Pokémon GO: How to defeat Zapdos in threes – Just at level 25

Noah Struthoff Noah Struthoff Reading time 4 minutes

In Pokémon GO Zapdos is back in the legendary raids! You can defeat the Pokémon in a raid with just three players and need to be at least level 25.

How long will Zapdos remain in the raids? The legendary bird is only in the raids for one week. Zapdos will disappear again on October 2 at 10:00 PM German time. After that, 3 more legendary raid bosses will appear in October.

Until then, you can easily fight against Zapdos. You only need 3 trainers with the right counters who are at least level 25.

Fight Zapdos easily with 3 trainers

Use these counters: Zapdos is of type Electric and Flying, and therefore weak against Rock and Ice types. So you should rely on such Pokémon.

Use these aids: On one hand, the weather is a good help during the raid. If it is partly cloudy or snowing in the game, you benefit from the weather bonus.

On the other hand, friendship level is important. If you have a high friendship level among each other, the raid will be easier.

For our calculations, we only considered the friendship level. With the right weather, it goes even easier with three trainers, but it works well as a trio even without the weather bonus.

Defeating Zapdos at level 25 – Here’s how

Meet these requirements: At level 25, the battle can be quite tricky and especially consume some potions. So aim for a high friendship level.

Mamutel is one of the best counters against Zapdos.

Use these Pokémon: In total, 4 Pokémon at level 25 without weather enhancement can win against Zapdos in a trio. These include:

  • Rihornior with Rock Slide and Stone Edge
  • Mamutel with Powder Snow and Avalanche
  • Terrakium with Rock Slide and Stone Edge
  • Rameidon with Rock Slide and Stone Edge

Defeating Zapdos at level 30 – Here’s how

Meet these requirements: At level 30, the battle becomes much more relaxed. You won’t lose as many Pokémon anymore.

Mewtu Ice
Mewtu with the Ice attack Ice Beam is useful here.

Use these Pokémon: You have significantly more options with the counters. In total, you have 9 additional monsters available:

  • Galar-Flampivian with Ice Fang and Avalanche
  • Despotar with Rock Slide and Stone Edge
  • Glaziola with Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Mewtu with Confusion and Ice Beam
  • Brockoloss with Rock Slide and Stone Edge
  • Demeteros with Stone Throw and Stone Edge
  • Geowaz with Stone Throw and Stone Edge
  • Snibunna with Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Alolan Geowaz with Stone Throw and Stone Edge

Defeating Zapdos at level 35 – Here’s how

Meet these requirements: With Pokémon at level 35, friendship level hardly matters anymore. You can almost defeat it with just two players – if the weather is right, you can do it with two.

Reshiram
With Reshiram, you can succeed.

Use these Pokémon: If you want more options with the counters, then the friendship level should still be high. You could then use these 3 additional counters:

  • Reshiram with Fire Fang and Stone Edge
  • Rossana with Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Kyurem with Fire Breath and Blizzard

Defeating Zapdos at level 40 – Here’s how

Meet these requirements: If you are fighting with Pokémon at max level, you should have no problems with Zapdos in a trio. You can even defeat it with just two players, but only with Rihornior.

Zekrom
Even Zekrom can defeat Zapdos in a trio – even if the attacks are not very effective.

Use these Pokémon: If you want to use more Pokémon, then at level 40, you have 9 more monsters available, some of which do not even use effective attacks:

  • Stolloss with Rock Slide and Stone Edge
  • Rexblisar with Powder Snow and Weather Ball
  • Siberio with Powder Snow and Ice Punch
  • Keifel with Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Amoroso with Stone Throw and Stone Edge
  • Flampivian with Fire Fang and Stone Edge
  • Zekrom with Fire Breath and Thunderbolt
  • Regirock with Stone Throw and Stone Edge
  • Knakrack with Dragon Tail and Outrage

How difficult will the battle be? The trio with Zapdos is definitely one of the easier challenges. It is also doable with two players, but we recommend the right weather and top counters at max level.

Is Zapdos worth it? The Pokémon is a solid Electric attacker, even though there are better alternatives. So if you want some variety in your team, you should secure a good Zapdos.

Additionally, Zapdos can be shiny. You can also secure one of the coveted specimens. You can find all about the probabilities of shinies here:

With this probability you get shinies in Pokémon GO

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

FIFA 21: That’s why VOLTA actually deserves a second chance

Julian Schröder Julian Schröder Reading time 3 minutes

In FIFA 21, everything should be better for the street mode VOLTA. We will tell you what changes and why VOLTA deserves a second chance.

The VOLTA mode, newly introduced in FIFA 20, was not particularly popular. Many players tried the street football mode but quickly left it behind, as can be seen from the PS4 trophy for completing the VOLTA story:

The Volta trophies “End of the Road”, “One-of-a-Kind”, and “Collector” are all classified as Ultra-rare.

Only 4.3% of FIFA players completed the story mode of VOLTA.

These were the problems with VOLTA: The biggest issues with the street mode included

  • the slow story,
  • the missing online co-op mode
  • and the unrefined gameplay.

For FIFA 21, EA wants to save the VOLTA mode and we will tell you why it could actually work.

That’s why VOLTA deserves another chance

What should change: EA aims to address the major weaknesses of VOLTA with the announced improvements. And if the developer can keep its promises, VOLTA in FIFA 21 could become a pretty fun mode.

Finally, you can play with friends

This is new now: The probably biggest new feature is the new online co-op. The feature that most players have probably wished for: Finally, you can play VOLTA together with friends and no longer have to kick alone.

The new co-op mode is called “VOLTA Teams”. You can team up with up to 3 friends to play in 5-a-side matches, similar to Pro Clubs.

This could improve VOLTA: If the co-op mode is as much fun as Pro Clubs and can motivate players with cool rewards over the long term, then “VOLTA Teams” could become quite popular.

Particularly nice combinations with friends, if each person only controls one street player, could lead to many fun moments.

More content to provide long-term motivation

This is new now: VOLTA in FIFA 21 must motivate players for longer through more content. And perhaps the new “Featured Battles” mode could be interesting. In terms of gameplay, the mode is reminiscent of Squad Battles from Ultimate Team and is particularly interesting because of the new “Groundbreaker-players”. These can be recruited for your own team.

These are former football stars like Eric Cantona and Kaka and even non-footballers like British boxer Anthony Joshua. But to include these Groundbreaker players in your own team, you first have to defeat them in VOLTA.

The first “Groundbreaker” are already known

This could improve VOLTA: Featured Battles sounds exciting and could provide variety and challenges in VOLTA. Moreover, the list of Groundbreaker players is set to continually expand, ensuring ongoing motivation.

Improved gameplay could reduce frustration

This is new now: In the first year of VOLTA, it was quite difficult to hit the small goals or dribble precisely. Unfortunately, this had dampened the fun of street kicking a bit. However, EA promises to have worked on this – and especially scoring should now be easier.

This could improve VOLTA: The most important element of the VOLTA construct is clearly the gameplay. It should be a bit easier to control manually than in FIFA 20 and cause less frustration with shots on goal. And if EA has truly eliminated the gameplay issues, VOLTA really deserves a second chance.

We are very curious to see if the improvements can make the VOLTA mode better and are looking forward to the release of FIFA 21 to test the innovations ourselves.

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

Where are the birthday cakes in Fortnite? You must dance at these locations

Sven Galitzki Sven Galitzki Reading time 3 minutes

In Fortnite, you need to dance in front of 10 birthday cakes, as Fortnite: Battle Royale celebrates its 3rd birthday. As in previous years, there are a series of challenges and rewards to keep you in a festive mood. We will show you where all 10 cakes are located.

What is this task? This is one of the challenges for the 3rd birthday of Fortnite: Battle Royale. For this, you need to dance in front of the birthday cakes.

There are a total of 10 large cakes at almost every named location, scattered across the map.

Locations on the map:

fortnite-geburtstagskuchen-fundorte-map
At these locations, you will find a cake

Here you can find the birthday cakes in year 3 (2020)

Some cakes are easy and quick to spot, while others are hidden behind walls or in buildings. So pay attention to the balloons that you will likely notice first.

We will show you exactly where to find the birthday cakes at the 10 locations. Remember to dance first to complete the challenge and to eat the little pieces.

Holly Hedges:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Weeping Woods:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Slurpy Swamp:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Misty Meadows:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Lazy Lake:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Retail Row:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Dirty Docks:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Doom’s Domain:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Sweaty Sands:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

Salty Springs:

(Source: Erik Kain via Forbes)

All cake locations in video: If the images are not enough for you as a reference, you can also find all 10 cakes with exact locations in the video:

Recommended editorial content

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Things to keep in mind for the birthday cakes: If you discover a large birthday cake, don’t forget to eat the little cake pieces around it to replenish shields or health. This is another challenge that you can easily complete on the side.

This is the reward: If you complete this challenge, you will receive the rare wrap “Cakey Wrap” as a reward. This reward was leaked early by data miners.

Fortnite celebrates its birthday: Fortnite is already celebrating its 3rd birthday. And since the first celebration, the game has changed quite a bit over the years – just like the celebration.

Unlike the previous two years, the birthday is now celebrated in September instead of July. This is because in July, the PvE part Fortnite: Save the World is actually celebrating its birthday, while the more popular free-to-play part Fortnite: Battle Royale was released in September.

By the way, the original Fortnite is now dying on Mac

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

7 Things about the PS5 that I still want to know before the launch

Sven Galitzki Sven Galitzki Reading time 5 minutes

A lot is already known about the PlayStation 5. However, there are still some important questions remaining just under 2 months before the launch of the PS5. These 7 would be of great interest to our shooter expert Sven Galitzki. And what else would you like to know about Sony’s next-gen console?

When is the PS5 coming out? There are only about 2 months left until Sony’s new console finally hits the market. Both PS5 versions – the purely digital and the one with a Disc – will be released on November 19 in Germany and Europe. In some other countries like the USA, Japan, Canada, or Australia, Sony’s next-gen PlayStation will be available a week earlier, starting November 12th.

What’s the deal with the questions? Even though the PS5 could be pre-ordered in two waves and is already completely sold out , there are still many important questions regarding the new console that remain unanswered. I would like to have answers to the following questions before the launch:

Both PS5 models with accessories

I would like to know this about the PlayStation 5

What does the PS5’s user interface look like and what can it do? While we now know what the PlayStation 5 and its accessories look like from the outside, we have seen little of it in action aside from some gameplay.

Particularly the appearance and especially the functions of the new user interface interest me, but there has been nothing official on that so far.

How noisy will the PS5 be in practice? This might seem ridiculous to some, but it’s an important criterion for me.

The PS4 Pro could easily drown out a landing rescue helicopter with its fan during heavy load. Sony has worked on this problem, but I am very curious about how loud the PS5 actually is.

I hope that the new console might be tested by specialist magazines before its release and that one can learn more about the operating noise there. By the way, you can find out what you can do against a hot and loud PS4 in our guide:

More on the topic
PS4 becomes loud and hot – 6 tips and tricks on what you can do about it
von Benedikt Schlotmann
This could be one of the few SSDs to qualify for the PS5 and its games – the Samsung V-NAND SSD 980 Pro 

What SSDs are supported by the PS5? The new SSD of the PlayStation 5 is supposed to be extremely fast and significantly reduce loading times. However, it could fill up quite quickly for gamers with many games, as it is “only” 825 GB in size.

Just installing the entire PS Plus Collection at launch will quickly bring the PS5 SSD close to its capacity limit.

While one will be able to connect external SSDs to the PS5, the problem is: While this is sufficient for old PS4 games, PS5 games are explicitly designed for the new, fast SSD of the PS5. And currently, there is not really much selection of SSDs that are technically suitable for it, and Sony has not yet released an official list of certified SSDs.

So we will have to wait for now. Therefore, do not buy any additional SSDs for the PS5 at the moment, as you might regret it later. However, getting an SSD for the PS4 might still be worthwhile.

What about PSVR2? I have high hopes for virtual reality on the PS5. I had a lot of fun with PSVR on the PS4, but the technology still has a lot of room for improvement. On the PC, I have seen what is possible with VR in titles like Elite Dangerous or DCS World.

PlayStation VR
The PSVR headset for the PS4

According to Sony, VR will play an important role on the PS5. However, not much is known about that so far. While a patent for a new PSVR controller has surfaced, it does not necessarily mean anything concrete will come of it. PSVR 1 is said to be supported, but there are still open questions. Will there be an upgrade for that? Is a PSVR 2 coming soon? If so, when? And what will it be able to do?

I am also very curious about this. With the new generation, a worthwhile VR experience should finally be possible, which would make me particularly happy.

Open questions about PS5 backward compatibility: Sony has at least clarified how far the PS5’s backward compatibility extends at this point. Many PS4 games will be supported and run on the PS5 from day one. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 5 will not be backward compatible with PS1, PS2, and PS3.

But how many and which PS4 games will be supported exactly? So far, it has only been stated that the PS5 will be compatible with 99% of the PS4 games tested so far. How many and which ones remain unknown.

Witcher 3 is one of the few PS4 games confirmed to receive a free next-gen upgrade

And which games will receive next-gen upgrades? So far, the list of officially confirmed titles with upgrades is rather short. What about Ghost of Tsushima? What about The Last of Us 2? Both are said to be playable on the PS5, but what about an upgrade?

What is the availability at launch like? The PS5 is currently sold out. While Sony has announced additional supply at the end of the year besides the already completed second wave, it remains unknown when exactly that will be. Despite two pre-order waves, not everyone interested has been able to secure a PS5.

When will additional stock come exactly? Just before the launch? For the immediate Christmas shopping season? And what about retail? Will one be able to walk into MediaMarkt or Saturn to buy a console on the release date or shortly after?

I urgently hope for more concrete information from Sony on this matter.

What is the situation with the peripherals and controller features? Sony has already announced that the PS4 controller DualShock 4 will be compatible with the PS5, but only for PS4 games. PS5 games cannot be played with it. But what about the other way around?

PS5 Controller PS4 Controller Title
The PS4 controller DualShock 4 can only be used on the PS5 with PS4 games.

Will some old games benefit from the new features of the new DualSense controller? Is Sony finally releasing an official pro controller? What about wheel support – especially for Gran Turismo 7? The top products from Thrustmaster are said to be PS5-ready, but to what extent? And what about other devices?

Some more clarity on this matter before the PS5 launch would also not hurt.

What about you? What questions are currently on your mind regarding the PS5? What do you want to know before the launch? Or is everything important already cleared up for you, like for our author Maik Schneider?

Sorry, Xbox, this won’t work – Why the PlayStation 5 can only win

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

6 Things You Should Know Before Starting Genshin Impact on PS4, PC

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 4 minutes

Genshin Impact will be released tomorrow, on September 28, on PC, PS4, iOS, and Android. We at MeinMMO will tell you 6 things you should know before the game starts.

What kind of game is it? Genshin Impact is a free-to-play cooperative RPG developed by the Chinese studio miHoYo. Visually, it resembles Zelda: Breath of the Wild, although there are significant differences, not only due to the co-op mode.

Therefore, in this article, we present 6 things you should definitely know before you want to play Genshin Impact. Everything about the release and preload can be found here.

More on the topic
The new co-op game Genshin Impact is coming soon – Who is the “Zelda RPG” worth it for?
von Alexander Leitsch

Is Genshin Impact a pure Zelda clone?

No, even though both games have many similarities. Zelda and Genshin Impact both:

  • rely on a similar art style
  • feature an open world and many side quests within it
  • dungeons and puzzles to solve
  • various means of transportation like swimming or climbing

A significant difference, however, is the character system. In Genshin Impact, you can play more than just one character, as is the case with Link, but have more than 20 different characters to choose from.

Another innovation is the co-op mode, where you can defeat world bosses, complete dungeons, or solve puzzles together with up to 3 other players. This is particularly noticeable in the combat system, where Genshin Impact emphasizes an action-oriented play style and combos with other players.

In addition, Genshin Impact can be played on multiple platforms and offers crossplay between them.

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Link to the YouTube content

The combat system is very action-oriented

Genshin Impact relies on a mix of action and tab-targeting. For some abilities, you have to aim precisely, but the auto-attack automatically selects the targeted target.

The RPG offers you 4 abilities per character:

  • An auto-attack
  • A chargeable attack
  • An elemental attack
  • A kind of ultimate

Although the number of abilities is manageable, Genshin Impact is designed to play quickly and dynamically – unlike Zelda.

You play multiple characters directly

In Genshin Impact, you have more than 20 different characters to choose from. From these, you can form a team of 4 different heroes, between whom you can freely switch without load screens.

You have to do this as opponents have different weaknesses and are, for example, more vulnerable to fire or water damage. Overall, there are 6 elements:

  • Anemo
  • Pyro
  • Cryo
  • Hydro
  • Electro
  • Geo

This creates a very interesting dynamic and constant switching between characters. The max level is level 80, by the way.

Genshin Impact title image
In Genshin Impact, there are many characters. You form a 4-person team from these.

Why is it not a real substitute for MMORPG?

Genshin Impact offers many features that resemble an MMORPG, including daily quests and a crafting system with 4 different professions. Still, it is not comparable to MMORPGs, not only because you can only go on an adventure with a maximum of four players.

To unlock the co-op mode, you first need to reach adventure guild level 16. Moreover, the difficulty level is rarely truly demanding.

The biggest drawback, however, is that according to reports on reddit, players who help their friends in co-op get significantly less loot. They cannot loot monsters or open chests. Only resource gathering works in the friends’ game.

However, those who enjoy playing solo in MMORPGs might find fun in Genshin Impact. For others, we have gathered the best solo MMORPGs for you:

More on the topic
Which MMORPGs are also fun to play alone? The 7 best online role-playing games for solo players 2025
von Jürgen Horn

This is how equipment works in the game

In Genshin Impact, you can equip your character with potions, artifacts, and weapons. Weapons are the heart of the equipment. There are 5 different types of weapons:

  • Sword
  • Bow
  • Polearms
  • Two-handed sword
  • Catalysts – magical weapons

However, each character can only carry one weapon. Moreover, each weapon comes in different strength versions, from 1 to 5 stars. Each weapon can also be upgraded up to 6 times at each level, making it stronger. From level 3, in addition to the normal attributes of a weapon, there is also a passive effect, which can vary widely.

  • Weapons of the first 3 levels can be collected in the open world.
  • Weapons of level 4 can be obtained through crafting or through wishes, a gacha system.
  • 5-star weapons, the best you can get in the game, are only available through wishes.
Genshin Impact combat system
The most important part of your equipment is the weapon.

Additionally, you can equip up to 5 artifacts. These also bring attributes and belong to specific types. The latter bring set bonuses, resulting in additional effects.

You can get a detailed overview of artifacts and bonuses in the Genshin Impact wiki.

Is Genshin Impact Pay2Win?

The co-op RPG is free to play, but relies on an item shop with cosmetic items and a gacha system reminiscent of loot boxes. Through these loot boxes, the strongest weapons and new characters can be unlocked.

Although you can also earn the premium currency, it can still be an advantage to invest a lot of money. However, a positive aspect is that the probabilities of success are stated exactly. Also, there is no PvP, which greatly reduces the appeal of strong equipment.

However, it will only be after the release that it becomes clear whether the gacha system is truly Pay2Win. You can find detailed information about the system and prices in this article.

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

The “Mass Effect” remaster is probably coming without the coolest mode

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

The remake of the “Mass Effect” series will probably miss the popular multiplayer mode. This leaves an important piece of the original experience absent.

After Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem there was a big gap in the hearts of many Mass Effect fans. A glimmer of hope appeared a few months ago when the rumor spread that BioWare was working on a remaster of the original trilogy. The game was supposed to be released in October of this year. However, that has now been delayed – and it will probably also come without the multiplayer mode.

What was the multiplayer mode? The multiplayer mode from Mass Effect 3 was quite popular. After finishing the main story, players could spend several hundred more hours here. It involved fighting against increasingly stronger waves of various enemies with up to three other players. Players earned in-game currency that could be spent on new weapons or additional equipment to tackle even tougher difficulty levels. There was also a leveling system with skill points and numerous different character classes with unique abilities.

Mass Effect Multiplayer Crew
In multiplayer mode, there was a lot of action – and cool characters.

Why will the mode be missing? According to a report by Venture Beat, the multiplayer will not appear because it would turn the remaster into a “live” game that requires regular maintenance. Servers would need to be set up and maintained to allow multiplayer matches. This is an investment that EA probably does not want to make, especially since it is questionable how many players would actually use this mode. After all, Mass Effect is essentially a single-player RPG.

Since the achievements from multiplayer could also impact the story, it remains to be seen how BioWare will resolve this issue.

Even though the multiplayer mode is missing, all DLCs are expected to be included in the remaster version. Therefore, purchasing additional content is not necessary.

Mass Effect 2 was already much better than part 1 – it simply played better.

Mass Effect 1 is simply too poor – delays development

Mass Effect 1 needs more time: However, the fundamental development of the remaster has apparently been delayed. One reason is the ongoing global situation due to the coronavirus, but there is another factor: Mass Effect 1 is simply too poor. Both the gameplay and the graphics and animations have aged poorly and do not correspond to the gaming experience that parts 2 and 3 offer. At BioWare, there is concern that players might be put off by Mass Effect 1, preventing them from progressing to parts 2 and 3. Therefore, they want to spend more time on part 1 and make some modernizations.

However, keep in mind that this information has not been officially confirmed. Officially, the remaster for Mass Effect has not been announced at all. It was supposed to happen, according to sources, in October, but is now postponed indefinitely.

BioWare is also busy with Anthem 2.0 …

Are you excited about a “Mass Effect” remaster even without multiplayer? Or would that have been the best aspect of the trilogy?

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

Former GTA developer raises 42 million $ for a “massive open-world game”

Irina Moritz Irina Moritz Reading time 2 minutes

The former producer of GTA V Online has founded a new company and is now working on a game called Everywhere.

Who is Leslie Benzies? Every GTA fan has surely played a game developed by Benzies. The former president of RockStar North has been involved with the GTA series since 2001 and has produced it for over 10 years.

Leslie’s game portfolio includes:

  • GTA III to V including the DLCs and spin-offs
  • Manhunt
  • L.A. Noire
  • Red Dead Redemption
  • Max Payne 3

Leslie left RockStar North in 2016 due to a legal dispute with the parent company TakeTwo Interactive over $150 million, which ended in a settlement between the two parties.

Two years later, in 2018, he announced that he has founded a new company called “Build a Rocket Boy Games”. The developer has offices in Budapest and Edinburgh and over 130 employees, including former developers of GTA V such as

  • programmer Colin Entwistle
  • Lead Cinematics Animator Felipe Busquets
  • Music Director Craig Conner
  • Audio Director Matthew Smith
More on the topic
Morhaime’s new studio sounds like “Blizzard before Activision intervened”
von Benedict Grothaus

Competing game to GTA?

What is the GTA veteran working on? The first game the studio is working on is called “Everywhere”. According to Benzies, it will be a “massive open-world game”:

Everywhere will have many traditional gameplay mechanics, but we want to bring something more, something that draws its inspiration from, well, “everywhere”.

Players are getting smarter and demanding more from their games. And we want players to have real freedom to live in our world the way they want. We want to offer a wide variety of modes and styles that not only tell our stories. They should allow players to live out the identities and adventures they want to explore the most.

Leslie Benzies to VentureBeat
everywhere logo benzies
The logo of Everywhere, the new game by Leslie Benzies

Additionally, Benzies explained that Everywhere is a long-term vision. It has the potential “to develop and grow forever”. This sounds suspiciously like a games-as-a-service game.

According to Benzies, Everywhere is however “very different” compared to GTA. So there will probably not be a direct competitor to RockStar’s action game.

More on the topic
What does MMO mean these days? Games-as-a-service
von Schuhmann

Who has invested in Benzies’ company? For his endeavor, Benzies has brought in various investors in recent years. Among them are cryptocurrency investors Galaxy Interactive, Makers, and the publisher Netease, which is known for operating World of Warcraft in China.

So far, Benzies has raised about $42 million for his company. This is approximately the pure development costs of games like Halo 2 or Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt.

While Benzies and his team are working on their new game, several other developers have also founded their own studio. The former head of Blizzard is now at the helm of Dreamhaven.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Polygon
  2. Videogameschronicles
  3. Venturebeat

WoW: Patch 9.0 back in the testing phase – Is everything shifting now?

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The major patch 9.0 of World of Warcraft has once again been pushed into the testing phase. But what does that actually mean?

In recent weeks and months, there have been recurring rumors that Blizzard may have bitten off more than it can chew with the upcoming expansion World of Warcraft Shadowlands. The unexpectedly early release date has already raised doubts, which have now been fueled further. For the upcoming Patch 9.0 has once again been put back into the testing state. But what does that mean?

What happened? The patch 9.0 on the PTR had the designation “Release Candidate” for several days. This is a version label that Blizzard uses whenever they believe the current patch version is stable enough to be transferred to the live game.

WoW Version PTR Test 90

Now, however, Patch 9.0 on the PTR has received another update. The designation “Release Candidate” has been removed and the patch is back in testing state.

Why was this done? As a rule, Blizzard puts a patch back into “testing” mode when there are still multiple issues and bugs that need to be addressed.

It could be a minor error on Blizzard’s part. However, it is enough to raise concerns. In any case, players should emotionally prepare themselves that Patch 9.0 may not appear next Wednesday and may take another week or two longer.

More on the topic
5 things to look forward to in the big WoW Patch 9.0
von Cortyn

What are the consequences? Within the community, September 30 was already established as the release date for Patch 9.0, even though Blizzard never announced it. It is conceivable that the release will now occur later – possibly on October 7.

However, it is rather unlikely that the entire expansion Shadowlands will be delayed because of this. WoW expansions have always met their announced dates since “The Burning Crusade”.

Other Blizzard games, such as the rather failed Warcraft III: Reforged, have been postponed in recent times.

As soon as there are concrete details about the release of the patch, we will of course report on it.

Could you live with a delay of the patch or even Shadowlands? Or have you already planned your vacation around it?

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

Season 22 of Diablo 3 clones your class and improves Kanai’s Cube

Irina Moritz Irina Moritz Reading time 3 minutes

Diablo 3 presents in a blog post the update 2.6.10, which will go live on the PTR servers on October 1st. The new season theme, rewards, and Haedrig’s Gifts will also be introduced.

When does it start? The testing phase for Season 22 of Diablo 3 will commence on October 1st. Although there were concerns a few weeks ago that the season might be delayed, everything currently seems to be on schedule.

The PTR test will split into two phases, which will go live one after the other:

  • October 1: During this phase, the changes to Legendaries and Set Items will be introduced.
  • From October 8: During this phase, players will be able to test the new theme of Season 22 and its content.

Additionally, two buffs will be activated on the PTR servers to assist you in testing. They will increase the drop rate of legendary items and guarantee double the amount of Blood Shards.

The Season Theme of S22

This buff awaits you: The new theme of Season 22 revolves around shadows. When you touch a shrine or a pylon, a shadow clone of your class will appear. This clone will fight alongside you against enemies for one minute, as long as you are not killed during this time.

However, it does not clone your character and build directly. Each time it appears, the shadow clone will be assigned one of three predetermined build variations of your class, which it will then use in combat against the demons.

Here they are:

Witch Doctor

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Grasp of the Dead
(Locust Swarm)		Wall of Death
(Fire Wall)		Mass Confusion
(Hallucination)
Piranhas
(Piranhado)		Fire Bomb
(Wildfire)		Spirit Barrage
(The Spirit is Willing)
Wall of Death
(Surrounded by Death)		Hex
(Unstable Form)		Wall of Death
(Séance)
Zombie Dogs
(Zombie Bears)		Piranhas
(Piranhado)		Piranhas
(Piranhado)
Corpse Spiders
(Medusa Spiders)		Zombie Dogs
(Exploding Beast)		Horrify
(Countenance of Death)
Hex
(Curse)		Spirit Barrage
(Soul Harvest)		Grasp of the Dead
(Binding Grasp)

Wizard

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Arcane Orb
(Frost Sphere)		Meteor
(Molten Impact)		Arcane Orb
(Annihilation)
Frost Nova
(Bone Chill)		Arcane Orb
(Annihilation)		Disintegration
(Intensify)
Blizzard
(Unyielding Storm)		Explosion
(Short Fuse)		Wave of Force
(Weakening Push)
Ice Armor
(Frozen Storm)		Black Hole
(Blazar)		Slow Time
(Exhaustion)
Black Hole
(Absolute Zero)		Energy Twister
(Tempest)		Energy Twister
(Furious Storm)
Frost Ray
(Snow Exclusion)		Disintegration
(Convergence)		Meteor
(Star Pact)

Berserker

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Seismic Slam
(Shattering Ground)		Wrath of the Berserker
(Fury of the Marauder)		Overpower
(Rampage)
Ground Stomp
(Frightening Moment)		Threatening Shout
(Unsettle)		Threatening Shout
(Unsettle)
Earthquake
(Lava Burst)		Wrath of the Berserker
(Madness)		Furious Charge
(Battering Ram)
Earthquake
(Lava Eruption)		Sprint
(Quick as the Wind)		Wrath of the Berserker
(Madness)
Wrath of the Berserker
(Madness)		Whirlwind
(No Rune)		Strike
(Pulverize)
Spear of the Ancients
(Rock Throw)		Frenzy
(Flesh Wound)		Hammer of the Ancients
(Thunderclap)

Monk

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Lightning Bolt
(Faith in the Light)		Thunder Fists
(Thunderclap)		Exploding Hand
(The Flesh is Weak)
Seven-Sided Strike
(Flashing Offensive)		Deadly Reach
(Spreading Strikes)		Wave of Light
(Explosive Light)
Holy Ally
(Sanctuary)		Way of the Hundred Fists
(Lightning Fast Hands)		Sweeping Wind
(Whirling Flame Kick)
Revelation
(Soothing Mist)		Sweeping Wind
(Sweeping Armada Kick)		Revelation
(Inner Fire)
Breathe of Heaven
(Circle of Scorn)		Raging Strike
(Hail of Blows)		Tearing Wind
(Firestorm)
Wave of Light
(Wave of Power)		Cyclone Strike
(Implosion)		Seven-Sided Strike
(Sudden Strike)

Necromancer

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Land of the Dead
(Frozen Land)		Land of the Dead
(Pest Lands)		Land of the Dead
(Frozen Land)
Fragility
(Instability)		Decay
(Atrophy)		Bone Spear
(Shatter)
Bone Spirit
(Possession)		Army of the Dead
(Toxic Grip)		Death Nova
(Bone Nova)
Corpse Explosion
(Last Embrace)		Cadaver Lance
(Crossfire)		Fragility
(An Early Grave)
Bone Spear
(Blood Spear)		Death Nova
(Plague)		Army of the Dead
(Death’s Domain)
Death Nova
(Blood Nova)		Bone Spear
(Contaminated Marrow)		Cadaver Lance
(Blood Lance)

Demon Hunter

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Death’s Wail
(Valley of Death)		Death’s Wail
(Valley of Death)		Death’s Wail
(Valley of Death)
Crow’s Feet
(Jagged Spikes)		Raining Vengeance
(Shadow Storm)		Raining Vengeance
(Flying Attack)
Dagger Storm
(Assassin’s Knife)		Splinter Arrow
(Rocket Splinter)		Splinter Arrow
(Maelstrom)
Chakram
(Twin Chakram)		Multishot
(Arsenal)		Multishot
(Cold Wind)
Vengeance
(Flanking Cannons)		Vengeance
(Hand Mortar)		Vengeance
(Out of the Shadows)
Piercing
(Crossfire)		Elemental Arrow
(Fire Arrow)		Elemental Arrow
(Frost Arrow)

Crusader

Build 1Build 2Build 3
Akirat’s Champion
(Firestarter)		Akirat’s Champion
(Haste)		Akirat’s Champion
(Tear Down)
Heavenly Execution
(Overheated)		Heavenly Execution
(Storm of Swords)		Heavenly Execution
(Cloudburst)
Swing Attack
(Flaming Swing)		Judgment
(Mass Judgment)		Heavenly Fury
(Shared Fury)
Consecrate
(Shattered Ground)		Consecrate
(Flood of Light)		Heavenly Hammer
(Revenge)
Bombardment
(Annihilation)		Blessed Hammer
(Limitless)		Iron Skin
(Charged)
Sentence
(Response)		Sentence
(Response)		Glorious Shield
(Uncertainty)
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von Patrick Freese

Kanais Cube will be improved

What happens with the Cube? In addition to the shadows, you will receive an additional slot for your Kanai’s Cube in Season 22. The new slot will be able to hold the same items as the other three. Its effect will not stack with theirs.

The goal of the new slot is to provide players with more creativity and diversity in builds. It is also the feature of the season that has been received positively in the community so far.

Players in the reddit threads about Season 22 have welcomed this change:

The fourth Cube slot will be the seasonal buff. The Witch Doctor will blow up the Rifts.

reddit user BadGyuLala

The 4th slot for Kanai’s Cube is a great addition. The “Shadow Clone” theme also sounds cool.

reddit user Xixth

In the threads, the possibilities were also drawn out of how to build incredibly broken builds with the fourth slot of the cube, and speculation was made about which classes would benefit the most from it.

Rewards and Haedrig’s Gift

What Season rewards will there be? For players who put in effort during Season 22, there will be gifts again. This time, there will be a frame for the profile picture and a pet. There are no images of the two rewards yet.

What does Haedrig bring? Depending on which class you open the gift with, you will receive one of the following sets:

  • Horde of the Ninety Savages
  • Aegis of Valor
  • Gear of Terror
  • Pattern of Justice
  • Mask of the Burning Carnival
  • Mundunugu’s Ornat
  • The Typhon’s Veil

The Stone Gauntlets will now drop for all classes as well.

Starting October 8, it will become clear whether players will like the new theme. The theme of Season 21 was not well received.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Diablo 3

Old PS4 games on the PS5 – Will all look better?

Sven Galitzki Sven Galitzki Reading time 5 minutes

In just 2 months the new PlayStation 5 will celebrate its release. Many are looking forward not only to the new PS5 launch titles but also to some of their old favorites in new splendor. But what does it actually look like? Will all games really benefit from the new hardware?

Here’s what many are looking forward to: After Sony recently announced the release date and the price of the new PlayStation 5, and the PS5 could already be pre-ordered in 2 waves, for many the only important question remains: What will be played at release?

While some are looking forward to one or the other launch title, there are also players like our shooter expert Sven Galitzki, who are more excited for some of their old PS4 gems in fresh attire. But will all your previous favorites really look better on the PS5?

PS5 lying

Which old PlayStation games can be played on the PS5?

Games via the PS5 backward compatibility: You will be able to enjoy old games on the PS5 through backward compatibility. Recently, Sony finally provided clarity regarding the backward compatibility feature of the PlayStation 5.

This means that the PS5 will be backward compatible with 99% of all PS4 games tested at launch. This applies to games on physical media as well as digital versions from the PS Store. However, we do not know exactly how many games have been tested so far.

Unfortunately, it looks bad for games from older PlayStation generations. The PS5 will not be backward compatible with the PS1, PS2, and PS3.

PS Plus Collection at the launch of the PS5: PS Plus subscribers who get a PlayStation 5 can look forward to a small bonus in the form of 18 PS4 gems right at the launch of Sony’s next-gen console: PlayStation Plus for PS5: These 18 games are available for free at launch

Title image PlayStation Plus for PS5

Do all old games look better on the PS5?

Even though the PS5 can boast a native 4K resolution as well as additional graphics power and a lightning-fast SSD – not everyone has a 4K TV or a 4K monitor. And not every old PS4 game will visibly benefit from all the new features compared to the PlayStation 4.

This is likely the case for the majority of old PS4 games: Many games will be running on the PS5 thanks to backward compatibility from day 1, but will remain at the technical standard of the best last-gen platform (except possibly for resolution). While there are likely to be fewer problems like frame rate drops, anyone expecting new graphics standards, high-resolution textures, or new effects everywhere will likely be disappointed.

Take The Division 2 as an example. The developers have already stated in a dev vlog that they do not plan to adjust The Division 2 specifically for next-gen (for now?). While the game will run on the PS5 from day 1 thanks to backward compatibility, it will only be at the best level of last-gen – that is, at the level of the PS4 Pro (or the Xbox One X at Microsoft).

division 2 chameleon exo
The Division 2 probably won’t look much better on the PS5 either (Here on the PS4 Pro)

And so it is likely to be the case for most of the thousands of old PS4 games that are supposed to run on the PS5, for which no explicit next-gen upgrades have been mentioned or announced so far.

These games will receive a free upgrade: However, there will also be games that will receive a next-gen upgrade either on day 1 or at a later time, thus additionally benefiting from the power of the new hardware.

For example, Destiny 2 will offer true 4K resolution and 60 FPS on the PS5 through the upgrade. Rainbow Six Siege will even offer 4K and 120 FPS. Numerous games will thus enjoy a higher native resolution, additional graphic effects, and a higher frame rate.

The Witcher 3 is one of the games that will receive a free next-gen upgrade

According to the current status, these PS4 games will receive a free next-gen upgrade on the PS5:

  • Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
  • Atelier Ryza 2
  • Borderlands 3
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (a further, more robust update is also supposed to come later)
  • Dead by Daylight
  • Destiny 2
  • DiRT 5
  • Doom Eternal
  • Far Cry 6
  • FIFA 21 (before FIFA 22 is released)
  • Fortnite
  • For Honor
  • Grounded
  • Grand Theft Auto Online
  • Hitman 3
  • Horizon: Forbidden West
  • Immortals Fenyx Rising
  • Kena: Bridge of Spirits
  • Little Nightmares 2
  • Madden NFL 21
  • Maneater
  • Marvel’s Avengers
  • Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
  • Mortal Kombat 11
  • Outriders
  • Planet Coaster: Console Edition
  • Puyo-Puyo Tetris 2
  • Riders Republic
  • RIDE 4
  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure
  • Spider-Man Miles Morales
  • The Elder Scrolls Online
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  • Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
  • Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
  • Watch Dogs: Legion
  • WRC 9
  • Yakuza: Like A Dragon

(Last updated on: October 19, 2020)

More titles may be added before the launch. We will update the article then. By the way, if we have overlooked an announced free next-gen upgrade, feel free to let us know in the comments. We can still expand this list then.

And if you are buying new games for the PS4 as disc versions right before the PS5 release and want to know if they will receive a next-gen upgrade, look for the packaging. It will state “PS5 Upgrade available” for the corresponding titles.

You should pay attention to this label if you want to know if the PS4 game will receive a free next-gen upgrade for the PS5.

For some upgrades, you will have to pay: However, there will also be games that will receive a next-gen upgrade but will have additional costs associated with it – such as

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
  • Control (The upgrade is only available with the purchase of the Special Edition)
  • NBA 2K21 (with the purchase of the Mamba Forever Edition)
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man (the remaster is only available for buyers of Spider-Man Miles Morales)

Other games could also be added to this list before the PS5 launch. More about this can be found here: PS5: These PS4 games are charging you extra for next-gen upgrades

Also interesting – These are the launch titles of the PS5: While these games are not new, many players are already looking forward to them: These are all confirmed launch titles for the PlayStation 5 so far

And although the PS5 has already been extensively introduced, it has even been available for pre-order in two waves and is already sold out, many important questions about Sony’s new next-gen console are still unanswered. What questions are still on your mind regarding the PlayStation 5? Our shooter expert Sven Galitzki still wants answers to these 7 questions as soon as possible:

7 things I still want to know before the launch of the PS5

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

CoD Warzone: Secrets for Season 5 Part 4 – How to solve “New Threats”

Maik Schneider Maik Schneider Reading time 6 minutes

In Call of Duty: Warzone, you can collect some intel for the legendary operator Ghost to earn a hefty amount of experience points and learn about the story of Verdansk. Here you will find the solution for the Season 5 Intel Part 4 – New Threats.

What are Intel Missions? With the start of Season 4, new mission series were added to the Battle Royale Call of Duty: Warzone: Intel. In the Challenges tab of the Warzone menu, you will find under “Missions” on the far right the option “Intel”.

Ghost sends you on a scavenger hunt across the Warzone city of Verdansk to uncover the events prior to the evacuation and understand the machinations of the bad guys. Just before Season 6, there is now a new mission series.

For the tasks of Part 4 Season 5, you need to collect a total of 6 intel and can quickly earn 32,500 experience points. In order for you not to have to search for the intel for the mission “New Threats” alone, you will find here the locations and tips to help you complete it. The solutions for other Intel missions can be found here:

cod modern warfare warzone operator ghost weapon title
Ghost wants to know what is happening in Verdansk.

How to solve the 7 steps of the Intel mission in CoD Warzone

Tips: Before you go searching for the intel, check out the notes in the tasks. There have been reports that the missions only work properly if you have taken a look at the respective note.

You can only complete one intel from the mission per match and can only finish the next step in a new round. However, it is possible to collect intel from other intel missions in one round. For example, if you haven’t completed Season 5 Part 1 yet, you can also check off a data package from that mission.

It’s best to complete the mission in the “Plunder” or “Blood Money” mode. Here you can respawn repeatedly and have significantly more attempts per match. If you are with a team, each of you must pick up the data individually.

Warning Bug: There are frequent reports that players cannot pick up some intel. If you are affected, there is currently nothing you can do and you must hope for a patch.

1. Find the position from Ghost’s message

Reward: 2,500 experience points

How to solve the task: East of the city area and north of the prison is the grain chamber of Verdansk, the Krovnik Farmland. Southeast of the stadium, you will find the first intel – a gold coin left by Ghost. Pick up the coin on the hay bale, and then head to the next point.

2. ARM 3-1 left intel at a camp…

Reward: 5,000 experience points

How to solve the task: Here, you can also directly access it after landing. An abandoned camp on a hill northeast of the stadium holds the next data. After a quick sausage over an open fire, this point is also completed.

3. Z and Perseus wanted more power…

Reward: 5,000 experience points

How to solve the task: For intel number 3, head to the dam in the north of Verdansk. You need to go into the small house south of the water barrier. It’s best to go through the east window, keep right, and then turn left into the room at the end of the hallway. The desk on the left side holds the next intel for you.

4. A sketch could provide an important clue…

Reward: 5,000 experience points

How to solve the task: The last 3 intel are all quite close to each other. Jump in the south of the city, west of the harbor at the large, strange stone monument with the spiral staircase. In a northern direction, you will see a label with the years of the Second World War. On the surface above, you will again find a gold coin, which while not filling your bank account, will add to your experience points treasure.

5. Find the source of the backup power…

Reward: 5,000 experience points

How to solve the task: This task is a bit different and requires better preparation from you. Choose the field upgrade “EMP Drone” for your loadout and start a match in Plunder or Blood Money. Then land directly on the monument and attack everything that moves. Because the drone takes a moment to charge, and you can shorten that with points. Once you can deploy it, let the EMP device drop on the large antenna on the monument.

Once you have completed this, you will find a small house southeast in which a TV is waiting for some viewers. Fulfill its wish and collect its intel.

6. The power is rerouted from a nearby bunker…

Reward: 5,000 experience points

How to solve the task: You need to extract the last data from Bunker 10. The entrance to the bunker is marked on the map, which can be found a bit southeast of the monument. By now, you can enter many bunkers in the Warzone with codes or cards. Usually, there’s a lot of loot waiting for you, the list and locations of the bunkers can be found here. The code for Bunker 10 is:

  • 60 27 45 13

Through the entrance, you will come to the anteroom of the bunker and to the right of the massive door is a keypad. Enter the code, enter the bunker, celebrate a short loot fest, and take the turn to the left. Straight ahead, you will see a long terminal and approximately in the middle, at the two monitors, you will find the last intel.

7. A revealed threat.

Reward: 5,000 experience points

How to solve the task: For the last task, you don’t need to do anything else. The last 5,000 experience points will be added to your account, and the final intel mission of Season 5 is completed.

If you want to watch the whole thing as a video again, check out the German YouTuber “TarKoffeL”. We embed his video with the solution for “New Threats” here for you:

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The small “story campaign” of Warzone provides insights into the dark machinations surrounding the city and brings in plenty of experience points. However, the map will also deliver more without the story background in the near future. With Season 6, Verdansk will receive a subway that can be used as a fast travel system.

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

How is Lost Ark going, which will determine my life in 2021?

Irina Moritz Irina Moritz Reading time 3 minutes

It has been some time since Amazon announced the EU release of Lost Ark. What has happened with the MMORPG in the past weeks?

A month ago, we finally received the official confirmation: Lost Ark is coming to Europe and will be published here by Amazon. But while we sit here waiting for the release, the development of the game is progressing rapidly.

Here’s what has happened in recent weeks and a glimpse of the rest of 2020.

Development in Korea: The Koreans are far ahead of everyone else in Lost Ark and are giving a taste of the new content. In August, they received the big update for Season 2 with numerous gameplay improvements and a new class, the Scouter.

In just a few days, on September 29, the next class will be released, the Reaper Assassin. Later in October, there will be a continuation of the Lost Ark story in the form of new quests as well as the PvP activity “Island Conquest.”

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Short teaser trailer for the Reaper Assassin

Development in Japan: The Japanese celebrated the official release of their version of Lost Ark on September 23. They are starting directly with the mechanics and improvements of Season 2, which are based on feedback from Korean players.

Although the Japanese do not have access to the new classes and continents that were released in Lost Ark throughout 2019 and 2020, they plan to catch up quickly. Already in November, the Lance Master class will be released, and in December the continent Rohendel.

Development in Russia: Russian players and Europeans who have snuck in can look forward to several updates by the end of the year. Primarily, the big 2.0 update with all its novelties that are available in Korea and Japan will arrive in October.

November will be used for hotfixes and optimizations. In December, new content will come, and Russians will receive their next class, the Holy Knight.

More on the topic
I tested Lost Ark – Yes, it plays as good as it looks
von Irina Moritz

Development in Europe: A few weeks ago, there was finally good news for Europeans. Amazon announced that they would take over the publishing of Lost Ark in Europe. SmileGate was also looking for new employees to take care of the localization of the MMORPG in the West.

Since Amazon’s announcement, however, there has been silence again about the MMORPG. It is therefore rather unlikely that the first beta tests will happen before the end of 2020. However, it looks better for 2021.

Currently, SmileGate is trying to bring all regions as quickly as possible up to the level of Season 2 in Lost Ark. Even Russia, which started with the old version, will be patched within just one month. Therefore, Europe will most likely also start directly with Season 2 of Lost Ark.

Excitement like no other MMORPG

Actually, Lost Ark belongs to the type of MMORPGs that I usually approach with great skepticism: a free-to-play action MMORPG from Korea. Most of these games have not managed to captivate me in the past.

It’s almost absurd that I’m looking forward to Lost Ark like a child and never get tired of waiting for the EU release. SmileGate managed to press almost all the right buttons for me with the MMORPG.

It remains to be seen how Season 2.0 has changed the armor upgrades and the loot spiral. Together with the cash shop, these were my only concerns regarding Lost Ark.

More on the topic
Lost Ark: I really missed being a noob in an MMORPG
von Irina Moritz

Diversity from Final Fantasy XIV

My main game Final Fantasy XIV will thus probably face considerable competition in 2021. I have been looking for a change from SE’s heavily scripted MMORPG for some time. Players who have been playing FFXIV for many years know the update rhythm by heart.

Every major patch brings

  • 1-2 new dungeons,
  • an 8- or 24-player raid,
  • a series of story quests,
  • additional side content that will be distributed over the coming months

Major changes and new classes only appear with new expansions about every 2 years. This “predictability” can be exhausting, and until now, it has only been single-player games that could pull me away from FFXIV.

If Lost Ark eventually releases in 2021 (hopefully), I will first get lost in it for several months: playing the story, trying out classes, and raiding until my fingers bleed.

Moreover: As soon as Lost Ark is released here, you can bet that Schuhmann will overwhelm me with work. Therefore, I won’t be able to escape the game, whether in private life or at work.

But I’m already looking forward to it.

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

Destiny 2: The best shotgun from the Trials is almost given away right now

Philipp Hansen Philipp Hansen Reading time 3 minutes

If you are quick, you can secure the best PvP shotgun from the Trials in Destiny 2 just for participating.

Why enter the Trials now? The Trials of Osiris are regarded as the pinnacle in the Crucible. Here, the best players compete to earn 7 victories and reach the Lighthouse and the best weapons. The elite gear is still out of reach for many Guardians.

However, from September 25 to September 29, every Guardian can actually get the best PvP shotgun. You don’t need to secure a single victory – the top weapon is really only available for participation.

MeinMMO explains why you need the shotgun and how you are guaranteed to get one now.

This is the weapon: The shotgun Astral Horizon is the best special weapon from the Trials. It is carried as one of the few top shotguns in the kinetic slot and belongs to the crème de la crème of the PvP arsenal.

astralhorizont-trials-shotgun-destiny-2
Looks good and is really strong: Astral Horizon

Astral Horizon gained dubious fame because even pros manipulated the Trials of Osiris to secure one.

Why this shotgun is so good: Astral Horizon belongs to the slow-firing shotguns that pack a punch and can send an enemy Guardian to the virtual afterlife with one shot from a distance.

When looking at the potential perks, it is noticeable that almost all available options are good (via light.gg). So, virtually every roll is usable.

However, watch out for this strong combination:

  • Barrel: Full Choke or Rifled Barrel
  • Magazine: Assault Mag
  • Perk 1: Quickdraw
  • Perk 2: Opening Shot
  • Masterwork: Handling or Range

But it’s not just the weapon itself that impresses. It becomes so powerful because it excellently supports the other best weapons in the Crucible: the 600 RPM auto rifles.

These firearms dominate the sandbox in Season 11, with their most prominent representatives being Needler and the Summoner – both equipped in the energy slot. Therefore, the two meta shotguns Mindbender and Felwinter’s Lie are out of the running.

The weapon is thus very strong on its own and perfectly rounds out the best PvP loadouts.

Trials of Osiris Season 10 Destiny
The Warlock is carrying the Astral Horizon, the Titan has the Summoner

Get Astral Horizon easily in the Trials from September 25 to September 29

How to definitely get the weapon: To make the Trials more rewarding, Bungie introduced a new bounty. Thus, the reward for 3 victories can be earned just by participating. And from September 25 to September 29, Astral Horizon is guaranteed to be in there.

You can effectively “fight through” to the shotgun. You can theoretically lose every single round – it will just take longer to fulfill the bounty.

In short: Get the bounty “End Game” from Saint-14 and complete a few rounds!

Make sure to pick up the bounty “End Game” from Saint-14

How to get the most out of the Trials weekend: You can attempt the bounty once with all 3 characters. This ensures you multiple versions of the Astral Horizon and you essentially just need to be able to hold a controller.

If you indeed sweep through the Trials and secure 3 victories in your ticket, you will receive another Astral Horizon. If you then use your earned tokens, there is a chance to obtain more copies from Saint-14 with new rolls.

We anticipate that the easy availability of the meta weapon will drive more players than usual into the Trials. This will increase the player pool and you’ll encounter fewer strong foes.

Even if you don’t have friends on hand, the Companions app and other LFG platforms are currently seeking players (often without a microphone).

By the way, here are the other rewards this week:

  • 5 victories: Trials Rocket Launcher “The Answer from Tomorrow”
  • 7 victories: Boots from the Trials set
  • Flawless: Gloves from the Trials set

What do you think? Will you, as a PvP novice, now enter the Trials and grab the meta shotgun? Or do you find it rather annoying that Bungie is handing out the top weapon for everyone?

By the way, Destiny 2 seems to be in a “generous mood” this week, as the rarest item in the entire game is also being given away – but the reason for this is sad: The hidden Helsom quest in Destiny 2 is now giving you the rarest item

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

CoD MW, Warzone: The last update before Season 6 is here – Here’s what’s included

Sven Galitzki Sven Galitzki Reading time 2 minutes

On the evening of September 25, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and CoD: Warzone received the last small update in Season 5. Find out here what changes before the start of the new Season 6.

Why the last update before Season 6? The current Season 5 is in its last days, and the new Season 6 will start on September 29.

To get into the mood for the new season and celebrate the ending Season, Infinity Ward is giving CoD Modern Warfare and Warzone one last small playlist update as part of Season 5. This went live on the evening of September 25 and is now active.

What changes with the new update: To celebrate the last weekend of Season 5, Infinity Ward has activated the following for Warzone and Modern Warfare with this update – until the end of Season 5 on September 29:

  • Double XP
  • Double Weapon XP
  • Double tier progression in the Season 5 Battle Pass
cod modern warfare warzone playlistupdate 150920 title

If you want to push your seasonal rank, level up some weapons quickly, grab some rewards from the current Battle Pass at the last minute, or complete it, now is a great opportunity.

There was also a change in the playlist. For the last weekend, the popular Mini-Royale is available. The map is smaller, there are fewer players, and match time is shortened, so you can look forward to the most intense part of the regular Warzone experience here. There are constant enemy contacts, and the matches go much faster.

What to expect with Season 6: Soon, the new season – Season 6 – will begin for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone. It will start on September 29 and will bring, among other things:

For more details, you can find them here: CoD MW & Warzone Season 6: Everything about the start – What’s new, what changes?

What happens after Season 6? After that, many players and CoD fans will likely turn their attention to the new Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The new “Call of Duty” installment will be released on November 13, 2020, continuing the popular Black Ops series during the Cold War.

However, Modern Warfare and Warzone should continue as well. It is already known that Warzone will continue beyond Modern Warfare and Black Ops Cold War and is intended to serve as a constant connecting the CoD games.

Regarding Modern Warfare, according to leaks and datamining findings, there are still entries for a Season 7. So there is a chance that with the release of the new CoD 2020, Modern Warfare will not lose out on fresh content.

How about you? Are you staying loyal to Modern Warfare, or will you be moving on to Black Ops Cold War soon?

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

FIFA 21: These 5 player duos will become really strong for your Ultimate Team

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 4 minutes

The FIFA 21 ratings have produced a lot of new cards. Here are 5 combinations that should be quite useful in Ultimate.

What kind of duos are these? In FIFA 21, we will see a lot of new player cards. After all, some players have improved or changed clubs. As a result, new combinations are possible that can really advance your Ultimate Team.

We’re already looking ahead to the FIFA 21 release at the ratings. Which player duos could be a good fit for your Ultimate Team?

1. Kai Havertz and Timo Werner

FIFA 21 Havertz Werner
The duo plays for Chelsea FC

What kind of duo is this? With Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, Chelsea FC has secured two German national players. Offensively, they could also enhance your team.

Havertz shines as a strong playmaker with good ratings in pace, dribbling, and shooting. Werner is an extremely dangerous striker, especially when it comes to speed. The two share a perfect chemistry link, as nationality, league, and club match. Around them, you could build a strong Premier League-Bundesliga hybrid.

2. Nelson Semedo and Adama Traoré

Semedo Adama
Both provide speed in the Premier League

What kind of duo is this? Semedo’s transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers must have set off alarm bells for FIFA players immediately. Because: With Adama Traoré, the right-back is up against another meta player from FIFA 20.

Traoré is among the fastest players, and Semedo also has a lot of speed to offer. Together on the right side, they could become a very popular combination for Premier League teams.

3. Marcos Llorente and Federico Valverde

Llorente Valverde
A very strong duo for LaLiga midfielders

What kind of duo is this? These players form a strong duo because both have made a significant rating jump compared to FIFA 20. Each of them looks extremely strong on their own – and together they could form a very strong double pivot.

Both are quite fast for central midfielders, have good defensive and physical ratings, and are also strong in gameplay. The combination of these two players should create a secure yet dangerous midfield center.

4. Leroy Sané and Alphonso Davies

Sané Davies
A strong duo for the Bundesliga

What kind of duo is this? Even though many players complained about Bayern’s ratings, it’s clear: In the Bundesliga, hardly anyone can compete with Bayern. And whoever has Sané and Davies on the left is likely to be unstoppable.

With Sané, a fast, skillful, and goal-scoring offensive player came to the league. Davies received a decent upgrade and has a lot to offer in terms of pace. As Bayern players, they have good chemistry with each other and should pose significant problems for opponents. They are unlikely to come cheap, though.

If you want to try out some combinations in advance, we recommend the Squad Builder.

5. Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi

Osimhen Hakimi
A good Serie A duo for the season start

What kind of duo is this? Both players are new to Serie A. Osimhen transferred from LOSC Lille to Naples, while Hakimi moved from his loan spell at BVB from Real Madrid to Inter Milan.

Hakimi is also among the absolute speedsters in FIFA 21 and can also impress with good dribbling. Usually, Hakimi is often deployed as a right-back with offensive runs – in FIFA 21, however, he holds the position of RM. This allows him to establish a direct connection to the attack – where Osimhen, an exciting and also fast forward, could be waiting for passes.

Osimhen was already part of a series of very useful FUT favorites in FIFA 20 thanks to special cards. Especially with a suitable chemistry style, Osimhen could become a really good alternative to top strikers at the start of the game.

You will be able to sign the first combinations for your team next week. The web app will then start. When you can start the web app and what it does, we have summarized here.

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

PS5: Players are guessing – Does a US rapper perhaps already have one at home?

Sven Galitzki Sven Galitzki Reading time 3 minutes

Many gamers and interested parties have recently attempted, sometimes desperately, to pre-order a PlayStation 5. Just a day later, rapper Travis Scott is causing quite a stir. Celebrity bonus, a mistake, or just a show?

Just yesterday, the second wave of PS5 pre-orders began. Many interested parties were still trying to secure Sony’s new PlayStation 5 at launch. However, the second batch was quickly sold out, and not everyone who wanted to pre-order a PS5 was able to secure one.

US rapper Travis Scott might have had more luck. Much more luck…

Who is Travis Scott? Travis Scott is a well-known American rapper, singer, and music producer who is often in the headlines, not only for his music but also because of his celebrity partner, Kylie Jenner – particularly in the USA. By the way, he even has his own menu at McDonald’s.

He is also not unknown in the gaming world. He had a collaboration with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, where he had his own outfit and performed at a concert in the game world.

Travis Scott in Fortnite

What does he have to do with PlayStation 5? Well, Travis Scott is generating quite a conversation around Sony’s next-gen console, the PlayStation 5.

On Instagram, where he has over 33 million followers, Scott recently posted a picture. And that is now causing heated debates.

In the picture, he is seen with the new DualSense controller of the PS5 on his lap – in front of a white screen. Below, he wrote: “I will play until sunrise.” After nearly 4 hours, the picture had already received over 1.6 million likes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFlT5mcpsv7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The PS5 itself is not visible. It is also unclear if or what Scott is actually playing; the screen is simply illuminated in white.

Does the rapper really already have a PS5?

This is exactly what is currently being heatedly debated, and there are several convincing theories, which, however, all more or less merge with each other.

This is what gamers think: Many believe that Travis Scott indeed could have a real and functioning PS5 at home already.

After all, Microsoft is said to have already sent out first copies of the new Xbox Series X to certain sites and media. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sony followed suit. Additionally, many users on Reddit argue that the celebrity bonus and his contract with Sony Music could have helped him.

Others believe that he only has a PS5 controller and is thereby advertising the PS5. Although the DualSense is currently unavailable both in Germany and the USA, the controllers were also available before the console for the PS4. Furthermore, it would be easy for Sony to simply provide him with a controller for promotional purposes.

Title image PS5 Digital Edition

Others think that Sony might be planning to produce a commercial clip or other advertising for the PS5 with Scott, and he might have inadvertently posted a photo of that on Instagram. However, this contradicts the fact that this photo has still not been removed. If there was a breach of NDA, it would have been taken down pretty quickly, argue many Reddit users.

However, almost everyone agrees: Whether he has a PS5 at home or not – it is most likely targeted advertising. Because Scott has an enormous reach on social media – also and especially outside the usual gaming landscape. This way, Sony could reach many potential customers who do not watch tech sites, gaming magazines, or relevant influencers on YouTube or other platforms.

By the way, Scott himself has not commented further on the whole matter.

What do you think? Does he already have a real PS5 at home before the launch? Or is it all just a show to boost the PlayStation 5?

Sorry, Xbox, that’s not going to happen – Why the PlayStation 5 can only win

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

WoW Classic: Guild leaders threaten players who want to play Shadowlands

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Can players be forced to play only one MMORPG? A few guild leaders from WoW Classic are trying to do just that…

World of Warcraft Shadowlands is just around the corner, and some Classic guild leaders are starting to sweat with fear. After all, there is a risk that the latest WoW expansion will drive some players back to “Retail”. Therefore, some guild leaders resort to drastic measures to keep their players long-term – they are simply threatened.

What happened? In the World of Warcraft Subreddit, a screenshot of a Discord chat allegedly from a Classic guild leader was published. In this announcement to all guild members, it is warned not to play Shadowlands, or else one will be kicked out of the guild.

Don’t you dare play Shadowlands in this Classic guild or else. from r/wow

It specifically says:

This is a reminder to all our raid members, read this carefully. If we see someone playing Shadowlands, we consider that your resignation from the guild and you will be removed from Discord and the guild.

You are here to raid and play Classic, we will not tolerate our raiders playing other MMOs. If your presence declines during the first months after the Shadowlands release, we will assume you are playing it behind our backs and you will also be quickly removed.

This is not up for debate. Any questions or concerns about it can be directed to [redacted player name]. But once again: we assume you are going for Shadowlands if you bring up this topic and then you will also be removed, so act wisely. Thank you.

The original text consists only of capital letters, which we have altered for readability.

WoW Human Angry Game Master No title title 1140x445
Switching to Shadowlands? Forbidden!

Is this a fake? Whether the image is completely truthful is not so easy to determine. However, several players express in the comments of the related Reddit post that they have experienced similar behavior from their guild leaders. However, they are “smart” enough not to post it on Discord, but to address it only in voice chat. It seems there are a lot of guild leaders who are concerned about the future of their guild. After all, Shadowlands is the first expansion since the release of Classic and thus a real threat that players may migrate away.

Some players have become quite bored in Classic – they are leveling naked and without dying to level 60.

The basic concern of some guild leaders that players will migrate with the release of Shadowlands does actually exist.

What do you think about such behavior? A good way to keep players in the guild? Or does it only drive away your committed members?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. reddit.com/r/wow/

FIFA 21 listens to players and finally brings back Icon SBCs

Julian Schröder Julian Schröder Reading time 3 minutes

Many fans have missed them and in FIFA 21 they are finally making a return, the Icon SBCs. Here you will learn everything you need to know.

In FIFA 20 Ultimate Team, the Icon Swaps replaced the Icon SBCs of previous years and many FUT players were not happy about it.

Why the desire for Icon SBCs? For many players, the Icon Swaps were not the ideal way to unlock icons in FUT. Instead of completing SBCs with coins, the Icon Swaps required fulfilling tasks that had to be mostly completed in Division Rivals.

Moreover, the swap selection did not include absolute top icons like Ronaldo or Pele.

More on the topic
FIFA 21 Icons – All icons with their ratings in the list
von Julian Schröder

What are Icon SBCs? Icon SBCs are Squad Building Challenges that allow players to unlock Icon cards in FUT. To obtain their favorite icons, a long and hard grind is required, which many players have gladly taken on. Now, even before the release of FIFA 21, it is clear: The Icon SBCs are back.

This is how the Icon SBCs return

This is how it works with the Icon SBCs in FIFA 21: EA Sports announced in the latest Pitch Notes that the popular Icon Squad Building Challenges are making a comeback and how the process will be:

  • The first Icon SBCs will appear at the end of November.
  • Icon SBCs will be available long-term, but not forever.
  • Certain icon versions will only appear in SBCs after they have been in packs for a while.
  • Once an Icon SBC expires, it may be released again later. The requirements and rewards may change.
  • Icon cards may be required for certain SBCs.

What about the Icon Swaps?

This is how Icon Swaps work in FIFA 21: Those who liked the Icon Swaps in FIFA 20 need not fear the tasks they could use to earn icons. The swaps are also making a return in FIFA 21.

It generally works like this:

  • You complete certain tasks to earn Icon Swap tokens.
  • You exchange these tokens in designated Icon Swap SBCs.
  • After that, you collect the reward in the form of icons or icon packs.

Depending on how strong an icon is, you need more tokens. For example: Prime-Philipp-Lahm, who belongs to the new icons, will be harder to unlock than a base Schmeichel. Last year there were three “rounds” of Icon Swaps – it is expected to be similar this year.

Last year, it was possible to obtain icons through Icon Swaps for the first time.

The first wave of swaps is announced for December, so it will come shortly after the first SBCs. Important: If an icon is released via Icon SBC, this version will not be included in Icon Swaps – and vice versa. So, if the base version of Eric Cantona is released as an SBC, it will not be part of the swaps.

Furthermore, EA Sports stated that there will be a larger mix of icons and icon packs. The packs that can contain random icons are also expected to require fewer tokens and be easier to obtain.

The reintroduction of Icon SBCs is likely to please many players – after all, many wanted exactly that. But swap fans will not be disappointed in FUT 21 either. If you are more interested in the career mode, you can find our review of it here.

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

FIFA 20 is shutting down the Web App today – What does it mean for your Ultimate Team?

Noah Struthoff Noah Struthoff Reading time 2 minutes

In FIFA 20 will be shut down tonight, on September 25th. You will no longer be able to access it.

Update, September 25th, 7:00 PM: The Web App is now unreachable. However, the Companion App on mobile continues to run.

This was announced: EA announced the end of the Web App for FIFA 20 on Twitter. Tonight, at 7:00 PM German time, the feature will be shut down.

The reason for this is the successor FIFA 21. The Web App for it will be released on September 30th, and the developers are now focusing on that. The Companion App is not explicitly mentioned and does not appear to be affected.

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End of the Web App – What does this mean for you?

What could the Web App do? This app had several functions that made playing Ultimate Team significantly easier. From the Web App, you could:

  • Manage your team
  • View the Team of the Week
  • Utilize the transfer market
  • Solve SBCs

You didn’t have to turn on the console every time to make changes.

UT FIFA 20
You will have to change your Ultimate Team in FIFA 20 without the Web App moving forward.

What changes now? The Ultimate Team in FIFA 20 will still exist, so you don’t have to worry about your team.

You just can no longer access it on the go or quickly buy a player on the transfer market. You will now have to do all of this at home directly in the game.

If you want to make important changes to your team and currently have no access to your console, you should do that before 7:00 PM.

Here’s how it continues in FIFA 21: If you are not actively using the Ultimate Team anyway because you prefer to wait for FIFA 21, you can look forward to it. The Web App for FIFA 21 will go online on September 30th, and you will be able to use the same functions as in the Web App for FIFA 20.

However, please note that the Web App often doesn’t work properly at the beginning. Usually, the app crashes at launch because the demand on the servers is simply too high.

Do you want more information about FIFA 21? Here we show you all the clubs and leagues you can play in FIFA 21.

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

Destiny 2: Xur today – Location and offer on 25.09.

Julian Schröder Julian Schröder Reading time 3 minutes

In Destiny 2 today, on September 25th, Xur is visiting. Where will the Exotic dealer with the noodle face settle this time? And what Exotics does he have for you? Read here everything about Xur’s location and inventory this weekend. 

What is happening in Destiny 2? This week a special mini-quest was launched, with which Bungie immortalized a deceased developer in the game. In just 5 minutes, you can fish out the rarest item in the game.

In addition, Bungie revealed more exciting details about the big autumn expansion Beyond Light. Details about the new location Europa, including map and zones are now known.

Additionally, Bungie has announced an upgrade for the game engine in connection with Beyond Light to make the game future-proof through technical improvements.

But today, Xur is visiting us first, and we will take a look at what the noodle face has in his offer.

All info about Xur on September 25th, 2020 – PS4, PC, Xbox One, Google Stadia

When Xur appears: As usual, the NPC appears today at 7:00 PM on a planet of his choice. He will stay there until the next Weekly Reset, on September 29th, selling his exotic goods to interested Guardians.

destiny 2 Xur
What has Xur brought us?

What does Xur have on offer? Does the Exotic dealer have equipment parts with high overall values on offer this weekend? Or a coveted exotic weapon?

We take a close look at his inventory and tell you what he is selling. By the way, you can also spend the “Exotic Code” from the new quest with Xur.

More on the topic
Exotic Code in Destiny 2: What it can do and what it is most worth
von Sven Galitzki

Where is Xur? This is his location this weekend

Xur’s Position: The Exotic dealer is located in the EDZ in the “Twisted Cove” area this weekend.

Xur’s position in the EDZ

Xur’s inventory from September 25th to September 29th – All Exotics at a glance

Weapon: Telesto – Fusion rifle for 29 Legendary shards

Titan: Citan’s Rampart – Gauntlets for 23 Legendary shards

  • Mobility: +6
  • Resilience: +12
  • Recovery: +13
  • Discipline: +2
  • Intellect: +18
  • Strength: +11
  • Total: 62

Hunter: Orpheus Rig – Leg armor for 23 Legendary shards

  • Mobility: +14
  • Resilience: +6
  • Recovery: +11
  • Discipline: +8
  • Intellect: +7
  • Strength: +14
  • Total: 60

Warlock: Lunafaction Boots – Leg armor for 23 Legendary shards

  • Mobility: +15
  • Resilience: +3
  • Recovery: +14
  • Discipline: +23
  • Intellect: +7
  • Strength: +2
  • Total: 64

Exotic Engram for 97 Legendary shards 

Five of Swords, the free challenge card for customizing the Nightfall strike 

Invitation of the Nine for 9 Legendary shards, if not completed yet

A compact summary is available at Nexxos Gaming regarding Xur’s location and his inventory:

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Trials of Osiris from September 25th – 29th

Which map is active? The Trials this week will take place on “Dead Cliffs”

When are the Trials running? The Trials start today, September 25th at 7:00 PM and end with the Weekly Reset, on September 29th at 7:00 PM.

More info about the Trials of Osiris: Everything you need to know about the Trials, we have summarized here for you.

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