Pokémon GO: The ‘Community would have died’ but today the tournaments are bigger than ever

Linda Baumgartl Linda Baumgartl Reading time 3 minutes

Today fans cheer for their favorite Pokémon GO players at the World Championships. But just a few years ago, the community might have nearly died out.

Upon its release in 2016, Pokémon GO was almost unavoidable. The game was omnipresent – everyone played it or had at least heard of it. Just shortly after its launch, the augmented reality game broke numerous records: it achieved the highest revenue, most downloads, and was the most played.

Today, you rarely see Pokémon collectors on the street. But does that mean Pokémon GO is dead?

Here you get a glimpse into the Pokémon World Championships 2024:

Start video
The Pokémon World Championships 2024 in Hawaii

“As a result, a large part of the community died out”

A few weeks ago, the “Pokémon World Championships 2024” took place in Honolulu, Hawaii. Here, the best Pokémon trainers in the world fought for victory and prizes worth over €1,800,000.

Pokémon GO was also part of it. That is not a given, as GO has only recently been part of the big Pokémon tournaments.

  • In 2022, Pokémon GO was part of the World Championships for the first time.
  • The World Championships first took place in 2004, long before the release of Pokémon GO in 2016.

Has Pokémon GO changed? Over the years, not only Pokémon GO itself but also the community has continuously changed. And it hasn’t always looked good for the game.

Illya Babycha, a Pokémon GO referee, has been involved from the start. He tells MeinMMO how he experienced the development:

The GO community has gone through a gigantic evolution. The game had a huge community that organized tournaments on its own. Then came Corona, and of course, in person, you couldn’t hold tournaments anymore. As a result, a large part of the community died out and stopped playing.

But ‘Play! Pokémon’ [organizer of the tournaments] has given it back the charm it had back then, and a very large part of the community is coming back, or new players are also finding joy in it. And the tournaments are getting bigger.

This season, we had tournaments with more than 256 players for the first time. And after just two and a half years, that’s already quite good.

What do the player numbers say? In fact, player numbers seem to be going up again since 2022, even though the hype from the release remains unsurpassed, as the numbers from activeplayer.io indicate; there are no official statistics.

  • Pokémon GO reportedly had 232 million monthly players at its release.
  • Currently, there are about 90 million.
  • The lowest player count was 62 million in 2022.

Perhaps the inclusion of Pokémon GO in the official tournaments was indeed the salvation that the game needed. But who can actually participate in such tournaments?

More on the topic
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von Max Handwerk
Player finds simple trick to make trading and raids easier in Pokémon GO
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New hints indicate research with Mega Mewtwo in Pokémon GO
von Paul Kutzner

“The community is always there for you”

Of course, as a beginner, you might not be able to participate directly in the World Championships. However, there are many smaller national tournaments that you can find on the Play! Pokémon page.

There, you gain plenty of experience and so-called “Championship Points”. With enough such points, you can earn trips to international championships or even an invitation to the World Championship.

Are there any tips? All beginners who would like to get a taste of tournament air are advised by Illya:

It is important to know above all: The community is always there for you. If you need any tips, there are incredibly many helpful resources. Among them are also players from the community who are very helpful.

One of the best resources to get the information needed to prepare is PVPoke.

There you find many simulations. It was created by a community player. It is completely free, a website that simply offers a lot of information about movesets, Pokémon stats, match-ups… you can prepare very well there.

How Illya became the official Pokémon GO referee, and what tasks he had at the World Championships, you can find out in the interview here with us on MeinMMO: Are there really Pokémon professors, do you have to study for that?

MeinMMO was present at the Pokémon World Championships 2024 as a press representative. The costs for admission, travel, and accommodation were covered by the organizers.

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

Pokémon GO: All Events in September 2024 – Dates and Bonuses

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

What events will Pokémon GO bring in September 2024? We will show you all the dates at a glance.

What does September bring? The big new thing in September is the start of the “Max Out” season. This is the new season that will bring fresh content to Pokémon GO.

The probably biggest novelty is the “Dynamax” feature. And it is likely to play an important role during the events in September.

All the interesting dates of the month have been compiled here in a table for you. Here you will find all themed events, spotlight hours, raid hours, and more.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows the new season ‘Dyna-Maximum’ in the trailer

All Pokémon GO events in September 2024 in the list

What does the list show? Here you will find the known dates in September 2024.

The list is sorted by date and includes all events that have already been announced. In the case of some events, there is already further information available, which you can find under the respective links.

Where only the name is known, we will supplement the corresponding information as soon as it becomes available. So make sure to check back often!

Pokémon that you can also find as Shiny by luck are marked with an asterisk*.

DateEvent
Every WeekendCrypto-Raids with Raikous*
September 3 – 10GO for it
September 3 – 14Raids with Kyogre*
September 3 – 14Mega-Raids with Mega-Absol
September 3Spotlight hour with Wolly* and 2x evolution XP
September 4Raid hour Kyogre*
September 8Raid Day: Legios
September 10 – 15GOgantisch
September 10Spotlight hour with Araqua* and 2x catch stardust
September 10 – October 1Dynamax battles with Bulbasaur*, Charmander*, Squirtle*, Wolly*, Raffel*
September 11Raid hour Kyogre*
September 14 – 26Mega-Raids with Mega-Hunduster*
September 14 – 26Raids with Groudon*
September 14Community Day Ponita
September 17Spotlight hour with Woingenau with 2x catch XP
September 18Raid hour Groudon*
September 18 – 22Psycho-Spectacle
September 22Research Day Kommandutan and Quartermak
September 24Spotlight hour with Machollo* and 2x catch candies
September 26 – October 4Mega-Raids with Mega-Gardevoir*
September 26 – October 4Raids with Zacian*
September 25Raid hour Groudon*
September 26Legendary Heroes
More on the topic
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von Max Handwerk
Player finds simple trick to make trading and raids easier in Pokémon GO
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New hints indicate research with Mega Mewtwo in Pokémon GO
von Paul Kutzner

Which events are worth it in September?

  • The raids with Zacian: The raids are generally worth it this month, but Zacian was missing for a long time in Pokémon GO and is finally back. It is a very good choice for the Master League and even appears with Shiny chance – so you can catch a shiny monster if you are lucky. And that has not been possible in Pokémon GO so far, and only very conditionally in the main games.
  • GOgantisch and GO for it: Here, the Galar debuts and the first Dynamax battles are likely to be coming. It will be exciting to see how the new content affects the gameplay. However, exact information is still missing in the case of GOgantisch.
  • The Psycho-Spectacle is something we already know from past years. It always has the potential to bring strong monsters.

In general, September is likely to be very exciting given the new content. We will keep you updated, as always, as soon as further information is available!

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

WoW: Exploit threatens the race for World First – Infinite gear availability

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Many professionals in World of Warcraft can currently farm unlimited equipment. The reason for this is a bug that grants characters unlimited gear.

In a few days, the “Race to World First” begins, where the goal is to clear the raid “Palace of the Nerub-ar” on mythic difficulty first by defeating all bosses. Such races are quite popular in World of Warcraft, and the largest guilds usually host many live streams to follow the race.

However, to gain an advantage, game bugs are often exploited, and these “exploits” are heavily used to ensure the best possible starting conditions. Xyronic from Limit has now informed and warned about one of these exploits: Don’t use it, or you risk a ban.

Start video
WoW Cinematic: Threads of Destiny

Exploit in WoW grants unlimited items

What kind of exploit is this? Basically, in World of Warcraft, bosses in raids can only be defeated once per week on a certain difficulty to be eligible for loot. After that, you have a “loot ID” and cannot receive any loot from the boss until the weekly reset.

This is also the case in The War Within. However, new with the addon is that you have a chance to receive an item bound to the war mob for all content. This chance is additional to the normal loot and grants items that are somewhat worse than the actual boss loot.

The problem now seems to be: This chance for “bonus loot” occurs every time you kill a boss – regardless of whether you already have a loot ID.

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This leads to some particularly “ambitious” players having defeated the heroic raid 15 times already. They not only have a complete tier set fully equipped in the first week but also many of the best-in-slot items that they could subsequently upgrade. Even if these items are not quite as strong as those from the regular boss loot, the difference at maximum upgrade is minimal.

More about WoW:
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Should one exploit this? No, definitely not. Just a few days ago, Blizzard made it very clear regarding another offense, where some had cheated to gain high glory levels, that they intend to take a tough stance against exploits. They want to actively combat the mentality of “Exploit early, exploit often.” Therefore, one can assume that exploiting this bug will also result in penalties – especially when some players have exploited the error not just once but up to 15 times.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. reddit.com/r/wow/

How an IT engineer takes his former employer’s network hostage and demands ransom

Gerald Wessel Gerald Wessel Reading time 2 minutes

Anyone who dismisses someone who knows their company’s network inside and out should put their security to the test. The following criminal case from the USA could serve as a cautionary tale.

How did he manage that? According to a statement from the US judicial authorities, a former employee of a not publicly named industrial company is said to have taken control of the system through Internet access. The man previously worked as an engineer for the hardware and software infrastructure on-site.

He is accused of changing passwords, thereby locking out the administrators. He also allegedly deleted important servers and backups. Afterward, he wrote a fateful email.

The accused has not yet been convicted, so the presumption of innocence applies.

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In Germany, there are over 400 USB sticks protruding from walls – What is the ‘Dead Drops’ project?

Failed Extortion

What was in the email? On November 23, 2023, he wrote a demand to senior representatives of the company, threatening to cause further damage if his demands were not met; a classic extortion with an IT system as a hostage.

If approximately 680,000 euros in ransom were not paid, he would destroy further servers or backups every day.

Was he caught? Yes, we do not know exactly how much damage he ultimately caused, but by the end of August 2024, he found himself in handcuffs. The US citizen was brought before the court and released again. He is now awaiting his trial. According to authorities, they were able to trace the email address used for the extortion back to him.

What exactly is he charged with?

  • Extortion with a corresponding threat to damage a protected computer
  • Damage to a protected computer
  • Electronic crime
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A particular kind of danger has emerged from an employee of a US security company. For behind the seemingly qualified and dedicated young software engineer hid a spy from a country considered hostile by the USA. He skillfully infiltrated, but his impatience led to his downfall. The new colleague is a cybercriminal from North Korea: US computer security company avoids attack

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Titelbild: Symbolbild von unsplash.com

A BMW driver tailgates on the highway, consequently has to pay a fine of more than 100,000 euros

Gerald Wessel Gerald Wessel Reading time 2 minutes

Whoever stands out in road traffic in Switzerland should better be poor, as a lawyer with a primal trust in sports brakes recently learned.

What did he do to receive such a penalty? According to a court ruling, a lawyer and driver of a BMW 540d is to pay around 100,000 euros plus court costs (5,000 euros) and a kind of educational fee of 10,000 euros for tailgating on a Swiss motorway.

In March 2023, the 58-year-old came very close to the car in front of him in the overtaking lane. Close tailgating in this case means: there were only eight meters between the two vehicles, as the police established via camera – and all this at 110 to 120 kilometers per hour.

He drastically disregarded the mandatory safety distance, and according to the public prosecutor’s office, there was a high abstract risk of an accident. The Aargauer Zeitung reports on this.

Those who like to press the gas pedal should prefer to do so in video games like Cyberpunk 2077:

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Cyberpunk 2077: Car battles and the new NCPD AI

The penalty must hurt

Why is the fine so high? In Switzerland, the principle is: the penalty must be proportional to the income in such cases. And since, according to the district court, the lawyer has an annual income of 1.8 million euros, daily rates between 30 euros and about 3000 euros were possible. Ultimately, it resulted in 50 times 2000 euros, totaling 100,000 euros.

Does the lawyer still have an option? The millionaire and self-proclaimed BMW fan can appeal the verdict to the Federal Court. The penalty currently hanging over him already came from the second instance, the competent higher court for the region.

This confirmed the penalty order of the district court and only reduced the “connection fine” – the aforementioned educational fee – from about 15,000 to 10,000 euros. However, this also added around 5,000 euros in court costs.

What arguments did the BMW driver use to defend himself against such evidence? He justifies his resistance against the verdict as follows:

  • He was not informed of his rights by the police. A protocol signed by him contradicts this.
  • The distance analysis was faulty because it was based on the lines on the road.
  • He did not have to expect the braking of the vehicle and also had sports and racing brakes installed.

The higher court, according to the Aargauer Zeitung, was not very impressed by all of this.

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Although most people probably don’t think of home office when it comes to car mechanics, Chris Pyle represents just that. The American serves all his customers online and has more than doubled his income within a few years: A car mechanic quit his full-time job at Ford to work from home – now he earns nearly 160,000 € a year

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Titelbild: Symbolbild von unsplash.com

Throne and Liberty: Everything Important about Free2Play, Early Access, Currencies, Battle Pass, Shop, Pay-to-win

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 8 minutes

Publisher Amazon Games and developer NCSoft have revealed how the payment model of the western version of Throne and Liberty is intended to look in detail. MeinMMO summarizes all the important information about early access, currencies, battle pass, and auction house.

Since December 2023, Throne and Liberty has been playable in South Korea, with a free-to-play payment model that indeed has pay-to-win elements. But what can western MMORPG fans expect when T&L launches on October 1, 2024, in the rest of the world?

This is exactly what publisher Amazon Games and developer NCSoft have revealed in two extensive articles on the official website of the online role-playing game. Below, MeinMMO summarizes the most important points. You can find all general information here: Throne and Liberty – All Important Information on Release, Classes, Gameplay, Open Beta, Price, and Platforms.

Update from September 15, 2024: We have added new information about the release and early access.

[toc]

More impressions of Throne and Liberty are provided by this trailer:

Start video
Throne and Liberty: New trailer reveals release date, introduces the fantasy world of Solisium

Amazon Games promises: no ‘Pay to win’!

Right at the beginning, the managers of Throne and Liberty emphasize that the following core values stand behind the game’s business model:

  • All upgrades that affect character strength must be available to all players.
  • The self-actualization of players is our top priority.
  • The purchase of items in the in-game shop should feel worthwhile, but should never be necessary.

What currencies are there in Throne and Liberty?

In the online role-playing game, there should be three main currencies:

  • Luzent: You can buy Luzent at the launch of T&L with real money, earn it through certain PvP battles (such as castle sieges and tax transport events), or obtain it by selling items in the auction house.
  • Sollant is mainly used for the purchase of in-game items from NPC vendors or required for tasks like crafting and improving equipment and other key systems. You earn Sollant through various activities.
  • Decorated Coins: You receive this currency through special in-game events/activities (such as collecting history books), through promotions like Twitch Drops, and the free battle pass series. There will be a shop offering a mix of cosmetics and progression items that you can pay for with Decorated Coins.
All currencies in Throne and Liberty can be earned.

Is there a battle pass?

Throne and Liberty will even offer two types of passes – both will have a free and a paid series.

  • Growth Pass: A one-time purchase per character that provides materials and items that simplify leveling. The Growth Pass does not offer exclusive power-related items.
  • Battle Pass: A recurring, seasonal purchase (approximately monthly) that you must buy for each character and offers a combination of cosmetic rewards, crafting materials, items, and various in-game currencies in exchange for completing certain daily, weekly, and seasonal challenges.

The Growth Pass in Details

With the Growth Pass, which is intended to assist you during the leveling phase, you receive cosmetics, Sollant, materials for leveling up, and other valuable items. How the free path differs from the paid path is still unclear.

However, the developers promise that all items from the Growth Pass can also be earned, aside from the cosmetic rewards. Compared to the Korean version, the devs have reduced the price of the Growth Pass. This can alternatively be paid for with Luzent, allowing you to obtain the paid path for free as an option.

The Battle Pass in Detail

The Battle Pass is expected to be renewed approximately at the beginning of each month. It’s also unclear how the free version will differ from the paid version in detail. However, it is clear that there will be so-called Battle Pass shop points.

Once a character reaches the maximum Battle Pass level – regardless of whether it’s the free or paid version – it converts additional Battle Pass XP into Battle Pass shop points. The shop will have changing rewards and offers, such as special cosmetic items or items that assist in leveling up.

Compared to the Korean version, there are several differences:

  • Additional cosmetics have been added to the Battle Pass series.
  • The cosmetic rewards of the final level have been updated to a premium outfit.
  • The price of the Battle Pass has been reduced and can now be purchased with Luzent instead of real money, so you can also get the paid path of the Battle Pass for free.
  • Additional Battle Pass shop points have been added to the free series of the Battle Pass.
  • Exclusive premium quests and rewards have been removed to allow all players the same access to Battle Pass XP.
Those with a guild can easily earn Luzent for the battle and growth pass.

What does the in-game shop offer?

There are hardly any online role-playing games without an in-game shop. Throne and Liberty is no exception. In the virtual store, you can exchange real money for Luzent. Additionally, various types of cosmetic items such as outfits, transformations, and emotes are available for purchase. This also includes dyes and sewing thread to further customize outfits.

Items purchased in the shop are bound to the character and cannot be traded in the auction house. Unlike in the Korean version, there will be no “aid for Sollant, food, or potions” in the in-game shop.

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

New World Aeternum: Open Beta is running – Start time, platforms, rewards for participation, subscription requirement for PS5

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 3 minutes

The open beta of New World Aeternum is currently running. MeinMMO summarizes everything important about launch time, platforms, and the rewards for participation.

The responsible parties at Amazon Games are holding a second beta phase before the official launch of New World Aeternum on October 15, 2024, starting in a few days. Below, MeinMMO summarizes everything important about the open testing phase.

[toc]

When does the Open Beta of New World Aeternum start?

The open beta of New World Aeternum runs from September 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM, to September 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The beta version is expected to be ready for download since September 11, 2024, at 6:00 PM.

On which platforms can I participate?

You have the freedom to choose whether you want to try Aeternum on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S. Since crossplay between consoles and PC is enabled, you can easily team up with your friends, regardless of which platforms they are on.

Important: On Xbox, you do not need an active Game Pass subscription to participate in the beta. However, if you want to participate on PlayStation 5 from Germany, you will need a PlayStation Plus subscription.

The new trailer prepares you for the Open Beta of New World Aeternum:

Start video
New World Aeternum: Trailer for the open beta in September 2024

What rewards are available for participating in the beta?

Participants in the open beta of New World Aeternum can earn rewards for the launch version. Four out of five goodies are tied to the level you reach during the beta:

  • Title: Pioneer of Aeternum – Participation in the open beta
  • Gloves: Cuffs of the Aeternum Adventurer – Reach level 10 with any character
  • Footwear: Marching Boots of the Aeternum Adventurer – Reach level 15 with any character
  • Legwear: Leggings of the Aeternum Adventurer – Reach level 20 with any character
  • Headgear: Tricorn of the Aeternum Adventurer and Chest Armor: Winter Coat of the Aeternum Adventurer – Reach level 25 with any character

In the open beta, you can reach a maximum of level 30. Also, keep in mind that you only receive rewards for the platform on which you played the beta. If you want to earn the goodies for the PC version of New World, you must also play the beta on PC.

MeinMMO has already been able to play the beta of New World Aeternum, here is the interim summary:

More on the topic
Don’t worry, New World Aeternum is still an MMORPG, and a good one, even on PS5 and Xbox
von Karsten Scholz

This is what the community thinks so far about the Open Beta of New World Aeternum:

More on the topic
New World Aeternum: This is how the community rates the open beta – “It is so nice to see players in the world again”
von Karsten Scholz

What is the scope of the Open Beta?

The scope of the beta includes the start of the game as well as the first quest lines up to level 30. At that time, you will have features such as mounts, arenas, influence races, and some expeditions unlocked.

Important: All progress from the open beta will be deleted once it concludes. Additionally, you will not have access to the in-game shop during the testing phase.

The announcement trailer for the new console version of New World:

Start video
Trailer for New World Aeternum announces console version

What is behind New World Aeternum?

The new version of Amazon Games’ online role-playing game is intended not only to provide the console release but also to ensure a content restart – with a greater focus on solo experience, presentation, and more action-packed combat. The main innovations are as follows:

  • Optimization of controls and UI for the controller
  • The first 10-player raid
  • Extensive PvP zone
  • Solo trials in the endgame
  • Adjusted combat system
  • Character archetypes for easier entry
  • New dialogue system and new cutscenes
  • Improved story
  • Improved leveling system
  • Characters should finally be able to swim

Note: If you want to try New World Aeternum at launch on one of the consoles, you will need a PlayStation Plus subscription or a Game Pass Core subscription in addition to the paid game.

More about New World:
The most successful MMORPG from Germany since Tibia is not only becoming more beautiful but also conquering new platforms
von Karsten Scholz
Die Macher von Rust wollen New World immer noch kaufen, Ex-Entwickler von Amazon erklärt, was dafür nötig ist
von Cedric Holmeier

PC players, on the other hand, require the base game as well as the expansion “Rise of the Angry Earth” to receive the free upgrade to the Aeternum version. If that is not the case, you will need to purchase either the complete package or, if the base game is available, secure the expansion afterwards. All info about the launch of New World Aeternum on console – Release, map, new content, PC version, price

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

Don’t worry, New World Aeternum is still an MMORPG, and a good one, even on PS5 and Xbox

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 3 minutes

With the announcement of Aeternum, the developers of Amazon Games have given their New World the new label of an “action RPG.” After two beta tests, it is now clear that you can still expect an MMORPG that should also provide some fun on consoles.

What were those beta tests? Starting from September 13, 2024, everyone interested can try out the new Aeternum version of New World on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S as part of an open beta for a few days.

Before that, there was early access for selected media representatives (unfortunately only with newly created characters), along with impressions from the closed beta which ran from July 25 to 31, 2024 (and during which there was also an endgame test). Below, MeinMMO summarizes what you can likely expect from New World Aeternum.

[toc]

Here you can see the trailer for the open beta of New World Aeternum:

Start video
New World Aeternum: Trailer for the open beta in September 2024

New World Aeternum remains an MMORPG

How does New World play differently with the Aeternum update? Not different enough to justify the switch from an MMORPG to an action RPG. On the one hand, because you still meet many other players in the game world, the economy is heavily player-driven, and it still contains all the content from New World that requires fellow players or human opponents.

On the other hand, because the innovations for camera, combat system, and presentation are nowadays not uncommon for the MMORPG genre. Various online role-playing games now rely on a cinematic presentation of the story, action-packed battles that can be easily managed with the controller, and the option to master many content solo.

Anyone who wants to experience the full New World experience must still team up or engage with other players. However, the MMORPG from Amazon Games is now increasingly opening up to console players, controller enthusiasts, lone wolves, and story connoisseurs.

This is what the community thinks about the open beta of New World:

More on the topic
New World Aeternum: This is how the community rates the open beta – “It is so nice to see players in the world again”
von Karsten Scholz

The strengths of New World Aeternum

What makes New World Aeternum good?

  • The performance on consoles is really good in the beta. In the PS5 test, there were no noticeable stutters or drops in frames per second. You can choose between graphics and performance mode. With the latter option, New World consistently reaches 60 FPS in the beta. This could of course change when significantly more players rush onto the servers at launch.
  • New World controls wonderfully with the console controllers. The small number of skills combined with the action-rich approach is made for the analog sticks and action buttons.
  • For experienced Aeternum heroes, the new archetypes bring no change. Beginners can, however, look forward to additional assistance when choosing their playstyle. For those who just want to quickly select something and start playing, the archetypes are a great addition.
  • Compared to the launch, the current leveling phase – as far as played so far – is much more enjoyable. This is not only due to the Aeternum adjustments but also to all the improvements that have been implemented over the years.
  • That swimming is now possible may seem trivial, but it noticeably positively affects how you move through the world.
  • Anyone who has played New World for a long time will discover many small improvements, such as in the animations of certain actions, in the user interface, or in the models of NPCs.
Start video
Trailer for New World Aeternum announces console version

The weaknesses of New World Aeternum

What does New World Aeternum not do well?

  • New World does not achieve the graphic quality on consoles that a strong PC offers. The draw distance is noticeably lower, and the image looks quite blurry, as if the game is downscaling the resolution to achieve the desired FPS values.
  • At times, the loading times on consoles were unusually long.
  • The attempt to switch targets using the analog stick occasionally did not work. Instead, the target simply became unselected. In chaotic combat situations, this can be quite annoying.

One concern remains

What is the preliminary conclusion? Anyone who wants to start New World with Aeternum on consoles or PC can likely expect the best version of the MMORPG to date (albeit with minor technical imperfections on consoles).

There are many improvements that positively impact the player experience, more options than ever before, and a whole bunch of content to keep you busy for months.

But what about the PC players who have already spent a lot of time in Aeternum and are looking forward to new content after a long drought? Well, hopefully, you’re in the mood for PvP because in that case, you can expect a whole zone where you can fight against other players.

More about New World:
The most successful MMORPG from Germany since Tibia is not only becoming more beautiful but also conquering new platforms
von Karsten Scholz
Die Macher von Rust wollen New World immer noch kaufen, Ex-Entwickler von Amazon erklärt, was dafür nötig ist
von Cedric Holmeier

Aside from that, not much new has been announced aimed at veterans who are not interested in leveling another character: a 10-player raid as well as endgame solo challenges. That might be too little to lure high-level heroes back to Aeternum for the long term. What do you think? All information about the launch of New World Aeternum on console (PS5 and XBOX) – release, map, new content, PC version, price

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

5 Animes with such long names that you forget the beginning after reading it

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 4 minutes

There are now many animes that reveal half the plot in the title. MeinMMO presents you 5 of the craziest names that anime fans have to pronounce.

Many animes with long titles want to capture the attention of the readers. After all, the name of an anime is the first thing a viewer comes into contact with. The anime titles are supposed to summarize well what the series is about. For example, One Piece is about the legendary treasure that every pirate is looking for.

But there are also animes that go overboard with the name. Some of the titles are so long that the new anime season is already over by the time you have pronounced the name in full. Many of the animes come from the isekai genre, which are series in which the protagonist is reborn in another world.

MeinMMO has compiled the 5 weirdest animes for you, where we forgot what was at the beginning after pronouncing the name. The ranking was created based on the number of characters in the anime title. In case of equal character length, the number of words decided which place the series occupies.

Place 5: Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon

Vending Machine Title
The name delivers what it promises.
  • Title Length: 53 characters
  • Rating on MyAnimeList: 6.48 / 10
  • Available on Stream?: Crunchyroll

Although many of the anime titles already roughly reveal what the respective series is about, we give you a short description of the plot. In Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon, a fan of vending machines is resurrected as exactly that in another world. 

Although this is a well-known premise from the isekai genre, the anime has its entertaining moments. The vending machine provides new twists that set the anime apart from other isekai representatives. However, do not expect too much, as both the story and the characters are simply written.

Place 4: I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-related Skills

Start video
I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved my Farm Related Skills – The Official Trailer
  • Title Length: 67 characters
  • Rating on MyAnimeList: 5.96 / 10
  • Available on Stream?: Prime Video, ADN, aniverse

Al Wayne is living his dream and leads a peaceful life as a farmer. Through plowing the fields and harvesting vegetables, he has gained extraordinary abilities. As a result, he is so strong and fast that he can even take on strong monsters.

Among anime fans, the series is rather unpopular. On one hand, it is considered a generic isekai anime with no complex events. On the other hand, the series is unfinished. The CGI effects are also criticized. But if you can handle farming games, the anime might still be something for you.

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

A character from One Piece is stuck in a barrel, has never been seen in the anime, now gets a backstory

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

In One Piece, there are many characters who only appear in the background and do not play an important role in the story. However, one character, who only appeared in 2 images in the manga, is important enough to give her a backstory. 

What kind of character is she? Sarfunkel is a woman who is stuck in a wooden barrel. She has been seen three times in the One Piece universe:

  • Once as a cover story in chapter 620 with Gimon, who is also stuck in an object
  • Another time in chapter 1119 in a picture with Gimon
  • In the movie One Piece Film: Red, as she holds hands with Gimon while listening to a song by Uta

In all her appearances, Sarfunkel has never said anything. We only know what she looks like: She has long, blonde hair that reaches the ground and wears glasses. In a tweet from X-user newworldartur, you can see Sarfunkel’s image from the manga cover:

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So far, not much has been known about the lady by Gimon’s side. The images suggest that she and Gimon are close. The two either hold hands, laugh together, or Sarfunkel feeds Gimon.

But now a set of new Vivre Cards has been released that reveals more about individual characters. Sarfunkel has also been dedicated a card, and finally we know how she ended up in this silly mess.

You can watch the trailer for One Piece Film: Red here:

Start video
One Piece Film: Red – The Official Trailer for the Anime Film in English

Sarfunkel has only a few appearances in One Piece

How did the accident happen? Sarfunkel was on a boat trip when the accident occurred. She was playing hide and seek with others and probably thought that the wooden barrel was a clever idea. However, the boat she was on sank.

The barrel with Sarfunkel was then washed up on the island of rare animals. She was likely stuck in the barrel so badly that she has not gotten out since. But with Gimon, who is stuck in a box, she has found the perfect fellow sufferer.

More about One Piece
A member of the Straw Hat crew is missing in an emotional scene of the new episode of One Piece, fans sense a conspiracy
von Jasmin Beverungen
Solo developer creates a game about One Piece for 2 years, fans warn of more years of learning about copyright
von Cedric Holmeier
“Thank God I didn’t do it”: “Sanji” from One Piece on Netflix almost took the wrong job
von Jasmin Beverungen

Can’t she just get out of the barrel? It could be that Sarfunkel and Gimon can get out of their vessels. However, according to CBR, Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, simply found it funnier to leave Gimon in his box. The same will likely apply for Sarfunkel.

Gimon is one of many characters that Luffy wanted to have in his Straw Hat crew. MeinMMO has compiled the funniest characters that the Straw Hat pirate wanted to recruit for his crew: One Piece: These are the craziest 8 characters that Luffy wanted in his crew 

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

New World Aeternum: This is how the community rates the open beta – “It is so nice to see players in the world again”

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 3 minutes

The open beta of New World Aeternum has started and many interested players are flocking to Aeternum. The many discussions on Reddit show that many participants of the test have a need to talk after the first hours.

What test is currently running? Since September 13, 2024, everyone interested can try out the new Aeternum version of New World on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for a few days as part of an open beta.

Aeternum contains the adapted and partially expanded version of the MMORPG from Amazon Games, which goes live on October 15, 2024, and also aims to support the latest consoles for the first time. MeinMMO’s initial conclusion about the test: Don’t worry, New World Aeternum is still an MMORPG, and a good one, even on PS5 and Xbox.

Here you see the trailer for the open beta of New World Aeternum:

Start video
New World Aeternum: Trailer for the open beta in September 2024

Community is torn

How is the community currently evaluating the open beta test? Clearly, many participants of the test have a need to talk. This is shown by the various discussions on Reddit, often with dozens or even over 100 comments.

What stands out: Many participants draw a positive conclusion and are looking forward to the upcoming launch of New World Aeternum.

  • Katgoop writes, for example (via Reddit): “I played the open beta of Aeternum, and honestly, it felt completely different, in a good way. I liked it a lot. Unfortunately, there are only a day or two left until the open beta ends.”
  • DarkkzBTW is happy (via Reddit): “It’s so nice to see players in the world again. […] With this beta, it’s so nice to see that people are playing again, and when I’m looking around, I see people around me who are also searching. It feels fresh and new. I am very satisfied with the beta so far and I’m looking forward to the launch!”
  • The conclusion from remarkable501 (via Reddit): “I played the open beta for about 4 hours. The short version is that it gives me hope that this game can be saved, and I have enjoyed it so far.”
  • Electrical_Party20 adds (via Reddit): “This version of the game is objectively the best so far, which doesn’t say much. It’s hard to make it worse. But it has cost us 7 months without updates and silence.”

Players like vandersonmr also positively highlight that New World Aeternum runs at a steady 60 fps on the Steam Deck (via Reddit).

Start video
Trailer for New World Aeternum announces console version

What criticism does the community express? Some testers also express concerns or criticism.

  • The Gladex writes (via Reddit): “While it’s nice that there are some better animations and character models, there simply aren’t enough changes to justify a return. If you didn’t like the game before, you won’t like it now either.”
  • The assessment from F_DeX (via Reddit): “They have accepted that they have failed as an MMO, and now they are trying to re-launch the same game for a console audience that likes single-player or co-op RPGs, pretending it’s an AAA RPG to get more money.”
  • PinkBoxPro did not have fun (via Reddit): “I only played for 3 hours. Honestly, it was pretty boring. Still good for first-time playthrough, but for those of us who have already experienced and finished it, it’s not worth it.”
  • Shrenku looks at the endgame (via Reddit): “Literally no new content is being added. There’s a reason the beta is limited to level 30. It’s like the 3rd time they have reshaped the experience from 1 to 30, which wasn’t necessary and no one asked for. Once you reach the endgame, you can see how bad it is.”

Moreover, it is criticized that New World Aeternum offers a target lock in PvP.

  • Caeckie writes (via Reddit): “Somehow the game is turning into a tab-target MMORPG for ranged weapons, which is really bad, because I assume these weapons are tuned to the fact that you can miss and therefore will likely be OP if you have 100% accuracy.”
More about New World:
The most successful MMORPG from Germany since Tibia is not only becoming more beautiful but also conquering new platforms
von Karsten Scholz
Die Macher von Rust wollen New World immer noch kaufen, Ex-Entwickler von Amazon erklärt, was dafür nötig ist
von Cedric Holmeier

What new content is in New World Aeternum? The new version of New World aims to turn the MMORPG more into an action RPG. With the update, gameplay and user interface will be adjusted and improved for the console. The combat system is set to become much more action-oriented, and controllers will also be better supported.

New content includes, for the first time, a 10-player raid, a faster leveling system, and solo challenges in the endgame. New character archetypes and a large PvP zone are expected to be included in the expansion. For story fans, there is a new dialogue system and an improved storyline. All information about the console launch (PS5 and XBOX) – release, map, new content, PC version, and price of New World Aeternum.

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

Throne and Liberty with Update on Early Access, Payment Model and Servers in the West

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 4 minutes

Publisher Amazon Games has revealed new details about the payment model, early access, and servers for Throne and Liberty. MeinMMO summarizes all the important information for you.

What are the new details about the payment model? Already in July 2024, the responsible parties at Amazon Games published a detailed article about the payment model of Throne and Liberty. Now there is an update on the official website of the MMORPG (via playthroneandliberty.com).

The update concerns the auction house, the real-money currency Luzent, the in-game shop, and the early access packages.

  • No premium currency is required to post items in the auction house. Therefore, all players can sell items in the auction house to earn premium currency without spending real money.
  • You can only offer base-level equipment in the auction house. Items that have been improved in any way cannot be sold. Equipment items obtained in instanced content such as cooperative dungeons and guild raids cannot be offered in the auction house either.
  • The real-money currency Luzent is shared across all characters on your account. You can earn or buy Luzent on any server. You can spend Luzent on any server of your choice. For example, you can sell items in the auction house to earn Luzent with Character A on Server A, and then spend that Luzent with Character B on Server B.
  • Cosmetic items from purchased packages (including early access), battle, and growth passes, the in-game shop, and Twitch Drops are account-wide.
  • Unlocked styles, colors, and patterns are character-specific. The same applies to cosmetic rewards earned in-game and non-cosmetic rewards from the battle and level passes.
  • When you first receive a cosmetic item, it will be saved to your account. If you receive a cosmetic item multiple times, it remains as an item in your inventory, and you can sell it to a vendor.

For the launch of Throne and Liberty, Amazon Games has already announced the first community event:

Start video
Throne and Liberty: Trailer presents the launch event ‘Siege the Day’

22 servers planned for Europe

What does Amazon Games disclose about the servers? With the introduction of the early access packages for Throne and Liberty, the developers had already revealed that early access buyers and players joining with the free-to-play launch will land on different servers.

The early access servers will go live on September 26, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The full launch will take place on October 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The servers that go live then will form the so-called full launch server group. Here are the important launch rules for the servers:

  • Once both groups of servers are live, you can create new characters on the early access or full launch servers at any time (up to the population cap). In other words, starting from launch, you can create a character on the early access servers, regardless of whether you purchased an early access package or not.
  • You can switch from the full launch servers to the open early access servers at any time.
  • Amazon Games offers all players limited-time free transfers from September 26, 2024, to October 17, 2024.
  • What is not possible: To switch from an early access server to a full launch server. The transfer restriction will be lifted on the early access servers at a later date.
Cosmetics and customization options from Throne and Liberty.
Here are some of the cosmetics and customization options from Throne and Liberty.

Are there restrictions for the free server transfer? Yes, there are! Until October 17, 2024, you can request a total of two tickets for a free server transfer. The free transfer tickets are only valid for 24 hours after they are used, to prevent players from stocking up on them.

During the free transfer period, there is no cooldown phase. This will change after October 17, 2024. Then the tickets for server transfers will need to be purchased with Luzent, and there will be a 30-day cooldown for server transfers.

What is known about the population cap for the servers? Amazon Games states that the servers of the MMORPG will have a maximum cap of players that can enter each server at a given time around the early access start and launch. What exactly that cap is, remains unclear.

To keep queues as low as possible, servers with high population counts will be locked for creating new characters. All existing characters can continue to log in. Updates regarding the servers and any locks will be provided regularly.

More about Throne and Liberty:
Face of Amazon’s MMORPG leaves the company, could mean the final exit
von Cedric Holmeier
The 12 Best Free-to-play MMORPGs 2026 in Comparison
von Schuhmann

Which servers are planned for Europe? For Central Europe, the publisher has introduced the following servers:

Available from early access start on September 26, 2024

  • Lightbringer
  • Kazar
  • Conquest
  • Ember
  • Zenith
  • Talus
  • Wraith
  • Bellandir

Early access servers – will be available later

  • Ezekiel
  • Quillix
  • Lycan

Available from launch on October 1, 2024

  • Vortex
  • Penance
  • Starfall
  • Torrent
  • Adriana
  • Cornelius
  • Excavator
  • Benny

Launch servers – will be available later

  • Zarek
  • Arkhan
  • Basilisk

According to Amazon Games, there will be a dedicated PlayStation server in every region that PlayStation players can see during early access and launch. What the name of this server will be for Europe is unclear.

What is clear is that the auction houses of all EU servers will be grouped together. The auction houses of the early access servers will be separated from the auction houses of the launch servers at the start. Everything important about classes, release, crossplay, gameplay, payment model, early access, and platforms of Throne and Liberty.

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

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a completely different game when you play it with the right race 

Sophia Weiss Sophia Weiss Reading time 2 minutes

Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you eleven playable races to choose from for your Tav or Dark Urge. With the new mod manager, you can now select almost everything that Dungeons & Dragons has to offer as a race. With the right race, the game suddenly plays very differently.

What kind of race is it? In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are basically eleven different races that you can choose for your Tav, Dark Urge, and Protector during character creation. You can read about what is generally available without mods in our class and race overview.

With a specific race, you get more dialogue options than with others. NPCs also react very differently to you. We are talking about the dark elves, the Drow.

What can change, we will show you here.

Start video
Baldur’s Gate 3 is 1 year old and to celebrate the creators share your dirty secrets

Playing as a Dark Elf in Baldur’s Gate 3 – Similar, but still quite different

What can dark elves do? There are several things that change for you. As mentioned before, NPCs react differently and your dialogue options change. This starts with the traits that the race gives you:

  • Movement rate of 9 meters per turn
  • Dark vision up to 24 meters
  • Advantage on saving throws against charm effects
  • Cannot be put to sleep
  • Cantrip Dancing Lights

If you don’t want to be a dark elf in your run all the time, you can also transform into a Drow for dialogues. Origin character Gale or Dark Urge each have the spell Self-Disguise. With that, you are prepared for everything.

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Baldur’s Gate 3: Recruiting Minthara – How to Get the Powerful Companion
von Benedict Grothaus

What dialogue options do you have in the game now? As a Drow, you get several new ways to respond to situations:

  • When you talk to the tieflings who have Lae’zel trapped in a cage, they address you about your race. Now you have a simple intimidation check available.
  • If you visit the destroyed village, the goblins no longer attack you automatically. They consider you a follower of the Absolute and let you do as you please in their camp.
    • As a Drow, you command respect and can instruct the goblins who have tied Barcus Wroot at the mill as you wish.
  • You can now enter and leave the goblin camp as you please. They won’t even ask for your identity.
    • If you take advantage of this and poison the goblins, for example, they will ask you for the reason. You can respond that they should be glad – being poisoned is a privilege. You could have slaughtered them.
    • Within the camp, you will receive many more dialogue options that are exclusive to Drow.
  • In the Emerald Grove, however, Drow are met with skepticism.
    • Leader Kagha finds you quite interesting.
    • Many people in the camp will comment on your race.

And these are just the most prominent examples from Act 1. In the Shadowlands of Act 2 and Baldur’s Gate in Act 3, it looks similar again: In the Towers of Moonrise, you will have an easy time as a Drow. In the city, you will be met with a healthy portion of mistrust.

For the next run as Dark Urge, should you perhaps choose the Dark Elf? What about you – would you be interested? After Patch 7, many players recently started new runs, and that patch has a lot to offer: Larian was never able to release a feature in Baldur’s Gate 3, but now it’s in the game

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

How do the contestants perform in 7 vs. Wild? We want to hear your opinion

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

In 7 vs. Wild, the candidates must prepare for the toughest season yet. Before much is known about the series, we would like to hear your opinion.

What can the candidates expect this year in 7 vs. Wild? The new season of 7 vs. Wild is expected to be tougher than any previous one. While the participants in seasons 2 and 3 could largely sit out the adventure as a survival vacation, the 4th season is said to be a real challenge.

The creators of the series are sending the participants to New Zealand into the cold. It seems there was even snow during the filming. For the participants, who hardly knew what to expect until their arrival, it will be an unexpected challenge. A group picture of the participants shows LetsHugo recently in the Steam (via Reddit). You can also see the picture with us in the title.

One of the candidates is LetsHugo, you can learn more about him and his career here:

Start video
He dropped out of school because streaming was more important to him – The success of LetsHugo

Different Participants

The participants of 7 vs. Wild are once again a diverse mix this year. With various body types, prior experiences, and training, the candidates enter the series. There has never been such a diverse group of participants in 7 vs. Wild as there is this year. Before much is known about the candidates, we would like to know from you who should leave the season first:

Of course, we are also interested in who your favorites are. Is it one of the survival experts, or do you believe that one of the inexperienced participants can make it to the end? You can select as many participants as you like.

The cold of 7 vs. Wild is something that will likely come as a big surprise to many. According to Joe Vogel, the temperatures were indicated to the participants beforehand at -5 to +15 degrees, yet series creator Fritz Meinecke reports snow in his livestream. Also, in the footage from the location, a thick layer of snow is clearly visible. This raises the question of who will leave the series due to the cold:

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von Cedric Holmeier
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von Cedric Holmeier
New face of 7 vs. Wild wants to make the series better again: “The last seasons weren’t that great anymore”
von Cedric Holmeier

As every year, there are extreme differences among the candidates. Not only in terms of skills but also in body type. If you haven’t looked into the participants yet, you can do so with us. We have summarized the most important information about the participants of 7 vs. Wild in our candidate presentation: These are the 7 vs. Wild candidates in Season 4 – All participants presented

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Bild © Calivision Network GmbH

Batman fans can currently save a lot of money on Steam, the reason for this is a nasty villain

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

Attention Batman fans: Some top titles are currently discounted on Steam, which may be due to the upcoming release of a new series.

What series is it about? A new series called The Penguin starts on HBO Max in a few days, focusing on Batman’s nemesis, the Penguin, and currently receiving very good reviews. In our country, the mini-series will be available via Sky Atlantic and WOW, starting on September 20, 2024.

The series is a spin-off of the 2022 film The Batman featuring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader. In this movie, the Irish actor Colin Farrell already appeared as the villain Penguin. His real name is Oswald Cobblepot. The character was previously portrayed by Danny DeVito in Batman Returns in the early 90s.

It seems that the fast-approaching start of the new series was a reason for Warner Bros. to heavily discount some of the best games from the Batman universe on Steam.

Start video
The Penguin – The Official Trailer for the Comic Villain Series

Batman at its best on Steam

Which games are on offer? The sale on Steam bears the Penguin’s name and face, even though unfortunately there is still no title solely dedicated to the eccentric villain. Instead, you can currently secure some top games on Steam for little money until September 22, 2024.

Particularly noteworthy is the Arkham series from developer Rocksteady:

  • Arkham Asylum (GOTY Edition) is reduced by 80% and costs €3.99
  • Arkham City (GOTY Edition) is reduced by 80% and costs €3.99
  • Arkham Knight is reduced by 85% and costs €5.99

You can buy the three games individually or in the Arkham Collection – here you only pay €8.99 for the entire trilogy. The series is among the best comic adaptations of all time.

If you prefer to fight with other superheroes without delay, you can take advantage of the offer for Injustice 2. In this game, currently available for €5.99, you will face off against other heroes from the DC universe in classic fighting game style.

Additional offers:

  • Gotham Knights: €11.99 (-80%)
  • Lego Batman Trilogy Pack: €4.99 (-90%)
  • Watchmen: The End is Nigh Bundle: €2.99 (-70%)
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von Ody

If you want to increase your excitement for the new Penguin series, the games where you have to face off against the villain are just the right thing for you. And even if you have no interest in the series, Arkham City and others should entertain you for many hours. By the way, a new Batman game was announced at the Summer Game Fest – which caused disappointment.

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

An actress fascinated Pedro Pascal on the set of Game of Thrones – Her character is hated by many

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

On the set of the series Game of Thrones, actor Pedro Pascal was particularly fascinated by a certain colleague. He was not alone in this.

For some time now, Pedro Pascal has risen to the top and won the hearts of the audience. Not only did he play Joel in the series The Last of Us, but he was also the Mandalorian in the namesake Star Wars series and plays an important role in the upcoming Gladiator 2.

Previously, he was already part of the cast of Game of Thrones and appeared in a very memorable scene. His duel against the mighty “Mountain” impressed the fans – today Pascal describes himself as much less physically fit.

Right there, on the set of Game of Thrones, the actor met a colleague who immediately fascinated him. However, her character is anything but nice.

Start video
First trailer for the long-awaited sequel to “Gladiator 2”

“One of my favorite people”

Which actress is it about? We’re talking about Lena Headey. In the series, she plays Cersei Lannister, a character that you probably don’t remember for her friendly demeanor.

On the contrary, she is one of the nastiest characters in the series. In reality, however, she seems to be a very kind person, which speaks even more for her acting skills.

Pedro Pascal talked about working with the actress during an Ask Me Anything on Reddit. When asked about his highlight on the set of Game of Thrones, he named Lena Headey. He described her as follows:

Lena (Headey) is one of my favorite people. And she is (in life) so funny and so smart, such a good person, a good friend, and a good mother, I believe everyone on set and everyone who comes into contact with her instantly falls in love with her. Whether man or woman, one quickly falls for her. And I was just lucky to be able to work with her and got along well with her, and we are still friends.

Pedro Pascal via Reddit

 With his enthusiasm for Headey, Pascal is not alone. Another well-known actor from the series has also taken a liking to the actress.

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von Marie Friske
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Who else is enthusiastic? Peter Dinklage, who plays the series’ brother Tyrion Lannister, also got along well with Lena Headey. This is, of course, very good for collaboration on set and affected the thoroughly nasty end result. Pedro Pascal’s own role in the series was originally supposed to be played by someone else – but he quickly grabbed it himself.

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

Throne and Liberty or New World Aeternum – which MMORPG should I play in October?

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 4 minutes

In October 2024, two MMORPGs backed by Amazon Games will have their important launch: Throne and Liberty and New World Aeternum. MeinMMO clarifies which of the two online role-playing games might be right for you.

When are the exact releases of both? New World Aeternum will be released on October 15, 2024 and for the first time offers the opportunity to play the MMORPG on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Those who already own the base game of New World on PC as well as the first expansion “Rise of the Angry Earth” will receive a free upgrade to the new version at the start of Aeternum.

Almost two weeks earlier, on October 1, 2024, the worldwide launch of Throne and Liberty will take place, which is developed by NCSoft and overseen by Amazon Games in the West. Those who purchase one of the three early access packages can get started on September 26, 2024.

In the following, Karsten Scholz, the MMORPG enthusiast at MeinMMO, breaks down the differences and orientations of the two online role-playing games to clarify which of the two MMORPGs could be the right game for you.

[toc]

What are the similarities between both MMORPGs?

Neither New World Aeternum nor Throne and Liberty is expected to have the “actually first launch” for you. New World has already been around since September 2021. Various updates and an expansion brought noticeable improvements and refinements to Aeternum.

At least on PC, there should be no unpleasant surprises at the launch in October regarding the technology. The console version is currently being tested as part of an open beta, and it seems to be running quite smoothly.

What about Throne and Liberty? The MMORPG from NCSoft has been maturing for more than ten months in South Korea and has already received several comprehensive updates there, which are said to have positively impacted the quality of Throne and Liberty.

Comparable western launches of other MMORPGs from Asia (like Black Desert, Lost Ark, or Blade & Soul) have generally gone quite smoothly in the past.

For the launch of Throne and Liberty, there will be a special community event:

Start video
Throne and Liberty: Trailer presents the launch event ‘Siege the Day’

Are there any more similarities? Throne and Liberty and New World Aeternum focus on quite an action-packed combat system as well as a cinematic presentation of the story. Both MMORPGs also promise PvP mass battles for outposts and fortresses, but also content such as PvP arenas, dungeons, and raids.

Another parallel: Both MMORPGs are not only available on PC but also on PlayStation and Xbox. Accordingly, the developers have invested significant time in the respective controller controls.

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What is special about Throne and Liberty?

The new MMORPG from NCSoft (Aion, Guild Wars, Lineage) places an unusual focus on the “Massively” in “Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game” for modern online role-playing games.

Additionally, what makes T&L special is the focus on its game world. Thanks to tier forms and grappling hooks, you move very mobile through the regions, and you’ll find quest givers and secrets everywhere. Moreover, the game world reacts dynamically to weather and environmental influences as well as the time of day.

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Important: For Throne and Liberty, you won’t need a Game Pass Core or PlayStation Plus membership starting from the launch. Additionally, the MMORPG will be released with a free-to-play payment model in the West. So, just trying it out is perfectly possible.

On the next page, we’ll discuss the special features of New World Aeternum and the final recommendation from the MeinMMO editorial team.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. FAQ zu Throne and Liberty
Pages: 1 2

Lord of the Rings Online with First Impressions from the Expansion ‘Legacy of Morgoth’

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 3 minutes

It’s time for our MeinMMO format “MMORPG news in two minutes.” We summarize the most important news around the best genre in the world. Look forward to creative homes from GW2, the open beta of New World Aeternum, the start of the first season of WoW: The War Within, and much more.

The highlights of the week:

What else has happened? Season 1 of WoW: The War Within has started and this brings not only a new raid instance, ranked PvP, as well as Mythic Plus dungeons. So now Brann Bronzebeard is harder to level – players are upset, and those who want the best possible gear from the depths need to pay close attention. Additionally, there was trouble regarding the scaling of the difficulty of the depths.

Here is the trailer for the new expansion of Black Desert:

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Battle in EVE Online costs 1.1 trillion ISK

This is what happened with the major MMORPGs:

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This is what happened with the smaller MMORPGs:

This is what happened with the MMORPGs in development:

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With that, we have summarized for you the most important things that have happened recently in the world of MMORPGs.

What did you enjoy this week? What upset you? Let us know in the comments. If you are looking for a lively yet informative overview on online role-playing games, be sure to check this out: Report, columns, talks, and the top list of the best MMORPGs of all time – that was the theme week of MeinMMO

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

Space Marine 2: “Who is the Guy?” – Player finds defenseless NPC who is treated like dirt, gains valuable lore knowledge from fans

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, everything revolves around the titular Space Marines. However, they wouldn’t be able to display their strength in battle against Tyranids and Chaos if they didn’t have diligent helpers. One of the helpers seems to stand out among the rest. A player asks why – and gains deep insight into the world behind Space Marine 2.

What kind of NPC is this?

  • On your battle barge, there are many NPCs in red robes, some in ordinary clothing, and strange cyborgs with mechanical limbs and other augmentations.
  • While all servants are generally treated with respect, even when they address you as “Lord,” one of these cyborgs receives only unfriendly responses – and speaks a bit strangely himself.
  • Anyone unfamiliar with Warhammer might initially be put off by this – even if they have read the helpful lore summary.

This is why the NPC is treated so poorly: A user on Reddit felt this exact confusion and asked: “Who is this guy and why is the other treating him like a robot and as if he were dumb?”

In the world of Warhammer, these creatures are called “Servitors.” Servitors are a fusion of human and machine and are no longer truly cyborgs, but rather something like living robots. Human bodies in Servitors are so heavily augmented with devices that they are living tools, where the term “living” is broadly defined.

Because Servitors are essentially lobotomized, meaning: Their free will is completely erased. Usually, criminals or heretics are turned into Servitors through “Servitude Imperpituis” to render some service to the Imperium before they die. Sometimes, however, ordinary citizens who have said something wrong are also affected…

As machines, they require maintenance and can no longer make independent decisions. They are repaired and cared for by the guys in red robes, the Adeptus Mechanicus, and receive their tasks from them. Servitors are typically used for simple transportation tasks and heavy labor.

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“Autonomous machines need a human brain”

On Reddit, users provide further explanations as to why such cruel treatment is even necessary. In short: The Imperium would not be able to operate autonomous mechanical helpers otherwise.

Artificial intelligence, as we know it, is banned in the 41st millennium of the human Imperium. This is because during the “Dark Age of Technology,” artificial intelligence rebelled against humanity, quite similarly to the Terminator movies.

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This is why it is forbidden in Warhammer 40,000 to build machines with their own intelligence. The “machine spirit” that is often mentioned is presumably a remnant of the old AI, which can still be found in almost all human technology, Hype59 explains on Reddit.

As a small bonus, fans provide some lore about the Orks and how technology is handled there: If they believe strongly enough in something, it works. Gluing two weapons together? Makes sense, double firepower. Red stripes on the tank make it faster, of course. And purple Orks are naturally camouflaged, or have you ever seen a purple Ork?

Whether any of this is true is, as is customary with Warhammer, not entirely clear. And Ork technology only works for Orks; if a human were to use it, it would be utterly useless. In Space Marine 2, the lore may not play a significant role in gameplay, but the story itself could become quite important: The ending of Space Marine 2 could massively influence the future of Warhammer 40,000

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

World-class player could miss the LoL Worlds 2024 because his old team is suing him

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

The South Korean player Lee “Scout” Ye-Chan has actually already qualified for the World Championship in League of Legends. But because he is having trouble with a former team, he might still miss the LoL Worlds 2024. Everything depends on whether his former team sues him or not.

This is the situation: Scout is a great midlaner. He won the World Championship in 2021. Scout has been playing for the Chinese team LNG Esports since December 2022.

LNG Esports won the Regional Qualifier tournament and secured the 3rd place for China at the Worlds 2024.

However, Scout might still miss the LoL Worlds 2024 because his former team could prevent his travel to Europe, where the Worlds will take place this year.

Faker’s qualification for the LoL Worlds 2024 is also shaky:

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His former team could mess up Scout’s trip to the LoL Worlds 2024

Why isn’t he allowed to travel? Scout played for the Chinese team EDward Gaming from March 2016 to December 2022 before moving to LNG Esports.

However, a former team believes that the transfer was not conducted properly. EDward Gaming accuses Scout of agreeing to a transfer to a team in the South Korean LCK in 2022 while he was still under contract with EDward Gaming.

The move to South Korea ultimately did not happen, and Scout moved to LNG Esports in China, yet the lawsuit from EDward Gaming is still pending.

According to the current situation, EDward Gaming could issue a travel ban against Scout so that he stays in China and cannot fly to the LoL Worlds in Europe. According to a report from a Korean news site, EDward Gaming is considering such a lawsuit to obtain a travel ban.

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What would the consequences be? LNG Esports would need a substitute for the midlane, which cannot be filled from the current roster.

Rookie and Doinb are considered possible alternatives to replace Scout.

The LoL Worlds 2024 are just a few weeks away. Right now, the last few spots that are still available are being distributed. And one of those few spots at the biggest event for LoL 2024 is being contested by none other than the superstar of the game: LoL: World Champion T1 fails against underdog – Now Faker could miss the Worlds 2024

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