Microsoft cancels new MMORPG by the ESO creators after 7 years of development, new leak shows how it would have looked

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 2 minutes

ZeniMax Online Studios, the creators of The Elder Scrolls Online, were working on a new MMORPG codenamed “Project Blackbird.” However, Microsoft shut the project down. Now there are images showing what the game would have looked like.

What kind of game is this? Project Blackbird was supposed to be a new AAA MMORPG aiming to surprise with a sci-fi setting. Initial testers described it as a mix of Destiny 2 and Blade Runner, which was partly due to the third-person perspective and the loot shooter elements. There was also a strong focus on vertical movement.

However, in the wake of the massive layoffs at Microsoft, the project was canceled. Employees reportedly could not log into their work accounts suddenly, even before there was any communication from the HR department.

Unfortunately, the title was never shown to the public. Just now, a short clip has surfaced showing what the game would have looked like.

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The new MMORPG from the ESO makers would have truly been sci-fi

What can be seen in the clip? A user shared the leaked video on X.com. It’s only 2 minutes long but gives a good idea of what would have been visible in the MMORPG.

The focus of the video is a vertically built city. Neon signs are everywhere, and people walk around in technically high-quality looking gear. There are individual shops visible, as well as vehicles flying around on tracks.

In the clip, alongside the equipped soldiers, other beings also appear, such as muscular lizard-like creatures or small aliens. The world indeed feels like a mix of Destiny 2 and Blade Runner and also reminds of Coruscant from Star Wars.

Is it real? As doubts about the authenticity of the material arose, industry insider Tom Henderson confirmed on X, regardless of who created the video, that the material shown is real. As Henderson is well connected with developers and publishers, we can well imagine that he speaks the truth, as has often been the case in the past.

What do others say about it? In the comments, users express mixed opinions. One user writes that the advanced mobility was the only thing that intrigued him about the MMORPG. Another even claims that it wouldn’t have looked that good since only a few corridors and NPCs without charisma were shown.

Another fan, however, writes that the design looked good, but he is not sure if everything else would have been a disaster. The mixed opinions stem from the fact that only this clip of the game is visible, and no one knows for sure what else would have been featured in the MMORPG.

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Due to the canceled project, the developer can now fully focus on The Elder Scrolls Online. There is again a paid model for 2026, which MeinMMO has taken a closer look at: The paid model of Elder Scrolls Online in 2026: What does the new Battle Pass bring, and what happens to ESO Plus?

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

While everyone is talking about New World, another MMORPG from Amazon is quietly dying

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

After the final announcement regarding the end of New World, there have been many discussions about the game. The other MMORPG from Amazon, Lost Ark, is not doing much better.

Which MMORPG is it about? With the announcement that the servers of New World will be shut down on January 31, 2027, there were many discussions about Amazon and its gaming division. The rescue offer from the Rust developers also made its rounds.

What is currently receiving little attention is the once immensely popular MMORPG Lost Ark. With over 1.3 million players at its peak, the MMORPG launched on Steam on February 11, 2022 and received much praise for its gameplay, but also criticism for its extensive grind, which sometimes had to be done with multiple characters at the same time. However, little is left of the high player numbers now.

This is how it began for Lost Ark years ago:

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New video about Lost Ark shows what makes the free MMORPG special

Fewer and fewer players

What is happening with Lost Ark? The once huge MMORPG from Amazon Games is quietly dying a slow death. While the community is discussing the premature end of New World, fewer and fewer players are logging into Lost Ark.

The highest peak in January 2026 was, according to SteamDB, 14,123 players, marking the lowest value the MMORPG has ever reached in a month. While Lost Ark has a total rating of 70% on Steam which indicates “mostly positive”, recent reviews paint a different picture.

In recent reviews, Lost Ark stands at only 46%, categorizing it as “mixed”. The players’ criticism is even more devastating.

What do players say about the current state? In the reviews on Steam, there are many reasons for the currently weakened state of Lost Ark. German and French players are particularly complaining on Steam that the languages were removed from the MMORPG.

This had been announced by the developers in 2025 with the technical justification that wrong keys could be pressed during Quick-Time Events. However, this is not well received by fans.

New players are complaining on Steam about the overwhelming amount of menus that they are buried under. They also find the many mechanics so complex that even for simple game mechanics, they need external guides, tables, and community explanations to avoid wasting their resources.

Other players criticize on Steam the Pay2Win aspects and the veteran players in the community, who are impatient and do not help new players.

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Even though Amazon’s developers stated after the demise of New World that Lost Ark would continue to live on for now, the player numbers show that the MMORPG is currently dying just the same. What will happen to Lost Ark in 2026 and what else Amazon Games plans for the game can be found here: After the end of New World, fans are worried about Throne and Liberty and Lost Ark – Now Amazon responds

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

Dungeons & Dragons: Your favorite classes in the community ranking show that you basically only need one spell

Alexander Mehrwald Alexander Mehrwald Reading time 4 minutes

In Dungeons & Dragons there are 12 classes to which you can assign your alter ego. So we asked you which classes you are most fond of. You can read the results here, and it shows: Apparently, you don’t need too many spells.

What was that survey about? In our survey, we wanted to know which of the 12 classes in Dungeons & Dragons you like to play the most. We focused on the main classes from the core rulebooks and left out classes like the Spellblade.

In total, there were around 3598 votes, which you could cast for your favorite. And in your top choice, it is noticeable: There are many spells available for Dungeons & Dragons, but actually, you only need one.

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Your Choice: The 12 Classes Ranked from Least Popular to Most Popular

Before we go into detail about your top 5 classes, we start with the least popular and then work our way up to position 1.

So here are your places 12 – 6:

  • Place 12: Barbarian (4 %, 148 votes)
  • Place 11: Fighter (5 %, 178 votes)
  • Place 10: Monk (5 %, 190 votes)
  • Place 9: Cleric (7 %, 262 votes)
  • Place 8: Bard (7 %, 267 votes)
  • Place 7: Wizard (8 %, 283 votes)
  • Place 6: Ranger (8 %, 286 votes)

If you want to know what the favorite classes of the MeinMMO editorial team are, check it out here:

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The ranking shows that a certain amount of magic is important to you and that brute force gives you less satisfaction. However, power itself plays a significant role for you – regardless of where it comes from – as places 5 – 1 show.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3 4

Modder builds an “all-in-one” console, putting a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and a Switch 2 in the same case

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

A modder wants to avoid having three consoles at home and therefore decides to build all three devices into one case. The final result is impressive. However, the new “All-in-One” console has a few drawbacks and may not be perfect for all users.

A Chinese modder named XNZ has built an “All-in-One” console that runs a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and a Switch 2 in a single, self-constructed case. She showcases the project in a YouTube video.

XNZ completely disassembled the three original consoles, installed their motherboards into a custom chassis, and developed a shared cooling and power supply solution. This was reported by the English-language magazine TomsHardware.

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Wir packen die Switch 2 aus: Das ist im Karton

Three Consoles in One Case, but Only One Can Be Played at a Time

Why did she do it? XNZ wanted to play all major platform-exclusive titles without having to operate and swap multiple consoles side by side. The device was built as a one-off, not as a commercial product. It clearly targets enthusiasts and modding fans.

What’s inside the system? The case is a triangular cylinder, with a motherboard of the respective console mounted on each side. The modder develops a central, three-sided cooling block that cools all three motherboards together using copper plates and a large 120 mm fan, with the airflow concept reminiscent of the Xbox Series X, as the air is expelled upwards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAIqzpbv9Xwu0026feature=youtu.be

The cooling block was cast using the lost-wax process (Formlabs.com): Initially as a 3D-printed model wrapped with heat-resistant material and then used as a mold for metal casting.

For the Switch 2, the dock was disassembled and integrated into a separate, slim 3D-printed case with a spring-loaded USB-C connection so that the handheld console can dock and be ejected mechanically cleanly. In the video, you can see at minute 14:00 how she slides the Switch into the case and ejects it again using a red button.

Are there disadvantages? Yes, due to very limited space, all consoles can only be used digitally. No drives are installed in the new case. Additionally, only one console can be active and running a game at a time. If two were to operate simultaneously under load, the power supply would be overwhelmed and shut off.

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The PS5 is now present in many households. However, some users complain about the noise of the console or do not like the white design. A user has now presented a special PS5: he has built his console into a new case with liquid cooling. The result is quite impressive: Gamer installs liquid cooling for 800 euros in a PS5, thereby solving the “biggest” problem of the console

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

Sauercrowd enters a 5-person dungeon with 9 people – Way too many die

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

It was supposed to be a relaxed dungeon visit in WoW Classic, with more players than necessary. But it turned into pure chaos.

There is a nearly morbid kind of tension with which the Sauercrowd event is followed in WoW Classic. Because even though you hope that the project goes well and everyone slowly trickles in at level 60, it’s those character deaths that are often the most exciting. This was also the case yesterday afternoon when Sauercrowd ventured into the dungeon “Lower Blackrock Spire” – and several characters at level 60 had to say goodbye.

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What kind of dungeon is this? Blackrock Spire is an endgame dungeon of World of Warcraft Classic. Although the dungeon is considered extremely large, it is fundamentally divided into two areas. Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS) and Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS). Even if you can enter the dungeon with 10 people, at least the lower area is designed for 5 players in terms of difficulty – but only if chaos doesn’t break out.

What happened? To save time, the group wanted to perform a skip, meaning to skip part of the dungeon. This often works at several points in large dungeons to shorten the run, but it comes with particular dangers. In this case, the group had to jump from a high point, which costs roughly 30% of their health points.

A second problem is the fact that there is only a very small “safe” area where they can land. A few meters away and they draw the attention of additional enemies.

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The group of 9 decides to land directly on a patrol to take it out immediately in combat. However, several characters move at the same time, and an enemy who was not yet involved in the fight is attacked, bringing another mob group into the battle. Panic ensues, everyone moves a bit, and a third group is pulled.

The chaos is then complete, and the calls become muddled. While calls go out to use the hearthstone (to possibly escape), the first start leaving the group and drink a potion of petrification to be teleported out of the dungeon. In fact, the tank Hahn is the first to use the hearthstone – even before he is noticed by most of the enemies.

Papaplatte is shocked when Sauercrowd loses 4 level 60 characters simultaneously

In the end, it all adds up and leads to several streamers losing their digital lives: Torro, Vlesk, Kimuh, and Tehkex die at level 60. Even Papaplatte can hardly believe it, as one can clearly see in his rather loud reaction:

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For the entire Sauercrowd project, this is a severe setback, as the number of characters at level 60 has been drastically reduced again – and this lowers the chances of eventually completing the Molten Core with a group. Because by the time the streamers reach level 60 again, it is expected to take several weeks – and whether everyone will be able to pull it off a second time is uncertain.
Why Sauercrowd turns out to be so deadly for many participants has already been thoroughly analyzed by our Karsten: 8 reasons why WoW Classic Hardcore is so deadly for the streamers.

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

My favorite movie 2025 lured me to the cinema 4 times, is already available for streaming on HBO Max

Christoph Waldboth Christoph Waldboth Reading time 3 minutes

The new film by a true master director hit theaters in 2025 and absolutely thrilled MeinMMO author Christoph Waldboth. Those who have missed the movie so far can catch it now at home on HBO Max.

On average, I go to the cinema two to three times a week. I see many films on the big screen each year, and it’s rare that I watch a movie more than once in theaters.

One Battle After Another was one such film.

After the first visit, I knew I had to return. Well, in the end, I watched the film four times in the cinema because it thrilled me so much.

One Battle After Another is the new film by Paul Thomas Anderson. He is one of the great directors of modern cinema and has long etched himself into film history with works such as Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood or The Master – to name just a few.

From the trailers, it was only possible to vaguely guess what kind of film One Battle After Another would be. After all, Anderson has already ventured into various genres. The result surprised me, captivated me, made me laugh, and prompted me to think. And the best part: It entertained me wonderfully four times – even though the film is quite long at 162 minutes.

Select a MMO video…

Viva la revolución!

What is One Battle After Another about? The film initially tells the story of the couple Pat Calhoun and Perfidia Beverly Hills – two revolutionaries and part of a terrorist group in the USA. The organization, called “French 75”, is responsible for a series of attacks, bank robberies, and rescue operations from refugee camps.

During one of these actions, they encounter Steven J. Lockjaw, an officer who develops a strange obsession for Perfidia and decides to hunt her and Pat.

I don’t want to reveal much more about the plot at this point. Just so much: The film can be roughly divided into two halves, with the second being significantly longer and set after a time jump of about 16 years.

Great Actor Cinema

What makes the film so good? Paul Thomas Anderson, as is often the case with his works, wrote the screenplay himself and completely impresses in this regard. The plot is a real rollercoaster ride and surprises with twists and political commentary that never feels forced.

Throughout its runtime, the story manages to remain engaging and captivates with its characters. Leonardo DiCaprio shines as the stoner, slightly swaying Pat, delivering a wonderfully funny performance. Teyana Taylor as Perfidia, Benicio del Toro as Sensei Sergio, and Willa, played by newcomer Chase Infiniti, should not go unmentioned.

However, the film’s standout performance is by Sean Penn, who embodies the villain Lockjaw. The actor approaches the role very physically, evoking in me a mix of fear, disgust, and even sympathy. Lockjaw is certainly a cinematic villain for eternity and can easily stand alongside others like Heath Ledger’s Joker, Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter, or Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates.

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A Film for the Big Screen

Paul Thomas Anderson’s directorial work in this film is clearly more action-oriented than in his previous works. Especially a sequence near the end took my breath away in the cinema thanks to a simple camera trick – keyword rollercoaster ride.

The big images, the playful soundtrack, all made it clear to me: One Battle After Another is a film for the cinema, or at least for the biggest screen possible. If you’re lucky, you might still catch the film in one cinema or another. All others can currently access the freshly launched streaming service HBO Max.

For me, it’s clear that One Battle After Another is one of the major highlights of last year’s cinema. I’m not alone in this: On Rotten Tomatoes, 429 critics gave it a rating of 94%. And at this year’s awards ceremonies in the USA, the film is already cleaning up – among other things, it won the award for Best Comedy at the Golden Globes.

I firmly believe that One Battle After Another will also play a significant role at the Oscars 2026. The only obvious competitor in the race for the main prize is currently the drama Hamnet, anything else would be surprising. So in conclusion: If you’re looking for pure, gripping cinema, One Battle After Another is just right for you. More recommendations for HBO Max can be found on MeinMMO: HBO Max in Germany: These 5 films and series you should watch

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

Players agree: Cyberpunk 2077 is the only game where an important mechanic is unnecessary in open worlds 

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 3 minutes

Cyberpunk 2077 offers a versatile world that you explore and get to know more as V. To get from A to B, there are many different ways in various other open-world games to do it quickly. However, players say: Night City doesn’t need that at all.

What mechanic is being referred to? In a Reddit thread, the community of Cyberpunk 2077 discusses the fast travel options in the game. Whether you can actually call this a discussion is questionable. Based on the many reactions, the community seems to agree and supports the headline of the post by Ok_Time6234: “[Cyberpunk] 2077 is probably the only game where I hardly fast travel.”

About 4,700 additional fans agree with this realization and explain why they do without fast travel in Cyberpunk 2077. The game does a lot right to make traveling and navigating the city enjoyable, but the reason is just as simple as effective: Night City is so awesome that there is no reason to fast travel.

Here you can see the trailer for the “City of Dreams” in Cyberpunk 2077, where fast travel becomes a minor issue:

Start video
Cyberpunk 2077: The Ultimate Edition trailer shows a ‘City of Dreams’

Whether on streets or rooftops – Cyberpunk 2077 is too good for fast travel

For what reasons do players forgo fast travel? In the exchange on the Reddit thread, it quickly becomes clear that players are not explicitly against fast travel itself. The alternatives in Cyberpunk 2077 are simply too good to teleport from one point to another.

Based on the reactions, two main reasons stand out: the vehicles and the movement possibilities and maneuvers that can be obtained in the game. Together with the level design and the world layout, one does not want to forgo navigating the city independently.

With a combination of dashing and sprinting that can be unlocked in the skill tree, V can move faster and significantly more vertically than the AI-controlled cars. This way, one can jump like a parkour pro from rooftop to rooftop in Night City and experience the city from a completely new perspective.

“The sprint-dash and jump-dash right after are by far the most entertaining way to get around in the game,” explains a player.

In this clip on Reddit, you can see how effective mobility in Cyberpunk 2077 can become through the skill tree:

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But the vehicles also impress a lot, not only through the selection and driving itself but also through the features they contain:

“The cars and motorcycles you have in the game are incredibly cool, […] the radio is great, and above all, Night City is excellently designed both visually and in terms of the map layout – it really feels like a city, unlike any other game before” (Guillermidas on Reddit).

MeinMMO editor Caro says: Fast travel in Cyberpunk 2077 has become as irrelevant to me as the community voices on Reddit describe. I have also become a big fan of the “sprint-dash-jump-dash” maneuver, so the X and O buttons on my controller will probably soon show signs of wear.

Due to the verticality in Night City from the various overlapping streets and buildings, that is incredibly useful.

Cyberpunk V in the air
Caro’s V from MeinMMO spends about 90% of her “walks” in the air

Also, like many other fans mentioned in the discussion, I am a big fan of the soundtrack from Cyberpunk 2077 and love to listen to NC-Radio while driving through the city. My personal recommendation is “98.7 Body Heat Radio” for bangers like Night City, History, Hole In The Sun, and – of course – I Really Want to Stay at Your House.

For me, the immersion of the game is destroyed by fast travel, which would be a real shame in such an immersive world like Cyberpunk 2077. Therefore, I also love to use the tram that was added in a later update. Whether I would handle it this way in every game, I doubt. But in Cyberpunk 2077 it allows me to dive even deeper into the game and the everyday life of the inhabitants, making the city feel much more alive.

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What do you think about fast travel in Cyberpunk 2077 or other open-world games? Feel free to let us know in the comments!

Whether you choose fast travel or a grounded walk, that’s entirely up to you. However, there are some decisions in Cyberpunk 2077 that MeinMMO editor Caro will definitely judge you for: Ranking of the 5 worst decisions in Cyberpunk 2077 for which I personally judge you

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

Mother has to make a decision in Pokémon GO, the community has great tips

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 2 minutes

A trainer in Pokémon GO had to make an important decision. The outcome has led to mixed reactions within the community.

The hunt for rare monsters is a major aspect of the game, representing a cornerstone of motivation for many trainers. Particularly sought after by many trainers are shiny monsters and legendary Pokémon.

A trainer reports that she was faced with a decision in the game involving a legendary monster. However, she decided against it – for her child.

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Pokémon GO shows its new season in the trailer

“PRIORITIES, PEOPLE, PRIORITIES!”

What was that decision? As the trainer reports in her post on Reddit, she was at a playground with her child. While her child was playing and enjoying the time, the trainer opened Pokémon GO.

She discovered the silhouettes of Tobutz, one of the 3 rare legendary monsters of the Lake Trio, among the monsters displayed at more or less nearby PokéStops. Since she only saw the silhouette of the monster and not the complete monster, it means that she has not been able to catch this monster yet.

She had to decide whether to let her child continue playing at the playground or whether to grab him, go to the car, and drive to the PokéStop to catch Tobutz. In the end, she chose to stay put, let her child enjoy the time, and forgo the monster.

What does the trainer say about it? In the post titled “My child will never understand my sacrifice,” the trainer writes: “Did I think about just pulling him off the playground, throwing him in the car, and going to get it? Yes. Do I regret my decision to be the best mom ever and not do it? Also yes.”

What does the community say about it? Under the post, there are some great comments and apparently some not-so-serious tips. Some of them are:

  • “You can always have another child, but this is a legendary monster!” comments pop_tab
  • “30 global spawns per hour of the Lake Trio. 16,000 births per hour worldwide. You made the wrong choice, my friend,” responds PortlandPerson94 to the previous comment
  • “Wild Legendary > Playing at the playground. PRIORITIES, PEOPLE, PRIORITIES!”, writes ZestycloseBrick5142
  • “You should have said we were going on an adventure, and then you could have just taken off, lol,” says No_Amphibian_221
  • “Little Timmy can play another time. Today we are hunting legendary monsters,” comments Ok_Row_2541
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This trainer chose her child. Other trainers do not choose between real life and their child, but instead see some real-life decisions validated through the game: Trainer doubts an important decision in his life, receives a sign in Pokémon GO.

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

Riot sends signals for the MMORPG to LoL, the community celebrates, but too early

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 2 minutes

The MMORPG of League of Legends is still deep in development, but it is now sending a sign of life in the form of a new hire. A well-known developer is joining Riot Games.

What kind of sign of life is this? The LoL MMORPG repeatedly lands in our surveys in one of the top spots when it comes to which game you are looking forward to. Yet, the game is neither out nor has there been any gameplay or teaser scenes to glimpse.

The developers at Riot have now clearly confirmed that the project is real. They are sending a new sign of life by hiring the new Senior Game Producer Raymond Bartos. He announced on January 15, 2026, on X.com that he has started his new job at Riot in the MMO team.

While the new developer is excited about the opportunity at Riot, he also brings a lot of expertise with him.

Arcane shows how exciting stories from Runeterra can be:

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Arcane Season 2 Trailer – Nothing to Lose

Good Skills for Riot

Who is the developer? Raymond Bartos is no stranger in the MMORPG scene. According to his own statements, he has been working as a developer on Twitch for 15 years and was previously employed as a Lead Producer at Blizzard’s World of Warcraft. He transitioned directly to Riot and their MMORPG team from this position.

Previously, Bartos was also employed at Daybreak Game Company LLC, where he worked on games like Just Survive and H1Z1. The good skills he brings with him will surely be appreciated by Riot, but the community is also reacting to the hire.

How is the community reacting? The community of the Riot MMORPG is excited about the new sign of life in development. Bartos seems to be a good candidate among future players. However, amidst the cheers, there is also considerable skepticism on Reddit.

The previous development of the MMORPG at Riot has been challenging. The project was restarted in 2024 after 3 years of development and sent back to the drawing board. More than two years later, the exact status is unknown.

There are indeed job postings and some provocative advertising for work at Riot, but gameplay or even just a graphic of the game is still missing. The community’s cheers over the sign of life may be premature, as Riot has previously restarted the game after 3 years of development and no one says it can’t happen again.

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The LoL MMORPG is also popular due to its few known details. Fans can still hope that their wishes for the MMORPG will come true. However, there is already a large and diverse world with Runeterra. Why the release will not happen before 2027 despite the existing world will be revealed here: Everything we know about the new MMORPG for LoL in 2026

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

An item is being sold in WoW Classic that shouldn’t even exist yet

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Although it should not yet be accessible in World of Warcraft, some items from the upcoming expansion are being smuggled into the auction house.

In the Anniversary version of World of Warcraft Classic, the launch of “The Burning Crusade” is coming soon. But before heading into the shattered world, a few days still need to pass – or so one would think. However, an item has appeared in the auction house of the realm Thunderstrike for which you must already be in the shattered world. A curiosity for which the community knows only one solution: cheating.

“The Burning Crusade” is starting again soon in the Anniversary version:

Start video
2021 brought WoW Classic the first expansion Burning Crusade back

What kind of item is this? The item in the auction house is the book “Master Fishing – The Art of Angling.”

The book teaches characters how to fish in the shattered world and raises the maximum fishing skill to 375 – the cap for The Burning Crusade.

Where does this item come from? That is exactly the catch of the matter. The book can only be obtained from a specific NPC, namely Juno Dufrain in Zangarmarsh – which is the shattered world.

However, this vendor should not be accessible yet, just like all areas of the shattered world. There is no other source for the book than this vendor.

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The answer can only be an exploit

How can one get this already? The community is puzzled but has found a solution. It is most likely a bug or exploit that existed back in The Burning Crusade. Because while the shattered world is still not accessible – the starting areas for Blood Elves and Draenei already are. And technically, the starting areas of the Draenei and Blood Elves are located in the same “instance” as the shattered world.

This means that if you escape far enough from the starting areas – perhaps over the sea – it is possible that upon death, the “next graveyard” when releasing the spirit is in a shattered world area.

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However, some players note that one cannot actually cover this distance in a normal way. Typically, you would die from exhaustion long before that. Thus, it would only be possible through so-called “fly hacks,” which are often used by bots to gather ores or herbs – which is, of course, strictly prohibited.

So it can be assumed that the creator of this auction will eventually get banned, and the small profit that he or she made from selling the book will not be worth it. Until The Burning Crusade makes a comeback, there are only a few days left – and then the hunt for new items should begin again.

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

In The Simpsons, only a few characters die permanently, but without a death, a strong gag would never have existed

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 3 minutes

Many characters from The Simpsons have become iconic figures of the series. However, very few die permanently. One of the saddest deaths is also one of the best gags and a tribute to one of cinema’s most well-known voices.

Which character is it about? In the 6th episode of the first season (1990), Lisa meets Bleeding Gums Murphy. He is an important supporting character because he has a lasting influence on Lisa. Lisa met him and he awakened in her a love for jazz and the saxophone, one of her trademarks.

He was her role model. However, in the 22nd episode of season 6 (1995), one of the saddest episodes of the series occurred. When Bart is in the hospital, Lisa runs into Bleeding Gums Murphy there. They play together on the saxophone, and the scene emphasizes how close they are. But afterwards, Murphy dies (off-screen) in the hospital.

This plunges her into an existential crisis as she contemplates that no one will remember Murphy’s music. He was not a famous musician. However, at the end of the episode, there is an emotional moment used for a pretty good gag that also honors the voice actor.

Start video
The Simpsons – The Trailer for the TV Premiere of Season 35

An unseen icon

What kind of gag is that? At the end of the episode, Lisa manages to play a song by Murphy on the radio. Afterwards, she sees the deceased in a cloud. He thanks her, but suddenly three other characters appear:

  • Mufasa from The Lion King, who says: You must avenge my death, Kimba. Uh, I mean Simba.
  • Darth Vader from Star Wars, who says: Luke, I am your father
  • The actor James Earl Jones, who says: This is CNN (translated: This is CNN)

Here, two gags are hidden: On one hand, Mufasa says Kimba. This references the anime series Kimba, the White Lion, which first aired in 1965. The similarity between the two franchises has led to controversies in the past over whether Disney has taken elements (source: The Hollywood Reporter).

The other gag is hidden in the voice. All characters, including Murphy, are voiced by James Earl Jones, which is why it is no coincidence that they all appear in the cloud. Thus, the episode honors not only the character Murphy but also Jones as an icon of cinema.

What all has James Earl Jones done? The actor, who passed away on September 9, 2024, had worked as an actor and voice actor since 1962. He not only lent his voice to the characters Mufasa (also in the 2019 remake) and Darth Vader (up to 2022 in Obi-Wan Kenobi), but he also had some on-camera roles.

For example, he played Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian or King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America (also in the sequel from 2021). His line in the episode refers to the fact that he voiced the intro for the CNN channel in 1994 (source: YouTube).

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Why is the gag so good? It’s not a joke that leaves you rolling on the floor laughing, but it has multiple layers. It doesn’t undermine the emotional level of the episode, even honors the voice behind Murphy. This gag works even after more than 30 years, even after the death of James Earl Jones.

The episode as a whole shows the great strength of the early seasons of The Simpsons: they can be silly, often ridiculous, but they usually treat their characters with respect, creating a unique charm.

Among US cartoons, there is also a certain rivalry that sometimes spills over. For nasty jabs against Family Guy, The Simpsons rewarded a competitor: The creators of South Park made fun of Family Guy in a special episode, receiving flowers from the Simpsons writers as a result

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Screen Rant
  2. ew.com
  3. IMDb

Hytale in Early Access – Everything about the release, platforms and languages

Sophia Weiss Sophia Weiss Reading time 2 minutes

The block action-adventure Hytale has entered Early Access. When the game is set to go into full release, on which platforms it is currently playable and all other information is here for you.

What is Hytale? Hytale is a sandbox RPG in block graphics. It comes from the game studio Hypixel Studios. Due to the visual similarities with Minecraft, it has already been referred to as Minecraft killer.

Originally, the release was planned for 2021. However, this did not happen and the game was temporarily put on hold. Ultimately, Hytale was saved after all. On January 13, 2026, it has now gone live in Early Access.

Update from January 19, 2025: We have added information on the available languages.
Start video
Hytale shows 16 minutes of gameplay with the state from 2025, clarifying how exploring and fighting looks

Hytale: All about the release, costs, and platforms

When is Hytale expected to be released? Hytale started Early Access on January 13, 2026. When Hytale will go online in the final 1.0 version is currently still unclear.

How much does Hytale cost? Hytale is not free or Free-to-Play. The game can already be purchased in three different versions:

  • Standard – 23.79 US dollars
    • Access to the game
    • Username reservation
    • Exclusive cape
    • Forest Guardian set
    • Traveler set
    • Savanna Scout set
  • Supporter – 41.64 US dollars
    • [everything from the Standard Edition]
    • Exclusive supporter cape
    • Featherbound set
    • Scavenger set
    • Arctic Scout set
    • Explorer glasses
  • Cursebreaker (Founder’s Edition) – 83.29 US dollars
    • [everything from the Standard and Supporter Editions]
    • Exclusive cursebreaker cape
    • Gaia’s Hope set
    • Empty hero set
    • Pop star set
    • Void bearer set

Further items are expected to be announced later according to the website.

In which languages is Hytale available? Hytale is currently basically only playable in English. However, the developers themselves refer to community translations via Crowdin in the following languages:

  • Danish
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Finnish
  • French
  • Italian
  • Dutch
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese (Brazil)
  • Portuguese (Portugal)
  • Russian
  • Turkish
  • Ukrainian
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Is there a roadmap for Hytale? According to developers on the official website, the roadmap is not fully planned yet, as the team finalized the current build within just eight weeks. For now, the developers want to gather player feedback and release small updates quickly and often.

For which platforms will Hytale be released? Hytale can currently be played on Windows and Linux PCs and Macs. The game must be purchased through the official website.

Currently, Hytale is not available for PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, and cannot be purchased through Steam.

What about the servers of Hytale? The game can be played in several ways. On the one hand, the developers offer official servers. On the other hand, you can rent private servers through well-known providers, on which you can run Hytale sessions.

On Hytalecommunity.de, there is an overview list of the German Hytale servers.

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Are there mods for Hytale? Yes, there are mods for Hytale. At the time of this article’s release, 139 different mods for the game can be downloaded via Curseforge.com.

According to the developers (Hytale.com), modding is also a focal point for Hytale and will remain so. They specifically state that they lack years of development time, tools, and documentation. Accordingly, there are currently still limits on the editor functions and further limitations. However, they want to advance modding together with the players.

The Early Access of Hytale is still very fresh and just went live. MyMMO editor Johanna has already checked out the game and has put her first impressions into an article. If you want to know how the game plays currently, it’s best to read on with her: Hytale confines me like I have always wished for from Minecraft

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

Nearly 2 years after the announcement, Warhammer 40,000 shows female super-soldiers for the first time, causing division in the community

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 3 minutes

With the first preview in 2026, Games Workshop has introduced a whole load of new models and rules for Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar and Blood Bowl. A brief scene is currently circulating among fans: the model of an Adeptus Custodes with a female head. For part of the community, this is a reason for loud outrage – for others, it’s entertaining popcorn cinema.

Here are the new models:

  • During a little over an hour, there were new models for various armies from the worlds of Warhammer showcased at the New Year Preview. You can catch up on the entire preview on Twitch.
  • About halfway through the show, the new Adeptus Custodes for the Horus Heresy were presented, meaning for the backstory of Warhammer 40,000. The Horus Heresy is the current set with new and sometimes even more absurd models than what Warhammer already has.
  • The Custodes come fully equipped with foot soldiers and bolter-spears (which are exactly what they sound like), their own versions of the still-in-death-serving cybots, and versatile tanks. They can be used for both the Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000.

What is the problem with the new Custodes? Some of the models were shown on stream without helmets, which is already rare for Custodes. These specific minis also had female faces.

At the beginning of 2024, Games Workshop casually mentioned that female Custodes exist – back then a huge scandal, because the Adeptus Custodes were originally a purely male order. According to older rules, they consist of the “sons of the noble houses.”

Even with the Space Marines, there are no women and with the Custodes, this had also been the case until this point. Fans felt they were being sold out in favor of “woker” politics in Warhammer.

Over the following months, there were memes, but the discussion has died down because simply not much has happened in this direction. Until now.

Start video
Die neuen Modelle der Adpetus Custodes für Warhammer 40.000 und The Horus Heresy für 2026

“With this, I must say adieu”

Although a ton of new models were presented in the preview, including for the armies of Age of Sigmar and very stylish minis for Blood Bowl, the “Femstodes” are the absolute biggest topic on Reddit and other platforms with dozens of threads and discussions.

The majority of posts are merely memes about the “Nerd Outburst,” meaning the “core meltdown” that the biggest lore fans are now experiencing (for example, on Reddit). For many users, it is simply entertaining to see how others can get upset over such a seemingly trivial matter. They tend to brush off female Custodes with a shrug.

However, there are some hardcore fans who threatened to sell their armies. In one thread, a user even warned:

Stop buying new [models]. Get old rule books, codices, buy second-hand or take STL files. Do not finance this monster. Don’t even watch the Cavill series, not even to mock it. They track the views, even on pirate websites. Let the galaxy burn.

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The discussions, however, go significantly beyond the lore, which has been retroactively adjusted and about which one can be upset or not, and critique the manner in which Games Workshop has approached this.

Some users believe that merely adding female Custodes will not draw more people to play the army, and it undermines the integrity of genuinely female organizations, which are no longer as special as they are now:

Logically, along with the female Custodes, the “Mute Misters” would have to come as well. Instead of desperately trying to breed female supersoldiers, Games Workshop should rather think about how to better highlight the peculiarities of the world. Everyone would benefit from that.

That Warhammer overall, however, leans heavily on a very masculine aesthetic and hyper-masculinity is quite obvious and has been for a long time – although rather rarely an issue. There are even fan projects that take advantage of this situation to create parodies: Web series mocks the hyper-masculine Space Marines from Warhammer 40,000, the latest episode has over 3 million views in 5 days.

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

Fans bring back official content for The Witcher 3 that you have never seen before, including a scene with Yennefer

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

The Witcher 3 has been played by many, but fans have now brought back hidden content that comes from the official developers but was cut. This includes hundreds of lines of dialogue, cutscenes, and entire NPCs.

The Witcher 3 is considered one of the best role-playing games of recent years by many. Although the main story of the game is technically complete, there is still more content in the code than many players have seen to date:

Hundreds of cut voice lines are somewhere in the game files of The Witcher 3, ranging from simple one-liners to dialogue options to entire cutscenes. Some diligent developers from the community have been restoring cut content for several years.

What kind of mod is this? Behind the name “Brothers in Arms” is a large community project that restores cut content. This includes both small items like books or diary entries as well as entire cutscenes and missing dialogues.

In the latest update, the English magazine PCGamer reports that some content has been restored, including a dialogue option with Yennefer:

In the quest “The Last Wish,” there is a dialogue choice where Geralt has to decide whether to tell Yennefer “I love you” or not:

  • In the original version, his decision not to say it leads to a short and heartfelt exchange between the lovers.
  • In the new version, however, the decision not to say “I love you” leads not only to a longer exchange but is also more romantic, as Geralt and Yen kiss before parting.
  • At the end of this quest, a scene is also expanded with a few more details.

In addition, there are more contents that fans have restored, including a scene in which Ciri talks with the Wild Hunt warriors and an additional conversation with the witcher Eskel when Geralt returns to Kaer Morhen.

Start video
A quest in Witcher 3 exists only because the developers wanted to prepare new employees for the 4th part

Developers cut nearly finished content when they are pressed for time or the budget is tight

Why are content removed at all? Content is often removed before release because developers are often pressed for time, budgets need to be tightened, and as a result, the scope is reduced to finish the game. In other cases, content can no longer be checked for errors and is therefore cut entirely from the game to avoid causing problems in the final release.

In the code, the content can often still be found and restored, as they are often just deactivated. The probably best-known example is the game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2. Developer Obsidian only had about a year to finish the second part and ultimately cut many contents from the final version. With mods like the “Restored Content Mod,” these contents can be restored, such as the notorious droid factory, which is not found in the original version anymore.

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The Witcher 3 is so vast, extensive, and detailed that multiple playthroughs are needed to truly experience all the possibilities of the role-playing milestone by CD Projekt RED – this is currently shown by a report from the community: After 10 years and 1,000 hours of gameplay, a fan of Witcher 3 discovers that one can save a character sentenced to death

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

Armed robbers raid Pokémon store, steal goods worth $100,000

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Robbers raid a Pokémon store and steal merchandise worth 100,000 dollars. Pokémon products, especially trading cards, are very popular. One reason why scalpers buy the cards in bulk and resell them at high prices.

What exactly happened? The English-language magazine NBC.com reports of a robbery at a Pokémon store in Manhattan: Three individuals allegedly robbed the store by threatening customers with a gun and smashing the display cases with a hammer, as shown by the New York police and the surveillance video of the incident.

No one was injured in the incident; those present were left shaken. The store owner stated to NBC New York that merchandise worth around 100,000 dollars was stolen. This includes goods, cash, and a staff member’s phone.

Such robberies have occurred more frequently in the USA in the past, reports NBC:

  • In Burbank in the Greater Los Angeles Area, thieves broke into a store and stole merchandise worth around 100,000 dollars, including Pokémon cards.
  • A group of robbers attacked a customer leaving a card shop in West Los Angeles and stole his Pokémon collection worth around 300,000 dollars.
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Pokémon TCG Pocket introduces new cards from the Guardian of the Firmament expansion

Pokémon trading cards are being sold at high prices by scalpers

Why are robbers interested in Pokémon cards? Pokémon cards are so sought after by collectors because they combine strong nostalgia, beautiful design, and a playable trading card game. The value of individual cards increases mainly due to rarity, condition, and the popularity of the respective Pokémon.

Other Pokémon merchandise is also highly sought after, sometimes to the extent that scalpers, children, and their parents fight over Pokémon merchandise.

Many trading cards, packs, and other products do not reach players or collectors anymore; instead, they go to so-called scalpers. These buy trading cards in large quantities to resell them at exorbitant prices.

Some individual cards are sold for thousands of euros, and unopened boxes go over the counter for hundreds of euros. The robbers presumably expect to make a large profit when they resell the stolen goods later. Some dealers have now decided to stop selling cards because they are afraid of their customers.

This also shows how complicated the situation has become around such Pokémon products.

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One example shows particularly well how extreme scalpers can act when it comes to Pokémon trading cards: In August, the McDonald’s chain in Japan offered a special promotion. Each Happy Meal included a promo card pack.

However, scalpers shamelessly exploited this promotion. The food ended up in the street and in the trash, while the cards were sold again at a high price. It went so far that even McDonald’s had to react: Pokémon fans are so crazy about a Happy Meal that McDonald’s enforces drastic measures.

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

Players think that Diablo 4 is better than ever and one feature stands out particularly

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

For Diablo 4, the Season 11 is going particularly well. Many players are excited about the new season and praise the gameplay. Especially the Purification function as a new crafting option stands out. Many players continue to demand that Diablo should keep this feature.

What is the current state of Diablo 4?

  • Diablo 4 has integrated many improvements into the game in recent months by adding more world activities or making character leveling more enjoyable.
  • With the current season, they have also brought a long-requested class, the Paladin, to Diablo 4.
  • Some are already saying: Season 11/12 could be the turning point for Diablo 4 and Blizzard, and the hack-and-slash could finally become a really good game.

Overall, players on Reddit are generally quite satisfied with the current season. Especially a new feature is particularly well-liked by many people.

Start video
Diablo 4: So funktioniert das neue Feature Heiligung in Season 11

Many players celebrate Purification as a strong feature of Season 11, but not everyone is satisfied

Which feature is particularly praised? Diablo 4 introduced a new endgame mechanic with Season 11: Purification. It represents the final step in the crafting process of your items and bestows a random effect on an item. This allows you to make items exceptionally powerful. How Purification works in Season 11, you can read about on MeinMMO.

At the beginning of the season, the feature first caused a lot of frustration, because many players did not understand how Purification worked properly. They destroyed some of their best gear items because they are no longer customizable after the final step. But by now, many fans do not want to miss Purification and hope it becomes a permanent part of Diablo 4.

In the community, it is said that Purification was a reason why many continued to play. One user explains on Reddit.com:

I agree, the Purification made me continue playing after I had received all my Mythics for my build, which I had never done in previous seasons. I would have just stopped.

Another person explains that Purification should be added as a central endgame mechanic. The feature would encourage much more gameplay, and he himself would not stop until he had gathered all “Shako” Purifications of his gear. With “Shako” referring to a particularly powerful effect, originally from Harlequin’s Crown.

Is there also criticism? Some criticize that Purification undermines the gameplay of Diablo 4 in a certain way: Instead of searching for items with perfect stats, you now just gather all somewhat usable items to purify them. Some compare it to a casino.

And one is already warning and saying: Purification feels fun right now, but if the feature were to come to Diablo 4 permanently, would it still feel as fresh as in Season 11?

I’m not sure if it would still feel that great if it were just always there.

Whether Purification will stay in the game permanently is unknown. Diablo 4 usually relies on temporary features in its seasons that disappear after a season.

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With Purification, you have the opportunity to further enhance your powerful endgame builds and give them the final touch. Accordingly, we present you on MeinMMO the best builds for all classes, so you are perfectly prepared for Season 11: You can find the best builds for all classes in Season 11 of Diablo 4 in our tier list.

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

Streamer from Sauercrowd reached level 60 in WoW Hardcore, made a wrong step, dies after 2 hits

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 2 minutes

A death in WoW Hardcore means the character is gone. Permanently, regardless of what they accomplished before. The German streamer guild Sauercrowd makes a show of it. One of their players, who has already reached the maximum level, had to learn that even a high level does not prevent death – even though he really had a lot of bad luck.

Who is the streamer?

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Link to the TikTok content

This is how Willib0 died: At Willib0’s death, several factors came together that can be summarized as “a lot of bad luck”: ignorance, a mistake, and misfortune with the spawn of the enemies.

He actually wanted to simply turn in the quest for the Dragonfire Amulet in Wintergrasp with a few other players. This is one of the most important quests in the entire game and opens the Onyxia raid in WoW Classic.

After turning it in, he turned around and took a step back. However, directly behind the quest giver lies a teleport rune on the ground that transported Willib0 into a nearby cave.

There, he immediately pulled aggro from a level 60 elite dragon – who actually shouldn’t necessarily be there. The dragon patrols through the cave and was only randomly at the spot where Willib0 appeared.

With the first hit, the mage loses 60% of her health points. An ice block protects Willib0 for a few seconds from death before a second hit from the dragon sends him to the afterlife.

Start video
WoW: Guild loses 30 characters on a hardcore server – And it wasn’t even a boss fight

“Willib0 couldn’t see this coming”

The death is extremely unfortunate and might have been avoidable, but even absolute WoW experts might have gone down here. Behind Willib0 was the rune to return to the surface. However, one would have had to know its exact position and react quickly enough. Almost impossible.

On Reddit, fans discuss Willib0’s death and compare it to that of Metashi, who at level 58 directly dragged two more players down with him:

That was just pain. Metashi had options, knowledge, companions, other suggestions. Willib0 couldn’t see this coming.

Dok_GT on Reddit
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In the comments, a user even criticizes that it is often conveyed that reaching level 60 means you can’t possibly die anymore while gathering equipment and so on. But in WoW Hardcore, the danger never ends, even at max level.

As bitter as it is, deaths at level 60 are also part of the learning process, and especially at Sauercrowd, many newcomers are involved who have to get to know WoW for the first time – that’s what makes the charm. And many take the whole thing very seriously: Twitch streamer has been playing WoW for less than a month, has already invested over 200 hours, and impresses one of the leaders at Sauercrowd

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

For decades, we have been telling each other that we owe the internet to military research, while that is not true

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

It is often claimed that the internet is a military invention. However, many key ideas of the internet originated in universities and not in military secret labs.

A story, or rather a myth, about how the internet came to be is widespread. It is said that the internet was invented by the Pentagon so that a communication structure would remain functional after a nuclear strike, and thus was militarily conceived from the outset.

In fact, this specific “nuclear war” narrative only emerged much later: many key ideas and components of today’s internet originated in civilian, academic, and sometimes also industrial contexts, not in military secret labs.

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Students spy on passersby with hidden cameras and AI, find name and address in seconds

The precursor to the internet was a research network of universities

The US agency ARPA (later DARPA) funded foundational research in computer science and networking in the early 1960s; one goal was efficient resource access for university computers, not a “nuclear war network.” (D)ARPA stands for (Defense) Advanced Research Projects Agency and is an agency of the US Department of Defense that focuses on research.

In 1969, the system that many see as the precursor to today’s internet starts: ARPAnet (alternative spelling: ARPANET). ARPAnet starts as a research network with four US universities. The focus is on time-sharing, remote access to computing power, and emails. Key technologies of today’s internet (DNS, TCP/IP standardization) were primarily developed in scientifically civilian environments and not in a military environment.

Bob Taylor, who was in charge of ARPAnet in the 1960s, explained at the time (via internetmythen.de):

The creation of ARPAnet was not military motivated. The ARPAnet was intended to enable people with common interests to connect with each other through interactive computing, even if they were located far apart.

It was only from the mid-1970s that ARPAnet became more militarily administered. In the early 1980s, military and civilian networks were eventually run separately: MILnet and ARPAnet.

What role did the military play at all? Especially in financing, the military played an important role. Without the money from the US Department of Defense, part of the early network research (including ARPAnet) would not have come about or would have happened later.

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The modern internet relies today on a few large providers. But this brings great risks. If one provider fails, millions of users are affected. Providers and states are already looking for alternatives to solve the dilemma: Our internet has a major problem that exposes us all to the risk of serious outages

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
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  2. tuev-nord.de

Matt Damon explains that Netflix is lowering the standards of new series to adapt to the habits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Matt Damon talks about movies and cinema in a podcast. He explained that intentionally lowering the quality of new content helps people understand what they are watching. Important information and most of the plot need to be presented in the first 5 minutes.

Many probably know Matt Damon as Jason Bourne from the Bourne series. In a conversation with the “Joe Rogan” podcast, which you can watch on YouTube, he talked about the film business.

Here, he explained that Netflix has special requirements for its writers: The company explicitly asks them to repeat important plot points in the dialogue multiple times so that viewers, who are glued to their phones, can at least understand what is happening on the screen:

Netflix’s standard method for producing an action film, as we’ve learned, usually consists of three distinct scenes. One in the first act, one in the second, and one in the third.

(…)

Today’s question is: Can we include a big scene in the first five minutes to captivate the audience? We want people to stay engaged, and it wouldn’t be a bad thing to repeat the plot three or four times in the dialogue since people are on their phones while watching.

Especially young people increasingly use their phones or other mobile devices in everyday life. The Gen Z is considered the generation that was “born with a phone in hand” and for Generation Alpha, the phone is also a staple of daily life.

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Trailer for the adaptation of the Greek epic “The Odyssey” by Christopher Nolan

Modern viewers simply have no concentration and no patience anymore

Damon explained that modern viewers simply cannot focus or be patient anymore because so much is happening: While watching a movie, children run around demanding things, and pets are tearing through the house while one simultaneously looks at their phone.

Important points, according to Damon, must be shown and named right at the beginning of the film. Otherwise, viewers won’t finish watching the movie because they can’t understand the plot.

The actor and screenwriter also added that directors no longer see the sense in focusing on cinematography since most people watch movies on phones, tablets, and laptops. Cinematography is the art and technique of film image creation to tell a visual story.

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By the way, Damon will take on his next leading role in Christopher Nolan’s new film ‘The Odyssey’. Here, he takes on the role of Odysseus. Even before the new film by Christopher Nolan is released, the adaptation has achieved its first big success: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ breaks its first record even before release, trailer viewed 121 million times

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A shooter on Steam suddenly has more players than it has had in months because now there is a quasi-immortal anti-hero involved

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

In Marvel Rivals the 6th season has started. This has caused a significant boost in players. Above all, the new character Deadpool is likely a reason for this.

What do the player numbers look like? After its launch on December 1, 2024, and its peak player count in January 2025, the last months saw an average of about 100,000 players daily playing the hero shooter on Steam. The numbers always spiked briefly at the start of new seasons, only to drop again afterwards.

At the start of the 6th season, player numbers are higher than they have been in a long time: On January 6, 2026, over 200,000 people were playing the shooter on Steam (according to SteamDB). The last time the numbers were this high was in May 2025.

However, it is important to note that the shooter is also available on both PS5 and Xbox. Therefore, the total player counts are likely much higher. At release, player numbers were reportedly supposedly at 20 million worldwide.

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Ihr könnt jetzt als Deadpool in Marvel Rivals für Chaos sorgen

What is this new character like? Deadpool has recently joined the hero selection and plays completely differently from the other characters. Normally, you have to choose a character and a fixed role at the beginning of the match and decide between a supporter, tank, or damage dealer. Deadpool, however, can switch roles at any time.

This makes him play more dynamically than other characters, where you have to completely change the character if you want to switch roles.

Currently, the shooter on Steam is rated “Mostly Positive” (78%) with over 350,000 reviews. Many players criticize particularly the poor matchmaking and possible bot matches.

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Marvel Rivals is a hero shooter where you fight with well-known characters from comics, movies, and series in various modes. The playable heroes are divided into 3 roles. We show you all currently playable heroes in an overview: Marvel Rivals: All characters and heroes you can currently play

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