The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with new Joy-Cons that are larger. But what about the old Joy-Cons and controllers that you purchased for the Switch? Are they still compatible? MeinMMO explains what you need to know.
With the Switch 2, Nintendo has introduced a wealth of new accessories. But what about old accessories? Can you still use your old Switch 1 Joy-Cons with the Switch 2, or do you need to buy new accessories? MeinMMO explains whether the Joy-Cons are backwards compatible and what you need to keep in mind.
Start video
Nintendo showcases the Switch 2 for the first time in a trailer
Can you use the old Joy-Cons on the Switch 2? Yes, the Switch 2 is backwards compatible with the old Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers from the Switch 1. You don’t need to buy new hardware. Nintendo officially explains this in a blog post.
You can easily connect the old Joy-Cons and old controllers wirelessly to the Nintendo Switch 2 and also play titles with them. It is not yet clear whether you can also play new Switch 2 titles with the old Joy-Cons. With the PS5, PS4 controllers were not allowed.
What limitations are there? To charge the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, a Nintendo Switch console or an accessory such as a Joy-Con charging grip or a Joy-Con charging station is required. You cannot charge or attach the old Joy-Cons to the Switch 2 because the Switch 2 uses a new type of connection.
Nintendo presented a wealth of information about the Switch 2 at the Nintendo Direct. Now, the specifications and performance data of the Switch 2 have also been officially shown by Nintendo. MeinMMO summarizes the information and compares the data with the Switch 1: Nintendo Switch 2: These are the official specifications
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, the famous German streamer Simon “GamerBrother” Schildgen actually wanted to go to the Champions League final in Munich for EA FC 25. However, he was stuck in Düsseldorf. Spontaneously, he made it possible for a fan and his father to have an unforgettable evening.
Why did the streamer miss the final? GamerBrother actually planned to fly from Düsseldorf Airport to Munich on the afternoon of May 31, 2025, to watch the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena.
Due to poor weather conditions with rain and thunderstorms, the streamer’s flight kept getting delayed. At 16:40, GamerBrother posted the following on X:
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The streamer’s flight was canceled, making it nearly impossible to arrive in Munich on time. Despite his sadness over the situation (“maximum breakdown”), the streamer immediately thought of his community and called on his followers on X to apply for the free ticket.
The priority should be for people who are from Munich and have time. He would make the ticket available to a fan via app.
Start video
Tips for a Perfect Start in EA FC 25 – Ultimate Team
GamerBrother drives a fan and father crazy
Who won the final ticket? Over 400 users commented on GamerBrother’s X status. Among the numerous applicants, user arda.sab won the ticket with the following comment:
“Dude, what a crap. I have a ticket, could then go with dad …” (via X)
The streamer replied:
“Then your dad is going to a UCL final today, I would say” (via X). He also posted a picture showing the confirmation that the ticket had been successfully transferred.
The user could hardly believe his luck and thanked GamerBrother on X, saying that his dad would go crazy.
Why GamerBrother chose this fan along with the comment remains speculative. Perhaps he felt reminded of his own father through the story of the shared stadium visit. The streamer is a regular stadium visitor and likes to show his father as a frequent companion in his vlogs on YouTube.
The new field operation Occult Crescent has been live for almost a week in Final Fantasy XIV. Recently, negative feedback regarding the related relic weapon grind has been accumulating. Some veterans are now pushing back on Reddit.
What bothers players about the Occult Crescent right now? Voices have been popping up on Reddit and in the official forum complaining about the grind for the new relic weapons. The new so-called phantom weapons are highly sought after due to their unique designs that can be further developed through future patches.
To obtain these weapons, players need to invest a lot of time in the new field operation Occult Crescent or Dawntrail FATEs. Actually, the contents of the Occult Crescent are well received, but some players are reporting hours of gaming with minimal progress in the grind.
However, some long-time players are now speaking up on Reddit, who seem to be bothered by the loud complaints of their fellow players.
Start video
The new trailer for Patch 7.2 of Final Fantasy XIV shows the new, highly anticipated content
I don’t care if it’s a grind… it’s an MMO, after all
What do the veterans say? Reddit user Strict_Baker5143, who seems to have gone through several relic grinds, has a clear opinion on the complaints. In his post, To the people who are saying they miss the EW relic grind: stop, you are embarrassing, he writes about his experiences from Eureka:
Eureka, Stormblood’s version of the relic grind and the first field excursion, was until then the best iteration of this content: It was a piece of content that actually brought people together outside of instances dungeons and raids.
Bozja was a new version of this, based on the criticism of Eureka.
For the relic weapons in the Endwalker expansion, in-game currency should be collected, and dailies completed. It was empty and lazy, but something that the community wanted.
Now the relic weapons are tied to the Occult Crescent, but also to FATEs, and people are not satisfied again.
The poster concludes:
If you want instant gratification, the relic may not be for you. It was always made for people who wanted something to work for and something to show for, not someone who simply wanted a new glam
How do the commentators react? Some agree with Strict_Baker5143 in the comments. syd_goes_roar writes, for example, People will unfortunately always find a reason to complain.
However, most speculate about what exactly the actual problem with the grind might be. corvak mentions that it’s annoying that he can’t farm the field operation while doing his dailies. You can’t fight in the Occult Crescent and sign up for dungeon roulettes, for example.
Among others, Reddit users Biscxits, Vrankyl, and Finaldragoon suspect that the random elements, the RNG, are a bigger problem. PaulaDeenSlave writes: I don’t care if it’s a grind… it’s an MMO, after all… But this level of RANDOMNESS is unfun. […] Even though this step is only once that’s still one times too many. […]
On the other hand, there is also plenty of praise for the field operation bringing players together and fostering cooperation once again.
Is there any truth to the speculation? Whether the RNG is indeed too harsh cannot be said universally. However, player experiences indicate so. In the official forum, Final Fantasy XIV players share their experiences with each other, and they are quite varied.
Presumably, the Occult Crescent and the grind for the phantom weapons would be better received by players if the time investment was roughly equal for everyone. Currently, it can happen that you have terrible luck and take twice as long as others – or even longer. This can, of course, lead to the aforementioned displeasure among gamers. Many other reasons have led one player, by the way, to try WoW, and she is now reporting on her experiences: Former Final Fantasy XIV player converts to WoW: “I wish I had done this earlier”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Shirley Curry, affectionately known as the “Skyrim Grandma”, enjoys playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, as her name suggests. Over 9 years ago, she created a YouTube channel, where she has uploaded over 2,000 videos of the game. Now, she is turning her attention to another game: Oblivion Remastered.
Who is she about? The American Shirley Curry is an 89-year-old gamer who plays a lot of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. On her YouTube channel, she has uploaded not only over 2,000 videos of Skyrim gameplay but also occasional vlogs where she talks about her life.
88-year-old bids farewell to one million fans on YouTube and the role-playing game Skyrim
“Pretty Mushroom”
What game is the Skyrim Grandma playing now? Shirley Curry has now turned to the game Oblivion. However, not the original game from 2006, but the Remastered version from 2025. The first gameplay video that Shirley Curry uploaded was fittingly titled “Learning”. The second was named “Still Learning”.
The 89-year-old took her time to examine everything closely and commented on her first steps with: “I need to see how everything looks. I have never been here before. Pretty mushroom” (via YouTube).
What is being criticized? In the first few minutes of gameplay, Shirley Curry already has some criticism. She finds the controls not very good and says: “Ugly controls. Just absolutely ugly controls” (via YouTube).
However, the 89-year-old seems to be excited about everything else, as she quickly states: “Nice tree” (via YouTube).
The community is excited: Apparently, the community could not wait for Shirley Curry to play Oblivion. The comments under her first Oblivion video are thrilled about the new content (via YouTube):
@Wobzzzz writes: “Your sense of wonder and curiosity fills me with great joy, Shirley. I hope you enjoy your day and this new game!”
@Gafferman is very happy: “Oh Shirley, that is wonderful! You have managed to experience a whole new world (…) That is great!”
@lacrymiaolor has been looking forward to the gameplay for a long time: “I have been waiting for this more than the release of the remaster itself!”
A YouTuber has taken on the challenge of playing a dead MMORPG for 30 days to see what it’s really like. The remaining community has welcomed him enthusiastically.
Which MMORPG is it about? Dark Ages is an old-school MMORPG from 1999 that gives a lot of power to players. Players take on important positions in the MMORPG, such as becoming the head of a church or fighting for power in politics.
However, the MMORPG has gradually lost players over the years. New 3D titles replaced the old-school MMORPGs viewed from above, and thus Dark Ages drifted further into oblivion over the years. The last player boom occurred in 2020 when the developers released a large update amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing many veterans back into the game (via mmoculture.com).
Since then, the population of the MMORPG has continued to decline – until now. A new video by the YouTuber Bind has garnered a lot of attention. The player recently spent 30 days in Dark Ages and had a truly great time.
Another MMORPG from that time is still popular today:
Start video
Old School RuneScape – Trailer for the Steam Release
The first beginner in a long time
How did the 30 days go? The YouTuber’s 30 days went completely against what many probably expected. The small remaining community of Dark Ages was delighted to see a real beginner again after a long time. Several players offered their help, which was greatly needed.
Due to the player-driven systems, the MMORPG only works when one truly interacts with other people. Therefore, the YouTuber’s class lacked any attack skills because it is designed to be played alongside another player. However, the players of Dark Ages didn’t mind and promptly created a new character to level up together with the YouTuber.
In the meantime, the YouTuber set the goal of achieving the master rank in the game. This is one of the highest accolades a character can achieve and an important milestone. So important, in fact, that the first 5 players to achieve it were immortalized in the MMORPG. One of them is still playing the game today, 26 years later.
You can see the entire video here:
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Did he achieve his goal? Over the month, the YouTuber met new players who helped him with his goal. One even ensured that the player could join a religion within the MMORPG. This required a real player to accept him into the religion.
To celebrate, other players also came to welcome the player into their community and to claim a free damage buff. Going forward, the YouTuber will have to regularly worship his in-game god to become stronger. If he fails to do so, he will receive a penalty.
To achieve his goal, the YouTuber had many tasks, challenges, and player actions to complete, which he probably could never have accomplished without the help of the friendly community.
At the end of the 30 days, the YouTuber actually succeeded. He became the master, and the community from the game threw a party in his honor. The month of gameplay in the dead MMORPG ended just as beautifully as the journey itself was.
In conclusion, the YouTuber says that Dark Ages is a game that fascinated and thrilled Millennial teenagers back then, and still does today, if you are willing to engage with it. Thanks to the great community of the MMORPG, you can experience this feeling once again.
However, this is also due to the players who ensure that the game continues to operate both financially and through the player-driven in-game systems, with several accounts, each costing around 10 euros a month.
The YouTuber expresses his gratitude for the wonderful experiences in the game, which have shown him that “dead” MMORPGs, despite their few players, can offer something great that modern genre representatives no longer achieve. Would you like another beautiful story? Older lady lives our dream: Plays WoW in retirement until 5 a.m.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
June in Pokémon GO brings new Spotlight Hours. Which Pokémon and bonuses are appearing? We summarize it for you in the list.
What is the Spotlight Hour? The Spotlight Hour focuses on a specific Pokémon. It also brings an additional bonus that you can take advantage of.
During the hour, the event Pokémon appears pretty much everywhere in the wilds of Pokémon GO. So you have a good chance to catch a strong specimen of it.
But which Pokémon and bonuses are scheduled for June? We show you everything here in the list and clarify which ones are worth it.
Start video
Pokémon GO: Teaser for the new Season
All Spotlight Hours in June 2025
When does the Spotlight Hour start in June? As usual, the Spotlight Hour in June 2025 takes place every Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM. It lasts for 60 minutes, after which regular Pokémon spawns will appear again at 7:00 PM.
During this time, you can always look forward to a specific Pokémon in connection with a bonus. The following dates are scheduled for June.
Date
Pokémon & Bonus
June 3
Spotlight Hour with Parfi* and double catch XP
June 10
Spotlight Hour with Magnetilo* and double catch candies
June 17
Spotlight Hour with Monozyto* and double transfer candies
June 24
Spotlight Hour with Fukano* and double evolution XP
Which bonus is active? You receive double XP for every catch you achieve during the hour. If you use a Lucky Egg, you can double the XP again as long as the item is active.
Is the event worth it? Parfi and its evolutions are not particularly strong. But the double XP is always good if you want to level up.
Is there Shiny Parfi? Yes, Shiny Parfi is available in the game. However, the chance of encountering it is not increased.
Spotlight Hour on June 10, 2025
Which Pokémon is in the spotlight? Magnetilo is an Electric classic that can evolve into Magneton and ultimately Magnezone.
Which bonus is active? Each catch gives you double the amount of candies. With a Nanab Berry, you can get even more candies.
Is the event worth it? Magnezone is a pretty good Electric attacker. If you don’t have it yet, collecting candies is worth it.
Is there Shiny Magnetilo? Yes, Shiny Magnetilo can be caught if you’re lucky.
Which Pokémon is in the spotlight? Monozyto is a Psychic type. It evolves through Mitodos into Zytomega.
Which bonus is active? All Pokémon you send to the professor during the hour will give you double candies. It’s best to sort with the tag function beforehand what you want to send.
Is the event worth it? Neither Monozyto nor its evolutions are particularly strong attackers.
Is there Shiny Monozyto? Yes, you can catch Shiny Monozyto if you’re lucky.
Spotlight Hour on June 24, 2025
Which Pokémon is in the spotlight? Fukano is a Fire-type Pokémon from the Kanto region. It evolves into Arcanine.
Which bonus is active? You will receive double XP during the hour for evolving your Pokémon.
Is the event worth it? Arcanine is okay as a Fire attacker, but there are better options.
Is there Shiny Fukano? Yes, you can catch the Shiny variant of Fukano as well.
What else is coming up? A whole lot, because with the Spotlight Hours, the event calendar for the new month is certainly not filled yet. There are still several other dates you can participate in – such as the GO Fest. We provide you the complete overview in the list of all events in June 2025 for Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Despite Larian’s success with Baldur’s Gate 3, the studio has given up on the idea of a potential sequel – but Hasbro sees it quite differently. The company is already considering the future of the franchise, which raises great concerns among players. All they want is one specific thing.
Why are players worried? Already in March 2025, the Senior Vice President for Digital Games at Hasbro commented on plans for the future of Baldur’s Gate, about which they could “speak in a short time.” Even then, fans were not very convinced of a sequel without Larian: “A studio would have to be crazy to try to follow Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3.”
This topic is still an important subject three months later, discussed in the Baldur’s Gate 3 subreddit. In a Reddit post by the player ConfusedPhoenix23, he expresses his sympathy and guilt towards the future developers: “Hasbro will inevitably commission a new studio to develop BG4. And I feel so sorry for whatever studio is chosen for this job, because no matter how well they make the game and no matter how much time they spend on it, it will most likely never meet the expectations that Larian has set for the franchise.”
But he simultaneously has an idea of how Hasbro could handle the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 much better, which many other users under his post can agree with.
Here you can see the animated short film for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3:
Start video
Der animierte Kurzfilm zu Patch 8, dem letzten Update für Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate is only a fraction of the Dungeons & Dragons universe
What would be a better approach from Hasbro for the players? Instead of forcing a studio to create a game with unattainable expectations, Hasbro could think more about new games and stories of the D&D universe, at least that is what the community thinks:
“Why not just develop a new game? DnD is a limitless universe filled with so many interesting stories; why focus on the same world for the fourth time? If they make a new game, the expectations may still be high, but not as high as if they were making a sequel to a game that won the GOTY award in 2023,” writes ConfusedPhoenix23.
“Honestly, I don’t want or need a sequel to the story of BG3. I would just like to continue playing various well-made campaigns, possibly with engine improvements over time. Granted, such a well-designed campaign takes a lot of work, but there are many talented storytellers who can conduct complex DnD campaigns,” writes Fabulous-Possible758.
“Yes, and it would be perfectly fine if the games had a smaller scope. It doesn’t always have to be about saving the world. People love replaying Act 1 of BG3 because it’s such a great D&D sandbox,” responds tadayou.
What could this approach look like? The comment with the most upvotes by Zauberer-IMDB explains how Hasbro could directly address this suggestion while also benefiting their beloved Baldur’s Gate 4:
“The most sensible thing for Hasbro would be to follow up with spin-offs, like Neverwinter Nights. This would be possible to capitalize on the brand and its momentum without having the same pressure as with a direct sequel. They could strike while the iron is hot, while searching for a suitable developer who can implement BG4 correctly. But who am I fooling, that would indicate competence.”
While trust in Hasbro has significantly declined, many players are excited about Larian’s new projects, even if they won’t take place in the D&D universe. Although fans were initially a bit disappointed by the news, anticipation for more information about their two new games is now on the rise. So far, we don’t know much, but studio head Swen Vincke is already “excited like a kid”: Instead of Baldur’s Gate 4: Larian is working on two new games
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has launched in Season 4 and brought an unpopular change that fans now have to live with. Many are confused, as the shooter has countless problems that remain unresolved.
What are fans complaining about? In Season 4, there were various changes in Black Ops 6 and Warzone, which fans could find in the patch notes. Among them was a very important adjustment regarding the loadouts that players can create.
If you want to select a blueprint for a specific weapon now, you are shown right at the beginning of the selection which shop bundles are available for that particular weapon. This makes shopping in the in-game shop easier, but for many, it is more of a disruptive factor.
All newer Call of Duty titles are heavily monetized through countless shop bundles, event passes, or battle passes. Those who log in even receive top announcements about new battle passes and bundles.
But it seems that Blizzard wants you to miss no bundle and is now placing offers in areas that previously remained untouched by monetization. Players are not happy about this at all.
Start video
The trailer for Season 4 of Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6 shows what you can expect
Black Ops 6 makes unpopular decisions and is broken
What’s going on in Black Ops 6? The shooter is not in a good light after the Season 4 update, as the game has many problems.
Bugs are only fixed very late or not at all, Warzone is almost unplayable for newcomers due to the change in solo mode, SBMM still drives many fans crazy, and lastly, there’s the new monetization strategy from Blizzard that has newly been introduced.
For many, the point has now been reached where they have had enough of not being heard by Blizzard. The following can be heard on Reddit:
“Nothing makes me regret giving up this game after the AI artworks from Season 1.” – TheLordChankaR6
“If they cook this crap up again, the fork will fall out.” – Original-Mission-244
“This advertising mess is ridiculous. They are already making huge profits, and something like this should be illegal for them.” – Mrlustyou
“And everything else is bugged except for the shop.” – dwill8123
“Ah … constantly finding new ways to make the game even worse.” – GRAY4512
In Elden Ring: Nightreign you can earn special loot in the tutorial. However, many fail at it. With a trick, you can try again.
What do players fail at? The tutorial of Elden Ring: Nightreign introduces players to the basic controls and mechanics. At the end, they face a boss named Margit, who many may already know from Elden Ring. Because even back then, the boss known as “the cruel mark” was the first real boss opponent and gave his opponents a hard time.
Also in Nightreign he does not make it easy for the aspiring Nightfarers, so many initially fail (via Reddit). He is super fast, agile, and deals high damage, so you feel like you hit the ground quicker than you can say the title of the game.
For players who manage to defeat Margit, a special loot in the form of a relic awaits. If you also did not finish the tutorial with a kill, you can try again via a hidden option. Further down in the article, you will also find some tips that can help you in the fight against him.
Start video
The launch trailer for Elden Ring: Nightreign shows atmospheric scenes and boss fights
Face Margit again for a special relic
What loot do you get for the kill? If you defeat Margit, you will receive the relic “Fell Omen Fetish”. This gives you:
a damage bonus when you switch weapons
Strength +1
and increased damage for thrown knives
This is especially worthwhile at the start, as the boost from switching weapons should not be underestimated, as long as you don’t have better relics on hand. The +1 to strength is also very useful at the beginning.
How can you restart the tutorial? To face Margit again, you need to look into the visual codex at the Roundtable Hold. You will find this at the table in the left corridor on the map. Select the option “Instructions”. Then select “Basic Rules: Instructions”.
Here you will find the menu item to retry the tutorial.
Tips and tricks against Margit: You can only enter the tutorial as a Wylder at level 5. However, if you take care of all the present enemies and open all chests, you can level up to level 6 and build a strong build.
For weapons, you should choose Roger’s rapier and the katana. Because the rapier summons shimmering blades that support you, while the katana can apply frost on Margit. Use the katana first to activate frost, then switch to the rapier.
With these weapons, you are well prepared against Margit.
Make sure that the Countess, who supports and tanks for you, does not die, so you have more opportunities to deal damage. Use your ultimate ability right at the beginning of the fight, and you should use the second charge when the Countess needs to be revived.
If you die yourself, the Countess will disappear. So be careful to stay alive. If you die, you will find your lost souls outside the arena. Don’t forget to level up again with them.
The tutorial must be played solo, so you cannot bring in any players for help. With a little practice and some tips and tricks, the content of Elden Ring: Nightreign can also be successfully completed solo – although not without obstacles. How to do it best is explained here: Elden Ring: Nightreign – How to play best as a solo player
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Stan Lee created many of the most famous and important Marvel heroes in comic history. Nearly 50 years ago, he recognized why his heroes are so enjoyable to read, and that still applies to one of his most well-known characters today.
Who is Stan Lee? Especially since the Marvel movies, people have heard of Stan Lee. Before his death in 2018, he made cameo appearances in numerous films. Along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he created countless iconic Marvel characters. These include:
Hulk
Spider-Man
Iron Man
Nick Fury
Fantastic Four
Daredevil
Doctor Strange
One of his most popular heroes is Spider-Man, who first appeared in Amazing Fantasy No. 15 in 1962. Although he almost never existed, everyone has heard of him. In an interview, Stan Lee explained nearly 50 years ago why Spider-Man is so popular and why he is actually a normal guy.
Start video
Spider-Man – Trailer for the First Feature Film of the Wall-Crawler
Superheroes cannot be perfect
What did Stan Lee say about Spider-Man? In 1977, Stan Lee was a guest on a show from CBC (via YouTube). There, he was asked by the host about his heroes. He compared it to his childhood when characters like Batman or Superman were portrayed as perfect. Lee directly explains that he and Marvel Comics wanted to bring more of the real world into it.
They wanted to ensure that the characters, despite their fantastic abilities, have weaknesses and problems. Lee draws a comparison with Spider-Man: He is pretty good at catching bad guys, but he can have an allergic reaction while fighting.
Lee actually implemented these everyday problems of Spider-Man merely as a gag, but he found out that the readers of the comics were just as crazy as he was. They enjoyed these everyday problems. He learned that the more realistic the comics are, the more readers perceive them as satire.
The show’s host questions whether Spider-Man is really not realistic, but Stan Lee disagrees. Spider-Man shows that things don’t always go as one wishes.
The Spider-Man movies also deal with everyday problems
Is Spider-Man really that realistic? Although he briefly mentions it, Stan Lee is not concerned about scientific realism regarding the powers, even though a lot of science can be behind it. Lee’s focus in this interview is on everyday problems, and these are also found in almost all Spider-Man movies.
You can see how Peter Parker has problems in school and in relationships. Additionally, he struggles with job searching and paying rent. Miles also represents this. He defeats a multidimensional threat, but the most interesting problems relate to his family and school.
The contrast is especially exciting. Spider-Man usually manages to defeat the villains, no matter how tough it is, but with everyday problems, even his powerful superpowers do not help. One of Spider-Man’s most tragic moments is one Stan Lee hated: Stan Lee did not want a character in Spider-Man to die.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
GamePro, GameStar, and MeinMMO shine in rainbow colors starting today. We explain why this is and what PRIDE Month means to us here.
Hate, intolerance, and violence have no place on our websites, in our lives, or in society. These are principles that we stand for throughout the year.
The PRIDE Month has a very special significance for us, which is why we once again want to not only color our logos but also remind ourselves and our communities of the importance of PRIDE values and what we do to stand up for them. Not just in June, but at any time.
Why June is Pride Month On June 28, 2025, the Stonewall Riots will have their 56th anniversary. Triggered by Marsha P. Johnson, this date is considered the international kickoff of the civil rights LGBTQAI+ movement, which fights for equal rights worldwide and is annually commemorated with PRIDE marches, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for equality for all – regardless of skin color, ethnicity, origin, national origin, social background, political opinion, religion, sexuality, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental abilities, marital status, or other legally protected constellations. You can learn more about Pride Month here.
Why Pride Month is still so important in 2025
The message of PRIDE for diversity, openness, and respect based on tolerance is as important in 2025 as ever, as it is under strong pressure in the current political landscape.
While there are positive advancements such as the self-determination law that came into effect in November 2024 or the action plan “Queer living” adopted by the federal cabinet, which have contributed to Germany ranking 8th in Europe for the rights of LGBTI people (the so-called Rainbow Map), these are small (though very necessary!) glimmers of hope amidst many troubling developments.
Currently, we are observing in the USA how the government under Donald Trump is attacking the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) and further infringing upon the rights of LGBTQAI+ individuals, women, and People of Color.
These developments are not limited to the USA. The ILGA-Europe annual report 2025 clearly shows the increasing restrictions of LGBTI rights in many countries, the normalization of hate speech, and the achievement of record levels of hate crimes. More and more laws are focusing on the education sector to deny young people access to life-saving information.
Ongoing research consistently shows that LGBTQAI+ individuals (especially youth) have a significantly higher risk of mental distress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and attempts compared to the heterosexual and cisgender population. However, this is not due to sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather the lack of support in everyday life as well as experiences of discrimination and exclusion, as demonstrated by a 2024 study conducted by The Trevor Project.
Note
If you have strong depression or are thinking about suicide or know someone who is, nothing is more important than talking about it. If you don’t want to confide in people close to you, you can anonymously, 24/7 and free of charge contact, among others, the German telephone counseling service at 0800/111 0 111, via chat at the online counseling service, or the help hotline “Mutruf.” You can reach the association at 04191/27 4928 0.
Why we color our logos
Not only for these reasons do we at Webedia Gaming want to emphasize once again that we reject not only discrimination and racism in any form, but also the active or passive exclusion or disadvantage of fellow humans.
By raising the rainbow flag on our pages, we not only show solidarity and that we are part of the PRIDE movement, but also make it clear that values such as tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion are non-negotiable for us. We do not show tolerance for intolerance. Hate speech has no place with us. It has never been different, and it will never change, and anyone who does not see it this way is not welcome at Webedia Germany or on our pages.
The PRIDE flag As in previous years, we will also use the so-called Progress Pride Flag in 2025. This was designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar to be even more inclusive than the previous rainbow flag and to better represent the diversity of the movement and our society. In addition to the traditional rainbow colors, there are also stripes in brown and black, as well as white, pink, and light blue. The latter symbolize the trans and non-binary community, while the former represent People of Color. The black stripe also represents all those who suffer from HIV/AIDS and the stigma of the disease or have lost their lives because of it.
How we strive for more tolerance every day
Making our logos shine in rainbow colors or making a statement with articles like this is only part of what we do to promote more tolerance.
On our websites, we also address topics like diversity, accessibility, and mental health outside of June – both in the context of theme weeks and in our everyday reporting. With disclaimers about controversial individuals, incidents, or companies, we also try to provide additional context to dedicated news, columns, reports, podcasts, or streams on these issues. It is particularly important to us to inform not only those who are specifically looking for this but also to sustainably and long-term reach those who may be visiting one of our pages for the first time and have not heard about this before.
But many people are also working hard behind the scenes to make our websites, channels, and platforms a better and more welcoming place for all gamers.
The often exhausting work of our community management and our social media managers and moderators is often invisible from the outside, which is exactly why it is so important and noteworthy. Many of the things they deal with on a daily basis, most of you will never see.
Without them, it would not even be possible to provide things like a forum or comment sections to discuss our favorite games or the most exciting news about games, entertainment, technology, and lifestyle. Their tireless and hard work in making our communities a better place plays an essential role in our endeavor to stand up for more tolerance and acceptance in gaming.
Equally important to us is what is happening behind the scenes at Webedia itself. Here we are also continuously working on our values and on creating an even better, more inclusive work environment for all employees.
Whether through special (mental) health offers, workshops, and working groups, or a diversity committee focusing on topics related to diversity and inclusion within Webedia. Not everything we do is meant for the public or our readers, but that does not make these things any less important.
A thank you to our communities
Finally, we also want to take this opportunity, as we do every year, to thank you. Thank you for standing with us against racism, intolerance, and hate. You have often proven this in the past in the comments, and you can be as proud of that as we are! Keep it up and do not let individual troublemakers deter you.
Of course, not everything runs smoothly for us either, and there will always be comments that you and we do not want to read on GamePro, GameStar, GameStar Tech, and Mein MMO or our social media platforms or YouTube. We will address this together with our community management and our team of moderators but are also depending on your support.
Because fighting against racism, hate, and verbal violence and striving for a better world only works in one way: together.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
5 students have designed a ventilation system for homes made from recycled materials. This allows the temperature to be lowered.The students hope that their approach will be further developed and perhaps supported by companies or institutions.
What did the students do? A team of five students from Altamira, Tamaulipas (Mexico), has developed an innovative ventilation system that is completely made from recycled materials. This is reported by the magazine Xatakahome.com.
The project “Eco Freezer Slim” was created as part of the ecological prototype exhibition “Expomuni 2025”, where students were asked to design prototypes with positive social and ecological impacts.
The students’ presented system is intended to provide an affordable and sustainable alternative for cooling living spaces. The project does actually reduce the temperature in the apartment, but it cannot match the performance of a real air conditioner.
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Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds
Innovative Ventilation System from Recycled Material
How does the system work? The presented device “Eco Freezer Slim” mainly consists of recycled cardboard. On the back, about a dozen half PET bottles (1.5 liters) are mounted, without bottoms but with bottle necks.
The air from outside is channeled through the bottles, which according to the students is supposed to ensure that the temperature in the room decreases. In initial practical tests, the students found a reduction of about 4 degrees Celsius.
In practice, it is more of a passive, improved ventilation that provides a fresh feeling through air circulation, but does not replace a real air conditioning unit.
Eiichiro Oda is the mangaka of One Piece. He has now drawn a new picture for a special that was for many fans the best “episode” of the anime – even though it is not part of the official story.
What kind of picture is it? In the Reddit forum, a user shares a drawing of One Piece that officially comes from Oda. The authenticity can be recognized by his signature in the lower left corner. The picture shows Nami holding a letter. Next to her stands the girl who is the protagonist from One Piece: Fan Letter.
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In the special, unfortunately, the girl never got to hand her fan letter to Nami. Instead, she helped the Straw Hat crew escape from the Marines. Therefore, Oda drew an alternative scenario here that many fans probably wished for as an ending for the actual anime.
What do fans say about it? In the comments, many fans feel sorry that we still don’t know what the girl’s name actually is. Many joke that her names could be “Fan Letter Girl” or “Girl D. Fan.”
Others are simply happy that the girl finally managed to deliver her letter. One user writes that the drawing is the cutest thing he has ever seen on this planet. Other users agree and say they love the picture.
On X, there are similar comments on a tweet by One Piece insider pewpiece. Some users write that they finally met and there is justice for the nameless girl. With the picture, one of the biggest wishes of the fans seems to have been fulfilled.
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First Impressions of the Anime Special One Piece FAN LETTER in the Trailer
Nami finally receives her fan letter
Which special is the drawing from? In One Piece: Fan Letter, the events from the Marineford arc and the reunion of the Straw Hat crew are shown again – but from the perspective of other, unknown characters.
Many of the shown characters are fans of the Straw Hat crew. There is even a Marine officer who has a secret weakness for Tony Chopper.
The boss of Borderlands 4 once again sparks a shitstorm with his latest post. This time, he wanted to tempt “cost-sensitive” fans with a free offer, but it backfired.
Who is it about? Randy Pitchford is the CEO of Gearbox and has previously found himself in a shitstorm. About two weeks ago, a fan asked the CEO not to make Borderlands 4 an €80 title. But instead of a calming response, the CEO wrote that back in 1991 he also worked for minimum wage at an ice cream parlor to afford an €80 game.
Instead of leaving it at those posts, the boss has returned with another contribution that once again polarizes.
Here you can see what Borderlands 4 definitely needs to improve:
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Borderlands 4 promises that they will handle loot much better than in Part 3: This is their plan
New post causes trouble because of free game
What did the boss write this time? Randy Pitchford promoted an offer from Epic Games in his new post. Currently, the spin-off of Borderlands, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, is available for free as a weekly offer until June 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
For our real fans who may be a bit cost-sensitive, the fantastic and incredibly funny video game hit Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is FREE this week in the Epic Games Store. Please enjoy this FREE gift by grabbing your FREE copy here, FREE.
How are fans reacting to this? Fans do not find this post funny at all and begin to criticize. The first to respond is @Lt_Frost935 on X.com, who writes: “Randy, do you really think the plan is to make sneaky remarks to your consumers about being ‘cost-sensitive’? What happened to you?”
The boss does not take this lightly and counters: “Sneaky? There are literally people who want to play great video games, have a game-capable PC, but may not be able to spend enough to buy a new AAA game for a while, and this week there is a free offer for one of the best shooters released in the last five years…”
Fan @Lt_Frost935 responds again: “The repeated use of the word ‘free’ after your criticism of your comment about ‘real fans would manage it with an €80 price tag’ Randy. Come on… you’re a smart person, it’s not that hard to recognize.”
And the CEO strikes back again: “I see it as a honest truth that there are core gamers who have a gaming-ready PC, an Xbox, or a Playstation and cannot afford a $10 price increase. I really want all these people to not overlook that this is a FREE offer for an amazing game. Free is the keyword!”
Does he also say something about Borderlands 4? Yes, under one of the many posts to which the CEO has responded, he also talks about the price of his new game. Previously, @TastyThumbs said on X.com: “Dude, you really need to shut up. There is no reason for games to cost $80, especially if they are like part 3 or this bad joke of a movie.”
The CEO also engages in this and responds: “I fear the industry is moving in this direction, and that’s just the reality we have to accept. The price for Borderlands 4 will be announced by the publisher soon. After I’ve worked my ass off for the game, I hope as many people as possible can play it.”
The discussion between fans and the boss of Borderlands is reignited time and again, as Randy Pitchford now responds to many of the comments. Each new response sparks new comments that range from constructive criticism, life stories of people with problems to wild insults. Thus, new discussions are always sparked.
Often, players switch from World of Warcraft to Final Fantasy XIV – but the reverse also happens. A player raves about how much fun she is having in WoW now.
When it comes to MMORPGs, there is often a battle between different player groups. Your own MMORPG is, of course, always the best, and all other MMORPGs are simply not good, have a toxic community, are full of kids, and the developers are also all crazy.
All the more beautiful is it when players do not let themselves be impressed by such things and simply make their own impression of the respective other game and then report on it.
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WoW player finds his old guild again – but it’s quite sad
Who is this about? In the WoW subreddit, the player Nova-latte shared a post in which she talks about her journey. After many years in Final Fantasy XIV, the air was a bit out, so she started in WoW in the middle of Dragonflight:
After I stopped playing FF14 for many reasons, my boyfriend got me to try WoW. After initially having problems with Retail, I learned the basics in Classic and then got back into Retail with Mists of Pandaria Remix, and it’s so much fun. The story of the world is so rich, the worlds are fun to explore, and the combat feels better? (I hated the static 2-minute rotation in FF14). So many collectibles. And now also housing, which won’t feel like you have to rent a virtual plot.
WoW is more than grind and gear – but you have to see that first
Nova-latte is also happy that she didn’t listen to the voices that condemned WoW beforehand.
I have the impression that there is so much more in the game than just grinding gear. I often see people asking if they should try WoW, and then people say that it’s just the endgame and gear grinding, and I find that incomprehensible because there is SO much more in the game.
At the same time, she is aware that the impression can certainly fade, and this honeymoon mentality may not last forever:
Maybe I haven’t played long enough for the rose-colored glasses to come off, but whatever, I’m so glad I switched and I look forward to spending more time in this world.
This is how the community reacts: In the comments, the community reacts as usual kindly and positively. They welcome the new player, but other “converted” players also participate in the discussion.
“The same applies to me. After 10,000 hours of Final Fantasy XIV, I started with WoW about 6 months after I stopped playing FF (mainly due to the lack of innovation from the developers). I also wish I had given WoW a chance sooner. The only thing I miss from FF14 are my mods and the ultimate weapons.” – borntobeunlucky
“Welcome to WoW! I tried FF14, but personally didn’t like it that much. But I hope that FF14 gets better, because I don’t want Blizzard to feel too secure. Competition is good for both games.” – Zestyclose-Square-25
“Why does it have to be one or the other? I keep up with both. Usually the patches don’t overlap, so I play here for 2 months and then there for 2 months.” – givemeabreak432
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be released on June 5, 2025. MeinMMO has compiled the 10 most important questions and provides you with the answers.
In a few days, the Switch 2 will be released. MeinMMO summarizes the most important information before the release in 10 questions and explains what you should know just before the release. Can you pre-order the Switch, and will my old games still work? The most important questions in detail:
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be released?
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be released worldwide on June 5, 2025.
What is the price of the Nintendo Switch 2?
The retail price is €469.99. Bundles that include Mario Kart World are priced slightly higher.
What are the main hardware features of the Nintendo Switch 2?
The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution, HDR10, and a 120Hz refresh rate in handheld mode. In docking mode, it supports up to 4K at 60 fps. The Switch 2 offers 256 GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD Express cards.
In addition, the Switch 2 uses a new Joy-Con 2 controller with magnetic attachment and mouse functionality. It also features improved audio with 3D sound support and an integrated microphone.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 backward compatible?
Yes, it is largely backward compatible with most Nintendo Switch games and controllers. According to Nintendo, there will be a few exceptions that are not supported.
What games are available for the Nintendo Switch 2?
The most important launch titles include:
Mario Kart World Donkey Kong Bananza The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition
How much do the new Nintendo Switch 2 games cost?
The new Switch 2 games have a higher price. Digital versions like Mario Kart World cost about €79.99, and physical copies can be up to €89.99, which is considerably higher than the prices of earlier Switch games.
What new software or online features does the Nintendo Switch 2 offer?
The Switch 2 provides improved online multiplayer communication via GameChat, screen sharing, integration of webcam recordings, and enhanced accessibility options such as text-to-speech and customizable font sizes.
Can I still pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2?
No, most retailers have sold out of the Switch 2. However, the Switch 2 will also be sold locally in some stores at release. If you did not manage to pre-order a Switch 2, check local retailers.
What improvements does the Nintendo Switch 2 offer over the original Switch?
The main improvements include higher processing power, better graphics with ray tracing and DLSS, a larger screen with higher refresh rate, more storage space, improved audio features, a new controller design, and better online communication features.
Will the Nintendo Switch Online services continue on the Switch 2?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service will continue to be supported, including access to classic games and new features that are exclusively available for the Switch 2, such as GameCube games at the Expansion Pack level.
Nintendo has presented numerous details regarding the Switch 2 during the Nintendo Direct. The specifications and performance data of the Switch 2 have now also been officially shown by Nintendo. MeinMMO summarizes the information and compares the data with the Switch 1: Nintendo Switch 2: Here are the official specifications
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the books and movies of The Lord of the Rings, the Elves are among the most mysterious and powerful beings ever. In our ranking, we clarify which Elf or Elf lady is stronger than all the others.
How was the ranking created? Elves are fascinating beings in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” Even in Peter Jackson’s film adaptations, the Elves stand out clearly upon their first appearance. They are tall, elegant, and mysterious.
Some of them are among the most powerful beings in Middle-earth. For this ranking, we focused on those Elves who are part of the story of “The Lord of the Rings.” Long before that, there were others, strong representatives of this people, such as Feanor – they are excluded from this ranking.
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Epic Trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
As always, the order of the placements is purely a matter of interpretation and thus subjective. If your personal ranking differs from this one, feel free to let us know in the comments.
Place 9: Haldir
Haldir is one of the Elves from the woodland realm of Lothlórien, which is led by Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. He traveled a lot in the world and learned quite a bit about Middle-earth.
He met the Fellowship upon their arrival in Lothlórien and guided them further. His dislike for other races, especially Dwarves, became evident: Gimli had to blindfold himself on the way to Galadriel.
As the border guard of Lothlórien, he plays an important role. In Peter Jackson’s films, it is even larger. There, Haldir also participates in the Battle of Helm’s Deep and marches in with a troop of Elves to assist the men in combat against the Uruk-hai. In this battle, he dies afterwards, while his fate in the book remains unclear.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Many old enemies seem to be returning in World of Warcraft. The undead Scourge is also on the agenda – a YouTuber has discovered many clues.
In World of Warcraft, there are many enemies that have remained with us for years. But little by little, Blizzard has thinned out our adversaries. The Burning Legion has been defeated, the undead Scourge is destroyed, and we have already overcome death itself. However, there are hints that the undead Scourge will rise once again. A YouTuber shows which clues indicate this.
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Older lady lives our dream and plays WoW until 5 a.m.
What is the Scourge? In World of Warcraft (or Warcraft in general), the Scourge originated from the Cult of the Damned in Azeroth. They are undead who were created through a plague or direct necromancy and served the Lich King in Northrend.
The Scourge was the central antagonist in Warcraft III and also played a key role in the WoW expansion “Wrath of the Lich King.” After that, they lost some significance, but gained more relevance with Shadowlands when their true origins were revealed by the Jailer – even though many didn’t receive this well.
Why is the Scourge coming back? The YouTuber and analyst Bellular has released a video explaining why the Scourge will again become an important enemy, presumably in the expansion “The Last Titan.” Because we already know that this expansion will take place again in Northrend, the “home” of the Scourge:
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That the Scourge is still a threat after Shadowlands became clear after the fall of the Jailer. Because there, blood elves could take on a new quest line that required them to return to their homeland. Here it was revealed that a San’layn has united the remaining undead of the Scourge and brought them under his control.
Even if we eliminate this threat, Blizzard clearly shows that high-ranking undead (or other beings) can bring parts of the now “wild” Scourge under their control, thus becoming a new danger.
But there are more clues that the Scourge will return:
The Scarlet Crusade, obvious enemies of the Scourge and also of the Forsaken, have not yet been defeated. They seem to still hold larger strongholds in Northrend, as seen through the teleporting troops in the Forsaken quest line for the race armor.
The fanatical Arathi from Heilsturz are experimenting with undeath. In the Abbey of the Holy Flame, for example, fallen soldiers are resurrected as undead, who are filled with the Light despite their un-death. There are also constant reports that the rest of the still unknown Arathi Empire would not respond kindly to us – especially not to Forsaken or Shadow Weavers.
There is a deeper connection between the Lich King and the Old God Yogg-Saron that has not yet been precisely explained in the game. Blizzard has hinted at this through small teasers, but has never fully explained it. One point here is that in the cinematic where Bolvar puts on the crown of domination, the music theme of Yogg-Saron plays – not that of the Scourge. What this means, we will surely learn more about.
In the latest Explorer book about Northrend, the Bronzebeard brothers mention that “Naxxramas is still floating in the sky, as if waiting for something” – a small but fine hint that something will happen with this fortress of the undead.
Who could be the latest Scourge boss? Here, Bellular has an interesting theory: Baron Titus Rivendare. This high-ranking death knight was responsible for holding starter homes in Classic and was one of the first death knights that one could fight in the game.
However, Baron Titus Rivendare was never fully defeated. Even though he later appeared in Naxxramas, his final death is not confirmed. During the Paladin quest line in Legion, it is even revealed that his corpse can be found nowhere – a mystery that has never been fully solved. Until now.
Whether the Scourge actually returns as a major threat remains to be seen. But all the clues clearly indicate that we have not yet fought against the undead threat for the last time. Would you like to see the return of the Scourge? WoW is currently bringing back many old, beloved things – including the only character from Shadowlands that you miss.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Elden Ring: Nightreign is the challenge for all players who want to suffer. The game is difficult, and if you try it solo, it is almost impossible for many to enjoy. Our Souls expert Christos had to defeat the final boss solo. How he managed to do that, even though the fight was tough, he will now explain to you.
Who is writing here? Ever since the release of Demon Souls, I have been following the Souls genre and have played through every hardcore title from FromSoftware 100%. When MeinMMO offered me the chance to test Elden Ring: Nightreign before its release, I couldn’t say no.
I was allowed to check the game under embargo and form an opinion about it. There’s already a lot I can tell you: The game is very difficult solo. It’s fun in a group, and overall, the genre mix of Nightreign is a fresh addition to what FromSoftware usually offers.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t always play with a group during my tests, and I was still missing the final boss. I forced myself to travel solo to Limveldt and finish the game. It’s clear that I needed many attempts before the boss was defeated, but during that time, various things stood out to me that I want to share with you.
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The launch trailer for Elden Ring: Nightreign shows atmospheric scenes and boss fights
Tips that will save your nerves
First and important point: choose your class wisely. Yes, as simple as this tip may seem, it will save you most of your outbursts of anger. Each class has its own talents to survive in combat, but not all of them are worth it for a solo run.
I defeated the final boss, for example, with the Raider, and for good reason – he is a tank, has unbeatable balance so you won’t be knocked out of your attack, and also distributes an incredible amount of damage compared to other classes.
Even though the Hermit, Countess, or the Ghost are versatile, they get stomped into the ground with 2-3 hits, you can’t even blink. So choose wisely!
Second point on the list: buy 2 revives. Is that unfair? Yes. Should you feel sorry for the final boss? Not at all. In every solo run, you have the opportunity to buy a revive from a merchant in Limveldt and one before the final boss fight. You can buy a maximum of 2 revives to approach the fight more relaxed. I bought both and even had to use both to take down the boss – so don’t be stingy and buy both for 20,000 runes.
Third and final point: pay attention to weaknesses and break stances. Every boss has an element they are weak against. For the final boss, it is holy damage. So look for weapons, spells, or stuff with these elements to debuff the respective bosses and deal more damage.
It’s also important to break their stance. The more often and harder you hit the boss, the higher the chance of knocking them out of their stance.
Then you can land a critical hit. With the Raider, it was practical to have two large hammers equipped and to stack effects that increase the chance of knocking the opponent out of stance. So after 3 jump attacks, I could always land a critical hit, allowing me to catch my breath while the opponent gets up.
I have to say, however, that the final boss of Nightreign was much easier compared to the other bosses, like the knight or the goat. His movesets were predictable, and his attacks were easy to dodge.
Nevertheless, some warriors will surely try to take down this boss solo. I hope I was able to help you with my tips and wish you good luck in your battle. Are you looking for a list of all skins from Nightreign? Then we have just what you need: Elden Ring: Nightreign – All skins for every class
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Shuhei Yoshida is the former head of PlayStation Studios. He left his position in January 2025, before that he worked as a producer on many Crash Bandicoot titles. Yoshida believes that subscription services can be a danger to developers – an exception is the service of the PS5.
Why does he believe that? He refers to the scenario that players would only have the option to play a title via a subscription service. This is very risky because the owners of these payment models could then determine what kind of games are released:
This is very, very risky, because there must always be new ideas tried by small developers who initiate the next wave of development. But if big companies dictate which games can be developed, I don’t think that will move the industry forward.
The diversity of game genres would thus remain limited and developers could no longer unleash their creativity. Despite his views, Yoshida praises PlayStation’s subscription model highly – and for one reason.
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After 12 years, there is a change for PS Plus that could change the subscription forever
Subscription models restrict developers, but not Sony
What should Sony do differently? According to Yoshida, the way Sony approaches subscription services is healthier. Accordingly, major first-party titles should be included in the game library, but only after their release:
I believe that the way Sony has approached [subscriptions] is healthier. One should not promise too much and allow people to spend money on new games. After a few years, not many people will be willing to buy these games at the initial price, so they will be added to the subscription service and there will be more people who can try [these products] in time before the next game in the series comes out.
According to him, this could even boost sales of newer titles if the older ones suddenly become available in the subscription service.
Why is this statement difficult? There are also some games for PS Plus that celebrate their release with the subscription service. These include Foamstars in February 2024 or Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions from September 2024.
Moreover, Yoshida states that players are not willing to buy the games at full price after a few years. One possibility is to offer them in the subscription service. However, after the release, there are often sales or other offers where the games are available at a lower price.
What are subscription services? Yoshida refers to flat-rate offers for video games that charge players a monthly fee similar to streaming services (e.g., Netflix). In return, there is access to a rich game library.
Players do not have to buy individual titles at full price. For a lower amount, they can test as many games as they can manage.
New games can partially be tried out directly at release without paying the full price.
In this way, players can discover new genres they previously shied away from.
Gamers do not buy the games, they only borrow access to them. Since the selection of games changes monthly, it may happen that players can no longer access the games after a few months.
Models include the Xbox Game Pass and Nintendo Switch Online. But PlayStation also offers different variants of the model with PS Plus. Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, explains why his subscription model is not suitable for every player: Head of Xbox clarifies, the Game Pass is “not for everyone”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
