In the seriesThe Rings of Power, two well-known and powerful characters from Tolkien’s universe undergo various changes. This may not seem severe at first glance, but it could have significant impacts on Middle-earth.
Which characters are involved? Galadriel and Elrond are certainly among the most powerful characters in Middle-earth. Both belong to the race of Elves and possessed one of the powerful rings.
In Peter Jackson’s films, which deal directly with the book adaptation The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Galadriel is portrayed by Cate Blanchett. Elrond, on the other hand, is played by Hugo Weaving, who himself is not interested in the new series.
In the series The Rings of Power by Amazon, we see significantly younger versions of the two characters. They are played here by Morfydd Clark and Robert Aramayo.
And although it is not a bad thing that the series is taking its own path and not slavishly adhering to Jackson’s film universe, it does take liberties when it comes to Tolkien’s source material. This leads to the point where the balance of Middle-earth is at risk.
The Rings of Power Season 2 – SDCC Trailer for the Latest Season of the Amazon Series
Galadriel and Elrond are different from what you know
Where are the differences? Fans of the books may have furrowed their brows while watching the series. Especially regarding the relationship between Galadriel and Elrond, The Rings of Power makes several changes.
In the series, Galadriel is not yet the exalted and mystical Elf as portrayed by Cate Blanchett. She is younger, a ruthless warrior, and driven by revenge.
Their relationship is marked by conflicts. And this is exactly where the problem lies: The conflictual confrontations between the two may be exciting and dramatic – but they do not belong to the source material.
Elrond loses significance as a character and is mainly there to bear conflicts. The tension between him and Galadriel is also accompanied by strange romantic undertones – this too is far from Tolkien’s original work.
Why is this a problem? If Elrond and Galadriel were merely insignificant supporting characters, all this would not be a big issue. However, they belong to the most powerful characters in Middle-earth. The conflict between them can have consequences for the entire world and jeopardize the alliances between the peoples and tribes.
Today begins the Psychic Spectacle in Pokémon GO. It is well-suited for evolving 3 Pokémon.
What’s happening in Pokémon GO? In Pokémon GO, the Psychic Spectacle starts on September 18. This brings, among other things, the debut of the strong Dynamax Tanhel.
But aside from that, a lot of Psychic monsters are joining the game, and a new cup is running, fitting for the event. And with those, you can casually evolve a few Pokémon.
We will show you which ones they are.
Start video
Dynamax in Pokémon Go – How to participate in the gigantic battles
You can now easily evolve 3 Pokémon
Some Pokémon in Pokémon GO require you to use them as a buddy and fulfill various requirements during that time to evolve them. Some of these fit well with the Psychic Spectacle.
Knarbon to Crimanzo
How to evolve Knarbon? You can evolve Knarbon into Crimanzo by using it as a buddy and then defeating 30 Psychic-type Pokémon. You don’t even have to use Knarbon in battle; it’s enough for it to be your buddy.
It’s very suitable that the Psychic Cup is currently running, where only Psychic Pokémon with up to 1,500 CP are allowed. If you complete some battles there, you’ll quickly have the 30 monsters together.
However, the event does not help with Knarbon’s second evolution, Azugladis. For that, you need
Rasaff to Epitaff
How to evolve Rasaff? It’s the same game as with Knarbon: Defeat 30 Psychic (or Ghost) Pokémon while Rasaff is your buddy, and you can perform the evolution. Of course, you always have to have the necessary candies.
Note: For such battle tasks, it is always worthwhile to challenge friends and quickly complete the battles against each other by choosing the right Pokémon.
How to evolve Galar-Flegmon? Choose it as a buddy and then go on a catching walk instead of switching to PvP league. Because: To evolve to Galar-Laschoking, you simply need to catch 30 Psychic Pokémon while Galar-Flegmon is your buddy.
The alternative evolution to Galar-Lahmus, on the other hand, requires 30 Poison monsters. Unfortunately, you won’t have an easier time with that during the event.
What else is coming up? The Psychic Spectacle not only changes the wild spawns but also adjusts the power sources. You will now encounter a level 3 boss for the first time instead of the usual level 1 bosses. And if you want to defeat the new Dyna-Tanhel, you should primarily rely on a strong Fire Pokémon.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Tencent has introduced an AI that aims to significantly simplify game development. Critics fear that many games will soon look the same.
What kind of AI is this? The Chinese company Tencent has presented a project called “GameGen-O”. The goal is to simplify the process of game creation and generate content with AI. Tencent is regarded as the largest Chinese company in the gaming sector and is even considered by many to be the most powerful gaming company in the world.
However, this time it’s not about opponents or graphics generated by an AI, but about the development of a game engine that is to be created by AI. This could ultimately reduce the time needed to develop games.
Start video
Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?
AI training model uses data from more than 100 open-world games
What exactly does GameGen-O do? GameGen-O is meant to enable the generation of a range of high-quality elements such as characters, dynamic environments, complex plots, and events. This is intended to simplify the game development process, thereby reducing development time and the resources required. This is pointed out by the Polish magazine Gry-Online.pl. The official English GitHub page is currently offline or unreachable.
The training model uses data from “more than 100 next-generation open-world games.” Productions such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Grand Theft Auto V, Cyberpunk 2077, and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla are mentioned. You can get a first impression on YouTube, where the project was presented in more detail:
What advantages does the AI have? An AI like GameGen-O could significantly speed up the game development process. After all, we are talking about the development of an engine, depending on the project, taking several years.
What concerns are there? Some users fear that many games will become more reproducible and generic. To understand this, you only need to watch the linked video above. In the end, all games look alike or remind one of games on Steam that seem to consist of the same “Unreal Engine” building block set.
However, there are others who see the problem elsewhere: Such AI projects could ultimately put thousands of people out of work who have been involved in the development of new engines or projects for years. Just recently, thousands of people in the USA lost their jobs because they were replaced by an AI: AI is currently making more than 4,000 people unemployed because it can save 20 million euros per year
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Timothy Armoo represents a new type of millionaire, typical of the other values of Generation Z.
Millionaire and no house, where does he live? Timothy Armoo does not provide exact details on this, but the 29-year-old Brit has enough money in the bank after selling a company he co-founded (in the influencer marketing industry), at least 10 million euros. With that, he can practically pay for any rent or hotel for an extended period.
By the way, he grew up in one of the poorest districts of the metropolis. He shared this and more in an interview with CNBC.
Start video
In Germany, there are over 400 USB sticks protruding from walls – What is the ‘Dead Drops’ project?
Rich and traveling a lot
Why doesn’t he buy a house? He claims to see no point in it. He lives a rather simple life and does not indulge in luxury. In addition, he spends only about half of the year in his hometown of London. Otherwise, he travels a lot. But even here, less often than expected. Although he once took a first-class flight, it was already a special event.
He is not the only wealthy person who thinks this way. Billionaire Elon Musk has stated that he also lives rather Spartan most of the time, as you can read here in a post of his on x.com. He also owns a rather typical house for his wealth class, but only uses it for events:
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What does Timothy Armoo do with his money? He primarily invests it, but in two very different ways. On the one hand, he puts it into classic funds, on the other hand, he also invests directly in more exotic industries. For example, he mentions a company involved in mango cultivation in Kenya.
I enjoy exploring various ways to spend and invest money.
However, he once had a million pounds (about 1.2 million euros) cashed out to keep as a rainy day fund. It has been difficult for him to adjust to not being poor and realizing:
Even if I should lose all other money, whether through bad investments in cryptocurrencies, gambling, or something foolish, I would still have this.
Meanwhile, Generation Z also has a special relationship with the office that fundamentally differs from that of previous age groups. Many of them started their professional lives during the pandemic or shortly before it and thus did not get to know the normal work routine. Now they celebrate it: Generation Z is now finding new reasons to go from working at home to the office
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The best defenders in EA FC 25 do not always have the highest ratings and should not be underestimated. Some defenders can compensate for their weaker defensive stats with other attributes.
What does the Defensive stat mean in FC 25? The Defensive stat in EA FC primarily informs you about how good your player is at winning the ball from the opponent in duels or intercepting passes from the opponent. A player’s defense is composed of the following values:
Interception: how well a player can anticipate and position themselves for the opponent’s passes
Header Precision: how accurately a player’s headers are placed
Defensive Awareness: how wisely a player behaves defensively when controlled by AI
Fair Tackles: how well standing tackles are executed (range, success rate, ball control after winning)
Slide Tackle: how well diving, ground tackles are executed (range, success rate, ball control after winning)
What else is important for a center-back? In addition to defending, the player should also have good physical attributes to succeed in direct (running) duels on the ground as well as in the air. These include:
Strength value, to prevail in duels
Speed stat, to keep up with fast strikers in sprint duels
Height and/or Jump value, to assert oneself in aerial duels
Start video
EA SPORTS FC 25 | Official Deep Dive into Gameplay
10 strong defenders you shouldn’t underestimate
By taking a look at the defensive stats and physical attributes, we have identified ten strong center-backs for FC 25, who, due to their ratings, are not among the top-rated defenders.
The players with the highest ratings in our list have a maximum rating of 85 and are therefore not listed in the top 100 best players for FC 25.
However, you should not underestimate the following defenders, as they have strong values and good playstyles. In the table, you can find the most important aspects of their defensive suitability.
Player (Rating) – Club
Defending
Strength
Speed
Height (in m)
Jumping
Anticipation
Club
Nico Schlotterbeck (85)
85
84
77
1.91
91
Silver
Borussia Dortmund
Jules Koundé (85)
86
80
84
1.80
90
/
FC Barcelona
Éder Militão (85)
85
79
85
1.86
91
/
Real Madrid
Ronald Araújo (85)
85
87
82
1.88
92
Silver
FC Barcelona
David Alaba (85)
85
78
79
1.80
86
Silver
Real Madrid
Kalidou Koulibaly (84)
85
90
76
1.86
81
Silver
Al-Hilal
Fikayo Tomori (83)
85
81
84
1.85
92
Silver
Milano FC (Milan)
Micky van de Ven (82)
83
84
88
1.93
89
/
Tottenham Hotspurs
Dávid Hancko (81)
81
82
78
1.88
84
Silver
Feyenoord Rotterdam
Jean-Clair Todibo (80)
80
82
81
1.90
89
Silver
West Ham United
What does the “Anticipation” column in the table mean? This refers to the crucial Anticipation playstyle for defense. If your player possesses this playstyle, the chance of successful tackles followed by ball control is significantly higher.
At the start of FC 25, only a handful of players have this playstyle as Playstyle+ (Gold). However, even in Silver, it provides a considerable advantage in duels and should therefore be mentioned.
With this, you have an overview of strong defenders who may not belong to the top tier of defenders, but should still be very good at the start of FC 25. Some may be very expensive in Ultimate Team, while others you should be able to afford. To avoid costly mispurchases, you can plan your team in advance: EA FC 25: Squad Builder – Comparison and guide for your perfect team
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The open beta of New World Aeternum is already having a positive impact on Amazon Games. Clearly, the testing phase in September 2024 was able to significantly raise anticipation for the new version of the MMORPG.
What happened after the open beta? After the testing phase ended on September 16, 2024, the player numbers of the Steam version of New World noticeably increased – reaching up to 6,868 simultaneous active players at times (via steamdb.info).
While this is still far from the all-time high at the original launch in September 2021 (913,634 simultaneous active players), it is still noticeably higher than in the previous weeks (about 4,900 to 5,000 simultaneous active players during peak times).
Here is the trailer for New World Aeternum and the new console version:
Start video
Trailer for New World Aeternum announces console version
Visible anticipation from console players
Is that all? Nope! There is also movement on PlayStation 5. In the ranking of the currently most pre-ordered games for PS5, New World Aeternum has worked its way into the top 16 with both versions (Standard and Deluxe) since the open beta (via store.playstation.com).
According to toto77170, New World was not even in the top 50 after the official announcement of Aeternum (via Reddit). This statement cannot be verified. However, various comments under the post indicate that several players decided to buy New World because of the beta:
ShingetsuMoon writes (via Reddit): “I pre-ordered it on PlayStation after playing the open beta. I really had a lot of fun with it! And I loved the crafting.”
dtwnfunkystuff also wants to play Aeternum (via Reddit): “I had a lot of fun with the beta. I didn’t pre-order but I will buy it one or two months after the release.”
gouji is also on board (via Reddit): “I pre-ordered the game immediately after the beta. It’s so much fun!”
What new content is included in New World Aeternum? The new version of New World aims to transform the MMORPG more into an action-RPG. With the update, gameplay and the user interface will be adjusted and improved for the console. The combat system is set to be significantly more action-oriented, and controllers are also expected to be better supported.
We have gathered games similar to Genshin Impact in a list for you. We present 6 titles that you might enjoy if you also like the well-known RPG from HoYoverse.
Is there a competition for Genshin Impact? At the launch of Genshin Impact, the game was continuously compared with Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, Genshin quickly became the absolute frontrunner in the gacha universe and earned its own right to exist.
Other developers have now followed suit, so HoYoverse is no longer the sole representative of its kind in the global market. There are some new game titles that are definitely worth at least a look. Therefore, we have created a comprehensive list of similar titles for Genshin fans that might appeal to you.
[toc]
1. Honkai: Star Rail
Start video
Honkai Star Rail: Trailer for Version 2.2 – ‘Then Wake to Weep’
What kind of game is this? Honkai: Star Rail also comes from HoYoverse and is a space RPG.
In it, you play as a Trailblazer who embarks on a journey through the galaxy together with their companions from the Astral Express, exploring various worlds like the dream planet Penacony.
In contrast to Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail focuses even more on single-player gameplay. Additionally, the battles here are turn-based. However, the games are similar in many other aspects. You summon your characters through the gacha system, level them up, and utilize their special abilities in combat.
Play Honkai: Star Rail if you like the following about Genshin Impact:
Design of characters and worlds
Artifact and weapon system
Leveling up, dungeons, and special events
Puzzles that unlock chests in the game world
Strong story
Gacha system with 5-star and 4-star characters
Focus on single-player content
Beautiful game world to explore
Free to play
Web and in-game events
2. Tower of Fantasy
Start video
Tower of Fantasy Launch Trailer PS5 PS4
What kind of game is this? The story takes place on the planet Aida in the future. There, humans built a tower to extract the material Omnium. However, there was an incident that had fatal consequences and destroyed large parts of civilization.
Similar to Genshin Impact, you explore the world, fight against monsters, and play through the main story. However, the focus here is even more on multiplayer elements, and you will encounter other players in your world. As a nice extra, you can customize the appearance of your character.
Play Tower of Fantasy if you like the following about Genshin Impact:
Anime style
Free to play
Gacha system
Stronger focus on multiplayer aspects
2 rarity tiers of characters
Exploration of the open game world
Action combat system
Glider to fly through the air
Events
3. Wuthering Waves
Start video
Wuthering Waves, das Action-RPG startet im Mai
What kind of game is this? It is an open-world and adventure RPG from Kuro Games. In Wuthering Waves, you play as a Rover who becomes embroiled in a war between the Resonators and the Tacet Dissonances.
You explore the game world, fight with your team of three characters against enemies, collect Echoes, and play through the main story, as well as daily challenges and numerous side quests.
You can obtain new characters through the gacha system. Some characters can also be earned for free. Furthermore, co-op allows you to fight bosses together with other players and farm rewards.
Play Wuthering Waves if you like the following about Genshin Impact:
On the next page, there are more games inspired by the concept of Genshin Impact waiting for you. Additionally, we offer you a glimpse at comparable titles that are expected to be released in the coming years.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Battlefield 2042 was released in 2021, plagued by technical issues and received a lukewarm response from the community. With the upcoming installment, everything is supposed to be better. Studio head Vince Zampella reveals to IGN how the new Battlefield will differ from its predecessor.
Where is the information coming from? Although the new Battlefield game has not been officially announced yet, Vince Zampella, the head of Battlefield and co-founder of Respawn Entertainment (Titanfall 2, Apex Legends), has revealed some details about the future of the franchise to IGN.
According to Zampella, Battlefield is set to return to form with the upcoming installment and bid farewell to some unpopular changes from Battlefield 2042.
Start video
Battlefield 2042 reveals Season 7 in action-packed gameplay trailer
Battlefield is set to return to its roots
What will change in Battlefield? With the still-untitled upcoming installment, Battlefield is expected to return to a modern-day setting and leave behind the world wars and distant future. This is intended to restore the series to its former glory and connect with previous highlights:
I mean, when you look back at the peak of Battlefield, it’s the era of Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, when everything was modern. And I think we have to return to the core of what Battlefield is, do that outstandingly well, and then we’ll see where it goes from there.
According to Zampella, Battlefield 3 and 4 are the installments that best embody what the series represents, the “peak of Battlefield-ness.” For players, it evokes nostalgia, but also for him personally and for the teams behind the scenes.
Unpopular features from Battlefield 2042 will not return
However, it’s not just the setting from which they want to distance themselves from the problematic predecessor, Battlefield 2042. They also plan to phase out some features that were not well received by fans:
Battlefield 2042 launched with 128 players per map and eventually reverted to supporting maps with 64 players. The upcoming installment is expected to maintain that. Zampella states: “Yes, the 128 players, did that make it more fun? […] We test everything based on what is the most fun.”
The maps would be different once they reach a certain size, according to the studio head. It’s a different playing field that must be taken into account during design. Now they are creating something that is more in line with the earlier Battlefields.
However, he assumes that the team wanted to try something new. Not everyone liked that, but one has to try such things. “It didn’t work. It didn’t fit,” he summarizes. Classes are the core of Battlefield, so they return to that.
Head shows first image of the new Battlefield
What is known about the new Battlefield? While Zampella has a lot to say about how the upcoming installment should not be, EA has remained tight-lipped about details regarding the new Battlefield. However, the studio head shows the first official artwork of the game, from which fans can already draw some conclusions.
Concept Art for the new Battlefield from EA via IGN
It exudes a certain Mediterranean flair, so it could possibly take place in Italy or France, among others. The burning forest could indicate that natural disasters will play a role in the upcoming installment.
Additionally, ship-to-ship battles and helicopter battles are hinted at in the background, which could again be part of the game.
While there is currently no release date, a program is set to be announced next year that will involve the community in the development. They need to win back the community and regain their trust, Zampella states.
A Swedish developer has just made a strong start with his survival game Core Keeper on Steam as well as PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. As a child, he was apparently mocked for his passion for games.
At launch, more than 34,000 players were playing simultaneously on Steam
In the first week, Core Keeper sold over 250,000 copies
On Steam, the survival sandbox also impresses with a rating of 91% positive from nearly 30,000 reviews
Fredrik Präntare is the founder and CEO of the Swedish studio Pugstorm, which is behind Core Keeper. He recently shared a new milestone of his game on X – and suggests that the path to this success was not always easy.
Start video
Core Keeper: Launch trailer introduces you to the survival secret tip on Steam
Developer says: “This is completely crazy for me”
What milestone has the game reached? According to a post from September 16, 2024, Core Keeper has exceeded the impressive mark of 3 million players. The official X account states: “We are so happy to have you on this journey.”
Präntare shared the post and added some supplementary words to it.
You can check out the post here:
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Translation: “This is COMPLETELY crazy for me. From being called a ‘fat nerd’ as a kid, to creating maps for Heroes 3 and WarCraft 3, to having a game with more than 3 million players… Thank you all – my wonderful team and I are more than grateful!”
In the comments, many users congratulate Präntare, including other developers who see themselves reflected in their colleague.
kinbdogz works at Mojang on Minecraft and writes: “As someone who made a bunch of maps for Warcraft 3 as a kid, which probably started my journey in the gaming industry, I can really relate. Congratulations!” (via X)
Jim T Myhre Kjexrud works as an artist on Terraria: “I also started messing around with the WC3 editor. Made a few maps that circulated in my friend group, but never posted them online.” (via X)
Not only the map community from WarCraft 3 feels addressed. One user writes: “As a former fat nerd:”, followed by a GIF of a saluting Jack Black (via X).
If you have pre-ordered EA FC 25 on PC, PS5, or Xbox and want to play on time, you can already download the game beforehand. The preload is now also available for the PS5. We will tell you how much storage space you need to expect on the platforms.
Update from 18.09.2024: We have updated the file size of FC 25 for the PS5.
What is the preload? With the preload, you can install the entire game EA FC 25 beforehand to be able to play on time at release. You should ensure that you free up enough storage space beforehand.
Who is eligible for the preload? The preload is intended for players who have pre-ordered FC 25. It doesn’t matter whether you chose the expensive Ultimate Edition with 7 days early access or the simple Standard Edition.
However, it is important for the early download of FC 25 which console (PlayStation or Xbox) you are playing on or if you are playing on PC, because the preload has different start times.
EA SPORTS FC 25 | Official Deep Dive into Gameplay
FC 25 Ready for Download: Start and Size
All Important Information About the Preload on PS5
When can I download FC 25 on PS5? Since the early hours of September 18, pre-order customers on PS5 can download the new FC 25. The download should start automatically if you haven’t set anything else.
You just need to start your PS5 and make sure that you have enough storage space available so that the download can start and finish without errors.
How large is the download on PS5? FC 25 has a file size of 53.49 GB. Therefore, the PS5 version has the largest required storage space.
All Important Information About the Preload on Xbox
When can I download FC 25 on Xbox? In terms of preload, Xbox players, as in FC 24, are ahead again in FC 25. The preload was already available at the end of August. Therefore, pre-order customers of the Xbox versions can already download FC 25 now.
How large is the download on Xbox? On X, users have shared screenshots under a post from the “EAFC 25 News” page showing the file size for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
The file size for FC 25 is 43.1 GB for Xbox One (via X.com)
The file size for FC 25 is 48.1 GB for Xbox Series X|S (via X.com)
All Important Information About the Preload on PC
When can I download FC 25 on PC? PC players can also already take advantage of the preload for FC 25. A post from the well-known leaker Fut Sheriff on Instagram displays a screenshot that dates the start of the preload for PC to September 12. (via Instagram)
How large is the download on PC? MeinMMO does not have an exact file size. Due to the similar file size of FC 24 for Xbox and PC from 2023, we assume that the storage space for FC 25 on PC is also between 43 and 48 GB.
Are there known issues with the preload? So far, there have been no reports of any problems. If there are issues with the preload, we will inform you and potentially provide solutions. If you are looking for a solution on how to put together a good starter team in Ultimate Team, we have a guide for you here: EA FC 25: Squad Builder – Comparison and Guide for Your Perfect Team
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The race for the World First Kill in World of Warcraft has begun. However, the Americans are almost done, while players in Europe cannot even start playing yet.
In World of Warcraft, things are heating up as the mythical version of the raid “Palace of Nerub-ar” is accessible. This also coincides with the race for the “World First Kill” of Queen Ansurek, the final boss of the raid. While the European guilds are impatiently waiting for the start, American guilds are already halfway through the raid.
Start video
WoW: The War Within – Forces Within
This is the current status: As of the time of the article (September 18, 2024, 09:15 AM), the following ranking exists in the race for the First Kill of Ansurek and the clearing of the raid Palace of Nerub-ar:
Team Liquid is the only guild to have defeated 4 / 8 bosses.
Poptart Corndog and XD have defeated 3 / 8 bosses.
Melee Mechanics, Vodka, Vesper, and Nurfed have defeated 2 / 8 bosses.
Following them are numerous guilds that have only defeated 1 / 8 bosses.
Currently, most professionals are doing what are called “splits” – they visit the raid on heroic difficulty to obtain as good gear as possible before tackling the new bosses.
This is also true for the European players, such as those in Method, who just started a few hours ago. Many are currently in Mythic+ or heroic raids to quickly acquire good gear.
If you want to follow the current races live, you can do so here:
The streams of Method (EU) can be found on the page method.gg.
Why do American guilds have such an advantage? This is due to the time difference and the fact that the weekly maintenance works take place at different times. While the maintenance in Europe typically ends on Wednesdays between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM German time, it has already occurred in America nearly 12 hours earlier.
This leads to American guilds being able to start the mythical raid significantly earlier than European players.
Isn’t that unfair? Yes, it is, and this has been criticized from all sides for a long time. Many find it unfair that some guilds can start almost a full day earlier, giving them a significant advantage. This restricts fairness.
However, there are also advantages for the European guilds, although it is debatable how substantial these are. Due to the later start, many bugs that commonly exist in mythical raids have already been fixed. Additionally, European guilds can already draw on the experience of the American guilds, allowing them to defeat the first bosses much faster. This can become an advantage, as players are still quite refreshed when they reach the tougher bosses.
What do you think of the World First Race? Does it bother you that it starts at different times? Or can you overlook this circumstance and still follow the race with interest? In line with the start of the season, WoW has actually introduced some big buffs and nerfs to shake up the balance once again.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Civilization 7 (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch), Firaxis will change the foundations of the franchise, altering something that has remained constant since the first Civilization in 1991: before the game starts, players choose a civilization and a leader and play both from 4000 BC to modern times. With Civilization 7, this will be different.
What is the major change? In an interview with Techradar, Dennis Shirk, the Executive Producer of Civilization 7, talks about the new “Leader” mechanic and the civilization change in Civilization 7:
In previous Civilization games, players chose a leader and their civilization at the beginning of each game and played with both throughout the entire game. Earlier, there was only one leader per civilization, later players could choose from multiple alternatives.
But in the real world, it has never been the case that a civilization and a leader remained so constant as in Civilizations 1 to 6. And Creative Director Ed Beach wanted to reflect this historical leadership change and also a shift in culture within the game.
Therefore, they made one of the biggest changes in the game, a change that is also scary because it has been so consistent over the decades.
Start video
Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 shows gameplay in the trailer
Even ancient Rome changed over the centuries
Why change this? The Creative Director has always used the Roman Empire as an example, the Producer says in the interview:
He used ancient Rome, the Roman Empire, as his prime example when he presented the game. In antiquity, there was, for example, ancient Rome in the real world, which spread new ideas, evolved, had its own golden age, so to speak in gaming terms, and eventually grew too large. There were internal crises, corruption, economic crises, and possibly even plague. They had barbarians at the gates who invaded, split the empire, and eventually scattered it to the winds. The seeds of the Roman Empire are everywhere, across Europe, North Africa, and in some places around the rest of the world.
Leaders have their own skill trees
This is the consequence: In Civilization 7, players will get to choose both their civilization and leader in two instances within the game. Whenever a new overarching age begins.
These are the advantages: Because leaders in Civilization 7 also have their own skills that differ from those of the civilizations and have their own skill tree, players can tailor the leaders to their gameplay enjoyment throughout the three ages.
There will also be alternative leaders who focus on different aspects.
In a blog post, ancient Rome is cited as an example, evolving first into the Norman Empire and then into the French Empire. Instead of Julius Caesar, Napoleon will ultimately be the leader.
Another example shows India under Ashoka, which remains India throughout all 3 ages, albeit in different forms.
This impact it has on players: The Producer says that the change makes Civilization 7 significantly different from its predecessors. What worked in parts 4, 5, and 6 will not work in Civ 7. It is a “New puzzle to decipher.”
Civilization evolves over time and adapts to new competing games
This is behind it: What the Producer sells here as a “revolution” is actually an idea that competing titles have raised regarding Civilization 7. Because Civilization 6 was released in 2016, and since then, quite a bit has changed in the 4X genre:
In the now quite decent Humankind, players change civilizations with each era – here leaders do not play a role
Now new information about Marathon has come to light, but the latest details are making players skeptical. They are reminded of the failed Sony shooter Concord.
Here you can watch the announcement trailer for Marathon:
Start video
Marathon Announce Trailer PS5 & PC
Not a hero shooter, but also not free-to-play
What are these new details? The online magazine “TheGamePost” reports that some sources have told them that Bungie is currently considering $40 as the purchase price for Marathon.
What do players say about the new information? The new details were summarized in a post on X.com. There, players share their thoughts and show skepticism.
Concord cost $40, which surely played a role in the shooter’s failure, as many other hero shooters are free-to-play. Other users also mention Concord in their comments or even suspect a quick death for Marathon.
Others, however, point out that Helldivers 2 also costs €40 and was a great success at release.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has acted in many movies and usually did so very confidently. However, while working with Danny DeVito, he played a prank on him that threw the actor completely off track for a short time.
Throughout his career, Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrated many successes. Movies like Terminator, Total Recall or Predator are cult today. He also tried his hand at directing, which was less successful.
In two films, he starred alongside Danny DeVito. Initially in 1988 in the highly successful film Twins, a few years later again in Junior. Even during their first collaboration, the two actors, who could not be more different at first glance, became good friends.
This led to DeVito playing a nasty prank on his colleague on the set of Junior.
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Trailer for the sci-fi classic ‘Terminator 2 – Judgment Day’ with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Please do not try this at home!
What did the prank look like? Danny DeVito knew about Schwarzenegger’s fondness for cigars. He himself also enjoyed smoking them. During a lunch break on set, DeVito gave his friend a cigar that Schwarzenegger smoked immediately.
What he didn’t know was that it wasn’t a normal cigar. DeVito had prepared it with marijuana and said nothing about it. Schwarzenegger felt the effects quite quickly and returned to the set completely stoned.
As a guest on the podcast ImPaulsive, the actor described his experience as follows:
Suddenly I forgot all my lines. I even forgot that I had filmed the scene in the morning. When they said to me: “Arnold, this is a continuation of the scene we filmed in the morning,” I said: “I can’t even remember what we did in the morning.” I said: “I don’t remember anything.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger on the ImPaulsive Podcast
It got even worse. For the next 90 minutes, Schwarzenegger was forgetful and could only focus on work again when the effects of the cigar wore off. He felt terrible because he had forgotten his lines and thought he had wasted everyone’s time on set.
How was the matter resolved? Only when Schwarzenegger could think clearly again did he see DeVito and also the director Ivan Reitman grinning and giggling. Schwarzenegger realized that he had become the victim of a prank.
In Call of Duty, cheaters ruin player matches. One of the world’s most famous CoD players, Scump, warns of declining player numbers in Black Ops 6 if Activision does nothing about it.
Cheaters are the big problem in modern CoD games, and especially the “Battle Royale” mode Warzone has been unplayable at times. At the end of 2021, the new anti-cheat system “RICOCHET” was introduced in the shooter to challenge the cheaters.
In recent years, the system has been continuously adjusted. In November 2023, a trick was developed to identify cheaters in Warzone, and a player was caught by it and initially thought he was being harassed. Nevertheless, cheaters remain a problem in Call of Duty.
Who warns of declining player numbers? Seth “Scump” Abner (28) is one of the most famous CoD players in the world and has dedicated himself professionally to various titles in the franchise. In January 2023, Scump ended his career as a professional CoD player. On Twitch, Scump has 1.7 million followers and regularly streams in front of over 6,000 viewers.
Scump addressed the cheater problem in Call of Duty during his livestream on September 17, 2024. He believes that more people cheat the longer the game is out. This reduces the player base.
In October, Black Ops 6 will release, the new installment of the shooter series:
Start video
CoD: Black Ops 6 shows campaign gameplay in the trailer
“The number of cheaters is rising, the player numbers are falling”
What does the pro say? In a Twitch livestream, a viewer asks Scump why he is not playing Modern Warfare 3 and if it has to do with the cheaters. He also asks the streamer about his opinion on the cheater problem.
Scump responds:
I think the problem with cheaters in Call of Duty is getting worse throughout the year – and it happens every year. It’s just the way it is, especially in multiplayer. The longer the game is out, the more people cheat, and that’s just how it goes. The player base is declining, and the number of cheaters is increasing. […] I hate the cheaters; I tend to stop playing ranked around Season 2 each year. Really, every single year.
Scump in the livestream on Twitch, Timestamp 09:54:40
In the chat, some users pick up on the topic. SabpremeLeader writes: “Always unplayable at the end of its lifespan.” And craz3ykev writes: “Anti-cheat is so good…”, which he presumably means sarcastically.
What does this mean for Black Ops 6? Scump’s assessment fits well with the upcoming release of Black Ops 6, as the new installment in the “Call of Duty” series will be launched on October 25. It remains to be seen how high the player numbers will be at launch and in the months following.
During the beta for Black Ops 6, Activision has already tested various features of the RICOCHET anti-cheat system (via callofduty.com). The team is also focused on further improving the systems “to prevent cheating, capture cheaters, and remove them from [the] games.” RICOCHET will be fully implemented on the day of BO6’s release.
The gaming community will see how the cheater problem develops with the new installment of the shooter series and whether the improvements are sufficient in the months following the release.
Frostpunk is one of the best games on Steam overall and an absolute hit in the building survival genre. The developers have now released the second part, and MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was allowed to play it in advance. After a series of tough decisions, he has reached the end of the campaign and is reevaluating his moral beliefs.
I am totally into dark games. Games with a grim setting. Dystopias where everything is really broken. The end of the world, the struggle for survival, and the stubbornness not to give up – I particularly like that in games.
Frostpunk 2 falls precisely into my category. Here, the entire world has frozen in the 19th century to industrialization, and the few remaining people are fighting against the ice for their survival. Even the trailer is stressful and just to my taste.
In survival games, survival is always my top priority, and I am willing to take harsh measures for that. But how these develop in Frostpunk 2 and eventually completely escalate, I did not expect.
Frostpunk 2 is the next level in the building sector
Frostpunk 2 asks the question: What do we actually do after the apocalypse, after we have survived? This thought is further developed here. It’s no longer just about mere survival, but about rebuilding a society.
At its core, Frostpunk 2 is a building survival game. The genre has been thriving for years, with now well-known titles like Banished – or Frostpunk – and hidden gems like Against the Storm established.
But instead of fighting with individual buildings over production and survival, you build entire districts and have the lives of thousands of people in your hands. And to secure the future, sometimes harsh decisions must be made:
Should children go to school or must they work?
Should we try to keep food as healthy as possible, or do we add chemicals to supply more people, risking that they will get sick?
Should we care for the old, unproductive people – or grant them their wish to go to the eternal ice and no longer burden society?
And in general, what about the dead? Should families bury them, or do we need the bodies to make fertilizer out of them?
Many of these decisions have repercussions hours later. If the old are gone, the young lack stories and entirely new ideals emerge. And this is where Frostpunk 2 becomes really exciting: How do people behave and develop?
My city is growing and flourishing.
What does a society look like after the end of the world?
Your people in Frostpunk 2 are not simply a uniform mass, but groups that have specific ideas of a perfect society. There are various social ideals, such as:
Progress or adaptation, how do we deal with the environment?
Equality or merit, what is the status of the individual?
Reason or tradition, what values does society represent?
Communities and factions then appear in the city, which have a strong opinion on one or more of these ideals. Lords, for example, follow tradition, while the pioneers emerging from them are interested in progress, merit, and reason.
In my game, enforcers who stand for old values confront pilgrims who believe: Those who want to survive in the ice must adapt to the ice. Most decisions, research, and laws please one faction and displease the other.
My idea was to fulfill the dream of the pilgrims. People should be equal, find their way in the ice, and be able to live anywhere without fear of the cold. So I supported them while trying not to throw too many obstacles in the way of the enforcers. That really backfired…
From tough survival professionals to fanatical drug junkies
The further I progressed in the game, the greater the divide between the factions grew. At some point, there were assaults and even murder of a council member of the pilgrims – the ones who had been advising me well until then and from whom I owe many advantages for the city.
When I was then faced with the decision to establish a new city, I decided to send the enforcers there entirely. Until then, there had been a good balance in the city – from there, everything went wrong:
The city turns out to be a valley full of poison gas, where people die slowly and painfully – which the pilgrims surely knew when they suggested sending the guardians there.
At the same time, the pilgrims in the capital started burning heating oil with herbs in gas masks and getting high with it to convert people with “visions”.
The idea of distributing drugs, does no one else share? Strange …
At that point, I could only mitigate the damage. I saved the guardians from death, triggering a civil war. I increasingly realized that I had become a victim of a plot by the pilgrims – by damned NPCs!
After a hard-won ceasefire, I was then able to choose one of three options for how to proceed:
I could send the enforcers into the ice and thus execute them very directly – as “punishment” for instigating the civil war.
Alternatively, I could try to achieve an agreement between the two factions. The game is already warning me: This will be difficult.
Or … I can declare myself captain, that is, the sole ruler. Here too, the game says it will be hard. Nevertheless, I choose that.
After the pilgrims betrayed me and the enforcers showed such stubbornness, I wanted to leave neither faction with any power anymore. Thus, my utopia, in which everyone is equal, became a dictatorship in which I alone decide what people like and what they do not.
Not the ending I wanted – But the ending this city deserves.
A harsh ending – And I want more
All of this sounds more like a role-playing game than a building game, and indeed, Frostpunk 2 has a few parallels. And because there are even more factions and communities, the game has a great replayability.
In the “Utopia” mode, there are fewer goals and, upon request, random factions, providing new possibilities and experiences. At the moment, I’m in my second (and much harder) run there.
What is really fascinating about Frostpunk 2 is the connection of building, survival, and tough decisions. The Polish developers, 11 bit studios, are real experts in depressing scenarios. They are behind titles like This War of Mine.
Patch 7 has brought a lot of new content to Baldur’s Gate 3, including new (evil) endings and official mod support. Although the majority of players are very happy with it, part of the community is now mourning a seemingly neglected companion.
Spoiler Warning: This is about the companions of Baldur’s Gate 3 and their stories. Spoilers cannot be entirely avoided.
Wyll is a folk hero, known by the title “Blade of the Borders.” The residents of Faerûn celebrate him for his fight against Avernus and the devils.
During the story, you will find out more about where Wyll gets his abilities and explore his history as a noble son from Baldur’s Gate.
Start video
Baldur’s Gate 3 was played for approximately 1,225 years in the first release weekend – Exciting facts and figures
That’s why players are mourning Wyll: Wyll’s story, along with that of Minthara, is among those that perform the least well in the celebrated RPG. Although both characters are extremely popular, fans feel: The story could have been better here.
In Minthara’s case, this is because she was introduced as a companion very late in development and was originally not planned at all. Wyll, on the other hand, received an entirely new character in the middle of development.
Fans criticize that Wyll’s story is not really cohesive. The fact that the rift with his father is simply based on a misunderstanding is seen as a rather dull trope. As a character, he is weak, lets everything happen to him, and is generally rather depressing. One user writes on Reddit:
It’s depressing. Every time you talk to him, it feels like he wants you to pity him. His situation is very empathic, but constantly pitying oneself doesn’t make a character very sympathetic.
The idea that he is a “false hero” is interesting, but poorly executed, writes another player. He constantly swings between his heroic persona and the “wild asshole that feels like a spoiled noble brat throwing a tantrum”.
In addition, very few people actually take Wyll with them. Anyone creating their own character usually wants to be “the face of the group” and needs a lot of charisma for that. Partly this is why Paladin is the most popular class, followed by wizards and warlocks. Since Wyll is himself a warlock, his role in the group is already taken.
Wyll’s story is probably officially over – But there is still hope
On Reddit, players are now mourning the missed opportunity. Larian has rolled out Patch 7, the last major update, even though it was later said: There will be more. However, it is rather unlikely that major story content will follow.
On the official side, Wyll will presumably not receive any more content. For all who love the character, this is not a reason to despair. Because Baldur’s Gate 3 now officially supports mods and modders are already hard at work.
The Pokémon GO Psychic Spectacle is starting. In this event, you can expect not only some strong bonuses but also a new Dynamax monster and an entirely new Pokémon.
When is the event? The event starts on Wednesday, 18th September 2024, at 10:00 AM and runs until Sunday, 22nd September 2024, at 8:00 PM.
In addition to some pretty strong bonuses, you can expect 2 new Pokémon: a regular new Pokémon and a Dynamax monster.
Start video
Dynamax in Pokémon Go – How to participate in the gigantic battles
Psychic Spectacle – All Contents
What kind of new Dynamax monster is this? The new Dynamax monster is Tanhel. As its final evolution, Metagross, is one of the strongest attackers in Pokémon GO, it is sure to be the same with the Dynamax variant.
Since Tanhel has the types Psychic and Steel, you should also get a Dynamax-Glumanda before challenging Tanhel. With a bit of luck, you can also snag a Tanhel in its Shiny form.
Which new Pokémon are there? Additionally, Brimova is making its debut in Pokémon GO. This Pokémon comes from Generation 8 and can evolve into Brimano and subsequently into Silembrim.
What bonuses are there? During the event, you can look forward to the following strong bonuses:
Double the amount of Stardust when catching Pokémon
Additional candies when you land nice, great, or excellent throws
Increased chance of XL candies when landing nice, great, or excellent throws (from Trainer Level 31)
Which Pokémon are there in the event? Of course, you can also encounter some Pokémon in this event that are waiting for you in the wild, in eggs, and in field research.
In the wild:
Trasla*
Spoink*
Mollimorba*
Monozyto*
Pygraulon*
Parfi*
Flauschling*
Iscalar*
Bubungus*
Brimova (rare)
In 7-km eggs:
Flunkifer*
Klingplim*
Psiau*
Brimova
In field research:
Mollimorba*
Monozyto*
Pygraulon*
Parfi*
Flauschling*
Bubungus* (increased Shiny chance in field research)
Brimova
All Pokémon marked with a * can also be found in their Shiny form with a bit of luck.
In the current event, there are also 2 collector challenges that you can complete by the end of the event. You need to successfully finish the following tasks to receive the rewards.
Shiny Thoughts: Collector Challenge – Catch:
Parfi (Catch)
Flauschling (Catch)
Bubungus (Catch)
Pygraulon (Catch)
Iscalar (Catch)
For completing this collector challenge, you will receive a medal, 1,000 Stardust, and an encounter with Brimova.
Shiny Thoughts: Collector Challenge – Evolution:
Trasla (Catch)
Kirlia (Evolve)
Guardevoir (Evolve)
Monozyto (Catch)
Mitodos (Evolve)
Zyotmega (Evolve)
If you successfully complete this challenge, you will receive a medal, 5,000 experience points, and an encounter with Brimova.
Psychic Spectacle – Field Research
You can complete the following field research tasks during the event.
Task
Reward
Catch 10 Psychic or Fairy-type Pokémon
Encounter with Mollimorba* or Encounter with Parfi* or Encounter with Bubungus*
Land 6 great curveball throws
Encounter with Monozyto* or Encounter with Flauschling* or Encounter with Bubungus*
Win a Dyna Battle
Encounter with Brimova
Land 3 great curveball throws in a row
Encounter with Pygraulon* or Encounter with Bubungus*
Land a fabulous curveball throw
Encounter with Bubungus*
Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms
5 Ultra Balls or 1 Hyper Potion or 1 Max Revive
Pokémon marked with a * can also appear as Shiny.
What other contents are there in the event?
There will also be PokéStop showcases in the event again. Please note the recent change to showcases, which now require different Pokémon.
For €2.49, you can also purchase a ticket with a limited-time research for the event. If you complete the research, you will receive an incubator, a super incubator, a star piece, 15,000 experience points, and encounters with Bubungus and Brimova.
In Pokémon GO, a lot is currently revolving around the new Dynamax feature. But there are also many things outside of that expected in the game soon that you shouldn’t miss: All events in September 2024 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The new Netflix documentary “The Fantastic Life of Ibelin” tells the touching story of a player from World of Warcraft who found real friends and beautiful moments in Azeroth, while his real life was a single torment.
What is the documentary based on? On bbc.com, the article “My disabled son’s amazing gaming life in the World of Warcraft” was published on February 7, 2019, which is about Mats Steen, a Norwegian boy who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (more about the disease on Wikipedia).
Based on the fate of Mats and his parents, the Netflix documentary “The Fantastic Life of Ibelin” will be released on October 25, 2024, for which you can watch the official trailer below:
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What is Mats’ story? Mats was confined to a wheelchair and the doctors considered it unlikely that the boy would see his 20th birthday. His parents, in turn, feared that their son would never find friends or leave a footprint in the world due to the disease.
At the age of eleven, Mats got the password for the family PC, where he discovered World of Warcraft for himself. While his parents accepted the new hobby, they never truly understood it. They believed it was only about winning and competing with other players. They worried as they observed their boy staying up late at the computer and sleeping long hours in the morning.
What they did not realize was that Mats found in Azeroth something that he was denied in real life, namely a community and friends with whom he could forget his illness for a while. In WoW, he was simply Lord Ibelin Redmoore, a popular member of a WoW guild. The guy who could listen well and had fun.
Azeroth is more than just an online world – here is the full blast of Classic nostalgia:
Start video
World of Warcraft Cinematic Trailer
Did the parents change their view of WoW? Yes, and how! When Mats passed away on November 18, 2014, his father had the idea to leave a message to Mats’ teammates through the blog that his son had maintained on the side. There he explained what had happened and under which email address he could be reached. He feared that no one would respond…
But the opposite was true. Many guildmates expressed their condolences and sorrow in messages, sharing personal memories of Mats and what they had experienced together in WoW over the years. Many emphasized how important the terminally ill boy had become to the community over time.
How important, the parents realized, when many guild members flew in to attend the funeral. Those who could not afford the ticket received help from the rest of the community.
All of this made it clear to the parents how important World of Warcraft had become for Mats and what kind of life he had led despite his illness, namely one filled with friends and many beautiful moments. He had managed to leave his footprint in the world. Mats was 25 years old.
The Pokémon GO raids in September 2024 are known. There are some really strong Pokémon involved. Here you will find all bosses and raid hours.
3 Major Highlights in September for Raids: September is approaching in Pokémon GO, and with it comes the new season “Max Out”.
As always, there will be different raids. And September is well worth it due to three bosses in the 5-star raids. You can also obtain all of them as Shiny.
Kyogre: One of the absolute top water attackers in the game. It will appear in raids from September 3 to September 14 and is a must-catch if you don’t have it yet. Additionally, it has a powerful proto-form (you will need proto energy for Kyogre here).
Groudon: The counterpart to Kyogre and also one of the most powerful monsters in the entire game. Groudon also has a proto-form, but requires the corresponding energy as well. It will appear from September 14 to September 26.
Zacian: The highlight of the month is Zacian, which we have been waiting for a long time. It is a powerful monster in the Master League and now even brings its Shiny form with it. This is special because even in the main games, the Shiny Zacian was only available in rare cases. It will appear from September 26 to October 4.
Start video
Pokémon GO shows the new season ‘Dyna-Maximum’ in the trailer
All Raid Hours in September 2024
When is the raid hour? Every Wednesday, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM you can find the level 5 bosses boosted in the gyms.
All Raid Boss Switches and Mega Raids in September 2024
When will we encounter which bosses? Here is the complete list by date:
Dates
Raid Boss
September 3 – 14
Mega-Absol*
September 3 – 14
Kyogre*
September 14 – 26
Mega-Hunduster*
September 14 – 26
Groudon*
September 26 – October 4
Zacian*
September 26 – October 4
Mega-Guardevoir*
On weekends
Crypto-Raikou*
What else is happening? In addition to the usual raids, there will also be a new type of battles: The Dynamax battles. There, you will face off against giant Pokémon and can also utilize the Dynamax phenomenon yourself. This is a completely new feature being introduced fresh for the Max-Out season in Pokémon GO. You can find all the known info about Dynamax in Pokémon GO here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
