A wheelchair causes excitement in Overwatch. Is this a teaser for a new hero or a cinematic?
The developers of Overwatch are good at hiding small hints about the lore of the game world in the hero shooter. Fans are eager for new information and always want to know more about current or upcoming heroes, leading to interesting discoveries.
Some players have noticed that the “Control Center” area of the Lijiang Tower map was changed in the late summer of last year. In one of the offices, an ordinary desk chair was replaced with a wheelchair.
On Reddit, user Karahe has compiled all previous information about the wheelchair and possible connections and has come up with a few theories.
The wheelchair is suspicious in that there is actually no reason for a wheelchair for wealthy individuals in the future of Overwatch. Thanks to modern technology, it is possible to replace any part of the body with prosthetics, making a traditional wheelchair useless—unless one deliberately chooses to forgo this technology.
In the past, Blizzard has always changed such details when they later became relevant—whether in a new cinematic or a new origin story.
It is also suspicious that on Harold’s desk, there is a picture of Winston (gorilla) and Harold. Since neither Winston nor Harold could revisit this place (Harold is dead and Winston is not welcome), one wonders who placed the picture there.
Is Harold Winston still alive?
On the lunar colony: Horizon, which is connected to the Lijiang Tower (both are from the same company), there are also striking details. There is a clear blood trail that runs throughout the map. It is also noticeable that only Harold Winston’s spacesuit is missing (the scientist after whom Winston was named).
Since the gorilla Winston would not have fit into this spacesuit, fans assume that Harold is still alive. This would mean that he either managed to escape secretly or even collaborated with the angry gorillas (who possessed similar intelligence to Winston).
Fans speculate that Harold could be the next hero—or even a villain. This would also align with what Jeff Kaplan previously stated, that “you know who Hero 27 will be,” without mentioning a specific name.
Who do you think will be the next hero in Overwatch?
It’s going wild in Hearthstone: Between February 19 and March 11, the Wild Festival takes place, allowing you to choose from a pool of all cards ever available in three different modes.
The event is based on the Wild card format, which also allows the use of no longer available cards, making for exciting decks that are otherwise outdated. Both hardcore Arena players and card chaos fans will find something to enjoy.
The Wild Arena
The Wild Arena now lets you choose from the pool of Wild cards. The expanded selection aims to offer a completely different gameplay experience compared to the regular Arena.
Beloved favorites from past cards can also find their way back into your Arena deck with a bit of luck. The Wild Arena has already started and runs until March 11.
Wild Card Chaos Variants
Additionally, two new card chaos variants were created to celebrate the event.
Law of the Wild: Those who do not own enough Wild cards and have never built a truly wild deck will now be able to try it out. In the Law of the Wild, there is a ready-made wild deck for each selectable class to experiment with.
The Wild Card Coliseum: In this mix of Arena and card chaos, you compile a wild deck from your own cards after paying an entry fee in real money or gold and compete against other players. Just like in the Arena, everything ends after 3 losses or 12 wins, and you start over. The first round is free, and similar to the Arena, tiered rewards are offered based on achieved victories.
These card chaos variants are not live yet but will likely start one after another on Wednesdays over the coming weeks. The Wild Festival event runs until March 11.
Are you looking forward to the wild card battles? Do you have your own wild decks?
In the new survival game SOS, a conflict arises that is also brewing in games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds or Friday: The 13th: Is there a two-class society between streaming stars and regular players?
Subtly, it has been noticeable for a long time that there is a conflict simmering in today’s gaming: Do games prefer the big streamers at the expense of regular gamers?
Twitch stars are becoming increasingly important for games to be noticed
There is no question that Twitch stars have become an important marketing tool for game companies to stand out from the crowd. Successful Twitch streamers bring large communities with them, with thousands watching them.
The success of games like Friday the 13th: The Game or PUBG can really only be explained by how well these games perform on Twitch and give the streamer a platform to entertain their fans.
Others liked to court streamers, offered partnerships, or involved them in the financial success behind the scenes – the so-called “influencers”.
Recently, developers have increasingly catered to streamers in front of the scenes: They protect them from stream sniping, ban people who supposedly disturb them in their streams, or grant them special modes.
In the new game SOS, this special treatment seems to reach a new dimension. SOS is also referred to as “Streamer vs. Player”.
The idea behind SOS is: Players are actors in front of a live audience that they must entertain while fighting for survival. The audience can theoretically give advantages to the “most entertaining player”. In practice, this “most entertaining player” will often be the one who brings the most viewers from Twitch.
In highly publicized reviews on Steam, the game is accused of:
Essentially being designed to give streamers massive advantages – they could play alongside their own fans and would also be favored by game mechanics because they have the viewers on their side.
Moreover, developers have been accused of banning those people who annoy Twitch streamers at the behest of well-known streamers.
Additionally, people who have expressed critical opinions are said to have been banned from the communities.
The developers are accused of nepotism and favoritism, particularly having a weakness for female streamers.
Such accusations are difficult to prove from the outside. The German gaming site GameStar asked the developer for a statement two weeks ago and has not received one.
In the multiplayer shooter Hunt: Showdown, you fight against horrific creatures and other players in a sandbox world. The title aims not only to be fun but also to generate a threatening atmosphere. Our author Guddy has taken a peek into the currently ongoing alpha.
The current closed alpha of Hunt: Showdown does not show a finished game yet. It is still to be revised and refined, and not all content is implemented yet. Nevertheless, in most matches, some other players are already showing up in the expansive swamp area designed after Louisiana in 1889.
Everyone is struggling with the quirks of an alpha: with long loading times, error messages, and minor glitches. However, one can assume that such problems will diminish over time.
In the alpha, it is about the impressions of the gaming experience:
Does Hunt: Showdown manage to create atmosphere?
Is the gameplay fun?
And how is the current balance?
In Hunt, you not only have to track down the boss monster, banish it to hell, and take the trophy home, but you also become a target yourself. Once you have the trophy in your backpack, all other hunters want to take you down to claim the bounty for themselves.
Alone at Night with My Girlfriend, Paranoia
But before you dive into the mud, you need to hire a hunter. They are all stylish and give a first impression of the world with their rugged looks. They come with their own inventory and individual names. If it has a name, you must protect it!
And so, for the first time, I am reminded that I need to take care of my hunters. Because later in the real game, the rule is: If you die, you’re really dead. With this thought, I dive into the game – and will soon realize that it is not as easy to keep your hunter alive.
I land somewhere in the swamp. Not only at my home is it pitch dark, but the game has also donned its darkest garb. Choosing the headset instead of the speakers in Hunt is essential and greatly supports immersion. Around me, the underbrush crackles. The swamp gurgles and splashes at irregular intervals. Is it just the environment, or is it one of those creatures that wants to make your life difficult?
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Soundscapes are Crucial for Survival in Hunt: Showdown
The soundscapes are a major plus in Hunt: Showdown. They not only provide the necessary horror atmosphere but also indicate where the enemies are located. If you step on a twig, bump against hanging chains, or scare up crows, a sound is always produced. This is not only advantageous for locating your opponents but can also become a bitter disadvantage: Because you are not just a hunter but also hunted.
This uncertainty, coupled with disgusting sounds like slurping, moaning, and the cracking of nameless horrors, can truly induce fear. More than once, I stood waiting in front of a locked door of a wooden house, behind which there was shuffling and groaning. My imagination ran wild, and under the pressure of the fabulously creepy graphics, I had to encourage myself to see what was behind the door.
Hunters and the Hunted
I hear gunshots from afar. However, who they are aimed at is not my main question. After all, it is a matter of finding and taking down the monster while also being on the lookout for rival teams. When it comes to the monster, you have the agony of choice. In the alpha, you can choose in advance whether you want to deal with a giant spider or a zombie with a pig’s head.
You go hunting equipped with archaic-looking weapons: shotgun, pistol, axe. Accuracy is not really their strong point, and the ammunition is limited.
The roaming creatures, monsters, and hunters are not necessarily easy to defeat. While many are sluggish, once you have their attention, they can show uncomfortable speed, brandishing claws, pistols, or teeth. The environment does not make it easy either: Fire, for instance, can set you ablaze and deal massive damage, and glass shards are not your friends either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocb3yTS7KkA
More Effective in a Team than Alone
While there is also a charm in wading through the swamp alone: Everything feels more threatening, and being on your own increases paranoia. However, as a pair, you can make the most of the situation and allow tactical teamwork to speak for itself. Additionally, it is possible to revive fallen comrades: if you have the necessary nerve.
That said, you never know how many opponents are still active. There is no display that would reveal this, and so it can very well be that you are all alone in the open – or nine people have gathered in the bushes next to you, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But of course, there is one exception: If the ritual for banishing the boss monster is in progress, the location is marked on the map. Any remaining hunters can then casually head over and track the marked player. Underhanded? Absolutely! And it is incredibly fun!
Conclusion and Outlook – Our Impressions of the Hunt: Showdown Alpha So Far
Hunt: Showdown looks promising. The audio and visuals create a harmonious symbiosis that teaches you to shiver. If you immerse yourself in the mood, with all the soft and loud sounds, the world and its creatures, you can have a damn good time with this title.
Not all hunters, maps, and weapons have been integrated yet; the alpha still presents an unfinished picture – especially regarding optimizations. Loading times can make life difficult, but these are the quirks of the current phase. It is not finished yet. The important thing is that Hunt: Showdown has potential, and not just a little.
The Roadmap
The developers are currently working hard on the game, which is evident from frequent server maintenance. They also recently released a roadmap, showing what to expect in the future for Hunt. Among other things:
Many more weapons, hunter outfits, and maps.
Various difficulty levels.
A crafting system.
New sandbox features that have yet to be defined.
Overhaul of the AI.
Additionally, female characters will also be available. According to a Twitter reply, this will, however, take a while.
The alpha will run longer. You can still sign up on the official Hunt: Showdown website. Overall, the developers want to take a few more months to optimize the title. Therefore, a release before 2019 is quite unlikely.
It is also still unclear if Hunt: Showdown will be available only for PC or also for the PS4 and Xbox One consoles. Either way: It is a title to keep an eye on.
Have you played it yet? What do you think of the game?
The Demonology Warlock is being revamped in World of Warcraft. In Battle for Azeroth, there are actual demon hordes!
With the current expansion “Legion,” several classes and specializations in World of Warcraft have been fundamentally revamped. One of them was the Demonology Warlock, who no longer became a demon himself but instead commanded many small minions.
But the plan didn’t work out in Legion. Demonology Warlocks were boring to play, it took a while for them to get going, and most of the time the fight was already over before enough demons could be summoned.
Therefore, the Demonology Warlock is getting a major update in Battle for Azeroth. He gets simpler methods to summon large imp armies and gains control over even more demons.
Wowhead has already released a video about the new spells and fresh animations:
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Currently, Warlocks in Battle for Azeroth receive two new demons that they can summon: the Demon Commander and the Dark Horror.
The Dark Horror is a talent. The Warlock summons this demon known from Argus, who attacks the current target for 15 seconds before disappearing again. Currently, it has no special abilities, but those will come in a future update.
The Demon Commander combines many effects. When summoned, it extends the duration of all other active demons by 15 seconds and increases their damage by 15%. Additionally, it bombards all current targets with Shadow Bolt salvos. It lasts for 15 seconds.
But besides that, the Demon Warlock is getting new abilities and talents.
For example, the brand new area spell Blight Bombardier, which rains down corrupted flying demons on the target area.
Also interesting is the new level 100 talent Nether Portal, which can be activated for 20 seconds. Whenever the Warlock spends Soul Shards during this time, additional demons are summoned from the Nether to attack the target.
Clearly, Blizzard has big plans for the Demonology Warlock and wants to enhance the feeling of being a “general over an army of demons” even further. At least the first impression looks good. Whether it plays that well will be seen in a few weeks when we receive more feedback from the testers.
Are you looking forward to the revamp of the Demonology Warlock? Or do you think it is good as it is in Legion?
More levels, more skins, completely new items – the new Battle Pass for the upcoming Season 3 in Fortnite: Battle Royale is said to offer significantly more – and to be just as quick to complete as the Battle Pass from Season 2.
The Battle Pass was introduced at the beginning of Season 2 in Fortnite: Battle Royale. It offered 70 levels that players could progress through by completing daily challenges. At each level of the Battle Pass, there were various bonuses to win, which, however, did not provide an advantage over other players:
Epic promises more items, more levels, and completely new cosmetic items for the Battle Pass of the new Season 3! While the theme of Season 2 was knights, now it’s about astronauts and space travel.
The Battle Pass for Season 3 – more, more, more leveling
Instead of 70 levels in Season 2, you can now progress through 100 levels in the new Battle Pass. At the same time, however, you will not need to allocate more time to complete the Battle Pass, according to Epic. You will receive more items for the same time investment (about 75 – 150 game hours).
These are the items of Season 3 compared to Season 2:
Interestingly, three completely new cosmetic items are coming to the game: free-fall effects, loading screens, and back bling. However, it is still unknown what exactly a free-fall effect or loading screen will look like.
New in the game: Weekly challenges
In Season 2, players had to log in regularly to play the daily challenges. These were the best opportunity to level up the Battle Pass. Epic wants to give you more room and flexibility with the new Season – through weekly challenges.
The weekly tasks replace the daily challenges. Seven weekly tasks will be available at the same time. These are stackable – if you fail to complete a weekly challenge, you can simply finish it later.
Each weekly challenge gives you 50 Battle Pass stars, which is equivalent to 5 levels of progress in the Battle Pass. To unlock the rewards, four of the seven weekly challenges can be completed. So choose what fits your playstyle!
Buy bundles and individual levels of the Battle Pass in Season 3 – prices
In addition to the standard Battle Pass for 950 V-Bucks, you can also purchase an upgrade directly. For 2,800 V-Bucks (equivalent to €28), you receive the Battle Pass along with an additional 25 levels. According to Epic, this is a savings of 40%.
If you have little time, you can also directly purchase levels for 150 V-Bucks. If you want to complete the Battle Pass immediately, you will need to invest 15,000 V-Bucks, or purchase the bundle consisting of Battle Pass and 25 levels for 2,800 V-Bucks and then invest an additional 11,250 V-Bucks.
Needed to purchase the Battle Pass: V-Bucks!
When does Season 3 in Fortnite: Battle Royale start?
According to Epic, the new Season will be launched after update 3.0.0, specifically on February 22. Season 3 ends on April 30, 2018. So you have about two months to complete the 100 levels of the Battle Pass.
Are you excited for the new Season 3 and the new Battle Pass?
Monster Hunter World has a system that allows you to start quests with a higher difficulty. The Hunter Rank determines how strong and challenging the monsters are. What is this rank all about and how does it increase?
Update: This article was originally published in January and has received an update. The different Hunter Rank limits that are lifted by completing certain quests have been added.
The Hunter Rank (HR) symbolizes your experience and skills as a hunter. The higher the rank, the more quests are available to you. The quests you can complete at a high rank, or “High Rank,” differ in level from the “Low Rank” quests. The difficulty is indicated by stars, which are located in the quest description.
The Hunter Rank increases by completing (story) quests, expeditions, and successfully hunting monsters. You need to improve your Hunter Rank and advance to High Rank before you can tackle the most difficult quests.
Additionally, it’s important to note that there are Hunter Rank caps that are lifted by completing certain quests. An explanation for these blocks is missing in the action RPG, which is why the various tiers are listed in this article.
You can see your current Hunter Rank by opening the start menu with the options button. Here you can view your status window, which appears on the right side of the screen. At the top of the status window, you will find your Hunter Rank.
The following section contains light spoilers regarding the storyline of Monster Hunter World.
When do High Rank quests begin?
The difficulty and rank of the quests are indicated by stars. These are located next to the name of the quest when you look at the quest board.
Quests for high Hunter Ranks begin at star level 6. Once you have unlocked the High Rank quests, you can take on the most challenging missions that the game currently has to offer. These quests will be unlocked for you once you have driven the mighty Zorah Magdaros into the water for the first time.
The Zorah Magdaros is the Elder Dragon that comes to the New World and causes upheaval. In Monster Hunter World, you explore this phenomenon and must defeat the Zorah Magdaros. If you defeat him for the first time, you will advance to High Rank. Now you can “announce difficult quests”.
The High Rank is considered your “true” Hunter Rank and directly increases the strength of the monsters. The highest known quest is currently at star level 9.
What advantage does the “High Rank” bring?
With the “High Rank”, you can take on new challenges. For some, this can mean significant long-term motivation. For many “Monster Hunter” veterans, the game only really kicks off at High Rank.
As the monsters become stronger, you also get the opportunity to craft High Rank armor. When you visit the blacksmith with your High Rank, you will find another option for armor. You now have the chance to craft High Rank armors. These are divided into Alpha sets and Beta sets. The B sets provide more options for further upgrading the armor and adding decorations. The A set, on the other hand, has better base stats.
Tip: It hardly pays off to farm armor at low ranks. The armors you can craft for the lower quests are more of a transitional gear. Until you reach High Rank, only farm what you need to progress through the story. “High Rank” armor is currently the focus in the endgame, and you will quickly trade in your lower armor pieces.
Hunter Ranks are divided into different tier limits
In Monster Hunter World, Hunter Ranks have various limits. Once these caps are surpassed, you unlock new content and can continue to increase your Hunter Rank. How exactly these blocks are structured is not revealed easily in the action RPG.
Any experience you have accumulated up to a certain Hunter Rank cap will carry over to the new tier. The first limit is at HR 15, which is lifted when you complete the story. If you have gained more experience through various quests up to that point, you can make a direct jump over HR 15 as soon as the boss is defeated. This means you could jump directly from Hunter Rank 15 to Hunter Rank 29 after completing the story.
Here is a list of the tiers and what they unlock.
Hunter Rank 1-15 – Complete main story
Hunter Rank 1-15 is tied to the story quests. If you simply follow the main quests, you will automatically progress in Hunter Rank. These mostly involve hunting new monsters and gradually introduce all creatures and maps.
Hunter Rank 29+ – Unlocks quest for two tempered Bazelgeuse
If you reach Hunter Rank 29 now, you will unlock a new quest. Here you must face two tempered Bazelgeuse at the same time. It is recommended to undertake this hunt with a team of 4. The Bazelgeuse is highly aggressive and easier to take down if enough hunters can distract it. The Bazelgeuse is also weak to thunder, as you can see in our extensive monster list with loot and habitat.
Hunter Rank 49+ – Unlocks quest for tempered Kirin
Now it’s back to grinding until you reach the next Hunter Rank limit. By successfully hunting/capturing/killing monsters, you will increase your Hunter Rank.
Once you reach Hunter Rank 49, you will unlock a quest where you can face a tempered Kirin. This unicorn dragon is formidable! Its lightning attacks can take a hunter’s life in one hit.
From Hunter Rank 49, there are no more Hunter Rank limits.
Hunter Rank 100+ – Unlocks quest for tempered Nergigante, Teostra, and Kushala Daora
It is worth mentioning that once you reach Hunter Rank 100, you receive a new quest in which you can simultaneously face a tempered Nergigante, tempered Teostra, and tempered Kushala Daora. This is currently the most difficult quest that Monster Hunter World has to offer.
Will there be G-Ranks?
At this time, High Rank seems to be the highest level you can achieve as a hunter. In older titles of the franchise, there was still the G-Rank, which raised the level even further beyond High Rank.
The G-Rank is currently not in the game. However, Capcom does not entirely rule it out:
In the “Save the World” mode of Fortnite, there will be several changes in the coming weeks. Alongside menu improvements, the stamina system will finally be revised – a new weapon will also come. We have the roadmap for the PvE mode for you!
In recent weeks, there has been increasing criticism from the player base that Epic is completely focusing on the Battle Royale mode and neglecting the PvE content that many players have paid for.
When Epic also announced the closure of the MOBA Paragon, many feared that the focus would now be solely on Battle Royale. This is not the case, as Epic has emphasized multiple times in recent days. Instead, they plan to invest more in the “Save the World” mode in the future.
To this end, Epic has now released a roadmap outlining the key changes to Fortnite in the coming weeks.
These are the key changes in Fortnite in the coming weeks
A new heavy pistol, changes to the stamina system, and much more have been summarized by Epic in the roadmap:
February 19 – With the universal inventory, you can define loadouts before starting a mission. Epic had temporarily disabled this feature due to items disappearing randomly.
February 21 (Patch 3.0.0) – A new questline “Spring it on” will be available, new items will be added to the event store, and the soundtrack will be revised with an orchestral version. Additionally, you can look forward to a new heavy pistol (Eagle), for which no further details are known yet.
February 28 (Patch 3.1.0) – The first part of a series of revisions to the stamina system will be released. The update will also feature a new questline, new event store items, a new enemy, and a legendary defender focused on melee combat.
March 07 (Patch 3.2.0) – With update 3.2.0, the long-awaited voice chat will be added to the PC. You can also look forward to new heroes in honor of the Chinese New Year.
The coming weeks promise many contents for the PvE mode of Fortnite. Specifically, the revision of the stamina system is eagerly awaited, as it has been criticized for months.
The stamina system in Fortnite is being revised – but how?
For almost all actions in the game, you consume stamina – endurance. Whether sprinting, melee abilities, or skills, stamina always plays a role. Since there are no ways to increase stamina, the bar is already empty after a short sprint. Skills can no longer be executed then.
This slows down the game and destroys the momentum, which is the main point of criticism. What measures Epic will specifically implement to address this issue is not known.
There are several improvement suggestions from the community:
No stamina loss while sprinting if you are not in combat
Stamina regenerates faster if you are not in combat
Stamina is increased, skills do not cost a fixed number of stamina points, but a percentage
The complete removal of stamina is also among the suggestions, which would equate to a complete overhaul of the skill system.
What Epic is planning will be revealed on February 28 at the latest when the patch notes for update 3.1.0 are released. A week earlier, a new weapon, the heavy Eagle pistol, will come – also for the Battle Royale mode?
The heavy Eagle pistol – will it also come to Battle Royale?
Since the roadmap primarily focuses on the PvE mode, the pistol will likely initially only be integrated into this mode. However, a future use in the Battle Royale part is not excluded. For example, there are also two different variations of the crossbow in the game.
Exists in both the PvE and Battle Royale modes – the crossbow
There is also a revolver in the Battle Royale mode, which is rather unpopular. Will this be replaced by the new heavy pistol? We will only find out more on February 21. You will then receive the details as usual on Mein-MMO.
What do you think of the changes? How will Epic revise the stamina system?
A listing for a premium version of GTA 5 briefly appeared on Amazon. The mysterious item has since been removed.
Are Rockstar and Take Two planning a new release of GTA 5? According to Amazon, a special edition of the popular Grand Theft Auto V could be released at the end of March. The community has long been wishing for new content for the game. It is unclear whether the developers will meet these requests with this release or only make a few graphic adjustments for the latest generation of consoles.
Mysterious Premium Edition Emerged
For many years, players have been playing Grand Theft Auto V on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. At least for console players, a new version of the game is expected to be available for purchase soon. Amazon Germany listed the premium edition of GTA 5 for Xbox One and PS4.
The Grand Theft Auto V – Premium Edition was listed for €69.95 in the shop and is expected to be released on March 23, according to the website. By now, Amazon has deleted the corresponding item page. This is presumably a leak.
Source: Rockstarintel.com
What more can the Premium Edition of GTA 5 offer?
Unfortunately, comparisons between the different versions of GTA 5 “Normal” and “Premium” were not found in the offer. The community is wondering whether the premium edition is a souped-up version with improved (4K) graphics. But these are just speculations.
Others think that the version might remain the same and would only be supplemented with goodies like Shark Cards.
Two years ago, a possible road map with future content for GTA 5 was released by the community. Possible map expansions (Liberty City or Las Ventures) would likely excite players more than a simple graphic enhancement.
We are eager to see when there will be official information regarding the premium version of GTA 5 from Rockstar.
Until then, you can take advantage of Rockstar’s generosity. They are giving you a chunk of in-game money because of a tax refund. But you should hurry, as the offer is only valid for a short time. Big Money Gift in GTA 5 Online
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Apparently, Google is planning to enter the lucrative gaming market soon. Rumors suggest that the internet giant is working on its own game console, which will serve as a device for a subscription service for games, a sort of Netflix for games.
Will Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo soon face serious competition from Google? Apparently, the company has been working on a proprietary game streaming service under the project name “Yeti” for about two years, including a corresponding device, a console. This was reported by the news agency Reuters, referring to a report from “The Information.”
However, Google has not yet officially confirmed this report.
What is Google “Yeti”? Netflix for Games
Behind the project name “Yeti” is a type of “Netflix for Games.” As far as is currently known, Google’s gaming project consists of two main components:
an in-house game streaming service
and a corresponding device in the form of a home console including a controller.
Games would be played on external servers and streamed to the home device. Lengthy downloads, large installations, and possible updates would therefore be completely eliminated. Expensive hardware and future upgrades would also become a thing of the past. However, a strong internet connection for data exchange would be absolutely necessary.
Payment is supposed to be made through a subscription model. The entire game library would be available to users without restrictions via a flat rate.
Google is reportedly already in contact with some game developers. However, it is currently unclear whether games will be developed specifically for “Yeti” in the future or if only existing streaming games will define the offering.
When will “Yeti” be released?
It is still unclear when Google’s console will hit the stores. The “Yeti” project has not even been officially announced by Google yet. Therefore, a release date is still pending.
Project “Yeti” – serious competition for Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo?
Could Google potentially establish itself as a serious competitor against consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo with “Yeti”?
Considering the current trend in the area of game streaming, the big three probably have little to fear. Comparable projects like Ouya, OnLive, Playstation Now, or Nvidia’s GeForce Now have not been able to succeed against traditional consoles and gaming PCs so far.
On the contrary: Some are still unknown to many gamers. Google will need to come up with something special if the company really wants to establish itself in the gaming market with its concept.
Google has certainly already ensured the necessary expertise. Since the end of January 2018, Phil Harrison has been working as Vice President and General Manager at Google. He previously worked for 15 years at Sony and 3 years at Microsoft, where he dealt with their respective consoles.
Conclusion: It remains exciting around Google’s project “Yeti.” Even if comparable offers on the market have so far found little resonance with players – this fact could possibly change soon thanks to Google’s plans.
demon Hunters in WoW uncover funny Easter Eggs. Because what NPCs say in “demonic” is pretty silly …
In World of Warcraft there are a variety of languages. While most races understand and can speak one or two languages, there are also many languages that are incomprehensible. For example, Kalimag, the language of the elements, is hardly understood by anyone.
For a long time, the same was true for “demonic”. This language existed in World of Warcraft as a pure constructed language since players could not translate it. There were repeatedly NPCs who spoke “demonic” – mostly some demons yelling angrily or reciting from texts.
If anyone thinks that Blizzard just had the NPCs speaking some gibberish and slapped the label “demonic” on it, they are mistaken. The developers actually created the language “demonic” even before the demon hunters – and now it is coming back to haunt them.
Because demon hunters can speak the language and thus understand what the NPCs are saying. They sometimes talk real nonsense.
Demon worships the developers
As a prime example, one might mention the Eredar Levixus from the shattered world. He stands in Auchindoun and quotes – according to the quest – demonic lines from the Book of the Dead. However, what he actually says is something completely different:
You read that right – Levixus simply rambles off the “hidden” credits of World of Warcraft by naming the core designers. Apparently, this is a very powerful, demonic summoning.
Other NPCs in the game also spoke demonic, such as the demon that is stuck in Night Elf Loramus in the Blasted Lands. He does not say farewell with a dark curse, but simply screams: “The pain! Oh, sweet sassy molassey, the pain!”
It is only a matter of time before players find all these hidden words from NPCs that they have been speaking in demonic for years.
Have you already discovered such a text passage with your demon hunter?
Improving your weapon’s sharpness is one way to increase the damage value. Sharpness can multiply the base damage of your weapon.
Sharpness – Damage multiplier for melee weapons
Sharpness is a damage multiplier represented by different colors on a bar. The colors on the bar indicate how much extra damage you can potentially deal with the sharpness of the weapon.
How do the colors affect the weapon’s damage values?
Red: 50% potential extra damage
Orange: 75% potential extra damage
Yellow: 100% potential extra damage
Green: 105% extra damage
Blue: 120% extra damage
White: 132% extra damage
Purple: 145% extra damage (currently not in Monster Hunter World. It remains to be seen if purple will come through a DLC)
A weapon sharpness from the blue area provides you with good extra damage, while the red area results in much less damage:
Melee weapons lose sharpness in battle – Use a whetstone
The sharpness value is only relevant for melee weapons, which continuously lose sharpness when striking. These weapons wear down over time in battle. The lower the sharpness of a weapon, the more often its attacks are deflected. If your sharpness is in the red area, your strikes will almost always bounce off the monster and you will deal hardly any damage.
You can restore the weapon sharpness by using a whetstone. So you need to constantly improve your weapon actively on missions. When you use a whetstone, you are bound to one place for a while. Your hunter kneels down to sharpen their weapon.
Ranged weapons (bow, light and heavy bowgun) are not affected by the sharpness value. You use a new projectile with each attack, which therefore cannot wear down over time.
The sharpness of your weapon is displayed at the top left under your weapon and you can observe its wear. You have the whetstone equipped by default and you have an unlimited supply of whetstones available. In the lower pie menu, the whetstone is visible at the top.
Skills and decorations improve the sharpness of your weapon
When you use the whetstone, you go through sharpening cycles, and that can take a lot of time. However, there are skills that can improve the base value of sharpness or remove sharpening cycles.
Your armor is equipped with skills, and decorations can also grant new skills to your equipment. Each piece of armor from a set has different skills that affect your fight against monsters. Some of these skills improve the sharpness of your weapon.
Decorations can be used once you reach high rank. Here we explain how to rank up in Monster Hunter World and unlock new armor. They are embedded in armor pieces or talismans.
Improves sharpness based on the number of equipment with this skill that the hunter carries. The individual levels improve sharpness as follows:
Level 1: Weapon sharpness +10
Level 2: Weapon sharpness +20
Level 3: Weapon sharpness +30
Level 4: Weapon sharpness +40
Level 5: Weapon sharpness +50
The skill Crafting is found in the armor pieces:
Boots Alloy Set
Chestpiece Odogaron Set
Gloves Alloy Set Alpha
Boots Alloy Set Alpha and Beta
Headgear Damascus Set Alpha
Gloves Damascus Set Alpha
The skill Crafting is available as a decoration, in the form of the Crafting jewel. If you add the decoration to armor, it gains this skill.
Skill: Fast Sharpening
Removes one sharpening cycle based on the number of equipment with this skill that the hunter carries. The individual levels remove cycles as follows:
Level 1: Removes one sharpening cycle when sharpening
Level 2: Removes two sharpening cycles when sharpening
Level 3: Removes three sharpening cycles when sharpening
Fast Sharpening is found in the armor pieces:
Boots Alloy Set
Chestpiece Odogaron Set
Gloves Alloy Set Alpha
Boots Alloy Set Alpha and Beta
Headgear Damascus Set Alpha
Gloves Damascus Set Alpha
The skill Fast Sharpening is available as a decoration in the form of a jewel. If you add the decoration to armor, it gains this skill.
If you are using fast melee weapons, the sharpness value is particularly important for you. Especially the dual blades wear down quickly and can receive an extra boost from sharpness.
Epic Games hires private detectives to investigate the identity of cheaters in Fortnite. However, in two cases, minors have been encountered.
The Battle Royale mode of Fortnite attracts a bunch of players, but also some cheaters. In the competing game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, a wave of cheats contributes to PUBG’s slow decline. This is something Fortnite aims to avoid at all costs.
Therefore, Epic Games, the creators behind Fortnite, are determined to take strong action against those who develop, demonstrate, or distribute cheats for Fortnite. They want to bring them to court.
However, it does not seem so easy to identify the individuals behind the cheats in order to hold them accountable.
In at least two cases, Epic hired private detectives
According to Torrentfreak, Epic Games is specifically hiring private detectives to identify cheaters and then sue them. It is reported that Epic Games has hired private detectives in at least two cases to locate targets.
In the case against an alleged cheater from North Carolina, Epic first hired two security firms, but both were unsuccessful. Only a third firm from Canada determined who the cheater was, in order to initiate a civil lawsuit against that individual.
However, the person identified was a minor. The personal rights of minors are under special protection in court. Therefore, Epic Games has requested to seal the court records and protect the identity of the alleged cheaters.
At that time, the cheater’s mother reached out to the public with a letter.
With other cheaters, Epic Games seems to have reached an out-of-court settlement under the condition that they destroy their work and never do something like that again:
Overwatch invites to the puppy fight. Instead of a fierce fight to the death, it seems to be about one thing: merciless cuteness.
The Overwatch League is heating up. But one thing is definitely missing from the League: cuteness.
Blizzard apparently wants to change that! On Twitter, the developers announced that there would be a “Puppy Rumble” that would be commented by commentators. The teaser already reveals that various puppies are apparently dressed like Overwatch heroes and then have to “compete against each other”.
At first glance, the “Puppy Rumble” seems to be inspired by the Puppy Bowl from Animal Planet, which is held every year in the shadow of the Super Bowl. It’s about generating attention for the (mostly rescued) dogs so that they can find a new home.
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It can be assumed that the “Puppy Rumble” is less about precisely landing headshots and more about a merciless overload of cuteness from four-legged friends. So one can expect plenty of barking, cute puppy eyes, and amusing costumes.
Those who want to watch the “Puppy Rumble” live can do so via Twitch, as the event will be streamed there tonight. It starts at midnight on the official Twitch channel of Overwatch.
Whether the event is also about the dogs finding a new home is not yet entirely clear. However, if it follows the “Puppy Bowl” from Animal Planet, that would be a logical explanation.
In World of Warcraft you can now experience the “Wrath of the Lich King” feeling again. One of the most popular raids of the expansion, Ulduar, is available as a Timewalking raid! It offers a new challenge and great loot!
Ulduar opens its gates! In the Titan raid in the Storm Peaks in Northrend, 14 bosses await to grant you fat loot. Take the opportunity to equip yourself with the Tier 8 set and other useful items!
No, we are not mistaken about the year. In World of Warcraft, Ulduar has actually been released anew. The raid is accessible as a Timewalking version and offers a comparable challenge for 10-30 players as it did at release.
It all started with Algalon – Ensidia World-First March 6, 2009.
Timewalking Ulduar: How does it work, and who is Vormu?
Since Wednesday, Ulduar is available as part of the “Timewalking: Wrath of the Lich King” weekly event. Until next week, you can visit the old raid again with a bit more challenge.
To enter Ulduar in its revised, adjusted version, you must have reached at least level 80, the highest level of WotLK. The enemies will then scale to your level.
To ensure you enter the new version and not the old level 80 variant, you need to speak with Vormu around Old Dalaran in the Crystalsong Forest in Northrend. Gather a group of 10-30 players and speak to the dragon in the form of a female dwarf to be transported to Ulduar.
Ulduar and the Hardmodes – what do I need to know?
If you have already tackled Ulduar before, there is not much to consider. The bosses have no new abilities and are generally a bit easier than they were back then. As with the Black Temple, the balancing is not perfect, so even mistakes don’t necessarily lead to a wipe.
If you have never seen Ulduar from the inside, a quick glance at the dungeon journal is usually sufficient. If your gear is already a bit better, you shouldn’t have major issues, as mistakes will be forgiven. When in doubt, the raid leader will surely be happy to help with a quick explanation.
What should be particularly noted are the Hardmodes. Ulduar did not have the settings “heroic” and “normal.” Here, the difficulty of a boss and what it drops are controlled by the players’ behavior.
Hardmodes must be initiated in a special way and offer a greater challenge. It’s best to discuss before the start which bosses you want to down in Hardmode. Usually, the criteria are quite simple, just the fight is harder. A brief discussion with the raid is advisable in any case.
Mounts, Pets, Transmog – what about the loot?
As a Timewalking raid, Ulduar offers gear that can also be useful for the current level. Just like the enemies, the loot scales with the level. A character at the current maximum level of 110 receives items with a base item level of 930.
The items are of course not only useful but also look good. Just like Ulduar itself, the Timewalking version also offers the chance to get transmog items. Especially the Tier 8 set and its variants are popular items that drop in the Timewalking raid.
For the mounts, Blizzard has adjusted the meta achievement “Glory of the Raider of Ulduar.” The required achievements can be completed in the Timewalking raid, rewarding you with the Rusted Proto-Drake and the Ironbound Proto-Drake.
The most popular mount from the raid, Mimiron’s Head, is available in the new version. To have a chance at the unique mount, you must defeat Yogg-Saron in Hardmode – that is, without the help of the Keepers!
In Destiny 2, a new glitch involving a Hunter exotic is causing trouble.
Since the launch of Destiny 2, Guardians have encountered multiple exploits, glitches, and bugs that allowed them to trick or bypass certain mechanics in the MMO shooter.
Some of the most well-known glitches include the Calus glitch in the Leviathan raid, the emote glitch that allowed players to walk through walls, and the Nova Bomb glitch, which caused chaos during the Dawning event in the Witch’s Cauldron.
Since early February, a new glitch has been spreading that can be considered “harmless” this time. It is not “game-breaking” as it grants almost no advantages in PvP and is only of limited use in PvE.
What kind of glitch is this?
This glitch allows you to continuously land critical hits with a hand cannon without reloading. Each precision hit transfers a bullet from your reserves into the magazine, keeping it filled. However, you don’t have “infinite” ammo since once your reserves are depleted, you’ve shot your powder.
The glitch is basically useful only in PvE when you face a tough boss against whom you can constantly land critical hits, as shown in this video:
https://youtu.be/qxmPuUI5A6g
In PvP, however, duels are usually decided before a reload is necessary. Thus, the no-reload glitch rarely offers advantages. Additionally, precision hits are required, which cannot be reliably achieved in PvP.
How does the glitch work?
To execute the glitch, all you need is:
any hand cannon
as well as the Hunter exotic Lucky Pants. This exotic leg armor has the perk: Precision hits load a round into the chamber of stowed hand cannons.
The exotic leg armor “Lucky Pants”
Now you need to achieve a precision kill, immediately reload your weapon, and after the reload animation, quickly pull out and stow your ghost. From now on, each precision hit will transfer a bullet from your reserves into the magazine.
We have not received a statement from Bungie regarding this glitch. Therefore, we advise against replicating it, even if it can be seen more as a “fun glitch”.
Some users even claim that this is not a glitch at all, but rather a finally useful exotic trait of the Lucky Pants. While the standard perk is boring and does not deserve the term “exotic,” this glitch offers a cool advantage in PvE.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 (PC, Xbox One & PS4) receives a major update with Update 1.2 featuring many new elements, including an additional game mode called “Jetpack Cargo.” Here are the patch notes.
Patch 1.2 for Star Wars: Battlefront 2 was released on February 19, 2018, for all platforms. The major update brought a lot of features, balance adjustments, and bug fixes.
Additionally, there is finally a new game mode that focuses on particularly fast and explosive PvP rounds.
Jetpack Cargo – A Different Kind of Rocket Jump!
In the new game mode Jetpack Cargo, you essentially play the classic Capture the Flag. You need to steal a cargo crate from the enemy base and bring it to your side. So far, so familiar.
The new mode gives everyone a jetpack and a rocket launcher. It becomes explosive and fast-paced as many players soar through the skies simultaneously and let rockets rain down.
However, the new game mode will only be playable for a limited time, so take the opportunity!
More Maps for Arcade and Hero Balancing
If you enjoy playing the Arcade mode, you can look forward to new maps like Kashyyyk, Hoth, Endor, Crait, Jakku, and Death Star II. Additionally, the AI in Arcade mode has become a bit smarter.
On the other hand, if you enjoy playing heroes, you’ll be happy to see numerous adjustments. Many characters received buffs and improvements, while some received nerfs. For instance, Boba Fett becomes even more agile with his jetpack, and Kylo Ren has shorter cooldowns.
Darth Vader gains a health bonus when he gets angry, and the Emperor can only wound players through his aura if he can actually see them. Many fans found it frustrating to suddenly take damage out of nowhere because the Emperor was lurking in another room.
Update 1.2 – A Wealth of Changes
In addition to these major updates, there are a lot of other fixes and adjustments in Patch 1.2 of Battlefront II. These include:
Changes to classes, reinforcements, and the combat system
Identity aims to be a kind of Second Life with exciting adventures. Here, drug dealers meet police officers in a modern gaming world. They are openly advertising parallels to the successful TV series “Breaking Bad.”
The MMORPG Identity is taking a bit longer than expected. The first testing phase was supposed to start in 2016, but now the developers have announced that the marketplace of the city in the game will be open to players starting on March 21, 2018. Then you can take your first steps in the game world and take a little look around.
A first glimpse into the game
However, this is just the so-called “Social Module.” There won’t be much to do yet:
You meet with other players in the city and interact with them.
It is possible to visit a cinema and sing a little song in a karaoke bar.
You exchange phone numbers in the game.
Kickstarter backers gain access to their purchased property, which they can also decorate.
Furthermore, the developers have now released a gameplay video for the MMO that shows you how the game might play out later. Here, too, they are again seeking proximity to the successful series “Breaking Bad.”
In the video, a police officer is called to a crime scene where some other players have set up a drug lab in an old RV. The police officer sneaks up, the others notice him and open fire. As one is shot, the other tries to flee in the RV.
Such “Breaking Bad” situations are expected to occur more frequently in the game.
In Fortnite: Battle Royale (PC, PS4 & Xbox One) there is a matching skin and a pickaxe in the China look for the Chinese New Year. This time, the mystical Monkey King Sun Wukong is up!
Fortnite: Battle Royale treats you with always new, crazy skins. Recently, there were matching outfits for the Olympics and crazy skins for Valentine’s Day. One of them is perfect for setting traps in the right environment and disguising as a statue.
But to celebrate the Chinese New Year, this time there is a skin from the mythology of the Middle Kingdom.
“Make the Monkey!”
In China, the new year of the dog is just starting. But for the developers at Epic, it is rather the “Year of the Monkey”, as the new skin is called “Wukong” and shows a monkey-like creature in a stylish China outfit.
Ascend to Victory Royale-ty as the Monkey King. The new Wukong Outfit is available in the item shop today! pic.twitter.com/LP4io1Qho5
The skin is clearly inspired by the legendary Monkey King “Sun Wukong” from the ancient Chinese epic “Journey to the West”. In this legend, the Monkey King Sun Wukong is a clever trickster and powerful fighter who must protect a rather clumsy monk from enemies and demons.
Monkey skin for the thick wallet
As Wukong – like all skins in Fortnite: Battle Royale – is a purely cosmetic item, you as the Monkey King have no special advantages. You cannot soar on a cloud or swing a long iron staff.
However, there is also a skin for your trusty pickaxe. The “Dragon Axe”, which is also available in a stylish China design. But the new skins and outfits are not cheap.
For Wukong, you pay a proud 2,000 V-Bucks, the real currency from Fortnite. That equals about 20 euros. The Dragon Axe pickaxe is available for 800 V-Bucks, which is worth about 8 euros.
Fun Fact: Sun Wukong is the most used Chinese mythological figure in MMOs. There are skins and heroes inspired by him in games such as Warframe, League of Legends, Paragon, and Heroes of the Storm.
For a few days now, the multiplayer action game For Honor has been running the event “Apollyon’s Legacy.” This not only shows that the developers still believe in their game, but also introduces a mode that players are enjoying immensely. The catch: unfortunately, it is only temporary.
The event runs from February 15 to March 8, 2018. During this time, a limited-time game mode called “Test Your Metal” is available, which players have greatly enjoyed.
Additionally, there are exclusive rewards that can be unlocked during the event.
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In this competitive mode, you and three other players face the final bosses of the For Honor campaign. You must prove courage and honor to succeed in this elimination battle. But beware: after each round won and with each passing week, the opponents grow stronger and the fights become more challenging.
The mode brings fresh wind to the stale multiplayer fights and creates something that the game has largely lacked so far: the connection between multiplayer and the campaign. Until now, both modes stood alone; now they are intertwined.
Fights with a Twist
All bosses represent variations of classes but have their own specific features. Want some examples?
Viking Warlord Gudmundr: He is much faster than his size would suggest and is equipped with a shield that is as deadly as his imposing sword.
The Thug Ragnar: He will smash you to the ground and crush you with his axe if you don’t cleverly exploit tiny weaknesses in his defense.
Samurai General Tozen: A bit slower than ordinary samurai, but he dishes out much harder hits. He also uses smoke bombs and bow attacks, making it difficult to find a rhythm.
Especially those who have been playing For Honor for a long time will find a welcome change in this mode. Inevitably, you have to abandon established combat tactics to adapt to the often surprising moves of the bosses. Additionally, you must work together as a team.
Rewards Await!
Additionally, you will receive rewards and special items:
The emote “I am War!”
Two new color schemes (Blackrock Elite and Iron Legion).
A Signet of Apollyon’s Power.
Along with weapons, a battle outfit, and much more.
Starting February 22, an Apollyon Bundle will also be available for 25,000 Steel, which will be cheaper if you already own items from the bundle. And as a log-in bonus, players who log in during the “Apollyon’s Legacy” event will receive an exclusive “Apollyon’s Crest” emblem outline.
(Not) An End in Sight?
Officially, the event runs until March 8, 2018. However, many players find the “Test Your Metal” mode so exciting that they want to keep it in the game for much longer. On Reddit, they express their desires.
However, it is also criticized there that the AI for potential companions, when one cannot or does not want to have humans, leaves much to be desired.
What do you think? Do you like the new mode as much?
