A company wanted to test the 4-day work week. Instead, the boss surprisingly discovered that an employee was working for another company.
The boss of a company wanted to introduce the 4-day work week for his employees. Therefore, he wanted to find out where his employees spent their time so that he could optimize it. Our colleagues at Genbeta.com report on this.
Because the same amount of work should be completed in the future in 4 instead of 5 days. That’s why bosses like to talk about “optimization” so that less time is needed to complete tasks.
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Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?
What exactly was the approach? To this end, he asked his employees to install the software DeskTime. This is a time-tracking program. In this way, the boss of the company could see where the employees wasted the most time and wanted to help them utilize their working hours better.
One employee, who worked entirely from home, had already caught the boss’s attention. Several clients had complained about his work, and his overall performance negatively affected the entire team. The boss explained in a conversation (via xataka.com): “I had a feeling that he was doing something in secret, but since there was no evidence, I didn’t want to jump to conclusions.”
A software reveals the employee who works for another company
The employee reveals himself: But then the employee made a mistake: he forgot that he had installed the software. And thus the boss could discover that the employee spent more than half of his day working for a U.S. company, which was recorded in the software reports:
It seems that he forgot about the monitoring software because once it is downloaded, it does not need to be manually turned on and off. I probably would have let him go anyway, but the recorded data was the missing evidence.
Pokémon GO brings two more parts of the Hyperbonus. We will show you what bonuses and contents they bring here.
What is the Hyperbonus? The Hyperbonus was unlocked by players at the global GO Fest by completing worldwide challenges.
There are a total of three parts of the Hyperbonus, which will now start consecutively. The first part of the Hyperbonus started today, on July 17, 2024, with the debut of the Pokémon Zwieps and additional bonuses.
Now the other parts are also known.
Hyperbonus Part 2: Strength of Steel starts on Thursday, July 25, 2024, and ends on Tuesday, July 30.
Hyperbonus Part 3: Raid Day with Mega-Lucario takes place on July 27.
We summarize how the contents and bonuses look here for you.
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Heavenly teamwork in Pokémon GO – a new season begins
All Contents of Hyperbonus Part 2: Strength of Steel in Pokémon GO
What bonuses are there? This section is all about Steel Pokémon. In addition, you will receive four bonuses that will run throughout the entire period.
From trainer level 31, you will receive additional XL candies when catching
With good, great, and excellent throws, you get a greater chance of XL candies.
There are extra candies when you throw well, great, or excellent.
Additionally, you will receive triple catch stardust.
The highlight Shiny Togademaru: Togedamaru appears for the first time as a shiny in Pokémon GO and you can encounter it if you are lucky. It appears:
In the wild
In Level 1 raids
In field research
More content: There will be the following additional content:
A limited research
Showcases with event Pokémon
Collector challenges
In addition, more Pokémon that belong to the Steel type will appear in raids, research, and in the wild. Highlights include monsters like Klikk, Tanhel, or Gladiantri (in Level 1 raids).
How does Hyperbonus Part 3: Raid Day with Mega-Lucario in Pokémon GO work?
When does the Raid Day take place? On July 27, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
As an exclusive move, Lucario from the raid will bring the move Aura Sphere.
How do I get Mega-Lucario? If you defeat it in the Mega Raid, you can catch the normal Lucario at the end and receive Mega Energy. Once you have collected enough Mega Energy, you can evolve any Lucario into its Mega form.
Overall, the Hyperbonuses are always highlights, as you can often gather many resources like XP or stardust and encounter exciting monsters. Mega-Lucario is one of the absolute highlights that trainers have been waiting for years. But there’s still plenty happening this month. Here you can find all Pokémon GO events in July 2024.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The professional everyday life is diverse, but there is a commonality across many industries that consumes time – more than you think: conferences.
What is it that holds us all back? Whether we talk about a conference, meeting, or discussion, it always means the same thing: a gathering of people during the workday to talk about work. And for several years now, we have all been spending more time on it every day than we did in previous decades. A study by Microsoft now shows how drastic the situation really is.
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Chef ruined his company in 59 seconds on Twitch – What happened to him?
The peak of a regrettable trend
In the study, Microsoft compares data collected from 2020 with that of 2022. Here, there is an increase in time spent in meetings of 153 percent, meaning that what used to be one hour in 2020 has become two and a half hours in 2022.
However, the baseline in 2020 was already visibly high: According to a different study from the Harvard Business Review, employees were already spending dramatically more time in discussions around tables than in the 1990s, namely about 50 percent more.
We have reached the point of maximum human inefficiency.
Jared Spataro, Microsoft’s Vice President for Artificial Intelligence and Work Trends
What is the reason? This can be excellently speculated and discussed about, but one reason, according to the researchers, is of course the pandemic. The increase in remote work/home office has led to the preservation of cohesion and, in order to coordinate, to more and longer meetings across the board.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic cannot solely be blamed, because, as mentioned above, there has been a clear increase in conference time since 2016 as well. One suspicion of the Microsoft scientists is that it has to do with a trend that has been observed for some time: companies themselves are to blame.
What has changed in companies since the early 2000s? Microsoft’s study suggests a link between the complexity of companies and the number of conferences being held. Different departments need to coordinate and/or agree separately on an increasing number of issues. The Wall Street Journal calls this the “coordination tax” that must be paid in the form of meeting time.
Jared Spataro further emphasizes that the involvement of employees in decision-making processes also leads to the creation of forums to hear their opinions.
The Steam Summer Sale was some time ago, but the big winner of the sale is already 10 years old and has created an entire genre.
Which game is it? The military simulation Arma 3 performed really well during the Steam Summer Sale. As the publisher Bohemia Interactive announced (via Steam), the game sold over 100,000 copies on the first day alone. By the end of the sale on Steam, more than 500,000 new copies had been sold.
The game itself also grew by about 30% in player numbers (via SteamDB). However, Arma 3 is not an ordinary military simulation. There’s much more behind it.
Here you can watch the trailer for Arma 3:
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Trailer shows new content from ARMA 3 – 9 year old shooter gets fighter jets, helicopters and weapons
Arma 3 is the founding father of the Battle Royale genre
What does Arma 3 have to do with Battle Royale? While Arma 3 is actually a military simulation that places great value on realism, there is a huge modding scene. It is here that the Battle Royale concept by PLAYERUNKNOWN emerged.
The mod gained more and more attention, and thus the genre took its course. Many of the biggest game titles that exist today grew out of the concept PLAYERUNKNOWN popularized. PUBG, with 3.2 million and Fortnite, with 3.4 million concurrent players, are among the most played online games in the world.
Alongside the standalone Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds, games like H1Z1, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone have celebrated their successes with the genre that once broke through in Arma 3.
Is that why Arma 3 had so much success during the sale? Probably not. Arma 3 received many positive reviews in the past thanks to the modding scene and was 90% off during the sale. Moreover, it was displayed prominently on Reddit at the top of the sale.
For €2.79, many probably just jumped in because they found it interesting. In the meantime, the Battle Royale genre has grown beyond Arma 3. If you want to find out which games were also just a modification in the past, we have an article for you here: These 8 extraordinary shooters on Steam were once just a mod
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Content from Baldur’s Gate 3 was never finished. The reason for this is the war in Ukraine – because of this, a studio had to be completely closed.
That some content in Baldur’s Gate 3 was never completed was suspected by many. However, this had hardly been discussed until now. Now, the head of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, revealed in an interview that some content was indeed cut. The reason: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One of Larian’s developer studios was indirectly involved, and had to be closed suddenly.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 is coming to PS5 – Trailer prepares for console release
What happened? In February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Larian had a developer studio in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and had to make a quick decision: The studio was closed immediately. Vincke said in the interview with GamesRadar:
I had already thought in advance about what we would do if that ultimately happened. […]
The decision was made immediately: We cannot stay here. […]
We had to relocate people, because the way things were developing, it was already clear that it would end in a mobilization and that would mean: My entire team would have to go to war.
At that point, Baldur’s Gate 3 was essentially in the home stretch of development – after all, the RPG had been available in Early Access for years and had been continuously developed since then.
What did Larian do then? More than 90% of the team from Saint Petersburg was distributed to other studios, which meant that Larian “had to fight with embassies and consulates.”
Although they were able to relocate so much of their team, it still had larger impacts, as Vincke admits:
In a machine as complicated as an RPG, where everything is interconnected, if you suddenly tear out things, the whole thing collapses. Because things that need to be done will no longer get done.
The consequences of this were still felt long afterward: “You could see the aftereffects of that until the end of development.”
Some content was cut that did not make it into the final game. Vincke states that this “always happens” – but it is indeed “very rare for an entire studio to be lost during development.”
What about the cut content? There are a whole series of contents that were considered or even partially created during the development of Baldur’s Gate 3 but did not make it into the final game. Many dialogue lines can still be found in the code – for example, concerning a werewolf companion or a playable part of hell.
Particularly curious was an incident a few weeks before the release when some journalists were shown the city of Baldur’s Gate 3 and were told that they could also explore “the entire upper city” – something that was not the case in the final game, as this part of the city is only accessible for the final battle.
Considering that Larian had to close an entire studio and relocate many developers due to a war, it is understandable that not all content made it into the final game. It is all the more remarkable that Baldur’s Gate 3 became the great game it is, winning so many awards despite these circumstances.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Yesterday, on July 16, 2024, the second act of Echos started in Destiny 2. A trailer showcases the new content.
This week, fans and players were delighted with a lot of new content in Destiny 2. With the launch of Act 2 of Echos, several new features have been introduced into the game. Among other things, new story missions are expected.
The appropriate trailer focuses on the new battlefields and a new weapon:
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Destiny 2 zeigt im Trailer zwei neue Waffen
In Destiny 2, there was a server downtime yesterday, on July 16, 2024, for patch 8.0.0.7. Afterward, Act 2 of Echos was also launched. We have summarized all information about the server downtime, including the patch notes in an article for you.
What does the trailer show? The trailer does not show much of the new story missions that are expected in Act 2. However, you can get a glimpse of new battlefields and new weapons.
In total, there are supposed to be three new battlefields, as the trailer announces. The first images show, for example, underground ruins, while a voice encourages you to venture deeper into the heart of Nessus.
These ruins are partly overgrown by the wilderness and provide many opportunities to hide and seek safety in combat. In other places, quite open areas can be seen, where battles might await you.
Besides the first impression of the new areas, the trailer also introduces new weapons.
Anomalous Action – a solar rocket pistol
Sands of Time – an arc pulse rifle
In the trailer, you can also get a first look at how the gameplay of the weapons looks like. In addition, in Act 2 of Echos, you can expect new artifact perks, new activities, and new rewards. Have you already started the second act? What do you think of the new content? Feel free to share your opinion with us. By the way, a shooter on Steam has recently been accused of copying Destiny 2: “It served as inspiration” – developers of The First Descendant respond to plagiarism accusations
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The developers of the upcoming third-person shooter Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 ask you not to play the game yet – for a good reason:
Why shouldn’t you play the new game right now? Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will be released on September 9, 2024, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, letting you play as a Space Marine in a shooter for the first time in over ten years.
The developers of Space Marine 2 have now commented on the leak and made a clear request to the community: Do not play the new game yet, wait until launch.
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Warhammer 40.000: Space Marine 2 liefert euch drei verschiedene Modi
Developers ask: Do not play the unfinished build
What do the developers say? The team behind Space Marine 2, consisting of developer Saber Interactive and publisher Focus Entertainment, has spoken on X.com (formerly Twitter) about the major leak of the upcoming shooter.
They say that the leaked version of the game is almost a year old at the time of the shooter’s release, and they are saddened that some of the biggest fans will experience the game for the first time with this outdated version.
That’s why they also ask everyone to avoid playing the leaked version: “We ask everyone to avoid this unfinished build and not to spoil the game for those who are looking forward to experiencing it for the first time at release.”
What kind of game is this anyway? Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will be a third-person shooter and the sequel to the first part, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, released in 2011. As the name clearly indicates, the title takes place in the dark sci-fi universe of Warhammer.
You control one of the legendary Space Marines and fight against hordes of the alien Tyranids in various modes, utilizing superhuman abilities. The shooter will feature a cooperative campaign, a 6v6 multiplayer mode, and the PvE mode “Operations”.
The Japan Anniversary Association was founded from the Japan Anniversary Committee and has taken it upon itself to increase people’s interest in anniversaries. Therefore, they introduced a registration process with which certain anniversaries or memorial days are intended to encourage people to celebrate.5 of these memorial days are dedicated to animes.
What kind of holidays are these? In Japan, there are some certified and registered memorial days or anniversaries that are based on various animes. These are series that have made a significant contribution to Japanese culture.
The following memorial days exist in Japan:
January 1: Astro Boy Day
February 27: Pokémon Day
May 9: Goku Day
July 22: One Piece Day
September 13: Fist of the North Star Day
Many of the anniversaries are based on a play on words or the start of the series. Goku Day falls on May 9, because the Japanese translation of Goku consists of the numbers 5 and 9. There are also some video games like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy VII that have their own memorial day.
On these days, new announcements related to the respective animes can take place. However, this is not a must: The Pokémon Day 2024 was celebrated this year precisely on February 27, while the One Piece Day in 2024 will be held on August 10 and 11.
On One Piece Day, there could be new details about Season 2 of the Netflix series:
Start video
One Piece – German Trailer for the First Season of the Live-Action Series by Netflix
The anime holidays should be taken with a wink
Are the holidays official? The holidays should be seen with a bit of humor. The Japan Anniversary Association has indeed introduced numerous memorial days that are sometimes based on the biggest nonsense. For example, on April 4, the day of yogurt with 0% fat content is celebrated. On August 22, the Japanese celebrate Hair Growth Day.
Accordingly, people do not get a day off on these days. You can think of the holidays like our Valentine’s Day. Although it is not an official holiday, it is recognized and celebrated by many people.
What can we expect on the upcoming Anime Day? The next Anime Day is the One Piece Day. This year, it will not be celebrated on July 22, but on August 10 and 11. During the celebrations, we can expect new information about the One Piece remake from Netflix. There might also be new information about the live-action series that will also stream on Netflix. Additionally, there will be a stage program and other activities for people on site.
Once Human has been struggling with cheaters since its release. The development studio is now taking action and banning a whole host of fraudsters. However, even players who did not use cheats are affected.
What is the situation in Once Human? The game by Starry Studios is only a few days old, yet it is already plagued by cheaters. Numerous players report that they have encountered fraudsters. This is not unusual for a free-to-play game.
Therefore, the developers, who generally respond quickly to issues, have now swung the ban hammer. In one go, 430 dishonorable players were banned. Most of them are actual cheaters, while others are regular players who simply used one or the other trick.
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Im Survival-Spiel Once Human müsst ihr zusammenarbeiten
Cheats and exploits lead to bans
Who was banned? It should be clear that using cheats in a game like Once Human is not allowed. Players who used them were banned and know why that happened.
They were punished severely. The ban lasts not one month or a year, but a staggering 3,600 days. This amounts to almost 10 years.
A smaller portion of the banned players did not use cheats and may have been surprised at first by the ban. In their case, exploiting bugs is the issue.
We recently found that some players exploited bugs to gain unfair advantages. This undermines not only the fairness of the game but also affects the overall player experience.
Specifically, it concerns a bug that allowed players to enter forbidden zones. Items obtained from this were confiscated by the developers. The punishment for this is significantly lighter than that of the cheaters. It lasts only between 7 and 30 days. Cheats and exploits are not necessary to succeed in Once Human. On MeinMMO, you will find 9 useful tips for survival.
How does Once Human deal with banned players? A ban alone seems not to be enough for the developers. Therefore, all usernames, the duration of the bans, and the exact reasons have been published in a list on the studio’s website.
This makes it visible to everyone who the wrongdoers are. Perhaps this acts as a deterrent against cheaters or simply informs those who did not understand why they were banned.
In “The War Within”, the developers of World of Warcraft are trying out a new kind of nerf for raids. Each week, the raid becomes a little easier.
In a few weeks, the release of the latest expansion of World of Warcraft is coming. With “The War Within”, new areas, hero talents, and a story campaign that spans three expansions are waiting. There are also the “usual suspects” in the form of new dungeons and raids.
However, the first raid, the “Palace of the Neru’bar”, comes with a built-in nerf. Each week, the challenge becomes a little easier.
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WoW: Trailer for the release date of The War Within
What is the first raid of The War Within? The first raid in The War Within is the Palace of the Neru’bar. As the name suggests, it involves fighting against the Nerubians, who have allied themselves with Xal’atath. This is not surprising, considering that these spider-like creatures descend from the Aqir and once worshipped the Old Gods.
In the palace, the goal is to overthrow the current queen, Ansurek, while also preventing Xal’atath’s plans with the Nerubians.
How does the raid nerf itself? In the palace, certain items drop from the bosses, known as “Nerub-ar Finery”. You can exchange these with an NPC each week to gain a buff that is active during the raid. The buff “Severed Strands” increases your damage and healing per stack by 3% and can be stacked up to 15 times – for a maximum of 45%.
As of now, you can unlock an additional stack each week, so you become about 3% stronger each week – and the raid correspondingly nerfed.
By the way, this buff applies to all characters in your war band. So if you want to play a twink later, they will already benefit from all the stacks of the “Severed Strands” buff that you have unlocked by then.
However, note that The War Within is still in beta. 45% seems very strong, so it is possible that Blizzard will adjust the exact value.
Why is Blizzard doing this? It is completely normal for Blizzard to nerf a raid over time. This usually happens in several ways.
Manual nerfs: The developers adjust the health points, damage, or abilities of the bosses to weaken them a little. These post-balance changes are usually made when certain bosses turn out to be too challenging.
Equipment: Characters’ equipment improves throughout the season, making raids easier on their own – simply because the heroes have better gear.
The new “Severed Strands” buff is a third method to give characters a small boost each week and nerf the raid “on the side”.
Blizzard does this so that all groups can eventually overcome the difficulty level they choose. In the past, Blizzard only designed raids for a small fraction of players, but now they want to encourage most groups to complete the chosen difficulty level by the end of the season.
Is this something completely new? No. Similar mechanics have existed in the past, such as in Icecrown Citadel (WotLK) or Uldir (BfA). Even here, additional effects became active after a while, either weakening the bosses of the raid or strengthening the heroic groups. Blizzard seems to have taken a liking to this type of weakening (or strengthening), which is why it makes a return in The War Within.
Since June 18, 2024, the Early Access of Pax Dei has been running, and the developers are working hard to eliminate annoying bugs and issues from the beautiful MMO world. But how does the sandbox adventure hold up after all these weeks? MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz provides a mid-term assessment.
Anyone who has read my play article from the alpha test phase of Pax Dei knows: I had my issues with the game. The sandbox MMORPG plays like a survival adventure without survival struggle in the first hours, vital features such as in-game currency or a recycling system are missing, and other areas (like combat) feel very unfinished.
Since Pax Dei changed hardly at all from the alpha to the start of the Early Access phase, I passed on another report in June. However, almost four weeks have now passed, and on the official Discord, update notifications are rolling in one after another. The community has also had ample opportunity to experiment with the fantastic building system of the MMO.
So I dove back into the servers to check the status quo of the game and to look for noticeable improvements in the beautiful medieval world.
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Pax Dei: Trailer for the Early Access launch shows beautiful medieval world
Working on the fundamentals instead of major innovations
Since the start of the Early Access phase, the developers have been working hard to bring improvements to the servers of Pax Dei. However, the focus has so far been on fixing bugs, crashes, and other fundamental problems. The next patch is scheduled to be released today, July 17, 2024, at 12 PM.
However, due to these urgently needed works on the fundamentals, there has been no time so far to implement crucial missing features – such as the previously mentioned currency or a recycling system that allows players to dismantle items created solely for leveling. The combat system still has much room for improvement. And Pax Dei hardly ever feels like an MMO.
The community is working hard
This delay in content and feature updates comes at a price. During prime time, only about 4,000 players are currently online in Pax Dei on Steam instead of 11,500 (via steamcharts.com). On YouTube, Loki464 reports on how challenging it is to continue motivating guild members to log in regularly.
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For example, his guild has introduced its own currency through Discord that can be earned through activities in the game. In addition, the community regularly hosts projects and events to give members something to do and to promote professions that can currently produce little.
The perfect place for virtual strolls
The amount of time and energy the community has already invested in the first weeks of the Early Access phase of Pax Dei becomes evident as soon as you log in and look into the distance. Majestic castles line up next to magnificent villas, scattered mills, and quaint villages.
Across wide rivers, comfortable bridges suddenly span, their torches illuminating the dark night. Stone fortifications sit atop mountain peaks, casting their shadows over the valley. Sounds great, right? And it looks fantastic thanks to Unreal Engine 5 and the enormous visibility range.
And that is what has brought me the most joy in Pax Dei so far: strolling through the great medieval game world to collect resources while taking in the impressive works of the community. Also inspecting the interior from the basement to the attic for inspiration for my own wooden hut. It’s just a shame that the owners are so rarely online.
Cemetery of construction sites
In the game world itself, I only encounter other players sporadically. I already mentioned above: The numbers are declining; many interested players have turned their backs on the Early Access version or are currently enjoying summer.
Another result of this: among all the creative large projects, dozens of small construction sites are scattered about, consisting of little more than a few workstations, a fire, and some crates. There are also various other plots with unfinished houses, towers, and castles. It’s like walking through a cemetery of construction sites. That has its own charm in a way.
So my interim assessment is mixed: While the foundation of Pax Dei was refined in the first month of Early Access, crucial features and improvements are still missing. However, the constant patches and updates from the developers also show that the team is motivated to turn Pax Dei into a good sandbox MMO.
However, this will take time. Will the community have that much patience? A game that places such a focus on cooperation to carry out large building and crafting projects needs a large and active player base. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see server consolidations soon.
To get an Uber-unique in Diablo 4, you need a lot of luck. A player dismantled one of them to unlock the transmogrifications.
Which item did the player destroy? It is the Uber-unique “Harlequin’s Crown”. The headpiece has fixed properties and is considered the best headgear for almost any build in Diablo 4. Many players also refer to the headpiece as “Shako”.
Those who want to find the coveted Uber-Uniques, especially the Harlequin’s Crown, need quite a bit of luck. One player even got two Ubers in a short period of time. And another player shows on Reddit the transmogrifications that the Harlequin’s Crown brings. However, he had to dismantle the item at the blacksmith first.
Start video
Diablo 4 Season 4 “Loot Reborn” in the gameplay trailer
Uber dismantled to see the color palette
Why did he dismantle the headpiece?On Reddit, “rudowinger” writes that you unlock transmogrifications and their colors when you dismantle the Harlequin’s Crown. This means: You can apply the appearance of the item to other items in the category.
However, if you equip the Harlequin’s Crown without hiding or visually altering the headpiece, you cannot change its color. This is different for items whose transmogs you have unlocked.
In the comment, “rudowinger” writes that he dismantled the item and uploaded a screenshot so that other players can see whether the transmogrification and the colors are worth it.
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How do other players react? A few players thank him for the action. “lumpthefoff” writes: “I appreciate the sacrifice you made. I’m not at the point yet where I can afford to dismantle a Shako.”
Others criticize the appearance of the headpiece. “Awkward_Confusion_91” says: “The best helmet in the game and yet the ugliest…” And another user writes in the comment: “It’s just an ugly-looking hat.”
Some users seem confused. “GetOffMyBrokenBack” writes in the comment: “Yes, that’s usually how dismantling works.” However, that hasn’t been possible since the release of Diablo 4. “gmotelet” notes that he did not receive any transmogrification from dismantling in “Season 0”.
Since when is this possible? According to the patch notes, the option came with Patch 1.3.0 in Diablo 4. Since January, you receive the transmogrification when you dismantle the Harlequin’s Crown at the blacksmith. The exact wording from the patch: “Uber-unique items can now be unlocked as transmogrifications.”
Developer studios occasionally hire modders from the community to assist in the development of new games. A then 20-year-old beet farmer was particularly fortunate, as he impressed CD Projekt Red so much that he is now allowed to work on The Witcher 4.
How did he accomplish that? The beet farmer named Eero Varendi (via Moby Games), originally from Estonia, worked on his mods in the evenings. He uploaded his works in videos on YouTube. It was there that CD Projekt Red discovered the young man’s work and took notice of him:
There was a video on YouTube about a guy who reshaped the prologue of Witcher 1 into Witcher 3 without any modding toolset at all. I saw the video and thought to myself, “Damn, that’s such high-quality work”.
Pawel Sasko, CD Projekt Red, in a podcast with Flow Gaming
He asked another employee, who also began his career as a modder, if he knew the YouTuber. When the employee answered affirmatively, CD Projekt Red invited him over. The beet farmer submitted his resume and passed the hiring test, which focused on design, with flying colors.
The man from Estonia, who at the time was living in Australia, was hired by CD Projekt Red and brought from Australia to Poland. Pawel Sasko, Associate Game Director for Cyberpunk 2, praised his colleague and stated that he is now a Senior Quest Designer at The Witcher 4. The game begins a new saga and consists of more than one part.
CD Projekt Red even included an Easter egg from The Witcher in Cyberpunk 2077:
Start video
Cyberpunk 2077: How to find the Witcher Easter Egg
Modders are not uncommon at CD Projekt Red
How many modders work at CD Projekt Red? As Sasko revealed, half of the development team responsible for designing the quests in Cyberpunk 2 consists of former modders. Of the total 24 people, around 12 would thus be former modders.
Not all of the modders have previously worked on The Witcher and Cyberpunk. The Lead Quest Designer Błażej Augustynek started as a modder for StarCraft.
To gain a foothold in the gaming industry, Sasko advises young players to start modding. There are so many toolkits like the in-house REDkit modding tool. Some of the best employees that CD Projekt Red currently has are former modders.
How far along is The Witcher 4? In the same interview, Sasko reveals that the fourth installment of the Witcher series is set to begin production in 2024. Currently, 400 employees are working on the game. At the end of 2023, there were still around 300 employees working on The Witcher 4.
The title is intended to be further along than Cyberpunk 2, for which the production phase is still a distant prospect. Thus, estimating a release date for both games is difficult, as it will take several years before they are released.
The next patch for Baldur’s Gate 3 will be significant – bringing many reasons to dive back into the RPG.
Soon, Baldur’s Gate 3 will celebrate its first birthday after the release, yet new patches continue to appear, introducing new content and meaningful, improved features. The developers have now presented the new features of the major “Patch 7”, which is particularly interesting for fans of split-screen action, but there are also new elements for the Honour Mode.
Start video
Baldur’s Gate 3 is coming to PS5 – Trailer prepares for console release
What are the highlights? The key points of Patch 7 are:
If you play in split-screen and your characters are close to each other, the two screen halves will now be “connected”, creating a complete picture. Once you separate, the image splits again. This option can be disabled.
Many creatures in Honour Mode now have new, legendary actions, such as Malus Thorm or Dror Ragzlin, who can now command the spiders.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is also releasing the Modding Toolkit, giving mod developers new and improved ways to modify the game.
There are now many longer, evil endings. These were previously very short and often consisted only of a small scene lasting just a few seconds. There are many different variants, whether for the “Dark Desire”, the origin characters, or your own hero.
What else is in the patch? Aside from the highlights, there are many smaller new features and improvements that change mainly details. For example, the kiss animations of many companions have been improved.
However, the interactions between the companions have also been revised. Now, origin characters can talk to each other during the adventure, controlled by two different players – this was not possible before.
When will the patch be released? There isn’t a specific release date for the patch yet. However, the “Closed Beta” for the patch will begin on July 22, so one can assume that it will be a few weeks until the release.
Is this it? Actually, Baldur’s Gate 3 wanted to gradually phase out patches and be “finished” – but it doesn’t look like that yet. The announcement also reveals that “Patch 7 is not the final update for Baldur’s Gate 3”. There are still features to come, such as crossplay, bug fixes, and some performance improvements.
On Amazon’s Prime Day, you can secure a number of free games for PC. We show you which ones they are and how to get them.
What is Prime Day? Every year, Amazon has Prime Day, where numerous products are available at discounted prices. Prime Day lasts from July 16 to 17, 2024.
Gaming enthusiasts have special reason to rejoice, as several games are available for free. The only requirement is that you are a Prime member. Then you can choose one or more games on the corresponding page on Amazon.
Depending on the title, they will be added to your Amazon Games library, GOG, or the Epic Games Store. You need to link your accounts with Amazon for this.
Some of the following games are actually only available for free for the limited duration of Prime Day. Others will remain available longer, and we will point this out accordingly.
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Start video
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Official Coop Gameplay
All Free Games
Which titles are available for free? For gaming fans of different genres, Prime Day offers free games:
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
A fairly recent game is already being given away. Suicide Squad was released on January 30, 2024. It is a service game set in the antihero universe of DC. In the city of Metropolis, you fight against various enemies and meet different characters from the comic source material.
You can play the game alone or in cooperative mode with up to three friends. The game was not a success for the publisher Warner Bros. , which is probably one reason why it is already being given away. This offer is valid only for the duration of Prime Day.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
This is the second part of the reboot series of Tomb Raider. The game was developed by Crystal Dynamics, just like its predecessors. You play once again as Lara Croft. The adventure takes you to Siberia, where you are to find the famous city of Kitezh.
You control Lara as usual from a third-person perspective, with gameplay consisting of a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzles. This offer is also valid only for the duration of Prime Day.
Chivalry 2
The sequel to the first part released in 2012 takes you back to the world of the Middle Ages. In the second part, you engage in large battles with 64 players using various weapons such as swords, axes, or bows to fight for victory.
You play from a first-person perspective, providing a good sense of immersion. In addition to your weapons, cavalry and siege weapons are also available. The game was developed by Torn Banner Studios and was released in 2021. The Prime Day offer, like the previously mentioned titles, is valid for only 48 hours.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
Here, we also have a sequel to a very popular game. While the first part was developed by Bioware, “The Sith Lords” was created by Obsidian, who are also responsible for very good role-playing games such as Fallout New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity.
In Knights of the Old Republic II, you have the choice to play a good or evil character. You can be a hero with impeccable morals – or a nasty villain. The story takes place five years after the predecessor’s story. Nevertheless, you don’t need to know the predecessor, as the storyline works on its own.
You can get this game for free starting now until August 14, 2024.
Call of Juarez and Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
There aren’t many western games, apart from gems like Red Dead Redemption or Desperados. The Call of Juarez series sends you into dusty western landscapes in first-person shooters. Both available games have two protagonists to choose from, each offering different weapons and thus play styles.
You have the freedom to either act offensively or sneakily attack with a bow. The offer is valid until July 24, 2024, for Call of Juarez. Bound in Blood is available for free until August 6.
What other games are available? In addition to the highlights listed above, there are several other titles that you can secure:
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX: The remake of a 2D platformer released by SEGA in 1986. Free until September 11, 2024.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge: A side-scroller beat ’em up old school, designed as a tribute to early Turtles games from the 90s. Free until August 14, 2024.
Samurai Bringer: A rogue-lite where you fight large groups of samurai and demons. Free until October 9.
Wall World: A rogue-lite where you explore mines and use tower-defense elements against attacking enemies. You can secure the game for free until October 1, 2024.
Forager: Inspired by games like Stardew Valley or Zelda, you explore an open world along with dungeons and craft diligently. The game is available for free until September 25, 2024.
Card Shark: In this card game RPG, you work your way up to the highest ranks of 18th-century French society. This offer is valid until September 25, 2024.
Soulstice: In this game, you play as two sisters who have been reborn in a single body. A dark world awaits to be saved. You can get the game until September 25, 2024.
Heaven Dust 2: This is a zombie survival game that is meant to evoke classics like Resident Evil. It is a mix of exploration, action, and puzzles. The game is free until September 25, 2024.
Deceive Inc.: A game with a spy setting that mixes the hero shooter genre with the extraction shooter aspect. You can also interact with NPCs and hide among them. Deceive Inc. is free until August 21, 2024.
The Invisible Hand: Money lovers can amass a fortune in this game as a stockbroker. Any tactic is allowed, but be careful not to get caught in illegal dealings. Available for free until September 18, 2024.
Tearstone: Thieves of the Heart – CE: A puzzle-adventure where you search for a missing heart. Get the game for free until July 24, 2024.
These were all the games that are available for free starting today as part of Prime Day and partially beyond. Is there anything that interests you? Feel free to let us know in the comments. If you are on the lookout for bargains during Prime Day, keep a watchful eye out for scams – we have some tips for you on MeinMMO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Pokémon GO, the first Hyperbonus is coming up. It brings the debut of Zwieps, Famieps, and several bonuses.
When does the Hyperbonus start? The first part of the Hyperbonus under the motto “Together we are strong” starts on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
It runs until Monday, July 22, 2024, at 8:00 PM.
What is the highlight? That is likely the new Pokémon debuting tomorrow: Zwieps. We will introduce it to you here.
Start video
Heavenly teamwork in Pokémon GO – a new season begins
What is Zwieps? It is a small Normal-type Pokémon. It consists of two little mice that are always traveling together. Zwieps first appeared in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
The evolution Famieps: Zwieps evolution is called Famieps and consists of four mouse specimens – two small and two large. In Pokémon GO, the evolution will cost 50 candies.
Famieps’ specialty: It has a Famieps evolution that consists of only three mice. It was extremely rare in Scarlet and Violet. It remains to be seen how this will be implemented in Pokémon GO.
Additionally, it had a very strong attack in Scarlet and Violet: “Mouse Family” can hit up to ten times and can inflict a lot of damage. How strong it will be in Pokémon GO is yet to be seen.
How do I catch Famieps? In Pokémon GO, you can encounter Famieps in three ways starting tomorrow.
You can get it as a reward from Team Play tasks with some luck. So you’ll need to play together.
It will appear during the first Hyperbonus in Field Research.
It will appear in a limited research of the Hyperbonus event.
Bonuses in the Pokémon GO Hyperbonus
What are the bonuses? In this first part of the Hyperbonus, there are three bonuses that are worthwhile.
You get quadruple XP when catching. This is probably the most interesting bonus if you are still on the way to Level 50. When using a Lucky Egg, you even get eight times the XP. It’s worth it.
You receive double candies when catching.
Additionally, friendship levels increase faster while trading, battling in raids and gyms, battling each other, and opening gifts. The friendship level can also help in leveling up the trainer.
We summarize the different spawns for you here. Possible Shinys are marked with an asterisk *.
In the wild:
Vulpix*
Alolan Vulpix*
Diglett*
Alolan Diglett*
Meowth*
Alolan Meowth*
Galarian Meowth*
Owie*
Felin*
Paldean Felin*
Zigzagoon*
Galarian Zigzagoon*
Wadribie*
Bithora*
Alolan Kokowei* (rare)
Magneton (rare)
Klikk* (rare)
Stage-1 Raids:
Hisui-Fukano*
Alolan Sleima*
Icognito B*
Icognito T*
Stage-3 Raids:
Hisui-Tornupto*
Hisui-Admurai*
Hisui-Silvarro*
Field Research:
Flegmon*
Galar-Flegmon*
Voltobal*
Hisui-Voltobal*
Smogon*
Wadribie*
Flampion*
Galar-Flampion*
Gelatini*
Kapuno*
Zwieps
Throughout the month, there will be further Hyperbonus segments that will bring you different bonuses. However, these are not yet fully known – but Shiny Togedamaru and a Raid Day with Mega-Lucario have been hinted at. This should be especially exciting, as it will make one of the best Pokémon in Pokémon GO even better.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The final boss of the DLC from Elden Ring is a tough nut to crack. In our guide, we show you how to tackle the fight.
Update, July 17, 2024: We have reviewed the article, and it is up to date.
Who is the final boss of the DLC? The final enemy of Shadow of the Erdtree is a familiar face: Radahn, whom players already know from the main game. However, this time he seems younger and even more agile. You will face Radahn in his prime.
In the second phase, he is supported by none other than Miquella. We will explain how to keep the two in check and successfully complete the DLC below. First, though, here are the key points at a glance:
NPC summons: Yes. Thiollier and Ansbach can be called for help.
Spirit ashes: Yes
Online multiplayer: Yes
Rewards: 500,000 runes, Echo of a God and a Prince
With the help of the table of contents, you can jump directly to a desired point in the article.
[toc]
Start video
Start the Igon Quest in Elden Ring, defeat Bayle and become a dragon – Here’s how to do it
Finding Radahn
Where is the final boss located? The final boss is located in the area of Enir-Ilim. This, in turn, is located northwest of Castle Belurat and becomes accessible only after you have burned the Scadutree after the fight against Romina. This is only possible if you have defeated Messmer beforehand.
Radahn awaits you at the end of Enir-Ilim. Rest at the Site of Grace “Front Steps to the Divine Portal” before the entrance to the arena and prepare yourself.
Defeating Radahn
Radahn is an opponent with strong armor and two large swords, which he intends to use to smash you. To be well-prepared for his powerful attacks, gather as many Scadutree shards as possible beforehand. They make your attacks stronger and increase your defense. On MeinMMO, you will find a guide on this.
If you want to make phase 2 of the fight easier, also acquire Miquella’s Great Rune. You will obtain it after defeating the Avatar of the Scadutree in the Shadowkeep. With it, you can remove a deadly status effect.
Calling NPCs and Summoning Spirit Ashes
You can summon two NPCs for help in this fight after you have correctly completed the Thiollier quest and the Ansbach quest. You can also summon your spirit ashes, particularly strong ones are the Mimic ashes or Tiche. You can also get help in the form of real players if needed.
Radahn’s Weaknesses
What are Radahn’s weaknesses? The final boss is particularly sensitive to bleeding damage and Scarlet Rot. Therefore, use weapons that fall into either category. We have a particularly strong bleed build for you on MeinMMO. Frost is also effective against Radahn.
Holy damage is unfortunately misplaced here, as Radahn is immune to it. He himself uses holy attacks.
With strong attacks that can be achieved with a strength build, it is also possible to break the opponent’s posture and land a critical hit. You can also parry Radahn, although it takes three successful parries before you can execute a critical attack.
The fight against Radahn consists of two phases. We will examine the attacks and explain how you can respond:
Phase 1: Attacks and Tactics
In the first phase, the boss calls himself “Radahn, Promised Husband”.
If Radahn stands far away, he flies towards you while rotating and extends his two swords at you. When he lands, there is an explosion. Roll out of the landing zone before Radahn reaches you.
In close combat, Radahn swings his sword and creates flames that cause bleeding damage. Roll backward three times to avoid the range of the sword and flames. Alternatively, roll into the first sword attack and then behind him to dodge the flame. Watch out: After the flame explosion, further attacks follow, so be prepared.
If you are far away, Radahn can pull you towards him using gravity magic. During this time, you are immobile. When he is in front of your nose, he strikes the ground and creates sharp rocks that protrude from the ground. However, you can dodge this attack: When Radahn folds his hands, roll quickly back to avoid being pulled. If that happens, try to roll out of the attack radius of the sharp rocks as quickly as possible.
At close to medium range, Radahn strikes at you three times. Roll either left or right, three times as well.
Radahn can also execute a combo of four sword swings. He ends it once again with rocks coming from the ground. You can evade the sword swings by rolling, then wait about half a second and roll again to avoid the rocks.
Radahn can quickly cover a certain distance by performing a somersault and landing directly on you. Dodge to the side by rolling, but be cautious: Radahn can repeat this attack immediately, so do not attack right away.
Phase 2: Attacks and Tactics
In phase 2 of the fight, the boss receives a new name: “Radahn, Miquella’s Husband”. In addition to the attacks from phase 1, he also has some new attacks up his sleeve and now uses holy attacks. This phase starts once you have brought Radahn’s health bar down to about 70%.
The sword attacks from phase 1 now also cause holy damage with each swing. So be careful when dodging, roll to the side or forward, but not backward, so that you don’t acquire any of that.
Radahn floats in the air and creates eight electrically charged meteor projectiles that hunt you. Run left or right just before they would hit you.
Radahn raises his sword high and creates four doppelgangers made of light. They rush at you and attack before Radahn follows with a light explosion. Roll here left or right to avoid Radahn’s and the clones’ attacks, and then once forward.
If Radahn is far away, he can also raise his sword and create a holy energy field that fills the entire arena. Just roll underneath it.
Radahn can grab at you. First, he glows golden, then jumps towards you and tries to grab you. Radahn then holds you towards Miquella, who enchants you. You will not take damage from this. However, if you are grabbed a second time, you will die immediately. You can prevent this by rolling away just before Radahn lands. If he grabs you anyway, use Miquella’s Great Rune to dispel the deadly spell.
If Radahn has about 20-30% of his health left, he will fly high into the air and crash back into the arena near you after a brief moment. The explosion it creates is very dangerous and can kill you instantly. It is best to run to the opposite side from where Radahn took off and try to roll away from the explosion at the right moment. Timing may take a few attempts, listen for a scream, and then roll.
If you need additional tips on how to obtain the helpful Scadutree fragments, the following video from MeinMMO might help:
Start video
Elden Ring DLC: Collecting Scadubaum Fragments – Here’s Why They’re Important and How to Get Them
More Tips
What else is there to consider? Many of Radahn’s attacks are physical in nature. A good armor is important not to bite the dust immediately. At the same time, you should at least have a medium roll. So make sure that your load does not exceed 69.9%, otherwise, you will be overloaded and roll slowly. An even better option is a quick roll (load under 30%).
To be prepared against holy attacks, it may be worth bringing the talisman “Golden Braid” (high resistance to holy damage) and the item “Holy-Safe Dried Liver” (-15% holy damage).
If you play with summons, it can be helpful to draw Radahn’s attention on you, especially at the beginning. This way, your helpers can deal a lot of damage and ideally also survive into phase 2.
Once the boss is down, you will be rewarded with 500,000 runes and the “Echo of a God and a Prince”.
If you keep these tips in mind, the fight against the final boss of the DLC should be easier. Have you developed your own tactics against him? How do you find Radahn as the conclusion of Shadow of the Erdtree? Feel free to let us know in the comments. For more guides on Elden Ring, check out our overview on MeinMMO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Twitch streamer Tolkin is currently the only German-speaking content creator allowed to co-stream the LEC of League of Legends and has replaced many before him. In an interview with him and LEC head Artem Bykov, we talk about their collaboration.
The German Twitch streamer Tolkin is primarily known for his content on League of Legends. When he’s not casting, he’s actively playing with his team NNO and was able to fulfill his dream of competing against the best player in the world.
In an interview with the streamer and LEC head Artem Bykov, we discuss their collaboration with Riot.
Start video
LoL – Hall of Legends: Faker Trailer
Tolkin was a Perfect Match
In our conversation with Artem Bykov, we asked him why they decided to allow content creators to co-stream the LEC and wanted to understand his reasons. Artem emphasizes that it is primarily about providing the best possible experience for the viewers. He particularly highlights three reasons:
We see co-streaming as a way to attract new fans to the LEC by reaching people who might see the LEC for the first time through the influencers they already follow. Additionally, we want to work more closely with influencers who cover the LEC. LEC teams also have the opportunity to co-stream the LEC, and we want to give them the chance to tell their own story.
We further asked Artem Bykov how the decision came about to choose Tolkin as the only German-speaking feed. He reveals that this was a natural decision for Riot, as Tolkin has been a solid part of the community for a long time:
Tolkin has long been a respected member of our community and enjoys an excellent reputation. He creates exceptional content that we like to see and shows a great passion for the game. Therefore, he was a natural candidate for this program. When we presented our idea to him, we quickly realized that our values and visions for co-streaming perfectly align. It was simply a Perfect Match.
Viewers have higher expectations than before
Tolkin’s viewer numbers have significantly increased since his time as a co-streamer. His average viewers over the last six months have risen by over 45% compared to the previous six months (via Sullygnome).
We speak with Tolkin about what has changed for him since then and whether he has noticed a difference in his viewers, and especially, whether he feels that viewers now have different expectations of him. He can clearly affirm this, even though he sees it as a compliment:
Yes, of course. At the end of the day, you want to ensure that it’s something special for everyone involved. That’s not always easy, and it’s also a significant challenge in terms of volume, as the LEC has three splits and a big final. It should still feel special. Sometimes it can also add a bit of pressure, especially when people ask, “Is there a guest today?” The viewers demand more today than before. That’s a compliment because they are interested in what you’re doing, but it can also create pressure, especially on days when you might not be feeling your best and would prefer to cast from home.
We also discuss with the streamer whether more has changed for him besides the growing community. He honestly reveals that co-streaming can sometimes bring a slight disadvantage, especially noticeable in tournaments:
I play a lot of League of Legends myself, which is good in one way because it can relieve the pressure of having to achieve a really high Elo. On the other hand, it also hurts a bit. We recently had a tournament with NNO, and it showed that when I don’t play much, I’m not that good. But it has also given me new ambition. It goes a bit against my ego when I don’t perform as well as I could. Otherwise, I can stream a lot of LoL without needing to play it myself, which is cool, but it also makes that ambition feel like a disadvantage.
The feeling of not doing enough sometimes
During our conversation with Tolkin, we asked him if there was anything he didn’t expect before supporting the LEC with his co-streams. He tells us that on one hand, he feels honored that viewers have such a strong interest in him and the streams, but sometimes he feels like he’s not doing enough:
Earlier it was like: You turn on the stream and everyone is happy, no matter what comes. Now it’s like people constantly ask: “When is this? When is that?” On one hand, it’s an honor because it shows interest, but on the other hand, it sometimes gives me the feeling that I’m not doing enough at that moment. That’s not what people say, but it sometimes comes across that way, and I didn’t expect that before.
However, when we talk with Artem about Tolkin as a co-streamer, he cannot confirm this. In our conversation, he repeatedly highlights how impressed he is with Tolkin’s commitment, as he constantly takes care of organizing new guests. They did not anticipate this level of involvement:
One of my highlights of this season is how many guests Tolkin has integrated into his co-streams. When we started this program, we knew that guests were of course an option. But Tolkin has regularly invited guests, whether they are other influencers, professional players, or community members. Seeing how often he gives people from the community a voice has been the big highlight for me.
The LEC depends on personalities in the scene
In the further course of our conversation, we asked Tolkin how he influences e-sports in League of Legends through his co-streams. He believes that it is primarily the personalities of the casters and players that bind viewers to the LEC and that interaction with the audience is important:
I feel that much of the LEC depends on the personalities, which have diminished over the years – some players and casters are gone. We have also experienced a development in the German scene where many have left. That viewers can connect with someone who has a passion for it or with whom they can identify is great. That’s why I think co-streams are generally so successful, even outside of League. I think it’s fantastic to offer people an interactive product because you can read the chat while doing it and respond to the viewers, rather than delivering a TV product where you can’t interact with the chat at all.
In the future, there could be more co-streamers in Germany
Finally, we talk with both about the future of the LEC and the co-streams. We ask if they consider it realistic that there could be another co-streamer in Germany besides Tolkin. Tolkin makes it clear that he would be very happy about this and only sees benefits in having more co-streamers in Germany:
I think more co-streamers could be really cool. People could then choose where they want to watch the e-sports product with which commentary, and the streamers could also work together more. Sometimes I had trouble getting guests because I was the only one and they couldn’t stream themselves. I see no downside to having more co-streamers.
Artem Bykov also does not rule out the possibility of more co-streamers in Germany in the future. However, he emphasizes that they are not under pressure to increase the number of co-streamers and that the right opportunity must arise:
Co-streaming is a success for us. It is an evolving program, and we plan to expand it in the future. We are not under pressure to increase the number of co-streamers year by year. Maybe we will find a market or region where we feel that our fans are underserved. If there is then a suitable creator who is loved and respected by the community, and we see a good match, that could be an option.
For Germany, but also for all other languages, the rule is: all contracts are non-exclusive. So we can decide at any time whether we want more co-streamers for a country or not. If we feel that a great opportunity arises to showcase a new face, that’s definitely an option.
David “DAVE” Henrichs has launched a new format on Joyn and YouTube, in which five YouTubers must get from Morocco to Cologne as quickly as possible without money and a smartphone. The previous episodes of “The Race” are perfect for bridging the waiting time for Season 4 of 7 vs. Wild.
What do I need to know about The Race? The race through Europe is about five creators getting from Morocco to Cologne as quickly as possible without money and a smartphone. The format producers have succeeded in luring some fresh participants in front of the camera who have not already been seen in countless other YouTube formats.
Laurens from the channel Life of Laurens (videos about outdoor, sports, and adventure)
Brian from the channel Das Leben des Brian (videos about Brian’s daily life and projects)
Daniel from the channel Daniel Ngl (videos about traveling)
Jovan from the channel Jovan Uljarevic (videos about stunts)
The rules of The Race:
As soon as a participant reaches the finish line in Cologne, the game is over and the winner is determined.
All participants have the same equipment and are on their own. Mutual support or teamwork is prohibited. Help from authorities, family, and friends is also not allowed.
The equipment may not be sold, lent, or exchanged.
They may accept help and money from strangers but must not make promises that they can only fulfill after the race (e.g., money will be returned later via PayPal). They also cannot exploit their own fame.
On the first day, participants were allowed to open an envelope at 4:30 PM to receive a surprise (which we obviously won’t spoil here).
The GPS tracker must be active at all times. All important interactions must be traceable.
Riding without a ticket is allowed. Anyone caught once will receive a travel ban of twelve hours. Anyone caught a second time will be disqualified from the race.
If someone gets seriously injured, they can call for help with an emergency phone. This means disqualification from the race. Each participant must send an OK message with their phone twice a day.
Commercial flights are prohibited; private flights are allowed. Only one national border may be crossed per hitchhiker.
Not participating in “The Race”, but one of the most important German YouTubers:
Start video
HandOfBlood: The most important thing about the YouTuber and Twitch streamer in under a minute
What makes The Race so entertaining? Scrounging money for the FlixBus? Or working instead? Trying luck by hitchhiking? Riding without a ticket? While the five participants have the same goal in mind, the path to that goal is as varied as the characters themselves.
The same goes for how the participants endure the nights. From sleepless hours under the open sky to restful sleep phases in hotel rooms, everything is included. And since the weather can be quite unpleasant, “The Race” sometimes feels delightfully like a “5 vs. Wild”.
That this mix captivates is evident from the viewer numbers so far. On DAVE’s channel alone, the first three episodes have between 2.1 and 1.2 million viewers. Episode 4 is close to a million. The latest episode has reached 736,616 viewers after two days. In addition, there are viewers from other channels and platforms.
Where can I watch The Race? The format was launched on June 16, 2024, on Joyn.de, where you can already watch ten episodes for free. On June 30, the release followed on DAVE’s YouTube channel, where Episode 5 went live last Sunday. More episodes will follow every Wednesday and Sunday.
Of course, there are also reaction videos for the episodes of the format on various other channels, such as Fritz Meinecke – Live, the creator of 7 vs. Wild, who enthusiastically comments on each episode, or on Lattensepp, the reaction channel of Papaplatte.
Who is behind The Race? In 2014, content creator David “DAVE” Henrichs, whom you may know from the first season of 7 vs. Wild, had the idea for a format like “The Race”. At that time, however, nobody was watching the videos of the YouTube enthusiast.
This has changed significantly in the past ten years. The main channel DAVE has 1.18 million subscribers, and the secondary channel MEHR DAVE has 191,000 subscribers. There are also projects like The Studio. In 2021, for example, revenues of 381,710 euros were generated with expenses of 304,792 euros.
Those who play World of Warcraft extensively can earn Battle.net credits through diligent farming and smart trading. With that, you can buy any games and expansions from Blizzard, such as the new expansion for Diablo 4. However, you will need a lot of gold.
If you buy such a token from another player through the auction house, you can exchange it for game time or for Battle.net balance.
On October 8, Vessel of Hatred, the first expansion for Diablo 4, will be released. If you play both games actively anyway, you can buy the addon for WoW gold. However, this is only worthwhile to a limited extent.
Trailer for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred provides insight into the story of the expansion
This is how much gold you need: If you buy the token from Blizzard, it always costs 20 euros and you can offer it for gold in the auction house. A buyer in WoW can then exchange the token back for 13 euros of credit.
However, the price of a WoW token in gold fluctuates, as it is determined by supply and demand. At the moment (July 16 at 4:00 PM), a WoW token costs 394,531 gold. Experience shows that the price fluctuates significantly even during the week and is highest on Wednesdays and on weekends. On Tuesdays, you often have the best chances of getting tokens cheaply.
In the last month, the price fluctuated between 380,000 and 415,000 gold (via wowauction.us). Therefore, we estimate the average price to be 402,500 gold. This results in the following costs:
For the standard edition of Vessel of Hatred, you need 4 full tokens (39.99 €), which corresponds to 1,610,000 gold.*
For the deluxe edition, you need 5 full tokens (59.99 €), which corresponds to 2,012,500 gold.
For the ultimate edition, you need 7 full tokens (89.99 €), which corresponds to 2,817,500 gold.
*Alternatively, you can cash in only 3 tokens and pay an additional euro. Then you will only pay 1,207,500 gold.
Although you cannot get Vessel of Hatred for free, since you still need a WoW subscription, you do save real money. If you’re still unsure about which edition you want to buy, you can find the details of the deluxe and ultimate editions here.
If you do not own Diablo 4 at all, you can also find a “expansion package” in the shop, which includes Diablo 4 + Vessel of Hatred. This costs 69.99 €, which corresponds to 6 tokens or 2,415,000 gold.
2 million gold for Vessel of Hatred – Almost impossible without trading
The amount of gold you need for the expansion is considerable, and Dragonflight has few options for really efficient gold farming. Common guides usually promise between 15,000 to 30,000 gold, and in rare cases even 50,000 gold per hour.
Some exceptional talents with a lot of luck report over 3 million gold in 10 hours, which sounds a bit implausible. But even here you are likely better off simply going to work. In most jobs, you will earn more money in the same time than you need to simply buy Vessel of Hatred.
However, if you have a good hand for the auction house and specialize in trading or rare items like mounts, pets, and transmog, you can probably accumulate the gold quite easily on the side. In this case, you might consider investing the gold in Diablo 4.
