Riot has released a new update for League of Legends, must now admit that a change has made the game much too easy

Riot has made some changes to League of Legends with patch 25.17. However, it has now been found that the game has become too easy as a result. Therefore, they want to adjust the changes, but not completely revert them.

What is this change? Riot has introduced native jungle timers into the game with patch 25.17 to provide players with information on the respawn times of jungle camps directly in the game. Previously, players used external tools to display the times, as many consider these times necessary to be competitive.

Riot wanted to curb this and therefore offer the timers themselves in-game. But now Riot has had to realize that they might have gone too far and has announced they want to change the timers. This is reported by the English magazine PCGamesN.com.

What is the problem with the update? The issue with the current implementation is that the timers are too generous: players receive exact cooldown times even for enemy camps that they have not seen before. At least not without additional tools.

The new timers now allow for very easy and precise tracking of the enemy jungler, which diminishes tactical depth because a crucial information barrier is removed: players can calculate counter-movements or ganks much better and more safely without having had to gather real information.

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The new trailer for Season 3 in 2025 of League of Legends shows a dark vision of the champion Xin Zhao

Riot plans to significantly reduce the timers but not make them irrelevant

This is Riot’s response: Riot’s balancing head Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison has now stated that they want to significantly restrict the display of information for killed camps in patch 25.18 again. Riot’s stated goal: less accurate timers than currently, but more than before, to keep tracking relevant but not too simplistic.

Because if they make the timers too inaccurate, players will revert to using third-party software, and then they will have achieved nothing. Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison explains on X.com:

In 25.18, we will drastically reduce the information you get from tracking dead camps. It is possible that we will release a hotfix for this, but the technical resources of the team are currently very strained, and the number of players exploiting this information is quite small (we will discuss this with the team at least).

We are still considering how much information we should display about this. Before 25.17, many overlays were shown up to a minute before the spawn, while our native overlay displayed it for up to ten seconds. We will probably settle on something in the middle.

What else will change? At the same time, Riot has also explained in the patch notes for 25.17 that it will update its guidelines for third-party apps to restrict external tools. It states among other things: “The disclosure of information that was intentionally concealed” already violates the terms of use. This is clearly aimed at corresponding tools.

But not only have the timers changed significantly: the new controls for League of Legends have also gone live on the test servers. Various nerfs are being implemented to balance them. However, along with it come several issues that make a champion already prone to bugs unplayable: You can now test the new controls for LoL, which nerfs one of the most important values and makes a champion unplayable

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

In Great Britain, players now have to prove their age on Steam and this shows what might soon come to German players

Steam is now checking the age of its users in the UK. In Germany, such an age verification is also likely to come. Sooner or later, you will encounter such an age verification on Steam, whether you like it or not.

What exactly is Steam doing right now? Valve is conducting age verifications on Steam for some users. If you are located in the UK and want to try a game rated “Mature” (18+), you will need to provide Valve with proof of age.

However, Steam is taking a different approach than other providers in the UK. The previous age verification could be bypassed relatively easily with screenshots or a VPN.

What method is Steam using? To verify the age of users in the UK, Steam is relying on credit checks: In the UK, you must be at least 18 years old to own a credit card, and that is apparently enough for Steam to prove that you are old enough to buy the desired games or view content in the community.

As the English-speaking magazine PCGamesN reports, you can also purchase your games with other payment methods, but you must provide a credit card in order to access the store page at all.

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Commercial for the Joule Kitchen Appliance with Gabe Newell from Valve

Steam is bound by UK law and similar steps are likely to follow in Germany

Why is Steam even introducing such a regulation in the UK? The stricter age verification in the UK is based on new legal requirements that mandate providers to ensure that only adult users have access to certain content.

This primarily serves to protect minors from age-inappropriate games and content. Steam is the latest in a series of websites implementing similar measures to comply with the UK Online Safety Act (via Gov.uk).

What can German players expect now? It is also likely that similar measures will come for German users, as the European Union (EU) and the German legislature are increasingly pushing for stricter digital age controls with the Youth Media Protection State Treaty (JMStV).

In the EU, there is currently a debate about the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA). In this context, they want to introduce age verification to prevent minors from accessing certain content on the internet. The EU is currently testing a new age app in Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain. However, such a system is not expected to be implemented across Europe until 2026 (via Europa.eu).

So you will also encounter such an age verification on Steam sooner or later. Whether Steam will implement a credit card requirement in Germany, rely on the new EU age app, or use identity documents is still unknown.

For German players, this also means that they will not be able to access certain content if they do not confirm their age.

Gabe Newell is known as a billionaire and co-founder of Valve, the company behind Steam. Now, the English article from Luxurylaunches reports that Newell has joined the Dutch shipyard Oceanco. Newell plans a new special project there: a high-end explorer ship with a budget of around 300 million US dollars: Gabe Newell invests 300 million in research, wants to make the results freely available to the world

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The most annoying spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 can ruin all your fun, but there is a simple solution to trick your opponent

Measuring against opposing wizards, sorcerers, and other spellcasters in Baldur’s Gate 3 gives players a great feeling when using a powerful spell. It becomes all the more frustrating when the opponent can ruin all the fun with just one action – But the community explains how you can outsmart your opponents beforehand.

Which spell is being referenced? It is the powerful level-3 spell “Counterspell” (original: “Counterspell”), which can stop the casting and effect of an opposing spell. It can be learned by wizards, sorcerers, warlocks, and some bards (Magical Secrets) and is highly recommended for any playthrough, as it can prevent particularly dangerous spells from an opponent, especially against powerful bosses.

What is the problem? But you are not the only ones who can learn Counterspell. Many of your spellcasting opponents can ruin your beloved fireballs or cloudkill with just a short reaction. This can be particularly frustrating when it comes to powerful sorcerers who have enough spell slots to do this every round throughout the entire fight.

However, the community has found a trick on how you can outsmart the opponents to continue casting high-level spells without being interrupted. They just have to stop the “wrong” spell.

Here you can see the animated short film for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3:

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Der animierte Kurzfilm zu Patch 8, dem letzten Update für Baldur’s Gate 3

The trick shows that the good old Dungeon Master unfortunately cannot be completely replaced

How can you outsmart the opponent? The player CipherNine0 comments under a Reddit post by user ozangeo about the most annoying opposing spells in the game, that there is a simple method to outsmart the opponent: “Counterspell is so funny because you can lure NPCs into wasting it on cantrips.” (via Reddit)

Cantrips are slightly weaker spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 that do not require a spell slot to cast. They generally do not deal as much damage, but can still be quite useful. 

The described trick consists of casting a “weak” cantrip first, which then triggers the opponent’s reaction to stop the cantrip with Counterspell. Since the opponent has only one reaction per round, you can then cast your more valuable spells.

The character who is to perform the powerful spell must therefore act after the character who uses a cantrip. Another option would be to haste the spellcaster, allowing the character to take two actions. Then the first action could be used for the cantrip, and the second for the actual spell.

What is the community reporting? Other players show that there is another method to nullify an opponent’s Counterspell. MillieBirdie comments on Reddit that with two spellcasters, you can stop an opponent’s Counterspell with your own Counterspell. This can lead to a long chain of Counterspells, where it is hard to tell which spell will ultimately go through:

MillieBirdie explains under the post on Reddit:

I definitely had a chain of Counterspells in the game. The paladin casts a spell, the opponent uses Counterspell, then the bard uses Counterspell, another opponent uses Counterspell, the mystic knight uses Counterspell …

Maladaptivism comments that this very trick demonstrates how Baldur’s Gate 3 differs from tabletop DnD: “This shows that it is a game and not tabletop, because a nasty DM [Dungeon Master/Game Master] will wait for spells like Healing Word or Revivify to reveal that the opponent actually has Counterspell available.” (via Reddit)

Counterspell is ignored by many players in Baldur’s Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons due to its lack of damage. However, it is an extremely powerful spell that can change the entire course of a fight and a whole campaign – but it can also impact friendships: An unassuming spell in Dungeons & Dragons is so powerful that it can even endanger friendships

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

Path of Exile 2 brings a major update and players say: “The Third Edict” feels like a completely different game

Path of Exile 2 has released a major update titled “The Third Edict”. Players are excited about the numerous changes. Especially regarding gameplay and performance, there are many improvements in the competitor of Diablo 4.

Path of Exile 2 has now published its largest update to date on August 29, 2025, at 10:00 PM German time. The update is called “The Third Edict” and continues the story around Wraeclast, introducing a new league, items, features, and many balance changes to the meta of PoE2.

The start of the new season has gone smoothly so far, and there have been no server issues. The initial reactions from the community to the new major update are overwhelmingly positive: not only does the gameplay feel significantly better, but the performance has also made a strong leap forward.

Select a MMO video…

Much praise from the community for the new update for Path of Exile 2

And there are several points that the community highlights as significant improvements (via Reddit.com):

  • The introduction of a dedicated sprint function instead of just dodging is seen as a significant advancement, as movement now feels much more dynamic and enjoyable.
  • The introduction of Act 4 and several interlude-acts is welcomed as a significant enhancement of the leveling experience, as the interlude-acts facilitate the transition to endgame and provide more story.
  • The removal of the “Cruel” difficulty in favor of a more streamlined progression is regarded as positive and time-saving.
  • Others praise the significantly improved performance: One player explains, “Everything looks better, runs more efficiently, and there are practically no frame drops/delays anymore.”

There are some critical voices regarding the defense, as the developers nerfed some strong warrior builds by reducing their health and block values. Overall, however, positive reactions dominate regarding the improved playability and dynamics.

In line with the new season, Path of Exile 2 will simultaneously start a free weekend on August 29, where everyone can try out the ARPG. Veterans explain now what to expect and what you should try: Path of Exile 2 lures new players directly into the new season with a free weekend – veterans explain what you should be prepared for

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

Generation Z is raiding their savings, skipping meals, and selling their belongings just to get by

We live in financially uncertain times. Generation Z is resorting to drastic measures to survive, especially to pay off high debts.

A report by Payroll Integrations examined the financial situation of the generations. It surveyed 250 individuals across all age groups about their income and expenses.

According to the report, an increasing number of young people are tapping into their retirement savings or selling personal possessions because the cost of living is steadily rising and salary increases are often absent.

What does the report say? Nearly half of Generation Z workers (46%) have already accessed their retirement savings. The share is significantly lower for Millennials at 31%. However, young people are not depleting their savings to finance vacations or other luxuries, but to cover unexpected emergencies or their high debts.

To afford their rent, an increasing number of young people are also skipping meals. This is reported by a Redfin survey that interviewed 4,000 homeowners and renters: 40% of Gen Z are skipping a meal or restaurant visit to be able to pay their rent.

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Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds

Generation Z is particularly financially disadvantaged, and there are various reasons for this

Why is Generation Z particularly affected? Young people from Gen Z are hit particularly hard because many could not build financial cushions, and inflation, high rents, and expensive tuition fees put a heavy strain on their monthly expenses. In addition, Gen Z considers saving pointless and prefers to spend their money directly. And this is now backfiring:

  • Living costs have risen significantly in recent years, including rent, health insurance, and food. More and more Gen Z individuals live paycheck to paycheck and cannot save.
  • Inflation and rising prices for homeownership are leading to many young people not being able to acquire their own properties or prepare financially at all.
  • The average income level required to feel financially “healthy” is much higher for Gen Z than for previous generations.
  • Gen Z has a higher share of debt, particularly due to consumer goods and education fees. In the USA, credit card debt is about 30% higher than that of Millennials at the same age, and young Germans often do not save adequately for retirement.
  • Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has eaten away many of Gen Z’s reserves, leaving little financial buffer.

Generation Z is financially worse off in many ways than previous generations: they suffer from high costs, low income, and burdensome debt, while psychological stress and societal trends further exacerbate the situation.

An increasing number of young people want to earn money as content creators. And it is becoming easier to start a career as a content creator and earn a living without a college degree. After all, all you need to get started is a smartphone: Generation Z earns millions with their side jobs, and many young people believe they no longer need to go to college

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

So-called “no service game”: Even in the second year after release, one of the best games for Warhammer 40,000 gets tons of new content

Actually, Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 should not be a true “service game”, but fans are certainly receiving good service. Even in year 2 post-release, there are many new contents, including some positive surprises.

What can fans look forward to in the future? Although the third-person shooter is not supposed to be a “service game” – a misunderstanding for which the developers have even apologized to the fans of Space Marine 2 – the game has consistently been supplied with new content in the first year after release.

Now, developers Saber Interactive and publisher Focus Entertainment have presented the roadmap for the second year of the game in a new trailer. And once again, it’s all about content, content, and more content.

You can watch the trailer here:

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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 presents its roadmap for the second year of the popular third-person shooter

New Monsters, Weapons, and a Playable Boss

What content is still to come? It should kick off on September 4th with Patch 10, and quite spectacularly. There will be:

  • A new siege map with 4 new PvE operations
  • The new PvP game mode “Helbrute Onslaught”, which includes a playable Helbrute
  • 3 new PvP arenas
  • Gameplay modifiers
  • and much more
Here you can see the Year 2 Battle Plan once again in overview.

With the Chaos Spawn and the Mutalith Vortex Beast, 2 new monsters will appear, which need to be eliminated with one of the 3 new weapons in the name of the Emperor: The Pyreblaster, the Pyrecannon, and the Power Axe. 

With Patch 12, a new class will be introduced in the first quarter of 2026: the Techmarine. He comes with his Omnissiah Axe. This is a special weapon awarded to Tech-Priests and Techmarines who have proven their faith in the Machine God on the battlefield.

This is a brief overview of the most exciting free content. You don’t have to pay anything for all of this if you already own the game. If you want, you can purchase the new Chapter, Champion, and Cosmetic Packs – separately or in the Season Pass.

The complete list of all announced innovations can be found on the publisher’s official blog at community.focus-entmt.com

Now it’s your turn: Are you still actively playing Space Marine 2 and looking forward to the new content? Feel free to let us know in the comments. While the developers are diligently working on content for Space Marine 2, a sequel is already in the works. There is little known about it so far, but Space Marine 3 is said to be more immersive than part 2.

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

5 weapons from Star Wars that are even more terrifying than the Death Star

In the movies of Star Wars, the Death Star is built twice and threatens the security of the galaxy. However, there are other, far more sinister superweapons – five of which we present to you here.

The Death Star is the ultimate weapon of the Empire to control the galaxy. As demonstrated on Princess Leia’s home planet Alderaan, the weapon, resembling a moon, can completely destroy entire worlds in seconds. Fans are still debating a supposed logic error.

However, there are other superweapons in Star Wars that can easily match the Death Star. We will introduce five of them to you below.

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Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi – Trailer

Rank 5: Darksaber

The Death Star and the weapon known as Darksaber have much in common. Both were designed by constructor Bevel Lemelisk and utilize extremely powerful lasers to destroy their targets. Unlike the Death Star, however, Darksaber was not built for the Empire, but was a commissioned project ordered by Durga, a powerful Hutt.

In appearance, the weapon, as the name suggests, actually resembles an oversized lightsaber. In the Wookiepedia, you can see how the weapon looked. It is a battle station that omitted some of the Death Star’s gimmicks to make the superlaser even more effective. It surpasses the Death Star in terms of firepower and energy. Overall, Darksaber is much more agile than the sluggish, moon-like Death Star.

For operation, far fewer personnel are required, and Darksaber uses only one thousandth of the computer systems needed for the operation of the Death Star. The catch is: already during construction, there were problems; the materials were subpar, and by the time it was completed, the superweapon was in poor condition. During an attempt to use it, there was an accident where Darksaber collided with several asteroids and was destroyed. The superweapon first appeared in the novel “Darksaber” from 1995.

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

It is controversial, but World of Warcraft is getting an official Damage Meter

One of the most well-known addons will become an integral part of World of Warcraft. But it is just one of many that will be part of the game.

At gamescom 2025, there was much talk about the new WoW expansion Midnight. However, there were also numerous pieces of information on much smaller panels that fell somewhat under the radar. One reveal: Blizzard is working on implementing its own Damage Meter. This could mark the beginning of the big addon ban.

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WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features

What are Damage Meters? A “Damage Meter” refers to interface addons that analyze the gameplay and neatly display how much damage is dealt during a fight, a dungeon, or on average per second. It is thus a tool that shows how well one’s performance is in comparison to other players.

Well-known Damage Meters in World of Warcraft include “Recount”, “Skada”, or “Details!” – they are among the most popular addons of this kind.

Why are Damage Meters controversial? Damage Meters, just like many other addons, are controversial within the community. While a large part uses these addons to see their own performance and to recognize when someone is underperforming or not performing at all, others feel pressured by it. They want to enjoy the game and not chase a “high score.” The performance pressure that arises from the display of a Damage Meter – whether for oneself or others – can be daunting for some.

For this reason, there are also MMORPGs that fundamentally prohibit such addons, such as Final Fantasy XIV – but even there, they are used by a part of the community.

Official Damage Meter in WoW will be better and more accurate than previous ones

Why is Blizzard creating its own Damage Meter? Blizzard has acknowledged that Damage Meters have been an integral part of World of Warcraft for nearly 20 years. When newcomers are trained by veterans, downloading such an addon is almost always at the top of the priority list.

WoW Damage Meters Official
Damage Meters will become an official part of the game.

However, Blizzard wants to ensure that new players rarely have to rely on external options. Therefore, all addons that are considered “standard” in the community will be gradually integrated by Blizzard and will become part of the basic equipment in World of Warcraft.

At the same time, this has the advantage that Blizzard’s Damage Meters will be 100% accurate – unlike the currently used addons. Because current addons read the combat log, which can be incomplete or erroneous – for example, if characters are standing too far away or are in a different phase of the boss fight. Then it becomes difficult for these addons to retrieve accurate data. An official Damage Meter from Blizzard can handle that without problems.

Ion Hazzikostas, the Game Director of WoW, said at gamescom:

You should not have to rely on external resources to find out if your current talent specialization is performing better than the one you used yesterday. The game should provide you with this information. That’s why we will have fully integrated Damage Meters.

What does this mean for existing addons? Blizzard is undertaking these efforts also to drastically limit the impact of external addons. Because many addons have become so powerful that they provide immediate perfect solutions to puzzles encountered in boss fights. Especially “WeakAuras” can be programmed so comprehensively that they eliminate a large part of the thinking required in a boss fight. This also prevents Blizzard from developing cool boss mechanics – because they are immediately resolved by a WeakAura.

Damage Meter is just one thing that Blizzard is adopting. They are also taking inspiration from addons like Deadly Boss Mods (DBM) or BigWigs and are starting to introduce their own timeline in the game, based on which players can see when particularly important boss abilities are used.
What else is included in the upcoming expansion Midnight, our comprehensive overview of WoW Midnight reveals.

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

Amazon’s large MMORPG will soon get housing, it should be much more than just decoration

It’s time for our MeinMMO format “MMORPG News in two Minutes”. We summarize the most important news about the best genre in the world. New content for Throne and Liberty, exciting gamescom interviews, trouble in Eorzea and much more await you.

The highlights of the week:

What else happened? With Mare Synchronos the community of Final Fantasy XIV lost one of its most popular modifications this week. There are protests and negative Steam reviews. First, the creator of the mod spoke out about the shutdown and shared exciting details. Then Director Naoki Yoshida followed up with a statement and admitted: He actually likes mods, but …

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Patch 7.31 for FFXIV comes on September 2, 2025

This is what happened with the big MMORPGs:

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Der Cinematic Trailer zur WoW Erweiterung Midnight verrät, wie es in Azeroth weiter geht

This is what happened with the small MMORPGs:

This is what happened with the MMORPGs in development:

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With that, we have summarized the most important things that have happened recently in the world of MMORPGs.

What were you happy about this week? What upset you? Let us know in the comments. If you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of the history of online role-playing games, you’ll find it in this extensive special: The History of MMORPGs – From Habitat to Throne and Liberty, and everything that happened in between

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The Expanse reminds of Mass Effect, yes – But the true highlight of the role-playing game lies in the source material

MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya checked out a gameplay demo of the new sci-fi RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn at gamescom. Like many others, she sees the inspiration from Mass Effect, but believes: The original, The Expanse itself, brings a very special highlight.

At gamescom, I got to see an exclusive gameplay demo of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. And yes: The comparison to Mass Effect is immediately obvious. But my real highlight was something that could not be more important in the universe of The Expanse – gravity.

For an hour, game design producer Yuliya Chernenko and director Leonid Rastorguev guided me through a mission. Cover shooter, dialogue choices, atmospheric space station – it all felt incredibly familiar. Visually and gameplay-wise, the comparison to Mass Effect was immediately apparent.

And yet: The original brings something that no other sci-fi RPG implements as consistently.

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The Expanse: Osiris Reborn – Announcement Trailer from the Summer Game Fest

The story starts after the catastrophe

The story begins right after the Eros incident – an entire colony in the asteroid belt is infected by a mysterious alien substance and becomes a threat to the entire solar system. I play a pair of twins, where I can freely choose appearance, origin (Earth, Mars, Belt), and background. This sounds like classic RPG, but here it is politically charged: Where you come from determines your role in the universe.

At the space station, the first major hub, a colorful hustle and bustle reigns. Merchants, quests, conversations – everything an RPG heart desires. And: Even the station looks so high quality that it doesn’t need to hide behind AAA titles like Starfield.

The station is bustling with activity.

I particularly remembered Belter Larry: twice the size of my protagonist because zero gravity changes bodies. In a game, this can finally be depicted the way it was meant in the series. He wants you to bring a nice photo of him to his mom – sweet.

By the way, Leonid explains to us here that the RPG is also full of skill checks, whether you want to open a door, hack something, or conduct conversations.

Shooter action and physics fun

Of course, it doesn’t stay peaceful.

Imagine you have the nastiest, most secret, and morally flexible company in the solar system. And this company doesn’t just have a security firm, but a private army of guys who are so professional and ruthless that it makes you choke on your laughter.

These are the proton mercenaries. And they are the ones attacking now.

I decide whether to put the weapon down or take the direct approach. Leonid explains that such decisions trigger chain reactions and have long-term consequences. In this scenario, for example, how much help you will have available later. Of course, I choose a shootout!

The shooter gameplay strongly resembles Mass Effect: Cover, firefights, destructible environments. But here, the physical detail comes into play: bullets leave traces in the walls, debris flies around – everything feels tangible and realistic.

Zero gravity as gameplay highlight

And then comes the moment that made my heart race: I leave the station, float out into space with my spacesuit, held only by the magnetic soles in my shoes. A black void, stars shining – and suddenly everything changes.

The battles are free and three-dimensional. I push off walls, float through rooms, while projectiles appear slower but more dangerous in the void. Precision and timing become a true challenge.

Additionally, the space station is rotating and continuously turns everything upside down. Great cinema.

This is exactly where The Expanse stands out: Gravity and zero gravity are not just nice details in the series’ universe, they determine politics, physiology, and culture. They dictate how people look and live, and are the main reason for the conflict among the peoples. The Belters, who grew up in space, are the best evidence of this – their bodies show at first glance how much gravity affects life. That Owlcat takes this core seriously in gameplay is the big promise of the game.

Scientifically accurate

Owlcat Studios understand that they must give gravity a special significance in the RPG. And that they take this into account in gameplay and combat makes me happy.

The Expanse is considered one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi series ever. It strictly adheres to physical laws, from the realistic generation of gravity to the biological consequences for humans in space.

While zero gravity occasionally appears as a theme or in certain scenarios in Mass Effect, it is not a central or consistently present gameplay element. Here, The Expanse must go a step further and integrate exactly this aspect repeatedly into story and gameplay.

Game design director Leonid promised that scientific accuracy and gravity will be important in The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Of course, compromises are made for the player experience (yes, you hear sounds in space, albeit muffled through the helmet).

But the crucial point is: Gravity is not a gimmick, but a central gameplay element.

Early stage but a lot of potential

So far, the controls feel clunky, animations are stiff – typical of an early development stage. For Owlcat, it is also uncharted territory: After isometric RPGs like Pathfinder or Rogue Trader, they are taking their first steps into a narrative third-person action-RPG. For this, they have massively expanded their team – according to Leonid, over 250 people are now working on the project.

Conclusion

In the end, for me: Yes, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn strongly resembles Mass Effect – in gameplay, in look, and in decisions. But the truly special thing lies within the original itself. The significance of gravity and zero gravity, as Owlcat integrates them into battles and scenes, sets the game apart from others in the sci-fi RPG genre.

It is here that The Expanse shows that it is more than just an inspiration: It is the foundation for an RPG that combines scientific accuracy with engaging gameplay. If Owlcat can fulfill this promise, we can expect a sci-fi adventure that clearly distinguishes itself from genre giants like Mass Effect and Starfield – and that’s exactly why it already makes you eager for more.

My colleague Benedict checked out Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy by Owlcat a door away and things escalated a bit.

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

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction: Who could get the biggest upgrades in Ultimate Team?

One month before the official release of EA FC 26, only a few ratings have been officially confirmed so far. At MeinMMO, we take a guess at which players could receive the biggest upgrades to their overall rating for Ultimate Team.

What does a rating prediction entail? Predictions involve speculative assumptions about how good a player might become in the new FC 26. Since these are speculations, our predictions do not guarantee that the ratings will appear in the game as stated.

The ratings or overall ratings (OVR) are expressed in numbers from 1-99 in EA FC. The higher the rating, the better stats the player brings to his primary position.

Our predictions are based on observations and analyses from FC 25 and the real performances of the professionals.

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Deep Dive trailer on gameplay shows 2 different gameplays and numerous adjustments

The 10 biggest rating upgrades in FC 26 Ultimate Team

How is the rating prediction made? For the prediction, we considered 3 aspects:

  • The collected individual awards in Ultimate Team, to see if EA has already given players upgrades in FC 25:
    • Team of the Week (TOTW),
    • Player of the Month (POTM)
    • Team of the Season (TOTS)
  • the squad updates in FC 25 for kick-off mode and seasons, which align with the live performances of players over the season
  • The real performances of the players based on various analysis tools:
    • Sofascore, to gather statistics and ratings about the player
    • FBREF, to compare the data with other players on the same position

From the overall consideration of these aspects, we make guesses about who might receive the biggest upgrades in FC 26.

Omar Marmoush (Manchester City): from 79 to 84 (+5 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Marmoush

Here’s how Marmoush’s rating developed in FC 25: At the beginning of the 2024/25 season, Marmoush delivered cards for his individual performances like clockwork:

  • Standard card: 79 OVR (Gold Rare)
  • 2 TOTWs (82 OVR and 85 OVR)
  • 2 POTMs (84 OVR and 87 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Marmoush received an 84 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Marmoush in FC 26: With his transfer to Manchester City in winter, there were no further individual awards added. Nevertheless, his record for the 24/25 season is outstanding overall:

  • despite Manchester City’s weak second half, he scored 7 goals, some of them spectacular
  • across competitions, he plays a strong season with 42 goal involvements in 48 matches
  • the best average rating (8.16) of all players in the Bundesliga up to his transfer

Prediction for FC 26: Marmoush has shown at Frankfurt and in parts at Manchester City that he is a difference maker. As a reward, his 84 rating, which was already given to him through the last squad update in FC 25, should remain as a new standard card in FC 26.

This could make him a highly sought-after striker with strong pace and good finishing quality, especially at the start of Ultimate Team.

Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool FC): from 76 to 82 (+6 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Ekitike

Here’s how Ekitiké’s rating developed in FC 25: In FC 25, Ekitiké collected 6 different special cards. Among them were also 2 individual awards for his strong performances.

  • Standard card: 76 OVR (Gold Rare)
  • 1 TOTW (83 OVR)
  • 1 TOTS (94 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Ekitiké received a 79 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Ekitiké in FC 26: The Frenchman formed the deadliest attacking duo in the Bundesliga alongside Marmoush in real football. After the departure of his striking partner, he carried the offense of Eintracht Frankfurt alone:

  • 34 goal involvements in 48 matches
  • top scorer for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga (23 goals) with a large lead over second place (9 goals)
  • among the top 5% of all forwards worldwide in many shooting and passing statistics

Ekitiké was one of the most sought-after players in the summer transfer window due to his overall package and potential. Liverpool paid around 95 million euros for the striker.

Prediction for FC 26: For the start, we expect Ekitiké to get a new standard card with an 82 overall rating along with good stats in pace, shooting, physical, and dribbling.

This could make him one of the most versatile strikers at the start of FC 26. His large, lanky player model could also be a special trait for the attack.

Rayan Cherki (Manchester City): from 75 to 81 (+6 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Cherki

Here’s how Cherki’s rating developed in FC 25: In FC 25, he collected 4 different special cards, including 2 individual awards.

  • Standard card: 75 OVR (Gold Rare)
  • 1 TOTW (85 OVR)
  • 1 TOTS (89 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Cherki received a 79 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Cherki in FC 26: Cherki experienced a performance explosion during the 2024/25 season, nearly tripling his scoring output compared to the previous season. His two-footedness and exceptional vision helped him:

  • 32 goal involvements in 44 games for the 2024/25 season, compared to 12 goal involvements in 39 games in the previous season
  • among the top 1% of players in the categories of assists, expected assists, and key passes worldwide in his offensive midfield position

Due to his qualities, many European top clubs wanted to sign Cherki. Manchester City secured the services of the two-footed playmaker.

Prediction for FC 26: Based on the performances shown, the already earned awards in FC 25, and not least because of his transfer to Manchester City in the Premier League, we expect Cherki to receive a new standard card of 81 and thus to rise by 6 levels.

Cherki could be a very good choice in the offensive midfield for the start of Ultimate Team, as he will likely become a dribbling and passing strong playmaker who could feel very agile in the game.

Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain): from 76 to 83 (+7 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Doue

Here’s how Doué’s rating developed in FC 25: The young Frenchman was the player of the second half of the season. Also in FC 25, the offensive player collected numerous cards for his individual performances, especially from December/January:

  • Standard card: 76 OVR (Gold Common)
  • 3 TOTWs (83 OVR, 87 OVR, 89 OVR)
  • 1 POTM (90 OVR)
  • 1 TOTS Honorable Mentions (95 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Doué received an 81 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Doué in FC 26: His real statistics do not yet fully indicate how strong Doué already is. However, it must be taken into account that the winger only really took off in the second half. Moreover, despite being only 20 years old, he has already been an absolutely key player in finals twice:

  • a total of 29 goal involvements in 54 games
  • strong performances in important matches (3 goal involvements in the Champions League final, 2 goal involvements in the French Cup final)

Prediction for FC 26: The numerous special cards already give a hint that Doué could make a rating jump in FC 26. Since he stood out particularly in the finals with strong performances, we consider a +7 upgrade to the overall rating of his new standard card to be realistic.

With his immense speed and strong dribbling, he could be one of the most expensive and sought-after 83-rated players on the wing at the start of FC 26.

William Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain): from 78 to 85 (+7 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Pacho

Here’s how Pacho’s rating developed in FC 25: The center-back collected 2 special cards in Ultimate Team, one of which was an individual award for his strong season:

  • Standard card: 78 OVR (Gold Rare)
  • 1 TOTS (95 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Doué received an 83 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Pacho in FC 26: Pacho formed one of the strongest center-back duos in Europe together with Marquinhos. This was also due to the excellent defensive performances from the Ecuadorian.

Comparisons with Virgil van Dijk, one of the best center-backs in football and in FC 25, show how strong Pacho defended:

  • Pacho reclaimed significantly more balls per game in both the league (4.3) and the Champions League (4.7) than van Dijk’s values of 3.1 in the league and 3.2 in the Champions League
  • with his low error rate, Pacho is among the top 13% of all center-backs worldwide
  • should a ball be lost, he belongs to the top 10% of center-backs in the world in terms of regaining the ball

Prediction for FC 26: In the last squad update, EA already showed which way it could go with Pacho in FC 26. We expect at least a +7 upgrade for his base card.

With his speed and tackling strength, Pacho will be one of the top 3 center-backs in Ultimate Team.

Joan García (Barcelona FC): from 76 to 84 (+8 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Joan Garcia

Here’s how García’s rating developed in FC 25: In FC 25, the keeper collected 2 individual awards in Ultimate Team:

  • Standard card: 76 OVR (Gold Common)
  • 1 TOTW (85 OVR)
  • 1 TOTS (95 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, García received an 80 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of García in FC 26: On the real football pitch, Joan García played his second strong season in a row after being promoted from the second Spanish league with Espanyol Barcelona:

  • 7.49 prevented goals in the 2024/25 season is an outstanding figure across Europe; in comparison, world keeper Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) only managed 1.16 prevented goals

At 24 years old, the Spaniard still has plenty of potential to improve in the coming years. FC Barcelona acquired the keeper in summer for around 24 million euros.

Prediction for FC 26: García is currently one of the most exciting keepers in football. With his transfer to FC Barcelona, he even displaced the first-choice goalkeeper and long-time captain Ter-Stegen (89 OVR in FC 25).

We expect that the Spaniard will make a big jump to an 84 for his new standard card in Ultimate Team and would be a really good goalkeeper for any starter team.

Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United): from 69 to 78 (+9 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Woltemade

Here’s how Woltemade’s rating developed in FC 25: In FC 25, Woltemade played long under the radar and only gained some attention towards the end of Ultimate Team:

  • Standard card: 69 OVR (Silver Common)
  • 1 Futties (95 OVR)
  • in the last squad update, Woltemade received a 76-ratings

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Woltemade in FC 26: Similar to Ekitiké, Woltemade brings an interesting overall package. Despite his height of 1.98m, he is remarkably ball-secure, can set up his players strongly, and has a good nose for goals. After a strong second half of the Bundesliga season, Woltemade was also one of the standout players of the U21 European Championship.

For Woltemade, the data and statistics on the real football pitch speak more for an upgrade, where he cannot only be measured in goals and assists:

  • in the opponent’s penalty area, Woltemade belongs to the top 1% of players with the most touches, which indicates how well he can assert himself under great pressure from opponents – he is crucial in nearly every attack
  • a great quality of his are also his shot-creating passes and expected assists, where he ranks among the top 5% of all strikers worldwide

As an indication of his increased performance potential, the enormous interest from Bayern Munich in the German international, who wanted to sign Woltemade, also serves. Now Newcastle United is paying about 90 million for the player.

Prediction for FC 26: Woltemade has made a name for himself among many major clubs. The jump from a silver to a gold card should be guaranteed. We expect Woltemade’s rating to be between 78 and 80.

In the case of Woltemade, we almost assume that he will play even better than his rating suggests due to his unique player model.

Mika Biereth (AS Monaco): from 68 to 78 (+10 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Biereth

Here’s how Biereth’s rating developed in FC 25: The Danish striker was one of the few players who could collect 4 individual awards for his performances:

  • Standard card: 68 (Silver Common)
  • 3 TOTWs (80 OVR, 85 OVR, 87 OVR)
  • 1 TOTS Highlights (95 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Biereth received a 77 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Biereth in FC 26: On the real grass, Biereth played at the start of the season for Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga. In winter, he transferred to AS Monaco. In both leagues, he impressively showcased his qualities as a goalscorer:

  • 27 goals and 7 assists in 44 matches
  • in terms of accuracy, Biereth ranks among the top 1% of all players and needs only a few shots to score a goal

Prediction for FC 26: Biereth made the seamless transition from Austria to France. In both leagues, he scored many goals. We expect that the Dane will be a little stronger than in his last squad upgrade and receive a 78 rating.

In Biereth, you will find a fast striker with a strong and powerful finish at the start of FC 26, who could also hold his own in aerial duels.

Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal FC): from 64 to 75 (+11 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Nwaneri

Here’s how Nwaneri’s rating developed in FC 25: In FC 25, the quick dribbler did not stand out with many special cards. He only made it to one Dreamchaser (93 OVR) and one Future-Star-Evolution card (80 OVR), which could be developed into a 91 rating.

  • Standard card: 64 OVR (Bronze Rare)
  • in the last squad update, Nwaneri was given a 75 OVR

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Nwaneri in FC 26: Nwaneri just turned 18 this year but is already entering his fourth season with Arsenal FC. In the 2024/25 season, he made his first longer appearances in the Premier League and the Champions League. During this time, he achieved 8 goal involvements, collecting 3 more in the EFL Cup. On the pitch, Nwaneri shows the outstanding qualities he brings:

  • he significantly exceeded his expected goals in both the league and the Champions League, indicating that he can convert seemingly harmless situations into goals
  • among the successful dribblers, Nwaneri belongs to the top 1% of all wingers/attacking midfielders worldwide

Prediction for FC 26: Despite strong competition at Arsenal FC, Nwaneri is increasingly getting longer appearances and has been able to attract attention with some goals and assists. As a reward, a jump to a gold card should await him, which would be a huge step for a current bronze player.

In FC 26, Nwaneri could receive a gold card that will primarily impress with speed and dribbling, making it desirable for starter teams from the Premier League.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal FC): from 58 to 77 (+19 OVR)

EA FC 26 Ratings Prediction Biggest Upgrades Lewis-Skelly

Here’s how Lewis-Skelly’s rating developed in FC 25:s rating in FC 25: In FC 25, Lewis-Skelly collected 2 individual awards for his performances:

  • Standard card: 58 OVR (Bronze Common)
  • 1 TOTW (87 OVR)
  • 1 TOTS Highlights (94 OVR)
  • in the last squad update of FC 25, Lewis-Skelly received a 73 rating

These facts speak for a strong upgrade of Lewis-Skelly in FC 26: At Arsenal FC, the left-back made his breakthrough in the 2024/25 season and has been a mainstay on the left flank of the Gunners since the second half of the season. By switching from central midfield to left back, Lewis-Skelly can better utilize his speed.

He particularly shows himself as a reliable support in passing, which is an important prerequisite for Arsenal’s possession football:

  • among completed short passes, Lewis-Skelly is in the top 1% of all full-backs worldwide
  • additionally, due to his speed and robustness, he is usually only stopped by a foul and belongs to the players most often stopped unfairly

Prediction for FC 26: In FC 25, he already moved to a 73 rating in the last squad update. We expect another upgrade to 77. This would be a whole 19 points up.

Due to his many strengths, Lewis-Skelly could be a real hidden gem on the left back at the start of FC 26 and one of the players who could be played better than the rating suggests.

So we have come to the end of our prediction. Now it’s your turn: Do you think the ratings are realistic? Did we miss one or more players in your opinion? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Some ratings in FC 26 have now been officially confirmed: EA FC 26: Ratings revealed – Here’s how strong the icons of the Ultimate Edition are

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

A cooperative gem for Steam and PS5 turns you into the enemy of the Knights of the Round Table, already exciting in Early Access – trailer reveals release date

Soon you can slay your way through a dark version of Camelot in a real co-op gem on Steam, also on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Which game are we talking about? We are referring to Sworn, an action roguelike that you can play alone or with up to 4 players. The game is being developed by Windwalk Games. 

  • Sworn launched in Early Access on Steam on February 6, 2025, and has already captivated many players there.
  • The title has a total of 2,278 reviews on Steam, with 82% being positive.
  • In particular, the diverse builds and the co-op mode are often praised (as in this Steam review).

There is now also a date for the full release. Sworn will leave Early Access on Steam on September 25, 2025, and will then also be available for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

On the occasion of this milestone, the developers have released a new trailer:

Start video
Sworn: Das Action-Roguelike mit Koop auf Steam hat jetzt einen Termin für den vollen Release und kommt auf PS5 uns Xbox Series X|S

Topple the evil King Arthur from the throne

What is the game about? In Sworn, you explore a fallen Camelot that is suffering under the reign of a dark King Arthur. Your goal is to free the land from him and his knights of the round table and to find the source of the darkness that is spreading over the land of Avalon.

On your journeys, you will also encounter familiar figures from the Arthurian legend. Some of them, like the wizard Merlin, are friendly to you. He can even teach you a trick or two. Others, however, will be your enemies.

What’s new in version 1.0:

  • In the Potion Lab, you brew your own potions for combat or to control the whims of the fairies that grant you their power.
  • Weapons and spells can be enhanced with new blessings, old ones have been rebalanced, and the system has generally been polished.
  • All fairy lords and NPCs will have new dialogues with English voiceovers.
  • King Arthur will be significantly harder to defeat at higher difficulty levels.

If you want to try Sworn again before the release, now you have the opportunity. Until September 1, you can play the game for free on Steam. Currently, Sworn costs €24.99, but the price is expected to rise with the full version – so early access is worth it if you like the game.

If you are fans of roguelikes / roguelites, then a new shooter on Steam might also be worth a look. This is especially true if you celebrate creative mods and upgrades for your weapons. You can read more about this game here: A new solo shooter on Steam rewards you with a larger magazine if you sacrifice your sleep for it

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

Over 30,000 players celebrate Helldivers 2 for its DLCs: “The best 40 Euros I’ve spent”

In Helldivers 2 the community is currently cheering for the developers because they believe they have done everything right regarding DLCs. At the same time, they feel that other studios should take a page out of their book.

Why are players cheering? In a Reddit post, a meme explains the DLC policy of Helldivers 2. All major expansions, such as the introduction of the Illuminated, the assault on Over-Earth, or the upcoming expansion that aims to take the war to the homeworlds of the Terminids, are being released for free. Only the purchase of the game for €40 is required.

The weapon packs, called War Bonds in the game, which unlock new weapons and gear as well as skins, can be purchased for real money, but it is also possible to collect the necessary currency in-game. If you invest enough time, you won’t have to spend any more money after purchasing the game.

For players, this is the perfect DLC policy, as no one is excluded based on their budget, and there is neither FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) nor any need to buy a DLC. Only in the so-called Super Store are there temporary offers that expire.

Here you can see the new War Bond:

Start video
Helldivers 2 x Halo: ODST – Trailer for the next legendary war loan

Cheering for the Developers – Criticism of Other Studios

What do players say? With over 30,000 upvotes, the post is one of the highest-rated on Helldivers’ Reddit forum. Players express their positive views on how DLCs are handled in the game. They write:

  • OnlyHereForComments1: “Arrowhead has received more of my money per hour of gameplay than any other studio, simply because $10 for a War Bond is incredibly cheap, the game is fun, and above all, it doesn’t feel like they are trying to rip me off.”
  • Plastic_Young_9763: “No ‘Fear of Missing Out’. If the War Bonds were time-limited, I would refuse to buy them. Just like I haven’t bought anything from the temporary Super Store.”
  • dasic___: “Ironically, Helldivers feels by far like the least predatory game in a long time, and that alone has pushed me to spend more money on it than any other game.”
  • TexasBoba89Fett: “The game was truly the best $40 I ever spent.”

What criticism do players have of other studios? Players have found in the developers of Helldivers 2 an example of a successful DLC policy that works completely opposite to typical AAA studios.

Instead of hiding content behind a paywall at release and expanding content only for money, players of Helldivers 2 have been enjoying free updates for over a year. Still, many players explain on Reddit that they would like to spend real money on new weapon packs, precisely because they are not forced to and the game is fun for them.

  • As Reddit user geebler02 explains: “The trick is to have a game that is worth buying before you set the price for DLC.”
  • YorhaUnit8S adds: “If DLCs were done right, I would want MORE DLCs. Imagine if Cyberpunk got two more DLCs like Phantom Liberty. That would just be more good stories in a good game without taking time away from overhauling the game engine for a sequel. Or getting another campaign in BG3.”

Currently, Helldivers 2 is at its best point since release. With the Xbox, many new players have joined, and the new expansion that brings the fight to the homeworlds of the Terminids has also led to a return of veterans. You can read here how recruits and veterans play together: Initially, many veterans of Helldivers 2 wanted to see the newcomers from Xbox left in the dust, but quite the opposite has happened

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

If the gaming trend of the coming years follows gamescom 2025, we are in for a great time

The gamescom 2025 has ended and has set its focus this year quite differently than usual. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was there – and is pleased with the change. Video games are still the topic, but with a different approach, a better one, as he finds.

From August 19 to 24, 2025, this year’s gamescom took place and broke some records: According to the official website, more exhibitors from abroad were present than ever before, and the digital reach also reached a peak.

During the Opening Night Live, most of the new games and content were presented, and our FYNG show and other showcases continued in the following days. Dozens of new titles were showcased, with updates for many service games.

However, what was missing were big blockbusters. “AAA Gaming” was almost absent. The biggest productions in the shows were probably the new Call of Duty, the new WoW expansion, and maybe the sequel to Black Myth: Wukong – although even that is technically indie.

With the announcement of the second season of the Fallout series, there was then an outlier from gaming that targets a broader audience. Otherwise, there was hardly anything pushing to appeal to the masses. For me, a reason for joy.

Completely wild: A Nice Day for Fishing crashed the FYNG show and was one of the highlights:

Start video
Nice Day for Fishing zeigt seine neuen Inhalte aus dem neuen Update

Something for everyone, but little for all

Across the entire gamescom, the big titles were rather scarce. In halls 7 and 8, there were huge setups and booths from international exhibitors and major studios, but the really interesting announcements came from elsewhere.

Instead, AA productions and indie titles made their way into the presentation. Even the German indie survival game Enshrouded had a slot in the ONL with its new update.

The selection of games alone in the big showcase was incredibly diverse. With Dawn of War 4, the game I’ve been waiting for forever, even a real-time strategy game made it into the show. This genre has been considered dead for years.

Nearly everything is a highlight if you’re into it

Even during our preparation, I noticed: Almost everything that I or my colleagues will look at are games we’re excited about. Not just a little bit, but really, with hype and all.

At the gamescom itself, the feeling was confirmed. I personally had only two appointments where I wasn’t completely thrilled, but even those were still cool – from the perspective of someone who is into that kind of thing.

Still, I could easily say that almost every game I looked at was a highlight:

The “biggest” game on my list was probably The Blood of Dawnwalker, a vampire game from former Witcher developers. Here I see the most potential for the role-playing game to appeal to a broader audience. Everything else was niche productions, and that’s what makes gamescom 2025 so grand.

On our stage, we had many exciting guests for interviews:

Start video
1,000 hours of love-hate: Why angry fans are the biggest hope for Dune: Awakening

A development I wish for the future

Where I must agree is the number of people in the consumer halls. Anyone wanting to play something has to wait several hours in line. That’s not exactly why you go to gamescom. But even here, the Indie Arena had heaps of great games to choose from, and they were almost consistently free.

Gamers have been criticizing for years that major studios are only out for money and develop only for the masses, sacrificing quality. It’s no longer about making good games, but only about monetizing them.

The gamescom 2025 is the stark counterpoint to this development.

Instead of presenting huge titles that are supposed to attract millions of players, many smaller and medium-sized studios showcased their works, with games they create for “their” fans. Games they love and want to play themselves.

This dedication and passion are what I miss in AAA gaming and what led me over 10 years ago to focus more on indie games and AA productions. If gamescom 2025 is a kickoff for game development going more in this direction in the future, I am more than satisfied and look forward to next year.

Another point I noticed at gamescom 2025: Compared to previous years, there was significantly less influencer drama. From the looks of it, there was even explicit attention to it: Three years ago, MontanaBlack owned the gamescom, now he says he received a rejection

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

What’s new in Borderlands 4? All the new features like open world, weapons, grappling hook in overview

What new features does Borderlands 4 bring? We present you an overview of the new features that the loot shooter has in store.

The Borderlands series stands for countless, creative weapons, crazy humor, fast-paced gameplay, and exciting abilities. This has been the case in previous installments of the series, and it will be the core of the game in Borderlands 4 as well.

But what’s new? What features does the game have that we might not yet know from the series? We summarize them for you in our list.

This list will be constantly updated. If any new features are added, we will update the list. And everything about the release of Borderlands 4 can be read here.

[toc]

Start video
Borderlands 4 bekommt jetzt noch einen Live Action Trailer

An open world

While the worlds in earlier Borderlands installments were divided into separate sectors, this time we experience an open, seamless world that is supposed to have virtually no loading times. By the way, the game doesn’t take us to Pandora, but to the planet “Kairos”, which is under the control of the villainous Time Guardian.

The planet will certainly be varied: Once again, there are different biomes that could hardly be more different. The planet is divided into the Withering Fields, the wasteland of Carcadia, the Terminus Expanse, and the capital Dominion. You can read more about Kairos here.

New weapons and the “Licensed Parts” system

The perhaps most important aspect in Borderlands games are the diverse and sometimes crazy weapons that you collect throughout the game. This year, there are said to be a relaxed 30 billion different weapons, say the developers. We are curious!

We are also excited about the new weapon manufacturers that will appear in the game. This time, the Order, Ripper, Daedalus, Tediore, Maliwan, Jakobs, Vladof, and Torgue are on board. You can see: There are some that we didn’t know before.

Additionally, it will be even more varied as the “Licensed Parts” system is included in the game. This allows you to combine certain parts of one weapon manufacturer with those of another. This will result in some pretty interesting combos.

New movement options

Just walking straight is boring! That’s why the new Borderlands features a whole range of new movement options. Double jump, gliding, and grappling hooks provide plenty of speed during fights, and especially verticality!

You can get up or down very quickly, for example, to snipe. Conversely, you can jump down unexpectedly from above and excel in close combat before the enemy knows where you are. This will be interesting!

And: Swimming is apparently possible now!

The Digirunner, your new vehicle

Movement will be faster and more varied, but the paths will also be longer. With the new “Digirunner”, you will still be able to get anywhere you want quickly. You can apparently spawn this vehicle whenever you need it, and it is customizable too. That’s good, because in the open world, there will likely be plenty for you to discover. For example…

Captureable shelters

Apparently, there is a new feature in Borderlands 4 that resembles Far Cry, for instance. Shelters full of enemies want to be captured to unlock new fast travel points or to find chamber keys that allow you to enter particularly difficult challenges. This should keep you quite busy in the open world.

The four new Vault Hunters

Who are we actually? One of four new Vault Hunters that have already been introduced.

A new exciting villain

The big bad villain in the new game is called the “Time Guardian”. He is characterized as a cold, controlling dictator of the planet, which he rules with an iron fist. Basically, it seems that the enemy this time acts more calculating and thoughtful, which also fits the narrative that the story in Borderlands 4 is supposed to be a bit more serious – at least in the main quest. The side content, on the other hand, has been said to be primarily responsible for the laughs.

It won’t be long now until Borderlands 4 is released. On September 12th, it will be time, and everyone can jump into the fight against the Time Guardian. Until then, it’s worth taking another look at the past – after all, Borderlands has offered a lot of exciting content in previous years as well. Above all, there’s Handsome Jack. What does it actually mean to have created such an iconic villain and now have to follow in his footsteps? Editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski discussed this with the Borderlands 4 developers in an interview.

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

She won the award for worst and the Oscar for best actress in less than 24 hours – This is unique in film history

Sandra Bullock is the only actress to have won two opposing awards back to back. MeinMMO reveals how this happened.

Who is it about? Although actress Sandra Bullock has played the female lead in some very good films, she has also made at least one misstep: All About Steve from 2010. In the film, she plays Mary Horowitz, who falls head over heels for the cameraman Steve and believes they are meant for each other. She follows him across the country until she finally realizes that she should accept herself instead.

Her performance in the film was so poor that Sandra Bullock was nominated for the Golden Raspberry – a counterpart to the Oscar.

Besides this nomination, she was also nominated for an Oscar for her very good performance. In The Blind Side from 2009, Sandra Bullock was able to showcase her acting abilities in her role as Leigh Touhy. The film is about homeless teenager Michael Oher, who is taken in by the wealthy Touhy family and becomes a successful football player.

Sandra Bullock was also seen in the film Gravity alongside actor George Clooney:

Start video
German trailer for Gravity with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

Sandra Bullock accepts an award that offends her with a smile

Sandra Bullock actually picked up her Golden Raspberry herself, even though this award was supposed to be an insult. She accepted the award on March 6, 2010, while handing out DVDs of the film to the jury. The actress also demonstrated her humor as she joked with a smile that the jury probably hadn’t even seen the film.

Less than 24 hours later, she received her Oscar for The Blind Side. Because of her nearly simultaneous nominations for these opposing awards, she became the only actress to receive both an Oscar and a Golden Raspberry within just 24 hours. That’s enough for an entry in the Guinness World Record.

Another film managed to receive several nominations at the Golden Raspberry: The adaptation of the video game series Borderlands. Read more about it here on MeinMMO: The film adaptation of Borderlands was so bad that it is now nominated 6 times for the “Anti-Oscar”

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

A player buys a new monitor in the store, only to realize at home that someone has already used the monitor for almost 1,000 hours

Anyone who orders new hardware assumes at first that it is new. A player ordered a new monitor and found that it had been used for weeks.

Here’s what the player did: The user Stormycity_is_back posted a picture on Reddit of his new monitor. He explains that he bought the monitor new in the store.

By the way, he bought the LG UltraGear 27gs60qc-b, which you can find on Amazon for around 150 euros. This is a model with a VA panel, so it’s not really an expensive device.

The surprise comes only after the purchase. When he connects the monitor, it shows him the usage time of the monitor. And this is listed as 925 hours. According to several users, it therefore cannot be considered a new model.

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Monitor has nearly 1,000 hours on it, but is only a fraction of its lifespan

Why has the monitor been running for so long? This can only be speculated. Some suspect that it could be a display piece that has been running for several hours each day. This likely did not happen during production, as devices in the factory usually run for between 30 minutes and 1 hour for testing and calibration.

Is 1,000 hours bad? No, not necessarily. Generally, the average lifespan of the monitor depends on the technology:

  • LCD monitors often last 30,000 to 60,000 hours.
  • OLED monitors can reach 60,000 to 100,000 hours or more with the same usage.

Therefore, the nearly 1,000 hours of usage from the user is only a fraction of the average lifespan that a monitor should typically have. From this perspective, he does not need to worry that he has lost much time with his monitor.

A user on Reddit calculates this and explains:

925 hours correspond to only 5.5 weeks of “nonstop” usage or about 20 weeks if you consider 6 days a week at 8 hours each. This is probably between 1 and 2% of the expected lifespan of the monitor (which is usually at least 60,000 hours).

The criticism from many users is mainly that a used model is being sold as “new” here. Many recommend that the buyer should contact the seller, show him the numbers, and ask for a discount.

A player buys an OLED monitor on Amazon, but he receives two devices. He would like to return the second monitor because he is worried that he might be stuck with the costs. But Amazon reassures him with a special gesture: Player buys OLED monitor, accidentally receives two – Wants to return the second, but Amazon gifts him the device

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

Borderlands 4 gets a live action trailer just before release: “Why didn’t they make the movie with this energy?”

Just a few weeks before the release of Borderlands 4, the loot shooter gets a live-action trailer. This showcases, according to fans, impressively how a good Borderlands movie could look.

What does the trailer show? It starts with a man sitting in his car, staring into space. In the background, the radio is playing, and the radio announcer paints a picture of an Earth that people just want to leave.

The show begins with the words: “And now a break from our sponsor.” Then it says: Artificial intelligence has already taken jobs away from people in this world, “and makes them better.” Temperatures hit a high of 100 degrees – not Fahrenheit, but Celsius.

Then a voice from off-screen addresses the man. The camera pans over, and at the wheel sits … a dog. It advises him: “Quit Earth,” meaning “leave Earth.” The man then sets that as his goal. 

What follows is pure chaos: People are packing their things and heading to the spaceships to leave Earth behind. Furniture is flying out of windows, guns are running around and shooting wildly. An elephant, moving as if in stop-motion, also races through the city streets.

You can watch the trailer here:

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Borderlands 4 bekommt jetzt noch einen Live Action Trailer

“This exact craziness is what I want to see more of in Borderlands.”

Fans love this trailer: It is crazy, chaotic, and feels like a fever dream – exactly what Borderlands fans want. Moreover, it possesses a charm that many older video game advertisements had. At least, that’s what many comments on the trailer say on YouTube.

  • “This feels like an old school video game commercial i love it,” one user comments.
  • “CSome crazy late 90’s/Early 2000’s commercial energy. I’m all for it,” writes another.

The live-action trailer naturally also evokes memories of the failed film adaptation from 2024. Jokes like “This non-story commercial got better plot than Borderlands movie” write themselves.

Some fans show that this trailer illustrates what a Borderlands movie should really look like. One user asks in the comments on YouTube: “Why didn’t they make the movie with this energy?” Another comment says: “This is exactly the kind of silliness I want to see more of for Borderlands.”

There isn’t much time left until the release of Borderlands 4. The loot shooter will be released on September 12, 2025. Are you looking forward to it? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Meanwhile, here you can find an overview with all the information about the release, characters, and trailer for Borderlands 4

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

Path of Exile 2 lures to the new season directly with a free weekend for new players – veterans explain what you should expect.

On the evening of August 29, the new season “The Third Edict” will start for Path of Exile 2, along with a free weekend where everyone can try out the ARPG. Veterans now explain what to expect.

What is this new season all about? Coinciding with the free weekend, the new season “The Third Edict” will start in Path of Exile 2. While it does not introduce a new class, it brings extensive changes in many aspects of the game. These include:

  • Act 4 and three intermediate acts
  • Endgame improvements
  • Offline trading through adjustments and new NPC
  • New league: Rise of the Abyssal
  • Crafting improvements
  • New sprint function
  • Balance changes for all classes
  • Adjustments for skill and support gems

For many veterans, these changes mean that long-awaited wishes are coming true. Especially the offline trading, as well as the removal of the Cruel Acts and improvements in crafting, have been recurring important topics for the community in the months since the release.

Here you can watch the trailer for the new season:

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Path of Exile 2 shows Season 2 in the new trailer, brings Act 4 and 3 interludes into play

Veterans know what to expect this evening

What do veterans expect from the season start? In several posts on Reddit, veterans of Path of Exile 2 express their concerns about the simultaneous start of the new season “The Third Edict” and the free weekend.

During a regular season start without a free weekend, veterans are already accustomed to long queues. They sometimes wait hours to log onto the Path of Exile 2 servers to start their gaming experience.

With the free weekend, many now fear that the servers may be even more overloaded than before, and the queues may become so long that it might be better to wait until the next morning to start.

What is the developers’ plan? Path of Exile 2 is still in Early Access on Steam. In a recent interview, the head, Jonathan Roger, revealed that they have been working on the servers and that known issues such as lag should no longer occur.

Some players on Reddit suspect that the improvements may be stress-tested with a large event. This way, they could see where issues arise and fix them for the official release in March 2026.

Whether this is really the developers’ intention or whether the free weekend is simply a normal marketing action remains unclear.

With the start of the new season of Path of Exile 2 on August 29 at 10:00 PM, many old issues will be resolved. If you find yourself in the queue, we recommend reviewing all the important changes for the new season: Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict – Everything about the release and new features for Update 0.3

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

Borderlands 4: Twitch Drops – How to secure the free reward

Borderlands 4 rewards loyal fans with a gift, and that comes with Twitch Drops. The reward is only temporarily available, so if you don’t know when or where to watch, you will miss out on your gift. Therefore, we give you all the details about the current Twitch Drops.

What are these drops? Fashion is also important in Borderlands 4, and to get your first skin at release, you will receive a purple paint for ECHO-4 – your robot assistant (you can see the skin in our title image). This cute guy will be your companion as you move through Kairos.

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Die neuen Moves in Borderlands 4 machen richtig Bock

What do I need to do for the drops? To obtain the drop, you only need to tune into Gearbox’s official stream from August 29th at 10:00 PM until no later than September 29th, 2025, and watch. We can’t predict how long the stream will last, but you must watch for at least 30 minutes to claim the reward.

Note that you will need a Twitch account for this. You then link this to your SHiFT account. Once you’ve done that, your reward will be waiting for you in the game.

Where can I watch the stream? The stream will be broadcast on the official Twitch channels of Borderlands and Gearbox. You can access the channels with the following links:

How long can I claim the drops? Once you’ve watched for 30 minutes, you then have a window of 24 hours to claim your reward. It’s a tight timeframe, but if you’ve met the minimum requirement, you can’t do anything else but claim the reward – so don’t waste time.

What can I do if I don’t want to watch the stream? One of the most popular tricks for Twitch Drops is to let the stream run while doing something else, like: homework, tidying up the house, or going to the park. Twitch doesn’t check if you are actively participating in the stream; you just need to be actively logged into your account to gain progress towards your drops.

Borderlands 4 is just around the corner, and as a fan, you should know what to expect on your next adventure as a vault hunter. Therefore, we show you all the release info in our overview: Pre-order Borderlands 4 – All info on editions, prices, and content

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