TESO: The Blacksmithing in the Developer Video and More!

One of the trendiest professions in Tamriel: Blacksmithing

“There are countless development opportunities for enthusiastic craftsmen in ESO.”

Indeed, this is how the latest post begins at The Elder Scrolls Online. Admittedly, this is a bit presumptuous, but nevertheless crafting in TESO actually seems interesting and since there will likely be no regular auction house as we know it from other online games for the foreseeable future, I am curious how sought-after items can be sold profitably (Keyword: Trade Guilds?). Also – and this has thankfully been adopted from the series – every character should be able to perform any profession (at least this was the case in the beta). You can farm all materials and skill every profession. Whether this can be maximized to the absolute limit and whether it makes sense within a guild, that remains to be seen. Based on the current experience, one can probably manage quite well alone as a “hardcore player.” For those with less time who don’t want to constantly stuff their pockets with materials that they can only process tediously, it might be more advisable to join some kind of trade association. 😉

Blacksmithing TESO

Of trained eyes, special workshops, and craft experts

Be that as it may, in the likely first detailed video about the crafting skills, the creators of The Elder Scrolls Online introduce us to the forging of weapons and armor made of metal. You will learn a bit more about the individual skill options like “Trained Eye” and get a brief explanation of what a “Workshop” is – there you should be able to craft special Set Items. By the way, such places are a reason why it’s worth traveling off the quest paths in Tamriel and taking a look in every corner. Little anecdote: Actually, I stumbled upon such a “Workshop” in the beta without the knowledge that special items could be crafted here. Well, learned something new! 😀

And off we go: If you destroy items with special properties, such as (probably) also things that you have crafted in one of these workshops, you can learn to craft armor or weapons with these special skills. In this way, you can become true experts in specific fields. Imagine being one of the “few” who can craft almost every type of sword. With that, you could become sought-after virtual craftsmen all over Tamriel. Well, let’s see how things develop over time.

Workshop

So, that’s enough. If you haven’t watched the video yet, take a look and otherwise let’s wait together for the next crafting video, which we will of course draw your attention to again on Mein MMO.

A little tip: If you’re not great with English, you can click on the letter-like symbol in the bottom right of the video. That stands for subtitles, in case they aren’t already displayed. 🙂

Oh, you know what? Since I am being so generous with foreign video material, have a look at this daring thesis: “The Elder Scrolls Online will destroy World of Warcraft!” One might almost say: WoW! Here are the staggering 21 reasons why this might be the case, as “EE-Gaming” claims:

[intense_video video_type=”youtube” video_url=”http://youtu.be/foP3CnK2MI8″ video_size=”auto” /]

Guys, if you need something to discuss on Facebook and Co. and feel like a bit of provocation, then share our post! We are – even though the claims are somewhat older – curious to see what will come of it. 😀

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

WildStar – The Adventures Draw Near!

After last week’s trailer for the adventures in WildStar was released, Carbine goes into more detail and publishes a new “DevSpeak” video as well as a completely new page on this topic.

According to this information, there will be 6 different adventures at the launch of the game, all of which will have both a normal and an advanced mode – thus, one will still have fun with this content even at maximum level. As a reward, titles, equipment items, and of course the adventure itself await, which is never supposed to be played the same way.

Furthermore, over 40,000 beta keys have been distributed to lucky winners this upcoming weekend, who will get to soar to Nexus for three days – a sure sign that the NDA will be lifted soon and more detailed reporting will be possible.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

Additionally, today on the official site, an article titled “What are WildStar adventures” has been published, which reveals further information.

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

WoW – Level Up at Cash Register 3, please.

After today’s maintenance work, some players experienced a display error and were consequently able to see the announced payment service in the in-game shop of World of Warcraft: the boost to level 90. If nothing changes, the price for the immediate rise to level 90 is a hefty $60, which is approximately €45.

With the announcement of “Warlords of Draenor“, this service was discussed. Every player receives a character at level 90 for free with the purchase of the expansion, allowing them to dive right into the action.

It remains to be seen whether this price is final, as it is significantly higher than the cost of the actual expansion, which typically only amounts to €30-40 – thus, it would be cheaper to simply buy additional versions of “Warlords of Draenor” – a price reduction of the service is therefore likely.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Everquest Next Landmark: In eight weeks one will finally be able to die!

The alpha of Everquest Next Landmark has been running for a while now. The Chief Developer of Sony Online Entertainment, Dave Gregson, has now presented the roadmap for the coming months in the official forum of Everquest Next.

In Phase One, which will cover the next four weeks, the focus will primarily be on improving gameplay comfort. The developers want to make it easier for players to build and communicate with each other through chat channels. Additionally, the world is expected to grow and expand further.

SOE particularly values the “togetherness” at Everquest Next Landmark. Many of the features are designed to ensure that players can realize larger projects together and do not feel like they are in constant competition for space and resources with other players.

The predictions for the second and third phases are still quite vague. In the second phase, the combat system is to be further developed. Players will finally be able to die (Yay!). But don’t worry, the resurrection system will naturally be introduced as well (hopefully at the same time). Additionally, during this phase, significant adjustments will be made to the crafting system, the world will continue to grow, and new gameplay mechanics will be introduced.

For example, in the second phase, there will also be loot for expanding caves. The second phase will be rolled out all at once in about eight weeks.
Everything beyond this second phase is presently summarized by SOE in the rather nebulous block “third phase”.

Important for players: Depending on when a phase is completed, it may well be possible that SOE will transition from alpha to a closed beta. Although the information on this is not exactly water-tight, with a bit of goodwill and imagination, one can read between the lines something like:  “If everything goes well, we can start the closed beta in 2-3 months.”

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. EQNL Roadmap

Camelot Unchained: Defeat four enemies, grow two centimeters!

The fantasy MMORPG Camelot Unchained is considered one of the hottest projects for the coming years. It was made possible through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. There, the project, which sees itself in the tradition of Dark Age of Camelot, raised over 2.2 million US dollars. At the moment, chief developer Mark Jacobs is giving genre fans excitement with regular previews and blogs. In the latest blog, he revives one of the most fascinating ideas from Warhammer Online.

In the current developer diary Piercing the Veil #6, Jacobs addresses an idea that was on the back burner for a long time in Warhammer Online but was never realized. Wouldn’t it be great if the characters experienced model changes as they succeed and age in the game? In Warhammer, it was once planned that Orcs – as in the source material – would continue to grow as long as they defeated more enemies. A great idea that unfortunately was never realized for technical reasons.

Mark Jacobs was thus astonished when his idea was met with open ears during a brainstorming session with the technicians. Apparently, they just nodded and said it could be done. However, not all classes are supposed to be affected by the aging and growth processes. Mark Jacobs mentioned that certain races like the Dvegr would petrify as they gain power or that the tails of the Hamadryads would continue to grow.

What is Camelot Unchained

The fantasy MMORPG Camelot Unchained will surely remain in the development pipeline for a while. At the moment, everything points to it developing into a niche PvP game. Jacobs is not in favor of planning another theme park sandbox MMORPG (as they are currently in development with Wildstar and Everquest Next), but wants to provide a home for a fan community that comes from Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online. His goal is to create challenging and strategically exciting PvP.

Among the most interesting announcements of the game at the moment are the possibility to level solely through PvP; a complex housing and crafting system that allows players to create houses, mines, and other items themselves, and a pure crafter class.

We will certainly keep you updated on how the exciting MMORPG Camelot Unchained develops from our perspective in the future, even though it is still in its infancy at the moment.

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

Defiance – Comprehensive Introduction to the MMOTPS!

The teaser is a small taste of the “things” that will come even thicker in Defiance. 😉

Five Let’s Plays introduce you to the essential components of the online game

We have already introduced Defiance in a few posts and also pointed out the further development of the MMOTPS. Next week, the third DLC for the first season will already start, which we are looking forward to and are curious about how the new features of the 7th Legion will play out. Changes will occur, as we reported, for those who do not want to buy the new DLC (e.g. improved chat system), as well as for those who are eagerly awaiting it. However, aside from that, this post aims to provide a more comprehensive introduction to the game itself. With five Let’s Plays, we want to introduce you to Defiance in more detail and highlight some aspects. This should be particularly interesting for anyone looking for a new MMO shooter for casual play and who enjoys a post-apocalyptic scenario.

Before we dive into the four new Let’s Plays, here’s our first video about the MMOTPS that seamlessly connects to the others. As a reminder: In the first part, you will learn everything about getting started in the game, the complete character creation, and much more. We also go through the starting area with you. If you already know the video, you can just skip to the second part of our video introduction. 🙂

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content

The second video introduction: DLC equipment, perks, nano effects, and much more.

In the second part of our video introduction, we introduce you to the current DLC equipment (1st + 2nd DLC) as well as some alternative outfits from the shop. Is it worth buying from the Defiance shop? You will know more shortly. The weapons from the DLCs immediately allow for triggering nano effects from the start. We will explain what it’s all about. It’s also time to assign the first perk we unlocked in the starting area. What are perks and what should you consider when allocating them? Yes, yes, you’ll know shortly. 😀

In Defiance, equipment can be “disassembled” or “split“, meaning you destroy the respective item permanently and receive the so-called ark rating in return. WARNING: The “disassembly” should be approached with caution! Mark important items as favorites to avoid accidentally disassembling them.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the YouTube content

The third video introduction: Vehicles, data recorders, quest objectives, and more about game atmosphere

In the third part of our Let’s Play video introduction – shortly LPVE, ha ha, small joke 😀 – we first introduce you to the first vehicle we received from the first DLC. With the four-seater (yes, you can drive around with four people), we head directly to the first data recorder. What is a data recorder and why is it useful to find them? We will explain it to you! The benefits are: You can unlock additional equipment AND learn more about the story backgrounds. Save yourself expensive purchases in the Defiance shop and collect achievements instead – it’s fun, and the game remains free aside from the DLC expansions.

What can you actually buy with the Scrips, the in-game currency? For instance, find out where you can buy the matching headgear for the starting gear. We will also explain what Scrips are, what can be done with the ark rating, and what you need keycodes for. Check it out! 🙂

http://youtu.be/W9kFgCbCjtc

The fourth video introduction: Weapon and vehicle skills and the first main mission

In the fourth LPVE (muahaahaa), so video introduction, we show you the statistics display of the MMOTPS. Here you can see your weapon and vehicle skills. These can be increased by directly using a certain type of weapon or vehicle. Deal more damage with your favorite weapon or accelerate faster with your favorite vehicle (Roller, Runner, Cerberus).

Next, we’re off to the first real main mission. As an ark hunter, unfortunately, your client has gone missing. You need to find him again, but unfortunately, the guys from the “Earth Republic” will only cooperate if we help them master some missions. So let’s go! Let’s take out some snipers. Our attractive ark hunter receives help directly from other players, thus shortening the actual quest. Check it out!

“Shivani” will actually receive the first official vehicle, a Roller, which you can already drive without a DLC. Towards the end of the video, we’ll say a few words about the shields in the game.

http://youtu.be/Mt6xLqgtkB8

The fifth video introduction: Side missions, roller, map, and the first small archenfall

To conclude our rather extensive introduction, we show you in the fifth Let’s Play the first two side missions and the advantages of the roller that our pretty ark hunter just received. Also – what a coincidence – we directly get into a first very small archenfall, where we need to eliminate some Hellbugs.

Lastly, we introduce you to the map. Where are the merchants, what are main and side missions on the map, what’s up with the repeatable quests, and where can you find archenfalls as well as faction missions? We will show you, dive in!

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

So, I hope you enjoyed this little beginner’s introduction. If you feel like playing Defiance, just click the button on the right and off you go! For my part, I can particularly recommend the game as an alternative shooter for casual play. The graphics are nice, the atmosphere fits, the costs are low, the story interesting, and the game itself is fun. Also exciting is the combination of online game and TV series, which also exists to match the game and lets fans dive deeper into the post-apocalyptic scenario of Earth. Oh, you know what, here’s just a little bonus, the season recap of the first TV season:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

If you enjoyed the post, we’d be happy if you recommend it to your friends – you know, sharing is sexy! 🙂

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

TESO Press Review II: Epic PvP Fuels Hype!

Last week, we extensively reported on the first impressions of the German and international gaming press on the highly anticipated MMORPG hope The Elder Scrolls Online. Today, we want to dedicate ourselves to this task again. This time, we focus on PvP, which is certainly a knockout criterion for many gamers.

No other topic currently drives the MMORPG world as much as the planned release of The Elder Scrolls Online on April 4. The Facebook group around TESO is going crazy, fans are clamoring for another round of beta, teasers and first gameplay videos are achieving record clicks. In response to initial cautious criticism, the fans are not exactly composed. For many, it is clear: The Elder Scrolls Online will be the new top game, will be the next virtual home, it simply has to be!

The hype around TESO is enormous

It was to be expected that TESO would cause an incredible hype because the single-player franchise has garnered a loyal and almost fanatical following. However, the dimensions that the hype has now taken on are still surprising.

MMORPG hype

With all this hype, it’s no wonder that the gaming press is diving into TESO and eagerly absorbing every new piece of information. Otherwise, there is the calm before the storm that many experts expect from the release of Wildstar and other titles starting in 2014.

PvP is a sensitive topic for developer Zenimax and The Elder Scrolls Online because it was not intended in the single-player version. Players appreciated the stories, the role-play aspects, and the feeling of being part of a dynamic world that needs to be explored and gradually uncovered.

Let’s take a look at the impressions from the gaming press:

First storm the castle, then slaughter the defenders!

The Elder Scrolls Online: Castle Battles

Onlinewelten.com: The tester from Onlinewelten describes in detail the mechanics of the PvP battle. Currently, he still lacks an in-game announcement for having reached level 10 and thus earned access to the PvP areas. However, he expects that the feature will be added later.

In the actual PvP, as can be gathered from the test, it takes a bit longer until there is finally a direct conflict between the attackers and the defenders of a castle. It probably takes a while to storm the castle first. According to the tester, this while does not seem to be filled with nail-biting action. The long running distances and downtime between skirmishes particularly bothered the tester, and he sadly misses collision detection.

For him, the PvP in Cyrodiil strongly resembles the strategic castle battles from Dark Age of Camelot or Guild Wars 2’s WvW. For players who prefer roaming in large groups and rushing from hotspot to hotspot, the system is definitely suitable. However, those looking for skirmishes and fast action may be disappointed with the PvP. However, the tester points out that on the server where he tested PvP, not much was happening and that it would surely be different at launch.

The tester’s overall impression is neither particularly negative nor overwhelmingly positive.

Gamestar.de: The Gamestar editor Petra Schmitz misses the feeling of a group-oriented online RPG in ESO’s PvE and describes it as an “I run around alone and only get annoyed with other players” experience. However, surprisingly, the PvP looks quite different.

[intense_testimonies]
[intense_testimony]
[intense_testimony_text]It is all the more astonishing that the part where you have to rely most on teammates comes across so promising: the PvP. It already makes an excellent impression and will probably captivate me as intensely as the battles in Dark Age of Camelot once did. Well, the PvP modes are indeed remarkably similar. I won’t claim that I would prefer to only play the castle battles, because I like ESO’s quests too much, but I already know that I will tend to roam more on the battlefields of Cyrodiil than in Skyrim.

The accompanying video is also worth watching, where the whole spectacle in Cyrodiil is made short and sweet:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

MMORPG.com once again enthusiastic

Mmorpg.com: The tester from Mmorpg was extremely optimistic about the release of TESO in the first preview last week. Also in PvP, which is evident early on in the test report, TESO hits the full taste of the English tester. Other than Guild Wars 2, there were no other current games focusing on the great and epic battle for castles. That’s why he is looking forward to the title so much. For mmorpg.com, TESO succeeds or fails with the PvP system. And as one quickly realizes: It stands!

The tester especially appreciates that, unlike Guild Wars 2, there is only one queue, which means he is always on the map where the action is. And the map is indeed gigantic. According to mmorpg.com, the battlefield of TESO spans the same size as the entire game Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

The huge map is intelligently designed and gives players the opportunity to use the terrain to their advantage. Exciting ambushes and flanking attacks become possible. The long travel distances that other testers complain about do not bother mmorpg.com. On the contrary! This allows for victories and lasting advantages because opponents aren’t immediately at the door again.

Additionally, players are not dependent on running with the largest group of allies, the so-called blob or zerg. The tester has also achieved great successes in small groups using backdoor tactics. Moreover, the tester praised the excellent performance of PvP in TESO.

The overall impression of the tester was extraordinarily positive and should give everyone a better feeling, especially those who may have had doubts in the past weeks.

Elder Scrolls Online PvP Cyrodiil

Clear parallels to Guild Wars 2 and Dark Age of Camelot

Buffed.de: The Buffed tester took a quick look at PvP. The concept strongly reminds him of Guild Wars 2. However, he was somewhat irritated by the strict barrack tone on the server. Especially since only English is spoken on the battlefields, a German server is not planned for TESO.

Gamona.de: The tester from gamona has not had much experience with PvP in the past. So he likes the PvP in TESO much better now. Due to the automatic elevation to max level 50, there is no great barrier to overcome. The PvP seems fair and exciting to him, both in the epic large battles and during the smaller skirmishes. The combat system, which primarily rewards the individual player’s abilities, pleased the tester greatly. He also found praise for the smooth performance even during heavy traffic on the server.

[pull_quote_center]PvP – And it went BOOM![/pull_quote_center]

-Thomas Hinsberger, Gamona

In the end, a distinctly positive impression remains.

The hand on the crown for the emperor title!

Emperor Armor TESO

Pcgames.de: At PC Games, you have to look quite a bit to find out what the testers really think of the game. Not in the test, but only at the end of an attached video do you learn more specific opinions about the PvP. The tester Matthias, inexperienced in PvP, finds the epic character of PvP in Cyrodiil fantastic. The tester Maria, who is experienced in PvP, sees great similarities to Guild Wars 2 and the old Dark Age of Camelot. According to her, there are still some problems with the interface and chat functions; she hasn’t really gotten the hang of it. However, both noticed that it seems almost impossible for solo players to make an impact in Cyrodiil.

A positive conclusion remains.

Sottonic.de: The tester from Softtonic starts off on the wrong foot with PvP. Since the tutorial has not yet been implemented, he overlooked the opportunity to teleport directly to the instanced PvP area. Instead, the tester tried to get there on foot. The path led him through some high-level zones, where he was repeatedly ganked by mobs. He started the PvP quite frustrated.

As an enthusiastic role-player, the PvP is not really his home. Moreover, he finds the battles chaotic, monotonous, and poorly balanced. However, the tester praises that for the first time, a “we” feeling emerged during the battles. He particularly asks Zenimax to ensure that role-players are not disturbed by the PvP.

Recommended Articles:

Mein MMO - MMORPG and more!

We at mein-mmo.de think: The PvP mix of TESO sounds like an exciting blend of Dark Age of Camelot and Guild Wars 2. Especially the prospect of becoming emperor and finally showing everyone who has the hand on the crown makes us dream of glory and honor!

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

The Elder Scrolls Online: NDA aufgehoben!

From now on, players can share their impressions from the TESO Beta with others – it will be interesting to see how the MMORPG has been received from the players’ perspective. Until recently, this privilege was granted only to a selected press. Admittedly, many probably expected it, especially since other game developers increasingly rely on almost absolute transparency. So, the lifting of the NDA about 1.5 months before release seems a bit unusual.

Moreover, almost randomly millions of players were invited to the tests, some of whom did not adhere to it anyway (which is not really a surprise). Be that as it may, we can now officially discuss the upcoming MMORPG highlight The Elder Scrolls Online without any gag order. By the way, we only have to sleep 47 more times until we can roam Tamriel, yay! I am most looking forward to the PvP, how about you?

[intense_testimonies]
[intense_testimony]
[intense_testimony_text]Many of our testers have long wanted to make their impressions of The Elder Scrolls Online public, and we will now unleash these on the world. From today, the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is lifted, so you can share your opinions with others! (…) You can now stream gameplay, take screenshots, or discuss the game wherever you want during future tests.[/intense_testimony_text]
[intense_testimony_author image=”https://images.mein-mmo.de/magazin/medien/2013/12/teso-logo-200×88.png”][/intense_testimony_author]
[/intense_testimony]
[/intense_testimonies]

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

Ein neuer WildStar Flick – Abenteuer für jeden!

In the latest video from Carbine, the developer studio behind “WildStar“, a bit more is explained about a form of group content, namely “Adventures”.

It appears to be instanced areas that require a group of 5 people and start with the “Guardian” – an artificial intelligence left behind by the Eldan, which was used to observe life on Nexus. In Adventures, it is not only about the combat performance of the group, but other dangers must also be mastered, presumably in the form of small mini-games or short quest episodes. Unlike dungeons or raids, Adventures are only simulations, so the scenarios played have no impact on the main story – and can be repeated endlessly.

The most outstanding feature is the variety of choices that players can make within the different simulations, so an adventure can take a different course depending on the decisions made. Whether these decisions are made democratically within the group, alternately, or according to the “first come, first served” principle is still unknown.

Anyone who has not yet watched this quite amusing video can catch up on it here and get their own impression of what the characters of WildStar will experience in the near future:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

We hope that it plays as amusingly as it currently appears in the trailer.

P.S.: A developer video about the adventures has now been released.

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

The 5 most popular gaming mice

After the keyboards were recently reviewed, today we will look at the most popular gaming mice according to Amazon sales rankings (as of February 12, 2014).

According to a statistic I just made up, 28.3% of all game characters die each year from mouse slips, misclicks or faulty micro-management caused by the use of inadequate mice! Moreover, gamers using a poor mouse suffer from a dreaded condition: the so-called claw hand! And unfortunately, it’s not a cool Wolverine claw, but more of an “Oh my God, my hand hurts so much, I hope this cramp stops soon” claw.

1. Sharkoon Drakonia Gaming Laser Mouse

Sharkoon also holds the top position among mice, just like with keyboards. This is because the Drakonia gaming mouse offers a strong compromise between price and performance. Plus, it looks damn cool, taking its name seriously and actually wrapping itself in a dragon scale appearance (okay, it’s not really dragon skin… caught, but it looks really good!).
The Drakonia has 11 buttons and LEDs, it fits ergonomically in the hand, and many gamers praise its comfortable grip. Furthermore, the Drakonia also features a weight-tuning system. So there are weights attached to the mouse that can be removed or added, depending on whether a player prefers a heavy or light mouse.

  • The mouse is favored for its price/performance ratio, grip and stylish appearance, while the only downside is that it is not as well made as mice in the high-end price range, resulting in a shorter lifespan.
Sharkoon Drakonia Gaming Laser Mouse

Conclusion: The Drakonia looks great, offers numerous features, and is a great entry-level mouse if you’re looking for something more than a plain office mouse, while keeping the price reasonable. However, it only holds up to the highest demands and intensive use to a limited extent. It is the ideal choice for casual gamers or those lucky enough among us to be particularly gentle and sensitive with their mice.

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

2. Anker® 8200 DPI High Precision Laser Gaming Mouse

The Anker is also positioned in the mid-price range and offers complete comfort. The Anker is flexible to adjust, can shine in various colors, and adapt its weight to the needs of the gamer. It is particularly suitable for players who prefer to grip their mouse lightly and enjoy a relaxed grip.

  • For the mouse, like with the Drakonia, the price/performance ratio, the configurable appearance, and the grip quality speak for it. The only downside is that it cannot meet the highest demands.
Anker® 8200 DPI High Precision Laser Gaming Mouse

Conclusion: The Anker is a good choice for gamers who value a sleek design and love to watch their mouse sparkle and glow.

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

3. Sharkoon Drakonia Black Gaming

The Drakonia Black is the big brother of the most popular mouse in our test. It is slightly more expensive than its green counterpart but features 8200 DPI, compared to the 5000 of the green Drakonia. While the DPI count is not as crucial for MMORPG players, it holds more importance for players of strategy games or MOBAs, where micro-management skills are more important.

  • For the mouse, a pleasant grip, a variety of adjustment options, and the higher DPI count are favorable, especially for extreme gaming demands. The higher price compared to the Drakonia Green is a downside. This mouse cannot guarantee a long lifespan either.
Sharkoon Drakonia Black Gaming Laser Mouse

Conclusion: The Drakonia Black is especially suitable for players who prefer high precision and speed, and are willing to pay a bit more for it.

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

4. Roccat Kone XTD Max Customization

Roccat currently ranks fourth among Amazon gaming mice and is positioned in a significantly higher price segment, typically reserved for mice from SteelSeries, Mad Catz, or Razer.

Normally, mice in this price range are not necessarily aimed at MMORPG players. With an Easy-Switch button, the 11 buttons of the Roccat can be assigned a second function, which may be important for demanding PvP in fast-paced games. Since MMORPG players, unlike MOBA or e-Sports gamers, do not require peak performance, but rather consistent performance, this aspect of the Roccat may not be as crucial. However, the Roccat certainly meets the highest demands of MMORPG players. It features precise tracking, a great grip, and also looks stylish with its four changing LEDs.

  • For the mouse, nearly everything speaks in its favor; it is rightly considered one of the market leaders in the high-price segment. The only downside is the price, which is still significantly below the price of the best keyboards, and in comparison to the price of a new graphics card, it’s just peanuts.
Roccat Kone XTD Max Customization Gaming Mouse

Conclusion: The Roccat is an absolute luxury device. MMORPG players should ask themselves if they can truly utilize this mouse to its full potential. Those who do not need to worry about the price and are looking for a hand-friendly mouse for their next life chapter can purchase this with confidence. But don’t make your girlfriend jealous…

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

5. Sharkoon FireGlider

And we have a hat trick: Sharkoon is represented on our list for a third time! If the Drakonia Black is the big brother of the Drakonia Green, then the FireGlider is more like the small, slightly nerdy cousin. Instead of 11 or 9 buttons, it has 7. However, the FireGlider also features the weight system and LED selection for which Sharkoon mice are known. In terms of price, it is just slightly over 20 euros. Over its lifetime, the FireGlider has earned a solid reputation as a stable and practical companion for gamers.

  • For the mouse, the low price, durability, and selection of functions are favorable. The only downside is minimal; the appearance may not appeal to everyone, and of course, a 20€ mouse does not play in the same league as the top-tier mice.
Sharkoon FireGlider

Conclusion: The FireGlider is an excellent and solid choice – not only for those on a budget. It meets the needs of most gamers perfectly.

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

With mice, it’s like with gloves or the right place for Doctor Sheldon Cooper: They just have to fit and feel right. Not every mouse is suitable for every player. Gamers usually quickly realize whether the mouse fits or not. Every hand is different. Therefore, players should settle for nothing less than ideal and keep kissing frogs until a prince really comes out… Princess, I mean of course!

More on the topic: PC Mice Guide: What should I consider when buying?

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

HearthStone: Heroes of Warcraft Review

For a few weeks now, all players can enjoy the open beta version of “Hearthstone – Heroes of Warcraft”. Since the developers state that no further major features will be added before the final release, it is time to dedicate a thorough test to Blizzard’s card game.

The direct entry is very easy, but we will not delve into it in detail, as it has already been thoroughly described here along with basic questions. It should be said: The tutorial is excellently staged and offers a seamless introduction to the gameplay.

Scope – Size Does Matter

For a card game, the scope is of course one of the core points. At this time, Hearthstone consists of just over 350 different cards, but each player starts their career with around 130 basic cards in double copies. Since each player deck can hold up to 30 cards, with each card appearing a maximum of 2 times, there are already nearly endless combinations possible with just the standard cards.

Additionally, there are 9 different classes, each equipped with its own hero ability and exclusive cards not available to any other class. The mage “Jaina Proudmoore” can, for example, deal one damage with a fire spell, whereas the priest “Anduin Wrynn” can heal two damage from any card.

Of course, this number of cards is very low compared to real-world counterparts like “Magic – The Gathering” or “Yu-Gi-Oh!”, but the developers promise constant replenishment in the form of expansions of 100-200 cards each – only after release.

Hearthstone Deckbuilding
The right deck is crucial – there are a variety of card effects and combinations.

One must also remember that cards must be subjected to extensive balancing tests, whereas in physical card games, overly powerful cards are often excluded from tournaments – something the developers want to avoid at all costs in Hearthstone.

Different Game Modes

Currently, the game features 3 game modes: In “Practice”, you can prove your skills against the “Innkeeper” and choose any of the nine classes as opponents, either on the “Normal” or “Expert” difficulty setting, with the AI in the latter not being smarter, but simply having a better card deck. Disappointingly, the Innkeeper plays exceptionally poorly. Many moves leave even newcomers puzzled, and one often wonders:

[pull_quote_center]Why did he sacrifice all three minions when he only needed to use one?[/pull_quote_center]

To internalize the basic principles of the game, this mode is definitely more helpful, but one should not memorize too many moves – many are simply not a good choice.

In the “Play” mode, you will spend most of your time, here you compete against other human players in either ranked or unranked matches. In both variations, the “Battle.net matchmaking” attempts to assign you opponents who are approximately matched to your own strength – solid, as you would expect from other Blizzard games. Why this can sometimes lead to frustration will be explained further below.

“The Arena” is the last game mode and the entry must be purchased anew for each round, either for 150 gold coins or real money; currently, one round costs €1.79.
Unlike the previously mentioned modes, you get a random selection of three heroes to choose from. Once that is done, you are presented with 30 sets of 3 cards, from which you select one each time until your deck is complete. The conventional limits do not apply here; if the game gives you the same card three, four, or even five times, you can pick it without hesitation – your opponents will surely be surprised.

Hearthstone Arena
So, which hero would you choose for the Arena fight?

After that, you’ll play against other Arena visitors until you either win 12 times or lose 3 times – with good performance, you even get your entry fee back in gold, and with a very good performance (9 wins or more), you even get multiple times that amount; in any case, you will receive at least one pack, even with no wins.

Collectible Card Game?

Unlike “Trading Card Games”, Hearthstone is a “Collectible Card Game”. Ultimately, this difference only means that cards cannot be traded with other players; therefore, only you can expand your collection, and if you receive a rare card for the third time, then unfortunately that’s just bad luck and you have to keep it – or disenchant it.

The decision to bind all cards to the player is certainly also related to the fact that it is a free-to-play game, and if cards were tradeable, then all players would probably quickly have all cards – who would still think to use the shop? Furthermore, the satisfaction factor is much higher when you finally pull the legendary “Sylvanas Windrunner” from a pack than if a good friend simply gave it to you.

Hearthstone Duel
This is what Hearthstone looks like on the game board.

The Ranking System – A Troubling Matter

Blizzard has decided to introduce a ranking system. All players start at rank 25 (“Leper Gnome”) and can work their way up to rank 0 (“Legend”). With each win, you earn a star, and each loss costs one, so a positive win rate must be maintained to rank up. This system currently has more disadvantages than advantages.

Many players achieve a good rank and then decide, out of fear of demotion, not to play for the rest of the season. But speaking of seasons: At the beginning of each month, your performance is reset, and all players start again at rank 25 – completely independent of whether they were previously at “Legend” or never made it past the lowest rank.

Unfortunately, this leads to the situation where, at the beginning of a new month, professionals play against complete beginners, which becomes a frustrating experience for both sides. Newcomers might be completely discouraged at the start of each season since no one likes to keep losing right after they have just been released from the tutorial. Therefore, anyone looking to get into the game should at least wait until the 10th of the month – or have a thick skin.

Pay2Win?

It cannot be denied that as a newcomer, one can gain a massive theoretical advantage by investing a lot of money in card purchases right at the beginning, as one then has a larger card pool and can recreate many familiar decks. At the same time, it is also true that experience and skill make up a large part of winning chances, and players who do not invest any money can open a pack every 1-2 days – with a bit of skill in the Arena, even significantly more.

If you play intensively for two to three weeks, you will catch up to most players and begin to record significant success on your own. We created a new account for this purpose and played; after about nine days, we are at rank 12 and have already acquired 2 legendary cards and opened 17 packs – without spending a cent.

Therefore, it can be said: Especially at the beginning, one can indeed have an advantage by buying cards, but with increasing playtime, that advantage becomes smaller. Moreover, the perceived value of a card is certainly much higher when you worked hard to earn it.

Conclusion – Lots of Fun

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

Hearthstone benefits from many different aspects. On one hand, it can be played on tablets and, soon, on some smartphones; on the other hand, a round typically lasts no longer than 15 minutes, so a game can easily be fit into a streetcar ride – or in a boring lecture.

In addition, there is a high long-term motivation due to many unlockable cards and the typical “Warcraft” atmosphere, which can really be found at every corner – even the different game boards are full of gimmicks and funny allusions. We will, of course, report on additional game modes, such as the announced “Adventures”, as soon as new information becomes available.

[pull_quote_center]If you haven’t taken a look yet, you should do so urgently, as there is currently no better pastime, both for short breaks and for long, sleepless nights.

The game can be downloaded for free and played in English here: http://eu.battle.net/hearthstone/en/

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

The Secret World: Funcom stutters, content machine buzzes

There have been plenty of negative side effects surrounding the MMORPG The Secret World in recent months. The operator Funcom has come under scrutiny from Norwegian authorities. It seems to be about issues with what might be a somewhat creative accounting.

The MMORPG The Secret World has never been under a good star from the beginning. After a failed launch, employees had to be regularly laid off. But even though the company has hit some bumps, the content machine is still humming, and the creative team seems determined not to be impressed by the circumstances. In a regularly published post, head developer Romain Amiel gives insight into what players can expect in The Secret World in the future.

There are plans for content issues #9 and #10. Especially fans of Asia can look forward to this: It’s going to Tokyo. The content patches are set to be released soon and in quick succession: To reduce waiting times, they have been developed in parallel.

The Secret World: New York
Manhattan looked great too! We are looking forward to Tokyo.

Romain Amiel mentioned in the developers’ letter that issue #9 is nearing completion. Players should start brushing up on their Japanese skills. In typical “Secret-World” fashion, he managed to let slip an important hint. The key to solving the issue of -censored- lies clearly in the -censored-. Humor has apparently not abandoned the employees at Funcom despite all the difficulties surrounding the company. The voice actor recordings for #9 are definitely close to being finished, and planning is going well.

In the content patches #9 and #10, it will be about the effects of the Filth on humanity and how it continues to develop. The Filth, the pollution, is that mysterious plague that has affected many inhabitants of the Secret World. In issue #10, further corners of Tokyo will open up. Since The Secret World is currently only rated for adults, interested players will also enjoy a detour to a seedy love hotel.

To bridge the wait for #9, the final phase of The Whispering Tide – The Whispering Flood is currently live. Up to 40 players can take on the Filth Guardian, the polluted guardian … maybe it should be noted here that Funcom would do well not to skimp on localization.

We at mein-mmo.de will be back soon with a comprehensive report on The Secret World to bring you closer to this extraordinary game.

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

Lord of the Rings Online: The Sound of Bree Goes Viral!

The fantasy MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online has been on the market for several years and is not exactly known for generating a lot of “buzz.” This term refers to the media hype and attention around a brand. However, instead of creating “buzz,” the violinist Taylor Davis is now playing a different tune.

A YouTube clip of Taylor Davis playing the theme song for the LOTRO expansion Riders of Rohan has now hit over 500,000 clicks! The video has gone viral – the best free advertising that the franchise could wish for. As Lord of the Rings Online is rightly praised for its extraordinary sound design and unique atmosphere, we find this newsworthy.

Music also plays a significant role in the gameplay of this fantasy MMORPG. The characters can play up to nine instruments and get really creative with the number keys. Anyone quick enough with their fingers can play a few tunes in LOTRO. The community has provided “sheet music” ranging from the Chicken Dance to the Imperial March from Star Wars.

But even the most skilled fingers will never achieve what Taylor Davis conjures up in-game.

Enjoy the clip yourself!

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

TESO: Ersteindruck der Low-Level Dungeons

In this video, a group of four players introduces us to the first three instantiated dungeons in The Elder Scrolls Online. You can get a good idea of what to expect soon, although the difficulty level is of course not comparable to the dungeons from the endgame – the spectacle seen here is tailored for players between level 12 and 15. Rather a gentle introduction to group content than a challenge.

By the way, members of the famous TESO fansite “Tamriel Foundry” are part of the group, who have received the green light from Bethesda for the release of the gameplay video, as the NDA is still in place. Speaking of members: the group consists of a sorcerer who acts as a healer, a templar, and a nightblade who causes chaos as damage dealers, and last but not least, the dragonknight takes care of tanking to keep the nasty creatures away from his teammates.

Positive Feedback has been received, by the way:

  • The dungeons are very beautifully designed and invite exploration. Typical for the Elder Scrolls saga, the trip is of course connected with a larger storyline that, according to Tamriel Foundry, has been very well integrated into the gameplay. At level 50, you will be able to re-enter the dungeons, of course with an adjusted difficulty level. It is also worth mentioning that the story will then continue.
  • In addition to some typical “tank and spank” bosses, players can especially look forward to unique opponents equipped with challenging mechanics that add tactical depth to the combat. Overall, the tester praises the abilities and visual effects of the bosses.
  • The rewards are substantial: instanced dungeons provide a variety of experience points, gear upgrades, and even skill points!

However, not everything that glitters is gold. There were also negative remarks in the post:

  • The length of the dungeons did not satisfy the tester – with only 15-20 minutes, the fun is too short in his opinion, at least at this level. He notes that 30-45 minutes would be more appropriate, and the instances could also handle more trash mobs, as there were hardly any – on the other hand, this is clearly a matter of taste. He found the number of bosses to be good.
  • The bosses currently seem to have far too few hit points. Before the fight could even become interesting, the opponent was already dead.

What do you think of the boss fights? Does the gameplay video make you want more?

Source of the post: A First Look at Group Dungeons In ESO.

http://youtu.be/JC4GVM1kCnA
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Everquest Landmark Developer: Sandbox is the future

In his blog, SOE head John Smedley provides deep insights into the mind of a game designer. The latest blog entry discusses the benefits of a sandbox model where players can express themselves freely and determine what is played.

No Competition with WoW

According to Smedley, the sandbox is an absolute necessity, and in his opinion, the sandbox concept will dominate the MMORPG market in the future.

At the moment, most games are content-based; this is simply unsustainable because players are finishing the content faster than developers can deliver it. Projects like Everquest Next also face the problem of having to compete not only with the content from WoW at launch but also being measured against the developed World of Warcraft content from nine years. This is impossible to achieve.

Everquest Landmark as a Pioneer in the Sandbox

Additionally, Smedley argues that players are slowly tired of the same cycle of designed content. Too many games exist following this pattern, and it is time for something new. He also cites examples of aspects in existing MMORPGs that are solely player-driven, which keeps them popular in the long term. Above all, Eve Online with its evolving alliances and political power dynamics has captivated him, but also the music system in Lord of The Rings Online, the auction house in WoW, or the dynamic battlefields are pleasing.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

By placing the player at the center of a sandbox and allowing change and creativity to come from them, Smedley believes it is possible to break the established cycle. He sees Everquest Landmark and Everquest Next at the forefront of this development and hopes for new impulses for the MMORPG market.

You can check out the full blog entry in English here: http://smedsblog.com/2014/02/11/the-sandbox-mmo/.

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

World of Warcraft: Beautiful Living!

In World of Warcraft, the next add-on, Warlords of Draenor, finally brings a housing feature to players who have been requesting it for a long time.

However, Blizzard doesn’t do things halfway here and gifts players a whole garrison that is meant to grow over time. While in Mists of Pandaria players became small farmers on a farm reminiscent of Harvest Moon thanks to phasing, in Warlords of Draenor, you’ll be the lord of the castle right away. A steep career.

The Home away from home

Now, the design chief Craig Robinson at Blizzard introduced the Alliance players’ garrison and gave some designers and graphics artists the opportunity to talk about the creation process of the garrison. A highlight was, of course, numerous screenshots intended to fuel the imagination and anticipation of WoW fans.

The graphic artists emphasize the importance of capturing the soul of Alliance buildings to maintain a sort of classic Warcraft architecture. They want to give players a piece of Stormwind to take to Draenor. However, they aim to move with the times and create a world where players can find something surprising and fascinating in every corner.

Even within their own four walls, players should be able to experience an epic adventure. The garrison is meant to be the starting point for every player to conquer the new and threatening world of Draenor. The designers place particular value on ensuring that the individual buildings grow and become more impressive over time to reflect the progress of the players in Draenor.

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

TESO – The preliminary race skills

Orc, Breton, Argonian, or what? Learn more about the provisional race skills!

Admittedly, the TESO information is not entirely official yet, but more and more is leaking through here and there due to the imposed confidentiality guidelines of the beta of The Elder Scrolls Online. Enough reason for us to conduct a little research and present to you the currently known race skills more closely. Because one thing is clear, the release date is approaching relentlessly and as a true MMORPG player, it is about time to think about race, class, appearance, and character names.

By the way, an important note on the name of your future character: In case you didn’t know, at The Elder Scrolls Online you can create character names with spaces. In other words: Last names and exotic combinations like a typical Argonian name such as “The-long-shadow-casts” are no problem. That’s a lovely thing, especially for the role-players among us.

]Race bonuses The Elder Scrolls OnlineAn updated article with the current race bonuses can now be found here:

TESO: The current race bonuses from the beta! ++Update++

Dark_Anchor_in_Reapers_March1

But now to the race skills. Unlike many other MMORPGs, race choice seems to matter quite a bit in TESO. While one race has greater advantages in the magical field, the next one brims with health, and yet another is incredibly enduring. Just small differences that will hardly matter in the game? We’ll have to see, especially in the endgame. In other games, for example, a bonus of 10% to mana or magicka reserves would make a significant difference. However, and this is indeed a peculiar feature of TESO, the three main attributes – Magicka, Health, and Stamina – are required for each class or role. So the question is rather, how important is a high magicka reserve for a spellcaster and how much does my tank need every little health bonus for the adventures ahead? All this will still have to be shown. Here for you first the currently more or less known race bonuses that are trickling through the relevant TESO forums and channels (so far without guarantee).

Update: The “Active” talents seem to be currently (permanently?) removed from the game according to the German TESO community. For clarity, we will initially keep them in our little skill collection, but this should at least be noted. 🙂


[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Altmer (High Elves)

Altmer_(Online)
Active:

  • Born to Greatness: Increases Magicka regeneration by 100 for 15 seconds

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the talent “Destruction Staff”
  • Increased Magicka regeneration in combat by 7
  • Increased Magicka reserves by 10%
  • Increased damage from Frost, Fire, and Shock effects by 3%

[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Khajiit

Khajiit_(Online)
Active:

  • Eye of Fear: A target flees for 5 seconds and takes 5% more damage during that time

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the armor talent “Medium Armor”
  • Increased health regeneration in combat by 7
  • Increased stealth radius by 3 meters
  • Increased critical melee hit chance by 35 and a 10% increased critical damage

[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Bosmer (Wood Elves)

Bosmer_Online
Active:

  • Bear Summoning: Summons a bear for 15 seconds that attacks nearby enemies

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the weapon skill “Bow”
  • Increased stamina regeneration in combat by 7
  • Increased stamina reserves by 3% and the disease and poison resistance by 50
  • Increased stealth radius by 3 meters

[/vc_column][/vc_row]
[intense_hr type=”dotted” size=”large” title=”Daggerfall Covenant” title_color=”#2a79bf” title_background_color=”#2d2d2d” title_position=”left” title_shadowed=”1″ /]
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Bretons

race-breton
Active:

  • Dragon Skin: Blocked damage (shield) is absorbed as Magicka

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the armor talent “Light Armor”
  • Increased Magicka reserves by 10%
  • Increased Magicka resistance by 50
  • Reduced spell costs by 3%

[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Orsimer (Orcs)

Orks_Online
Active:

  • Berserker Rage: Temporarily increases damage dealt by 20% and reduces damage taken by 10%

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the armor talent “Heavy Armor”
  • Increased health and stamina reserves by 5% each
  • Increased health regeneration in combat by 7
  • Reduced sprint costs by 10%

[/vc_column]
[vc_column width=”1/3″]

Redguards

Rothwardone_Online
Active:

  • Power Attack: Increases “power” (stamina, damage?) by 20% for 15 seconds

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the talent “One-handed Weapon and Shield”
  • Increased stamina regeneration by 7
  • Increased stamina reserves by 10%
  • Successful melee hits restore 34 stamina. The effect can only trigger once every 3 seconds

[/vc_column][/vc_row]
[intense_hr type=”dotted” size=”large” title=”Ebonheart Pact” title_color=”#dd3737″ title_background_color=”#2d2d2d” title_position=”left” title_shadowed=”1″ /]
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Argonian

race-argonian
Active:

  • “Healing Skin”: Health regeneration increases by 100 for 15 seconds

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the weapon talent “Restoration Staff”
  • Increased swimming speed and ?
  • Increased disease and poison resistance by 26
  • Increased healing received by 7%

[/vc_column]
[vc_column width=”1/3″]

Dunmer (Dark Elves)

Dunmer_(Online)
Active:

  • “Ancestor Guardian”: 15 seconds increased chance for taunt

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the weapon talent “Dual Wield”
  • Increased Magicka and Stamina reserves by 3%
  • Increased fire resistance by 40
  • Increased fire damage by 7%

[/vc_column]
[vc_column width=”1/3″]

Nord

Nord_(Online)
Active:

  • “Battle Cry”: Temporarily increases area damage against enemies by 7%

Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the weapon talent “Two-handed Weapons”
  • Increased health regeneration by 4 (%) in combat
  • Increased frost resistance by 39
  • Increased armor value by 50

[/vc_column][/vc_row]
[intense_hr type=”dotted” size=”large” title=”Imperial Edition” title_color=”#eeee22″ title_background_color=”#2d2d2d” title_position=”left” title_shadowed=”1″ /]
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″]

Imperial

Imperial Trailer
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]Active:

  • “Voice of the Emperor” ?
  • All armors take on imperial appearance
  • Free faction choice

[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″]Passive:

  • 15% experience bonus on the talent “?”
  • ?
  • ?
  • ?

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Well, since it has not been known for long that you can also play as Imperials (with Imperial Edition), hardly anyone has likely thought about the race bonuses. And even in beta (so much can be said), the people from Cyrodiil cannot currently be played and tested. It seems we will just have to wait for official announcements on this matter.


Imperial_in_Glenumbra1

Subject to changes!

Those of you who have already played the beta may have noticed that some of the values have been changed. However, since we are currently not allowed to provide exact data from the ongoing beta phase, we have compiled outdated data from various websites as much as possible and evaluated them. Overall, the information gives a very interesting and usable impression of the differences among the various races.

And what is your impression? Do you believe the race choice will have a significant influence on certain roles (Holy Trinity – Healer, DD, Tank), or is the selection a merely cosmetic role-playing decision? Share it in the comments, share our little contribution, and look forward to the launch of The Elder Scrolls Online with us! Oh, and remember, only those who pre-order can also (initially?) bypass the race faction restriction! 😀

Oops, unfortunately this affiliate widget is no longer available.

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

World of Tanks 8.11: Confrontation, Windstorm and Crews.

Today, an update with version number 8.11 was released for the MMO tactical shooter World of Tanks, enriching the iconic tank game with numerous new content. But what lies behind the three magic words in the title, is it not just hot air?

With the Confrontation, players now have another game mode available, which is applicable during random battles. The peculiarity is that nation battles are now possible; when forming teams, it is taken into account which nation each player represents.

The Windstorm is a new playable map. WoT fans can expect mostly urban terrain in a frozen Europe here. The size of 1000x1000m suggests a broad battlefield, but beware – this is misleading – “spacious” landscapes are mostly found at the edges, while the urban area is characterized primarily by its narrow streets.

World of Tanks: Windstorm

But that’s not all, as new group functions enable more effective planning of the crews.

  • Reskill crew – With this option, you can retrain all crew members to a specific vehicle at once. Please note that this action only affects those tank drivers who occupy their respective positions in the vehicle themselves.

  • Reassign crew to vehicle – With this command, you can reassign all selected crew members of the vehicle with a single click. This is especially useful when using premium vehicles to train your crews.

  • Send crew to barracks – With this option, you send each individual crew member to the barracks, provided you have enough free beds.

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

Guild Wars 2: Escape from Lion’s Arch!

On February 18, Guild Wars 2 continues the living story surrounding the machinations of Scarlet Briar in the next round. We are approaching the finale with great strides, and in this penultimate episode of this story, the focal point in Tyria, the city of Lion’s Arch, seems to be on the brink of a massive siege. Sounds exciting!

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

Press review TESO: Disappointment after beta test

It won’t be long! On April 4th, The Elder Scrolls Online, or TESO, will open its gates. We have compiled the most important press opinions to give you an impression of what to expect in less than two months!

Quick Basics: TESO brings together an explosive mix.

The Elder Scrolls is perhaps the most popular single-player RPG series ever. On the other hand, MMORPG players have been craving fresh food in the fantasy sector for years. So it’s no wonder that just the announcement of TESO has caused a stir. Surely, April 4th is the most important date in the MMORPG sector for the first half of 2014. It will be THE highlight of 2014, until in the second half Wildstar and the next WoW expansion Warlords of Draenor come into play. But until then, little else will happen besides TESO.

Thus, it’s clear that the gaming press has dived into the beta like a French goblin onto the thighs of a giant frog… or like a mage in WoW onto the loot – we all know how keen these guys are on loot, let’s not kid ourselves!

We look at what the gaming press has brought back from their excursion and give you a brief overview:

High Expectations from Single-Player Experiences

Onlinewelten.com: At Onlinewelten, the testers mainly complain about not being able to get rid of the Skyrim feeling. While in a single-player game, it is possible for decisions to have far-reaching consequences on the game world, this is typically not the case in an MMORPG. So, the tester is still used to having five different solutions to a problem from Skyrim, whereas TESO only offers one.

Aside from that, the graphics and combat system are praised, although Anja sees room for improvement in melee combat (the lack of collision detection is noticeable). Onlinewelten.com also sees weaknesses in the gameplay, phase technology, and the lack of player convenience. In the tester’s opinion, some additional functions need to be implemented, which are already standard in other games, especially in terms of autoloot or quicker handling of quest texts.

I approached ESO with low expectations and was nevertheless consistently entertained. Graphically, ESO doesn’t reach the level of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, but for an online RPG, the visuals are adequate, detailed, and atmospheric (…). The atmosphere is certainly enhanced by the music, the day-night cycle, weather effects, and fully voiced NPCs. Most NPCs are active and don’t just stand around mute and still in one spot. Instead, craftsmen go about their work, residents gather to chat, and players rummage through their pockets when they have their inventory open. But why can I steal everything from the noses of NPCs without punishment?

Playmassive.de: At Playmassive, the initial euphoria accompanying the great tradition of Elder Scrolls seems to have quickly diminished. The tester speaks of a certain standard fare in the quests and suggests that many Tamriel fans would probably prefer if the developers of the series had included a multiplayer function, rather than creating their MMORPG.

However, it is positively noted that the world feels dynamic and alive, and it is fun to explore, to venture into hidden corners and niches, and to let the dynamic world impress you.

Hype with a Forecast of Quest Downpour

Golem.de: Also at golem.de, the quest system seems to have a somewhat disillusioning effect on the tester. It is indeed much more MMORPG than one might have expected. Although TESO avoids the well-known “Go there and kill 50 creatures” quests, this MMORPG presents numerous tasks that require players to run errands. Very positively, golem.de highlights character generation. Here, there are many options to distinguish one’s character from others. The well-known ability from Skyrim to transcend clear class boundaries and play hybrid characters is also very well received.

Gamestar.de: At gamestar.de, they strive to temper player expectations. After the hype surrounding the first press releases, the tester makes it clear that TESO might not meet the high expectations. It is simply too conventional and lengthy, especially at the start. However, Gamestar praises that players feel like heroes from the outset, as the quests have an epic character right away.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

At Gamestar.de, they also miss the convenience that one is now accustomed to from mature and polished MMORPGs. There are difficulties with quest tracking and with marking targets in dungeons. However, Gamestar encourages fans, saying that according to their information, the developers are already feverishly working on these issues; otherwise, fan add-ons will have to help.

Great Game World, Great Graphics – but …

Gamona.de: Before the tester from Gamona.de also undergoes the transition from high expectations to a sober view, he praises especially the excellent graphics of TESO. No other MMORPG can compete here. Every blade of grass looks hand-drawn. However, the animation of NPCs when they complained to the player and asked for help leaves much to be desired. Here, even WoW is ahead, not to mention Star Wars Online, which the tester sees far ahead in this category.

Particularly bitter for the tester is that some announced features in crafting or world exploration have now likely become compromised, which have relativized a promised initial freedom. Although enthusiasm has been replaced by considerable skepticism, the tester from Gamona praises the role-playing and single-player aspects of the title.

Much role-playing, little MMO? The Elder Scrolls Online looks great, but so far offers no convincing arguments for monthly fees.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Graphics

Mmorpg.com: The tester from mmorpg.com portrays a much friendlier picture of TESO than the German gaming press. It took about ten hours, then the game had him hooked, according to the tester. Because TESO allows players to truly become part of the world and fully immerse themselves in the gaming experience. Although mmorpg.com also misses some of the conveniences of mature MMORPGs, the fascinating and vibrant world, rewarding crafting system, and freedom in character design ultimately tipped the scales in a positive direction for the tester.

Massively.joystiq.com: In another extreme, the tester from this English-language website falls. Even before playing, he never had much to do with the Elder Scrolls series, and the MMORPG only confirmed his impressions. While some parts of the game give the impression that it may still be worth it and fun later on, he questions why one should read a book until page 300 when it is already boring on page 30.

Capturing the Soul of Elder Scrolls Well

Buffed.de: The tester that buffed.de unleashed on TESO claims to have been an absolute Elder Scrolls single-player purist who intended to ignore TESO until he was converted during testing. What convinced him was the “epic” gaming feel. He also believes that TESO captures the soul of the Elder Scrolls series well, allowing for a deep immersion into the game world. However, the buffed tester also mentions that he would have pre-ordered the game if it had been released without any multiplayer content and designed strictly as a single-player title.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the external content

Pcgames.de: At PC Games, they provide a broad introduction to the game without getting too much into evaluation. The extremely long playtime and the size of the continents seem to have impressed the tester. In a look ahead to PvP, he compares it to the current system in Guild Wars 2. Overall, a positive impression remains.

I had a lot of fun with The Elder Scrolls Online so far. This is due to the flair of the game world, the familiar elements from previous Elder Scrolls games, and the good implementation of many MMO features. The free skill system, the numerous hidden corners of Tamriel waiting to be explored, and the successful crafting system motivate me enough to want to see more. Of course, TESO still has to prove whether it can maintain these qualities in the end game. What I am definitely missing so far is a unique selling point. Just about every element in The Elder Scrolls Online is available in one form or another in other MMOs. Given my experiences, I see no reason why players of other online role-playing games would switch – aside from the universe itself. It will be interesting to see if the brand alone is enough to stand out from the mass of good MMOs. I can’t wait to dive back into the world of Tamriel and experience more exciting adventures. My enjoyment of The Elder Scrolls Online is welcome to last a long time.

Rockpapershotgun: The tester of the English site Rockpapershotgun is also somewhat cured of the initial euphoria. The tester notes that the vast world of Tamriel is only inadequately and unevenly filled. While there are some outstanding quests, unfortunately, there are also many placeholders and standard missions. The use of the voice of ex-Monty Python John Cleese did not enthuse him too much either. The tester sees the main problem in the fact that, aside from the great ideas, much empty space is filled with typical fantasy clichés.

[intense_hr type=”dotted” size=”large” /]

For every MMORPG veteran who is already at the starting blocks and eagerly awaiting April 4th, these reports should not come as too great a surprise. An MMORPG always struggles with some teething problems in the first months; TESO will be no exception.

The testers agree relatively on the fact that TESO adheres to many conventions in the quest system and gameplay and offers little game comfort; however, they also speak unanimously of a lovingly designed world and a great class system.

Mein MMO

Our Conclusion: One should approach no game in the world with excessive enthusiasm. Experience from recent years has shown this time and again. However, no one should let themselves be spoiled by the (certainly rightly) warning voices.

The Elder Scrolls Online

[quote_left]We’ll see you in Tamriel![/quote_left]

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