Streamer Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa (27) is controversial: While she is currently the most successful streamer on Twitch, she faces criticism. She is said to be using Twitch to promote sexually suggestive content on other platforms. Amouranth won’t do this forever; she is preparing for the next phase of her life. But until then, she is going “All in E-Girl”.
This is the situation:
Streamer Amouranth is by far the biggest streamer on Twitch, but she also has many critics who accuse her of creating content for “Simps”, deliberately using her sexuality to attract money and attention from men who are drawn to her.
In a discussion, Amouranth now explains that she is already planning the next phase of her life, which is supposed to be dedicated to a good cause. For now, however, she is playing the E-Girl role with dedication. Because that is the “hand dealt to her by fate”.
However, the streamer is worried that her transition to the next phase of life may not be so easy.
Social Media in Lingerie, Streams in Bikinis
What causes so much controversy for Amouranth? The accusation against Amouranth is that she earns money with sexually suggestive content and uses Twitch, Twitter, and Instagram as advertising platforms to promote “harder, paid content” on OnlyFans. After a temporary ban on Twitch, she stated that her revenue on OnlyFans has skyrocketed:
On Twitter and Instagram, Amouranth regularly shares pictures of herself in lingerie
This is what a normal tweet from Amouranth looks like.
“Don’t expect a caterpillar to grow wings before it transforms”
This is what Amouranth says: At regular intervals, Amouranth posts detailed messages on her private Twitter account that contradict the typical image she projects in public:
Her large Twitter account, which consists of images of her in lingerie, has 1.4 million followers
Her private account has about 290,000 followers: Here, she also posts pictures of herself in lingerie, but also longer messages in which she shares her thoughts
In these tweets, she presents herself as a reflective person who plays the role of an “E-Girl” on Twitch.
She has announced that she will eventually end the “shameless E-Girl” phase of her life and start a project focusing on the welfare of abandoned animals.
“When I am ready, I will dive headfirst into the next phase of my life. There are no half measures, no reason to rush. Don’t expect the caterpillar to grow wings before it transforms into a butterfly.”
Amouranth
With this announcement, she also dismisses all criticism of her current content. She states: Until that time comes and she transitions into the next phase of her life, she is “All in E-Girl”: That is simply the “hand dealt to her by fate.”
Other streamers like Pokimane are better “role models” than she is, says Amouranth.
This is what she says to critics: In a long post, she explains to critics that their criticism of her is “futile”.
This has now led to her “living rent-free in their heads”. People are only hindering themselves with the criticism of Amouranth and further fueling the hype around her.
The haters are “working harder for her” than her actual employees.
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However, Amouranth is worried that critics may continue to follow her after her Twitch career ends to harass her or to swat her. Therefore, she is now working particularly hard to become financially independent to finance her animal welfare project.
This situation has also led to her decision to go “all in E-Girl”.
Haters Prevent Amouranth from Doing Good Already
Why isn’t she charitable already? She dismisses calls to do charitable work now: If she were to work for an animal shelter now, her haters would punish that shelter with negative reviews or sic the police on her.
This would only create a “new front where people can attack her”.
Therefore, she will wait and make the hard switch at some point so she can defend herself more easily and be less vulnerable.
What’s behind this: This is a self-contained system that Amouranth outlines, one that explains itself and makes itself untouchable.
Thus, people can donate money to her and feel good about having done something “kind”.
Whether all this is really so selfless and whether Amouranth can step back from the money and attention to lead a completely different life can only be answered by her.
The question arises: If animal rescue is truly her plan, why doesn’t she already donate a large part of her income to a good cause, rather than postponing it to “the next phase of my life”?
A streamer often mentioned in the same breath as Amouranth is Indiefoxx. She has since been banned from Twitch but finds innovative ways to still make money with Twitch clips:
In the Battle Royale Fortnite , gold bars are suddenly disappearing from players’ inventories. Developer Epic Games wants to address the issue.
What are gold bars? Gold bars are an important in-game currency in Fortnite. You need the bars for many tasks. You can purchase or acquire various items from different NPCs on the map. You can:
Buy exotic weapons
Pay for various services
Buy information to see where the next storm zone will be
You can collect gold bars in each match and keep them, regardless of whether you win or lose the game. You can use gold bars throughout the entire ongoing season.
What happened? Now some players have reported on Twitter that their hard-earned gold bars have suddenly all disappeared. A big zero is displayed on their accounts, and many players are upset about this. Because without gold bars, they cannot pay for many services in the game.
Many of them have spoken out on Twitter because they hope that Epic Games will address the issue so they can continue playing undisturbed.
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Meanwhile, Epic Games has also commented on the problem, and there is said to be a solution for it. MeinMMO explains what you can do.
Epic will address the issue, gold bars are set to return
Epic has already commented on Twitter about the issues and stated that it wants to address the problem. They are currently monitoring the issue and trying to figure out what went wrong:
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How to solve the problem: Epic has posted another statement saying that the issue is supposed to be resolved. However, some players are still complaining that their gold bars are still missing. But there is also said to be a workaround if you are still experiencing the problem:
Log into your game. If you see 0 gold bars displayed, there is no reason to worry yet.
Then start a normal match or a “Team Rumble” game.
Once you are in the game and have landed, your gold should have returned.
How to collect more gold bars: Do you regularly play Fortnite but always find yourself with too few gold bars in your account? Here we present you the best tips on how to collect gold bars particularly quickly. This includes completing tasks from NPCs as well as eliminating opponents.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Halo Infinite and Battlefield 2042 are probably the two biggest shooters coming this year. But which of the two games will take the title of best shooter 2021? Tarek Zehrer, a freelance author at MeinMMO, believes that Halo Infinite will win the battle.
This year, there’s finally some real competition in the shooter space. With Halo Infinite and Battlefield 2042, two heavyweights are coming. However, while Battlefield is generating a lot of hype, Halo Infinite has also been making its mark.
At E3 2021, there was new information about both shooters, and quite a bit of it. After looking at pretty much everything and writing extensive overviews about Halo Infinite and Battlefield 2042, I now believe: Halo Infinite could be the best shooter this year, even ahead of Battlefield.
Why the comparison? I am aware that both are completely different shooter franchises. However, regardless of that, both are competing against each other due to their release timelines. Both will be released at the end of 2021.
Halo 4 and Battlefield 3 are also among my absolute favorite shooters and were the last multiplayer shooters I actively played over several years. The release of Halo 4 was now a good 9 years ago, and Battlefield 3 even 10.
Of course, all of this also depends on personal preferences. However, there are some things that Halo has over Battlefield for me as a lover of both franchises.
Halo is suitable for every type of player
Here’s why Halo is interesting for various players: Halo is the type of shooter that is easy to learn but hard to master. You can learn the basics relatively quickly and play some fun matches whenever you want.
However, those looking for greater challenges will find them as well. Halo can be played both casually and in ranked modes against tougher opponents. The various modes also offer something for every taste.
There is a game mode called Big Team Battle that takes place with larger groups on larger maps.
There are various arena modes that confront you with your opponents in tighter spaces.
SWAT requires your precise handling of weapons.
The Forge is for those who enjoy creating their own maps.
For newcomers, Halo Infinite now has an extensive Academy mode that introduces you to the mechanics of the game.
In Battlefield, the expectations for new players are already considerably higher. Here, coordination with the team on large maps, clear role distribution, and other strategic factors are more important. This may have been more crucial in older titles than today.
As it stands now, the game modes will be less varied than in Halo. That may not be a bad thing if one enjoys the Battlefield principle. However, for those who want outlandish game modes, the Halo multiplayer is likely to serve them better.
This is already due to the setting: Halo is a sci-fi shooter while Battlefield has a more realistic approach and doesn’t venture far into the future. Thus, Halo has significantly more freedom while the competitor is predominantly bound by physical laws and the current technological state.
Halo traditionally offers more varied modes than Battlefield.
Halo Infinite offers crossplay and the same content on old and new Xbox consoles
What does that mean? Halo Infinite will be released on both the Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox One, meaning it will be available on both the new and old Xbox consoles. Aside from graphics and FPS, there will be no differences in content.
Additionally, there will be crossplay between all platforms on which Halo Infinite will be released, i.e., between PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud.
While Battlefield will also be available on older consoles, it will also have significant differences. Instead of 64vs64 player matches, there will be a maximum of 32vs32 players. Additionally, the maps will be significantly smaller.
A tradition in Halo is the splitscreen mode for four players, which allowed for couch co-op and multiplayer matches. This was sorely missed in Halo 5: Guardians, but the popular mode is returning in Halo Infinite. While there is no splitscreen on PC, you can still play your matches locally in LAN parties.
Battlefield 2042 traditionally does not offer splitscreen; as of now, local multiplayer is not included in the game. Whether there will be crossplay is still unknown. If a crossplay feature makes it into the game, it will likely only work between Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC.
What Halo does differently than Battlefield: The multiplayer part of Halo Infinite will be completely free to play; only the campaign costs the usual full price. If you are interested in the story, you can either buy it separately or download it through Xbox Game Pass.
Thus, anyone who wants to dive into the multiplayer battles can simply get started. This is new for shooters of this magnitude; only CoD Warzone has pioneered this approach. And that focuses on battle royale, while the typical CoD multiplayer is only included in CoD Cold War – a full-price title.
Halo Infinite, on the other hand, will make its entire extensive multiplayer offering freely accessible to everyone. This, of course, includes numerous maps and many game modes, just as Halo veterans already know.
On Xbox Series X|S and One, this also likely means that not even a Gold membership will be required. Because just in April 2021, Microsoft made over 50 free-to-play titles such as Fortnite available even for non-subscribers.
This is how Battlefield 2042 does it: As usual, you will have to purchase the latest installment of the Battlefield series at full price. This was expected in advance, but now stands in competition with a free-to-play Halo and the also free CoD Warzone.
Clearly, the scope of Battlefield may theoretically justify this, and those who cannot connect with the other two shooters will naturally turn to Battlefield. However, particularly new players will first check out the free alternatives before committing to a full-price game.
This leads me directly to the next point: post-launch content.
Halo Infinite follows a smarter model post-release
Here’s the plan for Halo Infinite post-release: Halo Infinite will offer a season model with new content and battle passes. A battle pass has both a free and a paid path.
This is already known from other games like CoD Warzone or Fortnite, but there is one big difference:
If you purchase a season’s battle pass, it does not automatically disappear once it expires.
They remain permanent, and you can complete the challenges of these battle passes anytime you like.
The content is purely cosmetic; no boosts or other items will be available for purchase.
It is currently unknown how much a battle pass will cost.
This is how Battlefield 2042 does it: Despite the full-price model, Battlefield 2042 also relies on seasons and battle passes. So far, four have been announced, and the price per battle pass is not known.
There will be a free and a paid path here as well. All maps that come after release will be free.
This could probably not immediately be deemed unfair since we simply know too little about the content that will come after the release of both games. It is also common practice in games like Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Still, based on what we currently know, it is a drawback: While the Halo multiplayer is free, you will have to pay full price for Battlefield, plus the purchase price for the battle passes.
Battle passes bring new cosmetic items for your Spartan in Halo.
Battlefield 2042 is falling behind in recent years’ developments
This is why Halo Infinite pursues a smarter strategy: It seems that Halo developer 343 has been closely watching the shooter market for the past six years since Halo 5 and has established a corresponding strategy.
In times when free-to-play games like Fortnite and CoD Warzone are incredibly successful, it seems a bit outdated to release a multiplayer shooter at full price. In contrast to Battlefield 2042, Halo Infinite could at least have used the story campaign as an argument – still, they decided to separate multiplayer and campaign.
A very clever move, as it allows for better organization of resources. Moreover, with the F2P model, which also offers crossplay on PC, Cloud, and Xbox consoles, they are likely to attract significantly more players to Halo Infinite than has ever been the case with any Halo before.
Those who don’t want to bother with the campaign and only want to play multiplayer will no longer have to spend money on the package. Conversely, those who want to play both won’t have to pay double and may already have the Game Pass, thus being able to access the campaign anyway.
This whole model, combined with fair battle passes and the promising seasons, seems well thought out and promising.
The latter may seem rather positive for many players, as the last campaign was not received so well. Still, the question remains: Will Battlefield 2042 hold its ground against competing shooters like Warzone or Halo Infinite?
With the pricing model, new players will likely think twice about which shooter to try out. Regardless of the quality of both games and how much the shooters differ, I believe that Halo Infinite could seize the shooter throne with its strategy in 2021.
This is why it’s not that important: I personally am glad that there is finally some movement on the big multiplayer shooter front. In the end, it doesn’t matter so much whether Halo or Battlefield becomes the best shooter this year. What I find more important is that there is finally variety beyond battle royale and Call Of Duty.
Halo still holds a special place among my favorite shooters with its gunplay, setting, arena battles, sandbox gameplay in Big Team Battle, and the weapons and gadgets scattered across the maps.
The feeling of controlling a Spartan, a super-soldier; pulling off daring maneuvers; taking down an opponent from a crazy angle with a plasma grenade — I’m really looking forward to finally getting back into the action! And all of this for free! So far, what 343 Industries has shown me is definitely making me excited for more.
Battlefield caters to a different direction, representing material battles, destruction, and huge maps where I can also have fun/struggle with the helicopter or jet controls. And of course, I’m also looking forward to dueling with enemy snipers from about 1 km away, or crashing tanks into buildings.
Both shooter franchises have not been so strong lately but could potentially return to their former glory. Therefore, I already look forward to both titles as soon as they are released.
When do the two shooters actually release? Battlefield 2042 has a specific release date of October 22.
So far, we only know that Halo Infinite should be released in “Holiday 2021”, meaning at the end of the year. A further delay is unlikely according to 343, and the targeted release window is expected to be secure.
What do you think? Are you excited for Halo and Battlefield? Or do both shooter franchises leave you cold? Discuss with us in the comments!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Ubisoft has announced that the map “Favela” is returning to the ranked and unranked modes of Rainbow Six: Siege. However, this isn’t exactly generating excitement among players, as “Favela” is one of the least popular maps in the first-person shooter. That is exactly why Ubisoft has revamped it.
Ubisoft announced in June 2021 that they wanted to completely overhaul Rainbow Six: Siege. A significant change affects the map “Favela”, which returns to the tactical shooter after being revamped.
On Twitter, Ubisoft has now stated that “Favela” will be back in Year 6 Season 2:
The excitement over the announcement is limited, as the Brazilian slums are not popular. Especially defenders had little joy with the map. However, Ubisoft has made some changes to the map to make it less frustrating.
Players are not very enthusiastic about the announcement
Under the official Twitter post by Ubisoft, many players express disappointment and anger that Ubisoft is bringing this particular map back into the game. Because the map is not really popular.
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Why is the map so unpopular? Defenders, in particular, faced significant challenges on the map. For opponents, it was much too easy to create a path to the objective through the destructible walls. This makes the map one of the least favorite alongside “Tower” in Rainbow Six: Siege.
However, there are also voices saying that Ubisoft has done a sensible job here and that “Favela” might not be so bad after all. Some people even say that the changes to Favela “make it a really good map” (via twitter.com).
Because the changes are said to primarily address the issues that had been criticized by many players before. You can see the changes to the map live with YouTuber “GamersPrey”. We have embedded his English video here for you:
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This is how Ubisoft wants to save the unpopular map
What will be changed? Ubisoft has thoroughly revamped the map and aims to address the reasons why the map was so unpopular.
The original map relied on strongly angled corridors and many destructible walls. This made it difficult for defenders to hold the position and allowed attackers to achieve easy kills quickly.
With the revamp, most outer walls are now made of solid concrete and can no longer be destroyed. Additionally, it is now a night map. Ubisoft itself explains the changes:
The small size of the map, the irregular exterior, and the verticality remain. The rest of the map, including the overall structure of the main building, has been completely redesigned, so players will practically experience a new location that maintains the same theme as the original Favela.
Those who have played the map before will still recognize some aspects: The setting still focuses on the Brazilian favelas, and the stairwells are still in their old positions.
What do you think? Will you try the revamped version of “Favela” or will you continue to steer clear of the Brazilian slum?
To be well prepared for the legendary raid boss Moltres in Pokémon GO, we provide you here important information about this Pokémon and show you the best counters.
What kind of Pokémon is this? Moltres is a legendary Pokémon from the first generation and belongs to the Fire and Flying type. It is thus weak against Rock, Electric, and Water attacks.
Is there a Shiny Moltres?: Moltres can be caught as a shiny specimen in the game with some luck.
What is a Moltres with 100% IV? Moltres can have a maximum of 1980 CP from the raid. In windy or sunny weather, it can even reach 2475 CP. These are then Moltres with 100% IV.
Cooler Master has introduced a gaming chair designed to let you feel games and movies. However, at 1700 Euros, the chair is not exactly cheap. MeinMMO presents the new gaming chair.
Cooler Master is a hardware manufacturer from Taiwan, primarily producing accessories for computers. This includes computer cases, power supplies, coolers, and gaming chairs.
The manufacturer has now introduced its latest project. It is called “Motion 1”. This is a gaming chair developed by Cooler Master in collaboration with manufacturer D-Box. D-Box specializes in haptic motion technology.
The minimum price for the “Motion 1” is at least 2000 US dollars (equivalent to about 1700 Euros) and goes up to 2300 US dollars. MeinMMO shows you what you can buy for that much money and what the chair is supposed to offer.
Gaming chair aims to make games feel tangible
What does the chair aim to provide? Imagine you are currently playing your favorite game or watching your favorite movie, and at the same time, your chair begins to vibrate beneath you, mimicking certain movements of your game or film.
What sounds quite crazy, Cooler Master wants to implement in collaboration with D-Box. The specialist in motion technologies integrates its technology into Cooler Master’s gaming chair.
Cooler Master’s CEO, Jimmy Sha, says about it:
We envisioned a truly immersive entertainment experience for all desk setups at home, and gaming chairs are the best medium to deliver this by combining everyday functionality and comfort with on-demand haptic sensations during gameplay or movie enjoyment.
How many games and movies will be supported? D-Box itself has commented on the cooperation with Cooler Master:
This chair fits perfectly into our constantly expanding library of almost 200 video games and over 2,000 movies and series available in the D-BOX haptic format.
Sébastien Mailhot, President and CEO of D-BOX
And some of you who enjoy going to the cinema probably already know the technology that D-Box wants to incorporate into the gaming chair: In Germany, cinema chains such as Kinopolis, Cineplex, and Traumpalast rely on D-Box technology. This way, a visit to the cinema should feel even more real than just sitting in a regular cinema seat.
When will the gaming chair be released? Cooler Master aims to release the chair in the fourth quarter of 2021. When exactly and where we can buy the chair is not yet known.
What should the chair cost? In principle, it sounds exciting to want to offer haptic motion technology to all users, but the price of at least 2000 US dollars may be a hurdle that many gamers do not want to overcome.
In general, however, 1700 Euros for a gaming chair can be quite reasonable if the ergonomics are right, as many people spend most of their time gaming or at the office. For instance, MeinMMO tested a gaming chair for 1500 Euros and found that the investment can be worth it.
Other manufacturers are also increasingly relying on haptic technology
Other manufacturers also want to make you feel games and movies tangibly. The most well-known example is the new PS5 DualSense controller, which aims to offer you haptic features on the PS5.
The manufacturer Razer is also relying on haptic technology in its latest gaming chair. The integrated technology is supposed to make it feel as if everything around you is shaking as if the chair is shaken by heavy explosions. However, Razer’s gaming chair is currently only an exciting concept; you can read more about it in our article on MeinMMO:
Defeating and catching Articuno is one of the main goals of many Pokémon GO trainers. In this guide, we will show you how to counter, defeat, and catch Articuno. Although the catch rate is not particularly high, with the right counter Pokémon, you will have a better chance to defeat Articuno.
In this guide, we want to prepare you for the battle against Articuno and show you its weaknesses and counters.
Articuno maximum CP and weaknesses
The ice part of the legendary bird trio is called Articuno and can now be battled and caught by you in Pokémon GO. The bird is one of the legendary raid bosses and is of flying and ice type.
Its maximum combat points are 1743 CP after being caught. In windy weather and snow, Articuno receives a weather boost, resulting in a maximum of 2179 CP. If you catch an Articuno with such a value, it has a 100% IV.
Articuno raid counters – With these Pokémon, you will win
Across the arenas around the world, Articuno can appear as a raid boss and be challenged by you. With the best counters, you can already defeat Articuno with two players, but we recommend playing with at least three trainers. To win, there are many possible counter Pokémon that are very effective against the bird.
As reported by Pokebattler, the ice bird has many counter options that make a battle against it easier (via pokebattler.com). Articuno is particularly vulnerable to rock-type attacks, which are very effective. Fire, electric, and steel attacks also severely impact the bird and deal significant damage.
The best Pokémon against Articuno is Rampardos with a Rock Throw and Rock Slide moveset. Here are more top counters for Articuno:
Rhydon with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
Terrakion with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
(Shadow) Tyranitar with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
Gigalith with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
(Shadow) Aggron with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
Incineroar with Fire Fang and Rock Slide
Alola Golem with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
Excadrill with Metal Claw and Rock Slide
Reshiram with Fire Fang and Stone Edge
More Articuno counters:
If you don’t have any of the attackers mentioned above in your collection, the following Pokémon can also help you in the battle against the ice bird:
(Shadow) Aerodactyl with Rock Throw and Rock Slide
(Shadow) Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
Steelix with Rock Throw and Stone Edge
Catching Articuno – Low catch rate
Whoever has managed to defeat a legendary Pokémon must face the next challenge: catching the Pokémon. Although this task sounds easy in theory, many trainers find it difficult in practice.
Legendary Pokémon have a catch rate of only about 2-3% – therefore, we strongly recommend using berries to increase your chances. The buddy distance for legendary Pokémon is 20 kilometers for one candy.
The FIFA 22 release is getting closer. Time to look ahead: Which players could receive the highest ratings in FIFA 22?
What kind of list is this? In the following list, you will find 10 players who, based on their performances from the last season, deserve a spot in the top 10 of FIFA 22. This is not the official top 10 in FIFA 22, but rather an assessment of which players could receive the highest ratings.
The list was created taking into account the players’ performances in real football, as well as their previous FIFA history. Only field players were considered for this list – goalkeepers, who could certainly be among the top 10, are not included here for now. Icons were also left out for the time being.
And now let’s take a look at the possibly 10 best players in FIFA 22.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is now 34 years old but still creates magical moments on the soccer field. The Argentine has been called the best football player in the world for years and has won awards and titles endlessly.
And he just doesn’t stop: In the past season 20/21, Messi was the top scorer in LaLiga with 30 goals, additionally providing eleven assists. However, this time, the championship was secured not by FC Barcelona but by Atlético Madrid. Messi also impressed in the Copa América with goals and assists, and celebrated the title with Argentina.
In FIFA 21, Messi held the top position in the top 10 with a rating of 93. Given his age, an increase in the rating seems unlikely. However, he should remain at 93 – and thus likely also retain the top position in FIFA 22.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The eternal rival of Lionel Messi for the top spot in world football had to settle for second place in the FIFA ratings last year, receiving a 92. Similar should be the situation in FIFA 22.
Ronaldo impressed in Serie A once again with a plethora of goals and secured the top scorer title in the Italian league with 29 goals ahead of Romelu Lukaku. However, his team, like FC Barcelona, only made it to third place in the championship.
In the European Championship, Ronaldo’s Portugal was eliminated in the round of 16 against Belgium after progressing from the group stage.
Considering that Ronaldo is now 36 years old, his rating is likely to remain at 92, securing him second place… unless another competitor overtakes him.
Robert Lewandowski
Last year, Lewandowski received a rating of 91 points – will it go even higher this time? Based on his last season, the Bayern Munich striker certainly has a good argument to make.
In the 20/21 season, the Polish striker made Bundesliga history. Not only did he lead Bayern Munich to the championship with his goals, but he also broke a record that was thought to be everlasting.
Lewandowski scored 41 goals, one more than Gerd Müller collected in the 1971/72 season. The legendary 40-goals-in-a-season mark has thus fallen – and Lewandowski is the new record scorer of the Bundesliga. It is very likely that this will influence an upward rating adjustment, giving Lewandowski another rating point.
With everything Kylian Mbappé has already achieved, it is easy to forget how young the Frenchman still is. This leads to the fact that the 22-year-old, despite his already high rating, will probably still be counted among the greatest talents in FIFA 22.
But is he already ready for the best player? Messi, Ronaldo, and Lewandowski still likely have the edge over Mbappé. However, it is certain that Mbappé will move again in the upper part of the top 10 – especially now that he has been confirmed as the new cover star for FIFA 22.
In the league, Mbappé scored almost at will, netting 27 goals in 31 matches and providing 7 more assists. In the Champions League, he scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists. This should lead to an increase in rating from 90 to 91.
Neymar
The Brazilian had a rather difficult year. He missed several Ligue 1 matches due to various injuries and ailments, finishing the season with only 18 appearances in the league. Additionally, he played nine matches in the Champions League.
However, the numbers still speak for the dribbler. 9 goals and 6 assists in the league, 6 goals and 3 assists in European competitions are strong figures given the limited number of appearances. Like Messi, Neymar also reached the final of the Copa America, even if he ultimately had to give in.
An increase in rating beyond 91 currently seems rather unlikely. However, even this rating would likely secure Neymar a place in the top 10.
Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian is among the best midfielders in the world and once again impressed with strong performances last season. Especially in the first half of the season, he delivered goals and assists before an injury in winter sidelined him for a while. Throughout the second half of the season, he had to watch several matches, but returned to the pitch in the last game of the season and contributed one goal and one assist.
At the end of the season, his team Manchester City should have the championship – and almost the big victory in the Champions League. However, in the final, ManCity, with De Bruyne as captain, lost to Chelsea. In the European Championship, De Bruyne’s national team Belgium was eliminated against Italy in the quarter-finals.
But these defeats should not have too much impact on De Bruyne’s rating. He will probably not lose the 91 – and there may even be an additional point after the championship.
Joshua Kimmich
In FIFA 21, there was much surprise about the ratings of FC Bayern, which many found to be too weak. One of the players who received a rating upgrade was midfielder Kimmich – and this year another one is expected.
Kimmich has become an absolute leader and is now regarded as a world-class player in midfield – who can also help out defensively on the right side. Kimmich is strong defensively but can also create danger offensively. In the Bundesliga, he provided 10 assists and scored four goals.
The 26-year-old national player has now established himself as a top player. This may be honored with another rating jump of 2 points to 90.
Kimmich received a rating jump to 88. Will he get the next one in FIFA 22?
N’golo Kanté
Both in FIFA and in real football, Kanté is known as an outstanding midfielder. The Frenchman is everywhere and ensures that the opponent stays nicely at a distance from his own goal.
Especially in the Champions League, Kanté impressed with strong performances that greatly helped Chelsea reach the final – and ultimately win it.
As a result, Kanté has already been linked with winning the Ballon D’Or, that is, the award for the best player of the year. Whether it will come to that is open – but a rating jump to 90 and into the top 10 of FIFA 22 should be within reach.
Harry Kane
For Tottenham Hotspur, this time in the league resulted only in a 7th place finish. It can’t be blamed on Harry Kane: he secured the top scorer title in the English league with 23 goals and 14 assists last season.
In the European Championship, he also led his English team to the final, which is set to take place on Sunday evening (July 11). Overall, Kane generally plays at an extremely high level – and is also likely to be rewarded with a rating increase. However, as he is already at 88, another rating boost could see him bridge into the top 10.
Mohamed Salah
Right behind Kane in the Premier League scoring list is another member of last year’s top 10: Mo Salah scored 22 goals and provided 5 assists.
The Egyptian is among the best players the Premier League has to offer – as reflected in his rating in FIFA 21. He had a rating of 90, which he is likely to retain in FIFA 22. This should ensure that the popular forward remains in the top 10 in the new installment.
Who else could be in consideration?
Of course, the race for the top spots in FIFA 22 is tight, and several players are close to the top ratings. For example, players like Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes or Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema could also shoot into the top 10 of the new ratings thanks to strong performances.
The MMORPG EVE Online is suffering from a severe decline in players: The player count is at its lowest since 2006. Players attribute a variety of problems to this – but the developers reassure: The numbers look worse than they are. It seems that the summer slump of 2021, post-pandemic, is just deeper than usual.
What are the player numbers like? EVE Online is transparent about its player numbers. A status monitor constantly shows how many people are playing on “Tranquility”, the main server (via eve-offline).
The most exciting statistic for most players is the number of “PCU” – the “Peak Concurrent Users”, which indicates how many people were online at maximum in a day. This number has been decreasing for weeks, making players anxious. They are already referring to EVE Online as a “dying MMORPG”.
Recently the number fell to 22,645. As Kotaku notes, this was the lowest peak user count since 2006, so in 15 years.
The decline in numbers began in May 2021.
One could say now: “Well, with such an old MMORPG, that’s normal,” but in May 2020, EVE still experienced a comeback and was then as strong as it hadn’t been in 4 years. Something must have changed.
Since May 2021, the player numbers have dropped significantly.
Players identify the economy in EVE Online as a problem
This is what players say is the cause: In a complex MMORPG like EVE Online, there are always a variety of complaints: There are always problems that plague players at any given time.
One of the current issues is a “ship scarcity” in the game. As Kotaku details, an extremely powerful mining ship, the Rorqual, was introduced to EVE Online in winter 2016. The introduction of this ship boosted EVE Online’s industry so much that there was a flood of new ships, including the mighty Titans.
But since 2019, CCP has swung back and made it harder to produce ships. They speak of the “Age of Scarcity.” A major war, probably one of the largest in the history of EVE, has significantly reduced the existing number of ships because so many were destroyed.
The complaint now is:
All those who farmed like crazy between 2016 and 2019 are now uncatchable in the lead
All those who have to produce under the “now applicable, more difficult conditions” are at a disadvantage
Kotaku refers to a “burnout among industrial players, who are already plagued by tax burdens.”
In addition, there is a controversial monetization action from CCP: For €5, CCP offers new players to return their ship if they lost it in a fight with another player.
This is what the developers say: In a statement to Kotaku, it is said that the numbers look worse than they actually are.
While the “peak player count” has declined, the number of daily active players is decreasing significantly less drastically.
At CCP, they apparently believe that players are currently still connected to EVE but simply play less than before.
CCP does not view the “promotion” as being as severe as portrayed in the outraged comments from fans. This offer is likely presented to only 1% of the affected ships. One must also specifically search for this offer; it does not jump out at you.
Summer slump following Covid-19 even deeper than usual?
Here’s what it’s about: We have seen an overall decline in active users in gaming since May 2021. There have been some horror reports of declining player numbers from some games, like the constantly burning CS:GO:
Also on Steam, the player count rose steadily from August 2020 to April 2021. But then in May 2021, it suddenly fell.
On Twitch, the average viewer count dropped from 3.1 million (April 2021) to 2.6 million (July 2021), after months of significant growth.
So, the summer slump is surely also responsible for the decrease in player numbers in EVE, which comes every year with gaming and EVE Online.
In short: With better weather, people are more outside and less indoors; they simply play less. Because the gaming industry knows this and has adapted, new game releases are rarer in the summer than in the autumn.
The summer slump in gaming in 2021 is particularly deep due to the aftereffects of the Corona pandemic. Players were partly in lockdown for 16 months and had plenty of time for EVE Online: Now, as the restrictions ease, even the hardest gamers are likely to focus more on real life again.
A hardcore game like EVE Online, where some suffer from oversaturation or burnout, could be hit even harder by the “post-Corona summer slump” than a “normal game.” Also because EVE is so transparent about its player numbers, the drop in player numbers is particularly noticeable.
Whereas for most games and platforms, the number of users does not fall as dramatically as in EVE Online: That seems to be a special case.
EVE Online is a fascinating game that threatens to consume anyone who dives deep into it. The dimensions of EVE Online are huge:
The most successful PS4 game was actually Cyberpunk 2077 in June 2021. However, it seems to have fallen out of grace. Sony did little advertising for the delayed release and seems to want to sweep the game under the rug. Yet, this sci-fi epic is now the most downloaded PS4 game in June 2021 in their own PS Store.
Although the game still has technical issues on the PS4 version, it is now the “most downloaded PS4 game in June 2021 in Europe and the USA”. The game returned to the PS Store on June 21, having only a few days to conquer the charts.
Sony has not heavily promoted the return of Cyberpunk 2077 either; even in the shop, the PS Store, the game is only found in very cheap spots.
“Better than at launch – far from perfect”
What’s happening with the return of Cyberpunk 2077? Sony has put Cyberpunk 2077 back in the shop, but the game still doesn’t run well on the standard PlayStation 4.
According to Forbes, the game is “better than back then, but far from perfect.” While some quest bugs have disappeared, Cyberpunk 2077 still does not run well on the PlayStation 4.
Sony mentions Cyberpunk 2077 as little as possible.
A complete review of Cyberpunk 2077 can be found on GameStar (via GameStar).
Cyberpunk dominates the list of most downloaded games in June 2021.
Is it embarrassing for Sony? Well, normally you would expect Sony to promote “the biggest game of 2020 is finally coming to PS4” more, but Sony has been very quiet about the return of Cyberpunk 2077 to the PS Store:
There is no major reference to the game on the store page. The news articles completely omit the return.
Even as a lead for the “most downloads article,” they prefer the successful PS5 game Ratchet & Clank instead of Cyberpunk 2077, which is only mentioned in passing.
In the list of “most downloaded games,” Sony currently places the game at rank 13, still behind Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and FIFA 21.
The announcement that Cyberpunk 2077 would return to the shop was not properly made by Sony; rather, journalists discovered hints, inquired at Sony, and then received confirmation that Cyberpunk 2077 was coming back.
Overall, it seems that Sony wants to keep as much distance as possible between Cyberpunk 2077 and itself.
They don’t seem to be proud of their biggest hit in June 2021.
Currently, the game is found in the 3rd row.
What’s going on with the advertising? In recent days, there has been excitement over a leaked commercial for Cyberpunk 2077: CD Projekt Red is apparently planning a marketing campaign that boasts about the “largest update so far”.
This confused people because no major update has been released recently. They were hoping for a big new update. However, CD Projekt Red means with this campaign the update 1.2, which was released in March 2021 and fixed many bugs.
Cortyn likes the current story of World of Warcraft, but apparently, he stands quite alone with that. Why is everyone so angry?
Patch 9.1 Chains of Domination brought many innovations to World of Warcraft. However, especially the course of the story has been heatedly discussed in recent days. Whether in the subreddit, in the official forums, or on various Discord servers – it is being talked about everywhere. Some people are even so disappointed with the storyline that they are sending death threats to the authors and apparently forgetting all manners.
But aside from such crazies, I found the story really good and can only partially understand the criticism.
I want to address a large part of the criticism.
Spoiler Warning: This article discusses the current story of World of Warcraft, including the cinematics at the end of the raid “Sanctum of Domination”. You’ve been warned.
Ardenweald Cinematic spawned many memes
The discussions did not only start with the Sanctum of Domination, but already a week before: There was the new cinematic during the covenant campaign in Ardenweald. A decisive battle occurs between Sylvanas Windrunner and Tyrande Whisperwind, the Night Warrior. Especially one scene is particularly criticized: Tyrande grabs Sylvanas by the neck and tries to either choke her, break her neck, or simply tear off her head.
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In numerous memes, this scene has been parodied and repeatedly described as “cringe.” After all, it is quite silly to want to choke an undead. That would simply be stupid, and an old night elf like Tyrande should know that.
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This viewpoint can be held if you only look at that single scene and not the context in which it takes place – because that gets somehow forgotten in most discussions.
Sylvanas has been conducting the fight rather “playfully” up to that point. She was clearly superior to Tyrande and was only buying time while the Jailer’s troops, along with Anduin, pursued their goal elsewhere.
When Tyrande realizes this, Sylvanas has already switched to her “mixed form” of banshee and elf and is on the run. To stop her escape, Tyrande asks Elune for her favor and follows her. She also shoots into the sky and grabs Sylvanas in a place where she can exert control – the neck.
Could there have been a better way to pull Sylvanas down from the sky and pin her to the ground? Probably. But did Tyrande have time to figure out the perfect approach? No. She had to choose a way within seconds and achieved what she wanted – Sylvanas was temporarily prevented from escaping.
Tyrande tries to “choke” Sylvanas – many found that ridiculous.
Putting logic aside, the scene was also visually well-executed because it illustrates the shift in power dynamics. Tyrande, who assumes the dominant role in that moment, ready to annihilate her victim while it crouches subserviently beneath her. However, as Elune’s power wanes, Sylvanas almost playfully frees herself from the chokehold, simply pushing the hands back.
In my opinion, that could hardly be represented better and also raises further intriguing questions for the future, such as why Elune does not want Tyrande to eliminate Sylvanas.
The raid finale sparked a lot of anger
Much worse than the first video was the finale of the raid “Sanctum of Domination”. Around 70% negative ratings of the video clearly show that many players do not like what they see. To explain what I mean, here again is the video:
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The first major point of criticism is that Sylvanas undergoes a sudden change of heart and turns against Zovaal, the Jailer. Many perceive that she suddenly has doubts at the last moment and basically switches sides spontaneously as “badly written.” But is that really the case? Is it spontaneous and without prior indication?
I do not think so. If you watch all the preceding cinematics, then this possibility has been evident for a long time. Even in the conversations with Anduin in Torghast and later, when the Jailer simply subjugates Anduin to his will, you can see the doubts brewing in Sylvanas. When Tyrande then revealed to her in Ardenweald that Nathanos was dead and that the Jailer had apparently kept that from her, you briefly see disbelief in Sylvanas’ expression. At the latest there, the thought springs up that the Jailer is also deceiving her.
The final trigger for Sylvanas’ change of heart is that Zovaal alters the grand plan. There was actually an agreement to dissolve reality as it is to create complete freedom – without a rigid corset that already determines what kind of life one leads and in which realm of the Shadowlands one spends eternity. The conviction that Zovaal would uphold his end and do what he promised was what made this alliance between him and Sylvanas possible in the first place.
However, Zovaal changes his plan and announces that he will create a reality where everyone serves him.
“But why was Sylvanas so stupid to believe Zovaal?”, I can already hear some asking. The exact answer to that can only be provided by Blizzard, but I believe that the signs are clear. On the one hand, Sylvanas and Zovaal have many parallels, and thus, it was probably easy to feel some form of “sympathy.” Zovaal as a prisoner in the Maw and Sylvanas once as a prisoner of the Lich King’s will – even though he was created by Zovaal. The common goal of destroying this reality to create a new one where everyone is truly free is interesting for Sylvanas.
But the second point is much more important to me: The missing part of Sylvanas’ soul. The fragment that Frostmourne likely tore from her, alternatively the Saronite spikes under Icecrown during her suicide attempt. That could be precisely the part of her soul that is responsible for remaining faithful to one’s own virtues, acting logically and rationally. Exactly that fragment that the Jailer returns to Sylvanas in the end.
Why do I suspect this? Because it was the same with Uther. In the Cinematic “Afterlife: Bastion”, we see Uther, who also commits an act that is completely out of character for his righteous, compassionate nature. He hurled Arthas’s soul into the Maw, even though it is neither his position to decide that nor the correct place for Arthas, who would probably be much better off in Revendreth.
Uther’s soul was shattered – apparently, this also happened to Sylvanas.
If the missing fragment of a soul causes even a paragon of light to act against his own principles – why should it not work exactly the same way with an undead ranger?
The last major point that keeps coming up: Why does Zovaal let us all live and just walk away? He could have killed us!
Yes, he could have. But that’s not what he wants, and he makes that quite clear. His goal is not to annihilate everyone – but to subjugate all. Moreover, Zovaal considers himself so powerful that he sees no problems with “us” and the great characters like Jaina, Thrall, and Bolvar. Why should he? With a single wave of his hand, he could imprison everyone and subjugate them to his will.
And of course, from a story perspective, it is “practical” that we are spared because it fits the motivation of the villain. But what is the alternative? The Jailer cackles wickedly, kills everyone, and then a big “The End” appears on the screen and WoW is over?
Of course, there must be a way for the story to continue. This is in the nature of things that we are playing a game that certainly should not simply end now. With a villain at the height of his power, there must be an element that ensures that the protagonists continue to exist.
Moreover, Zovaal’s character has also been explored a bit more in other works. In the book “Folks & Fairytales of Azeroth” (which I highly recommend to everyone), there is a story about the Maw and a bit about the Jailer. He believes that every soul seeks revenge and is always pleased when he sees that this is indeed true. For this reason, he also apparently leaves Sylvanas the missing part of her soul – so she has to bear the last hours of her life with the guilt she has accumulated before the heroes take their revenge on her.
Ultimately, he simply does not care what happens. He has his path to the “Sepulcher”, he has the power in his hands – and the rest is simply no longer relevant to him.
Zovaal at the height of his power.
A little distance can do good
Even if one does not agree with all my arguments and sees it completely differently – which is completely legitimate – then take a little distance. I find it quite alarming when people want to tell someone how a story should be told. Suddenly, everyone sees themselves as the great story gods who know exactly how a good story should look.
Sure, one does not have to like the story. But demanding that all story writers at Blizzard be fired because they do not tell the story the way one would like it is pretty far-fetched.
At the end of the day, it is still their story. While I certainly agree that player input should be considered regarding gameplay and mechanics – I see it differently with the story. I want to experience the story that the authors want to show me and no other.
More news around World of Warcraft can be found here:
And if you really come to the conclusion that everything has been terrible for years and the story was only great until [the addon I still liked] and then went downhill with [the addon I didn’t like] – then maybe it’s time to just gain a little distance from the game. Because it would be each person’s responsibility to spend years on something in their free time that they do not like.
But now you are welcome to discuss this. How do you see it? Did you like the course of the story? Or do you also find everything rubbish that has happened in Warcraft lately?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the week from July 5 to 11, two new MMORPGs were released. Additionally, there were new updates regarding many indie MMORPGs that are currently in development. We from MeinMMO have summarized all the news.
This week’s controversy: A new cinematic featuring Sylvanas was shown in WoW. However, it is not well received. About 70% find it really stupid.
This week’s discussion:Lost Ark has once again commented on the topic of Pay2Win. The developers promise a fair and good gaming experience. However, many players are also annoyed by the discussion, as they already do not consider Lost Ark to be Pay2Win.
WoW struggles with balance issues, FFXIV sets player record
This week, here’s what happened with the major MMORPGs:
These were the news this week from the world of MMORPGs at a glance. What was your personal highlight? Did you experience something exciting this week? Or did we forget something important? Let us know in the comments.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Twitch streamer Charlie “MuTeX” Saouma has set a special record in Call of Duty: Warzone. He achieved 61 kills in a match. However, he is accused of cheating in the stream. Therefore, he is taking special measures and filming himself directly with 5 cameras.
What’s going on? Cheaters are a big problem in Warzone. Therefore, doubts often arise about whether such records are truly legitimate. This is currently happening with the streamer MuTeX, who achieved 61 kills in a match.
The accusations come from YouTuber BadBoy Beamen, who specializes in finding cheaters. He claims to have found several pieces of evidence of cheating, which MuTeX denies.
To ensure that such accusations do not arise in the future, MuTeX has taken a very interesting step. He has recently streamed only with 5 active cameras:
One shows his face
One shows the controller
One shows his screens
One shows his lap from the side
One shows the entire setup from the back
You can see how the setup looks in the game in this short clip on Twitter:
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Streamer is said to use a tool for controller modification
What exactly is MuTeX being accused of? The Twitch streamer is accused of having used the tool “Cronus.” This software makes it easier for players to integrate scripts into the controller, behind which cheats might also be present. Therefore, the tool has already been banned in competitive CoD tournaments.
MuTeX explained that the tool was a remnant of an old LAN tournament (via Twitter) and showed in a video how he deleted Cronus from his hard drive. However, the installation date of the file was displayed, which surprisingly showed March 2021.
This contradicts the statement that the tool is an old remnant, as even an update does not change the installation date. BadBoy Beaman explained this in a second video on the subject:
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Cheaters are a problem in Warzone: Since the launch of Warzone in March 2020, there have been cheaters in the game. In April, Activision reported that they have already banned over 475,000 cheaters. However, the problems have become rather larger than smaller since then.
Is MuTeX a cheater? This cannot be definitively answered. Both sides are sticking to their position and not admitting any wrongdoing. It is obvious, however, that MuTeX is not using a wallhack, flyhack, or a classic aimbot.
Some of MuTeX’s fans also criticize that YouTuber BadBoy Beaman now sees cheaters everywhere to gain more attention for himself and his videos.
With his new setup, however, MuTeX is likely preventing others from accusing him of cheating in the future.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
CoD Warzone remains a big success, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing, as it could come at the expense of the regular competitive multiplayer mode. At least that’s what the professional player Scump from OpTic says. In a podcast, he provided reasons why Warzone has essentially killed the regular multiplayer of Call of Duty.
Who is Scump? Seth “Scump” Abner from Team OpTic is a top player in Call of Duty and has won 2 gold medals in Major League Gaming as well as a world champion title in the Call of Duty League. So, the man knows his stuff about Call of Duty, but he has also had trouble with the developers for streaming without permission.
This is what the discussion is about: In a podcast by OpTic, which included other professionals, a thesis from another CoD professional was brought up. James “Clayster” Eubanks from Team New York Sublimers recently stated that Warzone could be killing the regular competitive CoD multiplayer. But Scump goes a step further.
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Pro says Warzone has already killed the multiplayer
What does Scump say? In the OpTic podcast, Scump speaks up after his teammate H3CZ brings up the topic of Warzone vs. multiplayer. Scump is clear on the question of whether Warzone could kill the multiplayer, as the professional says:
I want to put it as gently as possible: It [Warzone] has already done that!
He then continued on the subject and mentioned the significantly different viewer counts as one criterion:
It’s not as if that isn’t obvious to everyone. Just look at Twitch. Cold War has an average of around 6,000 viewers. Warzone has had at least 100,000 all the time.
What are the reasons? In the further discussion among the professionals, the reasons behind Warzone’s success are discussed:
Many well-known influencers, such as Nickmercs, play it and thus bring a large number of followers into the game
Viral marketing from friends telling their friends about it increases player numbers
Moreover, Twitter and Twitch are full of clips from Warzone; you can’t escape the game
Every gaming experience in Warzone is fundamentally different as well. Those who play 4 hours of multiplayer have the same four maps; those who play four hours of Warzone have much more variety and rewarding experiences.
However, the multiplayer mode is still not completely done for. After all, as one of the podcast colleagues points out, there is still some tournament happening every other day in competitive CoD multiplayer with huge prize pools.
Nonetheless, Scump stands by his word and hopes that the developers also give enough attention to the regular multiplayer mode and do not invest the lion’s share of development resources into Warzone.
July marks the real start of the MMORPG summer. Two new MMORPGs are being released, and WoW has just received a major update. We from MeinMMO present to you the most important MMOs and online games that might interest you this month.
What kind of games are these? The selected games are online games that you can experience together with friends or strangers. Each game is celebrating its release or receiving a major update in June 2021, which brings a lot of new features.
On the last page, there is also a brief outlook on what else is happening in June.
How did this list come about? This list is meant to inform you about new releases and updates and was compiled by MMORPG expert Alexander Leitsch. Each game is presented in more detail throughout the article, and it will be revealed for whom each title is worthwhile.
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: Wangyuan Shengtang | Platform: PC | Release Date: July 9, 2021 | Model: Buy-to-Play
What kind of game is this? Swords of Legends Online (short: SOLO) is a theme-park MMORPG from China. It impresses mainly with its story, which is told through many quests and cutscenes. Additionally, it looks graphically very stylish.
The MMORPG focuses on an action-packed combat system with evasive rolls and offers various content for PvE and PvP fans, including dungeons, arenas, and housing.
SOLO was released in 2019 in China and has been continuously expanded since then. In 2021, the German publisher Gameforge will bring the game to the West. Here, it will be Buy-to-Play and will feature a shop, which, however, is supposed to be free of Pay-to-Win and Pay-to-Progress.
These are the highlights of Swords of Legends
Swords of Legends offers everything that makes an MMORPG heart beat faster:
Gameplay trailer for the new MMORPG Swords of Legends Online.
Why you should play SOLO in July
On July 9, the release of Swords of Legends took place. So if you feel like playing an MMORPG right from the start, you can start this weekend.
SOLO is particularly aimed at fans of theme-park MMORPGs, as everything is very linear. You experience the same quests and the same story with each class, and you must experience this because it really gets going at Max Level in the game. Then dungeons with multiple difficulty levels, housing, PvP, and more await you.
The highlight is the active combat system, which represents a good mix of action and tab-targeting. It is most comparable to Guild Wars 2.
Five years after its release, the WoW movie Warcraft: The Beginning is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. The film is currently at number 3 in the Netflix charts for the most streamed movies worldwide. It’s time to revisit the film.
What is the situation regarding the film? Recently, the WoW movie Warcraft: The Beginning has also been made available for streaming on Netflix for all subscribers at no additional cost. And apparently, the film has struck a chord.
Five years after its theatrical release in the summer of 2016, the movie is now being watched extensively worldwide. The visually stunning fantasy epic currently ranks 3rd (as of July 9, 2021) in the global Netflix charts for most streamed movies.
What is it actually about? The film’s storyline is largely based on the story of the very first Warcraft game. Specifically, the strategy game Warcraft: Orcs and Humans from the 90s.
It tells the story of how the Orcs came to Azeroth and the dark schemes of the warlock Gul’dan. We also meet important characters like the Orcs Durotan and Orgrim, as well as the mages Medivh and Khadgar.
The film revolves around the first battles between Orcs and humans and ends with a clear hint at a sequel. After all, at the end, the young Thrall is sent on his fateful journey. Unfortunately, nothing has come of that so far, as the film received rather lukewarm reviews from international critics at the time.
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Why should you still watch the film after 5 years?
I, Jürgen Horn, and our WoW demon Cortyn both ventured into the cinemas back in 2016 and watched the film from the perspective of a (relative) WoW noob and an absolute WoW fanatic.
Curiously, we both enjoyed the film and had our fun:
This is the opinion of an unknowing person: I liked the epic action, the surprisingly emotional Orcs, and the few details I remembered from the strategy game as a non-WoW player. For example, the sheep spell! You can find the full review from a WoW noob’s perspective of the film here.
This is the opinion of a WoW fan: Cortyn, as a big fan, was able to enjoy the film even more because the many locations and situations were immediately recognizable. One felt right at home. A film review from a WoW expert’s perspective can be found here.
The film primarily targets fans who already know what kind of floating city it is, who Medivh really is, and what that weird bubbling creature in the water is supposed to be.
Those unfamiliar with the WoW universe might be a bit lost, but they will be rewarded with epic battle scenes and some really well-crafted Orcs. Such lovingly designed CGI characters are still hard to come by outside of Avatar, and the WoW movie has certainly utilized some of that potential.
Therefore, it’s still worth watching the good old WoW movie Warcraft: The Beginning, especially if you already have a Netflix subscription and it costs you nothing extra. And who knows, perhaps the late success of the film will ultimately inspire the decision-makers to finally create the long-awaited sequel.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The wacky looter shooter game Space Punks was announced just recently, but MeinMMO authors Jürgen Horn and Benedikt Schlotmann had the chance to play it extensively. Read here what they liked and where there are still issues.
What is Space Punks? According to the developers, Space Punks is a colorful multiplayer looter shooter in a top-down view that looks like Borderlands and Diablo had a rough child. Or to put it in the words of one of the developers: “It’s basically Diablo with guns.”
Who played it? Space Punks is set to release exclusively in early access on the Epic Store on July 14, 2021, but I, Jürgen Horn, and my colleague Benedikt Schlotmann already got access in advance, so to speak “early early access.”
Who is Jürgen Horn? Jürgen played the original Diablo up and down in the 90s and indulged in all the Borderlands titles. Wacky games with humor and plenty of explosions are also his thing, making Jürgen the perfect candidate to test Space Punks. He also thinks the pig is great!
Who is Benedikt Schlotmann? Benedikt writes for MeinMMO about everything related to hardware and tech. Aside from mice and headsets, he also enjoys gaming and had a lot of fun with the crazy Helldivers, fighting through dozens of planets for democracy.
First Play Solo – The Beginning of Space Punks
So short was the tutorial: I already like Space Punks for one particular reason: It has almost no tutorial. The game doesn’t waste my precious life time by explaining how to walk straight like a complete idiot.
Rather, the game starts with cool rock music on the title screen and immediately drops me into the game. Briefly, the quest and inventory system are explained, and then the first mission begins. Here you are still forced to be alone and shoot down some robots.
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This is how the gameplay works: You can play with either a gamepad or keyboard and mouse. The game recommends a controller, but somehow it works better with a mouse/keyboard combo. With the right button, my character hits in close combat, while with the left button I aim with my gun and shoot wildly around.
There are also four additional buttons to trigger skills and perform dodge rolls. Done. No additional finesse is needed.
“I want to be the pig!” – Space Punks in Co-op
This is how it continued in the team: According to the developers, you should definitely play Space Punks in co-op with up to four people. It’s important to choose the right combination from the four available “heroes,” as each has different skills and bonuses that they unlock in combination with other players. The options are:
The grim Eris, a killer who primarily inflicts damage with her nano spikes
The nerdy Bob, a technician who sets up turrets and looks like a funny insect
The hefty fighter Finn, who acts as a tank and is actually a humanoid pig with a mohawk haircut!
These are the 4 Space Punks available at launch.
I insist on being the pig while Benedikt plays the agile Eris. A third player we picked up plays the technician Bob.
This is how much fun Space Punks is in a team: While Space Punks was already quite fun alone, the game becomes really cool in co-op. It starts with us overwhelming the enemies with a combination of a minigun, a shotgun, and a kind of laser that tears through everything.
Rarely does anyone even get close to us, and if they do, my fighter smashes the annoying robot enemies with the hammer.
Enemies explode in a staccato, and when we hit especially hard, funny comic speech bubbles with sound words like “Pow!” or “Boom!” appear. The whole spectacle is accompanied by lively rock music, and our characters occasionally toss out witty comments.
Everything runs smoothly and fun, and we can chat about the latest gossip via Discord while taking down enemies. Ideal for a fun evening.
In the game, you smoothly switch from ranged to melee combat.
That’s why teamwork is important: How important teamwork is in the game only becomes clear to us later. Each character has two other heroes with whom they unlock special effects.
Want an example? My pig Finn automatically gives Bob’s turrets a shield when I’m near the technician. Regardless of which heroes you choose, there is always a tactical advantage that promotes teamwork.
A heck of a fun, when it works
These are our highlights: After a few hours in the game, we all agreed: This game is a lot of fun and is perfect for a few enjoyable rounds in the evening. You don’t have to think much here but can dive straight into the chaos and shoot and punch to your heart’s content.
Moreover, the game runs even on weak hardware, as Benedikt noted. He was forced to use only the graphics chip of the motherboard during our gaming night and still, the game ran smoothly like a buttered space roast pig.
In co-op mode, the Space Punk goes wild!
What still needs work: Our big Space Punks evening would have been perfect if there weren’t a few unpleasant issues with the game. The co-op mode, in particular, is extremely finicky and it takes countless attempts and re-logs until you finally have all three players in one team.
There are also occasional game crashes in the middle of a mission or – especially annoying – on the screen where loot is distributed after each mission. Then it’s pure luck whether the loot is still there when you have to restart the game out of necessity.
It’s annoying, but the game is still in “early early access” and bugs and glitches can still be forgiven. However, by the beta launch in winter, this issue should be resolved at the latest.
Conclusion Benedikt – Has potential if motivation is right
The first matches were a lot of fun in co-op – if the connection actually worked. I like the soft comic look, the overpowered weapons, and the chaos, and they definitely make me want more.
My only concern is that the game may not keep me engaged for long, as I currently lack a goal or something to work toward. Like the crazy conquest of the universe in Helldivers.
If the developers can get a grip on the bugs and ensure proper long-term motivation, then we could be looking at a really fun co-op title.
Benedikt Schlotmann Hardware editor at MeinMMO
Conclusion Jürgen – Could become my new favorite game
I was already in love with Space Punks when editor-in-chief Leya first showed me a picture of the Space Pig. Therefore, I have extensively played the “early early access” and had a lot of fun with it. It’s simply great to shoot down hundreds of enemies with the wild space pig and soak in explosions and chaos. However, there is a huge difference between playing the game alone or in co-op. As the developers have emphasized multiple times, the game is clearly designed for multiplayer, and it quickly becomes boring to shoot alone. In co-op, however, everything is much more fun and motivates trying new combinations of skills and weapons. The developers need to ensure a quick supply of features, items, and locations to prevent players from eventually getting bored.
Jürgen Horn Editor at MeinMMO
So much for our opinion on Space Punks. If you also want to join in, you can check out the early access on the Epic Store starting July 14, 2021. If you are looking for more Diablo alternatives, take a look at our list here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The fantasy battle royale Hunter’s Arena is already in Early Access on Steam, but it will soon be available on PS4, PS5, and for free for PS Plus users. But what kind of game is this?
What is Hunter’s Arena? Hunter’s Arena is a curious mix of an MMORPG and a battle royale. Basically, it’s about being the last survivor or the last remaining team in an ever-shrinking game world.
But on the way there, there is a ton of stuff that resembles an MMORPG:
Dungeons
“Raids”
Level-ups
All of this can and should be done in the game to level up your characters (there are classes with unique abilities) and make them strong for the major PvP endgame. The game has thus been marketed as “MMORPG for people who only have 30 minutes to play“.
How has the game been received so far? Hunter’s Arena entered Early Access on Steam on July 15, 2020. However, it was not the hit developers had hoped for and currently sits at a balanced rating (62% of reviews as of July 9, 2021, are positive).
Reasons for the poor reviews include overly complicated combos, poor performance, and lastly, a lack of players.
Revised version launching on PS4 and PS5 – What’s included
When is the PS version coming out? On August 3, 2021, more than a year after the launch on Steam, Hunter’s Arena will finally be released for PS4 and PS5. Those with a PS Plus subscription will even get the game for free.
At the launch of the PlayStation version, David Yoon, the CEO of the developer Mantisco, said:
We would like to apologize for taking so much time with the polishing of our game and keeping our fans waiting for the official launch. That’s why I’m even more pleased today to confirm that Hunter’s Arena Legends will be released on August 3 on PlayStation and PC, including cross-play..
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What changes with the PlayStation launch? The developers have taken their time to further optimize the game. Some of the main changes are?
Five new characters: With the new heroes Momo, Dalgi, Wu Kong, Pigsy, and Sandy, you now have a choice of a total of 17 different avatars.
Smaller map for faster gameplay: In response to player feedback, the map was reduced in size, and the number of players was decreased to 30 to enable a more dynamic gameplay. Additionally, a fast travel option was implemented.
Overhauled combat system: This includes a new option for quicker dodging.
New arena, crossplay, and performance update:There will be a new arena at the PS launch as well as crossplay between PC and PlayStation. The PC performance has also been improved.
This seems to address some of the players’ complaints. And with crossplay between PS4 and PS5, the lack of players should become a thing of the past. It will be interesting to see if Hunter’s Arena can turn it around.
Ashes of Creation is considered by many players to be the western MMORPG hope. For a long time, only the developers were allowed to show the game. This weekend, the NDA has lifted and selected players can finally present gameplay of the MMORPG. The reactions, however, are mixed.
What’s going on? Since Friday evening, an alpha event for Ashes of Creation has been running. This event is taking place for the first time without an NDA. Players who have either invested $500 or received an account for the event from the developers may now present all content of the MMORPG that has been available so far.
Still, some players who previously had no access to the MMORPG are disappointed with the presented content. They could now watch the game for the first time through selected people on Twitch or YouTube, who leveled up and completed quests from the beginning.
One of the currently largest streamers for Ashes of Creation is Asmongold, who became known with WoW. He has already streamed 5 hours of Ashes of Creation. You can watch some highlights from the stream in this video on YouTube:
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Little content, boring quests, and little progress compared to 4 years ago
What is being criticized about Ashes of Creation? Currently, there are 9 threads on MMORPG-reddit criticizing Ashes of Creation and only one where the original post gives praise to the MMORPG. Criticisms include aspects such as graphics, animations, server performance, and the game’s content.
The user AkoSolius primarily criticizes the feeling he had while watching Ashes of Creation and even calls it a “low-budget Korea MMO” (via reddit):
I know this is a test and not a showcase of the game, but as I watched Asmongold play, I was constantly reminded of my attempts to play Korean MMOs like TERA. I feel that despite the good graphics, the animations still feel like they weren’t properly transitioned, and the UI just looks like a dull fantasy UI number 3.
The user Turbulent-Passenger is particularly surprised at the limited progress of the game over the last 4 years (via reddit):
[…] Now, 4 years later, I honestly don’t see much has changed. If this is what they can present after 4 years – boring quests, clumsy combat, and the main method of leveling being a dull grind of mobs – I feel that they are too ambitious and have taken on too much.
The current servers can barely handle the players who have invested $500, how is this ever going to work with mass battles in PvP, which they boast about?
I want to reiterate that I know it is early in development, but this game has had years, and at this pace, I honestly don’t see this game being finished even in 2 years.
Below these posts, many comments are piling up, mocking how high the hype around Ashes of Creation is and how little the game currently has to offer.
The thread by Neeko2lo, who generally warns against hyping unfinished games and spending $500 on them, made it to the 2nd place on MMORPG-reddit with over 360 upvotes (via reddit).
What is our assessment? We at MeinMMO could already test the alpha a few weeks ago and can confirm that Ashes of Creation is still in a rough phase:
In addition to technical issues, we noticed primarily the quests that were extremely generic and simple, as well as the rather weak animations during combat.
However, we found the graphics and design of the environment to be quite successful for an alpha. Potential is already recognizable, which some testers and viewers also confirm.
Ashes of Creation is in a real alpha and has potential
What do the fans of Ashes of Creation say? While there are many negative voices about the new MMORPG in MMORPG-reddit, there is much support for the game in the subreddit for Ashes of Creation and under Asmongold’s video.
Asmongold’s video even has 98% thumbs up compared to only 2% thumbs down.
In the subreddit, questions and discussions about the game predominantly dominate the threads, with overall rather positive sentiment.
The YouTuber Playmiś writes under this video:
Looks good for a real alpha and not a promotional tool that so many other companies call alpha. I think the game will be fine in the coming years.
Also, the reddit user KyngKoopa does not understand the major criticism (via reddit):
All these posts [on reddit] are irrelevant and unnecessary. As the title says, it’s an alpha. The developers are still working out the core functionalities. Combat, animations, UI, etc. will be refined later in the development phase.
It’s so disgusting to see posts like this, where the game is hated because it “doesn’t look good”, even though that is to be expected at this early phase. Why do so many people expect to see a polished/optimized game at this point in development? We are still testing. The game has not been released yet.
The point about the “real alpha” has even been emphasized by the game’s head, Steven Sharif. He warns against purchasing alpha access, precisely because the game is still fully in development.
This is what the game looks like in-game (screenshot from the official livestream).
The game’s fans see a great potential in Ashes of Creation overall. The user NovelOtaku describes it as a kind of “ArcheAge 2.0,” where he himself describes ArcheAge as one of the “greatest MMORPGs ever,” aside from things like pay-to-win (via reddit). Other users also frequently draw comparisons to ArcheAge.
The user Aritar1 also reports that Ashes of Creation already has “a soul,” which sometimes other MMORPGs lack (via reddit):
It wasn’t really visible in Steven Sharif’s gameplay, probably because we couldn’t hear the music and sound effects, but through Asmongold’s stream, the game became something special for me. It feels cozy – I can’t explain it, it awakens the desire in me to hop on a horse and explore the world, and I’m not even playing it.
That’s the thing I was most worried about, but they pulled it off, they did the hardest and most important part, now I am very confident about this game.
Ashes of Creation is considered the western MMORPG hope
Why is Ashes of Creation so hyped? For a long time, MMORPG fans have been waiting for a new game that meets their needs. The last major releases here in the West were mainly games from Asia, which could not visually please everyone.
Additionally, it tempts players with the promise that their actions will influence the game world. This is supposed to happen through the node system. The entire game world is divided into different zones, the nodes that can be captured, leveled, and destroyed.
Moreover, there are discussions of mass battles in PvP and strong bosses that can only be defeated with a larger group of players. All of this sounds old-school and adventurous.
The head behind Ashes of Creation, Steven Sharif, has played MMORPGs like ArcheAge himself and saw a huge potential in that title, which, however, was not realized. That is why the millionaire started implementing his own game.
Regigigas In the Raids of Pokémon GO can be a tough opponent. We show you the best counters and all important information about the raid boss here.
Update, July 10, 2021 – When will Regigigas be available? Although Regigigas has just been in raids, it is returning: On July 18, 2021, it will be featured alongside other legendary monsters.
Then the second day of Pokémon GO Fest 2021 will take place. You can learn how to defeat the raid boss here. We have updated the article with the current counters.
Counter Guide to Regigigas
Which types are effective? Since Regigigas is a Normal type, only Fighting type is effective. So you need to gather your strongest Fighting Pokémon.
These are the best counters: In addition to various Fighting Pokémon, general attackers like Mewtwo or Metagross are also good. However, you should preferably rely on type advantage:
(Shadow)Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
(Shadow)Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
(Shadow)Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike
Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch
(Shadow)Alakazam with Counter and Psychic
Toxicroak with Counter and Dynamic Punch
(Shadow)Gallade with Low Sweep and Close Combat
How many players are needed? Regigigas can be defeated quite well with three players. It is enough to be at level 30. However, you should have only the top counters with you then.
Which Mega Pokémon will help against Regigigas? You can try to deal with the raid boss using Mega Gengar and the combination of Shadow Punch / Focus Blast.
All Important Information about the Raid Boss
How much CP is 100% IV? A Regigigas with 100% IV has 2483 CP from the raid. If it is partly cloudy, it can even reach 3104 CP. So it is already very strong straight out of the raid.
What moves does Regigigas learn? The legendary Pokémon can learn various fast and charge moves:
Fast Moves: Hidden Power and Zen Headbutt
Charge Moves: Focus Blast and Giga Impact
Is Regigigas useful? As a general attacker, Regigigas can be a good alternative. However, its Normal type, which is not effective against any other type, makes it quite useless otherwise.
It is not really useful against any Pokémon, and monsters with effective types are better in every regard. You can find a detailed analysis of the Pokémon here:
