George Lucas is said to have stolen from a cult film for Star Wars, admits that he was inspired by 2 characters

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 3 minutes

Star Wars is one of the most well-known film franchises in pop culture and has likely inspired many modern filmmakers. But George Lucas also admired a legendary filmmaker. One of his films is also strongly reminiscent of Star Wars.

What is it about? Star Wars is one of the most relevant film franchises in all of pop culture. Everyone knows lightsabers, Darth Vader, or Yoda. Many young filmmakers have likely been inspired by George Lucas and his franchise.

But George Lucas also had filmmakers whom he respected and praised, including Akira Kurosawa. The legendary director has been a pioneer of film art. Looking at his film The Hidden Fortress from 1958 compared to Star Wars, one can see suspiciously many similarities.

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Star Wars Episode IV – Trailer for the download version

Star Wars and The Hidden Fortress

What are the similarities? Akira Kurosawa is one of the visionaries of cinema, and many of his films have been important sources of inspiration for other cult directors. Star Wars is very similar to the 1958 film The Hidden Fortress. The similarities run through several Star Wars films, as Nicholas Barber explains in an article for BBC.

The first similarity lies in the characters Tahei and Mataschichi. The two differ greatly in size, wander through a desert, and can’t even keep their mouths shut. The two help a former general to escort a princess in the film. This is reminiscent of C-3PO and R2-D2, who are supposed to help Obi-Wan Kenobi bring Leia to the base.

The princess from The Hidden Fortress even disguises herself as a simple peasant woman to hide. Just like Princess Amidala in the prequels of Star Wars. At the end of The Hidden Fortress, the heroes are rescued by a scarred enemy who switches sides towards the end. Similar to Darth Vader.

There are also some visual similarities. Darth Vader’s design was partially inspired by a samurai armor, and sword fights are a central combat method in samurai films. The iconic black fades of the Star Wars films were also frequently used by Kurosawa.

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More of a coincidence

What does George Lucas say about this? In an old interview (via YouTube), George Lucas also spoke about Kurosawa and the influence he had. He says he only got to know his films during film studies. The first film he saw by Kurosawa was The Seven Samurai. After that, he was hooked.

Especially Kurosawa’s visual skills and camera techniques impressed George Lucas. The Hidden Fortress is not his favorite film by Kurosawa, but he admits that he was inspired by some aspects.

He appreciated how Kurosawa tells the story from the perspective of the two lowest characters (Tahei and Mataschichi). That’s where he got the idea with C-3PO and R2-D2.

The aspect with the princess acting within enemy lines, however, was for him more of a coincidence. Initially, he planned a story about an old Jedi who must flee with Leia, but it developed into the story of Luke Skywalker and his development.

Nevertheless, the story of the princess and the old general is quite close to Star Wars.

He further states that he believes that all stories have existed for thousands of years, and one eventually realizes that stories are repeated over and over again.

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Is Star Wars a blatant copy of The Hidden Fortress? Of course not. Like all artists, filmmakers are also inspired by all sorts of things and films. Sometimes this happens consciously and sometimes unconsciously. In the case of Akira Kurosawa, it is even more special because he was a true visionary.

His camera techniques, perspectives, and ideas have continued to greatly influence many directors to this day. A Fistful of Dollars, The Magnificent Seven, The Usual Suspects are just a few examples of films that have been inspired by Kurosawa’s works. Compared to the concept phase of Star Wars, a lot has changed. Just like Master Yoda: Star Wars: Master Yoda almost didn’t exist – Another Jedi was supposed to take his role

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

Can the new Destiny game convince experienced Guardians? This is what experts say

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

A new game in the Destiny universe is in development. The first players have been able to test it, and some experienced Guardians have shared their impressions.

What game is it? With Destiny: Rising, a new game in the Destiny universe is officially in production, but it is being developed by the Chinese studio NetEase. Recently, an alpha test (not in Europe) took place, in which well-known Destiny experts participated and viewed the game. Many conclude that Destiny: Rising is surprisingly good but has a big problem.

What kind of game is it?

  • Destiny: Rising is a mobile game set in an alternate timeline. It will not continue the story of Destiny 1 and 2.
  • There will not be the typical classes Titan, Warlock, and Hunter. Instead, Destiny: Rising focuses on various characters like Ikora Rey, which you can unlock and play.
  • The playable characters have fixed abilities. Furthermore, they can only use specific weapon types and subclasses like Void or Solar, and cannot switch between elements.
  • Destiny: Rising will be a free-to-play title that relies on a gacha system for monetization. This means you unlock new characters by spinning a gacha machine and hoping to pull a character.

There is already a first trailer for Destiny: Rising, showing some gameplay and a selection of playable heroes:

Start video
Destiny: Rising shows first gameplay in the trailer

Experts agree on what makes Destiny: Rising good and bad

Who are the experts? Among the first players who could try Destiny: Rising during the alpha test were some experienced Guardians and Destiny experts who later released a review and video.

We looked at the reviews of English-speaking content creators “Fallout Plays,” Paul Tassi, and Aztecross for you.

Short introduction of the experts

Fallout Plays is a YouTuber and streamer who creates guides, news, and reviews about Destiny, but also occasionally covers games like Helldivers 2 or Space Marine 2.


Paul Tassi is a journalist and writer for the English-language magazine “Forbes.” He is well-versed in Destiny and regularly writes about Bungie’s shooter.


Aztecross is a YouTuber and streamer whose focus is primarily on Destiny 2. In his videos, he reports on the latest developments of the loot shooter, presents builds and new weapons or armor pieces, and shares his thoughts on the latest content.

What is the experts’ conclusion? The impressions of the experts largely align: for a mobile game, it is surprisingly good. While it may not reach the quality of Destiny 2 in some areas like visual presentation, story, and gunplay, the gameplay is generally solid. The negative feedback primarily centers on the monetization.

What is good? The variety of different modes (PvE and PvP) and the “MMO feeling” are particularly praised. The social system, including the social area called “Haven” (the counterpart to the Tower), is especially well-received and is said to be even better than in Destiny 1 and 2.

Additionally, there are features they wish to see in Destiny 2, such as Sparrow racing, new exotics, weapon perks, or a clan area that the clan can collectively expand and upgrade. Aztecross praises:

What is astonishing is that Destiny: Rising is genuinely a good game. It has really great activities, and the gunplay is pretty solid. […] I expected a mobile game, not even a good mobile game, and what you get with Destiny Rising is truly a fantastic mobile game.

What is bad? The major criticism from everyone is on the monetization, specifically the gacha system including pay-to-win mechanics. Fallout Plays states in his review: “I really wish this specific design philosophy of the video game industry would just crawl into a corner and wither away.”.

Aztecross adds in his video: “This is my only real criticism. […] It’s the monetization that I’m so concerned about. […] I just don’t like gacha systems.”.

In addition to the monetization, the voice acting is also heavily criticized. It supposedly contained text spoken in poor quality by artificial intelligence. However, according to NetEase, this is only a placeholder until the final recordings of the real voice actors are available.

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The experts also pose the question of who the target audience for the game is. While they understand that Destiny: Rising is primarily aimed at the Asian market, it seems that due to its nature, it is only interesting for players who are interested in the new lore or enjoy gacha games like Genshin Impact.

The developers of Destiny: Rising, NetEase, also created the mobile game Diablo Immortal. The game has repeatedly struggled with persistent pay-to-win accusations and criticism regarding its monetization system. More about this can be found here: YouTuber reveals how “crazy pay-to-win” Blizzard’s new game is

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Fallout Plays via YouTube
  2. Paul Tassi via YouTube
  3. Aztecross via YouTube

Players are just now discovering new features of Vessel of Hatred in Diablo 4 and are thrilled by its usefulness

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

Blizzard has brought many innovations to Diablo 4 with the first expansion, Vessel of Hatred. These include new features that apply to the entire game, even without the addon. Apparently, many players have not yet discovered all the improvements and are now surprised that there are new, practical features.

What are these features?

  • The changes from Vessel of Hatred and Season 6 include many revisions of the existing systems of Diablo 4.
  • One of the features that players have been requesting since release is the ability to mark a city as a favorite. You return to the favorite city with the city portal instead of going to the next city.
  • Another change that has surprised players is the ability to access the wardrobe from anywhere. The option is now directly linked to the character sheet.
Start video
Diablo IV reveals the expansion Vessel of Hatred in new gameplay trailer

This is what players are saying: On Reddit, a user admits that they have just now discovered the city-favorite function. Others agree and say they didn’t know it was even possible.

The option has only been in the game since Vessel of Hatred, as explained by one player in the comments. Before that, the feature wasn’t even discoverable. In the official patch notes for patch 2.0, neither feature is listed. They were only briefly mentioned in the Campfire Chat.

In the game, the features are also easy to overlook. You can mark a city as a favorite by hovering over the corresponding city on the map. The wardrobe is now a small icon in the top left of the character sheet in addition to the physical wardrobe in inns.

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Vessel of Hatred has some “secret” changes

Blizzard has not listed additional changes from Vessel of Hatred in the official patch notes. However, players have already found new features and content during testing that have not been mentioned, including:

Many of these changes may sound small, but they are things that players are very excited about. These quality changes ensure that the flow of the game is less disrupted, and players encounter fewer hurdles while playing.

With Season 6, Blizzard has polished the content of the game, including items, crafting, and various quality features. Diablo 4 has received numerous revisions with the new season, but not all of them have been well received: Diablo 4 has made it easier to obtain the best items with Season 6 – Now players are demanding the old system back

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

Engineer builds robot that wins every round at a famous game – Whoever defeats the machine wins 9,500 euros

Claudio Niggenkemper Claudio Niggenkemper Reading time 2 minutes

YouTuber and engineer Mark Rober presents a robot that can win any game of Rock-Paper-Scissors in a matter of milliseconds. His trick? He can detect the opponent’s hand movement in the blink of an eye.

Who is “Rocky”? The YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober is known for making complex technology exciting and understandable. His latest project is a specially designed robotic arm named Rocky, which has a single skill: It can play the children’s game Rock-Paper-Scissors in real-time and win almost every game. The robot achieves a reaction time that is hardly perceivable to a human opponent.

How does it work? The robot uses high-speed cameras and special sensors to analyze the opponent’s hand movements. An infrared motion sensor captures the movements of the hand and fingers a hundred times per second. This data is sent to a minicomputer built into Rocky’s body. Algorithms analyze the images to predict, a fraction of a second before the complete hand movement, whether rock, paper, or scissors is chosen.

Once it knows the outcome, it sends a signal to Rocky’s robotic hand, which then executes the appropriate counter-move with servomotors. According to Mark Rober, this process happens so quickly that the human eye can hardly follow it.

We present another curious story from the tech world in the video below:

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

Whoever manages to defeat Rocky receives 9,500 euros

Rober has issued a challenge: Whoever can defeat Rocky can win 9,500 euros (10,000 dollars). This challenge is meant to demonstrate how difficult it is to compete against a system that reacts in fractions of a second and relies on precise technology. According to Rober, even tricks that are known to improve your chances of winning are not helpful.

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Does a tactic help? A study has found how to increase your chances of winning in the next duel (via arxiv.com). Researchers examined over 54,000 games of Rock-Paper-Scissors and found a typical pattern in human gameplay behavior, which they call “Win-Stay, Lose-Shift.” Players tend to choose the same symbol again after a victory while often switching to a different option after a defeat:

You can improve your chances of winning by consciously switching to the next symbol in the cycle after a victory – for example, from rock to paper. If you lose, you should choose the previous symbol. A simple pattern that works like a small cycle.

But does this also help in a duel against Rocky? The high prize amount clearly underscores Rober’s confidence in his own technology.

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More tech: While Mark Rober’s robotic arm “Rocky” wins at Rock-Paper-Scissors in a flash, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are working on robots with “Physical Intelligence” for more complex tasks. Yet another company is already much further ahead and could soon surpass Elon Musk: Elon Musk says there will be more robots than people by 2040 – A billion-dollar company could help with that

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. YouTube
  2. TechSpot
  3. Cornell University
  4. Titelbild via Youtube

Former Blizzard Employee Unmercifully Critiques the New Item in WoW that Costs More than Any AAA Game

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

Blizzard has brought the most expensive mount into the MMORPG for the 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft that has ever existed. Former Blizzard employee Jason Hall, known as PirateSoftware, explains why this is bad for WoW and Blizzard in the long term.

What kind of item is this? The mount is called “Gold-Embellished Trader Brutosaur” and is available for purchase directly in the cash shop for €78. In the US, it costs $90.

The mount is very large, thus striking, and has 2 NPCs on board that offer unique services that players would otherwise have to go to the city for: one can summon an auction house and a mailbox.

The mount has already sparked a heated debate in the community for several days. Financially, however, the mount seems to be a huge success for Blizzard.

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3 NPCs mit seltsamen Realvorbildern in WoW

“Symbol of Greed”

What the former Blizzard developer criticizes: Jason Hall worked at Blizzard as a technician for 6 years. Looking back, he says that he was terribly underpaid and had terrible working conditions. He eventually moved to Amazon Games, where he earned significantly more.

In a video from November 11th, which immediately attracts a lot of attention, he describes the $90 mount as a “symbol of greed” for Blizzard. It is downright absurd: the mount is covered in gold and even carries an auction house. The mount represents greed and is “the worst bullshit” he has ever seen actually going live.

Nevertheless, the event for the 20th anniversary of WoW is actually great and shows a lot of goodwill, but the mount “is just shit”.

WoW Gold-Embellished Trader Brutosaur

“Reminds me of Star Citizen”

This is what bothers him about the mount: Hall says:

  • The old mount was a status symbol. It cost 5 million gold, and one had to find ways to earn that gold.
  • The new mount can be obtained by anyone willing to spend more money on it than on a AAA game, about one and a half times as much money.
Note: The old mount could also have been obtained through real money, via the WoW token it was possible.

Nonetheless, PirateSoftware says: The mount will certainly make Blizzard a huge amount of money, but in the long term, it is poison for the game:

That’s a $90 mount in a video game. It reminds me of Star Citizen. You buy a luxury car, one with collector value, that’s what you’re buying here.

The mount creates isolated monoliths in an MMORPG

What does he see as the biggest disadvantage? The mount takes an important aspect out of the MMORPG: the walking to the auction house, to a social hub.

If now everyone has their own auction house with them and no longer has to go to the city, it turns players into islands:

I don’t think there should be such a thing. […] Now you have this weird problem where you have mounts with a function and sell them for $90. You now carry a city with you. That takes something important out of the game: Because before, it was cool to go to a vendor and get the stuff done. There you could see other people.

Now you play an MMO, but create isolated monoliths that isolate players.

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PirateSoftware believes: Strategy will fill cash registers in the short term, cost money in the long term

These consequences does he foresee for WoW: Hall says the mount symbolizes Blizzard’s attempt to squeeze as much money as possible out of the remaining whales and damages Blizzard’s image.

Overall, this will alienate players and lead to a loss of money. In the long run, this is a short-sighted strategy, a “losing strategy”.

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Are there also microtransactions that he likes? Hall praises the charity pets from Blizzard that are sold for a good cause. Those are initiatives that he can fully support.

The most important thing about microtransactions for him is that they are truly “micro”, meaning cheap. A microtransaction that is more expensive than a AAA game he considers obscene.

Although PirateSoftware often and gladly complains about his former employer Blizzard, the company still holds a very special place in the life of the current content creator: 17 years after the legendary WoW episode, we finally know who the MMORPG nerd from South Park is

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

Arcane has hidden 2 more LoL characters in the series – Did you spot them?

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

In the second season of Arcane, characters from League of Legends also hide in the form of cameo appearances.

The second season of Arcane has launched on Netflix. Although only the first 3 episodes have been released so far, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive and it already seems clear that we are witnessing a worthy conclusion of the series. However, just like in the first season, some new references to League of Legends and various characters have been hidden in the series this time as well.

Spoiler warning: If you haven’t seen the first 3 episodes of season 2 yet, there are now some light spoilers. Consider yourselves warned.

Start video
Arcane Season 2 Trailer – Nothing to Lose

2 Characters from League of Legends make a brief appearance

Which two characters were smuggled into the series? Observant viewers who are also familiar with League of Legends have been able to spot two “new” characters in the second season of Arcane. On one hand, we have the Yordle Teemo, and on the other hand, the cool sorceress Janna.

Here you discover Teemo: Teemo makes indirect appearances in several places and with various references. The most notable might be the character Isha – an orphan girl who clings to Jinx. Fans of the MOBA will immediately recognize the helmet she wears – as it is exactly the same design that Teemo uses in League of Legends.

Arcane Teemo Helmet Isha
LoL fans will immediately recognize Isha’s helmet – because Teemo wears it. Often, it’s the last thing you see.

Teemo also appears a bit more directly in the first season of Arcane – as an illustration in a children’s book being read by Silco’s subordinate when he wants to intimidate one of the Enforcers.

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Here you discover Janna: The wind sorceress Janna is mentioned much more actively, as she is part of the plot of episode 3. The corresponding passage begins at minute 19:20 of the episode.

In the underground depths of Zhaun, Jinx has begun to reconnect the various ventilation systems – as part of a new, nasty plan. She is confronted by Vi and Caitlyn. The central hub of these ventilation systems displays a large image of a sorceress, who apparently has great significance for many older miners.

Arcane Janna Relief
A massive depiction of the wind sorceress Janna – a legend in Zhaun, who saved miners from suffocation.

Jinx explains:

“Do you remember the bedtime stories about the spirit Janna that Vander told us? About the poor miners who could barely breathe underground. Then suddenly, a brave wind-lady hurried to their rescue. Hahaha. It’s really crazy what kind of nonsense people come up with when you cut off their air.”

As magic takes on an increasingly important role in the second season of Arcane, it is only logical that some sorcerers are slowly getting more concrete mentions here. Especially the powers of Noxus are also coming into play – in the form of the black rose.

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

A player gets the PS5 Pro shortly after release for only 500 euros – How did he do that?

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A player gets the PS5 Pro really cheap. There is a sales practice of large retailers behind it. And the player benefits from it.

A player reports on Reddit that he purchased the PS5 Pro for only $524. As proof, he shows not only a photo of the MSRP of the PS5 Pro but also his receipt. And indeed, he is correct that he only paid the equivalent of 500 euros for the PS5 Pro. The user uploaded the receipt as proof on Imgur.

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Sony releases the official reveal trailer for the PS5 Pro

Broken seal on the packaging makes PS5 Pro cheaper

What is the “trick” behind it? The original packaging of the PS5 Pro is sealed. If the seal is already broken, it means the package has already been opened.

When opened packages are sold in stores, they are usually checked returns: The manufacturer/seller has checked the console once and then returned it to the market. In Germany, warranty and liability remain unaffected by this.

Image with PS5 significantly cheaper
The user’s image with the discount on the packaging from the Reddit post.

Some companies, in this case Walmart, offer a discount on such returns because they are no longer considered new goods in the true sense. For this reason, the user had to pay only $524.25 on Reddit for the PS5 Pro. This translates to approximately 500 euros. The user explains himself (via Reddit.com):

The manager [of the store] adjusted the price and put on a new sticker when I pointed out that the seal was broken. The sale sticker was printed on the device that his phone was plugged into. But hey, feel free not to believe me. I’m playing the cheapest PS5 Pro in Missouri tonight.

That sounds very cheap at first, but one should consider that the console is sold in the USA with significantly lower taxes. In Missouri, the sales tax is 4.225%. In Germany, the price would therefore be around 600 euros. However, that is still 200 euros less than the PS5 Pro officially costs in Germany or Europe.

The community reacts cautiously: Some congratulate the user on his good luck in getting the PS5 Pro so cheaply. Others claim that the whole thing is just made up. However, the user tries to refute this by uploading not only a picture of the reduced price but also the receipt. In general, receipts can also be forged, but for a Reddit post, that would likely be too much effort.

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PS5 Pro seems cheaper in the USA because of missing taxes

Is it worth ordering a PS5 Pro in the USA? No, not really. At first glance, the PS5 Pro seems cheaper since it costs $700 in the USA and that translates to only 628.51 euros. However, this price does not include taxes and other fees.

MeinMMO has calculated for you what it would cost in total to order a PS5 Pro in the USA. With customs and import fees, you will end up paying more than if you simply ordered the PS5 Pro from Amazon or another retailer: Is it worth buying a PS5 Pro in the USA, which costs 170 euros less there?

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

The number 196 on Twitch accidentally shows its earnings – Earns 3 years’ salaries in one month

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

The former CoD pro Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag (32) is currently one of the highest-earning streamers on Twitch. He accidentally showed this to thousands of viewers.

Who is number 196? The streamer is Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag, a former CoD pro and CEO of the gaming organization 100 Thieves. Due to his other commitments, he has been less active on Twitch in recent years, but in 2024 he is returning to streaming more frequently.

Over the past 365 days, the 32-year-old ranks 196 on Twitch regarding watch time: the number of hours viewers have spent watching his stream (via SullyGnome, as of: 11/12/2024).

On Twitch, Nadeshot primarily streams shooters; in 2024 Valorant was his game, but with the release of Black Ops 6, he has focused on Call of Duty – and with great success. In the past few weeks, he earned nearly $240,000.

Everything started with CoD for MontanaBlack as well.

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MontanaBlack is one of the most well-known streamers in Germany – This was his very first video

Nadeshot accidentally shows his earnings to thousands of viewers

This is how much he earns: Nadeshot has made almost $240,000 on Twitch in the past 30 days. He revealed this accidentally when his opened browser tab was displayed instead of the Winner’s Circle in Call of Duty.

Most of his earnings come from subs, specifically paid subscriptions, with gift subs making up the largest portion. $116,700 came solely from sub gifts. This is complemented by $19,000 from purchased subs and $16,000 from Prime subs.

On top of that, Nadeshot can look forward to $71,000 from advertising revenue. However, he still has to pay taxes on the earnings. From what remains, he is expected to invest a significant portion into a supposedly fair cash shop.

You can see the crucial moment here:

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How did he achieve this? Since November 1, 2024, Nadeshot has been holding a subathon for the current Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a marathon stream that continues to extend as viewers subscribe to his channel. During the period from October 13 to November 11, he was online for nearly 400 hours, although he spent at least part of that time sleeping.

This currently places him 5th among streamers with the most active subs (via TwitchTracker). In addition, the advertising revenue contributes to this, as many streamed hours also mean a lot of ad broadcasts.

Nadeshot cannot regularly achieve such earnings with Twitch, and this is likely an exceptional situation for him. Nonetheless, he has just earned three times what one would typically make in the USA over the course of a year – and there is still no end in sight for his subathon (via United States Census Bureau).

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Why is this special? In 2024, Nadeshot was mostly between 3,500 and 4,000 average viewers. While he is one of the larger streamers on Twitch, he is still far behind the top names like Kai Cenat, ibai, or the German Papaplatte, who all pull in several tens of thousands of viewers on average (via SullyGnome).

However, such subathons repeatedly show that it is not so much about how big a streamer normally is, but rather how well they can engage their community. Even with relatively few viewers, substantial earnings can come together: Fans convince small Twitch streamer to undertake a crazy project to support him – It’s been live for 26 days now

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

Pokémon GO: Trainer explains how to find Shinys faster, just needs a simple trick

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

The hunt for shinies is a major topic for many players in Pokémon GO. A trainer has now discovered a helpful trick that many might not have known about so far.

In addition to searching for increasingly stronger Pokémon to defeat monsters in raids and Dynamax as well as other trainers in battles, collecting is also one of the major aspects in Pokémon GO. A particularly rare variant of monsters are the shinies, where you get Pokémon in a color variation that they do not possess in their regular form.

A trainer has now shared a trick that can make the search for shinies easier. And this trick seems to be unknown to many trainers so far.

Start video
Dynamax in Pokémon Go – How to participate in the gigantic battles

Check more Pokémon faster

What is this trick? Especially during events like Community Day, when many specimens of a Pokémon appear, it can quickly happen that when checking the monsters, you lose track of which Pokémon you have already clicked on.

That’s exactly what a trainer on Reddit has now discovered, which makes the search for shinies easier. If you click on a Pokémon on the map and see that the monster is not shiny, you exit the catching screen.

The interesting part is: Once you have done that, the Pokémon on the map then turns to face you and looks at you. If you now want to check more Pokémon, you can skip the monsters that are looking at you on the map and focus on the monsters that are not facing you.

This way, you avoid the risk of checking Pokémon you have already checked and can check more monsters in a shorter time, which increases your chances of finding a shiny.

You can also see what this looks like in the Reddit post from the user:

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Is there a limitation with the trick? As another trainer notes in the comments, the trick only works as long as you do not move. If you start moving, the orientation of the Pokémon remains focused on the spot where you were when you exited the catching screen.

If you are in a place with a lot of Pokémon and linger there briefly, this mechanic can be a good help. However, if you are moving quickly without resting, then the effect of this mechanic is diminished.

Does the trick work on all Pokémon? As some comments in the post note, there is one Pokémon for which this mechanic does not work. This is Nasgnet, the Rock-type Pokémon from Generation 3. This monster always looks north on the map, regardless of whether you had opened it in the catching screen or not.

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To make good use of this mechanic, you also need many Pokémon to spawn. Especially during events, there are usually good opportunities for this. If you want to know which events will be available for you in the game in the coming weeks, take a look at our overview of the events in November 2024 in Pokémon GO.

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

Monster Hunter Wilds: Community Ranking – Which of the 14 weapons is your favorite?

Alexander Mehrwald Alexander Mehrwald Reading time 3 minutes

Veterans of monster hunting know: In Monster Hunter Wilds, the success of each hunt also depends on the choice of weapon. Therefore, we want to know from you: What is your absolute favorite weapon?

On the occasion of the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025, many players are back on the hunt for monsters. The choice of weapon plays a significant role, and with 14 different types of weapons, it can sometimes be a tough decision.

To assist like-minded individuals in their selection, we ask you which of the powerful combat devices accompanies you most often on your hunts. Or also, which one you simply find the coolest.

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New trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds shows captivating battles

Feel free to let us know in the comments why you love your weapon so much or what features you particularly appreciate. You are also welcome to name a second or third favorite weapon.

Additionally, you can also take the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded people if you are undecided and support each other in making a choice.

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Summary of Weapons

If you are unsure about what defines each weapon or if you perhaps don’t know them all yet, we have a brief overview for you here:

All 14 weapons at a glance
  • Great Sword: A heavy and hefty melee weapon that deals a lot of damage with tremendous attacks, but is rather slow.
  • Long Sword: A fast and elegant weapon with extensive combos that feel like classic anime slashing. To master it, however, you cannot avoid learning the combos.
  • Sword & Shield: A versatile combo that allows speed and mobility, ideal for quick attacks and defense at the same time. This combination also allows items to be used while the weapon is drawn.
  • Dual Blades: Fast weapons with a high attack speed that become even more intense in demon mode and allow impressive combos. However, they offer little defense in return.
  • Spear: A defensive weapon with long reach and high protection from the shield; ideal for controlled, precise attacks. However, when your weapon is drawn, you will also be moving at the speed of a turtle.
  • Gunlance: A mix of lance and firepower that unleashes explosive attacks in addition to normal stabs. Reload moments can quickly become your downfall.
  • Switch Axe: A hybridized tool that switches between axe and great sword to offer a mix of reach and power depending on the situation. Here, it is necessary to weigh carefully when to use which type to get the most out of the weapon.
  • Energy Blade: A versatile weapon system that switches between sword and shield or axe and becomes very powerful through charged energy combos. The right switch is important for this weapon to be charged.
  • Hammer: A powerful but also very short and slow weapon. It is excellent for breaking monster parts precisely.
  • Hunting Horn: In addition to strong attack power, the hunting horn provides buffs for the team, triggered through musical “notes” combos to support allies.
  • Insect Glaive: An agile pole weapon that catapults players high into the air combined with an insect that collects extracts for status boosts. However, it does not offer blocking options.
  • Bow: A ranged weapon with high mobility and many types of ammunition, ranging from special arrows to elemental damage. A very accessible weapon with long range.
  • Light Bowgun: A fast and flexible gun that fires various types of ammunition and allows for quick dodging.
  • Heavy Bowgun: A massive gun with slower movement but high damage which has a shield for defense and strong ammunition.

In the previous beta, there was already the opportunity to get a first glimpse of the battles in Monster Hunter Wilds. Many players noticed some changes to the weapons that they were not pleased with: Hunter Wilds: “Something is missing” – Over 360,000 players are playing the beta, discussing their weak weapons

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

A Forgotten RTL2 Anime Beats Digimon by Miles

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 3 minutes

For years, Digimon and Pokémon have been battling for the title of the most popular monster anime. An alternative has long been forgotten: Monster Rancher. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus believes it surpasses both competitors, if only it hadn’t come to such an early end.

Alongside Flint Hammerhead, Monster Rancher is one of my absolute favorite anime from my childhood and youth. While other kids were excited about Digimon or Dragon Ball, I always wanted to know what happened next in Monster Rancher. And somehow, the series seems to have faded into obscurity. Unjustly, in my opinion.

How did I come to this? We asked our new editor Alexander Schürlein what his favorite anime are, and he mentioned Monster Rancher in his response. I didn’t expect to hear that name again from anyone else.

When it comes to anime, manga, and games featuring monsters and battles, most people immediately respond with Pokémon or Digimon, which have been fighting for the top spot in the genre for 27 years. There are hardly any other answers. That’s a shame because Monster Rancher surpasses both despite its brevity.

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Similar to Digimon, but much more mature

Monster Rancher strikes a similar chord to Pokémon and Digimon. Just like Pokémon, it first appeared as a game and later as an anime adaptation – by the way, also just a year after the game about pocket monsters.

However, in terms of tone, Monster Rancher is much closer to Digimon. The fact that the monsters don’t just mindlessly babble their names, but can actually speak, brings the two series closer together.

The plot is also similar: teenagers are pulled into another world to fight against evil. What has always bothered me about Digimon is that all monsters end with -mon and that every term is slapped with “Digi-” somewhere. That makes the whole thing a bit childish.

A series about loss and responsibility

What makes Monster Rancher special is how the series handles the monsters themselves. They are not just “data” that somehow reappear when a companion dies. No, the monsters are real beings that have been altered through highly advanced genetic engineering and truly die when they are killed, turning into strange stone slabs.

These slabs can be transformed back into monsters at shrines, but the loss is felt immediately – especially since reviving them is not so easy. The intro alone shows a scene with a whole field of these stones in the rain, strongly reminiscent of a somber graveyard.

The entire plot of Monster Rancher is more serious than that of Digimon (and Pokémon, by the way – at least as far as the anime is concerned). This applies to the entire world of Monster Rancher. In Digimon, it’s “only” about a digital world. Monster Rancher, on the other hand, takes place in a “real” world that exists parallel to ours. All people and monsters there are real.

In Germany, KSM Anime distributes the anime on DVD and BluRay and has even made the entire first episode available on YouTube. Of all the mentioned anime, Monster Rancher has by far the best intro:

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Mochi is the better Pikachu

For me, Monster Rancher has another significant advantage over the competition: the protagonists are better. A comparison with Pokémon can be drawn more easily here. Especially Genki and his companion Mochi surpass their counterparts Ash and Pikachu by far.

Unlike Pikachu, Mochi – like every monster in Monster Rancher – can speak. This makes it easier to follow the development of the companion and build a bond with him. The little electric mouse, who is too stubborn to evolve, has always felt somewhat suspicious to me for this reason alone.

The same goes for all characters in Monster Rancher. Because it is truly about their existence, they interact with their world in a much more serious and understandable way. I have always found that impressive, both as a teenager back then and now as an adult.

By the way: The voice actress for Holly, the protagonist of Monster Rancher, is Sabine Bohlmann in German. Bohlmann is also the voice of Pikachu – and by the way of Sailor Moon/Bunny Tsukino, Kenny and Ike (South Park), and Ling-Ling (Drawn Together).
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Monster Rancher is unfortunately far too short

If Monster Rancher doesn’t say anything to you, that’s no surprise. The series consists of only two seasons with a total of 73 episodes and aired completely in Germany in 2001 on free TV. Since then, it has occasionally aired somewhere, but not consistently most of the time.

Since 2022, there has been a DVD and BluRay box with all episodes. Additionally, you can watch Monster Rancher entirely on Amazon Prime, if you subscribe to the additional service Aniverse. However, Amazon stated three seasons instead of two for some reason.

Like many of you, anime has shaped my childhood and youth. But especially what we have in the “mainstream” doesn’t suit me. Many anime simply feel too exaggerated to me (like Dragon Ball or Naruto), or are just too long to enjoy with their hundreds of episodes (hello, One Piece).

Monster Rancher was a wonderful break in the forest of shounen anime with power fantasy. To this day, I still prefer series that take everything a bit more seriously. MyMMO demon Cortyn always has quite good recommendations: The best horror anime if you want to properly scare yourself

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

Arcane Season 2: Black Rose – We explain the Black Rose to you

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 4 minutes

Arcane Season 2 has finally started on Netflix, and with that, of course, new players arrived in the world of Runeterra in Piltover. We also get to know the Black Rose. This secret organization pulls many strings behind the scenes, but who is this organization?

Warning: Spoilers: The following article contains slight spoilers for the first three episodes of Arcane Season 2. If you haven’t seen them yet, you should read on after watching.

The first 3 episodes of Arcane Season 2 have finally been released after 3 years, and they are very well received by fans and critics. In the first act of the second season, we learn why Ambessa is currently in Piltover and why she is so interested in the Hextech weapons. She is being hunted by an organization called the Black Rose.

This organization existed before the series in the lore of League of Legends, and MeinMMO explains everything you need to know about the organization.

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Arcane Season 2 Trailer – Nothing to Lose

All Known Champions from the Black Rose

What is the Black Rose? The Black Rose, or in original Black Rose, is a secret organization from Noxus, the region from which Ambessa hails. It operates primarily from the shadows and uses magic. At the top of the Black Rose are the aristocrats of Noxus. Four of them are known as champions from League of Legends.

LeBlanc and the Black Rose

At the head of the organization is LeBlanc. She is a sorceress who exploits the greed of the wealthy to fulfill her own unknown goals. Through her influence among the elite of Noxus, she has a significant impact in the region from the shadows and has been involved in important historical events around the world. Her greatest act was probably sealing away the mighty Mordekaiser, whom she betrayed to aid Noxian tribes. Mordekaiser is one of the most powerful figures in Runeterra.

LeBlanc-LoL
LeBlanc from League of Legends

Vladimir and the Black Rose

Another member of the Black Rose is Vladimir. The vampire-like sorcerer is a master of blood magic. Through his abilities, he can control the body and mind of people. A cult formed around him, which many consider a legend. Together with LeBlanc, he influences the politics of Noxus. Presumably, Vladimir was also instrumental in the creation of Briar, who also used blood magic and affectionately calls Vladimir Dad in-game.

lol-vladimir
Vladimir from League of Legends

Elise and the Black Rose

Elise hails from the Noxian family Kythera, and she has an unquenchable thirst for power. On a mission for the Black Rose, she encountered the spider god Ekelschlund, who transformed her into what we see in the game. She serves the spider god and regularly sacrifices innocents whom she lures with her beautiful appearance. While she collaborates with the Black Rose, she ultimately serves only Ekelschlund.

LoL Elise
Elise from League of Legends

Cassiopeia and the Black Rose

After the coup by Jericho Swain and the betrayal of her husband, Soreana sent her daughter Cassiopeia to seek great power from Shurima, fearing that the governmental change in Noxus would reveal the Black Rose. In her quest for power from Shurima, Cassiopeia was cursed and became a Medusa-like snake monster, who like her mother now also worked for the Black Rose.

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An Internal Conflict in Noxus

The Black Rose seeks to dominate Noxus from within, but the great general Jericho Swain stands in opposition, wanting to dismantle the organization. In doing so, he killed many members of the Black Rose, including his own parents and supposedly LeBlanc. Swain wishes to rule Noxus together with Darius and the Faceless one with strictness and power.

However, Swain knows that LeBlanc and the Black Rose are still a threat, as illusions from a powerful sorceress continue to influence history. The organization has had its hand in many events, such as the resurrection of Sion or the liberation of the insane Renekton.

The Black Rose and many members have existed longer than Noxus itself, and despite their collaboration, the members have their own goals. But especially the goals of LeBlanc remain unknown even after all these years.

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What does the Black Rose do in Arcane? In the first act of Season 2 of Arcane, we find out that Ambessa fled from the Black Rose after stealing something. We also see the power of magic that could only be stopped by runes by Ambessa and her soldiers.

The organization seems to be a great threat to Ambessa’s clan, as in the 3rd episode of Season 2, her daughter Mel is also attacked by the Black Rose. What exactly was stolen and whether we will meet known members of the Black Rose remains unknown.

Since Noxus is a recurring theme in the series, one can assume that at least minor appearances are possible. How things will proceed with Ambessa and Mel, we will see on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Then Act 2 continues. More info about Arcane Season 2 can be found here: Arcane Season 2: Release, Trailer, Characters, and Story – All about the continuation of the hit series on Netflix

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Das Universum von League of Legends
  2. League of Legends Wiki

The smallest country in the world has 764 inhabitants, two of whom are playing Baldur’s Gate 3 and a third wants to have it

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a global success with millions of players. The excitement surrounding the role-playing game apparently even reaches the Holy See, as the marketing director reveals that Baldur’s Gate 3 is also being played in the Vatican.

This is the smallest country in the world:

  • The Vatican, or correctly: Vatican City State, is an independent country located in the heart of Rome, the capital of Italy. According to statements from the Vatican itself, the country has 764 citizens, although the actual population might be slightly higher (via vaticanstate.va, as of June 26, 2023).
  • Only a small portion of the citizens live within the city limits, while the rest reside outside the country. The probably most famous resident of the Vatican is the Pope, followed by his Swiss Guard, diplomats, and Catholic dignitaries.
  • The Vatican has intervened in gaming before: In 2019, the Catholic state opened its own Minecraft server, which, however, failed due to trolls.
Start video
Middle finger to the AAA industry: Baldur’s Gate 3 was no coincidence

Who is playing Baldur’s Gate 3? The marketing director of Larian, Michael Douse, revealed on X that the studio sold 2 copies of Baldur’s Gate 3 in the Vatican. Another person has it on their wishlist (via X).

It is not known who exactly bought the game, nor if and how much the individuals have played it. Douse mentions that he imagines the Pope has the game on his wishlist and is just waiting for a spare minute.

This is not necessarily surprising. Baldur’s Gate 3 is considered one of the best games of all time and has received so many awards that the head barely could carry them. It’s so good that other developers warned after the release: That is a one-time thing, such quality should not be expected all the time.

The game is especially known for its freedoms. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows you to make almost all decisions — whether you want to play the game as pacifistically as possible or want to eradicate all life. You can also be really evil in Baldur’s Gate 3.

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The most popular class in Baldur’s Gate 3 fits perfectly with the Vatican

The Vatican is the home city of the Catholic Church. Here lives its head and here is the center of faith. Coincidentally but fittingly the Paladin is the most popular class in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Paladins are holy warriors who dedicate themselves to their faith and take an oath they must fulfill. If they break it, they condemn themselves and become feared oathbreakers.

The class is especially popular because of its high charisma, making them the ideal face of the group, as well as for their strength in combat. They are a perfect all-rounder. Ironically, the Cleric, essentially the “priest” in the game, is by far the least popular class.

Although Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the best games ever and still attracts thousands of players even over a year after its release, not everyone immediately warms up to the enormous role-playing experience. For example, MyMMO author Gerd Schuhmann had his issues: I started Baldur’s Gate 3 twice and was disappointed: Only when I did what many warned against did I enjoy it

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

Shooter on Steam fully focuses on atmospheric gameplay, combining realism with pure horror

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

The extraction shooter Beautiful Light aims to captivate players with its dark atmosphere and realistic gameplay.

Which shooter is it about? Beautiful Light. This is a first-person perspective extraction shooter with PvPvE, set to be released on Steam in 2025. The game is being developed by the indie studio “Deep Worlds,” whose CEO Eric “Aherys” Rajot has worked as an esports player in Ubisoft’s tactical shooter Rainbow: Six Siege.

The gameplay released so far from Beautiful Light resembles a mix of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Escape from Tarkov. It has a realistic focus, combining it with mysterious events and monsters in a post-apocalyptic world.

The developers of the extraction shooter want to focus on immersive gameplay and horror. Accordingly, you will encounter not only other players but also monsters and abnormal creatures that want to go after you.

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Beautiful Light shows impressive scenes in the CGI trailer

Extraction shooter with asymmetric gameplay like Dead by Daylight

What is the game about? You are operators sent to extract mysterious artifacts. On each map, there is an artifact that you must find, collect, and defend against other players. You act in squads consisting of three players.

There are a total of 6 squads on a server. This means you can encounter up to 15 opposing operators who are also hunting for the artifact. Additionally, there are 6 anomalies. These are mysterious monsters trying to prevent humans from extracting the artifact. These anomalies are also controlled by players.

To obtain the artifact, you must complete various steps – like printing a keycard or turning on the power. Once you have the artifact, you must escape the map via helicopter.

For the full release, Beautiful Light will also have a contractor system that allows you to take on and complete various missions.

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How does the game intend to be so atmospheric? Beautiful Light aims to be especially immersive and atmospheric. Here, sound design plays a crucial role. For example, there will be breathing sounds, a heartbeat, and realistic footsteps.

Since the developers have already invited various content creators for initial tests, the gameplay shown on YouTube gives a rough idea of just how atmospheric the game truly is.

Important for immersion is also the communication and tactical approach within the team. The fights with other players are supposed to be very intense and over quickly. While you can revive your teammates up to 3 times, a run can end swiftly if your entire squad falls. You must be particularly vigilant, because in Beautiful Light, danger can lurk around every corner.

If Beautiful Light indeed celebrates a successful release in 2025 and is well received by players, it might be a candidate for our list of games like Escape from Tarkov: 7 games on Steam that you should play if you like Escape from Tarkov

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

Ubisoft deletes a game from the library of many gamers that they previously sold on disc – Now they are being sued in the USA

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Ubisoft has been sued by two players affected by the shutdown of The Crew. They are seeking compensation for the loss of the game.

What happened to The Crew? 

The affected individuals include two people from California who want to hold Ubisoft accountable. They are suing the company and hope for an outcome that could impact all buyers of The Crew.

You can find The Crew in the following trailer:

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The Crew: The trailer for the racing game MMO

Players demand compensation for The Crew

Why are they suing? The players are suing Ubisoft because they shut down the servers for The Crew without providing a replacement like an offline mode. While Ubisoft offered a refund, it was only for players who “recently” purchased The Crew. 

However, the two Californians had already purchased the game in 2018 and 2020 and therefore do not qualify for the refund program. Their lawyer describes their situation as follows:

Imagine you buy a pinball machine, and years later you go into your study to play it and find that all the paddles are missing, the pinball and the dampers are gone, and the monitor on which you proudly displayed your unbeatable high score has been removed. It turns out that the pinball manufacturer decided to come into your home, gut the inside of the pinball machine, and take away your ability to play the game you bought and thought you owned.

According to the lawsuit, Ubisoft misled players into thinking they were buying not only a license but the game itself, even as a physical version with a disc. 

The company allegedly misrepresented that the files of The Crew on the physical discs were freely accessible and not just a key to the game. This would constitute a violation of California’s consumer protection laws, according to the lawsuit.

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What is being demanded? The two players want the court to recognize the lawsuit as a class action. This means other affected individuals could also participate. They seek financial compensation and damages for everyone affected by the server shutdown.

What does the community say about this? In a thread on Reddit, many players express divided opinions. On one side, there are those who think it has “always been this way and the whole thing is stupid.” One user even commended Ubisoft for running the servers for another 10 years, even after The Crew 2 was released.

On the other hand, there are users who think that maintaining the status quo is the worst-case scenario. It could be that Ubisoft would be forced to provide an offline patch. Some players are tired of companies like Ubisoft getting away with such practices.

Is anything being done about it? There is already a campaign by YouTuber Ross Scott called “Stop Destroying Videogames”. He demands that games must remain playable even when the publisher ceases support. So far, over 379,000 signatures have been collected for the initiative. You can read more about the campaign here: “Disgusting and dangerous” – Developer warns on Twitch about an EU initiative that aims to save video games

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

A tactical role-playing game with Marvel heroes is 85% off on Steam, overlooked by many at its release

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

Currently, there is a game on Steam that is heavily discounted, which didn’t attract many players at its release. However, especially fans of Marvel superheroes could have a lot of fun with it.

Which game is it? Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a tactical role-playing game that was released in 2022. The game comes from a renowned studio, namely Firaxis Games. The developers are known for titles like Civilization or the XCOM series, which even the editors at MeinMMO find appealing.

Although a well-known developer was behind Midnight Suns, the game became a commercial failure (via x.com). While it was already available for free on the Epic Store, it currently has a historically low price on Steam.

Start video
Midnight Suns shows new trailer, enticing with a true thunderstorm of Marvel stars

A Tactical RPG … with Cards!

How does Midnight Suns play? At first glance, Midnight Suns most closely resembles XCOM and its turn-based battles. However, the games differ in detail.

In Midnight Suns, you create your own character, who then fights alongside well-known Marvel heroes against various demons. In a team of up to three characters, you conduct battles on manageable fields and use a combat system that utilizes playing cards.

You always have a range of options in your hand of cards, from which you need to choose wisely. The fact that you control famous heroes like Spider-Man or Blade makes Midnight Suns especially interesting for Marvel fans.

At launch, the game went unnoticed and received little attention from players. On Steam, Midnight Suns recorded a peak of only 15,000 concurrent players since its release (via steamdb.info). Those who overlooked or ignored the game back then might give it a chance now.

How much does the game cost? Midnight Suns is currently 85% off on Steam. Instead of the full price of €59.99, you pay only €8.99 until November 21, 2024.

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How is the game received by users? Those who played Midnight Suns draw a “very positive” conclusion on Steam. Over 13,000 users have submitted a review, with 82% of them being positive.

The reviews especially praise the story, the characters, and the turn-based battles. User Kalimgard summarizes: “A nicely designed, mechanically competent superhero card game.”

Have you already played Midnight Suns? Or are you giving the game a chance now? Feel free to let us know in the comments. MeinMMO author Max Handwerk also initially overlooked Midnight Suns before giving the game a chance: Marvel’s Midnight Suns has been on my list for 2 years, now it’s free and I have to play it.

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

Pokémon: In the new set ‘Stormy Sparks’, Pikachu returns, and he shines like never before

Linda Baumgartl Linda Baumgartl Reading time 4 minutes

The trading card game for Pokémon has received a new expansion titled “Crimson & Violet – Surging Sparks”. We at MeinMMO will tell you about the new features you can expect.

What is “Surging Sparks”? The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is regularly expanded with new cards that are released in so-called sets. These sets are then grouped into series, which usually correspond to the current video game.

  • Currently, we are in the “Crimson & Violet” series.
  • The newest set is called “Surging Sparks”.
  • It has been available since November 8th 2024.

“Surging Sparks” has a lot to offer for both active players and collectors of beautiful cards.

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Pokémon TCG Pocket scores with pure nostalgia
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Teracristal Pokémon and Dragons – What’s in the Set?

The new set “Surging Sparks” brings over 250 new cards into play. This includes:

  • 9 Stallar Teracristal Pokémon-ex
  • 9 Pokémon-ex
  • 8 ASS CLASS cards
  • 23 rare illustration cards
  • 11 rare cards with special illustrations
  • 6 hyper rare, gold-foil cards

At the center of it all is an old acquaintance: Pikachu. He returns in a new form, namely as a Stellar Teracristal Pokémon-ex. He is accompanied by many other powerful Electric-type Pokémon that form a thematic focus of the set.

Pokémon TCG - Pikachu

The second major theme of the set is dragon-like Pokémon that appear in various types. Highlights include Alolan Exeggutor-ex, Briduradon-ex, and Latias-ex.

Pokémon TCG - Alola Exeggutor
Pokémon TCG - Briduradon
Pokémon TCG - Latias

What are Teracristal Pokémon? “Surging Sparks” is only the second set in which the so-called Teracristal Pokémon appear. Teracristallization is a game mechanic already known from the video games. It has been around since the ninth generation, which was initiated in late 2022 with “Crimson & Violet”.

Through Teracristallization, Pokémon can be made significantly stronger in battle. The Pokémon shine like gems and have a kind of crown on their heads – the Teracristal.

How does this work in the card game? Since the last set, “Stallarkrone”, Teracristallization has also found its way into the trading card game.

Unlike in the video game, Pokémon do not necessarily have to be Teracristalized in battle. These are standalone Pokémon cards that can appear as “Basic”, “Stage 1” or “Stage 2” Pokémon. They all have:

  • a powerful attack that requires three energies of different types.
  • the following additional rule: “As long as this Pokémon is on your bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (your own and your opponent’s)”.

“Surging Sparks” offers a good mix

Who is the set suitable for? With the introduction of more Teracristal Pokémon, “Surging Sparks” seamlessly builds on the recently released set “Stallarkrone”. If you liked the mechanics there, you’re in the right place here.

However, if you are not yet familiar with Teracristallization, that’s no problem either. The set offers enough good combination possibilities to start here fresh.

The dragon-type Pokémon are especially flexible and fit into all sorts of deck styles. This should please more experienced players who enjoy tinkering with their decks.

Last but not least, the set obviously offers collectors many beautiful cards. Above all, the Teracristal Pokémon in colorful and sparkling looks are a real eye-catcher.

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Get new cards for free

If you want to get a taste of the new set, you can easily do so – even without paying anything. In celebration of “Surging Sparks”, you can receive free cards in digital form for “Pokémon Trading Card Game Live” – not to be confused with the new “Pokémon Pocket”.

1. TikTok Streams

You can receive two booster packs by watching TikTok streams:

  • Any user account with access to TikTok LIVE that streams Pokémon Trading Card Game Live until November 23, 2024, can automatically distribute in-game rewards.
  • Click the reward symbol during the stream.
  • Watch for at least 3 minutes.
  • Copy the received code and redeem it (Pokemon.de/Redeem). For this, you need a Pokémon Trading Card Game Live account.

2. Twitch Streams

If you watch the Latin American Pokémon International Championships (LAIC) on Twitch, you can receive Teracristal Pikachu-ex and other digital content:

  • You need a Pokémon Trainer Club account and a Twitch account. You must link these through the official Pokémon site (rewards.pokemon.com).
  • Watch 30 minutes of one of the relevant streams on Twitch. You can find the streaming times here on pokemon.com.
  • After finishing, you will receive a drop that you can find in the “Inventory” of your Pokémon account (also on rewards.pokemon.com).
  • Copy the code and enter it in the game.

Another way to start with the Pokémon Trading Card Game for free is the recently released app “Pokémon TCG Pocket”. MeinMMO editor Jasmin Beverungen explains what makes the app so great for her: The new trading card game for Pokémon does almost everything better than the original from back in the day and doesn’t even cost anything

Note: MeinMMO received a product for review free of charge from the manufacturer.

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

How World of Warcraft Frustrates New Players

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Newcomers have a hard time in World of Warcraft – and this has been the case for a long time. No wonder they quickly lose interest.

Even though World of Warcraft is currently struggling with several bugs and issues, the expansion “The War Within” will likely go down in the history of the MMORPG as one of the better ones. However, one problem remains that the new expansion has yet to solve, which has plagued WoW for years: the experience for new players.

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Newcomers don’t have it easy in WoW

What is the problem? For newcomers, World of Warcraft is an extremely complex game. There are numerous gameplay mechanics, thousands of talents and abilities – for a newcomer to grasp this requires a lot of time. However, many long-time fans have little of that. They know the content inside out and want efficiency, especially when leveling a new character.

That simply doesn’t go together.

What experiences does this lead to? The fact that newcomers increasingly feel intimidated can be seen well in the official forum or in the subreddit of the game. A relatively recent post states “Why WoW repels new players” and explains the perspective of a player who wanted to introduce his wife to World of Warcraft. SEgopher writes:

Firstly, the game doesn’t prepare you at all for the endgame. There are no clues as to which class or specialization is easy to play, and you level up too quickly to understand all the abilities or the story, and the interface is so inadequate that it practically suggests you download addons. […]

Secondly, and this is the bigger problem because it is completely avoidable, you are not allowed to be new in WoW. [My wife] wanted to play bear tank because she thought druids were cool and she likes bears – good enough for an RPG, right? Enter the endless screaming in timewalking dungeons and low key dungeons because she can’t hold aggro, pulls too slowly, or doesn’t know the route of the dungeon she has only played twice.

Later he adds that these issues turn the very social, fun content of WoW into its opposite:

Ultimately, these group activities, which should be social and fun, are the most stressful and toxic part of the game. Meanwhile, depths that some view as the new ‘Choregast’ are actually good at teaching people the game.

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Who is to blame for the problem? It is clear that part of the blame also lies with the community. Some players who have been living this game for 20 years just do not have the patience to spend 90 minutes in a dungeon that can be completed in 10 minutes.

It might help if there was a way to provide additional information during the group search – even in the automatic group finder – so that newcomers can team up or veterans can specifically come together with newcomers if they wish.

But it’s also clear that Blizzard has known for a while, that newcomers have a hard time in World of Warcraft – and improvements are coming slowly but steadily. Whether the pace is fast enough, however, is not so easy to answer.

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

Pokémon GO: Spotlight Hour with Olini today brings Evolution Bonus

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

Pokémon GO is starting another Spotlight Hour. What does the event on November 12, 2024, bring? All info.

What kind of event is this? The Spotlight Hour takes place every Tuesday in Pokémon GO. Accordingly, there will be several Spotlight Hours in November.

During this hour, you will encounter a Pokémon that appears significantly more frequently in the wild. In addition, there will be a bonus that makes the hour even more interesting.

Bonus & Pokémon on November 12: You will encounter the Pokémon Olini during the Spotlight Hour on November 12. Additionally, there is a bonus that provides you with double XP when you evolve Pokémon.

All details of the event are listed below.

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Spotlight Hour: Start and Contents on 11.12.2024 – Is it Worth It?

When does the Spotlight Hour start? It starts at 6:00 PM. At 7:00 PM, it will be over, and normal spawns will appear again.

What bonus can I take advantage of? You can earn extra XP when evolving. It’s best to use the filter function of your Pokémon collection, where you can click on “can evolve”. This way, you can find the monsters that you can evolve.

Is there a Shiny Olini? Yes, the shiny variant of Olini is also present in Pokémon GO. It debuted recently at the Harvest Festival event. However, keep in mind that the chance is not increased.

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Is the Spotlight Hour worth it? Neither Olini nor its evolutions are among the best attackers in Pokémon GO. So, anyone looking for a strong fighter will not find it in Olini.

Shiny hunters who have not yet caught the small Pokémon in its shiny variant might have more luck. With the many spawns in the evening, there is a good opportunity to secure the shiny variant – even if the shiny rate itself is not increased.

And last but not least, it is at least worth grabbing the XP bonus when evolving during this hour. This way, you can collect experience points to improve your XP balance on the way to level 50. However, it’s also clear that there are even more exciting events in Pokémon GO than this Spotlight Hour this month. This includes, for example, the big Buddelei event later this week.

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

37 years ago, a video was supposed to predict our current technology, and it was astonishingly accurate

Gerald Wessel Gerald Wessel Reading time 2 minutes

In 1987, the BBC aired a video on television. It predicted future technologies, and except for a strong love for paper, they were spot on.

What technology does the video predict? It’s a colorful mix that BBC presenter Howard Stableford introduced in a video in 1987. The range includes high-tech clothing, smart biosensors, and a 3D glasses. However, they dramatically underestimated one thing about the future and consistently evolved a purely German phenomenon, a printer/fax machine of the future.

Unlike many other things, the BBC did not foresee spy glasses, but some students nonetheless crafted them. We present the project that aims to highlight the dangers of technology in article form. You can watch the related video directly:

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

Future Tech from the Perspective of 1987

In the course of the video, the following ideas for the technology of tomorrow are presented:

  • A heat-retaining suit
  • Holograms as wearable memories
  • Smart cards to replace paper documents
  • Fingerprints used to open doors
  • A wristwatch that connects to the owner’s computer via satellite
  • A printer in a suitcase to print information on the go and to stay reachable.
  • A biosensor under the tongue with a transmitter that signals a tie to change color in case of emerging illness.
  • A 3D glasses to watch television quietly and privately while on the go
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Not everything exists in exactly this form, but the core ideas can be found today in many gadgets. We have the biosensor under the tongue in a rudimentary form as a bracelet or watch with data display, making the tie as a signaling device unnecessary. Mobile phones are increasingly replacing ID documents, and metal keys are also dispensable thanks to electronic approaches.

And in one aspect, we are all probably glad that screens in all their variety have largely displaced them: Fax machines. Although the portable hybrid of printer and fax in a suitcase is certainly charming, touchscreens on mobile phones are probably a far more efficient form of portable data display and also of communication via text over the internet.

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Artificial intelligence can do a lot as a future technology; it also helps with cheating in state examinations. What a candidate for a university career allegedly tried during an admission test will probably accompany him for a lifetime: Because his cheating attempt with a camera, mobile phone, and AI failed, but the police seem quite impressed.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Titelbild: BBC-Video
  2. Titelbild: Hintergrund