Shooter fans should watch the ONL of gamescom 2024, as we can expect at least one major announcement

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 3 minutes

MeinMMO editor Dariusz is actually looking forward to the ONL of gamescom 2024. He expects exciting announcements.

On August 20, the Opening Night Live (ONL) of gamescom 2024 will start at 8:00 PM. The event is typically filled with a ton of trailers for new games or updates. Often, new games are presented to the world for the first time, or upcoming players receive new announcements.

For the first time in years, I, as a shooter expert, have the hope that there could be a major announcement for us as well – there are indeed hints. And if I’m wrong in my expectations, at least you’ll have something to laugh about and can say, “This fool actually had hope.”

The gamescom 2024 is also an important event for us. You can watch the ONL live stream with us from Webedia, that is, GameStar, GamePro, and MeinMMO. Additionally, on August 22 at 5:00 PM, we will have our big FYNG Show with exclusive material on over twenty games. Here you can learn more about the show:

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Stress tests, closed demonstrations, and more

My assumption that there must be at least one announcement is based on events of the past few weeks. Several promising games have opened their doors.

Spectre Divide, the upcoming tactical shooter from shroud, had a small stress test for the servers first, then shortly thereafter, a closed beta started. I believe we could soon learn about a release date, an open beta, or at least a release window. A stress test for the servers only makes sense if a large influx of players is expected soon.

In Diablo 4, there was the so-called server slam about a month before the game’s release. Although Spectre Divide was only recently presented, the developers have been working on the shooter for two years already.

Start video
Spectre Divide provides detailed insights into the gameplay of the shooter

Then there is Splitgate 2, which was also recently announced. Following the announcement, a video was released showing (ex) pros and content creators playing and presenting the classes of the shooter. Moreover, an alpha playtest on Steam is supposed to start on August 21, shortly after the ONL of gamescom 2024.

In the video with the pros, Splitgate 2 also looked like it was quite far along in development. As for the release, we only know the year: 2025. So maybe we will see a new trailer with more gameplay or even a more concrete release date.

Waiting for release dates and CoD Next

Thirdly, we talk about Delta Force: Hawk Ops. The shooter with the Battlefield modes is currently conducting an alpha test. Here, too, we are waiting for more precise information about the release. I would also quite like to see a gamescom trailer for the extraction shooter Beautiful Light – after all, the game is supposed to be released in 2024. The supposedly upcoming tactical shooter ALARA Prime, which is also set to be released in 2024, should also start ramping up marketing if the F2P title is indeed to be released this year.

And even if it should be clear: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is still in the works. On August 28, the big event CoD Next will take place, where they will once again present the upcoming installment in detail. It is therefore likely that there will be another trailer just before.

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Little hope for PvE shooters

I currently have less hope for fans of PvE or single-player shooters. Ashfall, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, or the next Doom could show something. The same goes for the dino shooter Ferocious, which at least states on Steam “Planned release date: Upcoming announcement.” Maybe we will also see S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which recently delayed its release again. However, I don’t have much hope for that.

On the other hand, I am quite sure that we will see a trailer for Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2. The co-op shooter has already started promoting itself weeks ago and is preparing for the release on September 9. I don’t see a big announcement coming for the Warhammer shooter, but I would still enjoy watching a new trailer.

Personally, I would be really happy about a release date or further beta phases for shroud’s tactical shooter Spectre Divide. I had and continue to have a lot of fun in the open beta. You can read more about my impressions on MeinMMO: Spectre Divide is already the best PvP shooter of 2024 in beta – This is why the new game is so much fun

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

Pokémon trainer misses his chance at the World Championship final, “just to be an edgelord”

Linda Baumgartl Linda Baumgartl Reading time 2 minutes

The Pokémon World Championships 2024 are taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii. In the semifinals of the TCG (Trading Card Game), a player made a mistake that ruined all his good chances.

What kind of event is this? The Pokémon World Championships are the highlight of every season. For a year, trainers can prove themselves in various championships. Those who collect enough points have the opportunity to compete for a prize pool of up to $50,000 at the World Championships.

There are four categories to compete in:

  • Pokémon Video Game (Scarlet and Violet)
  • Pokémon TCG (Trading Card Game)
  • Pokémon UNITE
  • Pokémon GO

Here you can see the trailer for the mentioned event:

Start video
Pokémon World Championship 2024: Trailer for the Event in Hawaii

Unjustly Disqualified?

Playing your way to the top at a huge event like the Pokémon World Championships is anything but easy. This year, over 3000 Pokémon trainers fought to be the very best.

It’s all the more unpleasant to lose a potential victory due to an inappropriate obscenity.

What happened? Ian Robb, a successful TCG player, was disqualified during a match at the championship on Saturday. The reason was an allegedly obscene gesture he made towards his opponent.

You can see the offense in the video here:

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This was particularly frustrating for Robb, as he was already among the top 8 players in his age group. Without the disqualification, he could have made it to the finals and possibly even won.

Instead, he was immediately eliminated from the tournament, and the current match was not finished. Ironically, his opponent, Fernando Cifuentes, who advanced to the finals due to the incident, ended up winning.

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Was that justified? On X, the community discusses whether the immediate disqualification was warranted.

  • “He clearly just mimicked a dice throw, if you actually saw the match,” wrote Dat_Boi_CMoney for example. He refers to the fact that Robb had particularly good luck with dice beforehand.
  • Others disagree: “Ian Robb is an intelligent individual who should know what his hand movement looks like, REGARDLESS of how it was intended,” wrote CalvinNordberg for example.
  • “Imagine throwing everything away just to be an edgelord. He deserves to be disqualified,” agreed SpineEater.

Regardless of how you look at it, Ian Robb received a “match loss due to unsportsmanlike conduct,” explained a moderator after the incident.

A day earlier, there was a similarly embarrassing incident. Here, the opponent was not only subjected to gestures. There was even an attempt to cheat for an unfair advantage. But it did not end well for the culprit: A Pokémon player tried to cheat at the World Championships, but it only became embarrassing for him

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

LoL Worlds 2024: Tickets, Date and Location – All information about the World Championships and the participating teams

jacquelinek jacquelinek Reading time 3 minutes

The Worlds in League of Legends are just around the corner. What you need to know about the tickets, schedule, locations, and participating teams will be revealed here.

The Worlds in League of Legends are the event of the year for eSports fans. In 2024, the event returns to Europe, starting in Berlin before culminating in a spectacular finale in London.

We at MeinMMO provide you with all the necessary information about this year’s Worlds.

[toc]

Start video
LoL: „GODS“ ft. NewJeans (Official Music Video) | World Cup Anthem 2023

LoL Worlds 2024 – Tickets

Tickets for the preliminary rounds of the Worlds can be obtained through the official website of LoL Esports. However, tickets for the dates until October 13 are already sold out.

The tickets for the games in Paris are also no longer available. According to the website, there will be a second wave of ticket sales for the games in Paris. The pre-sale will start on August 21 at 10 AM at Ticketmaster.

Further information about the tickets for the Worlds final in London will follow.

If you cannot attend in person, you can watch all the games from home on the official YouTube and Twitch channels of League of Legends.

LoL Worlds 2024 – Location

The Worlds 2024 in League of Legends will take place in Europe this year. The preliminary rounds and the Swiss stage will be held in Berlin at the newly redesigned Riot Games-Arena.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will then take place in France, specifically in the Adidas Arena in Paris. The grand final will finally be held in London at the O2 Arena.

LoL Worlds 2024 – Start Date and Schedule

The preliminary rounds start this year in Berlin and will take place from September 25 to 29. In this phase, teams from the PCS, VCS, LLA, and CBLOL leagues will compete against each other in a best-of-3 format. The 2 best teams from each group will qualify for the Swiss phase, and the rest will be eliminated from the tournament.

The Swiss phase begins on October 3 and ends on the 13th of the same month. 4 teams from the preliminary round will then face off against teams from other regions. A total of 8 teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

Finally, the quarterfinals and semifinals will take place. The quarterfinals will be held from October 17 to 20, while the semifinals will take place on October 26 and 27.

Lastly, the final of the Worlds 2024, including a grand opening ceremony, will take place on November 2 of this year.

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LoL Worlds 2024 – All Participating Teams

At this point, not all participating teams have been confirmed, as all necessary tournaments have not yet been completed. However, the number of teams allowed from each region to participate in the Worlds is already known.

LEC (EMEA)

A total of three teams from the LEC will participate in this year’s Worlds. The first team is already confirmed as G2, since they won the LEC Summer Split. The following teams or winners will participate in the Worlds:

  • LEC Seasons Finals Champion (TBD)
  • LEC Seasons Finals Runner-Up (TBD)
  • G2 Esports (LEC Summer Champion)

LCS (North America)

Three teams from the LCS will also participate in the Worlds. However, the qualification differs from the LEC, as only participants of the Summer Split can secure a spot for the World Championship:

  • LCS Summer Champion (TBD)
  • LCS Summer Runner-Up (TBD)
  • LCS Summer third place (TBD)

LPL (China)

Unlike the other two leagues, a total of four teams from the China region will secure a spot at the Worlds. The following participants will secure a spot:

  • LPL Summer Champion (TBD)
  • LPL Championship Points (TBD)
  • LPL Regional Finals Winner (TBD)
  • LPL Regional Finals Runner-Up (TBD)

LCK (South Korea)

Due to the fact that Gen.G won the MSI this year, their region secured an additional starting spot. Therefore, a total of four teams from the LCK will participate in the Worlds:

  • LCK Summer Champion (TBD)
  • LCK Championship Points (TBD)
  • LCK Regional Finals Winner (TBD)
  • Gen.G (2024 MSI Champion)

PCS (Asia-Pacific)

Now we follow the regions that must first secure a spot in the Swiss phase through the preliminary rounds in Berlin. The PCS are allowed to participate in the preliminary rounds with two teams:

  • PCS Summer Champion (TBD)
  • PCS Summer Runner-Up (TBD)

VCS (Vietnam)

The Vietnam region is also allowed to participate in the preliminary rounds with two teams. The following teams have already qualified:

  • GAM Esports (VCS Summer Champion)
  • Vikings Esports (VCS Summer Runner-Up)

CBLOL (Brazil)

The Brazil region is only allowed to send one team to the preliminary rounds in Berlin:

  • CBLOL Split 2 Champion (TBD)

LLA (Latin America)

Lastly, the Latin America region. This region is also allowed to send only one team to the preliminary rounds in Berlin, just like Brazil:

  • LLA Closing Champion (TBD)

Last year, the great Faker and his team T1 dominated the World Championship. Whether they can achieve this goal again this year is still open. How the Worlds went last year, you can read here: LoL Worlds: After years of failure, T1 and Faker become dominant world champions

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

The First Descendant receives a completely new dungeon with Season 1 – All highlights of the major update

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 2 minutes

In The First Descendant, Season 1 is just around the corner. Nexon has now revealed more details about the upcoming content. Here’s what you can expect in Season 1 of the loot shooter.

When does Season 1 start? The release of Season 1: Invasion of The First Descendant is on August 29, 2024. The update will be available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and NVIDIA GeForce NOW.

What are the highlights of Season 1? With Season 1, The First Descendant is getting some exciting new features. Nexon has introduced the highlights of the season. Here’s what you can expect:

  • New descendant: Hailey
  • New “Invasion Dungeon”
  • New season growth: Reverse Enhancement
  • Ultimate Freyna
  • A new Void Intercept boss fight: Death Stalker
  • 2 new Ultimate weapons: Excava and Frost Guardian
  • A mysterious merchant

Here’s the trailer for Season 1:

Start video
The First Descendant presents Season 1 in the trailer

Season 1 brings sniper descendant and speedrun dungeons

What distinguishes the new descendant? The new descendant is named Hailey and is a sniper. Consequently, she is equipped with an anti-material sniper rifle, which fires the so-called “Sub-zero bullets”.

In addition, Hailey has the ability to lower her body temperature and emit cold air to gain an advantage in combat.

What are Invasion Dungeons? Invasion Dungeons are infiltration operations on the difficulty level “Hard”.

Invasion Dungeons are particularly interesting for fans of speedruns. The faster you complete the invasion, the greater your rewards will be. Speed is therefore rewarded with loot.

New ultimate weapons bring energy grenades and cold boost

What can the new ultimate weapons do? The two new ultimate weapons are called Excava and Frost Guardian.

Excava:

  • Excava is an assault rifle that builds up tension and charges when you shoot at enemies. This tension is transformed into an energy grenade.
  • You can obtain Excava through the free Battle Pass of Season 1.

Frost Guardian:

  • Frost Guardian is a scout rifle that reduces cold resistance and increases your damage with cold skills. It is particularly suitable for Viessa and the new descendant Hailey.
  • You will receive Frost Guardian by playing the contents of Season 1.
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What is season growth: Reverse Enhancement? In Season 1, descendants can unlock new potentials and abilities known as Reverse Enhancements.

Reverse Enhancements increase your powers in various areas. The extent of the increase depends on your progress in the respective season.

Season 1 is also expected to bring more new features and changes to the loot shooter. One of them is a mysterious merchant coming to Albion. Perhaps The First Descendant will get someone who takes on a similar role to Xur in Destiny. He will soon become even more important in Bungie’s game: Xur will soon be the best merchant in Destiny 2 – is said to offer valuable items that players have been farming for weeks

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

New game on Steam catapults itself to the top seller thanks to preload

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 2 minutes

The upcoming action RPG Black Myth: Wukong is one of the games players are most excited about right now. Just recently, the preload was released, which catapulted the game to the top seller on Steam. How you can download the game is explained here.

Why is Black Myth: Wukong highly anticipated? Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG developed by “Game Science.” In this game, you take on the role of Sun Wukong and accompany him on his journey through ancient China. You will fight against various monsters and creatures from mythology and try to prove your worth.

The game impresses not only with its action-packed battles but also with great graphics and atmosphere. Everything feels cohesive, and the combat system shows in the trailers that it is fast and colorful. The developers have now launched the preload, and since then, the game has catapulted to number one in the top sellers on Steam worldwide (via steampowered.com).

You can find out how to download the game now in the following section.

Start video
Black Myth: Wukong: The final trailer for the action RPG from China

How to start the preload of Black Myth: Wukong

How do I start the preload on PC? To start the preload on Steam, you must have purchased the game. If you pre-ordered Black Myth: Wukong, the download option should now be active. You can now download the file and must wait until the release on August 20, 2024, to begin playing.

If you have already pre-ordered the game, you can go to your library and manually start the preload there.

How do I start the preload on PS5? First, you need to pre-order the game in the PlayStation Store. After the purchase, you will immediately have the option to start the download and pull the main file onto your hard drive before the release.

Here, too, if you have already pre-ordered the game, you can go to your library and manually start the preload there.

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What is the download size? Depending on which platform you are playing on, the download size will differ. You should expect the following data:

  • Steam preload: 118 GB
  • PS5 preload: 104.394 GB

That was all the important information about the preload of Black Myth: Wukong. Are you also excited about Sun Wukong’s journey? If you are looking for more information about the release, we have the perfect overview for you here: Black Myth Wukong: Everything about the release, gameplay time, benchmarking tool, and editions

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

Fortnite: Doctor Doom distributes the remains of defeated heroes and villains on the map, but you have to look closely to recognize them

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

Fortnite has already had many seasons behind it, but with Absolute Doom, Epic Games is taking a darker turn. While fans battle with superpowers, there are many remnants of well-known heroes in the background who have been killed by Doctor Doom. Have you found them yet?

Which season is currently active? In Fortnite, Chapter 5 Season 4 is currently active. The season is called “Absolute Doom” and is fully focused on the Marvel franchise. You get many superheroes and villains in the Battle Pass, and there are also many superpowers in the current weapon meta that are simply way too strong.

However, the attention to detail that Epic Games has shown is interesting, as it is not only remarkable but also dark and disturbing. Doctor Doom, the main character and villain of the current season, has decorated the map with various remnants of superheroes and villains. You will only find these if you look closely.

Start video
Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5 Season 4 – Official Trailer to Absolute Doom

Doctor Doom builds a throne from his enemies

Which heroes and villains have been affected? On the map as well as in Doom’s castle, there are many references to the defeated heroes and villains. Doctor Doom uses these to display them as trophies in showcases. The following trophies could be discovered:

  • The Thing from the Fantastic Four has been shaped into a throne.
  • The heart of the Human Torch has been ripped out and packed into a torch.
Fortnite-The-Thing-Throne
The throne (Source: gamerant.com)
Fortnite-Johnny-Storm-Heart
The heart (Source: gamerant.com)
  • Mr. Fantastic has been knotted into a ball.
  • Susan Storm is invisibly held in a showcase with a chair.
  • The broken amulet of Doctor Strange is displayed in a showcase.
  • Magneto’s broken helmet is also on display in Doctor Doom’s library.
  • Thanos has also been caught, as his helmet is likewise in a showcase.
  • The board from the Silver Surfer lies broken in the library.
  • The severed head of Ultron is also in a showcase.
Fortnite-Ultron-Head
The head of Ultron (Source: gamerant.com)
  • The broken throwing weapon from Moon Knight is displayed in another part of the castle.
  • The conch shell from Submariner is also prominently displayed in the castle.
  • The broken helmet of Galactus is smoking in the sea outside the Fortnite map.
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What else can players discover? In the community, players believe that Doctor Doom is trying to retrieve his mother’s soul from Mephisto. For those who don’t know Mephisto: He is essentially the devil from the Marvel universe and can grant wishes if one offers their soul in exchange.

Next to Doctor Doom’s castle, there is even a large tower with a red glowing aura and rising smoke. Ancient runes can also be found nearby. It is believed that Doctor Doom is trying to summon Mephisto there to “save” his mother.

Our MeinMMO editor Niko Hernes has also taken a close look at Doctor Doom and explains why this villain is much scarier than Thanos: 5 reasons why Dr. Doom is more frightening in Marvel than Thanos

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

Black Myth: Wukong – The most wished game on Steam reportedly forbade influencers from mentioning “feminist propaganda”

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

The action RPG Black Myth: Wukong for Steam and PS5 is currently one of the hottest topics in gaming. Numerous players are eagerly awaiting the release, while elsewhere the game is being critically discussed.

What is the current situation with Black Myth: Wukong? The action RPG from the studio Game Science is set to be released on August 20, 2024, for Steam and PS5. Many players can hardly wait to dive into the world of Chinese mythology, but the hype is dampened by several discussions.

  • Early reviews have been positive: The game impresses with its great visuals and tight combat. It has a decent score of 82% on Metacritic.
  • Even before its release, Black Myth: Wukong dominated Steam and is already a top seller.
  • Since August 18, 2024, a document has been circulating with alleged requirements for influencers to cover the game. It instructs content creators to simply have fun with the game without discussing politics. Specifically, no “feminist propaganda,” no mention of the COVID-19 pandemic, and no content related to the Chinese gaming industry.

The alleged demands have sparked heated discussions online. However, many users doubted their authenticity. According to current information, the document was indeed sent to influencers.

Start video
Black Myth: Wukong: The final trailer for the action RPG from China

Influencers confirm authenticity of the document

Where is this information coming from? The well-known gaming analyst and journalist Paul Tassi published an article on Forbes about the alleged requirements for influencers.

He spoke with a trusted U.S. content creator and was able to verify the authenticity of the document, according to Tassi. He was shown the email correspondence of the creator, which eventually ended with the mentioned guidelines after some back-and-forth.

The document itself was reportedly sent from a Gmail address, which caused skepticism among users. However, the email contact was initiated from an address that is tied to Hero Games, a marketing partner of Game Science. During the exchange, a real code for the game was also included, so according to Tassi, it is not just any document created and spread by an uninvolved person.

Tassi emphasizes that the document was not sent to game journalists and thus had no influence on the reviews of Black Myth: Wukong. It is also possible that not all content creators covering the game received these requirements.

The French content creator and journalist Benoit “ExServ” Renier also confirmed that he received the guidelines and announced in a video on YouTube that he would not show the game.

We have requested a statement regarding the guidelines and will update this as soon as we receive a response.

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How is this being discussed? Very differently. In a thread on X, some users welcome the guidelines. It is a perfectly reasonable request that the discussion should focus on the game itself.

Others call the requirements “dystopian” and discuss what exactly the developers might not want to be mentioned.

Our colleagues already had the opportunity to get their own impression of the game. On GameStar, you can find the first impressions of Black Myth: Wukong (paid PLUS article).

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
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gamescom 2024 – Our biggest live event yet starts on August 20!

Sophia Weiss Sophia Weiss Reading time 3 minutes

Exclusive, trailers, talks and entertainment: We are broadcasting live for six days and nearly 50 hours with Find Your Next Game from gamescom. Join us from August 20 to 25 on our Twitch channel, on YouTube, and of course live in Cologne.

From August 20 to 25, 2024 the gaming world will be looking at Cologne, expecting the largest and most important gamescom in years. That’s why we at Webedia will finally be back with a large booth on site after four years of absence.

Webedia includes GameStar, GamePro and MeinMMO, our film and entertainment portals Moviepilot and FILMSTARTS, as well as Maurice Weber, Nerdkultur, Ninotaku TV and – brand new with us – Tech like Vera!

With this huge team (we are traveling with almost 80 people), we will present a program in Cologne that you have never seen before from us – live on our stage in Hall 10.1 (Booth E040) and streaming on twitch.tv/gamestar.

At our biggest live event so far Find Your Next Game: gamescom 2024 (short: FYNG gamescom) we offer you…

  • The complete Opening Night Live, hosted by our hosts Maurice, Julius, and Ann-Kathrin
  • World premieres, unseen trailers, and exclusive gameplay scenes in our major Find Your Next Game Show on August 22 starting at 5 PM, hosted by Maurice and Ann-Kathrin
  • the ASUS Show, where we will challenge renowned hardware influencers on August 21 from 7 to 9 PM

But that’s far from all, as we will be broadcasting live daily from gamescom from our studio. Besides the highlights, the FYNG program offers…

  • exclusive info about the most exciting games at the fair
  • Talks with prominent developers, stars, and talents
  • Entertainment such as Nino’s legendary anime quiz and whatever Ann-Kathrin is manically laughing about at her desk
  • and much more
FYNG gamescom ROG Sponsoring

The first highlight: The gamescom Opening Night Live

On Tuesday, August 20 you will experience live streaming of Geoff Keighley’s gamescom Opening Night Live (short: ONL).

Maurice will be there live on site pulling prominent faces in front of the camera. Ann-Kathrin and Julius will then host the announcements of the  ONL show live in the React.

Following this, our editors Heiko Klinge (GameStar), Hannes Rossow (GamePro), Leya Jankowski (MeinMMO), and Rae (all!) will draw their personal conclusions of the show.

You can watch the whole thing live on twitch.tv/gamestar or on our YouTube channel on August 20 starting at 7:30 PM.

The second highlight: The ASUS Show

On Wednesday, August 21, we will compete with an internal team against renowned influencers in a series of exciting challenges in the ASUS Show.

Cross your fingers for us so we can win the challenges! Live on August 21 starting at 7:00 PM on twitch.tv/gamestar.

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The third highlight: The FYNG Show

Our absolute program highlight awaits you on Thursday, August 22 starting at 5:00 PM.

In the Find-Your-Next-Game-Show (short: FYNG Show) we will show you new and exclusive material from over twenty games.

We will welcome prominent developers and stars on our stage and even have some real world premieres in store.

Hosted by Maurice Weber and Ann-Kathrin Kuhls, you can also watch the FYNG Show on our stream on twitch.tv/gamestar, on our YouTube channel and of course live at our booth in Hall 10.1.

You can see, we have a lot planned. We hope you’ll either tune in large numbers to the stream, or – even better – visit us at our booth in Hall 10.1 at gamescom. You can find the full program schedule for the event on our overview page for Find Your Next Game.

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

Pokémon GO shows in 30 seconds why the next season could be the most exciting in a long time

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

Pokémon GO is approaching the next season. And it is becoming increasingly clear: Dynamax Pokémon will likely be a part of it.

This is the new teaser: As part of the Pokémon World Championships, various announcements about Pokémon have been made. This includes a new teaser for Pokémon GO.

In it, there is a woman on the beach who is about to catch a Krabby. A “breaking news” alert appears on her smartphone, which she quickly swipes away.

But then suddenly the sky darkens. The cloud cover breaks open and a strange energy is unleashed. You hear heavy stomping footsteps and a giant shadow looming over the scene.

Additionally, the thirty-second teaser is under the motto “Something big is coming in Pokémon GO.” All of this fits with the already much-discussed Dynamax phenomenon, but you should see it for yourself:

Start video
Pokémon GO: New teaser shows something ‘big’

What’s new with Dynamax in Pokémon GO?

New information about the release: Alongside the teaser, a brief post was also published on the official info blog for Pokémon GO. It contains a short retrospective that over the last eight years a lot has been discovered in Pokémon GO, but there is still new content.

Then it discusses the new “season” that starts on September 3, 2024:

A new season brings many things with it: big changes, big battles, and… big Pokémon? What will await you in your next Pokémon GO adventure…

Description on the official Pokémon GO blog (via Pokémon GO Live).
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What does this mean? The Dynamax phenomenon was already found by data miners some time ago, which is why many expected that it would come to Pokémon GO sooner or later. However, with the teaser, it is now confirmed that it will actually appear in the next season of the game.

How exactly it will affect the game is the question. Data mining revealed information such as new raids and attack effects, plus the Dynamax emblem can already be found in the Pokémon collection filters. So there will likely be certain Pokémon that can undergo Dynamax.

The hope is that this feature is something for collectors looking for giant forms, as well as for fighters who could receive strong new monsters. Depending on how significantly this feature affects gameplay, it could become one of the most exciting seasons in Pokémon GO for a long time. Especially since another new feature has already been announced: Morpeko will likely appear in the game soon and bring a new form change capability. As always, we will keep you updated!

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

The boss of Baldur’s Gate 3 believes that his son may become addicted to gaming because he and his wife have played so much WoW

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The head of Baldur’s Gate 3 has already influenced his son during pregnancy – with constant gaming and of all things World of Warcraft.

“The developers probably don’t play themselves at all.” This is an accusation that often comes from players when they disagree with a game or cannot understand the developer’s decisions. However, no one seems to doubt that the head of one studio is a “real” gamer: Swen Vincke from Larian.

The head of the studio that created Baldur’s Gate 3 is even worried that he has already infected his son with a dangerous passion for video games while he was still in the womb.

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

What did Vincke say? In an interview on the BAFTA YouTube channel, Swen Vincke answered a whole series of questions, all revolving around different games from his life. Starting from his first games as a teenager in the arcade to his long-lasting favorites. Vincke also mentioned that he and his wife passionately gamed during the pregnancy with their son – namely World of Warcraft:

When I started playing World of Warcraft, my wife was pregnant. So we played together throughout the pregnancy while the baby was growing. When he was born, he just sat on our lap and we kept playing.

And now he has quite a significant gaming addiction problem that we probably caused.

You can see the relevant passage in the interview starting at minute 01:49:

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World of Warcraft was, alongside StarCraft II, also the game that Vincke was said to have played the most. But that might be similar for many gamers, as both games were the best in their field, and there was almost no way around them.

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Does Vincke mean that seriously? However, Vincke says this with a laugh – the statement seems to be rather ironic and does not allow any conclusion as to whether his son really has a “gaming addiction” or is just a passionate gamer like himself.

However, one thing becomes clear from the interview: Swen Vincke is a real gamer and has always been. He talks about numerous games from the past that have significantly influenced him. He is praised in the comments on YouTube for this, as it is noticeable that Baldur’s Gate 3 is “made by gamers for gamers.” This is a rarity in today’s time – even if some endings in the game cannot be reached at all.

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

The discontinued MMORPG for Star Wars is still so popular today that a private server crashed during an event

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

The venerable MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies still has so many fans that a popular private server even struggled due to the high number of players this weekend.

What happened this weekend? Star Wars Galaxies Legends is not the only private server for the Star Wars MMORPG, which has been discontinued since December 2011, but it is certainly one of the largest and most well-known. This very server recently reached an impressive milestone.

Since August 17, 2024, the Omega server from SWG Legends has been online longer than the official live servers from Sony Online Entertainment (abbreviated as SOE). This was celebrated with the weekend event “SOEclipse,” which featured the Battle of Restuss, gifts, competitions, an in-game party, and numerous in-game bonuses for experience and much more.

SWG had to make way for the new MMORPG Star Wars – The Old Republic in December 2011 – here is a trailer for the younger online role-playing game for the popular Sci-Fi franchise:

Start video
Star Wars: The Old Republic – “Deceived” Cinematic Trailer

So many players as never before

How did the event go? Bree Royce from massivelyop.com was on site and wrote in a report:

With such rewards, I expected many people to be online, but nothing prepared me for the reality, as already half an hour before the event, hundreds of people had gathered in the Legends Cantina in Cloud City on Bespin, and the number of players had already exceeded the peak from the COVID era.

I couldn’t even get one of my toons into the Cloud City zone because it was so quickly overcrowded, and the developers began redirecting players to the other capitals (Mos Eisley, Theed, and Coronet) to distribute the load.

Bree Royce via massivelyop.com

Bree further reported that in 21 years she had never seen so many people in Star Wars Galaxies (including the official version) as at this event. At times, almost 3,000 characters were logged into the private server to claim the gifts. A record for SWG Legends. And too much for the servers, which were working at their limit and even went offline at times.

Later, one of the community representatives explained on the official Discord channel of the private server that the previous record for event participants was 295. This time the peak was said to have been 1,797 active accounts at the same time (plus numerous side characters).

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Not bad for a private server for a 21-year-old MMORPG, right?! If you’ve played SWG somewhere recently, feel free to share your experiences in the comments! By the way, another private server for SWG also managed to achieve high player numbers some time ago: Star Wars Galaxies Restoration wishes for support from Disney, player numbers speak for themselves

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

The actor of J.D from Scrubs explains what he would look forward to the most in a revival

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Scrubs is not only an important series for many viewers, but also for many actors who spent years of their lives with their colleagues. 14 years after the last season, Zach Braff, the actor of J.D., explains how tough the last season was, but also what he misses about it.

Scrubs was a huge success. Between 2001 and 2010, the comedy series about the doctors at Sacred Heart Hospital aired. Scrubs captured the hearts of many viewers because it blended the drama of hospital series with quirky characters from a workplace comedy.

The series was a good mix of drama and comedy. Especially the chemistry of the actors was an important aspect. As Zach Braff shares in an interview, the last season was a significant effort for everyone, but he doesn’t regret it.

The duo of Turk and J.D. is so iconic, that it even got its own commercial during the Super Bowl – with Jason Momoa.

Start video
That T-Mobile Home Internet Feeling – 2024 Big Game Day Commercial

We were all kind of exhausted

How does Zach Braff describe working on the last season of Scrubs? In an interview on Inside of You (via YouTube), he describes how exhausted all the actors were after 9 years of Scrubs. According to him, they started repeating jokes. Everyone was supposed to be quite worn out. Life outside the series was said to be severely restricted.

We were all kind of exhausted. […] We would work insane hours, which people don’t do anymore. We didn’t have much of a life outside of that. So we were just exhausted.

Despite the enormous workload at the end, Zach Braff does not regret the work. He misses seeing his friends every day and laughing with them every day. He would be happy to see all these people again in a possible reboot.

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What does Braff say about a possible reboot? The actor does not talk about a planned reboot, but he explains under what conditions he would be interested in stepping back into his character.

He explains that he wouldn’t want to make a big series with long, hard contracts anymore. However, as a limited thing, he would definitely do it. The idea of having his old crew together again, laughing together, and getting paid well for it just sounds really good to him. The actor that made Zach Braff laugh the most was: Scrubs: Zach Braff explains which actor made him laugh the most

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

Diablo 4: “You are your own worst enemy” – Player explains why certain demands harm the game

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

The fans of Diablo 4 are constantly giving criticism about the game – often even constructive. And often, this leads to truly improved features. However, one warns that one of the latest demands for new content from Season 5 would threaten the fun of the game.

What demands are we talking about?

  • Infernal Hordes are the new feature in Season 5: You fight against waves of enemies and receive loot at the end.
  • In the community, there has been a recurring call for boss materials to be obtained from Infernal Hordes. So far, they are scattered everywhere, and you mainly get them from Hell Floods.
  • You need the materials to summon Uber Bosses. From them, you get important loot specifically for your builds, which makes them popular farming spots.

This is why the demand is a bad idea: The suggestion that boss mats should drop in Infernal Hordes keeps coming up. The idea behind it is that you only need to visit the new content and can ignore everything else if you want. Currently, one is “forced” to play other content.

The user yxalitis on Reddit argues against it: This is a really bad idea. It’s like shooting yourself in the foot:

Let’s assume you can collect boss mats from Infernal Hordes. Then your gameplay consists of: Infernal Hordes → Infernal Hordes → Infernal Hordes → Infernal Hordes → Boss → Infernal Hordes → Infernal Hordes → Infernal Hordes → Infernal Hordes → Boss.

And then, after one or two weeks, you are fully equipped with 12/12 completed Mythics and you complain here about how boring the Infernal Hordes are because you have nothing left to do. You are your own worst enemy. The game keeps getting more content, and you want it to become redundant.

The community is shortsighted with their feedback. There’s nothing wrong with grinding for an item. After all, you’re playing an action RPG, not Candy Crush. Diablo 4 is already “disgustingly easy”, but players just can’t get enough.

Here you can find all information about Season 5 and an overview of the new features in the trailer:

Start video
Diablo 4: The gameplay trailer for Season 5, the season of the hell hordes

Make Diablo just a clicker game

The user received over 800 upvotes for his contribution and has thus created one of the most popular current posts in the subreddit for Diablo 4. Many fans agree with him and cynically say: You could just turn the game into gambling.

You could simply set up a room with a lever. You pull it for a chance at loot – and ideally, you even choose what you get beforehand.

A more constructive critique is that boss mats could at least be in whispering chests. They are currently quite useless. Or they could drop in the pit – but more sources would at least be welcome.

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Blizzard is apparently paying close attention to criticism from the community. Just with the latest hotfix, the developers increased the amount of ether in Infernal Hordes as a response to criticism, making farming significantly easier now.

The Infernal Hordes themselves have been an unpopular feature on the test realm, failing among experts and casuals alike. After feedback, Blizzard has improved this in all areas – with success: The new mode in Diablo 4 was really unpopular, now it’s ‘the best that could happen’

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

24 years ago, the Zelda hero could do something unthinkable today: kill an NPC

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The friendly hero Link from The Legend of Zelda repeatedly saves the residents of the world. However, a human NPC can die.

When thinking of the various “The Legend of Zelda” titles and thus the hero Link, one immediately recalls Deku Sticks, Master Swords, or fairies in bottles. Although action and adventure have always been part of the game, Link was a rather classic hero – because he saved the NPCs of the game world from all sorts of dangers.

Generally, only monsters and dark creatures, created either by Ganon or some other nasty being, were “killed.” All “humanoid” NPCs, especially in the towns, were never killed, at worst only defeated and knocked out – with one single exception.

A new Zelda was introduced just a few months ago:

Start video
Nintendo has introduced The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Which NPC is being discussed? We’re talking about Sakon. He is an NPC from the game “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask,” which was originally released for the N64 console. Sakon is a thief. He lurks at night for the owner of the bomb shop and attacks her to sell the loot on the black market and make a living.

How is Sakon killed by Link? Link has several options to stop Sakon, but some of them do not end well.

If Link hits the thief with the sword, he drops his loot and flees, which ultimately rewards Link with the Bomb Mask for saving the loot. X-user ZeldaAnecdotes shows, however, that there is another possibility:

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If Link resorts to arrows or the hookshot to stop Sakon, then Sakon’s loot explodes – after all, they are bombs. In that case, not only is the loot destroyed, but Sakon also dies.

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Why was this special? That Link can actually kill NPCs, especially humans, is extremely unusual for the Zelda series, as Link is generally portrayed as heroic and not brutal.

However, “Majora’s Mask” also had the peculiarity that a decision was never permanent. The whole game is about Link reliving the last three days of the world over and over again, and all events reset at the end of the three days – with the exception of the most important earned items.

Therefore, even if one inadvertently blows up the villain Sakon, it is only a temporary offense. Because after a little song on the Ocarina, time is turned back, and Sakon is once again ready to ambush the old lady. Nowadays, other things surprise in Zelda – such as a cooking pot.

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

A 54-year-old manga is said to have inspired Sin City, The Last of Us, and The Mandalorian

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 3 minutes

Many modern stories, ranging from The Last of Us to Logan and The Mandalorian, likely have their roots in one of the best mangas. It inspired many comics like Daredevil and Sin City.

What is this manga? Lone Wolf and Cub is by Koike Kazuo and Kojima Goseki and was published from 1970 to 1976. The story is considered one of the best mangas of all time. On MyAnimeList, the manga is rated 8.64 out of 10 by 7,430 users, placing it at 76th place.

  • Ittou Ogami works as the chief executioner of the shogunate. However, the Yagyuu clan wants to steal his position of power and accuses Ittou of betrayal.
  • Ittou not only loses his job but also his family. The Yagyuu clan has his entire family murdered, including his wife Azami. Only Ittou’s child Daigorou is spared. 
  • He travels through the country with his son, making a name for himself as a hired killer. His goal: the complete destruction of the Yagyuu clan.
  • The story reflects Japan’s transition from feudalism to modernity, focusing on the decline of the samurai.

The story is concluded with a total of 28 volumes and has been retold in 6 films. The motif of the wandering man with a child in tow will be familiar to many fans of films, series, comics, and video games. This story has served as an inspiration for many well-known works.

Blue Eye Samurai may also have been inspired by Lone Wolf and Cub:

Start video
Blue Eye Samurai – Trailer for the revenge series about a samurai in the 17th century

Lone Wolf and Cub had a great influence on modern works

Which stories were inspired by Lone Wolf and Cub? The work of Koike Kazuo and Kojima Goseki is reflected in many modern works. The American comic book artist Frank Miller revealed that Lone Wolf and Cub had a significant influence on his works.

In particular, the brutality of the manga can be found in Sin City, Daredevil, and The Dark Knight Returns. The motifs of revenge and honor also appear in some of his works. Miller emphasized that “Japanese mangas open a new perspective on graphic storytelling and the depiction of violence.”

Lone Cub and Wolf Title
The hired killer and his child.

Yet the elements can be found in many other productions:

  • In The Last of Us, Joel fights through a cruel and brutal world. He is accompanied by Ellie, a teenage girl. She becomes his adoptive daughter.
  • The Mandalorian is about a lonely warrior who has a strong sense of honor. He is accompanied by Grogu, a small child.
  • Wolverine takes a job in Logan to escort a young girl named Laura. Between them, a father-daughter relationship develops. For the director, the Batman trilogy was a source of inspiration (via Movieweb), which in turn was influenced by Lone Wolf and Cub.
  • Quentin Tarantino revealed that Lone Wolf and Cub influenced him. The fights in Kill Bill, for example, can be attributed to the manga (via PopMatters).

Although the first two works did not explicitly name Lone Wolf and Cub as a source of inspiration, the subsequent influence from the manga may have contributed to part of the story.

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What is special about the manga? Lone Wolf and Cub is characterized by its complex narrative and historical context. The action-packed scenes are also well integrated, contributing to a unique atmosphere.

Additionally, the manga features high-quality illustrations. The landscapes and the clothing of the characters are intricately drawn. Therefore, anyone interested in the manga can read it today without hesitation.

If you are a big samurai fan, the Netflix series Last Samurai Standing might be for you. The series is like Squid Games, but with samurai fighters: Last Samurai Standing: New series from Netflix lets hundreds of samurai fight to survive

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
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Pokémon GO introduces a new monster with completely new abilities that could change the future of the game

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

Pokémon GO has introduced a new Pokémon. And its special ability has a feature that could change battles in Pokémon GO.

What kind of Pokémon is this? In a 30-second teaser, Pokémon GO announced the debut of Morpeko. According to the announcement, the monster is expected to appear in the game “soon” – possibly for the new season starting in September.

Similar to Pikachu, Morpeko belongs to the electric rodent Pokémon, combining the Electric and Dark types. The special thing: The little mouse is known as the “Ego-Pokémon.”

It is known for falling into an angry form due to its infinite hunger. In this hungry, angry form, its special attack “Aura Wheel” takes on the Dark type. When it switches back to the full form, the attack takes on the Electric type.

And this form change can be seen in the new teaser, which you can watch here:

Start video
Pokémon GO: Morpeko can change form

Why is Morpeko’s form change so significant for Pokémon GO?

The special thing: There are a few monsters in Pokémon GO that take on different forms. To do this, you usually have to spend resources like candies or similar items, and then the monster transforms into the form it retains for a while. These include monsters like

For Morpeko, it’s different: It changes forms in the middle of a battle when you use Aura Wheel. This can be observed in the video both during Rocket duels and in the PvP battle league.

Such a form change has not been possible until now, but it could occur repeatedly starting from the Morpeko debut. The team behind Pokémon GO states in the announcement:

Soon, Morpeko will unleash its fickle nature in Pokémon GO, turning the existing battle system upside down! Certain Pokémon like Morpeko can change their form during battle using a charged attack, which offers you and your team entirely new possibilities. More information about the electrifying debut of the Ego-Pokémon will be released soon, so keep your eyes open!

Announcement on Morpeko on the official blog (via Pokémon GO Live).

Consequently, more monsters will also be granted such form changes. Whether this only applies to new Pokémon or also retrospectively to certain form changers is currently unclear.

Here, it’s a matter of waiting until the new information is released. Nevertheless, Morpeko’s debut is very interesting, as the form changes bring a component into Pokémon GO battles that hasn’t existed before. And since it currently looks like the Dynamax phenomenon will also appear in Pokémon GO in the upcoming season, we can hopefully expect an exciting future for the game.

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

In Mission: Impossible 7, the villain had to be changed to avoid comparisons with The Lord of the Rings

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

In 2023, the latest movie in the Mission Impossible series was released. In M:I – Dead Reckoning, Ethan Hunt and his crew face a modern villain. Originally, this villain looked different and resembled the main antagonist from The Lord of the Rings.

Who is the villain in Dead Reckoning Part 1? The seventh installment of Mission Impossible primarily deals with AI and the dangers associated with it. This time, the villain is the entity, an intelligent AI that thinks independently and has hacked all the intelligence agencies in the world.

The respective intelligence agencies did not want to destroy the entity. Just as people are known to be, every organization wants to utilize the entity for significant advantages over other countries. Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, is not pleased with this at all. He turns against his organization and attempts to destroy the AI. However, its original appearance was changed before the release.

This AI raised concerns for Joe Biden: AI villain from Mission Impossible worries Joe Biden, US president issues regulation to protect against artificial intelligences

You can see the trailer for the film here:

Start video
German trailer for Mission Impossible 7 – Dead Reckoning Part One

I just changed the eye from red to blue.

Why was the AI changed? In the film, the AI is often portrayed on screens as a kind of blue eye. However, originally, the AI was red. This resembled too closely the main villain from The Lord of the Rings. Christopher McQuarrie, the film’s director, had to change the color afterward.

The graphics of the entity were initially red. And I gave it this twitching eye movement. At an earlier screening with friends and family, people said, “That’s like the eye of Sauron in Lord of the Rings.” Well, no, it’s not, because the eye of Sauron does not move. In my mind’s eye, it was extremely static.

Christopher McQuarrie on the entity in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (Source: Empire)

Although he perceived his eye differently than Sauron, he ultimately changed the eye from red to blue. After looking at Sauron again, he recognized the similarity. I just changed the eye from red to blue.

Despite the change, the eye still functioned in that way. It created the effect that the entity seemed to be everywhere. He wanted to create something with the entity that does not look people in the eyes but studies them. It should be hungry for more.

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Films about artificial intelligences have existed for decades. Iconic films like Blade Runner or RoboCop have already dealt with the topic. But newer films also find approaches to the subject. Her is an emotional film about loneliness and AI, and The Creator is a fantastic sci-fi film that deals with the topic on a moral and spiritual level. The Terminators are also solidified in film history as evil AI. Soon there will be more to see from that: Legendary sci-fi film series gets its own anime on Netflix

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
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  2. Empire
  3. IMDb

Whoever wants to experience the MMORPG for Lord of the Rings in Europe in the best possible way must pay 13 euros per month

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

The new European server for Lord of the Rings Online is well received by players. Thanks to the data center in Europe and 64-bit technology, the MMORPG plays smoothly and lag-free like never before. However, there is a catch.

What is that catch? Currently, the only newly released legendary server, Mordor, is running on the European data center, where you are only allowed to play with an active VIP status. The associated subscription costs nearly 13 Euros per month, 27 Euros for three months, 54 Euros for six months, or about 90 Euros for a year.

All EU servers of the free-to-play version of Lord of the Rings Online are still located in North America – in early 2016, the highly criticized move of the servers to New Jersey occurred. Currently, there are no concrete plans to move these worlds to the new EU data center. However, at some point, all game worlds are supposed to run on 64-bit servers (via lotro.com).

With the last expansion, a new class arrived in Middle-earth, here is the trailer:

Start video
The Lord of the Rings Online DLC lets you set sail with a new class – Watch the trailer here

“Finally smooth gameplay”

How does the new location affect the game? Servers in Europe and 64-bit technology – this significantly impacts the gaming experience.

  • Gankeros raves on Reddit: “I really enjoy the new EU-based server. Finally, the gameplay is smooth because there is no lag!”
  • velvetline is also thrilled (via Reddit): “I can finally play a class that was nearly unplayable due to lag before (Warden).”
  • crnppscls sees room for improvement despite the enhancement (via Reddit): “The delay is still there, but it is better. Sometimes it can take a second for a click on a resource node to register. I’ve experienced some rubberbanding and have seen people lagging/desynchronizing in the overworld.”
  • In a second post, crnppscls mentions specific numbers (via Reddit): “Here in the UK, I had a ping of 130 ms with NA servers, but now on the legendary server, it is 30 ms.”
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What else do the legendary servers offer? The legendary servers allow you to experience the chapters of the Middle-earth adventure in chronological order for the first time or once again, while new challenges bring fresh air to the leveling experience.

Gradually, the developers are expanding the available content with new levels and regions. Currently, 50 is the maximum level in Angmar and Mordor. Once the maximum level of the live servers in Angmar is reached, the developers want to offer a move to non-legendary servers of your choice. Mordor is to remain live as long as it is financially viable. More on this: Leveling in the MMORPG of Lord of the Rings is particularly fun right now, thanks to the Nazgûl

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

What to expect at the Opening Night Live of gamescom 2024

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

The gamescom is coming up and, as in previous years, will be opened by the Opening Night Live. We will tell you which games will definitely be showcased at the opening show.

What is the Opening Night Live? The Opening Night Live (short ONL) is the opening show of the gamescom and takes place on Tuesday evenings starting at 20:00. You can watch the ONL on Twitch, YouTube, X.com (formerly Twitter) as well as on the official gamescom website.

If you want to get in the mood, you can tune in from 19:30. The pre-show will already be running from then. This year’s ONL will be hosted by Canadian video game journalist and host Geoff Keighley along with Belgian TV host Eefje Depoortere.

The Opening Night Live has its own trailer, which you can see here:

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The gamescom shows in the trailer what you can expect from the Opening Night Live

Brand new trailers for the most anticipated games

What games can we expect to see? The opening show not only marks the opening of the fair but also features many trailers for the most anticipated games. Some of the titles that viewers can look forward to at the ONL are already known.

The following games will be showcased at the Opening Night Live:

  • Inzoi  
  • Kingdom Come – Deliverance 2
  • Little Nightmares 3  
  • Monster Hunter Wilds  
  • Dragon Ball – Sparking! Zero  
  • Dune – Awakening  
  • Call of Duty – Black Ops 6  
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle  
  • Lost Records – Bloom & Rage  
  • Marvel Rivals  
  • Batman – Arkham Shadow  
  • Civilization 7  
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There has also been the first cancellation. According to a post by the host Geoff Keighley on Tuesday evening, the game Hollow Knight: Silksong will not be seen (via X.com). However, the host announced on X.com that there will also be new game announcements during the opening show.

The evening will also be filled with conversations with prominent guests as well as impressions of the fair and what you can expect there this year.

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What happens after the Opening Night Live? After the ONL, gamescom opens to industry visitors on Wednesday. From Thursday, ticket holders can then explore the halls.

Besides the games whose trailers you can already see at the ONL, there are many more to watch and play. To ensure you are well prepared for your gamescom visit, we have summarized all information about tickets, exhibitors, a map with all booths, and all confirmed games in our article.

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

Black Myth Wukong is currently the biggest topic in gaming – but a toxic debate overshadows strong reviews

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

For some, Black Myth: Wukong (PS5, Steam, Xbox) is already a contender for Game of the Year. In some reviews, this action-adventure receives dream ratings. However, on reddit, a purported restriction for streamers and reviewers is being discussed, which is clearly false, but has created quite a stir.

How is Black Myth Wukong performing in reviews? Very well: The action RPG currently has 82% positive ratings on Metacritic.

  • The German GameStar gives a preliminary rating between 80 and 85%
  • The usually strict PC Gamer awards 87% and praises especially “the expressive combat system”
  • an outlier downwards, Screenrant with 60% is hotly debated, criticizing among other things the lack of diversity
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Black Myth: Wukong: The final trailer for the action RPG from China

Black Myth Wukong is the biggest topic on reddit, but for the wrong reason

What is being discussed on reddit? While Black Myth Wukong is currently the biggest topic on reddit, it is not about the quality of the game.

They are discussing an article by Don Parson about the free platform “Medium“, which claims:

  • There is a streaming agreement for Black Myth Wukong
  • Developer Game-Science has distributed keys to YouTubers and Twitch streamers, but imposed some prohibitions on them
  • For example, they are not allowed to discuss: Politics, violence, feminist propaganda, the Chinese Covid policy of isolation, or anything related to China
black-myth-wukong-verbote
Source: Medium

What is the catch? Meanwhile, some have come forward and said: This is a total hoax. Such instructions simply do not exist.

However, the original article led to a heated discussion on reddit:

  • The original thread that shared the Medium article received 1,500 comments and 1,300 upvotes
  • The follow-up thread, arguing that the article was untrue, received 2,600 upvotes and 509 comments

In the original thread, many criticize that such an unbelievable source receives so much support because the rumor feeds the prejudices of reddit users against China. Reddit users are largely located in the USA, and there are strong reservations against China.

And the exposure of this story as false is now sparking a heated discussion because it is claimed that there is supposedly an “anti-China” sentiment being stirred up on reddit. The moderators of the subreddit are especially criticized for not intervening more firmly.

A critique from ScreenRant that Black Myth Wukong lacks diversity and that women do not feel welcome in the game world is also being hotly debated on MeinMMO: Black Myth: Wukong – The most wished game on Steam receives strong reviews, but fans are furious over a rating

Update 19.8, 10:05 AM: As it has been reported, the guidelines for discussion seem to be real after all. However, they were not sent to journalists, but only to content creators. The guidelines seem to be more of a recommendation, as Forbes reports. Acceptance of the guidelines was apparently not linked to receiving a review code for Black Myth Wukong. It is currently unclear how many content creators received these guidelines. You can read more about the topic here.

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