Fans fund new MMORPG in 2 days, is already as advanced as Ashes of Creation

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

The journey of Ashes of Creation started on Kickstarter before the MMORPG was even properly developed. An MMORPG wants to do it differently this time and only dares to go on the platform when there is something to show.

Which MMORPG is it? With Epitome, a new MMORPG has launched on Kickstarter for funding on Friday, January 30, 2026. The platform where the recently failed Ashes of Creation also started offers crowdfunding to projects, allowing them to receive money from individuals instead of corporations. In just 44 hours, more than €100,000 has already been raised for the new MMORPG on Kickstarter.

However, unlike the campaign of Ashes of Creation at that time, the developers of Epitome are already showcasing a playable core version that all supporters can try out. The current state of development is not being hidden by the devs.

Here you can watch the trailer for the MMORPG:

Start video
Epitome shows in the teaser trailer how the pre-alpha looks

The framework is set

How far is the MMORPG? Before going public with Epitome, the developers wanted to deliver a playable version first. This is supposed to cover all the important core functions of their MMORPG, which they primarily want to build content upon using crowdfunding.

According to the developers on Kickstarter, there are already servers with a capacity for 33,000 players, AI NPCs that populate the world and pursue their own missions and goals, an anti-cheat system, and four playable classes, each of which offers an additional 2 expansion classes.

Those who support Epitome today are not faced with an empty shell. Although many content elements are still missing, there is supposed to be a map available with over 30 different enemies and more than 160 equipment items.

The foundation of content is intended to provide a broad insight into the MMORPG to convey to players how systems should look later. In this respect, Epitome is a step ahead of Ashes of Creation, as the MMORPG generally focused on building individual features instead of shaping the game as a whole.

Where does the MMORPG want to go? Since the foundation is already in place, it can be seen where the MMORPG aims to go. It strongly resembles the popular Metin2 in Germany and thus emphasizes a sandbox with dynamic quests.

The individual classes have only a few abilities, while the character primarily attacks with the standard attack. Similar to Metin2, there are hundreds of healing and mana potions that keep you alive while grinding. There is even a kind of Metin stone that spawns enemies upon an attack.

However, the MMORPG wants to be more than just a copy of the nearly 20-year-old Metin2. The developers heavily focus on the MMO factor in the game and provide not only a guild system but also a faction system, a leaderboard, and dozens of other social features.

Additionally, the graphics, thanks to Unreal Engine 5, are up to date and do not appear outdated in gameplay videos and trailers.

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Epitome is expected to be free to play on Steam after the official launch. However, those who want access earlier will not escape the donation on Kickstarter. 2026 already seems like the year of hidden gems after just one month: New MMORPG on Steam is being developed by 100 people and is expected to be playable in 2026

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. kickstarter.com
  2. YouTube
  3. epitomegame.com
  4. mmorpg.org.pl

The anime of Dragon Ball Super is finally good again because it gives Vegeta a special moment

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

In Dragon Ball Super, the arc featuring the planet eater Moro will soon be seen. A Saiyan finally shows remorse for a crime he committed in Dragon Ball Z.

What happens with the anime? After 8 years of hiatus, the anime for Dragon Ball Super is finally continuing. The series picks up the storyline that directly follows the “Universe Survival Saga”.

Son Goku and Vegeta find themselves in the “Galactic Patrol Saga.” In this arc, they must join forces with members of the eponymous unit to battle the planet devourer Moro.

Once again, there are numerous battles, with the Z Fighters also taking part. However, Vegeta gets a special moment where he can show remorse for his actions.

Start video
Dragon Ball Super: The Trailer for the Anime

Vegeta transforms from villain to loyal companion

What does Vegeta have to do with it? When Son Goku and his friends first enter the planet Namek, Vegeta is still an antagonist. His goal is to find the Dragon Balls and become immortal. After that, he wants to kill Frieza. 

In doing so, he commits a massacre in the village of Elder Tsuno, as the village houses one of these Dragon Balls. He not only kills the residents but also the village elder himself. He even wiped out the children so that they could not reveal anything.

In the Moro arc, he shows genuine remorse for his actions on Namek for the first time. When Moro attacks New Namek, Vegeta, along with Goku, defends the planet. He appears very protective and also mentions that he has caused the Namekians much suffering in the past. For the proud prince, this is a huge acknowledgment.

Even more so, he even asks the Namekians how they think of him and whether they still hold a grudge against him. This topic occupies him even long after he committed the massacre.

The arc shows quite well the transformation that Vegeta has undergone recently. He has become a compassionate person and a loving family man who enjoys bathing with his wife.

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How is the arc received by fans? For many readers of the manga, the Moro arc is one of the best. On Reddit, several threads can be found where fans say that this is by far the best arc of Dragon Ball Super. For some on Reddit, it is even in the top 5 of the best arcs there have ever been in the entire Dragon Ball universe.

Moro would easily make it into the ranking of the strongest antagonists in Dragon Ball. What other villains, especially from the movies, appear has been listed by MeinMMO in a power ranking: Dragon Ball: The 10 most powerful movie villains of all time in the power ranking [MeinMMO Classic]

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

WoW: Demon Hunter Saved? Mega Buffs for the New Specialization

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The Devourer Demon Hunter in World of Warcraft has received significant buffs. Is everything finally good now?

A new patch in World of Warcraft has significantly changed the balance – mainly for one specialization. The highlight of Patch 12.0, the Devourer Demon Hunter, was simply too weak and boring. At least a few issues have now been fixed.

Start video
WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features

What was the problem with the Devourer? The Devourer, the new specialization of the Demon Hunter, was considered far too weak. In dungeons, they could barely keep up and were often easily outdone by tanks. Also, the gameplay wasn’t “smooth”, as the big, final attack, the collapsing star, could only be successfully utilized when many factors came together.

The new specialization failed spectacularly and Blizzard had to intervene quickly.

Many adjustments, more harvests

What was changed? A hotfix addressed some criticisms of the Devourer last weekend. There were significant buffs and adjustments to how soul fragments are generated. This allows for more frequent use of the finisher and also lets you sprinkle in “harvests,” which now deal significantly more damage.

The details of the changes are:

  • Devour now generates 1 additional soul fragment.
  • Shattered Souls now has a 4% chance that a damage-dealing spell creates a soul fragment (previously 8%).
  • As long as you are in combat, Entropy ensures that you receive a soul fragment every 12 seconds (previously every 8 seconds).
  • Waste Nothing now ensures that Voidstream has a 200% increased chance to generate a soul fragment (previously 100%). Does not apply in PvP.
  • Harvests now deal 75% more damage. Does not apply in PvP.

How has this changed the playstyle? Even though it reads in the patch notes as if the nerfs are greater than the buffs, the Devourer now plays much smoother. There is no longer so much ability spamming required, and the damage is now quite solid. Although the specialization still lags a bit behind other classes in terms of variety, that should change with the release of Midnight and the 10 new talent points.

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This is what the community is discussing: Even though the changes are generally viewed positively, there is also a lot of criticism about Blizzard’s behavior. Many find it incomprehensible that the new specialization was released in such a state where normal gameplay is nearly impossible. They wish there would be more quality assurance and that the community was not used as a “live beta test”.

How do you feel about the changes to the Devourer specialization? Have you noticed the buffs and are you managing better with your Demon Hunter now? Or are you rather waiting for the release of Midnight until all talents are available and your Demon Hunter is finally “complete”? It is also not surprising that with the full roadmap for 2026, not everything works perfectly right away…

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

Player builds limited Lego set of Pokémon much cheaper himself, gifts the community with its own guide 

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 2 minutes

The new Lego sets for Pokémon received a mixed reaction in the community, but the exclusivity of a special set causes united frustration. One fan turned this frustration into motivation and ensured that everyone can build it without paying 650 euros.

Which set is being talked about? It is an exclusive Lego set released with the recently launched Pokémon collection, namely the badges of the Kanto region. It is a display box showcasing the badges from Kanto and consists of a total of 312 pieces.

The Lego Pokémon collection has already alienated some fans, mainly due to the prices, but also because of the cheaper alternatives from other manufacturers. With one decision, Lego has not only failed with the Pokémon fans but also with their own community: the badge set is only available if purchased with the most expensive set of the collection featuring Bulbasaur, Charizard, and Blastoise – and that for 650 euros.

The community is upset about this exclusivity and cannot understand this decision. However, one fan took it a step further. Based on the official images, he recreated the badge box step by step and made the instructions publicly available for the community.

Start video
Why can Mauzi actually speak in the Pokémon series?

Lego fan creates a nearly 1-to-1 copy of the expensive original

How close did the Lego builder get to the original set? On Reddit, the fan pheob0 presents the result of his work. If one overlooks the product presentation and the post-processing of an official promo image, one could hardly tell which set is the original:

Lego Arena Badge Comparison
Comparison of the two boxes: left the version of the fan (source: Reddit), right the original (source: Lego)

Aside from the red color choice of the bricks for the box and some exclusive individual parts, the Lego builder was able to create a badge box that generates absolute enthusiasm within the community, as seen with LeroyDUDE: “Yours looks even better than the official, overpriced model.”

How did he further support the fans? Along with pictures of his result, he provided the community with a link in another post in the Reddit thread where one can find free instructions and all necessary parts. This way, one can buy the individual bricks separately without having to purchase an expensive large set for 650 euros or buying it overpriced from resellers.

“You are the best, these instructions are genius!”, writes xxpenjoxx. But Black_Mambe3382410 also finds: “Not all heroes wear capes!”

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In addition to the Pokémon collection, Lego developed something else new that has never existed before. It is a smart brick that the company describes as the “most significant development” since the introduction of the minifigure in 1978: Lego introduces a smart brick, labeling it the “most significant development” in 50 years

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
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British Minister calls for a basic income for people who lost their jobs due to AI

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

AI destroys jobs, but a British minister knows the solution: a basic income for affected individuals.

AI has been destroying thousands of jobs for months and many individuals are viewing these changes in the job market with great concern. According to researchers AI could even replace a tenth of all jobs and these are predictions that cause more worry than joy for many.

However, some states are already considering how to reduce or at least cushion the problems. The latest idea comes from a minister in the British government: a basic income for individuals who have lost their jobs due to artificial intelligence.

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Why is RAM so expensive? The current situation explained in 2 minutes

Basic income for individuals who have lost their jobs due to AI

What is this proposal about? The British Minister for Investment, Lord Jason Stockwood, stated to the Financial Times (Paywall) that the government is considering the introduction of a universal basic income as a means to support workers in industries where AI threatens to displace their jobs. He explained to the magazine:

We undoubtedly need to think very carefully about how we can cushion the decline of these industries, so some kind of basic income and a mechanism for lifelong learning, so that people can retrain.

How does one intend to finance this? For funding, Stockwood already has an idea: a stronger taxation of tech companies that rely on AI and similar technologies. Because they are partly responsible for the significant changes in jobs. Stockwood stated in the conversation:

I think about the productivity gains and the prosperity that AI can create, but we must also consider the more harmful and short-term danger that it entrenches inequality and makes a really small group of super-rich elites even richer, because they control the capital and technologies.

Technology companies have long been regarded as a problem for many European countries: they earn a lot of money in Europe but pay comparatively little tax despite significant revenues. Many states see a great potential here to extract funds.

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Many workers are concerned about their jobs. Generation Z is also affected by layoffs. However, young people have found an alternative to studying and working in an office: a job in the trades, which is considered crisis-proof: AI is currently destroying jobs, but Generation Z has found a way to protect themselves from it

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
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A YouTuber claims that the head of Ashes of Creation sold his MMORPG, blaming someone else

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

The big bang of Ashes of Creation came very suddenly for many players despite long warnings. But what happened behind the scenes has been unclear until now. A YouTuber claims to know what really happened.

Who is it about? YouTuber Kira focuses on the backgrounds and news related to MMORPGs and other online games on his channel. He has published a lot of content about Ashes of Creation and has repeatedly warned about problems.

His credibility is based on an internal source that had correctly predicted the surprising Steam release back in November. In his latest video, he talks about the background of Ashes of Creation and the recent developments surrounding the MMORPG.

The MMORPG is currently still playable:

Start video
Ashes of Creation: Early Access Guide stimmt euch auf den Start auf Steam ein

New owners for Ashes of Creation

What does the YouTuber explain? Citing the source that had already predicted the Steam release for him, Kira explains that the development studio “Intrepid Studios”, which is behind Ashes of Creation, has been sold to a “private equity” firm.

“Private equity” firms are investors who buy companies to make profits. According to the YouTuber, these new owners are believed to have different plans for the future of Ashes of Creation than the former CEO.

According to Kira, there was actually an internal plan on January 29 to continue development with around 70 employees and outsource it to a more cost-effective location. However, this plan reportedly did not last 24 hours.

The YouTuber reports that events escalated: Founder Steven Sharif stepped down, and the remaining board then decided against the “small team” and for the “nuclear option”.

According to a document that Kira cites in the video, the current status is no longer outsourcing, but a “complete and permanent closure of operations”. The idea of cheaply continuing development abroad is currently off the table, and total closure is on the horizon, according to Kira.

Steven Sharif himself is largely silent for “legal reasons” at the moment, but he recently wrote on Discord:

“Please wait until more facts are available before drawing such conclusions. The internet is not exactly patient, but unfortunately, the legal process requires patience. You cannot imagine how hard it is for me to stay silent. But I must do so. When the documents are published, there will be clearer facts to refer to.”

Steven Sharif on Discord

Here you can watch the full video:

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The employees before the wreckage

What happens to the employees? The employees are likely to be the biggest victims of the conflict. According to the termination letter that has been made available to the YouTuber, employment for all positions and titles will end at the close of business on February 2, 2026.

The allegations Kira raises here are serious: According to his information, employees are said to receive neither their last regular monthly salary nor bonuses for achieved alpha goals, severance payments, or payout of vacation entitlements. They are said to reportedly find themselves without pay from one day to the next.

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Whether Ashes of Creation has any future at all remains questionable. The YouTuber’s information is based on leaks and internal documents. However, if these turn out to be true, the dream of the MMORPG in its original form is likely history. During the first layoffs, the boss tried to calm down: The studio behind Ashes of Creation had layoffs, the studio head reassures fans of the MMORPG

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. YouTube Kira
  2. Reddit
  3. https://ashesofcreation.com/

Pokémon GO: All Events in February 2026 – Dates in the list

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

February 2026 brings new events to Pokémon GO. What dates are coming up? All information in the list.

In February 2026, there are once again plenty of dates in the calendar that will bring you exciting Pokémon. This month we will see the return of many legendary Pokémon.

The highlights in February are heavily influenced by the path to Kalos and the GO Tour: Kalos taking place at the end of the month. There you can catch plenty of powerful monsters.

Otherwise, you can also look forward to the debut of Flaminkno.

About this list: The following lists include the events of the current month, as well as overviews of spotlight and raid Pokémon. Possible shinies are marked with asterisks* as always.

If further information about specific events becomes known, it will be linked.

Start video
Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

All Events in Pokémon GO in February 2026

DateEvent
February 1Community Day with Vulpix
February 3 – 8Carnival with Flaminkno
February 7Catching Art with Choreogel
February 10 – 15Valentine’s Day 2026
February 14Raid Day
February 15Dynamax Battle Day
February 17 – 21Lunar New Year
February 23 – 27Path to Kalos
February 28 – March 1Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos

All Spotlight Hours in Pokémon GO in February 2026

DateSpotlight Hour
February 3Flurmel* + double catch candies
February 10Somniam* + double catch XP
February 17Seeper* + double transfer candies
February 24Karnimani* + double catch Stardust

All Legendary and Mega Raid Bosses in Pokémon GO in February 2026

DateRaid Boss
February 4 – 16Dialga* (Raid Hour: February 4 + 11)
February 4 – 16Palkia* (Raid Hour: February 4 + 11)
February 4 – 16Mega-Tauboss*
February 16 – 21Solgaleo (Raid Hour: February 18)
February 16 – 21Mega-Zobiris*
February 21 – March 4Lunala (Raid Hour: February 25)
February 21 – March 4Mega-Absol*
February 23Arktos*, Zapdos* and Lavados*
February 24Crypto-Lugia* and Crypto-Ho-Oh*
February 25Proto-Kyogre* and Proto-Groudon*
February 26Dialga* and Palkia*, Dialga (Origin Form)* and Palkia (Origin Form)*
February 27Reshiram* and Schwarzes Kyurem*
February 27Zekrom* and Weißes Kyurem*
On weekendsCrypto-Regigigas in Crypto Raids
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As soon as further information becomes known, we will update this list for you. Do you also want to know which Pokémon are really worth catching when you’re looking for strong fighters? Then we have compiled all the information here in our list for you: The best attackers in Pokémon GO sorted by type.

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

Scrubs, Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory: Which comedy series on Pro7 were the best?

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 5 minutes

ProSieben was an important home for many comedy series in Germany. Many legendary series aired on the channel and were one of the few ways to watch them before streaming. MeinMMO presents the 7 best in the ranking.

How was this list created? For the list, we rank 7 of the most iconic comedy series that aired or still air on the ProSieben channel. The ranking is based on the author’s personal opinion, which is why mainly series that aired between 2001 and 2012 are included.

We also exclude animated series from the list, so you won’t find Family Guy or The Simpsons here. If your favorite series is missing, feel free to let us know in the comments.

7. Two and a Half Men

Start video
Two and a Half Men – Trailer for Season 11 with Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher

Start in Germany: 12.03.2005 on ProSieben (US start was on 22.09.2003 on CBS)

The biggest aspect of Two and a Half Men is still today the absurd character constellation. The rich Charlie, his poor brother Alan, and his son Jake. This is also the appeal of the comedy series, as these character dynamics are rare. Especially Charlie (played by Charlie Sheen) is particularly unusual, as he often shows that he is quite a jerk.

Yet, as is often the case, there is a good heart hidden in there, and he is mostly there for his family. However, this extraordinary dynamic loses its charm after a while, especially with Ashton Kutcher, who took over the lead role in Season 9 after Sheen had a falling out with the show’s co-creator, Chuck Lorre. He would have returned under an absurd condition.

Aside from that, the series feels somewhat outdated today, and many other sitcoms are much more timeless. However, the first seasons are still enjoyable.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Titelbildquelle: Warner Bros. DE auf YouTube
  2. fernsehserien.de
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

All killers in Dead by Daylight and who is the best for you – February 2026

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 81 minutes
Hold on, Adventurer! English localization still loading...

This article is currently in its original German "vanilla" version. We're channeling our inner Mein-MMO and grinding hard on the English localization quest line!

The full English version will be unlocked soon. Thanks for your patience.

Which killer in Dead by Daylight is best suited for you? We present all killers and reveal their strengths and weaknesses.

In the asymmetric horror game Dead by Daylight, there are currently 42 different killers with different abilities and playstyles (as of February 2026). We briefly introduce all the killers, name their strengths and weaknesses, and explain which killer suits you best.

Note: This article was updated on February 02, 2026, and is current for Patch 9.4.0 of Dead by Daylight and ready for “The First”.

Dead by Daylight: All Killers

All killers from Dead by Daylight: Currently, there are 42 killers in Dead by Daylight:

About the Author:

Cortyn has invested well over 2,500 hours in Dead by Daylight, testing all killers thoroughly, but also playing diligently against them as a survivor. Over many updates and patches, Cortyn has developed a deep understanding of the pros and cons of the different killers and enjoys experimenting with new or seemingly absurd perk combinations.

asks meinmmo cortyn

[toc]

The Trapper

The Trapper is the “basic” killer and probably best suited for beginners. He is a typical “all-rounder”, easy to learn, and perfect for mastering the basics of Dead by Daylight. His stats are the “base” and the standard for most other killers. Even without addons, he is a solid choice that can effectively take out survivors.

Special Ability: Bear Traps – The Trapper can place bear traps on the ground that injure and hold the next survivor who steps into them for a while. The 6 traps can be found spread out across the map; their auras are shown to him. The killer is immediately notified if a survivor steps into a trap. Other survivors can quickly free the trapped survivor, but the trapped survivor can also repeatedly try to free themselves. Without addons, a survivor needs a maximum of 6 attempts to free themselves from the trap. If the killer reaches the survivor in the bear trap, he can lift them directly from the trap without having to hit them again.

However, survivors can also disarm the bear traps before stepping into them. If this occurs, there is a loud noise that alerts the killer to the disarm.

How to use the bear traps correctly? The tactical placement of bear traps is the be-all and end-all of the Trapper.

  • Place traps in hard-to-see areas, such as tall grass that leads close to buildings or behind windows that are only accessible from one side (for example, windows leading onto roofs in Haddonfield).
  • Focus on one “half” of the respective map. Covering the entire map with traps is virtually impossible.
  • Do not place traps directly under a palette. In this case, the survivor can simply knock over the palette and slip “over” the trap.
  • If you place traps in tight exits (like doorways), make sure they are centered. Otherwise, survivors can squeeze past the trap while the killer steps into it (as he has a larger body).
Pro
  • Solid killer without special weaknesses
  • Good gameplay even without addons
  • Defensive playstyle that rewards tactics and planning
Contra
  • Takes a lot of preparation time in a match to place his traps
  • Traps are scattered all over the map
  • Traps can be disarmed

Who is the Trapper suitable for? Those who are new to Dead by Daylight and delight at someone stepping into their tactically placed traps will be happy with the Trapper. Since he works well even without addons, he is also suitable for players without a large supply of blood points.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

6 Games Where I Don’t Need My Boyfriend to Get the Spiders Away from Me

Johanna Johanna Reading time 3 minutes

Players with arachnophobia are often provided with a corresponding mode if spiders appear in the game. The developers’ creative solution for censoring spiders is presented to you by MeinMMO in this list.

Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. According to AOK, around 5% of the population in Germany suffers from this fear. However, more people feel uneasy at the sight of spiders.

I’m not sure if I really have arachnophobia, but just thinking of spiders gives me the chills. At least I feel STRONGLY uncomfortable when I think of spiders or even have to see them. My friend always has to rescue me from the crawling beasts, throwing himself in front of me and taking the little creature outside.

Since spiders are popular enemies to defeat in some games, many offer an arachnophobia mode. In this mode, players no longer have to face the sight of spiders but are confronted with something else instead.

These solutions can look quite different, and I’ve picked out 6 examples of games that have come up with exciting alternatives.

Hogwarts Legacy

Start video
Hogwarts Legacy: Official Launch Trailer

Hogwarts Legacy features some spiders as enemies and opts for a kind of diminishment regarding the arachnophobia mode. Spiders retain their rough shape but start floating as red balls.

To avoid crawling movements, they wear roller skates in the special mode and glide around.

Spiders in Hogwarts Legacy in the arachnophobia mode
The spiders get nice roller skates (Source: YouTube).

Monster Hunter Wilds

In Monster Hunter Wilds, players find the arachnophobia mode almost creepier than the spiders themselves. Monster Hunter Wilds transforms the spiders into giant blobs that crawl across the ground.

Some players rightfully wonder on Reddit whether perhaps the spiders are actually better and easier to tolerate:

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Satisfactory

Satisfactory opts for cats in the arachnophobia mode. Instead of spiders, players see giant 2D cat heads. I find that much easier to endure than spiders!

For some players on Reddit, however, this mode seems even scarier:

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Grounded

Grounded offers probably the worst experience for arachnophobia. After all, players are transformed into small figures while defending themselves against the giant insects, including spiders. One reason why I have never played the game!

In contrast to the other entries on this list, the game Grounded does not directly replace the spiders but offers players various gradations of small crawling creatures:

  • Level 1: Instead of eight legs, the spiders have four legs.
  • Level 2: All legs are removed, causing the spiders to float.
  • Level 3: The spiders’ mandibles are removed, making them look less scary.
  • Level 4: The head becomes a large ball with only two eyes.
  • Level 5: The spider transforms into an abstract object made up of two white balls that floats.

Lethal Company

The indie game Lethal Company has found one of the simultaneously least creative yet funniest ways to protect players from spiders. When you turn on the arachnophobia mode here, instead of small creatures, just large letters spelling “SPIDER” appear.

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By the way: When the spiders die in the arachnophobia mode, the letters rotate. For me, definitely the favorite of the list!

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World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft replaces the spiders simply with crabs, similar to Hytale. However, they are not necessarily less creepy when you look at the corresponding pictures. Thus, the creep factor certainly does not disappear.

MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus has actually played the arachnophobia mode so intensely that he now has a fear of crabs. You can read more about it here on MeinMMO: I played a raid in WoW in the mode for people with a fear of spiders – Now I have a fear of crabs

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

WoW: Community finds Puzzle Chamber, veterans get a great title

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

A new secret has been uncovered in the World of Warcraft community. However, this comes with fresh puzzles.

For some, they are annoying, for others the best pastime in World of Warcraft – puzzles and secrets. WoW is full of them and almost always there is an exclusive reward at the end, such as a special mount, a pet, or a transmog item. Now the community has found a hidden area where all puzzles are honored and new ones are presented.

Start video
WoW: Housing-Cinematic in WildStar style

What has been found? If you dive at a very specific location, you will be teleported to a new position – a place that cannot be reached any other way. At this location, numerous NPCs wander around, and characters are honored for their previous puzzle achievements. You can join the Cabal of the Mindseekers and earn the title “Mindseeker”.

WoW Guide: How to become a Mindseeker

To become a Mindseeker, you need to travel to a location that has caused much speculation in the past: a sunken, glowing pearl deep on the ocean floor, which seems unreachable – but it can be reached.

To reach it, you need two things:

  • Underwater breathing (either from a warlock, a potion, or quest progress in Vash’jir)
  • A fast underwater mount (like a seahorse)

Proceed as follows:

  • Travel to Vash’jir at coordinates 16 / 85, to the ocean surface. This is southwest of L’Ghorek.
  • Swim straight south from there until you reach the exhaustion zone.
  • Swim a short distance back until the exhaustion zone ends.
  • Dive straight down now and push a little further south repeatedly – and pull back as soon as you reach the exhaustion zone.
  • At some point, the screen will become dark blue at the edge. Shortly after, you will reach a depth, but the exhaustion zone also begins.
  • Mount up on your seahorse (at the latest now) and swim straight towards the pearl.

If you have done everything correctly, you should reach the pearl before exhaustion drains your health points. Once you have “swum into the pearl,” you will be automatically teleported.

WoW Pearl in the Dark
You need to reach the pearl above the skeleton – without drowning or succumbing to exhaustion.

Where are you teleported to? It is a modified version of the Seat of Knowledge in Pandaria. Here you will find several NPCs and see through holograms which various puzzles you have already solved. Additionally, you can buy alcohol from a succubus, bind your hearthstone there, use various portals, and get hints on unsolved puzzles.

What are the requirements for the title? To become a Mindseeker, you must speak to Anakron. Although the requirements have not yet been fully confirmed, it seems that you must have solved at least 17 of the previous WoW puzzles. This corresponds to a large portion of the puzzles that have been published so far.

WoW Cabal of the Mindseekers
There is a small ceremony when you receive the title.

If you have not mastered so many puzzles yet – no worries. You can simply bind your hearthstone there and have quick access to this location again later to pick it up. Just keep in mind that you can quickly reach your capital using the housing system, even without using a hearthstone.

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If you are hearing about the puzzles in World of Warcraft for the first time, don’t worry. We have already deciphered a large part of these secrets and packaged them into various guides for you: These are the greatest secrets of WoW and how to solve them.

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

Markiplier’s film Iron Lung breaks one of the most important rules of filmmaking and gets everything right in doing so

Johanna Johanna Reading time 4 minutes

The YouTuber Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach has been accompanying MeinMMO author Johanna since her high school days. Naturally, she was even more excited to see him on a German cinema screen. On January 30, 2026, Markiplier brought his movie Iron Lung to theaters for a limited time. Johanna watched it and was pleasantly surprised by her favorite YouTuber.

What kind of film is this? The film Iron Lung is based on the game of the same name by David Szymanski (on Steam). In the game, the gameplay is limited to controlling a submarine in a sea of blood on an alien moon. The horror factor mainly comes from one’s own imagination, as players must navigate blindly.

The YouTuber Markiplier also played this game in 2022. Although the Let’s Play is quite short at only 45 minutes, the YouTuber was so excited by the concept that he wanted to produce a movie based on it. Now, about 4 years later, we can finally see the fruits of his labor.

On Friday, January 30, 2026, viewers could watch the film in select cinemas. However, since no major film production company is behind the film, Markiplier relied on his fans to ask cinemas if they would show it. Even here in Germany, some cinemas are showing the film.

What is the Iron Lung movie about? Iron Lung takes place in the future, where large parts of the galaxy have disappeared. Humanity has drastically reduced and is on the brink of extinction.

On an alien moon, whose oceans consist of blood, the prisoner Simon, played by Markiplier, is sent on a mission in a submarine. He is supposed to navigate through the blood with the submarine and get an impression of the ocean floor. There, he quickly realizes that he is not alone.

Note: You don’t have to worry about spoilers in this review of Iron Lung!
Start video
In Iron Lung kämpft der YouTuber Markiplier in einem U-Boot ums Überleben

Markiplier makes the leap to the big screen

I went into the film with bias. After all, I have been watching Markiplier for a long time and like him as a content creator. However, I was also skeptical. Because my favorite YouTuber is still primarily a YouTuber, not an actor or director.

Even though he had already produced elaborate cinematic YouTube projects like A Heist with Markiplier, this is a different caliber.

As with the game, the entire film takes place in the submarine. A quite a challenge, as you always have to come up with new, exciting things to entertain the audience.

Especially at the beginning, the audience is put to the test. The film, especially in the first 30 minutes, is a real slow burner and takes its time to get going.

What surprised me particularly positively was the camerawork. There were camera shots that really caught my attention. They were abstract and not the usual “shot and counter-shot”.

However, towards the end, the film drags on. At some point, the suffocating feeling as a viewer becomes not only suffocating but annoying, and I want it to be over. Therefore, the film could have been about 15 to 20 minutes shorter, because at some point you think: “Okay, I get it!”

Tell, don’t show!

Even though the setting is just a submarine, the film still manages to create vivid characters and give us a good impression of what the world outside looks like.

The film succeeds in hopeless horror by breaking an important film rule: “Show, don’t tell!” Filmmakers, including actors, are often advised to show rather than tell elements of a film. This way, viewers can generate their own feelings instead of being spoon-fed everything through dialogue.

Iron Lung does the exact opposite: It shows us nothing but the inside of a submarine, blood, and the prisoner Simon. The world as it is now, and what happened before, is conveyed to us through snippets of dialogue.

The rest takes place entirely in the viewers’ minds. And that is what makes it so scary.

By only describing the world rather than showing it, I imagine it myself, creating a much greater hopelessness in my imagination than any image could ever provide.

Although there are always shock or disgust moments, it’s clear that the greatest horror arises individually. As viewers, we only know the inside of the submarine. That is, at that moment, our world, and it gives us a sense of hopelessness. Nevertheless, you can root for the main character to find an escape.

It all started with a Let’s Play from 2022 (Source Screenshot: YouTube).

The worst part: Because the horror is greatest in my imagination, I naturally take it home with me, so I really had trouble falling asleep at night after the movie.

Conclusion: This film is not for everyone

This film will not be for every viewer. Especially for those who prefer jumpscares and fast action, this is not the right place. The horror of Iron Lung comes largely from the imagination of the viewers and takes its time to dive into the world (pun intended).

Even if I risk having to spend another night standing by the wall in fear, I would actually watch it again. Just to understand everything and put myself back in that suffocating atmosphere.

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The film market seems to be becoming increasingly attractive for some content creators. This also applies to Irish YouTuber Seán “Jacksepticeye” McLoughlin, who is also taking on a horror film. You can read more about it here on MeinMMO: A YouTuber and streamer follows Markiplier’s example, producing a new horror film that excites fans

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

Pokémon GO: Defeating Dialga – The 20 Best Counters in the Raid Guide

Franzi Korittke Franzi Korittke Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO, you can encounter Dialga in Level 5 raids. We at MeinMMO will show you the best counters and movesets against the legendary raid boss.

What kind of Pokémon is Dialga? Dialga is a legendary Pokémon from the 4th generation, belonging to the Steel and Dragon types. The monster does not have a pre-evolution or further evolution.

To defeat it as quickly as possible in Level 5 raids, we have listed the best counters against Dialga below.

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Defeating Dialga in Raid – Best Counters

  1. Mega Lucario with Force Palm and Aura Sphere
  2. Mega Blaziken with Counter and Aura Sphere
  3. Primal Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
  4. Keldeo with Low Kick and Secret Sword
  5. Shadow Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
  6. Mega Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earth Power
  7. Lucario with Force Palm and Aura Sphere
  8. Mega Heracross with Counter and Close Combat
  9. Shadow Blaziken with Counter and Aura Sphere
  10. Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
  11. Shadow Excadrill with Mud-Sap and Scorching Sands
  12. Landorus Therian with Mud Shot and Sandsear Storm
  13. Shadow Raikou with Thunder Shock and Aura Sphere
  14. Shadow Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
  15. Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
  16. Mega Swampert with Mud Shot an Earthquake
  17. Kartana with Fury Cutter and Sacred Sword
  18. Mega Gallade with Low Kick and Close Combat
  19. Blaziken with Counter and Aura Sphere
  20. Shadow Landorus with Mud Shot and Earth Power

What weakness does Dialga have? Since Dialga belongs to the Steel and Dragon Pokémon types, it is particularly weak to Fighting and Ground attacks. Therefore, you should use these in battle.

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Is there a Shiny Dialga? Yes, with some luck, you can encounter a shiny specimen after the battle. It is easily recognizable by its green body.

Pokemon-Go-Dialga
Dialga normal (left) and as Shiny (right)

How many trainers are needed? With the best counters and a high trainer level, experienced players can defeat Dialga with just three. However, to make it a bit easier, you should gather a few more players for assistance. Then Dialga shouldn’t be a problem for you and should be defeated relatively quickly. By the way: It’s worth having Dialga on your team, as the Steel and Dragon Pokémon is among the best Dragon attackers in the game.

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

WoW shows the roadmap for 2026 – many raids, new game modes, endless content

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The roadmap for the year 2026 in World of Warcraft has been revealed. The developers maintain that there will be plenty of patches in a short amount of time.

In the recent stream regarding the “State of Azeroth,” the developers discussed a lot of details for the still young year 2026. Although the expansion Midnight has not yet been released, we already have a good impression of what is still to come this year.

Start video
WoW: Housing-Cinematic in WildStar style

WoW Midnight – The roadmap for the year 2026

Spring 2026

Patch 12.0.5

  • Void Attacks: The Void has not been defeated and continues to attack – it must be repelled at various locations around the world.
  • Prop Hunt: A fun pastime where some characters try to disguise themselves as harmless objects while a team of seekers aims to uncover them (known from Overwatch, for example).

Patch 12.0.7

  • Story & Quests: New story quests continue the narrative.
  • Void Attacks escalate: The void attacks become more intense.
  • New Raid: A new 1-boss raid to conclude the season.
  • Turbulent Timeways: The well-known event from many time-walks happening in succession.

Summer 2026

Patch 12.1

  • New Area: Currently unknown, but data mining suggests a large troll area near Zul’Aman.
  • New Raid
  • New Dungeon
  • New Depths
  • New World Boss
  • Housing, Social, and Interface Updates: The friends system is set to be fundamentally redesigned and renewed.

BlizzCon 2026: On September 12, BlizzCon 2026 will take place. There, the subsequent content (meaning Patch 12.1.5 and beyond) will be presented in more detail, and a first look at “The Last Titan” is likely to be given. Accordingly, the subsequent information is a bit vaguer, as these will be presented more concretely at BlizzCon.

WoW Roadmap Midnight 2026
The roadmap for the WoW year 2026 is set.

Autumn 2026

Patch 12.1.5

  • Labyrinth: This type of “Mega-Depths” is supposed to provide larger and long-term challenges for solo players and small groups.
  • New Raid: Another mini-raid at the midpoint of the season.
  • New Content and Systems: Currently unknown.

Patch 12.1.7

  • Story & Quests: New story quests continue the narrative.
  • Holiday Updates: Holidays will be updated with new rewards.
  • New Game Mode: A currently unknown, but apparently creepy game mode from the team that also developed “Remix” and “Plunderstorm.”.
  • Turbulent Timeways: The well-known event from many time-walks happening in succession.
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More Raids, more to do

It is striking in the Midnight roadmap that Blizzard apparently puts a larger focus on raids. Instead of presenting a raid only at the start of each season, there are now also smaller raids consistently in between patches to provide more variety and tell smaller stories with major adversaries. This should be a refreshing change for all who enjoy participating in raids when a raid seems exhausted after 6, 8, or 10 weeks.

What do you think of Blizzard’s plans for the WoW year 2026? Is there a lot that interests you? Or does it look like a rather boring year in Azeroth and would you rather know what’s next with “The Last Titan”?
Until then, though, you still have plenty of time to work on your own house – like with these 5 new decorations you might not be aware of yet.

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

„Noob DM“ forgets to prepare his 2nd session – Delivers a much better outcome than he could have ever planned

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 3 minutes

Sometimes the best situations in Dungeons & Dragons arise spontaneously and completely out of nowhere. A Game Master with little experience discovered exactly that and provided his table with an unforgettable, thrilling experience.

What is actually the role of a “DM”?

  • A DM, short for “Dungeon Master”, is the Game Master of a D&D group. He is basically the god of the world, narrates the story, plays the NPCs, and decides what happens and what does not.
  • The DM significantly influences how deeply the players can immerse themselves in a session and how challenging their experiences may be. For instance, he might present them with tricky puzzles that require clever solutions or allow them to take the “brute force” approach through a problem.
  • With a good DM, sessions can easily be played for years, even up to 40 years, if the group can manage it. However, an important skill for DMs is often overlooked: improvisation.

This arose from improvisation: Typically, DMs prepare their sessions, take notes, and create characters that the group may encounter. Essentially, they start building the world into which the players will dive and plan some situations or battles.

However, it often happens that the players do not do what the DM plans – or go in the completely opposite direction. Or that the DM forgets to prepare something. This happened to a user on Reddit.

confused_gooze writes that after his first session as a “Noob DM,” he completely flubbed the second one, but ended up achieving an even better result than originally planned:

  • From his fictional notes, which he never made, he introduces a wanted rogue to his group.
  • While exploring, one of the players fails a perception roll and gets robbed. The group chases the thief believing they are hunting the wanted criminal.
  • In the end, the party reaches a hideout of an entire halfling thieves’ guild that the DM spontaneously came up with. A fight breaks out, during which one of the players goes down and the rest barely manages to claim victory. Close, but exciting for everyone.
  • When asked if the treasure room is filled with traps, the DM responds with “yes” – even though that was not planned at all. The question itself led to that.

The entire situation was derived by the DM from the backstory of one of the players and then simply improvised with prompts that the group itself provided – like the failed perception roll. The community agrees: that is how the best stories are created.

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Critical Role stellen ihr neues, eigenes Rollenspiel vor: Daggerheart

“The BS plotlines are the best”

In the comments, some users express envy for the skill and the story that has arisen. After all, the entire group thanked confused_gooze at the end for the great session. Others continue the story and somehow even connect it to the plot of The Lord of the Rings.

However, many agree that the best stories are those that are not thought out beforehand, even sharing their own stories:

Oh yes. Players wanted a party > bullshitted a crazy alchemist barkeep > I make up experimental booze that causes players to see other planes > accidentally created a plotline about saving a god. The BS plotlines are the best.

Faeruy on Reddit
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One should never underestimate the power of “blind panic”, says another comment with helpful tips. Simply letting go and allowing the players to lead the story can result in truly learning how good D&D can be.

How important a good DM can be is perhaps best illustrated by the legendary storyteller Matthew Mercer. Mercer has led most campaigns of the well-known D&D group Critical Role, with his career being more of a coincidence: An anime nerd just wanted to become a voice actor – today he fills whole arenas with his friends and plays Dungeons & Dragons

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

Anthem is now definitely dead, fans don’t want to accept that, working on a revival

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

Until a few weeks ago, Anthem was still playable, but now the servers are down and the shooter is finally history – or is it? Some unyielding fans refuse to accept the end of Anthem and are working on a revival, but it won’t be easy.

It was clear early on that the loot shooter from BioWare was dead: The game was released on February 22, 2019, two years later, Anthem was declared dead. Yet players were boldly promised that this would be “the start of a 10-year journey”.

This journey has now ended after 7 years, with 5 years without new content. On January 12, 2026, in a final move by the publisher EA, the servers were shut down. However, some fans are already working on making the loot shooter playable again.

A video on YouTube has already shown how the return of Anthem could work and gives fans hope. But it won’t be as easy as it looks in the video.

A lead developer of Anthem recently explained why the game really flopped:

Start video
8 Jahre später erklärt ehemaliger Chef-Entwickler, warum Anthem wirklich floppte: Ein Team gefangen „in der Welt der Geheimnisse“

The engine still stands in the way of Anthem’s return

The return of Anthem? The people behind the revival of Anthem recently spoke about the project in an interview with Ars Technica. They are optimistic – but ask fans to temper their expectations. Because the revival is complicated.

At the center of the efforts is The Fort’s Forge, a Discord server. On this server, a handful of volunteers have gathered to make the shooter playable again. One of them is Ness199X, who already has experience with games running on the Frostbite engine, which Anthem uses.

The engine presents the biggest challenge so far. The game uses, like many other titles from EA, the Frostbite engine. However, it uses it differently than previous games, Ness explained to Ars Technica. This makes it much harder to understand how it works – and to make the game playable without EA’s servers.

So will Anthem return after all? Quite possible, but one shouldn’t expect it soon. Fans are using the last hours for a final excursion into the world of Anthem. Many shared their sorrow over the end, the farewell from the loot shooter resembled a digital funeral.

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Our colleague Michał from the international “Find Your Next Game” team experienced the end of Anthem live in the game. He shares his impressions of the last hours in a video on the official YouTube channel of MeinMMO. You can find it through this article on MeinMMO: “I was present in the final hours of Anthem and it was truly oppressive”

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

Ashes of Creation was considered a great MMORPG hope of the West, now it seems like it will never be released

Ody Ody Reading time 3 minutes

Most new MMORPGs have recently come mostly from Asia. In contrast, very few innovations come from the West, at least regarding major projects. Ashes of Creation was, therefore, a beacon of hope – now its future seems uncertain.

What is happening with Ashes of Creation? On the night of January 31 to February 1, 2026, Steven Sharif, CEO of Intrepid Studios and Creative Director of Ashes of Creation, shared a concerning message on the official Discord server for the game.

The message from the chief indicates that he and other executives have left the studio. Subsequently, there was a “mass layoff,” he says.

Ashes of Creation only entered Early Access on Steam on December 11, 2025:

Start video
Ashes of Creation stimmt im Trailer auf Early-Access-Start auf Steam ein

Studio Chief Resigns, Executives Follow

This is what the chief says: Sharif writes in his message to the community that he has lost control of the company. The board has since begun making decisions that he could not ethically agree to or implement. He does not specify what these decisions were at this point.

Ultimately, Sharif decided to resign “in protest” rather than support these actions. A large part of the leadership team left the studio afterward, prompting the board to carry out a mass layoff.

With this message, Steve Sharif announced his resignation.

Due to ongoing legal matters, Sharif cannot say much at this time. Therefore, it is unclear how many employees are to be affected by the mass layoff at the studio. An official statement has not been released by the time this article is published. However, such a statement could follow on Monday, February 2, 2026.

The developers are not to blame for this situation, Sharif writes in his message:

What I can say is that the developers and staff acted in good faith and deserved better than the uncertainty they are now facing.

Steven Sharif

Is Ashes of Creation Coming to an End?

What does this mean for the MMORPG? The future of the development studio remains uncertain, as does that of Ashes of Creation. Whether the game will actually be discontinued, as many fear, or whether it will be further developed with a smaller team – and without Sharif – remains to be seen.

On social media platforms like X and Reddit, both the founder’s message and the layoffs are being actively discussed. Some players have invested significant sums into the MMORPG since the start of the Kickstarter campaign.

  • Damn, I really put $1000 into this game since October 2020. Just for it to get canceled before it was ever released, writes Juliet (@ttvjuliet) on X
  • Looks like Ashes of Creation is imploding, says MMORPG expert and critic Bellular on X
  • X user Savvo Games (@SavvoGames) shares a screenshot in which there is said to be a final message from the developers to the players. It states: “We truly did our best. Out of our control. You guys are incredible and keep on keeping on.” (on X)

Many angry fans in the Ashes of Creation Subreddit talk about a scam, with sadness mixed with schadenfreude. Others are already looking for people to switch to another MMORPG with them. For instance, one user asks in a Reddit post: “Anybody want to hop with me to Archeage?”

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Just a week ago, layoffs at the developer studio caused concerns for the fans. At that time, Steve Sharif still had not hinted at anything negative. What he had to say about the layoffs can be found here: There were layoffs at the studio behind Ashes of Creation, the studio head reassures fans of the MMORPG

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

The last guild leader of Sauercrowd reaches level 60, uses one of the best quests from WoW Classic, breaks into tears

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

After a severe defeat at level 58, Metashi, the last guild leader of Sauercrowd, has finally reached level 60 in WoW Hardcore. From the final experience points, the Twitch streamer made a big event and specifically saved his favorite quest from one of the early areas to achieve this ascent.

What quest is that?

  • For the last XP, Metashi chose the quest: “The Love of a Daughter” from Duskwood. The streamer explains that while the quest chain is short, it is one of his favorites in the entire game.
  • “The Love of a Daughter” concludes the quest chain about Morgan Ladimore, better known as “Mor’Ladim,” an elite skeleton in the cemetery of Duskwood, which has cost many WoW players their virtual lives.
  • The story: Morgan Ladimore regrets not having protected his family. His – unbeknownst to him – surviving daughter forgives him. She brings a ring to his grave, which redeems his spirit (and also grants a fancy two-handed weapon as a reward).

This is how Metashi reached level 60: The streamer calculated exactly how many experience points he would get for the quest. The XP reward changes when you turn in quests for which you are already at a significantly higher level.

Metashi knows he will get 140 XP. Until just before the ascent, he continues to turn in quests in the Eastern Plaguelands, until only 2,077 XP are missing. He has a portal opened to Stormwind, rides to the Deadwind Pass, and takes out a few buzzards.

When only 84 experience points are left, he flies back to Stormwind and gathers dozens of onlookers around him. The group marches in “RP walk” to the grave in Duskwood, with all the low-level fans bravely protected by the other heroes (in the Twitch stream at hour 05:16:45).

Upon arriving at the grave, Metashi finally reads the entire story of Morgan Ladimore from the diary he has been carrying since early levels. With many thanks to his group, his girlfriend, and his viewers, Metashi turns in the quest and reaches level 60 – and breaks down emotionally in tears (in the stream at hour 05:34:19).

Start video
WoW: Guild loses 30 characters on a hardcore server – And it wasn’t even a boss fight

Metashi reaches level 60 as the last guild leader, Molten Core raid in 2 weeks

Metashi could have been one of the first Sauercrowd leaders to reach level 60, but due to a wrong decision he died at level 58 along with 2 other players. The way back was surprisingly quick nonetheless.

Just a few days earlier HandOfBlood also reached the maximum level, being distracted by a multitude of organizational tasks that demanded his attention.

As the first player in the leadership, Papaplatte managed to do so – only to die right after. His current character, a gnome mage, is at level 26.

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Metashi’s ascent still marks an important milestone for the guild, especially since his statement about The Burning Crusade had previously raised doubts about whether the project could continue.

However, the concern about the end was alleviated a few days later during a guild meeting, and the leadership even took a step further. The actual goal of Sauercrowd, the raid of the Molten Core, is getting closer: The first raid of Sauercrowd has a date, Metashi makes it clear: “We will pull this off together”

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

I completed a game on Steam over a weekend where my book knowledge was really useful

Johanna Johanna Reading time 3 minutes

MeinMMO author Johanna is quite interested in one or another cozy game on Steam. One of them has been on her wishlist for 3 years and she almost missed it. But now she has just played it through in one weekend.

What kind of game is it? It is the cozy game Tiny Bookshop. In this game, you have a small bookshop on wheels. You move to the small town of Bookston, where you can unlock various locations for your mobile passion.

Every day the sales location changes, you pack books into your shelves, and off you go to sell. The goal is, of course, to have a financially viable bookshop. You can also decorate your bookshop on wheels with small decorative items, plants, or even two animals.

You will be supported by the residents of Bookston. They assist you with advice and favors as you complete various quests for them, and in return, you are rewarded with more decorative items.

The art style of the game is simple, yet detailed. The pace is moderate. Typical cozy game indeed. You won’t be rushed, but relaxed.

Here you can get your own impression of the game:

Start video
In Tiny Bookshop, you sell books to a small town

For the first time, I became aware of Tiny Bookshop in 2022. In a small trailer, the idea was shown to me on my For-You page. I was immediately fascinated by the game concept and followed the developers’ request to add the game to my wishlist.

In August 2025, it finally happened: The game was released. However, I had completely forgotten about it by that time. On a Friday, while browsing through my Steam wishlist, I discovered Tiny Bookshop, so to speak, “again”.

I bought it right away, as I didn’t want to forget it again, and jumped right in. Before I knew it, it was Sunday evening and I had no other memories of the weekend than having played the game.

Two hobbies in one activity

What makes Tiny Bookshop so special? Tiny Bookshop allows me not only to relax through simple gameplay in a cozy atmosphere but also to indulge in my two hobbies simultaneously. I love gaming and reading. Tiny Bookshop brings these together for me.

Winter in Tiny Bookshop
The game goes through the different seasons, during which various events take place. The decorations also adapt to the season.

Now and then, customers need a book recommendation. The special thing about this game is that your shelves contain real books that you can also buy in real life.

This made the gameplay feel personal for me. My knowledge of books, whether read or just informed about, gives me an advantage in customer advising. The customer wants to read a real horror classic? No problem, here is Frankenstein or The Shining.

Additionally, this has a lovely side effect: The books also always come with a synopsis, leading me to discover new books that I want to read.

Overall, Tiny Bookshop offers about 30 to 40 hours of cozy gaming fun, depending on how thorough you are, whether you want to complete all quests and collect all decorative items.

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Another cozy game has caught my interest: Disney Dreamlight Valley. Since I will probably finish Tiny Bookshop soon, as I’ve seen everything, I might switch back to the game. You can read more about my experiences with Disney Dreamlight Valley here on MeinMMO: In a simulation on Steam, I help well-known Disney heroes from my childhood, a journey that has occupied me for almost a week for over 20 hours

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

“I temporarily ruined my life” – player spends 300 hours in ARC Raiders for something that only 14 people own

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 2 minutes

A player challenged herself to earn the rarest achievement in ARC Raiders. Two months and 300 hours later, she wonders: Was it even worth it?

Which achievement are we talking about? Streamer and YouTuber Evelyn “Eskay” Hollis set herself the goal of achieving an achievement in ARC Raiders that only 14 other players have ever achieved. We are talking about the “Cantina Legend” rank, for which only the top 100 players qualify. 

The rank is achieved through the weekly trials, where players earn progress to secure a spot on the leaderboard. Players can only rank up twice a week, meaning for Eskay’s plan to become Cantina Legend, she had to rank up every week at every opportunity throughout the entire season. And this becomes increasingly difficult with each rank-up and stronger opponents.

After 2 months and 300 hours in the game, Eskay finally managed to earn this prestigious title for herself. However, the victorious mood was not present for the streamer; quite the opposite, as she reveals in her documenting video on YouTube: “To be honest, I find it really hard to present this experience positively.”

Start video
Spieler in Arc Raiders schreit so laut um Hilfe, dass der Nachbar die Tür aufbricht

“Was it worth it? Not really.”

Why was it not a positive experience for the streamer? Eskay explains at the end of her video why this challenge she set for herself will not be a pleasant memory. Although she spent a lot of time in the game and achieved something that only 14 other players worldwide can claim. 

Nevertheless, the streamer is sure:

The fact is that I temporarily ruined my life to play Arc Raiders Trials. I postponed so many commitments. I skipped meetings with friends who only visit once a year. I missed dinners. I skipped the gym. I put my career on hold. I almost missed a trip to Paris. And for what? For a skin?

Eskay on YouTube

What insight does Eskay take from the experience? The streamer emphasizes that she is proud of this achievement and that the people who have achieved the “Cantina Legend” rank have truly worked hard. 

She wanted to prove to herself that she could deliver a strong performance regardless of the game and felt after several weeks that she had invested too much to give up. She also did not want to disappoint her two friends and teammates.

However, it seems Eskay has learned something for herself through her concluding words, something she wants to hold on to:

Don’t get me wrong, I am no stranger to grinding, but the older I get and the more experiences I gather, the more my priorities shift. I can’t just play 12 hours a day, even if it’s somehow my job.

There are so many things in real life that I want to do and haven’t done yet. There are so many memories and experiences that I have missed because I played video games.

Eskay on YouTube
More about ARC Raiders
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With Eskay’s achievement, the streamer proved that she can indeed be proud of her performance in the shooter, even if it cost her a lot and ultimately was not worth it. Her community is understanding and still celebrates her for this extraordinarily rare achievement. 

Other streamers cannot boast such feedback from their viewers. Thousands publicly argue about whether a Twitch streamer cheats or plays like a god: Thousands are sure that a streamer in ARC Raiders cheats, while others say: Whoever really thinks that isn’t watching carefully

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