Players threaten to delete Apex Legends from their hard drive because EA has “improved” the Battle Pass

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

The shooter Apex Legends has peaked at 320,000 concurrent players, making it one of the top 10 biggest titles on Steam. Additionally, the free-to-play game has been released for Xbox, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. In financial reports, EA has repeatedly praised the shooter and highlighted its success. However, a new “improvement” in the funding model is now causing trouble as it essentially amounts to a price increase. Players say the only ones benefiting from this are the shareholders of Electronic Arts.

This is how the Battle Pass worked until now: Apex Legends utilizes the model that Fortnite has made standard in the industry: Every three months, with a new season in Apex Legends, there is a Battle Pass with 110 tiers:

  • Players can access the Battle Pass for free and earn rewards without paying, but they only receive the free-to-play rewards, which means they level up in the Battle Pass as they play more, unlocking more rewards.
  • Alternatively, they can spend 950 Apex Coins to unlock a special path on the Battle Pass to access better rewards.
  • There is also a more expensive version of the Battle Pass available, which unlocks several tiers and rewards without needing to earn them, aimed at those who want to spend money.

In practice, this means: With this system, it is possible for players to earn enough of the in-game currency AC with the current season’s Battle Pass to purchase the Battle Pass for the next season.

This ultimately means that frequent players can purchase enough coins for one Battle Pass in their lifetime, spending $10, and can then use the AC they earn in the current Battle Pass to get the next Battle Pass each time.

Start video
Apex Legends: Ignites Launch Trailer

2 Battle Passes instead of one – Real money instead of in-game currency

These are the changes now:

  • You can no longer buy the next Battle Pass with in-game currency “AC”; you have to pay real money for it.
  • Additionally, there is no longer a single Battle Pass with 110 tiers, but two with 60 tiers each.
  • In return, EA is making the Battle Pass easier to earn rewards from.
More on the topic
Pokémon GO: Community Day with Forgita – How to make the most of the event
von Max Handwerk
“I shouldn’t have opened my mouth” – Twitch streamer dared to criticize her colleagues, now says what consequences it has for her
von Johanna
Epic Games wants to compete with ARC Raiders, sending Disney characters on the mission
von Alexander Mehrwald

EA sells the change as “improvement”

This is what EA says: The developers claim this is an “improvement” and will now create the “best possible experience” because players of Apex Legends only need to climb 60 tiers instead of 110.

They have also removed some rewards that were hardly used.

EA summarizes this with: “Shorter Battle Pass, one for each Split, revised rewards, and purchased with real currency.” (via ea.com)

ea-battle-pass

EA says:

We have seen the numbers, and things need to be more tangible and realistic for our global community. Each of these updated aspects makes the Battle Pass more accessible and valuable for your time and money. The reward should always be worth the time you spend in the Outlands, and that is now the case.

“This is the last straw”

How is this received? Not well at all. The largest thread on reddit on the topic is titled: “The Battle Pass changes have broken the camel’s back. I am uninstalling it.” The thread currently has 1,500 upvotes and 330 comments.

The comments make it clear:

  • Most players have practically bought the old Battle Pass “for free” with the ACs they earned in the last Battle Pass.
  • Now EA wants $10 from them twice per season for the same thing.

In no universe is this an improvement, except for EA shareholders, comments a reddit user.

Whether and how this change will affect the actual player numbers of Apex Legends on Steam will be seen in the coming days and weeks.

Battle Passes have always been viewed critically by parts of the community in live service games. Because what seems nice and player-friendly at first glance brings certain obligations and actually has little gameplay: Some microtransactions in new MMOs border on self-enslavement.

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

Players say The First Descendant would die without an important feature – Developers bring it directly into the game

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Many fans of loot shooters are currently enjoying The First Descendant. However, they lack a simple feature that players say would add longevity to the title. To the delight of the community, this feature is now being added to the game as a hotfix.

What do the fans want? In a Reddit thread, the user GW2Quinn comments on a feature he believes is essential for The First Descendant to stay alive for a long time. He feels that matchmaking for dungeons in hard mode is necessary.

He argues primarily with the core idea that most players would prefer to play content at the push of a button rather than having to find a group on Discord first. Although matchmaking can sometimes lead to frustration, the relatively low difficulty of dungeons, according to his own experience, would mitigate such a problem.

A weapon could currently help you with difficult content: An inconspicuous weapon melts bosses, currently a favorite among the community

Start video
Looter-Shooter The First Descendant announces its release date in the trailer

Players Demand Matchmaking

The community largely agrees with the post and compares the missing feature with other games. For example, CaptainBackPain mentions that he has played games where developers refused to add matchmaking. Ultimately, they did, but too late. With the current great success of the game, such an option would indeed be worthwhile.

Other users also criticize Destiny in this context. The user NeoReaper82 writes that it took Destiny 10 years to add a feature like this.

However, there are also users who criticize matchmaking and would prefer a power check for players. The user RevolutionaryBoat925 writes: Normal and Hard Mode need a power check for matchmaking. […] Otherwise, it would be pretty pointless if they implement it.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Unlocking Ultimate Bunny in The First Descendant – How to get the Sprinter and her improved version
von Dariusz Müller
More on the topic
The First Descendant: “How to get all characters in 1.5 months” – Players explain how to get descendants for free
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
Players say: A special skin will rake in a fortune for The First Descendant
von Schuhmann

The community has reason to be happy. Fortunately, players didn’t have to wait long, as announced by the official game account on X, a hotfix is being prepared to add matchmaking for the Public Infiltration Operation (dungeons) in hard mode.

An exact date is not mentioned in the tweet yet. However, most commenters appear to be excited and praise the developers for quickly bringing a change that many parts of the community have requested. Generally, The First Descendant seems to fill a gap left by other games: The new loot shooter on Steam fills a void in your gamer soul left by Division, Anthem, and Destiny

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

Zenless Zone Zero: With a trick you can easily grab 190 Polychrom for free – it’s that simple

jacquelinek jacquelinek Reading time 2 minutes

Zenless Zone Zero is a game by the creators of Genshin Impact. With a little trick, you can easily secure 190 Polychrome for free. We at MeinMMO explain to you how it works.

What is Zenless Zone Zero? Zenless Zone Zero is the latest game from Hoyoverse, the developers of Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. You find yourself in New Eridu, a post-apocalyptic urban fantasy world, which he tries to protect from a threat.

With a little trick, you can regularly snag Polychrome. You need Polychrome to summon new characters. In addition to this trick, there are also other codes that you can redeem this month.

You can watch the game trailer here:

Start video
Zenless Zone Zero: New game from the creators of ‘Genshin Impact’ focuses on Cyberpunk instead of Fantasy – Trailer

Daily entries give you Polychrome

How can you snag 190 Polychrome? To receive 190 Polychrome for free, you need to link your Zenless Zone Zero account with Hoyolab and make the daily entry. You will receive additional materials for each day of the month. You can snag a total of 60 Polychrome for free each month this way. You will receive 20 of them on the 5th, 13th, and 20th day of the month.

Daily entry Zenless Zone Zero

When you make your entries in Zenless Zone Zero for the first time, you will receive 40 Polychrome for the first entry and 30 Polychrome each on the second and third days.

Lastly, you will receive an additional 30 Polychrome for linking for the first time, enabling you to secure a total of 190 free Polychrome. However, you can secure the 60 Polychrome for daily log-in every month.

You can go directly to the daily entry of Zenless Zone Zero.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Zenless Zone Zero Tier List: The Best Characters
von Fabienne Kissel
More on the topic
Zenless Zone Zero: The new action game from the developers of Genshin Impact is here – This is what the first reactions say
von Fabienne Kissel
More on the topic
Zenless Zone Zero: All codes you can redeem in April 2026
von Christos Tsogos

This is how you link your account with Hoyolab: First, if you don’t have an account yet, you need to create one on Hoyolab with the same email address that you use for your game. You can do this both on the web at Hoyolab‘s site or in the app.

Once the account is created, go to the top left to Interest Group and select Zenless Zone Zero. On the right side, you will find a field under the name All tools. There you will also find the point Register and thus come to your daily log-in bonus.

What happens if you can’t log in for a day? Hoyoverse has a solution for this as well: You can make up for an entry up to three times a month. However, you will have to complete small tasks, such as browsing a bit on the Zenless Zone Zero site.

Even though Zenless Zone Zero has not been on the market for long, there are already 17 characters that you can summon and play in the game. With this high number, the question quickly arises which character is the best choice. In our tier list, you have an overview of which characters currently belong to the top tier: Zenless Zone Zero: Tier List with the best characters

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

Players in Final Fantasy XIV are thirsting for a new character in Dawntrail, harboring unseemly thoughts

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

The Dawntrail expansion for Final Fantasy XIV introduces many new characters who play an important role in the story. One of them is receiving so much affection from the community that the most outrageous memes are being created about him.

Which character is it? Alongside Wuk Lamat, who divides the players’ spirits, Bakool Ja Ja is one of the most important NPCs in Dawntrail. He aims to challenge the Hrothgar for the throne using devious tricks.

The villain has a peculiarity: he is a Mamool Ja born with two heads. The two-headed ones are seen as blessed beings who enjoy a special status.

The Mamool Ja is well aware of his strength and displays it openly. He wears armor that shows off his muscular upper body. His figure and dominant behavior seem to prompt many players to incorporate him into numerous memes.

You can watch the new Dawntrail expansion in the following trailer:

Start video
Final Fantasy XIV: Launch trailer for Dawntrail prepares for the adventure in Tural

Community adores Bakool Ja Ja with numerous memes

How does the community show its affection? Countless tweets about Bakool Ja Ja are currently circulating on social media. Fans are developing outrageous thoughts about the Mamool Ja and have chosen him as the object of their desire.

One tweet jokes that Wuk Lamat could have ended up in this role as well. In a tweet imagined by a fan, Naoki Yoshida, the producer of the MMORPG, goes through the protocol for inappropriate trends:

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

According to this, the voice actor should be supported, and an eye should be kept on harassment of corresponding cosplayers. But the fantasy-Yoshida is confronted with the harsh reality that it is not about Wuk Lamat, but about Bakool Ja Ja.

The trend has even reached a point where an NSFW account for Bakool Ja Ja has developed on X. The user “bakool ja ja’s babygirl” shows in her header image that she would prefer to be in the arms of Bakool Ja Ja.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

In addition, there are plenty of other tweets revolving around the obsession with Bakool Ja Ja. Many of them play with not-so-innocent statements. User banana_qote shares on X with a meme, for example, that his main character would like to take down Bakool Ja Ja. Wuk Lamat hopes that this means taking him down in battle but receives no answer.

Is this typical for the fans? As user nateharmonica points out on X, this is not the worst example where the community has shown outrageous behavior towards Final Fantasy XIV. The Twitter account for the MMORPG previously asked what mounts the community would like to ride around on.

More about the MMORPG
With a bit of luck, you might soon be able to play the largest new MMORPG 2026 on PC
von Karsten Scholz
Which free MMORPGs are still really fun in 2026? MeinMMO reveals it to you in the video
von Nico Scheibel
Is Final Fantasy XIV worth it in 2026? MeinMMO reveals it to you in the video
von Karsten Scholz

The inappropriate comments were sometimes so disturbing that the official account could only respond with an “okay” (via X). There are more such examples that some fans of the MMORPG portray the characters in inappropriate ways.

However, we want to make it clear at this point that this does not apply to all players of the Final Fantasy XIV community. The tweets are rapidly multiplying online, but most players will likely not participate in the new trend.

Bakool Ja Ja is not the only innovation in the Dawntrail expansion. To keep you informed of all important information at a glance, MeinMMO has summarized the changes in the following overview: Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail: Everything about the release, Collector’s Edition, and Benchmark

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

A father has over 5,000 hours in Destiny 2, has now been banned and is asking the community for help

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

On Reddit, a player from Destiny 2 has spoken out. He is a family man and an avid gamer. However, his Destiny account has now been banned – which annoys him greatly. The community is seeking explanations for this.

What does the player say? In his post on Reddit, the user Drewwbacca1977 introduces himself as a “desperate Destiny dad.” He turns to the community with his problem and hopes to attract some attention.

His Destiny account has been locked by Bungie. The player doesn’t know why this happened. What he does know is that Destiny 2 is his great passion. He has spent over 5,000 hours in the game and has been a fan of the franchise for ten years, which recently received a major expansion with The Final Shape.

The father has spent many happy hours playing with his currently thirteen-year-old son. He is also an avid gamer who loves Minecraft and Fortnite. However, the shared Destiny sessions with his father would be a special highlight in both of their lives.

Accordingly, the player has a strong connection to Destiny 2 and his account. He shares that there are numerous good memories attached to it. He is annoyed that the account has suddenly been banned without any apparent reason. His son is even shocked about it. The community on Reddit has read the post and is now trying to help.

Start video
Bungie shows the future of Destiny 2 after The Final Shape in the new trailer

“I have never cheated in an online game”

What could be reasons for the ban? To quickly dismiss hasty assessments, the father clarifies: “I have never cheated in an online game. I am an average player.” Cheats would therefore not be the issue.

Furthermore, he has just updated his PC hardware to the latest standards. There are no network issues or anything like that. From time to time, he plays on the Xbox, especially when he travels to other cities.

Here, some users on Reddit already suspect a possible reason for the ban. “The system probably detected a new location and thought it was a recovery,” believes Last-Idea9985 on Reddit.

This means that players give their account to others, which in some cases can lead to a ban. User TY-KLR agrees with their predecessor on Reddit and shares: “I thought the same. I’m afraid to play on my Destiny account when visiting my cousin or family, given all the stories I’ve seen.”

According to user Solesaver on Reddit, another reason could be that the father purchased content for Destiny 2 from a key reseller, who obtained the key with a stolen credit card.

Overall, however, the father sees himself as innocent – there seems to be no obvious reason for the ban, as in the case of the German streamer Lachegga.

More on the topic
More on the topic
New loot shooter on Steam allegedly copied Warframe – Now players find icons from Destiny 2 in the game
von Christos Tsogos
More on the topic
Report shows: Only in 3 games are young people insulted more often than in Destiny 2
von Christos Tsogos
More on the topic
Destiny 2: Unlocking Prism Fragments – All Locations in English
von Christos Tsogos

How can the issue be resolved? Some users suggest contacting a community manager and explaining the situation in detail. This could help determine whether it is a mistake. In the best-case scenario, the account will be unlocked again.

Specific names are even provided to the father that he can reach out to. His Reddit post has been actively upvoted by the community. It is hopeful that Bungie will take care of the issue and that the Destiny fan can go on more adventures with his son again. One of the best players in Destiny 2 was also banned – read on MeinMMO about what happened with that.

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

The survival game Once Human launches today on Steam, showcases its PvE and PvP content before release

Linda Knabe Linda Knabe Reading time 2 minutes

The survival game Once Human launches in a few hours on Steam. Two individual trailers will again showcase gameplay for PvE and PvP.

Once Human is a new survival game from the development studio Starry Studio, which launches tonight on Steam. Especially after the survival flop of The Day Before, genre fans quickly set their sights on Once Human, and it became almost a hope for many players.

  • Once Human is a survival game with sandbox gameplay.
  • Together with other players, you try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. There, an alien substance called Stardust transforms living beings into monsters and grants them supernatural powers.
  • There will be PvE and PvP battles against other groups.

Two trailers now showcase some impressions of the PvE and PvP content just before the release.

Start video
The survival game Once Human shows PvP gameplay

What can be seen? In the trailer for the PvP content, you can get a look at the battles you can have with other players in Once Human. These battles sometimes extend across the entire map, and you can see, for example, how you can follow each other with your mobile base across the whole map.

You also seem to be able to take advantage of a foreign base being attacked by wild creatures to make life doubly difficult for your enemy players.

More on the topic
More on the topic
Steam: In a new horror survival game, you fight your way through the Chinese underworld with friends
von Linda Knabe
More on the topic
Steam: A new survival game is the big competition to Valheim – Now available in Early Access
von jacquelinek

Another trailer provides insights into the PvE content of the survival game. The trailer shows, for example, some of the strange creatures and various ways to move through the open world, such as diving, gliding, or riding motorcycles.

Start video
Im Survival-Spiel Once Human müsst ihr zusammenarbeiten

It also shows that you can cooperate as a team to build your common base and confront the various dangers of the post-apocalyptic world. But not only other players help you in Once Human to fight for survival: In the survival game Once Human, you receive support against monsters and hunger: from huge cats and plush dinosaurs

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

Developer of Witcher 3 reveals what the secret ingredient for great quests is

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

The secret ingredient for great quests in RPGs is exactly what seems to be frequently lacking for people on the internet.

CD Projekt RED is known for some of the best RPGs of all time. Especially The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is considered a milestone that everyone should have played, even many years after its release. Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky start, but many patches later, it has also become a fantastic RPG.

The fact that the games are so well received is mainly due to the quest design, which has involved an enormous amount of work. The secret ingredient, according to one of the developers, is: empathy.

Start video
Is this really Cyberpunk 2077? – 40 seconds that will convince you again of the game

Who is speaking? Pawel Sasko was a quest designer for The Witcher 3. For Cyberpunk 2077, he was already the lead quest designer, and for the next game in the Cyberpunk universe, he is even the “Associate Game Director” – so he has made quite a career and has dealt a lot with quests.

Both at gamescom latam and in the interview with Game Rant, he spoke about the secrets and detailed work that goes into creating quests.

What did Sasko say? According to Sasko, the focus when creating quests should always be on maintaining a priority order. In quest design, it is essential to design them in such a way that you “play, show, and then tell, always in that order” (“Play, Show, Tell”).

As a player, you should experience as much of a quest as possible through pure gameplay, allowing the mission to unfold. Dramatic cutscenes are also fine, but it’s better when they are part of the gameplay. The “tell” variant is basically the classic quest design. An NPC wants something, and you have to listen to their monologue or even read a lengthy quest text.

This leads to nearly 40% of players in WoW no longer reading quest texts.

The Witcher 3 Story
Quests with an empathetic component make a game great.

Especially with the “show” element, it is particularly important to demonstrate empathy. Because you need to understand what could touch the players. Only then can a quest immerse players, allowing them to stop thinking about the game’s logic or mechanics and instead be captivated by the story.

More news on MeinMMO:
Pokémon GO: Community Day with Forgita – How to make the most of the event
von Max Handwerk
“I shouldn’t have opened my mouth” – Twitch streamer dared to criticize her colleagues, now says what consequences it has for her
von Johanna
Epic Games wants to compete with ARC Raiders, sending Disney characters on the mission
von Alexander Mehrwald

One example of this is the quest with the Botchling in The Witcher 3. Here, the Bloody Baron had to bury his own mutated child once again. Even if one is not a father, one can easily understand the gravity of the quest through its portrayal – and yet, one must not lose sight of the fact that such a task might overwhelm some. Sasko says:

Although it is fantasy with the Botchling, there is a component of authenticity and realism that touches people because you do not know what they have experienced [in their own lives]. You have to approach quests with great care and consideration.

Exactly this ultimately leads to great quests.

In ‘showing’, it’s about addressing your empathy and trying to show you things that can move you. For me, that’s almost the secret ingredient that makes particularly good quests.

What kind of quests do you prefer? Do you like being an active part of the quest where the action takes place entirely “in gameplay”? Are you more a fan of lengthy cutscenes where you have little control? Or do you prefer quest texts that you can read at your leisure?

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

Strategy game on Steam brings 3 of the biggest Viking heroes from Netflix into the game

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

Vikings: Valhalla is a spin-off of the famous series Vikings on Netflix. In a new collaboration, the 3 protagonists appear as characters in the strategy game Viking Rise on Steam, iOS, and Android. The update is free.

What kind of game is this?

  • In Viking Rise, you lead a Viking clan, build your village, and explore Midgard. You embark on adventures with both heroes and troops.
  • The fantasy setting provides enemies and monsters from Norse mythology, such as giant animals, dragons, and more. The game also features multiplayer battles.
  • Viking Rise was released in April 2024 on iOS and Android, and in May as a standalone version for PC on Steam.
More on the topic
The 15 Best Strategy Games for PC 2025
von Benedict Grothaus

You can now play these heroes: In a collaboration with the Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla, the 3 protagonists of the series come as heroes to Viking Rise:

  • Leif Eriksson, great seafarer and explorer, son of the legendary Erik the Red.
  • Freydis Eiríksdóttir, Leif’s sister and a fierce warrior.
  • Harald Sigurdson, a descendant of the legendary Harald Fairhair, who wants to become the king of Norway.

The three heroes arrive in the game after a shipwreck in the world. You can play as them and experience a unique story with each of them that you can shape with your own choices.

Viking Rise has a rating of 73% on Steam, making it “mostly positive.” It has 4.4/5 stars in the Play Store and 4.6/5 stars in the App Store:

Start video
The trailer for the collaboration between Viking Rise and Vikings: Valhalla showcases 3 legendary Viking heroes

Viking strategy with multiplayer dungeons and more

The focus of Viking Rise is on building and managing your own village. This includes sailing and combat to claim new territories, as is fitting for a true Viking game.

Viking Rise also offers the option to play in multiplayer. You can engage with other players either diplomatically or militarily to form alliances or battle against them.

More on the topic
More on the topic
I lost to the 1st boss in a new survival game on Steam – I just wanted to build a Viking village
von Benedict Grothaus
More on the topic
Swedish strategy geniuses are succeeding with games for history nerds on Steam: Killing games and studios, burning millions
von Schuhmann
More on the topic
Who likes “Vikings” should not miss a series on Netflix
von Marie Friske

Together with other players, you can tackle the multiplayer dungeons, where you fight against mythical monsters. Your armies will be supplemented by heroes with special abilities and craftable equipment that you can also send directly on missions to earn bonuses. The heroes include:

  • Ragnar Lothbrok
  • Harald Bluetooth
  • Ivar the Boneless
  • a mythical Valkyrie

Additionally, the 3 legendary heroes from Vikings: Valhalla join, who are based on historical figures. For fans of the series, this might be at least a small consolation. Despite controversies, Vikings: Valhalla was popular with some people but will not be continued: A Netflix series that aimed to compete with Game of Thrones will end after only three seasons

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

Official sketches of One Piece show that 2 members of the Straw Hat crew were supposed to look completely different

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Before the publication of the manga of One Piece, the mangaka, Eiichiro Oda, discarded several ideas for the appearance of the Straw Hat Crew. In a fan overview, we can now see how the individual members have changed over time. Two of the Straw Hats even had a different hair color in the meantime.

What does the overview show? The user newworldartur reports on various information about One Piece. He made the effort to collect all known sketches of the Straw Hats that were revealed before the publication of the manga.

In the overview, on the left side is the first image of the Straw Hat Pirates. On the right side is the final appearance that the Straw Hats have in the manga.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

In the meantime, even name changes are highlighted that the pirate crew has gone through over the years:

  • Monkey D. Luffy was originally supposed to be named Monkey D. Pao. The very first sketches of One Piece revealed this.
  • Nami was called Rezel in the very first sketches.
  • Zorro evolved from Ryuma, who ultimately became the protagonist of Monsters.
  • Sanji underwent two name changes. He was initially named Romeo. Then he became Naruto. But due to the competing manga, his name was changed to Sanji.
  • Jinbei was actually supposed to be the Fishman Helmsman.

Over time, not only the names have changed, but also the appearances. Especially two of the Straw Hats are hardly recognizable at first sight.

The Straw Hat Crew appears in many cinema films. One of them is One Piece Gold:

Start video
One Piece Film: Gold – The trailer for the anime movie

Straw Hats have changed their appearance multiple times

Which Straw Hats look different than before? From the early sketches of the Straw Hat Pirates, Nico Robin and Franky stand out. The two characters look like pencil doodles, making it hard to recognize what their shape looks like.

In Franky’s sketch, we can see a hinted shirt that he wears open. However, there are hardly any similarities with Nico Robin’s final design. Upon closer inspection, even two small horns can be seen, through which the “Devil Child” would live up to her nickname.

More interesting facts about One Piece
One Piece fans on Netflix are upset about changes, the creators emphasize: Eiichiro Oda has the final say
von Christoph Waldboth
“Ruffy” from One Piece crowns the best hero in anime history, ennobles the legendary mangaka with his number 1 spot
von Jasmin Beverungen
One Piece actor cancels interview, magazine replaces him with AI, crosses moral line with question
von Jasmin Beverungen

The early sketches of Nami, Zorro, and Sanji changed hair color multiple times. Nami was once brunette and blue-haired, Zorro even had blue and pink hair and an eyepatch. Sanji, on the other hand, changed from black to blonde.

Is there a design that particularly appeals to you? Would you have preferred to see one of the early sketches in the manga? Let us know in the comments!

Chopper’s appearance was also changed from an adult reindeer to a cuter look. The exciting question remains how this member of the Straw Hat Crew will look in the live-action adaptation: One Piece on Netflix gets Season 2 and a new character is joining

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

I have already invested 250 hours in a role-playing game for Warhammer 40k on Steam – and there will be much more to come

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 4 minutes

MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus is a big Warhammer fan and loves role-playing games. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader is logically one of his highlights of the last few years. The CRPG will receive its first expansion on Steam in August. A good reason to play it again.

Warhammer is one of the best role-playing worlds there is. I like to repeat myself: In a perfect world, the biggest MMORPG today would be World of Warhammer. Rogue Trader is at least a small step in that direction.

The role-playing game was released in December 2023 and had already impressed me immensely then. Instead of genetically engineered superhumans, I play a free trader who has been given a mandate by the Emperor to enforce his will.

For everyone who doesn’t know Warhammer 40k: 40,000 years in the future, humanity has conquered several galaxies and is at war with pretty much all alien species. To this are cosmic forces such as chaos gods, ancient robotic mummies, and all-consuming beetle monsters. For “protection” and conquest, the Imperium of Man has Space Marines, guys who have been genetically engineered to be bigger, stronger, and meaner than any normal man.

However, Rogue Trader largely avoids this trope. Instead, the role-playing game explores other facets of the dystopian world and has captivated me immensely for this reason alone.

Start video
Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader – The teaser trailer for the 1st DLC ‘Void Shadows’ on Steam

250 hours full of decisions with an excellent combat system

I finished my first playthrough after about 180-200 hours and immediately started a second run. Even then, I noticed that Rogue Trader does some things better than genre king Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Classes are not fixed; I build my own builds from various combinations that evolve.
  • Through a total of 55 levels, there is always something to improve on the character; it feels like a real journey.
  • The combat system is reminiscent of XCOM and comes with a plethora of mechanics like parries, recoil, deflections, and various types of weapons.

Fighting is incredibly fun. Whether with a heavy bolter, a chainsword, or psychic magic: What matters is always who is where and with what combinations the enemies are dealt with. Rogue Trader conveys the strategic aspect that defines Warhammer very well.

Warhammer 40k rogue trader character creation
Character creation is much more extensive and is a lot of fun.

But what impressed me the most was the story. The Warhammer role-playing game doesn’t offer as much freedom as Baldur’s Gate 3, but the story still has different facets, depending on the playstyle:

  • Iconoclasts help the humans and mainly see scenes in which the people triumph.
  • Dogmatists enforce the will of the Emperor and fight against heretics, chaos, and xenos.
  • Heretics disregard the values of the Imperium and succumb to chaos – yet that’s not necessarily the “evil” path. Even the “good” ending of the game is terrible.

The first DLC, Shadows of the Void or “Void Shadows”, will be released on August 8. It promises another adventure with 15 hours of gameplay that I want to check out. Together with the bug fixes, that’s a reason to play everything again. But what really excites me is the new companion.

More on the topic
The 14 Best RPGs on Steam
von Marie Friske

Void Shadow brings one of the world’s most dangerous women into the game

With Void Shadows, Kiballah comes as a character to Rogue Trader. Kiballah is a Death Cult assassin, one of the deadliest sects in Warhammer 40k. The Death Cult is fanatically devoted to the Emperor and sees killings as acts of faith.

Accordingly, the assassins are experts in handling weapons, especially blades of all kinds, and kill, butcher, and stab at a level on par with the best swordsmen of the Eldar. However, they also indulge in somewhat … questionable rituals.

Due to their fanatical desire to kill and shed blood for the Emperor, Death Cult assassins are particularly susceptible to the temptations of the chaos gods Khorne and Slaanesh.

For Rogue Trader, this sounds incredibly exciting: I look forward to seeing if I can take Kiballah as a loyal assassin of the Emperor or if I can completely lead her to chaos along with my heretic.

Start video
Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader: The trailer for the new Death Cult Assassin

Again over 100 hours – While I’m still stuck on the predecessor!

The next run in Rogue Trader will keep me occupied for several dozen hours again. I just hope that I will finish the predecessor of the studio before the DLC starts.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous received its final DLC in June and is now complete. Since then, I’ve been stuck again in the huge role-playing game and have to say: Despite many bugs that often plague the games, Owlcat just has a knack for the genre.

Wrath of the Righteous alone captivated me for over 100 hours in the 2 weeks after the release of the last DLC and I’m still not (yet) done with it. In fact, I’m even planning a third playthrough – sometime after Rogue Trader then.

Right now is a really good time for all who love role-playing games. First Pathfinder, then the DLC for Rogue Trader, and later on, the final update for Baldur’s Gate 3 to conclude the epic – even if without new content: Team from Baldur’s Gate 3 was even working on a DLC – the chief explains why the work was stopped.

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

New loot shooter on Steam allegedly copied Warframe – Now players find icons from Destiny 2 in the game

Christos Tsogos Christos Tsogos Reading time 3 minutes

The First Descendant is the new loot shooter on the market, and while it feels fresh and new, it is said to have copied from successful titles. The longer players play the game, the more they discover copied content from Warframe and even Destiny 2.

What has been found? The First Descendant is the new loot shooter from the developer “NEXON”. In this, you take on the role of a descendant, loot as much as you can, and defeat many aliens that want to destroy you.

Sounds like Warframe, and indeed the loot shooter has some similarities to the action shooter from Digital Extremes. The First Descendant has almost the same kind of monetization as Warframe. Additionally, the descendants have four talents, just like the frames from Warframe.

If that weren’t enough, many icons and a weapon have now also been found that bear a very strong resemblance to Destiny 2. We will show them to you.

Start video
The First Descendant – Gameplay-Trailer

“Let me guess: British Museum Simulator”

On Reddit, evidence pictures are circulating showing what The First Descendant is said to have copied from Destiny 2. Paul Tassi, a journalist and passionate Destiny fan, has picked up the issue and pointed it out.

On the news site of Forbes, he refers to the astonishing similarities of various things that The First Descendant possesses in the game, including icons. The following are known:

Destiny-2-TFD-Symbol-Icons
Various icons that players should know from Destiny 2 (Source: forbes.com)
Destiny-2-TFD-Symbol-Totenkopf
Even the symbol when your light goes out has been copied (Source: forbes.com)

Visible are various icons of weapon perks, as well as talents of the Warlock class and even the grenade symbol of the Arc class. But that’s not all. There is also a special weapon from The First Descendant that many fans of Rasputin should recognize. The rifle is called “Different Dream” in the new loot shooter and represents a mix of the Sleeper Simulant and the IKELOS sniper from Destiny 2. See for yourself:

The rifle from The First Descendant (Source: forbes.com)
Destiny 2 Sleeper Simulant
The Sleeper Simulant
Destiny 2 IKELOS Sniper
The IKELOS sniper

The weapon bears a striking resemblance to those in Destiny 2. How it plays, we do not yet know, but from the visual aspect, guardians should at least furrow their brows by now.

What do players say about it? Players on Reddit find it amusing that The First Descendant has used the icons from Destiny 2. They make jokes and even bring in the game “Limbo of the Lost,” which is known for stealing various things from ESO, WoW, and Sea Dogs. The following can be heard:

  • “If you want to play a funny game, get a copy of Limbo of the Lost and try to take a picture every time you find something stolen.” – Laughing__Man_
  • “Let me guess: British museum simulator.” – Ultimateshadowsouls
  • “Literally the same run as with ikelos.” – Alex2s8
  • “If Warframe and Destiny 2 were siblings that had an incest baby.” – Glittering_Sea_9503
  • “They also took Warframe and said, ‘How can I make the grinding and monetization exponentially worse?’ so there’s that too.” – sturgboski

Do you find the icons and the weapon from The First Descendant copied, or do the tired eyes of the Destiny 2 guardians deceive? Let us know your opinion in the comments! More about The First Descendant can be found here: What do Destiny experts think of the new loot shooter The First Descendant?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. vg247.com

The life of one of the biggest streamers on Twitch changes overnight as his past comes to light

Lydia Lydia Reading time 3 minutes

Kylie “TheSketchReal” Cox had a fairytale career on Twitch in 2024. It was on the verge of collapsing overnight when details from his past became public. But friends and family stood by the streamer.

Which streamer is being discussed? TheSketchReal, or simply “Sketch,” was the big surprise star on Twitch in 2024. In less than half a year, he jumped from an average of 200 viewers to nearly 20,000. His Twitch channel is among the fastest-growing: he gained over 950,000 of his 1 million followers this year (via SullyGnome).

On Twitch, Sketch mainly showcases the football game Madden NFL, which has a similar status in the USA as FIFA or EA FC does here. Like the disgraced streamer DrDisrespect, Sketch relies on a persona in his streams that remains memorable with distinctive visual traits and catchphrases:

  • The streamer’s look consists of a Houston Texans jersey, distinctive glasses, and a gaming headset.
  • Sketch’s catchphrases include “What’s up, brother?” and “Special teams, special plays, special players,” accompanied by distinctive gestures.
  • Entertaining moments from Sketch’s streams went viral on social media – professional athletes began to imitate his behavior.

Sketch’s career now seemed to be collapsing overnight when a YouTuber revealed details about his past.

Clips, taken out of context from Twitch streams, can develop a kind of life of their own online:

Start video
Twitch: This is the quirky story behind the most popular clip of all time

YouTuber reveals Sketch’s OF past

What did Sketch do in his past? Before Sketch’s streaming career took off, he reportedly sold homosexual, explicit content on the paid platform OnlyFans under a pseudonym. A YouTuber made this public on July 7.

The rumors about the former job of the Twitch streamer spread rapidly on social networks. Users compared Sketch’s face to that of the OnlyFans model, and numerous content creators reacted to the images.

This was Sketch’s initial reaction: Sketch appeared to be deeply affected by his past being made public – and that he may have been outed as homosexual against his will.

Immediately after the revelation, friends were worried about him because he had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind his personal belongings.

A behavior that YouTuber Ludwig associates with people who exhibit suicidal tendencies (via ludwig).

Sketch thanks his friends and family for their support

This is what Sketch now says about the revelations: In a stream, Sketch ultimately confirmed that he had a sexual relationship with a man – a reference to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky – and sold explicit recordings via OnlyFans.

He also mentioned that he had struggles with addiction at the time. However, he stated that he has since “changed.”

Although the Twitch streamer joked about the situation, the stream took a serious turn. Sketch reported that the fear of his past coming to light had overshadowed his career until now. In case it ever came out, he had a “not very good” plan.

The Twitch streamer hinted that he probably wouldn’t be there to talk to his fans if he had been home alone. He thanked his parents and friends from the FaZe Clan for their support.

In particular, the founder of the e-sports organization, Richard “Banks” Bengston, is said to have stood by Sketch.

More on the topic
“I shouldn’t have opened my mouth” – Twitch streamer dared to criticize her colleagues, now says what consequences it has for her
von Johanna
“Don’t you want to have in the team” – NoWay meets an ex-professional in LoL on Twitch, knows immediately: This will not happen
von Nico Scheibel
Streamer was known for only 1 game for years, brings back the biggest shooters, storms to number 1 on Twitch
von Dariusz Müller

Content creators express support for Sketch

Numerous content creators have now publicly expressed their support for Sketch on social networks. The popular YouTuber Ludwig said in a video that the Twitch streamer’s sexuality is nobody’s business, as his content does not revolve around it.

People snooping into his past are “really weird,” according to Ludwig.

The Twitch streamer HasanAbi posted on X that Sketch should never be ashamed of his past as long as he hasn’t harmed anyone. Anyone who mocked him or made him feel unwelcome should be ashamed.

That it is possible to make a living with content on the paid platform OnlyFans became evident through the immense success of Twitch streamer Amouranth. Nevertheless, for many, it remains a kind of taboo that also exerts a certain fascination. German Twitch streamer tests how easy it is to make money on OnlyFans – makes nearly $1,000 in 7 days.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. hot new hiphop
  2. Sportskeeda
  3. YouTube

„I still love her anyway“ – Player’s girlfriend spills beer on his AMD graphics card, but he takes it easy

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A player reports that his girlfriend spilled beer on his graphics card. He still holds hope for his graphics card, but many think it’s too late.

How exactly did this happen? The player explained that it was all just an accident that could happen to any of you:

His girlfriend had sat down next to him with her notebook and opened the device, but forgot that she had placed a can of beer behind it. And then the mess was made: she spilled beer on the table, and her “rescue attempt” backfired. He reports (via reddit.com):

My computer was fine at that time, it was standing under and next to the tab. Since her phone and laptop were also soaked in beer, she hurriedly grabbed the beer and tried to remove it from the table, and the splash fell directly on my computer (and the top is open for airflow).

(…) There was a “bzzt” sound, my computer crashed, the GPU was dripping with beer – now the screen no longer recognizes inputs and my computer stank.

By the way, he doesn’t blame his girlfriend. He explained that he still loves her, even if she can be a bit clumsy at times.

Graphics card has likely suffered a short circuit

Is the graphics card still salvageable? Many gamers consider that highly unlikely, as the liquid ran over the graphics card while it was operating. Usually, that means a short circuit, because hardware and liquid generally do not mix well.

Nevertheless, some players give him advice: he should take the graphics card apart, remove the heatsink and cooler, and soak the GPU board in isopropyl alcohol. Then he should let the graphics card dry for 24 hours. In the best case, the graphics card will work again; in the worst case, he will have to buy a new graphics card. A similar problem was previously encountered by another player, where however his ex-girlfriend intentionally poured water over his gaming PC.

More on Hardware and Tech:
An island has 1,500 inhabitants and 120 million crabs – Google wants to lay an underwater cable there
von Cedric Holmeier
A tool is like a doctor for your gaming PC, but with an update it became nasty malware – Are you sure?
von jan hartmayer

In case of liquid in PC: Stay calm

What should I do if liquid lands on my PC? Stay calm and let the things dry out first. And especially do not start the PC out of panic to see if everything still works. Because otherwise, you risk causing a short circuit that could damage your components. In our player’s case with the beer, it was also added that beer contains sugar and is incredibly sticky.

In the next step, you should let your hardware dry. Ideally, you would take your PC apart and spread the parts out. This way, the components can dry more quickly than in a cramped PC case.

If you let all components dry properly and there is no residual liquid left, your hardware should be able to start up without any issues again. However, it is really important that no residual liquid is present. Even slight moisture can cause a short circuit.

More on graphics cards: On Amazon, you can often find too many cheap offers for graphics cards and other expensive hardware. One player recently had some fun and visited the address of a potential scammer. He was not too surprised to find that no company has its location there: Player secretly visits company that sells graphics cards on Amazon for way too cheap – Wants to know what he finds there

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

WoW in modern graphics – A server does what Blizzard doesn’t want

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

World of Warcraft with new graphics. A private server wants to make this a reality and is implementing it simply. But will Blizzard let this pass?

World of Warcraft is old. Very old. The good twenty years show on the game, even though new expansions occasionally spruce up the graphics. But even the “new” character models for players are now 10 years old again.

There is often a desire to overhaul and modernize the graphics. A private server has done exactly that.

Start video
WoW: The War Within Beta Trailer – Shadows and Fury

What kind of project is this? “Turtle WoW 2.0” is a private World of Warcraft server that shows what the game has to offer in its first trailer: More modern graphics thanks to Unreal Engine 5. Especially dark areas, such as the Deadwood or the Twilight Forest, look quite atmospheric.

The operators also make quite big promises. For example, one should be able to switch between the two graphic styles easily, the whole thing should run on Android, and they have “anti-botting systems” that make “all previous hacking and botting tools ineffective.” Big promises, for which one must certainly wait to see if this holds true at the “release” in 2025 – if it even comes to that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlzOOiJ4puk

Criticism is mainly directed at the fact that the whole project is not free from financial interests. Although you cannot directly use a cash shop – but indirectly. Because if you “donate” money to the server, you receive in return “donation points” that you can then exchange in the game, for example for mounts, big bags, or other advantages like a mobile bank. A cash shop, thought of a little sideways.

Twitch streamer Asmongold thinks it’s good, but not just pretty

This is how the community reacts: That the trailer is attracting attention is obvious. After just 2 days, the trailer has over 180,000 views.

Streamer Asmongold also reacts in one of his videos on YouTube to the trailer for this server. His opinion is quite divided. While some things – like the Darkwood (“Duskwood”) look pretty good, brighter areas are not really his thing.

A lot of it looks more like a “sidegrade.” It doesn’t look much better, but also not worse. Just a bit different. But it’s cool that they are trying this out. The coolest part so far was the Twilight Forest. The Twilight Forest was fantastic.

Is this even legal? This is disputed, and the regulations vary in many countries. Basically, the files of World of Warcraft are the intellectual property of Blizzard, and it is up to them to decide how this data is used and especially which servers are operated with it. Therefore, the operators of such private servers or sometimes “pirate servers” usually have to rely on countries where the regulations here are more lenient.

More news about WoW:
The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
WoW has a Germany-exclusive mount – action fails, mounts already on eBay
von Cortyn
With a bit of luck, you might soon be able to play the largest new MMORPG 2026 on PC
von Karsten Scholz

In the past, Blizzard has also increasingly taken action against such servers, usually when they have reached a certain size or attention. It is likely that this project might also face such an end sooner or later.

Nevertheless, it is of course interesting to see how World of Warcraft would look with a different engine and especially better lighting effects.

What do you think of such a graphic update? Would it be good if the “real” World of Warcraft underwent such a transformation? Or does the whole thing not fit the graphic style of WoW and would rather ruin more than improve? When the “Nostalrius” server was shut down back then, the community held a huge, sad event.

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

Pokémon GO Fest 2024: 10 strong monsters you definitely shouldn’t miss

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 7 minutes

At the Pokémon GO Fest 2024, there are plenty of strong monsters that you should not miss. We have looked into which ones they are for you.

Which Pokémon are involved? At the GO Fest 2024, there are many Pokémon that you can encounter in the wild and in raids. While there are some Pokémon that can only be obtained by purchasing a ticket, the majority is available to you even if you have not purchased a ticket.

To ensure that you do not lose track of this, we have created an overview of the best Pokémon for raids and the battle league. The order here does not represent a ranking.

[toc]

Start video
Heavenly teamwork in Pokémon GO – a new season begins

1. Necrozma

Pokémon-GO-Necrozma
Necrozma, Necrozma-Dusk Mane, Necrozma-Dawn Wings, Ultra-Necrozma (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? If you are searching for strong monsters at the GO Fest, you should definitely catch Necrozma. While the normal form of the Pokémon is a very strong Psychic attacker, the other forms are even more versatile.

In its Dusk Mane form, Necrozma is also a very strong Psychic attacker and can additionally be used as a Steel attacker. This Pokémon is also among the best in the Master League.

In the Dawn Wings form, you also receive a strong Psychic attacker. Additionally, this form is even better for the Master League than the Dusk Mane form.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? You will find Necrozma in Level 5 raids during the GO Fest. To transform Necrozma into one of the other two forms, you must fuse it with Lunala or Solgaleo.

2. Anego

Pokémon-GO-Anego
Anego (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? Anego is a strong Pokémon that serves as an attacker for two types. You can play it as a Rock attacker, where it is among the strongest attackers in Pokémon GO.

At the same time, you can also play Anego as a Poison attacker, where it even leads the list of the best Pokémon of this type.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? Anego lurks for you in Level 5 raids.

3. Schabelle

Pokémon-GO-Schabelle
Schabelle (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? The Ultra Beast Schabelle is one of the strongest Pokémon of the Bug type. Although it does not hold up very well defensively, it is the Pokémon with the highest damage of the Bug type and even surpasses Mega-Scizor in this regard.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? Schabelle can be found, challenged, and captured in the 5* raids during the GO Fest.

4. Voltriant

Pokémon-GO-Voltriant
Voltriant (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? If you have Voltriant on your team, you can look forward to one of the absolute top attackers of the Electric type that can enhance any raid team. Currently, there is only one Electric Pokémon, Shadow Electivire, that can deal higher damage.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? Keep an eye out for the 5* raids at the GO Fest. Here you can find Voltriant.

5. Kopplosio

Pokémon-GO-Kopplosio
Kopplosio (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? The Ultra Beast Kopplosio can be a strong addition to your team. It is both a strong Fire and a strong Ghost attacker.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? You can find Kopplosio in the 5* raids.

6. Katagami

Pokémon-GO-Katagami
Katagami (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? Katagami is another Ultra Beast that you can catch at the GO Fest 2024. With this Pokémon, you can look forward to the best attacker of the Grass type for raids.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? Katagami waits for you, like the other Ultra Beasts, in 5* raids.

7. Kapuno

Pokémon-GO-Kapuno
Kapuno

Why is this monster worth it? Kapuno, the little dragon from Generation 5, is also a strong monster that you can find at the GO Fest. With its final evolution, Trikephalo, you can obtain a solid attacker for the Master League.

However, it shines even more as a Dark attacker in raids. Here, Trikephalo ranks first in our ranking of the best attackers of the Dark type.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? Kapuno waits for you on Saturday in the habitat Darkest Night. On Sunday, when all Pokémon from the habitats appear, you can also encounter Kapuno.

8. Hydropi

Pokémon-GO-Hydropi
Hydropi

Why is this monster worth it? Swampert, the final evolution of Hydropi, is an absolute all-rounder. While it is usable as a Water attacker in raids and ranks among the strongest Pokémon, it can also shine in the battle league.

In the Master League, it is quite solid, even if there are better Pokémon available. Its true strength unfolds in the Great and Ultra Leagues, where it ranks among the top 20 Pokémon in both leagues.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? If you want to catch Hydropi at the GO Fest, you need to search in the habitat Darkest Night on Saturday. On Sunday, you can find it everywhere.

9. Kaumalat

Pokémon-GO-Kaumalat
Kaumalat

Why is this monster worth it? If you evolve Kaumalat into its final stage, Garchomp, you get a very strong Pokémon. While it is only usable in the Master League and there are certainly better alternatives here, it shines in raid battles.

Here, it is conceivable as both a Dragon and Ground attacker. If you have enough Mega Energy for Garchomp, you can even trigger the Mega Evolution and make it even stronger.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? If you are out on Saturday, you will find Kaumalat in the habitat Creeping Dusk. On Sunday, you can find it everywhere in the wild.

10. Rocara

Pokemon-GO-Rocara
Rocara (via pokemon.com)

Why is this monster worth it? Rocara is an absolute monster in the Super League. In the ranking of the best Pokémon for the Super League, it can be found in second place. For this, you should rely on the moves Stone Edge, Rock Slide, and Moonblast.

Where can you find this monster at the GO Fest? On Saturday, you will find Rocara in the habitat Darkest Night, and on Sunday, it may encounter you everywhere in the wild.

Our key articles for the GO Fest 2024:

More strong monsters for the GO Fest 2024

In addition to the previously mentioned Pokémon, there are more that might be interesting for you. We have summarized which ones below.

  • Masskito is one of the Ultra Beasts, which is a very solid Fighting-type attacker.
  • Schlingking is also an Ultra Beast that is good in the Ultra League and is also solid in the Super League. It is also worth considering as a Dark attacker.
  • Milza can evolve into Maxax, which is among the top 10 Dragon attackers.
  • Teddiursa in its final evolution, Ursaluna, is a solid Pokémon for the Master League and can also be used in raids as a Ground and Normal attacker.
  • Skorgla itself is among the best Pokémon in the Super League, its evolution Skorgo shines in the Ultra League.
  • Dratini can evolve into Dragoran. With Dragoran, you get a good Dragon attacker that is solid in the Ultra League and even one of the best Pokémon in the Master League.
  • Lichtel‘s evolution, Skelabra, can be used in raids as both Fire and Ghost attacker.
  • Balgoras evolves into Monargoras. This Pokémon can be used as a Rock attacker.

What about you? Which of the Pokémon interests you the most? Which Pokémon do you definitely want to include in your team? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers. All important information about the GO Fest 2024 in Pokémon GO.

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

Elden Ring: Defeating Rellana – All her Weaknesses and Rewards

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 4 minutes

Rellana is a tough boss in the DLC of Elden Ring. In our guide, we will show you how to defeat the Twin Moon Knight nonetheless.

Update, July 9, 2024: The article has been reviewed and is up to date.

Which boss are we talking about? Rellana, the Twin Moon Knight, is one of the most notable boss opponents from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Rellana is an optional boss, as you can also skip Castle Ensis. Regardless of how you reach the following area Scadu Altus, we still recommend fighting Rellana, as otherwise, you will miss one of the coolest boss fights in the expansion.

With our guide, you should have fewer problems in this fight. If you want to jump directly to a specific point, you can select it in the following table of contents.

[toc]

Start video
Elden Ring introduces the boss enemies of the DLC

Finding Rellana

Where is the boss located? Rellana is not hard to find; she awaits you as the final boss of Castle Ensis. Start from the grace site “Front of the Castle” and fight your way through the dungeon.

You will reach the boss room, where another grace awaits you beforehand. Rest and prepare for a tough fight.

Defeating Rellana

Rellana is a swordswoman who also uses magic and fire to make your life difficult. If you want to deal as much damage as possible while also being able to take a lot of hits, we strongly recommend collecting the Scadubaum fragments scattered throughout the game world. They enhance your character. You can find a dedicated guide for it on MeinMMO.

Additionally, you can summon two NPCs for help in this fight: Dry Leaf Dane and Needle Knight Leda. You can also bring one of your spirit ashes into the battle, particularly strong is the Mimic Spirit Ash, which imitates you.

Weaknesses of Rellana

What are Rellana’s weaknesses? Since Rellana primarily relies on magic, she has high resistances against it. However, she is vulnerable to lightning and frost. An effective bleed build can also help here.

You can break the boss’s stance and achieve a critical hit. Her sword attacks can also be parried, but note that you need two parries instead of just one before you can land the critical hit.

Attacks and Tactics

How does the boss attack? Rellana has some nasty attacks in store. We show you what they are and how you can respond:

  • Rellana jumps to the side and strikes around first, then lunges with her sword. Afterwards, there can be several more sword attacks. So pay close attention, roll into the first salvo to avoid her, and counter immediately with a strike. Alternatively, just roll out of the range of Rellana’s swords.
  • If Rellana is standing further away, she summons three pieces of Glimmer Phalanx above her head, which will automatically track you and can attack at any time. Note that Rellana can also attack with the sword at the same time. You can easily dodge the Glimmer Phalanx, but always keep an eye on Rellana and her next sword attack.
  • Another ranged attack involves summoning three additional Glimmer Phalanx, which will rush towards you without delay. It’s best to roll into the spells.
  • Rellana also likes to summon a magical greatsword. When she swings it, it hits nearly the entire boss arena. Running away is not helpful here. Instead, roll through the attack.
  • After some light attacks, a heavy sword strike can follow, which inflicts significant damage on you. Avoid this by rolling left or right.
  • Rellana also likes to shoot a magical arrow at you. Here too, the rule is: dodge by rolling to the side.
  • Rellana summons three magical swords and then repeats this action. This magic also tracks you, so dodge it by rolling.
  • With her fire sword, Rellana creates a large flame resembling a tornado. This attack deals area damage and is extremely dangerous. She can use it up to three times in a row. To avoid it, maintain sufficient distance between you and your opponent.
  • She uses her magical sword similarly: She strikes four times and then attacks with a heavy attack that also releases a magical projectile towards you. Again, maintain sufficient distance between you and Rellana.
  • The boss wields two swords in her hands and also likes to use both at the same time: swinging in a circular motion, roll back here. If she lunges, roll to the left.
  • In phase two, Rellana activates her swords and imbues them with Glimmerstone magic and Messmer’s flame. She uses these based on how far you are from her. Fire for close combat, magic for ranged combat. As always, either run away or roll at the right moment.
  • Finally, there is a devastating attack that will likely catch you off guard the first time: Rellana creates two moons that she hurls to the ground one after the other. The entire room will be affected by a shockwave. If you do not jump at the right moment here, this attack will probably cost you your attempt. However, with a little practice, you can make the jump.
More on the topic
More on the topic
One of the best weapons in the Elden Ring DLC defeats the final boss in 13 seconds, makes fights ridiculously easy
von Christoph Waldboth
More on the topic
Elden Ring DLC: Sir Ansbach Quest – Locations, Ritual Scroll, Rewards
von Christoph Waldboth
More on the topic
Elden Ring DLC: Defeating the Rot Knight – Location, Weaknesses, and Tactics
von Christoph Waldboth

Further Tips

Rellana is a very agile boss, so you are well advised to bring a fast weapon into the fight. Yes, large strength weapons like greatswords inflict a lot of damage with individual hits, but they are also slow and make you sluggish. In this fight, you will often need to respond quickly and will be at a disadvantage with a slow weapon.

Also, bring enough protection against magic and fire. The Spell Dragon Talisman (increases resistance against magic damage) and the Flame Dragon Talisman (increases resistance against fire damage) can help you here. If you want to block Rellana’s attacks with a shield, you should have leveled up enough stamina, as the sometimes long combos consume a lot of it.

And most importantly: Be patient. Allow the boss to execute her attack patterns and then strike precisely. Rushing will not help you here.

With a little practice, you can anticipate the attacks of this boss well. If you defeat Rellana, you will receive 240,000 runes and the Echo of the Twin Moon Knight. The path to Scadu Altus is now open to you. If you are looking for more guides, feel free to check our overview on MeinMMO.

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

George Lucas never brought one of the best characters from Star Wars to the cinema

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

George Lucas never made Luke Skywalker a husband in the original Star Wars trilogy. However, in the Expanded Universe, he found the woman of his life. She is such an interesting character that she deserves an appearance in films and series.

Which character is it? In the Expanded Universe, which takes place outside the original film trilogy in books, comics, video games, and other film and series formats, Luke Skywalker is married to Mara Jade Skywalker.

She was first mentioned in 1991 in Timothy Zahn’s novel Heir to the Empire. She carried out missions for Emperor Palpatine and was trained in the ways of the dark side of the Force. Her last mission for the Emperor was to kill Luke Skywalker.

But she couldn’t kill him and instead became his wife. Additionally, she was trained as a Jedi, had their son Ben Skywalker, and received a seat on the Jedi Council. She was indeed a powerful woman who found her own path.

One of the currently less popular series adaptations is The Acolyte:

Start video
The Acolyte takes place decades before the Star Wars films

George Lucas never wanted her in the films

Why did she never appear in the films? Through her development from villainess to heroine, Skywalker is an interesting character. But Lucas has spoken disparagingly about the Expanded Universe, which also includes Mara Jade, in several interviews.

In a 2008 interview, Lucas explained that in the novels that go beyond the events of Episode 4, actions occur that he never would have planned himself (via Star Wars News Net). In the commentary for the original trilogy special edition DVD, he clearly expresses his displeasure:

The stories from the Expanded Universe are another author’s interpretation of what I created and should not be seriously regarded as what actually happens in the Star Wars world.

George Lucas, Flannelled One, March 2008, via Wookieepedia

Lucas therefore did not view the Expanded Universe as part of his vision for Star Wars. Luke Skywalker’s vow of celibacy (a chosen chastity) does not fit with the character of Mara Jade, as former Lucasfilm editor J. W. Rinzler explained (via The Resistance Broadcast).

More about the film and series world
There is a new best video game movie, beating Sonic with 95% positive reviews
von Christoph Waldboth
One Piece fans on Netflix are upset about changes, the creators emphasize: Eiichiro Oda has the final say
von Christoph Waldboth
The Boys: 8 Differences That Make the Amazon Series Much Better
von Niko Hernes

Could we see Mara Jade in newer series? Thanks to the newer Star Wars adaptations, characters from the Expanded Universe are suddenly appearing. This includes Grand Admiral Thrawn, who appears in Ahsoka. The series fulfilled a nerdy wish from Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen. But Mara Jade has poorer chances since she is incompatible with George Lucas’s original vision due to her marriage.

There are some characters who come close to Mara Jade’s story:

  • Shin Hati from Ahsoka has several similarities with Mara Jade. They are both strong fighters with connections to the dark side of the Force.
  • Asajj Ventress from The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch also switched sides. She had strong ties to the dark side but then freed herself from her obsession with revenge and became an ally of the Jedi.

However, neither of the two characters could replace Mara Jade. So, it remains to be seen if there could be a series in the future where Mara Jade makes an appearance in a parallel universe.

George Lucas is very strict about his vision for Star Wars. He took legal action against the Chilean version because it featured beer advertisement: In one version of Star Wars, Obi Wan enjoyed a beer – George Lucas had to intervene

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. 3D Juegos

WoW: More than one in three don’t read quest texts, barely know the story

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Quest texts in World of Warcraft? You don’t have to read them! Apparently, many think so. Because only a small fraction actually reads the quest texts.

World of Warcraft is known for many things. On the one hand, there is the extremely long lifespan of nearly 20 years. This, of course, goes hand in hand with the fact that the game world is now huge and the story is correspondingly extensive. For many, the story, that is, the lore of Warcraft, is even one of the main reasons to still play the MMORPG at all.

But how many people actually read the quest texts? Blizzard wanted to know this too – and the result is a bit sobering.

Start video
WoW: The War Within Beta Trailer – Shadows and Fury

What kind of survey is this? On X, the World of Warcraft account initiated a survey to find out how attentively players actually read the quest texts in the game. There were a total of 4 answers, and the result is probably somewhat sobering for some story fans:

  • 17.8% state that they “always” read the quest texts.
  • 25.9% say that they don’t do so when they are “really going for it”.
  • 18.5% read the quest texts “only for the big quests”.
  • 37.7% ask “Quest text?” and basically read no quest texts at all.

Or in other words: Just over 1 in 3 do not read the quest texts at all.

Recommended editorial content

At this point you will find external content from Twitter that complements the article.

I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy.
Link to the Twitter content

Why do so few read quest texts? Many play WoW because of the mechanics and the gameplay feel; for them, the story plays a secondary role. Moreover, reading quest texts is in most cases unnecessary to complete a quest. The short summary for current objectives and the marking on the world map is usually sufficient to understand the task.

That many players only read the quests once or only for the major main quests also seems logical. They want to know what happens to the well-known characters around whom the story revolves – what rather unknown NPCs are up to is not equally important for everyone.

More about World of Warcraft:
The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers
von Karsten Scholz
WoW has a Germany-exclusive mount – action fails, mounts already on eBay
von Cortyn
With a bit of luck, you might soon be able to play the largest new MMORPG 2026 on PC
von Karsten Scholz

How can this be fixed? On X (formerly Twitter), there are some discussions about how to make the quests more engaging so that players are more interested in them. The solution seems obvious in many cases: more voice acting.

Even if not every quest comes with elaborate voice acting, as is currently the case only for the most important missions, it would be helpful to have some kind of “narration voice” that presents the mission to players.

In the Classic version of World of Warcraft, this is already achieved through an add-on. Here, an AI generates a voice that reads out quest texts – even with different voice acting depending on the quest giver.

Whether there will be something similar for the modern version of World of Warcraft, and whether Blizzard might even officially offer such an option, remains to be seen. It would be desirable to give the old-fashioned “quest texts” a somewhat modern touch.

Because World of Warcraft is full of great lore and amazing stories, even in the side quests. It would be a shame if in the end only just under half of the players even noticed that. If you have hardly read any quests until now, we have summarized the entire story of WoW here.

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

Player writes negative review on Steam – receives worst possible response from developer

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

A gamer expressed his frustration about a game after over 120 hours of gameplay in a review on Steam. The developer wrote a terrible response.

What was that review about? A gamer advised against buying the simulation game Coin Pusher Casino on Steam in a review on June 28: it was unfinished and the balancing in some levels was horrible. Although the game is not labeled as Early Access, it is said to be missing content.

The player announced that he wanted to report the title to Steam Support, as the developer misleads customers. In an update, the player stated on July 5 that the game had been fixed, but he maintained his negative rating.

Subsequently, the gamer is said to have received a terrible response from the game’s developer.

Thoughtless behavior from the boss also brought this company to its downfall:

Start video
Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?

Developer writes terrible response, deletes it quickly

What did the developer respond? In a screenshot that the player added to his review on July 6, 2024, a highlighted developer response from Steam can be seen. It states: “Kill Yoursells”, which is apparently a – albeit clumsy – demand to take one’s own life.

As the Steam user explains, although the developer quickly deleted his comment, he was notified about the response and quickly took a screenshot. The player also shared the incident in a thread on Reddit, where he received more than 52,000 upvotes.

Many users express shock at the developer’s response and call for him to be reported to Steam. Others, however, point out that this reaction is not surprising for a casino game.

More about Steam:
More on the topic
Student boasts about illegally downloading an indie game – Receives a response from the developer
von Lydia
More on the topic
Steam: Developer is so annoyed by ignorant players that he renames his game cursing
von Schuhmann
More on the topic
Developer takes his viral hit off Steam to find peace of mind
von Lydia

Gamers punish developer with negative reviews

What are the consequences? Currently, it seems that Steam has not yet taken any action following the incident: both the game and the developer’s profile are still accessible. However, it has also shown that angry users are now punishing the game with negative reviews: Coin Pusher Casino has dropped from a “very positive” overall rating to “mixed” – in the last 30 days, only 53% of reviews have been positive.

The current reviews also contain numerous references to the incident. One user writes: “Fun game. I have some feedback, but I’m afraid the developer wants me dead if I write it in the review.”

But the player also feels the attention that his posts have attracted. There are comments on his profile and under his review from users who take the developer’s side, insulting and mocking him.

Others, however, counter this. One writes: “You, my friend, are a legend, we will defeat this dev!”

Indeed, it is not uncommon for developers to feel offended by negative reviews on Steam and respond snappily – albeit usually in somewhat less drastic terms: Gamer writes negative review after 3,263 hours in a game on Steam – Receives response from the developer

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

New Spirit Ash in Elden Ring is stronger than the Mimic Tear – Lets you beat bosses with a little imp

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 2 minutes

With the DLC of Elden Ring, some new Spirit Ashes have also come into play. These NPC helpers can save you some nerves with the bosses. One of them has particularly caught the community’s attention.

What are Spirit Ashes? To refresh your memory: Spirit Ashes are optional aids in the form of NPCs that you can summon in boss fights and sometimes also in the open world.

These include some of the mini-bosses like Bloodhound Knight Dariiwil or the infamous Mimic Ash. The latter imitates your character and has the same equipment and stats. It is particularly powerful, provided your build is strong.

With the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, new Spirit Ashes have come into play. You may have overlooked one of them or picked it up without ever using it. However, the community believes: Give the Ash a chance, it’s worth it.

Start video
Start the Igon Quest in Elden Ring, defeat Bayle and become a dragon – Here’s how to do it

A small creature with a big cannon

Which Ash is it about? The user KishudarK promotes the “Big-Mouth-Creature-Ash” on Reddit. He reminds other players that this Ash exists and highlights its qualities. It can easily unbalance opponents, attacks from a distance, and can also take some hits.

The special thing about the Big-Mouth-Creature-Ash is that it shoots bombs with a cannon that is its head at the same time. Hit enemies fly back from the explosion and often land on their rear.

At first glance, the small creature with the cannon looks harmless. However, players who have ventured into the catacombs of Elden Ring know it as a standard enemy and understand: This opponent can cause quite a lot of trouble.

Small but mighty is the motto that also applies to the Spirit Ash. Once you have upgraded it, it can support you in tough boss fights and provide some variety to the Mimic Ash.

More on the topic
More on the topic
The DLC of Elden Ring offers 42 new bosses – The community votes for the worst
von Christos Tsogos
More on the topic
“A slap in the face”: A weapon from the DLC of Elden Ring annoys players because it is so bad
von Christoph Waldboth
More on the topic
Elden Ring: Patch Notes for Patch 1.12.3 – All Changes at a Glance
von Christoph Waldboth

What do other players think about it? This Spirit Ash is not known to all players – also because it can be found a bit hidden in the Darklight Catacombs in the DLC. However, those who have tried it are pleased:

  • “I tried it against Malenia and most shots just throw her flat on her back, it’s hilarious,” says LazyNotDumb on Reddit.
  • “At first I was disappointed, but after the upgrade, it’s pretty great. And who doesn’t love a cannon dude,” writes dardardarner on Reddit.
  • “It knocks everyone over. This thing is a small tyrant,” also finds Drunk_ol_Carmine on Reddit.

Many players write that they often died against this opponent. Finally using it as a helper in battle feels good.

Of course, this presupposes that you even play with Spirit Ashes. After all, there are plenty of players who prefer to tackle Elden Ring without additional help. This can sometimes be quite difficult, especially in the DLC. One YouTuber has now shown that you can defeat the bosses with just one single hit.

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