The mobile game Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad was supposed to be something like Rainbow Six Siege for mobile. However, after a major scandal and poor performance, Ubisoft is pulling the plug after just under a year.
What happened? Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad was released on August 27, 2020, for iOS and Android. But by October 4, 2021, it was already over, and the servers were shutting down. There are no updates anymore.
What kind of game is this? The game was announced in 2020 as a kind of Rainbow Six Siege for mobile. In 5vs5 battles, you could lead characters from Rainbow Six and other Ubisoft games into battle. Thus, there were villains like El Sueño from Ghost Recon and the legendary Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell.
Scandals and Poor Performance
What are the reasons for the game’s demise? The developers made the following statement regarding the impending end of the game:
This was not an easy decision, but after reviewing several options with our teams, we concluded that this [the game] was no longer viable. We want to assure you all that we truly did our best, especially with major updates like Season 2, and working with you, our passionate community, was a truly rewarding experience!
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
This is what the players say: Indeed, the game was not a big hit. In the Play Store, it only has 3.3 stars with over 65,000 ratings (via Google Play). Criticisms include that players have to grind extensively to unlock new heroes or spend a lot of money, which is deemed Pay2Win since heroes like Sam Fisher are so overpowered. Other players complain that the game runs unstable and has various annoying bugs.
Additionally, the game caused a scandal early on. The evil terrorist group Umbra, which you fight in the game, has a logo that looks very similar to the symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement. This caused a lot of trouble, and in the end, Ubisoft had to apologize and change the symbol.
Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad is thus another dead game that will not survive 2021. It joins the graveyard of dead games, where it has good company, as numerous games have left us early. You can find out who else was affected last year in our list of dead games 2020.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Activision Blizzard accuses the agency of acting “shamefully and unprofessionally”
This is what Activision Blizzard says: The company has already issued a lengthy statement regarding the allegations. It states: The lawsuit contains twisted and often false representations of the past of Blizzard. They have worked closely with the agency and provided them with numerous documents, but the agency has refused to inform them of any problems they noticed.
The agency is obliged to attempt to resolve issues amicably with the company before turning to the court. The agency did not do this.
Activision Blizzard states: It makes them sick that the agency brings the tragic suicide of an employee into the case. It has nothing to do with it. Such behavior shows no respect for the grieving family.
Such behavior is described by Blizzard as “shameful and unprofessional.” Such irresponsible actions by officials ensure that some of the best companies from the state of California disappear.
The picture painted by the agency does not reflect the culture at Blizzard that exists today. In recent years, since the investigation began, significant changes have been made. They have invested a lot of work to create fair and attractive rewards and have strived to create a supportive, diverse, and inclusive workplace atmosphere.
Two years ago, we reported on a case at Blizzard on MeinMMO: A male employee had made serious allegations against a female supervisor:
Afrasiabi was the “Senior Creative Director” for WoW. He left the company in June 2020 without much fanfare.
Blizzard CEO, J. Allen Brack allegedly did not intervene decisively enough.
“Tragic suicide on a business trip”
Further, the lawsuit states:
In a tragic example of sexual harassment that Activision Blizzard allowed, a female employee committed suicide while on a business trip she took with her supervisor, with whom she had a sexual relationship.
From the complaint
The police later discovered that this male supervisor had taken “Butt Plugs” and lube on the business trip. It is alleged that the woman had been targeted by sexual harassment prior to the trip: At a company party, a photo circulated showing the employee’s vagina.
“If dark thoughts trouble you, you can contact the telephone counseling service at 0800/111 0 111 and 0800/11 0 22 – it’s nationwide and free of charge.“
Could the women not defend themselves? The Human Resources (HR) department of Activision Blizzard is another point of criticism in the complaint.
It is stated: Women who complained had to face negative consequences:
They were transferred against their will
they were targeted for layoffs
they were denied opportunities for projects or other possibilities
It is stated in the complaint that women lacked trust in the HR department. It had not enjoyed a good reputation.
Some women also stated that their complaints were not treated confidentially by the HR department.
What is the goal of the lawsuit? The court should issue a temporary injunction requiring Activision Blizzard to address issues such as “unequal pay, salary adjustments, low wages for women” in compliance with applicable California law.
There are also discussions of damage payments.
The allegations against Blizzard are similar to allegations against game companies in recent years:
Activision Blizzard accuses the agency of acting “shamefully and unprofessionally”
This is what Activision Blizzard says: The company has already issued a lengthy statement regarding the allegations. It states: The lawsuit contains twisted and often false representations of the past of Blizzard. They have worked closely with the agency and provided them with numerous documents, but the agency has refused to inform them of any problems they noticed.
The agency is obliged to attempt to resolve issues amicably with the company before turning to the court. The agency did not do this.
Activision Blizzard states: It makes them sick that the agency brings the tragic suicide of an employee into the case. It has nothing to do with it. Such behavior shows no respect for the grieving family.
Such behavior is described by Blizzard as “shameful and unprofessional.” Such irresponsible actions by officials ensure that some of the best companies from the state of California disappear.
The picture painted by the agency does not reflect the culture at Blizzard that exists today. In recent years, since the investigation began, significant changes have been made. They have invested a lot of work to create fair and attractive rewards and have strived to create a supportive, diverse, and inclusive workplace atmosphere.
Two years ago, we reported on a case at Blizzard on MeinMMO: A male employee had made serious allegations against a female supervisor:
The “California Department of Fair Employment and Housing” has filed a lawsuit against the gaming publisher Activision Blizzard. The lawsuit follows a two-year investigation. Activision Blizzard is alleged to have a culture like that of a fraternity: women are targets of constant sexual harassment and are paid unequally. The lawsuit describes some shocking situations, especially in the team for WoW.
Who is suing? The “California Department of Fair Employment and Housing” is a state agency tasked with protecting California residents from workplace discrimination. The agency has been led by a civil rights attorney appointed by the governor since 2014. It is the largest civil rights agency in the U.S.
Here is the background of the lawsuit: The agency states that they have investigated Activision Blizzard for over two years and subsequently initiated a mediation process to resolve complaints without going to court. However, during the mediation, they were unable to resolve the issues. Therefore, they are now turning to the court.
This is the main point of the lawsuit: The agency accuses Activision Blizzard of:
Sexism has plagued the male-dominated gaming industry for decades and has intensified in recent years. Women and girls now make up nearly half of all gamers in America, yet the gaming industry continues to cater to men, even in California.
Complaint against Activision Blizzard.
It is then stated that a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard is long overdue to prevent them from continuing to violate the civil rights and right to equal pay of female employees:
Only white men currently hold top jobs at Activision Blizzard. This has always been the case.
Few women reach senior positions in the company. And even those who make it to the top receive lower salaries and bonuses than their male counterparts.
The inferior position of women runs throughout the company: women are paid less, given fewer opportunities, and are promoted more slowly.
Activision Blizzard has created a work culture like that of a fraternity.
Women are constantly sexually harassed at Activision Blizzard.
Complaints from women about mistreatment are dismissed. They go unpunished.
The lawsuit comprises 29 pages (via aboutlaw) and was filed on July 20 with the “Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the County of Los Angeles”.
Men allegedly drink and party at work for Blizzard
The culture at Blizzard is reportedly so bad for women: There are several specific allegations in the lawsuit regarding “misbehavior by men”.
One example is a “Cube Crawl”, in which men drink a lot of alcohol and roam through the individual work cubes of the office. It is reported that they often harass women inappropriately during this time.
Men reportedly come to the office proudly hungover, then spend long periods gaming instead of working, drink alcohol while working, delegate their actual responsibilities and tasks to women, discuss their sex lives, comment on women’s bodies, and make jokes about rape.
An important developer of WoW, Alex Afrasiabi, reportedly hit on women during BlizzCon and told them he wanted to marry them. Afrasiabi allegedly tried to kiss them and put his arm around them. He was so notorious that his hotel suite was referred to as the “Cosby Suite”. Blizzard’s CEO, J. Allen Brack, reprimanded him multiple times for his drinking and behavior towards women but never took further action.
Afrasiabi was the “Senior Creative Director” for WoW. He left the company in June 2020 without much fanfare.
Blizzard CEO, J. Allen Brack allegedly did not intervene decisively enough.
“Tragic suicide on a business trip”
Further, the lawsuit states:
In a tragic example of sexual harassment that Activision Blizzard allowed, a female employee committed suicide while on a business trip she took with her supervisor, with whom she had a sexual relationship.
From the complaint
The police later discovered that this male supervisor had taken “Butt Plugs” and lube on the business trip. It is alleged that the woman had been targeted by sexual harassment prior to the trip: At a company party, a photo circulated showing the employee’s vagina.
“If dark thoughts trouble you, you can contact the telephone counseling service at 0800/111 0 111 and 0800/11 0 22 – it’s nationwide and free of charge.“
Could the women not defend themselves? The Human Resources (HR) department of Activision Blizzard is another point of criticism in the complaint.
It is stated: Women who complained had to face negative consequences:
They were transferred against their will
they were targeted for layoffs
they were denied opportunities for projects or other possibilities
It is stated in the complaint that women lacked trust in the HR department. It had not enjoyed a good reputation.
Some women also stated that their complaints were not treated confidentially by the HR department.
What is the goal of the lawsuit? The court should issue a temporary injunction requiring Activision Blizzard to address issues such as “unequal pay, salary adjustments, low wages for women” in compliance with applicable California law.
There are also discussions of damage payments.
The allegations against Blizzard are similar to allegations against game companies in recent years:
Activision Blizzard accuses the agency of acting “shamefully and unprofessionally”
This is what Activision Blizzard says: The company has already issued a lengthy statement regarding the allegations. It states: The lawsuit contains twisted and often false representations of the past of Blizzard. They have worked closely with the agency and provided them with numerous documents, but the agency has refused to inform them of any problems they noticed.
The agency is obliged to attempt to resolve issues amicably with the company before turning to the court. The agency did not do this.
Activision Blizzard states: It makes them sick that the agency brings the tragic suicide of an employee into the case. It has nothing to do with it. Such behavior shows no respect for the grieving family.
Such behavior is described by Blizzard as “shameful and unprofessional.” Such irresponsible actions by officials ensure that some of the best companies from the state of California disappear.
The picture painted by the agency does not reflect the culture at Blizzard that exists today. In recent years, since the investigation began, significant changes have been made. They have invested a lot of work to create fair and attractive rewards and have strived to create a supportive, diverse, and inclusive workplace atmosphere.
Two years ago, we reported on a case at Blizzard on MeinMMO: A male employee had made serious allegations against a female supervisor:
To celebrate the release of Pokémon Unite, you can get Zeraora on the Nintendo Switch for a limited time. The monster is not available in the shop. We will tell you how to get the new license as a “Launch Bonus” for free in one minute and what the Electric Fighter can do.
Since July 21, you can play Pokémon Unite in Germany. If you’ve been wondering why your opponents are dominating you with the yellow Zeraora and how you can also get the Electric Monster, we have good news.
Every player can quickly and easily get Zeraora for free on the Nintendo Switch. However, you don’t have forever, as this is an event reward. But don’t worry, the 3 simple steps to get the new Unite license won’t take even a minute.
Here’s how to get the Zeraora License in Pokémon Unite
Press ‘X’ in the Main Menu
When you’re on the start screen of Pokémon Unite, where you see your trainer and your companion, press the ‘X’ button.
Check your Mails
A menu will now open on the left, where you scroll almost to the bottom – to ‘Mail’. Now open the letter symbol.
Select Launch Bonus
Keep an eye out in your mails for the message ‘Launch Bonus’. Click on the message with the gift box and ‘redeem’ the bonus. That’s it, now you have the event-exclusive Zeraora license for Pokémon Unite.
Select Zeraora
Go back to the main menu, here click on the Pokéball at the bottom in the center. If everything went well, you will now see Zeraora and his stats among your Unite licenses. Here you can check the moves, train with Zeraora, or set the Pokémon as your favorite so it stands next to you on the start screen.
How long do you have for this? You need to log in to Pokémon Unite by August 31, 2021, to get Zeraora. The event monster is a kind of welcome gift for the release of the new MOBA.
Pokémon Unite is only playable on Nintendo Switch until the end of 2021.
A version for smartphones is supposed to come later in the year.
On Twitter, it is officially stated that there will also be a way for mobile users to get Zeraora later – but no further information is available yet.
How strong is Zeraora in Pokémon Unite?
What the fighter can do: Zeraora is a speedster, and as such it is very fast and can deal a lot of damage in a short time. However, you have to rely on your melee combat and bridge the distance to the opponent or sneak up quickly and unexpectedly.
You have attacks available that allow you to jump to the enemy (Dash). When leveled up, the jump even heals you; alternatively, you use the Dash to escape heated situations.
As a second attack, you use your sharp claws and can trigger combos or knock down enemies.
As a strong Unite Move, you use “Plasma Gale”. This puts an entire area under lethal electricity and grants you many bonuses on range and attack within this electric field.
Passively, Zeraora collects stacks when taking damage, which increases your attack. Every third normal hit briefly paralyzes the opponent and grants you health points.
The difficulty of Zeraora is rated as “Expert”, so it is one of the hardest monsters to play in the game. However, Zeraora has very little endurance and goes down as quickly as it takes down others. However, those who diligently train with the mysterious Pokémon cut through their enemies like butter and reappear on the battlefield where enemies least expect them.
Have you already grabbed the free Zeraora license and are you really smashing your opponents? Let us know in the comments which fighter you currently roll with in Pokémon Unite or which monster you still lack to really have fun in the MOBA.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the new MMORPG New World, money is something just as important as in most other MMORPGs. One player has now been particularly creative and managed to utilize the “property” system so effectively that he became filthy rich overnight.
What happened? The new MMORPG New World is currently in a closed beta phase, meaning it hasn’t officially been released yet. Nevertheless, there is already a player so wealthy that rebellions against him are being planned. Overnight, the resourceful fellow earned 1.7 million gold, which is an enormous amount in the game.
How did he do it? The player utilized the “property” system in New World. You can purchase the land rights to certain areas and towns in the game, and can then control how much tax you need to pay there.
If he then holds the sole land right, a large part of the taxes flows directly into his personal treasury. The player first earned 100,000 gold to purchase the land rights of “Windsward.” Subsequently, he raised the taxes of the area to 30% and thus earned over 1.7 million gold overnight.
The town of Windsward was chosen and purchased by the player.
The community reacts with amazement and humor: Many players are impressed and astonished that this way of earning money actually works. They are also surprised that players have already figured out how to exploit this system so efficiently.
This curious event is attracting even more players to New World. One user even writes on reddit: “New World hasn’t really interested me at all, but let’s be honest – forming rebellions against tax-collecting cartels sounds like a lot of fun.”
But not everyone is taking it with so much humor. Some players take the comment about the rebellion a bit too seriously and are planning a revolt against the super-rich player. They are calling for people to band together and burn the town down.
What do you think about it? Do you find that the tax trick was a stroke of genius? Or are you also upset that this actually works? Let us know in the comments!
Fans of epic battles on the battlefields of World War I will be pleased, as there is currently a top game of the genre available for free in the PC version. Read here what you need to do to get the shooter Battlefield 1 for free.
Which game is it? We are talking about Battlefield 1 in the PC version. Although the game was released back in 2016, it still excites thousands of players on Steam alone (via steamcharts.com). As one of several soldier classes, you fight your enemies in the brutal battlefields of World War I. There are also quite bizarre, steampunk-inspired weapons and vehicles in use.
How to get the game for free: If you want to get Battlefield 1 for PC without additional costs, you should have a subscription to Amazon Prime. On the associated “Prime Gaming” page, there are regularly goodies for games and sometimes even complete games for free. This is currently the case for Battlefield 1. Just follow these steps:
You then need to activate it in the EA Origin launcher and you will get the game for download
Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V for free at Prime Gaming
How long is the offer valid? The free offer for Battlefield 1 is valid from now until August 4, 2021. So make sure to get the free game by then.
What else is coming? With Battlefield 1, it is far from over. EA plans to offer more Battlefield games for free. Therefore, starting August 2, the successor Battlefield V will also be available for free on Origin.
The offer for the previous Battlefield titles on Amazon Prime Gaming is especially a good idea now. Because on October 22, 2021, the 6th part of the series, the highly anticipated Battlefield 2042, will be released. In it, the gameplay known from the old titles is expanded with additional features. In our hub, you’ll find everything you need to know about the new shooter:
The contents for the second hyperbonus in Pokémon GO are known. It is clear that new Shinies are coming. Additionally, regional Pokémon will appear in level 3 raids. It is worth it for you.
What kind of bonus is this? During the GO Fest 2021, trainers around the world are working together to complete global challenges. These tasks have been successfully solved, and therefore the developers at Niantic will activate a total of three hyperbonuses over the next few weeks.
In this overview, we show you what happens in the second part of the hyperbonus.
Update from July 22 at 11:35 AM: In the first version of the article, it was mentioned that there were three new Shinies. We have corrected this to “two” since the Icognito in U form was already available to catch during the Enigma week last year.
Hyperbonus Part 2 with Shiny Scarab.
When does it run? The second hyperbonus starts on Friday, August 6, and is active for over a week until August 17. The start and end times are both at 10:00 AM local time.
Which Shinies can be caught? In the announcement, Niantic mentions Shiny Palkia, which you can find with luck after level 5 raid battles. This is complemented by Shiny Scarab, which you can find after battling them in level 3 raids. In level 1 raids, you will encounter Icognito in U form. With luck, you can also find this as Shiny – this Shiny was already available during the Enigma week of 2020.
Who spawns more frequently? During the event, you will encounter Piepi, Somniam, Barschuft (Red and Blue variants), Pygraulon, Furnifraß, and Fermicula more frequently in the wild. These changed spawns will be active until August 20 at 10:00 AM local time.
What changes with raids? In the following table, you can see which raids are active for you during the time of hyperbonus 2.
Pokémon marked with a * can be encountered as Shiny with luck
Who hatches from the 7 km eggs? Some regional Pokémon can be obtained from the 7 km eggs. During the event, these are Schalellos (Western and Eastern sea), Barschuft (Red and Blue variants), Furnifraß, and Fermicula. A summary of all regional Pokémon in Pokémon GO can be found here.
What do you think of the rewards for the hyperbonus? Are you satisfied or would you have wished for rewards like stardust bonuses? Share your opinion here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange with other players.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
South Park will be a part of Hearthstone. The famous “Warcraft” episode will be immortalized with two special cards.
Hearthstone is largely based on the Warcraft universe and continually draws from it when it comes to the release of new cards. In the upcoming card set “United in Stormwind”, there will again be plenty taken from WoW, even an old joke from South Park is included. Players will soon be able to get the legendary “Sword of a Thousand Truths” – but only after they kill a lot of wild boars.
Where does the sword come from? It’s a collaboration between World of Warcraft and South Park. In the episode “Make Love, not Warcraft”, the kids of South Park play a lot of WoW and encounter a person “who has no life” and who keeps killing them. To defeat the hardcore player, they spend all day killing wild boars in the Elwynn Forest and later receive the “Sword of a Thousand Truths”, which can drain the mana of the evil player in the episode.
This is how it is implemented in Hearthstone: Exactly the two elements from the series episode are now combined in Hearthstone with the new card. The beast “Elwynn Boar”, a minion with 1/1 for 1 mana, must die at least 7 times in the game for the player to equip the Sword of a Thousand Truths.
The wild boars and the sword – pretty OP? Or just silly?
The sword is exactly as “OP” as it was back in South Park. It has a devastating 15 attack power and after an attack, it destroys all of the opponent’s mana crystals – forcing them to start again at 1 mana.
However, that probably won’t annoy the opponent for long, as two attacks with the sword are enough to take down a normal hero’s 30 health points.
More news about Hearthstone and the sword can be found here:
Isn’t that “Game Breaking”? Probably not. Since a card can only be present 2 times in a deck, it’s quite tricky to let a total of 7 wild boars die. You have to plan a large part of the deck around this task and likely make some sacrifices in offense and defense. Only if everything works perfectly should you get to see the sword.
Current assessments suggest that it’s more of a meme card rather than a significant game changer. But maybe clever players will develop a deck that allows the sword to be seen more frequently…
What do you think about such a card? A cool idea? Or just way too ridiculous?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The surprise was great: Instead of a new “Pro Evolution Soccer” installment, Konami announced the new game “eFootball” – with significant changes. And especially in two points, competitor FIFA 22 could take a closer look.
This was presented: The long-standing Pro Evolution Soccer series is history, “eFootball” is now the name of Konami’s new football platform. According to the announcement, this step was taken because the final result goes “beyond the borders of PES” (via Konami).
The main changes: eFootball does some things differently than PES, foremost the football simulation is built on the legs of the Unreal Engine. In addition, there is a completely new animation system and gameplay features.
New animations and features – EA Sports has also commented on FIFA 22 so far. But besides that, eFootball has two points that are currently missing in the FIFA series. We will take a closer look at these here.
eFootball offers Free-to-Play, has an easy entry
The most significant step of the new eFootball is the decision to switch to a Free-to-Play system. Furthermore, it is supposed to be regularly updated. Throughout the year, new modes will be introduced. A type of Battle Pass is apparently also on board.
This is a step that many players were also expecting from FIFA – especially concerning the Ultimate Team mode. This mode is one of EA Sports’ biggest sources of revenue, due to a shop where players can buy packs either with in-game currency or real money. Here, players have been discussing for years (for example on reddit), that this mode could theoretically also generate revenue as a standalone Free-to-Play variant.
This is what the roadmap to eFootball looks like
The more important point with the Free-to-Play model, however, is: If you want to take a closer look at or test the game, you can do so without major obstacles. Downloading a free game and possibly deleting it again if it’s not liked is not a problem for many players. eFootball has a good chance of landing on players’ devices without an entry price – and perhaps convincing there.
In contrast, FIFA requires the full-price game to be laid down initially to get a glimpse. Especially last year, with FIFA 21, there wasn’t even a demo to test the game. In terms of “just trying it out and seeing how it is”, eFootball actually has an advantage.
eFootball can be played together by all – Thanks to Crossplay
Another major point of eFootball’s announcement is that it will be playable “cross-platform”. Basically, everyone and everything is supposed to be able to play against each other: PlayStation can play against Xbox, PC can be challenged, even iOS and Android are involved. According to the announcement, it should be possible to play platform-independent.
This is a point that FIFA players have been talking about for a long time, but they can only dream of it so far. Playing FIFA 21 with Xbox against PlayStation or PC is currently not possible.
Even within a console family, there is no real crossplay: If you want to play with a PS5 against friends with the PS4 version, you also have to run the PS4 version on the new console. The PS5 version, however, is not compatible. So if you are the only one in your friend group with a PS5, you need two FIFA versions – and storage is limited.
Here, FIFA 22 can definitely take a lesson from the FIFA series. Because simply playing a few matches with friends is something that several other games have already managed well. Especially in conjunction with the Free-to-Play aspect, eFootball could become an interesting address when you just want to play a few virtual football matches against friends for little money. At least, if the game itself can convince.
What about the rest? eFootball was presented with a trailer on July 21, which received mixed reactions.
While the like/dislike ratio with 37,192 to 6045 (as of July 21, 20:00) is initially positive, the comments overall are quite critical. Graphics and animations are criticized – especially compared to a teaser released last year that announced the next installment of the series. Some players fear that a “mobile” standard will be applied to the game instead of a “console or PC standard”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzd7OpCHCi0
Basically, it remains to be seen how both games actually play and feel – this applies to both FIFA 22 and eFootball. It is still too early for comprehensive comparisons.
On July 21, the new role-playing game The Witcher: Monster Slayer was released for Android and iOS. The game is fundamentally reminiscent of Pokémon GO. You walk through the real world and see dangerous monsters from the Witcher universe thanks to augmented reality. However, single-player and role-playing aspects take center stage.
What kind of game is this? In the new free-to-play game The Witcher: Monster Slayer, you can create a female or male character and explore the game world with them. However, thanks to GPS tracking and Google Maps, it is essentially our real world.
Through the augmented reality mode, you see monsters sitting in your garden or on the street, very similar to Pokémon GO.
One big difference is that The Witcher: Monster Slayer focuses more on classic role-playing aspects and combat instead of catching and collecting monsters. How this works is shown in a first trailer for the game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t82JBXf9MPw
Kill monsters instead of collecting them
How does the game work? As you roam the world, you encounter circles that indicate that a monster is nearby. You then need to track it down and fight it.
Before every fight with a monster, you can gear up and choose your weapons based on the monster’s weaknesses. As in The Witcher, some creatures have a problem with steel weapons, while others can be more easily wounded by silver swords. Additionally, there are oils, bombs, and magic that you can use in combat.
The combat itself is controlled via the touch display:
Depending on the swipe motion, different strikes are executed
If you hold your finger on the display, you block incoming attacks
By drawing runes on the display, special magical abilities are activated
The system is complemented by various talent trees and new equipment that you can find.
This is how you fight against enemies in The Witcher: Monster Slayer.
In the world, you will also encounter NPCs who give you quests. You are expected not only to track down monsters but also to find a thief and retrieve a stolen bag. This creates classic role-playing vibes.
First reviews mention release issues, but many are positive
How is the new Witcher game received? The freshly released The Witcher: Monster Slayer currently (as of July 21 at 7:30 PM) has 3,525 reviews in the Google Play Store. They average 3.7 out of 5 possible stars.
The first reviews mainly criticize technical problems at the game’s launch. For example, there were maintenance works just 5 minutes after the release, which lasted for 6 hours. Additionally, there are reports of a bug that allowed some players to reach the max level 40 after the first quest.
However, some positive reviews are very interesting to read:
David Kunkel gives 4 stars and writes: “Brilliant! At first glance like Pokémon GO, but from the gameplay perspective like Witcher (especially regarding the missions and story). The combat system reminds me of Elder Scrolls Blade. Before almost every fight, you need to prepare potions, oils, or bombs. To fulfill missions or defeat new monsters, you must move around like in Pokémon GO. A minor deduction for server issues and maintenance, but that’s understandable for a new game.”
Philipp Men even gives a full 5 stars and already describes it as more varied than Pokémon GO: “The atmosphere in the game is fantastic. It’s a lot of fun to play. I immediately shared it with all my friends so they can join me. I hope it will continue to be worked on and updated. It’s a great game, much better than Pokémon GO, which became boring after some time.”
DragonGameUE is also satisfied with the experience so far and gives one star for the level 40 bug: “Nice to-go game in the Witcher universe. Personally, I would have liked more character options (let’s be honest, they aren’t that attractive). But the atmosphere is great, and the sound also sounds good. Only the bug that lets you reach level 40 immediately is indeed annoying, as you can’t defeat monsters with starting equipment that easily.”
What are your experiences with the game? Are you excited about a Pokémon GO in the Witcher style? Feel free to write it in the comments.
Mobile games have become a really big and interesting market. Recently, the MMORPG Odin: Valhalla Rising drew significant attention because it generated a lot of money right upon release:
Are you still looking for suitable accessories for the launch of the MMORPG New World? MeinMMO presents headsets and mice that we can recommend for the launch.
On July 20, 2020, the beta of New World officially started. Perhaps you are already in and have fought your way through the game world, but are not happy with your current equipment on PC?
We at MeinMMO introduce you to gaming mice and gaming headsets in our article that we can recommend to every New World player.
With our recommendations, you can’t really go wrong and get hardware that will allow you to game well. What PC hardware you need for New World will also be presented here on MeinMMO.
Razer Naga Trinity
With the Naga Trinity, you get a good gaming mouse for MMOs with a lot of functions. The buttons can be easily programmed via Razer Synapse. The mouse offers high-quality processing and comfortable ergonomics.
Thanks to its 12 buttons, you can easily assign numerous abilities and functions to the Naga Trinity and have all functions readily available. This is especially suitable for MMORPGs, where you have to use many abilities.
Who is the mouse suitable for? Are you looking for a good gaming mouse for New World but want to stay flexible? In particular, the ability to swap the side panels makes Razer’s Naga mice a recommendation for gamers who are not dedicated to just one genre. The mouse makes it easy to switch between MMO shooters, MOBAs, and MMORPGs.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
Also, the users among you who play with their left hand will find an alternative with the left-handed version of the Naga Trinity. The left-handed version is exclusively available at the Razer store (via Razer.com).
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
Logitech G502 Hero
Logitech’s G502 is a strong all-rounder. Overall, the mouse offers eleven programmable buttons, making it suitable for many applications. The mouse offers solid processing, comfortable ergonomics, and comes with Logitech’s currently best sensor.
However, you should note that the mouse weighs 121 grams, which may not be ideal for those who prefer to control their mouse with just two fingers.
The G502 Hero is available in both wired and wireless versions. The wireless variant is slightly lighter than the normal version.
Who is the mouse suitable for? With the G502, you get a good gaming mouse without notable weaknesses. Especially thanks to the comfortable ergonomics, the mouse fits well in hand even during long gaming sessions.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
What would be an alternative? A lighter alternative to the Logitech G502 Hero would be the Rival 5 from SteelSeries. However, the Rival 5 offers you fewer buttons and its ergonomics are not perfectly suited for every gamer.
Weighing in at 85 grams, the Rival 5 is considerably lighter than Logitech’s gaming mouse. If you liked the G502 but are bothered by its weight, the Rival 5 could be a good alternative.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
EPOS H3
With the EPOS H3, you get a high-quality and robust gaming headset with good sound. The soft ear cushions provide you with comfortable ergonomics and a good fit on the head. However, the microphone may not always impress.
EPOS relies on a closed principle here. This means that you will only perceive external sounds to a limited extent. Thanks to a 3.5mm jack, you can use the gaming headset not only on your PC but also on your console or phone.
Who is the headset suitable for? In the price range of around 100 euros, you get a really good headset if you don’t want to compromise on ergonomics and build quality. If the microphone is important to you, then take a look at our second recommendation.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
On MeinMMO, we have already introduced you to the EPOS H3 in more detail. Here, we not only present the strengths and weaknesses of the gaming headset but also give you an outlook on the first independent reviews:
What would be an alternative? Currently, you can get the Cooler Master MH751 for around 40 euros less. This headset offers you a significantly better microphone but has poorer build quality.
Cooler Master also relies on a 3.5mm jack, so you can use the headset on your console as well.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
If you are more interested in New World, you might also find this appealing:
With the Razer BlackShark V2, you not only get good sound but also a great spatial awareness of sounds, allowing you to locate opponents in the audio environment.
Another strength is the microphone. You are well understood and can communicate with your teammates, especially during hectic battles. Weighing around 270 grams, the headset is also quite light and doesn’t feel too heavy on your head.
Who is the headset suitable for? If you want not only good sound and decent ergonomics, but also clear communication with your teammates, then the Blackshark V2 is a really good gaming headset for you.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
What would be an alternative? A great alternative to the Razer headset can be found in the Logitech G Pro X. For around 100 euros, you get a gaming headset with a comprehensive accessory package and a good microphone.
The gaming software from Logitech is, in our opinion, also somewhat more intuitive than Razer’s Synapse.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
Both the Blackshark V2 and the Logitech G Pro X now have wireless variants, which are somewhat more expensive than the wired counterparts.
Beyerdynamic mmx 300
With the Beyerdynamic mmx 300, you get a robust and high-quality headset for around 250 euros. The manufacturer uses metal-reinforced headbands and provides you with a decent scope of delivery.
Thanks to its wide frequency range (5 Hz to 35000 Hz), you get a balanced sound image in both highs and lows. The device uses a closed design. In any case, you get a very good sound image and can also use the mmx 300 on your consoles.
Who is the headset suitable for? If you are looking for a balanced and high-quality gaming headset in the long term, you should take a look at the mmx 300. Although you pay around 250 euros for it, you get a great headset that will accompany you for a long time.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
What would be an alternative? If you do not like closed headsets because they feel too dull or warm, or do not necessarily need a microphone, you might consider the TYGR 300 R.
The TYGR 300 R uses similar technology to the mmx 300 but adopts an open design. The advantage of the open design lies primarily in a larger soundstage and better localization, meaning that in an open-world game like “New World” you perceive more details of the game world. Both devices are on the same level in terms of processing and sound quality.
In the bundle “Team TYGR”, you get both the headphones and a USB desktop microphone.
Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.
Did you miss any good keyboards in our recommendations? Then take a look at our buying guide on MeinMMO. Here you can find the best gaming keyboards currently available. Here you can find not only full-size keyboards but also particularly compact keyboards that, for example, do without function keys or the numpad. What you should consider when buying a keyboard can also be found in our article.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The new MOBA Pokémon Unite has captivated our MeinMMO author Philipp Hansen. Read what he has experienced in his first hours and why he and Charizard are facing a hot summer on the neglected Nintendo Switch.
When Pokémon Unite was announced in summer 2020, I honestly didn’t care at all. But in recent days, I became more and more excited about the new game. It went so far that today, on July 21, I dropped everything for the release and had to dive into a few rounds right away.
And lo and behold, now I say goodbye to the PlayStation 5 for a while, as gaming time now belongs to the Nintendo Switch. Read my impressions of the free-to-play game that I instantly fell in love with.
What is Pokémon Unite anyway?
It is a MOBA. Two teams of 5 Pokémon each battle it out in an arena, trying to ambush the opposing side.
It all takes place online – hence the name of the genre: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. The most famous representative of these games is LoL, or League of Legends.
An unusual concept for Pokémon, as you control a monster in real time – and only one per game. Nothing round-based like back in the day on the Gameboy or with the ever-increasingly expensive cards.
Important: Currently, Pokémon Unite is not yet available in German, only in English. However, you can get the game normally in the German-speaking e-shop of the Nintendo Switch and do not need to pay any extra attention.
[toc]
The release trailer of Pokémon Unite gives a good first impression:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
More MOBA than I thought and luckily less basketball than I feared
That was my concern: The more information about Pokémon Unite came to light, the more excited I became in one way, but I also had some fears. Much of the promotional material simply looked like basketball. I constantly saw Pokémon trying to dunk a ball into a net.
What was marketed here as a unique mechanic really worried me: Do I have to decide whether to engage in fights or carry a boring ball?
Here, Charmander scores 13 points as an energy ball
I want only one thing in a MOBA: To unleash cool special attacks with my hero, attack the enemy from behind, loot and level up, and achieve a pentakill that decides the whole match while the crowd erupts in thunderous applause. Well, that’s more than just one thing, but all of that I accomplished in my first hours with Pokémon Unite (everything except the pentakill).
This is how much time I have spent in Pokémon Unite: So far, I have spent a little over 3 hours in the new MOBA. I have completed all tutorials and advanced exercises. I fought in a few rounds against bots, played 8 quick matches against real people, and already completed 2 ranked games. I also checked out the shop and the different quest mechanics. I tested the Switch both in handheld mode and connected to the TV. I had no issues with online connection or technology during this time.
What is your goal in Pokémon Unite? Unlike other MOBAs, your goal is not to push the enemy base on one of the lanes and clear towers using many little NPCs. Instead, you need to score points in the 10-minute rounds.
You beat up wild Pokémon located on the map that constantly respawn. While you can quickly take down the little monkeys solo right at the start of the round, other monsters like the legendary Zapdos can only be killed with help from the whole team at the end of the game.
For kills of wild monsters, you earn EXP and energy. You level up and become stronger, gain new attacks, and can even evolve. You store the energy in a Pokéball. And that stored energy in the ball needs to be dunked into the opponent’s “basketball hoop”.
Don’t worry: Collecting energy and carrying the ball is automatic; you don’t have to dribble or anything. If you dunk enough energy during the 10 minutes of a match, you’ve won – hooray!
That’s why it’s trickier than expected: To make it not too easy, the 5 opponents will of course try to prevent you from losing the energy. You engage in a cat-and-mouse game around wild Pokémon and try to defend your platform while exploiting any situation where the enemy does not secure their zone. The direct duels with other players are, of course, the most intense.
Here you can see gameplay of my Charizard (the edges of the image are cropped).
There are about a handful of these “basketball hoops” depending on the arena per team. But the seemingly simple concept goes much deeper than I assumed:
The more energy you carry, the longer it takes to deposit it. You can be interrupted by enemies and drop a hefty chunk of the precious resource when you die.
However, if you stand together with teammates on a platform, you will deposit energy faster. But you can also get easily ambushed here, and the enemy can quickly push the lane after a multi-kill.
Enemy zones slow you down and heal opponents (and vice versa, of course). You can destroy the scoring zones if you score 100 points there. This ensures, for example, that the enemy cannot heal here and you are no longer slowed down.
On the map, there are some special wild Pokémon that not only give energy: If you kill these stronger monsters, you receive buffs (such as getting a shield or dealing more damage to wild monsters). Of course, both teams want to kill these special monsters. But then, you have to keep an eye on your own zone.
So, just around these zones, there are many mechanics that offer different play styles, leaving players to choose between risk and large points or playing it safe. Additionally, the various roles of your Pokémon, their attacks, the different items you carry, and level paths come into play.
When you put everything together, you have a challenging cocktail that invites you to experiment in Pokémon Unite for many hours.
Pokémon Unite guides beginners
As typical for MOBAs, the principle applies: easy to learn but hard to master. In my view, Pokémon Unite excels at the easy-to-learn part. Let’s take a look at your first 30 minutes in the game.
To start, there is the obligatory quirky professor for Pokémon games, who, for some reason, needs kids to experiment with fire-breathing monsters.
The story and the basics are briefly explained to you, and you create your character. However, the editor is quite poor; you will find the reason for this in the game’s shop.
This is how easy the entry is: Then the tutorial starts, which is well done. In several quick digestible portions, the MOBA genre, the arena, the movements, and the specifics of your Pokémon are explained. There is always a goal that can be tackled within one to two minutes; you never get that annoying “let me play already!” feeling.
After a short time, you can dive into the fray against real opponents or bots, or deepen your knowledge in more detailed tutorials. As an incentive, there are plenty of currency rewards whose purpose will only become clear to you later. Do yourself and your team a favor, practice a bit with the bots and missions first, and then take the plunge against real people.
Postscript from July 26: In the meantime, players have spent more time in Pokémon Unite, and the enhancement of items is currently causing criticism regarding fairness:
What you should do: However, I think it’s important to actively play quests and challenges; otherwise, you might run dry after a few purchases. Unless you want to reach for the real wallet, which personally does not come into play for me.
You obtain new Pokémon through licenses in the shop, which you can also earn.
The numerous side quests provide all sorts of resources that can initially seem overwhelming. Additionally, there’s the well-known motivation to log in to Pokémon Unite multiple times a day: You get login bonuses if you remain active for 14 days, and there are small missions that progress only each day.
I do not want to give a final judgment on fairness at this point. However, I have felt so far that you do not have to make annoying pauses in gameplay or that you cannot get the best monsters if you do not spend money. However, if you are into cosmetics, you must invest a lot of time or money.
Pokémon Unite has become my filler for the summer gap in just 3 hours
Since childhood, I have loved Pokémon – I have binge-played the Red Edition and the series with Ash two decades ago. But aside from occasional forays into Pokémon GO, I can do nothing with the cute monsters today.
Likewise, I have had a hard time with the Switch for some time now. A few rounds of Smash Bros. here, attempting Apex Legends in crossplay there… but I only really play shooters on my PS5. But thanks to Pokémon Unite, that has changed.
The easily learnable principle of the new MOBA is a lot of fun and makes me feel two decades younger. The next gaming time will definitely go to improving my Charizard skills in Pokémon Unite. And since it costs nothing, I can clearly recommend it. Especially now, in the chaotic early stage, where no one knows the meta and everyone is experimenting, it’s easy to get started.
Philipp Hansen Freelance author at MeinMMO
Have you already had your first rounds in the Pokémon MOBA and are also positively surprised? Or are you planning a foray now? If so, which Pokémon do you really want to play? Let us know in the comments.
At the beginning, you receive a message from the professor after almost every game, explaining a new feature. No one gets overwhelmed here. Sometimes your rank increases and you receive a new item, sometimes you get a new Pokémon or learn how to unlock cosmetics.
The most important thing: which Pokémon should I choose?
At the start of each round, you choose a Pokémon. If one of your 4 colleagues has chosen Venusaur, you cannot choose another Venusaur. Each monster is allowed only once per team. You then choose an active item (like an attack boost) and a passive item (like healing leftovers).
You can choose the monsters for which you have so-called licenses. Licenses can be obtained in the shop (with in-game earned currency) or by completing quests. Once unlocked, the Pokémon will always be available to you.
Alternatively, there is a rotation of monsters that you do not need to unlock but can still choose.
After just a few hours, I had a solid selection of 5 unlocked licenses: Snorlax, Charizard, Venusaur, Cloyster, and Zeraora. Additionally, the rotation offers me Machamp, Garchomp, Castellith, and Cinderace.
These 9 different Pokémon are available to me – the clock shows the free rotation
Overall, I see a total of 20 Pokémon licenses available at release. Also included are unusual monsters like Urgl, as well as favorites like Lucario. So, there is plenty of variety. And with high certainty, the roster will grow quickly after release.
Before you buy a Pokémon, of course, you can try it for free in training mode. I chose Charizard, who is an all-rounder and, as a fire-breathing (almost) dragon, is a hit. Next, I’m saving for the nasty Gengar while I spin my rounds as Venusaur, in case Charizard does not work out.
Here’s how the fighters differ: All Pokémon in Unite are assigned to different categories; we have fast attackers with melee attacks, but also slow tanks like Snorlax. You can see the exact status values in the character menu. In battle, the monsters also level up and become stronger; some start weak, like Charmander, and only become really powerful later (as Charizard).
Additionally, each monster has 3 individual attacks simultaneously: 2 attacks that each have a short cooldown, as well as one really strong attack that charges long and is only available to you at a higher level. With the 2 smaller attacks, you choose a suitable combo each round: Should your Charizard use Flamethrower, Fire Blast, or Dragon Claw? Each attack has different ranges, damage profiles, and cooldowns.
How fair is the free-to-play model in Pokémon Unite?
This is how I felt: From what I have seen so far, it is a quite fair model. You can only obtain all monsters through playing, and I already had a few monsters to choose from after a short time.
However, there is a shop for real money where you can buy cosmetics and the battle pass. You primarily need to spend real money to beautify your human character. As for Pokémon themselves, there are currently only a few skins. If you want to save time, you can also purchase Pokémon licenses this way.
The required currency for licenses was quite generously available during the time I spent in the game. As one might expect, the battle pass also offers a “free tier” that periodically provides rewards. And after a few rounds, you can receive a random premium item; for me, it was socks…
Postscript from July 26: In the meantime, players have spent more time in Pokémon Unite, and the enhancement of items is currently causing criticism regarding fairness:
What you should do: However, I think it’s important to actively play quests and challenges; otherwise, you might run dry after a few purchases. Unless you want to reach for the real wallet, which personally does not come into play for me.
You obtain new Pokémon through licenses in the shop, which you can also earn.
The numerous side quests provide all sorts of resources that can initially seem overwhelming. Additionally, there’s the well-known motivation to log in to Pokémon Unite multiple times a day: You get login bonuses if you remain active for 14 days, and there are small missions that progress only each day.
I do not want to give a final judgment on fairness at this point. However, I have felt so far that you do not have to make annoying pauses in gameplay or that you cannot get the best monsters if you do not spend money. However, if you are into cosmetics, you must invest a lot of time or money.
Pokémon Unite has become my filler for the summer gap in just 3 hours
Since childhood, I have loved Pokémon – I have binge-played the Red Edition and the series with Ash two decades ago. But aside from occasional forays into Pokémon GO, I can do nothing with the cute monsters today.
Likewise, I have had a hard time with the Switch for some time now. A few rounds of Smash Bros. here, attempting Apex Legends in crossplay there… but I only really play shooters on my PS5. But thanks to Pokémon Unite, that has changed.
The easily learnable principle of the new MOBA is a lot of fun and makes me feel two decades younger. The next gaming time will definitely go to improving my Charizard skills in Pokémon Unite. And since it costs nothing, I can clearly recommend it. Especially now, in the chaotic early stage, where no one knows the meta and everyone is experimenting, it’s easy to get started.
Philipp Hansen Freelance author at MeinMMO
Have you already had your first rounds in the Pokémon MOBA and are also positively surprised? Or are you planning a foray now? If so, which Pokémon do you really want to play? Let us know in the comments.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
On July 20, New World launched into Closed Beta. Since then, there has been a lot of feedback about the game. However, complaints are increasing that Amazon’s new MMO is putting a heavy load on hardware and causing overheating. Some owners of the Nvidia RTX 3090 even claim that New World is damaging the graphics card.
What’s going on? The beta of New World has started and many players have already been able to explore the world of Aeternum and share their experiences.
Update from July 22 at 08:00 AM: In the meantime, the developers have commented on the issue. Regarding concerns about graphics cards, they state that they received a few reports from players who played New World with high-end graphics cards that ended up breaking. “We have not seen any indications of widespread issues with 3090s, either in the beta or during our many months of alpha testing. You can safely play the New World Closed Beta […].
To provide players with more safety, the developers added an FPS limit in the menu with the latest patch.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
CPU and GPU utilization of almost 100% only through New World
What are the players criticizing? The reddit thread titled “My CPU has become suicidal” reports user AbuckB22 stating that the usage of his CPU in the queue of New World is said to be 100%. In addition, the temperature reportedly rises to over 100 degrees Celsius (via reddit).
However, he is not alone with this problem. Users Sunlitt (via reddit) and ignorantmuslim (via reddit) have each pointed out in their posts that the temperatures of their CPU and GPU are dangerously rising due to New World:
Has anyone else experienced something like this? I could not find an option to limit the FPS in the menu. I am experiencing crazy high temperatures and usage both on the GPU and CPU with the RTX 2060. I limit my FPS to 15 with Afterburner until the queue ends. Is there a different solution for this?
ignorantmuslim on reddit
Also in our own tests, it is noticeable that New World has very high consumption, and the GPU was utilized up to 98% (in the test, an Nvidia GTX 1070). However, we had fewer problems with the CPU (i7 4th generation):
GPU utilization at MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch.
The high loading of the graphics card is said to have even caused permanent damage to the graphics card for some players.
New World is even said to damage the new RTX 3090
What’s going on? The reddit user greyone78 reports that his graphics card has experienced a total failure (via reddit):
I just damaged a 3090 in the main menu after setting and saving my graphics quality to medium. I can’t believe it. Did anyone else experience such a catastrophic failure? I have been playing Cyberpunk [with the] 3090 for months on ultra. So this really doesn’t make any sense.
The thread features other users who also report a total failure of their graphics card; there is also a post on the topic in the official forum (via New World). In addition, Twitch streamer Gladd warned all users of the 3090 with a tweet:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Can anything be done about the problems? On reddit, many users recommend limiting the number of FPS to 30 or 60. In fact, limiting to 30 FPS has led to our test showing a GPU load of about 50%. Also, generally lowering the graphics reduces the overall load.
However, whether these tips help with CPU-related problems has not been confirmed yet. Despite limiting the FPS, users on reddit report that CPU usage is pushing towards 100%.
What does Amazon say? So far, there has been no statement from Amazon regarding the hardware issues surrounding New World. We at MeinMMO are keeping an eye on the situation and will inform you about further events.
What are your experiences with the hardware load of New World? Have you experienced similar problems?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
There is new information about the Hyperbonus in Pokémon GO. Details have been announced regarding which bonuses you will receive after the GO Fest 2021 – and a fan favorite is among them.
This is the Hyperbonus: Trainers around the world worked together to unlock a total of three Hyperbonuses during the GO Fest. For this, 24 global challenges had to be completed – successfully.
The first of the three Hyperbonuses, themed “Time”, starts on July 23, 2021, at 10:00 AM. It will run until August 3, 2021, 8:00 PM. This was announced on the Pokémon homepage (via pokemon.com).
During this period, trainers can expect monsters from various eras, limited research tasks, and some new Shinies. We will show you all the bonuses here.
This monster is included: The main attraction of the first Hyperbonus is the return of the legendary Time Pokémon Dialga. It will also be available for the first time in its Shiny form, if you’re lucky. Many trainers have been hoping for this for a long time. It will occupy the legendary raids at level 5 even until August 6, 2021.
On the left, you see the Shiny form of Dialga. Next to it is Palkia – which will appear in the second Hyperbonus
This is happening during the second bonus: In addition to the confirmation of Dialga for the first bonus, the release of Shiny Palkia has also been announced – but in the second Hyperbonus. This will run from August 6, 10:00 AM, to August 20, 10:00 AM.
Palkia is closely associated with the theme “Space” in the main games. Accordingly, it will dominate the level 5 raids during the “Space” Hyperbonus.
The other Pokémon: During the first Hyperbonus, other Shinies will also be encountered in the game alongside shiny Dialga. These include the shiny variants of Unown U, Shieldon, and Bastiodon.
The second Hyperbonus will then bring Shiny versions of Kangaskhan and Scyther.
LoL pro Jeong “Impact” Eon-young (26) has broken a record in League of Legends : He dominated his opponent in the top lane in a professional match like no other pro has done in the LCS before. His gold lead was already huge after 15 minutes.
What is this record? Impact has broken the record for “Gold Lead at the 15 Minute Mark in the LCS”:
The previous record was set by ADC Raes from Immortals against the bot laner of the struggling LoL team Counter Logic Gaming, WildTurtle: The old record gold lead after 15 minutes was 3,664 gold.
Impact (Evil Genius) had a lead of 4,121 gold pieces against his opponent FakeGod (Dignitas) after 15 minutes. He surpassed the old record by over 500 gold.
Impact played the lizard man Renekton; his opponent FakeGod was on the feared Volibear. In this match, however, Volibear did not seem like a snarling polar bear, Impact made him look like a cute bear.
A gold lead in LoL means that you can get better items than your opponent and thus become stronger. “Gold lead” is an important factor in who wins a game. A lead of over 4,000 gold means that you have “one thick endgame item” more than the opponent. This is a significant advantage. A gold lead is the result of better creep farming and participation in kills.
How dominant do you have to play for such a lead? After 15 minutes, Impact had the stats of 4/0/6: he never died, but got 4 kills and participated in 6 more. At that moment, Impact was involved in 10 of the 12 kills of Evil Geniuses against Dignitas.
The match was actually over after 10 minutes, as Impact had already had a gold lead of 2,801 over FakeGod – the highest lead anyone has ever had in any lane in LCS history, as LoLEsports Stats knows.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
“Clown Fiesta at the End” saves Opponent from Embarrassment
How bad was the opponent? For FakeGod, things were going terribly. Just before the end, he had 1/4/5 as catastrophic stats.
But in the end, the game turned into a Clown Fiesta. The mid laner of Evil Genius, Jizuke, made a joke out of teleporting his own team as Ryze into the enemy fountain: a planned suicide mission.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
In the latest snapshot of Minecraft Patch 1.18, mob spawners are becoming more dangerous. It’s time to unpack a lot of torches.
A few days ago, there was an initial experimental preview of the upcoming Minecraft Patch 1.18. Now, “Experimental Snapshot 2” has been released and is already making some fine adjustments. In addition to changes to the biomes, the difficulty is also being adjusted. Mob spawners will become a challenge as they can no longer be easily disabled.
What are mob spawners? Mob spawners are one of the first objects that have been around since the early days of Minecraft. These are cages that typically stand in small rooms and display a specific monster type inside – such as skeletons or spiders. Every few seconds, the mob spawner creates more of these monsters. This makes places with mob spawners dangerous, but also lucrative if one wants to farm loot from these monsters. Additionally, there is almost always a chest with extra rewards found at the mob spawner.
What was the problem? In the last snapshot, Minecraft was changed, so that monsters can now only appear in complete darkness. As soon as a block is illuminated by the slightest light source, no monster can spawn anymore. This is pretty cool for those who do not want to clutter their world with endless torches that only ruin the aesthetics.
However, this had the unfortunate side effect that mob spawners hardly pose a threat anymore. A single torch was enough to completely deactivate them. This will now be changed.
What adjustments will be made to the mob spawners? Mob spawners will get a special rule that excludes them from the usual spawn conditions. In the future, mob spawners can create enemies as long as the lighting on nearby blocks is at light level 11 or lower. Since the maximum light level in Minecraft is 15, it will require a lot of torches or other light sources to reliably deactivate a mob spawner.
What else is changing? Besides the mob spawner, the snapshot has brought a lot of new features, mainly bug fixes or adjustments to better align the world with the changes from the previous versions. Highlights include:
The creation of biomes has been improved, and there should be fewer “micro-biomes” scattered everywhere.
Clouds are now at level 192 (previously level 128) to avoid cutting off so many mountains.
Beaches are now larger and extend further into the land. However, not every shore is a beach, making them somewhat rarer.
The height of the tallest mountain peaks has been raised. The tallest mountains can now reach up to level 260.
Ore veins are slightly bigger and more frequent, as players have encountered them too infrequently.
The gigantic cave entrances are slightly smaller, and the caves now less frequently span from the surface to level 0.
The YouTuber wattles showcases many of the changes in his latest video so you can get an impression for yourself:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Can you play the snapshot? Yes. However, you can’t start it directly via the Minecraft launcher; instead, you need to manually download and install the snapshot. You can find the link for this in the sources indicated below this article.
What do you think of the many adjustments? Are you really excited for Patch 1.18? Or are you still missing a highlight?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Valve has announced the Steam Deck, a handheld console for their Steam games. You can access your Steam library on the go and play your favorite PC games. A large part of you wants to get the most expensive version right away.
Here’s what it’s about: The Steam Deck is the latest handheld, set to be released in December 2021. It will allow you to access your Steam games while on the go or just lounging on the couch.
The news caused quite a stir in the gaming community, and we wanted to know how you feel about the Steam Deck. In a survey, we asked whether you would buy the device.
This is how you voted: A total of 3,546 readers participated in the voting at the time of evaluation on July 21, 2021. Each could cast exactly one vote; multiple selections were not possible.
When asked if you want to buy the Steam Deck, you responded as follows:
Yes, the 512GB version – 29.7 %
No, I do not want to buy the Steam Deck – 27.35 %
I am still undecided – 24.9 %
Yes, the 256GB version – 13.99 %
Yes, the 64GB version – 4.06 %
It’s immediately noticeable that the majority of participants will directly buy the most expensive version of the Steam Deck. Almost one in three wants to buy the 512GB version, which will be available for just under €680. The smaller versions of 256GB and 64GB are only slightly above 14% and just 4%. Storage space plays a vital role for most of you when it comes to the Steam Deck, and you are willing to pay the corresponding price for it.
About 27% of you have no interest in the Steam Deck and will not purchase any of the three different versions. About a quarter is still undecided.
More about Steam and Steam Deck on MeinMMO can be found here:
This is what you say about the Steam Deck: In the comments, the mood was more sober. Many of you expressed skepticism about the “Mobile Steam” concept under the articles about the Steam Deck. Concerns were mainly about the performance of the handheld. FPS, resolution, and battery life were mentioned as important factors, but warnings were also given against the “teething problems” of new hardware.
MeinMMO reader Alexander wrote:
I’m going to take it easy and wait until the console hits the market, and then wait until the first teething issues are resolved. Until then, I’ll casually follow along and see what else happens. I also don’t want to play the beta tester for unfinished products. I’ve experienced that too often and paid the price.
However, there were also positive voices looking forward to the release of the Steam Deck. This part of the readers commented that they will pre-order the handheld, have already done so, or are annoyed that they unfortunately missed out on pre-orders.
Awesome. Best announcement ever in a long time. I can understand that many stationary gamers do not need this. As a casual who is often on the go, it’s fantastic!
MeinMMO reader Misterpanda
That many are upset about the storage. I have definitely reserved one.
MeinMMO reader Florian
The most expensive version is the most popular
What other communities are saying: The same survey was also conducted on our sister sites GameStar and GamePro and the results there were similar. While GameStar readers are rather averse to the console, one in four users still wants to buy the most expensive version of the Steam Deck.
Surveys on Steam Deck: Left GamePro, right GameStar.
At GamePro, the numbers are almost identical to MeinMMO. With 30%, the majority wants the 512GB version, while non-buyers and undecided occupy places 2 and 3.
In general, the trend is clear. For the majority of Steam Deck buyers, only the largest version with 512 GB of storage is an option.
What do you think about the results? Did you expect it so, or do you find it surprising? Let us know in the comments.
Today, on July 21, 2021, there is a raid hour with Mewtwo in Pokémon GO. We have taken a look and summarized which counters you should use and whether the raid hour is worth it.
What is a raid hour? In Pokémon GO, a one-hour raid event takes place for trainers every Wednesday. During this hour, Level 5 raids start in almost all gyms, where you can encounter legendary or mythical Pokémon.
This week, you will encounter the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo as the raid boss in Level 5 raids. We will show you which counters you should use against this monster.
Raid Hour with Mewtwo – Information and Counters
When does it start? The raid hour with Mewtwo starts today at 6:00 PM local time. You will already see black raid eggs over the gyms that will hatch on time. After an hour, at 7:00 PM, the event will end, and the raids will become less.
Is there shiny Mewtwo? Yes, the shiny variant of Mewtwo is already available in the game. You can recognize it, as shown in the picture, by the green coloration of its belly and tail.
Mewtwo normal (left) and shiny (right)
These counters should you use: Mewtwo is a legendary Pokémon of the Psychic type. It is thus weak against Bug, Ghost, or Dark-type attacks. You should take advantage of this in the raid and use suitable Pokémon. We will show you which ones are best suited:
Pokémon
Moveset
(Crypto-) Mewtwo
Psycho Cut & Shadow Ball
(Crypto-) Tyranitar
Bite & Crunch
(Crypto-) Sableye
Foul Play & Snatch
Giratina – Origin Form
Shadow Claw & Shadow Ball
Chandelure
Hex & Shadow Ball
Darkrai
Foul Play & Shadow Ball
(Crypto)- Houndoom
Foul Play & Snatch
Yveltal
Foul Play & Dark Pulse
(Crypto-) Pinsir
Bug Bite & X-Scissor
(Crypto-) Absol
Foul Play & Dark Pulse
Of course, you can also use your Mega Pokémon against Mewtwo. The following monsters are particularly effective:
Mega-Gengar with Shadow Claw & Shadow Ball
Mega-Houndoom with Foul Play & Snatch
Mega-Gyarados with Bite & Crunch
How many trainers do you need? If you use the most effective counters against Mewtwo, you can beat the raid with just three trainers. However, we recommend at least four players to battle. In a larger group, the fight against Mewtwo is a bit more relaxed.
With the help of Remote Raid Passes, you can also invite your friends to the raid or participate in other locations.
Is the raid hour worth it?
Anyone familiar with the original series knows that Mewtwo is a very special Pokémon, as it was created through genetic manipulation. It is very popular in the game, yet it is one of the rarer Pokémon.
Moreover, Mewtwo boasts very high Attack stats. Its Defense and Stamina stats are also impressive. It is among the best attackers in Pokémon GO and can be used without hesitation in raids and the PvP league.
So if you don’t have Mewtwo in your collection yet, you should definitely take your chance. But even for those who have already collected several specimens, it’s a good opportunity to grab another strong one. A shiny Mewtwo could also be possible.
Additionally, the raid hour today is very well suited to collect Mewtwo candies. You need these to power up your strong Mewtwo.
Furthermore, Mewtwo has two Mega Evolutions in the main games, which have also caused speculation in Pokémon GO due to a recently emerged image. It is conceivable that these will also be implemented in the game in the long term.
What’s next? Mewtwo will only be available in raids until July 23, 2021, at 10:00 AM. So far, there is no information on when you will have the opportunity to encounter this legendary monster again. Which Pokémon will take Mewtwo’s place in the raids is also not yet known.
Will you participate in the raid hour with Mewtwo today? And which Pokémon do you hope to see as the next raid boss for the Level 5 raids? Feel free to leave us a comment here on MeinMMO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Twitch streamer “AnnieFuchsia” is streaming the beta of Amazon Games MMORPG New World and gets banned live. The trigger: a cow. We tell you what happened.
What happened here? The MMORPG New World by Amazon Games started its beta test on July 20, 2021. Many streamers took the opportunity to stream the game live on Twitch. Among them was the Swedish and English-speaking streamer “AnnieFuchsia”.
While AnnieFuchsia was fighting her way through the starting areas of Aeternum, the continent where New World is set, she came across a cow. She took the opportunity to milk the cow to obtain milk, which players use for crafting in the game.
But then a message pops up: She is permanently banned.
Who is the streamer? AnnieFuchsia regularly streams MMORPGs on Twitch. She currently has about 285,000 followers, and her most streamed games are World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV.
Update July 21, 2021, 3:40 PM: The article has been updated with information about the background of the ban.
After milking comes the unexpected message
This is why the ban attracts so much attention: The moment AnnieFuchsia finishes milking, she receives some bottles of milk put into her inventory, as intended by the game. Suddenly, an official message from New World appears on her screen, informing her that she has just been permanently banned.
Completely taken by surprise and not understanding why she was just banned, she can only utter “What?” for a few seconds. Then she starts laughing and notices that her “permanent ban” is not even spelled correctly.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Was she able to continue her stream?After some time, she finally regained access to her account, but she still couldn’t continue her New World stream. The queue to get back into the game was simply too long.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
However, AnnieFuchsia takes the entire incident with humor. Currently, on July 21 at 2:00 PM, she is streaming Final Fantasy XIV and has set it up so that for a donation of 5,000 stream points, a “moo” can be played in the stream.
Queue issues in New World are a problem: The long queues were not only a problem for the streamer. At launch, many beta players spent their time primarily in queues, as you can read in our official ticker on the beta.
The streamer is not alone with the ban
This is behind the ban: A flaw in the game’s ban system caused several other streamers, in addition to AnnieFuchsia, to be permanently banned for a brief period. Among them was also the German streamer Gronkh. The streamers were put on a whitelist so they could bypass the long login queues of New World and play directly. This apparently caused the ban error in the system.
How about you? Have you also triggered an unexpected ban in Amazon’s New World, for example, by milking a cow like here? Or have you had other funny experiences? Feel free to share them with us in the comments!
We show you here the appearance and prices of the previously unreleased cars from the tuner update of GTA Online, Los Santos Tuners.
What cars are these? On July 20, GTA Online released the “Los Santos Tuners” DLC, which is now available for free download. The developers already announced in advance that 17 new cars would be part of the update. However, only ten of them were released at launch.
The last seven vehicles from the “Los Santos Tuners” update will now be released gradually over the next few weeks. Through data mining, you can already see the unreleased cars. The prices are also available.
What we know about the new cars from Los Santos Tuners
Where do the info come from? YouTuber Broughy1322 is known for thoroughly testing the cars from GTA Online. He tests the top speed and best lap times for each new car. He is regarded as the expert for cars in the community.
In a new video, he presents the unreleased cars from Legendary Motorsport and SouthernSanAndreasSuperAutos in more detail. This way you get a visual impression and also know the purchase price.
What are the prices? The purchase price for the cars is unlocked by increasing your reputation level at the LS Car Meet. With every 5 levels, you unlock the purchase price of one of the vehicles and can then buy it.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
What does the car cost? As a regular price, you pay 1,878,000 GTA dollars for it. If you buy the car at the purchase price, you only need to shell out about 1.4 million dollars.
Dealer: Legendary Motorsport
2. Emperor Vectre (Sports Car)
What does the car cost? As a regular price, you pay 1,785,000 GTA dollars for it. If you buy the car at the purchase price, you only have to shell out 1,338,750 million dollars.
Dealer: Legendary Motorsport
3. Pfister Growler (Sports Car)
What does the car cost? If you buy the Growler at the regular price, it costs you 1,627,000 GTA dollars. If you have enough reputation points and can buy it at the purchase price, the price is reduced to 1,220,250 GTA dollars.
Dealer: Legendary Motorsport
4. Übermacht Cypher (Sports Car)
What does the car cost? If you buy the sports car at the regular price, you need to pay 1,550,000 notes. If you earn the purchase price, you only have to pay 1,162,500 GTA dollars for the Cypher.
Dealer: Legendary Motorsport
5. Vapid Dominator ASP (Muscle)
What does the car cost? On the dealer’s list, the car is listed for 1,775,000 GTA dollars. The purchase price is only about 1.3 million GTA dollars.
Dealer: SouthernSanAndreasSuperAutos
6. Karin Sultan RS Classic (Sports Car)
What does the car cost? If you do not unlock the purchase price for the car, you have to pay 1,789,000 GTA dollars for it. If you buy it with the purchase price, you only have to shell out about 1.3 million GTA dollars.
Dealer: SouthernSanAndreasSuperAutos
7. Karin Previon (Coupe)
What does the car cost? The normal list price for the Karin Previon is 1,490,000 GTA dollars. However, if you unlock the purchase price, the acquisition costs only 1,117,500 GTA dollars.
Dealer: SouthernSanAndreasSuperAutos
In what order will the cars be released?
According to data miners, the cars will be released in the order shown here in GTA Online. However, this refers to the dealers. However, it is unclear when each dealer will be up. Therefore, it may be that the Vapid Dominator ASP is released first and then the Pfister Comet S2.
This can change repeatedly. However, according to data miners, it is clear that the order of the dealers will be maintained. The Previon or the Sultan RS Classic will not be released before the Dominator ASP.
When is the first new car coming? Every Thursday, starting July 29, one of the new cars should be released. This drip feed will thus extend over 7 weeks.
What do you think of these new cars that are supposed to be released in the coming weeks in GTA Online? Do you think it’s good that a further version of the Karin Sultan is being brought, or would you prefer entirely new models in the game?
Let us know your thoughts on the cars here on MeinMMO in the comments.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Radeon RX 6600 XT is set to be a mid-range graphics card from AMD in 2021. MeinMMO presents all the important information about the RX 6600 XT and explains who should keep an eye on this graphics card.
Here’s what it’s about: AMD released several new graphics cards at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. The Radeon RX 6700 XT is currently the smallest graphics card in terms of performance, excluding mobile graphics cards.
After AMD finally released its DLSS alternative, FSR, in early July, many users are waiting for a smaller graphics card.
What is the RX 6600 XT? This is expected to be a mid-range graphics card from AMD. The graphics card sits below the RX 6700 XT and is likely to deliver performance for Full HD gaming with reserves for WQHD resolutions (1440p).
What speaks for an RX 6600 XT? There have already been some leaks about the graphics card in recent months. There were, for example, the first images of a graphics card that is said to be the RX 6600 XT (via videocardz.com). Also, initial leaks about various benchmarks indicate a mid-range graphics card from AMD.
Furthermore, AMD has only positioned its RX 6000 series in the upper mid-range and high-end sector. Here, Nvidia is much broader at the lower end with the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti.
What you will find in this article: MeinMMO presents all the information and rumors we currently know about AMD’s RX 6600 XT. However, please note that nothing has been officially announced yet, as AMD has not made an official announcement about the graphics card. If AMD officially presents the graphics card, we will update the article for you.
In the title image, you see an RX 6700 XT, as there is no official material available for the RX 6600 XT yet.
Radeon RX 6600 XT Release
There is currently no official release date. However, some sources speculate about when the graphics card could be released.
When can you buy the RX 6600 XT? The website Fudzilla cites August 11 as the release date for the graphics card (via fudzilla.com). This refers to a manufacturer who, according to the source, intends to release their graphics cards on August 11.
It is very likely that there will still be an official announcement from AMD before the release.
Radeon RX 6600 XT Price
What will the graphics card cost? The Radeon RX 6700 XT had a recommended retail price of 479 euros. It is certain that the Radeon RX 6600 XT will cost less than the RX 6700 XT.
Some sources speculate that the RX 6600 XT will be launched at a suggested retail price of 399 euros.
With this price, it would position itself between the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti, which have suggested retail prices of 329 euros and 499 euros respectively (via hothardware.com).
Graphics Card Model
Recommended Retail Price
GeForce RTX 3060
329 euros
Radeon RX 6600 XT
399 euros (speculation, no official MSRP)
Radeon RX 6700 XT
479 euros
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
499 euros
When can you pre-order the RX 6600 XT? During the last graphics card releases, sales started either at 3 PM or 5 PM. So if you want to buy an RX 6600 XT, keep an eye out on August 11.
Radeon RX 6600 XT Specs
What are the specs of the RX 6600 XT? According to Videocardz, the graphics card is expected to have 2,048 streaming processors (via videocardz.com). The RX 6600 XT is said to provide a 128-bit memory interface, which also, according to leaks, delivers a lower memory bandwidth compared to the RX 6700 XT.
Currently, we do not know either the official base or boost clock of the graphics card. The power consumption (TDP) is also still unknown.
How much video memory does the RX 6600 XT have? There is discussion about various sizes. There are speculations that the graphics card will come with 6, 8, or 12 GB.
With 12 GB of video memory, the RX 6600 XT would be more competitive with the RTX 3060, making it a better option than the RTX 3060 Ti, which only offers 8 GB of video memory.
Radeon RX 6600 XT vs RTX 3060 Ti
How fast will the RX 6600 XT be? Some leaks have already shown that the performance of the RX 6600 XT is expected to be at the level of an RTX 3060 Ti (via tomshardware.com).
A Chinese leaker even published some benchmark results that are said to show that the RX 6600 XT is more than comparable to the RTX 3060 Ti (via videocardz.com). However, you should view these benchmarks with a healthy dose of skepticism.
However, there are also speculations that AMD may aim more towards the RTX 3060. This way, there would be room for an RX 6700 without XT to fill the gap between the RX 6600 XT and the RX 6700 XT. If the RX 6600 XT were actually to deliver performance on par with an RTX 3060 Ti, it would create competition for AMD’s own RX 6700 XT.
For whom the RX 6700 XT is worth it and how it compares to the RTX 3070 can be read in our overview on MeinMMO:
Buying Radeon RX 6600 XT – what is the availability like?
This is the current situation: All graphics cards are still priced significantly higher than the recommended retail price. However, there is a trend towards lower prices.
What about the RX 6600 XT? Due to the current tense situation in the hardware market, we expect that the RX 6600 XT will also be only limitedly available at launch and that you will most likely not be able to buy the graphics card at the recommended retail price from many official retailers.
What do you think? Would you buy an RX 6600 XT or are you satisfied with the already announced graphics cards, provided you could get one at a fair price?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
