What do Tray and Boxed mean when buying a CPU?

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 3 minutes

Those who want to buy a new CPU for their computer often find the labels Tray and Boxed. But what does that mean for me as a buyer?

The most important points at a glance:

  • CPUs labeled “Boxed” are intended for retail sale to individuals.
  • Processors labeled “Tray” are intended for wholesale to manufacturers, such as those building complete PCs.
  • Boxed offers you a warranty period in addition to the legal guarantee, while Tray only provides the guarantee to certain buyer groups such as PC manufacturers.
  • In addition to Boxed and Tray, there is a third label for CPUs with WoF.

Anyone looking to buy a new CPU has likely come across abbreviations like Boxed, Tray, and WoF. But what exactly do they mean and what do I give up if I choose a CPU with a corresponding abbreviation?

Boxed, Tray, or even WoF?

What does Boxed mean for my CPU? A CPU labeled “Boxed” usually comes with packaging and accessories. This means that the package typically includes a CPU cooler, a manual, and other accessories.

What does Tray mean for my CPU? Tray means that the CPU is delivered without extensive accessories or packaging. Often, the CPU is delivered “only” in a plastic wrap. Hence, the name “Tray”, which stands for a (plastic) tray in English.

Previously, CPUs with Tray were mainly meant for PC manufacturers who sold the systems afterward. Nowadays, however, you can also find CPUs sold as Tray to regular customers and gamers on Amazon and other retailers.

Trays have another important difference compared to Boxed that one should be aware of: CPUs sold as Tray offer only the legal warranty, but no manufacturer warranty. AMD describes the difference very clearly on their own website:

The AMD warranty on processors applies exclusively to customers who purchased a processor-in-a-box in a sealed retail package. (…) If the processor was purchased separately and not in a sealed retail package, the processor is considered an OEM product. Warranty service is provided by the seller and not by AMD.

OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer” and refers to products delivered for PC companies and the like.

The warranty is legally assured to customers, while warranties are offered voluntarily by manufacturers and dealers. Simply put, the manufacturer must ensure that the sold goods function, but they do not have to additionally provide a warranty (via channelpartner.de).

What does WoF mean for a CPU? WoF stands for “without fan” and means that you receive a “boxed” CPU without a cooler. Compared to Tray, however, you still get the manufacturer warranty.

Start video
Battlemage: Check out Intel’s new graphics cards in the video

Tray vs Boxed: The CPU performance remains the same

Do I get less performance? No, with Boxed and Tray, it usually only refers to the (re)packaging of the CPU. The processor itself, whether from AMD or Intel, remains the same. The specifications also remain identical.

Regardless of whether you choose Tray or Boxed in the store, the performance remains unaffected. Only the scope of delivery and the warranty differ.

Tray, Boxed, or WoF: What should you buy?

In general, the retail prices barely differ, and sometimes you even pay more for Tray than for Boxed models. The price difference is usually negligible.

Therefore, it is advisable to choose the Boxed version when buying a CPU. Even if you think you won’t need the CPU cooler. Because then you definitely get the manufacturer warranty as well.

If you are only interested in Tray because you do not want to have a cooler lying around at home, then look for WoF variants, which both AMD and Intel now offer for many CPUs.

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The Ryzen 7 9800X3D from AMD is currently considered the best CPU you can buy for a gaming PC according to tests. However, the predecessor is still available at a lower price. Which processor is the most worthwhile and for whom is another CPU worth considering? MeinMMO presents you with similarities and differences of the CPUs and explains what you should know before buying: Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Which CPU from AMD should I buy for my PC?

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

7 NPC companions in gaming that are just annoying

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 4 minutes

Companions in games can often be really helpful. In other cases, they are just annoying. The reasons for this are manifold. In this list, we show you 7 companions that really get on our nerves.

In many games, developers provide us with NPC companions. They become part of our adventure and support us in various ways. They usually have their own personality, abilities, and weapons. Good companions can make gaming easier and ideally bring their own story with them.

However, there are companions that start to annoy after a short time. In this list, we present seven of these sidekicks. The order is completely random. Beware, there is a potential for old wounds to be reopened. Adventurers, you have been warned.

[toc]

Ashley from Resident Evil 4

Start video
Resident Evil 4 Trailer

Our first companion is one that can be particularly annoying. Ashley from Resident Evil 4 is the daughter of the US President and needs to be rescued by protagonist Leon S. Kennedy.

The problem: She can hardly defend herself against the attackers, screams for help (and does so repeatedly), often dies, and is overall the epitome of a “damsel in distress”.

Having her as a companion feels like an endless protection mission, and not a good one. Originally, Ashley was even supposed to be playable, but these plans were discarded during development. Thus, Ashley unfortunately became a defenseless and useless companion, who only was revised and improved in the remake.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
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After more than 25 years, it still feels right to press the B button firmly to catch a Pokémon

Leya Jankowski Leya Jankowski Reading time 2 minutes

Thanks to schoolyard myths, MyMMO editor-in-chief Leya still has to firmly press the B button on her Switch today when she wants to catch a Pokémon.

As a child of the 90s, I just about experienced a time when the Internet was a rarity in every household. We exchanged information about games on the schoolyard or with the neighborhood kids.

Pokémon Red/Blue on the Game Boy sparked a real boom among us children in 1999. Pokémon was suddenly the hottest trend, and we all only talked about the games and the anime. Some of us immediately took on the role of pocket monsters and called out words like “Pikachu” and “Bulbasaur” while playing during recess. This led to many adults shaking their heads and accusing my generation of getting dumber.

Because back then, you couldn’t verify everything on the Internet with a quick Google search, many rumors and legends spread that we picked up and firmly believed.

If you press the B button firmly, the catch rate increases!

One rumor that spread on the schoolyard claimed that you could increase a Pokémon’s catch rate simply by pressing the B button hard enough as soon as you threw the ball at the Pokémon. A variation of this was to press B as quickly as possible in succession during the catching attempt. However, I knew that rapid pressing had to be nonsense, and the pros used the hold method for the B button. Logical.

Of course, the chance of catching a Pokémon consists of programmed factors: how strong the used Pokéball is, what level the Pokémon has, or how worn out it already is from battle.

That was more than 25 years ago. I still play every new Pokémon game and haven’t lost my love for pocket monsters.

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The B button still has to be pressed…

Today I realize that pressing the B button doesn’t actually do anything.

But not doing it feels wrong, and I can’t help myself. Back then, it was the bulky gray Game Boy, today it’s the delicate Nintendo Switch. As soon as I throw the Pokéball, my thumb automatically moves to the B button, and I hold it down. The button stays pressed until the ball stops shaking and the Pokémon is finally secured inside.

I don’t know why I still do this. Maybe the child in me takes over, the one who eagerly listened to the tips and tricks from the schoolyard and believed the innocent rumors.

Pokémon is more to me than just a game – it’s a piece of childhood that I still carry with me today. And as long as there are new Pokémon to catch, I’ll keep pressing the B button.

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

WoW: Loot up to item level 665 is almost given away this week

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

You can earn a particularly strong item this week, starting on March 26th, in World of Warcraft with minimal effort. We’ll tell you how to do it.

For the best loot, you usually have to complete challenging content in World of Warcraft – at least most of the time. However, this week there is an exception, as a relatively easy quest line rewards you with an item that has a minimum item level of 649 but can be significantly higher. All you have to do is complete 4 relatively simple dungeons.

Start video
WoW Patch 11.1: Gallywix’s Control over the Cartels

Where can you find the quest? In Dornogal at the table near the flight master, you can accept the quest “Emissary of War” from March 26th to April 1st. As a reward for completing the quest, you’ll receive a special box that may contain a piece of loot from the heroic variant of the “Liberation of Lorenhall” raid.

What do you need to do for the quest? The quest requires you to complete 4 mythic dungeons. While mythic dungeons are a bit tougher than the heroic or regular versions, there is no time limit and no additional affixes. So, you can take all the time you need and complete the dungeons even with little experience or inadequate gear. The loot you obtain from world quests should be more than sufficient to be able to complete mythic dungeons.

If you are planning to have one or another “Mythic+” evening this week anyway, you can combine it with receiving the box. Mythic+ also counts towards the quest progress, so you can pick up an additional reward after your 4th dungeon.

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Blizzard promised quick updates with WoW Midnight without loss of quality – The endeavor has failed
von Karsten Scholz

What items can be found in the box? The box can basically contain all loot that can be used by your class and drops in the heroic variant of the Liberation of Lorenhall. This includes not only the standard loot from the bosses but also the particularly rare items such as “The Jastor Diamond” from Gallywix may be included in the box.

The item level of the reward is therefore at least 649, but can go up to 665 – depending on how lucky you are. However, if you only receive a low item, you don’t need to worry, as all items can later be upgraded to level 665.
The new gear is likely to be very useful for many of you, as several classes received some major nerfs today, as they were simply too strong before.

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

After 16 years, the legendary Lagiacrus finally returns to Monster Hunter – Now I’m afraid he won’t meet expectations

Alexander Mehrwald Alexander Mehrwald Reading time 4 minutes

Lagiacrus, the legendary Leviathan from Monster Hunter Tri, finally returns to Monster Hunter Wilds after a long wait. But even though it is the absolute favorite monster of MeinMMO editor Alexander Schürlein, he is now afraid because it is actually returning.

Who is Lagiacrus? The monster Lagiacrus was the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Tri/3 Ultimate, which was released in 2009. As a Leviathan, it ruled the seas, presenting its hunters with challenging underwater battles and could also cause serious trouble on land.

However, despite the fiddly controls on the Wii and the Nintendo 3DS, and sometimes very frustrating challenges, it burned itself into the hearts of the community back then and is still fondly referred to as a monster that conveys the typical Monster Hunter feeling.

The monster ranked third in a 2023 survey by Capcom (via monsterhunter.com), making it one of the most popular in the series, even though it hasn’t appeared since Monster Hunter 3.

Lagiacrus – it is often referred to as the ruler of the seas

I feel very similar as a player who started with Monster Hunter Tri: With its electric attacks underwater, it often ensured that I met my end within a few breaths.

And how much I cursed while trying to position the camera in battles so that Lagiacrus couldn’t catch me off guard, with my index finger cramping on the damned D-pad. Because back then, there was no second stick for the camera; you had to adjust it using the D-pad – unless you had an alternative controller available. Every time I managed to defeat it, the relief and rush of victory felt even more intense.

Nevertheless, or rather because of that, the water dragon has become my absolute favorite monster. For a solid 16 years, I hoped and waited with the community that our beloved Lagi would finally reappear.

And now that the time has come, I am actually more afraid of it.

Who is writing here? MeinMMO editor Alexander Schürlein has accumulated over 1,000 hours as a monster hunter. It all started back in 2009 with Monster Hunter Tri. Over the years, he has played numerous titles on various consoles and prefers to set out on hunts with dual blades.
Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds shows its first title update with a new monster

Hype and Worry at the Same Time

Because despite being incredibly excited to fight my favorite monster again soon, I have some worries. The hype surrounding the return of Lagiacrus is massive, and anticipation for the next update in summer is growing.

But it raises the question of whether the return can actually live up to the original success and battle feel, as well as the high expectations of the community. After so many years, the hope has built up, and the series has steadily evolved over time. The developers have always shown they are very close to the community and are well aware of the Leviathan’s popularity.

Will Capcom succeed in giving Lagiacrus the return the community has always wished for? They at least need to be very sure, because it’s not that there hasn’t been a plan to bring it back over the many years. Still, they will have to make compromises in Monster Hunter Wilds that worry me a bit.

Because originally it was planned for Monster Hunter World and was meant to take the place of Rathalos, but it was then canceled. However, that was not because Capcom didn’t want the ruler of the seas back: The reason was primarily technical.

In an old gameplay video from 2015, a prototype of the then Lagiacrus version can still be seen:

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The Legendary Lagiacrus Without Underwater Battles?

Because what would Lagiacrus be without its legendary underwater battles? Over the years, the series around Monster Hunter has evolved, but underwater battles have fallen by the wayside.

These would also need to be developed further due to numerous criticisms of the then system (via Reddit). However, considering the already high scope of the games, that would be too costly and almost like developing a completely new game, as the developers stated.

Therefore, there will probably never be underwater battles in a Monster Hunter again. And for this reason, they had long refrained from bringing Lagiacrus back.

You can see how the battles used to look here:

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Capcom also had trouble with the animations of the Leviathans, which prevented the return of the legendary Lagiacrus. These have been revised for Monster Hunter Wilds, which is why fans already speculated in advance that it could finally make a comeback.

Now that it has been announced, the question arises as to how Capcom will implement its fight. Because is Lagiacrus really Lagiacrus without its waters?

Uth Duna Shows the Way

Leviathans like Uth Duna demonstrate that an implementation is also possible without direct underwater combat. And the Crimson Forest provides a good backdrop, as well as opportunities to give Lagiacrus a touch of the sea.

Some players have already managed to observe Uth Duna underwater:

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Similar possibilities are available for the presentation of Lagiacrus, allowing for some room for staging that can impress and enchant fans of Monster Hunter Tri like me.

Lagiacrus has already proven in Monster Hunter Tri that it can also pose a threatening challenge on land. The building blocks for a glorious return of our favorite Leviathan are therefore already laid in Monster Hunter Wilds.

If Capcom utilizes the adjustments well, my worries could soon become a thing of the past.

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Lagiacrus is not the only flagship monster making a return in Monster Hunter Wilds. With the 1st Title Update, for example, Mizutsune will also be joining. We have reflected on all the flagship monsters of past times and compiled them in a ranking: Monster Hunter: The 10 coolest flagship monsters in the Power Ranking – You could finally meet number one again soon

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

Even the biggest publishers fear the release of GTA 6: “A huge meteor”

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Several anonymous publishers of video games have revealed how they are dealing with the release of GTA 6. And dealing is the right term here, as they are planning their own games around Rockstar’s title.

What are the plans for their own release? Some major publishers, whose identities have not been disclosed, told Game Business that they are ready to shift their own game releases. And there’s a good reason for that: Forecasts suggest that GTA 6 will be very successful.

One publisher revealed that Rockstar would “pull money and time out of the market” every time. The team already has several plans on how they want to release their own games.

Another publisher added that it is difficult to find a free time for new games in which they can stand out. Time is thus the worse evil. Another studio head even used a harsh metaphor for this:

GTA 6 is basically a huge meteor, and we will simply stay away from the explosion zone. We will shift our releases three weeks forward or backward to avoid it. The problem is, of course, that everyone will do the same. So three to four weeks before or after GTA 6, there will be a lot of games releasing their content in the supposedly safe zone.

Other bosses revealed that they do not want to swim against the current, but rather need to be ready to win back players when the hype around GTA 6 subsides.

The release even affects live service games. Two of the largest developers of live service games revealed that they have no major updates planned for their games during this period.

The hype has already been triggered by the following trailer:

Start video
Rockstar Games shows GTA 6 for the first time in the trailer

GTA 6 does not have a clear release yet

What is the problem? So far, there is only an approximate release window for GTA 6 and no fixed date. Consequently, the heads of major publishers must prepare multiple dates and weigh when to reveal the release of their own games to the public.

One boss reveals that they want to release their own game early in the fall, should GTA 6 release in late October. An alternative would be to schedule the games for late November 2025 – right in time for Black Friday.

If one simply plans their game for 2026 to be safe, they worry that GTA 6 would do the same. It is still not set in stone when the title will be released.

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When is GTA 6 supposed to be released? Take-Two plans to release the action game in fall 2025. An exact date is still pending, and it could be that the release needs to be postponed due to development difficulties or other reasons. So far, it is only clear that the release of Borderlands 4 is not supposed to coincide with the release of GTA 6.

GTA 6 could even have such a significant influence that it might influence the prices of other games. Other publishers are likely considering a price increase. However, a Twitch streamer does not see this as a problem. Why, you can find out on MeinMMO: GTA 6 could increase the price for all AAA games: Streamer on Twitch sees it as no problem

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

New game goes for Breaking Bad and is more successful on Steam than the new AAA game from Ubisoft

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the new AAA game from Ubisoft, things are going well on Steam. However, for an indie game that makes you a Heisenberg, things are going even better.

What type of game is this? Schedule I is an open-world sim on Steam, where you build your own drug business either solo or in co-op. The game was released on March 24, 2025, and has more active players on Steam than the recently released Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

You start your career as a dealer on the street: with no money, no product, and no connections. From these humble beginnings, you gradually build your own drug empire that not only takes on the police but also competing cartels.

Warning: Schedule I is a fictional simulation where you engage in criminal activities. Substance abuse should not be underestimated and can have serious consequences. If you need help, support can be found at www.kmdd.de or at the addiction hotline 01806 313031 (costs apply).

You can watch a trailer for Schedule I here:

Start video
Schedule I: Trailer for the Surprise Hit on Steam

More Steam players than the new Assassin’s Creed

Schedule I has become a real surprise hit on Steam: Of over 4,600 reviews on Steam, 98% are positive. Currently, the game is still in Early Access. Some players have already spent over 5 and up to 15 hours in the game before submitting their ratings.

On March 25, just one day after release, the game reached its current peak of 116,408 concurrent players on Steam. Currently, around 38,000 people are playing (via steamdb.info, as of March 26, 2025, 12:30 PM).

With so many concurrent players, it even surpasses Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The new AC in Japan reached its peak of 64,825 players only after three days. Currently, there are around 26,000 players in-game via Steam (via steamdb.info, as of March 26, 2025, 12:30 PM).

How successful is Assassin’s Creed? Looking at the numbers, it should be considered that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not only available on Steam but also on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, the game can also be played on Ubisoft’s own Launcher (Connect) and through the Ubisoft+ subscription.

Thus, the higher player numbers on Steam do not mean that Schedule I is overall more successful than AC Shadows. In a post on X, Ubisoft announced that Shadows already has 2 million players, surpassing the launches of Origins and Odyssey.

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is currently well received by many players despite all the controversies before release. This displeases Elon Musk, who then receives a well-deserved slap – from the official X account of Assassin’s Creed. You can read more about it here: Elon Musk receives a hard slap from Ubisoft that makes players buy the new Assassin’s Creed

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

Pokémon GO: All Raid Hours and Legendary Bosses in April 2025

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

In April 2025, you will find various legendary bosses in Pokémon GO again, as well as raid hours. We will show you which ones and when they take place.

Raids in April: In Pokémon GO, there are different raids every month that you can participate in. If you defeat the respective monster, you will have the chance to catch it and add it to your collection afterward. Particularly, the strong 5-star and Mega raids are of interest to many trainers.

There are also various so-called raid hours every month. On Wednesdays, you have the opportunity to encounter a specific Pokémon as a raid boss in almost all gyms for one hour.

We will show you in our overview which raid hours, 5-star, and Mega raids await you in April 2025 in Pokémon GO.

Start video
Pokémon GO: What’s in the new Season Powerful and Masterful

Raid hours in April 2025 in Pokémon GO

When do the raid hours take place? Every Wednesday, a raid hour takes place. These run from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. You have 60 minutes to challenge, defeat, and catch many specimens of a monster.

The following raid hours will take place in April 2025. Bosses that you can also encounter as shiny are marked with a *.

DateRaid Boss
April 2Kapu-Fala*
April 9Kopplosio* (western hemisphere, available as shiny for the first time)
April 16Muramura* (eastern hemisphere, available as shiny for the first time)
April 23Cresselia*
April 30Cresselia*

Note that the raid hour with Muramura only takes place in the eastern hemisphere. If you want to participate, you will need to be invited to a remote raid by trainers located in that hemisphere.

All raid bosses and mega raids in April 2025

PeriodRaid Boss
March 31 – April 95-star raids with Kapu-Fala*
Counter guide for Kapu-Fala
March 31 – April 9Mega raids with Mega-Lohgock*
Counter guide for Mega-Lohgock
April 5 – 6Crypto 5-star raids with Crypto-Registeel*
Counter guide for Crypto-Registeel
April 9 – 215-star raids with Kopplosio* (western hemisphere) and Muramura* (eastern hemisphere)
Counter guide for Kopplosio
Counter guide for Muramura
April 9 – 21Mega raids with Mega-Gewaldro*
Counter guide for Mega-Gewaldro
April 12 – 13Crypto 5-star raids with Crypto-Registeel*
April 19 – 20Crypto 5-star raids with Crypto-Registeel*
April 21 – May 15-star raids with Cresselia
Counter guide for Cresselia
April 21 – May 1Mega raids with Mega-Flunkifer*
Counter guide for Mega-Flunkifer
April 26 – 27Crypto 5-star raids with Crypto-Registeel*
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What special features are there in April? If you are looking for reinforcements for your team, then you should dive into raids in April. Some of the strongest monsters in the game await you with Mega-Lohgock and Mega-Gewaldro.

If you are more of a collector, you might also get your money’s worth. Kopplosio and Muramura are available in their shiny forms for the first time in April. However, note that Muramura is only available in the eastern hemisphere. If you want to catch the monster as shiny, then you will need to be invited to a remote raid by trainers who are there.

In addition to the raids with strong bosses, various events will also take place in April. If you want to know what events are coming and what content they will bring to the game, feel free to take a look at our overview of all events in April 2025 in Pokémon GO.

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

Wildgate could be the multiplayer hit for all disappointed fans of Blizzard

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

The first game by ex-developers from Blizzard is almost finished. A multiplayer game that many apparently find reminiscent of WildStar …

In recent years, a lot has changed at Blizzard. Leading developers left, and some of them started their own studios – like Mike Morhaime. Little had been heard from his “Dreamhaven” for a long time, aside from the news that he had brought together some big names in his new enterprise.

Now Dreamhaven announces its first major game: Wildgate. And the first trailer suggests that a really strong multiplayer game is on the way.

Start video
Wildgate: The Space Extraction Game with WildStar Look

What is Wildgate? It’s not so easy to explain, as Wildgate combines several genres at once. The core idea is that 20 players team up in small groups of 4 and each land on a newly generated space map with a spaceship. There are small comets, wrecks of stranded ships, a rare artifact – and of course the other teams.

At the start of a match, the team tries to secure resources. These can be weapons and upgrades for their own spaceship or personal armament, but also basic materials like fuel to activate the spaceship’s booster or ice blocks to cool the reactor in case of overheating.

However, while players leave the spaceship, one must always weigh their options: Should all crew members go out and loot to gather as much equipment as possible? Or should one or two comrades stay behind so that their own ship is not defenseless if enemy teams appear?

Since each crew member can only carry one large upgrade at a time, this is an important decision.

The interesting part is that one can seamlessly switch between “spaceship vs. spaceship” combat and “character vs. character” combat. While one player might operate the spaceship’s weapons and shoot at enemies, another player can board the enemy ship and directly engage its crew.

Wildgate Fires
When fire breaks out on the spaceship, one must act quickly – especially if enemies are boarding as well.

What is the objective of the game? Basically, there are two different objectives that each lead to victory. The basic principle is reminiscent of Hunt: Showdown. An artifact is hidden somewhere on the map. The primary goal is to find this artifact and then escape with the artifact and their own spaceship through the “Wildgate” – which is essentially the exit of the map. Spoiler: The other teams will not want to allow that.

The second way to win is to eliminate all other teams. You are considered eliminated as soon as your spaceship is destroyed. Therefore, one or two sabotage acts can be quite worthwhile. You can board enemy ships and sabotage the opponents’ weapons or blow up their reactor core.

Our colleagues at GameStar have already had a closer look at Wildgate.

When does Wildgate come out? There is no official release date for Wildgate yet, but it has been stated that the game will be available in 2025 on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. If you can’t wait until then, you can also sign up for the preview playtest taking place from April 10 to 14. Registration is available on the official Wildgate website.

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“I feel reminded of WildStar”

This is how the community reacts: Looking at the comments under the trailer on YouTube, it is clear that many feel reminded of WildStar by the style – this is likely due especially to the graphics and humor. The actual gameplay has little in common with the MMORPG. Nevertheless, these parallels and nostalgic memories could help give Wildgate a small boost. Because in the comments on YouTube, it says:

  • “This gives me such strange Wildstar vibes. God, I miss that game.” – Kranitoko
  • “I saw the title and thought: WILDSTAR is back, baby! Oh, wait … damn. But it still looks good.” – XiLock_Alotx
  • “This looks like a space variant of Sea of Thieves and looks so fun. I will definitely take a closer look at this in the future.” – Leopez02

Several new game studios have emerged from Blizzard, and Dreamhaven by Mike Morhaime seems to be the first to have something to show, and the first impression seems to be outstanding. They have dared to mix up a wild array of features – if it pays off and plays as well as the trailer and initial playtests suggest, Wildgate could be a real multiplayer hit.
If you prefer to pass the time with other shooters, check out the 25 best shooters currently available.

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

A controversial feature of Vegeta in Dragon Ball was changed because Toriyama’s family found it so ugly

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Vegeta looked a bit unusual in Dragon Ball GT for a few episodes. However, his daughter and a relative of Akira Toriyama found his appearance so terrible that the creators of the anime changed it back.

What feature is it about? Vegeta had a mustache in the first episodes of Dragon Ball GT. His father, King Vegeta, also had a beard. You can see what Vegeta looked like with a beard in a short clip on YouTube on the channel Wheerus 007.

Since Akira Toriyama was responsible for the character design of GT, the idea for the mustache came from him (via X). It was presumably meant to symbolize that Vegeta had aged and adapted to life on Earth.

After 23 episodes, Vegeta shaved off his mustache again. He shows his new appearance to Goku’s son, Goten, but is ignored by him. Even his own wife Bulma, whom he loves dearly, and Chi-Chi do not notice the change. Vegeta then has a fit of rage because no one notices his shave.

Actually, it should have ended before Dragon Ball GT:

Start video
Dragon Ball: This is what the Z in the title stands for

Vegeta’s mustache is controversial in the community

Why is it controversial? The mustache caused a split among fans in the community, as can be seen in the Reddit forum:

  • Some fans wish Vegeta had kept the mustache or that it would return in one of the video games.
  • Others are glad that the mustache is gone. This way, Vegeta looks more like his old self.

Because from the story perspective, Vegeta shouldn’t actually have a mustache. He stated during the Cell Saga that a Saiyan’s hair never changes over time. Presumably, Toriyama simply forgot that this rule exists – just like he forgot some characters.

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I have been waiting for a new Dragon Ball game for ten years, the new trailer takes no minute to convince me
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Why did it have to go? In the anime, Vegeta’s daughter Bra comments on his mustache. She tells him that he looks like a “total geek” with the mustache. But in reality, a relative of Toriyama is responsible for him having to shave it off.

The daughter of a relative complained that Vegeta would look cooler without the mustache (via dbzeta.net). The animation team then removed the mustache to comply with the wishes of Toriyama’s family.

Also, in the current anime Dragon Ball Daima, there was a surprise for Vegeta. He achieved a new form in battle that has not been seen in the series before. In a spin-off, fans could already see the new form ten years ago: Dragon Ball: Vegeta surprises fans with a new form, which has already existed for 10 years.

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

He discovers a graphics card in the store for 300 US dollars, which should only be owned by a developer

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A player makes a lucky find at a second-hand shop: a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti that is not only very well preserved but also a special specimen. Normally, this model is not even available to gamers.

A player posted on Reddit several pictures from a second-hand store: a very well-preserved GeForce RTX 2080 Ti from Nvidia with original packaging. However, what is special is not even the graphics card itself, but a green sticker on the back.

Because the sticker states that the graphics card is officially not intended for sale but only for development.

Start video
Check out the brilliant Collector’s Edition of the NVIDIA TITAN Xp in Star Wars style in the video

The graphics card was officially not intended for sale

What kind of model is this? According to a user, it is a so-called ES model. The abbreviation “ES” stands for “Engineering Sample,” which refers to models that are given to developers shortly before the release of a graphics card, so they can test their games on the new hardware. After development, and as soon as the new graphics cards are officially on the market, the ES models are to be discarded.

However, this obviously did not happen here. Instead, the very well-preserved model ended up in a second-hand shop, where the player found it for $300.

How good is the graphics card? The RTX 2080 Ti was considered the fastest graphics card for gamers at its release (2018) and clearly outperformed the competition, as seen in tests by ComputerBase.de. Even today, you can still play many modern titles at high details with the old high-end GPU, although newer cards from the 3000 or 4000 generation are now more modern and, above all, more efficient.

Even features like the new DLSS 4.0 can still be used with an RTX 2080 Ti; only functions like Frame Generation (FG) are reserved for the newer models.

Some hardware enthusiasts also point out that the ES models clock a bit slower than the official models that were later available in stores. Nevertheless, the graphics card for $300 is likely to be a more than fair offer (via reddit.com):

If I understand correctly, the samples are usually clocked lower because they are less strict regarding the die rules [of the chip] and similar aspects. So if they have a cut that is more 2080 than 2080 Ti but was intended for Ti, they just stick a Ti label on it and leave it at that.

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Second-hand shops are often considered a hidden gem for hardware finds

You can often find great deals in such second-hand shops, as computer hardware is often found in the USA. This way, you can save some money if you do not want to spend 2,500 euros on a single graphics card.

However, not everyone who seeks bargains is received well. A photographer recently bought an expensive lens for a low price, and many users accuse him of having cheated the charity store out of a lot of money. However, he does not see the mistake on his part: A photographer makes the purchase of his life: Gets a €1,500 lens for €6 because the seller thinks it’s a drinking cup.

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

“He was just totally manic”: Jack Black couldn’t stop gaming on the set of the Minecraft movie

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

Minecraft will receive its big movie for cinemas at the beginning of April 2025. Jack Black plays the protagonist Steve. For the role, he practiced a lot on set, spending countless hours in the game and hoarding a specific material.

What is the movie about? Video game adaptations have been quite good in recent years. Just think of adaptations of The Last of Us, Dungeons & Dragons, or Arcane.

Minecraft will receive its own cinema movie on April 3, 2025. Jack Black plays the lead role of Steve. Even before its release, the film faced a lot of criticism from fans.

They were particularly bothered by the look and the casting of the film. For some, it seemed from the trailer that Jack Black was just playing himself. And they might not be entirely wrong.

According to Torfi Frans Ólafsson, who works as a Senior Director at Mojang, the audience should expect a new version of the character (via Variety): “This is not my Steve or your Steve. This is Jack Black’s Steve. It is literally his interpretation of this character and what it means to him.”

As it turns out, the actor put a lot of energy into the role and diligently practiced on set. However, not in the way one might initially think.

Start video
A Minecraft Movie: First Complete Trailer in German

A crafting material particularly fascinated Jack Black

How did the actor practice? Ólafsson mentioned that he provided all cast members with Xbox consoles with Minecraft during filming.

Jack Black was the one with the most passion, quickly gathering over 100 hours of gameplay. Not only was he very enthusiastic about Minecraft and exploring the world, he also developed a particular fascination for a crafting material.

We are talking about lapis lazuli, a substance obtained by mining the corresponding ore. From it, blue dye can be manufactured, and it is also suitable for enchanting.

Ólafsson describes Black’s behavior while playing as follows:

He was completely manic, hoarding items in the mines and searching for lapis lazuli because he liked the sound. He kept saying, “Can I talk about lapis lazuli in the movie?”

Torfi Frans Ólafsson via Variety

Whether the screenwriters took up this request and actually included a line about the valuable material can only be confirmed upon the film’s release.

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What is certain, however, is that Jack Black was apparently very motivated to engage with the character and the world of Minecraft. Perhaps this reassures some fans who are anxiously anticipating the film’s release on April 3, 2025. But what does the creator of the game say about the film: “I expected worse”: The creator of Minecraft has his own opinion on the film, which many already hate

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

Trainer in Pokémon GO completes a simple task after almost 9 years thanks to his son

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO, there are many tasks that trainers can take on. A father reports how he completed a task after many years – thanks to his child.

Trainers in Pokémon GO have many ways to acquire new Pokémon. Whether by simply catching monsters, after a successful raid, as a reward for various research tasks, or by hatching eggs.

A trainer is now reporting on Reddit about the latter method. He took quite a long time to hatch an egg – almost 9 years.

Start video
Pokémon GO: What’s in the new Season Powerful and Masterful

Weak monster but still useful

What’s the deal with the egg? As the trainer reports in his post on Reddit, he played Pokémon GO at its release, which was almost 9 years ago, for a short period of 1 to 2 months.

After that, he didn’t touch the game for many years. In the meantime, a lot has changed in his life: he got married and had children.

One of his children has since shown interest in Pokémon. This was reason enough for the father to reinstall Pokémon GO and play with his child. And also to hatch the egg he had possessed for almost 9 years.

What Pokémon did he get? As the trainer reports upon inquiry, “unfortunately a Caterpie” hatched from this probably long-dusty egg.

How does the community react? The community is celebrating the story. Besides more than 2,400 upvotes, there are also some comments on Reddit.

Some trainers advise him not to transfer the Pokémon. The trainer akbane notes that “monsters from 2016 are damn rare”.

Furthermore, he is recommended to keep the Pokémon for a lucky trade. Kickenbless writes: “So if you trade a Caterpie from 2016 for a Groudon from 2024, both will be lucky Pokémon, provided both players have not used all their guaranteed lucky trades.”

The trainer definitely has the opportunity to use Pokémon for lucky trades, even if he wants to keep his Caterpie. As he reports, he still has 77 monsters from 2016.

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If you are also collecting interesting Pokémon, you should keep an eye out for events. These regularly give you the chance to obtain rare or strong monsters. We have summarized which events are coming up next month: All events in April 2024 in Pokémon GO.

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

Monster Hunter Wilds: Farming Residual Bullets – Here’s How to Do It Fastest

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes

In Monster Hunter Wilds, you need armor spheres to enhance your armors, but some of them are rare. Therefore, we show you the best method to farm them quickly.

How to quickly farm armor spheres: To quickly obtain armor spheres, you can simply take materials from monsters and have them smelted in Azuz from Roqul. Depending on the rarity of the material, you will earn more points for smelting, thus getting more armor spheres.

The fastest way to have high-quality materials for smelting is either hunting the normal Arkveld or generally hardened monsters. It is worthwhile to bring along a group of strong hunters if you plan to repeat a hunt constantly.

This saves you primarily time. Also, feel free to rotate the hunted monsters instead of farming the same ones every time. Otherwise, it can become quickly boring over time. If you are also interested in other materials like decorations or Artian parts, you should consider the type of monsters:

  • Normal monsters drop many decorations (Jin Dahaad or Arkveld are great for this)
  • Hardened monsters are the best source for Artian parts (double hunts with Arkveld are the way to go)
Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds shows its first title update with a new monster

Alternative sources for armor spheres

There are also two alternative ways to obtain armor spheres and they are:

However, these sources are inefficient as they are either only temporarily available or based on randomness (RNG) and you need a lot of luck for them to drop. Our recommendation is to comfortably hunt various monsters with random players, friends, or support hunters and smelt their parts. This is much faster and more reliable.

What do I need armor spheres for? Armor spheres are items that you need at Gemma to enhance your armors. Depending on how far you enhance your armor, you can primarily look forward to more defense that will benefit you in battles.

Therefore, it is important, especially in the endgame when you have finished most of the quests, to upgrade your armor.

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In addition to armor spheres, there are also Artian weapons that you can enhance with ores. This makes them stronger and gives them new effects that make them even more powerful. You can find a detailed guide to Artian weapons here: Monster Hunter Wilds: How to craft and enhance Artian weapons

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

You can still get one of the most popular shop items in Final Fantasy XIV for free in the game for almost a week [Update]

Sophia Weiss Sophia Weiss Reading time 2 minutes

On March 25, 2025, Patch 7.2 for Final Fantasy XIV will be released and will bring many new contents. However, with the update, the possibility to obtain the most popular shop item for free will also disappear.

Update from 26.03.2025: As part of Patch 7.2, there have been further graphic updates for Final Fantasy XIV. In this context, another Phial of Fantasia can be obtained from the wandering Moogle, which will also only be available until the release of Patch 7.3. This is expected to be released in July or August 2025 if the update rhythm of approximately 4 months is maintained. (via Lodestone)

What item is it? The item in question is a Phial of Fantasia. With it, you can fundamentally change your character’s appearance – not just hair, hair color, or makeup. But also race, body size, face, and more.

Every player receives a free Fantasia upon starting with a new character. At the release of 7.0 and the graphic update, another free one was given away. Those who want more Fantasia must purchase the item for 7 Euros in the official online store of the MMORPG.

By the way, it has long been the most popular item there. Since the release of two new hairstyles and an emote, 1 Phial of Fantasia is now only in fourth place. How to obtain the soon-to-be-disappeared but free Fantasia can be read in this news.

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

A free item – completely effortless

How to get the Fantasia for free? In fact, not much needs to be done for the free Fantasia: A teleport to Gridania is enough. The destination is the Apkallu Falls in Old Gridania.

To get there quickly, you can teleport to Mih Khetto’s Amphitheater. Alternatively, you can port to the Spear Guild.

At the falls, the NPC Wandering Moogle awaits at X 10.7 and Y 6.4. When speaking with the Moogle, you will receive a Phial of Fantasia for a character change.

Important: The Fantasia can only be obtained until the implementation of Patch 7.2.

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What do we already know about 7.2? Patch 7.2 is set to arrive on March 25, 2025. At least the first part. Players must wait a while longer for some of the most exciting contents. Here is what you can expect among other things:

  • New main story quests
  • New dungeon Underfried Ruins
  • Trial Zel Tajaal – Zelenia
  • Dream trial – Suzaku
  • Arkadion – Heavyweight (epic), 8-man raid – 01.04.2025
  • Cosmo explorations, crafter and gatherer endgame – Patch 7.21, 22.04.2025
  • Kreszentia, field exploration – Patch 7.25, 27.05.2025
  • Quests of the friendly races: Mamool Ja – Patch 7.25, 27.05.2025
In preparation for Patch 7.2
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In fact, Patch 7.2 of Final Fantasy XIV is supposed to be quite extensive. Especially the implementation of the Cosmo explorations and Kreszentia speak for this, alongside the already familiar new content such as the dungeon and the trial. But the director and producer Naoki Yoshida also shares this view: Final Fantasy XIV will finally (again) be an MMORPG: The director promises the largest content update of all time

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

The 5 Strongest Vampire Abilities from Twilight

Esmeralda Eickemeyer Esmeralda Eickemeyer Reading time 5 minutes

The Twilight movies have not only introduced us to fascinating vampires but also impressive supernatural abilities that some of them possess. While all vampires are stronger, faster, and nearly immortal, some have a special gift that makes them unique.

In this list, we present five of the most powerful vampire abilities – who possesses them, how they work, and why they are so strong. Selection was made based on three criteria:

  • Usefulness in everyday life – How practical is the ability outside of battles?
  • Strength on the battlefield – How effective is the ability in a fight?
  • Impact on the story – Did the ability play a significant role in The Twilight Saga?

[toc]

Telepathy (Edward Cullen)

Start video
Twilight – Breaking Dawn Trailer

Who is Edward Cullen? Edward Cullen is one of the main characters in The Twilight Saga and a member of the Cullens, a vampire family that refuses to drink human blood. He is known for his self-control, loyalty, and deep love for Bella Swan.

Edward can hear the thoughts of other humans and vampires – but only as long as they are in his vicinity. He doesn’t even need to make eye contact to know what someone is thinking. The only exception is Bella Swan, who is immune to his ability. This is also why he found her interesting from the very beginning.

Why is the ability so strong? Telepathy gives Edward an enormous tactical advantage. He can detect dangers early, see through lies immediately, and even anticipate his opponent’s next moves in a fight. This ability makes him one of the most dangerous vampires, as no one can keep secrets from him.

Even in tense situations, such as with the Volturi or in battles against the newborn army, Edward can make strategic decisions because he knows the intentions of his opponents. 

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

One of the oldest classes in Final Fantasy XIV is supposed to be played faster now: Is the last heavy class becoming too easy?

Sophia Weiss Sophia Weiss Reading time 3 minutes

Patch 7.2 for Final Fantasy XIV is live and brings adjustments to one of the oldest classes. Players are now concerned and wondering if the latest heavy class is becoming too easy.

What has been adjusted? The job Black Mage, which has existed since version 1.0 and the 2.0 relaunch, has undergone significant changes with patch 7.2. In particular, the execution times (cast times) have been reduced:

  • The spell Ice, for example, now finishes in 2 seconds instead of 2.5. Reductions were also made for Fire, Freeze, Flare, Icycle and more.
  • Additionally, the duration of Ley Lines, a location-based buff, has been shortened.
  • The effect duration of Light Fire and Shadow Ice from Elemental Mastery has been completely removed.

This makes the job more dynamic and plays faster, as players no longer have to stay in one place for a long time to finish the cast. However, some players are not pleased with this.

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

Too similar and too easy – It also affects the Black Mage

Why does it concern players? The changes were already noticed by players during the last Letter from the Producer on March 14, 2025. In the official forum for Final Fantasy XIV and on Reddit they discuss the changes. Among other things, the developers are accused of homogenizing their classes:

The Black Mage was until patch 7.2 the job with the longest cast times, which required planning and foresight from players who wanted to deal optimal damage. With the shortened cast times and the removal of the countdowns for Elemental Mastery, the class would become much easier. The mage classes would also gradually feel more similar in gameplay.

User Supersnow845 on Reddit even compares the changes to healer damage: Yeah, so if these changes go through for the Black Mage, then Black Mage will be on the level of complexity of healer damage without the healing.

Additionally, the accusation keeps coming up in forums and Reddit that the developers are not responding or only responding to the wrong player feedback – namely from those who did not like the Black Mage in its old form.

On to patch 7.2 with the guides
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The familiar casting may become difficult

Why was the Black Mage adjusted so much? In the patch notes themselves, Square Enix remains quite vague. They provide more concrete information on the reasons in the job guide for Final Fantasy XIV:

  • As the design philosophy for new combat content changes, the familiar casting (with long cast times) would become difficult or no longer possible. Therefore, many cast times were reduced.
  • To counteract damage losses from the expiration of Light Fire and Shadow Ice, these will no longer end.
  • Ley Lines would, in turn, restrict the players’ movement freedom, which is why the duration of the buff was shortened.

This suggests that new fights, raids, and so on in Final Fantasy XIV are meant to be faster and demand correspondingly quick reactions from players. A three-second cast timer would contradict this.

By the way, besides the Black Mage, the Summoner has also received significant adjustments and has been mainly nerfed. The damage output has now been significantly reduced compared to patch 7.1. But here too, the design philosophy for new combat content is cited as a reason.

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3 seconds standing still is too long for the new content

What could this mean? The combat content of Final Fantasy XIV is likely to become significantly faster and more dynamic. So fast that foresighted positioning and longer cast times are not possible.

Players can presumably expect battles with short cast times from opponents; possibly even dynamic arenas that require quick position changes.

It is important to note, however, that patch 7.2 is currently only a few hours old and so far only a few players have had the chance to test the new Black Mage in new and potentially more dynamic combat content. MeinMMO is keeping an eye on player feedback.

In addition to the job adjustments, patch 7.2 of course brings a lot more content. There is a new dungeon, new main story quests, a new trial, and in April and May, respectively, the crafter and gatherer endgame plus a new field trip. Naoki Yoshida even promises the largest content update of all time.

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

shroud pays a luxury chef for every meal to ensure he remains better than you in shooters

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

The former e-sports player shroud is considered one of the best shooter players on Twitch, and his diet supports him in that.

What’s the deal with the chef? Shroud is a well-known streamer and former pro e-sports player in Counter-Strike and Valorant, primarily known for his strong aim.

Recently on Twitch, shroud showed the X-account of his private chef, Phillip Kovalev, who prepares meals for the gaming community in Los Angeles and presents them on the account.

In addition to shroud, Kovalev also cooks for other streamers, including Kyedae, Bnan, and former Valorant pro TenZ. In the meals that shroud receives, the streamer is tagged in the respective post.

Start video
Counter-Strike 2: Valve once again impresses with the launch trailer

Fish, vegetables, and fresh salad

What does shroud eat? If you scroll through Kovalev’s posts, you’ll find plenty of dishes that shroud is served by the private chef. These include:

  • March 24
    • Breakfast: shredded mini beef burritos with tomato salsa
    • Lunch: chicken salad sandwiches + salad with strawberries, tomatoes, red onions, and apricot chili vinaigrette
    • Dinner: miso black cod rice bowls with peas marinated in furikake, shaved radish, fried maitake mushrooms, spring onions, and koshikari rice
  • March 23
    • Breakfast: everything bagel breakfast sandwiches with prosciutto, fluffy eggs, aioli, and melted cheese slices)
    • Lunch: lobster or short rib ravioli, basil, tomato sauce, golden raisins, breadcrumbs
    • Dinner: yuzu swordfish, sesame asparagus, cherry tomatoes, roasted fennel, shiso aioli + a crunchy salad
  • March 21
    • Breakfast: fluffy eggs, avocado with sesame and sungold tomatoes, ricotta, spinach flatbread
    • Lunch: Chilean sea bass, blood orange pea salad with sautéed carrots and Marcona almonds, market vegetables with golden raisins
    • Dinner: phat kaphrao with ground short ribs, brown rice, snack peppers, and pickled red onions

Shroud’s meals are thus very balanced and contain plenty of protein (fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, and dairy), valuable fats from plant sources, avocados, oils, eggs, and nuts, as well as carbohydrates.

Screenshot X.com Phillip Kovalev, shroud's meals

Poor diet can also make you tired and unfocused

What does diet have to do with being good at shooters? Of course, a healthy lunch won’t magically improve your aim and make you a pro player. However, experts are convinced that nutrition does have an influence on your body and the performance it can deliver.

For competitive shooter players, for example, it is also important to have a quick reaction time and to perceive the game situation clearly and focused, as well as to make quick decisions to react to the current game situation.

The company 1HP.org, which consists of medical professionals and nutritionists and offers nutritional advice for gamers, states:

“Proper nutrition optimizes gaming performance, cognitive functions, and energy levels. A balanced diet rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants supports brain health and improves concentration, endurance, reaction time, and reflexes.”

Disclaimer: We at MeinMMO are not health experts. If you want to lead a healthier lifestyle, you can consult your doctor or your health insurance company. From March 25 to April 3, 2025, you can also participate in the Digital Health Days of Techniker Krankenkasse.

A poor diet, according to 1HP, can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and lack of concentration – which is not something a gamer aiming to reach the highest ranks in Valorant or Counter-Strike can afford.

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How can you improve your diet? If you can’t afford an expensive luxury chef like shroud, 1HP recommends focusing on a balanced diet that emphasizes protein, valuable fats, and carbohydrates. You can then include more green vegetables, nuts, berries, whole grains, fish, or poultry in your meals.

According to 1HP, you should also avoid processed meats, fried foods, sweets, butter, and cheese more often.

MeinMMO editor Benedict already tested a specific product in 2018 that was developed as food for e-sports athletes. You can read about how the supplement tastes and Benedict’s impression of the product here: We ate e-sports food that tastes like cookie dough for 1 week

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

Players from Monster Hunter Wilds celebrate a small monster that can fearlessly carry you to victory or unconscious to the campsite

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

Rafmas from Monster Hunter Wilds are actually peaceful herbivores that roam in herds through colder regions such as the Ice Shard Cliffs. However, part of the community now hails the mountain goats as their secret heroes.

Why are players celebrating the Rafmas? The herbivores from Monster Hunter Wilds actually appear quite inconspicuous. They resemble mountain goats that gather in herds and roam through colder regions like the Ice Shard Cliffs.

They are led by the larger Alphas, who accumulate static energy in their horns to defend themselves in case of danger. An attack with a statically charged horn can paralyze even the largest monsters or inattentive hunters.

Tip: With the hook slinger, you can extract paralysis ammo from the Rafmas’ horns as needed.

And since the Alphas are quite fearless, it’s not uncommon for them to intervene in fights between hunters and creatures, charging wildly at the next target. In most cases, the monster is caught, giving the hunter a noticeable advantage. And since the small Rafmas even take on the largest dragons, they are celebrated by parts of the community.

More tips for battles in Monster Hunter Wilds:

Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds: 5 Tips for a Clean Fight

“Legend”

What experiences have players had? In a recent discussion on Reddit, part of the community acknowledges the mostly helpful work of the Rafmas and shares their own experiences.

  • Duraxis writes on Reddit: “These guys don’t care if you’re shooting an Elder Dragon with a cannon, they charge at both of you. One of them even killed a Rathalos for me once.”
  • xAlpha2 adds on Reddit: “These beasts even paralyze monsters when I’m not anywhere near.”
  • Borgmaster recalls on Reddit: “I witnessed true greatness when this bad boy stunned a hunter with a gun lance and had him carried off unconscious. Legend.”
  • Dracovision complains on Reddit: “Monsters? They always only paralyze me in the middle of a fight. I’ve been transported to camp too many times, thanks to those little beasts.”
More on MHW:
Monster Hunter Wilds: Sealed Dragon Cloth – How to Get This Fluttering Equipment Piece
von Alexander Mehrwald
Monster Hunter Wilds: Blossomdance – Everything about time, rewards and quests
von Alexander Mehrwald

Many players praise the progress compared to previous entries in the Monster Hunter series, where the small monsters only attacked the player’s hunters, and never the large ones. What have your experiences been with the Rafmas so far? There’s another hunting story here: The chef of Monster Hunter Wilds wants to show his skill, goes hunting with fans, doesn’t go so well

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

PvE MMORPG started strong on Steam, now weak – Roadmap 2025 should fix it, players say it will not work

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 3 minutes

In December 2024, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen successfully launched in Early Access on Steam. Since then, this old-school PvE MMORPG has faced increasing criticism. The new roadmap for 2025 has also met with little approval from the community.

What does the 2025 roadmap reveal? The roadmap freshly released by the developers at Visionary Realms (via pantheonmmo.com) presents a series of features and systems that are set to go live over the next few months. Among the innovations are previously announced PvP servers, which are supposed to have their own unique rules.

Further plans from the team include:

  • Server consolidation and introduction of fresh-start servers
  • New dungeons, raids, boss encounters (as well as a new encounter system)
  • Implementation of additional points of interest for various regions of the game world
  • Introduction of mounts and a taming system
  • Improvements for server performance, user interface, loot, chat
  • Quest functionalities, combat, and crafting will be expanded or improved
  • An alternative ruleset for the servers
  • Upgrades for player characters, including hairstyles, skin colors, and facial details
  • Adjustments for equipment, new weapons
  • Implementation of additional graphics and sound effects as well as music pieces

Major content updates are set to go live every six to eight weeks from now on. New zones are only planned for 2026. The roadmap does not mention any further classes.

The Early Access trailer for Pantheon:

Start video
The Fantasy MMORPG Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen is coming to Early Access on Steam

“No gnomes, no bards. I’ll check back next year”

How does the community react to the roadmap? Parts of the community have already been unhappy about the aforementioned announcement of the new PvP servers, as some players feel that the developers should focus more on the current issues and essential content expansions.

While some of that is indeed included in the roadmap, a discussion on Reddit shows that the roadmap in its current form is still heavily criticized. The same goes for the state of Pantheon itself.

  • Zansobar writes on Reddit: “No bard class, no class mastery, just a very small number of new locations. This doesn’t look good for a 2-year launch for 1.0. But now that content is released every 1.5 to 2 months instead of every two weeks, they might be able to hide the slow development better.”
  • armymdic00 had hoped for more from Pantheon (via Reddit): “I wanted this game to be a success and replace EverQuest 2, but for me, it’s really too little. Honestly, I find Project Gorgon so much better.”
  • Longbenhall explains the issue on Reddit: “It took 10 years to bring the most half-baked, mediocre early access MMO to market. Not to mention that every patch is rife with incompetence. As someone who has put more than 100 hours into the game, I am very sure that the game will die before it releases […].”
  • MindTheGnome is not drawn to the roadmap (via Reddit): “No gnomes, no bards. I’ll check back next year, I think.”
More about Pantheon:
The MMORPG for League of Legends is said to continue the visual style of Arcane: “This is very difficult, but hopefully they can do it”
von Karsten Scholz
The 10 MMORPGs on Steam with the best ratings in March 2026
von Alexander Leitsch

On Steam, the harsh criticism is increasingly reflected in user reviews. The 434 ratings from the past 30 days are only 58 percent positive. Players like eatcatpoop criticize not only the various early access issues and missing content on Steam but also two further points:

  • From about level 25, toxicity within the community is said to noticeably increase.
  • Some players are reportedly benefiting from their relationships with game masters, who apparently help farm certain rare creatures or disrupt the gameplay of others.

All of this is especially sad because the MMORPG initially had a positive review rate of 80 percent at launch and managed to sell around 100,000 units – there should be enough money available for targeted improvements to the player experience: New PvE MMORPG launched “very positively” on Steam, has already generated nearly 4 million euros

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