Scarlett Johansson doubted her career when she was rejected for a sci-fi film

When people think of the character Black Widow, they automatically think of Scarlett Johansson. However, before her big breakthrough as a superhero, she was not doing well, as she was close to quitting her profession after getting rejected for Iron Man 2 and Gravity.

Indeed, Scarlett Johansson had already had some roles before Iron Man 2. Think of something like Lost in Translation, where she starred alongside the 34 years older Bill Murray. After all, she has been acting in theater since she was 9 years old, thus gaining lifelong experience.

However, she was not happy with the trajectory of her career before Iron Man 2. Although she received much praise for her role in Lost in Translation; as she revealed in an interview with Variety, this success pushed her into a bombshell direction.

Start video
German trailer for Iron Man 2

I believe I was offered every Marilyn Monroe script that ever existed

As Scarlett Johansson recounts, she was very much reduced to her appearance at that time. She herself says she believes she was offered every Marilyn Monroe script of all time. Especially the rejections at that time troubled her.

She auditioned for the 2013 science fiction film Gravity by Alfonso Cuarón. She wanted to play the role of Dr. Ryan Stone. However, she was rejected for the role, and Sandra Bullock played the character in the final film. She was also rejected for the role of Black Widow in Iron Man 2, as she explains in the interview.

I had wanted this role so much. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I really felt frustrated and hopeless. I asked myself: ‘Am I doing the right job?’

Scarlett Johansson about her desired role in Gravity (Source: Variety)

Actually, Emily Blunt was supposed to embody the superhero. However, the actress could not take part in the filming due to other contracts, as she was committed to the film Gulliver’s Travels. At that time, Scarlett Johansson wondered if it was the end of her creative path.

Ultimately, however, Johansson got a second chance and had a brief appearance in Iron Man 2. That was her big blockbuster success, and thereafter she became a permanent part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in a total of 9 films.

Also, outside of blockbuster cinema, her career improved. She appeared in highly praised and creative films. For the films Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit, she even received Oscar nominations.

Thereafter, she learned to love her job again: “Suddenly I realized: I still love this job. And that reignited my passion for work. I felt less anxious.” On October 10, you can at least hear her in the English version of Transformers One: Transformers is getting a new movie this year, but the community doesn’t know how to feel about it

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

Anni The Duck announces a statement that Sony, Samsung and many others are waiting for

The Twitch streamer AnniTheDuck is at the center of serious allegations led by her former best friend Mowky. More influencers and former employees are also expressing critical views. Anni plans to release a statement today, which many are eagerly awaiting, including her partners Sony and Samsung.

What kind of statement is it? The Twitch streamer AnniTheDuck has faced a lot of criticism in recent days. The initial reason was her former best friend Mowky, who claimed in a stream that the streamer is a terrible person.

But Mowky was not the only person making serious allegations against AnniTheDuck. Many other influencers or former employees have spoken out in different ways about the streamer. Former girlfriend Reved also shared her experiences with Anni in one of her streams.

Reved reports in her stream how much she suffered in the relationship:

Start video
Reved explains on Twitch how much she suffered in the relationship with Anni The Duck

Statement will be released at 12 PM

When and where can the statement be followed? On the evening of May 8th, the streamer posted a story on her Instagram account announcing that she will release a statement at 12 PM on her YouTube channel.

Her advertising partners Samsung and Sony (“Garfield”) had apparently pushed for the statement.

It is currently unclear in which direction her statement will take.

Update 12:00 PM: The statement is now available:

Recommended editorial content

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

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

This is Mowky’s stance on the situation: The Twitch streamer has already addressed the topic of the statement in her last stream on Twitch – hours before the statement was announced. She mentions that she wrote a long letter to the streamer and wishes that she would show insight.

However, she also makes it clear that if Anni does not show insight, she would release all the evidence that is not yet public.

Update May 9, 2:51 PM: We have summarized the current statement from Anni The Duck here: Anni The Duck explains in the statement why she sometimes feels disgusted in front of her fans

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

Destiny 2: You can now unlock 4 seasonal blueprints from Lightfall every day without grinding forever

Every season brings a variety of new weapons in Destiny 2 that you can craft at the Weapons Forge with selected perks. However, to be able to craft them, you first need to unlock them. The grind for that is a nightmare, but before the release of “The Final Shape”, Bungie wants to assist you.

How does Bungie want to help? Since May 7, 2024, Destiny 2 is helping Guardians with the grind specifically in the area of the Deep Sight weapons. In every new season since “Witch Queen”, a variety of new weapons have appeared for which you can unlock blueprints. However, these blueprints do not drop reliably, and usually, the grind resembles a lottery game, where many hours must be invested.

So, to ensure you unlock all weapons from Season 20 – 23 for crafting before the upcoming DLC “The Final Shape”, Bungie is gifting you one weapon from each season per day. These will drop with a red frame – and that is guaranteed. To know what you need to do for this, we will show you the sources of the weapons.

Start video
Destiny 2: The Final Shape – Gameplay trailer for the new talents

Up to 4 different weapons with Deep Sight resonance every day

How does the event work? In line with the Open Access Month, every Guardian, including Free2Play players, will have the chance to get all seasonal weapons from Lightfall to craft them.

To secure a copy of the respective season every day, you need to visit the various seasonal activities. The following are important for snagging the resonances:

  • Season 20: Resistance Battlegrounds, Exotic Mission “Avalon”
  • Season 21: Salvage, Deep Dive
  • Season 22: Savathûn’s Spire, Altars of Summoning
  • Season 23: Riven’s Cavern, The Weave, Exotic Mission “Cursed”

The event runs until the release of “The Final Shape” and ends on June 4, 2024.

Is the event worth it? If you want to have all the season’s weapons for your collection but don’t feel like spending countless hours on dull activities, you are in luck now. With the guaranteed drop from a run, you save time and the nerve-wracking feeling of gambling.

There is no catch; Bungie completely eliminates the notorious RNG here and wants Guardians to be able to complete their collection before the grand finale. Are you surprised that the developers are being generous once again? Players can now also play on three new maps in PvP. Do you know them yet?

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

WoW: A profession has the best items again in ‘The War Within’

In the next expansion of World of Warcraft, one profession is likely to stand out above the others. Engineers have some really cool stuff in “The War Within.”

Choosing the right profession has been an important decision in World of Warcraft for nearly 20 years. Occasionally, professions have not been quite as important, but since Dragonflight, the major overhaul has made profession choices relevant again.

With the next expansion “The War Within”, you can experience a lot with your professions. However, the engineer is likely to have (once again) the most interesting toys.

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

What do engineers get? As usual for the engineering profession, all tinkerers have access to toys and gadgets again, as well as some really interesting abilities. Some of the most interesting items include:

  • Convincingly realistic bridging cable: An item that allows you to scare a “dead ally” so much with an electric shock that they are reborn with 35% health – so a Battle-Rezz. As usual, the Battle-Rezz can occasionally fail.
  • Irresistible red button: You place a device (before the fight) that can then be used in battle if defeat seems imminent. Then all characters are resurrected by the device after the fight and do not have to run back from the instance entrance.

But even penny pinchers might soon smile at an engineer, as you can save a lot of gold with them.

The object here is the “Pause Pylon.” You can set it up to prevent the effects of potions and buff food from continuing to run down. As long as you are within the influence range of the pylon, the timer for the corresponding buffs pauses. The pylon is destroyed as soon as a fight begins – but for long boss discussions or raid breaks, it’s worth it to get more benefit from the strong effects.

WoW Pause Pylon trans

There will also be various gadgets that have previously existed in the same or similar form:

  • Mobile crafting stations for all professions, allowing you to craft something in the wilderness (or in a raid).
  • Repair bots, so you can repair deep in a dungeon without having to take the hearthstone.

Can others use the items? Generally, many engineering items can only be used if the character has the profession. This typically makes many items uninteresting for other characters and ensures that the engineer has some pretty strong unique features.

However, at least the new bridging cable seems to be usable by everyone. This would mean that all groups could have a “Battle Rezz” in the future – even if they only bring classes that do not actually have the spell.

Whether all these little gadgets and toys make it to the release of The War Within remains to be seen, after all, the game is still in Alpha. But right now it seems that engineers have some interesting highlights again, making the profession useful and a clear “must” for some. Others, however, might be interested in the alchemy profession, which can brew some pretty crazy potions.

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

The most important material in Diablo 4 is easier to obtain in Season 4, saving a lot of inventory space

In Diablo 4, certain materials are essential for various features. For the most important material, you no longer need to collect specific items starting in Season 4, saving you inventory space.

At the beginning of April, there was a PTR (Public Test Realm) in Diablo 4 for the first time. The new features were well received by players. However, there was also criticism and requests for changes for Season 4. An expert noted that players still have to collect items, even though they do not want to use them. However, the materials obtained from breaking them down are necessary.

The developers explained in the last livestream on May 2 that this will change with Season 4. While the items will still drop, you won’t have to collect them if you don’t need them.

Season 4 starts on May 14. In the video, you get an insight into the changes in Diablo 4:

Start video
Diablo 4: Trailer shows the changes for Season 4 ‘Loot Reborn’

“Yellow items only as a bonus”

What is this important material? We are talking about the material “Murky Crystal”, which you previously obtained by breaking down rare (yellow) weapons and armor. You need the Murky Crystal to enchant your weapons at the Occultist.

By enchanting, you have the opportunity to “roll” the aspects on items again so that the item fits better with your build. Thus, the crystal is an important material in Diablo 4 that every player needs throughout.

To enchant items at the Occultist, you need plenty of “Murky Crystals”.

That’s why it will be easier for you soon: Starting in Season 4, you will also receive the Murky Crystal when you break down legendary items at the blacksmith. From legendary items, you will also receive the materials “Winding Protection”, “Abstruse Seal”, and “Unholy Fragment”.

In the livestream on May 2, Lead Live Game Designer Colin Finer explained that the team received a lot of feedback about the Murky Crystals. Players expressed that they have to collect a “bunch of yellow items to use any cool crafting system.”

To this, the developer says:

So, we made sure that legendary items drop the same amount of Murky Crystals, so now you can just collect the yellow items as a bonus. We also made sure that holy and legacy items drop [more] mats. Holy items drop double the amount, legacy items drop triple the amount, so we basically triple the amount of mats.

Colin Finer, YouTube, Timestamp at 46:30 mins.

This way, you can confidently leave “yellow” items behind if you don’t want to equip them. This saves you inventory space while you still don’t miss out on important materials. Because many of them you will receive from a “source” starting in Season 4.

Season 4 starts on May 14 and brings numerous innovations to Diablo 4. Essentially, it turns the entire game around, and many changes will even remain permanent. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was already able to talk in advance with Lead Seasons Designer Deric Nuñez and Lead Game Producer Timothy Ismay.

In the interview, the developers explain how the changes will affect the game and what they mean directly for the players. Additionally, there are some interesting insights into the development: Diablo 4 promises content for everyone in Season 4 – developers explain how the game fundamentally changes

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

CS2: 17-year-old won an important tournament in February, considered an upcoming star, is now banned on Twitch

The CS2 professional donk is considered a rising star. He has now been banned on Twitch because he violated the platform’s guidelines years ago.

Who is it about? The Russian esports player and CS2 professional Danil “donk” Kryshkovets (17) has been banned on the streaming platform Twitch.

  • Despite his young age, donk has been a professional player in Counter-Strike since 2021 and has been with the Russian esports organization “Team Spirit” since July 2023.
  • For Team Spirit, donk is active as a rifler (entry fragger)
  • donk is considered a promising player in CS2 who could become a real star in the coming years
  • With Team Spirit, donk won the Intel Extreme Masters in Katowice (abbreviated: IEM Katowice 2024) in February 2024, an important and prestigious tournament. As winners, Team Spirit received a prize of 400,000 US dollars

Even though the IEM 2024 was donk’s first S-Tier LAN event, the 17-year-old was able to impress immediately with strong performances and was voted the MVP (most valuable player) of the tournament. This makes donk the youngest player ever to be named MVP of a tournament of this size.

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

Banned on Twitch for violating the guidelines years ago

Why was he banned on Twitch now? As donk reported on x.com, he was banned on Twitch because he was not yet 13 years old when he created his Twitch account.

The terms of use of the streaming platform state that users may only use Twitch and create an account when they are at least 13 years old (via twitch.tv).

Thus, donk violated Twitch’s terms of use when creating his account and has now faced the consequences.

While donk received a relatively mild ban on Twitch, his competitor Erkhan “gokushima” Bagynanov (23) faced a much harsher punishment: He was banned in Counter-Strike 2 and is not allowed to participate in tournaments for the next two years. You can find out more about this on MeinMMO: 23-Year-Old is said to have cheated his way to a fortune in Counter-Strike 2

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

What are the rarest armor pieces in Elden Ring? The community has three favorites

In Elden Ring there are many armor pieces. The community has now discussed which are the rarest and has chosen 3 favorites.

Which armor pieces are we talking about? In Elden Ring, there are countless different armor pieces. Some of them are so rare that many players may never have seen them.

In Elden Ring, there are 4 armor categories: head, chest, arms, and legs. Each armor piece has different values. The values can be divided into damage resistance and standard resistance.

To obtain certain equipment pieces, players sometimes have to farm for hours or complete specific tasks. The community on Reddit has now discussed which armors are the rarest or most difficult to obtain and has chosen 3 favorites.

Here you can watch the trailer for the new Elden Ring DLC:

Start video
Elden Ring shows first trailer for the new DLC ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’

Long farming or taking down NPCs

What is the community’s favorite? The community’s favorite regarding the rarest equipment items is the Blue Silver Set. The set can be obtained either by painstakingly farming the Albinauric Wolfback Archers or by taking down the NPC Latenna. She drops the entire set, although some prefer to leave her alive.

On Reddit TheAskald reports that he farmed for 2-3 hours to obtain the set. Luck was not on his side, as he claims to have received six Albinauric Bows, but one piece of the armor simply would not drop.

What else does the community find rare? Another item that the community finds rare is the Imp Masks, or in German, Wichtköpfe. These are various masks with different faces of animals that are dropped by Imp Golems.

To obtain all 6 different animal masks, one must farm the Imp Golems at the foot of the cliffs in the catacombs. Alternatively, this can also be done in the Wyndham catacombs.

What armor is also rare? The Noble Page Set is also among the top 3 community favorites. The set is a rarity because the armor pieces are only available from high Pages. These can be found, for example, in the Raya Lucaria Academy. A particularity is the shoes, which are also available from normal Pages.

All armor pieces share the fact that the chances of a drop are very low and the enemies that one must defeat are not exactly common. If you still need the right weapon for your armor, we have something for you: Elden Ring Tier List – All 309 weapons ranked

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

Trainer completes the probably hardest research in Pokémon GO, catches almost 2000 monsters

A trainer has completed the probably toughest research in Pokémon GO. Which trainer it is and which research is meant, we will show you.

What research is it about? Since February, there has been the Masterwork research Gratitude Shimmer. You could purchase this during the Path-to-Sinnoh event for 5.99 € in the shop. If you did this, you have as much time as you need to complete the research.

In addition to items, experience points, and stardust, the research primarily brings you a special reward: An encounter with a Shiny-Shaymin.

Previously, there have been Masterwork researches that rewarded you with other mysterious Shiny Pokémon, such as Mew or Jirachi. These researches contain tasks that require a very long period of planning.

Start video
Pokémon GO: It’s time to #RediscoverGO!

More than 1 month alone for the first step

Which trainer is it? The trainer is YouTuber MYSTIC7. He is known for his videos about the game and is one of the largest Pokémon GO YouTubers.

In the video, he shows how dedicated he is in completing the Masterwork research, which is considered by many trainers to be the toughest Pokémon GO research to date. He also mentions that he spent over a month alone for the first part of the research.

We embed the video here for you:

Recommended editorial content

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

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

What is the difficulty with the research? To successfully complete the Masterwork research, 7 sections must be successfully finished. The biggest difficulty is likely the first step.

In this section, you must catch 492 Pokémon that were discovered in the regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. Therefore, you not only need to catch a total of 1,968 Pokémon, but the Pokémon must also come from the corresponding regions.

This step is likely to take a lot of time for most trainers who want to complete the research.

How about you? Did you also purchase the research? If so, how far have you progressed so far in the research? Feel free to write to us in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers here.

As every month, there are again some events waiting for you in Pokémon GO in May. If you want to know which ones exactly, feel free to take a look at our overview of the events in May 2024 in Pokémon GO.

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

All Twitch streamers just sit at home and get fat – Trymacs starts fitness challenge

The Twitch streamer Trymacs has launched a three-month fitness challenge to get back in shape. With 20 participants, including well-known influencers like Inscope21 and Nooreax, individual goals are to be achieved and progress documented.

What kind of challenge is it? The Twitch streamer Trymacs has started a three-month fitness challenge. In his video on YouTube, he states that he used to be athletic, but now he is overweight.

Initially, his challenge was planned to be in a smaller circle. However, as he continued planning, more and more Twitch colleagues joined his challenge.

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

“There will be a photo, even if you break your arm”

How does the challenge work? At the beginning, all participants first weighed themselves, recorded their measurements, and took a before photo for later comparison. Furthermore, YouTuber Tim Gabel joined with other experts to have individual conversations with each participant to establish personal goals and strategies.

For example, the Twitch streamer Noahzett28 plans to do a full-body workout 3-4 times a week for 1.5 hours. However, the goals are different for each participant.

Throughout the challenge, several vlogs are to be created, which should also involve big names from the fitness industry. At the end of the challenge, each participant must take an after photo, according to Trymacs. This is also the case if, for example, someone breaks their arm and cannot participate.

Who is participating in the challenge? In total, there are 20 participants in the challenge. According to Trymacs, the differences in fitness levels among the participants could not be greater. Participants include YouTuber Inscope21, who seems to be significantly fitter than many other participants. On the other hand, there are participants like the Twitch streamer Nooreax, who according to Trymacs has never done sports.

Additionally, other Twitch celebrities like Papaplatte, Rewi, Seltix, and Reeze are participating in the challenge. Trymacs also wants to motivate his viewers to take part in the challenge and share their progress on social media platforms.

This is not the first time that Trymacs has explained in a video that he is currently unhappy with his shape. In an earlier fitness challenge, he recently explained why he got injured: “I am too fat for football” – Twitch streamer Trymacs does exactly what he shouldn’t do, now out for 4 months

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

35-year-old has a brilliant plan to save the world: The key is a streamer who plays LoL

The streamer “Destiny” (35) has presented a brilliant plan on how he can solve the world’s problems. And for that, he now needs to redirect Twitch streamer Tyler1 from League of Legends and channel his energy from LoL into other issues.

What is his plan to save the world? Destiny says: Tyler1 is the best example of something he calls the “purely liberal evil” that has been unleashed upon the world (via kick).

Tyler1 will go down in history as one of the most evil people to ever live.

Destiny’s plan is to redirect his rare mix of autism and determination to any other task that benefits humanity instead of LoL:

  • One would have to put him in a lab and force him to find a cure for cancer.
  • One would have to sit him in front of Netanyahu and force him to grind a solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict.
  • Or just put him in front of an energy company and make him find a free, unlimited energy source.
Start video
How the Worst Troll from Twitch Became the Face of League of Legends

He just sits in front of video games and becomes an unstoppable god

What frustrates Destiny? At the moment, it is simply a waste how the world utilizes Tyler1’s unparalleled talents:

“He just sits in front of autistic video games and becomes an unstoppable god in them. He should be forced to work somewhere in a lab. We just have too much freedom in this country, and all talents are wasted on video games.”

Is Tyler1 really that good? Tyler1 is above all extremely strong-willed. He used to be able to play only one champion in LoL, Draven. Then, out of sheer malice and willpower, he mastered all other roles and has brought it to the highest rank. Initially, just to prove that all junglers in LoL are simply incompetent and stupid.

Recently, he has also, with sheer willpower, turned to chess and achieved a respectable ELO rating of 1900. This places him in the top 0.5%.

Destiny’s suggestion seems to have some merit.

By the way, Destiny is one of the few streamers who has managed to get permanently banned from Twitch after a long career: Streamer reportedly ruins 11 years of career in 14 seconds – Twitch permanently bans him

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

“How Did George Miller Do That?” – Cult Director Behind Shaun of the Dead Is Excited about Furiosa

Director Edgar Wright (“Hot Fuzz”, “Shaun of the Dead”) praises the new Mad Max film Furiosa and compares it to Ben Hur. Interestingly, he personally recommended the casting of the female lead.

Why is director Edgar Wright excited? In a detailed post on X, the director of “Shaun of the Dead” shares his impressions of Furiosa. He reports that he saw the film a month ago and is still impressed by its quality.

Furthermore, he describes that the subtitle A Mad Max Saga hits the nail on the head. From his perspective, Fury Road is a chase epic, while Furiosa is more of a revenge film. He compares the film to Ben Hur, where a long fuse of revenge burns for years and ultimately pays off with the sweetest revenge, according to Wright.

You can watch the trailer for Furiosa here:

Start video
German Trailer for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

The main cast was a recommendation from Wright

Who is Edgar Wright anyway? The director hails from England and has worked on cult films such as Shaun of the Dead and “Hot Fuzz”.

He has known director George Miller personally for many years. During a dinner in London, Wright recommended actress Anya Taylor-Joy for the role of Furiosa. He had already cast her for his own film Last Night in Soho .

Later that same evening, he texted Taylor-Joy, letting her know to expect a call from George Miller, and he was glad to see the result four years later.

George Miller (79) wrote and directed the first Mad Max film in 1979. Later he made 3 more Mad Max films, the latest being Fury Road, but also directed The Witches of Eastwick and Babe.

Reactions from the community: Users seem to largely agree with him under his post on X. Many agree with the director that George Miller is a talented filmmaker. For some, Wright’s comments have made them even more excited about the film.

As some users write:

  • suekmoorhen comments via X: I can’t wait to see this movie; your review makes me even more excited about it!
  • tophersimmons writes via X: He is really a kind of mad genius, and his shots always look cooler than Spielberg’s.
  • donnalogue notes via X: I agree. George Miller does not receive nearly the recognition he deserves as one of the greatest film visionaries of all time.

Chris Hemsworth also stars in the film Furiosa, but here too he cannot escape the capes he knows from his time as Thor. You can read why this bothers him here: He suffered under them for years as Thor and now again in Furiosa: Chris Hemsworth hates capes

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

Berlin supports MMORPG with 175,000 € – It falls through on Steam and dies before release

The MMORPG “The Wagadu Chronicles” was supposed to be created in Berlin and Ghana and become an “Afrofantasy” MMORPG. It raised €160,000 through Kickstarter, and the regional funding from the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg provided €175,000. But on Steam, the online role-playing game had practically no players and is now closing before its release. The promises made on Kickstarter cannot be kept.

What the studio says: On May 8, the studio Twin Drums admitted via Kickstarter that there were not as many updates in 2024 as in previous years. In recent months, they struggled to stay financially afloat. But despite their best efforts, they are now at the end.

When they started the project, the world was still a different place, writes founder Allan Cudicio somewhat regretfully: No one had heard of Covid-19, inflation was not yet a problem, and games could be financed more easily.

Despite all the difficulties, the team has grown and came close to their goal – but now it’s over. They wish they had more time.

This is what the early access trailer looked like:

Start video
The Wagadu Chronicles – Early Access Trailer

Studio cannot keep Kickstarter promises

When is it coming to an end? The game started early access in December 2023; the servers will close on May 18.

The promised books can only be delivered as PDFs; the printed books that people paid for do not exist. The developers regret this.

19 backers purchased the €750 package, which included access to special islands and signed books for the D&D setting (770 pages), a guide to Afrofantasy role-playing (30 pages), and an art book (24 pages).
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wagadu/the-wagadu-chronicles/posts/4096090
The founder of Twin Drums: Allan Cudicio.

What was this MMORPG supposed to be? “The Wagadu Chronicles” was supposed to be a distinctly black MMORPG focusing heavily on role-playing elements like in pen & paper. It was mainly about player interactions with each other.

The game was also intended to provide a detailed lore and focused on features like a free class system or a player-driven economy.

In an article from the Tagesspiegel about the MMORPG, the company’s culture is also highlighted:

  • Half of the team are women
  • A quarter are queer
  • and a third are black

Part of the team works in Berlin-Neukölln, another part in Accra, Ghana, and they also employ two freelancers from Nigeria.

What was it really like?? In early access on Steam, the MMORPG couldn’t gain traction at all. At its peak, it reached 36 concurrent players, which was at the start of early access in December 2023. Since January 2024, a maximum of 8 players were online at the same time, but most of the time there was only one or none.

The game had 26 positive reviews and 14 negative reviews. That makes a rating of 60% positive reviews on Steam.

Crowdfunding and MMORPGs do not go together

What’s behind it: While the developers are certainly right that the basic conditions for video game development have worsened significantly in recent years – as evidenced by waves of layoffs and studio closures left and right. But given the numbers they achieved on Steam, it is questionable whether “The Wagadu Chronicles” would have survived even under the best circumstances.

It shows once again that Kickstarter is poorly suited for the financially extremely demanding genre of “MMORPG”. The ambitions of the developers are often very high, and one would actually need double-digit millions to finance development over many years.

“The Wagadu Chronicles” is now one of many Kickstarter MMORPGs that have failed. It has also hit MMORPGs with million-dollar financing hard.

Start video
4 crowdfunding MMORPGs that really flopped

In the history of the MMORPG “The Wagadu Chronicles,” it only made headlines once, that was in August 2022. There was a conflict involving an artist who had worked on the MMORPG. She was accused of exploiting Africans. Developer of a black MMORPG from Germany is being attacked because she is white

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

Activision Blizzard must pay €21.8 million for infringing patent rights with WoW, CoD

Activision Blizzard has lost a lawsuit that has occupied them since 2015. The tech incubator Acceleration Bay convinced a US jury that the gaming studio has violated two patents from the company. This concerns World of Warcraft (WoW) and Call of Duty (CoD): Black Ops II, as well as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

What is the patent in question? The company Acceleration Bay filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard in 2015: Acceleration Bay had acquired two patents from Boeing. These pertain to communication technology that allows sharing information between computers simultaneously. So, they are patents for network and transmission technology.

Activision Blizzard is alleged to have violated copyright when they used the patented technology in 3 of their games.

Therefore, the plaintiffs demanded “reasonable compensation for Activision Blizzard’s patent infringement.”

This was Activision Blizzard’s position: They stated that their technology works differently from the plaintiff’s patents and therefore does not infringe on the plaintiff’s copyright.

Additionally, they argued that damages should be capped at a maximum of $300,000.

WoW is still a relevant game in 2024, the lawsuit is from 2015:

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

This is what the jury decided: The jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff on Friday:

  • For copyright violations in World of Warcraft, Activision Blizzard must pay $18 million.
  • For copyright violations in Call of Duty, a total of $5.4 million is due.

Activision Blizzard to file an appeal

This is what Activision Blizzard says: They issued a statement saying they are disappointed but believe they have a good basis for an appeal. They have never used patented technology in their games.

This is what the plaintiffs say: They said in their statement that they are “thrilled” about the decision.

The lawyer added that the team is excited to have finally been in court after 9 years.

As Gamesindustry.biz reports, Activision Blizzard is not the only company Acceleration Bay is currently suing. They have pending lawsuits against EA, Take-Two, and Amazon Web Services. All these cases were opened in the last 5 years.

Activision Blizzard had a rough phase in 2021 with several court dates. During that time, allegations arose against the company that there was a climate of sexism and that women were systematically treated worse than their male colleagues: “Cocaine in the bathroom, sex in the lounge” – Scandal surrounding WoW developer Blizzard escalates

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

Steam: How to Return a Game – It’s That Simple

You purchased a game on Steam but want to return it? We provide you with a simple guide on how to get your money back or receive Steam credit. Additionally, you will find out here what requirements you need to meet for the return, the return duration, and what you can do if you encounter problems.

This article first appeared in November 2022. We have checked the accuracy of the information and added details on what to do if you do not meet all the requirements for returning the game. (As of May 8, 2024)

How to return a game on Steam

How do I return a game on Steam? If you decide that you no longer want a game, you can return it. You should proceed as follows:

  • Step 1: Open Steam and click on “Help” at the top right of the homepage, then select “Steam Support”
  • Step 2: You will now see your most recent products along with a tab labeled “Games, Software, etc.” If the game you want to return is listed under “New Products,” select it. If it is not under “New Products,” click on “Games, Software, etc.”
  • Step 3: You can then enter the name of the game in the search bar and click on the corresponding title
  • Step 4: You will receive options regarding the issues you have with the title; select the appropriate problem (for example: “It’s not what I expected”)
  • Step 5: Click on “I want to request a refund”
  • Step 6: Choose whether you want the refund as Steam credit or through the payment method of the purchase
  • Optional Step 7: You can specify the reason for your return by clicking on a response under “Reason” or by writing your own text under “My issue is not listed”
  • Step 8: Click on “Submit Request”

Here in the gallery, we have provided you with some screenshots to assist you:

Subsequently, the Steam Support will process the request, and you will be notified via email once it has been declined or accepted.

Within a week after the approval of the request, you will receive the full refund.

If the gaming platform is unable to refund the money through the original payment method for any reason, you will receive it as Steam credit. This happens, for example, if the selected payment method at the time of purchase does not support a refund.

Alternatively, you can also go directly to “Support” and then “Purchases” in Step 1. There you select the game title and can choose a refund. The rest will work as described from Step 4 onwards.

If you are always looking for new games, here you can find inexpensive titles that cost less than 5 euros on Steam:

Start video
5 fantastic games for under 5 euros on Steam

Things to Consider When Returning – Requirements, Duration, and Issues

What is the duration of the return period? From the day of purchase of a game, you can return the title within 2 weeks.

Important: To be able to return the game, you should not have played it for more than 2 hours.

Which games can I return on Steam? You can return almost any game on the platform. The reason does not matter: whether you accidentally purchased the game or do not like the game.

However, it is important that you return the game within the specified return period and have not exceeded a certain playtime.

For additional content, it is stated that these can be returned “provided the main game to which the additional content belongs has not been played for more than two hours since purchase and the additional content has not been consumed, modified, or transferred” (via Steam).

What can I do if the return period has expired? If you do not meet a requirement for returning the game, you can still submit a return request to Steam. This will be reviewed, and you still have a chance for a successful refund: even if it is less than what you would normally receive.

However, there has also been an exceptional case with Helldivers 2 in the context of the PSN obligation, where one could supposedly return the game even after the 2-hour mark had been exceeded.

What should I do if my return is denied? If your return request is denied, and you believe there was an error, you can submit a request again via Steam Support. It will then be reviewed by another staff member.

Information Regarding Steam Credit – Payout and PayPal

Can I cash out my Steam credit? No! On Steam, you cannot donate, transfer to another account, or cash out the received Steam credit. The credited amount is linked to the respective account.

Can I credit my balance via PayPal? When choosing how you want to receive the credit for the return, you can have the money refunded via PayPal if you purchased it that way.

However, the Steam credit itself cannot be cashed out via PayPal.

Here you can also find 5 games like Palworld that you can play on Steam today

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

For its birthday, a celebrated sci-fi strategy game receives a new expansion that makes you the villain

The sci-fi strategy game Stellaris has received a new expansion that presents players with a new endgame crisis, among other things.

Which game is this about? Stellaris is a sci-fi strategy game on Steam, known for its vast variety of selectable civilizations and playstyles. It is developed by the Swedish studio Paradox Entertainment, which has already delivered over 15 DLCs for the game in recent years.

  • Stellaris belongs to the so-called 4x real-time strategy games, similar to Civilization or Crusader Kings.
  • The game revolves around exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination.
  • With its plethora of races and sliders available from the start, the game can be quite overwhelming for newcomers to the genre.
  • In the game, there are countless resources and mechanics to consider, making Stellaris a very complex strategy game. As a Terminator, the entry will be somewhat easier for you.

With “The Machine Age,” Stellaris now receives another expansion on Steam, which can make you the villain, among other things:

Start video
Stellaris: The Machine War, the new expansion of the sci-fi strategy game

What new content is there? The expansion brings several new features and changes to the game. You can read the exact patch notes on the Stellaris Wiki.

  • New Endgame Crisis and Crisis Path: In the new endgame crisis, players can confront a new synthetic threat. In the new crisis path, you can indeed become a danger to the balance of the universe.
  • Individual Machines: With three new machine ascendancy paths, you can further customize your empire. The machine empires are no longer limited to just one form.
  • New Situations and Expanded Authority Change: Every decision while players delve deeper into the minds of the machines is important and affects the rise of your empire.

Divine Calling, Fertility, and New Robot Society

Three new origins are added to the game:

  • Cyborg Commitment: Your empire follows the new divine calling of the merging of body and cybernetics.
  • Synthetic Fertility: A genetic disease renders your empire unable to reproduce biologically. To prevent your downfall, the only option left is digital redemption.
  • Bowesmith: Due to lack of space in their world, a robot society is searching the universe for resources.

The sci-fi strategy game Stellaris is one of the favorite games of MeinMMO author Schuhmann on Steam. Last year, he reported extensively about the game: In my favorite game on Steam, I consume the universe – resistance is futile

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

PvP players felt forgotten by Destiny 2 for years – Now finally 3 new maps are coming

Every expansion features a lot of content for the PvE area of Destiny 2, but when it comes to the Crucible, many players are left disappointed. We will show you why today is a great day for PvP fans.

What has changed in Destiny 2? Since May 7, the PvP players among you have another reason to celebrate. Bungie has released its promised map pack with three new maps, and players can now have fun in new locations. The maps include:

  • Cirrus Piazza
    • A map in a shopping center on Neomuna
  • Dissonance
    • A map in the pyramid ship that the Traveler was under fire from
  • Eventide Labs
    • A map in an abandoned lab on Europa that Fallen now use to refuel their Ketch

Bungie had announced this map pack in advance to ensure that even the sweaty Guardians among you would finally get content to look forward to. Unfortunately, players were used to receiving at most one new map per DLC – if at all. Now receiving three maps, which were not even recycled, is a cause for celebration.

Start video
Destiny 2: The Final Shape – Gameplay trailer for the new talents

Three new maps without recycling

What are these maps like? These three maps are relatively small to medium-sized in scale. Upon closer inspection, one might think they are designed more for 3 vs. 3 matches, but all maps can also be used in a “6 vs. 6” match.

What is immediately noticeable is the abundance of angles behind which enemies could be lurking. The maps are not empty or wide-built to provide ample room for evasive maneuvers. Instead, they force the Guardians to engage in conflicts and challenge risks. For the shotgun players among you, this will surely be a feast, but you should also be cautious and not rush in too quickly.

The interesting fact is that Bungie is proving with these three new maps that they still have it. They can conjure new maps from scratch without having to use anything old from Destiny 1 or recycled content from Destiny 2. Whether the maps are enough to bring back a significant portion of the PvP community is difficult to say.

What do the players say about the maps? Opinions could not be more different. While some fans celebrate the maps, many criticize the poor optimization. You get spawn trapped way too quickly in a “6 vs. 6” match, leading to frustration. The following was said:

  • “I played 6v6 on one of them and it (the map) was so small that my team got spawn camped the entire game once the enemy took control of the central points of the map.” – says “mctripleA” on Reddit
  • “I think they are well designed for 3v3. 6v6 would feel extremely crowded.” – says “ReplacementHorror565” on Reddit
  • “Eventide spawns are somewhat predictable and it’s way too easy to rotate there. I love waking up with two thorns in my damn head.” – says “Funter_312” on Reddit

What do you think about the maps? Have you been able to try them out or did you have bad luck with matchmaking? Let us know in the comments! Also, for a limited time, you can test 3 expansions of Destiny 2 for free: For one month, you can secure access to three DLCs of Destiny 2, but it is only temporary.

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

Manor Lords has only one developer, but without secret helpers it almost failed just before the end

The development of Manor Lords has been ongoing for a long time, but just before the release, the solo developer had to seek help to ensure the game would be available on Steam.

Is Manor Lords no longer just from a single developer? That’s not so easy to answer. The man behind Manor Lords is named Greg Styczeń and he has been developing the game for 7 years as a solo developer.

Recently, however, complaints surfaced that the game is not solely developed by him. The credits show many more people and there is a “Motion-Capture” department.

These comments were triggered by Crate Entertainment CEO Arthur Bruno, who is responsible for the city-building game Farthest Frontier. In an interview with PCGamer, he said: “And then you look at the credits for [Manor Lords], and the team size may be larger than ours.”

On X (formerly Twitter), the Manor Lords chief has now addressed the accusations.

Here you can watch the trailer for Manor Lords:

Start video
Manor Lord Release Date Trailer

Manor Lords has recently gotten helpers

Who are the helpers? The developer Greg Styczeń admits that since April, shortly before the release of Manor Lords, he has involved additional programmers. According to him, there were issues with the different versions for various platforms that threatened the release.

A game on Steam needs somewhat different things than the same game on Epic Games or in the Gamepass. To ensure everything runs smoothly, support was sought.

The helpers, who previously remained secret, were meant to “minimize the risk” and were recruited in consultation with the publisher. Viewed objectively, this would no longer make Manor Lords a “one-man show,” but according to the chief, the new developers are now working on a port for Unreal Engine 5.

The chief himself is presumably still responsible for the content of the game and states about his role: “If I stop, the game is over, no more Manor Lords.”

What about the “Motion-Capture” department? The “Motion-Capture” department, which records movements in real life and translates them into the game, does not exist. A video from 2020 on X (formerly Twitter) is supposed to prove this, but the Manor Lords chief clarifies that the people in the video are his “best friends in a children’s photo studio.”

The development of Manor Lords is truly in the hands of one man, even though he has received help during development.

Whether the developer still officially qualifies as a solo developer will likely remain a matter of debate. However, it is undisputed that Manor Lords would probably not exist without him. How the development will continue, you can find out here: Developer of Manor Lords foregoes a roadmap, prefers to work on things you really want

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

Helldivers 2: Players are frustrated because a weapon has been nerfed again – However, the change is supposed to protect you

In Helldivers 2, the developers nerfed a weapon, which angered quite a few players. Now, one developer is defending against the accusations, stating that the damage was due to an exploit.

Which weapon was nerfed? The R-36 Eruptor was recently weakened because the weapon was responsible for many team kills and self-kills. The area damage likely caused too much frustration. To stop this, the developers removed the shrapnel from the weapon, significantly reducing its damage. 

As compensation, the weapon now deals a consistent 40 damage; however, players are still complaining that the weapon has become too weak. One developer has now spoken out, revealing that the weapon was not meant to be as strong as it was.

Here you can see the latest war bond “Polar Patriots”:

Start video
Helldivers 2 shows its latest Warbond ‘Polar Patriots’ in the icy trailer

An exploit made the weapon strong

What exactly made the weapon strong? Developer Alexus provided insights into the changes of the weapon. On Discord, he wrote that by removing the shrapnel, an exploit that many players used to deal more damage was also removed.

With the exploit, players shot in front of opponents on the ground so that the shrapnel would cause more area damage. Now that the shrapnel is gone, that no longer works, and the weapon seems doubly weak for the Helldivers.

What does the developer say about the current state of the weapon? The developer finds the weapon to be fine. The team is currently looking at the impact of the changes on the weak points of medium-armored enemies, as something might have changed here.

However, the developer does not want to promise a buff: the weapon is not too weak, but they will continue to monitor the situation.

How do the Helldivers react to the developer’s comments? On Discord, the developer responded to messages from users after his statement. The developer responded to one user that on average, players would need the same number of shots on an opponent as before. This is likely due to the buff of the explosion damage.

On Reddit, users still find the nerfs really annoying. Several posts with over 5,000 positive ratings complain about the nerfs to the R-36 Eruptor. 

In Helldivers 2, there has been frequent criticism of the balance changes. The developers made it clear from the beginning that there would not only be buffs, but also nerfs. You can read more about the balance changes from the last patch here: Helldivers 2: Update 01.000.300 changes 24 weapons and stratagems – All patch notes

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

A popular RPG on Steam offers more playtime than Baldur’s Gate 3, is now getting final DLC

The role-playing game Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous will receive its final DLC in June on Steam. This will complete the game, although it already offers over 100 hours of gameplay.

What kind of game is this? Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the second part of the Pathfinder series, developed by Owlcat. Currently, the game has a total of 83% positive reviews on Steam.

  • The concept and setting are based on the pen & paper of the same name. This, in turn, is a further development of Dungeons & Dragons and significantly more complex.
  • You take on the role of a crusader in the world of Golarion. Your task is to prevent it from merging with the demon realm. In doing so, you are expected to develop special powers that could almost be described as divine.
  • In the main game, you have access to 25 classes and 12 races to create your character.
  • Your choices in the game lead to different outcomes and can even influence the main storyline. There is also said to be a secret ending.
Start video
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous celebrates its final DLC in June

When will the DLC be released? The final DLC for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is set to be released on June 13, 2024, on Steam. This will still deliver new content after over 100 hours of gameplay:

Owners of Season Pass 2 will have access to the DLC immediately on the release day. Other players can already add the DLC on Steam to their wishlist.

With a total gameplay time of approximately 212 hours, the role-playing game even surpasses the extensive Baldur’s Gate 3 without DLC, which offers only about 158 hours of gameplay.

What new content will there be? As the trailer now announces, you can expect several new elements in the world of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous with the DLC. Your journey will take you back to the beginning in the city of Kenabres, where you can attend a festival, including fireworks, to celebrate your victories and spend a good time with your friends and loved ones.

More interpersonal relationships in the DLC

The DLC promises some new content:

  • New adventures in Kenabres and a new enemy fortress
  • Personal events with your companions, far away from battles and dangers
  • A new romantic event with all romances
  • An arena where you can prove your strength against mystical opponents
  • 11 new archetypes, a new weapon, and the ability to switch from one weapon in hand to two weapons in both hands
  • Fully voiced dialogues

Pathfinder is especially worthwhile for players who already love the pen & paper version and for fans of Baldur’s Gate 3 who might want to dive into a similar world. However, Pathfinder is not the only game that provides a good alternative to Baldur’s Gate 3: 8 games like Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC, PS5, Xbox – Here’s what you can play after finishing the RPG

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

Diablo 4: 3 things you should do before Season 4 starts

On May 14, Season 4 of Diablo 4 will start, and you still have some time to secure the rewards and complete everything you want to do. MeinMMO summarizes the most important points for you.

When does Season 4 start? Season 3 will be extended, which pushes the new season back. The new start date for Season 4 is Tuesday, May 14, 2024. It will start at 7:00 PM. Presumably, there will be a corresponding patch prior to that, but maintenance is not excluded.

What is included in Season 4?

  • The theme of the season will be the Iron Wolves, which many have already suspected. The mercenary association has been a fixed part of the world since Diablo 2 and has been playing an increasingly important role since then.
  • In addition, Season 4 is entirely under the motto “Loot Reborn”. While Season 4 will not have a special mechanic, it will fundamentally overhaul everything, including the loot and crafting system, even beyond Season 4.
  • Many changes will be permanent. Season 4 is intended to reshape Diablo 4 to the extent that it becomes almost a completely new game. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus has already been able to discuss this in advance with the developers.

What happens to my season character? All season characters from Season 3 will become eternal characters. Chests, gold, and materials will be combined. If you want to play Season 4, you will need to start a new character again.

The video provides an insight into the changes in Diablo 4:

Start video
Diablo 4: Trailer shows the changes for Season 4 ‘Loot Reborn’

Get all the cosmetics you want

The Season Pass for Diablo 4 has some cosmetic items that you can only obtain in the current season. If cosmetics are important to you and you like the style of the Battle Pass, you should grind until May 14. The highlights include:

  • the mount “Clockwork Horse” at level 1
  • the city portal “Rune Threshold” at level 13
  • the tombstone “Soul Swing” at level 47
  • various cosmetic equipment items
  • various weapon skins and emotes

If you are a fan of player titles in Diablo 4 and want to secure many of them, there is a hidden title in Season 4. However, you will need to complete quite a few tasks for that:

Clear your chests and make space

Your characters will move to the eternal realm; seasonal content will not carry over, but potions, nightmare seals, equipment items, and also (Uber) Uniques will. All items share one chest, but you also have several compartments there. Also check your inventory, as it tends to accumulate a lot.

After the season, you will have some time to put items in the “eternal” chest. This can get quite chaotic if you haven’t sorted beforehand.

So think about what you want to keep from the stuff you farmed in the season. Luckily, aspects will no longer clog inventory and chests in the future, as they will move into the Codex of Power when you break down items.

If you also want to continue playing in the Eternal Realm afterward, it would be wise to farm Uber Duriel now, so you might secure some cool Uber Uniques:

Prepare your next character

If you want to play Season 4, you will need to start a new character. However, it doesn’t start “completely from 0”; it can carry over some content that you can prepare now:

  • complete (at least) the prologue of the campaign to gain access to seasonal content
  • find all Lilith statues that grant you permanent bonuses
  • reveal the entire map, or at least gather the teleport points in each city
  • farm the reputation in the areas and complete the regional progress for a faster start
When starting a new character, you can collect some bonuses if you have been diligent.

All of this takes some time but only needs to be done once. Afterward, you will have the benefits for your characters in every subsequent season—unless you switch to hardcore. For that, you will need to reveal the map again and complete the regional progress once more.

As soon as Season 4 starts, you should definitely collect and hoard some Obols. Many players have so far mostly visited the curiosities vendor when they simply accumulated too much of his currency. This might change in the future, as you will be able to get some of the best items in the game from him starting Season 4.

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