WoW Shadowlands: Big Patch 9.0 has a release date

Patch 9.0 for World of Warcraft finally has a fixed date. In less than two weeks it will begin.

The news of the delay of Shadowlands still weighs heavily on the players of World of Warcraft. After all, the expansion has been postponed to an unknown date. The journey to the Shadowlands is thus postponed for now. But what about the big pre-patch that was supposed to come out soon? It now has a date and will arrive in less than two weeks.

When does Patch 9.0 come out? The major pre-patch 9.0 will be released on October 14, 2020, here in Europe. Due to earlier maintenance work, Americans will get to enjoy the patch a day earlier.

WoW Shadowlands Blizzard Game Master GM no title title 1280x720
Some patience is still needed.

What’s included in Patch 9.0? The patch essentially brings all the major changes to the game systems that would also be active with Shadowlands. This includes:

Aside from that, there is also the pre-event with the Scourge invasion. However, this will not be available directly from October 14.

WoW Shadowlands Bolvar Artwork
The pre-patch already introduces many new features from Shadowlands.

When does the pre-event start? There is no exact information on this yet. However, it is certain that the pre-event will not start with the pre-patch on October 14. The event will provide content for a maximum of 2-3 weeks and will likely start when a release of the expansion is foreseeable and a new date has been found.

What to do until the pre-patch? For some things in World of Warcraft, the last chance has come. Some achievements, items, and other content will no longer be available with the launch of the pre-patch or the expansion. Anyone who still wants these rewards should hurry.

Are you at least looking forward to the pre-patch 9.0? Or has your anticipation for Shadowlands drastically decreased due to the delay?

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

Destiny 2 is hot for Halloween – With a cool trailer and hard rock sounds

Shortly, the Halloween event “Festival of the Lost 2020” will start in Destiny 2. And now Bungie is getting the players ready – with a cool, new trailer that some rock bands might envy.

What is the trailer about? Starting next week, it will get spooky in the Tower again. Because on October 6, the traditional, annual Halloween event “Festival of the Lost” will start in Destiny 2.

After this year’s armor ornaments and other event rewards were leaked recently, there is now the first official preview of the event.

Bungie has released a new trailer that aims to prepare players for the upcoming festival and shows what they can look forward to. The new clip almost feels like a music video and is celebrated by several Guardians. With this, Bungie confirms a saying that has long circulated in the community: “Trailers can do that – and do it really well”.

Check out the new Halloween trailer here:

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

What does the trailer reveal about the Festival of the Lost 2020? The trailer reveals quite a bit about the Halloween event in advance.

  • One can see, among other things, that “Space Grandma” Eva Levante will once again be your main contact
  • There are various rewards like new masks, emotes, or armor ornaments to see
  • The two event weapons “BrayTech Werewolf” and “Frightening Story” are also back in the game
  • The event activity “Haunted Forest” is also back

Moreover, one can see Guardians partying in the Tower to hard rock sounds in a spooky mood. And the lurking Pyramid ships in the background add to the eerie atmosphere.

What exactly is the Festival of the Lost? The annually held festival has its roots in Destiny 1 and is held in honor of fallen Guardians – those we lost along the way. The Festival of the Lost is essentially the Destiny equivalent of Halloween. 

Additionally, the survivors gather annually in the Tower and the Last City to commemorate their loved ones, friends, and comrades who lost their lives in battle. Even though there is celebration, one should reflect and remember what they are fighting for as a Guardian.

During the festival, the Tower visibly dresses in festive garb. Candles are everywhere, pumpkins lie around, and lights shine. But it doesn’t just look festive, there is also plenty to do. Event-specific tasks, activities, and thematically inspired rewards await you.

Actually, the Festival of the Lost 2020 was supposed to take place in Season 12, but due to the delay of the Beyond Light expansion and thus Season 12, the festival falls into the extended Season of Arrival.

What do you think of the new trailer for the Festival of the Lost 2020? Does it get you excited for Halloween? Are you participating this year or is the event leaving you cold this time? By the way, a detailed introduction to this year’s Festival of the Lost will be available soon here on MeinMMO.

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

WoW Shadowlands: The release has been postponed, the addon is coming later

The players’ fears about World of Warcraft have come true. Blizzard has postponed the release of the expansion Shadowlands.

For weeks, players have speculated about whether Blizzard has enough time to complete the latest expansion of World of Warcraft on time. Now, just under 4 weeks before the targeted release date, Blizzard has announced the sad news:

No, World of Warcraft Shadowlands will not be ready in time. The release of the expansion has been delayed.

When will Shadowlands be released now? There is still no new release date for Shadowlands. Blizzard has not commented on a new date, except that the 8th WoW expansion is supposed to appear “later this year”. There are many possible dates, ranging from mid-November to late December.

A release shortly before Christmas seems unlikely. Especially at the launch of an expansion, numerous bugs that may occur in the first days are often still being fixed. However, most Blizzard employees are on vacation over Christmas and New Year and cannot respond to problems. Therefore, a date by mid-December at the latest seems most likely.

WoW Undead male human female angry shadowlands title 1280x720

Why was the release postponed? Blizzard addressed this in an official blog post. Executive Producer John Hight explained that there are several reasons and approaches:

  • Blizzard is committed to quality. Shadowlands is something special, and the players feel the same way. With a bit of extra time, it should be ensured that Shadowlands reaches its full potential.
  • The endgame features need a bit more “polish”. While progress is being made, some additional time is necessary.
  • The decision was not easy for anyone on the team but was ultimately made for the good of the game and the players.

What to do in the meantime? Since the release of Shadowlands has now been postponed, WoW players must make do with other content. It might be worthwhile to level some characters with the big XP buff or just check out the 10 biggest riddles of WoW.

As soon as there is a new release date for World of Warcraft Shadowlands, we will, of course, report on it.

What is your opinion on the postponement of Shadowlands? The right decision? Or is it coming way too late?

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

FIFA 21 Companion App is live – All information about the release

After the FIFA 21 Web App, the Companion App for smartphones is now available. Here you can find everything about the release of the mobile version?

Update, 8:00 PM: It has finally happened: The Companion App for FIFA 21 is live and can be installed on smartphones. Initially, it was only available for iOS, but it was then released on Android a bit later.

  • Players who already have the app just need to update it.
  • You can find the FIFA 21 Companion App for iOS (via App Store)
  • And here you can find the Android version of the Companion App (via Google Play).

Update, 7:00 PM: 7 PM has passed, but the Companion App is still not available. Instead, EA Sports posted a new launch trailer for FIFA 21 on Twitter. However, it is currently mainly receiving comments criticizing that the trial version via EA Play is not available for many players at this time.

Recommended editorial content

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

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

Update, 6:15 PM: The Companion App is still not active; there are still about 45 minutes until 7 PM. Will the Companion App release go off without technical difficulties?

Update, 5:00 PM: In the meantime, the FUT 21 banner in the Companion App for FIFA 20 is active, but it currently only leads to the information page for the Web App. The new version is still missing, so a release at 7 PM seems likely.

Update, 2:00 PM: So far, no update for the FIFA Companion App is available. Currently, you still have access to the FIFA 20 account through the app, not the FIFA 21 version. We will keep you updated!

Here you can continue with the original article

This is the Companion App: The Companion App is basically the smartphone version of the Web App. You can simply install it on your phone and no longer need to use the browser version.

In the Companion App, you can manage your Ultimate Team before the release. You can solve SBCs, make transfers, or check out the Team of the Week.

When is the Companion App coming? The launch of the Companion App for smartphones is scheduled for October 1. This means it launches one day after the Web App and on the same day as the Early Access to FIFA 21.

At what time will the Companion App be released? A precise time has not been announced, but a release around 7:00 PM seems likely – this was also when the Web App was launched. Alternatively, a simultaneous start with Early Access at 5:00 PM is conceivable.

However, it may also happen that it will simply be released throughout the day. In that case, users of the old Companion App for FIFA 20 can simply update, and new users can download the app from the respective app store. There is already a banner for it in the old app, but it is not yet active:

FIFA 21 Banner
The banner in the Companion App is still not active

We will keep you updated and accordingly update the article. Until the Companion App is released, you can continue using the Web App, which is also available on mobile in the browser, provided you can get in.

FIFA 21 Web App: Problems with Security Code

This is the problem: If you want to log into the new Web App, you may be asked for a security code from EA. This is supposed to be sent via email.

Especially on the release evening of the Web App, there were significant delays, so it was sometimes not possible to log in directly. EA has already addressed the problem:

Recommended editorial content

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

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

Furthermore, EA is also working on potential 504 errors of the Web App. In our editorial tests, the security code came much faster today. However, those still waiting for their security code should try again or check their email’s spam folder.

If you want an insight into the new FIFA 21, you can find here an interview with two FIFA pros who have already told us how the game has changed.

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

FIFA 21 Early Access: Server issues at EA – Solution for PS4

Actually, the Early Access for FIFA 21 should start now, but the EA servers are apparently collapsing under the pressure. Can one still access the game?

Update, 19:24: EA Sports has now commented on the situation via Twitter. They are aware of the problems that some players are not getting access to EA Play on PS4 and Xbox One:

Recommended editorial content

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

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

As a workaround, it is suggested that EA members can download the trial version through the console stores. We have described these ways further down. However, this doesn’t seem to work for all players, especially for the Xbox One version there are issues.

This is the problem: At 5 PM, the countdown for the FIFA 21 Early Access expired. From now on, EA Play members should be able to play the 10-hour trial.

Yet many players report that they cannot access the game at all. On one hand, the EA Play servers seem overloaded, and one can’t even get into the hub to load the game. Other players, however, report (e.g. via Twitter) that they cannot find the game at EA Play.

FIFA 21 Early Access: Solution for PS4

What does the solution look like? A solution has already been found for the PS4. It works like this:

  • Visit the PlayStation Store if you are an EA Play member
  • Search for FIFA 21
  • Select the Standard version
  • There you will find a button that says “Download Trial Version”.
  • If you activate the button, you can select the option “Download and play for up to 10 hours”.

After that, the game should start to load on your console. We have tested this method in the editorial office – it worked.

Xbox One with more severe issues

What about the Xbox One? Some players report a method that is comparable to the PS4 solution (e.g. via Twitter). However, downloading the trial version via the Microsoft Store doesn’t work for all players, or the corresponding button is missing.

For some players, it works to load the Xbox One edition through the browser version of the Microsoft Store onto their Xbox. However, problems can still occur. Players report receiving an error message stating that it is still too early. A real solution doesn’t seem to exist here yet.

What does the trial version offer? In the trial version, you can play all contents of FIFA 21. This applies to the regular kick-off mode, but also to Ultimate Team, Volta, or the career mode.

However, the playtime is limited to 10 hours. Once this time has expired, you will have to wait until the release next week to continue playing.

Since there is no demo this year, the EA Play trial is the only way to get a preview of the game. That’s why we asked two pros who have already been allowed to test FIFA 21. In the interview, they talk about what makes FIFA 21 different.

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

Pokémon GO: The big fashion event starts today – Here’s what to expect

In Pokémon GO today, on October 2nd, the big Fashion Event starts! We will show you what to expect at the event and which new Shinies you can catch.

When does the Fashion Event take place? It starts on Friday at an unusual time. The event begins at 5:00 PM German time and runs until October 9th at 7:00 AM German time.

During this period, you will find a lot of costumed Pokémon and a special field research should be available.

All Information About the Pokémon GO Fashion Event

These are the bonuses: First, we will show you here the overview of all bonuses that are available at the event:

  • The following Pokémon appear more frequently in the wild: Voltilamm, Eneco, Roselia, Zirpurze, Elezeba, Waumboll, Picochilla, and Mollimorba
  • Kussilla with a ribbon hatches from 7 km eggs
  • Kirlia with a top hat and the move Thief’s Kiss appears in raids – just like Sheinux with a top hat
  • Glibunkel with an upside-down cap appears in the wild and in GO snapshots
  • Shiny Zirpurze appears for the first time in Pokémon GO
  • An exclusive field research is available
  • New avatar clothing is available

Which bonus is particularly worthwhile? When it comes to costumed Pokémon, everyone has to decide for themselves if they want to collect them or not. It is quite possible that Glibunkel, Kussilla, and Sheinux will appear as Shiny in this costumed form. Kirlia could also be Shiny, but an evolution usually cannot be caught as Shiny.

In general, it has not yet been confirmed that these Pokémon will appear as Shiny. However, their normal forms can all be Shiny.

The highlight should otherwise be Shiny Zirpurze. This is a completely new Shiny and should be hunted. The other spawns are not that impressive.

This is Shiny Zirpurze: The Shiny is slightly lighter than the normal form. However, you should always look closely when checking a Zirpurze, as the difference is not that significant.

You can find everything about the probabilities of Shinies here.

Pokémon GO Zirpurze Shiny Zirpeise Shiny

What’s coming up in October? After the Fashion Event, we will continue directly in Pokémon GO. Numerous other events are planned, and every Tuesday there is also a Spotlight Hour.

Here we give you an overview of the upcoming events:

October in Pokémon GO with Ninjatom, 4 Spotlight Hours, and limited research

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

Anemoculus Locations in Genshin Impact – Map shows locations

Anemoculus are important collectibles in Genshin Impact. You can find them quite easily, but over time the locations become rarer. We show you a map with numerous locations of the Anemoculus.

What are Anemoculus? You can find and collect the Anemoculus all over the map. You can then sacrifice them at the statues in Mondstadt to receive rewards.

They are indeed quite useful, as they can increase your stamina, among other things.

More on the topic
6 Things You Should Know Before Starting Genshin Impact on PS4, PC
von Alexander Leitsch

Map shows the locations of the Anemoculus

Where should one search? There is no exact location for that. You can find the Anemoculus all over the map. When you open your map in the game, you will find them where a star is marked.

This is the map: We are embedding here the interactive map of Genshin Impact. Here you can see all 65 locations of the Anemoculus at a glance:

Anemoculus Genshin Impact

So you have at least 65 places here where you can search for the Anemoculus. It is quite possible that there are more places that the YouTuber has not yet found.

Are the Anemoculus worth it? Definitely! They can help you progress faster, and especially the increased stamina is exciting.

You should definitely collect the Anemoculus when you come across them. With the map, you can even specifically hunt for them. It’s best to use strong characters for this – check out the tier list for Genshin Impact.

Besides the Anemoculus, there are also many more things to discover in Genshin Impact. It is especially important to have a strong team to withstand all dangers. Check it out here:

The best teams and what to consider when building

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

Super Smash Bros. gets new heroes – They are Minecraft characters

Minecraft is now conquering Nintendo worlds as well. In Smash Bros. Ultimate, you will soon be able to play as the most famous Minecraft characters.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate now has quite a wild assortment of heroes and villains. It’s no longer limited to just Nintendo heroes. But the next newcomer is sure to surprise everyone. The Minecraft heroes from Mojang are joining the Nintendo fighting group.

What heroes are coming? The first trailer shows the four characters that will come with the Minecraft DLC to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. These are:

  • Steve: The default player character in Minecraft
  • Alex: The female counterpart to Steve
  • Zombie: One of the first mobs from Minecraft, who acts quite stupidly but can overwhelm players in groups
  • Endermen: A creature that is usually passive – unless the player looks directly at it

Whether these are all individual characters with quirks or basically just “skins” that share the same set of abilities is still not quite clear – even if it appears that way in the trailer.

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

What can the characters do? Although not all details are known yet, a lot can already be discerned from the first trailer. Numerous Minecraft mechanics have been adopted and almost transferred 1:1 into Smash Bros. The characters can place different blocks, craft swords, place TNT to ignite it with redstone wiring, or even ride through the map in a minecart.

By placing blocks, it is even possible to temporarily trap other characters – just as trolling players do in Minecraft.

Minecraft heroes cause problems: By the way, the developers had to come up with something substantial. To allow the Minecraft heroes to place their blocks on every stage, the stages had to be revised. This was said to be a “great challenge,” but it was necessary to fulfill the dream of the Minecraft heroes.

What do you think of Steve, Alex, the Endermen, and the Zombie in Smash Bros.? A cool addition or does it not fit at all?

Minecraft always mixes with other games – some people, for instance, recreate gigantic buildings from World of Warcraft.

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

Personality Quiz: Which Alliance in ESO Suits You Best?

The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) offers you three alliances to join. Find out through our quiz which one suits you best.

What it’s about: In The Elder Scrolls Online, you have the choice between 10 different races and three different alliances:

  • The Aldmeri Dominion
  • The Daggerfall Covenant
  • And the Ebonheart Pact

Your choice of allegiance primarily influences your starting area and PvP. After that, thanks to One Tamriel, you can go anywhere, even into the territories of the other factions. Each alliance starts in its own area, and in Cyrodiil, the contested map, you ride under the respective banner. The starting areas are as follows, depending on the alliance:

  • The chaotic village “Khenarthis Rest” – starting area of the Aldmeri Dominion
  • The sandy island “Stros M’Kai” – starting area of the Daggerfall Covenant
  • The snow-covered “Wrothgar” – starting area of the Ebonheart Pact

In our quiz, you can now find out which of these three alliances suits you best.

Which alliance should you join?

Of course, such a choice can also have purely practical reasons. If you have not purchased the “Away from Home” package in the Crown Store, you can only play three races in each alliance.

However, through the package, you can unlock that every race becomes playable in any alliance. You are entirely unrestricted with the Imperials. You can find out which race suits you in our other ESO quiz:

More on the topic
What race of ESO are you? Join our quiz
von Larissa Then

This is how the quiz works: You will be asked 10 questions one after the other. For each of these questions, you will have different answer options. You should decide based on your gut feeling and click on the answer that best relates to you. At the end of the quiz, you will find out which alliance in ESO suits you well.

Please also note that each click makes your answer final. If you want to make another selection, you must restart the quiz. But for now, have fun!

Dieses Quiz ist geschlossen.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Shooter secret tip Squad is celebrated on Steam – What makes it so good?

About a week ago, the shooter Squad officially launched on Steam. The game is well-received and celebrated by many players. What makes it so good?

This is Squad: The shooter is developed by Offworld Industries and has spent 5 years in Early Access. The 1.0 version was released on September 23 and Squad has left Early Access.

Squad is a tactical multiplayer military shooter that allows up to 100 players per round. The game focuses on realism, communication, and teamwork.

The battles are intense, and the weapons feel realistic. You must proceed tactically to win and can even shape and influence the map through fortifications.

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

This is how Squad is doing a week after release

These are the numbers: The release went extremely well for Squad. The player numbers are decent (via Steamcharts):

  • In September, an average of 4925 players played simultaneously
  • In August, when Squad was still in Early Access, there were only 3809 players simultaneously
  • At peak times, nearly 15,000 players played simultaneously – the most ever

Thus, there is already a clear increase in player numbers, and the players themselves seem to be satisfied as well. Looking at the reviews on Steam, nearly all are positive.

On Steam, Squad has a total of 57,927 reviews, of which 49,199 are positive (as of October 1 at 4:30 PM). Thus, the ratings are considered “very positive” on Steam.

Squad

Why is the game so well-received? Numerous players have left their positive opinions on Steam. We summarize some of the voices for you:

  • Kartoffel_Ninja says: “Squad has the perfect balance between a tactical shooter like Arma and something punchier like Battlefield. Tactics come first. However, when hell breaks loose, it turns into a uniquely intense firework thanks to the excellent sound and graphics.”
  • Tornado writes: “If Arma is too realistic and CoD too unrealistic, then Squad is the perfect mix. Large maps, lots of realism, but not so much that you lose the fun.”
  • saalzwasser rates: “The best, most realistic, accessible, intense, and kindest multiplayer military shooter I have ever played.”

In general, realism and tactics are particularly praised. While Squad is incredibly realistic in many ways, it does not lose sight of fun. However, one must proceed tactically to win, and that is well-received.

Technical details are also praised. The sound and graphics are said to be very good, and thus the shooter convinces even outside of gameplay.

What is being criticized? Some players report bugs and lags. For instance, the image may freeze often, or the servers have problems. However, these reports are only sporadic.

Otherwise, some players criticize that it is too tactical for them. Opponents play very cautiously, and one often has to search longer to find them.

Despite the criticism, Squad is popular among players and is considered a hidden gem behind big names like Call of Duty and Battlefield. If you are looking for other shooters, check this out:

The 12 best multiplayer online shooters of 2020 for PS4, Xbox One, PC.

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

FIFA 21: With these tips, you can make the most out of EA Play’s 10-hour limit

Today, on October 1st, early access for many players has started in FIFA 21. But what should you do with the 10-hour limit of EA Play? We will tell you how to use this time effectively, to gain an advantage in Ultimate Team.

Through EA Play, many players already have, before the official release on October 9th, access to FIFA 21. However, with a time limit of 10 hours. We have tips for you on how to best use the 10 hours to build an advantage in Ultimate Team.

How to use the 10 hours most effectively?

Time is short: 10 hours is not a lot of time, so you should use it wisely and not waste valuable gameplay minutes. We will tell you what you should do in FUT 21 to earn coins and packs as effectively as possible.

1. Close the game for unnecessary activities

What you should do: If you want to use every minute of the 10-hour trial effectively, you should completely exit the game when it comes to activities on the transfer market and managing your team. Because all activities such as:

  • Buying and selling cards,
  • Managing the team,
  • and completing SBCs

can also be done in the Web App or Companion App. And you should use those as time is not counted there.

Use the Web App to manage your team

Properly closing the game: It is important to completely close the game and ensure that the game is not just paused. Especially if you briefly switch to YouTube or Netflix, make sure to actively close FIFA beforehand.

2. Play, Play, Play

What you should do: Squad Battles may not be the most fun mode for many FUT players, as you only compete against the CPU. However, in the trial phase, they are probably the most effective way to earn packs and coins.

For this, you should simply complete as many Squad Battles matches as possible and earn a high rank. Then you can expect your first rewards in the form of sets and coins as early as Monday.

With Squad Battles, you can also familiarize yourself with the new gameplay

Another advantage: You can use Squad Battles to train the new gameplay and learn the new mechanics of FIFA 21. So that you are ready for Division Rivals as soon as the trial phase is over.

3. Complete easy tasks

What you should do: Be sure to check the task catalog and look for tasks that you can complete quickly. Maybe there are even tasks that you can complete together with Squad Battles games? The better!

It is only important to initially ignore tasks that are too time-consuming or difficult. Because repeated attempts take too much time.

4. Do not open packs

What you should do: No matter how tempting the nice new pack animations look. You should save your time and simply open your hard-earned packs in the Web or Companion App.

Although it may not look as cool, it definitely saves a lot of time that can be invested in the gameplay.

What about you? Do you have EA Play and will you do everything in the 10 hours to earn as many coins and packs as possible? Or are you taking it easy, testing the new gameplay peacefully, and trying other modes like the Career Mode?

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

FIFA 21: From today you can play with EA Play – Here’s how the Early Access works

When can you play FIFA 21? This question is asked by some, as there are different start dates. The first ones can start today!

Update, 5:30 PM: Many players continue to experience issues with EA Play. Server issues complicate the launch – but there is already a solution for PS4 using the PS Store.

Update, 5:00 PM: Officially, early access has begun, but apparently too many players want to access FIFA 21 at the same time. The EA Play app seems overloaded, many players cannot get in – and therefore cannot download the game. Other players who have made it into the EA Play app report that they cannot find FIFA 21 there.

This continues with the original article

When does FIFA 21 early access start? The first players can play FIFA 21 from October 1 – so a good week before the actual release. However, an EA Play membership is required for this. This is the newly named version of the long-known “EA Access”.

At what time can I play FIFA 21? FIFA 21 with EA Play starts today at 5:00 PM. This can be gathered from EA’s website, which currently has a countdown running that ends on October 1 at 5 PM.

The countdown ends on October 1 at 5 PM

Can I play FIFA 21 completely with EA Play? The start date with EA Play is October 1, 2020, but this is a ten-hour trial version. This means: You have access to FIFA 21 for ten hours, but once that time has expired, you can only continue at the official release of FIFA 21. Things are different with EA Play Pro.

FIFA 21 – Difference Between EA Play and EA Play Pro

What is the difference? EA Play offers two types of memberships. We will look at the differences regarding FIFA 21.

The first is the regular EA Play:

  • EA Play is available on PS4, Xbox One, Origin, and Steam.
  • The membership costs €3.99 per month or €24.99 per year.
  • The start on October 1 is only a 10-hour trial.

The second is EA Play Pro:

  • Available only on Origin, so not for consoles.
  • The membership costs €14.99 per month or €99.99 per year.
  • Early access to new games is unlimited instead of limited to 10 hours.
The Pro membership offers various bonuses – such as larger early access.

Both memberships offer various bonuses and content, as well as a 10% discount on Origin purchases. The launch should also start at 5 PM for EA Play Pro.

If you do not have an EA Play membership, you can still play FIFA 21 earlier. Then the earliest possible start date is October 6 – with the Champions Edition or the Ultimate Edition. Otherwise, the release date is October 9 and is thus still a bit more than a week away.

If you want to start the new FIFA season even earlier, you can dive into the web app that started on Wednesday. It offers, for example, the opportunity to build a FUT team and engage in the transfer market.

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

Cyberpunk 2077 is working overtime – And many gamers really don’t care

The journalist Jason Schreier has now revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 is, in fact, being developed under overtime work, known as crunch. For this, he is criticized by many players. They claim it is hardly worth mentioning. They likely want to smear the beloved studio, CD Projekt Red, with dirt.

This is the background:

  • In May 2019, former developers of Cyberpunk 2077 reached out to US journalist Jason Schreier. They said that the development was rocky, leading to many overtime hours. They compared the development to that of Anthem: poor management had led to long periods of little progress, and then employees became sick during the sprint.
  • Even before an article with these “insider information” could be published, the heads of the studio approached Schreier and said: they wanted to grant the employees the same respect as gamers. They were implementing a policy that prohibits “mandatory overtime” (via kotaku).
  • This promise has now been revoked – shortly before the release of Cyberpunk 2077, crunch is indeed happening. The executives see no other option. However, it is said that employees will be compensated well for it.
Cyberpunk-Grip Title
Cyberpunk is one of the hottest games of 2020 and has been postponed several times.

This is the reaction: To Jason Schreier’s dismay, the news that they have to work overtime and switch to a 6-day week left many indifferent. On the contrary, Schreier was accused of “artificially” inflating the matter. He is accused of trying to write a crisis.

Overtime in projects is totally normal. And in many industries, it is even worse. It is made out to be “much ado about nothing.” Schreier should not be so sensitive, it was essentially said.

https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1311088929710501888
A user wrote to Schreier: crunch is just much rage over nothing.

“My goodness, overtime is totally normal”

These reactions on Twitter coincide with those on MeinMMO. Here, too, many users see no reason to worry about “a few overtime hours”:

  • So writes user Jaba01: “Why is everyone whining here when people do a little overtime?”
  • Psycheater says: “I honestly don’t understand why there is so much fuss in the gaming industry over this newfangled term. Overtime is commonplace in many other industries.”
  • Hugo adds: “My goodness, it is six weeks. Crunch exists in extremely many industries, especially during the final push. Healthcare, for example, is crunching 24/7 365 days a year.”

Apparently, journalist Schreier was also personally attacked on Twitter: He believes it is because CD Projekt Red is so incredibly loved. Fans defend them at any cost.

https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1311082772841271296
Schreier apparently received some personal criticism as well.

Crunch is a culture – not just “a few overtime hours”

This is what the journalist is saying now: Schreier now emphasizes in further tweets and in an article that there are apparently some misunderstandings circulating. Crunch is much worse than “a few overtime hours” as many gamers understand it:

  • Crunch in the video game industry is not “just a little longer working for 6 weeks”.
  • According to Schreier, “the crunch culture” in the video game industry is a constant state: due to group pressure, it has become the norm for everyone to work longer hours constantly. This destroys marriages and drives people to burnout. You only have to see how many developers are fleeing from the video game industry to realize what the culture is causing.
  • Even now with Cyberpunk 2077, the announcement to make “overtime mandatory” is merely the tip of the iceberg: it officially makes what has been going on for a long time clear. Because many in the studio have been working overtime for a long time. This is confirmed by an email from the studio head, who wrote, “Like almost everyone else in the studio, I am also overworked, mentally exhausted, and feel the pressure when I look at the calendar.”

Crunch is far away from the average player

This is what lies behind it: The fight against “crunch culture” in the video game industry has a long history. There have been insider reports and scandals for years about how bad things can get. Someone like Schreier, who talks a lot with developers, has a nightmarish situation in mind when he hears the word “crunch” and thinks of the personal tragedies that can occur under such circumstances.

In 2019, Schreier revealed, for example, the miserable conditions under which some developers had to work on Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. It sounds like a “job from hell” as Schreier describes it.

For the average gamer, who reads about “overtime” and is not shown a horror scenario, it is very far from reality. Ultimately, they have less contact with the people who make the game than with the games themselves.

When, a few years ago, reports emerged about “terrible working conditions” at Fortnite developer Epic, there was no backlash against the reporting.

Ultimately, gamers also believe: Who wants to be beautiful must suffer. Only when developers are willing to put in extra work will good games come out.

Addiction.-Online
There are horror stories about developers who worked themselves to death.

Stories about crunch from the USA have often been horrible. It gets truly sickening when looking at Asia. There, in record time, a mobile MMO was supposed to be created. That worked out and generated enormous amounts of money. However, during the development, developers reportedly worked so hard that some lost their lives.

In Japan, South Korea, and China, there are even specific words for “death from overwork”:

Crunch Time: Young developer works himself to death – 89-hour week

Because the “victims” of the overtime culture are invisible, and there are no videos or images of this, it is not present.

More on the topic
Red Dead Redemption 2: Massive “Overtime” for a massive game
von Jürgen Horn

Many are familiar with “overtime” from their own work environment and do not see the drastic impact of the “constant 60-hour” week that Schreier envisions.

Additionally, CD Projekt Red is one of the last “sacred studios”: Players do not want to let anything happen to the beloved creators of The Witcher.

People also do not want to believe that it could be so harsh at such a beloved studio.

When, a few years ago, reports emerged about “terrible working conditions” at Fortnite developer Epic, there was no backlash against the reporting.

Ultimately, gamers also believe: Who wants to be beautiful must suffer. Only when developers are willing to put in extra work will good games come out.

Addiction.-Online
There are horror stories about developers who worked themselves to death.

Stories about crunch from the USA have often been horrible. It gets truly sickening when looking at Asia. There, in record time, a mobile MMO was supposed to be created. That worked out and generated enormous amounts of money. However, during the development, developers reportedly worked so hard that some lost their lives.

In Japan, South Korea, and China, there are even specific words for “death from overwork”:

Crunch Time: Young developer works himself to death – 89-hour week

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

CoD Modern Warfare hides a giant Godzilla teddy bear – How to lure it out

What would Call of Duty be without teddy bear Easter eggs? Probably not a “real” CoD. Players can now summon a giant zombie teddy bear in CoD: Modern Warfare and MeinMMO shows you how it looks and how to replicate it.

What kind of teddy is this? When thinking of teddy bears, images of fluffy little cuddle toys come to mind. But in Call of Duty, it looks quite different. In the latest Easter egg that players found in Modern Warfare, you summon a monstrous teddy that suddenly emerges from the ground.

It is huge and makes loud noises reminiscent of Godzilla.

This is what the teddy Easter egg looks like in Modern Warfare

This is what players show: The Reddit user magicman88999 captured a clip of what the teddy looks like in Modern Warfare. The giant figure with glowing eyes turns its head and makes sounds.

Players shoot at the bear, but it seems to be unfazed. Only when jets fly over and drop bombs on it does the teddy retreat back into the ground with loud protest.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Reddit 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 Reddit content

This is how to summon the teddy in Modern Warfare

Instructions: Do you want to summon the teddy yourself and perhaps impress your friends who do not yet know the Easter egg? Then just follow our instructions. But keep in mind that you will need quite a bit of ammo for this.

  • It’s best to start a custom game on the Station map (Gunfight)
  • Equip 2 LMGs with plenty of ammo in your loadout
  • Head to the main building of the train station – it is a yellow building with a red roof and a smoking chimney
  • There are 6 stone discs (or relics) on the building that need to be shot – Keep in mind that destroying each disc requires about 100 shots. That’s why LMGs with plenty of ammo are important here
  • You can find them on the right side of the building, at the front and on the left side of the building
Call of Duty Warzone Teddy Easter Egg Stones
  • Behind 5 of the shot stone plates are numbers hidden
  • Behind one plate is a keypad where you can enter numbers
  • Remember the numbers from left to right on the building
  • So follow the order we show you in our graphic (ignore the 4 – that is where the keypad is hidden)

What’s next: Once you’ve remembered the numbers, go to the keypad. There you should now shoot your weapon at the corresponding number buttons in the order you memorized.

One shot on the corresponding number is sufficient.

Now the bear appears: Once you’ve “entered” the last number on the keypad, the bear will appear behind you. It’s best to climb on a wagon for a good view.

In the video guide by Call of Duty Fanatics on YouTube, the individual steps are also shown to you.

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

What other Easter eggs are there?

What do you think of such Easter eggs in Call of Duty? Is it a nice change that you’re proud to show off to friends or does a Godzilla teddy leave you cold?

The developers seem to be quite serious about hidden content in Call of Duty. Because in a hidden subway station, players have now found a secret weapon blueprint. We show you where to search so that the plan belongs to you.

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

WoW Shadowlands: Covenants are being balanced, but players are panicking

The balancing of the covenants in WoW Shadowlands is just beginning. Isn’t that way too late? Some players are very concerned.

There are less than four weeks left before World of Warcraft Shadowlands is released. While the beta is still in full swing, some players are unhappy with the progress. Only now has Blizzard announced that the covenant abilities will be properly balanced. This is far too late for some players, and they are calling for: Delay Shadowlands before it becomes a disaster. In the meantime, one could engage with the 10 biggest mysteries of WoW …

What’s going on? Blizzard has announced that they finally want to take care of the balance between the covenants and their abilities. With the latest update of the beta, significant changes have already been made, and more are yet to come.

It’s about making the covenants with their different bonuses, such as soul bonds and covenant abilities, equal to each other. No covenant should be the best in every situation. All should offer strengths and weaknesses that make them strong in different situations, but always at least sensible.

The covenants are only now being balanced – can this go well?

This is how the players react: In the comments on wowhead and the WoW subreddit, there are many loud voices. With less than a month remaining, the concern is growing that there might not be enough time for comprehensive balancing. Some even believe that Blizzard should postpone the release of Shadowlands again to take more time and present the expansion in a polished state.

  • “And they still won’t succeed by the launch of the game.”
  • “Damn, way too late … Just delay the game already …”
  • “I mean, come on, Blizzard. Less than a month before release and it’s not even close to being finished. Please delay the expansion and finish it first.”
WoW Skip Shadowlands titel title 1280x720
Time is running out – will that be enough?

Why are the players so dissatisfied? Covenants are one of the biggest features of Shadowlands, and the associated possibilities for character power are considerable. That such an essential feature is only to be balanced towards the end of the beta phase is met with a lot of misunderstanding and fuels the fears that Shadowlands will become an “unfinished mess”.

All completely normal – really now

To be honest, I can only understand the worries of some players to a limited extent.

The fact is that balancing precise numerical values is usually the last step. First, the abilities were created, tested for their usability and fun, and now it’s time for fine-tuning. Essentially, “only” the numbers need to be adjusted so that all covenants are approximately equal. This is, of course, a challenging task with so many abilities and interconnections with individual classes, but a typical one.

This time, unlike with the Azerite system, it is not primarily about a system being completely broken. Essentially, these are just fine-tuning adjustments. Individual numerical values that need to be adjusted. This is exactly the work that you should expect at the end of a beta – detailing adjustments.

Yes, Shadowlands will probably not appear in a perfect state. But that has never been the case – for any single expansion of WoW. Even after balancing, one ability or another will be, at least temporarily, too strong or too weak. However, the developers now have good options for applying hotfixes within a few hours without the player needing to download a new patch.

fragt meinmmo cortyn

Cortyn Nightshade
WoW specialist demon from MeinMMO

But how do you see the whole thing? Should Blizzard delay Shadowlands again? After all, patch 9.0 has apparently also been postponed …

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

We will tell you for whom buying an Xbox Series S is worthwhile

You want a next-gen console, but you haven’t gotten an Xbox Series X? We present reasons why the Xbox Series S might still be worth it for you.

The key insights at a glance:

  • The Xbox Series S is the cheapest and smallest next-gen console.
  • The Xbox Game Pass offers a wide selection of games for a low price.
  • Without a disc drive, the Series S primarily caters to digital needs 
  • The Series S is primarily suitable for casual gamers or as a second console.
  • For those who need a lot of storage, the Series S is not an option.
  • The Series X offers 4K, the Series S only 1440p and 4K scaling.
  • The Series S is likely to remain a niche product: In a MeinMMO survey, the console received 2.46 %.

What is the Xbox Series S? In early September, Microsoft introduced the Xbox Series S alongside the Xbox Series X. The Series S is a digital version of the Xbox, without a disc drive. Microsoft has made more adjustments compared to the Series X.

What is this article about? The smaller version of the Xbox offers some advantages when compared directly to the Xbox Series X or the PS5.

The Series X is currently sold out, and it might be difficult to get one at release. If you want to experience next-gen gaming right at launch, you might want to take a look at the Series S.

In this article, we want to introduce you to the smallest next-gen console in more detail and explain who would benefit from this console and who should consider taking a look at the Series S.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: The consoles at a glance

Xbox Series SXbox Series X   
GPU   AMD RDNA2 with up to 4 Teraflops 20 CUs at 1.565 MhzAMD RDNA2 with up to 12.15 Teraflops 52 CUs at 1.845 Mhz
StorageNVMe SSD with 512 GB       NVMe SSD with 1 TB       
CPU8-Core AMD Zen 2 3.6 GHz       8-Core AMD Zen 2 3.8 GHz       
RAM10 GB GDDR6 RAM16 GB GDDR6   
DriveNoneBlu-ray

Price of the Xbox Series S makes it the cheapest next-gen console

We now know the prices of all next-gen consoles:

  • The Xbox Series X costs 499 €, the S variant 299 €.
  • Sony’s PS5 also costs 499 €, the PS5 Digital Edition costs 399 €.

The Xbox Series S is thus the cheapest next-gen console. So, if you want to enter the world of consoles cheaply, you don’t have to fork out 500 euros immediately.

What do you get for the price? With the Xbox Series S, you also get a new controller. These cost between 60 and 70 euros at Amazon. This way, the price of the Xbox Series S is even more worthwhile.

Especially due to the Xbox Game Pass, the Series S is currently particularly worthwhile: At the moment, there is no cheaper combination to enter next-gen gaming than with Game Pass and Series S.

What does the Game Pass offer: The Game Pass is one of the most important reasons why interest in the Xbox has increased significantly. And even the purchase of Bethesda by Microsoft could make the Game Pass even more interesting in the long run. For MeinMMO editor Leya Jankowski, the Game Pass is a reason why she wants to switch to Xbox. For her, it also plays a role that she wants to turn off her PC as a work device and then be able to game on the console. Especially the combination of Game Pass and Series S is currently unbeatable in price.

Furthermore, Microsoft has now announced that right on schedule with the launch of the Xbox Series X and S, EA Play will be available in the Xbox Game Pass. This means that upon the release of the Xbox Series X, you can access around 60 EA games in addition to the previous ones. Whether the latest installment FIFA 21 will be included is still unknown, but thanks to EA Play, you can at least play a 10-hour demo.

How important the price of consoles is for users was already shown in a Twitter poll about next-gen in early February: Here, 37.5% of users voted for price as the most important factor, followed by 30% for backward compatibility. There is also now clarity: 

  • Microsoft had already explained that thanks to backward compatibility, many games will also run on the Xbox Series X and Series S.
  • Many PS4 games should also work on the PS5 thanks to backward compatibility, according to Sony’s CEO.

What do you have to give up at this price? Anyone purchasing the Xbox Series S for 299 euros will have to make compromises in certain areas. Because the Series S offers less performance, no Blu-ray drive, and with 512 GB, the storage is also tighter compared to the Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X Series S Title

As an alternative or second console

Some users have told us in a survey on MeinMMO that they are indeed interested in owning both next-gen consoles. And especially for gamers who want to buy both consoles, the Xbox Series S could be a good alternative. 

If you want to use the Game Pass and have already purchased a PS5, acquiring a PC would be a significantly more expensive alternative. With the Series S, you can use the Xbox Game Pass relatively cheaply. 

This way, you don’t have to spend 500 euros on the Xbox Series X and pay significantly less with just under 300 euros than for the PS5 Digital Edition, which costs about 100 euros more at 399 euros. Thus, you can experience Xbox games or the Xbox Game Pass relatively cheaply.

Question of size? Xbox Series S is space-saving compared to the X

Some users may have already noticed that the new consoles Xbox Series X and PS5 will be large.

The Xbox Series S is significantly smaller compared to its big brother or the PS5. Microsoft even claims it is 60% smaller than the Series X. This is particularly evident in a visual comparison: When you place the consoles side by side, you can clearly see that the white box is much smaller than the black Series X.

Xbox Series S images:

Weight of the Xbox Series S: The smallest console weighs 1.93 kg. The Xbox Series X weighs significantly more at 4.46 kg.

If size is important to you: If you have space issues or simply don’t want to place a large console in your living room, the Xbox Series S could also be an option.

Xbox Series S: The question of storage space

Xbox Series S hard drive: The storage of the Xbox Series S is only 512 GB, which is half the size of the Xbox Series X, which offers 1 TB of storage. The price for a storage extension for the Xbox Series X/S is now known. If you’re considering whether to buy the Xbox Series X or S, you should think about what type you are:

  • Are you a gamer who installs many games and quickly fills up your hard drive, so an SSD with 512 GB could run out fast? If so, you should go straight for the Xbox Series X.
  • If 512 GB is completely sufficient for you because you play 2 favorite games and switch out your other games or prefer to stream, then you can choose the Series S.
Xbox Series X Memory Card
With the memory card, the internal storage can be expanded. However, it costs 240 euros for 1 TB.

Games on Series S are smaller: Games on the Xbox Series S require about 30% less storage space than on the Xbox Series X (via turn-on.de). The reason is simple: Since the games on the Series S run at a lower resolution, the textures are also smaller.

Xbox Series S external hard drive: You can still use external hard drives via USB on the Xbox Series S. However, you need to keep a few things in mind:

  • You can still play old Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games from it.    
  • But for games optimized for Xbox Series X/S, you will need the internal storage.

Why is the Series X a better option here? The price for the storage extension of the Xbox Series X/S is 240 euros for 1 TB. However, the price of the Xbox Series X is about 500 euros. If you buy the Series S but know that you need more storage, you will end up paying significantly more:

  • Series S (299 €) + 1 TB storage (240 €) = 540 €
  • The Xbox Series X costs 499 € and offers 1 TB of storage right from the start.

Do I even need a disc drive?

Many gamers today mainly play digitally, as many games are now either tied to online services or focus directly on an online world like MMOs. Disc buyers are rarely at an advantage today, as hefty day-one patches mean they have to download the patches just as digital buyers do. Instead, disc buyers are more interested in collector’s editions or other cool bonuses that often come with the retail versions.

How strong is digital gaming? The increasing number of gamers playing digitally and especially buying digital games is also evident in the numbers: In the coronavirus month of April alone, the gaming industry generated over 10 billion dollars through digital sales (via computerbase.de). For those who have been buying games digitally for years, the lack of a drive in the S version should not be a problem.

So, if you only want to stream your games from the Xbox Game Pass or play your favorite MMOs on the console, the Xbox Series S could also be a cheap alternative. Even older games like Destiny 2 benefit from the new console.

What speaks against a digital console? For players who, for example, value used games or have many games stored away, the Series S might not be an option.

Contention over 4K gaming – who is it worth it for?

Xbox Series S performance: The main difference between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is the performance difference since the Series S offers less performance on paper.

  • The Xbox Series X offers native resolutions of up to 4K    
  • The Xbox Series S offers a maximum native resolution of 1440p (WQHD) but can upscale to 4K.
Digital resolutions compared; Source: Wikipedia.com

Who plays in 4K today? This also raises the question of potential console buyers. Consoles are mainly used on TV screens, but these are not as widely spread as Full HD devices. According to Statista, about 31% of US households had a 4K television in 2018. For example, in Asia (via ihs.com), they are even less common.

For gamers, Full HD remains the standard. An example of this is the Steam hardware survey. While this cannot be representative of all gamers, it still shows trends among gamers. In the August 2020 numbers, 65.55% of all participants played in Full HD (1920 x 1080).    

  • At least 6.59% played in WQHD (2560 x 1440).    
  • Only 2.24% played in 4K (3840 x 2160).
  • Professional gamers also prefer Full HD rather than 4K. According to wepc.com, this is largely because larger screens are more strenuous for e-sports players, putting more strain on their eyes.

    • For users who want to buy a 4K TV for gaming, the Series S is not an option. Here, the extra 200 € should be justified.
    • If, on the other hand, you mainly want to watch movies in 4K and don’t care much about resolution while gaming, the Xbox Series S could be an option.

    Xbox Series S HDMI 2.0: Both Xbox consoles also support the latest HDMI 2.1 standard, which you need for 4K.

    Xbox Series S vs Xbox One X: In direct comparison with the previous generation, you should consider several things. The Xbox One X is now available for around 300 € with a game and controller, making the bundle hardly more expensive than the Xbox Series S. However, some points should be considered here: 

    • The Xbox Series X/S is not worth it for Xbox One X owners who mainly want to watch movies in 4K on their console. Here, the Xbox Series S offers no advantages and may even present a disadvantage due to the lack of a drive.
    • For players who do not own an Xbox One X, the Series S at 300 euros could offer a fair entry into the Xbox world. In this case, you should not opt for a used Xbox One X and instead go straight for the S version. The Series S offers more performance and modern hardware at the same price as the Xbox One X.
    • Players who own an Xbox One X and want to enjoy 4K natively should go directly for the Xbox Series X. Here, the Series S is also not worthwhile.
    Recommended controllers for Xbox and PC can be found in our purchasing advice on controllers.
    Xbox Series X Cross

    What speaks against an Xbox Series S?

    We have mainly mentioned arguments for why purchasing an Xbox Series S could be worthwhile. Here, we want to highlight a few points regarding who the purchase of the Series S might not be worthwhile or what players should consider carefully.

    Blu-rays, DVDs, and Co: If you have a large library of many DVDs and Blu-rays, you should think carefully about purchasing an Xbox Series S. You cannot play these discs with the console, as it strictly relies on digital media.

    But also users considering purchasing an Xbox Series X mainly as a media platform should consider this: Microsoft also promotes its Xbox One X as a perfect playback device for UHD TVs. With the current generation, you can easily watch 4K videos and movies without having to invest 500 euros in the new console.

    The internet connection: The Xbox Series S relies on a purely digital connection, which requires an internet connection. If you want to use your digital console sensibly, you need a decent internet connection (Via Dslvergleich.net):

    • Under 10 Mbit/s is considered slow. For comparison: Emails, browsing, and similar tasks require 1 Mbit/s, and the Netflix service requires at least 6 Mbit/s for HD streaming.
    • You need at least 16 Mbit/s to navigate smoothly through the internet, watch videos, and play online games. Below that, it can be difficult, especially if you share internet connections with several people in your household. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming require a download speed of at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps). 
    • If you have 50 Mbit/s or even 100 Mbit/s bandwidth available, you don’t have to worry about game downloads or smooth streaming.

    Don’t buy the Series S if you want the best graphics: If you are an enthusiast, own the corresponding technology for 4K, or want to enjoy everything at the best settings, stay away from the Series S and go directly for the Xbox Series X.

    Xbox Series S or X: Pros and Cons of the smallest console

    In conclusion, we briefly present who would benefit from purchasing and who should think carefully about buying: 

    Xbox Series S: Who is the console worth it for?

    • For gamers who definitely don’t need 4K and won’t buy anything 4K in the future    
    • As an affordable second console alongside the PS5 or an Xbox Series X    
    • For young players who want to game and hardly think about 4K and such
    • Casual gamers who play a few rounds of FIFA, Fortnite, and such and don’t need high performance

    Xbox Series S: Who is the console not worth it for?

    • Players who generally want 4K gaming or own appropriate 4K-capable equipment
    • Gamers with a large library of DVDs, Blu-rays, and retail games or who enjoy buying used games
    • Users with a weak internet connection
    • Players who always want the best graphics
    • If you install many games simultaneously and need more storage overall than the 512 GB offered by the Xbox Series S, you should opt for the Series X instead.
    Pros
    • cheapest next-gen gaming package consisting of console and Game Pass
    • good second console for PS5 or Xbox Series X
    • very small, compact size
    • current state of technology
    • Older Xbox titles also run on Series S
    Cons
    • Small SSD with only 512 GB of storage
    • conditionally advisable for internet connections under 10 Mb/s
    • only 1440p and no 4K

    More about Xbox: You can find all information about the Xbox Series X in our overview here on MeinMMO: 

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

    5 Online games and MMOs in October 2020 that we recommend

    October 2020 brings a fresh mix of exciting new games as well as promising updates for existing titles. We have picked out the 5 MMOs and online games that we warmly recommend to you in October 2020, despite the cold temperatures.

    What kind of games are these? The selected games here are all online games that you can play together with friends or randoms. Some of these games are newly released in October, while others offer a special update with features that make a return well worth it.

    The selected titles on the following pages are a mixed bag. The order is arbitrary and does not reflect any ratings. Additionally, you will find an outlook on further innovations in October on the last page, which will only arrive at the end of the month.

    [toc]

    Genshin Impact – Action RPG

    Genre: Action RPG | Developer: miHoYo | Platform: PC, PS4, Android, iOS | Release Date: September 28, 2020 | Model: Free2Play

    What kind of game is this? In the anime action role-playing game Genshin Impact, you choose between a male or female twin and go hunting for monsters and loot. The game is free-to-play and is funded through microtransactions.

    Genshin Impact best teams

    You battle monsters, explore the world, and complete quests. As you do so, you unlock more and more characters. This can be achieved either through regular gameplay or via a controversial gacha system, where you need to spend real money to obtain loot boxes with weapons or heroes.

    These are the highlights of Genshin Impact

    Genshin Impact visually strongly resembles the game Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Our MeinMMO author Larissa Then also sees clear parallels to Nintendo’s Zelda franchise and thus loves Genshin Impact particularly.

    More on the topic
    Genshin Impact reminds me of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – And I love it
    von Larissa Then

    However, Genshin Impact has more highlights beyond the graphics and style:

    • Action combat system with combos
    • Beautiful fantasy world to explore
    • Exciting story with surprising twists
    • Lovingly designed characters
    • Co-op mode with up to three players starting from adventure level 16
    • Crossplay between PC and mobile and PS4 and mobile.
    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

    Why should you play Genshin Impact in October?

    If you enjoy cute anime graphics in a cel-shaded look and want to engage in action-packed battles with various uniquely designed heroes, then Genshin Impact is the right choice for you. Many players also find it particularly handy that thanks to crossplay and cross-progression, you can seamlessly switch between playing on PC and a mobile device. PS4 players can also switch to mobile, but not from PC to console.

    The only critical aspect seen by some players is the gacha system. However, at least a small amount of the premium currency needed for this is also available in the game, and you are not immediately forced to spend real money.

    Important: If you want to get Genshin Impact, be sure to check our download tip. Otherwise, it might take a long time for the game to be downloaded. Once the game is there, you should also check out our 6 tips for starting Genshin Impact.

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

    Caution! The new AS VAL in CoD MW & Warzone kills you even through multiple walls

    The AS VAL has brought the 13th assault rifle to the arsenal in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Warzone and is apparently a real wallbanger. Don’t be surprised if you get shot from some strange directions soon.

    Is it really that intense? Yes, indeed. The AS VAL has been introduced to the game with Season 6 and is a resounding success. In its current form, the rifle is an absolute camper fright, but also a bit unfair.

    You can shoot through just about any wall, and the armor-piercing bullets of the weapon can penetrate multiple barriers on the way to the target. If you know where to shoot, you can score kills over long distances with several obstacles in the way. Here you can find out how to unlock the AS VAL.

    What does it look like? The YouTuber and CoD expert “TheXclusiveAce” has released a short English video about the wallbang gun, showing how strong the weapon’s penetration power is:

    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

    He shoots through wood, metal, meters-thick stone walls, and the bullets are practically unstoppable. The weapon even fires through multiple walls. Although they lose some damage along the way, the projectiles allow for insane kills that weren’t possible before. Conversely, you can also get taken out from the most impossible directions now.

    How can I use this effectively? To utilize the wallbang, you need to use the ammunition attachment “SPP 10-S Magazine.” This gives you 10 armor-piercing bullets in the magazine, and the weapon fires semi-automatically. The switch is worth it, and you don’t even need the perk “Full Metal Jacket” to trigger the devastating effect.

    If you mix this with the tactical equipment “Snapshot Grenade,” you can really get going. With the item, you can briefly see enemies through walls within its effective range. So if you suspect a camper around the next corner, throw the grenade, shoot at the revealed enemy through the wall, and get rid of that annoying corner camper.

    cod modern warfare warzone weapons season 6 AS VAL
    The AS VAL comes with a built-in suppressor and wallbang features.

    Will it stay like this? The wall penetration seems a bit overpowered, and a change may be coming. No statement from the developers has been found yet.

    The weapon’s abilities are strong, but you also need to know where the enemy is located. In combat against enemies behind cover, this thing is absolutely overpowered, and a covered enemy must change position to avoid being overwhelmed by your penetration power. This factor should be observed; it could indeed be a little “overpowered.”

    What could actually become a problem are cheaters. Modern Warfare and especially the free-to-play Warzone suffer from a nasty hacker plague. Cheaters can see enemies through walls thanks to their wallhacks. For them, this new weapon is truly a blessing, as annoying walls can sometimes be really frustrating when you want to take out all enemies immediately and without chances of resistance.

    What do you think about this thing? Absolutely overpowered or just a nice toy due to the small magazine?

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

    GTA Online celebrates its birthday today – players disappointed by “gifts”

    In GTA 5 Online a new event week has started. Additionally, GTA Online is celebrating its 7th anniversary. This combination led to hopes for a strong bonus week, but players are now disappointed by the “gifts.”

    What are GTA bonuses? Every Thursday, a new bonus week begins in GTA 5 Online. This means that players earn more GTA dollars and RP (for level-ups) for certain actions. Other areas offer discounts on vehicles or properties.

    However, since today, on October 1st, is the birthday of GTA Online, players expected cool bonuses, discounts, and some larger gifts. After all, Rockstar already let players choose which activity they would like to have double rewards in a bonus week.

    Looking at the new bonuses this week found by dataminers on reddit and Twitter, some players say:

    • “Isn’t this the day GTA Online was released? Aren’t they doing something special? Especially since today the new bonus week starts.”
    • “This is one way to celebrate 7 years of GTA Online…”
    • “One might think they would bring something special for the 7th anniversary of GTA Online… or not?”
    • “7th anniversary and we get this… The next update has to be special or this will be the end of the game.”
    GTA Online Money Lester Title
    Players expected a strong bonus week to celebrate the 7th birthday of GTA Online

    What’s in the new bonus week of GTA Online

    What bonuses are active? This week, there are double rewards in various areas of the game:

    • “Diamond adversary” modes
    • Business Battles
    • “Special vehicle work” missions

    The podium car has changed: Along with new money bonuses, the car that spins on the podium of the casino has also changed. You can now find the Coil Brawler there.

    gta brawler
    The off-road vehicle can now be won at the lucky wheel

    Players already suspected that there is a trick to definitely get the podium car in GTA Online.

    Current discounts and gifts in GTA Online

    Where can you save now? So you can invest your earned money right away, the bonus week also offers discounts on various vehicles and properties. In addition, there are further gifts:

    • Offices – 40% discount
    • Office upgrades – 30% discount
    • Vehicle storage – 25% discount
    • Blazer Aqua – 40%
    • Ramp Buggy – 40%
    • Phantom Wedge – 40%
    • Red The Diamond Classic T-Shirt – free

    These are the discounts and gifts that have been added this new week. The other discounts remained the same as we had last week.

    What is the problem with the bonus week now? The disappointment is likely primarily due to the lack of special gifts to celebrate the 7th birthday. Players might have expected a special money bonus or a gifted vehicle, as is usually the case at Christmas.

    But even the repetition of the discounts seems to contribute to the disappointment, as only a few new ones have been added. A fresh wind would certainly also be desired outside the birthday celebration.

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

    Overwatch gave itself away: That was a stupid idea

    For a limited time, many fans could grab Overwatch for free. However, it did not go as planned, which is why the promotion was shortened by 3 months.

    It is currently quite quiet around Overwatch. No wonder, as many players are already mentally at Overwatch 2 and a large part of the development seems to have been shifted there as well. New information will probably only be available at BlizzConline in February. Only the Overwatch League is still ongoing and continues to try to retain viewers and satisfy the fans. However, a PR campaign has now failed miserably and had to be ended after just one hour.

    What was it about? The Overwatch team Boston Uprising wanted to do something good for its fans and bring more players into Blizzard’s hero shooter. Therefore, they launched a campaign where interested parties only had to fill out an online form and would then receive a free copy of Overwatch after a few days. Apparently, there was no catch – you signed up, and there you had Overwatch.

    Overwatch 2 Winston Mercy
    The campaign was short-lived – there are now many long faces.

    What happened next? The requests for this free offer literally exploded. Word spread quickly that you could get a version of Overwatch for free from the Boston Uprising team. Whether this applied to fans or not was not important. Fans from other teams or people who did not follow the Overwatch League could also access it.

    This led to so many requests that the page was closed after just one hour. The offer was initially supposed to run until January 15, 2021.

    Those who registered in time will receive their Overwatch copy in the coming days.

    The Overwatch League is fighting for survival anyway – some of the best players are gone, like Sinatraa.

    Did the offer apply to us too? No. To receive the free version of Overwatch in that short time, you had to have a residence in the USA. “We Europeans” did not really miss anything. However, if you are still interested in Overwatch, you should keep an eye on the various teams in the league. There might be a campaign where European players can secure a copy of Overwatch.

    Recommended editorial content

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

    I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
    Link to the Twitter content

    Are there going to be more such campaigns? That is virtually certain. The Vice President of the Overwatch League, Jon Spector, has already confirmed on Twitter that they are working with the various teams to bring Overwatch and League Tokens to fans through different promotional activities.

    So keep your eyes peeled if you are interested in a free version of Overwatch.

    Recently, there has been frequent criticism that Blizzard is making Overwatch players “starve” – for example, from Seagull.

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