An MMORPG probably has the most complex equipment system: It is still live after 20 years

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

Even after more than 20 years, Anarchy Online is still alive. Just recently, a user shared a picture showing that the MMORPG is still well-attended.

What is Anarchy Online? The science-fiction MMORPG by Funcom was launched in 2001 and takes you to the world of Rubi-Ka, where the substance Notum is fought over. You create a hero that you can enhance through augmentations and participate in the fight for Notum through missions and PvP battles.

It also appears on our list of old MMORPGs that are still being played.

Funcom, the creators of Anarchy Online, are currently working on a new MMO, Dune: Awakening:

Start video
Dune: Awakening shows gameplay for the first time for the survival MMO

Even after 20 years, players love the game

What is the state of the game? Although not much has changed graphically in the MMORPG since 2001, many fans still play the game today. The developer Funcom has over the years worked on more and less successful games like Conan Exiles and Age of Conan Unchained and is currently working on the new Dune MMO.

Players are not particularly pleased that the developer spends more time on foreign brands than on its own brand Anarchy Online. The hope for a second part of the game is almost as old as the game itself, and players on Reddit are not saying many good things about the game.

Anarchy Online is so old that its trailer is still in 4:3, you can see it here.

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What does the community say about the game? Lowgarr writes on Reddit: “The atmosphere in AO [Anarchy Online] is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in another MMORPG or game, to be honest. Still my #1 MMORPG of all time. Funcom needs to get their head out of the sand (wink) and re-release this masterpiece.”

Lowgarr’s comment refers to the post by LegionofStone who shared a picture of Anarchy Online and wrote: “Anarchy Online may be over 20 years old, but I’m amazed at how stable the population has remained over the years. There’s nothing that has ever come close to AO when it comes to the depth of character development, especially in a science-fiction setting.”

How do the player numbers look? The game is available on Steam, but it is not played there. Player numbers on Steam are usually single digits, but there is a lot of interaction happening on the game’s Discord. The game appears to have players everywhere who are helpful and welcoming to newcomers who give the classic a chance. 

What makes the game so special?  In addition to an interesting sci-fi world, the game’s uniqueness lies in its equipment system. Here, players don’t just collect gear, but also implants that allow their character to wear better equipment.

The system is complex and not very user-friendly, which is also characteristic of a game from that era.

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If you want to try Anarchy Online, we recommend visiting the official Discord server where you can get help learning the game. You can also connect directly with groups and guilds there.

If you prefer to invest in a new game, you can find out about the release of Tarisland here: The new alternative to WoW announces its release – Here’s how you can sign up for the MMORPG

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

In the new movie on Amazon, there’s brutal action with Jake Gyllenhaal

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Road House is the remake of the cult film of the same name starring Patrick Swayze. This time, Jake Gyllenhaal is the action star, fighting against many opponents. MyMMO author Nikolas Hernes highly recommends the brutal action.

What is Road House about?

  • Jake Gyllenhaal plays the former UFC fighter Dalton in this film
  • Dalton is hired to work as a bouncer in a bar in Florida
  • But there are more problems than he initially believes, and he has to deal with more opponents than just drunken patrons

The original film was released in 1989, and Patrick Swayze fought with raw violence throughout the movie. The remake also features many brutal fights in Florida, creating a lot of chaos that, while excessive, is quite entertaining.

You can find more action movies here: 5 action movies rated 18 for hardcore film fans

You can find the trailer for Road House here:

Start video
Road House – Trailer for the new action movie on Amazon Prime

Action without much fuss

There is really not much more to say about the story than what is described in the initial summary. The setting in Florida, with the swamps, is well chosen, and the bar is a good place for good action.

There is plenty of that in Road House. Bones are broken, objects are destroyed, and Dalton shows what he’s capable of. Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a rather charming Dalton who does not say much. The man just wants to play his role.

One memorable scene for me is a huge moment in the bar in the second third of the film. It creates a massive chaos filled with fighting and violence. I had an incredible amount of fun watching it. The chaos is accompanied by music, and there are also some interesting camera ideas. Although Conor McGregor acts terribly, he works quite well in the film as the psychotic lover of violence.

Amid all of this, Dalton never loses his arrogant smile, and the film feels like a product of a different time. There are no stories about the lonely, shady hero saving a small town. Everything in this film happens just so that violence can be unleashed. Road House doesn’t take itself seriously, which is actually beneficial. There is enough wit and humor to lighten up the action.

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Road House is the perfect film if you miss the old heroes of the 80s. There is chaos and brutal action, and that is really a lot of fun. However, anyone expecting a complex story or elaborate characters should steer clear of this film. Another action hero that I can recommend to everyone is Ma Dong-seok from Korea: This Korean action star dishes out slaps like Bud Spencer

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

Pokémon GO: You only have a few hours left to get your crypto Pokémon ready for battle

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO you have only today the opportunity to unlearn Frustration. We’ll explain how to do it and why you should.

What is Frustration? When you defeat followers of Team GO Rocket, you have the chance to catch what is called a Shadow Pokémon at the end. These Pokémon can take less damage but deal 20% more damage. Therefore, you should not purify Shadow Pokémon if you plan to use them for battling.

However, Shadow Pokémon inherently have the charged attack Frustration. It is generally not possible to unlearn this charged attack. Neither by using a Charged TM nor a Charged TM. But in the current Rocket Event World full of Wonders: Takeover, you still have the chance – if you hurry.

Start video
Pokémon GO: This is what the new season ‘World full of Wonders’ looks like in the trailer

Take the opportunity and unlearn Frustration

How long can I still unlearn Frustration? The Rocket Event runs until tonight, March 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM. Until then, you still have the chance to unlearn the charged attack Frustration.

How can I unlearn the charged attack Frustration? To unlearn Frustration, you simply need to use a Charged TM on the respective Pokémon. It doesn’t matter whether you use a Charged TM or a Charged TM. Both items can be used to unlearn Frustration.

Once you have done that, you can use another Charged TM or Charged TM at any time to adjust and change the charged attack of your Shadow Pokémon.

How do I find out which Shadow Pokémon have Frustration? To find out which Shadow Pokémon still have the attack Frustration, you can simply use the search function. Go to your Pokémon bag and enter @Frustration in the search bar. You will then see all Pokémon that still have this attack.

If you want to save time in future Rocket Events, you can also tag the Shadow Pokémon for which you want to unlearn Frustration. This way, you can see all the respective Pokémon at a glance.

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Why should I unlearn Frustration? Since Shadow Pokémon deal more damage than regular Pokémon, you can get stronger attackers for your teams. However, the respective Pokémon must unlearn Frustration and learn a suitable charged attack.

The stronger a Pokémon is, the more meaningful it is to unlearn Frustration for the Shadow variant. There are naturally Pokémon for which it particularly pays off to unlearn Frustration.

Have you already unlearned Frustration for all your Shadow Pokémon where you planned to do so? Which Shadow Pokémon do you use the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers. If you want to know what to expect in April, feel free to take a look at our overview with Events in April 2024 in Pokémon GO.

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

He became famous as a crypto genius, was a sponsor of a large LoL team: Now he has to serve 25 years in prison

Fabienne Kissel Fabienne Kissel Reading time 2 minutes

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), co-founder of the failed crypto exchange FTX, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was accused of defrauding customers and investors of his insolvent firm.

Who is it about? Sam Bankman-Fried, once celebrated as one of the leading figures in the world of cryptocurrencies, has now been sentenced to 25 years in prison by a court in New York for fraud (BBC). The founder of the cryptocurrency platform FTX was accused of misappropriating billions of customer funds.

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The Charges and The Conviction

What’s behind it? The cause of FTX’s downfall was revealed in a scandal surrounding the misappropriation of customer funds. The FTX platform collapsed at the end of 2022, and he was later arrested in the Bahamas and extradited to the USA.

Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty by a jury in November 2023 on all seven charges. He was accused of running a systematic fraud scheme since FTX’s inception. He funneled billions from customers for personal use, including investments in other companies, donations to politicians, and the purchase of expensive real estate. A vehicle for this was the hedge fund Alameda Research, which he also founded. Money from FTX was funneled into it (via FAZ).

Judge Lewis Kaplan imposed a 25-year prison sentence. The prosecution accused him of unparalleled greed, leading to one of the largest financial scandals of our time.

How It All Began

His story begins with the founding of FTX in 2019, a cryptocurrency platform that quickly gained popularity and became one of the largest trading venues for digital assets like Bitcoin.

Through sponsorship, Sam Bankman-Fried made his company well-known to a broad audience:

  • FTX secured naming rights to an NBA basketball arena in Miami
  • Was a sponsor of Mercedes in Formula 1
  • Also became the naming sponsor for the LoL team TSM (Team SoloMid)

He himself played a lot of League of Legends. He was once barred by a court from playing LoL, specifically he was only allowed to use his PC for certain activities and only for certain websites.

Bankman-Fried, regarded as a visionary genius, led the company to immense success and became a billionaire himself. But the success story collapsed when FTX went bankrupt in 2022, causing investors to lose billions.

Alameda Research’s Deals Went Wrong

Bankman-Fried had a hedge fund called Alameda Research, which made risky trades and borrowed money from FTX without providing adequate collateral. This meant the hedge fund could be deeply in the red at FTX without consequence. However, Alameda’s trades went wrong, resulting in a billion-dollar hole in FTX’s coffers.

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In court, Bankman-Fried claimed according to Tagesschau that he only partially understood his companies’ financial situation and he made mistakes. He intends to appeal the judgment and the sentence.

The prosecutors argued that given the magnitude of the crime, a sentence of 40 to 50 years would be appropriate to promote respect for the law.

The defense, on the other hand, pleaded for a significantly lighter sentence of five to six and a half years in prison. They emphasized that many FTX customers received back a large part of their money. He was not the supervillain he had been portrayed as.

However, the judge rejected this argument and explained it with a comparison: A thief who takes his loot to Las Vegas and successfully bets with the stolen money has no right to leniency by using his winnings from Las Vegas to repay the stolen money.

Crypto criminal stole 2.3 billion euros, must now serve 11,196 years in prison: ‘I am smart enough to run any institution in the world’

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Tagesschau
  2. BBC
  3. TheGuardian
  4. FAZ

Afterwards, you will see Blinding in a different light

Linda Knabe Linda Knabe Reading time 2 minutes

In his new video, Marco from Nerdkultur talks about a crime thriller from 2011 and why it might be worth watching the film again now.

Who is Marco Risch? Marco Risch has been uploading videos with news, reviews, analyses, and interviews about current movies, series, and video games on his YouTube channel Nerdkultur since 2015.

In his Podcast Nerd & Kultur, he chats every Sunday with his colleague Yves Arievich about topics like Star Wars, Marvel, and DC. With both, he is part of the Webedia network, which also includes MeinMMO.

In his new video, he discusses the successful thriller “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” from 2011, the second adaptation of the novel of the same name. Here in the leading roles are Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara:

Start video
After that, you will see BLINDNESS with different eyes…

Why should you watch “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”? In his video, Marco talks about why the adaptation with Daniel Craig is actually quite worthwhile, even though there was already a very good adaptation in 2009.

Marco particularly praises the music in David Fincher’s adaptation from 2011, which contributes very well to the atmosphere of the film. Similarly, the cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth gives the film a cinematic quality that sets it apart from the original trilogy.

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Marco also addresses the performances of the actors in his video. Even though the story takes place in Sweden, some actors chose not to work with a Swedish accent. Among them, Daniel Craig found the attempt to speak with a Swedish accent rather silly and simply decided against it.

Marco provides more interesting facts about the almost three-hour film in his video. And afterwards, you might really see the thriller with different eyes.

Marco also talks about the use of music in films in this video: How a simple technique helped Marvel films succeed

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

The new X-Men series is really good and reminds me of the good old days with Saturday morning cartoons

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 3 minutes

The new X-Men series has finally premiered on Disney+, and MeinMMO author Nikolas Hernes is thrilled, as the series reminds him of his childhood and of things he misses from the MCU.

What is X-Men ’97?

  • X-Men ’97 is the new animated series on Disney+ and tells the story of the well-known mutants.
  • The series is a continuation of the animated series that aired in the 90s.
  • You don’t necessarily have to have watched the predecessor series, but a basic knowledge of the X-Men and mutants is recommended.
  • So far, 2 episodes have been released, with the next one coming every Wednesday.

I was really looking forward to this series. On one hand, there’s finally new content about the X-Men, and on the other hand, I’m a big fan of such cartoons, as they remind me of my childhood. You can find a trailer for the series here:

Start video
X-Men 97 – Trailer for the new animated series on Disney+

The intro immediately takes me back to my childhood

When I started the series and the familiar intro played, I was instantly transported back to my old childhood room. The intro is just like before, only presented in a more modern way. The look of the characters is also inspired by the old designs.

Seeing the old characters like Cyclops, Gambit, or Wolverine is already a lot of fun. X-Men ’97 manages to activate my nostalgia because while watching, I feel like a child again, sitting on a Saturday watching cartoons on cable with cereal.

The look and the limited animation emphasize this feeling. The series aims to look like a living comic, and through many slow images, it creates panels just like in a comic book.

I was surprised at how the series manages to balance serious themes with silly situations. When Gambit or Beast tell bad jokes, I’m amused, while I’m also captivated when Magneto gives a speech about acceptance in the second episode.

The series is not too silly, but also not overly serious. Topics are presented appropriately to the context and not dragged out too long. This allows viewers to think for themselves. The themes of racism and acceptance are also not treated too blatantly with the mutants.

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X-Men ’97 shows me what I miss about the MCU

The last point is also an aspect I miss in the current MCU. Superheroes are not just costumed people with abilities; they also represent societal aspects. Spider-Man, for example, despite his abilities, has problems with money and love. And the X-Men have always dealt with difficult topics like racism.

The MCU fails to convey such themes amidst all the effects and the always wanting-to-be-funny dialogues. You don’t always need a historical, serious examination of such topics. For teenagers, it can also be an animated series.

And X-Men ’97 does this really well. Again, I have to praise the second episode and Magneto’s speech, where he justifies his actions with many human deeds. Mutants who fear that their child may become a mutant encourage me to think.

The X-Men in sportswear

Apart from such themes, I really like the team dynamics. While there are many heroes due to the numerous cameos in MCU films, I have missed a truly charming team dynamic since the first Avengers film.

With the X-Men, we see the group in everyday situations. We see the team having breakfast or playing basketball. This helps me get to know the personalities of the members without it being actively told to me. The dialogues are well written and also very well voiced in German.

I am personally very excited about the upcoming episodes and can only recommend everyone to check it out. The initial reception of the series at least speaks for a critical and fan success, and I hope that Disney will take some cues from X-Men ’97 for the MCU. The next big mutant film is already expected this year: The director of Deadpool 3 explains why he needed an “army of the nerdiest nerds” for Wolverine

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

New open-world RPG reminds of Genshin Impact in darker setting, launches in May

Linda Knabe Linda Knabe Reading time 2 minutes

A new free open-world RPG is launching this year. Fans of anime, Genshin Impact, and complex characters may find exactly what they are looking for in this title.

Which game is it? Wuthering Waves is a new free-to-play open-world action RPG from Kuro Games that has been in development for some time and recently completed a beta phase.

The game has already been reminiscent of titles like Genshin Impact through its first trailers and impressions, not only due to its anime-inspired graphic style. The gameplay, gacha system, and the choice between a female and male protagonist also initially reminded players of Hoyoverse’s games.

However, Wuthering Waves opts for a more modern and darker setting, as the latest trailer shows once again:

Start video
Wuthering Waves, das Action-RPG startet im Mai

When does it launch? Wuthering Waves has now announced an official release date. The free role-playing game will launch on May 22, 2024. It will be playable on PC and mobile devices. You can already register on the official website (via wutheringwaves.kurogames.com)

Console versions are planned according to the developer, but they should not be expected too soon.

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What to expect in Wuthering Waves? The story takes place in a distant future where the human population has significantly diminished due to a catastrophe. The world is now rebuilding as some people survived the gruesome flood of monsters.

Nevertheless, there are still many dangers. You will take on the role of a male or female “Rover” who awakens from a long sleep in a foreign world. In Wuthering Waves, you will explore both the new world and the past of your protagonist.

Become your enemies in battle

In addition to an interesting story and complex characters, the game also promises several interesting features:

  • All characters use different weapons and attack maneuvers. You combine these into spectacular combos and devastating special attacks.
  • From defeated enemies, you gain echoes that grant you new abilities and improve your attributes. In battle, you can even take on the form of defeated opponents.

You obtain characters similarly to Genshin Impact or Honkai Star Rail through a gacha system. Here, every player can find the right character, whether for ranged or melee combat.

Each character comes with complex traits and unique backstories that you will experience throughout the game.

The open world of Wuthering Waves is graphically beautifully designed and can be freely explored by you. To make this a bit easier, climbing hooks and gliders will be available to you.

Another game for anime and soccer fans is also set to launch soon after a long development period: New game for anime fans is finally set to launch after 8 years of development with a 30-hour demo

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

“I would have broken up with him immediately” – Kristen Stewart on Bella’s and Edward’s relationship in Twilight

Fabienne Kissel Fabienne Kissel Reading time 2 minutes

The love story between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen is one of the most famous relationships in pop culture, but Kristen Stewart is apparently not a fan of Edward.

For over a decade, the love story between Bella and Edward in the Twilight Saga has fascinated fans worldwide. However, two fan factions have formed: Team Edward (played by Robert Pattinson) and Team Jacob (played by Taylor Lautner).

The dynamic between the two main characters and their rivalry for Bella’s affection has sparked intense discussions among fans. Each team has its own arguments and reasons for believing that their favorite is the right partner for Bella.

But after all these years, lead actress Kristen Stewart has revealed a new perspective on her relationship with Edward. Kristen Stewart, who played the clumsy Bella Swan, is actually not a big fan of Edward, as she has now revealed in a podcast.

Start video
Twilight – Breaking Dawn Trailer

Kristen Stewart criticizes Edward’s behavior in the Twilight Saga

What exactly did she say? During an interview with the Not Skinny but Not Fat podcast (via Entertainment Weekly), Kristen Stewart expressed her criticism of Edward’s behavior within the relationship. She emphasized that she personally would not have dealt with his controlling behavior patiently.

She notes that Edward often tried to control Bella’s decisions – especially when it came to life-changing situations. Kristen Stewart makes it clear that she would have ended the relationship immediately in such a situation, as she insists on her own freedom.

She says:

He [Edward] tried to control, regardless of whether she [Bella] made a decision for herself or not. I would have broken up with him immediately. I mean, if I had said, ‘Hey, I want to try this,’ and he had replied, ‘No, that’s just for me,’ I would have said, ‘Well, that’s just for me: My whole life. Without you.’ […] It is important that you allow a girl to make her own decisions.

Kristen Stewart CBR

Stewart makes it clear that Bella had the right to make her own decisions, especially when it came to such life-changing things as transforming into a vampire. He actually didn’t want it all along, but she did. Kristen Stewart criticizes Edward’s excessive protective instinct and his tendency to control Bella’s life.

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Here’s what else she says: Kristen Stewart simultaneously defends Bella against the claim that she was too dependent on Edward and that her whole life revolved around him. She argues that Bella’s actions should not always be interpreted as signs of weakness, but as expressions of her own desires and decisions.

While Kristen Stewart may not have the support of all fans for her viewpoint, some do agree with her views: The way Edward behaves in the series has led to controversial discussions, and for some, their relationship appears toxic.

Even though the Twilight Saga is over, the interest in the story and characters remains. The planned reboot of the series offers the opportunity to rethink and adjust the original films.

Vampire fans can also indulge in plenty of series besides Twilight: 5 vampire series with strong ratings on IMDb

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. CBR
  2. Entertainment Weekly
  3. Variety
  4. Titelbild: Moviepilot

The most wanted game on Steam gets competition – And you can still test it for free until tomorrow

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

Sworn is an upcoming game on Steam that could shorten the wait for Hades 2. However, those who want to test it need to hurry.

What kind of game is this? Sworn is an upcoming co-op roguelite developed by Windwalk Games. The game is being worked on by veterans from Riot, Niantic, and Blizzard.

In terms of gameplay, Sworn is heavily inspired by the indie darling Hades. Its successor Hades 2 has been the most wanted game on Steam for some time now. However, instead of the gods of Olympus, here you encounter figures from the myths surrounding King Arthur, who grant you new abilities.

However, Sworn differs in that you can play in co-op with up to 3 friends.

Start video
Sworn official announcement trailer

How does Sworn work? The runs in Sworn follow the proven formula: You enter a room and must face numerous enemies there. Once you have cleared them all, various doors open. Based on the symbols, you can tell what lies behind them.

After a few rooms, you have to defeat a miniboss. In between, you receive new abilities that you only have for the duration of the run, upgrades, or one of the 4 currencies:

  • With gold, you can buy temporary upgrades during the run; it disappears upon your death.
  • With the remaining currencies, you can unlock permanent upgrades after completing your runs that allow you to delve deeper into the dungeons 

Over time, you can unlock 4 different classes, each with 4 different weapons and spells available. This allows you to build a nimble melee fighter, a protective tank, or a cautious ranged fighter.

In the skill tree, you can gain more health, attack damage, or movement speed, as well as unlock various bonuses.

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How can you play Sworn? The game is currently still in pre-alpha. However, a free playtest is currently running on Steam, which already includes 2 mini-bosses and a nasty final boss.

Those who want to participate should hurry; the playtest only runs until March 31, 2024.

More co-op action for roguelite fans: The developers of one of the best survival games on Steam are making a hack and slash with co-op, and it is really good.

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

The fight against the robots in Helldivers 2 will soon be even more intense, as they are expected to receive armed spaceships as a new enemy type.

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

Recently, a threatening message reached the players in Helldivers 2. Soon, the fight against the robots could become much more difficult.

How did the spaceships come about? A threatening message from the high command reached the Helldivers 2 players through the in-game messaging center. Thanks to the efforts of the Helldivers, the robots’ communication system on the planet Troost was taken offline. In the process, blueprints for a new type of enemy robot were discovered. 

The new enemy type is supposed to be flying cannon ships, which will likely attack Helldivers from above. So far, not much is known about the new enemy type, but something even more threatening has come to light.

Did you miss the new war bond? Then we have the perfect trailer for you:

Start video
Helldivers 2 shows the new war bond ‘On the Edge of the Knife’ in a trailer

A secret of the robots shocked the Helldivers

What else was revealed? The message from the high command in the game indicated that the communication system on the planet liberated by the Helldivers had apparently been sending “transmissions beyond the galactic border”.

This could mean that the robots have the ability to leave the human galaxy from Over-Earth, and that there are many more of them than previously thought. 

An attack outside the current boundaries of the robots could also occur, for example, at another point on the edge of the galaxy. With an additional front, the Helldivers would definitely be challenged more than before.

How is the community reacting? The Helldivers on Reddit are not pleased with the news from their high command. The flying cannon ships of Helldivers 2 actually concern the players a little less than the uncertainty about what the robots might be doing outside the galaxy. 

K_Hermit writes: “Now I understand why they gave us the quasar cannon and why it is damn good.” The quasar cannon has been popular among many players since it was recently released.

Neko4ever2 also believes: “Do you think they gave us the laser rocket launcher cannon thingamajig with unlimited ammo for fun? No, every time we get a new toy, we need it.”

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von Sophia Weiss

stormy_petrol is more worried about the big picture: “Everyone is worried about the flying cannon ships, and no one is concerned about the ‘transmissions beyond the edge of the galactic border.'”

stormtroopr1977 responds: “Finally, we are leaving the tutorial part of the game.”

A new enemy type and a new front could give Helldivers 2 new momentum, although the game has so far been able to maintain player numbers well. War could soon rage not only at the edge of the galaxy but also on Over-Earth: Helldivers 2: Player lands inadvertently on Over-Earth and thus confirms a grim theory

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

On the PS5 you can test a game over the holidays that is known for its beautiful heroine and cool battles

Linda Knabe Linda Knabe Reading time 2 minutes

You can make good use of your free time during the holidays this year by playing the demo of a highly anticipated game on the PS5.

Which game is this about? Stellar Blade is a new action-adventure game on the PS5, which is set to be released on April 26, 2024. The game is published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed by Shift Up, and is considered a highly anticipated title for the Playstation.

  • The gameplay is said to offer intense combat, where you need to expertly parry enemy attacks and use combo abilities and items in battle.
  • Stellar Blade also gained attention due to its “pretty heroine,” created with the help of a South Korean model.
  • Making the main character a beauty was the full intention of the developers, as they explained.

Recently, Stellar Blade accidentally launched a demo, through which players could gain a first impression.

A trailer then announced the official demo of the game a few days ago:

Start video
Stellar Blade, the action-adventure on the PS5 launches demo

When can you play the demo? The demo of Stellar Blade has been available on the PS5 since yesterday, March 29, 2024. However, to download it, you have to pay 0.25 €.

Why is the demo worth it for the holidays? If you still don’t know how to spend your free time during the holidays, the demo of Stellar Blade could definitely be worth it.

This is said to include the first part of the story. You will even accompany the protagonist up to the first boss fight. Therefore, you should be able to get a good impression of the game, the story, and the gameplay through the demo.

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You can make good use of your free time during the holidays to explore the demo thoroughly instead of just rushing through it. Because you can later transfer your demo save data to the game.

Additionally, the developers promise a little surprise for all players of the demo. They haven’t disclosed what it is, of course.

Next week, PS Plus users can secure three free games again: PS Plus in April 2024: Sony is giving you almost a new game from EA – it was released only 7 months ago and cost 80 €.

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

One Piece: The former villain Mr. 2 became Luffy’s friend – But what actually happened to him?

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

Many know Bon Curry (or Bentham) as Mr. 2 from the Baroque Works. However, over the course of One Piece, he changed his mind and went from enemy to friend. His friendship with Luffy even went so far that he sacrificed himself for the Straw Hat Pirates. But how is he doing today?

Why did Mr. 2 become a friend? Already at the first encounter, something like a friendship developed between Mr. 2 and the Straw Hat Crew. He ended up on the pirate crew’s ship by accident and had a lot of fun with them.

But Mr. 2 was actually an agent of the Baroque Works, which was led by Sir Crocodile. He was a villain who wanted to overthrow the royal family. The Straw Hat Crew wanted to prevent that. Therefore, Mr. 2 had to fight the Straw Hat Crew when they met in Alabasta. There, he had a kick duel with Sanji, which the blonde pirate was able to win.

Even at the end of the fight, Sanji remained cool and thanked him for the fair fight. Mr. 2 returned the favor: he saved the Flying Lamb from being seized by the Marines. In order for the Straw Hat Crew to escape, he even stood against the Marines.

Start video
One Piece: New trailer shows first images from the Egghead Island arc

Mr. 2 is now a true queen

How did he sacrifice himself for Luffy? Bon Curry lost the fight against the Marines and ended up in Impel Down, a high-security prison. Luffy also found his way here and the two joined forces to escape together.

In order for Luffy to escape, Bon Curry had to stay behind. With the power of his trans fruit, he transformed into Magellan, the commander in Impel Down. He instructed his subordinates to open the Gate of Justice so that the Straw Hat could escape.

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But suddenly Mr. 2 faced the real Magellan. Clearly displeased, he asks Bon Curry if he has any last words. He replied that he would have no regrets. Since Magellan is an extremely strong opponent, from whom even Luffy had to flee, it all looked like Mr. 2 would die in this action.

What is he doing today? As we know today, Mr. 2 survived the attack. He is now the queen of Newkama Land, the transgender realm within Impel Down. Between levels 5 and 6, there is actually a secret level 5.5, where many trans people live.

You can see the image in the lower of the two tweets:

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The former leader Emporio Ivankov is currently busy with the plans of the Revolutionary Army. Bon Curry therefore took over his position and is probably leading a great life, as there is enough alcohol, food, weapons, and games in this level.

So far, there has only been one picture of Bon Curry after the time skip showing him dancing in front of Newkama Land. Whether he will ever help the Straw Hats again remains to be seen. But Bon Curry has already helped the pirate crew twice, showing what a loyal soul he is.

If you are wondering what happened to Enel: the story is even crazier!

One Piece: What happened to Enel? This is how the Thunder God is doing today

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

7 MMOs, MMORPGs and DLCs that started great but then fell behind

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 6 minutes

A strong release is not a guarantee of long-term success. Various publishers and developers of MMOs and MMORPGs have had to learn this the hard way over the years. In this special, we look back at games and expansions that were able to attract record player numbers at launch but then disappointed.

For new MMOs and MMORPGs, it is extremely important that the launch is driven by a large wave of hype. The more players rush to the servers, the better it is for all competitive and cooperative content. Additionally, the regions and hubs feel wonderfully lively.

On the other hand, high player numbers ensure that such a release becomes significant on Twitch, Twitter, Reddit, and other platforms. Ideally, this attracts even more players to the servers and further enhances the hype.

However, history has shown multiple times that a strong launch does not provide a guarantee for long-term success. This special is dedicated by the MeinMMO editorial team to several MMO(RPG)s that were able to make a lightning-fast start but then turned into a disappointment for fans and the responsible studio.

[toc]

In the Footsteps of the Predecessor

Let’s start with two online shooters that were able to step into big shoes thanks to strong first installments. This is a commitment, but it certainly brings the hype.

With Destiny 2 from Bungie, this very anticipation before launch resulted in significantly higher pre-order numbers than those for its predecessor. On September 9, 2017, just three days after release, the developers celebrated 1.2 million simultaneously active players (via X).

Start video
Destiny 2 before the end? – Service games must learn to die

In several markets, it reached the first place in the sales charts. The Activision leadership celebrated the largest PC release in the company’s history. In North America, there was only one other console game that sold more in 2017 (Call of Duty: WWII).

However, the high hopes of many fans were never fulfilled by the game. Specifically, the endgame, the PvP, and later the DLCs, as well as many seasonal content disappointed:

  • As early as 2018, Forsaken could not bring back as many players as publisher Activision had hoped, and they dropped out.
  • By the time of Lightfall at the latest, player numbers were said to have dropped so significantly that Destiny 2 no longer generated enough money to support Bungie’s large team.

According to industry insider Paul Tassi (via Forbes), Bungie would not exist today without the takeover by Sony in July 2022 due to the weak revenues from Destiny 2. However, even Sony could not prevent layoffs. The development of the new multiplayer shooter Marathon is currently not going smoothly either.  

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Brother in Spirit: The Division 2

Similar to Destiny 2, the situation for The Division 2 in March 2019 was quite similar. Here too, there was a predecessor that had done many things well, but not everything, and a community built over years.

In fact, Ubisoft celebrated more than six times the number of pre-orders of The Division 2 through the Ubisoft Store. However, at release, the sales figures for PC were only at the level of part 1. On console, there was no game in March 2019 that generated more revenue.

Unfortunately, the developers here also failed to meet the expectations of most fans and build a content plan that would keep players on the servers long-term. This was not changed by the Steam release in January 2023.

In just one single weekend in the past 14 months, more than 14,000 players were online simultaneously on Valve’s distribution platform in The Division 2. And on that occasion, interested parties could try the online shooter for free for the first time.

Start video
The Division 2 celebrates with you 5th anniversary

Despite Steam Records, No Long-Term Success

Speaking of Steam: The next two games have been there from the beginning and share several commonalities. Both Lost Ark and New World

  • are true MMORPGs (even if they feel and play completely differently)
  • were released after a long drought period for fans of ambitious online role-playing games
  • were managed (in the West) by Amazon Games and were able to utilize maximum synergies with the streaming platform Twitch and the Prime Gaming service

The result of this combination was comparable for both games: there was a huge hype that catapulted the titles into the all-time top 10 of Steam for “most concurrent players.” New World briefly reached 913,634 players (8th place), while Lost Ark even managed 1,325,305 players (4th place).

However, the highs lasted only for a short time for both projects. The hype collided sharply with the shortcomings of Amazon’s first ambitious MMORPG and the peculiarities of Asian online role-playing games. Player numbers plummeted.

Start video
New World: Rise of the Angry Earth – Trailer for the Expansion

New World clearly seemed like it wanted to transform an online adventure focused on sandbox, survival, and PvP into a half-theme park MMORPG with significantly more PvE content in a very short time based on feedback from beta testers.

Along with generic quests came server issues, gold duplication exploits, and other challenges. Strengths such as the audiovisual design of the game world or the lively combat system were not enough to compensate for the weaknesses.   

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2

Pokémon GO: Crypto Mewtwo is finally back – Here’s what you need to know

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO this weekend, Crypto-Mewtwo is waiting for you at the Rocket event. We show you how you can get it.

What kind of event is this? Currently, the Rocket event World full of Wonders: Takeover is taking place in Pokémon GO. Here, there is the debut of Crypto-Groudon, the opportunity to forget the charged move Frustration, and many more contents.

A highlight in the current Rocket event is undoubtedly the return of Crypto-Mewtwo. To ensure you know exactly how to get it, we have summarized the most important information for you.

Start video
Pokémon GO: This is what the new season ‘World full of Wonders’ looks like in the trailer

Crypto-Mewtwo: All Info and the Optimal Preparation

When is Crypto-Mewtwo available? You have the opportunity to challenge Crypto-Mewtwo this weekend. It will appear in 5*-Crypto-Raids both on Saturday, March 30, 2024, and on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

How should you prepare for the raid? Crypto-Mewtwo is at the top of the list of strongest attackers in Pokémon GO. Accordingly, it is also a tough opponent when you challenge it. You should therefore have an appropriate number of trainers when you take it on.

Your team should also be well prepared and ideally have the best counters against Crypto-Mewtwo. The better your counter Pokémon are, the easier the battle against Crypto-Mewtwo will be.

Additionally, you should make sure you have purified gems with you to make the fight against Crypto-Mewtwo easier. With these items, you can tame Crypto-Mewtwo when it gets angry. More info on the purified gems.

Pokémon-GO-Mewtu-Shiny
Mewtwo normal and in its shiny variant

If you enter the battle with relatively few trainers, you should also make sure to bring enough potions and revives. If your team is defeated in battle, you can quickly revive them and continue the fight.

Also note that Crypto-Mewtwo only appears in Crypto-Raids. This means that you cannot use remote raid passes and must challenge it on-site. As usual, a raid pass is required to participate in the raid.

Can Crypto-Mewtwo also appear as shiny? Yes, with a bit of luck, you can encounter Crypto-Mewtwo as shiny.

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Are you prepared for the Crypto-Raids with Crypto-Mewtwo? Will you be heading out yourself, or are you not interested in Crypto-Mewtwo? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If you want to know what is happening next month in Pokémon GO, take a look at our overview of the events in April 2024 in Pokémon GO.

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

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Player discovers a way to unlock secret areas of the map

Fabienne Kissel Fabienne Kissel Reading time 2 minutes

In Dragon’s Dogma 2 hides more behind a weapon than one might initially suspect. An observant player has now discovered how he can use this weapon to uncover hidden areas on the map.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 has a huge map full of secrets. Given the enormous size of the world, it will certainly take a considerable amount of time to discover all the hidden treasures and secrets that this role-playing game has to offer.

One player has now made an amazing discovery to unlock secret areas on the map.

Start video
Dragons Dogma 2 – Trailer for the story

Use catapults to uncover secret areas

What has he found? The observant player Peppo_LS uses catapults to unlock hidden areas on the map:

I just found out that you can use catapults to unlock new parts of the map in Dragon’s Dogma 2!, Peppo_LS shares with the community on X.

How does he do it? He demonstrated his method in a short clip on X. He loads the catapult with a large stone and then fires it into the distance. When the stone hits the mountain, a previously hidden cave becomes visible to him.

Here you can see the clip showing how he does it:

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The catapults are actually designed to combat gigantic monsters. But the player has found an alternative use for the weapons. Instead of only using them in combat, they can also serve to unlock previously undiscovered areas of the map.

What initially seems to be a purely offensive weapon is now turning out to be the key to new discoveries.

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What do other players say about the discovery? Some players were surprised at how this discovery came to light. Many have simply walked past the inconspicuous weapons. We have summarized a few comments under the post on X:

  • Okami13_ writes: Do you know how many of those I walked past?
  • tokage17 emphasizes: I never thought about trying that.
  • My_tucker_acct sums it up for many: Sometimes the best place to hide something is right in front of everyone’s eyes.
  • TheSphereHunter writes: This game is great.

Therefore, it is worth keeping an eye out and experimenting. Who knows what other secrets are waiting to be discovered?

Dragon’s Dogma 2: Player stands before an abyss and a roaring ogre that brings a big surprise

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

LoL: Riot Games changes the design of a feature, but many players are unhappy with it

Fabienne Kissel Fabienne Kissel Reading time 2 minutes

Players of League of Legends strongly criticize the new mastery emotes. They complain that they look like cheap designs from mobile games. MeinMMO reveals what lies behind the new criticism of LoL.

Which feature had its design changed? Riot Games introduced a new design for the champion mastery emotes. The mastery system is set to be revamped to enhance the player experience and better acknowledge your achievements. New designs are also expected to come.

However, the players of League of Legends are dissatisfied and criticize the new design.

Start video
7 Facts about LoL that only true veterans know

Players Hate the New Design of Mastery Emotes

What do the players say? Players expressed their dissatisfaction on platforms like Reddit, praising the old mastery design as iconic and suggesting to simply expand it instead of introducing a completely new design.

LoL Masteries new
Here is how the new masteries look. Image source: leagueoflegends.com

We summarized a few comments from Reddit about what players think of the new design:

  • BeMyWard writes: “Am I the only one who thinks it’s ugly? It looks as detailed as a cheap mobile game.”
  • Cobiuss_NA: I don’t like it. Overdesigned and gaudy.
  • f0xy713 writes: I don’t understand why they feel the need to change it completely. The old mastery symbol is iconic, and nothing new they come up with will be better. They should just add more colors and slightly expand it.
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What else is planned? At the beginning of the year, Riot Games announced that they are tweaking the mastery system and want to improve it overall.

Here are the main changes at a glance:

  • Real achievements: Mastery should represent real achievements and not just reward continuous playing.
  • Continuous improvement: Players should always be able to strive for higher mastery, and the system should reflect these aspirations.

The cap on mastery levels has been lifted, and players can now raise their level indefinitely – no longer just up to level 7. A new mechanic called ‘mastery tokens’ replaces the old S-rank tokens and represents certain achievements with a champion.

More about the mastery system and how to earn mastery tokens can be found on the official League of Legends website.

When is the update coming? The design of the mastery emotes as well as the planned changes are still in the development process, which suggests that the current design may not be final. It remains to be seen whether Riot Games will take player feedback into account.

What do you think of the new designs? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

LoL: The currently least popular champion is finally getting improved: “Like a damn horror movie monster”

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

What ever happened to Sarazar? This is what the former buddy of Gronkh is doing today

Lydia Lydia Reading time 2 minutes

With their Let’s Plays, Gronkh and Sarazar shaped the early German gaming scene on YouTube. However, while Gronkh is now one of the biggest German Twitch streamers, we hear relatively little from his former friend – what is Sarazar doing today?

What happened with Gronkh? In the past, Valentin “Sarazar” Rahmel and Erik “Gronkh” Range were inseparable: together they produced YouTube videos, hosted “Let’s Play Together” for ProSiebenSat.1, and founded PlayMassive GmbH.

Between 2017 and 2018, a rift apparently occurred between the two. Gronkh left PlayMassive GmbH. However, in a post from March 2023, Sarazar emphasized that there was no conflict and that they didn’t wish each other any ill. Each one is living their own life, Sarazar explained (via X).

But how did it actually go for Gronkh’s former “Superhomie,” and what is he doing today?

Start video
Gronkh, the man with the voice – Career and life of Germany’s most famous Let’s Player

Gaming, Travel, and Music

This is how it went for Sarazar without Gronkh: Sarazar had expanded more broadly in the previous years. He outsourced his gaming content to Twitch. Although Let’s Plays were still published on YouTube, they consisted of edited highlights from the streams.

Additionally, Sarazar released travel videos and engaged in other projects, such as music. However, his Twitch presence became increasingly irregular. In 2022, only sporadic streams took place. The last game Sarazar showcased on Twitch was the survival game Icarus (via TwitchTracker).

It also became quiet on his YouTube channel. In 2023, Sarazar published a series of videos related to the role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy, based on Harry Potter. The first video garnered an impressive 335,000 views, while later ones still collected several tens of thousands.

The Time of Let’s Plays with Gronkh is Long Over

And how about today? Today, Sarazar is the managing director of White Mandala GmbH, which emerged from PlayMassive. The company specializes in video production and marketing. For public broadcasting, he still produces travel documentaries: the series “Roadtrip with Sarazar” can be found on YouTube or in the ARD Mediathek.

With Aerochrone, the content creator has a music label that serves as a promoter and publisher for electronic music, organizes events, and according to the Aerochrone website, “connects influencers with brands and events.”

Sarazar also performs at festivals like Parookaville and Lollapalooza and produces music, such as his current track RED (via X.com).

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On YouTube, Sarazar released a video 7 months ago in which he reflects on the past years. In it, he talks about his travels, his experiences, and his meetings with Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt and Tom Holland.

He also explains that he edits the travel documentaries himself, which takes a lot of time. There isn’t much time left for gaming in all of this. Nevertheless, there have been two more Let’s Plays on Sarazar’s channel in recent months: on the survival games Rust and DayZ.

It seems that Sarazar still remains true to his roots, even though there will probably be no more joint gaming sessions with Gronkh.

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Do you still have nostalgic memories of the Let’s Plays by Gronkh and Sarazar? Would you like to see them create content together again? And are you still following Sarazar? Let us know in the comments.

More about the career of the “big brother” of the German gaming scene can be found here: From Let’s Plays in Minecraft to one of the largest German Twitch streamers – The career of Gronkh

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

A new DLC is now the lowest rated game on Steam

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

The city-building simulation Cities: Skylines 2 faced sharp criticism upon its release in October 2023: The game was said to be unfinished and technically a disaster. Now a first paid DLC is being released and is being harshly punished by fans. Cities Skylines 2: Beach Properties is now the thing on Steam with the worst reviews. The Steam reviews are only 4% positive.

How bad are the reviews? The €10 DLC was released on March 25. It has received 951 reviews. Only 4% are positive (via Steam).

  • For comparison: Even Overwatch 2, which was harshly criticized on Steam after Blizzard scrapped the PvE, stands at 17% positive reviews.
  • Even The Day Before, which many saw as a scam, still has 13% positive reviews.
  • According to PCGamesN, the DLC is now ranked 68,914 on Steam. Another DLC for Cities: Skylines 2, which hasn’t been released yet, is at 68,913 – a bundle for the game at 68,912.
Start video
The release trailer for the building game Cities: Skylines 2

Players express their frustration about the state of the game on the DLC

This is the criticism of the DLC: The criticism is very clear: The launch of Cities: Skylines 2 was a disaster – The developers should be ashamed.

Players say:

  • “Why did I only buy the Ultimate Edition? I could have burned that money.”
  • One user says about the new DLC: “4 trees and no beach for 10 € is bordering on theft.”
  • Another asks: “Have you been drinking paint?”

One user explains that he understood why Cities: Skylines 2 was released the way it was. Paradox had to save its stock price after the debacle with Lamplighters League. But that it took half a year to be somewhat playable was something he held against them.

Now the developers had the chance to make amends with a major DLC. But the $10 asset pack is not worth even $2.50:

If the mod workshop were truly open, we would have more and better stand assets available for free within 24 hours than this $10 pile of junk.

This is what lies behind it: The anger over the DLC is further intensified by the fact that the important and promised mod support is not functioning properly.

The frustration in the city-building community is still high six months after the release and is now being released on the DLC.

Not a good run for publisher Paradox lately:

Strategic geniuses are failing again – A new alternative to Civilization is being torn apart in reviews on Steam.

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

The NASA says: Of all sci-fi movies, this is the most realistic – This does not speak well for humanity

Fabienne Kissel Fabienne Kissel Reading time 3 minutes

In 2011, NASA scientists compiled a list of the most realistic sci-fi movies. At the top of the list is a film from 1997: Gattaca starring Ethan Hawke and Jude Law.

During a conference (2011) in California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA scientists created a list of the best and worst science fiction movies in terms of their credibility. One sci-fi film made it to number one, depicting a future where what matters is not performance, but genetic material.

Here you can see a trailer for Gattaca:

Start video
Gattaca – Trailer (English)

This is the most realistic film according to NASA

Which film? Gattaca, directed by Andrew Niccol, is a dystopian science fiction film that showcases a society where people are categorized into different classes through genetic manipulation.

Fun Fact: The title of the film is derived from the four nucleobases of DNA: Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, and Cytosine (G, A, T, and C).

What is the film about? The film is about a future society where parents can determine their children’s future even before they are born – all characteristics like height, hair color can be adjusted and hereditary diseases eliminated. A scenario that promises nothing good.

Gataca Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman in Gattaca. Source: Moviepilot

A society divided into two classes

The society is divided into two classes: the Valids, who are genetically optimized, and the Invalids, who were conceived naturally and have genetic defects. The Invalids are discriminated against and oppressed.

Vincent Freeman, played by Ethan Hawke, is one of the Invalids and dreams of flying into space. He is driven by the injustice of the system that evaluates people based on their genetic perfection.

To realize his dream, he assumes the identity of a genetically perfect man named Jerome Morrow, who is in a wheelchair after an accident. Under the false identity of Jerome, Vincent works hard to qualify for a space mission.

As Vincent tries to hide his true identity and fulfill his dreams, he becomes embroiled in a murder case that threatens his disguise. He must fight against genetic discrimination while also finding his place in society.

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The characters in Gattaca struggle with societal norms and their personal beliefs. They strive to find their own place in the world and understand how their genes influence their identity. The film touches on themes such as genetic engineering, discrimination, the meaning of destiny, and self-determination.

Today, scientists can use tools like the gene-editing CRISPR-Cas9 to make targeted interventions in genetic material, which is also used for gene therapies for certain diseases. CRISPR-Cas allows researchers to cut, remove, insert, or modify DNA at specific locations.

It remains to be seen what other possibilities will arise in the future. Given the rapid advancements in genetic research, the film Gattaca might well be even more relevant today than in its time.

What other films are on the list? The highest-rated films by NASA also include the following:

  • Rank 2: Contact
  • Rank 3: Metropolis
  • Rank 4: The Day the Earth Stood Still
  • Rank 5: Woman in the Moon
  • Rank 6: The Thing from Another World
  • Rank 7: Jurassic Park

NASA scientists have also put together a list of the most unrealistic sci-fi films, including a well-known disaster film from 2009: This science fiction film is considered by NASA to be the most unrealistic

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. jeuxvideo
  2. Smithsonian
  3. Titelbild: Moviepilot
  4. CBR

The head of Baldur’s Gate 3 explains who should not be fired: ‘Whoever fires them is an idiot’

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

The boss of Larian Studios, the studio behind Baldur’s Gate 3, talks about the gaming industry and which developers should never be lost: experienced technical artists. Anyone who fires them is simply an idiot.

This is what Vincke says about mistakes in the gaming industry: In an interview with Eurogamer, Swen Vincke talks about the gaming industry and how important it is to have and keep experienced developers.

He responds to the question of what the secret is to keeping experienced developers in the company:

By not firing them. That’s very clear. I mean: Sometimes you lose experienced developers – that happens, there are many reasons: people leave the company, they have partners who are relocating – it’s not like you can keep everyone forever. But you can usually keep most of them if you treat them with respect.

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Middle finger to the AAA industry: Baldur’s Gate 3 was no coincidence

Clueless managers firing key employees

This is what Vincke says about layoffs: As we know from many reports, a wave of layoffs is sweeping through the gaming industry, costing thousands of developers their jobs.

Vincke explains that when he looks at who is currently losing their jobs in the gaming industry, he can’t believe it. It is completely senseless.

Companies are losing people who are a source of knowledge within a company.

Managers look at Excel sheets that they don’t understand and decide to fire someone without knowing what they are actually doing:

It will cost them much more in the long run. They just don’t realize it yet. But it will cost them dearly.

Whom would Vincke definitely not fire? Vincke says he has heard of a group of technical artists who were laid off:

I can tell you this. I am a developer: If you fire a technical artist, you are an idiot. Because they define the entire pipeline, which in turn determines the cost of your assets. They can determine so much and they know your games – especially when they are experienced, it makes no sense to fire them. Either way, we will hire them to work for us.

What kind of people are they? A “technical artist” sits at the interface between the artists and programmers of a project. They ensure that the artists have the necessary programs and techniques to work well.

Their task is to ensure that the artistic vision of a game is preserved and operates within the technology that the game uses. They also develop new tools and techniques.

In companies, they form the interface between programmers and designers.

Technical artists are people who do not stand in the spotlight like the game director or a lead producer, but who take on an extremely important role within a team.

Is the crisis sustainable? Vincke says he spoke with an experienced agent who believes that the current layoffs are part of a cycle that constantly repeats itself. By the end of 2024, the same managers and companies will realize that they need people again to develop new games to present new projects to their investors.

Then the managers who are currently laying off people in droves will start hiring again. Because they need to develop games to make money.

According to Vincke, this cycle could be avoided by not constantly chasing aggressive growth.

The head of Baldur’s Gate 3 recently made headlines because he did not do what everyone expected of him:

Team of Baldur’s Gate 3 was even working on a DLC – the boss explains why the work was halted

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