New anime game combines Genshin and Satisfactory, and over 35 million players are eager to play it

Cedric Holmeier Cedric Holmeier Reading time 4 minutes

With Arknights: Endfield a new anime game is set to be released in just a few days on January 22, 2026, mixing at its core Genshin Impact and Satisfactory to create an entirely new game.

What kind of game is this? While Arknights may not be familiar to everyone in Germany, the gaming brand is one of the largest in Asia. The game has been downloaded over 30 million times in the Chinese App Store TapTap (via Reddit), and on Android and iOS, the download tracker shows over 5 million downloads each.

A new spin-off is set to be released on January 22, 2026, with Arknights: Endfield. However, this is not a tower defense game, but an RPG that resembles Genshin Impact.

As in the template, you play a team of characters who support each other in combat through various elements and combo attacks to face bosses and other enemies. With beautiful graphics and many colorful effects, the reward is loot, but it’s different.

Here you can watch a trailer for Arknights: Endfield:

Start video
Arknights: Endfield presents its gameplay mix in the colorful action trailer

Loot for the Factory

What makes the loot special? Instead of directly obtaining crafting materials, weapons, and equipment from enemies like in other games, everything in Arknights: Endfield revolves around the factory. Because the factory is an important part of the gameplay and also produces your equipment alongside, instead of getting it from raid bosses.

Here you build your own production lines similar to Satisfactory, to repurpose your farmed items. The factory works day and night, even when you are not online.

  • But be careful: There is not unlimited space in the warehouse. You have to log in and sort every now and then.

Just like in other factory games, optimizing your production is important for quickly processing resources and necessary to reach the endgame early. The game does offer blueprints, but they are not perfectly optimized.

The factory and the gameplay surrounding it are one of the special features in Arknights: Endfield and an important component of the game.

Image shows a factory in the endgame of Arknights: Endfield
This is what your factory could look like in the endgame

Adventure in the Open World

What else is there to do besides the factory? With a team of 4 characters that can be obtained through a gacha system, you can explore the vast open world, which is divided into various large areas and zones.

There, you’ll find not only enemies to defeat but also raw materials and teleportation points. An important feature in the world of Arknights: Endfield is the construction of facilities in the world. This way, you can build a variety of different devices that help you.

For example, there are zipline towers that you place in the open world at the beginning of the game, allowing you to be transported faster from point A to point B in the future.

Moreover, there will likely be power poles that can be attacked and disrupted by monsters, which can halt your factory. To defend these, just like in the original Arknights, there are turrets that can independently handle enemies. You need to build these strategically to ensure a longer period of peace from enemies.

How will the monetization work? Arknights: Endfield will be available for free on PC and mobile. The game is funded just like the original tower defense game solely through microtransactions. Players can purchase new characters for their team, as well as skins and items for real money, as initial testers report on YouTube.

However, players should be able to complete the RPG entirely for free. According to the testers, this would take somewhat longer than with a good team, but it wouldn’t be difficult.

One of the many colorful characters from Arknights: Endfield
One of the operators from Arknights: Endfield

What does the endgame look like? During the past tests, testers were allowed to play to the highest level with the best equipment, but many criticized the lack of endgame content. After reaching the best equipment in the game, many had only 10–15 minutes of dailies and a few boss challenges left.

However, a proper endgame loop was missing, as well as the opportunity to team up with other players to fight bosses or raid. So, Arknights: Endfield is not a real MMO(RPG).

However, this seems to not deter players from adding the game to their wish lists. Over 35 million players have now registered for Arknights: Endfield worldwide, eager to play at launch on January 22, 2026.

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Arknights: Endfield deliberately positions itself away from the always-similar competition, mixing various genres and cult titles to create a brand new concept. Whether it will be as successful as Arknights remains to be seen. The first MMORPG success of the year has already occurred: A solo developer releases an entire MMORPG on Steam, becoming a surprise hit, only one weakness becomes clear

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

6 series that even ‘Game of Thrones’ author George R.R. Martin could enjoy

Linda Baumgartl Linda Baumgartl Reading time 6 minutes

Game of Thrones is still one of the most successful series of all time. But what does the creator of this universe watch himself? Of 6 series, George R. R. Martin is so enthusiastic that he shares them with us.

Which series are we talking about? On his blog “Not a blog“, George R. R. Martin writes about everything that occupies him. In particular, it is of course about movies, series, and books. In a post, he shares his enthusiasm for some series with “perfect episodes”.

The occasion was a list from Vanity Fair that named “25 perfect episodes of the last 25 years.” Game of Thrones was also included with the episode “Blackwater” from Season 2. Coincidentally, this also happens to be one of the four episodes written personally by George R. R. Martin. So it’s no wonder that Martin was particularly pleased with this entry.

Moreover, he also shares his enthusiasm for some other series on the list. Although he hasn’t watched every mentioned episode, the ones he has seen are simply “extraordinary”.

Note: We have tried to make the list as spoiler-free as possible.

6. Mad Men

Release year: 2007 | Genre: Drama | Seasons: 7

Start video
Mad Men – Trailer for the series about an advertising agency in the 1960s

Mad Men is set in New York in the early 60s. The main character is Don Draper, outwardly the rising star in an advertising agency. But internally, he is torn. Although he apparently has the perfect life, he repeatedly gets involved in affairs and risks being overtaken by his dark side.

At its core, it is about identity, inner emptiness, loneliness, but also social change. While the series is not action-packed, it offers strong dialogues, interesting characters, and a complex story.

Which episode are we talking about? The perfect episode is “The Suitcase” (Season 4, Episode 7). Just in time for the halfway point of the series, it represents a true highlight. It deepens the interpersonal relationship between the characters Don and Peggy and manages to give even the more mysterious characters new depth. The series is subtle, yet incredibly profound.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

A friend has turned her house in WoW into a dark cave

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 4 minutes

What is possible with the housing of World of Warcraft is currently being shown by many people. A friend of MeinMMO demon Cortyn demonstrates how dark it can get.

In the past weeks, I have been intensively involved with housing, just like many others in World of Warcraft. I not only built my own small Mage Tower but also looked at many houses of neighbors and friends, such as the crazy house of Ticks. Today, I want to introduce a friend’s house, which isn’t really a “house” – because it is a cave with dark secrets, interesting shrines, and a small RP story around it.

Select a MMO video…

The idea behind the “house” – it consists of a nested cave with many hidden side passages. A lot of rocks were used, which have basically covered all the walls of the house. The structure of the rooms is no longer recognizable, so you really feel like you are disappearing into a cave.

WoW Cave Housing 2
A reddish symbol, similar to a dungeon entrance, warns against entering.

I already find the entrance fascinating. Because from the inside, the way out looks as if light is falling in from outside, shining through the ivy vines. Of course, the universal carpet was used here.

WoW Cave Housing 3
Even the entrance of the cave looks as if you are moving away from the light.

Several branches lead to different rooms, such as a mystical well with an elven statue.

WoW Cave Housing 4
I particularly like the waterfall – I’m definitely going to steal that.

Those who pay close attention can also find small hidden side passages where apparently someone has set up a camp or is dedicating themselves to books.

WoW Cave Housing 5
There are many little corners with secrets in the cave.

Another shrine can be found at the end of a long passage, also adorned with some offerings.

WoW Cave Housing 7
The shrine looks peaceful – nothing bad will surely happen here.

However, I particularly found the numerous hidden paths exciting. For example, behind several cobwebs or a wall of leaves, there was another shrine whose eyes glow in an eerie red anima color.

WoW Cave Housing 8
The eyes of the shrine glow because red anima bottles were used here.

Within this secret passage, there is still another secret passage hidden behind a stone slab. There is a small elven dwelling:

WoW Cave Housing 9
A bit sparsely furnished – but it’s enough.

But even here, the cave does not end yet. Because again hidden (behind a wardrobe) a long passage continues into the depths.

WoW Cave Housing 12
I don’t even want to know how much mana was needed to farm for the pillows in Suramar.

The color scheme changes and behind a door, there are so many greenish effects that you feel like you are traveling to a completely different dimension – only to then land in a large room full of pillows, beds, and occult objects. Oh, and of course handcuffs on the bed. Why not?

WoW Cave Housing 13
Someone seems to be sick and can’t leave the bed. Certainly.

What is the “story” behind the cave? Since it is a role-playing realm, this cave is also intended to be used for an RP story at some point. When asked, I was told:

The cave is the center of some rumors. Children who have lost their way are said to occasionally find this cave and be lured in by strange lights to spend the night there. In the cave, there is everything in abundance, so they report it to their parents the next day. But then the cave is no longer findable.

Years later, the now-adult children begin to recite rhymes in their sleep, which give rise to new rumors. It is said that three elven sisters lived in the cave in ancient times, whose spirits are still there today. Anyone who seeks them can make a request at their shrines – health, prosperity, or justice. However, each request also requires a gift in the form of flowers and a personal sacrifice.

Actually, behind the shrines and the “inhabitants” of the cave, there is a much darker secret. But one must find out in the game…

I still find it extremely impressive even after 4 weeks how creative some people are with housing and what ideas they come up with. Especially considering that so far only a small part of the housing items is in the game and the housing level is still limited to 5. I can only guess how much larger and more complex projects will become when these limits are further increased.

Especially the housing has created a completely new opportunity for many to play World of Warcraft. Not only because of this, it is probably the best time to take a closer look at WoW. If you are still skeptical, check out our beginner and returnee guide to have the perfect start.

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

2026 is the perfect year to become a fan of Warhammer – Never has there been so much stuff as now

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 7 minutes

The community of Warhammer is already huge, the franchise has fans worldwide. Especially for newcomers, entering the world that has developed over decades can be daunting. MeinMMO editor and Warhammer expert Benedict Grothaus suggests that if you have ever considered starting with Warhammer, now is the best time.

Yes, yes. The guy who claims that World of Warhammer would be the biggest MMO in a perfect world today is now explaining what makes Warhammer so great. Again. Big surprise, yadda yadda.

But this time I don’t just want to nerd out about how great (and wonderfully dystopian) Warhammer is. Because, in case you haven’t noticed: the franchise is currently better off than ever – and not just financially.

For several years now, Games Workshop, the company behind Warhammer, has been expanding the various worlds of Warhammer. The innovations include tabletop games, but also series, planned films, and especially video games.

If you’ve only heard casually about the world or are looking for a new setting – whether Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or something in between – you should get into Warhammer now. Because those who start now will have a lot to look forward to and catch up on over the coming years.

Start video
The makers explain what Warhammer actually is

A bunch of top games are already playable, and even more are coming soon

Let’s start with video games, since I still haven’t managed to rename us to MeinWarhammer. By the end of 2024 with the release of Space Marine 2, Warhammer will be a household name for all gamers.

The Warhammer universe currently offers more good and especially new games than ever before, which can be started without much prior knowledge. They all have one important thing in common: the games themselves are already great, lore is not essential. But those who engage with the lore or want to do so will find a much deeper experience in the game. Here are some examples of different genres:

  • the aforementioned Space Marine 2, a co-op shooter based on missions, primarily with PvE content, but also with an optional PvP mode; ideal if you want to play as a genetically enhanced super soldier
  • Rogue Trader, a role-playing game and probably the best way to dive into the world of Warhammer 40,000; perfect for story lovers
  • for all who liked Left4Dead: Darktide, a horde shooter in one of the absurdly large Hive Cities of Warhammer 40,000 – also purely PvE, but without Space Marines
  • Vermintide, which takes place during the apocalypse of Warhammer Fantasy and relies much less on firearms, but is distinguished by magic and well-known characters from the lore (if 40k is too spacey for you)
  • and if you prefer building instead of destroying (and then destroying), there is Total War: Warhammer 3, one of the best strategy games ever with plenty of DLCs to mess around with
Warhammer 40k Darktide hive scum double pistols in action
Spraying in Darktide.
Warhammer Vermintide 2 Rat Ogre 2
Nasty Rat Ogres from Vermintide.
Ultra Marines in Space Marine 2
The squad from Space Marine 2.
Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader Underdecks 3
The tactical map from Rogue Trader.
Total War Warhammer 3 Land Battleship
A land battleship from Total War: Warhammer 3.

The (near) future holds

For more clarity, here are the 7 best games to start with Warhammer or the 5 best games that Warhammer Fantasy specifically offers. Those who start now catching up on all the games may just be in time to play all the upcoming titles at release:

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The lore of Warhammer 40,000 is on the verge of a major upheaval

Warhammer is now more than just a name slapped onto a video game. Behind it lies a vast world with immense lore – so much so that you can’t possibly catch up on it all in just this year. Except maybe if you quit everything and do nothing but read.

Since the 1980s, the stories of Warhammer Fantasy, 40,000, and Age of Sigmar have been developing, but significant changes are looming this year – particularly for Warhammer 40,000. The end of Space Marine 2 has hinted at it, and now there are more and more clues.

Games Workshop continues the current lore of Warhammer 40,000 with the 500 worlds. Captain Titus is to reclaim and unite Ultramar; the first boxes for the tabletop already include Necrons, a very obvious hint.

Necrons have been sleeping for tens of thousands of years and are only gradually awakening. They are potentially the most powerful species in the galaxy. Once they start, it won’t just be exciting for the Imperium, but also for Orcs, Tyranids, and Chaos.

What exactly will happen, we do not yet know. However, the new 11th edition for the tabletop of Warhammer 40,000 is expected to be released in July this year. The rulebooks often contain new lore or hints about how things will progress.

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Those who like to craft, paint, and play at the table have more choices than ever

Sticking with tabletop: if you’re interested in Warhammer but don’t want to just read books or play video games, you can also engage with the “hobby” itself. The nearest Warhammer store will surely help you with the entry.

Why is this exciting right now? For various reasons. Firstly, you have more choices here than in gaming, as the range of settings is broader or more developed. While video games mostly draw from Warhammer 40,000, in tabletop you have:

Here you can read what distinguishes Warhammer 40,000, Fantasy and Age of Sigmar in detail.

Each of these worlds continuously receives new miniatures and sometimes completely new factions. This means for you: you will surely find something that suits you, whether it be the Knights of the Holy Grail, voracious space bugs, or Ratmen with their own chaos god. The tabletop recently received a huge influx across all areas:

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Chaos Dwarves Hashut Title
Who could say no to such an adorable Chaos Dwarf?

The biggest problem: Where do I actually start?

“Okay, cool, this is all way too much for me, I’ll stick with My Little Pony.” Noted, forwarded to the Inquisition, and recorded in the book of gripes.

All jokes aside, I know that starting with Warhammer can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be because: it doesn’t matter how or where you start. Just find something that interests you and start with it:

  • Do you enjoy gaming? Take one of the suggested video games, grab it on sale, and just try it out. My personal tip: Rogue Trader.
  • Do you enjoy crafting and spending time in “real life?” Visit a Warhammer store and get advice on your first army, build and paint. It’s like model making, but for… even nerdier nerds. Here are a few tips to save money when starting out.
  • Do you prefer to snuggle up with a book before bed? There are literally hundreds of books from the Warhammer universe. Too much? With these books, getting started in Warhammer is easier.
  • If all of this is too overwhelming and you prefer to lie lazily on the couch with Netflix, Warhammer has a whole channel with its own animation series – though it’s subscription-based.

In 2026 there are even a few new series on the agenda:

Start video
Warhammer shows in trailer 3 of their latest animation projects for 2026

Warhammer still partially has a reputation as a hobby for people with too much money and no life. But contrary to this impression, many Warhammer fans are very happy when someone shows interest in their hobby and are eager to share their enthusiasm. Just don’t let the few lore-obsessed know-it-alls on Reddit discourage you.

2026 is a great year to start with Warhammer and fall in love with the world. The state and quality of the games and other works are at such a high level, as I have never seen in the 20 years I have been a fan. The future looks so bright that I look forward to being one step closer to the next release every day. So: don’t hesitate, start, real life needs no one anyway!

If you have thought until now that Warhammer 40,000 consists solely of hyper-masculine guys in bulky armor with big guns squashing much weaker bugs and poor aliens, you are quite mistaken: Space Marines are cool and all, but do you know these 6 factions from Warhammer 40,000?

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

5 games like ARC Raiders, which focus exclusively on PvE

Dariusz Müller Dariusz Müller Reading time 5 minutes

In recent weeks, one thing has become clear: part of the ARC Raiders community is not interested in PvP, but enjoys the gameplay of an extraction shooter with PvE. MeinMMO editor Dariusz Müller has therefore set himself the task of presenting some games that you might enjoy if you’re not into PvP.

What kind of games are these? I have chosen games here that allow you to experience the gameplay of an extraction shooter with fun PvE, without taking away the fun with forced PvP.

Who is writing here? Dariusz is a passionate shooter fan and plays almost every game the genre has to offer. While he feels most comfortable in competitive tactical shooters like Rainbow Six: Siege and Valorant, he also loves to blast through hordes of enemies in PvE shooters or fight for survival with deadly force.

The Forever Winter

Start video
In The Forever Winter, you fight as a nonpartisan in a mech war
Developer: Fun Dog Studios | Release Date: September 24, 2024 (Early Access) | Price: €28.99 |
Platforms: Steam | Mode: Singleplayer, Coop | Perspective:

What kind of game is this? In The Forever Winter, there is a war between various factions. However, you are not part of this war; you are merely a looter living in the war zone who does everything to keep it that way. To this end, you traverse the battlefields to gather important resources and complete missions.

During your trips through the rugged terrain, you carefully sneak past fighting soldiers and huge war machines like mechs and tanks. The idea of The Forever Winter is clear: You are not a heavily armed elite fighter or superhero, but just a looter who can easily become a victim of the raging war if you’re not careful.

As the game progresses, however, your chances of surviving an encounter steadily increase. You will obtain better equipment, expand your base, and continually improve your character’s skills.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5

The prices for hardware keep rising, but AMD wants to prevent graphics cards from becoming more expensive

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Hardware is becoming increasingly expensive. The Vice President of AMD has now promised to keep prices affordable. In Germany, the most popular graphics cards from AMD are available at least at the MSRP. However, whether this will remain the case is questionable.

Hardware is getting more expensive, especially RAM, but SSDs and graphics cards are also affected to some extent. Some graphics cards, such as the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are hardly or not at all available.

The Gizmodo magazine spoke with David McAfee, Vice President of AMD and responsible for Ryzen, on the sidelines of CES 2026. When asked about the rising prices of PC hardware, McAfee stated that they are working with various board partners to prevent prices from rising further.

Start video
Valve presents the Steam Machine in the new trailer

AMD aims to ensure that graphics cards remain affordable

McAfee stated: McAfee, Vice President of AMD, explained that they have had significant partnerships with DRAM producers for many years. DRAM is important for graphics cards. This way, they aim to prevent prices from rising for graphics cards as well:

We have maintained very strategic partnerships with all DRAM manufacturers for many, many years to ensure that both the supply volume we need and the economics of our purchases align with our graphics business.

He added that AMD is trying to work with board manufacturers to keep prices close to AMD’s recommended prices.

Without memory at the right price, it’s difficult to develop graphics cards that hit the right price and market together with our AIB partners. Therefore, very precise management of this memory ecosystem is an absolutely central part of our work.

In Germany, you can currently get AMD’s key graphics cards at MSRP or below

What does the current situation look like? AMD’s currently most important graphics cards are the RX 9070 XT and the RX 9070. In addition, there are the smaller models from the 9060 series. If you look at the prices on Geizhals.de, the prices are currently indeed slightly below or at MSRP.

The RX 9070 XT has an MSRP of 689 Euros, but you can already get the graphics card for 650 Euros. The same goes for the RX 9070: The MSRP is 629 Euros, but you can already get the graphics card for around 600 Euros.

By the way, Nvidia is similar: The MSRP for the comparable RTX 5070 is 589 Euros, and you can partly get the graphics card at or slightly below MSRP.

However, how long prices will remain like this is another question. There are already rumors (via Videocardz.com) that AMD is planning to slightly adjust the MSRP of its graphics cards due to rising costs: It’s said to be 20 or 30 Euros per card. In Germany, there’s no sign of these price adjustments yet, but in other countries, there have been price adjustments (via Reddit.com).

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RAM has become really expensive. Some users are going so far as to buy 18-year-old hardware: DDR3 RAM and compatible processors are significantly cheaper. Retailers report that sales of old hardware have reportedly risen rapidly: Users are currently buying 18-year-old hardware out of desperation because modern RAM is just too expensive

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

Hytale creator push the first update live, but reveal what’s coming in the next few days beforehand

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 6 minutes

The first update of the early access version of Hytale is just around the corner. While fans are waiting for the official patch notes, the creator reveals which improvements are planned for the coming days.

Update from January 17, 2026 – 1:55 PM: A few minutes ago, an announcement on the official Discord confirmed that Hytale’s first update is now live. Additionally, the developers have released the official patch notes. You can find them at hytale.com and on the second page of this article. Below is the table of contents, allowing you to jump directly to the sections you’re interested in:

[toc]

Original Post – Why are there no final patch notes yet? The unofficial, yet incomplete list of all new features and adjustments that are to land with the first update in the early access version of Hytale was already quite long. The pre-release of the update became available for testing yesterday in the launcher.

About 10 hours ago, the game’s creator, Simon_Hypixel, stated on X:

We might be able to release the entire update – along with some additional fixes and new attacks for Rex and Snapdragon – in a few hours. Due to a few issues, we couldn’t get it out in time today, but now everything is good to go.

We’re going to take a short nap now and then return to push the changes to the pre-release branch. If everything fits then, it’s time for the official release of update #1.

Two hours ago, there was an update on X: some adjustments had to be made, but if they prove successful in testing, the update will be out soon.

It is said that creating the final patch notes took many hours. In a third post on X.com, Simon_Hypixel explains: “There are so many changes that writing the patch notes has become a bottleneck. We have already spent several hours on the first version alone – really tedious.”

Start video
Hytale feiert erfolgreichen Early-Access-Release mit 2,8 Millionen Spielern

Still no patch notes, but a first outlook

First outlook on upcoming updates: Following this, the developer gives an outlook on some of the improvements that are planned to land on the servers in the coming days. The planned features are:

  • Saving the avatar and loading presets
  • Hiding the helmet
  • Tooltips for weapons with information on, for example, damage

What do I need to know about Hytale? Hytale is a sandbox RPG with a block-based aesthetic. Because of its visual similarities to Minecraft, it has long been referred to as a Minecraft killer. The release was originally planned for 2021.

However, that did not happen. In between, the game was even put on hold during development. Ultimately, Hytale was rescued. On January 13, 2026, it went live in early access. MeinMMO author Johanna expresses her enthusiasm in her preview: Hytale restricts me in ways I always wished for from Minecraft

On the next page, you will find the official patch notes for Hytale Update 1:

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

Due to stricter US policies regarding electric vehicles, Tesla plans to produce its batteries in Europe starting in 2027: in Germany

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

The USA is currently making it significantly more difficult for manufacturers of electric cars. Tesla is now taking a bold step: It aims to produce batteries in Germany by 2027.

The USA has been tightening its policy towards electric cars for several months: On the one hand, it relaxed emissions regulations for automakers, and on the other hand, it wants to completely eliminate electric car subsidies.

Even planned factories for electric cars are at risk because the U.S. government is systematically reducing subsidies, reports the investment magazine Gtai.de. The U.S. manufacturer Tesla is now looking for a way out and is preparing to produce its important batteries abroad. Specifically: in its German factory.

Start video
Slate Auto presents new truck with electric motor

Tesla will produce batteries for 130,000 vehicles in Europe starting in 2027

What does Tesla want to do? Tesla plans to begin battery production at its German factory in Grünheide. The current goal is up to 8 GWh per year. This should allow for the equipping of approximately 130,000 vehicles. This is reported by the French-language magazine automobile-magazine.

The manufacturer speaks of an investment of several hundred million euros, but does not provide exact figures at this time. It is about two things: long-term reduction of logistics costs for imports from the USA and adapting to the European desire to localize the entire value chain for electric vehicles.

However, whether this will actually happen is another question. This is not the first time Tesla has announced such projects: Originally, the Gigafactory in Grünheide near Berlin was supposed to produce 50 GWh of batteries. But production was eventually relocated to the USA.

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What does the current situation look like? When it comes to batteries, Europe has a huge lag behind China. The production capacities in Europe are significantly lower, which in turn is a problem since battery cells are immensely important for electromobility.

The EU is therefore investing 852 million euros in six battery projects for electric vehicles to become more independent and reduce the pressure on the domestic industry (via Europa.eu).

Nevertheless, the pressure from China is not really easing, but rather increasing. Chinese manufacturers continue to catch up and want to use the European market for this purpose. Companies like BYD are building their own car factories in Europe to become more independent of tariffs: A Chinese manufacturer has already overtaken Tesla, now he wants to conquer Europe with his cars

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

A bold MMORPG on Steam wants to offer something that will never exist in WoW and Final Fantasy XIV, announcing Phase 1 now

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

The people in charge of BitCraft Online announced in 2025 that they wanted to take a special path for the MMORPG genre. Phase 1 is set to start soon.

What is BitCraft Online planning? The developers from Clockwork Laboratories revealed in May 2025 that they want to implement something that will never exist for WoW, Final Fantasy XIV, and others: The code of BitCraft Online will be made available as “Open Source”.

In this way, the people in charge want to make the MMORPG genre more accessible and show interested parties how to develop new MMOs using the SpacetimeDB platform. They also hope that this measure will have a positive impact on BitCraft itself. This way, the community can enhance the gaming experience over time with mods or fresh features, for example.

The developers are aware that there are many good reasons why not a single commercial MMORPG has been published under an open-source license so far. The risk that others will use the code or assets for their own commercial purposes is, for example, quite high.

Start video
BitCraft Online: New Gameplay Trailer Prepares for Early Access on Steam

Phase 1 starts already next week

When will Open Source come? On the official website bitcraftonline.com, the developers revealed that the first phase of the open-source project is set to start on January 21, 2026. From then on, the freely accessible version will be available via github.com.

This will initially include the entire server module sub-repository of BitCraft. This repository practically represents the entire core logic of the game. In about 6 months, Phase 2 will add some server services that control AI behavior or generate the map.

However, it may still take some time before the client expands the open-source offering. According to the developers, this contains assets from early prototype phases for which they do not have open-source rights. These must first be completely removed, which requires care and time.

In principle, it is still not entirely clear under what license the code will ultimately be published: Depending on the license, the code may then be distributed and processed or only integrated into projects to a limited extent.

So what can I actually do with Phase 1? According to the developers, the server module sub-repository offers you the following possibilities:

  • You can view the code to understand how BitCraft works at this level. The insights can be used, for example, to implement your own projects.
  • You can modify the code locally and experiment with it.
  • You can create and test your own versions of server modules.

What is not allowed: The developers emphasize that the open-source version is not intended to use the graphics, game content, music, or other legally protected assets (including the brand name) of BitCraft to implement your own projects with this code.

Similarly, it will also not be permitted to share security vulnerabilities discovered in the code with others or to operate private or unofficial BitCraft servers.

What do I need to know about BitCraft Online? The survival MMORPG from Clockwork Laboratories adopts a Zelda-like graphic style and aims to throw all players into a single world where they cooperate to build settlements, establish an economy, and compete for territories.

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Here you can choose to work as a craftsman, trader, monster hunter, politician, or anything in between. The surface of the world is changeable. And the survival struggle in the world also plays a role. For several months now, there have even been dungeons where bosses and loot await you: The MMORPG on Steam, reminiscent of Zelda, is getting its first dungeon: “It was about time”

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

Players are frustrated with matchmaking in LoL, now developers announce changes, want to punish people who prefer to play in pairs

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

In League of Legends the matchmaking rating has been reset, which is currently causing a lot of frustration. Now the developers want to penalize players who prefer to play in pairs. Because they have a significant advantage over solo players.

In League of Legends a new season has begun and this has also brought about some changes. At the same time, the reset of the MMR (which stands for matchmaking rating) has caused quite a stir, and players are frustrated with their matches in LoL.

The developers have now presented some adjustments and want to temporarily block a feature: the duo queue for certain high-ranked players. Additionally, there will be general disadvantages for all players who want to play as a duo.

Start video
The trailer of the new champion of League of Legends showcases his abilities in action

Penalties for players who play in pairs: Because they have an advantage over solo players

What exactly is going to change? Riot has now announced that duo-queues for very high-ranked players will be significantly restricted to reduce abuse and perceived “unfair” matches at the start of the new season (via PCGamesn.com):

  • According to LoL creative director Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison, “a change has been implemented that prohibits duo play up to the Grandmaster level, even if you have a Grandmaster MMR.”
  • The “duo penalty”, the internal disadvantage in matchmaking, has been increased so that the additional coordination in voice chat does not create an unfair advantage over solo players who do not have such an advantage. This also affects players who are supposed to be in lower ranks.

According to Phroxzon, this has been exploited more than usual: Players have deliberately created unfair matchups through targeted de-ranking, account sharing, and other prohibited methods. Additionally, since there are already few players in the high elo queue, it becomes particularly noticeable when a coordinated duo encounters random solo players.

Single players who exploit this can cause a lot of trouble. In the future, duo teams in matchmaking should receive a stronger disadvantage, which Riot claims is now “much closer” to the real additional power that a well-coordinated duo has over five randoms.

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League of Legends has changed significantly over the many years. A player has now shown the direct comparison and the community has become quite nostalgic when reminded of an unfair strategy: LoL has changed a lot in 14 years, but players miss an unfair strategy

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Undefeated Twitch streamer shows Trymacs how it’s done, levels her very first WoW character to level 60 in Sauercrowd – on Hardcore

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

The German Twitch event Sauercrowd brings veterans and newcomers together in WoW Classic Hardcore. After numerous setbacks during the leveling phase, the content guild has now celebrated a particularly remarkable success.

What kind of success is this? The Twitch streamer Felikah reached level 60 with her mage on January 16, 2026, in WoW Classic Hardcore. She was accompanied by her guildmates Vlesk (Warrior, who also reached level 60) and Zeusspezial (a Hunter currently at level 58).

For the last experience points needed to reach level cap, the trio headed to the Blasted Lands to take down the rare carrion bird Zaricotl. They got lucky! The elite opponent had little resistance. Ding! Level 60. You can watch the moment on Twitch or as a TikTok short below:

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Felikah is where Trymacs wants to be

Why is this special? Felikah is one of the Sauercrowd participants who had never played World of Warcraft before. Achieving level 60 with the first character, and that in Hardcore (without even a single visit to a spirit healer), is remarkable (and something that a certain Trymacs also wants to accomplish).

The daily increasing death count on sauercrowd.gg underscores how difficult this is. We have reviewed all the death clips of the Sauercrowd participants from the first weeks and analyzed: 8 reasons why WoW Classic Hardcore is so deadly for the Twitch streamers of Sauercrowd

Start video
WoW Classic: The Hardcore Servers Are Here!

Accordingly, the joy in the guild was immense when Felikah (and of course Vlesk) successfully completed their leveling journey. Many comrades came to Discord to congratulate. Sauercrowd co-founder Metashi even brought half of his community with him, who left many kind words, Zaricotl emotes, follows, and subs in the Twitch chat.

It’s the least, oh my god, I’m so proud of you, no kidding. This really moves me.

Metashi on Twitch

For Metashi, the past days were unfortunately not quite as successful. Just before reaching level 60, he wanted to enter the Sunken Temple in the Swamp of Sorrows with a Sauercrowd group. When he was unexpectedly marked for PvP on the way there, panic set in: What if a streamer sniper uses this to attack me?

Although the 5-player team was not yet complete and the PvP status made cooperation in the group more difficult, the attendees – especially the panicking Metashi – urged to get into the safe dungeon as quickly as possible. The rest is history: Twitch streamer Metashi dies in WoW Classic, taking 2 teammates with him to death

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

Aggressive cheaters annoyed for weeks in ARC Raiders: Now they have been banned, but some rascals are already back

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

ARC Raiders has a problem with cheaters, but now many have been banned. Unfortunately, many rotten apples seem to be back in the game to harass their targets again. Players say: Account bans are the wrong method to permanently get rid of these cheaters.

What kind of cheaters are they? Players who prefer to join the matches of streamers to annoy, disturb, or simply ruin the game for them. The players exploit the fact that every lobby in ARC Raiders has a unique code, making it very easy to find certain players and matches.

Exactly these cheaters are said to have been banned by developer Embark Studio. Some users report this, posting a picture on X.com showing that they no longer have access to their game. However, these supposedly permanent punishments seem to be only temporary.

Start video
Matchmaking in ARC Raiders: „Ratten“ könnten euch in PvP-Lobbys befördern

ARC Raiders bans cheaters, but they just buy a new account and continue to annoy

Because some banned players have apparently already gotten themselves a new account or a new game. Someone writes on Reddit:

They are already back. If you click on the Twitter thread linked below, you will see that they commented that they set up new accounts.

When asked why they do this, they replied to troll streamers. I find it absolutely crazy that people spend their free time doing this.

And this is an everyday problem for many online games: When players are caught cheating and blocked in other online games, they simply buy or register a new account and can continue to cheat.

Players are therefore demanding on Reddit that the developers should block not just accounts, but the entire hardware of the player. Because hardware bans are much harder to bypass than an account ban. One user writes:

They [the developers] should start banning systems instead of accounts. Cheaters will just buy the game again and do the same thing.

According to players, hardware bans would simply be the more effective method. Because the bans may be permanent, but they are only for the banned accounts.

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ARC Raiders is really something like the rebirth of extraction shooters. Many players are currently discovering the genre for themselves. MeinMMO editor Dariusz has tested an extraction shooter that is completely free of PvP and is still fun: A shooter on Steam is perfect for players who don’t want PvP in ARC Raiders

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„I’ve seen the final hours of Anthem and it was disturbing“

MeinMMO MeinMMO Reading time 2 minutes

Michał from the international FYNG team was present at the end of Anthem and reports in a new video about the last days of the Bioware game.

How did the end of Anthem unfold? Officially, the servers of Anthem were supposed to go offline permanently on January 12, 2026. However, various players reported earlier that they could no longer access the game download.

Colleague Michał from the international FYNG team (Find Your Next Game) had already downloaded Anthem at the beginning of December to closely monitor the last days of the game. In his video on YouTube, he describes the experience as downright “disturbing”.

You can watch Michał’s video below (Note: the original is in English, but you can enable subtitles):

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Matchmaking was difficult in the last days of Anthem, but it eventually worked out

His goal was to connect with other players who wanted to say goodbye to Anthem. However, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, three days before the shutdown, matchmaking was already not really working. At least, Michał was unable to join other players in a public match all day long. Had the community already given up on Anthem?

So Michał played Anthem alone and enjoyed the things that the game had done really well until the end. Above all, this is the flying and combat experience in the Javelin.

On Sunday (January 11, 2026) and Monday (January 12, 2026), things fortunately improved. From time to time, Michał actually found players for a joint match or two. And in the social hub, a few players interacted with each other using emotes. Unfortunately, Anthem had little more social features to offer despite its enormous budget and long development time until the end.

The literal silence among the players only underscored the oppressive feeling that the end of Anthem brought with it. It was fitting that the servers of Anthem were also suddenly unavailable to Michał before the time actually communicated. It felt as if EA wanted to finally put it behind them.

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„Wusste immer, dass es irgendwann endet“ – Chef-Entwickler von Anthem spricht über die letzte Hoffnung für den Shooter

What else is in the video? Michał not only describes the last days with Anthem in his video, but also revisits the difficult development of the game. Additionally, he discusses the “Stop Killing Games” initiative, which gained momentum last year.

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This initiative aims to encourage numerous gaming enthusiasts to stand against the shutdown of game servers. The initiative was triggered by YouTuber Ross Scott. More details about his namesake petition can be found here: The initiative to save video games had little hope, YouTuber and Twitch streamer come to the rescue

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

In an MMO on Steam, thousands of players battle against each other for weeks, and now the game is getting airplanes on Steam

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Foxhole is an MMO with thousands of players. On February 9, 2026, the next major update with airplanes is set to be released on Steam. This is expected to give the current player numbers a strong boost.

What kind of MMO is it? Foxhole is a multiplayer game in which thousands of players compete against each other. The game is oriented around World War II, which is reflected in its weapons, war machinery, and uniforms.

Foxhole became known when a campaign lasted up to 70 days and the developers had to intervene to bring it to an end.

Now the next major update for Foxhole has been announced: On February 9, 2026, airplanes will be added to the game.

Start video
Foxhole 1.0 Inferno – Launch Trailer

War in the Air and on the Sea

What kind of update is this? Specifically, the update is called “Foxhole Airborne” and is quite extensive. According to comments on YouTube, it could be the largest update for Foxhole yet.

Aircraft must first be assembled individually in factories before they can be launched. With bombers, you can destroy entire regions, but defenders can also build air defense systems to take down your planes. Aircraft carriers have also made it into the game.

The focus of the update is on the new planes, but there will also be many improvements and innovations: new regions on the map to conquer, an expanded navy, and an updated graphics engine that makes the landscape look significantly more beautiful, at least in the trailer.

How is Foxhole doing currently? As of now, player numbers according to SteamDB fluctuate daily between 1,300 and 3,000 active players. Thus, Foxhole is not necessarily huge, but it has a small yet loyal fan base. After major updates, player numbers regularly increase significantly, reaching nearly 10,000 at times.

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In addition to Foxhole, there are also other MMOs and MMORPGs that you can test and play on Steam. We have selected a current list of the best titles for you. Here is the overview of the best games of 2025: The 10 currently best MMOs and MMORPGs of 2025

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Disney unexpectedly removes 14 games from Steam, fans mention three possible reasons

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 2 minutes

Disney removed 14 games from Steam and no one knows why. Fans suggest three reasons why the games might be gone.

Publishers or developers irregularly remove games from the Steam platform. The reasons for such a removal can be varied. Now the publisher Disney has removed 14 of its games. Why Disney removed these games is completely unclear.

In any case, the games are no longer available for purchase in the shop, but those who have already purchased them can still play.

Which games were removed? At the current time (as of January 17, 2026), 14 games are missing from Steam:

  • Afterlife
  • Armed and Dangerous
  • Disney’s Cars Radiator Springs Adventures
  • Disney’s Chicken Little Ace in Action
  • Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell’s Adventure
  • Disney’s Hercules
  • Disney Pixar Finding Nemo
  • Disney Pixar Toy Story Mania
  • Disney Planes
  • Disney The Princess and The Frog
  • Disney Winnie the Pooh
  • Lucidity
  • Phineas and Ferb: New Inventions
  • Stunt Island
Start video
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed – The release trailer for the remake of the classic

14 games have been removed, fans gather possible reasons

Why were the games removed? There is no official statement from Disney regarding this, so it is completely unclear why the games were removed. Currently, 85 games are still listed on Steam, for which Disney is officially the publisher. Older games are also listed here, such as the old Monkey Island games or the more than 20-year-old Indiana Jones titles.

In a current discussion, fans have suggested on Reddit three speculations about why the games suddenly disappeared:

  • The games made so little money that removing them from the store didn’t hurt anyone.
  • Disney wants to sell or offer the games on its own platform and sees Steam as a disruptive factor.
  • A license for some software has expired (Havok, Miles Sound System, Bink Video) and that is why the games had to disappear.

But these are all speculations, and there has been no official confirmation from Disney yet.

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The release of one’s own indie game is a big moment for developers. It’s unfortunate when something goes wrong. In one case on Steam, Valve wanted to make amends for a mistake, but it only made everything worse: Valve apologizes for the botched release of a game on Steam, gives the developers a second chance, but messes it up again

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

Man behind the Division series leaves Ubisoft to work on another shooter franchise in the future

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 2 minutes

Julian Gerighty has been working at Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment for what feels like ages. Over the past decades, he has made a name for himself primarily through the “The Division” franchise. Now, the veteran developer is directing his experience towards another shooter franchise.

What will Julian Gerighty do in the future? He will no longer work at Massive Entertainment or for Ubisoft on The Division 3. The developer is quite reticent regarding his departure:

Agents! A quick update from the operations base: It is time for me to hang up my backpack (I will keep the watch) as I dive into a new big adventure.

The future of The Division is bright, and I can’t wait for you to discover what the teams have been working on.

Long live The Division and good luck!

Julian Gerighty on X

Select a MMO video…

Bye The Division, Hello Battlefield!

Will Ubisoft reveal more? Yes! On videogameschronicle.com, the publisher’s representatives are quoted as follows:

While we will miss him [Julian Gerighty, editor’s note], his legacy will live on at Massive. We will continue to present the world he helped create to our players in the coming years.

To our players: Don’t worry, Agents. Our teams, who built this world together with Julian, are still here. They will continue to lead it with an ambitious, unwavering commitment to the future of The Division 2, The Division 2: Survivors, The Division Resurgence, and The Division 3.

In the future, Division veterans Yannick Banchereau and Mathias Karlson will lead the work on The Division 2 and The Division 3 respectively. Massive veteran Magnus Jansen will push forward the Extraction mode The Division 2: Survivors.

Additionally, it is clear that Julian Gerighty is moving to the Battlefield studios of Electronic Arts. However, what role he will take there is still unclear at this time.

His appointment comes shortly after the tragic death of Battlefield head Vince Zampella in a car accident in December 2025 and Ubisoft’s announcement to make restructuring at Massive and other studios (more on this at the colleagues of GameStar).

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Who is Julian Gerighty? The industry veteran has been working at or for Ubisoft since 1999. From January 2014, he served as Creative Director at Massive Entertainment, leading the creative development of “The Division”.

His other projects include The Crew, The Division 2, and Star Wars Outlaws. Most recently, he was Executive Producer for the “The Division” franchise. Recently, the current game in the series received an exciting new mode: The Division 2 gets a mode that massively changes the game 7 years after release – but you can only play it for a short time

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

A significant moment from Critical Role proves that an inconspicuous item in Dungeons & Dragons can change a character’s life

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 4 minutes

In Dungeons & Dragons, players often long for particularly powerful magical items that can make them remarkably powerful. A moment from Critical Role’s The Mighty Nein proves, however, that it’s not about the rarity or power of an item, but about its application and a clever idea. 

Critical Role has already proven in many episodes of their campaigns that they are up to almost any challenge. Through tactics, skilled actions, and of course a bit of dice luck, they have managed to defeat all enemies and become powerful heroes.

However, there was one moment when the entire group nearly had to give up. But only nearly.

In The Mighty Nein, the second campaign of Critical Role, which has also received a series adaptation on Amazon Prime, the group faced a problem they couldn’t easily solve. However, cleric Jester, played by Laura Bailey, proved that in Dungeons & Dragons, with a pinch of cleverness and a rather inconspicuous item, one can create an absolutely legendary moment.

Here you can see the trailer for The Mighty Nein on Amazon Prime with the original voices of Critical Role:

Select a MMO video…

In episode 93 of The Mighty Nein, Jester honored her class (Cleric of the Trickery Domain). She used her skilled kindness and a little trick to outsmart a powerful enemy. All she needed was a simple leftover cupcake, as well as an item that can also be seen in the animated series.

Spoiler Warning: If you already know what happens in episode 93, or if you don’t mind spoilers, you can read on without hesitation. However, it is especially worthwhile for D&D players to see a particularly strong example of how to make the most out of their items.

A Deal with a Hag is Rarely Fair

In the episode, the group encounters a hag that has placed a curse on one of the members of the Mighty Nein, which plagues the person anew day after day. Jester does not want to witness this any longer.

However, a hag is not so easily convinced and demands a trade. One that is worthy of the curse’s resolution. It must be something that would make the tiefling just as unhappy as the plaguing curse.

While Laura contemplates what she is willing to give up, the Twitch chat, which is following everything, is already in a panic. But no matter what she offers, it’s not enough for the monstrous creature.

But Matt, who plays the hag, knows exactly what would truly hurt the cleric. She wants to take away her artistic side. She demands Jester’s hands so that she can never paint again. And since she would lose her hands through a curse, there is little hope of magically “regrowing” them, as the hag explains: “I think you know how intense and permanent these deals can be.”

So let this be a reminder: Don’t forget about your items that are gathering dust in your inventory. They might even save your life, even if you wouldn’t expect it.

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In the world of Exandria, where the first three campaigns of Critical Role take place, the heroes acquire many other exciting artifacts that Matt Mercer has devised himself. The most interesting of these items we have summarized for you in this list: 7 magical items from the most well-known group in Dungeons & Dragons that you absolutely should know

You can see Laura struggling with the decision. A friend’s improved life for her own joy that she experiences through art. Instead of agreeing to the deal, she makes a counteroffer that turns the situation 180 degrees.

Matt and Laura Bailey
Jester (Laura Bailey, left) and the hag (Matt Mercer, right) negotiate (Source: YouTube)

“So Delicious That It’s Almost Distracting”

Before Jester wants to give up her hands, she asks the hag to let her eat one last cupcake, while the chat screams at Laura not to agree to the deal.

The trickster wants to share the blueberry cupcake with the hag and offers her half after a persuasion roll of 24. When the hag bites into the cupcake, Laura informs the game master that the cupcake was sprinkled with “Dust of Deliciousness”. A rather inconspicuous item that she feels she has been carrying since the beginning of the campaign and bought from the merchant Pumat Sol in Zadash.

Even in the animated series on Amazon Prime, you can see how Jester buys the dust from him, with Pumat’s note that it makes any food so delicious that it’s “almost distracting”.

Matt can’t help but laugh at that moment. He seems to have underestimated Laura and lets himself be mercilessly outsmarted by the tiefling until the end of the discussion.

With Enough Wit, Even the Smallest Item Can Achieve Great Things

Under the influence of the Dust of Deliciousness, the hag has a disadvantage on all Wisdom checks and saving throws from that moment, which is immediately exploited. With the spell “Modify Memory” and a disadvantage on the hag’s saving throw, the cleric ensures that she now believes:

The hag liked Jester’s presence so much that she agreed to lift the curse. Simply because they had such a wonderful time together.

Here you can see how Laura outsmarted Matt. If you start the video from the page, you’ll jump in at the right moment. (Spoiler Warning: The video reveals who the curse affects!)

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Considering all the time that the item spent unused and unutilized in Jester’s bag, one can see how underestimated the item ultimately was.

So let this be a reminder: Don’t forget about your items that are gathering dust in your inventory. They might even save your life, even if you wouldn’t expect it.

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In the world of Exandria, where the first three campaigns of Critical Role take place, the heroes acquire many other exciting artifacts that Matt Mercer has devised himself. The most interesting of these items we have summarized for you in this list: 7 magical items from the most well-known group in Dungeons & Dragons that you absolutely should know

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

A sassy goblin on Steam gives me new enthusiasm for stealth games, two of which you can even get for free

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

On Steam there’s a playable demo of Styx: Blades of Greed and it really puts MeinMMO author Ody back in the mood for sneaking around. And it gets even better: You can currently get both predecessors completely for free.

I’m actually not a fan of stealth games at all – especially when they force me to sneak around. A game in which I constantly creep around as a small and fragile goblin sounds like the last game I want to play.

However, although the Styx games do not appeal to me on paper, I have always been very fascinated by them. With the Steam demo of the latest game, Blades of Greed, that hasn’t changed – I’m back in the stealth fever.

The fact that I like the Styx games so much has two reasons: Styx himself and the atmosphere of the game world.

Start video
Styx: Blades of Greed – The stealth game with the sneaky goblin now gets a demo on Steam

Fantasy world like out of Warhammer – and you are a nasty Goblin

Styx doesn’t just make stupid jokes but is a really nasty character: He usually acts out of purely selfish reasons (even if not, he would never admit it) and is the king of sarcasm. In Shards of Darkness, the second part of the Styx series, the goblin even snaps at you directly if you dare to fail at a certain point – and I love that.

The goblin is delightfully nasty, and I can’t wait to see what he says or does next. Added to this is the fantasy world, which just feels unique. If I had to compare it with something, it would be with Warhammer.

The humans, elves, and dwarves of this world are not simply “the good guys,” but all have some dirt on their hands. In comparison, the orcs and goblins often don’t seem quite as mean.

Unfortunately, the biggest weakness of the series remains

Our nasty hooded goblin has various tools and special abilities to silently and stealthily eliminate enemies: You can poison guards, unleash clones on them, or control them with one of your new quartz abilities like a puppet and send them off a cliff. The stealth gameplay is thus beautifully diverse, even if the controls remain the biggest weakness.

Aside from some awkward camera angles when navigating tight spaces, the controls of the goblin in Blades of Greed are also not always as precise as they should be. This can be frustrating, especially when jumping and climbing. I would have expected more 9 years after the last game.

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Steam could soon receive one of the most useful features ever, so you won’t waste money on poorly performing games
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A strategy game just won’t die even after 27 years, has over 27,000 players on Steam and tournaments with big prize money
von Ody
He created such a complex simulation that it keeps players occupied for hundreds of hours, revealing which game he himself spends the most time on
von Lydia

The fact that Styx: Blades of Greed still struggles with the weaknesses of its predecessors in the demo isn’t that important to me. Because the most important aspects for me – Styx himself and the atmosphere of the world – have once again turned out really well. I had my fun and will replay parts 1 and 2 before Blades of Greed is released.

If you want to give the predecessors a chance, there’s now an unbeatable offer: The Epic Games Store is currently giving away both Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness. If you get the games by January 22, 2026 at 5 PM, you can keep them.

There’s a wealth of small and big gems on Steam. For MeinMMO author Nico, one has even gotten better recently. Why, you can find out in this article: I have spent 630 hours in a game on Steam and the new update sounds like it will keep me engaged for another 100 hours

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

The 10 best animated films of Batman that will shorten your wait for The Batman 2

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 6 minutes

Batman does not only take place in movies with real actors. The Dark Knight has received several animated films. Here are the 10 best ones.

How did this list come about? Since we have to wait a bit for the next Batman movie, we wanted to give you some tips from the extensive animated catalog of the Dark Knight in this list. For this, we selected the 10 best ones based on IMDB ratings and present them to you in this ranking.

Animated films that revolve around the Justice League, or those in which Batman and his villains play only a minor role, have been omitted.

If you have a hidden gem that is totally underrated, feel free to let us know in the comments. A general Batman ranking from MeinMMO author Christoph Waldboth can be found here: 13 Movies about Batman ranked – Which is the best?

Honorable Mentions:

  • Lego Batman: A great Batman film that we exclude from the list due to its style. It is funny and respectfully mocks the Batman mythos (IMDb: 7.3 with over 189,000 ratings)
  • Batman Ninja: Batman Ninja is like Batman living in an anime world. The action is absurd, exaggerated, and quite colorful. (IMDb: 5.6 with over 23,800 ratings)
  • Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: As the name suggests, the Dark Knight meets the legendary turtles here. But it’s not just the heroes teaming up. (IMDb: 7.1 with over 13,000 reviews)
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In Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero, the hero must save an ally from the villain

10. Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero

  • Release year: 1998

Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero takes place in the universe of the popular animated series of the Dark Knight, which aired between 1992 and 1995. As the title suggests, Batman must confront his old adversary Mr. Freeze in the film.

In the film, Mr. Freeze kidnaps Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) to save his frozen wife through a transplant. Batman, along with Robin, must prevent this. Mr. Freeze is a tragic villain who only wants to save his wife. But he uses villainous methods to achieve this.

On IMDb, the film has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 based on over 19,700 reviews.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. IMDb
  2. Titelbildquelle: DC auf YouTube
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Because he can no longer play his favorite game on Steam, a blind player develops his own mod – and helps others

jan hartmayer jan hartmayer Reading time 2 minutes

Gamers can be persistent and resourceful. This is proven by a user who now shares his story. He can no longer play one of his favorite games on Steam due to a disability and decides to quickly create a solution himself. 

What has the gamer shared? The user ChipsAhoiMCCoy writes in his Reddit post from January 15, 2026, that he is annoyed about not being able to play Terraria without vision. He was not born blind but lost his eyesight at some point. This led him to decide to create an accessibility mod for Terraria himself. 

The user claims to have no experience with coding. But with the help of the AI tool Claude Code, he still managed to do it. It cost him several sleepless nights, but in the end, a satisfactory result came out. 

The mod is now also available on GitHub and is called Terraria Access. To use the modification, players need tModLoader via Steam, the NVDA screen reader from the official website, and the mod itself. 

How students utilize AI for their own advantage and steal sensitive data from individuals, you can see in the following video:

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

Audio cues and voice narration are game changers 

How does the mod function in-game? The creator of the mod explains in a comment on the post how the mod works. He links in the original post to a test recording of himself, in which he presents the functions of the modification. 

The NVDA screen reader is supposed to read out in-game text passages, menus, displays, and conversations during gameplay so that users can orient themselves. Additionally, the mod is said to support gamepads and even an experimental mouse and keyboard mode. 

Moreover, features like audio cues for movements, NPCs, crafting, housing, and building modes are intended to simplify gaming for players. Warning signals in the form of increasingly loud beeps from enemies, depending on their distance from the player, are also claimed to be implemented.

The mod is said by the developer to function well enough that several individuals have already completed Terraria blind. In fact, Terraria is not the only game that can be played by blind individuals. A visually impaired streamer even plays CS:GO and is probably better than most players. 

A small fan group for the mod project

How is the mod received? The post has now gathered over 2,600 upvotes (as of January 16, 2026), and there has long been a Discord server for the project, where players can ask for tips and tricks. The community has welcomed the post positively: 

  • Gaming-Burrito says (via Reddit): „That’s so cool. Thank you for making this mod that enables even more players to enjoy this wonderful game.” 
  • Dangerous_Excuse4706 writes (via Reddit): „Inspiring. Truly inspiring … When faced with adversity, we can grow the most.”
  • KubosKube explains (via Reddit): „I hate LLMs, vibe coding, and generative AI with a passion. However, this mod is the only and perfect use case for such a tool.” 
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Tech YouTuber wants to know how much distance the gaming PC should really have from the wall, gets help from NASA
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User finds a rare AMD graphics card for 15 euros in the thrift store, connects it at home and it actually works
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This shows that the community can solve problems, even when no one believes in it. But not only in the help area are mods being created every day. Compared to the accessibility mod for Terraria, there are also rather funny mods, such as in the new game Hytale: The first mods make Hytale uglier than before, and are well received immediately.

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