I have 300 hours in a game on Steam that almost nobody has played, yet it belongs to one of the most popular game series

Ody Ody Reading time 5 minutes

The strategy game series Total War has built a large fanbase over more than 20 years. However, the latest title is not well received by the community and on Steam. Yet this game is considered by MeinMMO author Ody to be one of his favorites after more than 300 hours of gameplay.

I have a peculiar trait when it comes to games: Some might simply call it bad taste. But I would say I have a soft spot for games that have a worse reputation than they deserve. One such case for me is Total War: Pharaoh.

Who is writing here? The first video game of MeinMMO author Ody was Age of Empires. Shortly after, he received a disc of Rome: Total War as a gift from a friend. Since then, he has played every new installment of the Total War series.

Apocalypse in Ancient Egypt

What kind of game is Total War: Pharaoh anyway? As usual for the series, the game is a mix of real-time battles and grand strategy in turn-based format. Pharaoh is the latest entry in the main Total War series. A free update called Dynasties was released later, which doubled the size of the map in one go and added numerous new systems.

The setting is the late Bronze Age around the year 1200 BC – a time when the so-called “Sea Peoples” wreaked havoc in the Mediterranean. Scholars still debate where exactly they came from and why. However, it is pretty certain that the Sea Peoples played an important role in the downfall of many great cities and civilizations in this region. So, the late Bronze Age is actually an exciting (if relatively unknown) setting.

Start video
Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties showcases its gigantic new map and features in the trailer

Catastrophic Release and Missing Players

Upon its announcement, Total War: Pharaoh did not fare well: The game was accused of being an asset flip of a previous title, namely A Total War Saga: Troy. Furthermore, the scope was considered far too small for a full-price title (at the time of Pharaoh’s original release). The map only covered “Egypt, Canaan (present-day Levant) and the Hittite Empire in Asia Minor.” Moreover, the game was not Medieval 3 or Empire 2 – both games that fans have been wanting for a long time.

The pre-release criticism significantly harmed the success of the game. It currently stands among the least played Total War titles on Steam. No numbers are available for players on Epic Games.

According to steamdb.info, the release version of Pharaoh peaked with approximately 5,400 concurrent players. After the extensive update to Pharaoh Dynasties, there were almost 8,000 players (via steamdb.info). For comparison: Rome 2 had a peak of just over 118,000 players, according to steamdb.info. So there was definitely room for more.

Unique Aesthetics and Deep Gameplay

So why have I become so attached to Pharaoh specifically? For one, of course, because the setting has fascinated me since childhood. The Bronze Age has a unique aesthetic and is much too rarely addressed in video games. With the Hittites, a culture that I personally find very exciting and have not seen in any other game since the first Age of Empires, was also included from the start.

Total War Pharaoh – The King of Babylon and his bodyguard
Visually, the Bronze Age has a lot to offer, as the King of Babylon demonstrates here.

The reason I love Total War: Pharaoh (even more than other games in the series) is not just nostalgia. Because aside from subjective preferences, a large part of the criticism can already be countered by playing the game. Although Pharaoh and Troy may superficially resemble each other, they feel very different in many ways. This applies both in battles and on the campaign map.

Here are just a few examples:

  • The battles have been significantly slowed down and feel much more tactical
  • Outposts offer significantly more strategic options on the campaign map to build your empire and move your armies quickly
  • The struggle for the crown can be fought not only in battle but also through influence and legitimacy at court
  • The characteristics of the individual faction leaders come with Ancient Legacies that you can choose yourself and which offer unique mechanics
Total War: Pharaoh – the court
The court provides opportunities for rising rulers to solidify their power beyond the battlefield.

Whether the scope at release was sufficient for a full-price title is open to debate. Shogun 2 and Three Kingdoms, for example, offer a much smaller scope due to their focus on one culture, and the individual factions differ even less from each other.

Nevertheless, both games are very popular – Three Kingdoms has 82% positive reviews on Steam and Shogun 2 even 91% (via Steam). This is justified, as these games are indeed very good. But a focused map does not seem to have been a major exclusion criterion either.

Major Update Doubles Game Content, Costs Nothing

After the free Dynasty update, the community’s mood towards Pharaoh has also changed significantly. The game has become noticeably larger and is now better rated by players. On Steam, the reviews are overall 85% positive.

The update introduced long-awaited elements like a family tree. The map has also been expanded to the east and west, reaching from Greece to Mesopotamia. Now the Mycenaeans, Trojans, Assyrians, and Babylonians have joined as playable factions.

Total War: Pharaoh – Playable factions
The number of playable factions has significantly increased compared to the release.

In addition to the 14 main factions, there are 25 playable minor factions. They do not have unique mechanics, but they offer new starting positions and a special mix of units. Speaking of which: If you missed cavalry at the start, you’ll now find it with the Mesopotamians. Cavalry was not supposed to exist at that time, but due to many players’ requests, it is included anyway.

If you want to get into Total War: Pharaoh, now is the ideal time to do so. The game is as complete as it will ever be and offers much more than it did at release. The standard price has also dropped to 40 euros. So there is not much standing between you and what has, at least in my eyes, become the best historical Total War in a long time with constant updates and a bunch of free content.

More on Steam
“Your favorite games have already been built with AI”: A Google executive says that almost every major studio uses AI, but not everyone admits it
von Ody
“All three were cannibals” – Owlcat talks about one of the biggest difficulties with romances in RPGs
von Ody
The price of the Steam Controller has been leaked and many are now hoping that the Steam Machine will not become an expensive affair
von Benedikt Schlotmann

Fans of Total War: Warhammer 3 were recently treated to a long-awaited trailer. It also contains a very special curiosity, which you can read more about here: A long-awaited trailer for a Warhammer game on Steam is finally here and surprises with a story twist

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

Dark Actions: The 5 Cruelest Quests in World of Warcraft

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 8 minutes

We tell you which quests in World of Warcraft are particularly cruel. In some WoW quests, the heroes get their hands dirty. Because in the comic world of Azeroth, some things are morally reprehensible …

The number of quests in World of Warcraft is overwhelming. However, with the countless missions that exist in Azeroth (and other dimensions), we are not always the shining hero. Often our character is exploited, and sometimes at the end of a quest, we wonder: Was I the villain here? We want to highlight a handful of these quest lines.

This article originally appeared in 2017. We have updated it again in December 2024.
Start video
WoW celebrates 20 years of the highlights of Azeroth

Surely one could include every second kill quest in this list if one wanted to. After all, we travel through the world and are asked at almost every corner to wipe out some tribe or enemy village.

However, there are some quests that stand out in memory due to their content and moral ambiguity. We present to you the top 5 of the cruelest quests in World of Warcraft.

Doing the Right Thing

Since the Cataclysm, many areas of the classic world in World of Warcraft have changed. The former war-torn area Hillsbrad Foothills is now almost entirely in the grip of the Horde, which is starting various projects here. The mines of the humans are being plundered and bears are infected with spiders that lay their eggs in the festering wounds, so that the spiders can then be collected from the corpses.

However, all of this pales in comparison to the Sludge Fields, a large camp of the Forsaken that spans several farms and now serves as a testing ground for the experiments of a mad undead.

The atmosphere within the walls is oppressive: some see a similarity to a concentration camp in the Forsaken camp.

WOW 5 Quests das Richtige Tun 2
The shovel – salvation or murder weapon? Image source: wowhead

During the quest line, eventually a new quest giver appears – a shovel. This initiates the mission Doing the Right Thing with the following words:

You are treated to a dreadful sight. Someone has buried all the humans up to their necks, making them look as if they had been planted. The ghouls, who apparently tend this field of human sprouts, regularly leap to the nearest human and devour his head!

You can end this right here and now. Take this shovel and ‘save’ the humans.

Do the right thing.

WoW 5 Quests Das Richtige Tun 1
Image source: wowhead

And ‘the right thing’ in this case is to dig the humans out with the shovel. Those who wish to can free the humans, who subsequently run away. But what if you, as a horde player, have no interest in letting humans go? Well… then there is an alternative. If you like, you can simply behead the humans with the shovel.

Cruel? Definitely. Morally reprehensible? … from an Alliance perspective, maybe.

The next page deals with Murlocs and war crimes.

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

I’ve been waiting for 8 years for the successor of one of my favorite games, but the genre is dying out

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 4 minutes

The video game genre of Immersive Sims has been on the decline for some time. MeinMMO author Christoph Waldboth finds this really disappointing because one of his favorite games will therefore not receive a sequel.

Dishonored 2 is one of my absolute favorite games. And I am not surprised at all. Because not only do you play as a stealthy assassin with some pretty cool abilities, but Dishonored 2 is also a really good Immersive Sim.

If this term means nothing to you: Games like Bioshock, Prey, Deathloop, or Deus Ex are Immersive Sims.

They throw us into a complex world and give us a lot of gameplay freedom. The story is usually told in cutscenes from a first-person perspective, so the immersion already included in the genre name is not broken. A large part of the backstory is revealed through countless information snippets in the levels.

Dishonored 2 was released in 2016, so it’s been 8 years already. There probably won’t be a third part. The developer studio Arkane has increasingly faced difficulties in recent years. First, titles like Deathloop or Prey were not a major financial success despite critical acclaim (via mcvuk.com), and then the failure of the first-person shooter Redfalleven led to the closure of Arkane Austin.

At this point, I find it unlikely that Dishonored 3 will ever be released. Overall, it saddens me that the genre never quite made it into the mainstream.

Start video
Dishonored 2 Launch Trailer for the immersive shooter in a steampunk world with magic

Why I Love the Genre

I could go on forever about what makes Immersive Sims so good for me. I’d rather spare you that and instead give you three points that essentially summarize their qualities.

A Game World to Immerse In

One of the great strengths of good Immersive Sims is their game worlds. They are often very creatively designed and remain memorable solely because of their design. I will never forget my first steps in the underwater city of Rapture from Bioshock. There, a mysterious world full of dangers opened up to me. I wanted to know what had happened in this place and set out in search of answers.

Bioshock Immersive Sims
Eerie and fascinating: Rapture from Bioshock 1.

I felt similarly in the city of Dunwall from the first Dishonored. While prowling over the rooftops and through the canals of the filthy city, I immediately felt at home in what was actually an uncomfortable environment.

After just a few hours of gameplay, you know the lay of the land, understand how to navigate the levels in the best way, and how to cleverly eliminate enemies. This brings me to point 2.

Gameplay Freedom is Key

In Dishonored, I wield a weapon in one hand, such as a crossbow with deadly bolts. However, I can also switch to non-lethal ones. Or I might grab a pistol, which is much louder and immediately attracts enemies. With my other hand, I use magical powers like teleportation or briefly transform into a rat. This allows me to access secret areas.

How I reach my destination is entirely up to me. And that is what I love. When an attack on a whole group of enemies goes perfectly after extensive shadowing and not a single alarm is triggered, it gives me an incredibly satisfying feeling.

Dishonored Screenshot
The two guards did not see their attacker coming.

The same applies to other titles in the genre. Deus Ex with its cool gadgets and augmentations, which allow me to see enemies through walls. Deathloop with its ability to link multiple enemies and then take out an entire group with a precise shot. Or Bioshock with its firearms and numerous Plasmids that can set enemies on fire or attack them with bees.

Bioshock, oh Bioshock. That game has probably done point 3 best of all Immersive Sims.

The Story is a Puzzle

In Bioshock, just like in Dishonored or other Immersive Sims, there is a storyline that is told at the forefront. However, those who focus solely on this will miss a large part of the narrative. Because all over Rapture, there are audio logs scattered about. The residents of the underwater city tell their life stories on them. We learn about their fates and slowly but surely find the individual puzzle pieces that make up a larger whole.

The levels themselves also tell a story through their design, revealing what might have already happened here. The fact that politics, intrigues, and even philosophical approaches often find their place in Immersive Sims makes them, in my view, a very mature video game genre.

This kind of storytelling is not for everyone, and I understand that. But I enjoy conjuring up the backgrounds of characters and places in my mind. This way, the world becomes even more complex. I carry the stories I stumble upon with me even after playing and continue to weave them in my head.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Developer plays his games only 5 to 10 years after the release – explains the advantage
von Cedric Holmeier
More on the topic
New survival game lets you fly through the air with a train – Reminiscent of Bioshock
von Marie Friske
More on the topic
The creator of Deus Ex and System Shock wants to release a multiplayer game now
von Marie Friske

I can’t quite explain why Immersive Sims have never achieved huge success. Is it the gameplay freedom that some players reject? Is it the reduced narrative style? Or the unusual scenarios?

I am reluctant to be pessimistic, but I fear that the genre will eventually die out.

The only good thing is: Titles like Dishonored 2 are regularly discounted in sales on Steam and co. So if you have been unsure whether the genre is for you, you can try it at a relatively low cost. And who knows, maybe Immersive Sims will have a renaissance after all. I would wish for that. There is still a little hope: For 10 years, I’ve hoped for a new Bioshock, and the upcoming game from the creator shortens my waiting time.

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

The former golden boy of Twitch has to close his company and lay off employees before Christmas

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

The streamer Ludwig Ahgren has to close his event company and lay off all employees by the end of 2024. He explains what the problem is: streamers do not spend money on cool events. Viewers do not want that; they only want to see people streaming in their bedrooms.

This is the news: Ludwig Ahgren is one of the most successful gaming YouTubers in the world. After his 31-day record subathon in 2021, he was considered the golden boy of Twitch, but he switched to YouTube. He has repeatedly organized elaborate gaming events in the past.

He founded his own company for these events called “Offbrand,” which helps him but also other content creators to organize such events.

But by the end of 2024, this will come to an end: the employees of the company’s production arm will be laid off, and that part of the team will be dismantled.

The event company simply cannot support itself financially, and since his contract with YouTube is ending, Ludwig cannot inject unlimited funds. He knows that it is not nice to lay off people just before Christmas, but time is running out. If things continue this way, the financial distress will become so great that even more parts of the business would be threatened by closure.

Among the German creators, there are also some streamers who organize large events:

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

Viewers want as direct contact with streamers as possible – little fluff

This is his insight: Ludwig says that ultimately there is not enough demand for his offer. His company has spent most of the time organizing its own events, but it cannot survive financially from that. Ludwig himself is just not big enough as a creator for that.

The problem is that almost all large and successful Twitch streamers are simply sitting and playing in their bedrooms. Almost no one wants to spend $250,000 or $500,000 on a cool event. Only the biggest streamer, Kai Cenat, organizes events.

This lack of interest in cool events is ultimately just a reaction to what viewers want.

Ludwig has realized that most viewers want the most unfiltered, authentic experience, where the streamer interacts as much as possible with the chat, that is, the viewers.

On a road trip, it is not about it being elaborately organized, but about the viewer feeling like they are up close and personal. According to Ludwig, this has changed in recent years.

According to Ludwig, viewers want “maximum contact” with their streamer and as little in between as possible.

As evidence that the calculations with events do not add up, Ludwig speaks from personal experience:

  • A “home event” where he played endless LoL with friends in his house cost practically nothing, but brought great viewer numbers.
  • At a real “event,” flights and hotel rooms have to be booked, and employees have to be paid. But the viewer numbers simply do not justify that.

Such events only make sense if you win large companies as sponsors who can financially handle it. But that seems to be not so easy in the current economic situation.

Recommended editorial content

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

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

Personal connection to the streamer apparently more important than high production effort

Where can you still see this? In Germany, the influencer Knossi is mainly responsible for organizing large events reminiscent of RTL2 formats. Other large streamers like Gronkh hold their charity events once a year.

Streamers like Trymacs or HandOfBlood also like to organize events, but they often have a “small scale”: the camera expert SkylineTV is hired as a one-man crew to broadcast the event, and they try to remain as small and authentic as possible while biking around in a group or competing in fasting.

There is a similar example from the German E-Sport. The individual streamer Tolkin has more viewers when he streams League of Legends than the company responsible for it with a large production effort.

It seems that the bond and personal contact with an individual is more important to viewers on Twitch than high production values and effort: LoL: German streamer has more viewers for Worlds on Twitch than the official stream of his former company

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

WoW developers listen to fans: The most annoying affix is finally removed

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Mythic+ will be significantly more enjoyable in World of Warcraft. Because the most annoying affix is being removed and replaced.

World of Warcraft continually changes the design of the “Mythic+” dungeons. Especially the affixes are often a source of frustration. While some affixes are relatively simple to play and cause few problems, others cause difficulties and annoying overlaps that make them a gamble.

In Season 2 of The War Within, the affixes from the first season will be retained – with only one major change. Because one of the affixes is being removed and replaced.

Currently, there is a lot to experience on the Siren Isle in WoW:

Start video
Siren Island – The New Content in WoW Patch 11.0.7

Which affix will be replaced? We are talking about “Xal’atath’s Deal: Forgotten”. With this affix, black orbs appear regularly around the current battlefield and slowly float towards enemies. When the orbs reach the opponents, all enemies receive a stackable buff. If the player characters collect the orbs, then the group receives a buff.

However, the affix had several problems. On one hand, the orbs often passed through natural barriers like walls or rocks, and on the other, there are situations where players simply cannot move or are not allowed to avoid boss mechanics. In that case, the choice remains between: “Do we die because we ignore the boss mechanic or do we die because the orbs reach the boss?”

This was frustrating and led to many people playing less or not at all during the weeks with “Xal’atath’s Deal: Forgotten”.

What will come as a replacement? This will be replaced in Patch 11.1 with the new affix “Xal’atath’s Deal: Pulsar”. While the exact gameplay is not yet clear, the effect sounds significantly simpler:

Xal’atath summons Void Pulsars that circle player characters. After 15 seconds, the Pulsars unleash their energy and grant enemies the effect of Xal’atath’s Gift, which increases damage dealt by 10% and reduces damage taken by 20%. This effect is stackable.

Player characters that come into contact with the Void Pulsar empower the characters, granting them 4% mastery and 2% leech for 30 seconds. This effect is stackable.

In simple terms, this means: All characters will now be circled by orbs that other characters in the group must collect. Through skillful positioning, the orbs will effectively “find their way” to an ally and provide a buff.

More around WoW:
The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
WoW: Midnight Tier List – Ranking of the Best Classes for DPS, Tanks and Healers
von Christos Tsogos
With a bit of luck, you might soon be able to play the largest new MMORPG 2026 on PC
von Karsten Scholz

While there is concern that the Pulsars will also lead to some amusing moments when two players try to collect each other’s Pulsars – it should still be significantly easier to manage than the current affix “Forgotten”.

What do you think of this change? A good idea to retire the old affix for Season 2 of The War Within? Or did you find “Forgotten” not so bad and would have liked to continue playing with the effect?
Currently, you can also earn many cool items on the Siren Isle.

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

One of the currently most exciting MMORPG projects presents new content and allows you to play around the clock now

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

The fantasy MMORPG Ashes of Creation is receiving new content, including two playable races and a dungeon. For around two weeks, you can also play the game around the clock.

What kind of game is this? Ashes of Creation is a sandbox fantasy MMORPG developed by Intrepid Studios. The game is still in the alpha phase but is already playable and excites MMORPG fans – although there are many criticisms as well. For our MMORPG expert Karsten Scholz, Ashes of Creation is one of the most exciting MMORPG projects for the upcoming year.

In a livestream, the developers announced that the “Alpha Two” of Ashes of Creation has reached Phase 2. This lasted approximately 90 minutes and also includes gameplay from a new dungeon.

Recommended editorial content

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

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

What’s new in Ashes of Creation? Phase 2 of Alpha Two brings a number of new contents, and you can find a complete overview at forums.ashesofcreation.com. Here’s a summary of what are probably the biggest innovations:

  • two new playable races
  • a new dungeon
  • Housing
  • three new nodes in the Sandsquall Desert
  • marketplace and marketplace vendors
What are the Nodes?

The open world of Ashes of Creation is divided into so-called nodes, which can be conquered and developed by players – from a small campsite to a metropolis.

New playable races, a dungeon, and more

The two new races are the Dwarven Dünir and the desert people of the Vaelune. The new dungeon is the “Fallen Forge,” a large underground complex. Once a home of the Dünir, the forge has now been abandoned.

Those who want to fulfill the dream of homeownership in the game can buy one of the “Freeholds.” For testing purposes, such freeholds can be purchased by any level-20 character for only 100 gold.

Until January 6, 2025, the test servers where you can already play the game are expected to be online around the clock. After that, they will be available for at least 5 days a week, as the development team announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

More on the topic
Amazon’s MMORPG has only 1 percent of its players left, responds to the case with … a new subscription
von Karsten Scholz
Head of Ashes of Creation comments on allegations of fraud in 11 pages, announces legal action
von Jasmin Beverungen
Court document proves: Riot wanted to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Ashes of Creation despite the LoL MMORPG
von Karsten Scholz

One of the most important gaming YouTubers and former Blizzard employee also raves about Ashes of Creation. He particularly loves one arguably controversial design decision; find out what it is here: YouTuber raves about new MMORPG because a feature is missing that you want in every game

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

WoW: Just in time for Christmas, players manage to bring back the worst plague

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The worst incident of World of Warcraft is back. The Corrupted Blood is raging once again and ruining entire cities.

In the 20-year history of World of Warcraft, there have been some incidents that have now become legendary among players. Special events and occurrences contribute to this, as well as quirky bugs with interesting consequences. The most devastating event was probably the “Corrupted Blood” incident, which crippled entire cities and realms.

Some were able to recreate this once again – and almost completely take down a realm.

This is what it looked like back then:

Start video
Virtual epidemic nearly destroyed WoW – How did this happen?

What kind of incident is this? We are talking about the “Corrupted Blood”. This is a debuff that comes from “Hakkar” in the raid “Zul’Gurub”. The debuff deals damage every few seconds and jumps to all nearby targets.

Actually, the debuff was only supposed to appear within the raid – but hunters managed to take the negative effect “outside” through their pets. This allowed the effect to jump to NPCs and other characters.

The result: For several days, entire realms felt deserted. Everywhere, players were infected. The plague was carried from one character to another, and some had fun spreading the effect even further.

Recommended editorial content

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

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

The incident even became so large that scientists later used the data to create pandemic models that were used during the Corona years.

Now the incident has been repeated – on the realms of the “Season of Discoveries”.

On which realm did this happen? The realm “Living Flame (EU)” was once again plagued by Corrupted Blood. There are some videos from last night circulating, showing the city of Stormwind. Everywhere, you can hear the “bursting” of blood effects, while NPCs and player characters keep flashing red, taking damage and passing the effect on to those nearby.

More about WoW:
The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
WoW: Midnight Tier List – Ranking of the Best Classes for DPS, Tanks and Healers
von Christos Tsogos
With a bit of luck, you might soon be able to play the largest new MMORPG 2026 on PC
von Karsten Scholz

Even though the chaos does not reach the same intensity as it did many years ago, it has still brought a nostalgic tear to some fans. For it has not been possible to see Stormwind in such a deserted state for a long time.

An actually dark chapter of World of Warcraft, which is, however, associated with much nostalgia and was able to celebrate a revival – or the exact opposite of that – for a few hours. So Merry Christmas, and here’s to many more nostalgic experiences.
Currently, many are playing WoW Classic on the “Fresh” realms – and are actively combating bots.

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

One of 5 bosses has considered resigning because he was stressed by Gen Z

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

Generation Z (Gen Z) is gradually taking over the job market and naturally brings its own principles and working methods. For the older generations, this often leads to a kind of culture shock – after all, the younger generation has a different attitude towards work than was common 30-40 years ago.

What is Gen Z? Generation Z, or Gen Z, refers to the generation born roughly between 1995 and 2010. Members of this generation are now between 14 and 30 years old.

This means that some members of Gen Z have entered the job market in the past 10 years and brought their strengths and principles with them. For example, this generation is said to be “always online” but also very tech-savvy.

Moreover, the generation is said to be very health-conscious. In the workplace, this means for many: “My health/well-being is more important than my job.”

Start video
Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds

What’s up with the annoyed bosses? The website Intelligent.com conducted a survey with 1,000 managers in the USA. It turned out that about one in five of the surveyed managers (18%) has considered quitting – due to the stress of managing Gen Z employees.

A third of the surveyed managers stated that managing Gen Z employees leads to disappointments. About a quarter of the respondents noted that this has also resulted in increased workload and the need for additional resources.

About 20% indicated that they have seen a decline in their own productivity due to managing and/or feel overwhelmed. 27% of the respondents even stated in the survey that they would avoid hiring a Gen Z applicant.

More on the topic
More on the topic
The CEO of Microsoft says: “Google makes more money from Windows than we do”
von Gerald Wessel
More on the topic
An island shows the world that Generation Z is right – The 4-day week creates satisfaction and growth
von Gerald Wessel
More on the topic
Paralyzed man pays 91,000 euros for an exoskeleton – After a defect, the company refused to repair it for 18 euros
von Benedikt Schlotmann

What do managers criticize? The bosses criticize Gen Z employees for excessive smartphone use, work ethic, and professionalism. Especially, the communication skills are seen as unprofessional and lead to tensions with older generations.

Expert advises that bosses need to adapt: The career development consultant from Intelligent.com, Huy Nguyen, explains that many members of the generation have not had the opportunity to develop skills such as time management, teamwork, or communication. He believes that while they possess more developed technical skills than previous generations, they lack practical experience in the workplace.

According to Nguyen, bosses should act more like a coach and less like a boss. They should recognize the generational shift and adjust their expectations, providing structured guidance and clear guidelines to the generation.

Among the principles of Generation Z is also that they do not want to do just any job. They want to pursue a profession that they actually enjoy or that means something to them. However, this leads to one of two problems that the generation is currently facing: Gen Z is currently facing two major problems, one of which they cannot solve without help

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

GTA 6: Fans gather clues about when the next trailer will arrive – Keep finding the same number

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

It has been over a year since the first trailer for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 was released. Since then, fans of the series have been waiting for more information about the blockbuster set to release in 2025. Part of the community is eagerly collecting clues about a date when the next trailer might be released and keeps finding the same number.

What do fans think about when the trailer will be released? Part of the GTA community believes that the second trailer for GTA 6 could come on December 27, 2024 – so this week (via X).

What are these clues? On one hand, there is the license plate of a police car, which is visible in an image posted by Rockstar Games for the holiday update. If you add up all the numbers on the license plate, it equals 27.

Fans have also noticed that the Rockstar Games Instagram account has exactly 27 posts. Additionally, in a picture from November 2024, posted by Rockstar as part of the Heist Challenge, a 27 can be seen on an Akula attack helicopter (via X).

GTA Online image Willard Outreach Faction
GTA Online Heist Challenge

The 27 has also been discovered by fans in the first trailer for GTA 6. It appears after about 27 seconds in a side window of a pink lowrider making a right turn into a yard (via X).

Here you can watch the entire first trailer again:

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

Clear clues for a date or complete nonsense?

How plausible is the theory? The entire theory surrounding the number 27 and the collected “clues” are absolute nonsense. If a trailer were to actually come on December 27, it would be a complete coincidence and has nothing to do with the “clues”.

You could come up with a theory for virtually any number. If you look for a specific number, you will always find it again. But that doesn’t make it a valid theory; it is simply figuratively grasping at straws.

What argues against the theory? The police car’s license plate is pure coincidence. If Rockstar Games had never shown a license plate in an image, it would be somewhat surprising why one suddenly appears. But Rockstar consistently features license plates in their images, and – surprise – the numbers depicted usually do not add up to 27.

Here is an image from Rockstar with several license plates that I found within a few minutes of searching (via rockstargames.com):

GTA Online image LS Drug Wars
GTA Online: Los Santos Drug Wars – and license plates without the 27

Moreover, Rockstar did not just randomly post an image of a police car. The image is part of the announcement that the aforementioned police car, a “Willard Outreach Faction,” can now be purchased in GTA Online.

Furthermore, the Akuma attack helicopter from GTA Online always features the number 27 in the design seen in the image from Rockstar Games. Oh, and the Rockstar Games Instagram account now has 28 posts (as of December 25, 2024). So that was nothing, too.

More about GTA
More on the topic
GTA 6: Rockstar is already causing nervousness among the competition – Although there is still no release date
von Christoph Waldboth
More on the topic
Survey: What is the best GTA of all time?
von Dariusz Müller
More on the topic
Developer Worked on GTA for 14 Years, Now Explains Why a Player Wish for GTA 6 Is Hard to Implement
von Karsten Scholz

When can we expect a new trailer? Currently, no one can say for sure. Traditionally, one can expect that Rockstar Games will ramp up marketing about half a year before release – similar to what happened with GTA V.

At present, however, we do not know either a specific release date for GTA 6 nor do we know if it will actually be released in 2025 as planned, or if it might be postponed. Accordingly, the release of the second trailer is also difficult to estimate. But as soon as we know more, you will find out here on MeinMMO: GTA 6: Release, Trailer, and Map – What we know so far about the action game

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

A survival game currently costs on Steam as much as a coffee, and 100,000 people are playing it right now

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Currently, the annual winter sale is happening on Steam. Many games are being offered at reduced prices. A popular survival game is also available for a low price. The sale on Steam has led to a surge in player numbers.

Which game is it? The Forest was released in May 2014 in Early Access and is a horror survival game where players find themselves stranded on an island. However, the island is not as deserted as it seems. Dangerous cannibals inhabit the island.

Apart from gathering resources and building bases, nighttime defense is crucial. The game’s horror elements are a special highlight. The mutants are reminiscent of films like The Hills Have Eyes.

Accordingly, the game is quite explicit. It should only be played by those who can handle brutality and shock effects.

However, due to the new winter sale, it seems that many people have found their way to the island.

Start video
Sons of the Forest: Release Trailer for the Full Version of the Survival Game on Steam

Good offer attracts more players than ever to the island

What is the current price of The Forest? Until January 2, 2025, you can get The Forest with a 90% discount for €1.67. This seems to have encouraged many players to make a purchase, as the game has reached a new peak in player numbers 10 years after its release.

On SteamDB, you can see how player numbers have changed over the past weeks and days. The game reached a new peak of 97,964 concurrent players in the past 24 hours. Since December 20, 2024, player numbers have been rising in intervals, fluctuating between approximately 25,000 and 40,000 players.

How is the game received? On Steam, the game has an impressive 95% positive reviews, earning the rating of Extremely Positive. The reviews praise the game highly:

  • Frostbyte: One of the most entertaining, if not the most entertaining survival co-op games I’ve ever played with friends.
  • Iron-Blade: A very nice survival game with great building features. Awesome.
  • JOttaD: Classic, great co-op game. The caves are insane. The graphics are still beautiful in 2024.
More on the topic
More on the topic
In the survival hit ARK, you can now race through the wasteland with ‘Mad Max’ cars – unless you’re playing on the wrong console
von Dariusz Müller
More on the topic
In a new survival MMO, you fight against robo-bears on a post-apocalyptic Soviet island
von Ody
More on the topic
In a new survival horror game from the creators of Little Nightmares, brother and sister walk hand in hand through hell
von Caroline Fuller

If you’re still in the mood for mutants and dangerous islands after The Forest, you can also grab the sequel, Sons of The Forest, at half price. If you’re looking for new survival games, check out this list: The 29 best survival games of 2024 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox

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

Steam shows which games sold best in 2024: But the game that caused the most fuss last year is missing

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Steam releases the top list The Best of the Year every year. You can sort them into different tabs, but the most relevant list is probably the one for the Top Sellers 2024. All top games from 2023 have made it into the ranking again this year, except for one game: Starfield.

What kind of list is this? Steam releases a list of the top games on the platform every year. The most important factor for Steam is the list of top sellers. This is based on gross revenue, which is why Free2Play games are also at the top.

The top sellers are divided into Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Every Platinum game from 2023 has also made it onto the 2024 list. With one single exception: Starfield. The space role-playing game from Bethesda didn’t even make it to Bronze, although other titles from the studio are on the list.

Since the release, expansions have also come into play:

Start video
Starfield Reveals Its First Story Expansion Shattered Space in Launch Trailer

Bethesda is on the list, but not with Starfield

What does the list look like? On the current Steam top list, there are many Free2Play games in the Platinum category. This includes Apex Legends, PUBG, Dota 2, and CS 2. But single-player games have also made it. Included are:

  • Helldivers 2
  • Space Marine 2
  • Palworld
  • Baldur’s Gate 3
  • Black Myth Wukong
  • Black Ops 6
  • Elden Ring

If you look at the other divisions, you can see in comparison to the 2023 Steam list that every Platinum game is also represented in 2024, except for one: Starfield. The space role-playing game from Bethesda is missing from the current list.

In 2023, the game was among the bestsellers on Steam and was the major title for Microsoft and the Xbox Series last year. However, in 2024, it seems that hardly anyone is interested in the space game, even though an expansion has been released.

Other games from Bethesda have also made it to the top list of 2024. Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and The Elder Scrolls Online are all on the list.

More on the topic
More on the topic
„Reminds me of Mass Effect“: The new feature in Starfield excites fans
von Christoph Waldboth
More on the topic
Broke father desperately wants to build a gaming PC for his son so he can play Starfield – Receives RTX 3080 as a gift
von Benedikt Schlotmann
More on the topic
„We don’t need 10,000 planets“: Developers of a role-playing game tease just before release against Starfield
von Linda Knabe

Another game quickly stole the show from Starfield

What happened to Starfield? Starfield was released on September 6, 2023, and was actually well-received by fans. However, the implementation was criticized right from the start. As is typical for Bethesda, there were many bugs and technical issues.

In the same month, the add-on for Cyberpunk 2077 and the 2.0 update were also released. This was met with great enthusiasm from the player base, and Cyberpunk 2077 earned a good reputation. Many players likely switched quickly from Starfield to Cyberpunk, which is also among the top sellers on Steam in 2024.

Regarding Starfield, it must be said that it is just a classic Bethesda game, only in space. It has never achieved a significant impact like Skyrim or Fallout 3. Also, mod content is not as developed as that of the old classics.

Meanwhile, the reviews on Steam are now only Mixed, which likely represents the general impression of the game quite well.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Todd Howard responds to criticism of the greedy 7 € mission in Starfield, as reviews crash on Steam
von Paul Kutzner

So how do you see it? Do you still have Starfield on your mind, or did the game never captivate you? Let us know in the comments. You can also feel free to tell us which game captivated you the most in 2024. In 2025, many game highlights are again waiting for us. Especially Souls fans can look forward to: You have already completed Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree? These Soulslikes are coming in 2025

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

CoD Black Ops 6: XM4 Build – Here’s how you should play the all-rounder

Nicole Wakulczyk Nicole Wakulczyk Reading time 2 minutes

The assault rifle XM4 is a strong choice for multiplayer in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which is available to you right from the start. We show you 2 builds that you can use to play the XM4.

What kind of weapon is this? The XM4 is available to you right when you start the game. Once you reach level 4, you also have access to your equipment and can customize it.

The XM4 is a strong choice for multiplayer at medium to long distances, especially when you don’t have other weapons available yet. Here we show you two builds that you can use to play the assault rifle.

Update, December 24, 2024: The article was originally published in November 2024. We last updated it on December 24.

CoD Black Ops 6: XM4 – Meta Build

What is this build? The XM4 is still considered one of the best weapons for multiplayer according to wzstats.gg. Below we present a setup that is regarded as a meta-build for the assault rifle (as of November 13, 2024).

  • Optic: Kepler Microflex – unlock through AS VAL
  • Muzzle: Suppressor – from level 11
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel – from level 44
  • Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – from level 45
  • Stock: Buffer Weight Stock – from level 1
  • Grip: Quickdraw Grip – from level 2
  • Fire Mod: Rapid Fire – from level 27
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I – from level 7

Note that you need to equip the wildcard “Gunslinger” to use 8 attachments. Otherwise, you will be limited to 5. You will gain the wildcard at player level 33.

Attachments in English
  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Suppressor
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
  • Stock: Buffer Weight Stock
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I
Start video
CoD: Everything you need to know about Black Ops 6 – in under 2 minutes

What makes the setup strong? The suppressor ensures that your position is not given away on the minimap with a shot. The reinforced barrel increases your firepower and improves bullet speed and damage range. Since you unlock the barrel only at weapon level 44, you can initially equip the progressive twist barrel or the long barrel.

The stock and grip increase recoil control. The grip also improves aim speed. The extended magazine increases your magazine size to 45 rounds. You can also choose even larger magazines, but you sacrifice speed. The “Kepler Microflex” sight has a particularly thin frame and thus hardly restricts your view.

If you plan to use a different wildcard, we recommend equipping the following 5 attachments from the loadout:

  • Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I
  • Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Stock: Buffer Weight Stock
  • Fire Mod: Rapid Fire
More about Black Ops 6
CoD will face off against Battlefield once more, and another new shooter could suffer because of it
von Cedric Holmeier
Call of Duty lets you play the campaign of Black Ops 6 for free for the first time, coincidentally at the most important time of the biggest competition
von Dariusz Müller

In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, you have the option to choose from various weapons to create your loadout. You have numerous weapons available to you, including assault rifles, LMGs, submachine guns, and sniper rifles. You can see which weapons are currently popular here: CoD Black Ops 6: Meta – The best weapons at a glance

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

In the new Star Wars series, you can discover a hidden detail about a movie that you officially cannot watch

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Probably every major franchise has moments in its history that it would like to forget or suppress. Star Wars also has such a movie, which was released back in 1978. Although it cannot be watched officially, the latest series at least pays tribute to the film with a small detail.

Which movie is it? In 1978, The Star Wars Holiday Special was released. It’s about Chewbacca’s family preparing for a kind of Christmas celebration. Even though Han, Leia, Luke, and the respective actors appear, it has almost nothing to do with the Star Wars we know today.

There are confusing dance sequences, terrible dialogues, and a nonsensical story. Although it was the first appearance of Boba Fett, the film is considered the worst Star Wars production of all time. According to The Guardian, George Lucas reportedly once said that he would have destroyed every copy of the film if he could have.

The film is not available anywhere, not even on Disney+, and is said to have spread only through initial bootleg copies that found their way onto the internet. It seems that Disney is also trying to ignore the film forever. Especially considering that other small productions like the two Ewok movies are available on the platform.

Only the sequence with Boba Fett can be viewed in the form of the short film The Story of the Faithful Wookiee on Disney+.

However, surprisingly, the new Star Wars series pays tribute to the old film. If you pay attention in Skeleton Crew, you can see a homage to the special.

Start video
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew -Trailer for the new series in the well-known sci-fi universe

Children have probably been watching the same show in the Star Wars universe for almost 40 years

What can be seen in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew? The latest series in the Star Wars universe is Skeleton Crew. It tells the story of a group of children who discover a Jedi temple and thus get caught up in a dangerous adventure.

The home planet of these children resembles a futuristic small town. At one point, you can see the house of the child Neel, who is a kind of elephant alien. There, you can see his siblings sitting on the couch watching a hologram. The hologram is a quirky dance show with unusual costumes.

Those familiar with the Holiday Special will recognize the hologram. The dance show is from the film. There, the Wookiee children are also watching this performance. It goes on a little longer there.

And if you think that was strange enough, you can’t even imagine what else happens in the Holiday Special.

More on the topic
More on the topic
One of the most popular games about Star Wars has now become even bigger, prettier, and more modern
von Karsten Scholz
More on the topic
Star Wars currently has a big problem and it is precisely the Jedi
von Niko Hernes
More on the topic
Star Wars: 24 years before Kylo Ren, Han and Leia had a son – But he was never seen in theaters
von Niko Hernes

Star Wars is a franchise that often draws from past things, so it is refreshing to see that even the darker sides are acknowledged.

Those who want to delve deeper into perhaps forgotten productions can do so with the Star Wars Vintage Collection on Disney+. There you will also find the quite good animated series on Clone Wars, which appeared before the animated series. The Holiday Special, however, remains the worst film in Star Wars history: All 15 Star Wars films ranked.

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

LoL: A new champion is the most banned in the game, even though he is not that good

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

League of Legends regularly gets new champions. These champions are often banned at the start. This was also the case with the new champion Ambessa. However, it hasn’t improved for her, even though she has already been nerfed and statistically is not doing that well.

Who is Ambessa? Fans of the Netflix series Arcane already know Ambessa from the first season, which was released in 2021. As part of the second season, Ambessa was also released as a playable champion in LoL. True to her character in the series, she is a classic top laner.

She is most reminiscent of Renekton, but she is much more mobile. With her W ability and passive, she can latch onto her target but also fight her way out of tough situations. With her ultimate ability, she can snatch a solo target.

Upon her release, with patch 14.22, on November 6, 2024, she was a regularly banned champion. However, even after various nerfs, this seems to have hardly changed. She is still the most banned champion in the game.

Start video
Arcane Season 2 Trailer – Nothing to Lose

Players hate playing against Ambessa even after over a month

What is the current status of Ambessa? On the platform U.GG, you can view the current and past statistics for LoL. Pick rate, ban rate, and other numbers are accessible. At her release patch 14.22, Ambessa had a gigantic ban rate of 50.1% across all ranks.

However, her win rate was negative at 47.13%. In patch 14.23 and the current 14.24, she has been nerfed multiple times. But the aversion against her seems to persist. Currently, she still has an extreme ban rate of 33.8% across all ranks. However, her win rate has not improved. She has a win rate of 47.3% across all ranks (as of December 23, 2024).

She is currently the most banned champion. Directly below her is Warwick, who is currently in a strong phase.

Many dashes on a slow lane

What could be the reason? Here, one can only speculate, as it’s not guaranteed to know why a champion is banned when they are not successful. One possibility could be all her abilities. It’s not much fun to play against her. There is a similar case with Yasuo and Yone, who have a negative win rate despite a high ban rate.

She can dash a lot and is very mobile. However, there are many slow tanks on the top lane who can’t necessarily keep up. Players often ban champions they don’t want to play against, regardless of how successful the champion is statistically.

Champions with many dashes are a controversial topic in the community anyway, as the older champions can’t keep up with their old designs. Ambessa is a champion that especially focuses on her mobility.

More on the topic
Trymacs doesn’t want to deal with Riot anymore after the win challenge because he can’t play LoL with anyone
von Caroline Fuller
“Let us at least choose”: League of Legends tests new Battlepass, players want the old one back
von Nico Scheibel
LoL changes a champ after 14 years, brings urgent rework – fans criticize: The greatest problem still persists
von Nico Scheibel

What can Riot do now? They are in a bit of a dilemma. Nerfing her will eventually lead to her being banned less often. However, if her win rate continues to drop, she could vanish into obscurity. But they obviously want the new champion to be played and seen.

The only current possibility would be to simply wait. If her win rate remains so low, one can assume that the ban rate will also decrease. Another champion faced a completely different problem and had to be changed after a short time: LoL: A new champion needs to be changed in less than 6 months because professionals are just too good

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

Destiny 2: Bungie loses even more employees, this time even the bosses are leaving

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In July, it became known that 450 employees were leaving the developer of Destiny 2, Bungie. As it turns out now, many executives, members of the so-called “C-Suite,” have also left the company in recent months, apparently quietly.

Who from the executive level has left? According to the site TheGamePost, some key individuals from management have left Bungie:

Ondraus Jenkis, the “Chief Strategy Officer,” had been with Bungie for 16 years. He left in October 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Jonny Ebert, who came in 2017 and worked as Chief Creative Officer for the last 5 years, has also left Bungie. This is evident from his Twitter bio.

Previously, the Chief Technology Officer Luis Villegas changed jobs: he switched during the acquisition to Sony.

Bungie had fired Chief Counsel Don McGowan in October 2023 as part of the merger with Sony. He had successfully sued Bungie for many millions of US dollars in 2023.

Start video
Destiny 2: Echos shows its new weapons in Act 3 in the trailer

Top people left Bungie after working for years on nothing

Which departures hurt particularly? As Bungie has mentioned, Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy have also left the company. Smith was responsible for the highlights of the franchise: the raid The Glass Chamber and the expansion The Taken King.

Smith and Noseworthy had been working on a Destiny spinoff, Payback, for the last few years, but the project was canceled.

Pete Parsons, whom many consider the face of the crisis, remains at the company.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Destiny 2: The best people have been working on new Destiny for years – project is canceled, they will be fired
von Schuhmann
More on the topic
Destiny 2: Boss should forgo salary – preferred to buy an incredibly expensive car a month after the layoffs
von Schuhmann

Fans discuss the Sony acquisition

How is this being discussed? On reddit, the layoffs are noted calmly. Here, the acquisition by Sony is seen as a disaster, as Destiny 2 has gone off course with the expansion “Lightfall” six months after the acquisition.

Some believe Sony now wants to minimize damage at Bungie and extract the important technology and know-how. This is how companies act with acquisitions that do not go as planned.

Others say that the developers at Bungie are highly qualified, but management has always been a weakness of the company.

Yet others have hope: history has shown that no matter how bad things were for Bungie, the company has always come back, stronger than before.

Bungie has gambled heavily

What is behind this: Even while releasing Destiny together with Activision-Blizzard, Bungie was working on its own vision and independence. They confidently set the goal of becoming a leading global entertainment company, collaborating with Chinese partners like NetEase on new games.

However, Bungie apparently got tangled up, starting too many projects with “cheap money” and hiring too many people. Driven by the acquisition by Sony, they continued down this path.

But the economic indicators worsened on several levels. Due to the changing economic situation, money suddenly was not as cheap anymore. Revenue from Destiny also dwindled due to the flop of the expansion Lightfall. Ultimately, Sony also applied pressure.

Destiny slipped into a financial crisis and had to lay off many people in the summer of 2024, and almost all projects were put on hold, except for Destiny itself and Marathon. The cancellation of new projects is doubly tragic, as developers like Luke Smith wasted the last few years high-paying their time on new games that will never be released. During that time, they could have helped make Destiny 2 as good as Bungie promises and fans demand: Destiny 2: The best people have been working on new Destiny for years – project is canceled, they are fired

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

Youth worker complains about how Minecraft and the iPad influence a generation of children

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In a thread on reddit, teachers and youth workers discuss how generations are changing. One participant in the discussion says: He supervises young children at a computer camp. Ten-year-olds might be able to create games themselves, but they cannot control them because they have never learned to use a keyboard through games like Minecraft or Roblox. Most would grow up with an iPad and have never used a keyboard.

What kind of discussion is this? Many websites and forum discussions on the internet have been addressing the fact that the younger generation is phone-savvy but lacks the skills to handle a computer.

Although Gen Z (born between 1996 and 2009) is considered “digital natives,” they apparently can only handle phone apps, but not programs like Word or Excel, which are used in offices. They also face problems operating a printer.

Gen Alpha is said to exhibit similar weaknesses.

Start video
Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?

Children only use the iPad, can’t even type with a finger

This is the discussion: In a discussion on reddit, a user says he supervises kids aged about 8 to 12 in a programming/gaming camp, which is the early Gen Alpha: For him, it is shocking how little knowledge the children have about computers. Many of them have only used iPads so far. Because their parents bought them an iPad, and even in schools, only tablets are used:

These children literally do not know how to type. And I don’t mean that they don’t know how to type like an adult, but that they cannot type at all, not even with a finger. They create games and then do not know how to use the arrow keys to move their character. They play games like Roblox and Minecraft (their favorite games and the reason their parents signed them up for this camp) and have no idea how to play on a computer or figure out the controls themselves. This is truly astonishing.

What skills will the job market of the future need?

This is what it’s about: The striking thing about the discussion is that the people who criticize the youth define their own skills as the benchmark and important: For them, it is more important that children can type than to handle a touchscreen.

That children can design and develop things through creative games like Minecraft and Roblox is not seen as a plus point. It raises the question of whether this is not a short-sighted view.

In the current job market, it is certainly important to be able to use a keyboard. However, what that will look like when the kids enter the workforce, maybe in 10 years, is hardly foreseeable at the moment. Perhaps by then, touchscreens and an AI that can be controlled by voice will already be established in offices as everyday tools: 9 out of 10 executives complain about one thing in Gen Z employees

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

CoD Black Ops 6: Krig C Build – The Best Loadout for the Powerful Assault Rifle from Season 1

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes

The Krig C assault rifle is a strong choice for multiplayer in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly in terms of range. How to optimally equip this rifle will be explained here.

In CoD Black Ops 6, the Season 1 Battle Pass includes two new weapons. One of them is the Krig C assault rifle, which has found its fans in the community especially at long distances. To use the best setup for the weapon, we will show you a build for the Krig C.

What kind of weapon is this? The Krig C is a powerful assault rifle that can hold its own especially at medium to long distances. The rifle also has a higher fire rate and range compared to the Model L, which is currently considered one of the best assault rifles. With the right attachments, you can even control the weapon almost without recoil.

Update, December 24, 2024: The article was originally published in November 2024. We last adjusted and updated it on December 24.

Krig C Build – The best loadout for the assault rifle

What is this build? If you’re looking for a strong setup for long distances with the least recoil, you should use this build:

  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag 1
  • Rear Grip: Commando Grip
  • Stock: Infiltrator Stock
  • Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
The attachments in English
  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag 1
  • Rear Grip: Commando Grip
  • Stock: Infiltrator Stock
  • Fire Mods: Recoil Springs

The reinforced barrel increases the range and bullet velocity, while the underbarrel enhances recoil control – as do the recoil springs, which you can only unlock at weapon level 43. With the grip, you aim down sights faster, and the stock increases your movement speed while aiming. The extended magazine increases your magazine size from 30 to 45 rounds.

Note that for this build, you need to equip the wildcard “Gunslinger” to be able to use 8 instead of just 5 attachments. You unlock the wildcard at player level 33.

If you plan to use a different wildcard, we recommend equipping the following 5 attachments from the loadout:

  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Rear Grip: Commando Grip
  • Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
Start video
CoD: Everything you need to know about Black Ops 6 – in under 2 minutes

If you are not that into assault rifles in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and want to create builds for various submachine guns instead, the KSV is a strong option for close combat. More about this can be found here: CoD Black Ops 6: KSV Build – The best loadout for the meta-SMG

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

Did the quirky Divination teacher from Harry Potter predict one of the most important deaths in book 3?

Linda Baumgartl Linda Baumgartl Reading time 3 minutes

The art of divination is often not taken seriously even in the magical world of Harry Potter. This also applies to the somewhat quirky divination teacher Sybill Trelawney. However, according to a fan theory, there could be more behind her dark death prophecies.

Who is Trelawney? Starting in their third year, students at Hogwarts can take the subject of Divination. This ancient art is taught by Sybill Trelawney. She is a descendant of a very famous seer, Cassandra Trelawney.

At first glance, Sybill herself does not seem very gifted. Her “predictions” often resemble generic horoscopes more than anything. She has a particular fondness for dark prophecies that are supposed to predict misfortune, illness, or even death.

Only two of her prophecies are generally considered true:

  • The prophecy regarding the fall of Voldemort, which was made before Harry’s birth
  • The prophecy about Voldemort’s return, from Harry’s third year

But is that really all? According to many fans, the answer is no. Particularly popular is a theory suggesting that Trelawney predicted one, or even two truly significant deaths.

Spoiler alert: There are about to be a lot of spoilers regarding Harry Potter.

Start video
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Trailer for the 3rd Part of the Fantasy Series

When 13 dine together, one dies

The theory refers to a scene in the third part. It is Christmas, and the students and teachers remaining at Hogwarts gather to eat in the Great Hall. Among those at the table are Harry, Ron, and Dumbledore. When Trelawney joins, she initially refuses to take a seat. At Dumbledore’s request, she says:

I dare not, Headmaster! If I sit at the table, we are thirteen! Nothing could bring more misfortune! Never forget, when thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die.

Reluctantly, Trelawney then sits down as the thirteenth person at the table. When Harry and Ron later get up first, she again prophesies their impending deaths. The prediction thus seems at first glance to be nothing but superstition.

What those present do not know at this point is that there was actually another person at the table all along, namely Peter Pettigrew in the form of Ron’s rat Scabbers. So there were already thirteen people at the table before Trelawney sat down. Consequently, the first person to rise was Dumbledore, when he greeted the divination teacher. And as we know, it was indeed Dumbledore who was destined to die a little over three years later.

More instances? But this was not the only case. In part five, there is a very similar situation. At “Number 12 Grimmauld Place,” thirteen members of the “Order of the Phoenix” dine together at a table. The first to stand up is Sirius Black. He is also the one who will soon die first from the group.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Harry Potter: Hogwarts professors in the power ranking – which teacher is the most powerful?
von Linda Baumgartl
More on the topic
Harry Potter: The 10 most powerful Ravenclaws of all time in the power ranking
von Linda Baumgartl
More on the topic
Harry Potter: You told us who your favorite character is – Here is your ranking
von Fabienne Kissel

Just coincidence? Did Sybill Trelawney really predict the deaths of two important figures without anyone noticing? Or is it merely coincidence – a lucky shot?

We may never be entirely sure about this. Perhaps it is also just an Easter egg from J.K. Rowling, who cheekily hinted at future events with Trelawney’s predictions.

The “prediction of the 13” is certainly not an isolated instance. Some of Trelawney’s cryptic prophecies can be interpreted in such a way that they ultimately turn out to be true. Particularly prominent in this regard is Dumbledore’s death, as seen in another example:

The Tower Struck by Lightning

In addition to classic prophecies, there are various forms of divination, such as tea leaf reading, dream interpretation, or tarot card laying.

In the latter case, Harry happens to observe his former divination teacher in part 6. The meaning of the cards visibly disturbs Trelawney:

  • Three of the cards predicted conflict, violence, and evil omens. These all came true shortly afterwards with the Death Eater attack on Hogwarts.
  • The fourth card means: “A dark young man who dislikes the querent.” This young man could be Draco Malfoy in this context, and the querent could be Snape or Dumbledore.
  • The fifth card was the “tower struck by lightning.” It signifies misfortune and disaster, which also occurred with Dumbledore’s death later on. The tower is also a reference to the Astronomy tower, where Dumbledore was killed by a “green flash.”

A real prediction? Since Trelawney initially believed this prediction to be a mistake, she kept laying the cards again. But each time, she received the same result.

She eventually shared this with Dumbledore. However, he sent her away, pretending he did not believe her. At that time, Dumbledore was already planning his own death. He must have known that Trelawney’s prophecy was secretly correct.

Another clue is the name of the chapter in which Dumbledore dies. It is named after the tarot card: “The Tower Struck by Lightning.” Therefore, many fans are certain that Trelawney indeed predicted Dumbledore’s death in one way or another.

What do you think about all this? Do you believe that many of Trelawney’s dark predictions are actually true? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! Many details about such theories can, of course, be found especially in the books. You can learn about the major differences between the films and the books here on MeinMMO: The 10 biggest differences between films and books ranked

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

How I Once Was a Raid Leader in WoW and What I Learned for Life

Larissa Then Larissa Then Reading time 9 minutes

Raid Leader in World of Warcraft is a full-time and bone-breaking job. MeinMMO author Larissa Then reminisces about her time as a raid leader in WoW and shares life lessons from her experiences. Included are curiosities like a roast video.

How did I get into it? Taking the position of raid leader in WoW is a serious decision for many. I just fell into it because our raid lead had quit. And suddenly I had an unpaid full-time job.

The reward was the gratitude of my teammates, which was always enough for me. Additionally, I gained a lot for my future life and collected experiences I wouldn’t want to miss.

This article was originally published on Christmas 2019 on MeinMMO.

What did I lead? My time as a raid lead is a while ago, yet I think about it often. I led the Icecrown Citadel in the 10-player mode at Hardcore (HC) level during “Wrath of the Lich King”. And I did that for about half a year.

The Icecrown Citadel from the outside
The Icecrown Citadel

I want to share with you how I perceived the role of raid leader (RL). This is, of course, subjective and everyone handles it differently. You will get insight into several aspects of my work:

  • The necessary skills of an RL
  • The tasks of the RL
  • The everyday madness
  • What you can’t be prepared for
  • My verdict for life

How should a raid lead be structured?

If you are also interested in becoming an RL, you should bring a few skills:

  • You should not be shy, as you will have to talk a lot
  • An RL must be able to ruffle feathers. You are often the scapegoat and can’t always be nice
  • You need an incredible amount of time for the game
  • Organizational talent is a must
  • This also involves being able to assign and delegate tasks to others
  • You must be able to handle criticism and admit mistakes
  • Your performance as an individual player will automatically suffer, so you should be able to set vanity aside

Tasks of the raid leads: Preparing, Guiding, Debriefing

Wow arthas lichking
The final boss of the Icecrown Citadel – Arthas

What is important in preparation? The most elaborate work is preparing for the raid:

  • I spent hours and hours watching videos. I looked at various strategies for all bosses and memorized them.
  • Even after the raid was long completed, I kept an eye out for new possibilities. Especially those that fit my guild and the players well.
  • This also included the necessary addons. I always wanted to stay up to date regarding tools. Especially for the announcements in the raid, having a boss tool was essential.

With every patch came new analyses. I always kept track of which builds and classes were currently working best.

08 warcraftlogs WoW November 2019 Eternal Palace Azshara
Such analyses exist for every raid

When I had thought through my strategy, I had to assign the roles as RL. It was very important to know the players of my guild or group well. I always asked myself who is best suited for which task. Especially when a player had several characters to choose from.

What happened during the raid? First, the RL had to explain the boss. I should ideally be able to assume that every player in HC knows the bosses. Of course, that was never the case. However, I enjoyed explaining and had fun coordinating different groups.

During the boss fight, I made announcements for the healers and damage dealers about when, for example, to dodge attacks or when a player needed to be rescued from a trap. My tanks communicated independently. I gladly fulfilled this additional task.

Lord Mark'gar WoW
Lord Mark’gar, the first boss in the raid

The announcements also served to maintain the raid’s attention. When a player fights through a dungeon for several hours, their mind inevitably wanders. It doesn’t even have to be intentional. With a few sharp words in between, everyone stays focused.

What is best to play as a raid lead? A major advantage for me was that I played a healer. As a druid, I always had an overview of the entire raid. Because I was responsible for supporting all players except the tanks.

But I had previously dealt damage from range. And I had some friends who played melee and shared their experiences with me. That way, I had an idea of each class and role.

Druid tree form WoW
Back then still a must as a druid: Tree form

But other classes also have their advantages as RL. A damage dealer, whether ranged or melee, always has the boss in sight and not the health of the players. As soon as the enemy casts an attack, they can react immediately. And the tanks are already very familiar with most mechanics and can coordinate accordingly.

Otherwise, during a raid, it was important for me to laugh sometimes. People simply play better in a good mood and good spirits. Moreover, WoW is still a game, even in HC raid, and it should be fun.

What happened after the raid? When our raid was completed, we held a few minutes of debriefing. This took place within the guild and the core team. We discussed together what went well and what went poorly.

I was very lucky with my guild. For hardly anyone was it a problem to switch roles when necessary. Additionally, all damage dealers were happy to practice their skill rotations on the training dummy.

The loading screen in WOTLK

Our daily madness while raiding

The strangers in TS: We raided twice a week for about 4 hours. It was also natural that all members were present in the voice chat. Back then, we still used Teamspeak.

Every time we had a stranger join us in the raid and they joined the Teamspeak, there was usually a line that many players would recognize:

I make a classification, and the newcomer asks what the 13-year-old boy is doing in TS. As every time, I explain that I’m a girl, of age, and by the way, the raid lead. My guys laugh, and we don’t hear a word from the stranger for the next few hours.

This developed into a running gag over the months. It went so far that my raid sometimes purposely addressed me incorrectly. Names like Kevin, Justin, or Klaus were popular.

teamspeak3 Logo
The Discord of the past: Teamspeak

Angry parents in the background: The voice chat was always adventurous. A player from our guild almost always argued with his mother. Of course, he didn’t mute himself, and we happily overheard everything.

Sometimes it got so bad that I had to pull him out of the channel or kick him from the server. Depending on what was faster. One time it took almost 15 minutes for him to notice and come back. Then he was mad because he had been talking with us – oops.

Bouncing raid members: What was also never missing in our raid were bouncing healers and damage dealers. First and foremost me as raid lead. If there had been regular videos of our raids, it would have looked like a scene from the Gummy Bears.

This bouncing brought us laughter and good spirits. Especially my druid looked quite funny. When I healed in tree form, my character raised its arms as if cheering. I already miss the tree form in WoW when I think about it…

Gummy Bears Gang
The popular and cute Gummy Bears gang from TV

The race for damage: As much as the boss and the class of the player allowed, everyone should keep moving. I introduced this rule of jumping mainly for two of my damage dealers. The two always competed for the most damage without paying attention to their surroundings.

They were also immune to announcements in their concentration. This sometimes led to both dying on the first boss. And with them, the whole raid. After all, the first boss Mark’gar was actually no difficulty.

Problem bosses that weren’t really hard: Our biggest problem was the boss Professor Plaguebringer. I don’t really know why. Actually, everything. Pulling the slimes didn’t go well. Many died from the puddles or vials. Here especially the healers, including me, of course.

Hearthstone Professor Putricide Artwork
Professor Plaguebringer is also present in Hearthstone

I racked my brain about how we could optimize everything. I kept watching videos again and again. Their quality at that time was often terrible. It didn’t help much.

After a few weeks, it just flowed naturally. We ultimately defeated him and rarely wiped there again. Interestingly, the last boss, in contrast, was no problem.

We had so many issues with previous bosses, even with the very first one. However, the Lich King Arthas died on the second evening we encountered him. Perhaps it was also because everyone was so excited about him. Everyone was top prepared that day, like never before.

What I wasn’t prepared for…

One evening we had a stranger player with us. He had asked beforehand if he could record the raid. We agreed. I also found it exciting to see one of our runs on video.

The feared Lich King

The stranger wasn’t the best player, but he performed decently. Additionally, he was very friendly in the Teamspeak. At the end of the evening, he said goodbye. He wanted to share the video with us later, but we heard nothing more from him.

A few days later, a friend wrote to me and sent me the video. The good man had only cut together our failed attempts and mishaps. On top, there was corresponding music and funny effects.

We, of course, didn’t find it funny at all. He had explicitly noted our guild name too. That we practically carried him almost to the last boss, he didn’t mention at all.

In hindsight, I can laugh about it. The video was hardly online for long anyway, and it was actually quite funny. He eventually deleted it at the insistence of some friends. Back then, I didn’t find it cool at all. I was hurt and never allowed a video recording again.

My verdict for life outside the raids

Arthas Menethil Lichking
Strangely, Arthas didn’t have a laugh with us

The problem with insecurities: In my time as an RL, I learned a lot. I was the only girl in the guild and quite young at that. When I took the position, I was very insecure. However, I gained a lot of confidence over the first raids. I’ve kept this feeling to this day.

As a damage dealer, I always felt the pressure to assert myself. I found it difficult to admit mistakes. Especially at the beginning, I struggled a lot when the raid wiped. I related all the mishaps to myself as the raid leader.

Over time, this has diminished. Furthermore, I eventually became much more able to handle criticism. I learned to separate and not take everything personally. And not just in WoW.

Organization is everything: Furthermore, I gained a lot of organizational talent. Planning the raids, developing strategies, and assigning players became much easier over time.

ICC WoW from the outside
The Icecrown Citadel remains one of my favorite raids

Even today, in my jobs and hobbies, I apply techniques from the past. For example, I love making lists. And that in every situation in life.

The raid lead as a teacher: I still love to explain things. I discovered this during my time as RL. After that, I always wanted to become a teacher. That didn’t work out, but now I teach at the university. So I’ve preserved the fun of teaching others something.

What I couldn’t acquire: The only thing I could never let go of was my desire for harmony. I always wanted all raid members to walk away happy – which was, of course, impossible. It still hurts me today when people don’t like me. And as RL, that was particularly bad.

The RL is always in the center of events. Dissatisfied players usually blame him. Nevertheless, I learned something important from it. Even if it doesn’t suit me, no one can be friends with everyone. Therefore, it’s all the more important to spend time with loved ones.

In this sense, Merry Christmas and some reflective days with your loved ones! And if you’re interested in cooking something MMO-like, we have 7 nerdy recipes for you here.

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

CoD Black Ops 6: SAUG Build – The best loadout for the small SMG

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes

The MP is a strong choice for multiplayer in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, when it comes to close combat. Here you will learn how to optimally equip this weapon.

In CoD Black Ops 6, the Battle Pass for Season 1 includes two new weapons. One of them is the MP “SAUG,” which has especially found its fans in the community at short ranges. To ensure you use the best setup for the weapon, we will show you a build for the SAUG.

Update, December 24, 2024: The article was originally published in November 2024. We last adjusted and updated it on December 24.

What kind of weapon is this? The SAUG is a small but effective SMG that has found its way into your arsenal with Season 1. The weapon has exceptional mobility and, for its class, an acceptable range. Especially in tight spaces, the SAUG can unleash its true potential.

SAUG Build – The best loadout for the SMG

What kind of build is this? If you are looking for a strong setup for close combat with the least recoil, we recommend the build from wzstats.gg:

  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Barrel: Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I
  • Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
  • Stock: Infiltrator Stock
  • Laser: Target Laser
  • Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
The attachments in English
  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Barrel: Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I
  • Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
  • Stock: Infiltrator Stock
  • Fire Mods: Recoil Springs

The compensator, the recoil springs, and the vertical foregrip reduce the recoil of the submachine gun, while the long barrel increases the range. The ergonomic grip increases the speed at which you aim, and the infiltrator stock increases your movement speed when aiming. The extended magazine ensures you have 45 rounds instead of 36.

Note that for this build, you need to equip the wild card “Gunslinger” to be able to use 8 attachments instead of just 5. You unlock the wild card at player level 33.

Start video
CoD: Everything you need to know about Black Ops 6 – in under 2 minutes

If you are not fond of SMGs in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and want to create builds for different assault rifles, the Krig C is a strong option when it comes to range. You can find more about it here: CoD Black Ops 6: Krig C Build – The best loadout for the powerful assault rifle from Season 1

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