A server outage is currently preventing players from GTA 5 Online.
For a long time, GTA 5 Online ran smoothly with the servers, but currently, things do not look good. After the servers had a “Limited” status this afternoon and not every player could log into the online world, now nothing is working anymore. Server status RED.
Update: The GTA 5 servers are currently coming back online, and the problem seems to be resolved. However, due to the high influx, long loading times and errors are to be expected in the coming hours.
GTA 5 Online Server Status
Currently, the status shows that all platforms (Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Social Club) are affected and allowing no one in.
Often, the error message The required files to play GTA Online could not be downloaded from the Rockstar game service. Rockstar itself has not yet commented on this problem. According to a tweet from the group “PoodleCorp,” this appears to be a DDoS attack by this group targeting the GTA servers.
According to the tweets from the group, they also claim responsibility for some server issues with Pokémon GO. What exactly is behind the attacks remains unclear (as is often the case with DDoS attacks). We will keep you updated and inform you as soon as the servers are functioning again.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The battery saver mode is set to return to Pokémon GO – Niantic explains why it was removed.
“Pokémon GO” developer Niantic stays on the (Poké)ball and continues to provide players with information through social media. Many players criticized in recent weeks that Niantic was too “quiet” and communicated too little. The criticism has obviously been heard, as there was once again a post on the official “Pokémon GO” Facebook page. This time it is about the next countries where the game will be released, the battery saver mode on iOS, and legendary Pokémon that have been taken away from their owners again.
The “Pokémon GO” battery saver mode on iOS devices
After an update in the last few days, some trainers playing Pokémon GO on iOS devices wondered where the button for the battery saver mode is now. The answer was as simple as it was confusing: It has been removed from the game. Whether it would be reintroduced into the game was unclear at the time, but now there is new information from Niantic on this topic.
On the Pokémon GO Facebook page it says: We have heard your feedback regarding the removal of the battery saver mode on iOS devices loud and clear. We removed the feature because many players rated it as “buggy.” We are likely to release a “fix” in the coming days that will address the bugs with the feature.
iOS users will soon be able to use the battery saver mode again, enabling their smartphones to last longer on long adventures.
Upcoming releases and issues with legendary Pokémon
Next, Pokémon GO is set to be released in Central and South America according to a Facebook post. Also, during the Olympic Games in Rio, trainers, spectators, and players will be able to catch Pokémon.
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment released a new summer update for the golf MMO Winning Putt.
Golf and MMO don’t go together? Oh yes! This is demonstrated, among other things, by the golf game Winning Putt, where you can upgrade your character like in an MMORPG and equip yourself with increasingly better items, and where you play through golf courses similarly to quests to become the best golfer in the world – at least virtually.
Summer is here!
The big summer update brings a range of new features and new missions. It is now possible for you to collect guild rank points with your guild. To do this, you need to complete rated matches for which you earn points. The more points you earn, the higher your team climbs up the guild leaderboard. However, you should think carefully about who you want to compete against. Because while a victory gives you points, a defeat takes them away! To have better chances and more members in the guild, the maximum number has been increased to 40, and your guild can now rise to level 20.
In addition, the summer festival is now taking place in the online game, which not only brings summer decorations into the game but also interesting missions. Depending on whether you have chosen a “cool” or a “hot” mission, different quests await you, including different rewards. It is possible to complete the missions daily so that you can grab as many rewards as possible during the summer festival.
Furthermore, the graphics are expanded with the update. The golf MMO with CryEngine 3 receives a day-night cycle with different times of the day that visually impact the game. If you want to compete with or against other players in golf tournaments, then take a look at Winning Putt.
In Destiny we look at innovations in the Crucible. Are Private Matches and Custom Games coming? And what about the Iron Banner?
The PvP will experience some innovations and changes with “The Rise of Iron”. So far, there are mentions of a new mode and four new Crucible maps. In addition, a new feature is promised, which Guardians have reportedly been waiting for a long time.
The YouTuber My name is Byf summarizes all previous PvP information in RoI:
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A new Crucible mode called “Supremacy”, in English Supremacy, has already been confirmed. Those who have played multiplayer in Call of Duty will recognize this mode as “Kill Confirmed”.
In “Supremacy”, you score only by collecting items left behind by fallen Guardians on the battlefield. These items are called “Crests” and visually resemble Engrams.
A kill does not count until you collect these Crests. If teammates die, you can collect their Crests and deny your opponents the points.
Supremacy comes in three different versions:
6 vs. 6 – Standard.
Inferno 6 vs. 6 – Here, the radar is turned off for a hardcore experience.
Free-for-All – Here, not 12 but only 6 players compete against each other.
The Supremacy mode will demand high mobility from you. You cannot just camp in places and snipe opponents comfortably, but must move to the place of death and grab the Crests. Supremacy will require an offensive playstyle. How tactical approaches will be possible remains to be seen in the future.
New PvP Maps in Rise of Iron
There are supposed to be four new maps in the Crucible:
Floating Gardens: This is a mysterious Vex shrine on Venus.
Last Exit: An abandoned underground station from the Golden Age.
Skyline: An installation on Mars that overlooks the buried city.
Icarus: This map is PlayStation-exclusive. It is located on Mercury.
How will the Iron Banner change?
Since the beginning of Destiny, Guardians participate in the Iron Banner PvP event once a month. In it, you will be tested by Lord Saladin to see if you are worthy of becoming an Iron Lord. In the “The Rise of Iron” expansion, however, Lord Saladin will appear in another role: he will fight alongside you against the new threat and will be present at Felwinter Peak. What influence will this have on the Iron Banner?
First: The first time the Iron Banner will be held after the launch of RoI will be played in the mode “Supremacy”. When that will be is only speculation. But presumably a week after release, starting September 27.
However, who will take on the role as the point of contact for the Iron Banner is not yet known. It could possibly remain Lord Saladin – or a new NPC will provide the bounties and rewards for you.
The bounties and the Iron Banner progression system are supposed to change: The buff on reputation gain, which increases from day to day, will be removed, making it worthwhile to play Iron Banner every day of the week. If you reach rank 5 early in the RoI Iron Banner, it should be worth continuing to play as you can earn more rewards.
Additionally, Iron Banner shaders, emblems, or class items will no longer grant reputation bonuses. You can style yourself however you want.
Iron Banner bounties are supposed to directly grant Iron Banner items when you successfully complete them.
What about Private Matches and Custom Games?
According to Bungie, “Rise of Iron” will bring a new feature to the Crucible that has not yet been revealed. On August 16, this will be announced at Gamescom. Lars Bakken, designer at Bungie, stated that “Rise of Iron” will introduce a long-awaited feature that the community has been asking for a long time.
According to My name is Byf, it can only be about two things:
Private Matches and Custom Games
Or Dedicated Servers
However, as dedicated servers would not necessarily be referred to as a “feature”, he strongly assumes that it is referring to custom matches.
What do you think? Can we finally create private games in RoI?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
My.com and developer NetEase have released a new trailer for the upcoming MMORPG Revelation Online.
In an MMO, the game world must impress. It needs to be designed interestingly and offer players the necessary variety and incentives to want to explore it. With a new trailer, you will be introduced to the game world of the MMO Revelation Online. You won’t just see random zones and areas; a narrator will guide you – in English – through the landscapes of the Asian-inspired fantasy world Nuanor.
From the deepest waters to the highest mountains
In Nuanor, many secrets and wondrous places await you. You will explore deep oceans and the highest mountains. The developers place great importance on the fact that every location can truly be reached. However, you won’t achieve this on foot. Search for and catch various mounts that will allow you to fly high above the clouds or dive into the depths of the sea.
The narrator in the video guides you through three major cities, where you will meet the inhabitants of Nuanor. You will see mighty fortresses that you can conquer in the game with your guild. You will also catch your first glimpses of some of the dangerous bosses that await you during your adventures in the dark dungeons. The new video is sure to whet the appetite of those looking forward to Revelation Online. If you want to take your first steps in Nuanor as soon as possible, sign up immediately on the official website for the soon-starting Closed Beta.
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Medivh appears as a Hearthstone card in Karazhan and brings his staff. Additionally, there is a demon that carries many legendary minions.
The Staff of the Last Guardian
Next week, the next expansion for Hearthstone “A Night in Karazhan” will be released. Blizzard releases new cards every day, which can be unlocked throughout the 4 wings of the expansion. Today we take a look at the latest cards, which will especially please demon and spell fans.
The Warrior awaits the new spell Protect the King! For 3 mana, the Warrior summons a 1/1 minion with Taunt for each enemy minion on the board. This should provide a small life insurance, especially against Rush decks.
The Warlock receives the Silverware Golem, which makes use of the discard mechanic. It is a 3/3 minion for 3 mana that is also played when it would normally be discarded.
The neutral minion Zoobot is waiting, also for 3 mana with stats of 3/3. The battle cry is interesting, as it gives a friendly random beast, dragon, and Murloc +1/+1. In the best case, that means a 6/6 effect for only 3 mana!
The neutral demon Prince Malchezaar has caused quite a stir in the community. With stats of 5/6 for 6 mana, he is already relatively solid, but his effect is hotly debated. When the game begins, he adds 5 additional, random legendary minions to your own deck!
It is important to note that the extra cards are created only after drawing – so you cannot have them in your starting hand. Additionally, Malchezaar cannot create additional copies. If you have a Ragnaros in your deck, Malchezaar will not generate another one. Legendary cards from other classes are also off-limits.
Finally, Medivh, the Guardian has been revealed. A legendary minion with stats of 7/7 for 8 mana is rather weak, but his battle cry makes him a desirable card: “Summon Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian.” Atiesh itself is a weapon with 1/3 and the effect: “After you cast a spell, summon a random minion with the same cost. Then lose 1 durability.”
What do you think of these cards? Useful or just a gimmick for fun decks?
Find more news and articles about Blizzard’s card game on our Hearthstone game page.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the second part of the audio play about the backstory of World of Warcraft: Legion, Maiev Shadowsong appears. And Khadgar is not exactly sure which side she is on …
Maiev and the Mage
To properly prepare players for World of Warcraft: Legion, Blizzard releases plenty of background information about the latest expansion. They particularly seem to place great value on a cohesive story, which is told through comics, cinematics, and audiobooks/audio plays. “The Tomb of Sargeras – Part Two: Old Friends” continues the story that began with Gul’dan’s arrival on the Broken Isles.
The Archmage Khadgar talks with the Watchers and tells them about the new enemy that has come ashore. There, he encounters Maiev Shadowsong, the leader of the Watchers. She doesn’t think much of magic and even less of humans. After a (more or less) successful negotiation, Khadgar picks up Gul’dan’s trail and enters the Tomb of Sargeras to confront his arch-nemesis. In the ruins, he makes a discovery that raises terrible fears …
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Mein-MMO says: Normally, I am quite critical of voice acting, but with David Nathan, Blizzard has hired arguably the most talented German speaker. In comparison, the English version seems almost dry and emotionless – the speaker gives the story a unique dynamic that wonderfully captures each scene. As such, the audio play is an absolute must for lore fans.
Today, on August 4th, maintenance is taking place at Destiny. The servers are offline on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
Currently, the hype train for Destiny is back in full swing. The site Gameinformer has secured exclusive rights and is now gradually allowed to publish tidbits of information about the upcoming expansion “The Rise of Iron”. However, it cannot be said that these are mere “tidbits” – a true flood of news has hit us in the past days.
One has to calm down first to process all of that, right? Something similar is probably being thought by Bungie: Because they are giving the Guardians a break tonight and conducting several hours of maintenance.
At 5 PM our time, the preparations will begin. From then on, you will not be able to log in to Destiny.
If you are still in the game at 6 PM, you will be roughly kicked out. At this time, all servers will be taken offline. So make sure you finish your ongoing activity by then.
Bungie expects that the server downtime will not last more than three hours. So you can game again before 9 PM.
For some players, this will significantly disrupt evening plans. However, to ensure you don’t completely miss out on Destiny, we will link all the information published in recent days about “The Rise of Iron” below.
The best Pokémon GO hacks won’t help either. Niantic is taking action!
When a couple in Ohio pointed out that Niantic had gifted them an Articuno, many players had already figured out that this must be a fake or a hack. Why would Niantic simply send Pokémon to selected players as an “apology”? And an Articuno at that? Now, the “Pokémon GO” developer Niantic has spoken out and clarified the situation.
Fair Play in Pokémon GO
What was already clear has now been officially confirmed by Niantic. In a statement to IGN, a spokesperson for Niantic stated:
We recently learned that a few legendary Pokémon ended up in the hands of various trainers, although that shouldn’t be possible. To show that we take these cases very seriously and want to maintain fairness in the game, we have rectified the situation and revoked the Pokémon from the trainers.
Articuno was not given away by Niantic
A Niantic spokesperson told Geek.com that Articuno was definitely not given away by Niantic. It is possible that players used a hack or something similar to obtain Articuno. For example, there are also programs that change the appearance of Pokémon on their devices, so that a Caterpie appears as a Zapdos or even an Articuno.
In any case, the world in Pokémon GO is back to normal, as none of the trainers should have a legendary Pokémon in their possession anymore. It’s nice to hear more from Niantic lately. For a long time, it was very quiet, and players were in the dark. By now reporting issues or, as in this case, publicly showing that they want to keep the game fair, the developers are improving their reputation among many players.
What will happen with PokéVision is still unclear – but we have provided a good alternative for you to track Pokémon: The GO Map for Pokémon GO!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
New weekly assignments are available in Tom Clancy’s The Division: The ISAC mission and the Strategic mission.
There’s more to do in The Division again. Specifically for the PS4 agents, as the Underground expansion has been available for them since the day before yesterday. Now, players can clear the Underground and the Dragon’s Lair on Sony’s console and start hunting for the new gear sets. Here you can find everything you need to know about the Underground expansion.
For all agents, Ubisoft has released a fresh, short video today that showcases the weekly ISAC mission. You have one week to grab an exclusive item. Here’s the video:
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This week, the situation is escalating. Our enemy Asher has sent a message that he wants to see our allied Division agent Rainer dead. He is currently located in the Dark Zone. Now, you need to go into this PvP area, eliminate enemies, and thus save Rainer.
The mission is:
Eliminate 50 elite opponents: For this, you need to enter the Dark Zone and take out enemies with yellow health bars. Elite opponents have been sent to kill a Division agent in the DZ who was tasked with supporting a local ISAC node. You need to eliminate them.
As a reward, you will receive three high-end Division-tech and an ISAC-Asher beanie. Now it’s about Asher’s wardrobe with the exclusive cosmetic items.
The Strategic mission this week
Since Tuesday, you can also complete four tasks to earn an additional 30 Phoenix Credits. You have until next Tuesday:
Eliminate 50 looters: Neutralize looters in the Dark Zone.
Collect 30 fabric parts
Eliminate 10 named enemies
Complete 10 missions: Master ten main missions at the difficulty level “Hard” or “Challenging”.
For FIFA 17, the minimum requirements and recommended system requirements for the PC version are known.
On August 29, EA Sports’ new football simulation FIFA 17 will be released. For the first time, the Frostbite engine will be used on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, providing an authentic gameplay experience with impressive graphics.
Some PC users may be looking worriedly at the release date, unsure: “Will my computer handle this?”
EA Sports has now provided the data that your PC must meet for FIFA 17 to run smoothly:
Minimum Requirements
Operating System: Windows 7/8.1/10 – 64-Bit Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 @ 3.1 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 965 @ 3.4 GHz RAM: 8GB Required Storage Space: 50.0 GB Minimum Required and Supported Graphics Cards: NVIDIA GTX 460 or AMD Radeon R7 260 DirectX: 11.0
Recommended System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 7/8.1/10 – 64-Bit Processor: Intel i5-3550K @ 3.40 GHz or AMD FX 8150 @ 3.6 GHz RAM: 8GB Required Storage Space: 50.0 GB Minimum Required and Supported Graphics Cards: NVIDIA GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 270 DirectX: 11.0
Rare has released a new video explaining what the MMO Sea of Thieves is all about.
In principle, the MMO aims to allow players to live the life of a pirate and fully immerse themselves in the game world. You can do whatever you like. If you feel like steering a ship, you simply go to the helm and set sail. When you see an island on the horizon, you sail towards it, jump overboard, swim ashore, and explore the isle.
Do what you want
If you see a jug of grog, you simply grab it and drink until you can hardly walk straight. If you encounter another player, you won’t know if they mean you harm or if they are a friend. The same goes for when a ship appears on the horizon. Do the players want to trade on board or will they open fire? While in other games such things can be predicted through GUI elements or similar, Sea of Thieves operates much more naturally.
Sea of Thieves will not be comparable to other MMOs that have preset encounters where you know that Boss XY is lurking in that dungeon and if you defeat him, you will receive a legendary item. You will never know what happens or what someone is planning. And you won’t know where to find which treasure. You will have no idea what will happen when you log in. Will you encounter another ship while sailing? Sometimes you might even be completely alone on an island.
Sea of Thieves is an MMO, but not a Massively Multiplayer Online Game
Therefore, you will play an online RPG that is not massive. You don’t want players to be constantly surrounded by other players. Each encounter with a player should be special, and the player should feel like they are something unique, precisely because not everyone does the same things and finds the same items as everyone else. It is believed that each gaming session is unique in this way and remains in the player’s memory. However, the term MMO will be retained, which in Sea of Thieves means Memorable Multiplayer Online Game.
Kakao Games, the developers of Black Desert, declare war on bot sellers. They are expected to not only cease their operations but also hand over the names of the buyers.
Massive demands against the bot manufacturer
The fight against botters, cheaters, and fraudsters continues in Black Desert. A particularly intimidating example is now planned to be made of the programmer of the botting software “Pys”. Developer J. Bosch has been embroiled in a court case by Kakao Games Europe (formerly “Daum”, renamed). The demands from Kakao Games are quite hefty. The operator is to not only immediately cease their website and thus the service but also pay €500 for every bot sold. Furthermore, Daum wants the data of all buyers – presumably to permanently close the associated Black Desert game accounts.
In response, the subscription service of “Pys” has been suspended, at least temporarily.
Mr. Bosch, however, does not seem to be entirely discouraged by this, as he claims to already be working “on something new” – whether it is legal software remains to be seen.
Mein-MMO states: Whether Kakao Games has any chance with these demands is, of course, not yet decided. At least the disclosure of the buyer list could prove to be quite difficult due to data protection reasons. Since the demands seem so exaggerated, fans also suspect that they simply wanted to make a big PR splash to generate some attention, following the motto “Look here, we are doing something!” If this actually makes the botters disappear… good. But that remains to be seen.
For more news and articles about the MMORPG, you can find them on our Black Desert game page.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A new video has been released for Destiny, showcasing a lot of nostalgia in “The Rise of Iron”.
Last night Gameinformer released another video about the upcoming autumn expansion. In it, the developers talked about some things we have already written extensive articles about, such as the new artifacts and the vendors in Felwinter Peak. You can find all fresh information about “The Rise of Iron” on our Destiny page.
Below we highlight new aspects that were shown in the video. The YouTuber Arekkz Gaming showcases the most exciting screenshots from it:
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The Return of the Gjallarhorn and the Arrival of Nostalgia
The game director Christopher Barrett and executive producer Scott Taylor mention that nostalgia will play a significant role in RoI. The Guardians are returning to familiar places – which, however, have changed. The Wall is destroyed and the Cosmodrome is marked by winter and the Devil Splicers. Additionally, powerful year-1 weapons are returning, like the Gjallarhorn or the Dorn. When you play the new expansion, the year-1 Guardians among you will surely remember the early days.
But it will be nostalgic for Lord Saladin as well, according to the developers. His friends, the “Iron Lords,” gave their lives to save humanity. He is now returning to Felwinter Peak and must once again face the danger that was once repelled with you.
Regarding the Gjallarhorn, it is already known that pre-order customers will receive an “Iron Gjallarhorn” . This exotic rocket launcher will be acquired through a yet-unknown quest and must first be “forged”. The video from Gameinformer briefly shows the creation of the Gjallarhorn, as the following screenshots show:
A workbench is visible where the Gjallarhorn is currently being built. Presumably, you will acquire your cool rocket launcher at this point.
The Plaguelands will be “big”
Already at E3, the developers talked about the Plaguelands, the new zone in “Rise of Iron”. They often emphasized that this will be “big” and expansive. Additionally, the Plaguelands are said to be full of secrets and invite exploration. The video reinforces the image that the Plaguelands will offer plenty of space:
Felwinter Peak and the Statues
The new “Social Space” Felwinter Peak must first be reclaimed before you can call it “home”. Because nasty enemies have made themselves comfortable in there. Your first task in RoI will be to drive them out so that the NPC vendors can populate this place. Here we present three new NPCs in Felwinter Peak.
In Felwinter Peak there is a statue room:Here you activate your new artifacts: Each artifact has a connection to deceased Iron Lords. You bring it to the corresponding statue, unlock the power of the artifact, and ignite a fire at the statue.
You can directly see which artifacts you already have and which ones are still missing. This visualizes your progress.
What will happen when all fires are burning is not known. Perhaps nothing will happen, but it might also unlock some kind of reward, or maybe a secret passage opens? You know, at least from other games: “Bring all items together in one place, and you will receive something great.”
“You are such a good boy.”
More information from the video:
The well-known strike boss Sepiks Primus is back, this time as “Sepiks Perfected”.
A Splicer Walker is visible:
According to the developers, especially the last story mission will be great and a lot of fun, as many things are supposed to come together there.
In the “Play of the Games” of Overwatch , this time Torbjörn swings the hammer, Ana proves extreme precision, and Lúcio is once again “too cool for school”.
The Overwatch Sandman in the form of Ana
In the past week, many absurd “Play of the Game” moments occurred in Overwatch. We scoured social media, various forums, and Reddit to compile our top 3 for this week.
Starting off is the player Unk with his clip “Budget Genji”. As Torbjörn, he is boosted by an Ana from his team with a Nanoboost and does the only right thing: He takes out his hammer and hammers away. However, not on his own turret, but on the enemy team. In the process, even a built Bastion shatters, unable to comprehend what is happening to it.
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The second clip shows an Ana with outstanding timing. The own D.Va is just blowing up her mech, and the enemy team gathers behind Reinhardt’s shield to avoid the explosion unscathed – but not with Ana! A bold sleep dart at the last second removes the protective cover and guarantees a quadruple kill.
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Our last contribution comes directly from the current Brawl “Lucioball”. The player Etheralforce seems to have unbelievable luck or can see into the future. Because instead of doing an emote after a successful goal, he plays it cold beforehand – even though the enemies along with the ball are in “his” penalty area.
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If you have a cool “Play of the Game” that you think is spectacular enough to appear on this list, then send us your contributions and maybe you will see the gameplay here again next week!
You can find more news and articles about Blizzard’s hero shooter on our Overwatch game page. More information about the individual heroes and detailed guides can be found in our
Lost Ark looks stunning! A mix of Diablo and MMORPG that could bring fresh air to the genre.
At least in Korea, the beta will start on August 24, then players will get a glimpse of the online hack ‘n slash. Whether western players will be included is still not entirely clear. However, the beta is expected to be limited to 9,000 participants. Many are already very curious about how the online game will play.
What classes does the beta offer?
Also, many want to know which classes they can embody. In total, there will be 18 classes in the final version, although not all of them will be playable during the beta. A video has surfaced showing what classes have apparently been selected for the beta. However, this has not yet been confirmed by the developers!
The video shows the Bard, the Battle Master, the Blaster with a huge cannon, and the Berserker. The Devil Hunter, the Fighter, the Gunner, the Infighter, the Warrior, and the Warlord are also included. It seems to be a good mix of tanks, damage dealers, and supporters. It should be noted that you start with one of three classes and can then jump into other classes that you unlock over time. It is more about specialization.
At the start of the Lost Ark beta, more will surely be revealed about the online game. We are very curious!
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The standalone of ARK, “Survival of the Fittest” is becoming part of the main game again. Thus, Free2Play is history for now.
ARK admits mistakes
Sometimes you have to undo wrong decisions. Almost a year ago, Studio WildCard aimed to release the “Arena Mode” of ARK: Survival Evolved as a standalone Free2Play title. For a while, players could download “ARK: Survival of the Fittest” for free to compete with up to 71 other players in a match of life and death. The goal was to reach weapons, dinos, and especially food the fastest to ultimately emerge as the winner of the match.
Now, Survival of the Fittest has been “brought back home” and is once again part of the main game. According to the developers, the concept simply did not work out, developing Survival of the Fittest as a separate title. They would have had to invest a lot of time and energy in monetization ideas, and an in-game shop was never an option for the developers.
The end for the PS4 and Xbox One version?
Other reasons included the problems with modding permissions. This is legally much more difficult to agree upon with a Free2Play title, which is why players can now look forward to many new tools and aids that will be available for mod development.
With this step, the development of “Survival of the Fittest” for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is also being put on hold for now. The developers want to “take a step back and see how these changes will affect things in the long run.”
Those who still have ARK: Survival of the Fittest in their Steam library can play the game for free for now. However, it is questionable whether there will be new updates released there. A purchase of ARK: Survival Evolved will be necessary.
In the shared-world shooter The Division, we take a look at a particular bug that has a major impact on the game.
Ubisoft’s The Division has a plethora of bugs. This was already the case at release in March, and it is still the case now in early August. Many errors have been fixed over the months, but with various updates, new ones have continuously emerged. An additional page was created in the Ubi forum listing the known issues.
A major bug significantly affects the game, which the YouTuber Skill Up refers to as the “most important bug in The Division”. This pertains to the skill “Ballistic Shield”. However, it is not a game-breaking error like the backpack bug or the map bug. Instead, it greatly influences how we all play in endgame PvE.
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The Ballistic Shield is basically one huge bug. This skill is simply unusable because one cannot rely on it. Every agent currently relying on it is, so to speak, asking for trouble. Sometimes the shield suddenly disappears, or it prevents you from shooting, reloading your weapon, or using consumables. Occasionally, the shield cannot even be drawn out. It is simply a nightmare to play with.
As a result, it seems not to exist at all in discussions about certain builds. Only on reddit does the Ballistic Shield occasionally come up, always accompanied by demands to finally fix it.
No Ballistic Shield, No Tank
Because a functional shield would greatly benefit The Division, as Skill Up notes. It would be a useful ability, with which one could create a strong tank.
Currently, there are no real tanks who can control the enemies, act as a shield in front of allies, and fight in the front line. There are at most agents with toughness beyond 700k, who are not specialized tanks but simply agents with extreme armor values.
Consequently, all fights proceed in the same manner. One increases their toughness to at least 400k, crouches behind cover with healing skills and fortifications, and shoots at the enemies. When rushers charge at you, you can only hope that your firepower is sufficient to stop them in time. You can buy some time with flashbang grenades, but a tank with a shield in hand would certainly have better odds.
Skill Up concludes that the buggy Ballistic Shield prevents numerous combat variants and does not allow for a pronounced tank class. It ensures that all fights are almost identical because since no tanks are possible, the other builds and specializations are also affected.
When Specializations Are Not Specializations
No matter which build one currently looks at, toughness plays an extremely significant role in The Division’s endgame. Builds under 400k toughness simply do not work, as you have no chance against the NPCs – at least not with the playstyle allowed by the game currently.
But if you had a tank in the squad who draws the enemies to him at the front line equipped with the shield and controls the situation, the other agents would have much more room to skill themselves. When you do not have to live in constant fear that the next rusher will storm around the corner, you do not need overly high toughness values. The tank handles that. You do not have to bring toughness up to about 400k before you can finally focus on other attributes.
Then one can fully focus on the firearms and become a powerful damage dealer. The risk as such is higher, as one can quickly go down if the bullets stray in one’s direction, but this effective playstyle will at least become an option again.
Therefore, Skill Up concludes: By fixing the Ballistic Shield, Massive would allow for entirely new player experiences. Specializations and more tactical options would become possible. But currently, this omnipresent bug heavily influences how the fights are conducted, how one skills, and how one plays.
What do you think? Do you disagree? Or do you say, “Yeah, the man is right.”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pokémon GO should be fun, but also respect the environment and public places.
A few weeks ago, the Pokémon fever broke out again in Germany. This time, however, the environment is included, as players find more wild Pokémon in the “real world” than on the couch.
Not only wild Pokémon can be found “outside”. There are also PokéStops, where you can get rewards such as Poké Balls and potions, or gyms that you can conquer with your Pokémon, located in public places.
More respect for public places
In an interview with the LA Times, J.C. Smith, Consumer Marketing Director of the Pokémon Company, stated that the game should continue to be fun for aspiring Pokémon trainers, but respect the “real world” nonetheless. “When something is very popular, we have to ensure that we find a way to handle it so that players can enjoy the game safely and with respect,” says Smith. The game was just released recently and has already received so much attention that it is hard to think of all the areas in the world that could be affected in the future.
We have already reported that, for example, the Auschwitz memorial asked the developers of Pokémon GO not to be part of the game anymore. More and more public places are already making use of the function to have themselves removed from the game. On social media, you hear from players who are (rightly) outraged when several teenagers gather in cemeteries, use lure modules there, and have fun loudly in front of the graves. To top it all off, garbage and empty bottles are often left behind at the site.
In future updates, public and private places are to be respected and better protected. However, how exactly these changes will look and whether places will be completely removed or the activation range of these stops and gyms will be increased is still unclear.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Chinese WoW community is in turmoil. Blizzard is taking away a payment option, and many players are up in arms.
Players’ Outcry: Subscription in China without Alternative Option
When it comes to payment methods in MMORPGs, different continents are each cases on their own. In America and Europe, a subscription usually makes for a comfortable experience, but Free2Play is also well received. In China, however, they swear by a “per hour” payment model. But that will be disabled tomorrow, on August 4th, in China. Then World of Warcraft will also adopt a subscription model in China. Long-term players have been looking forward to this, as those who play more than 100 hours per month can benefit from it. All others, who only occasionally play for an hour in the evening, will come out as losers from this change.
The Chinese players can still use their previously purchased playtime until 2018 “as usual” or convert it into days for their subscription. 150 minutes of purchased playtime equal one day of subscription.
Especially in contrast to Taiwan and Korea, players now feel disadvantaged. There, both systems run parallel – players can choose between a subscription and hourly payment.
Mein-MMO believes: It would be easy, from our perspective, to claim that “the Chinese should just toughen up”, after all, the rest of the world also has a subscription model. However, this does not do justice to the situation, as China has had the model of hourly payments for years – and there are good reasons for that. Many “casuals” there simply lack the funds. Now they are forced to pay as much each month as they might have spent over several months otherwise – and this will inevitably lead to a decline in players. What has motivated Blizzard and the local publisher Netease remains a matter of speculation.
