The word filter in the space online game Elite Dangerous is currently facing some criticism from players.
Frontier Developments wants certain words like insults and swear words not to appear in the game. Therefore, there is a word filter that sorts out such words. However, this leads to quite curious situations.
Word filter leads to curious spaceship names
The player Ithilessil wanted to name his spaceship “Hello, World”. However, the game turned it into “***oWorld”. This is because “Hell” is on the list of prohibited words. The same happened to another player who wanted to name his ship “Embassy”. However, since “Ass” is not allowed, his spaceship is now called “Emb***y”.
Players feel patronized
The development team responded and added the word “Hello” to the whitelist, but the word “Hell” remains prohibited. This is curious since there is an official station in the game called “Hell Port”. This means that Frontier Developments is breaking its own rules.
Players feel strongly patronized by the strict word filter system and explain that Elite Dangerous is not a kindergarten where they constantly have to watch what they say or write. Whether there will be a general relaxation of the rules is still uncertain.
In the official forum, players advise others to use words from other languages, such as German. It is possible to create spaceship names with the worst German swear words without them being censored. However, Frontier Developments keeps adding new words to the filter. This means it is really only a matter of time until swear words and insults in other languages will no longer be possible.
The crowdfunding mammoth game Star Citizen has taken out a loan from a bank. The collateral is immense. The news is interpreted in various ways.
Star Citizen is a polarizing game. Some fans will not hear a word against the mammoth project, seeing themselves as a kind of fortress around founder Chris Roberts, whose game, vision, and family they protect. They want to defend the game against evil trolls and clueless idiots who keep asking when it will finally be released.
Star Citizen is polarizing
These “White Knights”, these knights in shining armor, could be laughed at, however, there are undoubtedly “evil forces” that are hostile to Star Citizen and consider the space game a scam.
Foremost among them is Derek Smart, who develops games himself and is a self-proclaimed sworn enemy of Chris Roberts and his project.
The leaders of both camps seem to enjoy conspiracies. While Derek Smart believes that Star Citizen is one big scam, Chris Roberts senses his arch-enemy behind criticism and attacks. There are plenty of attacks. Attacks on the game, on Chris Roberts, and on his wife. The attacks also come from the gaming press, in the form of some ugly articles on The Escapist, which have since been deleted.
Star Citizen – Flames, scandals, and financial interests, fun for the whole family
The battle between both camps has raged in the media and in the comment sections of Star Citizen for years. Under every article that contains a hint of controversy, this battle rages on.
A small group of Star Citizen fans apparently believes: If a journalist criticizes Star Citizen or raises doubts, they are clueless and have not understood something, or they just want to create unfair clicks at the game’s expense. Anyone who gives Derek Smart a stage is already a hater and enemy of the game and must be fought.
Flame tourists, on the other hand, have now made it a game to bash the game because they know how much it will upset the Star Citizen fans. On the GameStar site, articles about Star Citizen have been the most commented for years. The comments are always so entertaining.
Loan taken by CIG with high collateral
Currently, this battle has flared up again and it shows what hard measures are being taken regarding Star Citizen.
As was revealed in the forum Neogaf and also in the Star Citizen subreddit, the UK branch of the company behind Star Citizen, Cloud Imperium Games UK, or its subsidiary Foundry 42 Limited, has taken out loans from the bank “Coutts & Co” in Britain. As collateral, CIG UK essentially puts up everything the company owns: the code, the distribution rights, the brand, and so on.
One news – three interpretations
The news is primarily read in three ways:
Supporters of Star Citizen, especially in the subreddit of the game, say: This is a completely normal business practice. This should give us all courage. A reputable bank believes in the success of Star Citizen, otherwise they wouldn’t lend them money. They have scrutinized CIG thoroughly and concluded: Everything is fine.
The critics of the game, represented on Neogaf, view the loan skeptically: Why would a company that has earned 148 million US dollars through crowdfunding take out a loan that puts up such extensive collateral? There is a suspicion that CIG may run out of money and the future of the project is in danger. Their harshest interpretation is: Star Citizen now belongs to a bank.
Calm minds say, we must now wait until more details come to light.
One person also says: I already know who this news will particularly please. And indeed, Derek Smart is firing on all cylinders.
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For Smart, the news is like Christmas. He now sees his theory confirmed. The bank now practically owns CIG. Anyone who says otherwise is either bought or has their own interests, wanting to sell their Star Citizen ships profitably. As mentioned: Derek Smart enjoys conspiracy theories.
Update 25.6. 11:30 PM: There is an official statement from CIG. It states that the loan is a “clever money management move” to avoid exchange losses. The terms of the loan are standard. These are all just formalities.
From Third-Person Shooter to Zombie Apocalypse – Our Top 5 Games of the Steam Summer Sale 2017.
This year’s Steam Summer Sale lures players again with many offers in various video game genres. Action fans or horror lovers looking for a new game can save money in the coming days when making a purchase.
Offers with over 90% discount await you in the Steam shop and are available throughout the sale (until July 5th).
The Steam website displays a new selection of top deals every day. From these offers, we show you our Top 5 and give a very special recommendation at the end of the article.
The displayed offers in the Steam shop are also this year not time-limited. The offers will remain active throughout the sale.
You can find our Top 5 from Day 1 and Day 2 here. Following are the Top 5 of the third day of the Steam Summer Sale 2017.
The Mein-MMO-Top-5 of the Steam Summer Sale 2017 – Day 3 (25.06.)
When I thought about writing personal recommendations, I thought it would be easier. “Oh Patrick, just pick the best title from the daily rotation and present it – Easy Peasy!” – If only it were that simple… . With the cool selection, I find it hard to focus on just one title.
Even today we have classics in our Top 5 that should really not be missing from any game library. Anyone who Fallout has not played yet and enjoys post-apocalyptic scenarios should definitely check out the current discounts there. Gameplay trailers should ultimately convince.
Saints Row IV is a co-op pleasure that gives players fun who have a quirky sense of humor and can handle exaggeration. Recommendation for those who can handle a mix of aliens, superheroes, action, and a GTA.
Nevertheless, my top recommendation for today is Left 4 Dead 2. First, because Left 4 Dead 2 is an engaging co-op adventure that everyone should try with their best friends, and second, because with a purchase price of 1.99€ you really can’t go wrong.
As a fan of zombie genres, Left 4 Dead 2 should have long been checked off your list. If that is not the case yet, you should quickly grab your friends and start playing the game.
You play as one of four survivors armed with “interesting” weapons ranging from chainsaws to frying pans. Use the weapons in campaigns, versus, or survival modes to slay the enemies. A co-op adventure that you will probably remember for a long time.
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The software forge Blizzard, responsible for hits like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, or Hearthstone, rewards long-serving employees with martial and medieval fantasy gifts.
Note: The article was originally published in 2014; we have updated it with new information and images.
While in “normal” companies a five-year membership might earn a certificate, a ten-year one a plaque and a handshake from the CEO, and a twenty-five year loyalty to the company a small celebration and a gold wristwatch, things work a bit differently at Blizzard. Every year, certain occasions bring together long-term and deserving employees to honor them in a very special way.
Currently, anyone who lasts two years in the service of Blizzard receives a stone mug as recognition. After five years, it’s a sword, and after ten years, there’s the appropriate shield. Since 1996, this “Sword and Shield Ceremony” has existed, marking Blizzard’s five-year anniversary.
Over the years, the sword has changed, but the shield has remained.
For veterans who have served Blizzard for fifteen years, there is a ring, either in a masculine or feminine edition. And for those who stick around for another five years, there is a helmet to celebrate their twentieth work anniversary.
But what do you get for 25 years at Blizzard?
For the 25th anniversary, the company also came up with something special. This reward was revealed for the first time in 2015. It was a war hammer, as indicated by a Facebook post from a Blizzard employee. For a long time, it was believed that the prize for 25 years of service at Blizzard was this war hammer.
However, that will probably not be “really” the official award from Blizzard for 25 years. The sculptor who designed the hammer says on Art Station: That was a prototype. It would have been too expensive to produce. Therefore, Blizzard opted for a different reward for 25 years of loyalty.
These special awards for Blizzard employees correspond to the fourth principle of the company philosophy: “Embrace your Inner Geek” – loosely translated, “It’s okay here to be passionate about fantasy, technology, and pop culture and to actively live this passion.”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Paladins (PC, PS4, Xbox One) receives a new patch OB 53. This includes many buffs, nerfs, and adjustments for champions. – These are mainly directed at the PS4 and Xbox One, but will also affect the PC version. Additionally, there will be new skins, interface adjustments, and a new mount.
In Paladins’ new patch OB 53, many champions are being adjusted. The nerfs and buffs are mainly aimed at players on the PS4 and Xbox One – but since there is only one balance for all of Paladins, the changes will also affect PC players of Paladins.
Lex and Cassie will have a summery theme, as both receive swimwear skins. Additionally, there is a summer chest containing skins and weapons styled after the American flag. Contrary to the summer theme, soon you will ride into battle on a frosty horse.
We have summarized the patch highlights of Paladins OB53 for you.
Summer has found Paladins, and Cassie is getting a beach nymph outfit. Matching this, a parrot.
Update OB53: Loadout Decks can finally be deleted
The interface of Paladins has been adjusted and has received several improvements. Both the lobby and the gameplay have been worked on.
Loadout Decks can be deleted. This was not possible until patch OB52. For players who enjoy experimenting with decks, this will be a significant relief.
When selecting a champion, the champ now says their name with the voice of the chosen voice pack.
Those who are healed by an ally receive better visual feedback.
Summer Chest Quest: You can complete a one-time quest to open the summer chest. For this, you must win once in the new mode “Offensive.”
Summer Chest – Swimwear for Lex & Cassie – Frost Mare in the World Package
Surferboy Lex: Only available in the summer chest.
Beach Nymph Cassie: Only available in the summer chest.
Paladins “Frost Mare” is exclusive and only available in the World Package.
Steampunk Androxus
Androxus is also getting a new, special skin.
Champion Skin
Weapon
Voice Pack
Available in Champion Chest
Champion Adjustments in OB53 – Especially Friendly for PS4 & Xbox?
On consoles and PC, champions in Paladins receive the same adjustments. The balance will not, therefore, be separated between console and PC. The new patch OB53 seems particularly friendly for the PS4 and Xbox One regarding champion balance.
In the live stream for update OB53, the developers explained that they have particularly focused on the shooting experience and weapons in this patch.
The projectile speed or range has been increased for many champions. This means that opponents can be shot from further away and are generally easier to hit.
We have picked a few examples of champion adjustments to show the changes. However, almost all champions have been adjusted.
Cassie
The projectile speed of the crossbow has been increased from 500 to 600.
Evie
The projectile speed of the ice staff has been increased from 100 to 200.
Blink now does not deal bonus damage.
Skye receives a nerf. – Unclear for the community. The flanker is particularly weak on PC compared to other champions.
Skye
Legendary card “Preparation”: Cooldowns are only reduced by 100% after kills. (Before OB53, Skye also received this for assists.)
Torvald
The range of the glove has been increased from 41 to 50.
Torvald’s shield LP has been reduced from 5000 to 2000.
Torvald’s health has been increased from 3500 to 5000.
Other champions whose projectile speed has been increased:
Grover
Makoa
Mal’Damba
Pip
Seris
Willo
Other champions whose range has been increased:
Ash
Fernando
Grohk
Additionally interesting in patch OB53
A ban system for ranked matches has been established. The system is currently only on the test server. It is still uncertain when bans will be implemented in the full version.
Mode “Offensive” – The tickets received while standing on the objective have been reduced by 50%.
The patch is currently on the test server. Starting Wednesday, June 28, we can expect a live deployment on PC. It is still uncertain when the patch will come to PS4 and Xbox One.
What do you think of the changes in OB 53? Who do you think will appear at the top of the tier list after the champion adjustments ?
Every weapon in Destiny has a certain recoil – so does in Destiny 2. However, the PC version is different.
With Destiny 2, Bungie’s MMO shooter is making its debut on PC. Vicarious Visions, an Activision studio, is working with Bungie on the implementation. Some adjustments are necessary to transfer the existing console shooter to a “mouse and keyboard control”.
One adjustment is a complete overhaul of the weapon recoil system.
Recently, a statement from Project Lead Mark Noseworthy caused confusion as he spoke about the recoil:
The recoil with a controller feels very good. ‘I shoot, I shoot, I shoot, oh, I’m losing a little control over my weapon.’ That feels great, especially with the magnetism and all the magic in the controller. With a mouse and keyboard – you don’t want the mouse to move without you moving it, here the recoil doesn’t feel good.
Noseworthy stated that there is “no recoil” in Destiny 2 on PC. However, he has now backtracked.
Weapon recoil also exists on PC, but in a modified form
Noseworthy and the community manager DeeJ later quoted statements from the PC Project Lead David Shaw to clarify this misunderstanding:
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Destiny 2 will also have weapon recoil on PC. However, this has been heavily modified to allow for a “fantastic mouse-keyboard gameplay” that still feels like Destiny.
In a second Twitter post, Shaw referred to this video showcasing your gameplay on PC:
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By the way: If you use a controller on PC, Noseworthy stated that Destiny 2 plays like the console version.
Since there will be no crossplay for Destiny 2, the fact that the PC and console versions use different mechanics has no impact on the competitive scene.
Raid errors in Pokémon GO prevent players from entering raids. We will show you other known issues around the new gyms here.
For a few days now, the new gyms in Pokémon GO have been active. Currently, there are still bugs and issues in the new update that tarnish the new gaming experience. Players explain that they cannot assign their Pokémon to the gyms, an error message prevents trainers from entering raids, and others do not receive any PokéCoins.
We will show you which issues are already known and if there are already solutions for them.
Error message when assigning Pokémon to the gym
Trainers incorrectly receive a error message when they assign Pokémon to a gym. This is a bug that usually occurs when Pokémon are assigned shortly after the gym has been taken over. The assignment triggers the error message “The gym is currently being attacked! Please try again later”. Currently, it can take up to an hour for the problem to resolve itself. Niantic is currently working on a solution for this.
Unfortunately, there is currently no reliable workaround for this.
Error when entering raid battles
Some trainers encounter a bug in the game that prevents them from entering raids. Then a red “error” banner appears. Niantic is also aware of this problem and is working on a solution.
Defender bonus not received – coins missing
In social media, you often read about trainers who have issues with the PokéCoins after the gym update in Pokémon GO. Niantic has taken a closer look at the issues but could not reproduce them.
Currently, some Android devices are experiencing connection issues with the Pokémon GO Plus gadget. The developers are already working on a solution for this problem.
Sponsored PokéStops and gyms not visible
Players who do not see sponsored locations like PokéStops or gyms in the game are too young for this content. These sponsored locations are only visible to trainers who are at least 13 years old.
Pokémon GO crashes on loading screen
This error can occur briefly when the servers of Pokémon GO are overloaded. If the problem persists longer, check to see if the latest version of the game is installed.
Also, make sure that an active internet connection exists and that Pokémon GO is allowed to use mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Coins and items not showing
If you are not receiving coins or items credited to your account, try the following steps:
Logging out and back in: Open the Pokémon GO app and choose “Settings” in the menu. Then tap “Log out” and log back in.
If logging out and back in did not solve your problem, a restart of the device may help.
Trainer level suddenly at level 1
A rare issue temporarily sets your trainer level to 1. You do not need to panic, as your data has not been lost. You may have created two Pokémon GO accounts, one in the Pokémon Trainer Club and one Google account.
If you create an account with one of the two login methods and then try to log in with that username and password through the other method, you create a second account. Here you should check if you are logged into the correct account.
High battery drain
On some devices, battery drain is very high. Niantic is working on a solution to fix these issues in the future.
GPS issues
The developers are constantly trying to improve GPS accuracy and stability. Generally, the accuracy depends heavily on which device you use to play and how good the network connection is. To improve accuracy, you can try the following steps:
Check if location settings for Pokémon GO are enabled
Mobile data or Wi-Fi should be turned on
GPS function must be enabled
Run the location/GPS in high accuracy mode (not possible on all devices)
In The Division, the update 1.7 brings Classified Gear. What makes these items special?
During the last “State of the Game” stream, the Classified Gear was introduced as a new feature of update 1.7. Now, Ubisoft has released an information article about these new items.
Accordingly, they are pursuing 4 goals:
Create more variety
Expand a growing build diversity
Add more rare items to the loot pool
Provide players with something new to collect
The classified armor pieces have been designed from the ground up to achieve these goals, according to Ubisoft. Players should be able to chase something in the endgame that enhances their characters again.
Classified items are always better than the previous gear set pieces
The Classified Gear is a better version of gear set pieces. In other words, they are new armor pieces of the already existing gear sets.
Classified armor pieces give you certain advantages. For example, regarding the main stats:
Currently, you receive gear at the maximum level with values in the main stats between 1114 and 1272. In contrast, the classified gear has guaranteed higher values – between 1273 and 1328. If you receive a classified item, it directly enhances your build.
Additionally, you can reroll two stats per armor piece. This allows you to better integrate the classified armor pieces into your builds.
Note: In a normalized game mode (Last Stand), Classified Gear is treated like standard gear regarding the main stats. The increased values do not provide advantages here. However, the new 5-set and 6-set bonuses have an effect in Last Stand.
5-set and 6-set bonuses – only possible with Classified Gear
In the forums, there has often been a desire for a bonus when filling all armor slots with pieces of a gear set. The developers are now fulfilling this wish with the classified armor pieces.
You can mix classified items and standard gear set pieces as you like to unlock the 2-set, 3-set, and 4-set bonuses of a gear set. For example, if you have a Striker build and you receive a classified Striker armor piece, you can replace the standard piece with it. Since the Classified Gear has higher values, it is worth it directly.
However, to get the new 5-set and 6-set bonuses of a gear set, you need 5 or 6 classified armor pieces of this gear set. Two classified pieces and four standard pieces do not grant you the new bonuses.
With the 5-set bonus, the 2-set and 3-set bonuses receive a buff.
If you equip all armor slots with Classified Gear of a gear set, the talent is improved by the 6-set bonus, thereby enhancing the “identity of the set”.
How do I get Classified Gear?
The Classified Gear will be introduced with the Global Events, which will take place once a month for a week starting with update 1.7. During an event, you earn tokens that you can use to purchase sealed crates from a new vendor. These crates have different prices, with the rule: The more expensive, the higher the chance of getting a classified item.
After a Global Event, you still have a chance for the new items. They will then enter the general loot pool. In other words, they will become extremely rare items (a drop chance similar to Exotics) that you can receive randomly. One source is, for example, the operation performance containers.
Important: All existing gear sets will receive classified gear, but not directly at the launch of update 1.7. Each global event introduces three classified gear sets.
The first event brings classified gear from DeadEYE, Lone Star, and Final Measure. After the event, these items will enter the loot pool. The next event will then introduce the Watch, Striker, and Recovery set. These will also then enter the loot pool. It will take months for you to collect all classified items.
Ubisoft emphasizes that all this information may still change. The classified items will be extensively tested on the PTS, where those six classified gear sets will be available that will be introduced during the first two global events.
The first tests and impressions of Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood are here. Fans and critics are initially enthusiastic.
MMORPG tests are time-consuming. An expansion like Stormblood offers well over 50 hours of gameplay content. For a final evaluation, one must delve deep into the endgame and add another 50 hours.
Stormblood has only been playable since June 16 in early access, and there were problems at launch – so those aren’t many hours that can theoretically be played. Nevertheless, the first fans and testers have already gone through Stormblood for days. They haven’t taken a break and have devoured the second expansion of Final Fantasy XIV.
In tests, features, and on the review platform Metacritic, fans and critics share their first impressions. And the majority of the impressions are exceptionally positive, almost enthusiastic.
Dualshockers: Best story of all Final Fantasy games
So writes on Dualshockers the MMO expert of the site, that the story of Final Fantasy XIV is the best of all Final Fantasy games. The author has been following the MMORPG since 1.0 and witnessed the end of the first version.
For him, the story of Stormblood maintains the high standard of Heavensward. The story grabbed him and didn’t let go. He laughed, he cried, and in the end, he let out a victory cry.
He now feels connected to the characters of Final Fantasy XIV and their story. The author wonders how Square Enix plans to surpass this.
Destructoid: Everything is good, except for the water issue
A positive review can be found on the site Destructoid. There, Stormblood is rated nine out of ten possible points.
Destructoid attests that the team at Square Enix knows what they’re doing. The story is as strong as in the single-player entries of the Final Fantasy franchise.
This time there are no slip-ups with the instances; you can easily find groups, and the instances are exciting. Numerous “quality-of-life improvements” such as the larger inventory, a better world map, and easier tracking of the main quest are highlighted positively in the review.
Square Enix has fixed so many issues that you can feel the overall pleasant experience.
New classes successful
Additionally, the two new classes Red Mage and Samurai are successful. The Red Mage is one of the most active classes in any MMO, and the Samurai offers variety for melee DPS fans.
Destructoid notes a problem: Swimming and diving feel half-hearted and play no significant role.
The tester notes after three years of Final Fantasy XIV that the expansions of Final Fantasy XIV have their pros and cons. They are “very good”, but then tend to fall into a routine.
User ratings on Meta-Critic and Steam for Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood
The first user ratings on Meta-Critic and Steam convey a positive message:
On Steam, 85% of reviews are positive, with 38 positives to 8 negatives. The negative comments revolve around the login problems at launch and the fact that you must purchase the DLC since the old content becomes irrelevant. One criticism laments what has been done to the gathering professions with Stormblood.
We will share our impressions of Stormblood with you at Mein MMO! Until then, we will support you with guides to help you make your own experiences in Stormblood.
Feel free to let us know in the comments how you experienced the first hours in Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood.
Everyone who has been waiting for the interesting genre mix Rend will have to be a little more patient. The Early Access phase has been postponed.
Originally, the Early Access phase of Rend was supposed to start this spring. Now spring is over, summer is here, but there is no sign of an Early Access phase.
The developers of the online game have now spoken out about this and explain that they had to postpone the launch further. The enormous response that the developers have experienced since the announcement has led to the desire to elevate Rend to a new level, which takes time.
The game is set to become even better
Therefore, the Early Access phase will only start later this year, but it will provide a better gaming experience that better reflects, and even exceeds, the vision that the developers have for Rend.
They will use this time to add new features and gameplay mechanics to make the entire game even more rounded and fun. The developers have not yet named a specific date for the Early Access phase.
MOBA meets MMORPG and Survival
Rend represents a mix of MMORPG, Survival, and MOBA. You create a hero with whom you must gather resources in a dangerous wilderness to craft items.
You use these in battles where three factions meet. At the end of each match, you aim to attack and destroy the bases of the opposing factions. Once that is achieved, the game starts all over again.
In Destiny 2, there is a good reason why the release was moved forward.
During E3 2017, there was surprising news about Destiny 2: The release date, which was originally set for September 8, was moved – to September 6. So Destiny 2 now releases two days earlier on PS4 and Xbox One.
In the gaming industry, it is not unusual for a release to be delayed, as various problems can arise. However, it is rather curious for the launch of a major title like Destiny 2 to be moved forward.
Wednesday is better than Friday – at least for the servers
Game Director Luke Smith gave an answer in an interview with Gamesradar about why they chose this unusual step. The reason is that too many people play video games on weekends.
According to Smith, the past has shown that their games have the highest number of concurrent players on Saturdays during the launch week. If Destiny 2 were to release on a Friday (September 8), it would pose a risk for the servers and the tech team.
It is simply not a good idea to release the game right before the day when the most activity usually occurs – and to hope that the servers hold up.
For if the servers were to crash on a Saturday, Smith said, “it could get very ugly.”
By moving the release to a Wednesday (September 6), they have a bit more time to gather data and ease the pressure on the server team. If the launch becomes larger than expected, adjustments can still be made. This would also benefit the fans.
We have already reported that Bungie is reactivating the queues to manage the server demand. For the beta and during the launch days of Destiny 2, Bungie expects that you will occasionally find yourself in a queue when you want to log in. However, once you are logged in, you should not have to worry about queues when starting an activity.
A Pokémon GO update marks the Pokémon of cheaters with a line. For a short time, the cheaters were able to circumvent the measure, but Niantic followed up.
Anyone who gets a monster in Pokémon GO using third-party software will eventually be recognized by the game as a cheater. The Pokémon that were caught through unfair means will then be displayed in the collection with a red line – hackers can therefore hardly boast with their collection.
For a short time, this red line could be hidden again with a trick. But Niantic is thwarting the cheaters’ plans.
Workaround for Cheat Marking – Short Pleasure
A few days ago, Niantic announced that Pokémon from cheaters will now be displayed with a red marking in the game. In addition to the marking in the Pokémon collection, the monsters will also not behave as expected. This applies to Pokémon that were caught using third-party software that bypasses normal gameplay.
In the Pokémon collection, the monsters looked like this:
Source: Reddit/u/KERL0N
However, it didn’t take long for the owners of the affected cheat accounts to find a way around these markings. To do this, you simply had to develop the corresponding Pokémon and the red line disappeared. On Twitter, users showed that the trick with the development actually works:
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Apparently, this was just a small security loophole that Niantic did not take into account in its latest measure against cheaters. Shortly after it became known how to bypass the marking, the developers intervened and fixed this trick.
Cheater Pokémon can no longer be developed
On Reddit, a user showed that Niantic quickly and effectively implemented a block for the “development trick”. The affected Pokémon can now no longer be developed, as the following screenshot shows:
Source: Reddit/u/Buttfan420
Users on Reddit are pleased that Niantic intervened so quickly and eliminated the workaround. Most trainers find cheaters in Pokémon GO to be a thorn in their side, which is why such actions by the developers are generally well received in the community and evoke schadenfreude.
There are a lot of cool offers in various video game genres during the Steam Summer Sale 2017. We show you our Top 5 today.
Since Thursday, you can take advantage of many offers in the Steam Summer Sale 2017. You can buy games that are discounted by more than 85% until July 5. It doesn’t matter what genre you’re looking for an offer in, whether Action, Horror, Racing, Simulation, MMO, or RPG – there are discounts everywhere.
The offers displayed in the Steam store are also this year not time-limited. The daily top offers on the main page of the store are an overview that rotates daily. The offers remain active throughout the entire sale.
Today we show you our Top 5 of the second day of the Steam Summer Sale 2017.
Mein-MMO Top 5 of the Steam Summer Sale 2017 – Day 2 (24.06.)
Today, it was difficult for me to choose my personal recommendation for you because there are many great titles in our Top 5 that I could recommend without hesitation.
Prison Architect is a great building game, designed with a lot of attention to detail. You can build your own prison, design cells, have the prisoners work for you, and much more.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a clear recommendation for fans of simulations. Beautiful truck graphics and detailed driving and simulation settings accompany you on your way as a manager of a freight company, where you can hire drivers and assign trucks.
However, today’s main recommendation is Rocket League! This is the top recommendation because, in my opinion, it is not as “special” as the two examples above. In Rocket League, you drive a car and play soccer (or variations of it).
The objective is known: Score more goals than the opponent. The conditions are new: Ram the ball with a car of your choice, equipped with rocket propulsion, that can perform tricks in the air with ease. Scoring goals with bicycle kicks is no problem for advanced players.
You play in arenas that visually differ significantly – variety for the eyes is guaranteed, as you can also customize your cars visually with tires, hats, or paint jobs. Together with friends, you can compete in 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4. Lone wolves can prove their skills in 1v1.
Rocket League is fast and requires good reactions; there’s simply no time for boredom in this game. In the ranking system, you also have the competitive aspect, which further intensifies the existing tension of the matches.
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Yesterday Secret World Legends launched and players could start playing right away. We will tell you how the first half hour feels in the Dark Fantasy MMORPG.
The Secret World is an MMORPG from 2012 that is now attempting a relaunch as an action MMO “Secret World Legends”. Now it is free to play, all players start from scratch – the “old version” will not be further developed. We were present at the launch yesterday and will tell you how the first half hour of Secret World Legends plays.
Surprisingly flawless
On late Friday evening, June 23, 2017, the head start of Secret World Legends began. Those familiar with such events expect server crashes, insane lags, and other problems. The servers usually suffer under the rush and crash. Thus a pleasant surprise: I was able to finish the tutorial last night and it worked flawlessly.
While Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood struggled with queues and issues, those do not occur in Secret World Legends. One could speculate: Secret World is so niche and under the radar that there was no rush. But one can also say: The developers were well prepared, the usual difficulties did not occur.
Logging in works through the old Secret World account – until the actual release on June 26, you must have played the old game recently or been part of the beta to get started now.
Secret World Legends – Character Creation
Character creation in Secret World Legends is typical for the genre. You have individual categories from which you can choose from pre-made options. There are choices and sliders for:
Height (there’s a slider)
Gender
Head Shapes
Faces
Hair
Eyebrows
Eye Color
Facial Features (scars, beards)
and Makeup.
Once the avatar is ready, you can dress him:
Headgear
An accessory (mostly glasses)
Upper clothing
A jacket
Pants
and shoes
Next comes the class choice, where you set your primary weapon, from which the starting class depends. I chose the Gunslinger – I played with pistols in the first part.
Ultimately, the player decides whether to go around “in civilian clothes,” in their chosen outfit, or in the “uniform” of their class.
All in all, the character creation is solid; one should not expect extraordinary adventures like in Black Desert where you can get lost for hours, but rather a relatively “normal selection” that is done in five minutes.
The Tutorial of Secret World Legends
The tutorial and intro of Secret World Legends mix cutscenes with beginner hints: A bee flies into your mouth and you develop telekinetic abilities and leave your apartment in ruins. This is how you move, this is how you shoot, these are the different types of missions.
The cutscenes remain the same as in the old game, as far as I remember. They were good back then and are still good today. The tutorial itself seems to be new; at least, I cannot remember playing like that.
There are three steps:
In the first part you wake up in the cemetery and shoot zombies. It is noticeable that pistols now have a gimmick: a special interface where a minigame takes place. If both chambers display the same bullet at the top, the weapons deal bonus damage. You rotate the chamber with skills. It is a small bonus. The combat system of Secret World Legends does not really impress anyone, at least in the tutorial; it still plays very much like in 2012: tab-targeting, pressing hotkeys, and a bit of dodging.
In the second part, there are easy puzzle elements reminiscent of Indiana Jones. In the first puzzle, you may only step on certain floor tiles; in the second puzzle, I had the feeling I should duck under a falling blade, but that did not happen.
In the third part of the tutorial, a simple sabotage mission. Here, it is about not stepping in bombs and jumping over light barriers. I can imagine that this becomes the part of the game I utterly hate in later missions.
Secret World Legends – “As accessible as possible – No obstacles”
The tutorial is “light” on menus or anything that burdens players with theoretical knowledge. Everything should be solved as playfully and intuitively as possible. Except for the inventory, no menu is opened. After the tutorial, I have no idea where my skills are, where I invest points, or anything else.
The skill system of The Secret World was known to be notoriously complicated; apparently, Funcom decided to confront the player with it as late as possible in this new attempt.
The combat and graphics do not feel very different from “classic The Secret World”.
The tutorial is typical for MMORPGs: The player is a beginner. The game must first ensure that he knows how to walk three meters and interact with objects.
Interestingly, at the end of the tutorial, the player is thrown into a simulated endgame battle and gets a taste of what it might be like later, battling with dozens of others against gigantic primordial creatures in the Secret World. But that is really just a taste that soon ends.
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It is The Secret World. The story and the cutscenes are sometimes beautiful, sometimes interesting – one moment it is dreamlike, the next it is trashy, one moment winking and clever, full of allusions, and the next scene you are fully caught in the mood that the game wants you to have.
It is one of those games where it is worth turning the sound on. I have liked the beginning of The Secret World before. The best part: You hear two overlapping voices whispering. One says “Trust the voices,” the other says “Do not trust the voices.” This nicely summarizes the atmosphere of The Secret World.
In any case, the first 30 minutes are straightforward and clear. The gameplay flows easily and whets the appetite for more. It is clearly Funcom’s attempt to say: “Let’s clear as many obstacles as possible to help many find their way into the game.” This also fits the new free-to-play approach. One is curious to see how the re-launch performs.
Secret World Legends – Was a Relaunch?
I was already wondering while testing whether a relaunch was really necessary for this. The game looks, at first glance, like the one from before. It is like returning to an apartment you lived in years ago. Perhaps the furniture has been moved, perhaps there is a new coat of paint, but it is the same apartment.
It may be that the differences become more pronounced as you progress. It is said: The graphics should be better, the combat system more responsive. I haven’t noticed much of that (yet). If better, then in homeopathic doses.
Even if there have been “improvements” in the combat system and graphics compared to 2012, I must say: The standards are so much higher today in 2017 than they were back then that one should not have too high expectations. Secret World Legends is a game that looks and feels like a game from the last or second-to-last generation of MMORPGs.
Secret World Legends (2017) is much closer to Rift (2011) than to Black Desert (2015).
That was already the case with the original – strengths were always in the story and atmosphere. This will not be different in the re-release. It is now supposed to be more accessible – that is the clear vibe I got from the game.
Those who know the original should not expect a revolution. Changes in gameplay do not stand out, at least at the beginning.
Secret World Legends – Here’s where to download
But of course: That was a preview report from the first 30 minutes. It is certainly no substitute for a complete review or a test of Secret World Legends.
The Legion is nearing its end – but which enemy lurks next? We want to know from you who you would like to fight!
The Legion expansion of World of Warcraft is slowly but surely coming to its end. Illidan has shown his true face in the latest cinematic, and there has been no doubt for a long time that patch 7.3 will bring us to Argus. But while the Legion is slowly but surely being diminished, the first questions about the next adversaries are already being raised. Who could come after the Legion? We want to ask you with this article which opponent you wish for the next expansion!
Queen Azshara: For more than 10,000 years, Azshara has been sitting in the depths of the seas, waiting to reclaim her dominion over the world. What better time could there be?
Deathwing: The (almost) last black dragon sent Garrosh back in time and cleverly talked his way out of it. We have aided him with various artifacts to gain power. Wouldn’t it be time for him to reveal his true face?
Illidan: It was already clear in the closing video from the Tomb of Sargeras that Illidan is still as he was back then, and the end justifies the means for him. He doesn’t carry the nickname “Traitor” for nothing – perhaps it’s time to remind him of that?
Old Gods: For ages, the Old Gods have been sitting in the crust of Azeroth, and although many of them have already been defeated, their influence is still great. What would happen if C’thun, Yogg-Saron, N’Zoth, and the other Old Gods united to declare a new dark empire? Azeroth would once again be turned upside down.
The Void Lords: Why bother with the minions when you can speak directly to the boss? The Void Lords could finally manifest after the Old Gods have shown them the way. The greatest threat to the universe reaches to devour all existence. This is what the Legion was actually supposed to protect us from!
King Rastakhan: There hasn’t been a proper troll instance for far too long! To correct this, we simply dedicate a whole addon to the leader of the trolls, King Rastakhan. The Zandalari are the most powerful trolls of all – and they could seek to wage a great war again.
The Lich King – Bolvar Fordragon: There must always be a Lich King! However, even the noble Bolvar Fordragon has been changed by the essence of Arthas and Ner’zhul. While the Scourge no longer serves the Legion, perhaps he has his own goals? A newly empowered undead threat would have the perfect time to strike again…
Conflict between Horde and Alliance: Why always require great enemies when you can just bash each other’s heads in? Jaina is in a bad mood, Anduin has lost his father, and Sylvanas is so angry that she hasn’t left her bedroom since the cinematic in Stormheim. The perfect opportunity to let the faction war break out once again!
But now let’s get to you – which opponent would you like to see in the next expansion?
In the survival MMO ARK Survival Evolved, a new patch is set to be released for PS4 and Xbox One. It would be patch 1.27, if all goes well.
Update June 24, 15:13: In the original article, we asked “Will it go well?” The answer: No, it is not going well. The console patch for PS4 and Xbox One scheduled for Friday is now expected to arrive on Monday instead. The patch is complete but still needs to go through certification. Sony and Microsoft are closed over the weekend, so there is no certification taking place.
Xbox + PS4 update coming Monday too! Had it ready today, but took extra day 2 get thru console patch QA, sadly (& they close for weekend) 😛
Interestingly, they are also planning the next PC patch v260 for Monday. Things are quite busy.
Original Announcement
ARK and the console patches: That is quite a matter. ARK Survival Evolved is still in Early Access and therefore frequently receives new content.
It’s not a problem on PC. The consoles PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are not typically designed for “fast and frequent patches.” However, the studio WildCard is known for patching quickly and frequently. With patches, there is a cowboy mentality in the land of the dinos.
ARK and Certification – a Love Story
In the past, Studio WildCard took two to three weeks to bring PC patches to PS4 and Xbox One, but now, as the release of ARK approaches, they want to significantly speed up the patch process, aiming for “within a week.”
In the past, this has often gone wrong: Because on PC, developers can deploy patches as they wish. But for PS4 and Xbox One, patches must first be certified by Sony and Microsoft before they go live. This often leads to delays when patches leave the studio and “get stuck in certification.”
The last patch for PS4 was postponed multiple times, as there were reportedly serious issues.
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However, that does not stop ARK from trying again. This time they will patch even faster. Patch v259 was released just yesterday on PC and is planned to go live today, Friday, on PS4 and Xbox One. That is at least the plan from Studio WildCard: For us in Germany, the patch ARK 1.27 for PS4 and Xbox One should be deployed overnight from Friday to Saturday.
Whether it goes well remains to be seen. Delays and difficulties are to be expected, but … they are just trying.
ARK 1.27 – the Patch Notes
Everything about patch 1.27 and what fixes and new content it brings, when it finally arrives, can be read in this article.
Patch 1.27 corresponds to the PC patch v259, in addition to some new goodies, it mainly brings fixes for problems that have been causing issues for some time:
A few days ago, the OpenIV mod for GTA 5 was banned. After many negative reviews and criticism of Rockstar and Take-Two, the mod is back.
A real win for GTA 5 fans: After the modification software “OpenIV” was banned a few days ago, Rockstar stepped up and talked again with publisher “Take-Two” and the developers of the mod. In the meantime, there is a new update for OpenIV, and the developers are apparently allowed to continue their hobby.
The reason for the new solution could be the many thousands of signatures on Change.org and negative reviews on Steam.
Update for OpenIV
The GTA 5 mod “OpenIV” received an update today that brought bug fixes and minor corrections. Normally, this is not a reason for the users of the software to run around hysterically and shed tears of joy. However, this update is something very special.
Source: Reddit/u/imkairu
Just a few days ago, the OpenIV mod team was instructed by Take-Two via a cease and desist to immediately stop the development of the software. The OpenIV team communicated this message to its users and stated that they would comply with the request and end development. The surprising update now suggests that Take-Two has decided to legalize the mod.
However, one must look to the future to see how OpenIV should continue to be developed. Because cheaters have been able to exploit OpenIV’s system in the past to gain advantages in the online realm of Grand Theft Auto. This was one of the original reasons for the ban on the mod.
Apparently, the community’s criticism had an impact. Rockstar Games has now updated its support page and announced under a new section what the team thinks about single-player modifications.
After Rockstar Games’ discussions with Take-Two, Take-Two has now agreed that they usually will not send notices to third-party projects for Rockstar’s PC games if these
are for single-player mode,
are not commercial
and respect intellectual property rights.
This agreement does not apply to:
multiplayer and online services
tools, files, libraries, or functions that could affect multiplayer or online services
However, this statement regarding single-player mods also secures for the future: “This is not a license … Take-Two reserves the right to revoke or change this statement at any time.”
For modders, this is therefore no guarantee that they will not violate Take-Two’s rules with their modifications. Because if Take-Two desires, the rules can be changed at any time.
Hope for the Modding Scene
Shortly after this statement regarding single-player mods, it became known that Rockstar is in talks with the developers of OpenIV. These discussions apparently went positively for the modders, as evidenced by the current update of the mod.
There is still no official statement from OpenIV on this.
That Rockstar was willing to talk to the developers of the mod and that apparently a reasonable solution could be found shows that both sides have worked well. Without the solidarity of the GTA 5 community, the outcome of the story would likely have been different. Many factors contributed to a positive resolution of the situation.
This weekend all champions in Paladins (PC, PS4, Xbox One) are available for free. You can test every champion for free until Sunday.
Do you have any champions on your list that are not unlocked? If you want to test them, you can do so this weekend in Paladins. All champions are free to play. This includes the new flank champion Zhin and the new tank lady Ash.
Once you are in the match lobby, all champions are unlocked. The free champion weekend lasts until Sunday, June 25. This offer is valid for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Do you want to test the new champion Zhin for free? This weekend you have the opportunity.
Founder’s Pack at Special Price (PC)
In addition to the free champion weekend, the Paladins Founder’s Pack is currently available at a special price. The pack will be 33% cheaper for a limited time and will cost only 13.39 euros.
The Founder’s Pack includes:
All current and future champions (Each new champion will be unlocked immediately)
Next week, Bungie will conduct long maintenance work on Destiny. Additionally, the queues will be reintroduced.
Bungie announces extensive maintenance including server downtime. This is intended to prepare for the “Destiny 2” beta, which starts in mid-July.
If you were planning to play Destiny extensively next Tuesday, you should definitely find a different way to spend your evening:
On Tuesday, June 27, maintenance begins at 4 PM.
The maintenance work will last until 1 AM.
During this time, the Destiny servers will be taken offline. You will not be able to log in.
Additionally, Bungie is working on Bungie.net and the Companion app. Some features will be unavailable.
Destiny Servers – Queues are active again
Bungie has already made further preparations for Destiny 2 and the beta: The queues for the Destiny servers have been activated. If the number of players exceeds the capacity of the data center, you will be placed in a queue upon login.
The last time numerous players complained about being stuck in a queue was during the launch of “The Taken King”.
A possible queue placement only occurs at login. If you are already logged in, you can enter any activity without having to wait again.
Bungie expects that you could be placed in the queue during the Destiny 2 beta and in the days after launch – during times of high activity.
In the coming weeks, more information will be announced.
Information about the Destiny 2 Beta
Here are the beta dates:
PS4 with early access (Closed Beta): July 18
Xbox One with early access (Closed Beta): July 19
The Open Beta for everyone starts on PS4 and Xbox One on July 21.
The Open Beta ends on July 23.
PC: The beta starts at the end of August.
In the beta, you can play the story mission “Homecoming”, the strike “Inverted Spire” and PvP. This PvP content is expected to include the “Countdown” mode. A total of six Guardian subclasses will be available, including the three new focuses.
All information about the beta contents can be found here:
The Headquarters (Headquarters) in Call of Duty WW2 fully embraces MMO elements. World of Warcraft served as a model.
A major innovation in the multiplayer of Call of Duty is the Headquarters, introduced in WW2. This is a social space, a hub area that will replace the main menu. Up to 48 players can be in the same Headquarters instance and interact with each other.
Michael Condrey, the co-founder of Sledgehammer Games, the studio behind CoD: WW2, spoke with Eurogamer about this new social space – comparing it to Orgrimmar from World of Warcraft.
A shooter with MMO elements – a sense of community is emphasized
Condrey is himself a WoW player, who knows Orgrimmar, the capital of the Orcs, very well as a member of the Horde. This is the place where Horde players pick up their quests. Condrey fondly recalls the time when he first entered Orgrimmar and was overcome by a sense of community as he saw all the other players proudly displaying their high ranks, gifting each other and pursuing their business.
A sense of community has been neglected in Call of Duty so far. But with the Headquarters in CoD: WW2, the aim is to create a positive community.
What to expect in the Headquarters?
When you first start the multiplayer of CoD: WW2, you land directly in the Headquarters. This is a place on the coast of Normandy, three days after D-Day.
Here you can visit your superior officers who have quests of all kinds for you. Some quests require you to achieve victories in multiplayer. Others ask you to create your first emblem, challenge someone to a 1v1, or start the Nazi zombie experience.
However, in the Headquarters, there are not only quest givers waiting for you. You can communicate with up to 48 other players via voice, text, or various emotes. For example, saluting is mentioned as a gesture. If you have cool gear, you can proudly show it off in the social space.
Moreover, you will find a shooting range, a 1v1 arena, and a display with leaderboards (which track your performance in almost everything). At the shooting range, you can test your weapons. However, don’t take up too much space there, as other players also want to test their weapons, as you can see in this video:
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For a “positive community,” Sledgehammer Games introduces a new feature: a Commending System. This allows players to commend others – for their skills, for their emblems, or just because they are nice. By commending others, you increase your social score. The higher this value, the more rewards you will receive, such as new gear or medals.
In short: With the Headquarters, Sledgehammer Games brings MMO elements to the CoD series. They want to emphasize the social aspect, the sense of community. How hardcore shooter fans will react to this remains to be seen.
Call of Duty WW2 will be released on November 3 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
![ARK Survival Evolved: Patch 1.27 PS4, Xbox One – [Update: Delay]](https://images.mein-mmo.de/medien/2017/05/ark-reiter.jpg)
