Game Balance
Ongoing coverage on Game Balance.
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Bungie promises "zero tolerance" for Marathon cheaters with new reporting tools
Bungie is implementing new reporting tools and enhancing cheat detection methods in Marathon to combat cheating and toxicity. The developer has a zero-tolerance policy and is actively banning confirmed cheaters, with further improvements to anti-cheat systems planned. Recent updates also adjusted the game's Bubble Shield and melee combat effectiveness.
Dota 2 patch 7.41b puts a stop to Meepo's reign of terror as Valve locks in its new meta
Valve has released Dota 2 patch 7.41b, focusing on game balance adjustments following a major overhaul. This update introduces significant nerfs to popular heroes like Meepo and Doom, while also buffing others such as Timbersaw and Invoker. The patch aims to refine the current meta and address player feedback after recent tournaments.
Marathon Update 1.0.5.3 Patch Notes: Knife and Bubble Shield Nerfs — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Marathon's latest update, version 1.0.5.3, introduces significant balance changes, primarily nerfing the combat knife and the Bubble Shield. The knife's lunge distance and targeting angle have been reduced, and its bonus damage stat capped. The Bubble Shield now has reduced health and increased rarity, making it harder to find. These adjustments aim to make melee combat and defensive tools less oppressive while still keeping them viable options.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Marathon players are discussing recent changes to thermal sights, with debates arising over buffs and nerfs. The community is also addressing reported bugs within the game.
Marathon's Knife Is No Longer A Miniature Halo Energy Sword
Bungie has released update 1.0.5.3 for its extraction shooter Marathon, significantly nerfing the player's starting knife. The update reduces the knife's lunge distance by 10% and the maximum bonus damage from the Melee Damage stat from 100% to 50%. Additionally, the popular Bubble Shield consumable has had its HP reduced by 33% and increased rarity.
Dead by Daylight 9.6.0 PTB Drops Tomorrow – Time to Break Some New Content
Behaviour Interactive is launching the Public Test Build (PTB) for Dead by Daylight's 9.6.0 update tomorrow, generating significant anticipation for new content. The update is expected to include killer balance tweaks and survivor perk reworks, potentially shaking up the game's meta. This marks nearly a decade of the game's longevity with continued major updates.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bungie has implemented a significant nerf to a powerful weapon in Marathon, aiming to reduce its dominance within the game. Additionally, EA unexpectedly removed a map from Apex Legends without prior notice.
Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion teased in new book!... | TAG
A new book titled 'Lord of Hatred' offers an early look at Diablo 4's upcoming expansion, teasing new lore and story elements set in the Skovos Isles. Meanwhile, Limited Run Games is addressing past delays by setting more realistic shipping expectations, potentially pushing some preorders to late 2026. Bungie has also announced a nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon to improve game balance.
Marathon's most powerful gun gets a major nerf, as Bungie seeks to 'curb a little bit of its dominion in the…
Bungie has implemented a 35% damage nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon's Cryo Archive endgame. Game Director Joe Ziegler stated the change aims to curb the weapon's dominance, though further adjustments may occur. The nerf follows increased availability of the weapon after a recent change to boss access.
Overwatch Community Declares Game ‘Truly Back’ After Classic POTG Moment
The Overwatch community is experiencing a resurgence of enthusiasm, with players declaring the game is 'truly back' following classic Play of the Game moments. This renewed optimism is attributed to recent balance changes by Blizzard Entertainment that have made more heroes viable and fostered exciting team-based gameplay. These moments are creating a positive feedback loop, encouraging players to return and share their positive experiences.
Rust's Spring Clean update nerfs the shield meta and boosts early game energy
Facepunch Studios has released the 'Spring Clean' update for Rust, which includes a new Water Wheel for early game power generation and nerfs to the dominant shield meta by reducing hitbox sizes. The update also introduces improvements to tech-tree unlocks, a new radial menu for toggling light sources, and changes to fishing mechanics to prevent AFK farming.
Bungie brings the nerf hammer down on Marathon's problematic 'rich get richer' gun
Bungie is implementing a nerf to a powerful weapon in its extraction shooter, Marathon, acknowledging that the 'rich get richer' gun is too strong. This adjustment addresses player feedback regarding the game's best raid reward.
Marathon’s Recon Shell Will Get a More Aggressive Tracking Drone, Improved Ping in Mid-Season Patch
Bungie's upcoming mid-season patch for Marathon, scheduled for April 14th, will introduce significant balance changes, particularly for the Recon Shell. Updates include an improved Tracker Drone with more aggressive targeting and an enhanced Echo Pulse ability that clearly marks enemies. The patch aims to address meta tactics and provide more viable options for players.
Bungie Teases Upcoming Marathon Changes, Starting With Much Needed Buffs
Bungie is preparing to release update 1.0.6 for Marathon, which will include significant buffs to one of the game's weaker characters based on player feedback. These changes are expected to have a notable impact on the game's meta.
Marathon game director says Bungie's rebalancing 'god-like' knife damage, buffing Vandal and Recon shells, and knocking bubble shields down a peg
Marathon game director Joe Ziegler announced upcoming balance adjustments for Bungie's game, including rebalancing knife damage, buffing Vandal and Recon shells, and nerfing bubble shields and sniper rifles. These changes aim to address combat outliers based on developer observations and player feedback, with some updates arriving in the next two patches.
Slay the Spire 2 devs were caught off guard by 13,000 negative Steam review spike: "It was much more extreme than…
Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano addressed a recent spike of over 13,000 negative Steam reviews for Slay the Spire 2, noting that while he is accustomed to harsh feedback, newer team members were surprised. The negative reviews were reportedly tied to a specific balance change rather than external factors, and Yano highlighted efforts to improve communication channels with players, particularly in China.
New Mario Kart World update adds a new Bob-omb Blast Battle mode and major track item 'performance' adjustments for Bullet Bill and the boomerang
Mario Kart World has received its version 1.6.0 update, introducing the new Bob-omb Blast Battle mode and making significant adjustments to item performance. The update also includes numerous bug fixes and gameplay tweaks, such as increased Bullet Bill speed and range, and a nerfed boomerang with reduced range and throws.
Marathon future patches will offer a "merciful option" to players, and will nerf its strongest gadget at long last
Bungie is implementing significant balance changes to its extraction shooter Marathon in upcoming patches. These updates will address overpowered elements like bubble shields, the knife, thermal scopes, and snipers, while also buffing the Vandal and Recon classes. Additionally, new items will be introduced to provide more options for solo players and a "merciful option" for inter-crew interactions.
War Thunder Update 2.55.0.40 Buffs Cromwell V Rockets, Raises Air Cap Limits
War Thunder's update 2.55.0.40 introduces significant balance adjustments, including increased explosive mass for Cromwell V rockets and a raised altitude limit for aerial capture points in Enduring Confrontation missions. Gaijin Entertainment implemented these changes based on community feedback and historical research, aiming to improve gameplay authenticity and player experience across all platforms.
Starfield hits PS5 preorders: Elder Scrolls vibes incom... | TAG
Starfield is now available for preorder on PlayStation 5, with its release set for April 7, offering Standard and Premium editions. Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 has received a patch that nerfs the blue shell's frequency and speed. Aspyr has released a patch for Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered to address questionable outfit textures after fan criticism.
