While new MMORPGs are becoming increasingly rare, the genre of Cozy Games is growing steadily, also appealing to typical MMO players.
In recent years, MMORPGs have changed significantly. The reasons for this are varied, but a main focus is on the fact that everything that needs solving is already resolved by the release. While titles like Ultima Online focused early on gathering and crafting, players in modern MMORPGs are driven from one attraction to the next to grab their 10-to-60-minute fun bites.
Who is writing here? Cedric Holmeier is a freelance author at MeinMMO and has been playing MMORPGs since childhood. He is particularly fond of Asian MMORPGs. In games like Throne and Liberty, Swords of Legends Online, Metin2 or Jade Dynasty, he has spent thousands of hours.
Crafting, trading, and job systems have been increasingly hollowed out, becoming mere side activities. In some modern MMORPGs, there’s no way around raids and dungeons to achieve anything in the game. These aspects are, however, essential components of the genre. MeinMMO former editor Alexander Leitsch described this as early as 2021.
At the same time, so-called Cozy Games are gaining popularity by picking up and perfecting the mechanics that MMORPGs once borrowed from their common ancestors, such as Harvest Moon. As a result, Cozy Games – even if it may sound strange – are slowly becoming the better MMORPGs.
What is Harvest Moon? Harvest Moon is a farming simulation where players build a farm, cultivate fields, care for animals, and form relationships with villagers. It early defined central MMORPG elements: professions, crafting, and progress through daily life instead of combat. The game, released in Europe in 1998, showed how fulfilling collecting, trading, and creating can be.
Do you know why the loot always has the same colors?
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Why is the loot always white, green, blue, purple, and gold?
Side issue: Crafting
In the past, gathering resources and crafting were often not just a side activity but a cornerstone of the player economy. Those who specialized in making weapons, armor, or potions could secure their place in the community of a game. One had to venture into dangerous areas to obtain rare materials or spend hours mining ores and fishing.
The economy within the games was fueled by player craftsmanship, while merchants and auctions thrived on self-created products. Raph Koster, lead designer of Ultima Online, explained in an interview with MeinMMO in 2020 that the allure of classic MMORPGs was precisely the players creating a real, living economy.
In Ultima Online, the world was shaped by the players. A blacksmith relied on the miner who had to mine the ore to forge weapons and armor. Merchants played an essential role by distributing raw materials and enlivening markets.
The Grind Fest from July 21 to 27 This week, exciting articles on the topic of MMORPG await you every day. Included: a journey through the history of online role-playing games, as well as nostalgic reviews, streaming evenings, interviews, columns, and analyses.
This interesting economy gave players a deeper motivation to specialize in professions and crafting. This is something that many modern MMORPGs have largely abandoned.
If you played one of the MMORPG ancestors back then, you probably also had one or several guild crafters and gatherers around you, ensuring that your group had everything needed to even engage in battles.
The need for other players to be equipped for an activity is long a relic of the past. Today, equipment for attraction number 35 drops in many games at attractions 32, 33, and 34. The hero goes solo.
Tarisland is a typical theme park MMORPG of modern times. It even offers a real theme park in the game.
Main thing: Fun
Many modern MMORPGs follow the theme park model: developers emphasize linear content where players are guided from one attraction to the next without being hindered by obstacles that disrupt their gameplay (cf. Wikipedia). While this is an advantage for many casual players because it makes entry easier, it simultaneously causes deeper gameplay mechanics like professions and crafting to lose significance.
In classic MMORPGs like EverQuest or Ultima Online, crafting was often a real alternative to combat – some players spent all their time farming materials, processing them, and trading with other players. Without gathering resources and crafting items, supply and economy collapsed. Then fighters were also left in the lurch.
Those who specialized in making weapons, armor, or potions could therefore secure their place in the community of a game. In 2001, the gross domestic product of the world was estimated for EverQuest by comparing the prices of in-game items with their value on real-money marketplaces and flea market pages. The virtual world was ranked 77th worldwide – between Bulgaria and Russia (via windowsunited.de).
Today, however, many of these mechanics have been greatly simplified or have become nearly meaningless. Instead of complex production chains or deep profession systems, modern MMORPGs often feature simplified crafting menus. Materials can be easily obtained through quests, dungeons, or shops, and crafting becomes more of a footnote than a central feature of the game.
Although trade in Throne and Liberty works well, many of the materials needed for equipment upgrades come from dungeons.
Alternative: Cozy Games
While MMORPGs increasingly neglect true crafting and jobs, Cozy Games pick up exactly these mechanics and build entire player experiences around them.
Games like “Stardew Valley”, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”, “Disney Dreamlight Valley”, or “Dinkum” offer extensive gathering and crafting systems that are often deeper than in MMORPGs. But they go even further:
Focus on Gathering and Crafting Mechanics – While MMORPGs often treat these elements merely as a side activity, they are the core of the game in Cozy Games. Players can farm, fish, mine, and actively shape and design their surroundings without these mechanics being overshadowed by other game content. No raid boss needs to be defeated to craft an item.
Social Interactionswith and without Humans – Many Cozy Games offer a simulated social experience. NPCs with complex relationships, multiplayer features, or asynchronous interactions (like in “Animal Crossing” or “Dreamlight Valley”) replace traditional MMORPG communities. While the social aspect in MMORPGs is increasingly being eradicated by single-player content, NPCs in Cozy Games take an interest in the player and create parasocial relationships through dialogues. Some Cozy Games also offer a coop mode.
No Raids, No PvP – but Long-Term Progress – Players in MMORPGs who only wanted to gather and craft often feel trapped in a world that ultimately pushes them towards raids or PvP to have enough content. Cozy Games, on the other hand, provide these players with opportunities to make progress without combat mechanics.
Playtime that integrates better into daily life – MMORPGs often require longer sessions and regular logins to stay engaged. Cozy Games, on the other hand, allow for more flexible play – perfect for casual gamers. And if collectors have always been out and about at night, Cozy Games won’t stop them either.
Reward Systems that Replace the MMORPG Factor – Some Cozy Games now feature mechanics such as daily quests, season passes, or unlockable rewards, experience points, and levels that function similarly to MMORPGs. This gives players the same dopamine kick as loot grinding but without the frustration of raids or endgame content and at their own pace. Whether the experience points come from monster grinding or ore mining ultimately doesn’t matter.
Housing with More Freedom – In Cozy Games, housing is often much more flexible than in MMORPGs. As they are usually single-player or smaller multiplayer games, gamers have far greater opportunities to design their surroundings individually. In MMORPGs, however, housing is often restricted by fixed placements, limited building spots, or instanced areas.
In Disney Dreamlight Valley, familiar characters accompany us in collecting, crafting, and questing.
Cozy Games versus MMORPGs – The Conclusion
Cozy Games have overtaken MMORPGs in many areas by focusing on specialized player wishes and making crafting, gathering, and social interactions a standalone player experience. MMORPGs, on the other hand, have fallen behind in these areas and thus lose an important part of their community.
Nevertheless, the MMORPG genre remains unique because it leads a persistent character through a multitude of different contents – from crafting to quests to PvP and raids.
While Cozy Games are an alternative for players who only want to gather and craft, they offer no substitute for those who want to prove themselves in challenging PvE dungeons, raids, or competitive PvP.
No other genre manages to unite so many play styles in a vibrant, interconnected world. To ensure that MMORPGs do not lose this advantage, they urgently need to focus more on diversity and better integrate player types who do not want to fight. And that’s exactly why I believe that Cozy Games are currently almost the better MMORPGs.
In a new strategy game on Steam, you play as a king who must keep a close eye on his subjects. Twitch streamer Max “HandOfBlood” Knabe is already excited – as are 83% of players who have left a review.
Which game are we talking about? The game in question is The King is Watching. Developer Hypnohead describes his game as a roguelite kingdom-building simulation. The game was released on July 21, 2025, and so far it has been very well received by players:
Out of over 600 reviews on Steam, 83% are positive, resulting in an overall rating of “very positive”.
The interesting gameplay, depth, and variety of options the game offers are praised. The visual style is also highlighted positively.
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The King is Watching: In the new strategy game on Steam you have to pay close attention
A Hänno-certified “Banger”
Twitch streamer HandOfBlood (often referred to as Hänno) has already played the game live. You can find a recording of it on YouTube. He himself refers to The King is Watching as a “brand new banger” – which may also be due to its similarities to his own game.
Steam user JinDiesel writes in his review: “If you like 9 Kings or Monster Train, […] then this is exactly your game.”
9 Kings, in this case, is the game in which HandOfBlood was involved with his company INSTINCT3 as the publisher. By the way, MeinMMO author Johanna has written a play report about it:
What is The King is Watching about? You manage your own kingdom as you fend off hordes of enemies turn by turn. The unique aspect of the game is that you must keep a close eye on your kingdom.
As a king, you must constantly survey your castle. However, if you don’t look somewhere, your subjects will immediately stop working.
It is up to you to decide what priorities you set: Are you keeping a watchful eye on resource production? Or on the training of new troops?
With resources, you expand your field of vision and ensure that more operations are active simultaneously.
Until July 28, you can get The King is Watching on Steam for €13.49. After that, the game will cost €14.99. However, trying it out won’t cost anything – there is a free demo available.
In Helldivers 2, the clever minds solved a puzzle in May and earned a cloak for it. But there is a new puzzle on the cloak that the community must solve.
What kind of cloak is it? In Helldivers 2, the clever warriors received a new type of task in May. In an “Alternate Reality Game” (ARG), players had to prove that they have not only muscles but also brains. In Discord, the community had to solve several difficult puzzles together.
They had to decode Morse code, change antenna angles with brute-forcing, and play a game that resembled Minesweeper. One task was to read a code from the profile pictures of the community managers of Helldivers 2. The profile pictures were made up of Braille, a writing system that blind people use to read texts.
Here you can watch the trailer for the latest war bond:
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Helldivers 2 shows its new war bond “Control Group”
A new puzzle
What kind of cloak is it? Although the developers are currently on summer vacation, they delivered a new cloak to the players as a farewell. The cloak shines in a violet color and has several dots on it.
Fans quickly realized that this is a homage to the puzzles from May, as the dots once again form a text in Braille. The developers have given the brave soldiers a new task to solve, namely to find out what is written on the cloak.
What is written on the cloak? The community immediately got to work and translated what is written on the new cloak. According to their decoding results on Reddit, it says “DCON”. The word is neither an abbreviation nor a code but the Discord handle of the person who played a key role in helping the developers with the ARG.
With the cloak, the developers thank the player and honor his achievements and work in a very special way.
How do the clever warriors react to it? That the developers of Helldivers 2 again use a written language that is hardly decipherable by people with low vision due to the display on a screen causes laughter in the community.
A user named Formal-Friend7845 posts the picture of the cloak on Reddit and asks: “Can someone who is blind please translate this?” In the comments, the following responses are made:
Master_Majestico says: “I am blind… I cannot see the picture.”
Evil_Squirrel8 responds: “Then just feel it, buddy.”
RockRage– follows the advice and says: “Okay, I just touched my phone and it says ‘Freedom’.”
ArelMCII: “I asked my blind friend and he said: ‘Computer monitor.'”
Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang explains in an interview that he works 7 days a week. Even when he watches a movie, he cannot forget about work.
In a conversation with Stripe founder Patrick Collison on YouTube, Jensen Huang explained to his conversation partner that he is even occupied with work when he is resting or watching a movie. “When I’m not working, I think about work,” he says.
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In Germany, there are over 400 USB sticks protruding from walls – What is the ‘Dead Drops’ project?
However, to make his company the most valuable firm in the world, he had to make some compromises. This includes not having a real work-life balance in his daily life. In the interview, he told his conversation partner (via Fortune.com):
I work from waking up until going to bed. I work seven days a week. When I’m not working, I think about work (…) I watch movies, but I don’t remember them because I think about work.
And he added that he wants to transform Nvidia into a giant AI: One of his biggest dreams is for every area of his company to use AI intensively. After that, he could still think about a better work-life balance:
I want to make NVIDIA into one giant AI. How great would that be? And then I finally have work-life balance.
One of the most successful Twitch streamers is Cody “Clix” Conrad, at least when it comes to Fortnite. Now, he has banned a charitable donor who transferred over 30,000 euros to him.
How did the ban happen? The Twitch streamer Clix noticed a particularly generous viewer who is said to have distributed over 30,000 euros to streamers in one month. He confronted the boy, who claims to be just 15 years old.
The 15-year-old revealed that he earned over 15,000 euros through stocks. When asked if he had gone into debt because of it, he replied that he was close to it. The money was donated from his own credit card, which is said to be under his father’s name, as the boy is not yet of legal age.
According to the viewer, his father found out that he had donated so much money. He became angry and told his son not to spend any more money.
This unfortunately did not last long, as right at the beginning of Clix’s stream, the 15-year-old donated a small amount again. Clix decided to ban the boy as a result.
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In Fortnite gäbe es beinahe nie Crossover – Bis 2018 das Telefon klingelte
15-Year-Old Explains the Reason for Huge Donation
Why did he donate? According to the 15-year-old, he enjoyed spending the money. It released dopamine in him, an amino of the body that is responsible for feelings of happiness.
He also stated that he is not dependent on the money. Clix directly contradicts him vehemently, stating that a 15-year-old can certainly use money.
What is also noticeable: The boy repeatedly emphasizes that he is disabled. What kind of disability he suffers from and whether that is even true cannot be determined from the stream.
What do others say? On X.com, many doubt that the 15-year-old earned the money through stocks. In the barrage of questions, the boy revealed that his parents are wealthy. Some users therefore suspect that the teenager simply used his parents’ money.
The community is also divided about what should happen to the money that the boy donated. Some are in favor of giving him the money back. Others say he needs to learn from his actions:
hhbddaryl would give the money back: “The damn idiot [Clix] says, I don’t want to encourage refunds. If you really care, just tell him to refund the money.”
Obungamoto thinks the teenager will soon regret it: “This boy will regret donating 30k to streamers in a few years while doing a job he hates.”
weezard0f0z thinks that the boy can only learn this way: “Best, we let him learn the hard way, because the boy seems to be an idiot who would do it again immediately.”
Some users also accuse on Reddit that he should contact the child’s parents instead of just keeping the money and banning the viewer.
Something unusual is happening with Final Fantasy XI. The 23-year-old MMORPG is experiencing a surge in players and has to take action.
What kind of MMORPG is this? Final Fantasy XI is the first online installment of the series and was released by Square Enix in 2002. The MMORPG takes place in a persistent world shared with thousands of other players. Due to its age, FFXI is an old-school MMORPG where leveling is still a tedious process that can take many hours.
The holy trinity of healer, tank, and damage dealer is also present. The roles are expanded by “pullers” and “debuffers” that fulfill additional functions in the group. Typical of the old-school MMORPG is the high level of difficulty, which demands much from the players.
Now the MMORPG is experiencing a kind of renaissance, and the new content of the successor is to blame.
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2015 Trailer Shows Version Update for Final Fantasy XI with Many New Features
Between Renaissance and Nostalgia
Why is the MMORPG so popular right now? Final Fantasy XI is currently more popular than it has been for a long time. The reason for this is, ironically, the new raid in Final Fantasy XIV, which represents a kind of crossover event “Echoes of Vana’diel” between the MMORPG and its predecessor.
The raid brings players of part 14 against familiar enemies from the predecessor, showcases iconic areas from back then, and brings popular characters together. For the veterans, it’s a perfect moment to relive the memories, while gamers who have not played the predecessor experience a kind of best-of.
This collaboration attracts both old and new players to try out the predecessor or log back into their old characters. This is supported by a discount campaign from the developers (via playonline.com), allowing players to get the subscription for the MMORPG at half price.
What are the effects of the surge? That so many people are taking advantage of the offer and revisiting or newly entering Final Fantasy XI was probably something the developers themselves didn’t expect. They react correspondingly surprised in their message to the fans from July 22, 2025 (via playonline.com).
Producer and Director Yoji Fujito expresses his gratitude in the message to the new players but also admits that the many new players have affected the servers.
It has been noted that the concentration of player populations on certain worlds has led to a number of unexpected issues that somewhat impair the quality of the experience. This includes things like incorrectly displayed system messages in Vana’Bout.
He further announces that the developers have decided to lock the largest server “Asura” for new characters. Exceptions are new characters from accounts that already have a character there. This aims to distribute the load of new players across other servers and stabilize the most popular server of the MMORPG. The changes are to take effect from July 29, 2025.
The increase in player numbers due to the crossover event between the two MMORPGs is good news for the developers. The fact that they now even have to close the largest server clearly indicates the great success of the action. The discount campaign likely had a significant impact as a survey shows: An 22-year-old MMORPG asks how it can win back its players – They give a clear answer
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Players of Ghost of Tsushima can surely remember some monotonous side quests. The team of Ghost of Yotei wants to make certain quests more varied for PS5.
Which tasks are we talking about? In Ghost of Tsushima, it is not enough to complete the story to earn the coveted Platinum Trophy. In addition, players must complete duels or learn combat stances.
While many trophies are varied, there are some for which players have to go through a monotonous process. For the achievement “Body, Mind, and Soul,” fans have the task of finding all hot springs, haikus, Inari shrines, and bamboo stands.
To discover the Inari shrines, players need to follow a fox that leads them to the shrine. Since there are 49 shrines, it has become a boring task that has taken a lot of time.
Ghost of Yotei: New trailer shows all you need to know about the PS5 title
Ghost of Yotei should not offer a boring fox hunt
How do the developers want to prevent that? In an interview with Automaton, the co-director of Ghost of Yotei, ironically named Nate Fox, revealed that the predecessor suffered from the pace of explorations and minigames. The developers reportedly received much criticism that some gameplay elements were too repetitive.
The pursuit of the fox was not very varied and felt like a tedious chore. But the developers want to counteract that:
Ghost of Yotei improves [the minigame segments] in the sense that we do not let players go through the same thing over and over again when their curiosity leads them to discover new secrets. We have prepared different types of outcomes that may exceed the player’s expectations. We believe that the beauty of open-world games lies in exploration, so we were determined to provide players with a varied experience.
As examples, the development team mentioned Sumi-e painting in first-person perspective or the marble game Ohajiki. It seems that the repetitive tasks will be replaced by more varied minigames.
However, this could have the downside that it may take longer for players to have the Platinum Trophy in their collection. Whether the more varied gameplay takes more time was not revealed by Fox.
EA shows in the new FC 26 trailer how dribbling is finally supposed to become smoother and easier – all without stick acrobatics. What that exactly means, you can find out here.
This is the new dribbling: In FC 26 dribbling is supposed to work significantly easier – even without complicated skill move combos. Additionally, there will be quite a few technical changes to dribbling. This is called “Dynamic Dribbling” and is supposed to improve not only the dribbling itself but also change the overall gameplay feel in 1-on-1 situations.
The major gameplay innovations, as well as further adjustments to dribbling, can be watched here in the Deep Dive trailer.
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Deep Dive trailer on gameplay shows 2 different gameplays and numerous adjustments
Automatic Skill Moves without Finger Acrobatics
While in previous FIFA and FC versions one had to master some crazy stick combos, in FC 26, according to EA, a simple stick flick is enough, and the player then automatically decides which trick fits.
This sounds quite exciting, especially for newcomers or players who have never ventured into skills before. At the same time, there will probably still be the option to execute classic skill moves manually.
It remains to be seen which skill moves will be used here and whether more complicated tricks can also be executed with just one stick flick.
Additionally, according to Pitch Notes, the following changes will be made to dribbling:
Ball touches: The distance between ball touches while dribbling has been adjusted. It now varies depending on the game mode (Competitive or Authentic).
Player size: Large and small players are supposed to move just as fluidly. Speed and animations are better adjusted to body size.
Preferred foot: The dribbling foot behavior has been overhauled. Players use left or right more intelligently, depending on the situation and direction.
Jog dribble: The running speed during relaxed dribbling has been increased. Ball control is also more precise. Direction changes should become more intuitive.
Animation transitions: Movements should transition noticeably smoother into each other. The classic “sticking” in animations should be reduced.
With the overhaul, something also falls away: Agile Dribbling – that is, dribbling with L2 + R2 – has been completely removed in FC 26. EA replaces the system with new animations and logics that are supposed to kick in automatically. For fans of the “old” precise dribbling, this could mean an adjustment.
The new dribbling system in FC 26 sounds promising. EA promises more control, more realistic movements, and less frustration with tricks. Whether it will truly be as intuitive as the Deep Dive suggests will only show on the pitch.
Sennheiser has launched a new headphone: Open headphones that are supposed to be suitable not only for music but also for gaming. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann tested them and wore the headphones for several weeks in everyday life.
What kind of device is this? With the Sennheiser HD 550, the manufacturer has introduced a new headphone for €299.99. The headphone is aimed at individuals looking for open headphones for music. At the same time, the new headphones are also supposed to be suitable for gaming. Sennheiser emphasized during the presentation that this is not a pure gaming headphone.
In the meantime, I have been able to test the headphones for about 3 months in everyday life. I have worn the headphones for over 250 hours, averaging 4 hours a day. Therefore, the 250 hours are a conservative estimate.
I have a passion for hardware and tech and currently own over 20 gaming mice, along with several keyboards and controllers. Since 2019, I have been testing hardware for MeinMMO for our readers. In addition to the PC and major consoles, I also game on the Steam Deck.
Our device is a review sample that Microsoft provided us for testing.
Benedikt Schlotmann Hardware Editor MeinMMO
Technical Details
Here you will find all the important technical details of the headset in a table:
Model
Sennheiser HD 550
Connection
3.5 mm or 6.3 mm jack
Platform
PC, Console (via controller or external USB adapter)
Package Contents
Headphones; 1.8m long cable with 3.5 mm jack; screwable 3.5 to 6.35 mm jack adapter; carrying case
Special Features
Impedance of 150 ohms
Weight
237 grams
Price (RRP)
€299.99
Design and Build
What is included in the delivery? The headphones are delivered with a 1.8m long cable with a 3.5mm jack. Additionally, a screwable 3.5 to 6.35 mm jack adapter and a carrying case are included in the box.
Construction of the headset: The HD 550 is an open headphone. The advantage is that the headphones have a wide soundstage: instruments and vocals can be well differentiated and located in space. The sound is thus airy and less constrained, which is a problem that in-ear headphones often have due to their design.
However, there is also a clear disadvantage: on the one hand, outsiders can clearly perceive your music or whatever you are currently listening to. On the other hand, open headphones have poor sound isolation. In everyday life, I can hear everything my wife is doing in the background when she’s on the phone, watching a series, or playing on the PC.
Processing
The headphones can be partially disassembled and re-equipped with spare parts: the cable can be removed and replaced with another cable. Disadvantage: Only Sennheiser’s cables fit, and no third-party products can be used. This is due to a locking mechanism that secures the cable in the headphone’s housing. Other cables can be plugged in but do not fit tightly and immediately come loose.
The ear pads can also be removed and replaced with new pads. The ear pads cost directly from Sennheiser around €30.
The headphones themselves are made of a combination of plastic and metal mesh, which is supposed to ensure high durability. In my everyday life, I have not had any problems with the device so far.
Sennheiser HD 550: jack cable with swivel adapter
Software
There is no actual software tailored directly to the headphones. If you want to use an equalizer or change the sound, you need to use third-party software. Sennheiser itself does not provide dedicated software for the HD 550 on PC or console.
Comfort and Weight
What does my head look like? My head circumference is about 58 cm, so I have a rather smaller head.
Weight: The HD550 weighs 237 grams and is thus among the lighter representatives on the market of headphones and headsets.
How do the headphones feel? On average, I have worn the HD550 about 6 hours a day. This includes conversations with colleagues or gaming sessions where I also wear the device. In the long term, the headphones can get warm but not uncomfortable. The fabric pads were therefore a good choice. The low weight of 237 grams also contributes to the comfortable wear of the headphones.
Not quite optimal: I can feel the padded headband after longer sessions on my head. This is annoying, but slight adjustment of the headphones on my head helps here.
Sennheiser HD 550: side view with head
Sound
Sennheiser emphasizes that with the HD550 they wanted to deliver an entry-level model with a neutral and balanced sound.
And that’s exactly what you also get with the headphones. In everyday use, the model convinces me especially with music, as the neutral sound image comes into its own here. Since the HD550 does not overly emphasize bass like many “true” gaming models, explosions do not sound as impressive, but the highs and mids sound more present.
The strength of the HD 550 lies especially in the midrange, as it sounds not only balanced but also very present: instruments and voices are clearly separated from each other and well locatable in the space. Especially individual instruments stand out well. This is also due to the open design of the headphones. Music and gaming are therefore a lot of fun.
Locating opponents also works very well: in Vermintide 2 or Darktide, where it is vital to be able to assign your opponents to a direction, this usually works very well, as the mentioned games also provide good sound material. Good sound material is essential: in Marvel Rivals, steps sound so muffled that assigning them becomes difficult.
Sennheiser HD 550 with box.
Conclusion: Great headphones that are also suitable for gaming
For whom is the headset suitable? If you are looking for a pure gaming headset or headphones that are clearly geared towards gaming, with powerful bass and adjustable equalizer, then you are in the wrong place. However, if you are looking for headphones that want a balanced and neutral sound without overwhelming you, then you are receiving a very good model from Sennheiser here.
For currently around €250 market price, you can hardly go wrong if you do not only want to play but also want to listen to music or watch series. Unless you want to listen to music in the subway or are often on the go. In that case, closed headphones or in-ears with noise cancellation are the better recommendation.
What alternatives are there?
The Hifiman Sundara is now available for just under €300 and uses planar drivers. In terms of sound, it offers a lot, but it is very heavy (400 grams).
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is considered one of the best noise-canceling models and is regularly available for under €300. The model is also wireless.
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X is also available for under €300, delivers excellent sound quality, and is also durable. The model is wired like the HD 550.
For the last 20 years, one game has dominated the MMORPG market like no other: World of Warcraft. But for MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus, an even older MMORPG was groundbreaking: Ragnarok Online. To this day, he raves about it and is particularly in love with the class system, which is unparalleled.
I have tried a lot of things. Wildstar will forever be a lost love, The Secret World gave me the best quest experiences, as long as it actually worked, and I have been continuously loyal to World of Warcraft since just before The Burning Crusade.
Even before I started with WoW back then, I was already a subscriber to Ragnarok Online. The isometric MMORPG visually resembles the certainly much better-known Tibia or even RuneScape.
The Grind Festival from July 21 to 27 In this week, you can expect exciting articles every day on the subject of MMORPGs. Included: a journey through the history of online role-playing games, as well as nostalgic retrospectives, streaming evenings, interviews, columns, and analyses.
Back then, I had to beg my parents to buy me another 3 months of playtime, and that was probably one of the reasons why I received little to no pocket money otherwise. But even in hindsight as an adult, it was worth it.
The Korean MMORPG is set in a world inspired by Norse mythology, which fascinates me to this day. However, what captivated me from the very first moment was the class system.
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Ragnarok Online stellt die 4th Jobs vor, die neue Stufe der Klassen
“Jobs” instead of classes with a real sense of progression
Unlike most MMORPGs, in Ragnarok Online you do not choose a class during character creation. Instead, you have points to invest in different attributes like intelligence, dexterity, and strength – just like in Dungeons & Dragons.
Everyone starts as a “Novice” and must first beat up (more or less) defenseless enemies to level up. There is a distinction between character level and job level: one increases your attributes, the other your skills.
From job level 10 as a novice, you can choose your first profession, and just that is already an adventure. Every profession is taught in a different city known for that profession. To this day, I can still recall every city by heart:
Swordsmen are trained in Izlude
Archers in Payon
Merchants are trained in Alberta
Thieves have their headquarters in Morocc
the magical city of Geffen houses the Academy for Mages
and those who want to join the church become Acolytes in Prontera.
The jobs are not only relevant for pure combat gameplay, as is often the case in MMORPGs. They are real “professions.” For instance, only Merchants can truly open shops to sell items to other players. Their advanced professions create potions or forge items.
Every job change is associated with a quest that is more or less easy to master. These entrance exams serve as a narrative to draw you into the world. Since Ragnarok Online has little storytelling through quests otherwise, each of these job quests was always a highlight for me.
This is what one of the steps in character creation looks like. Image source: Fandom
Ragnarok Online has continuously improved the class system over the years
However, this is not the end. From a job level of at least 40, you can choose a “second job.” Each class has two paths from then on that it can pursue to specialize and fulfill certain classic MMORPG roles:
Swordsmen become Knights or Crusaders.
Archers become Hunters, males can also become Bards and females can become Dancers.
Mages can ascend to Wizard or Sage.
Merchants become Blacksmiths or Alchemists.
As Thieves, you can become Assassin or Rogue.
Acolytes either become Priests or combat Monks.
In later updates, the class system was further expanded. With the “Renewal” update, there was the option to play “reborn” characters: upon reaching the maximum level, you can reset to level 1, become a “Super Novice,” and embark on transcended job paths.
Furthermore, a third and even fourth tier of jobs were introduced, which ultimately represent the pinnacle of the class. However, these never made it to Europe.
Over the years, many more jobs were added, including so-called “Extended Classes” like Taekwon Boy/Girl, Ninja, or Gunslinger, each with its own career paths.
This is what the class flowchart in the international Ragnarok Online looks like.
The constant grind fits with leveling
If you think that this all sounds like a lot of work… yes, it is. Immensely so. However, Ragnarok Online, typical for Korean MMOs, is heavily geared towards grind. There are hardly any quests and those that exist rarely grant significant rewards – at least used to. Mostly, they are access quests for dungeons and such.
Leveling occurs purely through grinding, meaning: you beat up enemies, and a lot of them, and constantly. What usually annoys me in games works for me in Ragnarok Online because each class has a different leveling area.
Depending on the pros and cons of the class, certain maps are better or worse suited for leveling. And leveling up occurs quite frequently in the first 30-40 hours, creating a sense that you are actually making progress.
Only towards the end does the grind stretch out, and that is when I often stopped and preferred to try something new. But that was always the fun of it for me: the path of a new job and experimenting with new builds.
Ragnarok has eventually sunk and never had a worthy successor
Unfortunately, Ragnarok Online has not held up in Europe at least. The EU servers were shut down in 2018, and the international servers do not function here due to a geo-block.
The game generally runs mostly on private servers, and the largest populations can be found in Brazil, Korea, and Taiwan. In Europe, it is difficult to reliably find a place to play. On Steam, the European version is blocked in Germany.
Ragnarok Online has had several successors, including Ragnarok 2, Ragnarok 3 and a few mobile spin-offs. None of these were really well received or could showcase the strengths of Ragnarok Online.
Other MMORPGs with a similar system have never existed, and if they did, they were either cheap copies, with cash grab mechanics, or with other problems. The combination of Norse fantasy world, progression, and unique class system has been lost with Ragnarok Online. But well, if the publisher doesn’t want me in Ragnarok, I will soon dive into the new Warhammer MMO: A new MMO set in Warhammer sounds almost too good to be true – This is what we know
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Scientists throw a cow deep into the Chinese sea and discover unexpected guests. What begins as a simple research experiment turns into a discovery that challenges the understanding of sharks, deep sea, and climate change.
This experiment is about: As reported by IGN Brasil, researchers sank a dead cow 1,600 meters deep in the South China Sea. The aim of the experiment was to simulate the natural decay of a whale body – a so-called “Whale Fall”, where a carcass becomes the center of an entire deep-sea ecosystem over the years.
Instead of a whale, a dead cow served as a substitute in this case. It was sunk at a continental slope off the island of Hainan at a depth of 1,629 meters. Because it is relatively close in size and tissue to a whale and much easier to obtain. According to a study published on June 1, 2025, in the journal Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, the researchers wanted to observe which animals would be attracted by it.
The depth is not only full of mysteries in reality – in games like Subnautica, the unknown beneath the ocean surface is encountered in impressive ways. Watch the video about the game here.
Start video
In Subnautica you build your base on the seabed
What lies dormant in the deep
What was attracted by the experiment? Particularly surprising was the appearance of eight Pacific sleeper sharks – a species of shark that has only been documented in the cold North Pacific before. This is the first confirmed sighting of this species in the South China Sea. All identified specimens were female. It was previously assumed that these sharks only lived in the North Pacific, from Japan to Baja California. The new sighting challenges this picture.
The sighting marks the southernmost known point of their occurrence in the entire Pacific basin. Biologists are now examining whether their habitat has shifted due to environmental changes or if an undiscovered population lives here, possibly even a refuge for females or juveniles.
What was special about the behavior of the animals? The underwater cameras documented an almost polite behavior: the sharks arranged themselves in a sort of rotation to feed one after the other. Larger animals were more targeted and aggressive, while smaller ones held back initially. Instead of a chaotic fight, there was an orderly system, an indication of social feeding hierarchies that have been little known in predatory fish.
The sharks also retracted their eyes while feeding. Since they lack a nictitating membrane – a protective third eyelid – researchers interpret this as a natural self-protection mechanism. Similar mechanisms are known only from a few species. Additionally, several animals showed conspicuous parasites in their eyes, presumably copepods. Such parasitic infestations typically only occur in Greenland sharks, a close relative.
What other species also appeared? In addition to the sharks, snailfishes and numerous amphipods were also documented. Small, shrimp-like crustaceans that usually only settle on carcasses after a longer time. This suggests that tropical deep-sea ecosystems may be more productive than previously thought.
What does this mean for research? The discovery raises important questions. Have habitats shifted due to climate change? Or is the South China Sea simply still under-researched? The frequent occurrence of sharks in this region could indicate both. The high activity of the sharks might suggest that there are more food sources at this depth than previously suspected. Future comparative studies from other marine regions should help learn more about energy flows, breeding grounds, and behavioral patterns of large deep-sea species.
Whether in the deep sea or at the surface: extreme conditions often demand unusual adaptations. While sharks react with rotational behavior at 1,600 meters depth, humans often reach for the wrong solutions in heat. Why you should prefer tea over cold water in hot weather shows how surprisingly effective the body functions.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
In Pokémon GO a double event has been announced. And it brings really strong attackers and additional content.
What kind of events are these? During Pokémon Presents, where a new promo code for Pokémon GO was also released, there were also details about a double event – the Dyna-Finale. This consists of the events “Darkness” and the “Dyna-Finale” itself.
The “Darkness” event will start on August 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM and run until August 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Following this will be the Dyna-Finale, which will take place on August 23 and 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
After the strong monster Endynalos was already teased for the Dyna-Finale in the past, more content is now known. We will show you what it is.
All contents of the Darkness event
What does the GO Pass bring? With the start of the Darkness event, you will receive a GO Pass. Here you can also purchase the paid deluxe version. Both versions run until Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM.
The highlight of the GO Pass is Endynalos, which you can obtain here. It does not matter whether you own the free or the paid version. You will also receive additional Dynamax Pokémon, candies for Endynalos and other monsters, as well as Dyna particles.
While you can earn a limited amount of points every day during the Darkness event, there will be no limitation on points during the Dyna-Finale.
In the deluxe version of the pass, you also get an increased shiny chance on Dyna monsters from raids, an avatar item, additional candies and XL candies, as well as more Dyna particles and encounters with Pokémon.
Which monsters are there in Dyna battles? During the event, all Dyna Pokémon that are currently available in the game will await you on different days.
Monday, August 18, 2025:
Dynamax-Squirtle*
Dynamax-Caterpie*
Dynamax-Gastly*
Dynamax-Krabby*
Dynamax-Potrot*
Dynamax-Sableye*
Dynamax-Bagon*
Dynamax-Latias*
Dynamax-Latios*
Dynamax-Trubbish*
Dynamax-Sobble
Dynamax-Brimstone
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 and Wednesday, August 20, 2025:
Dynamax-Charmander*
Dynamax-Amonite*
Dynamax-Kabuto*
Dynamax-Articuno*
Dynamax-Zapdos*
Dynamax-Moltres*
Dynamax-Duskull*
Dynamax-Rotom*
Dynamax-Frosmoth*
Dynamax-Mr. Mime*
Dynamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Dynamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Thursday, August 21, 2025 and Friday, August 22, 2025:
Dynamax-Bulbasaur*
Dynamax-Machop*
Dynamax-Chansey*
Dynamax-Raikou*
Dynamax-Suicune*
Dynamax-Entei*
Dynamax-Wailmer*
Dynamax-Flapple*
Dynamax-Quartermak*
Dynamax-Chimpep
Dynamax-Raichu*
Dynamax-Wooloo*
Dynamax-Deoxys*
Monsters marked with a * can also appear as shiny.
What monsters are waiting in Raids? The following raids await you at the event:
1-Star Raids:
Fatalitee
3-Star Raids:
Galar-Porenta*
Galar-Smogmog*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
5-Star Raids
Zacian* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 21, 2025)
Zamazenta* (August 18 to August 20, 2025 and August 22, 2025)
Zacian (King of the Sword)* (August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)* (August 22, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM)
If you defeat Zacian and Zamazenta in their forms King of the Sword and King of the Shield, you will also receive the respective energy needed for the form changes of the two monsters.
Again, all monsters marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies.
Which Pokémon are there in the wild? In the wild, the following monsters await you during the event:
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Raffel and Wooloo can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What bonuses are there in the event? In addition to many Pokémon, there will also be the following bonuses during the event:
more power sources
power sources renew more frequently
increased collection limit for Dyna particles
temporary research with candies for Zacian and Zamazenta and encounters with Chimpep, Hopplo, and Memmeon
All contents of the Dyna-Finale
What Dyna battles are there in the event? In the Dyna-Finale, you can challenge and defeat Endynalos in its Unendynamax form in Dyna battles. However, it will not be catchable here. Instead, you will receive candies and XL candies for the monster as a reward.
In addition, all Gigantamax Pokémon that exist in the game so far will appear in power sources at different times.
Time
Monsters on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monsters on Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Gigantamax-Lapras*
Gigantamax-Gortrom
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gigantamax-Snorlax*
Gigantamax-Charizard*
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Gigantamax-Gengar*
Gigantamax-Butterfree*
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Gigantamax-Intelleon
Gigantamax-Kingler*
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gigantamax-Venusaur*
Gigantamax-Blastoise*
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Gigantamax-Machamp*
Gigantamax-Cinderace
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Gigantamax-Relicanth (High-Form)*
Gigantamax-Relicanth (Low-Form)*
Additionally, Pokémon can also appear in their Dynamax forms on both days.
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be obtained as shinies with some luck.
What raids are there in the event? In raids, the following monsters await you:
1-Star Raids:
dapper Pikachu with red accents*
dapper Pikachu with blue accents*
dapper Pikachu with yellow accents*
3-Star Raids:
Legios with pull strength*
5-Star Raids:
Zacian (King of the Sword)*
Zamazenta (King of the Shield)*
All monsters in raids can also appear as shiny after a successful battle.
What Pokémon are there in the wild? Even on these two days, you can encounter various monsters in the wild:
Bulbasaur*
Charmander*
Squirtle*
Chimpep
Hopplo
Memmeon
Raffel*
Wooloo*
Caterpie* (rare)
Gastly* (rare)
Chansey* (rare)
Potrot* (rare)
Sableye* (rare)
Bagon* (rare)
Flapple* (rare)
Trubbish* (rare)
Legios* (rare)
What bonuses are there in the event? The following bonuses are expected in the Dyna-Finale:
additional power sources are active
power sources renew more frequently
collection limit for Dyna particles is increased
double catch candies
double chance for XL candies when catching Pokémon
no limit for remote raids
temporary research
field research with Kabuto*, Amonite*, and Trubbish* (can also appear as shiny)
It will still be a while until the big double event. But until then, there are of course events, raids, and additional content for you in Pokémon GO. What those are and what to expect there can be found in our overview with all events in July 2025 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
When MeinMMO editor Jasmin Beverungen watched the Pokémon Presents after the hour-long DJ session with Pikachu, she had very low expectations. But Legends Z-A surprised her with a special feature.
Since the announcement of the Switch 2, I have been conflicted. I have been a Nintendo fan since childhood and loyal to every console (yes, even the Wii U!). But the Switch 2 has so few innovations for me that I currently have no interest in it.
The same goes for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. For many, the game may be a reason to switch to the Switch 2. But since the bug debacle with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, I actually planned to skip Legends: Z-A and wait for another hit for the Switch 2 as a reason to buy. There are several reasons for this:
Even many years after the release of Scarlet & Violet, there are still bugs that I would not expect in a full version of a game. My trust in the development team is shaken.
The graphics did not differ much in quality from Scarlet & Violet. I have prepared myself for boring assets and a low level of detail.
I am unsure whether the features presented so far will keep me engaged for long.
I had already given up on Legends: Arceus back then. Over time, the gameplay became too monotonous for me, and the game world was… not my thing.
But thanks to the new trailer from Pokémon Presents, I know I will have to buy a Switch 2 this year after all. A feature was presented there that will likely keep me busy for several hours.
Start video
Pokémon Legends: Z-A presents a new story trailer for Switch
Pokémon Legends: Z-A features the most detailed character editor
For many, it may seem like a minor detail, but for me, it means a lot. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, there will be the most detailed character editor ever. The trailer clearly shows that the character can be individually customized, not just by skin and eye color.
In the game, there will be a hair salon where you can adjust your hairstyle and hair color. It is even possible to create 2 different hair colors. Additionally, there were so many outfits shown in the trailer, which even allow for adjustments to earrings.
To stand out from the crowd, you can even set different color combinations for the outfits. The trailer showed several examples that are even inspired by designs from Pokémon.
I particularly liked the badass outfit of the trainer who is traveling with Emolga. You can see it either in the trailer or in the title image.
What sounds like a foundation for MMORPG players is a revolution for Pokémon fans. Until now, it was only possible to buy pre-made clothing and choose hairstyles, if at all.
It is even possible to set two hair colors.
Pokémon X and Y were the first games that made it possible to buy clothes in a boutique and change hairstyles in salons. No wonder those editions have earned a special place in my heart.
Since Sword and Shield, the options have become even more numerous, but not as detailed as in Legends: Z-A. And as simple as it may sound: For me, character customization is a reason to give the game another chance. So you will not see me fighting for ranks, but photographing my new styles in Illumina City.
The only downside: I find it a shame that there will be no multiplayer mode. It would have been great to hang out with other fashionistas in the city and exchange outfits. So all I can do is share photos with other trainers to show them how stylish I look in the game.
What do you think about the feature? Is it important for you to be able to customize your trainer? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Janwoski was shockingly in love with a completely different detail from the trailer. She was immediately thrilled by Mega Dracozolt, which with its new appearance resembles a mix of Dracozolt and Dratini: Mega Dracozolt from Pokémon Legends A-Z finally has what I’ve always missed
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Neil Newbon, the popular voice of Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, has started a podcast where he demonstrates that Dungeons & Dragons is anything but dry rule sets. And you don’t even need to know D&D for that.
What kind of podcast is it? Neil Newbon, the beloved and well-known voice of Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3, has started his own podcast. Under the name Dungeons & Dragons & Dramas (short: D3), he offers auditory sessions of a different kind of Dungeons & Dragons.
He himself describes it more as a kind of improv-comedy radio play in podcast form that appears twice a month (see YouTube). You explicitly don’t need to know Dungeons & Dragons and you don’t even have to be a role-player to enjoy it and understand it. They only use the rules in a very simplified way and hardly have them as a theme within the episodes, as he explains via YouTube.
The story revolves around four theater creators in northern England who have to get by and perform a high-fantasy play in a community theater group. Until they are suddenly actually transported to a magical realm and the adventure begins.
Neil Newbon himself acts as the “Drama Master”, meaning the Dungeon Master or game leader of the round, who guides the players through the story. Alongside him, Devora Wilde (Lae’zel from Baldur’s Gate 3), Inel Tomlinson (Final Fantasy XVI), and Tom De Ville (writer for Hannibal) are part of the cast.
Currently, it can only be heard via Patreon with a subscription. However, the episodes are set to be made freely available on YouTube and Spotify two months after their release.
In a new horror game, you can also see Neil Newbon in a leading role as an actor:
Start video
Dead Take on Steam makes Neil Newbon and Ben Starr border crossers between film and game
“I really like the podcast!”
How is the podcast being received so far? The first episodes are well received by fans, and the concept also excites the community. Both on YouTube and on Reddit, there are numerous voices who have even created an account on Patreon specifically for the podcast and do not regret the decision:
@rachelchristian2925 comments on YouTube: “I had never had Patreon before, signed up to get it, and it was so much fun!”
@Terigation is particularly impressed by the audio quality via YouTube: “I think one of my favorite things is the audio quality. It really makes my nerves tingle. It has also helped me sleep a bit better lately.”
@terryenby2304 is excited via YouTube: “YAY! I really like the podcast! I can’t wait to share it with others when it becomes available for free!”
laviothanglory writes on Reddit: “I listened to it as soon as it came out, and it was brilliant.”
Sexy_Anemone considers via Reddit: “I read the description and find it super interesting! The isekai idea is actually something I’ve considered for my own players – as far as my online research shows, no one has done that before, so we are treading new ground. Maybe I’ll find some ideas in the podcast!”
Neil Newbon will also play a significant role in the upcoming horror game Dead Take alongside several other very well-known and popular voice actors. The title will be released on July 31, 2025, and blurs the lines between film and video game while familiar voices create the right atmosphere: Horror game on Steam coming soon and teaches you to fear with stars from Baldur’s Gate 3
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
After Minecraft, the next video game adaptation is set for 2025, but it is certainly not for children. The big star of Mortal Kombat 2 is an actor who has already caused great chaos in The Boys. The first trailer managed to pique the interest of many viewers.
What kind of movie is this? In 2021, a new film based on the popular video game series Mortal Kombat was released, which is especially known for its high level of violence. The sequel is set to follow in October 2025, focusing not on Cole, but on Johnny Cage, who should be familiar to many fans.
Instead of being on the big screen, action star Johnny Cage must face a major tournament that threatens the Earth. The main villain is Shao Kahn. Johnny Cage is played by Karl Urban, whom many viewers know as Butcher in The Boys.
In the trailer, you can see how he is chosen as a fighter by a superhuman being and has to confront opponents with various abilities.
The not-so-gentle trailer certainly generated a lot of attention.
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Mortal Kombat 2 – Trailer for the brutal video game adaptation
Trashy Action Gets a Lot of Attention
How was the trailer received? According to Deadline, the trailer, which was released on July 17, reached almost 107 million views worldwide within the first 24 hours. The trailer was released in 68 countries and 47 languages. This is the best result for a Red Band trailer ever. These are trailers for films that are not suitable for teens and children in the USA, including films like The Suicide Squad or Deadpool 2.
The numbers are the first indication that the film is highly anticipated by many viewers. Particularly interesting is the fact that Mortal Kombat is taking a direction towards action trash. The previous films and games have already leaned heavily into the absurd. With major successes like Deadpool and Wolverine, it seems a large part of the audience is excited for such films.
With Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, there is also an actor who has already showcased similar traits in The Boys. As an arrogant actor who must face somewhat demonic beings, he contrasts with the protagonist of the first film, who appeared much more grounded.
In the trailer, you can also see other fan favorites like Raiden, Shao Kahn, Sonya Blade, Kitana, Baraka, and Scorpion.
Will Mortal Kombat 2 be successful? The high view count does suggest that there is significant interest, but that does not guarantee that people will actually go to the theaters. Often, films only become successful in the streaming landscape. The name Mortal Kombat always carries a certain shock factor, and films rated 18 or 16 generally have a tougher time at the box office.
When does Mortal Kombat 2 come out in theaters? Mortal Kombat 2 is expected to hit theaters on October 23, 2025. By then, we will see how the immense interest translates into box office results. You can find more brutal action films here: 5 Movies like John Wick
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Fortnite, there haven’t always been live events. Its first was celebrated by the shooter in 2018 with Season 4, and this event is set to be showcased again in just a few days. How you can participate in this event is explained in our overview.
Anyone who didn’t play Fortnite at that time missed the event. However, Epic Games is now giving new players the chance to experience the old event through the Fortnite: OG mode. The live event is just around the corner and you can be there live.
Another iconic event from Fortnite is the one with the black hole:
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Fortnite: The One Time a Black Hole Swallowed You All
Everything Important About the Repeat of the First Live Event
When does the event start? The event has triggered a countdown in Fortnite, which ends on Saturday, July 26th at 8:00 PM. At this time, the live event in Fortnite will start.
How can I participate in this? This is still not entirely clear. In the more modern live events that Epic Games has prepared, there were dedicated modes for the live events.
However, since this is a rather small and old live event, we expect that you will just need to start a round in Fortnite: OG at the right time to see the event. We will update this section as soon as Epic Games shares more information about it.
Are there rewards for the event? Currently, there are no details about limited rewards for participation in the event. We will also update you on this part as soon as Epic Games releases more information.
Will there be repeats of the event? This is also not known yet. Since every live event causes a large influx of players, it’s quite possible that there will be several repeats of the event over the weekend. This ensures that every player has the chance to participate in the event.
On TikTok, Millennials are currently mocking Gen Z for being unable to engage in small talk. The reason is a habit known as the “Gen Z Stare” – but what is behind it?
What is the “staring gaze” about? Many users of social networks like TikTok – especially Millennials – refer to the supposedly blank, staring gaze of Gen Z as the “Gen Z Stare.” This occurs in very ordinary situations, such as when engaging a member of Gen Z in a normal conversation.
“They just look at you like they just saw a ghost,” says TikTok user “185dashuaige.”
Millennials (and some members of Generation Z) mock this behavior and upload videos in which they imitate this “Gen Z Stare”.
You can see such a clip here:
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A common accusation is that Gen Z no longer masters small talk and is even overwhelmed by simple conversations. However, many see other, less amusing reasons behind this behavior.
Lack of social skills or something else?
What does Gen Z say about this? TikTok user “tateytottz”, who is also an older member of Gen Z, clearly opposes the current discourse: “All I see is you guys bullying teenagers who are growing up in a much more difficult world than you did.” (via TikTok)
In a later clip on TikTok, she specifies again why Gen Z has a harder time building social skills.
On one hand, there is the Covid-19 pandemic that many Gen Z members experienced as teenagers. During those two to three years, it was particularly difficult, if not nearly impossible, to interact with others.
On the other hand, there is the growing dependence on technology, which has only increased since Corona.
“It’s really ironic that Gen X and Millennials are spearheading this conversation about the ‘Gen Z Stare’ […] when they are the same parents that hand their kid an iPad any time they experience an uncomfortable emotion,” she adds.
For anyone who really enjoys staring at maps, Paradox has exactly the right announcement:
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The announcement trailer for Europa Universalis V, the great 4X strategy game from Paradox on Steam
With each new video, new explanations for the “Gen Z Stare” also emerge:
“We just wanna be left alone,” comments BTR under a TikTok clip on the topic.
“I don’t really think it’s a lack of social skills. I just think we just don’t care,” explains TikToker Jetty._Wetty to NBC News.
So what is behind the “Gen Z Stare”? This question is not so easy to answer, as apparently everyone has a different picture of it in their mind. The reasons also seem to be diverse: Perhaps the person really has no idea how to react. Maybe they just had a bad day, are annoyed, or would simply prefer to be left alone.
On July 22, Wildgate was released on Steam and for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. This is a new multiplayer shooter developed by Moonshot Games – a studio that belongs to the game studio Dreamhaven, founded by former Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime.
What is Wildgate about? In Wildgate, you take on the role of a space crew that pilots their spaceship in first-person perspective through procedurally generated maps, searching for the most valuable object in the universe: the artifact.
The first player to defeat all opponents or escape with the artifact through the namesake Wildgate emerges victorious.
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Wildgate zeigt Gameplay im Trailer, sieht aus wie eine Mischung aus Concord und Overwatch
Hero shooter meets Sea of Thieves in space
What sets Wildgate apart? You spend the approximately 20-minute matches not only in your spaceship but also explore various celestial bodies in search of the artifact and loot that you can use to upgrade your world sailor.
Before a match begins, you also select a hero who is perfectly tailored for specific roles of space piracy with passive abilities, such as defending your own ship. After all, you are not the only ones hunting for the valuable artifact. You will repeatedly encounter other spaceships that are also controlled by players.
In true “Sea of Thieves” fashion, you naturally try to capsize your opponents’ star cruiser with various cannons or go aboard their ship as space pirates, clawing victory through classic shooter action and firepower. But you shouldn’t forget the maintenance of your own ship and must extinguish fires and repair damage.
How is Wildgate received? Wildgate recorded around 7,800 players on Steam on release day. More than 700 of them left a positive review. The reviews are full of praise, describing it as “the most fun in years” and calling the shooter “a refreshing change”.
“The best PvP multiplayer game in years. Please don’t let this game die.” – via Steam
“Wildgate reminds me of the times when FPS games felt almost magical, interesting, and a bit quirky – and not like an endless battle against a matchmaking system for rank points, with preset and overused strategies.” – via Steam
“This game is definitely worth your time and money. Wildgate has captivated me in a way that no game has since the original Overwatch in 2016. The characters are unique and relatable, the gunplay is really good (both in ship battles and on foot).” – via Steam
“There’s a lot of potential here. A truly fresh PvP experience with surprisingly deep gameplay for a first release.” – via Steam
Since the game is so well received by players, the community naturally hopes for the success of the space shooter and wants to prevent it from dying quickly. After initial mixed reviews in the first hours after release, a fan called on the game’s subreddit to write a positive review. On Steam, some reviews center around the core message “Please don’t die”.
Criticism of Wildgate mainly revolves around the in-game shop. Additionally, some players note that it’s not as fun to play solo as it is with friends because communication and teamwork are very important.
8 months after the release, the most beautiful MMORPG in the world has established itself on the market and is now taking its first steps towards expansion. But while new regions are enjoying their own servers, criticism of the monetization of World of Jade Dynasty is growing.
What is the status of the MMORPG? World of Jade Dynasty was released in China on December 19, 2024, and was considered a complete success shortly after its launch. Just one month after launch, the MMORPG had recouped its development costs – and was explicitly highlighted as a showcase title by the developers in the Year in Review from Perfect World.
Now, more than half a year later, the next phase begins: the expansion. The game will be released in additional regions around China. These include new servers in:
Macau
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Singapore
Malaysia
While these are not yet western markets, it is the first step in that direction. And especially Hong Kong and Singapore raise an exciting question about whether the game will actually receive an English localization there – which could be a strong indication of a global release.
Here you can see how beautiful the characters in the MMORPG look:
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The new MMORPG World of Jade Dynasty shows in the video how beautiful its characters look
Season change in the most beautiful MMORPG
What is happening in the game itself? The first season of World of Jade Dynasty is over, and the current content has long been conquered by the players. The developers have just released the second season of the MMORPG with fresher challenges and new content. The mood of the community over the past few months has shifted towards anticipation and impatience because the developers have taken quite some time with the major update.
And although the developers emphasized in the Year in Review that World of Jade Dynasty is to be developed as a prestige project in the long term – with new story content, major updates, and an active role of the community – it remains to be seen how Season 2 will affect long-term motivation. The start of a new season is always an impetus, but the challenge lies in keeping players engaged beyond the first weeks and avoiding a renewed phase of stagnation that was noticeable after the first season.
Nevertheless, the MMORPG remains stable even after half a year. In China, it continues to be among the most popular online games (via 17173.com). But with routine comes criticism – especially regarding monetization. The start of Season 2 will show whether the new content is sufficient to silence this criticism or if old discussions will flare up again.
The grinding festival from July 21 to July 27 In this week, you can expect exciting articles every day around the topic of MMORPGs. Included: a journey through the history of online role-playing games, nostalgic retrospectives, streaming nights, interviews, columns, and analyses.
What criticism is there? In the post on Baidu Tieba, many players discussed the monetization system. For Chinese players, there are currently too few exclusive, expensive skins intended for wealthy buyers. The game offers outfits that are too cheap, which would often return – basically the opposite of FOMO, the fear of missing out. For them, the most beautiful MMORPG in the world offers too few options for the “whales”.
What sounds like a dream for many players in the West is seen differently by players in China. They are used to different monetization systems. This is also shown by the biggest competitor, Swords of Legends Online. The MMORPG that had to close in the West in 2023, remains popular in China.
The users often compare the two games due to the Wuxia genre, but criticize World of Jade Dynasty precisely for lacking content and outfits in the shops compared to it. SOLO is ahead in this area, as the MMORPG was released in China in 2019 and has since been able to shine steadily with updates and expansions.
The world of Jade Dynasty looks fascinating.
A look into the future
What is the status of the release in the West? With the opening of the new servers, the expansion of World of Jade Dynasty into new markets begins. Especially the servers in Hong Kong and Singapore could be potential test markets for an English version, as English is one of the official languages in both countries. If the game actually appears there with English localization, it would be a strong sign, perhaps even the first tangible harbinger of a Western release.
This idea is not completely far-fetched. There have been early hints that the developers are also thinking outside of China. The Nvidia video demonstrating real-time lip syncing with English audio output remains one of the clearest signals that a global version is being worked on.
In the game files of earlier beta versions, folders for NA, EU, and TW have already been discovered – a technical hint that these regions have been at least in planning for some time. Additionally, Perfect World even advertised World of Jade Dynasty on English social media profiles around the launch. While it has become quiet there since then, the videos and posts are still accessible.
Here you can see the aforementioned video from NVIDIA GeForce :
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After 7 months, it shows: World of Jade Dynasty has managed to transform the hype into a stable player base. The MMORPG remains economically successful, is being further developed technically – and with the new servers takes the first noticeable steps towards internationalization. Now it’s crucial for the developers to quickly release new content and not let the pause before the next major update become too long.
Despite the great success so far, the MMORPG does not necessarily have to launch in the West. The final confirmation is still pending here. The upgrade from Unreal Engine 5 to Unreal Engine 5.5 is also still pending – a step that is expected to further enhance the already beautiful MMORPG technically: The most beautiful MMORPG in the world has launched
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In early July 2025, the bombshell dropped at Microsoft once again. Thousands of employees had to go, once more. Many employees at ZeniMax were also caught in this. Now, those affected are speaking about one of the worst days of their lives.
Many employees at ZeniMax are also affected (The Elder Scrolls Online). It is unclear how many exactly. Currently, 2 unions are still negotiating with Microsoft about the layoffs.
This is the fourth major round of layoffs at Xbox within 18 months and the second wave of layoffs in 2025.
In the wake of the first reports about the layoffs, it came to light that Microsoft officials may have acted questionably in this difficult situation. Xbox chief Phil Spencer gushed in his memo to employees, informing them about the planned savings, that Xbox could showcase “more players, games, and playtime than ever before.”
Additionally, employees were reportedly blocked early from the internal Slack channel and their email access, even before it was clear what was going on. According to affected reports, this was only clarified hours later.
Microsoft has been at a disadvantage to Sony for years when it comes to console sales:
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It is official, the console war is over: Phil Spencer says in light of the PS5 that he no longer wants to bring all players to Xbox
A major, lasting damage for ZeniMax
What else are those affected reporting? A report from gamedeveloper.com now provides specific statements from various former and current employees of ZeniMax who comment on the events surrounding the recent wave of layoffs at Microsoft.
According to several anonymous sources, Microsoft’s communication policy on the day of the layoffs caused confusion and panic among almost all employees. No one knew where they stood. There was no verifiable information. At the same time, they were isolated from all official channels. One person explained that after the ordeal, they felt like they had been run over by a truck.
ZeniMax employee Page Branson recounts one of the worst days of her entire professional life. In her assessment, the layoffs have also significantly weakened ZeniMax, as many of those affected had been absolutely crucial to the success of Elder Scrolls Online and had been an integral part of the studio for up to 15 years.
What was lost that day in terms of experience and knowledge, Branson continues, is irreplaceable. Those who remain can only pick up the pieces. Negative impacts on the overall workflow have become immediately evident due to the loss of actually indispensable employees.
Autumn Mitchell, Senior QA Tester at ZeniMax Media, harshly criticizes the leadership:
This is not okay. This was not normal. I don’t care how often they do it to make it seem normal – it is not normal. The way they do it is inhumane. I don’t care how often they say it is dignified or that they want to do it respectfully – it is not.
By the way, the two union members are sure that the wave of layoffs would have been even more devastating without the support of organizations like the “Communications Workers of America” (CWA). Now, they fear that the streamlining will only lead to needing to take on even more tasks – to somehow cover for the missing employees.
The remaining employees are expected to somehow continue releasing award-winning games. I don’t really know how that is supposed to work. It looks like many people are switching between projects to take over the position of someone who was laid off – and they will probably take a good six months to figure out how to effectively fill this role.
Mitchell compares the current situation to looking at a graveyard: “The atmosphere is terrible. It is grotesque. People are stressed. They are crying. For many of us, these were some of our best friends. They are our housemates. In my case, it was my partner – my partner and I worked together and he was laid off. And I am not an isolated case.”
