In Overwatch , every piece of feedback is taken seriously. But a few chosen ones seem to have a better connection to Blizzard.
The balance in Overwatch is always a hotly debated topic. Not only in the official forums but also on Reddit, people frequently discuss and argue about the nuances of balance. Sometimes Orisa is absolutely overpowered, and McCree is too weak. Then, Mercy is a murderous killer while Ana should “stay in the corner with a crutch.”
Opinions are often fiercely debated. But what feedback actually reaches Blizzard? Jeff Kaplan has now addressed this and explained that they look at every piece of feedback, even if they disagree with the content.
In the official forum, Kaplan explained that professionals indeed have an influence on the developers’ decisions.
Professionals have a direct line to Kaplan
He further reveals that he has even shared his email address with some professionals and is in contact with them. This has often provided exciting insights, and many of the “pros” are able to give their feedback in a very structured way, which is extremely helpful for the development team. Moreover, the professionals have their own Discord server, where they sometimes hang out with some developers to better consolidate and discuss feedback.
But all this should not diminish the value of feedback from “non-professionals.” After all, Blizzard has a guiding principle that clearly states, “Every voice counts”… and that’s exactly what they try to consider in Overwatch.
What do you think about professionals receiving special treatment in feedback? Is this good and ultimately serves all players? Or should every voice carry the same weight?
Fortnite will soon receive a PvP mode called Battle Royale. In this mode, you can kill your opponents in the best PUBG style. The new game mode will be free to play, and those who only want to play PvP may get their money back.
Fortnite is an early access coop shooter that will only be free to play with the upcoming release. This does not apply to the upcoming PvP mode “Battle Royale”. If you only want to kill other players, you can soon start for free and do not have to buy an early access version of Fortnite.
Free2Play for Killers
Starting next Tuesday, September 26, 2017, the PvP mode Battle Royale will launch. And it’s completely free. What’s more, it gets even better.
The developers at Epic Games were so impressed by the success of the beta that they decided to move the free-to-play release forward for PvP fans. So if you only want to play Battle Royale and not the PvE part of Fortnite, you won’t have to pay a cent starting September 26.
If you have already purchased Fortnite in anticipation of the PvP mode, even though you couldn’t care less about the PvE, you might get your money back with a bit of luck. According to Epic Games, every player who bought Fortnite between September 12 and September 19 has the right to a refund.
Battle Royale gets new maps and possibly vehicles
The new game mode is also set to be further expanded. They want to first refine the handling and combat behavior. Also, teams will be possible from the release of Battle Royale.
Later, they are considering adding vehicles. New maps are also planned. The PvE mode, now known as “Fortnite: Save the World”, will be kept strictly separate from the PvP mode. However, there may be cosmetic items that can be earned in one mode and then used in the other.
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24 players are fighting in an Overwatch match? A funny bug in the latest patch makes it possible!
The latest patch of Overwatch, update 1.15 (PC) or 2.19 (PS4, Xbox One), has brought some changes to the heroes and also added the new map Junkertown to the game.
However, some bugs have also crept into the game. Some players report that they suddenly have a lot of teammates and opponents. In other words: There are battles of 12 vs 12 players!
The YouTuber The Man who sold Za Warudo has released a small video of the chaos when he was fighting for a control point on Lijiang Tower with 11 teammates and 12 opponents. Note that there are 6 players and 6 bots on both sides – so there are actually “only” 12 humans participating.
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It is still 100% uncertain what exactly causes the bug. However, it seems that Overwatch is trying to pit a team of 6 players against 6 bots – but it fails to do so. Instead, both sides are provided with 6 human players and 6 bots, creating perfect chaos.
Fans have long been calling for “mass battles” to create even more chaos in their game modes. Whether this is really a bug or Blizzard has already been working on these possibilities in the background cannot be said conclusively.
What is astonishing is that the game still runs smoothly despite the increased load – so it likely isn’t a server-side problem with a 12 vs 12 implementation.
Would you like to see a 12 vs 12 mode in Overwatch at least in the Arcade? Or do you think that such madness would become boring too quickly?
FIFA 18 Web App is live since today! However, the servers are having issues. Registration is unavailable. There are errors. Moreover, those who do not have a security question set in their EA account cannot access the Web App.
As of today, September 20, around 7 PM, the Web App for FIFA 18 is online. Numerous players, even here in Germany, have been able to log in and select their initial settings like team kits, the crest, or their first loan player.
The daily gift for September 20 can already be collected.
However, reports from users are increasing since around 7:40 PM that they can no longer log in. An error message appears stating that registration is unavailable.
Presumably, the servers are currently struggling with the influx of users. After all, countless fans will now want to log in to secure their daily gifts.
Not all users seem to be affected by the login error. Some report that they can operate within the app without any issues.
Early Access to the Web App only with existing account and security question
Keep in mind that not all players will receive early access to the Web App. You must have created and answered a security question in the Web App before August 1 to gain access before the launch of FIFA 18 to the new Web App.
Otherwise, you will only gain access after you have logged into FIFA 18, created your club in FUT 18, and answered a security question. With this security question, you will then be able to access the Web App. In other words, if you do not have an account yet, you will need to wait until you own a copy of FIFA 18.
You can read the most important information about FIFA 18 here:
Online games like FIFA 18 are increasingly crossing the line into gambling and exceeding it. An old-school MMORPG, Runescape, has now escalated a promotional action leading to protests from players.
It is a question that online games must increasingly ask themselves: What is the difference between their methods and the methods of gambling?
Clear rules exist for gambling in many countries. However, online games also involve betting real money and prizes, and it mostly goes unnoticed. This is all “new territory” and not regulated. Gambling methods in online games particularly affect adolescents and children, who should be protected the most.
Gambling in online games is becoming an increasingly debated topic
The issue last gained traction with CS:GO. Players were betting large amounts of money on websites using weapon skins that they could then exchange for real money and back again. Players were betting on just about anything. Valve put a stop to that.
In China, there are now laws requiring game developers to disclose the probabilities of their loot boxes. This also affects games like Hearthstone or Overwatch.
Investigations show that online games are increasingly adopting established tricks from casinos to attract players. These are psychological tricks that have been known and deciphered for a long time but are still highly effective. For example, players are made to feel especially excited about the payout or are given the sense of having control over their fate.
Runescape employs gambling mechanics “All or Nothing”
Currently, the old MMORPG Runescape has likely crossed the line between online gaming and gambling. At least, a controversial action has sparked significant protests. It involved a login reward in the “Treasure Hunter System” – which is a type of lockbox reward. Each day, you can obtain one or two keys. With each key you use, you have a chance to win a bonus from a prize pool.
The gambling element here: You either take a prize right away or collect keys for the chance of obtaining a bigger, rarer prize. However, there’s a risk that if you gamble for a higher prize, you may lose all your progress on the prize.
Stop turning Runescape into a one-armed bandit
This mechanic was far too much “gambling” for some Runescape players, and they protested vehemently on reddit. A game that so many young people play shouldn’t be so inclined towards gambling mechanics.
Their demand: Stop turning Runescape into a damn one-armed bandit. This is bad for Runescape, and I’m worried that you are making children into little gamblers.
Developer Jagex responded to the sharp criticism, stating that they are experimenting with different mechanics. They have noted that this is not well received and want to process the feedback.
Dangerous game with microtransactions
Mein MMO thinks: Runescape is not the problem here, but merely represents another stage of escalation due to the typical gambling mechanism “All or Nothing” used.
At its core, it is about microtransactions tied to random outcomes.
These are often just marginal changes – a loot box here, 5€ for a chance to get the item you want there. But one must be aware that all of this involves gambling mechanics and that there are people who are susceptible to such mechanisms. And these mechanisms work through microtransactions and generate a tremendous amount of revenue in gaming.
Whenever you make a microtransaction without knowing what item will actually come out, it is essentially gambling. And publishers entice players into these microtransactions using the same methods that casinos employ to keep players at the table longer.
Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood is not just a successful expansion. The addon has brought a tremendous increase in sales to the online role-playing game. Additionally, there’s the mount Sleipnir as a flying mount with update 4.1.
The second addon for Final Fantasy XIV, Stormblood, is resulting in higher revenue and increased player numbers for publisher Square Enix.
Tremendous Revenue Increase from Stormblood Addon
The first quarter of the fiscal year 2018 must have put a blissful smile on the faces of Square Enix shareholders. Because of Stormblood, Final Fantasy XIV has become more popular than ever before.
The high revenues are said to result, according to the quarterly report, from both many addons sold and an increased number of subscribers. Therefore, Square Enix expects that Final Fantasy XIV will continue to have a strong impact on the company’s profit in the future.
According to Square Enix, there have never been so many paying subscribers for Final Fantasy XIV as after the release of the expansion.
Note: We already reported at the beginning of August about the excellent numbers of Stormblood that the number of subscribers has risen to a new record high, which was new to us. This is now evident from a translation of the presentation from August 4th from Japanese.
Sleipnir can fly again with patch 4.1!
Not only are the revenues of Square Enix currently on a high flight. The mount Sleipnir, Odin’s horse, can also fly with update 4.1. This is in response to a long-held fan wish.
In Destiny 2, kinetic weapons deal more damage than energy weapons, right? There are significant differences in PvP and PvE.
Those who have read our comprehensive weapon guide for Destiny 2 or have examined the weapons in the game closely know that kinetic weapons deal more damage in PvE than energy weapons of the same weapon archetype.
Specifically, this means: An automatic rifle with a fire rate of 450 in the kinetic slotdepletesthe health of a standard enemy in PvEfaster than an automatic rifle with a fire rate of 450 in the energy slot.
This knowledge is not new; it was already known before the launch of Destiny 2. During the beta, smart minds conducted tests.
Now, the Redditor Kitsunekinder presents new, interesting test results. He experimented with kinetic and energy weapons of the same archetype in PvE and PvP, pitting them against standard enemies, shielded opponents, and Guardians with and without active Supers. In PvE, he always fought at the same spawn point against the same enemies. No mods were used.
Kinetic weapons deal 10% more damage in PvE than energy weapons
We directly summarize the most exciting findings:
In PvE, kinetic weapons deal 10% more damage to enemies without shields than energy weapons of the same weapon archetype.
In PvE, energy weapons deal nearly three times the damage to enemy shields than kinetic weapons of the same archetype. The elemental type does not matter here.
In PvP, kinetic and energy weapons deal exactly the same damage in standard engagements, as long as the weapons belong to the same archetype.
In PvP, an energy weapon deals 10% more damage to Guardians with an active Super than kinetic weapons of the same archetype. The elemental type does not matter.
Important: The differences always refer to the same weapon archetype. A kinetic scout rifle, for example, does not deal 10% more damage in PvE than an energy automatic rifle.
In practice, these results mean:
When a heavy opponent with a shield approaches you in PvE, first shoot down the shield with the energy weapon, then switch to the kinetic weapon and finish him off.
In PvP, it usually doesn’t matter whether you have a kinetic or an energy weapon. If an enemy with an active Super comes around the corner, whip out the energy weapon.
Another finding that the user stumbled upon during his tests: Elite enemies (with yellow health bars) take the same body shot damage as standard enemies, but elite enemies suffer around 50% less crit damage than standard enemies.
Keep in mind that these numbers are not official but are based on community test results.
If you want more information about the weapons and for instance are still unsure about what matching elements do in PvE, then take a look at our weapon guide for Destiny 2.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Pokémon GO Plus now takes much longer to perform actions like catching or spinning PokéStops. This is due to a problem with iOS 11.
There is a new software update for Apple devices that not only offers cool new features but also comes with difficulties.
There are issues with the collaboration between the new operating system and Pokémon GO as well as the GO Plus gadget. The handy gadget now vibrates only three to five times before it registers a button activation.
This significantly delays the time it takes to activate stops or catch Pokémon, and you miss out on valuable items and monsters.
Pokémon GO iOS 11 Bug
The new iOS 11 causes problems when you play Pokémon GO with the GO+ gadget. In fact, you carry the small “Plus” helper with you so that collecting items or catching monsters can be done without handling the smartphone.
Some players use it when they are on the go and don’t want to miss stops and Pokémon:
The GO+ vibrates
You press the button, interrupting the vibration
The gadget then attempts to catch a monster or collect items
This was convenient for joggers, as they didn’t have to slow down at stops but could collect items while running by. Passengers in cars also liked using the gadget because otherwise, it was rare to have time to spin PokéStops while driving past – it takes too much time on the phone.
Now players are complaining on Reddit and Twitter: The GO+ has become slower. The culprit is the new iOS 11, as it apparently forces the GO+ to vibrate initially three to five times before it realizes “Aha, someone pressed the button.”
Whether this is a mistake or actually intended is still not entirely clear. We have inquired with Niantic and are still waiting for a response. Perhaps the developers are already working on a solution. If there’s something new, we will report it here and on our Pokémon GO Facebook page.
Update – 21.9.: Reddit user ShugoTakahashi shows in a video how the bug manifests. He compares an older iOS version with the new iOS 11 version.
The mobile game Summoners War allows you to engage in exciting tactical arena battles based on the rock-paper-scissors principle. There is even a world championship called “Summoners War World Arena Championship 2017,” where there is a lot of money to be won. But what is Summoners War all about?
The mobile tactical game Summoners War has over 70 million players. The secret to its success is the tactical gameplay. In an arena, you compete as a summoner against an opponent and use combinations of various summoned creatures.
Each of these beings has different powers, assigned to different elements. Just like in the good old rock-paper-scissors, the right combination decides victory or defeat. Depending on how often you win in the so-called Sky Arena, you rank up and can participate in tournaments.
Summoners War World Arena Championship 2017 – Start of the World Championship with Great Rewards
These tournaments are not just a means to an end in Summoners War. Rather, there is a lot to win, especially at the start of the biggest world championship tournament Summoners War World Arena Championship 2017.
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The world championship tournament begins with the regional qualifying tournament on October 7, 2017, in Paris at the theater and cinema “La Comedia.” There, the 16 best players from Europe will meet and compete for a spot in the grand final tournament in the USA in November. Additionally, there are substantial prizes: A total of $5,000 will be awarded to the winners of the preliminary rounds, and the grand final has a prize pool of $50,000.
Summoners War – Be a Spectator at the World Championship
Registration for players has now ended, but you can still participate as a spectator.
Those who watch on-site in Paris will also receive a goody bag with 750 crystals and a T-shirt. Other preliminary tournaments will take place in various locations including Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.
Note: The Webedia group, which includes Mein-MMO, cooperates with Com2Us (Summoners War).
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The arena brawler Battlerite will be transformed from a Buy2Play title to Free2Play in November. Additionally, the roadmap for the upcoming year 2017 has been presented. Is the change in the business model a cause for concern?
Battlerite, the unofficial successor to Bloodline Champions, is a fun and fast-paced arena brawler. So a MOBA that focuses solely on team fights, skill shots, and duels in an ever-shrinking arena. The game from the Swedish indie studio Stunlock launched in September 2016 with a massive success on Steam and quickly reached number 1 on the Steam sales charts.
At that time, you had to purchase Battlerite as an early access version. However, in November the game should become Free2Play.
Battlerite – Is Free2Play a bad sign?
For many games, switching to a Free2Play model has been the beginning of the end. A method to try to save a dying game by making it accessible for free to many players, only to then charge them heavily. Is Battlerite going down the same path?
First of all, Free2Play is not a surprise for those familiar with the game. Already at the early access launch in 2016, the developers announced that Battlerite would be a Free2Play game on launch. On the other hand, player numbers have noticeably declined. According to Steam charts, Battlerite reached its peak in December 2016 with over 16,000 players.
In August 2017, the record was just a maximum of 2,500 players. In September, the numbers have slightly recovered, with a maximum of 4,345 gamers so far. A Free2Play launch could indeed bring fresh wind!
Battlerite – The roadmap for 2017 and 2018 – Xbox One launch next year!
In addition to the Free2Play launch, the developers have other goals. After some players reported that not much new content had come to Battlerite for a long time, it seems they are now ramping up:
September: Battlerite will be free to play from September 25 to October 1. You can try the game at your leisure and decide whether you want to buy it to get all champions when it becomes free2play. During this time, Battlerite will also be 50 percent cheaper, costing only 9.98 Euros.
October: Battlerite will receive a system in which you can pre-set your Battlerites – useful buffs that you receive each round from which you can only choose a selection. Additionally, new Battlerites and revisions of the old versions will be introduced. Also, a new UI and a new game mode, which is still unknown, will be added.
November: The Free2Play launch will occur on November 8. As a free player, you will get a selection of easy-to-play heroes, but you can purchase new ones with real money or in-game currency. There will also be a new hero, additional items, an AFK penalty system, and additional music. Later in the month, there will be an event with dinosaurs.
December: Here, you can expect a winter event with a new champion and special ice chests.
2018: Next year, Battlerite will have a tournament system, a new HUD, clans, three new champions in the first quarter, new maps, additional game modes, an event for the Chinese New Year, and finally the launch on Xbox One!
The announced updates have meanwhile delighted many Battlerite players. For a long time, there wasn’t much content, but now many wishes are coming true.
The colorful hero shooter Paladins is now being covered by our colleague Leya in the live stream. This has, in turn, inspired Jürgen, who spent the weekend with Paladins and can’t get enough now. Here is his play report.
Last week, colleague Leya started her live stream of Paladins for the first time and played for two hours the colorful hero shooter from Hi-Rez. She presented the game with humor and charm. I simply couldn’t help but install Paladins that same evening and dive into the fray.
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I actually thought I was done with Paladins. A few months ago, I had already invested a lot of time in the hero shooter. Back then, my enthusiasm was great. I racked up loads of kills and my opponents fell in droves before the righteous fury of my weapons.
Unlike similar games like Overwatch or even Battleborn, I was not in the lower middle or bottom tier in Paladins. I was rather a real killer! I felt ultra-powerful and basked in the glory of my fame:
“Yes, tremble and hide, you miserable noobs! The “Stöffelnator” is on the prowl, and soon it will be over for you!”
Paladins – Oops, why am I suddenly dying?
Apparently, deep down, I was indeed a real pro gamer, and the other players in Paladins were quite the idiots. They stubbornly ran into my fire again and again, and I could easily dodge their pathetic counterattacks.
Then I finally reached level 5, and the great awakening came. Suddenly, it was the other way around, and I was farmed like a field of potatoes at harvest time! What I didn’t know: In Paladins, you play the first 5 account levels against bots without realizing it!
Of course, I looked good against bots, even with my rather modest shooting skills! Against real people, however, I quickly ran out of tricks. I was immensely disappointed and didn’t play Paladins much after that. I had other games to play and eventually forgot the shooter.
Paladins – Reunion with success!
But then came Leya’s stream premiere, and I wanted to see how my colleague was performing live in front of the webcam – Paladins or not. She initially played the – to me – new hero Ash, and I found the gameplay really interesting. So I quickly installed Paladins myself and tried the game again.
And after just one round, I was back under the spell of the game. I played Ash and got along great with the heroine. Everything felt intuitive, and I played my role as an off-tank really well.
Whether I was protecting my team with the shield, blowing enemies away with shrapnel rounds, or pushing them around with shoulder charges, Ash was made for me. And since she is a tank, I didn’t always have to dodge and play carefully until I had low hit points; I could mostly flee or be healed. Now that’s fun!
In the end, I cautiously asked my team-mates considering the pretty good stats: “Were those bots or real players?” – And yes, they were indeed not bots, I actually had success! What joy!
Paladins – My new favorite game!
Gradually, I started trying out other heroes. I quickly realized what I was good at and what didn’t suit me at all. For example, the goblin Ruckus and the tactically tricky healer Ying were nothing for me. I got taken out way too quickly with Ruckus. Leya later said, “Yeah, of course, that’s also an off-tank that doesn’t solo run into the fire and expect to survive long.”
Okay, good to know. For that, I got along better with the dark healer Seris or the sneaky fox Pip. Especially with Seris, it’s a blast to pump the enemies full of charges with each hit. When the enemy then flees, a push of the button detonates the charges. Suddenly, the enemy is dead and wonders, “WTF?” It’s a lot of fun!
Paladins – Less of an Overwatch clone than you might think
The flanker Androxus, on the other hand, was a bit tricky at first. I expected some sort of Tracer in demon form from the skill description. However, I didn’t consider that Androxus doesn’t keep his unused teleport charges.
After the first trigger, a timer set in, and if I didn’t use the charges by then, they would all be gone, and the cooldown would start. Until I figured that out, I had to die many deaths and often cursed the strange controls!
However, my absolute favorite besides Ash is Maeve. Especially the new “Raeve” skin has captured my attention. Depending on the action, the dubstep beat in the background intensifies or slows down when I’m not in combat and taking down enemies in droves with Maeve’s killer combos.
I still don’t know if I got better in the meantime or if Paladins has changed, but I now really like Hi-Rez’s hero shooter and will certainly play it longer.
Maybe Leya will let me participate in a future live stream. The next Twitch stream from Leya on Paladins is on Thursday, September 21!
For console players on the Xbox One, things are now calmer in Overwatch with 2.19. Trolls are quiet – is that it?
When it comes to combating trolls and disruptive players, Overwatch has had a major problem since its release. Toxicity has increased significantly after launch, and in almost every match, there’s one or another “expert” who is ranting or causing trouble.
The Patch 2.19 of Overwatch should have at least provided some relief on the Xbox One. Players have long had a “reputation” there – and if it falls below a certain threshold, they have to live with restrictions. This now also applies to Overwatch. Anyone who drops to “Avoid Me” due to being reported for unfriendly behavior too often can no longer use voice chat.
“Silenced” players end up in the same Overwatch pool
However – and this is controversial – players still end up in the same pool of teammates. The “silent” players are thus still grouped with the “unreported” players.
Some fans wish for separate penalty pools where toxic players can only play against and with each other. However, Blizzard rejects this and prefers to ensure in the long term that extremely disruptive players cannot participate in Overwatch at all.
In FIFA 18 FUT, the TOTW 1 (Team of the Week 1) is known. These players receive their first Inform cards in Ultimate Team today.
FIFA 18 has not officially been released yet, but already there are the first TOTW cards in FUT 18.
The reason: Every Wednesday, EA Sports selects players with special cards who performed outstandingly in real football over the past week. This is the weekly “TOTW”, the Team of the Week, where the player cards have upgraded attributes. And since tomorrow, on September 21st, the Early Access via EA Access and Origin Access starts, the FUT season of FIFA 18 begins today with the first Team of the Week.
The first Team of the Week features a player with a total rating of 90: Aguero. Strong ratings also include Dybala with 89 and Mertens with 87. Bayern star Kimmich is also present with 84:
FUT 18 – Player Ratings of Team of the Week 1
Starting XI:
Substitutes:
What is the TOTW in FIFA 18 Ultimate Team?
Every Wednesday, EA Sports unveils the Team of the Week in the “Ultimate Team” mode of their annual football simulation. This is also the case in FIFA 18. Here, players who performed outstandingly in real football over the past week are rewarded with special cards that possess improved attributes.
You can pull the TOTW cards from the sets within a week, which may contain Rare (Gold) players. However, the chance of this is considered low. Additionally, you can buy them on the transfer market if they are offered by other players. The prices are usually extremely high.
The first Team of the Week is available in the sets until September 27th. This means that those who start on the official release day, September 29th, will not be able to pull these TOTW players from the sets anymore. Those who have three days of Early Access and can start on September 26th still have a chance to get the first TOTW. Otherwise, you will have to buy the players on the transfer market.
In Destiny 2, Bungie is teasing the Faction Rally. What faction allegiance will you take on? Future War Cult, New Monarchy, or Dead Orbit?
Next week, on September 26, a new activity starts in Destiny 2: the Faction Rally. This is indicated by a graphic where Bungie lists the main events for September.
What this “Faction Rally” entails is still unknown. Is it a limited-time event? Will the factions remain permanently in Destiny 2 from then on? And what is the goal of this rally? Answers to these questions will likely come in the coming days. Update: Here are the answers, this is what you can expect in the Faction Rally.
A first hint about the Faction Rally now came from Community Manager DeeJ via Twitter. He hinted that the faction leaders will appear soon. He also asks whom you will pledge your loyalty to.
The factions in Destiny 2 – Future War Cult, Dead Orbit, New Monarchy
In Destiny 1, Guardians had the choice between three factions: the Future War Cult, Dead Orbit, and New Monarchy. Each Guardian could belong to only one faction per character. So, one had to make a choice. While loyalty could be changed (at most) once a week, many Guardians remained loyal to their faction. The community often engaged in discussions about which favorite faction was the best or coolest.
For the faction you supported, you earned reputation. This allowed you to earn reward packages and purchase exclusive gear.
In Destiny 2, the new faction system will likely operate similarly:
There will be the same three factions as in Destiny 1. The activity graphic shows the three faction symbols at the rally.
In the Tower of Destiny 2, there are places where the faction emblems are already hanging. Only the faction leaders are still missing.
Dead Orbit
New Monarchy
Future War Cult
In footage from Destiny 2, equipment pieces have already been discovered that are faction-specific. There will likely be exclusive items to earn with each faction:
And DeeJ stated that you can once again choosea faction.
Do you already know which faction you will choose?
It is likely that Destiny 2 will have the same faction leaders as in Destiny 1:
New Monarchy: The leader is Executor Hideo. This faction wants you to focus on the Last City. The Last City is to give meaning to every victory. The New Monarchy strives to give the Last City the leadership it deserves and restore the Golden Age.
Dead Orbit: The leader is Arach Jalaal. This faction sees the system as lost. They want to create a new life for all in distant worlds. Their goal is to leave Earth and “grow new blooms far from this dead world.”
The Future War Cult: The leader is Lakshmi-2. This faction sees war as the only solution. No walls can keep war away, no councils can prevent it. Thus, war must be accepted as the future.
Which faction will you choose in Destiny 2 with your main character? Participate in our poll. You have only one vote:
What do you think? What can we expect in the Faction Rally?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In World of Warcraft, mead and beer flow once again in abundance. The Brewfest is live – and has some great new features in 2017.
If you break down the different species of Azeroth to the smallest common denominator, it is probably not the hatred of the Legion, but the love for a good drink. So it’s no wonder that Brewfest is also celebrated in Azeroth, while in the background hellish beasts rain down from the sky.
The Brewfest in World of Warcraft runs from today (09/20/2017) until 10/06/2017 – so a bit longer than two weeks.
Generally, this year there are again the “usual suspects” – that is, plenty of repeatable quests, fancy dirndls or lederhosen for transmogrifikation, as well as some pets and toys. Most of them are sold for Brewfest tokens, which can be earned from almost every activity at the event. Oh, and there is of course beer in abundance!
The Brewfest is celebrated at the Alliance in front of Ironforge, while followers of the Horde head to Orgrimmar in front of the city gates.
Brewfest Boss: Coren Direbrew – Now also for Twinks
For most players, a daily visit to the event boss Coren Direbrew, who has set up his beer garden in the Blackrock Depths, is worth it. The item level of the trinkets and weapons has been raised to 880, so fresh characters at level 110 might be able to snag a piece or two.
New in 2017 is that Coren Direbrew can be visited not only at the maximum level of 110 but also by characters with a significantly lower level. His loot will then be adjusted to the item level, making it useful and wearable for the character. In plain terms, this mainly means more chances for the Brewfest Ram, which can be included in the daily reward chest.
Coren Direbrew can be selected as usual via the dungeon browser.
Have you collected all the Brewfest goodies yet? Or are you still desperately collecting every year?
Pokémon GO celebrates the solstice with you and rewards players with great rewards like double stardust.
The developers of Pokémon GO are preparing, like us, for the upcoming cool autumn nights in the northern hemisphere. Good reason to launch an in-game event again. Many of you will now think, “Oh man, it was about time. After all those safari events, something should finally be there for everyone.”
Here are the bonuses you can expect at the solstice event in Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO Equinox 2017 Event
In a few days, the solstice event (original: Equinox) will start in Pokémon GO. It starts on September 22 at 10:00 PM. You have until October 2 October 3 at 10:00 PM to snag cool bonuses. After a server outage, the event was extended by 24 hours. Here, Niantic is particularly generous!
When catching Pokémon or hatching eggs, you get double the amount of stardust!
Also, you should visit many PokéStops while exploring the surroundings. There, special 2km eggs are waiting for you. These have the chance to hatch strong Pokémon that were frequently seen at the last safari events.
There is a chance of Chansey, Mareep and Larvitar “and others” from the 2km eggs.
In the in-game shop, there are also new packages containing items like lucky eggs, lures, and the brand new super incubator.
The super incubator can hatch eggs at 1.5 times the speed.
But these are not all the bonuses you can take advantage of during the solstice fest in Pokémon GO.
Triple Experience in Pokémon GO
If you register a new Pokémon in the PokéDex during the event, you will receive triple experience points for it. So strike now with the legendary beasts. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get triple experience points for the new beast that you can catch in Germany after the rotation on September 30.
Currently, a new online shooter called Pantropy is in development that transports you to a distant world where you fight for resources.
The sandbox of Pantropy aims to provide you with a lot of freedom. You start in the outskirts of a vast island on a foreign planet. You want to conquer this planet, but you need to extract the resources found inside the island. However, the resources are guarded by malicious aliens, and other players are also trying to extract the valuable materials. Therefore, the shooter mixes PvE and PvP elements.
Fights, Crafting, and Base Building
You can build bases in the outskirts that serve as a starting point for your expeditions. Together with friends, you fight further into the island’s interior to extract valuable resources.
In action-packed and fast-paced combat, you will face both aliens and hostile players.
You will then use the extracted resources to expand your base, create new weapons, and even vehicles – such as mechs. The island can accommodate up to 64 players.
Team Play is Important
During the adventures, it is possible to improve your hero. You will explore more of the island and get to see exotic places where particularly valuable resources await extraction.
The game is aimed at hardcore gamers as it offers many challenging tasks, and every mistake is harshly punished. Team play will help you progress.
Pantropy is set to release next year for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. An early access version is planned for the end of the year.
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Andreas says: Pantropy sounds very interesting. The fight for resources guarded by wild beasts could be exciting. The first videos and images also make a good impression. Let’s hope that the shooter can find enough players and does not fade away due to lack of marketing and a currently fiercely competitive genre.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The professional scene of Overwatch continually surprises with special moments – and not just in tournaments. Cloud9 DPS player Lane “Surefour” Roberts shows in his stream that even weaker heroes like Widowmaker can be extremely dangerous in the right hands.
“I know he is a good player, but Jesus christ…”
Talon’s sniper Amélie Lacroix is not usually a choice that teammates like to see in Overwatch ranked matches.
If Widowmaker does manage to deliver a solid performance, accusations of hacking are rarely far behind. Especially when the Widowmaker can already hold back the opposing team at the first point on Watchpoint Gibraltar.
But Overwatch pro Lane “Surefour” Roberts doesn’t need the help of an aim bot to stop the opposing team.
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The Canadian professional player explains on his stream how important it is to optimize settings when playing snipers. Not only positioning and technique play a role, but also the right mouse speed (sensitivity and DPI = Dots Per Inch).
If the mouse is too fast or too slow, the movements of hand and crosshair will no longer match. What can be seen in his stream and the video is the result of nearly perfect settings he has experimented with for quite some time.
“I’ve never been carried so hard…”
Through the moving images, some may have certainly been inspired to try it themselves. And those who want to emulate him are in luck! Surefour has even made a tutorial video for beginners and advanced players, in which he explains basic techniques for aiming. So, anyone looking to improve will be well served with tips from the pro.
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The story of Destiny 2 ends with an impressive cutscene that raises questions. What significance does it have for the future of the Guardians?
Warning: Major story spoilers ahead! If you haven’t completed the story yourself, you should not continue reading!
After you defeat the final boss Ghaul in the Destiny 2 campaign, the credits roll. However, the story is not completely over yet. A post-credits video follows, teasing a potential future danger.
In this video, you see the awakening of the Traveler, as it sends its light out into the universe. The light reaches the sun, it reaches the asteroid belt, Saturn, it spreads across our solar system and even across the entire galaxy. As it leaves the Milky Way, it suddenly encounters black pyramidal ships. These become activated and head for the source of the light – the Traveler and Earth.
Here you can watch the post-credits teaser:
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There is likely no doubt that we will encounter these pyramidal ships in the future. Presumably, this will be the new major threat that the Guardians will have to face. The only question is: What kind of enemies are they?
What is this about?
Since the first Guardians completed the story, there have been speculations in the forums about who or what this could be. Two theories are particularly frequently mentioned: It could be the Nine – or even the Darkness.
It’s likely not the Nine
Some suspect that it could be the Nine who play an important role in Destiny 2 with the “Trials of the Nine.” This scene could show that the Nine are hostile and are planning an attack in the near future, possibly in the context of a DLC.
However, there are many arguments against this theory:
On the one hand, the Nine are said to be the rulers of the worlds beyond the asteroid belt – these worlds begin around Jupiter. It makes little sense that the Nine would be, as shown in the video, far from the Milky Way.
On the other hand, they already know where the Guardians are, as Xur’s weekly visits or the “Trials of the Nine” show. They wouldn’t need to be “activated” if they wanted to come to us.
Still, it is possible that we will soon get to know the Nine better. The first DLC revolves around Osiris. We know that Osiris once met with the Nine on the Jupiter moon Europa. Presumably, we will receive some new information about “The Nine.”
The Messenger of the Nine
Everything points to: The new enemy is the Darkness
In fact, Bungie shows the pyramidal spaceships from the post-credits video for the first time. These ships were already seen in earlier concept art, before the launch of Destiny 1, along with the Traveler. You can see this concept art in our title image. Thus far, these black ships have not made it into the game, but were sometimes seen on the installation screen of Destiny 1:
In 2013, Bungie’s director Chris Barrett presented further concept art showing five enemy alien races. However, Destiny launched with only four enemy races. The fifth race depicted here has pyramidal symbols:
During the development process of Destiny 1, much changed and was re-planned, which led to the assumption that this fifth race was simply dropped. However, as the video now shows, it is indeed coming back – and it is likely the Darkness.
The Darkness is a powerful, mysterious force that represents an ancient enemy of the Traveler. It hunted the Traveler through the universe and led to its collapse when it arrived in our solar system. The Traveler sacrificed itself to protect humanity, falling into a slumber. This scene may be depicted in the concept art (our title image).
Now the Traveler has awakened again – and presumably, the Darkness, the pyramidal ships, has noticed. This theory at least seems logical.
There is another indication that the enemies in the video could be the Darkness. In the intro cutscene of Destiny 2, there is talk of an ancient enemy that chased the Traveler – that is, the Darkness. In the footage, you see a pyramidal shadow casting over the Traveler and humanity. We have marked the spot:
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The pyramidal symbol and the Darkness seem to belong together.
Who is aboard these pyramidal ships or what “form” the Darkness actually takes remains uncertain. In the Grimoire card “Darkness” from Destiny 1, several instances attempt to define the Darkness. It is said to be:
a force of both physical and moral presence, a manifestation of evil
a marauding army, an alien power with incredible yet tangible strength
a necessary symmetry to the Traveler to maintain cosmic balance
a technologically superior force, perhaps a post-singularity intelligence.
Furthermore:
Some positions, often referred to as heretical, claim that the Traveler itself caused the downfall or that it knew of the coming of the Darkness and intended to sacrifice our solar system or use it as a proxy army.
When these pyramidal ships will arrive among the Guardians is also unknown. For the Osiris DLC, that would probably be too early. They might only come with “Destiny 3” or with a major expansion similar to “The Taken King.”
We will see.
What do you think? Is this the Darkness?
If you want to learn more about the story and lore of Destiny, you can read our Destiny story guide here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the tank game World of Tanks for Xbox and Playstation, there is a new campaign in the solo mode “War Stories.” In “Operation Sea Lion,” the Axis powers unexpectedly attack England, and you must endure. The next campaign is already scheduled for October.
World of Tanks, the successful tank action game by Wargaming, now features a fun solo mode on consoles Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Playstation 4, where you face AI opponents alone. The scenarios consist of small campaigns with 3 missions each. However, these campaigns are not historical battles, but alternative historical scenarios.
World of Tanks – Operation Sea Lion – Defend the Kingdom!
The latest campaign Operation Sea Lion once again centers around such an alternative scenario. This refers to fictional events that could have possibly happened. For example, a victory of the Axis powers on the Eastern Front in World War II and the consequences of that.
Another popular alternative scenario is: “What would have happened if the Wehrmacht had successfully invaded England with ground troops?” And this scenario is the theme of “Operation Sea Lion.” There, you take on the role of a British commander piloting a Cromwell tank, attempting to fend off the German invasion:
In Mission 1 “The Queen’s Gambit” the Germans land near Dover after the disastrous battle of Dunkirk and threaten to advance further inland and conquer the kingdom with a new blitzkrieg. You must stop them as best as you can!
Mission 2 is called “En Passant” and revolves around English airfields that have been captured by the Germans. Since they are launching devastating airstrikes from there, you must retake the runways at all costs.
In Mission 3 “Checkmate” you are almost there. The invaders have retreated, but they have dug in at their fortified bridgehead, and it will not be easy to dislodge them from there.
World of Tanks – October Scenario Explodes the Cold War!
If you enjoy more war stories and alternative scenarios after Operation Sea Lion, you can look forward to October. There, you will be greeted by “Kennedy’s War,” another solo campaign. It deals with an escalation of the Cuban Missile Crisis – also a popular alternative historical scenario.
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“What would have happened if Kennedy or Khrushchev had not backed down in 1962 and allowed the conflict to escalate further?” In a few weeks, you can find out for yourself.
Unfortunately, the war stories are still only available for the console versions of World of Tanks. So far, Wargaming has no plans for a PC version.
