„It would be easier to completely redo the combat system“: 3 weeks before the release of Dune: Awakening, the major weakness is revealed

The new survival MMO Dune: Awakening held its major beta test over the past weekend. This also revealed where the game still has weaknesses.

How did the beta of Dune: Awakening go? The survival MMO opened its doors for up to 35,000 players simultaneously from May 9 to 12, showcasing what players can expect. It included the first 20 to 25 hours of the game and enough content to get a first impression of Dune: Awakening.

At the same time as the open beta, ten Twitch streamers were allowed to compete against each other in two teams. In this duel, the players were meant to see how good the PvP in the game is, but the streamer Shroud had to take so much that the developers even addressed the issues live.

A YouTuber also checked out Dune: Awakening over the weekend and concludes: The combat system is the major weakness.

Here you can watch the trailer for Dune: Awakening:

Start video
Dune: Awakening fuels the hype with a new story trailer

Many problems with the combat system

What problems does the combat system have? Content creator Eroktic conducted an analysis of the combat system of the new survival MMO. In his video, he addresses the problems of the system.

In Dune: Awakening, almost all characters have personal shields. These absorb damage from ranged attacks but can be broken through with melee weapons. They can also collapse in ranged combat, but this requires a lot of damage in a short time.

However, the shield mechanic leads to long battles that feel unnatural, Eroktic finds in his video. He also explains that players can survive much longer even when the shields are down:

Even when the shields were down, the time to kill was way too high. Summit […] shot him in the head 13, 14, 15, 18 times […] before he went K.O. and by the way, when you go K.O., you can be revived.

Here you can watch the entire video from Eroktic:

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How does melee combat look? Shields in Dune: Awakening can be destroyed easier in melee combat. Here, a charged attack is enough to break the shield. However, the YouTuber was also not convinced by the melee combat.

The stunlock that was seen during the event occurs simply by repeatedly pressing the left mouse button. Nothing more is needed to outplay an opponent in melee combat.

As positive examples of how to implement melee combat in games, he shows gameplay from Mad Max from 2015, where the melee mechanics are well executed, as well as gameplay from the new Soulframe.

In conclusion about the entire combat system in the game, the YouTuber says: “[…] no matter what they do, PvP is not unfixable. It would be easier to [completely redo the combat system] […] and by the way, the PvP was their main selling point […]”

The combat system of Dune: Awakening is one of the major issues for the developers. In addition to content creators, regular players have also provided feedback for the developers. One player found a total of twenty points that the developers should address: Player names 20 adjustments after 40 hours in beta that would immediately improve Dune: Awakening

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Youtube.com
  2. 3DJuegos

Next week 3 remasters of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. will be released – and it is quite possible that you will find them for free in your library

In May, three parts of the famous S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series will receive visually enhanced remaster versions. Long-time fans are likely to be particularly delighted.

Which games are getting a remaster? Developer GSC Game World has uploaded four new trailers in a row, one for each game and one for the new S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition. 

Included are:

  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl – Enhanced Edition
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky – Enhanced Edition
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Prypiat – Enhanced Edition

The three remasters and the new collection will be released on May 20, 2025, in just under a week.

Here you can see the trailer for the new Legends of the Zone Trilogy:

Start video
The new trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition

Visual Improvements for PC and Consoles

How do you get the remaster for free? You will get the remaster versions of the three games for free if you already own the games – which is likely the case for fans. For example, if you already have “Shadow of Chornobyl” in your library, you will receive its Enhanced Edition as a free update.

What’s included in the updates? In addition to graphical improvements, there is also controller support for PC. Additionally, the Steam Workshop will be integrated, making it easier to share and download mods. Those playing on the Steam Deck can also expect the games to run smoothly there.

In terms of graphics, you can expect:

  • improved lighting and reflections
  • New textures and models for NPCs, weapons, and environmental objects
  • better rendering of water and wetness as well as a renewed skybox
  • cutscenes in 4K and an improved field-of-view for weapons

On PC, you can get the games on Steam, in the Epic Games Store, and on GOG. On the consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, the remasters will also be available. There you can expect several quality modes – depending on whether you prefer the best possible graphics or more FPS.

In November 2024, the long-awaited sequel S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl was released in a poor technical condition. Why this had to be the case, you can find out in this article on MeinMMO: Developer of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 explains why the survival shooter had to appear so broken

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Developer of popular RPG on Steam reveals his recipe for success, says to torment the players

A role-playing game on Steam has been very successful in torturing its players. This is also intended, as the developer reveals in a new video.

What kind of video is this? In this approximately 17-minute video blog, Chris Hunt and Natalie Mikkelson discuss “Kenshi” and its sequel. Hunt is the founder of the development studio Lo-Fi Games and the creator of Kenshi, while Mikkelson is the lead writer and managing director of the game.

Kenshi is a hardcore survival RPG that releases you into a brutal world without guidance. In this world, you are not some chosen one with special abilities, but just a regular guy – someone who can really be in trouble.

You can watch a trailer for the game here:

Start video
Kenshi: Official Trailer for the Open-World RPG

Good stories thrive on suffering

What does it mean to say that players should be tortured? “Too many games allow their players to succeed,” says Hunt in the video. “You think to yourself, ‘Oh, it’s just a power fantasy,’ and you just run around, mowing down enemies and constantly succeeding. And that’s it – that’s the whole game. And that is incredibly boring to me,” he continues.

You don’t write a story in which a character wakes up in the morning, has a goal, and everything goes smoothly, says Hunt. To have a good story, you have to face problems. Moreover, you shouldn’t give up right away when you confront these problems. 

You can also watch the developers’ video here:

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The job of a storyteller (in this case, a game developer) is to “torture” the player, who is also the protagonist. And Kenshi does this abundantly: 

  • Your character can be enslaved by other characters or lose body parts like arms and legs in Kenshi. However, none of this necessarily means the death of your character.

This harshness is very well received by players: Kenshi has over 90,000 positive reviews on Steam.

Mikkelson believes that Kenshi appeals to a very specific type of player: “I think there is a certain kind of person who finds humor in being punished – someone who takes a certain pleasure in this level of difficulty and in being punished.”

Will the developer’s next game be just as harsh? Yes, there is supposed to be a Kenshi 2, and it will follow in the same vein, but currently there is little information about the project. It is known that the sequel will take place 1,000 years before the first game. However, the developers have stated that they will only show scenes from the game when it is in a presentable state.

If this sounds exciting to you, you can get Kenshi on Steam for only €8.09 at the moment. This offer is valid until May 19th; after that, you will pay the regular price of €26.99.

The development of Kenshi was a real long-term project, but it paid off. Today, many people enjoy recounting how they were beaten up by the vast and unforgiving game world. You can read more about it in this article on MeinMMO: The game world in one of the best RPGs on Steam is 10 times larger than that of GTA 5 and took its creator 12 years

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Source(s):
  1. PCGamer

Developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 warn against purchasing certain fan merchandise, share first info about a special plush toy

In April 2025, the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was released, which has since excited countless players and gained many new fans. They would now like to buy merchandise for the game, but the developers warn: You should better keep your hands off.

What are the developers warning about? The developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 warn in a post on X about potentially fraudulent providers of fan merchandise related to the popular role-playing game.

The studio has discovered some websites that offer Esquie plush toys. The developers emphasize: “All third-party websites selling Esquie plush toys are NOT officially licensed.” Furthermore, the developers advise against buying these plush toys. “We strongly recommend not to buy from these providers. It could be a scam,” the post states.

Start video
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – JRPG with French Flair has Release Date

Plush toys of your favorite mystical being

What do they say about their own plush toys? In the post, the developers also reveal that they plan to sell their own Esquie plush toys in the future: “We are in the process of producing official Esquie plush toys, and we want to offer them to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, please be patient – and don’t get scammed!”

Where can you buy official merch? Right now, you can buy official merch for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including T-shirts, pictures, a bag, or a mouse pad.

  • You can find the fan merchandise on the official website of the role-playing game at expedition33 by clicking on the “Merch” tab.

Who is Esquie again? Esquie is a powerful yet mystical being in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which you meet as an NPC. It serves as a versatile mount with various abilities, allowing you to move quickly not only on land but also in water or in the air.

To fully utilize Esquie’s potential while traveling the world, you must bring the being special stones. However, before you do that, you probably want to know what the being can do. An overview of all abilities can be found on MeinMMO: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Unlock all abilities of Esquie

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Nintendo continues to pressure Palworld in the lawsuit, but the developers defy Pokémon with new monsters

Nintendo is currently doing its best to block Palworld. However, its developers are not intimidated and announce the next major update with a new island and new monsters.

What has Palworld announced? Despite the lawsuit with Nintendo, Pocket Pair is continuously developing its hit game. Although they had to remove features recently. Now there is new information about the next major update and its content.

It was already announced in 2024 that the Steam hit game Terraria wants to collaborate with Pocket Pair for Palworld. According to Bucky, the Communications Director and Publishing Manager of the company, the cooperation is set to arrive in the summer with the major Tides of Terraria update (via x.com).

The last major update occurred at the turn of the year. In the trailer, you can see all the new content it brought:

Start video
Palworld: Feybreak – Trailer presents free update with loads of new content

Terraria Collaboration, new island and new monsters

What is included in the update? According to Bucky, the new update is supposed to be quite big. He adds to the official announcement post on X with a quote. The following new content is specifically known:

  • A new island
  • New Pals
  • New things to do
  • Terraria Collaboration

The official post complements the announcement with screenshots. One shows a large eye and bat Pals. Presumably, a new raid or at least a new dangerous Pal will be implemented as part of the Terraria collaboration.

When is the update expected to arrive? Neither Bucky nor the official Palworld X account has revealed a specific update date yet. However, Tides of Terraria is set to go live this summer. Accordingly, it can be expected between June and September 2025.

So far, the major patches for Palworld have also been quite extensive. In the Sakurajima update of 2024, there was a smaller island inspired by Japan. Feybreak, on the other hand, introduced the second large landmass. Both times, there was also a whole bunch of new Pals.

The current version of the game is 0.5.5, still in Early Access. Originally, the game was supposed to be released in version 1.0 after 12 months. However, that has not happened yet, and the developers are also holding back regarding the official release date. This could also be due to the lawsuit with Nintendo, which is draining resources: In the lawsuit with Nintendo, the company behind Palworld is defending itself against Pokémon patents.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Gamesradar

Clair Obscur Expedition 33: White Sands – The secret behind the hidden audio message

In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, White Sands is one of many optional areas. MyMMO shows you what loot is available there and what the strange text is that is narrated in the background.

[toc]

White Sands is a closed area in Clair Obscur that consists of only a tiny space. There are no hidden enemies or secret paths. All you can see is the mansion from Alt-Lumière looming in the background. Otherwise, there are only two items to discover and an acoustic feature.

Start video
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – JRPG with French Flair has Release Date

This is where White Sands is located

To reach White Sands, you must be in Act 3. There, you will gain the ability to fly with Esquie. In the east of the map, there is a white island sitting in the water. It is completely surrounded by high cliffs, so you cannot get there using the swimming ability. On the island, you can go through the portal to reach White Sands.

However, be careful when approaching the island. A strong enemy hovers above the island, which you can only defeat with enough preparation. If you get too close, you will trigger a battle.

The loot in White Sands

In White Sands, there are two items that you can take with you:

  • One “Color of Lumina” located to the left of the expedition flag
  • Music album “Aline”, which can be found at the end of the area

Since there are no other secret paths or anything like that, you have seen everything once you have collected the two items.

Unusual audio message

While strolling through the area, you suddenly hear a man narrating a text in French in the background. Even if you go to the menu or pause, the narrator’s voice is still there.

This is because the narrator is part of the soundtrack. The song is called Lumière s’éteint. If you listen to the song on external music platforms, you will also hear the French text. By the way, the text is a poem that revolves around Lumière and the Gommage. 

You can find the German translation here

Silent bodies of our souls, lips on phantoms, pale ages, light goes out.
In the distance, it rises, alone, without detour, dark, without return, light goes out.
Iris blades conquer the streets of the fading day, silent accomplices of the flickering light-darkness, nuance of sorrow, they dance around the coastal hours, eclipses, flowers, light goes out.
Variation in the air, steam of our flesh, bitter breath, light goes out.
Voluntary counter-time, lonely counter-field, light goes out.
When time divides against the current, the colorless mirrors reveal their nature, when our heartbeat plays against the heart, our love will stand beyond measure, light goes out.
Pale day, numb heart, mirror of our love, light goes out, binding, taut ropes, sailor knots, and carmine reefs, shaken waves, doubt to capsize, light goes out.
Cloud drifts, binder sinks, fog fades, light goes out, alone, without help, dream, without contours, dark, forever, light goes out.
In the last overseas glow, in the dawn of a new day, the dying bodies fly in backlight, light goes out.

With that, you have completed the area White Sands. What exactly lies behind the mansion that feels somehow different to Maelle is a matter of interpretation. But there is also a lot in the story that leaves little room for interpretation: Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Story explained – All information about the plot of the role-playing game

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Thousands of players are enjoying a new shooter on Steam, even the publisher is surprised by the success

In early May, players were able to test the upcoming shooter ARC Raiders. The game received positive feedback, and even the publisher was surprised by the success of the test.

What kind of game is this? ARC Raiders is an extraction shooter that focuses on PvEvP combat in a third-person perspective and is developed by Embark Studios (The Finals). The game is set to be released in 2025 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

From April 30 to May 4, 2025, a tech test of ARC Raiders took place, allowing players worldwide to experience the gameplay of the shooter. The fortunate players invited by the developers to the test were able to invite 2 friends each. As a result, the short test peaked at over 21,500 players on Steam (via SteamDB).

Start video
ARC Raiders – The trailer for the PvPvE shooter

MMO giant Nexon surprised by the success of the test

This is what the publisher says: The publisher of ARC Raiders is the South Korean company Nexon, which is known for MMOs and free-to-play games such as MapleStory and the loot shooter The First Descendant.

On May 13, Nexon released a report (via PDF) on the revenues of the first quarter of 2025. In it, the company also spoke about the recent tech test of ARC Raiders: “A large, global tech test conducted earlier this month far exceeded our expectations regarding key metrics, including the wishlist on Steam.”

The company also stated that the popularity on YouTube and Twitch and the overall player engagement were very good: “With very limited advertising, the game was the sixth most-watched game on Twitch and surpassed 20 million views on YouTube.”

Post-apocalyptic battle of man against machine

What is ARC Raiders about? ARC Raiders takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth is attacked by malicious, heavily armed machines known as ARCs.

The ARCs destroy all life on the surface of the Earth, making it impossible to inhabit the planet. The surviving humans have retreated to underground bunkers and established a settlement there.

However, because there are limited resources in the underground settlements, brave Raiders venture to the surface and fight against the powerful machines as well as other Raiders for loot.

In addition to ARC Raiders, another extraction shooter called Marathon is set to release in 2025, but it was received much more negatively by many players after an initial alpha. A YouTuber believes he knows what Embark does better with their game: MMO expert is known for sharp criticism, explaining why ARC Raiders succeeds where Marathon fails

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. PCGamesN

A fighting game on Steam loses over 40,000 players after 16 months, wants to fundamentally change something

Tekken 8 was celebrated by many fans and critics at release. However, after almost 15 months, it looks different. Steam reviews sharply criticize the fighting game. The head of the series now wants to change some things.

Note from the editorial team: In an earlier version of the article, it was stated that Harada was the director of Tekken 8, but it is Kouhei Ikeda. The relevant sections have been adjusted.

What is the problem with Tekken 8? Tekken 8 was quite well received at release on January 26, 2024. Critics praised the fighting game. On Metacritic, it achieved a score of 90/100 based on 96 reviews. However, after almost 16 months, the community’s opinion is quite different.

While the peak player count at release reached 49,977, the player numbers over the last 3 months have mostly been between 5,000 and 7,000 players. On April 1, the peak count reached nearly 16,000 players, coinciding with the release of the new patch featuring the new character Anna. Shortly after, numbers went down again (via SteamDB).

The Steam reviews also dropped sharply. Currently, the game stands at Steam overall at Mixed, with recent reviews even at Mostly Negative.

Especially the game’s direction is being criticized. Tekken 8 has been a game with an aggressive play style from the beginning, but a major Season 2 update further emphasized the offensive. So much so that even professionals have considered quitting.

Another point of criticism was the announcement of the DLC character Fahkumram, who was already quite unpopular among players in Tekken 7. To address player feedback, the head of the franchise announced changes to the balancing team.

Start video
Tekken 8 shows roadmap and upcoming content in trailer

An old pro is supposed to fix it now

What does the head of Tekken want to change? On May 8, Katsuhiro Harada, the Game Director of Bandai Namco’s fighting games, announced on X.com that the structure of the balancing team would change. The team consisted of new members, but now experienced developers are to return to this team. He especially emphasizes Kouhei Nakatsu Ikeda, whom we all know and love.

He is the Game Director of Tekken 8, and according to Harada, Ikeda originally comes from the fan community, so there should be no concerns about the future of the game.

He is supposed to review the changes and tuning to the combat in detail and confirm them beforehand. He also worked on Tekken 7 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (via Moby Games). The first phase of changes is expected in May, and in June patches regarding defense are planned for release (via X.com).

Are we seeing initial steps towards changes? On May 13, the Tekken 8 Patch 2.01 was released. The moves of many characters have been nerfed with the new patch. The offensive Heat Bursts are especially being adjusted, and damage from air combos is also reduced.

While the changes do not seem to be well-received by all players, many praise under the official X post that it seems to be going in the right direction, even though some negative comments feel it’s not enough.

Tekken 8 has a long way to go to regain the trust of the players. This is particularly bitter as the game was loved by many at release. MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes was also eagerly awaiting it: My Game of the Year 2024 comes out next week and reminds me of how I virtually fought with my grandma

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Dexerto

An expert on Dark Souls was allowed to play a new version of Elden Ring: Nightreign for 4 days, answering the community’s questions

At the large gaming fair PAX East, FromSoftware set up a booth where fans could play Elden Ring: Nightreign. A well-known expert was present and watched the game for 4 days. On Reddit, he invited other fans to ask him questions now.

Which expert is sharing information? The YouTuber and streamer Oroboro was at PAX East and reported on his experience on Twitch. He was trapped under an Elden Ring: Nightreign dome for 4 days and was allowed to watch the game as often as possible.

The streamer started with Demon Souls and Dark Souls but became known not for PvE but for PvP videos in which he challenged various players. He has been part of the Souls games community for years and is especially knowledgeable about games from the FromSoftware studio.

After the event, the streamer spoke up on Reddit and called on the Elden Ring: Nightreign community to bombard him with questions. In doing so, he revealed interesting information that could interest fans before the release.

Start video
Elden Ring Nightreign: In the new multiplayer mode, you must summon comrades!

The most important questions answered by the expert

What was asked? Fans stormed Reddit and flooded the post with countless questions about the upcoming game. We selected the most important ones. In our selection, we focused on topics that arose in the community after the network test.

Note that the version Oroboro was able to play is the final version of the game – so the information should not change by the release:

Variety on the map and information about the story

  • Q: How was the random distribution on the map in this version compared to the network test? And did you get a better impression of the backstory? I hope there are at least some aspects that are as profound as the Elden Ring.
  • A: Even if you keep fighting the same Nightlord over and over, there is much more variety than in the network test. I was told that the Nightlords in the late game are supposed to be even more diverse, so we’ll have to wait and see! Unfortunately, I can’t talk about the backstory, but believe me – they cover that – FromSoft doesn’t leave anything out!

What was the problem? Nightreign will be a repetitive game in which eventually the maps and enemies will rotate. Fans were concerned that the game would become monotonous if the random distribution of enemies repeated quickly.

There were also concerns about whether there would be a story and how relevant it would be. Oroboro remains silent on this but hinted that Nightreign also has something in store for story fans.

Possible contents from the new DLC of Elden Ring

  • Q: Are there any Shadow of the Erdtree contents in Nightreign yet? e.g. Enemies, field bosses, weapons, etc.
  • A: Unfortunately not in the base game, but I assume they will all be included in the DLC!

What did fans expect? Nightreign is supposed to be set in Elden Ring, and therefore fans wanted to know if there would be any content from the DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree.” According to Oroboro, unfortunately, this is not the case.

Details on performance

  • Q: How was the performance, and on which platform did you play?
  • A: We had PCs with 4070s, and it ran absolutely flawlessly! No delays or stutters. I was impressed by the performance, especially compared to the base version of Elden Ring. I think they learned their lesson!

What about the performance? Those who were at the network test will know that the performance was not optimal. There were often stutters and connection drops. One didn’t know how well Nightreign would perform at launch. However, Oroboro assures that Nightreign runs smoothly, despite not having a high-end graphics card.

When will Nightreign be released? The release is scheduled for May 30, 2025. Players only have to wait a few more weeks to dive into the fray. You can learn more about the release here: Elden Ring: Nightreign – All information about the release, gameplay, and price

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Expedition 33: Sciel Build – The strongest combos

For Sciel to deal significant damage in Expedition 33, you need to keep a few tips in mind. We will show you her strongest builds.

In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the companion Sciel is not only known for her quick remarks but also for being extremely helpful in battles. However, Sciel’s mechanics can be overwhelming if you don’t fully understand her and her capabilities. To ensure you are always on the winning side with Sciel, we present you here with two strong builds to deal significant damage and help achieve victory in the expedition. The first build is for the early game, and the second build is for the endgame when the toughest bosses appear.

[toc]

Screenshot from a trailer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Sciel works with predictions – and devastating combos that she must build up.

Sciel Build in Early Game – The Last Chance of the Expedition

Sciel joins the group a bit late, specifically in the village of the Gestrals, after the fourth major area. She is the fourth member of the expedition. Since you can only use 3 characters in battle at the same time, you will need to bench one of the other companions to let Sciel participate in the fights. However, you can also use Sciel as an “emergency” character, who intervenes if the rest of the group is defeated. This build is perfect for that.

Weapon: Scielson

Scielson is Sciel’s starting weapon, and while it doesn’t have strong properties, it has solid scaling with the attributes. Therefore, it is suited for dealing decent damage at the start, which also complements with the Pictos and Lumina.

Attributes

At the beginning of the game, the weapon scaling is still low. However, if you want to maximize it from the start, invest everything into agility, luck, and strength.

Skills

  • Focused Foretell
  • Marking Card
  • Bad Omen
  • Sealed Fate
  • Phantom Blade
  • Harvest

Necessary Pictos

The Pictos and Lumina focus on Sciel fighting alone. This way, she benefits from maximized values. Most of these Pictos can be obtained in the Gestral Arena.

  • Accelerating Last Stand: Gain Swift when fighting alone.
  • Last Stand Critical: Gain 100% critical hit chance when fighting alone.
  • Protecting Last Stand: Gain armored when fighting alone.
  • Solo Fighter: Deal 50% more damage when fighting alone.
  • Rewarding Mark: +2 AP when hitting a marked target. Once per turn.

Combat Guide

Sciel is extremely strong and can basically be played as a solo character. Therefore, you should either head into battle directly solo with her or use her as the only reserve character when using this build. With the chosen Lumina, she always has a 100% critical hit chance and deals extremely high damage.

You should quickly mark enemies to take advantage of that in the second turn. Choose the skills based on whether you are facing single targets or a group. Always switch between sun and moon skills to let Sciel transition into the powerful twilight state, where she deals even more damage.

Start video
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – The Role-Playing Game Introduces Sciel, the Serene Warrior

Sciel Build in Endgame

Later in the game, it becomes dangerous to rely on just one fighter. Therefore, we will reconfigure Sciel to work well within a group and benefit from the advantages of other members. This build unfolds its full effectiveness in Act 3 when you have the entire game world available for exploration.

Weapon: Chation

Chation is the perfect weapon for Sciel because it has extremely strong passive bonuses. However, it also has a significant drawback that you must always keep in mind: any damage taken is doubled, making evasion and parrying mandatory. In return, your sun abilities always distribute 10 predictions. This is beneficial for your skills since predictions enhance the damage of moon abilities.

Attributes

For the best scaling with the weapon Chation, you should invest 99 points each in luck and vitality. You can distribute the remaining points across the other attributes as you see fit.

Skills

  • Dark Wave
  • Final Path
  • Twilight Dance
  • Our Sacrifice
  • Bad Omen
  • Phantom Blade

Necessary Pictos

The following Pictos and Lumina are necessary to get the best out of Sciel. You can also add more Lumina of your choice to the list if you still have Lumina points left.

  • Painted Power: You can deal more than 9,999 damage.
  • Glass Canon: You deal 25% more damage but also take 25% more damage.
  • Roulette: You have a 50% chance on each attack to either deal 50% or 200% damage.
  • Full Strength: You deal 25% more damage when at maximum health.
  • Cheater: You always play twice in a row.
  • Second Chance: Once per battle, you revive with 100% health when you die.
  • Warming Up: 5% increased damage per turn, stackable up to 5 times.
  • Energy Master: +1 AP every time you gain AP.
  • Energising Start I: +1 AP at the start of battle.
  • Energising Start II: +1 AP at the start of battle.
  • Energising Turn: +1 AP at the start of each turn.

Combat Guide

In battles against multiple enemies, start with Bad Omen to immediately apply 10 predictions to all enemies, which you can then trigger in your second turn with a Dark Wave. After that, you will be in twilight mode and can repeat the process – just stronger, since this time you distribute a solid 20 predictions and also take advantage of the damage bonus from twilight.

If you only need to deal with a few single enemies – or want to break them – use Final Path for extremely high single-target damage. For a powerful finisher, Our Sacrifice is worth it. But be careful! It reduces the entire group’s health to 1. However, the damage can go into the millions. If you have time to heal with another character after the attack, that’s a good deal.

Sciel works as a solo fighter but can also excel in a group. If you want a second powerhouse with plenty of punch, consider adding Lune to your group, because with the Lune guide, she deals millions of damage.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Twitch streamer opens burger shop in Hamburg, gives up on one thing that only Germans get upset about

In early May 2025, the Twitch streamer and YouTuber Sascha “unsympathischTV” opened his own burger restaurant. However, it is not the exclusively vegan food that is the problem, but something entirely different. The influencer hears the criticism but has good reasons to maintain it this way.

What is the criticism? The biggest criticism of the vegan restaurant has nothing to do with the food but with the payment method: In the burger shop, only card payment is possible.

This seems to be particularly problematic for Germans, as they often prefer cash to card payments. Statista published a statistic on the number of annual card payments within the EU. Germany ranks second to last: While the average resident in Lithuania made 886.9 card payments, in Germany, it was only 138.9.

We present to you 5 of the most relevant Twitch streamers in the German area:

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These are the 5 most relevant German streamers on Twitch in 2024, according to Google

“I’ve upset some people with that”

This is the reaction from unsympathischTV: When the influencer talks about the criticism in the latest episode of his podcast “Offline + Ehrlich” (via Spotify (from minute 20:35)), he says: “I’ve upset some people with that, too.”

He seems not to have expected to be criticized for this. After all, he believes that everyone somehow has a payment method with their card, either via mobile phone or the card itself.

His podcast colleague Trymacs jokingly joins in the criticism: “You’d also mess with me on that. Quickly set up a cash register. Then you can get robbed in a much cooler way.”

Although there seems to be some critics of cashless payments among his customers, the influencer still does not want to introduce cash payments. He has two main reasons for this:

  • For him, cash is dirty. Due to the exclusive card payment, no employee has cash in hand at any time and has to change it.
  • Not having a cash register with cash would minimize the possibility of being robbed. Especially since many (known) people regularly come by and make videos, this could increase the risk of a robbery. unsympathischTV says about this: “Only the wrong [people] have to see that and they will definitely come in at 10 PM with a balaclava and then the cash register is empty.”

What is another problem? Before this, some criticism had already been directed at unsympathischTV’s new restaurant, this time due to the higher prices compared to meat burgers. However, the influencer had to admit part of the blame: Twitch streamer wants to sell vegan burgers in Hamburg, faces criticism – His reaction: “We are also to blame”

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

The 5 strongest Orcs from Lord of the Rings in the Power Ranking

The orcs in The Lord of the Rings are brutal and merciless warriors serving Sauron in his dark war. They often appear as a nameless throng. However, there are a few orcs that are particularly notorious. In this ranking, we sort the five most dangerous orcs by their strength.

How strong are orcs? The feared orcs have always been servants of evil. They are led by princes and chieftains, mostly the strongest and most cruel representatives of their kind. Nevertheless, many orcs are smaller and weaker than elves or even humans. However, they breed extremely quickly, allowing them to overwhelm their enemies with sheer numbers and their warlike nature.

The combat strength of a single orc largely depends on its subspecies. Well-known types include:

  • Orcs of Mordor: strong battle orcs with long arms
  • Snagas: the most common, but also the smallest type, originating from the Misty Mountains
  • Mountain Orcs: very large, usually leaders of the Snagas
  • Uruk-hai: the largest and strongest orcs, a breeding of Saruman

What was the ranking based on? The portrayal of orcs in the movies does not always completely match the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. We primarily rely on information from the books but also take into account known orcs from the films.

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Lord of the Rings Online: Trailer for Morgoth’s Legacy Prepares You for the New Expansion

Rank 5: Bolg

The Hobbit - Bolg
  • Subsidiary type: Mountain Orc

Bolg is the son of the notorious orc Azog, whom we will discuss shortly. Like his father, Bolg is a Gundabad-orc from the Misty Mountains. This special breed is larger and stronger than regular orcs and is known for particularly wild fighting spirit.

When Bolg learned that the dragon Smaug had been killed, he marched with his army to the Lonely Mountain, triggering the Battle of the Five Armies. He and his personal guard seem almost invincible. However, the shapeshifter Beorn in his bear form was eventually able to overwhelm Bolg.

In the book, not much else is known about Bolg. In the somewhat prolonged Hobbit films, however, he engages in two epic battles with Legolas. The first time he impressively holds his own against the elf. In the second duel, he is ultimately killed by Legolas.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

LoL admits loss of quality, for the first time in 4 years, it gives up your money

League of Legends has been a free-to-play title since its release and costs nothing to play. However, like any other company, Riot needs to make money, and they do this by selling skins or other optional items from the shop. With almost every update, it is common for new skins to come to the LoL shop. Now, Riot is forgoing your money to fix bugs.

What is happening with League of Legends? As early as spring 2025, Riot released their new battle pass model, causing significant criticism from the community. While they have removed the free Hextech chests, most of the new skins have been exclusively integrated into the battle pass. The first skin series for the pass was called “Black Rose”.

Why is LoL forgoing your money for the first time in 4 years? After the skins from the “Black Rose” series were criticized by players due to their quality, Riot decided to break a 4-year tradition.

With the new patch 25.11, scheduled for release on May 28, 2025, there will be no new skins for the first time since 2021 (via League of Legends). Instead, Riot plans to focus on reworking the “Black Rose” skins of Elise, Vladimir, Renata Glasc, and Samira to bring them to an acceptable quality level.

In the video, you can see the cinematic trailer for the first season of LoL 2025 and appearances of the “Black Rose” champs:

Start video
Welcome to Noxus – Opening Video for the First LoL Season 2025

The community is proud of this decision

What are the community’s reactions? The YouTube channel SkinSpotlights has already uploaded a comparison video of the skin series on YouTube. The revised versions are already available on the test server. In addition to the improved champion models, there are also adjustments to the ability effects. 

User ammarturky5402 is happy that a skin finally looks like it was advertised and writes the following on YouTube: “Finally, Elise looks like she does in the cinematic!”

In another comment under the video (via YouTube), NaueTV speaks positively about Riot and hopes that they will continue and also give other skins, like the recently criticized Ivern skin, a chance to receive an update: “I am absolutely speechless about this move from Riot. Honest applause! Hopefully, they will do the same with the current Spirit Blossom skins. Poor Ivern.”

“Finally something good. I would prefer if they did this more often instead of releasing mediocre skins every two weeks,” writes user IttzMawi (via YouTube), hoping that Riot continues with this behavior.

After already getting the Hextech chests back, this is another step to rebuild the trust of the community. The “Black Rose” skins are not an isolated case of mediocre quality, as Riot deleted an entire skin when players became vocal: Champion gets a new skin in LoL after 4 years, but it is so bad that Riot deletes it

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The Cybertruck was supposed to herald a new era for electric cars, but now Tesla has vehicles worth millions that no one wants to buy

The Cybertruck was supposed to be the next big thing from Tesla and Elon Musk. However, the sales figures are disappointing, and there are several reasons for this: Technical problems and Musk’s political adventures are hurting Tesla’s sales figures.

The Cybertruck is a futuristic vehicle from Tesla. Elon Musk introduced the truck as a prototype in 2019 and intended to usher in a new era of electric cars. After years of delays, series production began in July 2023 at the Gigafactory Texas.

However, the Cybertruck has not been particularly successful. The English-language magazine Forbes reports that the Cybertruck could become the biggest flop in automotive history.

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Slate Auto presents new truck with electric motor

Thousands of unsold Cybertrucks are waiting at dealerships to be bought

What do the sales figures look like? Despite Musk’s bold claims of selling 250,000 Cybertrucks annually and having a million reservations, Tesla sold only 6,400 Cybertrucks in the first quarter of 2025. Reports suggest, however, that there are still more than 10,000 unsold units sitting at dealerships that can’t sell the vehicle.

During a conference call in November 2023, just before the first vehicles were delivered to customers, he stated:

The demand exceeds all expectations. We have over 1 million people who have reserved the car.

In an effort to reduce inventory, Tesla launched a cheaper version with rear-wheel drive for $69,990 in April 2025, which is supposed to feature fewer functions than the standard model.

Quality issues and Musk’s political escapades hurt Tesla and the Cybertruck

What is the problem with the Cybertruck? The Cybertruck has not just one problem, but several that are hampering sales:

On one hand, the Cybertruck has a terrible reputation when it comes to quality: There have been eight recalls in the last 13 months. You can find a list of all recalls in the English-language magazine Mashable.com. Additionally, its polarizing look has earned it the nickname “driveable trash can.”

On the other hand, the Cybertruck has become a symbol of global protests against Tesla, which are severely impacting the brand. Elon Musk’s political adventures are now also harming the Tesla company. Already in November 2024, Musk’s father expressed concerns that his son’s political ambitions could hurt Tesla.

Moreover, political protests in the US have also targeted Tesla vehicles, triggering a brand crisis: There have already been a whole series of violent attacks on Tesla stores and vehicles worldwide, including several cases of arson and vandalism. Many individuals no longer want to drive a Tesla or are considering selling their vehicle.

Another point is the price: Musk had promised back then that a base version of the vehicle with a range of 250 miles (about 402 km) would start at $39,900. However, the official sale price is closer to around $80,000, roughly double the initial promise.

Declining sales figures and weak revenue. Tesla has presented its financial results, and they look anything but rosy. Tesla is also tempering expectations that things might improve in the next quarter: Plummeting sales figures, increasing protests, and a crisis have plunged Tesla’s finances into chaos.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

„And then people say Germans have no sense of humor“ – Papaplatte presents the nicest guy on Twitch with over 34,000 viewers

The two Twitch streamers Kevin “Papaplatte” Teller and Ludwig Ahgren decided to give each other a mystery box filled with typical items from their respective countries. One of them was made fun of with a T-shirt.

Who is it about? The Twitch streamers Papaplatte and Ludwig are both big names in the livestream scene. Papaplatte is one of the largest Twitch streamers in the German space, with over 2.8 million followers and an average of over 31,000 viewers per stream (via SullyGnome).

Ludwig has also made a name for himself. He comes from the USA and streams simultaneously on Twitch and YouTube. He has over 3.4 million followers on Twitch and an average of over 12,000 viewers per stream (via SullyGnome). On YouTube, he additionally has over 6.7 million subscribers (via YouTube).

In the scene, Ludwig is considered one of the nicest streamers, who has remained largely free of any scandals so far. That’s why he is sometimes colloquially referred to as the “golden boy of Twitch.”

The two Twitch giants agreed to send each other a mystery box worth 1,000 euros. Inside were gifts, mostly typical items from their countries.

We present Papaplatte’s career in our video:

Start video
This is how challenges for Papaplatte became a livelihood

“I am a son of honor”

What is the prank? In the mystery box that Papaplatte sent to Ludwig, there were “typically German” items, such as Lederhosen or a “Bernd das Brot” stuffed animal, as well as a T-shirt. Papaplatte had it printed himself.

In large letters, it says, “I am a son of a whore,” while the letters are filled with the US flag. Below that, in smaller print, is the supposed translation: ‘I am a son of honor’ (German: ‘Ich bin ein Sohn der Ehre’).

This is what the T-shirt looks like (via YouTube).

Ludwig says the sentence a few times and is thus embarrassed by Papaplatte in front of his 34,786 viewers (via SullyGnome).

In the accompanying clip on YouTube, the community of Papaplatte is excited. @DinoDieter writes, for instance: “And people say Germans have no sense of humor.” @feberg8845 writes: “Brilliant!! :D”

What did Papaplatte receive? That Ludwig had nothing but good intentions with his mystery box is evident from his main gift to Papaplatte: an orange-black NASCAR jacket. Papaplatte says in his stream: “I am a professional racist now” (via YouTube), which presumably is meant to say “I am a professional racer now” (German: ‘Ich bin jetzt ein professioneller Rennfahrer’), but it actually means, “I am a professional racist.”

Whereupon Ludwig first reacts embarrassed and then finally shouts “Kevin, it’s racer!” (via YouTube).

This is not the first time that Papaplatte has been seen in the international Twitch space. He has already had contact with Twitch streamer xQc, albeit for different reasons: “I let you down” – xQc surrenders to German Twitch streamer during the big pixel battle on Reddit and proposes an alliance

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

89% positive and top seller on Steam: A new game lets you shake up the criminal underworld as a tough cop

Recently, a new action game has been released on Steam in which you must assert yourself as law enforcement in a crime-ridden city. It is currently receiving very strong reviews and is even a bestseller on the platform.

Which game is being referred to? We are talking about The Precinct – a neo-noir action sandbox, as the developers at Fallen Tree Games describe it. The game was released on May 13 on Steam and is already having a very good start there.

  • At release, the game had nearly 10,000 simultaneous players on Steam (via steamdb.info)
  • Almost 700 player reviews are 89% positive
  • The Precinct is currently the bestseller on Steam, excluding the free Counter-Strike 2. This places the game ahead of Doom: The Dark Ages in this country

Here you can also see the launch trailer for The Precinct:

Start video
The Precinct: The Launch Trailer for the New Police Sandbox on Steam

A promising police game, but with some quirks

What is the game about? In The Precinct, you embody the young policeman Nick Cordell Jr. Fresh from the academy, you hit the streets of Averno City, where you join the fight against crime and investigate your father’s murder. 

Your tasks range from simply issuing parking tickets to thwarting robberies. And since criminals rarely walk directly into your hands, you also engage in car chases through destructible environments – on foot, in the patrol car, or by helicopter.

What do players say? The overwhelming majority already appreciates the game very much, even though there are still some problematic areas. 

  • Belmoelmo writes in his review: “The gameplay is very good, and the graphics are beautiful. However, the AI is not very good, and there are quite a few bugs (none that ruin the game so far)” (via Steam)
  • Hikuran is already completely thrilled: “Worth every cent, not a masterpiece but still quite good. One of my top-3 indie games so far this year.” (via Steam)
  • Shanterpanter is not yet convinced and gives a thumbs down: “Overall, it is a good and entertaining game, but it lacks some fundamental polish.” (via Steam)

The sandbox elements seem to have led to one or two funny situations already. Lilith tells via Steam: “Frank and I chased a suspect into a petting zoo. Short version – I am now afraid of goats.”

With The Precinct, you might pass some time until you dive back into the other side of the law in GTA 6. By the way, there isn’t much to see about that yet – what is available looks really good, though. More on this in this article on MeinMMO: Fans compare GTA 6 with the real places from the trailer, saying: “Real life is outdated”

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

5 images from the new trailer for GTA 6 that make real life look boring

Fans of GTA 6 have analyzed the second trailer of the game and compared the locations from the promotional video with their real-life counterparts. For the community, GTA 6 even looks better than real life.

What have the fans examined? The new trailer of GTA 6 has already sparked many analyses, speculations, and fan theories. Now, a fan has taken the effort to identify the real locations from the trailer in the real world. He used Google Maps recordings from Miami and compared them with the scenes from the trailer. The direct comparison with Google Maps excites other fans especially because of the graphics.

Here you can view the comparison:

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“Real life looks like a game”

How do fans react to the comparisons? The fans of GTA 6 are thrilled by the detail fidelity that Rockstar Games delivers in the new trailer. Especially regarding the graphics, the new trailer is highly praised. Several users even believe that GTA 6 looks better than real Miami on Google Maps:

  • xShawnMendesx writes: “The graphics are so beautiful”
  • Ok_Bother9262 thinks: “real life looks like the game lmao. Rockstar did a pretty good job.”
  • FrostyJurassic comments: “GTA 6 is so much prettier than real life”
  • Daryl_Dixon1899 agrees: “GTA looks better, at least more colorful”
  • Latter-Diet1127 takes it to the extreme: “Real life looks outdated, to be honest”

But it’s not just the good graphics that catch the fans’ eye. The comparison also makes it clear how accurately the game world is built. Fans are discussing how Rockstar Games managed to recreate the city so well.

Mister_Frowdo says: “Is it just me, or does the scale of the real version come really close? I mean, it’s not 1:1 and I don’t expect it to be, but man… Those are some pretty big distances to drive, fly or sail, and I love it!”

Ant0n61, who is from Miami, writes: “It seems like it’s a scale of 0.65 to 0.75, which is crazy. […] and to be clear, I don’t mean all of South Florida. I mean certain areas. So South Beach or an area in general or Key West. The rest is drastically shrunk, so the distance between Vice City and the Keys is scaled 1:200 or so.”

Here you can watch the entire second trailer of GTA 6 again:

Start video
Rockstar Games presents GTA 6 in the second trailer

With the release of the second trailer for GTA 6, the developers of Rockstar Games also published additional information about the map that was not shown in the trailer. What is already known about the new map of GTA 6 can be read here: In GTA 6, we’re going back to Vice City, but there’s more than just the big city – this is what’s known about the map of GTA 6

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

A woman finds a mysterious USB stick in her husband’s pocket and the community immediately thinks he is cheating on her – Meanwhile, the solution is simple

A user finds a strange USB stick in her husband’s jacket pocket. She is puzzled about what it is for, and even her husband cannot identify the device. The community immediately suspects her husband is cheating, and she snoops on him. However, the solution turns out to be quite simple.

A user explained on Reddit that while cleaning an apartment, she found a strange USB stick in her husband’s pocket. But neither her husband nor she knew what the device belonged to. At least the duo discovered that it must be a dongle:

When I found it, I assumed it was the USB connection for his wireless mouse. He was confused, went to his laptop, and we saw that the USB connector of his mouse was still plugged into the laptop, so we had no idea what the thing was or how it ended up in his pocket. He said it couldn’t be from work because they don’t use that kind of technology in his department.

What is the dongle for? The USB dongle is for a third-party gaming controller made for the PlayStation 3. Therefore, the controller must be quite a few years old.

The brand Afterglow belongs to the manufacturer PDP, which is now part of the American company TurtleBeach, specializing in headsets and controllers.

The community’s reaction: The initial reactions are surprisingly negative, accusing the woman of spying on her husband because she is rummaging through his pockets. Someone explains on Reddit that this is typical for the strange community:

This thread really shows how many stereotypes about Reddit users are actually true. You are damn weird if your first reaction to someone searching their partner’s pockets is to think they are snooping, rather than that they are performing an incredibly basic hygienic task that requires searching the pockets if you are even remotely competent.

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Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds

Identifying an Unknown USB Dongle: Here’s How to Do It Easily

If you find a USB dongle at home that you cannot identify because it is unlabeled or does not carry a manufacturer name, there is still an option to find out what it is:

  • Open the Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS/Linux).
  • Look for new entries that appear after plugging in the dongle. Search for the device names, manufacturers, and check the hardware ID (VID/PID or Vendor ID/Product ID).
  • Then you can search the found Vendor ID and Product ID online and usually find a product that can be clearly identified.
  • In some cases, the corresponding product is already listed in the Device Manager, so you can skip the extra search.

What other option is there? In some cases, an installation wizard for the related software automatically starts after plugging it in. This is the case, for example, with the manufacturer Razer or with Logitech devices (Logitech Options+).

A German artist started an unusual project 14 years ago. He cemented a handful of USB sticks into walls. Today there are over 400 such “Dead Drops” in Germany. Worldwide, 2,300 data carriers are hidden in walls, forming an offline network: In Germany, there are over 400 USB sticks protruding from walls – What is the “Dead Drops” project?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

The next big MMORPG for PvE fans takes players back to the good old days, pleading: ‘Please don’t destroy my memories’

A new and important MMORPG is set to be released in Korea later this year with Aion 2, which will also come to the West. The developers are now showcasing new content for the game, but fans have high expectations.

What kind of game is this? Aion 2 is the current prestige project and a beacon of hope for NCSoft. As the successor to the popular Aion from 2009, it aims to win the hearts of both old and new fans, in Asia as well as in the West. Unlike the original Aion, the sequel is fully focused on PvE. The importance of this MMORPG for the publisher NCSoft is also reflected in the scale of the project.

300 employees are working on Aion 2, and it will utilize the beautiful Unreal Engine 5. The game will feature several language versions to help it succeed globally. Initially, the MMORPG was supposed to launch worldwide simultaneously, but the developers retracted this statement and want to follow the same approach as with Throne and Liberty. First, the game will be optimized in Asia and then released in the West.

The release in Asia is planned for 2025, and accordingly, the developers have now announced new content. A teaser has also been released, generating high expectations among fans:

You can watch the teaser here:

Start video
Aion 2 shows its world in new teaser, reveals date for when there will be more to see

High Expectations for the Sequel

How are the fans reacting to the new teaser? The new teaser contains very few gameplay sequences but includes a date. On May 29, 2025, the developers want to present the MMORPG and also clarify the major questions, such as those regarding the available classes in the game.

For fans, the new teaser comes with high expectations. They love the first part and hope that the sequel will live up to the legacy of the original.

On YouTube, user @Harleen_PC comments: “Please don’t ruin the name of Aion with Aion 2. Leister do a good job, and don’t change the original combat-[System] of Aion. I hope that a real Aion game emerges – and not just the name is used.”

User @릿리-s6n also has a lot of associations with the name Aion: “Wow… this unique and great background music and the soundtrack of Aion itself is so good that I can’t help but get excited again… Please don’t destroy my memories with NC’s bad background music these days. I hope people will remember Aion 2 as a masterpiece of the IP.”

Thus, there are great expectations on both sides regarding the development of Aion 2. The project is important for NCSoft and success is necessary, while for fans of the original Aion from 2009, the MMORPG is a part of the past from the genre’s heyday.

Whether the developers can convince the fans on May 29 remains to be seen. This won’t be easy given the high expectations of the fans. While Aion 2 is nearing release, the developers are already focusing on the next MMORPG: Throne and Liberty is set to get a sequel with Unreal Engine 5, and development of the new MMORPG is expected to start soon.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Players in WoW demand ‘tips’ to do their job – Here’s what it’s about

A new plague is annoying the community in World of Warcraft. Anyone wanting to run dungeons is expected to tip. But is that allowed?

In the last days and weeks, those searching for a group for high-level content in Mythic+ have been increasingly encountering groups that display strange behavior. The group description states that a “tip” is expected, meaning a gratuity. You are supposed to apply to the group with the appropriate amount in the note.

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3 absurde Bugs, die in WoW passiert sind

What is the problem here? Over the past few weeks, finding a group for dungeons has become difficult. Because when you are excited to find a tank or healer in the group finder who appears to have no other companions, a look at the group description brings disappointment. There, it mentions a “gratuity” that you are supposed to offer the corresponding character.

The promise for that: You will receive a “Res” run, which means a “Resilient” run—a high-level dungeon run that will most likely succeed and provide a rating.

This is nothing more than selling dungeon runs.

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Is this even allowed? No, because such requests for “tips” are an attempt to circumvent the rules for groups that Blizzard established a few years ago. In groups in the “Looking for Group” tool, offering so-called “sell runs” is prohibited. This means dungeon runs where a part of the group pays experienced players with gold.

By stating that a “tip” is expected, you are essentially offering exactly such sell runs—you are simply waiting for companions who are willing to pay the expected price.

If you encounter such groups, you can report them, as they violate Blizzard’s regulations. Such groups will then be removed from your personal listing, and if too many reports occur, penalties will be imposed.

Generally, sell runs are legal and can also be advertised—but only in the appropriate trade channel, which was specifically set up for these services.

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How the community is reacting: In the WoW subreddit, more and more screenshots are being shared in recent days where players express their annoyance about such groups (some of which you can see in this article). The general consensus is negative, as most people realize that this is merely an attempt to circumvent the regulations regarding advertising dungeon runs.

  • “Somebody is listing +17 runs for 15,000 gold all the time, and every time the group fills up, I’m disappointed. But I still report them.” – MissMarvel
  • “The only reason they keep doing this is unfortunately that they still find people who pay for it.” – Ghstfce
  • “I just report every group where I see this. Advertising in the LFG tool is not allowed. Why the hell would I give someone a tip and then help them push their key? We both benefit from it. He gets a key that is above his “Resilient” level and I get a key that I haven’t yet completed within the time limit. That’s a win-win.” – smogedancer

Have you also experienced such groups and observed them in the group finder? How do you handle it when you discover such groups and players? Are you perhaps even glad about such indirect offers? Or do you rigorously report the affected characters?
Gold can currently be earned in WoW in other ways – not as easy as it has been for a long time.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.