The Division is again at the forefront of player numbers. Additionally, 2018 promises to be huge.
2017 was a lean year for Division:
In February, Update 1.6 was released, introducing the PvP mode Last Stand
In May, a few features like loadouts were added with Update 1.6.1
In August, Update 1.7 arrived, bringing global events, secret gear sets, and commendations
However, all these updates did not lead to The Division gaining real momentum again. They could not solve the problem that there was a lack of fresh content – new activities and new reasons to log in regularly.
This is shown by a look at the Steam charts:
In the first months of 2017, The Division languished with around 10,000 concurrent players. Update 1.6 did not bring any upswing
In May, the player base temporarily rose to over 18,000, but dropped back to just under 7,000 a few weeks later.
Update 1.7 managed to push the concurrent players to 20,000, but then it plummeted.
The worst phase for The Division was reached in October and November, when the player base on Steam held just over 4,000.
By the way: The official player numbers on PS4 and Xbox One cannot be seen, but they will likely behave similarly to those on Steam.
In December, player numbers rose rapidly
However, the Division developers had not yet used all their ammunition for 2017, as they released Update 1.8 in early December, which brought significant momentum to the shared-world shooter. It was the largest update in the history of The Division, introducing a map expansion, two new game modes, new exotics, and many other innovations.
The Division experienced a renaissance – which is still ongoing.
It continues – Average player numbers as high as in 2016
Because the player numbers are still stable high a month later. The peak values range between 16,000 and 18,000 concurrent players. Thus, The Division currently ranks around 30th place among the Steam top games by current player numbers.
Particularly interesting here are the average active players, which are the core of The Division. Here, values are reached that were last seen only in the release year 2016. In the last 30 days, there were nearly 14,000 players on average just from Steam.
2018 is expected to be huge
Recently, Massive’s community developer Hamish Bode spoke out on Twitter. He promises big things for the new year 2018.
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In Destiny 2, Update 1.1.1.2 is live. Bungie released the patch notes for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Today, on January 3, maintenance took place for Destiny 2. During the server downtime, Update 1.1.1.2 was deployed. Initially, the maintenance was planned until 9 PM, but Bungie was able to bring the servers back online one and a half hours earlier.
Update 1.1.1.2 is a hotfix that you need to download and install before you can play again. You start the download by logging into Destiny 2. The hotfix will then be downloaded directly in the game.
Changelog for 1.1.1.2
Bungie has now released the patch notes for 1.1.1.2, which apply to PS4, Xbox One, and PC. These are quite straightforward, with no surprises:
Iron Banner: Players who do not own the “Curse of Osiris” DLC will gain access to Iron Banner as soon as the event is available.
Faction Rally: Players who do not own the “Curse of Osiris” DLC will gain access to the Faction Rally as soon as the event is available.
These changes were announced in advance. The patch notes do not contain any further updates. The annoying waypoint at Ikora Rey is still in the game, for example.
To avoid another backlash during the Iron Banner and Faction Rally, these events were postponed until a fix could be implemented so that all Guardians could participate again. This fix has now been deployed.
When these events will take place again, Bungie wants to discuss next week.
By the way: Now all Guardians can participate in the events again, but the new items from Season 2 remain reserved for the Guardians who own the “Curse of Osiris” DLC. Those who have not purchased the expansion can only obtain the items that have been in the game since the launch of Destiny 2.
With the increasing popularity of mobile MMORPGs, the Korean development studio Pearl Abyss is working on a version of the MMO Black Desert for smartphones.
The developers have now announced some additional details about this upcoming version of Black Desert for iOS and Android at the start of the new year. It will differ in several ways from the well-known PC version of the online role-playing game.
New Details About the Mobile Game Black Desert
The server system works slightly differently in the mobile game: The servers are divided into zones that function like channels in other MMORPGs. You can only play with other players if you are on the same server and in the same zone.
Family names can be reserved and apply across all servers. These names can only be used by you and are between two and ten letters long.
The skills of the classes Warrior, Ranger, Giant, Witch, and Valkyrie will be carried over from the PC version but expanded with additional abilities. Some skills will function differently in the mobile version. Details will follow.
Character customization will be almost as extensive as in the PC version with minor differences that the developers will discuss.
The weight system will work differently in the mobile version than in the PC version. It will be possible to participate in battles even when overloaded.
The marketplace is supposed to function like in the PC version. You buy items with silver and can regularly list items for sale.
Upgrading items is expected to be somewhat easier and quicker in the mobile version.
Guilds can accommodate around 30 players, and there will be raids at the launch of the MMORPG, with the ability to establish a base for your guild. Content for guilds will be regularly expanded.
You can log into the game using a Google or Facebook account. Alternatively, you can use the official login system of Pearl Abyss.
Crossplay between PC and smartphones will not be possible since they are two standalone games that differ from one another and are played on different servers.
Those who have played the PC version will find it easier to navigate the game. However, all others are expected to have no problems starting. The team places great importance on good beginner friendliness.
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However, the developers have left the two most important questions unanswered: Neither the start date for the beta nor the release date for Black Desert Mobile has been revealed. Anyone interested in mobile MMORPGs should keep an eye on this intriguing title.
One and a half years after the launch of Pokémon GO, the mobile hit is now set to be released in China. Initially, safety concerns were in the way. However, they seem to have been resolved following a deal with the local partner NetEase.
It is actually hard to understand that a country like China, which has so many gamers, has not yet had a Pokémon GO release. In an interview with the Financial Times, Niantic’s CEO John Hanke stated that the launch in China is indeed coming.
NetEase brings Pokémon GO to China
Along with NetEase, Niantic is now working on the release of Pokémon GO in China. However, there is still no specific release date. In the interview with the Financial Times, Hanke explained: “We want to bring our existing games to China. Additionally, there are opportunities to develop games in China and then publish them for China and the rest of the world.”
The Pokémon GO developers at Niantic recently completed a $200 million “Series B” funding round. Among other contributions, NetEase was involved. They also publish Blizzard games in China, such as World of Warcraft and Hearthstone.
In an earlier “Series A” funding round, the company had already raised $30 million. At that time, major contributions came from companies like Nintendo, Google, and The Pokémon Company.
About a year ago, the news agency “Reuters” reported that Pokémon GO would not be released in China. At that time, some safety concerns were the reason. The Chinese authority in charge was worried about players due to the frequent accidents associated with the mobile game, especially in the early days. Players were more focused on their smartphones rather than the road, which led to distractions and caused accidents.
The government was also concerned about geographical information. They believed that the security of the country would be compromised by the game.
It seems that these issues have now been resolved. It could be possible that publisher NetEase, with its connections to the Chinese authorities, provided the new opportunity for Pokémon GO in the Chinese market. What ultimately led to this change remains uncertain.
Government concerns notably diminish after deals with Chinese companies
It is noticeable that Western companies often have difficulty releasing their games in China until they secure a deal with a local company. Then suddenly, everything goes smoothly. This was recently observed with the shooter hit PUBG. Initially, there were seemingly insurmountable obstacles to its launch in China, but then the Korean publisher made a deal with Chinese giant Tencent and everything became a non-issue.
It seems to be a similar situation with Pokémon GO now.
It also remains to be seen how the Chinese version of Pokémon GO will differ from the one we know. For example, to comply with Chinese laws, the hack & slash game “Diablo 3” had to be significantly altered. NetEase also had a role in this game. In the Chinese version of Diablo 3, oil flows instead of blood.
It is certain that the development will now allow a large mass of players to join the Pokémon GO community.
PC players will have to wait a while for Monster Hunter: World. The producer of MHW has now revealed how long it will actually be.
In a brief New Year’s address, Ryozo Tsujimoto, the producer of Monster Hunter: World, spoke to the players. While PS4 and Xbox One owners will be able to dive into the world of Monster Hunter World in just a few weeks, on January 26, PC fans will still have to be patient.
How long exactly this waiting period would last was previously only a guess.
PC release of Monster Hunter: World at the earliest October 2018
Now there is at least a rough indication, as Tsujimoto reveals that the PC version of Monster Hunter: World is set to celebrate its release in autumn 2018. This means that the monster hunting will begin sometime between October and December 2018, provided there are no problems with optimizing the PC version.
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The MH:W team is taking care of the optimization for the PC themselves
The PC version is supposed to support 4K
The HDR effects from the Xbox version are also included
The “Monster Hunter” series has traditionally always been home on consoles. With Monster Hunter: World, PC players also have the opportunity for the first time to engage in the hunt for the creatures.
Are you already looking forward to Monster Hunter: World on PC? Or can’t you wait until autumn and are already playing the console version?
With the upcoming MU Legend update, you will compete with your guild against other guilds in the fight for dominance in an area. This is set to establish new standards in action MMORPGs like Diablo.
New PvP features are launching next week in MU Legend. The developers are on schedule and will release a faction war update in a few days.
Guild Wars in MU Legend are on the way
Two months after the open beta test of MU Legend began, we are expecting a major PvP update. On Tuesday, January 9th, the faction war update will be released on global servers. It is expected to be a celebration for PvP enthusiasts.
You can expect epic PvP battles where you fight for the conquest of guild territories. You will compete with your guild members for dominance over the server and for which players will stand at the top.
Dennis Czybulka, the COO of Webzen, explains: “The innovative faction war feature has set new standards for Korean ARPGs, and we expect the same from our global version.” He adds that a key component of the refined PvP conquest feature is the strategic planning of the guild leader.
The last big update before the release?
Furthermore, Czybulka confirms that the guild war update is the last significant step towards a final OBT version of MU Legend. All further new content will then be part of the official release of this ARPG.
Among the new features in 2018 is also the mysterious Spellbinder class that fans are already waiting for. When activated, you will have five classes to choose from to play in MU Legend.
Today at Notebooksbilliger.de, you can find a really interesting offer. With this monitor, you elevate your gaming experience to the next level.
A great image, high FPS, strong resolution, and low response time are characteristics that distinguish a gaming monitor. You can now get all of that combined, and at a particularly low price.
Only today, Notebooksbilliger.de offers the Samsung C32HG70 for 599 euros instead of 714 euros. It has a screen diagonal of 31.5 inches and features a QLED display. Samsung promises that the Quantum Dot technology represents a significant upgrade for your gaming experience.
It is equipped with a VA panel and has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, which means it’s WQHD. Additionally, the display is curved. Furthermore, the Samsung offers 144 Hz, HDR, and a response time of one millisecond. Moreover, the monitor supports Freesync 2. So if you’re looking for a new gaming monitor, you should take a closer look here.
In addition, you can take advantage of the 0% financing at Notebooksbilliger.de. If you choose this payment method, you can save an additional 50 euros with the discount code LCD050.
The offers displayed here are equipped with so-called affiliate links. By purchasing through one of these links, we receive a small commission from the respective provider. This does not affect the price.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The fans of AION have been excited since Christmas. The reason is the announcement of Patch 6.0 in Korea. There, many changes are being rolled back that had come over the years, simplifying the progression.
AION is a Free2Play game from 2009 that has gradually faded from the public eye. Many still know it as the “MMORPG with wings”, which was briefly considered a WoW killer before many left it again.
But the MMORPG was never discontinued and still generates decent revenue for Korea’s MMO giant NCSoft. In the USA and Europe, versions are running that lag a bit behind. Many fans, however, struggle with design decisions from recent times. And one can notice a general downward trend that is typical for older MMORPGs.
Here is a sexy spreadsheet showing the global revenue of NCSoft games.
Just before Christmas, the news of a major update in Korea came: They plan to release Patch 6.0 for AION.
This will turn the subscription game in Korea into a Free2Play title and roll back some changes in the game system. The fans in Europe are definitely excited about the update and the promises made there.
Trailer for AION 6.0 delights fans with promises of “Back to the Good Old Days!”
If you activate the English subtitles, you will get a rough idea of what is so exciting about AION 6.0. Time and again, it’s about bringing something back, returning to the earlier golden times.
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In the European forum, you can read comments like: “This is exactly the patch we need. They finally got it and are rolling back the nonsense. This could save AION from sinking into obscurity.”
Some fans even demand that the EU publisher Gameforge throw everything overboard and immediately start working on update 6.0, skipping the long-overdue update 5.8.
AION 6.0 arrives in Korea mid-January – When will it come to Germany?
In the forum, Gameforge has already hinted that they understand how much fans are looking forward to 6.0. However, they will probably first have to release 5.8, as preparations for that are already far along:
6.0 has not yet been released in Korea, but is still in preparation. Let’s see how this affects AION and whether it will give the game a second spring.
6.0 is scheduled to be released on January 17 in South Korea
here in the West, we will probably have to wait a while longer.
The first Team of the Week of the new year is coming. It is already TDW 16.
This time, Sanchez (91) and Dybala (90) are two highlights beyond the 90 rating. Pogba follows with strong 89. Here is the entire TOTW 16:
TOTW 16 – Ratings of Player Cards in Ultimate Team
Starting XI:
GK – Ederson – Manchester City – 83>85 CB – Lovren – Liverpool – 81>84 CB – Nkoulou – Torino – 78>82 CB – Aké – Bournemouth – 75>81 CM – Pogba – Manchester United – 87>89 CAM – Alli – Tottenham Hotspur – 84>86 CAM – Lingard – Manchester United – 78>82 LW – Sánchez – Arsenal – 89>91 RF – Dybala – Juventus – 88>90 ST – Roberto Firmino – Liverpool – 83>86 ST – Arnautović – West Ham United – 82>86
CB – Wilson – Rangers – 69>77 RM – Mierzejewski – Sydney FC – 72>79 RM – Fathi – Al Taawoun – 67>76 ST – Alessandra – Notts County – 66>75 ST – Marriott – Peterborough United – 62>72
These were the predictions for Team of the Week 16 in FUT 18
TOTW predictions are forecasts for which players deserve a spot in the upcoming Team of the Week. Although these predictions are never 100% accurate with the official TOTW, it is therefore risky to act on the transfer market based on these, they still provide a good overview of which players might receive the coveted special cards.
We provide an overview of predictions from various FIFA sites.
What is the Team of the Week (TOTW) in FIFA 18 Ultimate Team?
Every Wednesday, EA Sports reveals the Team of the Week in the “Ultimate Team” mode of their annual football simulation game. This is also true for FIFA 18. Players who showed outstanding performances in real football during the past week are rewarded with special cards that have improved attributes.
You can pull the TOTW cards within a week from the packs that may contain Rare (Gold) players. However, the chance of this is considered low. You can also buy them on the transfer market if they are offered by other players. The prices for these are usually extremely high.
The Team of the Week 16 is available from January 3rd at 7 PM until January 10th, 2018 at 7 PM in packs.
The current raid of World of Warcraft, Antorus, the Burning Throne, features three fresh bosses. We will tell you what needs to be conquered!
Although Patch 7.3.2 is already some time ago, there are still regularly new contents for a large part of the player base in World of Warcraft. The LFR, jokingly called the “tourist mode”, of the current raid Antorus, the Burning Throne, opened its third wing today.
The players have to face three more bosses on the way to victory over the Legion, who lure with new abilities and (what else?) cool loot. The following bosses await in the latest section, the Break of Hope:
Kin’garoth, the chief engineer of the Legion
Varimathras, the former dreadlord of Sylvanas
Coven of Shivarra, the high priestesses of the Legion
While Kin’garoth summons his demon hunters, players must be careful to avoid the dangerous whirlwinds during Varimathras and the marked players should isolate themselves from the raid. The fight against the Shivarra requires a bit more movement, as only two of the three Shivarra are actively switching in and out.
So only the last wing of Antorus is missing – The Seat of the Pantheon. Here, the last two bosses will be faced, the corrupted titan Aggramar and then the awakened world soul Argus.
The last wing of Antorus, the Burning Throne, opens its doors on January 17.
An infinite forest that is actually endless and has Tess Everis as a boss enemy – a Guardian has now developed exactly that, as he was disappointed by the infinite forest in Destiny 2
The infinite forest is a new PvE area in Destiny 2, introduced with the “Curse of Osiris” DLC. It is located amidst Mercury, where the Vex simulate different realities. This way you enter a simulated present, past, and future of Mercury in the infinite forest.
In English, this place is called “Infinite Forest”, meaning “Endless Forest”. When the first information surfaced, many Guardians assumed that one could actually dive into an endless labyrinth that would be reassembled each time and would drop loot in stages. Just a simulation with infinite possibilities.
Shortly after the launch of the expansion, however, disillusionment set in. The infinite forest looks fantastic with its various realities, but it is far from “infinite possibilities”. On the contrary: It is “finite”, monotonous, and quickly becomes boring.
You can’t even enter the infinite forest at will. After the story, you must take on adventures to gain access to the infinite forest. Then you run through a randomly assembled area that offers little variety, then defeat enemies in the past, present, or future, and then you are thrown out of the infinite forest again.
This infinite forest is truly infinite
The YouTuber and game developer Pheonise is not happy with Bungie’s infinite forest at all. “This could be better,” he thought, and managed to create an infinite forest that is truly endless in just two days! Here is a video about it:
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The idea behind this infinite forest: After each infinite forest section, you can earn a loot chest. Then you can decide whether to continue playing or to leave the infinite forest. If you continue playing, at the end of the next randomly generated section, there will be loot again. This can be repeated infinitely, with a new section created each time. At the end of a section, a boss, a wave of enemies, or a puzzle awaits.
The graphics are not breathtaking, as this was created by only one person within two days. Nevertheless, many users in the comments are quite impressed. This is another example that the community has a better idea of how Destiny 2 should be than Bungie itself. This infinite forest is at least “infinite”.
and from a loot chest spring two tokens and a blue item. A reference to the disastrous livestream about the Curse of Osiris, when DeeJ spoke of the most worthwhile event that then only dropped “2 tokens and a blue”.
About minute 2:15 you can see Tess and the loot in the video.
What do you think of this fan-made infinite forest?
There are not many indie MMORPGs that generate significant interest – Ashes of Creation is a game that many are currently looking forward to. We present the title and explain what is so interesting about it.
In the summer of 2017, Intrepid Studios launched the Kickstarter campaign for a new MMORPG called Ashes of Creation. The initial skepticism of “Another MMORPG on Kickstarter?” quickly turned to astonishment and interest. Because Ashes of Creation hits a nerve with players that other representatives of the genre miss. Could Ashes of Creation be the western AAA MMORPG that so many of us are waiting for?
The Return to Old Virtues
Modern MMOs seem to be moving further away from the roots of the genre. This starts with the combat systems, which are becoming more action-oriented, and extends to the ability to play the games completely alone, as if they were single-player RPGs.
Real challenges, group content, tactical combat, and the opportunity to truly achieve something for oneself in the world seem to increasingly be overlooked in design. Not so with Ashes of Creation. Fans quickly got the impression that true MMORPG lovers are at work creating a game that embraces all the old virtues.
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Ashes of Creation seems as if the developers took MMORPGs from about fifteen years ago, picked out everything that was well-received back then, and garnished it with a series of new features to bring about the evolution that fans had wished for back then. All of this is wrapped in a graphical guise that looks modern and beautiful thanks to Unreal Engine 4.
This is how the team hopes to appeal not only to MMO veterans but also to engage new players.
Your Actions Have Real Consequences
Ashes of Creation is essentially a sandbox. You are not limited to following a predefined story. While there are quests that tell small adventure stories, the real story is written by the players themselves – and in different ways from server to server.
This is intended to succeed with a highly interesting system based on so-called nodes. The game world is divided into these nodes, which essentially represent the core of an area. After creating your hero from 64 classes and eight races, you start in one of the areas.
Now you are free to do what you want. However, you must always keep in mind that each of your actions also has consequences – for the nodes.
The node essentially records the activities of the players nearby and reacts accordingly. Each node is based on a small settlement that grows with the actions of the players.
If you collect experience points through battles or completing quests, then so does the node – in the same area. If a lot of mining is done, the settlement develops into a mining town. If you fish a lot, a fishing village is created.
All of this also includes housing in the open world. You can create your own home in the neighborhood or far away. Depending on your needs, you can use your land to have a farm or a forge, which sometimes reminds you of ArcheAge.
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The node does not only affect the settlement, which can grow from a collection of huts to a metropolis but also the entire area. If you, for instance, cut down a lot of wood in a nearby forest and overdo it because you want to make a profit from the raw material, this awakens a forest spirit who makes your life difficult.
If you live in harmony with nature, a new path through the forest opens up, allowing you to reach a neighboring city faster to trade with it. Or you awaken a lake monster because you excessively fish.
Everything you do near a node has some impact on the further development of the area. A dragon can be awakened in a mountain, access to a dungeon full of treasures can be unveiled, or monsters can lose their home and start an attack on your city. And since players on other servers make different decisions, no world is like another.
The system is reminiscent of the canceled Everquest Next, which also wanted to give players many freedoms regarding the design and changes to the game world. No wonder, a part of the EQ-Next team is now working on Ashes of Creation, including Lead Designer Jeffrey Bard. Many who were disappointed when Daybreak canceled development on EQ Next, now hope for a “replacement.” A game that could become what EQ Next was supposed to be.
Dangers Lurk Everywhere
PvP also plays a role. If two cities clash because both, for example, make money from the same resources, the rulers can declare war, leading to large battles and sieges. Or players can ambush a trade caravan, causing it to have to hire other players as escorts.
The game world of Ashes of Creation is supposed to feel very dangerous, and every player should feel they can really make a difference.
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Furthermore, the economy and also the economy in the game are completely determined by the players. You need to ensure that raw materials are mined and processed into equipment, which you then sell.
It is also possible for players to run for election as politicians, to determine the fate of a city. However, these rulers should always consider the needs and desires of the other players; otherwise, they can be quickly overthrown.
Politicians decide, for example, whether a war will be declared against another city or whether players should focus on certain activities to steer the development of the node in a particular direction. Laws are required for implementation, which players must adhere to.
Classic MMO Gameplay
Additionally, Ashes of Creation is a classic MMORPG. You embark on adventures with your character, explore the wilderness or deep dungeons, fight monsters either in classic tab-targeting or an active, action-packed combat system, improve your skills, and find or buy more powerful gear to become stronger. It’s even possible to temporarily turn into a monster and cause chaos in a city.
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This combination of classic MMORPG gameplay paired with the great freedom that the game world offers you, the option to truly bring about changes through the node system, and the player-driven economy and political system in a modern graphical guise has sparked the interest of many MMORPG fans. They are already very eager to finally play Ashes of Creation.
Status Quo of Ashes of Creation: Funding, Beta, and Release
The team mentioned that they need about 30 million dollars to develop the game they envision.
How is the game funded? The Kickstarter campaign raised nearly 3.3 million US dollars in a very short time. And through the sale of item packages and access to the game on the official Ashes of Creation website, money will continuously flow into the studio’s coffers. Furthermore, a further crowdfunding campaign has been launched, and the developers are also contributing funds. Intrepid Studios founder Steven Sharif explained that a large part of the financial resources comes from his own pocket.
How far is the development? An initial alpha 0 started just before Christmas. First players have already experienced a very early version of the MMO. With the Alpha 1, many core elements are already being tested. Recently, the action combat system of Ashes of Creation was shown for the first time.
When will a beta be released? Ashes of Creation is expected to reach beta status still in 2018. This is quite feasible with a team of more than 100 developers currently working on this MMO, according to Intrepid. They also aim to increase this number to 200 developers.
When will Ashes of Creation come out? A release is expected no earlier than 2019, but it is definitely scheduled to be before 2020.
The MMO will be released with a subscription model, where you do not have to purchase the game. Through the “Referral Program”, you will receive money back when friends you referred spend money in the game. You will then receive 15 percent of their in-game purchases as in-game currency, Intrepid Bucks, which you can spend in the shop or use to reduce the subscription fee.
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The MMORPG Worlds Adrift is currently in a beta phase and is heading towards an official release this year. However, in 2017, players and developers had a lot of fun with the game.
In a video, the team from Worlds Adrift reflects on the past year. A year in which the unusual MMORPG was made accessible to a larger group of players for the first time. They began to build their airships, explore islands, construct fortresses, and battle each other. Not everything went smoothly, as Worlds Adrift is still in beta.
Nonetheless, the latest video about the game shows how much fun the testers have already had with the title.
This is how much fun the players of the MMO have
Beautiful islands created by players are shown, daring attacks on fortresses, aerial battles, and also funny moments where for example players realize that absolutely no one is on the ship they are on, or where testers hang from a balloon with a rope and hook and are pulled through a storm.
Also visible is the creativity that the testers exhibit. For example, when they create bridges between the islands, something that was not intended by the developers at all.
There is still much to be done
The MMORPG is set to be further developed in 2018. There is still a lot of work to be done. The online game is currently no longer available on Steam, as the developers want to address some issues and bring the game to a better state before allowing a larger number of players again. However, anyone who absolutely wants to play can purchase a founder package on the official website.
Worlds Adrift is a sandbox where you operate in a game world consisting of floating islands. You collect resources to build airships and fortresses. With the ships, you fly to other islands to explore them and gather more resources. Along the way, you encounter other players with whom you can either team up or fight against. Team play, PvP, and creativity are top priorities in Worlds Adrift.
This new car in GTA 5 Online Annis Savestra surprises your opponents with powerful machine guns hidden in the front.
The gas pedal and lead syringe are combined under the body of the new Annis Savestra. The little speedster is not only fast but also blows away everything that stands in your way with the machine guns in the front.
Annis Savestra – Many tuning options and machine guns
This new ride is now available at Legendary Motorsport, just waiting for your tuning skills. This sports car can not only be visually enhanced but also fires with its rapid-fire guns from the front.
For 990,000 GTA$, the Annis Savestra is yours.
In the regular tuning garage at Los Santos Customs, you can customize the appearance. Those who want “a little more” will drive it to their mobile command center and have the machine guns installed.
Unfortunately, you can’t test the car on slippery snow anymore and drift through the streets of Los Santos. Because today, on January 3rd, the snow in GTA 5 Online has been disabled again.
What’s currently on offer in GTA 5 Online?
Earn double cash in game mode
Until January 8th, you earn double GTA$ and RP in the “Slashers” game mode. In this mode, two teams fight for survival. In the darkness, the slashers battle through the map in search of the hunted. The hunted are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and flashlights.
The twist of the mode is that every minute the teams switch. Then the hunted become slashers and vice versa. This goes on until one team is completely eliminated.
Current offers in GTA 5 Online
To celebrate the new year, there are strong discounts on selected vehicles in GTA 5 Online. Until January 8th, you can really strike and expand your fleet with fast supercars, armed helicopters, and tractors for the mobile command center.
The following discounts are currently active:
50% discount
Tractor for the mobile command center
30% discount
Coil Cyclone (supercar)
Grotti Visione (supercar)
25% discount
Ocelot Ardent (armed vehicle)
FH-1 Hunter (helicopter) – discount on purchase and selling price
P-45 Nokota (airplane) – discount on purchase and selling price
HVY MTW (armed vehicle) – discount on purchase and selling price
Jeff Kaplan spoke about the future of Overwatch and revealed information about the next hero and upcoming events. Fans can also expect the next Overwatch event, Year of the Dog, soon – celebrating the Chinese New Year.
The Overwatch community is already hungry for new content. Jeff Kaplan talked in a Developer’s Update at the beginning of the year about many things planned for 2018:
a new hero
the next event
and new maps.
The biggest announcement is “Hero 27”, the next playable character for Overwatch. According to Kaplan, the hero is “urgently needed” and the developers are already testing the hero internally – development seems to be well advanced. What role the hero will take (Tank, Support, Offensive or Defensive) is still completely unclear.
However, Blizzard does not want to announce a release date, as they want to “get the hero right rather than stick to a strict deadline”.
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The Chinese New Year will also be celebrated again in Overwatch. Last year there was the “Year of the Rooster”, with some matching skins and the “Capture the Flag” game mode.
In 2018, however, they are celebrating the “Year of the Dog” and have already come up with some “great content” for it. Whether Kaplan is only talking about skins and other cosmetics or if Overwatch will get a fresh game mode again, was not made clear.
In 2017, the Overwatch New Year’s event began on January 24. The “Year of the Dog” could start in Overwatch soon.
Overwatch Anniversary is being revised
Also under discussion are adjustments to the Overwatch Anniversary. The Blizzard team wants to develop the “Uprising” event further and tell more of the story. Although Kaplan was not specific here, fans believe that there will be a new story mission to play.
The work on the map Blizzard World is almost finished. The developers are satisfied with the map and it will be implemented into the live version of Overwatch “very soon”.
But even outside of Blizzard World, the team is already working on numerous new maps, about which more information will be available throughout the year.
As soon as any of this information becomes concrete, we will of course report on it.
Attention! If you currently have unused accounts in the MMORPGs RIFT, ArcheAge and Trove, Trion Worlds will soon take away the names of your heroes.
Names in MMORPGs are a tricky thing. Every player identifies with their character, but perhaps even more with their name.
The hero’s name is often not only used in one MMO but in several. Certain names are also highly sought after, which is why many developers offer to let players reserve names before the game is released.
Names will be released
If an account is not played for a long time, the name becomes inactive. This especially frustrates newcomers who then have trouble choosing an appropriate name. Trion Worlds has now announced that the names of long-unused accounts for the online games RIFT, ArcheAge, and Trove will be released. This means that others can then take these names, and if you log in again at some point, you will find that your hero no longer has the name you gave him.
Protect your name!
To prevent this, you should log into the games RIFT, ArcheAge, and Trove by January 31 at the latest, depending on where you have accounts. This ensures that your heroes keep their names. All accounts that have not been active since January 31, 2017, are affected.
If you log in again only after January 31, 2018, you will have the opportunity to choose a new name.
Even though Digital Extremes hit the zeitgeist somewhat accidentally, they continued on this path and became the community-based studio they are today.
Over the years, Digital Extremes has come up with several community projects. These include:
Tennobaum – An annual event where players give gifts to other players at Christmas while also donating to a good cause.
TennoGen – When fans create skins for Warframe, they get paid for it.
In Warframe, the bond between the developers at Digital Extremes and the community is often praised. The studio is in close contact with the players and is known for addressing their wants and needs. How did this bond come about and what are its consequences?
Especially the update “Plains of Eidolon” gave the crazy online shooter with the space ninjas a significant boost. The expansion brought the first open-world map and was a reason for many to check out Warframe. Interest in the Destiny-like game noticeably grew in the second half of 2017.
The Community’s Praise for Digital Extremes is Noticeable
Particularly striking in Warframe is the dedication with which players speak about their game in the comments.
The friendly community and the development studio are highlighted. This is remarkable, as players elsewhere often speak harshly about developers and criticize studio decisions sharply.
First Players Stood by Warframe When There Was Nothing Yet
In an interview with the US site Polygon, Warframe’s art director, Geoff Crooks, explained the history of the loot shooter: Crooks believes that Warframe could have been history long ago if it hadn’t been for its founders. The players who embraced Warframe from the very beginning.
The free-to-play title Warframe had a quite difficult start and received mediocre to poor reviews in its early days.
“The Founders Are Really Responsible for Warframe Still Existing Today”
When Warframe started its development in 2013, Digital Extremes quickly realized that they would initially stand alone. At that time, there was nothing but four playable Warframes with different abilities. There was also a small graphic template.
The conventional paths were blocked:
With this small game snippet, Digital Extremes couldn’t attract any publishers.
A Kickstarter campaign was out of the question because they had too little to offer.
The Early Unique Features
What Warframe had even back then was a focus on acrobatic movements during combat. There’s a reason why players like to call themselves space ninjas. Warframes whirl around and shoot the helmets off their opponents in a backflip.
The unusual agility of the heroes alone gave the online shooter a unique selling point. Warframe also did some things differently: it was a coop third-person shooter, while the competitors at the time leaned more towards PvP first-person shooters.
Geoff Crooks: “The founders are really responsible for Warframe still existing today. They supported it from the very beginning. They recognized where our path would lead and helped us grow.”
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The Founders Supported Warframe Financially and Received Returns
In the first prototype of Warframe, Digital Extremes built in the Founder’s Program, called “Founder’s Program” in English. The players who are referred to as founders today could buy special packages to support Warframe in its early days.
These packages included exclusive items such as Excalibur Prime or in-game badges that show that the player belongs to the founders. The program ran from December 2012 to November 2013.
The first players had this tiny space ninja raiding game and decided to support it. At Digital Extremes, they believe that this step laid the foundation for the bond between the studio and the community today. Because in return, the developers sought close contact with these players in the form of live streams and constant interaction.
The developers say they had no choice but to give these players a lot of attention. Digital Extremes was sure that the future of the game would depend on the small fan base.
The Players Had a Say, Leading to the Current Payment Model
The player base was so small at that time that there were issues gathering a complete group for a 4-player mission. The situation was serious and Digital Extremes was aware of it.
Our article “Warframe had to learn the hard way how free-to-play works.” describes the path Digital Extremes took from the paywall to a fair payment model. At this critical point, players could get to a certain point in Warframe and then had to pay. The small fan base and the early founders were dissatisfied with the payment barriers. Digital Extremes saw the risk of losing the already small player base and removed the paywall.
The players felt understood and were excited that their voices mattered. From then on, Digital Extremes had an unusually loyal fan base behind them. Digital Extremes continued on this path and still works closely with the community, processing every piece of feedback.
This collaboration actually arose from despair on the part of Digital Extremes and the fear of losing the handful of players and thus also Warframe. However, over the years, the close contact with the community became a major pro for the players. Players recommended Warframe to friends because they felt heard and understood by the development studio.
The highly praised bond between Digital Extremes and the community thus emerged out of necessity. But it is exactly this necessity that often drives creative and unusual measures.
In the case of Warframe, the community work at the time built on the current zeitgeist of gamers and industry at just the right moment. More and more studios and also media are seeking contact with their community. The community manager is now seen as a normal and important position. Ten years ago, the community manager was rarely found at this extent. This is likely also due to the rise of social media, which allows players to have a faster and more direct contact with developers and publishers.
Even though Digital Extremes hit the zeitgeist somewhat accidentally, they continued on this path and became the community-based studio they are today.
Over the years, Digital Extremes has come up with several community projects. These include:
Tennobaum – An annual event where players give gifts to other players at Christmas while also donating to a good cause.
TennoGen – When fans create skins for Warframe, they get paid for it.
The new League skins in Overwatch are causing excitement – because in the main menu, you can already see the new skins. We reveal whether you can already get the skins.
The Winter Wonderland event of Overwatch has come to an end. To the surprise of the fans, however, the usual menu did not appear, but a new one featuring many new skins and the logo of the Overwatch League.
However, those who then rush into the hero gallery with joy to view the new skins in preview will be immediately bitterly disappointed: The new skins cannot yet be selected or purchased.
When will the Overwatch League skins be available?
Until the skins are available for purchase, fans will have to wait a little longer. The corresponding patch is set to be released – according to current plans – only next week, on January 10, 2018. So far, the menu screen is nothing more than a teaser and a small taste of what is to come.
With the Overwatch League, Blizzard is attempting to establish its own eSports platform. All teams that have qualified for the league receive a unique set of skins for all characters they use in the league. The skins are each designed in uniform colors and even feature the logo of the respective team. This will help viewers to clearly recognize who plays in the same team during broadcasts – which can sometimes get lost in the heat of battle.
Unlike the “normal” skins in the game, the Overwatch League skins can only be purchased with real money or a real currency. What Blizzard earns from the skins will be partially forwarded to the respective teams. Those who want to support their favorite team in the Overwatch League can consider purchasing these skins.
Blizzard has already promised that all players will at least receive enough of this new in-game currency to afford a desired skin without spending real money.
What do you think of the League skins for Overwatch? A cool way to support the favorite team? Or should these skins also be available in loot boxes?
Update 10.11.18: The skins are now here! Here you can find all the information about it:
The amazing thing: More than half of the massive player base of the MOBA consists of women.
Bloomberg reported in July that Arena of Valor has 108 million female players in China. That’s more than the population of Canada and Argentina combined.
Arena of Valor is Linked to Messenger Service in China
If you know local MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2, you might wonder: How did the Chinese manage to entice so many women into their game?
The trick is likely that the Chinese giant Tencent linked the MOBA to its social platform WeChat, the most popular messaging app in China – similar to what WhatsApp is for us.
This linkage allows players to find other players nearby and start a match.
Moreover, Arena of Valor is so accessible that absolutely anyone can play it. A LoL pro said on a US morning show: “This is the only MOBA I would even play with my mother.“
Tencent Wants to Conquer the USA with the Mobile Game
In Europe, Arena of Valor is already available on iOS and Android. Currently, Tencent is planning the major launch of the game in the USA and is pushing hard for it. They have incorporated DC Comics superheroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman into the game to delight Western fans. The hero setup of Arena of Valor actually consists of figures from Chinese mythology.
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Tencent dreams of creating the first global mobile hit that is also taken seriously as a “real game”. While mobile gaming dominates in China and has become the primary gaming platform, the situation in the USA and Europe is still different: Here, mobile gaming is associated with games like Candy Crush and is seen as casual.
Tencent aims to reach core gamers here with Arena of Valor. A key factor is likely the port of Arena of Valor to the Nintendo Switch. Experts believe that if Arena of Valor can establish itself here, it could shake up the market.
An error in Pokémon GO is currently causing the dynamic weather not to display.
Since the morning of January 3, 2018, we have seen an increase in reports from trainers who cannot see the new weather system in Pokémon GO. The problem is not limited to the German community but is a global issue.
Niantic is already aware of the situation.
Weather System – Niantic is working on a solution
As Niantic employees confirm on Twitter and also on Reddit, there is currently a problem with the weather system causing a global outage. They are working on finding a solution and asking trainers for their patience.
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It is currently unclear why this error is occurring. However, the problem broke out simultaneously in many places around the world. Only a few locations are not affected and can continue to use the system. Trainers from Reddit confirmed this from parts of California, for example.
Players suspected that the weather services from which Niantic might be sourcing their weather information are experiencing issues. However, major providers like OpenWeatherMap or AccuWeather do not seem to have problems at the moment.
Rain
This indicates that the problems lie on Niantic’s end. We are curious to see when the Niantic developers can present us with a solution.
There may be a small update, known as a hotfix, for this. If the reasons for the faulty weather display are deeper, there could be a larger update in the coming days to address it.
Update January 3 – 2:15 PM: For many trainers, the weather function is now visible again.
