Powerplay update for Elite: Dangerous has been released

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time 2 minutes

With the new Powerplay update, developer Frontier Developments brings a whole range of changes to the space MMO Elite: Dangerous.

Powerplay is the third major content update for Elite: Dangerous. The expansion introduces new ships and a number of additional features to the space game.

Fight for the Galaxy!

However, the highlight is “Powerplay”. This is a tactical component in which players can join several factions in the galaxy and participate in conquest campaigns together. You can expect special missions that you must complete for your faction in order to achieve greater goals together with the other members. Together, you will try to bring entire areas of the galaxy under your control.

Elite Dangerous Powerplay

Those who participate in these faction wars can look forward to valuable gameplay advantages, reputation bonuses, and unique equipment as rewards. In addition, you will directly see the effects of your actions in “Powerplay”, as these also change the balance of the galactic power dynamics.

The other new features of the “Powerplay” update for Elite: Dangerous include:

  • An improved mission system with new tasks and new gameplay.
  • Three new ships: the Lakon Diamondback Scout, the Lakon Diamondback Explorer, and the Imperial Cruiser.
  • Drones for collecting cargo, trading with fuel, and resource harvesting.
  • An overhauled GalNet news channel that can be accessed directly via the ship’s user interface.
  • Mining sites with varying difficulty levels, which increase risk but also potential rewards.
  • New mineable resources.
  • An improved bounty system.
  • Enhanced UI with animated emblems upon rank advancement.
  • Numerous other improvements in gameplay and technology.
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The developers of the space MMO are currently also working on an Xbox One version, which is set to be released later this year. However, the PC and Mac versions will continue to receive new updates.

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

Destiny: Rumors about Taken King – the Super of the new subclasses and Oryx Raid

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny rumors are piling up regarding the next expansion.

Last night, we already presented the latest rumors about the next expansion of Destiny in an article. During the night from yesterday to today, an article appeared on the major US gaming site Kotaku.

It says: We have been sent promotional material for “The Taken King.” We have verified this with other sources and confirmed its authenticity. It is referred to as a “Marketing Sheet,” an overview on a sheet of paper.

Destiny-The-Taken-King

Kotaku says, this was written on it:

  • The expansion will cost $40 and is thus twice as expensive as the DLCs so far, but is below the cost of the base game.
  • The release date is September 15
  • There will indeed be three new subclasses with the following super abilities: for the Hunter a gravity bow, for the Titan a flaming hammer, for the Warlock an electric storm – meaning the new subclasses revolve around the still missing elements
  • There will be new strikes and PvP maps again
  • And the raid will lead against Oryx, Crota’s father, who has gathered a group of villains known as the “Taken.” Crota was the raid boss of the DLC “Darkness Awaits”
Destiny Dark Artwork

Kotaku tried to get Bungie to confirm the story. However, they said nothing and referred to E3. This will take place next week in Los Angeles. Bungie has already announced that they want to showcase new things about Destiny here.

Due to the glance at a Red Bull carton, many suspect that the next expansion will be called “The Taken King.” At the moment, however, very little is officially known about it. It is only known that Bungie is planning a “major expansion” for the fall. And that’s really about all that is officially known.

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

New game mode for HearthStone?

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Last night, a small image was published on the official Twitter account of HearthStone that has since caused a stir. The typical main menu of the card game is shown, but a new, fourth menu item is being activated. This has created a lot of material for speculation from Blizzard!

Hearthstone Menu

The Wildest Theories

Of course, everyone immediately has their own idea of what could be hidden behind the new menu item. Looking at the previous items, it seems very likely that it will be a completely new game mode. Many players hope for the “2vs2” mode that was brought up a long time ago, however, the German HearthStone Facebook page clarified that there are currently “no plans for a Co-Op mode.”

Hearthstone Tournament Mode
A bug in Hearthstone already allowed some players to see this screen. The suspicion: A tournament mode.

This strengthens the suspicion that it is the long-awaited “Tournament Mode“. Players could hold tournaments with their friends and acquaintances without having to rely on detours such as website registrations and “proof screenshots”. Another possibility would be the introduction of achievements, which many players have also been wishing for a long time – however, using one of the “big” menu items for this seems somewhat far-fetched. Perhaps E3 will bring us certainty!

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Source(s):
  1. Heartpwn

Destiny: Delicious, completely unconfirmed rumors about the next expansion

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

For the MMO shooter Destiny, the next expansion is coming. There are already some rumors about what it might be and when it will arrive.

Next week we will likely know more. Then Bungie wants to present something at E3 . A look at a soda box seems to already hint pretty strongly that the expansion will be called “The Taken King”.

Destiny-Red-Bull-Promo

Now a user has appeared on reddit. He claims to have more information from an anonymous source. And it is just little enough and it sounds reasonable enough to be plausible. Additionally, the user apparently showed moderators on reddit some images. They say the images look “legit”, so credible.

The user says:

  • There will be an announcement trailer for “The Taken King” at E3
  • The release of the expansion is set for September 15
  • There will be 3 new subclasses: Void for Hunters, Solar for Titans, and Arc for Warlocks
  • He knows more details, but the source asked him to keep them confidential
Destiny-Concept-Art-Tank

Mein MMO says: Yeah, all plausible. What else should Bungie present at E3? September 15 is “relatively early,” because “House of Wolves” came so late, but it would be 1 year after release and therefore certainly reasonable. Furthermore, Bungie cannot afford to delay the expansion until December if they present it in mid-June.

Moreover, it currently doesn’t look like “House of Wolves” will last long. Guardians are just getting loot too quickly. The three new subclasses are also completely “logical.” This has already been discussed, and more or less they said: Yeah … it’s already something.

Destiny-Concept-Art-Giant-Frog

There are many more speculations about the next expansion, which was once called “Comet”. It was discussed that the base level would be raised significantly, a Hive spaceship would be brought as a new zone, new weapon classes would be introduced, and significantly more missions than were included in the DLCs. These infos are however three-quarters of a year old and are now considered outdated. But even back then, “Comet” was estimated to be released in September and the new subclasses were mentioned.

As mentioned: This is all still far from official at the moment. It just seems plausible. Maybe there will even be new game content related to the queen by September. Last Tuesday, a “new,” small mission unexpectedly appeared.

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

The Elder Scrolls Online: Is a transfer from PC to Xbox One or PS4 still possible? [Spoiler: No]

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the fantasy MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online, players were able to transfer their characters and the game itself from the PC version to the console version of PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. However, this is subject to strict limitations.

With trailers, streams, press releases, and advertisements, the console launch of The Elder Scrolls Online on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is currently being promoted. Many players who played on PC a year ago are now recalling the game they had long since forgotten. And they remember a promise: “There was something.”

Unethical offer at The Elder Scrolls Online has already expired

And indeed: A year ago, when it became clear that the console version would be significantly delayed, Zenimax promised that PC players could convert their PC-TESO into a console-TESO for a small fee and would still be able to carry over their character as well. An offer that some presumably took advantage of back then. But players who are only now thinking about taking advantage of it are out of luck.

The deadline for that has already expired a month ago and now, just before the console launch, it is no longer possible to transfer to PC. The offer was only temporary. In the future, it is also not planned for something like that to come back.

The Elder Scrolls Online Reborn

And consumer protection greets forever

Frustrating for some players who are only now remembering, becoming interested in TESO, and had completely forgotten the game in the meantime. They feel cheated; after all, something completely different was promised to them a year ago, they say.

TESO - Tamriel Unlimited - The Elder Scrolls Online

In forum threads old statements from Zenimax are being dug up, threats of consumer protection are being made, and refunds are being demanded. They only bought TESO a year ago because they wanted to play it on console later and only planned to engage with the game again at that time. There was never any talk of a deadline. And now it is supposed to be too late? Besides, a time window of only 30 days is outrageous, the notification email landed in the spam filter, and so on.

Much reminds again of the early days of TESO. It was turbulent back then too. At that time, some complained that they did not know, they needed a valid payment option to play The Elder Scrolls Online.

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

H1Z1: What the survival MMO plans for June – Kalashnikovs and RPG elements

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

Development is progressing in the MMO survival game H1Z1. In June, players can expect RPG elements, AK-47s, and enhanced group features.

The good thing about an early access game is that you really get patches that change more than just a few minor things. The development pace is high; you can watch H1Z1 grow month by month.

The patch date has been set for Tuesday, allowing developers to react if something goes wrong. And now, at the beginning of June, the plans for the next 4 patch days are confirmed. Here’s what players can expect:

  • Tomorrow, on June 9th, changes will be made to the roofs of the foundations, and the content of the “Marauder Crate” will change, as well as items in the game will show wear and tear and gradually break down.
  • On June 16th, the Kalashnikov, the AK-47, will be newly introduced to the game. Additionally, players should be able to form groups in the lobby and join a server together. There will be watchtowers and walkie-talkies, as well as a leaderboard for the Battle Royale, the most popular mode in H1Z1 so far. Later, the leaderboard is expected to become even more important. “Seasons” are planned to be introduced, emphasizing this competitive aspect more strongly.
H1Z1
  • On June 23rd, a major change for the map will be released. 4 military bases are planned to be added. Additionally, the “Team” battle royales will start. Pre-made teams of 2-5 survivors can participate.
  • And on June 30th, a “role-playing element” will be introduced. Players will then be able to specify during character creation what job their survivor had before the whole Z situation started. Depending on the job they choose retrospectively, they will receive specific bonuses.

You can find more about the constantly evolving zombie spectacle on our H1Z1 topic page.

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

Guild Wars 2: Revenant – the class for all occasions, will also be able to heal

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the fantasy MMORPG Guild Wars 2 , the new class Revenant takes on ever new roles. Thanks to the third legend, the centaur Ventari, and the staff, it will also be able to heal.

Guild-Wars-2--Revenant-Staff

With Heart of Thorns, Guild Wars 2 will receive a new class. It gradually reveals itself to be a jack of all trades, into which many design ideas seem to have flowed. The Revenant, for example, uses a hammer not as a melee weapon, but as a ranged tool, and it can channel “legends.” These are currently characters from the first Guild Wars. Thus, it can “transform” into the demon Mallyx as well as the dwarven king Jalis Ironhammer, acquiring new abilities and different playstyles that correspond to specific weapons that it also interprets in its own unique way.

With the staff, the Revenant becomes a kind of Mistweaver Monk like in WoW

The third legend introduced is the peaceful centaur Ventari, and the weapon is the “staff.” When the Revenant takes up the staff, it becomes a kind of “battle healer,” like the Mistweaver Monk in World of Warcraft. While it is primarily a melee fighter, its attacks also produce supportive effects.

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When the Revenant shifts into centaur form, a tablet becomes the “focus” of its abilities. Through it, the Revenant can evoke supportive and healing effects for its allies within a certain radius, push back enemies, and create a barrier.

It seems that Guild Wars 2 is coming up with quite a bit for the Revenant. One can be curious to see how the class ultimately plays in Heart of Thorns and whether it will have to pay a so-called “hybrid tax” for all these abilities. This is what MMORPG jargon calls it when classes must pay with a few percentage points of reduced effectiveness in each area for their versatility, so that classes that can only do one thing also have a justification.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. GW2 Revenenant
  2. Dulfy

The Elder Scrolls Online: When does TESO start on Playstation 4 and XBox One?

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

The fantasy MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited launches on the night of June 8th to 9th on consoles. But when exactly?

Tonight it is finally happening. After a year of delay, The Elder Scrolls Online launches on current-gen consoles PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

When does The Elder Scrolls Online launch on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Germany?

Many are asking: When does it actually start? When can I play The Elder Scrolls Online? When do the servers open?

Here in Germany, it should be at 12:00 AM, at midnight. On the night from Monday, June 8th, to Tuesday, June 9th.

TESO Mask of Cheerful Slaughter

Players from other countries will still have to wait in part. In England, players can access the console servers only an hour later, and in the USA even only a few hours later. With such a “staggered launch,” they aim to avoid a massive server influx and related issues.

As always with something like this: “That’s the plan. Reality can be different.” The last time they opened the gates for the surging player masses even before the actual date. This is probably not to be expected today.

TESO is now too big for a Blu-ray

By the way, playing requires not just an installation of the 40 GB “base game,” but also a Day One patch of over 15 GB. The problem is that TESO has grown so large that the entire game simply doesn’t fit on a Blu-ray anymore.

TESO Church

Digital pre-order customers had the opportunity since the weekend to download a total of 55 gigabytes. Players switching from PC to console will not receive the necessary code to start downloading the new version until later today.

Beta players need to be careful if they think: “Well, I still have 55 GB of TESO from the beta; that should be enough.” That is not the case: These players also need to completely download The Elder Scrolls Online again if they want to play it on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One right at midnight.

Update 8:00 PM: It looks like players with a physical version of TESO can already access the servers now.

Anyone still waiting for their transfer code from PC to console should check their invoice history.

Tips for character creation and why you should take your time with it even at midnight: Character Creation and Name Generator – A Good Hero Takes Time

And here is the official console demo: Check out the official console demo for PS4 and Xbox One

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

Destiny: Thorn is the new queen in PvP and man, the Guardians hate her …

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny the hand cannon Thorn has risen to the new dominant weapon in the Crucible.

It used to be said: “Either you take an auto rifle or you’re doing it wrong.” For a long time, the SUROS Regime, an exotic auto rifle, was considered the uncrowned queen in the Crucible of Destiny. However, that has changed in recent months with some buffs and nerfs. Now it seems that there is a new best weapon in the Crucible of Destiny.

At first, people thought that shotguns would become the new dominant weapons. Then a particularly strong one, “Felwinter’s Lie,” from the Iron Banner caused a furore thanks to an incredibly strong combination of perks.

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The Thorn kills slowly…

But after a nerf to special ammo it seems now that one of the “old” loot exotic weapons is rising to unprecedented popularity and hated: The Thorn. The tricky thing about the hand cannon is the “damage over time” effect.

While in normal firefights one player bites the dust and the other retreats to regenerate, the Thorn also forces a victorious player into defense, the damage “ticks” over time, applying pressure and extending the regeneration pause. Oftentimes, it’s already too late by then. And not only in duels is the Thorn nasty; even a grazing shot can take the hit player out of the game for valuable seconds, giving opponents an advantage. Especially when they play tactically and as a team, like in the new PvP mode Trials of Osiris.

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Moreover, the ticking damage reveals to the opponents where the player is currently trying to heal up. And the other attributes of the Thorn are by no means bad, making it an easy-to-use, nasty little killing machine.

Unlike other items, you don’t even need much luck for it, just diligence. It is a “loot” exotic that frequent players have worked for over the months and are now pulling out of the vault again.

How to get the hand cannon Thorn:

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Trials of Thornsiris in Destiny

In a scorching report on Kotaku, the Thorn is dissected: In the Trials of Osiris it is seen constantly, it is said. The author himself refers to the new PvP event as Trials of “Thornsiris.” When facing 3 players, at least two have the Thorn. And when a weapon is that present, it is a sure sign that it should be nerfed. Numerous threads on reddit and other social networks where people talk and complain about the Thorn seem to support this argumentation.

What do you think? Is the Thorn too strong, should it be nerfed? Or is it just a matter of time until a new exotic weapon causes a stir? Do you play with the Thorn yourself? What are your experiences?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. kotaku
  2. BildQuelle Titel

The Elder Scrolls Online: “Worst Advertising of All Time”

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

An advertisement clip for The Elder Scrolls Online is being heavily discussed by fans. Four actors are supposed to portray a normal “The Elder Scrolls Online” group. Gamers do not feel well represented by them.

The “Tony” advertisement clip has sparked fierce discussions among The Elder Scrolls Online players on reddit. Some consider it to be the “worst advertisement of all time,” as it all seems too staged, too clean, too “Yay! We play video games!” Nobody talks like that in voice chat. If someone messes up, it is a very different scenario, and definitely not family-friendly. Many say they felt embarrassed watching the spot, as everything seemed too contrived.

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Others defend the spot, arguing that it would be hard to show “real voice chat,” as that might scare people away. Zenimax aims to appeal to “Destiny players” with the advertisement and show them this sense of online camaraderie and banter, trying to lure them to The Elder Scrolls Online. The clip presents TESO better than previous trailers, also showcasing activities outside of battles.

What do you think of the advertisement?

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Source(s):
  1. Reddit

Black Desert is about to be released, focusing on a mega-server, viewed with skepticism

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

The Korean sandbox MMORPG Black Desert is about to be released in Korea.

Officially, Black Desert is still currently in an open beta, although the game has been generating substantial revenue for half a year. But soon, still in June, it is expected to transition from open beta to a “Now we are really out” state.

As the Asian MMO specialist Steparu reports, they will indeed launch with a single mega server as previously planned. To ensure constant action, the servers will be merged.

PvP gameplay with slight Pay2Win elements and stunning graphics

Steparu provides a rather critical assessment of the current state of Black Desert, which is only available in a Korean version so far. The game is highly PvP-focused, with very little to do in PvE. Additionally, the enchanting system now features “Pay2Win” elements.

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Players can buy items in the cash shop, dismantle them, and obtain materials needed for upgrades. Moreover, the class balance in the game is terrible. Nevertheless, Steparu still enjoys the game, especially the guild versus guild battles, the large-scale PvP.

Black Desert will be adapted for the West

It is assumed that when Black Desert is released in Russia and Europe, the game will focus on different aspects to cater to local markets. However, there are no exact details yet. Among the fans, there is hope that the publisher Daum knows that a game designed for the Korean market (casual, PvP, Pay2Win) cannot function in the West.

Black Desert Desert Landscape

Currently, the hype generated by the trailers and graphics in 2014 has noticeably faded. Many see Black Desert as a second ArcheAge – although with significantly better graphics.

For those who want to learn more about Black Desert, we recommend our preview: Preview: If ArcheAge and Tera had a child …

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Source(s):
  1. Steparu

CCP, maker of EVE Online, again registers revenue loss

Nico Saborowski Nico Saborowski Reading time 2 minutes

The Financial Report 2014 from CCP looks anything but rosy. The company CCP keeps the EVE Online universe running. In 2014, it struggled with a revenue loss of 10.6 percent to 68.6 million US dollars. What is the reason for this?

EVE Online could be better, but brings losses

It’s been a long time since exact player numbers of EVE Online were reported by the Icelandic game developer CCP. There are indications that today rarely up to 50,000+ players are online. A few years ago, this was still regular.

CCP Games

However, EVE Online is not the only problem child; on the contrary: According to the assessment of a blogger who has been dealing with CCP’s financial reports for years, the revenues are at least to be considered solid or even good. Although development costs have risen due to faster content supply, the losses are attributed to other games.

DUST 514, the free console shooter linked with New Eden, led to write-offs after a detailed analysis of the CCP Financial Report 2014. Additionally, the canceled MMO World of Darkness is still being dealt with due to restructuring. The studio responsible for it had to close last year. This already led to revenue losses at CCP in the first half of 2014. Throughout the whole year, Dust and World of Darkness reportedly caused 30 million dollars in costs.

One can only hope that CCP manages to turn things around and that there are no further losses in the coming years. The developer studio is focusing on the future primarily on virtual reality, into which it has been investing heavily for years. If all goes well, it could establish itself as a pioneer here and celebrate a successful comeback. First footage from EVE: Valkyrie looks promising.

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Source(s):
  1. marketsforisk.blogspot.de
  2. massivelyop.com

Destiny: About the Widow’s Court on Mercury – Tips for Trials of Osiris

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny this weekend until Tuesday, June 9th, the PvP event Trials of Osiris is active. The new “House of Wolves” map Widow’s Court will be played. We have tips for you on how to get from Widow’s Court to Mercury.

The maps in the Trials of Osiris change and present well-rehearsed teams with new challenges weekly. This week, the Trials of Osiris lead to the new map “Widow’s Court”, which was only released with House of Wolves.

Widow’s Court looks a bit like a bombed-out French village from World War II, so a typical shooter map, only that here Guardians duel instead of soldiers and have futuristic weapons and “Space Magic”.

We consulted the German-speaking YouTuber Nexxoss again, who explains the map for you:

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It is a long-range map, but not exclusively. While scout and sniper rifles are in vogue again this week, short and medium-range solutions such as shotguns, pistols, or hand cannons can also lead to success. It is not a symmetrical map; rather, it is significantly easier to play from above.

Widow's Court Destiny
This map was created by the Redditor knightsmarian.

In addition to specific tips for Widow’s Court, the video also provides valuable advice on general gameplay. Reviving your teammates has the highest priority. And there are little tricks to remember.

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If a team has won 3 times, the heavy ammo crate will appear in the next round. From the fourth round onwards, one must keep in mind that opponents may already present their super abilities. Those who do not heed this may experience a nasty surprise:

Tip from Nexxos to finish: Even if you have won, you can still grab special ammo and take an advantage into the next round.

Otherwise, it’s important: Communicate with each other, synchronize your tactics. In the Trials of Osiris, it is not the better players who win, but the better team.

For more about the Trials of Osiris, what you need to do to make it to Mercury and what awaits you there, read this article: How Trials of Osiris works – Rewards, ranks, Lighthouse

And remember, better not cheat: Bungie takes action, bans in Trials of Osiris

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

The Elder Scrolls Online: Character Creation and Name Generator – A Good Hero Takes Time

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the fantasy MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online, creating a new hero offers a variety of possibilities. Even celebrities like the Witcher end up in Tamriel.

With the console launch of The Elder Scrolls Online, many new heroes will once again be born. Character creation in The Elder Scrolls Online often provides amazing opportunities. At launch, this attracted quite a bit of ridicule. An satirical site even joked that one must pay attention to genetics during character creation.

However, the detail obsession of character creation is not a nuisance, but allows players to accurately design their alter ego according to their own ideas. Even Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher III can be brought to Tamriel, as you can see in the title image by reddit user Neizir. But that takes time.

And players should take their time for character creation. Because at the moment, the decisions are final: A “barber” that is supposed to change this later is not yet in the game.

In the trailer just before the PC release, Zenimax showcased character creation and what they had in mind:

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The rush to finally start the game and complete the first quests before others, before the onslaught, was the downfall of many at the PC launch 14 months ago. Because at that time, the first character had a bug that made zooming in on individual body parts impossible, so players had to live with “not entirely perfect” characters. Since in TESO you spend an extremely long time with just one character and accompany that character to the maximum level and far beyond: A nuisance for many.

Character naming also caused chaos back then. The “favorite name” that fits the race is often already taken, requiring last-minute improvisation. This name generator for various races in The Elder Scrolls Online might help you.

And this is what character creation looked like on the Playstation 4 during the closed beta:

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Defiance: MMO shooter continues towards expeditions, while season 3 is airing on TV

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

The Free2Play MMO shooter Defiance has found enjoyment in the new expeditions and wants to further expand them.

In a short interview with the US site Massively Overpowered, the producer of Defiance, Carble Cheung, revealed some of the plans for the shooter on PC, PS3, and XBox360. In the USA, the third season of the TV series Defiance starts next week. Here, they are looking forward to new collaborations and experiments. One of the player characters from their game made it into the second season of the show, and for those following the series, they often notice little details that only those who also play Defiance can recognize.

Defiance motorcycles

Next expedition comes in early July

In the game itself, they want to continue following the direction taken with Alcatraz. The “Horde Mode”-like expeditions are set to receive expansion with a new Dark Matter expedition in early July.

Additionally, there will likely soon be roaming bosses and improvements in PvP.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Defiance QA
  2. MO

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Review

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 14 minutes

In the last few days, there hasn’t been much read, seen, or heard from me. What is the reason for that? Of course, it’s “Witcher 3”. I thought it would be a good idea to write a test again, and a little role-playing snack in between can’t hurt, right?

The Entry into the Game World

My name is Geralt, I know nothing…

To start with, I’m going to make myself unpopular: I have not played through Witcher 1 or 2 and have not read any of the books, even though I was strongly recommended to do so. The simple truth is that neither of the games was able to captivate me in the first few hours, which is why my interest in the books was rather low. As a result, I may not have understood every reference to Geralt’s past and had to personally get to know some of the “known” characters.

Witcher 3 Search for Ciri
In search of Ciri, we examine every clue – even severed horse heads.

The Hunt for Ciri

Witcher 3 Bath
Even Witchers need to relax.

Despite my ignorance, the first hour of the game manages to familiarize me with the most important characters and directly build a connection. While Geralt relaxes in the bathtub, a black-haired beauty lies a few meters away on a lounge chair, reading a book – completely naked. This immediately makes clear what kind of relationship the two have. During the tutorial, I then meet the girl Ciri, who is somewhat of a daughter figure for Geralt – they train together and fool around a lot. Then the world goes black.

Everything before was probably just a dream. Several years have passed since then, and Geralt is searching for Ciri with his loyal Witcher colleague, combing the land for clues.

Open World

One more revelation upfront: I didn’t like Skyrim because of the “Open World” component. The world felt too vast for me, and it didn’t motivate me to turn over every stone twice or ride aimlessly into the wilderness. Was it different with Witcher?

Much to Discover

Witcher 3 Map
Every marker on the map is a special event.

Even though it’s a phrase that one reads about every game these days: The world of Witcher 3 is packed with things to discover. A small example: In a village, I receive the task of searching for the missing son of an old woman, who hasn’t returned from an outing in the woods. So, I set off, find a corpse with a letter. Only by actually reading the letter do I learn of a hiding place where treasures are stored. So, I interrupt my search for the son, follow the treasure map, and stumble upon a cave infested with monsters. In said cave, I find not only the treasure but also another letter and a key. To cut a long story short: It took nearly two hours (and several game days) before I found the son. Exploring the world is fun, and despite the many discoveries, it doesn’t feel overcrowded, especially since you can cover large distances on horseback.

A Danger Around Every Corner

Witcher 3 Crones of the wood
You encounter these three lovely ladies quite early – and they even have an interest in Geralt…

With the “Open World” come some difficulties that MMO players will still need to get used to. Just because an area is technically the “starting area” doesn’t mean that the dangers are limited. If you indulge your exploratory instincts too often, Geralt, at level 5, might easily stumble upon a huge stone golem that is 10 levels stronger and can take him out with a single blow. This naturally leads to a multitude of dangerous situations and creates incentives to revisit familiar places later in the game to find out what the huge gargoyle or the horde of drowners are guarding. Game mechanics-wise, this is a bit of a dampener, as it takes longer to “fully” complete areas. On the other hand, this is also an expression of the world’s seriousness – why should the creatures be weak “just” because Geralt starts there?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
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Marvel Heroes 2015: Action-MMO does a lot for you to really love it

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

The action MMO Marvel Heroes 2015 celebrates its second anniversary with gifts for players – for a whole month, there are heroes, pets, and bonuses.

June is a birthday month for Marvel Heroes 2015, and they want to make it as busy as possible. In the superhero universe of “Marvel”, there’s a lot going on aside from the movies. There’s another big event in the comic books to bring together all these various universes and storylines: complicated stuff that the action MMO also takes into account. But back to the birthday.

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In the first week of the birthday event, the new hero is Dr. Doom. The nemesis of the Fantastic Four has become one of the most interesting and popular characters in the Marvel universe.

In week two, players get a hero of their choice for free. And this continues throughout June: Week 3 gives away a pet, and in week 4 there’s an event, plus special bonuses are active all month long.

There is a Marvel world besides the movies ...
There is a Marvel world besides the movies …

Marvel Heroes 2015 belongs to a new generation of action MMOs: The new generation of action RPGs: Is it still hack’n’slay or already MMO?

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Source(s):
  1. Marvel Heroes Forum
  2. MO

Heroes of the Storm: The Summer of Diablo

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MOBA Heroes of the Storm, the upcoming months will be marked by the Diablo franchise. The new heroine “Johanna” is said to be just the beginning.

HotS-Johanna
Was just the beginning …

The US magazine Polygon reports on a press event by Blizzard. They present “Eternal Conflict”, the Diablo months in Heroes of the Storm. These will bring new heroes, a new map, and new events. All of them will revolve around the hack-and-slash franchise, which is still relevant today thanks to Diablo 3.

Diablo is said to be the beginning of such “themed months”, and one could also well imagine doing this for Warcraft or Starcraft. Then the battles of Heroes of the Storm could rage through Orgrimmar or across the surface of the planet Korhal.

The event starts on June 30. A week earlier, Blizzard also wants to provide a test server for HotS.

Heroes-of-the-Storm-Eternal-Conflict

The new map in Heroes of the Storm: Battling with the Immortals

The new Diablo map has been anticipated for some time. Half of it will be dominated by demons, the other half by angels and their typical motifs.

In the center of the map, two powerful creatures, Immortals, will appear at regular intervals to fight each other. Depending on whether and how the heroes intervene in the battle, it will be decided who wins. The victorious Immortal will aid one team, go to a lane, and attack the opposing territory.

Blizzard states that the map will be very tight and that players could quickly switch between different tactics. This promises an intense gaming experience.

Butcher-Heroes-of-the-Storm

The new “hero” for Heroes of the Storm: Butcher

From the Diablo franchise comes a new playable hero, the “Butcher”. Blizzard aims to increase the frequency here, introducing a new one every 3 weeks.

The Butcher is intended to be a hero of medium difficulty. He can increase his damage by walking through the blood drops of killed enemies or minions; slow down his opponents with a snare, mark them to steal health points, regenerate himself, and charge at opponents, stunning them for a short time.

As ultimates, he has an AoE attack and alternatively a crowd-control effect that chains the opponents.

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While the upcoming months will mainly focus on in-game events (including special offers) for Diablo, it could still happen that a hero from another franchise finds his way through the Nexus and thus to Heroes of the Storm, as stated by Blizzard.

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Source(s):
  1. Polygon

Overwatch: A Dwarf Turns Up

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time < 1 minutes

In the latest gameplay video of Blizzard’s upcoming shooter “Overwatch“, it revolves around the eager yet kind-hearted dwarf Torbjörn Lindholm, who is primarily known on the battlefield for his ability to set up turrets.

The Junker on a World Tour

Torbjörn uses his weapon, the rivet gun, to shoot small projectiles made of molten iron at his enemies. His true talent comes into play with the “Forge Hammer”. This can be used to build, upgrade, and repair turrets or to show enemies up close what the hammer is capable of.

Overwatch turret

Torbjörn has a unique resource, namely scrap. He collects this from defeated enemies and can use it to upgrade his personal turret. This does take some time, but it gives the stationary gun a second barrel (level 2) or even a rocket launcher (level 3). Alternatively, the scrap can also be used to activate the ability “Armor Pack”. The dwarf then drops a small power-up that grants the first teammate who picks it up (including Torbjörn) 75 extra armor points.

His ultimate ability “Molten Core” overheats the mobile forge and grants him a high armor value as well as plenty of scrap. In addition, all actions (shooting, building turrets, repairing) are performed faster; a typical Blizzard dwarf “Avatar” mode, indeed.

How the little engineer plays and why he forgets how many kills he actually has in true “Lord of the Rings” style, you can see for yourself:

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Destiny: Bungie takes action, banning players in the Trials of Osiris

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny , the developers have now followed through on their threats and excluded some spectators and cheaters from the Trials of Osiris.

Warnings against Cheaters …

Already two weeks ago, “cheaters” were warned in Destiny: They see everything. This particularly referred to “lag-switchers” and “forced-booters” who made themselves invulnerable or could kick their opponents from the match. They were penalized with punishments up to a complete ban from Destiny, as Bungie later announced.

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… and against Spectators …

Last week, another strange behavior was noticed among some participants. Players would observe their opponents in the Trials of Osiris before the match started and then flee if they didn’t like the opposing team, without taking a defeat.

Particularly fearsome teams marched more or less unopposed into Mercury. Mercury is the “promised land of the elite” in the Trials of Osiris. You must earn 9 victories without taking a defeat to belong to the club of the chosen and to obtain the coveted chests.

This cowardly behavior will not be tolerated, it was later stated in the Weekly Update. In Destiny, there is a rule: Everyone must fight. Anyone who tries to circumvent this will have to expect penalties.

Destiny-Ban

… result in Bans in Destiny

And it looks like Bungie means serious business. Reports are increasing that players are being punished with small bans left and right or are temporarily excluded from the Crucible. The exact numbers are unknown; there are numerous reports on social media and reddit.

For example, players are excluded from PvP and referred to a website. There they can read how to be a good Guardian. According to this page, there is no way to appeal against temporary or permanent bans or against being excluded from certain activities.

Apparently, Bungie is taking a harsher approach in PvP. A severe exploit in PvE concerning the raid boss Crota has, to our knowledge, gone unpunished.

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Source(s):
  1. reddit