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.
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.
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.
By the way: The developers of The Elder Scrolls Online are currently working on enabling crossplay between PC and consoles. This was hinted at by Rich Lambert at gamescom and then confirmed by Community Manager ZOS_Kevin in the official forum of the MMORPG.
The developers of Throne and Liberty presented the new housing system in a detailed article on playthroneandliberty.com. The goal: Housing should offer more than just decoration but also functionality and benefits.
Speaking of which: In the new episode of Tico Talks, there was a lot of information about the next major content update of Throne and Liberty, which is supposed to go live on September 18. Look forward to Tier-3 gear, the new Orb weapon, boost servers, fresh co-op dungeons and more. You can find the Tico Talks episode on YouTube and below.
Additionally, the developers of ESO have released their September roadmap. You can expect the console version of Update 47, fresh Golden Opportunities, content testing, events and a look ahead at the innovations for the 4th quarter.
And here’s another date from Eorzea: Patch 7.31 will be released on September 2, 2025 for Final Fantasy XIV. Included: Planet Phaenna and tool improvements in cosmic exploration – Source: finalfantasyxiv.com.
A new patch for Black Desert went live on August 28, focusing mainly on class changes. You can find the patch notes on playblackdesert.com.
Guild Wars 2 is not only one of the highest-rated MMORPGs on Steam but can also attract more players to the servers through Valve’s platform. Last weekend saw a new player record.
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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:
On August 27, three retro open-PvP worlds for Tibia were launched: Escura (EU), Mystera (NA), and Penumbra (SA). You can find the details at tibia.com.
Neverwinter Online received the Slaughterhouse Arena patch on August 27. This involves new content where you have to defeat waves of enemies. You can find the patch notes at playneverwinter.com.
Until September 23, the Stone Cold Summer event is running in EverQuest, featuring new quests, missions, and rewards. You can find the details at everquest.com.
If you log in to EverQuest II before September 22, you can secure up to two free crates with nice in-game goodies from the marketplace. You can find info about it on everquest2.com. There was also a teaser for Update 129: Fear of Eternity on YouTube.
On August 26, a small patch for Albion Online went live, with adjustments for crystal offhand items, fog, balancing, and more. You can find the German patch notes at albiononline.com.
The developers of RuneScape have released another explanatory article regarding the Catalyst League starting in September. Where? On runescape.com.
From August 26 to September 22, the Homecoming event is taking place in DC Universe Online. You can find all the info at dcuniverseonline.com.
This is what happened with the MMORPGs in development:
The beta of the anime MMORPG Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is currently running. For the first time, players in the West can try out the new MMORPG in large numbers and already know after 3 days what they like and what they do not like.
On their official Discord channel, the developers of Pax Dei extensively answer questions from the community about UI, guilds, building, markets, PvE content and much more.
The developers of Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen explain on X that they had to postpone the update planned for August 27 regarding Black Rose Keep to fix a critical bug. There is no replacement date yet.
On September 15, the Steam launch of the Free2Play MMORPG Eterspire is coming up. To prepare, the developers released Update 58.0 this week, featuring 2 new areas, quests, and more.
With Vampir, a new MMORPG for PC and mobile has launched in South Korea; you can find the official website at vampir.netmarble.com. It is unclear if there will be a global launch in the future.
Also from South Korea comes the “brutal dark-fantasy MMORPG” Raven II, which is definitely set to receive a global PC and mobile release, including on epicgames.com. Pre-registrations have started on the official website raven2w.netmarble.com. A trailer showcasing the classes can be found below:
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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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
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:
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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.”
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.
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.
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.
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:
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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.
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.
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.
Vex is the new Siren, she relies on projections of animal companions or an actual reaper.
Amon is a gigantic warrior who has a philosophical side. However, that does not stop him from relying more on his huge axes in battle than on soothing words.
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.
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:
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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.
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.
Select a MMO video…
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.
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.
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:
Start video
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.”
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.
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.
If the love for Mass Effect is particularly great, one brings a piece of it into the real world. In this case, a weapon.
If you ask people which video game series belongs to the best, sooner or later the “Mass Effect” trilogy will be mentioned. The first 3 games are still considered absolute milestones today and tell a coherent story about space adventures and the fate of the whole galaxy. An epic that has captivated many.
Some love the game so much that they sacrifice a lot of their free time to recreate some of the most iconic weapons – like the M-98 Widow, which is the weapon with the biggest “bang” in the whole game.
Exodus is considered the spiritual successor of Mass Effect:
Start video
EXODUS: Game in the Style of Mass Effect Shows the Traveler in Action
What was done? In the gaming subreddit, StalwartStud shared a picture of his latest artwork. He recreated a weapon from the Mass Effect series, namely the M98 Widow. Anyone who has played the games will likely recognize the weapon at first glance:
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M-98 Widow is one of the most popular weapons of the entire game series
What kind of weapon is this? The M-98 Widow is one of the strongest sniper rifles in Mass Effect 2, but also in the sequels Mass Effect 3 and Andromeda. If you love a long-range style, you couldn’t miss this weapon in those parts, because it had such a significant “bang” that it could defeat even larger enemies with one or two shots – only at higher difficulty levels was it a bit more challenging.
The devastating effect comes from the fact that the weapon is not designed for direct use by humans, but is normally mounted on defense installations. Because the recoil of the weapon is so heavy that most normal people would break their arm using it – but we know that Shepard was more than just an ordinary human.
How long did he work on it? According to his own statements, StalwartStud started working on the weapon back in January but was then distracted by various projects. He didn’t time himself, but believes he worked between 100 and 150 hours on the M-98 Widow. The end result is impressive and is also appreciated by the community in various comments:
“The best game deserves the best rifle. I loved this weapon. Everything before was trash.” – csk1325
“I recognized it immediately, it was one of my favorites. Good job!” – Sluggish Prey
“That looks so good, I almost expected my monitor to suffer damage immediately.” – Samtanmation
With all the passion that still exists in the Mass Effect community – even though it has survived the problematic sequel “Andromeda” – it would be nice to slowly find out how the series will continue. There are always some signs of a new Mass Effect, but little concrete information.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A YouTuber ordered a Bugatti on a Chinese platform. For only $30,000, it sounds almost like a bargain. However, things did not go well for the YouTuber.
Carter Sharer is a YouTuber with about 11 million subscribers. His videos regularly reach around 1 million viewers. In a new video, the YouTuber has now ordered a Bugatti on the Chinese platform Alibaba, which he refers to as Temu. However, things did not exactly end well for the YouTuber.
Platforms like Temu, Wish, and Alibaba have faced criticism for some time. For example, Temu is criticized for the poor quality and safety of toys (via Nachrichten.at) and is accused of tricking customs. This is reported by Tagesschau. Temu, Wish, and others have long been considered a derogatory term among users. If something looks like it was “ordered from Wish”, it is not a compliment.
Start video
Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds
YouTuber orders Bugatti for $30,000, already doubts the great deal at purchase
What exactly did he buy? Carter Sharer ordered a Bugatti on Alibaba, a Chinese platform for $30,000.
Carter Sharer claims that Alibaba and Temu are the same platform or that Alibaba is the predecessor of Temu, and therefore equates both platforms. However, this is not correct, as Alibaba and Temu are two different companies: Alibaba belongs to the Alibaba Group, while Temu is a brand of PDD Holdings. He ordered from Alibaba and not from Temu, as he claims in the video description.
The model was offered for $30,000 on Alibaba, the predecessor of the very popular Temu. The ad described the car as “carefully used,” a detail that was sufficient for the YouTuber.
However, the YouTuber already doubted the offer at the time of purchase. Sharer stated himself that the price was officially far too low: Even severely damaged accident vehicles of the type Bugatti have never been sold for significantly less than $300,000, and he shows several examples of this in his video.
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The YouTuber Carter Sharer orders a Bugatti on Alibaba.com
YouTuber receives large package after 4 months, but does not get a real Bugatti
What happened next? For 4 months, there was no response from the seller, and the YouTuber feared he had been scammed. But then his delivery indeed arrived in a large truck.
He received a heavy, massive wooden crate, which he then opened together with his video team.
What exactly did he receive? After removing the packaging, he had to find out that he had not received a real Bugatti: The crate instead contained a hollow replica made entirely of foam. Inside, there was neither an engine nor any mechanics. Not even a door, with which he could have gotten inside.
In Dune: Awakening the first players have completed the new event quest series and received the reward. However, it turns out differently than many expected, leading to laughter and disappointment.
What is this event? In Dune: Awakening, the first in-game event since the release of the game is currently running. In a series of quests, you need to track down the Kirab, who are shooting at CHOAM freighters with cannons to loot their cargo. Therefore, there are new missions at the CHOAM traders in the Hagga Basin, where you need to thwart and sabotage the Kirab attacks.
As a reward, the developers promise new weapon skins in the CHOAM design, as well as a turret as decoration for your base. The first players have now completed the quest series and experienced a tiny surprise.
Here you can see what will happen in the next major update of Dune: Awakening:
Start video
Dune: Awakening receives new story quests and another vehicle with Chapter 2
Tiny Surprise
What surprised the players? The developers clarified in their announcement for the event on Steam that the turret is solely for decoration and will not be functional. However, when the players received it, the astonishment was still great.
The turret that is awarded from the new quest series is tiny. So tiny that it could probably fight against the cute desert mice. A disappointment for the players, even if it was mostly taken as a joke.
Many had hoped to at least visually upgrade their base with a turret. However, the reward seems to end up more as a paperweight on the desks of the players or to protect their own desert mouse terrarium.
How are the players reacting? The players are less disappointed by the reward; many are rather amused. On Reddit, they write:
Shatterhand1701t: “I want to put it in my Muad’Dib terrarium for him to play with.”
Pews_TRB: “It’s a pencil sharpener for your desk!”
kaimidoyouloveme says on Reddit: “The sand flies won’t know what hit them.”
Irishguy924: “What the?! I thought it would be as big as a buggy! This is stupid!”
AnteaterShot4264: “I really thought it would be a decent decoration that I could place somewhere as a statue. Not this crap.”
Ebass_: “A turret for ants.”
Whether ants, desert mice, or as a pencil sharpener on the desk, the new decoration is not what the players expected, but they take it with humor.
The new event is meant to prepare the players for the new story in the major update “Chapter 2”. In addition to a continuation, there will also be a new vehicle and many other changes. The developers already know what is supposed to happen in the distant future. For example, that Dune: Awakening will also lead to other planets: The developers of Dune: Awakening explain how the game will look in 10 years: “We will travel to new planets”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A trainer from Pokémon GO shows his rather unconventional play style. And the community celebrates it.
Every trainer can pursue various goals in Pokémon GO. While some want to have the strongest team with the best attackers in Pokémon GO, others focus on rare monsters or their shiny forms.
A trainer on Reddit now shows how he plays Pokémon GO. And his rather unconventional play style is well received by the community.
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So sah das Pokémon GO Fest 2025 in Paris aus
Eggs, we need eggs
What has the player achieved? If you look at your account information in the character window, you will find here, in addition to information about your start date, your collected experience points, or the kilometers you have traveled, another number: the number of Pokémon caught by you.
The trainer from Reddit has set himself the goal of not increasing this number. In other words, he has only a 1 here because the starter monster in Pokémon GO must be caught to play the game. Other than that, he hasn’t caught any other Pokémon – and still has reached level 40.
How does the trainer play? As the trainer explains in his post, he only uses raids and mega raids to gain experience points, without catching the Pokémon afterward.
Moreover, he hatches eggs. Because hatched Pokémon do not count in the statistics of caught monsters. This way, he still gets new monsters that he can use for completing raids.
Dynamax raids are not an option for him, as he would first need to catch the Dynamax Wolly to participate in those raids.
We embed the Reddit post here for you:
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Why does the trainer play this way? In the comments, the trainer is also asked why he chose this play style. He replies:
“This is just my personal feeling – when I watched the series as a child, it was something special because Ash had about six Pokémon and a buddy who was supposed to be something special. In Pokémon GO, you catch thousands of monsters, and it never felt exclusive to me.”
What does the community say about it? On Reddit, his post has already collected more than 3,700 upvotes. Some comments can also be found in the post. Some of them are:
“Respect to this grind”, says ArcherYouTube
“WILDDDD. imagine if the starter was Shiny..EVEN WILDER”, comments jseng2
“You’re hard-core”, adds BrooklynTheCat2011
“You’re living in a completely different world and I love it”, writes HerrYusoy
The trainer writes in his article that he currently cannot level up beyond level 40. One of the tasks that trainers must complete for level 41 is catching Pokémon. It will be very convenient for the trainer that the level system is about to undergo a major update: Pokémon GO completely changes its level system – What you need to know.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
If you film Demon Slayer in cinema, you risk severe penalties – this was announced by the animation studio months ago. A young man was reportedly brave enough to film Infinity Castle right at the cinema release of the anime in Japan. This could now become costly for him.
What happened? The Otsuka police station of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 24-year-old Korean named Shin Jun-woo on July 30, 2025. The young man is a vocational student from the Adachi district in Tokyo and did something serious during his cinema visit.
The police suspect that the young man recorded the overall 150-minute long film with his smartphone. However, he denies having filmed secretly.
However, during the investigation of the Korean, it was revealed that he might have committed more crimes.
Start video
Demon Slayer: Trailer for the Infinity Castle Arc Movie
Filmer has allegedly committed other crimes
What else did he do? The Korean reportedly purchased 200 anime Blu-rays worth 1.3 million yen using someone else’s credit card. This amounts to about 7,600 euros.
In addition, the police actually found the filmed movie of Demon Slayer on the young man’s smartphone. He is now accused of violating the law against illegal film recordings and copyright laws.
The Korean now faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 10 million yen, not counting the credit card fraud. This would translate into a penalty of about 58,000 euros for him.
Demon Slayer is already a huge success in Japan. It is said to have grossed over 25.7 billion yen (150 million euros) within a month of its release. It remains to be seen how the film will perform in the rest of the world.
Japan uses an AI video to show how Fuji erupts. Japan is as much threatened by disasters as no other country, but at the same time is extremely well prepared.
The English-language magazine CNN reports that the Japanese government has chosen drastic methods to warn the population: With an AI-generated video, a hypothetical eruption of Mount Fuji is shown and its potential impacts are simulated.
The aim of the government is to draw attention to the risks of major volcanic eruptions and to raise public awareness. Mount Fuji is considered one of the most famous and dangerous active volcanoes in Japan. A major eruption could have serious consequences for infrastructure, health, and the daily lives of many people in Japan.
Select a MMO video…
Japan wants to warn its population of potential dangers but is already well prepared
Why is the government doing this? Japan is located on the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a zone with intense tectonic activity that causes many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country is thus more frequently threatened by natural disasters than others. “Hardly any other land state is as threatened by natural disasters as Japan,” writes Diercke.de and explains the various possible options presented by the geographical location. Various disasters regularly threaten Japan:
Earthquakes: Over 1,400 earthquakes are recorded in Japan each year. Many are noticeable and potentially dangerous.
Tsunamis: The location by the Pacific and the frequency of earthquakes make Japan particularly prone to tsunamis, especially along the coasts.
Volcanoes: Japan has over 100 active volcanoes, including Fuji and Sakurajima, often near densely populated areas.
Typhoons: About 30 tropical cyclones (typhoons) pass over Japan each year, especially in late summer to autumn, causing flooding, landslides, and high property damage.
Floods and landslides: The mountainous terrain, climate with heavy rainfall, and short steep rivers particularly favor flooding and landslides during the humid summer months.
What is Japan doing about it? In contrast to Germany, where some public alarm sirens do not function (via RND) and about 10,000 sirens are missing alone in Bavaria (via BR24), Japan is globally known for preparedness and disaster protection due to its culture and technology, such as through a sophisticated warning system and good government communication. This is explained by Japandigest.de: Children are taught from a young age how to behave in emergencies, and disaster preparedness is omnipresent.
How do the reactions of the population turn out? The reactions of the population are very diverse. Some perceive the actions of the Japanese authorities as alarmist, as well-meaning warnings have deterred some tourists in recent months. Someone writes (via CNN.com):
It is generally used to create a sense of crisis and fear.
The developers of The Lord of the Rings Online want to thank their community for the support. How? With a coupon code that allows you to unlock countless quest packs for the MMORPG.
What is the code and what does it unlock? You need to redeem the coupon code EXPLOREOURWORLD in the LotRO shop in-game under “Redeem Code”. This can be done once per account and is valid until November 3, 2025. This way, you unlock the following content for your account:
Quest Pack: Center of Gondor
Quest Pack: East Gondor
Quest Pack: West Gondor
Quest Pack: Old Anórien
Region Pack: Wide Anórien
Quest Pack: March of the King
Quest Pack: Battle at the Black Gate
Quest Pack: The Legacy of the Spirit Summoner
Quest Pack: Where Dragons Dwell
Quest Pack: The Valleys of Anduin
Quest Pack: Mist of Wilderland
Quest Pack: The Wildwood
The Further Adventures of Bilbo Baggins
Quest Pack: Blood of Azog
Quest Pack: Rangers and Ruins
Quest Pack: Distant Meadows
The Further Adventures of Elladan and Elrohir
Quest Pack: Mordor
Quest Pack: Minas Morgul
Quest Pack: War of the Three Peaks
Quest Pack: Fate of Gundabad
In summary, Free2Play players gain access to all regions, quests, dungeons, and raids designed for up to level 140 with the code. The current maximum level is 150.
The trailer for the latest expansion of LotRO:
Start video
Lord of the Rings Online: Trailer for Morgoth’s Legacy Prepares You for the New Expansion
It makes sense to build on this momentum by providing both new and returning players with broad access to more content that they would otherwise have to purchase or grind for.
How is the community reacting to the gift? Many players are obviously happy about it.
naarcx recommends on Reddit: “If you have even the slightest desire to try this game someday, create an account now and enter this code. Otherwise, it’s a HUGE hassle to unlock content without spending money.” – Keep in mind that you have to download and start the game once to enter the code in the in-game shop.
blackweimaraner writes on Reddit: “I stopped playing Gondor two months ago and was debating whether to buy some expansions or not. This code will make me want to play again. Great news.”
Mystrasun is looking forward to Reddit as well: “I’ve wanted to give LotRO another chance for a long time. I don’t know when that will be, but the fact that all this free content is available for me definitely makes me curious!”
