In EA FC 25, a major Title Update has been released. The changes could lead to significantly more goals, especially in offense. A well-known streamer from the USA also experienced this. On MeinMMO, you can learn about his first impressions and read about the most important innovations.
What kind of update is this? The latest update has been dubbed “Gameplay Refresh” by EA. The developer company refers to this update as the most comprehensive gameplay overhaul ever made mid-season.
The changes primarily affect 5 aspects:
Core elements of gameplay such as passing, shooting, defending, and goalkeeping have been improved.
Smoother offensive play with easier ball control.
Issue resolved where strikers were too often caught up by slower defenders.
Tacklebacks (bouncebacks) and AI defense have been weakened.
The player search for Rush has been revised.
When does the update come out? The patch is now available for download. On the PlayStation 5, it has a size of 1.39 GB. You can expect a similar size on all other platforms.
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Start video
EA FC 25 trailer shows new features for Ultimate Team
Streamer shows strong shots on goal and fast strikers
What are the key changes? The decisive innovations can be found in offense.
First, shots on goal from inside the penalty area have been significantly improved. In promising positions, your strikers, provided they have strong shooting stats, are very reliable in their finishes. It doesn’t matter what type of shots you choose when finishing.
Second, players with high acceleration and speed values can finally showcase their strength again. Too often, attackers who had much more speed than the defender were caught up by the defenders.
This is now over. Players who can gain an advantage through their higher speed will now be caught up by defenders much more slowly.
Which streamer tested the update? The American streamer and content creator “nickrtfm” assured himself of the promises made by the Gameplay Refresh update. At the launch of FC 25, he was very critical of the gameplay mechanics.
Now, after the patch, he clearly had more fun with the gameplay in Division Rivals and in the qualification for the Weekend League, even mentioning a feeling that he was suddenly playing a different EA FC part after the patch.
In line with this, he titled his test video of the new patch “Bye Bye FC 25, Hello FC 25.5”. In the video, you can get an impression of the offensive changes from the new update based on the numerous goals scored by the streamer:
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As it is a very extensive update, we will summarize the most important changes for you below. You can find all the new details in this Trello for the Gameplay Refresh Update from EA Sports.
Gameplay
Improved positioning and support of AI teammates during attacks
Better timing for runs near the offside line.
Effectiveness of player roles (particularly Target Man and Center Forward) increased.
Better teamwork and smarter coordination among individual offensive players.
The occurrence of tacklebacks (successful tackles where the striker still retained ball possession) has been reduced
Especially for players with the Defensive PlayStyle Anticipation.
The quality of tackles from defenders has generally been increased.
Goalkeeper saves on shots from sharp angles (at the near post) have been improved.
The speed and accuracy of ground passes have been increased.
The effectiveness of through balls with semi-assistance has been greatly increased.
The effectiveness of directly laid high through balls has been greatly reduced.
The accuracy of header passes in contested situations has been reduced.
Various issues with passes regarding pass power and recipients have been revised.
AI defense weakened
AI defenders maintain more distance when covering players and shots.
AI defenders intercept fewer balls.
Counter-protection after corners has been increased.
Defensive awareness for the player role Wing/Balance has been increased.
Full-backs in the Falseback role return to their position faster.
Searching for player items is now adapted to the corresponding requirements for Rush bonus points, meaning that when requiring players from a league or nation, you will receive 5 suitable options from your club.
Ultimate Team
Navigation errors (control only possible to the left) in the club and in SBCs have been fixed.
Career Mode
Bug where the AI goalkeeper sent the ball out of play has been resolved.
Errors in the implementation of certain tactics and player roles have been addressed.
Display errors in Manager Career have been fixed.
Clubs
Bug where the player received restrictions due to height has been fixed.
Now you have a glance at the most important changes in the latest update. It seems that players can look forward to many goal-rich matches for Team of the Year. You can also read all the information about the start and duration of the TOTY in EA FC 25 on MeinMMO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
GameStar editor and Twitch streamer Maurice Weber has already been able to extensively test Sid Meier’s Civilization 7. In a video on YouTube, he reveals his insights after 20 hours.
Disclaimer: Maurice is part of the Webedia network, which also includes MeinMMO, GameStar, and GamePro.
The faction change in the game is one of the biggest innovations, but not the only one. You can find out more from Maurice himself in detail in the video:
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What else does Civilization 7 do differently? Those who have been annoyed by constantly moving builders across the map will be relieved – the builders are completely gone. Now, as your city grows, you place the new population directly on a tile where they build a land improvement. However, the puzzle factor when placing districts does not disappear.
Additionally, new cities initially start as communities. These convert all their production into gold, but produce nothing themselves. Later, you can specialize them to supply a nearby city with food. It can definitely be worthwhile not to upgrade every community into a city.
How does progression work? Civilization 7 only has three eras: Ancient, Exploration, and Modern. Each era has its own goals that you can achieve along different paths.
At the beginning of a new era, several things are reset:
Cities become communities
You lose part of your army and your policy cards
A large portion of ancient buildings loses effectiveness
When changing eras, you also choose a new civilization. However, you cannot choose it completely freely like in Humankind, but it must match either the leader or your previous civilization – these two are separate, by the way. Alternatively, you can unlock civilizations if you possess a certain resource.
The conclusion from Maurice Weber as a Civilization fan can be found in the video. There are now plenty of alternatives – recently, two new competitors appeared: Ara: History Untold and Millenia. But both games have the problem of turning into too much work.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 there is a wide selection of armor. Since we want to make your choice easier, we will show you the best armor for beginners that you can already obtain early in Act 1.
Update from 01/17/2025: We have reviewed the article and expanded it with more accurate information about the locations of the armor pieces. We also refer to a tip on how to access one of these armor pieces more easily.
This guide is intended to help you get started with the epic adventure of Baldur’s Gate 3 by introducing you to the best armor options for beginners that you can acquire early in the first act of the game.
These armor pieces will provide you with a significant advantage and are therefore a wise choice to start your journey. Some of the mentioned armor pieces can even be used all the way into Act 3.
The armor options in this game offer a wide range of properties and bonuses. Some of them even allow you to use useful tricks to expand your tactical abilities in combat.
With this, you are well-equipped for the challenges that await you in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Warning Spoiler: This article contains spoilers from Act 1.
Best Armor in the Early Game
Below we present the best armor for beginners that you can obtain early in the first act of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Gloves of Power
What can the armor do? The Gloves of Power grant the wearer +1 to Dexterity. On a melee hit, you may impose a -1d4 penalty on the opponent’s attack and saving throws.
It is best to give these gloves to a melee fighter in the group.
Where can I find the Gloves of Power? You can obtain these powerful gloves right at the beginning of Act 1. Outside the gates of the Emerald Grove, you will face a fierce battle against a group of goblins, from which you can loot the Gloves of Power.
Note: The item can only be used by you if you have the Mark of the Absolute burned onto you by Priestess Gutt in the goblin camp.
What can the armor do? When you wear the Deformed Headband of Intelligence, the wearer receives an Intelligence value of 17. Give the headband to someone who could benefit from it. If your character already has 17 Intelligence or more, the headband has no effect. And be careful, if the headband is removed, the Intelligence will return to its original value.
The headband is particularly useful if you don’t have a wizard in your group. This way you can more easily succeed in Intelligence checks.
Where can I find the Deformed Headband of Intelligence? You have two options to obtain the Deformed Headband of Intelligence: Either you fight the hidden ogre gang in the ruined village and loot the headband, or you can pay them to assist you in battle. Later, you still have the option to eliminate them. It is worn by the smartest of the three ogres.
Smuggler’s Ring
What can the armor do? This ring gives the wearer +2 to Stealth and +2 to Dexterity.
The ring is ideal for a Dexterity character like Astarion. When stealing, the Smuggler’s Ring will definitely help you.
If you want to steal something, just equip the ring. After that, you can take it off and wear a better ring for combat.
Where can I find the Smuggler’s Ring? You can find the Smuggler’s Ring east of the waypoint “Waukeen’s Rest” on Stairway Road. Just walk along the river, near the coordinates X:57, Y:514. You can then retrieve the ring from the remains of a skeleton.
Helmet of Haste
What can the armor do? The wearer gains “Haste” for three turns at the start of combat, allowing them to move 1.5 meters further. This helmet can also be well combined with the Harvester’s Ring to benefit even more from mobility in combat. We will explain where to find the ring in the course of the article.
The helmet and Harvester’s Ring are best suited for a melee fighter like Karlach, Minthara, or Lae’zel.
How do I get the Helmet of Haste? Very close to the waypoint “Ruined Village” there is a locked chest that you can open. Inside this chest, you will find the Helmet of Haste, one of the best armor pieces you can obtain early in the game.
Gloves of Archery
What can the armor do? These gloves allow the wearer to use longbows and shortbows, adding +2 additional damage to all ranged attacks – which is quite powerful.
These gloves are perfect for rangers or a ranged rogue.
Where can I find the Gloves of Archery? You can obtain the gloves right at the start of the game by going to the goblin camp and speaking with the merchant Grat at the entrance. He will offer you the chance to purchase the gloves.
Harvester’s Ring
What can the armor do? The ring gives you +3 meters of movement speed, which is very practical for melee fighters and makes you more mobile in combat.
Where can I find the Harvester’s Ring? In the goblin camp, you will encounter a goblin named Harvester – right next to the waypoint. Kill the goblin so he drops his ring. However, Harvester surrenders right in the middle of the fight.
You can then kill him directly, but doing so will make part of the goblin camp hostile. Instead, you can simply follow him and take down Harvester in a quiet place.
Gloves of the Grumbling Loser
What can the armor do? The Gloves of the Grumbling Loser are among the best early armor pieces for melee fighters. They grant the wearer +1 to Strength saving throws. What makes them particularly powerful is the following effect:
The wearer has an advantage on melee attack rolls when surrounded by 2 or more opponents.
If you give the gloves to a melee fighter, you can charge into the fray with advantages right away. Especially a surrounded fighter or barbarian can benefit from these advantages.
Where can I find the Gloves of the Grumbling Loser? You can also find these gloves inside the goblin camp. Pass by Dror Ragzlin, the leader (far left against the wall, up the stairs), and reach a treasure chamber. To obtain the gloves, you need to successfully pick the lock of the treasure chamber.
Here are 5 helpful tips to make your life easier in Baldur’s Gate 3:
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5 helpful tips for Baldur’s Gate 3
Amulet of Misty Step
What can the armor do? First of all: The Amulet of Misty Step is one of the best armor pieces in Baldur’s Gate 3. Misty Step is simply a super powerful and practical spell that is suitable for everyone.
With Misty Step, you can teleport to any location in sight, allowing you to gain a height advantage in combat, escape your opponents more easily, or quickly close the distance to them.
Where can I find the Amulet of Misty Step? The Amulet of Misty Step is located in the western area inside the goblin camp. To get there, you must pass through a locked door. You can either pick the lock or obtain the key from Priestess Gutt.
If you successfully pick the lock, you will encounter an ogre lady that must be defeated. Afterwards, you can loot the amulet from a treasure chest.
Gloves of Thievery
What can the armor do? The Gloves of Thievery give the wearer an advantage on Dexterity rolls, which is quite handy. So if you want to steal something or pick a lock, you can simply put on the gloves – you then receive an advantage on your roll.
Where can I find the Gloves of Thievery? You can purchase the Gloves of Thievery at the Zhentarim hideout from the merchant after successfully completing the quest “Find the Lost Delivery”.
To do this, you must return the lost delivery unopened to the Zhentarim hideout, which can also earn you a powerful crossbow. Afterwards, you will have access to better items at the merchant, including the Gloves of Thievery.
Ring of Protection
What can the armor do? The Ring of Protection is very strong and is one of your best armor options for the beginning of the game. You receive +1 to your Armor Class and +1 to saving throws from the ring.
How do I get the Ring of Protection? To obtain the Ring of Protection, you need to steal the Idol of Sylvanus, which is located at coordinates X: 252, Y: 517 in the Emerald Grove – specifically in the sacred basin of the Emerald Grove.
However, note that the druids will be hostile towards you and behave aggressively towards tieflings if you steal the idol without precautions.
A trick you can use: Place a crate next to the idol, so that the crate can still be opened. Then use the spell “Fog Cloud” on the idol.
This way, you can place the idol unnoticed into the crate, pick up the crate, and teleport to your camp. It is advisable to save before attempting (F5), so that you can reload in case it doesn’t work on the first try.
Bracers of Defense
What can the armor do? With the Bracers of Defense, the wearer receives a +2 bonus to Armor Class, as long as they are not wearing armor or wielding a shield.
These bracers are suitable for barbarians, monks, mages, sorcerers, and warlocks. In short: All classes that wear clothing (no armor) and do not have a shield equipped benefit from this bonus.
How do I get the Bracers of Defense? Go to the second building on the left side in the ruined village – the apothecary house. On a counter, there is a book with the quest “Search the Basement”.
Behind this counter, you will discover a basement hatch that leads you to an underground adventure. Once in the basement, you will find the rusty key in a corner of the westernmost room of the lab, behind three wooden crates. After a keen look (Perception check), you will discover a lever that leads you to the next secret room.
Engage in a conversation with the talking magical mirror and try to outsmart it. In another article about the necromancer book of Thay, which is also behind the mirror, we explain what words the mirror wants to hear from you. Then use the rusty key to open the locked gate.
Be careful! Then disable the numerous traps. Finally, grab the Bracers of Defense from a chest. In this room, you will also find the aforementioned necromancer book.
Best Armor for Beginners – Outlook: These items form a solid foundation to successfully start your adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The choice of suitable armor heavily depends on your character and preferred playstyle. It is worthwhile to try out different items to find out which fits your heroes best.
Later in Act 1, you will encounter even more powerful items. However, these armor options are a good choice to support you at the beginning.
In an interview with Shuhei Yoshida, a former head of PlayStation Studios, the topic of remakes and remasters for next-gen consoles and PC comes up. Yoshida explains why the relevance of these remakes causes such a big misunderstanding.
What does Yoshida say about PS5 remasters? In a YouTube interview published by Kinda Funny Games with industry veteran Shuhei Yoshida, the question arises about the biggest misunderstandings players (both fans and critics) have regarding game development.
Yoshida mentions that the biggest criticism is likely the development of too many remasters instead of tackling new projects. He understands the point but simultaneously provides an answer that explains players’ criticism more as a misunderstanding.
Astro Bot from Sony is not a remake but features familiar characters from various PlayStation games:
Start video
The new trailer for Astro Bot shows many old acquaintances from PlayStation in a crazy platformer
Remasters as a financial means to an end
What is the misunderstanding? Yoshida explains that players probably assume that remakes are wasted resources that are consequently lacking in the development of new games. This is, however, not the case, as the former head explains:
Remakes and remasters are often taken over by completely new teams. Especially when it comes to revisions for PC versions, new experts are needed. Thus, no resources of the original team are sacrificed.
Why are there so many remasters? Developing large single-player blockbusters is expensive, as Yoshida notes. He adds that remasters are significantly cheaper to develop than new games. They create new revenue streams to finance these big projects.
Especially with the inclusion of PC players, a potentially massive amount of new players is brought in, thus providing another source of income.
For this reason, remasters and remakes are a prerequisite if fans want new PS5 single-player games. These said fans react on social media.
Your own group is an important part of the feeling in Baldur’s Gate 3. One of the first companions you can meet is Shadowheart, whom you can play as a cleric. This guide explains which spells are best for the cleric.
Update, January 17, 2025: The article has been reviewed and is up to date.
Who is Shadowheart? Shadowheart is a half-elf and cleric. At the beginning of the game, you will find her on the illithid ship. You can see how to free her right at the start in our colleagues’ article at GameStar.
Clerics are not only good healers; they can also be good tanks, support, or deal a decent amount of damage. Overall, they are a true all-round talent and are worth having in any group.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Reset Character and Choose New Class
Best Support Cleric Build – Subclass: Domain of Life
The Domain of Life is a good fit for Shadowheart if you need a strong healing force by your side. For this, you need to reskill Shadowheart, who starts in the Trickery Domain, at Lazarus (Withers). As a cleric of the Domain of Life, you can heal and support your group like no other class in Baldur’s Gate 3, which is why this build focuses on that.
Wisdom is your most important attribute. This is how you allocate your attribute points:
The good thing is: As a cleric, you can swap your spells before every fight. This means you don’t have a fixed loadout but can adjust your spells flexibly depending on the situation. You can always change your spells and try out what works best for you.
Healing Word, Inflict Wounds, Guiding Bolt, Shield of Faith, Bane
This is a good mix of healing and defensive abilities that are already established. With Guiding Bolt and Inflict Wounds, Shadowheart also has options to deal damage.
Loadout at Level 2
You swap out Shield of Faith for Command
Command is quite strong, as it allows you to force an enemy to drop their weapons. With this, you can even grab the weapon yourself. You can also make enemies flee, for example – giving you tactical options. One of the best swords in Act 1 can be obtained by using Command.
Loadout at Level 3
Here you simply add Spiritual Weapon to your previous loadout, also Prayer of Healing, Hold Person, or Warding Bond can be useful depending on the situation
With Spiritual Weapon, you can conjure a floating weapon (as a bonus action) that assists you in combat. You can choose from various weapons. All weapons deal force damage, and each has its own special attack.
The weapon acts independently of the cleric. It has its own movement rate, action, and bonus action. The weapon supports you for a full 10 turns after you summon it. This is not a concentration spell.
The spell Warding Bond grants resistances, +1 to AC and saving throws. You bond with an ally. But at the same time, Shadowheart takes the same damage as the bonded target. You should keep an eye on this; in combat, it can happen that you quickly lose track, and suddenly Shadowheart dies.
Loadout at Level 4
If you haven’t equipped Hold Person yet, you can do it here; otherwise, Silence is worth it
With the talent Ability Score Increase, you increase your Wisdom by +2
Hold Person works very well in combination with melee characters in your party. The target must be humanoid. If the spell succeeds, the target cannot move, take actions, or reactions. The best part is: All melee attacks always critically hit the restrained target, allowing you to deal immense damage.
Loadout at Level 5
Silence or Hold Person
Loadout at Level 6
At this level, we recommend Spirit Guardians as the next spell; also Break Curse and Mass Healing Word can be worthwhile
Spirit Guardians is a concentration spell. You summon spirits that protect you in the form of an aura. Enemies who stay nearby take radiant or necrotic damage per round, depending on which type of damage you choose. Additionally, their movement rate is halved within the aura. As a cleric, you can essentially run into your opponents and deal significant damage.
Loadout at Level 7
Banishment is the best new spell here
The opposing target is banished. This means they cannot do anything for two turns, but you cannot deal damage to them either. This is very useful against strong opponents, as you can cast other spells or buffs for the team during that time.
Loadout at Level 8
Freedom of Movement
With the talent Ability Score Increase, you increase your Wisdom by +2
This spell gives you the ability to allow the target to move across difficult terrain and similar obstacles. If an ally is paralyzed, Freedom of Movement can free them from that effect. Additionally, the target cannot be magically paralyzed or restrained.
Loadout at Level 9
Insect Plague and Flame Strike
Swarm of locusts attacks everyone in a certain area. There is a disadvantage on perception checks in the area. Flame Strike is a powerful fire spell.
Loadout at Level 10
At Level 10, Planar Binding is worth it
Planar Binding can be cast on a creature that is to fight for you on the battlefield. However, the target must be a celestial, fey, elemental, or fiend.
Loadout at Level 11
Healing and Planar Ally are also worth it
With Healing, you can heal someone, remove blindness, and alleviate any disease. With Planar Ally, you can summon an otherworldly being to assist you until the next long rest. You can even summon a Deva.
Loadout at Level 12
Add Hero’s Feast or Blade Barrier to your loadout
As a talent, choose Resilient for Constitution
With Hero’s Feast, you gain strong buffs. You can no longer be sick, frightened, or poisoned. Life is increased, and you have advantage on Wisdom checks. With Blade Barrier, you create a barrier that deals damage to anyone who approaches.
You don’t have to follow this build to make Shadowheart a good companion. If you don’t like certain spells or if other spells fit better in the team, change them and try new things. Baldur’s Gate 3 offers countless possibilities for development. If you need help with other aspects of Baldur’s Gate 3, check our list: Baldur’s Gate 3: All guides, builds, and tips for the role-playing game
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Path of Exile 2 is now known what is really in Update 0.1.1. The exact patch notes result in over 350 changes to the game. Here you get an overview.
Update: We have updated this article on January 17, 2025, at 12:05 PM and exchanged the English patch notes against the official German patch notes.
When is the patch coming? The update 0.1.1 for Path of Exile 2 goes live on January 16, 2025, around 10:00 PM. On PC, it is approximately 9.7 GB. The servers will restart during this period, which is expected to take about 15 minutes (via pathofexile.com). You must update PoE2 before the changes take effect.
The maintenance for Path of Exile 2 usually does not last long. This time, the patch notes are again very extensive.
Currently, only the English patch notes are available on the official site. If the German version becomes available, we will update the list.
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Here you can see the intro of Path of Exile 2:
Start video
Path of Exile 2: The Cinematic Intro of the Greatest Diablo Competitor
However, the patch notes now provide insight into the extent to which the changes will affect the game. Especially the endgame of the game is strongly affected this time. There are several new tower maps, and the already existing tower map has been fundamentally revised.
With the boss “Arbiter of Ash,” or in English “Arbiter of Ash,” you will have six attempts in the boss fight from the patch instead of just one. This is also expected to affect other bosses of the same strength later. The boss itself will also undergo some changes.
Furthermore, the maps of Path of Exile 2 have been changed to make them more unique. For example, one map is supposed to be paved with strongboxes, while another has none but offers many more monsters than usual.
The league mechanics have been adjusted with the patch so that the loot from all game modes should be roughly equal. Previously, many players primarily played the Breach league mechanics because it provided the most loot, as also demonstrated by a player on PS5.
The superheroes from the anime My Hero Academia have individual talents, also known as quirks. A little girl has now discovered one of the characters and found a big commonality with him.
What do the girl and the character have in common? In a store, a little girl discovers a plush toy from the anime My Hero Academia. The stuffed toy of the character Shoto Todoroki particularly appeals to her, as he has a mark on his face just like the girl.
The little one, who can be seen in the TikTok video of her mother lastflashqueen, has had a rather large birthmark over the right side of her face since birth. That’s why she is happy that there is someone else who shares this external characteristic with her.
However, what one should better not tell the little girl: Shoto’s facial mark was not present at birth. It is a burn scar that his own mother inflicted on him when she poured hot water on his face.
But either way, it is sweet how the little girl is happy to have finally found someone who is “like she is”.
Check out a trailer for the anime movie here:
Start video
My Hero Academia: You’re Next – The Official Trailer for the Anime Movie
Mangaka and voice actors take notice of the girl
What do the mangaka and the voice actor have to do with it? Yuki Kaji, the Japanese voice actor of Shoto, responds on X to the video of the little girl. He writes that Kohei Horikoshi, the mangaka of My Hero Academia, showed him the video of the girl.
He writes from the character’s perspective and says that he has had a difficult past. However, this past still has the potential to save someone. There is a type of hero that can only be Shoto.
With this, he means that Shoto’s sad story can make life easier for others and cheer them up. With the smiling emoji at the end of his message, he shows how happy he is for the girl.
Why is Shoto’s past so sad? Shoto was only given the burn scar because his mother was angry with his father Enji. Shoto was born with two hair colors that split in two halves. One half resembles his father, the other his mother.
However, since the father was so intent on training Shoto to be the strongest hero, he and his mother often argued. This led to violent confrontations with the mother, who suffered mental damage because of it.
This led her to hate Enji so much that she burned Shoto’s side. The boy had to go through a lot in his past, but it is precisely his scar that can bring the little girl much joy.
Some Dynamax bosses in Pokémon GO are difficult to defeat, and starting next week, the legendary birds will join them. But there is now the opportunity to get strong counters.
The legendary Dynamax bosses: Over the next three weeks, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres will appear in Dynamax battles. They will be the first legendary Dynamax bosses in Pokémon GO.
Dynamax Articuno debuts on January 20 at 6:00 PM during “Dyna-Monday,” after which it will be available until January 27 at power sources.
Dynamax Zapdos debuts on January 27 at 6:00 PM, after which it will be available until February 3.
Dynamax Moltres concludes the lineup starting February 3 at 6:00 PM, and you can catch it until February 9.
The birds will certainly be tough opponents, but they are currently expected to be not as difficult as the Gigantamax bosses that have caused so many issues for players.
Nonetheless: Good counters are needed. And you will now receive them every weekend before the debut of each legendary bird.
Start video
Dynamax in Pokémon Go – How to participate in the gigantic battles
Timed Research: “Legendary Skies – Preview” brings you your counters
This is the research: The first of the three researches is already active. Starting from January 17 at 10:00 AM, you can secure suitable counters and corresponding candies for the battle against Dynamax Articuno. It will run until Monday evening at 6:00 PM.
In this, you will receive:
Scorbunny and 50 of its candies
Hatchan and 50 of its candies
Charmander and 50 of its candies
Additionally, you will also receive 7,500 Stardust and 500 Dynamax particles when you complete all tasks. These tasks revolve around the Dynamax feature, requiring, for example, Dynamax battles from you or the improvement of your Dynamax attacks.
Important: When these researches are active, it costs 25% fewer particles to improve your Dynamax attacks. This could also be useful.
More researches: Research for Zapdos and Moltres will also appear with corresponding rewards.
Between January 24 and January 27, a research will start with Rotomurf, Frigometri, and Chimpep as rewards
Between January 31 and February 3, a research with Squirtle, Krabby, and Memmeon will conclude the series
Through these researches, you ultimately have the opportunity to secure well-suited Pokémon for the battles against the birds. At the same time, they serve as an introduction for players who may not have dealt too much with the Dynamax feature yet. What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments! And what else is happening in Pokémon GO in January, you can read about here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Path of Exile 2, the new update went live last night. However, instead of delivering no nerfs as promised, one class was completely broken right afterwards.
Which class is it? The developers of Path of Exile 2 originally intended to not nerf any characters in this update, but only to buff them. However, when players logged back into their warrior characters, they found themselves facing broken builds.
The totem is now completely dead
What was broken? The new patch of Path of Exile 2 was supposed to fix the support skill “astral projection”. This skill usually ensures that an ability is cast at the target location instead of at the player’s position. This in combination with the “Shockwave Totem” was previously bugged.
As indicated in the patch notes, the issue was supposed to be resolved after the update. However, instead of fixing the problem, the developers seemingly broke the totem completely. A user on Reddit displays the exact issue in a before / after comparison.
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In the video, it is clearly visible that the totems no longer attack correctly and also have some sort of delay before they cast their spells.
For the community on Reddit, this was a slap in the face, as the builds surrounding totems are among the few that work well with the warrior. Without functioning totems, the class becomes nearly unplayable for many gamers.
Re-specing is also no longer so easy due to the advanced league, as many players have already finely tailored their items to their build.
How are the developers reacting? The developers of Path of Exile 2 are reacting quickly and already released the bug fix in the next hotfix (via PathofExile.com). This is now live, and the builds should function as they did before.
However, what the developers cannot fix quickly is the outraged community. The last patch and the broken totems have sparked a debate about the warrior class itself.
Here you can see the trailer of Path of Exile 2:
Start video
Path of Exile 2: The Cinematic Intro of the Greatest Diablo Competitor
The worst class in PoE2
What is being discussed? The community of Path of Exile 2 is unhappy with the warrior class in the game. The last patch, which brought a 15% buff to the armor defense value, did not go far enough for the gamers.
The community on Reddit accuses the developers of a “survivorship bias”, meaning the distortion in favor of the survivors. This implies that the developers would attempt to cater to the remaining warrior players by bringing buffs like the one to the armor value into the ARPG.
However, fundamentally, nothing would change for the class. On paper, such a change would make warriors better off. But those who have already switched classes early on due to playstyle will not return because of a 15% better armor.
For Enemy50 on Reddit, the problem already starts with the animations: “My main criticism of the warrior is that the skills don’t have a good ‘feel’. I never get tired of shooting lightning from my hands, but the animation for swinging the mace is very mediocre. The screams are cool, though.”
GoblinBreeder also gives good feedback to the developers on Reddit: “I love the weighty feel of the abilities. I just think they need defensive properties associated with their use if they tie you to such slow attack speeds. It’s just not viable in the fast endgame, you will die if you try to use Sunder or Rolling Slam.”
Feedback also comes from aicis on Reddit who says: “The warriors are fine. It’s the mace that needs improving.”
Odd-Cranberry589 on Reddit sees it only partially that way: “There are some issues with the warrior passive tree, as well as other factors to consider, […] but yes, just fixing the maces or starting there could be the best method.”
Are we expecting a price shock for video games in 2025? According to analyst Matthew Ball, this is quite possible. In an analysis spanning 219 pages, he looks at the central role of GTA 6. The game could reset price boundaries and possibly lift the gaming industry out of its slump.
Who is the analyst? Matthew Ball is the CEO of Epyllion and specializes in analyzing video games, movies, and TV series. He has written non-fiction books like “Metaverse” and cites statements from major tech figures such as Tim Sweeney, Mark Zuckerberg, or Phil Spencer, who have spoken positively about his work (via matthewball).
The job of an analyst is to inform investors who wish to put money into the market in a way that allows them to make the right decision about which companies to invest in.
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Rockstar Games shows GTA 6 for the first time in the trailer
GTA 6 could cost up to 100 €
This is what he says now: In an analysis “State of Video Game in 2025“, which spans 219 pages, there is also a passage that discusses the growth of the industry.
Regarding GTA 6, he believes there is a possibility that Take Two could set the price of the game at 80 or even 100 $. This would correspond to a euro price of up to 100 or 110 €.
How does he arrive at this analysis? In the hundreds of slides, Ball discusses an increasingly bleak situation for video games. The games are getting more expensive, there are more and more “Black Hole” games that bind players in such a way that they do not want to buy new games, and the market is saturated. This is evidenced by the numerous layoffs in the gaming sector in recent years.
In one segment, he discusses growth engines that could drive the industry forward. Here, a higher price through GTA 6 is one of the growth factors he sees. Because alongside Minecraft and PUBG, GTA 5 is one of the great bestsellers of all time. So there is considerable leverage here.
For him, a price increase is a hope (via matthewball).
GTA 6 could allow all companies to charge more for their games
Why is this important? Normally, AAA games cost 70 $, which corresponds to approximately 80 €. Games like Skull and Bones have gone up that high, which was marketed as a AAAA game by Ubisoft.
If GTA 6 exceeds this price boundary, it would set a precedent that would allow other games to exceed the price threshold of 70 or 80 € and price games fundamentally at around 100 €, with the motto “Our game is also AAA and we want a AAA price.”
If any game could afford to break this price barrier for the first time, it could actually be GTA 6, which is being considered the “next milestone in gaming.” Ball’s thesis sparks a discussion about whether this price increase could “save” the gaming industry.
The monsters play the most important role in Monster Hunter Wilds. Therefore, the lineup of monsters in every game is a factor that is hotly debated among fans. The developers explain in an interview how they decide which opponents should be included.
Why is the lineup so important? Hunting monsters is the core element of every Monster Hunter game. As a result, the choice of opponents has an immense influence on the players’ experience. For fans, it’s not only significant which new or familiar monsters will be part of the game, but also the difficulty and order of the beasts are crucial.
All these factors are considered by the developers when making decisions about the selection for a new title in the series. Other aspects also play a significant role in their approach, as they explained in an interview with IGN.
Actors are involved for the animations of the monsters:
Start video
This is how Monster Hunter Wilds is created: We got a studio tour at Capcom
“If this monster exists in this place, how does the ecological pyramid work here?”
What factors influenced the developers’ decisions? As Executive and Art Director Kaname Fujioka and Director Yuya Tokuda reported in the interview, the selection of monsters for the lineup depends on many aspects.
At the beginning, the following questions are posed:
We first think about what we want to offer the players when they face large monsters like Arkveld, as well as the setting, the ecosystem, and so on, which is unique to each title. We then consider the types of monsters that are necessary for that. In a way, we start putting puzzle pieces together, such as: ‘If this monster exists in this place, how does the ecological pyramid work here?’
In this process, the focus is not on how many new or old monsters would be included in relation to each other. Rather, it’s about the overall package of level design, and above all, the order of opponents that hunters will face.
But the ecological pyramid also plays a crucial role in the selection. Which monster makes sense in which setting, and what impact does it have on the environment and other monsters? The developers emphasize that it is especially important to them that the world is coherent and provides an immersive experience.
The order of the monsters is also a huge focus during the decision-making phase because it determines how players will enter the game and what their learning curve will look like. At the beginning, there need to be monsters that introduce the basics to the hunters without overwhelming them. Good teaching monsters are needed, which is why, for example, Yian Kut-Ku was chosen as one of the first monsters, which is even known among fans by the nickname “Sensei” (Japanese for “teacher”).
What aspects play a role, especially in the return of monsters? When it comes to deciding whether and which monsters from previous titles should make an appearance again, additional factors are important. Especially concerning them, it’s significant not just to bring them back into the game but also to let them “grow” with the titles:
Even when we choose old monsters for the game, we have to ensure that we remain true to the concept of the monster, while also considering how much room each monster has to develop when it is reborn with today’s technology and game design.
The goal is to ensure that fans of the series can meet old acquaintances again, but also discover new aspects of them that surprise them. They wanted to create constants that accompany the series and evolve with it and the hunters. The popularity of monsters in the community is also an important point that is taken into account.
During the interview, they particularly referred to Lagiacrus and Brachydios in this respect, as fans have wished for their return for a long time. Gore Magala is also mentioned. Overall, many flagship monsters are very popular, which is why they think particularly carefully about whether they could make a return.
South Korea has been one of the most exciting countries for years when it comes to interesting series or movies. Many films often go unnoticed because they are never prominently released or promoted in Germany. A sci-fi film from 2023 is loved by critics, yet hardly anyone has seen it.
Which film is it? On August 9, 2023, the film Concrete Utopia – The Last Uprising premiered in South Korean cinemas. In this science fiction film, a devastating earthquake strikes South Korea, turning the capital Seoul into a massive ruin. Only one skyscraper remains standing, where several survivors seek shelter.
Although the film features a well-known lead actor, it did not have a regular release in German cinemas. It could only be seen on events and festivals on the big screen. As a result, the film has largely gone under the radar, although critics agree on how good it is.
Start video
Concrete Utopia – Trailer for the South Korean Sci-Fi Thriller
Post-Apocalypse and Human Nature
What is Concrete Utopia about? The film depicts the beginning of a post-apocalyptic world and focuses on the one skyscraper that still stands in Seoul. Concrete Utopia deals with the moral dilemmas that could arise in such a situation. This theme is also familiar from films like Snowpiercer.
The survival instinct clashes with humanity, which is tested in the post-apocalypse. This creates conflicts between the surviving residents of the skyscraper and the survivors of the city who are seeking a safe refuge.
Lee Byung-hun even stars one of the most famous Korean actors, whom you last saw in the second season of Squid Game. Park Seo-joon is known from the film Parasite.
Critics Agree
How has the film been rated?Concrete Utopia is one of the best science fiction and survival thrillers of all time, at least according to critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a perfect score of 100% based on 61 reviews.
Kevin Wright praises the film’s portrayal: The film shows the best and worst of human nature, often exhibited by the same people.
Sarah Marrs especially appreciates the actors and the set design: Driven by Lee Byung-hun’s performance and truly outstanding production design, Concrete Utopia finds its own niche in the recent flood of socially satirical thrillers.
Dennis Harvey praises the grim view of the future: It is not a particularly optimistic view of a possible dark near future, but it is entertaining.
The few users who have seen the film are not quite as enthusiastic. With just over 100 user reviews, the user score stands at 71%. The negative voices find the social critique not as pointed and are also disappointed by the euphoric reviews praising the film. Other users, however, agree with the critics and praise the great story.
Where can you watch the film? Unfortunately, the film is not available on any subscription service, but you can purchase the film physically or digitally from well-known platforms. On Netflix, there is another film, Badland Hunters, that plays in the same universe. Another recommendation from South Korea can be found here: Before Parasite, the director created a masterpiece about a true crime from South Korea
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Wolverine is perhaps the most famous mutant of the X-Men. Several movies, series, games, and even comics have made him the protagonist of stories. In a new comic from Marvel, the hero turns into a tragic figure who is forced to fight against his colleagues.
What kind of comic is this? Marvel is currently rebooting the controversial Ultimate Universe. This is essentially an alternative world where the heroes and villains we know are somewhat different from those in the classic 616 Universe. One of the heroes receiving a new comic series is Wolverine.
In Ultimate Wolverine No. 1 by author Chris Condon and artist Allessandro Cappuccio, the well-known mutant has a new, altered origin story that mixes with another well-known character. Unfortunately for Wolverine, things don’t turn out well as he is forced to fight against his old comrades.
Spoiler Alert: In this post, you will read spoilers for the current first issue of Ultimate Wolverine.
The mutant can also be seen in the animated series X-Men ’97:
Start video
X-Men 97 – Trailer for the new animated series on Disney+
Wolverine Becomes the Winter Soldier
Wolverine is turned into a character that is also known from the MCU. In a flashback, it is revealed that Wolverine is the only one who survived a plane crash. The plane crashed in the eurasian republic of the Maker. The Maker is a villainous variant of Mister Fantastic who rules like a dictator.
At the crash site, Wolverine is then captured by the evil variants of the mutants Magik and Colossus, whom he is supposed to fight as a resistance fighter. As in his original story, he is enhanced by scientists by reinforcing his bones with adamantium.
In the process, his memories are also erased and he is turned into a mindless soldier who does not get the name Wolverine but Winter Soldier. In the 616 Universe, Bucky Barnes is captured and turned into a mindless Hydra soldier through mind control. This is depicted in the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier from 2014.
In the first issue of the series, Wolverine is also sent on a mission to combat the resistance. In doing so, he brutally kills Mystique. In the fight against Nightcrawler, his former friend tries to appeal to his memories, but Wolverine kills Nightcrawler just as quickly, with Nightcrawler shedding a tear in death.
This is not the first time Wolverine tragically kills his own comrades. However, the mix of Winter Soldier and Wolverine is something new. Like many other superheroes, Wolverine has received many different variants throughout his comics. Many of those are quite bizarre: The 7 Weirdest Variants of Wolverine that We Probably Will Never See in the MCU
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Elden Ring raises the stakes with “Nightreign” and to ensure a smooth release, the developers have planned a beta test. Unfortunately, scammers have now spotted an opportunity to rip you off.
What type of scam is this? This is a phishing scam. Scammers are trying to obtain your data. With fake links or emails, they attempt to trick you into voluntarily revealing your information. In the worst case, you could lose your accounts or even money when the thieves impersonate your bank.
Once again, scammers are lurking online, but this time they are exploiting the upcoming beta release of Elden Ring: Nightreign to steal from you.
Start video
Elden Ring Nightreign: In the new multiplayer mode, you must summon comrades!
Friends give you access to the beta on Steam
What’s wrong with this? Many players are warning the Steam community about a wave of scams on Reddit. Accounts of friends have been compromised and are sending dubious links for beta test access. Under no circumstances should you click on these links, and it’s best to report the accounts.
Unwitting fans might fall for this trick, but those who are closely monitoring the release should know that the upcoming beta is reserved only for PlayStation and Xbox – PC players are left out for now.
When does the Nightreign beta start? The beta is set to take place on five dates, and only selected players can participate. You should mark the following dates in your calendar:
Can I still apply for the beta? The registration deadline for the network test runs until January 20th, after which it will be decided who will participate in the test. If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so on the official Bandai Namco website (via beta.bandainamcoent.eu)
Bill Gates recently admitted in an interview that Microsoft made a mistake that cost the company $400 billion. He explained that his mismanagement and the lack of development were the reasons for this. Android co-founder Rich Miner commented on this, stating that he deliberately developed Android to prevent Microsoft’s control over the mobile market.
Who is talking to whom? In an interview with Eventbrite CEO Julia Hartz, Bill Gates discussed the biggest failure during his time at Microsoft. Gates acknowledged that the decision not to seize the emerging mobile market early on cost Microsoft a huge opportunity. Microsoft simply missed the development of an operating system like Android. He stated (via Windows Central):
“The biggest mistake of all time is the mismanagement that I exhibited, which led to Microsoft not becoming what Android is.”
What was the reason for the failure? According to Gates, it was primarily due to mismanagement and the legal challenges that plagued Microsoft in the early 2000s. When Google acquired Android in 2005 and launched its first device in 2008, Microsoft was already too late.
Gates further explained that the mobile market is a “winner-takes-all” market, where the dominant operating system controls the entire market. “There is exactly room for one non-Apple operating system, and what is that worth? $400 billion that would have flowed from Google to Microsoft,” Gates explained.
Microsoft missed this opportunity, which led to a huge loss of money and influence.
Start video
What does the N symbol on your phone mean?
Android: The Answer to Microsoft
What is Android’s perspective? Rich Miner, one of the co-founders of Android, offers a different perspective on this missed opportunity. He said:
I literally developed Android to prevent Microsoft from controlling mobile, just as they did with PCs – and stifled innovation.
Miner found it “funny” to hear Gates lamenting about the loss in the mobile sector: “[I find] it always amusing to hear Gates complain about Microsoft losing to Android in mobile.”
By the way, Miner was already involved in the development of Windows Mobile back in 2002. Due to the knowledge he gained there, he likely chose to develop Android as a counter-design.
He added that he viewed the whole process as a kind of “necessity” to prevent Microsoft from controlling this area to the same extent as they did with PCs. But what about the competition between Microsoft and Google? The CEO of Microsoft sees it as an opportunity.
Editor’s note: We have adapted the text for better flow.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Realbotix presented humanoid robots for 200,000 euros at CES 2025, equipped with AI and supposed to convey “human emotions.” The robots are intended for societal and social interactions. However, despite advanced technology, they still appear somewhat eerie.
What makes the robots special? The company Realbotix presents humanoid robots at CES 2025 that aim to combine highly developed artificial intelligence with realistic appearance and human-like skin. Interested buyers should expect a price of around 200,000 euros.
The robots are designed to convey “human emotions” and adapt to human interactions. According to the manufacturers, the robots are designed to act as social companions and assist people with loneliness or social needs.
However, Realbotix is not only marketing the robots for social purposes but also hints that they can be used for intimate relationships. They use gestures and movements that, according to the company, simulate a “very human” feeling. They are designed to learn and adapt their preferences and quirks to the user.
Start video
RFA One: This could be the launch of the most powerful German orbital rocket
The technology and functions of the robots
What technology is behind it? The humanoid robots from Realbotix combine advanced AI and realistic silicone skin to enable human-like interactions. They can hold conversations, remember previous encounters, and even simulate gestures like a human. Especially notable is their ability to replicate different personalities or historical figures. These features set them apart from other robots that often only offer simple, functional interactions.
What are the limits? Although the technology seems impressive at first glance, there are also noticeable flaws. The movements appear stiff and jerky, which makes the robots seem more like mechanical figures.
Particularly eerie is the revelation of the mechanical structure: when the robot’s face is removed, bulging, lifeless-looking eyes, plastic teeth, and a transparent skull are revealed.
These unsightly details enhance the “Uncanny Valley” effect. This effect describes the uncomfortable feeling people experience when an artificial appearance looks almost human but still deviates from the natural model in several details.
Humanoid robots are continuously being technologically developed. Although current models are not yet perfect, they demonstrate the potential to play a significant role in the future – whether in social interaction or as assistance in everyday life. However, there is still a lot to be done before they are truly refined.
The reigning champion in League of Legends in Europe is G2. However, the team may have miscalculated regarding the transfer market in LoL for 2025. They actually wanted to secure a French super talent: But Caliste Caliste Henry-Hennebert (18) signed with his home club Karmine Corp, which now looks very strong.
However, they wanted to replace the jungler and the bot lane.
According to reports, the plan was to bring the 18-year-old ADC Caliste from France and give Karmine Corp the 3 main players they wanted to get rid of anyway. G2 allegedly wanted to sweeten the deal with cash. ADC Caliste is considered an exceptional talent in LoL, the best young European player in many years.
Start video
Das ist LoL – Einmal richtig ehrlich erklärt
G2 finds only B-solutions for 2025
This is now the result: The transfer market has not been favorable for G2. The result is that they have found two “B” solutions for jungle and support, and Karmine Corp now seems stronger than ever.
In 2025, G2 will have:
Caps in the mid lane
Broken Blade on the bot lane
Hans Sama still on the bot lane, even though he was already on display
20-year-old Frenchman “SkewMond”, who played in Team BDS’s academy team last year
22-year-old Greek Labrov in support, who has played with many teams in recent years
How can this be assessed? SkewMond and Labrov are certainly not G2’s preferred solutions.
Young jungler Yike, who was released after Worlds, was seen as a hopeful player who just needed time to perform consistently at this level. Here, they are replacing a 24-year-old with 2 years of experience at top level with a newcomer who needs to gain that experience again.
Labrov is nominally a solid player but not a top-tier player. Here, it was considered whether G2 might bring in an Asian as a mercenary, although that would have been difficult in terms of communication.
In Path of Exile 2 there is a specific game mode for those who enjoy a challenge. The competition to see who reaches the maximum level first has now taken a dramatic turn.
What kind of competition is this? In Path of Exile 2, there is not only the regular game mode “Softcore” but also the game mode “Hardcore”. If a character dies in Hardcore mode, they are lost and cannot be resurrected in the Hardcore league. Additionally, there is the “Solo-Self-Found” modifier, which prohibits players from trading items. Instead, players are only allowed to use items they have found themselves.
Among the professionals of Path of Exile 2, a competition is taking place under exactly these two most challenging conditions, with the goal of being the first to reach level 100 with a character. While the top gamers are only one level away from the maximum, something happens that no one likely saw coming.
When you can’t trade, this NPC is especially useful for identifying items:
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This NPC in Path of Exile 2 identifies your items
More Risk for Rank 1
What happened to the frontrunner? The Blood Mage waitingforedbuff, belonging to the Twitch streamer Oskarmln, had long been ranked number 1 on the leaderboard (via PathofExile.com). He had gathered the most experience points without dying. However, with level 99 out of 100, a message shocks the PoE2 chat: “waitingforedbuff (Level 99) has died in position 1 of the leaderboard”.
While the chat reacts with respect, some are also asking on Reddit what might have happened. A look at his stream on Twitch provides some clarification.
Oskarmln was trying to be the first to reach level 100 with his character. However, his competitors’ characters were catching up because they had better builds and items. Since he was not allowed to trade, he could hardly adjust his build. Therefore, he had to change his strategy.
What was his plan? In order to still win the race, he tried to increase his experience points more quickly. For that, he dared to face an enemy that brings many rewards but is also extremely strong, the Arbiter of Ash.
The boss is already infamous in the community because some of his mechanics can kill any character, no matter how strong they are. In a clip on Twitch, you can see the end of his run.
The level 99 Blood Mage is hit by an ability of the boss, and Oskarmln can’t save him anymore. His reaction in the chat: “xdd”. He seems to be taking the whole situation with humor. In the end, he shows his gear, as the character is not deleted but is now in the Softcore league. However, he can no longer participate in the competition.
Shortly after the death of his Blood Mage, his biggest competitor, the Invoker HDB_oOps, has taken the lead of the leaderboard. He is also at level 99 along with the Invoker sargetwo_LachlannLMAO and the Infernalist PADJILOY. However, the two are significantly behind the new frontrunner and are still ranked behind the fallen character that previously led the list.
Yesterday, on 15.1.25, a duel took place in WoW : It was about who would become the Warchief in the popular Twitch guild OnlyFangs. Founder and WoW veteran Sodapoppin wanted to reclaim the guild leadership. However, the LoL titan Tyler1 had a problem with that. The spectacle pushed WoW past Counter-Strike to the number one spot on Twitch’s hottest games.
This was the situation: Chance “Sodapoppin” Morris is a Twitch streamer and World of Warcraft veteran. He founded the guild OnlyFangs on a WoW hardcore server. Here, some of the world’s biggest streamers play, but also gaming icons like the boss of Riot Games. The special feature of the server: If you die, you lose your character forever.
WoW: Guild loses 30 characters on a hardcore server – And it wasn’t even a boss fight
Tyler1 refuses to hand over the guild leadership without a fight
This is how the duel came about: Sodapoppin was putting in extra hours on Twitch at the beginning of 2025 to bring a hero up to level 60. For the 30-year-old, it was clear: once he reached level 60, he would be the boss again and take the reins. The Molten Core raid was coming soon and the guild needed a tank and Warchief, they needed him.
But Tyler1 had no intention of making way: He challenged Sodapoppin to a duel to determine who would be the “permanent head of the guild in WoW”, the true Warchief.
430,000 people watch WoW at the time of the duel
This is how the duel ended: It was a spectacle. The warriors of both faced off in front of the assembled team.
It ended up going into a ninth and final decisive fight after 8 rounds, which Tyler1 was able to win, while Sodapoppin was cursing and struggling: He, the experienced WoW player, had forgotten that he could still use his fear effect. While Sodapoppin kept mumbling about what an idiot he was, the fight inevitably moved toward its conclusion. Tyler1 triumphed.
Tyler1 reacted as usual, composed and calm, to his victory:
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WoW reaches highest viewer count on Twitch in a year
This many watched the duel: On Sodapoppin’s channel, 150,000 people watched the duel. Another 110,000 people watched on Tyler1’s channel. In total, WoW had 430,000 viewers at the time of the duel – that is the highest number of concurrent viewers WoW has had in about a year.
There were even more viewers than during the elaborate races for the World First kills in raids, the actual highlights of a WoW year.
Thanks to this story, WoW became the hottest game on Twitch in the last 3 days: The increase in viewers catapulted WoW past Counter-Strike and Honkai Star-Rail to the number one spot on the trending charts. Overall, WoW was in 4th place among the largest games on Twitch.
WoW hasn’t had this many viewers in a year like last night (via SullyGnome).
Tyler1 wins the duel and takes cruel revenge
This was the conclusion of the duel: Tyler took cruel revenge after his victory. He demanded that Sodapoppin, as a “punishment”, dye his hair pink.
The punishment is a reference to the expulsion of Twitch streamer Pirate Software from the guild by Sodapoppin. For Tyler1, the punishment comes because Sodapoppin seeks excuses and does not take responsibility for what he did. With exactly this reasoning, Sodapoppin had expelled the former Blizzard developer Pirate Software from the guild.
Sodapoppin had no choice but to accept the punishment: “Yes, my Warchief.”
What is really bad for him? Following the humiliating defeat against Tyler1, Sodapoppin had to hear from his girlfriend Veibae that he was a wimp who loved being pushed around by “bigger guys.”
His ego had crumbled and he had let Tyler1 mess with him in his head and treat him like a little puppy.
Sodapoppin denied this: Tyler1 was just the Warchief and made the rules, but Veibae was relentless. Sodapoppin just liked being treated like dirt by men.
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The boss of a tech company says: He has worked 70 hours a week for 40 years and considers it meaningful. However, not many may share that opinion. In many countries, there is even consideration of reducing working hours.
In many countries, including Germany, there is a debate about whether a 5-day week with 40 working hours is still up-to-date. In some cases, it has already occurred that employees have already secretly introduced a 4-day week.
However, currently 5 days with 40 hours remain the norm in Germany. According to the boss of an IT company from India, people should work more – he has done it himself for many years.
Start video
In Germany, there are over 400 USB sticks protruding from walls – What is the ‘Dead Drops’ project?
40 years, 70 hours a week, and sometimes even 90 hours
Who says that? Narayana Murthy is the boss and founder of the Indian IT company InfoSys. It provides digital services and consulting worldwide and is also publicly traded. Murthy himself is married and has two children. He is referred to by some as the “father of the Indian IT sector.”
The founder stated that his ideal is not a shortened 35-hour week, but a 70-hour week. Because that’s how he worked for many years. By the way, another boss shares a similar opinion, as the boss demands an 80-hour week from his employees.
These are his arguments: Murthy defends his idea by claiming that he has worked so much for years. Hard work is crucial for the economic growth of a nation. In a conversation with the Indian daily newspaper Economic Times, he explains in December 2023 that he learned these values from his parents (via jeuxvideo.com):
I was in the office at 6:20 AM and left at 8:30 PM and worked six days a week. I know that all nations that have achieved prosperity have done so through hard work.
My parents taught me early in life that we can only hope to escape poverty by working very, very hard – of course, on the assumption that one achieves the highest productivity from every hour of work. Over my more than 40 years of working life, I have worked 70 hours a week.
He further states that he has even worked “90 hours a week” for years. This is not comparable to today’s working hours.
