CoD Cold War shows Mid-Season Patch Notes – The zombie festival begins

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will release its Mid-Season Update for Season 4 on Thursday, July 15. The patch notes are now available online and MeinMMO highlights the most important changes.

What’s happening in Cold War? Particularly fans of the zombie mode have been waiting for the update – with “Mauer der Toten” finally comes the 3rd survival map to Black Ops Cold War, and it takes place in Berlin. But the Mid-Season has even more to offer:

  • Zombie map “Mauer der Toten”
  • New perk, new equipment, and balancing in zombie mode
  • 2 new weapons – OTs 9 and Club
  • Nuke killstreak in multiplayer
  • New 6vs6 map “Rush”
  • New modes in multiplayer
  • Expanded rewards for the prestige shop

The important changes and details about the update are shown by MeinMMO in the overview. We embed the roadmap here:

cod warzone cold war mid season 4 roadmap

Cold War: Info on the Mid-Season Update for Season 4

When does the Mid-Season 4 start? The mid-season content goes live on Thursday, July 15 at 6 AM our time.

Is there a pre-load? Yes, and it is already active. If you want to be ready for the start of the mid-season or just want to download the update, start the download now. The content will only be available on Thursday morning.

How big is the update? It depends on your platform. The developers state the following update sizes:

  • PlayStation 5: 17.9 GB
  • PlayStation 4: 14.5 GB
  • Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S: 21.3 GB
  • Xbox One: 11.4 GB
  • PC: 13.0 GB / 21.2 GB (with HD pack)

What about Warzone? You can find info about the mid-season in Warzone here.

Cold War with content boost for zombie fans

What’s coming for the zombie mode? The fight against the undead continues, and the highlight is undoubtedly the new survival map “Mauer der Toten”. Since the release of “Firebase Z” in February, zombie fans have been waiting for the next round-based map in Cold War, and finally it’s here. Developer “Treyarch” has also released a big trailer for the new zombie map:

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However, keep in mind: Like with previous major “Easter Egg” releases, the unlocking of the “Main Easter Egg” is slightly delayed. You can only start hunting the secrets of “Mauer der Toten” from 7 PM on Thursday – before that, it’s pure zombie slaughter.

What’s coming along? Besides the large map, there are new toys for the zombie mode:

In addition, new challenges, secret data to unlock, weapon balance adjustments (only zombie mode), and damage adjustments for equipment will come. If you want to read more about the changes, you can find the English patch notes here (via treyarch.com).

Nuke Streak, League Play, new weapons – There’s more

What does multiplayer get? The mid-season 4 is definitely a zombie party, but multiplayer isn’t left out. Particularly a “new” scorestreak is likely to make some players smile – as the nuclear bomb is now available in most multiplayer modes.

If you get 30 kills in a row without dying, you will receive the nuke killstreak and can end the match in favor of your team. With a big bang. Exclusions apply for League Play and matches with CDL rules, as well as multi-team matches, party games, and small skirmishes.

With the start of the mid-season, you can also look forward to the new 6vs6 map “Rush”. The map is from Black Ops II and resembles a paintball field. Additionally, the mode “Paintball Moshpit” will be introduced during the mid-season, which will make the bullet effects in the game a bit more colorful.

At the start of the mid-season, the classic mode “Capture the Flag” will go online, and with “Cranked Kill Confirmed” a new variant of “Uplifted” will be available, where you need to collect the dog tags from your kills.

Additional changes:

  • 2 new weapons: submachine gun OTs 9 and a vicious melee club
  • In the prestige shop you can buy weapon blueprints for your keys
  • For the first challenge completed in a day, you will receive an XP token
  • New rewards for your achievements in “League Play” (during the mid-season)
  • Adjustments to the sights & optics of the assault rifles Krig 6, XM4, QBZ-83, FFAR 1
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The mid-season 4 opens a new chapter in the zombie mode and even brings Call of Duty to Germany. The zombie community is excited about the new map, and many players can’t wait to finally storm the wall.

Zombie fans may continue to enjoy Cold War even after the release of a new Call of Duty in 2021. Leaks suggest that Cold War could continue to receive content in 2022 – and zombies are at the top of the list.

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

Amazon reportedly had 24,000 PS5 consoles for Prime members – demand apparently huge

Today, you could briefly buy a PS5 on Amazon. The PS5 is now sold out again, but many have received a console. However, the offer still was not enough to meet the entire demand.

Today, you could buy a PlayStation 5 on Amazon, but the console is now sold out again. Looking at social media like Twitter, it seems many customers actually received a PlayStation 5.

The Amazon offer involved a larger quantity of PS5 consoles, as most drops are over within a few minutes and few interested parties actually get a console. For some users, the search for a PS5 has become a real hunt.

Nevertheless, the demand was apparently so huge that there were problems. Some users could not access the offer page or the page did not load properly. This also shows how many users still want a console.

How long was the PS5 available? According to our colleagues at GameStar, the PS5 drop lasted about 30 minutes, after which all PS5 consoles were sold out again.

This may also be because the offer with the PS5 with disc drive was available only for Prime members.

How many consoles were there at Amazon? While we do not have exact numbers for how many consoles were ultimately sold, rumors suggest about 24,000 consoles (via GameStar.de).

Thousands of PS5 consoles are not enough to meet the demand

The sold-out PS5 on Amazon again shows that many users are still looking for a PlayStation 5 and probably are not willing to pay inflated scalper prices. And even in our comments, we see that many users are still searching for a next-gen console.

At the beginning, the shortage was due not only to Corona but also to major issues that Sony was facing.

What is the current situation? Buying a PS5 is still a test of patience for all users who would like to own one. Most PS5 drops have been very small, and larger drops are long overdue. Last week, there was a PS5 drop at MediaMarkt with a slightly larger quantity, and on June 29, there were larger drops at Otto and Saturn.

Reliable information is usually not available from any retailer, so we have no choice but to monitor the market. Also, there are rarely concrete hints about numbers.

However, the situation is getting better. For instance, Gameswirtschaft tweeted that the quantities of PS5 consoles increased significantly in June and July:

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If you are interested in a next-gen console, keep your eyes open. Currently, the chances are high that you can get a PS5.

What you should consider: On Amazon, it helps if you add the PS5 in any version to your wishlist. If there is another PS5 drop, you will get through the ordering process much faster and avoid some error messages than if you go through the product page directly.

Have you had success already? Let us know in the comments.

If you have not received a PS5 console yet, check our PS5 ticker on MeinMMO. Here we keep you updated and report if there is a PS5 drop.

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

Pokémon GO is currently having shop issues – Plan better in time for the GO Fest

The GO Fest in Pokémon GO is just around the corner, but there are apparently problems with the in-game shop right now. Some trainers may experience delays.

This is the problem: According to Niantic Support on Twitter, some trainers may currently face issues with the shop. It seems that problems can occur when items are purchased in the shop.

A small percentage of trainers may experience a delay of up to 72 hours after an in-app purchase before the item appears in their item bag. Please keep this in mind as we approach the Pokémon GO Fest.

Niantic Support via Twitter

What if I am affected? In a blog post, Niantic explains that trainers should reach out if they have not received their item after more than 72 hours or cannot access an event due to this problem.

In this case, players should contact support with their purchase receipt and the email address of their Pokémon GO account directly.

Shop problems could affect GO Fest

What does this mean for the GO Fest? Among other things, trainers who want to fully participate in the GO Fest can purchase an event ticket in the shop. The event starts on Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 AM and ends on April 18 at 8:00 PM.

If there is indeed a 72-hour delay in purchasing, it could get tight with the event start.

At the same time, it is possible to buy items like remote raid passes, Poké Balls, incense, and everything else useful in the game for PokéCoins in the shop. Especially for the GO Fest, there may be a need for a raid pass or balls on short notice.

Finally, there will be plenty of monsters to catch, and on Sunday is the raid day with all legendary Pokémon. It would be frustrating if the items arrive too late after being purchased.

However, it should be noted that there will be a lot of raid passes from research and PokéStops at the GO Fest. So it should still be possible to get raid passes without the shop.

Raids Pokémon GO
Raids will be important over the weekend – You’ll need passes

How can you prepare now? First of all, this problem is only likely to affect a small portion of trainers – so it’s quite possible that you won’t experience delays in the shop when buying items. At the same time, it should be noted that there have been issues in the past during the GO Fest. For example, in 2020, an additional replacement event had to take place because the GO Fest didn’t run smoothly.

If you haven’t bought a ticket yet but were planning to participate and want to be completely sure, you should consider purchasing the ticket now.

Regarding the items: You might also consider buying a few in advance if that’s what you were planning to do anyway. For example, if you planned to stock up on balls or Pokémon storage for the GO Fest, you should consider doing that sooner.

Furthermore, trainers should possibly save their currently available items like lucky eggs, incense or raid passes until the weekend. Just in case there really isn’t any restocking from the shop over the weekend.

To what extent the issues at the GO Fest will ultimately unfold remains to be seen. Additionally, you can still get the basic items through gifts, PokéStops or gym discs.

What else can you expect about the GO Fest, find out in our overview of the event.

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

New MMORPG on Steam goes its own way – wants to be small, cozy and for role players

The new Steam MMORPG Book of Travels (Windows//Mac/Linux) impresses with features that are uncommon in the genre. Among other things, it has only 30 people on a server. Thus, the “massive” becomes “tiny,” as Book of Travels aims to be a TMORPG.

What is a TMORPG? The abbreviation TMORPG stands for Tiny Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. The developer has thus removed and replaced the “massive.” In Book of Travels, a maximum of 30 players play together on one server.

It is intended that on your journey, you may encounter other players, but they will not be a permanent part of the game if you don’t want them to be. So if you meet another player, you can decide, like in Journey, whether you want to go with them or continue your journey alone.

The reference to Journey is no coincidence, as the interaction between players is also similar. The game does not offer a chat for communication but relies entirely on emotes. The developers hope to achieve a special type of bonding between players this way.

Your characters are also meant to build a bond together, as in Book of Travels you are not just clicking through a world with one character but becoming the character. The emphasis in the game is clearly on RPG, as you can expect a real role-playing experience here.

Here we see the latest announcement trailer for the game:

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How does character creation work? The game is supposed to offer more than 20 different appearances and a particularly detailed character sheet. The focus of character creation is on personality and identity. More classic attributes and “classes” are meant to play a lesser role.

The developers place great importance on players experiencing the game as the character they want to be and having a true role-playing experience, where they can immerse themselves in their role and the world of Book of Travels.

Nevertheless, the game features a skill tree that can shine with over 300 skills. You can unlock these as usual by earning experience. This works through exploration, gathering, trading, and combat.

What else is in Book of Travels?

What gameplay features will there be? The game primarily attracts with world exploration and a focus on role-playing, but that’s not all it has to offer. The following gameplay aspects are included in the game:

  • Detailed character creation
  • The ability to play cooperatively through various talents
  • More and more emotes to unlock for interaction with other players
  • You encounter far fewer players than in a regular MMORPG, but these encounters are supposed to be more interesting
  • An immersive world that tells a story worth exploring
  • A refined trading system for better role-playing
  • Exciting battles and magical creatures
  • The ability to improve your character by trading

Despite the 300 skills that can be learned and the promises of exciting combat, Book of Travels is not supposed to focus on battles. Regarding the distribution of experience points in combat, the developer emphasizes: “Fights can be rewarding, but you learn more from defeat than from victory.”

There is no detailed information on this yet, so we can only speculate about combat at this point. It is also unknown how many of the 300 skills will be intended and suitable for combat. However, throughout his presentation, the developer clearly emphasizes his main focus on world exploration and not just playing a character, but your character. (via Book of Travels)

This is the unique graphics style: Another exciting feature of Book of Travels is the graphics style. It feels a bit like you can play a painting. In fact, the backgrounds and maps of the 2.5D graphics are hand-drawn.

By the way, you will move with the mouse in the drawn world of Book of Travels. And not just left and right, but also up and down. So you have three-dimensional movements on a two-dimensional background.

How does it play? The main focus of the game is on discovering the world and its story. The story is not told linearly but is supposed to be conveyed by the world and function through loosely connected events. The main story is divided into several chapters that are supposed to run over a certain period.

The system works similarly to the Living World Season 1 from Guild Wars 2. Here, a continuous story is told through world events, but this brings the significant disadvantage that players who start later can no longer play the old story events.

The developers are aware of this problem, and they offer a solution for it – as a player who starts later, you can watch the past events in small cutscenes. However, you cannot actually play the events anymore.

A first insight into the actual gameplay of the game is provided by the developer himself in an approximately 30-minute video. You can see how he creates his character and then moves through the world.

Additionally, there are first glimpses into the various systems and menus of Book of Travels. You can already see how the trading works.

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When can you play it? There is currently no release date, but the game will launch into the Early Access program on Steam on August 9. (via Steam). 

You can still pre-order Book of Travels until the start of the Early Access program via Kickstarter. The cheapest package costs €23.50 and gives you access to the game, your name in the game credits, and a free copy of the game Meadow, which was developed by the same studio.

The most expensive package currently costs €70 and offers 21 games and DLCs from the studio, an invitation to a Discord party with the developers, and some digital artworks as well as the complete soundtrack of the game. (via Backerkit.com)

What does the community say about the game?

How is the announcement received? The developers were able to attract over 7000 supporters on Kickstarter and raise over €240,000 for their game. The reactions were mostly positive, as their previous game Meadow also relied on a similar way of communication between players.

On reddit, the announcement of the game has also been very well received so far. Especially the unique graphics style appeals to many users:

  • “The graphics style is so beautiful that I will support the game, even though it’s not personally for me.” – stokastic_variable (via reddit)
  • “After playing Meadow, I see that you [developer] really know how to make social interaction in online games unforgettable. Funny that it is a more rewarding social experience in Meadow than being mute animals walking across a pasture and doing nothing than being in a city with hundreds of players.” – YOUR_DEAD_TAMAGOTCHI (via reddit)
  • “I think this is exactly the game I have been waiting for.” – TheCanadalorian (via Twitter)

What do the negative opinions say? Of course, there are not only positive opinions about the game, and we want to disclose both sides as well.

  • A user named Redthrist (via reddit) writes: “How small are we talking about? How rare should one encounter other players? […] I hope it’s not like No Man’s Sky and you never actually meet other players.”
  • The user FUCKDRM has a problem with the transparency of the developers and writes (via reddit): “I have the Secret Cultist rank [a limited-time rank received as a Kickstarter supporter] and I still wonder how it works, and everything you’ve said so far is very vague.”
  • Also, the graphics style is not appealing to everyone, as Kyle Jennings (via Facebook) writes: “You lost me with the 2D graphics… Still, good luck.”

However, upon closer inspection of the linked threads on Twitter, reddit, and Facebook, it quickly becomes clear that the overall mood is very positive, and many people are looking forward to the fresh wind that Book of Travels promises.

What do you think of Book of Travels? Do you find the graphics style appealing or off-putting? Did you perhaps even support the game on Kickstarter? Let us know in the comments.

Are you still looking for more to look forward to? These are the 15 currently best MMOs and MMORPGs in 2021.

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

Destiny 2 is now selling armor with God Roll at a low price – But you have to be quick

In Destiny 2 you can buy a really rare armor from Ada, which is a must-buy this week at a low price. The high stat values are ideal for all Warlocks, and players say: “Get several right away.”

You should buy this quickly: All Warlocks should pay a visit to Ada-1 in the Tower. The Exo-lady has been selling a genuine God-Roll armor since the reset on July 13 . MeinMMO tells you why you’ve never had such easy access to such a strong armor and why the item is ideal for builds.

  • With the ongoing Season 14, Bungie has repurposed Ada and gives her random armor items and mods every week.
  • Actually, the vendors’ inventory stays the same for a week – so this time until July 20.
  • However, on July 15, an update for Destiny 2 will be released (via Twitter). After an update, it has happened before that the vendor inventory changed. So take no risks and buy the God-Roll armor quickly.
  • The offer is also quite cheap: 25 Legendary Shards and 1,000 Glimmer is a bargain.

Ideally, you have until next Tuesday, July 20, to grab the armor. Now more on why you should take the plunge.

High-stat armor for Warlocks is a must-buy this week

Here’s why the armor is so good: The chest piece hits 61 when you add up all the stats. The high distribution of stats of +28 and +25 on Recovery and Intellect are ideal for Warlocks and the real highlight. These are the two most important stats for space mages.

Look at this stat distribution

Recovery directly influences how quickly you have your class ability, the Rift (For Titans, that would be Resilience, for Hunters Mobility). And Intellect makes your super, the strongest ability in Destiny 2, recharge faster.

The good thing is that with this armor you can optimize builds perfectly. Because over 100, you don’t need to push any stat, since you don’t get any further bonuses above 100. Normally, distributions per stat are about 10+, sometimes at 15+. This gives you space for important mods or lets you equip other armors that are not so well rolled.

As a Masterwork, you get another +12 on the stats (+2 per stat). With mods, this can be further increased. If you equip a regular stat mod and “Powerful Friends,” you’ll break the 100 stat barrier.

Unfortunately, the offer is really only for Warlocks – for Titans and Hunters, Ada only has ordinary armors for sale.

“Buy more than just one” Rarely have God-Rolls been this easy in Destiny 2

You can infuse Ada’s armor infinitely high, so you can also use it in later expansions. Right after the reset, Guardians quickly recommended to buy:

  • Some players even say you should indulge in more than just one copy of the God-Roll armor (via reddit). After all, the armor is cheap, and you can cover all elements this way.
  • The well-known YouTuber CammyCakes also praises the armor – he pokes fun at his colleagues who notoriously oversell everything: “S-TIER GODMODE PRIME OMEGA chest piece at Ada. It guarantees to improve your KD,” is the title of his video on the offer. (via YouTube). In the video, Cammy also raves about the armor and declares it a must-buy.

Can it get any better? Theoretically, yes. Armors from the Iron Banner, from raids, and the dungeon or Exotics are often equipped with stat values over 60.

From many endgame activities, “High-stat armor” can also drop. That’s what armors are called that exceed the total stat values of about 60. However, it’s possible – and very likely – that these other armors then distribute their 60+ stats over all 6 stats. This means you almost never have such a high spike only in the good or correct stats for builds.

Here’s a good example, an impressive 68 in total stat values, but the distribution isn’t strong. Just a bit everywhere, making specialized builds more difficult:

The Iron Banner armor has +68 but a poor distribution

With Ada’s armor, you are guaranteed the high value of 61. But even more importantly: +28 on Recovery and +25 on Intellect. It’s also cheap, so do like many other Warlocks and get 3 copies right away just to be safe.

Are you excited that now with every reset you should sift through the inventories of Ada and Banshee for God-Rolls? Is the armor a must-buy for you, or are you more disappointed that Hunters and Titans weren’t considered this week? Let us know in the comments.

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

ESO: Everything we know about the new DLC Waking Flame – Release, Dungeons, Sets

The Elder Scrolls Online will receive the new DLC Waking Flame in the third quarter of 2021. In this, we will primarily explore two new dungeons. We at MeinMMO have summarized all the known info for you.

What is Waking Flame? This new DLC continues the story surrounding the new expansion Blackwood, which was released on June 1. Waking Flame is a so-called dungeon DLC, with two released each year, and mainly brings the following innovations:

  • The dungeon Red Petals Bastion
  • The dungeon Dread Cellar
  • New features for PvP
  • 8 new sets
  • 2 new houses

To gain access to the DLC, you can either purchase the ESO+ subscription or buy the DLC for crowns in the shop.

When will Waking Flame be released? The new DLC is set to release on August 23 for PC, Mac, and Stadia. A week later, on August 31, the release for the consoles PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S will take place.

Since Monday, July 12, the test servers have included the new update 31.

New Dungeons Focused on Daedra

What are these dungeons? Anyone interested in viewing the two new dungeons can check out a recording of a livestream by the ESO developers (via Twitch). However, the dungeons were not typically played through; instead, Dungeon Lead Mike Finnigan ventured in alone and simply killed some mobs with kill commands.

  • In Red Petals Bastion, everything revolves around Silver Rose, who has been corrupted and is now searching for powerful relics. She uses the power of the Daedric. In this dungeon, Lyranth comes to our aid.
  • Dread Cellar will feature many Daedra as enemies, including new headless spider monsters.

Rewards include new cosmetic content, mementos, and sets.

8 New Sets in Waking Flame

Waking Flame comes with a total of 8 new sets, including two sets for each armor type and 2 monster sets.

What sets for light armor does Waking Flame bring?

The “Thunder Caller” set is based on a build with fully charged attacks. However, this is not very strong at the moment, so the set may likely be rather uninteresting for now. The “Scorion’s Feast” set buffs the weapon & magic damage of up to 3 group members and increases Magicka & stamina regeneration. It is thus a set that can be used by support roles. Due to the other bonuses (Max. Magicka, magic regeneration, and weapon & magic power), it is more suited for a (off) healer rather than a tank.

What sets for medium armor does Waking Flame bring?

What sets for heavy armor does Waking Flame bring?

The damage of the “Silver Rose Vigil” set scales with maximum health. Thus, this set is aimed at tanks. The other bonuses are max stats, which are mainly used in PvE. The set applies a greater cripple (reducing damage by 10%) to an attacking enemy when their attacks are blocked. You also deal magic damage to them. This set is likely not very useful in group content. The “Crimson Oath’s Rive Set” is comparable to the set “Roaring of Alkosh”. However, the effect is triggered by a smaller or larger buff and is effective in a circular area around you.

What monster sets does Waking Flame bring?

The “Magma Incarnate” set could be interesting for solo or small-scale PvP. The “Prior Thierric” set sounds interesting for PvE. However, the physical damage of 210917 per second must be an incorrect value, as this value is far too high. Depending on how high the actual value is, this set may also be suitable as a stamina DD set or merely as a support set for healers or tanks to increase the damage taken by an enemy from area attacks by 5%.

New PvP Campaign for Cyrodiil

What changes in PvP? With Waking Flame, new rules will be established for the PvP area Cyrodiil. This should bring some movement to the meta:

  • Proc sets will be disabled
  • Champion points will be disabled
  • The artifact weapon Volendrung will be disabled

Additionally, there will also be new rewards for Cyrodiil:

  • 3 new items will be introduced to the game, two of which will focus on mass battles in PvP. However, exact details have not been revealed.
  • A new achievement will unlock the trebuchet emote, allowing you to place a small trebuchet in the world.
ESO Trebuchet Emote
The new trebuchet emote.

Two New Houses, But Only One Can Be Used on the Test Server

In addition to the new dungeons and PvP changes, two new houses will be introduced: Sweet Water Cascades and the Doom Shard Plateau.

However, on the test server, which will soon receive the new update, only the Sweet Water Cascades house will be playable in advance.

With Waking Flame, the story of Blackwood is not yet complete. In the fourth quarter of 2021, another DLC will be released that will bring a new area and further story content. You have already received a small preview of it here:

ESO reveals first details about upcoming DLCs – Announces new area Deadlands.

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

WoW nerfs Sylvanas after just one week – The Banshee was too strong

Only a few days after the launch of the latest WoW raid, the final boss has already been nerfed. Sylvanas has simply killed too many players.

Just a week ago, the “Sanctum of Domination,” the latest raid in World of Warcraft became available on normal and heroic difficulty. However, there are already the first nerfs, as large raid groups found it too difficult. The current final boss of WoW is now a bit easier.

What has changed? Mainly, the radius of some abilities has been adjusted, so it no longer takes up so much area. Additionally, players now need to deal slightly less damage to defeat Sylvanas. The changes in detail are:

  • The total amount of damage that players must deal to Sylvanas Windrunner has been reduced by nearly 5% on normal and heroic difficulty.
  • Sylvanas now transitions from Phase 1 to Phase 2 at 84% health on normal and heroic difficulty.
  • The radius of “Veil of Darkness” has been reduced in Phase 3 of the fight.
  • The radius of “Banshee Wail” has been reduced.
WoW Sanctum of Domination Boss Sylvanas
Sylvanas waits in the Sanctum of Domination as the final boss.

What does this mean? The fight against Sylvanas is likely to be a bit easier, especially with larger raid groups now. Previously, they had massive space issues, as it was virtually impossible to position 20 or more players effectively and avoid negative effects. It was therefore advisable to venture out with a smaller raid group.

However, the fundamental difficulty of the fight has changed little. It has merely ensured more equal opportunities between small and larger raid groups.

Does this also count for mythic? No. The mythic mode only opened its doors today, on July 17 (in America already yesterday). The difficulty of Sylvanas remains untouched for now. However, since the mythic fight was not fully available on the PTR, it is quite possible that some adjustments will still be made there before the first gold can defeat the Banshee Queen.

Did you have issues with Sylvanas on normal and heroic? Or did you defeat the former Lady of Undercity without any problems?

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

FIFA 22: All FUT Heroes in Overview – What Makes Them Special

In FIFA 22, the FUT Heroes are introduced as a new type of special card. We show you all known FUT Heroes so far and explain what the new cards bring.

What are FUT Heroes? The FUT Heroes are a kind of “light Icons” that will be newly introduced with the FIFA 22 release. They are some really strong soccer players from the past who have become fan favorites over time or have provided unforgettable moments.

One example is Mario Gomez. Gomez should still be well known to soccer fans here. Among other things, he played for VfB Stuttgart, FC Bayern Munich, and VfL Wolfsburg. He was also in the national team for a long time. In FIFA 20, a Gomez fan gained attention with an incredible number of matches.

So you can expect a whole range of soccer players who may not have been at the level of a Ronaldo or Zidane, but who still remain in your memory today.

What makes FUT Heroes special: The Heroes cards work a bit differently in Ultimate Team than regular or Icon cards. They have their own unique way of building chemistry in the team.

Each FUT Hero is associated with a specific league in which they previously showcased their skills. The FUT Heroes cards then build a green chemistry connection to that respective league. In addition, the usual connection for the same nationality is assigned to other players.

The FUT Heroes can offer you new opportunities to build your team.

In the following list, you will find all known FUT Heroes so far with their overall rating and details about their chemistry connections.

All FUT Heroes in FIFA 22

Update, 22.07: Two more FUT Heroes have been added. The following players are also available in FIFA 22:

  • Lars Ricken
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
FUT Heroes
  • Mario Gomez: Germany, Bundesliga, Rating: 88
  • Tim Cahill: Australia, Premier League, Rating: 85
  • Diego Milito: Argentina, Serie A, Rating: 88
FUT Heroes
  • Jorge Campos: Mexico, Liga BBVA MX, Rating: 87
  • Fernando Morientes: Spain, LaLiga Santander, Rating: 89
  • Sami Al-Jaber: Saudi Arabia, MBS Pro League, Rating: 86
FUT Heroes
  • Robbie Keane: Ireland, Premier League, Rating: 86
  • Abedi Pele: Ghana, Ligue 1, Rating: 89
  • Clint Dempsey: USA, MLS, Rating: 85

Are these all FUT Heroes? According to EA Sports, more FUT Heroes will be announced throughout August. We will keep you updated and update the list.

Which players would you like to see as FUT Heroes? Are your favorites already there? Tell us in the comments!

In addition to the FUT Heroes, a new feature for the Career Mode in FIFA 22 has been announced – more about it here.

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

Anyone who has always wanted to punch Spongebob can soon do so in a new fighting game

Have you always wanted to beat up the Ninja Turtles on SpongeBob SquarePants? Here is your chance: In “Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl,” various childhood heroes from TV are smashing through the area, Smash Bros-style.

What’s going on? In a new trailer shared by IGN, a ton of cartoon characters are seriously hitting each other.

“Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl” is the occasion: A new fighting game set to be released in fall 2021 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

The All-Stars are, unsurprisingly, cartoon characters from Nickelodeon history, which you might recognize depending on your age.

Among them are:

  • Michelangelo and Leonardo from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
  • SpongeBob SquarePants, Sandy Cheeks, and Patrick Star from “SpongeBob SquarePants”
  • Helga from “Hey Arnold!”
  • Danny Phantom from “Danny Phantom”
  • A green dinosaur named “Reptar” from “Rugrats”
  • Nigel Thornberry from “The Wild Thornberrys” (also known as “the guy from the smashing meme”)
  • The “Powdered Toast Man” from “Ren & Stimpy”
  • Lucy and Lincoln Loud from “The Loud House”
  • Oblina from “Aaahh!!! Monster”
  • The alien conqueror Zim from “Invader Zim”
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Here is the trailer for All-Star Brawl

More fighters are set to be announced in the future. The field already indicates that this is a game with crossover qualities. Characters from various franchises are out to beat each other up.

This reminds users in the comments of the trailer of another well-known fighting game. And the comparisons don’t stop there.

“This is just Nickelodeon’s Smash Bros and looks kind of funny”

Under the video, which currently has about 7,300 upvotes to about 214 downvotes (as of July 13, 7:00 PM), users make comparisons to the popular Smash Bros. series in the comments.

This is not surprising. For not only the crossover itself but also the gameplay in the trailer reminds of Smash. Different stages with platforms are shown where the characters apparently fight until they fly off the screen in high arcs.

The characters can each rely on specific attributes. SpongeBob uses karate, while Danny Phantom uses lasers, and the Ninja Turtles use their weapons.

The whole thing is supposed to be playable solo, but also in multiplayer. It’s not Nintendo-exclusive like Smash Bros.

This is what the community says: In the comments, there is discussion about the game, and also speculation about who could join in the future.

  • “This is just Nickelodeon’s Smash Bros and it looks kind of funny,” writes user “SuperWiiBros08” (via YouTube).
  • “We won’t get closer to how Squidward kills SpongeBob,” writes user LabRat (via Youtube), while another user already comments: “Squidward mains, rise up!” (via YouTube). The constantly annoyed octopus would probably be a favorite to beat up SpongeBob – but he has not yet been announced as a character.
  • “Move over Smash Bros, the real big boys are in town,” writes user “Yahiamice” (via YouTube).

Overall, there is a lot of joking in the comments, but also questions about additional characters. Names mentioned include Jimmy Neutron and Aang from “Avatar.”

Who else will join the roster remains to be seen. Can you get into the nostalgia game? Let us know in the comments! And you might find alternatives here in the best fighting games.

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

The developer is sure: „Filmmakers will come crawling when they realize how great gaming is“

In the latest spotlight of EA Play, several indie developers were given the floor, who are being supported by EA. Some of them have worked on well-known titles and spoke about interesting topics – among other things, about how games and other media connect.

What is great about gaming? The developers and heads of various indie studios agree that storytelling in video games is one of the most important aspects. They want to provide players with a story that they can experience themselves.

Although other media also have such storytelling, many developers are convinced that games can convey it better. And when other media realize this, filmmakers would rush to the topic of gaming:

If you have a strong vision that you believe in […] the other media around us, such as films, will soon realize how wonderful storytelling in gaming is. In fact, they are slowly beginning to do so. […]

I know the film business; they come crawling as soon as they realize how great gaming is. Ultimately, it’s about touching people’s hearts.

Josef Fares

Whether this will work out easily, remains to be seen – some of the other developers fear that game development could be negatively influenced. Most of the devs already have experience with other media or originally come from other fields of visual or performing arts.

Who is speaking? The interview is conducted by game critic Todd Martens from the LA Times. In the interview, the heads and developers of various indie studios share their opinions on the topics. They are all united under the banner of EA Origins:

  • Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight (A Way Out, It Takes Two) and originally a filmmaker
  • Olav Redmalm, Creative Director at Zoink (Lost In Random), was previously a comic artist
  • Abubakar Salim, co-founder of Silver Rain Studios (unannounced game), was previously an actor and producer
  • Melissa Philips, Head of Studio at Silver Rain Studios, has degrees in music and philosophy
  • Guha Bala, president of Velan Studios (Knockout City)
What is EA Origins? The project was founded in 2015 and unites indie studios under the banner of EA. The company supports developers in realizing their projects and ideas.

As a result, many well-known and successful games like A Way Out came to be. One of the first games of the EA Originals was Unravel, a puzzle-adventure from 2016.

Films, games, and what they can learn from each other

What does this have to do with films and others? In many other media, such as music or film, a story is also told that listeners or viewers are supposed to experience. Emotions and actions also play a significant role here.

However, according to the developers, the difference is that games are interactive and require action, while other media are passive. They are “completely different media.” Writing a script is something entirely different than creating the story for a game. Nevertheless, they believe that they can learn a lot from each other.

Games like A Way Out from Josef Fares’ studio show well how cinematic and gameplay elements can still be combined. In A Way Out, it is about prisoners trying to break out of a prison together.

The game has no single-player option and can only be played in coop. The gameplay mainly consists of quick-time events and stealth sections, often interrupted by cinematic scenes. The story also has several twists, creating the feeling of a film being played, which can only be directed to a certain extent.

The review of A Way Out by the colleagues at GameStar.

The connection goes even further. More and more games are hiring real actors, such as the upcoming ARK 2, featuring Hollywood star Vin Diesel. And research is also being done in the other direction. The loot shooter Borderlands is getting its own film.

Are there also disadvantages? The developers explain that it was particularly problematic in the past to connect film and game. People who saw a film and then played the corresponding game had a false idea of what to expect.

Melissa Philips even fears that too many cinematic influences could jeopardize the “authenticity” of the game studios. In her opinion, game creators have many freedoms to implement crazy ideas. However, the more interest there is from other industries, the harder it will become to implement such ideas.

Why many coop games captivate us

According to Josef Fares, games have a completely different way of telling stories than films, namely by using gameplay elements. In It Takes Two, for example, it is about a couple that is in a relationship crisis.

In coop, you need to solve various puzzles and support each other, where you can only master the levels if you cooperate. The gameplay itself is already a metaphor for the story that the game tells – and the idea of It Takes Two is very well received.

Of course, such elements should also fit, as Guha Bala notes. A love story with shooter mechanics probably wouldn’t go down well as a serious game.

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

Destiny 2: Weekly Reset on 13.07. – Leveling up the most beautiful event armor of the year continues

Destiny 2 continues the summer event “Solstice of Heroes 2021” this week. So you still have time to upgrade your special armor. What else awaits players with the new Weekly Reset?

What’s happening in Destiny 2? In the action MMO, players are fighting against the notorious summer lull. Destiny 2 keeps the Guardians busy with the Solstice of Heroes 2021. The main goal is to upgrade the special event armor in multiple stages and earn cool glowing effects. On top of that, there’s an event shotgun (featured image).

As there’s not much going on in Destiny 2, we at MeinMMO took a look at the “best” glitches and bugs from 4 years:

More on the topic
The 10 Best Bugs That Ever Ruined Destiny 2
von Philipp Hansen

The most important information about activities from 13.07. to 20.07.

The Nightfall: The Trial by Fire sends you into the strike

  • Twisted Column – Here awaits Protheon, the Module Spirit for his beating

Hung Jury – also Dissent – is in the Nightfall loot pool. If you manage to push through the top contenders, you can loot the better master version.

Playlist Strikes  have the following modifiers:

  • Solar Scorch
  • Stasis Burn
  • Blackout

The elemental burn remains the same all week, the other modifiers rotate daily.

Crucible: Lord Shaxx makes you proud in these PvP modes:

  • Private Match
  • Rumble
  • Control
  • Elimination
  • Glory Survival
  • Glory Survival: Freelance
  • Conflict

Petra Venj is conveniently located right at the spawn point of the Dreaming City. The entire zone is under the Curse Week Number Two. Additionally, you can prove yourself in the 6th Ascendant Challenge.

Sources for top loot in Season 14 of Destiny 2

This is the new max level: In the Season of the Splicer the maximum power level of your gear increases to 1,320. This is a relatively small jump of only +10 (from the previous Season 13). This is intended to reduce the annoying grind, and if you were diligent in Season 13, you only need to play the top activities to push your level.

Here you will find top loot (Pinnacle Gear) that can bring you over 1,310:

  • Reach at least 100,000 points as a team in the Nightfall: Trial by Fire (+2)
  • Simulation: Exo Challenge (+2)
  • Omen Mission (+2)
  • Prophecy Dungeon (+2)
  • Omens Mission (+2)
  • Trials of Osiris (up to +2)
  • Raid the “Glass Chamber” (+2)
  • Imperium Hunt for Upgrade (+2)
  • Erasure Mission – with corrupted keycode (+2)
  • Complete Solstice Bounties with Eva in the Tower (+1)
  • Open 3 Conflux chests with keycodes in Override (+1)
  • Complete 8 bounties for the Servitor Splicer (+1)
  • Complete 3 Gambit matches (+1)
  • Complete 3 Crucible matches in Control (+1)
  • Complete 3 strikes with appropriate focus (+1)
  • Hawthorne’s Clan Task

Glimmer-Highlights of the Eververses

To make the Solstice armor glow in elemental colors, you need to go to the Eververse – the white glow can be unlocked for free

What’s on offer with Tess?

  • The exotic Ghost Shell “Thief of Sun Shell”
  • The exotic Ghost Shell “Shaded Shell”
  • The exotic Sparrow “Golden Ride”
  • The exotic Sparrow “Legacy-2”
  • The exotic Emote “Burst of Power”
  • The exotic Sparrow “On Golden Wings”
  • The exotic Emote “Inhale”
  • The exotic Ornament “Bridgehead VI” for the Merciless

Have you already completed the grind for the finished event armor or is it not enough for you to fill the summer lull in Destiny 2? Let us know in the comments.

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

The Barracuda X is Razer’s “lightest gaming headset” – Who is it worth it for?

Razer has introduced a new wireless gaming headset called the Barracuda X. According to Razer, it is supposed to be the lightest gaming headset from Razer. MeinMMO introduces you to Razer’s new gaming headset. Initial tests show that Razer’s headset is primarily aimed at mobile gamers.

Razer has introduced a new wireless gaming headset called the Barracuda X. According to their own statements, it is supposed to be the lightest gaming headset from the manufacturer. With a purchase price of 99.99 euros, they aim to appeal to a particularly broad user base.

MeinMMO presents the new gaming headset to you and showcases the first reviews of the device. Afterwards, we will explain who might find the device worthwhile.

The Barracuda X aims to be a gaming headset for PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch alike

What is special about it? Razer relies on a USB-C dongle for its Barracuda X. This is a small device that you can connect to your PC, console, or Switch. The gaming headset then connects wirelessly to this device.

The advantage is that the headset is compatible with various platforms, as for the Nintendo Switch you would otherwise need an additional Bluetooth adapter and the PlayStation does not support third-party devices via Bluetooth.

How much does the gaming headset weigh? The Barracuda X weighs only 250 grams and is thus supposed to be the lightest gaming headset from the manufacturer, according to Razer. In comparison, the Razer Black Shark V2 weighs about 262 grams.

The similarly structured Razer Kaira weighs significantly more than the new Barracuda X at 330 grams.

What technology does the headset use? Sound and voice are transmitted via the USB-C dongle. Alternatively, according to Razer, you can use the headset with the included USB cable.

Inside the device, 40mm drivers with a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000kHz are used, which is not really different from the competition.

Thanks to the dongle, you can use the gaming headset on your PC, smartphone, Nintendo Switch, or PlayStation. The Xbox does not support the Barracuda X, by the way. For Xbox users, we recommend Razer’s Kaira and Kaira Pro. You can read the MeinMMO test of the Kaira Pro here:

More on the topic
Razer Kaira Pro Test: This is what the competition of the Arctis 9X can do
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Barracuda X Reviews: A recommended gaming headset for 100 euros with minor weaknesses

The first users have already been able to try out the new gaming headset.

What do the testers say? Hardware Canucks explains on YouTube that buyers get a good gaming headset for just under 100 euros (via YouTube.com). The Barracuda X offers good, neutral sound and opponents can be well located in the sound space. The microphone is solid for a wireless device. Criticism is directed at the dongle, which only offers USB-C.

The tester from Cnet also gives the Barracuda X a decent rating (via cnet.com). In the test, Lori Grunin from Cnet praises the good sound, the comfort is also high. Especially the multiplatform approach can convince the tester. Due to the latency of the dongle, the headset is only conditionally suitable for cloud gaming.

The ShortCircuit channel has also tested the gaming headset from Razer (via YouTube.com). The gaming headset fits securely on the head and works without any problems with the Nintendo Switch. It is also tight enough that outside noises do not disturb. The microphone sounds unimpressive, but the speaker is clearly understandable.

Here you can listen to the gaming headset: If you want to hear the gaming headset in action, check out this video on YouTube. Hardware Canucks has already tested the gaming headset and you can hear the tester with the device’s microphone:

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The test of the Razer Barracuda X by Hardware Canucks.

For whom is the gaming headset recommended? If you are often on the go or frequently switch between your devices, then with the Barracuda X, you get a good multiplatform device. The sound is good and opponents can be clearly located, but the microphone could be better in this price range.

We will present alternatives to the Barracuda X in the next section.

The Barracuda X costs 100 euros and has some strong alternatives

With the Steelseries Arctis 1 Wireless, you also get a solid gaming headset for around 100 euros, which relies on a dongle and is suitable for multiplatform use.

Similarly, with the HyperX Cloud Stinger Wireless, there is a solid gaming headset for around 100 euros. Here you get decent sound and a good microphone, but the device does not offer a dongle.

If you are not bothered by cables, then with the Logitech G Pro X, you also get a successful alternative and especially a significantly better microphone.

If none of the alternatives have convinced you, then take a look at our extensive buying guide around the best gaming headsets. Here you will find both gaming headsets and headphones as well as microphones that we can currently recommend:

The best gaming headsets you can currently buy

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

You wait forever for Lost Ark, while it breaks records in the motherland of MMORPGs

In the motherland of MMORPGs, there are many competitors for the relatively new Lost Ark, but now it has managed to establish itself once and for all. Because Lost Ark is now the most popular MMORPG in Korea, and even ranks 3rd among the most popular online games.

What is it about? Korea is the stronghold of MMORPGs. Many games are developed there, and especially many MMORPGs are played. Back in 2013, over 70 million people were playing more MMOs than in Europe (via statista). Lost Ark has now managed to make it to the top three of the most popular online games in Korea. 

The first and second places go to League of Legends and PUBG, a MOBA and a shooter. Thus, Lost Ark is the most popular MMORPG in Korea. And this despite being relatively new.

Lost Ark is leaving its competitors far behind, against which it still has to assert itself in the West. World of Warcraft falls to 13th place, Black Desert to 16th, and Final Fantasy XIV even to 41st place. The title “Diablo Killer” has already been earned by Lost Ark in Korea, as Diablo 3 sits at 26th place, far behind the newcomer Lost Ark.

Why is this exciting? If we take a closer look at the list of popular games, it is immediately noticeable that especially older games have a fixed place on the list. Besides PUBG, Valorant, and Overwatch, most titles on the list have held their positions for years.

The list comes from gamemeca.com, which, in addition to its own user ratings and Twitch viewer numbers, analyzes which games are played in internet cafes. Playing in internet cafes is quite common in Korea. Thus, the list serves to make a representative statement.

Especially MMORPGs have hardly changed in the last ten years. We still see Aion, MapleStory, and Lineage in top positions. Lost Ark must therefore have various qualities, as it has remained in the top 15 since its release and has now even fought its way to the top.

Lost Ark is also highly anticipated here

Why isn’t the game available yet? This is partly due to the vastly different gaming culture. Primarily, the Pay2Win theme is a red flag here in the West, with which an otherwise good game can quickly be dismissed. Therefore, one cannot guarantee whether a game that is successful in Korea will also be successful here without changes.

Amazon Games Studios is supposed to take care of Lost Ark’s success in the West, handling the localization of the game for Europe and America, and finally bringing Lost Ark to us in fall 2021.

However, we currently know very little about the shop and how the European localization will look. The publisher rejects all Pay2Win accusations so far and promises that Lost Ark will be a fair and fun experience for everyone. 

How long do you still have to wait? Although there is still no exact release date for Lost Ark, you may not have to wait much longer. According to rumors, a beta should start in July, which you can sign up for at PlayLostArk.com. You will need an Amazon account for this.

By fall at the latest, you can then access the full game. Even though Amazon and Steam list December 31, 2021, as the release date, you should not be alarmed. This is just a placeholder, as no date is set yet.

Lost Ark is finally coming to us! But is there a catch?

Steam briefly indicated the release date of October 21, 2021, for Lost Ark shortly after the announcement, but that was quickly changed. A release on that day is pure speculation. It could just as easily have been another placeholder.

Are you excited for Lost Ark? Have you perhaps played on the Korean or Russian version? What do you think of the list of the most popular games in Korea? Feel free to leave us a comment!

Recently, Lost Ark in Korea received a super-premium battle pass – but what the hell is that?

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

WoW: Who kills Sylvanas first? Here you can watch the streams for the “World First Race”

The race for the “World First” in the Sanctum of Domination, the new raid in World of Warcraft begins today on July 13, 2021. America has a slight head start again.

Every few months, World of Warcraft attracts a large amount of viewers across various streams. The “World First” race is on, where the best guilds in the world attempt to defeat the current final boss “Sylvanas Windrunner” in the Sanctum of Domination. Although there is no actual reward from Blizzard – there’s plenty of glory and viewers on streams on YouTube and Twitch cheering along.

What’s it about? In the “World First Race”, the top professional guilds in World of Warcraft try to be the first to complete the latest raid on the highest difficulty “Mythic”. The race usually lasts several days or even weeks, depending on how tough the bosses end up being. Sometimes these races are decided after just one or two days, but occasionally the World First race can extend over weeks.

For the American guilds, the race starts now, on July 13, 2021. They have a few hours lead over the Europeans.

In the Sanctum of Domination, there are a total of 10 bosses with Sylvanas as the final boss. Whoever takes her down first wins the World First race.

WoW Sanctum of Domination Boss Sylvanas
Sylvanas waits in the Sanctum of Domination as the final boss.

The most important streams on Twitch: Limit, Echo, Method and Co.

Where can you follow the World First race? That depends entirely on which guild you want to watch. Some of the “hot favorites” are as follows:

  • Limit: The US guild “Complexity Limit” has won the last two World First races and is therefore the favorite. They stream their progress, so you can watch it live on the Twitch page of Limit.
  • Echo: The EU guild Echo has mostly come from former members of Method and is probably the biggest competitor to Limit. You can follow the Echo stream here on Twitch.
  • Big Dumb Guild: In Europe, the guild often operates a bit under the radar, but Big Dumb Guild or Big Dumb Gaming also has excellent players and is the second-best US guild. Link to the Twitch page of Big Dumb Guild
  • Method: Although Method has lost many of its former teammates, the guild has been rebuilt and continues to strive for great success in World of Warcraft. Method also streams their raid progress live. Link to Method’s page and stream selection
  • Pieces: The guild also often ranks high, having secured the First Kill of Uu’nat in Battle for Azeroth, for example. Link to the Twitch page of Pieces

You can already take a look at the American guilds starting today (July 13). The European guilds will follow in the morning hours, once the maintenance in Europe is over. We will, of course, also report here on the biggest successes on MeinMMO.

Why do the Americans have a lead? This is due to the different timings of maintenance. In America, maintenance takes place on Tuesday, while in Europe, a new “WoW week” only starts on Wednesday morning.

Isn’t that totally unfair? This is often a hotly debated topic. While many argue for a simultaneous launch, the European guilds also have a few small advantages when they start later. They can benefit from the experience of the American guilds. Often, fights in the first days also have bugs and issues that make them unmanageable.

By the time European players catch up, Blizzard has often implemented several hotfixes. This allows European players to catch up faster and start a fight that has already drained the American players of hours of time and nerves due to its bugs.

Of course, this isn’t ideally resolved, but the current situation is generally accepted among players.

Will you be following the “World First Race” for the kill of Sylvanas Windrunner? Or does the race leave you cold?

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

Brazen leaker uploads unauthorized alpha gameplay of New World, gets banned, does it again

Gameplay for the new MMORPG New World is currently scarce, as previous tests were under an NDA, a non-disclosure agreement. One player seems unfazed and is now showing 8 hours of footage covering all possible content of the game – although that footage is from 2020.

What kind of gameplay is this? The YouTuber OPILOK has posted two videos, each about four hours long, and partially streamed them live on YouTube. Both videos feature gameplay from New World.

The tests were indeed under NDA, so content was not meant to be shared. Typically, there are legal consequences for those who sign such a contract and then break it.

Nonetheless, the videos showcase nearly every aspect of the game from character creation to class gameplay to PvE content. Details about the environment and equipment are also visible.

Presumably, both videos will be deleted soon if Amazon opts to take them down for copyright violations. For now, we have embedded them here for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCa6lnAbLn0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydFMQ_XTOzM

Does New World really look like this? It’s hard to say exactly where the content comes from. One user on YouTube estimates that the images are from the preview of the Reekwater update at the end of 2020. There, MeinMMO editor Leya Jankwoski has already explored and fished.

The footage definitely comes from an earlier version before January 2021 and from an older alpha. The leaker even re-uploaded the videos a second time after the first takedown. By the time of New World’s release or the upcoming beta, further content changes may occur.

The developers have already revealed a few changes. For instance, PvP and leveling processes in New World will be altered, both crucial aspects of the game.

Closed Beta is coming and promises more current videos

On July 20, the closed beta of New World starts, which this time is not under an NDA. In the days following the beta release, you will definitely get to see new gameplay. The release is scheduled for August 31.

If you want to see more (official) gameplay before then, check out the new trailer for PvP in New World. The mode “Outpost Rush” was shown and looks a bit like survival games.

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Gameplay for Outpost Rush.

Many players currently place their hopes on New World as the new, major MMORPG from the West. Generally, the genre is well positioned in 2021, as many titles are being released. Recently, Crowfall and Swords of Legends Online officially launched and managed to excite more or less many players. You can read more about the MMORPG year of 2021 in our special:

13 reasons why MMORPG fans can look forward to 2021

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

Neverwinter receives the most important class that all major MMORPGs lack after 8 years

Many MMORPGs claim to be the best – but none of them are right. Because all major MMORPGs lack an important class, says MeinMMO author Benedict Grothaus. Fortunately, one game has come to the rescue: Neverwinter.

This class is missing (almost) everywhere: The best and most important class in any role-playing game is the Bard. Of course, this is purely subjective and you may disagree – but you would be wrong.

Since I started playing role-playing games and MMORPGs, I have always played Bards whenever possible. This was already my first class in Ragnarok Online, and now I also play Bards in three of my four pen-and-paper groups in various forms.

All the more frustrating is that many modern MMORPGs (and none of the biggest ones) do not offer the best class at all or – what annoys me even more – somehow mess it up:

  • WoW never had playable Bards – even though they were announced as a hero class in an April Fool’s joke in 2008 (Bards! As an April Fool’s joke!).
  • ESO has Bards as NPCs but not as a class.
  • In Guild Wars 2, “the Bard” has even been downgraded to a weapon!
  • Final Fantasy XIV does have a Bard class, but they are more singing Rangers and not the class that Bards rightfully should be.

Some MMORPGs that do not belong to the “big MMOs” in the West do offer the class such as Lord of the Rings Online or ArcheAge. At least some new releases like SOLO are trying to bring back Bards, but the distribution of the class is still limited.

I am all the happier that a game that has always had Bards should finally get the class: Neverwinter. But maybe the few art philistines among you are now asking: What the hell are Bards anyway? The answer is relatively simple.

Bards are the best class overall (and anyone who says otherwise is lying!)

What are Bards? “Bards” are basically people who earn their living through music and art. They play songs and tell stories to entertain people. They often travel from place to place and gather experiences that they can use to create their own tunes.

In most role-playing games, the class is sort of a jack-of-all-trades, especially in the famous Dungeons & Dragons. Bards can do a little of everything and do many things quite well, without being an expert in anything – except for entertainment. However, Bards can specialize in various things through so-called “schools,” such as:

  • Rhetoric and persuasion
  • Music and stories
  • Lies, deception, and intrigue
  • Combat and leadership
  • Motivation and support

Even though some Bards are indeed fighters, they serve more as supporters in combat. Through their music, they can inspire (buff) their allies or even use magic to control enemies or heal friends. However, that is not their main strength.

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The Bard release trailer in Neverwinter.

What makes them so important? What makes Bards special is their high value of charisma. This is an attribute that is often criminally neglected in many games. Charisma indicates how well a character can persuade others, deceive, or how generally convincing they come across.

Especially in pen and paper, Bards can help a group avoid conflicts even before they arise… or they start conflicts if it benefits them. However, their most important moments occur in social interactions.

Bards provide the group with free sleeping places, discounts on goods, better rewards, or important information. In some cases, they even serve as leaders of a group, as their self-confident demeanor allows them to exhibit leadership qualities.

Why every MMORPG needs Bards

The role that has been custom-made for us Bards is that of the supporter. We do little ourselves and rather let others work for us – uh, I mean, we Bards support others in doing their work better and more pleasantly. We are not lazy or anything…

As supporters, Bards actually fit into every group and every constellation. Depending on the circumstances, they can adjust their strengths and thus help where needed. Alone, Bards are relatively weak, but what is an artist without an audience?

The problem is that many MMORPGs completely ignore support classes. Often, only the “Holy Trinity” of tank, DPS, and healer is needed – and Bards do not fully fulfill any of these roles.

Accordingly, it would be quite fitting to use them as spellcasters, melee fighters, or healers. Yet somehow, hardly any developer dares to do that. At least not until now.

Finally Bards in Neverwinter after 8 years

Neverwinter, the official MMORPG for Dungeons & Dragons, was released in June 2013. Now, eight years later, the Bard, one of the core classes of D&D, is finally coming to the MMORPG after players were actually sure that the new class would be the Druid.

On July 27, 2021, the “Jewel of the North” update for Neverwinter will be released on PC, which brings the Bard as a new class. PlayStation and Xbox will receive the update in the fall.

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The trailer with features of the new update and the Bard.

As a huge fan of D&D and a long-time Bard player, I was able to ask a few questions to Salim Grant, a senior designer for Neverwinter, who worked on the new class.

Developer Interview: The “Power of Music”

MeinMMO: Why do Bards have such a special role in D&D?

Salim Grant: What makes Bards so special in Dungeons & Dragons is their unique ability to combine the beauty of a song with the rhythm of battle to create enchanting ballads of adventures.

MeinMMO: What is the key to successfully playing a Bard?

Salim Grant: Practice, practice, practice.

MeinMMO: How did you transfer Bards and their strengths from D&D to Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: We focused on the core elements that make Bards what they are: music and style.

With the power of music, Bards in Neverwinter can accomplish a vast number of things, such as healing other characters in their group or increasing their damage. When they are not playing music, they can stylishly take out their enemies in a way that other classes cannot. The combination of these two elements results in an exciting and powerful class that players, we believe, will quickly embrace.

MeinMMO: In D&D, schools are what make each Bard unique and give them the chance to become “everything.” What schools exist in Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: The concept of schools does not exist for our Bards. But Bards can choose one of two paragon paths, that of the Songblade, which specializes in dealing damage, or that of the Minstrels, which grants players access to unique songs and abilities.

Neverwinter Bard Dagger
As a Songblade, you are more of a fighter.

MeinMMO: Will I be able to identify with the Bards in Neverwinter as someone who has played D&D (and Bards) for several years?

Salim Grant: The Bards have a unique role in our game and offer a new way to interact with our various systems. The same goes for Bards in the tabletop version of the game. I would say yes, playing a Bard in Neverwinter should feel familiar to someone who has played the class in D&D.

Create your own music

MeinMMO: How can players express their musical side as Bards in Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: Bards have access to a free performance mode, in which they can play notes at will and compose melodies. The Free Performance mode allows them to adjust octaves and use semitones to create their own music or play their favorite melodies.

Why did it take 8 years after the release to bring the best class to Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: We wanted to ensure that the Bard has its due time in the spotlight! But seriously, when we decided to create a new class, we opted for the one that promised the greatest potential to create a unique gaming experience in Neverwinter.

Neverwinter Bard Gameplay
Bards have their own overlay with special abilities and a performance mode.

MeinMMO: Why should everyone want a Bard in their group (in D&D and Neverwinter)?

Salim Grant: The support abilities of Bards make them a highly valuable part of any group:

  • As a Songblade, Bards increase the damage of their group and can use songs like the “Hero’s Ballad” and the “Witch’s Ballad” to inflict damage on their enemies, while abilities like “Fleet Steps” and “Volti Subito” allow them to zip across the battlefield.
  • As Minstrels, Bards support their groups with passive healing, damage mitigation, shields, and dispelling damage effects, all the while joyfully playing their lute. After a victory, Bards make resting at a campfire a fun event with their songs.

“The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard?”

MeinMMO: Why should I play a Bard?

Salim Grant: The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard? Bards offer such an exciting and unique experience in Neverwinter that all players should try them out.

While the class has its defined roles, it does tend to lean towards a support role, which sets it apart from the other classes. Combined with stunning visual effects and slick combat actions, it becomes a very appealing choice. And of course, the musical abilities of a Bard are absolutely unique.

MeinMMO: Will it be possible for me to seduce the innkeeper?

Salim Grant: Unfortunately, not at this time… but who can say what the future holds for the Bard.

Hopefully, other MMORPGs will follow suit

As a perfectionist, I am still not entirely satisfied that only two “schools” will be available, but at least the Bard in Neverwinter is a good first step. I hope that the devs will continue to work on the class and, above all, that Bards will be well-received by players.

Especially the idea of free notes is very interesting. It worked well in LotRO and provided cool musical performances. With the right implementation and tools, one can certainly do quite a bit here.

If the Bard is as successful as it deserves, hopefully other developers will wake up and bring the most important class ever into their MMORPGs. Because let’s be honest: everyone wants to be accompanied by a lute in a dungeon or raid.

This was not a question, but a persuasive throw, and I rolled a “natural 20.” So I am right! And you will see it the same way from now on: You want lute-playing and Bards in your dungeons. No argument.

If you want to be convinced that I am speaking the truth, check out Neverwinter for yourself. Neverwinter is one of 8 free MMORPGs on Steam that also run on weak computers.

However, we could accomplish great things in every group through our versatility and help our fellow players to victory.

More on the topic
5 good MMORPGs without the classic Holy Trinity of Tank, Healer and DD
von Alexander Leitsch

And how is that supposed to work? Quite simply: Is there a lack of damage? An inspiring song boosts morale. Is the group doing poorly? Softly woven melodies enhance the healing power of the priests. Is it progressing too slowly? A brisk march makes the feet quicker.

Even in the “Holy Trinity,” Bards could function if implemented correctly. Their music is technically considered magic, and many Bards are skilled with rapier and dagger.

Accordingly, it would be quite fitting to use them as spellcasters, melee fighters, or healers. Yet somehow, hardly any developer dares to do that. At least not until now.

Finally Bards in Neverwinter after 8 years

Neverwinter, the official MMORPG for Dungeons & Dragons, was released in June 2013. Now, eight years later, the Bard, one of the core classes of D&D, is finally coming to the MMORPG after players were actually sure that the new class would be the Druid.

On July 27, 2021, the “Jewel of the North” update for Neverwinter will be released on PC, which brings the Bard as a new class. PlayStation and Xbox will receive the update in the fall.

Recommended editorial content

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

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content
The trailer with features of the new update and the Bard.

As a huge fan of D&D and a long-time Bard player, I was able to ask a few questions to Salim Grant, a senior designer for Neverwinter, who worked on the new class.

Developer Interview: The “Power of Music”

MeinMMO: Why do Bards have such a special role in D&D?

Salim Grant: What makes Bards so special in Dungeons & Dragons is their unique ability to combine the beauty of a song with the rhythm of battle to create enchanting ballads of adventures.

MeinMMO: What is the key to successfully playing a Bard?

Salim Grant: Practice, practice, practice.

MeinMMO: How did you transfer Bards and their strengths from D&D to Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: We focused on the core elements that make Bards what they are: music and style.

With the power of music, Bards in Neverwinter can accomplish a vast number of things, such as healing other characters in their group or increasing their damage. When they are not playing music, they can stylishly take out their enemies in a way that other classes cannot. The combination of these two elements results in an exciting and powerful class that players, we believe, will quickly embrace.

MeinMMO: In D&D, schools are what make each Bard unique and give them the chance to become “everything.” What schools exist in Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: The concept of schools does not exist for our Bards. But Bards can choose one of two paragon paths, that of the Songblade, which specializes in dealing damage, or that of the Minstrels, which grants players access to unique songs and abilities.

Neverwinter Bard Dagger
As a Songblade, you are more of a fighter.

MeinMMO: Will I be able to identify with the Bards in Neverwinter as someone who has played D&D (and Bards) for several years?

Salim Grant: The Bards have a unique role in our game and offer a new way to interact with our various systems. The same goes for Bards in the tabletop version of the game. I would say yes, playing a Bard in Neverwinter should feel familiar to someone who has played the class in D&D.

Create your own music

MeinMMO: How can players express their musical side as Bards in Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: Bards have access to a free performance mode, in which they can play notes at will and compose melodies. The Free Performance mode allows them to adjust octaves and use semitones to create their own music or play their favorite melodies.

Why did it take 8 years after the release to bring the best class to Neverwinter?

Salim Grant: We wanted to ensure that the Bard has its due time in the spotlight! But seriously, when we decided to create a new class, we opted for the one that promised the greatest potential to create a unique gaming experience in Neverwinter.

Neverwinter Bard Gameplay
Bards have their own overlay with special abilities and a performance mode.

MeinMMO: Why should everyone want a Bard in their group (in D&D and Neverwinter)?

Salim Grant: The support abilities of Bards make them a highly valuable part of any group:

  • As a Songblade, Bards increase the damage of their group and can use songs like the “Hero’s Ballad” and the “Witch’s Ballad” to inflict damage on their enemies, while abilities like “Fleet Steps” and “Volti Subito” allow them to zip across the battlefield.
  • As Minstrels, Bards support their groups with passive healing, damage mitigation, shields, and dispelling damage effects, all the while joyfully playing their lute. After a victory, Bards make resting at a campfire a fun event with their songs.

“The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard?”

MeinMMO: Why should I play a Bard?

Salim Grant: The better question would be, why shouldn’t you play as a Bard? Bards offer such an exciting and unique experience in Neverwinter that all players should try them out.

While the class has its defined roles, it does tend to lean towards a support role, which sets it apart from the other classes. Combined with stunning visual effects and slick combat actions, it becomes a very appealing choice. And of course, the musical abilities of a Bard are absolutely unique.

MeinMMO: Will it be possible for me to seduce the innkeeper?

Salim Grant: Unfortunately, not at this time… but who can say what the future holds for the Bard.

Hopefully, other MMORPGs will follow suit

As a perfectionist, I am still not entirely satisfied that only two “schools” will be available, but at least the Bard in Neverwinter is a good first step. I hope that the devs will continue to work on the class and, above all, that Bards will be well-received by players.

Especially the idea of free notes is very interesting. It worked well in LotRO and provided cool musical performances. With the right implementation and tools, one can certainly do quite a bit here.

If the Bard is as successful as it deserves, hopefully other developers will wake up and bring the most important class ever into their MMORPGs. Because let’s be honest: everyone wants to be accompanied by a lute in a dungeon or raid.

This was not a question, but a persuasive throw, and I rolled a “natural 20.” So I am right! And you will see it the same way from now on: You want lute-playing and Bards in your dungeons. No argument.

If you want to be convinced that I am speaking the truth, check out Neverwinter for yourself. Neverwinter is one of 8 free MMORPGs on Steam that also run on weak computers.

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

YouTube star fired for crypto fraud, pleads: “Believe nothing they say!”

The gaming streamer FaZe Kay has 6.1 million followers on YouTube. However, after a scandal involving the cryptocurrency “Save the Kids,” he was released by FaZe Clan. He is now just “Kay.” In a video, the 25-year-old YouTuber claims his innocence and is close to tears. Two years ago, his younger brother FaZe Jarvis posted a very similar video: He had been permanently banned from Fortnite .

This is the situation:

  • The YouTuber FaZe Kay and three other members of the FaZe Clan promoted the cryptocurrency “Save the Kids,” which quickly gained value but then fell. A YouTuber “SomeOrdinaryGame” accused them of being part of a “pump and dump” scam – either knowingly or unknowingly.
  • FaZe Kay apologized to his millions of fans: He recommended the coin with the best intentions. He deeply regrets that his fans trusted him and lost money because of it. Kay said he is still a newcomer in the crypto market and is constantly learning. His clan, the famous FaZe Clan, had nothing to do with it.
  • But FaZe distanced itself from the crypto dealings of its members, suspended three other members of FaZe, including Kay’s younger brother, FaZe Jarvis, and even outright fired FaZe Kay.

FaZe Kay says: “Dishonest man” also cheated him out of money

This is what FaZe Kay says now: In a YouTube video, FaZe Kay claims his innocence. He says:

“For legal reasons, I can only say the following: Please, please believe nothing you hear online. All the people making videos and thinking they know the truth, do not know the truth. This is the truth.”

FaZe Kay

Kay then says he also lost money with “Save the Kids.” A “dishonest man” abused the “trust that FaZe Kay had in him” to enrich himself by more than $100,000. He “cheated everyone.”

This man gained the trust of FaZe Kay and his friends and convinced them to be the “public face of Save The Kids.” But he abused that trust to enrich himself.

Before the launch of the coin, the “dishonest man” changed the code, pocketed a 6-digit profit, and left the others as scapegoats.

More on the topic
The head of the largest e-sports clan in the world is in trouble due to poor crypto advertising
von Schuhmann

Kay is pursuing legal action against the fraudster

This is what happens next: FaZe Kay says he has gathered “substantial evidence” to bring the man to justice. He urges anyone who has also lost money to contact him and share their story. He wants to take legal action.

It is said that lawyers are already involved in the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_o77pHsGiM

Flashbacks to the ban of “FaZe Jarvis” from Fortnite

This stands out: In the video, Kay speaks with a trembling voice and wet eyes. He apparently wants to clearly show how emotionally touched he is.

The bitter irony is that his younger brother, FaZe Jarvis, posted a very similar video almost two years ago: The then 17-year-old lamented with wet eyes that he was banned from Fortnite for using an aim bot.

Like his younger brother, Kay apparently wants to ask fans for forgiveness. He does not admit his mistake but sees himself as a victim who was too naive and trusted someone else.

faze-jarvis-title
It runs in the family: FaZe Jarvis two years ago.

Kay likely needs help. His YouTube career could be threatened by the firing from FaZe and this scandal.

The “apology video” has 122,000 likes but also almost 23,000 dislikes. Viewers do not seem to fully believe that Kay was completely innocent.

Many assumed that Kay “and his friends” received money to promote the cryptocurrency “Save the Kids.”

For those who want to verify the family resemblance, two years ago FaZe Jarvis apologized for his ban from Fortnite and appeared similarly distraught as FaZe Kay now:

Fortnite permanently bans 17-year-old pro, ending his career

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

With Blood Money, Red Dead Online finally brings a feature that players have been waiting for a long time

With Blood Money, Red Dead Online finally receives a major update. You will become part of a criminal network and must commit crimes. This includes a feature players have long awaited: heists!

This is what the new update for RDO is about: Blood Money brings numerous new features to Red Dead Online. This includes new stories revolving around criminal networks in Saint Denis. Throughout this story, you will be committing crimes on behalf of gangsters Angelo Bronte and Guido Martelli.

In the plot of Blood Money, gangster boss Angelo Bronte has introduced his own currency “Capitale” to bypass the state’s tax system and expand his power.

The currency was initially designed for the criminal “upper class”, but quickly fell into the hands of ordinary criminals and thieves who use Capitale in all 5 states of RDO. As a result, the police quickly took notice.

His underboss Guido Martelli is now doing everything he can to retrieve as many Capitale letters as possible. And that’s where you come in as outlaws. You need to commit crimes on Martelli’s behalf and collect the Capitale.

If you collect enough Capitale, you earn Martelli’s respect and receive an invitation to so-called “opportunities”. This is a new, highly anticipated feature in Red Dead Online.

Red Dead Online finally gets its first heist – a train robbery

What are opportunities? In this case, it’s simply another word for heists, and there will be a total of three that will appear in succession.

  • Opportunities come in three difficulty levels: Normal, High, and Ruthless
  • The higher the difficulty level, the greater the reward
  • They can be completed alone or with up to three other players
  • Opportunity missions cost you Capitale

This will be the first heist in RDO: Once you unlock the first opportunity, you will receive the mission to steal the valuable “Jewels of the West”. To obtain the first jewel, you must carry out the first train heist in RDO. This concerns the Covington Emerald, which is being transported on a heavily armed train and is highly coveted.

Exact details are still lacking, but it is highly likely to be a comprehensive and multi-part mission similar to what you know from GTA Online: You plan the heist, prepare it, and ultimately execute it.

Why is this so special? While heists have been a part of GTA Online for a long time, RDO has not yet seen more extensive heists. Although players have long been demanding such a feature. To see this, you need only search the subreddit for Red Dead Online for heists and you’ll find an endless list of threads (via reddit.com).

It seems that this wish may finally be fulfilled. The opportunity is just the first of three missions; more heists will follow. The crimes also promise more than just short bursts of gunfire.

In Blood Money, you must rob a train to steal a jewel.

Crimes bring multi-part missions in free roam mode

What lies behind the crimes? While these may not be as extensive as the opportunity heists, crimes will apparently also provide opportunities to carry out robberies.

Once you have met Martinelli, you can meet five of his associates to start the crimes with up to 6 other players. This includes, for example, Sean Macguire, who is temporarily separated from the Van der Linde gang.

According to Rockstar, these are missions with multiple segments that you can start in free mode. At the launch of Blood Money, there will be three different crimes available:

  • The Railroad Contract 
  • The Jeb Phelps Contract
  • The Bluewater Contract 

Three additional variants are to follow after the update’s release. Each of the crimes will reward you with Capitale and other useful items. You can also rob yards and camps outside of mission crimes and gather Capitale.

Revamped menu, new player search, and DLSS

What can you expect in the major update? In addition to the story surrounding Capitale, named “Crimes and Opportunities”, Blood Money also brings several other contents and new features.

In addition to the aforementioned crimes and opportunities, the update introduces a new menu system that allows players in free mode direct selection between free roam and Blood Money missions.

With the nomination series, there’s also a new matchmaking feature, allowing you to nominate a specific game mode and start a series. A series consists of your mode and the modes nominated by other players.

With DLSS, a graphics tool from Nvidia comes to Red Dead Redemption 2, improving performance and graphics quality. However, this feature is only available for owners of RTX cards.

Additionally, the Quick-Draw Club introduces a series of 4 Battle Passes for RDO, which will be released sequentially from today until October 27. Each month, there will be a new pass with new rewards. These cost 25 gold bars each (equivalent to 9.99 euros), but the gold bars can be earned back with each pass.

Here’s an overview of the additional contents of the update:

  • An in-game purchasable mercenary outfit that includes Capitale, ammunition, supplies, and a matching bandana
  • Harraway outfit and rebel poncho are now available at Madam Nazar’s shop
  • New color variants for the Torras poncho
  • Skills and pocket brochures are now available for purchase at the fence
  • New daily challenges
  • New achievements
  • More content will follow after the release

For more information, check out the official newswire for RDO. (via rockstargames.com/newswire)

In the game, you may also encounter a mysterious guitarist voiced by American blues musician Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. The trailer for Blood Money has already been accompanied by his music, and the character is also featured:

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By the way: If you successfully steal the emerald this week, you will receive a voucher for a free ammunition belt. If you complete the opportunity mission on Ruthless, you will unlock a Pacific Union cap for purchase at Madam Nazar.

If you like to party with your gang, this week you can enjoy free drinks in the saloons. Also, in the benefits section, there’s a voucher for a free accessory waiting for you.

When will Blood Money be released? The official release is July 13. The update will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

Do you have to pay for the update? No. Blood Money is free. Only the Quick-Draw Passes cost gold bars, which can be purchased with real money.

What do you think? Will you take a look at Red Dead Online because of Blood Money? Or is there nothing in the update that interests you? Discuss it with us in the comments.

If you’re not only interested in Red Dead Online, but also like the story, we have here 5 of the most tragic characters from your gang in Red Dead Redemption 2.

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

New technology aims to revolutionize FIFA 22 – What is HyperMotion anyway?

The first information about FIFA 22 is known and one word dominates the advertising campaign: HyperMotion. But what exactly is it? We take a closer look at this highly promoted feature.

Currently, we know relatively little about the new content and features of FIFA 22. There is already a first trailer as well as a homepage (via EA) with initial details about the new FIFA installment. However, one feature is already being particularly advertised by EA: HyperMotion.

You can find everything about the FIFA 22 release here.

What is HyperMotion? According to EA, HyperMotion is a new gameplay technology designed to make the action on the virtual pitch significantly more realistic. To achieve this, EA put 22 professional football players in so-called Xsens suits to capture movements and motion patterns in detail.

The players are thus pedaling in suits similar to those worn by Hollywood actors when they lend their movements to digital monsters. The result of the Xsens suits is 4,000 new animations that are set to find their way into the game.

But besides the new animations, HyperMotion is supposed to improve even more:

  • Machine Learning should ensure smoother real-time animations.
  • The new “Tactical AI” promises more intelligence from players in both attacking and defensive play. CPU teammates should be able to make more decisions per second in attack, and the defensive AI is expected to close gaps better and act as a tactical unit.
  • “Player Humanization” is expected to improve animations off the ball and make players who are not currently participating in the action appear more realistic.
  • With the “Kinetic Air Battles”, duels in the air are expected to become more realistic and animations better synchronized.
  • “Composed Ball Control” is intended to improve ball control and ensure that one can accept and dribble the ball more agilely.

Here you can watch moving images of the new HyperMotion technology in the FIFA trailer:

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HyperMotion is not available for everyone: There is one drawback for future FIFA 22 players – HyperMotion is only available for next-gen platforms. This means: Players on PS5, Xbox Series, and Google Stadia could experience a significantly different gaming experience compared to FIFA players on PC and the older consoles PS4 and Xbox One, where the new HyperMotion features will not be present.

We remain curious whether the new feature actually delivers what EA promises and makes a noticeable difference at the end of the day. However, in the FIFA community, there are already some voices that are skeptical of the new technology based on initial scenes:

A new gameplay snippet of FIFA 22 is currently causing excitement: “Players are crawling sideways like crabs”

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

Pokémon GO: 10 legendary monsters you should catch at GO Fest

On July 18, 2021, the second day of the GO Fest will take place in Pokémon GO. On this day, you can encounter all legendary Pokémon that have appeared in the game in raids. We at MeinMMO will show you which you should definitely catch.

What is it about? On the weekend of July 17 and 18, 2021, the GO Fest 2021 in Pokémon GO will take place. As Niantic announced, you will encounter all legendary Pokémon that have appeared in the game on the second event day, July 18 (via pokemongolive.com). You will find them in Level 5 raids from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

What kind of list is this? We took a closer look at the legendary monsters for July 18. To be precise, there are 37 options, three of which are only available in certain regions. With the help of the overviews from gamepress and Pokebattler, we summarized which monsters you should definitely secure on this day (via gamepress & Pokebattler).

We provide you with an overview of 10 legendary Pokémon that you should definitely catch if you lack strong specimens. In addition, you will find another list of legendary monsters that are also good, but not quite top-tier. Finally, we will also address monsters you might neglect if you already have them.

[toc]

These legendary Pokémon you should definitely catch

Here you will find the 10 legendary Pokémon that you should definitely catch.

Mewtwo

Mewtwo is one of the most sought-after Pokémon in the game. It is from the first generation and is a Psychic type. Mewtwo is among the best attackers in Pokémon GO. The shiny version is also already available in the game.

Since this Pokémon is rather rare in the game, you should generally seize the opportunity. However, Mewtwo will be regularly found in all Level 5 raids from July 16 to July 23, 2021. For this reason, you should carefully consider whether you want to battle Mewtwo on this day or prefer to use your raid passes for another legendary Pokémon.

Here you will find the best counters for Mewtwo

Mewtwo

Reshiram

One of the most interesting legendary Pokémon on this day will likely be Reshiram. This monster has been exceptionally rare in the game so far. Additionally, the Fire and Dragon-type Pokémon is one of the best attackers in the game.

Due to its high values in attack and stamina, it is particularly well-suited as a candidate for raids. In the PvP League, however, it does not play a significant role. Unfortunately, this monster is not yet available as a shiny in the game. Still, it is worth taking on Reshiram in a raid.

Here you will find the best counters for Reshiram

Reshiram

Kyogre

The legendary Water Pokémon Kyogre is one of the best Water attackers in the game. It can showcase high values in all areas, making it a suitable candidate in raid and PvP battles. For this reason, it has been quite popular among trainers for some time.

If you still need a strong Kyogre, you should seize this opportunity. With a bit of luck, you might also encounter a shiny specimen.

Here you will find the best counters for Kyogre

Pokémon GO Kyogre Normal
Kyogre

Groudon

Groudon also ranks among the best attackers in the game due to its high values in attack, defense, and stamina. It is a Ground-type Pokémon from the 3rd generation. Groudon is very well suited for use in raids as well as in the PvP League.

To use it effectively in the PvP League, it is advisable to use a Charged TM to obtain the special charged attack Fire Blast. Furthermore, Groudon has also been catchable in its shiny variant for some time. Therefore, investing your raid pass in this legendary monster is definitely worth it.

Here you will find the best counters for Groudon

Groudon

Zekrom

Zekrom is among the best attackers in Pokémon GO due to its strong values. It can hold its own not only with its Dragon type but also as an Electric Pokémon. Especially in raid battles, it is a suitable candidate.

So far, there is no shiny variant of Zekrom available in the game. Nevertheless, it is worth securing a strong specimen in the raids.

Here you will find the best counters for Zekrom

Zekrom

Dialga

Unlike Rayquaza, Dialga is a rather rare Pokémon in the game. It is a Dragon and Steel type. It has strong values in attack and stamina, making it one of the strongest Steel attackers in Pokémon GO.

This monster is ideal for use in the PvP League or in raids. Therefore, it is worth catching a particularly strong specimen. So far, a shiny variant is not available in the game. However, there are speculations in the community that it will appear during the Hyper Bonus. What theories exist regarding the Hyper Bonus has been summarized for you.

Here you will find the best counters for Dialga

Dialga

Rayquaza

The legendary Pokémon Rayquaza also ranks among the best attackers in the game. This is reflected in its high attack value. However, it is only interesting for use in raids. This monster is from the 3rd generation and is a Flying and Dragon type.

Rayquaza has been available in raids more frequently in the past, so some players have already managed to catch strong specimens. A shiny variant is also available in the game. You should consider whether you still need a strong and/or shiny specimen or if you prefer to save your raid pass for another monster.

Here you will find the best counters for Rayquaza

Rayquaza

Landorus in Therian Forme

Landorus is a shapeshifter, meaning it can take on multiple forms. During the GO Fest, you will receive Landorus exclusively in its Therian Forme. This Pokémon is from the 5th generation and is a Ground and Flying type.

It boasts particularly strong attack values, making it one of the best Ground attackers in the game. It is a suitable candidate in both raids and the PvP League. Unfortunately, the shiny version is not yet catchable in the game.

Here you will find the best counters for Landorus

Landorus (Therian Forme)

Cresselia

Cresselia is a 4th generation Pokémon and is a Psychic type. This monster has high values in defense and stamina. However, the attack values are rather average. For this reason, it is mainly suitable for the PvP League. However, in raids, you have the possibility to encounter a shiny specimen.

Here you will find the best counters for Cresselia

Cresselia

Zapdos

The Fire and Flying-type Pokémon Zapdos is also one of the legendary monsters from the first generation. It impresses with high values in attack and defense. Thus, it is one of the best attackers in the game. In the PvP League, it is less suitable, but in raids, it is much more effective. Additionally, Zapdos is available as a shiny variant in Pokémon GO.

The investment of the raid pass is worthwhile if you do not have it yet. However, Zapdos has appeared in the game several times and has also been catchable as a shadow variant.

Here you will find the best counters for Zapdos

Zapdos

These legendary Pokémon are also good

The raids for the GO Fest also offer you other worthwhile legendary Pokémon. Even if a few monsters do not rank at the top of the favorites list, it may still be worth participating in raids with the following Pokémon.

Palkia

Palkia is a legendary Pokémon of Dragon and Water type from the 4th generation. Its attack values are very high, making it one of the best attackers in Pokémon GO. However, its values in stamina and defense are average.

It is suitable for use in both raids and the PvP League. Still, there are other legendary Pokémon like Dialga or Rayquaza that simply present better values for the Dragon type and are therefore somewhat stronger.

However, Palkia is one of the rarer monsters in the game. If you do not have this Pokémon yet, you should take the chance and participate in a raid. Like Dialga, it is also speculated that Palkia will return to raids with its shiny variant during the Hyper Bonus.

Here you will find the best counters for Palkia

Palkia

Ho-Oh

Ho-Oh is the Rainbow Pokémon from the 2nd generation. It is a Fire and Flying type. You can encounter it in its shadow variant with Team GO Rocket boss Giovanni – this is an alternative if you do not want to spend a raid pass. Ho-Oh features high values in attack, defense, and stamina.

For this reason, it is a suitable candidate for the Master League and in raids. However, there are other legendary Pokémon, such as Reshiram, that are stronger than Ho-Oh, so you should prefer these.

Here you will find the best counters for Ho-Oh

ho-oh
Ho-Oh

Entei

The legendary Pokémon Entei is one of the best Fire attackers in the game. Its defense is particularly good. However, there are better monsters in the game that you can also get in raids on this day. If you’re not looking for a shiny variant, then the raid with Reshiram is more worthwhile.

Here you will find the best counters for Entei

Entei

Terrakion

The legendary Pokémon of Rock and Fighting type is one of the best Rock Pokémon. Its attack and stamina values are decent, and its moves Stone Edge and Rock Slide make it a strong Pokémon. However, other monsters like Rampardos can convince even better.

Since Terrakion has already been catchable in the game numerous times, you might want to invest your raid passes in other Pokémon that provide you with greater benefits. For all shiny hunters, Terrakion is also available in its shiny form.

Here you will find the best counters for Terrakion

Terrakion

Yveltal

The Dark and Flying-type Pokémon Yveltal is among the legendary Pokémon from the 6th generation. It is also one of the best attackers in the game. It is very well suited for the PvP League, but it can also shine in raids.

Yveltal was previously available as a raid boss in Level 5 raids a few weeks ago. If you were unable to catch a strong Pokémon at that time, you should seize your chance during the Go Fest. Unfortunately, a shiny variant is not yet available in the game.

Here you will find the best counters for Yveltal

Yveltal Pokemon GO
Yveltal

Raikou

Raikou is one of the best Electric Pokémon in the game. It has good values and can be confidently used in raids. However, Zekrom is a better Electric attacker, so you should prefer to rely on it in raids. With a bit of luck, shiny hunters can spot a shiny variant of Raikou.

Here you will find the best counters for Raikou

Raikou

Zapdos

The legendary bird Pokémon Zapdos belongs to the Flying and Electric type. It is from the first generation. Due to its strong values in attack and stamina, it is a good attacker in raids. In the PvP League, Zapdos has a lesser role.

In the past, Zapdos has been available multiple times through various means in the game. You have also been able to encounter the shiny variant for some time. Therefore, you should rather invest your raid passes in other Pokémon during the GO Fest.

Here you will find the best counters for Zapdos

Zapdos

Lugia

The Pokémon Lugia is one of the legendary monsters from the 2nd generation. It is of Psychic and Flying type. It has rather average values in attack and stamina, but it can impress in defense. Thus, it is a suitable representative in the PvP League.

While it can also be used in raids, there are significantly better attackers available. Therefore, you should catch other Pokémon rather than Lugia in raids on this day. If you do participate in a Lugia raid, you might encounter a shiny variant with a bit of luck.

Here you will find the best counters for Lugia

Lugia

Articuno

Articuno is one of the three legendary bird Pokémon from the first generation, along with Zapdos and Moltres. It is of Ice and Flying type. Although it can show higher defensive values, its attack is rather average. Thus, this Pokémon is more suitable for the PvP League.

In the past, there have been several opportunities to catch Articuno in the game. The shiny variant is also available.

Here you will find the best counters for Articuno

Pokemon Go Arktos
Articuno

Giratina in Altered Forme

The Ghost and Dragon-type Pokémon Giratina belongs to the monsters that can take on various forms. During the GO Fest, you will only be able to catch it in Altered Forme. It is also available as shiny. However, Giratina in Altered Forme only plays a role in the PvP League.

For raids, there are other candidates that can perform better, such as Giratina’s Origin Forme, which is one of the best attackers. Therefore, if you play PvP and need a strong Giratina, you should definitely make use of these raids. Otherwise, save your raid passes for other monsters.

Here you will find the best counters for Giratina (Altered Forme)

Giratina (Altered Forme)

Heatran

Heatran is a Pokémon from the 4th generation and is of Fire and Steel type. Due to its strong attack values, it can particularly impress as a Fire Pokémon and is well-suited for use in raids. In the PvP League, it plays a more subordinate role.

Heatran has already been catchable in raids several times in the past, and a shiny variant is already available in the game. However, if you still need a strong specimen, you can seize this opportunity.

Here you will find the best counters for Heatran

Heatran

Registeel

Registeel belongs to the Steel Pokémon. Similar to its siblings Regice and Regirock, it has rather average attack values and should not be used in raids. However, in the PvP League, this monster is a good candidate according to gamepress (via gamepress.gg).

So if you need a strong Registeel for the PvP League, the Go Fest might be your chance. A shiny specimen of this monster is also available in the game. If you’re not interested in that, it’s better to do another raid.

Here you will find the best counters for Registeel

Registeel

Voltolos in Therian Forme

Like Landorus, Voltolos is also a shapeshifter. For this reason, during the Go Fest, you can only obtain it in Pokémon GO in its Therian Forme. Voltolos in Therian Forme is a legendary Pokémon of Electric and Flying type.

Its attack values are decent enough to be useful in raids. However, it plays no role in the PvP League. A shiny variant is also not yet available in the game. Therefore, you should save your raid passes for other Pokémon like Zekrom.

Here you will find the best counters for Voltolos

Voltolos (Therian Forme)

These Pokémon are only available in certain regions

Not all legendary Pokémon will be catchable on July 18, 2021, in Germany. The Lake Trio will only be available in their regions on that day. So, if you don’t have them in your Pokédex yet, you should take the chance and let yourself be invited to a raid by other players abroad.

Also, trainers from abroad may appreciate a raid invitation from you to catch the European variant of the Lake Trio. We have summarized for you where you can find which Pokémon.

PokémonRegion
SelfeAsia
VespritEurope
TobutzAmerica

All three Pokémon are Psychic type. However, strong monsters they are, with the exception of Tobutz, not. You can use Tobutz as a good attacker, although there are better Pokémon of this type. For this reason, they only serve to complete the Pokédex. The shiny variants are unfortunately not yet available in the game.

For these Pokémon, a raid pass is not worth it

However, there are also legendary Pokémon that should not be used for the PvP League or raids due to their values. There are often better alternatives here. Thus, they are only suitable for completing the Pokédex or collecting shinies. All legendary monsters that can be caught as shiny have been marked with (*)

  • Latias*
  • Latios*
  • Regigigas*
  • Virizion*
  • Thundurus in Therian Forme
  • Regirock*
  • Suicune*
  • Regice*
  • Kyurem
  • Cobalion*
  • Xerneas

Which raids will you definitely participate in during the GO Fest? And which Pokémon can’t be missing from your collection? Feel free to leave us a comment here on MeinMMO, and exchange ideas with other trainers about this topic.

Which events await you in July 2021 in Pokémon GO, we have looked at and summarized for you.

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