Millionaire behind one of the most exciting new MMORPGs admits: “It’s much harder than expected”

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 3 minutes

With his studio Intrepid, which was specifically founded for the project, millionaire Steven Sharif has been working on the ambitious MMORPG Ashes of Creation for eight years. In an interview, he spoke about the current state, past challenges, and highly anticipated features.

What is the current state of the MMORPG? Currently, Ashes of Creation is in the second phase of Alpha 2, where interested players with access can test the online role-playing game five days a week. Phase 3 is scheduled to start on May 1, 2025, which will ensure a 24/7 deployment of the MMORPG.

In an interview with the well-known MMORPG YouTuber TheLazyPeon, studio head Steven Sharif reveals more details about the status quo (via YouTube).

  • The team is currently in a central phase of development. The various core systems (70 to 80 percent of the planned core systems and 20 to 30 percent of the content are currently included) are undergoing new iterations at a high speed, and the playable world in the Alpha is gradually expanding.
  • Of the countless planned node versions, for example, only two are currently available in the Alpha. Once the core functionalities of these are in place and all upgrade levels are included, it will be relatively easy and quick to provide more variants for all node types, races, and biomes.
  • Almost 250 developers are currently working on Ashes of Creation.
  • Although you can already experience in the Alpha how Ashes of Creation will generally be played or feel, as, for example, the combat system is implemented in a representative form. However, according to Sharif, those who want to experience Ashes of Creation in a sufficiently advanced version within the Alpha should really start during Phase 3.
  • Currently, 130,000 players are participating in the Alpha. In December 2024, for example, around 6,000 characters were online on one server. Steven Sharif states that to his knowledge, there is no other Unreal Engine 5 game where this has happened so far. The backend systems were specifically designed for this and are expected to hold up well.

The developers have just shown gameplay of the rogue class:

Start video
Ashes of Creation: Trailer shows gameplay of the rogue class

Thick skin thanks to gaming enthusiasm

What else has the lead developer revealed? In the interview, Steven Sharif reflects on the past eight years. As an MMORPG enthusiast and millionaire, he reportedly invested a significant part of his fortune to found Intrepid Studios and develop an online role-playing game that he would love to play himself with great enthusiasm.

He did expect that it would be a difficult task, certainly one of the hardest of his life – especially since he had no experience in game development until then – but today he admits that it is even “much harder than he thought”. He had to learn everything at a very high pace, all while developing a complex, extensive MMORPG.

The decision to involve the community early in the development process is both a blessing and a curse for Sharif. A blessing because the team has received incredibly important feedback over the years, which has significantly improved the game. Additionally, the progress that Ashes has made over the years is well documented.

Unfortunately, there are individuals who, according to the developer, are only out to sow doubts, change what the developers want to achieve with Ashes, or speak badly about the project as a whole. However, Sharif also states that he can understand harsh feedback to a certain extent.

He himself is a passionate gamer who has said things out of emotion that were not very constructive. During his competitive time, he received so much toxicity that he has developed a thick skin regarding online communication long before Ashes.

You can find the full interview below and on the YouTube channel of TheLazyPeon:

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Players as raid bosses – this can happen in Ashes

What else is planned for Ashes? Steven Sharif discusses the two yet-to-be-playable features that he is most looking forward to:

  • With the Monster Coins, a system will soon be introduced that allows you to take on the role of certain NPCs and interact with other players as them. Through a comprehensive talent system, you can unlock more and more skills for interaction. Some particularly rare coins will even allow you to control raid bosses and obliterate raids with powerful lightning.
  • With the node sieges and the destruction system for nodes, players can, for example, fight for relics that provide strong bonuses for the node they are in. Through such a siege, a node fortress can then temporarily become a ruin, turning the region into an open-PvP zone that attracts special loot.
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Head of Ashes of Creation comments on allegations of fraud in 11 pages, announces legal action
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In the coming months, Ashes will also receive more regions and quest content, yet to be implemented systems (such as for nodes and crafting), as well as more graphic details, races, factions, and so on. You can find more details about the game here: Release, Roadmap, Alpha 2, Classes, Gameplay, Payment Model – everything important about Ashes of Creation.

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

All characters in The Simpsons have something in common, but there is one exception: God

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 3 minutes

The Simpsons is one of the most famous comedy series of all time. As a cartoon, they obviously have traits of other genre colleagues. But for one character, this trait is overridden.

What trait is it? Apart from the yellow color, the characters in the world of The Simpsons also have another trait that unites them: The number of fingers and toes. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that they are missing one finger on each hand.

The only exception in this case is the god in the Simpsons universe. He is usually depicted with 10 fingers and toes. In the episode The Last Judgment (Season 16, Episode 19), Jesus is also shown with 10 fingers, but that’s more of an exception.

The absurdity of this is highlighted again in Episode 21 of Season 5 (via YouTube). There, the family discusses the relationship between Homer’s father and Marge’s mother. Homer is against it because he would be Marge’s brother if the parents were to marry. He then talks about how his children would be monsters, with pink skin, no overbite, and 5 fingers on each hand. This idea scares Homer so much that he runs away.

That characters only have 8 fingers is not only the case with The Simpsons. Many cartoons depict their characters with only 4 fingers per hand. Why this is the case, we explain to you under the video.

Start video
The Simpsons – The Trailer for the TV Premiere of Season 35

It is simpler, but not stranger than 5 fingers

Why do so many cartoon characters only have 4 fingers on each hand? This is exactly the question the ChannelFrederator channel dealt with in a YouTube video. They assume that there are several reasons for this that have existed since the beginning of animation productions.

One of the main points: Hands are extremely difficult to draw due to bones and joints. Therefore, 4 fingers are easier to draw than 5. Important in this regard is also the concept of Uncanny Valley.

This is a theory that humans develop an uneasy feeling with humanoid objects and representations like robots when they reach a certain spectrum of realism (via spectrum.ieee.org). This is particularly supposed to happen with things that are meant to look like humans. Like a poor digital representation of a real person in older animated films.

But this also leads to the reason why 4 fingers are used for cartoon characters and not 3. 4 per hand fit human anatomy and we do not find it alien. Only 3 fingers appear somewhat inhuman and are often used for aliens or monsters. In the video, the example Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is mentioned. They only have 3 fingers, as they are mutated turtles.

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Even in the early days of cartoons, 4 fingers were used

4 fingers per hand are also found in cartoon history. As early as the 1920s, the 4-finger representation was established. This also leads to another reason for this representation: The way characters were drawn.

If you look at the cartoon Steamboat Willie (1928) and the first depiction of Mickey Mouse, you can see that he consists of circles. This was established by the character Felix the Cat (one of the most famous cartoon characters of the time). The fingers were also not thin, but thick and inflated.

In these designs, 4 fingers looked better than 5. Walt Disney himself supposedly said about the fingers:

Omitting the finger was a great artistic and financial advantage. Artistically speaking, five [fingers] are too much for a mouse. His hands would look like a bunch of bananas. Financially, the omission of an additional finger in each of the 45,000 drawings that make up a six-and-a-half-minute short film saved the studio millions.

Walt Disney on the number of fingers (Source: sandiegoreader.com)

This also leads to another reason: You save time and money. At that time, in order for something to be animated, you had to draw at least countless pictures yourself to create a movement. This was complex and tedious because you could only make slight changes per picture, like in a flipbook. You can save a lot of working time if you leave out a finger.

This is also suspected by the animator Butch Hartman on TikTok, who has drawn series like Danny Phantom or Cosmo and Wanda.

Another advantage at the time is suspected by ChannelFrederator in the characters. They were mostly anthropomorphic animals. It was less noticeable when a finger was missing.

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Today, there are different representations, series like The Amazing World of Gumball, Bob’s Burgers or films like Zootopia still rely on the 4-finger representation. If you’re interested in animation and cartoons, we have a list for you here: 6 underrated animated films that every fan of Disney and Pixar should see

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. ChannelFrederator auf YouTube
  2. Titelbildquelle: What´s On Disney Plus auf YouTube

The people in Warhammer 40,000 hate mutants, but one of the most important men is an exception

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 3 minutes

“Burn the heretic, kill the mutant, cleanse the unclean” – this is the motto of many devout and especially fanatical people in Warhammer 40,000. Everything that is not human is considered evil. But ironically, one of the super-soldiers, who walk the earth as demigods, is a mutant. A tricky dilemma for the average citizen.

In Warhammer 40,000, humans are not gentle with what is not strictly human. Xenos are at best scrutinized, usually there is no conversation but directly a battle.

The same goes for mutants, that is, for people who may not even be able to help their “otherness.” In a way, this is understandable, because mutations are in most cases “gifts” from the Chaos Gods.

Organizations like the Inquisition and the Adepta Sororitas, the warrior-priestesses in Warhammer 40,000, are dedicated among other things to the cleansing of mutations and similar issues. With mutants, usually the flamethrower is brought out first, then questions are asked.

But what if one of the Emperor’s sons is a mutant?

Angels of Death is about the Blood Angels:

Start video
Der Trailer zur Warhammer-Serie Angels of Death

The father of the Blood Angels was (almost) literally an angel

Sanguinius was the Primarch of the Blood Angels, one of the strongest Space Marine chapters in the world of Warhammer 40,000. He was considered extremely charismatic and humble. The Primarch was loyal to the point of sacrificing himself for the Emperor and the Imperium.

However, Sanguinius was born with a flaw: he had two enormous, angel-like wings that he could not even hide in armor. Whether these wings were planned by the Emperor or the result of extreme radiation exposure on his homeworld is not clear.

Not only that, Sanguinius was seen as an excellent leader, to whom everyone submits, but in battle as an absolute beast. With good reason, because in his blood is a “flaw,” the “Red thirst,” which turns him into a bloodthirsty berserker in combat.

This flaw has been passed on to all his sons, the Blood Angels. Nevertheless, no one would ever have dared to call Sanguinius a mutant.

“Why is he not considered a mutant?”

A user on Reddit asks exactly why Sanguinius is such an exception. The wings may make him appear like an angel, but they make him very clearly non-human.

The fans’ answer is quite clear: because Sanguinius was simply too important. As a Space Marine and Primarch, he is no longer a human; plus, he is loyal to the blood and one of the most important tools of the Emperor to unite humanity. There is simply no reason to ostracize him.

Moreover, no one would ever have dared to call Sanguinius a mutant. As Primarch, he had an almost divine status, and anyone who insulted Sanguinius would have been immediately hanged by devout people.

However, the Primarch himself saw himself as flawed. Possibly one of the reasons why he served the Emperor so faithfully.

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Mutants may live if they are useful

However, Sanguinius is not the only exception when it comes to mutants in Warhammer 40,000. As long as they possess a certain usefulness and can be controlled, mutants may live in the world, albeit often not under the best circumstances and only for special operational areas. Most of these “approved” mutants are referred to as metamorphs:

  • Ogryns are bulky, ogre-like giants who generally have a lower intellect but great strength. They are often used for heavy labor and the use of heavy weapons.
  • Pariahs, also known as the Untouchables or “Blanks,” are basically the opposite of psykers. While all other humans have a connection to the Warp, Pariahs shield themselves and often others from the Warp. They make sorcery practically impossible.
  • With the Conglomerates of Votann, akin to a dwarven folk, it is suspected that they were once humans who evolved over millennia. Whether they are a new species or stable mutations is not definitively clarified.

A significant exception, however, are Astropaths and Navigators. Both are essential to maintaining the Imperium. Astropaths are like the mobile phone connection in the Imperium; they ensure the transmission of messages through the Warp.

Navigators, on the other hand, are so rare and so important that almost all of them have noble privileges. These mutants possess a third eye through which they can see through the Immaterium and see the light of the Emperor. They are one of the reasons why humans can travel through the Warp.

Nevertheless, Navigators often face prejudice from particularly fanatical followers of the Imperium and are ostracized despite their status. Most, however, rise above what the masses think.

In general, the treatment of mutants is rather dangerous for humans, as even contact with a flaw can ensure that one ends up on the cleansing list of the Inquisition. However, there is a certain group of people who are allowed to do this: A handful of people are allowed to do in Warhammer 40,000 what would be heresy for everyone else

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

Popular app on Steam promises more FPS for 7 euros – MeinMMO tested it in several MMORPGs

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 5 minutes

A small program called Lossless Scaling, which you can find on Steam, promises better performance for your games, regardless of which graphics card you use. MeinMMO has acquired and tested the tool in several MMORPGs.

What kind of tool is this? Lossless Scaling is a small program that you can purchase on Steam. The current price: a slim 6.89 euros. The promise: better performance for your games through frame generation and various scaling options, even if your graphics card is actually too weak to achieve high FPS or run the native screen resolution.

Notably: Lossless Scaling has existed since December 2018, but the tool was long considered a bit of a secret tip. This only changed with the recent updates. Especially the new adaptive frame generation is well received by many buyers. On Steam, the 21,382 reviews so far have been 88 percent positive.

[toc]

Practical test in MMORPGs

How does Lossless Scaling perform in MMORPGs? That’s exactly what I have been looking into over the past few days, in several online role-playing games currently sitting on my hard drive. I played these on the following system:

  • Windows 11
  • AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core with 3.8 GHz
  • 32 GB RAM
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
  • Native monitor resolution: 2560 x 1440 at 144 Hz
Who is testing here? Karsten Scholz is not a tech expert, but “just” the MMORPG connoisseur at MeinMMO. Therefore, his test focused not on what happens under the hood, but whether activating frame generation actually provides a better gaming experience in MMORPGs.

The scaling options of Lossless Scaling don’t bring me much, as my PC has no problem rendering current MMORPGs at 2560 x 1440 resolution with high graphics settings. I was curious, however, whether I would notice a tangible improvement if Lossless Scaling raised the frames per second to the maximum my monitor can handle: 144 FPS.

For the test, I went to the places in various MMORPGs where the FPS tends to drop: bustling capitals or activities with many enemies or allies.

What settings did I use in Lossless Scaling? Like any good average user, I didn’t want to spend too much time with manuals, so I got a setup of options from the internet (via YouTube) that is said to be perfect for most newcomers.

Lossless Scaling: Options
Karsten’s beginner profile in Lossless Scaling for frame generation.

For the test runs with Lossless Scaling, I also followed tips from the internet and limited the FPS in the respective games to half my target value: 72. This way, the tool finds it particularly easy to reach, maintain, and thus constantly display a smooth image – as much as possible without graphic artifacts.

Lossless Scaling in New World

  • Graphics settings set to Very High
  • FPS without Lossless Scaling: fluctuated between 83 and 124
  • FPS with Lossless Scaling: 141 to 144

Practical impression: Theoretically, the image should be smoother when the FPS number matches the optimal value of the monitor. However, in New World, the difference was not noticeable to me with the naked eye.

Lossless Scaling in Throne and Liberty

  • Graphics settings set to Epic
  • FPS without Lossless Scaling: fluctuated between 40 and 54
  • FPS with Lossless Scaling: 135 to 144

Practical impression: Throne and Liberty not only looks great, but it also brings many player characters together in certain areas, which can cause the FPS to drop. With frame generation activated, I could therefore perceive a noticeable improvement here. Micro stuttering occurred less frequently, resulting in an overall smoother image.

Throne and Liberty: Players in one of the capitals
Thanks to the new expansion and server consolidation, Throne and Liberty’s servers are buzzing with activity. Good for the atmosphere, bad for the FPS.

Lossless Scaling in Elder Scrolls Online

  • Graphics settings set to Maximum
  • FPS without Lossless Scaling: 100
  • FPS with Lossless Scaling: 144

Practical impression: Unfortunately, there was no Cyrodiil battle with dozens of participants during my test. That would have probably been the best test case for the program. On the battlefields and in the dungeons and cities of Tamriel, I could not perceive any difference with the naked eye.

Tip: Colleague Jan Stahnke is one of the tech nerds at Gamestar Tech and has also looked at Lossless Scaling, but with a stronger tech perspective. You can find his insights and assessments here: The best 7-euro software for gamers on Steam just got even better, and I tested it.

Lossless Scaling in Lost Ark

  • Graphics settings set to Very High
  • FPS without Lossless Scaling: 100 to 120
  • FPS with Lossless Scaling: 143 to 144

Practical impression: While there is often an incredible amount going on the screen in Lost Ark, especially when facing hordes of enemies in a chaos dungeon, the FPS rate on my system remains consistently high. So high that Lossless Scaling probably makes no sense for me here.

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What do players say about Lossless Scaling in MMORPGs?

I was curious about what experiences other players have had with Lossless Scaling in MMORPGs.

  • waffennarr writes on Steam: “I only have a 3060 with 12 GB and can still play current games like […] Throne and Liberty smoothly with up to 90 FPS on WQHD.”
  • FuryxHD has been using the tool for months in WoW, he writes on Reddit: “As you can see, my FPS normally hovers around 60~, but with frame generation, I can reach over 200+.”
  • Kimo_o_o is also a WoW player and is excited on Reddit: “I had never heard of Lossless Scaling before and was curious whether it would work. I am incredibly satisfied with the results! I set it to x2, with the game fixed at 86 FPS, and it feels very smooth. Most of the time I stay at a constant 173 FPS, with occasional drops in the new capital, but they’re hardly noticeable.”
  • Daku- had somewhat less positive experiences in Throne and Liberty (via Reddit): “When I tried Lossless, I wasn’t sure if it was a placebo, but the game felt slower, as if the movements overall were slower.”
  • MathError complains after his test on mein-mmo.de: “I just tried it in WoW, read guides and watched videos, but somehow nothing changed or it got much worse in WoW, really a shame. Since I often have severe FPS problems in raids, this could have been a solution.”

If any of you have practical experiences with Lossless Scaling in MMORPGs, feel free to leave them in the comments!

Gregg2G shows in a video on YouTube how he managed to raise his FPS in WoW to between 120 and 240:

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Link to the YouTube content

Initial conclusion on Lossless Scaling

Lossless Scaling seems to be a surprisingly effective tool – for the small price – if you have a system that could really use support in performance and refresh rate in games, but you don’t want to lay out enormous sums for corresponding hardware upgrades.

As for our test system, it might be (still) too powerful. In three out of four MMORPGs, Lossless Scaling did not even have the opportunity to flex its muscles. With the upcoming generation of online role-playing games, this could look different: The 5 most beautiful MMORPGs of 2025 show that a new era of graphics is beginning

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

New Fantasy MMO from Warframe Creators Makes Access Easier, Soon Distributing Beta Access via Twitch

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

The developers of Warframe are currently working on a new MMO, but so far hardly anyone has been able to test it. That could change soon.

What is Soulframe? Soulframe is a free fantasy MMO from Digital Extremes, the development studio behind the popular looter shooter Warframe. The game features an open world set in a medieval setting and is heavily influenced by the themes of “nature and restoration”.

The combat system of Soulframe is similarly action-packed as Warframe, but adapted to the gameplay mechanics of a medieval role-playing game. You can either plunge into combat with melee weapons like a sword or pressure your opponents from a distance. In addition to bows and arrows, you can also cast powerful magical attacks.

It is also possible to parry enemy attacks or dodge them with a well-timed roll.

Start video
Soulframe – Gameplay

Soulframe plans key drops via Twitch

How can you play Soulframe? Currently, you can only test Soulframe in an early state during its ongoing development, if the developers send you an invitation. About 2,000 invitations are supposed to be sent weekly, with each invitation including 4 additional access keys for friends.

However, during the Soulframe dev stream on March 28, 2025, the developers hinted that access to the testing sessions would become easier in the future. You will be able to receive an access key through drops while watching live Twitch streams of the developers (via YouTube).

In these streams, the team behind Soulframe regularly informs about the current state of development and presents the latest progress. However, the developers have not yet revealed when exactly the Twitch drops will first be available.

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Test access has long been a wish of the community

On Reddit, there have been regular posts from players since the start of the testing sessions, expressing their desire to test Soulframe, but even after weeks of waiting, veterans of Warframe with thousands of hours have not received access.

Often, kind members of the community would then give away individual keys that they still had left over from their own invitation. Nevertheless, some players maintained their wish to make access to the tests easier and less dependent on luck. The developers are now responding to this wish.

If you are still looking for new MMOs to play in 2025, MeinMMO editor and MMORPG expert Karsten Scholz has summarized the most important releases in a large overview: New MMOs and multiplayer games 2025: Here are the releases to look forward to

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

Astonishingly many players are currently taking a ‘break’ in WoW Classic, fans suspect: There is more to it.

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

At the end of 2024, Blizzard opened anniversary servers for WoW Classic, resetting everything to the beginning once again. Now these servers are reaching a milestone – and a whole bunch of people are quitting. The reason behind this might be a frowned-upon cheat, some users claim.

For the 20th anniversary of WoW Blizzard opened new servers for WoW Classic. These servers will go through the game’s cycle one more time, starting from the state of the release in 2004 through various raids to The Burning Crusade in the course of 2025.

Now, about a quarter of a year after the servers opened, many players suddenly report independently that numerous acquaintances from their guilds or elsewhere are taking a break. This happens repeatedly, but that it is happening all at once now seems strange.

That’s why the timing is curious: On March 20, Phase 3 for the anniversary servers was launched. This brings, among other things, class quests for level 50 and, above all, one of the most popular raids of all time, the Blackwing Lair.

Actually, such an update is more of a reason to check back into the game rather than to disappear. Nevertheless, that is exactly what is happening in many places. There are repeated reports of people taking a “break” – right now.

On Reddit, players have now speculated that the claims of those taking breaks might not be entirely accurate.

Start video
WoW Launches Fresh Classic Realms – The Big Birthday Gift

“Just admit it”

Users suspect that the people who are no longer playing are not really taking a break. Or at least not voluntarily. They think that there is a temporary ban from Blizzard behind it, which is simply embarrassing for them.

WoW Classic has a problem with bots that the developers are continuously fighting, but which players keep noticing. Consequently, there are sometimes absurd prices for reagents and consumables that are considered prerequisites for raiding.

The solution for many players now is to buy gold in the game for real money, known as “Real Money Trading,” or RMT for short. However, this is strictly prohibited by Blizzard and is punished with bans. Claiming to take a break is simply embarrassing:

Just swallow it. Who cares? Just admit that you bought gold. I have more respect for someone who owns up to it than for a lame excuse for a vacation. The only thing lower would be blaming your wife or kids.

Guy777 on Reddit

Another user agrees. If you admit that you bought gold, you’ll be laughed at for 5 minutes, and then the matter will be forgotten. If you deny it all, you will be the topic of conversation in the guild for 2 weeks.

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However, others argue that a ban doesn’t have to be the reason for a “break”. Especially the high prices for raid consumables, such as potions, elixirs, and the like, are simply a reason for many to burn out.

Having to constantly farm gold just to go raiding is not fun. Taking a break and coming back later with The Burning Crusade is the plan for some players.

There is also currently an exodus of a small but well-known group from the hardcore servers: the guild OnlyFangs. After a few trolls destroyed several characters from the guild, Blizzard reacted, but it seems the air has gone out: Blizzard changes rules for WoW Classic Hardcore to prevent the end of OnlyFangs, but they only plan one last raid

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

inZOI needs an emergency patch on the very first day because you were able to do something really bad

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

The new Sims competitor inZOI is now in Early Access on Steam. The first players are actively playing, creating Zois, and exploring the world. Important in Early Access: find bugs. But one of these bugs was so serious that it had to be fixed immediately, even though it doesn’t actually break the game.

What kind of game is this?

That’s why inZOI had to be fixed: In inZOI, it is possible for your character to die and in sometimes absurd ways. Death is therefore part of the game, more or less.

What should not be possible, however, is to run over NPCs with a car. At least not in the way a player shows on Reddit. Apparently, you could get into a car in the first few hours and kill pedestrians with it.

Even worse: in the short clip, the user speeds into a group of children, one of whom is thrown across the square in a ragdoll manner while his friends still wave at the driver happily.

Apparently a bug that the developers fixed the same day, with the message: “These images are highly inappropriate and do not reflect the intentions and values of inZOI.” (via Eurogamer)

Start video
Trailer for inZOI provides insight into gameplay

Bug could have serious impact on the release

inZOI has a rating of 12 years in Germany and a “T for Teen” rating in the USA. This means that people can fight and romances are possible, but explicit sex is censored.

Killings are not planned and even the possibility of running over adults would likely have resulted in an adult-only rating, meaning 18+, or an “M for Mature”. Consequently, it was very important for the developers to react immediately.

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The statement continued that they understand the importance of this issue and promise to improve the internal testing processes to avoid such occurrences.

inZOI has only been playable for a day, and players have already found numerous bugs. For instance, homosexual citizens are missing (via Reddit), which is also said to be due to a bug that will be fixed soon, it is reported.

Aside from that, the game is currently receiving “very positive” reviews on Steam and can already attract over 80,000 players. The stories, which are told solely through the characters, are particularly well received: “I had to laugh so much” – German YouTuber Gronkh is so legendary that he shapes new games

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

The 10 most dangerous creatures from The Lord of the Rings in the power ranking

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 7 minutes

Middle-earth is full of dangerous creatures in both the books and the films that you better not mess with. In our power ranking, we clarify who is at the top.

How was the ranking created? In this list, we compare different creatures from Middle-earth in terms of danger and rank them from 10-1. Two factors are important in this.

On the one hand, the creatures must appear in The Lord of the Rings. Those that appear in The Hobbit or are part of Tolkien’s extensive mythology are excluded.

The second criterion: It doesn’t matter what race the creatures belong to or in what form they appear. What matters is that they have the potential to ruin the day of the good ones around Frodo and his companions.

As always, this ranking is subjective and based on the author’s opinion. If your personal list differs, feel free to let us know in the comments. And now, duck your heads; it’s going to get dangerous!

Start video
Epic Trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
The image rights of The Lord of the Rings are owned by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.
Gollum dangerous

Place 10: Gollum

Yes, you read that right. Gollum. The little, life-afflicted Sméagol lands in our place 10. The reason is simple: While Gollum does not seem particularly threatening or strong, one should never make the mistake of underestimating him. After all, he is a master of manipulation.

Due to his split personality, you never know if you can trust him or not. Frodo and Sam can sing a song about it. If you’re unlucky, the evil side in him takes over. In this case, it’s better to keep a safe distance from the raging creature, which goes to great lengths to achieve its goals. The nasty thing about Gollum is his unpredictability, which is hard to outsmart.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Player asks about the worst level in gaming, reopening old wounds in a massive discussion

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

On Reddit, gamers are discussing the worst level of all time, and a notorious tutorial is particularly unpopular.

The title image is a symbolic image.

What kind of discussion is this? A user asked on reddit: “Which level has made you the angriest? Bonus points if you actually quit the game because of it.”

The post has 1,200 likes, and almost twice as many people have commented on it. The top comment also provides the winner of the masses. The undisputed worst level in the history of gaming, at least according to Reddit, is the tutorial level in Driver.

Start video
A chronically ill man reports how gaming helped him through the worst year of his life

The tutorial in Driver turned a man into a hero

The game from 1999 is infamous for its parking garage tutorial: Reddit user Bongo_Kickflip doesn’t even need to explain what makes the tutorial so legendary difficult in his comment, which has 1,800 likes.

For those who don’t know what the tutorial in Driver is about:

  • In the tutorial, you have to perform a variety of tricks with your car. Some are quite difficult, but they aren’t really needed later in the game.
  • Moreover, you are in a parking garage and have to maneuver around the thick concrete pillars that support the roof.

When mentioning Driver, ArmedMartian remembers a true hero from his childhood:

There was a guy at my father’s work who was known for being able to pass the tutorial. That damn hero borrowed the kids’ memory cards of his colleagues on the weekend, completed the tutorial, and then returned them on Monday.

What levels are mentioned by the community? Another level that caused frustration was the one with the remote-controlled helicopter in GTA Vice City. 1,300 Reddit users agree with NikTh_.

For the user DeathByToilet, the RC missions in GTA San Andreas were particularly bad and have triggered awful memories of the helicopter mission from Vice City: “San Andreas’ Zero RC mission gave me Vice City PTSD, honestly f*ck the helicopter missions.”

mediocrityindepth mentions a level that he still can’t shake off: “I’m sure I’ve accomplished harder things since then, but the test for the International A license in the original Gran Turismo still lives rent-free in my head nearly 30 years later.”

One user comments: “I saw my friend leave the game in rage and almost throw his controller across the room – probably at least five times before we all got our A licenses.”

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What do you think is the worst level in the history of video games? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Whether too difficult or just right is also currently a question with another game: The First Berserker: Khazan starts “very positively” on Steam, but the difficulty level is causing heated discussions

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

New game from the Blizzard founder doesn’t need a controller, you play on the TV with your smartphone, coming to Steam in April

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

A co-founder of Blizzard created a new game studio in 2020, which will release its first game in 2025: a role-playing game focused on co-op.

Who is behind the game? Sunderfolk is produced by the developer studio Secret Door, which belongs to the game studio Dreamhaven founded in 2020. Dreamhaven is the new company of Mike Morhaime, who co-founded Blizzard with Frank Pearce and Allen Adham. Alongside Sunderfolk, Dreamhaven is also developing the PvP shooter Wildgate created by Moonshot Games.

The Return of Game Nights

What kind of game is it? Sunderfolk is a tactical C-RPG (classic role-playing game) with turn-based combat, set to be released on April 23, 2025, for Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

You take on the role of animal heroes protecting an underground village called “Arden,” which has formed around the remnants of a magical stone. This leads you into the dangerous Shardlands, where you carry out various tasks for the villagers in your fight against evil forces.

The game’s main feature is its strong focus on couch co-op with up to 4 players. Sunderfolk aims to bring back classic game nights and gather friends or families in the living room. To achieve this, the role-playing game utilizes your smartphones as controllers: each player downloads a free app, scans a QR code on the screen, and controls their hero with it.

The gameplay is primarily inspired by board games, with each player taking turns choosing their ability cards.

Start video
Sunderfolk gives you a glimpse of the game in the trailer

6 Animal Heroes with Unique Skills

In Sunderfolk, you can choose from 6 different classes, each with set abilities. For example, there is a raven arcanist who uses spells and can teleport your teammates, and a bat bard who uplifts teammates with songs and manipulates enemies.

  • Arcanist: Raven, Arcane magic (controls the field)
  • Bard: Bat, Support magic (buffs the team)
  • Berserker: Polar bear, Tank (can fling teammates and enemies)
  • Pyromancer: Lizard, Fire magic (deals AoE damage with flames)
  • Ranger: Goat, Ranged fighter (fights with bow and arrow)
  • Rogue: Ferret, Melee fighter (deals high single-target damage and has evasion skills)

Each class comes with its own playstyle and corresponding ability cards. So, you can choose the class that best fits you or simply go for the coolest animal.

If you enjoy C-RPGs like Sunderfolk and have also had fun with Baldur’s Gate 3, MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus presents here additional games you might like: 8 games like Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC, PS5, Xbox – What you can play after finishing the RPG

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

Fans of Warhammer 40,000 mourn one of their heroes, wishing him all the best on his journey to the Emperor

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

On March 27, 2025, one of the most important men in the history of Warhammer 40,000 passed away. Paul “Fat Bloke” Sawyer helped build the franchise during its “golden years” and brought it closer to the fans.

Who is the man?

  • Paul Sawyer co-founded Warlord Games in 2007, a British game publisher that primarily sells historical tabletop games along with all kinds of accessories.
  • However, Sawyer started in the industry back in 1993 at Games Workshop, the creators of Warhammer. At that time, he was a driving force behind the content of the “White Dwarf” magazine.
  • On March 27, 2025, Sawyer passed away after a six-month battle with a brain tumor.

This is Sawyer’s work: From 1993 to 2007, Sawyer worked as an editor for White Dwarf, the monthly magazine of Games Workshop. At that time, the magazine was the primary source for Warhammer fans to get new information and assistance with their hobby.

One of the most important contents of White Dwarf included reports on played battles, crafting guides, and tips for painting armies. Sawyer’s favorite army was the White Scars, one of the first chapters of the Space Marines.

In 2007, Sawyer then co-founded “Warlord Games” with John Stallard and worked there as “Head of Product Design.” Sawyer was mainly responsible for Bolt Action, one of the largest historical tabletop games in the world.

Start video
Die Geschichte der White Scars, einem der ersten Orden der Space Marines in Warhammer 40.000

“Hope he gets an endless supply of Bacon Buttys from the Emperor”

The news of Sawyer’s death hits many fans in the community hard. Especially veterans remember the White Dwarf editor and his contributions, and some still have old issues of his at home.

In the community, Sawyer is regarded as a legend, and particularly fans of the White Scars thank him for helping them with painting and playing. Some fans only started playing Warhammer or the White Scars because of him.

Reading the White Dwarf and Sawyer’s contributions was, at that time, the best way to learn more about Warhammer. Sawyer’s time at Games Workshop was for many the “golden years” of Warhammer because people felt like they were being presented with a hobby by people who truly loved the world. One user writes on Reddit:

There is a White Dwarf issue with a photo of Paul sitting there with his daughter after they bought two Chaos chariots. Both have the biggest, honest smiles.

With Paul Sawyer, a part of some people’s childhood has died.

Warhammer has existed for over 40 years and has captivated countless people since then. The world, with its absurd size, fascinates fans and keeps leading them into deep lore disputes, but it also helps them handle problems: Warhammer 40,000 helped a fan through tough times – his collection is worth thousands of euros.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. wargamer
  2. Reddit
  3. Facebook

inZOI launches to a “very positive” reception on Steam, ranking number 1 in the top sellers ahead of the biggest shooter

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

The life simulation inZOI starts on Steam: The player reviews are “very positive” and the game lands in 1st place among the top sellers. Thus, it even surpasses the largest shooter on the platform.

The life simulation from Korea is considered by many to be the first major competitor to The Sims and launched in Early Access on March 28, 2025. The current version of the game is still not final, and some features and content are still missing. Nevertheless, what players are presented with is already received very well.

  • inZOI already has over 6,000 reviews on Steam, of which 85% are positive. In the words of the Steam shop, the reviews are thus “very positive” (via Steam)
  • within the first 12 hours, inZOI has already reached 70,000 concurrent players on Steam, and it has even surpassed 87,000 (via steamdb.info)
  • The first major competitor to The Sims in the market is currently in 1st place among the top sellers on Steam, even ahead of Valve’s own ego shooter Counter-Strike 2 (via Steam)

This information is all up to date as of March 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM

Start video
inZOI: The new trailer for the Early Access of the life simulation on Steam

(Not) a perfect home for disappointed Sims fans

What do the reviews say? The game has managed to catch some Sims fans who are dissatisfied with EA’s handling of the series.

  • Sparx419 writes (via Steam): “If you love the life simulation genre but are frustrated by the endless DLC model and restrictions of The Sims 4, inZOI is definitely worth a look.”
  • AliceMAD is sure (via Steam): “After playing The Sims for years, I can confidently say that this game is the future! EA has really ripped us off. Give inZOI a few years, and it will surpass The Sims in every way.”
  • Anakin Skywalker takes an even harsher tone (via Steam): “The graphics in this game make my PC sound like an international airport. If inZOI becomes successful, there really is no reason for another Sims.”

Currently, there is still the greatest need for improvement in gameplay and technology. Many reviews, whether positive or negative, agree on this.

  • choccyla writes (via Steam): “The game is fun when it works, but I would wait until it’s polished a bit before buying Early Access.” It is said that the game frequently froze, which only could be fixed by restarting the PC. Nevertheless, there’s a thumbs up.
  • monsterfurby gives a thumbs down and writes (via Steam): “It looks pretty and definitely has potential, but at the moment it doesn’t tell any stories. […] If you are a Sims player who can spend hours in CAS (“Create a Sim”) and build mode, it may be for you. I, on the other hand, tend more towards emergent storytelling and am currently quite disappointed.”
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Many fans also praise that the developers respond quickly to feedback from the community. For example, the team removed a controversial feature after a brief protest. You can read more about it in this article: inZOI removes a controversial feature after facing angry protests for the last 24 hours

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

Call of Duty Speaks for the First Time About Shadow Bans – They Really Exist and Your Friends Could Be to Blame

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

For years, players of Call of Duty have believed that there are shadowbans. Now, Activision has shared official information for the first time.

What are shadowbans? In Call of Duty, there has been a theory for years that suspicious players can receive a so-called shadowban. This occurs when the game thinks you might be using cheats.

A shadowban, however, is different from a regular ban. After a shadowban, you can still play Black Ops 6 – but only against other players who also have a shadowban.

In shadowban lobbies, you mainly encounter cheaters and players who were mistakenly banned for cheating – at least that was the community’s theory for years.

Start video
Call of Duty shows what Verdansk looks like upon returning in Season 3 of Warzone

Shadowbans are not confirmation that someone is cheating

What does Call of Duty say about it? In a new blog post, Call of Duty explained that the shadowban system indeed exists. The developers call it “limited matchmaking” and it restricts your matchmaking when suspicious activities are detected.

Through limited matchmaking, accounts can still play online matches without disturbing players in normal matchmaking while Activision collects evidence for potentially following actions.

Furthermore, it is stated that a player with restricted matchmaking is not considered a confirmed cheater. This is merely a sign that alarms are going off at Activision, and they will investigate the respective account more closely. Overall, the limited matchmaking consists of only 0.15% of all players.

What gets you into limited matchmaking? Activision lists several examples that can lead to your account being considered suspicious. These include:

  • a significant change in account behavior
  • when a new account achieves unlikely statistics

Additionally, according to Activision, you can get into limited matchmaking because of a friend. If a player in your party has restricted matchmaking, the entire party will be forced to play in shadowban lobbies.

Spam reports, meaning repeatedly reporting a player, do not increase the likelihood of a (shadow) ban, according to the blog post. On the contrary, it even reduces trust in future reports regarding that account.

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What exactly Activision interprets as “a significant change in account behavior” was not elaborated on by the developers in the blog post. Based on player reports from the past, this could be a significant performance boost.

Shortly after the release of Black Ops 6, there were increasing reports within the community that players received a shadowban when they played “normally” after the camo grind and relied on good weapons. Previously, they played with relatively bad weapons in order to unlock certain camouflage. With the good weapons, they of course made significantly more kills and could then be considered suspicious.

The German YouTuber Cem Gülken, also known as Haptic/HapticRush, was likely banned because of such a performance boost. He let a good friend who plays significantly better play on his account and shortly after was caught in limited matchmaking: German YouTuber gets banned in CoD: Black Ops 6, says his buddy is to blame

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

Star Citizen introduces an alien with the new update that serves an important function in the SF MMO

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MMO Star Citizen, the new patch Alpha 4.1 went live on March 27, 2025. With the update, the first alien NPC, Wikelo, entered the game. He plays an important role in motivating players: He offers loot.

What kind of NPC is he? Wikelo belongs to the Banu, a people focused on trade. The alien has a heart for humans and has therefore decided to retire near humans to offer his goods.

A developer summarizes his role in the game like this:

Basically, he can build you cool stuff if you bring him what he needs.

The developers describe the Banu as “the Golden Retrievers of the universe,” always wanting to appear as harmless as possible and be everyone’s friend … until they are not.

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Star Citizen: StarEngine-Trailer – The Future of Gaming

Star Citizen takes an important step towards: Players have something to do

What does he sell? The developers say: Wikelo will never give the player money, but he has many items for sale. There are weapons, armor, cool gadgets, and even spaceships. Some of these will only be available through the merchant. Wikelo will also offer cosmetic items.

Among the items he offers (via reddit), are:

  • Ships like the Polaris, F8C Military, F8C Stealth, Guardian Military, Scorpius Military
  • Weapons like the Kopion Skull Gun, Kopion Tooth Gun
  • Armor

I’m pretty excited. It’s an important moment for a space game to finally get a damn alien.

The developers say: Wikelo will now be an important part of Star Citizen. Players will interact with him repeatedly, so it’s best to get along well with him.

This is his role: In essence, Wikelo is a quest NPC with a variety of possible rewards, intended to motivate players over a long time and apparently also to encourage resource grinding.

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Focus in the new patch is on mining – Players praise the affordable new ship

This is the idea behind the new patch: The backstory in the new patch is that the “Rain” technique no longer works, which originally granted immortality to every resident in the universe of Star Citizen. For players, this changes nothing, but in the game’s story, research is being stimulated and raw materials need to be mined.

Therefore, the focus of the new patch is on “mining.” Star Citizen introduces a new gameplay loop that sends players to Aberdeen and Daymar, where they can extract resources.

In the game, this is expressed not only through the new gameplay activity but also through a “real new mining starter ship” that is sold for $60. This is also the currently biggest topic in the community.

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People are surprised by the relatively affordable price – at least for Star Citizen’s standards.

The developers of Star Citizen emphasize that since December 2024, they are in a strong phase, regularly releasing new and significant patches that significantly improve and expand Star Citizen: Star Citizen presents massive battleship – For nearly 1,000 euros, you can feel like in Battlestar Galactica

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

„We missed it“ – The creator of The Big Bang Theory regrets that he recognized one thing too late

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular comedy series of the last 20 years. The quirky nerds have hit the nail on the head and to this day, the characters are solidified in pop culture. However, one of the most important characters regrets how he initially dealt with her.

Which character is it about? Penny is, although not one of the nerds, one of the most important characters in the series. She is not only a counterbalance to the scientists content-wise, but also emotionally. Especially throughout the series, she develops into a multi-dimensional character.

At first, this was not the case. She was rather the cliché of a naive actress who just wants to be famous. This is one of the things that Chuck Lorre, the creator of the series, regrets. He revealed this in a podcast.

Start video
The Big Bang Theory – Trailer of Season 1

She was unfortunately one-dimensional

What does Chuck Lorre say about the character Penny? In the current format The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast (via YouTube), the creator of the series Chuck Lorre spoke with former Warner Chief Peter Roth about Penny and the beginnings of the series. Lorre concludes that he regrets how Penny was written at the beginning:

At the beginning we catered to the cliché: a silly blonde who says dumb things. That is a cliché character, isn’t it? And we neglected it. We didn’t have the knowledge from the start that what she brought to the series and to the other characters was an intelligence that was foreign to [the scientists], you know, intelligence about people and relationships and family.

Initially, there was also a missed opportunity to make Penny the counterbalance to the nerds, which she later became. She was unfortunately one-dimensional. But that’s where the advantage of TV series comes into play, which Chuck Lorre mentioned in the podcast: You can develop characters over a longer period and learn what you may have done wrong.

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Kaley Cuoco was the right choice

Originally, Penny was supposed to be the character Katie and played by another actress. But the test audiences hated her. In the podcast, Lorre clarifies once again why Kaley Cuoco was so good for the role.

Kaley’s Penny was never critical of the nerds, she was amused by them. Even when she got angry, she was never harsh or disrespectful. Penny never judged the nerds, who according to Lorre judged her more.

This is also the main characteristic that distinguishes her from the original character Katie, as Peter Roth explains:

There was a sweetness, an affection that she felt towards them, and I believe the audience […] wanted to protect these two boys: The audience wanted to protect these two boys, these two men, these two innocents, and [Cuoco] honored that.

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Nowadays, one cannot imagine The Big Bang Theory without Penny. She keeps the madness of the other guys in check and often brings emotional depth and development to the other characters in the series. Instead of a real woman, they originally even planned a robot: The Big Bang Theory: Before the series started, an important character was supposed to be a robot

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Jeuxvideo
  2. nypost.com
  3. Titeilbildquelle: Warner Bros. DE auf YouTube
  4. Filmstarts

Streamer travels live on Twitch around the world, cannot choose her next destination herself

Johanna Johanna Reading time 2 minutes

A streamer is continuously live on Twitch while traveling the world. She has a special rule that makes the journey more exciting.

Who is this Twitch streamer? It is the streamer Verena, who mainly streams in the IRL and Just Chatting categories on her Twitch channel. In the last 365 days, she had an average of 730 viewers and streamed 975,359 hours (via sullygnome).

Before her career as a Twitch streamer, she played Counter-Strike 1.6 and CS:GO. She has also worked for Tesla and BMW and has been streaming full-time since 2023. Currently, she even offers her help to Twitch streamers with coaching and other kits.

Verena frequently collaborates with the Twitch streamer quiteLola, appeared on the Christmas show of Monte & Zarbex, and also attended the Stream Awards. Highlights of her streams are uploaded to her YouTube channel.

Verena is an integral part of the German Twitch IRL scene.

We show you the 5 most relevant German Twitch streamers in our video:

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

Special rule makes the journey uncertain

One rule determines the journey: As a rule, Twitch streamer Verena has set that she takes the cheapest flight to another country every day. She always flies in the evening and has to find accommodation for each destination.

During the day, she explores the city where she has landed and looks at interesting things there, of course, streaming with her viewers. Her goal is to return to Germany. She calls it the “Travelthon”.

Verena took on this challenge once before, about four months ago. Highlights of her previous Travelthon were uploaded to her YouTube channel.

This is how the Travelthon went: Verena started her journey on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Germany, and her first destination was Istanbul and Antalya, both in Turkey. She continued to Nicosia and Larnaca in Cyprus and then to Athens in Greece.

Athens was the last stop, as from there the cheapest flight back to Germany was available. That was on Monday, March 24. The Travelthon lasted a total of 4 days.

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With her Travelthon, Verena offers her viewers an interesting way to follow travel content on Twitch. The Twitch platform is full of streamers who take their audience into exciting areas of life. So does master butcher Roegele: A master butcher streams his daily life on Twitch and 10,000 people love it

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

Gronkh speaks out about the accusation that he used the wrong words: „Will not fold on everything“

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

The German YouTuber Gronkh has now been criticized for using a video title that contains a phrase that is associated with far-right politics. The influencer has made a clear statement about it.

This is the situation: On March 20th, Gronkh released a Let’s Play video of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on YouTube, which originally had the title “A Song of Blood and Honor.”

The motto “Blood and Honor” is a term that appeared in the ideology of the Hitler Youth. The words were also etched on knives used by the Hitler Youth. In Germany, using this phrase is punishable under use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations.

Meanwhile, the video is now titled “A Song of Discipline and Honor.” Already directly under the video, there were a few comments pointing out that the title “could not just be used like that.”

Start video
Gronkh, the man with the voice – Career and life of Germany’s most famous Let’s Player

Gronkh does not want to let fascists dictate his language

Here’s what Gronkh says about the issue: According to Gronkh, he was inspired by Game of Thrones with the title “A Song of” and the game title from Might and Magic VII (“For Blood and Honor”). This is also the name of a WoW book.

Gronkh says (via Reddit): There are certain terms from the Nazi era that he will not use out of conviction, but he also will not start to watch every title or conversation to see if “any idiots” have used a phrase for themselves:

I cannot and do not want to cower at everything and do not want to duck out at any instance where someone connects something in a way only known to those who have extensively dealt with Nazi culture or far-right ideology. Especially since I have little desire to fill my head with right-wing lyrics, networks, and literature just so I don’t accidentally say something that was used in any way there, allowing some fascists to dictate my language.

This is not only ridiculous but restricts language in a way that I – maybe I’m just stubborn – simply do not see.

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This is how it is being discussed. Most comments fully agree with Gronkh’s stance. Even critical comments do not suggest any malicious intent on his part; some wished for even more insight.

But the majority of comments agree with Gronkh in his assessment that there is no need to get overly upset about this title.

gronkh
Der Bundesclaner wrote in 2023: You might know me as this Bad Boy from Twitter.

By quickly changing the video title, the potential for discussion was already deflated. There will therefore be no comparable situation to “The Federal Chancellor” as there was with Hogwarts Legacy: Twitch: Fans support Gronkh with €37,000 after the uproar surrounding Hogwarts Legacy – “Should have more shitstorms”

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

Developer raked in nearly 8 million for his MMORPG, hasn’t even finished the website update for months

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 5 minutes

It’s time for our MeinMMO format “MMORPG News in Two Minutes.” We summarize the most important news about the best genre in the world. Look forward to Chronicles of Elyria, OnlyFangs, and countless new content updates for various online worlds.

The highlights of the week:

What else has happened? With Patch 7.2, the new content update for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail has been released. As soon as the new features were live, there were discussions about the adjustments for the Black Mage job. An overview of the fresh endgame content of the MMORPG can be found here: Endgame until Patch 7.2 with new raid and new trial.

Here is the trailer for Patch 7.2 of Final Fantasy XIV:

Start video
The new trailer for Patch 7.2 of Final Fantasy XIV shows the new, highly anticipated content

New updates everywhere you look

This is what happened with the big MMORPGs:

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This is what happened with the smaller MMORPGs:

More about MMORPGs:
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This is what happened in the developing MMORPGs:

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We have summarized for you the most important events that have recently taken place in the world of MMORPGs.

What have you been excited about this week? What has frustrated you? Let us know in the comments. If you are looking for a humorous yet informative roundup on online role-playing games, be sure to check out here: Report, columns, talks, and the top list of the best MMORPGs of all time – that was the theme week from MeinMMO

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

The First Berserker: Khazan launches “very positively” on Steam, but the difficulty level sparks heated discussions

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

The new action RPG The First Berserker: Khazan is already well received on Steam. However, one topic currently dividing the community is the high difficulty level of some bosses.

How is the game currently received? The reviews for the hardcore action RPG on Steam are currently 94% positive. While the community is currently showing a lot of love for the game, one topic is being rigorously discussed: the difficulty level.

Start video
The First Berserker: Khazan offers intense battles against powerful foes in Soulslike style

One boss causes particularly many tears

How difficult is The First Berserker: Khazan? MeinMMO author Ody has already played the action RPG and notes for himself: The First Berserker Khazan is a tough nut to crack even for some Souls veterans. Especially the Viper, the third boss in the game, caused problems for him and other players.

  • Mr. Awesome captures the feeling of many players in his review (via Steam): “Died to the boss 20+ times, finally defeat him with 5% HP left, cutscene starts – the boss gets angry, phase 2 begins… with a full health bar.”

In the official subreddit for the game, the boss is also mentioned quite frequently:

  • krsna_0 writes in a post (via Reddit), after defeating the Viper: “Not going to lie, took me over 7 hours straight – am I done for??”
  • Difficult_Ant5973 was quite taken aback by the second phase of the boss. Many players agree with him in the comments under his post (via Reddit).
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The developers have already responded to feedback and made two bosses – including the Viper – “slightly” easier (via Steam). It felt too much like an “end boss challenge” and is now supposed to fit better into the natural progression of the game.

Should the developers nerf bosses or not?

However, many players fear that the developers will respond to feedback regarding bosses like the Viper and make them too easy. For some, the difficulty level is perfect as it is. They urge the developers not to change anything.

  • “PLEASE DO NOT NERF THE BOSSES!”, pleads WillingMaybe5892 (via Reddit) with the developers. A game like this is needed that tests your abilities and is challenging. His post has over 400 likes and 200 comments.

For all those who want it easier, there is already the easy mode. But does that mean that criticism of the normal difficulty level cannot be justified? Opinions differ.

  • “Can we please have a Soulslike without the FromSoftware fanboys trying to ruin the experience for others with their superiority complex?”, writes Bamberg_07 (via Reddit), but receives a lot of mockery for it. The game is supposed to be that hard, and he should just play the “easy mode” if the difficulty bothers him.
  • “Are these nerfs REALLY that bad, or is this just the typical overreaction from the Soulslike community, as always?”, asks A-Omega16 (via Reddit). The most common response is: Yes, the reaction is exaggerated.
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Have you played The First Berserker: Khazan yet? Feel free to let us know in the comments how you are coping with the difficulty level. By the way, you can read our impressions of the game here: I have over 500 hours in Souls games, but The First Berserker: Khazan broke me

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

Monster Hunter Wilds: The Best Build for the Light Bowgun in Endgame

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

With the Light Bowgun, you can adopt an aggressive playstyle in Monster Hunter Wilds and quickly and effectively pummel your target from a distance. For faster combat in the endgame, we will show you the best build with the weapons, armors, and decorations you need.

How is the build structured? We will first show you a brief overview of the essential items like weapons and armors for the best build of the Light Bowgun. Then we will explain in detail the most important information about crafting your equipment and choosing the right decorations for your armor. Finally, we will reveal the strength of the build.

This build will be continuously updated and completely modified depending on updates to align with the current meta. So feel free to stop by after each update and see what’s changed.

With our directory, you can also quickly jump to the individual points of the build:

[toc]

Light Bowgun Build: Everything about Weapons, Armors & Decorations

Start video
Capcom shows the light bow gun from Monster Hunter Wilds

What is the best build for the Light Bowgun? The best build for the Light Bowgun relies on high base and penetration damage. An element is avoided, as the weapon can deal immense damage when integrated correctly into the build. Let’s take a quick look at the necessary items:

WeaponSzelatya Large Bowgun or alternatively Animilator (Artian Weapon)
ArmorGore Helm B
Gore Armor B
Gore Bracers B
Gore Waist B
Udra Legs B
TalismanChaser Talisman

How to build the best Artian Weapon for the Light Bowgun

What do I need for crafting Animilator? For Animilator, you should ensure to select three attack infusions when crafting your materials. The element is secondary and can be chosen according to your preference.

However, we recommend focusing on the Szelatya Large Bowgun, as the weapon can cause much more effective damage and penetrate your target.

As a secondary weapon, the Artian Longsword “Dimensius” is especially worthwhile. The weapon has many combos that deal multiple hits and makes it easier for you to sever tails during a solo hunt.

Which boost bonus should I focus on? When improving your Artian weapon, the following bonuses are especially important in priority:

  1. Attack
  2. Element

Which decorations are important? You can be more flexible with the decorations and choose the following options:

  • Piercing Jewel 3
  • Precise Jewel II 2
  • Opener Jewel 1

Light Bowgun Build: Armors and Decorations

Which armors are important? For our armor selection, we focus on the following equipment and effects:

Armors

  • Gore Helm B
  • Gore Armor B
  • Gore Bracers B
  • Gore Waist B
  • Udra Legs B
  • Chaser Talisman
MHW Light Bowgun Build Setup
This is what the armor of the build looks like

Set Bonuses

  • Gore Magalas Tyranny
    • Black Darkness II: Causes Frenzy in battles against large monsters

Which decorations should I use? With armor, it’s primarily about selecting decorations that support your Frenzy, Affinity, and raw damage. The following should be equipped:

  • Helm
    • Challenger Jewel 3
    • Reason Jewel 1
  • Chest Armor
    • Challenger Jewel 3
    • Reason Jewel 1
  • Arm Guards
    • Powerful Jewel 2
    • Powerful Jewel 2
  • Leg Guards
    • Challenger Jewel 3
    • Powerful Jewel 2
  • Armor Feet
    • Counterattack Jewel 3
    • Reason Jewel 1

How does the strength of the build unfold?

The Light Bowgun is known for its extremely fast fire rate and the ability to penetrate its targets. To further strengthen this, we focus on Affinity and the boost of raw damage. In contrast to the Heavy Bowgun, you are much more mobile on your feet and can also evade more effectively. The goal is to hit the target as often as possible and stay alive.

The Szelatya Large Bowgun is also the ideal choice if you want to deal damage quickly, as raw damage is more effective than building the weapon around an element. With the Opener Jewel, you can also reload much faster, which quickly increases your damage and Affinity.

To ensure you can also deal damage in close combat, we’ve included the Longsword. Its combos are quick, versatile, and the weapon is a strong option to sever tails and limbs. When you combine that with the Corrupted Mantle, your DPS is high and your Affinity can reach up to 70%.

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That was all the important information about the best Light Bowgun build in Monster Hunter Wilds. In addition to build information, tips for combat are also crucial to emerge victorious. Therefore, we have explained everything important again in the combat guide: The ultimate combat guide to Monster Hunter Wilds: Everything about elements, status system, and important tips for the hunt

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. game8.co