Does Ubisoft still hold back its anti-cheat software for The Division?
Players on the reddit forum are outraged: There are no “anti-cheat tools” active in the beta. The server believes everything that the client tells it. Players are already imagining scenarios where The Division could become a cheater paradise. They cannot understand how Ubisoft allows this.
http://youtu.be/xNDMXyFDF34
More level-headed minds state: Well, this is just the beta. Perhaps they already have anti-cheat tools but don’t want to implement them yet so that hackers cannot prepare.
At Ubisoft itself, it’s said in a thread: These are not hacks that are upsetting players. These are “glitches” that the team is currently still working on.
Players report “invisible enemies.” Players who were themselves invisible explain: This might be because I got “stuck” somewhere and then practically ran around as my own ghost while my body was in another location.
Video shows hacks and cheats in The Division, worrying players
The “These are glitches” explanation does not fully reassure the players. Some issues have also arisen with “infinite ammunition” or “speed hack,” which clearly look like hacks.
http://youtu.be/MjVhffYeeZM
Ubisoft is currently quite quiet on the front. According to users on reddit, statements from Ubisoft employees on the Dev live stream on Twitch included, “It’s still beta” or “We can’t talk about it yet, but don’t worry.”
Community Manager Hamish Bode reassures a fan on Twitter: They are taking care of the problem. Players should not worry.
@RedekerKane Of course there are. We’re on it, Stephen. Don’t you worry your pretty little face.
This could suggest that they really do not have active anti-cheat tools yet to avoid giving hackers a heads-up.
One thing is clear: If problems of this magnitude occur at release, such comments will likely not be enough to calm the situation. Currently, shocked players on reddit are calling for a sign that Ubisoft should clearly address the issues.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Star Citizen , the single-player campaign “Squadron 42” will soon no longer be part of the main game. Currently, a free-fly campaign is running, which is a demo for everyone.
Critics of Star Citizen are rubbing their hands: new ammunition. At Cloud Imperium, they are “separating” the single-player campaign “Squadron 42” (with the Hollywood stars) from the main game starting February 14. Squadron 42 can then be bought either alone or as “additional content” for Star Citizen.
Critics are already saying: They are selling a game twice.
Supporters of the project argue: Wait, these are modules, that’s okay. It can stand alone. Not every Star Citizen player is interested in Squadron 42 and vice versa. The fact that both were available together was one of the perks for the initial backers, which is now coming to an end. And it doesn’t matter to us, we already have both parts.
At Cloud Imperium, they say: Those who still want both should “pledge” by February 14; that is, participate with a corresponding high donation to receive the package – the rest of the world knows this principle as “buying something.” If they do this, they will receive Star Citizen with Squadron 42 at the current price. This is the lowest price possible..
Today, Ubisoft began sending out invitations to those players who have been on the waiting list the longest. They are doing everything to get as many players as possible into the game. And to make sure they get something out of it, they are extending the beta.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The latest patch brings player trading back to Tree of Savior – but only for paying customers; Free2Play players are out of luck.
The trade belongs to the rich
The Korean MMORPG with picturesque character graphics, Tree of Savior, received a new patch a few days ago. After player trading was suspended shortly after the game’s launch due to issues with bots, trading is now returning – but with a massive limitation.
From now on, anyone wanting to trade directly with other players must have a premium account, meaning they must redeem a special token. This grants the player a total of 30 trading transactions over a period of 30 days – the number of items exchanged per transaction is irrelevant.
The patch also brought further adjustments, such as changes to group XP gains, and all classes have received some balance updates.
One and a half years after the European release, Swordsman Online is coming to the Steam platform.
Perfect World has its own platform with Arc. They prefer that; they don’t have to give up any of the profits. But Steam also opens up a game to new customer segments, especially if it’s not a hit and has been out for a while. It’s often observed that MMOs that have been on the market for years suddenly want to go for the feeding troughs of Mr. Newell. Some, like Tera, achieved this with great success. Many are now following in their footsteps.
Swordsman Online is a martial arts MMORPG from Asia. It started in summer 2014. We reported on it occasionally at the beginning, but then we pretty much lost sight of the game in 2015. Probably like many others as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udhddSOq6QY
It is now playable on Steam via this link. The reviews are currently quite balanced, with a slight negative touch. Swordsman Online, one can probably lean out of the window and say, is certainly not a game for everyone.
The MOBA Paragon uses cards as a development system for the characters and presents the basics in the video.
Old in New Garb
In the upcoming Action-MOBA Paragon, there is no classic talent system, but game cards that upgrade the character.
During a match, players collect card points that they can then spend – at the beginning, they only have 3 of them, and over the course of the match, the value can climb up to 60. Similar to League of Legends, these points can now be spent to purchase items in the form of cards. Some of these are simple, like health or mana potions, while others are more complex.
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Equipment items grant a specific bonus (e.g., attack power) and can be further upgraded later. Each item has three “sockets” into which upgrades can fit, which can also be purchased for points. If a weapon or armor is completely equipped with upgrades, there is an additional special passive bonus – it is therefore worthwhile to fully upgrade an item before starting a new one.
The available cards are determined by the selected deck – basically, it is a “pre-sorting” of the shop that you can later draw from to shape the character according to your will. If you notice that the chosen cards are complete nonsense, you can return them for a refund of the points and can buy anew – but be careful! Once returned, cards cannot be chosen again for the duration of the match.
Mein-MMO says: The great revolution has not been created with the card system of Paragon – at least not at first glance. Although there are different customization options through various upgrades, it is only a matter of time before the “must have” can assert itself in this game as well. And then it is nothing other than the talent distribution system from Heroes of the Storm or the shop system from SMITE and League of Legends. The great innovation is missing.
The Closed Beta of The Division has given many gamers an insight into Ubisoft’s upcoming MMO shooter. Now, the testing phase is coming to an end. We focus on one essential aspect: the graphics.
The release of The Division on March 8 is approaching. Therefore, the developers cannot make too many changes to the graphics settings, which is why a keen look at the edges and details of the game is worthwhile. While you can extensively customize the graphics settings on PC, you have significantly fewer options to change the graphics on consoles. But such options do exist.
How beautiful the apocalypse looks on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and here are the graphics settings
One thing right away: the PlayStation and Xbox show no significant differences in the graphics settings. On both platforms, the graphics are great. According to an analysis by vg247, the PlayStation 4 has a “slight” advantage over Microsoft’s console. There is a small performance edge for Sony’s box, but the game runs remarkably stable on both devices. Therefore, graphics should not be a trigger for another console war regarding The Division.
In the Closed Beta, you can enable and disable the Chroma Shift. This allows you to toggle chroma shifts of the UI elements on or off. What does that mean? Essentially, it’s a “post-process effect,” similar to a motion blur slider.
It was developed to imitate the properties of a camera lens, which makes the high contrast points on the screen visible and divides them into their red, green, and blue components. A bit complicated, then. The result is meant to give the game a stronger sense of decay and corruption. Does everyone like that?
At least this option only affects the image quality, not the frame rates. It’s best to play around with the Chroma Shift switch and judge for yourself whether you like it.
Additionally, there is a Sharpness Slider available. The sharpness slider lets you focus or soften all elements on the screen. These setting options have been rather unusual on consoles so far. But it’s up to everyone whether they want to use this option or not.
You can also disable the HUD in the settings, so that parts of the bottom half of the screen are not permanently covered. However, the display cannot be completely turned off. Therefore, you might as well leave it activated. Of course, the brightness can still be turned up as much as you want ‒ but you can’t change much else on the consoles.
He particularly highlights the lighting effects, which you can admire even in the 18-minute video. According to Arekkz, the game would run much smoother on PC than on consoles. However, he also admits that the console versions still look excellent; the atmosphere and light entry at ultra graphics settings are still currently the benchmark.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Yesterday we took a look at the Iron Banner in Rift mode. A part of the community complains like a swarm of angry birds about this unusual mode. Another part finds it great and fun.
What is going on with the community, one might ask? Can’t they decide? Well, a lot is certainly personal taste. Do you prefer to play alone or in a team? Do you enjoy lying in wait as a sniper, or do you prefer “Close and Personal” with a shotgun in hand?
Even with this weapon, the No Land Beyond, opinions are divided in Destiny. Is it great and for connoisseurs or totally useless and a joke?
But the main reason why opinions are currently divided is the lag. The players’ experiences shape their opinions, and for this quality of gameplay for the Guardians, lag or the absence of it is so important.
If there is none, Destiny can be as beautiful as seen in this video montage showcasing extraordinary sniper skills.
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For several days now, the new champion selection of League of Legends has been running more or less flawlessly on the EU-West servers.
While many of you are probably still diligently farming the bonus IP, which Riot Games distributed at the start of the new champion selection in an event, you may have noticed that the selection is still improvable in some areas. Many suggestions are surfacing in various threads on Reddit or in the LoL forum on how to improve the champion selection in League of Legends and which features are not well liked.
Riot Socrates has now addressed these points in the LoL forum and explained what changes will be made to the champion selection in the near future.
These changes are planned by Riot for the new champion selection of LoL
1. The champion selected in the pre-selection to show your team who you want to play will no longer be visible to the opponents when it is your turn in the champion selection. This feature has been deemed completely unnecessary by many players and will be removed soon.
2. A filter will be added, allowing players to sort champions by their roles. (Support, ADC, Mid, Top, Jungle) – This is currently partially possible if you type the respective role into the search field – but this function will probably become available as an extra button.
3. The champion grid, which is the window listing all champions, will soon be collapsible at all times. Currently, it is only visible during banning and when selecting your champion.
4. Reducing pre-selection, selection, and banning times in the champion selection. Especially the long time in the pre-selection has already led to many negative comments on Reddit and in the forums.
5. Purchasing a skin during the champion selection will be possible again. This was possible in the last champion selection and even in ARAM – hence it will be adjusted in the new champion selection.
These bug fixes are coming for the new champion selection in LoL
A few errors also need to be fixed.
The correct display of the time spent in the queue.
Fixing issues with entering/leaving a champion selection. (A time penalty was applied if you accepted an invitation to another champion selection during an ongoing champion selection.)
The weekly free-to-play champions will (again) not be available in ranked games.
The client will in the future come to the forefront during the AFK check, banning/selecting a champion.
The freezing of the game when entering and leaving lobbies will be fixed.
This list is not final but only indicates what Riot Games has already planned for improvements.
The new survival game from Funcom, Conan Exiles, is said to be twice the size of the world of Skyrim and apparently at least 4 times as bloody.
Listening to Joel Bylos and Lawrence Poe in their interview with IGN, everything sounds so logical. Survival games are trending and the ultimate “survivor” is Conan. In the new game Conan Exiles, players will meet the barbarian in his mid-twenties during his wandering years. But it’s not about Conan himself, but about the wild land where his story takes place.
No classes, a single massive map per server
At Early Access, Conan Exiles will offer a single 53 square kilometer map without loading screens, but with a variety of different landscapes. There will be no classes in the game, and freedom will be at the forefront. Players can serve different gods, even change religions if they wish.
Not much can be gleaned about the actual gameplay from the interview. Players can gather resources to build houses, also in various architectural styles of the different peoples. If many players work together, fortresses and castles should be possible as well.
The world itself is contained, but looting NPC hordes can invade from the outside, which players must defend against.
It is planned that there will be both private and public servers. Administrators should be able to configure many details.
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Funcom’s Bylos talks most about the game’s atmosphere: It is said to be bloody, with heads and limbs flying during fights. There are plans for fast-paced combat with direct feedback. It is intended as a first-person game, although there will also be a 3rd-person perspective.
There will also be nudity in some form in the game. Players will be able to capture other players and sacrifice them to their gods. But don’t worry, Bylos assures, this will not be a long martyrdom where players humiliate, feed, and torture the captives; rather, it’s more like: Ritual, tear out the heart, done.
It seems that Funcom still has a lot planned before the game starts Early Access on PC in the summer. It will then come to consoles later.
Plenty of warning signs: Studio needs quick success
Mein MMO says: In the interview, Conan Exiles seems like a massive project – very different from The Park, which was initially planned as a “small game”.
One can’t help but wonder how Funcom intends to pull this off in a relatively short time and with certainly limited budget. Especially since they repeatedly emphasize how much they value production quality.
According to reports, Funcom is under pressure for success and time. Whether that can be reconciled with high quality seems questionable.
The “Early Access” model is not exactly associated with a quick production in survival games. It often seems that a “rough version” is sold very early through Early Access. Players see a lot of potential, there is a brief hype, but it fades when players realize that there are still many work-in-progress and construction errors that persist for months or even years.
Because the actual finishing touches on early access survival titles progress terribly slowly. At least that has been the case with many similar projects. One exception is undoubtedly the summer hit 2015 Ark: Survival Evolved. Maybe Funcom can follow in its footsteps. One would wish that for the Norwegian studio. Currently, where there are only ideas and a few screenshots, we remain skeptical for now.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Kaliyo returns as a companion in Star Wars: The Old Republic – can former agents rekindle the fire of love? And what does the rest of the crew think?
A fling with the anarchist
In the recent developer livestream of Star Wars: The Old Republic, Charles Boyd and Alexander Freed talked a lot about the story of the past 9 chapters of the current expansion Knights of the Fallen Empire. With the introduction of “Chapter X: Anarchy in Paradise“, the cunning Kaliyo returns, and players had many questions about her.
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The most interesting encounter is for former agents. Kaliyo was not only the first companion but also a romance option, at least when playing a male agent. But now 5 years have passed, and Kaliyo has taken her own path – how does that affect the opportunity for a renewed romance? We have translated some of the most interesting questions on the topic for you. Of course, if you don’t want to be spoiled, you should not continue reading!
“I was an agent and had a relationship with Kaliyo. In KoTFE, I then had a relationship with Theron Shan. If I meet Kaliyo again, can I resume the relationship?”
“That depends on the individual characters and where they are [story-wise]. […] You can certainly try to rekindle that. Whether she is even in a position where she has an interest in getting back into it, you’ll just have to play and see.”
“Will other characters find out if I resume a relationship with Kaliyo?”
Rawr – Kaliyo has made a name for herself.
“Yes, it’s a big alliance, but word spreads if you have two relationships at the same time. Other characters will find out if you continue a relationship from before carbonization.. and they might not react very positively to it.”
In conclusion, they also talked a bit about whether other key companions would reappear in the story and how long it takes to implement such things. It is a “great investment” to bring even a single one back, as noticeably more dialogue options are needed for the different classes that have already encountered that character.
Additionally, they only want to do this if it “fits the story” and the character has “room to shine”. So it is probably not to be expected that all “old” romances will reappear in Knights of the Fallen Empire.
P.S.: The title comes from Schuhmann. I would never be so uninhibited.
There was a lot of information surrounding the start of the beta. For a long time, we only knew: The beta ends on January 31, which is today. Now we know the exact end date of the beta and the time. There is good news.
The beta of The Division on Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4 ends on Monday at 12:00 PM our time.
Intel reminder: #TheDivisionBeta will end Monday, February 1 at 12pm CET /6am EST /3am PST.
The actor of Orgrim Doomhammer from the Warcraft movie admits: Playing WoW has saved his life.
A big, happy Orc
That World of Warcraft has contributed to some players gaining a bit of weight is probably more than just a stereotype. But when someone claims that WoW has literally saved a player’s life, society often frowns upon it and labels the person as eccentric. It is all the more delightful when celebrities also open up about their experiences.
Robert Kazinsky, the actor of Orgrim Doomhammer from the Warcraft movie, was a guest on Conan O’Brien last week, a well-known comedian and entertainer. There was hardly any talk about the upcoming movie, but rather about the game and how it influenced Kazinsky’s life.
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Kazinsky reports how much his job as an actor has taken a toll on him. In a British cult series, he played a tough guy. This led to lightly intoxicated individuals often provoking and even hitting him in pubs to show off to their friends: “I smashed the tough guy from the series.” They did not see the actor, but the characters he portrayed. This, along with the growing recognition, affected him so much that he hardly wanted to be seen on the street without disguising himself – and then came World of Warcraft.
The happiest time of his life
For a long time, he was immersed in the game and especially enjoyed the social contacts he made there. His guild members did not know who they were playing with, which created a relaxed, honest, and carefree interaction. The rewards the game provided boosted his self-confidence.
“World of Warcraft saved my life,” he says with a smile. And he is convinced of that, even though he played for long periods of 18 hours a day and barely left his apartment. Then he adds with a grin, “It made me happy, but also fat.”
To conclude, there was a confession that one does not often hear. “I have a great life, the perfect girlfriend, wonderful work. But I was never as happy as when I was fat, playing video games, and had no expectations on me.”
Mein-MMO says: A nice story that will surely help to further bring the stigmatized games into the right light. If more famous people publicly shared their experiences with online games, the image of “isolating computer games” would likely change soon. This example beautifully shows that games can connect people in a way that situations in “real” life often cannot.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The big January update has been released for the sandbox MMORPG Albion Online.
Finally, fans of Albion Online are getting new content, as the big January update introduces a whole range of new features – including the undead!
The living dead are here!
You will primarily encounter the shambling corpses in the two new dungeons “Sunken City” and “Tomb”. In these dungeons, you must defeat all monsters per level. Whoever succeeds will open a gate to the next deeper level. This way, you fight your way through and face ever-greater challenges. New monsters such as ghouls and cursed skeletons will stand in your way.
What would dungeons be without bosses? You will face off against two particularly nasty enemies, the Necromancer and the Governor. In the deepest dungeon, the Reaping Pit, you will ultimately confront the particularly nasty Soul Reaper!
Albion Online becomes a bit more comfortable
Additionally, the user interface has been revamped and specifically optimized for PC players. They will now find a target display for spells, allowing for even more effective combat. Sorting of equipment, automatic stacking of resources, an option for quickly equipping all gear, and simplified controls are among the new features.
It is now possible to send items from the inventory to the bank or vice versa by holding Shift + clicking the left mouse button. Also new is a friends list, which aims to bring the social aspect of the game more to the forefront.
The developers continue to state that they are already working on more major features and content for the MMORPG. Fans can look forward to the coming months, as new updates for Albion Online will be released regularly. While this time PvE has received some love, soon it will be the PvP fans’ turn again.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the military MMO Armored Warfare, the next patch brings Chinese tanks, a third dealer, and much more.
In Armored Warfare, the player takes on the role of a mercenary. He acquires his tanks from two dealers, one selling Western goods from Europe and North America; the other is based on the offerings of the Eastern Bloc.
These 7 tanks are coming to Armored Warfare on February 11
The next patch, which will be released on February 11, will introduce the dealer Zhang Feng and he will have 7 Chinese tanks. They are:
Type 59 (Tier 3)
Type 69-II (Tier 4)
Type 80-II (Tier 5)
WZ-1224 (Tier 5 Premium)
Type 85-IIM (Tier 6)
Type 90-II (Tier 7)
Type 98 (Tier 8)
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Also in the February patch, there will be a new PvE map, the reward system will be revised, further balance changes will be introduced, and matchmaking will be updated.
On Steam, the space MOBA Fractured Space is being given away for free – we took a quick look at the unusual game.
Space battles for free
There are now MOBAs everywhere you look. Whether Heroes of the Storm, League of Legends, SMITE, Dota, or another representative of this genre, the number has become seemingly endless. The currently alpha game “Fractured Space” joins the list of these games – and yet it is quite different.
Unlike usual, in “Fractured Space” you control a spaceship over the battlefield instead of a hero. The typical 2D environment has also been left behind, as you can move up and down in space. This creates – at least in theory – exciting situations, as the areas are peppered with asteroids and space debris behind which you can hide to avoid enemy fire or to set an ambush.
As for the “abilities” of the ships, it uses a mixed system of the known competitors. While ordinary shots and some rockets do need to be aimed with a crosshair, other abilities can be fired at a marked target as long as it is within range.
The basic principle is similar: There are three play areas that resemble the “lanes”. On each lane, there are several mines that players can capture for themselves. This increases the team’s resource gain (basically experience points), allowing for faster upgrades. At levels 3, 6, and 9, you can distribute specialization points, deciding whether to become more penetrating or more robust.
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For a limited time, the game is completely free, you can grab it for free until Sunday night, January 31st. However, this is not a “Free Weekend” but a permanent deal. Whoever adds the game to their Steam library now can keep it forever. This link takes you directly to the game’s Steam page.
Cortyn says: Well, what can I say? I played the game for a while after I was forced I was kindly advised to play it. The spaceship movements are so slow that I was several times worried that the game had simply crashed – it just doesn’t move forward. When I think of space battles, I always think of a bit more realism.
As a nice coloring of the screen, it is definitely suitable.
I believe that Fractured Space is a game for masochists enthusiasts who cannot deal with the much faster MOBAs. Anyone who likes spaceship battles might still enjoy this game. Due to the slower pace, it might also be worth a look for long-term strategists.
But best make your own impression, as the game is still free. However, I cannot recommend it – sometimes even free feels too expensive to me.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the MMO shooter The Division, the Dark Zone will be a culture shock for many who just want to give it a try, predicts our author Schuhmann.
Let’s start with the blessed past to understand what makes it so special that The Division today focuses on “open PvP.”
I can still remember a time when there were “Open PvP” games. Well, actually that’s nonsense. The concept isn’t extinct today; it simply changed its target audience and has become a niche solution, particularly in MMORPGs. Games like H1Z1 or DayZ use the system today and enjoy a wonderfully toxic community and a terribly bad reputation, attracting sadists.
In the past, one didn’t have to consciously decide for such a “rough” game to experience open PvP. Even in MMORPGs, it was quite normal to enter a PvP zone without any idea of what awaited you there. Whether you would be playing 20 against 20, or 15 against 50.
When games like The Elder Scrolls Online try to do this today, it splits the community. It is already a special thing to see the system today and then at such a prominent place as in The Division.
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If one wants to play solo while the others are out in groups of eight
To understand what The Division is planning and what the problems are, let’s take a look at one of the games with open PvP and what types of players went in:
in Dark Age of Camelot, for instance, there were single players in the huge border areas who operated as assassins. They were the lone wolves.
small groups of 2 or 3 assassins and archers worked together in stealth, so to speak as small task forces.
“Full groups” of 8 players were out there, working as a team, striking like an elite unit and could disappear quickly.
then there were several full groups, for example, from a guild, working together to gain an advantage, regiments so to speak.
and one encountered the so-called “Zerg,” large uncoordinated masses of players running after a leader and flattening everything that came in their way. An army.
By the way: In Camelot Unchained, they attempt to revive the spirit of DAOC.
Even back then, over 10 years ago, Dark Age of Camelot was incredibly marked by frustration and mutual hostility. Because: Whenever one of these groups met another, they overran them and spoiled “their fun.” Because actually, everyone wanted to maintain their play style. Solo players wanted to face others. 8-man groups against other 8-man groups. And the people who were in the Zerg had fun when they could face another “army.”
In practice, however, the “solo players” were consumed by small groups, the small groups by 8-man groups, and the 8-man groups by the Zerg. Unfair, echoed over the years from a thousand guys.
The accusation was always: You can’t do anything, so you “cheat” and flatten me, come on with the same strength as us, then you’ll see. And the other would say: Mimimi, I can’t hear you, you’re dead.
The solution for many was: Structured PvP or Zerg
In recent years, actually for the last 10 years, we have moved away from this open idea of how PvP should be and have basically chosen two different concepts to solve these problems.
In newer games like The Elder Scrolls Online or Guild Wars 2, which wanted open PvP, they emphasized from the start with an even stronger focus on group PvP: We want you to be out in larger groups. If you don’t run with the Zerg, then we can’t help you. There are a few things you can do with fewer people, but basically it’s about sieges and castles, and for that you need masses. Also, they are no longer as open as before, with hidden caps implemented.
On the other hand, in many games, “Structured PvP,” closed PvP, has prevailed: You enter a sandbox that has clear game rules. Whether you now call it battleground, arena, or melting pot is ultimately irrelevant. From the beginning, it is clear: 2 against 2, 6 against 6, or even 20 against 20. Everyone knows what to expect here. These are the rules. All who enter have the same goal. It’s fair. That’s the gameplay style that most are used to today.
So it is all the more astonishing that The Division deviates from this.
Currently successful titles like Destiny or WoW focus exclusively on “structured PvP.”
The Division will be a surprise for many in the target audience
In The Division, they opted for a new system, the “Dark Zone”. It’s a relatively open PvP area, though not nearly as large as in DAOC back then. In terms of dimensions, it resembles a closed PvP area more. Only that players are not divided into equally strong teams, but generally operate alone, though they can team up.
So the conflict in the Dark Zone is actually only between players who operate alone and those who work together in a team.
Already in the first hours, you hear complaints from players who are not used to such a system: There are four people working together. You can’t go in alone. I’ll be shot immediately. I don’t stand a chance. Unfair. I don’t want to play like this.
As an alternative, the solo players, which the developer surely wants, would now have to form teams, defend themselves against the four allies lurking at one of the key points. If necessary, the “individuals” would have to go against the team with 8 or 12 players. For this, The Division has even planned additional rewards with the rogue system.
But this “in necessity we work together as a team” requires a change in thinking from players that they have not wanted before. The lone wolf does not hunt in a pack. He simply does not want to. And many in the target audience of The Division are, it must be made clear, lone wolves. Massive knows this too: they marketed with the “You can also play alone” thing.
In The Division, an additional frustration element is added: Once loot is acquired in the Dark Zone, it can only be secured at certain locations after a nerve-wracking ordeal. If you are eliminated beforehand, it can be completely lost. A cooperating four-man team can effectively rob “solo players” and maintain a lucrative playstyle with minimal personal risk. The perceived unfair playstyle of 4 against 1 still pays off. This further ensures that the Dark Zone is already keeping players busy.
One can say that The Division in this regard relies on an unusual flavor that many players in the target audience do not know today and that will not be to everyone’s taste. The question will be: Who can warm up to the new taste, and who will at least approach it openly?
Now, one should not blame The Division: Anyone who only walks in worn-out paths will not find themselves in any interesting place. The open world concept has always found its friends, who react to the thrill of an ever new situation. A “fair PvP concept” would not have fit into the scenario of The Division, as it follows the motto: War is not fair either.
But it’s strange: For a game that clearly focuses on the mainstream, on shooter players like The Division, the Dark Zone is a surprisingly bold choice. It remains to be seen whether the concept will be maintained and how players will accept it in the long run.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
What would a true king be without a loyal dragon? In ArcheAge you can fly over your realm on a mighty fire-breathing dragon.
A royal mount
While western players are currently engaging in a hot dance battle with blood singer Aria at the Mistsong Pinnacle , the Korean version of ArcheAge is already ahead. Currently, update 2.9 is live there. As reported by 2p, with 2.9 players can create their own kingdoms with cities and fortresses. The dragon serves to protect these kingdoms.
At the head of every proper kingdom stands the king, and he wants to be carried into battle in style. This does not happen on a silly steed, but on a house-sized dragon that brings death and destruction to all who dare to oppose the realm. This little video shows just how impressive that actually looks.
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While the king glides across the landscape on his mobile lighter, the dragon, by the way, patrols independently to set the opponents on fire all by itself.
It will probably take some time until the corresponding patch also goes live with us. We will report as soon as a release date becomes apparent.
In the fantasy MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, the next patch 3.2 will be released at the end of February. Tanks will be reworked and Hildibrand returns.
This morning, Naoki Yoshida announced details about patch 3.2, which will be released on February 23. We summarize a few details from the usual detailed producer letter.
Tanks will be healthier – will soon need Vitality in Final Fantasy XIV
One of the most important changes: For tanks in Final Fantasy XIV, the “Vitality” value will be taken into account for the power of physical attacks starting with 3.2. They can then spec into that instead of Strength.
For tanks, it will be sufficient to only wear Vitality gear. Especially the Paladin will be significantly reworked with 3.2.
The Machinist can look forward to a small buff to deal more damage. The Astrologian will have their ability “Shuffle” reworked so that the same card cannot be drawn again.
The Mentor System in FF 14
Interesting are also the changes to the mentor system. To be accepted here, one needs 1000 completed dungeons or instances and more than 300 recommendations. Players can then choose a “Combat Role” for which they want to give mentor tips.
Crafters or gatherers need either over 100 produced “Collectables” or they must have collected 300 of them.
Anyone who is a mentor can invite beginners into a special channel. In addition, they will tackle activities of the “Duty Roulette Mentor” type.
There will not be a massive amount of new rewards for mentors. Mentors will receive a toggleable crown next to their name, rewards, and accomplishments when they complete content with a mentee that they have not completed yet. They also receive preferential treatment in these queues.
Hildibrand returns and there is a new winter collection
As a surprise for players: the popular Hildibrand, a self-proclaimed master detective, will return in 3.2. Additionally, Final Fantasy has introduced the winter collection.
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The producer letters from Yoshida are always detailed and this one covered numerous other aspects, such as PvP with the new “Feast” event, exploration missions, or the new primal “Sephirot, The Fiend.” However, it is also a somewhat chaotic live format and in Japanese.
Normally, Square Enix later explains these modes and details more thoroughly in easy-to-digest bites, with videos and screens. We have already introduced the planned “changes” for 3.2 and will surely cover the details again.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the MMO shooter Destiny , the new Iron Banner is causing a stir. While some love the Rift mode, it annoys others greatly.
Iron Banner is the monthly PvP event of Destiny. For a long time, it was the best way for solo players to acquire powerful gear. Because you can also die to the “high rewards”. You get coins for losses, which can be exchanged for reputation points after a victory.
In the first year, Bungie was still conservative with Iron Banner, which took place in the Control mode, the standard PvP mode of Destiny. In year 2, however, they experimented and allowed Iron Banner to take place in the American Football mode of Destiny, in the “Rift,”. This divides the community.
Here in the video from Planet Destiny, you will find some tips on how to handle Rift:
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What the critics of Rift as an Iron Banner mode say
The critics of the new mode are mainly disturbed by one thing: The unfamiliar mode favors teams that can communicate. In Rift, the goal is to carry a ball, the Spark, to the center of the enemy base. For this, teamwork and communication are essential. The “Runner” needs, like in football, his teammates to clear the way so he can break through. Otherwise, he will be shamefully taken out by the standing defense.
But is the Runner now the star and dictates the tactic? Or does he have to subordinate himself to his teammates and react to their actions? It’s not so easy when you can’t coordinate over voice chat.
In the regular modes, players can often compensate for such “communication disadvantages” by map knowledge and tactical understanding. Almost everyone has understood the basic principles of Control today.
For solo players who have previously used the Iron Banner to acquire gear that was otherwise only available in teams, this week is a frustrating experience, being on the losing side so often.
Especially the “Runner” bears great responsibility in the Rift mode. If he plays impatiently, running into enemies too often, it quickly turns into frustration for his team. He then becomes the ego player, only concerned about his stats. He becomes the scapegoat, with the dark Rahool placed upon him.
What the supporters of Rift as an Iron Banner mode say
Players who enjoy Rift are usually team players. They praise the dynamism of the concept and appreciate the variety it brings. The fights are fast, exciting, and fun. There is much more emphasis on mobility compared to before.
They particularly celebrate spectacular actions like in this video here:
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![The Division: Wann endet die Beta auf PC, PS4 und Xbox One? [Update]](https://images.mein-mmo.de/medien/2016/01/Tom-Clancys-The-Division™-Beta_20160129202358.jpg)
