If you want to look a bit unusual in the online game No Man’s Sky, you can change the appearance of the hero since the NEXT update.
Adjust Your Hero’s Appearance with NEXT
Just be ugly. In No Man’s Sky, since the release of the NEXT update, it is possible to play your hero from a third-person perspective and meet other players.
As a result, your appearance now plays a real role in No Man’s Sky for the first time. Not only do you want to know how other players look, but the appearance of your own character is important to many. Because the eye plays along. For this reason, the game now offers the option to customize your hero’s appearance. Some really bizarre options are possible.
Become an Alien. To change your hero’s appearance, visit the Appearance Modifier Terminal at a space station, where you can make adjustments. You can choose between different alien races:
Gek
Vy’keen
Korvax
Traveler
Anomaly
In addition, it is possible to choose even more options. These include:
Helmet
Head
Eyes
Beak
Shoes
Gloves
Backpack
Armor
All cosmetic. All the changes you can make to your hero are purely cosmetic. They have no effect on gameplay. For example, if you choose Gek as your race, you still don’t understand the language of those aliens and must learn it first. However, by customizing appearance, it is possible to stand out from other players as well as individualize your character according to your wishes.
The NEXT update for No Man’s Sky was released on July 24 and brought some new features and changes – including the ability to play with others.
The customization options for your character in video: Here you can see the sometimes bizarre options the new character editor of No Man’s Sky NEXT offers.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Shortly before the release of WoW: Battle for Azeroth, Blizzard is intensively promoting the new expansion. With new advertising, the company aims to encourage players to represent their faction in the battle for Azeroth. Check it out!
New commercials for BfA: The new WoW expansion Battle for Azeroth will be released on August 14, 2018. To build excitement before the launch, Blizzard is ramping up its advertising efforts. Blizzard has released four new commercials designed to get you excited for Battle for Azeroth.
“It matters” – It counts!
The commercials all focus on the conflict between Horde and Alliance. In Battle for Azeroth, the old feud is reignited and takes center stage in the expansion. The commercials play with this very theme.
Each spot speaks for itself and ends with the short sentence “It matters”. This refers to your loyalty to the Horde or the Alliance. It can even be conveyed without words; the images say enough.
“Rainy Day”: In the first clip, a romance is brewing. It’s raining, and one seeks shelter with someone who has an umbrella. Unfortunately, that person could potentially be your opponent on the battlefields of Azeroth…
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
“Kid’s Choice”: Parenting is hard – part of it is teaching your offspring as early as possible that only one faction can be the true faction. You can never decide too early.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
“Elevator”: Imagine you just make it to the elevator before the doors close. But next to you stands someone who has openly sworn allegiance to the other faction! New arena: Elevator.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
“Bus”: The bus is full, and there are still two seats: next to a pretty lady or an unfriendly-looking guy. Unfortunately, the lady is on the wrong side. And the grim-looking guy might also make for a good arena partner eventually.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
The newly launched remake of the online shooter Defiance 2050 isn’t performing very well. Perhaps the PS4 version can turn things around here, which finally launches today in Germany.
Finally also for PS4 in Germany – 2 weeks delay
PS4 version also with us. Defiance 2050 launched on July 10 for PC, Xbox One, and PS4 – however, not for Sony’s console in Germany. Since then, players have been waiting for the re-release of Trion Worlds’ game to be available for download here. Now it’s finally here. Today, on July 25 at 10 AM, the shooter launches in Germany for PS4!
The development team has now stated that they are working on improvements and new features that will enhance the game:
Server stability will be improved
Connection issues will be contained
Some bug fixes are in progress
Critical bugs will be fixed as soon as possible
There will be new content in the form of coop missions
Coop maps are intended to provide more fun. With the new coop missions, players will get more content to enjoy playing with others. Team play is to be encouraged. When these missions will be introduced is still undecided. The priority right now is to get the issues of Defiance 2050 under control.
No free version of Defiance 2050 on PS4 in Germany
Shortly after the release of the German PS4 version, it became clear that it is not free as expected.
Developers’ explanation: Due to the USK-18 rating, the developers cannot offer Defiance 2050 in Germany as a F2P version for PS4. Currently, one must purchase one of the paid packages to play the game. They are working on releasing a cheaper option for the German market very soon.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Facebook that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Two mothers observed their sons playing Fortnite and reenacted the hilarious scenes through lip synchronization. The result is simply hilarious and has gone viral since its release. But see for yourself!
How often have you been shocked at yourself after a meltdown in Fortnite: Battle Royale? Imagine your parents capturing it all and then mocking you with it on YouTube. Sounds cruel? It is. Unfortunately (for the kids), it’s really funny!
“Mom! Stop blocking the internet connection!”
What Fortnite players really struggle with: Every Fortnite player has to deal with various existential worries. Should one land in Tilted Towers? Where did the opponent come from? And why is my mom taking up the entire internet bandwidth?
You may have heard these or similar statements more often (we would never say such a thing, of course). Two mothers recorded and reenacted the peculiar dialogues that only Fortnite players really understand.
But that’s not all: Even emotes were reenacted by the eager mothers – popcorn included. You can watch the result in the following video:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Dead? Blame the internet! Particularly amusing is a boy’s accusation of his mother for blocking the internet. The logical consequence of the slow connection: An opposing player sends him back to the lobby. Unfortunately, it was just mom standing in the kitchen and had nothing to do with the internet.
The boys’ reaction to the video is unfortunately not recorded. However, be cautious while gaming. You never know if someone is lurking with a camera somewhere.
Sylvanas calls for battle! In World of Warcraft, the first quests that will herald Battle for Azeroth are now accessible.
In exactly three weeks, on August 14, 2018, the release of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth will take place. To bring players up to speed on the story, there is a small pre-event – the War of Thorns.
How to start the “War of Thorns” event in WoW
The first quests for the pre-event “War of Thorns” are active from today, July 25, 2018, in World of Warcraft! Just log into the game with a character at the maximum level and the quest should appear on its own.
Both factions are working against each other. Players of the Alliance must try to protect Teldrassil and gather the few remaining troops. Civilians must be rescued and the most must be made of the few resources, as the main force of the Alliance is on the other side of the world.
The Horde, on the other hand, is carving their way through Ashenvale and doing so quite brutally. First, Astranaar falls into their hands and serves as a new base from which they will move into Darkshore.
At the provisional end of the quest, there is a stalemate situation where both sides are waiting for reinforcements – even though the Horde’s are much closer.
World quests as fillers. To pass the time, there are world quests at Darkshore that offer solid gear. If you do not see the world quests immediately after completing the last quest, then log out of the game and back in. Also, make sure that you do not have outdated interface addons activated.
Keep in mind that at the very end of the questline, in the coming weeks, there will be an exclusive mount for both Horde and Alliance. Every player should at least complete the questline on one character to secure the mount.
How do you like the War of Thorns so far? Is this a worthy event for the start of Battle for Azeroth?
The new Overwatch hero Wrecking Ball is now playable on live servers on PC, Xbox One, and PS4. Read the patch notes for the Hammond patch in German!
Overwatch patch today brings Wrecking Ball and more: The patch highlight of the new Overwatch patch from July 24, 2018 is the new hero: Wrecking Ball (or as everyone calls him: Hammond). Along with the hamster, there are also nerfs for Hanzo, buffs for Sombra, and some other adjustments.
The patch notes for the Overwatch patch on July 24, 2018 in German
Wrecking Ball is an offensive, mobile tank that expands the hero pool of Overwatch. With abilities that allow him to scatter enemies quickly before he deals damage to them, he fits in as a new contender in the meta.
A note has been added to Sombra’s hero info about her ability to remove her teleporter.
The statistic “Shield generators destroyed” has been removed from career profiles.
Group search
A button has been added that allows you to enter the queue for the selected game mode after the group is full.
A button has been added to relist groups in the SN matchmaking browser when the group has empty role slots.
Hero Updates
Developer Comment: The goal of these changes is to reduce the impact of damage fall-off on weapons for medium range. When the fall-off mechanics were implemented, weapons that were particularly suited for short range had too much of an advantage.
General
Bastion
Configuration: Recon and Configuration: Sentry – The minimum damage at maximum range has been increased from 30% to 50%.
McCree
Peacekeeper – The minimum damage at maximum range has been increased from 30% to 50%.
Mei
Endothermic Blaster – The projectiles from the alternate fire mode no longer lose damage over distance.
Soldier 76
Heavy Pulse Rifle: The minimum damage at maximum range has been increased from 30% to 50%.
Widowmaker
Widow’s Kiss – The automatic fire mode now deals less damage at greater distance (50% of damage at maximum range)
Hanzo
Developer Comment: Hanzo’s kit has proven to be a bit too strong, especially the Storm Arrows. We are lowering the frequency with which he can use the ability, making it easier to play around them.
Developer Comment: The changes are intended to help Sombra play more easily as an infiltrator and scout for her team, as well as give her the ability to choose the timing of her appearance.
Camouflage
Now lasts indefinitely.
Sombra cannot contest objectives while cloaked.
The movement speed bonus has been reduced from 70% to 50%.
Teleportation
Now lasts indefinitely.
The Translocator can now be destroyed (5 hit points).
Radius reduced.
Map Updates
Developer Comment: In a previous patch, the respawn time for defenders was increased when attackers were outnumbered at certain map last points. We are making this system more aggressive so that fights in which defenders can come back quickly do not last as long.
Assault maps
The time to capture objectives has been reduced from 5 minutes to 4 minutes in quick matches and in the arcade.
If final objective points are contested on non-control maps for an extended period of time and attackers have a numerical advantage, the respawn time for defenders will increase even faster.
In Fortnite: Battle Royale, the faithful Battle Bus brings you into battle every time. That’s why many fans want to thank the bus driver of the Battle Bus and have even started a crazy petition for that.
The Battle Bus driver, an unsung hero: Every round of Fortnite begins with a bus ride. Just like in PvE mode, flying buses play a big role in the game. Instead of jumping out of a boring airplane like in PUBG and the like, you dive out of the floating party bus in Fortnite and from there down into the wild battle royale action.
But who tirelessly drives the bus day and night, 24/7? Who is this hero, and can’t we somehow thank him for his efforts?
Players want to honor the bus driver
The bus driver deserves our respect: Some players are fascinated by the unknown figure of the bus driver. They are extremely grateful to him for all the wonderful hours of battle royale they have experienced in Fortnite so far.
Therefore, they wish for a way to express their appreciation to the heroic bus driver. How exactly this should happen is still unclear. Ideas range from waving after jumping out to expressions of gratitude on the ground or transmitted and well-heard radio messages with words of praise. Perhaps even with a response from the grateful bus driver.
Players start petition to thank the bus driver
Petition with over 6,000 signatures: To make the developers at Epic realize how serious the bus driver fans are about their concerns, they have started an online petition on the platform change.org. There are now over 6,000 signatures collected there.
Considering that Epic often responds to fan requests, the petition might actually succeed in the end and the thank-you feature for the bus driver could officially come into the game.
Today, on July 24, there is a Weekly Reset in Destiny 2. The winner of the Faction Rally has been determined. With the weekly reset, new activities such as the Nightfall strike or the Flashpoint can now be contested. The weekly Crucible playlist is also rotating again.
A new week is dawning in the Destiny universe.
And as expected, it is now officially confirmed: The New Monarchy has won the third and final faction match of Season 3.
The winner’s weapon is the legendary rocket launcher “Broad Sword Launcher” of the New Monarchy. Supporters of the New Monarchy pay 1,000 Glimmer, while all other Guardians have to shell out 50,000 Glimmer for the weapon.
By the way: During the winner’s week, Fracture ornaments can still be unlocked, except for the helmet and leg armor, if you have already reached the necessary rank with the respective faction – for the last time in Season 3.
But let’s see what else this week has to offer.
Nightfall Strike from July 24 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC
This week, the Nightfall is“Tree of Probabilities”.
Until the next reset on July 31, you have the chance to earn the following exclusive Nightfall strike reward: the legendary hand cannon T.V.O
No modifiers are active in the normal Nightfall strike!
In Prestige mode, you need to activate the modifiers using the Challenge cards. These cards drop for DLC owners in both the normal and Prestige modes of the Nightfall strike. Don’t forget that you can upgrade your Challenge cards with Xur again starting Friday.
The following challenges need to be mastered:
Unbroken: Complete the Nightfall with less than 3 deaths.
Laser Challenge: Do not get hit by more than 5 lasers in the Atlas Cove.
Heroic Strike Modifiers
The respective kindling modifier remains active until the next reset. The other two modifiers change daily. Currently, the following modifiers are active in the heroic strike playlist:
Arc Kindling: Arc damage from all sources is slightly increased
Blackout: Melee attacks are significantly strengthened and the radar is disabled
Grenadier: Grenade abilities deal more damage and recharge much faster
No Man’s Sky new update NEXT is now available on PS4, PC and Xbox One. The update is free to download if you already own the base game. With update 1.5, No Man’s Sky will finally receive features like multiplayer and a character editor with aliens. The download is substantial.
NEXT is twice as big as the base game: The download is about 10 GB in size. That’s double the size when considering the base game and the DLCs Atlas Rises, Pathfinder, and Foundation updates combined.
With NEXT, No Man’s Sky seems to finally become the game it always wanted to be. After its release in August 2016, player disappointment was high because the game couldn’t live up to the hype and the announcements. However, with NEXT everything is supposed to change:
The new Nightlife DLC “After Hours” for GTA 5 brings cool new content. We will show you what is available and how much it costs.
Nightclubs in GTA 5: Starting today, July 24, there are nightclubs available in GTA 5 Online. Gay Tony is back in the game and is also bringing new cars, trucks, and a massive party bus. We will show you here the costs of the new content.
New Vehicles in GTA 5 Online – Nightlife
Initially only 6 vehicles: The new content will be released gradually over the next few weeks. At the launch of the new DLC, you will find six new vehicles.
Ocelot Swinger for 909,000 GTA$
Dinka Jester Classic for 790,000 GTA$
Pounder Custom (regular) for 241,000 GTA$ – 320,000 GTA$
Mule Custom (regular) for 72,000 GTA$ – 95,760 GTA$
Festival Bus for 1,385,000 GTA$
Mammoth Patriot for 460,000 GTA$ – 611,800 GTA$
Thus, the update includes new sports cars, trucks, and interesting vehicles like the Hummer limousine. You will see the festival bus in one of the first missions when you buy a nightclub. The stage on the roof also appears to invite dancing.
Relatively inexpensive: Surprisingly, the new vehicles do not cost several million GTA dollars right away, as one might expect from other DLCs. They are in the mid-range. Whether the upcoming vehicles will also be in this price range will be revealed at the release.
How many nightclubs are there? On the ForeClosures website, there are 10 nightclubs available. All have different locations and prices.
These are:
Nightclub in Strawberry – From 1,525,000 GTA$
Nightclub at the Airport – From 1,135,000 GTA$
Nightclub in Vinewood West – From 1,700,000 GTA$
Nightclub in Vinewood Center – From 1,670,000 GTA$
Nightclub in Del Perro – From 1,645,000 GTA$
Nightclub in Vespucci – From 1,320,000 GTA$
Nightclub in Mission Row – From 1,440,000 GTA$
Nightclub in La Mesa – From 1,500,000 GTA$
Nightclub in Cypress Flats – From 1,370,000 GTA$
Nightclub on Elysian Island – From 1,080,000 GTA$
After purchase, you can customize these clubs further with style, lighting, nightclub name, storage, dancers, and dry ice. This increases the price of the building.
The Festival of the Four Winds returns after 4 years to Guild Wars 2. During the festival, you will encounter the Zephyrites faction and can participate in numerous minigames.
Festival of the Four Winds – Return after 4 years
Fans have waited long: When the Festival of the Four Winds took place for the first and so far only time in 2014, it combined most of the activities from the events Bazaar of the Four Winds and Queen’s Jubilee. Players could take part in a variety of activities and use special “Aspect Crystals” to jump higher, for example. However, the festival paused for four years.
Now ArenaNet brings back the Festival of the Four Winds to the delight of many players. Additionally, some changes have been made to enhance the experience. Players particularly appreciate that they can use their mounts in the event area. Some players have unlocked the Gryphon before the event to fly through the terrain.
ArenaNet is not just reviving old content but has developed new weapons and armor that you can earn during the event. In addition to the new content, the old items await you if you do not yet own them.
When does the event start? Starting from 6 PM our time, you can enjoy numerous activities.
To celebrate the arrival of the Festival of the Four Winds, ArenaNet has released a small teaser.
These new adventures the event brings to Guild Wars 2
What content does the event offer? Of course, you do not just receive the new items; you have to earn them. Therefore, you can participate in various activities during the event.
In the Boss Blitz, you must defeat all Champions in the arena as quickly as possible. The faster you are, the higher your reward will be. You can find the Boss Blitz in the lower levels of the Crown Pavilion.
In the Queen’s Gauntlet, you will have to prove yourself alone in several battles. Each battle features specific mechanics that you should keep in mind to triumph. The Gauntlet has been expanded with 5 new fights.
In the Bazaar and the Labyrinth Cliffs, you can go on exploratory tours and participate in treasure hunts or races.
There is a new meta-event based on Amnoon’s Casino Blitz. In Amnoon’s Casino Blitz, you need to collect a certain number of coins within a specific timeframe.
How do I obtain Favor of the Festival? During the event, you can receive 2 different types of favor.
You can obtain Bazaar Favor, for example, in the Aspect Arena, during the Refuge Sprint, and by completing events in the Labyrinth Cliffs.
You can obtain Pavilion Favor during the Gauntlet and from Boss Blitz chests.
If you combine both types of favor, you will receive a Festival Favor. This grants you various rewards:
Trade it with Druuburt’s Spirit for Unruly Mysterious Bags.
Receive Majestic Weapon Skins when you give them to the Majestic Weapon Merchant.
Or give it to the Festival Rewards Merchant for various rewards.
‘In Fortnite: Battle Royale, the Playground is coming back soon. However, Playground 2.0 has been significantly revamped compared to the last version. There are more loot options and team choices. We will tell you everything you need to know about the new mode.’
‘Playground 2.0: The Playground arrived towards the end of Season 4 and offered a long-awaited practice area for all players. You could join with up to 3 teammates and have fun taking each other out, testing weapons and traps. If you died, you could respawn, so you could just stand up again in another location. Plus, there was a ton of loot and resources, allowing you to build whatever you wanted.’
‘However, there were also a few annoyances that have now been addressed in version 2.0.’
‘Finally, Team Fights! You can still play the Playground alone or in a team. But in squads, you had the problem that anyone could modify each other’s buildings. This was extremely annoying when you wanted to test aggressive building.’
‘Due to this, there is now the option to set teams in the game. That way, you won’t accidentally keep changing your opponents’ buildings.’
‘Also cool: The respawn timer has been reduced from 10 to 3 seconds. So you can get back into the action faster. Additionally, the height at which the glider automatically opens has been reduced. This allows you to land into action more quickly.’
‘In order for you to be able to make even more noise, there’s more of everything in Playground V.2.0. The patch notes for update 5.1 contain a long list of items that now appear more frequently:’
‘
Ammunition boxes contain 10 times the amount of ammunition.
The gray vending machines have been removed, and the chance for higher-tier machines to spawn has been increased.
Launch pads and launch pads spawn with a higher probability.
Maximum rocket ammo has increased by 60.
More rocket ammo can be found.
100 supply drops have been added.
Chests now contain 3 weapons as well as more ammunition and consumables than usual.
Loot on the ground now contains 3 items.
Chug Jugs and Slurp Juice spawn more often, while bandages spawn less often.
Chug Jugs can now also be found on the ground.
‘
‘Furthermore, the popular golf carts are now also available in the Playground!’
‘Otherwise, the Playground remains as it was. You can play for 60 minutes as usual and have unlimited respawns. The storm starts at 55 minutes. Whoever dies in it is permanently dead. All chests and ammunition boxes are there, there are 100 loot llamas, and you gather ten times the amount of resources.’
‘When is the new Playground coming? The Playground will be available again on July 25, 2018. An exact time is not yet known. It is expected to be between 10:00 and 14:00. However, Epic has still not announced a specific launch time. We will keep you updated as soon as there is news about Playground 2.0.’
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Is video evidence used in FIFA 19 with the Video Assistant Referee? EA Sports provides a clear answer.
The video evidence has become part of everyday football. It was tested last season in the Bundesliga and is now to be permanently established. The video assistants also played an important role at the Football World Cup in Russia. The “VAR” (Video Assistant Referee) is currently being implemented in professional football.
What are the benefits of video evidence? Video evidence aims to bring more fairness to the field. Unclear situations are viewed from multiple angles to make the right decision with video evidence.
The football simulation from EA Sports claims to represent real football as realistically as possible on the virtual pitch. Therefore, we asked Samuel Rivera, the gameplay producer of FIFA, in an interview about the video assistant in FIFA 19. Will EA Sports implement this feature in FIFA 19?
“This year there are no plans,” Rivera said. “Yes, it’s now a part of football and can contribute to authenticity. We might bring video evidence in the future – but I’m not sure yet.”
Rivera explains that video evidence is not necessary from a technical perspective in a video game. “It would only be a visual thing. We know when a ball crosses the line. We know when a player is offside. In the future, we will take a look at it.”
In summary: No, video assistants will not interrupt or delay your matches in FIFA 19. What the referee whistles on the field stands.
What is your opinion on this topic? Should video evidence also be introduced in virtual football for more realism, or are you glad that this “feature” continues to be absent?
FIFA 19 features some gameplay changes compared to its predecessor. Above all, two new features ensure that virtual soccer becomes even more natural.
Every year, EA Sports tinkers a little with the gameplay of their soccer simulation to create new incentives for fans to get the current FIFA installment. Often, these involve improvements to player intelligence or new animations, making “dramatic moments” possible.
FIFA 19 significantly alters the gameplay: In FIFA 19, fans can now expect greater innovations. Players have more control over the game and leave less to chance.
The gameplay becomes more natural
We spoke with Samuel Rivera, the gameplay producer of FIFA, about the new gameplay features. He exclusively revealed in the interview that for him, the new Active Touch System combined with the 50/50 Battles represents the biggest innovation of FIFA 19.
Because these two features make the gameplay of FIFA 19 “more natural, more like soccer,” Rivera stated. The virtual players show an instinct to get to the ball that real-life footballers also demonstrate. They don’t simply give up on the tackle and let the opponent go, instead, they try to get a foot on the ball.
According to Rivera, this feels so natural that one would not want to return to FIFA 18 after a short time. The feeling of the game is simply not the same as in FIFA 19 with the innovative Active Touch System and the 50/50 Battles.
The gameplay becomes more like it should be in soccer.
Overview of the Active Touch System
What is the Active Touch System? This system influences ball reception, ball touches, and thus ball control. A variety of new animations are introduced that open up new possibilities for handling the ball.
How does the Active Touch System affect gameplay? Depending on the game situation, the best animation is selected to reach a ball, Rivera explained. For example, players now also execute flying headers to reach a ball and pass it on. Additionally, new techniques like flick-up volleys, concealed ball receptions, or skill-specific animations such as Neymar’s trap are introduced. Previous tricks like the feigned shot, volleys, and some skill moves receive new movement animations.
Are these changes really noticeable on the field? Yes! At a FIFA 19 play event, we tested especially the flick-up volleys, which work really well. One can hold the ball in the air with the right stick and lob it over opponents. Surprise moments are easily possible. One also has more options while receiving the ball.
The Active Touch System in the video:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
What are the 50/50 Battles? These involve an improvement in duels. Now, the user’s reaction speed and the players’ ratings determine who can reclaim loose balls. The players on the field show better duel intelligence and more “instinct.”
How do the 50/50 Battles affect gameplay? In FIFA 18, many duels happen where a player reaches the ball, and the opponent then simply runs past and gives up the duel. In FIFA 19, players show more fight, “more instinct,” so they always try to somehow get a foot on the ball. It can also happen that both players touch the ball in a duel, causing it to bounce uncontrollably.
Are these changes really noticeable on the field? Yes, duels feel different in FIFA 19 than in FIFA 18 and also look slightly different. There’s a sense that players are trying harder to get to the ball. New animations and movements in duels are introduced.
Further gameplay innovations
Timed Finishing: The “timed finishing” is an optional feature that one does not have to use. It allows you to make your shots more powerful and precise on goal, but you must double-tap the shoot button and have perfect timing on the second tap – otherwise, the ball simply rolls toward the goal or flies into the stands. In other words, if you master this feature, you have more control over your shots. According to Rivera, perfect timed finishing is not a guarantee of scoring – it merely increases the chances.
You can see the new shooting mechanics in this video:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Dynamische Taktiken: In FIFA 19, you have significantly more tactical game variations at your disposal before and during the game than in FIFA 18. You can set every instruction individually. One example: If you set “very offensive” during the game, you can pre-determine how exactly your players should behave on the field – how far apart should they stand, how high or deep should they stand when “very offensive”, how many players should occupy the penalty area, etc. Tactics enthusiasts can have a field day here.
This video introduces the dynamic tactics:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
In general, it can be stated that FIFA 19 aims to become even more realistic, authentic, and natural in terms of gameplay. FIFA fans are getting more control over various aspects of the game and can put their individual stamp on each match.
You can read our detailed play report on FIFA 19 here, where we tell you what we found positive and negative about the gameplay:
A former SWTOR developer regrets that they were not bolder and focused too much on World of Warcraft. In hindsight, it would have been better to make a Knights of the Old Republic Online.
The developer James Ohlen left his game studio BioWare last month after nearly 22 years. In an interview with GameInformer, he spoke about his time at BioWare. He also mentioned a few words about Star Wars: The Old Republic. Ohlen expresses little regret – but one thing he does regret is related to World of Warcraft.
More Knights of the Old Republic Online – less Star Wars: World of Warcraft
What did Ohlen say? When asked what Ohlen would regret, he referred to SWTOR. Generally, he is satisfied with the game, but he often received feedback from fans that they would prefer a “Knights of the Old Republic Online.” A game that was closer to BioWare’s RPG roots and not so heavily driven in the direction of “Star Wars: World of Warcraft.”
Ohlen wishes in hindsight that he had pushed the game a bit more toward “Knights of the Old Republic Online.”
This would have likely meant more freedom of choice in the story and a more tactical, slower combat system. Nevertheless, he is proud of what SWTOR has become and the direction the MMORPG has taken.
Everyone wanted to be the “WoW-killer.” Back when SWTOR was released, MMORPGs were popping up like mushrooms. Many developers sought to be “the next World of Warcraft” and were heavily influenced by Blizzard’s template. Although SWTOR was certainly not a failure, the game had to switch to Free2Play after a short time. Since then, however, it has received expansions with “Knights of the Fallen Empire” and “Knights of the Eternal Throne.”
When and if there will be a new expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic remains to be seen in a galaxy far, far away.
Do you like SWTOR as it is? Or should the game have focused more on the RPG Knight of the Old Republic?
EA Sports has secured the licenses for the Champions League, the Europa League, and the UEFA Super Cup for FIFA 19. These competitions take center stage in FIFA 19 – they are more than just additional licenses.
The Champions League arrives in FIFA 19: FIFA fans had to wait a long time for the Champions League and the Europa League, as the rights were exclusively held by Pro Evolution Soccer in recent years. However, as announced a few months ago, UEFA ended this partnership with Konami. Shortly thereafter, EA Sports revealed to the delight of many fans: The two top UEFA European Cup competitions will be playable in FIFA 19.
The new licenses are intended to be more than just “more licenses among many”; instead, EA Sports has big plans for them. We spoke with Samuel Rivera, the gameplay producer of FIFA, about the Champions League and the Europa League and how they will be integrated into FIFA 19.
What do the Champions League and Europa League mean for FIFA 19?
More than just additional licenses: Rivera introduced us to the two European competitions in FIFA 19 and presented in-game footage. He emphasized that the Champions League and the Europa League are not just new licenses that have been inserted into the game. Instead, they shape this year’s FIFA installment and are present almost everywhere in FIFA 19. Consequently, the motto this year is also: “FIFA 19 – Champions Rise”.
Game modes with the Champions League
In which modes can I play the Champions League in FIFA 19? EA Sports claims that the “legendary tournament […] will be integrated into all FIFA 19 modes.” The following modes have already been confirmed:
A new standalone UEFA Champions League mode
A comprehensive integration into the kickoff mode
A comprehensive integration into career mode
In FUT 19, there will be live content for the Champions League
And in the third and final part of the story mode called “The Journey: Champions”, you will also compete for the Champions League title.
What does the standalone Champions League mode in FIFA 19 look like? In this mode, you can either replay the “real” Champions League season 18/19 – from the group stage to the final at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Or you can create your own Champions League season, leading all available European teams to the title.
Europa League game modes
What about the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup? We know that the Europa League will be playable in the kickoff mode and in career mode, and it will also feature live content in FUT 19. Whether it will also be possible to play the Europa League in The Journey is uncertain. We do not have detailed information about the Super Cup – but it is licensed as well.
What is the UEFA Super Cup actually? The UEFA Super Cup is contested in a match between the current Champions League winner and the Europa League winner.
By the way: Rivera could not confirm that the European Cup competitions will also be playable in the “Pro Clubs” mode.
The Champions League up close: In FIFA 19, the atmosphere of the Champions League is to be depicted accurately, so fans can look forward to these features:
Official CL match presentation used in the 18/19 season
Official Champions League anthem
Official team crests, match balls, and UEFA trophies
New camera perspectives in the intro when the teams line up
New English commentary team with Derek Rae and Lee Dixon – in the German version, it is Wolff-Christoph Fuss and Frank Buschmann
Additionally, the menus are designed in the corresponding colors of the Champions League and the Europa League.
Tom says: We at Mein-MMO have been able to play FIFA 19 and get a little feel of the Champions League atmosphere. And yes, as soon as the CL anthem sounds and the camera captures the silver trophy, the Champions League spirit indeed comes alive. However, the game presentation was still a “work in progress”, leading to a bug that caused the teams’ kits to flicker unsightly as they entered the stadium – which significantly affected the atmosphere. However, Samuel Rivera promised us that this will be fixed by the release of FIFA 19.
I believe that the Champions League will definitely be an enhancement for the football simulation. Thus, FIFA 19 brings even more of real football to the virtual pitch.
FIFA 19 will be released on September 28, 2018. The Champions League, the Europa League, and the Super Cup will be available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Next week, Realm Royale will be released on PS4 and Xbox One. The Battle Royale will start with a closed beta on consoles, for which you will need a key. Registrations are now possible. Realm Royale is a Free2Play hit on PC, regarded as a fantasy alternative to Fortnite, without the building mechanics.
When is Realm Royale coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One? Next week. The exact release date is still unknown.
What about Nintendo Switch? Studio HiRez has not commented on this.
How to register for the Realm Royale beta
Where do I sign up for the closed beta? To participate in the closed beta, you need a key. You can register for this on the official Realm Royale website.
How much does Realm Royale cost? Nothing. Realm Royale is free.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
What is Realm Royale? A brief explanation of the fantasy battle royale
At its core, Realm Royale is a classic Battle Royale. 100 players land on a massive island, gather weapons, and fight until only one remains, as a deadly fog closes in from the edge.
Sounds like Fortnite and PUBG? Realm Royale, however, has a special story and an unusual twist in gameplay.
Realm Royale originally stemmed from the hero shooter Paladins. Realm Royale, formerly known as Paladins: Battlegrounds was intended to be a blend of hero shooter and battle royale. The heroes from Paladins would have been playable characters there. However, the developers at Studio HiRez quickly realized that this would lead to a balance nightmare. They removed the heroes and replaced them.
Realm Royale is class-based and distinguishes itself with RPG elements: At the beginning of each match, players choose one of five classes. The classes have their own skills, which can drastically change the playstyle. There is a dynamic between the classes, similar to the rock-paper-scissors concept. The roots to Paladins are evident as players can collect weapons and skills that originate from the hero shooter.
Other features include horses, chickens, and the forge: Players can call upon a mount to explore the expansive fantasy world more quickly. There are forges scattered across the island, which are often fiercely contested, as legendary weapons can be crafted there. When a player is defeated, they first transform into a chicken, giving them a chance to escape death and be revived shortly after.
Realm Royale: Next stage of the battle royale genre, says the developer
Rory Newbrough, lead producer on the console beta release: “With a class-based combat system and cutting-edge chicken technology, Realm Royale is the next stage in the evolution of the battle royale genre. We are grateful for the millions of PC players who have already tried Realm Royale and are incredibly excited to share the game soon with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players.”
Fans have demanded a console release
According to Newbrough, the console release was especially important for the fans: “Since Realm Royale was released for PC, the three most frequently asked questions in social media have been ‘Console?’, ‘PS4?’, and ‘Xbox?’. Probably, instead of questions, one should speak of demands. We have certainly heard clearly that the community is waiting to play Realm Royale on consoles, and we are very excited to announce that the closed beta on consoles will start next week.”
Realm Royale came to PC last month: Almost 4 million players tested the new battle royale game Realm Royale in the first month of Early Access on Steam. The release was on June 5th. We previously reported at the 3 million mark about the game’s fascination:
FIFA 19 in the Pre-Review: We at Mein-MMO were able to play FIFA 19 in advance and now give you an overview of what we noticed positively and negatively about the gameplay.
In mid-July, an official press play event for FIFA 19 took place, to which we from Mein-MMO.de were invited. We were able to examine some innovations and play a few matches.
Everything we noticed about the gameplay of FIFA 19 is shown below. After all, gameplay is the most important component in FIFA because – as Adi Preißler already knew – “Gray is all theory in life – the important thing is on the pitch”.
FIFA 19 in the Pre-Review – Everything we noticed about the gameplay
What exactly did we play? My colleague Philipp and I played a total of 6 matches in the “Kickoff” mode of FIFA 19 against each other – the halftime length was 4 minutes. The developers emphasized beforehand that this play version is still a “work in progress”. It is already very close to the final game, but it still lacks refinement; a few bugs still need to be resolved.
FIFA 19 does not reinvent virtual football: Right off the bat – if you played FIFA 18 recently, switching to FIFA 19 will not be difficult for you. The basic controls remain largely the same. Passing, shooting, crossing – the tried and tested key combinations are as they have always been; you are immediately back in!
The graphics are top-notch: EA Sports has tweaked the graphics a bit again. The presentation looks flawless, and the player faces of the available teams look more realistic than ever before.
Overall, the gameplay feels slower than in FIFA 18: The slower pace was clearly noticeable in the first matches; however, one quickly gets used to it. After the fourth match, we felt that this change definitely enhances realism.
We look forward to these gameplay innovations in FIFA 19
Pace doesn’t seem to be as much in focus as in previous FIFAs: Since the game is generally a bit slower, tactics and tackling behavior come more into focus than the speed attribute of the players. A Mats Hummels was not overrun helplessly by a Cristiano Ronaldo, but was able to challenge for the ball. How important pace will be in the final game we cannot predict yet, but our first impressions have positively surprised us.
I personally loved the Active Touch System. This gives more control over ball reception and touches. It is possible to use the right stick to lift the ball and chip it over opponents. Or you can hammer the ball to the ground so that it bounces and flies over the opponent while you run past them.
Additionally, the Active Touch System features numerous new animations showing how players handle the ball and fight for it.
For example, players execute a diving header to reach the ball in midfield before the opponent and pass it to a teammate. Also, a feigned shot while sprinting is now quite effective as there is hardly any loss of speed, allowing you to easily outmaneuver opponents.
In short: You have more control and more options with the ball. This video introduces the Active Touch System:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Tackles feel different in FIFA 19: I found it harder to win the ball with a normal tackle (circle button on PS4) than in FIFA 18. The reason is the new feature called “50/50 Battles”. This shows players having “more instinct” in tackles, always trying to get a foot to the ball somehow. Thus, tackle situations are more contested – and you can feel it on the pitch.
The tackles we executed all went very well. In FIFA 19 they are certainly an effective means to win the ball. Shielding (with L2 on PS4) had, on the other hand, almost no benefit.
Gray arrows over players: What we also liked was a grayed-out arrow over a teammate when you are the defending team. This indicates which player you will switch to when you press the player switch button. It is also the player who rushes in when you request support in a tackle. You have a bit more control as you are visually shown beforehand which player you can switch to.
What hasn’t convinced us in FIFA 19 so far
The goalkeepers! Unfortunately, the goalkeepers in our matches were a complete disaster. Every single normal long shot went in because the goalkeepers reacted far too late. Once, the ball gently flew just a few centimeters past the goalkeeper, and instead of sticking out a hand, the goalkeeper threw himself to the ground as if struck by lightning. And we’re talking about Hugo Lloris here.
Okay, Manuel Neuer made a few spectacular saves that looked really good. But we were genuinely surprised by how much the goalkeepers let in.
Long shots are too effective: While none of our chipped long shots went in, every normal shot from distance – so just pressing circle on the PS4 – found the back of the net. You can only try to block the shot with a defender as the goalkeeper certainly will not save it. While testing, I wrote down three times: “Long shots OP” in bold.
Everything else we noticed in FIFA 19
Regarding the goalkeepers: When you press the right stick inward and then move the stick, you can control the goalkeeper and possibly position him better. We tried this new feature several times: it works flawlessly, but we couldn’t prevent a goal with it. Additionally, we noticed that the goalkeepers can kick the ball much further into the opponent’s half than in FIFA 18.
Regarding free kicks: Free kicks work exactly the same as in FIFA 18.
Regarding corners: There are also no changes to the corner mechanics.
Regarding penalties: The penalties are also identical to those in FIFA 18. If the goalkeeper jumps in the right direction, he always saved the ball for us – even with half-right and half-left low shots.
Regarding the driven shot: This has been significantly toned down. We tried it from many positions, and only one from short distance went in. By the way, you perform it by holding R1 + L1 and then charging the shot strength with Circle.
Regarding the new shooting system: I tested this too little to form a first impression. I am too used to the old system, which is why I always applied this one automatically. In this video, you can see the new shooting system:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Regarding passes and crosses: Relatively many through balls didn’t reach their target for us. Other than that, we didn’t notice anything negative. That balls from a spin don’t arrive 100% accurately to a player, we found rather positive. However, you can well combine into the opponent’s penalty area when playing quick passes.
Regarding dynamic tactics: We played around with the tactics a bit, but time did not suffice to assess their influence and utility.
Regarding the referee: The referee officiated everything correctly in our games.
Regarding goal kicks: Until now, when changing direction, the camera swung along. In FIFA 19, you can now view the entire field in width.
Celebration animations can be completely skipped.
Conclusion: FIFA 19 does quite a bit right regarding gameplay. You have more control in the game, you can combine well and create surprise moments; the action looks smoother and more realistic. We definitely had fun at the play event.
However, EA Sports still needs to work a bit on the long shots and the goalkeepers, who left us with a bad impression. If improvements are made here before the release, we look forward to the new season with FIFA 19!
How does such a play event actually take place?
Such an event can basically be imagined like a lame standing party that gets better over time. Initially, everyone stands lost somewhere in the room until some small groups form where games are extensively discussed. Some press representatives also remain alone in a corner sipping a cola, maybe nibbling on a snack.
But once the employees from EA Sports take the stage, things pick up speed. We gain insights into the development of FIFA 19, and they present us with the greatest innovations. In-game material is presented on a large screen. Anyone interested in football and the FIFA series – like me – hangs eagerly on the developers’ lips and takes notes.
But only then does such an event reach its climax: in the room, several “PS4 Pro” consoles are set up where you can play a few matches in the kickoff mode of FIFA 19 with a friend. Meanwhile, there is the opportunity to speak with the EA employees to then fully focus on the new gameplay of FIFA 19.
We will find out how the fun will go in the final version at the latest on 28.09.2018. Then FIFA 19 will be released with all innovations on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Before the upcoming Forsaken expansion for Destiny 2, Bungie has revealed some new details about the secrets that lie in the Dreaming City. There is something for both casuals and hardcore fans.
Forsaken brings more puzzles: In an exclusive article from Game Informer, the studio has revealed some information about the secrets that Guardians can expect in the Dreaming City – the home of the Awoken.
The Hidden Secrets of the Dreaming City – Something for Everyone
The home of the Awoken is not only beautiful: The Dreaming City, the new end-game hub of the Forsaken expansion, is a picturesque area that resembles Rivendell from “The Lord of the Rings” more than a typical Destiny setting.
But Guardians will quickly realize: the initial beauty is deceiving. For the home of the Awoken also has a dark side – the Ascendant Realm. This parallel existence plane houses the deities that the Hive worship and is also home to the Scorn Baron Mindbender.
New challenges: The adventures in this dark world will be among the toughest and most demanding that Forsaken has to offer. But the rewards you can earn there will be worth it.
Challenges for Everyone
Getting started: Before you can test your skills in the Ascendant Realm, you must first gain access to this parallel dimension.
By defeating enemies, participating in public events, or in the Blind Well, a new consumable item may drop occasionally in the Dreaming City. This is your key to the Ascendant Realm. When you use this item, you will be able to see numerous secrets that link the Dreaming City with the Ascendant Realm. But be aware: this ability is only temporary.
The platforms: One of the first things that will catch the Guardians’ eyes are the randomly floating platforms throughout the Dreaming City. These platforms are only visible and usable to those who have consumed the new item. The platforms will appear at certain locations in the city, but their exact position will change from week to week. And where you find one platform, you will usually find others as well. The platforms are very narrow. To follow the path to the rewards waiting at the end, a certain degree of jumping skills and practice is required.
The rewards: However, the reward at the end of this acrobatic endeavor will help you progress in the Dreaming City. These jumping passages will lead you to chests that can contain a random selection of tokens for activating the Blind Well, legendary gear, or even more. The gear from the chests may not be the strongest in the game, but it should help ease your initial progress in the Dreaming City and push you further.
By the way: Bounties from Petra Venj, the new vendor of the Dreaming City, will lead you more often to areas where these platforms appear.
Challenges for Core Fans
Gateways to the Ascendant Realm: Bounties may not only lead you to possible locations of the platforms, but they can sometimes also provide hints about another secret that may await you at the end of the platforms: gateways to the Ascendant Realm.
Only one of these portals will open weekly. So you have to think carefully about how to utilize the hints given to you and find the portal in time. Some portals will be extremely well hidden, while others will jump right at you. And while for some the jumping passages to these portals will already pose a high hurdle, that is just the beginning of the challenge to follow.
Special challenges: Because on the other side of the portals, so-called Ascendant Challenges await the Guardians. These are short, self-contained dungeons that will put your aim skills and puzzle-solving abilities to the test. The puzzles may not be as demanding as in the raid, but there will be no assistance given. It is entirely up to you to figure out how the mechanics work.
But other factors will make your life harder: If you die, you will respawn in the Dreaming City. You will have to redo the entire jumping passage to the portal. Additionally, the required consumable item is time-limited, and you can carry a maximum of five in your inventory. The clock is ticking.
The actual puzzles vary: Generally, most require a mix of combat, jumping skills, and sharp wits. For example, there is a challenge where Guardians must work their way up over tiny platforms to the top of an area. Each platform is protected by darkness traps that explode after a short time and can knock players off the platforms. Other challenges involve figuring out the correct boss-fight mechanics or mastering even more demanding jumping sections.
Best in a team – eventually also solo: While you can complete the Ascendant Challenges alone (eventually), it is recommended to tackle the challenges as part of a team at first. The enemies on the other side of the portals will be too tough for you alone if you approach them right after completing the Forsaken story. Additionally, the extra brain power is worth it for solving the puzzles. The puzzles may not be particularly long, but the first few times you will struggle quite a bit to figure out the mechanics before your elixirs run out.
The reward: At the end, a high-tier piece of gear awaits your efforts in the Ascendant Challenges, which will help you advance in power level – and that outside of the weekly milestones. With the Ascendant Challenges and the numerous, easier-to-reach chests, both casual and passionate players will receive new goals to pursue weekly – even off the beaten path.
The new Overwatch hero Wrecking Ball enters the live servers. However, many players still do not know what to do with the hamster. With our tips and tricks, you’ll immediately know how to play Wrecking Ball best or what counter works effectively against Hammond.
Wrecking Ball – a hero without a plan: In creating Hammond, aka Wrecking Ball, the developers primarily focused on his design. The idea of a hamster in a giant mech is simply cool.
Wrecking Ball is a very mobile, offensive tank. His role is to bring a fight to the enemy and to initiate a team fight. He strikes into the opposing team, forcing them to react with high damage output and powerful shields.
Wrecking Ball against Hedgehog Formation: Wrecking Ball is particularly effective against the popular anti-dive strategy seen on some maps, where the team takes cover behind Orisa at one location and tries to stop attackers with great firepower.
Wrecking Ball can strike in these situations with a swinging flank attack or even simply by charging directly into the opponents. With his ‘Collision Course’ right after using ‘Wrecking Ball,’ he spreads and disrupts the opponents gathered in one spot.
With his ‘Adaptive Shield,’ he survives long enough to deal substantial damage with his ‘Quad Cannons’ or even his ‘Minefield.’
The right composition: It is not only important against which heroes and compositions Wrecking Ball is strong, but also with which he can work well together. Wrecking Ball fits especially well into a tank-heavy dive composition.
Together with D.Va and Winston, Wrecking Ball can turn up the heat on his opponents. Through coordinated attacks, individual targets can be effectively eliminated. At the same time, the three large tanks have a lot of hit points and are very survivable together.
Counters and Strategies against Wrecking Ball
It is always important to know the strengths and weaknesses of a hero – whether you are playing him yourself or have to face him. Wrecking Ball has a lot of potential, but also some weaknesses that you can exploit against him or consider switching him out.
Shooting hamsters with sniper rifles: At the moment, snipers are very popular in the meta, with Widowmaker and Hanzo becoming increasingly seen as ranks rise. For Wrecking Ball, this becomes a problem.
Wrecking Ball has a very small critical hit zone that is only active when he is not moving fast (the hamster himself). But if two snipers spread out and pelt him from a distance, he is at their mercy. He is a large target that is hard to miss and quickly succumbs to arrows and bullets from afar.
CC against Wrecking Ball: His second major weakness is any form of crowd control, such as stuns, repositioning, or sleep effects. With CC, Wrecking Ball’s movement is restricted, which is what actually makes him strong.
To fully utilize his speed, Wrecking Ball needs a short running start. However, even a flashbang from McCree or a sleep arrow from Ana is enough to reset him back to 0 and make him start anew. He is an easy target for such attacks and then helpless in his position.
Have you gained any experience with Wrecking Ball? What is your tactic with or against the dangerous hamster? Let us know in a comment!
