A recent deal with Microsoft has caused the hit shooter Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds to dance around the issue. Is it coming to PS4 or not?
Initially, everything was clear. In an interview with the Korean gaming site Inven on March 29, a producer stated that they plan to release Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds for Xbox One and PS4. On Xbox One a bit earlier, as they also offer an early access version with the “Xbox Game Preview” program.
However, since then, the Korean developer Bluehole has entered into a partnership with Microsoft, and this partnership has complicated the situation.
Since the deal with Microsoft, there has been no statement regarding PlayStation 4
Even at E3, it was stated that “Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds” is “Console Launch Exclusive” for Xbox One. While this basically means that the game is coming to Xbox One first, it seems this partnership also includes another deal:
The developers are now refusing to confirm that Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds is coming to PS4.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Official statement on whether Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds is coming to PS4
Despite multiple inquiries from journalists, it seems that no one at Bluehole wants to confirm whether the shooter will be released for PS4. However, they are not issuing a denial either.
The official statement is: The development team at Bluehole is focused on bringing PUBG to Xbox One and continues to develop the game for PC. We currently have nothing to announce regarding future plans to bring the game to other platforms.
PS4 players in information limbo
This is frustrating for PS4 players, as many are waiting to be able to play the currently hot PC shooter themselves.
Mein MMO thinks: It seems that the employees of Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds are in a difficult situation here: Apparently, they are either not allowed or do not want to say anything about the PS4.
After E3, Xbox chief Phil Spencer explained that “Console Launch Exclusive” does not rule out a later release for other consoles. Therefore, a release of Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds for PS4 is likely still planned.
But Bluehole will probably only say something about a PS4 release once the Xbox One launch of Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds has occurred.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Mage Tower challenges in WoW are quite difficult. One player didn’t care – he just completed all 36 of them!
Even with the opening of the Tomb of Sargeras, the Mage Tower challenges in World of Warcraft are still among the most challenging content the game has to offer for solo players. Those who overcome a particularly tough fight unlock an exclusive template for the artifact weapon. However, the associated quest and the respective boss are quite tough, which is why only a few players manage to actually unlock this template.
However, one player has achieved the seemingly impossible. He has completed all three quests for his main character – but also for all his twinks. That’s right. The player Muddymonk has shared a series of screenshots on Reddit proving that he has mastered all challenges – that’s 36 Mage Tower challenges, one for each specialization in the game. While many specializations share the same challenges, you must use a specific strategy with each of the 36 specializations.
An impressive feat that probably no other player has achieved yet.
The Mage Tower is only active every few days when the players of the respective region have collected enough war supplies from the Legion judges. Therefore, there was only a time window of 3 days each time to tackle the challenges.
Cortyn says: I have to admit that I was quite proud to finally have completed the challenge for my Shadow Priest. I can hardly imagine how much time and planning it took to gear 12 characters to a high equipment level to manage all challenges with each specialization. The sheer amount of time required seems crazy – at the same time, it is definitely an impressive achievement that cannot be replicated quickly.
The latest hero from Overwatch is too powerful. Blizzard has therefore planned a major nerf for Doomfist.
When it comes to which hero in Overwatch is currently the strongest, the answer is almost unanimously in the official forums and on Twitter: Doomfist.
This is not only due to the fact that Doomfist can deal extremely high damage, which sends many characters to the virtual afterlife with just one targeted strike, but also due to the large hitbox of his ability Rocket Punch.
Rocket Punch charges up for a moment before Doomfist charges in the targeted direction. He deals damage to the first enemy he collides with and knocks them back. If the enemy makes contact with a wall or another solid object, they take even more damage. For many characters, that means certain death.
Huge hitbox of Doomfist’s Rocket Punch nerfed
However, that alone is not the problem. An offensive character with melee abilities in a shooter should indeed be strong to hold their own against teammates with heavy weapons. But the hitbox of this ability is absurdly large in patch 1.13 of Overwatch. Players report that they still get hit even when they seek cover behind a car or stand several meters away from Doomfist’s impact point.
On Reddit, the user byboomstick has now published a small video showing Doomfist’s hitbox of Rocket Punch in the current and new version in patch 1.14.
https://gfycat.com/UnselfishRashAmericanmarten
It is clearly visible here that the hit zone of Rocket Punch has been drastically reduced.
Patch 1.14 is currently still on the PTR, so it is not yet certain whether these changes will go live exactly as they are. However, Blizzard’s course seems clear – more skill is required for Doomfist.
What do you think of these changes? Should they go live? Or was everything fine before?
Microsoft announced at the Gamescom press conference that it will publish the hit shooter PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on Xbox One. However, a release date for the shooter hit on Xbox One has not yet been set.
In the run-up to Gamescom, Microsoft hosted a live stream. One of the more important announcements there was that PUBG developer Bluehole and Microsoft will strengthen their partnership on PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
Microsoft will act as the publisher when PUBG is released for Xbox One later this year.
This means that Microsoft will be a partner for console development and can bring in expert knowledge. Bluehole believes this will help complete the Xbox One version even faster.
The partnership was announced by PlayerUnknown himself, Brendan Greene, who appeared as a surprise guest in the stream. Greene emphasized that the success of his game is heavily driven by the community.
The release version of PUBG for Xbox One is also expected to specifically support the new Xbox One X with a special update to enhance the gaming experience on Xbox One X. Then they showed the Xbox One trailer for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, which had already aired at E3.
Release date of PUBG on Xbox One still “later in 2017”
Microsoft has not yet provided a specific release date.
Already at E3, Microsoft presented the Steam hit shooter during its own press conference and announced that the game would be “Console Launch Exclusive” for Xbox One. This only means that PUBG will be released first on Xbox One – a release for PlayStation 4 is not ruled out.
A release of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for Xbox One is planned for “later in 2017”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Tnp-3W3z4
Furthermore, PUBG has now reached 8 million sold units on PC. This is just one figure among many incredibly impressive numbers that PUBG is currently delivering:
We wanted to know from you which online game is the most beautiful. Which MMORPG has the most magnificent graphics? The results are now in and may surprise some of you.
On August 11, 2017, we wanted to know from you in a survey, which MMORPG you think has the best graphics. The survey has now been evaluated and here are the results. We start with a classic that is still sexy even after more than ten years.
The MMOs with the Best Graphics Rank 5 – World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is old! Since 2004, you can experience Azeroth as an online role-playing game. A colorful, exaggerated comic graphics style was deliberately chosen for WoW back then. Not only because the style perfectly matched the twisted Warcraft world. Rather, the game should still look good in many years, and that simply works better with comic graphics than with high-gloss render optics.
World of Warcraft – Still Sexy After 12 Years
World of Warcraft will turn 13 in November, and if you look at the game today, you won’t notice much of it. Thanks to consistent graphic updates, new character models and revised animations, WoW looks prettier than ever today.
The times are gone when characters had only strange, fingerless “fins” as hands or mouths were just black holes somewhere on the face. Since the expansions “Warlords of Draenor” and “Legion”, WoW boasts detailed animations and bright colors that still look high-quality and modern.
Thus, World of Warcraft doesn’t have to hide behind other games with comic graphics in 2017 and rightly takes the 5th place in our top 5 MMOs with the best graphics.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Lunatic-Hai is one of the strongest Overwatch teams in the world – some say it might even be the strongest of all time. The team has already won two of the three APEX tournaments that have taken place so far.
A walk in the park for Lunatic-Hai?
When Lunatic Hai faced off against the not-so-highly-rated Overwatch squad from MVP, MVP Space, pretty much everyone already knew how the match would end before it even started.
After Lunatic-Hai decisively won the first map, Nepal, with a standard dive comp, the suspicion seemed to be confirmed.
Lunatic-Hai after the first round on Nepal: relaxed and confident.
And fists and rockets were flying
Until MVP Space finally decided to simply roll over the meta. Instead of countering the dive meta with a turtle strategy, trying to withstand attacks for as long as possible or leaving little room for flanks, the players chose a different tactic: attack instead of defense.
They opted for “PharMercy” and Doomfist against Lunatic-Hai.
Doomfist has only recently made his way into the game and is not yet widespread in the pro scene, as he has simply not found a place yet. Until now. MVP Space did not respond to the flank attacks of the dive meta with an all-round defense, but with a flat fist to the face, sending the attackers right back to where they came from.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
The comparison of a captain who does not plan any evasive maneuver upon sighting an iceberg, but just shouts: “Forget it, full speed ahead!“, fits quite well here. And it worked brilliantly.
MVP Space won the second map, Eichenwalde, with a full hold on the first point. Lunatic-Hai has never been stopped this early. After a tie in the third match on Temple of Anubis and a 2 to 2 after the best-of-five, the deciding sixth round was played on Hollywood.
A full hold refers to holding the first point on a map without the attacker making any progress. On escort maps, this usually means that the first checkpoint is not reached, while on assault and hybrid maps, it means that the first third is not captured.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
After another tie here, MVP Space was finally able to win the round and thus the match with a second full hold on the first point in overtime.
The dive meta seems to always rely on a successful flank attack, taking out one or two targets, to then finish off the rest with numbers. The matches between these two teams felt rather like an aggressive brawl, where the only goal was to smash as many skulls as possible. Very refreshing and hopefully soon a replacement for the meta.
A new security update in Pokémon GO targets third-party apps that interact with the game’s API. Affected are IV checkers and bots.
Many trainers regularly use IV checkers to monitor the values of their monsters. It is now even more important to use software that does not directly access your account. A new security measure is now active, which quickly issues shadow bans.
Third-party software interacting with Niantic’s API is affected. Trackers and some IV checkers are in the crosshairs.
Shadowban in Pokémon GO
A few days ago, a security update was activated in Pokémon GO that affects all third-party apps using the unofficial Pokémon GO API. This was reported by PokémonGOHub.
GPS spoofers are not affected by this update. The focus is on accounts used by third parties such as bots, online trackers, or IV checkers. The update does not prevent their access to the game but marks the corresponding accounts much more aggressively than before. This means that shadow bans are issued much faster, warnings are sent to the accounts, and IP addresses are flagged.
It remains unclear how the security system works – and this is causing trouble for the providers of third-party services. The mechanism that identifies the accounts is still being investigated. Additionally, the operators are unsure of the criteria by which the various penalties (shadow ban, warning, IP address marking) are distributed. It is only known that the system now functions significantly more efficiently and imposes penalties.
Now the providers of the services are trying to figure out what they can do against these measures. Until then, some trackers may not function correctly.
In general, we advise against using IV checkers that require your account data. There are many apps that take screenshots of the Pokémon and their ratings in order to subsequently calculate the IV value. This type of IV check is significantly safer.
What’s going on with the helicopters in Ghost Recon Wildlands? Crashes through the map and complete loss of control when landing are occurring more frequently.
The control of vehicles in Ghost Recon Wildlands was already a point of criticism for the community during the beta. The cars were difficult to steer, and the helicopter control was quite unfamiliar. Ubisoft’s plan was to improve the control. After a few updates, the helicopters also received a new way of handling.
The current version of Wildlands still has its quirks that can easily ruin missions for players.
Helicopters do what they want
In Ghost Recon Wildlands, you have the option to spawn vehicles for yourself. Available options include pickup trucks, vans, or even helicopters. To reach the various mission points on the large map, you need to cover long distances. Therefore, a helicopter is often a good choice when you need to move quickly.
However, problems can arise even when spawning the helicopters. They sometimes appear much too close to buildings, causing the rotor blades to break when starting the engine, rendering the helicopter unusable.
For some tasks, a helicopter is simply the best means of transportation. For example, when searching for the Yeti.Then you also have to adapt to the strange flight characteristics that come with it. It may happen that the helicopter decides to perform a crazy combination of backflips while the vehicle crashes during landing.
Also interesting: The helicopter can twist and catapult the pilot out of the cabin beneath the map. Don’t believe it? LocoRocker’s video shows it:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
At first glance, these fails are funny, but they can quickly become annoying when they happen at the end of an important mission. Or when you have to steal a helicopter for a supply mission and landing is the point where the job fails.
Some players prefer the “old” helicopter control. Although it received a lot of criticism, many have now gotten used to it. Ubisoft stated that the helicopter control was changed to make flying easier and feel more realistic. After six backflips during landing, any trace of realism is probably gone.
According to the last update, problems with the helicopters have increased. Have you experienced this as well?
The final cover of FIFA 18 is known! Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrating in the new Real Madrid jersey.
On this Sunday, August 20th, EA Sports unveiled the final cover of FIFA 18. Via Twitter, they presented the PS4 cover, which will be available in stores starting at the end of September 2017:
The final cover of FIFA 18
Cristiano Ronaldo is seen – celebrating with clenched fists. He is wearing the new Real Madrid jersey.
In previous promotional material for FIFA 18, Cristiano Ronaldo was always seen wearing the jersey of the previous season 16/17. On the preliminary cover, CR7 was depicted in a more contemplative pose:
The preliminary cover of FIFA 18
That the Portuguese mega-star will be the new cover star of FIFA 18 has been known since early June. He is the face of the upcoming football simulation. EA Sports advertises that Cristiano Ronaldo supported the gameplay innovations and, thanks to “Motion Capture” data from him, has taken game elements like game flow, player reactions, and explosiveness to a new level.
By the way: The cover star before Cristiano Ronaldo was Marco Reus. For FIFA 17, the community could choose from four players whom they wanted to see on the cover. In FIFA 18, the cover star is now predetermined. Before Reus, Lionel Messi was the cover star for many years (since FIFA 13).
FIFA 18 Cover – Revealed on PS4 – Trailer to Follow Tomorrow
New is that EA Sports presented the PS4 cover of FIFA 18. For years, Microsoft had a marketing deal with EA Sports and the FIFA series for the Xbox. For FIFA 18, EA and Sony are working hand in hand.
Next week, Gamescom will be held in Cologne. At this fair, FIFA 18 will be playable for visitors. To get the fan community excited beforehand, EA Sports will release a trailer tomorrow, August 21. As soon as it is released, we will report on it.
In the future, players could pay in the real world with a currency they earned in a game. Early MMOs are laying the groundwork for this.
Goldselling in WoW illegal, in Entropia Universe legal
It is not a new idea, but it is resurfacing and more relevant than ever: earning money in an online game and using it to pay in the “real” world.
In many mainstream MMORPGs like WoW, this is only possible through a “black market” that is monitored and sanctioned by the developer. Gold sellers sell in-game gold for “real money.”
But there are also official ways to do this: Since 2003, in the sci-fi MMORPG Entropia Universe, players can exchange their “game money” for “real money” at any time and vice versa. Entropia Universe relies on a “real money economy.”
Everything that exists in the game also has a dollar value. You can “earn your bread” by playing.
Entropia Universe is a niche MMORPG with a rather unique concept. Thus, it holds numerous records in the Guinness Book, such as the record for the “most expensive virtual object.” A player bought a space station for 335,000 US dollars.
The phenomenon is still a curiosity at this time. However, that could change in the long term as it aligns with societal developments.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum as an addition for MMOs
In today’s times, “cryptocurrencies” like Bitcoin or Ethereum are becoming more important. These are virtual currencies that have a value in the real world. These currencies are created through complex calculations, referred to as “crypto-mining.”
These virtual currencies are already having an impact on the real world: Many attribute the boom in “crypto-mining” to the increased prices of graphics cards. Because graphics cards are necessary for mining certain newer currencies.
What is illegal elsewhere becomes the game principle here
The new mobile MMO “Lordmancer 2” is now seeking a direct connection to these currencies. You should be able to earn a cryptocurrency through the game.
The currency “Lord Coins” in Lordmancer 2 is based on Ethereum and can be exchanged for real money outside of the game.
Lordmancer 2 will start selling its Lord Coins in October. Currently, they are seeking funds from Chinese investors. Lordmancer aims to establish what is a black market in other games as part of its own game principle.
The ultimate vision is that players can earn a currency in “gamified jobs” in virtual worlds, which can then be used universally as a means of payment. However, this is still a distant prospect, as it would only work if it becomes widely accepted and reaches the mainstream.
While one cannot expect a game like Lordmancer 2 to trigger such a boom, it is still a sign that the foundations for such a future are being laid.
More about the future MMOs and what ideas we might expect there can be found here:
In the Dino MMO ARK Survival Evolved, crossplay between PS4 and Xbox One is not a problem in itself, but Sony does not allow it. This is said by the chief developer.
It is a recurring topic in the gaming community. Worldwide, people can play together or against each other: Americans and Germans, Chinese and Brazilians, men and women, children and grandparents – the boundaries blur, that is no problem at all. But one boundary is insurmountable: the one between PS4 and Xbox One.
Anyone who has one of the two consoles cannot play with gamers on the other platform. Crossplay is possible between Xbox One and PC in many games, and PS4 and PC players can also play together in Final Fantasy XIV, but PS4 and Xbox One? That’s not possible.
The latest example is the Dino hit ARK Survival Evolved. Now there is even a statement from the chief developer Jeremy Stieglitz. He says: “Internally, we already have PS4 and Xbox One playing together, but Sony does not currently allow it.”
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Child protection probably won’t be a reason this time
Stieglitz’s tweet aligns with numerous statements from developers: Again and again, Sony is said to block possible crossplay with the competition.
Officially, Sony stated, they do not want to allow crossplay because it exposes children to external influences and they want to protect them from that. That was the statement on crossplay in Minecraft. There, the target audience is viewed as particularly young and vulnerable. Minecraft has an age rating for “Everyone – from 6.” Authorities regard ARK as suitable for “Teenagers,” from age 13. So this time, Sony’s protection argument probably does not apply.
Most observers suspect that Sony does not want crossplay with Xbox One for economic reasons. The pressure on Xbox players is higher to get a PS4 if they want to play with their friends, provided they also own a PS4.
The PlayStation is clearly ahead in sales in this generation compared to Xbox.
Gaming is more than just playing – video games have become a culture and for some of us even a lifestyle. Cosplayers have long been part of this culture and are simply a part of conventions and gaming events. But who is the person behind the costume? Professional cosplayer Shappi has given our author Leya a look behind her mask.
Cosplayers.
We find pictures and videos of them on the internet. We see them at events and conventions. We might take a photo with them and quickly go our separate ways. The costumes are at the center, in which cosplayers portray the characters from gaming or series that we love so much.
Shappi is one of those cosplayers and has made her profession out of costumes.
I never planned to become a cosplayer. It just came to me
The young Pole is 25 years old and is currently writing her thesis for her psychology studies. In 2009, Shappi started making a few small costumes for fun and wearing them to events – that was 8 years ago.
Even back then, Shappi was a big fan of games and anime. That’s why she started specializing in these topics for her costumes. After a while, she realized that making costumes suited her well and brought her a lot of joy. Shappi’s work became larger and more elaborate, and she began creating costumes specifically for gaming conventions.
This led to her participating in competitions and getting noticed by publishers.
Shappi now works for various gaming studios and creates costumes for games like SMITE, League of Legends or The Witcher. There are always different games and characters, depending on what the client needs.
Shappi’s job is to make the costumes and wear them at events or for photoshoots and videos. Publishers book the cosplayer to wear the costumes of the characters from their games at events. This means that Shappi has to travel a lot, as the events take place all over the world. Her suitcases are always gigantic because the costumes need to be transported securely on airplanes.
At publisher events, Shappi creates a good atmosphere and tries to encourage visitors to take photos with her.
Game designers don’t think about whether a character can be implemented as a costume
Making a high-quality costume comes with various challenges. Particularly time is often a problem for Shappi as a full-time student. While Shappi loves gaming, she also enjoys making her costumes.
If she plays a lot, she has no time to work on her costumes, and if Shappi works too long on costumes, she has no time to game. She tries to play every few days to find a good balance. However, the costumes take priority.
Sometimes it takes several months for the craftswoman to complete a costume. It depends on how complex a costume is.
A problem for many cosplayers is that game designers don’t consider how well their characters can be implemented as costumes. It becomes particularly difficult when the characters have elements that float detached from the body – or when the character itself floats. In such cases, cosplayers sometimes have to get really creative to implement the costume somewhat realistically. Invisible fabrics and zippers are often the solution.
Alongside these challenges, money plays a problematic role. The costumes can cost a small fortune to make, especially when considering the labor involved.
Every cosplayer has a different approach to designing their character
Cosplayers all have different approaches to implementing a costume or character. Shappi has experienced that athletic cosplayers like to show off their bodies. They have worked hard for their appearance and enjoy enhancing it with their costumes.
However, there are also cosplayers who fully embody their character and put on a show. They may pay less attention to the quality of the costume but provide a unique performance instead.
There are even noticeable local differences in how cosplayers approach a costume. Shappi has observed that German cosplayers prefer straightforward and detailed outfits. In contrast, Brazilians require everything to be glamorous and can never have enough glitter sprinkled on their costumes.
Shappi herself loves the craftsmanship of cosplay. The events and photoshoots are more of a pleasant side matter that come with the profession. She actually doesn’t enjoy wearing the costumes herself but loves making costumes for others. Finding the right challenge in developing difficult costumes gives Shappi the real thrill.
In the photo above, Shappi is seen in her costume of Azir from League of Legends. The costume was designed by the craftswoman to challenge herself. It took months for the bird form to be completed with its elaborate armor.
This costume has been the most fun for Shappi to wear so far because no one could recognize the petite girl under it. She just acted silly in the costume and made bird sounds. Only in movement would she have been somewhat limited as Azir under the bulky costume.
We are humans – please treat us as such
Even if it is sometimes exhausting to produce the costumes, cosplay and especially inventing the costumes is Shappi’s great passion. However, there is one thing in the scene that troubles Shappi and other cosplayers.
Especially at conventions and events, it happens repeatedly that visitors grope and harass the cosplayers. When fans hug cosplayers for a photo, hands may wander to the backside. It also happens that visitors try to secretly take photos of the cosplayer’s backside or cleavage. This is a real plague in the scene for Shappi, and the community tries to protect each other from such behavior.
Shappi gets angry when younger girls and boys are affected by sexual harassment. They are usually shy and have difficulty saying “no!” Shappi also wants to encourage visitors at events to intervene when they see such behavior.
Cosplayers are humans and not sculptures or objects. They also attend events to have fun and to share joy with others through their work.
When I am old and wrinkled, I can still make costumes
Shappi wants to make costumes for the rest of her life because that is her passion. Luckily, she is much more into the craftsmanship than playing the role of young and sexy characters.
Even when she is old and wrinkled, she can still make costumes for others. However, Shappi can also imagine cosplaying the older characters later on, which she also finds very exciting.
Her dream would be to stroll through gaming conventions with her future children and grandchildren – of course in costumes made by Shappi.
It is amazing what some cosplayers can create as costumes:
The space battles from Star Wars Battlefront 2 have now been shown for the first time in a leaked promo trailer. Here you can watch it.
A trailer leak is causing excitement in the Battlefront 2 community. Space battles and new details about the game are shown. Additionally, Yoda showcases his pilot skills.
Update: The official video has now been uploaded to the EA Star Wars YouTube channel. The gameplay trailer showcases the Starfighter Assault mode in Star Wars Battlefront II.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
New scenes from Star Wars Battlefront 2 reach us with this leaked video. As you can see, the space battles take place not only in space but also over the surfaces of the planets. Unfortunately, we don’t see any real gameplay in the trailer, just in-engine footage. Still, this gives you a rough idea of the dogfights in Battlefront 2.
The trailer for the “Starfighter Assault” mode was supposed to be presented at Gamescom 2017. It is unclear whether the shown leak is already the complete trailer. YouTube comments suggest that this is more likely to be a TV spot than the Gamescom trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHojjWi_69U
An explanation of the shown material is provided by Bombastic Gamer Films:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
It appears that Niantic has learned from the mistakes made during the GO Fest. The Pokémon GO event in Japan had 2 million players participating. This raises hopes for future events like the Safari Zones.
There are many events planned for Pokémon GO in the coming months. After the chaos at the Pokémon GO Fest, trainers were uncertain whether they wanted to participate. Disrupted mobile networks and login problems gave the GO Fest a sour taste. However, the developers have learned from their mistakes.
During the Pikachu Outbreak in Japan, 2 million players attended, and the network remained stable. Niantic explains how they prepared for the event.
Stable network despite the first Mewtwo
The summer was a tough challenge for Niantic. At the Pokémon GO Fest on July 22, about 20,000 trainers were on-site in Chicago to participate in this event. However, shortly after the beginning of the spectacle, it became clear that the fest was a legendary mess. Players communicated to the organizers in chants that they could not play. Niantic explained that, among other issues, service providers were causing problems.
Ultimately, Niantic apologized to the fans: The team is shocked by the GO Fest.Apparently, such a mistake should not happen again, and the team of organizers worked hard to make the next event more stable.
The Pikachu Outbreak event in Yokohama (Japan) started on August 9. Was that enough time to make the event more stable? Apparently yes, because over seven days, 2 million players attended, who had no problems to report.
The fact that these 2 million players were spread over so many days likely alleviated the burden on the network and the servers. In total, players caught 120 million Pokémon. Even when the first Mewtwo were released in the game during the peak of the event (and these could only be caught during the event), the network and the game remained stable.
In preparation for the event, Niantic informed all major mobile network providers in Japan. They then ensured a stable connection.
Additionally, the event was structured to keep trainers moving. Rare Pokémon such as Unown, Chansey, Larvitar, and Shiny-Pikachu were distributed throughout the event area. This motivated participants to move around the entire festival grounds and not just remain in one position.
The ultimate event of the Pikachu Outbreak in Japan was the latest Legendary monster in Pokémon GO: Mewtwo. Niantic states that this encounter also went strictly according to plan and went smoothly. The developers prepared the servers for this grand finale to ensure that everything would go well.
The result speaks for itself: The problems of the GO Fest did not occur despite the large number of visitors in Japan. Niantic’s precautions were successful, and the community is pleased that the Pokémon GO team has made an effort for a positive player experience.
With Arena of Valor, Tencent brings a MOBA for mobile devices. Whether a download is worth it for you and what you experience in the game can be found out in this test by our author Patrick. He is surprised at how quickly and intuitively the MOBA plays.
In a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena), two teams compete against each other in an arena. Popular MOBA games on the computer include Dota 2 or League of Legends. But now there is new support for mobile devices like tablets and smartphones: Arena of Valor. The free-to-play game is published by Proxima Beta (Tencent Games).
But is such a MOBA actually suitable for mobile devices, or do you end up breaking your fingers while gaming? That was the question I plunged into the mobile adventure on my smartphone with. Surprisingly, I had to realize that I managed the controls much better than I thought before the test.
Understandable explanation in Arena of Valor’s tutorial
Right after starting Arena of Valor, I was greeted by the tutorial. In the menu, everything was clearly marked that I was supposed to press – There was no way around the game’s explanation. For MOBA beginners, this is probably just right so they are not thrown into the deep end.
Type in names and let’s go. On a special practice map, I was first explained how to control my character and its abilities. In the tutorial, you play with the hero Valhein, who as a ranged shooter has cool attacks like stuns and area attacks.
With the left thumb you control the hero, and with the right thumb you execute attacks and skill shots. The goal is to destroy the enemy towers and then the opponents’ core. The game principle was already familiar to me through my experience in League of Legends and is also easy to understand for beginners.
After the basic goals and actions were explained in the tutorial, I was ready for my first game outside of the practice area. As a reward for completing the introduction, I was also gifted Valhein, with whom I took my first steps in the game.
Game modes and class selection
After the tutorial, I continued with a game against AI opponents. This serves to explore the green 5v5 map of Arena of Valor, to navigate the shop, and to get used to the controls. Visually, the map should not be a big surprise for MOBA veterans. Three lanes and a jungle await in the 5v5 mode “Big Battle”.
The computer opponents posed no threat to my team. We quickly tore down their base and destroyed the enemy core. That was easy and took only 5-10 minutes.
Next came the first match against “real opponents” – real people! In the game mode menu, you can select between the following modes:
5V5 Big Battle: The typical 5v5 format with three lanes and a jungle. Takes about 12-18 minutes
3V3 Skirmish: A kind of mini-game for a quick fight, lasts 4-6 minutes
5V5 Shadow Gorge: All players meet on one lane and play with random heroes. Takes 8-12 minutes
Excited, I confirmed the “Big Battle” and was in the queue for about 3 seconds. A sound rang out, the smartphone vibrated – A match was found. Nine other players wanted to play at the same time and were in the hero selection with me. I was now a bit familiar with Valhein, so I chose the lethal shooter. I wanted at least “some” security in the new game against real opponents.
Top, Mid and Bot – Familiar map and intuitive gameplay
The loading screen was only visible for less than ten seconds, and we were already on the map. It starts in the base.
Immediately, the shop symbol popped up on the edge of the screen, signaling that I should buy starting items. Recommended items for attack or defense made the decision on how to equip my shooter easy.
The recommendations are displayed clearly next to the shop symbol and can be purchased with a single tap. This is simple and a great help for beginners. The advantage of the shop: You can shop from anywhere on the map and do not have to return to base first. This way, there are no interruptions and the flow of the game is not interrupted – Even more speed.
After that, it goes to a lane. Usually, the team splits according to the 2-1-2 principle, with 2 players at the top, 1 player in the middle, and 2 players at the bottom. I didn’t see a setup with only one player on the top lane and a jungler in my test games. That could also be because my account is still new and this arrangement is rather used by experienced players.
Upon arriving on the lane, I was able to control my opponent with skill shots. These can be easily positioned and precisely controlled. I would have thought that it would be much harder for me, especially when gaming on a small smartphone display (iPhone 6s – NOT “6s Plus”).
In the upper left corner, you see the mini-map, which is present but not disturbing during the match. You can easily recognize enemies and allies there. If you want a closer look, there is also a zoom button.
Other spells like healing, sprinting, or backporting to base are easily reachable on the display.
I farmed on the lane, just as I was used to from MOBAs. I made last hits on the minions to earn more gold and regularly gave my opponent a beating. The duels and team fights pass quickly and fit well with the fast-paced gameplay. A duel with my lane opponent lasted maybe 5-10 seconds – and that right at the beginning of a match, without many items.
After a short time, my team was far ahead. We relentlessly dominated the opponents and were able to destroy the enemy core after about six minutes. 28:0 kills for our team. Ouch. It becomes clearer: In Arena of Valor, you search in vain for slow, tactical gameplay. It’s all about quickly taking down the enemy – and doing it as fast as possible!
Despite concerns: The control and overview work
Before the test, I had thoughts about the game. It is my first MOBA on a smartphone and I couldn’t imagine how the controls would work. How would that function? Managing skill shots with one thumb while controlling my hero with the other?
I was supposed to handle on the small display what I usually do on the PC with a mouse and keyboard. At first, this sounded really complicated, and I can understand if you have similar concerns.
However, it turned out while playing that it’s not so difficult. After the first few minutes, you get the hang of the controls and can position your skill shots well. This is also not a problem for inexperienced mobile gamers.
The 3V3 mode in Arena of Valor is particularly fast!
After three to four successful rounds in the 5V5 mode “Big Battle”, my curiosity was piqued. The gameplay was fluid and easy to follow. The objectives were clear (the game and your teammates mark what should be attacked or defended in between) and the matches played smoothly. Do all modes have that much fun?
Next, I wanted to try the 3V3 mode of Arena of Valor. Announced with a game duration of 4-6 minutes, I honestly couldn’t imagine what this mode would be like. At first, everything went as usual: logging in, hero selection, loading screen, shop.
At the start, I could immediately invest three talent points into my skills. This improves the heroes and ensures more damage and higher speed right from the beginning. And that’s how it felt. Only one lane is available, where everyone meets. There’s a tower on it, followed by the core. Fast and straightforward. If the tower is destroyed, you can attack the core. Core destroyed: Game won.
Here, you don’t spend minutes earning gold as you do in other MOBAs. The players engage each other immediately and fight. The minions seem more like a well-meaning addition.
15 kills in 3 minutes
6 minutes were indicated as the average game time for this mode. That seemed increasingly realistic as we started the first attacks on the enemy core after 2 minutes. Then there was a team fight, and suddenly we won. 2 minutes and 47 seconds – 14:1 kills. This mode really goes quickly.
To find out if that was just a coincidence, I played another round of 3V3. This one ended after about 6 minutes because the teams were better balanced. The times are therefore realistic and provide a whole new MOBA feeling. Admittedly, the short times also invite you to say “oh come on, one more round. It doesn’t matter about the five minutes anymore…”
5V5 with random heroes – On to the fun of the Shadow Gorge
The next mode was on the agenda. Five against five on one lane. The Shadow Gorge mode is indicated with a duration of 8-12 minutes. So, it’s the middle ground between “Big Battle” and “Skirmish”. This means: All players get assigned a random hero with which they fight on the middle lane. There are no other lanes, so hero selection is also out of the question. This mode is suitable for learning the gameplay of the heroes assigned to you.
In terms of gameplay, there are no significant differences from the other game modes. Except that you cannot teleport back to base. And if you want to shop, you can’t do it on the go, but must first die and shop in base. Two towers must be destroyed before the core can be attacked.
Now it’s time to tank
I had a tank hero named Mina, who could pull enemies towards her and taunt. Although I had usually always been responsible for the damage, I was now the one on the team who should take the hits. Great.
At the shop, I grabbed resistances to endure more damage and oriented myself with my four teammates to our tower. The enemies were already waiting for us. Even in the role of the tank, I felt comfortable after a few minutes. After about 10 minutes, we were able to decide the match in our favor.
The purpose of the game mode was fulfilled, as I got to know a new hero and can continue playing this one in the future or know how to assess him when an opponent rushes at me with Mina. To expand your hero pool, Shadow Gorge is a good choice.
Conclusion: No PC MOBA alternative, but a supplement
Arena of Valor is just right for those of you looking for a fast MOBA for on-the-go that does not compromise on core elements.
There is a large selection of heroes: Of the displayed 40 heroes, only 7 are free, while others can be obtained through achievements in the game or purchased with in-game currency or real money. I could not find a pay-to-win component during the test. However, there are heroes that are currently only available for the voucher currency (which you can purchase with real money).
The heroes are easy to control, and even tricky skill shots like grabs, where you pull enemies towards you, can be precisely aimed on smartphone displays.
In the item shop, you can tailor your heroes to your play style. There is a wide range of items for defense, attack, lifesteal, cooldown reduction, etc.
For me, a mobile MOBA could not replace a MOBA game on the PC because I also like to spend half an hour or longer in matches where overall strategy matters. However, Arena of Valor is definitely a successful alternative. The short, snappy matches can be comfortably played during lunch breaks at the office or while waiting in other games.
Registered for LFR in WoW and nothing to do? Are you waiting in your favorite shooter for your friend to be ready to search for a match? A 4-10 minute match fits in here easily and is also fun.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Is Arena of Valor for YOU? As a MOBA fan who loves to try new things, you should give the mobile MOBA a chance. Before the test, I assumed that the controls would not be easy and that skill shots would be a torture, but I was quickly proved wrong. The short matches still create some MOBA feeling, but this is now paired with increased speed. While the short matches do not offer the depth of a lengthy game on the computer, that can be quite pleasant at times.
There is new information about the story of Destiny 2. Spoilers ahead!
Much is already known about the story of Destiny 2:
Ghaul, the commander of the Cabal’s Red Legion, attacks Earth, cages the Traveler in some sort of prison, and robs the Guardians of their powers.
Now the Guardians must regain their powers, reunite the Vanguard, and stand up to Ghaul.
The campaign of Destiny 2 is themed around this battle against the Red Legion.
Some further information about the plot has now been released via Edge magazine. We summarize the most exciting details. Caution: Spoiler alert!
You will understand the Cabal’s intentions, even if they kidnap an ally
The main antagonist in Destiny 2 is Ghaul. For reasons yet unknown, he believes that the Traveler should have chosen him.
We will learn these reasons throughout the story. In an early cutscene, Ghaul’s intentions are revealed as to why he is so obsessed with the Traveler. A conversation between him and the “Consul” – a lifelong friend of Ghaul.
During E3, Project Lead Mark Noseworthy briefly spoke about the Consul: He is Ghaul’s mentor, “like a coach on the sideline,” directing Ghaul’s power. It sounds like the Consul is the figure pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
According to Edge, after about an hour of Destiny 2, players will understand what the villains are up to and why they are doing it. Compared to Destiny 1, this is a significant step forward. The story left many questions unanswered – why things happened and how everything should be connected was unclear to nearly everyone.
In Destiny 2, however, everything has a purpose from beginning to end, as laid out in the story. And here, Edge reveals something interesting: Players will be able to understand the reasons behind the Cabal’s actions, even though they havekidnapped one of the most valuable allies.
Who this ally is remains undisclosed. The Speaker, who is missing in the story mission “Homecoming,” is a strong candidate. Perhaps the Cabal want to extract valuable information from the Speaker in the fight against the Guardians. Or fan theories suggest that the Speaker is actually an evil, power-hungry character who is secretly on the side of the Cabal.
This information leaves a lot of room for speculation. Therefore, the question is: What do you think about it?
For the horror game Friday the 13th: The Game new content has now been announced. This includes a new Jason and new maps.
According to developer IllFonic, many new contents are on the way to Friday the 13th. A new website for the game (FF13game.com) has now listed some of the upcoming changes that players can expect. However, many of the “announcements” are just teasers and do not provide full insight into the new features.
New Jason in Friday the 13th
One of the main changes is a new playable Jason with unique kills. IllFonic did not want to share many details about it.
Additionally, all previous Jason versions will receive new kills.
The retro Jason, which was introduced as an apology for issues in the game, is expected to be temporarily disabled. During this time, it will be revised and receive, for example, new music that will be heard by survivors and killers.
New map with familiar location
A map is supposed to be available for free “very soon” and it should be quite special. This new map is supposed to be a location from the movies. However, they did not want to specify more details here.
More “quick” maps
If you are looking for quick matches and do not want to wait for full games with 8 players, you are in luck. The team has tackled the classic Higgins, Packanack, and Crystal Lake maps and adjusted their size. New loot spots, vehicle spawns, and escape routes are also included. The smaller map with these changes should provide better gameplay for matches with fewer players.
New emotes in free DLC, skins coming too
You want to communicate with other players but do not have a microphone? No problem, the eight new communication emotes can help you with that. These will be released simultaneously with a new HUD/UI.
Additionally, new skin packs have been announced that will not be available for free. The first is called Spring Break 1984 Clothes Pack and will cost $3.99. It includes bikinis and swimsuits. A release date is still unknown. There are supposed to be two more clothes packs, but there is currently no further information on those.
It is now official. No DLCs and no updates will be released for the single player of Mass Effect Andromeda.
There were many hints about it, and now it is official. The team of Mass Effect: Andromeda has announced that the single player part of the game will no longer be supported.
The last update was 1.10 – there are no further updates or DLCs planned to expand this part of Mass Effect: Andromeda.
No DLCs, no patches for the single player – multiplayer already
According to the team, this was the plan from the beginning. The future story will be told through multiplayer missions and through comics and novels.
In the coming weeks, the multiplayer team will explain how the story will continue.
In the letter from the developers, they thank the support of millions. They are proud of what they have created. The team emphasizes that they worked hard to implement player feedback, such as improving animations.
For Electronic Arts, other projects like Anthem or Star Wars Battlefront 2 seem to be more important in the medium and long term than Mass Effect Andromeda. Reports and actions from Electronic Arts have indicated this. Already in May, anonymous sources reported that Mass Effect is on hold for now. All news since then seem to confirm this.
The action online RPG Kritika Online is currently still in beta but is expected to be released on Steam soon. In a recently published roadmap, the developers outline their plans for the game leading up to release and beyond.
Kritika Online is a colorful action MMO with an anime look. It focuses mainly on thrilling battles that you can jump into almost instantly. Kritika strongly emphasizes epic fighting.
So far, the fast-paced MMO is still in beta, but the developers have already released a roadmap leading to the Steam release and beyond.
Kritika Online – Upcoming content for the action MMO
On August 30, the first of many major updates will come:
Arena and PvP modes
“Shattered Table”, a 2-player endgame instance
A game mode where you repeatedly tackle randomly selected challenges. The longer you endure, the more loot you’ll receive
In September, the Steam release will come along with new story missions in the high-level zone Xanadu.
In October, the new class of “Psionic” will be introduced, and a Halloween event will take place. Additionally, there will be an overhauled pet system.
For nearly a year, the Free2Play shooter called Heroes & Generals has been out of its “Early Access” phase and has been continuously evolving since then. Our guest author Dennis Zühlke has taken a look at the game.
In the last decade, a plethora of games featuring World War II as a setting have emerged. Personally, I played various shooter series back on the Playstation 2, such as “Call of Duty” and “Medal of Honor”. After seeing new installments in these series, it eventually became boring to see games with the same theme.
Since I started gaming on a home computer quite late, I missed some World War II games. Were there perhaps some titles worth checking out?
So I simply checked the Steam charts and discovered Heroes & Generals.
To act strategically or just dive into action?
When you see Heroes & Generals for the first time, you think of a typical shooter, but the game offers a mix of two great genres. After a few initial shooting passages, you can decide whether to jump straight into battle as a hero or oversee the game as a general from the commander’s chair, issuing various commands.
I must honestly say I have rarely seen such a concept with a blend of FPS and RTS (Real-Time Strategy) and despite the clichéd scenario, it brings a fresh breeze to the gaming world.
Shooting or Planning?
For shooter fans, the game offers everything a hardcore gamer needs. You can mow down enemy soldiers with a heavy submachine gun on foot or control various vehicles like tanks or planes. However, you first have to unlock these separately. More on that later.
As a general, you distribute troops and vehicles across the large map, initiating the following battle. When two generals and their troops clash, the fight begins with the provided resources.
The Classes – Shoot away or take a seat in a plane?
Heroes & Generals features several classes. At the beginning of your career, you start with the infantry soldier, who forms the backbone of the entire army. Here you have various options on how to proceed with your soldier. Would you rather shoot from safe cover with a carbine or go hunting for enemies with a submachine gun? There’s something suitable for every playstyle.
The tank crew operates in their heavy tank, clearing enemy obstacles from their path, but can also be well-equipped to hunt infantry. Remember that as a tank driver, you can become a large target for enemy soldiers, so it’s best to operate from cover, like large bushes or walls, and primarily aim at vehicles.
There are also pilots who attack from the air with their planes. However, you need some practice to be able to steer the planes correctly. A good pilot can decide a round with their bombs, so practice first in the simulated battles.
Those who like to surprise enemies and be agile on the map should take a closer look at the paratrooper. This soldier class closely resembles the infantryman but has some unique features. When it comes to landing, you can land anywhere on the map and surprise an enemy in their trench.
Lastly, we have the scout, the classic sniper who advances behind enemy lines wearing camouflage and takes out key characters deliberately.
The Game Modes – From small trench fights to large battles
Heroes & Generals offers a wide range of different game modes. These are divided into two categories: Firstly, the scripted battles, in which each faction has the same number of resources – such as combat units.
The second category comprises war battles, in which the generals decide how many resources are added to the fight. To unlock the vast battle map, you first have to reach a few levels higher. If you play the shooter for the first time, there’s a small tutorial that shows you the basic mechanics of your soldier.
After that, you gain access to a mode called Encounter, where you fight for a control point on a small map. The team that holds the point the longest wins. This mode plays pretty quickly and is ideal for beginners.
More experience, more battle
Once you reach the second level with your soldier, you can participate in skirmishes. Here the maps are significantly larger compared to the first mode, and battles are fought over three points. On these maps, you also have the opportunity to play with different classes alongside the infantryman.
Additionally, you will drive tanks here, or you can jump from a transport plane with a parachute from great heights. Rounds last around 10-20 minutes, perfect for casual players during their lunch break.
The largest version in the scripted battles is called Assault, in which you must capture all marked objectives on the attacking side. The defenders protect these points and push the attackers back on their line. In Assault, you have access to all classes, and the pilot can finally prove their talent and zip across the map.
War is not for beginners
Once you’ve tried out various modes, war battles become available upon reaching level 10. Here, the generals decide how many combat units and resources are sent into the battle.
Thus, each match is different and can sometimes seem unfair. I strongly recommend playing in the aforementioned modes for a while and equipping your soldiers appropriately because seasoned veterans are often mixed in here. However, this grants you more experience, allowing you to level up faster in the game.
Free2Play or Pay2Win?
Let’s talk about one of the most important points: Is Heroes & Generals fair or not? My answer is YES AND NO. Currently, there are three different currencies in the game. First, there are the credits you earn through active play, and then there’s gold, which can be acquired with real money. While there are some ways to earn gold in the game, they are relatively small. As a third option, there are war resources with which we can purchase combat units, but these only become interesting for generals.
In itself, the game is free to play, and my first rounds went relatively well. However, there comes a time when you need to buy various equipment, such as new weapons or grenades. These can be purchased with credits, but it takes a while for players to gather that amount.
What annoys me significantly: Almost everything you can get as equipment costs credits. Whether they are weapons, tanks, or various modifications for weapons, such as scopes. With the use of real money, you can acquire these things much faster, leading to encounters with soldiers who are well-armed from head to toe and can eliminate you very quickly.
Another point: New classes like the pilot or the scout also cost credits or gold, and those prices can be quite steep in some places. Those who reach into their pockets here have a distinct advantage over Free2Play players.
Conclusion
Heroes & Generals is a good game overall, with cool ideas like the mix of shooter and RTS. Shooting with the weapons is fun, and there’s always something happening on the maps. The game would, however, be even better if they lowered the prices for classes and equipment a bit, making them more appealing for newcomers.
It would also be a good idea to revamp the system so that additional classes cost no money and can only be unlocked at certain ranks.
Besides the “Pay2Win” accusations, it must be said that the shooter runs stable and it’s always fun to take out enemy players. A tip: Join a clan or community and play together via voice chat.
If you’re into a shooter mix set in World War II and don’t mind grinding for equipment, you should definitely take a closer look at this shooter.
