On September 10, Satisfactory left Early Access. What the developers did not expect: The number of concurrent players on Steam has multiplied tenfold.
What kind of game is Satisfactory? The building game sends you to an alien planet where your task is to build a factory. To do this, you collect resources, set up new production sites and transport routes, and continuously expand your factory.
You can watch the official release trailer for the game here:
Start video
Satisfactory: Trailer for Version 1.0 of the Building Game
As you scour the planet for new resources, you will occasionally encounter dangerous wildlife. Exploration and fighting are also part of the game, which you control entirely from a first-person perspective. You can also play alone or in co-op with up to three other players.
Player numbers on Steam soar
How did the launch of version 1.0 go? The official release of the game has led to a significant increase in players: On September 9, Satisfactory recorded about 10,000 concurrent players according to SteamDB, on the launch day of version 1.0 there were already ten times as many.
The developers at Coffee Stain probably did not expect such a huge influx, as revealed by a message from the community manager on X (formerly Twitter):
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“Before this week, our highest CCU on Steam was 34k… I can’t tell you how crazy that is for me. Thank you all!”
At the time of this post, the game had reached a CCU (“concurrent users”) of almost 169,000. On Sunday, September 15, the player numbers, according to SteamDB, further increased, reaching a peak of over 186,000 concurrent players.
The game was in Early Access for 5 years – first for one year exclusively on the Epic Games Store, then also on Steam. Furthermore, the developers have already confirmed that they are working on versions for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Dead Island 2 is another game that has exceeded the expectations of fans and possibly also the developers. In October, players of the zombie shooter will even receive a new game mode as a thank you. You can read more about it here: A once-dead co-op game with zombies gets better than ever, and it’s free
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Sony has presented the PS5 Pro. But what are the differences compared to the regular PS5? MeinMMO presents the differences and similarities to you.
At first glance, the PS5 and PS5 Pro look very similar, as Sony has hardly changed the design at all. But what are the similarities and especially the differences between the PS5 and PS5 Pro? MeinMMO presents all the details and explains what you should keep in mind.
We first published the article on September 12, 2024. On September 17, 2024, we updated the article and added an assessment of the PS5 Pro.
Last updates: 17.09.24, 12.09.24
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: The similarities in detail
Software: Both consoles rely on the same user interface (UI). It is only improved hardware, but not a completely new console generation. If you have gotten used to the PS5 software, you do not need to adapt.
Design and Size: According to the PlayStation blog, the console is supposed to have the same dimensions as the original PS5. The design of the PS5 remains identical, although there are a few black adjustments on the sides.
Controller: The PS5 Pro also relies on the official DualSense controller. The DualSense Edge is also supported. Sony has not introduced a completely new controller with new features for the PS5 Pro. A DualSense controller is included with the PS5 Pro.
Optional Drive:With the Slim version, Sony introduced an optional drive. The Digital Edition can be retrofitted with a drive. The same principle applies to the PS5 Pro: The Pro model is delivered without a drive, but you can retrofit it.
PS Plus: On both the PS5 and the Pro model, you need to subscribe to PS Plus for multiplayer. If you already have a PS Plus subscription, everything remains the same. You can continue using your subscription on the PS5 Pro.
VRR: VRR stands for “Variable Refresh Rate” and aims to provide a more stable image through frame rate optimization. You can already use the feature on the PS5, and it is also expected to be present on the PS5 Pro.
Start video
Sony releases the official reveal trailer for the PS5 Pro
PS5 vs PS5 Pro: The differences in detail
Performance: According to official sources, Sony has significantly increased the performance of the PS5 Pro compared to the standard model. So far, the following is known:
The improved GPU is said to have 67% more compute units than the current PS5.
Rendering is supposed to be overall 45% faster.
Improved ray tracing and AI upscaling are expected to provide better details in certain games and a better frame rate.
The RAM is expected to be up to 28% faster.
PS5 Pro Game Boost: According to Sony, this feature is supposed to stabilize or improve the performance of supported PS4 and PS5 games. Enhanced Image Quality for PS4 games is also available to improve resolution in selected PS4 games.
Price: The biggest difference is for many the price difference: The PS5 Slim cost 549 euros at release, while Sony charged 449.99 euros for the Digital Edition. Sony recently adjusted the price for the PS5.
The PS5 Pro costs 799.99 euros at release without a drive. Compared to the Digital Edition of the PS5 Slim, that is a difference of 350 euros. You can purchase a drive for an additional 119.99 euros.
Bigger Storage:
The first PS5 was delivered with 825 GB of storage, of which about 620 GB could be used.
The PS5 Slim was equipped by Sony with 1 TB of storage, of which about 800 GB can be used.
The PS5 Pro will be delivered with 2 TB of storage. Of this, approximately 150 to 200 GB will likely be occupied by the PS5.
Wifi 7: The regular PS5 still supports Wifi 6, while the new PS5 Pro is supposed to support the new standard Wifi 7. To put it simply: Wifi 7 is significantly more stable than Wifi 6 and supports much higher transmission rates. While Wifi 6 offers a maximum data rate of 9.6 Gbps, Wifi 7 already delivers 46 Gbps. Additionally, there are numerous other improvements.
There is one downside: If you want to use Wifi 7, your router must also support the standard.
PS5 Pro vs. PS5: What is better?
What speaks for the PS5 Pro? With the PS5, you finally get what many wished for from the regular PS5: 4K graphics and stable 60 FPS. In particular, the significantly faster graphics chip of the PS5 Pro is likely to be notable here. No question: The better ray tracing performance and significantly better frame rates clearly speak for Sony’s new console.
With PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), a technique with a lot of potential is also on the horizon. With the PS5 Pro Game Boost and Wifi 7, there are additional features that are likely to provide better performance and faster downloads.
What speaks against the PS5 Pro? The biggest criticism of the PS5 Pro mainly concerns two points:
The missing disc drive on the PS5 Pro.
The very high price of 799.99 euros without any additional accessories.
Additionally, at this point, we still lack reliable data or benchmarks on how much more performance you really get with the PS5 Pro in the end. Primarily, games that require a fast processor are unlikely to benefit from an upgrade to the PS5 Pro. Here you will have to wait until early November 2024.
In the end, whether 799.99 euros for higher performance, the larger storage of 2 TB, and the new software features are really worth it, everyone gamer has to decide for themselves.
More about the PS5: Sony’s console is now over 3 years old. But is it still worth buying a PS5 in 2024? MeinMMO discusses the pros and cons of the Sony console and explains what you should keep in mind if you are considering a purchase: Is it still worth buying a PS5 in 2024?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Spanish Twitch streamer Rubén El Rubius Gundersen (34) will have his own skin series in Fortnite. It looks very good and will arrive in the shop on September 25. Starting September 21, it will be possible to earn it through a tournament. His “US doppelgänger” xQc jokingly says, “They put us in Fortnite.”
Who is he? Rubius is one of the biggest streamers on Twitch. The Spaniard has 15.2 million followers – that’s 3rd place worldwide, after Ninja and Ibai. The special thing is that Rubius is actually a YouTuber, where his channel has over 40 million subscribers. The 34-year-old is a giant in the Spanish-speaking community.
When Rubius streams on Twitch, he currently averages 130,000 viewers over the last 7 days – no one has more right now.
Rubius mostly streams in the Just Chatting category, but he also spent over 100 hours in Fortnite and Minecraft last year.
People like to joke: Rubius is the Spanish version of xQc, the German version would probably be Papaplatte:
Start video
From Overwatch professional to number 1 on Twitch to 100 million $ – Who is xQc?
Rubius will achieve immortality in Fortnite with a great skin series
This is now his skin series: Rubius announced in August that he is planning a collaboration with Fortnite. This weekend, his skin series was introduced as part of the “Icon” series.
It took two years to work on the skins. With the skin, players will be able to change the hair color between dark and blond – additionally, it will be possible to remove the sunglasses.
In addition, Rubius will get his cat, Wilson, as a backpack with additional features.
The streamer is excited about his representation in Fortnite; he says he never even dared to dream of something like this.
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Overall, the package is supposed to be available starting September 25 for 2,400 V-Bucks. There will also be a chance to earn the set starting September 21 in a special cup.
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Who else is excited? The US streamer xQc has been having fun for years saying he looks quite similar to Rubius and passes as his “doppelgänger”.
In response to the news that Rubius is in Fortnite, xQc shouted (via twitter), “They put us in the game!”
Rubius had fun with this and replied, “We made it.” xQc and Rubius almost clashed when celebrity boxing was so popular on Twitch. They both considered whether they should maybe punch each other in the face in front of an audience: 1.5 million watch boxing on Twitch – Now xQc wants to beat someone up too
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Fortnite, the new update was activated today, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. You can find all the information about Patch 31.20 here.
What happens when the server is down? The servers are shut down. During this time, you cannot play Fortnite.
Server down in Fortnite – from when? The servers were shut down on September 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Matchmaking was disabled 30 minutes prior.
When can I play Fortnite again? The servers are now active again.
When will patch notes be available? Epic Games now only sporadically releases patch notes for updates, generally after the downtime. As soon as they are available, we will present them here.
What’s included in Update 31.20? Some information has already been released. This includes new content related to the “Doomsday mode”, the new Iron Man skin, and a significant update for LEGO Fortnite. You can find all known information further down.
[toc]
Start video
Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 4 – Official Trailer to Absolute Doom
Server Down on 17.09.2024 in Fortnite Live Ticker – You Can Play Again!
Tuesday, 17.09.2024
11:40 AM
Fortnite Servers Back Online
After just one hour and 40 minutes, the game is back. You can now start new rounds in Fortnite!
Further down, you will find the content of the new update!
10:45 AM
Fortnite Server Not Responding
The update is loaded, but entering the game is still not possible as maintenance continues.
10:10 AM
Size of Update 31.20 for Fortnite
The update can now be downloaded. For PS5, the update size is 11.595 GB. On PC, it is 7.93 GB.
10:00 AM
Fortnite Server No Longer Accessible
The maintenance starts now, so you can no longer enter the game.
09:45 AM
Leaks for Fortnite Update 31.20
While we wait for the update, we also look at leaks for the current update. The well-known leaker Hypex shared some content that we might expect. This includes Iron Man’s weapons as mythic items in Battle Royale mode. You can see his post here:
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The matchmaking in Fortnite is now being ended. Therefore, you cannot currently start any matches. Completely, the servers will be shut down at 10:00 AM.
Content of Update 31.20 – Doomsday and Iron Man Skin in Fortnite
New Mode: The “Doom Day” mode starts in Fortnite. It is a limited-time mode for 32 players.
Here, two teams fight against each other: Doom’s minions versus the allies of the Avengers.
Doom’s minions try to collect six artifacts. Once collected, the opponents can no longer respawn – and then all must be defeated.
The Avengers friends, on the other hand, try to defeat Doom’s minions as quickly as possible. Doom’s villains have a high but limited number of respawns available. Once exhausted, the Avengers win.
New Iron Man Skin: It has been a long time since Iron Man was available in Fortnite. Now, Fortnite has introduced a new Iron Man skin. It is likely to appear in the shop.
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What’s included: The “Lost Islands” will be introduced in LEGO Fortnite. In this, you can explore new environments and experience fresh adventures.
The highlight: The Klombos return, which used to roam in Battle Royale and have been missing since then. The Lego variant serves as your new mount.
Lego-Klombo in Fortnite
However, there are also new enemies – the Golems.
Important new weapons will include:
Pirate Musket
Stone Pistol
Blast Shield
Throwing Spears
Explorer Machete
Push Shield
In addition, you can now use the Rune Forge to upgrade your gear. Additionally, further content such as buildings, toys, vehicles, and more will be added.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The developers of Star Citizen have introduced yet another costly means of transportation, which is facing a lot of criticism within the community due to its high price.
What kind of cargo robot is this? The ATLS from Argo Astronautics is a power suit for one person, reminiscent of the legendary cargo robot from Aliens – The Return of 1986, in which Ripley faces the Alien Queen. In Star Citizen, you can now also indulge in such a walker to transport heavy cargo boxes without assistance.
Here is the trailer for Alpha Patch 3.24 and the new cargo features of Star Citizen:
Start video
Star Citizen: Everything is better with your own hangar – Trailer presents features of patch 3.24
Expensive fun for a single purpose
How much does the ATLS cost? The cargo robot comes in two versions. The cheaper variant costs 38.73 euros and is equipped with a lifetime insurance. If you invest 44.27 euros, you will receive the ATLS with a six-month insurance.
According to our reader Mortiferus, you can purchase the more expensive version with store credits obtained by melting down other ships, which is not possible with the cheaper ATLS (thank you for the tip!). Additionally, if you wish, you can also spend up to 12.23 euros on alternative ATLS skins. The cheaper model is said to already include an alternative skin.
For comparison: Star Citizen and the starter package Aurora MR currently cost 49.80 euros, so just a little more. This strange price ratio is not well received by parts of the community.
The new ATLS in a short introduction trailer:
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How is the community reacting to this? There are already several posts in both the official Star Citizen forum and on Reddit discussing the price of the ATLS. The biggest point of criticism from many players: The developers are taking a useful tool out of the game to monetize it.
uwango writes in his post on Reddit: “The difference between the ATLS and other LTI tokens is that this is a necessary tool that players must use to keep a central gameplay loop from becoming boring. They weakened tractor beams, created a problem, and are selling the solution.”
WhereinTexas warns (via Reddit): “When I read other descriptions about ATLS, I am convinced that no one should buy an ATLS, and that it is indeed pure greed.”
StephenB summarizes (via robertsspaceindustries.com): “First of all, ATLS costs almost as much as an Aurora. So how does this pricing work? Here is a fully functional ship with weapons, quantum drive, life support systems, and a variety of other components that altogether cost about as much as a cargo robot with a tractor beam. Secondly, you nerfed the max lift so that at least 2 players are needed to transport cargo. This is just to give the ATLS a reason to be sold.”
TrevJenn has several solutions, here is one possible (via robertsspaceindustries.com): “Equip all handheld tractor beams with the updated ATLS tractor beam firing mode while maintaining the respective size limitations.”
How do you evaluate the new offering for Star Citizen and the criticism from the community? Let us know in the comments!
What’s next? Star Citizen is approaching the next milestone. The launch of Alpha 4.0 is planned for the third quarter of 2024, which is expected to bring a new star system (with six planets and moons each) along with Pyro.
Although it is still not known exactly when Monster Hunter Wilds will be released, many people have added the game to their wishlist on Steam in recent weeks and months. So many that only one other game has excited more.
How sought after is Monster Hunter Wilds? On Steam, every player has a wishlist on which they can put games and products that they find interesting. A particularly large number of players have added Monster Hunter Wilds to their wishlist in recent weeks. Just in January of this year, the game was not in the top 10.
Although the game does not have a specific date and cannot be purchased yet, the new installment of the series is now in second place among the most wished-for games on Steam, when not filtered by language.
Here you can see a current video of Monster Hunter Wilds from gamescom 2024:
Start video
gamescom 2024: Monster Hunter Wilds delights with monster action
A Metroidvania sits on the throne
What does the ranking look like? On Steam, Monster Hunter Wilds has recently surpassed several other games. One of them is Black Myth: Wukong, which dropped off the list due to its release in August 2024.
Only Hollow Knight: Silksong is ahead of Monster Hunter Wilds on more players’ wishlists. Hollow Knight: Silksong is the sequel to a popular indie title. Fans have been waiting a long time for the game, and therefore had plenty of time to add it to their wishlist. There is rarely any new information from the developers about the status of the sequel.
The Metroidvania is considered an absolute cult hit, and fans have been waiting for years for the second part after Hollow Knight became a huge success. The game still does not have a release date, and at the gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, there was no new trailer to see.
Here you can see the presentation from gamescom:
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Why is Monster Hunter Wilds now in second place? The Monster Hunter brand is extremely popular among fans. While the series was previously exclusive to consoles, with Monster Hunter: World in 2018, it was the first time a part was available on Steam.
Since then, the series has increasingly found its way into the hearts of players. However, at gamescom 2024, the developers showcased a significant amount of gameplay, sparking a new hype for the game.
Even though the new installment is not expected to be released until sometime next year, fans are already interested in the gameplay elements. The choice of weapons is especially important: Monster Hunter Wilds: All 14 weapons at a glance
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
With Vessel of Hatred, Diablo 4 receives its 1st expansion and introduces a new class that has never existed in Diablo before. How well it will be received remains to be seen – as the Spiritborn faces stiff competition. Classes from the past are still highly valued.
The gameplay feels a bit like a mix of Druid, Amazon, and Monk with a touch of Witch Doctor.
The new class appears as one of the major features of the first expansion. Here you can find all the information about the content and release of Vessel of Hatred.
For many players, a new season is a reason to try a new class. With Season 6, the Spiritborn would be a natural choice, at least if you own Vessel of Hatred. However, the top comments are expressing a very different opinion:
The top comment definitely chooses the Monk: “No reason to play anything else.”
Another user suggests that Crusader and Witch Doctor are much better.
And a third player is still very attached to their Amazon.
Although the Monk has become a running joke, as the Spiritborn closely resembles the class from Diablo 3, the heroes from previous installments are still on players’ minds. Despite the fascination with the Spiritborn, the desire for old classes continues.
Such a class at least existed in Diablo 2, Diablo 3, and Diablo Immortal with the Paladin and the Crusader.
Instead, Blizzard announced and created a completely new class in Diablo with the Spiritborn, even though the playstyle feels like an amalgam of all previous classes. However, this is not the first new class in the franchise in recent times:
Will GTA 6 really be released in 2025? A former employee believes that this is not so important – and that the developers would rather make a finished game.
There are games that have left a lasting impact on the gaming landscape. Few games have done so to the extent of the GTA series. Accordingly, the next title in the series, GTA VI, is highly anticipated.
The release date is currently set for 2025. However, an expert is confident: Rockstar will delay the release if the game does not function to their complete satisfaction, and this is not a threat at all.
Start video
Rockstar Games shows GTA 6 for the first time in the trailer
Who is speaking? Obbe Vermeij spoke up on X.com, having worked for Rockstar North 15 years ago. Although he insists that he has “no insider information” and has “not spoken to anyone,” he seems quite confident in his assessment of the future of GTA VI.
What does Vermeij say? Vermeij is quite sure that the release window for GTA VI is only a preliminary estimate and that it could still change without being a disadvantage for the game. This was also the case with GTA 4:
The decision to delay GTA IV was made 4 months before the original release date. At an earlier stage, it is difficult to commit to that. Rockstar is probably not in a position to determine whether they can achieve a 2025 release until around May.
Any potential delay of the new GTA – perhaps to 2026 or later – is seen by Vermeij as completely unproblematic, as GTA VI will likely run without competition and does not have to worry at all:
GTA VI will sell for more than 10 years, and there is no competition to be concerned about.
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This would, in turn, mean that GTA will only be released when it is truly complete and the developers are satisfied with it. An early release with many significant bug fixes, as seen in recent releases, seems rather unlikely:
They will not release the game until they are 100% happy with it. No matter what they said in the trailer.
Take 2, the publisher behind Rockstar, would also not pose a threat in pushing for an early release, as they “let [Rockstar] make their own decisions,” and Vermeij sees “no reasons why that should change now.”
Whether it will actually happen as the former Rockstar employee says will only be revealed with time. However, looking at the past of the last GTA games, it seems more likely that the developers will take their time and not insist on a release date if that would lead to compromises in quality. There are already some rumors about a delay.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Space Marine 2, players have all sorts of questions for the developers. One of the heads is now facing the fans and surprisingly responding.
Who is being asked? Oliver Hollis-Leick is the “Creative Director” of Space Marine 2 and was mainly responsible for the characters during the development of the game. Over the weekend, he wrote a post on X.com, inviting players to ask him questions about the story and the characters.
Shortly thereafter, the post resembles a barrage of questions from fans who want not only more information about the story and the characters but also about the future of the game. The head of the game surprisingly also responds to these.
In the following video, you will learn how to activate the coop mode and crossplay:
Start video
Space Marine 2: So aktiviert ihr Koop und Crossplay
More than 3 characters would be cool
What interesting things does he reveal? On X.com, user @camdle1 asks him if there will also be large maps in the future where players can fight against hordes of enemies. He also wants to know if PvE will ever support more than 3 players, perhaps 6 or 9, when there are large maps.
Oliver Hollis-Leick finds the idea on X.com cool, but: “A SM2 game mode in the style of Battlefield would certainly be a sight to behold, but I think it would be a completely different game. It would require a whole new set of balancing rules to make it work and feel satisfying. Resource-intensive, to say the least. At the moment, there are no plans for that.”
However, the user is not satisfied with the developer’s answer and responds: “I enjoyed the last part of the campaign, […], and it was truly epic. Will we see something like that in the PvE mode too? I also saw a cutscene of a big battle against the Lord of Change, and I think if that were in the PvE mode with 9 players.”
But the head of Space Marine 2 will not be persuaded. He explains that a roadmap for the next 18 months is already known and that they need to see what is possible beyond that. However, he promises: “This will be a long journey with a lot of potential.”
What else does he talk about? The developer’s comment on further story expansions was also interesting. These will come, but details are still secret.
As for optimizing the game and “Quality of Life” features, he is not opposed. These include a slider for adjusting the field of view, different sensitivity settings with and without sights, and multiple keybinds.
Many people from Gen Z are turning away from studying and are looking for a regular job. This is because some have realized that a long education is not for them.
But instead of studying and looking for top positions, there is now a shift among the first of Generation Z: Many are now seeking employment, and there are good reasons for this.
Start video
In Germany, there are over 400 USB sticks protruding from walls – What is the ‘Dead Drops’ project?
In several interviews with CNBC, young people explained that they have turned away from college and are instead looking for a real job. The individuals interviewed mention jobs such as mechanic, landscaper, or cleaning specialist. Many are particularly seeking jobs in fields where there is currently a desperate need for new talent.
Fear of high debts and anxiety about artificial intelligence
What reasons are there for this shift? Primarily, two causes or reasons are mentioned as to why many from Generation Z are hanging up their studies to work. This is reported by the online site 3Djuegos.com:
On one hand, many respondents cite the high costs of studying, which they would later have to repay. Because 4 to 5 years of education in the USA are very expensive, and it can take decades to pay off a student loan. This causes many to feel dependent on their parents or the loan payments.
The fear of AI drives Gen Z from university to craftsmanship
On the other hand, some cite the fear of being replaced by AI in their jobs as a reason to seek a down-to-earth job. An IT degree or generally a technical field of study is becoming significantly less attractive with such fears. This is also a reason why many people are now turning to jobs that have long been considered unattractive but are now experiencing a renaissance.
Prices and costs play a significant role in the current generation. Because Generation Z is the generation that, compared to other groups, faces the highest prices for basic necessities, the highest housing costs, and the most debt. And the negative consequences are expected to have a much more substantial impact than the global financial crisis of the late 2000s: Experts believe: Generation Z is struggling because they spent a lot of money at the wrong time
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Anyone who has dealt with the customer service of World of Warcraft in recent years could be glad if they weren’t just met with an automated response. But there are still Game Masters and support staff who can bring back a hint of the charm from the old days.
Who needed help from Blizzard’s customer service? The WoW fan YoloLifeSaving wanted to restore the two daggers Fear and Vengeance in order to complete the legendary quest line associated with the blades for rogues.
The first four requests were answered by Blizzard’s customer service with automated texts that hardly had anything to do with the topic. Anyone who had to contact WoW support in recent years can definitely relate to the player’s frustration over such standard responses – because that has become more of a rule than an exception.
WoW has often been declared dead – here are some examples:
Start video
3 times World of Warcraft was declared dead
Community celebrates GM
How has Blizzard’s customer service proven itself? Finally, on the fifth ticket, YoloLifeSaving ended up with Game Master “Oyomeunwot”, and their response reminded of better times (via Reddit). The greeting itself radiated the appreciation that was once the standard for GMs:
“Greetings, legendary hero! I am Game Master Oyomeunwot. I was summoned for the quest to assist a very valuable player from Blizzard’s universe with a quest. Let’s get started.”
In the next section, the Blizzard employee briefly summarizes what the player’s problem is and that it would be easy for Oyomeunwot to resolve this hurdle.
“Aaaaaaand done! I can make an exception just for you so you can add the items to your character. Get them from the mailbox, and then you can easily continue mastering the quest.”
The cherry on top, in addition to the numerous emotes and special characters, is the Game Master’s farewell: “As a small side note, I want to tell you that we are grateful that you are a part of our universe. I wish you a fantastic time and exciting, thrilling adventures!”
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“They used to all be like that. That was part of the charm”
How does the community react? The 2,118 upvotes and 280 comments indicate that the GM’s response struck a chord. This becomes even more evident through the concrete reactions:
Xenavire writes (via Reddit): “A GM who doesn’t care about being seen as cringe just rides their own wave. That is really nice to see.”
Is_Unable remembers (via Reddit): “They used to all be like that. That was part of the charm.”
Character_Writer779 feels the wave of nostalgia as well (via Reddit): “Is this GM a time traveler? This reads like old GM support when real people used to do this job.”
However, there are also a number of Reddit users who are sure that there is an AI behind this message that has simply been well-trained. TheOffensiveSparrow even writes (via Reddit) that they received a similar response from another GM.
Start video
Blizzard bans the man who ruined WoW Hardcore
How was WoW customer service in the good old days? When player numbers for WoW skyrocketed in the early years, Blizzard invested a lot of money to build large support teams at various locations. For Germany, the team in Versailles, France was responsible for a long time. Many of the support staff and Game Masters were passionate WoW fans.
That the support staff were WoW fans was evident in direct contact with customer service. The friendliness and enthusiasm that resonates in Oyomeunwot’s response was standard. Moreover, the employees were also happy to come up with little ideas to brighten the customer’s day.
In one case, a Game Master came up with an entertaining role-play context to free a character from a dungeon (via Reddit). In a second case, a character that had to die due to a nasty bug was placed far away from the coast of Stranglethorn Vale – how delightfully mean (via Reddit).
Heartwarming is the story of the WoW player lyncati, who was wonderfully welcomed back to WoW by a Game Master after some misfortunes (via imgur.com). Occasionally, Blizzard employees also passed on small gifts, such as a pet or 30 days of game time (via imgur.com). Or they would tell humorous jokes at farewell.
What has changed? Due to declining player numbers and long (and thus expensive) development phases of other Blizzard titles, the Activision leadership eventually set a course for cost-cutting for Blizzard. Various waves of layoffs repeatedly affected support. The Versailles location was shut down in 2020 – a heavy blow for the European WoW community.
The acquisition by Microsoft unfortunately did not bring the hoped-for improvement of the situation, but rather further extensive layoffs – almost 2,000 employees had to go. In January 2024, it was also reported that a large part of the remaining customer support had been eliminated to outsource customer service to external companies. Microsoft lays off 1,900 employees in the gaming sector: “Painful decision”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Even before EA FC 25 was released, the launch of the Web App was on the agenda. Just like the Companion App for iOS and Android. You can find all the information about the launch of the apps here.
What is the FC 25 Web App? The Web App has been a staple tool for players to build their Ultimate Team for years. It is a browser app where you cannot play matches in FC 25, but you can build your team, solve SBCs, or sign new players.
EA FC 25 Web App Release: Start Date, Time, and Access
Update from 09/17/2024 (4:40 PM): We have updated the article with the official release date of the Web App. After pitch notes for the Ultimate Team launch update mistakenly mentioned Thursday, September 19 as the start for the Web App, EA has corrected it. It will now be released earlier.
EA FC 25 Web App Release Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The release time might be around 7:00 PM.
Keep in mind that the release of the Web App can be quite chaotic and the servers may be overloaded. This could mean later access for you. This has always been the case in previous years.
When does the Companion App for EA Sports FC 25 start? The Companion App for iOS and Android will be released one day after the Web App.
EA FC 25 Companion App Release Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024.
New FC 25 shows cover star Bellingham and other professionals on rainy football field in the new reveal trailer
Who can access the FC 25 Web App? The “Web App” login before the FC 25 release is only available for returning players who already had an account in FC 24 Ultimate Team. Additionally, the account must be “unblemished”.
Is there a download required? You do not need to download the Web App. It can simply be accessed in the browser once it is available.
It’s different with the FC 25 Companion App. Here a download is required. If you already have the app, you can update it at the release of the new version.
Can I use the Web App without FC 25? For now, yes. If the above conditions are met, you can use the app even without the game and before the actual release of FC 25. However, in the past, this access without the full game was limited to a few months. In the case of FC 24, you had to log into Ultimate Team at least once after December 31, 2023, to continue using it. It is conceivable that this will also be the case with FC 25.
This is what the FC 25 Web App brings: Both apps can be used to manage your Ultimate Team.
So far, features included:
Setup and tactic settings of the teams
Solving Squad Building Challenges
Using items like contracts
Choosing cosmetics
Using the transfer market
Viewing TOTW
Redeeming rewards from modes like Squad Battles, Weekend League, and Division Rivals
Completing objectives
Buying packs in the store
Essentially, the FC 25 Web App allows you to build your team even before the full game is released.
However, even after the release, the Web App is practical as it allows you to trade, change your lineup, and solve SBCs while you are not sitting in front of the big screen. And if you want to know which players you probably shouldn’t buy with the Web App, then check this out: 5 well-known players who will likely be significantly slower in the new FC 25
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Italian police have arrested 9 fraudsters who were trading in retro games on a large scale. It involves almost 50 million euros.
Retro games of all kinds are experiencing a kind of renaissance, and many people want to play the old titles from long ago. Now, the Italian police have arrested a group of fraudsters who were trading retro games on a large scale. It involves 12,000 consoles and nearly 50 million euros.
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Thousands of consoles with pirated games without an official license
What was discovered? The Italian police uncovered a trade in retro games valued at approximately 47.5 million euros, and now nine pirates face up to eight years in prison (via gamesradar.com):
Around 12,000 consoles, on which more than 47 million pirated video games were illegally stored, were seized, with an estimated value of more than 47.5 million euros.
Alessandro Langella, head of the Turin division for economic crime
According to investigators, this involves “fake video game consoles from China,” which were supposed to be sold later on Amazon. These are the devices that usually have thousands of ROMs pre-installed, but are not officially legal.
In total, this is said to be about 47.5 million euros: This estimate includes both the value of the consoles themselves and the theoretical licensing costs for the games that the individuals did not pay.
Additionally, the police stated that the consoles did not meet European technical and safety standards and therefore should not have been sold on the European market at all.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 there are ten different characters you can recruit on your journey. Unfortunately, Alfira, a tiefling bard, is not one of them, even though many fans have taken her to heart. However, one player managed to achieve the seemingly impossible and explains how you can still get Alfira as a companion.
Who is Alfira? Alfira is a tiefling bard with purple hair. Early in the game, you can meet her in the Emerald Grove, where she is working on her song at one end. If you play your cards right, Alfira may even teach you how to play as a bard yourself – regardless of your own class.
The bard is so charming all the time that many players wish they could recruit her as a traveling companion.
So far, Alfira is not an official companion.
A romance with Alfira is also not possible, as this can only occur with companions.
Warning Spoiler: The article contains spoilers regarding Alfira and the “Dark Urge” character.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 is 1 year old and to celebrate the creators share your dirty secrets
The Long Procedure – How to Get Alfira
Even though you can’t officially get Alfira as a companion, there is a trick to have her in your team.
Who can get Alfira? For the trick to work, you must play as the “Dark Urge” character. Only then will you get the chance to invite Alfira (temporarily) to your camp.
How to get Alfira? To get Alfira as a companion, several steps must be followed. cenalexis_01 explains in a Reddit post how he managed:
Do not take a long rest
Complete Act 1, Goblins vs. Emerald Grove
Go to the Adamantine Forge
Have Alfira join the camp (make sure you have enough space for her in your party), kill the Dark Urge character and stash him away. The player says he did this with a Tav in multiplayer and has no idea if it works with other companions as well.
Go to the “Inn at Last Light” and talk to Alfira, who is sitting in her chair there, talk to her and receive her quest: Save the tieflings in the “Towers of Moonrise” (still no long rest)
Receive the robe as a reward
Kill Alfira and stash her away
Take long rests until Quill comes to your camp (since the scene was delayed and not skipped, she will appear), kill Quill and rest again until Sceleritas Fel appears and gives you the cloak
Revive Alfira with Withers
The result of the procedure is shown here, Alfira is now in your party:
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In the comments of the Reddit post, players joke about how unnecessarily complicated this method is:
“It’s overly complicated, unnecessary, and totally nonsensical. Or in short: I love it!” (Dimirosch via Reddit)
At the same time, some speculate whether there might soon be an official way to get Alfira as a companion:
“It will be a comical cat-and-mouse game with Larian until they finally give in and let us recruit Alfira, just like with Minthara.” (geologean via Reddit)
“The method will be perfected in the coming weeks, and then there will be a patch with an official, much simpler way to recruit her. We call this the Minthara theory.” (AtlasFlynn via Reddit)
Whether Alfira will actually become an officially playable companion at some point remains to be seen. There has been no official information from the developer “Larian Studios” yet.
In Pokémon GO there are monsters in many variants that trainers can collect. A trainer showcases his impressive collection, which took him 2 years to build.
Pokémon GO offers goals for every trainer that they can set for themselves, which they can work towards and that can motivate them in the medium or long term.
While some trainers focus on battling and continuously build better teams for raids, the battle league, or the new Dynamax battles, other trainers are more interested in collecting.
Thus, it is also the case for a trainer who is now showcasing his impressive collection on Reddit. And it could make many collectors envious.
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Dynamax in Pokémon Go – How to participate in the gigantic battles
The perfect Kanto Dex
What kind of collection is this? The trainer managed to build the perfect Kanto Dex. He has not only caught all Pokémon from the Kanto region but has also built the perfect Living Dex from them.
Living Dex means that he possesses all potential evolutions of a Pokémon and not just the last one. But what is truly impressive about his Pokédex is that all Pokémon fulfill the following criteria:
Every Pokémon is shiny
They are all lucky Pokémon
All are “Best Buddy”
We embed the Reddit post here for you:
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What’s so difficult about it? Building a Living Dex on your own is not a big hurdle. However, owning each of these monsters as both shiny and lucky Pokémon cannot be done without external help.
You can only obtain a lucky Pokémon with a lucky trade. Therefore, the Reddit trainer relied on the help of other trainers to obtain lucky Pokémon. These also had to be shiny.
As the trainer himself states, he traded with 54 different trainers to acquire the Pokémon.
Furthermore, all his Pokémon are also “Best Buddies.” To reach this status with one of your monsters, you need to earn 300 hearts through various actions with the Pokémon. This can take some time.
What details does the trainer provide? As the trainer mentions in his post, he used the Pokémon GO Plus+ as a tool. Additionally, he walks between 6 to 8 miles every day and drives a forklift, which allowed him to earn some hearts for his Pokémon.
He also mentions why the Mew in his collection is not a lucky Pokémon. This is because Mew is a mythical Pokémon and, therefore, cannot be traded.
To complete his collection, he claims to have needed over 2 years. He started in the summer of 2022.
If you are also working to complete your own collection goals in Pokémon GO, it can always be helpful to utilize suitable events that can assist you. So, feel free to take a look at our overview of the upcoming events in September 2024 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Robert Downey Jr. will soon celebrate his return to the MCU. After Iron Man, he is already taking on his second role in this universe. But he is not the only actor who has played more than one character in Marvel-movies.
Who does Robert Downey Jr. play? His first big role for Marvel hardly needs an introduction. It is of course Iron Man, a character that Downey Jr. has portrayed since the first film in 2008, in two more solo films and other features like the ensemble movies, such as Avengers: End Game.
With this role, which saved his career, the actor secured a permanent place in the MCU and also in the minds of Marvel fans. Thus, some were all the more surprised when it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would soon be seen in a new role.
In the films Avengers 5 (Doomsday) and 6 (Secret Wars), which will be released in 2026 and 2027, the actor plays Doctor Doom. The character is one of the oldest Marvel villains and was created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. On MeinMMO, you can find 5 reasons why Doctor Doom is scarier than Thanos.
So, it is important to disregard Downey Jr. and his Iron Man when he soon appears as a new character in the MCU. However, this is not the first time this has happened. Another well-known actor has already played two roles for Marvel.
Start video
German trailer for the Marvel movie „Avengers 4: Endgame“
The greatest villain and Deadpool’s nemesis
Which actor are we talking about? Similar to Iron Man, the great antagonist Thanos is likely etched into the minds of fans. He is played by Josh Brolin, another actor who has worked for Marvel a second time.
In addition to his appearances in the Avengers films with destructive finger snaps, Brolin also appeared in Deadpool 2. There he played Cable, a character from the X-Men comics and acts as an opponent to Deadpool in the film before they team up for a brief period.
Strictly speaking, Deadpool 2 was not an integral part of the MCU, yet fans know the faces of their favorite characters, which can lead to some confusion in certain cases. In the end, however, the performance counts, which can sometimes disguise the fact that the same actor is at work here again.
Are there more actors who appear multiple times? Yes, there are. In addition to Downey Jr. and Brolin, there are a handful of actors who also play multiple roles. However, these are usually much smaller. Chris Evans played ‘The Human Torch’ in The Fantastic Four in addition to Captain America, and Michelle Yeoh portrayed characters in Guardians of the Galaxy and Shang-Chi.
Does multiple casting like in these cases bother you? Or do you even look forward to seeing certain actors in various roles within the same universe? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments. By the way, Robert Downey Jr. will no longer be seen as Iron Man: Marvel CEO explains why Robert Downey Jr. will never return as Iron Man.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
At the start of the new season, Blizzard is making significant adjustments to the classes in World of Warcraft. There are plenty of buffs and nerfs.
The first season of The War Within is already underway, even though the “official” launch will be tomorrow, September 18, 2024. The “mythic keystone dungeons”, i.e., M+, will open then. The mythic raid will begin as well, and the World First Race for the first kill of Queen Ansurek will start – even though some pros are already actively exploiting.
However, the last few days have shown that the balancing is not as optimal as Blizzard would like. Therefore, there are numerous changes that will be implemented during maintenance. We will inform you who the winners and losers are.
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WoW: The War Within – Forces Within
What are the main changes? For most classes, there are at least minor adjustments, so it’s worth taking a look at the patch notes. The most important new features include:
The San’layn Death Knight is significantly improved, with many talents dealing more damage or granting more strength.
The Havoc Demon Hunter is improved because a bug with Eye Beam was fixed that drastically reduced damage.
Balance Druids deal 6% more damage.
Restoration Druids summon 8% more healing.
Fire Mages deal 6% more damage, and their Living Bomb is massively strengthened.
Arcane Mages suffer damage reduction in many spells.
Shadow Priests deal 6% more damage but suffer a reduction in area damage.
Demonology and Destruction Warlocks deal more damage, and their spells are drastically enhanced.
Fury Warriors suffer massive nerfs; Arms Warriors experience a reduction in the effectiveness of Bladestorm.
Why is Blizzard doing this? The first weeks of a new season are often somewhat uncontrolled. There are classes that deal much more damage than expected and others that fall significantly behind. Blizzard generally tries to fix these issues before the start of the mythic raid – as is the case here. This aims to ensure that the start of the World First Race and the “Mythic+” season goes smoothly.
What do you think about these changes? Are they sensible and justified? Or do you feel your class has been hit too hard again while another class is even getting buffed? Let us know in the comments.
If you’re interested in all the adjustments, you can find the complete patch notes on the next page.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Pokémon GO, the next Spotlight Hour is coming up. Woingenau and an XP bonus are waiting for you.
What kind of event is this? The Spotlight Hour is a weekly recurring event. Here, you will encounter a Pokémon that is in the spotlight and appears in very high numbers.
You can also look forward to a bonus that is active during the event.
In the upcoming Spotlight Hour, which takes place on September 17, 2024, Woingenau will be waiting for you. This Psychic-type Pokémon is from the 2nd generation and is the evolution of Isso.
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Spotlight Hour on September 16 – Start and Bonuses
When does the Spotlight Hour start? The Spotlight Hour starts at 6:00 PM as usual. After an hour, it ends at 7:00 PM.
What bonuses are active? This time there will be a bonus for catching Pokémon. You will receive double the amount of experience points. It does not matter which Pokémon you catch.
Can you catch Shiny Woingenau? Yes, with a bit of luck, you can also encounter and catch the Shiny variant of Woingenau.
Is the Spotlight Hour worth it? If you’re planning to use Woingenau as an attacker for your raid teams, you will be disappointed. Woingenau is not one of the strongest attackers in Pokémon GO.
In the battle leagues, it’s no different. Here, you should avoid Woingenau and rather take other Pokémon.
If you want to gather some extra experience points, the event could be worth it for you. With the bonus and the high number of Pokémon spawns, it could be beneficial for you. If you also use a Lucky Egg, you can look forward to even more experience points.
The Spotlight Hour is just one of the events and activities waiting for you in the game this month. If you want to know what else is coming up in the following weeks, take a look at our overview of events in September 2024 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
On the set of Star Trek, there was a conflict between lead actor Patrick Stewart and the production. The reason for this was the pet of protagonist Captain Picard in the series.
What pet are we talking about? It sounds trivial, but in the complex world of Star Trek, a single fish can become a problem. Viewers of The Next Generation, the series with Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard, may have noticed that the main character has a fish as a pet.
The fish is named Livingston and belongs to the species of red lionfish. The fact that his character keeps a pet enraged Patrick Stewart very much.
What was the problem? The issue was actually quite simple: Patrick Stewart took his role and the universe of Star Trek very seriously, even though he initially had little idea about it. Therefore, he knew that values such as diversity, equality, and mutual respect were very important.
These values were preached in the numerous episodes of the series and were considered fundamental principles. Stewart did not understand why his character should have a pet – that is, an animal in captivity.
Stewart’s acting colleague Ronny Cox, who played Admiral Jellico, shared this anecdote during an interview in 2022 and said:
Patrick Stewart always hated the fish in the prep room. He said, “We’re making a series about the dignity of all beings in the universe, and we’re keeping a fish trapped in the prep room?”
Aside from Stewart’s role, the actor is also an advocate for animal rights outside of his work environment. He has participated in various awareness campaigns and received the “Pit Bull Advocate & Protector Award” for his commitment in 2021. This award recognized his efforts to protect pit bulls.
What happened to the fish? Patrick Stewart protested to the production about the use of the fish on set. For a long time, the protest went unheard. Only with season 6 did Livingston disappear from the series. May he live on, long and in peace. Stewart could, however, soon return to Star Trek: A new script is in the works – Could this mean the return of “Captain Picard”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
An American really wanted to have a yacht. Since he couldn’t afford the price, he built the yacht in his own garden.
Who is it about? Clyde Stires is an American who learned to handle cutting tools from his father at a young age.
With this knowledge as a foundation, he began to teach himself how to repair and build everyday items like toys. Years later, he used his extensive knowledge to realize a special dream: He built his own yacht. Spanish colleagues report this at Xataka.com.
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American builds his ship in the garden because he needed sunny weather for the construction
Why did he build a yacht? Stires had bought his first boat years ago and wanted to go back to the sea. But that brought a problem: He couldn’t afford a yacht because they were unaffordable in the USA.
Instead, he took matters into his own hands. For the construction, he chose a city with a dry and sunny climate. Because moisture would only have delayed or even damaged the construction of his ship. He ended up in Perris, California.
After several sketches, calculations, and miniature versions, he got to work on building his yacht in 1987. His years of experience with building motor tricycles and converting a double-decker bus into a mobile home helped him. He worked on his yacht until 1994 when it was finally finished.
But then came the next problem: He had to somehow transport the ship to the sea. Because there was no sea in his city. For transport, he disassembled the yacht into its components and transported it to the sea. There, it was reassembled and named “Kaleidoscope.”
Stolen by a cartel and then sold to a charter company
What happened to the yacht? In his interview, Stires explained that his yacht was “stolen by a cartel” in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico).
Authorities did manage to recover the ship after great efforts. However, the process of returning the ship to the USA turned out to be so complicated and expensive that he ultimately had to sell the ship.
Meanwhile, the ship belongs to a yacht charter company, where it is used for private trips. The new owner also calls it the “limousine of the sea” and uses it for private outings or celebrations.
