Does Pokémon GO: Is the Spotlight Hour with Fletchling worth it tomorrow?

Tomorrow, the Spotlight Hour with Swablu takes place in Pokémon GO. Let’s take a look at the bonuses and content.

When does the Spotlight Hour start? The Spotlight Hour on August 5th starts at 6:00 PM. It ends at 7:00 PM, and the usual spawns will appear again.

Which Pokémon is included? Swablu is a Fairy-type Pokémon that can evolve into Altaria. However, you need to do a bit of work: you need a lot of berries to evolve Swablu.

What bonus is there? During the Spotlight Hour, you will receive double Stardust for every catch.

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So sah das Pokémon GO Fest 2025 in Paris aus

Is the Spotlight Hour with Swablu worth it?

An important point: Currently, the “Sweet Swarm” event is also running, in which Swablu has an increased shiny chance, and the event will also remain active through the Spotlight Hour. It is still unclear whether the increased shiny chance will be disabled during the Spotlight Hour. If not, you have a very good chance of catching a shiny Swablu here.

Is Swablu strong? Unfortunately, no. And Altaria isn’t either. As fighters, you should rather rely on the best attackers in Pokémon GO. Swablu and Altaria are not among them, not even in the PvP league.

Is the event worth it? If the shiny chance remains increased, the hour is definitely worth it to expand the shiny dex by one Swablu and Altaria. However, the hour is also good for anyone in urgent need of Stardust – because you can collect it here effectively.

If you are only looking for a new attacker, you can easily skip the hour.

The first Spotlight Hour in August brings you Swablu, but there are still plenty of other dates this month with interesting Pokémon. Want to know which ones? Then check out our overview: Here are all events in August 2025 for Pokémon GO.

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

He buys a 4K monitor for 100 dollars – and ruins it with a bad mistake

A PC user describes in a post on Reddit how they rendered their newly purchased monitor useless in just a few minutes by peeling off a film.

A user purchased a Dell UltraSharp 4K monitor for $100 (approximately €90) on Facebook Marketplace. Facebook Marketplace is a trading platform within Facebook where users can buy and sell items locally. The device initially worked perfectly – for a full five minutes. In a post on Reddit, they shared a photo showing how they were peeling something film-like off their screen, believing it to be a protective film.

If you want to see a real protective film, take a look at the unboxing video of the Nintendo Switch 2.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 in the unboxing video

What was beneath the surface

This mistake happened to them: The user noticed a small bubble in one corner and assumed it was a removable film. However, upon removal, it turned out: They had peeled off the anti-glare or polarizing layer of the screen.

These layers are an integral part of modern displays. They filter light, reduce reflections, and protect the panel. If this layer is removed, the monitor not only becomes highly reflective but can also be color distorted or completely unusable. In this case, only the white backlighting was visible behind the layer.

This is how the community reacted: The Reddit community quickly pointed out that it was the anti-glare layer. Some suggested ways to “save” it – such as completely removing the layer and ordering a new replacement polarizing film in the right size. “Once it has been removed, it is impossible to realign it perfectly like it was from the factory,” commented the author of the post themselves.

What will happen to the monitor now? According to the user’s information, it is very likely that they removed the polarizing film. Screen manufacturers such as Samsung officially state that a home repair in this case is nearly impossible. Although there are DIY guides to apply a new polarizing layer, even a tiny grain of dust or an uneven fit can ruin the image. Often, replacing the entire panel is not worth it, as the costs exceed the value of a new monitor.

The affected individual explained that they tried to request a repair from Dell. However, since the device is from 2021, it is no longer under warranty. Additionally, it is still officially registered to its previous owner, which is problematic. In their comments, they later mentioned that they ultimately passed the monitor on to one of their younger siblings, as another user had suggested.

The monitor purchase ended for the Reddit user as a lesson and shows how quickly a mistake can ruin a screen. However, sometimes Reddit stories also take a surprising turn: Just like with a gamer who damaged his PC case with alcohol – and ultimately saved it with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

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

The most famous group for Dungeons & Dragons changes their Game Master after 10 years and delights the fans

Critical Role, one of the most successful DnD groups, gets a new Dungeon Master with its fourth main campaign, replacing Matthew Mercer after 10 years of leading the game. A significant change, but fans are not shocked; instead, they are happy for their beloved Game Master.

What has Critical Role announced? It has recently been confirmed that the DnD group Critical Role is preparing for its next campaign – but without their popular Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer. He is passing the role of the GM (Game Master) to another already well-known name in the TTRPG world, Brennan Lee Mulligan from Dimension 20 (on YouTube).

However, fans who have been die-hard for a decade do not have to miss Matt; he will instead take on the role of a player, which could mean a significant change in the dynamics. Instead of worrying about the changes, the response to this announcement from the fans is genuinely positive: 

“MATT GETS TO PLAY IN A WHOLE CAMPAIGN, YAAAA” (CeridwenAeradwr on Reddit).

In this video, you get a sneak peek at “The Mighty Nein” on Amazon Prime, which is based on Critical Role’s second campaign:

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The Mighty Nein – First Sneak Peek of the New Fantasy Series on Amazon Prime

“The eternal Dungeon Master is gone” – The curse is broken

Why are the fans so supportive of his switch? Matt has been the constant Dungeon Master of Critical Role for 10 years. While there have been guest GMs from time to time, it has always been Matt who has guided the group through the adventures in Exandria in the main campaigns.

With his switch from leader to player, fans are happy that Matt can step back a little. Many see this as the next healthy step to ensure the long-term existence of Critical Role:

  • KironD63: “Personally, I am glad that Matt can take a break. I don’t want to spark controversy, but I personally feel he has lost some momentum in campaign 3 compared to 1 and 2, and a longer break could help him get back in shape in time for his next campaign.”
  • CeridwenAeradwr: “I love this so much. My biggest concern with Critical Role has always been that the cast could lose their passion for it. It is such a long, hard commitment that comes with a lot of work, and it is a job that only works if you really want to do it and have fun with it. I don’t want them to feel burned out or obligated to continue. It is so heartwarming and reassuring to see how much enthusiasm and passion they all still have for what they do!”

Why can especially other Dungeon Masters understand this decision? But also the well-known “curse” of the “eternal Dungeon Master,” which is known in many DnD groups, is being lifted from Matt. This says that one is doomed to be a Dungeon Master forever. Even such a well-known and beloved Dungeon Master as Matt deserves to break the curse, and the fans agree:

  • CarterBasen: “Every ‘eternal Dungeon Master’ deserves a long campaign as a player.”
  • GloInTheDarkUnicorn: “As an ‘eternal Dungeon Master,’ I fully respect Matt’s desire to sit on the other side of the table again.”
  • shadowpavement: “The poor guy had to help build a multimillion-dollar company just to not remain a DM forever.”

Additionally, they are looking forward to Brennan Lee Mulligan as the new Dungeon Master, who is also a very popular figure in the community:

  • KironD63: “Brennan’s previous work as a DM showed that although their styles are different, he is very true to Matt’s overarching vision for the backstory and world-building.”
  • Master-Gur-903: “I feel like Brennan was grown in a lab and made to run DND games.”

Critical Role’s new main campaign, Campaign 4, will start on October 2, 2025. It will bring a complete story and new characters like the previous campaigns, but fans will have to wait a little longer for more detailed information. Shortly after, in November 2025, Critical Role’s animated series based on the group’s second campaign, “The Mighty Nein” on Amazon Prime, will premiere. Initial material has already been shown: A new fantasy series on Amazon Prime features what may be the most famous DnD streamers, showcasing the characters in an initial clip

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

Highly anticipated anime MMORPG wanted to get you to your wallet with tricks during the beta, now backpedals after heavy criticism

Since July 24, 2025, registrations for the first global beta of Blue Protocol: Star Resonance have been open. In advance, there was heavy criticism regarding the monetization. The developers are now responding to this.

What was criticized? The original plan of the developers was that you would be able to invest money in the in-game shop during the upcoming beta of Blue Protocol: Star Resonance to benefit from attractive bonuses for the actual launch.

The system was unnecessarily complicated by the fact that the bonus received for the release was not only tied to the invested money, but also to the character level achieved in the beta.

Many players who were actually looking forward to the launch of the anime MMORPG feared dire consequences for the final monetization of the game following this announcement, or they criticized that beta testers would have an unfair advantage at the actual launch.

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Blue Protocol: Star Resonance shows a mix of action and teamwork in the new trailer

“The game is saved”

How are the developers reacting to the criticism? The team behind Blue Protocol: Star Resonance has clearly received the criticism. On their official Discord channel, they explained that they want to make an adjustment based on the feedback:

The refund rules will be adjusted to a Fair-Return-Plan for the official release. All in-game purchases made during the CBT (Closed Beta Test) will be refunded to the same account without any bonus or excess refund added. This is to ensure that all players start under the same conditions. More detailed information on the refund system will be shared shortly.

How is the community reacting to the developers’ response? Some players praise this step, while others admit that a closed beta could completely do without microtransactions.

  • CyberpunkGamer94 writes on X: “How about simply not offering paid content in a closed beta?”
  • ChaseyD explains on X: “Do whatever you can to do right by your players. I want this game to succeed, and such a strange refund like this in a CBT has me quite disturbed.”
  • Star Resonance Database is looking forward to X: “The game is saved.”
  • :p praises the developers on X: “Thank you for listening.”

What do I need to know about the upcoming beta? Registration for the test is ongoing at playbpsr.com until August 14, 2025. From August 15 to August 20, 2025, the accesses will then be distributed. The duration is set for about 10 days.

A second open beta is apparently not planned. If there are no unpleasant surprises, the final launch is expected to take place shortly after the end of the closed beta, according to the developers.

Behind Star Resonance is a kind of spinoff or reboot of the 2024 Japanese Blue Protocol, which due to some launch problems never made it to the West. The new version is supposed to build on the strengths of the anime MMORPG and eliminate its weaknesses – you can find out more about it here: No P2W and focus on PvE: This is how the MMORPG Blue Protocol wants to impress you in the West

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

5 famous football stars from FC 25 who will no longer be in FC 26

At some point, even the greatest ones have to say goodbye. We present to you 5 well-known football stars who ended their active careers in the summer and will no longer receive a new card in FC 26.

As every year, some professionals will also say goodbye to active football in 2025. In our list, you will find five players who have voluntarily retired – and one whose career ended rather involuntarily.

Some of them may return in the future as a Hero or Icon card. But right at the start of FC 26, that’s rather unlikely – it usually takes a bit more distance and legend status.

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

Mats Hummels

One of the best center-backs in modern football and a BVB legend ended his long and incredibly successful career in the summer. He won several German championships and crowned his career with the World Cup title in 2014.

Now active football for Mats Hummels is over at the age of 36. He recently had a less successful year at AS Roma. It is quite possible that we might see an Icon or Hero card of Hummels in the future.

Mats Hummels

In FC 25, Hummels still received a very strong End-of-an-Era card, which was impressive and brought the defender back to top level.

Dries Mertens

Dries Mertens, who was recently chasing goals for Galatasaray Istanbul, ended his long and impressive career at the age of 38 after the last season. The former Belgian international enjoyed his most successful time at SSC Napoli, where he scored 113 goals in 295 games.

Dries Mertens

His last card in FC 25 is a TOTS-Honourable-Mentions card (94) that had outstanding values.

Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic had a long career and is known to many for his time at Schalke and Barcelona. There, Rakitic made 200 appearances, won four championships, and once lifted the Champions League title. He most recently played for Hajduk Split in Croatia before hanging up his boots at the age of 38.

Ivan Rakitic

In FC 26, Rakitic has faded somewhat into obscurity and currently has only one card – his standard gold card with a rating of 80. Many probably haven’t played it.

Jesús Navas

Jesús Navas, who spent most of his career at Sevilla, will not appear anymore in FC 26, as the right-back recently ended his long career at the age of 39. He won the Premier League with Manchester City and the Europa League with Sevilla.

Jesús Navas

To say goodbye, EA released an End-of-an-Era card for the right-back, offering an 88 rating and decent stats.

Raphaël Varane

Although Raphaël Varane was still present at the beginning of FC 24, he ended his active career rather quickly after the season started. The 31-year-old center-back suffered a serious injury in his first match at his new club Como, leaving him no choice but to retire.

However, while he was still active, Varane won everything there was to win in 10 years at Real Madrid. He claimed three championships and an incredible four Champions League titles.

Raphaël Varane

In FC 25, his very last card was an End-of-an-Era card that boasted a rating of 87.

Are there returnees? Although Paul Pogba was not present in FC 25 due to a doping ban, he will return in FC 26. After completing his ban, he joined AS Monaco, thus he will receive cards in FC 26 again. If you want to know what to expect apart from the cards regarding gameplay in EA FC 26, take a look here: EA FC 26 shows in the first gameplay: Only offline do fans get more realism offered

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

Battlefield 6 receives an unpopular feature from Call of Duty, aims to do everything differently with 4 factors

The most criticized feature of Call of Duty is also in Battlefield 6, but it varies depending on the game mode.

What is this unpopular feature? Battlefield 4 will have a form of skill-based matchmaking. The developers of the shooter revealed this to CharlieIntel (via X).

SBMM is a matchmaking system that selects your teammates and opponents based on your skill and gameplay performance. The better you play, the stronger your opponents will be.

Skill-based matchmaking is used in various shooters and has been harshly criticized for years, especially within the Call of Duty community. Some people find SBMM good because it prevents them from having to play against significantly better players. Others criticize the system because it means they can no longer play relaxed rounds and have to give their best in every match.

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Die große Stärke von Battlefield 6 sind die Maps!

Skill is negligible despite SBMM

How is the matchmaking of Battlefield 6 supposed to work? The developers haven’t revealed much about the matchmaking of Battlefield 6, but the system is expected to rely on 4 factors:

  • Ping
  • The player’s location
  • The server availability
  • a certain skill factor

Your skill is thus supposed to play a role in matchmaking.

How does the matchmaking differ? The matchmaking factors of Battlefield 6 are expected to vary depending on the game mode and the number of players. However, in April 2025, David Sirland, one of the lead developers behind Battlefield 6, stated that the skill factor would be negligible (via Insider-Gaming).

The top priorities in matchmaking are the ping and the time until the game starts. The goal is to have the server start “as quickly as possible” in a game with 64 players.

The skill factor is important to create balanced teams and to avoid all strong players being in one team. However, Battlefield has been doing this since they started offering matchmaking. Battlefield 6, however, does not use aggressive SBMM.

So it could be that in the larger modes with 64 players, you will experience a lesser focus on skill in matchmaking than in the much smaller Team Deathmatch rounds.

What does this mean for matchmaking? If the skill factor in matchmaking is not taken more into account than, for example, in Battlefield 2042 and is truly negligible, then that should not be a problem.

In Battlefield 2042, SBMM is not as aggressive as in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, where the best players constantly face each other. There, the skill factor plays such a minor role that the matchmaking was the reason why I actually had fun with the game for a while: Battlefield 2042 is finally fun after 1.5 years because I can now destroy noobs

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

Pokémon GO: Is the trading feature finally getting the most important update in 7 years?

Can we soon trade over long distances in Pokémon GO? A new datamining suggests so.

Those who want to trade in Pokémon GO need to meet with friends in the real world to make a trade. Trading over long distances, for instance, with friends from other countries – has so far not been possible.

It has been seven years since, trading was introduced in Pokémon GO. Now it seems that the feature may actually get the upgrade that many have long been wishing for.

As Pokémon GO Hub reports, various data found in a current datamining strongly suggest that work is being done on a corresponding adjustment.

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Pokémon GO: Over 800 Trainers fight in Gigantamax battle

What does the datamining reveal about trading in Pokémon GO?

Here’s what the data show: According to Pokémon GO Hub, various contents related to “Remote Trading” have emerged in the data.

The following contents can be identified:

  • An icon related to Remote Trading.
  • A new friendship level called “Best Friends Plus.” It could be that reaching this level is necessary to trade over long distances.
  • A daily trading limit.
  • And the possibility to receive trade offers even when you are not online. However, you can only have one trade active at a time. So if you send out a request, you have to wait until it’s completed before you can make another trade.

How certain is it that the feature will come? On one hand, it’s an exciting hint that such data is emerging. It at least shows that relevant content is being worked on. At the same time, there have been instances in the past where data was found, but nothing materialized from it for a long time. So, it must be noted: These are unofficial pieces of information that have not yet been confirmed.

However, if a corresponding feature were to appear, it would offer the community many opportunities to trade and expand their collections. Just think about trading Pokémon with players from other regions of the world that are only available there.

However, it is also to be considered: There was indeed a possibility to trade Pokémon over distance – namely during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, players could trade over distances of up to 50 kilometers. However, it was not possible globally even then. It remains to be seen what distances would actually be an option this time.

What do you think of a possible distance trading feature? Would you be interested in that, or do you prefer trading in person? Tell us in the comments! And if you want to know what else is going on in Pokémon GO: The new month brings many highlights, such as the next Rocket takeover or the Dyna finale. You can find the full overview here: All events in Pokémon GO in August 2025.

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

A new player is so brazenly lied to in his first session of Dungeons & Dragons that he immediately wants to continue playing

When newcomers join experienced groups in Dungeons & Dragons, it often leads to exciting situations. In one session, the Dungeon Master convinced his player with a lie to want to continue playing.

How did the lie come about? Reddit user OmegaGuerri was the Dungeon Master (DM) of a Dungeons & Dragons session that included two newcomers, one of whom had never played a tabletop role-playing game before. He had to be convinced of how cool it actually is.

In his Reddit thread, he shares the story of how he managed to engage this newcomer. So they created a character for him together, with a backstory that connected him directly to the group’s setting.

When the entire group came together to receive their first quest from an NPC commander, the DM lied to his player so boldly that he was immediately fired up.

Start video
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – Second Official Trailer for the Movie

“He sat quietly in the voice chat for a while and finally replied”

How did the DM lie? When the commander provides some background information about their “secret” quest, the new player becomes suspicious. Because it is mentioned that a cave passage was supposedly discovered only 5 years ago. However, based on his character’s backstory, the player knew that couldn’t be true.

So he asks his DM outside of the role-play situation if he was mistaken, as his own character had fled through this passage 17 years ago and there were supposed to be guards there at that time.

The game master denies and agrees with him that what his player says is indeed correct. This makes the newcomer hesitate, so the DM directly asks him if he thinks the commander is lying. Thereupon, OmegaGuerri writes, the player sat quietly in the voice chat for a while and then replied: “… can he do that?”

The game master then had him roll to see if his character would uncover the lie in the game or if it would go unnoticed.

This whole situation impressed the newcomer so much that after the session he approached the game master and told him that he now understood why people enjoy tabletop role-playing games so much and when they would meet next – something that brought a broad smile to the DM’s face and made him proud.

How is the story received by the community? In the comments under the thread, many users become nostalgic and recall their own first sessions. Others cheer on how the DM managed to pull the new player right into the action:

  • imababydragon writes: “When NPCs lie or simply don’t know and make things up, it’s a great way to make the game feel more realistic.”
  • Dg-wildstar chimes in: “Congratulations on getting a player excited about the game. I love stories like this!”
  • PrayForMojo_ celebrates: “‘You can do that?!?’ is one of the main reasons newcomers show up for the second session.”
  • Intelligent-Key-8732 comments: “For this to work, my players would have to remember their own backstories.”

So the story ended well for this newcomer, and he found his way into the exciting world of tabletop role-playing games. However, for another new player, his first round did not go nearly as well, and his character met an untimely end: New player is so mean in Dungeons & Dragons that his own group takes him out in the first session, though they didn’t want to

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

A fan created a trailer for Dragon Ball that covers all the animes and looks like the movie you deserved 16 years ago

A YouTuber used Artificial Intelligence to create a trailer for a movie about Dragon Ball. Many viewers agree that it could have been the live-action film that the Anime actually deserves.

What kind of trailer is it? The YouTube channel Fifth District Studio creates trailers with the help of AI, based on well-known animes, movies, or series. Over the past months, the YouTuber has specialized in various videos about Dragon Ball.

A trailer that we want to present to you features all series related to Dragon Ball. Various characters like Son-Goku and Vegeta, as well as enemies like Cell or Freezer appear as realistic versions created with CGI.

So far, the video has reached over 3.8 million views and collected over 37,000 likes. You can watch the fan trailer here:

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It covers Dragon Ball, DBZ, and DBS. Beerus and Broly also make appearances. However, there is no real plot to see. Rather, the individual characters are shown, who may take a step forward.

And although hardly anything happens in the video, fans are sure that it would have been the better live-action film 16 years ago.

Start video
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – The Official Trailer for the Movie

CGI trailer is better than the real film

Why would it be the better live-action film? Dragon Ball already has a live-action adaptation, which has gone down in history as a disgrace. The film was released in 2009 and has a catastrophic rating of 2.5 out of 10 on the film rating platform IMDb.

The reason for this poor rating is the altered personalities of the characters, flat dialogues, and bad special effects. Additionally, the story is set in a modern context that has little to do with the original.

If there were a movie of the quality shown in the trailer, finally a live-action adaptation would appear that fans deserved 16 years ago. At least that’s what the top comment under the video on YouTube says.

However, we must be fair: 16 years ago, technology was not advanced enough to create a film of such quality. Moreover, the AI trailer only shows short sequences. The video is far from having an action-packed plot.

A live-action adaptation of the anime Naruto is also reportedly in the works. However, there are already early signs that this film could also be a flop. The reason for this is the producers’ lack of expertise: The makers of the Naruto live-action film reportedly have no clue about the anime – They reportedly don’t even know who the villains are

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

The boom of a 12-year-old MMORPG continues, breaking its own all-time record

Old School RuneScape continues to ride the wave of success despite its old age. Now, the 12-year-old MMORPG has even broken its own all-time record.

What is the current status of Old School RuneScape? At the end of July, MeinMMO reported that the 12-year-old MMORPG is enjoying unusually high player numbers. Such high numbers that the developers have already provided 18 new worlds. 15 more worlds are expected to follow soon.

And the boom continues! Last weekend, the previous all-time record for concurrent active players was broken – this was announced by the proud developers on X. At times, more than 241,000 players were online in Old School RuneScape simultaneously.

The previous record was set during the “Leagues V: Raging Echoes” in November 2024, with over 231,000 concurrent active players at one point.

Start video
Old School RuneScape – Trailer for the Steam Release

What came first: the hype or the streamers?

Once again, the question arises: What is behind the boom? We previously examined in the last report that there is no event happening this time that could have such a positive effect on player numbers. The recently released update Varlamore: The Final Dawn might play a part, but it went live only after the initial spark of the boom.

Another possible reason is currently being discussed on Reddit. LerntLesen writes there: “Streamers can really make or break games.” ICE-FlGHT agrees: “That’s the most truthful answer … it’s crazy how much they drive the market.”

And indeed, it can be observed on twitchtracker.com that Old School RuneScape has gained significant popularity on Twitch since April 2025 in terms of average viewers, peak viewers, number of streams, and hours watched.

In nearly all categories, the numbers have more than doubled – from about 4.32 million hours watched in April 2025 to 11.3 million hours watched in July 2025. A well-known content creator who has recently streamed Old School RuneScape several times is Thomas Chance “Sodapoppin” Morris, who many may know better through his WoW content.

What came first – the chicken or the egg? Some fans of Old School RuneScape admit that many streamers switched to OSRS in recent months precisely because the MMORPG was already experiencing a surge at that time. It is rather the great work of the developers over the past years that laid the foundation for the current success.

This assessment is only partially reflected in the Steam reviews of recent months. While Old School RuneScape has maintained a very positive rating of 82 percent over the entire period, the recent reviews have been significantly lower for nearly the entire year 2025 (currently about 70 percent as of August 4, 2025, 11:00 AM).

Many players who have invested hundreds of hours in the MMORPG criticize unjustified bans, technical issues, or the increased price for membership. The active community, the plethora of content, the nostalgic gaming experience, and the noticeable improvements of recent years receive praise.

Can streamers influence the success of a game? Definitely! This has been shown in recent years by Lost Ark and New World, both of which significantly benefited from the synergy of publisher Amazon Games and Twitch (owned by Amazon) at launch.

Twitch Drops here, streaming events there, the hype fueled by enthusiastic streamers everywhere – that’s how the two MMORPGs achieved two of the most successful launches in Steam history. Many more examples of games that have received a significant boost in player numbers through Twitch can be found in the following article: 7 games that became successful and big through Twitch.

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

Superman is powerful, but a villainess from Gotham brings him to his knees

Superman fights against many strong villains who can match him physically. But sometimes, just the kiss of a villainess is enough to defeat the well-known hero.

Which villainess are we talking about? Even though Superman is often portrayed as the unbeatable hero and tussles with powerful aliens, he can also lose against simpler opponents. Notable examples would be Batman or Lex Luthor.

However, one does not always have to fight him to defeat him. Poison Ivy showed that sometimes even a simple kiss is enough, as long as you wear the right lipstick.

In Batman and Robin, Poison Ivy plays an important role:

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Batman and Robin – Trailer for the superhero movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger

Even Superman can be seduced

How did Poison Ivy bring Superman to his knees? Poison Ivy made her first appearance in the comic Batman No.181 in 1966. She actually belongs to Batman’s gallery of villains, but now also appears as an anti-hero and has many stories teamed up with Harley Quinn or Catwoman.

Pamela Lillian Isley is her real name, and her origin story changes depending on the universe. However, she almost always has the ability to control plants, spray poisons, and control people through substances. Usually, a simple kiss and her knowledge as a former botanist are enough.

In the legendary comic storyline Batman: Hush, which ran between 2002 and 2003, she was manipulated by the villain Hush, who wanted to take out Batman. Her task was to seduce Superman. She used her pheromones and a lipstick containing Kryptonite for this. She tried to get Superman to kill Batman.

To free Superman from hypnosis, Catwoman throws Lois Lane, Superman’s great love, from a skyscraper. He frees himself from Ivy and saves Lois. Had Catwoman not done this, Batman might have been killed even. In the animated film Batman: Hush from 2019, you can also see this outside of comics.

Like many other villains, Poison Ivy is now a character who not only acts as an antagonist but also as an anti-hero or part of a team. In the Gotham City Sirens comic series, she is a protagonist alongside Harley Quinn and Catwoman, and in the Harley Quinn series, she plays an important role as her lover. Another Batman villain was able to break Superman: The Joker tried for years to break Batman, but for Superman, he only needed one day

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

Baldur’s Gate 3 talks about lessons from development, fans say: the greatest achievement was defeating companies and “hints”.

For many players, Baldur’s Gate 3 is considered one of the best games of all time, at least in recent times. Larian CEO Swen Vincke is now discussing future game plans and lessons learned from the development of Baldur’s Gate 3 in a tweet. Fans see success in a completely different light.

This is what Larian is talking about now:

  • On X, Swen Vincke writes that the release of Baldur’s Gate 3 was only two years ago – amazing, as he says. The role-playing game has exceeded all expectations by a factor of many.
  • The post is actually about how things should proceed from here. Because of Baldur’s Gate 3, one can now focus on “the next crazy thing.” Larian is already working on the next games, which should “be a lot of fun, really tons of it,” “in surprising ways.”
  • Vincke cannot say much about the upcoming projects yet. But in the replies on X, users see a different achievement that Baldur’s Gate 3 has been able to accomplish.

What are the fans celebrating instead? One of the comments with the most likes comes from @9Syht. It says: The greatest gift to the world was not Baldur’s Gate 3, but the lessons that could be drawn from it.

Larian has shown the “companies and suits” what is possible without cramming everything with microtransactions. Other users respond to this and state: One should not forget that the game also comes without DRMs.

Due to the quality like that of Larian, CD Projekt Red (Cyberpunk, The Witcher), or Warhorse (Kingdom Come: Deliverance), one can show Ubisoft, EA, and others how it should be done properly. Vincke himself has harshly criticized the practices of large studios in the past.

Whether the “lesson” will really reach AAA remains to be seen. The former story chief of Dragon Age at least believes: The industry will learn nothing from Baldur’s Gate 3. This view is shared by other users – however, there are also plenty of suggestions for the future.

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D&D in crisis: What will happen to Baldur’s Gate 4 now? The GameStar Talk in the video

“Can you make the sex better?”

Swen Vincke is not revealing many details about the upcoming games from Larian yet. It is only said: We have to be patient, it will take a little more time to get everything running. “It will be worth it,” Vincke promises.

In the comments, alongside praise for Baldur’s Gate 3, there is some criticism as well, albeit at the highest level. One of them actually relates to too much freedom, specifically: to love.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, all companions are “player sexual”, meaning: No matter what gender or race you play, every companion is attracted to you when you flirt with them. Romances are always possible.

Now a user writes on X that he wishes for restrictions regarding this aspect in the next game. That would make sex “more meaningful.” In Baldur’s Gate 3, you are always treated the same, no matter who you are. That does not seem very credible.

In the vast majority of comments, however, players praise Larian and their success with the role-playing game. One user even hopes that one of the upcoming games takes place in Warhammer 40,000 – although this is unlikely to happen.

For many, Larian is the last or one of the last studios they still “trust.” However, the fact that Baldur’s Gate 3 represents a major breakthrough is still a mystery to a good portion of gamers, especially since Dungeons & Dragons remains a niche. But they are often proven wrong: user thinks Baldur’s Gate 3 is only for nerds, plays it for the first time, and instantly logs 360 hours

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

A player from Dune: Awakening builds a working elevator with a trick: “Haha, this is genius”

The developers of Dune: Awakening have confirmed that elevators will come with an update, but one player obviously doesn’t want to wait that long – he is simply building a working elevator himself.

What is known about the elevators? Currently, there are no components for the building system of Dune: Awakening with which one can install full-fledged elevators in one’s base – which is very unfortunate, as it is indeed possible to build up high or in very elevated places in this survival MMO.

As early as a few months ago, players wished that Funcom would address this, for example in this discussion on Reddit. At least: In an “Ask my Anything” session on June 19, 2025, the developers explained that elevators and other building styles for player bases are planned.

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Dune: Awakening presents new action-packed trailer for the release of the game

A Survivor’s Initiative

How does a player solve the problem? A player from Dune: Awakening didn’t want to wait for the update. On Reddit, he showcased his “elevator” with a short video clip that covers 3 floors in his base.

He uses an Ornithopter and a shaft that is just wide enough for the aircraft to navigate up and down. On the levels where the “elevator” is supposed to stop, there are also sufficiently large parking bays for the Thopter on the side areas. But see for yourself:

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How does the community react to this? In just a few hours, there were already almost 1,000 upvotes and over 100 comments.

  • BoJackB26354 already has a name for this invention on Reddit: “The Elethopter.” Hawk_Cloud argues: “Ornivator.”
  • noheals4Blaire celebrates the idea on Reddit: “Haha, that’s genius. I was excited for a moment, I thought I would learn how to build a route for my floating hangar anchored to both cliffs in the gap. Made me laugh well.”
  • Lennyleonard_ believes on Reddit that this trick has no future: “I’m not an architect, but you will never get a building permit from the government, this is a minefield in terms of labor safety and security!”
  • Nop277 shares his own solution on Reddit: “This is pretty cool. I have an elevator that is just a Pentashield at the bottom of a shaft. A Suspensor + grappling hook takes you all the way up.”

Another feature that is still missing in Dune: Awakening is dueling. Here too, the community is already helping itself: Player says a feature is missing in Dune: Awakening, just takes care of it himself.

By the way, when exactly the official elevators are supposed to arrive is still unclear. In the current patch notes for update 1.1.20, which is currently on the test servers, there is no entry for a corresponding innovation. What the next package is supposed to bring instead, you can find out here: The next patch of Dune: Awakening brings no content, but many players are still looking forward to it.

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

A new anime movie disappointed me so much that I now think twice about what I go to the cinema for

Cinema-goers could watch the new anime film of Jujutsu Kaisen. However, the film Hidden Inventory / Premature Death was so disappointing for MeinMMO editor Jasmin that she is considering which films to go to in the future.

Although snack prices continue to soar into astronomical heights, I am still a passionate cinema-goer. I especially enjoy animated films, whether American or Japanese productions. I even watched the film of One Piece twice in theaters – although it was ruined for me just as often.

Jujutsu Kaisen received a new film for theaters with Hidden Inventory / Premature Death, which was made available to MeinMMO as a screener. Since I had already seen Jujutsu Kaisen 0, I was curious about the new film – but was disappointed already by the synopsis of the new flick.

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Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – Trailer for the Anime Movie

Anime film connects episodes together

The film shows the backstory of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto, when they were still friends. The two must protect the student Riko Amanai, who is to be sacrificed as a star plasma vessel. Nothing can happen to her until her sacrifice.

With time, the group gets to know Riko better and allows her to have a few last enjoyable hours. During this mission, so traumatic experiences occur that Geto later becomes the enemy we know from the Jujutsu Kaisen anime.

If the film’s content seems familiar to you, that’s no surprise: the film simply consists of the first 5 episodes of the anime. Only the opening and the ending have been removed.

For fans of the anime, there are two additional scenes: At the beginning, the protagonists of the film discuss whether eating Mochis helps them not to need the restroom during the film. This takes place in a cinema hall where the film is also currently playing. The essence: it is not proven.

At the end, there are also new montages of photos from the characters’ academy days. An acoustic version of Ao no Sumika plays in the background. Otherwise, everything in the film is identical to the series version, similar to earlier this year with the film for the finale of Attack on Titan.

Is it worth it? I watched the film again and have to say that it wasn’t worth it for me. Those who, like me, already know the scenes from the anime find nothing new in the film. According to Anna Nagase, who voices Riko in the film, the emotional highs are supposed to feel even more painful to the viewer due to the montage (seen on gamer.ne.jp).

Furthermore, the ending is also said to potentially tug at the heartstrings again. For hardcore fans of Gojo, the anime film could be worth it since it showcases his beginnings. However, those who simply want to follow the story of Jujutsu Kaisen, like me, will be disappointed.

I have experienced this before with other animes like Demon Slayer, which summarize part of the story. However, there are two advantages here that the producers improve upon:

  • The films were released each time before the start of the arcs in theaters. This allowed you to conveniently skip a few episodes from the new season to save time.
  • The episodes were not just lined up one after the other, but cut down to the necessary plot. This also saves time and allows you to experience the most exciting moments as a film.

However, if a film is just a collection of scenes that are exactly from the anime, I can’t find any enjoyment in it. Especially not when it is still not known when season 3 will be released.

The film would have been a good option to serve as a recap of what actually happened in season 2. Just before season 3, some moments from season 2 could have become important again. But by the time season 3 airs, I will probably have forgotten some scenes and will have those “Oh right, that’s how it was” moments.

As a cinema visit becomes increasingly expensive thanks to techniques like IMAX and the mentioned snack prices, it is worth considering which anime films I want to see in theaters in the future. In this case, we were fortunate that the film was provided to us; otherwise, I would have been upset.

There are now so many anime films released each year that I have decided to only go to those that consist of completely new footage. Some examples are the films of Detective Conan or Demon Slayer.

However, if you are a big fan of Jujutsu Kaisen or see Gojo as your personal husbando, you might enjoy the film.

What do you think about it? Which films do you go to the cinema for? Write it in the comments, as I am curious about how you handle new films.

By the way: MeinMMO has a list of anime films that will be playing in German cinemas this year. So you won’t miss anything. The complete overview of all films can be found here: All anime movies coming to cinemas in Germany in 2025

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

The big event from WoW regularly has completely undeserved winners; the reason might be the other participants

In the first week of August, the annual big Stylecheck of World of Warcraft takes place. Theoretically, the outfit that best fits the theme should win in the end. However, reality often looks different.

What kind of event is this? The big Stylecheck of World of Warcraft debuted almost exactly 8 years ago as part of the new mini-holidays introduced during WoW: Legion. In this competition, multiple players compete against each other.

The task: Find the best transmog outfit for a given theme within 2 minutes and present it afterwards – refined with emotes, visual effects, and paid fans cheering in the audience. The ratings of the outfits come from the participants themselves. As a reward, there are brands that can be exchanged for further cosmetics.

He who has achieved everything has nothing left to achieve – as this WoW player had to realize:

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WoW: Spieler sammelt ALLE Erfolge im Spiel, fragt dann „Was mache ich jetzt?“

“I must have the worst luck in the world”

What does this look like in reality? The player ella posted a picture of a colorfully mixed outfit on Reddit, which is many things but certainly not award-winning. Her comment on it: “Why does this guy win the big Stylecheck every time, no matter what the theme is?”

The over 200 comments and more than 1,700 upvotes show that other WoW players are also familiar with this phenomenon. Additionally, the community discusses possible reasons:

  • farris59 writes on Reddit: “Ironically, there is a widespread strategy where everyone votes for the ‘worst’ mog (transmog/outfit) to increase their own chances, but this inadvertently catapults the outfit to first place.”
  • Shezarrine comments on Reddit: “It’s so annoying that the people who actually stick to the theme rarely win. I don’t know if people are just voting for ‘lol the funny mog’ or trying to trick the system by voting for the worst [outfit], but it makes the whole event pretty dull.”
  • Fullerbay gives an example on Reddit: “I once participated in the purple theme, where the first place wore a green outfit.”
  • Ainastrasza reports on Reddit: “The Style competition has been pretty bad for years. Naked Kul Tirans and gnomes in outfits that can only be described as ‘shitpost outfits’ that completely ignore the theme always get the most votes because people are just boring. Not to mention the revealing outfits. It really only happens about every third game I participate in that people actually take the theme seriously. I must have the worst luck in the world.”

What are your experiences with the big Stylecheck? Should Blizzard make changes to make the competition more exciting again? Share it in the comments! Participants certainly have the greatest chances if they own a colorful transmog collection. A WoW player even managed to impress the developers with his wardrobe recently.

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

Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 is popular – but an item in his tent confuses everyone

The most popular vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3 raises some questions. After all, he carries an item that has no use for him. Or does he?

The companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 are considered very likable, multifaceted, and simply popular. The “slightly” narcissistic elf with a penchant for sadism, Astarion, is no exception. As the group’s vampire, he is quite a special character that the community loves to discuss. However, he possesses an object that fans can’t quite make sense of.

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

What is in Astarion’s camp? If you look closely at Astarion’s camp, you’ll find several objects that painfully obviously reveal he is a vampire. A chalice filled with blood, a small shelf with blood vials – but also a large mirror. This very mirror presents a puzzle for the community, as the vampire-elf shouldn’t have any use for it.

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A mirror, many possible explanations

Why is a mirror so strange? While it wonderfully fits the slightly self-absorbed Astarion to have a large mirror among his possessions – it is rather absurd. After all, Astarion is a vampire, and they do not cast a reflection in the world of Baldur’s Gate. This is even explicitly confirmed in another scene when he uses a smaller hand mirror, emphasizing that he only uses it to see who is sneaking up behind him.

However, the fact that he has a large standing mirror in camp to admire himself seems a bit out of place – as he will never be able to see himself in it.

This is how the community discusses: In the Reddit subreddit for Baldur’s Gate 3, the mirror in Astarion’s camp is also actively discussed. Some have found a logical explanation for it – and it almost always relates to the vampire elf’s vanity.

  • “To be fair, he is a vampire who walks in the sun and is able to resist his master due to the larva that causes ongoing changes. It is not totally illogical that he looks at his reflection multiple times.” – saltpancake
  • “Vanity does not die, darling.” – ActuallySatanAMA
  • “So he can recognize when someone approaching him is also a vampire he does not know yet.” – Vanilla_Unlucky

This last theory seems to make sense, as Astarion lives in constant fear that his master sends henchmen after him to recapture him.

Do you have a better explanation for why our vampire heartthrob carries a large mirror around with him? What could Astarion aim to achieve by always keeping such a large object with him? If you want to get a little closer to Astarion, our romance guide might help you…

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

ArcheAge Chronicles should earn its place in your library by being fun, fair, and worth your time – XL Games on Pay2Win and MMO content

MeinMMO had the opportunity to interview the developers of ArcheAge Chronicles with questions. What we learned about one of the most important new MMORPGs of 2026 can be read in this interview special.

Since the developer update from October 2024, it had been unusually quiet about ArcheAge Chronicles. Only from the regular financial reports from publisher Kakao Games could new details be gleaned – such as the planned release in the first half of 2026 or focus tests in summer 2025.

The silence was supposed to last until July 31, 2025, but the newly released Producer’s Letter revealed not too much new information again. It is even nicer now that the developers from XL Games have taken the time to answer some of our questions regarding the successor to the popular sandbox MMORPG ArcheAge.

We wanted to know, among other things, how much ArcheAge and MMORPG elements are in Chronicles, how character progression will look, and what payment model we can expect in the West. You can jump to the interesting questions or answers via the table of contents.

[toc]

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ArcheAge Chronicles: Trailer shows for the first time the successor to ArcheAge

Online Action RPG or true MMORPG?

MeinMMO reported in September 2024 that the developers of ArcheAge Chronicles often use the genre term “Online Action RPG” and avoid the term MMORPG. We wanted to know from XL Games how much MMORPG is actually in ArcheAge Chronicles. The detailed response from the responsible parties:

The short version is: Chronicles is not a traditional MMORPG, but it is an always-online game with meaningful multiplayer systems. We refer to it as an online action RPG because that better captures the design direction—we’re prioritizing personal progression, immersive world-building, and a story-driven adventure that can be played solo, while still offering ways to connect, collaborate, and trade with others.

So yes—players will absolutely run into each other in the open world and in towns. We’re still tuning final numbers, but depending on the zone and activity, you can expect to encounter dozens of other players at a time. That includes social hubs, key regions, and public spaces like housing zones or market areas.

There will be guilds, and they’ll serve both a social and functional role in the game. We’re not ready to confirm exact size limits just yet, but we can say they’re being designed to support a variety of playstyles—from small groups of close friends to larger, community-driven organizations. However, unlike AA1, large-scale PvP and political control aren’t the focus, so guilds will be more about camaraderie, shared goals, and access to certain features—not territory wars or power structures.

As for group content like dungeons—yes, we have them. But again, the scale is more intimate. These are built for small groups, typically 2–5 players, with some potential exceptions depending on the activity. We want these experiences to feel personal, tight-knit, and skill-driven—not like massive raid coordination events. That allows us to keep content accessible while still offering challenge and depth for those who want it.

So to summarize: ArcheAge Chronicles carries the soul of an MMO—persistent world, multiplayer systems, player interaction—but it’s delivered through a story-first, player-friendly structure that’s designed for flexibility and freedom, not obligation. It’s a world you can share with others, but one you’ll experience primarily through your own lens.

XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO

In the coming months, more details about all these systems are promised, according to the developers.

ArcheAge Chronicles: PvE content
The PvE content in ArcheAge Chronicles is primarily aimed at solo players and small groups.

How much ArcheAge is in ArcheAge Chronicles?

The developers had already said that they want to build on the legacy of ArcheAge and send players to regions already known from the predecessor. We wanted to know more specifically which familiar elements fans of the first game can look forward to. Here again, the developers provided a rather detailed answer:

ArcheAge Chronicles is very much a new beginning, but it’s one that’s rooted deeply in the legacy of ArcheAge. We’re building a fresh experience—new systems, new structure, new storytelling—but we’re doing it in a world that long-time fans will recognize, with characters, locations, and lore that connect directly to the original.

Players can absolutely expect to revisit iconic regions from the original game—but not necessarily exactly as they remember them. Time has passed. The world has changed. Some places have evolved. Others have fallen into ruin. And some may hold surprises that challenge what you thought you knew about the world of ArcheAge.

You’ll also encounter familiar factions, lore threads, and even certain characters whose stories are continuing in new and unexpected ways. But importantly, Chronicles doesn’t assume you’ve played AA1. It’s built to be welcoming to new players, while rewarding those who already have a deep history with the franchise.

In terms of gameplay systems—yes, core pillars like trading, crafting, housing, and trade runs are returning, but they’ve been reimagined to better support Chronicles’ focus on solo progression, smoother onboarding, and player freedom. It’s not about recreating AA1—it’s about honoring what made it special and evolving it into something that fits today’s players and today’s tech.

In short: there’s a lot of ArcheAge in Chronicles, but this isn’t just a nostalgic remix. It’s a spiritual successor that stands on its own—built with love for the past, and a clear vision for the future.

XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO

Start video
ArcheAge Chronicles: Behind the Scenes – This is the Vision of the New MMORPG

What can the housing in ArcheAge Chronicles do?

In the first ArcheAge, housing was very important, and in the first developer blogs, it was mentioned that this will also be the case in ArcheAge Chronicles, but in a slightly different form. For example, NPC neighbors are supposed to play a role.

We therefore wanted to know to what extent this resembles familiar “Cozy Games” and how deep the life simulation should go? What possibilities do we have, for example, to interact with the NPC neighbors? The developers’ response:

We’ll be sharing more on how these systems work—and how deep the interactions can go—as we get closer to launch. But yes, this is a side of Chronicles that we’re really excited about, and one we think will surprise people in the best way.

We’re not trying to build a full-blown life sim—but we do want your home to feel alive, grounded, and connected to the world. There’s a clear inspiration here from games that emphasize comfort, customization, and community—think Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, or even Fantasy Life—but all within the structure of a larger action RPG with its own story and progression systems.

XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO

Looting and leveling – what does character progression look like?

Up to this point, there has been no information in the developers’ previous blog posts about this topic. Since looting and leveling are close to our hearts at MeinMMO, we naturally had to ask the developers what they can tell us about character progression in ArcheAge Chronicles. Here are their elaborations:

Rather than locking players into rigid classes, we’re building a flexible system that allows you to develop your abilities, gear, and playstyle in ways that reflect how you actually play. That means experimenting with weapon types, building synergy with skills, and chasing gear that enhances your preferred approach—whether that’s melee, magic, support, or something in between.

Loot is designed to feel exciting, not overwhelming. Our philosophy is to focus on quality and impact—we want every drop to feel like it could be meaningful, whether it’s a stat boost that pushes your build forward, a unique item with special effects, or a cosmetic piece that adds to your personal identity.

You’ll find gear through exploration, dungeons, crafting, and trading, and yes—crafters will play an important role in the overall item economy. But no matter how you obtain your equipment, our goal is to make sure your progression feels rewarding without becoming a grind. We’re not interested in overloading players with dozens of meaningless items. We want the loot you find—or make—to feel like it tells part of your story.

Character development in Chronicles is built around that same idea: steady, satisfying growth, with lots of room for experimentation. And because the game is designed to be approachable in shorter play sessions, you’ll always feel like you’re making progress—even if you just log in for a quick adventure or a crafting run.

We’ll be diving deeper into the specifics of gear, stats, and builds soon. But if you love the loop of leveling, looting, and refining your character—we think you’ll feel right at home.

XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO

ArcheAge Chronicles: Story
The story is expected to play an even bigger role than in the first ArcheAge.

How do the action battles work – is there the holy trinity of tanks, healers, and damage dealers?

It has been clear for some time that ArcheAge Chronicles will use an action combat system. However, we wanted to know details from the developers, such as roles, classes, and weapons. The developers’ explanations:

Combat in ArcheAge Chronicles is built to feel responsive, fluid, and expressive—we’ve designed it as a full action combat system, not tab-targeted or auto-driven. That means movement, timing, and positioning matter—and so do your choices about weapons, skills, and tactics.

Players will still be able to fill classic RPG roles like tank, healer, or DPS through their loadout—what weapon they equip, what skills they develop, and how they customize their build. It’s a flexible role system, designed to let you experiment and adapt based on your group or solo needs, not something you’re locked into at character creation.

Mechanically, things like dodging, blocking, and parrying play a central role in how combat feels. You’ll need to actively evade attacks, time your blocks correctly, and learn the patterns of enemies—especially in boss fights or dungeon encounters. It’s not just about stats—it’s about skill.

Combos are also a key part of the design. Some skills can be chained together for bonus effects, and others might interact differently depending on timing, enemy state, or synergy with group members. Whether you’re freezing an enemy to set up a shatter combo or taunting a boss to protect a glass-cannon ally, the goal is to create combat that feels both tactical and rewarding.

We want every weapon and ability to feel distinct, and for combat to evolve as you grow—not just through raw power, but through mastery of mechanics. Whether you’re soloing through story content or teaming up for tougher challenges, the system is built to keep you engaged moment to moment.

There’s still more to reveal, especially around weapon types and ability customization—but if you enjoy dynamic, action-driven combat with RPG depth underneath, we think you’ll find something really satisfying here.

XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO

How will ArcheAge Chronicles be monetized?

Finally, the topic of monetization was on the table. We discussed Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty, which, for the western market, had received adjustments, but still relied on a combination of free-to-play and real-money currency auction houses – leading to many issues such as bots and pay-to-win. How does ArcheAge Chronicles solve this? The developers’ response:

At this time, we haven’t finalized a specific payment model for ArcheAge Chronicles, and that’s intentional. We’re actively listening to our community across regions and taking the time to ensure that whatever direction we choose, it aligns with one fundamental principle: fair play for everyone.

We’ve seen firsthand how monetization models can make or break a game’s long-term health—especially when pay-to-win mechanics creep in and damage player trust. That’s not what we’re about. Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series, you can expect a level playing field, where progression is driven by gameplay, skill, and your choices—not your wallet.

We’re fully committed to not introducing any pay-to-win systems. That includes things like buying power, gear advantages, or anything that would give paying players a competitive edge over others. We’re also being extremely cautious about how any in-game economies or marketplaces are integrated, precisely to avoid the pitfalls we’ve seen with other titles—especially the issues surrounding bots and real-money transactions that have frustrated players in both Eastern and Western markets.

As for whether the model will be the same worldwide—ideally, yes. We believe in creating a unified global experience where all players, regardless of region, have access to the same fair, rewarding, and engaging systems. That said, we also understand that different markets have different expectations and behaviors, so we’re weighing that carefully to strike the right balance.

In short: no pay-to-win, no shortcuts to power, and no compromising the integrity of the gameplay. We want ArcheAge Chronicles to earn its place in your library by being fun, fair, and worth your time.

XL Games via Mail to MeinMMO

What else do I need to know about ArcheAge Chronicles? ArcheAge Chronicles is set to focus more on the Western market than its predecessor and will therefore offer comprehensive PvE and story content that can be tackled alone or with small groups.

PvP elements and large-scale battles in the open world, which were tentatively planned, will instead be omitted. PvP is intended to be available mainly in clearly defined, competitive areas for fixed teams and guilds. The creative mind behind the world, who also worked on part 2 for a long time, is no longer on board: the creator of ArcheAge and Lineage wanted to celebrate his biggest success with a new MMORPG, but that will not happen

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

7 dangerous creatures from The Lord of the Rings that scare even the bravest warriors

The books and films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s work are full of menacing creatures. In our ranking, we clarify who is the most dangerous.

How was the ranking created? Middle-earth is inhabited by a multitude of beings. Besides well-known races like Men, Elves, Dwarves, or Orcs, there are also numerous creatures.

On one hand, there are those we know from our real world, such as rabbits, horses, or cows. But there are also those that clearly belong to the fantasy genre. For this list, we looked at beings that are animals or remind us of them.

Start video
Epic Trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship

It’s important that they appear in “The Lord of the Rings” or in “The Hobbit”. Whether they stand on the side of Good or Evil doesn’t matter. The main thing is that they are extremely dangerous and make brave warriors tremble.

Wargs LoTR

Place 7: Wargs

Wargs are basically just oversized wolves. On one hand, there are those from Saruman, one of the most powerful wizards from Middle-earth, who bred them. They were supposed to serve the Uruk-hai, which also originated from his “own production”, as mounts. On the other hand, there are also wild Wargs that have roamed Middle-earth since the First Age and once collaborated with the Orcs.

Wargs can grow up to three meters long and are a tough opponent purely due to their size. Mercilessly, they pounce on their enemies and tear them apart. Especially when these creatures move in packs, they pose a significant danger. Even with mounted units like the warriors of Rohan, they make short work of them.

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

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Promo A – All cards at a glance

“Promo A” cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket are cards that you cannot get from boosters. We have summarized which ones exist and how you can obtain them.

Update on August 4th: The new promo cards have been added.

What are promo cards? As the name suggests, these cards are ones that you receive through specific functions or events in the game. You cannot draw them normally from boosters.

In the “Promo A” series, there are several cards that you can obtain. We have looked into how this works for you.

Start video
Here are the 3 best decks for Pokémon TCG Pocket!

Overview of All Promo A Cards

  • Potion (001/P-A)
  • X Speed (002/P-A)
  • Hand Scope (003/P-A)
  • Pokédex (004/P-A)
  • Poké Ball (005/P-A)
  • Red Card (006/P-A)
  • Professor’s Research (Supporter Card, 007/P-A)
  • Pokédex (008/P-A)
  • Pikachu (009/P-A)
  • Mewtwo (010/P-A)
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  • Ultra Necrozma ex (081/P-A)
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  • Horsea (094/P-A)
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  • Houndoom (096/P-A)
  • Kangaskhan (097/P-A)
  • Blissey ex (098/P-A)
  • Marill (099/P-A)
  • Weavile (100/P-A)

More cards from the series: No further cards from the “Promo A” series have been officially confirmed so far. As soon as the additional cards are confirmed, we will update the list accordingly.

In addition to the promo cards, there are certainly many other cards that you can collect in the game. Naturally, there are cards that are more commonly found in boosters and others that are much rarer. We have also put together an overview of the rarest cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

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

Because he has had enough of traffic, a billionaire exchanges his villa for a super yacht and commutes to work by helicopter

As the US ambassador, Tilman Fertitta actually has a villa in Rome at his disposal, but the billionaire prefers to live on his yacht and flies to appointments with the associated helicopter.

The cover image is a symbolic image by Sean Dogjani via Pexels.

Who is it about? Tilman Fertitta is not only the owner of the NBA team Houston Rockets and a chain of casinos and restaurants – since May 2025, he is also the US ambassador to Italy. As such, the billionaire is officially entitled to Villa Taverna as his official residence, which was sold to the then US government in 1948.

In contrast to his predecessors, however, Fertitta does not live on the estate, but on the Boarwalk, his 77-meter yacht, which is moored about 100 kilometers outside of Rome in the port of Civitavechhia. In addition to a wine cellar, a gym, and a pool, the yacht also features its own helicopter of the type Airbus H130, with which the ambassador flies to meetings in Rome.

According to reports, the billionaire felt disturbed by restoration work in the villa. Furthermore, the traffic in the Italian capital is intolerable. Nevertheless, Fertitta cannot completely escape the traffic, as a flight permit over Rome is reserved for the Pope and the Italian head of state.

Whenever possible, the ambassador therefore attends appointments directly with his yacht, as recently during his visit to a memorial service at the monumental cemetery near Nettuno, where 7,860 US soldiers are buried.

Another successful businessman can probably only dream of the yacht because he drove his company live on air into the ground:

Start video
Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?

An expensive fun – not just for the ambassador

The choice of residence of the billionaire seems to be received rather moderately by the Italians, as they now have to take care of the ambassador’s security not only on the officially intended estate but also on water and in the air.

Thus, the airspace above the yacht would be under constant observation by various forces, intelligence services, and the harbor authority. As a result, the superyacht joins about 4,000 sensitive objects in Rome, for whose protection the Italian state has to bear the costs.

The additional costs due to his unusual residence are probably no factor for Fertitta, as he explained in a conversation with ABC: “This is one of the things I’ve always wanted and will always have. It’s not cheap, I can tell you that… but every time I step on it, I think to myself, ‘God, I love this boat.'” (via Luxury Launches)

The benefits of life on a boat are also enjoyed by Gabe Newell, the head of Valve and Steam. In a recent interview, he revealed what a day in his life looks like: Gabe Newell tells a YouTuber with 19 subscribers how the head of Valve lives and works on a boat 7 days a week

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