The biggest game on Steam allegedly permanently bans 15% of its players

Cheating is a major problem in many popular games, including Counter-Strike 2. Despite its successes, Valve now has to deal with a massive number of cheaters, as recent reports allegedly confirm.

Which game is this about? This refers to the popular shooter Counter-Strike 2. Although the game has faced much criticism, it has proven to be a financial hit for Valve.

However, for some time now, player voices have been growing louder, as it is claimed that cheaters have gained the upper hand.

The organization responded to player criticism and improved its anti-cheat system with the help of AI. This way, more cheaters should be caught and banned. However, this mainly involved in-game bans. This time, however, it is said that there were VAC bans in the millions.

Start video
Counter-Strike 2: Valve once again impresses with the launch trailer

4.5 million players are said to have been banned

How many players have been banned? On X, the user Ozzny_CS2 reports that according to the website csstats.gg, a total of 4.5 million players are said to have been banned, which would account for almost 15 percent of the total player base.

What kind of ban is this? It is particularly interesting to note that this time it is said not to be in-game bans, but according to the statistics, 4.5 million VAC bans have been issued. VAC is Valve’s anti-cheat system, and the operators describe on Steam that such a ban is permanent and cannot be lifted.

How is the community reacting to these numbers? Under the post on X, players are extensively discussing this topic. Many users believe that the number of cheaters is at least twice as high as the number of accounts that have now been banned.

Some users have written:

  • t1bmag writes on X: Let’s double this number and the true number is 1/4 of the players who cheat… pathetic
  • HyperionXTV notes on X: However, the number of unbanned cheaters could presumably be twice as high
  • R1kduv comments on X: And these are just the ones that got caught. There are still so many running free on the streets of Premier.

Cheating is also a well-known problem not only in Counter-Strike. In games like Destiny 2, it is an ongoing issue as well. However, the creators of Destiny 2 managed to deal a significant first blow against a cheat provider. You can read about what happened in the process here: Destiny 2 delivers a significant blow against cheat providers – Could this change gaming

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

Fans have been demanding a Paladin in Diablo 4 since its release – The director explains why you won’t be getting it now

Blizzard has revealed the first information about the new class Spiritborn in the first expansion of Diablo 4, Vessel of Hatred. Although the class has been largely well received so far, a significant portion of fans still demands a Paladin. Now, franchise head Rod Fergusson has responded.

This is the new class:

This is what the head says: In an interview with GamesRadar+, Diablo’s General Manager Rod Fergusson explains how the decision to introduce the new class was made. He says:

I am excited, but we are hearing very loudly [your demand for the] sword-and-board Paladin, Crusader fantasy, which we are not currently fulfilling. But we wanted to create an opportunity to do something new based on the region we are adding.

Rod Fergusson to GamesRadar+

They want to create something that is “creatively interesting” and brings “a new experience.” The Game Director of Vessel of Hatred, Brent Gibson, adds that this is a unique opportunity.

Gibson says: “We have delivered the fantasies that people are used to. Now we have a little room for something new.” Spiritborn will have their full reveal on July 18.

Blizzard has released the release date together with the intro cinematic of Vessel of Hatred:

Start video
Trailer for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred provides insight into the story of the expansion

“I have no interest in the new class”

Fans have been demanding a Paladin or Crusader as a new class since the release of Diablo 4 for some time. Players feel that this type of gameplay is currently missing from the game. Simply because there are shields that currently nobody really uses, except perhaps a few Necromancers.

Even after the recent announcement of the release of Vessel of Hatred and the accompanying information about Spiritborn and other contents, the calls for a Paladin remain loud.

On Reddit, for example, a user asks if others are as excited for Spiritborn, to which a comment with hundreds of upvotes responds:

Not me, certainly. I don’t hate them either, but I have absolutely 0 interest in them. I wanted a knight-type class that runs around with a one-handed weapon and shield or some specs that use a two-handed weapon and have aura mechanics from Diablo 2.

Possible_Baboon on Reddit

Other players add that Spiritborn apparently draw inspiration from Aztec, Mesoamerican warriors. They are known for their fighting with spear and shield – so at least that seems to be a likely playstyle.

While the debate about the class continues, Blizzard has already announced that mercenaries will come in Vessel of Hatred. Players have also been demanding this since the release. Mercenaries will accompany you on your journey and can learn skills similar to Diablo 3. And Blizzard has even fulfilled another wish: New patch brings companions exactly how fans want them since release.

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

Zelda fan works for 30 hours on a master sword, gives it to his 8-year-old as a reward

In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there are so many side activities that players can easily lose track and may not reach the end of the main story. A father motivated his eight-year-old son with a reward to complete the Switch title. He proudly posted a picture of a gift that his son will likely enjoy.

What is this reward? reddit user linuxknight created a Master Sword with the help of a 3D printer. He used two devices at the same time that printed the sword within 30 hours.

He posted the picture of the sword in the reddit forum. As a size comparison, he placed an apple next to it. The fruit is about the same size as the Triforce that adorns the sword:

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How did he make the sword? For the sword, linuxknight didn’t need to use any paint, as the original material already had the right color. He used so-called filament. This consists of thermoplastic plastics sold in wire form on spools and are heated and “cast” into the desired shape when 3D printing.

But the Master Sword alone is a true work of art. Although it is a simple sword, it has all the details from the game. The user even thought of the ornate hilt and the wings on the side.

Further projects planned: By the way, it won’t just stop with the sword: the user plans to create a sword sheath and a wall mount so that his son can proudly display his sword in his room.

No wonder linuxknight chose a Master Sword as a reward for completion: he has spent over 1,100 hours in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, as well as playing all Zelda titles since the NES.

Here you can watch the corresponding trailer for the game:

Start video
Trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom shows what to expect in the game

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a hefty game

Is it that hard to complete the game? The Master Sword could have been the right reward for the son. As mentioned earlier, the game has numerous side quests where an eight-year-old could easily lose motivation to finish the story.

Side activities include:

  • Building a personal house
  • Unlocking all the Great Fairies and their equipment upgrades
  • Completing all Shrines
  • Finding all Koroks

In addition, there are many more secrets, quests, and puzzles that the game presents to players. According to HowLongToBeat, it should take 239 hours to complete everything in TotK. User linuxknight has proven that it can take even longer – as he has spent 1,100 hours combined in both titles.

On average, it is said to take 59 hours to complete the main story. A time where an eight-year-old could lose patience. Therefore, the Master Sword as a reward was the right motivation to encourage his own son to complete the game.

However, the playtime can vary from player to player. It might even be possible to go directly to the final boss without having collected heart pieces or special equipment beforehand. But there are also cases where players take much longer than expected: Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Female player is frustrated for 40 hours due to a wrong turn

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

The new ‘Life is Strange’ has a big catch: ‘This is so disgusting for such a game’

The new Life is Strange looks great – but there’s one thing clouding the anticipation. Because if you don’t want spoilers, you have to dig deep into your pockets.

One of the big announcements in recent days was the announcement of a new installment in the “Life is Strange” series. Titled “Double Exposure,” we see what has become of Max Caulfield and how she must once again make use of her powers.

But a discussion overshadows the game’s announcement in the community. Square Enix is offering a particularly expensive “Ultimate Edition” that allows you to play part of the game in advance – which could ruin the experience for the rest of the fans.

Start video
Life is Strange: Double Exposure – Return to Max Caulfield

What’s the problem? Anyone who pays a proud €80 (which is €30 more than the regular price of the game) will not only receive additional content, like another quest, but also a full 2 weeks of early access to the first two story chapters of the game.

Life is Strange tells its story in episodes – but releases them all at once. Only those who buy the expensive version will experience an episodic release as it was with the first Life is Strange, with a 2-week pause in between.

Why is this not good? The “Life is Strange” series is primarily a story experience. No matter which installment of the series it is, the plot and drama take center stage in the game and form the great appeal.

The accusation here is: Square Enix wants to “indirectly force” long-time fans to buy the expensive version. Only then can fans relive the episodic release of the first part and not have to basically avoid the internet for two weeks to avoid spoilers.

Especially the long-time, loyal fans might feel compelled to dig deeper into their pockets to not jeopardize their gaming experience with spoilers.

The first part of Life is Strange still holds significant value for many – and this nostalgia seems to be something they want to profit from financially.

The community discusses: In the Life is Strange community, this practice by Square Enix is viewed extremely critically. Heated discussions are taking place on social media like Reddit and X.

  • “I LOVE Life is Strange, but a €30 upgrade for 2 weeks of early access is just a shame. If you don’t want spoilers, you have to pay an extra €30. Hell with that.
    You people at Life is Strange and Square Enix have lost your minds …”
    Steven Korkowsky on X
  • “I’m so looking forward to it!
    What I’m not looking forward to are the incentives for people to buy the Ultimate Edition to play the first two chapters two weeks earlier.
    That’s just disgusting for such a game.”
    Tyler Miller on X
  • “People will buy it on day one because they have the money and love Max. I hate this practice so much, especially in a genre where spoilers can ruin the experience.”Oddlyoko97 on Reddit

However, most seem to agree that early access of a few days would be okay – but 2 weeks is such a long time that it’s nearly impossible to avoid spoilers on the internet.

What is Life is Strange: Double Exposure about? In the latest installment of the “Life is Strange” series, we return to the origins of the game – namely to the first protagonist, Max Caulfield. She has now aged a bit and devoted herself entirely to photography. But one night, a good friend of Max is suddenly murdered. Although she never wanted to use her powers again, Max focuses and tears reality apart. There are now two different timelines – one in which her friend is still alive and one in which she is already dead.

Through detective work and tough decisions in both timelines, Max wants to prevent the assassination attempt – and save more than just one life.

Are you looking forward to the new Life is Strange? What do you think about the early access? A nice bonus for the Ultimate Edition or just an outrage in a game that places such a high value on story? Life is Strange has had some unpleasant scandals in recent months and years – there was even a developer who wanted to smuggle Nazi symbolism into the game.

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

„Al Bundy“ would have been almost fired in Married… with Children before the series really started.

When thinking of Married… with Children, one immediately thinks of Al Bundy and his actor Ed O’Neill. However, as he revealed in an interview, he was not wanted at first and was almost fired.

What is Married… with Children?

  • The sitcom aired from 1987 to 1997 and has 11 seasons.
  • The series tells the everyday life of the four-member Bundy family.
  • The series is a classic sitcom in terms of its narrative structure, where the starting situation of each episode is similar.
  • A fan favorite is the head of the family, Al Bundy, with his typically bad mood.

The series enjoys a huge cult status, including in Germany. This is mainly due to the iconic main actor Ed O’Neill, who plays the likably unlikable father. In an interview, he recently revealed that he was almost fired before the series really took off.

Real family constellations existed in NCIS: One of the longest TV series had father and son working together – But nobody noticed it

An another iconic family is introduced in Malcolm in the Middle:

Start video
English trailer for Season 1 of Malcolm in the Middle

O’Neill was initially unwanted

In the The Rich Eisen Show on YouTube, Ed O’Neill also spoke about his beginnings with Married… with Children, the English name for Married… with Children, and how he was actually not wanted at all. Barry Diller, who was responsible for the production of the series at the time, did not want him for the role.

At that time, he was not a known name and mainly appeared in TV movies. The other parties involved wanted him, but according to O’Neill, Diller only said: Do what you want. Later, he supposedly called to ask if they had finally gotten rid of O’Neill.

To make it even harder for O’Neill, he set the production to only one episode, even though Fox had actually bought 12 right away. He also set the condition that if the pilot episode did not work, the series would never be made if O’Neill was hired. O’Neill himself was apparently unaware of this until a month before the interview.

However, with O’Neill, the series worked, was realized, and ran for 11 years. In the interview, O’Neill also mentions that Diller apologized at an award show: You know, I was wrong about you. O’Neill reportedly replied only: We all make [mistakes].

At the end of the segment, O’Neill expresses understanding towards Diller’s initial hesitation: You can’t blame him for hesitating about me, because he didn’t know who I was; they didn’t know a thing about me. Ultimately, it paid off for all those involved to hold onto O’Neill, who became the probably most iconic character of the series. If you want more series like this, then check out this list: 5 series like Married… with Children

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

Player finds genius trick to hide cables in his PC: Others warn him about fire hazard

A player shows off his beautified case and hopes for recognition for his great idea. But his post backfires. Because many warn against his idea and do not find it funny at all.

A user proudly displays his computer: He not only managed to hide the stupid cables, but also to fill all the empty spaces in his PC. In his picture on reddit, you can see that the user has filled about half of the case with blossoms in a Sakura style.

However, the community’s reaction to the player’s brilliant idea is very subdued.

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

Fire hazard and dust from decoration in the computer?

What is the criticism? As enthusiastic as the player is about his idea, he is equally surprised by the reaction from other players. They can specifically think of two things they criticize about the idea:

  • On the one hand, some players warn of a potential fire hazard that could arise from the computer. The blossoms would insulate heat inside the computer.
  • On the other hand, other users point out that these blossoms will attract dust. And that will lead to further problems.

In a case where a gaming PC caught fire, one of the causes was likely melted plastic dripping onto the power supply. In the case with the sea of blossoms in the PC, some also fear that the blossoms could get too hot. One player therefore speculates:

[The blossoms are a] super dust attractor, which can then attract static electricity that could theoretically destroy the hardware through a discharge or, in the worst case, catch fire, resulting in damage to the hardware.

What was the reaction? The player did not let the criticism slide and tested the temperatures of his system in another thread on reddit. The result: Generally, the temperatures remain between 33 and 40 degrees according to measurements.

Many components have fuses built in to protect against problems

Fuses in the gaming PC: In general, it is quite unlikely that a computer can catch fire on its own. Because all components have built-in protective mechanisms that aim to prevent major issues. In the event of a sudden power surge or spike, your power supply should prevent worse. Therefore, always ensure that your power supply is equipped with three important fuses:

  • Short circuit protection (SCP): Should prevent the power supply or other components from being damaged in the event of a short circuit.
  • Overload protection (OPP): If the power supply is heavily loaded, it should cause the power supply to shut down. And precisely that was likely missing in the case where the PC caught fire.
  • Over/Under current protection (U/OCP): This should protect the power supply and components from a too-strong voltage drop or rise.

What about figures and decoration in the PC? Many gamers and also experts advise against putting additional material in the gaming PC. This especially includes plastic items that can get warm and then possibly melt. For example, colleagues from proxymitejapon.com state that temperatures of around 30 degrees are not a problem for figures and similar items. However, already at temperatures of over 40 degrees in the case, there is a risk that figures could become soft. If you do not have good ventilation in your system, you should definitely refrain from placing figures or other items in your gaming PC.

How high is the fire hazard? Defective components or a faulty power supply can lead to a fire if the fuses are no longer functioning. For example, power cables for Nvidia’s RTX 4090 repeatedly melt and some see a potential fire hazard here.

Many users hope now that Nvidia will return to normal PCIe power cables with its next generation of graphics cards (RTX 5000) and abolish the 12VHPWR connector again, which causes so many problems and risks.

Other people destroy their graphics card themselves because they are not careful and leave their computer completely alone: A player’s AMD graphics card dies because he left his gaming PC completely alone for 30 minutes

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

Zombie shooter returns with a new trailer; should bring more intense co-op battles and more realistic enemy reactions

Four whole years after the first announcement, there was finally a sign of life from State of Decay 3. During the Xbox Showcase 2024, a trailer of about 3 minutes was shown, and it looks like they had The Walking Dead in mind as a video game.

What is State of Decay 3? State of Decay 3 will be the latest installment in the third-person shooter series State of Decay. The games are developed by Undead Labs. The publisher is Microsoft Studios or Xbox Game Studios.

In the 2 released and 1 announced games so far, you control your character through a zombie-infested open world. You must survive, find and fortify camps, and locate other survivors.

After State of Decay 3 was announced four years ago during the Microsoft Showcase 2020, there has finally been sign of life again. The latest trailer contains CGI scenes according to the developer, but also gameplay:

Start video
After 4 years there are finally signs of life from State of Decay 3 with a new trailer

Fighting zombies like in The Walking Dead

What do we know about the game? The official Xbox news site Xbox Wire published information from chief developer Philip Holt regarding the release of the trailer. They describe State of Decay 3 not as a typical zombie or survival game. The main themes are perseverance, community, and the clever mastering of challenges.

The game is not intended to be a classic hero story, but to tell a story of environmental transformation. This, in turn, is supposed to tease out the most important survival traits from the characters: ingenuity, resilience, adaptability, and collectivism.

Specifically, the trailer focuses on four characters that you should be able to control in the game. Various types of zombies can also be seen: normal, slowly staggering standard zombies, threateningly large ones with glowing insides, or monstrous zombies that look like multiple fused undead.

In fact, the video and the idea behind it remind of the TV series The Walking Dead: The world is overrun by zombies, and the survivors must work together to stay alive.

As the game progresses, the group of survivors is also supposed to grow larger. In fact, State of Decay 3 is said to feature a Shared Open World, similar to what exists in Diablo 4. According to Philip Holt, the idea is that solo runs are more restricted than in previous versions and there should be more reactive co-op gameplay.

When will State of Decay 3 be released? Unfortunately, there are still no details on a concrete release date for State of Decay 3. The game is still in development. More information is supposed to be released at a later time, which is not specified.

The Microsoft Showcase 2024 did indeed show some cool new trailers and games. For Fallout 76, Bethesda also released a video teasing a really exciting content update: In Fallout 76, you can soon be like the coolest character from the Amazon series

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Eurogamer
  2. PC Gamer

MeinMMO is looking for freelance writers for Tech and Hardware

We are looking for authors who want to support us in the areas of tech and hardware from home office.

With MeinMMO, we reach several million people every month who share our enthusiasm for multiplayer games, gaming hardware, and tech. Here, you’ll find articles and videos with stories, guides, opinions, recommendations, or interviews.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for freelance authors who can support us with reporting on tech and hardware. You should enjoy informing our readers about cool gadgets, useful tips, and DIY hacks, and sharing your knowledge about tech and cool gadgets. Here’s what you should bring:

  • you should have a passion for hardware and tech.
  • you are interested in the stories gamers tell about their tech.
  • you enjoy getting inspired online.
  • you can spend hours setting up your perfect setup, love details and nuances that you want to showcase.
  • a willingness to delve into topics deeply and research.
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This is a plus, but not a must: You already have experience in the media field and may have even gained rudimentary SEO knowledge. 

Perhaps you have already reported on your own blog, worked for another website, or own your own channel on Twitch, TikTok, or YouTube.

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Are you interested in hardware and tech, do you already have various gadgets accompanying you in your daily life, or are you excited about well-known personalities in the tech world like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates?

Can you spend hours setting up your perfect gaming setup or have you already bought a box of accessories for the PS5 that you want to present to everyone, or do you constantly seek new inspirations for tips, tricks, and new devices that you absolutely want to try on YouTube and similar platforms? Then our work might be ideal for you.

In the area of “tech and hardware,” we report for gamers who engage with tech in their everyday lives.

As an author, you enter the community, sharing and reporting on their passions. Whether entertaining anecdotes or quick tips on how to perfectly set up your next PC setup or new gaming console. Or how to configure the coolest RGB lighting for your desk.

How do we work?

The work style: You independently research exciting stories that come your way on YouTube, Reddit, or other sources. You write guides, tips, or present gadgets you are passionate about or find interesting.

Together with the editorial team, you plan the topics you report on. You work with analysis tools like Google Trends to find the most pressing topics for our readers. You write articles that fit MeinMMO and our community.

The timing: You can work for MeinMMO for a few hours at least three days a week. Up to 20 hours per week are possible. More than 20 hours are also possible upon agreement.

The payment: The fee is calculated on an hourly basis in the news room, not per article or by character count.

What do we offer?

  • Access to a successful gaming & hardware editorial team
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WoW ends after years, introduces ‘good’ affixes – with a new problem

World of Warcraft revises the affixes for dungeons. A part of the player base cheers – another group is furious.

The beta of World of Warcraft: The War Within has been running for a few days and many already have access – not least because of the Epic Edition, which allows one to simply purchase beta access. Many have already reached the maximum level and the next phase of testing is upon us: Mythic+.

Blizzard presents a number of new affixes and removes old ones.

Start video
WoW: The War Within – All the major features of the new expansion

What new affixes are there? In total, Blizzard is bringing 4 new affixes that will appear starting at the difficulty “Mythic+4”. They are designed to be simple in their design and to act more passively than actively. This way, the focus should be more on the dungeon and the creatures rather than on the affixes. The new affixes are:

  • Reckless: Non-bosses without mana ignore 20% of armor with their attacks, but their armor is reduced by 30% and they take 10% increased Arcane damage.
  • Thorned: Non-bosses without mana deal physical damage to their attackers, but take 10% increased Holy and Shadow damage.
  • Attuned: Non-bosses without mana deal 20% additional magic damage, but take 10% additional Nature damage and 30% increased damage from bleeding effects.
  • Focused: Non-bosses without mana have 30% increased speed but take 10% increased Frost and Fire damage.

All these affixes only affect “enemies without mana” that are “not bosses” – apparently, enemy spellcasters are not meant to be strengthened, which has previously led to very nasty “one-hit” abilities.

Which affixes are disappearing? As part of this overhaul, some other affixes are being completely removed from the system and will likely not be used in the near future. The removed affixes are:

  • Afflicted
  • Incorporeal
  • Entangling
  • Storming
  • Volcanic

These affixes significantly influenced gameplay and caused some dungeons to be entirely avoided during their respective weeks.

What is the problem with the new affixes? The new affixes are being heavily debated in the community. While many view it positively that affixes also have a strengthening component, most find this limitation rather problematic. In weeks when, for example, the Shadow damage taken by enemies is increased, one would gladly take a Shadow Priest – in all other weeks, this character could have trouble finding a group.

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The same problem is likely to affect most DPS characters, who ultimately are particularly in demand only in one of four weeks.

As the community tends to orient itself towards the optimum, which is usually demonstrated by the professionals, there is great concern that all classes that cannot currently fulfill the “affix of the week” will no longer find a group. However, one should keep in mind that this is still beta testing. By the release at the end of August, a lot can change and if the feedback is accordingly, Blizzard will likely make adjustments.

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

Twitch streamer Gronkh likes the new unofficial Settlers so much that he is now in the game – And people love it

The well-known Twitch streamer Gronkh has taken on a new voice role in the game “Pioneers of Pagonia.” He not only voices regular dialogues, but also an old running gag from his Let’s Plays is included.

The German Twitch streamer Gronkh has also established himself as a voice actor in recent years. His distinctive voice, known from numerous livestreams and Let’s Plays, has already found its way into several films and video games.

Now the streamer has taken on a new voice role in the recently released game “Pioneers of Pagonia.”

What kind of game is this? “Pioneers of Pagonia” is a construction game with elements of an economic simulation and a strategy game. Developed by Envision Entertainment under the direction of Volker Wertich, one of the pioneers of the Settlers series, the game aims to make many Settlers fans happy.

Since December 13, 2023, in Early Access, it combines traditional gameplay elements with innovative features. Maurice Weber, a renowned expert in construction games, sees great potential in this title and is convinced that it could exceed the expectations of fans.

Here you can learn more about the game:

Start video
Pioneers of Pagonia trailer shows what to expect in a Settlers-like game

Gronkh as a voice in the new mining update

How was the streamer integrated into the update? On June 6, 2024, the developers of “Pioneers of Pagonia” surprised their fans with a post on the social media platform X. In this post, they introduced the new mining update with a small trailer, which will be released on June 25, 2024.

Especially exciting for the fans: Gronkh’s voice can also be heard in this trailer, where he voiced various sounds for a geologist. From humming to little songs to whistling and various exclamations like “Ah” and “Oh” – Gronkh’s voice is present in many details of the game.

However, the highlight of the update was a part where the geologist sings a specific little song: “Coal, Coal, Coal.”

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The origin of the song “Coal, Coal, Coal”

What is the origin of this running gag? The song “Coal, Coal, Coal” originated during Gronkh’s Minecraft Let’s Plays.

This song quickly became a running gag and remained in the memory of many fans (via Gronkh Wiki). The scene from episode 49 of his Minecraft series became particularly famous: While Gronkh was wandering around the map, he discovered a cave and immediately began mining coal, singing:

Coal, coal, coal – coal, coal, coal!
Coal, coal, coal – coal, coal, coal!
Cool coal – la, la, la!
Cool coal – tralala!
Coal, coal, coal – coal, coal, coal!
Coal, coal – coal, coal, coal!
Coal, coal, shubdiduu…

Now this legendary coal song has also found its way into “Pioneers of Pagonia” and provides a funny and nostalgic moment for those who know and love Gronkh’s streams.

“This is what you would expect from Settlers”

Why does the streamer like the game? Gronkh has always been a big fan of the Settlers series. That’s why he was particularly excited when he found out that Volker Wertich, one of the pioneers of the Settlers series, was involved in the development of “Pioneers of Pagonia.”

During the game’s presentation, when he reacted live in a stream to the trailer, Gronkh clearly expressed his anticipation. He said that “Pioneers of Pagonia” could be the game that one would expect from Settlers.

During the stream, he excitedly listed some of the buildings that looked familiar to him and added: “I see paths, I see the settlers running around here with little boxes. There are carriers, and there are even people talking. This is what you would expect from Settlers. I also see farms back there.”

The ratings for Pioneers of Pagonia on Steam are 84% “Very Positive.” Nevertheless, the streamer Gronkh warns against relying solely on reviews, especially for other games on Steam. What his concerns are and why he questions the significance of these ratings, you can find out here: Gronkh explains why you shouldn’t trust reviews on Steam

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

Twitch streamer and multimillionaire wants to clean up his messy house because visitors are getting sick and it “debuffs” him

Twitch streamer Asmongold reveals the shocking state of his house, including mold and a possible dead animal. He is determined to put an end to this situation now, without cleaners.

Who is the streamer? For years, Twitch streamer Asmongold has thrilled millions of viewers worldwide with his content. His expertise in various games, especially in World of Warcraft, has earned him a loyal fan base.

But while he acts confidently on screen, a very different reality reveals itself off-camera – that of his chaotic home.

You can learn more about the streamer here:

Start video
Career and life of Asmongold in 3 minutes – What makes him special?

What are his living conditions like? For years, the Twitch streamer has lived in a state of immeasurable disorder and oppressive chaos, which is no longer a well-kept secret.

However, while he claims that the mess does not bother him, his visitors report very different experiences.

His visitors experienced rashes and shortness of breath

What do the visitors say? Earlier this year, his father visited unexpectedly. But what he found there left him in shock. “I couldn’t even walk through the living room to go to the bathroom,” reported Asmongold Senior.

In a recent livestream, Asmongold shared about a visit from YouTuber Tectone, who reported experiencing breathing problems after his stay in the streamer’s house, which did not subside even after leaving.

He also mentioned that streamer Emiru, who visited the house, later complained of skin rashes. Similar problems were reported by Kaise after her visit. Asmongold’s girlfriend at the time had announced that she would “conquer the kingdom of cockroaches,” but apparently had to abandon her noble endeavor.

Asmongold emphasized that viewers could hardly imagine how bad the actual condition of his house is. The cleanup operation he is planning will take weeks to eliminate the chaos and the health-threatening conditions.

In this video, you can get a glimpse of the state of the house:

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Streamer thinks he has at least one dead animal in the house

How bad is the condition really? Asmongold shared in one of his recent streams that he feels there is at least one dead animal in his house. “I’m about 70% sure. And it’s been there for a while. Also, there’s mold and shit everywhere,” he said.

Back in 2022, he spoke about little creatures in his house that apparently made their way into his bathroom due to a pest infestation. Asmongold reported a clogged half of his sink, filled with black water and a lot of trash.

The situation had led to bugs regularly ending up in his bathtub. He admits that he simply showered with the bugs before he finally wanted to deal with the problem – which he apparently has not done yet.

He wants to put an end to the chaos now

What decision has he made? This multitude of experiences has brought about a change in Asmongold that now drives him to put an end to the years of chaos in his home.

Although he has persistently emphasized that the mess does not cause him much distress and even pointed out that he has no breathing problems in his house, his attitude has changed recently.

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The house “debuffs” him

What prompted him? He admitted that he now feels somehow “weakened” by the state of his house, as if he has a debuff.

This shift in his perception has led him to make a firm decision: “I feel this inner urge to clean my house. I mean it seriously. I have a strong feeling that I will actually clean my house. I will.”

A “debuff” is a weakness effect in an MMORPG. Unlike a “buff,” which strengthens a character, a debuff causes a character to deal less damage, take more damage, or become more susceptible to certain damage types.

How does he want to tackle it? Asmongold continued: “There is mold and such shit all over the bathroom walls. That’s life, that’s how it is. And that’s why I have to clean it. It never really bothered me because I can breathe well. If someone tried to clean my house, they would need a mask.”

Despite the unhygienic conditions, Asmongold has announced that he will take action himself and clean up his home. He wants to document the transformation and share before-and-after pictures on social media.

At the beginning of this year, an older clip of Asmongold went viral. In the video, a cockroach crawls over the streamer, who skillfully captures and removes the insect. You can learn more about it here: “How can you live like this?” – Millions watch as Twitch streamer Asmongold calmly catches a cockroach.

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

Unge’s ex-girlfriend says she lost her job because of her statements – ‘Sick unfair’

A few days ago, a storm of outrage was unleashed against the German Twitch streamer Simon Unge. An ex-girlfriend of his, known as Rachel, accused Unge of, among other things, treating her cat very poorly. Since then, Unge has taken a career break. However, it seems that Rachel is now also facing negative consequences because of the incident. On Twitter, she writes that she has lost her job due to the issue.

What were her accusations against Unge? Rachel had accused Unge of:

  • Having treated her poorly and made jokes at her expense, such as introducing her as a “catalog bride.”
  • Isolating her socially and trying to sever her relationship with her sister and family in Germany.
  • Additionally, he behaved very erratically towards her, sometimes rejecting her and other times showering her with love.

A large portion of the criticism was directed at Unge’s treatment of her cat Tyga. Unge was said to have waged a feud with the cat and behaved incorrectly in many situations involving him. There were even claims that he threw a suitcase at the cat, yelled at him, and took away his retreat options.

Start video
Ex-girlfriend makes serious allegations against Twitch streamer Unge – This is what he says about it


Unge admitted to mistakes, called the relationship “toxic from both sides”

How does Unge respond to this? Unge initially made fun of parts of the criticism and said he was being portrayed completely wrongly.

However, ultimately he admitted to mistakes and announced a break from his career. While he said that he does not agree with all of Rachel’s accusations, he acknowledged that the relationship was toxic and that he did not always “behave correctly.” However, he denied accusations that he had been violent towards the cat or Rachel.

The relationship was toxic from both sides. He himself had been emotionally dependent in the relationship.

“Guess who is now unemployed?”

This is what Rachel says now: In a post on Twitter, Rachel, who has only a small presence on social media, says she lost her job due to the conflict with Unge. It should not have been a reason for termination and there was no justification given for the dismissal, but the conflict was the reason for her firing.

How is this being discussed? Many well-known Twitch streamers express their solidarity with Rachel.

Vick, who was also a central figure in the conflict surrounding Unge, says: “This is simply incredibly unfair. I hope you find something new and better soon.”

https://twitter.com/iBlali/status/1800097950947008640

Shurjoka comments sharply: This is supposedly one of those cases where a woman has dared to speak out about injustices in order to push her career.

Opinion bloggers like AlphaKevin respond with disbelief.

In recent weeks, there has been a lot of discord on Twitch. A chain reaction was set in motion that actually began quite innocently with a question and a donation of 2.50€: How 2.50€ plunged German Twitch into chaos and led to the career end of 2 influencers

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

In the new raid of Destiny 2, one class hardly played a role, players complain: “It was quite demoralizing”

The new raid from Destiny 2, “Edge of Salvation”, has been completed by the first players. Many Guardians tried their luck, but one class was hardly played.

What kind of raid is this?

Here you can watch the trailer for the raid “Edge of Salvation”:

Start video
Destiny 2: The Final Shape „Edge of Salvation“ Raid Trailer

Hunters dominate, Titans are ignored

Which class was hardly played? The Titan. The Reddit user “selpix_” looked at every team from the top 50 on the website Raid Report and documented which classes they played. Then he calculated how often each class was represented.

In the “Top 50”, these are the first 50 teams that defeated the Witness and successfully completed the raid “Edge of Salvation”. However, he notes in the comments under the post that some teams were displayed multiple times on the “Raid Report” page, so it is rather the Top 48.

selpix subsequently represented the percentage of each class in a pie chart. You can see the Reddit post including the chart here:

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How often was each class played? According to selpix’s calculations, 74% of all players in the Top 48 who completed the raid played a Hunter. In second place is the Warlock with a pickrate of 25%. The Titan was used by only 1% of players.

Overall, according to selpix, there were only 3 players in the Top 48 who finished the raid with a Titan. One of them is the American YouTuber and streamer Aztecross, who is very well-known in the Destiny 2 community.

New Exo Sniper leads Hunters to glory

Why was the Titan played so rarely? The Titan simply lost in direct comparison to the Hunter. Many players are convinced that the Titan lacks a strong super that can deal damage at long distances in boss fights like against the Witness (via Reddit).

Furthermore, the Hunter can deal significant damage during damage phases with the new exotic sniper rifle “Endless Hunt”, as the “Golden Gun Sniper” synergizes with the helmet “Heavenly Night Hawk”.

The Titan, on the other hand, not only lost out as a damage dealer but also as a healer. The Warlock continued to be brought along as a healer, which is why many teams played a combination of five Hunters and one Warlock. The Titan was left on the bench.

After the first team successfully completed the raid “Edge of Salvation”, Bungie released a new mission that can be played with 12 players and concludes the story of the saga of Light and Darkness after 10 years: In Destiny 2, there is for the first time a mission for 12 players: It concludes the story after 10 years

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

The face of the most important eSports award in gaming is throwing everything away: “I am so disappointed with the people up there”

Esports in gaming is on fire. The “Esports Awards”, which have been awarded since 2015, have entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia. The face of the award, host Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez, is quitting and criticizing the award: He cannot justify collaborating with Saudi Arabia. This is now exactly the shitstorm that Blizzard was able to avoid with Overwatch in January.

Here’s Goldenboy’s announcement:

Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez is one of the most well-known casters in esports. He is especially known for Overwatch. On Twitter, he wrote on June 8:

  • He will no longer host the Esports Awards and has also resigned from the panel with immediate effect.
  • He is very disappointed with the leadership of the ESA – it is their decision in which direction they steer their business. But he is now making his decision as well.
  • Events that are completely supported by the Saudi Arabian government do not align with his personal or professional values. For him, it is therefore right not to invest time or energy in such events.

Esports is a big topic. The German influencer HandOfBlood has succeeded in bringing his LoL team into the mainstream:

Start video
HandOfBlood wanted to change e-sports with his LoL team, now he is finally the German champion

The award ceremony had 22 million viewers in 2023

What kind of award is this? The “Esports Awards” have been presented since 2015 and have gained significant importance over the last decade. According to the organizers, they reached over 22 million viewers in 2023.

They see themselves as the “de facto platform” to help esports gain recognition.

Award moves from Las Vegas to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia

What is it about? The “Esports Awards” announced on July 7 that they have entered into a three-year partnership with the “Esports World Cup.” And that the awards will be presented this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This engagement of Saudi Arabia in esports, backed by significant money, is seen as part of so-called “sportswashing.” This refers to improving a country’s image by hosting sporting events.

Saudi Arabia is considered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be a country accused of many human rights violations. Particularly the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is repeatedly cited as a reason why collaboration with Saudi Arabia is not morally justifiable.

Western companies are also criticized for advocating the freedom of the LGBTQ community during Pride Month, only to collaborate with a country where homosexuality is socially taboo and even punishable by death.

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At Blizzard, the deal with Saudi Arabia went almost unnoticed

What does this have to do with Blizzard? Blizzard had shut down the Overwatch League but announced in January 2024 that they wanted to collaborate with Saudi Arabia.

Particularly pungent here: Some characters in Overwatch, including Tracer, are openly homosexual.

But Blizzard’s decision passed almost unnoticed at that time. The decision of the Esports Awards is not.

The discussion about Saudi Arabia as a sponsor in gaming has been raging for several years. But reactions change from case to case. In 2020, there was a very similar discussion surrounding League of Legends: LoL League unleashes PR nightmare, must retract everything after 14 hours

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 doesn’t really need 300 GB – Activision comments on the subject

The latest installments of the Call of Duty series have been known to take up quite a bit of storage space. Now there is new information about the latest installment Black Ops 6. It seems that the game will even be the biggest installment in the series, but this will come at the expense of your hard drive.

Update from June 11, 2024: Activision has now commented on the 300 GB and explained that you don’t need everything. Accordingly, the article has been updated with new information.

What is it about? At this year’s Xbox Showcase, Activision showed new news and content for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The game also fulfills many fan wishes, such as a classic zombie mode. The game, which is set to be released on October 25, 2024, can already be pre-ordered.

On the Xbox page for the game, there are also technical specifications for the game. The most interesting aspect is the size of the game. The approximate size of the game is given as 309.85 GB.

This is enormous, especially considering that the Xbox Series X has 1 TB without expansion and the original version of the Series S has only 512 GB of storage. One must keep in mind that you cannot use the full stated storage size. Even on the Xbox Series X, it will be difficult to have several AAA games installed.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 shows its new movement:

Start video
CoD: Black Ops 6 shows the new Omni-Movement in gameplay

A true monster for the hard drive

Why is Black Ops 6 so large? You no longer just download the current game with Call of Duty, but also Warzone. You have to do this if you want to play Modern Warfare 3, for example, at the moment. Additionally, you also download the launcher CPD HQ.

Now both Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone state on their Xbox Store page that you will likely need 309.85 GB. Within its update history, the game will only get larger over time.

On Steam, there is currently no information about the required storage space. For Modern Warfare 3, you need 149 GB, or only 78 GB if you have Warzone and CPD HQ already installed. So if you already have Warzone, the download for Black Ops 6 might be smaller. As Esports.gg reported back then, the PC version of Modern Warfare 3 was even larger than the console versions.

Status June 11, 2024: On X CoD has now commented on the matter and clarified that you do not have to download the full 309.85 GB. The size consists of MW 2, MW 3, Warzone, content packs, and voice outputs. In the tweet, they clarify that you do not have to download all of that. They also state that the correct download size will be displayed in the future.

Whether and when there will be a preload is still unknown. If you have poor internet, you should definitely plan enough time for downloading, because over 300 GB is quite a lot. What size the game will have on Steam will probably be announced in the coming weeks, but you can expect it to be enormous. If you own the Game Pass, you can even play the game for free: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be “free” for millions of players

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

The long-time best German player in LoL complains about unfair criticism after finishing last 3 times

The 24-year-old Elias “Upset” Lipp was long considered the best German player in League of Legends, until around 2023. During his time with Schalke, he was regarded as a great talent, and during his 2 years with Fnatic, he was statistically a giant. However, since 2023, his career seems to be in crisis. For 3 consecutive splits, Upset’s teams finished last in the LEC. This has now been criticized, but Upset does not accept the criticism.

Who is the best German player in LoL? That’s hard to say because the most successful pros in the LEC play three different positions:

For fans of Eintracht Spandau, PowerOfEvil is probably the big star:

Start video
HandOfBlood wanted to change e-sports with his LoL team, now he is finally the German champion

What problem does Upset have? During a match between Upset’s team, Karmine Corp, and the MAD Lions, a comparison was drawn between Upset and the Spanish player Supa (23).

The caster Andrew “Vedius” Day (31) said:

  • Supa had already reached the finals in his first split.
  • While Upset finished 10th and thus last in the LEC for 3 consecutive times. He was referencing Upset’s poor phase at Team Vitality and the 10th place in the Spring Split 2024, where Karmine Corp also had a 2-7 record, finishing in 10th place.

Vedius’s statement could certainly be interpreted as him directly blaming Upset for his teams’ poor performances.

Currently, Karmine Corp is in 4th place with a 1-1 record in the still young LEC Summer Season 2024.

Upset is disturbed by the criticism: Context and nuances were missing

This bothers Upset: The German says he does not understand why casters spread such a negative narrative without providing important context or considering how it could affect the careers of players or coaches when they say these things:

“There are no nuances; you just put people down when they are having a bad moment.”

How is this being discussed? The caster apologizes and says sometimes he misses the mark when trying to be both funny and critical.

Upset accepts the apology and says it was important for him to make it clear that players are real people and should be viewed as such.

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In response, other users on reddit find the confrontation and mutual handling generally good and appreciate how an actual conflict emerged and was resolved reasonably.

Upset really has had a very fluctuating career; just in March 2023, it seemed as if his career was just beginning after he was strangely cut from Fnatic: LoL: 23-year-old German is thrown out of the team, has to take a season off – now crushing everything

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

The new Call of Duty is more expensive than ever – Fans advise: Better buy the Game Pass

The new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which is set to be released on October 25, 2024, is already causing an uproar in the community. The blame lies with the price, which is higher than ever before.

How expensive is the new Call of Duty? The new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the most expensive CoD to date when looking at the standard editions. At €79.99 during pre-sale, players can already purchase the game and then play it on October 25, 2024.

Previously, the last titles in the CoD series always cost €69.99, a price that fans begrudgingly accepted upon its introduction a few years ago. For years, Call of Duty, like many other full-price titles, was available for €60 in stores.

For fans, the new price is reason enough to complain.

Here you can watch the trailer for Call of Duty Black Ops 6:

Start video
Trailer for CoD Black Ops 6 provides insight into the campaign

Fans are upset about the price but have a solution

How are the fans reacting? Call of Duty fans are outraged by the price increase. On Reddit, many users gather under a post by imjustanromanian titled “EXCUSE ME? €80!?” along with a screenshot of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Steam.

Mpk_Paulin comments on Reddit: “I remember people were upset when the price rose to $70 two or three years ago. Expect games to cost $100 by the end of the decade.”

Arctimon seems to have already pinpointed the reason on Reddit: “The worst part is knowing that people will buy it because they never learn.”

Many other comments echo this sentiment, blaming buyers for the price increases. They presumably believe that the price hikes will not affect the number of copies sold.

What is the fans’ solution? The new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available directly from the start in the Xbox Game Pass. You can get this for just one euro during the trial month before the price increases to €9.99 per month.

Even if you only play Call of Duty with it, it would still be cheaper for about eight months. However, the Game Pass offers many hundreds of games that you also get for the price of €9.99 per month.

This is a good deal for users on Reddit, especially for players who are more interested in the campaign. Xboxben writes on Reddit: “Game Pass for $10, then finish the game and cancel.” SyberWolf also suggests on Reddit: “just buy one month of Game Pass.”

athiaxoff writes on Reddit: “Is it included in the Game Pass? I understand complaining about such prices, but that’s a bad example if they won’t sell anywhere near as many copies this time around.”

So if you’re unsure if the €80 title is worth it or know that you won’t play it for long anyway, then a subscription to the Xbox Game Pass might be worth considering. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is not only the most expensive but also the largest game in the series: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be the largest game in the series – Can your hard drive handle it?

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

Steam: I played a survival game that is way too cute for me and still had fun

If you are into survival games, you will currently find a large selection of really strong titles on Steam. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus has sampled one of the new games: Aloft, which does not want to adhere to survival rules at all. But the feeling of freedom that the game conveys convinced him nevertheless – that is why he presents it to you here as part of Find Your Next Game.

With cozy games, I can usually be hunted. Occasionally, I play something that I really like – like Sun Haven. But usually, I need action, loot, and leveling, and above all, dark and rough worlds. Post-apocalyptic games are exactly my thing.

Accordingly, I prefer the tough survival games. And recently, I discovered two really good gems:

Now the developers have offered me the demo of Aloft, an open-world crafting game, in which you control flying islands and fight against mushrooms. Visually, the game somewhat resembles Zelda, with a bit of Harvest Moon.

Nonetheless, the first images have intrigued me. I wanted to know what this huge world is about and why so much open sky is visible. The game really surprised me.

With Find Your Next Game, GameStar, GamePro, and MeinMMO present new titles and updates that we want to recommend to you. Here you can find all articles in overview.

Start video
Aloft Trailer

Aloft feels like a “survival light”

Aloft is completely different from the survival games I know and otherwise play. There are still typical features as you know them from the genre, such as:

  • a “naked” start with nothing, first of all, stones and wood must be collected
  • crafting leads to the first workbench and archaic tools
  • new resources unlock new recipes and gradually enough comes together for a small base

After this point, however, the similarities with the genre largely end. Eating and drinking are not essential for survival but provide buffs, similar to Valheim and other modern survival games.

In Aloft, it is less about your own survival than about getting to know the world and saving it in a certain way. Because it revolves around exploring flying islands and discovering what our predecessors left behind there.

Even better than Enshrouded: I feel the freedom in the air

The biggest feature of Aloft is the movement, and it makes the game really grand. After just a few minutes, I get the first recipe for a glider stand, where I can build myself a glider, and from here on, it takes off.

With a few leaves on my back, I fly from island to island in the world. There are rune stones and frescoes that tell the story of the game and unlock new recipes. I often find new resources only elsewhere.

However, while I am playing, that quickly becomes secondary; just flying around in the air is excellent. Even Enshrouded, the somewhat hidden survival hit from Germany, has a glider. But Aloft takes it a step further.

Start video
So fliegt ihr auf einem Gleiter aus Gras durch die Welt von Aloft

Gliding here is virtually endless – or at least up to the demo’s limits. And if that is not enough, you can simply convert one of the flying islands into your own airship. All you need is a steering wheel, a rudder, and sails, and you can control your own floating rock.

This is only possible with “small” islands, but even those are large enough to build your own little house and a farm on it, and maybe take a few animals along.

A detail that I particularly like: Buildings that are somewhere on deserted islands can be learned as a blueprint through a sketchbook. With a little paper, I can learn how to build planting boxes for plants myself.

Out with the mushrooms!

However, Aloft is by no means a peaceful farming simulation. Many of the islands are infested with … something. The boulders are not friendly, green overgrown, but dark, black, and muddy.

When landing, there are mushrooms and strange plants with the info: If I want to do anything here, I have to destroy the “nodes” first. These are nasty giant mushrooms that contaminate the islands.

The battles take place, at least in the current state, quite linearly:

  • cutting a few pustules
  • dodging tentacles
  • attacking the “head” when it appears
  • then fighting adds – small mushroom people that hit back
  • repeating until all mushrooms are gone

With each victory, I learn new combat moves and can now jump on enemies, throw them in the air, and chop them up coolly while sliding. It is not an absolutely wild combat system, but it is a nice contrast to the otherwise peaceful exploration.

Nice demo, but too lean

As much fun as Aloft has given me in the first hours, it currently lacks depth. Exploration is definitely the core theme of the game, and unfortunately, the demo sets quick limits here.

In the middle of the really huge map is an ugly-looking whirlpool that you cannot reach. There also seem to be other biomes, but I could not discover any of them. After a certain time, the game simply says: “You have reached the end of the demo.”

Currently, I do not know what the long-term motivation here is supposed to look like. If there is a certain story that simply ends at some point, like in Raft, that would already be enough.

Flying through the skies with up to eight people in co-op sounds like enough fun and entertainment for many hours. But only if there is enough to discover – which is currently lacking. At least building and farming are already there, and that will please some of my acquaintances.

By the way, there is also the option to create your own islands or play in creative mode. So, if you are not as goal-oriented as I am, you will surely find more to do here.

I cannot give a proper conclusion yet. But anyone who generally likes big games with a lot of exploration and especially wants to fly should definitely keep an eye on Aloft. Just flying around has fascinated me from the very first moment. The game is set to enter early access on Steam in autumn 2024 and offers a free demo at the Steam Next Fest. If you are looking for something else until the release, you can find the best survival games for PC, PS5, and Xbox here.

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

After 90 minutes I had my 1st rage quit in Flintlock – I guess that means it’s a good soulslike

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a new soulslike that will be released in July for PC, PS5, and Xbox Game Pass. Currently, a free demo is available on Steam. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus had the opportunity to play it in advance and wants to introduce you to the game as part of Find Your Next Game, even though he has kissed the ground more often than he would like.

I like tough games. Whether in survival games, RPGs, or soulslikes: it can be dark, dirty, and even tiring. This makes every victory even sweeter.

The soulsborne games, namely Dark Souls and Bloodborne, as well as the soulslike genre they created, are just such games: brutally difficult, but with a reward feeling like no other.

At gamescom 2022, the devs showed me Flintlock for the first time, a game somewhere between God of War and Elden Ring. I was already excited about it back then:

  • A soulslike genre with a fantasy world and flintlock pistols, bringing a certain pirate and pioneer flair.
  • Equally crazy characters as in Dark Souls, with café owners who carry their faces in their hands.
  • Battles against awakened gods, because anything else would be too easy.
  • And finally, a small fox god who accompanies me and supports me with magic.

Back then, I could only watch. Now I finally had the opportunity to play Flintlock for the first time in a preview version. I don’t think I’ve ever pressed Alt+F4 so early in a game. And that was just the demo…

Start video
Flintlock: The trailer for the demo launch at Steam Next Fest introduces the Soulslike

A soulslike with pistols and … Gwent?

With Find Your Next Game, we want to show you games on GameStar, GamePro, and MeinMMO that you can invest your time in next. I think Flintlock can achieve just that, because I know for sure that many of you will totally celebrate Elden Ring.

To catch you up first: What is Flintlock actually? The story is quite quickly explained. You play as Nor, a pioneer in the war against an army of the undead and accidentally ensure that imprisoned gods are set free.

Now you clean up again, avenge fallen friends, go kill gods, and in the meantime, save the world from destruction. At its core, the game is a soulslike game with all the features that come with it:

  • “Souls” that are called glory here and used for leveling, purchasing, and crafting – and which are, of course, lost upon death.
  • Action gameplay focusing on combat and features like combos, dodging, and parrying.
  • “Bonfires,” or resting places that must be unlocked, where you can rest and reset the world.
  • Loads of regular enemies that can already become dangerous and, of course, enormous boss fights.

What differentiates Flintlock from the genre are its peculiarities. Despite the rather sinister story and all the undead everywhere, the game is not particularly “dark.” The sun shines, there are many normal humans, and even some laughing people.

The main difference lies in the weapons and skills. You start with an axe and a flintlock pistol, later getting other variants and at least one musket (which corresponds to the bow in souls). The weapons are important because you use them to execute combos, interrupt enemies, or take out targets with headshots to control the flow of combat.

Instead of building a build through attributes like in souls, you learn new abilities with the “souls.” Thus, your companion can choose more spells, you can suddenly hit while dodging, or charge shots. This aligns with your playstyle.

Additionally, there is – for some reason – a minigame that almost every NPC wants to play with you: Sebo, a variant of mills. It resembles Gwent in Witcher 3, which I found annoying back then, but it offers easily earned glory. When there’s nothing else to do in a lost world…

Even ordinary mobs deal heavy blows

What captivates me about Flintlock is the gameplay. Like in any good soulslike, it’s all about timing and skill – and knowing the enemy. I have to study movements and learn when to counter with which move.

However, in Flintlock, almost every enemy has attacks that cannot be parried and have enormous range. This is not a problem in itself, as a quick pistol shot can interrupt them. Only that:

  • Gunpowder is limited and replenished through melee combat.
  • The pistol fires quite slowly; the animation takes forever.
  • An ongoing action, like an attack, is not interrupted.

I don’t know how often it’s happened that I’ve died to some random mob, certainly more than 20 times. My colleague Christoph Waldboth only failed against bosses in Elden Ring, but in Flintlock, even some random bandits beat me up.

Is it frustrating? Yes, absolutely. Am I giving up because of it? No, definitely not! Those bastards stole my souls, my glory, and I want them back!

4 hours in the demo is enough to hook me

Twice, I lost 5,000 glory (a proud sum for the demo) due to sheer silly mistakes. The worst: after a really close fight against the bandit chief, my Nor jumped toward an explosive barrel when she shot at it.

I don’t know why she did that, but she blew herself up, costing me my entire fortune. That was my first rage quit after less than 2 hours after an otherwise great run:

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I am losing a fight against a barrel in Flintlock and losing a fortune

The point I was at is already the end of the demo. I found myself in a “stronghold,” which are villages and places you can liberate to unlock new merchants, NPCs, and quests. So much more RPG than in souls.

After about 4 hours, I managed to take this stronghold, during which I spent more than 2 hours just for that one location and its end boss – who, by the way, is just a miniboss, not a real story boss. Thanks for that.

You can now play the demo for free on Steam as part of the Steam Next Fest. The full release will be on July 18 for PC, Xbox, and PS5. It will be available on Game Pass starting Day 1.

I will use the demo further to check out a bit more of the world, because just like in Dark Souls, there are tons of side quests, collectibles, and hidden items to find.

I will probably die multiple times, I will probably curse the game multiple times, and I will probably start it again the next day to continue. The crux of soulslikes. Perhaps Flintlock will even drive me far enough to go back to the gym: Lies of P made me so mad that I quit in anger and drove to the gym at night

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

Dragon Age 4 has finally been revealed: I eagerly started the trailer, but the good mood quickly faded

Yesterday, on June 9, 2024, a new trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard was released, focusing on the new companions of the role-playing game. MyMMO author has been waiting a long time for new information, but what she got was disillusioning.

EA and Bioware delivered a new trailer for Dragon Age: Veilguard and introduced the new companions. Just as the official name was quickly changed from “Dreadwolf” to “Veilguard” recently, I became even more skeptical than I already was.

Unfortunately, the trailer did not restore much hope for me. Although at least two characters made me very happy:

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Dragon Age: The Veilguard introduces your companions in the trailer

My love for Dragon Age and its characters developed several years ago. Even if my journey with the franchise is probably a bit unconventional. I started with Dragon Age: Inquisition after a friend had talked a lot about it. Afterwards, I played the third part of the series multiple times and love it to this day.

I eventually got around to playing the second part and find it just as awesome as Inquisition. So it’s clear that I was very excited when the news came that Dragon Age 4 was in the works. However, since then, Bioware has often managed to bring me down from that excitement in a rather bumpy way.

What I like about the trailer: I don’t want to just complain about the new trailer, which is why I start with what at least initially made me happy. The return of two favorite characters. Varric Tethras and Scout Harding make their appearance right at the beginning of the trailer.

Varric has actually aged quite a bit with his gray hair, and I wondered how much time might have passed. I hope Varric hasn’t lost his amazing personality with age. In the trailer, I haven’t seen much of it, but it’s just a trailer, so let’s wait and see.

My only thought when I saw Harding was: “Finally!” Because I was really hoping that the tough dwarf would play a bigger role. Seeing her in the trailer initially heightened my enthusiasm, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long.

Atmosphere reminiscent of Fortnite or Overwatch

New companions were gradually introduced while Varric and Harding discussed which members they would need for their mission. Among them were an elemental mage, a necromancer, a Qunari, a mage-hunter, and a Veil-jumper.

Leaving aside the fact that so far no character has really appealed to me and I thought, that one looks interesting or particularly cool, at some point, the graphic style especially caught my eye.

And here comes the point that bothers me the most. Because there is still not enough information about the story, the characters, or the humor of the game for me to form a judgment. I’m being honest and I don’t have much hope here either, but I want to keep a little bit of it.

Just a CGI trailer! – a small hope still remains

However, if the graphic style of this cinematic trailer is what we will also get in the game, then it simply doesn’t match Dragon Age for me and actually takes away a large part of my anticipation for the game. The characters look more like they’ve stumbled over from Overwatch or Fortnite and been put into Dragon Age’s clothing.

Since this is “only” a pre-rendered trailer, it does not represent the entire game. A hope that fans might still have.

In general, I think this cartoon style from the trailer does not fit at all with the world of Dragon Age. A look at the comments (via YouTube) showed me that I’m not alone in this opinion. “My old friend, what have they done to you…”, expresses a user his sorrow. And many are wondering why they chose this “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Suicide Squad” style now.

“Solas was right, it is too painful to live in a world like this,” writes another user in his comment and receives a lot of agreement for it. A fan replies in his comment, stating he remembers all trailers since Origins and has always been excited like a little child, but now he must cry like a little child.

Among the comments, you can find tons of such reactions, and I can’t blame them. At the moment, it simply doesn’t look like the franchise that many fans love so much. Tomorrow, on June 11, 2024, the first gameplay is supposed to be shown. Let’s wait and see what that brings us. A former developer from Bioware has a special opinion on the gaming industry: The mind behind some of the best role-playing games says: “Maybe the gaming industry deserves to die”

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