, the game really starts

Why continue? If you’re still bored after the first dungeon, I can only say: Hang in there. From the salt desert of Yurai and the ruins of the city of Morai, the game shows its muscles.

The Morai ruins deeply impressed me in terms of gameplay and design, and it only gets better from there.

The peak of the game’s beginning occurs with the conquest of the first “capital”. This happens as part of the main story, which we won’t spoil here, around level 25.

This battle is staged in an epic and grand manner like I’ve never seen in an isometric game before. During half of the battles, I was busy picking my jaw up off the ground.

The story also reaches a narrative high point, making me briefly think I had experienced the finale. I wouldn’t have been sad, because up to this point, the story is really good.

But I was mistaken. With a big plot twist and this truly breathtaking battle, the story and the game really begin.

What comes next? The world of Lost Ark will become much more open from this point on. Jobs, professions, a ship of your own, and islands will gradually be introduced. You could say the beginning of the game takes about 10 hours, and the tutorial only ends at level 25.

It’s not boring until then; on the contrary. At the very least, after about three hours in Yurai, the game has captured me. Exciting dungeons, world bosses, events, and grand action battles.

It feels like Lost Ark is leading you by the nose until level 25. You think you’ve been playing a really good game, only for the game to show you everything it can do. And I am very much looking forward to that.

Pro
  • Refined and fast-paced combat system
  • In-depth gameplay mechanics
  • Always plenty to do and little backtracking
  • Engaging story
  • Grand staging of important locations
  • Enormous class variety
Contra
  • Takes a long time to pick up speed
  • Complex systems often not explained well
  • Side quests often rather dull
  • Many characters remain bland and characterless
  • German translation still clunky

Conclusion on the first 12 hours of Lost Ark

After spending some time in the new MMORPG, it quickly becomes clear that it offers much more than I have seen from the game so far. I started several characters, all of which felt completely different, and that is great.

I decided on a Deathblade, which I played until level 34, and even then, I still felt like the game was just getting started. But you have to be able to cope with that feeling.

While it motivates me to see and explore everything, it bothers others to be stuck at the very beginning after over 10 hours. Lost Ark has a slow start and takes a long time to showcase its strengths. However, in my opinion, it is worth it because you’re in for a really strong game.

Mark Sellner
MMORPG author at MeinMMO

What are your thoughts on the MMORPG? Feel free to leave a comment under this post if you’ve had a chance to play a bit. Your opinions interest me greatly!

Not sure what you should play in Lost Ark? These are the 5 best classes for beginners.

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

Left 4 Dead 2 has more players than Back 4 Blood on Steam – A flop?

Some players are now mockingly pointing to Back 4 Blood and claiming: The game must be a flop if its spiritual predecessor has more players on Steam.

In recent days, many critical articles about Back 4 Blood and Left 4 Dead 2 have been read on various sites. Basically, it always came down to one number: Left 4 Dead 2 still has more active players on Steam after 12 years than Back 4 Blood has after 4 weeks.

This often led to the conclusion that Back 4 Blood must be a huge flop, the critics “were justified in everything” and that the new zombie shooter is simply not a good game.

However, important points are often forgotten in this discussion, making much of the reporting seem quite one-sided. Therefore, I want to clarify a few points – to praise where it is due and to dismiss criticism where it does not make sense.

What is it really about? About the simple comparison of two numbers. Those who compare the current player counts of Back 4 Blood and Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam get the following values (as of: 04.11.2021, 14:45):

Back 4 Blood Left 4 Dead 2 Player Count
Image source: Steamdb
  • Left 4 Dead 2 has 24,341 concurrent players, peaking at 28,313 in the last 24 hours
  • Back 4 Blood has 19,004 concurrent players, peaking at 21,604 in the last 24 hours

The first assumption here is: Back 4 Blood is less successful than Left 4 Dead 2, an ancient game. Therefore, Back 4 Blood must be a flop. But is that true?

Left 4 Dead 2 – The genre leader without competition

What cannot be dismissed is the fact that Left 4 Dead 2 still comes across well after 12 years. The game has a loyal player base and has experienced a certain revival. After all, there were some who looked forward to Back 4 Blood but disagreed with the PvP mode. Others were reminded of the old classic Left 4 Dead 2 through Back 4 Blood and ventured back into the game.

The player counts of Left 4 Dead 2 have remained more or less constant in recent years.

However, there are several factors here that should not be overlooked when comparing both games.

Left 4 Dead 2 is available at a bargain price: Back 4 Blood is a full-price title with a purchase price of €60 – at least on Steam. Left 4 Dead 2, on the other hand, is available at a bargain price. In sales, the shooter is often reduced to €2 and there were times when it was even made completely free. The barrier to entry is so low here that it is not surprising that the game is highly popular. The popularity of the genre – also due to the lack of solid competition – makes Left 4 Dead 2 a perennial favorite.

The launch of Left 4 Dead 2 was troubled: Even though many like to forget this today: Left 4 Dead 2 initially lost many players after its launch. From the initial 12,000 simultaneous players, only about 6,000 remained 2 months later. It took several months, many patches, and improvements before the zombie shooter established itself and became more popular. The patch and DLC policy of the game is a good example of why a game can continue to function for years and now decades.

Back 4 Blood is available on many platforms: What is apparently often forgotten in the discussion on many sites: Back 4 Blood is not exclusively available on Steam. So when Steam numbers of Back 4 Blood and Left 4 Dead 2 are compared, it is simply not fair. After all, Back 4 Blood is also available in the Epic Games Store, the Microsoft Store, and also in the Xbox Game Pass – all options to play the game on PC as well.

Sure – Steam is the largest platform and will likely comprise the lion’s share. But how many players Back 4 Blood has on all the other platforms, we simply do not know.

Whether Back 4 Blood is truly a flop cannot be answered outright. Only developers and publishers can provide information, when sales or active player numbers are published.

Moreover, Back 4 Blood seems to be “here to stay”. The game is set to be supplied with many DLCs and it is already clear that the developers are working on numerous improvements to ensure that Back 4 Blood will be successful over months and years. Whether this strategy will pay off can only be assessed in about half a year.

Yet even if Back 4 Blood is set aside, one must give Left 4 Dead 2 credit for being one of the very few games that have endured for decades. Left 4 Dead 2 was good back then and is still good today – and that is appreciated by players.

How do you perceive this matter? Is Back 4 Blood clearly a flop if Left 4 Dead 2 has more players on Steam? Or should all of this be considered in context?

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

CoD Vanguard: Release is tonight – All times and start of the multiplayer servers

In a few hours it will be time: CoD Vanguard finally celebrates its long-awaited release. If you want to dive in right at the start, you’ll have to stay up longer – or get up early. MeinMMO tells you everything you need to know for the launch and the exact times.

When can you play Vanguard? Similar to the preload, Vanguard starts on consoles at a different time than on PC, and the release schedule is adjusted to the respective countries. However: Since there are no disc versions for PC, PC players can only join in from 5 AM. That is when the global release occurs.

All start times at a glance:

  • Console release (Xbox & PlayStation): November 5 at 00:00
  • PC release: Global release November 5 at 05:00

As soon as you can launch Vanguard, the multiplayer servers will be ready for you. So, at midnight for consoles, while PC players can start at 5 AM.

Vanguard requires significantly less storage space than Cold War 

How large is the download? Since the game is already ready for preload, you can start the download immediately to be ready in time. The file size is significantly smaller than the previous Call of Duty games:

  • PlayStation 5
    • Download: 64.13 GB
    • Free space: 89.84 GB
  • PlayStation 4
    • Download: 54.65 GB
    • Free space: 93.12 GB
  • Xbox One
    • Download: 56.6 GB
  • Xbox Series S|X
    • Download: 61 GB
  • PC
    • 61 GB of storage space required

Who can preload? To benefit from the preload, you must have pre-ordered Call of Duty: Vanguard. You can find more info in the pre-order guide.

Where do I find the preload? Search in the shop of your console for “Vanguard.” This way you can find the game page where you can start the download. PC players can find the download in the Battle.net launcher – click on the ‘V’ logo in the listing, or click on “All Games” at the top left and select Vanguard under the “Activision” tab.

With the release of Vanguard, players of Warzone can also look forward to new content. Information about the new map Caldera, set in the Pacific Ocean, is now available on the key landing points.

Caldera will be one of the biggest changes to Warzone since release, and it is highly anticipated by many players. Those who own Vanguard will even be able to try the map first: According to the official roadmap, Vanguard owners will have the opportunity to get to know Caldera a full day before other players on December 2.

What are you looking forward to the most? Will you be playing multiplayer at midnight, or will you venture into the campaign first? Or are you on PC and need to be a bit more patient? Let us know in the comments.

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

Do not buy the wrong CoD Vanguard: What players should consider when purchasing on PlayStation and Xbox

Call of Duty: Vanguard is available in many different editions. But if you play on Xbox or PlayStation, you need to be careful about what you buy. Because the versions for Last- and Next-Gen are not necessarily compatible. Find out here on MeinMMO everything about the possible problems when buying Call of Duty: Vanguard!

What are the problems with the console versions? CoD Vanguard offers numerous versions for purchase. Standard or Ultimate, digital or disc version? The choice is diverse. If you buy the ‘wrong’ version, you may be stuck with a version whose graphics are outdated or may not be able to play the game on your console at all.

It actually matters whether you have a version for the last or next generation of consoles.

Update November 5: In the original version of the article, it was stated that the disc version of the Xbox Series does not run on the Xbox One. That was not correct – the disc version of Xbox Series always also includes the version for Xbox One.
Start video
Everything you need to know about the new Call of Duty: Vanguard – in 2 minutes

What should you consider when buying Vanguard?

What about the Xbox? The worst pitfalls exist for the versions for Microsoft’s Xboxes. If you buy the standard disc version here, you will be ‘enjoying’ the graphics of the old Xbox One for all time. There is no chance for an upgrade to the new Xbox Series S or X. The digital standard edition, however, can be upgraded to next-gen.

If you buy the disc version from Xbox Series X|S for 10 euros more, you can play Vanguard on both consoles: Xbox One and Xbox Series. Always pay attention to the prints on the packaging.

If you want to be on the safe side, get the digital versions. They cannot be resold, but you can still purchase an upgrade if you have the wrong version.

What should be considered for PlayStation? With PlayStation 4, it doesn’t matter whether you have the digital or disc version. Both are upgradable to the next-gen version of the PS5.

But here applies: The other way around does not work. So if you buy the PS5 disc version of Vanguard, but don’t own one of the rare premium consoles, you won’t be able to get the game running on PS4.

What about the PC? On PC, it doesn’t matter what you buy, the graphics depend solely on your hardware.

If you are still unsure about the purchase, you can find some facts here that might help you with your decision: 10 things you should know before buying CoD Vanguard

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

New World: Maintenance on November 4th – How long are the servers down?

Today, November 4th, maintenance work is taking place in New World. The servers are down for a few hours to deploy the new patch 1.0.5. We will show you here how long the server maintenance will last.

Update 5:30 PM: The servers are back online and you can continue playing.

Update 3:10 PM: The maintenance work is currently underway and the servers are down.

What is the server status of New World? In the afternoon of November 4th, scheduled maintenance work will begin in New World. The developers are taking the servers offline to deploy the new patch 1.0.5. It brings some important bug fixes and adjustments to the two in-game currencies, Coins and Azoth.

The planned maintenance time is as follows:

  • At 3:00 PM the servers will go offline
  • After 3 hours, around 6:00 PM, they are expected to be back online
  • All servers in Europe, America, and the Pacific are affected at the exact same time.

We will keep you updated in this post if there should be an extension of the maintenance or if the developers make any further changes.

What’s in patch 1.0.5? The new update fixes several issues related to weapons, perks, and passive effects. The annoying “0 %” bug in other languages will also finally be fixed, even though it is just a display error.

There are also some improvements to the PvP mode Outpost Rush, which has been long deactivated.

However, the focus is also on changes to the Coins and Azoth. Both currencies will be adjusted so that you generally need to spend less of them. In addition, the main story will be revised to give more Coins at the end than at the beginning.

If you want to occupy yourself with the future of New World during maintenance, you can find an interesting statement from the developers regarding PvP here:

New World announces comprehensive changes – “We want wars, not ganks”

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

Lost Ark: We are giving away 500 keys for the closed beta that starts today

Finally, it’s here! The MMORPG Lost Ark is launching its Closed Beta. We at MeinMMO have 500 keys for this beta. Secure your access now.

Update: All 500 keys have been sent out.

What kind of game is this? In the isometric MMORPG Lost Ark, you take on the role of an adventurer and embark on a quest for the shards of the legendary Ark, which banished evil from the world long ago. For the dark powers have been gathering their strength over the past centuries.

You fight your way through hordes of enemies and tough bosses in the style of ARPGs like Diablo, collect loot, and continually upgrade your equipment. At the same time, you have access to typical MMORPG elements such as dungeons, raids, PvP, or housing.

Lost Ark was released in Korea in 2018 and is finally coming to the West in 2022.

You can get a rough overview of Lost Ark in this video:

Start video
Everything you need to know about the MMORPG Lost Ark – in 2 minutes

What kind of beta is this? The Closed Beta of Lost Ark runs from November 4 to November 11. In this, you can try out 15 different classes, explore the world, and share it with others since there is no NDA.

However, you need a key to access the beta. We are giving away 500 of these keys to you.

Secure your access now

How to get keys: In collaboration with Amazon, we at MeinMMO are giving away 500 access keys to the beta. If you want to participate in the test, you just have to fill out this form. The keys go to the first 500 people who submit the form.

The giveaway is now over; the 500 keys have been sent out.

Good luck to you all!

While the MMORPG itself is free, you can still pre-order founder packs there and secure associated bonuses and advantages. This also includes guaranteed access to the beta. We have summarized all the information for you here:

Pre-order Lost Ark: Everything about price, editions, and bonuses

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

Pokémon GO starts the Light Festival today – All bonuses and Shinys

On November 5, 2021, the Light Festival begins in Pokémon GO. This event brings you great bonuses and numerous monsters again. Of course, there will also be some Shinies. We at MeinMMO have looked at what you can look forward to at the Light Festival.

What kind of event is it? On the occasion of the Hindu Diwali festival, which means Festival of Lights, there will also be a Light Festival in Pokémon GO. This event focuses on light, as its name suggests.

For this reason, you will encounter Electric and Fire Pokémon more frequently. Of course, this event holds a lot of Pokémon and bonuses for you once again.

When does the Light Festival start? The event starts on Friday, November 5, 2021, at 10:00 AM local time and lasts until Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 8:00 PM local time. Starting from November 9, 2021, it will also be supplemented by the part “With light comes shadow…”.

In this part, Team GO Rocket will play a role in the event. However, it is not yet known how long Team GO Rocket will be causing trouble. As soon as there are more details, we will add them to this article.

All Bonuses and Shinies for the Light Festival

Just in time for the Light Festival, Pokémon GO will again change the spawns. You will then encounter Electric and Fire Pokémon more often. Additionally, a new, cute Pokémon will make its debut in the game. Furthermore, you can look forward to some great bonuses. Below, we have summarized all the spawns and bonuses for you.

Dedenne – The new Pokémon for the Light Festival

Appropriate for the Light Festival, the Electric and Fairy Pokémon Dedenne will be available for the first time in Pokémon GO. This mouse-like monster comes from the Kalos region. With its orange-yellow body and long tail, its antenna-like whiskers are particularly eye-catching. For this reason, it is also referred to as the Antenna Pokémon.

Pokemon-Go-Dedenne
Dedenne (via pokemon.com)

With the types Electric and Fairy, it is currently the only non-legendary Pokémon with this combination available in the game. Unfortunately, the shiny variant of Dedenne will not be available in Pokémon GO for the time being. We explain why trainers love Dedenne so much in the following article:

More on the topic
Pokémon GO: That’s why trainers love Dedenne, which is coming to the Light Festival
von Franzi Korittke

All Spawns and Shinies

Of course, Dedenne will not be the only Pokémon you encounter during the Light Festival. As you know from other events in Pokémon GO, the spawns in the wild, in raids, and in eggs will be thematically adjusted. This will also be the case for the Light Festival.

Which Pokémon you can find during the event and where, we have summarized for you below. With a bit of luck, you might encounter some monsters in their shiny form as well. We have marked these with an (*).

Wild Spawns:

  • Pikachu*
  • Magnemite*
  • Swablu
  • Flurmel*
  • Frizelbliz*
  • Elezeba*
  • Waumboll
  • Zapplardin
  • Fynx
  • Dedenne
  • Flampion*
  • Illumise

Pokémon in Raids:

RaidsPokémon
Level 1 RaidsCharmander*
Vulpix*
Lampent*
Illumise
Dedenne
Level 3 RaidsAlolan Raichu*
Electabuzz*
Magmar*
Gloom
Level 5 RaidsKobalion* (Best counters)
Terrakion* (Best counters)
Virizion* (Best counters)
Mega RaidsMega Ampharos*

Monsters from 7 km Eggs:

  • Alolan Geodude*
  • Lampent*
  • Pichu*
  • Vulpix*
  • Magby*
  • Elekid*
  • Budew*

All Bonuses for the Light Festival

In addition to the numerous Pokémon you can encounter during the Light Festival, the event also brings you some bonuses. We have summarized them for you below:

  • Continuing the special research “Misunderstood Mischief” with Hoopa
  • Twice as fast increase in friendship levels
  • Open up to 45 gifts per day
  • More items from gifts
  • New avatar items
  • New stickers
  • In-game fireworks
  • New event field research where you can encounter the following monsters: Vulpix*, Magnemite*, Electabuzz*, Magmar*, Frizelbliz*, Elezeba*, Flampion*, Leufeo, and Dedenne
New avatar items

What does the event part “With light comes shadow…” bring?

Where there is light, there is shadow. For this reason, Team GO Rocket must not be missed at the Light Festival. Starting November 9, they will again cause trouble. However, Niantic has not yet disclosed how long they will stay. And not much is known yet about Team GO Rocket’s plans.

So far, we know that in this context, Team GO Rocket members will spawn more frequently at PokéStops and in balloons. Additionally, there will be one of the most important Rocket events of the year, as during these days, you have the opportunity to make your Shadow Pokémon forget the charged move Frustration.

A recent find of a Shadow Pokémon has also led to much speculation on social networks. We have looked at why many trainers are wondering if Giovanni will return to Pokémon GO soon.

What other special features there will be during the takeover by Team GO Rocket remains to be seen. Should there be new information on this, you will naturally find out with us, on MeinMMO.

What do you think about the Pokémon and bonuses for the Light Festival? What are you hoping for during the event part with Team Rocket? Feel free to share your opinion on it in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers on MeinMMO.

In the coming weeks, there will be a lot happening in Pokémon GO. We have taken a look at which events will take place in November and which are particularly worthwhile.

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

In GTA Online, heists now bring double the money – but not all

In GTA Online, you can earn a lot of money quickly with heists. Ideal for filling your accounts without having to endure tedious grinding. We show you which heists currently pay how much money.

What’s happening in GTA Online? Today, on November 4th, a new bonus week started in GTA Online. One of the bonuses is that you receive double payouts and RP on selected heists.

We show you which heists these are and how much money you can expect now.

These heists give you a lot of money right now

How long does it last? A bonus week runs in GTA Online from Thursday to Thursday. So the bonus should be active until November 11th. Afterwards, new bonuses will start.

Which heists are involved? The following heist classics give you double money and double RP as a reward:

  • Fleeca Job
  • Prison Break
  • Humane Labs
  • Series A
  • Pacific Standard

How much money is there?

HeistPayout
Fleeca JobBefore: $143,750
Now: $287,500
Prison BreakBefore: $500,000
Now: $1,000,000
Humane LabsBefore: $675,000
Now: $1,350,000
Series ABefore: $505,000
Now: $1,010,000
Pacific StandardBefore: $1,250,000
Now: $2,500,000
The payouts here refer to the highest difficulty level of the heist

Additionally, there is a bonus of $500,000 GTA dollars for completing the finales of the Fleeca Heist, Prison Break, Humane Labs Heist, Series A funding, and Pacific Standard Heist.

What are heists anyway? Heists are PvE activities in GTA Online. You can play them alone or in groups with other players. Often, the heists are divided into different acts that culminate in a big finale. In this finale, you earn the big sums of money.

Besides the mentioned heists, GTA Online offers many others that also pay well. Above all, the Cayo Perico Heist can yield up to $4.5 million GTA dollars as loot. We show you how to win the Cayo Perico Heist on hard here.

In general, you should try all heists because there’s a lot of money to be made and exciting stories to experience:

More on the topic
All heists in GTA Online and how much money they bring
von Patrick Freese

With this bonus week, the classic heists are not the most lucrative, but they are generally a more worthwhile change for those who have been clearing El Rubio’s island for weeks.

Keep in mind that you don’t go into the heists as a “total noob” hoping that your teammates will carry you. You should have reached at least level 50 and unlocked important armor upgrades and weapons.

This makes the heist significantly easier for you and your teammates. If you’re not sure which equipment you want to bring, we have a good overview for you: The 5 best weapons in GTA Online that everyone should own. This way, you are well prepared and can safely take down enemies during the heist.

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