While various competitors are currently fighting for survival (or have already lost the fight), the PvE MMORPG Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen can now look calmly to the future.
What kind of funding is this? The old-school PvE MMORPG Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen has been in Early Access on Steam since December 13, 2024. The original plan was for this early access phase to last at least 2 years.
The team at Visionary Realms is comparatively small, which is why the development of Pantheon has already taken a long time – our first news about the game is from 2016. However, the number of developers is now set to increase, with new artists, programmers, and designers. This is made possible by the funding from passionate investors, who are apparently big fans of the MMORPG – as reported by gamerant.com.
Visionary Realms has secured additional funding in the millions to significantly accelerate the development of Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen.
The funding will be used to hire more artists, programmers, and designers, and to strengthen project management. This means for Pantheon: a much faster and more comprehensive launch. Thanks to the new team members, our timeline is significantly shortened, and we can release version 1.0 not only earlier but also in a more complete version. In a few weeks, the updated roadmap with all details about the next steps will be released here.
The Early Access trailer for Pantheon – Rise of the Fallen:
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The Fantasy MMORPG Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen is coming to Early Access on Steam
A positive message in a difficult MMORPG year
Why is this message particularly significant right now? The MMORPG year 2025 is primarily characterized by disastrous news and disappointing new releases.
Nintendo will focus on the Switch 2. In the long run, this also means that the old Switch will no longer have a future. However, Nintendo still wants to continue selling both the old and new hardware. And it doesn’t want to commit to an end date for the Switch 1 either. But it is clear: The old Switch is likely coming to an end.
The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially released on June 5, 2025 and has since received a handful of exclusive titles. However, in the future, Nintendo plans to focus more on the new platform. This also impacts the old Switch 1.
Nintendo stated: In a financial results presentation on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Nintendo announced that it would shift its focus to the new Switch 2 and expand its business around this new platform. Nintendo said (via TheVerge.com):
We are shifting our development focus to the Nintendo Switch 2 and will expand our business around this new platform.
This is a similar path to the one Sony has taken with the PS5. Here too, the focus is clearly on the new PS5 platform, as seen in the company’s own “State of Play” events, which clearly highlight the PS5. The PS4 has long since disappeared from official retail.
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Wir packen die Switch 2 aus: Das ist im Karton
Still stable in price, but nonetheless a discontinued model
What’s next for the Switch? For now, Nintendo plans to continue selling the Switch hardware “considering consumer demand and the business environment”, and several key Switch titles are still firmly planned for the first generation of the Switch. However, in the future, things will likely quiet down significantly for the old Switch.
Has the Switch become cheaper yet? No, at least for now, little has changed in the market: The price of the old Switch remains very stable, with the old OLED model priced at just under 300 Euros, and the regular Switch priced between 250 and 270 Euros (via Geizhals.de).
Those hoping to snag the old model at a lower price with the launch of the new Switch 2 have had no luck so far. The old Switch remains very price stable.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has now officially launched and brings many new features and functions, especially in comparison to the original Switch. MeinMMO presents all the novelties you should know about that the Switch 2 has to offer: Nintendo Switch 2: All features and innovations at a glance
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Netflix has released a new trailer for an upcoming anime film set to premiere on January 22, 2026. It reinterprets one of the oldest Japanese folktales in a sci-fi world featuring characters from the same universe as Hatsune Miku.
What kind of film is it? The upcoming anime is titled Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, and if it reminds you of a Ghibli film, that’s no coincidence. The film is based on the same folktale as The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
In the tale, a poor bamboo cutter finds a tiny woman in glowing bamboo, whom he takes home. There, she transforms into a baby, but she grows faster than other children. The foundling is then named Hime (Japanese for princess). Throughout the film, you will learn the true identity behind the child.
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! also aims to retell this story, but with some unique elements. The trailer already shows that the story will be significantly more futuristic:
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Cosmic Princess Kaguya!: Trailer shows a Japanese fairy tale in a sci-fi world
Princess Kaguya in a world that could be straight out of Cyberpunk
What makes Netflix’s film different? The film focuses more on its musical performance than the classic fairy tale. The film’s soundtrack comes from producers in the Vocaloid scene, which you may recognize from the virtual idol Hatsune Miku. The creator of the song Melt featuring Miku is also involved.
Additionally, the trailer already indicates that the anime could be a visual spectacle. In the video, colorful schools of fish swim among houses illuminated by neon lights. The characters are surrounded by glowing shooting stars.
This is partly due to Shingo Yamashita making his directorial debut for a longer production. He has previously worked on the openings of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 and Chainsaw Man. He is excited to finally give his all for a complete anime:
This is my first full-length original animated film. I have infused everything I have learned about visual expression, my love for unique characters, and my deep affection for internet culture since the 1990s into this film. It’s a cheerful, entertaining movie – so sit back, relax, and enjoy it!
The setting is different as well. The story takes place in the virtual realm of Tsukuyomi, a nod to the true origins of Princess Kaguya. Two girls build a connection through their singing.
One of these involves high-quality items, for example, high-level 17 maps that are offered at excessively high prices, in the hope that inexperienced players will confuse them or not pay attention to the price. One player got particularly irritated by this, which is why he spent his evening not in the game but in the trading menu.
Here you can watch the trailer for the new season of Path of Exile:
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Path of Exile 2 shows features, bosses and trading system of “Keepers of the Flame” in the trailer
Blocking instead of grinding
What did the player do? User Rotten__ explains in his post on Reddit that he no longer wanted to deal with these people and they were probably the ones who had tried to scam others before the new trading system was implemented. So he made quick work of it and started blocking them.
In his case, he filtered by players offering high prices for T17 maps without the Valdo effect, which could be confused. There he found over 700 potential scammers that he added to his block list with tedious clicking.
By the end of his evening, 722 users were on his ignore list. He himself says he wants to keep going until the list is full and at the same time wishes for a larger list from the developers of Grinding Gear Games so that he can block even more users.
How does the community react to the action? The community appreciates the player’s efforts and supports him in the fight against scammers. Many have experienced similar situations or already have a full block list in the game. They write on Reddit:
Ok_Week_7682: “When will there be a mass ignore function?”
UTmastuh: “This is funny because I’ve always put people on the ignore list on the trading side who were offering things extremely cheap. You see a lot of 1c offers until you get to the actual price of about 50c.”
SpiritualScumlord: “I’ve been playing since the beta and have maxed out my ignore list. I contacted support about three years ago to expand it. I can relate. This game has many scammers, and you find many people on Reddit or in the general PoE community who openly support this or are indifferent about it.”
2games1life: “My list has been full since about 2019.”
Expanding the ignore list is probably just treating the symptoms. The developers of Path of Exile are also called upon to protect their players from scammers and are already doing so with the asynchronous trading system. Still, this alone is not enough, as this example shows.
The now 18-year-old MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online lets you explore the vast continent of Middle-earth that you know from the books and movies. But how long does it take in the game to retrace the arduous journey from Frodo and Sam to Mount Doom?
So, how long does it take? That is exactly what the creative mind behind the YouTube channel “Emulated Vintage Gaming” found out a few days ago. For his latest video, he strolled from Hobbiton with his character from The Lord of the Rings Online to eventually reach Mount Doom in Mordor.
During this, the player kept as close as possible to the route taken by Frodo and Sam, as far as the game allows – always accompanied by descriptive original texts voiced by Andy Serkis (the actor who brilliantly portrayed Gollum, among others).
The next expansion of The Lord of the Rings Online is already on the horizon:
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18 years after the release, The Lord of the Rings Online announces its new expansion “The Kingdoms of Harad” in the teaser trailer
The player also pays attention to small details and exchanges his Hobbit clothes for Orc armor in Mordor, just to eventually drag himself up the mountain with the last remnants of cloth. In the finale, there’s even an appearance by Gollum himself, only to burn in the lava of Mount Doom after 9 hours, 43 minutes, and 39 seconds.
For comparison: Watching the original theatrical version of the film trilogy takes about 8 hours and 55 minutes. The extended editions, as we know, are significantly longer, with just over 12 hours total runtime. You can watch the complete run on YouTube or below:
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“Someone should really write a book about this journey”
How does the community react? Despite the long runtime, the video already has nearly 500,000 views, over 24,500 likes, and more than 1,900 comments.
Mecceldorf celebrates the project under the video: “This is a better tribute to the map design of The Lord of the Rings Online than anything else.”
bobyews2826 calls on all fans of the universe: “Give HdRO a try, guys. Even if you’re not interested in MMORPGs or think the game is outdated. Discovering it for yourself is like seeing the movies for the first time.”
wwld9823 wants to give it a try now: “It’s just amazing that you can REALLY walk from the Shire to Mordor. This has sparked my interest in trying the game!”
TonySpike jokes: “Someone should really write a book about this journey.”
A player has played an incredibly high number of rounds of League of Legends in 2025, and even the community is astonished.
What has the player achieved? In the Reddit forum for League of Legends, a player looked at who has actually played the most rounds of LoL in the current season. The account “PopstarGwen#4444” stood out. This account has played over 6,000 rounds since the start of the season on January 9.
If we assume that a round lasts an average of 30 minutes, that means the person has spent 3,000 hours, or 125 days of the year, just on League of Legends. This equates to about 20 rounds of LoL per day—without a break. At the same time, the player demonstrates that the matchmaking works.
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The new trailer for the event ‘Hall of Legends’ of 2025 in League of Legends
6,000 games, little change
Has the person ranked up? The over 6,000 games took place in the ranked mode of League of Legends. This means that each game was subject to Riot’s matchmaking system, which assigns appropriate opponents. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to rank up or down, depending on how well a player performs.
After 6,000 games, however, “PopstarGwen#4444” has hardly improved. As @ninkeygwen writes on X.com, the player has only gained 87 points in the last 1,000 games, which corresponds to about 5 consecutive wins.
What does this say about the matchmaking? Riot’s matchmaking system seems to be working well. “PopstarGwen#4444” has neither significantly dropped nor been able to rank up strongly. The system has accurately determined the right skill level and keeps the player there. Nevertheless, a slight upward trend can be recognized.
Thus, the player has painstakingly climbed from Silver, through Gold, to Diamond, and finally to the Master rank over many years. There have hardly been any jumps. In 2024, “PopstarGwen#4444” spent time in the lower Diamond range before finally making it to Master this season.
How do fans react to the many rounds of LoL? That players spend a lot of time in League of Legends and also try to rank up in the rank system is not unusual. However, it is absolutely extraordinary for a player to spend 1/3 of a year in League of Legends. Accordingly, reactions from players on Reddit are as follows:
Varlane: “20 games a day. No day off. And people doubt me when I say SoloQ sometimes feels like an institution.”
aiiiven: “87 LP net gain after 1,000 games and he’s still playing, really ‘next level’, I don’t even know what to say.”
FeynmansWitt: “Maybe he’s playing because it’s fun and not because of the LP gain.”
However, many fans are also worried about the player, as these numbers also indicate a sacrifice of much personal life and other activities. In the meantime, LoL has also become the player’s profession, which makes the whole situation somewhat more understandable. On Twitch, he regularly streams his long gaming sessions.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is making last-minute adjustments to its anti-cheat just before its release, as there is nothing worse for PC gamers than playing against cheaters. This time, you will need to activate another setting in addition to Secure Boot.
What changes are being made to the anti-cheat in Call of Duty? Battlefield 6 took the first step and added Secure Boot activation to its anti-cheat. This setting is meant to ensure that your system only starts with trusted programs.
Call of Duty then followed suit and also required this for its fans for the beta of Black Ops 7. Now, just before its release, there is an addition from TeamRICOCHET, the anti-cheat for Call of Duty. In addition to Secure Boot, fans are now asked to activate another Windows security measure, and those who refuse will most likely not be able to play the shooter.
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ARC Raiders soll laut der Community die chilligsten Lobbys haben
TPM 2.0 is meant to make anti-cheat even more secure
What is TPM 2.0? In addition to Secure Boot, fans are now also required to activate TPM 2.0, or Trusted Platform Module of the second generation. This chip is integrated into your motherboard and is responsible for hardware-specific security. It checks your system integrity and ensures that your PC is not manipulated by programs.
This sounds very promising, but it will only show its effectiveness in practice. The studio “DICE” with Battlefield 6 had also advertised its own anti-cheat with Secure Boot. Many believed that this was the step to finally put an end to cheaters, but the joy was short-lived.
Later, videos of cheaters appeared everywhere, who dampened the fun for other players despite Secure Boot. It remains to be seen what effect this extra step before gaming will have. Just like with Secure Boot, you will need to activate the setting manually.
How do you activate the setting? Maybe you’re lucky and your motherboard comes with TPM 2.0 already enabled from the factory. To check, follow these steps:
Press the Windows key and R
Type “tpm.msc” in the opened window
If TPM is activated, you will see the message “The TPM is ready for use”, otherwise it will say “Compatible TPM cannot be found”
If you see the second message in front of you, you will need to enable the setting manually
To enable TPM, you will need to go back to your BIOS. Each motherboard has a different interface and structure. Therefore, we cannot give you exact information about where to find your setting. However, on the official site of support.activision.com, you will find a link for each manufacturer on how to enable TPM 2.0. Follow the instructions and you will be ready to play Black Ops 7.
What do you think of the additional security measure for Black Ops 7? Do you believe this will provide more security? The next Call of Duty is definitely already on the way, and this installment will offer you a lot at release. More information can be found here: CoD Black Ops 7: All info about the release, beta, and price
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The beta of World of Warcraft Midnight is not live yet, but leaks have already revealed how it will proceed.
In just a few days, the beta of WoW Midnight will start for those who are lucky or have pre-ordered the most expensive version of the addon. However, although the focus is on testing the launch content, namely Patch 12.0, there have already been leaks about later updates. Not only has controversial equipment been found, but also a massive island that is supposed to appear months later.
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WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features
New island with a troll raid in Midnight
What has been found? In the game data of the various alpha versions over the past weeks, two significant hints have been discovered. The streamer Bellular made a video on YouTube about it.
On one hand, icons for an armor set were found in the data. The items all have the suffix “Ulatek”.
Ulatek may not mean anything to most, but fans of the old pen & paper RPG in Warcraft should take notice. Because “Ula-Tek” was a snake goddess worshipped by the trolls of Zul’Aman.
Even if the pen & paper is no longer an official part of the canon, not everything from the rulebooks is wrong. Blizzard has frequently drawn on it to further expand the world.
The large island in the east, currently called Atal’Utek in the game data. It is likely to come later in Midnight.
The second hint, much more concrete, is a massive island that rises from the sea to the east of Quel’thalas. It is adjacent to the Amani Empire. Initially, it was called “Isle of Fangs”, which translates to approximately “Island of Fang Teeth”, but it was later renamed “Atal’Utek”. While this slightly deviates from “Ula-Tek”, the similarity is still quite recognizable.
This strongly suggests that the first major patch of Midnight will focus more on the Amani trolls and a huge shrine for Ula-tek – or rather “Utek”.
Hasn’t there been something like this before? Yes. Something similar happened during the beta of Dragonflight and also The War Within. There too, much earlier than Blizzard likely intended, the great tree Amirdrassil with the Emerald Dream and later also Lorenhall as a goblin city had been found through data mining. Again, it was primarily icons with telling names that provided the decisive hints.
Are you looking forward to a new troll raid in World of Warcraft, after so long without one? Or are you hoping that Blizzard will finally wrap up the story with the trolls and their empires and focus more on other characters? We have presented the best WoW raids of all time here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The development studio Obsidian has produced one of the best and most popular offshoots of the Fallout series. It’s understandable that many are asking for a successor. However, today’s leaders show little interest in that.
Which Fallout part are we talking about? Fallout has been developed by Bethesda since the third part and the brand as a whole is managed by them. However, a very specific offshoot, namely Fallout: New Vegas, was created at Obsidian Entertainment.
To this day, the game enjoys great popularity among fans of the brand, which is mainly due to the quirky setting with a Las Vegas flair and the well-written quests and characters. For years, a successor has been demanded, specifically one that is developed again by Obsidian.
However, the studio has long moved on and has its own plans, as the leaders recently revealed.
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The Outer Worlds 2 showcases the in-game companions in a new trailer.
No time for contract work
What do the leaders say? In a conversation with The Game Business, Marcus Morgan and Justin Britch, both leading figures at Obsidian, reported that they are repeatedly questioned about a sequel to New Vegas. The question comes up with every new announcement from the studio.
However, Obsidian has little interest in that. Even before, but also after the takeover by Microsoft in 2018, the developers have developed their own brands and released some pretty good titles.
These include games like Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny, Pentiment, or The Outer Worlds. A sequel to the latter has just been released, marking the third release planned for 2025. The other two were Grounded 2 and Avowed, which is not uninteresting for fans of Skyrim.
Regarding their own stance on this matter, Marcus Morgan says:
This year, we are not only celebrating the release of three games, but all three games are also IPs that we have developed ourselves, so Obsidian IPs. Before the acquisition by Microsoft, we mainly worked on other people’s IPs. And that’s the beauty of it: How do we define our own identity and how do we build our own IP? Now we have reached a point where we have sequels to all of our games. They are all sequels to the IPs we have developed ourselves.
Microsoft has been very supportive in this regard. Essentially, it is always a good sign when not just the same brands are continued, but also regularly new ideas are implemented. They want to clearly distinguish themselves from other studios in the genre, like Larian, CD Projekt Red, or even Bethesda, with their own style.
Even though Obsidian will not be making a New Vegas 2, the studio still offers fans The Outer Worlds 1 & 2. The role-playing games recall the setting, gameplay, and quirky, satirical humor of Fallout and provide a very good alternative – even if you play them as a shooter like MeinMMO editor Niko Hernes.
While many monster collectors are happily playing the new Pokémon, you can snag one of the best alternatives on discount on Steam. The best part: There are numerous monsters and especially playtime.
What game is it? Normally, as a player, you fight against the big creatures in the world of Monster Hunter, but with the Stories series, Capcom created a spin-off that is especially suitable for Pokémon fans. In the turn-based RPG, you collect the well-known monsters and fight alongside them.
The latest installment in the series, Monster Hunter Stories 2, was released in 2021, but if you don’t have a Switch for the latest Pokémon, you can currently find a good offer on Steam. RPG fans should also check out the game.
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With Monster Hunter Stories 2, Capcom once again takes on the Pokémon series
Instead of hunting them, you use the monsters for yourself
What kind of game is Monster Hunter Stories 2? At its core, you follow the story of a Rider in the RPG. This time, you are not a hunter; you try to find a balance between monsters and humans. However, you cannot prevent fights, which is why you rely not only on your own weapons but also on friendly monsters.
You don’t catch them like in a Pokémon game; instead, you sneak into monster dens and have to find a nest. There, you steal an egg, and if you make it out of the den unscathed, you can hatch it in stables. As a fan of the Monster Hunter games, you will encounter familiar faces, but due to the strong designs, even newcomers can enjoy it.
If you enjoy breeding in such games to create the perfect partner, you can spend an incredible amount of time hatching and inheriting in Stories 2. You can pass on various abilities and then create builds with individual monsters to highlight their strengths. For the story, this is not essential, but in the post-game, there are plenty of opportunities to use such strong monsters.
Since it’s a Monster Hunter, crafting weapons and equipment is also essential. When you defeat monsters with your team, you receive monster parts that you can use to craft armor or a great sword, for example. The choice of your weapon can change your tactics. Instead of focusing on strength, you can use a hunting horn to boost your monsters, among other things.
For your team, you can use nearly 100 different monsters, and according to How Long to Beat, it’s stated that you need about 40 hours for the main story. However, if you really want to hatch and craft everything in the game, you can invest up to 140 hours.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 offers something that even the new Pokémon does not have
How important are the monsters outside of combat? In the world of Monster Hunter Stories 2, you can explore various areas that also have hidden paths. The monsters are useful because, depending on their type, they have abilities that allow you to swim or climb vines.
But riding is also possible, which sets the game apart from the latest Pokémon Legends Z-A.
Additionally, you can complete coop quests or compete against friends.
How is the game received on Steam? Of the over 16,000 reviews on Steam, 82% are positive. Players praise the improvements over the predecessor in terms of graphics, combat, or the post-game. The story is also positively highlighted in many reviews.
How much does Monster Hunter Stories 2 currently cost on Steam? Until November 11, 2025, you can get the game on Steam with a 50% discount for 20 €. If you also want the remaster of the first part, it will cost you about 30 € for both games. However, you can start easily with part 2. From a story perspective, you won’t miss anything.
GTA 6 will, like its predecessors, take place in the USA. Only one title in the series is set outside this country. One of the founders of Rockstar Games has now explained why this is the case.
Where does GTA take place? Almost all games in the series are set in the USA. Real cities serve as models but are slightly altered and given new names. For example, New York City became Liberty City, San Francisco became San Fierro, and Miami became Vice City. The metropolis of Los Angeles also received a new name and can be explored as Los Santos in GTA V.
Only one game is an exception: GTA London 1969 from 1999 takes place – as the name suggests – in the British capital. Since then, alternative locations outside the USA have been brought up repeatedly. What would a GTA set in a German city look like? Perhaps GTA Berlin? GTA Frankfurt? There are plenty of possibilities.
However, one of the founders of Rockstar, Dan Houser, does not believe that this wish of some fans will ever be fulfilled. In a YouTube video by Lex Fridman, he explains why GTA almost always takes place in the USA – and what makes the country so perfect for it.
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Rockstar Games presents GTA 6 in the second trailer
GTA is typically American
What does Dan Houser say? The co-founder of Rockstar Games, who left the studio in 2020, explains that the USA is simply the perfect place for GTA. Much of what makes the series works so well, only functions because it takes place on American soil.
Although the brief trip to London was “nice and entertaining,” it was out of the question to let a main part take place in Europe:
In a full GTA game, we have always felt that the IP is so much shaped by Americana that it would be really difficult to implement it in London or elsewhere. You need weapons, you need these larger-than-life characters – it just felt like the game was so much about America, maybe from the perspective of an outsider, but that was such a part of the essence of the game that it wouldn’t really work the same way elsewhere.
Dan Houser
On one hand, GTA is always about societal critique that is treated satirically and full of clichés. For exaggerated storytelling, the USA, with its rich pop culture and many different political, cultural, and social influences, is indeed very suitable. Even though reality has become quite bizarre itself.
And a practical detail also plays a role: In the USA, gun laws are relatively relaxed. A game set in Europe would either have to deviate significantly from reality or adjust the gameplay. After all, in most countries you can’t just own a weapon, let alone carry one openly.
It is therefore more than understandable that Rockstar limits itself to the USA, takes the liberties that the country has to offer, and lets the next installment take place there as well.
GTA VI takes inspiration once again from Miami and brings players back to the beloved, sun-drenched Vice City. The first trailers already show that we can expect another wild mix of quirky characters, such as those that could only be found in the USA.
The current Worlds in League of Legends mean the opportunity for all players to achieve the coveted World Champion title. But for one professional, it was probably the last chance, as he has to go to military service. In a new post, he reaches out to his fans.
Which player is it about? Hang Wang-ho, better known as Peanut, started his professional career in LoL in December 2014 as a substitute for the team NaJin e-mFire. Since September, however, it is clear: After this season, Peanut is retiring as he must go to military service, which every man in South Korea must complete by the age of 28 (Source: 90daykorean.com).
The jungler also participated in this year’s Worlds with his team, Hanwha Life. Unfortunately, they lost in the quarter-finals against their Korean colleagues Gen.G 3:1. Thus, his last chance at a World Champion title is over.
At the end of his career, he reached out to his fans with a touching message once again.
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The new anthem of the Worlds 2025 from LoL honors the first world champion
A blessing for the professional scene
What did Peanut write? In an Instagram post from November 5, 2025, the professional spoke once more about his career and thanked the fans who have supported him all these years. He writes:
My ten-year journey is now at an end. It has been a time full of joy, but also full of challenges, and every single moment has been a valuable memory and learning experience for me. I always wanted to win, I always wanted to get better, I always wanted to give my best.
Regardless of the outcome, it was a time I do not regret in any way. I am truly grateful to all the fans who supported me despite my shortcomings. Thanks to you, I could stand under the name Peanut for ten years. The time with my fans was the greatest gift of my life.
He further explains that he will take a break to prepare for the next path. This probably refers to military service. Depending on the area of military service, the duration can range from 18 to 21 months. He hopes that the fans will continue to support him.
How does the community react to the news? Under a Reddit thread with over 1470 upvotes, his fans react to the post. Many users call him legend and are sad that he could not achieve the World Champion title. Krytoric (Reddit) writes: I know he probably won’t make it to the [Hall of Legends], but he has been a blessing to the professional scene for a decade. It was entertaining to watch him, he was always part of a fun roster, incredibly talented, and just brought good vibes all around.
Also under a post on x.com with over 950 comments, many fans thanked the jungler for his career and expressed their sadness about his retirement.
What has Peanut achieved? Even though he never managed to win the Worlds title, he participated in several Worlds and became champion multiple times with different teams in the Korean league LCK. In 2017, he even became MSI champion and reached 1st place with Hanwha Life at this year’s first First-Stand tournament.
Could he return? Theoretically, that is possible, but after a long break it is difficult to keep up with the other professional teams. However, another option to return to the LoL scene would be a position in a coaching team, so in the background of the teams.
There was supposed to be a new, major MMORPG set in The Lord of the Rings in the coming years. Now Amazon has apparently fired many of the developers, and for MeinMMO editor Sophia Weiß, the dream of the next big hyperfixation is gone.
Since no new MMORPG release could convince me lately, I had actually been looking forward to this game, especially with my recent fascination with Middle-earth. And by the way, I wasn’t alone: We wanted to know which MMORPGs you were looking forward to, and this prematurely buried Lord of the Rings game tops the list.
Out of frustration, I simply installed the original MMORPG set in The Lord of the Rings over the weekend: Lord of the Rings Online. It’s a bit old-fashioned, but it makes me really happy right now.
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18 years after the release, The Lord of the Rings Online announces its new expansion “The Kingdoms of Harad” in the teaser trailer
One post to rule them all has sufficed to start a new obsession
I grew up with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films and watched all three Hobbit movies in theaters. But I only properly immersed myself in Tolkien’s world this summer.
An absolutely irrelevant post on TikTok introduced me to a blonde elf named Glorfindel. And as a not-yet-book-reader, I naturally wondered who that was. I booted up my PC, Googled, and have not been able to get out of the hole since.
I am currently slowly but steadily reading The Fellowship of the Ring in English and already have the other two books at home. I want to tackle The Silmarillion next. With each passing day, it becomes clearer to me how vast and detailed Tolkien’s world is. There is incredible potential for games like this MMORPG.
And now Amazon is just killing the game off before anyone has seen anything of it. More or less out of spite, I downloaded the one game that could come close to the Amazon project over the weekend: Lord of the Rings Online.
A reaction out of spite to soothe the soul
Lord of the Rings Online is a free-to-play MMORPG in its basic version, which can be downloaded via Steam or its own launcher. The game has been online since 2007 and is therefore only about three years younger than World of Warcraft. Currently, there are 12 expansions, known as Volumes, and the Kingdoms of Harad is set to be released in Fall 2025. The subscription is optional, and there is a larger in-game shop.
I initially just dove into the main game via Steam. It already gives me what I hoped to get from the Amazon project: I walk through Middle-earth and complete quests for Elrond, the lord of Rivendell.
Honestly, I was prepared for it, but the game looks exactly like the release year it was launched in suggests. For my eyes, spoiled by games like Final Fantasy XIV, that was of course unusual. But my desire for Middle-earth content was greater than the graphics snob within me.
The game is from 2007, and you can tell. But those who can silence their inner graphics snob will still have an incredibly fun time.
Character creation was really fun right from the start. There are of course humans, hobbits, dwarves, and elves – but each with choices for origin and background. I ended up choosing an elf from Mirkwood.
The game also jumps straight into action: I am shown how to walk and attack. And then I’m already tasked with defending a library alongside Elrond.
I haven’t progressed very far in Lord of the Rings Online yet. But even the first two hours give me all the Middle-earth feeling I’ve been hoping for from a Lord of the Rings game for years. After Elrond, I even met his son Elladan, whom I now know also never made it into the movies.
In the coming days, I’ll just work my way through the game piece by piece. I haven’t seen much of the MMO content yet, but already the RPG part makes me happy. If the amount of canon lore doesn’t decrease, I’ll probably be hooked until CD Projekt presents me with The Witcher 4.
A beautiful game with creative monetization
It seems I’m not the only one feeling this way right now. While the game is currently not experiencing any major increase in players, at least on Steam, there is again discussion about it on Reddit. Redditor DodgyDogma writes, for example, that he is currently trying out the MMORPG and is having a huge amount of fun with it.
Lord of the Rings Online evokes nostalgia for the good old WoW days in him. He praises the retro graphics, the great community, the level content, the world, and the unique classes.
In the comments, the monetization is mainly discussed, which seems to leave a bad first impression:
My first impression was “huh, this game’s P2W” then basically 2 years later being like “I financially support this game whenever I feel like it, just on a whim”. All enhancements are purely optional, you get permanent benefits for subscribing just for 1 month, premium currency is extremely easy to earn.
Sticking with LOTRO long enough to get used to all its aspects was one of the best commitments in my gamer’s life, it became my cosy home MMORPG.
Personally, I haven’t hit the free content wall yet and haven’t dealt with the payment system either. I just wanted to be in Middle-earth and explore for now. I’ll deal with everything else later.
However, I will probably continue to think wistfully about the canceled Amazon MMORPG for quite a while. The what could have been will not let me go for now. Seriously – we didn’t even know the setting yet.
What if we could have explored the lost continent of Beleriand? Discover the woodland realm of Doriath? Or confront the armies of Sauron’s actual master Morgoth. I would really like that right now. Who wouldn’t want to go to try and save Gondolin alongside Glorfindel. Yes, I now know about him.
Of course, I’ve also looked at other games set in Middle-earth. But I need a game that not only looks like Middle-earth but also feels like it. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor or the survival game Return to Moria just weren’t story-heavy enough or too foreign to canon for me.
Lord of the Rings Online is currently pressing all the right buttons. I hope it stays that way for a while. I’ll report back in half a year on whether it could keep me long term or if I jumped ship. In general though there is no shortage of MMORPG alternatives, even if they are not Tolkien themed. Soon, there will be new supplies from China: How much MMORPG is actually in Where Winds Meet, the MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz knows.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The handheld manufacturer Abxylute aims to stand out with its upcoming product featuring an unusual size and functionality. Additionally, a supplementary accessory is expected to enhance productivity on the go.
What kind of device is it? The manufacturer Abxylute is launching the 3D One. The mini console is a handheld in the style of the Steam Deck. However, it is significantly larger and more powerful. The main selling point is expected to be the large 10.95-inch screen with 3D technology. Furthermore, a clip-on keyboard is intended to provide comfortable typing on the go.
The manufacturer, founded in 2025, specializes in controllers, handhelds, and accessories, which are frequently funded via Kickstarter. The new handheld will be the most expensive product from the manufacturer to date.
What the One 3D can do, what its specifications include, and whether it is worth a look, we have compiled for you in this news item. The Switch 2 can also be used like a handheld. We have unboxed it for you:
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Wir packen die Switch 2 aus: Das ist im Karton
AAA games, indie titles, and emulation in one package
What can the handheld do? According to Abxylute, the gaming handheld can handle AAA titles like Baldur’s Gate 3. Likewise, indie titles and emulators like Dolphin or Retroarch are expected to run smoothly. Thanks to a glasses-free 3D technology in the screen, over 50 3D-optimized games on Steam will be available at launch, including titles like Elden Ring, Sekiro, and Black Myth: Wukong.
To meet the requirements of the games, the handheld features the following technology:
RAM: 32 Gigabytes LPDDR5X memory (speed still unknown)
Screen: 10.95-inch LCD screen with 2560 x 1600 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hertz.
Built-in AI sensors are designed to track your eyes during use to ensure the 3D effect from multiple different angles. According to the manufacturer, further software can convert images and videos into 3D-compatible formats for immediate enjoyment on the handheld.
Another unique feature: The handheld can be disassembled like the Switch or the Legion Go, allowing you to detach the controllers as you would with the Switch and use the One 3D in table mode.
Pre-orders, Kickstarter, and additional discounts with a deposit
How can you get the device? The Kickstarter campaign for the 3D One is set to launch on November 13, 2025, at an early-bird price of $1,499. This is approximately €1,305. Later, the price is expected to rise to $1,799, which corresponds to about €1,565. You can provide your email on the official website in advance to be notified at the launch.
Pre-order customers can already pay a deposit of $150 to receive an additional $200 discount at the start of the campaign. This corresponds to a discount of €174 for a €130 deposit. If you don’t use your discount, you will get your money back at the end of the campaign.
After the Kickstarter sales phase, the device is expected to be offered through the company’s own webshop. When shipping will take place is still unclear.
Who is the device interesting for? If you are looking for a powerful handheld, you will likely find it here. The built-in processor and 32 Gigabytes of RAM should be able to smoothly render most games. However, whether the new 3D technology is just a gimmick or a truly worthwhile investment is hard to say without a thorough test.
A downside is the enormous size of the device and its weight of 1.1 kilograms. This makes it almost twice as heavy as a Steam Deck (around 640 to 670 grams), making it feel unwieldy. At least the table mode with detachable controllers should help reduce the weight, yet the device remains cumbersome.
Additionally, for the high price, you could get an entire gaming PC, so you should think carefully about the purchase. After all, for the money, you could get a fast mid-range PC with an RTX 5070, which would keep you equipped for the next few years.
Moreover, keep in mind that the company was only founded in 2025. An unknown company that primarily relies on Kickstarter inherently poses a certain risk, and €1,500 is not exactly cheap. Therefore, such an investment should be carefully considered. In the worst case, the money could be gone, or the product could be, at best, subpar.
Although Season 2 of One Piece hasn’t even been released yet, Netflix is already announcing several actors who will appear only in Season 3. And one of them we will see most of the time without a shirt.
Who has been cast in One Piece? Xolo Maridueña will play the role of Ace in Season 3 of One Piece. He is the brother of protagonist Luffy, who sees him again after many years in Alabasta.
In a new post on Instagram, an actor reads a script in which it states that there would be a big explosion and Ace would step out of the flames. Shortly thereafter, Luffy’s actor Iñaki calls and is excited that his bro would finally appear on set.
Maridueña also wonders, quite confused, whether Ace would ever wear a shirt. Little spoiler on the side: He is really only seen with a top in flashbacks, so Maridueña will probably be seen often without a shirt.
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A new sneak peek shows behind the scenes of One Piece season 2 and how some fight scenes were filmed
Actor previously played a superhero
Where do we know the actor from? The American actor has appeared in several films and series, including Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, the superhero film from the DC Universe. In this, Maridueña even plays the lead role. So he is well acquainted with special powers.
Maridueña has also had contact with animes. He voiced Heisuke Mashimo in Sakamoto Days in the English version.
What do fans say about it? Many users write in the comments on X and Instagram that they had suspected in advance that Maridueña would get the role. They are happy for the actor that he gets to portray Ace in One Piece.
Additionally, there are some fans who are already looking forward to the Marineford arc, if it will ever be featured in the Netflix series. There comes to an emotional climax with Luffy.
Mushrooms and cushions are among the resources that are hard to find in ARC Raiders. We will show you where to quickly find them and how to save time.
What are mushrooms and cushions used for? Mushrooms and cushions are like olives, prickly pears, apricots and lemons, resources you need to upgrade Scrappy. To upgrade him to level 5, you need 12 mushrooms, 12 apricots, and 3 very comfortable cushions. We will show you how to quickly get the necessary quantities.
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ARC Raiders soll laut der Community die chilligsten Lobbys haben
Where can you best find mushrooms? Mushrooms in ARC Raiders are mainly found in very shady spots. The most effective way to farm them is to head to the “Acerra Spaceport” map. There, you will find a tree south of the “Small Hangar” where you are guaranteed to find 3 mushrooms that you can harvest. Nearby, you can often find more trees where you can collect mushrooms.
Here you can find some trees with guaranteed mushrooms.At this tree, there are always 3 mushrooms that you can harvest.
Alternatively, you can also look for them among the trees or in small plant pots in the Hydroponics Dome Complex on the Dam Battlefield map. Generally, you will find them mainly on trees or in moist areas in natural locations.
Where can you find very comfortable cushions? You can theoretically find cushions in all sorts of houses. Your best chances are when you check red lockers that are found in the buildings. They tend to be found there more often. The Buried City has proven to be particularly lucrative as it hosts most of the buildings and businesses.
To upgrade Scrappy to level 5, you also need to find 12 apricots. The collecting process takes quite some time and grind, just like with mushrooms and cushions, but there are also some locations that are more lucrative than others. To save time here as well, you can check this: ARC Raiders: Finding lemons and apricots – Here’s how to catch the fruits
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Twitch streamer WoWGrandma78 is obviously tough. Just because she unfortunately broke her wrist, doesn’t mean she has to stop healing high Mythic Plus dungeons in World of Warcraft.
Who is it about? Behind the Twitch name WowGrandma78 is an 83-year-old player who has loved streaming World of Warcraft regularly for the past 5 years and getting to know a variety of people around the world.
Both – streaming and playing WoW – are being done with considerable success. Her channel on Twitch currently has 142,599 followers. In World of Warcraft, she successfully heals high-level dungeons with her 3 (!) night elf druids – her highest Mythic score is 3,113.
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WoW Legion Remix: This insane time travel works
Who needs 2 hands to heal dungeons?
What happened to WowGrandma78? On November 1, 2025, the likable player returned to X after several days off:
October: The cat ran out and I ran after it. When I wanted to pick it up, it jerked and I broke my wrist. The operation was on the 24th. A week off, wow, but tonight I healed two 10s, one 11, and one 12 with one hand. We completed all of them in time. Unfortunately, I can’t tackle my 14s right now.
For all non-WoW players: Despite her injury and the operation, the player ventured with just one hand into one of the endgame areas of World of Warcraft (the so-called Mythic Plus dungeons) to successfully heal groups at high difficulty levels with her druid.
How does the community react to this achievement? Under the post on X, many people wish the WoW grandma a speedy recovery. Moreover, many commentators pay respect to this achievement.
Fred… writes on X something like: “What. A. Gamer.”
By the way, WowGrandma78 has already successfully mastered some 14s. Where do you currently stand in the Mythic Plus area of WoW? Share it in the comments! By the way, it seems that currently more players than ever are playing Blizzard’s MMORPG: How many players does WoW have? New data say: more than ever before
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Do you know off the top of your head which Call of Duty was released 18 years ago? Spoiler: It’s one of the most popular parts of the shooter series. This is evidenced by a current discussion in the community.
Which Call of Duty is it? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released on November 5 and 8, 2007 for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Later, ports for Nintendo DS and Wii followed, as well as a remaster.
On metacritic.com, the shooter holds a Metascore of 94 and a user score of 8.5. More than 15.7 million copies of Modern Warfare are said to have been sold by 2013 alone. Unsurprisingly, the hit spawned various sequels.
Unlike many today’s service shooters, the campaign of Modern Warfare was not just an accessory but a key to its success. The staging of many missions was cinematic and gripping. The modern setting in the here and now of an alternative reality noticeably stood out from many other shooters of that time.
As players, we experience an execution firsthand, various painful helicopter crashes, one of the most thrilling stealth segments in video game history, and the shocking fall of a nuclear bomb.
However, some scenes also attracted criticism, including a section where we have to open fire on hard-to-identify individuals through the thermal imaging camera of a plane. At another point, a prisoner is first tortured and then shot. The approximately 6-hour-long campaign left a lasting impression on many players at the time.
The trailer for the next Call of Duty:
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 zeigt erstes Gameplay aus dem Multiplayer-Modus
Genre-defining milestone
How does the community remember this part? On Reddit, part of the community is currently using the anniversary to reflect on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
JPSWAG37 writes on Reddit: “It’s really incredible how sustainable the legacy of this game is. It has since become a model for mainstream FPS games, for better or worse.”
tj647963 shares on Reddit his clear opinion: “The best CoD of all time.”
Common_Exam_1401 agrees on Reddit: “The game that took CoD away from its roots as a WWII shooter and changed the FPS genre forever.”
For pen15_club_admin, there was only one clear winner, via Reddit: “The game beat Halo 3.”
With Black Ops 7, the next Call of Duty is already on the starting blocks. The release on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass is planned for November 14, 2025. What else you need to know about the new installment of the Black Ops series of Call of Duty can be found in our overview: CoD Black Ops 7: All info on release, beta, and price
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
While the new season of 7 vs. Wild is still in full swing, one participant already has concrete plans for the upcoming sixth season of the survival show.
Who is it about? For the second time, survival expert Joe Vogel is participating in 7 vs. Wild. While he was particularly noted for a big argument with another participant in the last season, he shares command of the group in season 5 with Alone winner David Leichtle, which is going much better than in the previous season.
While Season 5 is currently about halfway through, Joe Vogel already has plans for what the season should look like in 2026… and it could be even tougher, according to the survival expert.
Another participant was initially controversial but then developed into a fan favorite.
Start video
From the Witness Stand with Barbara Salesch to the King of Twitch – Career and Life of Knossi
Harder than ever
How does he envision the season? In a story on Instagram, Joe Vogel shared his idea for the 6th season of 7 vs. Wild. He lists eight key points, with point 8 likely not being a firm rule.
You can see the eight points here:
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If it were up to Joe Vogel, the format would move to the Outback in Australia in 2026. But instead of the jungle camp, 7 experts would be dropped off at a backwater of a river or a watering hole. Each professional is allowed to bring 7 items with them to survive for 14 days.
As in seasons 1 and 2, there would be a mission every day that needs to be completed, while tackling the major goal of building a shelter and meeting basic needs. From day 11, the 3-day march to safety would then begin, which participants would have to manage with their respective energy reserves. His last wish would be to be a participant one more time.
How are the viewers reacting? Joe Vogel’s concept aligns with many aspects of the long-held desire of viewers for a specialist season. Accordingly, many fans are responding positively on Reddit to Joe Vogel’s suggestions:
der_tuk: “That would be exactly what I would finally wish for.”
Manila99: “I would think it’s awesome. Exactly what I want to see. But impressive that such a trivial answer to a completely normal question can provoke such heated opinions and debates early in the morning.”
reelThin: “Great, the idea has just one catch: Without the ‘kidfluencers’, it will get less reach. In the end, aside from Joe and Leichtle, no one is there who brings anything except for reach. 2 out of 5! That’s been evident since season 4, I think.”
Odd-Philosopher-1522: “Then every expert just gets an influencer at their side. Season goal: Keep the influencer alive.”
Joe Vogel’s reintroduction as a participant for the next season is causing some displeasure among fans. They would prefer a season without the survival expert, who would then have caught up with Fritz Meinecke as a long-term participant. User YungLynIssc writes: “I’m in favor of each participant being allowed to participate a maximum of 2 times.”
Can 7 vs. Wild function without influencers? In the comments, there is often talk that the proposal is unrealistic because one would not have the necessary reach without influencers to produce a season. However, season 1 of 7 vs. Wild has already proven that it works even without influencers. A compromise with 7 survival and outdoor influencers could also be conceivable here.
Whether the creators of 7 vs. Wild will take Joe Vogel’s proposal to heart is unclear. However, many fans hope so. A professional season with a survival influencer cast could make the show exciting again for all those who missed the feeling of loneliness in seasons 4 and 5. Although some fans can’t stand Joe Vogel, he saved season 5: Candidate saves 7 vs. Wild just before the start, must swim across the Amazon
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The universe of Marvel is not only full of powerful adults, but children also have a significant impact on the story. Among them is a child of the Fantastic Four, who has a special relationship with one of the worst villains.
Who is it about? Over time, other family members joined the Fantastic Four. Those who have seen the latest Marvel movie might know the name Franklin Richards. He is one of the most powerful figures in the Marvel universe. But he is not the only child of Sue Storm and Reed Richards.
Valeria Richards is the second child of the two. Although she is somewhat less powerful than her older brother, she has an interesting relationship with the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four: Dr. Doom, who will be the next major Avengers threat after Thanos in 2026.
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps – The new Marvel film will be released in theaters on July 25
Dr. Doom saved her and her mother
Even at birth, Dr. Doom was a relevant factor. The existence of Valeria is more complicated than one might think. Even in the womb, she emitted radioactive energy and no scientist could help her. Even the genius Reed Richards was baffled. Subconsciously, Franklin sent his yet-to-be-born sister to another dimension where Sue is married to Dr. Doom (a nice variant).
An older Valeria then returned, and during a conflict with the villain Abraxas, reality was altered. Sue was pregnant again with Valeria. But this time complications arose again. Valeria continued to emit dangerous energy in the womb, threatening Sue’s life. Johnny Storm, Sue’s brother, turned to Dr. Doom in his desperation.
Thanks to his magical abilities and intelligence, Doom was able to help the Fantastic Four bring Valeria into the world healthy in the comic Fantastic Four No. 54 (1998). But he demanded a price: He became Valeria’s godfather and named her after his great love (whom he once sacrificed to demons).
Despite his new role as Uncle Doom, he did not become any less evil. He manipulated Valeria with magic and even ensured that her first words would be his name. Although the magical connection was eventually severed, Uncle Doom became an important part of Valeria’s life.
What is the relationship between Valeria and Dr. Doom? Although Dr. Doom is her father’s arch-nemesis, she likes her nasty godfather, who respects her for her high intelligence. She constantly tries to guide the powerful magician towards good.
In the 2014 comic series of Fantastic Four, she stayed with him in his country Latveria and tried to help the world with Doom’s power. At one point, she even formed her own Avengers group with him to defeat an evil Scarlet Witch.
However, despite his good deeds, the villain craved power. Even when her family fights Doom, Valeria always tries (even secretly) to keep in touch with her godfather. At the same time, she does not simply let him conquer the world or do evil. When necessary, she helps her family in the fight.
On the other hand, it also seems like this: No matter how much he wants to destroy and dominate everything, he would mostly do anything for his goddaughter Valeria. In the comic Fantastic Four No. 7 from 2023 (via Marvel), he wants to rescue a time-lost Valeria. He invests several years of his life for her. Just for another person. This does not fit at all with the Dr. Doom who would usually sacrifice others for anything.
Will we meet Valeria in the MCU? That is hard to say. Franklin Richards is alive after the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Dr. Doom apparently has an interest in him. If the next Avengers movie titled Doomsday involves different dimensions and timelines, that is quite possible. However, this has not yet been confirmed. In 2027, we could even expect a villain worse than Doom: Marvel may have spoiled the all-powerful villain from the new MCU, which could become a real problem for the Avengers
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
